22nd Sunday of Ordinary Time

Pick a seat Lk. 14:7-14

On the Last Day when we gather around the Heavenly Banquet for the Supper of the Lamb;

Which seat are you going to take?

That all depends on the seat we have taken on this earth.

I do not mean did you sit in the back or the front of church!

I am talking about the places where we sit in life. 

Some people sit at the places of honor. 

The rich, the powerful and the popular

Always have the best seats. 

At Super bowls and weddings and inaugurations. 

While the poor, the crippled, the lame and the blind

Are often on the outside looking in. 

At the Supper of the Lamb at the Heavenly Banquet,

The places are reversed. 

Whoever humbles himself on this earth 

Will have a higher place at the Supper of the Lamb at the heavenly Banquet. 

While Jesus will tell the rich, the powerful and the popular

To please make way 

For the poor, the crippled, the lame and the blind. 

Every Saturday or Sunday

We come to the Supper of the Lamb

And take a seat somewhere in church. 

And when we do;

Stop and think about where our seat is going to be at the Heavenly Banquet of the Supper of the Lamb;

For whoever humbles himself on earth

Will be exalted in heaven. 

While those who are exalted down here,

Will be humbled up there. 

Saturday 21st Week of Ordinary Time

Our Lady of Knock

August 21: Our Lady of Knock, Ireland (1879)

     The apparition in County Mayo in Ireland of Our Lady of Knock is reported to have occurred on the evening of August 21, 1879, the vigil of the octave of the feast of the Assumption. Those who witnessed the miracle ranged in age from five years old to seventy-five.

     The apparition was described as follows: “Our Lady was wearing a large, brilliant crown and clothed in white garments. On her right was Saint Joseph, his head inclined toward her and on her left Saint John the Evangelist. To the left of Saint John was an altar on which stood a cross and a lamb.” Standing only a few feet off the ground, the Blessed Virgin wore a white cloak and was described by witnesses as being incredibly beautiful. She wore a bright golden crown, and appeared to be praying with her eyes looking toward heaven with her arms bend in front of her with her palms facing inward.

The Martyrdom of Saint John the Baptist

Herod was attracted to John,

Much like a moth to a flame.  

But at the same time he rejected John,

Because he did not want to hear the Truth;

The Truth that he cannot marry his brother’s wife.

And eventually Herod silenced the Truth,

By having John beheaded. 

Or so he thought. 

The life and message of St. John the Baptist lives on,

While Herod fades away. 

This is how it is with Truth. 

People are attracted to it.

But often reject it because it convicts them of the falsehood of their opinions and desires. 

They claim to speak “their Truth” while denying  “The Truth” who is Jesus. 

The Pharisees preferred “their Truth” to the “Truth” of Jesus and so they condemned Him

The crowd preferred the truth of public opinion,

So they shouted “crucify Him.”

Thursday 21st week of Ordinary Time

 St. Augustine

It Is Never Too Late

In the story Alice in Wonderland, the white rabbit goes around saying, "I'm  late,I'm late for a very important date. 

St. Augustine prayed "Too late have I loved you O Lord, too late have  I loved you"

He had spent so much of his life on false philosophies and false religions and loose living.

Are there times in our lives when we are afraid it is too late?

Too late to say I am sorry?

Too late to forgive?

Too late to start over?  

No matter how old we are or what we are doing.  

It is never too late for the Lord.

Wednesday 21st week

 Feast of St. Monica

The value of Tears

So often in the world nowadays people argue and curse and condemn others who think differently than they do. 

The vitriolic nature of conversation does not lead to conversion. 

What does then?

Tears!

Tears show love and  compassion;

Tears are disarming and vulnerable. 

Monica was not going to out debate her son Augustine who was one of the greatest minds in the history of the world to become Christian. 

So Instead of trying to change her son’s mind to become Christian through argumentation she sought to change his heart through her tears. 

Next time one wants to change or get through to another person try tears. 

One may have to shed a lifetime of tears as did Monica,

But It will show a sincerity that words fail to show. 

And it may just bring about a change of heart!

Tuesday 21st Week of Ordinary Time

Pleasing to God 1 Thessalonians. 2:1-8

Paul was not concerned with pleasing men

But with pleasing God. 

Therefore everything he said and did was for the greater glory of God. 

He did not flatter others in order to win their praise.

Nor did he brag about his calling to be an Apostle of Christ. 

All he wanted was to be please God. 

That is what we seek and pray for at every Mass,

In the Second Eucharistic prayer;

“That with the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God and Blessed Joseph, her spouse,

With The blessed Apostles and all the saints,

Who have pleased God throughout the ages.”

That our words and actions may be pleasing to God

So that we may be co-heirs to eternal life. 

Monday 21st Week of Ordinary Time

 Enduring Faith 2 Thes. 1:1-5

The early church faced persecution continually. 

Some people were ridiculed and rejected. 

Others were imprisoned and executed. 

Persecution continues even today and comes in many different forms. 

Maybe it is a direct attack by an individual. 

Maybe it is indirect through social media. 

Regardless our Faith must endure. 

Not for our glory,

But for the Glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

And if it does endure,

Then we will share in the glory of the Lord when He come again. 

21st Sunday of Ordinary Time

Do I know you? Lk. 13:22-30

Would you let just anyone walk into you house;

Let alone move in to stay?

Strangers, probably not;

Someone in need, maybe;

Someone you know very well;  most likely.

Do you give out the keys to your house to anyone who asks;

Or only to those you know and trust?

And everyone else has to knock if they want in?

Why should it be any different with God?

Should Jesus let just anyone in His heavenly Father’s house?

Or should He let in only those He knows?

Many people are going to knock on His door after they die. 

Do we take the risk of Him saying,

“Depart from me, for I do not know you?”

So the question is “How will Jesus know us?”

If you are poor in Spirit, the Kingdom of Heaven will be yours.  Mt. 5:3

“If you suffer persecution for His name, your reward will be great in the Kingdom of Heaven.” Mt 5:12

If you are Baptized;

For He said, “Unless you are born again you cannot enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Jn. 3:5

 “If you eat His flesh and drink His Blood you have Eternal Life.” Jn 6:54

“If you believe in Him you have Eternal Life.” Jn 6:40

Or if you fed Him when He was hungry and clothed Him when He was naked or visited Him when He was sick. 

You will inherit the Kingdom of Heaven. Mt. 25:34-39. 

Jesus is very welcoming!

All of these People Jesus knows and are His friends Jn 15:15 and He has prepared a place for them. Jn. 14:2

And He has given them the Keys to His Heavenly Father’s House. 

While Those He does not know will have to knock. 

And wait and see if He opens the door!

Friday 20th Week of Ordinary Time

The Queenship of Mary

How does one become a Queen?

Usually one is born into the royalty. 

But not when it comes to Jesus. 

One becomes brother, sister and mother to the Lord,

Not by blood but by doing the Will of God.

No one was more obedient to the Will of God

Than Mary whose motto was,

“Fiat!”

“Let it be done to me according to your word.”

If we follow her example and always seek to do God’s Will

Rather than our own,

Then we too will reign with her forever 

In the Kingdom of Heaven.  

Thursday 20th week of ordinary time

 Feast of Pope St. Pius X

Pius X was Pope for 11yrs. From 1903-1914. 

He came from humble beginnings and continued to live humbly as Pope. 

The motto of the Papacy of Pope Pius X was

“To Restore all things in Christ!”

We must Restore ALL things, not just somethings. 

How can we restore ourselves?

How can we restore our families?

How can we restore our Church?

Wednesday 20th Week of Ordinary Time

St. Bernard of Clairvaux. Aug. 20

St. Bernard of Clairvaux  began to reform the Benedictine Order in France in the year 1115. 

And he once said that,

“You will find something more in woods than in books. 

Trees and stones will teach you things that  you can never learn from masters.” 

Take time to pick up a stone;

Watch a butterfly fly;

Listen to the wind blow through the trees.

And learn from the Master Painter Himself;

Who painted the Heavens and the earth. 

With His creating brush. 

Tuesday 20th Week of Ordinary Time

Easier to Pass through the Eye of a needle!  Mt. 19:23-30

Jesus warns us that it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle 

than for one who is rich to enter the Kingdom of God.  

It is not so much the riches that are the problem as clinging to them. 

The eye of a needle is very small,

And if we want to enter the Kingdom of heaven,

Then we must rid ourselves of our possessions. 

For the only thing that will fit through the eye of the needle that we can take with us into the Kingdom of Heaven is,

LOVE!

Monday 20th week of Ordinary Time

 One Day !

Turn your eyes, O God, our shield;

and look on the face of your anointed one;

one day within your courts

is better than a thousand elsewhere. Ps. 83:10-11

“If you wish to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven.” Mt. 19:21

 There is no better place or more anything more valuable than in the courts of the Lord and His Heavenly Kingdom. 

20th Sunday of Ordinary Time

 A cloud of Witnesses Heb. 12:1

At this very minute,

We are surrounded by a Great Cloud of Witnesses. 

Saints who have born witness;

By their lives; their words and their blood. 

They endured the cross and now they know the joy of having finished the race and gaining the prize of victory. 

This Great Cloud of Witnesses is now urging us on;

Praying for us to endure the cross;

And finish our race and gain the prize of victory. 

Surrounded by this Great Cloud of Witnesses. 

We follow their example;

We are inspired by their lives’

We are encouraged by their Faith;

And We call upon their prayers;

As we pray the Litany of the Saints;

Of the Great Cloud of Witnesses;

Holy Mary, pray for us.
Holy Mother of God, pray for us.
Holy Virgin of virgins, pray for us.

Saint Michael, pray for us.
Saint Gabriel, pray for us.
Saint Raphael, pray for us.
All you holy Angels and Archangels, pray for us.
All you holy orders of blessed Spirits, pray for us.

Saint John the Baptist, pray for us.
Saint Joseph, pray for us.
All you holy Patriarchs and Prophets, pray for us.

Saint Peter, pray for us.
Saint Paul, pray for us.
Saint Andrew, pray for us.
Saint James, pray for us.
Saint John, pray for us.
Saint Thomas, pray for us.
Saint James, pray for us.
Saint Philip, pray for us.
Saint Bartholomew, pray for us.
Saint Matthew, pray for us.
Saint Simon, pray for us.
Saint Jude Thaddeus, pray for us.
Saint Matthias, pray for us.
Saint Barnabas, pray for us.
Saint Luke, pray for us.
Saint Mark, pray for us.
All you holy Apostles and Evangelists, pray for us.
All you holy Disciples of the Lord, pray for us.

All you holy Innocents, pray for us.
Saint Stephen, pray for us.
Saint Laurence, pray for us.
Saint Vincent, pray for us.
Saint Fabian and Saint Sebastian, pray for us.
Saint John and Saint Paul, pray for us.
Saint Cosmas and Saint Damian, pray for us.
Saint Gervase and Saint Protase, pray for us.
All you holy Martyrs, pray for us.

Saint Silvester, pray for us.
Saint Gregory, pray for us.
Saint Ambrose, pray for us.
Saint Augustine, pray for us.
Saint Jerome, pray for us.
Saint Martin, pray for us.
Saint Nicholas, pray for us.
All you holy Bishops and Confessors, pray for us.
All you holy Doctors, pray for us.

Saint Anthony, pray for us.
Saint Benedict, pray for us.
Saint Bernard, pray for us.
Saint Dominic, pray for us.
Saint Francis, pray for us.

Saint Maximilian Kolbe pray for us.
All you holy priests and clergy, pray for us.
All you holy monks and hermits, pray for us.

Saint Mary Magdalene, pray for us.
Saint Agatha, pray for us.
Saint Lucy, pray for us.
Saint Agnes, pray for us.
Saint Cecilia, pray for us.
Saint Catharine, pray for us.
Saint Anastasia, pray for us.

Saint Clare, pray for us;

Saint Teresa of Avila, pray for us.

Saint Bernadette, pray for us.

Saints Theresa of the Little Flower, pray for us. 

All you holy virgins and widows, pray for us.

All you Saints of God, pray for us. 

Surrounded by the prayers of this Great Cloud of Witnesses

Let us run our race and gain the prize of Eternal Life.