Reflection for All Saints Day, 2020

Solemnity of All Saints

Rv 7:2-4, 9-14

1 Jn 3:1-3

Mt 5:1-12A

GROW: In journalism school, a professor admonished future reporters: “Show, don’t tell.” In other words, don’t start a story with a generality such as: “It was a nice day.” Instead, be specific: “The sun shone through the clouds and the air had a hint of the first snow.” This Sunday, we hear Jesus not only tell us, but show us through the poetic language of the beatitudes what holiness looks like. As if that weren’t enough, we celebrate All Saints’ Day, honoring those holy men and women (known and unknown) in heaven whose lives exemplified the beatitudes. Jesus and the saints remind us that we cannot do it alone; we need God’s help to live “blessed” lives. With God’s grace, we, too, can aspire to holiness and sainthood.

GO:  In his apostolic letter on the call to holiness, Pope Francis reminds us that the beatitudes are not simply platitudes. “Let us allow his words to unsettle us, to challenge us and to demand a real change in the way we live,” he writes. “Otherwise, holiness will remain no more than an empty word.” (Gaudete et Exsultate 66) He points out that we cannot do it alone, but only with the help of the Holy Spirit, who can free us from those stumbling blocks that may hold us back. Strengthened through prayer and the Eucharist, the road to holiness begins by putting one step in front of another – whether that means reordering our priorities, being more patient with our children, friends, or spouse – or aspiring to be what Pope Francis calls the saints next door: “Those who, living in our midst, reflect God’s presence.” (GE 7)

REFLECT: Read the section on the beatitudes in Chapter 3 of Gaudete et Exsultate, Pope Francis’ 2018 apostolic letter on the call to holiness. Ask the Holy Spirit to help us become the saints “next door” to those we encounter in our daily lives.

Reflection for October 25

Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time

 Ex 22:20-26

1 Thes 1:5C-10

Mt 22:34-40

GROW: In today’s Gospel, Jesus has just silenced one group of religious leaders, the Sadducees (which seems to be quite a feat, if we look at their behavior in the Scripture!) and is now speaking to another group of religious leaders, the Pharisees. Jesus says that the greatest commandment in all the law is actually two: love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, and soul; and love your neighbor as yourself. These two groups of religious leaders like to test him a lot, and while I might want to tell people like them to take a hike, Jesus never does. He always speaks the truth to them, in love, even if he is frustrated with their behavior. 

GO: Sometimes it’s hard to see how three particular readings fit together on a Sunday, but I was struck by how well these do. The first reading, listing ways that we should not behave, can easily be summed up as: love your neighbor as yourself. We all are, or have been, some form of what the Lord mentions: an outsider (alien), vulnerable (widow/orphan), in financial need (loan recipient), or requiring some other assistance (needing a cloak). How do we want others to treat us in those times? Then we should behave the same. It seems like the Thessalonians understood this, for Paul praises them for being a model for other believers. They have a reputation for being truly loving; of turning to God from idols, and serving him. We can be discouraged by our human failings, as all of us living in lockdown/quarantine these recent months know. It may not take much to set us off. But this is where God’s grace can help us to speak truth in love, and be a model for those around us.

ACTIONS: Reflect on any obstacles to truly loving God with full heart, mind, and soul. Then think creatively about how to love God, and in turn others.

·        How I can love God with my whole heart? After spending time in prayer, write down how you see God in your family and friends. And then go tell them!

·        How I can love God with my whole mind? Use “online time” to engage with a faith-related website such as Bishop Barron’s wordonfire.org, or follow Pope Francis on Twitter.

·        How I can love God with my soul? Pray the litany of humility.

Reflection for October 18

Twenty-ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Is 45:1, 4-6

1 Thes 1:1-5B

Mt 22:15-21

GROW: I took up distance running some years ago, thanks largely to a group of friends who encouraged me along the way. We’d share the peaks and valleys of our lives as we tackled rolling hills. Those long runs come to mind when I hear Paul give thanks to the Thessalonians for having “endurance in hope of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Paul here speaks of hope in Jesus ­– a hope that has the risen Christ as its foundation, and is central to the Christian life. When I think of what lies at the end of a long run, such as water and blissful rest, and how grateful I am for these simple pleasures, I cannot help but rejoice in the hope that St. Paul refers to today. Our catechism makes it clear: “We firmly believe, and hence we hope that, just as Christ is truly risen from the dead and lives forever, so after death the righteous will live forever with the risen Christ and he will raise them up on the last day.” (989)

GO: During a particularly challenging time, I confided in a close friend over the phone. She didn’t just offer to pray for me, she actually prayed with me on that phone call. I don’t recall her exact words, but she called on Jesus to help me trust that God would see me through. So often, it can be hard to find the words to encourage others in their faith. When that happens, why not bring Jesus into the conversation? It may seem awkward at first, but offering to pray with another person in real time can be a powerful witness and encouragement. As Christians, we don’t rely on “hoping” that everything will work out in the end; instead, we know that our hope is in Christ Jesus. As the catechism says: “Hope is the theological virtue by which we desire the kingdom of heaven and eternal life as our happiness.” (1817) It doesn’t get much more direct than that. Reflect on what “hope” looks like for us as Christians. And then tell a friend about it.

DID YOU KNOW? The source of our second reading today, the First Letter from Paul to the Thessalonians, contains the earliest mention within Christian literature of the three theological virtues: “faith, hope and love.” Reread today’s passage, and then read 1 Thessalonians 5:5-8.  In prayer, we can ask God to help us grow in all three virtues and show us ways to share them with others.

Reflection for October 11

Twenty-eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Is 25:6-10A

Phil 4:12-14, 19-20

Mt 22:1-14 OR 22:1-10

GROW: I would guess we’ve all experienced lean times along with better times. Ramen noodles and boxed mac and cheese in college, fine dining with “rich food and choice wines” once we got real jobs, then back to pizza and beer when balancing school tuition, car payments, and kids’ growing feet. Paul has seen it all and much worse; after all, he is writing from a prison cell! Yet, rather than focus on his own troubles, he expresses gratitude for the support of the Philippians and assures them that God will provide. Paul is not writing about food, fine wine, or financial security, but the “glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” No matter our circumstances, we, too, can trust that God will give us what we need.

GO: Imagine Paul, stuck in a prison cell – hungry, thirsty, and probably in pain. And yet he seeks to bolster the Philippian Church, assuring them, “I can do all things in him who strengthens me,” and thanking them: “Still, it was kind of you to share in my distress.” What a powerful faith, and a witness to gratitude of God’s gifts – including the gift of people who love us. I’ve been fortunate to have met people who, facing a chronic disease, the loss of a loved one, or physical challenges, still seem to be looking out for everyone else. Nearly to a person, they say they draw on their faith – and I’ve had the rare opportunity to hear their stories as an editor for a Catholic magazine. They inspire me to keep talking to God every day, so when that next challenge comes – and it will – I, too, can turn to my faith for strength. And it doesn’t stop there. By our example, we can accompany those around us as they carry their burdens, assuring them that they don’t face their trials alone.

ACTION: St. Paul says: “I can do all things in him who strengthens me.” Keep a gratitude journal and write down the ways God has provided for you. Thank God, and then reach out and thank the people who have supported you when things got tough.

Reflection for October 4

Twenty-seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time

 Is 5:1-7

Phil 4:6-9

Mt 21:33-43

GROW: Have you ever had that feeling that all is right with the world? Perhaps it’s the cool breeze on a crisp fall day, holding a newborn baby for the first time, or watching your friends or family enjoying each other’s company around the dinner table. These are grace-filled moments that bring to mind St. Paul’s words today which speak of “the peace of God that surpasses all understanding.” It can be all too easy to lose sight of them amid the stresses of daily life and a news feed dominated by negativity and catastrophic events. Paul, never one to shy away from taking a stand, is not asking us to bury our heads in the sand, however. His Letter to the Philippians encourages us to “have no anxiety at all,” and turn our thoughts to “whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious.” In doing so, we can not only counter the negativity, but persevere in faith as we confront the challenges of 2020.

GO: Paul goes on to say, in that same reading: “Keep on doing what you have learned and received and heard and seen in me. Then the God of peace will be with you.” I think Paul just offered us the secret to a happy life! Allow this passage to speak to you today. Allow God’s peace to permeate your heart and calm the unrest that can so easily creep in these days. And then pray that you can be the true, honorable, and gracious presence in another’s life. Send this passage to a friend who may be hurting in some way, and invite him/her to think of a time recently when they felt the presence of God, the peace of God, in their life. And then offer to accompany them in their struggles – walk beside them and encourage them to “think about these things” that are excellent or worthy of praise. 

PRAY: Focus on the encouragement of St. Paul’s words today and pray Psalms 100, 136, and 148. Pray these sacred hymns of praise and thanksgiving, and then suggest that you pray them together with your friend.  

Reflection for September 27

Twenty-sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Ez 18:25-28

Phil 2:1-11 or 2:1-5

Mt 21:28-32

GROW: I’ve always had a bit of a recalcitrant streak. Ask me to do something, and I’ll happily oblige. Order me to do something, and I’ll set my jaw. So, I can relate to the first son’s knee-jerk reply when told (not asked) to work in the vineyard. “I will not.” Yet, despite this initial reaction, the first son obeyed his father’s command. He “changed his mind and went.” I didn’t see it at first, but this parable is not about a clash of wills but obedience – not blind obedience, but choosing to turn over our lives to the will of the Father. The longer version of Paul’s Letter to the Philippians illustrates this beautifully, challenging us to imitate Jesus: “He humbled himself, becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” As human beings, we have the freedom to choose to place God’s will and the needs of others before our own. It doesn’t mean being a doormat, but rather having a healthy humility and willingness to “change our minds (and hearts)” to better conform to the example of Jesus. As the catechism reminds us in this gem about obedience: “The more one does what is good, the freer one becomes. There is no true freedom except in the service of what is good and just.” (1733)

GO: Have you ever kicked a bad habit, such as eating too many sweets, falling down the social media rabbit hole, or failure to floss? I’ve occasionally pulled it off (well, for a few days anyway), but I find it’s much tougher to change habits of my mind and heart. In today’s Gospel, the first son changes his mind, and his heart. This is what Jesus asks of us as well: a change of heart and mind toward love and obedience, wherever it is needed in our lives. For starters, it could mean taking a few moments to pray for guidance each morning before jumping full-speed ahead into our personal agenda. We can ask God to show us how to align our lives more closely with his will for us – through prayer, reading the Scriptures, and reflecting on areas in our lives that need an overhaul. Our “yes” to working in the vineyard begins by attending to what God has shown us, and leads us to even greater freedom in Christ.

PRAY: Need a spiritual jump-start? Pray the Daily Examen, an ancient practice from St. Ignatius Loyola of peacefully reflecting on the events of the day in order to detect the presence of God’s Spirit and discern his will for you.

Reflection for September 20

Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Is 55:6-9

Phil 1:20C-24; 27A

Mt 20:1-16A

GROW: Today’s parable about the workers in the vineyard reminds me of a popular paraphrase of a famous Theodore Roosevelt quote, “Envy is the thief of joy.” No matter how much or how little we have, we can find someone who appears better off or happier, or appears to have received more than they deserve. Take, for example, the vineyard workers in today’s Gospel. Those who arrived first for work were upset and envious, because the last to arrive were the first to be paid – and they were paid the same wages as those who had been first to arrive. Envy robbed the all-day workers of joy: joy in a job well-done and being paid the just wage due to them; joy in celebrating the generosity of the landowner, and of living in the kingdom of heaven begun here on earth, content with and grateful for everything God has provided for each one of us. Although envy may indeed be the thief of joy, joy can be ours when we appreciate what we have and quit comparing ourselves to others. It also frees us to share our gifts and truly walk with others through the ups and downs of our lives as we work together in God’s vineyard.

GO: Today’s parable has me thinking: When I feel envious of another’s good fortune (sparkling clean house, teenaged boys who smile for photos), perhaps one way to counter that would be to talk through those feelings with God: “Help me be content with what I have. Thank you for the ways you have blessed my friends and me, and for the people in my life who hold me up in good times and bad.” Just as the landowner was generous with the laborers, and God is immensely generous with us, let us make an effort this week to be generous in sharing the gifts in our lives with others. When we radiate gratitude and joy in our daily lives as Jesus’ disciples, and let the Holy Spirit work through us in leading others to him, our witness to others will bear much fruit.  

ACTION: Make a list of the gifts in our lives: Health, family, sparkly new earrings, a shiny lawn mower, you name it. Next, choose a “gift” you can share with others, and be specific: “I will make a card for Grandma today.” “I will donate (fill in the blank) to the food and clothing pantry on Monday.” “I will volunteer to be a greeter at Mass every other Sunday.”

Reflection for Sunday, September 13

Twenty-fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Sir 27:30–28:7

Rom 14:7-9

Mt 18:21-35

GROW: It’s part of human nature to focus on the negative “headlines” on any given day. For example, after encountering a traffic delay due to a harmless fender bender on an otherwise uneventful commute, we are more likely to be upset and angry at the delay – and the people who caused it – rather than forgiving of the situation, and aware of the concurrent fact that we made it home safely! The author of the Book of Sirach seems to have this insight into humanity, for he describes wrath and anger as “hateful things, yet the sinner hugs them tight.” I, too, have “hugged tight” to my anger at times over offenses real or perceived, and so I love the way Matthew’s Gospel challenges us to not only let go of past hurts, but to forgive: forgive, forgive, forgive. It doesn’t mean glossing over the human fender benders that can wreck relationships, but Jesus cautions us to prevent them from becoming the headlines of our lives. Instead, by opening our ears and our hearts to the Good News of God’s forgiveness, we can, in turn, extend it to those who have hurt us.

GO: When Jesus taught his disciples how to pray the Our Father in an earlier verse in Matthew’s Gospel, he used these words: “forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.” Not, “maybe I’ll think about forgiving tomorrow,” or “I might forgive this but I can’t forgive that.” Because when we open our hearts to the Good News of God’s forgiveness, we must forgive “from the heart,” as Jesus says at the end of today’s passage. Is there someone in our lives whom we need to forgive? What’s holding us back? Are we “holding tight” to our anger, or hurt, or resentment? Think about a relationship in your life that could use some healing. Perhaps a first step involves a phone call, a letter, an email, or an embrace. In prayer, ask for God’s help; seek forgiveness and ask for the grace to forgive others.

ACTION: Think of someone or something that has caused you to hang on to anger or resentment. Write a letter [you’re not going to send it!] to that person, or to the “event,” as if it were personified. Spell out factually what caused your anger. Then write that you forgive them. Put the pen down, pray that God would help you with the grace to truly forgive, then shred the letter. And let the anger go.

Reflection for Sunday, September 6

Twenty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time

 Ez 33:7-9

Rom 13:8-10

Mt 18:15-20

GROW: Pop quiz: What’s the Seventh Commandment? Can you recite the other nine? At first glance, Paul’s Letter to the Romans seems like an easy out. The commandments, he writes, “are summed up in this saying, namely, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’” Easy-peasy, right? Well, in this case the devil is not in the details, but in the totality. Most days, loving one’s neighbor as yourself is harder than following the letter of the law. It means putting others first in a culture where rugged individualism is rewarded. In an everyday way, it means letting the person with four items and 23 coupons go in front of us at the grocery store, listening with an open mind to those with whom we disagree, or driving our parent to the doctor’s office on a day we had hoped to attend our daughter’s basketball game. When those situations come up, we know we don’t have to go it alone. After all, God loved us first. As we move into the week ahead, we can ask God in prayer to open our hearts and minds to the needs of others, and help us love better by serving them, even when it’s hard.

GO: Who doesn’t love a romantic comedy? (Well, I can name four men of varying ages in my household.) Paul might have been one of them. His Letter to the Romans is more head than heart, grounded in rock-solid logic: “Love does no evil to the neighbor; hence, love is the fulfillment of the law.” The line reminds me of one of the most famous tenets of the Hippocratic Oath: “First, do no harm.” Surely, on some days, “doing no evil” or “doing no harm” may feel like enough. But as Christians, we can do so much more. I’m reminded of a generous couple who would pray together each morning asking God to show them how they could best help others. They understood the message of today’s Gospel, “Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” Knowing that Jesus was at their side, they prepared to face whatever the day brought them. Is there someone this week you can accompany on their faith journey, or invite to join you in Christian service?

PRAY: By starting the day with a simple prayer like this: “God, show me how I can serve others today,” or “God, open my heart to the needs around me,” we may be pleasantly surprised at the opportunities to grow in love that we encounter.

Reflection for Sunday, August 30

Twenty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time

 Jer 20:7-9

Rom 12:1-2

Mt 16:21-27

GROW: I missed baseball this past spring and early summer. Perhaps it’s because I am a Cubs fan, but I’m amazed at how humbling the game can be. It’s not uncommon to see yesterday’s MVP strike out with the bases loaded or an ace relief pitcher blow a save. I wonder if that’s how Peter felt when Jesus rebuked him. In last week’s Gospel, Peter recognizes Jesus as the Son of the Living God. Jesus blesses him and tells him, “Upon this rock I will build my Church.” However, today, after Jesus tells the disciples that he must suffer and die, Peter argues with him. Jesus knocks Peter down a few notches when he calls the would-be rock “an obstacle.” But the winning line here is: “You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do.” Imagine how incomprehensible it was to Peter that Jesus would suffer, die, and rise on the third day. Like Peter, we will have days when we “get it right” and feel in sync with Jesus, and days when we feel like we’re chasing the ball in the sun, and yesterday’s peace and certainty seem out of reach. In both instances, Jesus reminds us that God really does know best. Whether we’re at the top of our game or struggling, it’s reassuring to know that God is our rock – and has a plan.

GO: Sometimes my prayers get pretty specific. Please make the chemo obliterate my friend’s cancer. Help my husband find a job. Show my son which career path he should choose and help him succeed. When I’m not making God an oncologist, recruiter, or career counselor, I am known to ask him to be a divine meteorologist (Please no rain tomorrow, thank you!). There is nothing wrong with asking for what we desire, or need. But today’s Gospel alerts us of the temptation to tell God how to be God. For Peter, it was saying, “Surely you need not suffer and die.” Jesus reminds Peter, and us, that we don’t know how best to accomplish our salvation. God does. And so, in our prayers and our approach to life, we can ask for God’s healing and help, but we also need to trust in God’s plan and understand that his answers may not be what we have in mind.

PRAY/REFLECT: It’s OK to bring God our to-do list! I’m reminded, however, of a spiritual director who suggested I try to talk less and listen more. It may mean carving out some quiet time each time we pray. Another way to give ourselves over to God’s wisdom is by simply reciting the Our Father and paying close attention to the words: “Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”

Reflection for Sunday, August 23, 2020

Is 22:19-23

Rom 11:33-36

Mt 16:13-20

GROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE 

GROW: Imagine being in Peter’s shoes. We have listened to the Sermon on the Mount and been comforted and sometimes challenged by Jesus’ teachings. We have watched him heal the sick and forgive sinners. We’ve faltered at times and seen Jesus face down skeptics. Then Jesus turns to us and asks: “Who do you say that I am?” How would we answer? Peter, not yet knowing that Jesus will suffer, die, and rise, proclaims: “You are Christ, the Son of the Living God.” For Peter, this would be the beginning; he would devote his life to building up the Church. Centuries later, we proclaim his words in the Nicene Creed that Jesus is the Son of God. As with Peter, this is just our starting point. Knowing who Jesus is compels us to devote our lives to building up the kingdom of God on earth.

GO EVANGELIZE | PRAYER, INVITATION, WITNESS, ACCOMPANIMENT

GO: We know more about learning styles now, but most of us can remember two kinds of students: The front-row students who shot up their hand before a teacher finished asking the question (“Call on me, please!”), and the back-row kids who avoided eye contact, wishing they were invisible. Peter seems to have been one of those front-row students. When Jesus asked, “Who do you say that I am?” he didn’t hesitate. If Jesus asked that question today, would we hold back, check Google, or speak boldly as Peter did? As Jesus goes on to say, God put those words in Peter’s heart. God speaks to us, too, through the Scriptures, silent prayer, and the examples of saintly men and women who have touched our lives. We don’t have to worry about being “called on,” but we are all called to answer by sharing Jesus’ saving message with those around us. Like Peter, none of us is perfect; we don’t have to be. If we open our hearts and minds to Jesus and his words, we, too, can build up the Church through service, welcome, and generosity.

PRAY: Jesus, you called and chose Peter, with his strengths and his weaknesses, to be the rock on which your Church was built. You call and choose me, with my unique strengths and weaknesses, to build your kingdom in the world I live in today. Fill me with your Holy Spirit and help me to speak boldly as Peter did, proclaiming your Good News to the world. Amen.

Reflection for Sunday, August 16, 2020

Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Is 56:1, 6-7; Rom 11:13-15, 29-32; Mt 15:21-28

GROW: Talk about chutzpah! For the Canaanite woman, it took courage and audacity to persist after first the disciples, and then, by all appearances, Jesus, tried to turn her away. As a pagan woman, she was clearly an outsider. Yet she didn’t let these obstacles stop her from seeking the Lord’s help. Jesus recognized her great faith and healed her daughter. Her boldness can be a model for us. Has prayer become routine or even an after-thought amid the activities that pull us in so many directions? Do we feel our concerns are too petty or insignificant? Do we wonder whether God really cares about us? At times like this, we can take our cue from this Canaanite woman of faith and echo her words: “Lord, help me.” Jesus hears us.

GO: I have to admit that grace before meals is sometimes a rushed affair at our house. “Bless us, O Lord, and these thy gifts, which we are about to receive has been known to turn into … we are receiving.” And at Mass, after the lector has done a beautiful job sharing the universal prayers, I think to myself, was I fully listening? Yes, it’s true, the Lord knows our needs and knows what is in our hearts. But next time we say grace, let’s think about how truly blessed we are to have bountiful food on our table, and next time we say: “Lord, hear our prayer” during the Prayers of the Faithful at Mass, let’s remember the Canaanite woman and pray with more passion and boldness – and most of all, with more faith.

STUDY: When describing the power of faith, the Catechism of the Catholic Church singles out an unlikely example. It’s not Peter, Paul or the early disciples, but the Canaanite woman, an outsider in her time. “Jesus is as saddened by the ‘lack of faith’ of his own neighbors and the ‘little faith’ of his own disciples as he is struck with admiration at the great faith of the Roman centurion and the Canaanite woman.” (2610) For a refresher on what “great faith” looks like, read sections 2609-11 in the catechism. You’ll find some gems and inspiration there!

Reflection for Sunday, August 9, 2020

Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

1 Kgs 10:9A, 11-13A; Rom 9:1-5; Mt 14:22-33

GROW: Have you ever felt agitated? Sometimes it’s about nothing in particular. Other times it can stem from something we said, a regret, a broken relationship, or just an overall sense that something in our life is off-kilter. That feeling comes to mind when I picture Peter walking across that water in the wind toward Jesus. He panicked, even with Jesus in plain sight! That feeling of agitation can throw us off balance, too. Rather than looking down at the choppy water, Jesus encourages us to keep our eyes fixed on him. We may not be able to walk on water (don’t try this at home!), but we’ll find peace even on the stormiest of days.

GO: “Lord, save me!” I think Peter gets a bad rap for shouting out to Jesus when the waves start crashing about. After all, it took courage for him to “walk on water” in the first place. Likewise, we need to give ourselves credit for taking “leaps of faith” in our lives – whether that means a young person embracing his or her baptismal vocation and choosing to receive the graces and gifts in the sacrament of confirmation, remaining strong in our faith and keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus despite turmoil in the Church, or continuing to pray and seek God’s presence on the darkest and most difficult of days. On those more difficult days, we should feel free to shout “Lord, save me!”, confident that Jesus will stretch out his hand and uphold us. Likewise, we, too, can be the calming face of Christ to others – extending our hands to comfort, reassure, or just be present with others as they face the storms of life.

ACTION/PRAYER: Have you ever played a sport that required intense focus? Often coaches will encourage athletes to “see” in their mind the successful completion of whatever they are attempting, in order to avoid distractions. When life feels out of whack, we can set our gaze on Jesus through prayer, or perhaps by marveling at nature’s beauty. It can also help to remember or keep a journal about moments when we had a palpable experience of God’s presence.

August 2, 2020

Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Is 55:1-3, Rom 8:35, 37-39, Mt 14:13-21

GROW: Our neighborhood store is old-school: The baggers carry out our groceries. Often, I gladly accept, but if I think I can handle, say, two gallons of milk, two paper bags with canned goods and an extra carton of eggs, I’ll mutter, “No thanks” and struggle my way to the car. I think we Catholics, especially the American variety, are a little like that. We like our baggage, and we often choose to carry it alone, even when every muscle is straining with the effort. We’re quick to offer to pray for others, but hesitant to ask others to pray for us. We may stumble through the most recent translation of the creed, but we took to the “I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof” language right away. We tended to stay at least six feet away from others at Mass before social distancing became a thing. That’s why I love the way today’s readings show us the many ways God loves us, in his abundant generosity. He always provides, and we don’t need to carry our burdens alone.

GO: When entertaining, I often worry I won’t have enough food to go around. Several years ago, I had a large party and loaded up on ribs and chicken. I was sure I was fully prepared, so imagine my horror when five or six of my friends approached the buffet table to find only a couple of chicken wings and a rib left.* So I get why the Apostles told Jesus they didn’t think five loaves and two fish would cut it! Today’s Gospel challenges us to trust in God’s abundant generosity, and to share the burdens we face. How might that look in our daily lives? And what can we do better? In practical terms, it could mean that we ask for God’s help in providing hospitality to others when they need it, and look for the many places in which God’s provisions for us are visible. Or, as the twelve disciples handed out food to 5000 men, plus women and children, we might pray for the grace to offer help to another in the face of a daunting task. The possibilities are endless. How will we meet this Gospel’s challenge? *As to the chicken and ribs, the joke was on me: I discovered them the next morning in the oven!

PRAY: Lord, Jesus Christ, I give you my entire self now and forever. Fill me with your Holy Spirit. Teach me to know the Father and to accept his abundant generosity. Strengthen me each day in listening to and following your will. Amen.