We Are Made For More

15 June 2018

Jesus continues to tell us that we are made for more. Yesterday He called us to the highest standard and not to settle for the bare minimum when it comes to the virtuous life. Today he continues to unpack the commandments with “extra” insight that calls us to do more. Seven out of the Ten Commandments focus on how we should treat one another and only the first three focus on God. Therefore, it seems pretty darn paramount, to God, that we get our relationships with one another right. I think the answer is blatantly before us even though it may be difficult to see. The order of the Commandments is no mistake and is the proper order for living the virtuous life. It is only when this proper order is in place that we can really start to lean into those extra, above and beyond, made for more things that Jesus is constantly teaching us about. The order is: Love God first and before ALL others, His name is to be honored, set aside one day a week just for Him….then treatment of family, friends, and strangers will be in their right order, flowing out of and from pure and total love. 

Today’s commandment is “you shall not commit adultery” and I think it is safe to say that we all completely understand the magnitude of this sin. It seems like we are well versed on the “badness” of adultery and all the extra ways that we might commit adultery in our thoughts, words, actions, etc. I’d like to go a little deeper. 

I know for me, I treat people differently based on whatever commonality I have with them. For example, if you are a Notre Dame fan, it is very likely that I will give you the shirt off my back if you ever need it. And obviously, if you are from Hawaii, we must be and probably are related so you might just be remembered in my last will and testament. Oh, you walked the Camino de Santiago? We are now best friends for life and you are stuck with me forever. I even connect over silly and frivolous things like, “Your favorite color is yellow? Here’s a pint of my blood.” “You love guacamole too? I’m pretty sure we are soul mates!” I think the break down that leads us to unfaithfulness of any sort – adultery, betrayal, gossip, slander, lying – can be found in our inability to connect over the one commonality that we all share.  We are God’s masterpiece, created in Their image, and we are all one in Love. The same Spirit that breathed life into the universe resides in you and me and in every single human person ever created. Our failure to honor that Spirit in one another is exactly how we can be “unfaithful” to one another. 

My friend Dotti says that if we truly believed that each one of us is a living tabernacle, we too, would bow in reverence to one another the same way we bow in church before the tabernacle. I feel like we would never feel the temptation to “use” each other again if we really believed this. Unfaithfulness is essentially using others for something that is devoid in ourselves and if we were properly ordered, we would know that first and only, God fulfills all that is missing. The references to cutting off your hand if it causes you to sin or plucking your eyes out is really an emphatic way to tell us to get the order of things right. 

We are made for more and it is up to us to take the message of today’s gospel to heart. I honor the Spirit of the living God in you, today, and I bow in reverence to that Spirit. I promise to honor you as a masterpiece created in complete love and I pray that you will do the same to me. Have a blessed day and it is well with my soul. 

Friday of the Tenth Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 363

Reading 1 1 KGS 19:9A, 11-16

At the mountain of God, Horeb,
Elijah came to a cave, where he took shelter.
But the word of the LORD came to him,
"Go outside and stand on the mountain before the LORD;
the LORD will be passing by."
A strong and heavy wind was rending the mountains
and crushing rocks before the LORD—
but the LORD was not in the wind.
After the wind there was an earthquake— 
but the LORD was not in the earthquake.
After the earthquake there was fire—
but the LORD was not in the fire.
After the fire there was a tiny whispering sound.
When he heard this,
Elijah hid his face in his cloak
and went and stood at the entrance of the cave.
A voice said to him, "Elijah, why are you here?"
He replied, "I have been most zealous for the LORD,
the God of hosts.
But the children of Israel have forsaken your covenant,
torn down your altars,
and put your prophets to the sword.
I alone am left, and they seek to take my life."
The LORD said to him,
"Go, take the road back to the desert near Damascus.
When you arrive, you shall anoint Hazael as king of Aram.
Then you shall anoint Jehu, son of Nimshi, as king of Israel,
and Elisha, son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah,
as prophet to succeed you."

Responsorial Psalm PS 27:7-8A, 8B-9ABC, 13-14

R. (8b) I long to see your face, O Lord.
Hear, O LORD, the sound of my call;
have pity on me, and answer me.
Of you my heart speaks; you my glance seeks.
R. I long to see your face, O Lord.
Your presence, O LORD, I seek.
Hide not your face from me;
do not in anger repel your servant.
You are my helper: cast me not off.
R. I long to see your face, O Lord.
I believe that I shall see the bounty of the LORD
in the land of the living.
Wait for the LORD with courage;
be stouthearted, and wait for the LORD. 
R. I long to see your face, O Lord.

Alleluia PHIL 2:15D, 16A

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Shine like lights in the world,
as you hold on to the word of life.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

GospelMT 5:27-32

Jesus said to his disciples:
"You have heard that it was said, You shall not commit adultery.
But I say to you, 
everyone who looks at a woman with lust
has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
If your right eye causes you to sin, 
tear it out and throw it away.
It is better for you to lose one of your members
than to have your whole body thrown into Gehenna.
And if your right hand causes you to sin, 
cut it off and throw it away.
It is better for you to lose one of your members
than to have your whole body go into Gehenna.

"It was also said,
Whoever divorces his wife must give her a bill of divorce.
But I say to you,
whoever divorces his wife (unless the marriage is unlawful)
causes her to commit adultery,
and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery."

I Can Do Better

June 14, 2018

So Jesus is pretty clear in today’s gospel about priorities. He challenges us to higher righteousness than even (and especially) the leaders in our churches. He takes the commandment, “Thou shall not kill”, and unpacks it. Basically friends, it is pretty darn easy to NOT murder anyone, am I right? OK, so Jesus points out that we can and do “kill” each other when we harbor anger or hatred toward someone, when we use unkind words or verbally abuse each other, when we do not forgive each other “quickly”, and when we set our standards low.

Raise your hand if you have ever just “skated” by in a class or at work. Raise your hand if you have ever found the loophole in the rules or a system and used that loophole as your standard. Raise your hand if you have ever tried to justify “lower” righteousness in the name of justice or fairness or because someone else also behaved that way. Yep, my hand is high in the air, but I’m ashamed that it is because I can do better. Why? Because I know Jesus intimately. He is closer than my very breath. I receive Him in the Eucharist. I am up at 3:30am almost every morning to spend time with Him before I go to work because I love Him and I want to know Him even more deeply, and yet, my hand is still in the air. I can do better. 

Remember that in yesterday’s gospel Jesus told us that He is the fulfillment of the law – love, love, love. Today we get the explanation of what that means. Go above and beyond the bare minimum and do so in the name of love. The most challenging part of today’s message is when Jesus tells us to leave our gifts at the altar if we realize that we are at odds with someone. He wants us to go first to repair and reconcile that relationship, and then come back with our offering. Our gifts mean nothing if we are separated from our neighbor, family member, friend, loved one. Yikes. Jesus doesn’t want anything from us until we are united with one another. That is how important forgiveness AND reconciliation are to God. Satan divides and Jesus is communion, meaning total union. Satan scatters and Jesus gathers. Just sit with that a minute. 

I can do better. Today I resolve to be righteous (living above and beyond the minimum requirements in the name of love), and a life giver (not killing others with words or thoughts or judgment), and a peacemaker (seeking peace with all my foes). Why? Because my Beloved asks me to and that is exactly how He loves me. Let’s do better today and it is well with my soul.   

Reading 1 1 KGS 18:41-46

Elijah said to Ahab, "Go up, eat and drink,
for there is the sound of a heavy rain."
So Ahab went up to eat and drink,
while Elijah climbed to the top of Carmel,
crouched down to the earth,
and put his head between his knees.
"Climb up and look out to sea," he directed his servant,
who went up and looked, but reported, "There is nothing."
Seven times he said, "Go, look again!"
And the seventh time the youth reported,
"There is a cloud as small as a man's hand rising from the sea."
Elijah said, "Go and say to Ahab,
'Harness up and leave the mountain before the rain stops you.'"
In a trice the sky grew dark with clouds and wind,
and a heavy rain fell.
Ahab mounted his chariot and made for Jezreel.
But the hand of the LORD was on Elijah,
who girded up his clothing and ran before Ahab
as far as the approaches to Jezreel.

Responsorial Psalm PS 65:10, 11, 12-13

R. (2a) It is right to praise you in Zion, O God.
You have visited the land and watered it;
greatly have you enriched it.
God's watercourses are filled;
you have prepared the grain.
R. It is right to praise you in Zion, O God.
Thus have you prepared the land: 
drenching its furrows, breaking up its clods,
Softening it with showers, 
blessing its yield.
R. It is right to praise you in Zion, O God.
You have crowned the year with your bounty,
and your paths overflow with a rich harvest;
The untilled meadows overflow with it,
and rejoicing clothes the hills.
R. It is right to praise you in Zion, O God.

Alleluia JN 13:34

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
I give you a new commandment:
love one another as I have loved you.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel MT 5:20-26

Jesus said to his disciples: 
"I tell you, unless your righteousness surpasses that
of the scribes and Pharisees,
you will not enter into the Kingdom of heaven.
"You have heard that it was said to your ancestors,
You shall not kill; and whoever kills will be liable to judgment.
But I say to you, whoever is angry with his brother
will be liable to judgment,
and whoever says to his brother, Raqa,
will be answerable to the Sanhedrin,
and whoever says, 'You fool,' will be liable to fiery Gehenna.
Therefore, if you bring your gift to the altar,
and there recall that your brother
has anything against you,
leave your gift there at the altar,
go first and be reconciled with your brother,
and then come and offer your gift.
Settle with your opponent quickly while on the way to court with him.
Otherwise your opponent will hand you over to the judge,
and the judge will hand you over to the guard,
and you will be thrown into prison.
Amen, I say to you,
you will not be released until you have paid the last penny."

Do This In Memory Of Me

This is recycled from earlier this year, but I felt it was a worthy recycle. Have a blessed day.

The fulfillment of the law and the prophets is love itself, sacrificial love. Sacrificial love is that which sacrifices ones own self for the other. The practice of the law and observation of religious practice exist to cultivate this virtue at the center of our being. Jesus demonstrated this kind of love in every way in the gospels and he is saying to us, “do this in memory of me.” I know that for me I tend to pick and choose which commandments to follow strictly and which I feel can be loosened and the at has only honed a sense of pride within me. When I am truly disciplined in adhering to best practices, I lose myself more and more and in that losing myself I am able to love others better. 

What does sacrificial love look like according to the gospels? 

• Befriending the outcast
• Having mercy on the sinful
• Forgiving others completely 
• Putting others before ourselves 
• Standing up against hate and judgment
• Being kind to everyone
• Losing our lives for love of another 
• Washing each other’s feet

Sacrificial love is the fulfillment of the law and the prophets and his name is Jesus. You and I are the face, hands, feet, voice, and heart of Christ and we must do this in memory of him. Have a blessed day and it is well with my soul.

Memorial of Saint Anthony of Padua, Priest and Doctor of the Church
Lectionary: 361

Reading 1 1 KGS18:20-39

Ahab sent to all the children of Israel
and had the prophets assemble on Mount Carmel.

Elijah appealed to all the people and said,
"How long will you straddle the issue?
If the LORD is God, follow him; if Baal, follow him."
The people, however, did not answer him.
So Elijah said to the people,
"I am the only surviving prophet of the LORD,
and there are four hundred and fifty prophets of Baal.
Give us two young bulls.
Let them choose one, cut it into pieces, and place it on the wood,
but start no fire.
I shall prepare the other and place it on the wood,
but shall start no fire.
You shall call on your gods, and I will call on the LORD.
The God who answers with fire is God."
All the people answered, "Agreed!"

Elijah then said to the prophets of Baal,
"Choose one young bull and prepare it first,
for there are more of you.
Call upon your gods, but do not start the fire."
Taking the young bull that was turned over to them, they prepared it
and called on Baal from morning to noon, saying,
"Answer us, Baal!"
But there was no sound, and no one answering.
And they hopped around the altar they had prepared.
When it was noon, Elijah taunted them:
"Call louder, for he is a god and may be meditating,
or may have retired, or may be on a journey.
Perhaps he is asleep and must be awakened."
They called out louder and slashed themselves with swords and spears,
as was their custom, until blood gushed over them.
Noon passed and they remained in a prophetic state
until the time for offering sacrifice.
But there was not a sound;
no one answered, and no one was listening.

Then Elijah said to all the people, "Come here to me."
When the people had done so, he repaired the altar of the LORD
that had been destroyed.
He took twelve stones, for the number of tribes of the sons of Jacob,
to whom the LORD had said, "Your name shall be Israel."
He built an altar in honor of the LORD with the stones,
and made a trench around the altar
large enough for two measures of grain.
When he had arranged the wood,
he cut up the young bull and laid it on the wood.
"Fill four jars with water," he said,
"and pour it over the burnt offering and over the wood."
"Do it again," he said, and they did it again.
"Do it a third time," he said,
and they did it a third time.
The water flowed around the altar,
and the trench was filled with the water.

At the time for offering sacrifice,
the prophet Elijah came forward and said,
"LORD, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel,
let it be known this day that you are God in Israel
and that I am your servant
and have done all these things by your command.
Answer me, LORD!
Answer me, that this people may know that you, LORD, are God
and that you have brought them back to their senses."
The LORD's fire came down
and consumed the burnt offering, wood, stones, and dust,
and it lapped up the water in the trench.
Seeing this, all the people fell prostrate and said,
"The LORD is God! The LORD is God!"

Responsorial Psalm PS 16:1B-2AB, 4, 5AB AND 8, 11

R. (1b) Keep me safe, O God; you are my hope.
Keep me, O God, for in you I take refuge;
I say to the LORD, "My Lord are you."
R. Keep me safe, O God; you are my hope.
They multiply their sorrows
who court other gods.
Blood libations to them I will not pour out,
nor will I take their names upon my lips.
R. Keep me safe, O God; you are my hope.
O LORD, my allotted portion and cup,
you it is who hold fast my lot.
I set the LORD ever before me;
with him at my right hand I shall not be disturbed.
R. Keep me safe, O God; you are my hope.
You will show me the path to life,
fullness of joys in your presence,
the delights at your right hand forever.
R. Keep me safe, O God; you are my hope.

Alleluia PS 25:4B, 5A

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Teach me your paths, my God,
and guide me in your truth.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel MT 5:17-19

Jesus said to his disciples:
"Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets.
I have come not to abolish but to fulfill.
Amen, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away,
not the smallest letter or the smallest part of a letter
will pass from the law,
until all things have taken place.
Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments
and teaches others to do so
will be called least in the Kingdom of heaven.
But whoever obeys and teaches these commandments
will be called greatest in the Kingdom of heaven."

Salt And Light

12 June 2018

I think that Americans especially understand that adding salt to food most definitely enriches the flavor of a dish, and it can bring out hints of other tastes within that dish as well. Salt as a seasoning is part of our everyday lives (#bacon) and each of us has probably experienced under salted food, perhaps at a church potluck, and I’m sure we have also experienced over salted food. Raise your hand if you have ever burned the inside of your mouth by eating an entire bag of Doritos (not that I have EVER done such a thing, but I’ve heard about people doing this<wink wink>). We get salt as a flavor enhancer. Salt is also used as a heat conductor to stoke a fire or to increase the heat of a fire. In this capacity salt can be used over and over again, however, the more it is used the less effective it becomes, thus losing its “saltiness”, its “flavor”, or its “heat”. Once salt loses its function, it becomes useless.

Jesus was such an amazing teacher because he used images, anecdotes, and analogies that were completely relevant to his audience at the time, and these anecdotes are still relevant today. #genius

Light or fire also has multiple functions and there is a fine line between fire being a helpful source and it’s being a dangerous force. “Nor do they light a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket; it is set on a lampstand, where it gives light to all in the house.” I know that we might immediately imagine the light being extinguished or hidden under a bushel, however, a bushel is a basket made out of straw and a light under it would instantly catch the whole thing on fire and most likely the entire house as well. Light used properly, on a stand and out in the open air or contained, can illuminate even the darkest space and can be seen from miles away.

Jesus’ message for us today is temperance. The spiritual gifts that we have been given have the power to transform, but if we are not temperate in our use of them, they can actually become useless and/or dangerous. Raise your hand if you have ever witnessed a “dangerous” Christian that starts fires with their words rather than providing light to the world. Raise your hand if you have ever known a “Routine Rita” that has become dull by just going through the motions of religion rather than living out their faith. Jesus’ words to us today are to encourage us to enkindle our gifts, and to harness our spirit in such a way that we are always adding spiritual flavor, stoking the fires of faith and goodness, and lighting up the darkness. Unlike actual salt, we have the opportunity to restore our saltiness (flavor and fire) every time we meet Jesus in the moments that stir our hearts with kisses from Heaven, when we receive him in communion, when we listen to his whisper of sweet nothings in our ear, and when we do the things that make our souls well. So…” your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father.” Have a blessed day and it is well with my soul.

Tuesday of the Tenth Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 360

Reading 1 1 KGS 17:7-16

The brook near where Elijah was hiding ran dry,
because no rain had fallen in the land.
So the LORD said to Elijah: 
"Move on to Zarephath of Sidon and stay there.
I have designated a widow there to provide for you."
He left and went to Zarephath.
As he arrived at the entrance of the city,
a widow was gathering sticks there; he called out to her,
"Please bring me a small cupful of water to drink."
She left to get it, and he called out after her,
"Please bring along a bit of bread."
She answered, "As the LORD, your God, lives, 
I have nothing baked;
there is only a handful of flour in my jar
and a little oil in my jug.
Just now I was collecting a couple of sticks,
to go in and prepare something for myself and my son;
when we have eaten it, we shall die."
Elijah said to her, "Do not be afraid. 
Go and do as you propose.
But first make me a little cake and bring it to me.
Then you can prepare something for yourself and your son.
For the LORD, the God of Israel, says,
'The jar of flour shall not go empty,
nor the jug of oil run dry,
until the day when the LORD sends rain upon the earth.'"
She left and did as Elijah had said.
She was able to eat for a year, and Elijah and her son as well;
the jar of flour did not go empty,
nor the jug of oil run dry,
as the LORD had foretold through Elijah.

Responsorial Psalm PS 4:2-3, 4-5, 7B-8

R. (7a) Lord, let your face shine on us.
When I call, answer me, O my just God,
you who relieve me when I am in distress;
Have pity on me, and hear my prayer!
Men of rank, how long will you be dull of heart?
Why do you love what is vain and seek after falsehood?
R. Lord, let your face shine on us.
Know that the LORD does wonders for his faithful one;
the LORD will hear me when I call upon him.
Tremble, and sin not;
reflect, upon your beds, in silence. 
R. Lord, let your face shine on us.
O LORD, let the light of your countenance shine upon us!
You put gladness into my heart,
more than when grain and wine abound.
R. Lord, let your face shine on us.

Alleluia MT 5:16

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Let your light shine before others
That they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel MT 5:13-16

Jesus said to his disciples:
"You are the salt of the earth.
But if salt loses its taste, with what can it be seasoned?
It is no longer good for anything
but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.
You are the light of the world.
A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden.
Nor do they light a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket;
it is set on a lampstand,
where it gives light to all in the house.
Just so, your light must shine before others,
that they may see your good deeds
and glorify your heavenly Father."

Count The Blessings

11 June 2018

When Jesus saw that the crowd following them was larger than usual, he decided to begin a series of teachings known as the Sermon On The Mount. He begins with a litany of blessings (Beatitudes) that are necessary for us to be happy. These virtues and spiritual behaviors are the model for living a faithful life here on earth and the gateway to heaven. As we walk this faith journey together it is important to stop and give thanks for the virtues, the relationships, and the experiences that have been blessings (some in distressing disguise) in our lives. All these things are signs on the road, navigational directions pointing us home. Home is that place where we can rest our head against the heart of our Beloved and gentle Father and just be held in love. Blessed are you who are poor in spirit, who mourn, who are meek, who hunger and thirst for righteousness, who are merciful, who are clean of heart, who are peacemakers, who are persecuted and insulted, and blessed are you who will count all these blessings today and everyday. Rejoice and be glad because the Kingdom of Heaven is waiting for you. And it is well with my soul.  

Memorial of Saint Barnabas, Apostle
Lectionary: 580/359

Reading 1 ACTS 11:21B-26; 13:1-3

In those days a great number who believed turned to the Lord.
The news about them reached the ears of the Church in Jerusalem,
and they sent Barnabas to go to Antioch.
When he arrived and saw the grace of God,
he rejoiced and encouraged them all
to remain faithful to the Lord in firmness of heart,
for he was a good man, filled with the Holy Spirit and faith.
And a large number of people was added to the Lord.
Then he went to Tarsus to look for Saul,
and when he had found him he brought him to Antioch.
For a whole year they met with the Church
and taught a large number of people,
and it was in Antioch that the disciples
were first called Christians.
Now there were in the Church at Antioch prophets and teachers:
Barnabas, Symeon who was called Niger,
Lucius of Cyrene,
Manaen who was a close friend of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.
While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said,
"Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul
for the work to which I have called them."
Then, completing their fasting and prayer,
they laid hands on them and sent them off.

Responsorial Psalm PS 98:1, 2-3AB, 3CD-4, 5-6

R. (see 2b) The Lord has revealed to the nations his saving power.
Sing to the LORD a new song,
for he has done wondrous deeds;
His right hand has won victory for him,
his holy arm.
R. The Lord has revealed to the nations his saving power.
The LORD has made his salvation known:
in the sight of the nations he has revealed his justice.
He has remembered his kindness and his faithfulness
toward the house of Israel.
R. The Lord has revealed to the nations his saving power.
All the ends of the earth have seen
the salvation by our God.
Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands;
break into song; sing praise.
R. The Lord has revealed to the nations his saving power.
Sing praise to the LORD with the harp,
with the harp and melodious song.
With trumpets and the sound of the horn
sing joyfully before the King, the LORD.
R. The Lord has revealed to the nations his saving power.

Alleluia MT 5:12A

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Rejoice and be glad,
for your reward will be great in heaven.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel MT 5:1-12

When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain,
and after he had sat down, his disciples came to him. 
He began to teach them, saying:
"Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are they who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the land.
Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be satisfied.
Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the clean of heart,
for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness,
for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you
and utter every kind of evil against you falsely because of me.
Rejoice and be glad,
for your reward will be great in heaven.
Thus they persecuted the prophets who were before you."

Lost

Have you ever lost Jesus? Has life ever gotten so busy that you forgot silly things like eating or peeing even? Have you ever lost sight of your way? It’s very easy to do. Even the Holy Family had a potentially catastrophic lapse in judgment in today’s gospel. They literally lost Jesus for three whole days! They assumed he was among them, safe with playmates or relatives, but in actuality, he was left behind. They made assumptions and were quite honestly probably caught up in their own worlds. Perhaps Mary was chatting it up with her girlfriends and Joseph talking shop with his buddies. 

Every time I have lost sight of Jesus I am always caught up in my own stuff. Every time I have lost Jesus I have also made huge assumptions that left me careless and off guard. It’s so easy to do. It’s so easy not to notice when he is missing from my life. It’s so easy to go days without talking to him, assuming that he is somewhere near. 

The good news is that Jesus is always where he says he is in today’s gospel, “Didn’t you know that I must be in my Father’s house?” This is not a sneaky way to get us to go to church or synagogue. This is Jesus revealing that God’s house is where he dwells. Guess what? We are living tabernacles, God’s house, and Jesus can be found there, didn’t you know?  

As we celebrate Mary’s immaculate heart today, may we ponder the finding of Jesus in our hearts where he is there waiting for us. And it is well with my soul. 

Memorial of the Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Lectionary: 358/573

Reading 12 TM 4:1-8

Beloved:

I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus,

who will judge the living and the dead,

and by his appearing and his kingly power:

proclaim the word;

be persistent whether it is convenient or inconvenient;

convince, reprimand, encourage through all patience and teaching.

For the time will come when people will not tolerate sound doctrine

but, following their own desires and insatiable curiosity,

will accumulate teachers and will stop listening to the truth

and will be diverted to myths.

But you, be self-possessed in all circumstances;

put up with hardship;

perform the work of an evangelist;

fulfill your ministry.

For I am already being poured out like a libation,

and the time of my departure is at hand.

I have competed well;

I have finished the race; I have kept the faith.

From now on the crown of righteousness awaits me,

which the Lord, the just judge,

will award to me on that day, and not only to me,

but to all who have longed for his appearance.

Responsorial Psalm PS 71:8-9, 14-15AB, 16-17, 22

R. (see 15ab) I will sing of your salvation.

My mouth shall be filled with your praise,

with your glory day by day.

Cast me not off in my old age;

as my strength fails, forsake me not.

R. I will sing of your salvation.

But I will always hope

and praise you ever more and more.

My mouth shall declare your justice,

day by day your salvation. 

R. I will sing of your salvation.

I will treat of the mighty works of the Lord;

O GOD, I will tell of your singular justice.

O God, you have taught me from my youth,

and till the present I proclaim your wondrous deeds.

R. I will sing of your salvation.

So will I give you thanks with music on the lyre,

for your faithfulness, O my God!

I will sing your praises with the harp,

O Holy One of Israel!

R. I will sing of your salvation.

Alleluia SEE LK 2:19

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Blessed is the Virgin Mary who kept the word of God

and pondered it in her heart.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel LK 2:41-51

Each year Jesus' parents went to Jerusalem for the feast of Passover,

and when he was twelve years old,

they went up according to festival custom.

After they had completed its days, as they were returning,

the boy Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem,

but his parents did not know it.

Thinking that he was in the caravan,

they journeyed for a day

and looked for him among their relatives and acquaintances,

but not finding him,

they returned to Jerusalem to look for him.

After three days they found him in the temple,

sitting in the midst of the teachers,

listening to them and asking them questions,

and all who heard him were astounded

at his understanding and his answers.

When his parents saw him,

they were astonished,

and his mother said to him,

"Son, why have you done this to us?

Your father and I have been looking for you with great anxiety."

And he said to them,

"Why were you looking for me?

Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?"

But they did not understand what he said to them.

He went down with them and came to Nazareth,

and was obedient to them;

and his mother kept all these things in her heart.