Click here for the daily Scripture readings.
Jesus continues his words of instruction to the Apostles before they begin preaching the Gospel. He warns them to "beware of those wolves in sheep's clothing" and then encourages them to not worry about what they are to say on His behalf because the Spirit will give them the right words at the right time.
Here, then, is our point for prayer today. As we engage today, whether we find ourselves with wolves or sheep, with either those open or closed to the Gospel, may we have words that are wise and prudent. These are Gifts of the Spirit. So today we ask the Lord to renew in us the Gifts of Wisdom and Prudence. If called upon to show that we are disciples of Jesus Christ may the words we use show friend and foe alike that it's not our Gospel we follow, but Jesus's Gospel: to Love and Serve and Give.
Amen.
Friday, July 12, 2013
Thursday, July 11, 2013
Daily Point for Prayer
Click here for the daily Scripture Readings.
Today we celebrate the Feast Day of St. Benedict. (Click here for his bio)
Benedict was a holy man, dedicated to serving God and those around him. Likewise, the church recently announced that it would canonize two former Popes: John XXIII and John Paul II. I love the idea that we are witnesses to this moment. It shows us that there are good people out there who witness to the fact that Love is possible and that ultimately, Love triumphs.
Saints are still being made: in our time. But there are saints among us, now! In our homes, our workplaces. And most importantly, in the mirror. Today, let's ask the Lord to bless us with a real desire to continue walking our Faith journey to holiness, to perfect Love. Let's ask St. Benedict, St. Pope John XXIII and St. Pope John Paul II to pray for us that we may burn with the same desire to Love and serve God and those around us.
Today we celebrate the Feast Day of St. Benedict. (Click here for his bio)
Benedict was a holy man, dedicated to serving God and those around him. Likewise, the church recently announced that it would canonize two former Popes: John XXIII and John Paul II. I love the idea that we are witnesses to this moment. It shows us that there are good people out there who witness to the fact that Love is possible and that ultimately, Love triumphs.
Saints are still being made: in our time. But there are saints among us, now! In our homes, our workplaces. And most importantly, in the mirror. Today, let's ask the Lord to bless us with a real desire to continue walking our Faith journey to holiness, to perfect Love. Let's ask St. Benedict, St. Pope John XXIII and St. Pope John Paul II to pray for us that we may burn with the same desire to Love and serve God and those around us.
Wednesday, July 10, 2013
Daily Point for Prayer
Click here for daily Scripture readings.
Jesus calls the Apostles by name and sends them to the "lost sheep of the House of Israel."
This continues Jesus's ministry to those who are considered left out, or marginalized. Remember how Jesus spends his time with the known sinners of any given community: tax collectors, prostitutes, the sick and excluded. Jesus commands the Apostles, "You must go there too".
And so he says to us.
My friends, as the summer continue to tick by, perhaps as a point for consideration is to take one of these summer days and devote to a hands-on act of service and Love. There are plenty of opportunities at soup kitchens, homeless shelters, schools and day cares for the underprivileged, nursing homes, and many other places, to spend even a short amount of time, connecting with someone that is in need.
In this way, we become Christ to them. And shaped by Word and Eucharist we become His hands and heart in the world.
Amen.
Jesus calls the Apostles by name and sends them to the "lost sheep of the House of Israel."
This continues Jesus's ministry to those who are considered left out, or marginalized. Remember how Jesus spends his time with the known sinners of any given community: tax collectors, prostitutes, the sick and excluded. Jesus commands the Apostles, "You must go there too".
And so he says to us.
My friends, as the summer continue to tick by, perhaps as a point for consideration is to take one of these summer days and devote to a hands-on act of service and Love. There are plenty of opportunities at soup kitchens, homeless shelters, schools and day cares for the underprivileged, nursing homes, and many other places, to spend even a short amount of time, connecting with someone that is in need.
In this way, we become Christ to them. And shaped by Word and Eucharist we become His hands and heart in the world.
Amen.
Tuesday, July 9, 2013
Daily Point for Prayer
Click here for daily Scripture readings.
Jesus looks upon the crowd with "pity" because they looked "troubled and abandoned." I think we can safely replace the word "pity" with "compassion" and then understand a little better why Jesus would want to heal as many people as possible. It is because they are troubled and abandoned that Jesus does good things for them.
So, there's a point for prayer: can we remember a time when we were troubled and abandoned and the Lord touched us through a kind word or action from someone we know, or even a stranger- an angel? A perfectly timed phone call or smile or act of Love that pulled us out of our angst? And can we ask the Lord to heighten our sensibilities that we may look with compassion upon those who are feeling troubled and abandoned and with a smile, a act of Love, or a simple prayer of intercession, relieve their suffering, if only for a moment?
Amen.
Jesus looks upon the crowd with "pity" because they looked "troubled and abandoned." I think we can safely replace the word "pity" with "compassion" and then understand a little better why Jesus would want to heal as many people as possible. It is because they are troubled and abandoned that Jesus does good things for them.
So, there's a point for prayer: can we remember a time when we were troubled and abandoned and the Lord touched us through a kind word or action from someone we know, or even a stranger- an angel? A perfectly timed phone call or smile or act of Love that pulled us out of our angst? And can we ask the Lord to heighten our sensibilities that we may look with compassion upon those who are feeling troubled and abandoned and with a smile, a act of Love, or a simple prayer of intercession, relieve their suffering, if only for a moment?
Amen.
Friday, July 5, 2013
Wednesday, July 3, 2013
Daily Point for Prayer
Click here for the daily readings.
Thomas recognized the Lord not by His face, but by His wounds. Likewise, a mystic from the Counter Reformation (I can't remember which one), wrote that the Father recognizes the Son from the wounds He bore to accomplish the Father's plan for the redemption and salvation of human kind.
Today, let's pray that we may see and respond to the brokenness and wounded-ness that we see in others. Those who are sick, lonely, afraid; the poor, the marginalized; those who are mourning; those who are closest to us that need healing. Let's look into their wounds, and in seeing the Lord there, help to heal them through words and actions of Love. In assisting the Divine Physician to heal others, we serve Him. Today, we work with the Lord to help to heal others, even as we are being healed.
Thomas recognized the Lord not by His face, but by His wounds. Likewise, a mystic from the Counter Reformation (I can't remember which one), wrote that the Father recognizes the Son from the wounds He bore to accomplish the Father's plan for the redemption and salvation of human kind.
Today, let's pray that we may see and respond to the brokenness and wounded-ness that we see in others. Those who are sick, lonely, afraid; the poor, the marginalized; those who are mourning; those who are closest to us that need healing. Let's look into their wounds, and in seeing the Lord there, help to heal them through words and actions of Love. In assisting the Divine Physician to heal others, we serve Him. Today, we work with the Lord to help to heal others, even as we are being healed.
Tuesday, July 2, 2013
Daily Point for Prayer
Click here for daily readings.
In one of St. John's letters he writes that perfect love drives out all fear.
Today, let's bring our fears, worries, and anxieties to the Lord. Let's ask him, through our reception of Word and Eucharist to burn away that fear, replace with Love and Hope and the Knowledge that we are constantly being cared for by Him. He may ask us to endure some trial, but it is only so that we might draw closer to him and experience His Love more fully.
Perfect Love casts out all fear. Today, we live, move and have our being in Love.
In one of St. John's letters he writes that perfect love drives out all fear.
Today, let's bring our fears, worries, and anxieties to the Lord. Let's ask him, through our reception of Word and Eucharist to burn away that fear, replace with Love and Hope and the Knowledge that we are constantly being cared for by Him. He may ask us to endure some trial, but it is only so that we might draw closer to him and experience His Love more fully.
Perfect Love casts out all fear. Today, we live, move and have our being in Love.
Monday, July 1, 2013
Daily Point for Prayer
Click here for the daily readings.
As I reflect upon these readings, one word comes to heart- commitment.
Abraham and God working out the commitment that they made to one another earlier in Genesis; Jesus teaching these two guys what the commitment to discipleship means; our feast day of Blessed Junipero Serra who intercedes for vocations to the religious life and the priesthood- men and women who make a commitment to the Lord to serve the Church and the Gospel.
Today, lets pray with our commitments. Let's pray for those who are preparing to make a commitment: engaged couples. Let pray for those who may be struggling with their commitments; let's remember the greatness of Love and Fidelity that God has committed to us and that we commit back to the Lord and to our neighbors.
Today, let's pray that commitments will be strengthened. Lord, send us the Spirit's Gift of Fidelity.
As I reflect upon these readings, one word comes to heart- commitment.
Abraham and God working out the commitment that they made to one another earlier in Genesis; Jesus teaching these two guys what the commitment to discipleship means; our feast day of Blessed Junipero Serra who intercedes for vocations to the religious life and the priesthood- men and women who make a commitment to the Lord to serve the Church and the Gospel.
Today, lets pray with our commitments. Let's pray for those who are preparing to make a commitment: engaged couples. Let pray for those who may be struggling with their commitments; let's remember the greatness of Love and Fidelity that God has committed to us and that we commit back to the Lord and to our neighbors.
Today, let's pray that commitments will be strengthened. Lord, send us the Spirit's Gift of Fidelity.
Friday, June 28, 2013
Daily Point for Prayer
Click here for the daily Scripture readings.
Jesus will now spend the rest of his ministry bringing health and wholeness to where there is sickness and brokenness. He will bring light to where there is darkness; truth to where there is falsehood; and peace to where there discord.
St. Irenaeus of Lyon, whose feast we celebrate today, was a staunch and compassionate defender of the Catholic Faith. His main concern was preserving peace and unity in the church.
Today, this is our prayer: may we do our part to ensure peace and unity wherever we are called. Perhaps we need to preserve peace and unity in our home, our marriage, our work, other relationships, our church, our social circle. Let's be nourished today by the Word, Eucharist and the Prayers of St. Irenaeus, that we be instruments of peace and unity.
Amen.
Jesus will now spend the rest of his ministry bringing health and wholeness to where there is sickness and brokenness. He will bring light to where there is darkness; truth to where there is falsehood; and peace to where there discord.
St. Irenaeus of Lyon, whose feast we celebrate today, was a staunch and compassionate defender of the Catholic Faith. His main concern was preserving peace and unity in the church.
Today, this is our prayer: may we do our part to ensure peace and unity wherever we are called. Perhaps we need to preserve peace and unity in our home, our marriage, our work, other relationships, our church, our social circle. Let's be nourished today by the Word, Eucharist and the Prayers of St. Irenaeus, that we be instruments of peace and unity.
Amen.
Thursday, June 27, 2013
Daily Point for Prayer
Click here for daily Scripture readings.
Today, on the feast day of St. Cyril of Alexandria, we remember a bishop and teacher who was so convicted and steadfast in his Catholic faith that he endured a lifetime of derision and hardship from opposition. But he had built his house on solid rock; he had built his life on his Faith in Jesus Christ and on the Catholic Church and no matter what came his way, he would not be moved.
Today, my friends, let's pray for this same fortitude. Let's also pray for the gift of wisdom that allowed St. Cyril to pursue Truth, Faith, Hope and Love with untiring energy. Let's ask Cyril to pray for us, that we may be sustained in our Discipleship, in our Sonship and Daughtership to God the Father no matter what comes our way. Even if we are confronted with seemingly insurmountable hardship, opposition, even our own unworthiness. With the Spirit's gifts of Wisdom and Fortitude, we, like Cyril, will not be moved!
In the words of Winston Churchill: "Never, never, never give up."
Amen.
Today, on the feast day of St. Cyril of Alexandria, we remember a bishop and teacher who was so convicted and steadfast in his Catholic faith that he endured a lifetime of derision and hardship from opposition. But he had built his house on solid rock; he had built his life on his Faith in Jesus Christ and on the Catholic Church and no matter what came his way, he would not be moved.
Today, my friends, let's pray for this same fortitude. Let's also pray for the gift of wisdom that allowed St. Cyril to pursue Truth, Faith, Hope and Love with untiring energy. Let's ask Cyril to pray for us, that we may be sustained in our Discipleship, in our Sonship and Daughtership to God the Father no matter what comes our way. Even if we are confronted with seemingly insurmountable hardship, opposition, even our own unworthiness. With the Spirit's gifts of Wisdom and Fortitude, we, like Cyril, will not be moved!
In the words of Winston Churchill: "Never, never, never give up."
Amen.
Wednesday, June 26, 2013
Recommended Link and Book
A friend of mine recently gave me a book called Navigating the Interior Life. Check it out here on Amazon.
It's part of a larger apostolate called Roman Catholic Spiritual Direction which is moderated by Dan Burke, a Catholic layperson and scholar. He's got a great website/blog called "Roman Catholic Spiritual Direction".
Click here to go there.
Enjoy and let me know if you have a comment or question.
Peace to you,
Fr Craig
It's part of a larger apostolate called Roman Catholic Spiritual Direction which is moderated by Dan Burke, a Catholic layperson and scholar. He's got a great website/blog called "Roman Catholic Spiritual Direction".
Click here to go there.
Enjoy and let me know if you have a comment or question.
Peace to you,
Fr Craig
Daily Point for Prayer
Click here for today's Scripture readings.
The invitation from the Lord today is two fold. From our
first reading, we are invited to reflect back and to identify the good gifts
that God has given us because of our fidelity and righteousness before him. The
Lord has indeed blessed us: can we name those blessings and then with gratitude
and humility, acknowledge the Giver of those gifts.
Secondly, Jesus invites us to bear fruit for Him. He wants
us to work with him to bring about good things in the world. In what ways can
we bear fruit for the Lord that will last? Perhaps in the way we hand on our
faith and values to our children and grandchildren; the way in which we reach
out in random acts of kindness; the way in which we love and give and
forgive. In these ways, we bring about
fruit that reflects our faith in, and our Love for, Jesus Christ.
Today then, we give thanks for blessings received and we
recommit ourselves to being instruments of God’s working in the world.
Tuesday, June 25, 2013
Daily Point for Prayer
A link to the daily Scripture readings.
Notice what Jesus says: first the command- "Enter through the narrow gate." But then a stipulation - "The way is narrow, so is the gate, and few are those that will find it."
My friends, that "few" is us. This is doable. Discipleship, Christianity, is doable. And we are capable of being great disciples, great Christians, great people.
Today, as we engage the world and the people around us, let's remember that we are capable of being great disciples and are capable of doing Christianity well. In our words and actions today, let's nail it, let people see in us Christ Jesus. We are can do it. We were made for it. It's who we are: we are other Christs.
Notice what Jesus says: first the command- "Enter through the narrow gate." But then a stipulation - "The way is narrow, so is the gate, and few are those that will find it."
My friends, that "few" is us. This is doable. Discipleship, Christianity, is doable. And we are capable of being great disciples, great Christians, great people.
Today, as we engage the world and the people around us, let's remember that we are capable of being great disciples and are capable of doing Christianity well. In our words and actions today, let's nail it, let people see in us Christ Jesus. We are can do it. We were made for it. It's who we are: we are other Christs.
Monday, June 24, 2013
Daily Point for Prayer
Click here for today's Scripture readings.
As we celebrate the Birthday of St. John the Baptist we remember how his whole life, and death, was dedicated to preparing people's heart to hear Jesus's Gospel. His whole life can be summed up from his own words, taken from John's Gospel: "Jesus must increase; while I must decrease"(Jn 3:30).
Today, as we go about our day and engage where we will, let's try to increase Jesus's presence in the world by our words and actions. When people, our family, our friends, colleagues, the people at the pool or wherever we're going today, see us, may we, through our words and actions, point them to Christ. May they see Jesus in us today. May we be prophets today and help in increase Jesus's presence in the world- working in and through us.
As we celebrate the Birthday of St. John the Baptist we remember how his whole life, and death, was dedicated to preparing people's heart to hear Jesus's Gospel. His whole life can be summed up from his own words, taken from John's Gospel: "Jesus must increase; while I must decrease"(Jn 3:30).
Today, as we go about our day and engage where we will, let's try to increase Jesus's presence in the world by our words and actions. When people, our family, our friends, colleagues, the people at the pool or wherever we're going today, see us, may we, through our words and actions, point them to Christ. May they see Jesus in us today. May we be prophets today and help in increase Jesus's presence in the world- working in and through us.
Sunday, June 23, 2013
Homily - Sunday, June 23rd
Getting to Know You, Getting to Know all About You
A link to the Sunday Readings
One of my favorite movie lines, comes from a movie starring John Travolta, Rene Russo, Danny Devito and Gene Hackman. There's also the bad guy of the movie, a gangster-type, whose name I can't remember. In the movie, Travolta's character is pitted against this bad guy; they have this altercation in a restaurant and the two characters exchange glances and then the bad guy says to the good, "You don't know me, you only think you do." There's a bit of irony there because at the end of the movie, the good guy gets the better of the bad guy precisely because he does know him- he knows all about him.
I have this movie scene in my mind as I reflect about our Gospel reading today. Here's Jesus with the 12; by this point in the Gospel they've been together for maybe 18 months and Jesus wants to see how well they know him. So he asks them and Peter, speaking for the group says, "You are the Messiah." And he's write. But Jesus responds, "Yeah, that's true, but there's more to me than that." Jesus then tells them, and he'll spend the next 18 months showing the disciples what it means to be the Messiah and how that means suffering and death for the salvation and redemption of the human race. And then Jesus tells them that they too will called to give their lives for the salvation and redemption of the world.
Today, Jesus asks us a question that each of must answer for ourselves: Do we know Jesus? How well do we know him and do we want to know him at a deeper level?
There is no limit to knowing Jesus: he is man; but he is also God and he is inviting you and I to know him in a deep, deep way.
Think of it this way: as we enter into relationships with people in our life, we don't know them in their totality immediately. Instead, it takes time and effort for us to really get to know the people in our life. Husbands and wives; children; colleagues, neighbors, priests and friends. It takes time and effort to get to know someone.
And Jesus's invitation for us is to really know him; to continue in getting to know him in a deeper way. Through prayer, the Eucharist, reading Scripture and spiritual books, by serving one another, especially those in need, we come to know Jesus better. And after a while, we may begin to think like him, act like him, speak like him, love, forgive and give like him. It's only a matter of time and effort- but that's what this Eucharist is all about.
Secondly, we look at our relationships with the people in our life. How well do we know them? Do we want to know them in a deeper and holier way? Sometimes things like hurt and resentment, time and stress, can put distance between us and the people we love, even the people that we live with. This week, Jesus invites us to get to know them again, for the first, and better. Perhaps we need to rediscover our spouse; or a sibling; or a child. Ask the Lord to lead you on a journey rediscover and come to know again the people that you care most about, especially those to whom you feel farthest from.
Be not afraid, this week, my friends of coming to know Jesus and the people in our life in a deeper way. Knowing or rediscovering the people in our life makes life beautiful and our crosses easier to bear. Coming to know Jesus in a deeper way makes life beautiful and prepares us for an eternity with him where there are no Crosses, only empty tombs.
Amen.
A link to the Sunday Readings
One of my favorite movie lines, comes from a movie starring John Travolta, Rene Russo, Danny Devito and Gene Hackman. There's also the bad guy of the movie, a gangster-type, whose name I can't remember. In the movie, Travolta's character is pitted against this bad guy; they have this altercation in a restaurant and the two characters exchange glances and then the bad guy says to the good, "You don't know me, you only think you do." There's a bit of irony there because at the end of the movie, the good guy gets the better of the bad guy precisely because he does know him- he knows all about him.
I have this movie scene in my mind as I reflect about our Gospel reading today. Here's Jesus with the 12; by this point in the Gospel they've been together for maybe 18 months and Jesus wants to see how well they know him. So he asks them and Peter, speaking for the group says, "You are the Messiah." And he's write. But Jesus responds, "Yeah, that's true, but there's more to me than that." Jesus then tells them, and he'll spend the next 18 months showing the disciples what it means to be the Messiah and how that means suffering and death for the salvation and redemption of the human race. And then Jesus tells them that they too will called to give their lives for the salvation and redemption of the world.
Today, Jesus asks us a question that each of must answer for ourselves: Do we know Jesus? How well do we know him and do we want to know him at a deeper level?
There is no limit to knowing Jesus: he is man; but he is also God and he is inviting you and I to know him in a deep, deep way.
Think of it this way: as we enter into relationships with people in our life, we don't know them in their totality immediately. Instead, it takes time and effort for us to really get to know the people in our life. Husbands and wives; children; colleagues, neighbors, priests and friends. It takes time and effort to get to know someone.
And Jesus's invitation for us is to really know him; to continue in getting to know him in a deeper way. Through prayer, the Eucharist, reading Scripture and spiritual books, by serving one another, especially those in need, we come to know Jesus better. And after a while, we may begin to think like him, act like him, speak like him, love, forgive and give like him. It's only a matter of time and effort- but that's what this Eucharist is all about.
Secondly, we look at our relationships with the people in our life. How well do we know them? Do we want to know them in a deeper and holier way? Sometimes things like hurt and resentment, time and stress, can put distance between us and the people we love, even the people that we live with. This week, Jesus invites us to get to know them again, for the first, and better. Perhaps we need to rediscover our spouse; or a sibling; or a child. Ask the Lord to lead you on a journey rediscover and come to know again the people that you care most about, especially those to whom you feel farthest from.
Be not afraid, this week, my friends of coming to know Jesus and the people in our life in a deeper way. Knowing or rediscovering the people in our life makes life beautiful and our crosses easier to bear. Coming to know Jesus in a deeper way makes life beautiful and prepares us for an eternity with him where there are no Crosses, only empty tombs.
Amen.
Friday, June 21, 2013
June 21 Point for Prayer
A link to the daily readings.
Point for Prayer
I think deep down Jesus is inviting us to fall farther and farther in Love with Him and with the people in our life. But He also warns us that as beautiful as falling in Love is, it does require some degree of sacrifice and, indeed, as we hear from St. Paul, suffering.
So, today lets pray for that Grace to fall deeper in Love with the Lord and with the people in our life. And then ask for the Spirit's Gifts of Courage and Perseverance to support us when we experience the sacrifice and suffering that comes with that beautiful and life-giving experience of falling in Love.
A great poem/prayer from Father Pedro Arrupe.
Nothing is more practical than
finding God, than
falling in Love
in a quite absolute, final way.
What you are in love with,
what seizes your imagination, will affect everything.
It will decide
what will get you out of bed in the morning,
what you do with your evenings,
how you spend your weekends,
what you read, whom you know,
what breaks your heart,
and what amazes you with joy and gratitude.
Fall in Love, stay in love,
and it will decide everything.
Point for Prayer
I think deep down Jesus is inviting us to fall farther and farther in Love with Him and with the people in our life. But He also warns us that as beautiful as falling in Love is, it does require some degree of sacrifice and, indeed, as we hear from St. Paul, suffering.
So, today lets pray for that Grace to fall deeper in Love with the Lord and with the people in our life. And then ask for the Spirit's Gifts of Courage and Perseverance to support us when we experience the sacrifice and suffering that comes with that beautiful and life-giving experience of falling in Love.
A great poem/prayer from Father Pedro Arrupe.
Nothing is more practical than
finding God, than
falling in Love
in a quite absolute, final way.
What you are in love with,
what seizes your imagination, will affect everything.
It will decide
what will get you out of bed in the morning,
what you do with your evenings,
how you spend your weekends,
what you read, whom you know,
what breaks your heart,
and what amazes you with joy and gratitude.
Fall in Love, stay in love,
and it will decide everything.
Back from Vacation
Friends,
GAME ON!!!!
Vacation was great: family was great; beach was great; golf game not-so-great. In the words of Meatloaf: "Two out of three ain't bad!"
Keep an eye on the blog here for daily Points for Prayer from the weekday homilies, as well as Sunday homilies and anything else I can think of to share.
Enjoy this first day of summer.
Peace and prayers for you and yours,
Fr Craig
GAME ON!!!!
Vacation was great: family was great; beach was great; golf game not-so-great. In the words of Meatloaf: "Two out of three ain't bad!"
Keep an eye on the blog here for daily Points for Prayer from the weekday homilies, as well as Sunday homilies and anything else I can think of to share.
Enjoy this first day of summer.
Peace and prayers for you and yours,
Fr Craig
Sunday, June 9, 2013
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