This Week at MQP

Monday, Nov 19 - 8:30am-9pm - Eucharistic Adoration in church - come and spend some quality time with our Lord, Jesus, present in the Blessed Sacrament.

Wednesday, Nov 21 - 8-9pm - Holy Hour in church - meditation guided by Fr. Craig in this very peaceful way to encounter the Lord in prayer.

Thursday, Nov 22 - 9am - Thanksgiving Day Mass (food and monetary collection for St. Vincent de Paul Society).

Luke Chapter 20

Chapter 20 Summary

This chapter begins with the Jewish establishment questioning the authority with which Jesus’s teaches and which caused him, at the end of Chapter 19 to “cleanse the temple”. Jesus answers their question somewhat directly in vv. 3-8, but then takes it all a little deeper by the parable that he offers in vv. 9-18. 

This parable, known as the Parable of the Wicked Tenants represents the dichotomy that Jesus sets up between he and the Jewish temple establishment. Not only is this parable a condemnation of those Jews who reject Jesus, but it’s also a premonition, a prediction, a prophesy, taken from the Book of Psalms, the Prophet Isaiah and the Book of Daniel about Jesus himself.

There seems to be an out-of-place section here about paying taxes (vv. 19-26). When you take into account what occurs in vv. 27- 47, the seven previous verses seem out of place. But let’s take a look at it.

The question to Jesus is very simple, but there’s a sinister purpose behind the question. Notice the language that Luke uses to show Jesus’s insight. There is a certain irony to Jesus’s answer though. While the coin may belong to Caesar because his image is on it, and the things of God belong to God, ultimately, everything, including the coin with Caesar’s image, and even Caesar himself belong to God. Jesus’s response is somewhat tongue-in-cheek and of there is a slight recognition of that in that those who tried to trap him in treason could only marvel at his answer (v. 26).

There are then three sections following in which Jesus sort of returns to this theme about the temple. The destruction of the temple and the resurrection of the dead are commonly connected because they both signal the “end of the age”- the coming of the Messiah, the Last Judgment and the End of Time. Notice the question of the disciples in v. 41 that harkens back to the questions about Jesus’s authority and the parable of the wicked tenants.

Jew’s believed that the Messiah would come from the House of David, a descendant of the great King. Joseph, Jesus’s foster father, was from the House of David so that provides his royal lineage.  Luke uses a verse from the Book of Psalms to reemphasize that King David was not the Messiah, but that the verse refers to Jesus.

Point for Prayer

“Jesus, Lord and Master, your authority is full of love, honoring my freedom, but calling me for an obedience that will make me fully human. Your commands are calls of love intending a creative remaking of my heart. Give me the wisdom to see the purpose of you commands and the grace to make an obedient response. Amen” (179).

Click here for daily readings.

Luke Chapter 19

Chapter 19 Summary

This chapter sort of picks up where the last chapter left off. Remember that chapter 18 ended with Jesus healing a blind man (go back right quick and read the end of yesterday’s summary).  Notice how this chapter begins- Jesus sits down to dinner with Zacchaeus- a tax collector. We already know enough about tax collectors to know that they were not highly regarded people back in those days: they were cheats and dishonest and they sided with the Roman authorities to fleece their own people. Jesus calls Zacchaeus down from the tree (he’s ripe for the picking- Zacchaeus is a “piece of fruit” ready to be harvested by the Lord… watch this…). He then tells him that he wants to dine at his home. He sits down with this lowliest of sinners, to dinner, an intimate act- in others words, Jesus forgives Zacchaeus. He is picked from the tree, he is ripe, ready to harvested: notice what Jesus says to Zacchaeus and then notice what Zacchaeus says to Jesus. If this ain’t real conversion, I don’t know what is.

Following we have a long parable about the 10 pounds, also known as the 10 talents (vv. 11-27). Talents were a unit of currency- a pretty significant amount. This parable continues to carry the theme of God’s characteristics when it comes to Judgment Day and it sort of balances out the lavish mercy and forgiveness that was bestowed on Zacchaeus. This parable highlights God’s justice- to each what he deserves- this is the essence of Christian justice.

Then we have Jesus entering into Jerusalem on what we now celebrate of Palm Sunday (vv. 28-40).  With Jesus’s entry, he marks one week until Passover. Today is Sunday, by Friday he will be dead. The symbolism is huge here: from the donkey, to the robe, the palm branches and the “Hosanna” shouted by the people. Taken together they all signify that the people really did think Jesus was their Messiah, the one they were waiting for. It’s interesting how much would change in five days. In fives days the Pharisees, Scribes and Sadducees would betray Jesus and convince their own people that Jesus was no less than a charlatan. (I recommend Pope Benedict XVI’s book, Jesus of Nazareth, Volume 2, for a detailed explanation of the symbolism contained in these verses. It’s quite beautiful.

The chapter closes with Jesus weeping over his lost sheep- literally. And then the famous cleansing of the temple that really begins the conniving of the Pharisees against Jesus. This is it- the point of no return.

Point for Prayer

“Resolute Jesus, from the time you completed your Galilean ministry you never were distracted from your resolve to go to Jerusalem and there into the paschal mystery which saved me. Fill me heart with this kind of faith determination so that my witness to love and forgiveness may never falter. Let my heart’s resolve be such that my mind will always follow its goals of faith”(171).

Click here for daily readings.

Luke Chapter 18

Chapter 18 Summary

This chapter starts with two parables that seem to flesh out a little more the teaching that concluded the last chapter.

The parable of the Widow and the Unrighteous Judge (vv. 1-8) highlights a certain perseverance on behalf of the widow and a certain unrighteous judge that can be contrasted with God, who is always the Just Judge. In one way, this parable that highlights God’s justice, is then applied in the next parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector (vv. 9-14). This parable is remarkably clear and the omnipresence of God only outs more emphasis on the difference between the disposition of the Pharisee and that of the Tax Collector. Notice the way Jesus ends this parable (v. 14): it’s pretty clear how God judges and what God expects.

There is a brief interlude that follows: Jesus blessing the children (vv. 15-17). Again, Jesus emphasizing the qualities that are necessary to gain entry into the Kingdom: the trust and dependence on God that a child has on his/her parents; humility; and without guile. It’s a beautiful portrait of Jesus too- embracing the children!

Jesus then has an interaction with the rich young man (vv. 18-30). This interaction is complex and has many layers of meaning and purpose. Notice first the reiteration of the 10 commandments (or at least a portion of them). But then notice that Jesus ups the ante: he supersedes the 10 commandments with the New Commandment: total Gospel poverty, dedication to the preaching of the Gospel, and the danger of attachment to earthly things.  This particular episode closes with a admonition and commendation for those who achieve this detachment and work at it: treasures in Heaven.

Following this we have Jesus making the third foretelling of his own death and resurrection. With this chapter Jesus is approaching, ever more closely, his impending death. Once again he quotes the Old Testament scripture to verify the validity of his own claim of not only being the Messiah, but of being the Messiah that was, in fact, prophesied in the Old Testament.  You gotta wonder if the Apostles, disciples and those Jesus taught haven’t gotten by now, would they ever?

The chapter closes then with Jesus healing a blind man. Notice the sequence of events and the words spoken. Jesus has just got finished telling the Apostles that he was the Messiah and that is death is approaching. Then we have this blind man calling Jesus, the Son of David, which is a Messianic title because the Jews thought that the Messiah would come from the house of David. As if to verify both his own words and the words of the blind man, Jesus heals him: and only God can heal.  Jesus is a pretty smooth operator! What would we expect though: he’s the Son of God and the Savior of the World!

Point for Prayer

“Jesus, model of prayer, you constantly went aside, sometimes all night, in order to pray. You were persistent, humble, and simple  in your approach to praying. You taught these values in your sermons. Fill me with the grace of prayer and the attitudes that make prayer effective. Turn my heart always to you” (164).

Click here for daily readings.

Luke Chapter 17

Chapter 17 Summary

This chapter consists of two ‘teachings of Jesus’ and ten a healing episode.

The first 10 verses of this chapter are often labeled as “Sayings of Jesus”. Notice the way those 10 verses are divided; there really are three distinct sayings that Jesus offers: the first seems to be about forgiveness; the second about Faith and trust in God; and the third about service, humility, and ultimately, about the disposition required for entry into Heaven.

The healing of the 10 lepers (vv. 11-19) is one that is familiar to us. Jesus heals the 10 but only one returns to give thanks to God. The other nine go their way and are probably never heard from again. Notice the detail about the man’s ethnicity: he’s a Samaritan. The foreigner, the one ethnic group that the Jews DID NOT get along with, came back to thank Jesus for healing him. We are led to assume that perhaps the other 9 were Jews- Jesus’s own people. What can this tell us? Perhaps it reinforces the reality that not even those closest to Jesus were able accept his ministry and his meaning. Only the foreigner, seemingly anyways, was able to see and embrace his ministry… interesting…

And then finally, the last section of this chapter (vv. 20-37) is a rather jarring prediction about the coming of the kingdom. Notice the language Jesus is using about signs and happenings. He even goes as far back as the destruction that was wrote on Sodom and Gomorrah. That’s literally, Old Testament stuff- fire and brimstone.  Jesus seems to be saying that this will also be the case when the Messiah comes. Notice also the sense of urgency and discernment in vv. 33-35.  The language is startling and the message is clear: Jesus’s invitation is that come Judgment Day and the coming of the Kingdom, we’ll want to be on the winning side.  Chapter 18 will flesh this out a little more. We’ll get there tomorrow.

Point for Prayer

“Lord Jesus, you have known some of the earlier stages of temptation. Since you never sinned, you did not experience all seven stages. Deliver me from temptation and its many stages. Fill me with perceptive faith to recognize the presence and power of temptation. Rescue me from rationalizing away my sinfulness. Save me now and move me to be grateful for your redemptive acts” (157). 

Click here for daily readings.

Parish Mission

Parish Mission: Nov 12, 13 & 14; 7pm

Themes you'll hear about: Prayer, Service, Family, Eucharist, Marriage, Learning, Forgiveness, Holy Orders, Adoration, Laughter; Life, Death and Resurrection; Poverty, Prisons; Jesus, Church; Success and Failure; Redemption and Restoration.

A little somethin' for everyone. See you there.

Get On Tract with Christ

This is a great resource from the Archdiocese of St. Louis faith formation office.

There are these 'lessons' on all things Catholic.

Check out this website and bookmark it for periodic spiritual reading and study.

An Open Invitation

A Holy Hour with Jesus

What: A Holy Hour with Jesus Christ (guided by Father Craig)

When: Every Wednesday, beginning Nov 21^st [We will not meet on Wednesday, December 5.]

Time: 8pm-9pm                                                                   Where: MQP Church

“What is a Holy Hour?” The Holy Hour grew out of monastic prayer traditions in which pray-ers are invited to spend one hour in the presence of the Lord. The hour is free from distraction; all is left behind for 60 minutes while the Lord nourishes us through His Word spoken through Scripture and Silence; Meditation and Spiritual Reading.  Think of Jesus’s invitation to his apostles at the Garden of Gethsemane: “Remain here and watch with me” (Mt 26:38).

“What can I expect?” Father Craig will read brief passages from Scripture, writings of the Saints, and other Spiritual reading to provide fuel for meditation. The Blessed Sacrament will exposed on the Altar. It will be quiet and peaceful in Church.  St. Isidore of Seville writes, “If one wants to be always in God’s company, he must pray regularly and read regularly. When we pray, we talk to God; when we read, God talks to us.”

“What should I bring?”  Your Bible, your Rosary, your journal, your spiritual reading and spend an hour with the Lord that will allow Him the opportunity to nourish you through Scripture, Silence and Meditation. Bring all the other stuff too: “Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus” (Phil 4:7).

“I’ve never done this before.” Don’t sweat it: Father Craig will explain what “to do” with the time and how to make it fruitful, peaceful and nourishing.  Take the Prophets Isaiah’s words: “All you who are thirsty, come to the water! Come to me heedfully, listen, that you may have life” (Is 55: 1, 3). The point here: just come! The Lord will take care of the rest.

“I don’t think I can stay the whole hour.” Again, don’t sweat it. Come for 15, 30 or all 60 minutes. The Lord promises to nourish you no matter how long you stay. God promises, through the Prophet Jeremiah “When you look for me, you will find me. Yes, when you seek me with all your heart, you will find me with you” (Jer 29:13-14).

“Do I need to RSVP or anything?”  Nope. Come when you can; we’ll be here when you are here; we’ll be here when you’re can’t make it. We’ll meet for 5 weeks and then reassess as we enter 2013. Jesus promises us, invites us, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, then I will enter his house and dine with him, and he with me” (Rev. 3:30).

Questions, suggestions: please contact Father Craig at (314) 962-2311 x. 17 or frcraig.holway@mqpwg.org.