Thought of the Day

J esus, our joy,because your forgiveness radiates trust, peace of heart is  possible and even certain. Your Gospel tells us: “Why be upset? You can change nothing by worrying about it, add neither a cubit to your height nor a day to your life.” (3)

3. Matthew 6:27

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Gospel of the Day

Memorial of St. John Ogilvie, S.J.

Romans 2:1-11

Psalm 62:2-3, 6-7, 9

L uke 11:42-46 "But woe to you Pharisees! for you tithe mint and rue and every herb, and neglect justice and the love of God; these you ought to have done, without neglecting the others. (43) Woe to you Pharisees! for you love the best seat in the synagogues and salutations in the market places. (44) Woe to you! for you are like graves which are not seen, and men walk over them without knowing it." (45) One of the lawyers answered him, "Teacher, in saying this you reproach us also." (46) And he said, "Woe to you lawyers also! for you load men with burdens hard to bear, and you yourselves do not touch the burdens with one of  your fingers.

Meditation by Marcia Shadle-Cusic

T he reading from Romans is pretty straight forward - reminding us that “you judge another-you condemn yourself”. We forget that we all have our unique lives to live with joys, struggles and our own perspectives.  As Christians, we are called to help each other through prayer and through support not through putting another person down or rejecting others.  When other people become bothersome or annoying the readings remind us to “take our attitudes” to God, praying for understanding, insight and acceptance of other people.

“Lord you give back to everyone according to his works.”  This responsorial psalm made me wonder about “our works”.  As I continued to read the simple message of “Putting God in the center of our lives” seems to be “our work”.  No matter where I am in life, no matter what I am doing or who I am with or what I may be enjoying or struggling with, I “shall not be disturbed if I trust God at all times, pour out my heart to God” and faithfully believe and hope that God is with me in the storm and in the gentle sea.

The Gospel from Luke is a common message from the life of Jesus.  Becoming too concerned about earthly comforts, prestige, wealth, success and power distracts us from remembering how important it is to see God in all things and to thank God for all of our earthly blessings. To see comforts, prestige, wealth, success and power as gifts given in order to improve the lives of others and to know and to love God through these blessings given to us.  We are reminded about how important it is to take responsibility for the welfare of others, to lessen the burden of others, to lead, speak, and live as Jesus lead, spoke, and lived.

Supplementary Reading

RICH BuT PooR

. . . He gave his one and only Son . . . – John 3:16

Y ou said, “I love you,” and you gave me P20. Am I supposed to believe your love? It depends. If you are burning a $100 bill to light up your cigar and your name is Bill Gates, I don’t have to believe your love. If you are a poor beggar, who digs fast-food trash bins in search for dinner and that P20 is your only hope for food, I think there’s not much room for me to doubt that you love me.

God is rich in everything! He owns the “cattle in a thousand hills” (Psalm 50:10) and infinitely more. Nobody forgets that He created all things, the source of all we know and ever hope to have. Therefore, doubting the love of this rich God is justifiable, right? God is poor in only one thing. He is poor in son. He’s got only one! So when the offering was demanded for the salvation of all, it demanded for all that He had. And He gave it all up. Yes, even Himself. This love I can’t doubt. -- Jon Escoto

REFLECTION:

Lord, Your all for my all. What more of myself do You want me to offer to You today?

Lord, overwhelm me with Your love today until my heart is left with no choice but to love You back with my all.