Archive for August 25, 2018

Twenty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time 

Posted: August 25, 2018 by CatholicJules in Sunday Reflections
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A Choice to Make: Scott Hahn Reflects on the Twenty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time

Readings:

Joshua 24:1–2, 15–18
Psalm 34:2–3, 16–23
Ephesians 5:21–32
John 6:60–69

This Sunday’s Mass readings conclude a four-week meditation on the Eucharist.
The Twelve Apostles in today’s Gospel are asked to make a choice: either to believe and accept the New Covenant He offers in His Body and Blood, or return to their former ways of life.
Their choice is prefigured by the decision Joshua asks the Twelve tribes to make in today’s First Reading.
Joshua gathers them at Shechem—where God first appeared to their father Abraham, promising to make his descendants a great nation in a new land (see Genesis 12:1–9). And he issues a blunt challenge—either renew their covenant with God or serve the alien gods of the surrounding nations.
We too are being asked today to decide whom we will serve. For four weeks we have been presented with the mystery of the Eucharist—a daily miracle far greater than those performed by God in bringing the Israelites out of the land of Egypt.
He has promised us a new homeland and eternal life, offering us bread from heaven to strengthen us on our journey. He has told us that unless we eat His Flesh and drink His Blood we will have no life in us.
It is a hard saying, as many murmur in today’s Gospel. Yet He has given us the words of eternal life.
We must believe, as Peter says today, that He is the Holy One of God, who handed Himself over for us, who gave His flesh for the life of the world.
As we hear in today’s Epistle, Jesus did this that we might be sanctified, made holy, through the water and word of Baptism by which we enter into His New Covenant. Through the Eucharist, He nourishes and cherishes us, making us His own Flesh and Blood, as husband and wife become one flesh.
Let us renew our covenant today, approaching the altar with confidence that, as we sing in today’s Psalm, the Lord will redeem the lives of His servants.

Prayer Request

Posted: August 25, 2018 by CatholicJules in Prayers
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Created a link to submit prayer request.

On Today’s Gospel

Posted: August 25, 2018 by CatholicJules in Personal Thoughts & Reflections
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What sort of a leader are you? One that makes your power felt? One that makes changes simply because you are in a position to do so? One that seeks the affirmation of others? Or are you a leader after the heart of Jesus? One that is led by the Holy Spirit?

A good leader is one who exercises stewardship in Christ. Jesus reigns first and foremost in the heart of this leader. And leads the flock just as the master would with great love, mercy and sacrifice. He or she will get down on their knees if needed to tend to love and serve the needs of His flock.

Lord Jesus let me be a humble servant of yours after your own heart. Teach me Your ways and let me serve your people according to your will. Amen

First reading

Ezekiel 43:1-7
The vision of the coming of the glory of the Lord to the Temple

The angel took me to the gate, the one facing east. I saw the glory of the God of Israel approaching from the east. A sound came with it, like the sound of the ocean, and the earth shone with his glory. This vision was like the one I had seen when I had come for the destruction of the city, and like the one I had seen on the bank of the river Chebar. Then I prostrated myself.
The glory of the Lord arrived at the Temple by the east gate. The spirit lifted me up and brought me into the inner court; I saw the glory of the Lord fill the Temple. And I heard someone speaking to me from the Temple while the man stood beside me. The voice said, ‘Son of man, this is the dais of my throne, the step on which I rest my feet. I shall live here among the sons of Israel for ever.’

Gospel

Matthew 23:1-12
They do not practise what they preach

Addressing the people and his disciples Jesus said, ‘The scribes and the Pharisees occupy the chair of Moses. You must therefore do what they tell you and listen to what they say; but do not be guided by what they do: since they do not practise what they preach. They tie up heavy burdens and lay them on men’s shoulders, but will they lift a finger to move them? Not they! Everything they do is done to attract attention, like wearing broader phylacteries and longer tassels, like wanting to take the place of honour at banquets and the front seats in the synagogues, being greeted obsequiously in the market squares and having people call them Rabbi.
‘You, however, must not allow yourselves to be called Rabbi, since you have only one master, and you are all brothers. You must call no one on earth your father, since you have only one Father, and he is in heaven. Nor must you allow yourselves to be called teachers, for you have only one Teacher, the Christ. The greatest among you must be your servant. Anyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and anyone who humbles himself will be exalted.’