November 3rd 2016

PHILIPPIANS 3:3-8A

Brothers and sisters: We are the circumcision, we who worship through the Spirit of God, who boast in Christ Jesus and do not put our confidence in flesh, although I myself have grounds for confidence even in the flesh.

If anyone else thinks he can be confident in flesh, all the more can I. Circumcised on the eighth day, of the race of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrew parentage, in observance of the law a Pharisee, in zeal I persecuted the Church, in righteousness based on the law I was blameless.

But whatever gains I had, these I have come to consider a loss because of Christ. More than that, I even consider everything as a loss because of the supreme good of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. 

PSALM 105

R. Let hearts rejoice who search for the Lord. or R. Alleluia.
Sing to him, sing his praise,
proclaim all his wondrous deeds.
Glory in his holy name;
rejoice, O hearts that seek the Lord! R. 
Look to the Lord in his strength;
seek to serve him constantly.
Recall the wondrous deeds that he has wrought,
his portents, and the judgments he has uttered. R. 
You descendants of Abraham, his servants,
sons of Jacob, his chosen ones!
He, the Lord, is our God;
throughout the earth his judgments prevail.  R.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Alleluia, alleluia.
Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened,
and I will give you rest, says the Lord. Mt 11:28
Alleluia, alleluia.

LUKE 15:1-10

The tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to listen to Jesus, but the Pharisees and scribes began to complain, saying, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” So Jesus addressed this parable to them. “What man among you having a hundred sheep and losing one of them would not leave the ninety-nine in the desert and go after the lost one until he finds it? And when he does find it, he sets it on his shoulders with great joy and, upon his arrival home, he calls together his friends and neighbors and says to them, ‘Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep.’ I tell you, in just the same way there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who have no need of repentance.

“Or what woman having ten coins and losing one would not light a lamp and sweep the house, searching carefully until she finds it? And when she does find it, she calls together her friends and neighbors and says to them, ‘Rejoice with me because I have found the coin that I lost.’ In just the same way, I tell you, there will be rejoicing among the angels of God over one sinner who repents.

MEDITATION

Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep. (Luke 15:6)

We’ve all experienced losing something. Sometimes a quick prayer to St. Anthony is all it takes to lay our hands on a misplaced book or a set of keys. And when we find it, we are naturally both happy and relieved.

But what about losing touch with a friend or relative? Perhaps the estrangement was sudden, the result of something hurtful we did or experienced. Perhaps it was inadvertent—we both got busy and lost track of each other. In either case, we can’t help wondering, “Could I have prevented this? Can I fix it?” Maybe we don’t have anything in common anymore. Has she passed away, and I didn’t hear about it? We may even make a few attempts to do an Internet search. But over time, we realize that this lost relationship probably won’t be found, and so we give up.

This is not how Jesus acts. He never tires of searching for us.Whether someone has been gone for years or only a few minutes, Jesus keeps on looking and never gives up. And when he does find that person, he is thrilled to reconnect with them again. There is no recrimination, no mistrust or hesitancy. There is only an outpouring of joy and love.

Think about the joy you feel when you are reunited with a long-lost friend. After the first awkward moments, you may pick up right where you left off, swapping stories and filling in the details of the intervening years. You may need to share words of explanation or forgiveness, but your relationship is stronger than ever. Both of you will probably wonder why it took so long. 

Isn’t that the way it is with Jesus? It may feel awkward at first, especially if our reunion takes place in the confessional. But whether our reunion is big or small—whether the distance between us was over leaving the Church or a nagging sin—it doesn’t matter to him. He’s just glad to have you back! He has searched high and low, and now he has found you. He has forgiven you for wandering, and all he wants is to renew your friendship once more. So come to him every day, and let him rejoice over you. 

“Jesus, thank you for patiently, persistently searching for me. Thank you for bringing me back to you.”

Word Among Us.

November 2nd, 2016 "All Souls Day"

1st Reading

WISDOM 3:1-9

The souls of the just are in the hand of God,
and no torment shall touch them.
They seemed, in the view of the foolish, to be dead;
and their passing away was thought an affliction
and their going forth from us, utter destruction.
But they are in peace.
For if before men, indeed, they be punished,
yet is their hope full of immortality;
chastised a little, they shall be greatly blessed,
because God tried them
and found them worthy of himself.
As gold in the furnace, he proved them,
and as sacrificial offerings he took them to himself.
In the time of their visitation they shall shine,
and shall dart about as sparks through stubble;
they shall judge nations and rule over peoples,
and the Lord shall be their King forever.
Those who trust in him shall understand truth,
and the faithful shall abide with him in love:
because grace and mercy are with his holy ones,
and his care is with his elect.

Responsorial Psalm

PSALM 23

R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want. or R. Though I walk in the valley of darkness, I fear no evil, for you are with me.
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
In verdant pastures he gives me repose;
beside restful waters he leads me;
he refreshes my soul. R. 
He guides me in right paths
for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk in the dark valley
I fear no evil; for you are at my side
with your rod and your staff
that give me courage. R. 
You spread the table before me
in the sight of my foes;
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows. R. 
Only goodness and kindness follow me
all the days of my life;
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord
for years to come.  R.

2nd Reading

ROMANS 5:5-11 (OR ROMANS 6:3-9)

Brothers and sisters: Hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us. For Christ, while we were still helpless, died at the appointed time for the ungodly. Indeed, only with difficulty does one die for a just person, though perhaps for a good person one might even find courage to die. But God proves his love for us in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us. How much more then, since we are now justified by his Blood, will we be saved through him from the wrath. Indeed, if, while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, how much more, once reconciled, will we be saved by his life. Not only that, but we also boast of God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Alleluia, alleluia.
Come, you who are blessed by my Father;
inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. Mt 25:34
Alleluia, alleluia.

The Gospel Reading

JOHN 6:37-40 

Jesus said to the crowds: “Everything that the Father gives me will come to me, and I will not reject anyone who comes to me, because I came down from heaven not to do my own will but the will of the one who sent me. And this is the will of the one who sent me, that I should not lose anything of what he gave me, but that I should raise it on the last day. For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in him may have eternal life, and I shall raise him on the last day.”

MEDITATION

God proves his love for us. (Romans 5:8)

Numerous studies have shown that babies raised in environments like crowded orphanages, where there is very little affirmation or human interaction, can suffer lasting emotional and psychological damage. These studies prove a basic truth of our faith: we are made for love. When we know we are loved, we are more peaceful and confident. We feel valued and begin to understand our worth.

This is why knowing and receiving God’s love are fundamental. They help us see how precious and valuable we are to him. They give us the confidence we need to live in this world.

How can we see God’s love for us? Here are a few ways:

• Listen to the Scriptures. In today’s second reading, St. Paul makes it clear: he does not want anyone to doubt that God’s whole desire is for us to be with him, now and for eternity. Why else would he send his Son to die for our sins? Why else would he pour his Holy Spirit into our hearts?

• Prayerfully receive the Eucharist. Each time we receive Communion, we receive God’s love. Each time we hear “the Body of Christ” and say “Amen,” we are agreeing: God is still laying down his life for us out of love.

• Sharpen your eyes of faith. As you start paying attention, you’ll begin to see more evidence of God’s love in your everyday life. You might recognize how he guided you through a complicated decision. You might see that he helped you arrive somewhere at just the right time. He is intimately involved in the details of your life because he loves you.

You are loved by God—never forget that! So practice cultivating your spiritual perception. Every day, ask for another glimpse of his love. Let it give you the confidence and peace of a treasured child, a beloved friend. 

The more convinced you are of God’s love, the more confidence you can have for your loved ones who have gone before you. On this All Souls Day, let’s ask the Lord to bless all of them. Let’s ask him to continue to purify them and bring them fully into his presence. 

“Lord, show me your love. You are the reason for my hope!”

Where is that in the Bible

Recently I was sitting in a lunch room and was asked what the Church thought about homosexuality. I was dumbfounded and angry at myself at the same time. Here I was a convert to the church for over 20 years and didn't know the answer to this question. Especially as much as this topic has been in he news lately. Why do we do,say and believe these things and where is it found in the Bible?

I went home and started researching this question, Where is that in the Bible? When I searched Amazon I came across Patrick Madrids book, "Where is that in the Bible?". This book has many answers in it that when non-Catholics start quoting Bible verses to "prove" that Catholic teachings are not Biblical, this powerful Bible based explanation and defense of the Catholic Faith can answer it for you! In this book, the veteran apologist and best selling author gives you simple ways to show you how to deflate the standard objections to Catholicism -- and how to use scripture to bring people into or back into the church. I read the book and it will stay in reach just I need it. Its available on Amazon.com and it is available in print and kindle.

God Bless You!
Randy

 

Where is that in the Bible

Recently I was sitting in a lunch room and was asked what the Church thought about homosexuality. I was dumbfounded and angry at myself at the same time. here I was, a convert to the church for over 20 years and didn't know the answer to this question. Especially as much as this topic has been in he news lately. Why do we do,say and believe these things and where is it found in the Bible?

I went home and started researching this question, Where is that in the Bible? When I searched Amazon I came across Patrick Madrids book, "Where is that in the Bible?". This book has many answers in it that when non-Catholics start quoting Bible verses to "prove" that Catholic teachings are not Biblical, this powerful Bible based explanation and defense of the Catholic Faith can answer it for you! In this book, the veteran apologist and best selling author gives you simple ways to show you how to deflate the standard objections to Catholicism -- and how to use scripture to bring people into or back into the church. I read the book and it will stay in reach just in case i need it. Its available on Amazon.com and it is available in print and kindle.

God Bless You!
Randy

 

September 25th 2016 - 26th Sunday in ordinary time

1st Reading Amos 6:1, 4-7

Amos blames the wealthy for the collapse of the nation of Israel. The people of his time were living luxuriously and were not caring about "Joseph",a patriarch like Jacob and Judah , their names are used to specify Gods people.

Responsorial Psalm 146

God needs our hands to feed the hungry,clothe the naked give water to the thirsty and care for the dying.

2nd Reading 1 Timothy 6;11-16
Timothy is reminded of Paul's profession of faith at his baptism. Our professions of faith are renewed every year at Easter and we do it every Sunday as well. Make it significant!

Gospel Luke 16:19-31

Luke tells us a message almost identical to Amos in the first reading. it is a "woe" to the wealthy that they better not say they did not know  about poverty in their neighborhood. Read your Bible prayerfully and walk your path of life by the message it has for us.

The readings today warn us about loving splendor and not being concerned about the poor. We have Moses and the prophets,The Bible, apply its message to our daily lives.

God Bless You
Randy

The gift of friendships

 Then Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself. (1 Samuel 18:3, NASB

Close friendships immerse us in what Saint Benedict called "a school of service for the Lord." In friendships we have an ideal environment in which to grow the godlike qualities of love and loyalty, perseverance, and courage. The famous friendship of Jonathan and David in the Scriptures offers a particularly poignant example of the way friends can sharpen one another. Jonathan and David ought to have been rivals. Both of these men were seen as potential heirs to the throne of Jonathan's father, King Saul.

Yet, these two men had a deep friendship based on a promise they had made to one another (see today's Dig Deeper). Jonathan made his friendship covenant with David even though it would cost him the favor of his father King Saul and the throne itself. David in turn committed to Jonathan by promising to show unending kindness to Jonathan and his family. David had a true friend in Jonathan—and Jonathan in David—because they willingly made sacrificial commitments to each other.

We know who our true friends are by recalling those who didn't abandon us when we went through difficult circumstances. A real friend, like Christ, stands shoulder to shoulder with us in times of trouble and hardship to make our burden lighter by carrying it with us.

25th Sunday In Ordinary Time - September 18th, 2016

When we are successful in our daily dealings some may claim that success for themselves. Not acknowledging that we are Gods partner, and with God, accountable, to  make the world a better place. There is no absolute ownership. The Bible reminds us of that. We are partners with God. without him, we are nothing.

In the first reading, Am 8:4-7, we read of a well known prophet,Amos of Tekoa (750 B.C.) He is better known as the prophet that champions social justice. He lives in the southern kingdom of Israel and goes to the northern kingdom to the sanctuary of Bethel to deliver God's message. Amos, a stranger stands to deliver it. His message that day was to admonish those who were persecuting the just and cheating them.

We should all be concerned for the rights of the poor. "He raises up the lowly from the dust."
(Responsorial Psalm)

The 2nd reading,1 Tim 2:1-8, Christ is our mediator, We pray in Jesus' name for everyone, even our politicians and people of authority, who make us so angry at times, for all human beings may be saved.

The Gospel reading, Lk 16: 1-13, "The Wily Manager". The word Wily can be replaced by shrewd, clever, sharp,astute, canny or smart. Jesus praises the stewards decisiveness in a crises. Even though he was dishonest, he regained the trust of his master.

If we sever the management of our possessions from our faith, we will be living a double standard. "You can not serve both God and Mammon". If  we serve and follow God in all things, only then can He trust us.

God Bless You!
Randy Rarden