Solemnity of Christ the King (C)

Inspire in Us the Practice of Good (2011-2013):

Reflections for Liturgical Years 2011 (A), 2012 (B), and 2013 (C)

Christ the King, November 24, 2013

Liturgical readings
2 Samuel 5:1-3
Psalm 122
Colossians 1:12-20
Luke 23:35-43

The Lord has done nothing wrong...He assures us His Kingdom.



The people stood there watching,


and the leaders
kept jeering at Jesus,


saying,


"He saved others;


let him save himself
if he is the Messiah of God,
the chosen one."


The soldiers also made fun
of him by coming forward
and offering him
their sour wine
while saying,


"If you are the
king of the Jews,
save yourself."


There was an inscription
over his head:


"This is the King of the Jews."


One of the criminals
hanging in crucifixion
blasphemed him:


"Aren't you the Messiah?


Then save yourself and us."


But the other one
called him to task:


"Have you no fear of God,


seeing you are under
the same sentence?


We deserve it, after all.


We are only paying the price
for what we've done,


but this man
has done nothing wrong."


He then said,


"Jesus,
remember me when you come
upon your reign."


And Jesus replied,

"I assure you:


this day
you will be with me
in paradise."

Points for reflection and prayer:
"David shall shepherd his people and shall be commander of Israel." (2 Samuel)
"To Jerusalem the tribes go up, the tribes of the Lord." (Psalm 122)
"God has rescued us from the power of darkness and brought us into His kingdom." (Colossians)
"Lord, remember us when you enter upon your reign." (Luke 23)

26th Sunday of the Year (C)

Inspire in Us the Practice of Good (2011-2013):

Reflections for Liturgical Years 2011 (A), 2012 (B), and 2013 (C)

Sunday, September 29, 2013

Liturgical readings
Amos 6:1, 4-7
Psalm 146
1 Timothy 6:11-16
Luke 16:19-31

"Eventually...the soul of the beggar Lazarus...was carried by angels to the bosom of Abraham."



Jesus said to the Pharisees:


"Once there was a rich man
who dressed in purple
        and linen
        and feasted splendidly
        every day.


At his gate lay a beggar
        named Lazarus
        who was covered with sores.


Lazarus longed to eat the scraps
that fell from the rich man's table.


The dogs even came
and licked his sores.


Eventually the beggar died.


He was carried by angels
to the bosom of Abraham.


The rich man likewise died
and was buried.


From the abode of the dead
where he was in torment,
he raised his eyes
and saw Abraham afar off,
and Lazarus resting in his bosom."


"He called out,


'Father Abraham,
have pity on me.
Send Lazarus to dip
the tip of his finger in water
to refresh my tongue,
for I am tortured in these flames.'


'My child,'


replied Abraham,


'remember that you were well off
in your lifetime,
while Lazarus was in misery.


Now he has found consolation here,
but you have found torment.


And that is not all.


Between you and us
there is fixed a great abyss,
so that those who might wish to cross
from here to you cannot do so,
nor can anyone cross from your side to us.'


"'Father,
I ask you then,'


the rich man said,


'send him to my father's house
where I have five brothers.


Let him be a warning to them
so that they may not end
        in this place of torment.'


Abraham answered


'They have Moses and the prophets.
Let them hear them'.


'No, Father Abraham.'
replied the rich man.


'But if someone would only go
to them from the dead,
then they would repent.'


Abraham said to him,


'If they do not listen to Moses
and the prophets
they will not be convinced
even if one should rise from the dead.'"


Points for reflection and prayer:
"The fatherless and the widow he sustains." (Psalm 146)
"Seek after integrity, piety, faith, love, steadfastness, and a gentle spirit." (1 Timothy)
"The Lord shall reign forever; your God, O Sion, through all generations." (Psalm 146)

16th Sunday of the Year (C)

Inspire in Us the Practice of Good (2011-2013):

Sunday Reflections for Liturgical Years 2011 (A), 2012 (B), and 2013 (C)

16th Sunday of the Year (C), July 21, 2013

Liturgical readings
Genesis 18:1-10
Psalm 15
Colossians 1:24-28
Luke 10:38-42

"One thing only is required."

Jesus entered a village


where a woman named Martha
welcomed him to her home.


She had a sister named Mary,


who seated herself at the Lord's feet

and
listened to his words.


Martha,
who was busy with all the details
of hospitality,


came to him and said,


"Lord,
are you not concerned that my sister
has left me all alone to do the household tasks?


Tell her to help me."


The Lord in reply
said to her:


"Martha, Martha


you are anxious and upset
about many things;


one thing only is required.


Mary has chosen the better portion
and she shall not be deprived of it."

"One thing only is required."

This gospel story of the Lord visiting the house of Martha and Mary makes us see the paths they took to serve the Lord. There is Martha's path - which is to serve the Lord directly by detailing all food and drink necessities, and other matters of hospitality. And there is Mary's path - which is to sit by the Lord, keep him company, and listen to his words. Both paths are good and holy. But what makes Mary's path "better" in the eyes of the Lord, is its opportunity to really listen to Him and receive the freedom to set as corollary the many cares and anxieties that can accompany Martha's path.


Classic interpretation of this gospel passage teach that Martha's path is followed by Catholics in the active apostolate: in family, education, media, health, parish, or in the mission to the non-Catholics. Mary's path, on the other hand represent those who are purely contemplative: the monks and the cloistered nuns. The simplicity and constancy of life of the monks and the nuns makes it easier for them to follow the "one thing only is required". On the other hand, the former group, have to deal with so many things in their agenda, that there is always the temptation to anxiety and forget that "one thing only is required".


There are very few (but truly favored by God), who are called to the purely contemplative life. The majority of us Catholics balance both contemplation and activity in our state of life. In practice, both "Martha's path" and "Mary's path" are really integrated and intertwined with each other in our daily life of prayer and work. We only need to discern at times what balance of prayer and activity can help us listen to the Lord well and be productive in our work. Maybe this gospel passage can open our eyes and see where we are. Is the Lord calling us to be more prayerful, or to be more active in our life in Him? What balance of prayer and activity will remind us that "one thing only is required"?

Points for reflection and prayer:
"The Lord appeared to Abraham by the terebinth of Mamre." (Genesis 18)
"He honors those who fear the Lord." (Psalm 15)
"A mystery hidden from ages and generations past but now revealed to his holy ones." (Colossians 1)

15th Sunday of the Year (C)

15th Sunday of the Year (C), July 14, 2013

Liturgical readings
Deuteronomy 30:10-14
Psalm 69
Colossians 1:15-20
Luke 10:25-37

"Then go and do the same."



On one occasion


a lawyer stood up
to pose this problem
to Jesus:


"Teacher,
what must I do
to inherit everlasting life?"


Jesus answered him:


"What is written in the law?
How do you read it?"


He replied:


"You shall love the Lord your God


        with all your heart
        with all your soul
        with all your strength
        and with all your mind;


and your neighbor as yourself."


Jesus said,
"You have answered correctly.
Do this and you shall live."


But because he wished
to justify himself
he said to Jesus,


"And who is my neighbor?"


Jesus replied:


"There was a man
going down from Jerusalem
to Jericho
who fell in with robbers.


They stripped him,
beat him,
and then went off
leaving him half-dead.


A priest happened to be going down
the same road;
he saw him
but continued on.


Likewise
there was a Levite
who came the same way;
he saw him
and went on.


But
a Samaritan
who was journeying along
came on him
and was moved to pity
at the sight.


He approached him
and dressed his wounds,
pouring in oil and wine
as a means to heal.


He then hoisted him
on his own beast
and brought him to an inn,
where he cared for him.


The next day
he took out two silver pieces
and gave them to the innkeeper
with the request:


'Look after him,
and if there is any further expense
I will repay you on my way back'."


"Which of these three,
in your opinion,
was neighbor to the man
who fell in with robbers?"


The answer came,


"The one who treated him
with compassion."


Jesus said to him,


"Then go and do the same."


Scripture verses:
"This command is something very near to you, already in your hearts; you
have only to carry it out." (Deuteronomy 30)
"For God will save Zion and rebuild the cities of Judah." (Psalm 69)
"Christ is before all else that is. In him everything continues in being." (Colossians 1)

13th Sunday of the Year (C)

Inspire in Us the Practice of Good (2011-2013):

13th Sunday of the Year (C), June 30, 2013

Liturgical readings
1 Kings 19:16, 19-21
Psalm 16
Galatians 5:1, 13-18
Luke 9:51-62

"Jesus firmly resolved to proceed toward Jerusalem."



As the time approached
when Jesus was to be taken
from this world,


he firmly resolved
to proceed toward Jerusalem,
and sent messengers
ahead of him.


These
entered a Samaritan town
to prepare for his passing through,


but


the Samaritans
would not welcome him
because he was on his way
to Jerusalem.


When his disciples
James and John saw this,
they said,


"Lord,
would you not have us call down
fire from heaven
to destroy them?"


He turned toward them
only to reprimand them.


Then they set off
for another town.


As they were making their way along,
someone said to him,


        "I will be your follower
        wherever you go."


Jesus said to him,


        "The foxes have lairs,
        the birds of the sky have nests,
        but the Son of Man has nowhere
        to lay his head."


To another
he said,


        "Come after me."


The man replied,


        "Let me bury my father first."


Jesus said to him,


        "Let the dead
        bury their dead;
        come away and
        proclaim the kingdom of God."


Yet another said to him,


        "I will be your follower, Lord,
        but first
        let me take leave
        of my people at home."


Jesus answered him,


        "Whoever put his hand
        to the plow
        but keeps looking back
        is unfit for the reign of God."



Points for reflection and prayer:
"The Lord said to Elijah: 'You shall anoint Elisha, son of Shaphat." (1 Kings)
"Keep me, O God, for in you I take refuge." (Psalm 16)
"It was for liberty that Christ freed us." (Galatians)

12th Sunday of the Year (C)

Inspire in Us the Practice of Good (2011-2013):

12th Sunday of the Year (C), June 23, 2013

Liturgical readings
Zechariah 12:10-11
Psalm 63
Galatians 3:26-29
Luke 9:18-24

"He must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Christ."



One day
when Jesus was praying in seclusion
and his disciples were with him,
he put the question to them,


"Who do the crowds say that I am?"


"John the Baptizer,"
they replied,


"and some say Elijah,


while others claim
one of the prophets of old
has returned from the dead."


"But you
- who do you say that I am?"
he asked them.


Peter said in reply,
"The Messiah of God."


He strictly forbade them
to tell this to anyone.


"The Son of Man,"
he said
"must first endure many sufferings,
        be rejected by the elders,
        the high priests
        and the scribes,
and be put to death,
and then be raised up on the third day."


Jesus said to all:
"Whoever wishes to be my follower
must deny his very self,
take up his cross each day,
and follow in my steps,


Whoever would save his life
will lose it,
and
whoever loses his life
for my sake will save it."


Points for reflection and prayer:
"And they shall look on him whom they have thrust through." (Zechariah)
"O God, you are my God whom I seek." (Psalm 63)
"Each one of you is a son of God because of your faith in Christ Jesus." (Galatians)

11th Sunday of the Year (C)

Inspire in Us the Practice of Good (2011-2013):

11th Sunday of the Year (C), June 16, 2013

Liturgical readings
2 Samuel 12:7-10
Psalm 32
Galatians 2:16, 19-21
Luke 7:36 - 8:3

"Her many sins are forgiven - because of her great love."



There was a certain Pharisee
who invited Jesus to dine with him.


Jesus went to the Pharisee's home
and reclined to eat.


A woman
known in the town
        to be a sinner
learned that he was dining
        in the Pharisee's home.


She brought in a vase of perfumed oil
and stood behind him at his feet,


weeping


so that her tears fell upon his feet.


Then
she wiped them with her hair,
kissing them and
perfuming them with the oil.


When his host,
the Pharisee,
saw this,
he said to himself,


"If this man were a prophet,
he would know who
and what sort of woman
this is that touches him,
- that she is a sinner."


In answer to his thought,
Jesus said to him,


"Simon,
I have something to propose to you,"


"Teacher,"
he said,
"speak."


"Two men owed money
to a certain money-lender;
one owed a total of five hundred coins,
the other fifty.



Since neither was able to repay,
he wrote off both debts.


Which of them was more grateful to him?"


Simon answered,
"He, I presume,
to whom he remitted the larger sum."


Jesus said to him,
"You are right."


Turning then to the woman,
he said to Simon:


"You see this woman?
I came to your home
and you provided me with no water for my feet.


        She has washed my feet with her tears
        and wiped them with her hair.


You gave me no kiss,


        but she has not ceased kissing my feet
        since I entered.


You did not anoint my head with oil,


        but she has anointed my feet with perfume.


I tell you,
that is why her many sins are forgiven
- because of her great love.


Little is forgiven
the one whose love is small."


He said to her then,
"Your sins are forgiven,"


at which his fellow guests
began to ask among themselves,


"Who is this
that he even forgives sins?"


Meanwhile
he said to the woman,
"Your faith has been your salvation.
Go now in peace."


After this
he journeyed through
towns and villages
preaching and proclaiming
the good news
of the kingdom of God.


The Twelve
accompanied him,
and also some women
who had been cured of evil spirits
and maladies;


Mary called the Magdalene,
from whom seven devils had gone out,


Joanna,
the wife of Herod's steward Chuza,


Susanna,


and many others
who were assisting them
out of their means.


Points for reflection and prayer:
"The Lord on his part has forgiven your sin: you shall not die." (1 Kings)
"You are my shelter; from distress you will preserve me." (Psalm 30)
"I will not treat God's gracious gift as pointless." (Galatians)

10th Sunday of the Year (C)

Inspire in Us the Practice of Good (2011-2013):

10th Sunday of the Year (C), June 9, 2013

Liturgical readings
1 Kings 17:17-24
Psalm 30
Galatians 1:11-19
Luke 7:11-17

"At this, the bearers halted."



Jesus went to a town
        called Nain,


and his disciples
and a large crowd
accompanied him.


As he approached the gate
        of the town
a dead man was being carried out,
the only son of a widowed mother.


A considerable crowd
of townsfolk were with her.


The Lord was moved with pity
upon seeing her
and said to her,


"Do not cry."


Then he stepped forward
and touched the litter;


at this,


the bearers halted.


He said,


Young man,
I bid you
get up."


The dead man sat up
and began to speak.


Then Jesus gave him back
        to his mother.


Fear seized them all
and they began
to praise God.


"A great prophet
has risen among us,"
they said,


and


"God has visited
his people."


This was the report
that spread about him
throughout Judea
and the surrounding country.


Points for reflection and prayer:
"O Lord, my God, let the life breath return to the body of this child." (1 Kings)
"O Lord, be my helper. You have changed my mourning into dancing." (Psalm 30)
"He who has set me apart before I was born and called me by his favor chose to reveal His Son through me, that I might spread among the Gentiles the good things concerning Him." (Galatians)

Corpus Christi (C)

Inspire in Us the Practice of Good (2011-2013):

Sunday Reflections for Liturgical Years 2011 (A), 2012 (B), and 2013 (C)

Corpus Christi (C), June 2, 2013

Liturgical readings
Genesis 14:18-20
Psalm 110
1 Corinthians 11:23-26
Luke 9:11-17

"Jesus raised his eyes to heaven and pronounced a blessing over the loaves."



Jesus spoke to the crowds
of the reign of God,


and


he healed
all who were in need of healing.


As sunset approached


the Twelve came
and said to him,
"Dismiss the crowd
so that they can go
into the villages
and farms in the neighborhood
and find themselves lodging and food,
for this is certainly
an out-of-the-way place."


He answered them [the Twelve]


"Why do you not give them
something to eat yourselves?"


They replied,


"We have nothing
but five loaves
and two fishes,


or


shall we ourselves
go and buy food


for all these people?"
(There were about five thousand men.)


Jesus said to his disciples,


"Have them sit down
in groups of fifty or so."


They followed his instructions
and got them all seated.


Then,


taking the five loaves
and
the two fishes,


Jesus raised his eyes to heaven,
pronounced a blessing over them,
broke them,
and gave them
        to his disciples
        for distribution to the crowd.


They all ate
until they had enough.


What they had left,
over and above,
filled twelve baskets.


Points for reflection and prayer:
"Melchizedek, king of Salem, brought out bread and wine...he blessed Abram." (Genesis 14)
"Before the daystar, like the dew, I have begotten you." (Psalm 110)
"The Lord Jesus on the night in which he was betrayed took bread, and after he had given thanks, broke it and said, 'This is my body, which is for you.'" (1 Corinthians)

Trinity Sunday (C)

Inspire in Us the Practice of Good (2011-2013):

Sunday Reflections for Liturgical Years 2011 (A), 2012 (B), and 2013 (C)

Trinity Sunday (C), May 26, 2013

Liturgical readings
Proverbs 8:22-31
Psalm 8
Romans 5:1-5
John 16:12-15

"The Spirit of truth will guide you to all truth."



Jesus said to his disciples:



"I have much more
        to tell you,


but


        you cannot
        bear it now.


When he comes,


however,


being the Spirit of truth


he will guide you
        to all truth.



He will not speak
        on his own,


but


        will speak only
        what he hears,


and


        will announce to you
        the things to come.


In doing this
he will give glory to me,


because


he will have received from me
what he will announce to you.


All that the Father has
        belongs to me.


That is why I said
that what he will announce to you
he will have from me."


Points for reflection and prayer:
"Thus says the Wisdom of God: 'The Lord begot me, the first-born of his ways." (Acts 2)
"What is man that you should be mindful of him." (Psalm 104)
"The love of God has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us."(Romans)

Pentecost Sunday (C)

Inspire in Us the Practice of Good (2011-2013):

Sunday Reflections for Liturgical Years 2011 (A), 2012 (B), and 2013 (C)

Pentecost Sunday (C), May 19, 2013

Liturgical readings
Acts 2:1-11
Psalm 104
Romans 8:8-11
John 14:15-16, 23-26

"The Father will give you another Advocate, to be with you for ever."



If you love me,
and obey the commands I give you,
I will ask the Father
and he will give you


another Paraclete -



"Anyone who loves me
        will be true to my word,


and my Father
        will love him;


we
        will come to him


and
make our dwelling place
        with him always.


He
who does not love me
        does not keep my words.


Yet
the word you hear is not mine;
it comes from the Father
        who sent me.


This much have I told you
        while I was still with you;


the Paraclete,
the Holy Spirit
whom the Father
        will send in my name,
        will instruct you in everything,
        and
        remind you of all
        that I told you.


Points for reflection and prayer:
"They had all met in one room, when suddenly they heard what sounded like
a powerful wind from heaven." (Acts 2)
"All creatures depend on you to feed them throughout the year." (Psalm 104)
"He who raised Jesus from the dead will life to your own mortal bodies
through His Spirit living in you." (Romans)

Ascension Sunday (C)

Inspire in Us the Practice of Good (2011-2013):

Sunday Reflections for Liturgical Years 2011 (A), 2012 (B), and 2013 (C)

Ascension Sunday (C), May 12, 2013

Liturgical readings
Acts 1:1-11
Psalm 47
Ephesians 1:17-23
Luke 24:46-53

"As Jesus blessed, he left the Eleven, and was taken up to heaven."



Jesus said to the Eleven:


"Thus it is written
that the Messiah
must suffer
        and rise from the dead
        on the third day.


In his name,


penance for the remission of sins
is to be preached to the nations,


beginning at Jerusalem.


You are witnesses
of all this.


See,


I send down upon you
the promise of the Father.


Remain here in the city
until you are clothed
with power from on high."


He then led them out
near Bethany,


and with hands upraised,
blessed them.


As he blessed,
he left them,
and was taken up to heaven.


They fell down
to do him reverence,


then returned to Jerusalem
filled with joy.


There they were to be found
in the temple constantly,
speaking the praises of God.


Points for reflection and prayer:
"No sooner had he said this than he was lifted up before their eyes in a cloud which took him from their sight." (Acts 1)
"For king of all the earth is God; sing hymns of praise." (Psalm 47)
"He has put all things under Christ's feet and has made him thus exalted, head of the church." (Ephesians)

6th Sunday of Easter (C)

Inspire in Us the Practice of Good (2011-2013):

Sunday Reflections for Liturgical Years 2011 (A), 2012 (B), and 2013 (C)

6th Sunday of Easter (C), May 5, 2013

Liturgical readings
Acts 15:1-2, 22-29
Psalm 67
Revelation 21:10-14, 22-23
John 14:23-29

"We will make our dwelling place with him always."



Jesus said to his disciples:


"Anyone who loves me
        will be true to my word,


and my Father
        will love him;


we
        will come to him


and
make our dwelling place
        with him always.


He
who does not love me
        does not keep my words.


Yet
the word you hear is not mine;
it comes from the Father
        who sent me.


This much have I told you
        while I was still with you;


the Paraclete,
the Holy Spirit
whom the Father
        will send in my name,
        will instruct you in everything,
        and
        remind you of all
        that I told you.


'Peace'
        is my farewell to you,


my peace
        is my gift to you;


I do not give it to you
        as the world gives peace.


Do not be disturbed
        or fearful.


You have heard me say,


'I go away
        for a while,


and


I come back to you.'


If you truly loved me
you would rejoice
to have me go to the Father,


For the Father
is greater than I.


I tell you this now,
before it takes place,


so that when it takes place


you may believe."


Points for reflection and prayer:
"We are sending you Judas and Silas, who will convey this message by
word of mouth." (Acts 15)
"May God have pity on us and bless us; may He let His face shine upon us." (Psalm 67)
"The holy city had no need of sun or moon, for the glory of God gave it
light, and its lamp was the Lamb." (Revelation 21)

5th Sunday of Easter (C)

Inspire in Us the Practice of Good (2011-2013):

Sunday Reflections for Liturgical Years 2011 (A), 2012 (B), and 2013 (C)

5th Sunday of Easter (C), April 28, 2013

Liturgical readings
Acts 14:21-27
Psalm 145
Revelation 21:1-5
John 13:31-33, 34-35

"This is how all will know you for my disciples."



Once Judas
had left the cenacle


Jesus said:



"Now
is the Son of Man
glorified


and God
has been glorified
in him,


God will,
in turn,
glorify him in himself,
and will glorify him soon



My children,
I am not to be with you
    much longer.


I give you a new commandment:


Love one another.


Such as my love
    has been for you,
    so must your love
        be for each other.


This is how all will know you
    for my disciples:


your love for one another".


Points for reflection and prayer:
"Paul and Barnabas gave their disciples reassurances, and encouraged
them to persevere in the faith." (Acts 14)
"The Lord is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and of great kindness." (Psalm 145)
"He shall be their God who is always with them." (Revelation 21)

4th Sunday of Easter (C)

Inspire in Us the Practice of Good (2011-2013):

Sunday Reflections for Liturgical Years 2011 (A), 2012 (B), and 2013 (C)

4th Sunday of Easter (C), April 21, 2013

Liturgical readings
Acts 13:14, 43-52
Psalm 100
Revelation 7:9, 14-17
John 10:27-30

"Jesus said: My sheep hear my voice."



Jesus said:


"My sheep
    hear my voice.


I know them
    and they follow me.


I give them eternal life
    and they shall never perish.


No one
    shall snatch them
    out of my hand.


My Father
    is greater than all,
        in what he has given me,
        and there is no snatching
        out of his hand.


The Father
and I
are one."


Points for reflection and prayer:
"Paul and Barnabas spoke at Antioch in Pisidia and urged the believers to hold fast to the grace of God." (Acts 13)
"God made us, His we are; His people, the flock He tends." (Psalm 100)
"These are the ones who have survived the great period of trial; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb." (Revelation 7)

3rd Sunday of Easter (C)

Inspire in Us the Practice of Good (2011-2013):

Sunday Reflections for Liturgical Years 2011 (A), 2012 (B), and 2013 (C)

3rd Sunday of Easter (C), April 14, 2013

Liturgical readings
Acts 5:27-32, 40-41
Psalm 30
Revelation 5:11-14
John 21:1-19

"This marked the third time that Jesus appeared to the disciples."



At the Sea of Tiberias


Jesus
    showed himself
        to the disciples once again.


This is how the appearance took place.


Assembled were
    Simon Peter
    Thomas ("the Twin"),
    Nathanael (from Cana in Galilee),
    Zebedee's sons,
    and two other disciples.


Simon Peter said to them,
"I'm going out to fish."


"We'll join you,"
they replied,
    and went off to get into their boat.


All through the night
they caught nothing.


Just after daybreak
Jesus
    was standing on the shore,
    though none of the disciples
    knew it was Jesus,


He said to them,
    "Children,
    have you caught anything to eat?"


"Not a thing,"
they answered.


"Cast your net off
to the starboard side,"
    he suggested,
"and you will find something."


So they made a cast
and took so many fish
they could not haul the net in.


Then the disciple Jesus loved
cried out to Peter,
    "It is the Lord!"


On hearing it was the Lord,
Simon Peter threw on some clothes
- he was stripped
- and jumped on to the water.


Meanwhile
the other disciples
came in the boat,
towing the net full of fish.


Actually
they were not far from land
- no more than a hundred yards.


When they landed,
they saw a charcoal fire there
with a fish laid on it
and some bread.


"Bring some of the fish
you just caught,"
    Jesus told them.


Simon Peter
went aboard
and hauled ashore
the net loaded with sizable fish
- one hundred fifty-three of them!


In spite of the great number,
the net was not torn.


"Come and eat your meal,"
    Jesus told them.



Not one of the disciples
presumed to inquire
    "Who are you?"
for they knew it was the Lord.


Jesus
came over,
took the bread
and gave it to them,
and did the same with the fish.


This marked the third time
that Jesus
appeared to the disciples
after being raised from the dead.


When they had eaten their meal,
Jesus said to Simon Peter,


"Simon, son of John,.
do you love me
more than these?"


"Yes, Lord,"
Peter said,
"you know that I love you."


At which Jesus said,
"Feed my lambs."


A second time
he put his question,


"Simon, son of John,.
do you love me?"


"Yes, Lord,".
Peter said,
"you know that I love you."


Jesus replied,
"Tend my sheep."


A third time
Jesus asked him,


"Simon, son of John,
do you love me?"


Peter was hurt
because he had asked a third time,
"Do you love me?"


So he said to him:
"Lord,
you know everything.
You know well that I love you."


Jesus told him,
"Feed my sheep".


"I tell you solemnly:


as a young man
you fastened your belt
and went about as you pleased;


but when you are older
you will stretch out your hands,
and another will tie you fast
and carry you off against your will."


(What he said
indicated the sort of death
by which Peter
was to glorify God.)


When Jesus had finished speaking
he said to him,


"Follow me."


Points for reflection and prayer:
"The God of our fathers has raised up Jesus whom you put to death." (Acts 5)
"O Lord, my God, forever will I give you thanks." (Psalm 30)
"Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches, wisdom and
strength, honor and glory and praise!" (Revelation 5)

2nd Sunday of Easter (C)

Inspire in Us the Practice of Good (2011-2013):

Sunday Reflections for Liturgical Years 2011 (A), 2012 (B), and 2013 (C)

2nd Sunday of Easter (C), April 7, 2013

Liturgical readings
Acts 5:12-16
Psalm 118
Revelation 1:9-11, 12-13, 17-19
John 20:19-31

"These [signs] have been recorded to help you believe that Jesus is the Messiah."



On the evening


of that first day of the week,
    even though the disciples had locked the doors
    of the place where they were
        for fear of the Jews,


Jesus
    came and stood
    before them,


"Peace be with you,"
    he said.


When he had said this,
    he showed them
    his hands and his side.


At the sight of the Lord
the disciples rejoiced.


"Peace be with you,"
    he said again.


"As the Father has sent me
so I send you."


Then


he breathed on them
    and said:


"Receive the Holy Spirit.
If you forgive men's sins,
they are forgiven them;
if you hold them bound,
they are held bound."


It happened that one of the TWelve,
    Thomas
    (the name means "Twin"),
was absent
when Jesus came.


The other disciples
kept telling him:
    "We have seen the Lord!"


His answer was,
"I'll never believe it
without probing the nail-prints
in his hands,
without putting my finger
in the nail-marks
and my hand into his side."


A week later,


the disciples were once more
in the room,


and this time
    Thomas
    was with them.


Despite the locked doors,
Jesus
    came and stood
    before them,


"Peace be with you,"
    he said;


then,


to Thomas:


"Take your finger
    and examine my hands
Put your hand
    into my side.


Do not persist
in your unbelief,
    but believe!"


Thomas said in response,


"My Lord and my God!"


Jesus then said to him:


"You became a believer
because you saw me.
    Blest are they
        who have not seen
        and have believed."


Jesus performed
many other signs as well
    - signs not recorded here
    - in the presence of his disciples.


But these
have been recorded
to help you believe


that Jesus
is the Messiah,
the Son of God,


so that through this faith
you may have life
in his name.



Points for reflection and prayer:
"Through the hands of the apostles, many signs and wonders occurred among the people." (Acts 5)
"My strength and my courage is the Lord, and he has been my savior." (Psalm 118)
"I saw seven lampstands of gold and among the lampstands One like a Son of Man." (Revelation 9)

Easter Sunday (C)

Inspire in Us the Practice of Good (2011-2013):

Sunday Reflections for Liturgical Years 2011 (A), 2012 (B), and 2013 (C)

Easter Sunday (C), March 31, 2013

Liturgical readings
Acts 10:34, 37-43
Psalm 118
Colossians 3:1-4
John 20:1-9

"He saw and believed."



Early in the morning
on the first day of the week,
  while it was still dark


Mary Magdalene came to the tomb.


She saw that the stone
had been moved away,


so she ran off


to Simon Peter
and the other disciple
(the one Jesus loved)


and told them,


"The Lord has been taken
from the tomb!


We don't know
where they have put him!"


At that,


Peter
and the other disciple
started out on their way
toward the tomb.


They were running side by side,
but then
the other disciple
outran Peter
and reached the tomb first.


He did not enter
but bent down
to peer in,
and saw the wrappings
lying on the ground.


Presently,
Simon Peter came along behind him
and entered the tomb.


He observed the wrappings on the ground
and saw the piece of cloth
which had covered the head
not lying with the wrappings,


but


rolled up in a place
by itself.


Then
the disciple
who had arrived first at the tomb


went in.


He saw


and believed.


(Remember,


as yet
they did not understand
the Scripture


that Jesus
had to rise
from the dead.)


Points for reflection and prayer:
"They killed Him..."hanging Him on a tree", only to have God raise
Him up on the third day." (Acts 10)
"The stone which the builders rejected has become the cornerstone." (Psalm 118)
"You have been raised up in company with Christ...set your heart on what
pertains to higher realms." (Colossians 3)

Passion Sunday (C)

Inspire in Us the Practice of Good (2011-2013):

Sunday Reflections for Liturgical Years 2011 (A), 2012 (B), and 2013 (C)


Passion Sunday (C), March 24, 2013


Liturgical readings
Isaiah 50:4-7
Psalm 22
Philippians 2:6-11
Luke 22:14 - 23:56

"Do this as a remembrance of me."




When the hour arrived,
Jesus took his place at table,
and the apostles with him.

He said to them:

"I have greatly desired
to eat this Passover with you
before I suffer.

I tell you,
I will not eat again
until it is fulfilled
in the kingdom of God."

Then
taking a cup
he offered a blessing in thanks
and said:

"Take this
and divide it among you;
I tell you,
from now on
I will not drink of the fruit of the vine
until the coming of the reign of God."

Then
taking bread and giving thanks,
he broke it and gave it to them,
saying:

"This is my body
to be given for you.
Do this as a remembrance of me."

He did the same with the cup
after eating, saying as he did so:

"This cup is the new covenant in my blood,
which will be shed for you."

...
...
...


Then he went out
and made his way,
as was his custom,
to the Mount of Olives;
his disciples accompanied him.


...
...
...


a crowd came,
led by the man named Judas,
one of the Twelve.


...
...
...


They led him away under arrest


...
...
...


At daybreak the council,
which was made up of the
elders of the people,
the chief priests,
and the scribes,
assembled


...
...
...


Then the entire assembly rose up
and led him before Pilate


...
...
...


The whole crowd cried out...
"Crucify him, crucify him!"


...
...
...


Pilate then decreed
that what they demanded
should be done...
he delivered Jesus up to their wishes

...
...
...


Two others who were criminals
were led along with him to be crucified.

...
...
...


Darkness came over the whole land until midafternoon
with an eclipse of the sun.
The curtain in the sanctuary was torn in two.
Jesus uttered a loud cry and said,


"Father, into your hands I commend my spirit."


After he said this, he expired.


Points for reflection and prayer:
"Morning after morning he opens my ear that I may hear." (Isaiah 50)
"They have pierced my hands and my feet; I can count all my bones." (Psalm 22)
"He emptied himself and took the form of a slave." (Philippians 2)

"But from now on, avoid this sin."

5th Sunday of Lent (C)

Liturgical readings
Isaiah 43:16-21
Psalm 126
Philippians 3:8-14
John 8:1-11

"But from now on, avoid this sin."




Jesus went out to the Mount of Olives.
At daybreak he reappeared in the temple area;
and when the people started coming to him,
he sat down and began to teach them.


The scribes and the Pharisees led a woman forward
who had been caught in adultery.
They made her stand there in front of everyone.


"Teacher,"


they said to him,


"this woman has been caught in the act of adultery.
In the law,
Moses ordered such woman to be stoned.


What do you have to say about the case?"


(They were posing this question to trap him,
so that they could have something to accuse him of.)


Jesus simply bend down
and started tracing on the ground
with his finger.


When they persisted in their questioning,
he straightened up
and said to them,


"Let the man among you
who has no sin
be the first to cast a stone at her."


A second time
he bent down
and wrote on the ground.


Then the audience drifted away
one by one,
beginning with the elders.


This left him alone
with the woman,
who continued to stand before him.


Jesus finally straightened up again
and said to her,


"Woman,
where did they all disappear to?
Has no one condemned you?"


No one, sir,"
she answered.


Jesus said,


Nor do I condemn you.


You may go.


But from now on,
avoid this sin."


This way of presenting the text of the gospel is based on the paraphrasing method taught by Fr. Vermundo Miranda, CICM, professor of Maryhill School of Theology. The paraphrasing method is meant to help readers get a clearer understanding of the text in relation to the other verses and the contexts in which it is meant to be understood. I added my own style and restructuring of the text, plus fonts that are italicized (to highlight the statements that come from Christ) and fonts in bold typeface (to highlight the Person of Christ).

4th Sunday of Lent (C)

Inspire in Us the Practice of Good (2011-2013):

Sunday Reflections for Liturgical Years 2011 (A), 2012 (B), and 2013 (C)

4th Sunday of Lent (C), March 10, 2013

Liturgical readings
Joshua 5:9, 10-12
Psalm 34
2 Corinthians 5:17-21
Luke 15:1-3, 11-32

"His father caught sight of him and was deeply moved."





The tax collectors and the sinners
were all gathering around Jesus to
hear him,
at which the Pharisees and the scribes murmured,


This man welcomes sinners and eats with them."

Then he addressed this parable to them:


"A man had two sons.
The younger of them said to his father,


'Father, give me the share of the estate that is coming to me.'


So the father divided up the property.


Some days later this younger son collected all his belongings
and went off to a distant land,
where he squandered his money on dissolute living.


After he had spent everything,
a great famine broke out in that country
and he was in dire need.


So he attached himself
to one of the propertied class of the place,
who sent him to his farm to take care of the pigs.


He longed to fill his belly
with the husks that were fodder for the pigs,
but no one made a move to give him anything.


Coming to his senses at last, he said:


'How many hired hands at my father's place 
have more than enough to eat,
while here I am starving!



I will break away 
and return to my father,
and say to him,



'Father,
I have sinned against God
and against you;



I no longer deserve 
to be called your son.
Treat me like one of your hired hands"



With that he set off for his father's house.


While he was still a long way off,
his father caught sight of him
and was deeply moved.


He ran out to meet him,
threw his arms around his neck,
and kissed him.


The son said to him,


'Father,
I have sinned against God
and against you;
I no longer deserve to be called your son.'



The father said to his servants:


'Quick!


bring out the finest robe
and put it on him;



put a ring on his finger
and shoes on his feet.



Take the fatted calf
and kill it.



Let us eat and celebrate
because this son of mine was dead
and has come back to life.



He was lost
and is found.'



Then the celebration began.


"Meanwhile the elder son was out on the land.
As he neared the house on his way home,
he heard the sound of music and dancing.


He called one of the servants
and asked him the reason for the dancing and the music.


The servant answered,


'Your brother is home,
and your father has killed the fatted calf
because he has him back in good health.'



The son grew angry at this
and would not go in;
but his father came out
and began to plead with him.


He said
in reply to his father:


'For years now I have slaved for you.
I never disobeyed one of your orders,
yet you never gave me so much as a kid goat
to celebrate with my friends.



Then,
when this son of yours returns
after having gone through your property
with loose women,
you kill the fatted calf for him.'



"'My son,'


replied the father,


'you are with me always,


and everything I have is yours.


But we had to celebrate
and rejoice!



This brother of yours was dead,
and has come back to life.



He was lost, and is found.'"



Points for reflection and prayer:
"Today I have removed the reproach of Egypt from you." (Joshua 5)
"When the afflicted man called out, the Lord heard, and from all his
distress he saved him." (Psalm 34)
"God has reconciled us to himself through Christ." (2 Corinthians 5)

3rd Sunday of Lent (C)

Inspire in Us the Practice of Good (2011-2013):

Sunday Reflections for Liturgical Years 2011 (A), 2012 (B), and 2013 (C)

3rd Sunday of Lent (C), March 3, 2013

Liturgical readings
Exodus 3:1-8, 13-15
Psalm 103
1 Corinthians 10:1-6, 10-12
Luke 13:1-9

"Leave it another year while I hoe around it."


Some were present who told Jesus about the Galileans
whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices.


He said in reply:


"Do you think that these Galileans were the greatest sinners in Galilee
just because they suffered this?

By no means!
But I tell you, you will come to the same end unless you reform.

Or take those eighteen who were killed by a falling tower in Siloam.
Do you think they were more guilty than anyone else who lived in
Jerusalem?

Certainly not!

But I tell you, you will all come to the same end unless you begin
to reform."


Jesus spoke this parable:

"A man had a fig tree growing in his vineyard, and he came out looking
for fruit on it but did not find any.

He said to the vinedresser,

'Look here!
For three years now I have come in search of fruit on this fig tree
and found none.

Cut it down. Why should it clutter up the ground?

In answer, the man said,

'Sir


leave it another year while I hoe around it and manure it;
then perhaps it will bear fruit.

If not, it shall be cut down.'"

Points for reflection and prayer:
"Remove the sandals from your feet, for the place where you stand is
holy ground." (Exodus 3)
"Merciful and gracious is the Lord; slow to anger and abounding in
kindness." (Psalm 103:8)
"Let anyone who thinks he is standing upright watch out lest he
fall!" (1 Corinthians 10)

2nd Sunday of Lent (C)

Inspire in Us the Practice of Good (2011-2013):

Sunday Reflections for Liturgical Years 2011 (A), 2012 (B), and 2013 (C)


2nd Sunday of Lent (C), February 24, 2013


Liturgical readings
Genesis 15:5-12, 17-18
Psalm 27
Philippians 3:17 - 4:1
Luke 9:28-36

"Listen to Jesus."




Jesus took Peter, John and James, and went up onto a mountain to pray.
While he was praying, his face changed in appearance and his clothes became dazzlingly white.


Suddenly two men were talking with him - Moses and Elijah. They appeared in glory and spoke of his passage which he was about to fulfil in Jerusalem.


Peter and those with him had fallen into a deep sleep; but awakening, they saw his glory and likewise saw the two men who were standing with him.
When these were leaving,


Peter said to Jesus,

"Master, how good it is for us to be here. Let us set up three booths, one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah." (He did not really know what he was saying.)


While he was speaking, a cloud came and overshadowed them, and the disciples grew fearful as the others entered it.
Then from the cloud came a voice which said,


"This is my Son, my Chosen One. Listen to him."


When the voice fell silent, Jesus was there alone.


The disciples kept quiet, telling nothing of what they had seen at that time to anyone.



Points for reflection and prayer:
"Abram put his faith in the Lord." (Genesis 15)
"The Lord is my light and my salvation." (Psalm 27)
"We have our citizenship in Heaven." (Philippians 3)

1st Sunday of Lent (C)

4th Sunday of the Year (C)

Inspire in Us the Practice of Good (2011-2013):

Sunday Reflections for Liturgical Years 2011 (A), 2012 (B), and 2013 (C)

4th Sunday of the Year (C), February 3, 2013

Liturgical readings
Jeremiah 1:4-5, 17-19
Psalm 71
1 Corinthians 12:31 - 13:13
Luke 4:21-30

"He went straight through their midst and walked away."

The misunderstanding between Jesus and His own people begins. After reading from the book of the prophet Isaiah, the people begin to question the claim of Jesus. They asked: "Is this not Joseph's son?" For the Lord spoke in a very prophetic manner - causing indignation in the hearts of His hearers. All the prophets in the tradition of the Jewish people were known to "announce" and "denounce" in God's holy name. Jesus followed this same prophetic tradition. But in doing such, He stirred an uprising among His kinsfolk. They expelled Him from the town and intended to hurl Him over the edge of a hill. But Jesus "went straight ahead through their midst and walked away." The Lord left in peace. (And went to Capernaum to continue His mission).


Jesus is our Priest, Prophet and King. It is His mission as Prophet that shines bright through this passage. Israel's prophets have a very dangerous vocation. Many of them have been killed because they straightfowardly announced God's will in the Commandments; and they denounced the people's infidelity and disobedience to the Commandments. Before the Lord took upon Himself the responsibility of this prophetic tradition, it was His precursor, John the Baptist, who prepared the way, through a baptism of repentance. John called the people to reconcile themselves to God. The Lord's mission follows this same prophetic call. When Jesus began His public ministry, He continued preaching for the forgiveness of sins by calling out: "Repent and believe in the Gospel".


Not all of us is called to be a priest, a prophet or a king. But by our baptismal consecration, we share in "the priesthood of Christ, in His prophetic and royal mission" - to build His Kingdom (first in our hearts, and then in the hearts of others). We may not also have the office of preaching the Word, but by letting the Word of God take root in our hearts, we are healed and purified. Letting God's Word and the Sacraments be food for our souls, we can bring God's presence in the very ordinary settings of our lives. St. Philip Neri (1515-1595 A.D.) says that once we receive the Lord in communion, we become "living tabernacles". That is why it has been an old pious tradition and practice in the Church to spend some moments for thanksgiving prayer, and to refrain from ingesting food (immediately) after the Mass.

Points for reflection and prayer:
The following quotes from this Sunday's readings can help deepen our reflection and prayer:
"For it is I this day who have made you a fortified city" (Jeremiah 1)
"Be my rock of refuge, a stronghold to give me safety" (Psalm 71)
"There is no limit to love's forbearance, to its trust, its hope, its power to endure" (1 Corinthians 12)

3rd Sunday of the Year (C)

Inspire in Us the Practice of Good (2011-2013):

Sunday Reflections for Liturgical Years 2011 (A), 2012 (B), and 2013 (C)

3rd Sunday of the Year (C), January 27, 2013

Liturgical readings

Nehemiah 8:2-4, 5-6, 8-10

Psalm 19

1 Corinthians 12:12-30

Luke 1:1-4, 4:14-21

"He entered the synagogue on the sabbath and stood up to do the reading."

The Lord begins His public ministry. He enters the synagogue at Nazareth, unrolls the scroll and reads a passage from the book of the prophet Isaiah. The gospel story intensely builds up as He reads the passage Isaiah ascribes to the mission of the promised Messiah. When Jesus had finished reading, He rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the assistant, and sat down. Those in the synagogue knew His family background, for that synagogue was in Nazareth where He had been reared. There could have been an emphatic silence that pervaded the whole synagogue - a silence wherein the presence of God was deeply felt. When all those present had their eyes on the Jesus, He said: "Today this scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing."

"This scripture passage is fulfilled." The passage from Isaiah speaks about 'liberty to captives, sight to the blind, and the release of prisoners'. The Lord fulfills this passage in His very Person and role as Savior. God sent Him to proclaim freedom to all those captive to vice and sin. St. Gregory (who lived 500 years after Christ), wrote about eight vices (in thought and in spirit) that draw souls away from God. He lists them down: pride, ambition, anger, hatred, gluttony, impurity, greed and sadness (due to inordinate attachments). All these enslave and imprison, and brings darkness to the heart. Jesus was sent to proclaim freedom from all these, and more besides. He makes people whole in body and spirit, and leads them towards paths of virtue and holiness (what is opposite of the eight vices mentioned above).

Opposite to the spirit of the scribes and the Pharisees, Jesus' spirit was inclusive. He calls everyone, most especially those whose souls are infirm. He offers freedom from darkness and mediocrity. He calls all to seek the Kingdom and its everlasting Light. It is His Light that will restore the light of God's image and likeness in all souls. Though not all respond, God does not give up. His call still continues through the Church and her channels of grace, the Sacraments. Those who receive the light to see the nobility of such a call, find in Jesus everything they have ever wanted or hoped for. For those who respond to the call, God's blessings pour down like the dewfall. Peace, joy, and God's mercy reign in their hearts and lead them to do their part to build the "city of God".

Points for reflection and prayer: 

The prayer of the Psalmist in Psalm 19 brings much light: "Let the words of my mouth and the thought of my heart find favor before you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer." 

2nd Sunday of the Year (C)

Solemnity of the Lord's Epiphany (C)