2020년 10월 23일 연중 제29주간 금요일
오늘의 복음 : http://info.catholic.or.kr/missa/default.asp
제1독서
에페소서.4,1-6
1 주님 안에서 수인이 된 내가 여러분에게 권고합니다.
여러분이 받은 부르심에 합당하게 살아가십시오.
2 겸손과 온유를 다하고, 인내심을 가지고 사랑으로 서로 참아 주며,
3 성령께서 평화의 끈으로 이루어 주신 일치를 보존하도록 애쓰십시오.
4 하느님께서 여러분을 부르실 때에 하나의 희망을 주신 것처럼,
그리스도의 몸도 하나이고 성령도 한 분이십니다.
5 주님도 한 분이시고 믿음도 하나이며 세례도 하나이고,
6 만물의 아버지이신 하느님도 한 분이십니다.
그분은 만물 위에, 만물을 통하여, 만물 안에 계십니다.
복음
루카 12,54-59
그때에 54 예수님께서 군중에게 말씀하셨다.
“너희는 구름이 서쪽에서 올라오는 것을 보면 곧
‘비가 오겠다.’ 하고 말한다. 과연 그대로 된다.
55 또 남풍이 불면 ‘더워지겠다.’ 하고 말한다. 과연 그대로 된다.
56 위선자들아, 너희는 땅과 하늘의 징조는 풀이할 줄 알면서,
이 시대는 어찌하여 풀이할 줄 모르느냐?
57 너희는 왜 올바른 일을 스스로 판단하지 못하느냐?
58 너를 고소한 자와 함께 재판관에게 갈 때, 도중에 그와 합의를 보도록 힘써라.
그러지 않으면 그가 너를 재판관에게 끌고 가,
재판관은 너를 옥리에게 넘기고 옥리는 너를 감옥에 가둘 것이다.
59 내가 너에게 말한다.
네가 마지막 한 닢까지 갚기 전에는 결코 거기에서 나오지 못할 것이다.”
October 23, 2020
Friday of the Twenty-Ninth Week in Ordinary Time
Daily Mass : http://www.catholictv.com/shows/daily-mass
Reading 1
Brothers and sisters:
I, a prisoner for the Lord,
urge you to live in a manner worthy of the call you have received,
with all humility and gentleness, with patience,
bearing with one another through love,
striving to preserve the unity of the spirit
through the bond of peace;
one Body and one Spirit,
as you were also called to the one hope of your call;
one Lord, one faith, one baptism;
one God and Father of all,
who is over all and through all and in all.
Responsorial Psalm
R. (see 6) Lord, this is the people that longs to see your face.
The LORD’s are the earth and its fullness;
the world and those who dwell in it.
For he founded it upon the seas
and established it upon the rivers.
R. Lord, this is the people that longs to see your face.
Who can ascend the mountain of the LORD?
or who may stand in his holy place?
He whose hands are sinless, whose heart is clean,
who desires not what is vain.
R. Lord, this is the people that longs to see your face.
He shall receive a blessing from the LORD,
a reward from God his savior.
Such is the race that seeks for him,
that seeks the face of the God of Jacob.
R. Lord, this is the people that longs to see your face.
Gospel
Jesus said to the crowds,
“When you see a cloud rising in the west
you say immediately that it is going to rain?and so it does;
and when you notice that the wind is blowing from the south
you say that it is going to be hot?and so it is.
You hypocrites!
You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and the sky;
why do you not know how to interpret the present time?
“Why do you not judge for yourselves what is right?
If you are to go with your opponent before a magistrate,
make an effort to settle the matter on the way;
otherwise your opponent will turn you over to the judge,
and the judge hand you over to the constable,
and the constable throw you into prison.
I say to you, you will not be released
until you have paid the last penny.”
http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/daily.html
The reading from Saint Paul from his prison cell really touched my heart. He was sitting there writing about gentleness, unity of the Spirit, and peace – not a sign of bitterness or resentment against his oppressors. Certainly, his oppressors did not “get it,” as Jesus remarks in the gospel. I think the pull to the first reading for me is the sense of chaos right now. Roller coaster rides of family members dealing with COVID-19 . . . everything I plan is like a sandcastle built on the beach at low tide waiting for high tide to roll in . . . uncertainty in the future.
New Year’s Day year started with me in the hospital recovering from surgery with uncertainty of that outcome. Then the bombshell that has been everyone’s life since March 2020. I could no longer reach out and hug a student who was hurting or just to say hello. I could no longer hug most people – I was blessed to be with my husband, daughter and granddaughter during the early months of our isolation and had those loved ones to hug. It is still different to “elbow bump” as a greeting or good-bye. My heart broke for those who were truly isolated and continues to ache as I hear the various holiday plans for many families. Yet, Saint Paul in his ability to look beyond his current circumstances exemplifies so much for us – the thought of bearing with one another through love. So, I must focus on what we have gained as we lived through (and continue to live through) this unprecedented time. Because, it is also a year of miracles. For me, a “little” miracle of finding a mass in my chest and it being taken care of without evident negative consequences. For my brother-in-law, 17 days hospitalized with COVID-19 and now seemingly back with normal without sequalae. For my sister, a greater appreciation of the little things in life and recognizing the power of prayer. And our latest miracle, my mother-in-law on the road (albeit it long and winding) to recovery. Last Friday, the picture of her in her hospital bed brought tears to my eyes, today the picture was her bright-eyed sitting in a chair, smiling on the 66th Anniversary! God is Good!
I listened this week to two of my nursing students present (via Zoom!) to a small class of high school students on the topic of generosity. As they presented it was clear that their emphasis was generosity of the spirit, not about giving gifts. They were tying this into the skills for happiness. The nursing students used a short video that depicted people saying affirmations to friends, spouses, parents, etc. It was a great reminder of how we can support each other on a regular basis. No need for special occasions, just affirming those who we love and care about – pointing out those special “gifts” that we bring to each other. Recognizing (and letting the other know that you recognize) not only their unique gifts but also how these gifts contribute to you and your well-being. As we show appreciation for each other’s gifts and “specialness,” I believe that we move to preserve the unity of the spirit. We can be bonded with a great sense of peace – that doesn’t mean that life is perfect or that we think the other is perfect. It means we are able to appreciate each of God’s masterpieces even with the flaws. One of my husband’s and mine things to say to each other regularly is Have I told you today, how much I love you? It may seem a silly “ritual” to some – the answer is as you may as guessed, No, with a sappy, sad look. It invites the other to affirm that love with words and a hug. It reminds us to appreciate each other and the blessed life we have, complete with bumps and unexpected turns – especially when we remember the most important part of our lives – God!
one Body and one Spirit,
as you were also called to the one hope of your call;
one Lord, one faith, one baptism;
one God and Father of all,
who is over all and through all and in all.
Perhaps Danny Gokey’s song is the best summary: Love God, Love People
http://www.presentationministries.com/obob/obob.asp
THE SEVENFOLD UNITY
“Make every effort to preserve the unity.” —Ephesians 4:3
From prison, St. Paul pleaded with his Christian brothers and sisters to “live a life worthy” of their calling (Eph 4:1). This meant being humble, meek, long-suffering, and lovingly forbearing (Eph 4:2). This radically different way of life was necessary to preserve and deepen the early Church’s unity in the Spirit (Eph 4:3). The priority was unity in the body, unity in the Spirit, and unity in hope; unity in the Lord, faith, and baptism, and unity in the God and Father of all (Eph 4:4-6). This sevenfold unity is still necessary for our lives to be worthy of our calling by the Lord.
Jesus is continuing to pray that we be one as He and the Father are one (Jn 17:21). Despite centuries of disunity among the various Christian denominations; despite millions of people not living their marriage vows or living together without making marriage vows; despite an almost total disregard for a practical living out of our baptismal brotherhood and sisterhood; despite the utter divisiveness and disunity of sin, the Lord will never change (see Mal 3:6; Heb 13:8). He wants us in unity with Him and with each other. We must be united even if we have to die for it, because He already has died for it (Jn 11:51-52).
Repent! Live a worthy, humble life of unity.
Prayer: Father, give me Your heart for the unity of all Christians.
Promise: “There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, Who is over all, and works through all, and is in all.” —Eph 4:5-6
Praise: Have you ever been drawn to an exceptional preacher? St. John lived during a time of religious apathy, yet defied the odds by attracting tens of thousands of listeners to his sermons. He and twelve of his fellow Franciscans were instrumental in the renewal of a dying faith in Central Europe.
http://dailyscripture.servantsoftheword.org/readings/
How good are you at reading warning signs? Jesus expects his disciples to accurately read the signs of the times! Seafarers and farmers know the importance of spotting weather conditions for safe travel and planting. A lot of effort is made today, with the help of science and technology, to discern potential natural dangers, such as tropical storms, hurricanes, floods, tornadoes, earth quakes, and erupting volcanoes, so that people can be warned to take shelter before disaster hits.
Don't miss God's kingdom and power to transform your life
Our need for accurately discerning the spiritual condition and moral climate around us is vital if we want to avert spiritual crisis and moral disaster. The Lord is ready to transform our lives by offering us his kingdom of righteousness (moral goodness), peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit (Romans 14:17). - But we can miss it if we allow a permissive attitude that takes sin lightly or puts off repairing wrongdoing before it is too late to get reconciled with God.
Jesus used a very vivid illustration of a threatening lawsuit to show the urgency of settling a bad case outside of court before a worse sentence could be passed against us. Why did the neighbor in Jesus' story make an effort to come to an agreement with his adversary before the matter was sent to court for judgment? The accused knew that he had a bad case which would likely go against him in court. He quickly tried to come to an agreement with his adversary to avoid receiving a worse sentence of being thrown into prison and given a costly fine as well.
Jesus will set us free and fill us with the Holy Spirit
We all stand in need of God's mercy, grace, and protection. The Lord Jesus is our physician and healer and he is ready to set us free from any sinful patterns of thinking, acting, and speaking. If we give our lives over to him he will fill us with his Holy Spirit and give us a new heart and a transformed mind that is filled with his truth, love, and goodness. If you want lasting peace and joy with God, then allow the Lord Jesus to transform every area of your life, your home, your work, your relationships, and possessions so that he may truly be the Lord and Giver of abundant life and righteousness. Are you ready to surrender all to him - and to receive all from him?
Lord Jesus, flood my heart with your love and free me from all that would keep me from doing your will. Transform my mind that I may discern what is right and choose what is good and pleasing to you.
Psalm 119:66,68,76-77,93-94
66 Teach me good judgment and knowledge, for I believe in your commandments.
68 You are good and do good; teach me your statutes.
76 Let your steadfast love be ready to comfort me according to your promise to your servant.
77 Let your mercy come to me, that I may live; for your law is my delight.
93 I will never forget your precepts; for by them you have given me life.
94 I am yours, save me; for I have sought your precepts.
Daily Quote from the Early Church Fathers: Signs from the Law point to the dawn of the Mystery of Christ, by Cyril of Alexandria (376-444 AD)
"People focus their attention on things of this kind. From long observation and practice they tell beforehand when rain will fall or violent winds will blow. One especially sees that sailors are very skillful in this matter. He says that it would be suitable for those who can calculate things of this sort and may foretell storms that are about to happen to focus the penetrating eyes of the mind also on important matters. What are these? The law showed beforehand the mystery of Christ, that he would shine out in the last ages of the world on the inhabitants of the earth and submit to be a sacrifice for the salvation of all. It even commanded a lamb to be sacrificed as a type of him who died towards evening and at lighting of lamps (Exodus 12:6).
"We might now understand that when, like the day, this world was declining to its close, the great, precious and truly saving passion would be fulfilled. The door of salvation would be thrown wide open to those who believe in him, and abundant happiness be their share. In the Song of Songs, we also find Christ calling to the bride described there. The bride personally represents the church, in these words, 'Arise, come, my neighbor, my beautiful dove. Look, the winter is past, and the rain is gone. It has passed away. The flowers appear on the ground. The time of the pruning has come' (Song 2:10-12). As I said, a certain springlike calm was about to arise for those who believe in him." (excerpt from COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 95)
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