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Sunday Reflection for September 05, 2010
Twenty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time
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Sunday Summary

Wisdom 9:13-18b This earthen shelter of ours is fragile, as are the plans we make for the future.

Psalm 90:3-4, 5-6, 12-13, 14-17 Mortal life is fleeting and uncertain, but God is our refuge in time and eternity.

Philemon 9-10, 12-17 Paul speaks with an old man's wisdom about the family of Christ.

Luke 14:25-33 Discipleship will cost us everything we have—and provide us with everything we need.

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23rd Sunday in
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Exploring the Word
You've got to be in 100 percent
Half measures will never do. That is today's gospel response to the idea of the "good-enough Christian": one who basically colors inside the moral lines and meets the minimum requirements of church membership. Good-enough isn't good enough. Being the Body of Christ makes us sharers in the life of Jesus! And he was never known to do things halfway. That isn’t the popular answer, I know. Joseph Champlin wrote a thoughtful book 20 years ago titled The Marginal Catholic: Challenge, Don't Crush. He cautioned pastoral ministers to go slowly, invite warmly, ...
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Weekday Homily Reflection for September 03, 2010
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FEAST OF GREGORY THE GREAT, POPE, DR. OF THE CHURCH
Who’s to judge?
If the New Testament says one thing about judgment, it’s that God has exclusive rights to it. The only one above judgment is God, so God gets to do the judging, not human creatures. Scripture is also pretty clear on the importance of praying for your enemies, and Pope Saint Gregory had an interesting point to make about both love and judgment. Don’t pray for your enemies only because you’re supposed to; pray because you really love them. “The judge of our souls considers our hearts rather than our words,” he said in a homily. “Those who do not pray for their enemies out of love are not asking anything for their benefit.” Not judging others is a good place to start really loving—and not being judged yourself.
Today's readings: 1 Corinthians 4:1-5; Luke 5:33-39
“Do not pronounce judgment . . . before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart.”

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World news in light of the Good News
for Sunday, September 05, 2010
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Preaching the News
» Can Middle-East peace talks avoid a muddle? – “The deliberations of mortals are timid, and unsure are our plans,” the reading from the Book of Wisdom tells us. Hoping for a better outcome than that, President Barack Obama . . . More...
» War-weary nation wonders what lies ahead – In encouraging his followers to weigh the cost of discipleship, Jesus speaks of a king who weighs troop levels and the prospects for success in war. Such concerns are on the nation’s mind this week . . . More...
» No holiday for the unemployed – Labor Day traditionally has been a time to rest from labors and give thanks for those who have labored on our behalf. But the jobs picture has been so bleak that many Americans . . . More...
» Plastic bags get a pass—for now—in California – In this Sunday’s reading from the Letter to Philemon, Saint Paul encourages the path of voluntary compliance with his wishes rather than imposing his will, “so that the good you do might not be forced but voluntary.” California lawmakers made a similar decision . . . More...
» France says arrivederci to Roma who lack permits – The psalmist reminds us this Sunday that in every age the Lord has been our refuge. A growing number of Roma, often labeled gypsies, are struggling to find refuge . . . More...
Quote of the Week
“They were moments of great injustice, great injustice. If someone was responsible, it’s me.”
—Fidel Castro, the former Cuban leader, on the persecution of gays and lesbians during the communist revolution

Source: TIME

 

Fact of the Week

By a 64 percent to 30 percent margin, U.S. voters say reducing unemployment is more important than cutting the federal deficit.

Source: Quinnipiac University

 


Pastoral Trends
Card-punchers
Are there any “card-punchers” who attend your church? These folks are the ones who fill the pews regularly, week after week, yet at the same time have a kind of “quick-in, quick-out” approach . . .
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