|
Dear Preachers: I find the reading from Ephesians an
embarrassment and difficult to read to a modern congregation. How would they
hear, “Wives should be subordinate to their husbands as to the Lord. for the
husband is head of his wife just as Christ is head of the church”? The second
readings these Sundays have been a sequential reading from Ephesians. So, today
we arrive at this difficult part of the letter. Some people are frustrated by it
because they think it reflects some sexism that appears in other parts of the
Lectionary. Click here for a link to this Sunday’s readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/082524.cfm If it does not please you to serve the Lord, decide today whom you will serve—Joshua 24: 15 A friend of mine sent me the following small story that I want to share with you—When they were small, I took my three children on a field trip to explore an older Catholic church abundantly adorned with colorful stained-glass and brightly-painted statues. My youngest son was around four years of age at the time. As we quietly visited the faces that gazed down on us from lofty pedestals, he addressed each statue with the words, “No, it’s not you!” When we reached the imposing figure of the Sacred Heart, my son looked back at me and declared, “Yes. . .this one’s God!” “Why is THIS one God?” I asked. “Well,” he replied, “because God’s heart is always on the outside.” It must be hard for the Lord to gaze upon us with such great selfless love and find that love unrequited in so many instances. God knows that one cannot be forced to love another and only love freely given is genuine love. So today’s scriptures are quite clear: accept or reject the Lord. For discipleship to be authentic, it must be a free choice. Have you ever sat down and given yourself time to consider who it is that you serve? Who it is that you would love without condition? For us, as the laity, we must know what we are choosing. The Catechism of the Catholic Church states: “The disciple of Christ must not only keep the faith and live on it, but also profess it, confidently bear witness to it, and spread it”(1816). The Vatican II document, The Decree on the Apostolate of Lay People, adds, “Cooperating as citizens of this world in all that has to do with the construction and regulation of the temporal order, the laity should, by the light of faith, endeavor to find the higher motives that should govern their behavior in the home and in professional, cultural and social life. . .The laity should vitalize their lives with charity and, to the extent of each person’s capability, give concrete expression to it in works” (IV,16). To love and serve the God whose heart is so visibly present or to love and serve lesser interests. . .it is not that complicated, and it is yours to decide.Barbara Molinari Quinby, MPS, Director
Mini reflections on the Sunday scripture readings designed for persons on the run. “Faith Book” is also brief enough to be posted in the Sunday parish bulletins people take home. From today’s Gospel reading: Jesus said to the Twelve, “Do you also want to leave?” Reflection: When we eat and drink the meal offered us at this Eucharist do we realize the choice Jesus gave his disciples is also put before us? But the very fact we come forward to eat and drink is a sign of the Spirit’s life in us and that Spirit will enable us to say what Peter said, “To whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.” So we ask ourselves:
POSTCARDS TO DEATH ROW INMATES “One has to strongly affirm that condemnation to the death penalty is an inhuman
measure that humiliates personal dignity, in whatever form it is carried out." Inmates on death row are the most forgotten people in the prison system. Each week I am posting in this space several inmates’ names and locations. I invite you to write a postcard to one or more of them to let them know that: we have not forgotten them; are praying for them and their families; or, whatever personal encouragement you might like to give them. If the inmate responds, you might consider becoming pen pals. Please write to:
----Central Prison, P.O. 247, Phoenix, MD 21131 For more information on the Catholic position on the death penalty go to the Catholic Mobilizing Network: http://catholicsmobilizing.org/resources/cacp/ On this page you can sign “The National Catholic Pledge to End the Death Penalty.” Also, check the interfaith page for People of Faith Against the Death Penalty: http://www.pfadp.org/ “First Impressions” is a service to preachers and those wishing to prepare for Sunday worship. It is sponsored by the Dominican Friars. If you would like “First Impressions” sent weekly to a friend, send a note to Fr. John Boll, OP at jboll@opsouth.org. If you would like to support this ministry, please send tax deductible contributions to Fr. Jude Siciliano, O.P.: St. Albert Priory Make checks payable to: Dominican Friars. Or, go to our webpage to make an online donation: ORDERING OUR CDs: We have compiled Four CDs for sale:
If you are a preacher, lead a Lectionary-based scripture group, or are a member of a liturgical team, these CDs will be helpful in your preparation process. Individual worshipers report they also use these reflections as they prepare for Sunday liturgy. You can order the CDs by going to our webpage: https://www.PreacherExchange.com and clicking on the “First Impressions” CD link on the left. OTHER PUBLICATIONS BY EMAIL: 1. "HOMILÍAS DOMINICALES" ---These Spanish reflections on the Sunday and daily scriptures are written by Dominican sisters and friars. If you or a friend would like to receive these reflections drop a note to "Fr. John J. Boll, O.P." <preacherexchange@att.net> 2. "VOLUME 2" is an opportunity for you to hear from the readers of First Impressions. To subscribe or Send your own reflections: Send them to "Fr. John J. Boll, O.P." <preacherexchange@att.net > Your contributions to Volume 2 are welcome. OUR WEBSITE: https://www.preacherexchange.com - Where you will find Preachers Exchange, which includes "First Impressions," "Homilias Dominicales," and "Volume 2" as well as articles, book reviews, daily homilies and other material pertinent to preaching and Scripture reflection. FOR EMAIL HELP OR TO UNSUBSCRIBE, SUBSCRIBE, OR CHANGE: Email "Fr. John J. Boll, O.P." <preacherexchange@att.net> (The latest are always listed first.)
• |
|