This is easy! Each week on Thursday I post my homily idea...my main focus for preaching this coming Sunday. What I am hoping for is a reaction from people in the pews. Does my "focus" connect with your daily life, faith, and experience? Or not? Either affirm the direction I am going in (by giving me an example from your life) or challenge me, ask for clarification! Questions are the best! Reaction rather than reflection is what I'm looking for here. Don't be afraid, get in the ring. Ole!
Friday, June 21, 2013
June 23 Homily Prep
-Last Sunday's homily is available by email
-This Sunday's Scriptures can be found at USCCB.org
-I will be celebrating mass this weekend at 8:00am and 12:30
Through all the trials, humiliation, scouring, crucifixion—Jesus never uttered a bad word. His Father was first, His will be done. That's incomprehensible Love, and continues to be, for us, trust in our sovereign, providential God.
That's really something to contemplate.
I don't think Jesus' question about 'who do they say that I am' was about Himself. I think it more to be for His disciples—to ignite, fuel a fire. Peter did know. It wasn't an answer, it was a place in the Father. Jesus IS the Way, the Truth, and the Life.
Only God can see into, read people's hearts, and it was Peter to whom The Father revealed who Jesus was.
Did not the Lord tell Peter that after Peter recovered, He would need strength to help the others. Jesus prayed to the Father for Peter.
Matador, your sincere and open reflection on considering 'who you are' serves as a gateway to help me and others go through the same process. As I was thinking about the question I was struck with its connection to last week's 2nd reading, to which you called our attention in your homily. 'Who I am' changed dramatically in my life at baptism when I became "no longer I, but Christ who lives in me." And what that means to me is that whatever it is I'm doing - whether it be going about my life as a wife, a mother, a friend, an employee - that at the core I am a follower of Jesus' and so I attempt to live through Him; to be as He is, as best I can. Admittedly, throughout the day I frequently miss the mark, and some days it's shaken by what others may say about who I am; but that is my starting point and stronghold at the start of each day, and each time I am refreshed and renewed through our sacraments.
"It wasn't an answer, it was a place in the Father". WOW, is this profound, that which the first anon writer writes. I too believe that Jesus' question was not about Himself; but in the Father.
Father, your reflection was so very much so dear from your heart. If I may, "say who you are": the most beautiful priest I have every experienced. You have such a tender, dear heart that one can feel just by being with you. Your priesthood is . . . (I don't have the word, it is too high above the rest). How you keep "the family" together is so over and above that which I have ever experienced. You do it with your heart . . . with such love and yet still are able to use your mind so well in the temporal affairs of the church. I say . . . WOW, AWESOME.
Sorry, I didn't mean to go on and on about my perception of you, but I was caught up in the Holy Spirit . . . In the Father.
I too think that the way we perceive others is truly how we are ourselves. God mirrors our own “behavior”, or own “faults”, our own blessings and goodness in others whom He sends into our lives to show us at times what perhaps we need to “work on” in our own selves. If one never was “like” something that they perceive in another, than how can they “know” what it even is?
YOWWWWWW,this is a tough homily and has brought up all kinds of memories. I've been called everything from a saint to a she-devil and satan's tail. Talk about being shook up! BUT I was given the grace (thank you GOD!) to take a step back and consider it. Hmm, how do they come up with that? AND, because of all of that, enduring it, not looking to criticize back, especially the torment, I have come to realize we can't know all that much about a person, and the absolute BEST of them (and worst!) is only known by God. To accept people as they are, to love them where they're at, no matter the distress, the glory, filth or debilitating view, has been a fruit of being an object of conversation and speculation.
7 comments:
Through all the trials, humiliation, scouring, crucifixion—Jesus never uttered a bad word. His Father was first, His will be done. That's incomprehensible Love, and continues to be, for us, trust in our sovereign, providential God.
That's really something to contemplate.
I don't think Jesus' question about 'who do they say that I am' was about Himself. I think it more to be for His disciples—to ignite, fuel a fire. Peter did know. It wasn't an answer, it was a place in the Father. Jesus IS the Way, the Truth, and the Life.
Only God can see into, read people's hearts, and it was Peter to whom The Father revealed who Jesus was.
Did not the Lord tell Peter that after Peter recovered, He would need strength to help the others. Jesus prayed to the Father for Peter.
In Christ's Love,
Matador, your sincere and open reflection on considering 'who you are' serves as a gateway to help me and others go through the same process. As I was thinking about the question I was struck with its connection to last week's 2nd reading, to which you called our attention in your homily. 'Who I am' changed dramatically in my life at baptism when I became "no longer I, but Christ who lives in me." And what that means to me is that whatever it is I'm doing - whether it be going about my life as a wife, a mother, a friend, an employee - that at the core I am a follower of Jesus' and so I attempt to live through Him; to be as He is, as best I can. Admittedly, throughout the day I frequently miss the mark, and some days it's shaken by what others may say about who I am; but that is my starting point and stronghold at the start of each day, and each time I am refreshed and renewed through our sacraments.
"It wasn't an answer, it was a place in the Father". WOW, is this profound, that which the first anon writer writes. I too believe that Jesus' question was not about Himself; but in the Father.
Father, your reflection was so very much so dear from your heart. If I may, "say who you are": the most beautiful priest I have every experienced. You have such a tender, dear heart that one can feel just by being with you. Your priesthood is . . . (I don't have the word, it is too high above the rest). How you keep "the family" together is so over and above that which I have ever experienced. You do it with your heart . . . with such love and yet still are able to use your mind so well in the temporal affairs of the church. I say . . . WOW, AWESOME.
Sorry, I didn't mean to go on and on about my perception of you, but I was caught up in the Holy Spirit . . . In the Father.
I too think that the way we perceive others is truly how we are ourselves. God mirrors our own “behavior”, or own “faults”, our own blessings and goodness in others whom He sends into our lives to show us at times what perhaps we need to “work on” in our own selves. If one never was “like” something that they perceive in another, than how can they “know” what it even is?
Thanks folks. I'm still pondering
i just can't help think of what Mother Theresa said,
'you don't worry yourself about what others are thinking, you just do what the Lord is telling you to do'
This all reminds me of Jonah. Try as you may, run where you will, our God is a jealous God, and you will get vomited up back where you started.
Gossip is a horrible thing. It destroys life, it divides, and is included in the 8th Commandment.
Trust in the Lord, His defense is awesome.
YOWWWWWW,this is a tough homily and has brought up all kinds of memories. I've been called everything from a saint to a she-devil and satan's tail. Talk about being shook up! BUT I was given the grace (thank you GOD!) to take a step back and consider it. Hmm, how do they come up with that? AND, because of all of that, enduring it, not looking to criticize back, especially the torment, I have come to realize we can't know all that much about a person, and the absolute BEST of them (and worst!) is only known by God. To accept people as they are, to love them where they're at, no matter the distress, the glory, filth or debilitating view, has been a fruit of being an object of conversation and speculation.
Living our faith, BEING a Christian, a Christ-bearer, does indeed mean carrying the cross.
It's not easy, but it is for HIM.
A silent reverence in the midst of the storm. "Be Still and Know."
And when HE is truly first and foremost, well, that is where real Peace & Joy is found. The realization that it is HIS plan, not ours.
I am SO in love with HIM.
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