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Sunday August 30, Reflections on the Sunday Gospel

August 30, 2015 by

JESUS REBUKED THE PHARISEES FOR RELYING ON OUTWARD PURIFICATION

by achristianpilgrim
JESUS REBUKED THE PHARISEES FOR RELYING ON OUTWARD PURIFICATION
(A biblical refection on THE 22nd SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME [YEAR B] – August 30, 2015) 
Gospel Reading: Mark 7:1-8,14-15,21-23 
First Reading: Deuteronomy 4:1-2,6-8; Psalms: Psalm 15:2-5; Second Reading: James 1:17-18,21-22,27 
jesus christ super starThe Scripture Text
Now when the Pharisees gathered together to Him, with some of the scribes, who had come from Jerusalem, they saw that some of His disciples ate with hands defiled, that is, unwashed. (For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, do not eat unless they wash their hands, observing the tradition of the elders; and when they come from the market place, they do not eat unless they purify themselves; which they observe, the washing of cups and pots and vessels of bronze.) And the Pharisees and the scribes asked Him, “Why do Your disciples not live according to the tradition of the elders, but eat with hands defiled?” and He said to them, “Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written, ‘This people honors Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me; in vain do they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the precepts of men.’ You leave the commandment of God, and hold fast the tradition of men.”
And He called the people to Him again, and said to them, “Hear Me, all of you, and understand: there is nothing outside a man which by going into him can defile him; but the things which come out of a man are what defile him.”
For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, fornication, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, licentiousness, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within, and they defile a man.” (Mark 7:1-9,14-15,21-23 RSV) 
As the Son of God who took on our humanity, Jesus knew two universal truths about the human heart: First, that we were created with a deep longing to be united with God; and second, that because of sin, we are constantly found loving ourselves more than anyone else. We are unable to remain united with God because of our sinful desires: “For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, fornication, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, licentiousness, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. All these things come from within, and they defile a man” (Mark 7:21-23).
Jesus knew how easily we can deceive ourselves about what lies within us. Religious discipline – which controls exterior action – can sometimes result in a stale, legalistic piety. By avoiding gross sin, we may presume to reach a comfortable plateau in our relationship with God.
CELAKALAH ENGKAU KATA YESUSKnowing this tendency, Jesus rebuked the Pharisees for relying on outward purification. He did not condemn their traditions from any persevere rebellion against authority. He wanted them as Israel’s spiritual leaders, to realize that laws and regulations while affecting outward behavior can leave interior drives unchanged. Jesus knew that in order to abide with God, we must constantly be purifying the way we live.
Jesus was not condemning religious rituals; rather He was condemning inner inclinations which can be masked by participation in religious ceremonies. Jesus, however, through the Holy Spirit, truly transforms the wicked heart. He alone can remove the obstacles that prevent us from loving God and other people. He give us genuine power to love, not based on moral will-power or efforts toward self-improvement, but from a true reflection of God’s boundless love for all: “Religion that is pure and undefiled before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world”  (James 1:27).
The human heart finds it natural to be wary of the Lord’s call for constant purification. Yet we must not deny the interior longing within each of us to come into God’s presence. Centuries ago the psalmist expressed thing longing: “LORD, who may abide in Your tent? Who may dwell on Your holy mountain?” (Psalm 15:1 NAB). Jesus was the first to ascend to God for our sake, as our high priest. He invites us to be purified by the power of His blood, by becoming one with His body. Let us respond to Him, confident that Christ will complete the purification He has already begun.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, You alone can remove the obstacles that prevent us from loving God and other people. Through the Holy Spirit, transform our wicked hearts, and make us Your faithful disciples. Amen.
Jakarta, 28 August 2015 
A Christian Pilgrim
achristianpilgrim | August 29, 2015 at 1:48 pm | Tags: DO NOT LIVE ACC

Daily Dig for August 30

Meister Eckhart
For God does not give us anything in order that we should enjoy its possession and rest content with it, nor has he ever done so. All the gifts which he has ever granted us in heaven or on earth were made solely in order to be able to give us the one gift, which is himself.…We should learn to see God in all gifts and works, neither resting content with anything nor becoming attached to anything. For us there can be no attachment to a particular manner of behavior in this life, nor has this ever been right, however successful we may have been.
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Saturday August 29 Reflection on verse 3 of Psalm 119

August 29, 2015 by
Happy are they who never do evil
but walk in His ways.

What is evil?
Saint Thomas Aquinas tells us that evil is the absence of good.
So when we have this absence of good in us we cannot be happy.

Why do we want the good or happiness?
First and foremost when we choose the good we are doing ourselves the biggest favor. The good  brings  in us contentment.
We pass this contentment on to others, splashing all around us with happiness.  People are happy to be in our presence.
When we have this contentment  we are right with God and that adds to our happiness and peace.

The second part of this verse is “to walk in His ways.

What are His ways?

God’s ways are to be in line with Jesus’ Father’s will

And What is His will for us?

Dorothy Day says this:

Paperwork, cleaning the house, dealing with the innumerable visitors who come all through the day, answering the phone, keeping patience and acting intelligently, which is to find some meaning in all that happens-these things,too, are the works of peace.”  From the Catholic Worker, Dec 1965

and for me this is God’s Will, the daily grind of life. Doing what my Superior wishes, my Sisters wishes  and choosing the good, day in and day out.


  
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Friday August 28 St. Augustine – Saint of Second Chances

August 28, 2015 by
augustine

Daily Dig for August 28

Amy Carmichael
Many have forgotten that unofficial witness-bearing used to be the chief way by which the good news went around the world. I tell you, and you believe and receive and tell someone else, and he tells others. Frank, vital telling in ordinary language that the Lord Jesus Christ lives and loves, and can save and keep, and can be known like a real friend, and is a Master who gives real orders and strength to carry them out – think of the power that is in that! Can you wonder that the devil detests it?
Source: Fragments That Remain

Daily Prayer for August 28

Christoph Friedrich Blumhardt
The Lord reigns, he is robed in majesty; the Lord is robed in majesty and armed with strength; indeed, the world is established, firm and secure. Psalm 93:1, NIV

Lord our God, you are king, founding a kingdom that reaches to the ends of the earth, establishing it to endure forever. We thank you that we may be sheltered in your hands and that no sickness of body or soul can do us lasting harm. We thank you for lifting us again and again to true life with the light and power to overcome what is earthly, true life with the flexibility to remain trusting and confident no matter what happens, true life directed to the great goal of God’s kingdom, promised to us in Jesus Christ. Amen.
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St. Monica

August 27, 2015 by
monica
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Wednesday August 26 Feast of Our Lady of Czestochowa

August 26, 2015 by

Prayer to the Black Madonna

Our Lady of Czestochowa, the Black Madonna, you show us the way to your Son. With one hand, you hold him tenderly near your heart; with the other hand you point to him. Help us to imitate you by always carrying Jesus with us, and lifting the vision of the world to him as the source of our life.

You are queen and protector of the people of Poland, and millions have entrusted their prayers to you. Watch over all of us with your motherly love, bring our hopes and fears before your Son, and guide us to eternal life through his life, death, and resurrection. Amen.
Queen of Poland , Pray for Us
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Monday August 24 Feast of Saint Bartholomew

August 24, 2015 by


Saint Bartholomew was martyr in Armenian according to Tradition.


The Gospel of John is the only one to mention the apostle Nathaniel, but tradition considers him to be the “Bartholomew” of the other gospels. His name means “son of Tolmai” and could have been Nathaniel’s surname. Another ce to his identity lies in the fact that Bartholomew is always listed beside the name of Philip, the one who John tells us introduced Nathaniel to Jesus (John 1:45-46). The Gospel reading for today’s Mass is John 1:45-51.

Prayer: Almighty Lord and Father, strengthen in us that faith with which Saint Bartholomew gave himself wholeheartedly to Christ Your Son. May Your Church become the sacrament of salvation for all the nations of the earth. We make our prayer through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Jakarta, 24 August 2015
A Christian Pilgrim

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Friday August 21- FrancisCorps visits the Poor Clares in Chesterfield

August 22, 2015 by
These young women and men are College Graduates that are spending a year of their life
serving the poor.
May God be with them in their Ministry and reward their act of Love and Sacrifice.
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Thursday August 20th Feast of Saint Bernard of Clairvaux

August 20, 2015 by

quote-the-measure-of-love-is-love-without-measure-bernard-of-clairvaux-56-31-82


  1. Bernard of Clairvaux, O.Cist was a French abbot and the primary builder of the reforming Cistercian order. After the death of his mother, Bernard sought admission into the Cistercian order. Wikipedia
  3. Born: 1090, Fontaine-lès-Dijon, France
  4. Died: August 20, 1153, Clairvaux Abbey, France
  5. Organizations founded: Cistercians
  6. Siblings: Gerard of Clairvaux, Guy of Clairvaux, More
  7. Parents: Tescelin de Fontaine, Aleth of Montbard



Daily Dig for August 20


Christoph Friedrich Blumhardt
We should protest against the peace which tolerates everything as it is (Ezek. 13:10). This includes those religions and teachings that emphasize resignation, as though we should accept and submit to everything because it is somehow God’s will. In Jesus there is no such thing as mere resignation. No, in his name we are called to seek God’s justice on earth. In Jesus we are to pursue his reign – not just for ourselves but for all people. Those who gather around Jesus cry out for God’s kingdom and his justice.

Daily Prayer for August 20

Christoph Friedrich Blumhardt
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Romans 8:1, NIV


Lord our God,
 grant that we may be your children who receive the Spirit and all they need from you. You strengthen us not only physically but also inwardly, in our hearts, enabling us to face the uncertainties of earthly life and whatever still needs changing in human society. Keep us from giving in to weakness. May your power be always with us. May we have patience and hope, because you are working for the good and we may wait for it in expectation. Amen.
www.plough.com
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Wednesday August 19 Freedom in Christ

August 19, 2015 by
freedom-in-christ-550x320
Fred Epstein


The question, “Why do children suffer?” has no answer, unless it is simply, “To break our hearts.” Once our hearts get broken, they never fully heal. They always ache. But perhaps a broken heart is a more loving instrument. Perhaps only after our hearts have cracked wide open, have finally and totally unclenched, can we truly know love without boundaries.

Daily Prayer for August 19

Christoph Friedrich Blumhardt
Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Psalm 73:25–26, NIV

Dear God and our Father, 
if only we have you, we desire nothing more in heaven or on earth. Body and soul may fail, but you, O God, are the strength and comfort of our hearts and you are ours forever. May we live in your Spirit and may your light shine over us. Touch our hearts and help us understand the greatness of what you call us to. Help us and free us again and again so that we are not bound by fear, even when we must pass through intense suffering. For your hand shall be with us and shall rescue us. Your hand shall bring about good for us and for all the people around us. Our hearts go out to them and we plead for them too, “Lord, send your Savior to all.” Amen.
www.plough.com
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Tuesday August 18 Riches tie us down but detachment from them helps us fly

August 18, 2015 by
quote-freedom-consists-not-in-doing-what-we-like-but-in-having-the-right-to-do-what-we-ought-pope-john-paul-ii-142840

Daily Dig for August 18

Basil the Great
I ask, “How have you all this wealth?” For the care of the poor consumes wealth. When each one receives a little for one’s needs, and when all owners distribute their means simultaneously for the care of the needy, no one will possess more than one’s neighbor. Yet it is plain that you have very many lands. Whence all these? Undoubtedly you have subordinated the relief and comfort of many to your convenience. And so, the more you abound in your riches, the more you want in love.

Daily Prayer for August 18

Christoph Friedrich Blumhardt
Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory. Psalm 73:23–24, NIV

Thank you, great God and Father,
 for filling our hearts with trust so that we are of good hope, also for those who have not yet found trust. Thank you for giving us courage to face all the questions that arise in human life and for accepting us again and again when we come to you. You know what lies before us. You know the mountains that have to be moved. You know all the things that frustrate us and try to wear us out, and you will take them away. At last your light will shine into all the darkness. This certainty fills us with gladness and thanksgiving. In this faith we are determined to remain steadfast and to press on to victory. Amen.
www.plough.com
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