Saturday, September 1, Cor 1:26-31; Mt 25: Paige Byrne Shortal

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1 Saturday, September 1, Cor 1:26-31; Mt 25:14-30 Paige Byrne Shortal Master, I knew you were a demanding person, harvesting where you did not plant and gathering where you did not scatter. This Gospel passage always made me uncomfortable. I felt like a contortionist trying to put God in the role of the harsh master while ignoring that inner voice muttering, That ain t my God. (My inner voice is not a grammarian.) Then I heard a homily with a different slant. The preacher pointed out that this parable doesn t begin, The Kingdom of heaven is like What if this is a parable of the world? Aha! Suddenly it all falls into place and the message is clear. God is not the ruthless master nor are we supposed to imitate the sycophantic laborers. Followers of Jesus are the ones who speak truth to power without imitating the powerful ones. One can imagine Jesus disciples listening to this parable of the world with understanding and even gratitude. For a world that rewards honest labor and values most the work of those who build a better world. We pray. Sunday, September 2, 2018 Daily Bread for September 2, 2018 Mark Bartholomew "This people honors me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines human precepts." - Mark 7:6-7

2 Monday, September 3, Cor 2:1-5; Lk 4:16-30 St. Gregory the Great, pope and doctor of the church Jeanne Lischer The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor. Today is Labor Day in the United States, a day to honor workers of all kinds, a day to give thanks for those who labor. It is also a day to be more aware of all the people who do the sometimes messy but always vital jobs that are often underappreciated and underpaid: those who grow and pick the vegetables and fruit we enjoy; those who collect and haul our garbage; those who care for both children and the elderly. And, it is a day to remember those who want to work but can t, as well as those who must work several jobs in order to make ends meet. Gracious God, keep us mindful of those who have no work and those who have too much work. Tuesday, September 4, Cor 2:10b-16; Lk 4:31-37 Jeanne Lischer Now the natural man does not accept what pertains to the Spirit of God, for to him it is foolishness, and he cannot understand it. I am writing this a few weeks after Easter, so the stories of the women visiting the tomb come to mind as I read Paul s letter. When the women go back to tell the other disciples what they ve experienced, their words are dismissed as an idle tale. A dead man who doesn t stay dead? Foolish, unbelievable nonsense. But then, some of Jesus teachings also seem pretty foolish: The last will be first. The greatest among you is a servant. Go and sell your possessions and give to the poor. Love your enemies. And, sometimes hardest of all, love your neighbor. Perhaps, we need to risk being foolish sometimes. Your ways are not our ways, eternal God, and for this we give thanks. Wednesday, September 5, Cor 3:1-9; Lk 4:38-44 Jeanne Lischer For we are God s co-workers; you are God s field, God s building. Paul s letter to the Corinthians gives us a glimpse into the early church, fledgling Christians learning by trial and error what it means to be the church. It s clear from Paul s letter that the church in Corinth was filled with internal divisions and conflict, which Paul addresses head on. He calls the Corinthians infants in Christ, not ready for solid food. After his criticism, he reminds them that, although he and others had planted and watered the seeds of faith, God alone gives the growth. Jesus is the center and foundation of their faith not Paul, not Apollos. Even more remarkable, Paul tells this deeply divided community, You are God s garden. You are people who gather in Christ s name, people who grow and bear fruit in God s garden. Nurture us and lead us, Holy One, that we may indeed be your garden. Thursday, September 6, Cor 3:18-23; Lk 5:1-11

3 Jeanne Lischer Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men. The call stories in the Bible are wildly different from each other. Moses encounters God in a burning bush; Elijah hears a still, small voice; an angel visits Mary. The prophet Isaiah hears God s call in the temple. In God s presence, Isaiah becomes aware of his sin and he cries out his confession. And, when God asks, Whom shall I send, and who will go for me? Isaiah responds Here am I without a moment s hesitation. Luke s account of Jesus calling his first disciples doesn t take place in a temple. Instead, we have the tremendous catch of fish after a night of failure and frustration. The boats are so full that they begin to sink. Like Isaiah, Peter senses the significance of this event and also his sinfulness in Jesus presence. But Jesus says, Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men. For the courage to respond to your call, we pray. Friday, September 7, Cor 4:1-5; Lk 5:33-39 Jeanne Lischer No one tears a piece from a new cloak to patch an old one no one pours new wine into old wineskins. Jesus and the disciples are enjoying a banquet at Levi s house. The guests include other tax collectors, but also some scribes and Pharisees. When they complain that all Jesus and his disciples seem to do is eat and drink (they re not praying or fasting the way they re supposed to), Jesus tells them that the joyful news of the kingdom of God will demand new ways of thinking and doing and living the faith. God s reign will require change, something most of us do all we can to avoid. But the old clothes and old wineskins the old traditions and rules and regulations will do nothing to hinder the new life Jesus brings. Help us, O God, to open our hearts to the new life you offer. Saturday, September 8, 2018 Mi 5:1-4a; Mt 1:1-16, Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Jeanne Lischer When his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found with child through the Holy Spirit. As a Protestant pastor, it surprises me to read Matthew s genealogy in September. We usually read this Scripture during Advent, but reading it now helps me pay attention to the other characters of Jesus nativity, especially his mother Mary. We really don t know much about Mary, at least not from the Gospels. Her family is never mentioned, except for cousin Elizabeth. We think she was young, perhaps a teenager. In Matthew s Gospel, the angel tells Joseph not Mary why and how Mary is pregnant, and that he should marry her as planned. Through the centuries, our image of Mary has emphasized her obedience and innocence, and yet there are stories in the Gospels (like the wedding feast at Cana) where she is neither meek nor mild. Like all of us, Mary is a child of God, a unique individual with both strengths and weaknesses.

4 Maybe what we should remember most is her willingness to say "yes" to God. Help us trust you enough to say, "Yes, Divine Love." Sunday, September 9, 2018 Daily Bread for September 9, 2018 Mark Bartholomew Be opened! - Mark 7:34 Monday, September 10, Cor 5:1-8; Lk 6:6-113 Mary Joshi Do you not know that a little yeast leavens all the dough? Each new school year, I would try to discern who were the leaders among the new class of young teens. My students were of an age when they were exploring the beginnings of independence and testing the limits imposed upon them. Personal values were greatly influenced by the perceived norms of their peers. As a teacher, I realized that their desire to fit in often meant that a small problem ignored could quickly become a class-sized problem. Even as adults, our personal values can subtly change if we don t have the courage to step back from social trends and view them through the lens of Christ s teachings. Like yeast, small grains of injustice can infect us if we don t confront and remove them before they are accepted as normal. Bread of Life, may we leaven our attitudes with the yeast that is your truth. Tuesday, September 11, Cor 6:1-11; Lk 6:12-19

5 Mary Joshi Can it be that there is not one among you wise enough to be able to settle a case between one believer and another? St. Paul admonishes the community of Corinth for thinking themselves followers of Jesus while failing to work together as believers to resolve conflicts amongst themselves. Has our modern church learned to resolve difficult issues of priority and direction more effectively? Surrounded by his own ragtag crew of disciples (who were both saints and sinners), even Jesus withdrew in prayer when faced with big decisions and never failed to acknowledge that his own identity and power came from God. We may need to remind each other once in a while that our strength, indeed our reason for being, begins with God s gift of salvation that is to be lived through Jesus teachings of love and mercy. May your church work together as the body of Christ, merciful God, as we strive to do your will. Wednesday, September 12, Cor 7:25-31; Lk 6:20-26 Mary Joshi Blessed are you who are now weeping, for you will laugh. Today s Gospel sometimes reminds me of the adage attributed to Benjamin Franklin, In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes. Jesus seems to be telling his followers that if their life is difficult right now, hang in there. It will get better. For those who are smug in their comfort, however, don t assume that this will guarantee happiness, for life has a way of turning things upside down. Instead, put your efforts into laying the groundwork of a life rooted in God and God s values, so that no matter what life dishes out, you can trust that God will be right there beside you, guiding you to a place where true joy is possible. My rock and salvation teach me your ways and lead me in the paths of your truth. Thursday, September 13, Cor 8:1b-7, 11-13; Lk 6:27-38 St. John Chrysostom, bishop and doctor of the church Mary Joshi Love your enemies and do good to them. There are many teachings of Christ that are difficult to live out with a sincere heart, but none seems more difficult than Jesus call to be merciful, just as your Father is merciful, especially when he adds the example, the Most High is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked. How is it possible to be kind to those who abuse or exploit their fellow humanity, especially when we or those we love are their victim? Every fiber of my humanity revolts at the mere thought of even trying! Yet, examples abound of those who have dug beyond their own humanity to the divine source of all forgiveness within them. They continue to prove that forgiveness is not only possible but necessary, if we are ever to find peace. Remain in us, O Lord, and bring your love to perfection in us.

6 Friday, September 14, 2018 Nm 21:4b-9; Phil 2:6-11; Jn 3:13-17 The Exaltation of the Holy Cross Mary Joshi [Jesus] became obedient to death, even death on the cross. The cross has been a symbol of our Christian faith for so long that it s hard to image that it was once viewed with fear and disgust. When St. Paul added the words, even death on the cross to a familiar hymn of praise, he was aware it would evoke a discomforting image of Jesus as a convicted criminal painfully executed. Who, today, would think of kneeling in reverence while mimicking with our hands the gesture of firing an assault rifle? Both weapons of execution have been used to punish criminals and protect citizens. Both have taken the lives of innocent people. The cross only became a powerful symbol when it became empty and its innocent victim was resurrected. Perhaps someday our world will see that violence will never lead to peace. Prince of Peace, you came that we may have life; and have it abundantly. Saturday, September 15, Cor 10:14-22; Jn 19:25-27 Our Lady of Sorrows Mary Joshi You yourself a sword will pierce, so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed. It is poignant that the Memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows is celebrated the day after the The Exultation of the Cross. As this past year has been a particularly unsettling and violent one for many in our world, I become increasingly aware of how each act of violence leaves a wide circle of physical and emotion destruction for those left dealing with the aftermath. Having gone through the sorrow of the cross, it is no wonder Mary, mother of the crucified Jesus, is such a beloved and relatable saint. She holds us close and cries with us in our pain. She gives us courage to hope again and gives us the strength we need to forgive and heal. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God, that we may not give up hope in the promises of your Son. Sunday, September 16, 2018 Daily Bread for September 16, 2018 Mark Bartholomew

7 "Get behind me, Satan. You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do." - Mark 8:33 Monday, September 17, Cor 11:17-26, 33; Lk 7:1-10 Miguel Dulick Do this in remembrance of me. Paul was not at the original Lord s Supper, but he says he received the same reality from the Lord. So do we all! This remembrance is not a mere recall, nor even a re-do, but a re-be. Jesus himself created this stitch in time when he gave his body and his blood the night before he was handed over, to remember something that hadn t even happened yet. Thus, whenever you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the death of the Lord until he comes, collapsing past, present and future time. It s body and blood, soul and divinity of the risen Christ, as dogma eventually defined it. For you, said Jesus. For us. No wonder Paul couldn t stand the Corinthians fighting over it! May all who seek you, Lord, exult and be glad in you! Tuesday, September 18, Cor 12:12-14, 27-31a; Lk 7:11-17 Miguel Dulick Now you are Christ s Body, and individually parts of it. As sublime as the Lord s Supper may be, Paul does not hesitate to apply the same body

8 language to the church. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, slaves or free persons, and we were all given to drink of the one Spirit. I wonder if you can be baptized just by a look. I d say "yes," when, as in today s Gospel, it s the Lord looking at you! Thus, Jesus saw the poor widow of Nain, burying her only son. In an instant, the body of Christ formed a unity of life and love, mother, child and Jesus. Young man, I tell you, arise! You are so good to us, O Lord, your kindness endures forever, and your faithfulness, to all generations! Wednesday, September 19, Cor 12:31 13:13; Lk 7:31-35 Miguel Dulick Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Who can add any commentary to the most ecstatic chapter in the Bible, Paul s hymn to love? Pope Francis picked apart the original Greek to say something fresh for Amoris Laetitia. Did you know, for example, that what we translate as adjectives (Love is patient, love is kind, etc.) are verbs in the Greek? But we don t need word studies to sense Paul s determination to break down the self-righteousness and back-stabbing of the Corinthians, who would rather be right than good. Today we take sides on social media and dare anyone to doubt our truth. Childish things, says Paul! Only love never fails. May your kindness, Lord, be upon us who have put all our hope in you! Thursday, September 20, Cor 15:1-11; Lk 7:36-50 Sts. Andrew Kim Tae-gŏn, priest, and Paul Chŏng Ha-sang, companions, martyrs Miguel Dulick By the grace of God I am what I am. Some scholars scold Paul for over-doing the resurrection meme. An Anglican bishop announced that Jesus' resurrection is optional for Christians. Time and Newsweek used to dazzle their readers with new findings that cast doubt on the resurrection. And, of course, Dan Brown (The DaVinci Code) continues to crank out novels that install science on the altar where Jesus used to be. So the deck is stacked against you, Paul! Nevertheless, Paul is obliged to hand on what he received as of first importance, namely, that Christ died, was buried, and was raised, in accordance with the Scriptures. A series of appearances then confirmed that reality, last of all to Paul, and the rest is history. I shall not die, but live, and declare your works, O Lord! Friday, September 21, 2018 Eph 4:1-7, 11-13; Mt 9:9-13 St. Matthew, apostle and evangelist Miguel Dulick Go and learn the meaning of the words, I desire mercy, not sacrifice. Scholars point to evidence that Matthew wrote his Gospel first in Aramaic. But why would someone as worldly as a tax collector for the Roman Empire opt for so provincial a tongue?

9 Rather, I like the idea that Matthew revised a spotty, contentious, insider s screed to produce his magisterial Christian Torah, with mercy its mark of inclusiveness. Once a miserable sell-out, Matthew was no doubt so primed for a change that he left his Roman work the instant Jesus looked him in the eye and said, Follow me. Then Matthew threw a party to celebrate his conversion with the only friends he had, sinners and low-lifes all. And Jesus loved it! The heavens declare your glory, O God, and the firmament proclaims your handiwork! Saturday, September 22, Cor 15:35-37, 42-49; Lk 8:4-15 Miguel Dulick It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. Paul may be a bit harsh when he calls someone a fool just because they wonder what a resurrected body would be like. It s actually a great question! And you have to admire Paul s attempt at an answer, zipping back and forth from creation to Christ: the first Adam, the last Adam, the natural man, the spiritual man, the man from earth, the man from heaven. His logic is airtight I guess: If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body. Later councils, church dogmatics and great theologians would laboriously work out the details, but no one can match Paul s sheer enthusiasm for his risen Lord. Now I know that you are with me, Lord, in whose promise I glory! Sunday, September 23, 2018 Daily Bread for September 23, 2018 Mark Bartholomew

10 Whoever receives one child such as this in my name, receives me; and whoever receives me, receives not me but the One who sent me. - Mark 9:37 Monday, September 24, 2018 Prv 3:27-34; Lk 8:16-18 Patricia Russell Refuse no one the good on which he has a claim when it is in your power to do it for him. Poverty and hunger are not inevitable. They are the result of human sin and are supported by sinful social structures. Adequate resources exist. Corrupt systems can and must be challenged and changed. God has provided that all people will have their basic needs met if we share the Earth s goods fairly. Adhering to the Catholic social teaching principles of the universal destination of goods requires us to be diligent in ensuring that the Earth s bounty is accessible to all. We must work together for just and lasting economic, political and social reforms. It is within our power to aid the poor and vulnerable and to promote and protect human dignity. It s within our power individually and collectively to put love into practice by not only encouraging and practicing acts of charity but also demanding and building just social structures. Generous Lord, change us from selfishness to solidarity. Tuesday, September 25, 2018 Prv 21:1-6, 10-13; Lk 8:19-21 Patricia Russell To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice. Justice requires us to recognize and respect the image of God in every person we see. Such acknowledgment is a fundamental and foundational social justice principle. We must make it a priority to ensure basic human dignity and rights and to serve the common good. St. Thomas More said, It can only be disgraceful for some Christians to snore while other Christians are in peril. The Lord requires us, according to the prophet Micah, to do justice, love goodness and walk humbly with our God. This involves being moved by others suffering and responding to their needs as the Lord modeled for us reaching out in compassion and gentleness, enduring injury with patience, forgiving others, not retaliating in violence, and dedicating ourselves to prayer, works of charity and works of justice. Compassionate Creator, guide us to sacrifice our own comfort for the good of others. Wednesday, September 26, 2018 Prv 30:5-9; Lk 9:1-6 Patricia Russell Add nothing to his words, lest he reprove you, and you will be exposed as a deceiver. The word is our guide, but Scripture can at times be confusing. We may misunderstand and draw unsupportable conclusions. That s an easy fix. We simply need to be educated. What s not so easy are times when the message is particularly challenging or counter to our desires. We can conclude that the Lord isn t asking us to do this or that. We base this interpretation not on the

11 authority of the word but on our whims. In such situations, we certainly aren t adding to his words, but subtracting taking much less or none of the intended meaning. It is not that we don t understand; we simply don t want to listen. We think we know better and impose an explanation that fits our agenda. When we are arrogant or lazy in acknowledging and correcting our ignorance of the meaning of Scripture, we make dangerous assumptions and fool ourselves. Jesus, word made flesh, help us to continually seek your eternal truth. Thursday, September 27, 2018 Eccl 1:2-11; Lk 9:7-9 Saint Vincent de Paul, priest Patricia Russell All things are vanity! What profit has man from all the labor which he toils at under the sun? There is value and dignity in work. When we work, we share in God s own activity and are privileged to help God in the work of creation. Our labor allows us to attain earthly necessities and to provide for ourselves and others, but the benefit is fleeting. We can work nonstop, long hours, filled with sweat and tedium to achieve an abundance of material things, but their use and joy are short lived. Working merely to amass wealth and possessions is futile. It will never make us truly content. We toil in vain if we expect profit to have any effect on our eternal soul. After death, nothing remains of our labor unless we use the blessings our work bestows to serve the Lord and his church. Anything else is vanity. May we rejoice in the glorious work you have done on earth, almighty Creator, and direct our work toward the joys of your heavenly kingdom. Friday, September 28, 2018 Eccl 3:1-11; Lk 9:18-22 Patricia Russell There is an appointed time for everything, and a time for everything under the heavens. As we go through the various seasons of the year and stages of life, we come to a better understanding of the need for patience and the importance of timing. Life can appear to be an unpredictable series of opposites and contrasts. The good and bad, highs and lows, twists and turns seem random or serendipitous. When we acknowledge that God guides us to the proper activity or place at the proper moment, we come to appreciate God s wisdom, goodness and planning. There s a divinely patterned timeline and purpose. When things aren t going our way, we must trust that God designates a fitting time, an appointed time, for all things that fit within the design of his wise, bigger picture. Our foiled plans simply don t fit. We may get anxious as our earthly lives tick away, but the Lord s work within us is timeless. Patient and all knowing Father, help us to humbly accept your plan for all the seasons of our lives. Saturday, September 29, 2018 Dn 7:9-10, 13-14; Jn 1:47-51 Sts. Michael, Gabriel and Raphael, archangels Patricia Russell

12 War broke out in heaven; Michael and his angels battled against the dragon. The Catechism of the Catholic Church states, [T]he whole life of the Church benefits from the mysterious and powerful help of angels (#334). In a General Audience Address, Aug. 6, 1986, as part of his Catechesis on the Angels, Pope John Paul II said, According to revelation, the angels who participate in the life of the Trinity in the light of glory are also called to play their part in the history of human salvation, in the moments established by divine Providence. God's messengers frequently aid us: Michael protects, Gabriel announces, and Raphael guides. In our everyday lives we encounter unexplainable protection, communication and guidance that surely indicates the presence of ministering spirits sent forth to serve, for the sake of those who are to possess salvation." (Heb 1:14). Thank you, loving and protecting Father, for the solicitude of the angels for human beings and for their salvation. (Pope John Paul II) Sunday, September 30, 2018 Daily Bread for September 30, 2018 Mark Bartholomew "For whoever is not against us is for us. Anyone who gives you a cup of water to drink because you belong to Christ, amen, I say to you, will surely not lose his reward." - Mark 9:40-41