14th Sunday in ordinary Time

Our commentary this week is provided by Deacon Mark Silvia of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Lakeside, CA (Diocese of San Diego) For PDF version, visit http://www.christ-ion.com

14th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Español)

Opening prayer

O God, in the abasement of your Son you have raised up a fallen world. Fill your faithful with holy joy. For on those you have rescued from slavery to sin, you bestow eternal gladness. Amen 1st

Commentary

Reading: Zechariah 9:9-10 

The prophet Zechariah foretells the restoration of Israel about 70 years after the fall of Jerusalem in 587 BC. God continues to tell his people Israel through the prophets that they are not forgotten and that he is sending his “Anointed One”, the Messiah, to save them. In this context, Zechariah announces the triumphant entrance of the King into Jerusalem. The Messiah will not be a warlike conqueror like Alexander the Great. He will be “humble, and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.” He will be the humble King of Peace whose dominion will last forever. The message of the coming Messiah is a message of great hope to a people living in exile. God indeed sent his only Son to rescue them and us. Not from the earthly forces of the Assyrians, Babylonians, and Romans, but from the greater forces of darkness, sin, and the death that separate us from God.

Question

 • The prophet Zechariah foretold the coming of the King of Peace about 500 years before Christ. How do we maintain our hope as we await the second coming of Christ?

2nd Reading: Romans 8:9, 11-13 

By the Sacrament of Baptism, we are washed clean from sin; and by the Sacrament of Confirmation, we receive the Holy Spirit. In the Sacrament of Eucharist, we are join to his Body the Church. Through these Sacraments, we are initiated into the Church as Children of Christ. We become temples of God and the Holy Spirit dwells within us. We belong to Christ because the Spirit of God dwells in us. St. Paul says, “You are not in the flesh; on the contrary, you are in the spirit.” Sin is always a selfish act, an act of the flesh. If we live according to selfish acts of the body, we will die. But if by the Spirit we put to death selfish and sinful acts, we will live. We know this and yet, each time we gather for Mass we begin by acknowledging that we have again fallen into selfish acts. But, we are not without hope for we have a great Advocate in the Spirit who helps us to recognize our sinfulness and lead us to seek reconciliation. By the love and mercy of God, we are absolved from our sin and restored to life in the Spirit.

Questions

• What does St. Paul mean, “We must think of ourselves as dead to sin and living for God in Christ Jesus?
• What does it mean to know and to follow Jesus?

Gospel: Matthew 11:25-30 

“Our heart is restless until it rests in You.” – St. Augustine. We are created with a deep longing for union with God. But too often, we don’t know what or who we are longing for. Without God, we look to satisfy ourselves with things that cannot satisfy the longing of the heart; and so the restlessness continues. Jesus tells us that the way to find rest from our longing is to take up his yoke and learn from him, for his burden is easy and his yoke is light. The burden, or work, of Jesus is to do the will of the Father. The burden of Jesus is made light because we are joined to Him in doing the work. Jesus also tells us that the Father chooses to reveal to the little ones the mysteries of the kingdom. The little ones are those who seek and accept Jesus who is meek and humble of heart. So that by following the word and example of Jesus, they may shed their arrogance and learn to be meek and humble of heart like him. To those who are joined to Christ in doing the will of the Father, the Holy Spirit brings consolation, satisfaction, peace, joy, and rest.

• Silently reflect upon your spiritual journey.
How were you were able to find rest when you found Christ?

This Week's Task

• Give thanks to God in prayer for the gift of peace in your life.
• Pray for those who do not yet know Christ, so that they may find him and find rest.

Closing prayer

The leader invites the group to pray the following words together. 

Lord Jesus, help us to follow you more closely each day, so that we may always be free from sin and anxiety. Shape us into the image your likeness, so that we too may be meek and humble of heart. Help us to merciful to others as you are merciful us. Amen

Psalm

Psalm Response: I will praise your name for ever, my king and my God. 

I will extol you, O my God and King, and I will bless your name forever and ever. Every day will I bless you, and I will praise your name forever and ever.

 R. I will praise your name for ever, my king and my God. 

The LORD is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and of great kindness. The LORD is good to all and compassionate toward all his works.

R. I will praise your name for ever, my king and my God. 

Let all your works give you thanks, O LORD, and let your faithful ones bless you. Let them discourse of the glory of your kingdom and speak of your might.

R. I will praise your name for ever, my king and my God. 

The LORD is faithful in all his words and holy in all his works. The LORD lifts up all who are falling and raises up all who are bowed down.

R. I will praise your name for ever, my king and my God. 

Conclude with an Our Father

For PDF version, visit http://www.christ-ion.com

13th Sunday in Ordinary Time: The Beauty of Baptism

Our commentary this week is provided by Deacon Mark Silvia of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Lakeside, CA (Diocese of San Diego) For PDF version, visit http://www.christ-ion.com

13th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Español) 

Opening prayer

Lord, through the grace of adoption, chose us to be children of light that we may not be wrapped in the darkness of error, but always be seen to stand in the bright light of truth. Amen 

Commentary

1st Reading: 2 Kings 4:8-11, 16-16A 

The story of the Prophet Elisha and the Woman of Shunem may not be a familiar one, but it’s worth reading the entire story. (2 Kings 4:8-37, 8:1-6). Elisha and his servant Gehazi knew her well as they would dine with her whenever they passed by that way. But then her hospitality is greatly extended when she recognizes that Elisha is a “holy man of God.” Her hospitality is rewarded greatly. God, through Elisha’s intercession, blesses her and her husband with a child. She had been barren until then. There are times when we are determined to do something for another as selflessly as we can without any thought of a reward in return. But, before starting we weigh how much time it will take, how hard it will be, or how much it will cost. If we are determined to act charitably, we find that God rewards us ten-fold in grace and joy. 

Questions

• Recall a time that you went out of your way to help another person only to be unexpectedly rewarded in return. How was that for you?

2nd Reading: Romans 6:3-4, 8-11 

St. Paul reminds us that Jesus died to sin once and for all, and as to his life, he lives for God. And, we who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death so that we might have newness of life. He said we must think of ourselves as dead to sin and living for God in Christ Jesus. Having received the newness of life in baptism, we are to live as children of God so as to bring our souls unstained by sin into God’s presence. A bishop once asked those preparing for the Easter Sacraments, “What is it you need to leave behind, because to follow Jesus means you can’t take it with you?” We continually discern this question as we try to rid ourselves of the things that keep us from being in loving communion with God and neighbor. We seek forgiveness and strive to not sin again. Sometimes we fail and sometimes it feels like an unending cycle of sin and reconciliation. But, we don’t give up. It’s in our striving to do good and avoiding sin that we are slowly being molded into the image and likeness of God. 

Questions

• What does St. Paul mean when he says, “We must think of ourselves as dead to sin and living for God in Christ Jesus?

 • What does it mean to know and to follow Jesus?

Gospel: Matthew 10:37-42 

St. Paul said in his letter to the Hebrews, “Do not neglect hospitality, for through it some have unknowingly entertained angels.” You may have heard this and applied it in your hospitality toward strangers. But, this also applies to you… sometimes that angel (messenger) of God is you. As baptized and anointed disciples Jesus sends us to be his messenger by proclaiming him to others. When we set out to bring Jesus to others, those who recognize him in us receive him and those who receive him will receive his reward. But to be a disciple of Jesus, our hearts need to be in the right place. Jesus said, “Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.” We know that he is not saying that we should not love our family. Instead, he is telling us that to love others wholly and selflessly we need to place God first. Because, to love another wholly and selflessly means being willing to pick up and carry a cross. It means to be willing to give up your life for another. When our hearts are fixed on God first, our words and actions flow from the love of God. 

Questions

• Are there things you place above God in your life? • What difference would it make if you placed God above all else in your life? 

This Week's Task

• Do one selfless loving act for someone you don’t know just for your love of God.

The leader invites the group to pray the following words together. 

Lord Jesus, though baptism and our belief in the Holy Trinity, help us to conquer the fear that keeps us from acknowledging you to others. Grant that we ourselves, being constant in mutual love and striving to understand more fully the mystery of your life, may be made more perfect witnesses to your love in the world. Amen 

Psalm

The leader will guide the group in praying Psalm 89 

Psalm Response: Forever I will sing the goodness of the Lord. 

The promises of the LORD I will sing forever, through all generations my mouth shall proclaim your faithfulness. For you have said, “My kindness is established forever;” in heaven you have confirmed your faithfulness. 

R. Forever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.

 Blessed the people who know the joyful shout; in the light of your countenance, O LORD, they walk. At your name they rejoice all the day, and through your justice they are exalted. 

R. Forever I will sing the goodness of the Lord. 

You are the splendor of their strength, and by your favor our horn is exalted. For to the LORD belongs our shield, and the Holy One of Israel, our king. 

R. Forever I will sing the goodness of the Lord. 

Conclude with an Our Father

For PDF version, visit http://www.christ-ion.com

Happy Father's Day

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12th Sunday in ordinary Time (Español) 

Our commentary this week is provided by Deacon Mark Silvia of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Lakeside, CA (Diocese of San Diego) For PDF version, visit http://www.christ-ion.com

Opening Prayer

Grant that we may always revere and love your holy name, for you never deprive of your guidance those whom you have set firm on the foundation of your love. Amen

Commentary

1st Reading: Jeremiah 20:10-13 

Jeremiah received his call from God to prophetic ministry in about 626 BC, one year after Josiah, King of Judah, is said to have turned the nation toward repentance from idolatrous practices.

After the death of Josiah, Judah returned to idolatry and God’s call to repentance through the prophet Jeremiah was rejected. Jerusalem eventually fell to the Babylonian army in 586 BC.

When we stray from good and loving relations with God and with one another, God calls us to repentance and reconciliation. He wants to mend our damaged and broken relations, and he wants us restore good and loving relationships.

God is love and he created us to love and to be loved. We may not hear his voice through “one crying out in the wilderness”, but God call’s us in many different ways. Sometimes He whispers in our conscience. But no matter how we hear the call, He is always ready to give us the courage we need to take the first steps toward reconciliation and peace.

Questions

• How have you heard God’s call to repentance and reconciliation in your life?
• What did you do in response that call?

2nd Reading: Romans 5:12-15 

During the Easter Vigil Mass, we hear in the Easter Proclamation, “O truly necessary sin of Adam, destroyed completely by the Death of Christ. O happy fault that earned so great, so glorious a Redeemer!”

In his letter to the Romans, St. Paul also reminds us that just as through one man (Adam) sin entered into the world, so did salvation and the forgiveness of sin enter into the world through one man (Jesus Christ).

We know that salvation is from Jesus Christ, but still may ask, “why this way?” Why was it necessary for sin to enter into the world, and why did God need to become fully human, suffer, and die for our sins?

God’s love for us is so great that he gave us the gift of free will and the choice to do good or to do evil. But through that choice man disobeyed God and brother turned against brother. Evil entered into the world and created a divide between God and man. A divide that could only be bridged by one with clean hands and a pure heart, in an act of perfect love for God and neighbor, and in perfect obedience to the Father.

Questions

• Why was it necessary for God to give us the gift of free will?
• Why was it necessary for God to become fully human, suffer, and to die for our salvation?

Gospel: Matthew 10:26-33 

Through baptism and confirmation, we are blessed so that we may faithfully follow Jesus, and be a witness to the gospel.

As his disciples, Jesus tells us that He is sending us out like “sheep in the midst of wolves”, but “do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather, be afraid of the one who can destroy both soul and body”; for God’s eye is on each and every sparrow, and He loves us beyond measure.

St. Paul tell us in his letter to the Romans: “If God is for us, who can be against us? For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor present things, nor future things, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Jesus calls us to be fearless in acknowledging him before others, so that by our actions and witness they too may turn away from darkness and sin and find the true love, happiness and joy in God.

Questions

• Do I truly believe that God who watches over each and every sparrow, who counts every hair on my head, intimately knows and loves me? How do I respond?

This Week's Task

• Take time to quietly watch wild birds this week and reflect on how much God cares for them. Pray in gratitude for all the loving care that God has bestowed upon you.

Prayer

The leader invites the group to pray the following words together. 

 Lord Jesus, help us to conquer the fear that keeps us from acknowledging you to others. Grant that we ourselves, being constant in mutual love and striving to understand more fully the mystery of your life, may be made more perfect witnesses to your love in the world. Amen

Psalm

Responsorial Psalm: Lord, in your great love, answer me. 

For your sake I bear insult, and shame covers my face. I have become an outcast to my brothers, a stranger to my children, because zeal for your house consumes me, and the insults of those who blaspheme you fall upon me.

R. Lord, in your great love, answer me. 

I pray to you, O LORD, for the time of your favor, O God! In your great kindness answer me with your constant help. Answer me, O LORD, for bounteous is your kindness; in your great mercy turn toward me.

R. Lord, in your great love, answer me. 

“See, you lowly ones, and be glad; you who seek God, may your hearts revive! For the LORD hears the poor, and his own who are in bonds he spurns not. Let the heavens and the earth praise him, the seas and whatever moves in them!’’

R. Lord, in your great love, answer me. 

Conclude with an Our Father

For more information, http://www.christ-ion.com/

Baptized in the Lord: New 7 Week Series

Please join, religious sisters, deacons and their wives, seminarians, and faithful Catholics who will host a seven week series called Baptized in the Lord.  The series begins on the week prior to the Sunday of June 21 and concludes on August 2.

These leaders are excited to host Zoom meetings for groups of up to ten members. Reflect with them on the Sunday’s Readings through the Christ in Our Neighborhood process. There are no fees for these meetings.  It is simply their way of letting you know you are loved.  There is a limit of ten members per group, so register early.

Simply select a day and hour that meets your schedule and our Christ in Our Neighborhood Team will connect you with your host. Register here at Christ in Our Neighborhood

Holy Trinity Sunday

Holy Trinity Sunday (Español) 

Commentary

The commentary for this Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity is offered by M.J. Heggeness, retired Director for Adult Faith Formation at St. Michael’s Parish in Poway, Ca. We thank her for her contribution. For more information, visit Christ in Our Neighborhood at WWW.CHRIST-ION.COM 

Opening Prayer

In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

1st Reading: Exodus 34:4b-6, 8-9 

The relationship between Moses and the Lord is one of love, honor and trust. Here Moses is once again the mediator for the impatient and eventually sinful people who at this point are looking for a god who can get things done. They are tired of waiting! Moses had to share with them the Lord’s message that they were a “stiff-necked” people more than once. It comes up again in this reading. It is definitely not a compliment! None of us would like to be called “stiff-necked,” but at some time in our lives, we may have exhibited the behavior of being hard to get along with, obstinate, stubborn, or refusing to be led.

Who was it who mediated for you with the love that Moses had for his fallible and impatient people?

How was God present in those times for you?

God’s kindness and mercy is forever present to us. We just need to ask like Moses did time after time for his people. It was answered. Certainly, the relationship grew deeper for the two of them through this relationship, as it will for us. This is the part of Exodus that is truly hopeful. It is revelation of God’s love for us at almost its best.

Questions

How do you best deal with your impatience with others who continually repeat the same mistakes? 

Can you put into words how God must feel with our own continual stiff-necked behavior?

Are you a Moses or a “people” in your life?

2nd Reading: 2 Corinthians 13: 11-13

The Holy Trinity is difficult to fully understand for us, right?

Certainly, St. Patrick’s shamrock comes to mind as he used that to teach the pagans about the One-ness of the Three Persons. Other explanations used in teaching young ones, are the 3 parts of an apple: skin, fruit and seeds. A chocolate milkshake with the ice cream, chocolate and milk, blended together works for me! All make one.

But for adults in the journey to grasp the true meaning of the Trinity, we will have to agree that it is a Mystery that will be solved when we arrive at the Pearly Gates.

The Father, Son and Holy Spirit work together as ONE God, but three distinct persons. The divine persons may be understood relative to one another. The divine unity cannot be divided, the distinction of their persons resides solely in the relationships which relate them to one another. Although inseparable in what they are, and in what they do, each person “shows forth what is proper to him in the Trinity, especially in the divine missions of the Son’s Incarnation and the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Catechism of the Catholic Church 267).

A beautiful way to remember the joy of the Holy Trinity is this: God FORMED us. Jesus came and INFORMED us. The Holy Spirit TRANSFORMS us. (Every day, by the way!)

Questions

Does the above help you understand a little better the work of the Trinity?
Which Person do you best relate to?

Gospel: John 3:16-18 

Remember the guy behind the baseball plate with the crazy, colorful wig and the sign, “John 3:16”?

Referring back to the first commentary… this is not almost the best, but THE best revelation of God’s love for us…the Good News! “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life.”

Good, huge news!!! And we are the receivers of that Good News to be sure.

He never stops loving us. He never gives up on us.

This loving, gracious and merciful God, slow to anger and rich in kindness and fidelity. Our Awesome God! Wouldn’t you say it might be worth putting on a colorful wig and carry a sign that says: John 3:16 … Jesus died for you, knowing you might never love him back.

Questions

When do you die to self for others, knowing they may not even appreciate your selflessness?

Not that you will be expected to wear that colorful wig and carry the John 3:16 sign this week, but how will you share the Good News?

Prayer

The following St. Patrick’s prayer is said together:

I arise today Through a mighty strength,
the invocation of the Trinity,
Through belief in the Threeness,
Through confession of the Oneness
Of the Creator of creation.

The prayer continues with the Responsorial Psalm

Response: : Glory and praise forever.

Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of our fathers,
Praiseworthy and exalted above all forever;
And blessed is your holy and glorious name,
Praiseworthy and exalted above all forever.

R: Glory and praise forever!

Blessed are you in the temple of your holy glory, Praiseworthy and glorious above all forever.

R: Glory and praise forever!

Blessed are you on the throne of your kingdom, Praiseworthy and exalted above all forever.

R: Glory and praise forever!

Blessed are you who look into the depths From your throne upon the cherubim, Praiseworthy and exalted above all forever.

R: Glory and praise forever! 

Conclude with an OUR FATHER

For more information, visit Christ in Our Neighborhood at WWW.CHRIST-ION.COM