Today’s first reading and Gospel focus our reflections on humility.  They also remind us of that popular biblical passage from the prophet Micah (6:8): “This is what Yahweh asks of you: only this, to act justly, to love tenderly, and to walk humbly with your God.”

Many people may have a mistaken notion about “Christian humility.”  It is not centered on thinking low of yourself or even denying your true worth, gifts, and talents.  We readily accept that we are weak and sinful individuals, yet we always remain beloved creatures fashioned in God’s own image (Gn 1:26-27).  Authentic humility is based on the recognition and thankful awareness that the virtues we have all originate in God’s love and grace.  In addition, even if we fall into sin, authentic humility requires us to honestly acknowledge our faults and accept our need for God’s forgiveness.

Mary as Model.  Christians can look to Mary as a shining example of humility, for even when she is told by the angel that she had been chosen to be the Mother of the Messiah, the very Son of God, she referred to herself as the mere “handmaid of the Lord” (Lk 1:38).  It is noteworthy that the word “handmaid” in the original New Testament Greek is: doula, which literally means “servant/slave.”  Such was Mary’s humility; she put her life totally at God’s disposal.

Mary’s humility shines out further as she gives all glory and praise to God for the privileges she has received.  She declares in her Magnificat (Lk 1:46-49): “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord and my spirit exults in God my savior; because he has looked upon his lowly handmaid [slave].” 

Reflection of John Paul II.  In his homily for the fiftieth anniversary of Pope Pius XII’s definition of the dogma of Mary’s assumption into heaven (November 1, 1950-2000), Saint John Paul II noted that in her Magnificat “Mary shows what constituted the foundation of her holiness: deep humility….  Before the mystery of grace, the experience of a particular presence of God who has rested his gaze upon her, Mary feels a natural impulse of humility….  It is the reaction of someone who is fully aware of her own littleness before the greatness of God.”

The Pope continues: “This humility of spirit, this complete submission in faith, is particularly expressed in her ‘fiat’: ‘Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord.’”  Truly, “the greatness of the gift corresponds to the depth of humility.”

Conclusion.  In its most profound and most beautiful sense, humility simply means to strive to be like Jesus, Mary, the saints, and many other ordinary Christians that we personally know.  We seek to imitate Jesus, who said: “Learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart” (Mt 11:29).  Humility invites us to be like Jesus, who said: “The Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve” (Mk 10:45).  It means to “walk humbly with your God” (Mi 6:8).   

James H. Kroeger, M.M.

22^nd Sunday in Ordinary Time

I kneel before your heavenly throne,

Lord God of heaven and earth

worshiping in awe your boundless mercy

and grateful for your abundant grace

for in your love and compassion

you formed me out of the earth

and breathed into me

your life-giving Spirit.

O Lord, you fashioned me in your image

and became one with all humanity

that we might reflect your glory

in everything we say and do.

Lord, we are not worthy of so great a gift

but you remain ever faithful to us

healing our wounds and forgiving our failings,

faults and weaknesses.

Behold, I am not worthy yet still

you call me to your table of love

and communion with all your saints and

Souls of the just, both great and small.

All that I do and have and accomplish

springs from your Providence, O God.

Despise not my lowliness but accept

my life as tribute to your greatness.

Through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

By Fr. Joseph Veneroso. M.M.

In our Gospel today we hear Jesus using the word “kingdom” twice.  The Gospels reveal that Jesus used this term Kingdom nearly one hundred times; yet, he never defined it, even though it is a central theme in his teachings and parables.  It refers to God’s ultimate victory over all the enemies of humanity: sickness, hatred, greed, jealousy, and even death itself!

Pope Francis in his 2015 Christmas message to the Roman curia quoted a wonderful description of the Kingdom.  Francis asked his listeners to “savor the magnificent prayer, commonly attributed to Blessed Oscar Arnulfo Romero, but pronounced for the first time by Cardinal John Deardon.”  Friends, for your meditation, here is that prayer in full.   

“It helps, now and then, to step back and take a long view.  The Kingdom is not only beyond our efforts, it is even beyond our vision.  We accomplish in our lifetime only a tiny fraction of the magnificent enterprise that is God’s work.  Nothing we do is complete, which is a way of saying that the Kingdom always lies beyond us.” 

“No statement says all that could be said.  No prayer fully expresses our faith.  No confession brings perfection.  No pastoral visit brings wholeness.  No program accomplishes the Church’s mission.  No set of goals and objectives includes everything.”

“This is what we are about.  We plant the seeds that one day will grow.  We water seeds already planted, knowing that they hold future promise.  We lay foundations that will need further development.  We provide yeast that produces far beyond our capabilities.” 

“We cannot do everything, and there is a sense of liberation in realizing that.  This enables us to do something, and to do it very well.  It may be incomplete, but it is a beginning, a step along the way, an opportunity for the Lord’s grace to enter and do the rest.”

“We may never see the end results, but that is the difference between the master builder and the worker.  We are workers, not master builders; ministers, not messiahs.  We are prophets of a future not our own.”

Saint Oscar Romero.  Since Pope Francis mentioned Oscar Romero, I add a brief biographical note about him.  One of the Church’s significant contemporary saints is Romero, the martyred Archbishop of San Salvador in Central America.  He was assassinated on March 24, 1980 as he was celebrating Mass in the chapel of the Divine Providence cancer hospital. 

On February 3, 2015 Pope Francis officially declared Romero a martyr of the Catholic faith; he was beatified on May 23, 2015 and canonized on October 14, 2018.  Romero was known, respected, and loved as a defender of the poor during one of the most difficult periods in El Salvador (1970s-1980s), during which five priests, numerous catechists, and countless Catholic laity were assassinated.  Romero authentically lived—and died—for the Kingdom.  I’m sure he, to use Jesus’ words, now “reclines at table in the Kingdom of God.”

James H. Kroeger, M.M.

21^st Sunday in Ordinary Time

Accept, O Lord, God of all,

my small sacrifice, my little contribution,

my insignificant prayer, my daily offering

to the glory of your Name

in service to your kingdom.

As the flower surrenders its fragrance

and the lark her song freely and without reserve

so too do I now offer each breath

each action and each thought

to help build your Kingdom on earth.

Asking in return only to know your love

and grace more abundantly that,

together with all the saints and

blessed souls we might live lives

of purpose, meaning and joy

as a foretaste of the eternal

Kingdom where you reign

Lord Jesus, forever more.

Amen

By Fr. Joseph Veneroso. M.M.

“We are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses,” the opening words of today’s second reading (Heb 12:1-4), describe the presence of many holy people in the Church.  You and I, while we are both holy and sinful ourselves, belong to this community of Jesus’ disciples.  What a great privilege!  We are constantly inspired by the example of our fellow-disciples to be faithful Christians in all life’s circumstances.

Favorite Saints.  All of us have our special saints.  Allow me to tell you some details about one of my own favorites, Jozef Damien de Veuster, popularly known as “Damien the Leper.”  Certainly, he belongs to that “great cloud of witnesses” for us.  Damien’s poignant story offers each of us hope and inspiration.

The seventh of eight children, Joseph was born in 1840 on a small farm near Louvain in Belgium.  He chose the name Damien when, at the age of 19, he entered the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary.  In 1863, Damien’s own brother—an ordained priest—was assigned to the Hawaii mission, but fell ill when a typhus epidemic broke out in Louvain.  Damien, still a seminarian, petitioned his superiors to take his brother’s place.  He left for Hawaii in 1863 and arrived six months later; he was ordained in Honolulu in May 1864.

Compassionate Service.  Damien served for nine years on the Island of Hawaii.  In early 1873, he was among the priest volunteers who offered themselves to serve the lepers who were segregated on the island of Molokai, since there was no known cure for the dreaded disease which was ravaging the island archipelago.  Damien’s assignment letter from Father Modeste, his religious superior, read: “You may stay as long as your devotion dictates….”  Damien read that letter over and over again—until his death sixteen years later at age 49.

From the outset, Damien aimed to restore a sense of personal worth and dignity in all 8,000 lepers.  He ministered to the gravely ill, bringing the sacraments of confession and Holy Communion and anointing bedridden lepers.  He encouraged people to assist him.  He taught his people to farm, to raise animals, to play musical instruments and sing.  He did not surrender to destructive self-pity.  His cheerful disposition and desire to serve touched the lepers’ hearts.  In all things, his lepers came first.

Fidelity amidst Trials.  Damien faced challenges and misunderstandings, particularly from some who attacked his moral life, even asserting his leprosy was contracted through sexual contact.  As a sensitive, compassionate pastor, Damien knew that close contact and touch are necessary to communicate love and concern.  Thus, leprosy ultimately claimed him.

Damien strove to configure himself to Christ.  He died on April 15, 1889; it was Holy Week.  His example of service of the poor inspires us not to forget the poor right in our midst.  We all rejoice to belong to the “great cloud of witnesses.”  Saint Damien, pray for us!

James H. Kroeger, M.M.

20^th Sunday in Ordinary Time

My dearest Lord Jesus

thank you for filling our world

and enlightening human history

with a glorious cloud of witnesses

to encourage and inspire us

with their lives of faithful service and who

intercede for us who struggle here below.

Like stars that brighten the night sky

your saints and holy ones shatter

the darkness, sorrow and hopelessness

that overshadows our world and

fills those who long for a better life

with hope for a better tomorrow.

Raise up new saints for our time

that together we might overcome

all sadness and despair

and enter that new creation for which

all the saints and prophets longed

and for which Christ and all saints longed.

By Fr. Joseph Veneroso. M.M.

Our Gospel today from Saint Luke centers around the theme of possessions—both earthly and heavenly.  Twice Jesus gives some clear, focused advice: “One’s life does not consist of possessions.”  “Thus will it be for all who store up treasure for themselves but are not rich in what matters to God.”  Jesus is clearly speaking about how the material things of this world are to be properly used to enhance our own lives and the lives of others.

Perspective of Jesus.  A perusal of the New Testament reveals multiple passages where Jesus expresses his views.  “Do not store up treasures for yourselves on earth, where moths and termites destroy and thieves break in and steal.  But store up treasures for yourself in heaven….  For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also….  You cannot be the slave of both God and money” (Mt 6:19-21, 24; cf. Lk 12:33-34).

To the rich young man who asked how he could possess eternal life, Jesus responded: “If you wish to be perfect, go and sell what you own and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then, come, follow me” (Mt 19:21).  Similarly, Jesus tells us: “When you give alms, your left hand must not know what your right hand is doing” (Mt 6:3).  Admittedly, these are some of Jesus’ “hard statements”!

Additional Biblical Insights.  The Book of Ecclesiastes (5:9) notes: “He who loves money, never has money enough; he who loves wealth, never has enough profit.”  The Psalmist advises (62:10): “Put no trust in extortion, no empty hope in plunder; though riches may increase, keep your heart detached.”  Proverbs (23:4) asserts: “Do not weary yourself with getting rich.” 

Saint Paul writes to his beloved disciple Timothy: “As long as we have food and clothing, let us be content with that.  People who long to be rich are a prey to temptation; they get trapped into all sorts of foolish and dangerous ambitions….  The love of money is the root of all evils” (1Tim 6:8-10).

Deeper Reflection.  Carefully note that Jesus and the Bible are not asserting that money and material goods are evil.  We all need a variety of material goods (food, clothing, shelter) to live a dignified human life.  There is absolutely nothing wrong in wanting to secure the physical well-being of your own self and your family; actually, it is demanded of us as responsible adults.  Our loving God requires it!

Contemporary Challenges.  Probably one of the most serious challenges facing many Christians today is “rampant consumerism.”   Pope Francis (Evangelli Gaudium 53) has warned against such consumerism; it creates “an economy of exclusion and inequality” among the poor and marginalized.  We have created a “throw-away culture” which continues to spread (cf. LS 34).  We all must name for ourselves some obstacles in our modern society and life-style that harm us personally and as a people—hampering our entry into the Kingdom of God.

James H. Kroeger, M.M.        

18^TH Sunday in Ordinary Time

You have blessed me, Lord,

with life and love, faith and hope,

things the world and money

neither know nor can they buy.

May I be content, Jesus, with what

food, clothing and possessions I have.

Grant that these may never own

nor possess me but may I always

be ever mindful of and generous toward

those I meet who have less than I do.

Let me be as generous toward

the poor and less fortunate

as you, Lord God, have been toward me.

May I never be envious of those

who appear to have more than I

for I do not know what crosses or burdens

they bear in secret or what hardships

they endure or wounds they carry.

Lord, I come before you with open hands

that I might receive blessings from you

and through me you might bless others.

Help me Lord to use all I have and am

to advance your kingdom on earth

by lightening the burden of all I meet

that together we might walk toward

the fulfillment of your promises forever.

In your name I pray.

Amen.

By Fr. Joseph Veneroso. M.M.

Knowing God as Compassionate Father

Christian creeds address God as “the Father, the almighty.”  Calling God “Our Father” is a personal address, asserting his care for all creation, especially for all humanity.  God is called “Father” 170 times in the Gospels [Mark (4); Luke (15); Matthew (42); John (109)].

Prayer to the Father.  God’s fatherhood is a clear hallmark of Jesus’ life and prayer.  Frequently, Jesus prays to his Abba.  He calls God “my Father” (Mt 11:26; Lk 10:21).  His mission is from the Father (Jn 11:41-42).  During the last supper he addresses his Father (Jn 17:1, 5, 11, 21, 24, 25).  Jesus turned to his Abba in the crisis moments of his life: Gethsemane (Mk 14:36; Mt 26:42), Calvary (Lk 23:34).  His dying words are: “Father, into your hands I commend by spirit” (Lk 23:46).

Expressing Our Faith.  Addressing God as “Our Father” is already an act of faith; it reflects both our relationship to God and to others.  Jesus taught his disciples this prayer on different occasions.  The New Testament preserves two versions: Matthew 6:9-13 and Luke 11:2-4.  Because Jesus the Lord taught this prayer to his disciples, it is known as the “Lord’s Prayer.”  Tertullian called it “the summary of the whole Gospel,” and Saint Thomas Aquinas said it is “the most perfect of all prayers.”

Structure of the Our Father.  The first half of the “Our Father” expresses our faith by praising God, asking that “your kingdom come.”  The second half of the “Lord’s Prayer” consists of petitions.  For example, praying for our daily bread means doing our part and sharing in the Church’s mission to relieve hunger and deprivation.   

Our Petitions.  We ask forgiveness with the sincere promise to forgive others.  We also ask that we would not be led into temptation, though we accept that, in fact, God allows testing as a way of determining the depth and genuineness of our faith. As we plead for this grace, we also commit ourselves to “bear each other’s burdens” (Gal 6:2); we are manifesting our commitment to readily serve our neighbors.      

Pope of Mercy.  Francis, the “pope of mercy,” has focused the Church’s attention on the theme of mercy.  Recall his 2015 document, Misericordiae Vultus (The Face of Mercy), wherein he proclaimed an entire year of mercy.  Pope Francis affirms that Jesus’ entire life and “his person is nothing but love, a love given gratuitously.”  Jesus is moved with

mercy/pity/compassion when he sees people in need.  Jesus spoke many parables devoted to mercy: the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the father with two sons (Lk 15:4-7, 8-10, 11-32).

Church, Community of Mercy.  For Pope Francis, God’s mercy is the very foundation of the Church’s life and mission.  “All of her pastoral activity should be caught up in the tenderness she makes present to believers; nothing in her preaching and in her witness to the world can be lacking in mercy.”  “Wherever there are Christians, everyone should find an oasis of mercy” (MV 12).    

James H. Kroeger, M.M.

17^th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Father in heaven hear our prayer

on behalf of all your children

hungry, suffering and crying

here below.

Not just for want of food,

but also for want of love;

not just from wounds and scars

but also from broken hearts

and shattered dreams,

not just from losing family and friends,

but from losing their way to you.

Heavenly Father, you who hear

the cry of the poor,

open our ears to hear them as well.

Open our eyes to see their pain

and open our hands to help them up.

You who forgive our sins

give us the strength to forgive others.

You who give us our daily bread

give us strength to give up everything

that holds us back

from loving you with all our hearts,

all our minds and all our lives.

In Jesus’ name we pray

Amen.

By Fr. Joseph Veneroso. M.M.

Today’s Gospel from Saint Luke, also used for the feast of Saint Martha, probably reflects a typical scene from the life of Jesus.  He had a very close friendship relationship with Martha, Mary, and Lazarus, often going to their home in Bethany to relax, enjoy their company, share some of Martha’s good cooking, and simply rest from his demanding ministry activities.

Saint Luke presents Mary seated near Jesus and listening to him.  Martha, being a good host, is busy with all the demands of hospitality.  Understandably, she becomes upset that Mary seems to be taking it easy and leaving all the work to her.  Jesus lovingly cautions Martha not to be overly concerned about all the details of serving.

Exploring Jesus’ Message.  Is Jesus rebuking Martha, even disregarding her concerns, when he says that Mary “has chosen the better part”?  Certainly not!  He is gently reminding Martha to keep everything in balance, to fulfill one’s daily duties (work, cook, wash, clean) and still remain centered on Christ (time for prayer and reflection).  This is captured well in the Benedictine motto: ora et labora, prayer and work.

Whatever our state in life (married, single, or religious), we need both prayer and work in order to fully live the Christian life, to accomplish our mission.  If we as active evangelizers were to embrace prayer without also performing the tasks inherent in our Christian calling, we would stagnate.  When guided by God’s will, our labors bring us closer to him.

Likewise, our daily mission work loses its meaning if it is not grounded in prayer, meditation, and reflection.  Everything in our lives is not under our control; we cannot do anything except through the grace of God.  Before we begin our daily tasks and missionary service, we must first turn to God in prayer.  Then, rooted in God’s love, we can more effectively carry out our mission in life.

Seeking Genuine Integration.  Personally, I have experienced the need for being both “active and contemplative” in my overseas mission experience.  In addition, I have found that Saint Mother Teresa of Calcutta spoke insightfully about the prayer-work dynamic.  She would say that we must see the inseparable twofold presence of Jesus, in the Bread of Life (Eucharist) and in the distressing disguise of the poorest of the poor.

Mother Teresa continues: “Just as Jesus allows himself to be broken, to be given to us as food, we too must break, we must share ourselves with others.”  According to Mother Teresa, our spiritual life, especially the Eucharist, keeps us zealous, fervent, and enthusiastic in our daily duties.  In a word, the love of Jesus will shine through our lives of service.

Contemplatives in Action.  This simple phrase which we all have heard expresses our calling to an integrated Christian life, combining the spirit of both Martha and Mary in our daily lives.  We seek to rise to this beautiful challenge!

James H. Kroeger, M.M.

16^th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Lord Jesus, teacher and redeemer,

sitting at your feet may I always

learn to love and serve you

no less in the poor, sick and oppressed

than in my neighbor and in everyone

I meet along the way.

Like incense let my prayer rise unceasingly

to your throne in heaven as much in my silences

as in my words that my every thought, word and deed,

might redound to your glory and may my service

speak as much of your praises as do my supplications.

Merciful master, whether I serve or pray

may I do it out of love for you and gratitude

for all you have done and given to me.

I offer you my thoughts, my prayers,

my service and my suffering

to do with as you will.

Honored to play even the smallest part

in announcing and building your Reign

here on earth. In your Name.

Amen.

By Fr. Joseph Veneroso. M.M.

Two of Jesus’ parables are known worldwide by people of all faiths and traditions; they are the parables of the Good Samaritan and the Prodigal Son.  Both narratives speak of the universal value of mercy.  The good Samaritan treated the wounded stranger with mercy and compassion.  The merciful father welcomes his wayward son home with open arms.

Identifying the Samaritans.  In Jesus’ time the Samaritans were greatly despised by the Jews; they were considered infidels, foreigners, and half-breeds.  In particular, the Pharisees looked down upon the Samaritans as “second-class,” having a “false religion,” and “lacking faith in the true God.”  Why?  Samaritans were of mixed blood; they intermarried with the Assyrians who conquered the Northern Kingdom of Israel in 732 BC.  They did not go to the temple in Jerusalem to worship; they prayed at Mount Gerazim.  They were not “pure” Jews.

Surprising Models of Virtue.  A careful look at the Gospels shows us that three times Jesus made Samaritans “models of virtue.”  Jesus’ words would shock the ears of many Jews.  When Jesus cured the ten lepers of their dreaded disease, only one came back to thank Jesus.  The “grateful leper” was a Samaritan (Lk 17:15-19).  Jesus engaged the “Samaritan woman at the well” (Jn 4:1-42); he praised her journey of faith.

The “good Samaritan” in today’s gospel (Lk 10:25-37) saw the wounded stranger on the roadside; he stopped, dressed his wounds, took him to an inn, and paid for the expenses.  Concluding the narrative story, Jesus asks: “Who proved himself to be neighbor to the robbers’ victim?”  The Jewish scholar of the law, not even wishing to say the word Samaritan, says: “The one who treated him with mercy.”  Jesus’ conclusion is simple and direct: “Go and do likewise.”

Insights from Pope Francis.  In 2015 Francis authored Misericordiae Vultus (The Face of Mercy) and proclaimed a “Year of Mercy” to commemorate the fiftieth anniversary of the conclusion of Vatican II (1965-2015).  Francis says: “We need constantly to contemplate the mystery of mercy.  It is a wellspring of joy, serenity, and peace….  Mercy [is] the bridge that connects God and man” (2).

Pope Francis continues: “In Jesus of Nazareth, mercy has become living and visible….  The signs he works, especially in the face of sinners, the poor, the marginalized, the sick, and the suffering, are all meant to teach mercy” (8).  “The Church is commissioned to announce the mercy of God, the beating heart of the Gospel….  Wherever there are Christians, everyone should find an oasis of mercy” (12).

A Foundational Mission Value.  Succinctly stated, mission means “living-in-mercy.”  A missioner’s life is replete with experiences of mercy—both given and received.  Mercy addresses various kinds of human suffering.  Practicing mercy is challenging; its demands are often inconvenient and unpredictable.  Living a merciful life means not only giving things, but giving ourselves.  We prayer for the merciful heart and eyes of Jesus and his mother Mary.

James H. Kroeger, M.M.

Prayer for the 15^th Sunday in Ordinary Time

God of mercy, who entered into human chaos

to be with us in our misery, hear us

especially in our darkest hour and greatest need.

You deigned to become one of us

with us and like us that we in turn

might become one with and like you.

Your mercy reaches into the deepest

darkness of the human heart

and scatters the gloom of mind and

memories that keep us from living

life to the full.

We kneel at the throne of your mercy

Lord God and most merciful Savior.

Lift the yoke laying heavily on our hearts

and let rays of your irrepressible grace

flow from your wounds borne out of love

for us wayward sinners and wash clean

our souls that we in turn might be merciful to all we meet.

Amen.

By Fr. Joseph Veneroso. M.M.

Mission permeates the entire New Testament.  Today’s Gospel from chapter ten of Luke narrates a key event, where Jesus chooses seventy-two additional followers and sends them out on mission.  We should conclude that mission is for all of Jesus’ disciples—all baptized Christians, not just the special twelve apostles.  Jesus then gives them clear and specific instructions.  I see at least ten “mission principles” emerging from today’s Gospel.

(1) All mission and evangelization begin with God’s initiative, with Jesus’ choice.  We do not engage in mission based on our decision.  Recall Jesus’ words: “You did not choose me, no, I chose you; and I commissioned you to go out and bear fruit, fruit that will last” (Jn 15:16).  (2) Mission is not a personal or individual project.  Jesus sends his messengers out in pairs.  We understand that as followers of Jesus “we’re in this together” for a more effective witnessing.

(3) Recall that “the harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few.”  This was true in Jesus’ time and remains true today.  We must recognize the great task that faces us; we turn to the Lord in prayer, asking for additional harvesters.  (4) Next, Jesus gives a brief, yet direct instruction: “Be on your way.”  Do not delay!  Don’t wait to start until all the details are in place and the perfect mission plan has been formulated.  Go, and go now! 

(5) Remember that you will face many challenges; you will be like lambs in the midst of wolves.  Recognize that some people will welcome your message, while others will reject both you and your very mission.  Always be ready to move on; persecution for the faith is nothing new in Christianity.  (6) Jesus advises his missionaries to “travel light.”  Don’t let material “stuff” weigh you down and get in the way of your ministry of preaching Jesus’ Good News.

(7) The missioner is to extend Christ’s “mercy and compassion” to all.  Find like-minded people of peace; work closely with them.  (8) Be humble and accept what is offered in terms of food and accommodations; do not go searching for a more comfortable situation.  Be content with the hospitality extended to you. 

(9) Reach out to the sick and needy you encounter.  Recall Pope Francis’ advice to go to the margins, the peripheries, to the excluded in society.  (10) Make the announcement of Jesus’ Kingdom message your central emphasis; proclaim that “the reign of God near.”

Indeed, as Christians we all carry on the mission ministry that Jesus gave us.  We can be inspired by the well-known saying of Saint Teresa of Avila: “Christ has no body on earth but yours; no hands but yours; no feet but yours.  Yours are the eyes through which the compassion of Christ looks out to the world.  Yours are the feet with which he is to go about doing good.  Yours are the hands with which he is to bless others now.”

James H. Kroeger, M.M.

14^th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Lord Jesus, my Savior and my God,

I offer you my hands to heal,

my voice to sing your praises,

my mind to contemplate your truth,

my tongue to announce your good news,

my ears to hear the cry of the poor, and

my heart to love others as you love me.

I offer you my past, with all its pain,

my present, with its faults and failures

but also with faith in you who call me.

I offer you my future, be it a day or

many decades to help build

your kingdom here on earth.

Be with me Lord, as I follow you

to the cross and through the cross

to a fuller, more abundant life

that I might love you all the more.

Grant that I seek and find you

in everyone I meet today

and fill me with the joy of knowing

you remain with me always.

Amen.

By Fr. Joseph Veneroso. M.M.