To hear the Audio Reflections of Saturday, June 23, 2018 click HERE
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Friday, 22 June 2018
Saturday, June 23, 2018 - How often do I try to be in two places at the same time or at two times in the same place?
To read the texts click on the texts: 2 Chronicles 24:17-25; Mt 6:24-34
The text of today begins by stating a general rule that
undivided attention can be given to one person alone at a time. If there is
more than one, then the disciple’s loyalty is certainly split. One must decide
whether one will allow oneself to be controlled by wealth and the things of
this world, or whether one will realise that they cannot bring true happiness.
The prohibition, “Do not worry” dominates the rest of this pericope and is used
six times in it. The call to look at nature (the birds of the air and the
lilies of the field) is a call to learn how God in his providence provides for
them. This does not mean that human beings do not have to work for their
living, rather it means that even after working as hard as they can, humans
must realise the life is much more than simply work and earning a living. It
has also to do with being.
There are indeed many distractions in life, which sometimes can
take us away from where we ought to look and focus. While planning is good and
desirable, what is undesirable is useless worry or anxiety. When we stir the
sugar in our coffee or tea every morning we are already thinking of drinking
it. When we are drinking our coffee or tea, we are already thinking of washing
the cup. When we are washing our cup, we are already thinking or drying it When
we are drying it, we are already thinking of placing it on the rack and when we
are placing it on the rack we are already thinking of what we have to do
next. We have not stirred the sugar, nor have we have drunk the coffee,
nor have we washed it nor placed it on the rack. If one takes one moment of one
day at a time and gives of one’s best to that moment, life will be well lived.
Saturday, June 23, 2018 - 2 Chronicles 24:17-25; Mt 6:24-34
Saturday, June 23, 2018 - 2 Chronicles 24:17-25; Mt 6:24-34
Thursday, 21 June 2018
Audio Reflections of Friday, June 22, 2018
To hear the Audio Reflections of Friday, June 22, 2018 click HERE
Friday, June 22, 2018 - If you were given the chance to take just ONE THING with you when you die, what would it be?
To read the texts click on the texts: 2 Kings 11:1-4,9-18,20; Mt 6:19-23
The section that begins in 6:19 concerns knowing where one’s
priorities lie. Treasure stored on earth is of not much use because it is
temporary and passing and gathers rust. It can also be stolen. Heavenly
treasure in contrast is permanent and eternal. A person’s attention will be concentrated on
where his/her treasure is. Thus instead of concentrating on the temporary it is
better to concentrate on the eternal, the impermanent.
If one does not perceive
correctly, one’s whole orientation will be incorrect and one will live a life
of futility, concentrating on what is really not essential.
Sometimes we lose focus in our lives and waste so much time on
trifles. We are so concentrated on gathering up for tomorrow and the next day,
that the present day passes us by and we find that we have live it unaware. An
occasional examination of our priorities is required to bring back our focus on
what is really necessary.
Friday, June 22, 2018 - 2 Kings 11:1-4,9-18,20; Mt 6:19-23
Friday, June 22, 2018 - 2 Kings 11:1-4,9-18,20; Mt 6:19-23
Wednesday, 20 June 2018
Audio Reflections of Thursday, June 30, 2018
To hear the Audio Reflections of Thursday, June 30, 2018 click HERE
Thursday, June 21, 2018 - St. Aloysius Gonzaga SJ - When was the last time you performed an action with no expectation of reward? Will you perform such an action today?
To read the texts click on the texts: 2 Cor 9:6-11; Mt 6:1-6,16-18
Aloysius de Gonzaga was born in Castiglione, Italy in
1568. His father wanted him to join military service, but by the age of nine
Aloysius had decided on a religious life, and made a vow of perpetual
virginity.
A kidney disease prevented St. Aloysius from a
full social life for a while, so he spent his time in prayer and reading the
lives of the saints. Although he was appointed a page in Spain, Gonzaga kept up
his many devotions and austerities, and was quite resolved to become a Jesuit.
His family eventually moved back to Italy, where he taught catechism to the
poor. When he was 18, he joined the Jesuits, after finally breaking down his
father, who had refused his entrance into the order. He served in an hospital
during the plague of 1587 in Milan, and died from it at the age of 23, in 1591,
after receiving the anointing from Robert Bellarmine.
He was canonised in 1726 and is regarded as the
patron Saint of youth.
The text chosen for today is from part of
Matthew’s Sermon on the Mount. It concerns three pious practices that were
prevalent at the time of Jesus: almsgiving, prayer and fasting. These are used
as examples of what true and false righteousness means. In each case, after mention
of the pious practice, the Matthean Jesus explicates how it must not be done
and why, and then goes on to explain how it must be done and why. In each case
there is a contrast between public and secret and between external and
internal.
Jesus uses hyperbolic language when he speaks of
how almsgiving must not be done and uses similar hyperbole when he states how
it must be done. Almsgiving must not be ostentatious but in humility and secret.
When speaking of prayer, a distinction is made between prayer which is done for
show and prayer which stems from the heart. The former makes itself an end in
itself, the latter regards prayer as a mean to reach God. Finally, in the third
pious practice, fasting, a distinction is made between fasting that is done to
impress others and fasting that is motivated by an inner conviction. If one is
convinced from within, then one will want it to be as inconspicuous as
possible.
The reason for the choice of this Gospel text is
because Aloysius understood completely the words of Jesus. His motivation to do
good came from within. His desire to serve the poor and the sick was without
expectation of reward. The austerities he practiced were for the sole reason of
‘feeling with others’. His reaching out to the plague ridden of his time was
because it was a need and he was willing to do all that he could to cater to
that need. Indeed, Aloysius internalised every pious practice, because of which
his righteousness was pleasing in the eyes of God.
Thursday, June 21, 2018 - Is there someone who you think has hurt you whom you have not yet forgiven? Will you forgive that person today?
To read the the texts click on the texts: Sirach 48:1-14; Mt 6:7-15
In the text of today, we read what is commonly known as the
"Our Father". However, a better term for this would be "The
Lord's Prayer". The reason for this is because there are two versions of
the same prayer. The other is found in Lk. 11:2-4. There, the pronoun
"Our" is missing and the prayer begins simply with
"Father".
Also the context of the prayer in Matthew and Luke is
different. While in Matthew the prayer is told in the context of the Sermon of
the Mount, in Luke it is told in response to the disciples’ request to Jesus to
teach them how to pray (Lk 11:1).
Be that as it may, in both Matthew and Luke
the point is clear that the prayer is primarily a prayer of dependence on God
who is Father. This dependence is for something as dramatic and magnificent as
the Kingdom and also for something as routine and regular as bread. Both
prayers have also the theme of forgiveness, which is received from God and
given to others.
The Lord’s Prayer is not just a prayer; it is also a way of
life. The words of the prayer communicate the attitude that one must have
toward God and others. While we must acknowledge our dependence on God for
everything that we need and regard him always as the primary cause, our
attitude to others must be one of acceptance and forgiveness.
Thursday, June 21, 2018 - St. Aloysius Gonzaga SJ - 2 Cor 9:6-11; Mt 6:1-6,16-18
Thursday, June 21, 2018 - St. Aloysius Gonzaga SJ - 2 Cor 9:6-11; Mt 6:1-6,16-18
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