My Tuesday Daily Blessings, October 16, 2012

My Tuesday Daily Blessings

Be still, quiet your heart and mind, the Lord is here loving you,

talking to you.................

Memorial of Saint Hedwig, Religious and St Margaret Mary Alacoque, Virgin  (Catholic Observance)

Tuesday of the Twenty Eighth Week in Ordinary Time (Roman Rite Calendar)

First Reading: Gal 5:1-6

Brothers and sisters:
For freedom Christ set us free; so stand firm and do not submit again to the yoke of slavery.

It is I, Paul, who am telling you that if you have yourselves circumcised, Christ will be of no benefit to you.
Once again I declare to every man who has himself circumcised that he is bound to observe the entire law.
You are separated from Christ, you who are trying to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace.
For through the Spirit, by faith, we await the hope of righteousness.
For in Christ Jesus, neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love.

 

Responsorial Psalm: Ps 119:41, 43, 44, 45, 47, 48

 

            "Let your mercy come to me, O Lord."

Gospel: Lk 11:37-41

 

After Jesus had spoken, a Pharisee invited him to dine at his home.
He entered and reclined at table to eat.
The Pharisee was amazed to see that he did not observe the prescribed washing before the meal.
The Lord said to him, "Oh you Pharisees!
Although you cleanse the outside of the cup and the dish, inside you are filled with plunder and evil.
You fools!
Did not the maker of the outside also make the inside?
But as to what is within, give alms, and behold, everything will be clean for you."

 

**Reflection:

 

Is the Lord welcomed at your table and are you ready to feast at his table? A Pharisee, after hearing Jesus preach, invited him to dinner, no doubt, because he wanted to hear more from this extraordinary man who spoke the word of God as no one else had done before. It was not unusual for a rabbi to give a teaching over dinner. Jesus, however, did something which offended his host. He did not perform the ceremonial washing of hands before beginning the meal. Did Jesus forget or was he deliberately performing a sign to reveal something to his host? Jesus turned the table on his host by chiding him for uncleanness of heart. Which is more important to God – clean hands or a clean mind and heart? Jesus chided the Pharisees for harboring evil thoughts that make us unclean spiritually – such as greed, pride, bitterness, envy, arrogance, and the like. Why does he urge them, and us, to give alms? When we give freely and generously to those in need we express love, compassion, kindness, and mercy. And if the heart is full of love and compassion, then there is no room for envy, greed, bitterness, and the like. Do you allow God's love to transform your heart, mind, and actions toward your neighbor?

 

**Prayer:

 

 "Lord Jesus, fill me with your love and increase my thirst for holiness. Cleanse my heart of every evil thought and desire and help me to act kindly and justly and to speak charitably with my neighbor." Amen.

Sources:

 

Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States, second typical edition, Copyright © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine; Psalm refrain © 1968, 1981, 1997, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved. Neither this work nor any part of it may be reproduced, distributed, performed or displayed in any medium, including electronic or digital, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

 

 

**Don Schwager

Author and Writer

Sword of the Spirit

and The Word Among Us