regan.ocd – SPRINGS OF LIVING WATER

July 26, 2024July 26, 2024

27th JULY 2024

MATTHEW 13:30 (Today's Gospel Reading: Matthew 13:24-30 or 13:24-43) | A CHRISTIAN PILGRIMAGE

SATURDAY, SIXTEENTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

Jer 7: 1-11 Ps 84: 3-6, 8, 11 Mt 13: 24-30

GOD IS PATIENT AND KIND

Life is made up of sweet and bitter experiences. When we have hardships, we tend to question God’s wisdom and feel we are unjustly targeted and we ask, “Why Me Lord?”. On the other hand, there are also quite a few who enjoy personal well-being, and financial or social security but forget God and assume all is their doing.

The first reading takes us to the times of Prophet Jeremiah around 595-590 BC. There is total lawlessness and immorality both at the personal as well as the social level, and in the bargain the poorest are pushed out of the way. We heard the details already. They trusted that they could live anyway as long as God’s temple was there, and the sacrifices were done accurately. That is pure business and not religion. God called their attention through various prophets but to no avail. No one was ready to change. Jeremiah even went that further to tell his audience that Just to trust in the temple sacrifices, without corresponding moral uprightness was a deceitful presumption.

God, like a good Father, is patient and he waits for the limits of human freedom. He waits for the weeds to grow along with the wheat. He does not over-protect us, nor does he require compelled obedience and love. He wants the good people to challenge the errant and also be challenged by the presence of the surrounding evil. That perennial polarity produces better choices, albeit difficult. However, when his kindness is taken as license, then God restores his honour. Human freedom has limits. When it crosses the lines, it destroys itself and also others. We saw it in World War II. But God knows to bring good from evil. He is in perfect control. Let us choose the side of God, the side of moral worth even though there are high social pressures to betray his Gospel values. Yes. We are assured of the reward of inner peace waiting for us here, and eternal bliss, beyond.

Response: How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord of hosts!

July 25, 2024July 25, 2024

26th JULY 2024

July 26: Sts. Anne and Joachim – Catholic Telegraph

FRIDAY, SIXTEENTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

Memorial of Saints Joachim & Anne

Jer 3:14-17 Jer 31:10-13 Mt 13:18-23/Mt 13:16-17

IS MY HEART A GOOD SOIL?

Though the parable is over two thousand years old, it still carries the reality of our lives based on faith and the important role of the Word of God. What do I carry in my heart today? Definitely my love for myself, my family, my close friends and also those who have created great and unforgettable memories, both pleasing and unpleasing.

We know how to sow the seeds in our gardens, yards or on any fertile land, and take care of it very carefully and we watch over it day and night. In the same way, when we have sown the seed, the Word of God, in our hearts, how are we taking care of it? Do we watch over the Word of God, day and night?

The seed that fell on fertile soil represents those who hear the word, accept it, cherish it and understand it, and they bear fruit. The perfect model of this good soil is the Virgin Mary. When the seed is sown, do I take it literally or do I sit and reflect (meditate) upon it? When the blessed Virgin Mary, received the word of God, she did not conclude anything with her intellectual capacity, but rather she pondered on the Word of God, Silently and her knowledge about God and His will, developed to that level, where she could accept the death of Her son on the Cross.

We have seen the reaction of the seed, without making a noise it grows, in the form of a plant. So also, we must grow in the knowledge of God, without making a noise but silently meditating on the Word of God. But primarily, the condition of our Heart must be like that of the good soil, to bear the fruit in a hundred folds. The Blessed Virgin Mary always allowed God and His will to dwell in her, so we too must be imitating Mary to reach the life of Holiness. The parents of the Virgin Mary, the grandparents of Jesus, Saints Joachim and Anne whose memorial we celebrate are also models of the good soil.

Response: The Lord will keep us, as a shepherd keeps his flock.

July 24, 2024July 24, 2024

25th JULY 2024

July 25, 2023, Feast of St. James, Apostle, Holy Rosary (Sorrowful Mysteries) | RosaryNetwork.com

THURSDAY, SIXTEENTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

Feast of Apostle James

2 Cor 4: 7-15 Ps 126: 1-6 Mt 20: 20-28

THE PRIMACY OF THE SPIRITUAL

Aristotle called the human person a “rational animal.” He speaks about the dual nature of man. One: animalistic, belonging to the realm of creatures or the lower nature of man. Second: rational, spiritual, popularly called the transcendental nature in man. Belonging to the nature of creatures means being guided by what is creative or fascinates here below. Belonging to the realm of the spiritual means being guided by the universal, or by the realm of the divine. It is in this realm, that the human person comes to live where he/she actually belongs; the realm of God, our real home on earth.

Both the readings today remind us that while we live as citizens of two worlds, the empirical and the spiritual, we are created to belong to the spiritual or eternal world. As we live in this empirical world, it is normal for us to be pulled down by the urges of the empirical world. The mother of the sons of Zebedee asked nothing extraordinary but what is normal that any mother would desire to ask for her children while living in this world. However, the uniqueness of Christian life is that we don’t belong to this empirical world alone, but we are called upon to transcend and live in the spiritual world by being guided by the spirit.

In Baptism, we die to this world and we are raised to the newness of life. Therefore, St. Paul tells us that, however, conflicting may be our situation while we live in this world because we belong to the spirit we will not be lost but rise up glorious and ever victorious in life. Therefore our sight should be focused on the spiritual while living in the temporal. That is what the mother of the sons of Zebedee failed to understand. Our intimacy with God, by drinking the Chalice of Christ is the only way to spiritual growth. Only through this spiritual intimacy will the success of our spiritual life ever be attained.

Response: Those who are sowing in tears will sing when they reap.

July 23, 2024July 23, 2024

24th JULY 2024

God doesn't call people who are qualified. He calls people who are willing , and then He qualifies them - Richard Parker - Oasis the Venue

WEDNESDAY, SIXTEENTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

Jer 1: 1, 4-10 Ps 71: 1-6, 15, 17 Mt 13: 1-9

GOD QUALIFIES THE CALLED

We are used to responding to the proclamation of the Word of the Lord or the Gospel of the Lord by saying: Thanks be to God or Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ. We thank God or Praise Christ because we accept what God says, is pleasing to us and receive what it offers to be of value, worth and precious. If we accept the Word of God as a treasure and obey it, we shall have joy and suffering. We feel joy because it cheers not the senses but the heart with life that the message and things of this world cannot offer. We also need to suffer because the Word of God goes against our own word, our thinking, planning and our habitual way of living. So, it is a constant battle and struggle of turning to God instead of continuing to live according to our worldly desires.

When God is speaking or inviting, he reveals a design. We see in the first reading God making it quite clear to Jeremiah that it was God himself who designed him and destined him for a task even before he was born. We also notice how the prophet was reluctant by being apprehensive about his inadequacy. We have heard the saying that God does not call the qualified but qualifies the one He calls. God gives the design and the resources. . “It’s a lack of clarity that creates chaos and frustration” (Steve Maraboli). When it comes to Divine Design, only God knows the end result and we only need to be faithful to play our part. There will be enormous challenges and we are sure to succeed if we rely on God’s grace and not our own internal resources.

If we accept God’s plan for us as precious, pleasant, and practical, it changes our lives in visible ways. Often God calls us to live and work a a community and not as isolated individuals. It often entails much affliction more than comfort and safety. However, if we value it as a treasure, we are likely to accept suffering rather than give it up.

Response: My mouth will tell of your salvation, Lord.

July 22, 2024July 22, 2024

23rd JULY 2024

TUESDAY, SIXTEENTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

Mi 7: 14-15, 18-20 Ps 85: 2-8 Mt 12: 46-50

OUR GOD IS AN UNMATCHED GOD

Today’s first reading offers us a profound reflection on hope, forgiveness, and the divine nature of God’s love. The reading has two parts. In the first part, a vivid picture of God as a compassionate shepherd, guiding and protecting His people is spelt out. The imagery of sheep grazing in fertile pastures reminds us of the abundance and blessings that come from following God’s guidance. The reference to the wonders God showed during the days of the Exodus from Egypt evokes a sense of God’s continued power and His ability to perform miraculous acts in our lives, even today.

The second section (Mi 7:18-20) underscores the uniqueness of God’s character. The question, “Who is a God like you?” acknowledges that God’s nature is unmatched in its qualities of forgiveness, mercy, and faithfulness. It emphasizes that God is not a God who holds grudges or harbors anger indefinitely. Instead, He takes delight in extending mercy and grace. The imagery of God treading upon our sins and casting them into the depths of the sea symbolizes His complete and utter forgiveness and cleansing of our transgressions.

What strikes the most about these verses is the idea of God’s enduring faithfulness to His covenant with Abraham and Jacob. It serves as a reminder that God’s promises are eternal and unchanging, even across generations. This faithfulness is a source of great comfort, assuring us that God’s love and commitment to us, just as to our forefathers, remain steadfast. In a world where forgiveness can be difficult to attain and mercy can be in short supply, these verses serve as a profound reminder of the boundless compassion available through our faith. They encourage us to approach God with humility and contrition, knowing that His love transcends our faults. Moreover, they inspire us to emulate God’s example by extending forgiveness and grace to others.

Response: Let us see, O Lord, your mercy.

July 21, 2024July 21, 2024

22nd JULY 2024

MONDAY, SIXTEENTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

Feast of Saint Mary Magdalene

Sg 3:1-4 / 2 Cor 5:14-17; Ps 63:2-6,8-9; Jn 20:1-2,11-18

A HARBINGER OF AN EMPTY TOMB

We are celebrating today the feast of St Mary Magdalene, one of the interesting and inspiring characters in the Gospels. Her life was empty like a tomb before she met the Lord. Thereafter, as she followed the Lord closely, and witnessed the crucifixion, burial and the resurrection, she became the harbinger of an empty tomb that proclaimed the Risen Lord. Mary Magdalene was one of the disciples of the Lord. She followed Jesus along with the twelve apostles and some other women. She was healed of seven demons, liberated from all kinds of ailments and experienced perfect healing and liberation from the Lord (Lk 8:1-2). Mary Magdalene’s presence during the crucial moments of Jesus’ life on earth cannot be ignored. She was present at the crucifixion and the burial. She was present along with other women at the foot of the Cross (Mk 15:40). She witnessed the burial of Jesus (Mk 15:47). After the burial, she sat at the tomb (Mt 27:61).

The account of resurrection will be incomplete without Mary Magdalene. She is the first one to testify to the resurrection of Jesus. She was the first one to come to the tomb. She witnessed the stone taken away and the tomb being empty (Jn 20:1). Immediately, she spreads the news of the empty tomb (Jn 20:2). She becomes the first harbinger of the empty tomb. She remained weeping at the tomb, and there at the empty tomb the truth of the resurrection was revealed to her. There at the empty tomb, she encountered the angels and thereafter met the risen Lord (Jn 20:11-17). She went and told the disciples, “I have seen the Lord” (Jn 20:18).

Mary Magdalene’s empty life was filled by the Lord. The empty tomb of the Lord announces His resurrection. Our empty lives become full when we encounter the Risen Lord. With Mary Magdalene, let us become the harbingers of the empty tomb and the Risen Lord.

Response: For you my soul is thirsting, O Lord, my God.

July 20, 2024July 20, 2024

21st JULY 2024

SUNDAY, SIXTEENTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

Jer 23: 1-6 Ps 23: 1-6 Eph 2: 13-18 Mk 6: 30-34

STRICTNESS VS COMPASSION

Those who search the Bible for loopholes, will find today’s gospel interesting. It shows us two seemingly incompatible images of Jesus. First, there is the image of Jesus as a man with a strong, stubborn, and sometimes even insensitive nature who abandons a swarm of defenseless and needy people in need of his help and goes on vacation when the time comes. Then there’s the image of Jesus as a kind, sensitive, and caring individual who stops his well-deserved sleep to deal with a chaotic gathering of people who are bothering him when they shouldn’t. So, is Jesus a rigid, unyielding man of discipline and principle who sticks to his plan no matter what? Or is he considerate and receptive?

When confronted with this dilemma, the average Bible reader is likely to see in Jesus the character who most fits his or her own nature. Staunch disciplinarians would regard Jesus as a strict disciplinarian, whereas kind-hearted philanthropists see him as a caring philanthropist. Is the Bible then a mirror that solely reflects the reader’s own face? Is the Bible merely there to justify our personal prejudices and lifestyles? If so, we are no better than a dying criminal looking for loopholes in the scriptures. The Bible, in some ways, affirms us while also challenging us. If we read the Bible expecting God’s word to confront our current attitudes and lifestyles, we can easily see that what shines out in today’s gospel is simply the image of Jesus as the compassionate one.

Even though Jesus went for a much-needed retreat with his disciples, and the people have no right to intrude on his solitude in this way, he is able to look at their tired expressions, recognize their need, adjust his plan, and respond to it. Obviously, Jesus is entitled to his rest, and the people have no right to bother him in this way. However, Jesus is not interested in exerting his rights. He realizes the folks are pestering him out of desperation. And he sets out to diagnose and treat the source of such desperate behaviour.

How would you and I handle a similar situation? We would probably reproach the crowd and accuse them of being insensitive. We would dispatch the disciples to drive them away and, if necessary, call-in police authorities. Instead of attempting to understand individuals, we would become angry and critical of them. However, compassion entails putting oneself in the shoes of another and attempting to perceive things from their perspective.

So, if Jesus is so kind, why did he initially try to avoid the crowd? Even that gesture could be interpreted as an act of compassion, not for the crowd, but for the disciples, who clearly needed a rest. “He told them, ‘Come out to a deserted spot all by yourselves and rest for a while. For many were coming and going, and they had no time to eat” (v. 31). The earlier decision was motivated by compassion for the disciples, whereas the later was driven by compassion for the people. None of it was driven by self-interest. It was pure kindness.

Jesus in today’s Gospel tells us how to balance our lives amidst the many things and concerns we may have. The feeling of pity and the compassion that Jesus felt towards the people is much more than just a mere human feeling or emotion. He pities them not because of the sight of their misery and misfortune but because it arouses such a deep feeling in Jesus that impels him to do everything possible to relieve the suffering by a total commitment of himself to them and to their needs. In this way Jesus is showing us an example of how to be a good leader, a leader who knows that he or she needs to go alone every now and then, and reflect on his or her life before God and on what she or he is doing, but also at the same time not forgetting the needs of the people whom he or she is sent to. Today, let us beg Jesus to give us his compassionate spirit, so that we can be as sensitive and responsive to the needs of those around us as He was. And let us be prepared to live compassionate lives, even if it means changing our plans for the summer or the rest of our lives.

Response: The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.

July 19, 2024July 17, 2024

20th JULY 2024

Day 71 | Matthew 12:14-21 | His Name will be the hope of all the world | A Common Mans Bible Journey

SATURDAY, FIFTEENTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

Mi 2: 1-5 Ps 10: 1-4, 7-8, 14 Mt 12: 14-21

CALLED TO BE PERSONS OF LOVE AND PEACE

What will we do if we are aware that strong individuals are attempting to take our lives? We would seek safety in a different location. But, Jesus persisted in performing His deeds of mercy even while His life was in jeopardy. Jesus differs from us in that we are content to hide and safeguard our lives. For Jesus, continuing to serve the people He deeply loved is more important than protecting His life. His death on the cross was the ultimate expression of this love for His people. What motivates us to defend our lives at the expense of those around us, in retrospect? Perhaps, the most obvious explanation is that we love life more than we love Jesus and other people; otherwise, we wouldn’t hesitate to sacrifice our precious time and lives for them.

Are we people who value peace? Or perhaps we enjoy turmoil and conflict? If we consider ourselves to be followers of Jesus, we must value peace. Jesus was a gentle man who detested all forms of violence because He understood that there is no victory in using force. Jesus gently retreated from the Pharisees’ line of sight as they sought to capture and execute Him. Because Jesus was a calm person and it wasn’t yet time for Him to face them, He wasn’t terrified of them.

It’s not necessarily a show of cowardice to leave a battle; sometimes leaving a conflict is a sign of bravery. Because we are aware that we have a greater purpose in life than those who seek to use violence against us, we have the courage to leave a conflict. If we respond to violence with more violence, what will happen? Because no one succeeds through violence, we all end up losing. “An eye for an eye makes everyone blind.” When there are those who incite rage, let’s always choose the high road and avoid becoming on their level. Why not spread peace and love rather than respond to anger with more anger?

Response: Do not forget the poor, O Lord!

July 18, 2024July 17, 2024

19th JULY 2024

Bible Verse of the Day: Matthew 12:6 - Worship God

FRIDAY, FIFTEENTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

Is 38: 1-8, 21-22 Is 38: 10-12, 16 Mt 12: 1-8

JESUS, SOMETHING GREATER THAN THE TEMPLE

Alfred Adler argued that individuals who are not interested in others often face difficulties and unhappiness. In the gospel, Jesus addresses the Pharisees who violated the Law of Sabbath by eating wheat heads, a forbidden act. Jesus defends them by citing two exceptions, David and the priest performing temple services. While laws are beneficial, they can become too legalistic and structured. Jesus emphasizes the importance of human life over the Sabbath and emphasizes the importance of charity, which is what pleases God. Mercy, forgiveness, and compassion are the recipes for happiness. Jesus emphasizes that what pleases God is the act of charity.

Jesus emphasized that God values mercy over sacrifice. This message is relevant to all of us, as we may judge others unfairly and unnecessarily. Jesus revealed God as a God of mercy, sharing tables with sinners who broke the Jewish Law. We also should be merciful, as God is merciful. If we have received mercy from God, we should not refuse it to others.

Christians believe that the risen Lord is present in the Eucharist, in each member of the church, and in every human being suffering. By honouring and respecting each other, we experience the presence of God in our lives. Jesus embodies the mercy of God, focusing on mercy rather than sacrifice. The sacrifices in the Temple were human efforts to reach God, but Jesus’ mercy reaches us through us. Christians are called to be channels of God’s mercy, slow to judge, and prioritize human needs over human law. Jesus’ ministry is the supreme channel of God’s mercy. Jesus reveals something greater than the Temple, claiming to be the new focal point of God’s presence. He is not just the Lord of the Sabbath but Lord of all, the church, and our lives. As the Lord of our lives, we submit to his word, allowing his priorities to become ours. Jesus’ word and life help us distinguish between what is important and what is not.

Response: O Lord, you have delivered my soul lest it perish.

July 17, 2024July 15, 2024

18th JULY 2024

Rest for the Weary — Matthew 11:28-30 | Proud to be TJ's man

THURSDAY, FIFTEENTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

Is 26: 7-9, 11, 16-19 Ps 102: 13-21 Mt 11: 28-30

TAKE UP MY YOKE AND LEARN FROM ME

In the book The Prison Meditations, Father Alfred Delp said, “Only in God is man capable of living fully. Without God, he is perpetually sick. His illness affects his happiness and ability to be happy”. When life is not lived in communion with God, it becomes grey and sordid, calculating and joyless. In today’s gospel, Jesus says, “Shoulder my yoke and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble of heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” This is wonderful advice, especially for us in today’s fast-paced world when we can’t find peace of mind.

What type of yoke does Jesus have in mind for us? And how can it benefit us? The metaphor of the yoke used by Jews represents obedience to God. They refer to the yoke of the law, the yoke of commandments, the yoke of the kingdom, and the yoke of God. The Pharisees and Scribes talked about “God’s yoke,” or “the yoke of the law,” but he talked about “my yoke.” Jesus’ yoke is easy, and its weight is light. His yoke is simply His method of love, which includes observing the Ten Commandments and loving our neighbours as ourselves. We are told to put on Jesus’ ‘sweet yoke’ and enjoy the ‘heavenly way of life and pleasure. His burden is light not because He asks for less, but because, unlike the scribes and Pharisees, He is “gentle and humble in heart.” When Jesus says, ‘accept my yoke,’ he is our partner, teammate, and yokemate. His perspective differs significantly from that of the Pharisees. He assists; they just point out the flaws that they observe. They are haughty; he was meek and humble in heart. We have our own yokes, such as worry, bitterness, guilt, disease, disappointment, unemployment, tough relationships, addictions, etc.

Jesus lightens our loads through love and helps us ease the burdens of others. We also have the ability to lighten our own responsibilities, as some of our burdens are self-imposed. No load is too heavy when offered and carried with love.

Response: The Lord looked down from heaven to the earth.