4 SeptemberTwenty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time
“Great crowds were traveling with him, and he turned and addressed them, ‘If any one comes to me without hating his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple’”(Lk 14:25-26).
Communion Connection –
These words make radical, unheard-of demands! Jesus is asking us to put into second place all the beautiful affections we have here on earth, lest they become obstacles to our following Him. Only God could ask so much. Jesus wants to orient us to Himself first and fundamentally before anything else so that He can bring about a universal family of believers. We must all, sooner or later, choose between the Truth of Jesus Christ and everything false in our world and our lives. Don’t be afraid. Don’t fear for your life. It is better to lose any falseness that has attracted us away from God than to lose our communion with God forever. Eternal life is really True.
-adapted from Word of Life
Additional Catholic Resources:
- Audio Homily by Fr. Robert Barron http://www.wordonfire.org/resources/homily/the-awful-gospel-of-the-cross/1011/
11 SeptemberTwenty-fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time
“The father said to his older son, ‘My son, you are here with me always; everything I have is yours. But now we must celebrate and rejoice, because your brother was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found’” (Lk:15:31-32).
Communion Connection –
In saying these words, Jesus is denouncing a danger that tempts all of humanity: wanting our lives to be satisfying and judged to be perfect while judging others to be less perfect. Instead, Jesus puts the emphasis on divine Love and shows us that God, who is Love, takes the first step towards each person without considering his or her worthiness. Jesus is inviting us to have that same boundless love of the Father towards those whom the self-righteous would judge harshly. –adapted from Word of Life
Additional Catholic Resources:
- Audio Homily by Fr. Robert Barronhttp://www.wordonfire.org/resources/homily/logic-of-justice-logic-of-grace/899/
18 SeptemberTwenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time
“Jesus said to His disciples, ‘No servant can serve two masters. He will either hate one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon’” (Lk 16:13).
Communion Connection –
Jesus' words are not a condemnation of wealth in itself, but rather He condemns the obsession with having wealth that occupies ourhearts. He doesn't require absolute poverty of everyone; he requires rather detachment in everything. Wealthy persons should not so much consider themselves as owners, but as stewards or caretakersof the goods they possess, which belong primarily to God. A good steward tends to his master’s goods on behalf of and in the manner of the master. Wealth is an excellent tool if used to serve those in need, to be kind and to promote the common good. We are good stewards by being generous with our wealth but also by proper management of our commerce, business, and taxes. Thisstewardship is the way to use our goods without becoming enslaved by them. – adapted from Word of Life
Additional Catholic Resources:
- Audio Homily by Fr. Robert Barronhttp://www.wordonfire.org/resources/homily/a-warning-bell-in-the-night/900/
25 SeptemberTwenty-sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time
“The rich man cried out, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me. Send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am suffering torment in these flames.’ Abraham replied, ‘My child remember that you received what was good during your lifetime while Lazarus likewise received what was bad; but now he is comforted here, whereas you are tormented’” (Lk 16:24-25).
Communion Connection –
The story of the rich man and Lazarus can drum up the song in our minds and hearts – “Open my eyes Lord, help me to see your face…. Open my ears, Lord, help me to hear your voice….” It is indeed possible to be so blind, so clueless, so self-occupied that we can miss the opportunity to love someone who was right in front of us. Perhaps this can be our challenge - to expand our view of where and how we see God, and to make it our aim to strive for loving communion with others beyond our customary, socially acceptableand easy connections.
Additional Catholic Resources:
- Audio Homily by Fr. Robert Barronhttp://www.wordonfire.org/resources/homily/rich-man-poor-man/901/
- Order of Carmelites Lectiohttp://ocarm.org/en/content/lectio/lectio-divina-26th-sunday-ordinary-time-c