The most miserable prison in the world is the prison we make for ourselves when we refuse to show mercy. Our thoughts become shackled, our emotions are chained, the will is almost paralyzed. But when we show mercy, all of these bonds are broken, and we enter into a joyful liberty that frees us to share God's love with
others.
- Warren W. Wiersbe (Where might you be called to be more merciful these
days?) |
EZ 28:1-10; DEUTERONOMY 32:26-27AB, 27CD-28, 30, 35CD-36AB MT 19:23-30
Jesus said to his disciples:
“Amen, I say to you, it will be hard for one who is rich
to enter the Kingdom of
heaven.
Again I say to you,
it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle
than for one who is rich to enter the Kingdom of God.”
When the disciples heard this, they
were greatly astonished and said,
“Who then can be saved?”
Jesus looked at them and said,
“For men this is impossible,
but for God all things are possible.”
Then Peter said to him in reply,
“We have given up everything and followed you.
What will there be for us?”
Jesus said to them, “Amen, I say to you
that you who have followed me, in the new age,
when the Son of Man is seated on his throne of glory,
will yourselves sit on twelve thrones,
judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
And everyone who has given up houses or brothers or sisters
or father or mother or children or lands
for the sake of my name will receive a hundred times more,
and will inherit eternal life.
But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.”
Reflection on the Scriptures
World-wide we witness the idolatry of greed, self-aggrandizement, and the mistreatment of those whose dreams, faith traditions, and spiritualities are different from ours. Nicholas Black Elk was a Catholic and a Lakota Sioux. In his 87 years he experienced, valued, respected and lived the sacredness of both traditions.
Today, we have heard harsh tones, impatience, frustration maybe
even condemnation from the Lord.
However, the most lasting and powerful words in today’s readings:
“I am coming…I will save my sheep.” Says the Lord.
Gifts
of Hope and Trust.
The Kingdom of God will come, is at hand.
Justice and righteousness for all will prevail.
The Vision of Nicholas Black Elk will be fulfilled.
What is my
place in the puzzle of discipleship? Am I also a “servant of God”? Where do I experience the sacred?
by Joan Howard
The Existence of God by Francois Fenelon SECTION XIX.
Of Animals, Beasts, Fowl, Birds, Fishes, Reptiles, and Insects. While sheep let their wool grow for our use, silk-worms, in emulation with each other, spin rich stuffs and spend themselves to bestow them upon us. They make of their cod a kind of tomb, and shutting up themselves in
their own work, they are new-born under another figure, in order to perpetuate themselves. On the other hand, the bees carefully suck and gather the juice of odorous and fragrant flowers, in order to make their honey; and range it in such an order as may serve for a pattern to men. Several insects are transformed, sometimes into flies, sometimes into worms, or maggots. If one should think such insects useless, let him consider that what makes a part of the great spectacle of
the universe, and contributes to its variety, is not altogether useless to sedate and contemplative men. What can be more noble, and more magnificent, than that great number of commonwealths of living creatures so well governed, and every species of which has a different frame from the other? Everything shows how much the skill and workmanship of the artificer surpasses the vile matter he has worked upon. Every living creature, nay even gnats, appear wonderful to me. If
one finds them troublesome, he ought to consider that it is necessary that some anxiety and pain be mixed with man's conveniences: for if nothing should moderate his pleasures, and exercise his patience, he would either grow soft and effeminate, or forget himself. |
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