Message of 7-22-16

Published: Fri, 07/22/16

Prayer has mighty power to move mountains because the Holy Spirit is ready both to encourage our praying and to remove the mountains hindering us. Prayer has the power to change mountains into highways.
- Wesley L. Duewel

(What “mountains” in your life would you like to have turned into “highways”? Ask the Spirit to teach you to pray that this might come to pass in God’s good will.)

Readings of the Day

2 Cor 4:7-15; Ps 126:1-6; Mt 13:18-23 (for Ordinary Time)

R. Those who sow in tears shall reap rejoicing.

When the LORD brought back the captives of Zion,
we were like men dreaming.
Then our mouth was filled with laughter,
and our tongue with rejoicing.

Then they said among the nations,
"The LORD has done great things for them."
The LORD has done great things for us;
we are glad indeed.

Restore our fortunes, O LORD,
like the torrents in the southern desert.
Those that sow in tears
shall reap rejoicing.

Although they go forth weeping,
carrying the seed to be sown,
They shall come back rejoicing,
carrying their sheaves.

USCCB Lectionary

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Scripture Reflection

Matthew 13: 18-23 (A parable explained)

Jesus taught his disciples many things that he did not explain to the crowds. He wanted to be certain that his disciples understood his words because he knew that they would one day need to expound on them. In today’s reading he explains the meaning of the parable of the sower, leaving its symbolism intact while developing its meaning.

- What kinds of seeds have you sowed at work recently? Choose a few people with whom you work and examine how you have related to them during the past two days. How often were you critical of them, at least silently? Resolve to be more affirming.

- What is growing in the good soil of your heart? In the briers? In the rocky ground? Along the path?

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Spiritual Reading

The Way of Perfection, by Teresa of Avila (1515-1582)

Describes how, by striving always to walk in the love and fear of God, we shall travel safely amid all these temptations.

What will become of the poor soul when it falls into these hands after emerging from all the pains and trials of death? How little rest it will have! How it will be torn as it goes down to hell! What swarms and varieties of serpents it will meet! How dreadful is that place! How miserable that lodging! Why, a pampered person (and most of those who go to hell are that) can hardly bear to spend a single night in a bad inn: what, then, will be the feelings of that wretched soul when it is condemned to such an inn as this and has to spend eternity there? Let us not try to pamper ourselves, daughters. We are quite well off here: there is only a single night for us to spend in this bad inn. Let us praise God and strive to do penance in this life. How sweet will be the death of those who have done penance for all their sins and have not to go to purgatory! It may be that they will begin to enjoy glory even in this world, and will know no fear, but only peace.

Even if we do not attain to this, sisters, let us beseech God that, if in due course we must suffer these pains, it may be with a hope of emerging from them. Then we shall suffer them willingly and lose neither the friendship nor the grace of God. May He grant us these in this life so that we may not unwittingly fall into temptation.

- Chapter 40

(Keep in mind that she is writing to sisters in a cloistered contemplative order.)

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