Thou who hast given so much to me, give me one more thing - a grateful heart!
- George Herbert
(Gratitude can be actively practiced, softening the heart. Resolve to make more acts of gratitude.)
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Is 1:10, 16-20; Psalm 50:8-9, 16bc-17, 21 and 23
Mt 23:1-12
Jesus spoke to the crowds and to his disciples, saying,
“The scribes and the Pharisees
have taken their seat on the chair of Moses.
Therefore, do and observe all things whatsoever they tell you,
but do not follow their example.
For they preach but they do not practice.
They tie up heavy burdens hard to carry
and lay them on people’s shoulders,
but they will not lift a finger to move them.
All their works are performed to be seen.
They widen their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels.
They love places of honor at banquets, seats of honor in synagogues,
greetings in marketplaces, and the salutation ‘Rabbi.’
As for you, do not be called ‘Rabbi.’
You have but one teacher, and you are all brothers.
Call no one on earth your father;
you have but one Father in heaven.
Do not be called ‘Master’;
you have but one master, the Christ.
The greatest among you must be your servant.
Whoever exalts himself will be humbled;
but whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”
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Reflection on the Scriptures
In the Gospel, Jesus makes clear his opinion of those with lay leadership roles in Jerusalem’s Jewish community. He points out their double standard in the application of Mosaic Law. Jesus goes on to address attempts on the part of these leaders and of his own disciples who would use religiosity to gain praise and honor.
Lately I have been giving attention to my thoughts before falling asleep. I would like to claim that it is prayerful reflection, but it is not and seldom has been. As I move into “retirement”, I am noticing a change in these thoughts. During my busiest years, these thoughts often had a focus on the shortcomings of others. More recently these thoughts tend to look at my own shortcomings. A few weeks ago, I started to
label this as an awareness of “my inner Pharisee.” During my busiest years, I tended to follow the rules or at the very least justify my actions in terms of the greater good. I became very judgmental of others, often with the harshest judgments for those whose actions mirrored my own inadequacies. I integrated the titles and awards that I received into my self image. While avoiding boastfulness, I would not have called myself the picture of humility. Although I still drew my motivation from what
I considered important rather than the opinions of others, the need to exceed the performance of those others in terms of teaching, research and service as well as being regarded as “Doctor” or “Professor” were clearly parts of my ego. I had a disproportionately high opinion of myself. If I imagine myself in today’s Gospel, after Jesus’ comments I see myself walking away with my tail between my legs (as was likely also the case for some of His disciples).
- by Mike Cherney
The Son of God Became Human
From The Catechism of the Catholic Church
Part One, Section Two, Chapter Two
Article 3: He Was Conceived by the Power of the Holy Spirit, and Born of the Virgin Mary
Paragraph 1: The Son of God Became Man
IV. HOW IS THE SON OF GOD MAN?
470 Because "human nature was assumed, not absorbed",97 in the mysterious union of the Incarnation, the Church was led over the course of centuries to confess the full reality of Christ's human soul, with its operations of intellect and will, and of his human body. In parallel fashion, she had to recall on each occasion that Christ's human nature belongs, as his own, to the divine person of the Son of God, who
assumed it. Everything that Christ is and does in this nature derives from "one of the Trinity".
(Footnote references in the Catechism.)
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