Seeking a Sign

July 20, 2020
Monday of the Sixteenth Week of Ordinary Time
Readings for Today

Saint Apollinaris, Bishop and Martyr—Optional Memorial

“Teacher, we wish to see a sign from you.” He said to them in reply, “An evil and unfaithful generation seeks a sign, but no sign will be given it except the sign of Jonah the prophet.”  Matthew 12:38-39

Jonah was the sign.  He spent three days and nights in the belly of a whale.  He certainly was presumed dead by those who threw him over the side of the boat.  But the whale acted as an instrument of God’s will in that it brought Jonah to Nineveh to preach repentance.  And they did repent and change their lives!  The darkness of the belly of the whale, in the end, became a blessing and a sign for ages to come.

Fast forward from the story of Jonah to the story above when the followers of Jesus seek a sign from Him.  They want some sort of “proof” of who He is.  Or perhaps they are just curious and want to be “entertained” by a miracle.  Whatever the case may be, Jesus makes it clear that the sign He will give is the sign of Jonah.

Clearly, the story of Jonah is a prefiguration of the death of Jesus; His three days in the tomb and His Resurrection.  This is the sign that Jesus will offer and the sign that He continues to offer.  It’s a sign of great hope when we perceive it properly. 

However, very often we can fall into the same temptation as the followers of Jesus in the story above.  Very often we also want a sign other than the signs Jesus gave us.  We want some other proof from God of His will.  We want Him to speak loudly and clearly.  But that doesn’t always happen.  More often what we experience is what appears to be silence from God.  We may wonder, “Lord, where are You?  Why don’t You speak to me?”  But Jesus will speak to us in the same way.  He will gently remind us of His life, death and Resurrection.  He will remind us that we must believe in all that He has spoken, and even if we feel like we are in the belly of a whale or dead in a tomb, hope is not lost.  God is present in all things and He is active and present to us even when He seems to be silent.

Reflect, today, upon how strong your faith is even though you may not get the sign from Heaven that you may want.  You must be reminded that the Father spoke to you clearly through the life, death and Resurrection of Jesus and this is the way He continues to speak to you today.  Listen to that lesson and embrace the truths it proclaims.  Even if you feel like you are in a tomb or God is silent, know He is not.  He is speaking to you all the time.  You just need to discern His voice.

Lord, help me to believe in You even though I do not see miracles or signs from Heaven.  Help me to believe in You despite any doubts or weaknesses I have in life.  Give me a firm faith to answer Your call in my life.  Jesus, I trust in You.

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The Defeat of Evil

July 19, 2020
Sixteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year A
Readings for Today

Jesus proposed another parable to the crowds, saying: “The kingdom of heaven may be likened to a man who sowed good seed in his field. While everyone was asleep his enemy came and sowed weeds all through the wheat, and then went off.  When the crop grew and bore fruit, the weeds appeared as well.”  Matthew 13:24-26

The introduction to this parable should wake us up to the reality of the evil one in our midst.  The specific action of the “enemy” in this parable is disturbing.  Imagine if this story were true and you were the farmer who worked very hard at sowing the seed throughout your field.  Then, if you awoke to hear the news that weeds had been sown also, you would be quite saddened, angered and disappointed.  

But this parable is especially about the Son of God.  Jesus is the one who has sown the good seed of His Word and watered that seed with His Precious Blood.  But the evil one, the devil, has also been at work trying to undermine the work of our Lord.  

Again, if this were a true story about you as a farmer, it would be hard to refrain from much anger and a desire for revenge.  But the truth is that Jesus, as the Divine Sower, does not allow the evil one to steal His peace.  Instead, He has allowed this action of the evil one to remain for now. But in the end, the works of evil will be destroyed and burned in the unquenchable fire.

What’s also interesting to note is that Jesus does not root out all evil in our world here and now.  According to the parable, He refrains so that the good fruit of the Kingdom will not be negatively affected.  In other words, this parable reveals to us the interesting truth that the “weeds” all around us, that is, the evil alive within our world, cannot affect our growth in virtue and entrance into the Kingdom of God.  We may have to endure evil on a daily basis and find ourselves surrounded by it at times, but our Lord’s willingness to allow evil for now is a clear sign that He knows it cannot affect our growth in virtue if we do not let it.

Reflect, today, upon the reality of evil in your world.  It’s essential that you name evil activity for what it is.  But evil cannot ultimately affect you.  And the evil one, despite his malicious attacks, will ultimately be defeated.  Reflect upon the hope that this truth brings and renew your trust in the power of God this day.

Lord, I pray that You do deliver us all from the evil one.  May we be freed from his lies and snares and always keep our eyes upon You, our Divine Shepherd.  I turn to You in all things, dear Lord.  Jesus, I trust in You.

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Matthew 12:14-21 | Jacob Jordaens | The Pharisees began to discuss how to destroy Jesus

Matthew 12:14-21 The Pharisees began to discuss how to destroy Jesus

Jesus amongst the Pharisees, Painted by Jacob Jordaens (1593-1678), Painted circa 1660, Oil on canvas © Sotheby’s Hong Kong, 4 December 2019, lot 23, sold for £212,000 The Pharisees went out and began to plot against Jesus, discussing how to destroy him. Jesus knew this and withdrew from the district. Many followed him and he cured them all, but warned them not to make him known. This was to fulfil the prophecy of Isaiah: Here is my servant whom I have chosen, my beloved, the favourite of my soul. I will endow him with my spirit, and he will proclaim the true faith to the nations. He will not brawl or shout, nor will anyone hear his voice in the streets. He will not break the crushed reed, nor put out the smouldering wick till he has led the truth to victory: in his name the nations will put their hope. READ MORE Reflection on the Painting Our Gospel reading of today starts with the words ‘The Pharisees went out and began to plot against Jesus, discussing how to destroy him’. Yes, Jesus was seen as a very real threat to the authority of the Pharisees. Jesus was fully aware of their plotting which had well and truly started now, and so He decided to disappear from sight for a while… Our painting is by Jacob Jordaens. After Peter Paul Rubens and Anthony van Dyck, he was the leading Flemish Baroque painter of his day. We see Christ depicted among the Pharisees, with the Dove of the Holy Spirit hovering above Him. Jordaens has in fact created an imaginary religious scene rather than illustrating an actual episode from the New Testament.  Jesus’ right hand is pointing upwards towards His Father. His left hand is pointing towards books held open by the Pharisees. Written in Flemish, these books are both of the Old Testament (Isaiah 63 on the left) and New Testament (e.g. the text reads in Flemish ‘we saw him but did not recognise him’; Jordaens humorously depicts a man holding a large pair of glasses, leaning over towards Christ and not recognising Him). The Pharisees are seen reading the New and Old Testaments, the painter wanting to make the point that Jesus did not come to abolish the Law of the Old Testament , but that He is the fulfilment of the Old Testament. We can read further Flemish statements on these books saying ‘Jesus Christ is the truth’, ‘God lives forever’ and ‘I am the Risen One’. Christ, with His one hand on the scriptures and the other pointing upwards, shows He is the only way to salvation… So the Pharisees can conspire all they want and aim to destroy Christ as per our reading today, but ultimately, Christ’s salvation and message of love will conquer all… by Patrick van der Vorst

Top 6 Natural Alternatives To Aspirin

Aspirin is a common over the counter pain reliever used to treat mild to moderate pain caused by toothaches, colds, and headaches. It also has a noticeable anti-inflammatory effect which makes it useful for reducing the swelling seen in arthritis.^[1] Despite its ubiquitous availability, it does have some serious drawbacks. Aspirin has been associated with peptic ulcer formation when taken for prolonged periods or high doses.^[2] This can lead to perforation and can cause internal bleeding when not managed correctly. In some people, it can even be a strong trigger for asthma episodes.^[3] This syndrome is referred to as aspirin-induced asthma. Although rare, there are reports that since Aspirin is also a blood thinner, it can increase the likelihood of a person developing a hemorrhagic stroke.^[4]

If you feel like using aspirin may be too much of a risk to your health, there are natural alternatives available. However, the herbs mentioned in this list are intended to replace aspirin as a pain reliever and not as a blood thinner or antipyretic. As with any medication, it is important to consult your doctor before using herbal medicines. With that being said, here are 6 natural alternatives to aspirin that have been found valuable for pain.

1. Ginger

Ginger is a popular root crop that has been used for centuries as an ingredient in both Asian cuisine and traditional medicine. Fast forward to today, ginger is still used as an herbal analgesic. Researchers from the University of Georgia were able to test how effective ginger was in easing muscle pain. In their study, as little as two grams of raw ginger a day were able to reduce exercise-induced muscle pain by as much as 25 percent.^[5] Add to this the fact that ginger also has anti-ulcer properties not seen in your typical aspirin tablet.^[6]

2. Turmeric

A staple of Chinese and Indian Ayurvedic medicine, turmeric has been used for centuries to treat various ailments ranging from skin disorders to pain. Turmeric has found a place in modern herbalism as a treatment for osteoarthritis. Its principal active component is Curcumin. Curcumin is a potent anti-inflammatory ingredient that works in similar fashion to the drug Celebrex but with a better safety profile.^[7]

3. Clove Oil

Traditionally used for toothaches, clove oil is rich in a compound called eugenol. Eugenol, when used topically, can help numb the area due to its mild anesthetic properties. This is the reason why clove oil is a common ingredient used in tooth drops. However, studies have shown that its anesthetic effect can even rival those seen with the topical anesthetic benzocaine.^[8]

4. Peppermint

When we think about peppermint, we automatically associate it with candied treats and/or tea, but in the field of herbal medicine, peppermint is more than just a menthol flavoring. It has been used successfully in treating the pain associated with tension headaches and has been approved for the topical treatment of muscle and nerve pain.^[9][10]

5. Fenugreek

Fenugreek is a flowering herb with light green leaves used traditionally by those living in the Mediterranean region. When the seeds are powdered and consumed, it is said to have a potent analgesic effect specific to menstrual cramps or dysmenorrhea. This property of Fenugreek was even reported in the Journal of Reproduction and Infertility to improve the other symptoms of dysmenorrhea like fatigue, headache, and nausea without a report of side effects.^[11]

6. Feverfew

Feverfew has long been used as a potent anti-inflammatory both as an herbal medicine and as a skin care ingredient. Due to its calming effects, it has been found to be effective in blocking the inflammation caused by the protein called IkappaB Kinase, which in turn alleviates inflammation and pain.^[12] It is also a popular herbal treatment for migraines since it is considered capable of preventing an episode.^[13]

References:

[1] Aspirin Tablet. http://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-1082-3/aspirin-oral/aspirin-oral/details

[2] Gender differences of low-dose aspirin-associated gastroduodenal ulcer in Japanese patients. (2010).https://www.wjgnet.com/1007-9327/full/v16/i15/1896.htm

[3] Aspirin and Asthma. http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/405963

[4] Can you take aspirin if you regularly take ibuprofen or another nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) for another condition? http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/heart-disease/in-depth/daily-aspirin-therapy/art-20046797?pg=2

[5] Ginger (Zingiber officinale) Reduces Muscle Pain Caused by Eccentric Exercise. (2010). http://www.jpain.org/article/S1526-5900(09)00915-8/fulltext

[6] Gastroprotective Effect of Ginger Rhizome (Zingiber officinale) Extract: Role of Gallic Acid and Cinnamic Acid in H+, K+-ATPase/H. pylori Inhibition and Anti-Oxidative Mechanism. (2011). https://www.hindawi.com/journals/ecam/2011/249487/

[7] Curcumin: a new paradigm and therapeutic opportunity for the treatment of osteoarthritis: curcumin for osteoarthritis management. (2013). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3591524/

[8] The effect of clove and benzocaine versus placebo as topical anesthetics. (2006).https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16530911

[9] Effectiveness of Oleum menthae piperitae and paracetamol in therapy of headache of the tension type. (1996).https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8805113

[10] A Review of the bioactivity and potential health benefits of peppermint tea (Mentha piperita L). (2006).https://www.researchgate.net/publication/7015287_A_Review_of_the_bioactivity_and_potential_health_benefits_of_pep…/

[11] Effects of fenugreek seed on the severity and systemic symptoms of dysmenorrhea. (2014).https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24695380

[12] The anti-inflammatory natural product parthenolide from the medicinal herb Feverfew directly binds to and inhibits IkappaB kinase. (2001). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11514225

[13] Usefulness of nutraceuticals in migraine prophylaxis. (2017). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28527067

http://www.herbs-info.com/blog/top-6-natural-alternatives-to-aspirin/?c=d

Dealing with the Malice of Others

July 18, 2020
Saturday of the Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Readings for Today

Saint Camillus de Lellis, Priest—USA Optional Memorial
(Celebrated July 14 outside the United States)

The Pharisees went out and took counsel against Jesus to put him to death. Matthew 12:14

If you really sit and think about this, it’s shocking, sad and even scandalous.  Here, the religious leaders of the time were actively, intentionally and calculatedly plotting to kill the Savior of the world.  The very One whom they were supposed to be preparing for and hoping for became their object of malice, hatred and ultimate persecution.

It is shocking and, therefore, we should have a deep sorrow at their actions.  But sorrow at their actions does not mean we need to fall into an irrational anger, despair or a mindset of revenge.  Sorrow at the malicious actions of the Pharisees is actually a form of love toward them in that a deep sorrow at their actions is a way of calling them to repent.  

Sure, this happened many years ago and the actual Pharisees who acted in this calculated and malicious way are no longer with us.  Nonetheless, Jesus continues to be persecuted in numerous ways, and sometimes this persecution is even found among those who claim the name Christian and even those who act in leadership within our Church and world.

Practically speaking, we all may be able to identify in some way with the plotting and planning of Jesus’ persecution.  It would be highly unlikely that we experience this malice to the extent that Jesus did, but all of us have most likely experienced it to one extent or another.

Sadly, when we radically commit ourselves to Christ and His mission, we often become a target of the evil one.  And very often, we experience the arrows of the evil one from those who should be our greatest supporters.  Therefore, if this is your experience in some way, do not be scandalized or overly shaken.  It’s appropriate to be saddened by it, but don’t give in to irrationality as a result.  Persecution is a part of following Christ.  It happened to Jesus and we should, therefore, expect it to happen to us.

Reflect, today, upon how you deal with the hurt and malice of others.  You are not the one who is given the right to judge or condemn them.  But you are called to experience the same sorrow that Jesus did.  This sorrow is a holy sorrow which is spoken of in the Beatitudes.  It’s a sorrow which will enable you to reject the errors you encounter and grow in patience and endurance.  

Lord, when I feel ridiculed or persecuted by others, help me to stand strong in my faith and, especially, in my charity.  Help me to allow a holy sorrow to strengthen me to have hope and to move forward in the mission You have given me.  Jesus, I trust in You.

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Condemning the Innocent

Condemning the Innocent July 17, 2020

Friday of the Fifteenth Week of Ordinary Time Father Eugene Gormley, LC Matthew 12: 1-8 Jesus was going through a field of grain on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry and began to pick the heads of grain and eat them. When the Pharisees saw this, they said to him, "See, your disciples are doing what is unlawful to do on the Sabbath." He said to them, "Have you not read what David did when he and his companions were hungry, how he went into the house of God and ate the bread of offering, which neither he nor his companions but only the priests could lawfully eat? Or have you not read in the law that on the Sabbath the priests serving in the temple violate the Sabbath and are innocent? I say to you, something greater than the temple is here. If you knew what this meant, 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice,' you would not have condemned these innocent men. For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath." Introductory Prayer: Almighty and ever-living God, I seek new strength from the courage of Christ our shepherd. I believe in you, I hope in you, and I seek to love you with all my heart, all my soul, all my mind, and all my strength. I want to be led one day to join the saints in heaven, where your Son Jesus Christ lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever. Petition: Help me to make every Sunday a special day for me and my family. Fasting on Sunday? It was the Sabbath, a day of rest. The disciples had had a difficult and busy week, and they were hungry. Jesus allowed them to look for food in the fields. This could have discouraged them, not having a meal waiting for them. But they were accustomed to hardship. They were busy and had much to do. There was little free time. Christ was busy on weekends; his mission didn’t stop. The disciples were united with Jesus, participating in his mission. This made all their sacrifices worthwhile and easier to cope with. When we trust in and unite ourselves with Christ, we can be patient and at peace in the midst of trials. The Confrontation: The Sabbath was established in order for the Jewish people to remember and reflect on their special covenant relationship with God. He had delivered them from slavery and given them rest. The Pharisees, however, focused on “what you can’t do” and failed to see “what you should do.” On Sundays, we should focus more on what we should do in order to worthily receive Christ. Then secondary things will not distract us from what is essential. God has a special relationship with us. He has delivered us from slavery. He continues to love us and asks that we love him and others with all our heart. On Sundays, do I recall my covenant relationship with Our Lord? Am I mindful and grateful for all the good things he has done and continues to do for me? Does God take first place for me on Sundays? Sunday Service: Christ instructed his disciples about his mission. They grew to understand, appreciate and live it. He taught them to participate at the Sabbath service with fervor, but also to be open to any needs others might have, even on the Sabbath. It is lawful to do good any day of the week, especially the Lord’s Day. Christ cured the man with the withered hand on the Sabbath, fed his disciples on the Sabbath, and cured another woman with a bent back on the Sabbath. Charity will inspire us to do good to others even on a Sunday. “Sunday service” and “Service-on-Sunday” go together. Do I ever dedicate my Sundays, or part of them, to bring rest to those who are most in need? What can I do to help the poor and marginalized on that day? How can I instill this spirit of service in my children? Conversation with Christ: You long to share your Word and Body with me at Sunday Mass and at every Mass I can attend during the week. May I always have a hunger for this encounter with your love and friendship. May I serve others with the same charity and love as you serve me. May Sunday be the most important day of the week for me and my family. Resolution: I will organize this coming Sunday to be a day of worship and rest. I will try to do good to someone this Sunday, and I will help someone come back to Sunday Mass attendance.

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I Desire Mercy

July 17, 2020
Friday of the Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Readings for Today

“If you knew what this meant, I desire mercy, not sacrifice, you would not have condemned these innocent men.”  Matthew 12:7

The Apostles of Jesus were hungry and they picked heads of grain as they walk along to satisfy their hunger.  As a result, the Pharisees condemned the Apostles for doing what they claimed was “unlawful” on the Sabbath.  They claimed that picking heads of grain as they walked along was considered “work” and, thus, they violated the law requiring rest on the Sabbath.

Really?  Did the Pharisees seriously think that the Apostles sinned by picking grain as they walked along to satisfy their hunger?  Hopefully it’s not hard for us to see the absurdity and irrationality of this condemnation. The Apostles did nothing wrong but were condemned nonetheless.  They were “innocent men” as Jesus points out.

Jesus responds to the irrationality of the Pharisees by reminding them of the Scripture, “I desire mercy, not sacrifice.”  And He points out that the Apostles were wrongly condemned because the Pharisees do not understand this passage and this command from God for mercy.

The Sabbath commandment to rest was from God.  But the commandment to rest was not a requirement for its own sake.  This was not some legal requirement that somehow honored God just by strictly keeping it.  The Sabbath rest was primarily a gift from God to humanity in that God knew we needed rest and rejuvenation.  He knew we needed time each week to slow down, offer special worship to God and enjoy the company of others.  But the Pharisees turned the Sabbath rest into a burden.  They made it out to be a strict legalistic observance that did nothing to glorify God or refresh the human spirit.  

One key truth we can learn from this passage is that God calls us to interpret His law through the eyes of mercy.  Mercy always refreshes us, lifts us up and fills us with new energy.  It motivates us to worship and fills us with hope.  Mercy does not impose a heavy legalistic burden upon us; rather, God’s mercy and law together rejuvenates us and refreshes us.

Reflect, today, upon how you look at God’s commands and His law.  Do you see it as a legalistic and burdensome requirement?  Or do you see it as a blessing of God’s mercy meant to lighten your load?

Lord, help me to love Your law.  Help me to truly see it in the light of Your mercy and grace.  May I be refreshed by all You command and be lifted up by Your will.  Jesus, I trust in You.

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Laying Down Your Burdens

July 16, 2020
Thursday of the Fifteenth Week of Ordinary Time
Readings for Today

Our Lady of Mount Carmel—Optional Memorial

Jesus said: “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest.”  Matthew 11:28

This invitation from Jesus is one that we may need to hear far more often than we realize.  It’s a gentle invitation to let our Lord lighten our daily burden, relieve our worries, our stress, our concerns and all that weighs us down.  It’s an invitation of love and mercy and is one we should always accept.

What is it that burdens you?  What is it that weighs you down and tempts you to fall into depression, sorrow or even despair?  Is there something that you tend to think about obsessively?  Is there some concern that you can’t seem to shake?  Whatever it is that troubles your heart, Jesus wants to lift it.

Sometimes we can go through life with heavy burdens that we are afraid to let go of.  We can be fearful of coming to Jesus and fearful of letting Him in.  Coming to Jesus means we must face whatever it is that burdens us with honesty and openness and we must face these burdens in the presence of Jesus.  

But the key thing we need to know is that Jesus is gentle, merciful and generous in forgiveness and grace.  He longs to lift our burdens far more than we long to have them lifted.  He sees the oppression many face and so deeply desires to have that oppression eliminated.

Reflect, today, upon that gentle invitation from Jesus: “Come to me.”  Come to Him without fear and without hesitation.  Turn everything over to Him and let Him sort things out.  He loves you more than you know and will set your feet on the right path.

Lord, I do come to You and I do lay down my life and every burden before You.  I give You my life, my hopes, my fears, my past, my future and everything that worries me.  Jesus, I give You everything.  Jesus, I trust in You.

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Being Childlike

July 15, 2020
Wednesday of the Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Readings for Today

Saint Bonaventure, Bishop and Doctor—Memorial

“I give praise to you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to the childlike.”  Matthew 11:25

Life is complicated.  Or is it?  That’s a good question.  At times things can seem very complicated.  Situations we find ourselves in, relationships with family and friends, our future, our past, etc., can all seem burdensome and complicated at times.  But the truth is that it doesn’t have to be.  The truth is that God’s answers to the most “complex” questions in life are often simple enough for a child to understand.

In the passage above, Jesus affirms that the Father reveals His answers and wisdom to those who are childlike.  Interestingly, He also states that the Father has “hidden these things from the wise and learned.”  So this begs the question…is it better to be “wise and learned” or “childlike?”  Obviously the answer is that it’s better to be childlike.

This may seem confusing at first.  It can seem strange to say that it’s not good to be “wise and learned.”  But what that means is that it’s not good to be a person who thinks they have it all figured out.  It’s not good to be arrogant and a know-it-all.  It’s not good to be so filled with pride that we think we have all the answers.

The ideal is to have certain characteristics of a child.  In particular, it’s good to be one who is open, curious, and willing to learn.  It’s good to look at life in the simplest of ways and to stick to the basics.  Sure, it’s good to grow in wisdom and knowledge of the things of God.  But true wisdom and knowledge always maintain a certain innocence and simplicity.  They maintain a basic goodness and acceptance of right and wrong.  Life does not have to be complicated, it needs to become exceptionally simple.

Reflect, today, upon how ready and willing you are to turn to God for the simple and clear answers to life’s most difficult questions.  Reflect upon how willing you are to turn to God in trust and hope knowing that God has all the answers to your life.

Lord, once again I turn to You in trust.  Help me to realize that all wisdom comes from You rather than myself.  Help me to always turn to You as a child would and help my life to remain simple as You desire.  Jesus, I trust in You.

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Knowing the Father and the Son

Knowing the Father and the Son July 15, 2020 Memorial of Saint Bonaventure, Bishop and Doctor of the Church Matthew 11: 25-27 At that time Jesus exclaimed: "I give praise to you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to the childlike. Yes, Father, such has been your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son wishes to reveal him. Introductory Prayer: Almighty and ever-living God, I seek new strength from the courage of Christ our shepherd. I believe in you, I hope in you, and I seek to love you with all my heart, all my soul, all my mind, and all my strength. I want to be led one day to join the saints in heaven, where your Son Jesus Christ lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever. Petition: Jesus, help me to seek you with a sincere heart. Hidden from the Wise: Wisdom, knowledge and understanding comprise three of seven gifts of the Holy Spirit. So, in itself, being wise and learned cannot be an issue. Jesus is here speaking of those whose pride and inflated ego make them wise and learned in their own estimation and for their own purposes. The mysteries of God are thus hidden from them precisely because they have focused their hearts and minds on themselves as the supreme good: "The greater a being is, the more it wants to determine its own life. It wants to be less and less dependent and, thus, more and more itself a kind of god, needing no one else at all. This is how the desire arises to become free of all need, what we call pride" (Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, God and the World, p. 125). In the end, it is they who have closed the door to God since God will never close the door on us. Revealed to the Childlike: Later in this same Gospel, Jesus will reaffirm this basic truth in another way: "Unless you change and become like little children you will never enter the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 18:3). Even as adults we must never cease to be childlike, uncomplicated and duly dependent. Children are not naturally complicated and deceitful. Hiding behind masks and developing subterfuges is a tendency learned with time. Little by little we begin to calculate, use excuses, ration out our generosity, and stray from the simplicity and rectitude of the way God has marked out. We must strive to be sincere with our Lord and sincere with ourselves, seeking to please him above all things. Failure in our lives is due to insincerity, that absence of the total nobility and utmost loyalty needed to fulfill honorably what Our Lord asks of us. Christ, The Revelation of the Father: Knowledge of the Father is the ultimate good man can possess because it corresponds to the deepest longing in the human heart for happiness. St. Thomas Aquinas tells us that happiness lies in knowing that we possess the good we seek. We call the full knowledge of the good possessed "heaven," which is our ultimate goal in life. To whom would Jesus not wish to reveal the Father? Has anyone ever lived for whom Jesus did not desire to know the Father and be in heaven? Jesus' actions – his preaching, his sacrifices and death on the cross – demonstrate that he wants to reveal the Father to everyone. However, he also chooses to need you and me to help him achieve this goal. Do I really desire everyone to know the Father and reach heaven? My actions will answer that question for me. Conversation with Christ: Dear Lord, grant me the grace to possess the wisdom and knowledge that come from union with you while maintaining the childlike dispositions that you ask. Help me to depend on you as a loving child. Mother Most Pure, make my heart only for Jesus. Resolution: Today I will reflectively read Philippians 2:5-11. Our Daily Meditation is also available with audio: CLICK HERE TO START LISTENING! FORWARD TO A FRIEND