Catholic Caucus: Daily Mass Readings, 06-20-12

USCCB.org/RNAB ^ | 06-20-12 | Revised New American Bible

[Salvation]

For God?

• Homily of the Day
• June 20th, 2012
• Food For Thought

First Reading: 2 Kgs 2:1, 6-14

Psalm: Ps 31:20, 21, 24

Gospel: Mt 6:1-6, 16-18

The Gospel is as plain as can be. We needn’t feature ourselves devoutly going to daily Mass and praying long hours, advertise our donations to this and that charity, talk about our good deeds to attract everyone’s attention. The key word is secret, with only the Father knowing what nice things we do. Anonymous donations are best and so is praying in the privacy of our rooms, with only our children learning the good example of their parents’ devotion.

It is quite a tempting thing to be praised for our prayer and charity. But we should constantly check ourselves if what we do is for God or for ourselves. If we pass this test, we needn’t ever worry how far beyond the thin line between documentation and outright display of our goodness we have done.

[Salvation]

One Bread, One Body

One Bread, One Body

 

<< Wednesday, June 20, 2012 >>

Saint of the Day

2 Kings 2:1, 6-14
View Readings

Psalm 31:20-21, 24

Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18

RELAY RACE

"He picked up Elijah's mantle." —2 Kings 2:13

Elijah passed on his mission, ministry, and power to Elisha. Do you have a mission to pass on? Do you know your mission? If you are doing something of long-term significance for the Lord, you need to disciple others to carry on that mission. In this way, the Church will grow and be built up as an ever more effective instrument of establishing God's kingdom on earth.

To build the Church and to leave behind us a great spiritual legacy, we must:

1. be doing something of long-term significance, that is, doing God's will for our lives,
2. seek God's will about those He has chosen to carry on the mission after we leave this earth,
3. specifically call these people to become our disciples and thereby disciples of Jesus (1 Kgs 19:19ff), and
4. pray with others in the Christian community for those who have accepted our call. Pray that they receive a "double portion" of the Spirit (see 2 Kgs 2:9).

If we do these simple things, we will see our children and grandchildren totally committed to the Lord. Parishes will be filled with worshipping, evangelizing Christians; seminaries and convents will be repopulated with faith-filled future priests, brothers, sisters, and deacons. New parish churches will be built, and old parishes will be expanded rather than closed. Make disciples (Mt 28:19) for now and the future.

Prayer: Father, may much of my work be continuing when Jesus returns.

Promise: "In that way no one can see you are fasting but your Father Who is hidden; and your Father Who sees what is hidden will repay you." —Mt 6:18

Praise: Jesus healed Rhonda, a young girl with a bleeding ulcer, through the reception of the Eucharist, and through the prayers of those who brought Holy Communion to her home.

[Salvation]

 

Pray for an end to the Culture of Death in America!