Catholic Caucus: Daily Mass Readings, 10-22-13

USCCB.org/RNAB ^ | 10-22-13 | Revised New American Bible

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OCTOBER 22, 2013

Tuesday of the Twenty-ninth Week in Ordinary Time

READING 1 ROM 5:12, 15B, 17-19, 20B-21 Brothers and sisters: Through one man sin entered the world, and through sin, death, and thus death came to all men, inasmuch as all sinned.

If by that one person’s transgression the many died, how much more did the grace of God and the gracious gift of the one man Jesus Christ overflow for the many. For if, by the transgression of the one, death came to reign through that one, how much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the gift of justification come to reign in life through the one Jesus Christ. In conclusion, just as through one transgression condemnation came upon all, so, through one righteous act acquittal and life came to all. For just as through the disobedience of one man the many were made sinners, so, through the obedience of the one the many will be made righteous. Where sin increased, grace overflowed all the more, so that, as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through justification for eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM PS 40:7-8A, 8B-9, 10, 17 R. (8a and 9a) Here I am, Lord; I come to do your will. Sacrifice or oblation you wished not, but ears open to obedience you gave me. Burnt offerings or sin offerings you sought not; then said I, “Behold I come.” R. Here I am, Lord; I come to do your will. “In the written scroll it is prescribed for me, To do your will, O my God, is my delight, and your law is within my heart!” R. Here I am, Lord; I come to do your will. I announced your justice in the vast assembly; I did not restrain my lips, as you, O LORD, know. R. Here I am, Lord; I come to do your will. May all who seek you exult and be glad in you, And may those who love your salvation say ever, “The LORD be glorified.” R. Here I am, Lord; I come to do your will.

GOSPEL LK 12:35-38 Jesus said to his disciples: “Gird your loins and light your lamps and be like servants who await their master’s return from a wedding, ready to open immediately when he comes and knocks. Blessed are those servants whom the master finds vigilant on his arrival. Amen, I say to you, he will gird himself, have them recline at table, and proceed to wait on them. And should he come in the second or third watch and find them prepared in this way, blessed are those servants.”

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Thanks for the thoughts and prayers.

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http://wau.org/meditations/current/

Meditation: Luke 12:35-38

29th Week in Ordinary Time

… ready to open immediately when he comes and knocks. (Luke 12:36)

Are you ready? 

The question arises at every important transition. Are you ready? To go to college? To start a new job? To welcome a baby? To retire? Facing this question, we may list all the preparations we’ve made and in the hope that we’ll be able to handle the future that lies before us. 

But there are always surprises, both pleasant and unpleasant. Nothing can prepare first-time parents for the all-encompassing effects of sleep deprivation or for the overwhelming love that floods them when they gaze at their newborn. The best advice you could ever receive about preparing for parenting is this: “Expect the unexpected.” That way, you won’t be disappointed!

A similar thing happens to the servants in today’s Gospel reading. They gird their loins. They light their lamps and listen for their master’s knock. They keep dinner warm, and they’re ready to hang up his cloak and wash his feet when he does arrive. They’re expecting the expected, all set to serve their master as they have always done.

Then comes the surprise. When they hear that knock and hurry to open the door, the master commends them for being ready. Then he tells them to sit down at the table. “Tonight I’m going to wait on you!”

So how will the Master surprise you today?

Yes, do all you can to be ready to carry out your responsibilities today. Do everything possible to make sure you are obeying God’s commands and loving other people as he has loved you. But at the same time, be sure to hold your heart in readiness. God is full of surprises! He may give you an unexpected token of his love. He may fill you with the inspiration to do something you don’t usually do, like share your faith. He may call your attention to one of his children who needs your comfort, your correction, or your prayer.

Don’t limit what God can do for you, in you, and through you. Life with him is full of surprises!

“Lord Jesus, I want to be ready to welcome you, however you choose to knock on my door today.”

Romans 5:12, 15, 17-21; Psalm 40:7-10, 17

[Salvation]

Marriage = One Man and One WomanTil' Death Do Us Part

Daily Marriage Tip for October 22, 2013:

Today is the feast of Pope John Paul II, who challenged families to “become what they are.” What hopes do you have for your family? Do you have a vision for your family?

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Regnum Christi

It’s So Hard to Get Good Help

| SPIRITUAL LIFE | SPIRITUALITY

Wednesday of the Twenty-Ninth Week in Ordinary Time

Father Steven Reilly, LC

 

Luke 12:39-48

Jesus said to his disciples: "Be sure of this: if the master of the house had known the hour when the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. You also must be prepared, for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come." Then Peter said, "Lord, is this parable meant for us or for everyone?" And the Lord replied, "Who, then, is the faithful and prudent steward whom the master will put in charge of his servants to distribute the food allowance at the proper time? Blessed is that servant whom his master on arrival finds doing so. Truly, I say to you, he will put him in charge of all his property. But if that servant says to himself, ´My master is delayed in coming,´ and begins to beat the menservants and the maidservants, to eat and drink and get drunk, then that servant´s master will come on an unexpected day and at an unknown hour and will punish him severely and assign him a place with the unfaithful. That servant who knew his master´s will but did not make preparations nor act in accord with his will shall be beaten severely; and the servant who was ignorant of his master´s will but acted in a way deserving of a severe beating shall be beaten only lightly. Much will be required of the person entrusted with much, and still more will be demanded of the person entrusted with more."

Introductory Prayer: Lord Jesus, my Creator and Redeemer, everything good comes from you. You are the one source of peace and happiness. Thank you for bringing me into existence and insuring I received the inestimable gift of the faith. Thank you for accompanying me in every moment. I am grateful for your mercy and love and wish to respond more generously to you in my life.

Petition: Lord, help me to be a faithful and prudent steward.

1. Wanted: Faithful and Prudent Stewards: Anyone who has had a management position knows that one of the riskiest parts of the job is hiring. Very often, it can seem like rolling dice, especially when there is a conflict between what’s read in the resume and what’s felt in the gut. Nevertheless, to make a good hire, you need to have a clear idea of what you want. The Lord has a simple job description for the stewards he is looking to bring on. They must be faithful and prudent. In being faithful, they don’t seek to impose their own vision or desires over his, but rather serve the Master who has given them their commission. Their will is such that they are confident in assimilating the desires of their master. They are able to perceive how to adjust and adapt to the multitude of circumstances that arises. These stewards are constantly applying the old wristband test, “WWJD,” i.e., What Would Jesus Do?

2. Tasting One’s Own Medicine: Having been “hired” by the master, it would be foolish not to expect to be held accountable for the trust that he bestows. Nevertheless, the irresponsible steward indulges his appetites and abuses his authority. The master’s “delay” gives him a false sense of security. Without the natural brake of his master’s watchful eye, his pride gets out of control. Yet the master is bound to return, and the servant eventually experiences the results of his own arrogance: the taste of his own medicine is bitter indeed. The Lord is inviting us to have a greater awareness of his constant presence. His absence and “delay” are only apparent. He is very much present to those who wish to live their God-given charge with integrity and responsibility. His grace is always available to those who live their lives in his presence.

3. Management Styles: The two types of stewards have very different management styles. One beats the servants; the other “distributes the food allowance at the proper time.” We all want to be counted among those faithful and prudent stewards who take good care of those entrusted to us. Yet at times, the responsibility we have seems more burdensome than desirable. While the bad steward indulges his passions, the good steward is in danger of giving into his fatigue and impatience. Frustration is a distinct possibility when it comes to forming others. If the Lord died such a cruel death for our salvation, who can measure the value of a single soul? By contemplating that example, we need to learn to put aside our petty annoyances and instead be faithful in caring for those entrusted to us.

Conversation with Christ: Lord Jesus, you have given me such great responsibility. I am sorry for the times I have offended you, and for when I have not lived up to the trust you have bestowed on me. I promise you that I will strive to reflect your love for those to whom you have entrusted to my care.

Resolution: When my patience is tested, I will pause and ask myself, “How does the Lord want me to handle this situation?”

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One Bread, One Body

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St. John of Capistrano

Romans 6:12-18
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Psalm 124:1-8

Luke 12:39-48
Similar Reflections

SLAVE TRADE

"You must realize that, when you offer yourselves to someone as obedient slaves, you are the slaves of the one you obey, whether yours is the slavery of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to justice." —Romans 6:16

In the movie A.D., a woman who is a household slave is bought at the slave trade. When her new owner brings his purchased slave home, he removes her handcuffs, sets her free, and turns her over to his son, with whom she has fallen in love, to be his bride. This scene resembles what happens to everyone who comes to accept Jesus as Lord, Savior, and God. We are set free from the hard slavery of sin. Sin is a brutal slave-master, showing us no mercy. At the end of a lifetime of serving slave-master sin, our hard-earned wages are "death" (Rm 6:23). "Sin is a demon lurking at the door" (Gn 4:7), yet in Jesus "you can be [its] master."

By contrast, obedient and faithful slavery to Jesus Christ is a completely different sort of slavery. Yes, Lord Jesus demands and requires much of us, His slaves (Lk 12:48). Yet His is a slavery of love. In fact, Jesus no longer calls us slaves; rather, He calls us friends! (Jn 15:15) In Jesus, we are no longer slaves; we are sons and daughters of God! (Gal 4:7)

Trade sin-slavery for a life of loving slavery to Jesus. "Be slaves of Christ the Lord" (Col 3:24). "It was for liberty that Christ freed us" from the yoke of slavery to sin, "so stand firm, and do not take on yourselves the yoke of slavery" to sin "a second time!" (Gal 5:1) Rather, take on the yoke of slavery to Jesus, the Lord of love. His yoke is easy and His burden is light (Mt 11:30).

Prayer: Father, I offer my body to You as a weapon for justice (Rm 6:13).

Promise: "Sin will no longer have power over you; you are now under grace, not under the law." —Rm 6:14

Praise: St. John, having a reason for hope, was known for his cheerfulness as he preached untiringly to strengthen others and fight heresy.

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