Saturday - 8th Week in Ordinary Time [I] - June 1

Saturday of the Eighth Week in Ordinary Time [I]

Sirach 51:12-20  +  Psalm 19  +  Mark 11:27-33

June 1, 2013

               Today concludes our hearing from the book of Sirach at weekday Mass.  Sirach is a long (51 chapters) mediation on the seeker’s relationship with Wisdom, whom Sirach personifies in feminine terms.

The Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

The Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Zephaniah 3:14-18  +  Isaiah 12  +  Luke 1:39-56

May 31, 2013

                                

“When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the infant leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, cried out in a loud voice....”  [Luke 1:41-42]

               Catholic art is beautiful because it focuses on persons:  the three Divine Persons, and human persons as well.  In Catholic art portraying today’s feast—the Visitation of Our Blessed Mother—there are four persons shown to the eye of the viewer.  Of course, two of them have to be shown indirectly because they are unborn children:  St. John the Baptizer in the womb of Elizabeth, and Our Lord in the womb of the Blessed Virgin.  Sometimes these two unborn children are portrayed by something akin to halos shining, indicating the grace that dwells within these women through their openness to human life and divine life.

Thursday - 8th Week in Ordinary Time [I] - May 30

Thursday of the Eighth Week in Ordinary Time [I]

Sirach 42:15-25  +  Psalm 33  +  Mark 10:46-52

May 30, 2013

“At God’s word were his works brought into being; they do his will as he has ordained for them.”  [Sirach 42:15]

               The Wisdom literature of the Old Testament covers a wide range of themes.  These seven books range from counsel about practical human decisions to reflection on the very Mind of God.  Today’s First Reading offers the latter.

Wednesday - 8th Week in Ordinary Time [I] - May 29

Wednesday of the Eighth Week in Ordinary Time [I]

Sirach 36:1,4-5,10-17  +  Psalm 79  +  Mark 10:32-45

May 29, 2013

“Jesus said to them, ‘You do not know what you are asking.’”  [Mark 10:38]

               Throughout the course of the four accounts of the Gospel, most of the apostles take turns appearing quite clueless.  Today the cluelessness of James and John (the Beloved Disciple!) is on display.

Tuesday - 8th Week in Ordinary Time [I] - May 28

Tuesday of the Eighth Week in Ordinary Time [I]

Sirach 35:1-12  +  Psalm 50  +  Mark 10:28-31

May 28, 2013

“For the Lord is one who always repays, and he will give back to you sevenfold.”  [Mark 10:23]

               Most stock brokers would probably love to make a 700% return on each of their investments.  A portfolio manager who could guarantee such returns would have his phone ringing off the hook with prospective clients!