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Daily Scriptures: August 27, September 12, 2010 |
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By The Catholic Spirit
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Thursday, 26 August 2010 |
Friday, Aug. 27
Monica
1 Corinthians 1:17-25
Matthew 25:1-13
There are some things no one else can do for you.
Saturday, Aug. 28
Augustine, bishop and doctor of the church
1 Corinthians 1:26-31
Matthew 25:14-30
Holding something or someone too tightly causes suffering.
Sunday, Aug. 29
22nd Sunday in ordinary time
Sirach 3:17-18, 20, 28-29
Hebrews 12:18-19, 22-24a
Luke 14:1, 7-14
“My child, conduct your affairs with humility, and you will be loved more than a giver of gifts.” — Sirach 3:17
An elderly gentleman with a twinkle in his eye and a kind heart was among the people I attended daily Eucharist with for many years. Although he held some strong beliefs and we were on opposite ends of the political spectrum, he was never arrogant or mean-spirited when the conversation turned to politics. When he died last year, I realized how much I would miss his presence at daily Mass. In our best moments, we remember that none of us has the final answers and that what unites us is far greater than the issues that divide us.
Monday, Aug. 30
1 Corinthians 2:1-5
Luke 4:16-30
We are always in danger of resisting a truth that would liberate our hearts and minds.
Tuesday, Aug. 31
1 Corinthians 2:10b-16
Luke 4:31-37
Divine love is stronger than any evil we might encounter.
Wednesday, Sept. 1
1 Corinthians 3:1-9
Luke 4:38-44
Imagine the love, light and power of Christ transforming each person the Holy Spirit brings to your mind.
Thursday, Sept. 2
1 Corinthians 3:18-23
Luke 5:1-11
Is there something you are trying to do on your own power rather than relying on the power of God to work through you?
Friday, Sept. 3
Gregory the Great, pope and doctor of the church
1 Corinthians 4:1-5
Luke 5:33-39
Notice how you react to change.
Saturday, Sept. 4
1 Corinthians 4:6b-15
Luke 6:1-5
When we are motivated by fear, we cannot see situations through the compassion and mercy of God.
Sunday, Sept. 5
23rd Sunday in ordinary time
Wisdom 9:13-18b
Philemon 9-10, 12-17
Luke 14:25-33
“Which of you, wishing to construct a tower, does not first sit down and calculate the cost to see if there is enough for its completion?” — Luke 14:28
The truth is, when we are young, we don’t really know the cost of remaining faithful to Christ. Along the way, we will have to surrender our egos’ desire to be right, to never make a mistake and to be successful no matter what the cost. We will also become deeply aware of our own light and darkness, and, like Peter, we will fail. Only then will we begin to understand the meaning of unconditional love.
Monday, Sept. 6
Labor Day
1 Corinthians 5:1-8
Luke 6:6-11
We can always think of seemingly justifiable reasons to put limits on compassion and kindness.
Tuesday, Sept. 7
1 Corinthians 6:1-11
Luke 6:12-19
Before you make an important choice, spend some time apart, quieting your heart and mind.
Wednesday, Sept. 8
Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Micah 5:1-4a
Matthew 1:1-16, 18-23
Through all the unanticipated twists and turns of life, we recall that God’s purposes are achieved in the most unexpected ways.
Thursday, Sept. 9
Peter Claver, priest
1 Corinthians 8:1b-7, 11-13
Luke 6:27-38
It is only by relying on the power of God working through us that we can truly forgive from our heart.
Friday, Sept. 10
1 Corinthians 9:16-19, 22b-27
Luke 6:39-42
Without condemnation, notice what bothers you about someone else and pray for the freedom to recognize it in yourself.
Saturday, Sept. 11
1 Corinthians 10:14-22
Luke 6:43-49
We will never regret taking the time to examine our own heart and mind before speaking.
Sunday, Sept. 12
24th Sunday in ordinary time
Exodus 32:7-11, 13-14
1 Timothy 1:12-17
Luke 15:1-32
“So he got up and went back to his father.” — Luke 15:20
Most of us have heard stories of a parent who rejected a son or daughter after he or she made a choice they objected to as immoral. Sadly, sometimes the estrangement lasts a lifetime and causes heartbreak for all. Today’s story of the prodigal son tells a different tale. After completely blowing it, the son apparently believes in his father’s generosity enough to admit his error and return home. Do we only approach God when we feel good about ourselves and have it all together, or are we like that youngest son and trust that we will always be welcomed home?
The daily reflections are written by Terri Mifek, a member of St. Edward in Bloomington and a certified spiritual director at the Franciscan Retreat House in Prior Lake.
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