“There is not a single instant in our life in which we cannot set out on a new course.” (St. Charles de Foucauld)
Speaking of the rebellion of the Israelites in the desert, Scripture offers the exhortation: “O that today you would hearken to his voice! Harden not your hearts” (Ps 95:7c–8a).
Mt 10:1-7
‘Jesus summoned his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits with power to drive them out and to cure all kinds of disease and all kinds of illness. These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon who is known as Peter, and his brother Andrew; James the son of Zebedee, and his brother John; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who was also his betrayer. These twelve Jesus sent out, instructing them as follows: ‘Do not make your way to gentile territory, and do not enter any Samaritan town; go instead to the lost sheep of the House of Israel. And as you go, proclaim that the kingdom of Heaven is close at hand.’
Mt 9:32-38
They had only just left when suddenly a man was brought to him, a dumb demoniac. And when the devil was driven out, the dumb man spoke and the people were amazed and said, ‘Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel.’ But the Pharisees said, ‘It is through the prince of devils that he drives out devils. ‘Jesus made a tour through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and curing all kinds of disease and all kinds of illness. And when he saw the crowds he felt sorry for them because they were harassed and dejected, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is rich but the labourers are few, so ask the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers to his harvest.’ Read More
“I rejoice in the fact that God is God.” (Saint Charles de Foucauld)
With all our hearts, we can make the words of Saint Charles de Foucauld our own: “How good it is that God is God!” This realization can well up from the depths of our hearts as constant praise. Already in the Old Testament, King David exclaims: “I am in great distress; let me fall into the hand of the Lord, for his mercy is very great; but let me not fall into the hand of man.” (1 Chr 21:13).
Mt 9:18-26
‘While Jesus was speaking to them, suddenly one of the officials came up, who bowed low in front of him and said, ‘My daughter has just died, but come and lay your hand on her and her life will be saved.’ Jesus rose and, with his disciples, followed him. Then suddenly from behind him came a woman, who had been suffering from a haemorrhage for twelve years, and she touched the fringe of his cloak, for she was thinking, ‘If only I can touch his cloak I shall be saved.’ Jesus turned round and saw her; and he said to her, ‘Courage, my daughter, your faith has saved you.’ And from that moment the woman was saved. When Jesus reached the official’s house and saw the flute-players, with the crowd making a commotion, he said, ‘Get out of here; the little girl is not dead; she is asleep.’ And they ridiculed him. But when the people had been turned out he went inside and took her by the hand; and she stood up. And the news of this spread all round the countryside.’
“God says: ‘I am Father, husband, family, food, clothing, root, foundation… everything you want, I am for you! I will also be your servant, for I did not come to be served, but to serve. I am also your friend, member, head, brother, sister, and mother; I am everything. You only need to trust in me.’” (St. John Chrysostom) Read More
“Fortune and misfortune are to the brave as the right hand and the left hand: he makes the most of both” (St. Catherine of Siena).
Gal 6:14-18
But as for me, it is out of the question that I should boast at all, except of the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. It is not being circumcised or uncircumcised that matters; but what matters is a new creation. Peace and mercy to all who follow this as their rule and to the Israel of God. After this, let no one trouble me; I carry branded on my body the marks of Jesus. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, my brothers. Amen.
St. Paul speaks to us today of the Cross of the Lord and affirms that he does not want to glory except in it. He also speaks of the “new creation” that is engendered in the Cross…
“With everlasting love God has loved us. Therefore, being lifted up above the earth, He has drawn us to His heart, having compassion on us” (Lauds Antiphon of the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus).
It is not so easy for us to imagine eternal love because, as human beings, we are so limited. However, there are moments in life that we wish would never end. This can happen to people in love or when God touches us deeply in prayer, making the passage of time seem unimportant. In those moments, the soul says, “I want to stay here forever. I am not looking for anything else.”
Gen 27:1-5,15-29
When Isaac had grown old, and his eyes were so weak that he could no longer see, he summoned his elder son Esau. ‘Son!’ he said, and Esau replied, ‘Here I am.’ He then said, ‘Look, I am old and do not know when I may die. Now take your weapons, your quiver and bow; go out into the country and hunt me some game. Make me the kind of appetising dish I like and bring it to me to eat and I shall give you my special blessing before I die.’ Rebekah was listening while Isaac was talking to his son Esau. So when Esau went into the country to hunt game for his father, Rebekah took her elder son Esau’s best clothes, which she had at home, and dressed her younger son Jacob in them, covering his arms and the smooth part of his neck with the skins of the kids.
