May 25, 2024 - Sat. of 7th Week in Ord. Time (Opt. Mem. of St. Bede or St. Gregory VII or St. Mary Magdalene de Pazzi)
May your prayer for other move you to care more for them, and to seek GOD’s touching of others’ lives.
Intercessory prayer is a key aspect of the life of a disciple of Jesus. I have found that my time in prayer for others moves me to action. If I pray for an individual or a group, I am more willing to reach out to them and see what I can do to assist them in whatever way possible. My prayer for those who have hurt me pushes me to seek reconciliation. My prayer leads to action and my action is a prayer. I realize that I can’t do everything, but my caring for others opens the door so that others may experience the healing that comes from GOD. I care, GOD cures. Thus, my prayer unites me with others and with GOD and also unites others with GOD.
May your prayer for other move you to care more for them, and to seek GOD’s touching of others’ lives.
Intercessory prayer is a key aspect of the life of a disciple of Jesus. I have found that my time in prayer for others moves me to action. If I pray for an individual or a group, I am more willing to reach out to them and see what I can do to assist them in whatever way possible. My prayer for those who have hurt me pushes me to seek reconciliation. My prayer leads to action and my action is a prayer. I realize that I can’t do everything, but my caring for others opens the door so that others may experience the healing that comes from GOD. I care, GOD cures. Thus, my prayer unites me with others and with GOD and also unites others with GOD.
Readings can be obtained from: http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/052524.cfm
Saint Bede the Venerable:
https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-bede-the-venerable/
Saint Gregory VII: https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-gregory-vii/
St. Mary Magdalene de Pazzi:
https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-mary-magdalene-de-pazzi/
Readings: James 5: 13-20; Psalm 141: 1-2, 3, 8; Mark 10: 13-16
We are asked (actually, commanded) to care – care for those who are having problems, care for those who are doing well, care for the sick, care for those who have gone astray. Caring means treating them with as much love and attention as we show to young children who have a simple, but profound trust in us. It demands that we do all we can to help others to experience the love of GOD, no matter what the circumstances or the cost to ourselves.
In the letter from St. James, the author mentions that all of us must be prayerful people. We must pray when we are going through rough times. We must pray when things are going well. We must pray for others when they are ill. We are all challenged to be powerful “pray-ers” (people who pray). And our prayers will be heard, just as the prayer of Elijah, the prophet (1 Kings 17: 1, 18: 45). Prayer is much more than reciting words. Prayer is our relationship with GOD and flowing out of that relationship is the concern we show for others. It means taking action in the best interest of others. St. James gives the example of someone who has gone astray from the truth. We are called not just to recite some holy words, but to do what we can to bring the one who has strayed back to the truth. So also, when someone is sick, we are not just to babble on with sacred words, we should care for them and anoint them and do all we can so that GOD, the Cure-giver, can work in their lives. We are also reminded that we must confess our sins, admit when we do wrong, and seek reconciliation, not just with GOD but with others, who can then pray for, and accept, our efforts of reconciliation.
The psalm speaks of the power and effectiveness of prayer. When we lift our prayers to the LORD GOD, GOD hears them and responds to our concerns.
In the Gospel, Jesus also speaks about our need to care. He first gives an example of care by reaching out and caringly touching the children who have come to Him, even though the disciples are trying to prevent the children from coming to Jesus, because they do want Jesus to be burdened by the children. Jesus remarks that the children should come to Him. All are called to the Lord Jesus. And we must accept and care for all people, not just those who are our peers and/or closest friends. Jesus places a child in front of His disciples and remarks that the Reign of GOD belongs to those who are like children.
What this brings to mind for me is the simple faith children have in those who care for them. Children are not overly occupied by thoughts of grandeur, but they enjoy the simple things of life. I remember when the kids in our family (including myself) were small. They often enjoyed more playing with the boxes in which the toys came than with the toys themselves. If children sense they are loved, they have no worries or problems. Children also have the capability to be totally absorbed by what they are doing. They don’t think about, or worry about, anything as long as they are focused on the thing at hand. We adult have “learned” to worry. We let all sorts of things take power over us. We don’t trust others and sometimes we don’t even trust GOD.
The readings together are a challenge to me to care. I am to care for others. Caring means praying for others – that is not only lifting up words to GOD, but also being willing to put my prayers into actions for the sake of others. Both prayer and caring speak of being in relationship with others and with GOD. The more I am aware of my relationship with GOD, the more I can bring the GOD of my relationship to others and also bring others into my relationship with GOD. It means that I will center my attention on what is happening right now – my relationship with GOD and my relationship with those around me. I will try to bring the two relationships together. I will do all I can, and then let GOD do the rest. I will care with all I have, and let GOD do the curing.
Blessed are You LORD GOD, ever caring, always loving. Through Your GOoDness, You ask us to be involved in the lives of others through our active prayer life. You invite us to not only lift up others and their needs when we are in prayerful relationship with You, but also to do what we can through our words and deeds to help others experience Your healing and comforting presence in their lives. We are called to be actively caring for others and help them know that they are loved not only by us, but also, and more importantly, by You. It is when they are in touch with You, sometimes through our service to them, that You can reach out Your loving and healing hands and touch their lives, just as Your Son, Jesus, did with the little children who came to Him. Through the power of Your Holy Spirit, fill us with strength and courage and words of wisdom so that we can be prayerfully active in the lives of others. Help us to have the simple, all consuming, enthusiastic faith of little children in their love for their parents. Let us have the same confidence in Your infinite loving and curing power as children have in their mothers and fathers. We ask this as Your sons and daughters, united with our Brother, Jesus, Who is the example of ultimate trust in You, His Abba, You Who happen to be GOD. We pray in His Name for He is living and reigning with You and the Holy Spirit, our one and only GOD, for ever and ever. Amen.
Song of the Day: God of the Hungry by Scott Soper: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJ0c83c2Vt4
Take Care: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ND7Bh8NyVmo
Pray, Pray, Pray: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=38LefoyUQSk
Video of the Day: St Bede: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YfJa-fwB02I&t=9s
Pope St. Gregory VII: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5B9Z1v-mEAA
St. Mary Magdalene de Pazzi: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TsdqSGbTr1g
© rjk, 12-16-22
Saint Bede the Venerable:
https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-bede-the-venerable/
Saint Gregory VII: https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-gregory-vii/
St. Mary Magdalene de Pazzi:
https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-mary-magdalene-de-pazzi/
Readings: James 5: 13-20; Psalm 141: 1-2, 3, 8; Mark 10: 13-16
We are asked (actually, commanded) to care – care for those who are having problems, care for those who are doing well, care for the sick, care for those who have gone astray. Caring means treating them with as much love and attention as we show to young children who have a simple, but profound trust in us. It demands that we do all we can to help others to experience the love of GOD, no matter what the circumstances or the cost to ourselves.
In the letter from St. James, the author mentions that all of us must be prayerful people. We must pray when we are going through rough times. We must pray when things are going well. We must pray for others when they are ill. We are all challenged to be powerful “pray-ers” (people who pray). And our prayers will be heard, just as the prayer of Elijah, the prophet (1 Kings 17: 1, 18: 45). Prayer is much more than reciting words. Prayer is our relationship with GOD and flowing out of that relationship is the concern we show for others. It means taking action in the best interest of others. St. James gives the example of someone who has gone astray from the truth. We are called not just to recite some holy words, but to do what we can to bring the one who has strayed back to the truth. So also, when someone is sick, we are not just to babble on with sacred words, we should care for them and anoint them and do all we can so that GOD, the Cure-giver, can work in their lives. We are also reminded that we must confess our sins, admit when we do wrong, and seek reconciliation, not just with GOD but with others, who can then pray for, and accept, our efforts of reconciliation.
The psalm speaks of the power and effectiveness of prayer. When we lift our prayers to the LORD GOD, GOD hears them and responds to our concerns.
In the Gospel, Jesus also speaks about our need to care. He first gives an example of care by reaching out and caringly touching the children who have come to Him, even though the disciples are trying to prevent the children from coming to Jesus, because they do want Jesus to be burdened by the children. Jesus remarks that the children should come to Him. All are called to the Lord Jesus. And we must accept and care for all people, not just those who are our peers and/or closest friends. Jesus places a child in front of His disciples and remarks that the Reign of GOD belongs to those who are like children.
What this brings to mind for me is the simple faith children have in those who care for them. Children are not overly occupied by thoughts of grandeur, but they enjoy the simple things of life. I remember when the kids in our family (including myself) were small. They often enjoyed more playing with the boxes in which the toys came than with the toys themselves. If children sense they are loved, they have no worries or problems. Children also have the capability to be totally absorbed by what they are doing. They don’t think about, or worry about, anything as long as they are focused on the thing at hand. We adult have “learned” to worry. We let all sorts of things take power over us. We don’t trust others and sometimes we don’t even trust GOD.
The readings together are a challenge to me to care. I am to care for others. Caring means praying for others – that is not only lifting up words to GOD, but also being willing to put my prayers into actions for the sake of others. Both prayer and caring speak of being in relationship with others and with GOD. The more I am aware of my relationship with GOD, the more I can bring the GOD of my relationship to others and also bring others into my relationship with GOD. It means that I will center my attention on what is happening right now – my relationship with GOD and my relationship with those around me. I will try to bring the two relationships together. I will do all I can, and then let GOD do the rest. I will care with all I have, and let GOD do the curing.
- The personal question/action for today: When I turn to the Lord Jesus in prayer, what is my experience? Do I see my prayer flowing from my life towards my relationship with Jesus and from my relationship with GOD flowing towards the people in my life? How can I more effectively put my prayer into action as I deal with the people I meet today? This weekend?
Blessed are You LORD GOD, ever caring, always loving. Through Your GOoDness, You ask us to be involved in the lives of others through our active prayer life. You invite us to not only lift up others and their needs when we are in prayerful relationship with You, but also to do what we can through our words and deeds to help others experience Your healing and comforting presence in their lives. We are called to be actively caring for others and help them know that they are loved not only by us, but also, and more importantly, by You. It is when they are in touch with You, sometimes through our service to them, that You can reach out Your loving and healing hands and touch their lives, just as Your Son, Jesus, did with the little children who came to Him. Through the power of Your Holy Spirit, fill us with strength and courage and words of wisdom so that we can be prayerfully active in the lives of others. Help us to have the simple, all consuming, enthusiastic faith of little children in their love for their parents. Let us have the same confidence in Your infinite loving and curing power as children have in their mothers and fathers. We ask this as Your sons and daughters, united with our Brother, Jesus, Who is the example of ultimate trust in You, His Abba, You Who happen to be GOD. We pray in His Name for He is living and reigning with You and the Holy Spirit, our one and only GOD, for ever and ever. Amen.
Song of the Day: God of the Hungry by Scott Soper: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJ0c83c2Vt4
Take Care: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ND7Bh8NyVmo
Pray, Pray, Pray: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=38LefoyUQSk
Video of the Day: St Bede: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YfJa-fwB02I&t=9s
Pope St. Gregory VII: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5B9Z1v-mEAA
St. Mary Magdalene de Pazzi: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TsdqSGbTr1g
© rjk, 12-16-22