Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Companions: Let us pray for all who have gone before us: Tom's brother, Pat Duggan, died on the 18th, and for all who struggle with illness: my sister, Judi, is in the hospital; but we have good news that Dan's treatments have been successful thus far and the transplant is planned for July 8th (please continue to pray for Dan and Karen).  Let's pray for the poor as we work to understand the dynamics of poverty and work to do good work.  And pray for all our intentions either listed here or floating in cyberspace!  

Birthdays: Christine (Lay) Parise (6/30),  Randy Lumpp (6/30),  Allyson Morris (7/1)

Keeping-in-touch: We've kept busy and cool as the summer heats-up.  We'll camp with the Lincoln grand children, their parents and our small church community this weekend.  Then we'll return to finish-up classes, promote the C4C Denver Event, and plan for Fall Courses.  I've begun building a course (for blended, online and in person, adult education on "Poverty in America" and received some good input from my friend, Dave Larson; this is a complex issue and we need to dialogue and examine assumptions... like so many things.  Maybe some of you who read this blog once-in-a-while would like to join in the creation and participation of this effort!?!

The Readings: Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Comments on the readings: Fr. Foley:  "Jesus is saying that Christianity (and Catholicism) are challenges, not just warm blankets. Jesus values God more than safe sleep, than family funerals, even more than courtesy to family and friends."
My Comments: As Fr. Foley comments: Jesus gives us some hard, difficult challenges in this reading.  We really can't "look back" if that takes us away from living the life given to us to participate in the Kingdom of God!  Also, the second reading presents a challenge that is sometimes hidden: have we really accepted God's love for us and thus develop a healthy "self-love"?  How can we "love others as we love our self" if we do not take time to rest in the loving presence of God, who is Love?

May the peace of Christ be with each of you. 

John

Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time

My Companions: Let us pray that our eyes and hearts open to the revelation of Jesus as he turns to us and asks, "Who do you say I am?"  Lord, help us know your glory as we become one with the One who suffered and died because of our selfishness and greed.  Help us turn to one another in loving kindness and be the mind and heart and hands of Love in our community.  Help us live with compassion and bring joy to all who suffer and all who celebrate Your glory in our midst. My friend Tom Duggan's brother, Pat, is receiving home hospice care and in his last days and my colleague, Gina Leyba, told me that her brother, Daniel, was rushed to the hospital with heart problems... please be with them Lord.

Birthdays: Andrew Kornacki (6/15), Jim Frodl (6/19), Stephen Lay (6/19), Greg Serveiss (6/20)
Anniversaries: Tom Feely (d. 6/20)

Keeping-in-touch: We enjoyed meeting and listening to Noel Sheth S.J. from India who shared his experince and scholarship on Hindu and Christian thought and practice: "Avatars & Incarnation."  This opened my eyes, again, to the Mystery of the Incarnation.  And Marge voiced the second reading: In Christ there is no male/female; Jew/Gentile, master or slave. I fought a flu bug or something which made me think again of others who are really sick; we count our blessings for our good health.  We're enjoying summer and looking forward to camping with our SCC and Julianne and Charlie.  Marge's garden took a terrible hit of 3" of hail but she's nursing her plants and enjoys her farming activities.

The Readings: Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Comments on the readings: Fr. Foley: And then, at last, Jesus asked the question that meant the most to him. It is the heart of the Gospel and the root of Jesus’ heart:  “But who do you say that I am?”
My Comments: I've always told my students that their answer to this crucial question of Jesus, "Who do you say I am?" probably says more about them than it does about Jesus!  Hopefully we can move beyond our projections and appreciate the revelation of Christ.

May the peace of Christ be with each of you.

John

Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time

My Companions: Let us praise the Lord for all the good gifts we have been given, especially our "companions in prayer."  Let us remember all the needs on our lists and those that remain unwritten.


Birthday: Julianne Stevens (6/10) , 
Anniversaries: Melissa & Neil Cyrus (6/8),  Bob & Ann Romadka (6/8),  Randy & Renee Lumpp (6/8),  Marge & John Lay (6/8), Mr & Mrs Carnegie (Gary's parents 6/8),  Mary (Norton) Weed (d. 6/12).

Keeping-in-touch: We're keeping busy with summer things: garden, BBQs and working to stay cool (or warm, depending on the Colorado Day).  We had a nice celebration of our anniversary cooking a special meal at home.

The Readings: Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time

Comments on the readings: Fr. Foley: “Usually you and I have it backwards." We think we have to get rid of all our sins and turn into perfectly loving people in order for God to love us.."
My Comments: Like the Pharisee we pay too much attention to others sins and not the times we "miss the mark"!

May the peace of Christ be with each of you. 

John

The Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ

My Companions: As we prepare to gather this week and celebrate in a special way the presence of Our Lord in the Eucharist let us pray for all our needs and praise God for all God's goodness.  Help us to serve and comfort one another and all our neighbors.

Keeping-in-touch: Another week almost slipped-bye!  Marge and I enjoyed a one night camp-out on our land in Park County; it's beautiful up there.  And we joined Fr Ed's Memorial Day Party at Twin Lakes.  I've been busy working with the C4C Group in Denver and hope we can collect 4,000 summer survival kits for Stout Street Clinic and Samaritian House.  Marge and Matthew have been fixing-up our yard and flower garden after the mess from last Saturday's hail storm.

The Readings: The Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ

Comments on the readings: Fr. Foley: “And that is why we go to Church. In order to find the answer to our Spiritual quest in the fleshly presence of Christ."
My Comments: As I meditate on the mystery of the the Body and Blood of Christ I'm filled with awe at this Mystery through which we concretely encounter Christ.

May the peace of Christ be with each of you.

John