Twenty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time

My Companions pray with me: We adore You, Lord, and live in wonder of Your glory. We trust in Your mercy as we confess our sin and seek to fully respond to Your offer of new life. Our hearts are filled with gratitude for all Your gifts. And we ask for all we need: especially renewed health for all on our list. Please help us to do what we can to mitigate the suffering in our world but not loose sight of Your will.

Companion Events: Birthdays James Carnegie (8/26), Evan Parise (8/31).  Anniversary: Lindsay and Bill Smith (8/26/78); In memoriam: Mike McClanahan (8/28/2009).

Keeping In-touch:  We enjoyed our week on the Oregon coast visiting lighthouses and watching whales (at least watching the spewing from their blowholes). We learned to play pickle ball and played card games with Connie and Alan. The ocean is filled with power and mystery and we had a grand view from our deck.

The Readings: Twenty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time

Some Commentary: Fr. John Foley, S. J.

My comments and an invitation for your comments: 
I don't know how I would respond if Jesus called to me, "get behind me Satan," especially when all I wanted to do was to care for him! Oh, how difficult it is for us to see with the eyes of The Lord when we're filled with cares and concerns. We do not want to see our loved ones suffer. We don't want to suffer. And God doesn't want anything but the best for us. But sin has brought suffering into our world and, with Jesus, we must pass through suffering to find the life he won for us.

John

Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time

My Companions pray with me: We will live in the joy of the Gospel and bring You glory, Lord. Forgive our failings, Lord, especially when we did not show mercy to others. Thank You for all the gifts and blessings You shower upon us. Please provide all we need, especially the peace and quiet moments to listen to the whispers You speak softly from our hearts. Help all on our list for healing and the list of those who have gone before us.

Companion Events: Birthdays Katie (Lay) Johnson (8/19), Clinton Ross (8/22).  Anniversary: Mark and Vicki Schnitzer (8/20/19??); In memoriam: Joseph Himpleman (8/19/1960), Fr Joe Hirsch (8/24/2009).

Keeping In-touch:  We had an "at home" week: cleaning and chores... Not much news, just looking forward to our vacation to Oregon followed by time with the "kids" and grand kids in Iowa.

The Readings: Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time

Some Commentary: Fr. John Foley, S. J.

My comments and an invitation for your comments: 
We too respond "the Christ!" to that most revealing question, "Who do you say I Am?" The Father has revealed this to us. And we must show His mercy and loving compassion to everyone we encounter. Jesus has risen. No longer can we "tell no one He is the Christ." We must preach the Gospel always. And like St Francis said, "use words, if necessary."

John

Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time

My Companions pray with me: How can we praise You, Lord? Your glory, and beauty, and truth, and goodness outshine any effort we make to worship You! Grant us Your forgiveness and mercy for all our sins. Even in our work for justice, we know that only Your mercy can make us whole. Thank You for all your gifts. And help us with all we need. We pray especially for Tom King (in hospice care) and for everyone we have in mind: those suffering persecution, those in failing health, and those who have gone before us.

Companion Events: Birthdays Bev Grau (8/11), Neil Cyrus (8/11), Margie (Czarnecki-Norton) Pintek (8/16).  Anniversary: Mike and Michele Lay (8/12/1989); In memoriam: Walter Ong (8/12/2003).

Keeping In-touch:  We enjoyed another wonderful summer week that zoomed past us. I taped a couple sessions of the OT MOOC. I played golf in Presentation of Our Lady School's Charity Golf Tournament which was a success (I think I could learn to enjoy that game if I had the time and the money to play a couple or three days a week.). With the help I received, especially from my son, Matthew, we have the garage door working again (we're alive and have all our body parts). We remembered Bill Prymak on Saturday at his internment. Now this week, we're looking forward to our trip to Oregon.

The Readings: Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Some Commentary: Fr. John Foley, S. J.

My comments and an invitation for your comments: 
Although the Canaanite woman would not have claimed to have a relationship with Jesus, she shared her true self with Him:
“Please, Lord, for even the dogs eat the scraps
that fall from the table of their masters."
...and Jesus responds commending the woman's faith. The woman turned to Jesus because she wanted life, a full life for her daughter, not a life tormented by demons.
I, too, turn to Jesus because I desire abundant life! I ask that He take away my demons of worry, selfishness, and failure to apply the gifts of the Holy Spirit: wisdom, understanding, knowledge, council, fortitude, piety, and fear of the Lord. How much more should I share my true self with My Lord? He will not laugh at my petty requests or my appeal for help to become a saint!
John 

Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

My Companions pray with me: Let us give glory to the Father through the Son and the Holy Spirit. We detest all our thoughts, words, or actions that alienate us from one another and from You, Oh Lord; forgive us our sins. We have hearts of gratitude and know that You will call us to Yourself and never allow us to sink; thank You for your love and Your mercy. Please provide for all our needs especially health for our companions who fight sickness in mind and body; help us to use Your gifts to bring You glory. Amen
//
Birthdays Gary Carnegie (8/7); In memoriam: Lina Kilday (8/6/1958), Phil Bammer (8/7/2011), Jean Lay (8/8/1992),  Linda Rose Lake (8/9/13), Dcn. Michael Howard (8/10/2011).

Keeping In-touch:  As you can see from the preceding blog post, Bill Prymak died last Wednesday. We pray that he rests in peace. We enjoyed a more restful week with some lovely rain and cooler temperatures last. As often happens, we fix one thing and another falls apart: the garage door spring broke but youtube videos and the help of friends will help us fight Murphy's Law!

The Readings: Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Some Commentary: Fr. John Foley, S. J.

My comments and an invitation for your comments: 

Often I can act just like Peter, "Call me Lord." then I loose confidence and hope: I begin to sink and then I moan and complain, "...help me Lord!" In those moments I, sooner or later, realize that I have not taken the time to quiet myself and listen for The Lord's soft message to me. I have not taken the time to rest in His love.  I will try to listen better this week.
John

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