Daily Bread Archive The Lectionary provides a kind of spiritual script for the universal church that keeps us, literally, all on the same page as we journey through the liturgical seasons. These short reflections, written by four authors who meet weekly to share the readings, are intended to help daily preachers and others who pray from the assigned scriptures each day to orient themselves to the Living Word addressed to the church in the world. Authors are identified by their initials, with short bios provided. Daily Bread Authors Patricia Russell graduated from Aquinas College in Grand Rapids, Mich., with degrees in English and secondary education. Paige Byrne Shortal earned a bachelor’s degree in theology at Saint Louis University and a master’s degree in pastoral studies at Aquinas Institute of Theology in St. Louis. Mary E. Waldron received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in theology from Marquette University in Milwaukee.  She later earned a doctorate in American studies from Saint Louis University. Elizabeth C. Williams has a bachelor’s degree in education from Southeast Missouri State University and a master’s degree in theology from Aquinas Institute of Theology. ● For 36 years, Celebration, the homiletic resource of The National Catholic Reporter, has promoted worship and preaching tied to justice.  Celebration is now fully electronic. ● Click below to learn more. http://www.celebrationpublications.org/FreeOffer/

Daily Bread - July 2009

Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time (continued)

Wed., July 1: Gen 21:5, 8-20a; Matt 8:28-34

Bl. Junipero Serra, priest

I will make a great nation of him also, since he too is your offspring. Jews, Christians and Muslims are all spiritual descendants of Abraham and children of the One God. We sometimes act as though we deserve this honor, and we forget that God bestows the gift of grace for free. God chose Israel to live in his covenant and ultimately bring forth his Son according to the flesh, but the descendants of Ishmael — forerunners of the people of Islam — also received God’s blessing. Religious prejudice is ungodly behavior. We do not act like children of God when we treat others as inferior persons. God is Lord of all. Lord, teach us to love all people as you love them. Mew

‘That you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins’ — he then said to the paralytic, ‘Rise, pick up your stretcher, and go home.’ One of the greatest obstacles to sainthood for us all is a certain paralysis of our generosity. Oh, I’ll contribute money to the poor and powerless (when I can afford it) and I’ll volunteer to help those in need (when there are no other pressing claims), but it requires the healing touch of Jesus on my shrunken heart to make me give priority to my fellow humans who are in need. Dear Lord, make me eager to give of my goods and myself. I know your generosity cannot be outdone. Mew

Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed. Thomas is everybody’s favorite apostle, the one with whom we can most easily identify. Who among us has not doubted, oftener than we care to admit? Jesus knew that life is hard and therefore so is faith. He speaks words of blessing to us because we believe even though we have not seen, heard and touched him in his physical, earthly body. Yet, like Thomas, we are invited to touch his precious wounds in the sick and the hurt, the troubled and the powerless whom God places in our path each day. Lord, touch my eyes that I may see you in all I meet, and touch my hands that I may extend your healing touch to those in need. Mew

People do not put new wine into old wineskins. The new wine of the Holy Spirit is dynamite, no question about it. Today, we who are Christians and Americans should meditate on our need for renewal. Unlike actual wineskins, we are far more resilient than we think. We need to discard cherished prejudices if they are crippling our ability to stretch in order to embrace the new, however startling that may be; to love all people, especially those we find hard to love; to seek new ways to share the world’s goods that are far-reaching and effective. Lord - Author of liberty - help us to find peaceful ways to share your gifts of liberty, freedom and peace with those who do not yet enjoy them. Mew

Truly, the LORD is in this spot, although I did not know it! Jacob awakes from his dream, aware that God is very near. He creates a shrine and calls it Beth-El ("House of God"). This place becomes the center of the universe for Jacob and his many descendants. At times this "spot" seems more important than the God who appeared there. In the Gospel, Jesus risks impurity as he speaks to a woman who has touched him — a woman presumed "unclean" because of her infirmity — and he also grasps the hand of a little girl presumed dead. Our holy places, laws and traditions — our religion — lead us to God. The danger is turning our religion into a god and thus turning our holy places into battlegrounds. O God, you who created everyone and are present everywhere, inspire us to hold in regard all people from all places. Pbs

His heart was moved with pity. Jacob, renamed Israel, wrestled with the divine and survived to be the father of many descendants. Jesus walks among those descendants, his heart moved with pity, touching the untouchable and teaching about his loving Abba God. Jesus was a threat. Why? Because such love is not sweet, but fierce: a force to be reckoned and wrestled with. The love of God is, as Dorothy Day put it, "harsh and dreadful," threatening the status quo, raising the lowly and putting the mighty in their place. Typically, the mighty hate it. Who are today’s mighty? Lord Jesus,

help us to love as you loved — fiercely and without regard for place in this world. Pbs

The kingdom of heaven is at hand. Joseph’s brothers are jealous of their father’s special love for him and they plot to kill him. Only second thoughts about outright fratricide prompt them to leave him in a pit, presumably to die. Fast-forward a few years. Joseph is an advisor to Pharaoh and the only one who can provide for his brothers as they come begging for food. Big-time irony and the perfect setup for getting even, but Joseph not only rejects revenge, he allows his brothers the grace to turn their hearts from revenge to regret. Envy leads to otherwise unfathomable wickedness. Rising above revenge leads to unfathomable goodness. This is how we proclaim the kingdom. Lord, protect us from envy and inspire us instead to gratitude. Pbs

Do not reproach yourselves. ... It was for the sake of saving lives that God sent me here. God draws straight with crooked lines. Joseph’s brothers cause him to be sold into slavery in Egypt, and thus he is in the position to rescue them from famine. We can look back on our lives and recognize that getting jilted or fired or evicted led to living the life we were meant to live. Author J.K. Rowling was fired from her secretarial

job and, in desperation, began writing the first Harry Potter book. In the Gospel, Jesus instructs the disciples to travel light. When we carry less baggage, we have less to lose and more energy to listen for the Lord’s call to us. Lord, open my ears to your voice, my eyes to your presence in this world. Pbs

The Spirit of your Father will speak in you. When my youngest son was in sixth grade he endured some teasing. I tediously advised him to turn the other cheek and even mentioned Martin Luther King, Oscar Romero, Gandhi. He interrupted me with, "Mom! Those guys were all killed!" Imagine Jesus, sending his beloved disciples into harm’s way. Imagine Israel, who spent a lifetime longing for some word of his missing son, Joseph. We want safety for those we love. We want our children to be successful and happy, but above all, safe. Yet sometimes pain is necessary to grow into a healthy, loving person. Raising children to listen for God’s word and to live by that word is sometimes as difficult as it must have been for Jesus to send his disciples out among the wolves. Lord, make us brave, for ourselves and for those we love. Pbs

Do not be afraid of anything. Folks are afraid. Some of not making the mortgage, losing a job, an impoverished retirement. Some are afraid as they wait for the results of medical tests. Some are afraid of war, of sending their children into harm’s way. Fear is contagious and our leaders are recalling those famous words: "We have nothing to fear but fear itself." We would do well to counsel folks to be brave, seek perspective and find the good amid the pain. Lord, help us to trust that you will provide us with what we need. Pbs

I have come to bring not peace but the sword. Few of us intentionally set out to rock the boat. We like peace. We avoid confrontation. We seek harmony in our homes and relationships and believe the adage that no news is good news. So the concept of enemies in our households is unsettling at best. But if those with whom we’re most comfortable are the same people who keep us from the Lord, then we have to examine our lives. Likewise, if we prize our earthly ties above our eternal glory, then we misunderstand the gift of the kingdom. While the notion of Jesus coming to force a wedge between us and those we love seems contrary to our understanding of him, it’s our clinging to what will not last that is truly divergent from what the Lord has in store for us. That we may deny the temptations of this life for the reward of the kingdom, we pray. PR

Then he began to reproach the towns where most of his mighty deeds had been done, since they had not repented. Most of us have received, or used, the admonition that we or someone we are reprimanding should "know better." Like a parent who continually must teach, re-teach and chastise a wayward or disobedient child, the Lord reproaches us for our rebelliousness and lack of contrition. Indeed, just as it becomes tiresome for a parent to scold a child for the same misdeeds over and over again, surely the Lord must become weary of our lack of lasting repentance. Indeed, we should know better. We’ve seen the saving works of the Lord, and it’s time to mature in our faith and recognize the saving power of God. Almighty Lord, your deeds are enough for us. Lead us to true repentance, we pray. PR

Yes, Father, such has been your gracious will. We have the grace to be among those who receive the Father’s revelation — not because we’re mighty or learned, but because we’re simple and childlike in our willingness to understand and accept. We’re not all called to be theologians or biblical scholars. We are, however, asked to retain that childlike curiosity and eagerness to absorb all the amazing glory the Lord has to show us. If we humbly with childlike readiness and wide-eyed enthusiasm look to Jesus as God’s own Son and the clear and direct source of our knowledge of the Father, we’ll be wiser than any scribe or Pharisee. Let us approach the Lord with childlike wonder and openness, we pray. PR

Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Much of this section of Matthew seems to take us to task for our weakness, disobedience and disbelief. Being willful and stubborn is tiresome, as is rigidly following a set of guidelines because we think we should, rather than because we desire to do so. Jesus offers us a gentle invitation: Rest. Put aside your burdens, complications, pretense and resistance. Seek respite and comfort in me. We’ll never truly be at ease until we do. Let our souls rest in you, O Lord, we pray. PR

I say to you, something greater than the temple is here. Do we ever get so consumed by the seeming demands and practice of our faith that we forget to live it? Jesus reminds us to enjoy being in his presence, to look toward the coming of the kingdom and to live as his disciples. We’re to live for the Lord and to serve his people. We’re not asked to scrutinize the conduct of others or to minimize our call as merely to avoid wrongdoing. We follow the Lord in not only steering clear of offense, but in seeking to do what is just and good. Merciful Lord, may we stand in your presence and serve you, we pray. PR

And in his name the gentiles will hope. Hope — a small word with such big possibilities. It has the power to make or break any situation, and it’s one of the greatest gifts given to us. Neither through our words nor our works can we earn salvation or gain God’s love. These have already been given to us through Jesus Christ, who was put to death for our sake. It is through this glorious gift of hope that such a reality does not lead us to despair. For we know that Jesus will cure our every ill, right every injustice and lead us to salvation. The entire kingdom in one small word — hope. Gentle Jesus; help us to live each day in joyful hope. Pr

The LORD himself will fight for you; you have only to keep still. We recognize the pattern of this epic drama of the Old Testament in our own lives. Things go from bad to worse, and our first impulse is good: We cry out to God. But a strong, almost irresistible desire to lay blame for our perilous situation seizes us. The energy we initially put into holy supplication gets diverted to fruitless, draining distractions: pointing the finger, denouncing the responsible party. When troubles arise, let us stay with that first impulse that turns us toward God. Even in the midst of turmoil, we can rest confidently in the knowledge that our God will protect and provide for us. For peaceful, steadfast reliance on God in all circumstances, we pray. Ecw

I will sing to the LORD, for he is gloriously triumphant; horse and chariot he has cast into the sea. God willing, we will never have to flee an army that is bent on capturing, enslaving and annihilating us along with all our kin. Yet, we do know what it is like to come, by the hand of God, through grave perils: perhaps a near-miss on the highway; recovery from a serious illness or addiction; survival of a financial or relational crisis; the blessed relief when, finally, we come through grief to accept a hard loss. We experience fragments of salvation now, glimpses of the redemption we will one day enjoy in fullness. Let us anticipate that day with joy. For gratitude for God’s providential love and protection, we pray. Ecw

On the first day of the week, Mary of Magdala came to the tomb early in the morning, while it was still dark. Loss is part of life. Everyday minor disappointments, as well the major disruptions of life, send us on a journey through the stages of grief: denial, sorrow, anger, bargaining ("what ifs") and, finally, acceptance. Through the interior darkness of her grief, love impelled St. Mary Magdalene to search for her Lord. In that search she found not only her Lord and Teacher but her call to proclaim the Good News. Let us come through our losses as she did, ever seeking the One who makes all things new and leads us into fullness of life. For those who struggle with grief, we pray. Ecw

To anyone who has, more will be given and he will grow rich. "Use it or lose it!" we say regarding physical and mental strength and agility. The saying applies to our spiritual wellbeing, too. Jesus assures us that as we nurture and use the gifts we have been given, we will surely grow into a fuller, richer life. Conversely, life becomes a downward spiral for those who do not rely on God. It might be time to evaluate our spiritual fitness and assess whether our practice of faith is all it might be. Do we set aside time daily for personal prayer and spiritual reading? Do we take advantage of opportunities to pray with and to serve others? Do we need a retreat? For spiritual growth, we pray. Ecw

But the seed sown on rich soil is the one who hears the word and understands it. Time-lapse photography can help us appreciate the beautiful transformation that occurs when a seed breaks open and sends roots deep into the soil while shoot, branch, leaf and flower unfurl above. To hear the word is to be transformed by it. It breaks open within us, probes the depths of our hearts and impels us upward and outward in service to others. The word is a precious means of encountering God, an indispensable tool in discerning God’s will and doing our part to build the kingdom. Let us turn to it often, fully expecting God to speak powerfully and personally to us through it. For hearts open to God’s word, we pray. Ecw

Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee approached him with her sons and did him homage, wishing to ask him for something. We readily recognize (as do the other apostles) the audacity of the request made by the mother of James and John. But are we as astute in evaluating our own petitions to the Lord? Do we say, "Your will be done," all the while imagining that we might at any moment be tapped to be God’s right-hand advisor? Let us learn to pray only for knowledge of God’s will for us and the power to carry it out. May time spent in prayer be a sweet reprieve from the burden of our willfulness and our worries. For humility, we pray. Ecw

The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed … like yeast. When we think of the kingdom, we are often impatient. We want Jesus to come back leading an army of warrior-angels, putting all to rights. Apparently, it doesn’t work that way. The coming kingdom, like the secret seed or silent yeast, advances within us without fanfare. If it’s not coming fast enough for us, we need to remember two things: the kingdom comes in

God’s time, not ours, and it usually comes through human cooperation, starting with me. I must repent. I must convert. I must reorganize my goals and priorities so that I am one through whom the Lord can act. Lord, by your grace, make me a fitting partner in building your kingdom. Mew

The Lord … merciful and gracious, slow to anger, rich in kindness … yet not declaring the guilty guiltless. Some see God as a tame lion who lets us get away with almost anything; others see a stern taskmaster who can’t wait to pounce when we transgress. Both are wrong. God loves us absolutely and desires our eternal happiness, but respects our freedom to choose either God’s way or some other way that leads to our eternal sorrow. We are called to learn and do God’s will, not in blind ignorance or terror, but in loving trust that it will perfect God’s image in us and make us ready to be citizens of the kingdom. Teach me your ways, O Lord; make me all you mean for me to be. Mew

But even now I know that whatever you ask of God, God will give you. Martha appears only twice in scripture — Luke 10 and John 11 — yet these brief passages tell us what is important about her, and also much that should be important to us. She welcomes Jesus to her daily life, serves him (never mind her complaint about Mary’s failure to pitch in), trusts him in a time of sorrow and trouble and is receptive to his radical teaching. Is Jesus welcome in every facet of my life? Do I serve him in those who are hungry, lonely or suffering? Do I open myself always to the perfecting of my faith? Come, Lord Jesus, into every aspect of my life. Mew

The kingdom of heaven is like a net thrown into the sea, which collects fish of every kind. We are only coworkers in building the kingdom; God is in charge. We want to decide who is worthy of citizenship when in fact no one is, except by God’s free grace. Being prepared for the kingdom is a process that calls for the patience of God. While some will not be included with the "good fish" at the final judgment, we may be surprised at who is accepted and welcomed. Our task is not to judge, but to witness to the grace of God in our lives and not to get in the way of that grace in the lives of others. Lord, thy kingdom come! Mew

These are the festivals of the Lord which you shall celebrate at their proper time. Why do we worship? First: because God is all-good and deserving of all our praise. We were, in fact, created to praise and love God. We learned this as children. But there is another reason that we seldom reflect upon. We offer God praise and thanks at the various feasts and seasons of the liturgical year not because God needs our praise, but because we need to praise God. It is good for us to find God in all things, as Ignatius of Loyola reminds us, and to remember constantly God’s love, mercy and grace. Lord, grant that I may praise you in all I do. Mew

• Patricia Russell graduated from Aquinas College in Grand Rapids, Mich., with degrees in English and secondary education.

• Paige Byrne Shortal earned a bachelor’s degree in theology at Saint Louis University and a master’s degree in pastoral studies at Aquinas Institute of Theology in St. Louis. Visit her Web site and contact her at www.paigebyrneshortal.com.

• Mary E. Waldron received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in theology from Marquette University in Milwaukee. She later earned a doctorate in American studies from Saint Louis University.

• Elizabeth C. Williams has a bachelor’s degree in education from Southeast Missouri State University and a master’s in theology from Aquinas Institute of Theology. She writes from her home in Washington, Mo.