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Becoming one of God's 'chosen' people
I'd been hearing about my friend's housemate, Joe, for awhile before I actually met him. My friend Guy was a leader in our parish, but he also had many rich and interesting involvements outside church life. As I picked up bits and pieces about Joe through Guy's offhand comments, he certainly seemed to fit into the "interesting" category.
Joe was a disabled, working-class guy, a good bit older than Guy, who offered to let him move into his house because he was homeless. I don't know where they met, but they had a friendship that was only occasionally strained by the fact that Guy provided for most of Joe's material needs.
August 17, 2008
20th Sunday
in Ordinary Time
Isaiah 56:1,6-7
Psalm 67:2-3,5-6,8
Romans 11:13-15, 29-32
Matthew 15:21-28
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Joe was "unchurched" and not from our community. But after a few months he began coming to church with Guy to meet some new people, and he sort of latched onto his friend's friends. I was surprised to see that the two men had little in common. Guy was artistic, highly educated, with a deep, broad spirituality. Joe was pretty simple, in poor health, and indigent.
A gentleman, Joe didn't push himself on anyone. He slowly immersed himself into the community, one friend at a time.
Joe was interested in every person he met and was naturally compassionate. He found ways to "do" for many people in need in the parish. Soon he was practically a fixture at the church at Bible studies, serving at social events, and ushering at Mass.
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For reflection:
• What offerings do you expect to receive as a member of Jesus' family?
• In what ways does your fundamental faith need to grow?
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Joe's story reminds me of the woman in this weekend's Gospel. A Canaanite, she wasn't one of the "chosen" people Jesus had come to serve - and he told her so. But she knew him and believed in his saving power, so she insisted on hanging around him, feeding on the "scraps" of his offering. Drawn by her unquestioning faith, Jesus assured the woman of her salvation.
For Joe, the scraps from Jesus that he found in the church community were food enough, but his great faith drew him ever more deeply into the Savior's infinite grace.
This column is offered in cooperation with the North Texas Catholic of Fort Worth, Texas.
This week's readings
Week of August 17 - 23, 2008
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Reading I: Is 56:1, 6-7
Reading II: Rom 11:13-15, 29-32
Gospel: Mt 15:21-28
Monday, August 18, 2008
Reading I: Ez 24:15-23
Gospel: Mt 19:16-22
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Reading I: Ez 28:1-10
Gospel: Mt 19:23-30
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Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Memorial of Saint Bernard, abbot and doctor of the Church
Reading I: Ez 34:1-11
Gospel: Mt 20:1-16
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Memorial of Saint Pius X, pope
Reading I: Ez 36:23-28
Gospel: Mt 22:1-14
Friday, August 22, 2008
Memorial of the Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Reading I: Ez 37:1-14
Gospel: Mt 22:34-40
Saturday, August 23, 2008
Reading I: Ez 43:1-7ab
Gospel: Mt 23:1-12
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Pope's Prayer Intentions
August General Intention
Respect for creation. That the human family may know how to respect God's design for the world and thus become ever more aware of the great gift of God which Creation represents for us. |
August Mission Intention
Call to holiness. That through discernment of gifts and commitment to spiritual formation, holiness may be promoted among the people of God.
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Prayers for Those Suffering from the Floods
Diocese of Madison
Summer 2008
God of Mercy,
Look kindly on us in our suffering.
Ease our burdens and make our faith strong
That we may always have confidence and trust
In your fatherly care.
We ask this through Christ, Our Lord.
Amen
From the Sacramentary, Masses for Various Needs: For Any Need (B)
God our Father,
you set the earth on it foundations
and separated the land from the water.
Look upon all affected by this flood.
Ease their suffering, strengthen their faith,
and increase their love of you and neighbor.
Inspire all people of good will
to serve you by serving others
so that, from the darkness of this disaster,
the light of Christ may shine even more brightly in the world,
for he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God for ever and ever.
Amen |
Prayer to St. Raphael
Glorious Archangel St. Raphael, great prince of the heavenly court, you are illustrious for your gifts of wisdom and grace. You are a guide of those who journey by land or sea or air, consoler of the afflicted, and refuge of sinners.
We beg you, assist us in all our needs and in all the sufferings of this life, as once you helped the young Tobias on his travels. Because you are the "medicine of God" we humbly pray you to heal the many infirmities of our souls and the ills that afflict our bodies.
We especially ask your guidance of our diocese as we journey toward the rebuilding of a cathedral bearing your name, and the great grace of purity to prepare us to be temples of the Holy Spirit. As our intercessor, beg the Blessed Trinity to prosper the work of our hands and, above all, to bring us, face-to-face, into their Holy presence.
Amen. |
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