One Walk

Dear Lord God, faith, hope and love; I truly seek to reflect this to all those You place in my path. And with the words of Jesus to the Apostles in my heart and the mind set of one constantly exercising, help me to practice these words with this faith, hope and love and help me make my greeting be one of peace and if it finds no worthy recipient, it will return. And that I through and in You will find the courage, strength and what ever else is needed to be able to shake the dust from your feet and move on with renewed faith, hope and in love. This is my now, help me to carry out what I have started, as I feel You have directed. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

He who truly desires Love, seeks it truly. And he who truly seeks it, surely finds it. And he who finds it has found the Fountain of Life.

— St. Francis de Sales.

Acts 11:21-26; 13:1-3

21 And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number that believed turned to the Lord. 22 News of this came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. 23 When he came and saw the grace of God, he was glad; and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose; 24 for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a large company was added to the Lord. 25 So Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul; 26 and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church, and taught a large company of people; and in Antioch the disciples were for the first time called Christians.

1 Now in the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers, Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyre’ne, Man’a-en a member of the court of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. 2 While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them." 3 Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off.

Bible Study: [19-26] The Jewish Christian antipathy to the mixed community was reflected by the early missionaries generally. The few among them who entertained a different view succeeded in introducing Gentiles into the community at Antioch (in Syria). When the disconcerted Jerusalem community sent Barnabas to investigate, he was so favorably impressed by what he observed that he persuaded his friend Saul to participate in the Antioch mission. [26] Christians: "Christians" is first applied to the members of the community at Antioch because the Gentile members of the community enable it to stand out clearly from Judaism.

                 [1-19] Herod Agrippa ruled Judea A.D. 41-44. While Luke does not assign a motive for his execution of James and his intended execution of Peter, the broad background lies in Herod’s support of Pharisaic Judaism. The Jewish Christians had lost the popularity they had had in Jerusalem (Acts 2:47), perhaps because of suspicions against them traceable to the teaching of Stephen. [2] James, the brother of John: this James, the son of Zebedee, was beheaded by Herod Agrippa ca. A.D. 44. [3,4] Feast of Unleavened Bread . . . Passover: see the note on Luke 22:l.

Psalm 98:1-6

1 O sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done marvelous things! His right hand and his holy arm have gotten him victory. 2 The LORD has made known his victory, he has revealed his vindication in the sight of the nations. 3 He has remembered his steadfast love and faithfulness to the house of Israel. All the ends of the earth have seen the victory of our God. 4 Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and sing praises! 5 Sing praises to the LORD with the lyre, with the lyre and the sound of melody! 6 With trumpets and the sound of the horn make a joyful noise before the King, the LORD!

Bible Study: [Psalm 98] A hymn, similar to Psalm 96, extolling God for Israel’s victory (Psalm 98:1-3). All nations (Psalm 98:4-6) and even inanimate nature (Psalm 98:7-8) are summoned to welcome God’s coming to rule over the world (Psalm 98:9). [1] Marvelous deeds . . . victory: the conquest of all threats to the peaceful existence of Israel, depicted in the psalms variously as a cosmic force such as sea, or nations bent on Israel’s destruction, or evildoers seemingly triumphant. Whose right hand and holy arm: God is pictured as a powerful warrior.

Matthew 10:7-13

7 And preach as you go, saying, `The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ 8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons. You received without paying, give without pay. 9 Take no gold, nor silver, nor copper in your belts, 10 no bag for your journey, nor two tunics, nor sandals, nor a staff; for the laborer deserves his food. 11 And whatever town or village you enter, find out who is worthy in it, and stay with him until you depart. 12 As you enter the house, salute it. 13 And if the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it; but if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you.

14  And if any one will not receive you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet as you leave that house or town. 

Bible Study: [8-11] The Twelve have received their own call and mission through God’s gift, and the benefits they confer are likewise to be given freely. They are not to take with them money, provisions, or unnecessary clothing; their lodging and food will be provided by those who receive them. [13] The greeting of peace is conceived of not merely as a salutation but as an effective word. If it finds no worthy recipient, it will return to the speaker.

[14] Shake the dust from your feet: this gesture indicates a complete disassociation from such unbelievers.

Dear Lord God, I know two things in today’s readings; one as the Gospel teaches, ‘ Jesus is one in whom God’s power is present and who provides for the needs of God’s people (Luke 9:10-17)’; two as St Teresa proclaims, ‘ it is essential to begin the practice of prayer with a firm resolution of persevering in it.’ So it is that through the Holy Eucharist that I seek to be one with Jesus and through Him find forgiveness and new life, and in this I practice His presence through prayer with a firm resolution of persevering it as part of my now. So I constantly seek His help, guidance and grace, asking in His Holy name that Your will be done in and through me always, Amen.

It is essential to begin the practice of prayer with a firm resolution of persevering in it.

— St. Teresa of Avila

Genesis 14:18-20

18 And Mel-chiz’edek king of Salem brought out bread and wine; he was priest of God Most High. 19 And he blessed him and said, "Blessed be Abram by God Most High, maker of heaven and earth; 20 and blessed be God Most High, who has delivered your enemies into your hand!"

Bible Study: [18] Salem: traditionally identified with Jerusalem (Psalm 76:3), but the Hebrew text is not certain; instead of the present melek shalem ("king of Salem"), the original may have been melek shelomo ("a king allied to him"). In Hebrews 7:2 "king of Salem" is interpreted as "king of peace" (shalom). [19] God Most High: in Hebrew, el-elyon. In Canaanite texts, each element may occur separately as the name of a specific deity, or they may be applied together to a single deity, as is done here by the Canaanite priest Melchizedek. For the Israelites, el became a poetic synonym for elohim ("God"); elyon ("Most High") became one of the titles of their God Yahweh. [20] Abram gave him: literally "he gave him"; but Abram is to be understood as the subject of the sentence, for the tithes were the tenth part assigned to priests; cf Hebrews 7:4-10.

Psalm 110:1-4

1 The LORD says to my lord: "Sit at my right hand, till I make your enemies your footstool." 2 The LORD sends forth from Zion your mighty scepter. Rule in the midst of your foes! 3 Your people will offer themselves freely on the day you lead your host upon the holy mountains. From the womb of the morning like dew your youth will come to you. 4 The LORD has sworn and will not change his mind, "You are a priest for ever after the order of Melchiz’edek."

Bible Study: [Psalm 110]Of David –  A royal psalm in which a court singer recites three oracles in which God assures the king that his enemies are conquered (Psalm 110:1-2), makes the king "son" in traditional adoption language (Psalm 110:3), gives priestly status to the king and promises to be with him in future military ventures (Psalm 110:4-7). [1] The LORD says to you, my lord: literally, "The LORD says to my lord," a polite form of address of an inferior to a superior. Cf 1 Sam 25:25; 2 Sam 1:10. The court singer refers to the king. Jesus in the synoptic gospels (Matthew 22:41-46 and parallels) takes the psalmist to be David and hence "my lord" refers to the messiah, who must be someone greater than David. Your footstool: in ancient times victorious kings put their feet on the prostrate bodies of their enemies. [3] Like the dew I begot you: an adoption formula as in Psalm 2:7; 89:27-28. Before the daystar: possibly an expression for before the world began (Proverb 8:22). [4] Like Melchizedek: Melchizedek was the ancient king of Salem (Jerusalem) who blessed Abraham (Genesis 14:18-20); like other kings of the time he performed priestly functions. Hebrews 7 sees in Melchizedek a type of Christ.

1 Corinthians 11:23-26

23 For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, 24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, "This is my body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me." 25 In the same way also the cup, after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me." 26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.

Bible Study: [17-34] Paul turns to another abuse connected with the liturgy, and a more serious one, for it involves neglect of basic Christian tradition concerning the meaning of the Lord’s Supper. Paul recalls that tradition for them and reminds them of its implications. [23-25] This is the earliest written account of the institution of the Lord’s Supper in the New Testament. The narrative emphasizes Jesus’ action of self-giving (expressed in the words over the bread and the cup) and his double command to repeat his own action.

Luke 9:11-17

11 When the crowds learned it, they followed him; and he welcomed them and spoke to them of the kingdom of God, and cured those who had need of healing. 12 Now the day began to wear away; and the twelve came and said to him, "Send the crowd away, to go into the villages and country round about, to lodge and get provisions; for we are here in a lonely place." 13 But he said to them, "You give them something to eat." They said, "We have no more than five loaves and two fish — unless we are to go and buy food for all these people." 14 For there were about five thousand men. And he said to his disciples, "Make them sit down in companies, about fifty each." 15 And they did so, and made them all sit down. 16 And taking the five loaves and the two fish he looked up to heaven, and blessed and broke them, and gave them to the disciples to set before the crowd. 17 And all ate and were satisfied. And they took up what was left over, twelve baskets of broken pieces.

Bible Study: [7-56] This section in which Luke gathers together incidents that focus on the identity of Jesus is introduced by a question that Herod is made to ask in this gospel: "Who then is this about whom I hear such things?" (Luke 9:9) In subsequent episodes, Luke reveals to the reader various answers to Herod’s question: Jesus is one in whom God’s power is present and who provides for the needs of God’s people (Luke 9:10-17); Peter declares Jesus to be "the Messiah of God" (Luke 9:18-21); Jesus says he is the suffering Son of Man (Luke 22:43-45); Jesus is the Master to be followed, even to death (Luke 9:23-27); Jesus is God’s son, his Chosen One (Luke 9:28-36). [16] Then taking . . . : the actions of Jesus recall the institution of the Eucharist in Luke 22:19; see also the note on Matthew 14:19.

Dear Lord God, today’s readings are filled words of wisdom for those seeking to be in Your presence; but the words of Jesus to St Margaret convict me. For I was and am capable of such ingratitude and now like St Paul am only able to be what I am now by the grace of You my Lord God. I must be on constant guard or I stumble backwards. Only You my Lord God can put my feet on firm ground. Only through Jesus will I find what I desire and need to be what I know You meant and want me to be. So as I have said many times ‘I die to myself, my selfishness, my pride, my ambitiousness’; I ask Your forgiveness and I seek Your image through the fruit of the Spirit, for I know that it is only through and within the blessed Trinity of You the Father, Jesus the Son and the Holy Spirit that I can discipline my body and control my spirit, eliminating anger and harshness from my being while under the sun. So this is my request this day Lord God, help me! I know I am as close and as I am far away, but You can through the Spirit and the teachings of Jesus can purify and purge me of what holds me back. This I ask and pray in the name of Jesus, Amen.

Behold this Heart which has so loved men that it has spared nothing, even to exhausting and consuming itself, in order to testify its love. In return, I receive from the greater part only ingratitude, by their irreverence and sacrileges, and by the coldness and contempt they have for me in this Sacrament of love… I come into the heart I have given you in order that through your fervor you may atone for the offenses which I have received from lukewarm and slothful hearts that dishonor me in the Blessed Sacrament.

— Third apparition of Jesus to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque

Tobit 12:1, 5-15, 20

1 Tobit then called his son Tobias and said to him, "My son, see to the wages of the man who went with you; and he must also be given more." 5 So he called the angel and said to him, "Take half of all that you two have brought back." 6 Then the angel called the two of them privately and said to them: "Praise God and give thanks to him; exalt him and give thanks to him in the presence of all the living for what he has done for you. It is good to praise God and to exalt his name, worthily declaring the works of God. Do not be slow to give him thanks. 7 It is good to guard the secret of a king, but gloriously to reveal the works of God. Do good, and evil will not overtake you. 8 Prayer is good when accompanied by fasting, almsgiving, and righteousness. A little with righteousness is better than much with wrongdoing. It is better to give alms than to treasure up gold. 9 For almsgiving delivers from death, and it will purge away every sin. Those who perform deeds of charity and of righteousness will have fulness of life; 10 but those who commit sin are the enemies of their own lives. 11 "I will not conceal anything from you. I have said, `It is good to guard the secret of a king, but gloriously to reveal the works of God.’ 12 And so, when you and your daughter-in-law Sarah prayed, I brought a reminder of your prayer before the Holy One; and when you buried the dead, I was likewise present with you. 13 When you did not hesitate to rise and leave your dinner in order to go and lay out the dead, your good deed was not hidden from me, but I was with you. 14 So now God sent me to heal you and your daughter-in-law Sarah. 15 I am Raphael, one of the seven holy angels who present the prayers of the saints and enter into the presence of the glory of the Holy One." 20 And now give thanks to God, for I am ascending to him who sent me. Write in a book everything that has happened."

Bible Study: [1] (1-5) Tobit and his son generously agree to give Azariah far more than the wages agreed upon in Tobit 5:15-16. [6] (6-10) In the fashion of a wisdom teacher, Raphael gives the two men a short exhortation similar to the one Tobit gave his son in Tobit 4:3-19. [6] (6-7) The Jews considered the duty of praising God their most esteemed privilege. Without praise of God, life was meaningless. Cf Isaiah 38:16-20. [8] Prayer . . . fasting . . . almsgiving . . . righteousness: these, together with the proper attitude toward wealth, are treated in great detail by Christ our Lord in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 6). 9 for almsgiving saves one from death and expiates every sin. Those who regularly give alms shall enjoy a full life; [12] (12,15) Raphael is one of the seven specially designated intercessors who present man’s prayers to God. Angelology was developing in this period. The names of two other angels are given in the Bible: Gabriel (Daniel 8:16; 9:21; Luke 1:19, 26) and Michael (Daniel 10:13, 21; 12:1; Jude 1:9; Rev 12:7). [14] I was sent . . . test: God often sends trials to purify his faithful servants further. Cf Job 1-2.

Tobit 13:2, 6-8

2 For he afflicts, and he shows mercy; he leads down to Hades, and brings up again, and there is no one who can escape his hand. 6 If you turn to him with all your heart and with all your soul, to do what is true before him, then he will turn to you and will not hide his face from you. But see what he will do with you; give thanks to him with your full voice. Praise the Lord of righteousness, and exalt the King of the ages. I give him thanks in the land of my captivity, and I show his power and majesty to a nation of sinners. Turn back, you sinners, and do right before him; who knows if he will accept you and have mercy on you? 7 I exalt my God; my soul exalts the King of heaven, and will rejoice in his majesty. 8 Let all men speak, and give him thanks in Jerusalem.

Bible Study: [1] (1-18) Tobit’s hymn of praise (cf Exodus 15:1-18; Judith 16:1-17) is divided into two parts. The first part (Tobit 13:1-8) is a song of praise that echoes themes from the hymns and psalms of the kingdom; the second (Tobit 13:9-18) is addressed to Jerusalem in the style of the prophets who spoke of a new and ideal Jerusalem (Isaiah 60); cf Rev 21.

Mark 12:38-44

38 And in his teaching he said, "Beware of the scribes, who like to go about in long robes, and to have salutations in the market places 39 and the best seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at feasts, 40 who devour widows’ houses and for a pretense make long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation." 41 And he sat down opposite the treasury, and watched the multitude putting money into the treasury. Many rich people put in large sums. 42 And a poor widow came, and put in two copper coins, which make a penny. 43 And he called his disciples to him, and said to them, "Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the treasury. 44 For they all contributed out of their abundance; but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, her whole living."

Bible Study: [38-40] See the notes on Mark 7:1-23 and Matthew 23:1-39.

[1-23] See the note on Matthew 15:1-20. Against the Pharisees’ narrow, legalistic, and external practices of piety in matters of purification (Mark 7:2-5), external worship (Mark 7:6-7), and observance of commandments, Jesus sets in opposition the true moral intent of the divine law (Mark 7:8-13). But he goes beyond contrasting the law and Pharisaic interpretation of it. The parable of Mark 7:14-15 in effect sets aside the law itself in respect to clean and unclean food. He thereby opens the way for unity between Jew and Gentile in the kingdom of God, intimated by Jesus’ departure for pagan territory beyond Galilee. For similar contrast see Mark 2:1-3:6; 3:20-35; 6:1-6.

[1-39] The final section of the narrative part of the fifth book of the gospel is a denunciation by Jesus of the scribes and the Pharisees (see the note on Matthew 3:7). It depends in part on Mark and Q (cf Mark 12:38-39; Luke 11:37-52; 13:34-35), but in the main it is peculiar to Matthew. (For the reasons against considering this extensive body of sayings- material either as one of the structural discourses of this gospel or as part of the one that follows in Matthew 24-25, see the note on Matthew 19:1-23:39.) While the tradition of a deep opposition between Jesus and the Pharisees is well founded, this speech reflects an opposition that goes beyond that of Jesus’ ministry and must be seen as expressing the bitter conflict between Pharisaic Judaism and the church of Matthew at the time when the gospel was composed. The complaint often made that the speech ignores the positive qualities of Pharisaism and of its better representatives is true, but the complaint overlooks the circumstances that gave rise to the invective. Nor is the speech purely anti-Pharisaic. The evangelist discerns in his church many of the same faults that he finds in its opponents and warns his fellow Christians to look to their own conduct and attitudes.

                  [41-44] See the note on Luke 21:1-4.

[1-4] The widow is another example of the poor ones in this gospel whose detachment from material possessions and dependence on God leads to their blessedness (Luke 6:20). Her simple offering provides a striking contrast to the pride and pretentiousness of the scribes denounced in the preceding section (Luke 20:45-47). The story is taken from Mark 12:41-44.

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Dear Lord God, I listen to the book The Hidden Gospels over and over these days; I think and meditate on the authors interpretation of Jesus’ Beatitudes in Aramaic. I listen with the attentiveness of a little child hoping to be closer to my Lord Jesus through the words that He spoke, just as He spoke them. I contemplate on all the secrets within all Your creations, and I think that Your Kingdom really is in each of us, waiting for us to choose; to we keep looking out, or do we start to look within. As we begin that journey within, how do we exist under the sun, how to we practice being in constant Your presence. O Lord I know You have the answers and believe Jesus is the way, that through the Spirit within and around me You will help me find what I seek, and You will give me what I ask; not in the ways under the sun, but within the ways of Your Kingdom that lies within. In the name of Jesus I ask You to take my hand and guide me out of these turbulent waters, Amen.

That hope is deceitful which hopes to be saved amid the occasions of sin.

— St. Augustine

Tobit 11:5-17

5 Now Anna sat looking intently down the road for her son. 6 And she caught sight of him coming, and said to his father, "Behold, your son is coming, and so is the man who went with him!" 7 Raphael said, "I know, Tobias, that your father will open his eyes. 8 You therefore must anoint his eyes with the gall; and when they smart he will rub them, and will cause the white films to fall away, and he will see you." 9 Then Anna ran to meet them, and embraced her son, and said to him, "I have seen you, my child; now I am ready to die." And they both wept. 10 Tobit started toward the door, and stumbled. But his son ran to him 11 and took hold of his father, and he sprinkled the gall upon his father’s eyes, saying, "Be of good cheer, father." 12 And when his eyes began to smart he rubbed them, 13 and the white films scaled off from the corners of his eyes. 14 Then he saw his son and embraced him, and he wept and said, "Blessed art thou, O God, and blessed is thy name for ever, and blessed are all thy holy angels. 15 For thou hast afflicted me, but thou hast had mercy upon me; here I see my son Tobias!" And his son went in rejoicing, and he reported to his father the great things that had happened to him in Media. 16 Then Tobit went out to meet his daughter-in-law at the gate of Nineveh, rejoicing and praising God. Those who saw him as he went were amazed because he could see. 17 And Tobit gave thanks before them that God had been merciful to him. When Tobit came near to Sarah his daughter-in-law, he blessed her, saying, "Welcome, daughter! Blessed is God who has brought you to us, and blessed are your father and your mother." So there was rejoicing among all his brethren in Nineveh.

Psalm 146:1-2, 6-10

1 Praise the LORD! Praise the LORD, O my soul! 2 I will praise the LORD as long as I live; I will sing praises to my God while I have being. 6 who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them; who keeps faith for ever; 7 who executes justice for the oppressed; who gives food to the hungry. The LORD sets the prisoners free; 8 the LORD opens the eyes of the blind. The LORD lifts up those who are bowed down; the LORD loves the righteous. 9 The LORD watches over the sojourners, he upholds the widow and the fatherless; but the way of the wicked he brings to ruin. 10 The LORD will reign for ever, thy God, O Zion, to all generations. Praise the LORD!

Bible Study: [Psalm 146] A hymn of someone who has learned there is no other source of strength except the merciful God. Only God, not mortal humans (Psalm 146:3-4), can help vulnerable and oppressed people (Psalm 146:5-9). The first of the five hymns that conclude the Psalter.

Mark 12:35-37

35 And as Jesus taught in the temple, he said, "How can the scribes say that the Christ is the son of David? 36 David himself, inspired by the Holy Spirit, declared, `The Lord said to my Lord, Sit at my right hand, till I put thy enemies under thy feet.’ 37 David himself calls him Lord; so how is he his son?" And the great throng heard him gladly.

Bible Study: [35-37] Jesus questions the claim of the scribes about the Davidic descent of the Messiah, not to deny it (Matthew 1:1; Acts 2:20, 34; Romans 1:3; 2 Tim 2:8) but to imply that he is more than this. His superiority derives from his transcendent origin, to which David himself attested when he spoke of the Messiah with the name "Lord" (Ps 110, 1). See also the note on Matthew 22:41-46.[[41] The Pharisees . . . questioned them: Mark is not specific about who are questioned (Mark 12:35). [42-44] David’s: this view of the Pharisees was based on such Old Testament texts as Isaiah 11:1-9; Jeremiah 23:5; and Ezekiel 34:23; see also the extrabiblical Psalms of Solomon Psalm 17:21. How, then . . . saying: Jesus cites Psalm 110:1 accepting the Davidic authorship of the psalm, a common view of his time. The psalm was probably composed for the enthronement of a Davidic king of Judah. Matthew assumes that the Pharisees interpret it as referring to the Messiah, although there is no clear evidence that it was so interpreted in the Judaism of Jesus’ time. It was widely used in the early church as referring to the exaltation of the risen Jesus. My lord: understood as the Messiah. [45] Since Matthew presents Jesus both as Messiah (Matthew 16:16) and as Son of David (Matthew 1:1; see also the note on Matthew 9:27), the question is not meant to imply Jesus’ denial of Davidic sonship. It probably means that although he is the Son of David, he is someone greater, Son of Man and Son of God, and recognized as greater by David who calls him my "lord.’}

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Dear Lord God, today is for me a day of reflection and thanksgiving. For in the midst of tribulation and rising flood waters You placed me on dry land in Tampa with my baby girls Kelly and Haley to help Shaun and to be able to rest with them in love surrounded with the reality of all the blessings You have given me. O Lord thank you for this time, the opportunity to help them, to be with them and love them. For continuing Your work in me; for it is as St. Augustine states, ‘Conquer yourself and the world lies at your feet’, O Lord that You would continue to help me learn how to conquer myself with discipline of the body and control of the spirit. And may you bless my Kelly, Haley and Shaun, their home and their marriage always drawing them closer to You. This I ask in the name of Jesus Christ my Lord and Savior, Amen.

Conquer yourself and the world lies at your feet.

— St. Augustine

Tobit 6:10-11; 7:1, 9-17; 8:4-9

10 the angel said to the young man, "Brother, today we shall stay with Raguel. He is your relative, and he has an only daughter named Sarah. I will suggest that she be given to you in marriage, 11 because you are entitled to her and to her inheritance, for you are her only eligible kinsman.

1 When they reached Ecbatana and arrived at the house of Raguel, Sarah met them and greeted them. They returned her greeting, and she brought them into the house. 9 So he communicated the proposal to Raguel. And Raguel said to Tobias, "Eat, drink, and be merry; 10 for it is your right to take my child. But let me explain the true situation to you. 11 I have given my daughter to seven husbands, and when each came to her he died in the night. But for the present be merry." And Tobias said, "I will eat nothing here until you make a binding agreement with me." 12 So Raguel said, "Take her right now, in accordance with the law. You are her relative, and she is yours. The merciful God will guide you both for the best." 13 Then he called his daughter Sarah, and taking her by the hand he gave her to Tobias to be his wife, saying, "Here she is; take her according to the law of Moses, and take her with you to your father." And he blessed them. 14 Next he called his wife Edna, and took a scroll and wrote out the contract; and they set their seals to it. 15 Then they began to eat. 16 And Raguel called his wife Edna and said to her, "Sister, make up the other room, and take her into it." 17 so she did as he said, and took her there; and the girl began to weep. But the mother comforted her daughter in her tears, and said to her,

4 When the door was shut and the two were alone, Tobias got up from the bed and said, "Sister, get up, and let us pray that the Lord may have mercy upon us." 5 And Tobias began to pray, "Blessed art thou, O God of our fathers, and blessed be thy holy and glorious name for ever. Let the heavens and all thy creatures bless thee. 6 Thou madest Adam and gavest him Eve his wife as a helper and support. From them the race of mankind has sprung. Thou didst say, `It is not good that the man should be alone; let us make a helper for him like himself.’ 7 And now, O Lord, I am not taking this sister of mine because of lust, but with sincerity. Grant that I may find mercy and may grow old together with her." 8 And she said with him, "Amen." 9 Then they both went to sleep for the night. But Raguel arose and went and dug a grave,

Psalm 128:1-5

1 Blessed is every one who fears the LORD, who walks in his ways! 2 You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands; you shall be happy, and it shall be well with you. 3 Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house; your children will be like olive shoots around your table. 4 Lo, thus shall the man be blessed who fears the LORD. 5 The LORD bless you from Zion! May you see the prosperity of Jerusalem all the days of your life!

Bible Study: [Psalm 128] A statement that the ever-reliable God will bless the reverent (Psalm 128:1). God’s blessing is concrete: satisfaction and prosperity, a fertile spouse and abundant children (Psalm 128:2-4). The perspective is that of the adult male, ordinarily the ruler and representative of the household to the community. The last verses extend the blessing to all the people for generations to come (Psalm 128:5-6).

Mark 12:28-34

28 And one of the scribes came up and heard them disputing with one another, and seeing that he answered them well, asked him, "Which commandment is the first of all?" 29 Jesus answered, "The first is, `Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one; 30 and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ 31 The second is this, `You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these." 32 And the scribe said to him, "You are right, Teacher; you have truly said that he is one, and there is no other but he; 33 and to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the strength, and to love one’s neighbor as oneself, is much more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices." 34 And when Jesus saw that he answered wisely, he said to him, "You are not far from the kingdom of God." And after that no one dared to ask him any question.

Bible Study: [28-34] See the note on Matthew 22:34-40. [[34-40] The Marcan parallel (Mark 12:28-34) is an exchange between Jesus and a scribe who is impressed by the way in which Jesus has conducted himself in the previous controversy (Mark 12:28), who compliments him for the answer he gives him (Mark 12:32), and who is said by Jesus to be "not far from the kingdom of God" (Mark 12:34).

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Dear Lord God, O Lord as St. Augustine remind us  today, ‘There is something in humility that strangely exalts the heart’. It is with this humility that I seek to walk each day, free of myself and those who by their own nature bring out the old ways I seek to leave behind. For I seek the truths of my Lord God, who through Jesus Christ is Son, My Lord, I am able to now approach to confess, repent and ask for the past, the now and the future; all them time going in the now, aware that it is in the now that I can find You my Lord God. For You are the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. You are not bound by times past or future for You are in the now; the eternal now of God where all time is embraced by You and all my love one’s who have passed on to be with You in eternity. O Lord God in Jesus name I ask Your guidance, grace, mercy and blessing; not so much for me but for those who may look to see You in me. For I , I am content just to be with You! In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

There is something in humility that strangely exalts the heart.

— St. Augustine

Video Reflection Link: http://www.atlanticvideo.com/clients/ccom/playreal_b2.php?file=clay0606.rpm&cat=1&desc=Msgr.%20Michael%20Clay%20(1:21)

Tobit 3:1-11, 16-17

1 Then in my grief I wept, and I prayed in anguish, saying, 2 "Righteous art thou, O Lord; all thy deeds and all they ways are mercy and truth, and thou dost render true and righteous judgment for ever. 3 Remember me and look favorably upon me; do not punish me for my sins and for my unwitting offences and those which my fathers committed before thee. 4 For they disobeyed thy commandments, and thou gavest us over to plunder, captivity, and death; thou madest us a byword of reproach in all the nations among which we have been dispersed. 5 And now thy many judgments are true in exacting penalty from me for my sins and those of my fathers, because we did not keep thy commandments. For we did not walk in truth before thee. 6 And now deal with me according to thy pleasure; command my spirit to be taken up, that I may depart and become dust. For it is better for me to die than to live, because I have heard false reproaches, and great is the sorrow within me. Command that I now be released from my distress to go to the eternal abode; do not turn thy face away from me." 7 On the same day, at Ecbatana in Media, it also happened that Sarah, the daughter of Raguel, was reproached by her father’s maids, 8 because she had been given to seven husbands, and the evil demon Asmodeus had slain each of them before he had been with her as his wife. So the maids said to her, "Do you not know that you strangle your husbands? You already have had seven and have had no benefit from any of them. 9 Why do you beat us? If they are dead, go with them! May we never see a son or daughter of yours!" 10 When she heard these things she was deeply grieved, even to the thought of hanging herself. But she said, "I am the only child of my father; if I do this, it will be a disgrace to him, and I shall bring his old age down in sorrow to the grave. 11 So she prayed by her window and said, "Blessed art thou, O Lord my God, and blessed is thy holy and honored name for ever. May all thy works praise thee for ever. 16 The prayer of both was heard in the presence of the glory of the great God. 17 And Raphael was sent to heal the two of them: to scale away the white films of Tobit’s eyes; to give Sarah the daughter of Raguel in marriage to Tobias the son of Tobit, and to bind Asmodeus the evil demon, because Tobias was entitled to possess her. At that very moment Tobit returned and entered his house and Sarah the daughter of Raguel came down from her upper room.

Bible Study:  [6] It is better for me to die than to live: in his distress Tobit uses the words of the petulant Jonah (Jonah 4:3, 8), who wished to die because God did not destroy the hated Ninevites. In similar circumstances, Moses (Numbers 11:15), Elijah (1 Kings 19:4), and Job (Job 7:15) also prayed for death. Everlasting abode: a reference to Sheol, the dismal abode of the dead from which no one returns (Job 7:9-10; 14:12; Isaiah 26:14). The revelation of a blessed immortality had not yet been made. See note on Tobit 4:6. [7] From here on, the story is told in the third person. Tobit 3:7 relates one of the several marvelous coincidences which the story teller uses to heighten interest; see also Tobit 3:16, 17; 4:1; 5:4. Ecbatana: Hamadan in modern Iran; this was the capital of ancient Media. Raguel: "friend of God." [8] Asmodeus: in Persian aeshma daeva, "demon of wrath," adopted into Aramaic with the sense of "the Destroyer." He will be subdued (Tobit 8:3) by Raphael (Tobit 3:17) "God heals." [11] Facing the window: that is, looking toward Jerusalem; cf Daniel 6:11: Blessed are you and "Blessed be God" are traditional openings of Jewish prayers (Tobit 8:5, 15; 11:14; 13:1). [17] Tobiah had the right: according to the patriarchal custom of marriage within the family group. Tobiah was Sarah’s closest eligible relative (Tobit 6:12). Cf Tobit 4:12-13; Genesis 24.

Psalm 25:2-9

2 O my God, in thee I trust, let me not be put to shame; let not my enemies exult over me. 3 Yea, let none that wait for thee be put to shame; let them be ashamed who are wantonly treacherous. 4 Make me to know thy ways, O LORD; teach me thy paths. 5 Lead me in thy truth, and teach me, for thou art the God of my salvation; for thee I wait all the day long. 6 Be mindful of thy mercy, O LORD, and of thy steadfast love, for they have been from of old. 7 Remember not the sins of my youth, or my transgressions; according to thy steadfast love remember me, for thy goodness’ sake, O LORD! 8 Good and upright is the LORD; therefore he instructs sinners in the way. 9 He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble his way.

Bible Study:  [Psalm 25] A lament. Each verse begins with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet. Such acrostic psalms are often a series of statements only loosely connected. The psalmist mixes ardent pleas (Psalm 25:1-2, 16-22) with expressions of confidence in God who forgives and guides.

See CS Lewis’s Reflection of the Psalms

Mark 12:18-27

18 And Sad’ducees came to him, who say that there is no resurrection; and they asked him a question, saying, 19 "Teacher, Moses wrote for us that if a man’s brother dies and leaves a wife, but leaves no child, the man must take the wife, and raise up children for his brother. 20 There were seven brothers; the first took a wife, and when he died left no children; 21 and the second took her, and died, leaving no children; and the third likewise; 22 and the seven left no children. Last of all the woman also died. 23 In the resurrection whose wife will she be? For the seven had her as wife." 24 Jesus said to them, "Is not this why you are wrong, that you know neither the scriptures nor the power of God? 25 For when they rise from the dead, they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven. 26 And as for the dead being raised, have you not read in the book of Moses, in the passage about the bush, how God said to him, `I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’? 27 He is not God of the dead, but of the living; you are quite wrong."

Bible Study: [18-27] See the note on Matthew 22:23-33. [[23-33] Here Jesus’ opponents are the Sadducees, members of the powerful priestly party of his time; see the note on Matthew 3:7. Denying the resurrection of the dead, a teaching of relatively late origin in Judaism (cf Daniel 12:2), they appeal to a law of the Pentateuch (First five Books of the Old Testament) (Deut 25:5-10) and present a case based on it that would make resurrection from the dead ridiculous (Matthew 22:24-28). Jesus chides them for knowing neither the scriptures nor the power of God (Matthew 22:29). His argument in respect to God’s power contradicts the notion, held even by many proponents as well as by opponents of the teaching, that the life of those raised from the dead would be essentially a continuation of the type of life they had had before death (Matthew 22:30). His argument based on the scriptures (Matthew 22:31-32) is of a sort that was accepted as valid among Jews of the time. [23] Saying that there is no resurrection: in the Marcan parallel (Matthew 22:12, 18) the Sadducees are correctly defined as those "who say there is no resurrection"; see also Luke 20:27. Matthew’s rewording of Mark can mean that these particular Sadducees deny the resurrection, which would imply that he was not aware that the denial was characteristic of the party. For some scholars this is an indication of his being a Gentile Christian; see the note on Matthew 21:4-5.]

Dear Lord God, today I sit in quite, my thoughts few, my anxiety reserve but present in what is to be. My mind tries to focus on who and what I am and how; as I write I recall last night and think what do I have, what am I doing and how am I being. Well my past confessions lay out my full awareness of all my transgressions as Your child, a person, a son, a brother, a husband, a father and more; not always pleased but often confused, is this confusion just the prideful selfish being that lies inside because at the same time I repent; but I must rise for I cannot let pity and sorrow consume me, I must shake off the dust, the doubts and move on with eyes of faith. So as with almost every day I start with You, but today I am slow to get up and going weighted down by the words and actions of others whether against me of not. O Lord then You recall through my Bible study the life of Job and in Job 2:9-10 their exchange when she rebukes him and he says "Are even you going to speak as senseless women do? We accept good things from God; and should we not accept evil?" ‘Through all this, Job said nothing sinful.’  O Lord I (we) are such selfish soul not even allowing one day of darkness to quite and give me rest. Forgive me, remove from me this selfish subconscious wining and replace it with conscious feelings of acceptance for we walk together, and what more can I, can anyone ask or seek than to know they walk with You. Change that worry over what will be next to a anxious excitement over knowing that what comes next is Thy will for me! Let my prayers source be a humble heart, let my mind fervently feel that source, let my spiritual being e resigned to that source, let my body persevere because of that source and let this be done with all reverence for You my Lord God, the Son Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit, Amen.

Prayer ought to be humble, fervent, resigned, persevering, and accompanied with great reverence. One should consider that he stands in the presence of a God, and speaks with a Lord before whom the angels tremble from awe and fear.

— St. Mary Magdalen de Pazzi

St. Boniface, Bishop, Martyr (Memorial)

c. 672 – June 5, 754), the Apostle of the Germans, born Winfrid or Wynfrith at Crediton in the kingdom of Wessex (now in Devon, England), was a missionary who propagated Christianity in the Frankish Empire during the 8th century. He is the patron saint of Germany and the Netherlands.He was killed in Frisia in 754. First Mission to Frisia was in 716. In 723, Boniface felled the holy oak tree dedicated to Thor near the present-day town of Fritzlar in northern Hesse. He did this with Elijah in mind. Boniface called upon Thor to strike him down if he cut the "holy" tree. According to St. Boniface’s first biographer, his contemporary Saint Willibald, Boniface started to chop the oak down, when suddenly a great wind, as if by miracle, blew the ancient oak over. When Thor did not strike him down, the people converted to Christianity. He built a chapel from its wood at the site where today stands the cathedral of Fritzlar. Later he established the first bishopric in Germany north of the old Roman Limes at the Frankish fortified settlement of Büraburg, on a prominent hill facing the town across the Eder River. The felling of Thor’s Oak is commonly regarded as the beginning of German Christianization north and east of the old borders of the Roman Empire.

Triva: A little-known fact is that he started the Christmas tree tradition that we know today. It is true other cultures had similar objects, but they were entirely different in meaning and purpose. The Christmas tree was created as a symbol of Christ’s sacrifice on the Cross. The trees that Boniface cut down to demonstrate this were trees that were holy to the pagans. By cutting down the trees (after a startling scene), he was showing that their gods would not be able to rebuke him because they were not real. It also signified that there was only one holy tree, the cross upon which Jesus Christ had died.

Tobit 2:9-14

9 On the same night I returned from burying him, and because I was defiled I slept by the wall of the courtyard, and my face was uncovered. 10 I did not know that there were sparrows on the wall and their fresh droppings fell into my open eyes and white films formed on my eyes. I went to physicians, but they did not help me. Ahikar, however, took care of me until he went to Elymais. 11 Then my wife Anna earned money at women’s work. 12 She used to send the product to the owners. Once when they paid her wages, they also gave her a kid; 13 and when she returned to me it began to bleat. So I said to her, "Where did you get the kid? It is not stolen, is it? Return it to the owners; for it is not right to eat what is stolen." 14 And she said, "It was given to me as a gift in addition to my wages." But I did not believe her, and told her to return it to the owners; and I blushed for her. Then she replied to me, "Where are your charities and your righteous deeds? You seem to know everything!"

Bible Study: [12] Late in winter: literally, "seventh of Dystros," the Macedonian month which corresponds to the Jewish month of Shebat (January-February). For the table: literally, "for the hearth"; the gift had probably been made in view of some springtime festival like the Jewish Purim. [14] Anna’s sharp rebuke calls to mind the words of Job’s wife (Job 2:9).

Psalm 112:1-2, 7-9

1 Praise the LORD. Blessed is the man who fears the LORD, who greatly delights in his commandments! 2 His descendants will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed. 7 He is not afraid of evil tidings; his heart is firm, trusting in the LORD. 8 His heart is steady, he will not be afraid, until he sees his desire on his adversaries. 9 He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures for ever; his horn is exalted in honor.

Bible Study: [Psalm 112] An acrostic poem detailing the blessings received by those who remain close to God by obedience to the commandments. Among their blessings are children (Psalm 112:2), wealth that enables them to be magnanimous (Psalm 112:3, 5, 9), and virtue by which they encourage others (Psalm 112:4). The just person is an affront to the wicked, whose hopes remain unfulfilled (Psalm 112:10). The logic resembles Psalms 1; 111.

Mark 12:13-17

13 And they sent to him some of the Pharisees and some of the Hero’di-ans, to entrap him in his talk. 14 And they came and said to him, "Teacher, we know that you are true, and care for no man; for you do not regard the position of men, but truly teach the way of God. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not? 15 Should we pay them, or should we not?" But knowing their hypocrisy, he said to them, "Why put me to the test? Bring me a coin, and let me look at it." 16 And they brought one. And he said to them, "Whose likeness and inscription is this?" They said to him, "Caesar’s." 17 Jesus said to them, "Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s." And they were amazed at him.

Bible Study: [13-34] In the ensuing conflicts (cf also Mark 2:1-3:6) Jesus vanquishes his adversaries by his responses to their questions and reduces them to silence (Mark 12:34). [13-17] See the note on Matthew 22:15-22.

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