One Walk

Dear Lord God, Your Angels under the sun humble me so, they take me beyond thought and comprehension to the point of You. Where only You can connect spiritually to show the unlimited power of us as spiritual beings. I am so blessed, and as Paul preaches in today’s readings, ‘We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. For while we live we are always being given up to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus may be manifested in our mortal flesh. So death is at work in us, but life in you.’ So it is for this reason that I gladly keep dying to myself under the sun, knowing that I rise with Jesus, only hoping to reflect His image and produce the fruit of His Spirit which lives within me. Dear Lord God, with so many earthly things on my mind, it is clear You want me to stop and meditate on Your Angels and on Paul’s message. So this I gladly do in honor of You and for the glory of Christ Jesus. Use these words to create in me a clean and pure heart with eyes of faith and faith that will move mountains. This I seek in Jesus name, for His Glory is forever, Amen.

Religious pictures of themselves will not make a family good. Only when they are contemplated upon, are they a practical way to help true Christian sentiment, and to a true Christian way of living in the family.

— St. John Vianney

2 Corinthians 4:7-15

7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, to show that the transcendent power belongs to God and not to us. 8 We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; 10 always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. 11 For while we live we are always being given up to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus may be manifested in our mortal flesh. 12 So death is at work in us, but life in you. 13 Since we have the same spirit of faith as he had who wrote, "I believed, and so I spoke," we too believe, and so we speak, 14 knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us with you into his presence. 15 For it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God.

Bible Study: [4:7-5:10] Paul now confronts the difficulty that his present existence does not appear glorious at all; it is marked instead by suffering and death. He deals with this by developing the topic already announced in 2 Cor 3:3, 6, asserting his faith in the presence and ultimate triumph of life, in his own and every Christian existence, despite the experience of death. [7] This treasure: the glory that he preaches and into which they are being transformed. In earthen vessels: the instruments God uses are human and fragile; some imagine small terracotta lamps in which light is carried. [8-9] A catalogue of his apostolic trials and afflictions. Yet in these the negative never completely prevails; there is always some experience of rescue, of salvation. [10-11] Both the negative and the positive sides of the experience are grounded christologically. The logic is similar to that of 2 Cor 1:3-11. His sufferings are connected with Christ’s, and his deliverance is a sign that he is to share in Jesus’ resurrection. [12-15] His experience does not terminate in himself, but in others (12.15; cf 2 Cor 1, 4-5). Ultimately, everything is ordered even beyond the community, toward God (2 Cor 4:15; cf 2 Cor 1:11). [13-14] Like the Psalmist, Paul clearly proclaims his faith, affirming life within himself despite death (2 Cor 4:10-11) and the life-giving effect of his experience upon the church (2 Cor 4:12, 14-15). And place us with you in his presence: Paul imagines God presenting him and them to Jesus at the parousia and the judgment; cf 2 Cor 11:2; Romans 14:10.

Psalm 126:1-6

1 When the LORD restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dream. 2 Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy; then they said among the nations, "The LORD has done great things for them." 3 The LORD has done great things for us; we are glad. 4 Restore our fortunes, O LORD, like the watercourses in the Negeb! 5 May those who sow in tears reap with shouts of joy! 6 He that goes forth weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, bringing his sheaves with him.

Bible Study: [Psalm 126] A lament probably sung shortly after Israel’s return from exile. The people rejoice that they are in Zion (Psalm 126:1-3) but mere presence in the holy city is not enough; they must pray for the prosperity and the fertility of the land (Psalm 126:4). The last verses are probably an oracle of promise: the painful work of sowing will be crowned with life (Psalm 126:5-6).

Matthew 20:20-28

20 Then the mother of the sons of Zeb’edee came up to him, with her sons, and kneeling before him she asked him for something. 21 And he said to her, "What do you want?" She said to him, "Command that these two sons of mine may sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your kingdom." 22 But Jesus answered, "You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am to drink?" They said to him, "We are able." 23 He said to them, "You will drink my cup, but to sit at my right hand and at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father." 24 And when the ten heard it, they were indignant at the two brothers. 25 But Jesus called them to him and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them. 26 It shall not be so among you; but whoever would be great among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever would be first among you must be your slave; 28 even as the Son of man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."

Bible Study: [20-28] Cf Mark 10:35-45. The request of the sons of Zebedee, made through their mother, for the highest places of honor in the kingdom, and the indignation of the other ten disciples at this request, show that neither the two brothers nor the others have understood that what makes for greatness in the kingdom is not lordly power but humble service. Jesus gives the example, and his ministry of service will reach its highest point when he gives his life for the deliverance of the human race from sin. 9 [20-21] The reason for Matthew’s making the mother the petitioner (cf Mark 10:35) is not clear. Possibly he intends an allusion to Bathsheba’s seeking the kingdom for Solomon; see 1 Kings 1:11-21. Your kingdom: see the note on Matthew 16:28. 10 [22] You do not know what you are asking: the Greek verbs are plural and, with the rest of the verse, indicate that the answer is addressed not to the woman but to her sons. Drink the cup: see the note on Mark 10:38-40. Matthew omits the Marcan "or be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized" (Matthew 10:38). [28] Ransom: this noun, which occurs in the New Testament only here and in the Marcan parallel (Matthew 10:45), does not necessarily express the idea of liberation by payment of some price. The cognate verb is used frequently in the LXX of God’s liberating Israel from Egypt or from Babylonia after the Exile; see Exodus 6:6; 15:13; Psalm 77:16 (76 LXX); Isaiah 43:1; 44:22. The liberation brought by Jesus’ death will be for many; cf Isaiah 53:12. Many does not mean that some are excluded, but is a Semitism designating the collectivity who benefit from the service of the one, and is equivalent to "all." While there are few verbal contacts between this saying and the fourth Servant Song (Isaiah 52:13-53:12), the ideas of that passage are reflected here.

Dear Lord God, it is clear I tend to see what I want rather than what really is; maybe it is the believer looking for the good, maybe it is the dreamer looking for what could be, maybe it is the child in me trusting to much in dreams and what I have been taught to believe. For under the sun all is not good, dreams do not always come true and trust in man is misplaced; so I will continue to believe in Your promise, dream of Your kingdom and trust only in You. For You have truly blessed me in so many ways, the most being the blessing of being blessed. For I see Your hand at work and as Joseph said to his brothers, ‘even though some meant to harm me, my Lord God meant it for good, and will use these things for good according to His will and purpose for me’. So I will shake off the dust from my feet and leave that house or town, ask and pray that You create in me a clean and pure heart; and seek to fulfill Your purpose for me. For what more can a man believe, dream or trust than in You Lord God through Jesus Christ in the Holy Spirit. So my Heavenly Father hear my prayers, guide my steps and words, feed my spirit, quench my thirst and above all help me do Your will according to Your purpose. Amen.

Zeal without knowledge is always less useful and effective than informed zeal, and is very often dangerous!

— St. Bernard of Clairvaux

Exodus 14:21 — 15:1

21 Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the LORD drove the sea back by a strong east wind all night, and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided. 22 And the people of Israel went into the midst of the sea on dry ground, the waters being a wall to them on their right hand and on their left. 23 The Egyptians pursued, and went in after them into the midst of the sea, all Pharaoh’s horses, his chariots, and his horsemen. 24 And in the morning watch the LORD in the pillar of fire and of cloud looked down upon the host of the Egyptians, and discomfited the host of the Egyptians, 25 clogging their chariot wheels so that they drove heavily; and the Egyptians said, "Let us flee from before Israel; for the LORD fights for them against the Egyptians." 26 Then the LORD said to Moses, "Stretch out your hand over the sea, that the water may come back upon the Egyptians, upon their chariots, and upon their horsemen." 27 So Moses stretched forth his hand over the sea, and the sea returned to its wonted flow when the morning appeared; and the Egyptians fled into it, and the LORD routed the Egyptians in the midst of the sea. 28 The waters returned and covered the chariots and the horsemen and all the host of Pharaoh that had followed them into the sea; not so much as one of them remained. 29 But the people of Israel walked on dry ground through the sea, the waters being a wall to them on their right hand and on their left. 30 Thus the LORD saved Israel that day from the hand of the Egyptians; and Israel saw the Egyptians dead upon the seashore. 31 And Israel saw the great work which the LORD did against the Egyptians, and the people feared the LORD; and they believed in the LORD and in his servant Moses.

1 Then Moses and the people of Israel sang this song to the LORD, saying, "I will sing to the LORD, for he has triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider he has thrown into the sea.

Exodus 15:8-10, 12, 17

8 At the blast of thy nostrils the waters piled up, the floods stood up in a heap; the deeps congealed in the heart of the sea. 9 The enemy said, `I will pursue, I will overtake, I will divide the spoil, my desire shall have its fill of them. I will draw my sword, my hand shall destroy them.’ 10 Thou didst blow with thy wind, the sea covered them; they sank as lead in the mighty waters. 12 Thou didst stretch out thy right hand, the earth swallowed them. 17 Thou wilt bring them in, and plant them on thy own mountain, the place, O LORD, which thou hast made for thy abode, the sanctuary, LORD, which thy hands have established.

Matthew 12:46-50

46 While he was still speaking to the people, behold, his mother and his brothers stood outside, asking to speak to him. 48 But he replied to the man who told him, "Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?" 49 And stretching out his hand toward his disciples, he said, "Here are my mother and my brothers! 50 For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother, and sister, and mother."

Bible Studt: [46-50] See Mark 3:31-35. Matthew has omitted Mark 3:20-21 which is taken up in Mark 3:31 (see the note on Matthew 12:22-32), yet the point of the story is the same in both gospels: natural kinship with Jesus counts for nothing; only one who does the will of his heavenly Father belongs to his true family.

Dear Lord God, my ears and eyes are open, listening watching, my mind fights to forgive and forget separating itself from sin, regret, hurt and anger as the east is from the west. Here I am with You again, looking for a state of peace, awaiting Your will, hoping today to be the day; certain in Your presence, wondering about Your purpose for me. O Lord that You would bless me indeed and enlarge my territory, keep me from evil and from causing pain. For I seek to serve Your purpose. "Lord, what will you have me do?" In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

It is important that you choose your career with care, so that you may really follow the vocation that God has destined for you. No day should pass without some prayer to this end. Often repeat with St. Paul: "Lord, what will you have me do?"

— St. John Bosco

Exodus 14:5-18

5 When the king of Egypt was told that the people had fled, the mind of Pharaoh and his servants was changed toward the people, and they said, "What is this we have done, that we have let Israel go from serving us?" 6 So he made ready his chariot and took his army with him, 7 and took six hundred picked chariots and all the other chariots of Egypt with officers over all of them. 8 And the LORD hardened the heart of Pharaoh king of Egypt and he pursued the people of Israel as they went forth defiantly. 9 The Egyptians pursued them, all Pharaoh’s horses and chariots and his horsemen and his army, and overtook them encamped at the sea, by Pi-ha-hi’roth, in front of Ba’al-ze’phon. 10 When Pharaoh drew near, the people of Israel lifted up their eyes, and behold, the Egyptians were marching after them; and they were in great fear. And the people of Israel cried out to the LORD; 11 and they said to Moses, "Is it because there are no graves in Egypt that you have taken us away to die in the wilderness? What have you done to us, in bringing us out of Egypt? 12 Is not this what we said to you in Egypt, `Let us alone and let us serve the Egyptians’? For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the wilderness." 13 And Moses said to the people, "Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will work for you today; for the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall never see again. 14 The LORD will fight for you, and you have only to be still." 15 The LORD said to Moses, "Why do you cry to me? Tell the people of Israel to go forward. 16 Lift up your rod, and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it, that the people of Israel may go on dry ground through the sea. 17 And I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians so that they shall go in after them, and I will get glory over Pharaoh and all his host, his chariots, and his horsemen. 18 And the Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD, when I have gotten glory over Pharaoh, his chariots, and his horsemen."

Bible Study: [2] These places have not been definitively identified. Even the relative position of Pi-hahiroth and Baal-zephon is not clear; perhaps the former was on the west shore of the sea, where the Israelites were, and the latter on the opposite shore.

Exodus 15:1-6

1 Then Moses and the people of Israel sang this song to the LORD, saying, "I will sing to the LORD, for he has triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider he has thrown into the sea. 2 The LORD is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation; this is my God, and I will praise him, my father’s God, and I will exalt him. 3 The LORD is a man of war; the LORD is his name. 4 "Pharaoh’s chariots and his host he cast into the sea; and his picked officers are sunk in the Red Sea. 5 The floods cover them; they went down into the depths like a stone. 6 Thy right hand, O LORD, glorious in power, thy right hand, O LORD, shatters the enemy.

Bible Study: [1-21] This canticle (used in Christian liturgy) celebrates God’s saving power, miraculously delivering his people from their enemies, and leading them to the victorious conquest of the Promised Land.

Matthew 12:38-42

38 Then some of the scribes and Pharisees said to him, "Teacher, we wish to see a sign from you." 39 But he answered them, "An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign; but no sign shall be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. 40 For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the whale, so will the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. 41 The men of Nin’eveh will arise at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and behold, something greater than Jonah is here. 42 The queen of the South will arise at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and behold, something greater than Solomon is here.

Bible Study: [38-42] This section is mainly from Q (see Luke 11:29-32). Mark 8:11-12, which Matthew has followed in Matthew 16:1-4, has a similar demand for a sign. The scribes and Pharisees refuse to accept the exorcisms of Jesus as authentication of his claims and demand a sign that will end all possibility of doubt. Jesus’ response is that no such sign will be given. Because his opponents are evil and see him as an agent of Satan, nothing will convince them.  [38] Teacher: see the note on Matthew 8:19. In Matthew 16:1 the request is for a sign "from heaven" (Mark 8:11).  [39] Unfaithful: literally, "adulterous." The covenant between God and Israel was portrayed as a marriage bond, and unfaithfulness to the covenant as adultery; cf Hosea 2:4-14; Jeremiah 3:6-10.  [40] See Jonah 2:1. While in Q the sign was simply Jonah’s preaching to the Ninevites (Luke 11:30, 32), Matthew here adds Jonah’s sojourn in the belly of the whale for three days and three nights, a prefigurement of Jesus’ sojourn in the abode of the dead and, implicitly, of his resurrection.  [41-42] The Ninevites who repented (see Jonah 3:1-10) and the queen of the south (i.e., of Sheba; see 1 Kings 10:1-13) were pagans who responded to lesser opportunities than have been offered to Israel in the ministry of Jesus, something greater than Jonah or Solomon. At the final judgment they will condemn the faithless generation that has rejected him.

Dear Lord God, thank You for blessing me with a thirst for Your word, Your truths, Your secrets; help me not to dwell on the things under the sun, but to focus on compassion and mercy, turning to You for all that I need to overcome and persevere among the lions and wolves and when the flood waters surround me, through the mystery of Christ Jesus who lives in me, Amen.

As God recognized each of us before we were born, and called us by name, so too may we recognize the value of each human life and pledge ourselves to continue to defend and nurture God’s greatest gift to us.

— NCCB 1992 Respect Life Manual

Wisdom 8:9-16

9 Therefore I determined to take her to live with me, knowing that she would give me good counsel and encouragement in cares and grief. 10 Because of her I shall have glory among the multitudes and honor in the presence of the elders, though I am young. 11 I shall be found keen in judgment, and in the sight of rulers I shall be admired. 12 When I am silent they will wait for me, and when I speak they will give heed; and when I speak at greater length they will put their hands on their mouths. 13 Because of her I shall have immortality, and leave an everlasting remembrance to those who come after me. 14 I shall govern peoples, and nations will be subject to me; 15 dread monarchs will be afraid of me when they hear of me; among the people I shall show myself capable, and courageous in war. 16 When I enter my house, I shall find rest with her, for companionship with her has no bitterness, and life with her has no pain, but gladness and joy.

Bible Study: [12] Hands upon their mouths: an oft-mentioned sign of respect among the ancients for unanswerable wisdom; cf Job 40:4.

or 2 Corinthians 5:14-21

14 For the love of Christ controls us, because we are convinced that one has died for all; therefore all have died. 15 And he died for all, that those who live might live no longer for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised. 16 From now on, therefore, we regard no one from a human point of view; even though we once regarded Christ from a human point of view, we regard him thus no longer. 17 Therefore, if any one is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, behold, the new has come. 18 All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. 20 So we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We beseech you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

Bible Study: [14-15] These verses echo 2 Cor 4:14 and resume the treatment of "life despite death" from 2 Cor 4:7-5:10. [16-17] Consequently: the death of Christ described in 2 Cor 5:14-15 produces a whole new order (2 Cor 5:17) and a new mode of perception (2 Cor 5:16). According to the flesh: the natural mode of perception, characterized as "fleshly," is replaced by a mode of perception proper to the Spirit. Elsewhere Paul contrasts what Christ looks like according to the old criteria (weakness, powerlessness, folly, death) and according to the new (wisdom, power, life); cf 2 Cor 5:15.21; 1 Cor 1:17-3:3. Similarly, he describes the paradoxical nature of Christian existence, e.g., in 2 Cor 4:10-11, 14. A new creation: rabbis used this expression to describe the effect of the entrance of a proselyte or convert into Judaism or of the remission of sins on the Day of Atonement. The new order created in Christ is the new covenant (2 Cor 3:6). [18-21] Paul attempts to explain the meaning of God’s action by a variety of different categories; his attention keeps moving rapidly back and forth from God’s act to his own ministry as well. Who has reconciled us to himself: i.e., he has brought all into oneness. Not counting their trespasses: the reconciliation is described as an act of justification (cf "righteousness," 2 Cor 5:21); this contrasts with the covenant that condemned (2 Cor 3:8). The ministry of reconciliation: Paul’s role in the wider picture is described: entrusted with the message of reconciliation (2 Cor 5:19), he is Christ’s ambassador, through whom God appeals (2 Cor 5:20a). In v 20b Paul acts in the capacity just described. [21] This is a statement of God’s purpose, expressed paradoxically in terms of sharing and exchange of attributes. As Christ became our righteousness (1 Cor 1:30), we become God’s righteousness (cf 2 Cor 5:14-15).

Psalm 67:2-5, 7-8

2 that thy way may be known upon earth, thy saving power among all nations. 3 Let the peoples praise thee, O God; let all the peoples praise thee! 4 Let the nations be glad and sing for joy, for thou dost judge the peoples with equity and guide the nations upon earth. [Selah] 5 Let the peoples praise thee, O God; let all the peoples praise thee! 7 God has blessed us; let all the ends of the earth fear him!

Bible Study: [Psalm 67] A petition for a bountiful harvest (Psalm 67:7), made in the awareness that Israel’s prosperity will persuade the nations to worship its God.

Luke 9:1-6

1 And he called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, 2 and he sent them out to preach the kingdom of God and to heal. 3 And he said to them, "Take nothing for your journey, no staff, nor bag, nor bread, nor money; and do not have two tunics. 4 And whatever house you enter, stay there, and from there depart. 5 And wherever they do not receive you, when you leave that town shake off the dust from your feet as a testimony against them." 6 And they departed and went through the villages, preaching the gospel and healing everywhere.

Bible Study: [1-6] Armed with the power and authority that Jesus himself has been displaying in the previous episodes, the Twelve are now sent out to continue the work that Jesus has been performing throughout his Galilean ministry: (1) proclaiming the kingdom (Luke 4:43; 8:1); (2) exorcising demons (Luke 4:33-37, 41; 8:26-39) and (3) healing the sick (Luke 4:38-40; 5:12-16, 17-26; 6:6-10; 7:1-10, 17, 22; Luke 8:40-56). [3] Take nothing for the journey: the absolute detachment required of the disciple (Luke 14:33) leads to complete reliance on God (Luke 12:22-31). [5] Shake the dust from your feet: see the note on Matthew 10:14.