by Sister Carolyn Zahringer
At first glance the readings for this weekend appear on the
surface to be filled with discomfort and challenge. Jeremiah is in
trouble and has been tossed into a cistern. But, he is brought to
safety by order of the King. Ah safe, at least for the
moment!
In a 50-word opening sentence, the author of Hebrews gives us a
mandate to keep "our eyes fixed on Jesus, the leader and perfecter
of faith." Ah, good advice!
Jesus tells his disciples in the Gospel: "I have come to set the
earth on fire, and how I wish it were blazing! There is a baptism
with which I must be baptized, and how great is my anguish until it
is accomplished!" Oh, what is Jesus really saying?
Unrest and desire are expressed in each text. Do we see a message
of HOPE hiding for us to uncover?
During this Year of Faith, we have been invited and challenged to look deeper, to listen more keenly to what is happening in and around us.
Listen "deeply" and "look" deeply ... "Lord, come to my aid!" (Ps.40)
Chapter 27, US Catholic Catechism for Adults
Remember to keep holy the
Lord's Day.
Third Commandment
by Sister Mary Kabat
"And God rested ..." God's rest was one of contemplation as God gazed with love on all creation, finding it very good. What a gift this commandment is for us especially in our fast-paced, consumerist society. We are given a day to worship God in a visible and public way at Mass and to take time to nourish our relationships with God, family and friends.
As Christians we keep the Lord's Day on Sunday, the day we celebrate Jesus' resurrection. The Church obliges us to make Sunday holy by participating in the Eucharist. Knowing all God is and does for us, we come not in obligation but in a spirit of praise and gratitude. Celebrating the Eucharist together is the heart of our Sunday. It fulfills the Third Commandment and the words of Jesus, "Do this in memory of me." (Lk 22:19) From the Mass we carry our joy and faith into the rest of the day and into the week ahead as we serve others as brothers and sisters in Christ.