Wednesday July 29 Feast of Saint Martha, Cook for Jesus

Daily Dig for July 29 Pope Francis Irenaeus [taught] that the glory of God is seen in a living human being…Let the light of that glory shine so brightly that everyone may come to recognize the inestimable value of all human life. Even the weakest and most vulnerable, the sick, the old, the unborn and the poor, are masterpieces of God’s creation, made in his own image, destined to live forever, and deserving of the utmost reverence and respect. Source: Spoken at the Vatican City, July 17, 2013

Daily Prayer for July 29 Christoph Friedrich Blumhardt True, he died on the cross in weakness, but he lives by the power of God; and we who share his weakness shall by the power of God live with him in your service. 2 Corinthians 13:4, NEB Lord our God, we thank you for the love you show us so that we may be delivered from weakness and sickness, from sin and misery, and may be given strength to serve you, our Father in heaven. Bless us in all we have on our hearts, that through your mercy the battle of life may be fought aright. Bless us in our times and grant that justice may gain the upper hand and we may live in peace, praising you into all eternity. Protect us, your children, forevermore. May your name be honored, your kingdom come, and your will be done on earth as in heaven. Amen.

Tuesday July 28 Let us Seek to Forget and forgive and move on after we wrap all the hurts in a garbage bag and though them in the dumpster

Daily Dig for July 28 Kathleen Noris Worship grounds me again in the real world of God’s creation, dislodging me from whatever world I have imagined for myself. I have come to believe that when we despair of praise, when the wonder of creation and our place in it are lost to us, it’s often because we’ve lost sight of our true role as creatures – we have tried to do too much, pretending to be in such control of things that we are indispensable. It’s a hedge against mortality and, if you’re like me, you take a kind of comfort in being busy. The danger is that we will come to feel too useful, so full of purpose and the necessity of fulfilling obligations that we lose sight of God’s play with creation, and with ourselves. Source: The Quotidian Mysteries

Daily Prayer for July 28 Christoph Friedrich Blumhardt Now we find that the Law keeps slipping into the picture to point the vast extent of sin. Yet, though sin is shown to be wide and deep, thank God his grace is wider and deeper still! Romans 5:20, Phillips Lord our God, we come into your presence, pleading with you to bring the world what it needs, so that people may be freed from all their pain and enabled to serve you. Let the power of Jesus Christ be revealed in our time. For he has taken on our sin that justice might arise on earth, that all might have life and might see your salvation, which you will bring when the time is fulfilled. Let your power be revealed in the world, and let your will be done, your name be kept holy, and all wrongs be righted in this turbulent and difficult age. O Lord our God, you alone can help. You alone are the Savior of all peoples. In your great mercy you can bring peace. We look to you. And when we consider your Word, we remember the mighty promises you have given, promises which are to be fulfilled in our time. Amen.

Monday July 27 Lamb of God, Sower of Seeds, Last Refuge

Daily Dig for July 27 J. Heinrich Arnold The image of a sweet, gentle Savior, like the thought of an all-loving God, is wonderful, but it is only a small part of the picture. It insulates us from the real power of his touch. Christ comforts and heals, saves and forgives – we know that; but we must not forget that he judges too. If we truly love him, we will love everything in him; not only his compassion and mercy, but his sharpness too. It is his sharpness that prunes and purifies.  Source: Freedom From Sinful Thoughts Daily Prayer for July 24 Christoph Friedrich Blumhardt So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. Hebrews 10:35–36, NIV Lord our God, we bow down before you in this time when you have brought us hardships and judgment. Change this earthly age, we beseech you. Bring in something from heaven so that your will may be done and your mercy come to all nations. Strengthen us on all our ways, we pray. We thank you for all you have done for us. May your name be praised and glorified at all times. We want to follow you and to remain in your heavenly life. Amen.

Sunday July 26

Sunday July 26 The 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time

JESUS PAYS A HUNDREDFOLD THE LITTLE WE OFFER

(A biblical refection on THE 17th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME [YEAR B] – July 26, 2015) 

Gospel Reading: John 6:1-15 

First Reading: 2Kings 4:42-44; Psalms: Psalm 145:10-11,15-18; Second Reading: Ephesians 4:1-6 

The Scripture Text

After this Jesus went to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, which is the Sea of Tiberias. And a multitude followed Him, because they saw the signs which He did on those who were diseased. Jesus went up into the hills, and there sat down with His disciples. Now the Passover, the feast of the Jews, was at hand. Lifting up His eyes, then, and seeing that a multitude was coming to Him, Jesus said to Phillip, “How are we to buy bread, so that these people may eat?” This He said to test him, for He Himself knew what He would do. Philip answered Him, “Two hundred denarii would not buy enough bread for each of them to get a little.” One of His disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to Him, “There is a lad here who has five barley loaves and two fish; but what are they among so many?” Jesus said, “Make the people sit down.” Now there was much grass in the place; so the men sat down, in number about five thousand. Jesus then took the loaves, and when He had given thanks, He distributed them to those who were seated; so also the fish, as much as they wanted. And when they had eaten their fill, He told His disciples, “Gather up the fragments from the five barley loaves, left by those who had eaten. When the people saw the sign which He had done, they said, “This is indeed the prophet who is to come into the world!”

Perceiving then that they were about to come and take Him by force to make Him king, Jesus withdrew again to the hills by Himself. (John 6:1-15 RSV)

Today’s Gospel story of the little boy who gave away his lunch occurred in Tiberias, the beautiful resort city on the west bank of the Sea of Galilee. It was during the Paschal  season and Jesus saw a great crowd approaching. They reminded Him of the vast congregation that followed their God out of Egypt twelve centuries earlier, who were fed in the desert each morning with bread from heaven. Now looking at Philip, standing nearby, Jesus asked his opinion about feeding these tired people with bread. Philip replied that the idea was simply impractical.

Having overheard the conversation, a small boy, perhaps ten years old, told the apostle Andrew that Jesus could have his lunch if that would help. Andrew smiled politely at the youth’s naivete, yet was impressed with his “foolish” generosity. He finally felt compelled to relate the boy’s offer to Jesus. “But what are they among so many?” he quickly added, lest he sound ridiculous. Surprisingly, Jesus was pleased with the offer. He accepted the gift and proceeded to use it to feed 5000 men, not counting women and children.

The gift was insignificant, but what gift isn’t, when offered to God, owner of the universe? It’s not the size or value of the gift that’s important, but the love and spontaneity with which it’s given. Remember how Jesus was impressed by the widow’s penny in the collection basket? He openly marvelled at the rich faith attached to her small gift.

The Lord does wonders with simple offerings, given in genuine love. Big gifts presented to His name – for tax deductions or to impress others – don’t seem to capture His delicate attention. We all have many small but beautiful gifts we can offer. Who can’t afford to give a few minutes of prayer to Him each day? Some possess talents for special services like reading at the Sunday liturgy, leading songs, playing the organ, teaching Sunday schools, working as Eucharist minister, or assisting the crippled. There are hundreds of valuable voluntary services (gifts) we can offer. Our freewill donation in the collection envelope is another example of an offering to the Lord. Remember that no gift is too small or useless if given in the proper spirit.

Common bread is multiplied spiritually to feed a hungry soul. The Lord can change a simple jar of water to wine (John 2:1-11); a cup of wine to His own life-giving blood (Matthew 26:27-28; Luke 22:20). Add His blessings to little gifts (a few loaves and two fish) and there’s enough for all.

The small boy who because of his generosity gave up his lunch, now had more that he could eat. It’s a minor miracle to fill a ten year old, but Jesus does not leave His friends hungry. Let us imagine ourselves seeing the Lord sent home His newly discovered young friend with a couple baskets of leftovers. What you give away, you’ll get back many times. Jesus is never outdone in generosity.

Short Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are never cheap with us! You pay back a hundredfold the little we offer! Amen. 

Jakarta, 24 July 2015 

A Christian Pilgrim

Friday July 24 The Cross breaks the cycle of violenc.

Daily Dig for July 24 André Trocmé Perhaps it is true that certain violent remedies employed against tyrants have put an end to certain forms of evil, but they have not eliminated evil. Evil itself will take root elsewhere, as we have seen through history. The fertilizer that stimulates its growth is yesterday’s violence. Even “just wars” and “legitimate defense” bring vengeance in their train. Fresh crimes invariably ensue.…But the future of the person who turns to God is not determined by the past, and therefore neither is the future of humanity. God’s forgiveness creates the possibility of an entirely new future. The cross breaks the cycle of violence. Source: Jesus and the Nonviolent Revolution Daily Prayer for July 24 Christoph Friedrich Blumhardt So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. Hebrews 10:35–36, NIV Lord our God, we bow down before you in this time when you have brought us hardships and judgment. Change this earthly age, we beseech you. Bring in something from heaven so that your will may be done and your mercy come to all nations. Strengthen us on all our ways, we pray. We thank you for all you have done for us. May your name be praised and glorified at all times. We want to follow you and to remain in your heavenly life. Amen.

Thursday July 23 Gospel for the Day- We look and do not see. We hear but do not understand.

Daily Dig for July 23 Marian Wright Edelman It is so important not to let ourselves off the hook or to become apathetic or cynical by telling ourselves that nothing works or makes a difference. Every day, light your small candle. The inaction and actions of many human beings over a long time contributed to the crises our children face, and it is the action and struggle of many human beings over time that will solve these crises with God’s help. So every day, light your small candle. Source: Guide My Feet

Daily Prayer for July 23 Christoph Friedrich Blumhardt Salvation is to be found through him alone; in all the world there is no one else whom God has given who can save us. Acts 4:12, TEV Dear Father in heaven,  we thank you that you have revealed to us the name Jesus Christ, the name of your Son, who leads us to you as your children. May your hand be plainly seen over all the suffering and dying people of our time. May your hand soon bring in a new age, a time truly of God and of the Savior, fulfilling what has long been promised. Watch over us this day. Bless us. In suffering, continue to uphold us with your mighty hand. In grief, may your name still be honored. May your kingdom come, breaking into all the evil of the world, and may your will be done on earth as in heaven. Amen.

Wednesday July 22, Feast of Saint Mary Magdalene

Daily Dig for July 22 Mother Teresa God has identified himself with the hungry, the sick, the naked, the homeless; hunger, not only for bread, but for love, for care, to be somebody to someone; nakedness, not of clothing only, but nakedness of that compassion that very few people give to the unknown; homelessness, not only just from a shelter made of stone, but that homelessness that comes from having no one to call your own. Source: Mother Teresa: Essential Writings Daily Prayer for July 22 Christoph Friedrich Blumhardt You are those who have stood by me in my trials. And I confer on you a kingdom, just as my Father conferred one on me, so that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom Luke 22:28–30a, NIV Lord our God, we thank you that we may be your children and that we may hope in your Spirit. Your Spirit rules us as people whom you want to draw to yourself, as people who may serve you in their lives here on earth. Grant that we may be childlike, so that your Spirit can rule us more and more and what is good may come to many people in all places. May many come to know that their lives are not merely temporal. May they realize that they can live and act in you, and through you may experience the good that is to come to all nations on earth. Amen.

Tuesday July 21, Thought for today

Monday July 20 We all Need to Focus on what really Matters

Daily Dig for July 20 C. S. Lewis I live in the Managerial Age, in a world of “Admin.” The greatest evil is not now done in those sordid “dens of crime” that Dickens loved to paint. It is not done even in concentration camps and labor camps. In those we see its final result. But it is conceived and ordered (moved, seconded, carried, and minuted) in clean, carpeted, warmed and well-lighted offices, by quiet men with white collars and cut fingernails and smooth-shaven cheeks who do not need to raise their voices. Source: The Screwtape Letters

Daily Prayer for July 20  Christoph Friedrich Blumhardt Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth. John 4:23–24, NIV Lord our God, we thank you for being among us as our Father, for letting us be your children on earth. We thank you that as your children we can find life in spirit and in truth. Grant that each of us may find how our lives on earth can be lifted up by your Spirit. Your Spirit can bring us what we do not possess, so that our daily work, all our striving and struggling for the outward things of life, may be pervaded by what is higher and greater. Your Spirit can keep us from falling into base and petty ways, from getting lost in earthly experiences which do not last, no matter how much they demand our attention. We thank you for all you have done for your children. Continue to help us, that we may serve you every day in gladness and gratitude. Amen.

Sunday 16th Sunday Come Away and Pray

ew post on A CHRISTIAN PILGRIMAGE

JESUS INVITED US TO A LONELY PLACE, AND REST A WHILE by achristianpilgrim JESUS INVITED US TO A LONELY PLACE, AND REST A WHILE   (A biblical refection on THE 16TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME [YEAR  B] – July 19, 2015)  Gospel Reading: Mark 6:30-34  First Reading: Jeremiah 23:1-6; Psalms: Psalm 23:1-6; Second Reading: Ephesians 2:13-18  The Scripture Text The apostles returned to Jesus, and told Him all that they had done and taught. And He said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a lonely place, and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. And they went away in the boat to a lonely place by themselves. Now many saw them going, and knew them, and they ran there on foot from all the towns, and got there ahead of them. As He landed He saw a great throng, and He has compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd; and He began to teach them many things. (Mark 6:30-34 RSV) Jesus recognized the need to slow down, to back off for a while, to get away from the crowd, ...... to retreat. He thus invited His disciples to “a lonely place by themselves, and rest a while” (Mark 6:30). Once a priest was giving a weekend retreat for Catholic students of several non-Catholic universities. A student asked: “Why do we retreat? Shouldn’t we advance instead?” In reply the priest recall saying: “We keep on advancing but we don’t know where we’re going to!” During the time of Jesus, there was obviously no communication media like the TV, radio, etc. not to mention many more modern devices, yet the large crowd of people became the “noise and distraction” detrimental to the much-needed peace and quietness. No one had a more important and urgent mission that did Jesus, and yet He knew that important things cannot be accomplished without peace and mind, that urgent matters cannot be handled properly without reflection.  Indeed, we must occasionally leave the world of involvement to re-evaluate the reasons for being involved. We need to de-stimulate our senses, to lessen the constant flow of sound and images into a weary brain. If we can go to a quiet, serene place away from the “maddening crowd”, fine. But we can “get lost” in our private rooms and offices. We can always turn off the radio, the TV, or put down our newspapers and magazines, etc. – at least during some time of the day. Consider how much time we spend listening to the radio, watching TV, or communicating through various social media in the internet every day. Consider in contrast, how little time is dedicated to God. We sometimes complain how long the Sunday Mass is, even though it is a once a week event. Should we be surprised if even an occasionally inspiring homily has little or no effect on our lives? Dear Sisters and Brothers, we must search for solitude and opportunity to think, to pray and reflect. Alone with God, we should ask ourselves whether we’re going in the right direction in life, ask what negative traits we have that hinder our growth or hurt our relationship with our family, co-workers, friends and others. We should ask, too, whether we’re using the principles taught by Jesus Christ to solve our problems and guide our interpersonal relations. Is our life, for instance, motivated more by competition rather than consideration for others? More by money rather than charity? We do need some solitude in which to think things over. We need a little time to reflect on the meaning of whatever it is we’re doing and the direction we’re going to. The Greek philosopher Socrates one wrote: “An unreflected life is not worth living.” Finally, let’s pray for courage. For it may not be so difficult to find the truth during reflections as to act courageously once we’ve found it. Prayer: Lord Jesus, You once told Your disciples to go apart to a lonely place to rest. You tell us that, too. There are times when we must isolate ourselves from our business, our busy-ness, noise, all disturbance. There are times when we need a lonely place, where You can heal us and renew us. We ask You to give us the grace to respond to that call from You. Give us the courage and humility to admit that we need to rest now and then, to pause and re-collect ourselves. We thank You for this invitation and for the grace to accept it. Amen. Jakarta, 17 July 2015  A Christian Pilgrim achristianpilgrim | July 18, 2015 at 1:42 pm | Tags: GOD, JESUS AND HIS DISCIPLES, JESUS

Wednesday July 15 The Saint who Washed Dishes

In 1273, Pope Gregory X appointed Bonaventure cardinal-bishop of Albano. His legates came bearing the red hat and other symbols of office only to find Bonaventure washing the dishes. The saint told his visitors to hang the hat on a tree and wait in the garden until he was finished with his task. “A constant fidelity in small things,” he once wrote, “is a great and heroic virtue.”


Chapel Decorations for the feast of Saint Bonaventure

Tuesday July 14 The World is Still in God's Hands. He Will Deliver.

Daily Prayer for July 14 Christoph Friedrich Blumhardt At that time I will answer the prayers of my people Israel. I will make rain fall on the earth, and the earth will produce grain and grapes and olives. I will establish my people in the land and make them prosper. I will show love to those who were called "Unloved," and to those who were called "Not-My-People" I will say, "You are my people," and they will answer, "You are our God." Hosea 2:21–23, TEV Lord our God, kindle true light in our hearts and minds, that we may recognize what we are and become free of everything false and dishonest. Let this light of righteousness, this judgment, go through all nations, that people no longer use empty words when they talk of "mercy" and "truth." Grant that your mercy and your truth find the right soil and bear fruit. May they find soil prepared by you, for you judge us and make right what is wrong in our earthly life. We thank you that however painful many of our experiences are, we may still say, "Through how much need has not our merciful God spread out his wings to protect us!" Amen. Daily Dig for July 14 Christoph Friedrich Blumhardt Now, more than ever, we must proclaim, “The Lord is at hand!” We are part of this, quietly and actively, through our faith and expectation. It is enough for us to know that God is weaving his design in the warp and weft of the world. His goal will be reached, not just for this or that person, but for everyone. Source: The Gospel of God’s Reign www.plough.com

Monday July 13 In times of Trouble Peace is Around the Corner -

Daily Dig for July 13 Dietrich Bonhoeffer Christianity means community through Jesus Christ and in Jesus Christ. No Christian community is more or less than this. Whether it be a brief, single encounter or the daily fellowship of years, Christian community is only this. We belong to one another only through and in Jesus Christ. Source: The Cost of Discipleship Daily Prayer for July 13 Christoph Friedrich Blumhardt Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. 1 John 3:2, NIV Lord our mighty God,  look upon us in our poverty, for you call us your children and give us of your Spirit. From your fullness we constantly need to receive strength for the struggle meant for us in life. Grant that light may come wherever darkness still reigns, especially where it is so black that we do not know which way to turn. Hear our prayer for all people, and let your justice and your truth alone be victorious. Let all people receive what you have promised them, and let them realize that no matter what happens, they remain your children. Amen. www.plough.com

Wednesday July 8 Let us Pray for Christians Persecuted in Syria

Daily Prayer for July 8 Christoph Friedrich Blumhardt The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Psalm 34:17–18, NIV Lord our God, our Father in heaven and on earth, we are thankful that you have a people to whom you say, "You are mine." Grant that we too may belong to this people. Strengthen us in the faith that we belong to you, so that we can come to know your rule and your justice. Protect us on all the paths we follow during our time on earth. The times are evil, but come what may, every single one of us has in his heart the certainty, "We are yours." You have long watched over us and kept us safe. Again and again we affirm, "We are yours, Lord our God, through Jesus Christ our Savior." Amen. Remembering our Christian Sisters and Brothers in Syria Daily Dig for July 8 François Fénelon Do not fear then, that your past faithlessness must make you unworthy of God’s mercy. Nothing is so worthy of mercy as utter weakness. He came from heaven to earth to seek sinners, not the righteous; to seek that which was lost – as indeed all were lost if it were not for him. The physician seeks the sick, not the healthy. Oh, how God loves those who come boldly to him in their foul, ragged garments and ask, as of a father, for some garment worthy of him! Source: The Complete Fenelon

Tuesday July 7 four of our sisters are at St. Bonaventure University at New York near Buffalo . They are taking a workshop on Franciscan Spirituality

Picture of the Library at Saint Bonaventure

Scenic view at St. Bonaventure NY

Chapel at Bonnie's

President's Prayer Thursday evening April 12, 1945, radio stations interrupted all broadcasts to report that President Franklin Roosevelt was dead. It was critical time because World War II was at a critical point. Vice President. Harry Truman was sworn in. In his address to Congress ended dramatically. Lifting his face and arms upward to heaven, he said: "I humbly pray Almighty God, in the words of King Solomon: "Give me an understanding heart with which to judge your people. I ask only                        gene carmichael, s.J. ___________________________________

to be a good and faithful servant of my Lord and my people.'' "Truman words were in keeping with his faith in God. He said the following prayer regularly throughout his life: "Oh! Almighty and Everlasting God, Creator of Heaven, the Earth, and the Universe. Help me to be, to think, and to do what is right, because it is right. Make me truthful, honest, and honorable in all things. Make me intellectually honest, for the sake of right and honor, without thought of reward to me. Give me the ability to be charitable, forgiving, and patient with my fellowmen. Help me to understand their motives and their shortcomings, even as you understand mine!  Amen _________________________________