Monday, June 27, 2016

Earthly Power


The WORD today (see http://usccb.org/bible/readings/062716.cfm) reminds me that God has more than earthly powers. 

Earthly power is dangerous. Powerful people seem to be addicted to it. They say power corrupts. Whose who in power do not want to let go, and it is not unusual to see and hear stories of people abusing their power. They do so because no one stops them. No one can, or no one will. However, we are reminded today that God can. 

God has more than earthly powers. 

In the first reading, we see what God can do to those who are in power. To those who forgot him. To those who ignore him. He may not always react immediately because he gives us opportunity to change and wake up. He waits for us to repent. However, he has his limits. And he has powers that can stop people. He has powers that no one can go against. 

We should remember who we are and who God is. Just because we have accomplished things, just because we have achieved things, does not mean we are unstoppable. We sometimes fail to see God working in the background. We let worldly achievements and affirmation drown us and forget who we are and who God is. 

May we never forget who God is, and always be aware of his power and presence in our lives. 

Father God,
Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another week. Thank you for another reminder. Lord, sorry for the times I forget you. Sorry for the times I ignore you. Sorry for being too proud of myself. May I always be aware. May I never forget that you are always there and that you are always working in the background, protecting me and helping me in everything. I will live my life for you. For your greater honor and glory. I offer you not just all my achievements snd accomplishments, but also all my pain concerns. Amen. 

Blessed week!

In Christ,

-g-

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June 27, 2016
Monday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 377



Reading 1 Am 2:6-10, 13-16


Thus says the LORD:
For three crimes of Israel, and for four,
I will not revoke my word;
Because they sell the just man for silver,
and the poor man for a pair of sandals.
They trample the heads of the weak
into the dust of the earth,
and force the lowly out of the way.
Son and father go to the same prostitute,
profaning my holy name.
Upon garments taken in pledge
they recline beside any altar;
And the wine of those who have been fined
they drink in the house of their god.

Yet it was I who destroyed the Amorites before them,
who were as tall as the cedars,
and as strong as the oak trees.
I destroyed their fruit above,
and their roots beneath.
It was I who brought you up from the land of Egypt,
and who led you through the desert for forty years,
to occupy the land of the Amorites.


Beware, I will crush you into the ground
as a wagon crushes when laden with sheaves.
Flight shall perish from the swift,
and the strong man shall not retain his strength;
The warrior shall not save his life,
nor the bowman stand his ground;
The swift of foot shall not escape,
nor the horseman save his life.
And the most stouthearted of warriors
shall flee naked on that day, says the LORD.



Responsorial Psalm Ps 50:16bc-17, 18-19, 20-21, 22-23


R. (22a) Remember this, you who never think of God.
“Why do you recite my statutes,
and profess my covenant with your mouth,
Though you hate discipline
and cast my words behind you?”
R. Remember this, you who never think of God.
“When you see a thief, you keep pace with him,
and with adulterers you throw in your lot.
To your mouth you give free rein for evil,
you harness your tongue to deceit.”
R. Remember this, you who never think of God.
“You sit speaking against your brother;
against your mother’s son you spread rumors.
When you do these things, shall I be deaf to it?
Or do you think that I am like yourself?
I will correct you by drawing them up before your eyes.”
R. Remember this, you who never think of God.
“Consider this, you who forget God,
lest I rend you and there be no one to rescue you.
He that offers praise as a sacrifice glorifies me;
and to him that goes the right way I will show the salvation of God.”
R. Remember this, you who never think of God.



Alleluia Ps 95:8


R. Alleluia, alleluia.
If today you hear his voice,
harden not your hearts.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.



Gospel Mt 8:18-22


When Jesus saw a crowd around him,
he gave orders to cross to the other shore.
A scribe approached and said to him,
“Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.”
Jesus answered him, “Foxes have dens and birds of the sky have nests,
but the Son of Man has nowhere to rest his head.”
Another of his disciples said to him,
“Lord, let me go first and bury my father.”
But Jesus answered him, “Follow me,
and let the dead bury their dead.”


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