​Jesus is the Good Shepherd, from the Casa de Pilatos in Seville, Spain

​Scripture Reflection for Twenty-ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Gospel of Mark 10: 35 – 45

As a Christian, how are we called to live out our vocation? Today’s gospel reading helps remind us that we are called to humble ourselves and serve one another, which is often contradictory to our human nature and societal norms.  

At the beginning of the reading, James and John ask Jesus for a position of prestige and authority in return for their obedience…much like someone would ask a good friend to give them a job in a supervisory or managerial role.   Jesus goes on to explain that power and position over others has no place in his kingdom, and abuse and mistreatment of others will never be acceptable. He then makes the point that his way is different from the human way in that the first among us will be those willing to humble themselves and serve humankind.   Because it is the way of Christ, Jesus is both Lord and Master and servant and slave of humanity.  He came to earth in order to serve us, giving his life as payment for our deliverance from sin.  This includes deliverance from the battle for power and prestige.  

This was an especially radical idea during his time period, just as it still is today in the 21st century.    After all, we have all heard the saying “nice guys finish last” or “look out for number one”.  However, as a Christian we can become great and participate in his glory by becoming like Jesus, who was a servant and slave, committed to making the world a better place.

Choosing a path of servanthood, raising others up in status and serving them is a decision we make to live as a witness to the way of God.

Janet Maurin, Angels in the Outfield Community, Baton Rouge, Louisiana

​Scripture Reflection: October 13, 2024 - Twenty- Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Wis 7:7-11
Heb 4:12-13
Mk 10:17-27

Becoming a follower of Jesus is difficult. Every day to live out as one is challenging. So we are called to pray for the gift of wisdom. To allow us to understand the Scriptures and the commandments. Sometimes these words are a blur to us. How should we live out our lives in accordance to the Will of God? While at the same time trying to be as human as possible. We pray and discern so that our eyes and hearts may be opened. And this is beautifully experienced during our communion with Jesus during the Holy Eucharist. Each mass is an opportunity for us to allow Jesus to touch and embrace us - our sinfulness, longings, questions, doubts and physical hardships - we can offer everything up to Him. And when you receive the gift of this Union - Jesus is telling me, it’s okay. You will be with me one day in my paradise. 
Marge Catajay, Manila, Philippines

​Here is a photo I captured last Sept 23 at 5:35am from our balcony. I was so amazed at how the sunrise can be so beautiful. But for some or most people nowadays - it’s nothing but ordinary. I am grateful that I still have the feeling of awe within me. Because everyday is indeed an awesome gift. Marge Catajay, Manila, Philippines

Scripture Reflection:  September 29, 2024, 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time
 
Nm 11:25-29
Ps 19:8, 10, 12-13, 14
Jas 5:1-6
Mk 9:38-43, 45, 47-48
*Reflection is on the First Reading.
 
“Would that all the people of the LORD were prophets!” Moses’ words to Joshua in the first reading should resound with all of us as Christians. Through our Baptism, we are all designated priest, prophet, and king, and as such, we are commissioned to prophesy. Of course, we’re not all called to predict future events, but in the context of speaking God’s message to the world, each of us has a job to do. 
 
It can be difficult to “be a prophet” in the traditional sense of the word. It is hard to imagine that going out into the wilderness or preaching in the streets would be very effective conversion tactics today. But those kinds of extreme measures are not necessary. We have enough “wilderness” and “streets” within our own lives in which to prophesy. We just have to look with eyes open to opportunities to share the Love and Grace we ourselves have received from the Lord. This may involve introducing someone to God for the first time or helping someone find their way back to God. And sometimes, it simply may be living in such a way that people want to know God because they know you.  Aimee Morvant, Reflections, Sugar Land, TX
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Scripture Reflection: September 15, 2024 - Twenty-Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Is 50:5-9a
Jas 2: 14-18
Mk 8:27-35
 
Today’s readings are masterfully woven together to remind us that the way of the cross is the only way to God. No sugar-coated doctrine here. All three readings stress how hard following and witnessing, in word and in action, for Christ can be. It is not the way of the world. It is not popular. And it certainly isn’t easy.

In the second reading, we are reminded that faith without deeds is meaningless. This particular passage in James 2: 14-18 touches my heart and moves me to action through service:

If a brother or sister has nothing to wear
and has no food for the day,
and one of you says to them,
"Go in peace, keep warm, and eat well, "
but you do not give them the necessities of the body,
what good is it?
So also faith of itself,
if it does not have works, is dead.

I have found that action equals faith and expresses love. When I utilize my time, talent and treasure in service to others, it is as much a blessing to me as it is to the person being served. We have only to make the choice to act. Sometimes that means deny our own wants and needs.
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In today’s Gospel reading from Mark, Jesus asks “Who do people say that I am?” I find that when I recognize Jesus in all those around me, especially those in need of help, I find God’s love for me. Taking up the cross, trusting and accepting God’s path, is the road less followed. But it is our only way home.

Bridget Hilbe
Spiritual Springs Community
Richmond, Texas

Scripture Reflection: August 4, 2024 – 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Exodus 16:2-15
John 6:24-25

What is that? What is that?" The child's voice broke the silence of the congregation that was focused on the Priest who was holding up the Host during the Eucharistic Prayer at Mass. After reverently placing the Host back on the altar and genuflecting, the priest stood up and looked out at the congregation. He said, "I have to stop for a minute. I'm sure everyone heard the child just now. What you may not know is that in Hebrew the word MANNA means 'What is this?' That child yelling out just now was prophetic! This is Jesus, our Manna from heaven!" After he said these words to the congregation, the priest attempted to begin reading the Eucharistic Prayer once again. He started with so much emotion and at one point had to stop because he was holding back tears. At that moment, I began to truly hear the power of the words of the Eucharistic Prayer.

The child's question broke into my internal, wandering mind as the Eucharist Prayer was being spoken, "What is this?" Once bread and wine; THIS is the real presence of Jesus Christ! I am grateful for the prophetic child's voice crying out during mass reminding me to ask the question, "What is this?" every time I go to mass. My faith response and my belief...THIS is Manna from heaven. THIS is the real presence of Jesus Christ!
Sara Fontana
Wildflowers Community
League City, TX
 
Photo: The Real Presence - welded art sculpture by Ralph Guidroz, Sara Fontana's father

Scripture Reflection: July 28, 2024 - Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
 
2 Kings 4:42-44
Ephesians 4:1-6
John 6:1-15
 
The Old Testament reading describes Elisha, through the power of God, feeding 100 people with twenty barley loaves, the food of the poor. John’s Gospel reading depicts Jesus’s multiplication of five loaves of bread (also barley) to feed 5,000 men as well as women and children. With both miracles, food was left over. Consider that sufficient food is a basic human need and that “Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed them,” a foretelling of the Last Supper.
 
As God provides spiritual sustenance through the Eucharist, we in the Body of Christ can provide earthly food to those in need. Food insecurity exists even in the U.S. where over 44 million people including 13 million children experience food insecurity annually. One way to fulfill the Theresian dimension of Ministry is to give to food banks. Our Esprit de L’Ame community responded to a 100-item Food Challenge - we collected 10 items each of ten different staples to donate to our local food bank. Perhaps other groups could consider accepting this call as well. St. Paul urges the Ephesians (and us) to “live in a manner worthy of the call you have received… bearing with one another through love.”
 
Anne Broussard
Esprit de L'Ame Community
Lafayette, LA

Scripture Reflection: July 21, 2024 - Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary time

Jeremiah 23:1-6
Psalm 23:1-6
Ephesians 2:13-18
Mark 6:30-34

Jesus invites His disciples to “come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest awhile.” Jesus knows we need quiet and rest, physically and spiritually, to better hear and see God’s movements in our lives. The invitation extends to us. Retreats are excellent for this. My closest encounters with Christ have been when I was on a retreat. But we may do well to have incorporated in our daily lives times of quiet and rest in order to be with God and become aware of His Presence.
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In this invitation Jesus is being the “Good Shepherd.” Shepherds, as we hear in Psalm 23, take great care of the sheep. Their sheep “want for nothing.” A good shepherd provides protection and sees to all the needs of the sheep. Jesus is the Good Shepherd. He cares for His sheep and thinks only of them. Even when He needed rest with His disciples “He is moved with pity on the crowd” and shepherds them.

Jesus is our Good Shepherd and will provide for us in our needs. So, let us take some time to rest in the Lord each day and allow Him to shepherd us. 

Loretta Ortego
Flowers of the Prairie Community,
Eunice, LA

Scripture Reflection: July 14, 2024 – Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Mark 6:7-13
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Imagine you being one of Jesus’ disciples during biblical times. Then hearing Jesus give you clear instructions to go out on your first mission trip, with no food, no sack, no money?! Oh, but its okay to bring a walking stick and wear your sandals.

I don’t know about you, but I don’t leave home without snacks and water in my vehicle. You never know when you might be stuck in a lengthy traffic jam. And I may not have money with me, but I can always rely on that credit card which is approved so fast it makes my head spin.

I have always considered this passage as the “Go Forth” request. Jesus asks us to go forth, spread the good news, testify, evangelize. When we leave mass every Sunday, aren’t we supposed to go forth, live our lives as a good Christian, show others our love for Jesus, and let our actions demonstrate our beliefs?

As we go forth, just like the disciples did, we may face a lack of welcome or reach out to others who will not listen. But this should not discourage our efforts. Discouragement will certainly not lead to success. Jesus stated to “leave and shake off the dust”. Go forth with determination; witness to the kingdom with your actions, your faith, and your message of the love that Jesus has for all those who follow him and truly believe. GO FORTH!

Eileen Eskew
Petals of Faith Community
Jennings, LA

By Tammy Townsend Denny, TI Executive Director

By now, you probably have heard that I will be leaving my position as executive director of TI on July 31 (if you haven’t received the news yet, please check your email for a letter that went out from our TI board of directors on June 28). I have accepted a new position as associate director of The Leadership Collaborative, an organization which fosters transformational leadership for Catholic sisters and their associates.

This decision involved a lot of discernment, a word we hear frequently in Catholic circles. But what does it mean to discern?

Discernment was not even in my vocabulary until I started working with Catholic sisters. Their influence taught me that to discern is to pause, pray, and listen for God’s guidance. My spiritual director helped me understand that to discern is to spend time with questions that may not have obvious answers. It is an invitation to delve more deeply into the divine mystery. And she recommended the book Decision Making & Spiritual Discernment: The Sacred Art of Finding Your Way, by Nancy L. Bieber.

At Mass, the new pastor at our church talked about discernment by sharing his vocation story. His path to the priesthood began in earnest when he went to Adoration to discern his vocation and pray for God’s guidance. As he left Adoration, a woman stopped him and said, “I usually don’t do this, but I had a vision of you as a priest.”

As I discerned my next steps, I also went to Adoration, praying for God’s guidance and listening in the silence. I was hoping a stranger would approach and share visions of my future, but the chapel was quiet, and the parking lot empty.

Too often, I am guilty of praying as if God were a prayer-answering vending machine. Insert a Hail Mary here; get an answer there. It doesn’t work like that most of the time, at least for me. Yes, there are stories of immediate answers, like the priest’s vocation story. But many more times, there is silence. What do we do with the silence?

I am reminded of a conversation Jan Richardson writes about in her book In the Sanctuary of Women. During a walk with her friend Brother David, a Franciscan friar, she asked him, “What’s discernment like for you?” 

Brother David shared with her a story of Saint Francis and Brother Masseo, who had come to a crossroads on their journey: “Not knowing which path to take, Saint Francis tells Brother Masseo to stand at the center of the crossroads and spin himself around. When Masseo finally falls down, Francis and his dizzy brother set off in the direction in which Masseo had landed.” 

Richardson goes on to explain that while the story “may strike us as silly,” it is a reminder “that on those occasions when there’s no one path that’s obviously the right one to take, it’s often better to set off in some direction if the alternative means staying stuck at the crossroads. God knows how to make use of any path.”

As I discerned my path, I prayed. I journaled. I read. I talked with trusted advisers, both spiritual and professional. And I considered spinning around in circles like Brother Masseo. Ultimately, I trusted the call and path that led to a soul-warming calm.

Change is disconcerting even with Spirit-led discernment. Please know that I am working with the TI Board of Directors to make this transition as smooth as possible. I am available even after July 31 to assist with questions. And be assured that the TI office is fully operational. We are here to support you!

Scripture Reflection: July 7, 2024 - Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
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Ezekiel 2:2-5
Ps 123:1-4
Corinthians 12:7-10
Mark 6:1-6
 
My daily morning prayer time is spent reflecting on the readings of the day, especially the Gospel. I try to walk away from my contemplative time with a word or phrase that will carry me through the day. As I reflected on these readings, the word that came to me was conviction.

Ezekiel was strong in his conviction of hearing the word of God and having the strength and courage to stand up and walk into a “hard of face and obstinate of heart” people. Jesus walked into his hometown, with folks who wrestled with the mystery of who this home grounded boy became! Jesus too, was met with resistance and disbelief. His teachings and healing were not received well. Jesus’ call was to preach everywhere he went. Maybe he was convinced that a few people were open to hearing with their hearts and listened attentively. Maybe a few people encountered Mary’s Son who shared a touching message that transformed how they lived their daily lives.

The question is how do I, you come to listen to the words of Scripture?

How do the words transform you/me?

Sister Ginny Heldorfer OSF
Women at the Well
Dubuque, IA