Sunday Reflection (September 24, 2023)

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If you reflect upon the abundance of the good favor with which you have been blessed, it is probably more than you realize. The landowner in a parable of Matthew (20:1-6) had abundance and he shared it so that every one of the day laborers received what they needed. No doubt, no one went home that night hungry. Greed blinds us to the real needs of others and causes us to overlook our own abundance.
 
Nevertheless, may we share God’s gifts and abundance with others. Part of the joy of knowing God as revealed through Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit is this: God is merciful!  Yes, God’s “not fair,” but God is generous! I for one am glad, after all, where would we be without God’s generous extension of grace, kindness, and mercy? Jesus challenges us to see and act in the world with God’s generosity. What’s our response? What’s your response?  What’s my response?

Devotion September 20, 2023

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Devotion September 19, 2023

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Sunday Reflection (September 17, 2023)

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We may have a challenging time forgiving and a tough time accepting forgiveness. We may think that there are sins God does not forgive. These words lifted from Psalm 103 remind us of God’s mercy: “Bless the Lord, my soul; who pardons all your sins, and heals all your ills, who redeems your life from the pit, and crowns you with mercy and compassion.”

God has forgiven us and reconciled us. In response may we extend forgiveness in the hopes of being reconciled with one another. This process of reconciliation takes place for the rest of our lives. May we forgive and be reconciled with one another as Joseph was reconciled with his brothers (Genesis 50:15-21).

Prayer for the Week (September 17-September 23, 2023)

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Let us pray that we learn to forgive the way the Lord forgives:  All-loving Father, you are good and patient, compassionate, loving, and merciful with sinners like us. May your pardon bring us joy and stimulate us to forgive the debts, often small, that others owe us. Lead us to share with others the pardon we have received from you so that they feel a bit of your goodness in us. We ask this through Jesus our Lord. Amen.

                                                              (Claretian Publications)

                                   

                         

Sunday Sermon September 17, 2023

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Devotion September 13, 2023

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Devotion September 12, 2023

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Sunday Reflection (September 10, 2023)

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After the destruction of the Temple the ancient Judeans confronted their sins and accepted responsibility for their sins. When we turn to the Lord, the Lord is already there (Ezekiel 33:7-11). In a small sense in his day, Ezekiel’s words were heard and caused a response. Yet, this response came only after much pain and turmoil.

God is always reaching toward us and when we recognize our sins with the intent to repent and turn from our sins, God is there to lead us. The Psalmist gives us courage: “Teach me, O Lord, the way of your statutes, and I will observe it to the end. Give me understanding, that I may keep your law and observe it with my whole heart. Lead me in the path of your commandments, for I delight in it. Turn my heart to your decrees and not to selfish gain. Turn my eyes from looking at vanities; be gracious to me according to your word.”

Prayer for the Week (September 10-September 16, 2023)

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Let us pray to God our Father so that we sustain one another on the way to him: Lord God, our Father, your Son Jesus Christ has brought us together as a community of sinners that you have pardoned. May the Holy Spirit unify us and give us the strength to care for one another and do what we are able to remain a living, forgiving, and welcoming community; representing Christ in this world. Amen.

                                                              (Claretian Publications)