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February 16, 2025
Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Jeremiah 17:5-8
Psalm 1
1 Corinthians 15: 12, 16-20
Luke 6:17, 20-26
Tenderness and a Warning
These past weeks we have examined our commitment to Stewardship. We have reflected on our relationship with the Lord as it is seen in our relationship with our brothers and sisters and all of the earthly environment. Together we are called to responsibility and we humbly work to achieve discipleship, that is, “having each other’s back”.
In today’s scriptures, I see the soothing tenderness of the Lord toward people who strive with sincere hearts to be good Stewards. In contrast, I also see the firm warning given to those who are not Stewards but actually exploiters.
Jeremiah recognizes the person who trusts and hopes in the Lord. “He is like a tree planted beside the waters that stretches out its roots to the stream.” Such a person is in good stead to endure all challenges. The one who seeks a relationship with the Lord is also one who is quite wise. He knows where to be planted and where to spread his roots.
The prophet also admonishes the boldly self-reliant, self-seeking and selfish persons; ones who turn away from the Lord. Such a one “is like a barren bush in the desert that enjoys no change of season but stands in a lava waste….” These people lead themselves to destruction while hurting people they exploit intentionally along the way.
The gospel passage written by Saint Luke shows the Lord’s tenderness toward certain people. People who are harmed for following Jesus may rejoice. In their humility they are soothed. Their poverty turns into the greatness of a kingdom, their hunger into satisfaction, and their sadness into laughter.
Then, more forceful than the Prophet Jeremiah, the Gospel points a rhetorical finger at the greedy people of the world. All they have gained through their exploitation of the humble people will be all that they will have. It will be fleeting and only here on earth. Their consolation is only in this life. Eternity will not be joyous.
The poor stewards of this life, the exploiters, will be hungry, grieving and weeping. Their earthly “good names” will not be remembered well in eternity. They will be sullied by their own misdeeds and evil selfishness.
This is a recurring theme in the scriptures as seen both in the Prophet Jeremiah and in the Gospel of Luke. It is the theme of tenderness and warning.
If you have struggled and in good conscience have been moral in your actions and even more seek the Lord’s loving guidance through His Church, know that you will experience peace of heart.
Peace is not the absence of challenge and even hardship. Rather, you experience the sense that you are in harmony with God’s plan. Being one who behaves justly, you will sense a wholeness accompanied by a sense of being in the presence of one who loves you. You intuitively know you are moving in the correct direction that brings about harmony and justice for all. Your conscience is clear.
Today, the economic reality of all living on Earth reflects the biblical historical themes seen in this weekend’s scriptures. Since the Pandemic, the wealth gap has exploded into the greatest inequality between the haves and have nots. You may search the topic of wealth gap by looking up the OXFAM International report.
Regardless, please know God loves all his creatures. He will always be tender to those who seek justice and warn those who would exploit others for their own good.
In today’s scriptures, I see the soothing tenderness of the Lord toward people who strive with sincere hearts to be good Stewards. In contrast, I also see the firm warning given to those who are not Stewards but actually exploiters.
Jeremiah recognizes the person who trusts and hopes in the Lord. “He is like a tree planted beside the waters that stretches out its roots to the stream.” Such a person is in good stead to endure all challenges. The one who seeks a relationship with the Lord is also one who is quite wise. He knows where to be planted and where to spread his roots.
The prophet also admonishes the boldly self-reliant, self-seeking and selfish persons; ones who turn away from the Lord. Such a one “is like a barren bush in the desert that enjoys no change of season but stands in a lava waste….” These people lead themselves to destruction while hurting people they exploit intentionally along the way.
The gospel passage written by Saint Luke shows the Lord’s tenderness toward certain people. People who are harmed for following Jesus may rejoice. In their humility they are soothed. Their poverty turns into the greatness of a kingdom, their hunger into satisfaction, and their sadness into laughter.
Then, more forceful than the Prophet Jeremiah, the Gospel points a rhetorical finger at the greedy people of the world. All they have gained through their exploitation of the humble people will be all that they will have. It will be fleeting and only here on earth. Their consolation is only in this life. Eternity will not be joyous.
The poor stewards of this life, the exploiters, will be hungry, grieving and weeping. Their earthly “good names” will not be remembered well in eternity. They will be sullied by their own misdeeds and evil selfishness.
This is a recurring theme in the scriptures as seen both in the Prophet Jeremiah and in the Gospel of Luke. It is the theme of tenderness and warning.
If you have struggled and in good conscience have been moral in your actions and even more seek the Lord’s loving guidance through His Church, know that you will experience peace of heart.
Peace is not the absence of challenge and even hardship. Rather, you experience the sense that you are in harmony with God’s plan. Being one who behaves justly, you will sense a wholeness accompanied by a sense of being in the presence of one who loves you. You intuitively know you are moving in the correct direction that brings about harmony and justice for all. Your conscience is clear.
Today, the economic reality of all living on Earth reflects the biblical historical themes seen in this weekend’s scriptures. Since the Pandemic, the wealth gap has exploded into the greatest inequality between the haves and have nots. You may search the topic of wealth gap by looking up the OXFAM International report.
Regardless, please know God loves all his creatures. He will always be tender to those who seek justice and warn those who would exploit others for their own good.
Peace and blessings,
Father Bob
Father Bob
Father Bob's
Video Reflections
Each week Father Bob posts a Video Reflection on the Spiritual readings for the weekend Mass. These Videos are not intended to replace your prescence at mass each week! Much like Scripture Sharing on Thursday evening from 7 pm - 8 pm, these videos act as a point of reference to enhance your knowledge and better prepare you to participate in each weeks celebration.
Each week the videos are archive and can be streamed by clicking on the Bulletin/Videos button above.
Each week the videos are archive and can be streamed by clicking on the Bulletin/Videos button above.
The Jesus Prayer...
Lord Jesus Christ
have Mercy on me a Poor Sinner.
have Mercy on me a Poor Sinner.
Sacraments of Christian Initiation
Sacraments of Healing
Sacraments of Service
Click on the links below for more information
This Weeks Scripture Readings
February 23, 2025
The Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time
Reading I
1 Samuel 26:2, 7-9, 12-13, 22-23
In those days, Saul went down to the desert of Ziph
with three thousand picked men of Israel,
to search for David in the desert of Ziph.
So David and Abishai went among Saul’s soldiers by night
and found Saul lying asleep within the barricade,
with his spear thrust into the ground at his head
and Abner and his men sleeping around him.
Abishai whispered to David:
“God has delivered your enemy into your grasp this day.
Let me nail him to the ground with one thrust of the spear;
I will not need a second thrust!”
But David said to Abishai, “Do not harm him,
for who can lay hands on the LORD’s anointed and remain unpunished?”
So David took the spear and the water jug from their place at Saul’s head,
and they got away without anyone’s seeing or knowing or awakening.
All remained asleep,
because the LORD had put them into a deep slumber.
Going across to an opposite slope,
David stood on a remote hilltop
at a great distance from Abner, son of Ner, and the troops.
He said: “Here is the king’s spear.
Let an attendant come over to get it.
The LORD will reward each man for his justice and faithfulness.
Today, though the LORD delivered you into my grasp,
I would not harm the LORD’s anointed.”
with three thousand picked men of Israel,
to search for David in the desert of Ziph.
So David and Abishai went among Saul’s soldiers by night
and found Saul lying asleep within the barricade,
with his spear thrust into the ground at his head
and Abner and his men sleeping around him.
Abishai whispered to David:
“God has delivered your enemy into your grasp this day.
Let me nail him to the ground with one thrust of the spear;
I will not need a second thrust!”
But David said to Abishai, “Do not harm him,
for who can lay hands on the LORD’s anointed and remain unpunished?”
So David took the spear and the water jug from their place at Saul’s head,
and they got away without anyone’s seeing or knowing or awakening.
All remained asleep,
because the LORD had put them into a deep slumber.
Going across to an opposite slope,
David stood on a remote hilltop
at a great distance from Abner, son of Ner, and the troops.
He said: “Here is the king’s spear.
Let an attendant come over to get it.
The LORD will reward each man for his justice and faithfulness.
Today, though the LORD delivered you into my grasp,
I would not harm the LORD’s anointed.”
Psalm
Psalm 103
R (40:5a) R Blessed are they who hope in the Lord.
Blessed the man who follows not
the counsel of the wicked,
nor walks in the way of sinners,
nor sits in the company of the insolent,
but delights in the law of the LORD
and meditates on his law day and night.
R Blessed are they who hope in the Lord.
He is like a tree
planted near running water,
that yields its fruit in due season,
and whose leaves never fade.
Whatever he does, prospers.
R Blessed are they who hope in the Lord.
Not so the wicked, not so; they are like chaff which the wind drives away.
For the LORD watches over the way of the just,
but the way of the wicked vanishes.
R Blessed are they who hope in the Lord.
Blessed the man who follows not
the counsel of the wicked,
nor walks in the way of sinners,
nor sits in the company of the insolent,
but delights in the law of the LORD
and meditates on his law day and night.
R Blessed are they who hope in the Lord.
He is like a tree
planted near running water,
that yields its fruit in due season,
and whose leaves never fade.
Whatever he does, prospers.
R Blessed are they who hope in the Lord.
Not so the wicked, not so; they are like chaff which the wind drives away.
For the LORD watches over the way of the just,
but the way of the wicked vanishes.
R Blessed are they who hope in the Lord.
Reading 2
1 Corinthians 15:12, 16-20
Brothers and sisters:
If Christ is preached as raised from the dead,
how can some among you say there is no resurrection of the dead?
If the dead are not raised, neither has Christ been raised,
and if Christ has not been raised, your faith is vain;
you are still in your sins.
Then those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished.
If for this life only we have hoped in Christ,
we are the most pitiable people of all.
But now Christ has been raised from the dead,
the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.
If Christ is preached as raised from the dead,
how can some among you say there is no resurrection of the dead?
If the dead are not raised, neither has Christ been raised,
and if Christ has not been raised, your faith is vain;
you are still in your sins.
Then those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished.
If for this life only we have hoped in Christ,
we are the most pitiable people of all.
But now Christ has been raised from the dead,
the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.
Alleluia
Luke 6:23ab
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Rejoice and be glad;
your reward will be great in heaven.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Rejoice and be glad;
your reward will be great in heaven.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
The Gospel
Luke 6:17, 20-26
Jesus came down with the Twelve
and stood on a stretch of level ground
with a great crowd of his disciples
and a large number of the people
from all Judea and Jerusalem
and the coastal region of Tyre and Sidon. And raising his eyes toward his disciples he said:
“Blessed are you who are poor,
for the kingdom of God is yours.
Blessed are you who are now hungry,
for you will be satisfied.
Blessed are you who are now weeping,
for you will laugh.
Blessed are you when people hate you,
and when they exclude and insult you,
and denounce your name as evil
on account of the Son of Man.
Rejoice and leap for joy on that day!
Behold, your reward will be great in heaven.
For their ancestors treated the prophets in the same way.
But woe to you who are rich,
for you have received your consolation.
Woe to you who are filled now,
for you will be hungry.
Woe to you who laugh now,
for you will grieve and weep.
Woe to you when all speak well of you,
for their ancestors treated the false prophets in this way.”
and stood on a stretch of level ground
with a great crowd of his disciples
and a large number of the people
from all Judea and Jerusalem
and the coastal region of Tyre and Sidon. And raising his eyes toward his disciples he said:
“Blessed are you who are poor,
for the kingdom of God is yours.
Blessed are you who are now hungry,
for you will be satisfied.
Blessed are you who are now weeping,
for you will laugh.
Blessed are you when people hate you,
and when they exclude and insult you,
and denounce your name as evil
on account of the Son of Man.
Rejoice and leap for joy on that day!
Behold, your reward will be great in heaven.
For their ancestors treated the prophets in the same way.
But woe to you who are rich,
for you have received your consolation.
Woe to you who are filled now,
for you will be hungry.
Woe to you who laugh now,
for you will grieve and weep.
Woe to you when all speak well of you,
for their ancestors treated the false prophets in this way.”
Next Weeks Readings
March 2, 2025
Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Sirach 27:4-7
Psalm 92
1 Corinthians 15:54-58
Luke 6:39-45
Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Sirach 27:4-7
Psalm 92
1 Corinthians 15:54-58
Luke 6:39-45
Holy Father's Prayer Intentions For February 2025
For vocations to the priesthood and religious life. Let us pray that the ecclesial community might welcome the desires and doubts of those young people who feel a call to serve Christ’s mission in the priesthood and religious life.