Bible Study for Brotherly Love
  • 9/9 – John 13:34 – Lord Jesus, You left us with the perfect example of love, the love of a God who would sacrifice Himself for His peoples’ eternal salvation. Teach me to love in equal measure.
  • 9/10 – Philippians 2:3 – Lord, grant that I may see Your image in every person. Remove all conceit from my heart. Teach me to love and serve all.
  • 9/11 – 1 Thessalonians 4:9 – Heavenly Father, grant that brotherly love may permeate all I do, and be so ingrained into my life that I may do nothing other than express and teach love.
  • 9/12 – Hebrews 13:1 – Lord, grant that love may continue in me and our faith community.
  • 9/13 – 1 Peter 2:17 – Lord Jesus, remove all that blocks us from loving as we should. Grant that no allure of politics or power may stand in the way of honoring You, our brothers and sisters in faith, and brotherly love toward all.
  • 9/14 – 2 Peter 1:7 – Father, to be like You, to follow You Son Jesus, is nothing other than love. Grant that I may grow in becoming more like You.
  • 9/15 – Ephesians 5:21 – Lord Jesus, make me servant to all, to hold all in prayer and love, so that I may be known as a member of Your body.

Pray the week: Lord Jesus, grant that Your word penetrate our hearts so that we may love completely.

Reflection for the Solemnity of Brotherly Love

And who is my…
Everyone.

“you yourselves have been taught by God to love each other.”

The exercise of brotherly love takes two forms.

The first is exercising love toward our family in the faith. Within the Church, and with fellow Christians, we are to live as joined together in tender affection, such as the love between parents and children. This means that Christians should have similar feelings toward each other, as belonging to the same family, and as united in the same principles and interests.

The second is exercising love toward all of humanity. As the Good Samaritan, we must look at every person with love and compassion, treating them as brothers and sisters.

This might seem easy when a person we do not know is in need. We still feel the tug to help, to do something for them – we are following Christ’s teaching. But, what happens when a person we do not know is cruel toward us, toward the Church in general, or toward all Christians?

We may never be able to turn their hearts of our own accord, but with Christ’s help we must love. Here is how:

First, we need to trust in Jesus’ word. Hearing it is one thing, but carrying it out is another. That’s harder – we have to admit that. But, pause for a moment and think, how would Jesus want me to respond. We will always come back to responding with love.

Next, we need to express that love. The best way to start is in prayer. Pray for that person, that whatever troubles them may be removed, that their heart may be healed and turned. Follow up by expressions of brotherly love. This could be as simple as not responding in kind.

Do not return a bad word for a bad word. Do not return a scowl with a scowl. Rather, return love, a smile, an expression of kindness and empathy.

Throughout the history of faith, Christians have been know as doing crazy things – things the world does not understand. The hardest thing for the world to understand is love toward strangers and most especially toward those who are not kind to us.

If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic.

God taught us how to love. It is not always easy, both within our family of faith and toward all of humanity. Therefore, let’s exercise our brotherly love at all times – and grow strong in love.

Rap with us on Back to Church Sunday – September 16th

Join and rap with us as we explore our relationship with Jesus.

Yes, Jesus who loves us.
Jesus, who is our friend.
Jesus, who doesn’t care how we dress or look, who doesn’t care whether we are rich or poor, who only longs to welcome us.

Back to Church Sunday at Holy Name – September 16th, 9:30am.
Breakfast served after services.

A Prayer for the Unemployed on Labor Day

Almighty God,

As we reflect on this Labor Day in fellowship and in hope we call ourselves a people committed to following You to serve the well-being of others. We commit to one another’s dignity and welfare. We know that our creativity is a gift from You; and we commit the work of our hearts and hands and minds to Your service and to Your glory in all that we do.

We see in one another and in those whom we serve Your divine signature, and we honor it. We know that You are present among us as we offer this prayer in one voice to You, Lord God of compassion and mercy. We ask that You remain with us and strengthen us as we endeavor to ensure that Your justice is served.

We remember particularly today those among our brothers and sisters who are without meaningful and sustaining work, those who struggle to provide for themselves and their families. We ask that You guide us and grant us the wisdom to address the problem of unemployment and underemployment in our community and in our nation.

Encourage us now, Lord, as we seek to find solutions to these challenges. Lord, in Your presence and filled with hope; guided by Your grace we are determined to preserve the well-being and dignity of working people and their families across this country. Grant that we persevere with faith and hope, and in the sure knowledge that justice will certainly triumph. Amen.

Bible Study for the 22nd Week in Ordinary Time and on the theme of Labor
  • 9/2 – John 5:17 – Lord Jesus, You came among us not to be master, but to be servant. You came to labor in Your Father’s vineyard. You and Your Father stand with us as a co-workers. Grant us the strength to carry on in our mutual work.
  • 9/3 – Matthew 20 – Lord Jesus, grant sight to those who oppress workers and turn their hearts. Grant the blessing of work to all who are unemployed or under-employed. Grant that no one lord their authority over others, but that employers and their managers act with the generous and open heart of a servant. Grant accord among all workers and strengthen their collective effort for justice.
  • 9/4 – Deuteronomy 24:14-15 – Lord God, grant justice to all workers who have had their wages withheld or have been underpaid for their work. Open the minds and hearts of their employers to the decrees and blessings that come from carrying out Your Holy law.
  • 9/5 – Jeremiah 22:1-5 – Heavenly Father, guide us by Your Holy word and grant that all may abide in it, doing justice, righteousness, and delivering all who are oppressed. Provide Your abundant blessings to those who follow Your will, and bring back those who reject Your way.
  • 9/6 – Jeremiah 22:11-17 – Lord of Heaven and earth, grant that all may build upon justice and right. May no one build by unrighteousness, by making a neighbor work for nothing; stealing wages. Send forth Your Spirit to judge the cause of the poor and needy and grant them restoration. Set the ways of those practicing oppression and violence to naught.
  • 9/7 – Luke 7:1-10 – Lord Jesus, grant that all employers may act as the centurion, for the good of their workers. Grant that we may break down the barriers of class and nationality and focus instead on the good of everyone. Grant all workers access to healthcare and paid sick leave. Heal all those injured in their work.
  • 9/8 – Isaiah 58:6-12 – Lord Jesus, bring us to restoration and healing. Grant that all our work and effort be one with Your gospel By the justice we do may Your light may shine forth and our communities may become the home of peace, generosity, light, strength, and vindication.

Pray the week: Lord Jesus, bless our work and all who labor. Provide justice for those oppressed.

Reflection for the 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time

You confuse me!
I know, but it’s not that tough.

“Be doers of the word and not hearers only, deluding yourselves.”

Do we find it confusing to do God’s will, or is it easy? Unfortunately, there is not one easy answer. It comes down to our personality, learning, spirit, and skills.

I was reading a story, and it mentioned a character whose personality was completely charitable. He couldn’t be anything other than charitable. His faith life dictated his actions. He would go out of his way to do extraordinary things, just to help, to be there. It could be a ride, a shoulder, helping hands, or a kind and supportive world. He did God’s will through the way he helped in an outward and demonstrable way.

For others that type of direct action might be more difficult. They may provide support through donations of food and treasure. They may respond through prayer for peoples’ intentions.

It is important that none of us rate the works of others. What they do, and how they do it, is part of the way they carry out God’s will. Their lives follow a particular path founded upon the way God’s message resonates within them.

There are so many misconceptions among Christians in relation to what God wants us to do. Some think that becoming a Christian is enough. You are going to heaven and all problems are automatically solved. Some will tell you that God will tell us what He wants though some amazing miraculous vision or voice – and not only that – He will give us step by step directions. Others will say that faith is just a force, a vehicle for us to get what we want and need at the moment. Faith and God is just a tool we can use. It is no longer God’s desire for us, but God acting on our desires.

St. Paul laid out the answer to living in accord with what God wants from us. We are to believe in God, internalize His word, and take action. Listen to His word and take action.

If we just listen, its like water rolling off a rock. The outside might get wet, but nothing happens inside. We cannot be like rocks. The word has to penetrate us and change us. Then, as changed people we carry out the direction of God’s word in a particular way.

That is Jesus’ message. It is not how we look, what we eat, any outward measure, but how much we absorb and are changed by God’s will. Will we accept His will and be changed, or will we remain just a wet rock? Jesus makes it easy, listen – makes God’s will our center – then act on it.

Bible Study for the 21st Week in Ordinary Time
  • 8/26 – Joshua 24:14-27 – Lord God, grant that I may always choose You, You above all. I know that my heart and my commitment to You will stand in witness against me if I let You down. May my words and actions be true to my Christian commitment and may I not be found a hypocrite.
  • 8/27 – Jeremiah 31:31-34 – Lord, Your Son came to teach me Your way and to write Your commandment of love in my heart. Continue to be generous with me when my actions fall short of my commitment to You.
  • 8/28 – Jeremiah 31:35-37 – Lord God, You gave me Your everlasting commitment and the promise that I will never be separated from You. Grant that I may grow each day in my commitment to You. Keep me close and teach me to rely on Your promises.
  • 8/29 – Matthew 16:24-26 – Lord Jesus, You call me to complete and total commitment to You and Your way. Grant me the strength to live that commitment, never counting anything above my promise to You.
  • 8/30 – Romans 12:1-2 – Lord Jesus, grant that I may offer myself up as a living sacrifice acceptable to You. Transform my mind, so that I may discern Your will.
  • 8/31 – John 10:1-10 – Lord Jesus, grant that I may enter into life through You, and that I may dedicate my life and my all to follow You. I know that in committing I will find eternal life.
  • 9/1 – Matthew 4:19, Matthew 9:9 – Lord Jesus, You call us to follow You, to set aside our nets and our counting table to walk in Your way. Grant me all I need to stand up and follow You. Grant too the gift of many vocations to the priesthood and diaconate.

Pray the week: Lord Jesus, grant that I may commit to You, for there is no one else to whom I can go.