“I shall live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.”
Psalm 23
Readings
Book of the Prophet Isaiah 25:6-10a
Letter of Saint Paul to the Philippians 4:12-14 19-20
Gospel according to Matthew 22:1-14
Reflection
by Sister Maureen Niedermeyer, OSB
Can you remember when you prepared a dinner for a special group of friends? There were so many details to attend to, but invitation were sent out and you looked forward to the joy of serving friends. How shocked and sad you would be if no one came! Actually, Jesus invites us daily to intimate times with Him. Do we hear His call or just consider it one more task to attend to? May we be more aware of God’s speaking to our hearts often during the day, realizing how privileged we are to be invited to a time of grace and comfort.
St Paul says, “I can do all things in Him who strengthens me.” It is comforting to know that it is God who will prepare our hearts for the banquet that He invites us to attend. He knows that we need not be perfect; our hearts contain a mixture of right and wrong, beautiful and ugly. Yet, He who is perfect loves our littleness so that He can shower His mercy on us.
Considering our world today, we all feel overwhelmed in our capacity to hold the needs of all who suffer in our thoughts and prayers. The God who created and shepherds all of us knows the needs we have and remembers especially the poor and the lowly who are dear to His heart. We are assured that He will wipe away the tears from our eyes when we are conscious of all the pain that people are suffering today. His mercy is now reaching out to strengthen and heal the woundedness in our broken world.
From the Rule of St. Benedict
“Great care and concern are to be shown in receiving poor people and pilgrims, because in them more particularly Christ is received; our very awe of the rich guarantees them special respect.” Chapter 53:15
Gospel Acclamation
“May the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ enlighten the eyes of our hearts, so that we may know what is the hope that belongs to our call.” (see Ephesians 1:17-18)
Thank you for your reflections, Sister Maureen. I took the bus to Mass today as I don't have a car. On the bus are many poor people like me. Some are there with their families - mom's watching their kids running up and down the isles unable to keep them still for very long. Some people are homeless, carrying everything they own in a ruck sack or pushing it in an overburdened cart, living on the streets or in tents just off the busy streets and highways.
Some are belligerent and some are very quiet. Some are going to work or grocery shopping. Our shoulders ache so bad when we get home from the weight of those groceries. Some …