14th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Our readings for the 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time:

1. Ezekiel 2: 2-5
2. Psalms 123: 1-2, 2, 3-4
3. 2 Corinthians 12: 7-10
4. Mark 6: 1-6

1. Missioned
• Some years back, when I would do interviews, there was one fellow on the panel who would ask the interviewee "give three words that describe you."  If someone asked that of you in a Catholic context what would those words be?
• Do you think that "prophet" might be one of them?
• Why or why not?
• Do you think that we can have too many authentic prophets?
2. Looking for mercy
• How would you measure success in general?
• How do you measure up to that definition of success?
• Do you think that true humility can help a person become successful?
• Why or why not?
3. Strength in humility
• How would you define humility?
• How do you think that we go about learning that?
• How does a humble heart help us in our ministry?
• How might it help us at home?
4. Might might not be where you expect it
• Who are some of the ones who have taught you the most?
• What made it possible for you to learn from them?
• Do you feel that you are at all a teacher/coach/mentor for others in their faith?
• How might you be better at that?

Preparation for Reconciliation:

1. Is false humility keeping me from sharing my God-given gifts?
2. Am I willing to be seen as a failure in most people's eyes if that's what it takes for me to follow Jesus' call in my life?
3. Do I expect Jesus to protect me from the bumps and potholes in the road of life, or am I content knowing that He'll be there with me, no matter how dire things get?
4. Am I willing to let Jesus be true to His nature, His purpose, even if that conflicts with my expectations on him?

Not Now, I'm Praying

Lord, I want to be successful.
Nothing grand or glorious,
I'd just like something to turn out the way I want it to from time to time.




Hello, I'm praying, I'm listening,
I thought we had an understanding here,
That you'd be there for me.

Oh, sorry, you're talking to me?
Just what were you looking for by way of an answer?
What role do you think I might have in your success?

Well, some guidance in how to make that happen,
Maybe some direction in how I should go,
Where to put my effort.

What were you looking for, stock tips,
Perhaps some suggestions on which MBA program
Would best suit your idea of your future?

Well, it sounds sort of trivial when you put it that way.
Look, I'm not very clear on the big picture here.
I'm just trying to take this one step at a time.

Now you're talking.
Put your trust in me,
Learn indifference to all that you have, 

Wait, wait, trust, yeah, I get that.
But indifference, aren't you the one
Who supplied me with all this?

And you need to put all of that
In it's proper place, even
Your understanding of what success is.

But if I do that, what's going to be left?
What can I count on going forward?
What can I hang on to for security and continuity?

I'll never leave you nor forsake you,
Come back when that's enough for you.
And then we can talk some more.

Lord, have mercy
I always have
This is so hard
It always has been
I'll be back
I'm counting on it.

I love you more than you'll ever know.
I gaze at you every moment of every day.
I am here for you no matter what.

Shalom!