<TW>Weekend of 27 and 28 January 2007
- From: "Fr. Pat Umberger" <frpat@xxxxxxxxx>
- To: "Fr. Pat Umberger" <frpat@xxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Sat, 20 Jan 2007 21:29:22 -0600
.=: T H I S W E E K E N D :=.
from Father Pat Umberger
___________________________________________________
.=: V O L U M E 2 0 0 7 , Number 01-28 :=.
.=: T H I S W E E K E N D ' S S C R I P T U R E S :=.
Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C.
Weekend of 27 and 28 January 2007
Follow this link for this weekend's Scriptures:
www.nccbuscc.org/nab/
.=: R E F L E C T I O N Q U E S T I O N S :=.
"The word of the LORD came to me, saying: Before I formed you in the womb I
knew you, before you were born I dedicated you a prophet to the nations I
appointed you." How does this make you feel? If we lived up to God's dream
for us, what would we have to do? Is it possible? Where could our help
come from?
"They will fight against you but not prevail over you, for I am with you to
deliver you, says the LORD." How does the Lord help us in adversity? When
have we stood up for what is right even when others would have preferred
that we not do that?
"Love is patient, love is kind. It is not jealous, it is not pompous, It is
not inflated, it is not rude, it does not seek its own interests, it is not
quick-tempered, it does not brood over injury, it does not rejoice over
wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth." Is it possible for anybody to live
up to this kind of love?
"So faith, hope, love remain, these three; but the greatest of these is
love." Why is love the greatest?
Jesus began speaking in the synagogue, saying: "Today this Scripture passage
is fulfilled in your hearing." How can scripture be fulfilled in our
hearing?
And he said, "Amen, I say to you, no prophet is accepted in his own native
place." Is this sometimes true? Even in our own house?
How are these readings challenging? Comforting?
(c)MMVII Fr. Pat Umberger. These Reflection Questions are found each week
at the Web Site www.frpat.com. Feel free to link to this page or reproduce
them for parish use as long as this credit remains.
.=: S P I R I T U A L R E F L E C T I O N :=.
"The word of the LORD came to me, saying: Before I formed you in the womb I
knew you, before you were born I dedicated you, a prophet to the nations I
appointed you." Aren't those wonderful words? God knew us even before we
were born. God has a dream for each of us. When we live out that dream
we're happier and more fulfilled than if we do things our own way.
God's dream for us always takes us away from ourselves. Most of us know
that when we focus too much on our own wants and needs we can feel pretty
selfish and desperate. When we get involved helping others things go better
for us. God appoints us to do just that.
"Love is patient, love is kind. It is not jealous, it is not pompous, It is
not inflated, it is not rude, it does not seek its own interests, it is not
quick-tempered, it does not brood over injury, it does not rejoice over
wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth." This is a great Wedding reading.
Imagine the kind of marriage that would result if both partners tried every
day to live this way. "Today this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your
hearing." We'd be living the words of Scripture as God calls us to.
Jesus came to us as the Word of God made flesh. As he lived his life with
us he showed us how to be the Word of God. As he went from place to place
he didn't consider himself and his own needs. He constantly reached out to
others. He opened the eyes and hearts of those around him as he spent time
with lepers, prostitutes, tax collectors and sinners. He reached out to
Samaritans and those who disregarded the law. His disciples were simple
people. As they turned from their wrongdoing and tried to walk in his
footsteps they became very special indeed.
How disappointed Jesus must have been when others didn't listen or follow.
Isn't it hard when we see others off on the wrong path, yet they won't
listen to us. We don't want them to make mistakes or get hurt, but they
seem determined to do things their own way. We can watch them do all kinds
of self-centered things and know that this isn't the path to fulfillment,
yet we're powerless to do anything to help them avoid this pain.
And he said, "Amen, I say to you, no prophet is accepted in his own native
place." Most of us have had parents who have said, "When I was your age."
Then we could expect a story. Usually the story had a lesson. If we would
avoid doing what they did, we'd avoid the pain as well. How wonderful it
was when we listened. When we didn't though, we had to suffer the
consequences.
Sometimes it's easier for us to talk with grandparents, teachers, aunts and
uncles and friends than with parents or other close family members. How
frustrating that can be for those who love us the most. As we listen to
God's Word this weekend we can appreciate how we were chosen before we were
even born. We can strive to live God's love by reaching out to others. We
can strive to be patient with those who don't listen and know that Jesus
understands our frustration when others don't listen to us. "Before I
formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I dedicated you, a
prophet to the nations I appointed you." Have a good week!
(c)MMVII Fr. Pat Umberger. This Spiritual Reflection is found each week at
the Web Site www.frpat.com. Feel free to link to this page or reproduce
them for parish use as long as this credit remains.
__________________________________________________
<TW>This Weekend is free, and comes from:
Father Pat Umberger, a priest of the Diocese of La Crosse
in Wisconsin U.S.A.
Web Site: www.frpat.com
Evangelization (reaching out): www.cmonback.com
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