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Newsletter – October 2016

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By SP

“In GOD we Trust” Dear St. Dismas Guild, Hi, y’all.  I’m 23 years young and right now I’m sitting in confinement in prison. I’m facing two years followed with 8 months. At 3 years of age I was taken away from my biological parents and placed into foster care until I was five years old. Then M & K adopted me and signed legal documents to guide and care for me as their own. Likewise, I was supposed to obey, respect and love them as my adopted parents.  At age 15 my adopted Mom took me to a behavioral hospital to see if I was mentally okay. We found out through a CAT scan I had brain tumors which affected me and my growing up behaviors.  Long story short, I ran away at 18 and was placed in two different Alf’s. I ran away from there and was sent to the second one. I was then placed in another Alf. I got messed up with men, trying to love them and trying to find comfort, love, and support because I felt lonely. Instead, these men turned into manipulators and took my love and kindness for granted and later took high advantage of me, sexually. I was hurt badly, emotionally, physically, mentally and financially, yet never spiritually because my Father, God, was always there.

My adopted family couldn’t help me until I learned to take responsibility for my actions and learn to help myself because there ain’t no body, going to live my life for me, but me.  So yeah, like I was saying, getting mixed up in the midst of “finding love in all the wrong places” put me in a sink hole of being in jail, which led me to prison. Here I sit and patiently wait upon the Lord, facing two years and 8 months. Yes, I’m clearly upset of how I ended up in prison. Will the dear Lord forgive me – of course – because I’ve forgiven those and myself. It is all a misunderstanding of why I’m here in prison, yet, God has a bigger and brighter plan and purpose for me – His beloved child. Well, I do need some spiritual books and help, please. May I request a study guide or a study Bible for young girls like me, Please. Thanks for all y’all do. God bless y’all.  Sincerely, SP.

 

It sounds like, SP, you found the greatest lover that ever walked this earth, Jesus Christ, and it sounds like He is meeting your needs. Whenever you feel alone just go to Him and get up in His lap and let Him hold you. He says, “Come to me all you who are weary and find life burdensome, and I will refresh you. Take my yoke upon your shoulders and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble of heart. Your souls will find rest, for my yoke is easy and my burden light.” Looking to man to fill the need for love will not work unless they are Spirit filled and then it is still Jesus loving you through them. Thank you for sharing your testimony.

 

 

Dear Brothers and Sisters, Hello!, my name is DF and I’m 38 years old. I’ve been in and out of prison since I was 17 years old and that is 21 years of my life gone from the world. When I was a kid I grew up in the church and a Christian home. I stayed with my grandparents and they believed in Christ, so I was in church on Sundays, Wednesdays and anytime there were activities that churches do. I was there and I sang for the church and I was an usher boy. When I got older I did not want to do anything with the church. I wanted to do my own thing. Here is the thing, though, I know that Jesus died on the cross for me and died for my sins.  God never gave up on me and He has been there for me and saved my life twice.  In 1996 I was on my bike going to work and I stopped at a stop sign. I looked both ways. I got halfway across the road and a truck came out of nowhere. I had a broken knee and on the other leg it broke my ankle. The doctors and others said I would not work, walk, run, or do other things that I used to do.  I told myself I would walk, run, work and Jesus was there before me. He will be there for me this time and in about a month or two I was up walking, bending my knee and walking on my ankle.

God has saved my life now and it is time for me to quit playing games with my life and quit playing games with the man Jesus Christ. I’m reborn again (Eccl. 3:3), a time to tear down the old me and rebuild the new me for Jesus. It is time for me to walk with the Lord Our God. I gave up a lifestyle and I don’t want to go back to that life. When I was on the free I did a lot of stuff, sex, drugs, alcohol, and for all these things I should have been in the ground. But now I’m glad that I’m locked up in prison because it saved my life. Yes, right now I’m struggling in some things but I’m not perfect. I think about going into ministry when I get out so I can share my life story and how God has saved my life and what he has done for me.  God bless you all. Pray for me and for our nation. It really needs it.  Thank you.  DF

Thank you so much, DF, for sharing. Your right we all struggle with some things and we will never be perfect but we continue to strive for perfection. Jesus tells us in Matthew 5:48, “In a word you must be made perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect.” You become perfect by loving your enemies. You might say that is a tall order but I say with God all things are possible. You can’t do that on your own power. If you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord, and Savior you have the power of the Holy Spirit within you. Sin is what blocks God from working in your life so as you repent, turn away from the sin and turn to God, you can do all things through God who strengthens you. We will continue to pray for you and our sad mixed up Nation who has made evil good and good evil. Our blessings to you.  

* * * * * *

Dear St. Dismas Guild,

Greetings, May the grace of God shine on St. Dismas Guild and each one of you, through His Son, Jesus Christ. I’m writing to you for I know I am being led by the Holy Spirit. I am a Christian, a follower of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I believe in the Trinity, but I am not a Catholic. It all started when Mother Mary Angelica went to her Lord in heaven to pray with the saints. I was listening to her, on her shows (EWTN) and everything I thought about Catholics that I thought was wrong was being revealed as Truth. Like Saints praying for us. Well, the Holy Spirit led me to the Holy Scripture in Revelation 8:3, which took me to 5:8 in Revelation.
The Truth is being revealed to me, but there are some things that my carnal mind is still fighting. I am praying to the Father in Jesus’ name to have this revealed to me. The theme of Mother Mary, Mother of Jesus, Our Lord, our God, why do we pray to her? Why is it said that she can show us the grace of God? I was taught that only God, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit can teach us and bring grace on us. I will not stop praying on this matter. Everything is coming to light because it was and is a Holy Calling on my life to worship our God, our Lord and Savior the correct way. And I will not let Satan win this battle.

Please, can you send me a Catholic bible and whatever literature you can spare to help me understand why things are done differently from other Christians?  Like, are there different sacraments for each church? “Eucharist,” I never had communion. And I know Christians everywhere are to do this. 1 Corinthians 11:23-30. Here in this prison they have no Catholic bibles to hand out or any literature. So please help me if you can. And how can I become a part of the Catholic Church?  God bless you all, in all of your works to gather in the lost sheep.  Thank you for your time. Your Brother in Christ Jesus.  BP

 

We ask mother Mary to intercede to her Son for us. It’s like a child who goes to his mother to get what he wants. Our Blessed Mother was given her position as our mother when Jesus was dying on the cross. Jesus gave her to John so he could care for her and she could be a mother to him and in so doing she became the Mother of us all (John 19:26-27). She is not dead she is alive with Jesus as is all our family members who have accepted Jesus into their lives and were baptized. She talks to Him all the time for our benefit. We are so blessed in our Church to have all the angels and saints rooting for us, most especially our mother Mary. Every Catholic Church has the same 7 sacraments, Baptism, Confirmation,, Eucharist, Penance, Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders, and Matrimony. These all give us grace. Every one of these are based on the Word of God, instituted by Christ to give grace. As Catholics we believe in the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist, John 6:53-55, ‘Jesus said to them, “Amen, amen, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you do not have life within you. Whoever eats* my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day. For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink.” ‘We sent your letter to one of our mentors. God bless you.

This month we celebrate Respect Life Sunday, 1st Sunday in October…every life is worth living.  A few years ago, just before Thanksgiving we got a call, would we consider adopting a baby girl due to be born in 6 weeks.  Our hearts jumped with joy as we had been praying for that day for many years.  We met with the birth mom. Sarah was a beautiful woman, mid-20s, struggling to keep her life on track.  She had been on drugs, no way to support the baby, the biological dad was in prison and had done some very bad things to Sarah.  Being pressured by her so-called friends to abort the baby, she turned away from them as she felt there was another plan for this child and herself.  Through her courageous and generous love, Sarah chose life and she chose adoption.  Thus, an amazing journey began, for both us and Sarah.  Since that day, Sarah has reunited with her family, gone to college and we have been blessed with a child.  God does work miracles!  St. Dismas Guild believes that every life is a gift from God.  If you are struggling with an unplanned pregnancy ask for St. Teresa of Calcutta’s intercession, “Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow has not yet come. We have only today. Let us begin.”

Seek out a pro-life clinic.  There are options, one of which is adoption.  If it were not for the love of birth mothers who chose adoption, many would not have the beautiful families that they have, including Deacon Ken & Marie, myself and others on the St. Dismas staff.

“…Taking a child he placed it in their midst, and putting his arms around it he said to them,

‘Whoever receives one child such as this in my name, receives me; and whoever receives me, receives not me but the One who sent me.’” (Mark 9:36-37)

October is Respect Life Month in our Catholic Church. As Catholics we learn that the Culture of Life ministries are all about informing people to respect life from conception to natural death.  One such parish ministry states that our “Culture of Life Ministry actively promotes respect for human Life by helping parishioners understand the issues and importance of meeting the needs of those who are most vulnerable. Through education, support of Pro-life campaigns and ministries, parishioners are given opportunities to pray for and support Life from conception to natural death.”
Growing up in a lukewarm Christian home I was never taught this concept. I had a conscience but this certainly wasn’t important to me when my choice to use abortion as birth control seemed to be my only option. “It is legal, Right,” was my thought process. There wasn’t anyone there to tell me otherwise so what was bugging me while lying on that table questioning, “Why does this seem so wrong?” It’s called natural law, it’s God’s law written on our hearts. That’s what was bugging me. It was God calling me to choose Life for myself and my baby that day.

To this day I wish I would’ve listened to that nagging voice that told me to get up and run away. I even asked the nurse “how she could be there participating in this” and she just told me to “look up at the ceiling and focus on something to take my mind off of it.” And what did I see? I focused on the cross beams that intersected the ceiling tiles and stared right at the cross. I believe God started working on my heart that very day even though I chose to continue on with the abortion.

It took many (25-30) years before I finally sought help and went on a Rachel’s Hope retreat to heal the years of self-inflicted wounds on my heart and soul.

I have had true contrition and had taken all of this to the foot of the cross for Jesus to wash me in His precious blood. My prayer is that if you have participated in abortion that you too will know that God loves you and wants to forgive you… Run to Him for healing.

“I came so All might have life and have it to the full.” (cf. John 10:10)

Prayer for the Culture of Life…

“Father and maker of all, you adorn all creation with splendor and beauty, and fashion human lives in your image and likeness. Awaken in every heart reverence for the work of your hands, and renew among your people a readiness to nurture and sustain your precious gift of life from conception through natural death. Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.”

 

 

In Jesus’ love,

St. Dismas Staff

TWENTY-EIGHTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME – CYCLE C

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                       THE BREAD OF LIFE

                     CATHOLIC BIBLE STUDY

         TWENTY-EIGHTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME – CYCLE C  

BEFORE YOU BEGIN:

Pray and ask God to speak to you through His Holy Spirit.

“THE PARACLETE, THE HOLY SPIRIT WHOM THE FATHER WILL SEND IN MY NAME, WILL INSTRUCT YOU IN EVERYTHING, AND REMIND YOU OF ALL THAT I TOLD YOU.”  (JOHN 14:26)

 

FIRST DAY Reread last week’s readings.

 1 What was a helpful or new thought from the readings or      from he homily you heard on Sunday?

  

  1. From what you learned, what personal application did you  choose to apply to your life this week?

 

SECOND DAY          READ 2 KINGS 5:14-17          FIRST READING

     (“So Naaman went down and plunged into the Jordan seven times at the word of the man of God.”)

  

  1. Who went down and plunged into the Jordan seven times, what  made him do it and who was the man of God? 2 Kings 5:14,

     2 Kings 5:8

  

  1. Who was Naaman and what was wrong with him? 2 Kings 5:1

  

  1. What happened to his flesh when he plunged into the Jordan  seven times?  2 Kings 5:14

 

  1. What does Jesus say will happen to us through his word?   John 15:3

 

 5. After being cleansed where did he go, and with whom did he go?  2 Kings 5:15

 

  1. As he stood before Elisha, what did he say about God and what did he offer the prophet?  2 Kings 5:15

  

  1. Where did he say that there is no God in all the world but  there?  2 Kings 5:15

  

  1. What did Elisha say about the gift? 2 Kings 5:16

  

  1. For what did Naaman ask, and for what reason? 2 Kings 5:17

  

Personal – In what way have you been cleansed or healed through your obedience to the Word of God?  Be specific.

 

THIRD DAY           READ 2 TIMOTHY 2:8-13      SECOND READING

              (“There is no chaining the Word of God.”)

 

  1. Of whom is Jesus Christ a descendant and what was the gospel being preached?  2 Timothy 2:8

  

  1. Who was preaching this gospel and in so doing, how does he      suffer? 2 Timothy 1:1 and 2 Timothy 2:8-9

  

  1. As he suffers, even to the point of being thrown into chains, of what does he say there is no chaining? 

     2 Timothy 2:9

          

  1. Why does he bear all of this and for what reason?      2 Tim 2:10

  

  1. On what can you depend? 2 Timothy 2:11

  

  1. What does it mean to die with him? Romans 6:1-11

  

  1. What will happen if we persevere to the end?      2 Timothy 2:12

 

  1. What will happen if we deny him? 2 Timothy 2:12

  

  1. If we are unfaithful, what will he do and for what reason?      2 Timothy 2:13

  

  1. What does 1 Corinthians 1:9 say that God is?

  

Personal – In what way have you died with Jesus?  How have you faced a hardship among your family, work, or circle of friends because of your witnessing to the power of Christ in your life? 

  

FOURTH DAY            READ LUKE 17:11-19                 GOSPEL

                    (“Stand up and go your way;  your faith has been your salvation.”)

 

  1. On Jesus journey to Jerusalem what borders did he pass   along? See if you can find this on your bible map. Luke 17:11

  

  1. As he was entering a village who met him and what did they keep?  Luke 17:12

  

  1. As they raised their voices, what did they say to him and how did they address him?  Luke 17:13

  

  1. When Jesus saw them, what was his response to them?      Luke 17:14

  

  1. What happened to them when they went on their way as he told them?  Luke 17:14

  

  1. What did one of them do realizing he had been cured?      Luke 17:15

  

  1. What did he do at the feet of Jesus and of what did he speak? Luke 17:16

 

  1. What was the man and what did Jesus take the occasion to say?  Luke 17:16-17

 

 

  1. What did they not return to do and what did he call the one

     man who did?  Luke 17:18

 

 

  1. What did he tell the one man to do? Luke 17:19

 

 

  1. What did Jesus say it was that saved the man? Luke 17:19

 

 

  1. What did Jesus say to the woman who was bleeding? Matthew 9:22

 

 

Personal– In what way have you thanked God this week and for what have you thanked him?  Have you received healing in any way?  What do you believe healed you, or what may be blocking you from being healed?

 

 

FIFTH DAY             READ PSALM 98:1-4                   

 

           (“The Lord has made his salvation known”.)

 

Read and meditate on Psalm 98:1-4.

 

What is the Lord saying to you personally through the Psalm?

 

How can you apply this to your life?

 

 

SIXTH DAY             READ ALL OF THE COMMENTARY

 

                        2 KINGS 5:14-17

 

     This is a great passage that deals with the sin of pride and the core of faith.  Naaman was the commander-in-chief of the Syrian army and also a national hero.  He was stricken with the dreaded disease of leprosy and would consider anything or anyone who could heal him.  Leprosy, much like AIDS today, was one of the most feared diseases of that time.  There was no cure and if it was determined to be bad enough, a person would be removed from the community and sent into exile. 

     Naaman’s disease was probably still in its early stages.  Naaman’s wife was told by her servant that a prophet of God in Israel could cure him.  He went to the prophet’s home and Elisha told him to go and bathe himself in the Jordan river and he would be cured.  Naaman was insulted at being told to do such a trivial thing in such a common, dirty river like the Jordan.  He was advised by his counselor to follow the prophet’s command and he was then healed of his leprosy. 

 

     Naaman was a great hero and he was used to getting respect and he was outraged when Elisha treated him like an average person.  We need to learn the same lesson that Naaman learned, that obedience to God begins with humility.  We too must believe that his way is much better than our own.  We must always remember that God’s ways are best and God can use anything to accomplish his purposes.  Naaman then was so impressed with the Lord of Israel that he wanted to take two quantities of earth and make an earth altar and give worship to the God of Elisha, who is our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  Like Naaman, obedience to God will also bring us healing and blessings.  

 

                        2 TIMOTHY 2:8-13

 

     Paul is really exhorting us to be courageous in our Christian walk and not to be afraid of suffering.  He tells Timothy that he must teach others so that they may pass on the Good News.  We are called to do that today, and we also need to know that suffering, persecution and, possibly, even death will be the hardship that goes with being an ambassador for Christ.  False teachers were a problem in those days as they are in ours.  The incarnation of Jesus Christ was the act of God voluntarily assuming a human body and soul, a  human nature.  He became a man without ceasing to be God, a human being, and his name was Jesus.  He did not give up his divinity to become human.  He became subject to place, time and many other human limitations.  He was, however, not subject to sin and he was able to show us everything about God’s character in human terms.  Paul very clearly states that Jesus is fully God and fully man.  Any other view than this is not biblical.  The truth about Jesus then was no more popular than it is today in our time. 

     Today, Jesus is Lord only to a receptive heart, as it was in Paul’s time.  Paul’s declaration to the Jews that Jesus was God was an insult, and they condemned him for blasphemy.  The Romans were outraged because they worshipped the emperor as God (Philippians 4:22).  The Greeks were disgusted because humanity soiled divine status (Acts 11:20-21).  Many of these different cultures converted to Christianity only when, in faith, they believed in his being God and fully human.

 

     Today we are free to choose to have a receptive heart.  We see in scripture that God has chosen us first.  It is in being obedient to his choice that we can really ever be totally free. This is a mystery that our humanity cannot fully understand, but we can be very grateful that he has chosen us.  God is totally faithful to us; even in the middle of our present hardships he is with us, and he gives us the strength to persevere (1 Cor. 10:13).  He tells us that someday we will live eternally with him and share in the administration of the kingdom (Matthew 16:24-27).  We may be faith less in our times of trial and hardship but Jesus remains faithful to his promise to be with us, even to the end of the world (Matthew 28:20).

 

                          LUKE 17:11-19

 

     We have learned that leprosy was a disease that was contagious and many times fatal, and the person was banned from his community.  His life was one of suffering, horror, rejection, and finally death alone and unwanted.  A leper had to announce his presence if he came into contact with a non-leper.  If a leper thought he was cured, he had to present himself to the priest and be declared clean (Leviticus 14).  Jesus sends the ten lepers to the priest before they were healed.  Their obedience in faith resulted in their being healed. 

 

     We need to reflect on our own level of faith.  Do we act upon our being told by Jesus that we, too, have been healed (Matthew 8:17)?  We see only one healed leper return to give thanks and to realize that because he believed, his cure became possible.  God does not demand that we thank him for healing us, but in our spirit of thankfulness our faith grows more and more to his delight.  It is significant that Jesus mentioned that the only thankful leper was a Samaritan, who because of his race was despised by the Jews as idolatrous riff-raff.  We see that the grace of God is for everyone and yet not everyone is grateful. 

 

     Jesus shows us in these verses that his healing power is just waiting to be released, that all we have to do is have faith, and step out and act upon that faith.  Jesus changed a situation for those lepers that probably had been going on for several years.  He was immediately responsive to the plea of these untouchables.  They were not able to live a normal life and be with their families but Jesus changed that and restored them to good health.  Jesus never gives up on us no matter how incurable, or untouchable, we may be.  Sometimes we are tempted to give up on people or situations which have not changed for many years. 

 

     God can change the unchangeable and we need to let the change begin with ourselves.  We need to believe that he can cure us physically, emotionally, and spiritually.  We then need to come and kneel before Jesus and say, “Thank you for dying for me even while I was still sinning” (Romans 5:8).  Our faith will grow; and the “unclean” in our families, in our churches, in our country, and on our planet earth will see in us that healing light of Christ, the Morning Star (2 Peter 1:19).  They too will become healed and run through the countryside joyfully singing out the praises of a loving God who will some day cleanse the earth from sin, and there will be no more sickness and death (Matthew 8:17).

 

 

Application

 

     In the first reading, we saw pride prevent a cure; then we saw obedience bring the cure.  In the second reading, we were encouraged to endure suffering for the sake of preaching the Good News.  In the Gospel, we saw the joy of the Lord over the thankful, unclean one being cured. 

 

     This week, let us show our thanks to the Lord for healing us by doing something specific for the “unclean,”  like a day of fasting or a week of daily prayer for a specific person at a specific time. Maybe spend some time at a soup kitchen or help with the homeless, etc.  Let the unwanted see that they are wanted by Christ through you this week.

VIGESIMOOCTAVO DOMINGO DEL TIEMPO ORDINARIO

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VIGESIMOOCTAVO DOMINGO DEL TIEMPO ORDINARIO

 ANTES DE COMENZAR:

                 Ora y pídele a Dios que te hable a través de Su Espíritu Santo. “EL ESPIRITU SANTO INTERPRETE, QUE EL PADRE LES ENVIARA EN MI NOMBRE, LES VA A ENSEÑAR TODAS LAS COSAS Y LES RECORDARA TODAS MIS PALABRAS.”  (JUAN 14:26)

PRIMER DIA                       Vuelve a leer las lecturas de la semana pasada.

 1. ¿Cuál fue el mensaje qué recibiste de la homilía o de las lecturas que oíste en misa el domingo?

 

  1. ¿De lo que aprendiste, qué escogiste para aplicar a tu vida esta semana?

 

SEGUNDO DIA                                                          2 REYES 5:14-17                                    PRIMERA LECTURA

                 (“Así que Naamán bajó y se bañó en el Jordán siete veces como lo había dicho el siervo de Dios.”)

  1. ¿Quién bajó y se bañó en el Jordán siete veces? ¿Por qué lo hizo? ¿Quién era el siervo de Dios?

2 Reyes 5:14, 5:8

 

  1. ¿Quién era Naamán y qué era lo que le sucedía? 2 Reyes 5:1

 

  1. ¿Qué le pasó a su piel cuando se bañó en el Jordán siete veces? 2 Reyes 5:14

 

  1. ¿Qué nos dice Jesús que nos pasará a nosotros por medio de Su palabra? Juan 15:3

 

  1. ¿Después de haber sido limpiado a dónde fue y con quien fue? 2 Reyes 5:15

 

  1. ¿Cuando llegó ante Eliseo qué dijo acerca de Dios y qué le ofreció al profeta? 2 Reyes 5:15

 

  1. ¿De dónde dijo que era este Dios del cual no hay otro como él en el mundo? 2 Reyes 5:15

 

  1. ¿Qué dijo Eliseo sobre los regalos? 2 Reyes 5:16

 

  1. ¿Qué pidió Naamán y por qué razon? 2 Reyes 5:17

 

Personal – ¿Cómo has sido limpiado o aliviado como consequencia de haber obedecido la Palabra de Dios? Sé específico.

 

TERCER DIA                                                           2 TIMOTEO 2:8-13                                 SEGUNDA LECTURA

 

(“Pero la palabra de Dios no está encadenada.”)

 

  1. ¿De quién es descendiente Jesucristo? ¿Cuál fue la buena nueva proclamada? 2 Timoteo 2:8

 

  1. ¿Quién estaba predicando esto? ¿Qué estaba sufriendo por haberlo hecho? 2 Tim. 1:1 y 2 Tim. 2:8-9

 

  1. ¿Aún sufriendo hasta el punto de haber sido encadenado, de qué habla cuando dice que ésta no está  encadenada?  2 Timoteo 2:9

 

  1. ¿Por qúe sufre todo esto y por qué razón? 2 Timoteo 2:10

 

  1. ¿De qué podemos estar seguros? 2 Timoteo 2:11

 

  1. ¿Qué significa morir con El? Romanos 6:1-11

 

  1. ¿Qué pasará si perseveramos hasta el final? 2 Timoteo 2:12

 

  1. ¿Qué pasará si lo negamos? 2 Timoteo 2:12

 

  1. ¿Si somos infieles, qué hará El y por qué? 2 Timoteo 2:13

 

  1. ¿Qué dice 1 Corintios 1:9 acerca de Dios?

 

Personal – ¿De qué modo has muerto con Jesús? ¿Cómo has enfrentado las dificultades con tu familia, compañeros o amigos debido al hecho de estar atestiguando con tu vida el poder de Cristo?

 

CUARTO DIA                                                             LUCAS 17:11-19                                                      EVANGELIO

(“Levántate y vete; tu fe te ha salvado.”)

  1. ¿De camino a Jerusalén por donde pasó Jesús? Búscalo en tu mapa de la Biblia Lucas 17:11

 

  1. ¿Al entrar al pueblo quiénes le salieron al encuentro? ¿En dónde se quedaron estos?  Lucas 17:12

 

  1. ¿Al gritarle, qué le decían y cómo le llamaban? Lucas 17:13

 

  1. ¿Cuando Jesús los vió, cómo les respondió? Lucas 17:14

 

  1. ¿Qué les pasó cuando iban en camino, así como El les había dicho? Lucas 17:14

 

  1. ¿Qué hizo uno de ellos al darse cuenta de que había sido curado? Lucas 17:15

 

  1. ¿Qué hizo a los pies de Jesús? ¿Y de qué habló? Lucas 17:16

 

  1. ¿De dónde era el hombre? ¿Qué le preguntó Jesús entonces? Lucas 17:16-17

 

  1. ¿A qué no regresaron los demás? ¿Cómo llamó al que si lo hizo? Lucas 17:18

 

  1. ¿Qué le dijo a este hombre que hiciera? Lucas 17:19

 

  1. ¿Qué dijo Jesús que era lo que había salvado al hombre? Lucas 17:19

 

  1. ¿Qué dijo Jesús a la mujer que estaba sangrando? Mateo 9:22

 

Personal – ¿De qué manera has agradecido a Dios esta semana? ¿De qué le das las gracias? ¿Has recibido algún alivio? ¿Qué crees tú que fue lo que te alivió? ¿O, hay algo que te esta bloqueando de ser aliviado?

 

QUINTO DIA                                                       LEE EL SALMO 98:1-4

(“El Señor trajo la salvación.”)

Leé y medita el Salmo 98:1-4.

¿Qué te dice personalmente el Señor por medio de este Salmo?

¿Cómo puedes aplicar esto a tu vida diaria?

SEXTO DIA                                                  LEE TODO EL COMENTARIO

                                                                                        2 REYES 5:14-17

                 Este es un pasaje muy importante que trata sobre el pecado de orgullo y el centro de la fe. Naamán era el comandante en jefe de la armada de Siria y también un héroe de la nación y había sido atacado por la terrible enfermedad de la lepra, lo cual lo hacía tomar en cuenta a cualquiera que pudiera curarlo. La lepra como hoy en día el SIDA era una de las enfermedades más temibles de ese tiempo. No había curación y si se determinaba que estaba muy mal, la persona era separada de la comunidad y mandada al exilio.

                Probablemente la enfermedad de Naamán estaba todavía en las primeras etapas. A su esposa le dijo una sirvienta que había un profeta de Dios en Israel que podía curarlo. Así que fue a la casa del profeta Eliseo y éste le dijo que se bañara en el río Jordán y que así se curaría. Naamán se sintió insultado cuando se le dijo que hiciera una cosa tan trivial y en un río tan común y sucio como el Jordán. Su consejero le dijo que siguiera el mandato del profeta y así lo hizo y quedó aliviado de la lepra.

                Naamán era un gran héroe y estaba acostumbrado a tener el respeto de los demás, así que se enojó cuando Eliseo lo trató como a cualquier otro. Debemos aprender la misma lección, la obediencia a Dios empieza con la humildad. También debemos creer que Su camino es mucho mejor que el nuestro. Recordemos que Dios puede valerse de cualquier cosa para conseguir sus propósitos. Naamán quedó tan impresionado con el Señor de Israel que quiso llevarse dos sacos de tierra y hacer con ellos un altar y adorar al Dios de Eliseo, quien es también nuestro Señor y Salvador Jesucristo. Como a Naamán la obediencia a Dios también nos traerá alivio y bendiciones.

                                                                                     2 TIMOTEO 2:8-13

                Pablo realmente nos está exhortando a tener valor en nuestro camino Cristiano y a no temerle al sufrimiento. Le dice a Timoteo que debe enseñar a otros para que ellos a su vez pasen las Buenas Nuevas. Nosotros estamos llamados a hacer lo mismo y también necesitamos saber que el sufrimiento, la persecusión y posiblemente la misma muerte serán las dificultades que nos vengan encima por ser embajadores de Cristo. Los falsos maestros eran un problema entonces y lo son en el presente.

                La encarnación de Jesucristo fue el acto de Dios de asumir voluntariamente un cuerpo y un alma humanos, o sea una naturaleza humana. Se hizo hombre sin dejar de ser Dios; un ser humano y su nombre fue Jesús. No renunció a su divinidad para volverse humano. Se sujeto sí a un lugar, tiempo y otras muchas limitaciones humanas. Sin embargo no estaba sujeto a pecar y pudo mostrarnos todo sobre el carácter de Dios en términos humanos. Pablo deja ver muy claro que Jesús es Dios verdadero y hombre verdadero. Cualquier otro punto de vista distinto no será bíblico. La verdad sobre Jesús entonces no era más popular de lo que lo es hoy en nuestros días.

                Hoy, Jesús es el Señor solo en un corazón receptivo, como lo fue en los tiempos de Pablo. La declaración que hizo Pablo a los Judíos de que Jesús era Dios fue un insulto y por ello fue condenado como blasfemo. Los Romanos estaban muy disgustados porque ellos adoraban al emperador como a un Dios (Filipenses 4:22). Los Griegos estaban disgustados porque la humanidad tomara una posición de divinidad (Hechos 11:20, 21). Muchas de esas culturas se convirtieron al Cristianismo cuando en fe creyeron que El era Dios y totalmente humano.

                Hoy tenemos libertad de escoger si queremos tener un corazón receptivo. Vemos en la escritura que Dios nos ha escogido a nosotros primero. Si somos obedientes a su elección podremos ser verdaderamente libres. Este es un misterio que nuestra humanidad no puede entender del todo; pero si podemos agradecerle que nos haya escogido. Dios nos es completamente fiel y aún en medio de nuestros problemas presentes, El está con nosotros y nos dá las fuerzas para perseverar (1 Corintios 10:13). Nos dice que algún día viviremos eternamente con El y compartiremos el reino (Mateo 16:24-27). Tal vez nos falta fe en nuestros momentos de prueba y problemas pero Jesús permanece fiel a Su promesa de estar con nosotros hasta el fin del mundo (Mateo 28:20).

                                                                                        LUCAS 17:11-19

                 Sabemos que la lepra era una enfermedad contagiosa y muchas veces mortal y que la persona era aislada de su comunidad, su vida era una vida de sufrimientos, horrores, rechazo y finalmente llegaba a la muerte sola y abandonada. Un leproso tenía que avisar si estaba con alguien que no lo fuera. Si creía que se había curado tenía que presentarse ante un sacerdote y este lo declaraba aliviado (Levítico 14). Jesús manda a los diez leprosos ante el sacerdote antes de ser aliviados. Su obediencia y fe resultaron en alivio.

                Necesitamos reflexionar en nuestro nivel de fe. ¿Actuamos por que Jesús nos dice que nosotros hemos sido aliviados? (Mateo 8:17). Vemos que solo un leproso regreso a darle las gracias y que se dió cuenta que debido a que creyó, pudo curarse. Dios no nos obliga a que le demos las gracias por aliviarnos, pero en espíritu de agradecimiento nuestra fe crece más y más para su deleite. Es muy significativo que Jesús mencionó que el único leproso agradecido fue un Samaritano, quien debido a su raza era despreciado por los Judíos como gentuza idólatra. Vemos que la gracia de Dios es para cualquiera y no cualquiera la agradece.

                Jesús nos muestra en estos versículos que su poder curativo esta nada más esperando para ser usado, que todo lo que tenemos que hacer es tener fe, salir y actuar de acuerdo con esa fe. Jesús cambió la situación de esos leprosos que probablemente habían estado así por años. Inmediatamente respondió a la súplica de esos intocables. Ellos no podían llevar una vida normal y estar con sus familias, pero Jesús los cambió y les dió la salud. Jesús nunca nos abandona, no importa que incurables o intocables seamos. A veces tenemos la tentación de darnos por vencidos con la gente o con las situaciones que no han cambiado por muchos años.

                Dios puede cambiar lo incambiable y necesitamos dejar que el cambio empiece con nosotros mismos. Debemos creer que El puede curarnos física, emocional y espiritualmente. Entonces debemos arrodillarnos ante Jesús y decirle, “Gracias por haber muerto por mí aún cuando yo era todavía un pecador” (Romanos 5:8). Nuestra fe crecerá y lo “sucio” en nuestras familias, en nuestras iglesias, en nuestro país, en nuestro planeta reconocerá en nosotros esa luz aliviadora de Cristo, la Estrella de la Mañana (2 Pedro 1:19); y también ellos se curarán y correrán por los campos felices cantando alabanzas al amoroso Señor que algún día limpiará a la tierra del pecado y no habrá más enfermedades ni muerte (Mateo 8:17).

Aplicación

   En la primera lectura vemos como el orgullo impide una curación y vemos como la obediencia la consigue. En la segunda lectura se nos alienta a soportar el sufrimiento por el bien de la Buena Nueva. En el Evangelio vemos la alegría del Señor por el agradecido, aquel sucio que había sido curado.

                Mostremos esta semana nuestro agradecimiento al Señor por habernos curado, haciendo algo específico por algún “sucio,” como un día de ayuno, o una semana de oración por una persona en especial, durante un tiempo determinado. Quizá ayudando en algún comedor de caridad o ayudando al que no tiene donde pasar la noche, etc. Deja que ellos vean que Dios si los quiere a traves de ti.

26th Sunday in Ordinary Time

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OPEN WITH THE FOLLOWING PRAYER:

 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Father, I can’t understand Your Word without Your grace, I acknowledge my weakness so your power can reach perfection in me. Send Your Holy Spirit to remind, teach, and guide me to the Truth. May I share as soon as possible whatever You teach me. AMEN

 

READ, REFLECT AND WRITE

Luke 16:19-31 – Jesus said to the Pharisees: “There was a rich man who dressed in purple garments and fine linen and dined sumptuously each day. And lying at his door was a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who would gladly have eaten his fill of the scraps that fell from the rich man’s table. Dogs even used to come and lick his sores. When the poor man died he was carried away by the angels to the bosom of Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried, and from the netherworld, where he was in torment, he raised his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side. And he cried out, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me. Send Lazarus to  dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am suffering torment in these flames.’ Abraham replied, ‘My child, remember that you received what was good during your lifetime while Lazarus likewise received what was bad; but now he is comforted here, whereas you are tormented. Moreover, between us and you a great chasm is established to prevent anyone from crossing who might wish to go from our side to yours or from your side to ours.’ He said, ‘Then I beg you, father, send him to my father’s house, for I have five brothers, so that he may warn them, lest they too come to this place of torment.’ But Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the prophets. Let them listen to them.’ He said, ‘O no, father Abraham, but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’ Then Abraham said, ‘If they will not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded if someone should rise from the dead.’”

 

  1. What is the Lord personally saying to you?

 

  1. What does the Lord personally want you to do?

 

Share your reflection with someone.

27TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

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27TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

PURPOSE OF THIS SCRIPTURE READING – Develop a personal relationship with Jesus through the Word of God with the understanding that the Holy Spirit will teach and remind us of all Jesus said and did. Psalm 32:8 tells us, “I will instruct you and show you the way you should walk, give you counsel and watch over you.”

  1. Say the opening prayer
  2. Read the passage slowly three times as though Jesus were talking to you.
  3. Converse with Jesus, asking questions and listening to Him.

 

OPEN WITH THE FOLLOWING PRAYER:

 

Father, I can’t understand Your Word without Your grace, I acknowledge my weakness so your power can reach perfection in me. Send Your Holy Spirit to remind, teach, and guide me to the Truth. May I share as soon as possible whatever You teach me. AMEN

 

READ, REFLECT AND WRITE

Luke 17:5-10 – The Apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith.” The Lord replied, “If you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you would say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you.

“Who among you would say to your servant who has just come in from plowing or tending sheep in the field, ‘Come here immediately and take your place at table’? Would he not rather say to him, ‘Prepare something for me to eat. Put on your apron and wait on me while I eat and drink. You may eat and drink when I am finished’? Is he grateful to that servant because he did what was commanded? So should it be with you. When you have done all you have been commanded, say, ‘We are unprofitable servants; we have done what we were obliged to do.’”

 

  1. What is the Lord personally saying to you?
  2. What does the Lord personally want you to do?

Share your reflection with someone.

VIGESIMOSEPTIMO DOMINGO DEL TIEMPO ORDINARIO

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VIGESIMOSEPTIMO DOMINGO DEL TIEMPO ORDINARIO

 

ANTES DE COMENZAR:

 

Ora y pídele a Dios que te hable a través de Su Espíritu Santo. “EL ESPIRITU SANTO INTERPRETE, QUE EL PADRE LES ENVIARA EN MI NOMBRE, LES VA A ENSEÑAR TODAS LAS COSAS Y LES RECORDARA TODAS MIS PALABRAS.”  (JUAN 14:26)

 

PRIMER DIA                        Vuelve a leer las lecturas de la semana pasada.

 

  1. ¿Cuál fue el mensaje qué recibiste de la homilía o de las lecturas que oíste en misa el domingo?

 

  1. ¿De lo que aprendiste, qué escogiste para aplicar a tu vida esta semana?

 

SEGUNDO DIA                                                     HABACUC 1:2-3, 2:2-4                               PRIMERA LECTURA

(“El justo, por su fidelidad vivirá.”)

 

  1. ¿Quién está pidiendo auxilio? Habacuc 1:1

 

  1. ¿Cuál es su queja a Dios? Habacuc 1:2

 

  1. ¿Qué nace de una predicación? Romanos 10:17

 

  1. ¿Qué es lo que Habacuc pide y qué dice que Dios no hace? Habacuc 1:2

 

  1. ¿Qué está diciendo que está ante él? Habacuc 1:3

 

  1. ¿Cuál es la respuesta del Señor? Habacuc 2:2

 

  1. ¿Por qué no se ha cumplido la visiún aún? Habacuc 2:3

 

  1. ¿Llegará a cumplirse? ¿Qué debe hacerse si se demora? Habacuc 2:3

 

  1. ¿Cómo son los malvados? ¿Qué pasará con los justos? Habacuc 2:4

 

  1. ¿Cómo es el hombre orgulloso que desea el poder? Habacuc 2:4

 

Personal – ¿Qué haces cuando no escuchas al Señor, sabiendo que debes esperar la respuesta? ¿Qué es lo que sale de tu boca?

 

TERCER DIA                                                     2 TIMOTEO 1:6-8, 13-14                            SEGUNDA LECTURA

                                                    (“El Espíritu que Dios nos dió no es un espíritu de timidez.”)

  1. ¿Cuál es el don que Pablo le recuerda a Timoteo que Dios le ha dado y el cual debe reavivar y cuando recibió este don?  2 Timoteo 1:5-6

 

  1. ¿Qué es la fe? Hebreos 11:1

 

  1. ¿Qué es lo que Dios no nos dió? ¿Cuáles son las tres características del espíritu que si nos dió?        2 Timoteo 1:7

 

  1. ¿Y por ésto, de qué no debemos avergonzarnos? 2 Timoteo 1:8

 

  1. ¿De dónde vienen nuestras fuerzas? ¿Por qué debemos luchar? 2 Timoteo 1:8

 

  1. ¿Qué es lo que ha dicho Pablo de la fe y del amor por Cristo Jesús? 2 Timoteo 1:13

 

  1. ¿Con la ayuda de quién has de guardar este precioso depósito de Fé? 2 Timoteo 1:14

 

  1. ¿Cómo debes guardar lo que se te ha dado? 1 Timoteo6:20

 

  1. ¿Dónde habita el Espíritu Santo? 2 Timoteo 1:14

 

  1. ¿Cómo honramos y glorificamos a Dios? 1 Corintios 6:19-20

 

  1. ¿Por qué debemos cuidar nuestros cuerpos? Vuelve a leer 2 Timoteo 1:14 y 1Corintios 6:19-20

 

Personal – ¿De qué modo has atestiguado acerca de tu fe en Cristo Jesús ante tu familia, compañeros de trabajo, amigos y todos con quienes tienes contacto en tu vida diaria? ¿De qué modo pueden ver ellos que el Espíritu Santo está presente en tu cuerpo?

 

CUARTO DIA                                                              LUCAS 17:5-10                                                       EVANGELIO

                                                                                     (“Auméntanos la fe.”)

  1. ¿Qué le dijeron los apóstoles al Señor? Lucas 17:5

 

  1. ¿Qué dijo Jesucristo que pasaría si tu fe fuera del tamaño de un grano de mostaza? Lucas 17:6

 

  1. ¿Qué más debemos hacer si confiamos y no titubeamos? ¿Qué es lo que recibiremos?

Mateo 21:21-22

 

  1. ¿Qué hicieron Pedro y Juan al pordiosero? ¿Cómo lo hicieron? Hechos 3:6-8 y 16

 

Personal – ¿Cómo puedes medir la fe que tienes? ¿Cómo puedes aumentarla?

 

  1. ¿Quién ara y cuida el ganado? Lucas 17:7

 

  1. ¿Qué le dirías cuando llegara del campo? Lucas 17:8

 

  1. ¿Cuando no debemos esperar gratitud por lo que hacemos? Lucas 17:9

 

  1. ¿Cuando termines todo lo que se te ha ordenado qué debes decir? Lucas 17:10

 

  1. ¿Qué debe hacer el que quiere ser importante? Mateo 20:26, 27

 

  1. ¿Qué es lo que el hijo del hombre que vino a hacer? Mateo 20:28

 

  1. ¿Cómo se llamo María a sí misma, cuando el ángel la visitó? Lucas 1:38

Personal – ¿De qué modo sigues el ejemplo servicial de Jesús y María? ¿De qué modo estás dispuesto a servir a tu familia, amigos y aún más a los extraños?

 

QUINTO DIA                                                   LEE EL SALMO 95:1-2, 6-9

                                                                       (“Cantemos a la roca que nos salva.”)

Leé y medita el Salmo 95:1-2. 6-9.

 

¿Qué te dice personalmente el Señor por medio de este Salmo?

 

¿Cómo puedes aplicar esto a tu vida diaria?

 

SEXTO DIA                                                  LEE TODO EL COMENTARIO

                                                                                   HABACUC 1:2-3, 2:2-4

Habacuc estaba muy preocupado no solo por lo que estaba sucediendo en su país, sino por que parecía que Dios demostraba mucha indiferencia ante la maldad que lo rodeaba. Habacuc fue un profeta que vivió durante el reinado de Joaquín (2 Reyes 23:36-24:5). El estuvo muy activo entre la caida de Nínive en el 612 A.C. y la invasión de Judá en el 589 A.C.

                Babilonia se convertía en mundo de poder y Judá sabía que sería su próxima víctima. Este pasaje nos muestra un diálogo entre un profeta y su Dios. Los otros libros proféticos traen la Palabra de Dios a los hombres, pero este libro trae las preguntas del hombre a Dios. Habacuc estaba devastado por toda la corrupción que veía a su derredor y le dijo a Dios todo lo que pensaba.

                Ciertamente podemos simpatizar con Habacuc cuando vemos la corrupción que nos rodea. Los abortos, la pornografía, la prostitución, las drogas, la homosexualidad, el alcoholismo, el abuso con los niños, todo esto es igual a lo que Habacuc vió. En pocas palabras la injusticia de hoy en día sigue siendo abrumadora. Nosotros como Habacuc también nos preguntamos, ¿Por qué parece que Dios ignora toda la maldad que nos rodea? Quizá nos preguntamos, ¿Por qué hay tanta gente que hace maldades y no es castigada?

                En la segunda parte del pasaje vemos a Dios diciéndole a Habacuc que escriba sus respuestas y se las diga a la gente. Dios le contesta a Habacuc del mismo modo que lo hace con nosotros cuando nos desahogamos con El. Le dijo que Judá iba a ser castigada cuando fuera destruida por Babilonia, le dice también que el juicio aunque tarde en llegar, ciertamente llegará.

                También escuhcamos eso en nuestras cortes civiles hoy en día. Se nos dice que aunque sea lenta, la justicia será hecha. Muchos Cristianos, como Habacuc, están muy enojados al ver la maldad disfrutando lo que parece ser lo más importante en el mundo. Habacuc tenía una relación muy personal con Dios y se queja vehementemente y recibe una respuesta directa. El mensaje de Dios para nosotros es el mismo que le dió a Habacuc: Ten paciencia, confía en Dios, ten a Dios en tus pensamientos y acciones y mantente cerca de Su Santa Palabra. No es muy fácil tener paciencia pero nos ayuda recordar que Dios odia el pecado más que nosotros mismos. Dios le dijo a Habacuc “No te desesperes.”

                Confiar en Dios significa confiar en El aún cuando no entendamos por que pasan las cosas de tal modo. Recordemos el hombre justo por la fe vivirá (Romanos 1:17).

                                                                                2 TIMOTEO 1:6-8, 13-14

                 Pablo anima a su joven protegido para que sea fiel en su papel de líder de la comunidad Cristiana. Timoteo estaba recibiendo una grán oposición a su mensaje y a sí mismo como líder de su comunidad. La juventud de Timoteo era su mayor desventaja y Pablo lo anima a perseverar. Timoteo había recibido dones especiales del Espíritu Santo en su ordenación y Pablo le decía que invocara al Espíritu por esos dones y que los usara con frecuencia.

                Timoteo no necesitaba dones nuevos, necesitaba el valor y la disciplina de mantenerse en pie a la verdad y usar los dones que ya había recibido (Tim. 1:13, 14). Pablo lo anima a dar el paso audazmente en la fe y proclamar la Santa Palabra de Dios, así el Espíritu Santo estaría con él y le daría poder. Nosotros sufrimos igual que Timoteo cuando nos dejamos intimidar por la gente y eso neutraliza nuestra efectividad por Dios. El mismo Espíritu Santo que dió la fuerza a Pablo, Timoteo y a otros héroes de la biblia nos dará la fuerza a nosotros.

                Podemos superar nuestro miedo a lo que alguien pueda decirnos o hacernos y seguir adelante con nuestro trabajo para Dios. Quizá Timoteo tenía miedo de predicar por que veía el rechazo de la comunidad. Hoy nosotros debemos aceptar el hecho de que seremos perseguidos también cuando proclamemos y vivamos la Santa Palabra de Dios. Pero también como Timoteo, disfrutaremos el poder del Espíritu Santo y sus dones de audacia y valor cuando pongamos con fe a Jesucristo primero en nuestras vidas como nuestro Señor y Salvador.

                Timoteo era un líder en transición. Había pasado de ser el ayudante de Pablo a ser su reemplazo. El pedía para que Timoteo recibiera del Espíritu Santo el valor para hacer la transición. Nosotros también podemos tomar el consejo cuando estemos en trancisión. Como Pablo, quien aún estando en prisión, sabía que Dios estaba todavía en control. Necesitamos reflexionar y luego actuar con decisión. No importa en que momento de nuestra vida nos encontremos, no importa lo que nos esté pasando, Dios aún está en control.

                                                                                         LUCAS 17:5-10

                ¿Cuántas veces le decimos la misma cosa a nuestro Señor? “Necesito tener más fe, dime como conseguirla.” Jesús borró esta duda de poseer la fe en sus apóstoles. Quizá por que ellos eran unos cuantos de los seleccionados, ponían mucho énfasis en quienes eran. Quizá ellos estaban muy seguros de sí mismos pues El estaba con ellos. (Jesús describe el poder que viene a traves de la fe usando la comparación entre ésta y un pequeño grano de mostaza.) La pregunta de los apóstoles era razonable pues querían tener la suficiente fe para hacer lo que Jesús les estaba pidiendo que hicieran.

                Jesús dejó establecido que la fe no es algo que “se consigue.” ¿Qué es la fe? Podemos describirla mejor usando dos palabras: confianza y certeza (Hebreos 11:1). Tienes que acercarte y tomar la fe. Imagina a alguien que te está aventando un libro. Si respondes pronto lo cacharás, si no haces nada el libro se caerá por tus pies. Saber cachar no tendrá ningún valor si no te pones al alcance y respondes.

                Jesús no estaba condenando a los apóstoles por tener una fe menor que la deseada, lo que estaba tratando de mostrarles era lo importante que era ésta en su ministerio. Unicamente podemos ponernos a la altura si sabemos que la solución está dentro de nosotros mismos (1 Juan 4:4). Nuestra fe crece como un grano de mostaza a medida que respondemos más y más al poder de la presencia de Dios en nuestra vida. Cuando tenemos un problema tan grande como una montaña, debemos quitar los ojos de la montaña y ponerlos únicamente en Cristo. Recordemos a Pedro, cuando tuvo fe salió de la barca y fue hacía el Señor en un mar embravecido, pero cuando quitó los ojos del Señor y los puso en las enormes olas, empezó a hundirse (Mateo 14:28-30).

                Hoy nosotros debemos mantenernos en oración y permitir que nuestra fe crezca en amistad Cristiana. También necesitamos participar en los sacramentos de nuestra iglesia. Recordemos, hay un grán poder aún cuando la fe sea poca cuando Dios está con nosotros. Cuando nos sintamos débiles o sin poder, examinemos otra vez nuestra fe y asegurémonos de que estamos respondiendo a la presencia del poder de Dios, no al nuestro. Con fe, todos podemos ser como un grano de mostaza que empieza muy pequeño y pronto da mucha sombra que alivia sobre todo el mundo. Con fe podemos ver con la visión del mismo Dios.

Aplicación

                 En la primera lectura se nos dice que perseveremos, que seamos pacientes y que confiemos en Dios. En la segunda lectura, oímos el llamado al valor y la disciplina. El Evangelio nos dice que salgamos audazmente y vivamos nuestra vida con fe.

                Con fe salgamos esta semana audaz y disciplinadamente y practiquemos ser líderes Cristianos donde quiera que estemos. Esto significa ser servidores del Señor, sirviendo a alguien de nuestra familia, trabajo, comunidad, etc.


TWENTY-SEVENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME – CYCLE C

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                       THE BREAD OF LIFE  CATHOLIC BIBLE STUDY

        TWENTY-SEVENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME – CYCLE C  

 BEFORE YOU BEGIN:

 Pray and ask God to speak to you through His Holy Spirit.

“THE PARACLETE, THE HOLY SPIRIT WHOM THE FATHER WILL SEND IN MY NAME, WILL INSTRUCT YOU IN EVERYTHING, AND REMIND YOU OF ALL THAT I TOLD YOU.”  (JOHN 14:26)

 FIRST DAY Reread last week’s readings.

 1. What was a helpful or new thought from the readings or from  the homily you heard on Sunday?

 

  1. From what you learned, what personal application did you   choose to apply to your life this week?

 

SECOND DAY         READ HABAKKUK 1:2-3; 2:2-4      FIRST READING

        (The just man, because of his faith, shall live.)

  1. Who is crying out for help? Habakkuk 1:1

  

  1. What is his complaint to God? Habakkuk 1:2

  

  1. What comes through hearing? Romans 10:17

  

  1. What did Habakkuk cry out to God and what does he say he does not do?  Habakkuk 1:2

  

  1. What is he saying is before him? Habakkuk 1:3

  

  1. What was the Lord’s answer? Habakkuk 2:2

  

  1. What does the vision (Habakkuk 1:2-3) still have and to what does it press? Habakkuk 2:3

  

  1. What will the vision not do and what are we to do if it delays?  Habakkuk 2:3

  

  1. What does the rash man not have and what does the just man have and live by?  Habakkuk 2:4

     

  1. What is wealth and the proud? Habakkuk 2:4

  

Personal – What do you do when you do not hear the Lord and are called to wait for the answer?  What comes forth from your mouth?

 

THIRD DAY        READ 2 TIMOTHY 1:6-8, 13-14     SECOND READING

         (“The spirit God has given us is no cowardly spirit.”)

 

  1. What is the gift of God Paul reminds Timothy to stir into flame and when did he receive this gift?  2 Timothy 1:5-6

  

  1. What is faith? Hebrews 11:l

  

  1. The Spirit God has given us is not what, but it is one that  makes us what three things?  2 Timothy 1:7

  

  1. Because of this we are never to be ashamed of what to our Lord?   2 Timothy 1:8

  

  1. Where does your strength come from and what are we to bear?      2 Timothy 1:8

  

  1. What have you heard Paul say in faith and love in Christ  Jesus?  2 Timothy 1:13

 

  1. With whose help are you to guard this rich deposit of faith?     2 Timothy 1:14

  

  1. How can you guard what has been committed to you?     1 Timothy 6:20

  

  1. Where does the Holy Spirit dwell? 2 Timothy 1:14

  

  1. How do we honor or glorify God? 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

  

  1. Why should we take care of our body? Reread 2 Timothy 1:14  and 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

  

Personal – In what way have you testified to your faith in Jesus Christ to your family, friends, fellow workers or those you come in contact with every day?  In what way can they see his Holy Spirit present in your body? 

 

FOURTH DAY              READ LUKE 17:5-10                GOSPEL

                       (“Increase our faith.”)

 1. What did the apostles say to the Lord? Luke 17:5

  

  1. What did Jesus say would happen if you had faith the size of a mustard seed?  Luke 17:6

  

  1. What else will we do if we trust and do not falter, and what  will we receive?  Matthew 21:21-22

  

  1. What did Peter and John do to the beggar and how did they do  it?  Acts 3:6-8, 16

  

Personal – How can you measure the amount of faith you have?  How can you increase the faith you have?

 5. Who plows or herds sheep? Luke 17:7

  

  1. What would you say to him when he comes in from the fields?     Luke 17:8

  

  1. When are we not to expect gratitude for what we do? Luke 17:9

  

  1. When we have done all that we have been commanded, what are we to say?  Luke 17:10

  

  1. In order to become great, what are we to do?      Matthew 20:26-27

  

  1. What did the Son of Man come to do? Matthew 20:28

  

  1. What did Mary call herself when the angel came to her?      Luke 1:38

  

Personal – In what way have you taken on the serving attitude of Jesus and Mary?  In what way are you willing to serve those in your family, your friends and strangers?

 

FIFTH DAY             READ PSALM 95:1-2, 6-9             

           (“Let us acclaim the Rock of our salvation.”)

  

Read and meditate on Psalm 95:1-2, 6-9.

 

What is the Lord saying to you personally through the Psalm?

 

How can you apply this to your life?

 

SIXTH DAY         READ ALL OF THE COMMENTARY

                      HABAKKUK 1:2-3, 2:2-4

      Habakkuk was extremely troubled with not only what was happening to his country, but why God seemed to show such indifference to the wickedness that was so common around him.  He was a prophet during the reign of Jehoiakim (2 Kings 23:36-24:5). He was very active between the fall of Nineveh in 612 B.C. and the invasion of Judah in 589 B.C. 

      Babylon was becoming a world power and Judah was certain to be her next victim.  This passage shows us a dialogue between a prophet and his God.  The other prophetic books bring God’s word to men; but this book brings man’s questions to God.  Habakkuk was crushed by all the corruption he saw around him and he poured out his heart telling God what he thought. 

      We can really empathize with Habakkuk when we look at the corruption going on around us.  We have abortion, pornography, prostitution, drugs, homosexuality, alcoholism, child abuse that matches anything that Habakkuk saw.  In short, today’s injustice is still overwhelming.  We, like Habakkuk, say today, “Why does God seem to ignore the evil that is going around?”  We may be asking, “Why are so many people doing evil things and not being punished for them?”

      In the second part of the passage we see God telling Habakkuk to write his response down and bring it to the people.  God answers Habakkuk’s questions just like he will ours, when like Habakkuk we pour out our hearts to him.  God told Habakkuk that Judah was going to be punished by being destroyed by Babylon.  God also tells Habakkuk, as well as us, that judgment, though slow to come, will certainly come. 

      Today, we hear that in regard to our civil courts of law.  We are told justice may be slow, but it will be served.  Many Christians, like Habakkuk, feel very angry as they see evil enjoying what seems to be the upper hand in the world.  Habakkuk had a personal relationship with God and complained vigorously, and God responded to him personally.  God’s message to us is the same as the one he gave to Habakkuk:  Be patient, trust in God, keep God in your thoughts and actions, stay close to his Holy Word.  It isn’t easy to be patient, but it helps to remember that God hates sin even more than we do.  God told Habakkuk, “Do not despair.” 

      Trusting God means to trust him even when we do not understand why things happen like they do.  We need to remember, the just man shall live by faith. (Romans 1:17)

                      2 Timothy 1:6-8, 13-14

      Paul is encouraging his young protege to be faithful in his role as a leader in the Christian community.  Timothy was experiencing great opposition to his message and to himself as the leader of his community.  Timothy’s youth was his biggest disadvantage and Paul was encouraging him to persevere.  Timothy had received special gifts of the Holy Spirit at his ordination, and Paul was telling him to call upon the Spirit for these gifts and use them regularly. 

      Timothy didn’t need new gifts, he needed the courage and discipline to hang on to the truth and use the gifts he had already received (1:13-14).  Paul is encouraging him to step out boldly in faith and proclaim God’s Holy Word, and the Holy Spirit would be with him and give him power.  We suffer the same as Timothy when we let people intimidate us, and it neutralizes our effectiveness for God.  The same Holy Spirit that empowered Paul, Timothy and other heroes of the bible will empower us. 

      We can overcome our fear of what some might say or do to us and get on with doing God’s work.  Timothy may have been afraid to preach as he began experiencing rejection in the community. Today, we need to accept the fact that we will be persecuted too, when we proclaim and live God’s Holy Word.  Like Timothy, we too will enjoy the power of the Holy Spirit and his gifts of boldness and courage, when we yield ourselves in faith to Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. 

      Timothy was a leader in transition.  He had moved from being Paul’s helper to Paul’s replacement.  He called upon the Holy Spirit to give him courage to make the transition.  We too can follow Paul’s advice to Timothy when we are in our transitions.  Like Paul who, knew even while in prison, that God was still in control, we need to reflect and then act on this powerful fact. No matter where we are in life, no matter what is happening to us, God is still in control.

                           Luke 17:5-10

      How many times do we say the same thing to our Lord?  “I need more faith, tell me how to get it.”  Jesus casts doubt on the possession of any faith of the apostles.  Maybe because they were one of the selected few, they put too much emphasis on who they were.  They may have been too self-assured because he was with them.  (Jesus describes the power that comes through faith using the similarity between their faith and a tiny mustard seed.)  The disciples’ question was a valid one because they wanted the faith necessary to do what Jesus had been telling them to do. 

      Jesus implied that  faith is not something you “get.”  What is Faith?  Faith is described best with two words:  confidence and certainty (Hebrews 11:1).  You have to reach out and take hold of faith.  Picture someone tossing a book at you.  If you respond properly, you will catch it.  If you do nothing, the book will fall at your feet.  Knowing how to catch it will be of no value if you do not reach out and respond. 

      Jesus wasn’t condemning the apostles for having substandard faith, he was trying to show them how important it would be in their ministry.  We can only rise to the occasion if we know that within us is the solution (1 John 4:4).  Our faith grows just like a mustard seed as we respond more and more to the power of the presence of God in our life.  When we  face a problem as big as a mountain, we need to take our eyes off that mountain and put them only on Christ.  We need only remember Peter, when in faith he stepped out of the boat to go to the Lord in the raging sea; but when he took his eyes off the Lord and placed it on the enormous waves, he began to sink (Matthew 14:28-30). 

      Today, we need to continuously keep in prayer and let our faith grow in Christian fellowship. We also need to partake in the sacraments of our church.  We must remember that there is great power in even a little faith when God is with us.  When we feel weak or powerless we need to re-examine our faith and make sure that we are responding to the presence of God’s power and not ours.  In faith, we can all be like a mustard seed that begins very small and soon casts a shadow of comfort and healing over the entire world.  In faith, we can see with the vision of God himself.

 Application

      In the first reading, we are told to persevere, be patient and to trust in God.  In the second reading, we hear the call to courage and discipline.  The Gospel calls us to step out boldly and live our life in faith.

      This week let us, in faith, step out in boldness, discipline and practice being a Christian leader wherever we are.  This will mean being a servant for the Lord by serving someone else in our family, job, community, etc.

VIGESIMOSEXTO DOMINGO DEL TIEMPO ORDINARIO

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VIGESIMOSEXTO DOMINGO DEL TIEMPO ORDINARIO

 ANTES DE COMENZAR:

                 Ora y pídele a Dios que te hable a través de Su Espíritu Santo. “EL ESPIRITU SANTO INTERPRETE, QUE EL PADRE LES ENVIARA EN MI NOMBRE, LES VA A ENSEÑAR TODAS LAS COSAS Y LES RECORDARA TODAS MIS PALABRAS.”  (JUAN 14:26)

PRIMER DIA  Vuelve a leer las lecturas de la semana pasada.

  1. ¿Cuál fue el mensaje qué recibiste de la homilía o de las lecturas que oíste en misa el domingo?

 

  1. ¿De lo que aprendiste, qué escogiste para aplicar a tu vida esta semana?

 

SEGUNDO DIA                                                             AMOS 6:1, 4-7                                       PRIMERA LECTURA

                                                            (“Pero no se afligen por el desastre de mi pueblo.”)

 

  1. ¿Para quién es la desgracia en Sión y para quién en el monte de Samaria? Amos 6:1

 

  1. ¿A quién acude toda la gente de Israel? Amos 6:1

 

  1. ¿En dónde se recuestan y qué es lo que comen? Amos 6:4

 

  1. ¿Qué dice el Señor acerca de los que se cuidan a sí mismos y comen las ovejas más gordas?         Ezequiel 34:3, 10

 

  1. ¿Qué dice el Señor que destruirá el día que castigue a Israel por sus pecados? Amos 3:14-15

 

  1. ¿Qué improvisan como David? Amos 6:5

 

  1. ¿Qué beben y qué hacen con los mejores aceites? Amos 6:6

 

  1. ¿Qué no les aflige? Amos 6:6

 

  1. ¿Qué hicieron aquellos en Sodoma? Ezequiel 16:49

 

  1. ¿A dónde se irán ellos primero? ¿Con qué se terminará de esa manera? Amos 6:7

 

Personal – ¿Qué tanto te complaces con lo que comes y con el lugar donde duermes? ¿Es esto más de lo que necesitas? ¿Puedes beneficiar a otros dando de lo que tienes en abundancia?

 

TERCER DIA                                                         1 TIMOTEO 6:11-16                                SEGUNDA LECTURA

                                      (“El Bienaventurado y Unico Soberano, Rey de reyes y Señor de señores.”)

 

  1. ¿Hombre de Dios, de qué te has alejado? 1 Timoteo 6:10

 

  1. ¿Cuáles son las seis cosas que debes procurar? 1 Timoteo 6:11

 

  1. ¿Con qué vas a combatir y qué vas a conquistar? 1 Timoteo 6:12
  2. ¿A qué has sido llamado? ¿Qué hiciste por élla y en presencia de quién? 1 Timoteo 6:12

 

  1. ¿Qué dijo Pablo que le esperaba por haber peleado el buen combate de la fe? 2 Timoteo 4:7-8

 

  1. ¿Qué le da Dios a todo? ¿Qué hizo Jesús? 1 Timoteo 6:13

 

  1. ¿Qué debemos hacer? ¿Y cómo lo vamos a hacer? ¿Hasta cuando? 1 Timoteo 6:14

 

  1. ¿Cuándo lo presentará Dios? 1 Timoteo 6:15

 

  1. ¿Quién es Jesucristo? 1 Tim 6:15

 

  1. ¿En qué es El único y dónde vive? 1 Timoteo 6:16

 

  1. ¿Qué es lo que ningún hombre puede hacer? ¿Qué será siempre Suyo? 1 Timoteo 6:16

 

Personal – ¿Qué has estado buscando durante esta semana? ¿Primordialmente en qué has ocupado tu mente? ¿Quién o qué ha sido tu soberano? Si puedes encontrar las cosas opuestas a las seis que debes buscar de acuerdo con 1 Timoteo 6:11 y si alguna de ellas te ha mutilado la vida, confiésalas y regresa a buscar lo que la palabra de Dios nos dice.

 

CUARTO DIA                                                             LUCAS 16:19-31                                                      EVANGELIO

                                                        (“Tienen a Moisés y a los profetas, que los escuchen.”)

 

  1. ¿Cuando Jesús les habló a sus discípulos, qué les dijo que había una vez? ¿Cómo vestia éste y qué comía?  Lucas 16:19

 

  1. ¿Quién estaba cerca de su puerta y que era él y con qué estaba cubierto? Lucas 16:20

 

  1. ¿Qué desea comer Lázaro? ¿Qué le hacían los perros? Lucas 16:21

 

  1. ¿Qué le pasó finalmente a aquel pobre y a dónde fue llevado después? Lucas 16:22

 

  1. ¿Qué pasó con el rico y en dónde acabó? Lucas 16:22

 

  1. ¿Dónde estaba el rico, qué le sucedía y qué veía? Lucas 16:23

 

  1. ¿Qué gritaba y cuál fue la respuesta de Abraham? Lucas 16:24-25

 

  1. ¿Qué se había establecido entre ellos? ¿Qué pasa con los que quieren atravesarse? Lucas 16:26

 

  1. ¿Qué le pidió el rico a Abraham que hiciera, por qué? ¿Qué le contestó él? Lucas 16:27-29

 

  1. ¿Que dijo el rico que harían si los visitaban? Lucas 16:30

 

  1. ¿A quién dijo Abraham que si no eran capaces de escuchar, nadie más los podría convencer aún habiendo resucitado? Lucas 16:31

 

Personal – ¿En esta semana, has visto a alguien muy pobre y has respondido a sus necesidades? Alguien muy pobre puede ser alguien que no conoce que por medio de Jesús puede tener el amor de Dios, o puede ser una persona que no tiene a nadie, una viuda, un huérfano o alguien que no tenga casa ni comida.

 

QUINTO DIA                                                     LEE EL SALMO 146:7-10

(“El Señor libra de sus cadenas a los presos.”)

 

Leé y medita el Salmo 146:7-10.

 

¿Qué te dice personalmente el Señor por medio de este Salmo?

 

¿Cómo puedes aplicar esto a tu vida diaria?

 

SEXTO DIA                                                  LEE TODO EL COMENTARIO

                                                                                           AMOS 6:1, 4-7

En Amos encontramos a Dios llamando al hombre cuando estaba ocupado en su diario trabajo (1:1). Dios lo llamó con su báculo pastoral en la mano y lo mandó a reunir a la gente perdida en vez de al rebaño de ovejas. Amos no era el único profeta de su tiempo. Sin duda, de niño había conocido a Jonás y posiblemente a Eliseo. Oseas trabajaba con él. Cuando ya se terminaba el trabajo de Amos aparecieron Isaías y Miqueas.

Quizá cuando estos dos hombres eran niños oyeron a Amos proclamando la Palabra de Dios durante alguno de sus viajes. En ese entonces los dos reinos de Israel (Reino del Norte) y de Judá (Reino del Sur) estaban llegando a una grandiosa prosperidad. Nadie se imaginaba que las naciones alrededor pudieran darles problemas. Estaban en paz y la gente en lo único que pensaba era en el placer y en pasarla bien. Dios trató de que Su gente se diera cuenta del peligro mandando a Amos.

El les decía que las grandes ciudades del norte, este y oeste incluyendo a Gat lugar de Goliat habían sido una vez más grandes que Israel y Judá pero que debido a su orgullo habían sido destruidas. Les advirtió que eso mismo iba a pasarles a ellos debido a su orgullo y arrogancia. Amos dirigía sus ataques a aquellos que vivían un estilo de vida consistente en riquezas y muchas comodidades. Les decía que esa era una seguridad falsa y que Dios estaba descontento con los que no usaban sus riquezas para ayudar a los desafortunados.

El marfil simboliza grán riqueza y extravagancia y en vez de gastar en eso debían ayudar a los pobres. Amos les decía que Dios quería que se preocuparan por los demás, especialmente por aquellos que no podían ayudarse por sí mismos. En el reino de Dios no hay lugar para el egoísmo y la indiferencia.

Nosotros en los Estados Unidos, necesitamos reflexionar en este pasaje ya que también nos permitimos extravagancias increíbles en nuestros deseos. Gastamos billones en cosméticos, cuando hay gente muriendo de hambre. Gastamos en comida para perros más de lo que algunos países tienen para todos los gastos de su pueblo. En Estados Unidos se matan mas bebés nonatos en un año que la cantidad de personas que han muerto en batallas desde que empezaron los Estados Unidos. En menos de cincuenta años Israel fue destruida debido a que no escuchó a Dios a traves de los profetas. Necesitamos orar para que nuestro pueblo escuche la tremenda advertencia que Dios nos hace y nos arrepintamos y regresemos a Su santa palabra.

1 TIMOTEO 6:11-16

Pablo le dice a Timoteo que cuando uno está involucrado en una batalla espiritual es tan importante saber cuando correr como saber cuando pelear. Le advierte a Timoteo de alejarse de cualquiera que tenga pensamientos malignos. Una persona inteligente se dará cuenta que el salir del escenario de las tentaciones es mucho mejor que tratar de pelear con la tentación. Es durante estas batallas de la tentación cuando nuestra fe es probada con severidad.

Debemos apreciar nuestra fe en Cristo y responder no a la tentación sino al poder de la presencia de Dios en nuestras vidas. Dios nos hablará a la conciencia en los tiempos de tentación. Cuando caminamos con El, El se encarga de hacernos notar la diferencia entre lo correcto y lo incorrecto. Debemos escuchar a nuestra conciencia y hacer lo que es correcto de acuerdo con nuestra fe. Pilato por ejemplo sabía la verdad sobre Jesús, sabía que era inocente pero sin embargo escogió rechazar la verdad. Pilato violó su propia conciencia.

Es una tragedia cuando fallamos y no reconocemos la verdad; Pero, como Pilato es más trágico todavía cuando reconocemos la verdad y aún así rehusamos hacer lo correcto. Así como a Timoteo le dijo Pablo, así a nosotros se nos dice que demos la buena batalla hoy en día. Ya vendrá el día en que todos los creyentes que hayan peleado la buena batalla estarán con Cristo en Su reino.

Pablo le describe a Timoteo la clase de Dios que estará con nosotros al final de la buena batalla. Se nos ha dicho que El no tiene edad, que todos los que se han ido antes que nosotros y todos los que vendrán después y creen en El vivirán con El por siempre. Es un Dios que nunca morirá. Es un Dios infinitamente poderoso, con dominio sobre todo y que sin embargo quiere compartir ese todo con nosotros. Este mensaje de Pablo a Timoteo  es también para tí y para mí y trata de recordarnos de no poner nuestra confianza en algo o alguien que no sea JESUS, pues El es el único que estará por siempre.

LUCAS 16:19-31

La riqueza era considerada por los fariseos como una prueba de honradez. Hoy también hay mucha gente que le cree a los ricos pues parece que están en lo correcto en muchas cosas. Jesús nos dice sobre el hombre rico que fue castigado y acerca del hombre pobre que fue premiado. Debemos ser muy cuidadosos al entender que el hombre rico no fue castigado debido a su riqueza sino debido a su egoísmo.

Dejó que Lázaro comiera las sobras de su mesa y se llevara lo que el tiraba. Y así el rico se fue al infierno no por lo que hizo sino por lo que no hizo. Este hombre vivía con lujos en un país donde la gente se consideraba afortunada si comía carne una vez a la semana. Lázaro estaba esperando las moronas que se caían de la mesa del rico. En aquellos días no había tenedores, ni cuchillos, ni servilletas. La comida se comía con las manos y se las limpiaban con pedazos de pan que luego tiraban al suelo. Esto era lo que Lázaro quería comer.

También debemos recordar que Lázaro era un mendigo con llagas horribles en todo su cuerpo y hasta los perros lo lamían. ¿Puedes imaginar la grán diferencia entre estos dos hombres? Pero vino el día del juicio para ambos y el rico sufre para siempre en la eternidad mientras Lázaro descansa en los brazos de Abraham (Concepto Hebreo de Cielo.)

El hombre rico nunca le ordenó a Lázaro que se fuera de su puerta. No lo pisoteo al pasar. No fue cruel con él deliberadamente. El grán pecado del rico fue que NUNCA SE FIJO EN EL. El pensaba que era muy natural que el mendigo estuviera ahí. También pensaba que era normal que Lázaro estuviera muriéndose de dolor y hambre mientras el nadaba en la opulencia.

Necesitamos reflexionar en nuestra posición en el mundo. El hambriento, el que no tiene casa, el abortado el abandonado, el enfermo mental y el pobre están cerca de nosotros. ¿Nos sentimos generosos si los menos afortunados se comen lo que nosotros tiramos? Debemos asegurarnos que no sea nuestro pecado, el pecado de omisión. Lo que no hagamos al más pequeño entre nosotros no se lo hacemos a Cristo (Mateo 25:31-46).

Aplicación

La primera lectura nos dice que no nos alejemos de las necesidades de los demás. La segunda nos dice que escuchemos nuestra conciencia. El Evangelio nos dice que no ignoremos el sufrimiento de los otros.

Visitemos y consolemos esta semana a alguien que este sufriendo, ya sea un anciano, un pariente, un amigo, alguien en prisión, etc. Jesús nos dice en la escritura, “…cuando lo hicieron con alguno de estos más pequeños, que son mis hermanos, lo hicieron conmigo.” (Mateo 25:40).

TWENTY-SIXTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME – CYCLE C

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                       THE BREAD OF LIFE  CATHOLIC BIBLE STUDY

         TWENTY-SIXTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME – CYCLE C  

 BEFORE YOU BEGIN:

 Pray and ask God to speak to you through His Holy Spirit.

“THE PARACLETE, THE HOLY SPIRIT WHOM THE FATHER WILL SEND IN MY NAME, WILL INSTRUCT YOU IN EVERYTHING, AND REMIND YOU OF ALL THAT I TOLD YOU.”  (JOHN 14:26)

 FIRST DAY Reread last week’s readings.

 1. What was a helpful or new thought from the readings or from the homily you heard on Sunday?

 2. From what you learned, what personal application did you choose to apply to your life this week?

 SECOND DAY         READ AMOS 6:1, 4-7         FIRST READING

       (“They are not made ill by the collapse of Joseph.”)

 

  1. Woe to whom in Zion, and to whom on the mount in Samaria?  Amos 6:1.

  

  1. With whom do the people of Israel have recourse?      Amos 6:1

 

 3. What do you eat and on what do you lie? Amos 6:4

 

  1. What does the Lord say about those who take care of themselves and feed off of choice lambs and fatted calves?   Ezekiel 34:3, 10

  

  1. On the day the Lord punishes Israel for her sins, what will he tear down? Amos 3:14-15

  

  1. Like David, what do they do? Amos 6:5

 

  1. What do they drink and what do they do with the best oils?      Amos 6:6

  

  1. By what are they not made ill? Amos 6:6

  

  1. What did those in Sodom do? Ezekiel 16:49

  

  1. What will they be the first to go into, and what will be done away with?  Amos 6:7

  

Personal – In what way have you become complacent with what you eat and where you sleep?  In what way do you have more than you need?  In what way can you benefit others by your excess?  

  

THIRD DAY     READ 1 TIMOTHY 6:11-16         SECOND READING

                (“He is the blessed and only ruler,   the King of kings and Lord of lords.”)

 

  1. Man of God that you are, from what are you to flee?      1 Timothy 6:10

  

  1. What six things are you to seek? 1 Timothy 6:11

  

  1. Of what are you to fight the good fight and take hold of? 1 Timothy 6:12

  

  1. You were called to this when you did what, and in whose  presence?  1 Timothy 6:12

  

  1. What did Paul say awaited him for fighting the good fight of faith? 2 Timothy 4:7-8

  

  1. What does God do for all and what did Jesus do?      1 Timothy 6:13

  

  1. With what are we charged, how are we to do this, and until when?  1 Timothy 6:14

  

  1. When will God bring this appearance to pass? 1      Timothy 6:15

  

  1. Who is Jesus Christ? 1 Timothy 6:15

 

  1. What does he alone have, and where does he dwell?      1 Timothy 6:16

  

  1. What can no human being do and what two things must we show Jesus?  1 Timothy 6:16

  

Personal – This past week, what have you been seeking, and what has occupied your mind the most?  Who or what has been your ruler? If you can see the opposites of the six things you are to seek according to 1 Timothy 6:11, and if any of these have crept into your life, confess them; then come back to seeking what God’s Word tells you.

 

FOURTH DAY         READ LUKE 16:19-31                GOSPEL

               (“They have Moses and the prophets,   let them hear them.”)

 

  1. As Jesus spoke to his disciples, what did he say there once  was?  How was he dressed, and how did he eat?    Luke 16:19

  

  1. Who was at his gate, what was he, and with what was he covered?  Luke 16:20

  

  1. What did Lazarus long to eat and what did the dogs do?      Luke 16:21

  

  1. What eventually happened to the beggar, and what happened to him after that?  Luke 16:22

  

  1. What happened to the rich man and what happened to him  after that?  Luke 16:22

  

  1. Where was the rich man, what was happening to him, and what did he see?  Luke 16:23

  

  1. What did he call out and what was Abraham’s response?      Luke 16:24-25

  

  1. What was fixed between them and what happens to those who try to cross from either side?  Luke 16:26

  

  1. What did the rich man ask Father Abraham to do, for what reason, and what was his reply? Luke 16:27-29

  

  1. What did the rich man say and what did he say they would do? Luke 16:30

  

  1. Abraham said if they did not listen to whom, they would not be convinced even if one should what? 

     Luke 16:31

 

Personal – In what way have you noticed a poor person and responded to his need this week?  A poor person is one lacking in knowing God’s love through Jesus, a lonely person, a widow, an orphan, or someone lacking their daily bread and shelter.

 

FIFTH DAY             READ PSALM 146:7-10                 

                 (“The Lord sets captives free.”)

 

Read and meditate on Psalm 146:7-10.

 

What is the Lord saying to you personally through the Psalm?

 

How can you apply this to your life?

 

SIXTH DAY             READ ALL OF THE COMMENTARY

                          AMOS 6:1, 4-7

 

     In Amos we find God calling a man when he was occupied in his daily work (1:1).  God called him with his shepherd’s crook in his hand, and sent him forth to gather straying people instead of straying sheep.  Amos was not the only prophet of his day.  No doubt, as a boy, he had known Jonah, and possibly Elisha.  Hosea was a co-worker of his.  When Amos’ work was ending, the great Isaiah and Micah appeared. 

     These men, when they were boys, might have heard Amos proclaim the word of God on one of his tours.  The two kingdoms of Israel (Northern Kingdom) and Judah (Southern Kingdom) were entering tremendous prosperity.  The idea of surrounding nations giving them any trouble was not even imagined.  The nation was at peace and all that the people thought of was pleasure and having a good time.  God tried to arouse his people to a sense of their danger by sending them Amos. 

     Amos told them about the great cities to the north, east, and west (including Gath, the hometown of Goliath) that once were greater than Israel and Judah but that they had been destroyed because of the pride of their people.  He warned that this was going to happen to Israel also because of the arrogance and pride of her people.  Amos leveled  his attack at the people living in a lifestyle that consisted of wealth and being very comfortable.  He said this was a false security and that God was displeased with people who did not use their wealth to help the unfortunate. 

      Ivory symbolizes great wealth and extravagance.  This gross waste of resources should have been used to help the poor.  Amos told them that God wanted them to be concerned for others, especially those who could not help themselves.  The kingdom of God has no place for selfishness or indifference. 

     We, in the United States, need to really reflect on this passage, because we too indulge in incredible extravagances with our desires and wishes.  We spend billions of dollars on cosmetics, while millions of people are starving.  We spend more on dog food in this country than many nations spend on their entire budget.  We kill more unborn babies in one year than all of the military personnel who have died in battle since the country began.  In less than fifty years, Israel was destroyed because she did not listen to God through his prophets.  We need to pray that the United States will heed God’s powerful warning and repent and return to his Holy Word.

                        1 TIMOTHY 6:11-16

     Paul is telling Timothy that when you are involved in a spiritual battle, it is as important knowing when to run as it is knowing when to fight.  Timothy is warned to run from anything or anyone who produced evil thoughts.  A wise person will realize that removing one’s self from the scene of temptation is many times safer than trying to fight off the temptation.  It is in these battles of temptation that our faith is severely tested. 

     We are to treasure our faith in Christ and respond, not to the temptation, but to the power of the presence of God in our lives.  God will speak to us through our conscience in times of temptation.  When we are walking with God, he will let us know the difference between right and wrong.  We need to follow our conscience and do what is right in faith.  Pilate knew the truth about Jesus.  He knew he was innocent but he chose to reject the truth.  Pilate violated his own conscience. 

     It is a tragedy when we fail to recognize the truth; but like Pilate, it is a greater tragedy when we recognize the truth but refuse to act on it.  We are being told to fight the good fight today, just as Timothy was told by Paul.  The day will come when all the believers who have fought the good fight will be with Christ in his Kingdom. 

     Paul describes to Timothy the type of God who will be with us at the end of the good fight.  We are told that he is ageless and  that all who have gone before us and all who come after us, believing in him, will be alive with him forever.  He is a God who will never die.  He is a God infinitely powerful, having dominion over everything;  yet he wants to share all with us. Paul’s message to Timothy is a message to you and me, and that is: Let us not put our trust in anything or anyone else but JESUS, because only he alone is permanent.

                           LUKE 16:19-31

      Wealth was considered by the Pharisees to be a proof of righteousness.  Today many people yield to the wealthy because they appear to be right on so many issues.  Jesus tells us about a rich man who was punished and also about a poor man who was rewarded.  We need to be very careful in the realization that the rich man was not punished because of his wealth; rather he was punished because of his selfishness. 

     He allowed Lazarus to eat the scraps at his table and take home whatever he wanted that was to be thrown away. The rich man was in hell, not for what he did, but rather for what he did not do.   The rich man feasted in luxury every day in a country where the people were fortunate if they ate meat once a week.  Lazarus was waiting for the crumbs that fell from the rich man’s table.  We need to remember that in those days, there were no knives, forks or napkins.  Food was eaten with the hands.  The hands were cleansed by wiping them on chunks of bread, which were then thrown away.  This is what Lazarus waited to eat. 

     We need also to remember that Lazarus was a beggar with terrible running sores all over his body and even the dogs feasted on him.  Can you picture the incredible contrast between the two men?  Judgment day brought justice to both men and the rich man suffers forever in eternity while Lazarus rests in the arms of Abraham (Hebrew concept of heaven). 

     The rich man never ordered Lazarus removed from his gate. He did not kick him in passing.   He was not deliberately cruel to him.  The great sin of the rich man was that HE NEVER EVEN NOTICED HIM.  He thought it perfectly natural that the beggar be accepted as part of the landscape.  He also thought it acceptable that Lazarus should lie in pain and hunger while he wallowed in luxury. 

     We need to reflect on our own status in today’s world.  The hungry, the homeless, the aborted, the abandoned, the mentally sick, and the poor are all around us.  Do we think ourselves generous if the unfortunate people eat what we throw away?  We need to make sure that our sin today is not the horrible sin of omission.  What we fail to do to the least among us, we fail to do to Christ (Matthew 25:31-46).

Application 

     The first reading told us not to become insulated toward the people’s needs.  The second reading told us to listen to our conscience.  The Gospel tells us not to ignore the suffering of others. 

     This week, as our conscience leads us, visit and comfort someone who is suffering, an old person, a relative, a friend, someone in a rest home, prison.  Jesus tells us in scripture, “As often as you did it for one of my least brothers, you did it for me.”  (Matthew 25:40)

25TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

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25TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

PURPOSE OF THIS SCRIPTURE READING – Develop a personal relationship with Jesus through the Word of God with the understanding that the Holy Spirit will teach and remind us of all Jesus said and did. Psalm 32:8 tells us, “I will instruct you and show you the way you should walk, give you counsel and watch over you.”

  1. Say the opening prayer
  2. Read the passage slowly three times as though Jesus were talking to you.
  3. Converse with Jesus, asking questions and listening to Him.

OPEN WITH THE FOLLOWING PRAYER:

Father, I can’t understand Your Word without Your grace, I acknowledge my weakness so your power can reach perfection in me. Send Your Holy Spirit to remind, teach, and guide me to the Truth. May I share as soon as possible whatever You teach me. AMEN

 

READ, REFLECT AND WRITE

Luke 16:1-13 – Jesus said to His disciples, “A rich man had a steward who was reported to him for squandering his property. He summoned him and said, “What s this I hear about you? Prepare a full account of your stewardship, because you can no longer be my steward.’ The steward said to himself, ‘What shall I do, now that my master is taking the position of steward away from me? I am not strong enough to dig and I am ashamed to beg. I know what I shall do so that, when I am removed from the stewardship, they may welcome me into their homes.’ He called in his master’s debtors one by one. To the first he said, ‘How much do you owe my master?’ He replied, ‘One hundred measures of olive oil.’ He said to him, ‘Here is your promissory note. Sit down and quickly write one for fifty.’ Then to another the steward said, ‘And you, how much do you owe?’ He replied, ‘One hundred kors of wheat.’ The steward said to him, ‘Here is your promissory note; write one for eighty.’ And the master commended that dishonest steward for acting prudently.

“For the children of this world are more prudent in dealing with their own generation than are the children of light. I tell you, make friends for yourselves with dishonest wealth, so that when it fails, you will be welcomed into eternal dwells. ‘The person who is trustworthy in very small matters is also trustworthy in great ones; and the person who is dishonest in very small matters is also dishonest in great ones. If, therefore, you are not trustworthy with dishonest wealth, who will trust you with true wealth? If you are not trustworthy with what belongs to another, who will give you what is yours? No servant can serve two masters. He will either hate one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and mammon.”

 

  1. What is the Lord personally saying to you?

 

  1. What does the Lord personally want you to do?

 

Share your reflection with someone.