journey

REFLECTION ON ISISAH 65:17-21 REJOICE IN JERUSALEM AND PERHAPS A PERSONAL CALL TO NEW JERUSALEM

/ Michael J. Cunningham / Leave a comment

The-New-Jerusalem
The New Jerusalem

Last night I had a strange dream. It was about Palestinians living in the disputed territories and their being deprived the “better service’s offered to the new Jewish settlers. What was unusual about this was the dream was specifically about parks, schools, roads and the like.
When I awoke, I googled search words on this topic, and found the following:

http://blog.theheadlines.org/thehead/?paged=2 

If you don’t want to read this, then just be assured it confirms the contents of this dream is happening, perhaps not rocket science that these problems exist, but I have no particular recollection of this specific news crossing my TV or computer screen recently.
Then, after discussing this with my wife over breakfast, I see the words of Isaiah as I prepared to write this reflection for the day. The discussion I had been having with my wife had led to the topic of Jerusalem and the New Jerusalem.
Now I am not an expert on eschatology (the end times), but I have spent a lot of time physically in the middle east during my life, so know something of life there. I also perceive our journey here on earth as a movement towards that New Jerusalem, a divine path which we are all called to one way or another.

I have emboldened the parts of this reading that I think are most relevant.

Reading 1 Is 65:17-21

Thus says the LORD:
Lo, I am about to create new heavens
and a new earth;
The things of the past shall not be remembered
or come to mind.
Instead, there shall always be rejoicing and happiness
in what I create;
For I create Jerusalem to be a joy
and its people to be a delight;
I will rejoice in Jerusalem
and exult in my people.
No longer shall the sound of weeping be heard there,
or the sound of crying;
No longer shall there be in it
an infant who lives but a few days,
or an old man who does not round out his full lifetime;
He dies a mere youth who reaches but a hundred years,
and he who fails of a hundred shall be thought accursed.
They shall live in the houses they build,
and eat the fruit of the vineyards they plant.

So what is the point of this reflection? I am not really sure precisely, but it seems like a call to action. As I pray and discern on this some more, I will post accordingly.

THE DAILY GOSPEL AND READINGS 26 SEPTEMBER 2012

/ Michael J. Cunningham / Leave a comment
Wednesday of the Twenty-fifth Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 451

Reading 1 Prv 30:5-9

Every word of God is tested;
he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.
Add nothing to his words,
lest he reprove you, and you will be exposed as a deceiver.
Two things I ask of you,
deny them not to me before I die:
Put falsehood and lying far from me,
give me neither poverty nor riches;
provide me only with the food I need;
Lest, being full, I deny you,
saying, “Who is the LORD?”
Or, being in want, I steal,
and profane the name of my God.

Responsorial Psalm Ps 119:29, 72, 89, 101, 104, 163

R. (105) Your word, O Lord, is a lamp for my feet.
Remove from me the way of falsehood,
and favor me with your law.
R. Your word, O Lord, is a lamp for my feet.
The law of your mouth is to me more precious
than thousands of gold and silver pieces.
R. Your word, O Lord, is a lamp for my feet.
Your word, O LORD, endures forever;
it is firm as the heavens.
R. Your word, O Lord, is a lamp for my feet.
From every evil way I withhold my feet,
that I may keep your words.
R. Your word, O Lord, is a lamp for my feet.
Through your precepts I gain discernment;
therefore I hate every false way.
R. Your word, O Lord, is a lamp for my feet.
Falsehood I hate and abhor;
your law I love.
R. Your word, O Lord, is a lamp for my feet.

Gospel Lk 9:1-6

Jesus summoned the Twelve and gave them power and authority
over all demons and to cure diseases,
and he sent them to proclaim the Kingdom of God
and to heal the sick.
He said to them, “Take nothing for the journey,
neither walking stick, nor sack, nor food, nor money,
and let no one take a second tunic.
Whatever house you enter, stay there and leave from there.
And as for those who do not welcome you,
when you leave that town,
shake the dust from your feet in testimony against them.”
Then they set out and went from village to village
proclaiming the Good News and curing diseases everywhere.

Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States, second typical edition, Copyright © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine; Psalm refrain © 1968, 1981, 1997, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved. Neither this work nor any part of it may be reproduced, distributed, performed or displayed in any medium, including electronic or digital, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

REFLECTION ON THE DAILY GOSPEL 1 SEPTEMBER 2012

/ Michael J. Cunningham / Leave a comment

Each of us has been given different talents, which the English word is derived from today’s Gospel reading.

The effective use of those talents; for God’s plan and purposes brings us into closer communion and awareness of His love for us. May we not squander or misuse them; perhaps even worse not use them at all. We remain on a journey  of discovery through our lives with these being revealed to us in different ways and through difference experiences.

Gospel Mt 25:14-30