Martha and Mary

09 Tuesday Oct 2018

Posted by Jerry Robinson in Daily 100, Prayer

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Luke 10:38-42, Martha, Mary, Path to Holiness, Service, The Better Part

(A reflection on Luke 10:38-42 NAB)

Christ in the House of Martha and Mary – Johannes Vermeer, 1655

Jesus told Martha, “There is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part…”.

Martha thought her service to Jesus was the best thing, only to learn otherwise. Jesus didn’t say her effort wasn’t necessary, just not the better of the two.

Certainly the Church needs us to be like Martha and serve with our time, talent and treasure. The path to holiness includes service.

Jesus referred to our need, the need to attentively listen to the Word of God so our hearts can change to be like His. It is the better part on the path to holiness.

“‘Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Your faithful and enkindle in us the fire of Your love.’ Open my heart to the Word of God each day, and let me serve Your Church by responding to its needs with the time, talent and treasure which, through You, I have been blessed. Amen.”

(Martha and Mary was first published on the blog Reflections of a Lay Catholic)

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Fishing

06 Thursday Sep 2018

Posted by Jerry Robinson in Daily 100, Evangelization

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Deep Water, Evangelizing, Fishers of Men, Fishing, Luke 5:1-11, Peter

( A reflection on Luke 5:1-11)

I love to fish. I learned from my dad. He taught me that fish don’t just jump into the boat. You have to present them with food that satisfies their hunger. And, sometimes the bigger fish aren’t always closest to shore.

Six years ago I went fishing for more happiness in my life. I met Jesus and I welcomed Him into my boat. He’s been teaching me how to be a fisher of men. He provides the bait and the Holy Spirit tells me where to cast and how to present it. Still, sometimes the deeper water scares me.

“Holy Spirit, help me to trust in You in all things. Give me the courage to venture out of my comfort zone of shallow water into the deep where the catch may be more abundant. Show me in each case, I pray, how to present Your truth so that it satisfies their hunger. Amen.”

(Daily 100: Fishing was first published on the blog Reflections of a Lay Catholic)

Just Keep Learning

09 Thursday Aug 2018

Posted by Jerry Robinson in Daily 100

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Faith, Jeremiah 31, Matthew 16, Psalm 51

(A reflection on Matthew 16:13-23)

Poor Peter. Jesus gives him the keys to the Kingdom of Heaven for affirming that He is the Messiah. Then, He rebukes Peter for presuming to know more about God’s will than He does. Just when Peter thought he understood, he discovered he really didn’t.

That’s me, too. I think I understand this business of faith but then I get challenged anew and realize I have a lot to learn.

I’m okay with that.

“Lord, You have created in me a clean heart (PS 51:12) on which You have written Your law (Jer 31:33). Lead me, Lord, and help me to follow. Amen.”

(Daily 100: Just Keep Learning was first published on the blog Reflections of a Lay Catholic)

Do Justly, Love Mercy, Walk Humbly

23 Monday Jul 2018

Posted by Jerry Robinson in Daily 100

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Goodness, Humility, Justice, Mercy, Micah 6:6-8

(A reflection on Micah 6:6-8)

It’s difficult to get a good night’s sleep the older I get. This morning I woke up grumpy (me, not my wife), missed my morning coffee, and waited forever on traffic at a busy intersection. It was not a good start to my day. Kneeling in prayer at mass, I knew I was in a foul mood.

In the first reading from Micah, God reminded me of His expectation regardless of the circumstances: to be just and merciful, and to walk humbly with God. I needed to hear that. It changed the rest of my day.

“Thank you, Lord. Amen.”

(Daily 100: Do Justly, Love Mercy, Walk Humbly was first published on the blog Reflections of a Lay Catholic)

An Opportunity for Mercy

12 Thursday Jul 2018

Posted by Jerry Robinson in Daily 100

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Action, Appalachia, Hand in Hand Ministries, Hosea 11:8, Kindness, Love, Matthew 10:7-15, Mercy, Without cost

(A reflection on Hos 11:8 and Mt 10:7-15)

This morning I find myself back in Appalachia volunteering with Hand in Hand Ministries, preparing to serve those less fortunate than me. I will be working today to make Sam’s house more livable. But, my real job will be to mercifully bring God’s healing power of love and understanding to help set him free of his weariness and isolation.

“Lord, as I work at Sam’s house today, lead me in your merciful ways; overwhelm my heart and stir my pity; and, as you told your disciples, ‘Without cost you have received’, so, without cost let me give of myself.”

(Daily 100: An Opportunity for Mercy was first published on the blog Reflections of a Lay Catholic)

The Beam in My Eye

25 Monday Jun 2018

Posted by Jerry Robinson in Daily 100

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Beam in your eye, Judging, Kindness, Love, Mt 7:1-5

(A reflection on Mt 7:1-5)

Looking out over the Black Hills of South Dakota on this beautiful sunshiny morning, I’m eagerly anticipating our family reunion beginning today. As much as I’m looking forward to spending the week with family, especially my six grandchildren, I know at times we won’t see eye to eye. And, I know those moments will be ripe opportunities to judge others based on my own flawed perceptions.

“Lord, help me this week to see the beauty in other’s hearts, to love them for themselves, and to recognize the beam in my own eye before I notice the splinters in theirs. Amen.”

(Daily 100: The Beam in My Eye was first published on the blog Reflections of a Lay Catholic)

No Pressure

18 Monday Jun 2018

Posted by Jerry Robinson in Daily 100

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1 Kings 21:2, Courage, Fortitude, Justice, Prudence, Sorrowful Mysteries, Virtue

King Ahab was evil, more than any king of Israel before him. I’m sure that Naboth knew this when Ahab asked him to give him his vineyard (1 Kgs 21:2). Yet, Naboth steadfastly refused because the Lord forbade him to give up his ancestral heritage.

I’m reminded of the prayer before the Third Sorrowful Mystery, the Crowning with Thorns, on my Rosary CD by Fr. Rob Jack, “Let us ask the Lord to give us the courage to do what is right and just in the face of opposition from others.”

There’s no pressure when doing the Lord’s will.

(Daily 100: No Pressure was first published on the blog Reflections of a Lay Catholic)

Father’s Day

17 Sunday Jun 2018

Posted by Jerry Robinson in Daily 100, Thanksgiving

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Father's Day, Forgiveness, Mercy, Thanksgiving, Trust, Virtue

Father’s day is a day of thanksgiving to my dad for his sacrifices to support his family; for his forgiveness which I didn’t deserve; for teaching me right from wrong; and being the person I could trust when I needed help.

It’s also a day to thank God for the sacrifice of His Son that redeemed me of my sins; for His loving care, forgiveness and mercy which I don’t deserve; for giving me the virtues to live right and justly according to His will; and for being the One in Whom I know I can trust.

Thank you both!

(Daily 100: Father’s Day was first published on the blog Reflections of a Lay Catholic)

A Light Silent Sound

15 Friday Jun 2018

Posted by Jerry Robinson in Daily 100, Prayer

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1 Kings 19:12, God-moments, Meditation, Prayer, silence, solitude

It can be exciting when God lets us know of his presence in those profound experiences when He deals us an “ah-ha!” moment. He certainly gets our attention. But, I’ve come to long for that “light silent sound” (1 Kgs 19:12 NAB) such as Elijah heard on Mt. Horeb in today’s scripture passage. It’s truly a special feeling to be in my place of silence and solitude, in morning prayer and meditating on His Word, and hear God speak to my heart, telling me what He desires of me that day. It’s the perfect start to a day!

(Daily 100: A Light Silent Sound was first published on the blog Reflections of a Lay Catholic)

Forgive Us Our Trespasses

14 Thursday Jun 2018

Posted by Jerry Robinson in Daily 100, Forgiveness

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Forgiveness, Love your Neighbor

In the Lord’s Prayer we pray, “Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us…”. It’s not, “You forgive me, God, and then I’ll forgive them.” Nope, it’s the other way around. Jesus tells us as much in today’s Gospel (Mt 5:20-26) when he says, “Leave your gift at the altar, go first and be reconciled with your brother.”

“Lord, before I receive You in Holy Communion this morning, I resolve to spend time in prayer forgiving everyone who has hurt me. Thank You, Lord, for Your many blessings, especially for Your forgiveness. Amen.”

(Forgive Us Our Trespasses was first published on the blog Reflections of a Lay Catholic)