Roman Catholic The Word Among Us Daily Mass Reading & Daily Meditation for Sunday, 19 October 2014

Roman Catholic The Word Among Us Daily Mass Reading & Daily Meditation for Sunday, 19 October 2014
Meditation: Isaiah 45:The God Who Forms Light and Darkness
1-7 God’s Message to his anointed,
    to Cyrus, whom he took by the hand
To give the task of taming the nations,
    of terrifying their kings—
He gave him free rein,
    no restrictions:
“I’ll go ahead of you,
    clearing and paving the road.
I’ll break down bronze city gates,
    smash padlocks, kick down barred entrances.
I’ll lead you to buried treasures,
    secret caches of valuables—
Confirmations that it is, in fact, I, God,
    the God of Israel, who calls you by your name.
It’s because of my dear servant Jacob,
    Israel my chosen,
That I’ve singled you out, called you by name,
    and given you this privileged work.
    And you don’t even know me!
I am God, the only God there is.
    Besides me there are no real gods.
I’m the one who armed you for this work,
    though you don’t even know me,
So that everyone, from east to west, will know
    that I have no god-rivals.
    I am God, the only God there is.
I form light and create darkness,
    I make harmonies and create discords.
    I, God, do all these things.
29th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Thus says the Lord to his anointed … opening doors before him and leaving the gates unbarred. (Isaiah 45:1)
“A new door will open for you today.” Have you ever cracked open a fortune cookie and discovered a hidden message like this one? Maybe you smiled, thinking that someone is sitting at a desk somewhere writing fortunes for a living. Then you crumpled the sliver of paper. Well, today’s first reading was an actual message enfolded within the prophet’s words to Cyrus, the king of Persia!
The prophet declared that God was the thrust behind Cyrus’ rise to power. He depicted God as unbarring gates and opening doors for Cyrus, then going a step further and grasping the king’s arm to lead him through, door after door.
This passage is a fascinating insight into history’s unfolding. But there’s something here for us today as well. If God opened doors for Cyrus, who didn’t even believe in him, do you think he will open them for you? Yes, he will! Every day, God is opening new doors, inviting you to step through and move forward in faith. These doors come in all shapes and sizes. Some are plain to see, like a door of service that’s opened when someone invites you to volunteer in your parish. Or a door of encouragement, when you can uplift someone who really needs it. To see some, though, you have to be on the lookout. Like the next time you’re stuck in traffic, God could be opening a door for you to spend extra time with him in prayer. Some doors are wide open, and some require us to lighten our load in order to squeeze through, like the call to live more simply so that we can give more of our finances to God’s work.
Today, try to see every challenge, every conversation, every chance encounter as a divinely appointed door. Then, see Jesus on the other side, waiting for you with open arms.
“Lord, take me by the hand today, and lead me through your open doors.” Amen!
Psalms 96:1-2 Sing God a brand-new song!
Earth and everyone in it, sing!
Sing to God—worship God!
2-3 Shout the news of his victory from sea to sea,
Take the news of his glory to the lost,
News of his wonders to one and all!
4-5 For God is great, and worth a thousand Hallelujahs.
His terrible beauty makes the gods look cheap;
Pagan gods are mere tatters and rags.
5-6 God made the heavens—
Royal splendor radiates from him,
A powerful beauty sets him apart.
7 Bravo, God, Bravo!
Everyone join in the great shout: Encore!
In awe before the beauty, in awe before the might.
8-9 Bring gifts and celebrate,
Bow before the beauty of God,
Then to your knees—everyone worship!
10 Get out the message—God Rules!
He put the world on a firm foundation;
He treats everyone fair and square.
1 Thessalonians 1:1 I, Paul, together here with Silas and Timothy, send greetings to the church at Thessalonica, Christians assembled by God the Father and by the Master, Jesus Christ. God’s amazing grace be with you! God’s robust peace!
Convictions of Steel
2-5 Every time we think of you, we thank God for you. Day and night you’re in our prayers as we call to mind your work of faith, your labor of love, and your patience of hope in following our Master, Jesus Christ, before God our Father. It is clear to us, friends, that God not only loves you very much but also has put his hand on you for something special. When the Message we preached came to you, it wasn’t just words. Something happened in you. The Holy Spirit put steel in your convictions.
5-6 You paid careful attention to the way we lived among you, and determined to live that way yourselves. In imitating us, you imitated the Master. Although great trouble accompanied the Word, you were able to take great joy from the Holy Spirit!—taking the trouble with the joy, the joy with the trouble.
Matthew 22:Paying Taxes
15-17 That’s when the Pharisees plotted a way to trap him into saying something damaging. They sent their disciples, with a few of Herod’s followers mixed in, to ask, “Teacher, we know you have integrity, teach the way of God accurately, are indifferent to popular opinion, and don’t pander to your students. So tell us honestly: Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not?”
18-19 Jesus knew they were up to no good. He said, “Why are you playing these games with me? Why are you trying to trap me? Do you have a coin? Let me see it.” They handed him a silver piece.
20 “This engraving—who does it look like? And whose name is on it?”
21 They said, “Caesar.”
“Then give Caesar what is his, and give God what is his.”
Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion:
(Isaiah 45:The God Who Forms Light and Darkness
1-7 God’s Message to his anointed,
    to Cyrus, whom he took by the hand
To give the task of taming the nations,
    of terrifying their kings—
He gave him free rein,
    no restrictions:
“I’ll go ahead of you,
    clearing and paving the road.
I’ll break down bronze city gates,
    smash padlocks, kick down barred entrances.
I’ll lead you to buried treasures,
    secret caches of valuables—
Confirmations that it is, in fact, I, God,
    the God of Israel, who calls you by your name.
It’s because of my dear servant Jacob,
    Israel my chosen,
That I’ve singled you out, called you by name,
    and given you this privileged work.
    And you don’t even know me!
I am God, the only God there is.
    Besides me there are no real gods.
I’m the one who armed you for this work,
    though you don’t even know me,
So that everyone, from east to west, will know
    that I have no god-rivals.
    I am God, the only God there is.
I form light and create darkness,
    I make harmonies and create discords.
    I, God, do all these things.
Psalms 96:1-2 Sing God a brand-new song!
Earth and everyone in it, sing!
Sing to God—worship God!
2-3 Shout the news of his victory from sea to sea,
Take the news of his glory to the lost,
News of his wonders to one and all!
4-5 For God is great, and worth a thousand Hallelujahs.
His terrible beauty makes the gods look cheap;
Pagan gods are mere tatters and rags.
5-6 God made the heavens—
Royal splendor radiates from him,
A powerful beauty sets him apart.
7 Bravo, God, Bravo!
Everyone join in the great shout: Encore!
In awe before the beauty, in awe before the might.
8-9 Bring gifts and celebrate,
Bow before the beauty of God,
Then to your knees—everyone worship!
10 Get out the message—God Rules!
He put the world on a firm foundation;
He treats everyone fair and square.
1 Thessalonians 1:1 I, Paul, together here with Silas and Timothy, send greetings to the church at Thessalonica, Christians assembled by God the Father and by the Master, Jesus Christ. God’s amazing grace be with you! God’s robust peace!
Convictions of Steel
2-5 Every time we think of you, we thank God for you. Day and night you’re in our prayers as we call to mind your work of faith, your labor of love, and your patience of hope in following our Master, Jesus Christ, before God our Father. It is clear to us, friends, that God not only loves you very much but also has put his hand on you for something special. When the Message we preached came to you, it wasn’t just words. Something happened in you. The Holy Spirit put steel in your convictions.
5-6 You paid careful attention to the way we lived among you, and determined to live that way yourselves. In imitating us, you imitated the Master. Although great trouble accompanied the Word, you were able to take great joy from the Holy Spirit!—taking the trouble with the joy, the joy with the trouble.
Matthew 22:Paying Taxes
15-17 That’s when the Pharisees plotted a way to trap him into saying something damaging. They sent their disciples, with a few of Herod’s followers mixed in, to ask, “Teacher, we know you have integrity, teach the way of God accurately, are indifferent to popular opinion, and don’t pander to your students. So tell us honestly: Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not?”
18-19 Jesus knew they were up to no good. He said, “Why are you playing these games with me? Why are you trying to trap me? Do you have a coin? Let me see it.” They handed him a silver piece.
20 “This engraving—who does it look like? And whose name is on it?”
21 They said, “Caesar.”
“Then give Caesar what is his, and give God what is his.”)
Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion:
1. The first reading today describes how God calls and anoints the pagan King Cyrus as a vehicle for protecting and caring for his people. Yet God says this of Cyrus as well: “though you know me not.” Do we see ourselves, God's people, as the only ones that God will bless and use? How open are you to working with anyone that God chooses to use to further his purposes, no matter where they are in their relationship with God?
2. In the responsorial psalm, each of us is called to tell of God’s “glory among the nations; among all peoples, his wondrous deeds.” In what ways has this been a call of God in your life? Is there more you can do to tell others of God's great love for them?
3. In the second reading, St. Paul tells the Thessalonians that they are constantly in his thoughts and prayers. How often do you pray for others, particularly those in the Church who labor in faith, hope, and love for God's kingdom? What steps can you take to increase your prayers for your pastor and others serving the Church? What are some additional ways you can practically assist your pastor and parish?
4. In the Gospel reading, the Pharisees and Herodians tried to test and “entrap” Jesus. In what ways have you tested God with words such as: “If God really cared for me then …”; “If God will do this for me then...”? What can you do to make your relationship with God one of faith and trust and less of trying to use God for you own purposes?
5. In the meditation, we hear these words: “Every day, God is opening new doors, inviting you to step through and move forward in faith. These doors come in all shapes and sizes.” The meditation then ends with these words: “Today, try to see every challenge, every conversation, every chance encounter as a divinely appointed door. Then, see Jesus on the other side, waiting for you with open arms.” What are some of the doors God has opened in your life in the past? What steps can you take to prepare yourself to “step through and move forward in faith” when God opens doors for you in the future?
6. Take some time now to pray and ask Jesus for the grace and the faith to walk through the doors he opens for you. Use the prayer at the end of the meditation as the starting point.
“Lord, take me by the hand today, and lead me through your open doors.” Amen!
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