OPreach
Dominican Preaching through Word and Image
Meeting God in Everyday Activities
Contemplate how you are being asked to give your heart to God amidst your everyday activities.
Be prepared to meet your grace in every circumstance of life.
– Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton
It would be enough of a Lenten practice to give oneself to God in this way. As today’s Gospel reading from the Book of Matthew reads:
Just so, the Son of Man did not come to be served
but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.
The Importance of Prayer
Today I quote Dom Helder Camara.
I understood that in view of my decision to give myself unreservedly to God and my neighbor, it would be absolutely necessary for me to devote space and time to prayer.
So how is my Lenten practice going?
Be Merciful as your Father is Merciful
Today is the 3rd Monday in Lent.
The Gospel reading is from Luke 6:36-38.
“Stop judging and you will not be judged.
Stop condemning and you will not be condemned.
Forgive and you will be forgiven.
Give and gifts will be given to you;
a good measure, packed together, shaken down, and overflowing,
will be poured into your lap.
For the measure with which you measure
will in return be measured out to you.
Transfiguration and First Vows
On Sunday afternoon Sister Colleen McDermott, OP will make her First Profession of Vows as a Dominican Sister of San Rafael. She is delighted that the Gospel reading of the day
from Mark 9:2-10 is about Jesus’ Transfiguration. Jesus’ disciples saw him on the high mountain, suddenly, as he truly was . . . even though they didn’t understand. All of us are also on a journey to becoming more of who we truly are . . . even though we may not be able to see it clearly or understand the process.
Sister Colleen’s profession will be one more step on her journey of becoming. A transfiguration of a sort. And we, the Dominican Sisters, are delighted that she wants to continue with us on our journey becoming more of who we are called to be.
How is our Lenten Fast Going?
Every gun that is made, every warship launched, every rocket fired signifies, in the final sense, a theft from those who hunger and are not fed, those who are cold and are not clothed. This world in arms is not spending money alone. It is spending the sweat of its laboreres, the genius of its scientists, the hopes of its children. This is not a way of life at all in any true sense. Under the clouds of war, it is humanity hanging on a cross of iron.
– Dwight D. Eisenhower
The words above are of one who truly knew war and the effect of it. Last week we were challenged by Isaiah that our fast should be to feed the hungry and give warmth to those who are cold. Do Eisenhower’s words challenge us to fast from making war? If so, what does that mean to us personally and as Church? Where are my priorities?
Climb up to the Roof and Enjoy the Sunset
you are participating in divinity.
When you see a beautiful sunset on the way (especially in winter) it’s good to go up on the roof to admire God’s handiwork.
Then say “thank you”.
Knock and the Door Shall Be Opened
Thursday’s Gospel reading from Matthew 7 reads:
Jesus said to his disciples:
“Ask and it will be given to you;
seek and you will find;
knock and the door will be opened to you.
For everyone who asks, receives;
and the one who seeks, finds;
and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.
It is good to hear this in Lent.
Perhaps the door we hope will be opened is the ability
to be steadfast in our Lenten practice.
Perhaps the door we need
opened is that of our own heart . . .
that we might be less judgmental.
Or maybe we need a door opened of our understanding of the Scriptures.
And just as God was faithful to Queen Esther (from the today’s first reading from the Book of Esther), we know that God will be faithful to us. And we will say, as our Psalm’s antiphon:
Lord, on the day I called for help, you answered me.
Create in Me a Clean Heart
Wednesday’s Lenten responsorial psalm is Psalm 51
A clan heart create for me, O God,
and a steadfast spirit renew within me.
Some Days You Just Have to Leave It to God!
I couldn’t get to writing a post last night or this morning.
But a friend posted the following on my Facebook page.
I’m goin’ with it!
Good morning, this is God.
I will be handling all your problems today.
I will not need your help.
So relax.
And have a great day!
Teach Me Your Paths
Today’s Responsorial Psalm is Psalm 25
Your ways, O Lord, are love and truth to those who keep your covenant.
Your ways, O LORD, make known to me; teach me your paths,
Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my savior.
Remember that your compassion, O LORD, and your love are from of old.
In your kindness remember me, because of your goodness, O LORD
Good and upright is the LORD, thus he shows sinners the way.
He guides the humble to justice, and he teaches the humble his way.
Your ways, O Lord, are love and truth to those who keep your covenant.
- O Lord, make known to me your paths.
