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Dear Preachers:
Welcome
to the latest email recipients of “First Impressions” members of the
Franciscan and Dominican laity who participated in our
retreat in Durham, North Carolina.
The
parable – or proverbs – Jesus teaches his disciples today come at the end of
Luke’s Sermon on the Plain (Matthew calls it the Sermon on the Mount). Even the
setting of the sermon carries meaning. Jesus has been teaching his disciples,
and the sermon begins: “Coming down the mountain with them, he stopped at a
level stretch where there were many of his disciples…” (Luke 6:17). He speaks on
level ground, suggesting that his teachings are accessible to all. We who take
his words to heart come from various walks of life, yet we have all accepted his
message and strive to live it daily. How can I embody Jesus’ teaching in my own
life?
If we have truly heard Christ’s word, it must lead to a transformed way of
living. As Jesus says, “A good person out of the store of goodness in their
heart produces good.” And we do want to “produce good,” don’t we? Having
encountered Jesus, our lives have changed – and must continue to change – for
the good.
Some believe that the lives of “true believers” should be marked by spectacular
signs: miracles, speaking in tongues, massive churches with large congregations,
and dynamic liturgies. While such signs can affirm faith, being a disciple of
the Lord requires more. Most disciples live unspectacular lives. If we are
fortunate, our days follow a steady rhythm. But it is precisely in this daily
routine that our faith should shine. Our “ordinary” lives must testify to the
difference Christ has made in us.
Jesus speaks directly to us, his disciples. If we see the splinter in another’s
eye but ignore the beam in our own, we contradict his teaching on mercy. As we
heard last Sunday (Luke 6:27-38): “Be merciful as your Father is merciful. Stop
judging and you will not be judged. Stop condemning and you will not be
condemned. Forgive and you will be forgiven.” If we fail to live by these words,
Jesus warns, we will be like a rotten tree bearing rotten fruit. People will
recognize that we follow Jesus not by our lofty words, or religious expressions,
but by the good fruit we bear.
Jesus’ words are not meant only for individuals, but also for our church
communities. Do our actions and public witness reveal Jesus to others? Are all
truly welcome in our gatherings—regardless of economic status, political
beliefs, sexual orientation, race, or citizenship? How can the Christian
community be a “good tree” that produces “good fruit”?
Pope Francis offers insight into this call to bear good fruit. He has
consistently spoken out for the humane treatment of refugees and migrants.
Reflecting on Jesus’ care for outsiders, strangers, and foreigners, the Pope
emphasizes the dignity of all people and calls us to act on their behalf. He
challenges us to see those fleeing violence, poverty, and climate change not as
threats, but as our sisters and brothers. What “good fruit” would a “good tree”
bear in this situation? One such fruit is hospitality. Francis reminds us that
Christ himself was a refugee.
[Cf. Below to what Francis has said about our treatment of migrants and
refugees.]
To bear good fruit, we must be attentive listeners who cherish the Word of God.
A receptive heart allows us to see Christ in the “other” we encounter daily – at
home, in school, at work, and even in the news. Later in Luke, Jesus says, “My
mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and act on it” (Luke
8:21). Our deeds should flow from hearts shaped by God’s Word. As the kids say,
“Listen up.”
Jesus may also be telling us to look within – to recognize the goodness and
holiness God has placed in us. We have produced much good fruit: acts of
forgiveness, compassion, and integrity. Yes, there are thorns and brambles
within us, but there is also an abundance of grace. For this, we give praise and
thanks to our loving God in this Eucharist.
Today, we also receive wisdom from the book of Sirach (also called
Ecclesiasticus). Unlike narrative books of Scripture, Sirach consists of wisdom
sayings in various forms—laments, proverbs, and poetry. Our reading today offers
brief, pithy proverbs using images from the author’s culture: a shaken sieve, a
potter’s kiln, and a fruit-bearing tree. These images connect seamlessly with
today’s Gospel.
Sirach teaches that a person’s character is revealed through their thoughts and
speech. This wisdom applies both to individuals and society. What stereotypes
and preconceptions surface in how we speak and act? The challenge is not just
personal—it is communal. As Pope Francis reminds us, our treatment of migrants
and refugees is one way we reveal our character. Are we bearing good fruit?
Click here for a link to this Sunday’s readings:
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/030225.cfm
QUOTABLE
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“The globalization of indifference has
taken from us the ability to weep….Who has wept for the deaths of
these brothers and sisters? Who has worked for those people who were
on the boat?”
— Pope Francis after his visit to Lampedusa in 2013
where he lamented the deaths of migrants crossing the Mediterranean. |
JUSTICE BULLETIN
BOARD
Therefore, my beloved brothers and
sisters, be firm, steadfast, always fully devoted to the work of the Lord,
knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.
1 Corinthians 15:58
Lent
begins with Ash Wednesday. How is God calling you to journey through this
Lent? From the readings, God is calling everyone to live with integrity,
producing goodness and kindness. Living your life with integrity through acts of
goodness sustains the life of others and inspires sorrowing hearts. We have
Jesus’ own life on which to model ours.
As lay Catholics, the Vatican II document on the laity, Apostolicam
Actuositatem, states that we are to be “a leaven in the world (2). Our spiritual
life “calls for a continuous exercise of faith, hope, and charity” (4). The
document makes clear that our tasks as able-bodied lay Catholics are “to renew
the temporal order of the world” where “Christian social action is preeminent”
task (7). This is something that should imbue our entire lives, not just when we
have time, not just when we retire, not just incidental, not just someone else’s
responsibility. Sacramental lives. This is the fullness of being Catholic.
Every year during Lent, Holy Name of Jesus Cathedral holds its Works of Mercy
Stewardship Fair. This year, we are doing something different. On the First
Sunday of Lent, you will hear testimonials from fellow parishioners and each
weekend, thereafter (Weeks 2-5), we will offer the works of our outreach
ministries in the narthex for you to join. The greatest gift you can give, is
the gift of yourself and we welcome you to join in the work of the Lord to
establish God’s realm of justice in our common home.
1. First Sunday of Lent 3/8-9 Testimonials, CRS Rice
Bowls
2. Second Sunday of Lent 3/15-16 Feed the Poor, CPO
bags
3. Third Sunday of Lent 3/22-23 Shelter the Homeless,
CPO Food Collection
4. Fourth Sunday of Lent 3/29-30 Cry of the Poor
5. Fifth Sunday of Lent 4/5-6 Cry of the Earth & Prayer
Groups
Perhaps one of the more sorrowful things I have experienced over the many years
of doing these fairs, is to have parishioners fly past our tables without even
acknowledging the work being done or their fellow parishioners. Please come by,
see what you can do, and say “yes.” Know that, in the Lord, your labor is not in
vain.
Barbara Molinari Quinby, MPS, Director
Office of Human Life, Dignity, and Justice Ministries
Holy Name of Jesus
Cathedral, Raleigh, NC
FAITH BOOK
Mini-reflections on the Sunday scripture readings
designed for persons on the run. “Faith Book” is also brief enough to be posted
in the Sunday parish bulletins people take home.
From today’s Gospel reading:
Jesus said to his disciples:
“A good person out of the store of goodness in their heart produces good,
buy an evil person, out of a store of evil, produces evil.”
Reflection:
Jesus
calls our attention to the quality of our hearts. Just as we tend to our
physical well being, so too, we examine regularly the condition of our spiritual
hearts. Our hearts need constant vigilance and tending to keep them focused on
and producing the good works Jesus has called us to do.
So, we ask ourselves:
Do we
nourish our hearts with the words of Jesus, to guide them and keep them strong
in his service?
How
would you describe the primary focus of you heart?
POSTCARDS TO
DEATH ROW INMATES
“One has to strongly affirm that condemnation to the death penalty is an
inhuman measure that humiliates personal dignity, in whatever form it is
carried out."
---Pope
Francis
Inmates
on death row are the most forgotten people in the prison system. Each week I am
posting in this space several inmates’ names and locations. I invite you to
write a postcard to one or more of them to let them know that: we have not
forgotten them; are praying for them and their families; or, whatever personal
encouragement you might like to give them. If the inmate responds, you might
consider becoming pen pals.
Please write to:
-
Terry Moore ((Al-Bayyinah) #0290634 (On death row since 6/14/2003
-
Jeffrey Neal Duke #0113234 (9/6/2003)
-
Linwood Neal Forte #0133102 (10/8/2003)
----Central
Prison P.O. 247 Phoenix, MD 21131
Please
note: Central Prison is in Raleigh, NC., but for security
purposes, mail to inmates is processed through a clearing house at the above
address in Maryland.
For
more information on the Catholic position on the death penalty go to the
Catholic Mobilizing Network:
http://catholicsmobilizing.org/resources/cacp/
On this
page you can sign “The National Catholic Pledge to End the Death Penalty.” Also,
check the interfaith page for People of Faith Against the Death Penalty:
http://www.pfadp.org/
DONATIONS
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prepare for Sunday worship. It is sponsored by the Dominican Friars. If you
would like “First Impressions” sent weekly to a friend, send a note
to Fr. John Boll, OP at
jboll@opsouth.org.
If you
would like to support this ministry, please send tax deductible contributions to
Fr. Jude Siciliano, O.P.:
St. Albert
Priory
3150 Vince Hagan Drive
Irving, Texas 75062-4736
Make
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Or, go to our webpage to make an online donation:
https://www.PreacherExchange.com/donations.htm
RESOURCES
ORDERING OUR CDs:
We have compiled Four CDs for sale:
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Individual CDs for each Liturgical Year, A, B
or C.
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One combined CD for “Liturgical Years A, B and
C.
If you are a preacher, lead a Lectionary-based
scripture group, or are a member of a liturgical team, these CDs will be helpful
in your preparation process. Individual worshipers report they also use these
reflections as they prepare for Sunday liturgy.
You can order the CDs by going to our webpage:
https://www.PreacherExchange.com
and clicking on the “First Impressions” CD
link on the left.
OTHER
PUBLICATIONS BY EMAIL:
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reflections on the Sunday and daily scriptures are written by Dominican sisters
and friars. If you or a friend would like to receive these reflections drop a
note to "Fr. John J. Boll, O.P." <preacherexchange@att.net>
2. "VOLUME 2" is an opportunity for you to hear
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OUR WEBSITE:
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Where you will find Preachers Exchange, which
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