January 17
Memorial of Saint Anthony. Abbot
Give a Mass Offering
Mass Intentions
7:45 AM – Dalton Raymond, Jr. / Caryn Scuderi & Family
Prayer for Spiritual Communion
My Jesus, I believe that you are present in the most Blessed Sacrament. I love You above all things and I desire to receive You into my soul. Since I cannot now receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as if You were already there, and unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You. Amen.
Readings
First Reading
Ephesians 6:10-13, 18
Brothers and sisters: Draw your strength from the Lord and from his mighty power. Put on the armor of God so that you may be able to stand firm against the tactics of the Devil. For our struggle is not with flesh and blood but with the principalities, with the powers, with the world rulers of this present darkness, with the evil spirits in the heavens. Therefore, put on the armor of God, that you may be able to resist on the evil day and, having done everything, to hold your ground.
With all prayer and supplication, pray at every opportunity in the Spirit. To that end, be watchful with all perseverance and supplication for all the holy ones.
Responsorial Psalm
Psalms 16:1-2a and 5, 7-8, 11
R. (5) You are my inheritance, O Lord.
Keep me, O God, for in you I take refuge;
I say to the LORD, "My Lord are you."
O LORD, my allotted portion and my cup,
you it is who hold fast my lot.
R. You are my inheritance, O Lord.
I bless the LORD who counsels me;
even at night my heart exhorts me.
I set the LORD ever before me;
with him at my right hand I shall not be disturbed.
R. You are my inheritance, O Lord.
You will show me the path to life,
fullness of joys in your presence,
the delights at your right hand forever.
R. You are my inheritance, O Lord.
Gospel Acclamation
John 8:31b-32
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
If you remain in my word, you will truly be my disciples,
and you will know the truth, says the Lord.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel
Matthew 19:16-26
Someone approached Jesus and said, "Teacher, what good must I do to gain eternal life?" Jesus answered him, "Why do you ask me about the good? There is only One who is good. If you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments." He asked him, "Which ones?" And Jesus replied, "You shall not kill; you shall not commit adultery; you shall not steal; you shall not bear false witness; honor your father and your mother; and you shall love your neighbor as yourself." The young man said to him, "All of these I have observed. What do I still lack?" Jesus said to him, "If you wish to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." When the young man heard this statement, he went away sad, for he had many possessions. Then Jesus said to his disciples, "Amen, I say to you, it will be hard for one who is rich to enter the Kingdom of heaven. Again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for one who is rich to enter the Kingdom of God." When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and said, "Who then can be saved?" Jesus looked at them and said, "For men this is impossible, but for God all things are possible."
“You are my inheritance, O Lord.”
Reflection
“If you wish to be perfect, go, sell what you have.”
This instruction has always proved difficult for me. It is not that I seek out possessions, but I do like the ones I have. Back in seminary, there was a man who had worked as an engineer for a few years, had made good money, and owned a nice home and had many possessions, including a very nice car. After two years in the seminary, he returned following his summer assignment. He was driving a small, inexpensive car. The tradition in the seminary was to help your fellow seminarians move their possessions to their room, so a group of us gathered and proceeded to take a cart with two suitcases upstairs to his room. We all wondered when the rest of his possessions were coming!
Upon conversation, he mentioned that he had simplified his life. Over the summer, he had given away the majority of his possessions. He sold his house and the expensive car. He said, “Everything I own fits into my car.” I was amazed, but have always taken this to heart. He felt he had to rid himself of these un-needed external distractions in order to focus on God.
To this day, Fr. Brian only owns what he can fit in his car. He leads a simple life focused on God and his ministry to his parishioners. I imagine today’s gospel is easy for him to talk about!
For me, I try to downsize… often. If I truly took this gospel to heart, I would not need to continue to downsize because I would stop bringing possessions into my life and would not need to rent a U-Haul every time I move to a new rectory.
God Bless,
Fr. John
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