"Lord of All Hopefulness"

As we continue our Sunday celebration, I offer this version of "Lord of All Hopefulness":

 

Holy Father's Prayer Intention for September

The Holy Father's prayer intention for September is:

For the care of water: Let us pray for a just and sustainable management of water, a vital resource, so that everyone may have equal access to it.

Twenty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time

Today the Church celebrates the Twenty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time The assigned readings for the Mass during the day are Ezekiel 33:7-9, Romans 13:8-10, and Matthew 18:15-20. The Responsorial Psalm is from Psalm 95 (Psalm 95:1-2, 6-9).

For one version of the Responsorial Psalm set to music, please visit:

YouTube: Psalm 95 - If Today You Hear His Voice, Harden Not Your Hearts - Francesca LaRosa

The Gospel reading is as follows:

Jesus said to his disciples: "If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have won over your brother. If he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, so that 'every fact may be established on the testimony of two or three witnesses.' If he refuses to listen to them, tell the church. If he refuses to listen even to the church, then treat him as you would a Gentile or a tax collector. Amen, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Again, amen, I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything for which they are to pray, it shall be granted to them by my heavenly Father. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them."

Reflections related to these readings:

Community in Mission: The Obligation of Clear, Compassionate Correction of the Sinner - A Homily for the 23rd Sunday of the Year (5 SEP 26) 

Benedictine College: This Sunday, Stop Silently Watching Sinners Wound Themselves (3 SEP 26)

Word on Fire: Will the Good of the Other (Cycle A * Ordinary Time * 23rd Week)

The Pilot: Echoes: Scott Hahn: To win them back( 4 SEP 26)

Thank You, Lord

 Thank you, Lord, for the blessing of clouds.

Lucia Silecchia on Mourning and Lost Moments

"This season, with somber hearts, we mark 25 years since achingly bright September skies were filled with the horrors of an evil still incomprehensible.

"Now, that dark day lies a quarter of a century ago. Most of my students were not alive that day. If they were, most were blessed with such youth that they would have no memories of it. My prayer for these generations that follow us is that they will never know a day like that one, when the evil that mankind is capable of plays out in real time before them."

In a recent commentary , writer/Professor Lucia A. Silecchia reflected on how,  since that day, the loved ones of those lost have mourned for them even as life resumed, never the same and on how their loved ones lost all the days since then (including their joys, sorrows, hopes, dreams, good times, and hard times).

To access Professor Silecchia's complete post, please visit:

The Pilot: Echoes: Lucia A. Silecchia: Mourning and the many lost moments (2 SEP 26)

Reflection Starter from Pope Leo XIV

"Do not be afraid to sow without immediately seeing the fruits. The sowing belongs to you; the growth belongs to God. No gesture carried out in the name of Christ is useless." - Pope Leo XIV

The Vogues: "Turn Around, Look At Me"

As this blessed week draws to a close, I offer this version of The Vogues presenting "Turn Around, Look at Me":

 

Belated Anniversary Blessings, Frank and Gail!!!

Belated anniversary greetings to Frank and Gail Peterson (parents of son Adam's wife, Erin), who celebrated their wedding anniversary yesterday!!! May each day of the upcoming year be filled with the Lord's choicest blessings!!!

Thank You, Lord

Thank you, Lord, for the blessing of long holiday weekends.

Fr. Joe Newman, OSFS, on What Fear Reveals

". . . Every year, we choose a Salesian theme for the school, usually drawing from a quote by one of our Salesian saints. After speaking with the seniors, we chose this year's theme from St. Francis de Sales, 'We must not fear fear.' . . .

"What I love about St. Francis de Sales' words is that he doesn't tell us to avoid fear. He simply asks us not to be afraid of fear. Fear is something we can face, something we can learn from, and even something that can reveal what is important to us."

In a recent commentary, Father Joe Newman, OSFS, reflected on how fear can reveal what matters to us.

To access Fr. Newman's complete post, please visit:

De Sales Weekly: Provincial Reflection: What Fear Reveals (3 SEP 26)

Reflection Starter from Mother Teresa

"I can do things you cannot, you can do things I cannot; together we can do great things." - Saint Teresa of Calcutta (Mother Teresa), whose memory the Church celebrates today (5 September)

"Take up Your Cross (the Saviour Said)"

As we continue our Sunday celebration, I offer this version of "Take up Your Cross (the Saviour Said)":