"Help Us Accept Each Other"

As we continue our Sunday celebration, I offer this version of Fred Kaan's "Help Us Accept Each Other":

 

Twenty-fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Today the Church celebrates the Twenty-fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time. The assigned readings for the Mass during the day are Sirach 27:30-28:7 , Romans 14:7-9, and Matthew 18:21-35. The Responsorial Psalm is from Psalm 103 (Psalm 103:1-4, 9-12).

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

YouTube: Psalm 103: The Lord Is Kind and Merciful

The Gospel reading is as follows:

Peter approached Jesus and asked him, "Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive? As many as seven times?"

Jesus answered, "I say to you, not seven times but seventy-seven times. That is why the kingdom of heaven may be likened to a king who decided to settle accounts with his servants. When he began the accounting, a debtor was brought before him who owed him a huge amount. Since he had no way of paying it back, his master ordered him to be sold, along with his wife, his children, and all his property, in payment of the debt. At that, the servant fell down, did him homage, and said, 'Be patient with me, and I will pay you back in full.' Moved with compassion the master of that servant let him go and forgave him the loan. When that servant had left, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a much smaller amount. He seized him and started to choke him, demanding, 'Pay back what you owe.' Falling to his knees, his fellow servant begged him, 'Be patient with me, and I will pay you back.' But he refused. Instead, he had the fellow servant put in prison until he paid back the debt. Now when his fellow servants saw what had happened, they were deeply disturbed, and went to their master and reported the whole affair. His master summoned him and said to him, 'You wicked servant! I forgave you your entire debt because you begged me to. Should you not have had pity on your fellow servant, as I had pity on you?' Then in anger his master handed him over to the torturers until he should pay back the whole debt. So will my heavenly Father do to you, unless each of you forgives your brother from your heart."

Reflections related to these readings:

Community in Mission: Finding Forgiveness Through the Experience of Mercy - A Homily for the 24th Sunday of the Year (12 SEP 26) 

Benedictine College: This Sunday, Forgive the Way You Expect To Be Forgiven (10 SEP 26)

Word on Fire: Will the Good of the Other (Cycle A * Ordinary Time * 24th Week)

The Pilot: Echoes: Scott Hahn: The debt we owe ( 11 SEP 26)

The Pilot: Echoes: Deacon Greg Kandra: The challenging call to forgiveness ( 9 SEP 26) 

A Brimfield Memory

Today is the last day for this year's Brimfield (MA) Antique Flea Market. Before I met her, Myrna had been an independent antiques dealer with a booth at Brimfield and other shows. She introduced me to this experience (and it is that), and we ended up going 2 or 3 times over the years. Photos from our first tip (before we married) (as Adam stated, although it was related to another topic, it was a different world):

Belated Birthday Blessings, E-Lynn!!!

Belated birthday greetings to daughter-in-law Erin Lynn (Adam's wife), who recently celebrated her birthday!!! May each day of the upcoming year be filled with the Lord's choicest blessings!!!

Thank You, Lord

Thank you, Lord, for inspirations to forgive those who have hurt us or who we perceive have hurt us, either intentionally or inadvertently.

Pope Leo on Caring for Creation

"Pope Leo XIV began the five-week Season of Creation by calling on the faithful to step away from the frenzy of daily life to 'hear the melodious voice of creation,' stressing that 'it is not yet too late' to repair humanity's relationship with the environment."

To access a media report on the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation, please visit:

USCCB: Pope Leo says 'It is not yet too late' to care for creation 

Reflection Starter from Pope Leo XIV

"In the Gospel of the Day (cf. Mt 18:21-35), Jesus reminds us that gift and forgiveness are the foundation of our existence. All things are given to us by God out of pure love, and none of us can claim to be perfect in responding to such goodness. For this reason, gratuitousness - which is the source of our existence - is also the best rule for our life together." - Pope Leo XIV

André Rieu and Mirusia: "Memory"

As this blessed week draws to a close, I offer this version of André Rieu and His Johann Strauss Orchestra and Mirusia Louwerse presenting "Memory" (from Cats):

 

Thank You, Lord

Thank you, Lord, for Your constant presence with us.

Fr. Jack Kolodziej, OSFS, on God Being with Us

"Twenty-five years ago, I was a young priest beginning my second year as campus minister at Salesianum School in Wilmington, DE, when the terrorist attacks happened around the country on 9/11/01. Younger people who only know that day from history lessons and television scenes may think it was pure chaos and confusion. This was certainly true for most of the day. A fear that the attacks might continue, the uncertainty of the loss of life, and the threat of the unknown were powerful and palpable. Internet and phone outages throughout the day only added to the anxiety.

"However, by evening there seemed to be an awareness that the worst was over. The reality of that terrible day was settling in, but so was a sense of unity, a witness of faith, and a strong hope for peace. . . ." 

In a recent commentary, Father Jack Kolodziej, OSFS, reflected on the truth that in spite of many forms of darkness, God is and remains with us.

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

De Sales Weekly: Provincial Reflection: God Is With Us (10 SEP 26)

Reflection Starter from St. Francis de Sales

"Let the world turn upside down, let everything be in darkness, in smoke, in an uproar - do not fear, for God is with us." - Saint Francis de Sales

Happy Anniversary, Myrna!!!

As Myrna and I celebrate the 24th anniversary of our marriage, I offer this version of The Four Tops presenting"Reach Out (I'll Be There)