Mary Duff and Daniel O'Donnell: "Whispering Hope"

As we continue to live this week, I offer this version of Mary Duff and Daniel O'Donnell presenting "Whispering Hope":

 

Anniversary Blessings, Nicki and Justin!!!

Anniversary greetings to niece Nicole Rioux and her husband Justin, whose wedding anniversary is today!!! May this day, and each day of the upcoming year, be filled with the Lord's choicest blessings!!!

Thank You, Lord

Thank you, Lord, for the blessing of opportunities to offer acts of kindness.

Daniel Esparza on Improving Mental Health via Acts of Kindness

"There comes a point - usually sometime in your 40s, sometimes earlier, sometimes later — when the body stops being forgiving. The diet that worked at 30 stops working. Sleep becomes a discipline rather than a default. Exercise moves from optional to necessary. Most people accept this without much argument. The body's needs are visible and undeniable, and our current culture has enough language for them. . . ."

In a recent commentary, writer/scholar Daniel Esparza reflected on how body and mind and spirit are one thing, and what damages one damages all ("Neglecting your mental health is not virtue or strength. It is poor stewardship of the person God made.") and on how acts of kindness toward others proved more effective than cognitive-behavioral exercises in one study: "people who focused on someone else’s problems improved more than those who focused on their own."

To access Mr. Esparza's complete post, please visit: 

Aleteia: Daniel Esparza: Have you been neglecting half of your health? (28 JUL 26)

Reflection Starter from Samuel Johnson

"What we hope ever to do with ease, we must learn first to do with diligence." - Samuel Johnson

"The God of All Grace"

As we continue our Sunday celebration, I offer this version of "The God of All Grace" by Ricky Manalo, CSP:

 

Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Today the Church celebrates the Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time. The assigned readings for the Mass during the day are 1 Kings 3:5, 7-12; Romans 8:28-30;and Matthew 13:44-52. The Responsorial Psalm is from Psalm 119 (Psalm 119:57, 72, 76-77, 127-130).

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

YouTube: 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time: Psalm 119 - Lord I Love Your Commands [YEAR A]

The Gospel reading is as follows:

Jesus said to his disciples: "The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure buried in a field, which a person finds and hides again, and out of joy goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.  Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant searching for fine pearls. When he finds a pearl of great price, he goes and sells all that he has and buys it. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net thrown into the sea, which collects fish of every kind.  When it is full they haul it ashore and sit down to put what is good into buckets. What is bad they throw away. Thus it will be at the end of the age. The angels will go out and separate the wicked from the righteous and throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.

"Do you understand all these things?" They answered, "Yes." And he replied, "Then every scribe who has been instructed in the kingdom of heaven is like the head of a household who brings from his storeroom both the new and the old." 

Reflections related to these readings:

Community in Mission: Give Me Jesus - A Sermon for the 17th Sunday of the Year (25 JUL 26) 

Benedictine College: This Sunday, Only Those Who Search Will Find the Prize (23 JUL 26)

Word on Fire: What Life Is All About (Cycle A * Ordinary Time * 17th Week)

The Pilot: Echoes: Scott Hahn: Treasures of the kingdom (24 JUL 26)

Thank You, Lord

Thank you, Lord, for the blessing of community summer fairs.

Msgr. Pope on Three Words That Can Change One's Life

"Sometimes we like to complicate things. Every now and again it is good to simplify, to make it plain and simple. The other day it occurred to me that three words describe the well-being I have discovered in my physical, emotional, and spiritual life. They are, respectively, move, breathe, and trust."

In a recent commentary, Msgr. Charles Pope (pastor of Holy Comforter-Saint Cyprian Parish, Washington, DC) reflected on hope these three words - move (pertaining to the physical), breathe (to the emotional and psychological), and trust (to the spiritual) - can change one's life.

To access Msgr. Pope's complete post, please visit:

Community in Mission: Three Words That Can Change Your Life (26 JUL 26)

Reflection Starter from Pope Leo XIV

"While the consumer culture influences our tastes, constantly creating new needs only to sell us solutions that never satisfy, and that sometimes even poison the heart, we must learn to grasp what truly matters: the treasure of a relationship with God that opens us to joy and helps us to live our relationships with one another more fully." - Pope Leo XIV

Frank Sinatra: "Fly Me To The Moon"

As this blessed week draws to a close, I offer this version of Frank Sinatra presenting "Fly Me To The Moon":

 

Thank You, Lord

Thank you, Lord, for helping hands that unexpectedly assist us.