~~~SisterSea~~~

  Today's Gospel focuses on the Visitation, Mary's visit to Elizabeth.   The angel Gabriel told Mary that her cousin was pregnant, but he did not tell her to rush to her side.   The Gospel, however, tells us that “Mary set out and went with haste...”   She may have known that Elizabeth was the object of gossip because she was barren.   Could she have known that Elizabeth was lonely, with only Zachariah to talk to—and—that now in her pregnancy, she didn't even have that because Zachariah had become mute.   Perhaps Mary knew that their coming together would enable them to be compassionate companions for each other, each one a cure for the loneliness of the other.     Both women experienced alienation—Elizabeth during her long years of barrenness and Mary for being pregnant before marriage.   Yet they acknowledged that their pregnancies were gifts from God.   Earlier in the Gospel Luke tells us that Elizabeth said, “This is what the L...

  Choices Today’s readings speak to me of choices.   What do we want to follow the promises of princes of empire or the promises of the Prince of Peace?   How do we want to live, in the fear of scarcity or in love-fueled hope?   Each of these choices call for action from us.   Will we choose wisely?   I n the section of the Book of Baruch, prior to today ’s reading, the prophet first tells the people they are in exile as God’s punishment for their disobedience but then begins to tell them they will be delivered.   Today’s reading is a continuance of God’s assurance that the people of Israel will be able to shed their widow’s weeds and weeping veils and “ put on the splendor of glory from God, wrapped in the cloak of justice from God” .   Today’s Psalm speaks of the former captives rejoicing upon their return home and watching others returning home.   These two readings show the difference between the reign of empire and the reign of G...

 Homily Starter for October 17, 2021 This homily starter is an update to a previously posted homily.   Today I look at Jesus’ example of priesthood as a call to us to live what we are baptized into.   We are all baptized as priest, prophet and king.   In the first reading we are told that through the work of the Suffering Servant, the will of God shall be accomplished.   The Psalm tells us that God loves what is just and what is right.   In the second reading, we hear Christ, as High Priest, is not unsympathetic to our weaknesses because he, too, has been tested in every way yet without sin.   That is, Jesus was subject to the same temptations as us.   Although he did not succumb—he understands when we do.   Further that he is always there, an example through his words and deeds to give us help.    Today's readings tell us that doing what is just and right may entail suffering and to follow the gospel, we do need help.   ...