Coming Home: What It Means to Gather

Remember the last time you traveled somewhere? Most likely, you were excited about the experiences you would share with fellow travelers and the places you would go. As the People of God, we too are on a journey—a spiritual journey to the Kingdom of God.

Did you ever look around at Sunday Mass to discover just who your traveling companions are? Walking into church, we are part of an activity that is in progress. We are in the process of gathering as a people.

Some people use the gathering time before Mass exclusively for quiet prayer, while others might use some of that time to socialize in the narthex with fellow parishioners. Many people both exchange greetings and pray prior to Mass. The way that the faithful gather does not matter as much as who comes to the gathering. The people gathered at prayer arrive with many experiences of joy, heartbreak, and challenge.

On a recent Sunday, I reflected on those who were gathered. There was Shirlie, awaiting test results and word of further treatment for cancer. Sofia was soon to be off to New York to audition for Julliard and other colleges, and Joe was trying to stay sober one more day. Tom was eagerly anticipating retirement, and Jane was facing yet another week of trying to make ends meet. Ben and Laura, young and in love, were in the midst of planning their wedding, and Katrina and Rajeev were elated that after nearly twenty years of waiting, they will soon have a grandchild. These stories put flesh on what it means to die and to rise again. They are stories of pain and loss and joy and thanksgiving and hoping against hope.

Our gathering expresses the Paschal Mystery of Jesus Christ. His story of dying and rising is within each of us. Recognizing this, the liturgical documents emphasize the gathering of the assembly. The

Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, a document of the Second Vatican Council, states that Christ is present “when the Church prays and sings” (7). The General Instruction of the Roman Missal states that Mass begins “when the people are gathered” (120). These statements show that the Church holds that the gathered community has significance.

Before the first note is played or the first prayer uttered during the liturgy, our gathering is a holy event. The very gathering of the faithful is a sign of God’s presence in and solidarity with the world.

Five Minute Jesus

Using the Gospel for Prayer - Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

July 2, 2023

It’s simple. 1. Read the Gospel for the following Sunday, reflecting on the story it tells. 2. Reflect on the questions assigned for each day. 3. Make some resolutions about how what you read can be lived that day. 4. Then thank God for speaking to you through this reflection.

Gospel Matthew 10: 37-42

Jesus said to his apostles: “Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and whoever does not take up his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” “Whoever receives you receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me. Whoever receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and whoever receives a righteous man because he is a righteous man will receive a righteous man’s reward. And whoever gives only a cup of cold water to one of these little ones to drink because the little one is a disciple - amen, I say to you, he will surely not lose his reward.”

Monday

Was there something in the reading that spoke to me? Comfort me? Challenged me? What was it? Why did it have this effect on me?

Tuesday

In this Gospel, I am asked to become an agent, that is, a disciple of God. In doing so, I must accept. Therefore, I must acknowledge that sacrifice and suffering will be part of the journey. Do the choices I make in my life prove worthy of this Jesus? How do my choices show that following Jesus is worth everything?

Wednesday

Jesus was a cross bearer. He led the way. He carried the cross for me by divine love. In this Gospel, I am asked to lose my life for his sake to find my own. What do these words mean to me? How can I make myself worthy of Him?

Thursday

All actions for Jesus’ sake do not go unnoticed by an all-seeing Jesus. We have no need to keep our own account, to brag about our work. Through the power of the Holy Spirit praise will come from the Father. How do I not stroke my own pride and not seek the praise of men? How do I know that in serving others, I am serving Jesus?

Friday

This Gospel teaches us that Jesus is to be our life and our sufficiency. We find our identity in Him and not in the lesser things of nature. “We received without payment, give without payment” (Matt 10:6). How can I make God the forefront of my heart?

Saturday

Now, make one resolution about how what you have read today, lived today. Express a sentiment of gratitude to God the Father for your reflections on this Gospel today.