AUGUST 18, 2017 | THELEAVEN.ORG
LOCAL NEWS TOOLS FOR FAMILIES Growing as Disciples of Jesus
Taking young children to Mass At Mass: Consider . . . • Sitting up front can feel scary but it makes a world of difference for little ones to be able to see the action. • If a child cries or makes continual noise, calmly step out of the pew and take the child out of the main assembly until they have calmed down or are quiet. Return to the worship space ARTWORK BY NEILSON CARLIN, 2015 as soon as they are quiet, so that children do not begin to associate poor or disruptive behavior with a pass to get out of Mass. SOURCE: STACEY & JOSH NOEM: FORYOURMARRIAGE.ORG
— Deacon Tony Zimmerman, lead consultant for the archdiocesan office of marriage and family life
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CHURCH OF THE WEEK
St. Bernard, Wamego Address: 17665 Old Post Rd., 66547 Phone: (785) 456-7869 Pastor: Father Michael Peterson Mass times: Saturday, 5 p.m.; Sunday, 7 a.m.; 10:45 a.m. Email: stbernard66547@gmail.com Website: www.saintbernardwamego.com MORE PHOTOS AND A VIDEO TOUR of this church can be seen online at: www.theleaven.org.
University of Saint Mary named a ‘Best Midwestern College’ LEAVENWORTH — The University of Saint Mary here is one of the best colleges in the Midwest, according to The Princeton Review — a distinction USM has now earned for 13 consecutive years. Inclusion on one of The Princeton Review’s regional “best of” lists honors schools for their commitment to academic excellence. USM was one of only 158 colleges to make the Midwestern region. The Princeton Review editors made their selections based on data the company collected from its survey of administrators at several hundred colleges in each region, as well as its staff visits to schools over the years and the perspectives of college counselors and advisers whose opinions the company solicits. The Princeton Review survey asks students to rate their colleges on several issues, from the accessibility of their professors to the quality of their science lab facilities, and answer questions about themselves, their fellow students and their campus life.
Mercy is anything but vague or abstract gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in love and fidelity” (Ex 34:6). God’s very nature is mercy and, because of lessed are the the covenant relationship, God’s merciful, for people are to become merciful they will be as well. Little wonder that the Pharishown mercy” sees are later criticized (Mt 23: (Mt 5: 7). 23) for their attention to the Twice in the Gospel of Mat- small things of the law such as thew, Jesus chides the leaders “paying tithes of mint and dill among the Pharisees to “go and and cummin,” while neglecting the weightier things, learn the meaning of “judgment, mercy the words, ‘I desire This is the and fidelity.” The mercy, not sacrifice.’” sixth column ministry of Jesus — In both instances, in a 10-part in fact, his very idenJesus uses a quote series. tity — makes it clear from Hos 6:6 about that mercy is a revemercy and sacrifice lation of God’s own to invite the Pharisees and all his listeners to reori- self. Pope Francis, in the book “The ent themselves, to focus on what truly matters rather than the ex- Name of God is Mercy,” says that ternal trappings of religious cus- mercy is “God’s identity card”; it’s God’s “most fundamental toms and rituals. In the first instance, Mt 9: nature”; it’s “the divine atti9-13, Jesus and his disciples are tude which embraces.” So God’s at table with “tax collectors and mercy is always moving toward sinners” in the home of Mat- embrace, always moving from thew. Such bad company causes attitude to action, from theory the Pharisees to question Jesus’ to relationship. Our lives must discretion. In a culture that mirror this same movement. The beatitude we find in Mt prizes honor and reputation, Jesus would be judged by the 5:7 blesses those who are mercompany he keeps. He is quick ciful and promises they will be to assure the religious leaders shown mercy. To be merciful rethat he prefers the company of quires action: the giving of comthe sick, those in need of a phy- passionate care to one in need, sician. In essence he is saying forgiveness to one who has done that the mercy of forgiveness is wrong, loving kindness to one who is lonely, correction to one essential. In the second instance, Mt who is lost, fidelity to one who 12:1-8, Jesus’ hungry disciples feels estranged, patience to one are picking grain on the Sabbath who is anxious and annoyed. Mercy is not a vague or aband, once again, the Pharisees seize on the opportunity to ques- stract concept, something that tion his judgment and wisdom. exists in principle but not in realAs their leader, how could Jesus ity. It comes in many forms, each allow his disciples to violate the Sabbath law? Jesus offers a history lesson about King David and his men violating a similar What Gospel story best rereligious law, providing another veals to you the kind of mercy opportunity for reorientation, that Jesus embodies? directing the Pharisees away When have you seen the from legalism toward the mercy church act as a messenger of of addressing human need. mercy to the community in The Gospel of Matthew relies which you live? What actions showed God’s mercy to the heavily on references and allularger community? sions to the Old Testament. It honors the covenant first made In what circumstances do you between God and the people find it most challenging to feel chosen as his own and shows merciful toward others? How do you pray about these cirthat Jesus himself is the fulfillcumstances? ment of that covenant. This covenant, made in the Sinai desert, When have you experienced revealed the God who was their God’s mercy? How did that exliberator. perience open you to become more merciful in return? When renewing the covenant, God identified himself in this This article was originally way: “The Lord, the Lord, a God published in Arkansas Catholic By Cackie Upchurch Director Little Rock Scripture Study
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STUDY QUESTIONS
of them acted out in the context of relationships. Throughout the Gospels, Jesus models this beautifully for us. He heals the blind and lame — not simply to restore their health, but to restore them to acceptance within a community. Jesus pays attention to those around him so that he feels the woman touch his garment and offers her healing (Mt 9:20-22), sees and speaks honestly and lovingly to the Samaritan who comes for well water in the heat of the day (Jn 4:4-26), notices the tax collector Zaccheus and chooses to dine with him (Lk 19: 1-10), invites the blind Bartimaeus to articulate his needs (Mk 10:46-52) and encourages those who are anxious by assuring them of God’s loving care (Mt 6:25-34). Jesus does not simply feel pity; he is moved with pity, moved with compassion, moved with mercy. If we are to be moved to act mercifully as Jesus was, we have no further to look than the relationships that already exist in our lives. Acting with mercy there will open up new possibilities elsewhere. Relationships are the place where mercy is planted and harvested.
July 15, 2017. Copyright Diocese of Little Rock.
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