An Invitation to Love and Pray

We are God's children now, so love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us. What a bold invitation in this week's readings. How great is the name of our God who calls us into that challenge! Fr. Dan Riley, ofm, shares a reflection about these readings from the shores of the Pacific Ocean in California before he begins a retreat in solitude.

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Reading:

Matthew 5: 38-48

Jesus said to his disciples:
“You have heard that it was said,
An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.
But I say to you, offer no resistance to one who is evil.
When someone strikes you on your right cheek,
turn the other one as well.
If anyone wants to go to law with you over your tunic,
hand over your cloak as well.
Should anyone press you into service for one mile,
go for two miles. 
Give to the one who asks of you,
and do not turn your back on one who wants to borrow.

“You have heard that it was said,
You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.
But I say to you, love your enemies
and pray for those who persecute you,
that you may be children of your heavenly Father,
for he makes his sun rise on the bad and the good,
and causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust.
For if you love those who love you, what recompense will you have?
Do not the tax collectors do the same?
And if you greet your brothers only,
what is unusual about that?
Do not the pagans do the same?
So be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect.”

Music:

• "How Great is Your Name" by Cyprian Consiglio (used with permission). Learn more about Cyprian.

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The Wisdom of Caves

As we're in the "tunnel" month of February, Dan Riley, ofm, invites us to the fullness of life even though caves may be around us at times. There's a fullness of life in Christ, to know that we're together in this world, which is a completion of vision and wisdom.

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Music:

• "Spirit in the Cave of Our Hearts" by Cyprian Consiglio (used with permission). Learn more about Cyprian.

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Listening First to Change the World

From a cold and snowy Mt. Irenaeus, Dan Riley, ofm, invites us to take time to listen -- to listen so that the spirit of freedom and new life enters us so we might re-enter the world and change it. Listening is transformative so we hear the call to follow, trust, get up and go make a difference.

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Readings:

Matthew 4: 12-23

When Jesus heard that John had been arrested,
he withdrew to Galilee.
He left Nazareth and went to live in Capernaum by the sea,
in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali, 
that what had been said through Isaiah the prophet
might be fulfilled:
Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali,
the way to the sea, beyond the Jordan,
Galilee of the Gentiles,
the people who sit in darkness have seen a great light,
on those dwelling in a land overshadowed by death 
light has arisen.
From that time on, Jesus began to preach and say,
“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

As he was walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers,
Simon who is called Peter, and his brother Andrew,
casting a net into the sea; they were fishermen.
He said to them,
“Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.”
At once they left their nets and followed him.
He walked along from there and saw two other brothers,
James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John.
They were in a boat, with their father Zebedee, mending their nets.
He called them, and immediately they left their boat and their father
and followed him.
He went around all of Galilee,
teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom,
and curing every disease and illness among the people.

Music:

• "With My Own Two Hands" by Cyprian Consiglio (used with permission).

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Listening Together in Solitude

Amid a persistent cold that does not want to leave, Dan Riley, ofm, welcomes us into quiet and moments of rich renewal. Psalm 40 describes waiting for the Lord, which led the Lord to "put a new song in my mouth." Fr. Dan's invitation to solitude will help us listen to what's happening in our lives, perhaps leading to new "songs."

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Readings:

Psalm 40

Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will.
I have waited, waited for the LORD,
and he stooped toward me and heard my cry.
And he put a new song into my mouth,
a hymn to our God. 

John 1: 29-34

John the Baptist saw Jesus coming toward him and said,
“Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.
He is the one of whom I said,
‘A man is coming after me who ranks ahead of me
because he existed before me.’
I did not know him,
but the reason why I came baptizing with water
was that he might be made known to Israel.”
John testified further, saying,
“I saw the Spirit come down like a dove from heaven
and remain upon him.
I did not know him,
but the one who sent me to baptize with water told me,
‘On whomever you see the Spirit come down and remain,
he is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’
Now I have seen and testified that he is the Son of God.”

Music:

• "Come Let Us Meditate" by Cyprian Consiglio (used with permission).

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Blossoms in Our Hidden Lives

Become fully alive, even in the midst of winter! Bulbs are starting to swell and stir amid the earth preparing to break through in the spring. How are we stirring in our lives? What's hidden in the underworld of our lives? Dan Riley, ofm, invites us to think about our place today and the love of God that surrounds us as he shares this reflection from New Mexico.

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Music:

• "The Love of God" by Cyprian Consiglio (used with permission).

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