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Special Mass for Vocations — Tuesday,
September 19, 2006
Based on: Hosea 2:16,
21-22 and Matthew. 16:24-27 (The readings for the Mass) |
"And in that day, says the Lord, you
will call me, 'My husband,' and no longer will you call me, 'My Ba'al.'
(Hosea 2:16)
"And in that day, says the Lord, I will answer the heavens and they
shall answer the earth; and the earth shall answer the grain, the wine,
and the oil, and they shall answer Jezre'el."
(Hosea 2:21-22)
"Then Jesus told his disciples, "If any man would come after me, let
him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would
save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake
will find it. (Matthew 16:24-27) |
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+The texts from the prophet Hosea and the gospel of Matthew may seem
disconnected at a first impression but a closer look leads me to think of them
as deeply related. Jesus saying
that one must die to himself or herself in order to follow him is a lot like the
Lord saying to
his people “I will allure her I will lead her into the desert and speak to her
heart.”
The experience of losing one’s life in order to find it is not about a
decline in our faculties but something that is to take place every day of our
Christian lives as we die to our own interests and live for God and the good of
others. To be espoused in “right and justice, in love and mercy” is to allow the
Christ life to shine in our lives, to live in the love he has so wonderfully
shown us. This love is what greatly increased the Church in its infancy. It is
the love that will increase religious and priestly vocations among us today. All
we may really have to do is allow Him to speak to our hearts.
Michael Casagram, OCSO
Abbey of Gethsemani
September 19, 2006
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Contact information:
Mailing Address
LCG, PO Box 503, Oxford, OH 45056
E-mail: info@laycisterciansofgethsemani.org
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