So let's talk about today's readings 6/2/09

[cheeto1]

usccb.org/nab/today.shtml

2 things on the first reading. First of all, “My face was uncovered because of the heat”. Was it customary back then to cover up your face when you laid down
outside, as long as it wasn’t too hot?
Next, why was Tobit angry? Was it because he really thought his wife was a thief,
or is there another reason?

In today’s psalm, it says that a man who fears the Lord, will not fear evil reports.
That made me think about the phone ringing at midnight. What if it’s bad news?
What if someone died? And what about the evil reports on the news? Did the man
who fears the Lord, not fear the evil reports of 9/11?

Today’s gospel has a special place in my heart, because it is the first time I noticed
the words in church. This is the very first line of scripture that ever struck me, and
stayed with me, “Give to Ceasar what is Ceasar’s, but give to God what is God’s”.
I will never be done thinking about this line. What if Jesus had one of our coins and
pointed out “in God we trust”? We will have to keep figuring out what is God’s and
what is Ceasar’s till the end of time…

Today is the day of Marcillinus & Peter, who were beheaded for their faith under
Diocletian. I noticed that this Diocletian had a lot of people killed. In the first reading
of their mass, it says “we prove we are servants of God by great fortitude in times
of suffering”

So what struck you about today’s readings? :twocents::bible1:

 

[daily_rosary]

I think the idea of trust is the thread that binds all three readings together. Things will work out for Tobit; he just doesn’t know it yet. We may not see where God is taking us, but we have to trust that it is His will that is guiding things. Sometimes this may involve us surrendering things of this world (possessions, health, friends, family, etc.). I have to admit that it’s easy for me to talk about trusting God, but it’s something I want to work on in myself. I tend to be an anxious person even though I haven’t had any major catastrophes or losses in my life. I can imagine that this kind of thinking would be really difficult for someone who’s actually experiencing a major upheaval or health issue in his or her life.

 

[AndyF]

cheeto1:

Just a couple of notes.

“Fear of the Lord” means Faith in scripture.

If memory serves me, I believe that Peter was crucified upside down by his own request because he felt he would dishonor Christ by suffering in the same manner.

Andy

 

[cheeto1]

cheeto1:

Just a couple of notes.

“Fear of the Lord” means Faith in scripture.

If memory serves me, I believe that Peter was crucified upside down by his own request because he felt he would dishonor Christ by suffering in the same manner.

Andy

Thanks for those notes…

Gee, I have faith in scripture, yet I fear evil news when it comes…

On Peter, I wasn’t going to bring that up that he requested that himself, because
that’s a whole 'nother question (and it goes on May 29 readings): How did he think of that idea? How in the world did he think up that request? Had anyone ever been crucified upside-down before? Is it worse to be crucified upside down? I have also read that Peter’s wife was being led away to be executed too, and he said to her, “remember the Lord dear”. That’s what we have to do. When we suffer, we think of ourselves. But if only we remember the Lord!

 

[cheeto1]

I think the idea of trust is the thread that binds all three readings together. Things will work out for Tobit; he just doesn’t know it yet. We may not see where God is taking us, but we have to trust that it is His will that is guiding things. Sometimes this may involve us surrendering things of this world (possessions, health, friends, family, etc.). I have to admit that it’s easy for me to talk about trusting God, but it’s something I want to work on in myself.

Yes I think you’re right. But have you got any ideas on how to work on trusting God
more? I think about the idea when I see a little 2 or 3 year old, calm in their mother’s
arms.

p.s. - do you pray the rosary daily?

 

[AndyF]

cheeto1:

Without getting into too much detail, my guess is most stress would be placed on the legs/feet and hands, and less difficulty would be encountered in breathing, but that would be offset by the effects of continuous circulation on the brain due to prolonged invertion. Anyway, the choice is consistent of what we know about Peter and his love for Christ, that even at this time when one would normally be occupied with the anxiety of one’s predicament, his first thought is not offending another person.

About his wife, that’s new to me, interesting.

Andy