So let's talk about today's readings 6/3/09

[cheeto1]

usccb.org/nab/today.shtml

In today’s 1st reading, Tobit asks God not to punish him for his sins and those of his
ancestors. That’s not very fair to God. Tobit is the one who laid down under the bird’s
nest. Should God have then said, “Oh! The mighty and important Tobit has laid down
there! I must cease to allow the birds to poop!” And poor Sarah, who has her
servants basically say “go die!” (in my translation), did they say
this without cause, that she should pray to God for relief? The reading says she beat
them first. I will never understand why Sarah married the 2nd husband, let alone the
7th!

Today’s psalm says that God guides the humble to His way.
Yet when the opening line says “To You, O Lord, I lift my soul”, it doesn’t sound
humble. Does not God alone have power over our soul? It reminds me of that
bumper sticker, “God is my co-pilot”, when in reality, God is the pilot.

The reason today’s gospel is interesting because the Pharisees have thought of
the idea of resurrection. Yet when Jesus told His disciples He would rise from the
dead, it says, “they discussed among themselves what ‘rising from the dead’ might
mean”. Where did the Pharisees get the idea of resurrection from? Tobit and Sarah hadn’t thought of it when they prayed for death…

Today is the day of Charles Lwanga and companions, who were killed for their faith
by king Mwanga of Uganda. The first reading of his mass is from the book of
Macabees, describing the deaths of the seven brothers. Interestingly, the seven
brothers know about the resurrection too, saying “The King of the world will raise
us up”.

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

 

[JAGCath28]

I read the Gospel reading from the NAB. This is kind of a surface observation, but these verses were interesting to me:

23
At the resurrection (when they arise) whose wife will she be? For all seven had been married to her."
24
Jesus said to them, "Are you not misled because you do not know the scriptures or the power of God?
25
When they rise from the dead, they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but they are like the angels in heaven.

The other day, I was listening to the local Christian radio station (there isn’t a Catholic on FM station that I know of), and one of the bands were on talking about their song. Regards to the subject of their song, the leader said that many people often say that those who pass away before us are in Heaven looking down at us. He said that he doesn’t believe this is true and that he doesn’t believe the Bible teaches this. He said that he believes that our loved ones are too busy praising and worshipping to be concerned with us.

So, I found these verses interesting because I often wonder what it will be like when we do pass away (and God willing) are in Heaven…do we recognize each other? Does it even matter at that point? It seems here that Jesus might be in agreement with this guy because He tells us we will be like the angels. Our relationships on earth will not be like they are in Heaven.

 

[Beachcomber]

I think when the Scripture says, “To you, I lift up my soul,” it could mean that you are turning your attention to God. It didn’t impress me as being prideful. In the context of the psalm, the psalmist is acknowledging all that God has done and can do.

I also agree with you, cheeto, that the bumper sticker is silly. God really is the pilot and it does smack of pride to say the Almighty is just your co-pilot. Never really understood why people put that on a bumper sticker.

 

[cheeto1]

So, I found these verses interesting because I often wonder what it will be like when we do pass away (and God willing) are in Heaven…do we recognize each other? Does it even matter at that point? It seems here that Jesus might be in agreement with this guy because He tells us we will be like the angels. Our relationships on earth will not be like they are in Heaven.

I love thinking about heaven. Here are my thoughts… I do believe we recognize each
other in heaven. but the reason it almost doesn’t matter is because when we get there, we will have the power to love everyone as much as we love our parents,
children, and spouses. As far as the angels go, if they are rejoicing over one sinner
repenting, and we are with them, then I guess we could see that sinner repent too
and rejoice also. The reason we might not miss our loved ones is because their
time on earth will be like nothing to us. It would take less than the amount of time
than if your loved one went in another room for 5 minutes and then came back.
Would you miss them? Granted, if you were a baby, you might be broken hearted
for that 5 minutes, but the person who left the room already knows they are coming
right back so they are not the one in misery…

 

[cheeto1]

I think when the Scripture says, “To you, I lift up my soul,” it could mean that you are turning your attention to God. It didn’t impress me as being prideful. In the context of the psalm, the psalmist is acknowledging all that God has done and can do.

I can see what you mean. I think I was predisposed to looking for pride after seeing
how Tobit and Sarah were blaming God for their problems. Even in the gospel, when
they brought that coin to Jesus, they seemed to be saying, “We Jews are too good to
pay taxes to the likes of Ceasar”…

 

[JAGCath28]

I love thinking about heaven. Here are my thoughts… I do believe we recognize each
other in heaven. but the reason it almost doesn’t matter is because when we get there, we will have the power to love everyone as much as we love our parents,
children, and spouses. As far as the angels go, if they are rejoicing over one sinner
repenting, and we are with them, then I guess we could see that sinner repent too
and rejoice also. The reason we might not miss our loved ones is because their
time on earth will be like nothing to us. It would take less than the amount of time
than if your loved one went in another room for 5 minutes and then came back.
Would you miss them? Granted, if you were a baby, you might be broken hearted
for that 5 minutes, but the person who left the room already knows they are coming
right back so they are not the one in misery…

Those are comforting thoughts! Thank you!!!