6th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Perhaps it wasn’t only our generation that bought into the lie that blessedness means material wealth and the absence of suffering? Jeremiah, the Psalmist and Jesus all go to considerable lengths to remind us the experience of blessing may coexist with poverty, pain, rejection, misunderstanding or longing. They even go so far as to suggest there is blessing in these uncomfortable and undesirable realities. Any time we catch ourselves thinking God has abandoned us because we are in pain, we have an invitation to return to the Beatitudes for an attitude adjustment. The woes Jesus speaks are not a curse but rather a warning. When we place our trust in material comfort, we build a house on shifting sand. We risk losing our faith in God, humanity and the world if we build a life on the false security of wealth, full bellies, or the constant expectation for happiness. Blessing is available in all seasons and experiences; we can put our faith in God’s promises.
Prayer of the Faithful: For the strength to receive God’s blessing in our suffering as well as in our joy, we pray to the Lord. (taken from Roman Catholic Diocese of Calgary Facebook page)
My child, I have chosen you by name. Because I have called you, I will equip you. Be not afraid and pull out into the deep.
By our baptism we are prophets, consecrated and appointed by the Lord to go out to the nations and speak His word, faithfully as He commands. Before we were formed in the womb, we were known by God. God has a plan for you, a destiny. Embrace it.
“The Old Testament prepares for the New and the New Testament fulfills the Old; the two shed light on each other; both are true Word of God” (CCC 140). When Ezra opened the book, the entire congregation stood up, praised God, lifted their hands in worship, then prostrated themselves before God, thus recognizing His presence among them through His Word. We replicate this act during the reading of the Gospel at Mass. Through 
At the start of Ordinary Time the Church places before us the New Eve. At Jesus’ first sign at Cana and then again at Jesus’ last sign at Calvary, is the Woman. Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of death.