Memorial of Saint Joachim and Saint Anne, parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Today's Scripture

The prophets are known for their unusual metaphors and images. Today’s passage from Jeremiah is a great example of this. In today’s reading, the people of Israel are compared to a rotted loincloth. As a loincloth is an intimate garment, so the people of Israel ought to have clung closely to the Lord. But because they have removed themselves from God, they have become “good for nothing” (Jer 13:7). This is insulting to the Lord precisely because God desires intimacy with his people for their own benefit. This passage indicates that pride ought to come from dependency on God, not independence from God. The latter pride is a mistaken pride that amounts to nothing; in isolation from God, the pride itself rots. The pride that comes from a dependency on God is rather a form of humility. It is a pride that gives credit where credit is due, namely, to God, the creator, redeemer, and sanctifier – the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Today's Scripture

Parenting books often tell us that we ought NOT to give into our child, especially when the child is being particularly difficult, by throwing a tantrum, for example. The theory is that we, as parents, must be consistent in our parenting, and let our “no” mean “NO.” But most of us who are parents have had the experience of saying no only to find ourselves giving in within minutes. I remember once my husband had succumbed to our daughter’s wish for something, and when I asked him why, he explained, “Well, she REALLY wanted it!”