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Get the "Who" Right and the "What" Will Follow!
Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Year A
Matthew 5:17-37

Write it on Your Heart!
 
Upon Reflection:  At first glance of today’s Gospel, Jesus appears to be somewhat of a puritan. I mean, if we were to take his words literally, we’d all be going to confession every time we get angry. We’d also be walking around with no hands and no eyes. Millions of people would be stuck in unhappy, unloving, and nonlife giving marriages, and all those boy scouts who have taken oaths would be in the wrong all because of a literal interpretation of Jesus’ words according to Matthew (who, by the way, never even met Jesus of Nazareth).
 
That is why a second and a third glance is necessary when reflecting on today’s Gospel. Take a step back and try to see what Jesus is doing. He is trying to teach his disciples through hyperbole to not just obey the Law (like the scribes and Pharisees), but to live the Law – to understand on a body level what the spirit of the Law is getting at. Jesus says, “You have heard it said…” (the Law), “But I say…” (the spirit of the Law). There is more to living in God’s image than simply following rules, even if they are God’s rules.
 
As Pope Francis once preached in a homily: “We think that being Christian means doing this, or doing that; but it is not so: Being Christian means allowing oneself to be renewed by Jesus in this new life. ‘I am a good Christian, I go to Mass every Sunday from 11 til noon, I do this, I do that’. . . as if it were a collection. But the Christian life is not a collage of things. It is a harmonious whole, harmonious, and the Holy Spirit does it! He renews all things: He renews our heart, our life, and makes us live differently, but in a way that takes up the whole of our life.”
 
So of course, we need to check our anger to make sure that it does not turn into the kind of rage and vengeance that destroys life. Of course we need to check our infatuations to make sure that we are not sexually objectifying others because that never leads to life. Of course we need to think of and treat marriage as a sacred bond between two people whose union illuminates God’s grace before we enter into it, even if we know that we can always legally get out of it through divorce. Of course we should all be truthful all the time which would render taking oaths unnecessary. This is what the Gospel is getting at this week, and yes, we can even apply it to our own religion today. Can you hear Jesus saying?: “Don’t just blindly follow and obey the doctrines and the teachings of the Church. Know them in your heart, question them if you must, but ultimately live the Spirit of them in your life.”

             - Fred T. Mercadante (Speaking of Scripture, PastoralPlanning.com)
This Week in Campus Ministry
 
Sunday
  • Mass: 11:00 AM, 4:30 PM, 7:00 PM in Madonna della Strada Chapel
  • Dinner & The Gospel:  5 PM in the Faculty/Staff Dining Room 3rd Floor DeNaples.  Come break bread and break open the Word with us.  See flyer below.  This week's Theme:  Tradition.  This week's Reflector:  Tom Errigo
Monday
  • Sacrament of Reconciliation:  11:30 AM in the Chapel of Sacred Heart
  • Mass:  12:05 PM & 4:40 PM in Sacred Heart Chapel
Tuesday
  • Sacrament of Reconciliation:  11:30 AM in the Chapel of Sacred Heart
  • Mass:  12:05 PM & 4:40 PM in Sacred Heart Chapel
  Wednesday
  • Sacrament of Reconciliation:  11:30 AM in the Chapel of Sacred Heart
  • Mass:  12:05 PM & 4:40 PM in Sacred Heart Chapel
Thursday
  • Sacrament of Reconciliation:  11:30 AM in the Chapel of Sacred Heart
  • Mass:  12:05 PM & 7:00 PM in Sacred Heart Chapel
  • A Place at the Table:  Film & Discussion at 7 PM in Moskovitz Theater.  See flyer below.
  • Praise & Worship:  9 PM in Montrone All-Purpose Room (unless otherwise posted..see Facebook Page)
Friday
  • Sacrament of Reconciliation:  11:30 AM in the Chapel of Sacred Heart
  • Mass:  12:05 PM & 4:40 PM in Sacred Heart Chapel
  • Search 72 Retreat Begins:  Woo Hoo!
Saturday
  • Mass:  12:05 PM in Sacred Heart Chapel
Sunday
  • Mass: 11:00 AM & 4:30 PM & 7:00 PM in Madonna della Strada Chapel
  • Dinner & The Gospel:  5 PM in the Faculty/Staff Dining Room 3rd Floor DeNaples.  Come break bread and break open the Word with us.  See flyer below.  This week's Theme: Contemplation.  This week's Reflector:  Dan Perredo
See Facebook Page for More Details and Possible Change in Venue
Prayer is the place of refuge for every worry, a foundation for cheerfulness, a source of constant happiness, a protection against sadness.
                                                                       --St. John Chrysostom
 
If you’re in need of prayer or want to pray for someone else – just click onto blog prayer site here on campus!

https://blogs.scranton.edu/prayerchain
This retreat is led by a team of students

See display outside the Campus Ministry office for a registration.
Deadline is April 23.

Questions?  Concerns?  Snide Remarks?
Contact Fred Mercadante
See display outside CM office for a registration

Questions?  Concerns?  Snide Remarks?  Contact Fred Mercadante
See display outside CM office for a registration and a brochure
There are limited spots.  Deadline for application is May 1

Questions?  Concerns?  Snide Remarks?  Contact Fred Mercadante
Sunday Mass at Madonna della Strada Chapel
11:00 AM, 4:30 PM, & 7:00 PM
 
Daily Mass at Chapel of the Sacred Heart
Monday—Friday:  12:05 PM,  4:40 PM
Thursday at 7:00 PM (no 4:40 PM)
Saturday: 12:05 PM
 
Sacrament of Reconciliation M-F at 11:30 AM in the Chapel of the Sacred Heart
or by Appointment with a Jesuit on Campus (x7419 or campusministry@scranton.edu) 

 
Campus Ministry Office:
DeNaples 200

Center for Service & Social Justice
DeNaples 205B

Phone: 570-941-7419 / Fax: 570-941-4837
campus-ministry@scranton.edu 

Office Hours: M-F, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
After Hours:  4:30 PM - 10 PMish (depends on the day)
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