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It's All An Illusion!
Eigth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Year A
Matthew 6:24-34

One Day at a Time!
 
Upon Reflection:  As we continue with the Sermon on the Mount this week, it appears that according to Jesus, it all comes down to two ultimate choices: serving God or serving mammon. Now, “mammon” is a word that we today usually equate with money. But its meaning is deeper than that. In fact, mammon is like a god in itself – a god of power, wealth and control. Serving mammon means to be anxious about how much control we have over our own lives and therefore to spend all of our time trying to gain more and more of that control. The irony with mammon is that it is an illusion. It only gives the perception of power because ultimately God is in control of everything. So Jesus, in a sense, is saying that we cannot serve the illusion and serve God at the same time. Either we serve the Truth or we serve a lie.
 
Unfortunately, I think it is true that many of us still do not take Jesus’ words here very seriously. Not that we are all trying to get rich, but most of us, myself included, are constantly trying to control how we exist in the world by accumulating and using the main source of perceived power in our society: money. We think that if we can just store up enough, we can have some kind of control over our lives. It’s no wonder Jesus questions the faith of his disciples (“O you of little faith”). They were probably just like us!
 
Therefore, Jesus points out to his disciples (then and now) that it is all a lie. All things pass away – ALL THINGS. He points to nature, as he often does, to show us how absurd it is to serve mammon. The birds in the sky and the lilies of the field are not anxious about controlling their future, yet God provides for them. Why on earth should we think for one moment that God would not provide for us? So this is Jesus’ way of articulating the very simple and popular teaching: Live one day at a time. Live in the here and now because that’s where God lives!

                    - Fred T. Mercadante (Speaking of Scripture - www.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: Sacraments of Vocation.  This Week's Reflector:  Karen DiBenedetto
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
  • The Chocolate Fountain:  11:30 AM - 1 PM in DeNaples 2nd floor lobby
 Wednesday
  • Sacrament of Reconciliation:  11:30 AM in the Chapel of Sacred Heart
  • Ash Wednesday Masses:  12:05 PM, 4:40 PM and 8:00 PM in the DeNaples Ballroom
Thursday
  • Sacrament of Reconciliation:  11:30 AM in the Chapel of Sacred Heart
  • Mass:  12:05 PM & 7:00 PM in Sacred Heart Chapel
  • Stations of the Cross:  4:40 PM in Sacred Heart Chapel
  • 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
  • Poverty Simulation:  3:00 PM - 5:30 PM DeNaples Ballroom
  • Senior Retreat Begins:  Yeeyaya!
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:  What is Temptation, Really?
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 Facebook Page for More Details and Possible Change in Venue

 
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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