The BreadCast

(Is.66:10-14c; Ps.66:1-7,16,20; Gal.6:14-18; Lk.10:1-12,17-20) "The Lord's power shall be known to His servants." Paul states: "May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ." Jesus instructs: "Rejoice because your names are written in heaven." The bottom line is that "the laborer deserves his payment." The prosperity of Jerusalem shall flow "like a river" over those who work as laborers in the field of the Word of God: "peace and mercy" shall be to the "Israel of God." All "who were mourning over her," all who have suffered the indignity of the cross in this exile of ours, shall indeed rejoice as they "suck fully of the milk of her comfort" in the heavenly kingdom which the Lord brings to us this day. Indeed, "let us rejoice in Him. He rules by His might forever." And we share in His reign who serve Him now beneath the shadow of the cross. Satan falls now "like lightning from the sky"; we "tread upon serpents and scorpions," crushing them underfoot by the power the Lord gives us as we tread this earth in His Name. Sent forth with nothing, we have everything, for He is with us who provides from the throne of heaven. "As nurslings" we are carried in the arms of the New Jerusalem "and fondled in her lap." "As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you," the Lord assures us; and indeed in the cross we bear, "the marks of Jesus" on our bodies, we find the open gate that leads to the house of peace: the wounds themselves are the doorway. "The kingdom of God is at hand for you," my brothers and sisters. I proclaim it in your hearing this day. "Peace" and the "grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers and sisters." Peace be to your house. You shall know His peace and find His healing as you accept His sweet cross upon your backs. "When you see this, your heart shall rejoice and your bodies flourish like the grass"; for in that day you shall be a "new creation." You will say with Paul, "The world has been crucified to me, and I to the world," and you will make your abode in heaven. That day is upon you now, brothers and sisters. Heed the Lord's call to go forth as lambs in the midst of wolves, and you shall find His incomparable blessing of the peace which passes all understanding – you shall come into His kingdom. "Hear now, all you who fear God, while I declare what He has done for me." For me "He has changed the sea into dry land" and by the blood of His cross cleansed these feet to which the dust did once cling, that I might enter heaven. Walk now in His power, I beg you, children of the Lord. "The harvest is abundant." Let us go forth laboring and eating of this Bread. Written, read & chanted, and produced by James Kurt. Music: "Beauty Is in the Eye of the Beholder" from Listening to the Lamp, ninth album of Songs for Children of Light, by James Kurt. ******* O LORD, may your Spirit guide us on the road to the Cross. YHWH, how shall we be fit for your kingdom? How shall we give ourselves as we must to your will? Help us to leave all behind and never turn back to it. Help us to follow your Son even to the Cross. For if you do not help us, we shall falter on the way. Without your grace we shall not have the light and strength we need. O LORD, our spirit is willing to follow you, but how weak is our flesh. How concerned we are about the things of this earth! And so your Son must be severe with us, for how else shall we break the yoke of slavery to sin? Without His sharp Word we would linger in complacency all our days. O let the ties that bind us to this world be cut and we be free to walk with Jesus in utter service and love! May the fire of your Spirit be upon us to burn away all attachment to sin. Be our sole refuge, dear God, that no corruption we shall know but remain at your right hand forever.

(Gn.27:1-5,15-29; Ps.135:1-6; Mt.9:14-17) "Pour new wine into new wineskins, and in that way both are preserved." "Jacob." The name means "the supplanter". Here he supplants his twin brother, Esau, whose name means "red earth". Though born second, Jacob receives the blessing of the firstborn. Of what significance is this supplanting, is this blessing of Jacob, who is to be "Israel", and from whom the twelve tribes shall proceed? Far more than some sibling rivalry, it shows the coming of the New Covenant of the spirit which shall supplant the Old of the flesh. It is not the will of Isaac to bless Jacob; his love is for Esau – who before this time has forfeited his birthright to Jacob in order to feed his hungry belly. But Isaac is blind. He is blind because he, too, is a natural man, a man of the flesh seeking to feed his belly. And so the Lord inspires Rebekah to intercede, to see that His will is accomplished. Notice please the words of Isaac when Jacob comes to him dressed in the hairy skin of a beast and the clothes of Esau: "Although the voice is Jacob's, the hands are Esau's." Indeed, the voice is of the spirit; the skin he feels is of the flesh. And the Word must go to the word, the Spirit to the spirit; and so it is Jacob who must receive the blessing, despite the will of Isaac. And how is Isaac brought to do the Father's will? He is deceived by his own preoccupation with the flesh, with the old wineskin. Upon eating his fill, and drinking his fill of the old wine, he is blinded further. And smelling the clothes of Esau he is inspired to pronounce his blessing. But what Esau possesses in his clothes, Jacob holds in his spirit – this fragrance is that which rises to the nostrils of the Lord. And it is His will which must be done. He chooses the spiritual man. And in our gospel, too, we see the blindness of the natural man in his preoccupation with the flesh. John's disciples, like the Pharisees – whose stomachs growl from fasts in which they find no blessing – looked jealously upon the disciples of Jesus, who do not have to endure the penance which is so tedious to these men removed from the Spirit. But in Jesus is the blessing of the Spirit, reflected in God's choosing of Jacob, here fulfilled in the sight of men whose eyes need yet to be opened to its grace. The new wine is of the Spirit of God, brothers and sisters; we drink it each day in the blood of Christ. Let it not be poured into skins that yet look upon the world with eyes of flesh; rather, be made new as it calls you to be, and preserve your soul unto heaven. It is the Spirit which gives life; the flesh is of no avail. ******* O LORD, may the new wine of the Spirit be upon us to bless us, always. YHWH, you have chosen Jacob for yourself; you do what you will. All goes well with Israel, for you have blessed him. The man of the Spirit is your favored Son, while the man of the flesh finds his birthright gone. Into new wineskins let your blessings be poured, O holy LORD. Make us new in your presence this day that the blood shed by your Son may be our own. Let us drink of this New Covenant, anointed by your Spirit, and we shall live forever in your sight, blessed as Jesus with whom we become one. Praise you, LORD, mighty God! Praised be to your holy NAME! For all is done in your will, despite our many shortcomings. You are great in Heaven and on earth and lead your chosen ones by your mercy. Let us not take refuge in the things of the flesh but rejoice ever in the Holy Spirit, even on this day of fasting.

(Gn.23:1-4,19,24:1-8,62-67; Ps.106:1-5; Mt.9:9-13) "In his love for [Rebekah] Isaac found solace after the death of his mother Sarah." And of this love Jacob shall be born; and from him shall come the twelve tribes of Israel, who shall people the earth as the fulfillment of the promise to Abraham. Sarah had died and "Abraham had now reached a ripe old age." Now conscious of his mortality, Abraham sets his sights firmly on his son and his coming progeny. Now with great resolve he sets to seek a wife for Isaac, telling his servant as he sends him to his people: the Lord "will send His messenger before you, and you will obtain a wife for my son there." And Abraham's faith in God's promise is rewarded, as the servant is led directly to Rebekah. And how inspired is the meeting of Isaac and Rebekah. We are told they are both looking about for one another, and seem to recognize each other immediately, even from a great distance. Indeed, they are brought together by God to fulfill His promise to Abraham. Notice in our gospel that Jesus seems to be looking around as well: "As Jesus moved about, He saw a man named Matthew at his post where taxes are collected." Like Abraham, Jesus, too, is concerned for His progeny, for those who will follow Him – those who will bring His promise of salvation forth when He has returned to the Father. And He chooses Matthew as an apostle to follow Him. And notice Matthew's response to Jesus' call: "Matthew got up and followed Him." It seems here, too, the love is mutual, that Matthew, too, has been looking about for the Lord, and that the two are drawn together by the Father to ensure the fulfillment of the covenant with His Son. And Jesus, who has just come from public forgiveness of sin, seems not so much to be speaking to the Pharisees' complaining of His eating with sinners, as to Matthew, whom He's calling to carry out His mission of teaching and healing, when He says: "I have come to call, not the self-righteous, but sinners." The word goes forth. The promise is sure. It comes to us even this day. The Lord provides for its care and will see it through to its fulfillment. In each one of us His salvation is at work even now. Brothers and sisters, mourn not so much for the sin which troubles your heart as you accept the Lord's solace and rejoice in His mercy. With the psalmist, say to the Lord: "Visit me with your saving help, that I may see the prosperity of your chosen ones." Amen. ******* O LORD, call our sinful souls into your loving arms, that in death we may be comforted. YHWH, how good you are to your inheritance; how you favor your people with your blessing. How you watch over us and lead us to the accomplishment of your will, to finding prosperity in your presence. We are but weak and sinful men, and yet you call us to sit at table with your Son in the kingdom, yet you call us to be your disciples and carry your Word forth. O let your mercy indeed go forth to the ends of the earth! Help us, O LORD, to observe what is right, to do always what is just in your sight. Help us ever to follow in your way and be obedient to your command. For what is your command to us but love itself; where does it lead but to your side? We are sick, desolate and alone, but you would heal us by your grace. And so you send your only Son to serve your will, to make us as your holy Bride.

(Gn.21:5,8-20; Ps.34:7-8,10-13; Mt.8:28-34) "When the afflicted man called out, the Lord heard, and from all his distress He saved him." Ishmael is the model of the afflicted man calling out to the Lord and being heard in all his distress. His very name means "he whom God hears" and indeed we see clearly today how, though "it is through Isaac that descendants shall bear [Abraham's] name," nonetheless, the Lord has pity on Ishmael and his plight – his rejection by the mother of the promised child and his wandering in a trackless waste – and declares that of him a "great nation" shall come. Indeed he is left to die by his mother, so desperate had their situation become; but upon the child's crying out, the Lord hears and sends His angel to assist them and assure them of the boy's future greatness. Ishmael is a son of Abraham; though born of a slave woman, yet "he too is [Abraham's] offspring," and so for this the Lord takes special care to watch over him. For God has chosen Abraham to be the father of many nations and does not wish to see His blessed patriarch distressed. We have already seen how God has heard the prayer of Abraham for Lot; now we see the same regarding Abraham's concern for Ishmael. We must, brothers and sisters, understand whence our own blessing comes. We are spiritual sons of Abraham, of Moses, of David… but most particularly we are children of Jesus and His apostles, the Church. A far greater intercessor have we in the Son of God Himself, so let us not be afraid to cry out to Him in our need. For if God heard the prayers of Abraham, how much more will He hear the prayers of His Son? And if God watched over the kin and offspring of the blessed patriarch, how much more concern does He have for the children of light born of the blood of Jesus Christ? Our confidence must be sure in Him, for He cannot help but hear our prayer. Indeed, our gospel tells us that when "the demons kept appealing to Him," even them He heard and granted their plea. If the Lord hears such as these, how can we even begin to doubt His presence to us? Now let us not be afraid to come to Him. Let us not be like the inhabitants of that Gadarene territory who found the Lord too much to bear and "begged Him to leave their neighborhood." Let us not think in our hearts coming to Him we will die, that His light is simply too bright. No. He calls us as children to take refuge in Him. It is His desire to bless our days. Turn not away from Him, for as David sings for us, "Those who seek the Lord want for no good thing"; He hears and answers all our cries. ******* O LORD, you have power to bless and to save; you have pity on every poor man, and so, let us not be afraid to cry out to you. YHWH, you cannot help but answer our cries; your Son cannot turn his back on those in need, those who plead for His mercy. For you are love and mercy itself, and your compassion knows no bounds. And so, the son of the slave girl you bless, and even respond to the demons' request. And will you not hear us when we call to you, LORD? Should we doubt your concern for our well-being? Every afflicted soul you would save from distress, if he would but your mercy seek. For this grace let us praise you, LORD; let us not turn away from you in fear. For our sins you would wipe away, remembering them no more. Be with us now and let us grow in you. Let us remain with you forever, your blessing upon us all our days. O let us prosper in your love, in your holy presence.

(Gn.19:15-29; Ps.26:2-3,9-12; Mt.8:23-27) "Even the winds and the sea obey Him." "The Lord rained down sulphurous fire upon Sodom and Gomorrah," and "without warning a violent storm came up on the lake, and the boat began to be swamped by the waves." The Lord saved Lot from the destruction of Sodom, and Jesus calmed the winds and the sea, saving the disciples; but how little faith either showed in His power. Lot seems oblivious to the annihilation about to be wrought by God, hesitating to flee even at the urging of angels. Indeed, he is brought from that place only by force and "by the Lord's mercy," by all appearances deserving to be swept away with the others in their sin. Then upon being carried the greater part of the way, he is too tired to complete the salvation the Lord has begun. And as for the apostles, they quickly dissemble at the threat of the elements, forgetting entirely in whose hands all these forces rest. Indeed, where Lot fails in proper fear for his own protection, the disciples are filled too greatly with concern for their mortal lives. Neither has the holiness or faith necessary for eternal glory. "Gather not my soul with those of sinners," we should all cry out to the Lord, for indeed we all fall short of the glory of God; and if it were not for His mercy and protection, all would die in their sins. But He has the power to save us, and the kindness besides. Only let us not presume upon His mercy, nor fail to stand strong in His grace and faith. We have one greater than Abraham watching over us and interceding for us with God; let us no longer question His will for us or wonder who it is that controls the wind and the sea, the earth and the fire. Now we should know clearly that these obey Him, and that we must do the same. Brothers and sisters, can we say to the Lord with David: "Test my soul and try my heart"? Are we prepared to expose ourselves to His refining fire? Would we "walk in integrity" with this son of Jesse, crying out to the Lord, "Redeem me, and have pity on me." If we come to Him and lay our lives before Him, He will certainly enter in and preserve us from all distress. His voice shall resound about us and within us, calming the wind and the waves contending in our hearts. Remember that He has the power. Remember that He, only He, is alive. And by His grace He will save our lives. ******* O LORD, if we have faith, you will save us – however dark things may seem, your Word and your light are near. YHWH, how little faith we have. Even when your angel is with us, even with your Son in our boat, we doubt and fear. We cannot trust. We cannot be strong in the face of temptation, before the traps of the evil one. It is because we are concerned for our flesh that we fail to recognize the Spirit is all that matters, that we fail to realize you can do all things…. O help us to believe in you! Though we are weak and sinful, you reach out your hand to save us; you do all you can to bring us to safe haven, LORD. Yet there are those among us who, even while fleeing the destruction of this world, turn back to what is being abandoned and are destroyed. Why? Why are we so foolish? Why have we such attachments to what can only harm us? Why should we care for the things of this life? Your life awaits us, LORD. Let us come quickly to the kingdom, trusting in you.

O first of souls to shed blood, whose sacrifice began the great persecution, you indeed handed your bodies over to torture, to the mad king of this dark world, but everlasting reward you have gained for yourselves and for the Church; your robes washed clean in the blood of the Lamb, you served to nourish the growth of the people of God – pray your holy offering shall always be remembered, that the Church in this day and in all days may be blessed by your witness of faith, that you might light our path to Heaven until our crucified Lord returns again to gather all of faith and courage into His redeeming arms.

(Gn.18:16-33; Ps.103:1-4,8-11; Mt.8:18-22) "While the two men walked on farther toward Sodom, the Lord remained standing before Abraham." "Then Abraham drew nearer to Him…" A marvelous scene. First, as Abraham walks along with the Lord, we hear the Lord's thoughts. The Lord wishes to share His plans with him, not to act apart from His blessed one. He tells Abraham of the imminent destruction of Sodom, knowing he will be concerned for his kinsman, Lot. The Lord then stops and stands still, granting Abraham opportunity to speak. In great humility, but with the strength provided by God, he petitions the Lord. And the Lord is pleased to hear him. He is pleased that Abraham recognizes the justice of God, and He is satisfied with his fear in approaching Him: "I am but dust and ashes!" exclaims Abraham, and comes to each question with trepidation, pausing in silence before each to hear in that silence the Lord calling him to ask further. The Lord hears and answers his prayer to spare Lot. Evident in this scene is the psalmist's words: "Merciful and gracious is the Lord." How patient and kind and forbearing. How He desires that we draw near to Him and share in His will. And how forgiving is He: "He pardons all your iniquities… He redeems your life from destruction." For Lot He shall spare from that evil land; indeed, to all who repent He shows His favor. His promise is sure. But we must come to Him in the humility of Abraham. We must not approach Him as does the scribe in our gospel, proclaiming so boldly and so foolishly his willingness to follow Jesus, yet knowing nothing of the glory of God and what following Him entails. Nor must we come so shakily as the disciple who makes excuses. Upon hearing of the difficulties, he attempts to put off following Christ for a time… There is but one time with God, and it is present, and it is now. We must come to Him in humility and find the strength His grace provides as He draws us to Himself. There is a time to speak, brothers and sisters – a time to speak and a manner of speaking. It is not right to speak until the Lord stops to listen. We must wait on Him and His grace. One does not burst into the court of a king unannounced proclaiming his loyalty to Him who sits on the throne. One waits until called and then pours out one's heart, trusting in the compassion of the Lord. It is His desire to share with us all His works. It is His pleasure to hear our good prayers. But let us realize to whom we speak and come in true faith and humility; and He will hear and answer all our petitions, and we will become sharers in His promised glory. ******* O LORD, in the Day of Judgment you will spare those who walk with your Son. YHWH, how kind and merciful you are, for you stop to listen to our prayers; you desire to share with us your plans. What are we but dust and ashes? And yet you make us your own sons and shower your blessings upon us. Be so kind as to answer our call to save all those in need. Your Son you send to us, LORD, to walk among us and lead us to you, our Father in Heaven. And so, all things of this earth we must leave behind if we are to walk in His way, if we are to rest with you in the heavenly kingdom. But we are weak, dear God, so weak and so blind. We know not what it is you ask of us, and are afraid to come to your side. Draw us unto you, LORD, in your kindness; in your compassion help us to approach you with our plea. Without your help we shall not find the salvation you wish to share with us poor creatures. Without your grace we cannot follow your Son.

O most blessed apostles of the Lord upon whom the Church is founded and the faith goes forth, in you we cannot be shaken and the Lord's reign extends to the ends of the earth – pray we always take refuge in His House and in the teaching of His mouth. It is you who preserve the authenticity of the faith; through you we may be assured the Spirit of God is with us, leading us out of the dark prison of this world along the narrow path to Heaven. Pray the chains fall from our hands and we heed the angel's command, remaining faithful to the end, pouring out our lives like a libation. Feed the poor sheep in your care.

O Sanctuary of the Father, Temple of the Holy Spirit, Mother of the Son of God who carried Him in your womb and contemplated Him in your heart – how shall we find Jesus within us; how shall we become the temples of the Spirit the Lord calls us all to be if you do not pray for us, if we are not formed in your womb, in the love with which you are blessed? Hold us in your soul, dear Mother, that our spirits might join with your own and we might thus become one with our Lord and brother. In us also let Him make His home.

O great teacher of the Catholic faith who served to set a foundation upon which she could grow in peace and in truth, in the Spirit of God, you who valiantly defended her against attacks of heresy and shed your blood in the battle – pray we shall find shepherds today to explicate the faith of the apostles as clearly and loyally as you have done, that none shall be led astray into false doctrine by whim and fancy, by pride and envy, but drink rather the pure milk of our Mother and of the one true God. To vision of the Father let us come by revelation of His only-begotten Son.