Michele Kearney's Snuffysmith's Blog: June 2019

Sunday, June 30, 2019

I Have Cancer What Should I Do Now? - Catholic Life In Our Times

I Have Cancer What Should I Do Now? - Catholic Life In Our Times: A cancer diagnosis is never easy. It usually hits when we least expect it. Advice from someone who has been there, done that, can be especially helpful.

Saturday, June 29, 2019

Pacific Gas and Electric Company Responds to CPUC Investigation for 2017 Northern California Wildfires

Maryland Smith Expert Weighs PG&E Strategy to 'Unplug in a Crisis' and a 'Corporate Decision it got Right'

Maryland Smith Expert Weighs PG&E Strategy to 'Unplug in a Crisis' and a 'Corporate Decision it got Right': COLLEGE PARK, Md., June 28, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- California utility giant PG&E is putting to work a new strategy to keep its power lines from sparking the kinds of wildfires that have killed dozens across the state and leveled home after home. When fire risks are high, PG&E officials will simply pull

PG&E Accused of Disposing of North Bay Wildfire Evidence - NBC Bay Area

California regulators begin considering PG&E wildfire fines

Bishop Barron's Gospel Reflection June 29, 2019

Saturday, June 29, 2019

Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul

Matthew 16:13-19

Friends, today’s Gospel spells out the importance of Peter’s confession. For it is upon this inspired confession that the Church is built. Not, mind you, on popular opinion, which is shifting and indecisive, and not on personal holiness, which is all too rare. It is built upon the inspired authority of Peter—and I say, "thank God!"

We make this troubling and extraordinary claim that it is through a special charism of the Spirit that Peter and his successors govern the Church. Now, I realize that I have many Protestant readers and that this text has been, between Catholics and Protestants, a stumbling block. Let me clarify what is and is not at stake here.

What is the focus of Peter’s confession? It has to do with who Jesus is. This is the rock upon which the Church is built. We don’t say for a moment that all of Peter’s practical decisions are right, that everything he says is right. But we are saying that he is right about who Jesus is: a man who is also the Son of the living God. And this is the source and ground of the whole operation.

Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, Apostles - Mass during the Day
Lectionary: 591

Reading 1 Acts 12:1-11

In those days, King Herod laid hands upon some members of the Church to harm them.
He had James, the brother of John, killed by the sword,
and when he saw that this was pleasing to the Jews
he proceeded to arrest Peter also.
–It was the feast of Unleavened Bread.–
He had him taken into custody and put in prison
under the guard of four squads of four soldiers each.
He intended to bring him before the people after Passover.
Peter thus was being kept in prison,
but prayer by the Church was fervently being made
to God on his behalf.

On the very night before Herod was to bring him to trial,
Peter, secured by double chains,
was sleeping between two soldiers,
while outside the door guards kept watch on the prison.
Suddenly the angel of the Lord stood by him
and a light shone in the cell.
He tapped Peter on the side and awakened him, saying,
"Get up quickly."
The chains fell from his wrists.
The angel said to him, "Put on your belt and your sandals."
He did so.
Then he said to him, "Put on your cloak and follow me."
So he followed him out,
not realizing that what was happening through the angel was real;
he thought he was seeing a vision.
They passed the first guard, then the second,
and came to the iron gate leading out to the city,
which opened for them by itself.
They emerged and made their way down an alley,
and suddenly the angel left him.
Then Peter recovered his senses and said,
"Now I know for certain
that the Lord sent his angel
and rescued me from the hand of Herod
and from all that the Jewish people had been expecting."

Gospel Mt 16:13-19

When Jesus went into the region of Caesarea Philippi
he asked his disciples,
"Who do people say that the Son of Man is?"
They replied, "Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah,
still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets."
He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?"
Simon Peter said in reply,
"You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."
Jesus said to him in reply, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah.
For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father.
And so I say to you, you are Peter,
and upon this rock I will build my Church,
and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it.
I will give you the keys to the Kingdom of heaven.
Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven;
and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven."

Apple Moves Mac Pro Production to China from U.S.

Pope offers Chinese clergy a way to register with civil agency - The Boston Globe

Pope offers Chinese clergy a way to register with civil agency - The Boston Globe: The Holy See on Friday instructed Catholic clergy in China to profess loyalty to Catholic doctrine when signing a document, required by a new Chinese law, which obliges them to accept the principle of a state-sanctioned Catholic church that doesn’t recognize supreme papal authority to appoint bishops.

Supreme Court will decide on continuation of DACA - The Boston Globe

Supreme Court will decide on continuation of DACA - The Boston Globe: Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA, is a program that shields some 800,000 young, undocumented immigrants from deportation.

Music for the Dying - The Catholic Thing

Happy Birthday, America, Still Land of Dreams

Happy Birthday, America, Still Land of Dreams: Light the candles, tune the instruments, warm up the vocal cords, a very special day is upon us. It is time to celebrate a birth, a unique birth, and a birth that in many ways has lit human hope, k…

The Tulsi Effect: Forcing War Onto the Democratic Agenda | The American Conservative

American Missiles Found in Libyan Rebel Compound - The New York Times

New solar technology could produce clean drinking water for millions in need | Science | AAAS

New solar technology could produce clean drinking water for millions in need | Science | AAAS: Solar still produces 12 times the clean water of commercial versions

The Missouri River Basin could flood with every rainfall this summer in the Midwest - CNN

The Missouri River Basin could flood with every rainfall this summer in the Midwest - CNN: March storms in the Midwest caused significant damage to the levee system of the Missouri River and now any strong or frequent rainfall this summer could trigger flooding along the lower Missouri River, experts say.

California was warned about climate change 30 years ago. Now it's feeling the effects - Los Angeles Times

California was warned about climate change 30 years ago. Now it's feeling the effects - Los Angeles Times: A report issued in 1989 warned that California would see more droughts, floods, and fires under climate change. Those projections are now coming true.

Xi highlights China’s leading role in multilateralism at G20 - Global Times

The White House on Twitter: "President Trump had a trilateral meeting with Prime Minister Modi and Prime Minister Abe, followed by a bilateral meeting with PM Modi. Here is the readout:… https://t.co/OlMoVUIXqc"

The White House on Twitter: "President Trump had a trilateral meeting with Prime Minister Modi and Prime Minister Abe, followed by a bilateral meeting with PM Modi. Here is the readout:… https://t.co/OlMoVUIXqc": “President Trump had a trilateral meeting with Prime Minister Modi and Prime Minister Abe, followed by a bilateral meeting with PM Modi. Here is the readout: https://t.co/xE46ol5kqU”

What If Palestinians “Take the Money and Run?” – LobeLog

What If Palestinians “Take the Money and Run?” – LobeLog: by James J. Zogby I wasn’t at the “Peace to Prosperity” Summit, but I listened to some of the speeches and read the documents the White House produced for the event. Nothing that …

Pope Francis: ‘The Church is not an External Reality’

https://zenit.org/articles/pope-francis-the-church-is-not-an-external-reality/?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Pope%20Francis%20Cites%20Examples%20of%20Saints%20Peter%20and%20Paul%20at%20Mass%20on%20their%20Feast%20Day%201561824413%20ZNP&utm_content=Pope%20Francis%20Cites%20Examples%20of%20Saints%20Peter%20and%20Paul%20at%20Mass%20on%20their%20Feast%20Day%201561824413%20ZNP+CID_5b5af2a2c8731063667fd427ad79926e&utm_source=Editions&utm_term=Pope%20Francis%20The%20Church%20is%20not%20an%20External%20Reality

Honoring Popes (Even Alleged “Bad” Ones) as Persons | Dave Armstrong

Honoring Popes (Even Alleged “Bad” Ones) as Persons | Dave Armstrong: King David honored King Saul even though he was a scoundrel. St. Paul honored the high priest at his trial, St. Peter told us to "honor the emperor". Honoring popes is the same.

On Homelessness & Soup Kitchens (by my Son Michael: 19) | Dave Armstrong

On Homelessness & Soup Kitchens (by my Son Michael: 19) | Dave Armstrong: Dedicated to all who think that political conservatives & Republicans raise their children to be heartless, callous, bigots, who care nothing about homelessness & the less fortunate.

Friday, June 28, 2019

Closing Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant, 2009–2018: Decision-Making on Energy Investments Relevant to Climate Change | Case Studies in the Environment

Closing Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant, 2009–2018: Decision-Making on Energy Investments Relevant to Climate Change | Case Studies in the Environment: Modern economies cannot function without electricity, and production of electric power affects citizens in many ways, including climate change. Production of electricity requires investments that easily reach billions of dollars, and streams of investment capital must be perpetual to procure fuel, build and maintain plants, and transmit electricity to customers. This case study addresses whether a California decision relevant to investments about generating electricity adequately considered competing concerns. In 2009, Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E, a private, investor-owned utility) applied to renew the operating licenses of its two nuclear reactors at the Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant (the “plant”). By 2016, PG&E had decided not to seek license renewal and asked the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to approve a price increase for its electricity to pay for specified expenses in closing the plant, which generated 24% of PG&E’s electricity. Four environmental groups and two labor organizations supported PG&E, and CPUC approved most elements of PG&E’s plan in 2018. PG&E’s application generated considerable debate during the CPUC process, and multiple organizations

Liberalism Isn’t What It Used to Be

The values that made me a supporter of RFK in 1968 put me at odds with today’s progressives.

https://www.wsj.com/articles/liberalism-isnt-what-it-used-to-be-11561069996?mod=e2fb&fbclid=IwAR3b50LC0kl6Q5U8GTedCwKHZs5ByEFuLns6KEYoIWUqmqcNGbZFIw70vtM

PG&E Still Starting Blazes as a Fireproof Utility Proves Elusive - Bloomberg

PG&E Still Starting Blazes as a Fireproof Utility Proves Elusive - Bloomberg: Just a few weeks into California’s dry summer season, fires linked to PG&E Corp. have already started to break out.

PG&E Update: Utility Blamed For More Fires

PG&E Update: Utility Blamed For More Fires: PG&E is being blamed for more fires that started in June in California allegedly from the utility's equipment.

Gavin Newsom’s CA wildfire plan needs two-thirds vote | The Sacramento Bee

Gavin Newsom’s CA wildfire plan needs two-thirds vote | The Sacramento Bee: Gov. Gavin Newsom’s wildfire plan , unveiled in the Legislature as AB 1054, would require a two-thirds vote, according to the legislative counsel. Rolling over energy crisis fees is considered a tax.

This Fragile and Bankrupt Power Company has Much More Downside Risk | Speculators Anonymous

This Fragile and Bankrupt Power Company has Much More Downside Risk | Speculators Anonymous: Recently I’ve come across a positively asymmetric (low risk – high reward) opportunity via buying puts on a utility firm that’s recently entered bankruptcy. I’m talking about PG&E Corporation (NYSE: $PCG) – which is the holding company...

PG&E Wildfire Fines - CBS Sacramento

PG&E Wildfire Fines - CBS Sacramento: California regulators have begun proceedings to consider fines against Pacific Gas & Electric Co. for its role in a devastating series of 2017 wildfires.

California Public Utilities Commission opens new case against PG&E over 2017 wildfires

California Public Utilities Commission opens new case against PG&E over 2017 wildfires: New action against PG&E as the California Public Utilities Commission opens a case against the utility over the devastating 2017 wildfires.

PG&E faces fines, penalties over 2017 CA wildfires | The Sacramento Bee

PG&E faces fines, penalties over 2017 CA wildfires | The Sacramento Bee: The California Public Utilities Commission opened a “penalty case” against PG&E Corp. over the 2017 wine country wildfires. PUC fines utility $1.6 billion in San Bruno pipeline case.

PG&E Is Already Starting Fires Again, Just Weeks Into the Season

Bishop Barron's Gospel Reflection June 28, 2019

Friday, June 28, 2019

Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus

Luke 15:3-7

Friends, one feature of today’s Gospel passage is the craziness of the shepherd: “What man among you, having a hundred sheep and losing one, wouldn’t leave the ninety-nine and go after the lost one until he finds it?” Well, the implied answer is “No one.” Who would take that great a risk, putting the ninety-nine in danger to find the one? It’s just bad economics. Why would God fret over one little soul? Why would he bother?

Well, it’s his nature. It’s what he does. As Catherine of Siena put it, he is pazzo d’amore (crazy in love). God is as crazy for you as if you were the only one in the world.

Solemnity of Most Sacred Heart of Jesus
Lectionary: 172

Reading 1 Ez 34:11-16

Thus says the Lord GOD:
I myself will look after and tend my sheep.
As a shepherd tends his flock
when he finds himself among his scattered sheep,
so will I tend my sheep.
I will rescue them from every place where they were scattered
when it was cloudy and dark.
I will lead them out from among the peoples
and gather them from the foreign lands;
I will bring them back to their own country
and pasture them upon the mountains of Israel
in the land's ravines and all its inhabited places.
In good pastures will I pasture them,
and on the mountain heights of Israel
shall be their grazing ground.
There they shall lie down on good grazing ground,
and in rich pastures shall they be pastured
on the mountains of Israel.
I myself will pasture my sheep;
I myself will give them rest, says the Lord GOD.
The lost I will seek out,
the strayed I will bring back,
the injured I will bind up,
the sick I will heal,
but the sleek and the strong I will destroy,
shepherding them rightly.

Gospel Lk 15:3-7

Jesus addressed this parable to the Pharisees and scribes:
"What man among you having a hundred sheep and losing one of them
would not leave the ninety-nine in the desert
and go after the lost one until he finds it?
And when he does find it,
he sets it on his shoulders with great joy
and, upon his arrival home,
he calls together his friends and neighbors and says to them,
'Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep.'
I tell you, in just the same way
there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents
than over ninety-nine righteous people
who have no need of repentance."

Motives for Atheism - The Catholic Thing

Motives for Atheism - The Catholic Thing: David Carlin: There are many reasons why some people don’t believe in God. Here are fifteen, among which is a certain vision of freedom, libertinism.

I’m 20. I Have 32 Half Siblings. This Is My Family Portrait. - The New York Times

I’m 20. I Have 32 Half Siblings. This Is My Family Portrait. - The New York Times: I always knew I was conceived using a sperm donor. But I never really understood what that meant until I went searching for my brothers and sisters.

Desalination Is Booming as Cities Run out of Water

https://www.wired.com/story/desalination-is-booming-as-cities-run-out-of-water/?utm_campaign=the_download.unpaid.engagement&utm_source=hs_email&utm_medium=email&utm_content=74160513&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8N1Sn61t1s4-4X0_llgWbW8fZqdY9WvdtnTAxIG-AN9d4VvqVXlfpMu-M4Q70rm4DU37DcHqvsw8a01xc243m__hvHq4A_Q1N20VAq7ISPsXaXKKk&_hsmi=74160513

The biggest loser in the presidential debates: Planet Earth

Twenty Democratic candidates had a chance to tell voters why climate change should be America’s top political priority. They mostly blew it.

https://www.technologyreview.com/s/613896/the-biggest-loser-in-the-presidential-debates-planet-earth/?utm_campaign=the_download.unpaid.engagement&utm_source=hs_email&utm_medium=email&utm_content=74160513&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8N1Sn61t1s4-4X0_llgWbW8fZqdY9WvdtnTAxIG-AN9d4VvqVXlfpMu-M4Q70rm4DU37DcHqvsw8a01xc243m__hvHq4A_Q1N20VAq7ISPsXaXKKk&_hsmi=74160513

Saudi Crown Prince Meets World Leaders at G20 Summit | Asharq AL-awsat

Why Does the U.S. Protect the Strait of Hormuz? - The Atlantic

Why Does the U.S. Protect the Strait of Hormuz? - The Atlantic: “The United States has not been willing to walk away from the Gulf, so other allies may not step up to do anything because they know that if they don’t, the U.S. will.”

Scientists map huge undersea fresh-water aquifer off U.S. Northeast: Biggest such known formation; could signal resources worldwide -- ScienceDaily

Scientists map huge undersea fresh-water aquifer off U.S. Northeast: Biggest such known formation; could signal resources worldwide -- ScienceDaily: In a new survey of the sub-seafloor off the U.S. Northeast coast, scientists have made a surprising discovery: a gigantic aquifer of relatively fresh water trapped in porous sediments lying below the salty ocean. It appears to be the largest such formation yet found in the world.

Run the Race: Grow and Go – Renewal Ministries

Run the Race: Grow and Go – Renewal Ministries: [caption id=attachment_2860 align=aligncenter width=640] Image Credit[/caption]

This article originally appeared in the July/August 2019 issue of Faith Magazine.

Anyone who’s played sports, pursued music or developed a new personal skill or trait has probably heard it said, “If you’re not getting better, you’re getting worse!” While overly simplistic, this motivational quote speaks to a human truth; stagnation or lethargy does not produce things that are new, better, and transformed. Not surprisingly, this also applies to our lives as disciples of Jesus Christ.

In 1 Corinthians 9:24, St. Paul compares our journey to heaven to a foot race, “Do you not know that the runners in the stadium all run in the race, but only one wins the prize? Run so as to win.” The takeaway here is not that only one of us is getting into heaven, but the same mentality and disciplines of training hard, moving quickly and crossing the finish line apply to our Christian journey. We then are faced with the question, “How do we run?” The Church provides 2,000 years of insights, inspiration and teachings on what it looks like for us to “run,” but I want to boil it down to the two fundamental invitations give

Coerced Tech Transfer: The Heart of the China Problem

Coerced Tech Transfer: The Heart of the China Problem: Trump moved into a bipartisan policy vacuum on China. The political mainstream needs a better strategy, or Trump and China will both be the winners.

Honoring Popes (Even Alleged “Bad” Ones) as Persons | Dave Armstrong

Memo to Trump: Trade Bolton for Tulsi – Patrick J. Buchanan – Official Website

Memo to Trump: Trade Bolton for Tulsi – Patrick J. Buchanan – Official Website: "If she makes it into the second round, Gabbard could become the catalyst for the kind of globalist vs. nationalist debate that broke out between Trump and Bush Republicans in 2016, a debate that contributed to Trump's victory..." "For too long our leaders have failed us, taking us into one regime change war after the…

MoA - Media And Public Disagree On Tulsi Gabbard's Debate Performance

Debate fact check Kamala Harris Berkeley integration claim | The Sacramento Bee

Debate fact check Kamala Harris Berkeley integration claim | The Sacramento Bee: California Senator Kamala Harris attacked Joe Biden during the presidential debate on Thursday over busing and segregation policies. She claimed she was in the second class to integrate at Berkeley.

Hong Kong protesters have but one demand: The rule of law | TheHill

The Pentagon's laser can recognize you by your heartbeat | ZDNet

The Pentagon's laser can recognize you by your heartbeat | ZDNet: Clothes or tin foil hats won’t make a difference.

The race to add drones to nationwide air traffic control system | ZDNet

The race to add drones to nationwide air traffic control system | ZDNet: AirMap, which oversees a version of air traffic control for drones, to collaborate on the national airspace integration.

Travelers kinda hate robots at airports | ZDNet

Travelers kinda hate robots at airports | ZDNet: Turns out the rush to automate the air travel experience may be missing the point, and that's a big lesson for robotics companies.

Video: US officials join bizarre Iranian cult MEK in rallying for regime change

The Ethics of Regime Change – LobeLog

The Ethics of Regime Change – LobeLog: by Helena Cobban Two detailed accounts have appeared recently of cloak-and-dagger operations undertaken by Western intelligence agencies to effect the defection of high-level officials of governmen…

Offshore wind lease sales will begin in 2020, and Morro Bay is still listed as an area of interest. | News | San Luis Obispo | New Times San Luis Obispo

Offshore wind lease sales will begin in 2020, and Morro Bay is still listed as an area of interest. | News | San Luis Obispo | New Times San Luis Obispo: Trident Winds initiated a conversation about putting wind turbines in the water off the Central Coast in 2016 when it submitted a lease request for...

Local leaders and advocates of green nuclear energy react to Diablo Canyon closure impact report | KSBY.com

Local leaders and advocates of green nuclear energy react to Diablo Canyon closure impact report | KSBY.com: There are still some other unknowns like what will happen to the current employees.

FBI Urges Universities To Monitor Some Chinese Students And Scholars In The U.S. : NPR

FBI Urges Universities To Monitor Some Chinese Students And Scholars In The U.S. : NPR: As suspicion toward China spreads to academia, the FBI has advised at least 10 U.S. universities to monitor academics associated with certain Chinese institutions.

China: ‘Respect of Consciences’ and ‘Mercy for All,’ Asks the Holy See

https://zenit.org/articles/china-respect-of-consciences-and-mercy-for-all-asks-the-holy-see/?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=China%20Respect%20of%20Consciences%20and%20Mercy%20for%20All%20Asks%20the%20Holy%20See%201561739194%20ZNP&utm_content=China%20Respect%20of%20Consciences%20and%20Mercy%20for%20All%20Asks%20the%20Holy%20See%201561739194%20ZNP+CID_ff1b01e404bc2d40244f59bd08def7c2&utm_source=Editions&utm_term=China%20Respect%20of%20Consciences%20and%20Mercy%20for%20All%20Asks%20the%20Holy%20See

Elizabeth Warren says no wealthy donors as ambassadors in State plan - Vox

Elizabeth Warren says no wealthy donors as ambassadors in State plan - Vox: Elizabeth Warren released her State Department and diplomatic corps plan on Medium, differing from Trump and Obama.

VENERABLE ARCHBISHOP FULTON SHEEN–HOMEWARD BOUND | Thin Places

VENERABLE ARCHBISHOP FULTON SHEEN–HOMEWARD BOUND | Thin Places: VENERABLE ARCHBISHOP FULTON SHEEN–HOMEWARD BOUND

Thursday, June 27, 2019

Memo to Trump: Trade Bolton for Tulsi – Patrick J. Buchanan – Official Website

PG&E Creditors Seek Permission to Offer a Reorganization Plan - Barron's

Bankrupt PG&E wins fight for October claims filing deadline - Reuters

Bankrupt PG&E wins fight for October claims filing deadline - Reuters: PG&E Corp won court approval on Wednesday for setting Oct. 21 as the deadline for filing claims in its bankruptcy, overcoming a bid for a Jan. 31, 2020 deadline by a committee for victims of the wildfires that forced the power provider to seek Chapter 11 protection.

Important Alert for Those Affected by 2018 Camp Fire

PG&E’s Bondholders Push $30 Billion Investment Plan

PG&E’s Bondholders Push $30 Billion Investment Plan: A lawyer who filed a $30 billion plan by bondholders to bump PG&E (NYSE:PCG) out of bankruptcy urged the utility and the bankruptcy court to keep moving.

PG&E Receives Court Approval of Bar Date; Will Provide Broad Public Notice of Process for Filing Claims | Business Wire

PG&E Receives Court Approval of Bar Date; Will Provide Broad Public Notice of Process for Filing Claims | Business Wire: PG&E Corporation (NYSE: PCG) and its primary operating subsidiary, Pacific Gas and Electric Company (the “Utility”), today announced that the U.S.

PG&E Corporation: PG&E Receives Court Approval of Bar Date; Will Provide Broad Public Notice of Process for Filing Claims - The Wall Street Transcript

PG&E Corporation: PG&E Receives Court Approval of Bar Date; Will Provide Broad Public Notice of Process for Filing Claims - The Wall Street Transcript: Judge Establishes October 21, 2019 Deadline by Which Proof of Claims Forms Must be Received SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- PG&E Corporation (NYSE: PCG) and its primary operating subsidiary, Pacific Gas and Electric Company (the 'Utility'), today announced that the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of California (the 'Court') overseeing the company's Chapter 11 cases approved the Bar Date of October 21, 2019, at 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time.
[...]

This is an abstract of the document. To keep reading, click here and get access to the original version.

California Has Become America's First Third World State

https://kfiam640.iheart.com/content/2019-06-20-california-has-become-americas-first-third-world-state/?fbclid=IwAR0jnoT6T2FWtO1Xe-oZRcdjVccQ7-gQmBlVbHxWAHzwd3q7YzkxNN-cgOc

PG&E's lenders offer billions, new name to rebrand utility | Energy Central

Bishop Barron's Gospel Reflection June 27, 2019

Thursday, June 27, 2019

Twelfth Week in Ordinary Time

Matthew 7:21-29

Friends, today’s Gospel asks how we apply the Lord’s teaching. "Everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock. The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and buffeted the house. But it did not collapse." This is the heart of it: if you are rooted in God, then you can withstand anything, precisely because you are linked to that power which is creating the cosmos. You will be blessed at the deepest place, and nothing can finally touch you.

But the one who does not take Jesus’ words to heart "will be like the fool who built his house on sand. The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds buffeted the house. And it collapsed and was completely ruined." When the inevitable trials come, the life built on pleasure, money, power, or fame will give way.

So the question is a simple one: Where do you stand? How goes it with your heart? On what, precisely, is the whole of your life built?

Thursday of the Twelfth Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 374

Reading 1 Gn 16:1-12, 15-16

Abram's wife Sarai had borne him no children.
She had, however, an Egyptian maidservant named Hagar.
Sarai said to Abram:
"The LORD has kept me from bearing children.
Have intercourse, then, with my maid;
perhaps I shall have sons through her."
Abram heeded Sarai's request.
Thus, after Abram had lived ten years in the land of Canaan,
his wife Sarai took her maid, Hagar the Egyptian,
and gave her to her husband Abram to be his concubine.
He had intercourse with her, and she became pregnant.
When she became aware of her pregnancy,
she looked on her mistress with disdain.
So Sarai said to Abram:
"You are responsible for this outrage against me.
I myself gave my maid to your embrace;
but ever since she became aware of her pregnancy,
she has been looking on me with disdain.
May the LORD decide between you and me!"
Abram told Sarai: "Your maid is in your power.
Do to her whatever you please."
Sarai then abused her so much that Hagar ran away from her.

The LORD's messenger found her by a spring in the wilderness,
the spring on the road to Shur, and he asked,
"Hagar, maid of Sarai, where have you come from
and where are you going?"
She answered, "I am running away from my mistress, Sarai."
But the LORD's messenger told her:
"Go back to your mistress and submit to her abusive treatment.
I will make your descendants so numerous," added the LORD's messenger,
"that they will be too many to count.
Besides," the LORD's messenger said to her:

"You are now pregnant and shall bear a son;
you shall name him Ishmael,
For the LORD has heard you,
God has answered you.

This one shall be a wild ass of a man,
his hand against everyone,
and everyone's hand against him;
In opposition to all his kin
shall he encamp."

Hagar bore Abram a son,
and Abram named the son whom Hagar bore him Ishmael.
Abram was eighty-six years old when Hagar bore him Ishmael.

Gospel Mt 7:21-29

Jesus said to his disciples:
"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,'
will enter the Kingdom of heaven,
but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven.
Many will say to me on that day,
'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name?
Did we not drive out demons in your name?
Did we not do mighty deeds in your name?'
Then I will declare to them solemnly,
'I never knew you. Depart from me, you evildoers.'

"Everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them
will be like a wise man who built his house on rock.

The rain fell, the floods came,
and the winds blew and buffeted the house.
But it did not collapse; it had been set solidly on rock.
And everyone who listens to these words of mine
but does not act on them
will be like a fool who built his house on sand.
The rain fell, the floods came,
and the winds blew and buffeted the house.
And it collapsed and was completely ruined."

When Jesus finished these words,
the crowds were astonished at his teaching,
for he taught them as one having authority,
and not as their scribes.

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