Breath of the Spirit

Pastoral, Liturgical, Teaching, and Social Justice Moments brought to you by www.DignityUSA.org.

Breath of the Spirit is DignityUSA’s electronic spiritual and liturgical resource for our members and potential members. Nothing can replace your chapter or other faith community, but we hope you will find further support here for integrating your spirituality with your sexuality and all the strands of your life.

We welcome relevant homilies, inspirational writings, social justice opportunities, or theological articles from other sources also — particularly from wise women and men who can help us grow as gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender (GLBT) and allied Catholic/Christians. You may volunteer to help with this program or send your comments by e-mailing info@DignityUSA.org ATTN: Breath of the Spirit.

OCTOBER 28, 2007: Thirtieth Sunday of the Year

Readings:

Sirach 35:12-14, 16-18

II Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18

Luke 18:9-14

No Pauline scholar believes Paul wrote our canonical Letters to Titus and Timothy. Most refer to such works as "pseudepigrapha:" literature composed by someone other than the author whose name is attached to it. This differs from employing a ghost writer. In the case of these three letters, Paul was dead long before they were written.

How did such literature become part of our sacred writings?

OCTOBER 21, 2007: Twenty-Ninth Sunday of the Year

Readings:

Exodus 17:8-13

II Timothy 3:14-4:2

Luke 18:1-Luke 18:1-8

The last verse of today's II Timothy pericope has played an essential role in our Christian examination of conscience for almost 2,000 years. "Proclaim the word; be persistent whether it is convenient or inconvenient; convince, reprimand, encourage through all patience and teaching."

Those who dare follow Jesus of Nazareth must be as committed to proclaiming God's word as he was. No excuses, no "I don't feel like it right now." Whether received or rejected, God's word is at the center of a disciple's life.

OCTOBER 14, 2007: Twenty-Eighth Sunday of the Year

Readings:

II Kings 5:14-17

II Timothy 2:8-13

Luke 17:11-19

Today's three readings remind us that some tenets of biblical faith can and have changed through the centuries, others haven't, and some can't.

Naaman's request to "have two mule-loads of earth" comes from a period in which people thought Yahweh was only the territorial God of Israel. Take one step over the border and Yahweh's no longer responsible for you, nor in control of what happens to you. Other gods and goddesses tae over once you leave the Promised Land.

OCTOBER 7, 2007: Twenty-Seventh Sunday of the Year

Readings:

Habakkuk 1:2-3; 2:2-4

II Timothy 1:6-8,13-14

Luke 17:5-10

Ironically, a question arising from today's gospel is answered not only in our first two readings, but also is addressed in the gospel's first verses.

Luke's Jesus praises the servant who does what the master commands, no matter the extenuating circumstances. "When you have done all you are commanded," Jesus states, "say, 'We are unprofitable servants; we have done what we were obliged to do.'" The question is, "What exactly are these servants expected to do?"

Vision Statement

DignityUSA envisions and works for a time when Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Catholics are affirmed and experience dignity through the integration of their spirituality with their sexuality, and as beloved persons of God participate fully in all aspects of life within the Church and Society.