In a month when school-age children look forward to closing their books for some well-needed summer fun, we adults might consider opening the books . . . of Kings, that is. Our weekday liturgies will largely pursue a continuous reading about biblical kings who managed their leadership well or badly. Lessons about how to lead—and which prophets to heed—are vital in every age.

A psychologist explained something fascinating about shame: No one can put it inside us without our consent. Shame doesn’t enter from the outside but responds from the inside.

I promise if you expose yourself to the news today, you’ll learn the same thing Genesis warns about. There’s trouble in Paradise. Things aren’t as they should be, and someone (or lots of someones) will pay a bitter price for this.

Jesus is often perturbed by his detractors’ illogic. They say Jesus drives out demons by the power of Satan. But, Jesus asks in disgust: “How can Satan drive out Satan?”

Many of my friends are starting to go through their children’s difficult teen years. In the eyes of their kids, they can’t do anything right, while the kids themselves are doing a whole lot wrong.

As we prepare to celebrate the mystery of Christ’s love, let us acknowledge our failures and fears and ask the Lord for forgiveness and strength.

Great love can change small things into great ones, and it is only love which lends value to our actions.

Browse our library for additional Tenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle B material. 

Click here to view the Take Five weekly for June 09, 2024.