Weekly Sacred Spaces Video
Pray at Notre Dame ...from wherever you are
For many, the University of Notre Dame is a sacred place where people of all ages draw strength to love, to suffer in hope, to find faith in challenge, to discover their path, and ultimately, to remember their purpose. Pray at ND is our effort to bring the spiritual resources of our Lady's University to you. I hope that this website is a tool that inspires your prayer life and helps you to be present for good in your community, your home, your work place, and the world.
Rev. John I. Jenkins, C.S.C.
President, University of Notre Dame
Living the Gospel Today
May 13, 2008
The visitor to the zoo noticed one of the keepers sobbing quietly in a corner and on inquiry was told that the elephant had died.
“Fond of him, was he?” the visitor asked.
“It’s not that,” came the reply. “He’s the chap who has to dig the grave.” (source unknown)
It’s so easy to misjudge people’s motives. But sometimes people do manipulate their actions to conceal a less than noble intention. Our Lord warns us to sidestep this trap of duplicity. “Watch out, guard against the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod.”
The Pharisees were in league with Herod and his supporters to destroy Jesus. Both the Pharisees and Herod used their respective powers (their yeast) to intimidate, control, and bully their followers into obedience.
We know that yeast, or leaven, is a powerful fungus that can cause a lump of dough to rise into bread. Today don’t underestimate the impact of your own “yeast.” Remember the words you speak and the words you do not speak will give rise to beliefs and behaviors in your department at work and in your dining room at home. Your assignment: bake the bread and let it bring health to all.
Kathleen M. Sullivan, '82MA'87PhD
Notre Dame Alumni Association
sullivan.6@nd.edu
Gospel Reading of the Day
May 13, 2008
Now the disciples had forgotten to bring any bread; and they had only one loaf with them in the boat. And he cautioned them, saying, “Watch out—beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and the yeast of Herod.”
They said to one another, “It is because we have no bread.” And becoming aware of it, Jesus said to them, “Why are you talking about having no bread? Do you still not perceive or understand? Are your hearts hardened? Do you have eyes, and fail to see? Do you have ears, and fail to hear?
And do you not remember? When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you collect?” They said to him, “Twelve.” “And the seven for the four thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you collect?” And they said to him, “Seven.” Then he said to them, “Do you not yet understand?” Mk 8:14-21
The New Revised Standard Version, copyright 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Today's Prayer
May 13, 2008
Dear Lord,
Do you really expect me to represent you today? There are billions of people out there. You really don’t need me – I’m just a speck in the universe. What? Something only I can do for you today. Really? Okay – bring it on. I’ll come through for you!
