The Catholic Calendar for Sunday, July 31, 2005
The Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Isaiah 55:1-3
Psalm 145:8-9, 15-18
Romans 8:35, 37-39
Matthew 14:13-21

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

Sacrificial Love

John's life-long love for our Lord, from his joyful leaping in his mother's womb, graced exclamation, "Behold the Lamb of God”, cooperation in the Baptism of Jesus, and faithful announcing to souls, salvation at hand, surely drew a tender, sorrow in the heart of our Lord, when his death became known to Jesus.

Yet Jesus' compassion for the souls who seek Him, even as He seeks solitude when learning of John's death, echoes His comment "the foxes have lairs; there is no place for the Son of Man to rest His head." Truly, this One Who is sought, most compassionately gives Himself lovingly to all.

Jesus heals; He feeds with the Bread of His Word; He feeds with the blessed, broken loaves that prefigure His own sacrificial giving in the Eucharist. Jesus shows us that it is in dying to self and faithful trust in providence, that One is able to Love all who come to us as they need, and in abundance, with whatever one has to work with, even a few loaves and fishes and a sorrowed heart.

The abundance of Christ's love, like the abundance of bread remnants, continues to feed with His very self giving of eternal Life. Awe and gratitude fill the soul at His vastly tender BeLoving for each who seek His healing, His Word, His providential care.

O Lord,
may each who come to You be fed,
in turn feed others with You,
Who are our Bread of Life.
Amen.

- Mary Williams
(www.impactbydesign.biz)

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The Catholic Calendar for Saturday, July 30, 2005
Saturday of the Seventeenth Week in Ordinary time
St. Chrysologus, bishop, doctor of the Church

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Leviticus 25:1. 8-17
Psalm 67:2-3,5,7-8
Matthew 14:1-12

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

Our first reading describes the Jubilee Year (which came every seven-times-seventy sabbaths; in other words, about every fifty years). It involved a whole year of special celebration, forgiveness of debt, etc. We're puzzled by this practice. Our holidays, including weddings, rarely last more than a couple of days. Enough is enough! We Americans have to get back to work!

We don't know how to relax. As a result, we miss so much of family relationships, the beauty of the world of nature, and the richness of a friendship shared through prolonged conversation. Part of the problem is found in the pressure of the work place, and part of it is found in too busy a social calendar.

And who gets cheated? God, usually, and ourselves! We don't have time for prayer and praise, we don't have time to do good things for our neighbor, and we don't have the leisure for inner growth. What a shame. We leave this world without really savoring its wonder--or the inner beauty of other people.

God forgive us our frantic pace. While summer is still here (in the northern hemisphere), let's resolve to just "waste" a whole day with our family, or with a friend. Maybe it would involve a pilgrimage to a local shrine for a day of prayer. Life will go on, our business will survive, and all the work we put off doing will probably be done better after we come back.

Msgr. Paul Whitmore
(smartins at frontiernet dot net)

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The Catholic Calendar for Friday, July 29, 2005
Friday of the Seventeenth Week in Ordinary Time
St. Martha

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Leviticus 23:1, 4-11, 15-16, 27, 34b-37
Psalm 81:3-6, 10-11
John 11:19-27

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

"Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things."

I dare say that there are more Martha's in the world than Mary's. How many times do we find ourselves asking: "What are you doing to help? I'm doing everything myself, and you're just expanding your horizons. Is that fair?"

But Jesus tells us that those who wait upon Him, no matter what the appearance, have chosen the better part. We need wait on nothing other than His word and His command and it will empower each of us to do as we ought.

Sitting at Jesus' feet is a difficult task--nearly an impossible task. We have so many things to do, so many obligations to meet, so many places to go. But whatever you need do, wherever you go, whoever you see, the Lord is there waiting for you to bring a moment's attention to Him. And He will say to you at that moment, "You have chosen the better part." So, let us do so.

- JuandelaCruz

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The Catholic Calendar for Thursday, July 28, 2005
The Seventeenth Week in Ordinary Time

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Exodus 40:16-21, 34-38
Psalm 84:3-6, 8, 11
Matthew 13:47-53

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

"...the kingdom of heaven is like a net thrown into the sea to gather fish of every kind." (Mt. 13: 47)

Several wonderful truths are illustrated in today's readings. Exodus shows us that God's glorious Presence is ever with His people, leading them to their destination, a glorious new life in Him. The way they are to travel may prove difficult, fraught with hardships and uncertainties; but if they trust in Him and follow His bidding, He will guide them on the path that will allows them to successfully complete their journey, fulfill their hearts' desires in a different land, freed from slavery to sin.

Psalm 84 stresses the thought that God is our safety by using the image of little birds nesting in the haven of God's dwelling, His temple. Those dwelling in His house, abiding in His love and truth, will go from "strength to strength." We, His people, gifted with rational minds and feeling hearts will then come to realize that one day lived in His Presence is worth a thousand days waiting for Him.

Matthew's Gospel affirms that God's kingdom is open to all. Fishermen cast nets into the sea to gather fish of every kind; and like a fisherman, God sorts through them to cast away any that are of no value as food to nourish and give life to His people. Jesus uses this analogy to remind the Scribes of their responsibility to sort through all their religious tenets
to carefully select, and for the good of God's people, preserve both those of the past, the Law given through Moses, and those being revealed in the present time when this Law has been fulfilled perfectly in Him, the Christ.

O Glorious Redeemer, grant us the wisdom and the courage to embark upon and stay on the course by which You lead us to eternal life. Amen.

- Marie Bocko, OCDS
(mlbocko at earthlink dot net)

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The Catholic Calendar for Wednesday, July 27, 2005
Wednesday of the Seventeenth Week in Ordinary Time

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Exodus 34:29-35
Psalm 99:5-7, 9
Matthew 13:44-46

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

It has been said that sometimes converts to Catholicism make the best Catholics. How could this be so?

In today’s Gospel we learn that "the kingdom of heaven is like a treasure buried in a field.” (Matthew 13:44-46) Indeed, our faith is a special gift or treasure, and sometimes when we’re born into our faith, because it is the faith of our parents or guardians, we do not recognize how special it is. A comparison might be made to those born into a middle or upper class. It’s hard for them to appreciate the struggles of the poor--not that non-Catholics are living in spiritual poverty. Sometimes their faith is even stronger than that of lifetime Catholics. The readings of today might give us time to ponder how much we appreciate our gift of faith. What are we doing to nourish that gift?

In the first reading we hear how the people were struck with the radiance of the face of Moses after he had conversed with the Lord. Though we may not always appear radiant after praying as an expression of our faith, persons will know whether we are sincere about our faith through witnessing our action

Thank you Lord for my gift of faith.
Help me to use it wisely!
Amen.

- Joan of Jesus, OCDS

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The Catholic Calendar for Tuesday, July 26, 2005
Tuesday of the Seventeenth Week in Ordinary Time
St. Joachim and St. Ann

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Exodus 33:7-11; 34:5-9, 28
Psalm 103:6-13
Matthew 13:36-43

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

We have been hearing in recent daily gospel readings about the kingdom of God and how seeds, sowing, growing, reaping, soil and so forth resemble the kingdom. Let us reflect on this idea just a bit more.

Jesus points out that we need good seed and soil for a crop to grow healthy and strong. But what else is needed? Certainly water, abundant sunshine, maybe some fertilizer and some cultivation to allow all the water and nutrients to pass freely to the roots of the crop. While not mentioned in the parables, I think these things must be present in our lives as Christians if we are to grow in Him.

We need a daily watering of prayer. Prayer is that time we have with the Lord when our souls are filled with the Lord Himself as he brings us living water.

We need the abundant sunshine of Holy Communion. As all things grow with energy from the sun, we too grow with the blessing of the Eucharist.

We need the fertilizer of the Word of God in regular scripture reading. This is from where our nourishment comes and where we get the good things we need to grow.

Finally, we need the regular cultivation found in reconciliation and penance. This is where the crusty, hard parts of our soil are broken down so the water, sun and word can pass to our roots and help us grow as Christians.

So, we have the seed, sower, reaper and all things in between. With these, Jesus’ crop grows strong and healthy.

- Don Claunch, SFO
(dlclaunch at bresnan dot net)

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The Catholic Calendar for Monday, July 25, 2005
Monday of the Seventeenth Week in Ordinary Time
St. James, apostle

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
2 Corinthians 4:7-15
Psalm 126:1-6
Matthew 20:20-28

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

On this Feast of the apostle St. James, we hear in the Gospel the bold request by his mother. Some might think it is also rude and outlandishly presumptuous. It does however demonstrate the tendencies of human nature and provides the opportunity for Jesus to give us some valuable and absolutely necessary advice about discipleship.

Regardless of the tendency of human nature to be self-serving, we must instead put the concerns of others first. That doesn’t mean it’s easy to be selfless, but that it’s imperative that we try.

Saying that we “try”, implies that surely at times we’ll fall short; but like every worthwhile goal, we must pick ourselves up and get back on the road with even greater determination.

Determination and success in spiritual growth aren’t just a matter of what “we” do, but also what we allow God to do. Failure to cooperate with God's grace is like having a heat lamp, but never plugging it in: we remain cold and in darkness.

Let us then, with God's help, recognize not only our propensity for wrong doing, but our opportunities for doing what is helpful to others and pleasing to Him .

- Donna Raye Nelson, OCDS
(drn3rd at hotmail dot com)

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The Catholic Calendar for Sunday, July 24, 2005
The Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
1 Kings 3:5, 7-12
Psalm 119:57, 72, 76-77, 127-130
Romans 8:28-30
Matthew 13:44-52

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

"Do you understand all these things?” (Matthew 13:51)

The kingdom of Heaven, is truly to be understood as our greatest treasure, our most sought after prize. Jesus offers this kingdom of Heaven to all, good or bad, to come to Life. The ones who will to acquire this treasure of redemption, and respond to these graces, give all to God and find an eternal home in His kingdom. Those who refuse are removed to an eternity of unending misery, burning, wailing and grinding of teeth.

"Do you understand all these things?" Jesus asks. He wants and indeed expects us to “know” the choice before us and thus choose to give all for this “treasure” given for us to “find.” It requires nothing less than our “all” as a daily fiat. The consequence of our choice to reject this treasure is, as He also clearly reveals, an eternity of endless suffering.

Jesus directs, "Then every scribe who has been instructed in the kingdom of heaven is like the head of a household who brings from his storeroom both the new and the old." This points to the responsibility of those given knowledge about the kingdom, to serve as the head of many and share this fresh and ancient Truth with the old and the new alike.

O Beloved Lord, our only Treasure, grace us to answer, “Do you understand?” with a fiat like the Blessed Mother, and renounce self in order to acquire the treasured Kingdom of Heaven; may we faithfully bring forth from our storerooms this fresh and ancient Truth. Amen.

- Mary Williams
(www.impactbydesign.biz)

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The Catholic Calendar for Saturday, July 23, 2005
Saturday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary time
St. Bridget of Sweden

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Exodus 24:3-8
Psalm 50:1-2, 5-6, 14-15
Matthew 13:24-30

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

The readings today are all about listening and accepting. We can get distracted by the drama of of the The Book of Exodus: the thunder and lightening, the smoke and the fire. But what about our very own hearts? Are they seared by the fire and cleansed by the lightning--so that, vulnerable and pliant, they’re ready to hear all of The Ten Commandments. Are we generous and eager to accept and obey them?

After all, it's a covenant, an agreement between God and His people. Without the consent of the party of the second part (that’s us), the decrees of the party of the first part have no validity! Because Moses stayed so long on the mountain, the people defected, drawing even Aaron into tacit consent. No wonder God (and his agent, Moses) was so very angry, breaking the tablets of the Law. Of what use are the Ten Commandments unless there are people willing to enter into solemn and binding acceptance?

This Saturday is a good day for us to take each of the Ten Commandments (with special emphasis on the first three), meditate on each prayerfully, and then renew our own personal commitment to the Covenant. How honored God will be through this exercise!

Msgr. Paul Whitmore
(smartins at frontiernet dot net)

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The Catholic Calendar for Friday, July 22, 2005
Friday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time
St. Mary Magdalene, disciple

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Song of Songs 3:1-4
Psalm 63:2-6, 8-9
John 20:1-2, 11-18

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

"Woman, why are you weeping?" (John 20:15)

Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. But the one thing we need not mourn, need never concern ourselves with again, is the loss of Jesus. Jesus is no longer present on earth in a single corporeal body, but we have His Real Presence, His Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity in the Eucharist. Moreover, we are part of the Mystical Body of Christ.

Why then are you weeping? Let your heart be filled with joy, because joy is the presence of heaven on earth. God gives us joy and fills us with joy as a "preview" of heaven and a reassurance of His Presence.

God is ever with us--there is no need for weeping. Indeed, our joy should ever increase as we realize Him and His Presence in all of those around us. There is no longer any need for standing by the tomb. It is time to make meals, to sing, to dance, to invite all to celebrate with us.

Christ is risen and we are a risen people--risen from weeping at a tomb to dancing in heaven with Our Joy, Our Lord, Our God, Our Brother, Our Teacher, Our Savior.

Amen!

Alleluia!

- JuandelaCruz
(http://floscarmeli.stblogs.org/)

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The Catholic Calendar for Thursday, July 21, 2005
The Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time
St. Lawrence of Brindisi, priest and doctor of the Church

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Exodus 19:1-2, 9-11, 16-20
Daniel 3:52-56
Matthew 13:10-17

A reflection on today's Scripture. . . .

"Why do you speak to them in parables?" (Matthew 13: 10)

Today's Gospel makes us wonder if our Lord used parables to confuse some hearers. We know of various teaching methods; probably the most boring is lecturing, conveying information without engaging one's hearers. Christ chose a more interesting, thought-provoking means, that of storytelling, narrating human events and behavior to reveal divine truths. How, then, are we to interpret Jesus telling His disciples that they "had been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to...[others] it had not been given.?" His answer is the quotation from Isaiah; paraphrased, it warns that those who distance themselves from God will eventually dull their hearts and render themselves deaf and blind to Christ's divine gift of healing their sins and leading them to salvation.

This admonition is strengthened by the parable of the sower; the quality and quantity of the crop depends on the receptivity of the soil upon which God casts the seed. What falls on hardened paths, rocky soil or among thorns cannot root deeply and will perish without bearing fruit. A second parable, however, shows God's care for all humanity when a farmer tells his workers to not pull up the weeds from among the wheat and avoid the danger of also uprooting the good grain. Good and evil must be allowed to exist side by side in order that we may exercise free will and so be held accountable for our choices. People do not become loving and fruitful children of God in isolation. To enter the kingdom of heaven they are first to be tested on a proving ground fraught with temptations and difficulties.

O Divine Spirit,
strengthen our wills
and guide us through this world's maze of allurements,
that we may emerge worthy of being admitted
into the heavenly kingdom.
Amen.

- Marie Bocko, OCDS
(mlbocko at earthlink dot net)

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The Catholic Calendar for Wednesday, July 20, 2005
Wednesday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time
St. Apollinaris, bishop and martyr

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Exodus 16:1-5, 9-15
Psalm 78:18-19. 23-28
Matthew 13:1-9

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

So often, New Testament incidents and parables are presaged by Old Testament stories of a similar nature. How wonderful and exciting that we frequently see God highlighting the things He wants us to know in such a manner! Today’s scripture is an example of this: about the Old Testament Jews complaining that they had no “decent” food in the barren desert. Today’s New Testament parable is about the seeds scattered on different soil conditions producing different effects. The seed is the Word of God. The soil upon which the seed is cast is the heart, the soul, the animus, that dwells within each of us.

We need to examine how we compare with both the Old and New Testament stories of today’s readings. Do our lives seem to be barren of all fruit? Does it seem that one day after another is as boring and listless as a hot, windless day in summer? Have we become so accustomed to God’s lavish gifts, that we no longer recognize them? Or even worse, have we failed to respond to the gifts God has showered upon us?

How can we respond? How can we convert the energy of those gifts into light that will shine before each person we meet during the day? We must reflect every day on our place in God’s plan for all mankind. We must ask ourselves: where do I fit in? Surely I could apply some small but special talent from God that will help humanity become just a little better -- one small act of charity after another. Yes, starting today, I will promise God to try harder to be a good and faithful steward of His gifts during my short time on earth.

- joachim, OCDS

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The Catholic Calendar for Tuesday, July 19, 2005
Tuesday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Exodus 14:21--15:1
Exodus 15:8-10, 12, 17
Matthew 12:46-50

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

"Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of my heavenly Father is my brother, and sister, and mother." Matthew 12:50

Today’s gospel reading reveals a very profound truth about Christianity. At first this reading sounds like our Lord is abandoning his mother and brothers, which is completely contrary to how we see the Lord treats his family in other gospel passages. But the point he is making is this: Christians belong to a much larger family, the family of God and the Church. As Christians our family extends far beyond the bounds of blood relation.

With this comes the many benefits and obligations of being a family member. We can rely on love and support from our Christian family and at the same time we are obliged to do our part to support the family with love, charitable acts, prayer and sacrifice.

What an extended family we have! It includes St. Paul, St. Peter, our Pope and the bishops and even our Lord himself who we can call brother. At the head of our family is a Father who loves us completely and unconditionally regardless of our faults and shortcomings. This is the point our Lord is making in today’s reading as he welcomes us as members of His spiritual family.

- Don Claunch, SFO
(dlclaunch at bresnan dot net)

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The Catholic Calendar for Monday, July 18, 2005
Monday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time
St. Camillus de Lellis, priest

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Exodus 14:5-18
Exodus 15:1-6
Matthew 12:38-42

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

In today's First reading from the Book of Exodus we hear how the Israelites, at the first sign of any adversity, began to question God's call and their exodus from Egypt.

It’s really quite a human response, and one that I’m sure many of us have experienced. God calls all of us to follow a life of holiness and fidelity to His commands. Often we have a feeble start, become convinced it is the "way to go," then when we begin to face some of the difficulties of discipleship we want to turn around and return to seemingly safer territory. If it were not for people in our company (like Moses) who pray, beseeching God's help that we may have the courage and strength to continue on, we might altogether abandon the path we have begun.

Today, let us remember those who have been a source of encouragement for us on our journey and pray that we too might be likewise, offering God's hope and love to those who may have faltering feet. May we always remember and tell others frequently that "our help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth."

- Donna Raye Nelson, OCDS
(drn3rd at hotmail dot com)

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The Catholic Calendar for Sunday, July 17, 2005
The Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Wisdom 12:13, 16-19
Psalm 86:5-6, 9-10, 15-16
Romans 8:26-27
Matthew 13:24-43

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

“Whoever has ears ought to hear” (Matthew 13:43)

The Word, Jesus Himself, speaks in parables to the yet unproven and so “undiscerned” hearers, while clarifying His Word for His devoted disciples. He distinguishes good from bad seed, wheat from weeds, and children of the kingdom from children of the evil one, by the fruits each produces. “Whoever has ears ought to hear,” Jesus advises.

The one who sleeps, closes his eyes to the Light of goodness and fails to see the evil being sown in the quiet darkness of sin. Jesus also warns, “Avoid causing others to sin and doing evil or suffer eternal separation from God in the fiery furnace of wailing and grinding of teeth.”

He generously reminds us instead to be good wheat that when leavened expands to become greater than the kernel from which it grew. We are to become a refuge and comfort through growing in goodness before God from the tiniest seeds of faith He has sown.

O Lord,
sow your good seed within us
and then grace us to cultivate this attentively,
lest we become as one who sleeps,
susceptible to the weeds sown by the evil one
that may choke out the good life within.
Amen.

- Mary Williams
(www.impactbydesign.biz)

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The Catholic Calendar for Saturday, July 16, 2005
Saturday of the Fifteenth Week in Ordinary time
Our Lady of Mt. Carmel

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Exodus 12:37-42
Psalm 136:1, 10-15,23-24
Matthew 12:14-24

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

The exodus of six hundred thousand men as well as their wives, children, and livestock--all in one night--from slavery in Egypt to freedom in Canaan--is truly beyond our imaginations. It was a stupendous work of a powerful God. No wonder that God wanted to be sure that Israel would never, never forget that night. It was to be celebrated with dramatic intensity each year, even to the present day.

It was this powerful God who also accomplished our redemption from sin to the freedom of adopted children through His Son Jesus. We, too, are commanded never to forget this action, but to celebrate it daily in liturgy of the Mass. Like the Israelites, we must be ever grateful for this event.

Unfortunately, we often take for granted this great action. Perhaps it will help if we ask ourselves the question, "What would life be like for me if Jesus had not loved me to the death, but rather had left me in slavery, alienated from God and from an eternal life of joy?" Think about that. You and I would have to helplessly accept the condition of alienation, emptiness, barred from love, forgiveness, and happiness.

Our only appropriate response is "Thank You, dear Lord. Forgive my insensitivity and ingratitude. Help me to appreciate your unending and incredible love."

Msgr. Paul Whitmore
(smartins at frontiernet dot net)

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The Catholic Calendar for Friday, July 15, 2005
Friday of the Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time
St. Bonaventure, religious, bishop, doctor of the Church

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Genesis 11:10--12:14
Psalm 116:12-13, 15-18
Matthew 12:1-8

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

"I desire mercy, not sacrifice"

Imagine the horror of the blasphemy--"Something greater than the temple is here." What could possibly be greater than the temple, the home of God, the center of ritual sacrifice that unites God to His people.

Well, for one thing, the presence of God Himself. Where there is love, caring, compassion, selflessness, devotion, consideration, and all of the human signs of selflessness, God is present.

Jesus in His compassion commanded His followers to eat. To do so they "violated" the sabbath laws as defined by the chief priests. But not the Sabbath as God understood it. What Jesus is doing here is redefining the sabbath as a day of doing good and bringing to all the news of God the Father, the Lover and Father of all the world--the source of all compassion and all that is good.

As such, each day must be a sabbath day--not a day of rest from work and labor as it were, but a day of rest in God. Labor may continue even as we observe the sabbath and spend our time with God. But when we rest in Him, we rest indeed.

Take Jesus' invitation to make everyday a celebration of the sabbath. God blesses us with a continual outpouring of love and delight, a continuous sabbath rest.

- JuandelaCruz
(http://floscarmeli.stblogs.org/)

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The Catholic Calendar for Thursday, July 14, 2005
The Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Bl. Kateri Tekakwitha, virgin

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Exodus 3:13-20
Psalm 105:1, 5, 8-9, 24-27
Matthew 11:28-30

A reflection on today's Scripture. . . .

"Take my yoke upon you and learn from me" (Matthew 11:29)

We gain a better understanding of today's Gospel if we see it in the context of the entire chapter which deals with the problem and consequences of unbelief. Jesus answers the question of His identity to the imprisoned John the Baptist by asserting that He is indeed the awaited divine deliverer, evidenced by His miraculous healings. He then explains to His listeners that John was sent to call people to repentance and so open their hearts to receive Christ's good news of love, forgiveness and salvation. We also learn that several towns have rejected Jesus' life-giving words, a new life made possible by their abiding in God's love and truth. Then and today human pride leads to unbelief. Obeying an unseen God and abandoning worldly values and behavior is abhorred by those who refuse to die to selfishness and self-will.

The Gospel becomes clearer if we recall that the Pharisees and Scribes had transformed God's Law based on love into a long list of burdensome, legalistic rules that only the religious professionals living in ease and plenty could fulfill. This fueled their pride, set them apart and above all others. They dismissed any message that varied from their rules by faulting the messenger. Jesus advises us to be humble, gentle of spirit, genuinely imbued with the love of God to be shared with others. He came to unburden humanity of sin and instead share His light yoke of love, the only one worth bearing.

O Almighty Father,
through Your Son and Holy Spirit,
increase the gift of Your life within us,
that its overflow from us may serve to bless others.
Amen

- Marie Bocko, OCDS
(mlbocko at earthlink dot net)

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The Catholic Calendar for Wednesday, July 13, 2005
Wednesday of the Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time
St. Henry

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Exodus 3:1-6,9-12
Psalm 103:1-4,6-7
Matthew 11:25-27

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

The First Reading for today is one commonly known to many: the recounting of Moses being chosen by God to set His people free. There are many messages in the reading, but one that we might ponder today is that of God's presence to us.

Are we ever tempted to think that "the action" in life is elsewhere, definitely not where we’re performing our daily tasks? In today’s First Reading we find Moses out in the fields obediently tending the flocks of his family. It was a difficult, tedious job, and yet this is where and when God appeared to Him in the flaming bush. God gave Moses the role of setting His people free, a difficult vocation to say the least, but He also promised Moses that He would be with Him. God has promised this to all of us, in Scripture, that He will always be with us.

The Gospel for today adds another dimension for us as we perform our daily routines. Not only are we to remember that God is always with us, but that we need to remain "childlike". "Childlike" refers to our need to remain open, humble, trusting,...among other characteristics. It does not contradict the possibility of being a leader, a role model to others, as was Moses. When God called to him from the flaming bush, he obediently answered, "Here I Am Lord". (Exodus 3:1-6)

Do we answer in the same way?


- Joan of Jesus, OCDS

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The Catholic Calendar for Tuesday, July 12, 2005
Tuesday of the Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Exodus 2:1-15
Psalm 69:3, 14, 30-31, 33-34
Matthew 11:20-24

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

In today's first reading a young Moses tries to break up a fight between two Hebrews, his own kinsman. His attempt only brought him a sharp rebuke from one of the combatants: "Who has appointed you ruler and judge over us?" If only this Hebrew knew Who had actually made plans for Moses to be ruler and judge over the Hebrew nation, he might have changed his attitude a little. God's plan was already set in motion, but there was still some preparation work to be done.

Moses fled to the land of Midian after this confrontation and it is there that God begins molding him to be the leader and judge over the Hebrews. It is here that he meets the Lord; it is here that he’s taught by God Himself and given the charge to lead his kinsman from slavery to freedom. This is a recurring step in nearly anyone's life who is called to the Lord's service. As with Moses, the prophets, Jesus and numerous saints, they began their service with a term of exile, whether self-imposed or forced -- and it is here that the Lord does His work, so that those called can do theirs. It’s also very common to read in scripture and in the lives of the saints, that after their work is in full swing, they take retreat to pray, to be led and taught and to get direction from the Lord. Moses and Jesus did it alone on mountains, others did it in their monasteries, in deserts or in other isolated places.

This should serve as a model for us, even today. God has a calling for us all and to hear the call, to learn and be directed, we must also have our own exiles and retreats. These should be regular parts of our Christian lives. When was your last retreat, a good and thorough separation from the daily grind to hear and speak with the Lord? If you cannot remember when it was, or if you’ve never spent time in retreat, or failed to give the last one "your all", then plan one again soon. He is waiting....

- Don Claunch, SFO
(dlclaunch at bresnan dot net)

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The Catholic Calendar for Monday, July 11, 2005
Monday of the Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time
St. Benedict, abbot

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Exodus 1:8-14.22
Psalm 124:1-8
Matthew 10:34--11:1

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

In today's Gospel we hear Jesus speak about the tremendous cost of discipleship.

When you hear the words He speaks it might be enough for some to think, "Why bother, what sense is there in that?” It isn’t a careless question or, one that is associated just with great and hardened self-centered sinners, but one that I am certain many of us have had cross our mind.

Why bother indeed? That is a question of a a thinking, pragmatic person and it requires a thoughtful and equally pragmatic answer. The trouble is the answer makes no sense unless there is more to life than what we normally perceive. It is entirely a matter of grace and acceptance of grace to see beyond this life to life everlasting.

After all, without grace we would not even be able to appreciate the things of this world which are signs of God's loving concern; and what is more, we would have no reason to believe that God has even more in store for us than we could ever imagine.

Let us then just simply and humbly ask God for the grace daily to be a worthy disciple, to put everything else that concerns us in perspective and grant us faith to see beyond what is apparent and be willing to take up our cross daily to follow Him.

- Donna Raye Nelson, OCDS
(drn3rd at hotmail dot com)

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The Catholic Calendar for Sunday, July 10, 2005
The Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Isaiah 55:10-11
Psalm 65:10-14
Romans 8:18-23
Matthew 13:1-23

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

Hear the Word, Understand it, Bear Fruit (see Matthew 13:1-23)

“My Word goes forth and shall not return to me void, but shall do my will achieving the end for which I sent it.” Isaiah 55:11

Jesus, The Word, achieves the Work for which He is sent, to redeem all souls in His perfect obedience, total love and humble conformance of His will to know, love and serve the Father.

Jesus knows the Father’s fathomless Love for Him and reciprocates that boundless Love for the Father. Their love begets the Life they so desire for us to share. God’s boundless Love withholds nothing from His beloved. God humbly serves His creature, man, giving Himself totally in His Passion, Death, Rising and Remaining. He bears the fruit that is Life in this redemptive espousing.

The parable of the sower and the seed is a mirror for souls to see how God presents Himself in the seed of His Word and how a soul decides to receive that gift. The gift of self to one’s beloved God enables the seed of His Word to be conceived and begets new life that fruitfully yields 100, 60 or 30-fold more beloved souls for God.

One may also receive the seed of His Word and choose to displace, discourage, distract, ignore, or reject it’s selfless Way. The easy pleasures and tempting comforts of one’s mortal lusts keep one’s focus on self. The one who remains full of self barrenly wills not to yield fruit. Fruitful love requires total self giving.

O Lord,
may we conceive Your Word,
and be about giving Life.
Amen

- Mary Williams
(www.impactbydesign.biz)

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The Catholic Calendar for Saturday, July 9, 2005
Saturday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary time
St. Augustine Zhao Rong, priest, and companions, martyrs

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Genesis 49:29-33; 50:15-24
Psalm 105:1-4, 6-7
Matthew 10:24-33

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

The stories of the Patriarchs, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, are stories of faith and perseverance, loyalty and bravery, but they are contain much of human sin and weakness -- stories of treachery and murder, deceit and jealousy. Scripture does not hide the truth of human nature. We marvel at God's patience and forgiveness. At the same time, we are comforted with that side of God. How many times has He forgiven you and me for betrayal of trust, and failures in our love and loyalty? Even as we bewail our sins, and recognize the evil in them, we give praise to God for using even sin for the furtherance of his purposes.

In the Gospel, Jesus is quite blunt with his disciples. They will suffer even as He will suffer. He tells them to expect misunderstanding and opposition. But so too can they expect an eternal life of joy with Him. We must not be dejected at this Gospel, but find consolation that Jesus sees our pain and frustration, and places us among His friends. He will give us strength, and always be there to pick us up and encourage us.

Msgr. Paul Whitmore
(smartins at frontiernet dot net)

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The Catholic Calendar for Friday, July 8, 2005
Friday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Genesis 46:1-7, 28-30
Psalm 37:3-4, 18-19, 27-28, 39-40
Matthew 10:16-23

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

"So be shrewd as serpents and simple as doves."

One of my favorite verses of the Bible. In other translations this reads, "Be ye as wise as serpents and as harmless as doves." And this, I believe, summarizes Jesus' many messages to a "T." Like the Hippocratic Oath, "First do no harm," the believer in presenting Jesus to the unbeliever or to a lapsed believer, must do no harm.

We must be ready to defend and give good reasons for our faith. But sometimes, we jump in ahead of introducing our faith. That is, our reasons jump out ahead of our appeal.

When we live the life Jesus commands of us, people will naturally come to us desiring what gives us peace, serenity, and an ability to cope with all that is going on around us. We are most wise when our strongest arguments for the faith are the lives we live day to day.

We must still stand ready to talk about it. But when our life is a mirror of humility, patience, meekness, prayerfulness, and compassion that is Jesus, people will flock to us wanting to talk. This is wisdom--"Seek ye first the kingdom of God." Live the life of the kingdom, and souls who are lost and looking, will see us like a beacon.

And then we employ Jesus' first rule--first do no harm, then lead them with bonds of love to the kingdom which is above.

- JuandelaCruz
(http://floscarmeli.stblogs.org/)

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The Catholic Calendar for Thursday, July 7, 2005
The Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Genesis 44:18-21, 23-29; 45:1-5
Psalm 105:16-21
Matthew 10:7-15

A reflection on today's Scripture. . . .

Whoever will not receive you or listen to your words --
go outside that house or town
and shake the dust from your feet. (see Matthew 10:15)

One underlying theme in today's readings is forgiveness. In Genesis we see Joseph's jealous brothers selling him into slavery which eventually brought him to Egypt to serve in Pharaoh's household. There he showed exceptional abilities by predicting a famine and ordering greater production and storage of food to avert their people's starvation. This won him authority which was second only to that of the "crown."

Famine, however, did strike neighboring Israel. Joseph's father, not knowing his son was alive, sent his brothers to Egypt to buy provisions for his family. When the brothers realized they were to deal with Joseph whom they had betrayed, they feared retribution. Joseph's behavior toward them narrates the most touching story in the Old Testament; for he reflects the very goodness of God--forgiveness combined with loving generosity.

Our Gospel expands this theme, but in addition we learn that God's forgiveness and salvation belongs to those (like Joseph's brothers) who acknowledge and repent of their sin. The injured party is called by God to always forgive the perpetrator, since grudges only destroy inner peace and fuel further conflicts. Likewise, the sinner, to be freed of his sin, must admit his wrongdoing before God and seek making amends as best he can to both God and man. Christ tells His disciples to break all connection with any who rebuff His word, who choose to remain blind to and unrepentant of their transgressions. On the day of judgment, these will suffer the consequences of their having rejected God's divine mercy.

O Loving God,
guide and protector of Your people, keep us always in Your love by giving us an unfailing respect for and obedience to Your living Word, Jesus Christ. Amen

- Marie Bocko, OCDS
(mlbocko at earthlink dot net)

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The Catholic Calendar for Wednesday, July 6, 2005
Wednesday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time
St. Maria Goretti, virgin and martyr

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Genesis 41:55-57, 42:5-7, 17-24
Psalm 33:2-3,10-11
Matthew 10:1-7

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

"The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand"

Everywhere a Christian goes, every act a Christian does, tells the world something about Christianity. Jesus exhorts us to go to the lost sheep of the Lord and to let them know that the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand. That is Jesus himself, who loves all of us, is near to the heart of every believer.

When we act as Christ instructed, we are carrying within ourselves the Kingdom of Heaven. We convey this most precious gift of God to each and every person we encounter with love.

So, first and foremost, remember that you are a harbinger of the Kingdom of Heaven, a Kingdom that is built first in this world by love, acceptance, understanding, charity, mercy, forgiveness, forbearance, temperance, and all the virtues bestowed upon us by God our ever-loving Father. But that same Kingdom is built above, too. Every time we speak with love and offer of ourselves, the rejoicing in the kingdom resounds throughout the universe. The citizens of that kingdom dance, just as David danced before the Lord.

It is very important to remember that, as C.S. Lewis pointed out, "Joy is the serious business of heaven."

- JuandelaCruz (1993)

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The Catholic Calendar for Tuesday, July 5, 2005
Tuesday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time
St. Anthony Zaccaria

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Genesis 32:23-33
Psalm 17:1-3, 6-8, 15
Matthew 9:32-38

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

The Pharisees must have been blind! In today’s gospel reading, the Lord casts a demon from a man that had made him mute so that the man could speak once again, only to be accused of doing it through the power of Satan. How could they possibly say that good was bad?

The Lord had pity on those who came to him since they seemed like lost sheep. Their religious leaders had left them and were not giving them the leadership and direction they needed. In fact, they had abandoned not only them, but the truths of their faith as well. They had arrived to the place where good for them had become bad.

We see this today. According to our much of our society, and many individuals, protecting the lives of the unborn and elderly is now bad. Obtaining wealth at the expense of all else is now good. Prayer in public is bad but sexual relations before marriage is now good.

We are blessed to have the Church to help us on our journey continually teaching us the truths of our faith so that we don’t stray nor become abandoned. The Body of Christ and His teachings are alive and well and with us today!

- Don Claunch, SFO
(dlclaunch at bresnan dot net)

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The Catholic Calendar for Monday, July 4, 2005
Monday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time
St. Elizabeth of Portugal

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Genesis 28:10-22
Psalm 91:1-4, 14-15
Matthew 9:18-26

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

Today's Gospel is one of my favorites because it illustrates two important points; first, the incredible loving concern that Jesus has for us in our afflictions; and two, the great value of perseverance and faith.

Now, to many, the story of the woman who suffered hemorrhage for 12 years doesn't sound like an instance where (if you were Jesus) you'd display your power. After all, she was “only a woman”, her problem was not life-threatening, and she transgressed all conventional rules by appearing in public. In the truest sense for the Jews of her time, she was “unclean.” Yet, Jesus paid attention to her, understood the tremendous effect that her malady had on her entire sense of wellness and responded with unprecedented love.

For her part the woman was willing to take a chance and received healing. It begs us to consider what it is that interferes with our sense of well-being, what it is that keeps us isolated and apart from others as if we were unclean, and to take the same risk as the woman did to seek the healing grace of Jesus.

O Lord, all my hope is in Your mercy.

- Donna Raye Nelson, OCDS
(drn3rd at hotmail dot com)

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The Catholic Calendar for Sunday, July 3, 2005
The Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Zechariah 9:9-10
Psalm 145:1-2,8-11,13-14
Romans 8:9,11-13
Matthew 11:25-30

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

“Come to me ... learn from me, and you will find rest. My yoke is easy, and my burden light.”

The beckon to find rest by taking the yoke of the meek and humble-hearted One is the gift of sharing His work.

"Learn from me."

The all-powerful, all-mighty Creator, in perfectly humility and meekness with His created ones, wills to share with them His own ‘yoke’. He reveals the rest that is ‘Peace’ when one is yoked with the Lord.

Msgr. Bill Pickard preached a homily explaining the yoke for oxen fits them comfortably, perfectly, allowing each of the two who share it to be guided as one. Never straying from a path, their eyes focus forward as they move perfectly with one another, thanks to the perfectly fitted yoke. Indeed the sharing of this yoke makes their burden light.

"Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart." Espoused as His bride, the Church, indeed each soul, takes up the yoke of our daily cross, willing in meekness and humility, to join our wills with His perfect Will. Perfectly, the two become One. Conforming one's whole self to the Lord, one learns to remain united with the Lord in mind, soul and strength. One finds that this perfectly fitted yoke, the cross of our wills conformed with His, keeps one from straying from the path to Life. The yoke is Light in shared union with one’s God who walks every step of the way to Life with us.

O Lord,
grace us with conformed wills
to remain yoked with you.
Amen

- Mary Williams
(www.impactbydesign.biz)

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The Catholic Calendar for Saturday, July 2, 2005
Saturday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary time

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Genesis 27:1-5, 15-29
Psalm 135:1-6
Matthew 9:14-17

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

We can never understand the mind of God or understand his "reasoning". For one thing, God is above reason. For another, it really is presumption on our part (if not arrogance) to probe the mind of God. His ways are not our ways. "Be still, and know that I am God!" should put an end to our puzzlement. Why did God let Jacob get away with the deception of pretending to be Esau? At the end, however, even Isaac seems content with the trickery imposed on him. We might just as well stop questioning God's plan.

And why don't Jesus' disciples fast? Isn't fasting something good? Jesus tells his disciples that there will be time enough later for carrying His cross! Scripture tells us that there is a time for everything. I think the most important attitude is that of trust. Trust that the Lord knows what He's doing. If Jesus tells us to be joyful, then we must be joyful. We call it the grace of the Present Moment. if we can be joyful with the presence of Jesus in this very present moment, we have captured the essence of the true follower of Jesus. It takes away fear of tomorrow, and helps us to focus our energy on listening to the Lord right now!

Let's close our eyes, thank God that He is here with us now, thank Him for that gift, and resolve to make of ourselves new wineskins to receive His tremendous love, encouragement, and inspiration.

Msgr. Paul Whitmore
(smartins at frontiernet dot net)

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The Catholic Calendar for Friday, July 1, 2005
Friday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Bl. Junipero Serra

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Genesis 23:1-4; 24:1-8, 62-67
Psalm 106:1-5
Matthew 9:9-13

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

"'Follow me.'"

Simple. Straightforward. Direct. Unavoidable. "Follow me." Jesus said it to Matthew, He says it to us. "Follow me." What does following Jesus mean?

It means that you will meet with tax collectors and sinners, sometimes in your own house, sometimes in the house of God. It means that you will see all too clearly the injustice of the world--the oppression, the indignity, the cruelty, the sheer cussedness of unrestrained human nature. It means that you will see and hear things that would shrivel your soul. But it also means that you are keeping the finest company. You are following The One who will help you endure and indeed remediate all of these horrors. You will be with the Lord Himself and your words will be His words and your light will be His Light. God will protect and defend as you follow Jesus.

Following Jesus is not hard, but it can be laborious. At first we have to drag ourselves to follow, but as we practice, it becomes second nature to us. We need to surround each day in careful prayer. Perhaps we start the morning with three Hail Mary's to honor the Immaculate Heart of Mary and maintain chastity in a difficult world. Perhaps at Noon we pray the Angelus, at three at least a decade of the divine mercy. Before our meals a true prayer of thanks, afterwards a prayer of joy. Before retiring the Rosary. Or perhaps nothing so structured at all. We just need to listen to Him and find out how He would like us to follow. When we hear and heed His voice, we are His followers. When we are His followers, we are His friends and we are His servants and we are servants of the world at large. One person at a time, we change the world for the better.

So hear and heed, "Follow me." It is an adventure that will take you to places beyond your wildest imagination.

- JuandelaCruz
(http://floscarmeli.stblogs.org/)

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