The Catholic Calendar for Monday, July 31, 2006
Monday of the Seventeenth Week in Ordinary Time
St. Ignatius of Loyola, priest

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Jeremiah 13:1-11
Deuteronomy 32:18-19, 20, 21
Matthew 13:31-35

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:
Sometimes it is very difficult to understand what is going on and why we are going through the things that we are going through. We often ask ourselves, “Why me?” Often we are told that everything has a purpose and will reveal itself in time, but normally that isn't what we want to hear. During times of trial, it takes great faith and humility to continue and to pray that God's will be done.

In today's reading from the book of Jeremiah we learn what happens when we abandon God for earthly things: we rot and become worthless, just as the loin cloth did. The good news is that there is hope. Jesus describes this hope in the parable of the mustard seed, in which a very small seed is planted in a dark hole and dies; but at this darkest moment it changes. It will no longer be the same. Eventually, the seed will become a great and wondrous tree!

This is truly a message of hope telling us that from what little faith we may have, amazing things can happen. We must trust in faith that as long as we are constantly seeking God's will, we will be guided without fail and that by this faith God will do great things with us though we may not always see it at the time.

- Danielle

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The Catholic Calendar for Sunday, July 30, 2006
Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
2 Kings 4:42-44
Psalm 145:10-11, 15-16, 17-18
Ephesians 4:1-6
John 6:1-15

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

The wonderful Chapter 6 of St. John's Gospel will occupy the next few Sundays. How easily we can meditate on the abundant Bread of Life the Lord provides for us as we travel through the lush countryside of mid and late summer. As farmers gather the hay into storage, we are reminded of the seven loaves being gathered by the disciples. Then, after all had eaten their fill, there are twelve baskets left over of the bread and fish!

Without the slightest fear of protest from our faithful readers, I can state in truth that not one of us is sufficiently grateful for a loving and generous God who feeds us so lavishly of His Body and Blood daily.

O Bread of Heaven which heals and soothes our souls so wounded by sin and a faithless and indifferent world! O Delightful Banquet which gives strength and joy to our weary hearts! May we be inspired by a renewed appreciation for the precious Gift of Jesus Himself to prepare more carefully before approaching the altar.

Jesus, stir up my sluggish faith, and let my soul sing loudly my gratitude for your incredible gift of perpetual presence, nourishment and friendship. May I never again take your miracle of love for granted.

Msgr. Paul Whitmore
(pwhitmore29 at yahoo dot com)

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The Catholic Calendar for Saturday, July 29, 2006
Saturday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time
St. Martha

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Jeremiah 7:1-11
Psalm 84:3, 4, 5-6a and 8a, 11
John 11:19-27

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

"I know whatever you ask of God,
God will give you . . . ."

Absolute certainty.

Martha may not have had time to sit at His feet as her sister Mary did, but she sure seems to have come away with some important lessons.

What you ask of God will be given to you. This is one of the reasons we are told to pray "in the name of Jesus." To pray in His name is more than simply to pray and say His name at the end. Rather it is to pray AS Jesus himself–a privilege granted to God's children by adoption. Whatever we ask of God, knowing His intent and will and bending before it, we will receive. But praying in the name of Jesus always means praying first and foremost Jesus' most difficult prayer–"Thy will, not mine."

Today we celebrate this woman, who while rushing through the world learned to take time enough to love the Lord and learn who He was and what He could do. We are all Marthas to some extent–but that's okay, for as we see in this often-neglected part of Martha's story, we can come to know God intimately as well as she did.

- JuandelaCruz
(sriddle415 at yahoo dot com)

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The Catholic Calendar for Friday, July 28, 2006
The Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Jeremiah 3:14-17
Jeremiah 31:10, 11-12 abcd, 13
Matthew 13:18-23

A reflection on today's Scripture . . . .

The seed sown on rich soil is the one who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit. (Matthew 13:23)

The One true God chose the Israelites to become an example to the world as a holy nation living in love and truth, and so attracting all people to God's kingdom. While His chosen people remained faithful to His word, He strengthened them against their enemies and amply provided for all their needs. But humanity tends in abundant and untroubled times to forget the "Giver" of all good and heedlessly expends its energies on worldly endeavors and gaining possessions. In response, God, being excluded from their lives, allows them to exercise their free will, leaves them to "make it on their own." At such times disasters overcame His people until they recognized and repented of their infidelities and returned with all their hearts into His "fold."

Christ's parable of the sower shows that God is lavish in spreading His word on all people. He excludes no one from His kingdom; it is we who exclude ourselves through rejection or disobedience. A major reason for resisting God's word is fear: stubborn souls, dreading change, harden their hearts against it; some listen to the devil accusing God of curtailing their freedoms and pleasures; others follow the crowd rather than risk ridicule or persecution. Finally, many are so attached to "getting and spending" that they leave no room in their lives for His word to take root and flourish.

Christ's teachings reveal that it is the humble who admit their sins and see the need of beginning a new life. These come to Jesus, and drawing close to Him in prayer, realize that He is the embodiment of all God's goodness, wisdom and power. As they learn to participate in His virtues, in His creative, life-giving love, they bear His Holy Spirit's fruit to feed and revive moribund souls in a God-starved world.

O God, giver of life and joy, pour out Your light upon us through Christ's Spirit, that we may be enabled to follow Him as he shows us the way into Your holy kingdom. Amen.

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

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The Catholic Calendar for Thursday, July 27, 2006
Thursday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Jeremiah 2:1-3, 7-8, 12-13
Psalm 36:6-7ab, 8-9, 10-11
Matthew 13:10-17

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

The disciples asked Jesus an interesting question, reflected in the gospel of today. They wondered why He spoke to the people in parables. In the answer Christ gave them, He is also addressing us. He compared the disciples with the other people saying that the people were not really hearing and understanding His message, as were the disciples. It raises an interesting question for us today.

Christ said the people were not hearing and seeing what He said, and did so because they did not want to change, to be converted, to be really touched by Him. We can ask this of ourselves. Are we satisfied with the "status quo" of our spiritual life, Mass on Sundays, a little spiritual reading once in awhile, not really committing any huge faults . . . and so it goes year after year? This is all good, but is it enough? Would a human relationship continue if we were only contributing the bare minimum of effort? Is Christ more than a "Christmas card friend," someone you reach out to just so they remember you? What holds us back from really leaning into the relationship that Christ longs for with us? What are we afraid of?

- Joan of Jesus, OCDS
(jmurphy at utica dot edu)

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The Catholic Calendar for Wednesday, July 26, 2006
Seventeenth Week in Ordinary Time
St. Joachim and St. Anne, the parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Readings from the Liturgy of the Word:
Jeremiah 1:1, 4-10
Psalm 71:1-6, 15, 17
Matthew 13:1-9

From The Little Book of Eternal Wisdom *

I place before my inward eyes myself, with it all that I am -
My body, soul, and all my powers - and I gather round me
All the creatures which God ever created in heaven, on earth,
And in it the elements, each one severally with its name,
Whether birds of the air, beasts of the forest, fishes of the waters,
Leaves and grass of the earth, or the innumerable sands of the sea.

And to these I add it the little specks of dust which glance
In the sunbeams, with all the little drops of water which ever fell
Or are falling from dew, snow, or rain, and I wish that each of these
Had a sweetly sounding stringed instrument, fashioned from my heart's
Inmost blood, striking on which they might each send up to
Our dear and gentle God a new and lofty strain of praise for ever and ever.

And then the loving arms of my soul stretch out and extend themselves
Towards the innumerable multitude of all creatures, and my intention is,
Just as a free and blithesome leader of a choir stirs up the singers
Of his company, even so to turn them it to good account by inciting them to
Sing joyously, and to offer up their hearts to God - Sursum corda.

- written by Blessed Henry Suso O.P. (1295-1366)

* Editor's note: This reflection was forwarded to me on the occasion of the feast of St. Joachim and St. Anne in 1993 by Deacon Kevin Quinn, shortly before his death. (RIP)

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The Catholic Calendar for Tuesday, July 25, 2006
Tuesday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time
St. James, apostle

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
2 Corinthians 4:7-15
Psalm 126:1bc-2ab, 2cd-3, 4-5, 6
Matthew 20:20-28

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

In today’s Gospel we hear the very interesting account of how the mother of James and John asked the Lord for special favors for her sons. We don’t know all the details surrounding the conversation, such as, did James and John “put her up” to it, did they even know about it or have an opportunity to silence her? It seems that right after she made the request, Jesus asked James and John if they were up to the task of “drinking from the cup” as He would.

In any case, whether they were complicit in the request for special favors or not, Jesus made it clear what discipleship would entail and it was not characterized by special favors, as the world would have it. Instead it means identifying with the Sorrowful, Persecuted, Crucified Lord who in this world receives no special treatment or consideration. Quite the opposite was in fact true and it will be the same with those who wish to follow Him.

But wait, it’s not all a “wash-out” so to speak, there’s the “rest of the story--what comes after the Cross--The Resurrection and everlasting glory for those who will “drink from the same cup” of suffering and service as Jesus did.

“Walking by the Sea of Galilee, Jesus saw James and John, the sons of Zebedee, mending their nets, and he called them to follow Him.” (Matthew 4:18-21)
(Entrance Antiphon for today’s Mass)

- Donna Nelson, OCDS
(drn3rd at hughes dot net)

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The Catholic Calendar for Monday, July 24, 2006
Monday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Micah 6:1-4, 6-8
Psalm 50:5-6, 8-9, 16bc-17, 21 and 23
Matthew 12:38-42
St. Sharbel Makhluf, priest

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

"With what shall I come before the Lord, and bow before God most high?" (Micah 6:6)

This is a question that is most relevant today. We live in a materialistic society that seems to be constantly demanding of our time. That sometimes reciting prayers and going to church might seem more of a ritual placed into our busy lives. But God doesn't want this. "When you do these things, shall I be deaf to it? Or do you think that I am like yourself?" (Psalm 50:16-17)

Yes, we’re created in the image and likeness of God, but it is our sin that separates us from Him. Jesus, in the gospel of Matthew, describes to us that His coming is far greater than anything that has happened in the past.

Jesus proclaims how He shall unite us with His Heavenly Father through His sacrifice of dying on the cross and His resurrection three days later. This is the greatest demonstration of the love that God has for His people. And just as it was for Jonah when he came out of the whale a changed man, so too shall the world change as a result of the fact that Jesus will be in the heart of the earth (which is the home of all of mankind) for three days and three nights.

So what does Jesus ask of us for this great gift that He has given us? ". . . to do right and to love goodness, and to walk humbly with your God." (Micah 6:8)

- Danielle

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The Catholic Calendar for Sunday, July 23, 2006
Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Jeremiah 23:1-6
Psalm 23:1-3, 3-4, 5, 6
Ephesians 2:13-18
Mark 6:30-34

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

How many times have Americans felt like sheep without a shepherd! “Whatever happened to the common good?” is a frequent question. In Jeremiah’s time in Israel, the poor were being so badly neglected, and the Lord’s precepts so forgotten or ignored, that God in anger declared, “I myself will shepherd my sheep!” He made good his promise by eventually sending his Son, the “Lord of Justice.” St. Paul, in the second reading, extols Christ as bringing back the scattered sheep, and preaching peace and oneness of worship for all people. He is the Good Shepherd whom all other shepherds, whether they be politicians, heads of families, or ecclesial leaders, must imitate.

The Gospel is truly fitting for these summer vacation months. It’s a good reminder that even Jesus wanted a little time out. The disciples have just come back after some strenuous preaching, exhausted from travel, with some of them probably discouraged at the indifference or lack of faith in their hearers. And how does Jesus respond? Not with a critique of their preaching, or fresh orders, but a gentle welcome home and suggestion that they all find a nice quiet place for some rest and relaxation.

Poor shepherding, the faster pace of life in general, and demands on our time and energy from so many sources, leave us sleep-deprived, lacking in energy, and cynical. Not knowing in what direction to focus, we end up doing poorly with our responsibilities and neglecting relationships. This hurts others and does damage to our joy in living. So we need to take the Gospel to heart this week. Do I take time every day with Mass, or if that is not possible, with solid time in silence, listening to the Lord? Do I ever go with a friend for a whole day of recollection? Do I ever think of a week of retreat at an approved retreat house?

Msgr. Paul Whitmore
(pwhitmore29 at yahoo dot com)

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The Catholic Calendar for Saturday, July 22, 2006
Wednesday of the Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time
St. Mary Magdalene

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Micah 2:1-5
Psalm 10:1-2, 3-4, 7-8, 14
John 20:1-2, 11-18

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

"I have seen the Lord . . . ."

Mary Magdalene, the unfortunate figure of much malignant speculation at present, demonstrates both the strength and the deep humility that make her such a compelling figure.

When she does not recognize Jesus, she addresses Him with an honorific--"Sir." When she does recognize Him, she addresses Him with even greater humility, "Rabbouni," which is "Teacher" or "Master." Always, she turns to Him and points to Him. When she returns to the disciples with her exciting news, she tells them all He said.

Imagine for a moment the trepidation that must have come with that retelling. Now the doubting, perhaps even hating eyes of the Apostles are upon her. Remember this was a pretty contentious bunch--"Who gets to sit at your right hand, etc." So they are looking at her thinking, "Who is she that He would come to her first? A mere woman."

But, she tells them what He said, and as she tells, their doubt and anger subside and they come to know the truth of His resurrection. Mary Magdalene serves as the herald of that great moment, acting for His resurrection as John did at His baptism.

Mary Magdalene, model of woman, obedient, intelligent, and strong.

- JuandelaCruz
(sriddle415 at yahoo dot com)

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The Catholic Calendar for Friday, July 21, 2006
The Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time
St. Lawrence of Brindisi, priest and doctor of the Church

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Isaiah 38:1-6, 21-22, 7-8
Isaiah 38:10-12abcd, 16
Matthew 12:1-8

A reflection on today's Scripture . . . .

“I say to you, something greater than the temple is here." (Matthew 12:6)

Today's readings all center on God's righteous mercy. Hezekiah, faithful and devout, learned he was terminally ill, but rather than preparing to die, he prayed fervently for healing. In response God granted him fifteen more years of life, since to God all things are possible. If the ill approach Him in sincere prayer, He may or may not heal them; in either case, He does what is best for the individual soul and those souls closest to Him. Our finite minds cannot fathom His purposes, but we can rely on His Spirit of grace remaining close by, ready to forgive repented sin and comfort and strengthen all those suffering.

God ministers to man in both body and spirit. This is seen in our second reading in which Hezekiah prays a hymn of thanksgiving. The bitterness he once felt at the prospect of his soul being consigned to the nether world, never to see God, was dispelled. God, in His righteous mercy, forgave his sins, and in this knowledge Hezekiah's spirit was revived to new life. God's purpose is to sanctify and save all souls, not condemn them.

Interestingly, our Gospel finds the Pharisees reviling the Apostles for breaking the Sabbath rule of doing no labor. That these men were very hungry but had no other food apart from their reaping and eating some grain heads did not matter to these "experts" in the law. Jesus defends them with examples from Scripture and reminds the Pharisees that the temple priests are called to perform many servile duties on the Sabbath. Again we see that God desires to minister to all of man's needs. In the above quotation, Christ asserts that He is God come to them in human flesh and is therefore "Lord of the Sabbath." It is God's merciful love that should inspire our sacrifices, not the blind following of empty rules.

Father of all wisdom, inspire us to compassion toward all. Make us see that we should not judge others, for You alone know our true needs and the motivation of our hearts. Amen.

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

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The Catholic Calendar for Thursday, July 20, 2006
Thursday of the Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time
St. Apollinaris, bishop and martyr

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Isaiah 26:7-9, 12, 16-19
Psalm 102:13-14ab and 15, 16-18, 19-21
Matthew 11:28-30

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

Life isn't always easy! Sometimes it gets downright miserable! At such times we might question, "Why me Lord? What did I do to deserve this?” Our Lord addresses an answer to some of us in the gospel of today saying, "Take my yoke . . . and learn from me . . . ." (Matthew 11:29)

The reason we might say that it’s an answer for some of us, is that sometimes we make our own burdens, and then complain to God about them. We are lax about taking care of our duties in life, properly parenting our children, taking care of our health, our finances. We have gone along with blinders on, caught up in the fast-paced secular society. Then “suddenly” there is a crisis. Notice that in the gospel Christ says, "Take MY yoke upon you." If we follow the will of God by prayer and listening to the Spirit, we are less apt to make our own burdens.

Obviously for others, and for all of us at times, there seems to be no reason for suffering. We’re often at a loss for words, but we can turn to our Savior who suffered for each of us on the Cross!

O God, please help me to not make life harder for myself.
Save me from my own lack of insight.
Direct me always in all things. Amen

- Joan of Jesus, OCDS
(jmurphy at utica dot edu)

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The Catholic Calendar for Wednesday, July 19, 2006
Wednesday of the Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Isaiah 10:5-7, 13b-16
Psalm 94:5-6, 7-8, 9-10, 14-15
Matthew 11:25-27

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

“I give praise to you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to the childlike.” (Matthew 11:25)

Jesus tells us today that to really know the things of God, we must become like children. In fact, he alludes to this many times in the gospels. What exactly does He mean and, more, what exactly is “childlike”?

Children come to their parents without any preconceived notion of how things should be. They trust their parents completely, rely on them totally for their very survival. They seek out their parents as sources of comfort, safety and knowledge. They love their parents unconditionally. They completely belong to their parents, and no one else.

This, then, is what we must become to approach the Father. To become childlike is to lose all our preconceived adult ideas, trust Him completely and recognize that our very existence is due to Him. We must seek Him for the comfort, safety and knowledge we need to live. And most important, we must love Him unconditionally and belong to Him and Him alone.

This is what it is to be childlike. Anything different puts us in a place where we cannot fully receive what God has for us.

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

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The Catholic Calendar for Tuesday, July 18, 2006
Tuesday of the Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time
St. Camillus de Lellis, priest

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Isaiah 7:1-9
Psalm 48:2-3a, 3b-4, 5-6, 7-8
Matthew 11:20-24

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

In today’s Gospel Jesus tells us very clearly what the consequences are for those who have had the opportunity of knowing the Truth and yet fail to believe. The Lord’s pure justice demands that those who have not known will not be held accountable, but those who have, will be dealt with accordingly. He is not indiscriminate when it comes to punishment, but instead seems almost indiscriminate about those He loves.

But then, we must always remember that He is God and not man and does not deal with things as we would. It is a comforting thought because if we really got what our infidelity deserved, there would be no hope for us; while instead, there is every reason for hope. God’s justice demands that He love and His love pours down on us in the form of divine, ineffable mercy.

All my hope, O Lord, is in Your mercy!

- Donna Nelson, OCDS
(drn3rd at hughes dot net)

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The Catholic Calendar for Monday, July 17, 2006
Monday of the Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Isaiah 1:10-17
Psalm 50:8-9, 16bc-17, 21 and 23
Matthew 10:34--11:1

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

Of the readings we ponder upon today, we get hit right square in the eyes with the truth of Jesus' message! God does not listen to or feel the love of man through empty religious practices and rituals. We pray morning and night, attend Holy Mass weekly or daily, yet engage in evil deeds away from these forms of worship to Our Lord.

We do these things, celebrate Our Lord's Passion and Resurrection, but do we truly have love in our hearts? Do we judge our brother or friend before or after prayer? Do we become selfish after daily Mass in the Lord? Do we pray with our hearts, or do we just mindlessly mumble words thinking God will answer us?

Do we always ask Jesus for things to be done our way, or do we give Him praise and thanksgiving for what wondrous deeds He has done for us in uniquely surprising ways? These are some of the thoughts we can ponder while reflecting on the reading from the Prophet Isaiah.

Jesus extends these notions in the Gospel of Matthew. Jesus did not come to give a relaxing party of love, He came to challenge us to leave our pagan ways behind, and take up our cross and follow Him. Jesus calls us, especially in this age, to become outward disciples. Some are called to dramatically live His messages in Consecrated Religious Life and Holy Orders. Others are to lead by example as laity. We are all called to live Jesus' challenge to us.

- Alicia

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The Catholic Calendar for Sunday, July 16, 2006
Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Amos 7:12-15
Psalm 85:9-10, 11-12, 13-14
Ephesians 1:3-14 or 1:3-10
Mark 6:7-13

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

Today, the readings focus on "mission," on being sent by God. Amos had truly been called and sent by God. His mission was to bring back the Northern Kingdom of Israel to true worship. They had set up a number of worship places in rivalry with the Temple in Jerusalem which David had established. Amos' message to Israel greatly displeased King Jeroboam, and he had him thrown out by the priest, Amaziah, whose own authority was open to question. Amos' mission, like that of many prophets, was rejected. In so doing, the Northern Kingdom rejected God.

In the Gospel, Jesus gives a mission to his disciples, along with explicit instructions that they are to do so at personal inconvenience--they are not to take money, extra clothes, or food with them. They are to concentrate on getting the message out, leaving personal needs to the hospitality of their hearers. Thank God they could take a walking stick (very convenient for fending off snakes or other dangers).

And how about us? We have been given the same mission as the disciples. Do we get too much distracted by worldly cares and personal concerns to really "preach the word, in season and out of season"? Remember that effective preaching can be without words, just by a prayerful presence and caring actions. St. Francis of Assisi told his followers, "Preach always. Use words, if necessary." We pray before and after giving our message. Leave to the Lord how effective its power. The main purpose is to be conscious and convinced that God has given us a mission to be doers of the word, each according to the particular circumstances of our lives.

O Lord, give me the faith and the will to speak your message with courage and conviction. Let not fear, timidity, or pride hinder me.

Msgr. Paul Whitmore
(pwhitmore29 at yahoo dot com)

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The Catholic Calendar for Saturday, July 15, 2006
St. Bonaventure, bishop, doctor of the Church

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Isaiah 6:1-8
Psalm 93:1ab, 1cd-2, 5
Matthew 10:24-33

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

"It is enough for the disciple that he become like his teacher . . . "

No disciple exceeds his master, until long after leaving the master's instruction, at least in those things. However, in the divine realm it is impossible for the disciple to become more than his or her teacher.

However, Jesus points out, it is the goal and it is sufficient and commendable to become like one's master. Jesus guides us and teaches us how to become like Him. The Church shows us, "Jesus meek and humble of heart, make my heart like unto thine."

If we are full of ourselves and full of ambition to become something more than what we are, we will never succeed in the imitation of Christ, "who though in the form of God, did not deem equality with God something to strive after." He humbled himself taking the form of a slave and was murdered for our sins. True imitation of Him cannot take any form other than humility. It starts, grows, continues, and comes to fruition in humility.

So, though we cannot attain the status of Jesus, nevertheless, He has shown us the way to become like Him.

- JuandelaCruz
(sriddle415 at yahoo dot com)

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The Catholic Calendar for Friday, July 14, 2006
The Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha, virgin

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Hosea 14:2-10
Psalm 51:3-4, 8-9, 12-14, 17
Matthew 10:16-23

A reflection on today's Scripture. . . .

"Behold, I am sending you like sheep in the midst of wolves." (Matthew 10:16)

Our nation rightly covets its freedoms cited in the Constitution, a document written by our founders who assumed it would always be interpreted and applied by intelligent people possessing a strong moral fiber. Our forefathers did not expect that human pride and selfishness would eventually twist its tenets to suit the philosophy and convenience of partisan interests. Consequently, recent judicial decisions defy wisdom, for in explicating
our "rights," they have departed widely from traditional morality and ethics. Indeed, they have tended to eliminate from the public's thinking, any thought that smacks of religious beliefs by frightening people with the lie that we are placing ourselves in danger of establishing a national religion that would infringe on our freedom of beliefs, speech and action.

Deliberately, these "freedom fighters" mask the fact that the laws of our Western world were originally based on Judeo-Christian morality and ethics because they were recognized as transcending "religion" and actually being universal nonsectarian truths inherent in the law of love which is our only path to establishing a just, peaceful and life-giving world. Today, we are witnessing, especially in middle and far Eastern nations, the effects of hatred and lies rather than love and truth. Our nation need not think it is exempt from a similar folly.

Jesus warns His disciples of the very real dangers they will face as they reveal the need for humanity to repent of its sins, reform their lives and learn to practice the most basic law essential to keeping peace among all peoples--love--shown by truth, mercy, justice forgiveness, kindness, gentleness, compassion and generosity. Those who through fear remain silent in the face of present day depravity are as guilty as its perpetrators.

Just and loving Father,
imbue Your children with the courage to live in and speak the truth,
that we may all share in the blessed life You have ordained for us.
Amen.

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

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The Catholic Calendar for Thursday, July 13, 2006
Wednesday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time
St. Henry

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Hosea 11:1-4, 8e-9
Psalm 80:2ac and 3b, 15-16
Matthew 10:7-15

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

The Son of Man was a good teacher for His disciples, right down to the last detail!

In the gospel of today, Christ is teaching His disciples how to prepare and act as they go from village to village, carrying the Good News. He even talks about where they should stay, what to wear and what to eat. Christ is also giving that message to us.

Though most of us do not go evangelizing in the same manner as did the disciples in the day of Christ, we do have the same responsibility to build up the kingdom of God. We co-operate in the mission of God.

One of the main messages that Christ imparted was that the disciples travel with a light load. The gospel refers to clothing and material items, but we might think about that “light load” for us. Perhaps it means that we approach another person in need of spiritual input without burdening them with our own load, including references to endless books and devotions. The message of Christ is profound, yet simple and direct. We need not complicate it for others. We meet them wherever they are on their journey with Christ and walk with them, gifting them primarily with our presence and a message of peace. If we are open to the Spirit, He will handle the rest!

- Joan of Jesus, OCDS
(jmurphy at utica dot edu)

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The Catholic Calendar for Wednesday, July 12, 2006
Wednesday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Hosea 10:1-3, 7-8, 12
Psalm 105:2-3, 4-5, 6-7
Matthew 10:1-7

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

I love the contrast between today’s two readings. The first, from Hosea, instructs the people:

"Sow for yourselves justice,
reap the fruit of piety;
break up for yourselves a new field,
for it is time to seek the Lord,
till he come and rain down justice upon you.” (Hosea 10:12)

The Lord, through His prophet Hosea, says to the people, “Get up and do the right thing and seek the Lord.” In other words, they need to go find Him. Then, in the Gospel, our Lord tells the twelve disciples:

"Go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
As you go, make this proclamation:
‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’" (Matthew 10:6-7)

The Lord sends His disciples to the people to proclaim the good news. In other words, the Lord goes to find His people. God has always sent faithful prophets to His people. But with Jesus, He came to the people unlike He had ever done before. He sent His only-beloved Son, a special part of Himself to make the ultimate sacrifice for His people. He continues to send Himself to us daily in His Spirit and in the Eucharist. This is how loving our Lord is – that He comes to us each and every moment of the day, always seeking to bring us closer to Him.

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

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The Catholic Calendar for Tuesday, July 11, 2006
Tuesday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time
St. Benedict, abbot

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Hosea 8:4-7, 11-13
Psalm 115:3-4, 5-6, 7ab-8, 9-10
Matthew 9:32-38

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

I’m afraid that we may often be inclined to read Holy Scripture as if it’s just a collection of interesting stories, somewhat instructive perhaps, for the people of the time, but of little relevance for us. Take for instance, today’s reading from Hosea about the infidelity of the Israelites of the Northern Kingdom.

Isn’t it ridiculous that they would worship a golden calf? Indeed it is ridiculous, but what does that have to do with us, with me? I’m not substituting the worship of God for some inanimate silly “thing,” or am I? Isn’t an attachment to anything for its own sake making a little idol out of it, giving it more attention and value than it rightfully deserves?

In that context there are numerous opportunities and indeed many instances where we worship false gods, giving them more importance than the worship of the One True God. For us it is an insidious encroachment of “things” into our lives that take up our time, take up our energy, take up the place that worship of God, the Creator of all things, deserves. Maybe we don’t have any images of “grass-eating bulls” that fascinate us, but certainly we have equally worthless things that have become our idols.

Let us pray that we may remain faithful, giving to God the praise and glory due to Him, worshipping Him alone and no strange god.

- Donna Nelson, OCDS
(drn3rd at hughes dot net)

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The Catholic Calendar for Monday, July 10, 2006
Monday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Hosea 2:16, 17c-18, 21-22
Psalm 145:2-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9
Matthew 9:18-26

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

"The Lord is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and of great kindness. The Lord is good to all and compassionate toward all His works." (Psalm 145:8-9)

What would Jesus do if He turned on the evening news?

How would He tolerate the violence, poverty, injustice and hopelessness that ravage our communities?

Would He say that it was someone else's problem to deal with?

Or would He be too overwhelmed by the impossibility of it all to find a way to restore hope, dignity and relevance to the victims?

Would Jesus squander His time and talents generating fame and fortune, while neglecting His own family and community?

Would He leave it up to governments to assist our struggling global neighbours, blindly trusting that they will automatically do what is right and just?

Would He be comfortable with a society where the rich get richer and the poor poorer?

Would Jesus be suspicious of people who are different than Himself?

Would He get any kind of enjoyment from scandalous gossip?

Would He be indifferent to the pillaging of God's creation, all to satisfy the extravagant needs of one or two generations while condemning all future ones to live in a world stripped of its life-giving beauty?

Would He be content to go on with His own life, oblivious of the suffering of those that are - the rejected - the homeless - the unemployed - the elderly - the sick - the forgotten - the lonely - the hopeless - the hungry - the abused - the oppressed?

We call ourselves followers of Christ, but are we really? If we examine the focus of our everyday actions and our priorities - how closely do we find that they would match what Jesus would do in our place? In today's Gospel, we learn how Jesus was surrounded by suffering and with compassion brought hope and healing into the world - this was His mission! How much of our time and efforts do we devote to living this mission and continuing the legacy Jesus left in the care of His followers? Is it enough to simply donate a small portion of our excess to those less fortunate than ourselves? Or is there more yet that we can do and should do?

When a child in Africa, whose village has been decimated by AIDS and drought, cries out to God - why is God silent and the hunger continues? When a child, whose home is surrounded by bombs, gunfire and the screams of the dying, cries out to God - why is God silent and the dying continues? When a child prostitute, helplessly trapped in the slums of Calcutta, cries out to God - why is God silent and the suffering continues? Is it really God who is silent? Or is it we who have chosen to ignore God's call to be His healing hands, His voice of justice, and His eyes and ears of compassion?

Is it really we who are silent?

- Anne
(anne97 at gmail dot com)

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The Catholic Calendar for Sunday, July 9, 2006
Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Ezekiel 2:2-5
Psalm 123:1-2, 2, 3-4
2 Corinthians 12:7-10
Mark 6:1-6

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

How often we’re amazed when someone from our neighborhood achieves national prominence. We almost splutter, “But I knew him (or her) as a young kid in shorts. I had no idea she would end up as glamorous or famous.” And if we’re on a committee to select a speaker for some important occasion, we’re much more inclined to seek out someone far away. The inhabitants of Nazareth, especially his relatives, felt the same way about Jesus. “So, where did HE get all this knowledge?”

They didn’t put any faith in Him! Without an environment of faith, Jesus refused to perform miracles for their entertainment. He was not a magician! They were looking for a show, while Jesus wanted them to listen and believe in His Word. To act otherwise would be a betrayal of the power He shared with the Father.

How much was lost by the skeptical Nazarenes who were so lacking in faith! Like so many of us, they had already prejudged Jesus, dismissing Him with the too-easy judgment that they knew Him, and knew all they needed to know about Him.

Surely there are important lessons for us from this week’s readings. May we never be guilty of dismissing the Good News from our preachers, bishops, or Christ’s representative on earth, our pope. Despite their human flaws, Christ has chosen to speak through their words with His authority.

Msgr. Paul Whitmore
(pwhitmore29 at yahoo dot com)

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The Catholic Calendar for Saturday, July 8, 2006
Thirteenth Saturday in Ordinary Time

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Amos 9:11-15
Psalm 85:9ab and 10, 11-12, 13-14
Matthew 9:14-17

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

"New Wine into Old Wineskins . . . .”

Today Jesus makes a point of the "otherness" of His mission to us. He is not the old wine; as a result His disciples do not observe the old ways, but they observe the ways that He teaches.

We live in the time of the new teaching. We do not observe the old ways, although we honor them because they are what gave rise to Jesus. These new ways are the ways we encounter God now–most particularly in the celebration of the Eucharist and in our prayer.

Jesus sent us the Holy Spirit to help us in our prayer. This is one of the signs of the New Way. The Holy Spirit, comforter, guide, teacher, and leader in prayer. Being people of the new way, we have access to this spirit of love and truth. In our prayer we rely upon Him to convey the needs of our hearts to the Lord.

Celebrate then the Bridegroom who died and was reborn and who is with us until the end of this age through the Holy Spirit.

- JuandelaCruz
(sriddle415 at yahoo dot com)

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The Catholic Calendar for Friday, July 7, 2006
The Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Amos 8:4-6, 9-12
Psalm 119:2, 10, 20, 30, 40, 131
Matthew 9:9-13

A reflection on today's Scripture. . . .
"I did not come to call the righteous but sinners." (Matthew 9:13)

Some believe that in these enlightened times we have outgrown our need for God, that New Testament morality and ethics are outdated because our growing scientific knowledge and technology have superseded them. Rather than writing a laundry list of our prevalent dishonesties and rationalizations for our destructive acts, suffice it to say that we have not only destroyed time honored institutions such as marriage, fidelity to one another and to God, but we have also transformed human life from a holy gift given us by our Creator into a "disposable " commodity. Our spiritual illness now causes us to practice various forms of cannibalism; and since we remain blind to our maladies, we've espoused societal death.

Today's Gospel shows that we remain plagued by the same disease that led the Pharisees to condemn both Jesus and the sinners and tax collectors with whom He was eating. Secularism, our rejection of God, causes us to become loveless, merciless, self-righteous "experts" in how to live. In Jesus' day, the Pharisees who prided themselves on their knowledge and practice of the law, while also remaining ignorant of God, preferred to despise and revile sinners rather than reaching out to them with the saving love of God.

That Matthew responded so quickly to Christ's invitation to follow Him is evidence that he saw in Christ his opportunity for forgiveness, redemption and the ability to live a more worthy life. We, as Christians, must bear in mind that hatred and rejection will not draw sinners to living a new and better life, but our extending to them the fruit of God's Spirit will.

Blessed redeemer, free us from darkness and inspire our hearts with the warmth and radiance of Your own holy heart and so bring Your love to those in most need. Amen.

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

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The Catholic Calendar for Thursday, July 6, 2006
Wednesday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time
St. Maria Goretti, virgin and martyr

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Amos 7:10-17
Psalm 19:8, 9, 10, 11
Matthew 9:1-8

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

In the gospel of today, Jesus helps us set our priorities. (How blessed we are that Christ was so direct in His teachings!) The gospel is about Christ healing the paralytic from His own town, a man Christ probably knew in the past. The reading states that Christ was impressed by the faith of the men who carried the paralytic up to Him. It is a reminder to us that we make our requests of Christ based on faith--as opposed to rattling off requests like a shopping list.

Regarding the setting of priorities, Christ was first interested in the soul of the paralytic and forgave him his sins. It was only later that Christ healed the man physically.

In the developed world we spend a lot of time and money pampering our bodies. While it is essential that we work at keeping ourselves healthy, this gospel gives us an occasion to ask if we are maintaining a healthy balance. Do we also spend a good amount of time attending to the needs of our spiritual lives? Our bodies give way to the aging process, but our souls last for all eternity!

- Joan of Jesus, OCDS
(jmurphy at utica dot edu)

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The Catholic Calendar for Wednesday July 5, 2006
Wednesday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time
St. Anthony Mary Zaccaria, priest

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Amos 5:14-15, 21-24
Psalm 50:7, 8-9, 10-11, 12-13, 16bc-17
Matthew 8:28-34

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

In our gospel message today, Jesus casts the demons out of two men setting them free from this terrible existence. The situation must have been terrible not only for them, but for the people of that region, given that the road nearby was impassible due to the savagery of the possessed men. And how is our Lord repaid for this miracle? He is asked to leave.

How can this be?

We can never know the minds of others; so whatever drove the people’s thinking, in asking the Lord to depart after he had fixed a horrid situation that had plagued them for some time, will never be known. But it happens all the time, sadly by most of us. How many times do we turn our backs on the Lord in our sinfulness although He has given us everything? How many times have we asked the Lord to step aside to make room for our modern day idols? This is so easy to do! Did the people of the territory of the Gadarenes realize Whom they had turned away? Do we?

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

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The Catholic Calendar for Tuesday, July 4, 2006
Tuesday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time
St. Elizabeth of Portugal

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Amos 3:1-8; 4:11-12
Psalm 5:4b-6a, 6b-7, 8
Matthew 8:23-27

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

In today’s readings from Holy Scripture we’re reminded that God and His works are extraordinary. We know this, of course, through faith and our own human understanding of things. However, we would do well to remember that our sense of God and the power and glory of His attributes are always–in the final analysis–limited, lest we underestimate the great value of the final goal of seeing and knowing God as He is.

Recalling the stories and words of Holy Scripture helps us to gain some kind of balance in this tippy world of ours, for we know that Jesus is in the boat with us and is the “sort of person that even the wind and sea obey.”

“Who is this?” another gospel writer asks; I want to know, I want to see Him, I want to see God!

- Donna Nelson, OCDS
(drn3rd at hughes dot net)

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The Catholic Calendar for Monday, July 3, 2006
Monday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time
St. Thomas, apostle

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Ephesians 2:19-22
Psalm 117:1bc, 2
John 20:24-29

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

"Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed." (John 20:29)

Today's gospel is about Thomas the Apostle and his doubts. Even though he had heard Jesus speak about his upcoming death and resurrection–Thomas still doubted. Even though the other followers were gloriously living the alleluia of Jesus' resurrection–Thomas still doubted. And consequently, doubt imprisoned him in the dark grief and horror of Christ's agonizing crucifixion–all Thomas' hope remained dead and buried in the silent, stone-cold tomb where they had laid his beloved Master's broken body. It was Thomas' devastating disappointment and confusion that let doubt blind him from seeing God's ultimate purpose for Christ's death–Christ's resurrection and salvation for the whole world!

Jesus' life taught us that loving God is doing and trusting in His will. Sometimes God's will is not always our will. We want to be free and able to do just what we want to do, and have things work out just the way we want them to. Sometimes we don't understand why things don't work out as we planned. Even though we know that God's plan for us is greater than anything we can possibly imagine for ourselves–we still have doubts!

But just like Thomas, we are given a chance to believe again. For us today, that same opportunity is present, but in a different way. We are invited to touch Jesus and to believe that He is alive in our everyday lives no matter how bleak and difficult things may seem. Doubt is not the opposite of faith because to have doubts does not mean that you do not believe. Overcoming doubt and fear are an essential part of the journey. Overcoming doubt and fear is how we’re able to see Christ more clearly and share in His glorious victory!

- Anne
(anne97@gmail.com)

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The Catholic Calendar for Sunday, July 2, 2006
Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Wisdom 1:13-15; 2:23-24
Psalm 30:2, 4, 5-6, 11, 12, 13
2 Corinthians 8:7, 9, 13-15
Mark 5:21-43 or 5:21-24, 35b-43

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

The readings for this Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time fit so well with our American dream, since they’re all about life. They remind us that God and people are especially bonded! He created us for happiness, freedom, and life to the full; “God did not make death, nor does he rejoice in the destruction of the living,” the Book of Wisdom declares. So, then, who invented death? Satan the Destroyer! All who submit to his rule will experience death!

How then, do we escape death? Through clinging with all our strength and will to the commandments of God, and the teaching of His Son, Jesus. In particular, we find the key to life (the second reading) in letting go of self, and sharing generously of all that we have and are with the “have nots” in our midst. By giving up His life, Jesus restored eternal life to all.

God is the Creator, the Source of life. Wherever there is “death” either through sin, disease, or distress of any kind, He brings peace, an end to fear, and even more life than existed before. No, God did not invent death, nor does he rejoice in it.

What a great God we have, worthy of our constant gratitude, our praise, and our love!

Msgr. Paul Whitmore
(pwhitmore29 at yahoo dot com)

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The Catholic Calendar for Saturday, July 1, 2006
Twelfth Saturday in Ordinary Time

Blessed Juniper Serra, priest and religious

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Lamentations 2:2, 10-14, 18-19
Psalm 74:1b-2, 3-5, 6-7, 20-21
Matthew 8:5-17

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

"Lord, I am not worthy . . . "

Because the centurion lived in the time before the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, his words have a special relevance to the time. Today, while still true, they are modified to some extent because we are made worthy by His love and by the indwelling Holy Spirit.

Thus it is still true that by myself and without His help, I am not worthy to receive the Lord; however, because He sent us a special advocate, a comforter, a special aide to grace in the person of the Holy Spirit, I am made worthy by His worthiness.

When we say, "Lord, I am not worthy," in Mass, we are speaking a fundamental truth. Alone we are nothing, nothing but the dust to which we shall return. But His love makes us lovable, and His worthiness makes each of us worthy.

So, each time we say in Mass, "Lord, I am not worthy to receive you, but only say the word and I shall be healed," we can be absolutely certain of the truth of it. We shall be healed and that healing shall make us worthy to be received under His roof. If we are unworthy to receive Him, then how much more unworthy are we to be received by Him? Except – He loves us and His love makes us worthy. Always remember, by myself – unworthy and faulty; with Him – a daughter or son by adoption and made worthy.

Praise God for this great gift, brought forth from the death and resurrection of Jesus and from the love of the Father and Son. The comforter, the healer, the Paraclete, the companion, the one who teaches us the words to seek – the Holy Spirit of God, third person of the Blessed Trinity, indwelling spirit of Love.

- JuandelaCruz
(sriddle415 at yahoo dot com)

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