22nd Week: Aug 31st to Sept 5th

Aug 31 Monday: Lk 4:14-30: Jesus in the synagogue at Nazareth 14 And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee, and a report concerning him went out through all the surrounding country. 15 And he taught in their synagogues, being glorified by all. 16 And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up; and he went to the synagogue, as his custom was, on the Sabbath day. And he stood up  to read; 17 and there was given to him the book of the prophet Isaiah. He opened the book and found the place where it was written,

22nd Week, Tuesday, Sept 1

1 Cor 2:10-16 / Luke 4:31-37

Paul speaks about the Spirit: The Spirit helps us appraise everything. 

In the ninth book of his Confessions, St. Augustine an incident near the end of the life of St. Monica, his mother. They were in Rome standing at a window, overlooking a garden. Augustine writes: "We had gone there . . .   to get away from the noisy crowd and rest.

22nd Week, Monday, August 31

1 Cor 2:1-5 / Luke 4:16-30

I spoke with no eloquence: The Spirit, however, spoke through me.

Malcolm Muggeridge, the BBC-TV celebrity, interviewed Mother Teresa of Calcutta. The verdict on the interview was that it was hardly usable on TV. Mother Thresa's delivery was halting, and she spoke with a rather thick accent. One BBC official, however, felt that the interview had a mysterious power and held out for its use on a Sunday night. To everyone's surprise, viewer response to the program was amazing-both in terms of mail and contributions. 

22 Sunday A: Liturgical Prayers

Greeting

The Lord speaks to us, his disciples today:
"Come, follow me, renounce yourselves,
take up your cross and come after me."
May these words call us away from ourselves
and may the Lord go always with you.
R/ And also with you.

Introduction by the Celebrant

August 29 MARTYRDOM OF JOHN THE BAPTIST

Stand up to evil and oppose it. 

The book Ah, But Your Land Is Beautiful by Alan Paton contains a moving conversation between a white man and a black man. Both are putting their lives on the line for racial justice. At one point the white man turns to his black friend and says, "Things may be very rough for you. It won't be easy. What is your thinking about that?" The black man responds, "Well, I look at it this way. When I get up there, the great Judge will say, 'Where are your scars?' 

21st Week, Friday, Aug 28

1 Cor 1:17-25 / Matthew 25:1-13

Paul talks about Christ’s crucifixion: It was nonsense to the Gentiles.

The English poet Rudyard Kipling wrote a poem called “Cold Iron.” It’s about a baron who rebels against his king and tries to overthrow him. The king’s army engages the baron’s army, defeats it, and takes the baron prisoner.

22nd Sunday A: If you wish to Follow me, Take up your cross

 Gospel Text: Matthew 16:21-27 

Michel DeVerteuil 
General Comments
In meditating on this passage, we need to make some choices – guided, as always in lectio divina by feelings, not reason. For example, we can focus on the disciples, and Peter in particular, so that the passage speaks to us about our relationship with Jesus or with someone who has been Jesus to us. We then celebrate the times when we have been brought to see how our way of thinking was “human” and not according to God’s plan.

21st Week, Thursday, Aug 27

1 Cor 1:1-9 / Matthew 24:42-51

Paul encourages the Corinthians: God will keep you firm to the end.

A Jesuit missionary to Africa wrote this letter to his brothers at Loyola University in Chicago: Little boys chatter, fight and run foot races outside my window. Sometimes they stare in at me and watch me, as if I were a gorilla in a zoo. Women come with sick babies and sit on the floor outside my room, talking at the top of their voice.

21 Week, Wednesday: August 26

*****

We worked day and night.

By the time, I’m up in the morning, I see Simon from the state of Orissa cleaning up the cowshed after milking the cows and tying them on trees to graze around. Then he takes care of the farm. When I gave him a cap one day to protect him from the merciless sun, he was overjoyed. That was the first time he had a hat on his head! He was sending all his earnings regularly to take care of his old parents. To work hard and earn a living was so part of his genes, it looked like.  

21st Week: Aug 24-29: Reflections

Aug 24 Monday (St. Bartholomew/Nathaniel, Apostle) https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-bartholomew/ : Friday  Jn 1:43-51: 43 The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. And he found Philip and said to him, “Follow me.” 44 Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. 45 Philip found Nathanael, and said to him, “We have found him of whom Moses in the law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.”

21st Week, Tuesday, Aug 25

2 Thess 2:1-3, 14-17 / Matthew 23:23-26

Don’t be misled by false prophets!

The Evanston Review for April 8, 1982, carried a full-page ad. The ad’s headline read, “A Warning from God.” The subhead read, “In 1982 Russia will invade Israel in fulfillment of the biblical prophecy in Ezekiel 38-39.” The ad went on to say, “Jesus is coming soon . . . the hour is late . . . the end is near. . . Come into the Ark of safety which is Jesus Christ.” With covid 19 around …..

21 Sunday A: Liturgcal Prayers

Greeting

Through Jesus,
God has entrusted the Church
to weak human hands.
May the Spirit of the Lord guide
the leaders and members of the Church
and may the Lord Jesus be always with you.
R/ And also with you.

Introduction by the Celebrant

Aug 22: Queenship of Mary and 20th Week, Saturday

Saturday August 22

Saturday of 20th Week of Ordinary Time

LET YOUR LIFE TELL GOD’S STORY

Introduction
Before the exile, Ezekiel had warned the people against the punishment awaiting them. When the exile had come, he consoles them and gives them the prospect that God will live again among his people with all his glory.

20th Week, Friday, August 21

 Ezekiel 37:1-4 / Matthew 22:34-40 "I will breathe life back into them!"  

1. Robert Veninga describes an Alcoholics Anonymous support group in his book A Gift of Hope. He says: "The friendship among those seven men is one of the strongest bonds of friendship that I have ever seen. They telephone each other several times a week. Even when the executives are traveling on business, they make certain that they fly home for the Saturday night meeting. It's just too precious to miss." If today's reading applies to any group of people, it applies to members of Alcoholics Anonymous. God has, indeed, breathed life back into them— individually and as a group. The dry bones will change into real human beings.

21 Sunday A: You're Peter, upon this Rock I shall build My Church

  

Summary:
1.     Who Do People Say He Is? 2.     Who Do You Say He Is?
3.     What Are We Called to Do?

1.     Feedback – Communication
2.     Recognition – Messiah: Title ; Sacrifice
3.     Authority –Dependability – Rock

20 Week, Thursday August 20

Thursday August 20

Thursday of 20th Week of Ordinary Time

CALLED TO THE FEAST

Introduction
Israel had profaned God’s name among the nations, making it look weak when he had to send Israel into exile. Now Ezekiel consoles them when they are in exile. He will again restore his people, giving them a new heart and a new spirit.

20th Week, Wednesday, Aug 19

Ezekiel 34:1-11 / Matthew 20:1-16

You shepherds are doomed: "You take care of yourselves, not your sheep!" 

Fr. Horace McKenna of Washington, D.C., spent much of his life helping the city's poor. Just before he died, he said: "When God lets me into heaven, I think I'll ask to go off in a corner somewhere, sit down, and cry—because the strain is off.

20th Week, Tuesday, August 18

Ezekiel 28:1-10 / Matthew 19:23-30

It is quite surprising and amazing how we easily accept society's way of segregating us into classes. And we also subconsciously divide ourselves against each other.

20th Week, Monday, Aug 17

Ezekiel 24:15-24 / Matthew 19:16-22

Sin is a fracture or a break in our relationship with God. Yet it must be said that it is us who initiated that fracture or break by our committing sin.

20th Week: 17-22 Reflections

Aug 17-22: Aug 17 Monday: Mt 19:16-22: 16 And behold, one came up to him, saying, “Teacher, what good deed must I do, to have eternal life?” 17 And he said to him, “Why do you ask me about what is good? One there is who is good. If you would enter life, keep the commandments.” 18 He said to him, “Which?” And Jesus said, “You shall not kill, You shall not commit adultery, You shall not steal, You shall not bear false witness, 19 Honor your father and mother, and, You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 20 The young man said to him, “All these I have observed; what do I still lack?” 21 Jesus said to him, “If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” 22 When the young man heard this he went away sorrowful; for he had great possessions.  For USCCB video reflections, click on : http://www.usccb.org/bible/reflections/index.cfm

20 Sunday A: Jesus and the Canaanite Woman: Faith, Healing and Universality of Salvation

Gospel Text: Matthew 15:21-28

Michel DeVerteuil 
General Comments

This Sunday’s gospel passage is in two sections,
– an introduction in verse 21.
– the main story in verses 22-28
To get the significance of verse 21 we must look at the preceding passage which tells of the Pharisees’ continued hostility to Jesus. It was because he was rejected by the religious leaders then that Jesus decided to “leave that place” and “withdraw” to  a foreign environment, “the region of Tyre and Sidon”, ending up experiencing  a radically new dimension to his mission. So often  an experience of rejection leads to new possibilities being opened up. Our “region of Tyre and Sidon” turns out to be a place of new beginnings.

19th Week, Friday, Aug 14

Ezekiel 16:1-15, 60, 63 / Matthew 19:3-12

God speaks of Israel: “I loved you, but you deserted me.”

Some time ago America magazine carried an article entitled “Adult Runaway.” It dealt with the growing number of adults who desert their spouses and families. These adults almost always end up unhappy. Quoting the head of the Missing Person’s Bureau of Los Angeles, the article says: “The majority . . . would give anything to be back living their former lives. But they mistakenly figure there’s no way they can undo the past.”

19th Week, Thursday, Aug 13

Ezekiel 12:1-12 / Matthew 18:21 - 19:1

God speaks to Ezekiel: “These rebellious people look but don’t see.”

19th Week: Aug 10-15: Reflections

Aug 10 Monday (St. Lawrence, Deacon, Martyr) https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-lawrence/ : Jn 12:24-26: 24 Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.  25  He who loves his life loses it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.  26 If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there shall my servant be also; if anyone serves me, the Father will honor him. USCCB video reflections:

19th Week, Wednesday, Aug 12

Ezekiel 9:1-7; 10:18-22 / Matthew 18:15-20

Ezekiel has a vision of Jerusalem: “Only those who mourn will be saved. ”

Five years after arriving in Babylon, Ezekiel is returned to Jerusalem in a vision. He finds himself beside the Temple. What he sees may have been actual or symbolic. In any event, the meaning is clear: He sees a breakdown of the religion of Israel.

19th Week, Tuesday, Aug 11

Ezekiel 2:8 - 3:4 / Matthew 18:1-5, 10, 12-14

“Preach to the people of Israel. ”:  God speaks to Ezekiel

There was a movie that was shown some time back called "Bruce Almighty". It was about this ordinary man who was given godly powers for whatever reason. Power is indeed very attractive and appealing, and more so for the ordinary man on the street who seems to feel so powerless in all that is happening around him.

Aug 10: St. Lawrence: Liturgical Prayers

Monday August 10

ST. LAWRENCE, DEACON, MARTYR (FEAST)

Introduction

As a deacon, Lawrence was placed in charge of the poor of Rome. When he was ordered to surrender the goods of the Church to the persecutors, he distributed them to the poor. When asked where the treasures of the Church were, he showed the poor… He was broiled alive. Rome venerates him as one of the greatest saints and co-patron of Rome with Peter and Paul. May we learn loyal service from him.

19 Sunday A - Liturgical Prayers

Greeting (See Responsorial Psalm) I will listen to the voice of the Lord,
for it speaks of peace.
His help is near for those who fear him.
May the Lord with his help be always with you.
R/ And also with you.

18th Week, Saturday, Aug 8

Habakkuk 1:12-2:4 / Matthew 17: 14-20

Habakkuk questions God: God promised that justice would prevail.

The Book of Habakkuk is nearly as short as the Book of Nahum. Habakkuk prophesied shortly before the fall of Jerusalem and the Temple (587 B.C.). He wrestled with the same question Job did: Why do good people seem to suffer and evil people appear to prosper?

19 Sunday A: In the Storms of life with Jesus

From Fr. Donald Planty:

The world’s attention is unfortunately, but understandably, regularly focused on the destructive force of natural events like hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, and tsunamis, as well as on the violent human forces contending in conflicts in Central Europe, in the Middle East, in Africa, and in Latin America. 

18th Week, Friday, Aug 7 - Video

18th Week, Friday, Aug 7

Nahum 2:1, 3; 3:1-3, 6-7 / Matthew 16:24-25

God speaks through Nahum: The city was doomed.

The Book of Nahum is one of the shortest books in the Bible. It celebrates the fall of Nineveh, the capital of Assyria, Judah’s ancient enemy. Nothing is known of Nahum (ca. 650 B.C.), except what we find in this brief book.

18th Week, Thursday, Aug 6

Jeremiah 31;31-34 / Matthew 16:13-23

God makes a promise: “I will make a new covenant

At the Last Supper, Jesus said, “This cup is God’s new covenant sealed with my blood.” Luke 22:20. When the disciples heard these words, their thoughts went immediately to today’s reading from the Book of Jeremiah. From Jesus’ viewpoint, the new covenant didn’t destroy the old one any more than adulthood destroys childhood. It grew out of the old covenant as naturally as adulthood grows out of childhood. It brought the old covenant to its fulfillment. Speaking about the new covenant, Paul said, “No longer do we serve in the old way of a written law, but in the new way of the Spirit.” Romans 7:6

Transfiguration: Thursday August 6 - Liturgical Prayers

Transfiguration of Our Lord

LISTEN TO MY SON!

Greeting
Today God our Father tells us: This is my beloved Son. Listen to him. May the Word of our Lord Jesus Christ resound in your hearts and in your lives. May the Lord be with you always.
R/ And also with you.

18th Week, Wednesday, Aug 5

Jeremiah 31: 1-7 / Matthew 15: 21-28

God comforts his people: “Once again I will rebuild you.”

A woman dropped a beautiful orange vase, and it splintered into dozens of tiny pieces. She swept them up and threw them away. An hour later the woman discovered that her little daughter had retrieved the pieces from the wastebasket and pasted them on a piece of white cardboard. Then, taking some crayons, the little girl drew stems, leaves, and flowers, converting the pieces into a bouquet. The woman was moved to tears. Her daughter had made something beautiful out of something that was broken and useless.

18 Week, Wednesday, Aug 5 - Video

18th Week: Aug 3-8: Reflections

Aug 3-8: Aug 3 Monday: Mt 24: 22-36: And if those days had not been shortened, no one would be saved; but for the sake of the elect they will be shortened. 23^j If anyone says to you then, ‘Look, here is the Messiah!’ or, ‘There he is!’ do not believe it. 24False messiahs and false prophets will arise, and they will perform signs and wonders so great as to deceive, if that were possible, even the elect. 25Behold, I have told it to you beforehand. 26So if they say to you, ‘He is in the desert,’ do not go out there; if they say, ‘He is in the inner rooms,’ do not believe it.^*………………36 USCCB video reflections: http://www.usccb.org/bible/reflections/index.cfm

18th Week Monday Aug 3

18th Week, Monday, Aug 3

Jeremiah 28:1-17 / Matthew 14:13-21

Two prophets: One was false; the other, true.

Years ago, a Russian pianist gave a concert in New York. The next morning the music critic for the New York Times called the concert “disconnected” and “disappointing.” The music critic for the New York Herald Tribune, however, called the concert “blazing” and “electrifying.”