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:Introduction by the Celebrant
"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.
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

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,Introduction by the Celebrant
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.
St. Bartholomew, Apostle, Monday, Aug 24
Rev 21:9-14 / John 1:45-51
Dad and mangoes, Lilly wants 2; grandma
St Bartholomew was from Cana in Galilee, and he was often identified as Nathaniel in the gospel of John but the other gospels listed him together with Philip as one of the first apostles chosen by Christ. From the gospel, we can make a presumption of what kind of character he was. Here’s an Israelite without guile. First Israelite was Jacob ….cunning ….
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.
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?
3. What Are We Called to Do?
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.
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
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.
– 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.”
Aug 15: Assumption of Mary - Liturgy
Greeting
Glory and honor to our risen Lord, whose victory over death was shared first by her who was closest to him, his Mother, the Virgin Mary. May her Son, the Lord Jesus, be always with you. R/ And also with you.
Glory and honor to our risen Lord, whose victory over death was shared first by her who was closest to him, his Mother, the Virgin Mary. May her Son, the Lord Jesus, be always with you. R/ And also with you.
Assumption of Mary and Independence Day in India
Opening:

O God, our creator, you have made this world out of love and gathered us together as one family. Today we wish to thank you for Mary whom you freed from earthly bondage into your heavenly glory. Today 67 years ago you freed our Mother Land from foreign occupation. We thank you for all that is beautiful in India that we are proud of. Bless every citizen of our country that s/he may work for peace, prosperity and true freedom. Strengthen our hands that we may truly build and not destroy hearts and hopes, homes and future for your children.
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.
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.
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

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
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.
Aug 6: Transfiguration of the Lord
Opening Stories:
1) The Samurai Warrior and the Zen Master
One day, a Samurai warrior went to a Zen master for instruction. "Please," the huge man asked in a thundering voice that was used to instant obedience, "teach me about heaven and hell."
The master scowled at the swordsman, then broke into mocking laughter. "Me, teach you about heaven and hell? I wouldn't waste a moment trying to instruct the brain of an overweight ignoramus like you! How dare you ask me for such a lofty insight?"
Well, upon hearing these words, the Samurai grew furious. No one could insult him like this and get away with it. Enraged, his face flushed and he drew his sword to chop off the teacher's head. Just as he was about to strike, the master raised his hand and calmly said "That, sir, is hell."
1) The Samurai Warrior and the Zen Master
One day, a Samurai warrior went to a Zen master for instruction. "Please," the huge man asked in a thundering voice that was used to instant obedience, "teach me about heaven and hell."
The master scowled at the swordsman, then broke into mocking laughter. "Me, teach you about heaven and hell? I wouldn't waste a moment trying to instruct the brain of an overweight ignoramus like you! How dare you ask me for such a lofty insight?"
Well, upon hearing these words, the Samurai grew furious. No one could insult him like this and get away with it. Enraged, his face flushed and he drew his sword to chop off the teacher's head. Just as he was about to strike, the master raised his hand and calmly said "That, sir, is hell."
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.
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.
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. 23j 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, Tuesday, Aug 4 - St. John Vianney
Jeremiah
30:1-2, 12-15, 18-22 / Matthew 14:22-36
God speaks to his people: “I
will restore my people.”
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.”
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