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?' 

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: 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.”

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.

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

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: 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: