Saturday of the 17th Week in Ordinary Time [I]
Leviticus 25:1,8-17  +  Matthew 14:1-12
August 3, 2019

   His head was brought in on a platter and given to the girl, who took it to her mother.   

On August 29, the Church celebrates the Passion of St. John the Baptist, and on that memorial we hear his passion narrative according to Saint Mark.  Today’s Gospel Reading offers us this narrative according to St. Matthew the Evangelist.

Jesus does not appear in today’s Gospel passage.  His name is mentioned twice.  Focus on the latter instance, where His name is in fact the last word of the passage.  This is fitting.  In terms of the life and Passion of St. John the Baptist, Jesus is the last word.

John is often considered the last of the Old Testament prophets.  Like many prophets, he was killed because of his witness to God’s Word.  The uniqueness of John’s life and Passion lay in how they intertwined with those of the Word made Flesh.

You and I, as Christian disciples, have been baptized into the role of prophet.  It is part of our baptismal commitment to profess the truth of the Gospel no matter what the cost to us.  At times we profess this Truth through our actions; at other times, through our words.  How often do we count the cost first before deciding whether to speak the Truth?  It’s certainly necessary to exercise the virtue of prudence is proclaiming the Truth.  But we need to ask St. John’s the Baptist’s intercession if we’re ever tempted to refrain from the Truth because of fear.

Friday of the 17th Week in Ordinary Time [I]
Leviticus 23:1,4-11,15-16,27,34-37  +  Matthew 13:54-58
August 2, 2019

   “A prophet is not without honor except in his native place….”   

The last sentence of today’s Gospel passage presents something of a conundrum.  No matter how we interpret the fact that Jesus “did not work many mighty deeds there because of their lack of faith”, we are challenged.

Some might interpret these words to mean that Jesus’ power to work miracles was constrained by the lack of faith of those in His hometown.  More sensible, however, is to see Jesus’ lack of miracles as a prudent choice on His part.  It doesn’t require faith on the part of people for God to work miracles.  It requires faith on the part of people for God’s miracles to bring about their primary goal.  God’s goal when He completely cures someone who had been diagnosed with terminal cancer is not to give that person immortal life on earth.  His goal is to bring the one cured and those around him to a greater practice of love for God and neighbor, so as to give them immortal life in Heaven.

We are challenged, then, to admit where we lack faith in our own lives.  We are challenged to allow the miracles that God works to bear fruit in our lives.  We are challenged not to live for ourselves, but for others, beginning with the Other who calls us to share in His life of love.

St. Alphonsus Liguori
Exodus 40:16-21,34-38  +  Matthew 13:47-53
August 1, 2019

   Moses did exactly as the Lord had commanded him.   

In our First Reading today we hear about Moses being obedient to the Lord.  Actually, as we read the Book of Exodus and hear about the Israelites wandering for forty years through the desert, Moses is the only person who is very obedient to God. Continue reading →

St. Ignatius of Loyola
Exodus 34:29-35  +  Matthew 13:44-46
July 31, 2019

   “Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a merchant searching for fine pearls.”   

Jesus offers us two brief parables today, both metaphors describing “the Kingdom of Heaven”.  Either parable and its imagery would suffice for a day’s meditation.  Perhaps we could meditate, though, upon common threads between the two. Continue reading →

Tuesday of the 17th Week in Ordinary Time [I]
Exodus 33:7-11;34:5-9,28  +  Matthew 13:36-43
July 30, 2019

   “Whoever has ears ought to hear.”   

In today’s Gospel passage Jesus offers a point-by-point explanation of the parable that He preached in the passage proclaimed a few days earlier in the cycle of Ordinary Time weekdays.  The evangelists rarely offer us examples of Jesus explaining a parable, so today’s passage is insightful not only in terms of the parable’s content, but also in terms of Jesus’ method of using parables. Continue reading →

St. Martha
Exodus 32:15-24,30-34  +  John 11:19-27 [or Luke 10:38-42]
July 29, 2019

   “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things.”   

On this feast of Saint Martha, the Gospel Reading must come from the feast day.  The other readings may come from the day in Ordinary Time, which the feast supersedes.  However, there are two options for the Gospel Reading on this feast.  Both, of course, feature Martha. Continue reading →

The 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time [C]
Gen 18:20-32  +  Col 2:12-14  +  Lk 11:1-13
July 28, 2019

   “…how much more will the Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him”.   

Four Sundays ago we heard Jesus begin his long journey to Jerusalem.  He was “resolutely determined” to journey there, even though He knew full well what He would find at the end of the road.  During these Sundays in Ordinary Time, we are listening to Jesus so that we might follow Him no matter where He leads.

Any guide worth his salt covers the basics at the start of a journey.  Jesus is the best of guides.  He prepares us for the journey to Heaven by way of the Cross.  Today in the Gospel Reading, He’s covering some basic skills regarding prayer that we need for our journey. Continue reading →

Saturday of the 16th Week in Ordinary Time [I]
Exodus 24:3-8  +  Matthew 13:24-30
July 27, 2019

   “Where have the weeds come from?”   

“Let them grow together until harvest,” the sower in Jesus’ parable says, referring to the weeds and the wheat.  Modern farmers may not follow the sower’s advice, but the parable is clearly meant to teach a lesson in spirituality, not agriculture. Continue reading →

Sts. Joachim & Anne, Parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Exodus 20:1-17  +  Matthew 13:18-23
July 26, 2019

   “But the seed sown on rich soil is the one who hears the word and understands it….”   

If you work on a computer you know that how many things one can do with them.  They can help us with our homework, with our finances, with preparing a talk, with sending messages and pictures to our loved ones by email.  The list seems endless. Continue reading →