July 4, 2016

July 4

July 4, 2016:  Monday, 14th week, Ordinary Time / Independence Day

  • 'Golden calf' tie pin:  She'll call me “My husband,” never again “My baal.” (1st reading)
  • 'Heart' tie bar:  I'll speak to her heart (1st reading)
  • 'Connecting rings' tie bar: I'll espouse you to me, in justice, love, mercy, and fidelity (1st reading)
  • 'Accordion' (reed instrument) pin:  Jesus saw the flute players... [both are in the woodwinds family] (gospel)
  • 'Hand' tie pin:  Jesus took her by the hand, and she arose (gospel)
  • Green:  Ordinary Time (season)
Listen
For Independence Day
Christians must be aware of the difficult and sometimes hostile reality that awaits them.  Hostility is at the beginning of the persecution of Christians.  Gospel workers must strive to be free from human influences of every kind, relying on the power of the Cross.  This means giving up all personal reason to boast, putting off every temptation to careerism or power: it means being humble instruments of salvation.  When we do, we're filled with joy.
The Church rejoices when her children receive the Good News through the dedication of those who proclaim the Gospel.  Do you hear and heed the Lord’s call to follow him?  Be brave and bring to others this torch of zeal left by so many exemplary disciples.
Read
    Animate
  • Hos 2:16, 17c-18, 21-22  Lord:  I'll allure her and speak to her heart.  She'll respond there as when she came up from Egypt:  she'll call me husband, not baal.  I will espouse you to me forever in justice, love, mercy, and fidelity, and you'll know the Lord.
  • Ps 145:2-9  "The Lord is gracious and merciful."  I'll bless you forever.  All generations praise your works and speak of your splendor, power, justice, and compassion.
  • Mt 9:18-26  An official knelt before Jesus:  “My daughter has just died.  Come and she'll live.”  He and his disciples followed him.  A woman suffering hemorrhages came up behind him and touched his cloak, thinking, “If I touch his cloak, I'll be cured.”  He turned and saw her:  “Your faith has saved you,” and she was cured.  When he arrived at the official's house, he sent the crowd away:  “She's asleep, not dead.”  They ridiculed him.  He took her by the hand, she arose, and the news spread.
Reflect
    • One Bread, One Body:  "America, America":  Pray for the USA, in which many don't respond to the Lord.  Some are like the woman who hemorrhaged, weakening over the years, who must break the cycle by touching the tassel of Jesus' cloak and obeying the Lord:  "When you use these tassels, remember to keep the Lord's commandments, without going astray...."  Others may be like the synagogue leader's daughter, spiritually dead; repentance can raise them to life....
      The healing of a bleeding woman
    • Passionist:  "God’s love; our gift of freedom":  Today's readings are about God’s love for us; they encourage us to build on our experience of love and to serve God and others.  Hosea implies that God’s love is like marital love, enticing, everlasting, merciful, faithful, life-giving.  The gospel reveals God’s love in the person of Jesus, loving the sick and dying.  Jesus’ love reaches out to all.  As we celebrate our independence, we need Jesus’ healing touch and encouraging word.  May Jesus' love transform each of us and motivate us to proclaim the life, goodness, and freedom of God's children in this world of violence, injustice, and apathy.
    • DailyScripture.net:  "Take heart, your faith has made you well":  Jesus gave hope where there seemed to be no cause for it because he hoped in God.  He spoke words of hope to the woman to ignite her faith, and he gave hope to the father who lost his child.  It took courage and risk for the ruler to go to him, but Jesus delivered the girl from death.  In both cases Jesus showed personal concern for others' needs and was ready to heal and restore life.  His infinite love extends to all....
      • St. Elizabeth of Portugal set up hospitals, orphanages, and other institutions, endured her husband’s infidelities, made peace in political arena, was devoted to prayer and the poor, died on the field trying to make peace.
      • Bl. John Cornelius, priest and martyr
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