July 28, 2017

July 28

July 28, 2017:  Friday, 16th week, Ordinary Time

See a dozen connections with today?
Legend below
Listen

Read
  • Ex 20:1-17  God delivered the commandments:   “I'm your God; don't worship others.  Don't take my name in vain.  Keep the sabbath holy.  Honor your father and mother.  Don't kill.  Don't commit adultery.  Don't steal.  Don't bear false witness against your neighbor.  Don't covet your neighbor’s house.  Don't covet your neighbor’s wife or slave or anything that belongs to him.”
    On stone tablets...
  • Ps 19:8-11  "Lord, you have the words of everlasting life."  The law of the Lord is perfect, trustworthy, right, clear, pure, true, just, precious, and sweet; it refreshes, gives wisdom, brings joy, enlightens, and endures.
  • Mt 13:18-23  “Hear the parable of the sower.  The seed sown on the path is the one who hears the word without understanding, and the Evil One steals it away.  The seed sown on rocky ground is the one with no root who receives the word with joy but loses it in tribulation or persecution.  The seed sown among thorns is the one whose anxiety or desire for riches choke the word and it bears no fruit.  But the seed sown on rich soil is the one who understands the word and bears fruit.”
Reflect
  • Creighton:  A parishioner approached me complaining that in our parish we have to "turn away from Christ" to receive Communion; she meant we have to turn to the left or right of the risen Christ at the front.  I replied that the front of the church has an image of Christ, but what we receive is Christ; at Communion we're turning toward him, not away.  From today's 1st reading:  "You shall not carve idols...."  Images can awaken us to God's presence, but let's not make idols of them.
  • One Bread, One Body:  "Robbed blind":  If we've been exposed to God's word but don't live it, the devil is robbing us.  But we can despoil the robber and recover what he took by remembering God's Word and applying it so as to be holy. We need Jesus to "deliver us from the evil one"; he'll both sow and guard the seed.
    Moses descends from Mount Sinai
    with the Commandments/ Bol
  • Passionist:  "The Gospel we preach is the Gospel we're called to live.”  We're called to bear the gospel despite adverse situations and complications, to march in solidarity for the oppressed, to challenge our government leaders to focus on the common good, to sow the Good News.  The rich soil of God’s love for all bears abundant fruit....
  • DailyScripture.net:  "Whoever hears the word and understands it":  God is ready to speak to you and give understanding of his word, but preoccupation can distract us from what's important and worthwhile.  God's word can only take root in a receptive, docile heart....
  • Remember the psalm is about Torah; the English translation 'law' loses much.
Pope Francis Amoris Lætitia capsule:  Love and pregnancy (continued)
Babies' somatic traits are written their genetic code in the womb, so we can know their hair color or illnesses in advance, but only the Creator knows their deepest identity and worth.  Expectant mothers need to ask God for the wisdom to know and accept their children.  Parents who feel their child isn't coming at a good time should ask the Lord to strengthen them to accept their child wholeheartedly.  Children should feel wanted, not as accessories or solutions to a personal need; it matters little whether they're convenient, have pleasing features, or fit into your plans.  Children are a gift, each irreplaceable; we love them because they're children, not because they're beautiful or think like us.  God shows his love through parents' love; he awaits the birth of each child, accepts them unconditionally, and welcomes them freely.

Future mothers, keep happy and let nothing rob you of the joy of motherhood.  Your child deserves your happiness.  Don’t let fears or others' comments or problems lessen your joy.  Prepare for your child's birth, but don't obsess.  Join in Mary’s song:  “My soul proclaims the Lord's greatness...  God has looked with favor on his lowly servant servant.”  Experience this serene excitement, and ask the Lord to preserve your joy, so that you may pass it on.  (V:170-71)
Today's saints, from Universalis  
Dress legend
  • 'Commandments' tie for 1st reading (trumped 'honey' tie for psalm)
  • 'Precious feet' pin:  Seed sown on the footpath (gospel)
  • 'Stone/rock' tie pin:  Commandments on stone tablets (1st reading); seed sown on rocky ground (gospel)
  • 'Roses' pin:  Seed sown among thorns  (gospel)
  • 'Fruit' pin:  Fruit borne by ones who understand the word (gospel)
  • 'Owl' tie pin:  The Lord's decrees give wisdom to the simple (psalm)
  • 'Heart' pin:  The Lord's precepts rejoice the heart (psalm); seed sown in the heart (gospel)
  • 'Eyeball' pin:  The Lord's command enlightens the eye (psalm)
  • Gold-colored accessories:  The Lord's ordinances are more precious than gold (psalm)
  • Comb (in pocket, not shown):  God's precepts are sweeter than honey from the 'comb' (psalm)
  • Green shirt:  Ordinary Time season
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