Dress to God's Word / "Liturgical Dress": July 17

'Heart' clip, 'crown' tie bar: The king's and people's hearts trembled... (1st reading)

Listen

Read

Is 7:1-9 The kings of Aram and Israel attacked but couldn't conquer Jerusalem. Lord to Isaiah: Tell Ahaz: Take courage and don't fear; the mischief plotted against you shall not be! Within 65 years, Ephraim shall be crushed. Unless your faith is firm, you won't be firm!

Ps 48:2-8 "God upholds his city for ever." Great is the Lord and wholly to be praised. His holy mountain is the joy of the earth.

Mt 11:20-24 Jesus reproached the towns since they hadn't repented: “Woe to you, Chorazin and Bethsaida, for not repenting as even Tyre and Sidon did. Capernaum, you'll go down to the nether world; Sodom will fare better.”

Reflect

Fr. Jim Clarke homily video: Stand firm in faith; faith in Christ will see you through.

Creighton: Today's 1st reading tells us the Kingdom of Israel allied with Aram/Syria to fight against Assyria. King Ahaz of Judah, a descendant of David, didn't want to join the coalition; he believed the Assyrians would destroy Judah. So Israel and Aram resolved to attack Judah to keep Judah from entering an agreement with the Assyrians. As the Israel/Aram armies approached Jerusalem and camped, the Lord sent Isaiah to tell Ahaz remain tranquil and not fear or lose courage because the coalition won't stand. To be firm, you need firm faith; it gives us strength to withstand attack. May we be strong in faith and see God’s plan for us. In the gospel Jesus reprimands people for not heeding his words and living his message. Do we act on Jesus' words?

One Bread, One Body: "Judgment day": We'll have to appear before God's judgment seat. After dying and at the end of the world, we'll be judged according to our conduct. The Lord will bring to light what's hidden and manifest intentions. Those who have lost their lives by giving them to Jesus will be saved; those who have accepted Jesus as their Savior and Lord will be saved. Those living their baptisms in love will see Jesus face to face. Those who have turned away from God, having decided to be apart from God's presence and glory, will be judged worthy of punishment and be thrown out to wail in the second death! Remember judgment day but don't worry about it; give your life to Jesus the Judge, Love.

Passionist: Why in today's gospel are the words of Jesus, God's messenger of love and peace, about judgment and condemnation, not comfort? They misunderstood the purpose of his miracles: though he worked miracles in each town, their people refused to change; their hearts remained closed. His miracles were not to entertain or draw attention to himself but to show his care for the suffering and needy and call people to reform, change their sinful ways, open their hearts to God, show the poor God's merciful love, and so keep his miracles alive. Jesus can invite us to conversion but can't force it; we can harden our hearts, cutting ourselves off from God and life. If we do, Jesus will rightly be as exasperated with us as he was with them, but that's a sign of his love.

DailyScripture.net: "Will you be exalted to heaven?" What would Jesus say to your community today, and how would you respond? Chorazin and Bethsaida had been blessed with the good news and Jesus' wonderful works. Jesus expressed sorrowful pity, grief, and dismay over their folly, sin, and ignorance. They likely responded with indifference instead of change of heart and life. "Most High God, enlighten our darkness and give us true faith, certain hope, and perfect love. Give us a sense of the divine and knowledge of yourself, so that we may do everything in fulfillment of your holy will" (Francis of Assisi).

Bl. John Sugar, priest and martyr, and Robert Grissold, martyr. Sugar on the scaffold: “Be merry; it's an occasion of joy. Though I'll have a sharp dinner, I trust in Christ that I'll have a sweet supper.”

Dress to God's Word / "Liturgical Dress"