July 21

July 21, 2018:  Saturday, 15th week, Ordinary Time

See a dozen connections with today?
Legend below

Listen

• Psalm 10:  Yahweh Is King Forever/ Psalms Project (not directive-compliant)

• Your grace is enough/ Maher:  sheet music

Pope Francis to Catholic Movement for Christian Married Couples

The Church condemns sin but embraces all who recognize themselves as sinners.  As your work is inspired by the figure of the prodigal son, recognize yourselves in this lost son who returns to the Father who never tires of embracing him and reaffirming him with love.  This is how the Church behaves with sinners, offering them God's mercy.

Open your hearts, look within, and recognize you're sinners desiring the Lord's redemption.  Christ's open arms on the cross show that no one is excluded from the Father's love and mercy.  Jesus doesn't resign himself to losing any of his children; he urges us to go out to seek them.

Read

• Mi 2:1-5  Woe to those who plan iniquity, coveting and seizing fields and houses, or cheating.  The Lord is planning against them; they'll chant, “Our ruin is complete!”

• Ps 10:1-4, 7-8, 14  "Do not forget the poor, O Lord!"  The wicked harass the afflicted, glory in their greed, disregard the Lord, curse, and murder the innocent.  The unfortunate depend on you.

• Mt 12:14-21  When Jesus realized the Pharisees were planning to kill him, he withdrew, curing all who followed him.  This was to fulfill Isaiah's prophecy:  "I shall place my Spirit upon my servant... in whom Gentiles will hope."

Reflect

• Creighton:  Today’s readings and psalm scream for justice, portraying the wicked as driving for possessions and power.  Jesus' example was to not make himself known “until he brings justice to victory.”  What am I doing to fight injustice?

• One Bread, One Body:  "Hope amidst trials":  Even today farmers, homeowners, and others are victimized by subtle maneuvers, plots are hatched, people are tortured and children aborted, but also Jesus is working to apply the fruits of his redemption. The lives of the baptized are hidden with Christ in God.  Our lives are charged with power because we're God's children living in him. Evils are taking place, but grace is at work, so we have cause for hope.

St. Lawrence of Brindisi

• Passionist:  Micah was familiar with the issue of land or property in his community:  how the asset was abused.  Micah, motivated by God, seeing people seizing fields and houses, announced an indictment against such activity.  Jesus, aware of plots against him, wasn't passive in today's gospel; he escaped them. We need not fear being caught by surprise, unprepared.  St. Lawrence of Brindisi addressed disagreements between Catholics and Protestants, mobilized Christian military forces against invaders, and led his own community, not searching these tasks but, aware of his talents, accepting responsibility to engage them as situations arose.  Lord, make us aware of our talents and show us how to use them in your service.

• DailyScripture.net:  "Until Jesus brings justice to victory":  The mounting confrontation between the Pharisees and Jesus was a decisive event and crisis in Jesus' life.  He met their defiance with courage and determination to do his Father's will and teach his disciples God's way to success, the cross of suffering and humiliation. We're also called to take up our cross, to die to sin, selfishness, envy, pride,... and lay down our lives in humble service and love, as Jesus did for us.  Matthew quotes Isaiah to explain the Messiah would accomplish his mission through love and sacrificial service.  Isaiah prophesied that the Messiah would bring justice to the Gentiles.  To the Greeks, justice involved giving to God and others their due, but Jesus taught his disciples to love without measure....  Jesus brings the justice of God's kingdom with mercy, understanding, compassion, hope, courage, and strength to persevere.  Nothing can keep us from God's mercy, help, and grace....

• Universalis:  St. Lawrence of Brindisi, Capuchin (not the monkey :-), friar, preacher; see Pope Benedict XVI audience, New Advent, Ash Wednesday sermon.

Dress legend

• 'Light' tie bar:  "In the morning light they accomplish iniquity" (1st reading)

• 'Castle' button:  They covet houses and take them (1st reading)

• 'Ruler' tie bar:  "The fields of my people are measured out" (1st reading)

• 'Car with mouth' pin:  The mouths of the wicked are full of cursing, guile, and deceit (psalm)

• 'Gun' pin:  The wicked murder the innocent (psalm)

• 'Hands' pin:  You take misery and sorrow in your hands (psalm)

• 'Penny pincher' button:  The wicked glory in their greed (psalm)

• 'Eyeball' pin:  Their eyes spy upon the unfortunate (psalm)

• 'Dove' tie pin:  "I shall place my Spirit upon him,..." (gospel)

• 'Scales' brooch:  "...and he will proclaim justice to the Gentiles" (gospel)

• 'Doctor's office' tie:  Many followed him, and he cured them all (gospel)

• Green shirt:  Ordinary Time season

About