Memorial of Saints Joachim and Anne, Parents of the Blessed
Virgin Mary
Lectionary: 399
Lectionary: 399
In those days:
God delivered all these commandments:
“I, the LORD, am your God,
who brought you out of the land of Egypt, that place of slavery.
You shall not have other gods besides me.
You shall not carve idols for yourselves
in the shape of anything in the sky above
or on the earth below or in the waters beneath the earth;
you shall not bow down before them or worship them.
For I, the LORD, your God, am a jealous God,
inflicting punishment for their fathers’ wickedness
on the children of those who hate me,
down to the third and fourth generation;
but bestowing mercy down to the thousandth generation
on the children of those who love me and keep my commandments.
“You shall not take the name of the LORD, your God, in vain.
For the LORD will not leave unpunished
him who takes his name in vain.
“Remember to keep holy the sabbath day.
Six days you may labor and do all your work,
but the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD, your God.
No work may be done then either by you, or your son or daughter,
or your male or female slave, or your beast,
or by the alien who lives with you.
In six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth,
the sea and all that is in them;
but on the seventh day he rested.
That is why the LORD has blessed the sabbath day and made it holy.
“Honor your father and your mother,
that you may have a long life in the land
which the LORD, your God, is giving you.
“You shall not kill.
“You shall not commit adultery.
“You shall not steal.
“You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
“You shall not covet your neighbor’s house.
You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife,
nor his male or female slave, nor his ox or ass,
nor anything else that belongs to him.”
God delivered all these commandments:
“I, the LORD, am your God,
who brought you out of the land of Egypt, that place of slavery.
You shall not have other gods besides me.
You shall not carve idols for yourselves
in the shape of anything in the sky above
or on the earth below or in the waters beneath the earth;
you shall not bow down before them or worship them.
For I, the LORD, your God, am a jealous God,
inflicting punishment for their fathers’ wickedness
on the children of those who hate me,
down to the third and fourth generation;
but bestowing mercy down to the thousandth generation
on the children of those who love me and keep my commandments.
“You shall not take the name of the LORD, your God, in vain.
For the LORD will not leave unpunished
him who takes his name in vain.
“Remember to keep holy the sabbath day.
Six days you may labor and do all your work,
but the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD, your God.
No work may be done then either by you, or your son or daughter,
or your male or female slave, or your beast,
or by the alien who lives with you.
In six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth,
the sea and all that is in them;
but on the seventh day he rested.
That is why the LORD has blessed the sabbath day and made it holy.
“Honor your father and your mother,
that you may have a long life in the land
which the LORD, your God, is giving you.
“You shall not kill.
“You shall not commit adultery.
“You shall not steal.
“You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
“You shall not covet your neighbor’s house.
You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife,
nor his male or female slave, nor his ox or ass,
nor anything else that belongs to him.”
Responsorial PsalmPS 19:8, 9, 10, 11
R. (John 6:68c) Lord, you have the words of everlasting life.
The law of the LORD is perfect,
refreshing the soul;
The decree of the LORD is trustworthy,
giving wisdom to the simple.
R. Lord, you have the words of everlasting life.
The precepts of the LORD are right,
rejoicing the heart;
The command of the LORD is clear,
enlightening the eye.
R. Lord, you have the words of everlasting life.
The fear of the LORD is pure,
enduring forever;
The ordinances of the LORD are true,
all of them just.
R. Lord, you have the words of everlasting life.
They are more precious than gold,
than a heap of purest gold;
Sweeter also than syrup
or honey from the comb.
R. Lord, you have the words of everlasting life.
The law of the LORD is perfect,
refreshing the soul;
The decree of the LORD is trustworthy,
giving wisdom to the simple.
R. Lord, you have the words of everlasting life.
The precepts of the LORD are right,
rejoicing the heart;
The command of the LORD is clear,
enlightening the eye.
R. Lord, you have the words of everlasting life.
The fear of the LORD is pure,
enduring forever;
The ordinances of the LORD are true,
all of them just.
R. Lord, you have the words of everlasting life.
They are more precious than gold,
than a heap of purest gold;
Sweeter also than syrup
or honey from the comb.
R. Lord, you have the words of everlasting life.
GospelMT 13:18-23
Jesus said to his disciples:
“Hear the parable of the sower.
The seed sown on the path is the one who hears the word of the Kingdom
without understanding it,
and the Evil One comes and steals away
what was sown in his heart.
The seed sown on rocky ground
is the one who hears the word and receives it at once with joy.
But he has no root and lasts only for a time.
When some tribulation or persecution comes because of the word,
he immediately falls away.
The seed sown among thorns is the one who hears the word,
but then worldly anxiety and the lure of riches choke the word
and it bears no fruit.
But the seed sown on rich soil
is the one who hears the word and understands it,
who indeed bears fruit and yields a hundred or sixty or thirtyfold.”
“Hear the parable of the sower.
The seed sown on the path is the one who hears the word of the Kingdom
without understanding it,
and the Evil One comes and steals away
what was sown in his heart.
The seed sown on rocky ground
is the one who hears the word and receives it at once with joy.
But he has no root and lasts only for a time.
When some tribulation or persecution comes because of the word,
he immediately falls away.
The seed sown among thorns is the one who hears the word,
but then worldly anxiety and the lure of riches choke the word
and it bears no fruit.
But the seed sown on rich soil
is the one who hears the word and understands it,
who indeed bears fruit and yields a hundred or sixty or thirtyfold.”
Meditation : "The
cares of the world choke the word"
How good are you at
listening, especially for the word of God? God is ever ready to speak to each
of us and to give us understanding of his word. This parable of Jesus is
a warning to those who hear and who preach the word of God. What makes us
ineffective and unresponsive to God's word? Preoccupation with other things can
distract us from what is truly important and worthwhile. And letting our
hearts and minds be consumed with material things can easily weigh us down and
draw us away from the treasure that lasts for eternity. God's word can only
take root in a receptive heart which is docile and ready to hear what God has
to say. One lesson is clear: the
harvest is sure.While some seed will fall by the wayside and some fall on
shallow ground and never come to maturity, and some be choked to death by the
thorns; nonetheless a harvest will come. The seed that falls on good soil, on
the heart that is receptive, will reap abundant fruit. Are you teachable and
eager to learn God's truth? And do you allow anything to keep you from
submitting to God's word with joy and trusting obedience?"Lord Jesus, help me to guard the word you have planted in my heart that no doubt or temptation may keep me from believing and obeying you. May I be fruitful in your service and may I never fear to speak of you to others and to share with them the good news of the gospel."
www.dailyscripture.net
Fighting the Good Fight of Faith |
Memorial of Saint
Joachim and Saint Anne, parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary
|
Matthew 13:18-23
Jesus said to his
disciples: "Hear then the parable of the sower. The seed sown on the
path is the one who hears the word of the Kingdom without understanding it,
and the Evil One comes and steals away what was sown in his heart. The seed
sown on rocky ground is the one who hears the word and receives it at once
with joy. But he has no root and lasts only for a time. When some tribulation
or persecution comes because of the word, he immediately falls away. The seed
sown among thorns is the one who hears the word, but then worldly anxiety and
the lure of riches choke the word and it bears no fruit. But the seed sown on
rich soil is the one who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit
and yields a hundred or sixty or thirty fold."
Introductory Prayer: Lord, I believe in your Incarnation. You became flesh for love
of us. You were not forced to leave the bliss and glory of heaven. You chose
to leave in order to save us. I believe in you. I hope in you. I love you.
You took the first step of love toward me. I want to respond in kind.
Petition: Grant me the grace to follow you with conviction and
willpower.
1. Sheltering the
Word in My Heart: Our
Lord often speaks of the enemy of God, the devil, as a real being, who has
real influence over our lives. When we hear the Word of God, good intentions
grow within us. The Evil One attempts to “steal” these intentions away from
our heart. The Catechism of the Catholic Church tells us
that the devil and demons made a radical and irrevocable free choice to
reject God and his reign (no. 392). The devil tries to uproot our good
resolutions with the same goal in mind. We must make a firm commitment to
allow God’s word to take root and grow in our lives.
2. Convictions over
Emotions: The seed sown on
rocky ground represents those who receive the word with joy at first, in
other words, those easily governed by emotions and sentiments. When they feel
joy, they respond to God positively. When they receive comforts from Christ,
they are ready to follow him. But when their moods are bad or gloomy, they
leave aside their previous resolutions and abandon the Lord for the wide and
spacious road of ease and comforts. They are not seeking Christ but rather their
own consolation. Above all they want warm, cozy feelings. Christ shows us the
way of true loyalty and love by his crucifixion and death on the cross for
love of his Father and souls.
3. Oxygen for the
Soul: One of the saddest
categories of people in the Parable of the Sower are those who receive the
word but allow “worldly anxiety and the lure of riches” to “choke the word”
so that it “bears no fruit” in their lives. Materialism is an all-pervasive
temptation in our world today. The only way to conquer this assault on our
faith is to make the firm resolution to make time for God. We must make the
proactive decision to insert moments for him in our day. Prayer, the
sacraments (Mass, confession), spiritual reading and the Rosary are examples
of ways to do this.
Conversation with
Christ: Lord Jesus, in my
mind you are my first priority. In reality, though, I allow other priorities
to topple your rightful position in my life. I allow my feelings to govern my
actions instead of my faith and convictions. Strengthen my resolve to make
you the True King of my heart in my concrete choices and decisions.
Resolution: I will go over my daily and weekly schedule
and, if necessary, make more quality time for the Lord.
|
FRIDAY, JULY 26
MATTHEW 13:18-23
(Exodus 20:1-17; Psalm 19)
MATTHEW 13:18-23
(Exodus 20:1-17; Psalm 19)
KEY VERSE: "But the seed sown on rich soil is the one who hears the word and understands it" (v 23).
READING: Jesus explained the parable of the sower to his disciples. The different types of soil in the parable depicted various responses to the proclamation of God's reign. The seed sown on the pathway, the Word of God, represented those who heard the message, but never accepted it in their hearts. The evil one robbed them of what was sown. The seed sown on rocky ground were those who heard the word with enthusiasm, but theyquickly fell away when persecution or trials occurred. The seed sown among thorns were those who believed for a while, but the lure of riches and worldly concerns choked out the life of faith. The seed that was sown on fertile soil were those who heard and responded to the message with faith. Their lives would yield abundant fruit.
REFLECTING: Have I planted seeds of faith in others?
PRAYING: Lord Jesus, prepare my heart so that your words will take root and grow.
Memorial of Joachim and Anne, parents of the
Blessed Virgin Mary
Joachim was the husband of Anne, father of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and grandfather of Jesus Christ. He was probably well off. Tradition says that while he was away from home, he and Anne each received a message from an angel that she was pregnant. It is believed that Joachim gave Mary to the service of the Temple when the girl was three years old. Joachim is mentioned in neither historical or canonical writings. The information we have on Joachim derives mainly from the apocryphal Protoevangelium of James.
www.daily-word-of-life.com
Lord, you have
the words of everlasting life
'Hear the parable of the sower ...'How do I receive the word of God? So that it has no impact? Or so that its impact is forgotten? Or so that it is choked by the rat-race and its thorny ways? Or do I dare to be sweet-smelling, deep, dark soil? Can I be that good humus that, in God's good time, produces perfect fruits and flowers?
Humus - that rotting mess of organic scraps - is a source of rich life. And when we read that God humbles himself, we should understand that God becomes, literally, humus. Apparently good for nothing but in its warmth, its receptivity, its self-giving and its honesty, humus turns given seed to abundant harvest. Lord, may I become less and less but, with you, more and more.
July 26
Sts. Joachim and Anne
Sts. Joachim and Anne
In the Scriptures, Matthew and Luke furnish a legal family history
of Jesus, tracing ancestry to show that Jesus is the culmination of great
promises. Not only is his mother’s family neglected, we also know nothing
factual about them except that they existed. Even the names Joachim and Anne come
from a legendary source written more than a century after Jesus died.
The heroism and holiness of these people, however, is inferred
from the whole family atmosphere around Mary in the Scriptures. Whether we rely
on the legends about Mary’s childhood or make guesses from the information in
the Bible, we see in her a fulfillment of many generations of prayerful
persons, herself steeped in the religious traditions of her people.
The strong character of Mary in making decisions, her continuous
practice of prayer, her devotion to the laws of her faith, her steadiness at
moments of crisis, and her devotion to her relatives—all indicate a close-knit,
loving family that looked forward to the next generation even while retaining
the best of the past.
Joachim and Anne—whether these are their real names or
not—represent that entire quiet series of generations who faithfully perform
their duties, practice their faith and establish an atmosphere for the coming
of the Messiah, but remain obscure.
Comment:
This is the “feast of grandparents.” It reminds grandparents of their responsibility to establish a tone for generations to come: They must make the traditions live and offer them as a promise to little children. But the feast has a message for the younger generation as well. It reminds the young that older people’s greater perspective, depth of experience and appreciation of life’s profound rhythms are all part of a wisdom not to be taken lightly or ignored.
This is the “feast of grandparents.” It reminds grandparents of their responsibility to establish a tone for generations to come: They must make the traditions live and offer them as a promise to little children. But the feast has a message for the younger generation as well. It reminds the young that older people’s greater perspective, depth of experience and appreciation of life’s profound rhythms are all part of a wisdom not to be taken lightly or ignored.
Quote:
“...[T]he family is the foundation of society. In it the various generations come together and help one another to grow wise and to harmonize personal rights with the other requirements of social life” (Vatican II, Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World, 52).
“...[T]he family is the foundation of society. In it the various generations come together and help one another to grow wise and to harmonize personal rights with the other requirements of social life” (Vatican II, Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World, 52).
LECTIO: SAINTS JOACHIM AND ANN, PARENTS OF MARY
Lectio:
Friday, July 26,
2013
1) Opening prayer
Lord, God of our
fathers,
through Saints Joachim and Anne
You gave us the Mother of Your Incarnate Son.
May their prayers help us
to attain the salvation
You promised to Your people. Amen.
through Saints Joachim and Anne
You gave us the Mother of Your Incarnate Son.
May their prayers help us
to attain the salvation
You promised to Your people. Amen.
2) Gospel Reading -
Matthew 13,16-17
'But blessed are your
eyes because they see, your ears because they hear! In truth I tell you, many
prophets and upright people longed to see what you see, and never saw it; to
hear what you hear, and never heard it.
3) Reflection
• Matthew 13,16-17: “But
blessed are your eyes because they see, your ears because they hear“. All
this explains the last phrase: “But blessed are your eyes because they see
your ears because they hear. In truth I tell you, many prophets and upright
people longed to see what you see and never saw it, to hear what you hear and
never heard it!”
• The
Parables: a new way of speaking to the people about God. People
remained impressed about the way in which Jesus taught. “A new way of teaching!
Given with authority! Different from that of the Scribes! (Mk 7,28). Jesus had
a great capacity for finding very simple images to compare the things of God
with the things of life which people knew and experienced in the daily struggle
to survive. This presupposes two things: to be inside the things of the life of
the people, and to be inside the things of God, of the Kingdom of God. In some
parables there are things that happen and that seldom arrive in life. For
example, when has it ever happened that a shepherd, who has one hundred sheep,
abandons the flock with 99 to go and look for the lost sheep? (Lk 15,4). Where
have we ever seen a father who accepts with joy and a feast his son who had
squandered all his goods, without saying a word of reproach to him? (Lk
15,20-24). When has it been seen that a Samaritan man is better than a Levite,
than a priest? (Lk 10,29-37). The parable makes one think. It leads the person
to enter into the story beginning from the experience of life. And through our
experience it urges us to discover that God is present in our daily life. The
parable is a participative form of teaching and of educating. It does not
change everything in one minute. It does not make one know, it makes one
discover. The parable changes our look, it renders the person who listens to be
a contemplative, it helps her to observe reality. This is the novelty of the
teaching of the parables of Jesus, different from that of the doctors who
taught that God manifests himself only in the observance of the law. “The
Kingdom is present in your midst” (Lk 17,21). But those who listened did not
always understand.
4) Personal questions
• Jesus says: “To you
it has been granted to know the mysteries of the Kingdom”. When I read the
Gospels am I like those who understand nothing or like those to whom it has
been granted to know the Kingdom?
• Which is the parable of Jesus with which I identify myself more? Why?
• Which is the parable of Jesus with which I identify myself more? Why?
5) Concluding Prayer
Yahweh, your faithful
love is in the heavens,
your constancy reaches to the clouds,
your saving justice is like towering mountains,
your judgements like the mighty deep. (Ps 36,5-6)
your constancy reaches to the clouds,
your saving justice is like towering mountains,
your judgements like the mighty deep. (Ps 36,5-6)
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