Monday of the Fourteenth Week in
Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 383
Lectionary: 383
Thus says the LORD:
I will allure her;
I will lead her into the desert
and speak to her heart.
She shall respond there as in the days of her youth,
when she came up from the land of Egypt.
On that day, says the LORD,
She shall call me “My husband,”
and never again “My baal.”
I will espouse you to me forever:
I will espouse you in right and in justice,
in love and in mercy;
I will espouse you in fidelity,
and you shall know the LORD.
I will allure her;
I will lead her into the desert
and speak to her heart.
She shall respond there as in the days of her youth,
when she came up from the land of Egypt.
On that day, says the LORD,
She shall call me “My husband,”
and never again “My baal.”
I will espouse you to me forever:
I will espouse you in right and in justice,
in love and in mercy;
I will espouse you in fidelity,
and you shall know the LORD.
Responsorial
PsalmPS 145:2-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9
R. (8a) The
Lord is gracious and merciful.
Every day will I bless you,
and I will praise your name forever and ever.
Great is the LORD and highly to be praised;
his greatness is unsearchable.
R. The Lord is gracious and merciful.
Generation after generation praises your works
and proclaims your might.
They speak of the splendor of your glorious majesty
and tell of your wondrous works.
R. The Lord is gracious and merciful.
They discourse of the power of your terrible deeds
and declare your greatness.
They publish the fame of your abundant goodness
and joyfully sing of your justice.
R. The Lord is gracious and merciful.
The LORD is gracious and merciful,
slow to anger and of great kindness.
The LORD is good to all
and compassionate toward all his works.
R. The Lord is gracious and merciful.
Every day will I bless you,
and I will praise your name forever and ever.
Great is the LORD and highly to be praised;
his greatness is unsearchable.
R. The Lord is gracious and merciful.
Generation after generation praises your works
and proclaims your might.
They speak of the splendor of your glorious majesty
and tell of your wondrous works.
R. The Lord is gracious and merciful.
They discourse of the power of your terrible deeds
and declare your greatness.
They publish the fame of your abundant goodness
and joyfully sing of your justice.
R. The Lord is gracious and merciful.
The LORD is gracious and merciful,
slow to anger and of great kindness.
The LORD is good to all
and compassionate toward all his works.
R. The Lord is gracious and merciful.
AlleluiaSEE 2 TM 1:10
R. Alleluia,
alleluia.
Our Savior Jesus Christ has destroyed death
and brought life to light through the Gospel.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Our Savior Jesus Christ has destroyed death
and brought life to light through the Gospel.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
GospelMT 9:18-26
While Jesus was speaking, an official came forward,
knelt down before him, and said,
“My daughter has just died.
But come, lay your hand on her, and she will live.”
Jesus rose and followed him, and so did his disciples.
A woman suffering hemorrhages for twelve years came up behind him
and touched the tassel on his cloak.
She said to herself, “If only I can touch his cloak, I shall be cured.”
Jesus turned around and saw her, and said,
“Courage, daughter! Your faith has saved you.”
And from that hour the woman was cured.
When Jesus arrived at the official’s house
and saw the flute players and the crowd who were making a commotion,
he said, “Go away! The girl is not dead but sleeping.”
And they ridiculed him.
When the crowd was put out, he came and took her by the hand,
and the little girl arose.
And news of this spread throughout all that land.
knelt down before him, and said,
“My daughter has just died.
But come, lay your hand on her, and she will live.”
Jesus rose and followed him, and so did his disciples.
A woman suffering hemorrhages for twelve years came up behind him
and touched the tassel on his cloak.
She said to herself, “If only I can touch his cloak, I shall be cured.”
Jesus turned around and saw her, and said,
“Courage, daughter! Your faith has saved you.”
And from that hour the woman was cured.
When Jesus arrived at the official’s house
and saw the flute players and the crowd who were making a commotion,
he said, “Go away! The girl is not dead but sleeping.”
And they ridiculed him.
When the crowd was put out, he came and took her by the hand,
and the little girl arose.
And news of this spread throughout all that land.
Meditation: "Take heart, your faith
has made you well"
Do you take your troubles to the Lord with expectant
faith and confidence in his help? People in desperate or helpless circumstances
were not disappointed when they sought Jesus out. What drew them to Jesus? Was
it hope for a miracle or a word of comfort in their affliction? What did the
elderly woman who had suffered greatly for twelve years expect Jesus to do for
her? And what did a grieving father expect Jesus to do about his lost beloved
daughter?
Words of hope directed to God
Jesus gave hope where there seemed to be no human cause for it because his hope was directed to God. He spoke words of hope to the woman (Take heart, daughter!) to ignite the spark of faith in her (your faith has made you well!). And he also gave divine hope to a father who had just lost a beloved child.
Jesus gave hope where there seemed to be no human cause for it because his hope was directed to God. He spoke words of hope to the woman (Take heart, daughter!) to ignite the spark of faith in her (your faith has made you well!). And he also gave divine hope to a father who had just lost a beloved child.
It took considerable courage and risk for the ruler of
a synagogue to openly go to Jesus and to invite the scorn of his neighbors and
kin. Even the hired mourners laughed at him in scorn. Their
grief was devoid of any hope. Nonetheless, Jesus took the girl by the hand and
delivered her from the grasp of death. In both instances we see Jesus' personal
concern for the needs of others and his readiness to heal and restore life.
The infinite love of God
In Jesus we see the infinite love of God extending to each and every individual as he gives freely and wholly of himself to each person he meets. Do you approach the Lord with confident expectation that he will hear your request and act?
In Jesus we see the infinite love of God extending to each and every individual as he gives freely and wholly of himself to each person he meets. Do you approach the Lord with confident expectation that he will hear your request and act?
"Lord Jesus, you love each of us individually
with a unique and personal love. Touch my life with your saving power, heal and
restore me to fullness of life. Help me to give wholly of myself in loving
service to others."
Daily Quote from the early church fathers: Daughter, your faith has made you well, by John Chrysostom (347-407 AD)
"So what did Messiah do? He did not let her go
unnoticed but led her into the center of attention and made her visible. He had
many reasons for doing this. Some might imagine that 'he did this merely for
love of glory - otherwise why would he not allow her to remain concealed?' But
what are they proposing who might say this? That he should keep her silent,
that he should ignore her need, and thereby pass up miracles too numerous to
mention, all because he is in love with glory? What an unholy thought, inspired
by the most unholy one of all."
"What then is his intention in bringing her
forward? First, Jesus puts an end to her fear. He does not want her to remain
trapped in dread. He gives no cause for her conscience to be harmed, as if she
had stolen the gift. Second, he corrects her assumption that she has no right
to be seen. Third, he makes her faith an exhibit to all. He encourages the
others to emulate her faith. Fourth, his subduing the fountains of her
hemorrhage was another sign of his knowledge of all things. And finally, do you
remember the ruler of the synagogue? He was at the point of despair, of utter
ruin. Jesus is indirectly admonishing him by what he says to the
woman." (excerpt from the THE GOSPEL
OF MATTHEW, HOMILY 31.2)
MONDAY, JULY
9, MATTHEW 9:18-26
Weekday
(Hosea 2:16, 17b-18, 21-22; Psalm 145)
Weekday
(Hosea 2:16, 17b-18, 21-22; Psalm 145)
KEY VERSE: "Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do" (v. 12).
TO KNOW: Matthew ("Levi" in Mark and Luke) was a publican, a collector of taxes. Matthew was thought to be a sinner because he cooperated with the occupying Roman forces in the collection of taxes for the empire. What's more, tax collectors were often accused of extorting money from their own people and lining their pockets with the profits. When Jesus invited Matthew to follow him as a disciple he didn't ask Matthew to change his way of living. He simply said: "Follow me" (v. 9). Moreover, Jesus accepted an invitation to dine in Matthew's home along with many well-known sinners. The Pharisees, who were strict observers of the Law of Moses, were outraged and asked Jesus to explain his apparent disregard for their religious practices. Jesus condemned those who pretended to act virtuously and showed no compassion for people in need of mercy (Hos 6:6). Jesus' purpose in coming was to call sinners to repentance. Those who were spiritually 'sick' knew they had need of a healer; those who thought they were blameless did not recognize their need for Divine mercy.
TO LOVE: Do I respond eagerly to Jesus' call to reform my life?
TO SERVE: Lord Jesus, help me to be aware of my need for repentance.
Optional Memorial of Saint
Augustine Zhao Rong, priest and martyr, and his companions, martyrs
Augustine Zhao Rong was a soldier. He escorted Blessed John Gabriel Dufresse to Beijing, China during his missionary work. Once baptized, Augustine was sent to the seminary and then ordained a priest and worked in the Su-Tchuen province. He was arrested for his faith and work, and died in 1815 due to poor conditions in prison. Augustine was one of 120 Martyrs of China that were canonized by Pope John Paul II on October 1, 2000 on the Feast of Saint Thèrése of Lisieux, patron of missions. The Pope said that "the Church wanted to recognize these martyrs as examples of courage … and thus to honor the noble Chinese people for their fidelity to the Catholic faith." These martyrs died between 1648 and 1930. Of the 120 Chinese martyrs, 87 were natives, and the remaining 33 were foreign missionaries who served in China.
Monday 9 July
2018
Sts Leo Ignatius Mangin and Mary Zhu Wu and Companions.
Hosea 2:16–18, 21–22. Psalm 144(145):2–9. Matthew 9:18–26.
The Lord is kind and merciful—Psalm 144(145):2–9.
‘Your faith has made you well.’
Jesus’ healing power was profound. By his mere presence and a
touch to his cloak he healed a woman. Soon after, all it took was for him to
hold out his hand and a young girl rose from her death bed. It is no wonder
that word spread about him throughout the land.
The people knew the words of the prophet Hosea. They were
waiting for all things to be made right. Because of Christ, we stand in awe and
wonder at the power God has to heal and at the overwhelming love of God for all
creation. This is the God we seek daily.
Saint Augustine Zhao Rong and Companions
Saint of the Day for July 9
(d. 1648 – 1930)
 |
| Stained glass window of Saint Augustine Zhao Rong and companions | The Hong Kong Catholic Cathedral of The Immaculate Conception | photo by hugo poon |
Saint Augustine Zhao Rong and Companions’ Story
Christianity arrived in China by way of Syria in the 600s.
Depending on China’s relations with the outside world, Christianity over the
centuries was free to grow or was forced to operate secretly.
The 120 martyrs in this group died between 1648 and 1930.
Eighty-seven of them were born in China, and were children, parents,
catechists, or laborers, ranging in age from nine years to 72. This group
includes four Chinese diocesan priests. The 33 foreign-born martyrs were mostly
priests or women religious, especially from the Order of Preachers, the Paris
Foreign Mission Society, the Friars Minor, Society of Jesus, Society of St.
Francis de Sales (Salesians), and Franciscan Missionaries of Mary.
Augustine Zhao Rong was a Chinese soldier who accompanied Bishop
John Gabriel Taurin Dufresse of the Paris Foreign Mission Society to his
martyrdom in Beijing. Not long after his baptism, Augustine was ordained as a
diocesan priest. He was martyred in 1815.
Beatified in groups at various times, these 120 martyrs were
canonized together in Rome on October 1, 2000.
Reflection
The People’s Republic of China and the Roman Catholic Church
each have well over a billion members, but there are only about 12 million
Catholics in China. The reasons for that are better explained by historical
conflicts than by a wholesale rejection of the Good News of Jesus Christ. The
Chinese-born martyrs honored by today’s feast were regarded by their
persecutors as dangerous because they were considered allies of enemy, Catholic
countries. The martyrs born outside China often tried to distance themselves
from European political struggles relating to China, but their persecutors saw
them as Westerners and therefore, by definition, anti-Chinese.
The Good News of Jesus Christ is intended to benefit all
peoples; today’s martyrs knew that. May 21st-century Christians live in such a
way that Chinese women and men will be attracted to hear that Good News and
embrace it.
LECTIO DIVINA: MATTHEW 9,18-26
Lectio Divina:
Monday, July 9, 2018
Ordinary Time
1) Opening prayer
Father,
through the obedience of Jesus,
your servant and your Son,
you raised a fallen world.
Free us from sin
and bring us the joy that lasts for ever.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
through the obedience of Jesus,
your servant and your Son,
you raised a fallen world.
Free us from sin
and bring us the joy that lasts for ever.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
2) Gospel Reading - Matthew 9,18-26
While Jesus was speaking to them,
suddenly one of the officials came up, who bowed low in front of him and said,
'My daughter has just died, but come and lay your hand on her and her life will
be saved.' Jesus rose and, with his disciples, followed him.
Then suddenly from behind him came a woman, who had been suffering from a haemorrhage for twelve years, and she touched the fringe of his cloak, for she was thinking, 'If only I can touch his cloak I shall be saved.' Jesus turned round and saw her; and he said to her, 'Courage, my daughter, your faith has saved you.' And from that moment the woman was saved.
When Jesus reached the official's house and saw the flute-players, with the crowd making a commotion, he said, 'Get out of here; the little girl is not dead; she is asleep.' And they ridiculed him. But when the people had been turned out he went inside and took her by the hand; and she stood up. And the news of this spread all round the countryside.
Then suddenly from behind him came a woman, who had been suffering from a haemorrhage for twelve years, and she touched the fringe of his cloak, for she was thinking, 'If only I can touch his cloak I shall be saved.' Jesus turned round and saw her; and he said to her, 'Courage, my daughter, your faith has saved you.' And from that moment the woman was saved.
When Jesus reached the official's house and saw the flute-players, with the crowd making a commotion, he said, 'Get out of here; the little girl is not dead; she is asleep.' And they ridiculed him. But when the people had been turned out he went inside and took her by the hand; and she stood up. And the news of this spread all round the countryside.
3) Reflection
• Today’s Gospel takes us to meditate on
two miracles of Jesus. The first one was in favour of a woman considered
unclean because of an irregular haemorrhage which had been lasting for more
than twelve years. The second one in favour of a girl who had just
died. According to the mentality of that time, the person who touched
blood or a corpse or dead body was considered unclean and whoever touched that
person became unclean. Blood and death were factors of exclusion!
This is why those two women were marginalized persons, excluded from the
participation in the community. Whoever touched them became unclean, and
therefore, would not be able to participate in the community, and therefore,
could not relate with God. In order to be admitted to participate fully
in the community, it was necessary to go through the rite of purification,
prescribed by the norms of the law. Now, when curing the impurity of the woman,
through faith, Jesus opens a new path toward God which does not depend anymore
on the rites of purification, controlled by the priests. In resurrecting the
girl, Jesus conquers the power of death and opens a new horizon to
life.
• Matthew 9, 18-19: The death of the little girl. When Jesus was still speaking, behold an official of the place came to intercede for his daughter who has just died. He asks Jesus to go to impose his hands on her and, “she will live”. The official thinks that Jesus has the power to make his daughter rise from the dead. This is a sign of much faith in Jesus on the part of the father of the little girl. Jesus rises and goes with him, taking only his disciples. This is the starting point of both episodes which follow: the cure of the woman who had been suffering for the past twelve years from a haemorrhage, and the resurrection of the little girl. The Gospel of Mark presents both of these episodes, but with many details: the official was called Jarius and he was the president of the Synagogue. The little girl was not dead as yet, and she was twelve years old, etc. (Mk 5, 21-43). Matthew gives a briefer narration of the very lively one of Mark.
• Matthew 9, 20-21: The situation of the woman. While they were on the way to the official’s house, a woman who had been suffering for twelve years because of a irregular haemorrhage got close to Jesus seeking to be cured. Twelve years with a haemorrhage! This is why she was marginalized, excluded, because as we have said, at that time blood rendered the person impure. Mark says that the woman had spent all she had with doctors, but instead of improving her situation had become worse (Mk 5, 25-26) But she had heard some speak about Jesus (Mk 5, 27). This is why a new hope sprang in her. She told herself: “If I can just touch his clothes, I shall be saved”. The catechism of that time said: “If I touch his clothes I will remain impure”. The woman thinks exatly the contrary! This was a sign of great courage! A sign also that women were not in agreement with everything that the religious authority taught. The teaching of the Pharisees and of the Scribes did not succeed to control the thinking of the people. Thank God! The woman got close to Jesus from behind, she touched the end of his cloak and she was cured.
• Matthew 9, 22. The word of Jesus which enlightens. Jesus turns and seeing the woman declares: “Courage, my daughter your faith has saved you”. A brief phrase, but which makes us see three very important points: (1) In saying “my daughter”, Jesus accepts the woman in the new community which has formed around him. She was no longer excluded. (2) What she expected and believed takes place in fact. She was cured. This proofs that the catechism of the religious authority was not correct and that in Jesus was opened a new path which gave people the possibility of obtaining the purity which the law demanded and also to enter into contact with God. (3) Jesus recognizes that without the faith of this woman, He would not have been able to work the miracle. The cure was not a magic rite, but an act of faith.
• Matthew 9, 23-24: In the house of the official. After that Jesus goes to the house of the official. Seeing the agitation of those who were mourning because of the death of the little girl, he asks everybody to get out from the room. And he says: “The little girl is not dead, she is sleeping!” People laugh, because they know how to distinguish when a person sleeps or when she is dead. Death was for them a barrier that nobody could go beyond. It is the laughter of Abraham and of Sarah, that is, of those who do not succeed to believe that nothing is impossible for God (Gn 17, 17; 18, 12-14; Lk 1, 27). The words of Jesus still have a very deep significance. The situation of the communities at the time of Matthew seemed to be in a situation of death. Even though they heard said, “It is not death, you are asleep! Wake up!”
• Matthew 9, 25-26: The resurrection of the little girl. Jesus does not give any importance to the laughter of the people. He waits for everyone to get out of the house. Then he enters, takes the little girl by the hand and she gets up. Mark keeps the words of Jesus: “Talita kúmi!” which mean: “Little girl, I tell you to get up!” (Mk 5,41). The news spread throughout that region. The people believed that Jesus is the Lord of life who overcomes death.
• Matthew 9, 18-19: The death of the little girl. When Jesus was still speaking, behold an official of the place came to intercede for his daughter who has just died. He asks Jesus to go to impose his hands on her and, “she will live”. The official thinks that Jesus has the power to make his daughter rise from the dead. This is a sign of much faith in Jesus on the part of the father of the little girl. Jesus rises and goes with him, taking only his disciples. This is the starting point of both episodes which follow: the cure of the woman who had been suffering for the past twelve years from a haemorrhage, and the resurrection of the little girl. The Gospel of Mark presents both of these episodes, but with many details: the official was called Jarius and he was the president of the Synagogue. The little girl was not dead as yet, and she was twelve years old, etc. (Mk 5, 21-43). Matthew gives a briefer narration of the very lively one of Mark.
• Matthew 9, 20-21: The situation of the woman. While they were on the way to the official’s house, a woman who had been suffering for twelve years because of a irregular haemorrhage got close to Jesus seeking to be cured. Twelve years with a haemorrhage! This is why she was marginalized, excluded, because as we have said, at that time blood rendered the person impure. Mark says that the woman had spent all she had with doctors, but instead of improving her situation had become worse (Mk 5, 25-26) But she had heard some speak about Jesus (Mk 5, 27). This is why a new hope sprang in her. She told herself: “If I can just touch his clothes, I shall be saved”. The catechism of that time said: “If I touch his clothes I will remain impure”. The woman thinks exatly the contrary! This was a sign of great courage! A sign also that women were not in agreement with everything that the religious authority taught. The teaching of the Pharisees and of the Scribes did not succeed to control the thinking of the people. Thank God! The woman got close to Jesus from behind, she touched the end of his cloak and she was cured.
• Matthew 9, 22. The word of Jesus which enlightens. Jesus turns and seeing the woman declares: “Courage, my daughter your faith has saved you”. A brief phrase, but which makes us see three very important points: (1) In saying “my daughter”, Jesus accepts the woman in the new community which has formed around him. She was no longer excluded. (2) What she expected and believed takes place in fact. She was cured. This proofs that the catechism of the religious authority was not correct and that in Jesus was opened a new path which gave people the possibility of obtaining the purity which the law demanded and also to enter into contact with God. (3) Jesus recognizes that without the faith of this woman, He would not have been able to work the miracle. The cure was not a magic rite, but an act of faith.
• Matthew 9, 23-24: In the house of the official. After that Jesus goes to the house of the official. Seeing the agitation of those who were mourning because of the death of the little girl, he asks everybody to get out from the room. And he says: “The little girl is not dead, she is sleeping!” People laugh, because they know how to distinguish when a person sleeps or when she is dead. Death was for them a barrier that nobody could go beyond. It is the laughter of Abraham and of Sarah, that is, of those who do not succeed to believe that nothing is impossible for God (Gn 17, 17; 18, 12-14; Lk 1, 27). The words of Jesus still have a very deep significance. The situation of the communities at the time of Matthew seemed to be in a situation of death. Even though they heard said, “It is not death, you are asleep! Wake up!”
• Matthew 9, 25-26: The resurrection of the little girl. Jesus does not give any importance to the laughter of the people. He waits for everyone to get out of the house. Then he enters, takes the little girl by the hand and she gets up. Mark keeps the words of Jesus: “Talita kúmi!” which mean: “Little girl, I tell you to get up!” (Mk 5,41). The news spread throughout that region. The people believed that Jesus is the Lord of life who overcomes death.
4) Personal questions
• Today, which are the categories of
persons who feel excluded from participating in the Christian community? Which
are the factors which cause the exclusion of so many persons and render life
difficult for them in the family and in society?
• “The little girl is not dead. She sleeps!” “She is not dead! You are sleeping! Wake up! This is the message of today’s Gospel. What does it tell me? Am I one of those who laugh?
• “The little girl is not dead. She sleeps!” “She is not dead! You are sleeping! Wake up! This is the message of today’s Gospel. What does it tell me? Am I one of those who laugh?
5) Concluding Prayer
I shall praise you to the heights, God
my King,
I shall bless your name for ever and ever.
Day after day I shall bless you,
I shall praise your name for ever and ever. (Ps 145,1-2)
I shall bless your name for ever and ever.
Day after day I shall bless you,
I shall praise your name for ever and ever. (Ps 145,1-2)
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