Tuesday of the Fourteenth Week in
Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 384
Lectionary: 384
Thus says the LORD:
They made kings in Israel, but not by my authority;
they established princes, but without my approval.
With their silver and gold they made
idols for themselves, to their own destruction.
Cast away your calf, O Samaria!
my wrath is kindled against them;
How long will they be unable to attain
innocence in Israel?
The work of an artisan,
no god at all,
Destined for the flames—
such is the calf of Samaria!
When they sow the wind,
they shall reap the whirlwind;
The stalk of grain that forms no ear
can yield no flour;
Even if it could,
strangers would swallow it.
When Ephraim made many altars to expiate sin,
his altars became occasions of sin.
Though I write for him my many ordinances,
they are considered as a stranger’s.
Though they offer sacrifice,
immolate flesh and eat it,
the LORD is not pleased with them.
He shall still remember their guilt
and punish their sins;
they shall return to Egypt.
They made kings in Israel, but not by my authority;
they established princes, but without my approval.
With their silver and gold they made
idols for themselves, to their own destruction.
Cast away your calf, O Samaria!
my wrath is kindled against them;
How long will they be unable to attain
innocence in Israel?
The work of an artisan,
no god at all,
Destined for the flames—
such is the calf of Samaria!
When they sow the wind,
they shall reap the whirlwind;
The stalk of grain that forms no ear
can yield no flour;
Even if it could,
strangers would swallow it.
When Ephraim made many altars to expiate sin,
his altars became occasions of sin.
Though I write for him my many ordinances,
they are considered as a stranger’s.
Though they offer sacrifice,
immolate flesh and eat it,
the LORD is not pleased with them.
He shall still remember their guilt
and punish their sins;
they shall return to Egypt.
Responsorial
PsalmPS 115:3-4, 5-6, 7AB-8,
9-10
R. (9a) The
house of Israel trusts in the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Our God is in heaven;
whatever he wills, he does.
Their idols are silver and gold,
the handiwork of men.
R. The house of Israel trusts in the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
They have mouths but speak not;
they have eyes but see not;
They have ears but hear not;
they have noses but smell not.
R. The house of Israel trusts in the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
They have hands but feel not;
they have feet but walk not.
Their makers shall be like them,
everyone that trusts in them.
R. The house of Israel trusts in the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Our God is in heaven;
whatever he wills, he does.
Their idols are silver and gold,
the handiwork of men.
R. The house of Israel trusts in the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
They have mouths but speak not;
they have eyes but see not;
They have ears but hear not;
they have noses but smell not.
R. The house of Israel trusts in the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
They have hands but feel not;
they have feet but walk not.
Their makers shall be like them,
everyone that trusts in them.
R. The house of Israel trusts in the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
AlleluiaJN 10:14
R. Alleluia,
alleluia.
I am the good shepherd, says the Lord;
I know my sheep, and mine know me.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
I am the good shepherd, says the Lord;
I know my sheep, and mine know me.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
GospelMT 9:32-38
A demoniac who could not speak was brought to Jesus,
and when the demon was driven out the mute man spoke.
The crowds were amazed and said,
“Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel.”
But the Pharisees said,
“He drives out demons by the prince of demons.”
Jesus went around to all the towns and villages,
teaching in their synagogues,
proclaiming the Gospel of the Kingdom,
and curing every disease and illness.
At the sight of the crowds, his heart was moved with pity for them
because they were troubled and abandoned,
like sheep without a shepherd.
Then he said to his disciples,
“The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few;
so ask the master of the harvest
to send out laborers for his harvest.”
and when the demon was driven out the mute man spoke.
The crowds were amazed and said,
“Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel.”
But the Pharisees said,
“He drives out demons by the prince of demons.”
Jesus went around to all the towns and villages,
teaching in their synagogues,
proclaiming the Gospel of the Kingdom,
and curing every disease and illness.
At the sight of the crowds, his heart was moved with pity for them
because they were troubled and abandoned,
like sheep without a shepherd.
Then he said to his disciples,
“The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few;
so ask the master of the harvest
to send out laborers for his harvest.”
Meditation: "Never seen anything like
this"
What help and hope can we give to someone who
experiences chronic distress or some incurable disease of mind and body?
Spiritual, emotional, and physical suffering often go hand in hand. Jesus was
well acquainted with individuals who suffered intolerable affliction - whether
physical, emotional, mental, or spiritual. A "dumb demoniac" was
brought to Jesus by his friends with the hope that Jesus would set the troubled
man free. These neighbors, no doubt, took pity on this man who had a double
impediment. He had not only lost his ability to speak, but was also greatly
disturbed in mind and spirit. This was no doubt due to the influence of evil
spirits who tormented him day and night with thoughts of despair and hopeless
abandonment by God.
Jesus brings freedom and healing
Jesus immediately set him free from the demon who tormented him and restored his ability to speak at the same time. This double miracle brought wonder to the crowds who watched in amazement. "Nothing like this had ever been done before in the land of Israel!" Whenever people approached Jesus with expectant faith, he set them free from whatever afflicted them - whether it be a disease of mind and body, a crippling burden of guilt and sin, a tormenting spirit or uncontrollable fear of harm.
Jesus immediately set him free from the demon who tormented him and restored his ability to speak at the same time. This double miracle brought wonder to the crowds who watched in amazement. "Nothing like this had ever been done before in the land of Israel!" Whenever people approached Jesus with expectant faith, he set them free from whatever afflicted them - whether it be a disease of mind and body, a crippling burden of guilt and sin, a tormenting spirit or uncontrollable fear of harm.
How could Jesus' miracles cause both scorn and wonder
at the same time from those who professed faith in God? Don't we often
encounter the same reaction today, even in ourselves! The crowds looked with
awe at the wonderful works which Jesus did, but the religious leaders
attributed this same work to the power of the devil. They disbelieved because
they refused to recognize Jesus as the Messiah. Their idea of
religion was too narrow and closed to accept Jesus as the Anointed One sent
by the Father "to set the captives free" (Isaiah 61:1; Matthew 11:5).
They were too set in their own ways to change and they were too proud to submit
to Jesus. They held too rigidly to the observances of their ritual laws while
neglecting the more important duties of love of God and love of neighbor. The
people, as a result, were spiritually adrift and hungry for God. Jesus met
their need and gave them new faith and hope in God’s saving help.
The Gospel brings new life and freedom
Whenever the Gospel is proclaimed God’s kingdom is made manifest and new life and freedom is given to those who respond with faith. The Lord grants freedom to all who turn to him with trust. Do you bring your troubles to the Lord with expectant faith that he can set you free? The Lord invites us to pray that the work of the Gospel may spread throughout the world, so that all may find true joy and freedom in Jesus Christ.
Whenever the Gospel is proclaimed God’s kingdom is made manifest and new life and freedom is given to those who respond with faith. The Lord grants freedom to all who turn to him with trust. Do you bring your troubles to the Lord with expectant faith that he can set you free? The Lord invites us to pray that the work of the Gospel may spread throughout the world, so that all may find true joy and freedom in Jesus Christ.
"Lord Jesus, may your kingdom come to all who are
oppressed and in darkness. Fill my heart with compassion for all who suffer
mentally and physically. Use me to bring the good news of your saving grace and
mercy to those around me who need your healing love and forgiveness.”
Daily Quote from the early church fathers: Freedom and healing in Christ, by Hilary
of Poitiers (315-367 AD)
"In the deaf and dumb and demoniac appear the
need of the Gentiles for a complete healing. Beleaguered on all sides by
misfortune, they were associated with all types of the body's infirmities. And
in this regard a proper order of things is observed. For the devil is first
cast out; then the other bodily benefits follow suit. With the folly of all
superstitions put to flight by the knowledge of God, sight and hearing and
words of healing are introduced. The declaration of the onlookers followed
their admiration over what took place: 'Never has the like been seen in
Israel.' Indeed, he whom the law could not help was made well by the power of
the Word, and the deaf and dumb man spoke the praises of God. Deliverance has
been given to the Gentiles. All the towns and all the villages are enlightened
by the power and presence of Christ, and the people are freed from every
impairment of the timeless malady. (excerpt
from ON MATTHEW 9.10)
TUESDAY, JULY 10, MATTHEW 9:32-38
Weekday
(Hosea 8:4-7, 11-13; Psalm 115)
Weekday
(Hosea 8:4-7, 11-13; Psalm 115)
KEY VERSE: "Ask for the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest" (v. 37).
TO KNOW: The healing of a possessed mute was the last in a series of ten miracles in chapters 8-9 of Matthew's gospel. The people were in awe when they witnessed this unprecedented event. Everywhere Jesus went -- in towns, villages and synagogues -- the kingdom of God was ushered in through his words and works. While the crowds looked on in wonder, the religious leaders, who should have welcomed the appearance of God's reign, rejected Jesus' works. They believed that he was in league with the “prince of demons” (v. 34, Satan). Their eyes were so blinded by their own ideas of God's power that they could not see the truth, which was present in Jesus. The people were without spiritual leadership, and Jesus' heart was moved with compassion. He urged his disciples to pray that others would participate in gathering souls for the kingdom of heaven.
TO LOVE: Do I pray for a generous response to God's call for vocations?
TO SERVE: Lord Jesus, help me to be faithful to your call in my life.
Tuesday 10 July
2018
Hosea 8:4-7, 11-13. Psalm 113B(115):3-10. Matthew 9:32-38.
The house of Israel trusts in the Lord—Psalm 113B(115):3-10.
‘The harvest is rich but the labourers are few.’
This section of Matthew’s Gospel recounts many stories of Jesus
moving among the people, interacting with them and curing the sick and lame.
The Spirit is clearly at work as Jesus heals the bodies and minds of the
people. Jesus brings the light of God into the cracks of our physical
condition.
He helps bodies to heal, minds to see and spirits to thrive. Not
only did Jesus heal the sick he also instructed the able through his example,
saying the harvest is rich.
We too can bring the spirit of healing into our encounters.
We pray that we can become labourers in the harvest, recognising
that we can touch those in need and accept the gifts of healing from others.
Saint Veronica Giuliani
Saint of the Day for July 10
(December 27, 1660 – July 9, 1727)
 |
| Statue of Saint Veronica Giuliani | Mercatello sul Metauro, Marches, Italie | photo by Adri08 |
Saint Veronica Giuliani’s Story
Veronica’s desire to be like Christ crucified was answered with
the stigmata.
Veronica was born in Mercatelli, Italy. It is said that when her
mother Benedetta was dying she called her five daughters to her bedside and
entrusted each of them to one of the five wounds of Jesus. Veronica was
entrusted to the wound below Christ’s heart.
At the age of 17, Veronica joined the Poor Clares directed by
the Capuchins. Her father had wanted her to marry, but she convinced him to
allow her to become a nun. In her first years in the monastery, she worked in
the kitchen, infirmary, sacristy, and also served as portress. At the age of
34, she was made novice mistress, a position she held for 22 years. When she
was 37, Veronica received the stigmata. Life was not the same after that.
Church authorities in Rome wanted to test Veronica’s
authenticity and so conducted an investigation. She lost the office of novice
mistress temporarily and was not allowed to attend Mass except on Sundays or
holy days. Through all of this Veronica did not become bitter, and the
investigation eventually restored her as novice mistress.
Though she protested against it, at the age of 56 she was
elected abbess, an office she held for 11 years until her death. Veronica was
very devoted to the Eucharist and to the Sacred Heart. She offered her
sufferings for the missions, died in 1727, and was canonized in 1839.
Her Liturgical Feast Day is July 9.
Reflection
Why did God grant the stigmata to Francis of Assisi and to
Veronica Giuliani? God alone knows the deepest reasons, but as Celano points
out, the external sign of the cross is a confirmation of these saints’
commitment to the cross in their lives. The stigmata that appeared in
Veronica’s flesh had taken root in her heart many years before. It was a
fitting conclusion for her love of God and her charity toward her sisters.
LECTIO DIVINA: MATTHEW 9,32-38
Lectio Divina:
Tuesday, July 10, 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 9,32-38
A man was brought to Jesus, a dumb
demoniac. And when the devil was driven out, the dumb man spoke and the people
were amazed and said, 'Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel.' But the
Pharisees said, 'It is through the prince of devils that he drives out devils.'
Jesus made a tour through all the towns and villages, teaching in their
synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and curing all kinds of
disease and all kinds of illness. And when he saw the crowds he felt sorry for
them because they were harassed and dejected, like sheep without a shepherd.
Then he said to his disciples, 'The harvest is rich but the labourers are few,
so ask the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers to his harvest.'
3) Reflection
• Today’s Gospel presents two facts: (1)
the cure of a possessed dumb person (Mt 9, 32-34) and (2) a summary of the
activity of Jesus (Mt 9, 35-38). These two episodes end the narrative
part of chapters 8 and 9 of the Gospel of Matthew in which the Evangelist seeks
to indicate how Jesus put into practice the teachings given in the Sermon on
the Mountain (Mt 5 and 7). In chapter 10, the meditation which begins in
the Gospel of tomorrow, we see the second great discourse of Jesus: The
Discourse of the Mission (Mt 10, 1-42).
• Matthew 9, 32-33a: The cure of a dumb. In one only verse Matthew describes the arrival of the possessed person before Jesus, the expulsion of the demon and the attitude of Jesus, which in the fourth Gospel there is the attention and affection of Jesus with sick persons. The illnesses were many, social security non existent. The illnesses were not only deficiencies of the body: deafness, blindness, paralysis, leprosy and so many other sicknesses. In fact, these illnesses were nothing else than a manifestation of a much deeper and vast evil which undermined the health of persons, and that is the total abandonment and the depressing and inhuman state in which they were obliged to live. The activity and the cures of Jesus were directed not only against physical sickness, but also and above all against this greater evil of material and spiritual abandonment, in which people were obliged to live the few years of life. Then, in addition to the economic exploitation which stole half of the family stipend, the official religion of that time, instead of helping people to find strength in God, to resist and have hope, taught that sickness was a punishment from God for sin. This increased in them the sentiment of exclusion and condemnation. Jesus did all the contrary. The acceptance full of tenderness of Jesus and the cure of the sick form part of the effort to knit together again the human relationship among persons and to re-establish community and fraternal living in the villages of Galilee, his land. Matthew 9, 33b-34: The twofold interpretation of the cure of the dumb man. Before the cure of the possessed dumb man, the reaction of the people is one of admiration and of gratitude: “Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel!” The reaction of the Pharisee is one of mistrust and malice: “It is through the prince of devils that he driver out devils!” They were not able to deny the facts which cause admiration in the people, the only way which the Pharisees find to neutralize the influence of Jesus before the people is to attribute the expulsion to the power of the evil one. Mark presents an extensive argument of Jesus to demonstrate the lack of coherence and the malice of the interpretation given by the Pharisees (Mk 3, 22-27). Matthew does not present any response of Jesus to the interpretation of the Pharisees, because when malice is evident, truth shines by itself.
• Matthew 9, 35: Tireless, Jesus goes through the villages. The description of the tireless activity of Jesus is beautiful, in which emerges the double concern to which we referred: the acceptance full of tenderness and the cure of the sick: “Jesus went through all the towns, teaching in their Synagogues, preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom and curing all kinds of diseases and all kinds of illness”. In the previous chapters, Matthew had already referred several times to this itinerant activity of Jesus in the villages and towns of Galilee (Mt 4, 23-24; 8, 16).
• Matthew 9, 36: The compassion of Jesus. “Seeing the crowds he felt sorry for them because they were harassed and dejected, like sheep without a shepherd”. Those who should be shepherds were not shepherds; they did not take care of the flock. Jesus tries to be the shepherd (Jn 10,11-14). In this, Matthew sees the realization of the Prophecy of the Servant of Yahweh, who took upon himself our sickness, and bore our infirmities” (Mt 8, 17 and Is 53, 4). As it was for Jesus, the great concern of the Servant was “to find a word of comfort for those who were discouraged”. (Is 50, 4). Jesus shows the same compassion toward the abandoned crowd, on the occasion of the multiplication of the loaves: they are like sheep without a shepherd (Mt 15, 32). The Gospel of Matthew has a constant concern in revealing to the converted Jews of the communities of Galilee and of Syria that Jesus is the Messiah announced by the Prophets. For this reason, frequently, he shows that in Jesus’ activity the prophecies are fulfilled (cf. Mt 1, 23; 2, 5.15.17. 23; 3, 3; 4, 14-16; etc.).
• Matthew 9, 37-38: The harvest is rich, but the labourers are few. Jesus transmits to the disciples the concern and the compassion which are within him: “The harvest is rich, but the labourers are few! Therefore, pray to the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers to his harvest!”
• Matthew 9, 32-33a: The cure of a dumb. In one only verse Matthew describes the arrival of the possessed person before Jesus, the expulsion of the demon and the attitude of Jesus, which in the fourth Gospel there is the attention and affection of Jesus with sick persons. The illnesses were many, social security non existent. The illnesses were not only deficiencies of the body: deafness, blindness, paralysis, leprosy and so many other sicknesses. In fact, these illnesses were nothing else than a manifestation of a much deeper and vast evil which undermined the health of persons, and that is the total abandonment and the depressing and inhuman state in which they were obliged to live. The activity and the cures of Jesus were directed not only against physical sickness, but also and above all against this greater evil of material and spiritual abandonment, in which people were obliged to live the few years of life. Then, in addition to the economic exploitation which stole half of the family stipend, the official religion of that time, instead of helping people to find strength in God, to resist and have hope, taught that sickness was a punishment from God for sin. This increased in them the sentiment of exclusion and condemnation. Jesus did all the contrary. The acceptance full of tenderness of Jesus and the cure of the sick form part of the effort to knit together again the human relationship among persons and to re-establish community and fraternal living in the villages of Galilee, his land. Matthew 9, 33b-34: The twofold interpretation of the cure of the dumb man. Before the cure of the possessed dumb man, the reaction of the people is one of admiration and of gratitude: “Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel!” The reaction of the Pharisee is one of mistrust and malice: “It is through the prince of devils that he driver out devils!” They were not able to deny the facts which cause admiration in the people, the only way which the Pharisees find to neutralize the influence of Jesus before the people is to attribute the expulsion to the power of the evil one. Mark presents an extensive argument of Jesus to demonstrate the lack of coherence and the malice of the interpretation given by the Pharisees (Mk 3, 22-27). Matthew does not present any response of Jesus to the interpretation of the Pharisees, because when malice is evident, truth shines by itself.
• Matthew 9, 35: Tireless, Jesus goes through the villages. The description of the tireless activity of Jesus is beautiful, in which emerges the double concern to which we referred: the acceptance full of tenderness and the cure of the sick: “Jesus went through all the towns, teaching in their Synagogues, preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom and curing all kinds of diseases and all kinds of illness”. In the previous chapters, Matthew had already referred several times to this itinerant activity of Jesus in the villages and towns of Galilee (Mt 4, 23-24; 8, 16).
• Matthew 9, 36: The compassion of Jesus. “Seeing the crowds he felt sorry for them because they were harassed and dejected, like sheep without a shepherd”. Those who should be shepherds were not shepherds; they did not take care of the flock. Jesus tries to be the shepherd (Jn 10,11-14). In this, Matthew sees the realization of the Prophecy of the Servant of Yahweh, who took upon himself our sickness, and bore our infirmities” (Mt 8, 17 and Is 53, 4). As it was for Jesus, the great concern of the Servant was “to find a word of comfort for those who were discouraged”. (Is 50, 4). Jesus shows the same compassion toward the abandoned crowd, on the occasion of the multiplication of the loaves: they are like sheep without a shepherd (Mt 15, 32). The Gospel of Matthew has a constant concern in revealing to the converted Jews of the communities of Galilee and of Syria that Jesus is the Messiah announced by the Prophets. For this reason, frequently, he shows that in Jesus’ activity the prophecies are fulfilled (cf. Mt 1, 23; 2, 5.15.17. 23; 3, 3; 4, 14-16; etc.).
• Matthew 9, 37-38: The harvest is rich, but the labourers are few. Jesus transmits to the disciples the concern and the compassion which are within him: “The harvest is rich, but the labourers are few! Therefore, pray to the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers to his harvest!”
4) Personal questions
• Compassion for the tired and hungry
crowds. In the history of humanity, there have never been so many tired and
hungry people as today. Television diffuses the facts, but does not offer any
responses. De we, Christians, succeed to have the same compassion of Jesus and
to communicate it to others?
• The goodness of Jesus toward the poor disturbed the Pharisees. They have recourse to malice to neutralize the discomfort caused by Jesus. Are there many good attitudes in the persons who disturb me? How do I interpret them: with pleasant admiration as the crowds or with malice as the Pharisees?
• The goodness of Jesus toward the poor disturbed the Pharisees. They have recourse to malice to neutralize the discomfort caused by Jesus. Are there many good attitudes in the persons who disturb me? How do I interpret them: with pleasant admiration as the crowds or with malice as the Pharisees?
5) Concluding Prayer
Sing to him, make music for him,
recount all his wonders!
Glory in his holy name,
let the hearts that seek Yahweh rejoice! (Ps 105,2-3)
recount all his wonders!
Glory in his holy name,
let the hearts that seek Yahweh rejoice! (Ps 105,2-3)
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