Saturday of the Fifteenth Week in
Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 394
Lectionary: 394
Woe to those who plan iniquity,
and work out evil on their couches;
In the morning light they accomplish it
when it lies within their power.
They covet fields, and seize them;
houses, and they take them;
They cheat an owner of his house,
a man of his inheritance.
Therefore thus says the LORD:
Behold, I am planning against this race an evil
from which you shall not withdraw your necks;
Nor shall you walk with head high,
for it will be a time of evil.
and work out evil on their couches;
In the morning light they accomplish it
when it lies within their power.
They covet fields, and seize them;
houses, and they take them;
They cheat an owner of his house,
a man of his inheritance.
Therefore thus says the LORD:
Behold, I am planning against this race an evil
from which you shall not withdraw your necks;
Nor shall you walk with head high,
for it will be a time of evil.
On that day a satire shall be sung
over you,
and there shall be a plaintive chant:
“Our ruin is complete,
our fields are portioned out among our captors,
The fields of my people are measured out,
and no one can get them back!”
Thus you shall have no one
to mark out boundaries by lot
in the assembly of the LORD.
and there shall be a plaintive chant:
“Our ruin is complete,
our fields are portioned out among our captors,
The fields of my people are measured out,
and no one can get them back!”
Thus you shall have no one
to mark out boundaries by lot
in the assembly of the LORD.
Responsorial
Psalm10:1-2, 3-4, 7-8, 14
R. (12b) Do not forget the
poor, O Lord!
Why, O LORD, do you stand aloof?
Why hide in times of distress?
Proudly the wicked harass the afflicted,
who are caught in the devices the wicked have contrived.
R. Do not forget the poor, O Lord!
For the wicked man glories in his greed,
and the covetous blasphemes, sets the LORD at nought.
The wicked man boasts, “He will not avenge it”;
“There is no God,” sums up his thoughts.
R. Do not forget the poor, O Lord!
His mouth is full of cursing, guile and deceit;
under his tongue are mischief and iniquity.
He lurks in ambush near the villages;
in hiding he murders the innocent;
his eyes spy upon the unfortunate.
R. Do not forget the poor, O Lord!
You do see, for you behold misery and sorrow,
taking them in your hands.
On you the unfortunate man depends;
of the fatherless you are the helper.
R. Do not forget the poor, O Lord!
Why, O LORD, do you stand aloof?
Why hide in times of distress?
Proudly the wicked harass the afflicted,
who are caught in the devices the wicked have contrived.
R. Do not forget the poor, O Lord!
For the wicked man glories in his greed,
and the covetous blasphemes, sets the LORD at nought.
The wicked man boasts, “He will not avenge it”;
“There is no God,” sums up his thoughts.
R. Do not forget the poor, O Lord!
His mouth is full of cursing, guile and deceit;
under his tongue are mischief and iniquity.
He lurks in ambush near the villages;
in hiding he murders the innocent;
his eyes spy upon the unfortunate.
R. Do not forget the poor, O Lord!
You do see, for you behold misery and sorrow,
taking them in your hands.
On you the unfortunate man depends;
of the fatherless you are the helper.
R. Do not forget the poor, O Lord!
Alleluia2 COR 5:19
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ,
and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ,
and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
GospelMT 12:14-21
The Pharisees went out and took
counsel against Jesus
to put him to death.
to put him to death.
When Jesus realized this, he
withdrew from that place.
Many people followed him, and he cured them all,
but he warned them not to make him known.
This was to fulfill what had been spoken through Isaiah the prophet:
Many people followed him, and he cured them all,
but he warned them not to make him known.
This was to fulfill what had been spoken through Isaiah the prophet:
Behold, my servant whom I have chosen,
my beloved in whom I delight;
I shall place my Spirit upon him,
and he will proclaim justice to the Gentiles.
He will not contend or cry out,
nor will anyone hear his voice in the streets.
A bruised reed he will not break,
a smoldering wick he will not quench,
until he brings justice to victory.
And in his name the Gentiles will hope.
my beloved in whom I delight;
I shall place my Spirit upon him,
and he will proclaim justice to the Gentiles.
He will not contend or cry out,
nor will anyone hear his voice in the streets.
A bruised reed he will not break,
a smoldering wick he will not quench,
until he brings justice to victory.
And in his name the Gentiles will hope.
For the
readings of the Optional Memorial of Saint Camillus de Lellis, please go here.
Meditation: Until
Jesus Brings Justice to Victory
How
do we achieve success and victory in our lives? In everyone's life there are
key moments or turning points on which the whole of one's life hinges. The
mounting confrontation between the Pharisees and Jesus was such a decisive
event and crisis. The religious leaders became intolerant of Jesus because of
their prejudice. Nothing that Jesus would do or say from this point on would be
right in their eyes. They conspired, not simply to oppose Jesus but to
eliminate him.
Courage and determination to do God's will
Jesus met this defiance with courage and determination to do his Father's will. He used the crisis to teach his disciples an important lesson for God's way to success and victory. The only way to glory in God's kingdom is through the cross - the cross of suffering and humiliation - which Jesus endured for our sake and for our salvation. We, too, are called to take up our cross every day - to die to sin, selfishness, envy, pride, strife, and hatred - and to lay down our lives in humble service and love for one another, just as Jesus did for our sake.
Matthew quotes from the "Suffering Servant" prophecies of Isaiah to explain how Jesus the Messiah would accomplish his mission - not through crushing power - but through love and sacrificial service (Isaiah 42:1-4). In place of a throne Jesus chose to mount the cross and wear a crown of thorns. He was crucified as our Lord and King (John 19:19; Philippians 2:11) There is no greater proof of God's love for us than the sacrificial death of his only begotten Son for our sake and our salvation (John 3:16).
Jesus died not only for the Jews but for all the Gentile nations as well. Isaiah had prophesied centuries before, that the Messiah would bring justice to the Gentiles. To the Greek mind, justice involved giving to God and to one's fellow citizen that which is their due (whatever is owed to them). Jesus taught his disciples to give God not only his due, but to love him without measure just as he loves us unconditionally - without limits or reservation.
Justice tempered with love and mercy
Jesus brings the justice of God's kingdom tempered with divine love and mercy. He does not bruise the weak or treat them with contempt, but rather shows understanding and compassion. He does not discourage the fainthearted but gives hope, courage, and the strength to persevere through trying circumstances. No trials, failings, and weaknesses can keep us from the mercy and help which Jesus offers to everyone who asks. His grace is sufficient for every moment, every situation, and every challenge we face. When you meet trials and difficulties, do you rely on God's help and grace?
Courage and determination to do God's will
Jesus met this defiance with courage and determination to do his Father's will. He used the crisis to teach his disciples an important lesson for God's way to success and victory. The only way to glory in God's kingdom is through the cross - the cross of suffering and humiliation - which Jesus endured for our sake and for our salvation. We, too, are called to take up our cross every day - to die to sin, selfishness, envy, pride, strife, and hatred - and to lay down our lives in humble service and love for one another, just as Jesus did for our sake.
Matthew quotes from the "Suffering Servant" prophecies of Isaiah to explain how Jesus the Messiah would accomplish his mission - not through crushing power - but through love and sacrificial service (Isaiah 42:1-4). In place of a throne Jesus chose to mount the cross and wear a crown of thorns. He was crucified as our Lord and King (John 19:19; Philippians 2:11) There is no greater proof of God's love for us than the sacrificial death of his only begotten Son for our sake and our salvation (John 3:16).
Jesus died not only for the Jews but for all the Gentile nations as well. Isaiah had prophesied centuries before, that the Messiah would bring justice to the Gentiles. To the Greek mind, justice involved giving to God and to one's fellow citizen that which is their due (whatever is owed to them). Jesus taught his disciples to give God not only his due, but to love him without measure just as he loves us unconditionally - without limits or reservation.
Justice tempered with love and mercy
Jesus brings the justice of God's kingdom tempered with divine love and mercy. He does not bruise the weak or treat them with contempt, but rather shows understanding and compassion. He does not discourage the fainthearted but gives hope, courage, and the strength to persevere through trying circumstances. No trials, failings, and weaknesses can keep us from the mercy and help which Jesus offers to everyone who asks. His grace is sufficient for every moment, every situation, and every challenge we face. When you meet trials and difficulties, do you rely on God's help and grace?
Lord
Jesus, your love and mercy knows no bounds. Give me strength when I am weak,
hope when I am discouraged, peace when I am troubled, consolation when I am
sad, and understanding when I am perplexed. Make me an instrument of your love
and peace to those who are troubled and without hope.
Daily
Quote from the Early Church Fathers: The Savior's meekness, by John
Chrysostom (347-407 AD)
"The
prophet celebrated in advance both the Savior's meekness right alongside his
unspeakable power. Thereby he opened to the Gentiles a great and effective
door. Isaiah also foretold the ills that were to overtake the Jews. He foreknew
the Son's oneness with the Father: 'Israel is my chosen, my soul has accepted
him; I have put my Spirit upon him' (Isaiah 42:1). For it is not as an
adversary that Christ transcends the law, as if he were an enemy of the
Lawgiver, but as though he were of one mind with the Lawgiver and held to the
very same purposes. Then, proclaiming the Lord's meekness, Isaiah said, 'He
shall not cry nor lift up his voice' (Isaiah 42:20). For his desire indeed was
to enable healing in their presence. But since they pushed him away, he did not
contend any further against their opposition." (excerpt from THE
GOSPEL OF MATTHEW, HOMILY 40.2.1)
SATURDAY, JULY 18, MATTHEW 12:14-21
Weekday
(Micah 2:1-5; Psalm 10)
Weekday
(Micah 2:1-5; Psalm 10)
KEY VERSE: "Behold, my servant whom I have chosen, my beloved in whom I delight" (v. 18).
TO KNOW: When Jesus cured a man on the Sabbath (Mt 12:9-13), the religious leaders were outraged and they plotted to put Jesus to death. Jesus quoted the prophet Isaiah to show that he was the fulfillment of God's suffering servant (Is 42:1-4). Many people expected the Messiah to come with power to overcome their enemies. Instead, Jesus came in meekness and humility, offering hope to those who were burdened. Imbued with God's Spirit, Jesus proclaimed justice for all who were crushed under the weight of oppression (Mt 11:28-30). As opposition to Jesus grew, he departed from that area. Many followed him and were healed. The world will come to know Jesus when Christians imitate his example of compassionate service to those in need.
TO LOVE: Do my actions promote peace or contention?
TO SERVE: Lord Jesus, help me to follow your example by working for peace and justice.
Optional Memorial of Saint Camillus de Lellis, priest
Camillus entered the Capuchin novitiate three times, but each time a nagging leg injury, which he received while fighting the Turks, forced him to give up. He went to Rome for medical treatment where Saint Philip Neri became his priest and confessor. Camillus moved into San Giacomo Hospital for the incurable, and eventually became its administrator. Lacking education, he began to study with children when he was 32 years old. Camillus was ordained in 1584, and in 1586 he obtained approval for the congregation of priests he had founded, devoted to hospital service, the Servants of the Sick (Camellians). Camillus honored the sick as living images of Christ, and hoped that the service he gave them did penance for his wayward youth. He was canonized in 1746, was declared patron of the sick, with St. John of God, by Pope Leo XIII, and patron of nurses and nursing groups by Pope Pius XI.
Saturday 18 July 2020
Micah 2:1-5. Do not forget the poor, O Lord! – Psalm 9B(10):1-4,
7-8, 14. Matthew 12:14-21.
‘He cured them all but warned them not to make him known’
Jesus the Saviour is revealed in the words of the prophet Isaiah
and a mission is announced to all disciples. This revelation is tempered by
Jesus’ instruction not to make his identity known. It’s through faith that
Jesus saves not through authority or power. Through the Incarnation Jesus
becomes God’s chosen servant. His mission is to bring the ‘truth’ to all people
in a gentle way. Jesus embodies the loving and merciful God whom all can call
upon. His way is one of humility and meekness.
As a disciple consider how you have and how you might make known
God’s love and grace to those you encounter? Is your evangelisation arrogant or
humble? What can you do this day to further Jesus’ mission on earth? Who are
the Gentiles that you can reach out to and how can you act as God’s servant
today?
Saint Camillus de Lellis
Saint of the Day for July 18
(1550 – July 14, 1614)
 |
| Saint Camillus de Lellis in facade of church Santa Maria Maddalena | photo by Livioandronico2013 |
Saint Camillus de Lellis’ Story
Humanly speaking, Camillus was not a likely candidate for
sainthood. His mother died when he was a child, his father neglected him, and
he grew up with an excessive love for gambling. At 17, he was afflicted with a
disease of his leg that remained with him for life. In Rome he entered the San
Giacomo Hospital for Incurables as both patient and servant, but was dismissed
for quarrelsomeness after nine months. He served in the Venetian army for three
years.
Then in the winter of 1574, when he was 24, Camillus gambled
away everything he had—savings, weapons, literally down to his shirt. He accepted
work at the Capuchin friary at Manfredonia, and was one day so moved by a
sermon of the superior that he began a conversion that changed his life. He
entered the Capuchin novitiate, but was dismissed because of the apparently
incurable sore on his leg. After another stint of service at San Giacomo, he
came back to the Capuchins, only to be dismissed again, for the same reason.
Again, back at San Giacomo, his dedication was rewarded by his
being made superintendent. Camillus devoted the rest of his life to the care of
the sick. Along with Saint John of God he has been named patron of hospitals,
nurses, and the sick. With the advice of his friend Saint Philip Neri, he
studied for the priesthood and was ordained at the age of 34. Contrary to the advice
of his friend, Camillus left San Giacomo and founded a congregation of his own.
As superior, he devoted much of his own time to the care of the sick.
Charity was his first concern, but the physical aspects of the
hospital also received his diligent attention. Camillus insisted on cleanliness
and the technical competence of those who served the sick. The members of his
community bound themselves to serve prisoners and persons infected by the
plague as well as those dying in private homes. Some of his men were with
troops fighting in Hungary and Croatia in 1595, forming the first recorded
military field ambulance. In Naples, he and his men went onto the galleys that
had plague and were not allowed to land. He discovered that there were people
being buried alive, and ordered his brothers to continue the prayers for the
dying 15 minutes after apparent death.
Camillus himself suffered the disease of his leg through his
life. In his last illness, he left his own bed to see if other patients in the
hospital needed help.
Reflection
Saints are created by God. Parents must indeed nurture the faith
in their children; husbands and wives must cooperate to deepen their baptismal
grace; friends must support each other. But all human effort is only the
dispensing of divine power. We must all try as if everything depended on us.
But only the power of God can fulfill the plan of God—to make us like himself.
Saint Camillus de Lellis is the Patron Saint of:
Hospitals
Nurses
Sick
Nurses
Sick
Lectio Divina: Matthew 12:14-21
Lectio Divina
Saturday, July 18, 2020
Ordinary Time
1) Opening prayer
God our Father,
Your light of truth
guides us to the way of Christ.
May all who follow Him
reject what is contrary to the Gospel.
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.
Your light of truth
guides us to the way of Christ.
May all who follow Him
reject what is contrary to the Gospel.
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 12:14-21
The Pharisees went out and took counsel against Jesus to put him
to death. When Jesus realized this, he withdrew from that place. Many people
followed him, and he cured them all, but he warned them not to make him known.
This was to fulfill what had been spoken through Isaiah the prophet: Behold, my
servant whom I have chosen, my beloved in whom I delight; I shall place my
Spirit upon him, and he will proclaim justice to the Gentiles. He will not
contend or cry out, nor will anyone hear his voice in the streets. A bruised
reed he will not break, a smoldering wick he will not quench, until he brings
justice to victory. And in his name the Gentiles will hope.
3) Reflection
• The Gospel today has two parts: (a) describes the various
reactions of the Pharisees and of the people who listen to the preaching of
Jesus; and (b) describes what Matthew sees in these reactions: the fulfillment
of the prophecy of the Servant of Yahweh, announced by Isaiah.
• Matthew 12:14: The reaction of the Pharisees: they decide to
kill Jesus. This verse is the conclusion of the previous episode, in which
Jesus challenges the malice of the Pharisees, by curing the man who had a
withered hand (Mt 12:9-14). The reaction of the Pharisees was to hold a Council
meeting against Jesus. Thus, they come to the breaking of the relationship
between the religious authority and Jesus. In Mark, this episode is much more
explicit and provocative (Mk 3:1-6). He says that the decision to kill Jesus
was not only that of the Pharisees, but also of the Herodians (Mk 3:6). Altar
and throne joined together against Jesus.
• Matthew 12:15-16: The reaction of the people: to follow Jesus.
When Jesus learned the decision of the Pharisees, He went away from the place
where He was. People follow Him. Even knowing that the religious authority has
decided to kill Jesus, the people do not go away from Jesus, but rather they
follow Him. Many followed Him and He cured them all, but warned them not to
make Him known. People know how to discern. Jesus asks them not to spread
the news, not to say what He is doing. A great contrast! On the one side, the
conflict of life and death, between Jesus and the religious authority, and on
the other the movement of the people who were desirous of encountering Jesus!
They were, above all, the marginalized and the excluded who presented
themselves to Jesus with their illness and their infirmities. They, who were
not accepted in society or in the religious field, were accepted by Jesus.
• Matthew 12:17: The concern of Matthew: Jesus is our Messiah.
This reaction, different from that of the Pharisees and of the people, moved
Matthew to see here the realization of the prophecy of the Suffering Servant.
On the one hand, the Servant was persecuted by the authority which insulted Him
and spat on His face, but He does not turn back. He presents His face hard as a
rock, knowing that He will not be disappointed (Is 50:5-7). On the other hand,
the Servant is sought and expected by the people. The crowd coming from far is
waiting for His teaching (Is 42:4). This is exactly what is happening to Jesus.
• Matthew 12:18-21: Jesus fulfills the prophecy of the Servant.
Matthew presents the entire first Canticle of the Servant. Read the text
slowly, thinking of Jesus and the poor who today are excluded:
“Look! My Servant whom I have chosen;
My beloved in whom My soul delights,
I will send My Spirit upon Him, and He will proclaim justice to the nations;
He will not brawl or cry out; His voice is not heard in the streets,
He will not break a bruised reed, or snuff the faltering wick.
Until he has made justice victorious; in him the nations will put their hope.”
My beloved in whom My soul delights,
I will send My Spirit upon Him, and He will proclaim justice to the nations;
He will not brawl or cry out; His voice is not heard in the streets,
He will not break a bruised reed, or snuff the faltering wick.
Until he has made justice victorious; in him the nations will put their hope.”
4) Personal questions
• Do you know of any case in which the religious authority, in
the name of religion, decided to persecute and kill people who, like Jesus, did
good to people?
• In our community are we servants of God for the people? What do we lack?
• In our community are we servants of God for the people? What do we lack?
5) Concluding Prayer
How precious, God, is Your faithful love.
So the children of Adam take refuge in the shadow of Your wings.
They feast on the bounty of Your house,
You let them drink from Your delicious streams. (Ps 36:7-8)
So the children of Adam take refuge in the shadow of Your wings.
They feast on the bounty of Your house,
You let them drink from Your delicious streams. (Ps 36:7-8)
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