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From: Ephesians 2:13-18

Reconciliation of Jews and Gentiles in Christ (Continuation)

[13] But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been
brought near in the blood of Christ. [14] For he is our peace, who has
made us both one, and has broken down the dividing wall of hostility,
[15] by abolishing, in his flesh the law of commandments and
ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the
two, so making peace, [16] and might reconcile us both to God in one
body through the cross, thereby bringing the hostility to an end. [17]
And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to
those who were near; [18] for through him we both have access in one
Spirit to the Father. [19] So then you are no longer strangers and
sojourners, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of
the household of God, [20] built upon the foundation of the apostles
and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, [21] in whom
the whole structure is joined together and grows into a holy temple in
the Lord; [22] in whom you also are built into it for a dwelling place
of God in the Spirit.

Commentary:

11-22. What is the significance of the calling of the Gentiles to the
Church? Their previous situation, separated from Christ (vv. 11-12),
has undergone radical change as a result of the Redemption Christ
achieved on the Cross: that action has, on the one hand, brought the
two peoples together (made peace between them: vv. 13-15) and, on the
other, it has reconciled them with God, whose enemy each was (w. 16-
18). The Redemption has given rise to the Church, which St Paul here
describes as a holy temple built on the foundation of the apostles and
prophets (vv. 19-22).

14-15. "He is our peace": through his death on the cross Christ has
abolished the division of mankind into Jews and Gentiles. The Gentiles,
who had been far away from God, from his covenant and from his promises
(cf. v. 12), are now on a par with the Jews: they share in the New
Covenant that has been sealed with the blood of Christ. That is why he
is "our peace". In him all men find that solidarity they yearned for,
because, through his obedient self-sacrifice unto death, Christ has
made up for the disobedience of Adam, which had been the cause of human
strife and division (cf. Gen 3-4). "Christ, the Word made flesh, the
prince of peace, reconciled all men to God by the cross, and, restoring
the unity of all in one people and one body, he abolished hatred in his
own flesh (cf. Eph 2:16; Col 1:20-22) and, having been lifted up
through his resurrection, he poured forth the Spirit of love into the
hearts of men" (Vatican II, "Gaudium Et Spes", 78).

God's plan to attract mankind to himself and to reestablish peace
included the election of the Jewish people, from whom the Messiah would
be born; and in that Messiah all the nations of the world would be
blessed (cf. Gen 11:3). He is in fact called "prince of peace" (Is 9:6;
cf. Mic 5:4). However, many Jews had come to regard their election in
such a narrow-minded way that they saw it as creating a permanent
barrier between themselves and the Gentiles. Some rabbis of our Lord's
time despised and even hated the Gentiles. The separation between the
two peoples was reflected in the temple wall which divided the court of
the Gentiles from the rest of the sacred precincts (cf. Acts 21:28).
The real roots of the separation lay in Jewish pride at being the only
ones to have the Law of God and keep it by scrupulous attention to
countless legal niceties.

By his death on the cross Jesus Christ has broken down the barriers
dividing Jews from Gentiles and also those which kept man and God
apart. St Paul says this metaphorically when he says that Christ "has
broken down the dividing wall", referring to the wall in the temple.
But he is not resorting to metaphor when he says that Christ abolished
"in his flesh the law of commandments and ordinances". Christ, through
his obedience to the Father unto death (cf. Phil 2:8), has brought the
Law to fulfillment (cf. Mt 5:17 and note on Mt 5:17-19); he has become,
for all mankind, the way to the Father. The Law of the Old Testament,
although it was something good and holy, also created an unbridgeable
gap between God and man, because man, on his own, was incapable of
keeping the Law (cf. notes on Gal 3:19-20; 3:21-25; and Acts 15:7-11).
Christ, through grace, has created a new man who can keep the very
essence of the Law--obedience and love.

The "new man" of whom St Paul speaks here is Jesus Christ himself, who
stands for both Jews and Gentiles, because he is the new Adam, the head
of a new mankind: the "new man", St Thomas Aquinas explains, "refers to
Christ himself, who is called 'new man' because of the new form his
conception took, ...the newness of the grace which he extends ..., and
the new commandment which he brings" ("Commentary on Eph, ad loc.").

By taking human nature and bringing about our redemption, the Son of
God has become the cause of salvation for all, without any distinction
between Jew and Greek, slave and free, male and female (cf. Gal 3:28):
only through Christ's grace can peace be achieved and all differences
overcome. Pope John XXIII explains this in his encyclical "Pacem In
Terris": peace is "such a noble and elevated task that human resources,
even though inspired by the most praiseworthy goodwill, cannot bring it
to realization alone. In order that human society may reflect as
faithfully as possible the Kingdom of God, help from on high is
necessary. For this reason, during these sacred days our supplication
is raised with greater fervor towards him who by his painful passion
and death overcame sin--the root of discord and the source of sorrows
and inequalities--and by his blood reconciled mankind to the Eternal
Father: 'For he is our peace, who has made us both one'."

16. Through his death on the cross, Jesus Christ reestablishes man's
friendship with God, which sin had destroyed. Pope John Paul suggests
that "With our eyes fixed on the mystery of Golgotha we should be
reminded always of that 'vertical' dimension of division and
reconciliation concerning the relationship between man and God, a
dimension which in the eyes of faith always prevails over the
'horizontal' dimension, that is to say, over the reality of division
between people and the need for reconciliation between them. For we
know that reconciliation between people is and can only be the fruit of
the redemptive act of Christ, who died and rose again to conquer the
kingdom of sin, to reestablish the covenant with God and thus break
down the dividing wall which sin had raised up between people"
("Reconciliatio Et Paenitentia", 7). Redemption therefore brings about
our reconciliation with God (cf. Rom 5:10-2 Cor 5:18) and it affects
everyone, Gentiles as well as Jews, and all creation (cf. Col 1:20).
This reconciliation is achieved in the physical body of Christ
sacrificed on the cross (cf. Col 1:22) and also in his mystical body,
in which Christ convokes and assembles all whom he has reconciled with
God by his redemptive sacrifice (cf. 1 Cor 12:13ff). The words "in one
body" can be taken in two senses--as referring to Christ's physical
body on the cross and to his mystical body, the Church.

The sacrifice of the body and blood of Christ, "the memorial of the
death and resurrection of the Lord, in which the Sacrifice of the cross
is forever perpetuated, is the summit and the source of all worship and
Christian life. By means of it the unity of the body of Christ is
signified and brought about, and the building up of the body of Christ
is perfected" (Code of Canon Law, can. 897).

18. Prior to Christ's coming, man was excluded from the Father's house,
living like a slave rather than a son (cf. Gal 4:1-5). But in the
fullness of time God sent his Son to give us the spirit of sonship that
enables us to call God our Father (cf. note on Rom 8:15-17).

"The way that leads to the throne of grace would be closed to sinners
had Christ not opened the gate. That is what he does: he opens the
gate, leads us to the Father, and by the merits of his passion obtains
from the Father forgiveness of our sins and all those graces God
bestows on us" (St Alphonsus, "Thoughts on the Passion", 10, 4).

Here we see the part played by the Holy Spirit in the work of salvation
decreed by the Father and carried out by the Son. The words "in one
Spirit", as well as identifying the access route to the Father, also
imply two basic facts: on the one hand, that the mysterious union which
binds Christians together is caused by the action of the Holy Spirit
who acts in them; on the other, that this same Holy Spirit, inseparable
from the Son (and from the Father) because they constitute the same
divine nature, is always present and continually active in the Church,
the mystical body of Christ. "When the work which the Father gave the
Son to do on earth (cf. In 17:4) was accomplished, the Holy Spirit was
sent on the day of Pentecost in order that he might continually
sanctify the Church, and that, consequently, those who believe might
have access through Christ in one Spirit to the Father (cf. Eph 2:18).
[...] Hence the universal Church is seen to be 'a people brought into
unity from the unity of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit' (cf.
St Cyprian, "De Oratione Dominica", 23)" (Vatican II, "Lumen Gentium",
4).

Christ has brought about salvation, and, to enable all to appropriate
that salvations he calls them to form part of his body, which is the
Church. The Holy Spirit is, as it were, the soul of this mystical body;
it is he who gives it life and unites all its members. "If Christ is
the head of the Church, the Holy Spirit is its soul: 'As the soul is in
our body, so the Holy Spirit is in the body of Christ, that is, the
Church' (St Augustine, "Sermon 187")" (Leo XIII, "Divinum Illud Munus",
8). The Holy Spirit is inseparably united to the Church, for St
Irenaeus says, "where the Church is, there is the Spirit of God; and
where the Spirit of God is, there is the Church and the fullness of
grace" ("Against Heresies", III, 24).

Source: "The Navarre Bible: Text and Commentaries". Biblical text
taken from the Revised Standard Version and New Vulgate. Commentaries
made by members of the Faculty of Theology of the University of
Navarre, Spain. Published by Four Courts Press, Kill Lane, Blackrock,
Co. Dublin, Ireland.

From: Mark 6:30-34

The Apostles Return

[30] The Apostles returned to Jesus, and told Him all that they had
done and taught. [31] And He said to them, "Come away by yourselves to
a lonely place, and rest a while." For many were coming and going, and
they had no leisure even to eat. [32] And they went away in the boat
to a lonely place by themselves.

First Miracles of the Loaves

[33] Now many saw them going, and knew them, and they ran there on foot
from the towns, and got there ahead of them. [34] As He landed He saw
a great throng, and He had compassion on them, because they were like
sheep without a shepherd; and He began to teach them many things.

Commentary:

30-31. We can see here the intensity of Jesus' public ministry. Such
was His dedication to souls that St. Mark twice mentions that the
disciples did not even have time to eat (cf. Mark 3:20). A Christian
should be ready to sacrifice his time and even his rest in the service
of the Gospel. This attitude of availability will lead us to change
our plans whenever the good of souls so requires.

But Jesus also teaches us here to have common sense and not to go to
such extremes that we physically cannot cope: "The Lord makes His
disciples rest, to show those in charge that people who work or preach
cannot do so without breaks" (St. Bede, "In Marci Evangelium Expositio,
in loc."). "He who pledges himself to work for Christ should never
have a free moment, because to rest is not to do nothing: it is to
relax in activities which demand less effort" ([St] J. Escriva, "The Way", 357).

34. Our Lord had planned a period of rest, for Himself and His
disciples, from the pressures of the apostolate (Mark 6:31-32). And He
has to change His plans because so many people come, eager to hear Him
speak. Not only is He not annoyed with them: He feels compassion on
seeing their spiritual need. "My people are destroyed for lack of
knowledge" (Hosea 4:6). They need instruction and our Lord wants to
meet this need by preaching to them. "Jesus is moved by hunger and
sorrow, but what moves Him most is ignorance" ([St] J. Escriva, "Christ Is
Passing By", 109).

Source: "The Navarre Bible: Text and Commentaries". Biblical text
taken from the Revised Standard Version and New Vulgate. Commentaries
made by members of the Faculty of Theology of the University of
Navarre, Spain. Published by Four Courts Press, Kill Lane, Blackrock,
Co. Dublin, Ireland.

Take Time to Rest in the Lord

by Fr. Jack Peterson

Other Articles by Fr. Jack Peterson

Take Time to Rest in the Lord

07/22/06

We have great readings for a Sunday in the middle of July. Summer is a time to slow down a little, to re-create, to be renewed in the Lord. Sundays, in particular, are a day to give extra time to the renewal of our bodies and our souls.


In our Gospel, the disciples return from a mission trip to hear Jesus say: “Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest awhile.” He could see they were exhausted and needed rest and renewal. Life can be grueling at times. Whether it’s priestly life, family life, student life or work life, our everyday demands can really drag us down. When we go through an extended period of hard work, difficult decisions, taxing hours and little rest, we easily lose perspective and focus. We no longer see things as they really are. We fail to see the beauty in the people and things around us. We lose a sense of God — that He is in charge and is truly good. For Jesus, “rest” is not just time to catch up on sleep or vegetate on the couch watching mindless television. That kind of rest does not bring true renewal because it neglects the needs of our soul. We have all taken a day off or come back from a vacation and had a clear sense that we were just as exhausted as when we started. True rest renews the spirit as well as the body. It restores hope, perspective and energy so that we can dive back into life with all of its many challenges. Good rest re-creates body and soul. Jesus’ role as the Good Shepherd, a central theme in today’s readings, fits well with this notion of “rest.” In our sinful pride we too easily forget we need a Shepherd. We think we know the way; we think we have the answers and are in charge of our little corner of the world. Instead, we need to learn how to surrender to the wisdom and goodness of the Good Shepherd and let Him lead us to greener pastures. Mark tells us that Jesus pitied the vast crowd, “for they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things.” When our bodies are tired, it is so easy for us to be confused and restless as well. Conversely, when our minds are filled with half-truths and lies, and when we do not have a clear picture of the meaning of life and the high destiny of man created in the image and likeness of a loving God, we grow weary. At these times, we may find renewal in Christ, the way, the truth and life. We need to sit at Jesus’ feet and allow our minds and hearts to be nourished at the table of God’s word and of His Body and Blood. So, what are you doing to rest properly this summer? Are you taking extra time for personal prayer? Are you getting to Mass more often? Are you doing some good spiritual reading? Are you studying the Scriptures and the great truths of our faith? Summer rest, including our vacations, should renew the body, the mind and the spirit. Take time to rest in the Lord this summer! Fr. Peterson is Campus Minister at Marymount University in Arlington and interim director of the Youth Apostles Institute. (This article courtesy of the Arlington Catholic Herald.)

The Work of God

Year B

- 16th Sunday in ordinary time

He had compassion and began to teach them many things.

Mark 6:30-34

30 And the apostles coming together unto Jesus, related to him all things that they had done and taught.
31 And he said to them: Come apart into a desert place, and rest a little. For there were many coming and going: and they had not so much as time to eat.
32 And going up into a ship, they went into a desert place apart.
33 And they saw them going away, and many knew: and they ran flocking there on foot from all the cities, and were there before them.
34 And Jesus going out saw a great multitude: and he had compassion on them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd, and he began to teach them many things.

Inspiration of the Holy Spirit - From the Sacred Heart of Jesus

16th Sunday in ordinary time - He had compassion and began to teach them many things.

How beautiful it is for me to listen to the soul that comes humbly to disclose his life to me, even though I already know it, there is certain attraction in that littleness that sweetens my ear, it is the simplicity of heart that attracts me and fills me with joy. Just as a child comes to his mother to tell her stories to her delight, so I delight by listening happily to the complaints, the achievements and the hopes of every soul.

Let the children come to me, because the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs, I say it again, oh, if they all came to me like little children, if they could change their hearts of stone for the infantile tenderness, the whole world would change. As a child listens attentively to the instruction of his parents, so I listen to the soul that comes to me with humility. I am the Great Master of the Soul; he who desires my teaching must share his life with me, must put all his trust in me and listen attentively in order to learn.

It is notorious to see how young people come to a state of mental maturity when they reject the teachings of their parents and go against the healthy moral principals they accepted in their previous innocence. It is very sad to see how this change from child to adult, brings to a false security against the good teachings of infancy.

In the same way, the soul of a child learns to know God innocently and with a faith without barriers, thereafter comes intellectualism and the examples of the world to destroy those strong foundations of the spiritual life. For this reason, the soul has to be shaken in order to understand that it has come out of the way, then my Spirit claims incessantly until some understand my call and decide to change.

The advice I gave to my disciples was to search for moments of silence to be in prayer. I practiced this and gave them example, I taught them that the Kingdom of heaven is within; it is there in the interior dwelling, the altar of the soul, where my Spirit speaks and listens, where the transformation of the human being occurs, where you can know me.

My voice surges in the temple of silence, in the darkness of the soul I reveal my light to those who follow my Word, “be still and know, that I am the Lord”.

In order to quieten the soul, it is necessary to stay away from so many mundane events that take away time, saturate the mind and infect the heart. Moderate entertainment is good, but hunger for entertainment is gluttony that destroys the soul with insatiable passion for the world. I repeat, don’t you have at least an hour to spend with me? I am the Lord the Lord of the Sunday, the day to honor God, I claim this day to attend the Holy Mass, to dedicate it to the family and to spiritual growth. But what has it become? The same as my feasts of Holy Week and Nativity, Sundays are days dedicated to the gods of the world and to offend me with indifference.

This is the reason why so many souls cannot quieten down and enjoy the privileges of the saints, this is why my word is dispersed like seeds that fall on the rocks, they cannot thrive.

However, I have nothing against anyone, I wait eagerly the return of each soul, I happily give my teachings to those who want to listen to me, I am the Good Shepherd, the Teacher who waits punctually for his pupils, all are invited, come, learn from me, be humble as I am humble, do not despise the gift that I am offering.

Author: Joseph of Jesus and Mary

Faith-sharing bump.

Have a cool Sunday. Temperatures here are in the triple digits.

Lord, please help me with this heat.

Mass Readings

First reading	Jeremiah 23:1 - 6 ©
Doom for the shepherds who allow the flock of my pasture to be destroyed and scattered – it is the Lord who speaks! This, therefore, is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says about the shepherds in charge of my people: You have let my flock be scattered and go wandering and have not taken care of them. Right, I will take care of you for your misdeeds – it is the Lord who speaks! But the remnant of my flock I myself will gather from all the countries where I have dispersed them, and will bring them back to their pastures: they shall be fruitful and increase in numbers. I will raise up shepherds to look after them and pasture them; no fear, no terror for them any more; not one shall be lost – it is the Lord who speaks! See, the days are coming – it is the Lord who speaks – when I will raise a virtuous Branch for David, who will reign as true king and be wise, practising honesty and integrity in the land. In his days Judah will be saved and Israel dwell in confidence. And this is the name he will be called: The-Lord-our-integrity.

First reading

Jeremiah 23:1 - 6 ©

Doom for the shepherds who allow the flock of my pasture to be destroyed and scattered – it is the Lord who speaks! This, therefore, is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says about the shepherds in charge of my people: You have let my flock be scattered and go wandering and have not taken care of them.
Right, I will take care of you for your misdeeds – it is the Lord who speaks! But the remnant of my flock I myself will gather from all the countries where I have dispersed them, and will bring them back to their pastures: they shall be fruitful and increase in numbers. I will raise up shepherds to look after them and pasture them; no fear, no terror for them any more; not one shall be lost – it is the Lord who speaks!

See, the days are coming – it is the Lord who speaks –
when I will raise a virtuous Branch for David,
who will reign as true king and be wise,
practising honesty and integrity in the land.
In his days Judah will be saved
and Israel dwell in confidence.
And this is the name he will be called:
The-Lord-our-integrity.

Psalm or canticle	Psalm 22 (23)
The good shepherd
The Lord is my shepherd: I shall lack nothing. He has taken me to green pastures, he has led me to still waters; he has healed my spirit. He has led me along right paths for his own name’s sake. Even if I walk in the valley of the shadow of death, I shall fear no evil, for you are with me: your rod and your staff give me comfort. You have set a table before me in the sight of my enemies. You have anointed my head with oil, and my cup overflows. Truly goodness and kindness will follow me all the days of my life. For long years I shall live in the house of the Lord.

Psalm or canticle

Psalm 22 (23)

The good shepherd

The Lord is my shepherd: I shall lack nothing.
He has taken me to green pastures,
he has led me to still waters;
he has healed my spirit.
He has led me along right paths
for his own name’s sake.

Even if I walk in the valley of the shadow of death,
I shall fear no evil, for you are with me:
your rod and your staff give me comfort.

You have set a table before me
in the sight of my enemies.
You have anointed my head with oil,
and my cup overflows.

Truly goodness and kindness will follow me
all the days of my life.
For long years I shall live
in the house of the Lord.

Second reading	Ephesians 2:13 - 18 ©
Now in Christ Jesus, you that used to be so far apart from us have been brought very close, by the blood of Christ. For he is the peace between us, and has made the two into one and broken down the barrier which used to keep them apart, actually destroying in his own person the hostility caused by the rules and decrees of the Law. This was to create one single New Man in himself out of the two of them and by restoring peace through the cross, to unite them both in a single Body and reconcile them with God; In his own person he killed the hostility. Later he came to bring the good news of peace, peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near at hand. Through him, both of us have in the one Spirit our way to come to the Father.

Second reading

Ephesians 2:13 - 18 ©

Now in Christ Jesus, you that used to be so far apart from us have been brought very close, by the blood of Christ. For he is the peace between us, and has made the two into one and broken down the barrier which used to keep them apart, actually destroying in his own person the hostility caused by the rules and decrees of the Law. This was to create one single New Man in himself out of the two of them and by restoring peace through the cross, to unite them both in a single Body and reconcile them with God; In his own person he killed the hostility. Later he came to bring the good news of peace, peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near at hand. Through him, both of us have in the one Spirit our way to come to the Father.

Gospel	Mark 6:30 - 34 ©
The apostles rejoined Jesus and told him all they had done and taught. Then he said to them, ‘You must come away to some lonely place all by yourselves and rest for a while’; for there were so many coming and going that the apostles had no time even to eat. So they went off in a boat to a lonely place where they could be by themselves. But people saw them going, and many could guess where; and from every town they all hurried to the place on foot and reached it before them. So as he stepped ashore he saw a large crowd; and he took pity on them because they were like sheep without a shepherd, and he set himself to teach them at some length.

Gospel

Mark 6:30 - 34 ©

The apostles rejoined Jesus and told him all they had done and taught. Then he said to them, ‘You must come away to some lonely place all by yourselves and rest for a while’; for there were so many coming and going that the apostles had no time even to eat. So they went off in a boat to a lonely place where they could be by themselves. But people saw them going, and many could guess where; and from every town they all hurried to the place on foot and reached it before them. So as he stepped ashore he saw a large crowd; and he took pity on them because they were like sheep without a shepherd, and he set himself to teach them at some length.

Office of Readings -- Awakening Prayer

Office of Readings

If this is the first Hour that you are reciting today, you should precede it with the Invitatory Psalm.

O God, come to my aid.
O Lord, make haste to help me.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
world without end.
Amen. Alleluia.

A suitable hymn may be inserted at this point.

Psalm 23 (24)
The Lord comes to his temple
The Lord’s is the earth and its fullness, the world and all who live in it. He himself founded it upon the seas and set it firm over the waters. Who will climb the mountain of the Lord? Who will stand in his holy place? The one who is innocent of wrongdoing and pure of heart, who has not given himself to vanities or sworn falsely. He will receive the blessing of the Lord and be justified by God his saviour. This is the way of those who seek him, seek the face of the God of Jacob. Gates, raise your heads. Stand up, eternal doors, and let the king of glory enter. Who is the king of glory? The Lord of might and power. The Lord, strong in battle. Gates, raise your heads. Stand up, eternal doors, and let the king of glory enter. Who is the king of glory? The Lord of hosts – he is the king of glory. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Psalm 23 (24)

The Lord comes to his temple

The Lord’s is the earth and its fullness, the world and all who live in it.
He himself founded it upon the seas and set it firm over the waters.

Who will climb the mountain of the Lord? Who will stand in his holy place?
The one who is innocent of wrongdoing and pure of heart,
who has not given himself to vanities or sworn falsely.
He will receive the blessing of the Lord and be justified by God his saviour.
This is the way of those who seek him, seek the face of the God of Jacob.

Gates, raise your heads. Stand up, eternal doors, and let the king of glory enter.
Who is the king of glory?
The Lord of might and power. The Lord, strong in battle.

Gates, raise your heads. Stand up, eternal doors, and let the king of glory enter.
Who is the king of glory?
The Lord of hosts – he is the king of glory.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
world without end.
Amen.

Psalm 65 (66)
Hymn for a sacrifice of thanksgiving
Cry out to God, all the earth, sing psalms to the glory of his name, give him all glory and praise. Say to God, “How tremendous your works! Faced with the greatness of your power your enemies dwindle away. Let all the earth worship you and sing your praises, sing psalms to your name”. Come and see the works of God, be awed by what he has done for the children of men. He turned the sea into dry land, and they crossed the waters on foot: therefore will we rejoice in him. In his might he will rule for all time, his eyes keep watch on the nations: no rebellion will ever succeed. Bless our God, you nations, and let the sound of your praises be heard. Praise him who brought us to life, and saved us from stumbling. For you have tested us, O Lord, you have tried us by fire, as silver is tried. You led us into the trap, heaped tribulations upon us. You set other men to rule over us – but we passed through fire and water, and you led us out to our rest. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Psalm 65 (66)

Hymn for a sacrifice of thanksgiving

Cry out to God, all the earth,
sing psalms to the glory of his name,
give him all glory and praise.
Say to God, “How tremendous your works!
Faced with the greatness of your power
your enemies dwindle away.
Let all the earth worship you and sing your praises,
sing psalms to your name”.

Come and see the works of God,
be awed by what he has done for the children of men.
He turned the sea into dry land,
and they crossed the waters on foot:
therefore will we rejoice in him.
In his might he will rule for all time,
his eyes keep watch on the nations:
no rebellion will ever succeed.

Bless our God, you nations,
and let the sound of your praises be heard.
Praise him who brought us to life,
and saved us from stumbling.

For you have tested us, O Lord,
you have tried us by fire, as silver is tried.
You led us into the trap,
heaped tribulations upon us.
You set other men to rule over us –
but we passed through fire and water,
and you led us out to our rest.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
world without end.
Amen.

Psalm 65 (66)
I shall enter your house with burnt-offerings. I shall fulfil my vows to you, the vows that I made with my lips, the vows that I uttered in my troubles. I shall offer you rich burnt-offerings, the smoke of the flesh of rams; I shall offer you cattle and goats. Draw near and listen, you who fear the Lord, and I will tell all that he has done for me. I cried out aloud to him, and his praise was on my tongue. If I looked upon sin in the depths of my heart, the Lord would not hear me – but the Lord has listened, he has heard the cry of my appeal. Blessed be God, who has not spurned my prayer, who has not kept his mercy from me. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Psalm 65 (66)

I shall enter your house with burnt-offerings.
I shall fulfil my vows to you,
the vows that I made with my lips,
the vows that I uttered in my troubles.
I shall offer you rich burnt-offerings,
the smoke of the flesh of rams;
I shall offer you cattle and goats.

Draw near and listen, you who fear the Lord,
and I will tell all that he has done for me.
I cried out aloud to him,
and his praise was on my tongue.
If I looked upon sin in the depths of my heart,
the Lord would not hear me –
but the Lord has listened,
he has heard the cry of my appeal.

Blessed be God, who has not spurned my prayer,
who has not kept his mercy from me.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
world without end.
Amen.

Reading	2 Corinthians 1:1 - 14 ©
From Paul, appointed by God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus, and from Timothy, one of the brothers, to the church of God at Corinth and to all the saints in the whole of Achaia. Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, a gentle Father and the God of all consolation, who comforts us in all our sorrows, so that we can offer others, in their sorrows, the consolation that we have received from God ourselves. Indeed, as the sufferings of Christ overflow to us, so, through Christ, does our consolation overflow. When we are made to suffer, it is for your consolation and salvation. When, instead, we are comforted, this should be a consolation to you, supporting you in patiently bearing the same sufferings as we bear. And our hope for you is confident, since we know that, sharing our sufferings, you will also share our consolations. For we should like you to realise, brothers, that the things we had to undergo in Asia were more of a burden than we could carry, so that we despaired of coming through alive. Yes, we were carrying our own death warrant with us, and it has taught us not to rely on ourselves but only on God, who raises the dead to life. And he saved us from dying, as he will save us again; yes, that is our firm hope in him, that in the future he will save us again. You must all join in the prayers for us: the more people there are asking for help for us, the more will be giving thanks when it is granted to us. There is one thing we are proud of, and our conscience tells us it is true: that we have always treated everybody, and especially you, with the reverence and sincerity which come from God, and by the grace of God we have done this without ulterior motives. There are no hidden meanings in our letters besides what you can read for yourselves and understand. And I hope that, although you do not know us very well yet, you will have come to recognise, when the day of our Lord Jesus comes, that you can be as proud of us as we are of you.

Reading

2 Corinthians 1:1 - 14 ©

From Paul, appointed by God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus, and from Timothy, one of the brothers, to the church of God at Corinth and to all the saints in the whole of Achaia. Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, a gentle Father and the God of all consolation, who comforts us in all our sorrows, so that we can offer others, in their sorrows, the consolation that we have received from God ourselves. Indeed, as the sufferings of Christ overflow to us, so, through Christ, does our consolation overflow. When we are made to suffer, it is for your consolation and salvation. When, instead, we are comforted, this should be a consolation to you, supporting you in patiently bearing the same sufferings as we bear. And our hope for you is confident, since we know that, sharing our sufferings, you will also share our consolations.
For we should like you to realise, brothers, that the things we had to undergo in Asia were more of a burden than we could carry, so that we despaired of coming through alive. Yes, we were carrying our own death warrant with us, and it has taught us not to rely on ourselves but only on God, who raises the dead to life. And he saved us from dying, as he will save us again; yes, that is our firm hope in him, that in the future he will save us again. You must all join in the prayers for us: the more people there are asking for help for us, the more will be giving thanks when it is granted to us.
There is one thing we are proud of, and our conscience tells us it is true: that we have always treated everybody, and especially you, with the reverence and sincerity which come from God, and by the grace of God we have done this without ulterior motives. There are no hidden meanings in our letters besides what you can read for yourselves and understand. And I hope that, although you do not know us very well yet, you will have come to recognise, when the day of our Lord Jesus comes, that you can be as proud of us as we are of you.

Reading	From the beginning of a letter to the Magnesians by Saint Ignatius of Antioch, bishop and martyr
We should be Christians in deed, as well as in name
Ignatius, also called Theophorus, to the church at Magnesia on the Meander, a church blessed with the grace of God the Father in Christ Jesus, our Saviour, in whom I salute you. I send you ever good wish in God the Father and in Jesus Christ. I was delighted to hear of your love of God, so well-ordered and devout, and so I decided to address you in the faith of Jesus Christ. Honoured as I am with a name of the greatest splendour, though I am still in chains I sing with the praises of the churches, and pray that they be united with the flesh and the spirit of Jesus Christ, who is our eternal life; a union in faith and love, to which nothing must be preferred; and above all a union with Jesus and the Father, for if in him we endure all the power of the prince of this world, and escape unharmed, we shall make our way to God. I have had the honour of seeing you in the person of Damas your bishop, a man of God, and in the persons of your worthy presbyters, Bassus and Apollonius, and my fellow-servant, the deacon Zotion; may I continue to take delight in him for he is obedient to the bishop as to the grace of God, and to the presbyters as to the law of Jesus Christ. Now it hardly becomes you to presume on your bishop’s youth, but rather, having regard to the power of God the Father, to show him every mark of respect. This, I understand, is what your holy presbyters do, not taking advantage of his youthful condition but deferring to him with the prudence which comes from God, or rather not to him but to the Father of Jesus Christ, to the bishop of all. So then, for the honour of him who loves us, it is proper to obey without hypocrisy; for a man does not so much deceive the bishop he can see as try to deceive the bishop he cannot see. In such a case he has to reckon not with a man, but with God who knows the secrets of the heart. We should then really live as Christians and not merely have the name; for many invoke the bishop’s name but do everything apart from him. Such men, I think, do not have a good conscience, for they do not assemble lawfully as commanded. All things have an end, and two things, life and death, are side by side set before us, and each man will go to his own place. Just as there are two coinages, one of God and the other of the world. each with its own image, so unbelievers bear the image of this world, and those who have faith with love bear the image of God the Father through Jesus Christ. Unless we are ready through his power to die in the likeness of his passion, his life is not in us.

Reading

From the beginning of a letter to the Magnesians by Saint Ignatius of Antioch, bishop and martyr

We should be Christians in deed, as well as in name

Ignatius, also called Theophorus, to the church at Magnesia on the Meander, a church blessed with the grace of God the Father in Christ Jesus, our Saviour, in whom I salute you. I send you ever good wish in God the Father and in Jesus Christ.
I was delighted to hear of your love of God, so well-ordered and devout, and so I decided to address you in the faith of Jesus Christ. Honoured as I am with a name of the greatest splendour, though I am still in chains I sing with the praises of the churches, and pray that they be united with the flesh and the spirit of Jesus Christ, who is our eternal life; a union in faith and love, to which nothing must be preferred; and above all a union with Jesus and the Father, for if in him we endure all the power of the prince of this world, and escape unharmed, we shall make our way to God.
I have had the honour of seeing you in the person of Damas your bishop, a man of God, and in the persons of your worthy presbyters, Bassus and Apollonius, and my fellow-servant, the deacon Zotion; may I continue to take delight in him for he is obedient to the bishop as to the grace of God, and to the presbyters as to the law of Jesus Christ.
Now it hardly becomes you to presume on your bishop’s youth, but rather, having regard to the power of God the Father, to show him every mark of respect. This, I understand, is what your holy presbyters do, not taking advantage of his youthful condition but deferring to him with the prudence which comes from God, or rather not to him but to the Father of Jesus Christ, to the bishop of all. So then, for the honour of him who loves us, it is proper to obey without hypocrisy; for a man does not so much deceive the bishop he can see as try to deceive the bishop he cannot see. In such a case he has to reckon not with a man, but with God who knows the secrets of the heart.
We should then really live as Christians and not merely have the name; for many invoke the bishop’s name but do everything apart from him. Such men, I think, do not have a good conscience, for they do not assemble lawfully as commanded.
All things have an end, and two things, life and death, are side by side set before us, and each man will go to his own place. Just as there are two coinages, one of God and the other of the world. each with its own image, so unbelievers bear the image of this world, and those who have faith with love bear the image of God the Father through Jesus Christ. Unless we are ready through his power to die in the likeness of his passion, his life is not in us.

Canticle	Te Deum
God, we praise you; Lord, we proclaim you! You, the Father, the eternal – all the earth venerates you. All the angels, all the heavens, every power – The cherubim, the seraphim – unceasingly, they cry: “Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God of Hosts: heaven and earth are full of the majesty of your glory!” The glorious choir of Apostles – The noble ranks of prophets – The shining army of martyrs – all praise you. Throughout the world your holy Church proclaims you. – Father of immeasurable majesty, – True Son, only-begotten, worthy of worship, – Holy Spirit, our Advocate. You, Christ: – You are the king of glory. – You are the Father’s eternal Son. – You, to free mankind, did not disdain a Virgin’s womb. – You defeated the sharp spear of Death, and opened the kingdom of heaven to those who believe in you. – You sit at God’s right hand, in the glory of the Father. – You will come, so we believe, as our Judge. And so we ask of you: give help to your servants, whom you set free at the price of your precious blood. Number them among your chosen ones in eternal glory. Bring your people to safety, Lord, and bless those who are your inheritance. Rule them and lift them high for ever. Day by day we bless you, Lord: we praise you for ever and for ever. Of your goodness, Lord, keep us without sin for today. Have mercy on us, Lord, have mercy on us. Let your pity, Lord, be upon us, as much as we trust in you. In you, Lord, I trust: let me never be put to shame. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Canticle

Te Deum

God, we praise you; Lord, we proclaim you!
You, the Father, the eternal –
all the earth venerates you.
All the angels, all the heavens, every power –
The cherubim, the seraphim –
unceasingly, they cry:
“Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God of Hosts:
heaven and earth are full of the majesty of your glory!”

The glorious choir of Apostles –
The noble ranks of prophets –
The shining army of martyrs –
all praise you.
Throughout the world your holy Church proclaims you.
– Father of immeasurable majesty,
– True Son, only-begotten, worthy of worship,
– Holy Spirit, our Advocate.

You, Christ:
– You are the king of glory.
– You are the Father’s eternal Son.
– You, to free mankind, did not disdain a Virgin’s womb.
– You defeated the sharp spear of Death, and opened the kingdom of heaven to those who believe in you.
– You sit at God’s right hand, in the glory of the Father.
– You will come, so we believe, as our Judge.

And so we ask of you: give help to your servants, whom you set free at the price of your precious blood.
Number them among your chosen ones in eternal glory.
Bring your people to safety, Lord, and bless those who are your inheritance.
Rule them and lift them high for ever.

Day by day we bless you, Lord: we praise you for ever and for ever.
Of your goodness, Lord, keep us without sin for today.
Have mercy on us, Lord, have mercy on us.
Let your pity, Lord, be upon us, as much as we trust in you.
In you, Lord, I trust: let me never be put to shame.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
world without end.
Amen.

A concluding prayer may follow here.

**

Woe to the shepherds
who mislead and scatter the flock of my pasture,
says the LORD.
Therefore, thus says the LORD, the God of Israel,
against the shepherds who shepherd my people:
You have scattered my sheep and driven them away.
You have not cared for them,
but I will take care to punish your evil deeds.
I myself will gather the remnant of my flock
from all the lands to which I have driven them
and bring them back to their meadow;
there they shall increase and multiply.
I will appoint shepherds for them who will shepherd them
so that they need no longer fear and tremble;
and none shall be missing, says the LORD.

** I interpret this as a warning to the bishops, archbishops, cardinals, etc. Anyone else read this that way?

Sunday, July 23, 2006
Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary time

First Reading:
Psalm:
Second Reading:
Gospel:

Jeremiah 23:1-6
Psalm 23:1-6
Ephesians 2:13-18
Mark 6:30-34

Man, though made of body and soul, is a unity. Through his very bodily condition he sums up in himself the elements of the material world. Through him they are thus brought to their highest perfection and can raise their voice in praise freely given to the Creator. For this reason man may not despise his bodily life. Rather he is obliged to regard his body as good and to hold it in honour since God has created it and will raise it up on the last day.

-- Gaudium et spes

Catholic Culture

Collect:
Lord, be merciful to your people. Fill us with your gifts and make us always eager to serve you in faith, hope, and love. Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

Prayers:

July 23, 2006

Sixteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time; Day of Prayer and Penance for Peace in the Middle East

The Holy Father has proclaimed this Sunday as a special day of prayer and penance, inviting the pastors and faithful of all the particular Churches, and all believers of the world, to implore from God the precious gift of peace. The statement issued by the Holy See may be read here.

And they went away in the boat to a lonely place by themselves. Now many saw them going, and knew them, and they ran there on foot from all the towns, and got there ahead of them. As he went ashore he saw a great throng, and he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things (Mk 6:32-34).

The feast of St. Bridget (which would normally be celebrated today) is superceded by the Sunday Liturgy.

Sunday Readings
The first reading is taken from the Book of the Prophet Jeremiah 23:1-6. In these seven verses, Jeremiah utters dire threats against the shepherds, the leaders of the people of Judah. Their neglect of the flock given into their care and their neglect of God was bringing exile on their people. God would avenge his people bring back the "remnant" of his flock and set trustworthy shepherds over them.

The second reading is from the Letter of St. Paul to the Ephesians 2:13-18. St. Paul reminds his Ephesian converts that Christ has brought unity of brotherhood to Jews and Gentiles.

The Gospel is from St. Mark 6:30-34. In these few verses St. Mark very strongly brings out the compassion, the human understanding of Jesus for man. He first planned to give his Apostles a well-earned rest. They had evidently worked hard while out on their mission and a few days rest would restore their lost energy. He himself, too, must have been hard pressed, preaching and dealing with the crowds. In the absence of the Apostles he had no one to help him—he too needed a rest. He, therefore, planned that he and they should go to a quiet corner of the Sea of Galilee where there was no village and where, therefore, they would not be disturbed.

The desire of the crowds, however, to see him and to hear him speak upset these plans. The people got to the quiet spot first. There they were waiting when the boat pulled to shore. He could have sent them away, but again his human compassion took over. Seeing these simple people of Galilee so anxious to hear about God and his mercy, he let them stay and began to preach the good news of forgiveness and hope to them. For the most part they were simple, unlettered villagers, shepherds and fishermen. They knew a little about the Law of Moses but only a little. There was no one but the local rabbi to teach them and the local rabbis were not very educated at the time. The doctors of the law, the great theologians were all in Jerusalem where they got the respect and the financial reward which they felt they merited. Hence the people of the country were more or less forgotten and neglected. They were, as our Lord described them, "like sheep without a shepherd," wandering about half-lost.

They were certainly fortunate, however, in finding the true shepherd who would lead them to the eternal pastures. Not only would he now sacrifice his rest to come to their aid but he would, later on, lay down his life for them and for all of us. We, like those poor people of Galilee, have so much to be grateful for. The compassionate Christ has had pity on us too, and has brought us into his fold. He knows all our infirmities and all our human weaknesses, and he is ever-ready to have pity on us and pardon us. Those people of Galilee were not saints, they were ordinary, run-of-the mill, not over religious people. They cheated one another; they were often uncharitable to one another; they were not always chaste and pure; they prayed very little and perhaps only when they wanted some material benefit. Yet our Lord had compassion on them.

This should give us great confidence, great encouragement. Christ has not changed: he is the same yesterday, today and forever. He has the same compassion for us that he had for those Galileans; we too are often like sheep without a shepherd wandering half-lost through life. He is ever calling us to come to himself so that he will lead us to safe pastures. If only we would listen to his merciful call! Today's Gospel is one such call — it goes out to every member of this congregation who has been lax in his or her religious life up to now. Christ wants us back on the high-road to heaven. All we have to do is to break with the past, with the earthly things that kept us from God. We can set out as freemen to follow Christ. He has left to his Church the holy sacrament of penance in which he guarantees us complete and entire remission of all past sins if we confess them with true sorrow. Let us not think that our sins are too big to be forgiven, that Christ could not have compassion on us because of our dreadful past. We can remember those Galileans; many of them were sinners as we are and he had compassion on them. He came to call sinners, he tells us. Let us answer his call today—tomorrow might be too late.

Excerpted from The Sunday Readings by Fr. Kevin O'Sullivan, O.F.M.

Lauds -- Morning Prayer

Morning Prayer (Lauds)

If this is the first Hour that you are reciting today, you should precede it with the Invitatory Psalm.

O God, come to my aid.
O Lord, make haste to help me.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
world without end.
Amen. Alleluia.

A suitable hymn may be inserted at this point.

Psalm 117 (118)
A cry of rejoicing and triumph
Give thanks to the Lord for he is good, and his kindness is for ever. Now let Israel say, he is good and his kindness is for ever. Now let the house of Aaron say it too: that his kindness is for ever. Now let all who fear the Lord say it too: that his kindness is for ever. In my time of trial I called out to the Lord: he listened, and led me to freedom. The Lord is with me, I will fear nothing that man can do. The Lord, my help, is with me, and I shall look down upon my enemies. It is good to seek shelter in the Lord, better than to trust in men. It is good to seek shelter in the Lord, better than to trust in the leaders of men. All the nations surrounded me, and in the Lord’s name I slew them. They crowded in and besieged me, and in the Lord’s name I slew them. They surrounded me like swarms of bees, they burned like a fire of dry thorns, and in the Lord’s name I slew them. They chased and pursued me, to make me fall, and the Lord came to my help. The Lord is my strength and my rejoicing: he has become my saviour. A cry of joy and salvation in the dwellings of the righteous: “The Lord’s right hand has triumphed! The Lord’s right hand has raised me up; the Lord’s right hand has triumphed”. I shall not die, but live, and tell of the works of the Lord. The Lord chastised me severely but did not let me die. Open the gates of righteousness: I will go in, and thank the Lord. This is the gate of the Lord; it is the upright who enter here. I will thank you, for you listened to me, and became my saviour. The stone that the builders rejected has become the corner-stone. It was the Lord who did this – it is marvellous to behold. This is the day that was made by the Lord: let us rejoice today, and be glad. Lord, keep me safe; O Lord, let me prosper! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. We bless you from the house of the Lord. The Lord is God, he shines upon us! Arrange the procession, with close-packed branches, up to the horns of the altar. You are my God, I will give thanks to you; my God, I will give you praise. Give thanks to the Lord for he is good, and his kindness is for ever. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Psalm 117 (118)

A cry of rejoicing and triumph

Give thanks to the Lord for he is good,
and his kindness is for ever.

Now let Israel say, he is good
and his kindness is for ever.
Now let the house of Aaron say it too:
that his kindness is for ever.
Now let all who fear the Lord say it too:
that his kindness is for ever.

In my time of trial I called out to the Lord:
he listened, and led me to freedom.
The Lord is with me,
I will fear nothing that man can do.
The Lord, my help, is with me,
and I shall look down upon my enemies.

It is good to seek shelter in the Lord,
better than to trust in men.
It is good to seek shelter in the Lord,
better than to trust in the leaders of men.

All the nations surrounded me,
and in the Lord’s name I slew them.
They crowded in and besieged me,
and in the Lord’s name I slew them.
They surrounded me like swarms of bees,
they burned like a fire of dry thorns,
and in the Lord’s name I slew them.
They chased and pursued me, to make me fall,
and the Lord came to my help.
The Lord is my strength and my rejoicing:
he has become my saviour.

A cry of joy and salvation
in the dwellings of the righteous:
“The Lord’s right hand has triumphed!
The Lord’s right hand has raised me up;
the Lord’s right hand has triumphed”.

I shall not die, but live,
and tell of the works of the Lord.
The Lord chastised me severely
but did not let me die.
Open the gates of righteousness:
I will go in, and thank the Lord.

This is the gate of the Lord;
it is the upright who enter here.

I will thank you, for you listened to me,
and became my saviour.

The stone that the builders rejected
has become the corner-stone.
It was the Lord who did this –
it is marvellous to behold.
This is the day that was made by the Lord:
let us rejoice today, and be glad.

Lord, keep me safe;
O Lord, let me prosper!

Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
We bless you from the house of the Lord.

The Lord is God, he shines upon us!
Arrange the procession, with close-packed branches,
up to the horns of the altar.

You are my God, I will give thanks to you;
my God, I will give you praise.

Give thanks to the Lord for he is good,
and his kindness is for ever.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
world without end.
Amen.

Canticle	Daniel 3
Let every creature praise the Lord
Blessed are you, Lord God of our fathers, praised and exalted for ever. Blessed is the holy name of your glory praised above all things and exalted for ever. Blessed are you in the temple of your holy glory praised and glorious above all things for ever. Blessed are you who gaze on the depths, seated on the cherubim, praised and exalted for ever. Blessed are you in the firmament of heaven praised and glorious for ever. Bless the Lord, all his works, praise and exalt him for ever. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Canticle

Daniel 3

Let every creature praise the Lord

Blessed are you, Lord God of our fathers,
praised and exalted for ever.
Blessed is the holy name of your glory
praised above all things and exalted for ever.
Blessed are you in the temple of your holy glory
praised and glorious above all things for ever.
Blessed are you who gaze on the depths,
seated on the cherubim,
praised and exalted for ever.
Blessed are you in the firmament of heaven
praised and glorious for ever.
Bless the Lord, all his works,
praise and exalt him for ever.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
world without end.
Amen.

Psalm 150
Praise the Lord
Praise the Lord in his sanctuary, praise him in his mighty firmament. Praise him for his mighty deeds, praise him for all his greatness. Praise him with trumpet-blasts, praise him with the harp and lyre, praise him with timbrel and dance, praise him with strings and pipes, praise him with cymbals resounding, praise him with cymbals of jubilation. All that breathes, praise the Lord! Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Psalm 150

Praise the Lord

Praise the Lord in his sanctuary,
praise him in his mighty firmament.
Praise him for his mighty deeds,
praise him for all his greatness.

Praise him with trumpet-blasts,
praise him with the harp and lyre,
praise him with timbrel and dance,
praise him with strings and pipes,
praise him with cymbals resounding,
praise him with cymbals of jubilation.

All that breathes, praise the Lord!

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
world without end.
Amen.

A short Bible reading and responsory may follow here.

Canticle	Benedictus
The Messiah and his forerunner
Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, for he has come to his people and brought about their redemption. He has raised up the sign of salvation in the house of his servant David, as he promised through the mouth of the holy ones, his prophets through the ages: to rescue us from our enemies and all who hate us, to take pity on our fathers, to remember his holy covenant and the oath he swore to Abraham our father, that he would give himself to us, that we could serve him without fear – freed from the hands of our enemies – in uprightness and holiness before him, for all of our days. And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High: for you will go before the face of the Lord to prepare his path, to let his people know their salvation, so that their sins may be forgiven. Through the bottomless mercy of our God, one born on high will visit us to give light to those who walk in darkness, who live in the shadow of death; to lead our feet in the path of peace. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Canticle

Benedictus

The Messiah and his forerunner

Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, for he has come to his people and brought about their redemption.
He has raised up the sign of salvation in the house of his servant David,
as he promised through the mouth of the holy ones, his prophets through the ages:
to rescue us from our enemies and all who hate us, to take pity on our fathers,
to remember his holy covenant and the oath he swore to Abraham our father,
that he would give himself to us, that we could serve him without fear – freed from the hands of our enemies –
in uprightness and holiness before him, for all of our days.

And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High: for you will go before the face of the Lord to prepare his path,
to let his people know their salvation, so that their sins may be forgiven.
Through the bottomless mercy of our God, one born on high will visit us
to give light to those who walk in darkness, who live in the shadow of death;
to lead our feet in the path of peace.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
world without end.
Amen.

Some short prayers may follow here, to offer up the day's work to God.

Our Father, who art in Heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come,
thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses
as we forgive those that trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.

A concluding prayer may follow here.

May the Lord bless us and keep us from all harm; and may he lead us to eternal life.

A M E N

Mk 6:30-34
#	Douay-Rheims	Vulgate
30	And the apostles coming together unto Jesus, related to him all things that they had done and taught.	et convenientes apostoli ad Iesum renuntiaverunt illi omnia quae egerant et docuerant
31	And he said to them: Come apart into a desert place, and rest a little. For there were many coming and going: and they had not so much as time to eat.	et ait illis venite seorsum in desertum locum et requiescite pusillum erant enim qui veniebant et rediebant multi et nec manducandi spatium habebant
32	And going up into a ship, they went into a desert place apart.	et ascendentes in navi abierunt in desertum locum seorsum
33	And they saw them going away, and many knew: and they ran flocking thither foot from all the cities, and were there before them.	et viderunt eos abeuntes et cognoverunt multi et pedestre et de omnibus civitatibus concurrerunt illuc et praevenerunt eos
34	And Jesus going out saw a great multitude: and he had compassion on them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd, and he began to teach them many things.	et exiens vidit multam turbam Iesus et misertus est super eos quia erant sicut oves non habentes pastorem et coepit docere illos multa

Christ the Good Shepherd

Vault of Lucina in the Catacomb of Callixtus
Fresco
c.250
Rome

Thanks for that picture!

Vespers -- Evening Prayer

Vespers (Evening Prayer)

O God, come to my aid.
O Lord, make haste to help me.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
world without end.
Amen. Alleluia.

A suitable hymn may be inserted at this point.

Psalm 109 (110)
The Messiah, king and priest
The Lord has said to my lord: “Sit at my right hand while I make your enemies into your footstool”. From Sion the Lord will give you a sceptre, and you will rule in the midst of your foes. Royal power is yours in the day of your strength, glorious and holy; from the time of your birth, before the dawn. The Lord has sworn, and he will not repent: “You are a priest for ever, a priest of the priesthood of Melchisedech”. The Lord is at your right hand, and on the day of his anger he will shatter kings. He will judge the nations, he will pile high their skulls; he will drink from the stream as he goes – he will hold his head high. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Psalm 109 (110)

The Messiah, king and priest

The Lord has said to my lord: “Sit at my right hand while I make your enemies into your footstool”.

From Sion the Lord will give you a sceptre, and you will rule in the midst of your foes.
Royal power is yours in the day of your strength, glorious and holy; from the time of your birth, before the dawn.

The Lord has sworn, and he will not repent: “You are a priest for ever, a priest of the priesthood of Melchisedech”.
The Lord is at your right hand, and on the day of his anger he will shatter kings.

He will judge the nations, he will pile high their skulls;
he will drink from the stream as he goes – he will hold his head high.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
world without end.
Amen.

Psalm 111 (112)
How blessed are the just
Blessed is the man who fears the Lord and loves his commands above all things. His seed will be powerful on earth: the descendants of the just will be blessed. Glory and riches will fill his house, and his righteousness will stand firm for ever. He rises up in the darkness, a light for the upright, compassionate, generous, and just. Happy the man who takes pity and lends, who directs his affairs with wisdom – he will never be shaken. The just man will be remembered for ever, no slander will he fear. His heart is ready, hoping in the Lord; his heart is strong, it will not fear, until he looks down on his defeated enemies. He gives alms and helps the poor: his righteousness will endure for ever, his future will be glorious. The transgressor will see, and be enraged: he will grind his teeth and fade away. The desires of the wicked will perish. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Psalm 111 (112)

How blessed are the just

Blessed is the man who fears the Lord and loves his commands above all things.
His seed will be powerful on earth: the descendants of the just will be blessed.
Glory and riches will fill his house, and his righteousness will stand firm for ever.

He rises up in the darkness, a light for the upright,
compassionate, generous, and just.
Happy the man who takes pity and lends, who directs his affairs with wisdom –
he will never be shaken.

The just man will be remembered for ever, no slander will he fear.
His heart is ready, hoping in the Lord; his heart is strong, it will not fear,
until he looks down on his defeated enemies.
He gives alms and helps the poor: his righteousness will endure for ever,
his future will be glorious.

The transgressor will see, and be enraged: he will grind his teeth and fade away.
The desires of the wicked will perish.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
world without end.
Amen.

Canticle	Apocalypse 19
The wedding of the Lamb
Alleluia. Salvation and glory and power belong to our God, because his judgements are true and just. Alleluia. Alleluia. Praise our God, all his servants, and you who fear him, small and great. Alleluia. Alleluia. For the Lord reigns, our God, the Almighty: let us rejoice and exult and give him glory. Alleluia. Alleluia. The marriage of the Lamb has come, and his spouse has made herself ready. Alleluia. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Canticle

Apocalypse 19

The wedding of the Lamb

Alleluia.
Salvation and glory and power belong to our God, because his judgements are true and just.
Alleluia.

Alleluia.
Praise our God, all his servants, and you who fear him, small and great.
Alleluia.

Alleluia.
For the Lord reigns, our God, the Almighty: let us rejoice and exult and give him glory.
Alleluia.

Alleluia.
The marriage of the Lamb has come, and his spouse has made herself ready.
Alleluia.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
world without end.
Amen.

A short Bible reading and responsory may follow here.

Canticle	Magnificat
My soul rejoices in the Lord
My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God, my salvation. For he has shown me such favour – me, his lowly handmaiden. Now all generations will call me blessed, because the mighty one has done great things for me. His name is holy, his mercy lasts for generation after generation for those who revere him. He has put forth his strength: he has scattered the proud and conceited, torn princes from their thrones; but lifted up the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things; the rich he has sent away empty. He has come to the help of his servant Israel, he has remembered his mercy as he promised to our fathers, to Abraham and his children for ever. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Canticle

Magnificat

My soul rejoices in the Lord

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,
and my spirit rejoices in God, my salvation.
For he has shown me such favour –
me, his lowly handmaiden.
Now all generations will call me blessed,
because the mighty one has done great things for me.
His name is holy,
his mercy lasts for generation after generation
for those who revere him.

He has put forth his strength:
he has scattered the proud and conceited,
torn princes from their thrones;
but lifted up the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things;
the rich he has sent away empty.

He has come to the help of his servant Israel,
he has remembered his mercy as he promised to our fathers,
to Abraham and his children for ever.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
world without end.
Amen.

Some short prayers may follow here, to offer up the day's work to God.

Our Father, who art in Heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come,
thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses
as we forgive those that trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.

A concluding prayer may follow here.

May the Lord bless us and keep us from all harm; and may he lead us to eternal life.

A M E N

Homily of the Day

Homily of the Day

Title:	For He Is Our Peace
Author:	Fr. Frank Jindra
Date:	Sunday, July 23, 2006

Jer 23:1-6 / Eph 2:13-18 / Mk 6:30-34

“Brothers and sisters: in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have become near by the blood of Christ. For he is our peace, he who made both one and broke down the dividing wall of enmity, through his flesh, abolishing the law with its commandments and legal claims, that he might create in himself one new person in place of the two, thus establishing peace, and might reconcile both with God, in one body, through the cross, putting that enmity to death by it. He came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near, for through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father.”

Wow, look at that italicized sentence! I know it is unusual to quote the reading on this page, but that one long sentence seems to demand attention. Just try saying it in one breathe!

What is the main point? It's not the abolishing of the law with its commandments. Jesus said He came to fulfill the law, not abolish it. So what is abolished? The legal claims of the exclusive nature of the Jewish people. We are, by faith, now all children of Abraham — Paul describes that in his letter to the Romans.

Paul is reminding the Ephesians that Jesus removed the dividing wall between Jew and Gentile. The laws of inheritance by blood were removed by the Blood of the cross.

Last week, we also heard from Ephesians of the inheritance we received: being God’s own possession. Yes, our inheritance (usually something we own after receiving it) is to be the possession of God. We have been made one in Christ by the set plan of God through the cross.

Being possessed by God makes us one through the cross. Today there are many who are “far off” from Holy Mother Church — who want nothing to do with her, or us. Yet Jesus’ Blood has made us one. He “preached peace” even as He admitted He would set families against one another.

With the compassion of God, may we always pray for the unity Jesus prayed for in John’s Gospel, that we may be one, even as He and the Father are one.

REgnum Christi

Fellowship with Christ
July 23, 2006

The apostles joyfully reported to Jesus all they had done and taught.

Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Father Patrick Murphy, LC

Mark 6:30-34
The apostles gathered together with Jesus and reported all they had done and taught. He said to them, "Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while." People were coming and going in great numbers, and they had no opportunity even to eat. So they went off in the boat by themselves to a deserted place. People saw them leaving and many came to know about it. They hastened there on foot from all the towns and arrived at the place before them. When he disembarked and saw the vast crowd, his heart was moved with pity for them, for they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things.

Introductory Prayer: Lord Jesus Christ, true God and true man, I believe in you. I trust in you because as a man you experienced everything I experience except sin. You have pity on me in my weakness because you became weak for love of me. I believe in you. I trust you. With humility I ask you to enlighten my prayer today.

Petition: Lord, grant me the grace of always acting for the spiritual and temporal good of those around me. May my charity express itself in concrete actions today.

1. Father, Brother, Mentor. The apostles joyfully reported to Jesus all they had done and taught. They are like children, and he is a true father and a brother toward them. He is their mentor par excellence. He listens, responds, encourages and instructs them. They feel privileged to belong to him. Because of their love for Christ they continually renew their commitment to his cause. There is no doubt that he deserves this and much more. That is why they stick with him even when doing so means serving the large crowds amidst hunger and exhaustion. They wouldn’t leave him for the world.

2. Empowering the Apostles. Christ is a true leader for his apostles. He attracts them and guides them. His leadership is highly positive. He conquers the hearts of his own because he is a man possessed by a transcendent and eternal ideal, which radiates from him with extraordinary vigor. With his deep knowledge of the human person (John 15:13), he is able to draw the maximum benefit from each one’s qualities for what is true and good. He doesn’t use them as lifeless instruments or tools. He begins by promoting each one’s temporal and eternal good, and directs them towards fulfilling the ideal that unites them. He creates a healthy mystique of belonging to the circle of his disciples.

3. Fellowship with Him. The crowds find out where Jesus and his apostles are going. They hasten there on foot from all the towns and arrive at the place before them. Imagine their excitement and drive to seek Jesus out and rush to be with him. It is true that they are a fickle crowd. They have yet to know the Lord in all the breadth of his virtues and goodness. Nevertheless they have had a small taste. The little they know of him resonates in the depths of their hearts. They sense in the Lord and within the community of his followers bonds of loyalty, fellowship and a family spirit of authentic love. This is what their human heart longs for. Those who buy into Christ are never disappointed.

Dialogue with Christ: Lord, help me to contemplate you and your relationship with your apostles. You were a father, a brother and a guide for them. You were a master sculptor, molding them into your image of goodness, humility and generosity. As I contemplate you with your apostles, a strong desire wells up within me. Do the same for me, Lord. Mold me. Sculpt me into your image. Make me one of yours.

Resolution: I will see myself as your apprentice today, Lord. I will try to listen to your voice in every thought and action. I will do this for love of you.