Catholic Caucus: Daily Mass Readings, 06-23-15

USCCB.org/RNAB ^ | 06-23-15 | Revised New American Bible

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June 23, 2015  Tuesday of the Twelfth Week in Ordinary Time

Reading 1 Gn 13:2, 5-18 Abram was very rich in livestock, silver, and gold.

Lot, who went with Abram, also had flocks and herds and tents, so that the land could not support them if they stayed together; their possessions were so great that they could not dwell together. There were quarrels between the herdsmen of Abram’s livestock and those of Lot’s. (At this time the Canaanites and the Perizzites were occupying the land.)

So Abram said to Lot: “Let there be no strife between you and me, or between your herdsmen and mine, for we are kinsmen. Is not the whole land at your disposal? Please separate from me. If you prefer the left, I will go to the right; if you prefer the right, I will go to the left.” Lot looked about and saw how well watered the whole Jordan Plain was as far as Zoar, like the LORD’s own garden, or like Egypt. (This was before the LORD had destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah.) Lot, therefore, chose for himself the whole Jordan Plain and set out eastward. Thus they separated from each other; Abram stayed in the land of Canaan, while Lot settled among the cities of the Plain, pitching his tents near Sodom. Now the inhabitants of Sodom were very wicked in the sins they committed against the LORD.

After Lot had left, the LORD said to Abram: “Look about you, and from where you are, gaze to the north and south, east and west; all the land that you see I will give to you and your descendants forever. I will make your descendants like the dust of the earth; if anyone could count the dust of the earth, your descendants too might be counted. Set forth and walk about in the land, through its length and breadth, for to you I will give it.” Abram moved his tents and went on to settle near the terebinth of Mamre, which is at Hebron. There he built an altar to the LORD.

Responsorial Psalm PS 15:2-3a, 3bc-4ab, 5 R. (1b) He who does justice will live in the presence of the Lord. He who walks blamelessly and does justice; who thinks the truth in his heart and slanders not with his tongue. R. He who does justice will live in the presence of the Lord. Who harms not his fellow man, nor takes up a reproach against his neighbor; By whom the reprobate is despised, while he honors those who fear the LORD. R. He who does justice will live in the presence of the Lord. Who lends not his money at usury and accepts no bribe against the innocent. He who does these things shall never be disturbed. R. He who does justice will live in the presence of the Lord.

Alleluia Jn 8:12 R. Alleluia, alleluia. I am the light of the world, says the Lord; whoever follows me will have the light of life. R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Mt 7:6, 12-14 Jesus said to his disciples: “Do not give what is holy to dogs, or throw your pearls before swine, lest they trample them underfoot, and turn and tear you to pieces.

“Do to others whatever you would have them do to you. This is the Law and the Prophets.

“Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the road broad that leads to destruction, and those who enter through it are many. How narrow the gate and constricted the road that leads to life. And those who find it are few.”

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From: Genesis 13: 2, 5-18

Abram in Bethel

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[2] Now Abram was very rich in cattle, in silver, and in gold. [5] And Lot, who
went with Abram, also had flocks and herds and tents, [6] so that the land could
not support both of them dwelling together; for their possessions were so great
that they could not dwell together, [7] and there was strife between the herdsmen
of Abram’s cattle and the herdsmen of Lot’s cattle. At that time the Canaanites
and the Perizzites dwelt in the land.

Abram and Lot Separate

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[8] Then Abram said to Lot, “Let there be no strife between you and me, and be-
tween your herdsmen and my herdsmen; for we are kinsmen. [9] Is not the whole
land before you? Separate yourself from me. If you take the left hand, then I will
go to the right; or if you take the right hand, then I will go to the left.” [10] And
Lot lifted up his eyes, and saw that the Jordan valley was well watered every-
where like the garden of the Lord, like the land of Egypt, in the direction of Zoar;
this was before the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah. [11] So Lot chose for
himself all the Jordan valley, and Lot journeyed east; thus they separated from
each other. [12] Abram dwelt in the land of Canaan, while Lot dwelt among the
cities of the valley and moved his tent as far as Sodom. [13] Now the men of
Sodom were wicked, great sinners against the Lord.

A New Promise to Abram

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[14] The Lord said to Abram, after Lot had separated from him, “Lift up your eyes,
and look from the place where you are, northward and southward and eastward
and westward; [15] for all the land which you see I will give to you and to your de-
scendants for ever. [16] I will make your descendants as the dust of the earth; so
that if one can count the dust of the earth, your descendants also can be counted.
[17] Arise, walk through the length and the breadth of the land, for I will give it to
you.” [18] So Abram moved his tent, and came and dwelt by the oaks of Mamre,
which are at Hebron and there he built an altar to the Lord.

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Commentary:

13:1-18. Abraham prospers in the land God has promised will be his; this is an
early confirmation of God’s blessing. But he still has to undergo another test—
family rows over pastures. The patriarch comes across as a peaceable person;
he lets Lot have first choice. Abraham’s behavior is a kind of new act of faith in
the divine promise, accepting as he does that God gives the land to whomever
he chooses. Once Lot has gone off, God emphatically reaffirms his promise of
descendants and land, and Abraham will progress across the country, taking
possession of it, as it were. He eventually settles at Hebron. in the south of
Palestine on the edge of the Negeb desert.

Lot has chosen the rich lands, the Jordan plains; but the sacred writer points out
how near he is to Sodom, the city of sin. Lot will later regret his decision to settle
there (cf. chap. 19). The account seems to imply a geography with no Dead Sea,
at least not as we know it today.

Apropos of this passage, St John Chrysostom points out how family peace was
being undermined by prosperity: “Their flocks grew bigger, great wealth accrued
to them, and immediately harmony between them was disrupted — where there
had been peace and the bonds of affection, now there was trouble and hostility.
You see, whenever it is a question of mine and yours, there are grounds for the
utmost trouble and a basis for hostility: by contrast, where this isn’t the case,
habits of peace and harmony exist together without any confusion” (”Homiliae
In Genesim”, 33, 3).

*********************************************************************************************
Source: “The Navarre Bible: Text and Commentaries”. Biblical text from the
Revised Standard Version and New Vulgate. Commentaries by members of
the Faculty of Theology, University of Navarre, Spain.

Published by Four Courts Press, Kill Lane, Blackrock, Co. Dublin, Ireland, and
by Scepter Publishers in the United States.

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From: Matthew 7:6, 12-14

Respect for Holy Things

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(Jesus said to His disciples,) [6] “Do not give dogs what is holy; and do not
throw your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under foot and turn to
attack you.

The Golden Rule

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[12] “So whatever you wish that men would do to you, do so to them; for this is
the law and the prophets.

The Narrow Gate

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[13] “Enter by the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is easy, that
leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. [14] For the gate is
narrow and the way is hard, that leads to life, and those who find it are few.”

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Commentary:

6. Jesus uses a popular saying to teach prudent discernment in the preaching
of the word of God and distribution of the means of sanctification. The Church
has always heeded this warning, particularly in the sense of respect with which
it administers the Sacraments—especially the Holy Eucharist. Filial confidence
does not exempt us from the sincere and profound respect which should imbue
our relations with God and with holy things.

12. This “golden rule” gives a guideline to realize our obligations towards and the
love we should have for others. However, if we interpreted it superficially it would
become a selfish rule; it obviously does not mean “do utdes” (”I give you some-
thing so that you will give me something”) but that we should do good to others
unconditionally: we are clever enough not to put limits on how much we love our-
selves. This rule of conduct will be completed by Jesus’ “new commandment”
(John 13:34), where He teaches us to love others as He Himself loved us.

13-14. “Enter”: in St. Matthew’s Gospel this verb often has as its object the
“Kingdom of Heaven” or equivalent expressions (life, the marriage feast, the joy
of the Lord, etc.). We can interpret “enter” as an imperious invitation.

The way of sin is momentarily pleasant and calls for no effort, but it leads to eter-
nal perdition. Following the way of a generous and sincere Christian life is very
demanding—here Jesus speaks of a narrow gate and a hard way—but it leads to
Life, to eternal salvation.

The Christian way involves carrying the cross. “For if a man resolve to submit
himself to carrying this cross—that is to say, if he resolve to desire in truth to
meet trials and to bear them in all things for God’s sake, he will find in them all
great relief and sweetness wherewith he may travel upon this road, detached
from all things and desiring nothing. Yet, if he desires to possess anything —
whether it comes from God or from any other source—with any feeling of attach-
ment, he has not stripped and denied himself in all things; and thus he will be
unable to walk along this narrow path or climb upward by it” (St. John of the
Cross, “Ascent of Mount Carmel”, book 2, chapter 7, 7).

*********************************************************************************************
Source: “The Navarre Bible: Text and Commentaries”. Biblical text from the
Revised Standard Version and New Vulgate. Commentaries by members of
the Faculty of Theology, University of Navarre, Spain.

Published by Four Courts Press, Kill Lane, Blackrock, Co. Dublin, Ireland, and
by Scepter Publishers in the United States.

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Jerusalem Bible post – change the date Scripture readings from the Jerusalem Bible are published and copyright © 1966, 1967 and 1968 by Darton, Longman &Todd

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Scripture readings from the Jerusalem Bible are published and copyright © 1966, 1967 and 1968 by Darton, Longman &Todd

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Readings at Mass

First reading

Genesis 13:2,5-18 ©

Abram was a very rich man, with livestock, silver and gold. Lot, who was travelling with Abram, had flocks and cattle of his own, and tents too. The land was not sufficient to accommodate them both at once, for they had too many possessions to be able to live together. Dispute broke out between the herdsmen of Abram’s livestock and those of Lot’s. (The Canaanites and the Perizzites were then living in the land.) Accordingly Abram said to Lot, ‘Let there be no dispute between me and you, nor between my herdsmen and yours, for we are brothers. Is not the whole land open before you? Part company with me: if you take the left, I will go right; if you take the right, I will go left.’

Looking round, Lot saw all the Jordan plain, irrigated everywhere – this was before the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah – like the garden of the Lord or the land of Egypt, as far as Zoar. So Lot chose all the Jordan plain for himself and moved off eastwards. Thus they parted company: Abram settled in the land of Canaan; Lot settled among the towns of the plain, pitching his tents on the outskirts of Sodom. Now the people of Sodom were vicious men, great sinners against the Lord.

The Lord said to Abram after Lot had parted company with him, ‘Look all round from where you are towards the north and the south, towards the east and the west. All the land within sight I will give to you and your descendants for ever. I will make your descendants like the dust on the ground: when men succeed in counting the specks of dust on the ground, then they will be able to count your descendants! Come, travel through the length and breadth of the land, for I mean to give it to you.’

So Abram went with his tents to settle at the Oak of Mamre, at Hebron, and there he built an altar to the Lord.

Psalm

Psalm 14:2-5 ©

The just will live in the presence of the Lord.

Lord, who shall dwell on your holy mountain?

He who walks without fault;

he who acts with justice

and speaks the truth from his heart;

he who does not slander with his tongue.

The just will live in the presence of the Lord.

He who does no wrong to his brother,

who casts no slur on his neighbour,

who holds the godless in disdain,

but honours those who fear the Lord.

The just will live in the presence of the Lord.

He who keeps his pledge, come what may;

who takes no interest on a loan

and accepts no bribes against the innocent.

Such a man will stand firm for ever.

The just will live in the presence of the Lord.

Gospel Acclamation

Mt11:25

Alleluia, alleluia!

Blessed are you, Father,

Lord of heaven and earth,

for revealing the mysteries of the kingdom

to mere children.

Alleluia!

Or

Jn8:12

Alleluia, alleluia!

I am the light of the world, says the Lord;

anyone who follows me will have the light of life.

Alleluia!

Gospel

Matthew 7:6,12-14 ©

Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Do not give dogs what is holy; and do not throw your pearls in front of pigs, or they may trample them and then turn on you and tear you to pieces.

‘So always treat others as you would like them to treat you; that is the meaning of the Law and the Prophets.

‘Enter by the narrow gate, since the road that leads to perdition is wide and spacious, and many take it; but it is a narrow gate and a hard road that leads to life, and only a few find it.’

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Please pray for an end to the women and children being harmed.

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Jesus, High Priest

We thank you, God our Father, for those who have responded to your call to priestly ministry. Accept this prayer we offer on their behalf: Fill your priests with the sure knowledge of your love.

Open their hearts to the power and consolation of the Holy Spirit.

Lead them to new depths of union with your Son.

Increase in them profound faith in the Sacraments they celebrate as they nourish, strengthen and heal us.

Lord Jesus Christ, grant that these, your priests, may inspire us to strive for holiness by the power of their example, as men of prayer who ponder your word and follow your will.

O Mary, Mother of Christ and our mother, guard with your maternal care these chosen ones, so dear to the Heart of your Son.

Intercede for our priests, that offering the Sacrifice of your Son, they may be conformed more each day to the image of your Son, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Saint John Vianney, universal patron of priests, pray for us and our priests

This icon shows Jesus Christ, our eternal high priest.

The gold pelican over His heart represents self-sacrifice.

The border contains an altar and grapevines, representing the Mass, and icons of Melchizedek and St. Jean-Baptiste Vianney.

Melchizedek: king of righteousness (left icon) was priest and king of Jerusalem. He blessed Abraham and has been considered an ideal priest-king.

St. Jean-Baptiste Vianney is the patron saint of parish priests.

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Pray a Rosary each day for our nation.

1. Sign of the Cross: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

2. The Apostles Creed: I BELIEVE in God, the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell; on the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God, the Father Almighty; from there He shall come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

3. The Lord's Prayer: 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 who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.

4. (3) Hail Mary: HAIL Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now, and in the hour of our death. Amen. (Three times)

5. Glory Be: 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.

6. Fatima Prayer: Oh, my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell, lead all souls to heaven, especially those in most need of your mercy.

Announce each mystery, then say 1 Our Father, 10 Hail Marys, 1 Glory Be and 1 Fatima prayer. Repeat the process with each mystery.

End with the Hail Holy Queen:
Hail, Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, our life, our sweetness and our hope! To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve! To thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this vale of tears! Turn then, most gracious advocate, thine eyes of mercy towards us; and after this, our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus!

O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary! Pray for us, O holy Mother of God, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Final step -- The Sign of the Cross

The Mysteries of the Rosary By tradition, Catholics meditate on these Mysteries during prayers of the Rosary. The biblical references follow each of the Mysteries below.

The Sorrowful Mysteries

(Tuesdays and Fridays)

1. The Agony in the Garden (Matthew 26:36-46, Luke 22:39-46) [Spiritual fruit - God's will be done]
2. The Scourging at the Pillar (Matthew 27:26, Mark 15:15, John 19:1) [Spiritual fruit - Mortification of the senses]
3. The Crowning with Thorns (Matthew 27:27-30, Mark 15:16-20, John 19:2) [Spiritual fruit - Reign of Christ in our heart]
4. The Carrying of the Cross (Matthew 27:31-32, Mark 15:21, Luke 23:26-32, John 19:17) [Spiritual fruit - Patient bearing of trials]
5. The Crucifixion (Matthew 27:33-56, Mark 15:22-39, Luke 23:33-49, John 19:17-37) [Spiritual fruit - Pardoning of Injuries]

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St. Michael the Archangel

~ PRAYER ~

St. Michael, the Archangel, defend us in battle
 Be our protection against the wickedness
and snares of the devil;
May God rebuke him, we  humbly pray,
 and do thou, O Prince of the heavenly host,
 by the power of God,
 Cast into hell Satan and all the evil spirits
who prowl through the world seeking the ruin of souls.
 Amen
+

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From an Obama bumper sticker on a car:
"Pray for Obama. Psalm 109:8"

PLEASE JOIN US - Evening Prayer
Someone has said that if people really understood the full extent of the power we have available through prayer, we might be speechless.
Did you know that during WWII there was an advisor to Churchill who organized a group of people who dropped what they were doing every day at a prescribed hour for one minute to collectively pray for the safety of England, its people and peace?

There is now a group of people organizing the same thing here in America. If you would like to participate: Every evening at 9:00 PM Eastern Time (8:00 PM Central) (7:00 PM Mountain) (6:00 PM Pacific), stop whatever you are doing and spend one minute praying for the safety of the United States, our troops, our citizens, and for a return to a Godly nation. If you know anyone else who would like to participate, please pass this along. Our prayers are the most powerful asset we have. Please forward this to your praying friends.

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Monthy Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus

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June 2015
Pope’s Intentions

Universal: Immigrants and refugees — That immigrants and refugees may find welcome and respect in the countries to which they come.

Evangelization: Vocations — That the personal encounter with Jesus may arouse in many young people the desire to offer their own lives in priesthood or consecrated life.

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http://dailygospel.org/main.php?language=AM&module=commentary&localdate=20150623

Tuesday of the Twelfth week in Ordinary Time

Commentary of the day

Saint Clement of Rome, Pope from about 90 to 100
Letter to the Corinthians, § 36-38 (©Ancient Christian writers)

“The road that leads to life”

This, beloved, is the way in which we found our salvation, Jesus Christ, the High Priest who offers our gifts, the patron and helper in our weakness (Heb 10,20; 7,27; 4,15). It is through him that we look straight at the heavens above. Through him we see mirrored God’s faultless and transcendent countenance. Through him the eyes of our heart were opened. Through him our unintelligent and darkened mind shoots up into the light. Through him the Master was pleased to let us taste the knowledge that never fades; he who is “the radiance of his splendor, who towers as much above the angels as the title he has inherited is superior to theirs” (He 1,3-4)...

Let us take our body. The head is nothing without the feet, and the feet are nothing without the head. The smallest organs of our body are necessary and valuable to the whole body; in fact, all parts conspire and yield the same obedience toward maintaining the whole of the body (cf.1Co 12,12f.). Therefore let the whole of our body be maintained in Christ Jesus, and let each submit to their neighbor’s rights in the measure determined by the special gift bestowed on them. Let the strong care for the weak, and the weak respect the strong; let the rich support the poor, and the poor render thanks to God for giving them the means of supplying their needs; let the wise show their wisdom not in words but in active help; the humble must not testify to themselves, but leave it to another to testify in their behalf. Those who are continent must not boast, knowing that it is another who confers on them the ability to remain continent.

Let us therefore reflect, brethren, of what clay we were made, what and who we were when we entered the world, out of what grave and darkness our Maker and Creator has brought us into the world, where he has prepared his benefits before our birth. Since, then, we owe all these blessings to him, we are obliged to thank him in every way.