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From: Exodus 16:1-5, 9-15
The Manna and the Quails
[4] Then the Lord said to Moses, “Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you;
and the people shall go out and gather a day’s portion every day, that I may prove
them, whether they will walk in my law or not. [5] On the sixth day, when they pre-
pare what they bring in, it will be twice as much as they gather daily.”
[9] And Moses said to Aaron, “Say to the whole congregation of the people of Is-
rael, ‘Come near before the Lord, for he has heard your murmurings.”’ [10] And as
Aaron spoke to the whole congregation of the people of Israel, they looked toward
the wilderness and behold, the glory of the Lord appeared in the cloud. [11] And
the Lord said to Moses, [12] “I have heard the murmurings of the people of Israel;
say to them, ‘At twilight you shall eat flesh, and in the morning you shall be filled
with bread; then you shall know that I am the Lord your God.”’
[13] In the evening quails came up and covered the camp; and in the morning dew
lay round about the camp. [14] And when the dew had gone up, there was on the
face of the wilderness a fine, flake like thing, fine as hoar frost on the ground. [15]
When the people of Israel saw it, they said to one another, “What is it?” For they
did not know what it was. And Moses said to them, “It is the bread which the Lord
has given you to eat.”
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Commentary:
16:1-36. The prodigy of the manna and the quails was a very important sign of
God’s special providence towards his people while they were in the desert. It is
recounted here and in Numbers 11, but in both accounts facts are interwoven
with interpretation of same and with things to do with worship and ethics.
Some scholars have argued that the manna is the same thing as a sweet se-
cretion that comes from the tamarisk (”tamarix mannifera”) when punctured by
a particular insect commonly found in the mountains of Sinai. The drops of this
resin solidify in the coldness of the night and some fall to the ground. They have
to be gathered up early in the morning because they deteriorate at twenty-four
degrees temperature (almost eighty degrees Celsius). Even today desert Arabs
collect them and use them for sucking and as a sweetener in confectionery.
As we know, quails cross the Sinai peninsula on their migrations back and forth
between Africa and Europe or Asia. In May or June, when they return from Afri-
ca they usually rest in Sinai, exhausted after a long sea crossing; they can be
easily trapped at this point.
Although these phenomenon can show where the manna and the quail come
from, the important thing is that the Israelites saw them as wonders worked by
God. The sacred writer stops to describe the impact the manna had on the
sons of Israel. They are puzzled by it, as can be seen from their remarks when
it comes for the first time: “What is it?” they ask, which in Hebrew sounds like
“man hu”, that is, manna (v. 15), which is how the Greek translation puts it. In-
deed, the need to collect it every day gave rise to complaints about some peo-
ple being greedy (v. 20) and who did not understand the scope of God’s gift (v.
15). And just as manna is a divine gift to meet a basic human need (nourish-
ment), so too the divine precepts, specifically that of the sabbath, are a free gift
from the Lord (v. 28). So, obedience is not a heavy burden but the exercise of a
capacity to receive the good things that God gives to those who obey him.
The prodigy of the manna will resound right through the Bible: in the “Deuterono-
ic” tradition it is a test that God gives his people to show them that “man does
not live by bread alone, but [...] by everything that proceeds from the mouth of
the Lord” (Deut 8:3). The psalmist discovers that manna is “the bread of the
strong” (”of angels”, says the Vulgate and the RSV), which God sent in abun-
dance (Ps 78:23ff; cf. Ps 105:40). The book of Wisdom spells out the features
of this bread from heaven “ready to eat, providing every pleasure and suited to
every taste” (Wis 16:20-29). And the New Testament reveals the full depth of
this “spiritual” food (1 Cor 10:3), for, as the “Catechism” teaches, “manna in
the desert prefigured the Eucharist, ‘the true bread from heaven’ (Jn 6:32)” (”Ca-
techism of the Catholic Church”, 1094).
16:2-3. The complaining that usually precedes the desert prodigies (cf. 14:11; 15:
24; 17:3; Num 11:1, 4; 14:2; 20:2; 21:4-5) brings into focus the chosen people’s
lack of faith and hope, and (by contrast) the faithfulness of God, who time and a-
gain alleviates their needs even though they do not deserve it. At the same time,
just as Moses and Aaron listened patiently to complaints, God too is always rea-
dy to dialogue with the sinner, sometimes listening to his complaints and sorting
them out, and sometimes simply giving him a chance to repent: “Although God
could inflict punishment on those whom he condemns without saying anything,
he does not do so; on the contrary, up to the point when he does condemn, he
speaks with the guilty person and lets him talk, so as to help him avoid condem-
nation” (Origen, “Homiliae in leremiam”, 1, 1).
*********************************************************************************************
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.
From: John 20:1-2; 11-18
The Empty Tomb
The Appearance To Mary Magdalene
*********************************************************************************************
Commentary:
1-2. All four Gospels report the first testimonies of the holy women and the dis-
ciples regarding Christ’s glorious resurrection, beginning with the fact of the emp-
ty tomb (cf. Matthew 28:1-15; Mark 16:1ff; Luke 24:1-12) and then telling of the
various appearances of the risen Jesus.
Mary Magdalene was one of the women who provided for our Lord during His jour-
neys (Luke 8:1-3); along with the Virgin Mary she bravely stayed with Him right up
to His final moments (John 19:25), and she saw where His body was laid (Luke 23:
55). Now, after the obligatory Sabbath rest, she goes to visit the tomb. The Gospel
points out that she went “early, when it was still dark”: her love and veneration led
her to go without delay, to be with our Lord’s body.
11-18. Mary’s affection and sensitivity lead her to be concerned about what has
become of the dead body of Jesus. This woman out of whom seven demons were
cast (cf. Luke 8:2) stayed faithful during His passion and even now her love is still
ardent: our Lord had freed her from the Evil One and she responded to that grace
humbly and generously.
After consoling Mary Magdalene, Jesus gives her a message for the Apostles,
whom He tenderly calls His “brethren”. This message implies that He and they
have the same Father, though each in an essentially different way: “I am ascen-
ding to My Father”—My own Father by nature—”and to your Father”—for He is your
Father through the adoption I have won for you and by My death. Jesus, the Good
Shepherd, shows His great mercy and understanding by gathering together all His
disciples who had abandoned Him during His passion and were now in hiding for
fear of the Jews (John 20:19).
Mary Magdalene’s perseverance teaches us that anyone who sincerely keeps
searching for Jesus Christ will eventually find Him. Jesus’ gesture in calling His
disciples His “brethren” despite their having run away should fill us with love in
the midst of our own infidelities.
15. From Jesus’ dialogue with Mary Magdalene, we can see the frame of mind
all His disciples must have been in: they were not expecting the resurrection.
17. “Do not hold Me”: the use of the negative imperative in the Greek, reflected
in the New Vulgate (”noli me tenere”) indicates that our Lord is telling Mary to re-
lease her hold of Him, to let Him go, since she will have another chance to see
Him before His ascension into Heaven.
*********************************************************************************************
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.
First reading |
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Exodus 16:1-5,9-15 © |
Psalm |
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Psalm 77:18-19,23-28 © |
Gospel Acclamation | Ps118:36,29 |
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Or |
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Gospel |
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John 20:1-2,11-18 © |
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.
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 Glorious Mysteries
(Wednesdays and Sundays)
1.The Resurrection (Matthew 28:1-8, Mark 16:1-18, Luke 24:1-12, John 20:1-29) [Spiritual fruit - Faith]
2. The Ascension (Mark 16:19-20, Luke 24:50-53, Acts 1:6-11) [Spiritual fruit - Christian Hope]
3. The Descent of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:1-13) [Spiritual fruit - Gifts of the Holy Spirit]
4. The Assumption [Spiritual fruit - To Jesus through Mary]
5. The Coronation [Spiritual fruit - Grace of Final Perseverance]
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
+
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.
A Prayer for PriestsO my God, help those priests who are faithful to remain faithful; to those who are falling, stretch forth Your Divine Hand that they may grasp it as their support. In the great ocean of Your mercy, lift those poor unfortunate ones who have fallen, that being engulfed therein they may receive the grace to return to Your Great Loving Heart. Amen. Precious Blood of Jesus, protect them!
The Most Precious Blood of Jesus
July is traditionally associated with the Precious Blood of Our Lord. It may be customary to celebrate the votive Mass of the Precious Blood on July 1.
The extraordinary importance of the saving Blood of Christ has ensured a central place for its memorial in the celebration of this cultic mystery: at the centre of the Eucharistic assembly, in which the Church raises up to God in thanksgiving "the cup of blessing" (1 Cor 10, 16; cf Ps 115-116, 13) and offers it to the faithful as a "real communion with the Blood of Christ" (1 Cor 10, 16); and throughout the Liturgical Year. The Church celebrates the saving Blood of Christ not only on the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ, but also on many other occasions, such that the cultic remembrance of the Blood of our redemption (cf 1 Pt 1, 18) pervades the entire Liturgical Year. Hence, at Vespers during Christmastide, the Church, addressing Christ, sings: "Nos quoque, qui sancto tuo redempti sumus sanguine, ob diem natalis tui hymnum novum concinimus." In the Paschal Triduum, the redemptive significance and efficacy of the Blood of Christ is continuously recalled in adoration. During the adoration of the Cross on Good Friday the Church sings the hymn: "Mite corpus perforatur, sanguis unde profluit; terra, pontus, astra, mundus quo lavanturflumine", and again on Easter Sunday, "Cuius corpus sanctissimum in ara crucis torridum, sed et cruorem roesum gustando, Deo vivimus (194).
Catholic Word of the Day: LITANY OF THE PRECIOUS BLOOD, 09-25-12
ST. GASPAR: Founder of the Society of the Precious Blood
Mass in the Cathedral of the Most Precious Blood of Our Lord Jesus Christ (London, 9/18)
Devotion to the Drops of Blood Lost by our Lord Jesus Christ on His Way to Calvary (Prayer/Devotion)
Chaplet of the Most Precious Blood
Catholic Word of the Day: PRECIOUS BLOOD, 12-03-11
The Traditional Feast of the Most Precious Blood of Our Lord Jesus Christ (Catholic Caucus)
Devotion to the Precious Blood
DOCTRINE OF THE BLOOD OF CHRIST
,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,And More on the Precious Blood
Litany of the Most Precious Blood of Our Lord Jesus Christ
NOTHING IS MORE POTENT AGAINST EVIL THAN PLEADING THE PRECIOUS BLOOD OF CHRIST
Litany of the Most Precious Blood of Jesus
Pope's Intentions
Universal: Politics -- That political responsibility may be lived at all levels as a high form of charity.
Evangelization: The poor in Latin America-- That amid social inequalities, Latin American Christians may bear witness to love for the poor and contribute to a more fraternal society.
Amen
"Have you seen him whom my soul loves" (Sg 3,3)
At this point we must stop and reflect upon the ardent love in the heart of this woman who would not leave the Lord's grave even after his own disciples had gone away. She continued seeking him whom she could not find; in tears she kept searching; and, afire with love, she yearned for him whom she believed had been removed. Thus it happened that she alone saw him, she who had remained behind to seek him, simply because a truly good act involves the virtue of perseverance. For the lips of Truth itself have said: Whoever perseveres to the end shall be saved (Mt 10,22)
Holy desires grow with delay: if they fade through delay they are no desires at all. Such must be the love that inflames anyone who is reaching out for the truth. This is why David says: My soul thirsts for the living God; when shall I come and behold the face of God? (Ps 41[42],3). And the Church says in the Song of Songs, I am wounded by love, and again, My soul failed me (Sg 2,5). Woman, why are you weeping? Whom do you seek? She is asked the cause of her sorrow so that her longing may increase, for when she names the one she seeks she burns with yet greater love for him.
Jesus said to her: Mary. First of all he called her by the title common to all her sex, and she did not recognize him. Now he calls her by her own name, as if to say plainly: Now recognize the one who recognizes you. For I know you, not in some general way along with other people, but personally. Addressed by her own name, Mary recognizes her maker and straightway calls him Rabboni, that is Teache. Outwardly it was he who was the object of her search, but inwardly it was he who was teaching her to search for him.
St. Teresa of Avila
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