Catholic Caucus: Daily Mass Readings, 07-04-16 Independence Day

USCCB.org/RNAB ^ | 07-04-16 | Revised New American Bible

[Salvation]

The Angelus

The Angel of the Lord declared to Mary:  And she conceived of the Holy Spirit.  Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.  Behold the handmaid of the Lord: Be it done unto me according to Thy word.  Hail Mary . . .  And the Word was made Flesh: And dwelt among us.  Hail Mary . . .  Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.  Let us pray:  Pour forth, we beseech Thee, O Lord, Thy grace into our hearts; that we, to whom the incarnation of Christ, Thy Son, was made known by the message of an angel, may by His Passion and Cross be brought to the glory of His Resurrection, through the same Christ Our Lord. Amen.  "Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you" (Lk 1:28)   "Blessed are you among women,  and blessed is the fruit of your womb" (Lk 1:42).

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Matthew
	English: Douay-Rheims	Latin: Vulgata Clementina	Greek NT: Byzantine/Majority Text (2000)
	Matthew 9
18.	As he was speaking these things unto them, behold a certain ruler came up, and adored him, saying: Lord, my daughter is even now dead; but come, lay thy hand upon her, and she shall live.	Hæc illo loquente ad eos, ecce princeps unus accessit, et adorabat eum, dicens : Domine, filia mea modo defuncta est : sed veni, impone manum tuam super eam, et vivet.	ταυτα αυτου λαλουντος αυτοις ιδου αρχων εις ελθων προσεκυνει αυτω λεγων οτι η θυγατηρ μου αρτι ετελευτησεν αλλα ελθων επιθες την χειρα σου επ αυτην και ζησεται
19.	And Jesus rising up followed him, with his disciples.	Et surgens Jesus, sequebatur eum, et discipuli ejus.	και εγερθεις ο ιησους ηκολουθησεν αυτω και οι μαθηται αυτου
20.	And behold a woman who was troubled with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind him, and touched the hem of his garment.	Et ecce mulier, quæ sanguinis fluxum patiebatur duodecim annis, accessit retro, et tetigit fimbriam vestimenti ejus.	και ιδου γυνη αιμορροουσα δωδεκα ετη προσελθουσα οπισθεν ηψατο του κρασπεδου του ιματιου αυτου
21.	For she said within herself: If I shall touch only his garment, I shall be healed.	Dicebat enim intra se : Si tetigero tantum vestimentum ejus, salva ero.	ελεγεν γαρ εν εαυτη εαν μονον αψωμαι του ιματιου αυτου σωθησομαι
22.	But Jesus turning and seeing her, said: Be of good heart, daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour.	At Jesus conversus, et videns eam, dixit : Confide, filia, fides tua te salvam fecit. Et salva facta est mulier ex illa hora.	ο δε ιησους επιστραφεις και ιδων αυτην ειπεν θαρσει θυγατερ η πιστις σου σεσωκεν σε και εσωθη η γυνη απο της ωρας εκεινης
23.	And when Jesus was come into the house of the ruler, and saw the minstrels and the multitude making a rout,	Et cum venisset Jesus in domum principis, et vidisset tibicines et turbam tumultuantem, dicebat :	και ελθων ο ιησους εις την οικιαν του αρχοντος και ιδων τους αυλητας και τον οχλον θορυβουμενον
24.	He said: Give place, for the girl is not dead, but sleepeth. And they laughed him to scorn.	Recedite : non est enim mortua puella, sed dormit. Et deridebant eum.	λεγει αυτοις αναχωρειτε ου γαρ απεθανεν το κορασιον αλλα καθευδει και κατεγελων αυτου
25.	And when the multitude was put forth, he went in, and took her by the hand. And the maid arose.	Et cum ejecta esset turba, intravit : et tenuit manum ejus, et surrexit puella.	οτε δε εξεβληθη ο οχλος εισελθων εκρατησεν της χειρος αυτης και ηγερθη το κορασιον
26.	And the fame hereof went abroad into all that country.	Et exiit fama hæc in universam terram illam.	και εξηλθεν η φημη αυτη εις ολην την γην εκεινην

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18. While he spoke these things to them, behold, there came a certain ruler; and worshipped him, saying, My daughter is even now dead: but come and lay your hand upon her, and she shall live.
19. And Jesus arose, and followed him, and so did his disciples.
20. And, behold, a woman, which was diseased with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind him, and touched the hem of his garment:
21. For she said within herself, If I may but touch his garment, I shall be whole.
22. But Jesus turned him about, and when He saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; your faith has made you whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour.

CHRYS; After His instructions He adds a miracle, which should mightily discomfit the Pharisees, because He who came to beg this miracle, was a ruler of the synagogue, and the mourning was great, for she was his only child, and of the age of twelve years, that is, when the flower of youth begins; While he spoke these things to them, behold there came one of their chief men to him.

AUG; This narrative is given both by Mark and Luke, but in a quite different order; namely, when after the casting out of time demons and their entrance into the swine, he had returned across the lake from the country of the Gerasenes. Now Mark does indeed tell us that this happened after He had crossed the lake, but how long after He does not determine. Unless there had been some interval of time, that could not have taken place that Matthew relates concerning the feast in his house. After this, immediately follows that concerning the ruler of the synagogue's daughter. If the ruler came to Him while He was yet speaking that of the new patch, and the new wine, then no other act of speech of his intervened. And in Mark's account, the place where these things might come in, is evident. In like manner, Luke does not contradict Matthew; for what he adds, And behold a man, whose name was Jairus, is not to be taken as though it followed instantly what had been related before, but after that feast with the Publicans, as Matthew relates. While he spoke these things to them, behold, one of their chief men, namely, Jairus, the ruler of the synagogue, came to him, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, my daughter is even now dead. It should be observed, lest there should seem to be some discrepancy, that the other two Evangelists represent her as at the point of death, but yet not dead, but so as afterwards to say that there came afterwards some saying, She is dead, trouble not the Master, for Matthew for the sake of shortness represents the Lord as having been asked at first to do that which it is manifest He did do, namely, raise the dead. He looks not at the words of the father respecting his daughter, but rather his mind. For he had so far despaired of her life, that he made his request rather for her to be called to life again, thinking it impossible that she, whom he had left dying, should be found yet alive. The other two then have given Jairus' words; Matthew has put what he wished and thought. Indeed had either of them related that it was the father himself that said that Jesus should not be troubled for she was now dead, in that case the words that Matthew has given would not have corresponded with the thoughts of the ruler. But we do not read that he agreed with the messengers. Hence we learn a thing of the highest necessity, that we should look at nothing in any man's words, but his meaning to which his words ought to be subservient; and no man gives a false account when he repeats a man's meaning in words other than those actually used.

CHRYS; Or; The ruler says, she is dead, exaggerating his calamity. As it is time manner of those that prefer a petition to magnify their distresses, and to represent them as something more than they really are, in order to gain the compassion of those to whom they make supplication; whence he adds, But come and lay your hand upon her, and she shall live. See his dullness. He begs two things of Christ, to come, and to lay His hand upon her. This was what Naaman the Syrian required of the Prophet. For they who are constituted thus hard of heart have need of sight and things sensible.

REMIG; We ought to admire and at the same time to imitate the humility and mercifulness of the Lord; as soon as ever He was asked, He rose to follow him that asked; And Jesus rose, and followed him. Here is instruction both for such as are in command, and such as are in subjection. To these He has left an example of obedience; to those who are set over others He shows how earnest and watchful they should be in teaching; whenever they hear of any being dead in spirit, they should hasten to Him; And his disciples went with him.

CHRYS; Mark and Luke say that He took with Him three disciples only, namely, Peter, James, and John; He took not Matthew, to quicken his desires, and because he was yet not perfectly minded; and for this reason He honors these three, that others may become like-minded. It was enough meanwhile for Matthew to see the things that were done respecting her that had the issue of blood, concerning whom it follows; And, behold, a woman who had suffered an issue of blood twelve years, came behind and touched the hem of his garment.

JEROME; This woman that had the flux came to the Lord not in the house, nor in the town, for she was excluded from them by the Law, but by the way as He walked; thus as He goes to heal one woman, another is cured.

CHRYS; She came not to Christ with an open address through shame concerning this her disease, believing herself unclean; for in the Law this disease was esteemed highly unclean. For this reason she hides herself.

REMIG; in which her humility must be praised, that she came not before His face, but behind, and judged herself unworthy to touch the Lord's feet, yea, she touched not His whole garment, but the hem only; for the Lord wore a hem according to the command of the Law . So the Pharisees also wore hems which they made large, and in some they inserted thorns. But the Lord's hem was not made to wound, but to heal, and therefore it follows, For she said within herself, If I can but touch his garment, I shall be made whole. How wonderful her faith, that though she despaired of healing from the physicians, on whom notwithstanding she had exhausted her living, she received that a heavenly Physician was at hand, and therefore bent her whole soul on Him; whence she deserved to be healed; But Jesus turning and seeing her, said, Be of good cheer, daughter, your faith has made you whole.

RABAN; What is this that He bids her, Be of good cheer, seeing if she had not had faith, she would not have sought healing of Him? He requires of her strength and perseverance, that she may come to a sure and certain salvation.

CHRYS; Or because the woman was fearful, therefore He said, Be of good cheer. He calls her daughter, for her faith had made her such.

JEROME; He said not, Your faith shall make you whole, but, has made you whole; for in that you have believed, thou art already made whole.

CHRYS; She had not yet a perfect mind respecting Christ, or she would not have supposed that she could be hid from Him; but Christ would not suffer her to go away unobserved, not that He sought fame, but for many reasons. First, He relieves the woman's fear, that she should not be pricked in her conscience as though she had stolen this boon; secondly, He corrects her error in supposing she could be hid from Him; thirdly, He displays her faith to all for their imitation; and fourthly, He did a miracle, in that He showed He knew all things, no less than in drying the fountain of her blood. It follows, And the woman was made whole from that hour.

GLOSS; This must be understood as the time in which she touched the hem of His garment, not in which Jesus turned to her; for she was already healed, as the other Evangelists testify, and as may be inferred from the Lord's words.

HILARY; Herein is to be observed the marvelous virtue of the Lord, that the power that dwelt in His body should give healing to things perishable, and the heavenly energy extended even through the hems of His garments; for God is not comprehensible that He should be shut in by a body, for His taking a body to Him did not confine His power, but His power took upon it a frail body for our redemption. Figuratively, this ruler is to be understood as the Law, which prays the Lord that He would restore life to the dead multitude which it had brought up for Christ, preaching that His coming was to be looked for.

RABAN; Or; The ruler of the synagogue signifies Moses; he is named Jairus, ' illuminating,' or, ' that shall illuminate,' because he received the words of life to give to us, and by them enlightens all, being himself enlightened by the Holy Spirit. The daughter of the ruler, that is, the synagogue itself, being as it were in the twelfth year of its age, that is, in the season of puberty, when it should have borne spiritual progeny to God, fell into the sickness of error. While then the Word of God is hastening to this ruler's daughter to make whole the sons of Israel, a holy Church is gathered from among the Gentiles, which while it was perishing by inward corruption, received by faith that healing that was prepared for others. It should be noted, that the ruler's daughter was twelve years old, and this woman had been twelve years afflicted; thus she had begun to be diseased at the very time the other was born, so in one and the same age the synagogue had its birth among the Patriarchs, and the nations without began to be polluted with the pest of idolatry. For the issue of blood may be taken in two ways, either for the pollution of idolatry, or for obedience to the pleasures of flesh and blood. Thus as long as the synagogue flourished, the Church languished; the falling away of the first was made the salvation of the Gentiles. Also the Church draws nigh and touches the Lord, when it approaches Him in faith. She believed, spoke her belief; and touched, for by these three things, faith, word, and deed, all salvation is gained. She came behind Him, as He spoke, If any one serve me, let him follow me; or because, not having seen the Lord present in the flesh, when the sacraments of His incarnation were fulfilled, she came at length to the grace of the knowledge of Him. Thus also she touched the hem of His garment, because the Gentiles, though they had not seen Christ in the flesh, received the tidings of His incarnation. The garment of Christ is put for the mystery of His incarnation, wherewith His Deity is clothed; the hem of His garment are the words that hang upon His incarnation. She touches not the garment, but the hem thereof; because she saw not the Lord in the flesh but received the word of the incarnation through the Apostles. Blessed is he that touches but the uttermost part of the word by faith. She is healed while the Lord is not in the city, but while the Lord is yet on the way; as the Apostles cried, Because you judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles. And from the time of the Lord's coming the Gentiles began to be healed.

23. And when Jesus came into the ruler's house, and saw the minstrels and the people making a noise,
24. He said to them, Give place: for the maid is not dead, but sleeps. And they laughed him to scorn.
25. But when the people were put forth, he went in, and took her by the hand, and the maid arose.
26. And the fame hereof went abroad into all that land.

GLOSS; After the healing of the woman with the issue of blood, follows the raising of the dead; And when Jesus was come into the ruler's house.

CHRYS; We may suppose that He proceeded slowly, and spoke longer to the woman whom He had healed, that He might suffer the maid to die and thus an evident miracle of restoring to life might be wrought. In the case of Lazarus also He waited till the third day And when he saw the minstrels and the people making a noise; this was proof of her death.

AMBROSE; For by the ancient custom minstrels were engaged to make lamentation for the dead.

CHRYS; But Christ put forth all the pipers, but took in the parents, that it might not be said that He had healed her by any other means; and before the restoring to life He excites their expectations by His words. And he said, Give place: for the maid is not dead, but sleeps.

BEDE; As though He had said To you she is dead, but to God who has power to give life, she sleeps only both in soul and body.

CHRYS; By this saying, He soothes the minds of those that. were present, and shows that it is easy to Him to raise the dead; the like He did in the case of Lazarus, Our friend Lazarus sleeps. This was also a lesson to them not to be afraid of death; forasmuch as He Himself also should die, He made His disciples learn in the persons of others confidence and patient endurance of death. For when He was near, death was but as sleep. When He had said this, They mocked him. And he did not rebuke their mocking; that this mocking, and the pipes and all other things, might be a proof of her death. For often times at His miracles when men would not believe, He convicted them by their own answers; as in the case of Lazarus when He said, Where have you laid him? so that they that answered, Come and see, and, He stinks, for he has now been dead four days, could no longer disbelieve that He had raised a dead man.

JEROME; They that had mocked the Reviver were not worthy to behold the mystery of the revival; and therefore it follows, And when the multitude was put forth, he entered, and took her by the hand, and the maid arose.

CHRYS; He restored her to life not by bringing in another soul, but by recalling that which had departed, and as it were raising it from sleep, and through this sight preparing the way for belief of the resurrection. And He not only restores her to life, but commands food to be given her, as the other Evangelists relate, that that which was done might be seen to be no delusion. And the fame of it went abroad into all that country.

GLOSS. The fame, namely, of the greatness and novelty of the miracle, and its established truth; so that it could not be supposed to be a forgery.

HILARY; Mystically; The Lord enters the ruler's house, that is, the synagogue, throughout which there resounded in the songs of the Law a strain of wailing.

JEROME; To this day the damsel lays dead in the ruler's house; and they that seem to be teachers are but minstrels singing funeral dirges. The Jews also are not the crowd of believers, but of people making a noise. But when the fullness of the Gentiles shall come in, then all Israel shall be saved.

HILARY; But that the number of the elect. might be known to be but few out of the whole body of believers, the multitude is put forth; the Lord indeed would that they should be saved, but they mocked at His sayings and actions, and so were not worthy to be made partakers of His resurrection.

JEROME; He took her by the hand, and the maid arose; because if the hands the Jews which are detailed with blood be not first cleansed, their synagogue which is dead shall not revive.

HILARY; His fame went about into all that country; that is the salvation of the elect, the gift and works of Christ are preached.

RABAN; Morally; The damsel dead in the house is the soul dead in thought. He says that she is asleep, because they that are now asleep in sin may yet be roused by penitence. The minstrels are flatterers who cherish the dead.

GREG; The multitude are put forth that the damsel may be raised; for unless the multitude of worldly cares is first banished from the secrets of the heart, the soul which is laid dead within, cannot rise again.

RABAN; The maiden is raised in the house with few to witness, the young man without the gate, and Lazarus in the presence of many; for a public scandal requires a public expiation; a less notorious, a lesser remedy; and secret sins may be done away by penitence.

Catena Aurea Matthew 9

[annalex]

The woman with the issue of blood

Early 4th Century
Catacomb of Sts. Marcellinus and Peter, Rome

[Salvation]

Independence Day (USA)
[In the dioceses of the United States]
Optional Memorial
July 4th

On this day Americans commemorate the adoption of the Declaration of Independence, which took place on July 4, 1776. The church in the U.S. incorporated this observance into the liturgy with a special mass asking for peace, justice, and truth. (Source: Daily Roman Missal, Edited by Rev. James Socías, Midwest Theological Forum, Chicago, Illinois ©2003)

Collect:
God of justice, Father of truth,
who guide creation in wisdom and goodness
to fulfillment in Christ your Son,
open our hearts to the truth of his Gospel,
that your justice guide our lives.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. +Amen

or

Father of all nations and ages,
we recall the day when our country
claimed its place among the family of nations;
for what has been achieved we give you thanks,
for the work that still remains we ask your help,
and as you have called us from many peoples to be one nation,
grant that, under your providence,
our country may share your blessings
with all the peoples of the earth.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. +Amen.

Readings: from Masses for Various Occasions & Needs (For Public Needs)

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The National Hymn
God of our Fathers

[Salvation]

10 Things You Should Know about Catholics and the American Founding
A Tale of Two Georges
Our Forgotten Statesman

Mystery reliquary found under America’s first Protestant church
A Skeleton, a Catholic Relic, and a Mystery About American Origins
Striking Gold this 4th of July
The 13 Catholics in Statuary Hall: On Memorial Day, Remembering Our Heroes
How the Virgin Mary Blessed the United States
All Catholics called heirs to 'precious legacy' of first U.S. diocese (200 bishops at mass)
John Carroll: America’s Bishop
Commander-in-Chief spreads Christian Faith in Military
Catholic priest ordained in America - 1793
10 Things You Should Know About the American Founding

America’s First Mass [Ecumenical]
George Washington’s Return from Service to Mount Vernon, Christmas Eve, 1783
Remember, Remember (George Washington and Guy Fawkes Day)
A Tea Party Thomist: Charles Carroll
America’s Catholic Colony [Ecumenical]
The Catholic Church in the United States of America [Ecumenical]
Catholic Founding Fathers - The Carroll Family [Ecumenical]
Charles Carroll, founding father and "an exemplar of Catholic and republican virtue" [Ecumenical]
CITIZEN JOURNALISM: Founding Catholic [Father]
"How the Catholic Church Built Western Civilization" ( Book Review )

[Salvation]

CATHOLIC ALMANAC

Monday, July 4

Liturgical Color: White

Today is the Memorial of St.
Francis of Assisi, founder of the
Franciscan Order. A fervent
believer in prayer and penance, he
received the stigmata in 1224. He
humbly believed himself to be the
least of the least until his death.

[Salvation]

Monday

July 4, 2016 ~ Independence Day

“Driest Land Becomes A Garden...”

Quote on Mercy for Monday:

“God’s mercy can make even the driest land become a garden, can restore life to dry bones (cf. Ez 37:1-14). ... Let us be renewed by God’s mercy, let us be loved by Jesus, let us enable the power of his love to transform our lives too; and let us become agents of this mercy, channels through which God can water the earth, protect all creation and make justice and peace flourish.

— Pope Francis, Easter Urbi et Orbi message on March 31, 2013

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Year of Mercy Calendar for Today: “Independence Day ~ Pray for Government Officials this week.”

[Salvation]

Our priest read from the Book of Blessings this morning. It was very inspirational since the prayers said were from the inauguration of George Washington.

What a list of intentions!

[Salvation]

Catholic Culture

Ordinary Time: July 4th

Independence Day (USA)

MASS READINGS

July 04, 2016 (Readings on USCCB website)

COLLECT PRAYER

God of justice, Father of truth, who guide creation in wisdom and goodness to fulfillment in Christ your Son, open our hearts to the truth of his Gospel, that your peace may rule in our hearts and your justice guide our lives. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

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Recipes (9)

• Egg and Caper Sauce
• Fourth of July Dinner Menu
• Independence Barbecue Menu
• Independence Day Cake
• Poached Salmon
• Rice Waffles
• Sauce for Rice Waffles
• Special Strawberry Shortcake
• Watermelon Pickle

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Activities (2)

• July 4: Independence Day
• Religion in the Home for Preschool: July

show

Prayers (2)

• July Devotion: The Precious Blood
• Serran Prayer for Vocations

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Library (5)

• Better Concept Of Freedom, A | George Weigel
• Ethics In Government | David P. Schippers
• Faith and Patriotism | Archbishop Charles J. Chaput O.F.M. Cap.
• The Philosophy of American Patriotism In the Present Crisis | Fr. H.F. Tiblier S.J.
• What Is Patriotism? | Fr. Stephen J. Brown S.J.

Today is the national celebration of our Nation's independence. As we celebrate let us remember to pray that God will strengthen and bless America and make our nation a haven of liberty and justice for all — born and unborn.

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Independence Day
On April 19, 1775, American minutemen faced English soldiers on the village green in Lexington, Massachusetts. Someone — no one to this day knows who — fired a shot, and a battle followed which marked the beginning of the American Revolution.

After the Battle of Lexington, the desire of Americans for complete independence from England grew stronger. Less than a month after that battle, the Second Continental Congress met in Philadelphia. On July 4, 1776, the Congress issued a Declaration of Independence, announcing "that these united colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent states."

For a time it seemed to some that the fight for independence was a hopeless struggle, but an important American victory at Saratoga marked a turning point in the war. After that victory the Americans gained a strong ally, France. With the help of France, the Americans went on to win a final victory over the English at Yorktown. The English Parliament then decided to make peace and accept American independence.

With independence won, the thirteen states set out to form a new nation. There were strong differences among the states, but Americans came to understand the need for unity, and devised a new plan for government—the Constitution.

The new government, under the Constitution, was faced with many problems, both at home and abroad. However it found ways to solve these problems, and the United States began to grow rapidly.

Excerpted from American History, published by Laidlaw Brothers.

Things to Do:

• Read the Declaration of Independence and see what grievances our Founding Fathers had with England. This same site offers links to learn more about the founding of our nation.

Catholic Culture Library Related Articles

On Being Catholic American

First Centenary of First American Bishops

How Birth Control Changed America — For The Worse

The Philosophy of American Patriotism In the Present Crisis

The Jefferson Bible

The Relevance of Thomas Jefferson

Thomas Jefferson and Freedom of Religion

What Is Patriotism?

Sapientiae Christianae—On Christians as Citizens

[Salvation]

The Word Among Us

Meditation: Matthew 9:18-26

Independence Day (USA)

If only I can touch his cloak. (Matthew 9:21)

Studies have shown that infants who are touched and held and cuddled tend to develop more quickly and more fully than infants who are given less attention. This makes sense, doesn’t it? We were created to love and to be loved, and we suffer when that love is withheld.

We see this truth in today’s Gospel reading. Two dramatic healings take place, and they both happen as love is expressed through touch. First, a woman touches Jesus’ garment in faith and is healed of her bleeding disorder. Then, Jesus tenderly takes the hand of a little girl who has died and brings her back to life. You might think that Jesus is the common denominator here, and of course, he is. But many people had surrounded him that day, and not all of them were healed. No, that happened only when touch was combined with faith and love.

From the very beginning of the Church, the practice of the laying on of hands has played an important role in the gift of healing—and not just physical healing. What’s more, because touch involves two people, the healing can flow both ways. Think of how St. Francis of Assisi, when he was still caught up in superficial pleasure, felt compelled to kiss a person with leprosy, even though the thought of it revolted him. Moved by Francis’ embrace, the man returned the gesture. This encounter changed Francis’ life. Many years later, after embracing and ministering to many more people who were poor, weak, and discarded, Francis wrote, “That which seemed bitter to me was changed into sweetness of soul and body.”

The same can happen for us. We can reach out to people who are hurting or lost or forgotten. We can share the Holy Spirit with them, offering them a taste of his power to heal and restore, to raise up and renew. It may seem unnecessary. It may sound unrealistic. But a simple handshake, a tap on the shoulder, or a pat on the back—gestures as simple as these—can make a world of difference. May we all become Jesus’ hands in this world!

“Lord, use my hands to reach out and bless those in need.”

Hosea 2:16-18, 21-22
Psalm 145:2-9

[Salvation]

Marriage = One Man and One Woman Until Death Do Us Part

Daily Marriage Tip for July 4, 2016:

Happy Independence Day! Look up today’s local festivities in your area for the holiday and attend with family members.

[Salvation]

Regnum Christi

Faith is All-Powerful

U. S. A. | SPIRITUAL LIFE | SPIRITUALITY

July 4, 2016 - Monday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time

Father Edward McIlmail, LC

Matthew 9:18-26

While Jesus was speaking, an official came forward, knelt down before him, and said, "My daughter has just died. But come, lay your hand on her, and she will live." Jesus rose and followed him, and so did his disciples. A woman suffering hemorrhages for twelve years came up behind him and touched the tassel on his cloak. She said to herself, "If only I can touch his cloak, I shall be cured." Jesus turned around and saw her, and said, "Courage, daughter! Your faith has saved you." And from that hour the woman was cured. When Jesus arrived at the official´s house and saw the flute players and the crowd who were making a commotion, he said, "Go away! The girl is not dead but sleeping." And they ridiculed him. When the crowd was put out, he came and took her by the hand, and the little girl arose. And news of this spread throughout all that land.

Introductory Prayer:

Jesus, you are my savior and redeemer; I believe that you want to hear from me. I approach you in confidence and offer this prayer for those who are afraid to draw near to you.

Petition:

Grant me, Jesus, a deeper faith in your power to heal me and my loved ones. 

1. 
   

   Awaiting Our Move:
   

   
   We note that the official´s faith moves Jesus to action. Remarkable! The Son of God accommodates a mere creature, due to a show of faith. So often we see problems around us and expect God to solve them without any effort on our part. God knows our problems better than we do (cf. Matthew 6:8). Yet, he sometimes doesn´t act until he sees an act of faith on our part. The official showed such faith. It was extraordinary, after all, for him to approach Jesus in front of other people and ask point-blank for a miracle. Do I have such confidence when I approach Jesus in prayer? Is my faith strong enough to ask him for something extraordinary?
   

2. 
   

   Touching Moment:
   

   
   The woman suffering hemorrhages had great faith in Jesus, too. In her case, she didn´t express it in words. Rather, she expressed it in a deed, by discreetly touching Jesus´ cloak. That kind of faith speaks volumes. It helps if our words are joined with actions. Petitions don´t always suffice. We have to act, to move, to leave our comfort zone, in order to approach Jesus. Prayer is good; prayer plus action gives God even more fertile ground to work with. How can I complement my prayer life? Can I help my pastor with a special project, for instance?
   

3. 
   

   Mourning Has Broken:
   

   
   In Our Lord´s time it was not uncommon to have professional mourners show up when someone died. Jesus´ comment that the official´s daughter was merely sleeping brought ridicule on him. Who needs mourners if the young lady is alive? We can be like professional mourners at times, resigned to the evil and death around us. We might throw up our hands and think we can hope for nothing better. We might even be tempted, like the mourners, to ignore Our Lord´s reassuring presence. We might think: "What! Me, be a saint?" Or: "Me, called to the priesthood or consecrated life?" Or: "Do you really expect us to handle another child right now?" Luckily for us, Christ is undeterred. He comes to bring us life, to lead us out of sin, to make us more generous. In a word, he comes to call us to holiness. Do I resist such a call?
   

Conversation with Christ:

The official and the suffering woman show an admirable faith. I want to have that same kind of faith, Lord. Sometimes I feel paralyzed by my problems, so much so that I find it hard to approach you confidently. Increase my faith and sense of hope. Let me live as if I really believe that you rule the world.

Resolution:

I will offer up a sacrifice (or a visit to the Blessed Sacrament or an act of charity) for a special intention.

[Salvation]

One Bread, One Body

One Bread, One Body

Language: English | Español

All Issues > Volume 32, Issue 4

<< Monday, July 4, 2016 >>

Hosea 2:16, 17-18, 21-22
View Readings

Psalm 145: 2-9

Matthew 9:18-26
Similar Reflections

AMERICA, AMERICA

"I will lead her into the desert and speak to her heart." —Hosea 2:16

On this Independence Day, the Lord is telling us to pray for the Christians of the United States to come back to God. Many Christians in the USA have lost their first love (Rv 2:4). They no longer respond to the Lord as they did in the days of their youth (Hos 2:17). They must repent of compromising with the world and be espoused to the Lord in fidelity (see Hos 2:22).

Some Christians are like the woman who hemorrhaged for twelve years. Their commitment to the Lord has gradually weakened over the years. They have stifled the Spirit gradually and imperceptibly (see 1 Thes 5:19). These Christians must break this terrible cycle by touching the tassel of Jesus' cloak (see Mt 9:20), that is, by committing themselves to obey the Lord. The Bible teaches: "When you use these tassels, let the sight of them remind you to keep all the commandments of the Lord, without going wantonly astray after the desires of your hearts and eyes. Thus you will remember to keep all My commandments and be holy to your God" (Nm 15:39-40).

Other Christians may be like the daughter of the synagogue leader (see Mt 9:18). They are not physically dead, but spiritually dead. By repentance, these Christians can rise from the death of sin into the life of love, of relationship with the Lord.

"America, America, God shed His grace on thee." Will you accept His grace or will you lose your soul and die in your sins? (Jn 8:21, 24) Repent!

Prayer: Father, may our country be "one nation, under God."

Promise: "Jesus turned around and saw her and said, 'Courage, daughter! Your faith has restored you to health.' " —Mt 9:22

Praise: Five-year-old Veronica was plagued with epileptic seizures that did not respond to any medical treatment. Jesus healed her as she was prayed over in a Life in the Spirit seminar.

[Salvation]