July, 2017

Pope's Prayer Intention

Lapsed Christians: That our brothers and sisters who have strayed from the faith, through our prayer and witness to the Gospel, may rediscover the merciful closeness of the Lord and the beauty of the Christian life.

Thursday of the Sixteenth week in Ordinary Time

Commentary of the day
Saint Peter Chrysologus (c.406-450), Bishop of Ravenna, Doctor of the Church
Sermon 147 ; PL 52, 594-596

“Many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see”

No sooner had God seen the world overcome with fear than he set his love to work to call it back to himself, his grace to invite it and his affection to embrace it. At the time of the flood… he calls Noah to bring to birth a new world, encouraging him with words of sweetness, giving him his close confidence, instructing him with kindness concerning the present and consoling him by his grace concerning the future… He takes part in his labors and encloses within the ark the seed of the whole world so that love of his covenant might cast out all fear…

Then God calls Abraham out from amongst the nations, makes his name great and causes him to become father of believers. He goes with him on the way, protects him in a foreign land, loads him with wealth, honors him with victories, assures him of his promises, rescues him from injustice, comforts him in his hospitality and astonishes him with an unlooked for birth so that, drawn by the great sweetness of divine love, he might learn… to worship God with love and no longer in fear.

Later on, God consoles the fleeing Jacob in dreams. On his return he incites him to fight and, in the struggle, holds him tightly in his arms so that he might love the father of the combat and no longer fear him. Then he calls Moses and speaks to him with the love of a father to invite him to deliver his people.

Through all these events the flame of divine charity consumed men’s hearts… and they, their hearts wounded, began to desire to see God with the eyes of their flesh… Love cannot accept not to see what it loves. Did not all the saints consider of little worth everything they gained while they were not beholding God…? Let no one think, therefore, that God was mistaken in coming to men through a man. He took flesh amongst us that he might be seen by us.

'Venerable brethren, there is only one piece of advice that I offer to you: watch over your seminaries and over candidates for the priesthood.

As you yourselves know, an air of independence which is fatal for souls is widely diffused in the world, and has found its way even within the sanctuary; it shows itself not only in relation to authority but also in regard to doctrine.

Because of it, some of our young clerics, animated by that spirit of unbridled criticism which holds sway at the present day, have come to lose all respect for the learning which comes from our great teachers, the Fathers and Doctors of the Church, the interpreters of revealed doctrine.

If ever you have in your seminary one of those new-style savants, get rid of him without delay; on no account impose hands upon him. You will always regret having ordained even one such person: never will you regret having excluded him.'

Pope St. Pius X

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).

Blessed Antonio Lucci

Fr. Don Miller, OFM

Image: Painting of Blessed Angelo Lucci

Blessed Antonio Lucci

Saint of the Day for July 27

(August 2, 1682 – July 25, 1752)

Blessed Antonio Lucci’s Story

Antonio studied with and was a friend of Saint Francesco Antonio Fasani, who after Antonio Lucci’s death, testified at the diocesan hearings regarding the holiness of Lucci.

Born in Agnone in southern Italy, a city famous for manufacturing bells and copper crafts, he was given the name Angelo at baptism. He attended the local school run by the Conventual Franciscans and joined them at the age of 16. Antonio completed his studies for the priesthood in Assisi, where he was ordained in 1705. Further studies led to a doctorate in theology and appointments as a teacher in Agnone, Ravello, and Naples. He also served as guardian in Naples.

Elected minister provincial in 1718, the following year he was appointed professor at St. Bonaventure College in Rome, a position he held until Pope Benedict XIII chose Antonio as bishop of Bovino in 1729. The pope explained, “I have chosen as bishop of Bovino an eminent theologian and a great saint.”

His 23 years as bishop were marked by visits to local parishes and a renewal of gospel living among the people of his diocese. He dedicated his episcopal income to works of education and charity. At the urging of the Conventual minister general, Bishop Lucci wrote a major book about the saints and blesseds in the first 200 years of the Conventual Franciscans.

Antonio Lucci was beatified in 1989, three years after his friend Francesco Antonio Fasani was canonized.

Reflection

As Pope Paul VI wrote in 1975, people today “are more impressed by witnesses than by teachers, and if they listen to these it is because they also bear witness” (Evangelization in the Modern World, #41).

The Liturgical Feast of Blessed Antonio Lucci is July 25.

Information: St. Pantaleon

Feast Day: July 27

Died: 305

Patron of: against consumption, against tuberculosis, bachelors, doctors, physicians, torture victims

Holy Spirit Interactive Kids: A Saint a Day

St. Pantaleon

Feast Day: July 27
Died: (around) 305

Pantaleon came from Nicomedia, near the Black Sea, in Asia. He was such a famous doctor that Emperor Galerius Maximian asked him to be his own personal doctor. There, at the wicked, pagan court, he got into trouble. Pagans were people who believed in false gods and false teachings. Pantaleon was a Christian, but little by little, he began to follow the bad example of the people around him. He began to agree with the false wisdom praised by the pagans. At last, he committed the great sin of completely giving up his Christian faith.

A holy priest named Hermolaos was very sad to see the famous doctor desert Jesus. He went to him and with his wise, kind words, he made Pantaleon realize what a big sin he had committed. Pantaleon realized he had made a horrible mistake. He hated his sin and joined the Church once more.

To make up for what he had done, he wanted with all his heart to suffer and die for Jesus. He followed Jesus' example by doing works of charity and by taking care of poor sick people without any charge. He healed many sick people only by prayer.

When Emperor Diocletian began torturing the Christians, Pantaleon at once gave away everything he owned to the poor. Soon afterward, some jealous doctors accused him of being a Christian. He had two choices. He could either give up his religion or he could tell the truth and be put to death. Pantaleon absolutely refused to hurt Jesus anymore. He bravely admitted he was a Christian and no amount of torture could make change his mind.

At the trial he challenged the pagan priest to cure a man who was paralyzed. The called upon their false gods but nothing happened. Then Pantaleon in the name of Jesus cured the man. Many pagans who saw this miracle became Christians. After he was killed for his faith, people showed a strong devotion to this saint. In the East he is called the "great martyr and wonder-worker."

Reflection: Do I listen to friends or do things that might weaken my faith in Jesus? We pray that the Holy Spirit may guide our hearts and minds.

Catholic Culture

Ordinary Time: July 27th

Thursday of the Sixteenth Week of Ordinary Time

MASS READINGS

July 27, 2017 (Readings on USCCB website)

COLLECT PRAYER

Show favor, O Lord, to your servants and mercifully increase the gifts of your grace, that, made fervent in hope, faith and charity, they may be ever watchful in keeping your commands. 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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Fourteen Holy Helpers

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Old Calendar: St. Pantaleon, martyr

St. Pantaleon, one of the Fourteen Holy Helpers, was a physician, who practiced without payment, and who was martyred under Diocletian. His cultus is primarily connected with Bithynia, where Emperor Justinian rebuilt his church at Nicomedia. Churches are dedicated to him in Constantinople and Rome. In the East he is known as the Great Martyr and Wonder Worker. A reputed relic of Pantaleon's blood kept at Ravello in southern Italy displays the phenomenon of liquefaction on his feast day, similar to that of Saint Januarius. Before the reform of the General Roman Calendar his feast was celebrated today.

St. Pantaleon
He was a celebrated "fee-less physician" from Nicomedia who placed his skill in the service of God's kingdom! According to legend he was the emperor's ordinary physician. He is said to have strayed from the faith because of the voluptuous life at the court, but the zealous priest Hermolaus, by pointing out the example of his virtuous mother, effected such a change that Pantaleon distributed his goods among the poor and devoted his talents for healing to the most wretched and poor among the sick.

Because of his Christian faith he was seized by order of Emperor Maximian, tied to the rack and scorched with torches. But in these tortures Christ appeared, granting him further strength. Finally a stroke of the sword ended his sufferings (Martyrology). He is the patron of physicians and belongs to the "Fourteen Holy Helpers."

Excerpted from The Church's Year of Grace, Pius Parsch

Patron: bachelors; consumption; doctors; midwives; physicians; torture victims; tuberculosis; protection of domestic animals.

Symbols: Budding olive branch or olive tree; vials of medicine; lion; club; sword and vase.

Things to Do:

The health and well-being of the body is a legitimate concern of the Christian, though, of course, secondary to that of the soul. Numerous indeed are the blessings and prayers in the liturgy directed to the well-being of the body. Spend some time considering whether or not you take proper care of your body. Do you pamper yourself in areas of vanity and comfort and indulge yourself in areas that are harmful?

The Word Among Us

Meditation: Exodus 19:1-2, 9-11, 16-20

16th Week in Ordinary Time

Moses was speaking and God was answering him with thunder. (Exodus 19:19)

It’s easy to think that hearing God’s voice is beyond us. Moses heard it. Peter, James, and John heard it, and so did Paul. But not many “ordinary folks” claim to hear God. That could lead us to conclude that it’s only for a select few saints. Or we may think that God speaks only with a spectacular display like the one described in today’s first reading.

But that’s not the way God works. For the most part, he speaks through spontaneous thoughts or senses that arise in our minds. Who hasn’t felt a sudden impulse, perhaps while driving down the road, to pray for someone? That may be God’s voice! Who hasn’t awoken many mornings with a hymn running through their mind? That could also be his voice.

So how do you distinguish this “voice” from the other thoughts that run through your mind? Well, God’s voice bears his character: loving, peaceful, patient, gentle, kind. Thoughts that arouse fear, resentment, or jealousy probably don’t come from the Lord—although they may signal the need to examine something in your life.

We can also rule out thoughts that scorn, mock, or otherwise tear someone down. Plus, any thoughts that seem to predict the future or suggest a particular action or path to take should be stored up in your heart for further consideration, as Mary did (Luke 2:51). We would do best to ask a trusted friend or our pastor to help us discern these impressions.

If you ask God to speak to you, why would he refuse? You want to get to know him, and he wants to show himself to you. So why would he remain silent?

Today, try imagining Jesus sitting next to you. Or picture a scene from the Bible, and put yourself in it. Talk to the Lord about whatever is on your heart. Then listen to the thoughts that arise in your mind. Don’t interrupt. Write them down as you “hear” them. You can go back and analyze them later on. But for now, just receive them, and see what God says.

“Father, speak to me today. Help me to quiet the clamoring of my own thoughts so that I can hear your voice.”

(Psalm) Daniel 3:52-56
Matthew 13:10-17

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

Daily Marriage Tip for July 27, 2017:

“NFP grew our relationship with each other and with God in ways we never expected.” – Tom, from NFP Couples’ Stories #NFPweek

Regnum Christi

July 27, 2017 – Fighting the Good Fight of Faith

27 Jul 2017

Thursday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time

Matthew 13:10-17

The disciples approached Jesus and said, “Why do you speak to them in parables?” He said to them in reply, “Because knowledge of the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven has been granted to you, but to them it has not been granted. To anyone who has, more will be given and he will grow rich; from anyone who has not, even what he has will be taken away. This is why I speak to them in parables, because they look but do not see and hear but do not listen or understand. Isaiah’s prophecy is fulfilled in them, which says: You shall indeed hear but not understand you shall indeed look but never see. Gross is the heart of this people, they will hardly hear with their ears, they have closed their eyes, lest they see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their heart and be converted, and I heal them. “But blessed are your eyes, because they see, and your ears, because they hear. Amen, I say to you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.”

Introductory Prayer: Lord, my prayer will “work” only if I have humility in your presence. So I am approaching you with meekness and humility of heart. I have an infinite need for you and your grace. Thinking about this helps me grow in humility. I trust in you and your grace. Thank you for the unfathomable gift of your love.

Petition: Increase my faith, hope and love, Lord.

1. Faith, Hope and Love Remain: What does the Lord mean when he says that “to anyone who has, more will be given and he will grow rich” or that “from anyone who has not, even what he has will be taken away”? He is referring to spiritual goods rather than material ones. Grace, faith, hope and love are all spiritual goods. To anyone who has them, more will be given. When you exercise your faith, your hope and your love, they increase in your soul. The result? You grow rich in grace. When you do not exercise your faith, hope and love, you lose all because the material world is passing away. As St Paul teaches us, “flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does corruption inherit incorruption” (1 Corinthians 15:80). And in another passage: “So faith, hope and love remain” (1 Corinthians 13:13).

2. Seeing with New Eyes: “You shall indeed hear but not understand; you shall indeed look but never see.” We can view the world in a natural way or in a supernatural way. Faith, hope and love allow us to view the world supernaturally. A natural way of seeing things limits us in a thousand ways, because the natural universe is limited, passing and temporary. The supernatural world seen through faith is unlimited, coming to fulfillment and lasting forever. Without faith we will hear but not understand, look intently but never see.

3. A Fighting Heart: Only when we fight to imitate Christ do we truly understand these words: “Blessed are your eyes, because they see, and your ears, because they hear.” This may be hard to understand, but it is so. To know Jesus, it is necessary to be like him. The moment we begin to fight for love of him we begin to be like him, and thus we begin to know him. To have a heart like Jesus’ it is necessary to fight and suffer – to fight and suffer without cowardice, without taking time out and without discouragement.

Conversation with Christ: Lord, grant me the grace to fight with a spirit of faith, hope and love. I want to increase in these virtues and begin to see the world with your eyes – the eyes of the new man or woman in Christ. With you my future is always brighter than my past, filled with more hope and greater promise.

Resolution: Today, I will strive to see persons, actions and events from the viewpoint of faith.

Homily of the Day

July 27, 2017

How come God reveals Himself to some people and to others he does not? Because it is God who chooses and not man. In the first reading, God chose Moses to receive the Ten Commandments on Mt. Sinai and not any of the other Israelites. He chose Israel to be his covenanted people, not because Israel was a great nation; he chose Israel because he loved them.

In the Gospel reading, Jesus reveals the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven to his disciples and not to the crowd coming to see him everyday. Why only to some, and not to all? God always chooses a select few because his teachings are sacred and not to be given to just any curious onlooker. He also chooses the humble ones, those who are weak and nobodies in men’s eyes, in order to confound the proud and the powerful. The choice of God is his and his alone. What we can do is to heed his call to follow him if and when he calls us.

One Bread, One Body

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Exodus 19:1-2, 9-11, 16-20
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Daniel 3:52-56

Matthew 13:10-17
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THE MOST BLESSED

"To you has been given a knowledge of the mysteries of the reign of God, but it has not been given to the others." �Matthew 13:11

Less than one-third of the people on earth have been baptized into the Church and have become children of God. If you are in that number, consider yourself very blest.

Less than one-fifth of the world has received Holy Communion � even once. A smaller percentage of these people have the opportunity of going to Mass weekly. Less than one-percent of the world go to Mass and Holy Communion daily. If you have received Communion, if you can go to Mass without traveling for hours or days, how "blest are your eyes because they see and blest are your ears because they hear" (Mt 13:16).

If you have ever read part of the Bible, held the Bible in your hands, or even own a Bible, you are a minority in the world. Hundreds of millions would love to trade places with you. Jesus declares: "I assure you, many a prophet and many a saint longed to see what you see but did not see it, to hear what you hear but did not hear it" (Mt 13:17).

I could go on, but I'll leave it to you to count your blessings further. It is safe to say that you are probably among the most blessed people in history. "When much has been given a man, much will be required of him. More will be asked of a man to whom more has been entrusted" (Lk 12:48).

Prayer: Father, may my beatitudes inspire an attitude of thanksgiving and responsibility.

Promise: "The trumpet blast grew louder and louder, while Moses was speaking and God answering him with thunder." �Ex 19:19

Praise: Martin blesses his family by leading them in worship in his parish and at home, that is, their domestic church.