Cathlic Caucus: Daily Mass Readings, 07-16-05, Optional, Our Lady of Mount Carmel

USCCB.org/New American Bible ^ | 07-16-05 | New American Bible

[Salvation]

July 16, 2005
Saturday of the Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time

Psalm: Saturday 31

Reading I
Ex 12:37-42

The children of Israel set out from Rameses for Succoth,
about six hundred thousand men on foot,
not counting the little ones.
A crowd of mixed ancestry also went up with them,
besides their livestock, very numerous flocks and herds.
Since the dough they had brought out of Egypt was not leavened,
they baked it into unleavened loaves.
They had rushed out of Egypt and had no opportunity
even to prepare food for the journey.

The time the children of Israel had stayed in Egypt
was four hundred and thirty years.
At the end of four hundred and thirty years,
all the hosts of the LORD left the land of Egypt on this very date.
This was a night of vigil for the LORD,
as he led them out of the land of Egypt;
so on this same night
all the children of Israel must keep a vigil for the LORD
throughout their generations.

Responsorial Psalm
Ps 136:1 and 23-24, 10-12, 13-15

R. His mercy endures forever.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good,
for his mercy endures forever;
Who remembered us in our abjection,
for his mercy endures forever;
And freed us from our foes,
for his mercy endures forever.
R. His mercy endures forever.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Who smote the Egyptians in their first-born,
for his mercy endures forever;
And brought out Israel from their midst,
for his mercy endures forever;
With a mighty hand and an outstretched arm,
for his mercy endures forever.
R. His mercy endures forever.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Who split the Red Sea in twain,
for his mercy endures forever;
And led Israel through its midst,
for his mercy endures forever;
But swept Pharaoh and his army into the Red Sea,
for his mercy endures forever.
R. His mercy endures forever.
or:
R. Alleluia.

Gospel
Mt 12:14-21

The Pharisees went out and took counsel against Jesus
to put him to death.

When Jesus realized this, he withdrew from that place.
Many people followed him, and he cured them all,
but he warned them not to make him known.
This was to fulfill what had been spoken through Isaiah the prophet:

Behold, my servant whom I have chosen,
my beloved in whom I delight;
I shall place my Spirit upon him,
and he will proclaim justice to the Gentiles.
He will not contend or cry out,
nor will anyone hear his voice in the streets.
A bruised reed he will not break,
a smoldering wick he will not quench,
until he brings justice to victory.
And in his name the Gentiles will hope.

[annalex]

The woman (traditionally, Mary Magdalene) washing Christ's feet is remarkable for another reason as well. Washing the feet of a stranger was a common courtesy in Palestine. As Jesus insists on the ritual to be followed to benefit Him, he tells us, and to our distractors in the Protestant tradition, that ritualistic behaviors in themselves are not only acceptable but reguired by God.

Let us recall the parable of the guests at the wedding. One group of guests, representing the Gentiles, is invited, and some of them come dressed inappropriately. The Gospel does not attach any other, more metaphysical guilt to those guests beyong the lack of outward respect. Yet, they are the gentiles ejected from Chirst's wedding banquet.

When someone tells you that the Catholics are foolish to stand by their rituals and customs, tell them that we don't ask anything less than what Christ asked.

[Ciexyz]

I appreciate all the lovely artwork that you post to this thread, annalex.

[Ciexyz]

One Bread, One Body bump.

[Ciexyz]

Catholic Culture bump.

[Ciexyz]

Just know that I am here...always.

Simply wonderful!

[Ciexyz]

"The Word Among Us" bump.

[Ciexyz]

Sometimes it seems like the Lord is not moving at all.

It's hard when we're in a holding pattern in life. Will God's promises ever come our way?

[Ciexyz]

It's a beautiful day with no cloud in sight, so I guess I'm doin' alright

That's a line from a song sung by country artist Jo Dee Messina. It struck me as appropriate to the discussion of "Waiting well for God's timing". (I'm listening to the free broadcast of Jamboree in the Hills by WOTV-Steubenville OH, which I can pick up on my TV with rabbit ears.)