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Catholic Caucus: Daily Mass Readings, 08-05-14, OM, Ded. Basilica of St. Mary Major
USCCB.org/RNAB ^ | 08-05-14 | Revised New American Bible

Posted on 08/04/2014 10:54:08 PM PDT by Salvation

August 5, 2014

Tuesday of the Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time

 

 

Reading 1 Jer 30:1-2, 12-15, 18-22

The following message came to Jeremiah from the LORD:
For thus says the LORD, the God of Israel:
Write all the words I have spoken to you in a book.

For thus says the LORD:
Incurable is your wound,
grievous your bruise;
There is none to plead your cause,
no remedy for your running sore,
no healing for you.
All your lovers have forgotten you,
they do not seek you.
I struck you as an enemy would strike,
punished you cruelly;
Why cry out over your wound?
your pain is without relief.
Because of your great guilt,
your numerous sins,
I have done this to you.

Thus says the LORD:
See! I will restore the tents of Jacob,
his dwellings I will pity;
City shall be rebuilt upon hill,
and palace restored as it was.
From them will resound songs of praise,
the laughter of happy men.
I will make them not few, but many;
they will not be tiny, for I will glorify them.
His sons shall be as of old,
his assembly before me shall stand firm;
I will punish all his oppressors.
His leader shall be one of his own,
and his rulers shall come from his kin.
When I summon him, he shall approach me;
how else should one take the deadly risk
of approaching me? says the LORD.
You shall be my people,
and I will be your God.

Responsorial Psalm Ps 102:16-18, 19-21, 29 and 22-23

R. (17) The Lord will build up Zion again, and appear in all his glory.
The nations shall revere your name, O LORD,
and all the kings of the earth your glory,
When the LORD has rebuilt Zion
and appeared in his glory;
When he has regarded the prayer of the destitute,
and not despised their prayer.
R. The Lord will build up Zion again, and appear in all his glory.
Let this be written for the generation to come,
and let his future creatures praise the LORD:
“The LORD looked down from his holy height,
from heaven he beheld the earth,
To hear the groaning of the prisoners,
to release those doomed to die.”
R. The Lord will build up Zion again, and appear in all his glory.
The children of your servants shall abide,
and their posterity shall continue in your presence,
That the name of the LORD may be declared on Zion;
and his praise, in Jerusalem,
When the peoples gather together
and the kingdoms, to serve the LORD.
R. The Lord will build up Zion again, and appear in all his glory.

Gospel Mt 14:22-36

Jesus made the disciples get into a boat
and precede him to the other side of the sea,
while he dismissed the crowds.
After doing so, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray.
When it was evening he was there alone.
Meanwhile the boat, already a few miles offshore,
was being tossed about by the waves, for the wind was against it.
During the fourth watch of the night,
he came toward them, walking on the sea.
When the disciples saw him walking on the sea they were terrified.
“It is a ghost,” they said, and they cried out in fear.
At once Jesus spoke to them, “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.”
Peter said to him in reply,
“Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.”
He said, “Come.”
Peter got out of the boat and began to walk on the water toward Jesus.
But when he saw how strong the wind was he became frightened;
and, beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!”
Immediately Jesus stretched out his hand and caught him,
and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”
After they got into the boat, the wind died down.
Those who were in the boat did him homage, saying,
“Truly, you are the Son of God.”

After making the crossing, they came to land at Gennesaret.
When the men of that place recognized him,
they sent word to all the surrounding country.
People brought to him all those who were sick
and begged him that they might touch only the tassel on his cloak,
and as many as touched it were healed.

or Mt 15:1-2, 10-14

Some Pharisees and scribes came to Jesus from Jerusalem and said,
“Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders?
They do not wash their hands when they eat a meal.”
He summoned the crowd and said to them, “Hear and understand.
It is not what enters one’s mouth that defiles the man;
but what comes out of the mouth is what defiles one.”
Then his disciples approached and said to him,
“Do you know that the Pharisees took offense
when they heard what you said?”
He said in reply, “Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted
will be uprooted.
Let them alone; they are blind guides of the blind.
If a blind man leads a blind man,
both will fall into a pit.



TOPICS: Catholic; General Discusssion; Prayer; Worship
KEYWORDS: catholic; mt14; mt15; ordinarytime; prayer; saints
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To: All
Information: Dedication of the Basilica of Saint Mary Major in Rome

Feast Day: August 5

21 posted on 08/05/2014 8:02:43 AM PDT by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
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To: All
Interactive Saints for Kids

 

Blessed Frederic Janssoone


Feast Day: August 5
Born: 1838 :: Died: 1916

Blessed Frederic Janssoone was born in Flanders in Belgium and lived a very interesting life. Frederic had rich parents who owned a farm and he was the youngest of thirteen children.

But when he was only nine years old his father died, so he left school to work and help support his mother. He soon realized that he was very good at selling things to people. He enjoyed meeting new people and he knew how to explain about the things he sold.

Then Frederic's mother died when he was twenty-three years old and he began to think about what he could do with his life. He wanted very much to become a Franciscan priest, so he joined the seminary where he studied to become a priest. After he became a priest he was first asked to serve in the military taking care of the spiritual needs of soldiers.

A few years later, he was sent to the Holy Land where he preached the Gospel in the places made holy by Jesus himself. He used his skills to help different groups of Christians come together and look after two sacred churches. He also built another church in Bethlehem.

Blessed Frederic is also remembered for starting again an old forgotten custom of having pilgrims make the Stations of the Cross throughout the streets of Jerusalem.

Father Frederic's ministry (work) in Canada began when he was sent there to collect money for charity. Because he was so talented and had such a joyful spirit of self- giving the people there loved him immediately. In his sermons and talks he told them many interesting stories about the Holy Land. He looked into the faces and hearts of the people and prayed that they would come close to God and their love for Him would grow strong.

In 1888, he returned to Canada to stay and spent the rest of his life there.

Besides being an interesting person, Father Janssoone was also a very good writer. He wrote several articles and life stories of saints. They remind us of the delight that filled his soul and reflect the joy of Jesus that he so willingly shared with others.

Father Frederic died on August 4, 1916 in Canada.


22 posted on 08/05/2014 8:14:00 AM PDT by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
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To: All
CATHOLIC ALMANAC

Tuesday, August 5

Liturgical Color: Green

Today is the optional memorial of the
Dedication of the Basilica of St. Mary
Major in Rome. In 358 A.D., Pope
Liberius received a vision of Our Lady
requesting a church be built in her honor.
It's the oldest church dedicated to Our
Lady in the West.

23 posted on 08/05/2014 4:41:38 PM PDT by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
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To: All

Day 235 - Why is it not permissible to take a life? // What sorts of attacks on human life are forbidden by the 5th Commandment?

Why is it not permissible to take one's own life or the lives of others?

God alone is Lord over life and death. Except in the case of legitimate self-defense of oneself or another, no one may kill another human being. An attack on life is a sacrilege committed against God. Human life is sacred; this means that it belongs to God; it is his property. Even our own life is only entrusted to us. God himself has given us the gift of life; only he may take it back from us. The Book of Exodus, translated literally, says "You shall not murder" (Ex 20:13).


What sorts of attacks on human life are forbidden by the Fifth Commandment?

Murder and acting as an accomplice to murder are forbidden. Killing unarmed civilians during a war is forbidden. The abortion of a human being, from the moment of conception on, is forbidden. Suicide, self-mutilation, and self-destructive behavior are forbidden. Euthanasiakilling the handicapped, the sick, and the dyingis also forbidden. Today people often try to get around the Fifth Commandment with seemingly humane arguments. But neither euthanasia nor abortion is a humane solution. That is why the Church is perfectly clear on these questions. Whoever participates in an abortion, forces a woman to undergo an abortion, or merely advises her to do so is automatically excommunicatedjust as with other crimes against human life. If a psychologically ill person commits suicide, responsibility for the act of killing is often diminished and in many cases completely annulled. (YOUCAT questions 378-379)


Dig Deeper: CCC section (2268-2283) and other references here.


24 posted on 08/05/2014 4:50:06 PM PDT by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
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To: All

Part 3: Life in Christ (1691 - 2557)

Section 2: The Ten Commandments (2052 - 2557)

Chapter 2: You Shall Love Your Neighbor as Yourself (2196 - 2557)

Article 5: The Fifth Commandment (2258 - 2330)

Jesus said to his disciples: "Love one another even as I have loved you."1

You shall not kill.54

You have heard that it was said to the men of old, "You shall not kill: and whoever kills shall be liable to judgment." But I say to you that every one who is angry with his brother shall be liable to judgment.55

I. RESPECT FOR HUMAN LIFE

Intentional homicide

1867
(all)

2268

The fifth commandment forbids direct and intentional killing as gravely sinful. The murderer and those who cooperate voluntarily in murder commit a sin that cries out to heaven for vengeance.69 Infanticide,70 fratricide, parricide, and the murder of a spouse are especially grave crimes by reason of the natural bonds which they break. Concern for eugenics or public health cannot justify any murder, even if commanded by public authority.

1.

Jn 13:34.

54.

Ex 20:13; Cf. Deut 5:17.

55.

Mt 5:21-22.

69.

Cf. Gen 4:10.

70.

Cf. GS 51 § 3.

2290
(all)

2269

The fifth commandment forbids doing anything with the intention of indirectly bringing about a person's death. The moral law prohibits exposing someone to mortal danger without grave reason, as well as refusing assistance to a person in danger. The acceptance by human society of murderous famines, without efforts to remedy them, is a scandalous injustice and a grave offense. Those whose usurious and avaricious dealings lead to the hunger and death of their brethren in the human family indirectly commit homicide, which is imputable to them.71 Unintentional killing is not morally imputable. But one is not exonerated from grave offense if, without proportionate reasons, he has acted in a way that brings about someone's death, even without the intention to do so.

71.

Cf. Am 8:4-10.

Abortion

1703
357
(all)

2270

Human life must be respected and protected absolutely from the moment of conception. From the first moment of his existence, a human being must be recognized as having the rights of a person — among which is the inviolable right of every innocent being to life.72 Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you.73

My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately wrought in the depths of the earth.74

72.

Cf. CDF, Donum vitae I,1.

73.

Jer 1:5; cf. Job 10:8-12; Ps 22:10-11.

74.

Ps 139:15.

2271

Since the first century the Church has affirmed the moral evil of every procured abortion. This teaching has not changed and remains unchangeable. Direct abortion, that is to say, abortion willed either as an end or a means, is gravely contrary to the moral law: You shall not kill the embryo by abortion and shall not cause the newborn to perish.75

God, the Lord of life, has entrusted to men the noble mission of safeguarding life, and men must carry it out in a manner worthy of themselves. Life must be protected with the utmost care from the moment of conception: abortion and infanticide are abominable crimes.76

75.

Didache 2,2:SCh 248,148; cf. Ep. Barnabae 19,5:PG 2 777; Ad Diognetum 5,6:PG 2,1173; Tertullian, Apol. 9:PL 1,319-320.

76.

GS 51 § 3.

1463
(all)

2272

Formal cooperation in an abortion constitutes a grave offense. The Church attaches the canonical penalty of excommunication to this crime against human life. "A person who procures a completed abortion incurs excommunication latae sententiae,"77 "by the very commission of the offense,"78 and subject to the conditions provided by Canon Law.79 The Church does not thereby intend to restrict the scope of mercy. Rather, she makes clear the gravity of the crime committed, the irreparable harm done to the innocent who is put to death, as well as to the parents and the whole of society.

77.

CIC, can. 1398.

78.

CIC, can. 1314.

79.

Cf. CIC, cann. 1323-1324.

1930
(all)

2273

The inalienable right to life of every innocent human individual is a constitutive element of a civil society and its legislation: "The inalienable rights of the person must be recognized and respected by civil society and the political authority. These human rights depend neither on single individuals nor on parents; nor do they represent a concession made by society and the state; they belong to human nature and are inherent in the person by virtue of the creative act from which the person took his origin. Among such fundamental rights one should mention in this regard every human being's right to life and physical integrity from the moment of conception until death."80

"The moment a positive law deprives a category of human beings of the protection which civil legislation ought to accord them, the state is denying the equality of all before the law. When the state does not place its power at the service of the rights of each citizen, and in particular of the more vulnerable, the very foundations of a state based on law are undermined. ... As a consequence of the respect and protection which must be ensured for the unborn child from the moment of conception, the law must provide appropriate penal sanctions for every deliberate violation of the child's rights."81

80.

CDF, Donum vitae III.

81.

CDF, Donum vitae III.

2274

Since it must be treated from conception as a person, the embryo must be defended in its integrity, cared for, and healed, as far as possible, like any other human being. Prenatal diagnosis is morally licit, "if it respects the life and integrity of the embryo and the human fetus and is directed toward its safe guarding or healing as an individual. ... It is gravely opposed to the moral law when this is done with the thought of possibly inducing an abortion, depending upon the results: a diagnosis must not be the equivalent of a death sentence."82

82.

CDF, Donum vitae I,2.

2275

"One must hold as licit procedures carried out on the human embryo which respect the life and integrity of the embryo and do not involve disproportionate risks for it, but are directed toward its healing the improvement of its condition of health, or its individual survival."83

"It is immoral to produce human embryos intended for exploitation as disposable biological material."84

"Certain attempts to influence chromosomic or genetic inheritance are not therapeutic but are aimed at producing human beings selected according to sex or other predetermined qualities. Such manipulations are contrary to the personal dignity of the human being and his integrity and identity"85 which are unique and unrepeatable.

83.

CDF, Donum vitae I,3.

84.

CDF, Donum vitae I,5.

85.

CDF, Donum vitae I,6.

Euthanasia

1503
(all)

2276

Those whose lives are diminished or weakened deserve special respect. Sick or handicapped persons should be helped to lead lives as normal as possible.

2277

Whatever its motives and means, direct euthanasia consists in putting an end to the lives of handicapped, sick, or dying persons. It is morally unacceptable. Thus an act or omission which, of itself or by intention, causes death in order to eliminate suffering constitutes a murder gravely contrary to the dignity of the human person and to the respect due to the living God, his Creator. The error of judgment into which one can fall in good faith does not change the nature of this murderous act, which must always be forbidden and excluded.

1007
(all)

2278

Discontinuing medical procedures that are burdensome, dangerous, extraordinary, or disproportionate to the expected outcome can be legitimate; it is the refusal of "over-zealous" treatment. Here one does not will to cause death; one's inability to impede it is merely accepted. The decisions should be made by the patient if he is competent and able or, if not, by those legally entitled to act for the patient, whose reasonable will and legitimate interests must always be respected.

2279

Even if death is thought imminent, the ordinary care owed to a sick person cannot be legitimately interrupted. The use of painkillers to alleviate the sufferings of the dying, even at the risk of shortening their days, can be morally in conformity with human dignity if death is not willed as either an end or a means, but only foreseen and tolerated as inevitable Palliative care is a special form of disinterested charity. As such it should be encouraged.

Suicide

2258
(all)

2280

Everyone is responsible for his life before God who has given it to him. It is God who remains the sovereign Master of life. We are obliged to accept life gratefully and preserve it for his honor and the salvation of our souls. We are stewards, not owners, of the life God has entrusted to us. It is not ours to dispose of.

2212
(all)

2281

Suicide contradicts the natural inclination of the human being to preserve and perpetuate his life. It is gravely contrary to the just love of self. It likewise offends love of neighbor because it unjustly breaks the ties of solidarity with family, nation, and other human societies to which we continue to have obligations. Suicide is contrary to love for the living God.

1735
(all)

2282

If suicide is committed with the intention of setting an example, especially to the young, it also takes on the gravity of scandal. Voluntary co-operation in suicide is contrary to the moral law.

Grave psychological disturbances, anguish, or grave fear of hardship, suffering, or torture can diminish the responsibility of the one committing suicide.

1037
(all)

2283

We should not despair of the eternal salvation of persons who have taken their own lives. By ways known to him alone, God can provide the opportunity for salutary repentance. The Church prays for persons who have taken their own lives.


25 posted on 08/05/2014 4:54:52 PM PDT by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
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To: Salvation
Matthew
  English: Douay-Rheims Latin: Vulgata Clementina Greek NT: Byzantine/Majority Text (2000)
  Matthew 14
22 And forthwith Jesus obliged his disciples to go up into the boat, and to go before him over the water, till he dismissed the people. Et statim compulit Jesus discipulos ascendere in naviculam, et præcedere eum trans fretum, donec dimitteret turbas. και ευθεως ηναγκασεν ο ιησους τους μαθητας εμβηναι εις το πλοιον και προαγειν αυτον εις το περαν εως ου απολυση τους οχλους
23 And having dismissed the multitude, he went into a mountain alone to pray. And when it was evening, he was there alone. Et dimissa turba, ascendit in montem solus orare. Vespere autem facto solus erat ibi : και απολυσας τους οχλους ανεβη εις το ορος κατ ιδιαν προσευξασθαι οψιας δε γενομενης μονος ην εκει
24 But the boat in the midst of the sea was tossed with the waves: for the wind was contrary. navicula autem in medio mari jactabatur fluctibus : erat enim contrarius ventus. το δε πλοιον ηδη μεσον της θαλασσης ην βασανιζομενον υπο των κυματων ην γαρ εναντιος ο ανεμος
25 And in the fourth watch of the night, he came to them walking upon the sea. Quarta enim vigilia noctis, venit ad eos ambulans super mare. τεταρτη δε φυλακη της νυκτος απηλθεν προς αυτους ο ιησους περιπατων επι της θαλασσης
26 And they seeing him walk upon the sea, were troubled, saying: It is an apparition. And they cried out for fear. Et videntes eum super mare ambulantem, turbati sunt, dicentes : Quia phantasma est. Et præ timore clamaverunt. και ιδοντες αυτον οι μαθηται επι την θαλασσαν περιπατουντα εταραχθησαν λεγοντες οτι φαντασμα εστιν και απο του φοβου εκραξαν
27 And immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying: Be of good heart: it is I, fear ye not. Statimque Jesus locutus est eis, dicens : Habete fiduciam : ego sum, nolite timere. ευθεως δε ελαλησεν αυτοις ο ιησους λεγων θαρσειτε εγω ειμι μη φοβεισθε
28 And Peter making answer, said: Lord, if it be thou, bid me come to thee upon the waters. Respondens autem Petrus, dixit : Domine, si tu es, jube me ad te venire super aquas. αποκριθεις δε αυτω ο πετρος ειπεν κυριε ει συ ει κελευσον με προς σε ελθειν επι τα υδατα
29 And he said: Come. And Peter going down out of the boat, walked upon the water to come to Jesus. At ipse ait : Veni. Et descendens Petrus de navicula, ambulabat super aquam ut veniret ad Jesum. ο δε ειπεν ελθε και καταβας απο του πλοιου ο πετρος περιεπατησεν επι τα υδατα ελθειν προς τον ιησουν
30 But seeing the wind strong, he was afraid: and when he began to sink, he cried out, saying: Lord, save me. Videns vero ventum validum, timuit : et cum cœpisset mergi, clamavit dicens : Domine, salvum me fac. βλεπων δε τον ανεμον ισχυρον εφοβηθη και αρξαμενος καταποντιζεσθαι εκραξεν λεγων κυριε σωσον με
31 And immediately Jesus stretching forth his hand took hold of him, and said to him: O thou of little faith, why didst thou doubt? Et continuo Jesus extendens manum, apprehendit eum : et ait illi : Modicæ fidei, quare dubitasti ? ευθεως δε ο ιησους εκτεινας την χειρα επελαβετο αυτου και λεγει αυτω ολιγοπιστε εις τι εδιστασας
32 And when they were come up into the boat, the wind ceased. Et cum ascendissent in naviculam, cessavit ventus. και εμβαντων αυτων εις το πλοιον εκοπασεν ο ανεμος
33 And they that were in the boat came and adored him, saying: Indeed thou art the Son of God. Qui autem in navicula erant, venerunt, et adoraverunt eum, dicentes : Vere Filius Dei es. οι δε εν τω πλοιω ελθοντες προσεκυνησαν αυτω λεγοντες αληθως θεου υιος ει
34 And having passed the water, they came into the country of Genesar. Et cum transfretassent, venerunt in terram Genesar. και διαπερασαντες ηλθον εις την γην γεννησαρετ
35 And when the men of that place had knowledge of him, they sent into all that country, and brought to him all that were diseased. Et cum cognovissent eum viri loci illius, miserunt in universam regionem illam, et obtulerunt ei omnes male habentes : και επιγνοντες αυτον οι ανδρες του τοπου εκεινου απεστειλαν εις ολην την περιχωρον εκεινην και προσηνεγκαν αυτω παντας τους κακως εχοντας
36 And they besought him that they might touch but the hem of his garment. And as many as touched, were made whole. et rogabant eum ut vel fimbriam vestimenti ejus tangerent. Et quicumque tetigerunt, salvi facti sunt. και παρεκαλουν αυτον ινα μονον αψωνται του κρασπεδου του ιματιου αυτου και οσοι ηψαντο διεσωθησαν

26 posted on 08/05/2014 5:22:00 PM PDT by annalex (fear them not)
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To: annalex
22. And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him to the other side, while he sent the multitudes away.
23. And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone.
24. But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary.
25. And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea.
26. And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear.
27. But straightway Jesus spoke to them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.
28. And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be you, bid me come to you on the water.
29. And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.
30. But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid, and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.
31. And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said to him, O you of little faith, why did you doubt?
32. And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased.
33. Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth you are the Son of God.

CHRYS; Desiring to occasion a diligent examination of the things that had been done, He commanded those who had beheld the foregoing sign to be separated from Him; for even if He had continued present it would have been said that He had wrought the miracle fantastically, and not in verity; but it would never be urged against Him that He had done it in His absence; and therefore it is said, And straightway Jesus compelled his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him to the other side, while he sent the multitudes away.

JEROME; These words show that they left the Lord unwillingly, not desiring through their love for their teacher to be separated from Him even for a moment.

CHRYS; It should be observed, that when the Lord works a great miracle, He sends the multitudes away, teaching us thereby never to pursue the praise of the multitude, nor to attract them to us. Further, He teaches us that we should not be ever mixed with crowds, nor yet always shunning them; but that both may be done with profit; whence it follows, And when he had sent the multitude away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray; showing us that solitude is good, when we have need to pray to God. For this also He goes into the desert, and there spends the night in prayer, to teach us that for prayer we should seek stillness both in time and place.

JEROME; That He withdraws to pray alone, you should refer not to Him who fed five thousand on five loaves, but to Him who on hearing of the death of John withdrew into the desert; not that we would separate the Lord's person into two parts, but that His actions are divided between the God and the mall.

AUG; This may, seem contrary to that Matthew says, that having sent the multitudes away, He went up into a mountain that He might pray alone; and John again says, that it was on a mountain that He fed this same multitude. But since John himself says further, that after that miracle He retired to a mountain that He might not be held by the multitude, who sought to make Him a king, it is clear that He had come down from the mountain when He fed them. Nor do Matthew's words, He went up into a mountain alone to pray, disagree with this, though John says, When he knew that they would come to make him a king, he withdrew into a mountain himself alone.

For the cause of His praying is not contrary to the cause of His retiring, for herein the Lord teaches us that we have great cause for prayer when we have cause for flight. Nor, again, is it contrary to this that Matthew says first, that He bade His disciples go into the boat, and then that He sent the multitudes away, and went into a mountain alone to pray; while John relates that He first withdrew to the mountain, and then, when it was late, his disciples went down to the sea, and when they had entered into a boat, &c. for who does not see that John is relating as afterwards done by His disciples what Jesus had commanded before He retired into the mountain?

JEROME; Rightly had the Apostles departed from the Lord as unwilling, and slow to leave Him lest they should suffer shipwreck while He was not with them. For it follows, when it was evening he was there alone; that is, in the mountain; but the boat was in the middle of the sea tossed with the waves; for the wind was contrary.

CHRYS; Again, the disciples suffer shipwreck, as they had done before; but then they had Him in the boat, but now they are alone. Thus gradually He leads them to higher things, and instructs them to endure all manfully.

JEROME; While the Lord tarries in the top of the mountain, straightway a wind arises contrary to them, and stirs up the sea, and the disciples are in imminent peril of shipwreck, which continues till Jesus comes.

CHRYS; But He suffers them to be tossed the whole night, exciting their hearts by fear, and inspiring them with greater desire and more lasting recollection of Him; for this reason He did not stand by them immediately, but as it follows, in the fourth watch of the night he came to them walking upon the sea.

JEROME; The military guards and watches are divided into portions of three hours each. When then he says that the Lord came to them in the fourth watch, this shows that they had been in danger the whole night.

CHRYS; Teaching them not to seek a speedy riddance of coming evil, but to bear manfully such things as befall them. But when they thought that they were delivered, then was their fear increased, whence it follows, And seeing him walking upon the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a vision, and through fear they cried out. For this the Lord ever does; when He is to rescue from any evil, He brings in things terrible and difficult. For since it is impossible that our temptation should continue a long time, when the warfare of the righteous is to be finished, then He increases their conflicts, desiring to make greater gain of them; which He did also in Abraham, making his hot conflict his trial of the loss of his son.

JEROME; A confused noise and uncertain sound is the mark of great fear. But if, according to Marcion and Manichaeus, our Lord was not born of a virgin, but was seen in a phantasm, how is it that the Apostles now fear that they have seen a phantasm (or vision)?

CHRYS; Christ then did not reveal Himself to His disciples until they cried out; for the more intense their fear, the more did they rejoice in His presence; whence it follows, And immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, Be of good cheer, it is I, be not afraid. This speech took away their fear, and prepared their confidence.

JEROME; Whereas He says, It is I, without saying who, either they might be able to understand Him speaking through the darkness of night; or they might know that it was He who had spoken to Moses, Say to the children of Israel, He that is has sent me to you. On every occasion Peter is found to be the one of the most ardent faith. And with the same zeal as ever, so now, while the others are silent, he believes that by the will of his Master he will be able to do that which by nature he cannot do; whence it follows, Peter answered and said to him, Lord, if it be you, bid me come to you upon the water. As much as to say, Do you command, and straightway it will become solid; and that body which is in itself heavy will become light.

AUG; This I am not able by myself, but in you I am able. Peter confessed what he was in himself, and what he should receive from Him by whose will he believed he should be enabled to do that which no human infirmity was equal to.

CHRYS; See how great his warmth, how great his faith. He said not, Pray and entreat for me; but Bid me; he believes not only that Christ can Himself walk on the sea, but that He can lead others also thereon ; also he wishes to come to Him speedily, and this, so great a thing, he asks not from ostentation, but from love. For he said not, Bid me walk upon the waters, but, Bid me come to you. And it seems that having shown in he first miracle that He has power over the sea, He now leads them to a more powerful sign; He said to him, Come. And Peter, going forth of the boat, walked on the sea, that he might go to Jesus.

JEROME; Let those who think that the Lord's body was not real, because He walked upon the yielding waters as a light ethereal substance, answer here how Peter walked, whom they by no means deny to be man.

RABAN; Lastly, Theodorus wrote that the Lord had not bodily weight in respect of His flesh, but without weight walked on the sea. But the catholic faith preaches the contrary; for Dionysius says that He walked on the wave, without the feet being immersed, having bodily weight, and the burden of matter

CHRYS; Peter overcame that which was greater, the waves, namely, of the sea, but is troubled by the lesser, the blowing wind, for it follows, But seeing the wind boisterous, he was afraid. Such is human nature, in great trials oft times holding itself aright, and in lesser falling into fault. This fear of Peter showed the difference between Master and disciple, and thereby appeased the other disciples. For if they had indignation when the two brothers prayed to sit on the right and left hand, much more had they now. For they were not yet made spiritual; afterwards when they had been made spiritual, they every where yield the first place to Peter, and appoint him to lead in harangues to the people.

JEROME; Moreover he is left to temptation for a short season, that his faith may be increased, and that he may understand that he is saved not by his ability to ask, but by the power of the Lord. For faith burned at his heart, but human frailty drew him into the deep.

AUG. Peter then presumed on the Lord, he tottered as man, but returned to the Lord, as it follows, And when he began to sink, he cried out, saying, Lord, save me. Does the Lord then desert him in his peril of failure whom he had hearkened to when he first called on Him? Immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him.

CHRYS; He bade not the winds to cease, but stretched forth His hand and caught him, because his faith was required. For when our own means fail, then those which are of God stand. Then to show that not the strength of the tempest, but the smallness of his faith worked the danger, He said to him, O you of little faith, why did you doubt? which shows that not even the wind would have been able to hurt him, if his faith had been firm. But as the mother bears on her wings and brings back to the nest her chick which has left the nest before its time and has fallen, so did Christ.

And when they were come into the boat, the wind ceased. Then they that were in the boat came and worshipped him, saying, Truly you are the Son of God.

RABAN; This may be understood either of the sailors, or of the Apostles.

CHRYS; Observe how He leads all gradually to that which is above them; He had before rebuked the sea, now He shows forth His power yet more by walking upon the sea, by bidding another to do the same, and by saving him in his peril, therefore they said to Him, Truly you are the Son of God, which they had not said above.

JEROME; If then upon this single miracle of stilling the sea, a thing which often happens by accident after even great tempests, the sailors and pilots confessed them to be truly the Son of God, how does Arrius preach in the Church itself that He is a creature?

PSEUDO-AUG; Mystically; The mountain is loftiness. But what is higher than the heavens in the world? And Who it was that ascended into heaven, that our faith knows. Why did He ascend alone into heaven? Because no man has ascended into heaven, but He that came down from heaven. For even when He shall come in the end, and shall have exalted us into heaven, He will yet ascend alone, inasmuch as the head with its body is One Christ, and now the head only is ascended. He went up to pray, because He is ascended to make intercession to His Father for us.

HILARY; Or, that He is alone in the evening, signifies His sorrow at the time of His passion, when the rest were scattered from Him in fear.

JEROME; Also He ascends into the mountain alone because the multitude cannot follow Him aloft, until He has instructed it by the shore of the sea.

AUG; But while Christ prays on high, the boat is tossed with great waves in the deep; and forasmuch as the waves rise, that boat can be tossed; but because Christ prays, it cannot be sum;. Think of that boat as the Church, and the stormy sea as this world.

HILARY; That He commands His disciples to enter the ship and to go across the sea, while He sends the multitudes away, and after that He goes up into the mountain to pray; He therein bids us to be within the Church, and to be in peril until such time as returning in His splendor He shall give salvation to all the people that shall be remaining of Israel, and shall forgive their sins; and having dismissed them into His Father's Kingdom, returning thanks to His Father, He shall sit down in His glory and majesty. Meanwhile the disciples are tossed by the wind and the waves; struggling against all the storms of this world, raised by the opposition of the unclean spirit.

AUG; For when any of a wicked will and of great power, proclaims a persecution of the Church, then it is that a mighty wave rises against the boat of Christ.

RABAN; Whence it is well said here, that the ship was in the middle of the sea, and He alone on the land, because the Church is sometimes oppressed with such persecution that her Lord may seem to have forsaken her for a season.

AUG; The Lord came to visit His disciples who are tossed on the sea in the fourth watch of the night - that is, at its close; for each watch consisting of three hours, the night has thus four watches.

HILARY; The first watch was therefore of the Law, the second of the Prophets, the third His coming in the flesh, the fourth His return in glory.

AUG; Therefore in the fourth watch of the night, that is when the night is nearly ended, He shall come, in the end of the world, when the night of iniquity is past, to judge the quick and the dead. But His coming was with a wonder. The waves swelled, but they were trodden upon. Thus howsoever the powers of this world shall swell themselves, our Head shall crush their head.

HILARY; But Christ coming in the end shall find His Church wearied, and tossed by the Spirit of Anti-Christ, and by the troubles of the world. And because by their long experience of Anti-Christ they will be troubled at every novelty of trial, they shall have fear even at the approach of the Lord, suspecting deceitful appearances. But the good Lord banishes their fear, saying, It is I; and by proof of His presence takes away their dread of impending shipwreck.

AUG. Or; That the disciples here say, It is a phantasm, figures those who yielding to the Devil shall doubt of the coming of Christ. That Peter cries to the Lord for help that he should not be drowned, signifies that He shall purge His Church with certain trials even after the last persecution; as Paul also notes, saying, He shall be saved, yet so as by fire.

HILARY; Or; That Peter alone out of all the number of those that were in the vessel has courage to answer, and to pray that the Lord would bid him come to Him upon the waters, figures the forwardness of his will in the Lord's passion, when following after the Lord's steps he endeavored to attain to despise death. But his fearfulness shows his weakness in his after trial, when through fear of death, he was driven to the necessity of denial. His crying out here is the groaning of his repentance there.

RABAN; The Lord looked back upon him, and brought him to repentance; He stretched forth His hand, and forgave him, and thus the disciple found salvation, which is not of him that wills or of him that runs but of God that shows mercy.

HILARY; That when Peter was seized with fear, the Lord gave him not power of coming to Him, but held him by the hand and sustained him, this is the signification thereof; that He who alone was to suffer for all alone forgave the sins of all; and no partner is admitted into that which was bestowed upon mankind by one.

AUG; For in one Apostle, namely Peter, first and chief in the order of Apostles in whom was figured the Church, both kinds were to be signified; that is, the strong, in his walking upon the waters; the weak, in that he doubted; for to each of us our lusts are as a tempest. Do you love God? you walks on the sea; the fear of this world is under your feet. Do you love the world? It swallows you up. But when your heart is tossed with desire, then that you may overcome your lust, call upon the divine person of Christ.

REMIG; And the Lord will be with you to help you, when lulling to rest the perils of your trials, He restores the confidence of His protection, and this towards the break of day; for when human frailty beset with difficulties considers the weakness of its own powers, it looks upon itself as in darkness; when it raises its view to the protection of heaven, it straightway beholds the rise of the morning star, which gives its light through the whole of the morning watch.

RABAN; Nor should we wonder that the wind ceased when the Lord had entered into the boat; for in whatsoever heart the Lord is present by grace, there all wars cease.

HILARY; Also by this entrance of Christ into the boat, and the calm of the wind and sea thereupon, is pointed out the eternal peace of the Church, and that rest which shall be after His return in glory. And forasmuch as He shall then appear manifestly, rightly do they all cry out now in wonder, Truly you are the Son of God. For there shall then be a free and public confession of all men that the Son of God is come no longer in lowliness of body, but that He has given peace to the Church in heavenly glory.

AUG; For it is here conveyed, to us that His glory will then be made manifest, seeing that now they who walk by faith see it in a figure.

34. And when they were gone over, they came into the land of Gennezareth.
35. And when the men of that place had knowledge of him, they sent out into all that country round about, and brought to him all that were diseased;
36. And besought him that they might only touch the hem of his garment: and as many as touched were made perfectly whole.

REMIG; The Evangelist had related above that the Lord had commanded His disciples to enter the boat, and to go before Him across the strait; he now proceeds with the same intention to relate whither they arrived by their passage, And when they were gone over, they came into the land of Gennezareth.

RABAN; The land of Gennezar, by the lake of Gennezareth, takes its name from a natural power which it is said to has e of spontaneously modulating its waters so as to excite a breeze; the Greek words importing, creating for itself the breeze.

CHRYS; But the Evangelist shows that it was now long time since Christ had come into these parts; for it follows, And when the men of that place knew him, they sent into all that region.

JEROME; They knew Him by fame, not by sight; although indeed by reason of the greatness of the signs which He did among the people, He was known by face to great numbers. And note how great the faith of the men of the land of Gennezareth, that they were not content with the healing of the men of that country only, but sent to all the towns round about.

CHRYS; Nor do they now as before drag Him to their houses, and seek the touch of His hand, but they draw Him by their greater faith, for they brought to him all them that were sick, and besought him that they might touch but the hem of his garment. For the women who suffered under the issue of blood had taught them all this wisdom, namely, that by touching the hem only of Christ's garment they might be saved, therefore it follows, And as many as touched, were made whole.

JEROME; If we knew what the word Gennezareth would convey in our tongue, we might understand how under the type of the Apostles and the boat, Jesus guides to shore the Church when hen He has delivered it from the wreck of persecution, and makes it to rest in a most tranquil harbor.

RABAN; Genezar is interpreted, 'rise', 'beginning'. For then will complete rest be given to us, when Christ shall have restored to us our inheritance of Paradise, and the joy of our first robe.

HILARY; Otherwise; When the times of the Law were ended, and five thousand out of Israel were entered within the Church, it was then that the people of believers met Him, then those that were saved out of the Law by faith set before the Lord the rest of their sick and weak; and they that were thus brought sought to touch the hem of His garment, because through their faith they would be healed. And as the virtue of the hem proceeded from the whole garment, so the virtue of the grace of the Holy Spirit went forth from our Lord Jesus Christ, and imparted to the Apostles, who proceeded as it were from the same body, administers salvation to such as desire to touch.

JEROME; Or, by the hem of the garment understand His least commandment, which whosoever transgresses, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; or, again, His assumption of the body, by which we come to the Word of God.

CHRYS; But we have not a hem or a garment only of Christ, but have even His body, that we may eat thereof. If then they who touched the hem of his garment derived so much virtue therefrom, much more they that shall receive Himself whole.

Catena Aurea Matthew 14
27 posted on 08/05/2014 5:22:28 PM PDT by annalex (fear them not)
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To: All

 

Daily Readings for:August 05, 2014
(Readings on USCCB website)

Collect: Pardon the faults of your servants, we pray, O Lord, that we, who cannot please you by our own deeds, may be saved through the intercession of the Mother of your Son and our Lord. Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

RECIPES

o    Orange Gingerbread

ACTIVITIES

o    Marian Hymn: Lourdes Hymn or Immaculate Mary

PRAYERS

o    The Immaculate Heart

o    Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Litany of Loretto)

·         Ordinary Time: August 5th

·         Optional Memorial of the Dedication of St. Mary Major

Old Calendar: Dedication of the Church of Our Lady of the Snow (St. Mary Major); St. Oswald (Hist); St. Emygdius, bishop & martyr (Hist)

We celebrate today the dedication of one of the four most illustrious churches of Rome. While each diocese and parish keeps its own dedication anniversary, the Church universal commemorates the consecration of the four great Roman basilicas, the mother churches, we may call them, of Christendom, viz., St. John Lateran, St. Peter, St. Paul Outside the Walls, and St. Mary Major. By means of these feasts the Church seeks to link all Christians with the Holy See.

This feast commemorates the miracle of the snowfall that occurred during the night of August 4-5 in the year 358 on the site where the basilica now stands. According to tradition, the Virgin Mary appeared in a dream to two faithful Roman Christians, the patrician John and his wife, as well as to Pope Liberius (352-366), asking that a church be built in her honor on the site where snow would fall on the night of August 4-5. Pope Liberius traced the outlines of the church in the snow and the first basilica was built on that site. It was completed about a century later by Pope Sixtus III (432-440), after the Council of Ephesus in 431 during which Mary was declared to be the Mother of God.

In Rome the Basilica of St. Mary Major will hold its traditional triduum from August 1 to 3 and two days of celebration on August 4 and 5. During the pontifical Mass and the second vespers, the traditional shower of flower petals will descend from the ceiling of the basilica to commemorate the August snowfall in 358.

St. Oswald, king, is mentioned in the Roman Martyrology. St. Bede the Venerable commemorates his deeds. He was sometimes portrayed as a martyr, since he died in battle against the pagan Welsh invaders.

Historically it is also the feast of St. Emygdius who lived in the 3rd and 4th century and was a Christian bishop in Ascoli Piceno in Italy. He converted many people to Christianity with his displays of miracles.


Dedication of St. Mary Major
St. Mary Major is important to Christendom for three reasons:

(a) It stands as a venerable monument to the Council of Ephesus (431), at which the dogma of Mary's divine Motherhood was solemnly defined; the definition of the Council occasioned a most notable increase in the veneration paid to Mary.

(b) The basilica is Rome's "church of the crib," a kind of Bethlehem within the Eternal City; it also is a celebrated station church, serving, for instance, as the center for Rome's liturgy for the first Mass on Christmas. In some measure every picture of Mary with the divine Child is traceable to this church.

(c) St. Mary Major is Christendom's first Marian shrine for pilgrims. It set the precedent for the countless shrines where pilgrims gather to honor our Blessed Mother throughout the world. Here was introduced an authentic expression of popular piety that has been the source of untold blessings and graces for Christianity in the past as in the present.

The beginnings of St. Mary Major date to the Constantinian period. Originally it was called the Sicinini Basilica; it was the palace of a patrician family by that name before its transformation into a church by Pope Liberius. The story of its origin is legendary, dating from the Middle Ages. The Breviary gives this version: "Liberius was on the chair of Peter (352-366) when the Roman patrician John and his wife, who was of like nobility, vowed to bequeath their estate to the most holy Virgin and Mother of God, for they had no children to whom their property could go. The couple gave themselves to assiduous prayer, beseeching Mary to make known to them in some way what pious work they should subsidize in her honor.

"Mary answered their petition and confirmed her reply by means of the following miracle. On the fifth of August — a time when it is unbearably hot in the city of Rome — a portion of the Esquiline would be covered with snow during the night. During that same night the Mother of God directed John and his wife in separate dreams to build a church to be dedicated to the Virgin Mary on the site where they would see snow lying. For it was in this manner that she wanted her inheritance to be used.

"John immediately reported the whole matter to Pope Liberius, and he declared that a similar dream had come to him. Accompanied by clergy and people, Liberius proceeded on the following morning in solemn procession to the snow-covered hill and there marked off the area on which the church in Mary's honor was to be constructed."

Under Pope Sixtus III (432-440) the basilica was rebuilt, and upon the occasion of the definition of Mary's divine Motherhood by the Council of Ephesus, consecrated to her honor (432). He decorated the apse and walls with mosaics from the lives of Christ and His blessed Mother, which even to this day beautify the church and belong to the oldest we possess. As early as the end of the fourth century a replica of the Bethlehem nativity grotto had been added; on this account the edifice became known as "St. Mary of the Crib." To the Christian at Rome this church is Bethlehem. Other names for the basilica are: Liberian Basilica, because it dates to the time of Pope Liberius; St. Mary Major (being the largest church in Mary's honor in Rome); Our Lady of the Snow, because of the miracle that supposedly occasioned its erection.

We could point out how the divine Motherhood mystery dominates all Marian liturgy; for the Theotokos doctrine has kept Mariology Christo-centric in the Church's worship. Although recent popular devotion to Mary has become to a certain extent soft and sentimental and has, one may say, erected its own sanctuary around Mary as the center, devotion to our Blessed Mother in the liturgy has always remained oriented to Christ. In the liturgy the divine Motherhood has always been the bridge from Mary to Jesus. One need only examine Matins in honor of Mary or the Masses from her Common to be reassured. Everywhere Christ takes the central position, and Mary is the Christbearer.

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

Things to Do:

Celebrate a successful FAMILY FIRE DRILL with plenty of cold drinks and a BAR-B-Q ... roasting marshmallows on a BON FIRE (if it is safe to do so in your area).

Create a MINIATURE BON FIRE in a large coffee can (1 kg size). Before building the fire, stabilize the can by pushing it into sand or dig a small pit (the size of the can). Arrange rocks around the can perimeter. Use small pieces of dry wood and scrunched up paper pushed between branches.

Drench the can with water when you are finished enjoying the MINIATURE BON FIRE (and all the marshmallows are gone!)

Used with permission. Write to ArmaDei@aol.com for more information about this great book. Treasure Chest is filled with unique ideas for activities, crafts and recipes to help families celebrate the various Seasons and Feast Days of the year.


St. Emygdius

Emygdius was born in Treves [Germany] of a noble Frank family. In his twenty-third year he embraced the faith of Christ in spite of opposition of his parents who were idolaters, and this faith he steadfastly professed. He lived with three disciples, Euplus, Germanus and Valentinus. He scorned human pleasures, and thus he applied himself the more entirely to divine things. Fired with a burning love of the neighbor, he journeyed to Rome in order to bring about the salvation to many souls, and he was there received as a guest, in the Island of the Tiber, where he cured, by baptism, the daughter of his host, who had been ill for five years of an incurable disease. A little later he opened the eyes of a blind man, in the presence of the people by the sign of the Cross. Thereupon the crowd, thinking that he was the son of Apollo, carried him off by force to the Temple of Aesculapius. he there declared himself the servant of Christ, and by calling upon Christ's name he restored to health a great number of sick persons, who were vainly beseeching the help of the idol. Emygdius tore down the altars, and having broken in pieces the statue of Aesculapius, he cast it into the Tiber. These acts, and the conversion of thirteen hundred of the heathen, which followed, together with that of the priests of Aesculapius, enraged Posthumius Titanus, the Prefect of City. Emygdius, by the counsel of an angel, escaped from his threats, and betook himself to the Pontiff, Saint Marcellus, by whom he was consecrated Bishop, and sent to Ascoli.

On his way thither Emygdius converted a multitude of persons to Christ by the many miracles which he wrought. The demons, whose wailing issued from the idols and filled the temples upon his arrival at Ascoli, declared a traveler to be the cause of their distress. The people were aroused, and sought to slay him, whereupon Polymius, the Governor, who was brought out by the tumult, called Emygdius to him, and in a long fruitless discourse he urged him to worship Jupiter and the goddess Angaria, the patroness of Ascoli. He even promised him as a reward the hand of his daughter Polisia, whom Emygdius converted to Christ and baptized on the spot. Her baptism was followed by that of sixteen hundred men, the Saint having drawn, by a miracle, an abundance of water from the rock. Thrown into fury by these events, Polymius cut off the head of the holy Bishop, whereupon the body, wonderful to relate, stood erect, and bearing in its hands the head which had been cast upon the ground, carried it to the Oratory, a distance of three hundred feet. it was removed thence to the principal church, where it is honored by the people of Ascoli, as well as by a multitude of people from other parts of [Italy]. The blessed death of Emygdius took place during the persecution of Diocletian.

Excerpted from Saints of Carmel - Proper Offices of the Saints Granted to the Barefoot Carmelites' 1896 edition, Carmelite Spirituality Blog

Patron: Against earthquakes.


St. Oswald

Forced to flee from Northumbria to Scotland when his father, Aethelfrith, was defeated and killed by Raedwald in 617, Oswald was converted to Christianity at Iona while he was in Scotland. When his uncle, King St. Edwin of Northumbria, was killed in battle against pagan King Penda of Mercia and Welsh King Cadwallon in 633, Oswald assembled an army and in 634 defeated a superior force under Cadwallon, who was killed in a battle near Hexham, and Oswald became King of Northumbria. He attributed his victory to a vision he had had of St. Columba promising him victory and to a huge cross he had erected the night before the battle. He brought St. Aidan to his kingdom to preach Christianity, gave him the island of Lindisfarne for his see, and acted as his interpreter. He built churches and monasteries, brought in monks from Scotland to bring his people back to Christianity, and was known for his personal piety and charity. He married Cyneburga, daughter of Cynegils, first Christian king of Wessex, and died a few years later, on August 5, while fighting against the superior forces of Penda at Maserfield. He was only thirty-seven at his death.

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

Symbols: Scepter and crown; large wooden cross; ciborium; raven carrying ring or oil stock; letter and box of ointment; horn; silver dish; dove; sword; palm branch.
Often Portrayed As: king in crown, carrying sceptre and orb; king with palm-branch, and/or with his raven.

Things to Do:


28 posted on 08/05/2014 5:22:43 PM PDT by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
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To: annalex


Christ walking on water

George and Diana Voyajolu (?)

29 posted on 08/05/2014 5:28:13 PM PDT by annalex (fear them not)
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To: All
The Word Among Us

Meditation: Matthew 14:22-36

The Dedication of the Basilica of Saint Mary Major

Come. (Matthew 14:29)

Today we read how Jesus invited Peter to take an extra large step of faith—and how Peter went for it! What do you think was going through Peter’s mind at this point? “What am I doing? Is this really safe? Hey, look! I’m on top of the water! This is amazing!” But then suddenly, the potential consequences of his actions became clear, and Peter began to sink. It’s a good thing Jesus was right there, ready to pick him up!

We can read this little story as a sort of three-step illustration of what it’s like to follow Jesus. First, like Peter, we have all experienced times when we felt Jesus inviting us to take a step of faith. In a rush of adrenaline, we go for it, and it all seems fine for a while. Then, step two kicks in, when we realize that we might be in over our heads and we begin to doubt. Maybe we misheard the Lord. Maybe we stepped left when we should have stepped right. Whatever the situation, our eyes are opened to the roiling sea beneath our feet. Next comes step three, when we call out to the Lord, frantically at times, and he comes to help us. The wind dies down, and all is calm again.

Stepping out might be difficult, but the hardest moment might actually be that breath we take between step two, when we see the wind and waves, and step three, when we decide to call out for help. It takes a certain degree of humility to do that. Many of us would rather try to work it out on our own than admit that we have reached our limits. It’s ironic, but we may even think that it shows a lack of faith to ask for God’s help!

Which phase of discipleship are you in right now? Are you getting ready to step out, or are you feeling overwhelmed on top of the water? Or maybe you’re feeling his hand lifting you up, and you’re ready to embrace the next challenge he has for you. No matter which phase you are in, the key is to take the next step. Wherever you are, know that the One who called you out of the boat will uphold your every step.

“Lord, help me to step out in faith today.”

Jeremiah 30:1-2, 12-15, 18-22; Psalm 102:16-21, 29, 22-23


30 posted on 08/05/2014 5:29:03 PM PDT by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
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To: Salvation
Matthew
  English: Douay-Rheims Latin: Vulgata Clementina Greek NT: Byzantine/Majority Text (2000)
  Matthew 15
1 THEN came to him from Jerusalem scribes and Pharisees, saying: Tunc accesserunt ad eum ab Jerosolymis scribæ et pharisæi, dicentes : τοτε προσερχονται τω ιησου οι απο ιεροσολυμων γραμματεις και φαρισαιοι λεγοντες
2 Why do thy disciples trangress the tradition of the ancients? For they wash not their hands when they eat bread. Quare discipuli tui transgrediuntur traditionem seniorum ? non enim lavant manus suas cum panem manducant. δια τι οι μαθηται σου παραβαινουσιν την παραδοσιν των πρεσβυτερων ου γαρ νιπτονται τας χειρας αυτων οταν αρτον εσθιωσιν
[...]
10 And having called together the multitudes unto him, he said to them: Hear ye and understand. Et convocatis ad se turbis, dixit eis : Audite, et intelligite. και προσκαλεσαμενος τον οχλον ειπεν αυτοις ακουετε και συνιετε
11 Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man: but what cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man. Non quod intrat in os, coinquinat hominem : sed quod procedit ex ore, hoc coinquinat hominem. ου το εισερχομενον εις το στομα κοινοι τον ανθρωπον αλλα το εκπορευομενον εκ του στοματος τουτο κοινοι τον ανθρωπον
12 Then came his disciples, and said to him: Dost thou know that the Pharisees, when they heard this word, were scandalized? Tunc accedentes discipuli ejus, dixerunt ei : Scis quia pharisæi audito verbo hoc, scandalizati sunt ? τοτε προσελθοντες οι μαθηται αυτου ειπον αυτω οιδας οτι οι φαρισαιοι ακουσαντες τον λογον εσκανδαλισθησαν
13 But he answering them, said: Every plant which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up. At ille respondens ait : Omnis plantatio, quam non plantavit Pater meus cælestis, eradicabitur. ο δε αποκριθεις ειπεν πασα φυτεια ην ουκ εφυτευσεν ο πατηρ μου ο ουρανιος εκριζωθησεται
14 Let them alone: they are blind, and leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both will fall into the pit. Sinite illos : cæci sunt, et duces cæcorum ; cæcus autem si cæco ducatum præstet, ambo in foveam cadunt. αφετε αυτους οδηγοι εισιν τυφλοι τυφλων τυφλος δε τυφλον εαν οδηγη αμφοτεροι εις βοθυνον πεσουνται

31 posted on 08/05/2014 5:30:40 PM PDT by annalex (fear them not)
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To: annalex
1. Then came to Jesus scribes and Pharisees, which were of Jerusalem, saying,
2. Why do your disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? for they wash not their hands when they eat bread.

RABAN; The men of Gennezareth and the less reamed believe; but they who seem to be wise come to dispute with Him; according to that, you have hid these things from the wise and prudent, and has revealed them to babes. Whence it is said, Then came to him from Jerusalem Scribes and Pharisees.

AUG; The Evangelist thus constructs the order of his narrative, Then came to him, that, as appeared in the passage over the lake, the order of the events that followed that might be shown.

CHRYS; For this reason also the Evangelist marks the time that He may show their iniquity overcome by nothing; for they came to Him at a time when He had wrought many miracles, when He had healed the sick by the touch of His hem. That the Scribes and Pharisees are here said to have come from Jerusalem, it should be known that they were dispersed through all the tribes, but those that dwelt in the Metropolis were worse than the others, their higher dignity inspiring them with a greater degree of pride.

REMIG; They were faulty for two reasons ; because they had come from Jerusalem, from the holy city; and because they were elders of the people, and doctors of the Law, and had not come to learn but to reprove the Lord; for it is added, saying, Why do your disciples transgress the tradition of the elders?

JEROME; Wonderful infatuation of the Pharisees and Scribes! They accuse the Son of God that He does not keep the traditions and commandments of men.

CHRYS; Observe, how they are taken in their own question. They say not, 'Why do they transgress the Law of Moses?' but, the tradition of the elders; whence it is manifest that the Priests had introduced many new things, although Moses had said, you shall not add ought to the word which I set before you this day, neither shall you take ought away from it; and when they ought to have been set free from observances, then they bound themselves by many more; fearing lest any should take away their rule and power, they sought to increase the awe in which they were held, by setting themselves forth as legislators.

REMIG; Of what kind these traditions were, Mark shows when he says, The Pharisees and all the Jews, except they wash their hands oft, eat not. Here then also they find fault with the disciples, saying, For they wash not their hands when they eat bread.

BEDE; Taking carnally those words of the Prophets, in which it is said, Wash, and be you clean, they observed it only in washing the body; hence they had laid it down that we ought not to eat with unwashed hands.

JEROME; But the hands that are to be washed are the acts not of the body, but of the mind; that the word of God may be done in them.

CHRYS; But the disciples now did not eat with washed hands, because they already despise all things superfluous, and attended only to such as were necessary; thus they accepted neither washing nor not washing as a rule, but did either as it happened. For how should they who even neglected the food that was necessary for them, have any care about this rite?

REMIG; Or the Pharisees found fault with the Lord's disciples, not concerning that washing which we do from ordinary habit, and of necessity, but of that superfluous washing which was invented by the tradition of the elders.

10. And he called the multitude, and said to them, Hear, and understand:
11. Not that which goes into the mouth defiles a man; but that which comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man.

CHRYS; Having added weight to His accusation of the Pharisees by the testimony of the Prophet, and not having amended them, He now ceases to speak to them, and turns to the multitudes, And he called the multitude, and said to them, Hear and understand. Because He was about to set before them a high dogma, and full of much philosophy, He does not utter it nakedly, but so frames His speech that it should be received by them.

First, by exhibiting anxiety on their account, which the Evangelist expresses by the words, And he called the multitude to him. Secondly, the time He chooses recommends His speech; after the victory He has just gained over the Pharisees. And He not merely calls the multitude to Him, but rouses their attention by the words, Hear and understand; that is, Attend, and give your minds to what you are to hear. But He said not to them, The observance of meats is nothing; nor, Moses bade you wrongly; but in the way of warning and advice, drawing His testimony from natural things; Not what enters in at the mouth defiles a man, but what goes forth of the mouth that defiles a man.

JEROME; The word here 'makes a man common' is peculiar to Scripture, and is not hackneyed in common parlance. The Jewish nation, boasting themselves to be a part of God, call those meats common, of which all men partake; for example, swine's flesh, shell fish, hares, and those species of animals that do not divide the hoof, and chew the cud, and among the fish such as have not scales. Hence in the Acts of the Apostles we read, What God has cleansed, that call not you common. Common then in this sense is that which is free to the rest of mankind, and as though not in part of God, is therefore called unclean.

AUG; This declaration of the Lord, Not that which enters into the mouth defiles a man, is not contrary to the Old Testament. As the Apostle also speaks, To the pure all things are pure; and Every creature of God, is good. Let the Manicheans understand, if they can, that the Apostle said this of the very natures and qualities of things; while that letter (of the ritual law) declared certain animals unclean, not in their nature but typically, for certain figures which were needed for a time.

Therefore to take an instance in the swine and the lamb, by nature both are clean, because naturally every creature of God is good; but in a certain typical meaning the lamb is clean, and the swine unclean. Take the two words, 'fool,' and 'wise,' in their own nature, as sounds, or letters, both of them are pure, but one of them because of the meaning attached to it, not because of any thing in its own nature may be said to be impure. And perhaps what the swine are in typical representation, that among mankind is the fool; and the animal, and this word of two syllables (stultus) signify someone and the same thing.

That animal is reckoned unclean in the law because it does not chew the cud; but this is not its fault but its nature. But the men of whom this animal is the emblem, are impure by their own fault, not by nature; they readily hear the words of wisdom, but never think upon them again. Whatever of profit you may hear, to summon this up from the internal region of the memory through the sweetness of recollection into the mouth of thought, what is this but spiritually to chew the cud? They who do not this are represented by this species of animal.

Such resemblances as these in speech, or in ceremonies, having figurative signification, profitably and pleasantly move the rational mind; but by the former people, many such things were not only to be heard, but to be kept as precepts. For that was a time when it is necessary not in words only, but in deeds, to prophesy those things which hereafter were to be revealed. When these had been revealed through Christ, and in Christ, the burdens of observances were not imposed on the faith of the Gentiles; but the authority of the prophecy was yet confirmed. But I ask of the Manicheans, whether this declaration of the Lord, when He said that a man is not defiled by what enters into his mouth, is true or false? If false, why then does their doctor Adimantus bring it forward against the Old Testament? If true, why contrary to its tenor do they consider that they are thus defiled?

JEROME; The thoughtful reader may here object and say, If that which enters into the mouth defiles not a man, why do we not feed on meats offered to idols? Be it known then that meats and every creature of God is in itself clean; but the invocation of idols and demons makes them unclean with those at least who with conscience of the idol eat that which is offered to idols; and their conscience being weak is polluted, as the Apostle says.

REMIG; But if any one's faith be so strong that he understands that God's creature can in no way be defiled, let him eat what he will, after the food has been hallowed by the word of God and of prayer; yet so that this his liberty be not made au offense to the weak, as the Apostle speaks.

12. Then came his disciples, and said to him, Did you know that the Pharisees were offended, after they heard this saying?
13. But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father has not planted, shall be rooted up.
14. Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.

JEROME; In one of the Lord's discourses the whole superstition of Jewish observances had been cut down. They placed their whole religion in using or abstaining from certain meats.

CHRYS; When the Pharisees heard the things that went before, they made no reply to them, because He had so mightily overthrown them, not only refuting their arguments, but detecting their fraud, but they, not the multitudes, were offended at them; Then came his disciples to him and said, did you know that the Pharisees were offended after they heard this saying?

JEROME; As this word 'scandalum' (offense or stumbling block) is of such frequent use in ecclesiastical writings, we will shortly explain it. We might render it in Latin, 'offendiculum,' or 'ruina,' or 'impactio;' and so when we read, Whosoever shall scandalize, we understand, Who by word or deed has given an occasion of falling to any.

CHRYS; Christ does not remove the stumbling block out of the way of the Pharisees, but rather rebukes them; as it follows, But he answered and said, Every plant which my heavenly Father has not planted shall be rooted up. This Manichaeus affirmed was spoken of the Law, but what has been already said is a sufficient refutation of this. For if He had said this of the Law, how would He have above contended for the Law, easing, Why transgress you the commandment of God through your tradition? Or would He have cited the Prophet? Or how, if God said, Honor your father and your mother, is not this, being spoken in the Law, a plant of God?

HILARY; What He intends then by a plant not planted of Hid Father, is that tradition of men under cover of which the Law had been transgressed, this He instructs them must be rooted up.

REMIG; Every false doctrine and superstitious observance with the workers thereof cannot endure; and because it is not from God the Father, it shall be rooted up with the same. And that only shall endure which is of God.

JEROME; Shall that plant also be rooted up of which the Apostle says, I planted, Apollos watered? The question is answered by what follows, but God gave the increase. He says also, you are God's husbandry a building of God; and in another place, We are workers together of God. And if when Paul plants, and Apollos waters, they are in so doing workers together with God, then God plants and waters together with them. This passage is abused by some who apply it at once to two different kinds of men; they say, 'If every plant which the Father has not planted shall be rooted up, then that which He has planted cannot be rooted up.' But let them hear these words of Jeremiah, I had planted you a true vine, wholly a right seed, how then art you turned into the bitterness of a strange vine? God indeed has planted it, and none may root up His planting. But since that planting was through the disposition of the will of him which w as planted, none other can root it up unless its own will consents thereto.

GLOSS; Or, the plant here spoken of may be the doctors of the Law with their followers, who had not Christ for their foundation. Why they are to be rooted up, He adds, Let them alone; they are blind, leaders of the blind.

RABAN; They are blind, that is, they want the light of God's commandments; and they are leaders of the blind, inasmuch as they draw others headlong, erring, and leading into error whence it is added, If the blind lead the blind, they both fall into the ditch.

JEROME; This is also the same as that Apostolic injunction,, A heretic after the first and second admonition reject, knowing that such a one is perverse. To the same end the Savior commands evil teachers to be left to their own will, knowing that it is hardly that they can be brought to the truth.

Catena Aurea Matthew 15
32 posted on 08/05/2014 5:31:04 PM PDT by annalex (fear them not)
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To: annalex


The Parable of the Blind Leading the Blind

Pieter Bruegel the Elder

1568
Tempera on canvas, 86 x 154 cm
Museo Nazionale di Capodimonte, Naples

33 posted on 08/05/2014 5:31:27 PM PDT by annalex (fear them not)
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To: All
The Word Among Us

Meditation: Matthew 14:22-36

The Dedication of the Basilica of Saint Mary Major

Come. (Matthew 14:29)

Today we read how Jesus invited Peter to take an extra large step of faith—and how Peter went for it! What do you think was going through Peter’s mind at this point? “What am I doing? Is this really safe? Hey, look! I’m on top of the water! This is amazing!” But then suddenly, the potential consequences of his actions became clear, and Peter began to sink. It’s a good thing Jesus was right there, ready to pick him up!

We can read this little story as a sort of three-step illustration of what it’s like to follow Jesus. First, like Peter, we have all experienced times when we felt Jesus inviting us to take a step of faith. In a rush of adrenaline, we go for it, and it all seems fine for a while. Then, step two kicks in, when we realize that we might be in over our heads and we begin to doubt. Maybe we misheard the Lord. Maybe we stepped left when we should have stepped right. Whatever the situation, our eyes are opened to the roiling sea beneath our feet. Next comes step three, when we call out to the Lord, frantically at times, and he comes to help us. The wind dies down, and all is calm again.

Stepping out might be difficult, but the hardest moment might actually be that breath we take between step two, when we see the wind and waves, and step three, when we decide to call out for help. It takes a certain degree of humility to do that. Many of us would rather try to work it out on our own than admit that we have reached our limits. It’s ironic, but we may even think that it shows a lack of faith to ask for God’s help!

Which phase of discipleship are you in right now? Are you getting ready to step out, or are you feeling overwhelmed on top of the water? Or maybe you’re feeling his hand lifting you up, and you’re ready to embrace the next challenge he has for you. No matter which phase you are in, the key is to take the next step. Wherever you are, know that the One who called you out of the boat will uphold your every step.

“Lord, help me to step out in faith today.”

Jeremiah 30:1-2, 12-15, 18-22; Psalm 102:16-21, 29, 22-23


34 posted on 08/05/2014 5:36:33 PM PDT by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
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To: All

Marriage=One Man and One Woman 'Til Death Do Us Part

Daily Marriage Tip for August 5, 2014:

Parents, share your love of music, sports, fishing with your children…but give them room to develop their own hobbies and interests too.

35 posted on 08/05/2014 5:40:31 PM PDT by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
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To: All
Regnum Christi

Follow the Wise, Not the Learned
U. S. A. | SPIRITUAL LIFE | SPIRITUALITY
August 5, 2014. Tuesday of the Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time

Matthew 15:1-2, 10-14

Pharisees and scribes came to Jesus from Jerusalem and said, "Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders? They do not wash (their) hands when they eat a meal." He summoned the crowd and said to them, "Hear and understand. It is not what enters one´s mouth that defiles that person; but what comes out of the mouth is what defiles one." Then his disciples approached and said to him, "Do you know that the Pharisees took offense when they heard what you said?" He said in reply, "Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be uprooted. Let them alone; they are blind guides (of the blind). If a blind person leads a blind person, both will fall into a pit."

Introductory Prayer: Lord, give me knowledge of your ways so that I can love the path you have drawn out for me and have hope in every step along its way. I humble myself before you, because you continually show me that your ways are not our ways. I thank you, for this is where I find true happiness.

Petition: Lord Jesus, teach me your ways.

1. Tradition and Traditions: Christ is telling us about the essentials. The Pharisees had amassed a great number of traditions. Many of these were made in good faith and helped man progress in virtue, but they missed the mark. They replaced a loving relationship with rituals. Let us get back to what is essential in our life with Christ. Do I give more importance to my customs and likes, rather than to what Christ asks of me through his Church? Am I missing the mark by putting more focus on the means to the end, rather than on the end itself – Christ?

2. The Interior Man: What comes out of a man’s mouth shows who he is; it shows what he values in his heart. Either we will hear words that are permeated with God’s love, or we will hear all types of vile and foul speech. We will see if a man is self-centered or centered on the needs of others. We will understand who sees himself as an instrument of God and who uses God as an instrument to his success. What is inside of man always comes out in his speech.

3. True Leadership: Man is to follow the wisdom of God. A person filled with wisdom knows how best to help another person attain his goal: unity with Christ. There are many types of plants (people) out there; we must follow those which have been sown with the wisdom of God. We need help discerning which plants come from our Lord. We can recognize them by their fruits, but still we may need a spiritual director to help us discern the movements of our own soul, so that we don’t fall in the blind man’s pit.

Conversation with Christ: Lord Jesus, we live in a confusing world where people call the bad, “good” and the good, “bad”. Help me to discern so that I will always have your peace in my heart.

Resolution: I will make a visit to our Lord in the Eucharist and ask for the gift of wisdom.


36 posted on 08/05/2014 6:12:27 PM PDT by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
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To: All

Homily of the Day

“Truly, you are the Son of God!”

The Council of Ephesus in 431 A.D. proclaimed Mary as Mother of God. What this dogma means is that even if Jesus was conceived as an ordinary fetus like any other human being in the womb of a woman, the fact is He is the Son of God. Mary thus conceived in her womb God Himself. Imagine to have God growing as a fetus inside you. What an honor it must have been for Mary! That is why she exclaimed in the Magnificat that all generations shall call her blessed, she who was a mere mortal like all of us. Her honor is our honor if we allow Jesus, the Word of God, to grow in our hearts. When a Christian accepts God’s teachings and says Amen to them, he also conceives God within himself, though not physically as Mary did. For this we Christians revere Mary and highly esteem her for being the Mother of God and also because of how she lived a life of love and service. Let us recall how she, who was already conceiving Jesus, traveled to the hill country of Judea to take care of her cousin Elizabeth who was six months pregnant Mary’s being helpful was the reason Jesus performed his first miracle in the wedding at Cana. And when Jesus was already preaching, Mary followed Jesus wherever he went and listened to his teachings. Knowing Mary, she must have taken care of the needs of Jesus and his apostles, but remained in the background. For sure all the disciples of Jesus revered and loved her with a special love.
Let Mary be an example of how we are to love Jesus and follow in his footsteps.


37 posted on 08/05/2014 6:16:28 PM PDT by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
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To: All
One Bread, One Body

One Bread, One Body

Language: English | Español

All Issues > Volume 30, Issue 5

<< Tuesday, August 5, 2014 >> Dedication of St. Mary Major
 
Jeremiah 30:1-2, 12-15, 18-22
View Readings
Psalm 102:16-21, 29, 22-23 Matthew 15:1-2, 10-14
Similar Reflections
 

LOOKING TO OBEY

 
"Incurable is your wound, grievous your bruise; there is none to plead your cause, no remedy for your running sore, no healing for you." —Jeremiah 30:12-13
 

Jeremiah considered the condition of God's people incurable. However, the Lord revealed that this impossible condition would be reversed. The Lord promised: "From them will resound songs of praise, the laughter of happy men. I will make them not few, but many; they will not be tiny, for I will glorify them" (Jer 30:19).

This miraculous change is done in the same way in which Peter walked on water. Peter was able to walk on water (Mt 14:29) by fixing his eyes on Jesus, the Beginning and the End of our faith (see Heb 12:2). However, Peter was called not just to look at Jesus, but to look at Jesus for the purpose of obeying Him. The psalmist prays: "To You I lift up my eyes Who are enthroned in heaven. Behold, as the eyes of servants are on the hands of their masters, as the eyes of a maid are on the hands of her mistress, so are our eyes on the Lord" (Ps 123:1-2). We fix our eyes on Jesus just as servants look at their masters' hands in anticipation of a command.

After walking on water, Jesus healed all who touched the tassel of His cloak (Mt 14:36). This is like looking at Jesus in order to walk on water. Both looking and touching are acts of obedience. God said: "When you use these tassels, let the sight of them remind you to keep all the commandments of the Lord" (Nm 15:39).

Miraculous changes are done by looking to obey and touching to obey. The most miraculous change of all and the basis for all miraculous changes was done through Jesus "obediently accepting even death, death on a cross!" (Phil 2:8; see also Rm 5:19) Obey the Lord and change the world.

 
Prayer: Father, may my life be a walk on the waters because I walk in obedience.
Promise: "The nations shall revere Your name, O Lord." —Ps 102:16
Praise: Praise You, Jesus, for giving us Your mother Mary to nourish and guide us (Jn 19:26-27).

38 posted on 08/05/2014 9:22:22 PM PDT by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
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To: Salvation
Prayer for the Helpless Unborn

Heavenly Father, in Your love for us, protect against the wickedness of the devil, those helpless little ones to whom You have given the gift of life.

Touch with pity the hearts of those women pregnant in our world today who are not thinking of motherhood.

Help them to see that the child they carry is made in Your image - as well as theirs - made for eternal life.

Dispel their fear and selfishness and give them true womanly hearts to love their babies and give them birth and all the needed care that a mother can give.

We ask this through Jesus Christ, Your Son, Our Lord, Who lives and reigns with You and Holy Spirit, One God, forever and ever. Amen.

39 posted on 08/05/2014 9:35:01 PM PDT by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
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