Catholic Caucus: Daily Mass Readings, 7-21-03, Optional, St. Lawrence of Brindisi, Doctor-Church

Reading I
Ex 14:5-18

When it was reported to the king of Egypt
that the people had fled,
Pharaoh and his servants changed their minds about them.
They exclaimed, "What have we done!
Why, we have released Israel from our service!"
So Pharaoh made his chariots ready and mustered his soldiers–
six hundred first-class chariots
and all the other chariots of Egypt, with warriors on them all.
So obstinate had the Lord made Pharaoh
that he pursued the children of Israel
even while they were marching away in triumph.
The Egyptians, then, pursued them;
Pharaoh's whole army, his horses, chariots and charioteers,
caught up with them as they lay encamped by the sea,
at Pi-hahiroth, in front of Baal-zephon.

Pharaoh was already near when the children of Israel looked up
and saw that the Egyptians were on the march in pursuit of them.
In great fright they cried out to the Lord.
And they complained to Moses,
"Were there no burial places in Egypt
that you had to bring us out here to die in the desert?
Why did you do this to us?
Why did you bring us out of Egypt?
Did we not tell you this in Egypt, when we said,
‘Leave us alone. Let us serve the Egyptians'?
Far better for us to be the slaves of the Egyptians
than to die in the desert."
But Moses answered the people,
"Fear not! Stand your ground,
and you will see the victory the Lord will win for you today.
These Egyptians whom you see today you will never see again.
The Lord himself will fight for you; you have only to keep still."

Then the Lord said to Moses, "Why are you crying out to me?
Tell the children of Israel to go forward.
And you, lift up your staff and, with hand outstretched over the sea,
split the sea in two,
that the children of Israel may pass through it on dry land.
But I will make the Egyptians so obstinate
that they will go in after them.
Then I will receive glory through Pharaoh and all his army,
his chariots and charioteers.
The Egyptians shall know that I am the Lord,
when I receive glory through Pharaoh
and his chariots and charioteers."

Responsorial Psalm
Exodus 15:1bc-2, 3-4, 5-6

R (1b) Let us sing to the Lord; he has covered himself in glory.
I will sing to the Lord, for he is gloriously triumphant;
horse and chariot he has cast into the sea.
My strength and my courage is the Lord,
and he has been my savior.
He is my God, I praise him;
the God of my father, I extol him.
R Let us sing to the Lord; he has covered himself in glory.
The Lord is a warrior,
Lord is his name!
Pharaoh's chariots and army he hurled into the sea;
the elite of his officers were submerged in the Red Sea.
R Let us sing to the Lord; he has covered himself in glory.
The flood waters covered them,
they sank into the depths like a stone.
Your right hand, O Lord, magnificent in power,
your right hand, O Lord, has shattered the enemy.
R Let us sing to the Lord; he has covered himself in glory.

Gospel
Mt 12:38-42

Some of the scribes and Pharisees said to Jesus,
"Teacher, we wish to see a sign from you."
He said to them in reply,
"An evil and unfaithful generation seeks a sign,
but no sign will be given it
except the sign of Jonah the prophet.
Just as Jonah was in the belly of the whale three days and three nights,
so will the Son of Man be in the heart of the earth
three days and three nights.
At the judgment, the men of Nineveh will arise with this generation
and condemn it, because they repented at the preaching of Jonah;
and there is something greater than Jonah here.
At the judgment the queen of the south will arise with this generation
and condemn it, because she came from the ends of the earth
to hear the wisdom of Solomon;
and there is something greater than Solomon here."

FEAST OF THE DAY

St. Lawrence was born on July 22, 1559 in Brindisi. At the age of 16
he joined the Capuchin Friars and was sent to the University of
Padua to study theology. During his time at the university, Lawrence
also gained fluent knowledge of the Bible and learned six foreign
languages. His native language was Italian, but he also learned how
to speak French, German, Greek, Spanish, Syriac and Hebrew. After
finishing his university education, Lawrence was ordained and began
to put his skills and knowledge to use through the order. He taught
theology to the other friars and served as a linguist, and military
chaplain. He became famous throughout Europe as an effective and
forceful preacher. He wrote many works explaining the faith, some
fifteen volumes of which still exist, and often served as a diplomat to
various countries.

On one of his diplomatic missions, the emperor asked Lawrence to
rally the German princes to fight the Turks. He was successful and
was asked to lead the army into battle, even though he would take
no weapon other than a crucifix. The Turks were completely
defeated.

In 1602, St. Lawrence became the master general of his order. He
worked, preached and wrote to spread the Good News. He went on
important peace missions to Munich, Germany, and Madrid, Spain.
The rulers of those places listened to him and the missions were
successful. Lawrence became sick and died in Lisbon in 1619. He
was proclaimed a saint by Pope Leo XIII in 1881. In 1956, the
Capuchin order complied fifteen volumes containing his sermons,
letters and writings. He was honored as "apostolic doctor" by Pope
John XXIII in 1959.

QUOTE OF THE DAY

God is love, and all his operations proceed from love. Once he wills
to manifest that goodness by sharing his love outside himself, then
the Incarnation becomes the supreme manifestation of his goodness
and love and glory. So, Christ was intended before all other
creatures and for his own sake. For him all things were created and
to him all things must be subject, and God loves all creatures in and
because of Christ. Christ is the first-born of every creature, and the
whole of humanity as well as the created world finds its foundation
and meaning in him. Moreover, this would have been the case even
if Adam had not sinned. -St. Lawrence of Brindisi

TODAY IN HISTORY

1619 Death of St. Lawrence of Brindisi

TODAY'S TIDBIT

The Capuchins order is an independent branch of the Franciscan
order started in 1525. The order, made up of mendicant friars, set
out to restore a literal observance of the rule of St. Francis.

INTENTION FOR THE DAY

Please pray for all people who are working for peace in the world.

DAILY REFLECTION

Gospel Reading

Some teachers of the Law and some Pharisees spoke up, "Teacher, we want to see a sign from you." Jesus answered them, "An evil and unfaithful people want a sign, but no sign will be given them except the sign of the prophet Jonah. In the same way that Jonah spent three days and three nights in the belly of the monster fish, so will the Son of Man spend three days and three nights in the depths of the earth.

"At the judgment, the people of Niniveh will rise with this generation and condemn it, because they reformed their lives at the preaching of Jonah, and here there is greater than Jonah. At the judgment, the Queen of the South will stand up and condemn you. She came from the ends of the earth to listen to the wisdom of Solomon, and here there is greater than Solomon."

Reflection

What was wrong with asking for a sign? In this regard what the Scribes and Pharisees were asking of Jesus was actually not something out of the ordinary. What then was wrong with their request? Why did Jesus find offense at it? The real problem with the Scribes and the Pharisees was not so much their request for a sign, but the reason behind their request. They looked for signs not because they wanted to believe in him, but in order to further their disbelief. They had already made up their minds that they would be 'blind' to whatever goodness Jesus might show them. No wonder then that he refused to give them a sign. We, too, can be blind on many occasions. We have gotten so used to seeing him in people, places, and events that fit our liking. And so we fail to recognize that he is just as present in those persons, places and circumstances where we least expect to find him: in the poor, the needy, the difficult and even tragic situations of our lives, in those persons we dislike and in those who seem not to like us. They, too, are images of Christ; in them too, God is found. Are we to be as blind as the Scribes and Pharisees, refusing to see Jesus right in front of us?

From: Matthew 12:38-42

The Sign of Jonah

[38] Then some of the scribes and Pharisees said to him (Jesus),
"Teacher, we wish to see a sign from you." [39] But he answered them,
"An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign; but no sign shall
be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. [40] For as Jonah
was three days and three nights in the belly of the whale, so will the
Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.
[41] The men of Nineveh will arise at the judgment with this generation
and condemn it; for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and
behold, something greater than Jonah is here. [42] The queen of the
South will arise at the judgment with this generation and condemn it;
for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon,
and behold, something greater than Solomon is here."

Commentary:

39-40. This sign the Jews were asking for would have been a miracle or
some other prodigy; they wanted Jesus, incongruously, to confirm his
preaching--given with such simplicity--by dramatic signs. Our Lord
replies by announcing the mystery of his death and resurrection, using
the parallel of the case of Jonah: "No sign shall be given to it except
the sign of the prophet Jonah." Jesus' glorious resurrection is the
"sign" "par excellence", the decisive proof of the divine character of
his person, of his mission and of his teaching.

When St. Paul (1 Cor 14:3-4) confesses that Jesus Christ "was raised on
the third day in accordance with the scriptures" (words which later
found their way into the Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed, the Creed
used in the Mass), he must have had this passage particularly in mind.
We can see another allusion to Jonah in the words our Lord spoke
shortly before his ascension: "Thus it is written, that the Christ
should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead" (Lk 24:45-46).

41-42. Nineveh was a city in Mesopotamia (modern Iraq) to which the
prophet Jonah was sent. The Ninevites did penance (Jn 3:6-9) because
they recognized the prophet and accepted his message; whereas Jerusalem
does not wish to recognize Jesus, of whom Jonah was merely a figure.
The queen of the South was the queen of Sheba in southwestern Arabia,
who visited Solomon (1 Kings 10:1-10) and was in awe of the wisdom with
which God had endowed the King of Israel. Jesus is also prefigured in
Solomon, whom Jewish tradition saw as the epitome of the wise man.
Jesus' reproach is accentuated by the example of pagan converts, and
gives us a glimpse of the universal scope of Christianity, which will
take root among the Gentiles.

There is a certain irony in what Jesus says about "something greater"
than Jonah or Solomon having coming: really, he is infinitely greater,
but Jesus prefers to tone down the difference between himself and any
figure, no matter how important, in the Old Testament.

Source: "The Navarre Bible: Text and Commentaries". Biblical text
taken from the Revised Standard Version and New Vulgate. Commentaries
made by members of the Faculty of Theology of the University of
Navarre, Spain. Published by Four Courts Press, Kill Lane, Blackrock,
Co. Dublin, Ireland.

The Word Among Us

Monday, July 21, 2003

Meditation
Exodus 14:5-18

Can you imagine yourself with the Israelites as they found themselves trapped between the sea and the Egyptian army? Most of us would have reacted as they did: “Is it because there are no graves in Egypt that you have taken us away to die in the wilderness?” (Exodus 14:11).

But this is not how God looks at things. The situations we think are harsh, or even desperate, he sees as opportunities to reveal his love. Moses understood this, and so he could call out to God and wait for him to act. “Fear not, stand firm. . . . The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to keep still” (Exodus 14:13-14). Moses knew that God would deliver the Jews and that his part was to wait until he knew what God wanted him to do.

God uses each situation to teach us—and to reteach us—how utterly reliable he is to deliver and protect us. The Israelites learned through numerous experiences that God is always faithful to his promises, that he never abandons his people. As we read about these great events in their history, we too can allow God to teach us about his love and faithfulness to his promises.

God never abandoned the Israelites, and he will never abandon us. Today, you may be dealing with a wayward child, an illness, an overpowering fear, or some other difficult situation. Try to imitate Moses. Call out to God, wait on him to answer, and then act decisively when you know what God wants you to do. Whether this process takes seconds or years, God will answer you and show you his love. If you wait until you have heard God’s answer to your prayers, you will see his miraculous power at work in and through you.

“Father, thank you for showing us that you will never abandon us. Thank you for loving me so much that you sent Jesus to die for my sins. When I face difficulties, may I know the power of your indwelling Holy Spirit to enable me to call out to you, and then wait for your answer.”

One Bread, One Body

<< Monday, July 21, 2003 >>

St. Lawrence of Brindisi

Exodus 14:5-18

Exodus 15:1-6

Matthew 12:38-42

View Readings

THE FREEDOM TRAIN

“Far better for us to be the slaves of the Egyptians than to die in the desert.” —Exodus 14:12

If we are willing to give up our freedom to get something or prevent something, Satan, who specializes in enslaving us (see Heb 2:15), will probably oblige us. If we and our freedom can be bought, he will “buy us out” of freedom. If we can be intimidated and manipulated, Satan, who enslaves through fear, will be willing to play the games by which we surrender our freedom. Consequently, to prevent Satan from robbing us of our freedom, we must accept the grace to continually make the statement: Our freedom is “not for sale.” We must also resolve to die if necessary to keep our freedom in Christ. Isn’t that what every martyr says in dying for Christ?

We are so zealous about being free because freedom is the basis of love. Because God is Love (1 Jn 4:8, 16), the meaning of our lives in Christ is love. Therefore, we cherish our freedom by which we can live the life of love. We love because Jesus first loved us and freed us (1 Jn 4:19). Because we live in freedom, we can live in love. Be free and remain free to love.

Prayer: Father, show me the relationship between compulsions and lack of love.

Promise: “My Strength and my Courage is the Lord, and He has been my Savior.” —Ex 15:2

Praise: St. Lawrence was so free, he was able to decide on a religious vocation by age sixteen.

Catholic Online Saints

St. Lawrence of Brindisi
Feastday: July 21

Caesare de Rossi was born at Brandisi, kingdom of Naples, on July 22nd. He was educated by the conventual Franciscans there and by his uncle at St. Mark's in Venice. When sixteen, he joined the Capuchins at Verona, taking the name Lawrence. He pursued his higher studies in theology, philosophy, the bible, Greek, Hebrew, and several other languages at the University of Padua.

He was ordained and began to preach with great effect in Northern Italy. He became definitor general of his Order in Rome in 1596, a position he was to hold five times, was assigned to conversion work with Jews, and was sent to Germany, with Blessed Benedict of Urbino, to combat Lutheranism.

They founded friaries at Prague, Vienna, and Gorizia, which were to develop into the provinces of Bohemia, Austria, and Styria. At the request of Emperor Rudolf II, Lawrence helped raise an army among the German rulers to fight against the Turks, who were threatening to conquer all of Hungary, became its chaplain, and was among the leaders in the Battle of Szekesfehevar in 1601; many attributed the ensuing victory to him. In 1602, he was elected Vicar General of the Capuchins but refused re-election in 1605.

He was sent to Spain by the emperor to persuade Philip III to join the Catholic League, and while there, founded a Capuchin house in Madrid. He was then sent as papal nuncio to the court of Maximillian of Bavaria, served as peacemaker in several royal disputes, and in 1618, retired from worldly affairs to the friary at Caserta.

He was recalled at the request of the rulers of Naples to go to Spain to intercede with King Philip for them against the Duke of Osuna, Spanish envoy to naples and convinced the King to recall the Duke to avert an uprising. The trip in the sweltering heat of summer exhausted him, and he died a few days after his meeting with the King at Lisbon on July 22nd. Lawrence wrote a commentary on Genesis and several treatises against Luther, but Lawrence's main writings are in the nine volumes of his sermons. He was canonized in 1881 and proclaimed a Doctor of the Church by Pope John XXIII in 1959. His feast day is July 21st.

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