Scripture of the Week
Mass Readings—Tenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
The Book of Genesis, chapter three, verses nine thru fifteen;
Psalm One Hundred Thirty, verses one & two, three & four, five & six, & seven & eight;
The Second Letter to the Corinthians, chapter four, verse thirteen thru chapter five, verse one;
The Gospel according to Mark, chapter three, verses twenty thru thirty-five.
Commentary: Reflection by Bishop Robert Barron (Word on Fire):
Friends, in today’s Gospel, relatives of Jesus claim that he is mad, and scribes blaspheme him, charging that he is possessed by Beelzebul. You know, in cases like this, the basic problem is always the fearful ego. Ego-addicts know that sometimes the best defense is a good offense. If you want to protect the ego and its prerogatives, you must oppress and demoralize those around you.Video reflection by Father Greg Friedman, O.F.M.: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.
There is a very unsubtle version of this method: you attack, put down, insult, and undermine those around you. This is the method of the bully. But the religious version is much subtler and thus more insidious and dangerous. It takes the Law itself—especially the moral law—and uses it to accuse and oppress. "I know what’s right and wrong; I know what the Church expects of us; and I know that you are not living up to it."
And so I accuse you; I gossip about you; I remind you of your inadequacy. Mind you, this is not to condemn the legitimate exercise of fraternal correction or the office of preaching. But it’s a reminder to not be sucked into the slavery of ego addiction. We must stay alert to this and avoid it at all costs.
Video reflection by Mister Jeff Cavins: Encountering the Word.
Audio reflection by Doctor Scott Hahn, Ph.D.: Breaking the Bread.
Mass Journal: Week Twenty-four
Reflection by Matthew Kelly, founder of the Dynamic Catholic Institute:
I believe the best way to defend life is to celebrate life. I believe the best way to celebrate life is to live our own lives to the fullest—to embrace life with arms wide open, to lay our lives enthusiastically at the service of humanity, to love deeply the people who cross our paths, & above all, to embrace our God. Life should never be wasted—not one moment—because life is precious.†
You can celebrate anything you wish. You can celebrate life & faith. You can celebrate love & honesty, mercy & forgiveness, kindness, & generosity. You can celebrate truth, beauty, goodness, & redemption. On the other hand, you can celebrate destruction & paganism. You can celebrate hatred & violence, selfishness & greed, contempt & disrespect. You can celebrate perversion, corruption; pride, deceit, & condemnation. But one thing is certain: We become what we celebrate. This is the one immutable truth found in the life of every person who has ever lived. We become what we celebrate. It is true not only of the life of a person, but also the life of a family. It is true of the life of a nation, & it is true of the life of the Church.
Otherwise, 10 June would be the festival of Saint Bardo of Mainz, Bishop & Abbot, O.S.B. (circa 980-1051): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.
Commentary: Wayback Machine.
'Twould also be the festival of Blessed Giovanni Dominici, Bishop, O.P. (circa 1355-1419), who attended the Council of Constance (1414-1418) & was instrumental in ending the Papal Schism (1378-1417): Blessed-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Council & Wikipedia-link Schism.
'Twould also be the festival of Blesseds Thomas Green & Walter Pierson, Religious & Martyrs, O.Cart. (died 1537, A.K.A. Thomas Greenwood), martyred in the reign of the English king Henry VIII, two of the Carthusian Martyrs of London: Martyr-link Tango Golf, Martyr-link Whiskey Papa, & Wikipedia-link (List); Martyrs-link Charterhouse & Wikipedia-link Charterhouse.
Papal Quote o' the Day
"We bless St. Joseph as a worker! By recalling St. Joseph the Worker, we are reminded of God the Worker & Jesus the Worker. This theme of work is very evangelical."Little Flower Quote o' the Day
—Pope Francis (born 1936, reigning since 2013)
"I have a desire, a desire so great that I shall be unable to be happy in heaven if it is not realized."Saint Quote o' the Day
—St. Thérèse of Lisieux, Doctor of the Church (1873-1897, feast day: 1 October)
"Let us become saints so that after having been together on earth we will be together forever in heaven."
—St. Pio of Pietrelcina (Padre Pio; 1887-1968, feast day: 23 September)
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