Scripture of the Week
Mass Readings—Seventeenth Sunday Week in Ordinary Time
The Book of Genesis, chapter eighteen, verses twenty thru thirty-two;
Psalm One Hundred Thirty-eight, verses one & two, two & three, six & seven, & seven & eight;
The Letter to the Colossians, chapter two, verses twelve, thirteen, & fourteen;
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter eleven, verses one thru thirteen.
Commentary: Reflection by Bishop Robert Barron (Word on Fire):
Friends, our Gospel for today gives us an opportunity to reflect on the great prayer that Jesus taught us. Think how this prayer links us to all of the great figures in Christian history, from Peter and Paul to Augustine, Thomas Aquinas, Francis of Assisi, John Henry Newman, G.K. Chesterton, John Paul II, and right up to the present day.Video reflection by Father Greg Friedman, O.F.M.: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.
A desire to pray is planted deep within us. It just means the desire to speak to God and to listen to him. Keep in mind that prayer is not designed to change God’s mind or to tell God something he doesn’t know. God isn’t like a big city boss or a reluctant pasha whom we have to persuade. He is rather the one who wants nothing other than to give us good things—though they might not always be what we want.
Can you see how this prayer rightly orders us? We must put God’s holy name first; we must strive to do his will in all things and at all times; we must be strengthened by spiritual food or we will fall; we must be agents of forgiveness; we must be able to withstand the dark powers.
Video reflection by Father Claude Burns (uCatholic): Weekend Reflection with Father Pontifex.
Audio reflection by Scott Hahn, Ph.D. (St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology): Breaking the Bread.
Mass Journal: Week 35
Reflection by Matthew Kelly, founder of the Dynamic Catholic Institute:
The saints were remarkable men & women, but surprisingly what made them remarkable was rarely anything too spectacular. What made them extraordinary was the ordinary. They strove to grow in virtue through the ordinary things of everyday life. If they were caring for the sick they were growing in humility. When they were educating children they were growing in patience. As Saint Thérèse of Lisieux said, "Do the little things with great love." There is nothing more attractive than holiness. Throughout history, whatever men & women of holiness have lived, the Church has blossomed. This is the answer to all of our problems: holiness of life.†
What are you willing to live for? Just before her death, [Saint] Joan of Arc wrote, "I know this now. Every man gives his life for what he believes. Every woman gives her life for what she believes. Sometimes people believe in little or nothing, & yet they give their lives to that little or nothing. One life is all we have, & we live it as we believe living it & then it's gone. But to surrender what you are & to live without belief is more terrible than dying—even more terrible than dying young." What are you willing to give your life for?
Otherwise, 28 July would be the festival of Saint Nazarius & Celsus, Martyrs (died circa 68), martyred in the reign of the Roman emperor Nero, victims of the Neronian Persecution: Martyr-link November, Martyr-link Charlie, & Wikipedia-link; Persecutions-link & Wikipedia-link Persecution.
'Twould also be the festival of Saint Victor I, Pope & Martyr (died 199), fourteenth (XIV) Bishop of Rome, martyred in the reign of the Roman emperor Septimius Severus: Martyr-link ūnus, Martyr-link duo, & Wikipedia-link; Pontiffs-link & Wikipedia-link Pontiff.
Commentary: Wayback Machine.
'Twould also be the festival of Saint Samson of Dol, Bishop & Abbot (circa 485-565, A.K.A. of York; also spelt Sampson, Samsun), one of the Seven Founder Saints of Brittany: Saint-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Brittany.
Commentary: Brother of Ss. Gwyneth of Cornwall & Veep [both 1 July].
'Twould also be the festival of Saint Jaime Hilario Barbal, Religious & Martyr, F.S.C. (1989-1937, A.K.A. Manuel Barbal i Cosín), martyred by Spanish Communist "Republicans": Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link.
'Twould also be the festival of Blessed Stanley Rother, Priest & Martyr (1935-1981), martyred by a Guatemalan death squad: Martyr-link ūnus, Martyr-link duo, & Wikipedia-link.
Papal Quote o' the Day
"The Eucharist is the privileged summit of the meeting of Christ's love for us; a love that is made available for each of us, a love that is made to be sacrificial lamb & food for our hunger for life. As the Apostle says, 'He loved me & gave Himself up for me.'"Saint Quote o' the Day
—Pope St. Paul VI (1897-1978, feast day: 29 May)
"You pay God a compliment by asking great things of Him."
—St. Teresa of Ávila, Doctor of the Church (1515-1582, feast day: 15 October)
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