Kapamilya Gospel

[Leo Lastimosa]

DAILY GOSPEL «Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.» John 6:68 Wednesday, 01 August 2012 Wednesday of the Seventeenth week in Ordinary Time Saint(s) of the day : St. Alphonsus Liguori, bishop and Doctor of the Church (1696-1787) See commentary below or click here Saint Irenaeus of Lyons : The treasure hidden in the field of Scripture Book of Jeremiah 15:10.16-21. Woe to me, mother, that you gave me birth! a man of strife and contention to all the land! I neither borrow nor lend, yet all curse me. When I found your words, I devoured them; they became my joy and the happiness of my heart, Because I bore your name, O LORD, God of hosts. I did not sit celebrating in the circle of merrymakers; Under the weight of your hand I sat alone because you filled me with indignation. Why is my pain continuous, my wound incurable, refusing to be healed? You have indeed become for me a treacherous brook, whose waters do not abide! Thus the LORD answered me: If you repent, so that I restore you, in my presence you shall stand; If you bring forth the precious without the vile, you shall be my mouthpiece. Then it shall be they who turn to you, and you shall not turn to them; And I will make you toward this people a solid wall of brass. Though they fight against you, they shall not prevail, For I am with you, to deliver and rescue you, says the LORD. I will free you from the hand of the wicked, and rescue you from the grasp of the violent. Psalms 59(58):2-3.4.10-11.17.18. Rescue me from my enemies, O my God; From my adversaries defend me. Rescue me from evildoers; From bloodthirsty men save me. For behold, they lie in wait for my life; Mighty men come together against me, Not for any offense or sin of mine, O LORD. O my strength! for you I watch; For you, O God, are my stronghold, As for my God, may his mercy go before me; May he show me the fall of my foes. But I will sing of your strength And revel at dawn in your mercy; You have been my stronghold, My refuge in the day of distress. O my strength! your praise will I sing; For you, O God, are my stronghold, My merciful God! Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew 13:44-46. The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure buried in a field, which a person finds and hides again, and out of joy goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant searching for fine pearls. When he finds a pearl of great price, he goes and sells all that he has and buys it. Copyright © Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, USCCB Commentary of the day : Saint Irenaeus of Lyons (c.130-c.208), Bishop, theologian and martyr Against the Heresies, IV, 26 ; SC 100 The treasure hidden in the field of Scripture It was Christ who was present to all those to whom, from the beginning, God communicated his Speech and Word. If any one, therefore, reads the Scriptures with attention, he will find in them an expression of Christ and a foreshadowing of this new calling. For Christ is the treasure which was hidden in the field, that is, in this world (Mt 13:38): a treasure hidden in the Scriptures, since it was alluded to by means of symbols and parables which, humanly speaking, could not be understood prior to the fulfilment of prophecy, that is to say before the coming of the Lord. That is why it was said to Daniel the prophet: " Keep secret the message and seal the book until the end of time ” (12:4)... And Jeremiah also says, "In the last days they shall understand these things." (23:20)... When read by Christians, the Law is a treasure, hidden beforehand in a field, but brought to light and interpreted by the cross of Christ. It shows forth the wisdom of God and makes known his intentions with regard to our salvation; it prefigures the kingdom of Christ, and preaches by anticipation the Good News of our inheritance of the holy Jerusalem. It proclaims beforehand that those who love God shall advance even to hearing and seeing his word and that they will be glorified by this word... Thus it was that the Lord explained the Scriptures to his disciples after his resurrection from the dead, proving to them by their means  that "it was necessary the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory" (Lk 24:26). So if anyone should likewise read the Scriptures, that person will become a perfect disciple, “like the head of a household who brings from his storeroom things both new and old." (Mt 13:52).

[Leo Lastimosa]

DAILY GOSPEL «Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.» John 6:68

Thursday, 02 August 2012 Thursday of the Seventeenth week in Ordinary Time Saint(s) of the day : St. Eusebius of Vercelli, Bishop († 371)

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Vatican Council II: "The kingdom of heaven is like a net thrown into the sea" Book of Jeremiah 18:1-6. This word came to Jeremiah from the LORD: Rise up, be off to the potter's house; there I will give you my message. I went down to the potter's house and there he was, working at the wheel. Whenever the object of clay which he was making turned out badly in his hand, he tried again, making of the clay another object of whatever sort he pleased. Then the word of the Lord came to me: Can I not do to you, house of Israel, as this potter has done? says the LORD. Indeed, like clay in the hand of the potter, so are you in my hand, house of Israel. Psalms 146(145):1b-2.3-4.5-6ab. Praise the LORD, O my soul; I will praise the LORD all my life; I will sing praise to my God while I live.  Put not your trust in princes, In the sons of men, in whom there is no salvation. When his spirit departs he returns to his earth; On that day his plans perish. Blessed he whose help is the God of Jacob, Whose hope is in the LORD, his God. Who made heaven and earth, The sea and all that is in them. Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew 13:47-53. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net thrown into the sea, which collects fish of every kind. When it is full they haul it ashore and sit down to put what is good into buckets. What is bad they throw away. Thus it will be at the end of the age. The angels will go out and separate the wicked from the righteous and throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth. Do you understand all these things? They answered, "Yes." And he replied, "Then every scribe who has been instructed in the kingdom of heaven is like the head of a household who brings from his storeroom both the new and the old." When Jesus finished these parables, he went away from there.

Copyright © Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, USCCB Commentary of the day :

Vatican Council II Constitution on the Church in the modern world « Gaudium et spes », § 39, 2-4 "The kingdom of heaven is like a net thrown into the sea" While we are warned that it profits a man nothing if he gain the whole world and lose himself,(Lk 9,25) the expectation of a new earth must not weaken but rather stimulate our concern for cultivating this one. For here grows the body of a new human family, a body which even now is able to give some kind of foreshadowing of the new age. Hence, while earthly progress must be carefully distinguished from the growth of Christ's kingdom, to the extent that the former can contribute to the better ordering of human society, it is of vital concern to the Kingdom of God For after we have obeyed the Lord, and in His Spirit nurtured on earth the values of human dignity, brotherhood and freedom, and indeed all the good fruits of our nature and enterprise, we will find them again, but freed of stain, burnished and transfigured, when Christ hands over to the Father: "a kingdom eternal and universal, a kingdom of truth and life, of holiness and grace, of justice, love and peace." On this earth that Kingdom is already present in mystery. When the Lord returns it will be brought into full flower.

[Leo Lastimosa]

DAILY GOSPEL «Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.» John 6:68

Friday, 03 August 2012 Friday of the Seventeenth week in Ordinary Time Saint(s) of the day : St. Lydia

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Saint Bernard : "Is he not the carpenter's son?" Book of Jeremiah 26:1-9. In the beginning of the reign of Jehoiakim, son of Josiah, king of Judah, this message came from the LORD: Thus says the LORD: Stand in the court of the house of the LORD and speak to the people of all the cities of Judah who come to worship in the house of the LORD; whatever I command you, tell them, and omit nothing. Perhaps they will listen and turn back, each from his evil way, so that I may repent of the evil I have planned to inflict upon them for their evil deeds. Say to them: Thus says the LORD: If you disobey me, not living according to the law I placed before you and not listening to the words of my servants the prophets, whom I send you constantly though you do not obey them, I will treat this house like Shiloh, and make this the city which all the nations of the earth shall refer to when cursing another. Now the priests, the prophets, and all the people heard Jeremiah speak these words in the house of the LORD. When Jeremiah finished speaking all that the LORD bade him speak to all the people, the priests and prophets laid hold of him, crying, "You must be put to death! Why do you prophesy in the name of the LORD: 'This house shall be like Shiloh,' and 'This city shall be desolate and deserted'?" And all the people gathered about Jeremiah in the house of the LORD. Psalms 69(68):5.8-10.14. Those outnumber the hairs of my head who hate me without cause. Too many for my strength Are they who wrongfully are my enemies. Must I restore what I did not steal? Since for your sake I bear insult, And shame covers my face. I have become an outcast to my brothers, A stranger to my mother's sons, Because zeal for your house consumes me, And the insults of those who blaspheme you fall upon me. But I pray to you, O LORD, For the time of your favor, O God! In your great kindness answer me With your constant help. Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew 13:54-58. He came to his native place and taught the people in their synagogue. They were astonished and said, "Where did this man get such wisdom and mighty deeds? Is he not the carpenter's son? Is not his mother named Mary and his brothers James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas? Are not his sisters all with us? Where did this man get all this?" And they took offense at him. But Jesus said to them, "A prophet is not without honor except in his native place and in his own house." And he did not work many mighty deeds there because of their lack of faith.

Copyright © Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, USCCB Commentary of the day :

Saint Bernard (1091-1153), Cistercian monk and doctor of the Church 2nd sermon on the words of the Gospel : «The angel Gabriel was sent» §16 (trans. J.C. Hedley, alt.), "Is he not the carpenter's son?" Brethren, do you recall the patriarch Joseph..., from whom Joseph, the husband of Mary, inherited not only the name but the purity, innocence and grace... To the Joseph of old was given interpretation of dreams (Gn 40;41), to the new Joseph a share in heavenly secrets. His predecessor kept a store of wheat, not for himself but for the whole nation; the latter became the guardian of the living bread from heaven that would give life to the whole world as to himself (Jn 6,51). A “good and faithful servant” (Mt 25,21) was the Joseph to whom Mary, the mother of the Savior, was espoused; a “faithful and prudent servant” (Mt 24,45) whom our Lord chose for the comfort of his mother and the fatherly support of his humanity, as well as the trustworthy co-operator of his design for the world. He was of the house of David..., descended from royal stock, a man of noble race and yet nobler mind, the son of David, in nothing degenerating from the nobility of David, his father. Yes, truly was he son of David less by kinship of blood than by inheritance of faith, of devotion, and of holiness of life: a man whom, like another David, God found “according to His own heart” (1Sam 13,14), and to whom he entrusted his most precious secret; to whom, as to David, he made manifest his “inmost wisdom” (Ps 51[50],8), and to whom he revealed a mystery hidden from the great ones of the world. To Joseph it was given to behold him Whom “many kings and prophets had desired to see and had not seen, to hear and had not heard” (Lk 10,24). And not only was he allowed to behold him and listen to his words, but to bear him in his arms, guide his steps, embrace and caress him, feed and protect him.

[Leo Lastimosa]

DAILY GOSPEL «Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.» John 6:68

Saturday, 04 August 2012 Saturday of the Seventeenth week in Ordinary Time Saint(s) of the day : St. John Mary Vianney, Priest (1786-1859) - Memorial

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Catechism of the Catholic Church: The martyrdom of John the Baptist, witness to the truth Book of Jeremiah 26:11-16.24. The priests and prophets said to the princes and to all the people, "This man deserves death; he has prophesied against this city, as you have heard with your own ears." Jeremiah gave this answer to the princes and all the people: "It was the LORD who sent me to prophesy against this house and city all that you have heard. Now, therefore, reform your ways and your deeds; listen to the voice of the LORD your God, so that the LORD will repent of the evil with which he threatens you. As for me, I am in your hands; do with me what you think good and right. But mark well: if you put me to death, it is innocent blood you bring on yourselves, on this city and its citizens. For in truth it was the LORD who sent me to you, to speak all these things for you to hear." Thereupon the princes and all the people said to the priests and the prophets, "This man does not deserve death; it is in the name of the LORD, our God, that he speaks to us." But Ahikam, son of Shaphan, protected Jeremiah, so that he was not handed over to the people to be put to death. Psalms 69(68):15-16.30-31.33-34. Rescue me out of the mire; may I not sink! May I be rescued from my foes, And from the watery depths. Let not the flood-waters overwhelm me, Nor the abyss swallow me up, Nor the pit close its mouth over me. But I am afflicted and in pain; Let your saving help, O God, protect me. I will praise the name of God in song, And I will glorify him with thanksgiving. "See, you lowly ones, and be glad; You who seek God, may your hearts revive! For the LORD hears the poor, And his own who are in bonds he spurns not." Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew 14:1-12. At that time Herod the tetrarch heard of the reputation of Jesus and said to his servants, "This man is John the Baptist. He has been raised from the dead; that is why mighty powers are at work in him." Now Herod had arrested John, bound (him), and put him in prison on account of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip, for John had said to him, "It is not lawful for you to have her." Although he wanted to kill him, he feared the people, for they regarded him as a prophet. But at a birthday celebration for Herod, the daughter of Herodias performed a dance before the guests and delighted Herod so much that he swore to give her whatever she might ask for. Prompted by her mother, she said, "Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist." The king was distressed, but because of his oaths and the guests who were present, he ordered that it be given, and he had John beheaded in the prison. His head was brought in on a platter and given to the girl, who took it to her mother. His disciples came and took away the corpse and buried him; and they went and told Jesus.

Copyright © Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, USCCB Commentary of the day :

Catechism of the Catholic Church § 2471-2474 The martyrdom of John the Baptist, witness to the truth Before Pilate, Christ proclaims that he "has come into the world, to bear witness to the truth," (Jn 18,37). The Christian is not to "be ashamed then of testifying to our Lord," (2Tim 1,8). In situations that require witness to the faith, the Christian must profess it without equivocation, after the example of St. Paul before his judges. We must keep "a clear conscience toward God and toward men," (Acts 24,16). The duty of Christians to take part in the life of the Church impels them to act as witnesses of the Gospel and of the obligations that flow from it. This witness is a transmission of the faith in words and deeds. Witness is an act of justice that establishes the truth or makes it known: “All Christians by the example of their lives and the witness of their word, wherever they live, have an obligation to manifest the new man which they have put on in Baptism and to reveal the power of the Holy Spirit by whom they were strengthened at Confirmation” (Vatican II) . Martyrdom is the supreme witness given to the truth of the faith: it means bearing witness even unto death. the martyr bears witness to Christ who died and rose, to whom he is united by charity. He bears witness to the truth of the faith and of Christian doctrine. He endures death through an act of fortitude... The Church has painstakingly collected the records of those who persevered to the end in witnessing to their faith. These are the acts of the Martyrs. They form the archives of truth written in letters of blood...: “I bless you for having judged me worthy from this day and this hour to be counted among your martyrs.... You have kept your promise, God of faithfulness and truth. For this reason and for everything, I praise you, I bless you, I glorify you through the eternal and heavenly High Priest, Jesus Christ, your beloved Son” (St. Polycarp)

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Leo Lastimosa

DYAB Manager

[Leo Lastimosa]

DAILY GOSPEL «Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.» John 6:68

Monday, 06 August 2012 The Transfiguration of the Lord - Feast Saint(s) of the day : St. Hormisdas, Pope († 523)

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Peter the Venerable : “His face shone like the sun” (Mt 17,2) Book of Daniel 7:9-10.13-14. As I watched : Thrones were set up and the Ancient One took his throne. His clothing was bright as snow, and the hair on his head as white as wool ; His throne was flames of fire, with wheels of burning fire. A surging stream of fire flowed out from where he sat; Thousands upon thousands were ministering to him, and myriads upon myriads attended him. The court was convened, and the books were opened. As the visions during the night continued, I saw One like a son of man coming, on the clouds of heaven; When he reached the Ancient One and was presented before him, He received dominion, glory, and kingship; nations and peoples of every language serve him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that shall not be taken away, his kingship shall not be destroyed. Psalms 97(96):1-2.5-6.9. The LORD is king; let the earth rejoice; Let the many islands be glad Clouds and darkness are round about him, Justice and judgment are the foundation of his throne. The mountains melt like wax before the LORD, Before the Lord of all the earth. The heavens proclaim his justice, And all peoples see his glory. Because you, O LORD, are the Most High over all the earth, Exalted far above all gods. Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Mark 9:2-10. Jesus took Peter, James, and John and led them up a high mountain apart by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his clothes became dazzling white, such as no fuller on earth could bleach them. Then Elijah appeared to them along with Moses, and they were conversing with Jesus. Then Peter said to Jesus in reply, "Rabbi, it is good that we are here! Let us make three tents: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah." He hardly knew what to say, they were so terrified. Then a cloud came, casting a shadow over them; then from the cloud came a voice, "This is my beloved Son. Listen to him." Suddenly, looking around, they no longer saw anyone but Jesus alone with them. As they were coming down from the mountain, he charged them not to relate what they had seen to anyone, except when the Son of Man had risen from the dead. So they kept the matter to themselves, questioning what rising from the dead meant.

Copyright © Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, USCCB Commentary of the day :

Peter the Venerable (1092-1156), Abbot of Cluny Sermon 1 pour la Transfiguration ; PL 189, 959 “His face shone like the sun” (Mt 17,2) What was surprising about Jesus' face becoming like the sun since he himself was the sun? He was indeed the sun, but the sun hidden behind a cloud. Now, for a moment, the cloud dispersed and he shone out. What is this cloud that dispersed? It was not so much the flesh but the weakness of the flesh that disappeared for a moment. This is the cloud spoken of by the prophet: “See, the Lord will ride on a swift cloud” (Is 19,1): the cloud, the flesh that covers his divinity; swift, because this flesh bears not a trace of evil in itself; a cloud concealing the divine splendor; swift, because it is to rise up to the eternal splendor. This is the cloud of which it is written in the Song of Songs: “I was seated in the shadow of him for whom my soul longs” (cf. Sg 3,2). It is a swift cloud because this is the flesh of “the Lamb who takes away the sins of the world” (Jn 1,29) and, once these have been removed, the world is carried up to heavenly heights, divested of the weight of all its sins. The sun concealed by this flesh is not that “which rises for good and bad alike” (Mt 5,45) but “the Sun of righteousness” (Mal 3,20), which rises only for those who fear God. Veiled, normally, by the cloud of the flesh, this light that “enlightens everyone” (Jn 1,9) shines out today in all its brilliance. Today it gives glory to this same flesh, it displays itself deified to the apostles so that they, the apostles, might make it known to the world.

[Leo Lastimosa]

DAILY GOSPEL «Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.» John 6:68

Tuesday, 07 August 2012 Tuesday of the Eighteenth week in Ordinary Time Saint(s) of the day : St. Cajetan, Priest (1480-1547)

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Blessed Elizabeth of the Trinity : "Those who were in the boat did him homage" Book of Jeremiah 30:1-2.12-15.18-22. The following message came to Jeremiah from the LORD: 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. Psalms 102(101):16-18.19-21.29.22-23. 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. 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." 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. Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew 14:22-36. Then he made the disciples get into the boat and precede him to the other side, 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.

Copyright © Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, USCCB Commentary of the day :

Blessed Elizabeth of the Trinity (1880-1906), Carmelite Last retreat, 20-21 (©Institute of Carmelite studies) "Those who were in the boat did him homage" "And they fall down and worship Him and they cast down their crowns before the throne, saying, Worthy are you, 0 Lord, to receive glory and honor and power” (Rev 4,10f.) How can I imitate in the heaven of my soul this unceasing occupation of the blessed in the Heaven of glory? How can I sustain this uninterrupted praise and adoration? Saint Paul gives me light on this when he writes to his followers his wish that "the Father would strengthen them inwardly with power through His Spirit so that Christ would dwell through faith in their hearts, and so that they would be rooted and grounded in love" (cf. Eph 3,16f.). To be rooted and grounded in love: such, it seems to me, is the condition for worthily fulfilling its work as “praise of glory” (Eph 1,6.12.14). The soul that penetrates and dwells in these "depths of God"... and thus does everything "in Him, with Him, by Him and for Him"... , this soul, by each of its movements, it aspirations, as well as by each of its acts, however ordinary they may be, "is rooted" more deeply in Him whom it loves. Everything within it pays homage to the thrice-holy God: it is so to speak a perpetual Sanctus, an unceasing praise of glory! "They fall down and adore, they cast down their crowns." First of all the soul should "fall down," should plunge into the abyss of its nothingness, sinking so deeply into it that... it finds true, unchanging, and perfect peace which no one can disturb, for it has plunged so low that no one will look for it there. Then it can adore.

[Leo Lastimosa]

DAILY GOSPEL «Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.» John 6:68

Wednesday, 08 August 2012 Wednesday of the Eighteenth week in Ordinary Time Saint(s) of the day : St. Dominic, Priest (1170-1221)

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Saint Hilary : "My daughter is tormented by a demon" Book of Jeremiah 31:1-7. At that time, says the LORD, I will be the God of all the tribes of Israel, and they shall be my people. Thus says the LORD: The people that escaped the sword have found favor in the desert. As Israel comes forward to be given his rest, the LORD appears to him from afar: With age-old love I have loved you; so I have kept my mercy toward you. Again I will restore you, and you shall be rebuilt, O virgin Israel; Carrying your festive tambourines, you shall go forth dancing with the merrymakers. Again you shall plant vineyards on the mountains of Samaria; those who plant them shall enjoy the fruits. Yes, a day will come when the watchmen will call out on Mount Ephraim: "Rise up, let us go to Zion, to the LORD, our God." For thus says the LORD: Shout with joy for Jacob, exult at the head of the nations; proclaim your praise and say: The LORD has delivered his people, the remnant of Israel. Book of Jeremiah 31:10.11-12ab.13. Hear the word of the LORD, O nations, Proclaim it on distant isles, and say: He who scattered Israel, now gathers them together, He guards them as a shepherd his flock. The LORD shall ransom Jacob, He shall redeem him from the hand of his conqueror. Shouting, they shall mount the heights of Zion,   They shall come streaming to the LORD's blessings:   Then the virgins shall make merry and dance, And young men and old as well. I will turn their mourning into joy, I will console and gladden them after their sorrows. Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew 15:21-28. Then Jesus went from that place and withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. And behold, a Canaanite woman of that district came and called out, "Have pity on me, Lord, Son of David! My daughter is tormented by a demon." But he did not say a word in answer to her. His disciples came and asked him, "Send her away, for she keeps calling out after us." He said in reply, "I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel." But the woman came and did him homage, saying, "Lord, help me." He said in reply, "It is not right to take the food of the children and throw it to the dogs." She said, "Please, Lord, for even the dogs eat the scraps that fall from the table of their masters." Then Jesus said to her in reply, "O woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish." And her daughter was healed from that hour.

Copyright © Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, USCCB Commentary of the day :

Saint Hilary (c.315-367), Bishop of Poitiers, Doctor of the Church Commentary on Saint Matthew's Gospel, 15 ; SC 258 "My daughter is tormented by a demon" This gentile Canaanite woman no longer needs healing herself since she confesses Christ as Lord and Son of David. But she begs for help for her daughter, that is to say, for the crowd of Gentiles held captive under the domination of unclean spirits. Our Lord is silent, preserving for Israel with his silence the honor of salvation... Bearing in himself the mystery of the Father's will, he answers that he was sent to the lost sheep of Israel so that it might be clearly seen that the daughter of the Canaanite woman is the symbol of the Church... This doesn't mean that salvation was not to be given to the gentiles but that our Lord had come “to his own and his own people” (Jn 1,11) and he was waiting for the firstfruits of the faith from the people from whom he had come forth; the rest would be saved later through the preaching of the apostles... And that we might understand that the Lord's silence was due to consideration of the times and not to any obstacle placed by his own will, he added: “Woman, your faith is great!”  What he meant was that this woman, who was already sure of her salvation, had – what is better still – faith in the gathering together of the gentiles at the approaching time when, through their faith, they would be set free like this young girl from all domination by unclean spirits. Indeed, confirmation of this came about: following the prefiguration of the gentiles in the Canaanite woman's daughter, people who were prisoner to all kinds of different illnesses were brought to the Lord by the crowds on the mountain (Mt 15,30). These were unbelievers, that is to say sick, who were led by believers to adoration and worship and to whom salvation was given that they might comprehend, study, praise and follow God.

[Leo Lastimosa]

DAILY GOSPEL «Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.» John 6:68

Thursday, 09 August 2012 Thursday of the Eighteenth week in Ordinary Time Feast of the Church : In Europe: St Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (Edith Stein), Virgin, Martyr, patron of Europe - Feast Saint(s) of the day : St Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (Edith Stein), co-patron of Europe (1891-1942)

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Saint Leo the Great : “On this rock I will build my church.” Book of Jeremiah 31:31-34. The days are coming, says the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah. It will not be like the covenant I made with their fathers the day I took them by the hand to lead them forth from the land of Egypt; for they broke my covenant and I had to show myself their master, says the LORD. But this is the covenant which I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the LORD. I will place my law within them, and write it upon their hearts; I will be their God, and they shall be my people. No longer will they have need to teach their friends and kinsmen how to know the LORD. All, from least to greatest, shall know me, says the LORD, for I will forgive their evildoing and remember their sin no more. Psalms 51(50):12-13.14-15.18-19. A clean heart create for me, O God, And a steadfast spirit renew within me. Cast me not out from your presence, And your Holy Spirit take not from me. Give me back the joy of your salvation, And a willing spirit sustain in me. I will teach transgressors your ways, And sinners shall return to you.   For you are not pleased with sacrifices; Should I offer a burnt offering, you would not accept it. My sacrifice, O God, is a contrite spirit; A heart contrite and humbled, O God, you will not spurn.   Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew 16:13-23. When Jesus went into the region of Caesarea Philippi he asked his disciples, «Who do people say that the Son of Man is?» They replied, "Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets." He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" Simon Peter said in reply, "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God." Jesus said to him in reply, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah. For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father. And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven." Then he strictly ordered his disciples to tell no one that he was the Messiah. From that time on, Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer greatly from the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed and on the third day be raised. Then Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, "God forbid, Lord! No such thing shall ever happen to you." He turned and said to Peter, "Get behind me, Satan! You are an obstacle to me. You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do."

Copyright © Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, USCCB Commentary of the day :

Saint Leo the Great (?-c.461), Pope and Doctor of the Church Sermon on the anniversary of his ordination as bishop “On this rock I will build my church.” My brethren, when it comes to fulfilling my duties as a bishop, I find myself weak and ineffective, weighed down by the weakness of my own condition, while at the same time I want to act generously and courageously. However, I draw my strength from the untiring intercession of the almighty and eternal Priest who, like us but equal to the Father, lowered his divinity to our side and raised us up to God. The decrees he has made give me a just and holy joy. For while he delegated many pastors to care for his flock, he did not abandon watching over his beloved sheep. Thanks to that fundamental and eternal help, I in turn have received the protection and support of the apostle Peter, who also does not forsake his function. This solid foundation, on which the whole of the Church is built, never wearies of carrying the whole weight of the building that rests upon it. The firmness of faith, for which the first of the apostles was praised, never fails. Just as everything that Peter professed in Christ remains, so what Christ established in Peter remains... The order willed by God's truth remains. Saint Peter perseveres in the firmness he received; he has not abandoned the governance of the Church, which was placed in his hands. That, my brethren, is what the profession of faith inspired by God the Father obtained in the heart of the apostle. He received the firmness of a rock, which no assault can shake. Throughout the whole Church Peter says every day: “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

[Leo Lastimosa]

DAILY GOSPEL «Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.» John 6:68

Friday, 10 August 2012 Saint Lawrence, deacon and martyr - Feast Saint(s) of the day : St. Lawrence, Deacon and Martyr († 258)

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Saint Augustine : "Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will preserve it for eternal life" Second Letter to the Corinthians 9:6-10. Consider this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each must do as already determined, without sadness or compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. Moreover, God is able to make every grace abundant for you, so that in all things, always having all you need, you may have an abundance for every good work. As it is written: "He scatters abroad, he gives to the poor; his righteousness endures forever." The one who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed and increase the harvest of your righteousness. Psalms 112(111):1-2.5-6.7-8.9. Blessed the man who fears the LORD, Who greatly delights in his commands. His posterity shall be mighty upon the earth; The upright generation shall be blessed. Well for the man who is gracious and lends, Who conducts his affairs with justice; He shall never be moved; The just one shall be in everlasting remembrance. An evil report he shall not fear; His heart is firm, trusting in the LORD. His heart is steadfast; he shall not fear Till he looks down upon his foes. Lavishly he gives to the poor, His generosity shall endure forever; His horn shall be exalted in glory. Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint John 12:24-26. Amen, amen, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat; but if it dies, it produces much fruit. Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will preserve it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there also will my servant be. The Father will honor whoever serves me.

Copyright © Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, USCCB Commentary of the day :

Saint Augustine (354-430), Bishop of Hippo (North Africa) and Doctor of the Church Sermon 304 ; PL 38, 1385 (trans. cf Breviary 10/08) "Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will preserve it for eternal life" The blessed Laurence carried out the office of deacon in the Church of Rome. In that office he administered Christ's sacred blood to the faithful; and for Christ's sake he shed his own blood. The blessed apostle John clearly expounded the mystery of the Lord's Supper when he said: “Just as Christ laid down his life for us, so should we lay down our lives for our brothers” (1Jn 3,16). Saint Laurence understood this and acted accordingly. His self-sacrifice was similar in kind to that which he received at the altar. He loved Christ in his life and imitated him in death. Brethren, let us imitate Laurence if we truly love Christ. We cannot show a better proof of our love than by imitating him. “Christ suffered for us, leaving us an example that we might follow his footsteps” (1Pt 2,21)... Indeed the garden of the Lord contains not only the roses of martyrdom but also the lilies of virginity, the ivy of marriage, and the violets of widowhood. So no one, my dear brethren, need despair of his vocation. Christ suffered for all... Therefore we must try to understand how the Christian ought to imitate Christ other than by shedding his blood or enduring martyrdom. The apostle Paul says of our Lord Jesus Christ: “His state was divine, yet he did not cling to his equality with God.” What majesty was his! Paul adds: “He emptied himself to assume the condition of a slave and became as men are” (Phil 2,6f.). What humility he showed! Christ humbled himself; the Christian has his example to imitate. “Christ became obedient” (v.8). Why then should a Christian be proud? It was after enduring this humility and defeating death that Christ ascended into heaven; let us follow him.