Kapamilya Gospel

[Leo Lastimosa]

DAILY GOSPEL «Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.» John 6:68 Tuesday, 12 June 2012 Tuesday of the Tenth week in Ordinary Time Saint(s) of the day : St John of St. Fagondez, priest (+ 1479) See commentary below or click here Sermon attributed to Saint Maximus of Turin : "You are the salt of the earth. You are the light of the world" 1st book of Kings 17:7-16. After some time, however, the brook ran dry, because no rain had fallen in the land. So the LORD said to him: "Move on to Zarephath of Sidon and stay there. I have designated a widow there to provide for you." He left and went to Zarephath. As he arrived at the entrance of the city, a widow was gathering sticks there; he called out to her, "Please bring me a small cupful of water to drink." She left to get it, and he called out after her, "Please bring along a bit of bread." "As the LORD, your God, lives," she answered, "I have nothing baked; there is only a handful of flour in my jar and a little oil in my jug. Just now I was collecting a couple of sticks, to go in and prepare something for myself and my son; when we have eaten it, we shall die." "Do not be afraid," Elijah said to her. "Go and do as you propose. But first make me a little cake and bring it to me. Then you can prepare something for yourself and your son. For the LORD, the God of Israel, says, 'The jar of flour shall not go empty, nor the jug of oil run dry, until the day when the LORD sends rain upon the earth.'" She left and did as Elijah had said. She was able to eat for a year, and he and her son as well; The jar of flour did not go empty, nor the jug of oil run dry, as the LORD had foretold through Elijah. Psalms 4:2abc-3ab.4ab-5ab.7b-8ab. When I call, answer me, O my just God, You who relieve me when I am in distress; Have pity on me, and hear my prayer! Men of rank, how long will you be dull of heart? Why do you love what is vain and seek after falsehood? Know that the LORD does wonders for his faithful one; The LORD will hear me when I call upon him. Tremble, and sin not; Reflect, upon your beds, in silence. O LORD, let the light of your countenance shine upon us! You put gladness into my heart, More than when grain and wine abound. Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew 5:13-16. Jesus said to his disciples: «You are the salt of the earth. But if salt loses its taste, with what can it be seasoned? It is no longer good for anything but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. You are the light of the world. A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket; it is set on a lampstand, where it gives light to all in the house. Just so, your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father. Copyright © Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, USCCB Commentary of the day : Sermon attributed to Saint Maximus of Turin (?-v. 420), Bishop "You are the salt of the earth. You are the light of the world" The Lord said to his apostles: «You are the light of the world». How accurate they are, those analogies our Lord uses in referring to our fathers in the faith! He calls «salt» those who teach us God's wisdom and «light» those who dispel from our hearts the blindness and obscurity of our doubt. So it is very right that the apostles should receive this name of light. In the darkness of this world they proclaim the brightness of heaven, the splendor of eternity. Didn't Peter become a light for the whole world and for all the faithful when he said to the Lord: «You are the Christ, the Son of the living God»? (Mt 16,16) What greater enlightenment could the human race have received than to learn through Peter that the Son of the living God was the creator of its own light? And Saint Paul was no less a great light for the world. While all the earth was blinded by the darkness of its misdeeds, he went up even to heaven (2Cor 12,2) and, on his return, made known the mysteries of the everlasting glory. That is why he could neither hide himself, as in the case of the city set on a hilltop, nor let himself be put under a bushel measure, since Christ, by the light of his majesty, had set him alight like a chosen lamp filled with the oil of the Holy Spirit. Hence, my friends, if, renouncing the illusory things of this world, we have at heart to seek out the savor of God's wisdom, let us taste the salt of the apostles.

[Leo Lastimosa]

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

Wednesday, 13 June 2012 Wednesday of the Tenth week in Ordinary Time Saint(s) of the day : St. Anthony of Padua, Priest and Doctor of the Church (1195-1231)

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Blessed John-Paul II: "I have come not to abolish but to fulfill" 1st book of Kings 18:20-39. So Ahab sent to all the Israelites and had the prophets assemble on Mount Carmel. Elijah appealed to all the people and said, "How long will you straddle the issue? If the LORD is God, follow him; if Baal, follow him." The people, however, did not answer him. So Elijah said to the people, "I am the only surviving prophet of the LORD, and there are four hundred and fifty prophets of Baal. Give us two young bulls. Let them choose one, cut it into pieces, and place it on the wood, but start no fire. I shall prepare the other and place it on the wood, but shall start no fire. You shall call on the name of your gods, and I will call on the name of the LORD. The God who answers with fire is God." All the people answered, "Agreed!" Elijah then said to the prophets of Baal, "Choose one young bull and prepare it first, for there are more of you. Call upon your gods, but do not start the fire." Taking the young bull that was turned over to them, they prepared it and called on Baal from morning to noon, saying, "Answer us, Baal!" But there was no sound, and no one answering. And they hopped around the altar they had prepared. When it was noon, Elijah taunted them: "Call louder, for he is a god and may be meditating, or may have retired, or may be on a journey. Perhaps he is asleep and must be awakened." They called out louder and slashed themselves with swords and spears, as was their custom, until blood gushed over them. Noon passed and they remained in a prophetic state until es, for the number of tribes of the sons of Jacob, to whom the LORD had said, "Your name shall be Israel." Then Elijah said to all the people, "Come here to me." When they had done so, he repaired the altar of the LORD which had been destroyed. He took twelve stones, for the number of tribes of the sons of Jacob, to whom the LORD had said, "Your name shall be Israel." He built an altar in honor of the LORD with the stones, and made a trench around the altar large enough for two seahs of grain. When he had arranged the wood, he cut up the young bull and laid it on the wood. "Fill four jars with water," he said, "and pour it over the holocaust and over the wood." "Do it again," he said, and they did it again. "Do it a third time," he said, and they did it a third time. The water flowed around the altar, and the trench was filled with the water. At the time for offering sacrifice, the prophet Elijah came forward and said, "LORD, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, let it be known this day that you are God in Israel and that I am your servant and have done all these things by your command. Answer me, LORD! Answer me, that this people may know that you, LORD, are God and that you have brought them back to their senses." The LORD'S fire came down and consumed the holocaust, wood, stones, and dust, and it lapped up the water in the trench. Seeing this, all the people fell prostrate and said, "The LORD is God! The LORD is God!" Psalms 16(15):1b-2a.4abc.5ab.8ab.11abc. Keep me, O God, for in you I take refuge; I say to the LORD, "My Lord are you." They multiply their sorrows who court other gods. Blood libations to them I will not pour out, Nor will I take their names upon my lips. O LORD, my allotted portion and cup, you it is who hold fast my lot.   I set the LORD ever before me; With him at my right hand I shall not be disturbed. You will show me the path to life, Fullness of joys in your presence, The delights at your right hand forever. Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew 5:17-19. Jesus said to his disciples: «Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets. I have come not to abolish but to fulfill. Amen, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or the smallest part of a letter will pass from the law, until all things have taken place. Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do so will be called least in the kingdom of heaven. But whoever obeys and teaches these commandments will be called greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

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

Blessed John-Paul II, Pope from 1978 to 2005 Speech in the synagogue of Rome 13/04/1986 "I have come not to abolish but to fulfill" My visit today [to this synagogue] desires to make a decisive contribution to the consolidation of good relations between our two communities... Among the numerous treasures of the Second Vatican Council's declaration «Nostra Aetate»... the first is that the Church of Christ rediscovers its bond with Judaism «as it examines its own mystery». The Jewish religion is not something extrinsic but, in a certain way, intrinsic to our own religion. Therefore we have a relationship towards it that we have with no other religion. You are very specially our brothers and, in a certain sense, one might say our elder brothers... The journey we have begun is only just commencing: some time is still needed... to suppress any kind of prejudice, even of an unwitting sort,... and to make known... the true face of both Jews and Judaism, as also of Christians and Christianity... None of us is ignorant that our fundamental divergence from the beginning is the attachment of we Christians to the person and teaching of Jesus of Nazareth, a son of your people, from whom are sprung also the Virgin Mary, the apostles, «foundation stones and pillars of the Church» (Gal 2,9), and the great majority of members of the first Christian community... But we must then say that the open paths towards our mutual collaboration, in the light of a common inheritance drawn from the Law and the prophets, are various and important...: above all, a collaboration on behalf of mankind..., his dignity, liberty and rights in a society... where justice reigns and where... peace is to reign: that 'shalom' intended by the lawgivers, prophets and wisdom teachers of Israel... Out of my visit, and the concord and calm we have come to, may a living and health-giving spring arise, like the river Ezekiel saw flowing from the east gate of the Temple (Ez 47,1f.), which will help to heal the wounds from which our city of Rome is suffering. By doing this we shall be faithful respectively to our most sacred commitments but also to those things that most deeply unite and bind us: faith in the one God who «loves the stranger» and «shows justice to the orphan and widow,» striving to love and help them (Dt 10,18; Lv 19,18.34). Christians have learned this command of the Lord from the Torah, which we here venerate, and from Jesus, who carried to its limits the love that the Torah demands.

[Leo Lastimosa]

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

Thursday, 14 June 2012 Thursday of the Tenth week in Ordinary Time Saint(s) of the day : St. Elisha, Prophet (9th century BC)

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Saint Francis of Assisi : «Let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and deed» (1Jn 3,18) 1st book of Kings 18:41-46. Elijah then said to Ahab, "Go up, eat and drink, for there is the sound of a heavy rain." So Ahab went up to eat and drink, while Elijah climbed to the top of Carmel, crouched down to the earth, and put his head between his knees. "Climb up and look out to sea," he directed his servant, who went up and looked, but reported, "There is nothing." Seven times he said, "Go look again!" And the seventh time the youth reported, "There is a cloud as small as a man's hand rising from the sea." Elijah said, "Go and say to Ahab, 'Harness up and leave the mountain before the rain stops you.'" In a trice, the sky grew dark with clouds and wind, and a heavy rain fell. Ahab mounted his chariot and made for Jezreel. But the hand of the LORD was on Elijah, who girded up his clothing and ran before Ahab as far as the approaches to Jezreel. Psalms 65(64):10abcd.10e-11abc.12ab-13ab. You have visited the land and watered it; Greatly have you enriched it. God's watercourses are filled; You have prepared the grain. Thus have you prepared the land: Drenching its furrows, breaking up its clods,   Softening it with showers,   Blessing its yield. You have crowned the year with your bounty, And your paths overflow with a rich harvest; The untilled meadows overflow with it, And rejoicing clothes the hills. Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew 5:20-26. Jesus said to his disciples:  «I tell you,  unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter into the Kingdom of heaven. You have heard that it was said to your ancestors, 'You shall not kill; and whoever kills will be liable to judgment.' But I say to you, whoever is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment, and whoever says to his brother, 'Raqa,' will be answerable to the Sanhedrin, and whoever says, 'You fool,' will be liable to fiery Gehenna. Therefore, if you bring your gift to the altar, and there recall that your brother has anything against you, leave your gift there at the altar, go first and be reconciled with your brother, and then come and offer your gift. Settle with your opponent quickly while on the way to court with him. Otherwise your opponent will hand you over to the judge, and the judge will hand you over to the guard, and you will be thrown into prison. Amen, I say to you, you will not be released until you have paid the last penny.

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

Saint Francis of Assisi (1182-1226), Founder of the Friars Minor Earlier Rule, § 11 (trans.©Classics of Western Spirituality, 1982) «Let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and deed» (1Jn 3,18) All the brothers should beware that they do not slander or engage in disputes; rather, they should strive to keep silence whenever God gives them this grace. Nor should they quarrel among themselves or with others, but they should strive to respond humbly, saying: «I am a useless servant» (Lk 17,10). And they should not become angry, since «everyone who grows angry with his brother shall be liable to judgment; and he who has said to his brother ''fool'' shall be liable to the Council; whoever has said "idiot" shall be liable to the fires of hell». And they should love one another, as the Lord says: «This is my commandment: that you love one another as I have loved you» (Jn 15,12). And let them express the love which they have for one another by their deeds, as the Apostle John  says: «Let us not love in word or speech, but in deed and in truth» (1Jn 3, 18). And «they should slander no one». Let them not murmur nor detract from others, for it is written: «Gossips and detractors are detestable to God». And let them be modest, «by showing meekness toward everyone» (Tit 3:2; Rm 1,29-30). Let them not judge or condemn (Lk 6,37), and as the Lord says, they should not take notice of the little defects of others.  Rather they should reflect much more on their own sins «in the bitterness of their soul» (Is 38,15). And let them «strive to enter through the narrow gate» , for the Lord says: «Narrow is the gate and hard the road that leads to life; and there are few who find it» (Lk 13,24; Mt 7,13-14).

[Leo Lastimosa]

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

Friday, 15 June 2012 The Most Sacred Heart of Jesus - Solemnity - Year B Feast of the Church : The Sacred Heart of Jesus, solemnity Saint(s) of the day : SS. Vitus, Modestus and Crescentia, Martyrs,  St Aurelian

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Saint Columbanus : "One soldier thrust his lance into his side, and immediately blood and water flowed out" Book of Hosea 11:1.3-4.8c-9. When Israel was a child I loved him, out of Egypt I called my son. Yet it was I who taught Ephraim to walk, who took them in my arms; I drew them with human cords, with bands of love; I fostered them like one who raises an infant to his cheeks; Yet, though I stooped to feed my child, they did not know that I was their healer. How could I give you up, O Ephraim, or deliver you up, O Israel? How could I treat you as Admah, or make you like Zeboiim? My heart is overwhelmed, my pity is stirred. I will not give vent to my blazing anger, I will not destroy Ephraim again; For I am God and not man, the Holy One present among you; I will not let the flames consume you. Book of Isaiah 12:2abcd-3ab.4bcd.5ab-6abc. God indeed is my savior; I am confident and unafraid. My strength and my courage is the LORD, And he has been my savior. With joy you will draw water At the fountain of salvation. Give thanks to the LORD, acclaim his name; Among the nations make known his deeds, Proclaim how exalted is his name. Sing praise to the LORD for his glorious achievement; Let this be known throughout all the earth. Shout with exultation, O city of Zion, For great in your midst Is the Holy One of Israel! Letter to the Ephesians 3:8-12.14-19. To me, the very least of all the holy ones, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the inscrutable riches of Christ, and to bring to light (for all) what is the plan of the mystery hidden from ages past in God who created all things, so that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known through the church to the principalities and authorities in the heavens. This was according to the eternal purpose that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness of speech and confidence of access through faith in him. For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that he may grant you in accord with the riches of his glory to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in the inner self, and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the holy ones what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint John 19:31-37. Now since it was preparation day, in order that the bodies might not remain on the cross on the sabbath, for the sabbath day of that week was a solemn one, the Jews asked Pilate that their legs be broken and they be taken down. So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first and then of the other one who was crucified with Jesus. But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs, but one soldier thrust his lance into his side, and immediately blood and water flowed out. An eyewitness has testified, and his testimony is true; he knows that he is speaking the truth, so that you also may (come to) believe. For this happened so that the scripture passage might be fulfilled: "Not a bone of it will be broken." And again another passage says: "They will look upon him whom they have pierced."

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

Saint Columbanus (563-615), monk, founder of monasteries Spiritual instructions, no.13, 2-3 "One soldier thrust his lance into his side, and immediately blood and water flowed out" Brethren, let us pursue our calling: we are called by Life to the source of life and this source is a source, not just of «living water» (Jn4,10) but of eternal life, source of light and illumination. Indeed, all things flow from it: wisdom, life and eternal light... O Lord, you are yourself this source that always exists and is always to be desired, and at which it is always permitted and always necessary for us to draw. «Lord Jesus, give us this water always» that it may also become within us a spring of water «welling up to eternal life» (Jn 4,15.14). It is true that I am asking you for a great deal, who could deny it? But you, O King of glory, know well how to give great things, and you have promised them. There is nothing greater than you are and it is you yourself you give to us, it is you who gave yourself for us. Therefore it is you we are asking for... since we desire nothing other than you. You are our all: our life, our light and our salvation, our food and our drink, our God. Breathe into our hearts, I beseech you, O our Jesus; with the breath of your Spirit wound our souls with your love that each of us may say in truth: «Show me him whom my soul loves» (Sg 3,3) for I have been wounded by your love. I desire these wounds to be in me, O Lord. Happy the soul that love wounds in this way – the soul who seeks the source, who drinks and who, nevertheless, never ceases to thirst even as she drinks, nor to draw continually by her desire, nor to continue drinking in her thirst. Thus she always seeks in loving, for in her wound she finds healing.

[Leo Lastimosa]

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

Saturday, 16 June 2012 The memorial of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Feast of the Church : Immaculate Heart of Mary - Memorial Saint(s) of the day : St. John Francis Regis, Priest (1597-1640)

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Saint John Eudes : "His mother kept all these things in her heart" Book of Isaiah 61:9-11. Thus says the Lord: The descendants of my people shall be renowned among the nations, and their offspring among the peoples; All who see them shall acknowledge them as a race the LORD has blessed. I rejoice heartily in the LORD, in my God is the joy of my soul; For he has clothed me with a robe of salvation, and wrapped me in a mantle of justice, Like a bridegroom adorned with a diadem, like a bride bedecked with her jewels. As the earth brings forth its plants, and a garden makes its growth spring up, So will the Lord GOD make justice and praise spring up before all the nations. 1st book of Samuel 2:1.4-5.6-7.8abcd. My heart exults in the LORD, my horn is exalted in my God. I have swallowed up my enemies; I rejoice in my victory. The bows of the mighty are broken, while the tottering gird on strength. The well-fed hire themselves out for bread, while the hungry batten on spoil. The barren wife bears seven sons, while the mother of many languishes. The LORD puts to death and gives life; he casts down to the nether world; he raises up again. The LORD makes poor and makes rich, he humbles, he also exalts. He raises the needy from the dust; from the dung heap he lifts up the poor, To seat them with nobles and make a glorious throne their heritage. Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Luke 2:41-51. Each year Jesus' parents went to Jerusalem for the feast of Passover, and when he was twelve years old, they went up according to festival custom. After they had completed its days, as they were returning, the boy Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem, but his parents did not know it. Thinking that he was in the caravan, they journeyed for a day and looked for him among their relatives and acquaintances, but not finding him, they returned to Jerusalem to look for him. After three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions, and all who heard him were astounded at his understanding and his answers. When his parents saw him, they were astonished, and his mother said to him, "Son, why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been looking for you with great anxiety." And he said to them, "Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?" But they did not understand what he said to them. He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them; and his mother kept all these things in her heart.

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

Saint John Eudes (1601-1680), priest, preacher, founder of Religious Insitutes The wondrous Heart, Book 9, ch. 4 "His mother kept all these things in her heart" Amongst all the feasts of the Virgin Mary that of her heart is like the heart and queen of all the rest because the heart is the seat of love and charity. What is the subject matter of this particular solemnity? It is the heart of the well-beloved, only Daughter of the eternal Father, the heart of the Mother of God, the heart of the Bride of the Holy Spirit, the heart of the best of Mothers to all the faithful. It is a heart wholly on fire with love for God and aflame with charity towards us. It is all love for God since it has never loved anything but God alone and whatever God wanted it to love in him and for his sake. It is wholly love since the blessed Virgin has always loved God with all her heart and soul and strength (Mk 12,30). It is all love because she has not only always wanted whatever God wanted and never wanted what he did not want, but still more because she has always placed all her happiness in God's most loveable will. It is all love for us for she loves us with the same love with which she loves God since it is God she sees and loves in us. And she loves us with the same love with which she loves the Man God, her son Jesus. For she knows him to be our leader and head and ourselves to be his members (Col 2,19) and, therefore, that we are but one with him.

[Leo Lastimosa]

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

Sunday, 17 June 2012 Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time - Year B Saint(s) of the day : St. Herve, Abbot, (6th century)

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Saint Peter Chrysologus : "But once it is sown, it springs up and becomes the largest of plants" Book of Ezekiel 17:22-24. Therefore say: Thus says the Lord GOD: I, too, will take from the crest of the cedar, from its topmost branches tear off a tender shoot, And plant it on a high and lofty mountain; on the mountain heights of Israel I will plant it. It shall put forth branches and bear fruit, and become a majestic cedar. Birds of every kind shall dwell beneath it, every winged thing in the shade of its boughs. And all the trees of the field shall know that I, the LORD, Bring low the high tree, lift high the lowly tree, Wither up the green tree, and make the withered tree bloom. As I, the LORD, have spoken, so will I do. Psalms 92(91):2ab-3ab.13ab-14ab.15ab-16ab. It is good to give thanks to the LORD, To sing praise to your name, Most High, To proclaim your kindness at dawn And your faithfulness throughout the night. The just one shall flourish like the palm tree, Like a cedar of Lebanon shall he grow. They that are planted in the house of the LORD Shall flourish in the courts of our God. They shall bear fruit even in old age; Vigorous and sturdy shall they be, Declaring how just is the LORD, My rock, in whom there is no wrong. Second Letter to the Corinthians 5:6-10. So we are always courageous, although we know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, for we walk by faith, not by sight. Yet we are courageous, and we would rather leave the body and go home to the Lord. Therefore, we aspire to please him, whether we are at home or away. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive recompense, according to what he did in the body, whether good or evil. Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Mark 4:26-34. Jesus said to the crowds: "This is how it is with the Kingdom of God; it is as if a man were to scatter seed on the land and would sleep and rise night and day and the seed would sprout and grow, he knows not how. Of its own accord the land yields fruit, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. And when the grain is ripe, he wields the sickle at once, for the harvest has come." He said, "To what shall we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable can we use for it? It is like a mustard seed that, when it is sown in the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on the earth. But once it is sown, it springs up and becomes the largest of plants and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the sky can dwell in its shade." With many such parables he spoke the word to them as they were able to understand it. Without parables he did not speak to them, but to his own disciples he explained everything in private.

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

Saint Peter Chrysologus (c.406-450), Bishop of Ravenna, Doctor of the Church Sermon 98, 1-2 ; CCL 24A, 602 (trans.©Friends of Henry Ashworth) "But once it is sown, it springs up and becomes the largest of plants" Brothers and sisters, you have heard today how the kingdom of heaven, for all its vastness, can be compared to a mustard seed... Is that the sum of believers' hopes? Is that what the faithful are longing for?... Is this the mystery no eye has seen, no ear heard, no human heart imagined; the mystery past telling that the Apostle Paul assures us God has prepared for all who love him? (1Cor 2,9). Let us not be too easily disappointed by our Lord's words. If we remember that "God's weakness is stronger than human strength, and God's foolishness wiser than human wisdom," (1Cor 1,25) we shall find that this smallest seed of God's creation is greater than the whole wide world. It is up to us to sow this mustard seed in our minds and let it grow within us into a great tree of understanding (Gen 2,9) reaching up to heaven and elevating all our faculties, spreading out branches of knowledge... Christ is the kingdom of heaven. Sown like a mustard seed in the garden of the Virgin's womb, he grew up into the tree of the cross whose branches stretch across the world. Crushed in the mortar of the passion, its fruit has produced seasoning enough for the flavoring and preservation of every living creature with which it comes in contact. As long as a mustard seed remains intact, its properties lie dormant; but when it is crushed they are exceedingly evident. So it was with Christ; he chose to have his body crushed, because he would not have his power concealed... Christ is king, because he is the source of all authority. Christ is the kingdom, because all the glory of his kingdom is within him.

[Leo Lastimosa]

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

Monday, 18 June 2012 Monday of the Eleventh week in Ordinary Time Saint(s) of the day : St. Elizabeth of Schoenau,  St. Gregory Barbarigo, Bishop (1625-1697),  Sts. Marcus and Marcellianus, Martyrs (+286)

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Saint Cyprian : “What I say to you is: offer no resistance to injury.” 1st book of Kings 21:1-16. Some time after this, as Naboth the Jezreelite had a vineyard in Jezreel next to the palace of Ahab, king of Samaria, Ahab said to Naboth, "Give me your vineyard to be my vegetable garden, since it is close by, next to my house. I will give you a better vineyard in exchange, or, if you prefer, I will give you its value in money." "The LORD forbid," Naboth answered him, "that I should give you my ancestral heritage." Ahab went home disturbed and angry at the answer Naboth the Jezreelite had made to him: "I will not give you my ancestral heritage." Lying down on his bed, he turned away from food and would not eat. His wife Jezebel came to him and said to him, "Why are you so angry that you will not eat?" He answered her, "Because I spoke to Naboth the Jezreelite and said to him, 'Sell me your vineyard, or, if you prefer, I will give you a vineyard in exchange.' But he refused to let me have his vineyard." "A fine ruler over Israel you are indeed!" his wife Jezebel said to him. "Get up. Eat and be cheerful. I will obtain the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite for you." So she wrote letters in Ahab's name and, having sealed them with his seal, sent them to the elders and to the nobles who lived in the same city with Naboth. This is what she wrote in the letters: "Proclaim a fast and set Naboth at the head of the people. Next, get two scoundrels to face him and accuse him of having cursed God and king. Then take him out and stone him to death." His fellow citizens--the elders and the nobles who dwelt in his city--did as Jezebel had ordered them in writing, through the letters she had sent them. They proclaimed a fast and placed Naboth at the head of the people. Two scoundrels came in and confronted him with the accusation, "Naboth has cursed God and king." And they led him out of the city and stoned him to death. Then they sent the information to Jezebel that Naboth had been stoned to death. When Jezebel learned that Naboth had been stoned to death, she said to Ahab, "Go on, take possession of the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite which he refused to sell you, because Naboth is not alive, but dead." On hearing that Naboth was dead, Ahab started off on his way down to the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite, to take possession of it. Psalms 5:2ab-3ab.4b.5a.5b.6a.6b-7abc. Hearken to my words, O LORD, Attend to my sighing. Heed my call for help, My king and my God! At dawn I bring my plea expectantly before you. For you, O God, delight not in wickedness; No evil man remains with you; The arrogant may not stand in your sight. You hate all evildoers. You destroy all who speak falsehood;   The bloodthirsty and the deceitful The LORD abhors. Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew 5:38-42. Jesus said to his disciples: «You have heard that it was said, An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. But I say to you, offer no resistance to one who is evil. When someone strikes you on (your) right cheek, turn the other one to him as well. If anyone wants to go to law with you over your tunic, hand him your cloak as well. Should anyone press you into service for one mile, go with him for two miles. Give to the one who asks of you, and do not turn your back on one who wants to borrow.

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

Saint Cyprian (c.200-258), Bishop of Carthage and martyr On the Virtue of Patience “What I say to you is: offer no resistance to injury.”       “Bear with one another lovingly and make every effort to preserve the unity which has the Spirit as its origin and peace as its binding force.” (cf. Eph 4:2f.) It is not possible to maintain unity or peace if the brothers don’t make every effort to remain tolerant of one another and to keep the bond of harmony, which comes from patience…       How can a person succeed in accomplishing that if he is not firm in patience and tolerant? That is what Saint Stephen did when, far from crying out for revenge, he asked that his executors be forgiven, saying: “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” (Acts 7:60) That is how the first martyr for Christ behaved. He was not only a preacher of the Lord’s passion, but he also imitated his extreme gentleness.       What can we say concerning anger, discord, hypocrisy? They have no place in the life of a Christian. He must have patience in his heart; thus none of the vices will be found there. The apostle Paul warned us of this: “Do nothing to sadden the Holy Spirit… Get rid of all bitterness, all passion and anger, harsh words, slander, and malice of every kind.” (Eph 4:30-31) If the Christian becomes established in peace, in Christ’s harbor, he must allow neither anger nor discord to enter his heart; he is neither allowed to return evil for evil nor to conceive hatred.

[Leo Lastimosa]

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

Tuesday, 19 June 2012 Tuesday of the Eleventh week in Ordinary Time Saint(s) of the day : St. Juliana Falconieri (1270-1340),  St. Romuald, Abbot (c. 952-1027)

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Blessed Teresa of Calcutta : "Be holy for I am holy" (Lv 19,2) 1st book of Kings 21:17-29. But the LORD said to Elijah the Tishbite: "Start down to meet Ahab, king of Israel, who rules in Samaria. He will be in the vineyard of Naboth, of which he has come to take possession. This is what you shall tell him, 'The LORD says: After murdering, do you also take possession? For this, the LORD says: In the place where the dogs licked up the blood of Naboth, the dogs shall lick up your blood, too.'" "Have you found me out, my enemy?" Ahab said to Elijah. "Yes," he answered. "Because you have given yourself up to doing evil in the LORD'S sight, I am bringing evil upon you: I will destroy you and will cut off every male in Ahab's line, whether slave or freeman, in Israel. I will make your house like that of Jeroboam, son of Nebat, and like that of Baasha, son of Ahijah, because of how you have provoked me by leading Israel into sin." (Against Jezebel, too, the LORD declared, "The dogs shall devour Jezebel in the district of Jezreel.") "When one of Ahab's line dies in the city, dogs will devour him; when one of them dies in the field, the birds of the sky will devour him." Indeed, no one gave himself up to the doing of evil in the sight of the LORD as did Ahab, urged on by his wife Jezebel. He became completely abominable by following idols, just as the Amorites had done, whom the LORD drove out before the Israelites. When Ahab heard these words, he tore his garments and put on sackcloth over his bare flesh. He fasted, slept in the sackcloth, and went about subdued. Then the LORD said to Elijah the Tishbite, "Have you seen that Ahab has humbled himself before me? Since he has humbled himself before me, I will not bring the evil in his time. I will bring the evil upon his house during the reign of his son." Psalms 51(50):3ab-4ab.5ab-6ab.11ab.16ab. Have mercy on me, O God, in your goodness; In your abundant compassion blot out my offense. Thoroughly wash me from my guilt And of my sin cleanse me. For I acknowledge my offense,   And my sin is before me always: "Against you only have I sinned, And done what is evil in your sight." Turn away your face from my sins, And blot out all my guilt. Free me from blood guilt, O God, my saving God; Then my tongue shall revel in your justice. Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew 5:43-48. Jesus said to his disciples: "You have heard that it was said, You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your heavenly Father, for he makes his sun rise on the bad and the good, and causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what recompense will you have? Do not the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet your brothers only, what is unusual about that? Do not the pagans do the same? So be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect.

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

Blessed Teresa of Calcutta (1910-1997), founder of the Missionary Sisters of Charity No Greater Love "Be holy for I am holy" (Lv 19,2) We all know that there is a God who loves us, who has made us. We can turn and ask Him, "My Father, help me now. I want to be holy, I want to be good, I want to love." Holiness is not a luxury for the few; it is not just for some people. It is meant for you and for me and for all of us. It is a simple duty, because if we learn to love, we learn to be holy. The first step to becoming holy is to will it. Jesus wants us to be holy as His Father is. Holiness consists of carrying out God's will with joy. The words "I want to be holy" mean: «I will divest myself of everything that is not of God; I will divest myself and empty my heart of material things. I will renounce my own will, my inclinations, my whims, my fickleness; and I will become a generous slave to God's will. With a will that is whole I will love God, I will opt for Him, I will run toward Him, I will reach Him, I will possess Him». But it all depends on these words; «I want» or «I do not want». I have to pour all of my energy into the words «I want».

[Leo Lastimosa]

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

Wednesday, 20 June 2012 Wednesday of the Eleventh week in Ordinary Time Saint(s) of the day : St. Silverius, Pope and Martyr, (+ 538)

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Saint John of the Cross : "When you pray, go to your inner room" 2nd book of Kings 2:1.6-14. When the LORD was about to take Elijah up to heaven in a whirlwind, he and Elisha were on their way from Gilgal. Elijah said to Elisha, "Please stay here; the LORD has sent me on to the Jordan." "As the LORD lives, and as you yourself live," Elisha replied, "I will not leave you." And so the two went on together. Fifty of the guild prophets followed, and when the two stopped at the Jordan, stood facing them at a distance. Elijah took his mantle, rolled it up and struck the water, which divided, and both crossed over on dry ground. When they had crossed over, Elijah said to Elisha, "Ask for whatever I may do for you, before I am taken from you." Elisha answered, "May I receive a double portion of your spirit." "You have asked something that is not easy," he replied. "Still, if you see me taken up from you, your wish will be granted; otherwise not." As they walked on conversing, a flaming chariot and flaming horses came between them, and Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind. When Elisha saw it happen he cried out, "My father! my father! Israel's chariots and drivers!" But when he could no longer see him, Elisha gripped his own garment and tore it in two. Then he picked up Elijah's mantle which had fallen from him, and went back and stood at the bank of the Jordan. Wielding the mantle which had fallen from Elijah, he struck the water in his turn and said, "Where is the LORD, the God of Elijah?" When Elisha struck the water it divided and he crossed over. Psalms 31(30):20abcd.21abcd.24abc. How great is the goodness, O LORD, Which you have in store for those who fear you, And which, toward those who take refuge in you,  You show in the sight of the children of men. You hide them in the shelter of your presence from the plottings of men. You screen them within your abode From the strife of tongues. Love the LORD, all you his faithful ones! The LORD keeps those who are constant, But more than requites those who act proudly. Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew 6:1-6.16-18. Jesus said to his disciples: «Take care not to perform righteous deeds in order that people may see them; otherwise, you will have no recompense from your heavenly Father. When you give alms, do not blow a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets to win the praise of others. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right is doing, so that your almsgiving may be secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you. When you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, who love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on street corners so that others may see them. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you pray, go to your inner room, close the door, and pray to your Father in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you. When you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites. They neglect their appearance, so that they may appear to others to be fasting. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you may not appear to be fasting, except to your Father who is hidden. And your Father who sees what is hidden will repay you.

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

Saint John of the Cross (1542-1591), Carmelite, Doctor of the Church The Spiritual Canticle, B, stanza 1, 6-7 (trans. ©Institute of Carmelite Studies) "When you pray, go to your inner room" The soul asks the Bridegroom: «Where have you hidden?»... It would be well for us to answer... and point out the place where he is most surely hidden. She may then surely find him there with the perfection and delight possible in this life, and thus not wander in vain after the footprints of her companions (Sg.1:7). It should be known that the Word, the Son of God, together with the Father and the Holy Spirit, is hidden by his essence and his presence in the innermost being of the soul. Individuals who want to find him should leave all things..., enter within themselves in deepest recollection, and let all things be as though not. St. Augustine, addressing God in the Soliloquies, said: «I did not find you without, because I wrongly sought without you who were within». God, then, is hidden in the soul, and there the good contemplative must seek him with love exclaiming: "Where have you hidden?" Oh, then, soul, most beautiful among all creatures, so anxious to know the dwelling place of your Beloved so you may go in search of him and be united with him, now we are telling you that you yourself are his dwelling and his secret inner room and hiding place. There is reason for you to be elated and joyful in seeing that all your good and hope is so close as to be within you, or better, that you cannot be without him. «Behold,» exclaims the Bridegroom, «the kingdom of God is within you» (Lk. 17:21). And his servant, the apostle Saint Paul, declares: «You are the temple of God» (2Cor 6:16).

[Leo Lastimosa]

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

Thursday, 21 June 2012 Thursday of the Eleventh week in Ordinary Time Saint(s) of the day : St. Aloysius Gonzaga (1568-1591) - Memorial

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Blessed John XXIII : "Give us today our daily bread" Book of Sirach 48:1-15. Till like a fire there appeared the prophet whose words were as a flaming furnace. Their staff of bread he shattered, in his zeal he reduced them to straits; By God's word he shut up the heavens and three times brought down fire. How awesome are you, ELIJAH! Whose glory is equal to yours? You brought a dead man back to life from the nether world, by the will of the LORD. You sent kings down to destruction, and nobles, from their beds of sickness. You heard threats at Sinai, at Horeb avenging judgments. You anointed kings who should inflict vengeance, and a prophet as your successor. You were taken aloft in a whirlwind, in a chariot with fiery horses. You are destined, it is written, in time to come to put an end to wrath before the day of the LORD, To turn back the hearts of fathers toward their sons, and to reestablish the tribes of Jacob. Blessed is he who shall have seen you before he dies, O Elijah, enveloped in the whirlwind! Then ELISHA, filled with a twofold portion of his spirit, wrought many marvels by his mere word. During his lifetime he feared no one, nor was any man able to intimidate his will. Nothing was beyond his power; beneath him flesh was brought back into life. In life he performed wonders, and after death, marvelous deeds. Despite all this the people did not repent, nor did they give up their sins, Until they were rooted out of their land and scattered all over the earth. But Judah remained, a tiny people, with its rulers from the house of David. Psalms 97(96):1-2.3-4.5-6.7. 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. Fire goes before him And consumes his foes round about. His lightnings illumine the world; The earth sees and trembles. 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. All who worship graven things are put to shame, Who glory in the things of nought; All gods are prostrate before him. Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew 6:7-15. Jesus said to his disciples: «In praying, do not babble like the pagans, who think that they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them. Your Father knows what you need before you ask him. This is how you are to pray: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread; and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors; and do not subject us to the final test, but deliver us from the evil one. If you forgive others their transgressions, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your transgressions.

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

Blessed John XXIII (1881-1963), pope In Discorsi, messagi, colloqui, vol. 1, Vatican 1958 "Give us today our daily bread" We must stress the threefold privilege of this “daily bread” that the Church's children are to ask for from their heavenly Father and await, in trust, from his divine providence. Before all else it is to be “our bread”, that is to say bread asked for in the name of all. Saint John Chrysostom tells us that: “Our Lord has taught us in the 'Our Father' to pray in the name of all our brothers and sisters. In this way he desires that the prayers we raise to God should be as much concerned with the needs of our neighbor as with our own. By this he means that we should struggle against enmities and reprove pride.” In addition, it is to be “substantial” bread (Mt 6,11 Gk.), indispensable to our subsistence, our food. But if we are body we are also an immortal spirit and the bread we need to ask of our Lord is not just to be material bread. As was noted so fittingly by that Doctor of the eucharist, Saint Thomas Aquinas, it is to be spiritual bread above all. This bread is God himself, truth and goodness to contemplate and love; it is a sacramental bread, the Savior's Body, testimony to, and viaticum for eternal life. The third quality required by this bread, which is no less important than the previous ones, is that it should be “one”, a symbol and cause of unity (cf. 1Cor 10,17). And it is for Saint John Chrysostom to add: “Just as this body is joined to Christ, so we are joined to one another by means of this bread.”