Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

July is the month dedicated to the Precious Blood of the Lord

3rd World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly 

In other years: Saint Bridget of Sweden (1303-1373); Saints Philip Evans and John Lloyd (-1679); Our Lady, Mother of Divine Grace

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict for the Week: Ch 43 Mistakes in the Oratory - Ch 48 The Daily Manual Labor

Mass:  Wisdom 12:13, 16-19; Resp Ps 86; Rm 8:26-27; Mt 13:24-43

You alone are God.

OUR LADY, MOTHER OF DIVINE GRACE,

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL,

PRAY FOR US.

BLOOD OF CHRIST, WITHOUT WHICH THERE IS NO FORGIVENESS,

SAVE US.

Those who are just must be kind;

and you gave your children good ground for hope that you would permit repentance for their sins.

(Wisdom 12:19)

Welcome to the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time in the month of July dedicated to the Precious Blood of the Lord, and the 3rd World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly. We remember especially today, then, our grandparents, living and deceased, and all the elderly. We remember them with love, respect, and gratitude while recalling something Saint Benedict teaches us, namely, that the young must respect their seniors, and the seniors must love their juniors (Rule of Saint Benedict, 63:10). Saint Joachim and Anne, parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and Grandparents of Our Lord Jesus Christ, pray for us. 

With something more from Saint Benedict, we prayed Psalm 50 [51] at Lauds this morning, just as our holy father Benedict prescribes in Chapter 12 of the Holy Rule. It is in the chapter on the Celebration of the Solemnity of Lauds that Saint Benedict prescribes Psalm 50 after Psalm 66 (see RB 12:1-2). With the words from the Book of Wisdom above, we pray: A clean heart create for me, God; renew in me a steadfast spirit. Turn away your face from my sins; blot out all my guilt. Do not drive me away from your presence, nor take from me your holy spirit. Restore my joy in our salvation; sustain in me a willing spirit (Ps 50:11-14). Dear Jesus, we place our hope in you alone (see RB 4:41). Have mercy on us and renew our hope. Whoever has ears ought to hear (Mt. 13:43).

United in faith and prayer, we take to heart what Saint Paul assures us with today. When you think you do not know how to pray, remember that we do not know how to pray as we ought. Not to worry though, as the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with inexpressible groanings. And the one who searches hearts knows what is the intention of the Spirit, because He intercedes for the holy ones according to God's will (see Romans 8:26-27). Come, Holy Spirit, come. Your will. O Lord, not mine, be done. 

And now for what has become my favorite section, that is, voices for the week. 

Though tested and plagued by a host of misfortunes, I have no fear so long as your grace is with me. It is my strength, stronger than any adversary; it helps me and gives me guides.

(Thomas a Kempis, 1380-1471, The Imitation of Christ)

We know not, and we shall not ask before the time, where our earthly way will lead us. We know only this, that to those who love the Lord, all things will work together to the good, and further, that the ways by which our Savior leads us point beyond this earth.

(Saint Teresa Benedicta of the Cross, 1891-1942)

The attempt to develop a sense of humor and to see things in a humorous light is some kind of trick learned while mastering the art of living.

(Victor E. Frankl, 1905-1997, Man's Search for Meaning)

Compassion never stands at arm’s length.

(Magnificat, July 2023, Introduction to Psalm 13, p. 102)

Joy, with peace, is the sister of charity. Serve the Lord with laughter.

(Saint Padre Pio, 1887-1968)

The unknown is where all outcomes are possible; enter it with grace.

(Anonymous, Yogi tea bag tag)

Smiling is the most basic kind of peace work.

(Anonymous, Yogi tea bag tag)

SAINT BRIDGET OF SWEDEN,

SAINTS PHILIP EVANS AND JOHN LLOYD,

SAINT CHARBEL MAKHLOUF,

SAINT DECLAN,

SAINT JOHN BOSTE,

BLESSED ROBERT LUDLAM AND NICHOLAS GARICK,

BLESSED JOHN SORETH,

BLESSED MARIA MERCEDES PRAT,

SAINT JAMES,

SAINT TITUS BRANDSMA,

BLESSED ROBERT SUTTON,

BLESSED RUDOLPH ACQUAVIVA AND COMPANIONS,

SAINT PANTELEON,

POPE SAINT VICTOR,

SAINT SAMPSON,

SAINT ALPHONSA MUTTATHUPADATHU,

SAINTS MARTHA, MARY AND LAZARUS,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: Angel trumpet brought to you by Esther in the Hoosier State. Glorify your name.

© Gertrude Feick 2023