Catholic Caucus: Sunday Mass Readings, 07-27-14, Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

17th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Reading I: 1Kings 3:5,7-12 II: Romans 8:28-30

Gospel
Matthew 13:44-52

⁴⁴ "The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up; then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.
⁴⁵ "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls,
⁴⁶ who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it.
⁴⁷ "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net which was thrown into the sea and gathered fish of every kind;
⁴⁸ when it was full, men drew it ashore and sat down and sorted the good into vessels but threw away the bad.
⁴⁹ So it will be at the close of the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous,
⁵⁰ and throw them into the furnace of fire; there men will weep and gnash their teeth.
⁵¹ "Have you understood all this?" They said to him, "Yes."
⁵² And he said to them, "Therefore every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like a householder who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old."

Interesting Details

Political conditions in Palestine and the continuing threat of invasion made the burial of one's valuables a common way of protecting them.
Under the Roman law, the person who found the treasure is its owner; but under the Jewish law, the field's owner is the rightful owner of the treasure. This shows that Jesus is well versed in Jewish laws and customs.
In the parable of the treasure, there is an element of surprise, whereas the parable of the pearl is the result of a deliberate search.

One Main Point

The treasure and the pearl indicate the inestimable value of the kingdom and hence it should be zealously pursued to the point of renouncing everything one possesses in order to acquire it. The joy of the kingdom brings to the discoverer is beyond earthly happiness. The dragnet implies that God's kingdom comprises of all kind of people: the good, the bad and the ugly; and the best way to deal with the mixed response to God's words is patient tolerance until the day of final judgment.

Reflections

As followers of Christ, how do we envision the nature of God's kingdom? How can we make known that kingdom to other people? If we value the worldly goods such as money, fame, power, appearance, etc... and spend time and energy to pursue them, how do we compare these with the values of God's kingdom? No doubt that these worldly goods bring ephemeral joy to us, but how we deduce from these experiences the greater joy of discovering God's kingdom?
Each one of us physically found the Kingdom of God (the Church), but has our soul found the Kingdom of God? Is our soul rejoicing? What does one need to do for one's soul to find and to keep the joy of God's kingdom?
Man is like the precious pearls that Jesus found, and Jesus gave all for us. Have you found Christ? What joy and energy has He brought to your being, body and soul? Have you found the joy to give all for Christ?

I want to be holy, loving Jesus in the Eucharist, suffering with Christ Crucified and seeing Christ in my brothers and sisters.

-- Blessed Maria Grazia Tarallo

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The Angelus

The Angel of the Lord declared to Mary:
And she conceived of the Holy Spirit.

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

Behold the handmaid of the Lord: Be it done unto me according to Thy word.

Hail Mary . . .

And the Word was made Flesh: And dwelt among us.

Hail Mary . . .

Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray:

Pour forth, we beseech Thee, O Lord, Thy grace into our hearts; that we, to whom the incarnation of Christ, Thy Son, was made known by the message of an angel, may by His Passion and Cross be brought to the glory of His Resurrection, through the same Christ Our Lord.

Amen.

I'd almost forgotten the Angelus. We used to say in high school (Catholic) but I haven't said it in years.

I copied it and will say it as often as I remember to at noon.
Thanks for posting it.

Information: St. Pantaleon

Feast Day: July 27

Died: 305

Patron of: against consumption, against tuberculosis bachelors, doctors, physicians, torture victims

Interactive Saints for Kids

St. Pantaleon

Feast Day: July 27
Died: (around) 305

Pantaleon came from Nicomedia, near the Black Sea, in Asia. He was such a famous doctor that Emperor Galerius Maximian asked him to be his own personal doctor. There, at the wicked, pagan court, he got into trouble. Pagans were people who believed in false gods and false teachings. Pantaleon was a Christian, but little by little, he began to follow the bad example of the people around him. He began to agree with the false wisdom praised by the pagans. At last, he committed the great sin of completely giving up his Christian faith.

A holy priest named Hermolaos was very sad to see the famous doctor desert Jesus. He went to him and with his wise, kind words, he made Pantaleon realize what a big sin he had committed. Pantaleon realized he had made a horrible mistake. He hated his sin and joined the Church once more.

To make up for what he had done, he wanted with all his heart to suffer and die for Jesus. He followed Jesus' example by doing works of charity and by taking care of poor sick people without any charge. He healed many sick people only by prayer.

When Emperor Diocletian began torturing the Christians, Pantaleon at once gave away everything he owned to the poor. Soon afterward, some jealous doctors accused him of being a Christian. He had two choices. He could either give up his religion or he could tell the truth and be put to death. Pantaleon absolutely refused to hurt Jesus anymore. He bravely admitted he was a Christian and no amount of torture could make change his mind.

At the trial he challenged the pagan priest to cure a man who was paralyzed. The called upon their false gods but nothing happened. Then Pantaleon in the name of Jesus cured the man. Many pagans who saw this miracle became Christians. After he was killed for his faith, people showed a strong devotion to this saint. In the East he is called the "great martyr and wonder-worker."

Reflection: Do I listen to friends or do things that might weaken my faith in Jesus? We pray that the Holy Spirit may guide our hearts and minds.

Matthew
	English: Douay-Rheims	Latin: Vulgata Clementina	Greek NT: Byzantine/Majority Text (2000)
	Matthew 13
44.	The kingdom of heaven is like unto a treasure hidden in a field. Which a man having found, hid it, and for joy thereof goeth, and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field.	Simile est regnum cælorum thesauro abscondito in agro : quem qui invenit homo, abscondit, et præ gaudio illius vadit, et vendit universa quæ habet, et emit agrum illum.	παλιν ομοια εστιν η βασιλεια των ουρανων θησαυρω κεκρυμμενω εν τω αγρω ον ευρων ανθρωπος εκρυψεν και απο της χαρας αυτου υπαγει και παντα οσα εχει πωλει και αγοραζει τον αγρον εκεινον
45.	Again the kingdom of heaven is like to a merchant seeking good pearls.	Iterum simile est regnum cælorum homini negotiatori, quærenti bonas margaritas.	παλιν ομοια εστιν η βασιλεια των ουρανων ανθρωπω εμπορω ζητουντι καλους μαργαριτας
46.	Who when he had found one pearl of great price, went his way, and sold all that he had, and bought it.	Inventa autem una pretiosa margarita, abiit, et vendidit omnia quæ habuit, et emit eam.	ος ευρων ενα πολυτιμον μαργαριτην απελθων πεπρακεν παντα οσα ειχεν και ηγορασεν αυτον
47.	Again the kingdom of heaven is like to a net cast into the sea, and gathering together of all kind of fishes.	Iterum simile est regnum cælorum sagenæ missæ in mare, et ex omni genere piscium congreganti.	παλιν ομοια εστιν η βασιλεια των ουρανων σαγηνη βληθειση εις την θαλασσαν και εκ παντος γενους συναγαγουση
48.	Which, when it was filled, they drew out, and sitting by the shore, they chose out the good into vessels, but the bad they cast forth.	Quam, cum impleta esset, educentes, et secus littus sedentes, elegerunt bonis in vasa, malos autem foras miserunt.	ην οτε επληρωθη αναβιβασαντες επι τον αιγιαλον και καθισαντες συνελεξαν τα καλα εις αγγεια τα δε σαπρα εξω εβαλον
49.	So shall it be at the end of the world. The angels shall go out, and shall separate the wicked from among the just.	Sic erit in consummatione sæculi : exibunt angeli, et separabunt malos de medio justorum,	ουτως εσται εν τη συντελεια του αιωνος εξελευσονται οι αγγελοι και αφοριουσιν τους πονηρους εκ μεσου των δικαιων
50.	And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.	et mittent eos in caminum ignis : ibi erit fletus, et stridor dentium.	και βαλουσιν αυτους εις την καμινον του πυρος εκει εσται ο κλαυθμος και ο βρυγμος των οδοντων
51.	Have ye understood all these things? They say to him: Yes.	Intellexistis hæc omnia ? Dicunt ei : Etiam.	λεγει αυτοις ο ιησους συνηκατε ταυτα παντα λεγουσιν αυτω ναι κυριε
52.	He said unto them: Therefore every scribe instructed in the kingdom of heaven, is like to a man that is a householder, who bringeth forth out of his treasure new things and old.	Ait illis : Ideo omnis scriba doctus in regno cælorum, similis est homini patrifamilias, qui profert de thesauro suo nova et vetera.	ο δε ειπεν αυτοις δια τουτο πας γραμματευς μαθητευθεις εις την βασιλειαν των ουρανων ομοιος εστιν ανθρωπω οικοδεσποτη οστις εκβαλλει εκ του θησαυρου αυτου καινα και παλαια

44. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hid in a field; which when a man has found it, hides it, and for joy thereof goes and sells all that he has, and buys that field.

CHRYS; The foregoing parables of the leaven, and the grain of mustard-seed, are referred to the power of the Gospel preaching, which has subdued the whole world in order to show its value and splendor, He now puts forth parables concerning a pearl and a treasure, saying The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hid in a field. For the Gospel preaching is hidden in this world; and if you do not sell your all you will not purchase it; and this you ought to do with joy; wherefore it follows, which when a man has found it, he hides it.

HILARY; This treasure indeed found without cost; for the Gospel preaching open to all, but to use and possess the treasure with its field we may not without price, for heavenly riches are not obtained without the loss of this world.

JEROME; The he hides it, does not proceed of envy towards others, but as one that treasures up what he would not lose, he hides in his heart that which he prizes above his former possessions

GREGORY; Otherwise; The treasure hidden in the field is the desire of heaven; the field in which the treasure is hidden is the discipline of heavenly learning; this, when a man finds, he hides, in order that he may preserve it; for zeal and affections heavenward it is not enough the we protect from evil spirits, if we do not protect from human praises. For in this present life we are in the war which leads to our country, and evil spirits as robbers beset us in our journey. Those therefore who carry their treasure openly, they seek to plunder in the way. When I say this; I do not mean that our neighbors should not see our works, but that in what we do, we should not seek praise from without. The kingdom of heaven is therefore compared to things of earth, that the mind may rise from things familiar to things unknown, and may learn to love the unknown by that which it knows is loved when known It follows, And for joy thereof he goes and sells all that he has, and buys that field. He it is that sells all he, has and buys the field, who, renouncing fleshly delights tramples upon all his worldly desires in his anxiety for the heavenly discipline.

JEROME; Or, That treasure in which are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge is either God the Word, who seems hid in Christ's flesh, or the Holy Scriptures, in which are laid up the knowledge of the Savior.

AUG; Or, He speaks of the two testaments in the church, which, when any has attained to a partial understanding of, he perceives how great things lie hidden there, and goes and sells all that he has, and buys that; that is, by despising temporal things he purchases to himself peace, that he may be rich in the knowledge of God.

45. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like to a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls:
46. Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.

CHRYS; The Gospel preaching not only offers manifold gain as a treasure, but is precious as a pearl; wherefore after the parable concerning the treasure, He gives that concerning the pearl. And in preaching, two things are required, namely, to be detached from the business of this life, and to be watchful, which are denoted by this merchant man. Truth moreover is one, and not manifold, and for this reason it is one pearl that is said to be found. And as one who is possessed of a pearl, himself indeed knows of his wealth, but is not known to others, often times concealing it in his hand because of its small bulk, so it is in the preaching of the Gospel; they who possess it know that they are rich, the unbelievers, not knowing of this treasure, know not of our wealth.

JEROME; By the goodly pearls may be understood the Law and the Prophets. Hear then Marcion and Manichaeus; the good pearls are the Law and the Prophets.

One pearl, the most precious of all, is the knowledge of the Savior and the sacrament of His passion and resurrection, which when the merchant man has found, like Paul the Apostle, he straightway despises all the mysteries of the Law and the Prophets and the old observances in which may a lived blameless, counting them as dung that he the inn Christ. Not that the finding of a new pearl is of condemnation of the old pearls, but that in comparison of that, all other pearls are worthless.

GREGORY; Or by the pearl of great price is to be understood the sweetness of the heavenly kingdom, which, he that has found it, sells all and buys. For he that, as far as is permitted, has had perfect knowledge of the sweetness of the heavenly life, readily leaves all things that he has loved on earth; all that once pleased him among earthly possessions now appears to have lost its beauty, for the splendor of that precious pearl is alone seen in his mind.

AUG; Or, a man seeking goodly pearls has found one pearl of great price; that is, he who is seeking good men with whom he may live profitably, finds one alone, Christ Jesus, without sin; or, seeking precepts of life, by aid of which he may dwell righteously among men, finds love of his neighbor, in which one rule, the Apostle says, are comprehended all things; or, seeking good thoughts, he finds that Word in which all things are contained, In the beginning was the Word, which is lustrous with the light of truth, steadfast with the strength of eternity, and throughout like to itself with the beauty of divinity, and when we have penetrated the shell of the flesh, will be confessed as God.

But whichever of these three it may be, or if there be any thing else that can occur to us, that can be signified under the figure of the one precious pearl, its preciousness is the possession of ourselves, who are not free to possess it unless we despise all things that can be possessed in this world. For having sold our possessions, we receive no other return greater than ourselves, (for while we were involved in such things we were not our own,) that we may again give ourselves for that pearl, not because we are of equal value to that, but because we cannot give any thing more.

47. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like to a net, that was cast into the sea and gathered of every kind:
48. Which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away.
49. So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from the just,
50. And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.

CHRYS; In the foregoing parables, He has commended the Gospel preaching; now, that we may not trust in preaching only, nor think that faith alone is sufficient for our salvation, He adds another fearful parable, saying, Again, the kingdom of heaven is like to a net cast into the sea.

JEROME; In fulfillment of that prophecy of Hieremias, who said, I will send to you many fishers, when Peter and Andrew, James and John, heard the words, Follow me, I will make you fishers of men, they put together a net for themselves formed of the Old and New Testaments, and cast it into the sea of this world, and that remains spread until this day, taking up out of the salt and bitter and whirlpools whatever falls into it, that is good men and bad; and this is that He adds, And gathered of every kind.

GREGORY; Or otherwise; The Holy Church is likened to a net, because it is given into the hands of fishers, and by it each man is drawn into the heavenly kingdom out of the waves of this present world, that he should not be drowned in the depth of eternal death. This net gathers of every kind of fishes, because the wise and the foolish, the free and the slave, the rich and the poor, the strong and the weak, are called to forgiveness of sin; it is then fully filled when in the end of all stings the sum of the human race is completed; as it follows, Which, when it was filled, they drew out, and sitting down on the shore gathered the good into vessels, but the bad they cast away. For as the sea signifies the world, so the sea shore signifies the end of the world; and as the good are gathered into vessels, but the bad cast away, so each man is received into eternal abodes, while the reprobate having lost the light of the inward kingdom are cast forth into outer darkness. But now the net of faith holds good and bad mingled together in one; but the shore shall discover what the net of the Church has brought to land.

JEROME; For when the net shall be drawn to the shore, then shall be shown the true test for separating the fishes.

CHRYS; Wherein does this parable differ from the parable of the tares? There, as here, some perish and some are saved; but there, because of their heresy of evil dogmas; in the first parable of the sower because of their not attending to what was spoken; here because of their evil life, because of which, though drawn by the net, that is, enjoying the knowledge of God, they cannot be saved. And when you hear that the wicked are cast away, that you may not suppose that this punishment may be risked,

He adds an exposition showing its severity, saying, Thus shall it be in the end of the world; the angels shall come forth and sever the wicked from among the just, and shall cast them into the furnace of fire; there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Though He elsewhere declares, that He shall separate them as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats; He here declares, that the Angels shall do it, as also in the parable of the tares.

GREGORY; To fear becomes us here, rather than to expound; for the torments of sinners are pronounced in plain terms, that none might plead his ignorance, should eternal punishment be threatened in obscure sayings.

JEROME; For when the end of the world shall be come, then shall be shown the true test of separating the fishes, and as in a sheltered harbor the good shall be sent into the vessels of heavenly abodes, but the flame of hell shall seize the wicked to be dried up and withered.

51. Jesus said to them, Have you understood all these things? They say to him, Yea, Lord.
52. Then said he to them, Therefore every Scribe which is instructed unto the kingdom of heaven is like to a man that is an householder, which brings forth out of his treasure things new and old.

GLOSS; When the multitude had departed, the Lord spoke to His disciples in parables, by which they were instructed only so far as they understood them; wherefore He asks them, Have you understood all these things? They say to him, Yea, Lord.

JEROME; For this is spoken especially to the Apostles, whom He would have not to bear only as the multitude, but to understand as having to teach others.

CHRYS; Then He praises them because they had understood; He said to them; Therefore every Scribe instructed in the kingdom of heaven is like to a householder who brings out of his treasure things new and old.

AUG; He said not 'old and new,' as He surely would have said had He not preferred to preserve the order of value rather than of time. But the Manicheans while they think they should keep only the new promises of God, remain in the old man of the flesh, and put on newness of error.

ID; By this conclusion, whether did He desire to show whom He intended by the treasure hid in the field - in which case we might understand the Holy Scriptures to be here meant, the two Testaments by the things new and old - or did He intend that he should be held learned in the Church who understood that the Old Scriptures were expounded in parables, taking rules from these new Scripture seeing that in them also the Lord proclaimed many things in parables. If He then, in whom all those old Scriptures have their fulfillment and manifestation, yet speaks in parables until His passion shall rend the vale, when there is nothing hid that shall not be revealed; much more those things which were written of Him so long time before we see to have been clothed in parables; which the Jews took literally, being unwilling to be learned in the kingdom of Heaven.

GREGORY; But if by things new and old in this passage we understand the two Testaments, we deny Abraham to have been learned, who although he knew indeed Some deeds of the Old Testament, yet had not read the words. Neither Moses may we compare to a learned householder, for although he composed the Old Testament, yet had he not the words of the New. But what is here said may be understood as meant not of those who had been, but of such as might hereafter be in the Church, who then bring forth things new and old when they speak the preaching of both Testaments, in their words and in their lives.

HILARY; Speaking to His disciples, He calls them Scribes on account of their knowledge, because they understood the things that He brought forward, both new and old, that is from the Law and from the Gospels; both being of the same householder, and both treasures of the same owner. He compares them to Himself under the figure of a householder because they had received doctrine of things both new and old out of His treasury of the Holy Spirit.

JEROME; Or the Apostles are called Scribes instructed, as being the Savior's notaries who wrote His words and precepts on fleshly tables of the heart with the sacraments of the heavenly kingdom, and abounded in the wealth of a house. holder, bringing forth out of the stores of their doctrine things new and old; whatsoever they preached in the Gospels, that they proved by the words of the Law and the Prophets Whence the Bride speaks in the Song of Songs; I have kept for you my beloved the new with the old.

GREGORY; Otherwise; The things old are, that the human race for its sin should suffer in eternal punishment; the things new, that they should be converted and live in the kingdom. First, He brought forward a comparison of the kingdom to a treasure found and a pearl of price; and after that, narrated the punishment of hell in the burning of the wicked, and then concluded with Therefore every Scribe &c. as if He had said, He is a learned preacher in the Church who knows to bring forth things new concerning the sweetness of the kingdom, and to speak things old concerning the terror of punishment; that at least punishment may deter those whom rewards do not excite.

Catena Aurea Matthew 13

Coronation of the Virgin with Saints

Giovanni Serodine

c. 1625
Oil on canvas
Parish church, Ascona

CATHOLIC ALMANAC

Friday, July 27

Liturgical Color: Green

Today the Church remembers St.
Panteleon. He was a doctor put on trial
for being Christian. Pagan doctors could
not cure a paralyzed man. He mentioned
the name Jesus and the man could walk.
Many converted, but he was still martyred
in 305 A.D.

Day 226 - Why does God want us to "hallow" his name? // What is the meaning of the Sign of the Cross?

Why does God want us to "hallow" his name (that is, keep it holy)?

To tell someone your name is a sign of trust. Since God has told us his name, he makes himself recognizable and grants us access to him through this name. God is absolute truth. Someone who calls Truth himself by his name but uses it to testify to a lie sins seriously.

One must not pronounce the name of God irreverently. For we know him only because he has entrusted himself to us. The Holy Name, after all, is the key to the heart of the Almighty. Therefore it is a terrible offense to blaspheme God, to curse using God's name, or to make false promises in his name. The Second Commandment is therefore also a commandment that protects "holiness" in general. Places, things, names, and people who have been touched by God are "holy". Sensitivity to what is holy is called reverence.

What is the meaning of the Sign of the Cross?

Through the Sign of the Cross we place ourselves under the protection of the Triune God.

At the beginning of the day, at the beginning of a prayer, but also at the beginning of important undertakings, a Christian makes the Sign of the Cross over himself and thus starts his business "in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit". We are surrounded on all sides by the Triune God; calling upon him by name sanctifies the things we set out to do; it obtains blessings for us and strengthens us in difficulties and temptations. (YOUCAT questions 359-360)

Dig Deeper: CCC section (2142-2155) and other references here.

Part 3: Life in Christ (1691 - 2557)

Section 2: The Ten Commandments (2052 - 2557)

Chapter 1: You Shall Love the Lord Your God with All Your Heart, and with All Your Soul, and with All Your Mind (2083 - 2195)

Article 2: The Second Commandment (2142 - 2167)

You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain.⁷²

You have heard that it was said to the men of old, "You shall not swear falsely". But I say to you, Do not swear at all.⁷³ ⇡

I. THE NAME OF THE LORD IS HOLY ⇡

2807-2815
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2142

The second commandment prescribes respect for the Lord's name. Like the first commandment, it belongs to the virtue of religion and more particularly it governs our use of speech in sacred matters.

72.

Ex 20:7; Deut 5:11.

73.

Mt 5:33-34.

203
435
(all)

2143

Among all the words of Revelation, there is one which is unique: the revealed name of God. God confides his name to those who believe in him; he reveals himself to them in his personal mystery. The gift of a name belongs to the order of trust and intimacy. "The Lord's name is holy." For this reason man must not abuse it. He must keep it in mind in silent, loving adoration. He will not introduce it into his own speech except to bless, praise, and glorify it.⁷⁴

74.

Cf. Zech 2:13; Ps 29:2; 96:2; 113:1-2.

2144

Respect for his name is an expression of the respect owed to the mystery of God himself and to the whole sacred reality it evokes. The sense of the sacred is part of the virtue of religion: Are these feelings of fear and awe Christian feelings or not? ... I say this, then, which I think no one can reasonably dispute. They are the class of feelings we should have — yes, have to an intense degree — if we literally had the sight of Almighty God; therefore they are the class of feelings which we shall have, if we realize His presence. In proportion as we believe that He is present, we shall have them; and not to have them, is not to realize, not to believe that He is present.⁷⁵

75.

John Henry Cardinal Newman, Parochial and Plain Sermons V,2 (London: Longmans, Green and Co., 1907) 21-22.

2472
427
(all)

2145

The faithful should bear witness to the Lord's name by confessing the faith without giving way to fear.⁷⁶ Preaching and catechizing should be permeated with adoration and respect for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

76.

Cf. Mt 10:32; 1 Tim 6:12.

2146

The second commandment forbids the abuse of God's name, i.e., every improper use of the names of God, Jesus Christ, but also of the Virgin Mary and all the saints.

2101
(all)

2147

Promises made to others in God's name engage the divine honor, fidelity, truthfulness, and authority. They must be respected in justice. To be unfaithful to them is to misuse God's name and in some way to make God out to be a liar.⁷⁷

77.

Cf. 1 Jn 1:10.

1756
(all)

2148

Blasphemy is directly opposed to the second commandment. It consists in uttering against God — inwardly or outwardly — words of hatred, reproach, or defiance; in speaking ill of God; in failing in respect toward him in one's speech; in misusing God's name. St. James condemns those "who blaspheme that honorable name [of Jesus] by which you are called."⁷⁸ The prohibition of blasphemy extends to language against Christ's Church, the saints, and sacred things. It is also blasphemous to make use of God's name to cover up criminal practices, to reduce peoples to servitude, to torture persons or put them to death. The misuse of God's name to commit a crime can provoke others to repudiate religion.

Blasphemy is contrary to the respect due God and his holy name. It is in itself a grave sin.⁷⁹

78.

Jas 2:7.

79.

Cf. CIC, can. 1369.

2149

Oaths which misuse God's name, though without the intention of blasphemy, show lack of respect for the Lord. The second commandment also forbids magical use of the divine name. [God's] name is great when spoken with respect for the greatness of his majesty. God's name is holy when said with veneration and fear of offending him.⁸⁰

80.

St. Augustine, De serm. Dom. in monte 2,5,19:PL 34,1278.

II. TAKING THE NAME OF THE LORD IN VAIN ⇡

2150

The second commandment forbids false oaths. Taking an oath or swearing is to take God as witness to what one affirms. It is to invoke the divine truthfulness as a pledge of one's own truthfulness. An oath engages the Lord's name. "You shall fear the LORD your God; you shall serve him, and swear by his name."⁸¹

81.

Deut 6:13.

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(all)

2151

Rejection of false oaths is a duty toward God. As Creator and Lord, God is the norm of all truth. Human speech is either in accord with or in opposition to God who is Truth itself. When it is truthful and legitimate, an oath highlights the relationship of human speech with God's truth. A false oath calls on God to be witness to a lie.

1756
2476
(all)

2152

A person commits perjury when he makes a promise under oath with no intention of keeping it, or when after promising on oath he does not keep it. Perjury is a grave lack of respect for the Lord of all speech. Pledging oneself by oath to commit an evil deed is contrary to the holiness of the divine name.

2466
(all)

2153

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus explained the second commandment: "You have heard that it was said to the men of old, 'You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform to the Lord what you have sworn.' But I say to you, Do not swear at all. ... Let what you say be simply 'Yes' or 'No'; anything more than this comes from the evil one."⁸² Jesus teaches that every oath involves a reference to God and that God's presence and his truth must be honored in all speech. Discretion in calling upon God is allied with a respectful awareness of his presence, which all our assertions either witness to or mock.

82.

Mt 5:33-34,37; Cf. Jas 5:12.

2154

Following St. Paul,⁸³ the tradition of the Church has understood Jesus' words as not excluding oaths made for grave and right reasons (for example, in court). "An oath, that is the invocation of the divine name as a witness to truth, cannot be taken unless in truth, in judgment, and in justice."⁸⁴

83.

Cf. 2 Cor 1:23; Gal 1:20.

84.

CIC, can. 1199 § 1.

1903
(all)

2155

The holiness of the divine name demands that we neither use it for trivial matters, nor take an oath which on the basis of the circumstances could be interpreted as approval of an authority unjustly requiring it. When an oath is required by illegitimate civil authorities, it may be refused. It must be refused when it is required for purposes contrary to the dignity of persons or to ecclesial communion.

Catholic Culture

Daily Readings for:July 27, 2014
(Readings on USCCB website)

Collect: O God, protector of those who hope in you, without whom nothing has firm foundation, nothing is holy, bestow in abundance your mercy upon us and grant that, with you as our ruler and guide, we may use the good things that pass in such a way as to hold fast even now to those that ever endure. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

RECIPES

o Fruit Tapioca Parfait

o Pink and White Meringue Torte

o Potatoes and Peas in Cream

o Shrimp Marsala

ACTIVITIES

o Childhood Games

o Homemade Prayer Book for Preschool Children

o Make Your Own Chef's Hat

o Story-Telling

PRAYERS

o Ordinary Time, After Pentecost: Table Blessing 1

o Ordinary Time, After Pentecost: Table Blessing 2

o Book of Blessings: Blessing Before and After Meals: Ordinary Time (2nd Plan)

LIBRARY

o By the Babe Unborn | G. K. Chesterton

o Christ the Source of Resurrection and Life | Unknown

o God Alone Is My Every Good, My Life | Pope John Paul II

· Ordinary Time: July 27th

· Seventeenth Sunday of Ordinary Time

Old Calendar: Seventh Sunday after Pentecost

"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" (Matt 13:44-46).

Click here for commentary on the readings in the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite.

Sunday Readings
The first reading is taken from the first Book of Kings 3:5, 7-12. God gives Solomon a choice of gifts. Solomon asks God for "an understanding mind," so that he could always do what was just and best for his subjects. God rewards him with the gift of wisdom making him the wisest man that ever lived. — The Sunday Readings by Fr. Kevin O'Sullivan, O.F.M.

The second reading is from the Letter of St. Paul to the Romans 8:28-30. The theme of this reading concerns the graciousness and mercy of God at work in calling men to himself, justifying them, and glorifying them as well. The point of the reading is the eternal mystery of the ineffable love of God for man, even before man existed. — A Celebrants Guide to the New Sacramentary - A Cycle by Kevin W. Irwin

The Gospel is from St. Matthew 13:44-52. The lesson of these two parables is as true for us today, as it was for those Palestinians to whom Christ spoke. All Christians are called on to imitate the two wise men, and surrender all their earthly possessions if necessary in order to gain eternal life. Does this "giving all" mean that we are all expected to abandon the world and take on the religious vows of poverty, chastity and obedience? There are many who do just this. But it is not the only way, nor the normal way, to purchase the eternal treasure. Heaven is within the reach of all, who follow the ordinary vocations of life and partake of this world's joys and pleasures within the framework of God's commandments, but never lose sight of the goal toward which they are moving.

Keeping within the framework of God's commandments is the difficulty. We need not have a vow of obedience, but we must obey all legitimate authority. We may possess the goods of this world, but only such goods as we lawfully and justly acquire. Nor may we withhold all of these from a fellow man who is in need. We do not have to take a vow of chastity, but yet we must be chaste, we must use the gifts and the pleasure of sex only within the limits set down by God's wise laws.

All of this is not easy for human nature. But we are not relying on weak human nature, we have within our reach in the Church all the spiritual and supernatural aids we need. Our twentieth century, it is true, is so engrossed in chasing after the earthly comforts and pleasures of the body, and so devoid of any spiritual or other-worldly outlook, that even those who know and believe that there is an eternity after death, find it hard to allow their faith and convictions to govern and direct their daily actions. Yet, the evil example of others will never justify our wrong-doing. The commandments of God are still binding, even though they are openly and flagrantly violated by individuals and whole nations today.

Remember this: we shall not be asked at the judgment, "What did your neighbor do?", but "what did you do?" If we lose the pearl of great price in the eternity of happiness God has offered to us-it will not be the fault of others. The fault will be ours and ours only. We refused to pay the price. We did not think it worth the "paltry all" which we possessed in this life.

Excerpted from The Sunday Readings by Fr. Kevin O'Sullivan, O.F.M.

The Word Among Us

Meditation: Matthew 13:44-52

17th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Out of joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. (Matthew 13:44)

Have you ever noticed how much effort some people put into identifying themselves with certain groups? From social clubs to frequent-flyer programs, from parish committees to social networks, we are all looking for some sense of belonging. But the problem is, for every group that has welcomed you, there are even more that won’t. This is why the gospel truly is good news: Jesus welcomes everyone, rich and poor, Jew and Gentile, slave and free. He has established a group where no one ever has to be turned away.

We often read the first two parables in today’s Gospel as accounts of a person’s joy at discovering the kingdom of God. But we can also read them as pictures of God’s joy at “discovering.” With great joy, God sacrificed his greatest treasure, his Son, in order to bring us to himself. Such a high price shows us how deeply he wants us to belong to him.

God doesn’t let us into his kingdom reluctantly. Believe it or not, you are a treasure to him! This can be hard to believe sometimes because it’s not the way we usually look at ourselves. But you really are like treasure hidden in a field, out of view, not recognized. It’s only when God’s kingdom is revealed that you will be fully unveiled—but even now, God sees the beauty in you, and he rejoices in it.

This passage isn’t just about us. It’s about every single person God ever created. He paid the exact same price for each of them, from the greatest saint to the worst sinner. No one is excluded; no one is rejected; no one is barred. That treasure hidden in a field? It has a wide variety of gemstones and precious metals in it. Not all of them shine as brightly—at least not now. But each one is of immeasurable value to our Father. You are, and so are the people who are very different from you.

“Father, thank you for giving everything to bring me into your kingdom.”

1 Kings 3:5, 7-12; Psalm 119:57, 72, 76-77, 127-130; Romans 8:28-30

Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion

(1 Kings 3:5,7-12; Psalm 119:57,72,76-77,127-130; Romans 8:28-30; Matthew 13:44-52)

1. Solomon could have anything he wanted from God, but chose an “understanding heart to judge” and the ability “to distinguish right from wrong.” Why do you think this was so pleasing to God? All of us spend time judging the hearts of others and making decisions about what is right and wrong. What additional steps can you take to allow your judgments and decisions to be guided more by the Holy Spirit than by your likes and desires?

2. The Responsorial Psalm says, “Lord, I love your commands.” Why should we love the Lord’s commands, even when they are often hard to keep? What are the circumstances or situations in your life that can make it difficult to follow the Lord’s commands?

3. St. Paul says, “all things work for good for those who love God.” But how easy it is to complain or rail against our situations instead of counting on the Lord’s love for us? Can you share a difficult time when the Lord worked good for you despite your hurts, fears or anxieties?

4. In the Gospel, we read of the merchant who sells everything to acquire a valuable treasure. How much do you “treasure” your relationship with Jesus? What else can you do to deepen this relationship?

5. The meditation asks us to look at the first two parables in the Gospel reading from God’s point of view: “God doesn’t let us into his kingdom reluctantly. Believe it or not, you are a treasure to him! This can be hard to believe sometimes because it’s not the way we usually look at ourselves. But you really are like treasure hidden in a field, out of view, not recognized.” What do these words mean to you? How easy, or hard, is it for you to believe these words? Why?

6. Take some time now to pray and thank your heavenly Father for sacrificing “his greatest treasure, his Son, in order to bring us to himself.” Use the prayer at the end of the mediation as the starting point.

A Christian Pilgrim

THAT TREASURE IS THE LORD HIMSELF AND THE LIFE IN HIS KINGDOM

(A biblical reflection on the 17th Ordinary Sunday, 27 July 2014)

Gospel Reading: Mathew 13:44-52 (short version: Matthew 13:44-46)

First Reading: 1Kings 3:5,7-12; Psalms: Psalm 119:57,72,76-77,127-130; Second Reading: Romans 8:28-30

The Scripture Text
“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up; then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.
“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it.
“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net which was thrown into the sea and gathered fish of every kind; when it was full, men drew it ashore and sat down and sorted the good into vessels but threw away the bad. So it will be at the close of the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous, and throw them into the furnace of fire; there men will weep and gnash their teeth.
“Have you understood all this?” They said to Him, “Yes.” And He said to them, “Therefore every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like a householder who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old.” (Matthew 13:44-52 RSV)

What is your “treasure”? What do you consider the most valuable thing you could possess? Throughout scripture, we see that God our Father wants to give us a treasure beyond all price if we but ask Him. King Salomon was called the wisest man on the earth because he asked God for wisdom and good judgment (1 Kings 3:5,7-12). Jesus’ parables frequently highlighted the “treasure” that God offers those who seek Him. The Psalms also direct us to seek treasure in God’s word, which is finer than gold (Psalm 119:127).

The man in the parable of the treasure hidden in the field eagerly set out to sell everything. Why? Because he found something worth possessing above all his other possessions. Fortunately, he only needed enough money to buy the field – not the whole treasure. In a similar fashion, God offers us the treasure of His Kingdom at a price we can afford!

We can’t pay the full price for the life God wants to give us. That treasure is the Lord Himself and life in His Kingdom, a Kingdom of “righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit” (Romans 14:17). In baptism we are united with Jesus in His death and resurrection. We become adopted children of God and temples of the Holy Spirit. This is something far beyond our ability to produce, let alone maintain. Only God can make us into a new creation.

Today at Mass, let’s ask the Holy Spirit to reveal the value of the treasure that God offers each and every one of us. Let’s set aside our earthly interests for a while – concerns about our friends, our jobs, our families, and what we will do with our free times – to spend time with the Lord. Let’s ask the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with heaven’s treasure: life and communication with Jesus forever!

Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are my treasure and joy, my hope and consolation. Free me from all that would keep me from You. May I always find strength in Your word and delight in Your presence. Amen.

Marriage=One Man and One Woman 'Til Death Do Us Part

Daily Marriage Tip for July 27, 2014:

Are there circumstances in your life that are inhibiting your relationship with your beloved? These could be serious like addictions or simple like focusing more on your phone then your spouse. Recognize what stands between you and your spouse and “throw them away.”

Sunday Scripture Study

Scripture Study

Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time – Cycle A

Opening prayer

1 Kings 3:5,7-12

(Ps 119:57,72,76-77,127-130)

Romans 8:28-30

Matthew 13:44-52

Overview of the Gospel:

• This Sunday’s Gospel reading is the conclusion of Matthew, chapter 13, which features many of Jesus’ most well known parables. We will be looking at three parables and a final instruction by Jesus.

• Verses 44-46 are really two parables that emphasize one important truth: the surpassing riches and beauty of the kingdom of heaven are worth more than anything that would be given up to obtain it, whether one just stumbles upon it (verse 44) or is searching for it (verse 45-46). Some, like the rich young man in Matthew 19:21, will find the cost too high.

• Verses 47-50 concerns a dragnet, a very large net that was tied between two fishing boats. Along with fish, it also tended to pick up trash, seaweed and algae that had to be separated from the catch. Like the parable of the weeds in the field we heard last week, Jesus likens this to the Church at the Last Judgment.

• Finally, Jesus reveals to his Apostles how they will be like the religious teachers who taught the old Law. The difference, however, is that they will find their treasure not only in the Old Testament, but also in the new Law of the Gospel.

Questions:

• In the 1st Reading, when God offers to give Solomon whatever he asks, what does the young king ask for? What is God’s response? Can you see yourself asking for the same thing of God? Why or why not?

• What does the 2nd Reading tell us about placing our trust in God? How does God reward that trust?

• In the Gospel Reading, what do the parables in verses 44-50 teach about the value of the kingdom? With what emotion and energy should it be pursued?

• What does the parable of the net teach about the kingdom of heaven? How does it compare with the parable of the weeds (verses 24-30)?

• Who are the teachers of the old Law who have been instructed in the new Gospel (verse 52)? • Compared to the man and the merchant, how valuable is the kingdom to you and why: (a) It’s worth more than anything else. (b) I think I’d miss too much of the other things. (c) I’m not ready to put all my eggs in one basket.

• Examine how you spend your time, talent and treasure and ask yourself: “What would I sacrifice for the kingdom of heaven?”

Catechism of the Catholic Church: §§ 1724, 546, 29

Closing prayer

If the object of love is what is good, then the soul should take its delight in the higher good, the things of heaven. –St. Gregory the Great

The Pearl of Great Price

Pastor’s Column

17th Sunday in Ordinary Time

July 27, 2014

“I conceive that the great part of the miseries of mankind are brought upon them by false estimate they have made of the value of things.” --Benjamin Franklin

If only we knew the true value of things we would always make right choices! How often we can fail to see a valuable opportunity until the time has completely passed us by. This is particularly true at funerals, when many often realize that what matters most in life are not possessions at all, but relationships with those we love, our family, our friends, and God himself. Jesus offers two parables this Sunday (Matthew 13:44-52) which speak to the true value of things.

In the parable of the Pearl of Great Price, a merchant is actually searching for a truly valuable pearl. This person is driven to find the best and recognizes it when he sees it. The catch, of course, is that he must sell everything to be able to buy this pearl, but it is worth it!

In Jesus’ second example, a man is digging in a field when he just happens to encounter a buried treasure! Unlike the merchant in the first example, this is an accidental encounter with something truly valuable. What does this laborer do? He re-buries the treasure and then sells all he has so as to be able to afford to buy the whole field and the treasure it contains.

Sometimes a treasure is searched-for and, at times, we stumble upon it. Would I recognize something truly valuable if I encountered it? Almost all of us can tells stories of an investment opportunity we may have missed, a relationship that we failed to take advantage of, a job that we did not act on or a possession we gave away without realizing its true value until much later.

Of course, the real under-valued commodity in the world today is the Gospel and Jesus’ offer of eternal life! People in the world often chase after all kinds of things that are passed off as valuable, but whose true worth is actually not very much.

At the present time, Jesus offers us a friendship with himself, our redeemer and creator, and eternal life as well; but he appears to many as a beggar, as a person of little worth, that can be passed up or taken up later.

Other, more immediate items of seemingly greater value seem to beckon us. It may seem more attractive to watch television than to pray; or to stay in bed rather than to attend church on Sunday; instead of an act of kindness, we might be tempted to selfishness because it offers immediate gratification.

Yet all of this is a test! When we reach the end of our lives, nothing on earth will be as valuable as having a real relationship with the Lord of heaven and earth, who is literally holding the key to the future. Then every investment we have made with him, though seemingly small at the time, will bear interest forever! Father Gary

Reflections from Scott Hahn

Treasures of the Kingdom: Scott Hahn Reflects on the Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Posted by Dr. Scott Hahn on 07.25.14 |

1 Kings 3:5,7-12
Psalm 119:57,72,76-77,127-130
Romans 8:28-30
Matthew 13:44-52

What is your new life in Christ worth to you?

Do you love His words more than gold and silver, as we sing in today’s Psalm? Would you, like the characters in the Gospel today, sell all that you have in order to possess the kingdom He promises to us? If God were to grant any wish, would you follow Solomon’s example in today’s First Reading—asking not for a long life or riches, but for wisdom to know God’s ways and to desire His will?

The background for today’s Gospel, as it has been for the past several weeks, is the rejection of Jesus’ preaching by Israel. The kingdom of heaven has come into their midst, yet many cannot see that Jesus is the fulfillment of God’s promises, a gift of divine compassion given that they—and we, too—might live.

We too must ever discover the kingdom anew, to find it as a treasure - a pearl of great price. By comparison with the kingdom, we must count all else as rubbish (see Philippians 3:8). And we must be willing to give up all that we have—all our priorities and plans—in order to gain it.

Jesus’ Gospel discloses what Paul, in today’s Epistle, calls the purpose of God’s plan (see Ephesians 1:4). That purpose is that Jesus be the firstborn of many brothers.

His words give understanding to the simple, the childlike. As Solomon does today, we must humble ourselves before God, giving ourselves to His service. Let our prayer be for an understanding heart, one that desires only to do His will.

We are called to love God, to delight in His law, and to forsake every false way. And we are to conform ourselves daily ever more closely to the image of His Son.

If we do this, we can approach His altar as a pleasing sacrifice, confident that all things work for the good—that we whom He has justified, will also one day be glorified.