Catholic Caucus: Daily Mass Readings, 06-26-15, OM, St. Josemaría Escrivá, Priest

These posts are beautiful. Thank you, from a Newbie.

Matthew
	English: Douay-Rheims	Latin: Vulgata Clementina	Greek NT: Byzantine/Majority Text (2000)
	Matthew 8
1.	AND when he was come down from the mountain, great multitudes followed him:	Cum autem descendisset de monte, secutæ sunt eum turbæ multæ :	καταβαντι δε αυτω απο του ορους ηκολουθησαν αυτω οχλοι πολλοι
2.	And behold a leper came and adored him, saying: Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.	et ecce leprosus veniens, adorabat eum, dicens : Domine, si vis, potes me mundare.	και ιδου λεπρος ελθων προσεκυνει αυτω λεγων κυριε εαν θελης δυνασαι με καθαρισαι
3.	And Jesus stretching forth his hand, touched him, saying: I will, be thou made clean. And forthwith his leprosy was cleansed.	Et extendens Jesus manum, tetigit eum, dicens : Volo. Mundare. Et confestim mundata est lepra ejus.	και εκτεινας την χειρα ηψατο αυτου ο ιησους λεγων θελω καθαρισθητι και ευθεως εκαθαρισθη αυτου η λεπρα
4.	And Jesus saith to him: See thou tell no man: but go, shew thyself to the priest, and offer the gift which Moses commanded for a testimony unto them.	Et ait illi Jesus : Vide, nemini dixeris : sed vade, ostende te sacerdoti, et offer munus, quod præcepit Moyses, in testimonium illis.	και λεγει αυτω ο ιησους ορα μηδενι ειπης αλλα υπαγε σεαυτον δειξον τω ιερει και προσενεγκε το δωρον ο προσεταξεν μωσης εις μαρτυριον αυτοις

1. When he was come down from the mountain, great multitudes followed him.
2. And, behold, there came a leper and worshipped him, saying, Lord, if you will, you can make me clean.
3. And Jesus put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will; be you clean. And immediately his leprosy was cleansed.
4. And Jesus said to him, see you tell no man; but go your way, show yourself to the Priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, for a testimony to them.

JEROME; After the preaching and teaching, is offered an occasion of working miracles, that by mighty works following, the preceding doctrine might be confirmed.

PSEUDO-CHRYS. Because He taught them as one having authority, that He might not thence be supposed to use this method of teaching from ostentation, He does the same in works, as one having power to cure; and therefore, When Jesus descended from the mountain, great multitudes followed him.

PSEUDO-ORIGEN; While the Lord taught on the mount, the disciples were with Him, for to them it was given to know the secret things of the heavenly doctrine; but now as He came down from the mount the crowds followed Him, who had been altogether unable to ascend into the mount. They that are bowed by the burden of sin cannot climb to the sublime mysteries. But when the Lord came down from the mount, that is, stooped to the infirmity, and helplessness of the rest, in pity to their imperfections, great multitudes followed Him , some for renown, most for His doctrine, some for cures, or having their wants administered to.

HAYMO; Otherwise; By the mount on which the Lord sate is figured the Heaven, as it is written, Heaven is my throne. But when the Lord sits on the mount, only the disciples come to Him; because before He took on Him the frailty of our human nature, God was known only in Judea; but when He came down from the height of his Divinity, and took upon Him the frailty of our human nature, a great multitude of the nations followed Him. Herein it is shown to them that teach that their speech should be so regulated, that as they see each man is able to receive, they should so speak the word of God. For the doctors ascend the mountain, when they show the more excellent precepts to the perfect; they come down from the mount, in showing the lesser precepts to the weak.

PSEUDO-CHRYS. Among others who were not able to ascend into the mount was the leper, as hearing the burden of sin; for the sin of our souls is a leprosy. And the Lord came down from the height of heaven, as from a mountain, that He might purge the leprousness of our sin; and so the leper as already prepared meets Him as He came down.

PSEUDO-ORIGEN; He works the cures below, and does none in the mount; for there is a time for all things under heaven, a time for teaching, and a time for healing. On the mount He taught, He cured souls, He healed hearts; which being finished, as He came down from the heavenly heights to heal bodies, there came to Him a leper and made adoration to Him; before he made his suit, he began to adore, showing his great reverence.

PSEUDO-CHRYS. He did not ask it of Him as of a human physician, but adored Him as God. For faith and confession make a perfect prayer; so that the leprous man in adoring fulfilled the work of faith, and the work of confession in words, he made adoration to him, saying;

PSEUDO-ORIGEN; Lord, by You all things were made, You therefore, if you will, can make me clean. Your will is the work, and all works are subject to Your will. You of old cleansed Naaman the Syrian of his leprosy by the hand of Elisha; and now, if you will, you can make me clean.

CHRYS. He said not, if you will ask of God, or, If you will make adoration to God; but, If you will. Nor did he say, Lord, cleanse me; but left all to Him, thereby making Him Lord, and attributing to Him the power over all.

PSEUDO-CHRYS. And thus he awarded a spiritual Physician with a spiritual reward; for as physicians are gained by money, so He with prayer. We offer to God nothing more worthy than faithful prayer. in that he says, If you will, there is no doubt that Christ's will is ready to every good work; but only doubt whether that cure would be expedient for him, because soundness of body is not good for all. If you will, then is as much as to say, I believe that you wills whatever is good, but I know not if this that I desire for myself is good.

CHRYS. He was able to cleanse by a word, or even by mere will, but He put out His hand, He stretched forth his hand and touched him, to show that He was not subject to the Law, and that to the pure nothing is impure. Elisha truly kept the Law in all strictness, and did not go out and touch Naaman, but sends him to wash in Jordan. But the Lord shows that He does not heal as a servant, but as Lord heals and touches; His hand was not made unclean by the leprosy, but the leprous body was made pure by the holy hand. For He came not only to heal bodies, but to lead the soul to the true wisdom. As then He did not forbid to eat with unwashed hands, so here He teaches us that it is the leprosy of the soul we ought only to dread, which is sin, but that the leprosy of the body is no impediment virtue.

PSEUDO-CHRYS. But though He transgressed the letter of the Law, He did not transgress its meaning. For the Law forbade to touch leprosy, because it could not hinder that the touch should not defile; therefore it meant not that lepers should not be healed, but that they that touched should not be polluted. So He was not polluted by touching the leprosy, but purified the leprosy by touching it.

DAMASCENUS; For He was not only God, but man also, whence He wrought Divine wonders by touch and word; for as by an instrument so by His body the all; Divine acts were done.

CHRYS. But for touching the leprous man there is none that accuses Him, because His ,hearers were not yet seized with envy against Him.

PSEUDO-CHRYS. Had He healed him without speaking, who would know by whose power he had been healed? So the will to heal was for the sake of the leprous man; the word was for the sake of them that beheld, therefore He said, I will, be you clean.

JEROME; it is not to be read, as most of the Latins think, 'I will to cleanse you;' but separately, He first answers, I will, and then follows the command, be you clean. The leper has said, If you will; the Lord answers, I will; he first said, You can make me clean; the Lord spoke, be you clean.

CHRYS. Nowhere else do we see Him using this word though He be working ever so signal a miracle; but He here adds, I will, to confirm the opinion of the people and the leprous man concerning His power. Nature obeyed the word of the Purifier with proper speed, whence it follows, and straightway his leprosy was cleansed. But even this word straightway is too slow to express the speed with which the deed was done.

PSEUDO-ORIGEN. Because he was not slow to believe, his cure is not delayed; he did not linger in his confession, Christ did not linger in His cure.

AUG. Luke has mentioned the cleansing of this leper, though not in the same order of events, but as his manner is to recollect things omitted, and to put first things that were done later, as they were divinely suggested; so that what they had known before, they afterwards set down in writing when they were recalled to their minds.

CHRYS. Jesus when healing his body bids him tell no man; Jesus said to him, See you tell no man. Some say that He gave this command that they might not through malice distrust his cure. But this is said foolishly, for He did not so cure him as that his purity should be called in question; but He bids him tell no man, to teach that He does not hove ostentation and glory. How is it then that to another to whom He had healed He gives command to go and tell it? What He taught in that was only that we should have a thankful heart; for He does not command that it should be published abroad, but that glory should be given to God. He teaches us then through this leper not to be desirous of empty honor; by the other, not to be ungrateful, but to refer all things to the praise of God.

JEROME; And in truth what need was there that He should proclaim with His mouth what was evidently showed in his body?

HILARY; Or that this healing might be sought rather than offered, therefore silence is enjoined.

JEROME; He sends him to the Priests, just, because of His humility; that He may seem to defer to the priests; secondly, that when they saw the leper cleansed they might be saved, if they would believe on the Savior, or if not that they might be without excuse; and, lastly, that He might not seem, as He was often charged, to be infringing the Law.

CHRYS. He neither everywhere broke, nor everywhere observed, the Law, but sometimes the one, sometimes the other. The one was preparing the way for the wisdom that was to come, the other was silencing the irreverent tongue of the Jews, and condescending to their weakness. Whence the Apostles also are seen sometimes observing, sometimes neglecting, the Law.

PSEUDO-ORIGEN; Or, he sends him to the Priests that they might know that he was not cleansed according to the manner of the Law, but by the operation of grace.

JEROME; It was ordained in the Law, that those that had been cleansed of a leprosy would offer gifts to the Priests; as it follows, And offer your gift as Moses commanded for a testimony to them.

PSEUDO-CHRYS. Which is not to be understood, Moses commanded it for a testimony to them but, Go and offer for a testimony.

CHRYS. For Christ, knowing beforehand that they would not profit by this, said not, 'for their amendment,' but, for a testimony to them; that is, for an accusation of them, and in attestation that all things that should have been done by Me, have been done. But though He thus knew that they would not profit by it, yet He did not omit any thing that is was necessary to be done; but they remained in their former ill-will. Also He said not, 'The gift that I command,' but, that Moses commanded, that in the meantime He might hand them over to the Law, and close the mouths of the unjust. That they might not say that He usurped the honor of the Priests, He fulfilled the work of the Law, and made a trial of them.

PSEUDO-ORIGEN; Or; offer your gift, that all who see may believe the miracle.

PSEUDO-CHRYS. Or; He commands the oblation, that should they afterwards seek to put him out, he might be able to say, You have received gifts on my cleansing, how do you now cast me out as a leper?

HILARY; Or we may read, Which Moses commanded for a testimony; in as much as what Moses commanded in the law is a testimony, not an effect.

BEDE; Should any be perplexed how, when the Lord seems here to approve Moses' offering, the Church does not receive it, let him remember, that Christ had not yet offered His body for a holocaust. And it was necessary that the typical sacrifices should not be taken away, before that which they typified was established by the testimony of the Apostles' preaching, and by the faith of the people believing. By this man was figured the whole human race, for he was not only leprous, but, according to the Gospel of Luke, is described as full of leprosy. For all have Sinned, and need glory of God; to wit, that glory, that the hand of the Savior being stretched out, (that is, the Word being made flesh,) and touching human nature, they might be cleansed from the vanity of their former ways; and that they that had been long abominable, and east out from the camp of God's people, might be restored to the temple and the priest, and be able to offer their bodies a living sacrifice to Him to whom it is said, You are a Priest forever.

REMIG. Morally; by the leper is signified the sinner; for sin makes an unclean and impure soul; he falls down before Christ when he is confounded concerning his former sins; yet he ought to confess, and to seek the remedy of penitence; So the leper shows his disease, and asks a cure. The Lord stretches out His hand when He affords the aid of Divine mercy; whereupon follows immediately remission of sin; nor ought the Church to be reconciled to the same, but on the sentence of the Priest.

Catena Aurea Matthew 8

Byzantine School - Jesus healing a leper

https://wf-f.org/StJosemaria.html

Saint Josemaría Escrivá, Priest
Optional Memorial [In some diocese]
June 26th
https://wf-f.org/WFFResource/StJoseMaria.jpg

From Vatican Website

Saint Josemaría Escrivá, the founder of Opus Dei, opened a new path of holiness in the Catholic Church, teaching that people can become holy by performing their work and daily duties with a Christian spirit.

Principle Source: Daily Roman Missal, Edited by Rev. James Socías, Midwest Theological Forum, Chicago, Illinois ©2003

Collect:
God, our Father,
You chose Saint Josemaría
to proclaim the universal call to sanctity
and apostolate in the Church.
By His example and prayers,
grant that in faithfully carrying out
our daily work in the Spirit of Christ,
we may be formed in the likeness of Your Son,
and together with the most Blessed Virgin Mary,
serve the work of redemption with an ardent love.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son,
who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. + Amen

First Reading: Gen 2:4b-9, 15
In the day that the Lord God made the earth and the heavens, when no plant of the field was yet in the earth and no herb of the field had yet sprung up—for the Lord God had not caused it to rain upon the earth, and there was no man to till the ground; but a mist went up from the earth and watered the whole face of the ground— then the Lord God formed man of dust from the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being. And the Lord God planted a garden in Eden, in the east; and there He put the man whom He had formed. And out of the ground the Lord God made to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight and good for food, the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to till it and keep it.

First Reading: Revelation 19:1, 5-9a [In Easter Season]
After this I, John, heard what seemed to be the loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, crying, “Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God.”

And from the throne came a voice crying, “Praise our God, all you His servants, you who fear Him, small and great.” Then I heard what seemed to be the voice of a great multitude, like the sound of many waters and like the sound of mighty thunderpeals, crying, “Hallelujah! For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His Bride has made herself ready; it was granted her to be clothed with fine linen, bright and pure”— for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints.

And the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.”

Second Reading: Romans 8:26-30
Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with sighs too deep for words. And He who searches the hearts of men knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. We know that in everything God works for good with those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose. For those whom He foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, in order that He might be the first-born among many brethren. And those whom He predestined He also called; and those whom He called He also justified; and those whom He justified He also glorified.

Gospel Reading: Luke 5:1-11
While the people pressed upon Jesus to hear the word of God, He was standing by the lake of Gennesaret. And He saw two boats by the lake; but the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets. Getting into one of the boats, which was Simon’s, He asked him to put out a little from the land. And He sat down and taught the people from the boat. And when He had ceased speaking, He said to Simon, “Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.” And Simon answered, “Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets.” And when they had done this, they enclosed a great shoal of fish; and as their nets were breaking, they beckoned to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink. But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord.” For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the catch of fish which they had taken; and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; henceforth you will be catching men.” And when they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed Him.

Information: St. Josemaria Escriva

Feast Day: June 26

Born: 9 January 1902, Barbastro, Aragon, Spain

Died: 26 June 1975, Rome, Italy

Canonized: 6 October 2002, Vatican City by Pope John Paul II

Major Shrine: Our Lady of Peace, Prelatic Church of Opus Dei, in Rome

EWTN Mini-Site of St. Josemaria Escriva

http://www.holyspiritinteractive.net/kids/saints/0626.asp

St. Pelagius

Feast Day: June 26

Born: (around) 912 :: Died: 925

This boy martyr of Spain lived in the days when the Moors who were Muslims ruled part of his homeland. The Moors were fighting the Spanish Christians. Pelagius was only ten when his uncle had to leave him as a hostage with the Moors in the city of Cordova. They would not set him free until his uncle sent what the Moors demanded.

Three years later the young Christian Pelagius still remained a prisoner. By this time, he was a handsome, lively boy of thirteen. Although many of his fellow prisoners were men who had formed evil habits, Pelagius would not follow their example. He had a strong will and knew how to keep himself good.

The ruler of the Moors heard good reports about Pelagius and sent for the boy. Pelagius was handsome and well-behaved. The ruler felt generous and wanted to get him out of prison. After all, he was only a boy.

He offered Pelagius his freedom, plus fine clothes to wear, beautiful horses and money. All this, only if he would give up his faith and become a Muslim like them.

“All those things you named mean nothing to me,” answered the boy firmly. “I have been a Christian. I am a Christian now. I shall continue to be a Christian.” The ruler was surprised. Now instead of promises he threatened Pelagius, but this had no effect.

Thirteen-year-old Pelagius was killed for his faith in Jesus and died a martyr in the year 925.

CATHOLIC ALMANAC

Friday, June 26

Liturgical Color: Green

Pope St. Benedict II became pope on this
day in 684 A.D. He was pope for less
than a year but spent his time battling the
heresy of Monothelitism. This heresy
denied Church doctrine that Christ had
both a human and divine will.

Catholic Culture

http://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/pictures/6_26_escriva.jpg

Daily Readings for:June 26, 2015
(Readings on USCCB website)

Collect: Grant, O Lord, that we may always revere and love your holy name, for you never deprive of your guidance those you set firm on the foundation of your love. 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
Flan
Gazpacho II
ACTIVITIES
Teaching the Sacraments
PRAYERS
June Devotion: The Sacred Heart
Prayer to Saint Josemaría Escrivá
LIBRARY
Apostolic Brief on the Beatification of Josemaria Escriva de Balaguer | Pope John Paul II
Josemaria’s Way | Robert Moynihan

Ordinary Time: June 26th
Wednesday of the Twelfth Week of Ordinary Time; Optional Memorial of St. Josemaria Escriva de Balaguer, priest (in some dioceses)

Old Calendar: Saints John and Paul, martyrs ; Other Titles: Josemaria Escriva de Balaguer

St. Josemaria Escriva was born in 1902 at Barbastro Spain. He was ordained in Saragossa in 1925 and by divine inspiration founded Opus Dei which opened a new way for the faithful to sanctify themselves in the midst of the world. He died on June 26, 1975 and was canonized a saint on October 6, 2002.

According to the 1962 Missal of St. John XXIII the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite, today is the feast of Sts. John and Paul, martyrs, two brothers, who encouraged each other to remain faithful in their sufferings. They are named in the Roman Canon of the Mass (Eucharistic Prayer I).

St. Josemaria Escriva de Balaguer
St. Josemaria Escriva was born in Barbastro, Spain, on January 9, 1902. He had five siblings: Carmen (1899-1957) and Santiago (1919-1994) and three younger sisters who died when they were small children. His parents, José and Dolores, gave their children a deep Christian education.

In 1915, Jose Escriva’s business failed and he found other work, which required the family to move to Logrono. It was as a teenager in Logrono that Josemaria for the first time sensed his vocation. Moved by the sight of footprints left in the snow by a barefoot friar, he sensed that God was asking something of him, though he did not know exactly what it was. He thought becoming a priest would help him discover and fulfill this calling from God, so he began to prepare for the priesthood, first in Logrono and later in Saragossa.

Josemaria’s father died in 1924, leaving him as head of the family. After his ordination in 1925, he began his ministry in a rural parish, and subsequently continued it in Saragossa. In 1927, Fr. Josemaria’s bishop gave him permission to move to Madrid to obtain his doctorate in law.

http://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/pictures/6_26_escriva2.jpg

On October 2, 1928, during a spiritual retreat, Fr. Josemaria saw what it was that God was asking of him: to found Opus Dei, a way of sanctification in daily work and in the fulfillment of the Christian’s ordinary duties. From then on he worked on carrying out this task, meanwhile continuing his priestly ministry, particularly to the poor and the sick. During these early years of Opus Dei, he was also studying at the University of Madrid and teaching classes in order to support his family. When the Civil War broke out in Madrid, religious persecution forced Fr. Josemaria to exercise his priestly ministry clandestinely and to move from place to place seeking refuge. Eventually, he was able to leave the Spanish capital; and, after a harrowing escape across the Pyrenees, he took up residence in Burgos. When the war concluded in 1939, he returned to Madrid and finally obtained his doctorate in law. In the years that followed he gave many retreats to laity, priests, and religious, and continued working assiduously to develop Opus Dei.

In 1946 Fr. Josemaria took up residence in Rome. During his years in Rome, he obtained a doctorate in Theology from the Lateran University and was appointed by Pope Pius XII as a consultor to two Vatican Congregations, as an honorary member of the Pontifical Academy of Theology, and as an honorary prelate.

He traveled frequently from Rome to various European countries, and to Mexico on one occasion, to spark the growth of Opus Dei in those places. In 1974 and 1975, he made two long trips to a number of countries in Latin America, where he met with large groups of people and spoke to them about their Christian vocation to holiness.

Msgr. Escriva died in Rome on June 26, 1975. By the time of his death, Opus Dei had begun in dozens of countries and had touched countless lives. After his death thousands of people, including more than a third of the world’s bishops, sent letters to Rome asking the Pope to open his cause of beatification and canonization.

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Pope John Paul II beatified Msgr. Escriva on May 17, 1992, in St. Peter’s Square in Rome. The ceremony was attended by approximately 300,000 people. “With supernatural intuition,” said the Pope in his homily, “Blessed Josemaria untiringly preached the universal call to holiness and apostolate.”

Ten years later, on October 6, 2002, John Paul II canonized the founder of Opus Dei in St. Peter’s Square before a multitude of people from more than 80 countries. In his discourse to those who attended the canonization, the Holy Father said that “St. Josemaria was chosen by the Lord to proclaim the universal call to holiness and to indicate that everyday life, its customary activities, are a path towards holiness. It could be said that he was the saint of the ordinary.”

Information Office of Opus Dei on the Internet

Things to Do:

Read a longer biography of St. Josemaria.

Visit these sites to find out more about Opus Dei, St. Josemaria Escriva and his writings.

St. Josemaria Escriva’s teachings stressed the universal call to holiness; in fact this is the root of his teaching. Vatican II echoed this in the Dogmatic Constitution on the Church, Lumen Gentium: “It is therefore quite clear that all Christians in any state or walk of life are called to the fullness of Christian life and to the perfection of love, and by this holiness a more human manner of life is fostered also in earthly society” (no. 40). In a document as far back as 1930, for example, St. Josemaria wrote: “Holiness is not something for some privileged few. God calls everyone; from everyone He waits for Love: from everyone, wherever they may be; from everyone, whatever may be their state in life, profession, or occupation.” See the marble structure of the Universal Call to Holiness at the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, DC. Read Francis Cardinal George’s comments on this teaching.

Sts. John and Paul

http://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/pictures/6_26_john_paul.jpg

The Acts of these two martyrs, which historians regard as spurious, contain the following: “The two brothers, John and Paul, were valets to Constantia, the daughter of Emperor Constantine. For their excellent work she bequeathed to them a considerable sum. This they used to aid poor Christians. When Julian the Apostate (361-363) invited them to become members of the inner circle of the imperial household, they refused and boldly explained that they did not relish close association with one who had fallen away from Jesus Christ. The Emperor gave them ten days to reconsider their position, threatening them with death if at the end of this time they refused to do his bidding and sacrifice to Jupiter. The brothers used the interval to distribute what remained of their possessions to the poor so that they could begin their journey home to God with less hindrance, while at the same time benefiting many who would ‘receive them into the everlasting dwellings’ (Luke 16:9). Their choice was death, and they were beheaded in their own house.”

Both John and Paul were highly venerated by the Roman Church. They are mentioned in the Canon of the Mass and in the Litany of the Saints. Their particular virtue was love toward the poor. The following, at least, is historically certain: these two court officials were martyred and buried in their own house. Byzas and Pammachius transformed this house into a church dedicated to the two martyrs. Excavations have proven these points. Beneath the church were found their home, the tombs, and the place of execution.

Excerpted from The Church’s Year of Grace, Pius Parsch

Symbols: Thunderbolt; sword.

The Word Among Us

Meditation: Matthew 8:1-4

12th Week in Ordinary Time

I will do it. (Matthew 8:3)

Lord, how awesome is that little word will. So much greater than “can,” so much more hopeful than “shall.” You will!

Jesus, I know that you have the power, for by your death you destroyed the one who had held us captive (Hebrews 2:14). By that power, the Father raised you from the dead and seated you in heaven, above all other power (Ephesians 1:19-22). You have the authority, Lord, because God himself has given it to you (Matthew 28:18). And you have the right, for he has put all things under you (John 13:3).

Lord, you will! Not simply because you can or may, but because you choose to! You choose to heal. You want us restored to you. It is your desire to see us happy, at peace, fulfilled in you. When the man with leprosy said, “If you wish, you can make me clean,” you rejoiced at the chance (Matthew 8:2). You must have been tired, from having taught and cared for so many people, yet you didn’t give a halfhearted “Okay, I’ll do it.” No, you exulted, “I will! I delight in it! Be healed!”

Jesus, should I expect less? You came to bring the kingdom of heaven to earth, a kingdom in which sin and sickness are unknown. You died to usher in—here and now—your reign in that kingdom. Let it come, Lord! Let it be so in me! You are pleased to forgive and heal. Lord, if you wish, you can make me peaceful. You can soothe the anger lodged deep inside me. You can drive out my anxiety and fill me with hope.

Jesus, you care. You cared that this man’s skin was covered with sores. You were concerned that he was friendless and alone. You care about the things that trouble me as well. You are pleased to open my ears so that I can hear you speak. You rejoice to open my eyes so that I can see what you are doing in and around me. You delight to touch my life. Lord, if you wish, you can fill me with your divine life and love.
“Today, L
ord, let me hear you say, ‘I will do it!’ ”

Genesis 17:1, 9-10, 15-22
Psalm 128:1-5

Daily Marriage Tip for June 26, 2015:

Marriage Challenge: While you may have settled in to a comfortable lifestyle, routines can get boring. Try something new together this week – a new food, recreation, book…

Regnum Christi

The Healing Power of Confession

U. S. A. | SPIRITUAL LIFE | SPIRITUALITY

June 26, 2015. Friday of the Twelfth Week in Ordinary Time

Father Shawn Aaron, LC

Matthew 8:1-4

When Jesus came down from the mountain, great crowds followed him. And then a leper approached, did him homage, and said, "Lord, if you wish, you can make me clean." He stretched out his hand, touched him, and said, "I will do it. Be made clean." His leprosy was cleansed immediately. Then Jesus said to him, "See that you tell no one, but go show yourself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses prescribed; that will be proof for them."

Introductory Prayer: Lord, I believe in you and in your love. I trust in you as the way for me to live. I hope in the power of your cross to free me from all that is not you. I love you and want my love to be more real so that I may imitate your pure and total love.

Petition: Lord, help me to turn from my sins.

1. Lord, If You Wish, You Can Make Me Clean: Whenever we come to the sacrament of confession, we want the words of this humble leper to be on our lips: “Jesus, you can heal me from that which ails me, from my sin.” This leper’s act of faith is comparable to the Good Thief’s faith. While nailed to the cross next to Our Lord he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” In each case they see with eyes of faith beyond what the eyes of their body tell them. When we come to confess our sins with eyes of faith, we want to look beyond the priest to Jesus, the one who not only forgives our sins but heals our souls.

2. He Stretched Out His Hand, and Touched Him: The Pharisees once asked the disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” (Matthew 9:11). Jesus is not afraid of my leprosy; he is not afraid of my sin. His love is simply more powerful than any person’s sin, no matter how grave. He is not afraid to be associated with sinners or to touch lepers. It was this same love that moved the Word to become “flesh and dwell among us” (John 1:14). By taking our human nature to himself he “stretched out his hand and touched us.” When we give Jesus our sins he nails them to the cross -- and it is precisely at the cross that we discover two things: the true nature of our sin and the infinite love the prompts Jesus to touch us.

3. I Do Will It. Be Made Clean: Jesus wants the leper to be healed; he likewise wants you and me to be healed, clean, whole. Through the hands of the priest, Jesus stretches out his own hand and bids us to be clean so that we may not remain in our sins. Sin knocks at the door of our lives, but thanks to Jesus we do not have to continue in it. When Jesus heals us, he also gives us the strength (grace) to stay healthy. He heals us so that we may freely walk with him and imitate him in our lives. But do I want to leave aside all my sin? What former leper would ever wish to return to his leprosy? Ultimately it is the heart that must be made clean by way of constant prayer, the sacraments and a genuine effort to do what we know is pleasing to God.

Conversation with Christ: Jesus, you know when I sit and when I stand. Before a word is on my lips you know the whole of it; with all my ways you are familiar (cf. Psalm 139). Help me to live in the light, correspond to your grace, and experience the healing joy that comes from friendship with you.

Resolution: This week I will go to confession, taking time to prepare myself well.

One Bread, One Body

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Genesis 17:1, 9-10, 15-22
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Psalm 128:1-5

Matthew 8:1-4
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CHANGING NAMES

"God further said to Abraham: 'As for your wife Sarai, do not call her Sarai; her name shall be Sarah. I will bless her, and I will give you a son by her." —Genesis 17:15-16

We all want certain things to change. The leper in today's Gospel reading wanted Jesus to heal him. Jesus touched him, and "immediately the man's leprosy disappeared" (Mt 8:3). Sometimes we want things to change not by disappearing but by appearing. For instance, Abram and Sarai wanted to have a child. We likewise want changes in our health, families, jobs, financial situations, churches, politics, and world.

The changes we desire are mostly exterior changes. However, interior change often precedes exterior change. Great interior change is expressed by a change of names. Abram's name was changed to Abraham, and Sarai's name to Sarah. Then they were miraculously able to conceive a child. We too often need a name-change before we can have changes in our health, jobs, families, etc.

Turn to Jesus. His name is above every other name (Phil 2:9). His name is the only name by which we can be saved (Acts 4:12). When Jesus changes our names, we are really changed inside and outside. Jesus changed Simon to Peter (Rock) and on this rock He built the Church (Mt 16:18). Jesus changed Saul to Paul and turned a murderous enemy of Christians into a Christian missionary. This change inside of Saul (Paul) resulted in the Gospel being proclaimed to the world. The name of the game is the change of the name.

Prayer: Father, may I fully live the new life expressed by my baptismal and confirmation names.

Promise: "Happy are you who fear the Lord, who walk in His ways!" —Ps 128:1

Praise: Once she let go of the expectation of being rewarded for acts of charity, Belinda felt freer to give more than ever.