Catholic Caucus: Daily Mass Readings, 07-30-15. OM, St. Peter Chrysologus, Bishop & Doctor/Church

USCCB.org/RNAB ^ | 07-30-15 | Revised New American Bible

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July 2015

Pope's Intentions

Universal: Politics -- That political responsibility may be lived at all levels as a high form of charity.

Evangelization: The poor in Latin America-- That amid social inequalities, Latin American Christians may bear witness to love for the poor and contribute to a more fraternal society.

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Daily Gospel Commentary

Thursday of the Seventeenth week in Ordinary Time

Commentary of the day
Saint Augustine (354-430), Bishop of Hippo (North Africa) and Doctor of the Church
Discourse on Psalm 95 (96):14-15

“They hauled it ashore and sat down to put what was worthwhile into containers.”

“He shall rule the world with justice and the peoples with his truth.” (Ps 96:13) Which justice and which truth? He will gather to him his chosen ones (Mk 13:27); the others he will separate, for he will place the former at his right and the latter at his left (Mt 25:33). What will be more just, more true than that? Those who did not want to practice mercy before the judge came, will not expect mercy from the judge. Those who wanted to practice mercy, will be judged with mercy (Lk 6:37). For he will say to those whom he has placed at his right: “Come. You have my Father’s blessing! Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world.” And he will attribute acts of mercy to them: “For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink” and all that follows (Mt 25:31ff.)…

Because you are unjust, will the judge not be just? Because you sometimes lie, will truth not be truthful? If you want to meet a merciful judge, be merciful before he comes. Forgive if someone has offended you; give away the possessions of which you have an abundance… Give what you have received from him: “Name something you have that you have not received.” (1 Cor 4:7) These are the sacrifices that are very pleasing to God: mercy, humility, gratitude, peace, charity. If that is what we bring in sacrifice, we will await with assurance the coming of the judge, of him who “shall rule the world with justice and the peoples with his truth.”

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We must practice modesty, not only in our looks, but also in our whole deportment, and particularly in our dress, our walk, our conversation, and all similar actions.

St. Alphonsus Maria de Liguori

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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.  "Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you" (Lk 1:28)   "Blessed are you among women,  and blessed is the fruit of your womb" (Lk 1:42).

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Saint Peter Chrysologus, Bishop and Doctor of the Church

Saint Peter Chrysologus
Optional Memorial
Bishop and Doctor of the Church
July 30th


unknown artist

(406-450) As Bishop of Ravenna, Italy, he was famous for his outstanding skill in preaching (thus the nickname Chrysologus, or "the golden-worded"), for his charities, and for his writings.

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

Collect:
O God, who made the Bishop Saint Peter Chrysologus
an outstanding preacher of your incarnate Word,
grant, through his intercession,
that we may constantly ponder in our hearts
the mysteries of your salvation
and faithfully express them in what we do.
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. +Amen.

First Reading: Ephesians 3:8-12
To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to make all men see what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things; that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places. This was according to the eternal purpose which he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and confidence of access through our faith in him.

Gospel Reading: Luke 6:43-45
"For no good tree bears bad fruit, nor again does a bad tree bear good fruit; for each tree is known by its own fruit. For figs are not gathered from thorns, nor are grapes picked from a bramble bush. The good man out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil man out of his evil treasure produces evil; for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.

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Holy Spirit Interactive Kids: A Saint a Day

St. Peter Chrysologus

Feast Day: July 30
Born: 406 :: Died: 450

Peter was born in the small town of Imola in Italy. He studied under the guidance of Bishop Cornelius of Imola and was converted to Christianity. When he was ready, he was ordained as a deacon. Even as a boy, Peter understood that a person is truly great only if he can control his passions and put on the spirit of Christ.

In 433, when the archbishop of Ravenna, Italy, died, Pope St. Leo the Great appointed Peter to take his pace. St. Peter did a very good job as a priest and bishop. He worked hard to get rid of the belief in false gods and false teachings that were still practiced by some pagans in his diocese. And he helped his people grow in faith.

St. Peter soon became a very famous preacher and he was given the name "Chrysologus" which means "golden word." His sermons or homilies were all short. He was afraid his audience would get bored. These sermons were not especially unusual but his beautiful explanations of the Incarnation, the Creed, the place of Mary and John the Baptist in the great plan of salvation etc. led him to be named Doctor of the Church.

His messages were more valuable than gold. He preached with such enthusiasm and fire that people listened to him breathlessly. In his sermons, St. Peter urged everyone to receive Jesus often in Holy Communion. He wanted people to understand that the Body of Christ should be the daily food for their souls.

This good archbishop also worked for the unity of all the members of the Catholic Church. He kept the peace by helping people understand what Catholics believe. St. Peter Chrysologus died on December 2, 450, in his hometown of Imola, Italy.

Reflection: We pray today that our hearts may always be open to listen to and understand the Word of God.

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Prayer, Fasting and Mercy by St. Peter Chrysologus, Early Church Father [Catholic Caucus]
St Peter Chrysologus
From A Sermon By Saint Peter Chrysologus,bishop: Prayer Knocks,Fasting Obtains, Mercy Receives

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Day 211 - The Parable of the Ten Pounds (Part II)

Today’s Reading: Luke 19:20-27
20 Then another came, saying, Lord, here is your pound, which I kept laid away in a napkin; 21 for I was afraid of you, because you are a severe man; you take up what you did not lay down, and reap what you did not sow.’ 22 He said to him, I will condemn you out of your own mouth, you wicked servant! You knew that I was a severe man, taking up what I did not lay down and reaping what I did not sow? 23 Why then did you not put my money into the bank, and at my coming I should have collected it with interest?’ 24 And he said to those who stood by, Take the pound from him, and give it to him who has the ten pounds.’ 25 (And they said to him, Lord, he has ten pounds!’) 26 I tell you, that to every one who has will more be given; but from him who has not, even what he has will be taken away. 27 But as for these enemies of mine, who did not want me to reign over them, bring them here and slay them before me.’ “

Today’s Commentary:
Morally: Jesus stresses the need for diligence and responsibility. He expects disciples to fulfill their Christian duties in his absence, warning that fear will be no excuse for laziness or lack of productivity (19:20-24).

Theologically: the parable envisions Jesus ascending to the Father to receive his kingdom (19:12; Mk 16:19) and returning to judge those who reject his royal authority (19:27). His return is closely linked with the judgment of Israel and the downfall of Jerusalem in A.D. 70, which is itself a prophetic preview of his Second Coming in glory to judge all nations at the end of time.

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Catholic Culture

Ordinary Time: July 30th

Optional Memorial of St. Peter Chrysologus, bishop and doctor

Daily Readings for: July 30, 2015
(Readings on USCCB website)

Collect: O God, who made the Bishop Saint Peter Chrysologus an outstanding preacher of your incarnate Word, grant, through his intercession, that we may constantly ponder in our hearts the mysteries of your salvation and faithfully express them in what we do. 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

• Basilopitta

ACTIVITIES

• Discovering and Developing Gifts

PRAYERS

• Collect for Feast of Sts. Abdon and Sennen
• Novena In Honor of Saint John Marie Vianney
• Prayer of St. Germanus

LIBRARY

• The Age of Patrology | Sal Ciresi
• The Saintly Scholars of the Church | Fr. Stephen McKenna

Old Calendar: Sts. Abdon and Sennen, martyrs; St. Germanus, bishop (Hist)

St. Peter Chrysologus ("the man of golden speech") earned the title of Doctor of the Church for his eloquent sermons, of which some two hundred remain. Made Archbishop of Ravenna by miraculous intervention of St. Peter in 433, he rooted out all remaining traces of paganism, as well as a number of abuses among the Christians. In his sermons he strongly urged frequent Communion. He is supposed to have given us the saying: "He who wants to laugh with the devil cannot rejoice with Christ." St. Peter died about the year 450 in his native city of Imola.

According to the 1962 Missal of St. John XXIII the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite, today is the feast of Sts. Abdon and Sennen: two eastern martyrs, probably Persians. Their cult at the Pontian cemetery seems to show that they met their death in Rome. In the ninth century their bodies were translated to the church of St. Mark. St. Peter Chrysologus' feast is observed on December 4.

Historically today is the feast of St. Germanus, the Bishop of Auxerre, who was instrumental in defeating the Pelagian heresy in Britain.

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St. Peter Chrysologus
In the fifth century, Ravenna, not Rome, was the capital of the Roman Empire in the West, and Ravenna itself became a metropolitan see. St. Peter Chrysologus was one of the most distinguished archbishops of that see.

Peter was born in Imola about the year 400 and studied under Cornelius, bishop of that city, who ordained him deacon. In 433, the archbishop of Ravenna died, and when a successor had been chosen by the clergy and people of Ravenna, they asked Bishop Cornelius to obtain confirmation of their choice from Pope Sixtus III. On his trip to Rome, Cornelius took his deacon, Peter, as his companion; upon seeing Peter, the pope chose him for the see of Ravenna instead of the one selected by the clergy and people of Ravenna.

Peter was consecrated and was accepted somewhat grudgingly at first by both the clergy and the people. Peter, however, soon became the favorite of Emperor Valentinian III, who resided at Ravenna and was also highly regarded by Pope St. Leo the Great, the successor of Pope Sixtus.

There were still traces of paganism in Peter's diocese, and his first effort was to establish the Catholic faith everywhere, rooting out abuses and carrying on a campaign of preaching and special care of the poor. Many of his sermons still survive, and it is on the basis of these that he came to be known as "the golden word."

In his concern for the unity of the Church, Peter Chrysologus opposed the teaching of Eutyches, condemned in the East, who asked for his support. Peter also received St. Germanus of Auxerre to his diocese and officiated at his funeral.

Knowing that his own death was near, Peter returned to his own city of Imola and after urging great care in the choice of his successor he died at Imola about the year 450 and was buried in the church of St. Cassian. In 1729, Pope Benedict XIII declared him a Doctor of the Church. — The One Year Book of Saints by Rev. Clifford Stevens

Familiar is his dictum: "If you jest with the devil, you cannot rejoice with Christ." Some of his sermons are read in the Breviary. Ravenna, his episcopal city, still harbors treasures of ancient Christian liturgical art dating to his day.

Symbols: Dog at his feet; bishop's staff; beehive.
Often Portrayed As: Bishop being presented to Pope Sixtus III by Saint Peter and Saint Apollinaris of Ravenna; bishop holding a dish.

Things to Do:

• Liturgical living necessarily includes a loving willingness to read and to listen to homilies and sermons. In this the contemporaries of St. Peter Chrysologus set us a good example; while the saint himself remains an inspiration and a guide for the proper approach to God's holy word. How do you act and react toward God's word as proclaimed in and outside of the liturgy?

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Sts. Abdon and Sennen
According to legend Abdon and Sennen were two Persians who, under Emperor Decius (249-251), were accused of burying on their estates the bodies of martyrs; for this reason they were thrown into chains at the Emperor's command. As they persistently refused to offer incense to the gods and candidly confessed Jesus as their Lord and God, their imprisonment was made more and more unbearable, and when Decius returned to Rome they were led bound in his triumphal procession. They were dragged before the idols in the capital city, only to spit upon them. Cast to the bears and lions, they were not attacked. Finally they were put to death with the sword. Their bodies were secretly taken away by Christians, and the deacon Quirinus buried them in his house, near the cemetery of S. Pontian, where an old mural of them may still be seen. They are depicted in Persian clothing, receiving from the Lord the crown of victory.

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

Symbols: Fur tunics; sword; Phyrygian caps; two crowns.

Things to Do:

• The corporal work of mercy, "to bury the dead," today's saints fulfilled to the letter, and it brought them a glorious martyr's death for Christ. They gave burial to martyrs and themselves were lovingly buried as martyrs. In our day, efficiency and commercialism have to a great extent displaced personal and loving service to the bodies of the dead. Is this the Christian ideal?

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St. Germanus
In his youth Germanus gave little sign of sanctity. He was of noble birth, and at first practised the law at Rome. After a time the emperor placed him high in the army. But his one passion was the chase. He was so carried away as even to retain in his sports the superstitions of the pagan huntsmen. Yet it was revealed to the Bishop of Auxerre that Germanus would be his successor, and he gave him the tonsure almost by main force. Forthwith Germanus became another man, and making ever his lands to the Church, adopted a life of humble penance.

At that time the Pelagian heresy was laying waste England, and Germanus was chosen by the reigning Pontiff to rescue the Britons from the snare of Satan. With St. Lupus he preached in the fields and highways throughout the land. At last, near Verulam, he met the heretics face to face, and overcame them utterly with the Catholic and Roman faith. He ascribed this triumph to the intercession of St. Alban, and offered public thanks at his shrine. Towards the end of his stay, his old skill in arms won over the Picts and Scots the complete but bloodless "Alleluia" victory, so called because the newly-baptized Britons, led by the Saint, routed the enemy with the Paschal cry. Germanus visited England a second time with St. Severus.

He died in 448, while interceding with the emperor for the people of Brittany.

Excerpted from Lives of the Saints, by Alban Butler, Benziger Bros. ed. [1894]

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The Ruin and Conquest of Britain (excerpt)
By now the savage host of the enemy was close at hand and Germanus rapidly circulated an order that all should repeat in unison the call he would give as a battle-cry. Then, while the enemy were still secure in their belief that their approach was unexpected, the bishops three times chanted the Alleluia. All, as one man, repeated it and the shout they raised rang through the air and echoed many times in the confined space between the mountains. The enemy were panic-stricken, thinking that the surrounding rocks and the very sky itself were falling on them. Such was their terror that no effort of their feet seemed enough to save them. They fled in every direction, throwing away their weapons and thankful if they could at least save their skins. Many threw themselves into a river which they had just crossed with ease, and were drowned in it. Thus the British army looked on at its revenge without striking a blow, idle spectators of the victory they achieved. The booty strewn everywhere was collected; the pious soldiery obtained the spoils of a victory from heaven. The bishops were elated at the rout of the enemy without bloodshed and a victory gained by faith and not by force.

Things to Do:

• Read more of The Ruin and Conquest of Britain here.

• Read more about Pelagianism. See also the Catholic Encyclopedia.

• Read this longer life of St. Germanus

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The Word Among Us

Meditation: Exodus 40:16-21, 34-38

Saint Peter Chrysologus, Bishop and Doctor of the Church (Optional Memorial)

Moses did exactly as the Lord had commanded. (Exodus 40:16)

When their children are young, parents need to explain to them how to do just about everything. But as the children mature, their parents are more comfortable giving them greater freedom and fewer explicit instructions. Commands like “Don’t cross the street” become instinctual. The phrase “Say you’re sorry to your brother” becomes less necessary—or at least that’s what parents hope for!

So it may seem odd that today’s first reading repeats the observation that Moses did everything “exactly as the Lord had commanded” (Exodus 40:16). These are adults we’re talking about here! Why does God have to give them such detailed instructions? Why tell Moses precisely how to organize worship and guide the people in the forms of cloud and fire?

Remember that the Israelites were still young in their faith at this point—they hadn’t even entered the Promised Land! Not to mention, they had just recently fashioned a golden calf and worshipped it. They still needed clean boundaries so that they could become more fully the people that God called them to be.

Sometimes, we might wish that God would speak to us as specifically as he spoke to the Israelites. We want to be told exactly what to do and what not to do. Yes, sometimes he makes it very clear what he wants, but there are so many other times when he leaves us to make our best call. He gives us his Spirit to nudge us, his commandments to establish boundaries, and the Church to guide us. But in the end, he asks us to use the gift of our conscience as we try to discern the course of action that will most give him glory.

God doesn’t want to keep us on a short leash, dictating our every action. He wants us to step into the freedom of his sons and daughters. So don’t worry if you don’t “hear” him all the time. Instead, make your best decision, step out in faith, and ask his Spirit to guide you. Over time, you’ll find yourself growing more and more mature as your will naturally lines up with his.

“Heavenly Father, thank you for the double gift of your Holy Spirit and my free will. Guide me today as I step out in faith.”

Psalm 84:3-6, 8, 11
Matthew 13:47-53

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Marriage = One Man amd One Woman Until Death Do Us Part

Daily Marriage Tip for July 30, 2015:/b>

“A Canaanite woman … called out, “Have pity on me, Lord! … My daughter is tormented by a demon.” (Mt 15:22) Jesus healed the daughter. Sometimes it is our intense love for our children that drives us to seek God. Let a child be a vehicle of grace for you today.

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Regnum Christi

Powerful Net

U. S. A. | SPIRITUAL LIFE | SPIRITUALITY

July 30, 2015. Thursday of the Seventeenth Week in Ordinary Time

Matthew 13: 47-53

Jesus said to his disciples: "The Kingdom of heaven is like a net thrown into the sea, which collects fish of every kind. When it is full they haul it ashore and sit down to put what is good into buckets. What is bad they throw away. Thus it will be at the end of the age. The angels will go out and separate the wicked from the righteous and throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth. "Do you understand all these things?" They answered, "Yes." And he replied, "Then every scribe who has been instructed in the Kingdom of heaven is like the head of a household who brings from his storeroom both the new and the old." When Jesus finished these parables, he went away from there.

Introductory Prayer: Lord, I believe in your power. I know that you are the Lord of all history. I trust that you are guiding my life. Thank you for showing me that you will triumph. Thank you for the triumph you have already achieved in my heart and in the hearts of so many people. I want to allow you to have total control over my life.

Petition: Lord, help me to have confidence in the triumph of your Kingdom.

1. Nothing Escapes the Kingdom: Christ is reminding us that all souls and all human history are encompassed in the vision of the Father. Both the good and the bad will be brought before him. He is able to see what good and evil has been done. His power extends over all the failures and successes of human history. I should live with a confidence that God sees the good I do and will make my efforts to spread his love bear eternal fruit.
   

2. Evil Does Not Have the Last Word: I should live with the confidence that evil does not have the last word. The mercy of God has imposed a limit on evil and the Lord will come one day to take away the power of evil. I should use my short time on earth – which I should use today – to sow all the good I can, aware that this is what will stand steady at the coming of the eternal kingdom. I should not be so impressed by evil that it paralyzes me from doing good.
   

3. Already Home: The Eucharist is an anticipation of God’s triumph. There we learn to trust that God holds the strings of human history. There his “net of love” brings his children together to feed and strengthen them. When I participate in the Mass my confidence in the Lord’s providence should grow. I should strive to bring others to the Eucharist as well, so they can experience the peace and happiness of anticipating heaven here on earth.
   

Conversation with Christ: Lord, I know you are all powerful. I believe that your Kingdom will triumph. I believe that you will come to judge the living and the dead. Help me to do all I can to bring others into your Kingdom so they can experience the joy that comes from knowing you and from living ready for the coming of your Kingdom.

Resolution: I will invite someone who is struggling in their faith or who has fallen away from the sacraments to join me this Sunday at Mass.

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Homily of the Day

July 30, 2015

Simply Know God

In the first reading, after the Israelites put the Ark of the Covenant inside the Tent of Meeting, the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. This was an indication of the presence of God inside the Tent so the Israelites would stop their journey and wait until the cloud would leave the Tent before resuming their journey in the desert.

This is an indication of the need of every man to learn to contemplate and recognize the workings of God in his life.

When we experience a spark of the divine in our daily life situations, we are automatically filled with awe and spend some time contemplating God’s action and presence. It is important to recognize the workings of God because he is always waiting to manifest himself to us.

Oftentimes God wants us to simply know him, love him and serve him. How can we serve him? We can serve him in other men, especially in those who most need our help. We are called to be light to those who are lost, consolation to the sorrowful, hope for those in despair, protector of the oppressed, friend of the poor and a prophet to the wayward.

The Gospel reading is another short parable on how all type of people, good and bad, are allowed to live together just as fishermen catch good and “bad” fish and other sea debris in their fishing nets. It is only at the end that they will be sorted out and the good rewarded and the bad punished.

[Salvation]

One Bread, One Body

One Bread, One Body

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All Issues > Volume 31, Issue 4

<< Thursday, July 30, 2015 >>

St. Peter Chrysologus

Exodus 40:16-21, 34-38
View Readings

Psalm 84:3-6, 8, 11

Matthew 13:47-53
Similar Reflections

CREATED TO WORSHIP HIM FOREVER

"On the first day of the first month of the second year the Dwelling was erected. It was Moses who erected the Dwelling." —Exodus 40:17-18

The grand finale of the book of Exodus is the completion of the Dwelling, the place on earth where God was most powerfully and intimately present. The plagues led to the Exodus, leading to the miraculous crossing of the Red Sea. This was followed by Moses' reception of the divine Law on Mt. Sinai. This finally culminated in the construction of the Dwelling.

The goal of life is to enter into God's presence most deeply and to worship Him forever in heaven. The plagues, miracles, and laws of our lives are not random. They are ordered to bringing us into the holy of holies of God's presence to worship Him. We exist "to praise His glory" (Eph 1:12).

Have you focused your life on worshipping God? Do you do "good deeds" and share what you have (Heb 13:16) so as to "continually offer God a sacrifice of praise"? (Heb 13:15) Have you offered "your bodies as a living sacrifice holy and acceptable to God, your spiritual Worship"? (Rm 12:1) You are alive today to worship the Lord. Worship is the goal of your life and the essence of eternity at God's throne in heaven. Worship Him "in Spirit and truth" (Jn 4:23).

Prayer: Father, more and more make the desire of my heart to worship You.

Promise: "Angels will go out and separate the wicked from the just and hurl the wicked into the fiery furnace." —Mt 13:49-50

Praise: St. Peter Chrysologus proclaimed God's Word against paganism, growing abuses, and unholiness.

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