Daily Catholic Reflection: July 13, 2022, Wednesday of the Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time, Year C

IS 10:5-7, 13B-16

Psalm 94:5-6, 7-8, 9-10, 14-15

Gospel: MT 11:25-27                        Full Readings

Saint Henry

Childlike or Playing Wise?

We are presented, in today’s Gospel with Jesus’ prayer of thanksgiving to the Father for revealing things of the Kingdom to the childlike rather than the wise and learned. The question of reflection today is: is it better to be “wise and learned” or “childlike?” It is better to be childlike indeed, not only according to todays gospel but also in our ordinary life.   It can seem strange to say that it’s not good to be wise and learned, but what that means is that it’s not good to be a person who thinks they have it all figured out. Taking ourselves to be wise and learned imbues in us pride and arrogance of knowing it all which not good at all.  It’s not good to be so filled with pride that we think we have all the answers. Rather, even if we are learned and very wise, we should try to be childlike; it’s good to be one who is open, curious, and willing to learn, a distinctive characteristic of children.

Daily Catholic Reflection: Tuesday, July 12, 2022, Tuesday of the Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time, Year C

Isaiah 7:1-9,

Psalm 48:2-3ab.3c-4.5-6.7-8,

Matthew 11:20-24 Full Readings

Saints John Jones and John Wall

Tough Love

Jesus' love for people overwhelmed that he could not resist from to rebuke the people and towns which did not heed to his word. His rebuke even with harsh punishments to those who did not accept him, was not out anger or disappointment of rejection but out of his much love for his people, and that is why he decided to show them tough love because he knows punishment awaits them. After Jesus had performed many miracles and taught in many towns and villages, proclaiming the kingdom of God and calling for repentance people did not still believe in him they made their hearts stubborn and really hardened them and didn't repent. Jesus' miracles aimed at showing the power of God and were instruments to bring people together and believe in the kingdom of God.

Daily Catholic Reflection: Monday, July 11, 2022, Memorial of Saint Benedict, Abbot, Year C

Isaiah 1:10- 17,

Ps 50:8-9.16bc-17.21,

Matthew 10:34-11:1 Full Readings

Saint Benedict

 Peace or Sword?

The Gospel today presents a collection of sayings of Jesus about the mission of the Christian apostolate and  Matthew puts a whole series of daunting challenges. First comes a trio of sayings to show the absolute priority of Christ’s claims, over the closest family ties, over life and finally over possession of one’s own self. Then comes a quartet of promises of rewards to those who welcome Christ’s messengers. These sayings of Jesus remind us and make known to us the challenges involved in being a Christian not to take up Christianity without serious forethought for there is no such thing as non-apostolic Christianity, but by becoming Christians we take on a share in Christ’s own task of spreading the Good News. The challenge is great but the reward is certain.

Daily Catholic Reflection: Sunday, July 10, 2022, Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C

Dt 30:10-14

Ps 69:14, 17, 30-31, 33-34, 36, 37 or Ps 19:8, 9, 10, 11

Col 1:15-20

Lk 10:25-37                           Full Readings

Saint Veronica Giuliani

Practicing the Law

Brethren, we have the law but do we understand it, and do we practice it. The first reading tells us that we know this law, it is not far from us, for it is written in our hearts. Our conscience and the Holy Spirit keeps reminding us of what good we are supposed and what we are to follow. Don't we sometimes ignore our conscience and do otherwise? If we are to practice the law, we have to understand first what it means and what requires us and that is why we see the teacher of the law of Moses comes to Jesus today and ask him what he must do to gain eternal life. Jesus' response finds him with a quick answer, following the law of the love of God and neighbour. But did this scholar understand the meaning of the neighbour? No. To make him understand, Jesus uses the parable of the Good Samaritan. When we read and reflect on this parable, truly speaking, which character do you identify yourself with? Let's get some glimpse on each character as you see where you belong as concerns following and practicing the law.

Daily catholic Reflection: Saturday, July 9, 2022, Saturday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time, Year C

Isaiah 6: 1-8,

Psalm 93:1AB, 1CD-2, 5

Matthew 10:24-33  Full Readings

Saint Augustine Zhao Rong and Companions

 Proclaiming the Gospel in face of Hostility 

Today we come to the final section of the Mission Discourse which gives us assurance of divine protection in the face of hostility and persecution while in mission. Jesus himself was fearless in proclaiming his message. He ‘taught with authority’, as the gospel constantly tells us. His disciples are sent out to do the same and  to fear nothing but only God who is the overall. Jesus invites us : "Don't be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul, fear him rather who can destroy both body and soul in hell," thus inviting us to be bold and face all the challenges including those who threaten to kill us because of spreading the word of God.

Daily Catholic Reflection: Friday, July 7, 2022, Friday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time, Year C

Hosea 14:2-10

Ps 51:3-4.8-9.12-13.14 and 17

Matthew 10: 16-23 Full Readings

Saint Gregory Grassi and Companions

 The Role of the Holy Spirit in Mission

We continue to reflect on the Mission Discourse where Jesus commissions and instructs His disciples for mission. Jesus does not need to sugarcoat the reality of the mission he is sending hos disciples to and today he tells them to prepare for persecution and rejection as they go for mission. Nevertheless, he tells them to be wise and cunning like shrewd serpent but at the same time to harmless like the dove, and not to worry for the Spirit of the Lord will guide and give them what to say in such times.

Daily Catholic Reflection: Thursday, July 7, 2022, Thursday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time, Year C

Hosea 11: 1 - 4.8c-9,

Psalm 80:2ac, and 3b, 15-16

Matthew 10:7 - 15 Full Readings

Blessed Emmanuel Ruiz and Companions

 Look For A Worthy Person

After choosing the twelve, he sent them on mission as we saw yesterday, and them today he gives them the mission instructions of which one of them is: "Whatever town or village you enter, look for a worthy person in it, and stay there until you leave." Who is this worthy person that Jesus is telling his disciples to look for as they are sent to mission by Jesus? This person is the one who is generous enough to accept and believe in the Good News of Jesus Christ and is also ready to accept the Gospel messengers that Jesus sends to us everyday and in cooperation with the Holy Spirit, help them in any way possible to proclaim the Gospel, that the Kingdom of God is near at hand. Such a person will receive the peace of Christ in his or her heart together with his or her family, the peace of mind, heart and body, and that peace will remain with such a person forever.