22 Jul
Sun
16th Sunday in Ordinary Time (C)
Gen. 18:1-10a
Ps. 14:2-3, 3-4, 5
Col. 1:24-28
Lk. 10:38-42
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Two examples of hospitality: Abraham entertains angels in the form of men, Martha entertains the Lord in the person of Jesus. Abraham had no problem: he told his wife and servant to get on with the job, while he spoke with the guests and served them when the food was ready.

Martha, however, ran into trouble. Having no servant she had to prepare the meal herself. Her sister, Mary, meanwhile entertained the guest, listening to Him. Martha gets flustered and demands that Jesus tell her sister to help her. Jesus chides her for being too preoccupied with less important matters. He had not come for a banquet - just one dish would have been enough! Then she could have come and conversed with Him too, like Mary and this was what He had really wanted. Martha had missed the point of His visit.

We too can become so taken up with activies - even religious ones - that they distract us from God. We lose sight of the original purpose of our activities. Yes, of course, somebody must direct the choir. Of course, somebody must arrange the flowers for the alter. But, unless we keep reminding ourselves that these tasks are only to help bring people - including ourselves - closer to God, we shall end up like Martha, and miss the point.



Lord, allow me to be still in Your presence to await Your coming in peace and gentleness.

DAILY OFFERING
Eternal Father, I offer You everything I do this day; my thoughts, words, joys and sufferings. Grant that, vivified by the Holy Spirit and united to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary, my life this day may be of service to You and to others. I also pray that all those preparing for marriage discover in Sacrament the source of Christ's grace for living a fithful and fruitful love. Amen.

PRAYING WITH THE CHURCH
INTENTION
That the Gospel, may be read and lived in Christian families by parents and children, so that they may bear witness to the hope of Christ
Elaboration

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P R A Y I N G    W I T H    T H E    C H U R C H    

INTENTION : That the Gospel, may be read and lived in Christian families by parents and children, so that they may bear witness to the hope of Christ

Abraham and Mary received a wonderful promise from God. For both Abraham and Mary, the divine promise came as something completely unexpected. God disrupted the daily course of their lives, overturning its settled rhythms and conventional expectations. The promise seemed impossible. We must learn to walk in darkness.

Modelling ourselves on Mary, we ask her to help us look at and to listen to, to ponder and to penetrate the deep and mysterious meaning of the very simple, very humble and very beautiful appearing of the Son of God. We pray for a great renewal of faith in all the children of the Church everywhere to preach the good news to the poor. We ask her to teach us the way of humble and joyful obedience to the Gospel in the service of our brothers and sisters, without preferences and without prejudices. A deep renewal that is not just reflected in a general attitude to life, but as a conscious and courageous profession of the Creed. We ask the Holy Family to inspire all Christians to defend the family against so many present-day threats to its nature, its stability and its mission. We pray the efforts of Christians and of all people of good will to defend life and to promote respect for the dignity of every human being.




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