July 2015


5 July                             Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

“When the sabbath came he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astonished. They said, ‘Where did this man get all this? What kind of wisdom has been given him? What mighty deeds are wrought by his hands!’”(Mk 6:2).
Communion Connection –
Jesus, Son of God and Son of Man. This passage reminds us that Jesus was uniquely gifted as He walked this earth. His wisdom enabled Him to teach in notable ways, and the wonders he worked struck spectators with awe. When met with faith the strength of His love and mercy were immeasurable, but when met with resistance the power of His Father working through Him was thwarted. We can learn from this about one another, too. Each and every person we meet is gifted in some way – made in the image of God and a vessel of God’s grace. Imagine how divine our world could be if we accepted, rejoiced, and embraced each and every person’s gifts!

Additional Catholic Resources:

12 July                        Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

“Jesus summoned the Twelve and began to send them out two by two and gave them authority over unclean spirits. He instructed them to take nothing for the journey but a walking stick—no food, no sack, no money in their belts” (Mk 6:7-8).

Communion Connection –
We don’t need much to do the work of building the Kingdom; just a calling from Jesus, and one another – the Church – to accomplish what He sets out for us to do. Jesus is the only one with the authority to show us the will of the Father; and He gave us the Church to supply the rest of what we need. Material goods are not what are most critical in accomplishing this holy work – but what is critical is each of us to one another. We support one another, care for one another, and foster a communion amongst ourselves of justice, love and mercy. These are the true necessities for our work in Christ Jesus.

Additional Catholic Resources:

19 July                        Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

“The apostles gathered together with Jesus and reported all they had done and taught. He said to them, ‘Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while’” (Mk 6:30-31).

Communion Connection –
We admire the foliage and flowers of the tree and we look forward to its fruit, but there are also the roots from which the tree draws life. And so it is with each one of us. We are called to give, to love, to serve, to create communal relationships,  to work toward building a more just world. But the roots are necessary, that is, the interior life of union with God, our personal rapport of love with Him which motivates and nurtures the life of communion and our commitment in society. We shouldn’t count the amount of time we spend on prayer. In this case, the more we spend the more we gain. It will be like plunging ourselves into union with God where we will find peace.  – Word of Life


Additional Catholic Resources:



26 July                    Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

“When they had had their fill, he said to his disciples, ‘Gather the fragments left over, so that nothing will be wasted.’ So they collected them, and filled twelve wicker baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves that had been more than they could eat” (Jn 6:12-13).

Communion Connection –
Even the fragments are holy. All is good and purposeful in God’s eyes. What may seem small and insignificant – what perhaps may even seem to be garbage to us – proves to be of meaning and value when seen from the perspective of God and the Kingdom. This spirituality of abundance has the power to turn our lives around if we choose to see our world through its lens. For instance, simple pleasures can replace costly expenses and oftentimes more readily open our eyes to the beauty of God’s creation. So, savor every bit – see the worth in all – let nothing go to waste.

Additional Catholic Resources: