3 July Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
“Jesus said to the disciples, ‘Whatever town you enter and they welcome you, eat what is set before you, cure the sick in it and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God is at hand for you’” (Lk 10:8-9).
Communion Connection –
When we sense that others’ hearts are opened and welcoming, Jesus tells us to respond to those moments and embrace them. By doing so, we allow those who extended themselves to us to enter into our hearts, too. After that communion of hearts – their hearts and ours –the power of God becomes alive and we are enabled by God to accomplish good works in His name. We can open the eyes of those who entered our hearts to see that God’s grace is at work right here and now in our world.
Additional Catholic Resources:
- Audio Homily by Fr. Robert Barron – http://www.wordonfire.org/resources/homily/boasting-in-the-cross/1005/
- Order of Carmelites Lectio – http://ocarm.org/en/content/lectio/lectio-divina-14th-sunday-ordinary-time-c
10 July Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
“’Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?’ Jesus said to him, ‘What is written in the law? How do you read it?’ The scholar said in reply, ‘You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your being, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself’” (Lk 10:25-27).
Communion Connection –
God wants all of us – all of the time. That’s why every phrase in this piece of Scripture refers to being “all in.” Not only are we called to give ourselves away to those who are easy to love, or even to only those who may be challenging but for whom we are responsible. But we must use our strength, our hearts and minds, and every ounce within us to love even when it hurts. That’s what makes the commandment so great.
Additional Catholic Resources:
- Audio Homily by Fr. Robert Barron - http://www.wordonfire.org/resources/homily/hearing-the-voice-of-god/892/
- Order of Carmelites Lectio – http://ocarm.org/en/content/lectio/lectio-divina-15th-sunday-ordinary-time-c
17 July Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
“Jesus said to her in reply, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things. There is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part and it will not be taken from her” (Lk 10:41-42).
Communion Connection –
We can become slaves to what we do, getting all ‘hot and bothered’. Jesus invites us to focus on the only thing that matters – to hear and live His words. Before these words and before He who speaks them, we cannot put anything at all. The true way of welcoming the Lord, of making Him feel at home, is to welcome what He says – to living His word as we live for Him. This makes our work a creative act of love. – adapted from the Word of Life
Additional Catholic Resources:
- Audio Homily by Fr. Robert Barron – http://www.wordonfire.org/resources/homily/martha-mary-and-the-attitude-of-discipleship/893/
24 July Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
“Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he had finished, one of his disciples said to him, ‘Lord, teach us to pray just as John taught his disciples’” (Lk 11:1).
Communion Connection –
The disciples noticed the way Jesus prayed. They were struck especially by his way of addressing God: he called him “Father”. Others before him had called God by this name, but on the lips of Jesus that word expressed a mutual and intimate relationship with the Father that was new and unique, a love and life that linked them together in incomparable unity. Let’s follow the lead Jesus gives us. We too are invited to experience the same intense and profound relationship with God that the disciples saw in their Teacher. Let’s believe. Let’s pray as he prayed – adapted from the Word of Life
Additional Catholic Resources:
- Word of Life - http://www.focolare.org/en/?s=July+2004
31 July Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
“But God said to him, ‘You fool, this night your life will be demanded of you; and the things you have prepared, to whom will they belong?’ Thus will it be for all who store up treasure for themselves but are not rich in what matters to God’” (Lk 12:20-21).
Communion Connection –
It is tempting to be busy about “storing things up” – but this Gospel passage reminds us to think about what matters most in life. As believers in eternal life, we know that we cannot take our “stuff” with us – but we CAN leave this world with love surrounding us. We can choose to spend ourselves in storing heavenly qualities in our hearts that build up God’s Kingdom: peace, joy, and truth.
Additional Catholic Resources:
- Audio Homily by Fr. Robert Barron – http://www.wordonfire.org/resources/homily/the-great-yes-and-the-great-no/1007/