August 12, Thursday NINETEENTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME In an epic style, imitating that of the crossing of the Sea of Reeds at the Exodus, the author of the Book of Joshua narrates how the people of Israel crossed the Jordan and entered into the Promised Land. God is good and merciful by nature, […]
Category Archives: Daily Readings
August 11, Wednesday NINETEENTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME God shows to Moses the land he had promised to his people. They will enter and occupy it under the leadership of Joshua. What if my brother or sister goes astray? One of the most difficult and delicate tasks is to bring a brother or sister […]
August 10, Tuesday NINETEENTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME As a deacon, Lawrence was placed in charge of the poor of Rome. When he was ordered to surrender the goods of the Church to the persecutors, he distributed them to the poor. When asked where the treasures of the Church were, he showed the poor… […]
NINETEENTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME August 9, Monday A mixed assortment of slaves had been made into a people, obtained freedom, and was on its way to a land of its own. People without hope had been given dreams of a great future. All this because there was a God “foolish” enough to attach […]
Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time August 8, Sunday What keeps people alive and growing and healthy? For their body, it is food and drink. Yet even for their body not only food and drink is needed but also the nourishment of love and security. What do we need to keep us going as Christians? […]
EIGHTEENTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME August 7, Saturday The beautiful first reading of today is the Shema Israel, “Hear, O Israel,” named after the opening words. It is a text recited three times a day, or at least once in the morning, by every pious Jew, even up to this day. It tells how […]
Transfiguration of the Lord August 6, Friday According to St. Luke, when Jesus is about to depart for Jerusalem to make his “exodus” for his passion and death, the light of his resurrection is already projected on him at his transfiguration. It comes as an encouraging foretaste of his glory to strengthen him on the […]
EIGHTEENTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME August 5, Thursday Water is a necessity of life, highly appreciated particularly by men living in an arid country, like the Jews, or as they experienced in the desert on their weary way to the Promised Land. Water easily becomes the symbol of God, who is at the same time […]
EIGHTEENTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME August 4, Wednesday We need a “discernment of spirits” to distinguish between wrong contestation and contestation that bears witness (con-testari) to what is just and right. When the Hebrews revolted in the desert, they protested against the demands of the covenant and the risks they had to take to make […]
EIGHTEENTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME August 3, Tuesday It is regrettable that the Lectionary has omitted that part of the remark of Jesus that gives the foundation of this episode: “Why do you break the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition?” Jesus redefines the true understanding of purity. One is pure not […]