July 4, 2019 Thursday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time

2019년 7월 4일 연중 제13주간 목요일 

오늘의 복음 : http://info.catholic.or.kr/missa/default.asp 

제1독서

창세기. 22,1-19
그 무렵 1 하느님께서 아브라함을 시험해 보시려고 “아브라함아!” 하고 부르시자, 그가 “예, 여기 있습니다.” 하고 대답하였다. 2 그분께서 말씀하셨다. “너의 아들, 네가 사랑하는 외아들 이사악을 데리고 모리야 땅으로 가거라. 그곳, 내가 너에게 일러 주는 산에서 그를 나에게 번제물로 바쳐라.” 
3 아브라함은 아침 일찍 일어나 나귀에 안장을 얹고 두 하인과 아들 이사악을 데리고서는, 번제물을 사를 장작을 팬 뒤 하느님께서 자기에게 말씀하신 곳으로 길을 떠났다. 
4 사흘째 되는 날에 아브라함이 눈을 들자, 멀리 있는 그곳을 볼 수 있었다. 5 아브라함이 하인들에게 말하였다. “너희는 나귀와 함께 여기에 머물러 있어라. 나와 이 아이는 저리로 가서 경배하고 너희에게 돌아오겠다.” 6 그러고 나서 아브라함은 번제물을 사를 장작을 가져다 아들 이사악에게 지우고, 자기는 손에 불과 칼을 들었다. 
그렇게 둘은 함께 걸어갔다. 7 이사악이 아버지 아브라함에게 “아버지!” 하고 부르자, 그가 “얘야, 왜 그러느냐?” 하고 대답하였다. 이사악이 “불과 장작은 여기 있는데, 번제물로 바칠 양은 어디 있습니까?” 하고 묻자, 8 아브라함이 “얘야, 번제물로 바칠 양은 하느님께서 손수 마련하실 거란다.” 하고 대답하였다. 
둘은 계속 함께 걸어갔다. 9 그들이 하느님께서 아브라함에게 말씀하신 곳에 다다르자, 아브라함은 그곳에 제단을 쌓고 장작을 얹어 놓았다. 그러고 나서 아들 이사악을 묶어 제단 장작 위에 올려놓았다. 
10 아브라함이 손을 뻗쳐 칼을 잡고 자기 아들을 죽이려 하였다. 11 그때, 주님의 천사가 하늘에서 “아브라함아, 아브라함아!” 하고 그를 불렀다. 그가 “예, 여기 있습니다.” 하고 대답하자 12 천사가 말하였다. “그 아이에게 손대지 마라. 그에게 아무 해도 입히지 마라. 네가 너의 아들, 너의 외아들까지 나를 위하여 아끼지 않았으니, 네가 하느님을 경외하는 줄을 이제 내가 알았다.”
13 아브라함이 눈을 들어 보니, 덤불에 뿔이 걸린 숫양 한 마리가 있었다. 아브라함은 가서 그 숫양을 끌어와 아들 대신 번제물로 바쳤다. 14 아브라함은 그곳의 이름을 ‘야훼 이레’라 하였다. 그래서 오늘도 사람들은 ‘주님의 산에서 마련된다.’고들 한다. 
15 주님의 천사가 하늘에서 두 번째로 아브라함을 불러 16 말하였다. 
“나 는 나 자신을 걸고 맹세한다. 주님의 말씀이다. 네가 이 일을 하였으니, 곧 너의 아들, 너의 외아들까지 아끼지 않았으니, 17 나는 너에게 한껏 복을 내리고, 네 후손이 하늘의 별처럼, 바닷가의 모래처럼 한껏 번성하게 해 주겠다. 
너의 후손은 원수들의 성문을 차지할 것이다. 18 네가 나에게 순종하였으니, 세상의 모든 민족들이 너의 후손을 통하여 복을 받을 것이다.” 
19 아브라함은 하인들에게 돌아왔다. 그들은 함께 브에르 세바를 향하여 길을 떠났다. 그리하여 아브라함은 브에르 세바에서 살았다.

 

복음

마태오. 9,1-8
그 때에 1 예수님께서는 배에 오르시어 호수를 건너 당신께서 사시는 고을로 가셨다. 2 그런데 사람들이 어떤 중풍 병자를 평상에 뉘어 그분께 데려왔다. 예수님께서 그들의 믿음을 보시고 중풍 병자에게 말씀하셨다. “얘야, 용기를 내어라. 너는 죄를 용서받았다.” 
3 그러자 율법 학자 몇 사람이 속으로 ‘이자가 하느님을 모독하는군.’ 하고 생각하였다. 
4 예수님께서 그들의 생각을 아시고 말씀하셨다. “너희는 어찌하여 마음속에 악한 생각을 품느냐? 5 ‘너는 죄를 용서받았다.’ 하고 말하는 것과 ‘일어나 걸어가라.’ 하고 말하는 것 가운데에서 어느 쪽이 더 쉬우냐? 
6 이제 사람의 아들이 땅에서 죄를 용서하는 권한을 가지고 있음을 너희가 알게 해 주겠다.” 그런 다음 중풍 병자에게 말씀하셨다. “일어나 네 평상을 가지고 집으로 돌아가거라.” 7 그러자 그는 일어나 집으로 갔다. 
8 이 일을 보고 군중은 두려워하며, 사람들에게 그러한 권한을 주신 하느님을 찬양하였다. 

July 4, 2019

Thursday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time

Daily Readings — Audio

Daily Reflections — Video

http://www.usccb.org/bible/

Daily Mass : http://www.catholictv.com/shows/daily-mass

Reading 1

Gn 22:1b-19
God put Abraham to the test.
He called to him, “Abraham!”
“Here I am,” he replied.
Then God said: “Take your son Isaac, your only one, whom you love,
and go to the land of Moriah.
There you shall offer him up as a burnt offering
on a height that I will point out to you.”
Early the next morning Abraham saddled his donkey,
took with him his son Isaac, and two of his servants as well,
and with the wood that he had cut for the burnt offering,
set out for the place of which God had told him.

On the third day Abraham got sight of the place from afar.
Then he said to his servants: “Both of you stay here with the donkey,
while the boy and I go on over yonder.
We will worship and then come back to you.” 
Thereupon Abraham took the wood for the burnt offering
and laid it on his son Isaac’s shoulders,
while he himself carried the fire and the knife.
As the two walked on together, Isaac spoke to his father Abraham:
“Father!” he said.
“Yes, son,” he replied.
Isaac continued, “Here are the fire and the wood,
but where is the sheep for the burnt offering?”
“Son,” Abraham answered, 
“God himself will provide the sheep for the burnt offering.”
Then the two continued going forward.

When they came to the place of which God had told him,
Abraham built an altar there and arranged the wood on it.
Next he tied up his son Isaac,
and put him on top of the wood on the altar.
Then he reached out and took the knife to slaughter his son.
But the LORD’s messenger called to him from heaven,
“Abraham, Abraham!”
“Here I am,” he answered. 
“Do not lay your hand on the boy,” said the messenger.
“Do not do the least thing to him.
I know now how devoted you are to God,
since you did not withhold from me your own beloved son.”
As Abraham looked about,
he spied a ram caught by its horns in the thicket.
So he went and took the ram
and offered it up as a burnt offering in place of his son.
Abraham named the site Yahweh-yireh;
hence people now say, “On the mountain the LORD will see.”
Again the LORD’s messenger called to Abraham from heaven and said:
“I swear by myself, declares the LORD,
that because you acted as you did
in not withholding from me your beloved son,
I will bless you abundantly
and make your descendants as countless
as the stars of the sky and the sands of the seashore;
your descendants shall take possession
of the gates of their enemies,
and in your descendants all the nations of the earth
shall find blessingBall this because you obeyed my command.”

Abraham then returned to his servants,
and they set out together for Beer-sheba,
where Abraham made his home.

Responsorial Psalm

115:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 8-9

R. (9) I will walk in the presence of the Lord, in the land of the living.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Not to us, O LORD, not to us
but to your name give glory
because of your kindness, because of your truth.
Why should the pagans say, 
“Where is their God?”
R. I will walk in the presence of the Lord, in the land of the living.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Our God is in heaven;
whatever he wills, he does.
Their idols are silver and gold,
the handiwork of men.
R. I will walk in the presence of the Lord, in the land of the living.
or:
R. Alleluia.
They have mouths but speak not;
they have eyes but see not;
They have ears but hear not;
they have noses but smell not.
R. I will walk in the presence of the Lord, in the land of the living.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Their makers shall be like them,
everyone who trusts in them.
The house of Israel trusts in the LORD;
he is their help and their shield.
R. I will walk in the presence of the Lord, in the land of the living.
or:
R. Alleluia.

Gospel

Mt 9:1-8

After entering a boat, Jesus made the crossing, and came into his own town.
And there people brought to him a paralytic lying on a stretcher.
When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic,
“Courage, child, your sins are forgiven.”
At that, some of the scribes said to themselves,
“This man is blaspheming.”
Jesus knew what they were thinking, and said,
:Why do you harbor evil thoughts?
Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’
or to say, ‘Rise and walk’?
But that you may know that the Son of Man
has authority on earth to forgive sins”–
he then said to the paralytic,
“Rise, pick up your stretcher, and go home.”
He rose and went home.
When the crowds saw this they were struck with awe
and glorified God who had given such authority to men.

http://evangeli.net/gospel/tomorrow

 «Stand up! Take your stretcher and go home»

Fr. Francesc NICOLAU i Pous
(Barcelona, Spain)

Today, we find one of the many evangelic manifestations evidencing the merciful goodness of the Lord. They all show many aspects, rich in details. Jesus' compassion, mercifully exerted, goes from resurrecting the dead or healing a leper to forgive a public woman sinner and going through the healing of many ailments and acceptance of repented sinners. The latter can also be found in parables, as the lost sheep, the lost drachma or the prodigal son.

Today's Gospel is another instance of the Saviour's mercy, in two different aspects at the same time: the illness of the body and the sickness of the soul. And, the soul being more important Jesus starts with it. He knows the sick man has repented of his faults, He sees his faith and that of those bringing him, and says: «Courage, my son! Your sins are forgiven» (Mt 9:2).

Why does He start like this without his having been asked to do so? He is, of course, aware of what the paralytic is thinking and He knows this is what he will appreciate the most, for when facing the sanctity of Jesus, the paralytic might feel confused and ashamed of his own faults and scared that they may hamper his healing. So the Lord wants to calm him first. Jesus does not care whether some teachers of the law murmur in their hearts. Not only, but a part of his message is to prove He has come to show his mercy towards sinners, and He now proclaims it.

And so, it happens that, while those blinded by their pride, think of themselves as if they were the only just ones and cannot accept Jesus' claim, those that sincerely consider themselves as sinners, do take Him in. It is towards those God condescends to forgive them. As St. Augustine says: «Great misery is a proud man, but a humble God's mercy is even greater». And, in this case, the divine mercy goes even further: as an additional complement of his forgiveness He heals the paralytic too: «Stand up! Take your stretcher and go home» (Mt 9:6). Jesus wants the sinner's joy to be complete.

We must reaffirm our confidence in him. But, we should remember we are also sinners, so let us not close ourselves to his Grace.

http:/onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/daily.html

 

Today in the United States, we celebrate Independence Day, the “Fourth of July.”  This day that marks the midpoint of summer is often spent on vacation, enjoying fireworks, participating in picnics, parades and concerts, gathering with friends, neighbors and family members for cook-outs and of course, swimming.  We know the history of this national, patriotic holiday is one that brought great confidence among the colonies in separating themselves from British rule to enter a new phase of autonomy and independence from an undesirable future under the British empire.

As we look at the following readings today, we notice some similarities and differences between the new society that the young United States was hoping for, what we, as Americans view as shortcomings in these current days in living out this prosperous society and what God is calling us to as we seek to build the Kingdom of God here on earth.

Isaiah 32, we are reminded of the prophet’s words of that time when the “work of justice will be peace” and “the effect of justice, calm and security forever” and people will live in “secure dwelling and quiet resting places” when the Spirit is “poured out on us.”  The ideal of this attractive life and society may not be so far off from what the colonists and their representatives hoped for, too.

In a second reading from Colossians, we hear some specific directives from St. Paul about how to treat ones another, using “heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another and forgiving one another” and putting “on love, that is, the bond of perfection.” 

In the Gospel of John, chapter 14, we hear more direct words from Jesus about how to live and how to bond with each other.  We have the Holy Spirit with us, guiding us and reminding us of everyone that Christ has instructed. 

As I reflect on these readings for bringing the Kingdom of God here on earth and on the hopes of the founding members of our nation, I wonder how our American society in 2019 would be viewed.  Would Jesus be disappointed with our immigration policies, our tendency to quickly judge and exclude the marginalized and those whom we define as different than ourselves?  Would our Founding Fathers of the United States be surprised that not everyone lives a life of security, prosperity and enjoyment under our current elected officials?   I admit that these days, these years, I am often frustrated, shocked, disappointment, outraged and even numb at times, to the awful destruction in and degradation of our country and our world in personal and political arenas.  Certainly, there is hope, but there is also a lot of important work to be done.  It’s a good thing we have these ideals and directives to help guide us.

As I pray with these beautiful readings of hope and guidance, I find God reminding me that the ideal of living the Kingdom of God here on earth, with all of it’s joy, forgiveness and thriving, it is not completely out of reach or worth abandoning.  But, there’s more hard work in front of us.  And, so I invite us to take a small step towards that reality today (amidst the summer celebrations), to help our nation, and all people around the world come a bit closer to the reality that God hopes for us.

 http://www.presentationministries.com/obob/obob.asp

THE TOOLS OF EVANGELIZATION

Abraham "carried the fire and the knife." �Genesis 22:6

Abraham shows what is needed for evangelization, that is, spreading the Good News of Jesus Christ. First, he was "ready" to respond to the call of God (Gn 22:1). He acted out of obedience and trusting surrender to God, no matter how much sacrifice the Lord required of him. Abraham carried the fire. Jesus revealed that he came to light a fire on the earth and greatly wished that the blaze would be ignited (Lk 12:49). After Jesus ascended, He sent forth the Holy Spirit in "tongues as of fire" on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:3). Like Abraham, we are to carry the fire of the Holy Spirit within us as we burn with zeal to spread the Good News of the Lord. Abraham also carried the knife. We are to carry more than a knife � indeed, we carry the sword of the Spirit, the Word of God. As the Spirit wields the Living Word through us, the Word of God will become living and effective, piercing the hearts of those who hear that Word (Heb 4:12). The Word of God, sown through us by the Holy Spirit, will bear abundant fruit. Be like Abraham. Carry the fire and the knife in self-sacrificial, obedient, Spirit-guided evangelization.

Prayer: Father, everything I have is Yours. I trust completely in You. Use me and use me up.

Promise: "I will bless you abundantly and make your descendants as countless as the stars of the sky and the sands of the seashore." —Gn 22:17

Praise: More than one member at Marie's Bible Study asked about becoming Catholic.

 http://dailyscripture.servantsoftheword.org/readings/

 "Take heart - your sins are forgiven"

What cripples the mind and heart and stifles the healing power of love? Sin and unforgiveness for certain! Sin cripples us more than any physical ailment can. Sin is the work of the kingdom of darkness and it holds us in eternal bondage. There is only one solution and that is the healing, cleansing power of Jesus' forgiveness.

Power of forgiveness
Jesus' treatment of sinners upset the religious teachers of the day. When a cripple was brought to Jesus because of the faith of his friends, Jesus did the unthinkable. He first forgave the man his sins. The scribes regarded this as blasphemy because they understood that only God had authority to forgive sins and to unbind a man or woman from their burden of guilt. Jesus claimed an authority which only God could rightfully give. Jesus not only proved that his authority came from God, he showed the great power of God's redeeming love and mercy by healing the cripple of his physical ailment. This man had been crippled not only physically, but spiritually as well. Jesus freed him from his burden of guilt and restored his body as well.

Healing body, mind, and soul
The Lord Jesus is ever ready to bring us healing of mind, body, and soul. His grace brings us freedom from the power of sin and from bondage to harmful desires and addictions. Do you allow anything to keep you from Jesus' healing power?

"Lord Jesus, through your merciful love and forgiveness you bring healing and restoration to body, mind, and soul. May your healing power and love touch every area of my life - my innermost thoughts, feelings, attitudes, and memories. Pardon my offences and transform me in the power of your Holy Spirit that I may walk confidently in your truth and goodness."

Psalm 19:7-10

7 The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul;  the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple;
8 the precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart;  the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes;
9 the fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever;  the ordinances of the LORD are true, and righteous altogether.
10 More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold;  sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb.

Daily Quote from the early church fathers: Healing of soul and body, by Hilary of Poitiers (315-367 AD)

"Now in the narrative of the paralytic a number of people are brought forward for healing. Jesus' words of healing are worthy of reflection. The paralytic is not told, 'Be healed.' He is not told, 'Rise and walk.' But he is told, 'Take heart, my son; your sins are forgiven you.' The paralytic is a descendant of the original man, Adam. In one person, Christ, all the sins of Adam are forgiven. In this case the person to be healed is brought forward by ministering angels. In this case, too, he is called a son, because he is God's first work. The sins of his soul are forgiven him, and pardon of the first transgression is granted. We do not believe the paralytic committed any sin [that resulted in his illness], especially since the Lord said elsewhere that blindness from birth had not been contracted from someone's sin or that of his parents" [John 9:1-3]. (excerpt from commentary ON MATTHEW 8.5)

  

More Homilies

 July 6, 2017 Thursday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time