Thank you for joining the St. Monica’s Live Stream Mass for Friday 7/31/2020
Readings for Friday 7/31/2020
Reading 1 JER 26:1-9
In the beginning of the reign of Jehoiakim,
son of Josiah, king of Judah,
this message came from the LORD:
Thus says the LORD:
Stand in the court of the house of the LORD
and speak to the people of all the cities of Judah
who come to worship in the house of the LORD;
whatever I command you, tell them, and omit nothing.
Perhaps they will listen and turn back,
each from his evil way,
so that I may repent of the evil I have planned to inflict upon them
for their evil deeds.
Say to them: Thus says the LORD:
If you disobey me,
not living according to the law I placed before you
and not listening to the words of my servants the prophets,
whom I send you constantly though you do not obey them,
I will treat this house like Shiloh,
and make this the city to which all the nations of the earth
shall refer when cursing another.
Now the priests, the prophets, and all the people
heard Jeremiah speak these words in the house of the LORD.
When Jeremiah finished speaking
all that the LORD bade him speak to all the people,
the priests and prophets laid hold of him, crying,
“You must be put to death!
Why do you prophesy in the name of the LORD:
‘This house shall be like Shiloh,’ and
‘This city shall be desolate and deserted’?”
And all the people gathered about Jeremiah in the house of the LORD.
Responsorial Psalm 69:5, 8-10, 14
R. (14c) Lord, in your great love, answer me.
Those outnumber the hairs of my head
who hate me without cause.
Too many for my strength
are they who wrongfully are my enemies.
Must I restore what I did not steal?
R. Lord, in your great love, answer me.
Since for your sake I bear insult,
and shame covers my face.
I have become an outcast to my brothers,
a stranger to my mother’s sons,
Because zeal for your house consumes me,
and the insults of those who blaspheme you fall upon me.
R. Lord, in your great love, answer me.
But I pray to you, O LORD,
for the time of your favor, O God!
In your great kindness answer me
with your constant help.
R. Lord, in your great love, answer me.
Alleluia 1 PT 1:25
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
The word of the Lord remains forever;
this is the word that has been proclaimed to you.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel MT 13:54-58
Jesus came to his native place and taught the people in their synagogue.
They were astonished and said,
“Where did this man get such wisdom and mighty deeds?
Is he not the carpenter’s son?
Is not his mother named Mary
and his brothers James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas?
Are not his sisters all with us?
Where did this man get all this?”
And they took offense at him.
But Jesus said to them,
“A prophet is not without honor except in his native place
and in his own house.”
And he did not work many mighty deeds there
because of their lack of faith.
God’s Mightiest Deed
And he did not work many mighty deeds there because of their lack of faith. Matthew 13:58
What are “mighty deeds?” What was Jesus limited in doing in His hometown because of a lack of faith? The first thing that obviously comes to mind are miracles. He most likely did not do many healings, or raise anyone from the dead, or multiply food so as to feed the multitude. But are these the mighty deeds described?
The right answer would be both “Yes” and “No.” Yes, Jesus was limited in doing miracles and it appears He did very few in His hometown. But there were deeds that Jesus regularly did that were far more “mighty” than physical miracles. What are those? They were the deeds of transforming souls.
What does it matter, in the end, if Jesus does many miracles but souls are not converted? What is more “mighty” as far as lasting and meaningful action? Certainly the transformation of souls is of the highest of importance!
But sadly, the mighty deeds of the transformation of souls could not take place either, due to their lack of faith. The people were clearly obstinate and not open to letting the words and presence of Jesus penetrate their minds and hearts. For that reason, Jesus could not do the mightiest of deeds in His hometown.
Reflect, today, on whether or not Jesus is doing mighty deeds in your life. Are you letting Him transform you daily into a new creation? Are you letting Him do great things in your life? If you hesitate in answering this question, it is a clear sign that God wants to do much more in your life.
Lord, I pray that my soul be fertile ground for Your most magnificent work. I pray that my soul be transformed by You, Your words and Your presence in my life. Come into my heart and transform me into Your masterpiece of grace. Jesus, I trust in You.
Source of content: mycatholic.life