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SOCL, 19C

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Sunday August 10, 2025


See


It is alarming to think that “where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” To find out where my treasure is I need to look not at what I think but at what I do. How do I choose to spend my time? Where does my best concentration go? What “things” in life provide me with the greatest challenge and the greatest fulfilment? When am I most truly myself ? Even more, to know myself spiritually, introspection is only a limited guide. What I really need to do is to take account of how I act. What about the last week, for example? What does that tell me about myself ?


Listen



Reflect


(Luke 12:32-48)


The opening verses of this gospel invite us to ask ourselves what do we see as our purpose in life? What are our priorities? Is our heart set on material progress and advance, or do we have other priorities? What has helped you to appreciate that there is more to your life than earthly possessions and success?


At times, one can sense in Jesus an urgency, as if he wanted to shake people and wake them up to take his words seriously. The parable has that tone: “Be dressed for action and have your lamps lit.” When have you found that being alert enabled you to grasp a moment of opportunity that you might easily have missed, e.g., when a child or friend gives a hint that they would like to talk and a very meaningful conversation ensues.


Another consideration that adds to the sense of urgency in the words of Jesus is that we only have one life, and we do not know how long that will last. So Jesus calls us on us to live in the now and to treasure our time. Sometimes we can drift aimlessly through a day, and on other occasions use a day purposefully. What difference does that make, if any, to how you experience the day?


Pray


O God, on whom our faith rests secure and whose kingdom we await, sustain us by word and sacrament and keep us alert for the coming of the Son of Man, that we may welcome him without delay. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns, forever and ever. Amen

 
 
 

The Word today, 19C

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August 11 - August 16, 2025


St Clare, religious


Deuteronomy 10:12-22 This reading may surprise people who are uncomfortable with the Old Testament. It teaches first of all the love of God, that is, the love we should have for God. The second paragraph should speak to us today, conscious as we are of the stranger in our midst.


Matthew 17:22-27 Jesus’ own real freedom in relation to civil authorities is wittily reflected in this rather legendary story.


St Jane Frances de Chantal, religious; St Muredach, bishop; St Attracta, virgin; St Lelia, virgin


Deuteronomy 31:1-8 While the setting is extraordinary, we are witnessing here something familial: the transition of leadership from one figure (Moses) to another (Joshua). The key sentence is a guarantee: he (the Lord) will be with you. Today, this reading, taken literally, is difficult. But by means of this text, ancient Israelites portrayed their God as a God of grace and faithfulness, the God of covenant reliability amidst all harshness and unpredictability of life.


Matthew 18:1-5, 10, 12-14 We could easily miss the culture force of the illustration. A child in the time of Jesus was not a symbol of innocent but of powerlessness. To welcome those without power is to welcome Jesus himself.


Sts Pontian, bishop of Rome, and Hippolytus, priest, martyrs; St Fachtna, bishop


Deuteronomy 34:1-12 According to biblical tradition, Moses died within view of the promised land. Our reading describes his death and burial and gives a final, very moving tribute to the great leader.


Matthew 18:15-20 In this Gospel we are overhearing practices developed in the community of Matthew, most likely centred in Antioch. What to do with people who “stray”? The procedure is in several stages, following common sensitivity and biblical precedent.


St Maximilian Kolbe, priest, martyr


Joshua 3:7-11, 13-17 The final entry in to the Promised Land under Joshua is described as a minor echo of the Exodus. The Jordan stands still to let them pass. The Psalm is a perfect match.


Matthew 18:21-19:1 This is a very sharp wisdom tale. Simply put, if you have been forgiven, you in turn must be forgiving. It may be best to think of it as an extended meditation on the Lord’s Prayer: forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.


Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary


Apocalypse 11:19, 12:1-6, 10 This unusual reading is really about the motherhood of the church and the martyrdom of early Christians. By an accommodated interpretation, it is read for the feast.


1 Corinthians 15:20-26 Our text is really a good example of Christian apocalyptic. One of the concerns of apocalyptic writings was the sequence of the end or when we will see the total victory over death. Paul believed in this, but knew it was not yet.


Luke 1:39-56 The prayer of Mary can still cause surprise because it is not about having a baby but about social reversal or revolution. We overhear in these words the prayer of the Christian anawim YHWH or the poor of the Lord.


St Stephen of Hungary


Joshua 24:14-29 A covenant renewal ceremony is recounted, something we regularly “do” in the Lord’s Supper. As we hear, the commitment involved is scary!


Matthew 19:13-15 It might be reassuring that the disciples got in the way so early!! Jesus corrected them and received the little children.


References

-United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. (2025br, August 10). Nineteenth Sunday in ordinary time. USCCB. https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/081025.cfm

-Sunday readings. (n.d.-s). Hearers of the Word. https://www.tarsus.ie/SundayReadings


 
 
 

One another, 19C

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August 10, 2025



Friends in Christ, God invites us to hold the needs of our sisters and brothersas dear to us as our own needs. Loving our neighbors as ourselves, we offer our thanksgivings and our petitions on behalf of the church and the world:


For the Church: that God will renew and deepen our faith so that we may be confident that God is always present and accompanies us along each step of our journey: let us pray to the Lord.

 

For a deeper appreciation of life: that we may celebrate each day as a gift from God and live it fully with our families and loved ones: let us pray to the Lord.


For a deepening of faith: that our hearts may be open to the witness of our friends and mentors who have gone before us and draw strength and courage from them: let us pray to the Lord.


For the grace to remember: that we may be conscious of all the good things that God has done for us and allow them to inspire us to greater generosity: let us pray to the Lord.


For rootedness in God: that we may recognize that our deepest desires can only be fulfilled in relationship with God and thus spend our lives seeking God’s reign: let us pray to the Lord.


For better stewardship: that we may fulfill our responsibilities with love and diligence so that our efforts may glorify God: let us pray to the Lord.


For all who exercise leadership in the Christian community: that they may be watchful and attentive to the signs of God’s movement within the Body of Christ: let us pray to the Lord.


For patience: that we may have the grace to wait upon God, even when answers do not seem clear, and confidently trust in God’s love and providence: let us pray to the Lord.


For the better use of our time: that we may faithfully and diligently use the time that God has given us so that we may be found faithful and bearing much fruit: let us pray to the Lord.


For spiritual freedom: that we may not be held bound by our possessions but see them as gifts from God for our good and that of others: let us pray to the Lord.


For all who have lost faith: that the Spirit of God will renew their hearts and open a new springtime of faith so that they come to a new relationship with the living God: let us pray to the Lord.


For all whose faith is tested, particularly those being persecuted or leaving home for the first time: that they may rely upon God for strength and draw upon the values that they have learned in making decisions: let us pray to the Lord.


For all whom church leaders have abused: that God will heal their painful memories, free their hearts from the wounds and fears they carry, and open new ways for them to grow and live life fully: let us pray to the Lord.


For migrants and refugees: that God will guide them in their search for safety and lead them to communities that are warm and welcoming: let us pray to the Lord.


For all who are in need: that God will give strength to all who have lost homes or possessions in storms and flooding, sustain them as they rebuild their lives, and open the hearts of many to assist them: let us pray to the Lord.

 

Hear our prayers, God of power, and through the ministry of your Son free us from the grip of the tomb, that we may desire you as the fullness of life and proclaim your saving deeds to all the world. Amen.


References

-United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. (2025br, August 10). Nineteenth Sunday in ordinary time. USCCB. https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/081025.cfm

-Cormier, J. (1995). Lord, Hear Our Prayer: Prayer of the Faithful for Sundays, Holy Days, and Ritual Masses.


 
 
 
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