SOCL, 18C

Sunday August 03, 2025

See

If any lesson were to be learned from times of recession, surely it would resemble today’s Gospel. Riches are precarious; material security is unstable; dreams of untroubled longevity are soon dispelled by “events.” Paradoxically, our experience of life as fickle can take us in quite opposite directions. We might be tempted to plunge ourselves into more enjoyment of the present moment, as St Paul caustically observes: “let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.” (1Corinthians 15:32 NET) The road less travelled is to become “rich towards God.” It still means enjoying and living the present moment, but in a completely different, deeper and ultimately more lasting way.

Listen

Ecclesiastes 1:2, 2:21-23; Psalm 90 (89) or 95 (94); Col 3:1-5; Luke 12:13-21

Reflect

(Luke 112:13-21)

“One’s life does not consist in the abundance of possessions”, said Jesus. What have you found by experience to be more important in life than possessions? What brought this home to you?

“Be on your guard against all kinds of greed”. Perhaps you have seen how greed can lead to trouble in public life, in family life, and in the personal life of individuals. What has helped you to guard against greed? What benefits have you experienced when you were less greedy?

The message of the parable could be summed up in saying, “If you want to give God a laugh, tell him your plans”. Life takes many twists and turns we do not anticipate. When have you found that have had to change your plans because of unexpected circumstances? What has helped you to be flexible and resourceful at such times?

Pray

O God, the giver of every gift that endures, only by your grace can we rightly understand the wonder of life and why it is given. By the word of your Son challenge our foolishness, confront our greed, and shape our lives to the wisdom of the Gospel. We make our prayer through our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen.

The Word today, 18C

August 04 - August 09, 2025

Monday 04 August

St John Mary Vianney, priest

Numbers 11:4-15 We hear the story of the manna in the desert, a story with a long resonance in the New Testament, as we see in today’s Gospel. Perhaps even more interesting is the familiar, even cheeky way, in which Moses addresses God.

Matthew 14:13-21 The first reading goes well with Gospel today in which Jesus acts as the “new” Moses providing the new “manna”, the Eucharist, our food for the journey.

Tuesday 05 August

Dedication of the Basilica of St Mary Major’s

Numbers 12:1-13 Within the Biblical tradition, the special role of Moses is always defended against attacks, as we can see in this perplexing story.

Matthew 14:22-36 The Gospels as a whole were written in the light of Easter and to proclaim the resurrection. This is true of the walking on the water. In this case, we are to understand that the risen, living Lord is with his church always, no matter what storms and tempests we face.

Wednesday 06 August

The Transfiguration of the Lord

Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14 This may well be the most remembered part of Daniel. From it we get the expression Son of Man, used by Jesus as his own self-designation.

2 Peter 1:16-19 The Bible sometimes uses symbolic tales, of course, but the story of Jesus is grounded in history and in fact.

Luke 9:28-36 Luke changes the way he presents the Transfiguration. Firstly, he underlines the context of prayer. Secondly, he names the subject of the conversation— Jesus’ death, which he called his “exodus.”

Thursday 07 August

Sts Sixtus II, pope, and companions martyrs; St Cajetan, priest

Numbers 20:1-13 Anyone who has experienced the desert will immediately grasp what is at stake: water is life! Anyone who has taken the risk of significant change or journey will also identify with the feeling of looking back and asking “have I done the right thing?” At a deeper level, this is a story of “little faith”, a story with a long resonance in the Old Testament (see Psalm 95). It triggered a powerful echo in John 7:37-39, where Jesus declares himself to be the source of living water.

Matthew 16:13-23 Our reading today combines the story of Caesarea Philippi (in all three Synoptic gospels) with the special role to Peter (only in Matthew). These are linked: Peter can be the rock to others on account of his own faith. It is likely that the promise to Peter reflects his postEaster leadership in Antioch, where this Gospel was written.

Friday 08 August

St Dominic, priest and religious

Deuteronomy 4:32-40 Our reading of Deuteronomy begins with a great invitation. Moses reminds the people and us today that it is God who initiates and sustains our relationship with him.

Matthew 16:24-28 What is the cost of discipleship? Matthew explores it in two ways. Firstly, he uses sharp paradoxes and then rhetorical questions. These unanswered, open questions we all must put to ourselves. Secondly, he reminds his hearers and readers of the coming judgment, when the faithfulness of each will be assessed. The last sentence of the Gospel leads into the story of the Transfiguration, which is a kind of fulfilment.

Saturday 09 August

St Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (Edith Stein), virgin and martyr

Hosea 2:16, 17, 21-22 This reading is chosen to match the feast of this Carmelite martyr, who responded so fully to the call of God. The Psalm continues the marriage symbolism.

Matthew 25:1-13 This parable (didactic tale really) is unique to Matthew. Using nuptial metaphors, it reminds us that certain fundamental life-choices cannot be “outsourced.” Instead, we are each responsible.

References

-United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. (2025bp, August 3). Eighteenth Sunday in ordinary time. USCCB. https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/080325.cfm

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

One another, 18C

August 03, 2025

Ecclesiastes 1:2, 2:21-23; Psalm 90 (89) or 95 (94); Col 3:1-5; Luke 12:13-21

Friends in Christ, God invites us to hold the needs of our sisters and brothers as 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 we may recognize our dependence upon God for all things and let go of our attempts to control our own lives: let us pray to the Lord.

For deeper understanding: that the Spirit of God will increase our awareness of the beauty and power of the New Life we hold that is hidden with Christ: let us pray to the Lord.

For conversion of our hearts: that we may lay aside lying, greed, and selfishness, and live as children of God: let us pray to the Lord.

For a spirit of gratitude: that we may appreciate all the gifts that God has given us and become rich through words of faith, attitudes of hope, and deeds of love: let us pray to the Lord.

For a greater sense of the common good: that we may recognize that God’s gifts are for the benefit of the whole human family and never allow them to become idols that control us: let us pray to the Lord.

For freedom from anxiety: that we may never be seduced by the illusions of wealth, fame, power, or control, nor allow these to dominate our lives: let us pray to the Lord.

For an end to discrimination: that God will help us recognize the dignity of each person and never judge them on appearance, status in life, nor cultural origin: let us pray to the Lord.

For spiritual directors and therapists: that God will guide them in helping others to recognize their gifts, their vocation, and the deepest truth that God has planted in their hearts: let us pray to the Lord.

For all who bear the burden of poverty: that God will sustain them each day, open new opportunities for them to use their gifts, and open our hearts to be generous in their time of need: let us pray to the Lord.

For all who live in the midst of violence: that God will break the cycle of violence, protect them from harm, and bring peace to their communities: let us pray to the Lord.

For all families that are divided by inheritance and financial issues: that God will help them recognize the value and dignity of each other and guide them to a resolution of their conflicts: let us pray to the Lord.

For all teachers: that as they prepare for the coming school year, God will inspire them with ways to assist each of their students and help them to promote the growth and development of each of them: let us pray to the Lord.

For all who find life burdensome and lacking meaning: that God’s Word will touch their hearts and open before them the beauty and value that God unfolds each day for us: let us pray to the Lord.

For wisdom and inspiration for government and legislative leaders: that God will give them insight into the true issues and the needed steps for change to promote the welfare of everyone: let us pray to the Lord.

For peace: that God will open new opportunities for dialogue between national leaders, increase their concern for the common good, and free them from the constraints of their egos: 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 lifeand proclaim your saving deeds to all the world. Amen.

References

-United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. (2025bp, August 3). Eighteenth Sunday in ordinary time. USCCB. https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/080325.cfm

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