top of page

SOCL, 16C

ree

Sunday July 20, 2025


See


Being busy is a sort of cultural value among us—and rightly. “If you want something done, ask a busy person.” But, of course, the question of balance arises. There are indeed other needs and other hungers. These include simple human things like time for friends. Even hospitality—which is always work—can get in the way of really meeting. Something similar can be said of time for reflection, meditation and prayer. Time is not really the issue—after all, we manage to find time to waste on TV, tablets etc. It is more a question of insight, choice and decision, lest we overlook and even lose “the better part.”


Listen



Reflect


(Luke 10:38-42)


The two sisters symbolise the contemplative and active dimensions of life, at times difficult to balance. What wisdom have you learned through life experiences on how to strike a balance between prayer and action?


Many people misunderstand hospitality. They worry and fret about decorating the house and preparing abundant food. Yet sometimes it is something else that is needed to make people feel at home, namely, to sit with guests and to listen to them speaking. What has been your experience of being a cherished guest and when have you been able to make others feel welcome and at home?


We can make the same mistake in relation to people who are important to us in life: children, friends, parents, or others. We can worry and fret about doing things for them when perhaps the important thing is to give them time and to listen to them. What does your experience tell you?


When it comes to welcoming God into our lives, one appropriate response is to give time listening to God’s word. When have you found time devoted to the word of God enriching for you?


Pray


Eternal God you draw near to us in Christ and make yourself our guest. Amid the cares of our daily lives, make us attentive to your voice and alert to your presence, that we may treasure your word above all else. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen.

 
 
 

The Word today, 16C

ree

July 21 - July 26, 2025


St Laurence of Brindisi, priest and doctor


Exodus 32:15-24, 30-34 It’s a bit of a surprise to find such a frank and sudden collapse into gross idolatry...and yet, with more sophistication perhaps (!), we all do it, moulding God into our own image and likeness!


Matthew 13:31-35 Today, we have the contrast between small beginnings and extraordinary growth and the hospitality of the Kingdom.


St Mary Magdalen Mary of Magdala, not to be confused with other Gospel women, is a key witness to the resurrection of Jesus.


Song of Songs 3:1-4 The Song of Songs unfolds as a series of love poems, serious and playful. These include what we may call quest stories or reflections on seeking the beloved. Our reading, beautiful in itself, makes for a great introduction to today’s Gospel.


John 20:1-2, 11-18 The Fourth Gospel has many “quest” stories, none more powerful than the quest of Mary Magdalen for the risen Lord. The words used mark a significant shift in this Gospel. The opening question of Jesus in this Gospel—“What are you looking for?” (John 1:38)—becomes “Whom are you looking for?” (John 20:15) We proclaim a person and not simply a doctrine.


St Brigid of Sweden, patroness of Europe


Galatians 2:19-20 Paul is speaking personally and powerfully. This is the only time he describes Jesus as the one who loved me.


John 15:1-8 The image of the vine is not new, of course, but familiar from Isaiah 5:1-7 and Ezekiel 15. Perhaps our passage is also a reception of the parable of the vine-dressers from Mark 12:1-12, with some hints of the wedding feast at Cana in John 2:1-11. The potential of the metaphor is powerfully explored by the evangelist.


St Declan, bishop St Charbel Makhlouf, priest


Exodus 40:16-21, 34-38 Often in Bible, God is presented as Godwith-us or Immanuel. God’s presence is symbolised in today’s reading by the cloud.


Matthew 13:47-53 The gospel of Matthew can be uncomfortable and today he does teach that there will be a judgment and a sorting at the end. It is, of course, not a literal description but an invitation not to lose the potential of the present moment.


St James the Apostle


2 Corinthians 4:7-15 The reading is special for the feast. The Corinthians blew cold and hot when it came to St Paul. Once more, in this reading he defends himself, and reveals something of the inner motivation, the inner person, his sense of apostleship.


Matthew 20:20-28 Again especially chosen for the feast, this reading tells a familiar and instructive tale with one interesting difference. In Mark, it is James and John who make the blunder. In Matthew, to spare the blushes of the emerging leadership, this “role” is assigned to their mother! In any case, the message is untouched: leadership in the faith community is costly service, modelled on Jesus’ own service.


Sts Joachim and Anne, parents of the BVM


Exodus 16:1-5, 9-15 This story of the feeding in the desert was in the mind of the Gospel writers when they described the multiplication of the loaves. In particular, John 6 reflects on “bread from heaven.”


Matthew 13:1-9 As we listen to the familiar parable of the sower, it might help listen just to this parable and set aside the later reading. What’s it saying? What does it say to me?


References

-United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. (2025bl, July 20). Sixteenth Sunday in ordinary time. USCCB. https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/072025.cfm

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


 
 
 

One another, 16C

ree

July 20, 2025



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 our deeds of hospitality and service may reveal for us a glimpse of the face of God: let us pray to the Lord.


For the fulfillment of God’s saving work: that we may have a deeper connection with Christ through the sufferings that we endure and so make present God’s loving plan: let us pray to the Lord.


For all couples who wish to become pregnant: that God will hear the desires of their hearts and gift them with a child to love, nurture and guide to maturity: let us pray to the Lord.


For all who are busy about work and progress: that God will free us from overworking, help us find the life-giving balance, and recognize the relationships which bring us life: let us pray to the Lord.


For all who live a life of service, particularly those who care for the sick, assist travelers, or serve in public safety: that they may offer their service joyfully and be renewed by God’s love: let us pray to the Lord.


For all who do not feel appreciated: that they may find in Christ the courage to continue to love and serve without praise or recognition: let us pray to the Lord.


For all who are traveling during these summer weeks: that God will protect them, renew, and restore them through this time away and strengthen their bonds with their loved ones: let us pray to the Lord.


For all who suffer for their faith: that their witness may strengthen the church and deepen our faith and commitment to the Gospel: let us pray to the Lord.


For all who feel barraged by commercials and reasons to buy that they may realize that their dignity and meaning is found in being children of God rather than in their possessions: let us pray to the Lord.


For freedom from jealousy and criticism: that the Spirit will guide us in sharing and living out our gifts even when those of others seem more significant: let us pray to the Lord.


For the recognition and development of the ministries of women: that God will help all to appreciate and affirm the gifts that women bring to the church and support them in using their gifts: let us pray to the Lord.


For all who are ill: that God’s healing spirit will bring them through their illness and restore them to wholeness: let us pray to the Lord.


For immigrants and refugees: that God will protect them from harm, guide them through the bureaucratic procedures and lead them to a new home where they can share their talents: let us pray to the Lord.


For a greater spirit of stewardship: that the Spirit will guide us in sharing our time, talents, and resources in support of the church and the forgotten of our society: let us pray to the Lord.


For peace: that God will turn hearts from violence in our cities and families, open new opportunities for dialogue, and protect innocent people from attacks and errant gunfire: 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. (2025bl, July 20). Sixteenth Sunday in ordinary time. USCCB. https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/072025.cfm

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


 
 
 
16171920
bottom of page