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One another, 14C

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July 06, 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 we, like Peter and Paul, may allow God to transform us more and more into the image of Christ: let us pray to the Lord.


For all gathered here: that formed by the preaching of Peter and Paul, we may never tire of bringing the Good News to others: let us pray to the Lord.


For all who are persecuted for their faith, especially those who are facing torture or death: that they may experience Christ with them in their suffering and remain faithful witnesses of God: let us pray to the Lord.


For Pope Leo: that God inspire his words as he promotes and encourages the faith handed on by the Apostles: let us pray to the lord.

 

For a deepening of faith: that God will draw us into a deeper relationship and greater trust of the one who loves us without limit: let us pray to the Lord.


For a renewal of prayer: that God will teach us to pray and help us to never give up in the face of adversity: let us pray to the Lord.


For all missionaries and evangelist: that they may experience Christ standing by them and guiding their teaching: let us pray to the Lord.


For the conversion of all who seek to harm and confuse God’s holy people: that God will touch hearts and change minds through the witness of faithful disciples: let us pray to the Lord.


For Christian Unity: that God’s Spirit will lead us along new paths to overcome the differences between all who bear the name of Christian: let us pray to the Lord.


For all who are away from loved ones: that God will keep them safe and help them to be faithful to their commitments: let us pray to the Lord.


For all who are suffering from flooding: that God will help them find safety and give them strength to renew their lives: let us pray to the Lord.


For all who produce our food: that God will provide favorable weather and a good growing season: let us pray to the Lod.


For all who are seeking employment: that God will guide their search and lead them to new ways to use their gifts: let us pray to the Lord.


For all who are traveling by air, sea or land: that God will lead them and guide them safely to their destination: let us pray to the Lord.


For the gift of peace: that God will give courage to those who make risks for peace so that all may live in peace: let us pray to the Lord.

 

Hear our prayers, God of power, and through the ministry of your Sonfree 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. (2025bg, July 6). Fourteenth Sunday in ordinary time. USCCB. https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/070625.cfm

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


 
 
 

The Word today, 14C

ree

July 07 - July 12, 2025


St Maelruain, bishop and abbot


Genesis 28:10-22 This is the story of Jacob’s “ladder”, which appealed so much to artists. Jacob finds himself between securities, and he is somehow more open to the divine, the presence of God, as a result.


Matthew 9:18-26 This is Matthew’s brisk telling of a story familiar from Mark. The “sandwich” technique here creates suspense: he can heal the sick, but can he raise the dead?


St Kilian, bishop and martyr


Genesis 32:23-33 Jacob is returning from his uncle Laban but faces the danger of his brother Esau. At this stage, he is still the “old” Jacob, sacrificing family apparently for his own well being. He has a mysterious encounter with a heavenly being and undergoes a conversion signalled by the change of name from Jacob to Israel.


Matthew 9:32-37 A sinister note is registered in the first paragraph of this reading. After that, Jesus the healer brings people God’s compassion.


St Augustine Zhao Rong and his Companions, Martyrs


Genesis 41:55-57; 42:5-7, 17-24 Joseph had been ditched by his brothers but eventually had come to high office in Egypt. There are lots of ironies in the story as they beg help from the brother they almost murdered. Even at the end, Joseph weeps privately—an unusually intense moment.


Matthew 10:1-7 The Twelve were a symbol of Jesus’ mission to Israel, representing the twelve tribes of Israel. This focus of Jesus ministry becomes really clear in the last paragraph.



Genesis 28:10-22 Today we hear one of the most thrilling narratives from the book of Genesis. The unrecognised Joseph interrogates the brothers who caused his exile — so full of pathos and irony that Joseph cannot contain himself. The very last line is immensely forgiving, after all they had done to him.


Matthew 10:7-15 Jesus empowers his apostles with the very same mission he had himself. This entails travelling light, as itinerant preachers. It may also bring rejection as it did for Jesus. The action with the sandals is a prophetic gesture conveying end-time judgement and thus a final appeal not to miss the moment of grace.


St Benedict, abbot and co-patron of Europe


Proverbs 2:1-9 For the feast, we interrupt the readings from Hosea and read from Proverbs. Where can we find wisdom, truth, virtue, justice, understanding and fear of the Lord? According to Proverbs—and later according to St Benedict and many other holy men and women—these things are to be found by taking the Word of the Lord to heart.


Matthew 19:27-29 The Gospel—chosen for the feast—is really about those who have followed Jesus in leaving behind all “sensible”, “normal” forms of security and happiness for the sake of the Good News.



Genesis 49:29-33,50:15-26 We arrive today at the closure of the book of Genesis with not one but two departures. Jacob, wily old patriarch comes to a pious end; Joseph, beloved son and victim also come to to the end of his life. His passing leads to the sojourn of the Israelite in Egypt and so the end of the book of Genesis takes us to the start of the book of Exodus.


Matthew 10:24-33 Under the general heading of the mission discourse, disparate sayings are offered, reflecting a variety of concerns. Sometimes, the word is threatening; other times, it is consoling. A sense of anxious urgency hangs over the whole teaching.


References

-United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. (2025bf, July 6). Fourteenth Sunday in ordinary time. USCCB. https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/070625.cfm

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


 
 
 

SOCL, 14C

ree

Sunday July 06, 2025


See


How to be an evangeliser today? The question is not limited to so-called “professionals,” but forms part of the role and identity of every believer. It is, of course, not easy. The “marks” of bearers of the Good News surely include the following. Firstly, an awareness of the hungers of the human heart, recognised or not. Secondly, in a metaphorical way, to travel light, with little attachment. Thirdly, to do so confidently but not overbearingly. Fourthly, to do so joyfully. Finally, in the time-honoured phrase, to have an account of hope you have in you (1 Pet 3:15), when the appropriate moment for words opens up.


Listen



Reflect


(Luke 10:1-12, 17-20)


Jesus sent out his disciples on a mission to let people know “The kingdom of God has come near to you.” Recall when you have reached out to another in word or in deed to help them realise that they were cherished, perhaps by a word of sympathy or encouragement, or by giving a hand with a difficult task. What was it like for you to experience yourself as a person bringing help and encouragement to another?


Jesus sent the disciples out two by two. When have you found it beneficial not to be working alone, but with another by your side? How did companionship change the experience, or what you were able to achieve?


The instructions Jesus gave the disciples suggest appropriate attitudes for the one who ‘goes before Jesus’. Let the images speak to you and evoke memories of times when you were welcomed and times when you were not. When have you found that it was good news to have the attitudes Jesus describes?


When the disciples returned Jesus warned them not to focus on the thrill of what they had been able to achieve. It was more important that their “names are written in heaven”. Sometimes we also need reminders that who we are is more important than what we do. Who have been the people who brought this home to you? Have there been experiences that helped you to appreciate this?


Pray


Most holy God, the earth is filled with your glory and in your presence angels stand in awe. Enlarge our vision, that we may recognise your power at work in your Son and join the apostles and prophets as heralds of your saving word. We ask this through your Son, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever.

 
 
 
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