St. Bonaventure Read:    Is 1: 10-17       Mt 10: 34—11: 1

DAILY PRAYER

“He who welcomes you welcomes me, and he who welcomes me welcomes him who sent me.”  (Mt. 10:40)

Jesus taught us: “I assure you, as often as you did it for one of my least brothers, you did it for me… I assure you, as often as you neglected to do it to one of these least ones, you neglected to do it to me.”  (Mt. 25:40, 45) 

Our final destiny is dependent on our treatment of the least among us:  “These will go off to eternal punishment and the just to eternal life.” (46)

Jesus sent His followers an invitation to be prepared for the coming Kingdom, to give His teachings, to seek the conversion of souls, and to offer divine pardon for sin: “The Lord appointed a further seventy-two and sent them in pairs before him to every town and place he intended to visit… ‘If the people of any town you enter do not welcome you, go into its streets and say, ‘We shake the dust of this town from our feet as testimony against you…’, On that day the fate of Sodom will be less severe than that of such a town… He who hears you, hears me.  He who rejects you, rejects me.  And he who rejects me, rejects him who sent me.”  (Luke 10:1-16)

God does not condemn anyone. We are the ones who bring ourselves to condemnation if we reject His commands.

Reflection and commentary

Psalm 41:2 “Happy those concerned for the lowly and poor; when misfortune strikes, the LORD delivers them.”

St. Bonaventure, d. 1274; O.F.M. Minister General for 17 years; Cardinal bishop of Albano; authored biblical commentaries and many ascetical and spiritual treatises; known as the “Seraphic Doctor.”

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DAILY PRAYER

“They went off, preaching the need of repentance. They expelled many demons, anointed the sick with oil, and worked many cures.” (Mk 6:12-13)

The sacraments are those signs established by Jesus by which we receive grace. Forgiveness of sin comes to us through a priest in Confession. Divine adoption and the forgiveness of original sin come to us through Baptism.

Another of the seven sacraments is the Anointing of the Sick. The Apostles anointed the sick with oil when Jesus sent them to preach repentance from sin. He gave them the power to cure the sick and expel demons. 

St. James writes: “Is anyone among you suffering? He should pray.  Is anyone in good spirits? He should sing praise.  Is anyone among you sick? He should summon the presbyters of the church, and they should pray over him and anoint (him) with oil in the name of the Lord, and the prayer of faith will save the sick person, and the Lord will raise him. If he has committed any sins, he will be forgiven.”  (Jas 5:13-15)

The Church has continued the practice, trusting in God’s curative power over body, mind, and soul.

Many have the mistaken notion that the sacrament is our official “sendoff” from this world.  Some do not call the priest because it might frighten the infirmed.  Many wait to call the priest after death!   They do not understand that this sacrament is for restoring the health of mind, body, or soul and the forgiveness of sin.  It is a sacrament for the living, not the dead. 

Reflection and commentary

Psalm 31:19 “How great is your goodness, Lord, stored up for those who fear you.”

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St. Henry Read:   Is 6: 1-8    Mt 10: 24-33

DAILY PRAYER

“Do not fear those who deprive the body of life but cannot destroy the soul.  Rather, fear him who can destroy both body and soul in Gehenna.  Are not two sparrows sold for next to nothing? Yet not a single sparrow falls to the ground without your Father’s consent.”  (Mt. 10:28-29)

It is amazing that a tiny mosquito, whose details can be seen only through a microscope, can move itself in flight at will — naturally.   If we were to squish the ‘little guy’ with our finger, it would hardly even leave a mark, only a fleeting sign that it was here.

Today’s Gospel speaks of the Divine Providence, or care, that God has toward His creatures.

All creatures of nature have value because they are made by God.  Humans were placed by God over all other creatures and things. Only the human being was created for an eternal and marvelous existence: “Fear him who can destroy both body and soul in Gehenna…”

We do not exist by chance; we are here to complete God’s plan.  He loves us and helps us come to know His eternal plan for us — if we accept with gratitude the call to live in accord with His will.

Before God, we are less than that little ‘bug’ is to us, but we are worth so much more… because the Lord wants it that way.  He exalts us.

Reflection and commentary

Psalm 104:24 “How varied are your works, LORD! In wisdom you have wrought them all.”

St. Henry, d. 1024; together with his wife, St. Cunegunda, he assisted the poor; as emperor, respected the Church’s freedom, fostering ecclesiastical and monastic reform; patron of Finland and Benedictine oblates.

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DAILY PRAYER

“I am sending you out like sheep among wolves.  You must be clever as snakes and innocent as doves…  When they hand you over, do not worry about what you will say or how you will say it.  When the hour comes, you will be given what you are to say.”  (Mt. 10:16, 19)

Jesus left the work of the Kingdom in the hands of those He had prepared, empowering them through the Holy Spirit:  “What I am doing is sending you… You yourselves will not be the speakers; the Spirit of your Father will be speaking in you… When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next.” (20, 23)

He warned them to expect persecution.  No unconditional acceptance for His followers.  The Church boasts of St. Stephen, St. Paul, St. Peter… and thousands of other martyrs who followed the Master in some of the most furious persecutions known to history.  The apostles gave glorious testimony to the truth of the Kingdom of God through the persecution: “They will hale you into court, they will flog you in their synagogues. You will be brought to trial before rulers and kings, to give witness before them and before the Gentiles on my account…  You will be hated by all on account of me.  But whoever holds out till the end will escape death.”  (17-18, 22)

The violent persecutions of the past are rare, though they still occur. Today, the devil finds it more effective to lead people into indifference and ingratitude — to simple rejection of the Gospel message.

Reflection and commentary

Psalm 10:4 “In their insolence the wicked boast: ‘God doesn’t care, doesn’t even exist.’”

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St. Benedict Read:    Hos 11:1-4, 8-9    Mt 10:7-15

DAILY PRAYER

“Whoever will not receive you or listen to your words — go outside that house or town and shake the dust from your feet.  Amen, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town.”  (Mt. 10:14-15)

We share the responsibility to respect and attend to our neighbor. We are called to serve and to teach the Lord’s ways.

“In these last days, he spoke to us through a son, whom he made heir of all things and through whom he created the universe.”  (Heb. 1:2)

When we frustrate the Lord’s plans and break the order of things established by His Holy Hand, we do not hurt the Lord; rather, we hurt ourselves.

The Lord’s plan, expressed through Jesus, is clear:  He wants us to help Him form the kingdom of God — people who are conscientious and intelligent, filled with love and gratitude — a kingdom in which we would participate in the fullness of life that comes from His Resurrection.

We are the ministers of His kingdom, enjoying the Lord’s full confidence.  In the measure in which we are truly willing to commit ourselves generously to the cause and plans of the Lord, we participate in His work.

For so many people, ignorant of the Lord’s plan, the kingdom of God is frustrated because we fail in the responsibility that falls squarely upon us.

Reflection and commentary

Psalm 64:10 “Then all will fear and proclaim God’s deed, pondering what has been done.”

St. Benedict, d. 547; wrote famous monastic Rule noted for its wisdom and moderation; founded 12 monasteries; is Patriarch of Western monasticism; patron of Europe.

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DAILY PRAYER

“The names of the twelve apostles are these:  first Simon, now known as Peter, and his brother Andrew; James, Zebedee’s son, and his brother John; Philip and Bartholomew, Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James, son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; Simon the Zealot Party member and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.” (Mt. 10:2-4)

The apostles chosen by Jesus to carry the message of the Kingdom were not all of the same temperament or character. They were of very distinct interests and ways of thinking.

They would even argue among themselves: “A discussion arose among them as to which of them was the greatest.”  (Lk. 9:47)

“They returned to Capernaum and Jesus, once inside the house, began to ask them, ‘What were you discussing on the way home?’” (Mk 9:33)

“The other ten, on hearing this, became indignant at the two brothers.”  (Mt. 20:24)

Peter was impulsive in action and speech.  Thomas was slow in accepting anything contrary to his way of thinking.  John gained an intimate friendship with Jesus. Judas deserted the Lord. 

Even though the Gospel does not say so directly, every person needs to have his or her temperament and point of view. Jesus didn’t mandate a certain type of personality for someone to be a collaborator in the Gospel.  To each, He allows an individual identity.

True love of Our Lord enables us to rise above our differences.

Reflection and commentary

Psalm 28:9 “Save your people, bless your inheritance; feed and sustain them forever!”

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St. Augustine Zhao Rong & companions Read:   Hos 8: 4-7, 11-13      Mt 9: 32-38

DAILY PRAYER

“The harvest is good but the laborers are scarce.  Beg the harvest master to send out laborers to gather his harvest.” (Mt. 9:36-37)

Jesus came to fulfill the will of His Father:  “Doing the will of him who sent me and bringing his work to completion is my food.  Do you not have a saying:  ‘Four months more and it will be harvest!’?  Listen to what I say:  Open your eyes and see!  The fields are shining for harvest!”  (Jn. 4:34-35)

Our Lord could have sent workers in sufficient numbers for the harvest of souls, but instead, He left it up to us to ask, indeed to beg, for workers.

Many people lose their way because they lack genuine pastors to lead them. There are many ways to go, and many paths to follow in the world. We need someone to help us find the proper path.

Yet those who control the most fabulous and far-reaching means of communication (social media, TV, music, movies, etc.)  “guide” people to just the opposite of what God’s Word would have us do.  And they do it to make money and to control.  Who will fight these thieves and marauders for the salvation of souls?

We need vocations!  We lack the priests, deacons, sisters, brothers, committed lay missionaries, and ministers to do the work. “Beg the harvest master to send out laborers to gather his harvest.”

Reflection and commentary

Psalm 28:9 “Save your people, bless your inheritance; feed and sustain them forever!”

St. Augustine Zhao Rong & 87 Chinese Catholics and 33 Western missionaries from, the mid-17th century to 1930, were martyred because of their ministry and, in some cases, for their refusal to apostatize.

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DAILY PRAYER

“A synagogue leader came up, did him reverence, and said: ‘My daughter has just died. Please come and lay your hand on her and she will come back to life.’” (Mt. 9:18)

The people of the town accepted Jesus. Recognizing His divine powers, they sought Him out so that they might receive benefit from His miraculous goodness.

But the leadership saw Jesus very differently. They saw Jesus’ actions through eyes of jealousy, fear, and distrust.  

We do not know what was Jairus’ attitude toward Jesus (see Luke 8:41ff).  He probably had to be somewhat open to the Lord Jesus in his heart to the degree that he would not be afraid or too ashamed to go, seek Jesus out, kneel before Him, and beg that he raise his little girl from the dead.

A life-threatening illness is a sufficient enough ‘jolt’ or ‘blow’ to make one wake up and move from indifference and unbelief to faith in God and action to seek Him.  The old saying holds: “There are no atheists in foxholes.”

We forget that all the goods of the Lord in this life are temporary and fragile.  We don’t like the idea that, in an instant, we could lose everything — including our very lives.

The moment will come when we must give an account of our lives to the Lord — a moment for which most of us are spiritually unprepared.

We must learn to have faith and confidence in the goodness of the Lord and to thank Him before the trials come.  Thus, when the inevitable trial does come, we will be able to approach the heavenly throne with greater confidence. 

Reflection and commentary

Psalm 104:33 “I will sing praise to my God while I live.”

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DAILY PRAYER

“‘My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.’  I will rather boast most gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell with me. Therefore, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and constraints, for the sake of Christ; for when I am weak, then I am strong.” (2 Cor. 12:9-10)

The true meaning of the Gospel is not pretentiousness and gain.  Ours is not to feign importance, “to shine” to be noticed. Ours is not to be greater than our neighbor.

We may feel humiliated or vindictive when we suffer calumny, or when we fall victim to gossip (even if it is true).  Anything that places us in a bad light before others is tragic.

According to worldly standards, haughtiness is strength and humility is weakness.

The truth is, however, that it takes spiritual courage to admit that we are nothing without God. We must begin from the perspective that God made us out of nothing.  Everything we are belongs to Him.  We must thank Him and use His gifts in us to further His holy Will.

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”   (Mt. 5:3)

“For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”  (Lk. 14:11)

“Rather, when you hold a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind; blessed indeed will you be because of their inability to repay you. For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”  (Lk. 14:13-14)

Reflection and commentary

Psalm 18:2 “I love you, LORD, my strength, LORD, my rock, my fortress, my deliverer, My God, my rock of refuge.”

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St. Maria Goretti Read:  Am 9: 11-15      Mt 9: 14-17

DAILY PRAYER

“Why do we and the Pharisees fast much, but your disciples do not fast?” (Mt 9:14)

Jesus did not diminish the importance of external manifestations of piety: “See that you tell no one anything, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer for your cleansing what Moses prescribed; that will be proof for them.”  (Mk. 1:44)

Yet the most important part of our religion is our internal attitude: of love, gratefulness, brotherly concern, etc.

“Those who worship him must worship in Spirit and truth.”  (Jn. 4:21-24)

Our entire person gives testimony and recognition to the Lord.  We raise our hands in prayer.  We sing hymns of praise with our mouths and throats; we say prayers with our tongues. 

We can negate God’s love through our external actions by not loving our neighbor.

Fasting is a physical manifestation, which we can perform to show sorrow for sin and contrition of the soul.  It is reparation, through the denial of sensual satisfaction and pleasure, for whatever overindulgences we may have engaged in when we chose sin and gluttony over love and moderation.

Yet fasting, without charity, kindness, service, and love, is useless.

Reflection and commentary

Psalm 25:16   “Look upon me, pity me, for I am alone and afflicted.”

St. Maria Goretti, d. 1902 at age 12; she was stabbed to death, preferring to die rather than be raped alive; with her mother present, she was canonized in 1950 before the largest crowd ever assembled in Rome for canonization; patroness of teenage girls.

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