The Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Ecclesiastes 1:2, 2:21-23; Psalm 89; Colossians 3:1-5, 9-11; Luke 12:13-21

Our first reading from the Book of Ecclesiastes is a stark reminder to us that all that we work for in life will go to someone else when our time on this earth is over. No matter how much we amass in this life it will not go with us beyond the grave. The Psalm reminds us of how short life is. This theme is also found in the gospel where we see Jesus teaching people about the futility of amassing worldly wealth. The only wealth that is of real use to us is in the Spirit. This is not to say that we shouldn’t work in this life but rather that we should have our goal fixed firmly on eternal life rather than on our bank balance.

The second reading too tells us that our thoughts should be on heavenly things rather than on the things of this earth. Only then can we inherit the kingdom and really reach out to our fellow men and women and lead them towards our true homeland in heaven.

Monday of the Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time

Jeremiah 28:1-17; Psalm 118; Matthew 14:13-21

We read in the first reading today how the prophet Hananiah gave a prophecy in the Temple which was false but which the people accepted and believed. Hananiah even takes on Jeremiah in front of the people but God assures Jeremiah that Jeremiah is the true prophet. For leading the people astray, Hananiah died. In the Gospel, we read the account of the multiplication of five loaves and the two fish. This reminds us of the bread of life, the body of Christ, which brings us all to salvation. We must be always on our guard against false teachings which tell us what we want to hear and which ultimately lead us away from God. Only in the truth and in the Eucharist is our salvation assured.

Memorial of St Alphonsus Liguori, Bishop & Doctor of the Church

Born near Naples in 1696, Alphonsus became a lawyer before becoming a priest, being ordained in 1726. He created the Redemptoristines in 1730 and founded the Redemptorists (Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer – C.Ss.R) in 1732 to work among the country peasants. By the time of his death in 1787 however, the Redemptorists were in a terrible state though he was no longer at its helm to help heal the rifts. From 1762 to 1775 he was bishop of the small diocese of Sant’Agata dei Goti.

Tuesday of the Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time

Jeremiah 31:1-2, 12-15, 18-22; Psalm 101; Matthew 14:22-36

We read in the first reading from the Prophet Jeremiah that despite the sins and transgressions of the people, which the Lord had punished them for, he is now going to restore the fortunes of Jerusalem and rebuild the city. This comes at the end of the Babylonian Captivity, about the year 539 BC, and at a time when the people were disheartened at the restoration work which lay ahead of them. In the Gospel, we see Jesus walking on water towards the disciples in the boat. St Peter tries to walk to him but his faith is not strong enough to make the journey. If we have complete faith in Christ we can overcome our fear and achieve great things for the kingdom. With our faith must also go conversion and repentance, as we are reminded in the first reading.

Wednesday of the Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time 

Jeremiah 31:1-7; Psalm – Jeremiah 31; Matthew 15:21-28

The Lord reminds us in our first reading that he has always loved his people with an everlasting love. And out of his love he is now going to restore the fortunes of his people. Again, this is following the end of the Babylonian Captivity and Jeremiah is painting a wonderful picture for the people of the New Jerusalem when all its people will come to it when the exiles are over. It is his way of encouraging the people to get on with the task of rebuilding the Temple and their dedication to the covenants with God. We read in the Gospel of the cure of a young girl because of her mother’s great faith and because she refused to take ‘no’ for an answer. Even though she was a Canaanite and not of the House of Israel, she had faith greater than some who had heard the Good News for themselves. With faith, we too can overcome the trials which afflict us throughout our life.

Thursday of the Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time

Jeremiah 31:31-34; Psalm 50; Matthew 16:13-23

In the first reading from the Prophet Jeremiah, the Lord speaks of the new covenant he will make with his people and, in establishing this new covenant, he will wipe away their past sins. We know that this greatest of all covenants was fulfilled almost six centuries later in the life, death and resurrection of Christ. The Psalm could easily be the prayer of one of the Lord’s faithful who is waiting for the covenant to be established. St Peter’s great profession of faith is our text in today’s Gospel. In it we read of how Peter was made the first shepherd of the flock, a role which has been handed on through the papacy. Christ is now making his final preparations before he goes to Jerusalem where he will suffer and die for us and, in so doing, create the new and everlasting covenant spoken of by Jeremiah.

Memorial of St John Mary Vianney, Priest

Vianney, commonly known as the Curé d’Ars, was born in Dardilly, France in 1786. Due to his educational difficulties he was almost refused ordination but was ordained priest in 1815, being appointed curate in the town of Ars near Lyons in 1818, where he was to minister for the rest of his life. Nothing in life mattered to him except matters spiritual so that his clothes were falling apart, his food was insufficient and he hardly slept, but he still attracted thousands to his little church where many benefited from his hidden knowledge and his gifts of healing. It is said that over 1,000 people a week came to him in the twelve months before he died in 1859. He was canonized in 1925 and named patron saint of parish clergy four years later.

Friday of the Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time

Nahum 2:1, 3, 3:1-3, 6-7; Psalm – Deuteronomy 32; Matthew 16:24-28

The first reading today comes from the Prophet Nahum in which we see the Lord restoring the fortunes of Israel and Judah but with a word of caution. Nahum was prophet at the time of the fall of Nineveh (in 612 BC) which was the capital of the Assyrian Empire. The Assyrians had previously subdued the northern kingdoms of Israel but had failed to take Judah. In the Gospel we are told that if we want to be a true follower of Christ then we must take up our cross – take up whatever it is that troubles us – and follow him. By offering up our sufferings to him he will strengthen us and we will be able to attain the promise of immortality which Christ has gained for us.

Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord

Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14; Psalm 96; 2 Peter 1:16-19; Luke 9:28-36

This feast recalls the day when Christ was on top of Mount Tabor with a few of his disciples and in their sight he was transfigured. The glory with which he stood before them is the glory which awaits us on the last day when we shall enter the kingdom of heaven and be counted among the elect. The first reading from the book of Daniel speaks of the glory of God, of his appearance and of his white robes. The second reading from St Peter (a witness to the transfiguration) also speaks of the glory of Christ.

The gospel text from St Luke recounts the transfiguration of the Lord on the mountain in the presence of Peter, James and John. While the disciples look on Jesus is changed and his clothes appear as white as light while he speaks with Moses and Elijah. This suggests that Jesus is greater than both the Law and the Prophets. As with Christ’s baptism in the Jordan, the Father’s voice sounds from heaven to proclaim his satisfaction with his Son. We are given an insight today into the glory which awaits us and so we are reminded to remain always faithful if we are to attain that glory.