July 18, 2017

Camillus

July 18, 2017:  Camillus de Lellis, Priest / Tuesday, 15th week, Ordinary Time


  • 'Ruler' tie bar:  “Who appointed you ruler and judge over us?”  (1st reading)

  • 'Doctor's office' tie:  Ministry of St. Camillus to the sick

  • Green and white shirt: Green for Ordinary Time season, white for St. Camillus


Listen


For 1st reading
For Psalm 69
  • Ex 2:1-15a  A Levite man married a Levite; she bore a son, hid him, then put him in a basket on the river bank.  His sister stationed herself to see what would happen.  Pharaoh’s daughter, noticing the basket, sent her handmaid to fetch it, opened it, and saw a baby boy, crying!  Moved with pity, she said, “It's one of the Hebrews’ children.” and told his sister, “Call one of the Hebrew women to nurse him”; she called his mother.  Pharaoh’s daughter:  “Nurse him for me; I'll repay you.”  She took and nursed him, then brought him to Pharaoh’s daughter, who adopted him and called him Moses.  After he'd grown up, he saw an Egyptian striking a Hebrew, then slew and hid the Egyptian.  The next day two Hebrews were fighting, the culprit saidWho appointed you ruler and judge?  Will you kill me like you did the Egyptian?”  Moses became afraid, and Pharaoh heard of the affair and sought to put Moses to death, but Moses fled.
  • Ps 69:3, 14, 30-31, 33-34  "Turn to the Lord in your need, and you will live."  I'm afflicted; Lord, in your kindness help me.  The Lord hears the poor....
  • Mt 11:20-24  Jesus reproached the towns since they hadn't repented:  “Woe to you, Chorazin and Bethsaida, for not repenting as even Tyre and Sidon did.  Capernaum, you'll go down to the nether world; Sodom will fare better.”
Reflect

  • Creighton:  The Lord may not always work the way we imagine.  The 1st reading outlines the early life of Moses.  The psalm is a tale of suffering and trust.  The gospel is a challenge to those not open to Jesus’ message.  Young Moses follows an unconventional path to leading the Israelites:  doomed as a Hebrew infant, rescued and returned to his mother by Pharaoh’s daughter, and falling from grace for a violent action.  The psalm is a cry of one trusting in the Lord through a time of challenge who wants to see his trust is not in vain.  I believe that in the gospel Jesus is emphasizing the importance of taking in the Word.  Blind acceptance, rigidity, and lack of openness don't make sense; he speaks sternly to the hard-hearted.  Lord, give us fortitude to endure challenges and keep trusting, and patience with you when things don't seem to proceed as I'd hope.
    Pharaoh's daughter receives the mother of Moses/ Tissot
  • Passionist:  What made Jesus so upset?  Jesus had been to Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum, where they knew, met, experienced, and witnessed him but were indifferent and unchanged.  Our faith invites us to know, experience, and witness to Jesus.  May we "turn to the Lord" in difficult times, standing with him in the face of oppression, despair, and hopelessness, speaking the truth, and working for justice, equality, and life....
  • DailyScripture.net:  "Will you be exalted to heaven?"  What would Jesus say to your community today, and how would you respond?  Chorazin and Bethsaida had been blessed with the good news and Jesus' wonderful works.  Jesus expressed sorrowful pity, grief, and dismay over their folly, sin, and ignorance.  They likely responded with indifference instead of change of heart and life.  "Most High God, enlighten our darkness and give us true faith, certain hope, and perfect love.  Give us a sense of the divine and knowledge of yourself, so that we may do everything in fulfillment of your holy will" (Francis of Assisi).
St. Camillus de Lellis
St. Camillus de Lellis
  • Convert, priest, devoted to the care of the sick, reformed hospitals, founded Servants of the Sick (now Camillians); see also Wikipedia.
  • From the Office of Readings:  Charity, root of all virtue, was his most characteristic trait; he was on fire with it toward God and others, especially the sick.  The sight of the sick melted his heart.  When he took care of patients, he exhausted himself, so great his devotion and compassion.  In them he saw Christ, showing them great reverence and even begging them to forgive his sins.  He impressed Jesus' words on his religious brothers:  "I was sick and you visited me."  He'd also say, “If there were no poor people, we'd need to go below to look for and rescue them....” (paraphrased)


Special greetings to and prayers for the community at
St. Camillus Center for Pastoral Care, Los Angeles and all they serve


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