July 23, 2019

July 23

July 23, 2019:  Tuesday, 16th week, Ordinary Time

See about a dozen connections with today?
Legend below
Listen

For the gospel
For 1st reading and canticle
Read
  • Ex 14:21—15:1  Moses stretched out his hand, and the Lord turned the sea into dry land.  The Israelites marched in, with a wall of water on both sides.  The Egyptians followed into the sea, but the Lord cast upon them a glance that threw them into panic, he clogged their wheels, and they sounded the retreat.  The Lord told Moses, “Stretch out your hand, that the water may flow back upon the Egyptians.”  He did, the sea flowed back, the Lord hurled the Egyptians into its midst, and they all drowned.  Thus the Lord saved Israel from their power.  When Israel saw the Egyptians dead, they believed in the Lord and his servant Moses and sang to the Lord....
  • Ex 15:8-10, 12, 17  "Let us sing to the Lord; he has covered himself in glory."  The waters congealed, and the enemy boasted, “I'll overtake and despoil them!”  But when your wind blew, the sea covered them and they sank....
  • Mt 12:46-50  “Jesus, your mother and your brothers are asking to speak with you.” / “Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?  Here are my mother and my brothers.  Whoever does my Father's will is my brother, and sister, and mother.”
Reflect
  • CreightonToday's readings show God’s special attention to his people.  In the 1st reading, God clears the path for the Israelites and subdues those in the way; in the gospel, Jesus shows acceptance and closeness to believers, extending beyond ethnicity or social status.  Lord, grant me perseverance in times of doubt and frustration.  Help me accept and welcome those I perceive as different.  Thank you for helping me find ways out of difficult situations.
  • One Bread, One Body"Problem areas":  Where's the Red Sea in your life?  Where must you make an act of faith and leave the enemy behind?  Stretch out the hand of faith and put your foot in the water,  Our Savior, whose love is everlasting, didn't bring us this far to leave us; he is the Way.  When the Red Sea is before you, the devil behind you, and the mountains around you, rejoice; Jesus is the way into the promised land.  "Nothing is impossible with God."  If you're being pushed into a sea of problems, Jesus will either part the waters or have you walk on them.  Problems are just occasions for God to manifest His love.
    St. Bridget of Sweden
  • PassionistIn the Gospel, Jesus indicates that in him we're sisters and brothers.  As God saved the Israelites by parting the water, God saved the world in Christ.  As the waters drowned the Egyptians but freed the Israelites, may we let God's love wash over us and set us free from hatred, fear, and divisions, free to see each other as sisters and brothers.  And may we work towards the freedom of all.
  • DailyScripture.net"Who are my brothers and sisters?"  Jesus used the occasion of today's gospel to point to our relationship with God and those who belong to God.  God's love is consistent, unwavering, unconditional, unrelenting, and unstoppable.  He created us to be united with him and share in his love.  He made us in his image, free to choose what's good, loving, and just and reject what's contrary to his love and justice.  Jesus challenged his followers, even his relatives, to recognize God as the source of all relationships.  God wants our relationships to be rooted in his love and goodness.  An early martyr said "a Christian's only relatives are the saints."  Jesus' disciples enter into a new family, one of "saints" on earth and in heaven.  Our adoption as God's children transforms our relationships and requires loyalty to God first and his kingdom of justice and peace....
    • Philip Evans (“I die for God and religion’s sake; and I think myself so happy that if I had many lives I would willingly give them all for so great a cause”) and John Lloyd, priests, martyrs
Dress legend
  • 'Hand' tie pin:  Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; "the sanctuary your hands established" (1st reading, psalm); Jesus stretched out his hand toward his disciples (gospel)
  • 'Abacus' tie pin:  The Red Sea was 'divided'  (1st reading)
  • 'Clef' pin:  "I will sing to the Lord" (1st reading, psalm); the Red Sea was 'cleft' in two (1st reading :-)
  • 'Horses' tie, 'chariot' tie pin:  Water covered Pharaoh's horses, chariots, and charioteers  (1st reading, psalm)
  • 'Sword' tie bar:  "I will draw my sword"  (psalm)
  • 'Alps' pin:  "You planted them on the mountain of your inheritance" (psalm)
  • 'Mary' and 'people' pins:  "Your mother and brothers are outside" (gospel)
    • Green shirt:  Ordinary Time season