Tuesday 20th July

Special needs evoke special support

On this day in 1968, the first Special Olympics took place in Chicago. The brainchild of Eunice Kennedy Shriver—devout Catholic, sister of President John F. Kennedy, and tireless advocate for people with intellectual disabilities. Shriver’s husband, Sargent Shriver—as a Knight of Columbus—encouraged the Knights to support the cause, of the Special Olympics.

Today's readings: Exodus 14:21—15:1; Matthew 12:46-50 (396). “Whoever does the will of my heavenly Father is my brother, and sister, and mother.”

Wednesday 21st July

Choose wisely and well

Good preachers know that if they tell a story as part of a sermon, their people are more likely to remember the message. Such preachers take their lead from the master storyteller. Jesus used stories, often parables with a lesson, to help listeners then and now understand what really matters in his Father’s kingdom. As the Catechism of the Catholic Church reminds us, “the simple images of the parables . . . confront the hearer with a radical choice (about) entering the kingdom of God.” Do not get lost in the details, but rather see the choice the stories provide. Will you be the seed that grows in good earth? Or will you die among the thorns? Choose love and bear much fruit.

Today's readings: Exodus 16:1-5, 9-15; Matthew 13:1-9 “But some seed fell on rich soil, and produced fruit.”



Thursday 22nd July

Feast Of Mary Magdalene

Grace under pressure

Mary Magdalene is often referred to as “Apostle to the Apostles.” The gospels attest to the fact that she did not abandon Christ on the cross, and in several gospel accounts she is the first witness to the Resurrection, bringing the news to the other apostles. Despite her loyalty and stature, ironically she is not mentioned in the Holy Week liturgies. However, the church in 2016 set a feast day in her honor. On that feast today, reflect on your own loyalty to Christ: Can you be unwavering even under pressure, as was Mary Magdalene?

Today's readings: Song of Songs 3:1-4b or 2 Corinthians 5:14-17; John 20:1-2, 11-18 (603). “Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, ‘I have seen the Lord.’”

Friday 23rd July

Memorial Of Bridget, Religious

Love, embodied

It’s great to have a deep connection with another person no matter what kind of relationship it may be. Birgitta Petersson (later known as Saint Bridget of Sweden) found this in Ulf Gudmarsson, whom she married while both were very young. Early on in their relationship they were focused on raising a family of eight with each maintaining a job outside the home. Their relationship and love grew over time with each other and with God. A major bonding experience came when together they made a pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela, a popular religious destination in northwestern Spain. Years later when Ulf died, Birgitta reportedly said that she had “loved him like my own body.” Take time to strengthen the bonds of your own loving relationships.

Today's readings: Exodus 20:1-17; Matthew 13:18-23 (399). “The seed sown on rich soil is the one who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit.”

Saturday 24th July

Memorial Of Sharbel Makhlūf, Priest

A quiet mystic speaks to our age

Saint Sharbel Makhlūf (1828-98) was a Maronite monk and priest in Lebanon, renowned for his quiet holiness. On the occasion of his beatification in 1965, the Eastern Catholic hermit was described by Saint Pope Paul VI as “a new, eminent member of monastic sanctity,” who “through his example and his intercession is enriching the entire Christian people.” In the midst of busy, noisy life, make some time to hear the still, quiet voice. Recite the Jesus Prayer revered by the Eastern Church for centuries, now gaining adherents in the West, including Saint Pope John Paul II, who compared the meditative quality of the Jesus Prayer to the Rosary: "Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner."

Today's readings: Exodus 24:3-8; Matthew 13:24-30 (400). “If you pull up the weeds you might uproot the wheat along with them. Let them grow together until harvest.”