Memorial of Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha, virgin (US)
Or Saturday of week 14 of the year
And Saint Camillus of Lellis, priest (General Calendar)
Biographical Information about Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha[1]
Biographical Information about St. Camillus[2]
Readings for Saturday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time[3]
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible
Commentary:
Reading 1 Gn 49:29-32; 50:15-26a
In the passage from Genesis today we hear the final chapters of the life of, first Jacob, and then Joseph. God’s plan was clearly revealed and the actions of Joseph’s brothers were forgiven. The line of Abraham continues.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 105:1-2, 3-4, 6-7
R. Be glad you lowly ones; may your hearts be glad!
Psalm 105 is a song of thanksgiving. In this section the singer gives thanks to God for the tradition of Abraham’s descendents and the salvation that is shown through their story.
Gospel Mt 10:24-33
Jesus concludes his instructions to the Apostles as he sends them out. Here he tells them that they go with his authority and his purpose which may be hidden from others but which they will proclaim from “the housetops.” He tells them not to fear the persecution he has told them they will face, because while the body may be killed, their souls are safe with him. He concludes this passage telling them that the Father is watching over them and they have nothing to fear.
Reflection:
It is not usual that the Liturgical Calendar in the US differs from the General Calendar of the Church but that is the case today. On July 14 the United States Church memorializes the first Native American to be beatified, Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha. Her story inspired the spread of Christianity among the many of the indigenous peoples of North America. Her story of devotion, sacrifice, and suffering in the name of the faith is inspiring, especially coming as it does at the conclusion of St. Matthew’s record of the sending of the Apostles into the face of persecution. Clearly, in following their example, Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha did the same thing.
In other parts of our universal Church, we celebrate St. Camillus of Lellis. He too overcame extreme personal challenges to come to the call of Christ who sends us into the world. In his case, his constant remorse and penitence for the sins of his youth drove him to care for those who faced eminent death through illness.
God shows us in these two very different but very similar siblings in Christ how the call that Jesus makes to each of us may be lived in the world. He gives us strength and he promises us that God the Father, who watches over the least parts of his creation, will watch over us with special love and care. With this promise ringing in our ears, how can we ignore the call he makes to us to take up his message of love and compassion and bring it to those we meet? How can we fail in demonstrating through our own actions that his love for all people knows no bounds?
Today we pray for the strength to follow Christ’s call to holiness. We ask that St. Camillus intercede for us that we might show mercy and compassion to those in need and we ask that Blessed Kateri intercede for us when we face hardship in that journey.
Pax
[1] The picture of Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha by Fr. Chauchetière, 1682-1693
[2] The picture of St. Camillus is by and UNKNOWN artist
[3] After Links to Readings Expire
Or Saturday of week 14 of the year
And Saint Camillus of Lellis, priest (General Calendar)
Biographical Information about Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha[1]
Biographical Information about St. Camillus[2]
Readings for Saturday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time[3]
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible
Commentary:
Reading 1 Gn 49:29-32; 50:15-26a
In the passage from Genesis today we hear the final chapters of the life of, first Jacob, and then Joseph. God’s plan was clearly revealed and the actions of Joseph’s brothers were forgiven. The line of Abraham continues.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 105:1-2, 3-4, 6-7
R. Be glad you lowly ones; may your hearts be glad!
Psalm 105 is a song of thanksgiving. In this section the singer gives thanks to God for the tradition of Abraham’s descendents and the salvation that is shown through their story.
Gospel Mt 10:24-33
Jesus concludes his instructions to the Apostles as he sends them out. Here he tells them that they go with his authority and his purpose which may be hidden from others but which they will proclaim from “the housetops.” He tells them not to fear the persecution he has told them they will face, because while the body may be killed, their souls are safe with him. He concludes this passage telling them that the Father is watching over them and they have nothing to fear.
Reflection:
It is not usual that the Liturgical Calendar in the US differs from the General Calendar of the Church but that is the case today. On July 14 the United States Church memorializes the first Native American to be beatified, Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha. Her story inspired the spread of Christianity among the many of the indigenous peoples of North America. Her story of devotion, sacrifice, and suffering in the name of the faith is inspiring, especially coming as it does at the conclusion of St. Matthew’s record of the sending of the Apostles into the face of persecution. Clearly, in following their example, Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha did the same thing.
In other parts of our universal Church, we celebrate St. Camillus of Lellis. He too overcame extreme personal challenges to come to the call of Christ who sends us into the world. In his case, his constant remorse and penitence for the sins of his youth drove him to care for those who faced eminent death through illness.
God shows us in these two very different but very similar siblings in Christ how the call that Jesus makes to each of us may be lived in the world. He gives us strength and he promises us that God the Father, who watches over the least parts of his creation, will watch over us with special love and care. With this promise ringing in our ears, how can we ignore the call he makes to us to take up his message of love and compassion and bring it to those we meet? How can we fail in demonstrating through our own actions that his love for all people knows no bounds?
Today we pray for the strength to follow Christ’s call to holiness. We ask that St. Camillus intercede for us that we might show mercy and compassion to those in need and we ask that Blessed Kateri intercede for us when we face hardship in that journey.
Pax
[1] The picture of Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha by Fr. Chauchetière, 1682-1693
[2] The picture of St. Camillus is by and UNKNOWN artist
[3] After Links to Readings Expire
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