Father Madden's Sunday Reflection
15th Sunday in Ordinary Time
St. John's Church
July 12, 2020
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- Fr. Madden's Sunday Reflection
- Video Mass
- Sunday Mass Readings
- Prayers: Parish Needs & Intentions / Additional Prayers
- Schola Cantorum
- Parish Resources
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Fr. Madden's Sunday Reflection
Dear Friends in the Lord,
A few years ago, in those halcyon days when we could meet together, our Book Club chose Short Stories by Jesus as our monthly selection. The author is Amy-Jill Levine. The book’s subtitle is descriptive of the work itself and offers an insight into the personality of its author – The Enigmatic Parables of a Controversial Rabbi. Dr. Levine is a Jewish New Testament scholar. She has held office in both the Catholic Biblical Association and the Association for Jewish Studies. As with our own in-house scholar, Mahri Leonard-Fleckman, this gives Dr. Levine an ad- vantage over the rest of us! I enjoyed her book very much and remember thinking what a great resource it would be. Then, of course, I forgot about it. Until seeing it in the bookcase a few weeks ago and was reminded of its value. As soon as I saw that the Gospel passage for today is Mat- thew’s account of the Parable of the Sower, I went immediately to Short Stories by Jesus.
Unfortunately, the short story about the sower is not one of the parables that Dr. Levine treats in her book. I will have to steal my homily from another source! Still, both the book’s Introduction and Conclusion help us to unlock the enigmatic teaching of this controversial Rabbi. The Introduction is entitled, “How We Domesticate Jesus’ Pro- vocative Stories” and, as early as page 2, Dr. Levine throws down the gauntlet:
Too often we settle for easy interpretations: we should be nice like the Good Samaritan; we will be forgiven as was the prodigal son; we should pray and not lose heart like the importuning widow. When we seek universal morals from a genre that is designed to surprise, challenge, shake up, or indict and look for a single meaning in a form that opens to multiple interpretations, we are necessarily limiting the parables and, so, ourselves.
The Conclusion is entitled, “The Power of Disturbing Stories” and sends us forth with a challenge:
The parables, if we take them seriously not as historical portraits of real people but as challenges to our stereotypes, help us to both locate our eccentric traits and our excellent talents; they can inspire and humble, challenge and comfort.
In Christ’s Peace,
Fr. John Madden
We were unable to livestream the 4:15 vigil as planned this week.
The 10:15 on Sunday should be available through live-stream.
1st Reading: Isaiah 55
Thus says the LORD:
Just as from the heavens
the rain and snow come down
and do not return there
till they have watered the earth,
making it fertile and fruitful,
giving seed to the one who sows
and bread to the one who eats,
so shall my word be
that goes forth from my mouth;
my word shall not return to me void,
but shall do my will,
achieving the end for which I sent it.
Just as from the heavens
the rain and snow come down
and do not return there
till they have watered the earth,
making it fertile and fruitful,
giving seed to the one who sows
and bread to the one who eats,
so shall my word be
that goes forth from my mouth;
my word shall not return to me void,
but shall do my will,
achieving the end for which I sent it.
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 65
R. The seed that falls on good ground will yield a fruitful harvest.
You have visited the land and watered it;
greatly have you enriched it.
God’s watercourses are filled;
you have prepared the grain.
R. The seed that falls on good ground will yield a fruitful harvest.
greatly have you enriched it.
God’s watercourses are filled;
you have prepared the grain.
R. The seed that falls on good ground will yield a fruitful harvest.
Thus have you prepared the land: drenching its furrows,
breaking up its clods,
Softening it with showers,
blessing its yield.
R. The seed that falls on good ground will yield a fruitful harvest.
You have crowned the year with your bounty,
and your paths overflow with a rich harvest;
The untilled meadows overflow with it,
and rejoicing clothes the hills.
R. The seed that falls on good ground will yield a fruitful harvest.
The fields are garmented with flocks
and the valleys blanketed with grain.
They shout and sing for joy.
R. The seed that falls on good ground will yield a fruitful harvest.
2nd Reading: Romans 8
Brothers and sisters:
I consider that the sufferings of this present time are as nothing
compared with the glory to be revealed for us.
For creation awaits with eager expectation
the revelation of the children of God;
for creation was made subject to futility,
not of its own accord but because of the one who subjected it,
in hope that creation itself
would be set free from slavery to corruption
and share in the glorious freedom of the children of God.
We know that all creation is groaning in labor pains even until now;
and not only that, but we ourselves,
who have the firstfruits of the Spirit,
we also groan within ourselves
as we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies.
I consider that the sufferings of this present time are as nothing
compared with the glory to be revealed for us.
For creation awaits with eager expectation
the revelation of the children of God;
for creation was made subject to futility,
not of its own accord but because of the one who subjected it,
in hope that creation itself
would be set free from slavery to corruption
and share in the glorious freedom of the children of God.
We know that all creation is groaning in labor pains even until now;
and not only that, but we ourselves,
who have the firstfruits of the Spirit,
we also groan within ourselves
as we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies.
Alleluia: Matthew 11
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
The seed is the word of God, Christ is the sower.
All who come to him will have life forever.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel: Matthew 11
On that day, Jesus went out of the house and sat down by the sea.
Such large crowds gathered around him
that he got into a boat and sat down,
and the whole crowd stood along the shore.
And he spoke to them at length in parables, saying:
“A sower went out to sow.
And as he sowed, some seed fell on the path,
and birds came and ate it up.
Some fell on rocky ground, where it had little soil.
It sprang up at once because the soil was not deep,
and when the sun rose it was scorched,
and it withered for lack of roots.
Some seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it.
But some seed fell on rich soil, and produced fruit,
a hundred or sixty or thirtyfold.
Whoever has ears ought to hear.”
Such large crowds gathered around him
that he got into a boat and sat down,
and the whole crowd stood along the shore.
And he spoke to them at length in parables, saying:
“A sower went out to sow.
And as he sowed, some seed fell on the path,
and birds came and ate it up.
Some fell on rocky ground, where it had little soil.
It sprang up at once because the soil was not deep,
and when the sun rose it was scorched,
and it withered for lack of roots.
Some seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it.
But some seed fell on rich soil, and produced fruit,
a hundred or sixty or thirtyfold.
Whoever has ears ought to hear.”
The disciples approached him and said,
“Why do you speak to them in parables?”
“Why do you speak to them in parables?”
He said to them in reply,
“Because knowledge of the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven
has been granted to you, but to them it has not been granted.
To anyone who has, more will be given and he will grow rich;
from anyone who has not, even what he has will be taken away.
This is why I speak to them in parables, because
they look but do not see and hear but do not listen or understand.
Isaiah’s prophecy is fulfilled in them, which says:
You shall indeed hear but not understand,
you shall indeed look but never see.
Gross is the heart of this people,
they will hardly hear with their ears,
they have closed their eyes,
lest they see with their eyes
and hear with their ears
and understand with their hearts and be converted,
and I heal them.
“But blessed are your eyes, because they see,
and your ears, because they hear.
Amen, I say to you, many prophets and righteous people
longed to see what you see but did not see it,
and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.
and your ears, because they hear.
Amen, I say to you, many prophets and righteous people
longed to see what you see but did not see it,
and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.
“Hear then the parable of the sower.
The seed sown on the path is the one
who hears the word of the kingdom without understanding it,
and the evil one comes and steals away
what was sown in his heart.
The seed sown on rocky ground
is the one who hears the word and receives it at once with joy.
But he has no root and lasts only for a time.
When some tribulation or persecution comes because of the word,
he immediately falls away.
The seed sown among thorns is the one who hears the word,
but then worldly anxiety and the lure of riches choke the word
and it bears no fruit.
But the seed sown on rich soil
is the one who hears the word and understands it,
who indeed bears fruit and yields a hundred or sixty or thirtyfold.”
The seed sown on the path is the one
who hears the word of the kingdom without understanding it,
and the evil one comes and steals away
what was sown in his heart.
The seed sown on rocky ground
is the one who hears the word and receives it at once with joy.
But he has no root and lasts only for a time.
When some tribulation or persecution comes because of the word,
he immediately falls away.
The seed sown among thorns is the one who hears the word,
but then worldly anxiety and the lure of riches choke the word
and it bears no fruit.
But the seed sown on rich soil
is the one who hears the word and understands it,
who indeed bears fruit and yields a hundred or sixty or thirtyfold.”
Prayers
St. John's Parish:
Prayer Needs & Intentions
Please remember the following needs and intentions in your prayers:
- For our family friend, Slavek, who recently suffered a stroke. (Halina M)
- For good health (George M)
- For my brother Paul Bergin who died this past week (Martha L)
- For Jacob that his test results are positive (Donna H)
- Prayers in memory of Joshua Peter (Sophie K)
- For the health and Intensions of Jeff Parson. (Steve S)
- For the repose of the soul of Nina Lester. (Steve S)
- For special intentions (TRICIA K)
- For Neil R who underwent liver transplant surgery and still won’t wake up. Praying for him and his wife Kim, that he wakes up soon and has a full recovery. (Jeanne D)
- For my fiancé and me as we begin counseling. (Jeanne D)
- For birthday celebrants who are away from family and friends, may they be joyous despite being secluded. May God bless them with good health and peace of mind. (Pamela J)
- For Cora Showers that is 21 and is in treatment for a rare form of cancer. (Gina J)
- St Peregrine, please intercede for Cora Showers (Pamela J)
- For Tim Crowe for healing of his knee infection. For safety for Jeff Jazz from covid (Judy J)
- Prayers for our children that they make sound choices and remain safe; prayers for the health intentions of George and Jean Vancelette; intentions of Thomas and Zandra Vancelette (Zandra V)
- For good health for my family and employment for my son. (Anne L)
- That we open our hearts and souls to God's peace during these challenging times. (Cynthia W)
- For a special intention. (Dianne G)
- Please pray for Carrie who was admitted to St Vs (Donna H)
- Peace of mind & prayers for daughter on her upcoming 18th birthday (Zandra V)
To share a prayer request or intention in the Sunday Reflection,
please click the REPLY button at the bottom of any
"St. John's Church (General)" email and post it in the comments.
Additional Prayers:
Spiritual Communion - Pandemic Prayer - Prayer to St. Michael
Act of Spiritual Communion
by St. Alphonsus de Liguori
My Jesus, I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament.
I love You above all things, and I desire to receive You into my soul.
Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as if You were already there and unite myself wholly to You.
Never permit me to be separated from You. Amen.
Prayer in Time of Pandemic
from Bishop McManus
O God, whose Only Begotten Son bore the weight of human suffering for our salvation, hear the prayers of your Church for our sick brothers and sisters and deliver us from this time of trial.
Open our ears and our hearts to the voice of your Son:
"Be not afraid, for I am with you always."
Bless all doctors and nurses, researchers and public servants; give us the wisdom to do what is right and the faith to endure this hour, that we might gather once again to praise your name in the heart of your Church, delivered from all distress and confident in your mercy.
Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
"Be not afraid, for I am with you always."
Bless all doctors and nurses, researchers and public servants; give us the wisdom to do what is right and the faith to endure this hour, that we might gather once again to praise your name in the heart of your Church, delivered from all distress and confident in your mercy.
Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Prayer to St. Michael the Archangel
by Pope Leo XIII
St. Michael the Archangel,
defend us in battle.
defend us in battle.
Be our defense against
the wickedness and snares of the Devil.
May God rebuke him, we humbly pray,
and do thou,
and do thou,
O Prince of the heavenly hosts,
by the power of God,
by the power of God,
thrust into hell Satan,
and all the evil spirits,
who prowl about the world
seeking the ruin of souls.
and all the evil spirits,
who prowl about the world
seeking the ruin of souls.
Amen.
Schola Cantorum
Introit
Dum clamarem
Motet
Benedicta sit Sancta Trinitas
Communio
Passer invenit
St. John's Schola Motet
Hymne a La Vierge
Parish Resources
For our St. John's family
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