July 11
Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Give a Mass Offering
Mass Intentions
4:00 PM – John and Leonora Stach / Ken & Joanne Andrews
7:30 AM – John Passonno / Eileen Jevis
10:30 AM – Aungier-McManus Families / Karen & Erin
5:00 PM – Susan Halleran / Cindi Gamage
Prayer for Spiritual Communion
My Jesus, I believe that you are present in the most Blessed Sacrament. I love You above all things and I desire to receive You into my soul. Since I cannot now 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.
Readings
First Reading
Amos 7:12-15
Amaziah, priest of Bethel, said to Amos, “Off with you, visionary, flee to the land of Judah! There earn your bread by prophesying, but never again prophesy in Bethel; for it is the king’s sanctuary and a royal temple.” Amos answered Amaziah, “I was no prophet, nor have I belonged to a company of prophets; I was a shepherd and a dresser of sycamores. The LORD took me from following the flock, and said to me, Go, prophesy to my people Israel.”
Responsorial Psalm
Psalms 85:9-10, 11-12, 13-14
R. (8) Lord, let us see your kindness, and grant us your salvation.
I will hear what God proclaims;
the LORD —for he proclaims peace.
Near indeed is his salvation to those who fear him,
glory dwelling in our land.
R. Lord, let us see your kindness, and grant us your salvation.
Kindness and truth shall meet;
justice and peace shall kiss.
Truth shall spring out of the earth,
and justice shall look down from heaven.
R. Lord, let us see your kindness, and grant us your salvation.
The LORD himself will give his benefits;
our land shall yield its increase.
Justice shall walk before him,
and prepare the way of his steps.
R. Lord, let us see your kindness, and grant us your salvation.
Second Reading
Ephesians 1:3-14
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavens, as he chose us in him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and without blemish before him. In love he destined us for adoption to himself through Jesus Christ, in accord with the favor of his will, for the praise of the glory of his grace that he granted us in the beloved. In him we have redemption by his blood, the forgiveness of transgressions, in accord with the riches of his grace that he lavished upon us. In all wisdom and insight, he has made known to us the mystery of his will in accord with his favor that he set forth in him as a plan for the fullness of times, to sum up all things in Christ, in heaven and on earth.
In him we were also chosen, destined in accord with the purpose of the One who accomplishes all things according to the intention of his will, so that we might exist for the praise of his glory, we who first hoped in Christ. In him you also, who have heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and have believed in him, were sealed with the promised holy Spirit, which is the first installment of our inheritance toward redemption as God’s possession, to the praise of his glory.
Gospel Acclamation
Cf. Eph 1:17-18
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
May the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ
enlighten the eyes of our hearts,
that we may know what is the hope that
belongs to our call.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel
Mark 6:7-13
Jesus summoned the Twelve and began to send them out two by two and gave them authority over unclean spirits. He instructed them to take nothing for the journey but a walking stick— no food, no sack, no money in their belts. They were, however, to wear sandals but not a second tunic. He said to them, “Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave. Whatever place does not welcome you or listen to you, leave there and shake the dust off your feet in testimony against them.” So they went off and preached repentance. The Twelve drove out many demons, and they anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them.
“Lord, let us see your kindness, and grant us your salvation.”
Reflection
Today’s reading in the Gospel of Mark reminds us that we have to rely on the goodness of God as shown through those to whom we minister and meet along the way. Jesus sends the Twelve out two by two and gives them authority over unclean spirits, but they were to take nothing for the journey except a walking stick, sandals, and the tunic that they were wearing. It would take a leap of faith to venture out on a mission with no supplies to sustain oneself, yet that is exactly what Jesus is asking the Twelve to do.
How would we react to such a charge? Most of us would refuse, or perhaps, gather just a few things and take them along. After all, who would know? Perhaps we would conspire with the one we were traveling with on our journey, yet none of the Twelve took such an action. They did go out on mission and stay where they were invited. They ate what others gave them and taught what Christ had taught them. They received no pay for this. They were true Apostles! They had a trust in Jesus that most of us can only dream of having. Yet, we do trust, at least as much as we feel is possible.
This day, let us try to trust that God will provide for us. It will be incredibly rewarding for us when we realize that God may not give us what we think we need, but will give us what we truly need to be his followers!
Peace,
Fr. John
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