Poem: Howard Thurman, in Meditations of the Heart

The earth beneath my feet is the great womb

out of which the life upon which my body depends
comes in utter abundance.
There is at work in the soil a mystery
by which the death of one seed
is reborn a thousandfold in newness of life.

Photo: Vintage Truck

 

The Justice of God: The Twentieth Sunday of Ordinary Time 2026

The Justice of God:

The Twentieth Sunday of Ordinary Time 2026 

August 16, 2026

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Isaiah 56:1-7; Psalm 67; Romans 11:13-32; Matthew 15:21-28

 

 

Observe what is right, do what is just. That is a great maxim to live by. We heard it in the first reading when foreigners wanted to worship the God of Isaiah. Anyone, Jew or foreigner, who called upon the name of the Lord was welcomed to the faith because God justice includes the dignity of all people, not only one’s particular tribe. The Gospel puts this into action when a foreigner and a woman beg Jesus for help. At first, he dismisses her, and then she helps Jesus expand his consciousness and sense of compassion. She observed what was right and demanded what was just. She asserted that she was a beloved one of God too and was not forgotten. She demanded equality and equity.

 

As a church, we are asked to expand our consciousness, just like Jesus had to do. He evolved and so must we. We are not faithful to God if we stay within our comfortable zones and care for only those within our circles. God demands more. Our social justice proclaims the fundamental dignity of every person and this dignity does not have to be justified, acquired, or earned. This dignity is infinite because the love of God who calls us into friendship is infinite and the love of God is absolutely unconditional. We are to be like God.

 

Consider the plight of the Canaanite woman. She was probably at her wits end to care for her daughter and she could get no relief. She and her daughter had two strikes against them – being women and foreigners. The mother had the courage to ask for what she needed – and it paid off. As a Christian society, we have to observe what is right, do what is just. Many people suffer because of the social inequities that exist, and we have it in our power to bring justice and equity to those we put on the margins. We cannot be the ones who perpetuate the status quo or deprive people of their rights.

 

Over time, the church and society have been to advocate for the rights of minorities. We still act tribally and are concerned mostly for those around us. We have a long way to go especially with regards to women so that they are equally and genuinely guaranteed throughout the world. At many levels of society, women continue to endure situations of exclusion, mistreatment, and violence. We often do not listen to their voices. Globally and even locally, women are less able to defend their rights. We cannot simply state that we are for gender equality and rights, as I am doing now. These rights have to become embedded in our concrete decisions, in legal practices, access to employment, education, and social and political responsibilities. Society and the church have to listen to and to value women’s thoughts, ideas, and contributions. As long as this gap persists, we cannot say that it truly and fully recognizes that women have the same dignity as men. Women will have to tell us that. The same for minorities, like immigrants, the LGBTQIA+ communities, and so forth. We have to observe what is right, do what is just.

 

Jesus learned that through his dialogue with the Canaanite woman. He listened to her suffering. Listening and dialogue and then acting rightly will create a more just society. We have great work to do. It is exciting, and there are so many people along to way who have been trying to tell us. Let’s listen, and do what is just. 

 

Scripture for Daily Mass 

Monday: (Ezekiel 24) The word of the LORD came to me: Son of man, by a sudden blow I am taking away from you the delight of your eyes, but do not mourn or weep or shed any tears. Groan in silence, make no lament for the dead, bind on your turban, put your sandals on your feet, do not cover your beard, and do not eat the customary bread.

 

Tuesday: (Ezekiel 28) Because you are haughty of heart, you say, “A god am I! I occupy a godly throne in the heart of the sea!”— And yet you are a man, and not a god, however you may think yourself like a god.

 

Wednesday: (Ezekiel 34) Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, in these words prophesy to them to the shepherds: Thus says the Lord GOD: Woe to the shepherds of Israel who have been pasturing themselves! Should not shepherds, rather, pasture sheep?

 

Thursday (Ezekiel 36) I will prove the holiness of my great name, profaned among the nations, in whose midst you have profaned it. Thus, the nations shall know that I am the LORD, says the Lord GOD, when in their sight I prove my holiness through you.

 

Friday (Ezekiel 37) The hand of the LORD came upon me and led me out in the Spirit of the LORD and set me in the center of the plain, which was now filled with bones. He made me walk among the bones in every direction so that I saw how many they were on the surface of the plain.

 

Saturday (Ezekiel 43) The angel led me to the gate which faces the east, and there I saw the glory of the God of Israel coming from the east. I heard a sound like the roaring of many waters, and the earth shone with his glory. The vision was like that which I had seen when he came to destroy the city, and like that which I had seen by the river Chebar.

 

Gospel: 

Monday: (Matthew 19) A young man approached Jesus and said, “Teacher, what good must I do to gain eternal life?” He answered him, “Why do you ask me about the good?
There is only One who is good. If you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments.”
He asked him, “Which ones?”

 

Tuesday: (Matthew 19) When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and said, “Who then can be saved?” Jesus looked at them and said, “For men this is impossible, but for God all things are possible.” Then Peter said to him in reply, “We have given up everything and followed you. What will there be for us?”

 

Wednesday (Matthew 20) "The Kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out at dawn to hire laborers for his vineyard. After agreeing with them for the usual daily wage,
he sent them into his vineyard. Going out about nine o'clock, he saw others standing idle in the marketplace, and he said to them, 'You too go into my vineyard, and I will give you what is just.'

 

Thursday (Matthew 22) The Kingdom of heaven may be likened to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son. He dispatched his servants to summon the invited guests to the feast, but they refused to come. A second time he sent other servants, saying, ‘Tell those invited: “Behold, I have prepared my banquet.

 

Friday (Matthew 22) “Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?” He said to him, “You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and the first commandment. The second is like it:
You shall love your neighbor as yourself.

 

Saturday (Luke 11) “Blessed is the womb that carried you and the breasts at which you nursed.” He replied, “Rather, blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it.”

 

Saints of the Week

 

August 16: Stephen of Hungary (975-1038) tried to unite the Magyar families and was able to establish the church in Hungary through Pope Sylvester II's support. Rome crowed Stephen as the first king in 1001 and he instituted many reforms in religious and civil practices. He built churches and trained local clergy.

 

August 18: Alberto Hurtado Cruchaga, S.J., priest (1901-1952), was a Chilean Jesuit priest, lawyer, writer and social worker who was born in the Basque region in Spain. He established Hogar de Cristo, that housed at-risk children, whether orphaned or not, and provided them food and shelter. Hurtado also supported the rise of labor union and labor rights in Chile.

 

August 19: John Eudes, priest (1601-1680) preached missions, heard confessions, and assisted the sick and dying. He founded a new religious order for women, which includes Our Lady of Charity and the Good Shepherd Sisters. He eventually left the Oratorians to found the Congregation of Jesus and Mary.  

 

August 20: Bernard, Abbot and Doctor (1090-1153) became a Benedictine abbey in Citeaux because of its strict observance. He was sent to set up a new monastery in Clairvaux with 12 other monks. He wrote theological treatises, sermons, letters, and commentaries that dominated the thought of Europe. His writings had a tremendous influence of Catholic spirituality.

 

August 21: Pius X, pope (1835-1914), was an Italian parish priest for 17 years before he became bishop of Mantua, the cardinal patriarch of Venice, and eventually pope. He urged frequent communion for adults, sacramental catechesis for children, and continued education for everyone. He is known for rigid political policies that put him at odds with a dynamically changing world that led to World War I.

 

August 22: The Queenship of Mary concludes the octave of the principal feast of Mary as she celebrates her installation as queen and mother of all creation. This feast was placed on our calendar in 1954 following the dogmatic proclamation of the Assumption. 

 

This Week in Jesuit History

 

• August 16, 1649: At Drogheda, Cromwell's soldiers shot Fr. John Bath and his brother, a secular priest, in the marketplace. 
• August 17, 1823: Fr. Van Quickenborne and a small band of missionaries descended the Missouri River to evangelize the Indians at the request of the bishop of St. Louis. On this date in 1829, the College of St. Louis opened. 
• August 18, 1952: The death of Alberto Hurtado, writer, retreat director, trade unionist and founder of "El Hogar de Christo," a movement to help the homeless in Chile. 
• August 19, 1846: At Melgar, near Burgos, the birth of Fr. Luis Martin, 24th General of the Society. 
• August 20, 1891: At Santiago, Chile, the government of Balmaceda ordered the Jesuit College to be closed. 
• August 21, 1616: At Pont a Mousson in Lorraine died Fr. William Murdoch, a Scotchman, who when only 10 years of age was imprisoned seven months for the faith and cruelly beaten by the order of a Protestant bishop. St. Ignatius is said to have appeared to him and encouraged him to bear the cross bravely. 
• August 22, 1872: Jesuits were expelled from Germany during the Bismarckian Kulturkampf.

 

La justicia de Dios: Vigésimo domingo del tiempo ordinario de 2026

                                                          La justicia de Dios:

Vigésimo domingo del tiempo ordinario de 2026

16 de agosto de 2026

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Isaías 56:1-7; Salmo 67; Romanos 11:13-32; Mateo 15:21-28

 

 

Observa lo que es correcto, haz lo que es justo . Esa es una gran máxima para vivir. La escuchamos en la primera lectura cuando los extranjeros quisieron adorar al Dios de Isaías. Cualquiera, judío o extranjero, que invocara el nombre del Señor era bienvenido a la fe porque la justicia de Dios abarca la dignidad de todas las personas, no solo de la tribu a la que pertenecen. El Evangelio pone esto en práctica cuando un extranjero y una mujer le ruegan a Jesús que los ayude. Al principio, él la rechaza, pero luego ella ayuda a Jesús a expandir su conciencia y su sentido de compasión. Ella observó lo que era correcto y exigió lo que era justo. Afirmó que también era amada por Dios y que no había sido olvidada. Exigió igualdad y equidad.

 

Como iglesia, se nos pide que ampliemos nuestra conciencia, tal como lo hizo Jesús. Él evolucionó, y nosotros también debemos hacerlo. No somos fieles a Dios si nos quedamos en nuestra zona de confort y solo nos preocupamos por quienes están dentro de nuestro círculo. Dios exige más. Nuestra justicia social proclama la dignidad fundamental de toda persona, y esta dignidad no necesita ser justificada, adquirida ni ganada. Esta dignidad es infinita porque el amor de Dios, que nos llama a la amistad, es infinito y absolutamente incondicional . Estamos llamados a ser como Dios.

 

Consideremos la difícil situación de la mujer cananea. Probablemente estaba desesperada por cuidar de su hija y no podía obtener ayuda. Ella y su hija tenían dos desventajas: ser mujeres y extranjeras. La madre tuvo el valor de pedir lo que necesitaba, y valió la pena. Como sociedad cristiana, tenemos que Observa lo que es correcto, actúa con justicia . Muchas personas sufren a causa de las desigualdades sociales existentes, y está en nuestras manos brindar justicia y equidad a quienes se encuentran marginados. No podemos perpetuar el statu quo ni privar a las personas de sus derechos.

 

Con el tiempo, la iglesia y la sociedad han defendido los derechos de las minorías. Sin embargo, seguimos actuando de forma tribal y nos preocupamos principalmente por quienes nos rodean. Tenemos un largo camino por recorrer, especialmente en lo que respecta a las mujeres, para que sus derechos estén garantizados de manera igualitaria y genuina en todo el mundo. En muchos niveles de la sociedad, las mujeres siguen sufriendo situaciones de exclusión, maltrato y violencia. A menudo no escuchamos sus voces. A nivel global e incluso local, las mujeres tienen menos capacidad para defender sus derechos. No podemos simplemente afirmar que estamos a favor de la igualdad de género y los derechos, como lo estoy haciendo ahora. Estos derechos deben integrarse en nuestras decisiones concretas, en las prácticas legales, en el acceso al empleo, la educación y las responsabilidades sociales y políticas. La sociedad y la iglesia deben escuchar y valorar los pensamientos, ideas y contribuciones de las mujeres. Mientras persista esta brecha, no podemos decir que se reconoce verdadera y plenamente que las mujeres tienen la misma dignidad que los hombres. Las mujeres tendrán que decírnoslo. Lo mismo ocurre con las minorías, como los inmigrantes, las comunidades LGBTQIA+, etc. Tenemos que Observa lo que es correcto, haz lo que es justo .

 

Jesús aprendió esto a través de su diálogo con la mujer cananea. Escuchó su sufrimiento. Escuchar, dialogar y luego actuar con rectitud creará una sociedad más justa. Tenemos mucho trabajo por delante. Es emocionante, y hay muchas personas en el camino que han intentado decírnoslo. Escuchemos y hagamos lo que es justo.

 

Lecturas bíblicas para la Misa diaria

Lunes: (Ezequiel 24) La palabra del SEÑOR vino a mí: Hijo de hombre, de repente te quito el deleite de tus ojos, pero no llores ni te lamentes ni derrames lágrimas. Gime en silencio, no hagas lamento por los muertos, cúbrete el turbante, ponte las sandalias, no te cubras la barba y no comas el pan de la costumbre.

 

Martes: (Ezequiel 28) Porque eres altivo de corazón, dices: “¡Soy un dios! ¡Ocupo un trono divino en el corazón del mar!” — Pero eres un hombre, y no un dios, aunque te creas como tal.

 

Miércoles: (Ezequiel 34 ) Hijo de hombre, profetiza contra los pastores de Israel, con estas palabras profetiza a los pastores: Así dice el Señor DIOS: ¡Ay de los pastores de Israel que se han estado apacentando! ¿No deberían los pastores, más bien, apacentar las ovejas?

 

Jueves (Ezequiel 36) Probaré la santidad de mi gran nombre, profanado entre las naciones, en medio de las cuales lo habéis profanado. Así, las naciones sabrán que yo soy el SEÑOR, dice el Señor DIOS, cuando en sus ojos demuestre mi santidad por medio de vosotros.

 

Viernes (Ezequiel 37) La mano del SEÑOR vino sobre mí y me llevó en el Espíritu del SEÑOR y me puso en medio de la llanura, que ahora estaba llena de huesos. Me hizo caminar entre los huesos en todas direcciones para que viera cuántos eran sobre la superficie de la llanura.

 

Sábado (Ezequiel 43) El ángel me condujo a la puerta que da al oriente, y allí vi la gloria del Dios de Israel que venía del oriente. Oí un sonido como el estruendo de muchas aguas, y la tierra resplandeció con su gloria. La visión era como la que había visto cuando vino a destruir la ciudad, y como la que había visto junto al río Quebar.

 

Evangelio: 

Lunes: (Mateo 19 ) Un joven se acercó a Jesús y le dijo: «Maestro, ¿qué bien debo hacer para obtener la vida eterna?» Él le respondió: «¿Por qué me preguntas acerca del bien? 
Solo hay Uno que es bueno. Si quieres entrar en la vida, guarda los mandamientos.» 
Él le preguntó: «¿Cuáles?»

 

Martes: (Mateo 19) Al oír esto, los discípulos se asombraron mucho y preguntaron: «Entonces, ¿quién podrá salvarse?» Jesús los miró y les dijo: «Para los hombres esto es imposible, pero para Dios todo es posible». Pedro le respondió: «Nosotros lo hemos dejado todo y te hemos seguido. ¿Qué recompensa tendremos?»

 

Miércoles (Mateo 20 ) «El reino de los cielos es semejante a un terrateniente que salió al amanecer a contratar obreros para su viña. Después de acordar con ellos el salario diario habitual, 
los envió a su viña. Al salir alrededor de las nueve de la mañana, vio a otros que estaban ociosos en la plaza y les dijo: “Vayan también ustedes a mi viña, y les daré lo que es justo”».

 

Jueves (Mateo 22) El reino de los cielos puede compararse a un rey que preparó un banquete de bodas para su hijo. Envió a sus siervos a llamar a los invitados al banquete, pero estos se negaron a venir. Una segunda vez envió a otros siervos, diciendo: «Díganles a los invitados: “He aquí, he preparado mi banquete.

 

Viernes (Mateo 22) «Maestro, ¿cuál es el mandamiento más importante de la ley?» Él le dijo: «Amarás al Señor tu Dios con todo tu corazón, con toda tu alma y con toda tu mente. Este es el primero y el más importante de los mandamientos. El segundo es semejante a este: 
Amarás a tu prójimo como a ti mismo.

 

Sábado (Lucas 11) «¡Dichoso el vientre que te llevó y los pechos que te amamantaron!» Él respondió: «Más bien, dichosos los que oyen la palabra de Dios y la ponen en práctica.»

 

Santos de la semana

 

16 de agosto: Esteban de Hungría (975-1038) intentó unificar a las familias magiares y logró establecer la Iglesia en Hungría gracias al apoyo del papa Silvestre II. Roma lo coronó como el primer rey en 1001, y él instituyó numerosas reformas en las prácticas religiosas y civiles. Construyó iglesias y formó al clero local.

 

18 de agosto: Alberto Hurtado Cruchaga, SJ, sacerdote (1901-1952), fue un sacerdote jesuita chileno, abogado, escritor y trabajador social nacido en el País Vasco, España. Fundó el Hogar de Cristo , que acogía a niños en situación de riesgo, huérfanos o no, proporcionándoles alimento y alojamiento. Hurtado también apoyó el surgimiento de los sindicatos y los derechos laborales en Chile.

 

19 de agosto: Juan Eudes, sacerdote (1601-1680), predicó misiones, confesó y asistió a los enfermos y moribundos. Fundó una nueva orden religiosa femenina, entre las que se encuentran Nuestra Señora de la Caridad y las Hermanas del Buen Pastor. Posteriormente, abandonó la orden oratoriana para fundar la Congregación de Jesús y María.

 

20 de agosto: Bernardo, abad y doctor de la Iglesia (1090-1153), fundó una abadía benedictina en Cîteaux debido a su estricta observancia. Fue enviado a fundar un nuevo monasterio en Claraval con otros doce monjes. Escribió tratados teológicos, sermones, cartas y comentarios que marcaron el pensamiento europeo. Sus escritos tuvieron una enorme influencia en la espiritualidad católica.

 

21 de agosto: Pío X, papa (1835-1914), fue párroco italiano durante 17 años antes de convertirse en obispo de Mantua, cardenal patriarca de Venecia y, finalmente, papa. Promovió la comunión frecuente para los adultos, la catequesis sacramental para los niños y la educación continua para todos. Es conocido por sus rígidas políticas que lo enfrentaron a un mundo en constante cambio, lo que desembocó en la Primera Guerra Mundial.

 

22 de agosto: La Realeza de María concluye la octava de la fiesta principal de María, en la que se celebra su investidura como reina y madre de toda la creación. Esta fiesta se incorporó a nuestro calendario en 1954 tras la proclamación dogmática de la Asunción.

 

Esta semana en la historia jesuita

 

• 16 de agosto de 1649: En Drogheda, los soldados de Cromwell fusilaron al padre John Bath y a su hermano, un sacerdote secular, en la plaza del mercado.
• de agosto de 1823: El padre Van Quickenborne y un pequeño grupo de misioneros descendieron por el río Misuri para evangelizar a los indígenas a petición del obispo de San Luis. En esta misma fecha, en 1829, se inauguró el Colegio de San Luis.
• 18 de agosto de 1952: Fallece Alberto Hurtado, escritor, director de retiros espirituales, sindicalista y fundador de " El Hogar de Cristo ", un movimiento para ayudar a las personas sin hogar en Chile.
• 19 de agosto de 1846: En Melgar, cerca de Burgos, nace el padre Luis Martín, 24º General de la Compañía de Jesús.
• 20 de agosto de 1891: En Santiago de Chile, el gobierno de Balmaceda ordenó el cierre del Colegio Jesuita.
• 21 de agosto de 1616: En Pont a Mousson, Lorena, falleció el padre William Murdoch, un escocés que, con tan solo 10 años, fue encarcelado durante siete meses por su fe y cruelmente golpeado por orden de un obispo protestante. Se dice que San Ignacio se le apareció y lo animó a llevar la cruz con valentía.
• 22 de agosto de 1872: Los jesuitas fueron expulsados de Alemania durante la Kulturkampf bismarckiana.

Photo: As Dragonflies draw flame

 

Poem: Naomi Shihab Nye from "Kindness,"

 Before you know what kindness really is

you must lose things,
feel the future dissolve in a moment
like salt in a weakened broth.
What you held in your hand,
what you counted and carefully saved,
all this must go so you know
how desolate the landscape can be
between the regions of kindness...

Then it is only kindness that makes sense anymore,
only kindness that ties your shoes
and sends you out into the day to gaze at bread,
only kindness that raises its head
from the crowd of the world to say
It is I you have been looking for,
and then goes with you everywhere
like a shadow or a friend.

Photo: Italian Air Fresheners

 

Poem: Rainer Maria Rilke from “Gravity’s Law”

How surely gravity’s law, strong as an ocean current, takes hold of the smallest thing and pulls it toward the heart of the world. Each thing— each stone, blossom, child— is held in place. Only we, in our arrogance, push out beyond what we each belong to for some empty freedom. If we surrendered to earth’s intelligence we could rise up rooted, like trees…

 

Photo: Ignatius of Loyola

 

Prayer: Padraig O’Tuama from "A Liturgy of the Morning"

 ... God said, 'There will be dreams from the night that will need the light of the morning.’ And so God put wisdom in the early hours.

... God said: 'Let there be a certain kind of light that can only be seen in the morning.’ And God created gold, and dew, and horizons, and hills in the distance, and faces that look different in the light of the morning, and things that look different in the light of the morning...
And God said that it was Good.

Spirituality: Amish Roots by John A. Hostetler

I was invited to a barn raising near Wooster, Ohio. A tornado had leveled 4 barns and acres of prime Amish timber. In just three weeks the downed trees were sawn into girders, posts and beams and the 4 barns rebuilt and filled with livestock donated by neighbors to replace those killed in the storm. I watched the raising of the last barn in open-mouthed awe. Some 400 Amish men and boys, acting and reacting like a hive of bees in absolute harmony of cooperation, started at sunrise with only a foundation and floor and by noon, BY NOON, had the huge edifice far enough along that you could put hay in it -- a vast work, born of the spirit. 

Photo: Pistachio Milkshake Candle

 

Prayer: from from Molchanie: The Silence of God, by Catherine de Hueck Doherty

Those whom God calls into silence will enter a vortex which will shatter them into little pieces. Looking here and there you will see fragments of a human being. You will behold you own fragmentation and wonder why you do not die. I do not know why. God knows. But in silence, God will gather together your fragments. And when you emerge from the sea of silence you will be thunder. And this thunder will pass beyond the galaxies as if you were a bird sent forth to preach the gospel to the whole universe ... People will not know where the thunder is coming from, but it will be coming from your heart. God has entered it through silence. Having put together your fragmented self, God now tells you to go on a pilgrimage to preach the gospel in a silence that is more powerful than any words you have ever spoken. For, silence is more powerful than any words, except one: the Word. It is by entering the Word that to some the gift of utter silence, and therefore complete speech, is given.

Photo: Harbor views

 

Prayer: 12th century poem quoted by Francis Weller in The Wild Edge of Sorrow

'Tis a fearful thing

To love
What death can touch.
To love, to hope to dream,
And oh, to lose.
A thing for fools, this,
Love,
But a holy thing
To love what death can touch.

The God of Calmness: The Nineteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time 2026

                                               The God of Calmness:

The Nineteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time 2026 

August 9, 2026

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1 Kings 19:11-13; Psalm 85; Romans 9:1-5; Matthew 14:22-33

 

 

Where do we look for God versus where do we find God? In the story about Elijah, we find the prophet in the cave expecting to see God pass by. It is not in the big, clamorous events. It was not in God speaking clearly and directly. It was not the appearance of a powerfully strong God who acts mightily. God appeared in the stillness that followed the silence. In the Gospel, we also see that the presence of God is one of stillness and silence. It is not in the swirling winds or thunder or lightning. God’s presence in the person of Jesus provides calm. 

 

Why is this important? Many times, a person will speak with me because they are uncertain that God hears them. They have been good, obedient, and respectful to God, but God does not seem to be answering them. There are many possible directions for the person to go, and they want to be kind and dutiful. They say something like, “I wish God would simply tell me plainly and directly what I should do. I want to know God’s will. Why cannot God be clear with me?” Well, my friends, this is not how God works with most of us.

 

God voice can be heard clearly and distinctly, and it is often found in the quiet silence or the stillness. God may be very active in your consciousness, and perhaps you have to listen in a different manner. Jesus shows us that he offers calm and a steady hand in the midst of severely swirling storms, and he still says, “Come. I want you to be with me. Take my hand. You’ll find what you need with me.” In the storms of our lives, we can be beset by so many competing, discordant voices and we do not know to which voice we should listen, but we can train ourselves to detect the quiet movements of the voice of Jesus. 

 

He often works through gentle invitations given by our friends or associates. It can be a quality of welcome, a tone of voice, an assurance offered by a stranger, but it is unmistakably from Jesus. He is the one who extends the hands of calmness and stillness. So, when we are confused or bombarded by thoughts or in distress, that is not the time to pray. It is the time to sit down and breathe. It is the time to get ourselves centered so we find ourselves at the edge of the cave like Elijah or like Peter clutching the hand of Jesus. We have to center ourselves with the breath before entering prayer. When we are distressed, anxious, or angry, we are not free. We cannot pray. When we settle ourselves and let the breath calm our unruly thoughts, then we touch our freedom and we can pray. We have to get into the practice of breathing daily when we are not in distress so we build a routine of centering ourselves. 

 

We learn to see with our eyes and our other senses, and we begin to detect when and where the Risen Jesus is present to us. This voice becomes clear and distinct and trustworthy, and we can hear it no matter how ferocious those winds are. This voice is always calm, welcoming, and supportive. His voice guides us to make the right choices in confidence. If we breathe, and allow us to be seen by Jesus, we can do anything, and we can find that calmness. He says, “Experience and use your courage. Do not be afraid. I want you to know me. I want you to come. I offer you invitations. Come. I want your partnership and your friendship. I am your God.”

 

Scripture for Daily Mass 

Monday: (2 Corinthians 9) Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each must do as already determined, without sadness or compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

 

Tuesday: (Ezekiel 2) The Lord GOD said to me: As for you, son of man, obey me when I speak to you: be not rebellious like this house of rebellion, but open your mouth and eat what I shall give you.

 

Wednesday: (Ezekiel 9) Come, you scourges of the city! With that I saw six men coming from the direction of the upper gate which faces the north, each with a destroying weapon in his hand. In their midst was a man dressed in linen, with a writer’s case at his waist.

 

Thursday (Ezekiel 12) Son of man, you live in the midst of a rebellious house; they have eyes to see but do not see, and ears to hear but do not hear, for they are a rebellious house.

 

Friday (Ezekiel 16) Son of man, make known to Jerusalem her abominations. Thus says the Lord GOD to Jerusalem: By origin and birth you are of the land of Canaan; your father was an Amorite and your mother a Hittite.

 

Saturday (1 Chronicles 15) They brought in the ark of God and set it within the tent which David had pitched for it. Then they offered up burnt offerings and peace offerings to God. When David had finished offering up the burnt offerings and peace offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the Lord.

 

Gospel: 

Monday: (John 12) Jesus said to his disciples: “Amen, amen, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat; but if it dies, it produces much fruit.

 

Tuesday: (Matthew 18) “Who is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven?” He called a child over, placed it in their midst, and said, “Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the Kingdom of heaven.”

 

Wednesday (Matthew 18) If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have won over your brother. If he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, so that every fact may be established on the testimony of two or three witnesses.

 

Thursday (Matthew 18) Peter approached Jesus and asked him, “Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive him? As many as seven times?” Jesus answered, “I say to you, not seven times but seventy-seven times.

 

Friday (Matthew 19) They said to him, "Then why did Moses command that the man give the woman a bill of divorce and dismiss her?" He said to them, "Because of the hardness of your hearts Moses allowed you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so.

 

Saturday (Luke 11) “Blessed is the womb that carried you and the breasts at which you nursed.” He replied, “Rather, blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it.”

 

Saints of the Week

 

August 9: Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (Edith Stein), martyr (1891-1942), became a Catholic convert from Judaism after reading the autobiography of Teresa of Avila. He earned a doctorate in philosophy but was unemployable because she was a woman. She taught at a high school for eight years before entering the Carmelites in 1933 where she made final vows in 1938. She moved to Holland to escape persecution by the Nazis, but was arrested when the bishops spoke out against the persecution of the Jews.

 

August 10: Lawrence, deacon and martyr (d. 258) was martyred four days after Pope Sixtus II and six other deacons during the Valerian persecution. A beautiful story is told about Lawrence's words. When asked to surrender the church's treasure, Lawrence gathered the poor and presented them to the civil authorities. For this affront, he was martyred. He is the patron of Rome. 

 

August 11: Clare, founder (1193-1253), was inspired by Francis of Assist so much that she fled her home for his community to receive the Franciscan habit on Passion Sunday 1212. She lived in a nearby Benedictine convent until she was made superior of a new community in San Damiano. She practiced radical poverty by wearing no shoes, sleeping on the ground, and giving up meat. 

 

August 12: Jane Frances de Chantal, religious (1572-1641), founded the Congregation of the Visitation with her spiritual advisor, Francis de Sales. This congregation was for women who wanted to live in religious life, but without the austerity of the other orders. Jane was married to a Baron with whom she had six children and she sought religious answers to her suffering. Her order established eighty-five convents dedicated to serving the poor before she died. 

 

August 13: Pontian, pope and martyr and Hippolytus, priest and martyr (d.236). Pontian's papacy was interrupted by a persecution when the Roman Emperor Maximinus arrested him and his rival, Hippolytus, and banished them to Sardinia. Pontian resigned so another pope could succeed him. Hippolytus, who formed a schismatic group and claimed to be the real pope, reconciled with the church before he and Pontian were martyred.

 

August 14: Maximilian Kolbe, priest and martyr (1894-1941), was born in Russian-occupied Poland. He entered the Franciscans in 1910 and preached the gospel with his devotion to Mary in Poland and Japan. When the Nazis conquered Poland in 1939, he ministered to thousands of refugees. He was arrested, sent to the Auschwitz concentration camp. When a prisoner escaped and retaliation was sought, Kolbe offered himself to replace one of the ten randomly chosen men to be executed.

 

August 15: The Assumption of Mary is the principal feast of Mary with her Queenship celebrated at the end of the octave. This feast celebrates that she was taken up to heaven, body and soul, at the end of her earthly life. The Council of Ephesus in 431 proclaimed her Mother of God and devotion of her dormition followed afterwards. 

 

This Week in Jesuit History

 

• August 9, 1762. The moving of the English College from St Omers to Liege. 
• August 10, 1622. Blessed Augustine Ota, a Japanese brother, was beheaded for the faith. He had been baptized by Blessed Camillus Costanzi on the eve of the latter's martyrdom. 
• August 11, 1846. The death of Benedict Joseph Fenwick. He was the second bishop of Boston, twice the president of Georgetown, and the founder of the College of the Holy Cross in Massachusetts. 
• August 12, 1877. The death of Fr. Maurice Gailland. He was an expert in languages and spent many years at St Mary's Mission in Kansas. He wrote a 450.page dictionary and grammar of the Potawatomi language. 
• August 13, 1621. The death in Rome of St John Berchmans. He died while still in studies, preparing for a public disputation. 
• August 14, 1812. Napoleon I and his army arrived at Polosk, in White Russia. They plunder the property of the Society and violate the tombs of the Generals. 
• August 15, 1821. Fr. Peter DeSmet sailed from Amsterdam to America. He hoped to work among the Native Americans. He became the best known missionary of the northwest portion of the United States.