16 July 2017

15th Sunday in Ordinary Time

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Isaiah 55:10-11
Psalm 64:10-14
Romans 8:18-23
The Gospel of Matthew   13:1-9

Jesus left the house and sat by the lakeside, but such large crowds gathered round him that he got into a boat and sat there. The people all stood on the beach, and he told them many things in parables.

  He said, ‘Imagine a sower going out to sow. As he sowed, some seeds fell on the edge of the path, and the birds came and ate them up. Others fell on patches of rock where they found little soil and sprang up straight away, because there was no depth of earth; but as soon as the sun came up they were scorched and, not having any roots, they withered away. Others fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. Others fell on rich soil and produced their crop, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. Listen, anyone who has ears!’

Jesus Speaks to the Multitudes

For it must be considered, that the multitude could not enter into the house to Jesus, nor be there where the Apostles heard mysteries; therefore the Lord in mercy to them departed out of the house, and sat near the sea of this world, that great numbers might be gathered to Him, and that they might hear on the sea shore what they were not worthy to hear within; “And great multitudes were gathered unto him, so that he went into a ship, and sat down, and all the people stood on the shore.”

And it is to be noted, that He spoke not all things to them in parables, but “many things,” for had He spoken all things in parables, the people would have departed without benefit. He mingles things plain with things dark, that by those things which they understand they may be incited to get knowledge of the things they understand not. The multitude also is not of one opinion, but of diverse wills in diverse matters, whence He speaks to them in many parables, that each according to their several dispositions may receive some portion of His teaching.
St. Jerome, Catena Aurea

Saints of the week
Thu 20 Saint Apollinaris, Bishop, Martyr. And Elijah, Prophet (in our diocese).  
Fri 21 Saint Laurence of Brindisi, Priest, Doctor. And Jeremiah, Prophet (in our diocese) 
Sat 22 Saint Mary Magdalen. 

Psalter Week III

Next Sunday’s Readings
Wisdom 12:13, 16-19
Psalm 85:5-6, 9-10, 15-16
Romans 8:26-27
Matthew 13:24-43

Elijah the Prophet

On the 20th of July, the Diocese of Jerusalem commemorates the loftiest prophet of the Old Testament: Elijah (1 and 2 Kings). His whole life is a rebuke against the corruption in Israel as they had turned to worship Baal under the influence of Jezebel, Ahab’s wife. When Elijah was persecuted, the spirit of God led him to the desert where the “ravens brought him bread and flesh,” and “he drank of the torrent” (1 Kgs 17:6). Elijah also performed several miracles, similar to those of our Lord, such as multiplying the food and raising the dead. The prophet finally vanished mysteriously as he was taken into heaven in a fiery chariot (2 Kgs 2:11) so he would not taste death.

Holy prophet Elijah, pray for us.

Saint Mary Magdalene (22 July)

Mary Magdalen was so called either from Magdala near Tiberias, on the west shore of Galilee, or possibly from a Talmudic expression meaning “curling women’s hair,” which the Talmud explains as of an adulteress. She is mentioned among the women who accompanied Christ and ministered to Him (Luke 8:2-3), it is also said that seven devils had been cast out of her (Mark 16:9). She is next named as standing at the foot of the cross (Mark 15:40; Matthew 27:56; John 19:25; Luke 23:49). She saw Christ laid in the tomb, and she was the first recorded witness of the Resurrection. Regarding subsequent events of her life, the Greeks hold that she retired to Ephesus with the Blessed Virgin and there died. However, according to a French tradition, Mary, Lazarus, and some companions came to Marseilles and converted the whole of Provence. Magdalen is said to have retired to La Sainte-Baume, a nearby hill where she gave herself up to a life of penance.

St. Mary Magdalene, pray for us
Cf. Catholic Encyclopedia, St. Mary Magdalene.

CARITAS PAPHOS currently needs:

• Nοn-perishable food to support approximately 40 households a week in the Paphos area.
• Computer whiz to manage crowdfunding appeals.
• Teachers for basic Greek.
• Transportation of students (lifts).
• Prayers and donations always help. Contact Wendy Burdon 99 040294.

Archangel Michael Hospice: Volunteers needed in the areas of reception, nursing assistants and cafeteria. Contact Mona (99 494 140).

Mass Times HERE