Fr. Craig’s Contemplations
 
Sunday, July 17 – Sixteenth Sunday in OT
 
I have shared often with you, the famous Fr. Michael Schmitz teaching, that is, “we are wired for God.”  Indeed, that is the emphasis of this weekends sacred readings.  “There is need of only one thing” … to live in the presence of the Lord.
 
We hear this weekend from the 10th chapter of Luke’s Gospel. That is the story of Martha and Mary.  We hear that Martha is anxious, worried and upset that her sister Mary isn’t assisting her.  Jesus in a gentle way, helps Martha to see, Mary was “wired” to simply “sit” and “be” with our Lord. In the end, in a certain sense, we come to this “faith discovery” on our own, that we are wired for God and the last consolation amid all of life(s) challenges and hardship(s) is that something so wonderful, so perfect awaits each of us, who accept Jesus’ invitation to be in relationship with Him.

In our lives today, most of us are called to be “active” (like Martha) and at times to be “contemplative” (like Mary) – although finding a “balance” may seem daunting.  But you see, throughout the ages, we need to see “unity” in these “two dimensions” again of “active” prayer (like Martha) and “contemplative” prayer (like Mary).   For those who can spend there entire day in a contemplative prayer state such as those who serve in Convents and Monasteries throughout the world, thank God, they are helping all of us with their prayers and love.  And for those, who are somewhat near us, such as the Capuchins and Missionaries of Charity who are “actively” serving, they too are “witnesses” to God’s love and mercy in a more active may.
 
Each of us, have “some of” Martha and Mary within us and we need ask the Lord for the grace of wisdom, to determine when and how can I be “active” and then, when and how can I be more “contemplative.”

May God bless you,
Fr. Craig


READINGS FOR JULY 17, 2022

16^th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
 

1^st Reading—Genesis 18: 1-10a— The Lord appeared to Abraham in the form of three visitors. Abraham invited them to his home, and he and Sarah prepared them a generous meal.

Responsorial Psalm:  15: 2-3, 3-4, 5— “They who do justice will live in the presence of God! They who do justice will live in the presence of God!”

2^nd Reading—Colossians 1: 24-28— The apostle Paul found suffering a joy, in order to build up the body of Christ, the church. By preaching the fullness of God’s revelation, Paul hoped every person might become complete in Christ.

Gospel Acclamation—Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia, Alleluia, Allelu!
“Praise! Praise God with trumpet blasts, with lute and harp. Praise, praise God with timbrels and dance, with strings and pipes.”

Gospel—Luke 10: 38-42—Martha became angry with her sister Mary who sat down and listened to Jesus rather than help with housework. Jesus told Martha, however, that Mary had made the better choice: “There is need of only one thing.”


16TH SUNDAY OF THE YEAR - C - JULY 17, 2022

PRAYERS OF THE FAITHFUL

1) Let us pray for the Church:
God, whom we welcome into our hearts and homes, give your             people a full measure of wisdom.
May our parish be a center of welcome, spiritual depth and love.
We pray to the Lord…
2) Let us pray for the nations of the world:
May your justice, O Lord, create welcome for the poor and the                      oppressed of our globe.  May the peace of Christ descend on us all.
We pray to the Lord…
3) Let us pray for the gift of hospitality:
May your mercy, O Lord, create in our society a place for the homeless
          and hungry, the disabled and the mentally ill.
          We pray to the Lord…
4) Let us pray for the sick of our community:
Healing Lord, may your touch bring relief to those who suffer.
We remember in a special way –
Joe Bouknight       Jack Little   Ryan Beauchamp
Janet Mooney       Linda Van Der Graff       Elaine Kalinin (kal-a nen)
And for all who have asked for our prayers.
We pray to the Lord…
6) Let us remember the dead:
Create in your eternal kingdom, O Lord, a welcome for all those who
have died, especially --
(5:00 Mass) Lilian Fetzer, Mortimer Flanigan, Lous Ernest Myers
(8:30 Mass) Richard Moon, Richard Mersino
(10:30 Mass) Lorraine Hund, Jadwiga Bembenek, Deceased members of Bethany, North Oakland chapter
We pray to the Lord…
 


ANNOUNCEMENTS – JULY 17, 2022

We are once again collecting school supplies. There is a sheet of needed items in the gathering area. We will distribute these items the last week of August. We thank you for your generosity.