20 Jul
Sat
15th Week in Ordinary Time
St. Apollinaris, Bishop & Martyr
Mic 2:1-5
Ps 9B:1-4, 7-8, 14
Mt 12:14-21
(Ps Wk III)
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Being in a utilitarian society, planning and plotting is like a strategy. But God has His plot too. The Lord knows very well the desires, plans and plots of His people. As in the account of Prophet Micah, the Lord exposed the evil plot of the covetous breed of rulers and leaders of his time. Woe shall befall them. Their arrogant and heartless treatment of the poor and lowly will not go unnoticed by the Lord. Woeful judgment will strip them of their inheritance and dignity. "You will no longer be able to walk proudly" (Micah 2:3). Such people will have no one to share in the community of God. Is our plan therefore in accordance with the Lord's providence and welfare of others?

Jesus has His sublime manner of evading the sinister plot of the Pharisees. Jesus' approach is clearly a fulfillment of the prophecy of Isaiah: He is a chosen servant of Yahweh, no brawling or shouting to denigrate the weary and lowly. He is to raise up hope and proclaim true faith to His hearers.

Indeed, God's sublime way astounds us. Isaiah proclaims "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, , neither are your ways my ways," (is 55:8). In order for us to reach out to Him, the manner of God is lowly and humble to the point of being at our level. God stoops down for us.


Lord, may our desires be attuned to Yours, that our plans are providential to the needy.



DAILY OFFERING
Eternal Father, I offer You everything I do this day; my thoughts, words, joys and sufferings. Grant that, vivified by the Holy Spirit and united to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary, my life this day jul be of service to You and to others. I also pray that all those preparing for marriage discover in Sacrament the source of Christ's grace for living a fithful and fruitful love. Amen.

PRAYING WITH THE CHURCH
INTENTION
For the pastoral care of the sick -
Let us pray that the Sacrament of the nointing of the Sick grant the Lord's strength to those who receive it and to their loved ones, and that it may become for everyone an ever more visible sign of compassion and hope.
Elaboration

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