10th Sunday of the Year (b)
Ordinary Season of the Year. (b)
Weekdays – Year 2
Sunday 10th June: 10th week of the year. (b)
The first reading today is from the Book of Genesis. It highlights how people have always blamed others for their faults and shortcomings. It is why, to this present day, human relationships often fail.
The second reading is from the second letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians. He reminds us that the Spirit prepares us for life with God by the dailyu renewing of our inner selves.
In the Gospel, from St. Mark, we hear how those who feel powerless in the grip of evil come to Jesus seeking forgiveness, strength and healing though not everyone recognises in him the Spirit of God.
Monday 11th June: Memorial of St. Barnabas.
Barnabas was a Jewish Levite from Cyprus. He was not one of the original twelve apostles but has always been identified as an apostle because of the work he carried out in the early Church. He was noted for his generosity and for encouraging the early Christians to persevere in their new found faith. He worked in Antioch where he brought St. Paul. He worked with Paul on his first missionary journey and later went to Cyprus with St. Mark.
Tuesday 12th June: Tuesday in the tenth week of the year.
The first readings take up where we left of some weeks ago with the history of the people of Israel. Elijah had had condemned the king for turning away from God. Now we have another account of the the acts of the Lord’s goodness through Elijah. He had foretold a drought and it was now taking place. Elijah was given food and women who provided it was rewarded by having nourishment in spite of the drought.
In the Gospel, Jesus reminds his followers that he expects them to be noticed and stand out. Only if people see faith in action will they give glory to God.
Wednesday 13th June: Memorial of St. Anthony of Padua.
He was born in Lisbon in 1195, originally being called Ferdinand. He changed his name to Anthony when he joined the Friars Minor. He was very inspired after a visit to Assisi where he met St. Francis. He became for his preaching in Italy especially in Padua where he lived for the last few years of his life. He was only 36 when he died.
He was born in Lisbon in 1195, originally being called Ferdinand. He changed his name to Anthony when he joined the Friars Minor. He was very inspired after a visit to Assisi where he met St. Francis. He became for his preaching in Italy especially in Padua where he lived for the last few years of his life. He was only 36 when he died.
Thursday 14th June: Thursday in the tenth week of the year.
Only when the people accept the one true God does the drought cease and rain falls. Elijah has clearly established that he is the prophet of the one true God who must be worshipped by all.
Jesus carried on his teaching in the gospel and condemns some of the scribes and Pharisees because they have interpreted the law to suit themselves. Over the next few days many of the readings contain the phrase ‘You have heard it said… but I say this to you.’ He stresses it is sincerity of heart that matters above all else.
Friday 15th June: Friday in the tenth week of the year.
In spite of all his work, Elijah finds that many of the people still refuse to accept the one true God and desert him. Elijah travels for forty days to find the Lord and finds him not in fires and winds but in the still quiet peace within a cave. His encounter with the Lord lifts his depression and he returns to the people, convinced that God has not left his people.
Jesus repeats and stresses again. The people must obey the laws of their religion from the hearts. Ritual empty observance will never be acceptable to God.
Saturday 16th June: Saturday in the tenth week of the year.
Elijah chooses Elisha as his successor and consecrates him by throwing his cloak over him. In time to come Elisha does take over after a long period of training.
Jesus stresses aging the way in which the law must be interpreted. It must be positive and with no attempt to distort or disguise. ‘Say yes if you mean yes, say no if you mean no.’
