19th Sunday of the Year (a)
This Week’s Liturgy Calendar.
Ordinary Season of the Year. (a)
Weekdays – Year 1
Sunday 13th August: Nineteenth Sunday of the Year. (a)
In the first reading, we hear how Elijah, fleeing for his life, hides in a cave where he meets with God.
St. Paul in the second reading, tells us about his own personal sorrow and anguish because his fellow Jews refuse to accept Jesus as the Messiah.
Caught in a storm with high winds and rough seas, the apostles are afraid. Jesus comes to them, calming their fear, bringing his peace.
Monday 14th August: Memorial of St. Maximilian Kolbe.
Maximilian Kolbe was born near Lodz in Poland in 1894. He had a great devotion to Our Lady and, after he was ordained, he founded a number of Marian communities and issued Marian magazines. During the war, he was imprisoned in the concentration camp at Auschwitz and there offered to take the place of a married man who was condemned to die. He was starved to death in 1941. He was canonised by Pope John Paul ll in 1982.
Tuesday 15th August: Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
After her life on earth was over, Our Lady died but immediately her body was assumed into heaven so that it did not undergo corruption. This feast has been described as Our Lady’s Easter since we celebrate not only her passing from this life but also her resurrection and ascension into the glory of heaven. Pope Pius XII officially promulgated this dogma of the Church on 1st November 1950.
Wednesday 16th August: Wednesday in the 19th week of the year.
From a nearby mountain, Moses is shown the Promised Land just before he dies. He was mourned for thirty days by the Israelites before Joshua takes over.
Jesus tells his followers that everyone must be given the chance to undo and correct whatever wrong they may have done. It should only be as a final step that a person should be totally rejected by their community. He also reminds us that whenever people gather to pray, no matter how many or how few, he is with them.
Thursday 17th August: Thursday in the 19th week of the year.
We move to the Book of Joshua who has taken over leadership of the people following on Moses death. The People of Israel finally reach the Promised Land bring the Ark with them. This is the reminder and the symbol of God’s presence with them. He would be with them as they make their way to Jericho.
The Gospel presents another parable. Jesus used it to demonstrate the level of forgiveness his followers must show.
Friday 18th August: Friday of the 19th week of the year.
Today and tomorrow, we hear the last discourse of Joshua where he reminds the people again of God’s place in their history and encourages them to remain faithful to him.
Jesus tells his followers that they must respect the dignity of marriage – from now on, the exceptions that Moses allowed would no longer be permitted or acceptable.
Saturday 19th August: Saturday of the 19th week of the year.
Joshua continues his last discourse before his death. The People of Israel must always honour the one true God and stay away from the idolatrous practices of their neighbours. The people make a solemn covenant and set up a memorial to remind those who would come after them.
Again, Jesus reminds those who would be his followers that they should be like little children – to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.
Lord our God,
May your Son, Jesus, sustain us on our journey.
Keep us from discouragement,
Give us courage to make him visible
In our words and in our deeds.
Let him lead us to the mountain
Where you live as our God
For ever and ever.
Amen.
