19th Sunday of the Year (c)
This Week’s Liturgy Calendar.
Ordinary Season of the Year. (c)
Weekdays – Year 1
Sunday 11th August: Nineteenth Sunday of the Year. (c)
The first reading is from the Book of Wisdom. It is an extract from a long section in which the author reminds the people of what God had done for them during the Exodus. Just as God came to the rescue of the people in Israel so now he will save those who trust in him.
The second reading is from the Letter to the Hebrews and tells of the trust that Abraham and Sarah had in God.
The Gospel passage, from St. Luke, reminds us that we are the stewards of the Lord and he will return to see how effective we have been. Since we do not know when this will happen we should stand ready all the time and reflect that in our lives.
Monday 12th August: Monday of the 19th week of the year.
We continue the passages from the Book of Deuteronomy. Moses reminds the people of the implications of the second commandment and how they are to respond to it in their lives by taking care of their neighbour.
Jesus complies with the law of the land. He pays the taxes he is due, even though he knows he is approaching his suffering and death.
Tuesday 13th August: Tuesday of the 19th week of the year.
The Israelites have now spent almost forty years wandering in the desert. Moses is approaching the end of his life. He prepares the people for Joshua becoming their leader and he is the one who will lead them in to the Promised Land.
The Gospel passage presents Jesus reminding us that we should have the same openness as a little child in our relationship with God. He highlights how God will go after the sheep that is lost.
Wednesday 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.
Thursday 15th August: Solemnity of the Assumption
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.
Friday 16th 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 17th 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.
