Sun., July 26 - Wisdom to seek and find and give ALL!

[MariaChristi]

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

God teaches us much if we Listen to Him with the ears of our hearts. Young Solomon learned Wisdom in humility, in 1 KGS: 3-5; 7-12:

The LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream at night.
God said, “Ask something of me and I will give it to you.”
Solomon answered:
“O LORD, my God, you have made me, your servant, king
to succeed my father David;
but I am a mere youth, not knowing at all how to act.
I serve you in the midst of the people whom you have chosen,
a people so vast that it cannot be numbered or counted.
Give your servant, therefore, an understanding heart
to judge your people and to distinguish right from wrong.
For who is able to govern this vast people of yours?”

The LORD was pleased that Solomon made this request.
So God said to him:
“Because you have asked for this—
not for a long life for yourself,
nor for riches,
nor for the life of your enemies,
but for understanding so that you may know what is right—
I do as you requested.
I give you a heart so wise and understanding
that there has never been anyone like you up to now,
and after you there will come no one to equal you.”

The Responsorial from Psalm 119 helps us love God above all:

R. (97a) Lord, I love your commands.
I have said, O LORD, that my part
is to keep your words.
The law of your mouth is to me more precious
than thousands of gold and silver pieces…

The Second Reading reveals God’s Gifts far exceed our desires:

Brothers and sisters:
We know that all things work for good for those who love God,
who are called according to His purpose.
For those He foreknew He also predestined
to be conformed to the image of His Son,
so that He might be the firstborn
among many brothers and sisters.
And those He predestined he also called;
and those he called he also justified;
and those he justified he also glorified. - Rom 8:28-30

The Alleluia Verse reminds us The Father sent Jesus to us:

Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth;
for you have revealed to little ones the mysteries of the kingdom. – Mt 11:25

And in all His parables of today’s Gospel, Jesus prepares us to strive for All He came to enable in us, and so He ends by asking:

“Do you understand all these things?”
They answered, “Yes.” –

But do we understand Jesus, really? How willing are we to humbly ask God for the Wisdom to seek and find and give all to receive the kingdom.

 

[hazcompat]

Both saints collaborated in the same providential work​

(Please Note: This uploaded content is no longer available.)

Both Saint Catherine Labouré (in Paris) and Saint Bernadette Soubirous (in Lourdes) collaborated in the same providential work—the definition of the dogma of the Immaculate Conception—that is undoubtedly the greatest event in the history of the Church in the 19th century. The apparitions at the Rue du Bac in Paris paved the way for it in a singular manner, and the apparitions at Massabielle in the Lourdes Grotto brilliantly confirmed it.

The Blessed Virgin wanted her two favored young confidantes to resemble each other: both were modest and humble young girls, pure and upright souls, and both unable to invent a message they themselves did not understand. They were simply two instruments—precious but obscure—of a work that was nevertheless divine, and which was revealed to the eyes of men by the incredible spread of the Miraculous Medal, and by the marvelous propagation of the devotion to the Immaculate Conception and the Lourdes Shrine.

Adapted from: Cardinal Gerlier (1880-1965), Archbishop of Lyons, in a homily at Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris on December 3,1933, in La Sainte de Reuilly , by A. Lanquetin.

Read more on mariedenazareth.com:​

Saint Catherine Laboure (1806-1876)

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee.
Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now, and at the hour of our death.
Amen.

 

[MariaChristi]

Dear Stephie, thanks again for your “ever-faith-full” heart! Yesterday’s Scripture and today’s Mass readings as well as yesterday’s are so providential as we face the difficulties in our own time – yet God’s Word remains through all time for us - as ever True and Holy and given for us to have “Life” in Him, if we will only listen – if we will only pray humbly seek His Wisdom and do the Truth we hear!

Today’s Mass readings are also very powerful and I will begin a new thread after I reply to you and to hazcompat this morning. Thanks again for your encouraging heart!

 

[MariaChristi]

Dear hazcompat,

Thanks for your reply – I’m always happy to see Mary’s image! At first I wondered if I had missed the Feast of Mary’s Miraculous Medal but I was pretty sure it was on Nov. 27 and today is July 27. I also checked to see if I had missed the Feast of St. Bernadette of Lourdes since you mentioned both in your reply.

So I’m not sure what prompted you to connect yesterday’s Mass readings with the two special little confidants of Our Mother Mary – except possibly the First reading in which we hear the reply of young Solomon to the Lord.

Certainly all the saints help us in their love for Jesus through Mary and Mary remains the perfect Model for every member of His Church. May we LISTEN to God as Mary did and ponder all in our hearts as Mary did on this earth.

It seems to me you have a special love for the Liturgy of the Hours as my husband and I do and I was especially blessed again this morning as we prayed - I’ll include in this morning’s new thread what impressed me. God Willing I hope to post my new thread asap.

 

[hazcompat]

They were both canonized on July 27, 1947, by Pius XII.

Peace

 

[MariaChristi]

Ah - there’s the “key”!!! Thanks, hazcompat, and good for Pius XII – he was the Pope of my youth and I wonder when he too will be canonized.