This week’s Gospel message for Sunday, July 18th is from Mark 6:30-34.
“The apostles gathered together with Jesus and reported all they had done and taught. He said to them, ‘Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.’. . .People saw them leaving and many came to know about it. . . .When he disembarked and saw the vast crowd, his heart was moved with pity for them, for they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things.”
“Mark does not tell us the ‘many things’ that Jesus taught the vast crowd, but we do know the lesson he taught the Twelve. He taught them what their priorities should be. Tired and hungry, they hoped to get some rest . . . . But their plans were changed in an instant, for Jesus’ heart was moved to pity. Compassion caused them to turn their attention away from themselves and their need for food and rest so they could attend to strangers in need of healing and guidance.” SOURCE: Pastoral Patterns, Summer 2021
DAILY READINGS FOR THE WEEK
Monday Exodus 14:5-18; Matt 12:38-42
Tuesday Exodus 14:21—15:1; Matt 12:46-50
Wednesday Exodus 16:1-5, 9-15; Matt 13:1-9
Thursday Song 3:1-4b; John 20:1-2, 11-18
Saint Mary Magdalene (Feast) – “With some other women, Mary traveled with Jesus and the apostles during his ministry. Her great love for Jesus was expressed when she faithfully stood near the cross after the other disciples fled. She became the first witness to the resurrection. She became the ‘Apostle to the Apostles’ when she announced this mystery to them.”
Friday Exodus 20:1-17; Matt 13:18-23
Saturday Exodus 24:3-8; Matt 13:24-30
SOURCE: Living With Christ, July 2021