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| July 2009 Readings |
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July 4, 2009, Saturday St. Elizabeth of Portugal Read: 1-5, 15-29 Mt. 9: 14-17 "Nobody sews a piece of unshrunken cloth on an old cloak; the very thing he has used to cover the hole will pull, and the rip will only get worse. People do not pour new wine into old wineskins. If they do, the skins burst, the wine spills out, and the skins are ruined." (Mt. 9: 16-17)Jesus is directing these comments to the followers of St. John the Baptist. The Lord wants to make it clear that His teachings are unique. He was not simply "patching" up the Law of Moses. Though a good Jew, His was the new Way. His was the fulfillment of God's designs from the beginning. "Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets. I have come not to abolish but to fulfill them." (Mt. 5:17)"You have heard the commandment imposed on your forefathers.... What I say to you is...." (Mt. 5:21-43)In the Jewish customs, there is a premium placed on external ceremonies: fasting, purification by water, animal sacrifice and offerings.Jesus came to reestablish the importance of the internal -- a sense of love, intimacy and personal relationship with God. "Go to you room, close your door, and pray to your Father in private." (Mt. 6:5)"An hour is coming, and is already here, when authentic worshipers will worship the Father in Spirit and truth." (Jn. 4:23)Reflection and commentary Psalm 25: " He shows sinners the way."St. Elizabeth, d. 1336; named after her great-aunt, St. Elizabeth of Hungary; queen and mother; lover of the poor; peacemaker in the royal family; later a Franciscan tertiary; patroness of Catholic Charities. |
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