Twenty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time
Intention: For God’s strength and protection for all who care for the world’s persecuted and dispossessed people, that their work may bear the fruits of comfort, peace, and justice.
Today’s Gospel | Matthew 7:31-37
Again Jesus left the district of Tyre and went by way of Sidon to the Sea of Galilee, into the district of the Decapolis. And people brought to him a deaf man who had a speech impediment and begged him to lay his hand on him. He took him off by himself away from the crowd. He put his finger into the man’s ears and, spitting, touched his tongue; then he looked up to heaven and groaned, and said to him, “Ephphatha!”— that is, “Be opened!” — and immediately the man’s ears were opened, his speech impediment was removed, and he spoke plainly. He ordered them not to tell anyone. But the more he ordered them not to, the more they proclaimed it. They were exceedingly astonished and they said, “He has done all things well. He makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.”
From the Sixth Meditation for the Time of Retreat | Saint John Baptist de La Salle
In imitation of the great Apostle, you must encourage them to live in a manner worthy of God, because God has called them to his kingdom and his glory.
Your zeal must go so far in this that to achieve it, you are ready to give your very life, so dear to you are the children entrusted to you.
Prayer
Eternal Father, your Son taught that it is not possible for us to serve you if we are always caught up in our own ambitions. Your Kingdom requires our faithful attention and greatest commitment. Fill us with the grace that we need to be constant disciples, always looking to do your will. Help us to let go of whatever keeps us from you, and guide us on the path of humility and service. We ask this of you who lives and reigns with your Son and the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever. Amen.