by | Jul 15, 2022 | Evangelium

Saturday 16 th July 2022

 

The Feast of Our Lady

of Mount Carmel

 

Holy Scripture celebrates the beauty of Mount Carmel, where the prophet Elijah defended Israel’s pure faith in the living God. In the 12th century some hermits took up residence on this mountain and eventually set up the Carmelite Order, which is dedicated to living a contemplative life under the patronage of the Holy Mother of God.

 

Entrance Antiphon : Cf. Ps 16:15

As for me, in justice I shall behold your face; I shall be filled with the vision of your glory.

 

Collect

O God, who show the light of your truth to those who go astray so that they may return to the right path, give all who, for the faith they profess, are accounted Christians, the grace to reject whatever is contrary to the name of Christ and to strive after all that does it honour. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

 

First reading : Micah 2:1-5

Woe to those who plot evil, who lie in bed planning mischief! No sooner is it dawn than they do it – their hands have the strength for it. Seizing the fields that they covet, they take over houses as well, owner and house they confiscate together, taking both man and inheritance. So the Lord says this: Now it is I who plot such mischief against this breed as your necks will not escape; nor will you be able to walk proudly, so evil will the time be. On that day they will make a satire on you, sing a dirge and say, ‘We are stripped of everything; my people’s portion is measured out and shared, no one will give it back to them, our fields are awarded to our despoiler.’ Therefore you will have no one to measure out a share in the community of the Lord.

Psalm 9B:1-4,7-8,14

R/ Lord, do not forget the poor.

 

  1. Lord, why do you stand afar off and hide yourself in times of distress? The poor man is devoured by the pride of the wicked: he is caught in the schemes that others have made.
  2. For the wicked man boasts of his heart’s desires; the covetous blasphemes and spurns the Lord. In his pride the wicked says: ‘He will not punish. There is no God.’ Such are his thoughts.
  3. His mouth is full of cursing, guile, oppression, mischief and deceit under his tongue. He lies in wait among the reeds; the innocent he murders in secret.
  4. His eyes are on the watch for the helpless man. But you have seen the trouble and sorrow, you note it, you take it in hand. The helpless trusts himself to you; for you are the helper of the orphan.

 

Gospel Acclamation : Ps118:27

Alleluia, alleluia! Make me grasp the way of your precepts, and I will muse on your wonders. Alleluia!

 

Gospel : Matthew 12:14-21

The Pharisees went out and began to plot against him, discussing how to destroy him. Jesus knew this and withdrew from the district. Many followed him and he cured them all, but warned them not to make him known. This was to fulfil the prophecy of Isaiah: Here is my servant whom I have chosen, my beloved, the favourite of my soul. I will endow him with my spirit, and he will proclaim the true faith to the nations. He will not brawl or shout, nor will anyone hear his voice in the streets. He will not break the crushed reed, nor put out the smouldering wick till he has led the truth to victory: in his name the nations will put their hope.

 

Prayer over the Offerings

Look upon the offerings of the Church, O Lord, as she makes her prayer to you, and grant that, when consumed by those who believe, they may bring ever greater holiness. Through Christ our Lord.

 

Communion Antiphon : Cf. Ps 83: 4-5

The sparrow finds a home, and the swallow a nest for her young: by your altars, O Lord of hosts, my King and my God. Blessed are they who dwell in your house, for ever singing your praise.

 

Prayer after Communion

Having consumed these gifts, we pray, O Lord, that, by our participation in this mystery, its saving effects upon us may grow. Through Christ our Lord.

 

Meditation

In our world today, injustice and evil have become the order of the day in such a way that, whoever stands for justice or against evil is considered an enemy to the people. Jesus just finished a good act by healing someone paralysed and administering justice on the laws of the Sabbath in saving a life. His reward from the people was death. The first reading condemns people like the Pharisees who plot evil against others. These type of people will not escape the justice of God. All servants of God must be wise enough and know how to protect themselves against such people. They must be able to move away from evil men and places not good for their mission. Finally, they must know that God’s spirit is with them to protect Them.