Preaching is an apostolic duty

A prayer to Christ our Savior

Today, July 23, as our Church celebrates the Memorial of Saint Bridget, Religious, we are first invited to read and reflect on a passage from the first letter of Peter (3:1-6, 8-17), entitled "Praise Christ in your hearts". Our treasure, which follows, is from the prayers attributed to Saint Bridget. Saint Bridget of Sweden (c. 1303–1373) was a wife, mother of eight, widow, mystic, and founder of the Order of the Most Holy Savior. After the death of her husband, she dedicated her life to prayer, care for the poor, and the renewal of the Church. The central teaching of our "treasure" today entitled "A Prayer to Christ Our Savior," attributed to Saint Bridget, is that the Christian life begins and ends in a loving, personal relationship with Jesus Christ, who alone is our Savior and source of every grace. In this prayer, Saint Bridget expresses profound trust, humility, and gratitude for Christ's redeeming love, especially as revealed in His Passion and Cross, and asks for the grace to love Him above all things, persevere faithfully in His service, and be united with Him forever in heaven. The prayer reminds Christians that true holiness is found not in relying on ourselves but in surrendering our hearts completely to Christ, whose mercy transforms us and leads us to eternal life. Our first reading from the book of Peter (3:1–6, 8–17), teaches that Christians are called to honor Christ by living lives of holiness, humility, and love, especially in the face of misunderstanding or suffering. Peter teaches that true Christian beauty comes from a gentle and faithful spirit rather than outward appearance, and that all believers should be united in compassion, kindness, humility, and forgiveness, repaying evil with blessing instead of revenge. When called to suffer for doing what is right, they should remain fearless, keep Christ as Lord at the center of their hearts, and always be ready to explain the hope they possess with gentleness, respect, and a clear conscience.

She longed for Christ though she thought he had been taken away

Today, July 22, as our Church celebrates the Memorial of Mary Magdalene, we are first invited to first read and reflect on a passage from the letter of the apostle Paul to the Colossians (3:1-17), entitled "Your life is hidden with Christ in God". Our treasure, which follows, is from a homily on the Gospels by Saint Gregory the Great, pope. Saint Mary Magdalene was a faithful disciple of Jesus whom He freed from the torment of seven demons, transforming her life through His mercy and healing. Filled with gratitude and love, she became one of His closest followers, accompanying Him during His ministry, remaining faithfully at the foot of the Cross when many others fled, and going to His tomb early on Easter morning. Because of her unwavering love and fidelity, the risen Christ appeared to her first and entrusted her with announcing His Resurrection to the Apostles, earning her the title "Apostle to the Apostles." Her role in salvation history is to bear witness to the power of Christ's mercy to transform sinners into faithful disciples and to proclaim the joyful truth that Jesus Christ is risen from the dead. Saint Gregory was born at Rome around the year 540 and is certainly one of the most notable figures in Ecclesiastical History [https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/07365a.htm]. He was elevated to the Chair of Saint Peter in the year 590 and proved to be a true shepherd by carrying out his office, helping the poor, spreading and strengthening the faith. He wrote extensively on moral and theological subjects. Saint Gregory's primary contribution to the teachings of the Catholic Church is his profound integration of sound doctrine with practical pastoral leadership, especially in shaping how the Church teaches, governs, and cares for souls. He is a Doctor of the Church. He died in 604. The central teaching from our "treasure" today entitled "She Longed for Christ, Though She Thought He Had Been Taken Away," from a homily by Gregory the Great, is that steadfast love and persevering faith lead to a deeper encounter with the risen Christ. Saint Gregory reflects on Mary Magdalene, whose grief did not drive her away from the empty tomb but caused her to seek the Lord all the more earnestly. Because she persevered in her search when others had left, she became the first to see the risen Jesus. Gregory teaches that God often allows our longing for Him to deepen so that our love may become more fervent and our joy more complete when He reveals Himself. The homily encourages every Christian to seek Christ faithfully even in times of darkness, trusting that those who persevere in love will ultimately find Him. The main teaching from our first reading from the book of Colossians is that through Baptism, Christians have died to sin and risen with Christ and therefore are called to live a new life that reflects their identity in Him. Saint Paul urges believers to set their hearts and minds on the things of heaven, put aside sinful attitudes and behaviors, and clothe themselves with virtues such as compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, forgiveness, and above all, love, which binds everything together in perfect unity. As Christ dwells within them through His word and the Eucharist, they are to let His peace rule their hearts and do everything—in word and deed—for the glory of God, giving thanks through Jesus Christ.

Preaching is an apostolic duty

Today, July 21, as our Church celebrates the Memorial of Lawrence of Brindisi, Priest and Doctor, our Church first invites us to read and reflect on a Scripture passage from the book of Sirach (39:1-10), entitled "The wisdom of the man who is learned in the Scriptures". Our treasure, which follows, is from a sermon by Saint Lawrence of Brindisi, priest. Saint Lawrence of Brindisi (1559–1619) was a Capuchin Franciscan priest, gifted preacher, diplomat, and Doctor of the Church renowned for his exceptional knowledge of Scripture, theology, and biblical languages. The central teaching of our "treasure" today from a sermon by Lawrence of Brindisi entitled "Preaching Is an Apostolic Duty," is that the proclamation of the Gospel is a sacred responsibility entrusted by Christ to His Church and especially to those called to preach. Saint Lawrence teaches that preaching is not merely sharing ideas or moral advice but faithfully proclaiming God's revealed truth so that people may come to know Christ, grow in faith, repent of sin, and attain salvation. He emphasizes that effective preaching must flow from a life of prayer, holiness, and deep knowledge of Sacred Scripture, so that the preacher's words are supported by the witness of a faithful life and become an instrument through which the Holy Spirit draws souls to God. Our first reading from the book of Sirach teaches that true wisdom comes from prayerfully studying God's Word and faithfully living it. The wise person does more than acquire knowledge; he seeks God through prayer, meditates on the Scriptures, and allows God's truth to shape his thoughts, words, and actions. As a result, he grows in holiness, speaks with understanding, and becomes a source of guidance and blessing to others. The passage reminds us that genuine wisdom is a gift from God, received by those who humbly seek Him and put His teachings into practice.

One prayer, one hope in love and in holy joy

On Monday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time our Church invites us to reflect on a scripture passage from the beginning of the second letter of the apostle Paul to the Corinthians (1:15—2:11) entitled "Why Paul decided to change the plans for his journey". Our treasure, which follows, is from the letter to the Magnesians by Saint Ignatius of Antioch, bishop and martyr. Saint Ignatius (c. A.D. 35–107) was the third bishop of Antioch after St. Peter and one of the earliest Apostolic Fathers, having known or been taught by the Apostles, especially St. John. He is also the earliest known Christian writer to refer to the Church as the "Catholic Church." Saint Ignatius is best known for his unwavering desire to imitate Christ through martyrdom and for his enduring witness to the Eucharist, apostolic authority, and the unity of the Church. The essential message of the Letter to the Magnesians by Ignatius of Antioch is that Christians are called to remain united with Christ by remaining united with the Church, especially with their bishop, priests, and deacons. The central teaching of our "treasure" today entitled "One Prayer, One Hope in Love and in Holy Joy," from the Letter to the Magnesians by Saint Ignatius of Antioch is that Christians are called to live in complete unity with Christ and with one another through the life of the Church. Ignatius urges the faithful to gather in one Eucharistic community, united with their bishop, priests, and deacons, so that they may share one faith, one prayer, one hope, and one love. He teaches that this visible unity is not merely organizational but a reflection of Christ's own unity with the Father, enabling believers to live in holiness, experience true Christian joy, and bear a convincing witness to the Gospel before the world. The teaching of from our first reading from second Corinthians is that Christian leadership must be guided by love, integrity, and the good of others rather than by personal convenience or appearances. Saint Paul explains that he changed his travel plans not because he was unreliable or indecisive, but to spare the Corinthians further pain and to give them time to repent and be strengthened in their faith. Paul reminds them that, just as God's promises are always fulfilled in Christ, his own ministry seeks to reflect that same faithfulness. The passage teaches that genuine Christian authority is exercised not by domination but by serving others with patience, honesty, and love, helping them to stand firm in their faith.

We should be Christians in deed, as well as in name

On the Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time our Church invites us to reflect on a scripture passage from the beginning of the second letter of the apostle Paul to the Corinthians (1:1-14) entitled" Thanksgiving in the midst of tribulations". Our treasure, which follows, is from the beginning of a letter to the Magnesians by Saint Ignatius of Antioch, bishop and martyr. Saint Ignatius (c. A.D. 35–107) was the third bishop of Antioch after St. Peter and one of the earliest Apostolic Fathers, having known or been taught by the Apostles, especially St. John. He is also the earliest known Christian writer to refer to the Church as the "Catholic Church." Saint Ignatius is best known for his unwavering desire to imitate Christ through martyrdom and for his enduring witness to the Eucharist, apostolic authority, and the unity of the Church. The essential message of the Letter to the Magnesians by Ignatius of Antioch is that Christians are called to remain united with Christ by remaining united with the Church, especially with their bishop, priests, and deacons. The central teaching of today's "treasure" entitled "We Should Be Christians in Deeds, as Well as in Name," by Saint Ignatius of Antioch is that authentic Christianity is measured not merely by what we profess but by how we live. Saint Ignatius urges believers to let their actions reflect their faith by living in obedience to Christ, remaining united with the Church under their bishop, and practicing humility, charity, and holiness. He teaches that to bear the name "Christian" is not enough; our daily lives must visibly demonstrate our commitment to Christ so that our deeds bear witness to the Gospel we proclaim. Our first reading from the opening of St. Paul's Second Letter to the Corinthians teaches that God is the source of all comfort and uses our sufferings to strengthen both us and others. Saint Paul praises God as the "Father of mercies and the God of all consolation," who comforts us in our afflictions so that we, in turn, can comfort those who are suffering. Paul teaches that sharing in Christ's sufferings also means sharing in His consolation, and that trials, when united with Christ, deepen our faith, build perseverance, and equip us to become instruments of God's compassion and hope for others.