Today, 15th of July, we celebrate
Saint Bonaventure
First Reading: Isaiah 66:10-14c
Thus says the LORD:
Rejoice with Jerusalem and be glad because of her,
all you who love her;
exult, exult with her,
all you who were mourning over her!
Oh, that you may suck fully
of the milk of her comfort,
that you may nurse with delight
at her abundant breasts!
For thus says the LORD:
Lo, I will spread prosperity over Jerusalem like a river,
and the wealth of the nations like an overflowing torrent.
As nurslings, you shall be carried in her arms,
and fondled in her lap;
as a mother comforts her child,
so will I comfort you;
in Jerusalem you shall find your comfort.
When you see this, your heart shall rejoice
and your bodies flourish like the grass;
the LORD's power shall be known to his servants.
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 66:1-3, 4-5, 6-7, 16, 20
R./ Let all the earth cry out to God with joy.
Shout joyfully to God, all the earth,
sing praise to the glory of his name;
proclaim his glorious praise.
Say to God, How tremendous are your deeds!
R./ Let all the earth cry out to God with joy.
"Let all on earth worship and sing praise to you,
sing praise to your name!
Come and see the works of God,
his tremendous deeds among the children of Adam.
R./ Let all the earth cry out to God with joy.
He has changed the sea into dry land;
through the river they passed on foot;
therefore let us rejoice in him.
He rules by his might forever.
R./ Let all the earth cry out to God with joy.
Hear now, all you who fear God, while I declare
what he has done for me.
Blessed be God who refused me not
my prayer or his kindness!
R./ Let all the earth cry out to God with joy.
Second Reading: Galatians 6:14-18
Brothers and sisters:
May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ,
through which the world has been crucified to me,
and I to the world.
For neither does circumcision mean anything, nor does uncircumcision,
but only a new creation.
Peace and mercy be to all who follow this rule
and to the Israel of God.
From now on, let no one make troubles for me;
for I bear the marks of Jesus on my body.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit,
brothers and sisters. Amen.
Gospel Reading: Luke 10:1-12, 17-20
At that time the Lord appointed seventy-two others
whom he sent ahead of him in pairs
to every town and place he intended to visit.
He said to them,
"The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few;
so ask the master of the harvest
to send out laborers for his harvest.
Go on your way;
behold, I am sending you like lambs among wolves.
Carry no money bag, no sack, no sandals;
and greet no one along the way.
Into whatever house you enter, first say,
'Peace to this household.'
If a peaceful person lives there,
your peace will rest on him;
but if not, it will return to you.
Stay in the same house and eat and drink what is offered to you,
for the laborer deserves his payment.
Do not move about from one house to another.
Whatever town you enter and they welcome you,
eat what is set before you,
cure the sick in it and say to them,
'The kingdom of God is at hand for you.'
Whatever town you enter and they do not receive you,
go out into the streets and say,
'The dust of your town that clings to our feet,
even that we shake off against you.'
Yet know this: the kingdom of God is at hand.
I tell you,
it will be more tolerable for Sodom on that day than for that town.
The seventy-two returned rejoicing, and said,
"Lord, even the demons are subject to us because of your name.
Jesus said, "I have observed Satan fall like lightning from the sky.
Behold, I have given you the power to 'tread upon serpents' and scorpions
and upon the full force of the enemy and nothing will harm you. Nevertheless, do not rejoice because the spirits are subject to you,
but rejoice because your names are written in heaven.
“The Kingdom of God has come to you.”
Dear brothers and sisters, peace and all good.
What is joy? The Spanish Royal Academy Dictionary says, among many meanings, that joy is:
1. Carelessness, lightness. Sometimes we say that some people allow themselves many joys. For others, joy means enjoying the weekend to the fullest. That kind of joy comes from alcohol and loud noise. That joy goes away and brings worries later, about what was not done, or leaves a headache. I don’t think Christian joy is like that.
2. A pleasant and lively feeling, caused by some happy reason or sometimes without a clear cause, which usually shows on the outside. It could be a smile, for example.
3. Words, gestures, or actions that show happiness or joy. Like jumping for joy, shouting, or laughing loudly. That is what the dictionary says.
What is joy? For Isaiah, it is peace in Jerusalem. After hard times, after exile, joy returns to Jerusalem, and those who suffer will be comforted like a child in their mother’s arms.
What is joy? Saint Paul says for him joy is Christ. With everything that means. For Paul, the cross is joy. “God forbid that I should boast of anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.”
What is joy? Jesus says it is not about doing great things, or being the best speaker, or converting thousands, as people said before the Council. For Jesus, joy is having your name written in heaven. And how do we understand that today, more than twenty centuries after Christ?
More than twenty centuries ago, it meant that seventy-two people went out on the roads to talk about Christ. It is interesting that seventy-two people went in pairs to talk about the Kingdom of God. It takes courage, a lot of courage, to go from town to town to talk about a nearly unknown man named Jesus, who talks about love, peace, and forgiveness. It also takes courage when the one who sends them warns them they will face many difficulties. Surely, it was not easy. Hard times.
We also can say we live in hard times. Actually, there have been few easy times in the Church. So difficulty is not an excuse to stop living joyfully and to stop doing what the Lord commands.
For us, what should joy be? What Paul knows very well: the gift and love of God for us, shown in its fullest and strongest form: “God forbid that I should boast of anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.” There, on the cross of Jesus, God’s love for us shows how serious it is, how “real” that love is. There is no trick or lie there. “No one loves more than the one who gives their life for those they love.” How can we not surrender before a love shown by Jesus dying on the cross for us?
If there is something we can be truly happy about, isn’t it that we are loved to that extent? There is no stronger foundation for our life than this. And nothing awakens our response so much as the experience of that love. Saint Paul is a good witness when he says, “I carry the marks of Jesus on my body.” Seeing how much the Lord gave for him, Paul finds new strength to give himself, to serve the mission, and to endure the sufferings this mission brings.
I repeat the question: What do we have to do to share in this joy? Realize that evangelizing is not just the job of a few. The whole community, each one of us, must announce Christ. The Church going out, as Pope Francis often speaks about. We cannot say times are too hard or not supportive. They were even harder for the first disciples. They were hard for Saint Francis of Assisi, for Saint Teresa of Ávila, for the first Claretian missionaries who went to preach in Catalonia. There are no easy or hard times. We must live our time, in our own situation and condition. No one can escape this.
Every Christian, every follower of Christ, is called to announce the Kingdom of God. Even the most reluctant followers. With Jesus, there are no excuses. Do you think you need a catechist diploma? None of the seventy-two had a diploma, and Jesus himself did not have formal studies in pastoral catechesis. What He had was great love. To be a missionary, what is most needed is love. The Beatles said it well: All you need is love. If you love, you go out of yourself, and if you can share, even with one person, in some way, you have begun to go around the world announcing the Kingdom of God. Because to go around the world, first you go to your home, your neighborhood, your city, your country… And if you can go to meet an enemy, you have reached the highest point of Christian life.
If the Church is not missionary, it is not the Church of Jesus. This is our identity, our essence. Jesus sent the Twelve on mission, then the seventy-two, as today’s Gospel reminds us. After His death and resurrection, just before ascending to heaven, He sent us to all nations and peoples to make disciples and teach them all He had commanded. The goal: Jesus sends us because He wants to change the world, to make it better, to convert it. That way our names will also be written in Heaven. That way we will also be joyful.
Let us not forget:
Jesus, you have no hands. You only have our hands to build a world where justice lives.
Jesus, you have no feet. You only have our feet to bring freedom and love to life.
Jesus, you have no lips. You only have our lips to announce the Good News to the poor.
Jesus, you have no resources. You only have our actions to make all people brothers and sisters.
Jesus, we are your Gospel, the only Gospel people can read if our lives are good words and actions.
Jesus, give us your strength to use our talents well and do all things right. Then we will be joyful. Then we will be happy.
Your brother in faith,
Alejandro Carbajo, cmfGreetings (See Second Reading)
Peace and mercy to all
who become new in Christ.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
R/ And also with you.
Introduction by the Celebrant
A. Disciples Must Be Missionaries
How many people belong to our Church? Catholics number less than 18% of the world population. Yet Luke says that Jesus tells us today: "The harvest is rich but there are few laborers. Pray to the Lord to send us harvesters." And then, whom does Jesus send? Not just the leaders, but the disciples too. And where are they sent? To all nations and to all peoples, for they are seventy-two, as many as there were peoples known in those days. And how are they sent? In all humility receiving the people's hospitality and kindness and proclaiming to them the Kingdom of God. Let us ask Jesus to make us suitable messengers.
B. Without Means of Power
When Jesus sends out his disciples, they are not sent with powerful means to impress people with or to buy their allegiance. No force, no money, not even people who are influential, renowned, and learned. Just simple disciples, ordinary people. They have to go out with no other riches than the Good News of Jesus, his message of joy to the poor. They also should not be choosy to whom they go: in all simplicity they present themselves to anyone willing to listen, depending on the good will of people and their hospitality. Let us become missionaries of Jesus by the way we live.
Penitential Act
We are messengers of Jesus.
Does the way we live make him known and loved?
Let us examine ourselves before the Lord.
(pause)
Lord Jesus, you send us out
to heal those sick in any way
and to announce the kingdom of God:
Lord, have mercy. R/ Lord, have mercy.
Jesus Christ, you tell us
to go to people very discreetly
and to accept what they offer us:
Christ, have mercy. R/ Christ, have mercy.
Lord Jesus, you assure us
that nothing will hurt us
and that our names are written in heaven.
Lord, have mercy. R/ Lord, have mercy.
Have mercy on us, Lord,
and forgive us all our sins.
Give us the enthusiasm to make you known,
and lead us to everlasting life. R/ Amen.
Opening Prayer
Let us pray
that our life may proclaim the Gospel
(pause)
Our God of peace and joy,
you want all people to live
in your covenant of peace and mercy.
Keep calling your whole Church
and everyone of us
to bring to the world a message of peace
and of restored love and justice.
Disarm us of our fears, and send us
by the power of your Spirit,
so that all may recognize and accept
our Savior and Lord Jesus Christ,
now and for ever. R/ Amen.
Liturgy of the Word
First Reading Introduction: A River Of Peace
In times of war and trials, a prophet says boldly: "God is our mother who will give us peace."
Second Reading Introduction: We Must Become New In Christ
Even when we have to suffer, like the Lord, we can have peace, if we try to become new and better in Christ.
Gospel Introduction: Jesus Sends Out His Disciples
Jesus sends his disciples into the world to bring to all those willing to listen to the message of God's peace. Those who welcome this message will have peace.
General Intercessions
Since we are his disciples, Jesus sends us out to share his message of peace and joy. Let us bring before him the desire of all people for peace and hope and let us say: R/ Lord, hear your people.
• That the pastors and lay people in the Church may untiringly an-nounce the Good News as the source of happiness and peace for all, let us pray: R/ Lord, hear your people.
• That the leaders of nations may give up the senseless race for arms, and set aside pride and hunger for power to seek genuine and lasting peace, let us pray: R/ Lord, hear your people.
• That we may find peace within ourselves, learn to accept ourselves and seek the justice and peace of God's kingdom, let us pray: R/ Lord, hear your people.
• That peoples, races, and cultures may rejoice in one another's riches and give, even to the least, access to work, material and spiritual goods, and human dignity, let us pray: R/ Lord, hear your people.
• That in our homes and communities we may bring the peace of understanding and compassion to the sick, the handicapped and the neglected, and that we may do so in a spirit of love and service, let us pray: R/ Listen to your people, Lord.
Lord Jesus Christ, makes us lovers and sharers of your Good News, for you are our peace and hope, now and for ever. R/ Amen.
Prayer over the Gifts
Lord our God,
let your Son break for us
his bread of peace
and pour for us his wine of joy.
Let him go with us
to speak words that bring peace
and to have the courage
to seek the peace of justice,
forgiveness and hope,
today and every day, for ever. R/ Amen.
Introduction to the Eucharistic Prayer
With Jesus we now praise and thank the Father for having saved us by his Son's death and resurrection. As his disciples may we work faithfully to bring all into God's kingdom.
Invitation to the Lord's Prayer
As disciples concerned about God's kingdom,
we pray to our Father in heaven
that this kingdom may come to all people. R/ Our Father...
Deliver Us
Deliver us Lord, from every evil
and grant us your peace in our day.
Free us from all self-complacency
that encloses us within ourselves.
Help us to share the joy and hope
of the good news of the Gospel
with all people eager for it
and also with those who are indifferent to it
because they do not know its riches.
May we all work together
for the coming among us
of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. R/ For the kingdom...
Invitation to Communion
This is the Lord who says:
"Come to me, all you who are weary
and find life hard to bear,
for I will refresh you."
Come, let us taste and see
the goodness of the Lord:
R/ Lord, I am not worthy...
Prayer after Communion
Our God and Father,
you have broken for us
the one bread of your Son
and poured for us the wine of his one cup.
May we all be and remain
the one body of Christ,
in unity, love, and peace,
Send us to bring your peace to all,
as lovers and instruments of your peace.
We ask you this through Christ our Lord. R/ Amen.
Blessing
The message of today
should stir the People of God
—all and each of us—
to become a missionary Church,
open to all, reaching out to all,
because only Christ and his Gospel
can bring real joy and true peace.
We are all part of that Church
and so our task is to make visible
that Christ is alive among us.
May Almighty God bless you for this mission:
the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. R/ Amen.
Go in the peace of Christ
and share that peace with all. R/ Thanks be to God.
