JULY 24 Mon Weekday [Passionist Martyrs of Damiel, St Sharbel Makhlūf,] Ex 14:5-18/Mt 12:38-42 

25 Tue St James,  2 Cor 4:7-15/Mt 20:20-28 

26 Wed Sts Joachim and Anne Ex 16:1-5, 9-15/Mt 13:1-9 

27 Thu Weekday Ex 19:1-2, 9-11, 16-20b/Mt 13:10-17 

28 Fri Weekday Ex 20:1-17/Mt 13:18-23 

29 Sat Sts Martha, Mary and Lazarus Ex 24:3-8 /Jn 11:19-27 

30 17TH SUNDAY  1 Kgs 3:5, 7-12/Rom 8:28-30/Mt 13:44-52 or 13:44-46

We continue to read from the Book of Exodus. Pharaoh chases after the Isrealites and suffers a disastrous defeat, but still there’s a long way to go. They reach Sinai, where God speaks from the mountain and initiates a convenant with his people.

Matthew’s gospel describes the opposition Jesus faces and his response in parables. He is the Sower. The weekday gospel on Saturday repeats the Sunday gospel of the weeds and the wheat.

The Passionists remember on July 24, the Martyrs of Damiel, 26 religious killed in the Spanish Civil War. An inspiring story.

July 25th is the Feast of St. James, the apostle celebrated this month. July 26 is the popular feast of Joachim and Ann, parents of Mary.

July 29th we celebrate the family that welcomed Jesus to their home in Bethany: Martha, Mary, and their brother Lazarus. Once just the feast of Martha, the feast is extended now to include Mary, and their brother Lazarus. The new designation makes clear that Mary of Bethany is not the same as Mary Magdalene.