DAILY READINGS & REFLECTION
JULY 4, 2024
THURSDAY OF THE THIRTEENTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME
(OPTIONAL MEMORIAL OF SAINT ELIZABETH OF PORTUGAL)
FIRST READING
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RESPONSORIAL PSALM
PSALMS 18(19):8-11 OR (PSALMS 107:2-9)
Response: The judgments of the Lord are true, and all of them are just.
reviving the soul;
the testimony of the LORD is sure,
making wise the simple.
rejoicing the heart;
the commandment of the LORD is pure,
enlightening the eyes.
enduring for ever;
the ordinances of the LORD are true,
and righteous altogether.
even much fine gold;
sweeter also than honey
and drippings of the honeycomb.
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GOSPEL
Take heart - your sins are forgiven
MATTHEW 9:1-8 OR (MATTHEW 25:31-46)
1 And getting into a boat he crossed over and came to his own city. 2 And behold, they brought to him a paralytic, lying on his bed; and when Jesus saw their faith he said to the paralytic, "Take heart, my son; your sins are forgiven." 3 And behold, some of the scribes said to themselves, "This man is blaspheming." 4 But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, "Why do you think evil in your hearts? 5 For which is easier, to say, `Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, `Rise and walk'? 6 But that you may know that the Son of man has authority on earth to forgive sins" he then said to the paralytic "Rise, take up your bed and go home." 7 And he rose and went home. 8 When the crowds saw it, they were afraid, and they glorified God, who had given such authority to men.
The Gospel of the Lord
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REFLECTION
DAILY QUOTE FROM THE EARLY CHURCH FATHERS
Healing of soul and body, by Hilary of Poitiers (315-367 AD)
"Now in the narrative of the paralytic a number of people are brought forward for healing. Jesus' words of healing are worthy of reflection. The paralytic is not told, 'Be healed.' He is not told, 'Rise and walk.' But he is told, 'Take heart, my son; your sins are forgiven you.' The paralytic is a descendant of the original man, Adam. In one person, Christ, all the sins of Adam are forgiven. In this case the person to be healed is brought forward by ministering angels. In this case, too, he is called a son, because he is God's first work. The sins of his soul are forgiven him, and pardon of the first transgression is granted. We do not believe the paralytic committed any sin [that resulted in his illness], especially since the Lord said elsewhere that blindness from birth had not been contracted from someone's sin or that of his parents" [John 9:1-3].
(excerpt from commentary ON MATTHEW 8.5)
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Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (RSVCE)
The Revised Standard Version of the Bible: Catholic Edition, copyright © 1965, 1966 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.