The Holy Mass of this Sunday places before us the Christian's use or abuse of "goods," either of human nature or of Divine grace. The Introit recalls that as we now receive "Mercy," yet one day we must stand before "Justice." How necessary then the "Prayer" for "doing and thinking" what is right. Active participation in the Mass, advised Pope St. Pius X, is the indispensable source of the true Christian spirit, how to pray and how to live. The Epistle bids us reflect who you are, "not debtors to the flesh," by which "you shall die"; but "sons of God, joint heirs with Christ," by Whom you shall live.

The Gospel dramatises this dignity and duty in the parable of the Steward, the meaning of which is "be wise," you children of God; use material treasures so as to make eternal friends; exercise your talents in the spiritual and corporal works of mercy, and those whom you help to save will help save you. Finally, the Offertory assures salvation to the humble, warns the proud of their final humbling. Christianity is not so much a "giving up" but rather an "exchange" of "gifts" (Secret), the human for the Divine, to bring healing to "soul and body" Postcommunion.

On Sunday 31st July 2022: The Great Feast Day of the Jesuit, St. Ignatius of Loyola C., occurs. St. Ignatius was XV Century nobleman who became a priest after suffering war wounds, was converted and formed the Jesuit Order. However, the great saint gives way for the green Mass of the 8th Sunday.

Indulgentia Portiuculae On Monday and Tuesday, one may enter any church, say 6 Pater’s, 6 Ave’s and 6 Gloria’s for benefit of a poor soul and gain a Plenary Indulgence.

The Pentecostal Season is well on its way with the twelve “fruits” of the Holy Spirit. Hence, as summer also advances toward the harvest, today’s Holy Mass has a timely lesson, observed by Jesus from fruit trees.

The Introit is a call to prayer, yes, but a call to prayer followed by Catholic Action. It bespeaks “the voice of joy,” yes, but also counsels “clap your hands,” which in ancient times signified not only to praise a person by the tongue but to work for him with the hands.

Since if all the tree’s life goes into the wagging tongues of waving leaves, how can there be any fruit? Deeds, not mere words, are acceptable to God and are the best kind of example to neighbour.

“The fruit” of sin is shame and death (Epistle), while the fruit of sanctity is life everlasting. “By their fruits” shall you know false teachers of false Christians (Gospel).

Not so much what one “says” about the Lord, but he who “does” His Will, brings forth good fruit. The Holy Eucharist is the “health giving” (Postcommunion) fruit of Calvary, to counteract the poison laden “Dead Sea” fruit of the world.

Sunday 24th July is the Feast of St. Christina V. M., martyred under Diocletian about 307 at Bolsena, Italy. Her Father was a Roman Governor who tried to break the Faith of his daughter, failed, had her tortured, while finally she was be-headed. Although not commemorated in Masses using the 1960 rubrics, we should pray to the Saint to help our society move back to purity.'

“I have compassion on the multitude.” This sentiment of the Divine and Human Heart (Gospel), so endearing to us, inspires our pleas to God in the Introit, that He save us because we belong to Him. The Prayer, alluding to our Baptism, when He implanted in us a love of His Name (which means “to save”) beseeches God to foster and then to protect “what is good.”

What is “good?” It is to “foster” the “new life” in Christ Jesus begun at Baptism (Epistle); “dead to sin” is its negative side; “alive to God” is its positive. To “protect” and to nourish this Life is the object of the Eucharist, which is its food. A hunger for the Divine Life and “Goodness” is universal to all times and places, as prefigured in the Gospel, “Can anyone fill them in the wilderness” of life, where the mind hungers for Truth, the will and heart hunger for Love? At the altar of sacrifice God will not “allow the hopes of anyone to be in vain” (Secret). Only at the altar of the Sacrament are we really “filled” (Postcommunion).

Today is Feast of St. Alexis C., of the IV Century, who gave up the wealth of his family, returned surreptitiously to the family home where he was a servant and slept under the family home. Although not commemorated in the Mass today, using the 1960 rubrics, pray to the Saint for his assistance as we progress through difficult economic times.

The theme of Mass this Sunday is love of neighbour.

The Gospel should give us pause. Jesus tells us that hating our brother is equivalent to murder and put us in “danger of hell fire.” The advice Our Lord renders is that before we make an offering at the altar but remember that our brother has something against us, to “leave thy offering...and be reconciled” to him first before presenting our gift. Thus, if we wish that God “forsake me not” (Introit) love toward others must be shown. We ask God to help prepare us by pouring into our hearts “love toward Thee.”

St. Augustine, in discussing the Gospel reading, tells us that the Pharisees regarded perfection as not murdering anybody physically, which is a minimum morality. However, God desires perfection and Our Lord teaches that avoiding anger is perfection in that we avoid murdering somebody interiorly. Thus, if we think about it, Our Lord was subjected to the lies, hatred and open insults of the Sanhedrin who accused Him of blasphemy falsely and thus shared in murdering Jesus. St. Peter explains how we love our neighbour by refraining our “tongues from evil” and seeking after “peace” with our brother.

The Offertory tells of the joy that comes from having received “understanding” from God. The Secret asks that the gifts which we have brought before the altar be of benefit to all. The Communion hymn expresses our aspirations to “dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life” and that we may be “cleansed” from our “hidden faults” and delivered from “our enemies” (Postcommunion).
 
Although not commemorated, the 10th July is the feast of the Seven Brothers Mm, SS Rufina and Secunda Vv. Mm. St. Felicity’s seven sons were martyred in front of her eyes by order of Emperor Marcus Aurelius about 165. Sisters, SS Rufina and Secunda, died about a hundred years later at Rome by order of Emperors Valerian and Gallienus. In these dark days, these martyrs provide spiritual strength for us to uphold our Faith in testing times.

The Mass of this Sunday reflects the call of St. Peter as a fisher of men.

The Introit expresses our confidence in God to overcome enemies that oppose us. The Collect is a prayer that the course of the world may be ordered by the Lord and “joyfully serve Thee to quiet devotion.”

In the Epistle we ask for “deliverance” from corruption into the “liberty” enjoyed by a child of God. The Gradual continues the theme of asking for help from God lest the “Gentiles” ridicule our religion.

The Gospel teaches that Christ is the great Fisher of Men who relies upon the Apostles, priests and Bishops, for success. We are the fish drawn out of the water by the teaching of Christ from the sea of the world. In the Offertory we ask Jesus to “enlighten my eyes” and in the Secret entreat Him to “draw our rebellious wills” to Him. The Communion reflects the sentiment that the Lord is my “firmament...and ...refuge,” while the Postcommunion tells us that the Mass and Holy Sacrament of the Altar will “purify” our hearts and protect us.

3rd July is the Feast of St. Leo II Pp. C., who served the Church between 681-683 and called the Sixth Ecumenical Council which condemned the Monotheists who denied that Christ had a human will. Although not commemorated in the Mass, using the 1960 rubrics, pray to the holy Pope that our Church condemn the heretics of the day.