When Jesus answers the apostles’ question about why he speaks in parables, it may seem as if he is using them to confuse people. We know he is trying to spread the good news of God’s kingdom. So, he talks to the crowds in parables, easily understood stories that usually have a moral or that end with a question for the hearers. He uses these stories to teach the crowd.
Jesus threw out parables like a farmer sowing seeds. Some of them fell on the ears of those who would be disciples. But most fell on the ears of people who were not ready to understand. So how do we receive his word? Do we hear it without understanding, letting it go in one ear and out the other? Do we hear it joyfully, but then forget it when troubles or difficulties come along? Do we listen to the word but ignore it in the face of some later temptation?
If we want the word to grow strong in us, we can take steps to help ourselves understand it. We can come to church early and spend a few minutes with the readings before Mass. After Mass we can talk about the readings or the homily with our family over breakfast. We can pick out one practical point to practice that week.
Keeping the word in difficult times is not easy. The cross teaches us to expect troubles, but we must endure them to really learn that we can go through suffering to a new life. To be strong enough to resist temptations, we must decide each day that we want to follow Jesus’ word. We can pray for that strength and ask God to help us remember that word when temptations come. And we can decide to stay away from the places, people, or situations that so tempt us.
God’s word can be likened to a ball game. We can sit back and watch, not really involved or caring who wins. Or we can jump in and participate and make the game ours. Let us ask God how we can take the word and run with it.
-Tom Schmidt, Diocesan Publications

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July 14th – SAINT KATERI TEKAKWITHA (1656-1680)
Though the New York State Thruway runs close by the North American Martyrs’ Shrine, traffic’s roar never pierces the peace enveloping Auriesville in the lovely Mohawk Valley, where Kateri Tekakwitha was born barely ten years after the martyrdom of Isaac Jogues and his Jesuit and lay companions. Daughter of a Christian Algonquin mother and non-Christian Mohawk chief, Kateri’s parents died in a smallpox epidemic widely blamed on the missionaries. Moreover, many Native Americans had experienced exploitation at the hands of “Christian” traders and trappers, further discrediting the faith Kateri embraced in baptism, then pledged to live even more intensely in vowed virginity. Misunderstanding led to harassment, prompting her move to a Christian village farther north along the Saint Lawrence River. Despite this, Kateri’s faith remained undaunted, her selfless charity undiminished. Both before and after her death at twenty-four, this young “Lily of the Mohawks” drew countless converts to Christ by the fragrance of her goodness. Through us, does “the aroma of Christ” (2 Corinthians 2:15), attract others to the beauty of his gospel?
—Peter Scagnelli, DIocesan Publications

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July 16th – OUR LADY OF MOUNT CARMEL
Today’s feast dates back to the 14th century, when it was instituted by the Carmelite order in celebration of the pope’s approval of its name and constitutions. It is celebrated on July 16th because Carmelite tradition states that Our Lady appeared to Simon Stock and gave him the scapular on that day. Hermits lived on Mount Carmel in northern Israel in the 12th century and by the 13th century they became known as the “Brothers of Our Lady of Mount Carmel.” The Carmelites have a long-standing reputation for being especially devoted to Mary and have promoted devotion to her throughout the centuries. Saint Teresa of Avila even called them “the Order of the Virgin”. The scapular they wear, and invite all of us to wear as well, symbolizes her special protection and calls us to prayer and penance. Now this feast is celebrated all over the world, from Spain to Peru and beyond. Our Lady lovingly covers us with her mantle of protection and calls us into a deeper relationship with Our Lord. Let us answer that call today.
—Tami Urcia, Diocesan Publications