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The BreadCast


Daily Exposition of the Readings for Catholic Mass...

as well as Prayers to the Saints on the General Roman Calendar (for the U.S.).  

From the books Our Daily Bread and Prayers to the Saints by James H. Kurt - both with imprimatur.

Jul 27, 2023

(Ex.20:1-17;   Ps.19:8-11,Jn.6:69;   Mt.13:18-23)

 

“What was sown on good soil

is the man who hears the message and takes it in.”

 

“The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul…  The command of the Lord is clear, enlightening the eye…  More precious than gold” and “sweeter also than syrup or honey from the comb” is the word of God.  How beautifully our psalm speaks of the words of everlasting life which issue forth from the mouth of God, the Law of the Lord embodied in Christ Jesus.  And those who follow the command of God shall bear a mighty yield, for “the fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever.” 

In our first reading we find the great Law written on stone, our Ten Commandments – the blessed guide of man’s walk through this world of sin.  They give light to our steps, teaching us ever the way we should go.  But great as these words are and necessary as they may be to keep our steps from faltering, to prevent our eye from entering darkness, so much greater is He who sums them up and brings them to completion in His flesh and blood.  The love of God and neighbor commanded so clearly to Moses on Mount Sinai here shines in a light beyond our human comprehension.  Indeed, to hear its call, to become good soil, we must be made as He is, walking in the grace of divine perfection.  Only then will the Word which stirs our souls – in whose light we long to cleanse our hearts and by which we hope to enter God’s reign – only through the intercession of Jesus the Son of God, the eternal Word of the Father, will we come to know the realization of the call of God to His children, rendered in His commands.

Thirst for the Word, brothers and sisters.  Our souls must indeed have a deep hunger for His presence, for the light that comes only by following Him.  Our worship must not be in vain, and we must not be distracted by the allure of this world.  Standing fast through any suffering, we must take in deeply the Word spoken to our hearts, ever making greater place for Jesus in our lives.  We must put flesh to the words of everlasting life, we must be as the Law walking the face of the earth – we must be as our Savior, Jesus Christ.  Then it is we shall know His blessing; then we shall labor with Him and yield a great harvest.  Then we shall share in the sweetness of the glory of Him who commands us to walk rightly by His side.

Today let us rejoice in the Lord and in His Law; let us find the light it brings and become children of that light.  With Jesus and all His saints in heaven let us hear the Word whispered deeply in our spirits and become doers of that word of God.  Then we shall bear fruit unto eternal life.

 

*******

O LORD, let nothing take us from you;

in your Word let us make our home.

YHWH, let us hear and heed your commands, for you have the words of everlasting life and by your instruction we are saved and produce fruit in your holy NAME.

To Moses you gave your Law, O LORD, that we might remember to love you always and so to love our fellow man.  In this is our joy, you know, dear God, and so you lead us on right paths that we might be blessed by you.

And your Son you send to speak clearly to our souls of the way which leads to life.  Of the dangers He tells us, LORD, that we might not be separated from the light of your face.  If it is your Word we desire, we shall be enlightened and walk with Him along the way of perfection.

Let us not lose your grace and blessing, LORD, but prepare good soil to receive your Word, that we might grow ever unto Heaven and become a fragrant offering to you.