August 20, 2023 - One Bread, One Body
Pilgrims gather prior to the opening Mass for World Youth Day at Eduardo VII Park in Lisbon, Portugal, Aug. 1, 2023. (OSV News photo/Bob Roller)
August 20, Twentieth Sunday Ordinary Time
Cycle A Readings:
1) Isaiah 56:1, 6-7
Psalm 67:2-3, 5-6, 8
2) Romans 11:13-15, 29-32
Matthew 15:21-28
Is your catholic church catholic?
“My house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples.”—Isaiah 56:7
Is your church filled with members who are young and old, black and white, male and female, poor and rich, U.S. citizens and internationals? Many Catholic churches in the USA are filled with old, white, upper-middle class, American women. We thank God for these women. They are the precious remnant who are helping the church survive.
Nevertheless, where are the men and the young? We need these members of the body of Christ (see 1 Cor 12:21ff). We American Catholics formerly were the church of the poor, but now the poor might not feel welcome in most of our gatherings. We white folks desperately need our black brothers and sisters to teach us how to worship and pray. Moreover, if our traditionally immigrant American Catholic Church doesn’t embrace and evangelize the new immigrants from Vietnam, Korea, China, Mexico, Central America, Africa, and predominantly Muslim countries, are we truly catholic, that is, universal?
What can we do to be truly catholic? Break new ground. Invite Black, Asian, or Hispanic people over for supper. Sponsor a foreign student. Make your house a place where young people find Jesus. Live a more austere life in solidarity with the poor. Challenge a man to follow Jesus. Be Catholic in the true sense of the word.
Prayer: Father, may I help make my church representative of the Body of Christ.
Promise: “Woman, you have great faith! Your wish will come to pass.” —Mt 15:28
Praise: Praise the risen Jesus, the only Way to the Father! (Jn 14:6) Praise the risen Jesus, Who baptizes us in the Spirit! (Mk 1:8)
Rescript: In accord with the Code of Canon Law, I hereby grant the Imprimatur ("Permission to Publish") for One Bread, One Body covering the period from August 1, 2023, through September 30, 2023
†Most Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio January 4, 2023.
The Nihil Obstat ("Permission to Publish") is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have granted the Nihil Obstat agree with the contents, opinions, or statements expressed.