July 15, 2007: Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

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July 15, 2007: Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
July 14, 2007

My Prayer Box
the Newsletter of My Catholic Tradition

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A Time for Reflection

When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and could say, "I used everything you gave me." -Erma Bombeck

David
King of Israel
(2 Samuel 12 - 15)

Introduction

The next morning David writes a letter to Joab which he sends by Uriah. In that letter he orders Joab to place Uriah up front, where the fighting is fierce, so he might be struck down dead. So when Joab attacks the city, he assigns Uriah to a place where the defenders are strong. When the men of the city attack Joab, some officers of David's army fall, and among them Uriah

Joab then sends the report of the battle to David including news that some of his men died, which included Uriah. Then David sends a message back to Joab to attack the city and destroy it.

When the wife of Uriah hears that her husband had died, she goes into mourning. But once mourning is over, David sends for her and brings her into his house. She becomes his wife and bears him a son. But the LORD is displeased with what David had done.

The LORD Rebukes David

The LORD sends Nathan to David who then asks David to judge a case for him. Nathan relates to David that in a certain town there were two men, one rich, the other poor. The rich man had flocks and herds in great numbers. But the poor man had nothing at all except one little ewe lamb that he had bought. He nourished her, and she grew up with him and his children. She shared the little food he had and drank from his cup and slept in his bosom. She was like a daughter to him.

Now, the rich man received a visitor, but he would not take from his own flocks and herds to prepare a meal for the wayfarer who had come to him. Instead he took the poor man's ewe lamb and made a meal of it for his visitor.

David grows very angry with that man and says to Nathan that as the LORD lives, the man who has done this merits death. David judges that the man shall restore the ewe lamb fourfold because he has done this and has had no pity.

Then Nathan says to David that he is that man! Nathan recounts all the good that the LORD has done for David, and yet he has chosen to spurn him and done evil in his sight, by planning and causing the death of Uriah just so he can have his wife as his own.

A Son Dies

Nathan tells David that the LORD is so angry with David that He has threatened to cause evil upon his house. The LORD has also threatened to take David’s wives while he lives to see it, and to give them to his neighbor who shall lie with his wives in broad daylight.

With this rebuke David comes to realize the evil he has done and repents, saying to Nathan that he has sinned against the LORD. Nathan tells David that the LORD on his part has forgiven his sin, and that David will not die, but since he has utterly spurned the LORD by this deed, the child born to him must surely die.

Then Nathan returns to his house. The LORD strikes the child that the wife of Uriah had borne to David becoming desperately ill. David prays to God for the child and fasts, retiring for the night only to lie on the ground clothed in sackcloth. No one is able to convince him get up from the ground and eat.

On the seventh day, the child dies but his servants do not tell David for fear of his reaction. But David notices his servants whispering among themselves and realizes that the child is dead.

A Son Is Born

Rising from the ground, David washes, anoints himself, and changes his clothes. Then he goes to the house of the LORD and worships. He returns to his own house, where at his request food is set before him, and he eats. When asked why now that the child is dead, David answers them that while the child was living, he fasted and wept, thinking that perhaps the LORD will grant him the child's life. But now he is dead he knows he cannot bring the child back to life.

Then David comforts his wife Bathsheba. He goes and sleeps with her; and she conceives and bears him a son, who is named Solomon. The LORD loves him and sends the prophet Nathan to name him Jedidiah, on behalf of the LORD.

The Ammonites are Punished

Joab fights against Rabbah of the Ammonites and captures this royal city. Then he sends messengers to David with the word that he has taken the water-city. He also tells David to assemble the rest of the soldiers, and join the siege against the city and capture it so credit will be given to David instead.

So David assembles the rest of the soldiers and goes to Rabbah where he fights against it and captures it. He takes great booty from the captured city, including the crown of the king, which is made of gold and precious stones. This he places on his head.

He also leads away the inhabitants, whom he assigns to work with saws, iron picks, and iron axes, or put to work at the brickmold. Then David and all the soldiers return to Jerusalem.

Absalom and Tamar

Some time later David's son Amnon, solicits advice from his friend about David's son Absalom’s beautiful sister named Tamar, whom he loves dearly. His friend conceives of a plan for Amnon to feign sickness and ask the king to send Tamar to prepare food for him.

So he feigns sickness and when the king visits him he asks the king to send for Tamar to prepare him food. When Tamar arrives, she prepares food for him. When the food is ready he sends everyone away and then attacks Tamar. Despite her pleas, he rapes and shames her. After that deed, Amnon sends her away.

When her brother Absalom learns of this he tells her sister not to take it to heart because Amnon is her brother. But Tamar remains grief-stricken and forlorn.

When King David gets word of what Amnon did he becomes very angry. However he does not do anything to Amnon because he is his first-born. Absalom, moreover, says nothing at all to Amnon, although he hates him for having shamed his sister Tamar.

After a period of two years, Absalom has shearers in Baalhazor near Ephraim, he prepares a banquet fit for royalty. He invites all the princes and goes to the

king to invite him and his court to join them. The king refuses but consents to send Amnon instead.

Absalom's Revenge

Then Absalom instructs his servants to watch Amnon and when he gets drunk to kill him. When the servants do to Amnon as Absalom had commanded, all the other princes rise, mount their mules, and flee. While they are still on the road, a report reaches David that Absalom had killed all the princes and that not one of them had survived. At this this king and his servants mourn.

But later Jonadab, son of David's brother Shimeah, speaks up and tells the king that only Amnon is dead for shaming Tamar.

Meanwhile, Absalom takes flight goes to Talmai, son of Ammihud, king of Geshur, and stays there for three years. The king continues during all that time to mourn over his son; but eventually he reconciles with the death of Amnon and reaches out for Absalom.

When Joab sees how the king feels toward Absalom, he sends for a gifted woman of Tekoa. He instructs her pretend to be in mourning for a departed one and appear before the king in mourning apparel. Joab instructs her on exactly what to say.

So the woman of Tekoa goes to the king, falls to the ground in homage, and asks the king for help. She explains that she is a widow with two sons who fought each other. During this fight, one killed the other and the whole clan has demanded that she give up the one who killed the other so he can be put to death. She continues that her surviving son is the only remaining hope to keep her husband’s name or posterity upon the earth.

King David tells her to go home and he will issue a command on her behalf with assurances that her son will not be harmed.

David Forgives Absalom
But the woman continues and asks why then the king has not brought back his own banished son. Then the king asks in turn if Joab had anything to do what she has told her. She says Joab is indeed involved in this request in a round about way. And the king tells Joab to bring back Absalom, but Absalom must stay in his own house and not appear before the king.

Absalom is known for his beauty and is without blemish from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head. Each year he shaves his head because his hair becomes too heavy for him – weighing two hundred shekels according to the royal standard. Absalom has three sons and a daughter named Tamar, who is a beautiful woman. He lives in Jerusalem for two years without appearing before the king.

One day he summons Joab to send him before the king but Joab refuses to come. Absalom summons Joab a second time, but again he refuses to appear. So Absalom instructs his servants to burn Joab’s field, which borders his own.

And when Absalom's servants set the field on fire, Joab's farmhands report to him what had been done. At this, Joab goes to Absalom in his house and asks why his servants set his field on fire.

Absalom answers Joab that he has been calling for him so he can petition the king. Absalom asks that if indeed does not want to see him because he is guilty, then let the king put him to death. Joab then goes to the king and reports this. The king then calls Absalom, who comes to him and in homage falls on his face to the ground before the king. Then the king kisses him.

Absalom's Conspiracy
After this Absalom provides himself with chariots, horses, and fifty henchmen. Moreover, Absalom rises early and stands alongside the road leading to the gate. If someone has a lawsuit to be decided by the king, Absalom would tell him that there is no one to hear him in the king's name. Then he tells then that he should be appointed judge in the land so he would render justice to everyone who has a lawsuit to be decided.

Further, whenever a man approaches him to show homage, he extends his hand, hold him, and kiss him. By behaving in this way toward all the Israelites who comes to the king for judgment, Absalom steals away the loyalties of the men of Israel.

After a period of four years, Absalom asks the king to allow him visit Hebron and fulfill a vow he made to the LORD. The king wishes him a safe journey, and Absalom goes off to Hebron.

After that he sends spies throughout the tribes of Israel to say to declare him king in Hebron when they hear the sound of the horn. He also invites under false pretenses two hundred men to accompany him from Jerusalem. They have no idea what Absalom is planning.

Absalom then sends to Ahithophel the Gilonite, David's counselor, an invitation to come from his town, Giloh, for the sacrifices he is about to offer. So the conspiracy gains strength, and the people with Absalom increases in numbers.

King David Flees from Jerusalem
However, an informant comes to David with the report that the Israelites have transferred their loyalty to Absalom. At this, David tells all his servants who were with him in Jerusalem to prepare to leave before Absalom comes to destroy all of them.

So David leaves Jerusalem and his household, with his generals and army who remain loyal to him, except for ten concubines to take care of the palace.

To Zadok, with all the Levite bearers of the ark of the covenant of God, and Abiathar the king gives orders to take the ark of God back to the city. Then he says that if the king finds favor with the LORD, he will bring him back and permit him to see it and its lodging.

The king also says to the priest Zadok to see to it that he and Abiathar return to the city in peace, and both his sons with him, your own son Ahimaaz, and Abiathar's son Jonathan. He tells Zadok that he shall be waiting at the fords near the desert until he receives information from him. So Zadok and Abiathar take the ark of God back to Jerusalem and remain there.

As David goes up the Mount of Olives, he weeps without ceasing, and with his head covered, and he walks barefoot. All those who are with him also had their heads covered and are weeping as they go.

When David is informed that Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom, he petitions the LORD to turn the counsel of Ahithophel to folly.

When David reaches the top of Mount Olive, where men used to worship God, he meets Hushai the Archite, with rent garments and dirt upon his head. David then tells him to return to the city and tell Absalom that he has switched loyalty to him. He also tells Hushai he has the priests Zadok and Abiathar there with him in the city. Then the king continues that if he hears anything from the royal palace, to report that information to the priests Zadok and Abiathar, whom will in turn send the report to the king.

So David's friend Hushai goes into the city of Jerusalem as Absalom is about to enter it.

To be continued...

For further reading on the heroes of the Old Testament:

I & II Samuel: A Commentary (Old Testament Library)
First sentence in the book:
""THE BOOKS OF SAMUEL contain that part of the history of Israel which describes the foundation of the State, running from the close of the period of the Judges to the establishment of the united kingdom."

The Sunday Readings

July 15, 2007: Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

First Reading From the Book of Deuteronomy:

Dt 30:10-14

Moses said to the people:
“If only you would heed the voice of the LORD, your God, and keep his commandments and statutes that are written in this book of the law, when you return to the LORD, your God,
with all your heart and all your soul.

“For this command that I enjoin on you today is not too mysterious and remote for you. It is not up in the sky, that you should say, ‘Who will go up in the sky to get it for us and tell us of it, that we may carry it out?’

Nor is it across the sea, that you should say, ‘Who will cross the sea to get it for us and tell us of it, that we may carry it out?’

No, it is something very near to you, already in your mouths and in your hearts; you have only to carry it out.”

Responsorial From the Book of Psalms:

Ps 69:14, 17, 30-31, 33-34, 36, 37

R. Turn to the Lord in your need, and you will live.

I pray to you, O LORD, for the time of your favor, O God!
In your great kindness answer me with your constant help.
Answer me, O LORD, for bounteous is your kindness:
in your great mercy turn toward me.
R. Turn to the Lord in your need, and you will live.

I am afflicted and in pain;
let your saving help, O God, protect me.
I will praise the name of God in song,
and I will glorify him with thanksgiving.
R. Turn to the Lord in your need, and you will live.

“See, you lowly ones, and be glad;
you who seek God, may your hearts revive!
For the LORD hears the poor,
and his own who are in bonds he spurns not.”
R. Turn to the Lord in your need, and you will live.

For God will save Zion
and rebuild the cities of Judah.
The descendants of his servants shall inherit it,
and those who love his name shall inhabit it.
R. Turn to the Lord in your need, and you will live.

Ps 19:8, 9, 10, 11

R. Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.

The law of the LORD is perfect,
refreshing the soul;
the decree of the LORD is trustworthy,
giving wisdom to the simple.
R. Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.

The precepts of the LORD are right,
rejoicing the heart;
the command of the LORD is clear,
enlightening the eye.
R. Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.

The fear of the LORD is pure,
enduring forever;
the ordinances of the LORD are true,
all of them just.
R. Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.

They are more precious than gold,
than a heap of purest gold;
sweeter also than syrup
or honey from the comb.
R. Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.

Second Reading from the Letter to the Colossians

Col 1:15-20

Christ Jesus is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.

For in him were created all things in heaven and on earth, the visible and the invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers; all things were created through him and for him.

He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.
He is the head of the body, the church.
He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things he himself might be preeminent.

For in him all the fullness was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile all things for him, making peace by the blood of his cross through him, whether those on earth or those in heaven.

Reading From the Gospel of Luke:

Lk 10:25-37

There was a scholar of the law who stood up to test him and said,
“Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”

Jesus said to him, “What is written in the law? How do you read it?”

He said in reply,
You shall love the Lord, your God,
with all your heart,
with all your being,
with all your strength,
and with all your mind,
and your neighbor as yourself.”

He replied to him, “You have answered correctly; do this and you will live.”

But because he wished to justify himself, he said to Jesus,
“And who is my neighbor?”

Jesus replied,
“A man fell victim to robbers as he went down from Jerusalem to Jericho. They stripped and beat him and went off leaving him half-dead.

A priest happened to be going down that road, but when he saw him, he passed by on the opposite side.

Likewise a Levite came to the place, and when he saw him, he passed by on the opposite side.

But a Samaritan traveler who came upon him was moved with compassion at the sight. He approached the victim, poured oil and wine over his wounds and bandaged them.

Then he lifted him up on his own animal, took him to an inn, and cared for him. The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper with the instruction,
‘Take care of him. If you spend more than what I have given you, I shall repay you on my way back.’

Which of these three, in your opinion, was neighbor to the robbers’ victim?”

He answered, “The one who treated him with mercy.”

Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”

References

Read more about the Liturgical Year

	The Origins of the Liturgical Year (Pueblo Books) by Thomas J. Talley (Author) The Rev. Dr. Thomas J. Talley, Professor of Liturgics at the General Theological Seminary in New York, is one of the leading liturgists in the country. He gives us a fresh examination of the complex history of the Liturgical Year.

	The Cultural World of Jesus: Sunday by Sunday, Cycle C. (Bestseller! the Cultural World of Jesus: Sunday by Sunday) by John J. Pilch (Author) Reader Review: The book by Pilch provides those who not only fill the pulpits across this country but also all interested in the cultural world in which Jesus lived with a lot of pertinent information that sheds light on a lot of areas that have been "muddled" in the past. Yes, I highly recommend this book. - James Mauldin

Learn more and read the Old Testament.
	Preaching from the Old Testament by Elizabeth Achtemeier (Author) Reader Review: The author of these thirty-two short chapters begins and ends with the assumption that problems we experience with the Old Testament are our problem, not the Bible's. This subordinating of the Bible reader to the well-weathered book he holds in his hand opens doors, not to forced harmonisations of problematic passages, but to fresh reappraisal of difficult texts on their own terms. - David A. Baer

	The Navarre Bible: Pentateuch (The Navarre Bible: Old Testament) This volume helps you make the first five books of the Old Testament a vital part of your spiritual reading and practical growth in the Christian life. It contains the full English and Latin texts of these books, along with extensive and faithfully Catholic commentaries. Like other volumes in the world-renowned Navarre Bible series, these commentaries draw on Church documents, the exegesis of Fathers and
Doctors of the Church, and the works of contemporary spiritual writers — particularly St. Josemaría Escrivá, who initiated the Navarre Bible project.

Comments and Suggestions are Most Welcome.

If you have any comments or contributions, please use the form in this link.

Omega-3

What We Need to Know

(From my doctor's pamphlet)

What are Omega-3 Fats?
Consider omega-3 fats one of the good, or healthy, fats. Omega-3 fats are found in two sizes and types. The long omega-3 fats are eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), which are found mostly in oily fish.
The short omega-3 fats are alphalinolenic acid (LNA) and are found mostly in plant-based foods, such as soy products, canola oil and flaxseeds. The plant-based sources of omega-3 fats don’t have as much impact on heart health as the ones in oily fish, but are still worth eating.

How Do Omega-3 Fats Keep Our Heart Healthy?
Experts don’t completely know how omega-3 fats work. However, the American Heart Association (AHA) believes that there is now enough research to recommend that some people who have heart disease and others who are at risk for heart disease get more omega-3 fats.

How Much Omega-3 Fat Should I Get?
The amount of omega-3 fats you should get depends on your age, situation in life (extra caution should be taken with children and women who are pregnant and breast feeding because of the possible extra mercury they may get from eating more fish) and your risk for or presence of heart
Common Sources of Omega-3 (oily fish)

Salmon in all its forms: fresh, smoked, pickled and canned (cooked wild Atlantic = 1,850 mg)

Mackerel (Atlantic, cooked = 1,100 mg)

Lake trout

Albacore tuna (white canned in water = 730 mg)

Herring (pickled = 414 mg)

Anchovies

Benefits of Omega-3

Decrease the incidence of an irregular heart beat, which can lead to sudden death from a heart attack or stroke.

Prevent blood clots from forming and prevent these blood clots from sticking to artery walls. This helps prevent heart attack and stroke.

Decrease triglyceride levels in people whose levels are elevated.

Reduce buildup of plaque on artery walls, which slows down the narrowing of the heart’s arteries.

improve health of arteries

lower blood pressure slightly

Recipes

Hummus
Ingredients SERVES FOUR TO SIX 14 oz can chickpeas, drained 4 tbsp tahini (sesame seed paste) 2—3 garlic cloves, chopped Juice of 1/2 — 1 lemon 2 red bell peppers (optional) 1 tbsp pine nuts pinch each of paprika and cumin 1 tsp olive oil Click here for a Printer Friendly Version

Bow-tie Pasta with Tuna
Ingredients SERVES FOUR 3 1/2 cups dried farfalle 2 1/2 cups tomato sauce 6 oz can tuna in olive oil 8—10 pitted black olives, cut into rings Herbs, such as basil, marjoram or oregano for garnishing Click here for a Printer Friendly Version

Crème Caramel Custard (or Flan)
Using a bain-marie or as here in a roasting pan with water, cooks the mixture gently and prevents the eggs from becoming tough or curdling. Ingredients SERVES SIX TO EIGHT 1 1/4 cups vanilla sugar 5 large (US extra large) eggs, plus 2 extra yolks 2 cups double (heavy) cream Click here for a Printer Friendly Version

The Crucifix

The Crucifix
A Jewish couple has a son who is a holy terror. When he gets to be of age, he's kicked out of every school they put him in. Finally desperate, the father goes to the Rabbi for advice and the Rabbi says put him in the Catholic school. Shocked, the father asks if the Rabbi sure. "Yes" is the reply, so the father takes him to the nuns and leaves.

An hour goes by, then two hours, lunch time and finally at three the son comes in says "Good afternoon Papa, good afternoon Mama," goes to the table and starts on his homework. The father is amazed and finally ask why he stayed in school all day and why he is behaving so well. His son looks up and says "Papa when you left, the Mother Superior told me that they did not allow rowdy boys, then she took me to my room. Papa they mean business! They've got a Jew nailed on a Cross in every room!"