July 13, 2025
Discover the deeper meaning and connections found in this weeks' readings, through these great commentaries written by our priests.
Explore this weeks' readings and hear what God is saying to us through His Word.
Find out more about how we can mark this special day in our liturgy.
See our music recommendations for the liturgy.
Deuteronomy: 30:10-14
Colossians 1:15-20
Luke: 10:25-37
Deuteronomy: 30:10-14
As a student I recall reading a book by C S Lewis with the title Till We Have Faces. The significance of the title for me, and its content, suggested that intimacy and on going relationships were always enhanced by allowing our true face, and our true-self, to be uppermost in bringing about mutuality, friendship and respect.
In the book of Deuteronomy, this morning’s first reading, suggests that an authentic approach, and appreciation of God’s word is best understood as an intimate approach to our spiritual growth and an authentic sense of self - giving voice to commitments and prayer that emerge from within, rather than the rigidity of mechanical and legal prescriptions.
Moses shares with the people that this relationship …”is not beyond their reach…..no, the word is very near to you, it is in your mouth and in your heart for your observance.” - in other words, we receive this intimacy when we appear with our true face; and in Exodus chapter 33:11 we read “Yahweh would speak with Moses face to face, as a man speaks with his friend.”
Colossians 1:15-20
This reading affirms the approach of Deuteronomy and represents Christ as the intimacy of God the Father. Jesus Christ in his humanity is the image of the “unseen God”. As human beings our response is the most authentic when we can find our place in Christ, are presentation of our true face, a relationship characterised by confidence.
Luke 10:25-27
Luke outlines for us the greatest commandment and bed-rock of relationship when he responds to the lawyer “You must love the Lord your God with all of your heart, with all of your soul, with all of your strength, and with all of your mind, and your neighbour as yourself.” The consequence of this approach, says Jesus to the lawyer, and to us, is that if we do all of this, life will be ours, and our inner convictions will be authentic expressions of who we are - true daughters and sons of God.
Sometimes in life we might seem lost. It might be walking or driving to a new place. Maybe we lack a certain direction which our life is going in. Or maybe in our relationship with God and others it appears uncertain, and at times, we might be frankly lost. Thank goodness we have Satnavs on our phones or in our cars to show us the direction we need go to get to our final destination. We might have trusted friends or family members we can speak to when our life’s direction seems lost. In our relationship with God, although it might seem we are lost, God is always there. In today’s Collect we pray for God’s direction. God shows us the right path to take, to shows us the light of his truth. Even though we may go astray at times, God directs us to return to the right path. Sometimes in life we make wrong decisions, we go off the beaten path and reject what is contrary to the Beatitudes and the Commandments of Love of God and each other. But the merciful and loving God, whom we profess in faith and trust, gently guides us back on the right path. God’s grace goes before us, guides us, and brings us to our final destination. All we have to do is trust in the good Lord, for as today’s Communion Antiphon reminds us – “the sparrow finds a home, and the swallow a nest for her young: by your altars, O Lord of hosts, my King and my God. Blessed are they who dwell in your house, for ever singing your praise.” During the celebration of the liturgy, and in our reception of the Eucharist, Christ abides in us and we abide in him. He gives us meaning and direction in life. “Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remain in me and I in him, says the Lord.”
Note: These hymns have been chosen from different sources.
Lord thy word abideth (CFE390, L977, LHON454, TCH241)
Thou whose almighty Word (CFE738, L887, LHON689, TCH269)
A new commandment I give unto you (CFE4, L920, LHON133)
Will you let me be your servant (The Servant Song) (CFE813, L924)
Key
CFE - Celebration Hymnal for Everyone
L – Laudate
LHON – Liturgical Hymns Old and New (Mayhew, 1999)
TCH – The Catholic Hymnbook (Gracewing)
Do you have questions about the liturgy and how we are called to participate in it? Explore how the Church councils, saints, and popes have answered this key question and many more.
Every movement of the Mass is rich in meaning but we can become over familiar with it. Rediscover the Mass and explore how it relates to the Exodus story, where many of its rituals come from, and how it makes Jesus present to us today.
