18th Sunday in Ordinary Time (August 1, 2021)

We pro-life Catholics often “grumble” that our country is becoming increasingly secularized, that the Church has failed to offer courageous leadership, and how the modern family and culture is being redefined in outlandish ways.
There is, of course, much to “grumble” about, but today’s readings encourage us to focus not on our discontent, but on God’s fidelity to a very broken people.
God brings us to a new type of freedom by demanding a new type of submission, a freedom where He alone wants to be God.
Do we offer every part of our lives to Him, both on the natural and supernatural planes? Or do we constantly rebel or “grumble” against such surrender?
Ask yourself: Do you live in and for the world? Do you portray wisdom in your financial managements; or in what you eat and drink; or the jokes you tell; or the words you use; or the websites you visit; or the shows you watch; or in the number of children in your family; or in your prayer regimen?

In thanksgiving for the Bread of Life, which makes us the People of Life, who proclaim and build the Culture of Life, we pray to the Lord...