25 Jul 24 – The French Revolution and the Carmelite Martyrs

Today's Topics: 1) Gospel - Mt 20:20-28 - The mother of the sons of Zebedee approached Jesus with her sons and did Him homage, wishing to ask Him for something. He said to her, "What do you wish?" She answered Him, "Command that these two sons of mine sit, one at Your right and the other at Your left, in your Kingdom." Jesus said in reply, "You do not know what you are asking. Can you drink the chalice that I am going to drink?" They said to Him, "We can." He replied, "My chalice you will indeed drink, but to sit at My right and at My left, this is not Mine to give but is for those for whom it has been prepared by My Father." When the ten heard this, they became indignant at the two brothers. But Jesus summoned them and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and the great ones make their authority over them felt. But it shall not be so among you. Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you shall be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave. Just so, the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give His Life as a ransom for many." Feast of Saint James, Apostle Saint James, pray for us! Bishop Sheen quote of the day 2, 3, 4) Jonathan O'Brien on his new book: Called to Compiègne (TAN Publishers), the story of 16 Carmelite Nuns who would not be cowed by the terror of the French Revolution and were martyred for their faith