Optional Memorial of the Dedication of the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome
August 5, 2024
First Reading: Jeremiah 28:1-17
1 In that same year, at the beginning of the reign of Zedeki’ah king of Judah, in the fifth month of the fourth year, Hanani’ah the son of Azzur, the prophet from Gibeon, spoke to me in the house of the LORD, in the presence of the priests and all the people, saying, 2 “Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: I have broken the yoke of the king of Babylon. 3 Within two years I will bring back to this place all the vessels of the LORD’s house, which Nebuchadnez’zar king of Babylon took away from this place and carried to Babylon. 4 I will also bring back to this place Jeconi’ah the son of Jehoi’akim, king of Judah, and all the exiles from Judah who went to Babylon, says the LORD, for I will break the yoke of the king of Babylon.” 5 Then the prophet Jeremiah spoke to Hanani’ah the prophet in the presence of the priests and all the people who were standing in the house of the LORD; 6 and the prophet Jeremiah said, “Amen! May the LORD do so; may the LORD make the words which you have prophesied come true, and bring back to this place from Babylon the vessels of the house of the LORD, and all the exiles. 7 Yet hear now this word which I speak in your hearing and in the hearing of all the people. 8 The prophets who preceded you and me from ancient times prophesied war, famine, and pestilence against many countries and great kingdoms. 9 As for the prophet who prophesies peace, when the word of that prophet comes to pass, then it will be known that the LORD has truly sent the prophet.” 10 Then the prophet Hanani’ah took the yoke-bars from the neck of Jeremiah the prophet, and broke them. 11 And Hanani’ah spoke in the presence of all the people, saying, “Thus says the LORD: Even so will I break the yoke of Nebuchadnez’zar king of Babylon from the neck of all the nations within two years.” But Jeremiah the prophet went his way. 12 Sometime after the prophet Hanani’ah had broken the yoke-bars from off the neck of Jeremiah the prophet, the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah: 13 “Go, tell Hanani’ah, `Thus says the LORD: You have broken wooden bars, but I will make in their place bars of iron. 14 For thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: I have put upon the neck of all these nations an iron yoke of servitude to Nebuchadnez’zar king of Babylon, and they shall serve him, for I have given to him even the beasts of the field.'” 15 And Jeremiah the prophet said to the prophet Hanani’ah, “Listen, Hanani’ah, the LORD has not sent you, and you have made this people trust in a lie. 16 Therefore thus says the LORD: `Behold, I will remove you from the face of the earth. This very year you shall die, because you have uttered rebellion against the LORD.'” 17 In that same year, in the seventh month, the prophet Hanani’ah died.
Psalm: 119:29, 43, 79-80, 95, 102
29 Put false ways far from me; and graciously teach me thy law! 43 And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth, for my hope is in thy ordinances. 79 Let those who fear thee turn to me, that they may know thy testimonies. 80 May my heart be blameless in thy statutes, that I may not be put to shame! 95 The wicked lie in wait to destroy me; but I consider thy testimonies. 102 I do not turn aside from thy ordinances, for thou hast taught me.
13 Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a lonely place apart. But when the crowds heard it, they followed him on foot from the towns. 14 As he went ashore he saw a great throng; and he had compassion on them, and healed their sick. 15 When it was evening, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a lonely place, and the day is now over; send the crowds away to go into the villages and buy food for themselves.” 16 Jesus said, “They need not go away; you give them something to eat.” 17 They said to him, “We have only five loaves here and two fish.” 18 And he said, “Bring them here to me.” 19 Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass; and taking the five loaves and the two fish he looked up to heaven, and blessed, and broke and gave the loaves to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. 20 And they all ate and were satisfied. And they took up twelve baskets full of the broken pieces left over. 21 And those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children.
Reflection of the Day: “Please God I will give my life for the holy union, for the supremacy of Peter and of the Holy Father, his successor… Lord, grant me the grace to shed my blood for the unity of the church and in behalf of obedience to the Holy See.” — St. Josaphat
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