July 8, 2025
A reading from
the holy Gospel according to Matthew 9:32-38
Ademoniac who could not speak was brought to Jesus, and when the demon was driven out the mute man spoke. The crowds were amazed and said, “Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel.” But the Pharisees said, “He drives out demons by the prince of demons.”
Jesus went around to all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the Gospel of the Kingdom, and curing every disease and illness. At the sight of the crowds, his heart was moved with pity for them because they were troubled and abandoned, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
July 8, 2025
Saint Who?
Saints Who Championed the Eucharist
Saint Norbert of Xanten
Bishop and founder († 1134) Feast: June 6
Norbert was born in the Netherlands into a noble family, and he had grand plans for his life. He accepted ordination as a subdeacon solely so that he could live comfortably, and he eventually became a courtier of the emperor. But his life of pleasure-seeking was rudely interrupted when he was thrown from his horse during a thunderstorm. When he woke up an hour later, Norbert was a changed man.
He first devoted himself to penance to atone for his past sins, and then he became an itinerant preacher. As he traveled, he became aware of the need for reform within the Church, so he founded the Canons Regular of Prémontré, which became known for its austere way of life and effectiveness in evangelization.
When a Belgian preacher named Tanchelm began denying the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist, Norbert publicly explained what was wrong with Tanchelm’s arguments and then pointed out the Church’s true teaching about the Eucharist. In 1126, he was named the archbishop of Magdeburg, Germany. As he began to enforce Church discipline among his clergy, he met with serious resistance and even a few assassination attempts. He also continued his battle against the heresy spread by Tanchelm by promoting Eucharistic devotions among his flock. After his death, miracles occurred at his tomb.
Holy Spirit, give us the wisdom to discern truth from falsehood and explain the difference to others.
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©Image : Christ on the Lake of Galilee, Jacopo Tintoretto (circle, 1518-1594), NGA, Washington D.C., USA. Photo Courtesy NGA Washington.
