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GETTING READY FOR MASS JULY 4-5

Updated: Jul 18, 2020

Mass times for Saturday, July 4 and Sunday, July 5, 2020

  • Saturday at 5:00 pm (inside)

  • Sunday at 9:00 am (inside)

  • Sunday at 11:00 am (inside)


PART 1: THE LITURGY OF THE WORD


Scripture Readings at Mass Sunday, July 5, 2020

  • First Reading: Zecheriah 9:9-10

  • Second Reading: Romans 8:9, 11-13

  • Gospel: Matthew 11:25-30


What to listen for in the first reading

The first reading is from the Prophet Zechariah. It was written somewhere around 520 B.C. Through the words of Zechariah, God wants His Chosen People to have hope, as they have just been saved from slavery while in exile in Babylon. God is giving them hope. Listen to the first reading and see if you can hear this.

What to listen for in the second reading

The second reading is from Saint Paul as he writes to Christians in Rome. Paul probably wrote this Letter to the Romans in the winter of A.D. 57 on his third missionary journey. Paul had several aims in mind when he wrote this letter. He hoped to resolve a problem in the community that was driving a wedge between Jewish converts and the pagan (Gentile) converts. The Jewish Christians saw themselves as special because of they were Jewish, part of the nation of Israel that was God’s “chosen people”. The Gentile Christians also struggled with pride; for it seems they viewed themselves as Israel’s replacement as the “new people of God”. Saint Paul is speaking to them about the fact that we’re all called to holiness. Listen to the second reading and see if you can hear this.


What to listen for in the Gospel

Today’s Gospel comes from the very end chapter 11 of the Gospel of Matthew. In Chapter 12 Jesus will confront the controversies regarding the spiritual significance of the Sabbath (Matthew 12:1-14). While the Old Covenant celebration of the Sabbath centered on earthly rest from earthly labor (see Exodus 20:811), Jesus offers heavenly rest in the New Covenant. Today’s reading from the end chapter 11 is cuing up his teaching in chapter 12. Jesus is speaking to the heavy burdens that Jewish leaders placed on people. Ask yourself: where does life feel heavy? Why?


This weekend's homily in one sentence

What would it be like if your life were easier?


“A yoke is a heavy wooden beam laid across the shoulders and fastened around the neck of a team of animals, usually oxen, and tied by rope or straps. The yoke enabled the team of animals to pull a plow or a cart. Yokes were also used on slaves and prisoners. Metaphorically, the yoke was used both positively and negatively as a symbol of servitude. Thus Paul spoke of the ‘yoke’ of slavery (Galatians 5:1). Israel broke the ‘yoke’ of the Lord in refusing to abide by the Law (Jeremiah 2:20), and Peter speaks of the ‘yoke’ of the Law—that is, the ceremonial laws of Israel—as a burden even the Jews had not been able to bear (Acts 15:10). In contrast, it is no great burden [with] Christ: ‘My yoke is easy, and my burden light’ (Matthew 11:30).” — Catholic Bible Dictionary, page 967


PART 2: ANNOUNCEMENTS


Getting to know Fr. Mark | His family and priesthood

  • Born on October 21, 1972, 47 years-old

  • Born and raised in Houma

  • Parents are Prosper and Beverly Toups

  • Two brothers: PJ and Philip

  • Three sisters: Mary, Priscilla, and Diana

  • Graduated from Terrebonne High in 1990 and Nicholls State University (B.A. History) in 1994

  • Seminary at Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans

  • Ordained May 26, 2001, a priest for 19 years

Getting to know Fr. Mark | His favorites

  • Favorite thing to do when he’s not working? He loves to fish

  • Inshore or offshore? Wherever the redfish are, but any day on a boat is a great day

  • Best book he’s read recently? Get Your Life Back: Everyday Practices for a World Gone Mad by John Eldredge

  • Best movie he’s watched during COVID-19 quarantine? Knives Out

  • Television, movie, or a book? To relax, it would be a movie; he tries to read a book a month for work

  • Most used app on his phone? Bleacher Report or ESPN


Getting to know Fr. Mark | Miscellaneous

  • What’s been the hidden blessing of COVID-19? Rediscovering time with and for his family

  • What’s been the hardest part of COVID-19? Not being able to celebrate Mass with people

  • Sunrise or sunset? Both, but he loves the sunrise; he’s usually up at 4:00 am

  • Hobbies: Graphic design is a creative outlet and he would love to once again start a garden

  • He’s served as a consultant to Bishop Fabre since 2015

  • Friday is his day off; until January 1st he’s at the Pastoral Center on Wednesdays

  • Blog: marktoups.com