Tuesday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time
- Mary Jo Barr
- 11 hours ago
- 2 min read
Gospel Matthew 9:32-38
A demoniac 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.”
REFLECTION
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.
Father Francis Xavier Tru'o'ng Buru' Diep was a Pastor of Tac Say Parish in 1930 and remained there for 16 years. His parishioners loved him. Father Francis Xavier fought to reclaim land that belonged to the parish. He worked hard to care for the poor, the sick, and many of those suffering from the war.
Boss Can was angry with Father Francis Xavier over the reclaimed land. Can falsely accused Father Francis Xavier of colluding with the French to a local resistance leader to Cao Triều Phát. Many of the parishioners pleaded with their pastor to leave. He said, "I live among my sheep, and if I must die, I will die among them."
Seventy of Father Francis Xavier's parishioners were being held captive in a barn by Phat. They were to be burned to death in the barn, but Father Francis Xavier asked to take their place. He was successful in saving his parishioners. He was put to death by two Japanese soldiers who killed him and threw his naked body in a pond.
On July 2nd, 2026, Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle presided at the Mass in Vietnam for beatification of Blessed Father Francis Xavier Tru'o'ng Buru' Diep. He truly lived as Christ did, not thinking of himself, but only thinking of his flock.
Let us pray our PAPA Prayer for priests.
REFERENCE
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