Friday, June 23, 2023

Saturday

 

Sub Tuum Praesidium



This is the oldest known prayer to the Virgin Mary found on papyrus dating back to the 3rd century and therefore recited verbally even earlier.

We fly to thy protection,
O Holy Mother of God;
Do not despise our petitions
in our necessities,
but deliver us always
from all dangers,
O Glorious and Blessed Virgin.

Friday 11th Week of Ordinary Time

 

Heavenly Treasures Mt. 6:19-23



When we look back at old photographs
We often see ourselves in clothes we do not wear anymore.
Things that we do not have anymore.
Places that we no longer go.

This is how it is with the treasure of this world.
They are all passing away.

Yet we spend so much time on things that pass away.

Store up instead treasure in Heaven that neither rust, nor moth nor time can ever steal from you.

Thursday, June 22, 2023

Thursday 11th Week of Ordinary Time

 


A Man for All Seasons



St. Thomas More was a man who remained Faithful to His Catholic Faith and His Conscience, even though it meant being beheaded.

There was a play called, “A Man for all Seasons” about St. Thomas More refused to agree to King Henry VIII’s divorce and becoming head of the Church in England.

A Man for All Seasons is a man who is ready to cope with any contingency and whose behaviour is always appropriate to every occasion.

We need a Faith for All Seasons.
In Fair weather and in Storms,
In Persecution and in Peace.
That never wavers but it always the same
No matter the Season.

Wednesday, June 21, 2023

Wednesday 11th Week of Ordinary Time

 


Sowing and Reaping 2Cor. 9:6-11



Those who sow sparingly will also reap sparingly.
Whoever sows bountifully will reap bountifully.

So how do we sow?

Do we only offer a few minutes of our time to those who ask of it or do we offer as much time as is needed?
Do we only forgive a few or do we forgive everyone?
Do we love only those who love us or even those who don’t?
Do we pray only on Sunday or everyday of the week?

Those who sow sparingly will also reap sparingly.

While those who sow bountifully will reap bountifully.

Monday, June 19, 2023

Tuesday 11th Week of Ordinary Time

 

Love without Limits Mt. 5:43-48



How far does your love extend?
Family?
Friends?
Neighbors?

How about enemies?
Or those who have hurt you?
Or just get on your nerves?

Jesus tells us that our Love must extend to everyone. Mt. 5:43-44
No matter who they are.
No matter what their race or creed is.
No matter whether we like them or get along with them or not.

Jesus reminds us,
That if our love has limits,
We are really no different than the pagans and tax collectors. Mt. 5:47-48

Monday 11th week of Ordinary Time

 

Offer no resistance Mt. 5:38-42



An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth only leads to blindness.
It is a vicious cycle of violence that never ends.

Jesus instead tells us to end the violence by turning the other cheek.
Offer no resistance.

In other words the violence ends with us.

This is the mystery of the cross.

This is the only way to end violence.
Otherwise everyone will be blind one day!

Friday, June 16, 2023

11th Sunday of Ordinary Time

 

The Calling Mt. 9:36-10:8



If you were the conductor of a symphony wouldn’t you hire the most talented musicians?

If you were a coach, wouldn’t you choose the best athletes to be on your team?

If you were starting a business, wouldn’t you choose those who had some expertise in the field?

So what was Jesus thinking?

He called fishermen who couldn’t fish!
He called a tax collector who never practiced his Faith.
He called a zealot who hated his enemies, the Romans.
One who would deny that he ever knew Him
And another who would betray Him in the end.
And only one of them would stand by His side when He needed them most at Calvary.

They argued among themselves as to who was the greatest.
They repeatedly did not understand what Jesus was trying to tell them

Not a single one them had any skill set whatsoever when it came to preaching, teaching or religion.

And I have often wondered what God was thinking when He called me.

And God has also called each one of you!

Before the world began;
Before each one of you were ever born,
God called you to follow Him.

And maybe you do not feel worthy;
Or you could be a better Christian.
Or you don’t understand.

That is okay.

Because it is really not about us.
It is about God.

If God can created all the stars and planets.
Build up the mountains and hollow out the seas
Fill the ocean with fish and the sky with birds.

Then God can take what little we have and transform it into whatever He needs.
All we have to do is say,
“Here I am!”