Wednesday, May 24, 2017

2 Chronicles, Chapter 20, Verse 13-15

¹³ All Judah was standing before the LORD, with their little ones, their wives, and their children. ¹⁴ And the spirit of the LORD came upon Jahaziel, son of Zechariah, son of Benaiah, son of Jeiel, son of Mattaniah, a Levite of the clan of Asaph, in the midst of the assembly, ¹⁵ and he said: “Pay attention, all of Judah, inhabitants of Jerusalem, and King Jehoshaphat! The LORD says to you: Do not fear or be dismayed at the sight of this vast multitude, for the battle is not yours but God’s.

Pay attention the Lord is calling you to battle—but do not be afraid at the power of the secular world, for the battle is not yours but God’s. He calls us to action.

Battle Call[1]

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Likening the 40-year struggle against legal abortion in the United States to the Israelites' 40 years in the desert, Father Carter Griffin encouraged the more than 14,000 people attending the Archdiocese of Washington's Jan. 25 Youth Rally and Mass for Life by being "a generation open to life, open to love (and) open to faith."

· "You are a force to be reckoned with! The battle for the soul of our culture is up to you. This is your moment! I promise you, if you are faithful, you will change the world!"

· "Forty years is a long time to restore this basic civil right to life, noting that the Lord let the Israelites, and lets today's defenders of life, know that they are not alone.”

· "We too are being tested on our own 40-year journey, and like the Israelites, we have a choice -- to give in to discouragement, despair, frustration -- or to draw closer to the Lord, to grow in love, to open ourselves to his promise of salvation."

· The battle against abortion is the greatest civil rights battle of all time," has to start with each person.

· "Before we can change laws, we have to change hearts, starting with our own.

· "Before pro-life is a political agenda, it must become a personal agenda. Before we can take on the culture of death, we have to become part of the culture of life, of eternal life!"

Father Griffin emphasized to the youths and young adults that "you are the future of this movement for life. It is a great responsibility, an awesome task, and it will be your glory to have been a part of it. And whether it takes another four years, or 40 years or 400 years, we will never give up."

As we battle for the life of innocent children we must also be cognizant of the life of earth which God has charged us with being the stewards of the fruits of his creative work.

Protecting the Fruits of the Earth

“The liturgy itself teaches us this, when, during the presentation of the gifts, the priest raises to God a prayer of blessing and petition over the bread and wine, “fruit of the earth,” “fruit of the vine” and “work of human hands.” With these words, the rite not only includes in our offering to God all human efforts and activity, but also leads us to see the world as God’s creation, which brings forth everything we need for our sustenance. The world is not something indifferent, raw material to be utilized simply as we see fit. Rather, it is part of God’s plan, in which all of us are called to be sons and daughters in the one son of God, Jesus Christ (cf. EPH1:4-12). The justified concern about threats to the environment present in so many parts of the world is reinforced by Christian hope, which commits us to working responsibly for the protection of creation.” ~Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, Sacramentum Caritatis, 2007, § 92

Rogationtide Wednesday[2]

Today would be a good day to reflect on what we want to harvest this fall; so like farmers we must till the soil of our soul reflecting this day on our use of our TREASURE (yes money/tithe) and look at in what ways we may offer our money to Christ to help build a harvest for His Kingdom. It has been said that money is the root of all evil. Yet, this is not exactly true for the real root of all evil is not money but the LOVE of money. Those who fear the Lord know that money is a gift from God. It is not to be buried but sown. This is the correction that God wishes us to accept. We are all sowers and we are to spread the seeds or gifts that God gives us out. Does God need a tithe from us? Or Does God need our hearts free from the love of money? Do not make my house a marketplace. For love of money or the lust for money is what corrupts men not the money itself.

Australia and Our Lady Help of Christians[3]

When Cardinal Patrick Moran of Sydney wrote his History of the Catholic Church in Australia, he recalled the laying of the foundation stone of what was to become the first cathedral in this land. His eminence declared: "Who was the patron selected by the people and their newly arrived pastor, Father Therry, for the Mother Church? Mary, the Immaculate Mother of God, under the special invocation of Help of Christians, was chosen patroness. In choosing Mary, the young Church was following a sure Catholic instinct. But why the particular title of Help of Christians?

Events had happened in Europe only several years earlier, and this no doubt was still fresh in people's minds. Napoleon Bonaparte had jailed Pope Pius VI who died in goal, after which Pope Pius VII was elected. Just a short time later, he too was jailed by Napoleon, who kept him prisoner at Fontainbleau, 35 miles from Paris. The Holy Father vowed to God that, if he were restored he would institute a special feast in honour of Mary. Military reverses forced Napoleon to release the Pope, and on May 24th 1814, Pius VII returned in triumph to Rome. Twelve months later, the Pope decreed that the feast of Mary Help of Christians, be kept on the 24th of May.

Australia became the first nation in the world to have, Mary, Help of Christians as Patroness: the first church to celebrate May 24th on a national scale (elsewhere the feast was restricted to Rome and specified places); and the first country to have a mother-cathedral under the same title.

Mary Help of Christian’s patroness of Australia and of the Military Ordinariate (Feast: 24th May)

Almighty God, deepen in our hearts our love of Mary Help of Christians. Through her prayers and under her protection, may the light of Christ shine over our land. May Australia be granted harmony, justice and peace. Grant wisdom to our leaders and integrity to our citizens. Bless especially the men and women of the Australian Defense Force and their families. We ask this through Christ Our Lord. Amen. Mary Help of Christians, pray for us.

Daily Devotions/Prayers

· Drops of Christ’s Blood

· Offering to the sacred heart of Jesus