Wednesday, June 14, 2017

FLAG DAY

Tobit, Chapter 8, Verse 18
Blessed are you, for you have made me happy; what I feared did not happen. Rather you have dealt with us according to your abundant mercy.

Our Holy Father states that peace can only come when we confront the truth.[1]
Jesus declared “I am the truth” (John 14: 6) and told Pontius Pilate “For this I was born and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth” (John 18: 37). Because he is the Son of God, Jesus is the truth about who God is, and, because he is fully human, he is the truth about the human person.

What is that truth? First, that God is Love, love that is willing to give all, even life itself, for the good of the beloved. Second, that the human person is precious to God, precious enough to die for. When this truth is denied, the human person becomes subhuman, an object, or a threat. It becomes easy to destroy a mass of cells viewed as a threat. The human person may seem like a cancer on humanity and be treated as such, rather than as an individual for whom Jesus suffered and died.
We are created in the image and likeness of God and we have a choice: To do good or to do evil.  Daily we must decide if we are for ourselves and pursue the things of the world or are we going to follow Christ by picking up our cross daily and freely live under the flag of Christ.

Father John Parks [2] states that the flag we choose to live under determines everything.  He asks, “Whose flag are you under? Do we consciously choose to serve or do we just let it happen? We have a choice here and indecision is a decision itself. Who’s flag will you follow Christ’s or Satan’s. True freedom comes not from doing what you want but doing the things you were created to do. Father John recommends we follow the flag of Christ (poverty, chastity, obedience) and not that of Satan (greed, lust, pride) by having a battle plan.

1.      Be in the state of grace at all times-Go to Mass if you fall get up go to confession.
2.      Pray-we know who we are by knowing who’s we are. Remember Saint Joseph is known as the terror of demons.
3.      Do your daily duty; there is great heroism in finishing the daily tasks.
4.      Be Humble and obey.  When you break a commandment you do not break it as much as it breaks you.
5.      Seek a community there is strength in numbers “Iron sharpens iron”.  Remember the Holy Spirit is what sets us free.

Flag Day[3]

National Flag Day is when Americans celebrate the meaning of their nation's flag, honor the traditions associated with its care, and educate those around them to its significance. The Flag of the United States is to be honored and carries with it both history and tradition.  On June 14, 1777 the Flag Resolution was signed, making the current stars and stripes the National Flag of the United States of America. On May 30, 1916, President Woodrow Wilson called for the nation-wide observance of Flag Day. In 1949, President Harry S. Truman signed congress' decree, making June 14th of each year National Flag Day.

Flag Day Facts & Quotes

·         Worn out flags may be given to the American Legion or Boy/Girl Scouts of America where they will burn the flags in a formal ceremony on June 14th.
·         The Flag should never touch the ground when being taken down.  It should be folded neatly and stored ceremoniously.
·         You should fly the American Flag only between sunrise and sunset.  If left hanging around the clock, it must be illuminated during the dark hours.
·         The First Flag Act was signed by the Continental Congress on June 14, 1777...   Resolved, That the flag of the United States be made of thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; that the union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field, representing a new Constellation.

Flag Day Top Events and Things to Do

·         Fly the American Flag.
·         Recite the Pledge of Allegiance.
·         Visit a National Monument or National celebration.
·         Attend a Flag retirement ceremony.


Tobit[4]
  1. In the middle of the night, Raguel sent a servant to see if Tobias was still alive.  When he was told that they were sleeping peacefully, he told the servants to fill in the grave.
  2. The next morning, Raguel prepared oxen and rams for the wedding feast that would last fourteen days.  He swore an oath that Tobias could not leave until it was over.
  3. Because Tobias was involved with the wedding celebration, he sent Azariah to Gabael to retrieve the money.  They each held half of a bond, so there were no questions on either side.  Gabael even returned with Azariah to the wedding feast.
  4. As the days wore on, Tobias knew that his parents would be starting to worry about his lengthy absence.  He didn’t want to waste any time in getting back home.
  5. His assumptions were correct. Tobit and Hannah were seriously worrying.  They thought the worst and Hannah, especially, was very upset.  She cried night after night – all night long.
  6. At the end of fourteen days, arrangements were made for the newlyweds to leave.  Raguel was true to his word. He gave Tobias half of his estate.  The other half would be theirs when both parents were deceased.
  7. Both parents blessed the newlyweds and kissed them goodbye.
  8. Edna gave Tobias some extra advice on how to treat her daughter, but the parting was in peace.
  9. Each day, Hannah stood by the road waiting and watching, hoping to see some sign of Tobias.
  10. As the travelers approached Nineveh, Azariah suggested they go on ahead to make things ready for Sarah.
  11. As soon as Hannah saw them, she started yelling with joy.  Hugs and kisses were exchanged by all.
  12. When Tobias kissed his father, he spread the gall from the fish over his father’s eyes.
  13. Apparently, it was very irritating for eyes.  In rubbing his eyes, Tobit wiped off the white film, and he was able to see.
  14. Tobit and Tobias both rejoiced and praised God with all their might.
  15. His parents’ joy was unbounded once they heard about Sarah.  They heartily welcomed her with open arms into their family.
  16. All the Jews of Nineveh shared in their joy.  They celebrated their wedding for another seven days.
Novena to the Sacred Heart[1]

This novena prayer was recited every day by Padre Pio for all who asked for his prayer. You are invited to recite it daily, so as to be spiritually united with the prayer of St. Pio of Pietrelcina.

Prayers

I. O my Jesus, You have said "Truly I say to you, ask and you shall receive, seek and you shall find, knock and it shall be opened to you." Behold I knock, I seek, and I ask for the grace of . . . .
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be to the Father... Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in you.

II. O my Jesus, You have said, "Truly I say to you, if you ask anything of the Father in My Name, He will give it to you." Behold, in Your name, I ask the Father for the grace of . . . .

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be to the Father... Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in you.

III. O my Jesus, You have said, "Truly I say to you, heaven and earth will pass away, but My words willl not pass away." Encouraged by Your infallible words, I now ask for the grace of . . . .
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be to the Father... Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in you.

O Sacred Heart of Jesus, for whom it is impossible not to have compassion on the afflicted, have mercy on us sinners, and grant us the grace which we ask of You, through the Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary, Your tender mother and ours.

Say the Hail Holy Queen (Salve Regina) prayer. Conclude with: St. Joseph, foster father of Jesus, pray for us.

Daily Devotions/Prayers

·         Drops of Christ’s Blood
·         Novena to the Sacred Heart



[1]http://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/prayers/view.cfm?id=892







[2] John Parks, Lecture at Catholic Men’s Conference, Phoenix, Arizona, 3/21/2015.
[4]http://www.biblewise.com/bible_study/characters/tobit-and-tobias.php

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