Sunday, July 8, 2019

 Seventh Sunday after Pentecost (14^th S. Ord. Time)

Acts, Chapter 10, verse 22

They answered, “Cornelius, a centurion, an upright and God-fearing man, respected by the whole Jewish nation, was directed by a holy angel to summon you to his house and to hear what you have to say.”

God is inclusive. He loves all of us; there are no exclusive country clubs or universities in heaven. Here God reveals to Peter a new perspective that even the hated Romans have a place at the table of the Lord and this table is big enough to sit the entire world.

Seventh Sunday after Pentecost[1]

"Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord’, . . .but he who does the will of my Father. . .shall enter the kingdom of heaven". Not so much what one "says" about the Lord, but how he "does" His "Will," is what brings forth "good fruit". Deeds, not mere words, are acceptable to God; acceptable to neighbor also. Example is the best precept. The final fruit of sin is "death;" the fruit of "justice" is "life everlasting". The Holy Eucharist is the "health-giving" Fruit of Calvary, our antidote against the poison-laden Dead-Sea fruit of the world, the flesh and the devil.

"Faith cannot save without virtue" (St. John Chrysostom). 

Instruction on Good Works[2]

What are good works? All actions of men which are done according to the will of God, from love of Him, and by the help of grace.

Which are the principal good works? Prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. Prayer including all acts belonging to the service of God: fasting, all mortifications of the body; almsgiving, all works of mercy.

How many are the works of mercy? Two: corporal and spiritual.

Which are the spiritual works of mercy? Those which have for their object the salvation of our neighbor; as,

1, to admonish the sinner;

2, to instruct the ignorant;

3, to counsel the doubtful;

4, to comfort the afflicted;

5, to bear wrongs patiently;

6, to forgive injuries and offences;

7, to pray for the living and the dead.

Which are the corporal works of mercy?

1, To feed the hungry;

2, to give drink to the thirsty;

3, to clothe the naked;

4, to visit the prisoners;

5, to shelter the houseless;

6, to visit the sick;

7, to bury the dead.

What is necessary to render works meritorious?

1, They must be good in themselves;

2, they must be done by the grace of God;

3, in the state of grace;

4, by free will;

5, with the good intention of pleasing God.

Can we be saved without good works? No; for Christ says expressly, “Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit shall be cut down and shall be cast into the fire.” And that servant in the Gospel (Matt. xxv. 25) who neither wasted his talent nor yet traded with it, but digged into the earth and hid his lord s money, was therefore cast into the outer darkness.

Remedies for Anger[3]

The first and best means to overcome anger is humility; to become thus humble, gentle, and patient, one must often consider the example of Christ, who endured so many contradictions, persecutions, and insults, without reviling again when reviled Himself, and without threatening vengeance to any one for all He suffered. An excellent preventive to anger is, to think over in the morning what causes will be likely to draw us into anger at any time during the day, and to guard ourselves against them beforehand, by a firm resolution to bear everything patiently for the love of God; and then, when anything vexatious occurs and excites our anger, to say and do nothing so long as the anger lasts.

How shall we be reconciled with our enemies? Not only with the lips but from the heart, and with sincerity and promptness. “Is he absent whom you have wronged,” says St. Augustine, “so that you cannot easily reach him? Humble yourself then before God, and ask His pardon before you offer your gift, with a firm resolution to be reconciled with your enemy as soon as possible.”

This is Brotherhood Sunday! Human experience confirms the need of this Divine teaching. Only when the Fatherhood of God is recognized, will the Brotherhood of Man be realized. Returning good for evil is possible only to those who love God. Oh, how much our hate-torn world needs this prayer: "Pour into our hearts an experience of Thy Love". In the practice of the Golden Rule, we plead with the Divine "Helper" against worldly persecution and diabolical "enemies". How can one who harbors anger, envy, bitterness, indifference, aversion of any kind against his neighbor, have part in the Sacrifice of Him Who offers Himself for His enemies? The sacrifice of our selfish or even wounded feelings for Christ's sake is a most acceptable "gift" to "leave before the altar".[4]

SCUD Day stands for Savor the Comic, Unplug the Drama Day, and encourages those of us whose lives might have a touch too much drama to step back, relax, and enjoy the funnier side of life. Relaxation and humour are good for your physical and mental wellbeing, so turn the drama down a notch and enjoy a good laugh instead. #ScudDay

The Way[5]

"Read these counsels slowly. Pause to meditate on these thoughts. They are things that I whisper in your ear-confiding them-as a friend, as a brother, as a father. And they are being heard by God. I won't tell you anything new. I will only stir your memory, so that some thought will arise and strike you; and so you will better your life and set out along ways of prayer and of Love. And in the end you will be a more worthy soul."

11.  Don't waste your time and your energy — which belong to God — throwing stones at the dogs that bark at you on your way. Ignore them.

Daily Devotions

·         Drops of Christ’s Blood

·         Offering to the sacred heart of Jesus

·         Please pray for me and this ministry

·         daily “examination of conscience”

·         Please Pray for Senator McCain and our country; asking Our Lady of Beauraing to intercede.

·         Pray for our Democratic leaders, Bishops and President as they select a new Supreme Court Judge.

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[1]My Sunday Missal, Confraternity of the Precious Blood

[2]Goffine’s Devout Instructions, 1896

[3]Goffine’s Devout Instructions, 1896.

[4]http://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/day.cfm?date=2017-07-09

[5]http://www.escrivaworks.org/book/the_way-point-1.htm