Sunday, July 28, 2019

Seventh Sunday after Pentcoste (17^th S. Ord. Time)

PARENTS DAY-WORLD HEPATITIS DAY

Colossians, Chapter 2, Verse 5-8

⁵For even if I am absent in the flesh, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing as I observe your good order and the firmness of your faith* in Christ. ⁶So, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, walk in him, ⁷rooted in him and built upon him and established in the faith as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.⁸See to it that no one captivate you with an empty, seductive philosophy according to human tradition, according to the elemental powers of the world and not according to Christ.

In face of the threat posed by false teachers, the Colossians are admonished to adhere to the gospel as it was first preached to them, steeping themselves in it with grateful hearts. They must reject religious teachings originating in any source except the gospel because in Christ alone will they have access to God, the deity. So fully has Christ enlightened them that they need no other source of religious knowledge or virtue. They do not require circumcision, for in baptism their whole being has been affected by Christ through forgiveness of sin and resurrection to a new life. On the cross Christ canceled the record of the debt that stood against us with all its claims, i.e., he eliminated the law that human beings could not observe—and that could not save them. He forgave sins against the law and exposed as false and misleading all other powers that purport to offer salvation. Therefore, the Colossians are not to accept judgments from such teachers on food and drink or to keep certain religious festivals or engage in certain cultic practices, for the Colossians would thereby risk severing themselves from Christ. If, when they accepted the gospel, they believed in Christ as their savior, they must be convinced that their salvation cannot be achieved by appeasing ruling spirits through dietary practices or through a wisdom gained simply by means of harsh asceticism.[1]

Seventh Sunday after Pentecost[2]

"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).

IN[3] the Introit of the Mass the Church invites us to the praise of God in the following words : “Oh, clap your hands, all ye nations, shout unto God with the voice of joy, for the Lord is most high, He is terrible : He is a great king over all the earth”; (Ps.xlvi. 2, 3).

Prayer. O God, Whose providence never faileth in what it doth order, we humbly beseech Thee to put away from us all tilings hurtful, and to give us all things profitable to us.

EPISTLE. Rom. vi. 19-23.

Brethren: I speak a human thing, because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as you have yielded your members to serve uncleanness and iniquity unto iniquity, so now yield your members to serve justice unto sanctification. For when you were the servants of sin you were free men to justice. What fruit therefore had you then in those things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of them is death. But now being made free from sin, and become servants of God, you have your fruit unto sanctification, and the end life everlasting. For the wages of sin is death; but the grace of God, life everlasting in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Explanation. In these words, St. Paul admonishes the Romans that they ought henceforward to devote themselves as zealously to the service of God as they had hitherto done to that of iniquity, be cause the service of sin is death, but the service of God is life everlasting. The words “servants, to serve”, denote the full and unconditional subjection of the Christian to God, without walking any longer according to his own will, just as, in regard to the state of sin, they indicate the dominion of the passions over the sinner. There is no requirement more reasonable than that a man should labor as much for God and his own salvation as he has labored for sin and hell. We should, therefore, often think on the wages of sin eternal death; and when we are tempted, ask ourselves, “What shall I gain by my lust, my in justice, my vengeance? Ah, nothing but eternal death! And shall I, created to inherit eternal life, shall I make myself the heir of eternal death?”

GOSPEL. Matt. vii. 15-21.

At that time Jesus said to His disciples: Beware of false prophets, who come to you in the clothing of sheep, but inwardly they are ravening wolves: by their fruits you shall know them. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit, and the evil tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit: neither can an evil tree bring forth good fruit: every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit shall be cut down and shall be cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits you shall know them. Not every one that saith to Me: Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven: but he that doth the will of My Father Who is in heaven, he shall enter into the kingdom of heaven.

Who are meant by false prophets?

1. The world, which promises us honors and riches, but in the end rewards our toil and labor with disgrace and scorn.

2. The flesh, which promises pleasures and joys, but at last leaves nothing but the bitter reproaches of an unquiet conscience.

3. The devil, who promises us a long life, and time for repentance, while the obdurate sinner is cut off suddenly in the midst of his days.

4. All such evil-minded persons as conceal their wicked purposeb under the mask of virtue and honesty, until they have entrapped unwary souls, and drawn them into all kinds of shame ful misdeeds. It is these false prophets of Satan, and wolves of hell, that make the greatest havoc in the flock of Christ.

Why does Christ say, “every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit shall be cut down and cast into the fire”? He thereby warns us that faith alone, without good works, or, in other. words, the mere desire for heaven without the practice of virtue, will not save us. Christ says plainly, “Not everyone that saith to Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven, but he that doth the will of My Father Who is in heaven.” Jesus also saith, “Whosoever shall do the will of My Father Who is in heaven, he is My brother, and sister, and mothert; (Matt. xii. 50). Endeavor, therefore, O Christian, to fulfil in all things the will of God.

INSTRUCTION ON GOOD WORKS

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.

Parents' Day[4]

Parents’ Day celebrates and recognizes the important role of responsible parenting in everyday family life. Families are a fundamental human institution; they are bonded by unconditional love and commitment. Parents' Day was established in 1994. In a time where society had become increasingly self-centered, President Bill Clinton signed a congressional resolution to commemorate Parents’ Day in an effort to promote family commitment and parental responsibilities. Supported by the Unification Church, Senator Trent Lott introduced the bill into the senate and the National Parents’ Day Coalition was developed to support Parents’ Day by annually selecting ‘Parents’ of the Year’ at local, national and state levels. The Coalition also provides educational programs for parents and aims to promote the stability of family by encouraging fidelity between husbands and wives, as well as abstinence in young people prior to marriage. In addition to The National Parents’ Day Coalition, other organizations use Parents’ Day to promote the traditional two parent nuclear family model. Parents' Day is held annually on the fourth Sunday in July.

Parents' Day Facts & Quotes

· In 2015, 3.3 million unmarried or cohabiting couples in America had children under the age of 18. This is in comparison to 1.2 million cohabiting couples with children in 1996.

One wonders if this was caused by the consumption of tequila! Just 100% proof that our government is not as good a patron as our God! We should avoid the “Mommy needs Vodka” mindset.

· In 1960, 73% of U.S. children lived in a traditional home with two married heterosexual parents in their first marriage. By 1980, this figure had dropped to 61%. By 2013, 46% of children lived in a traditional home.

· All that I am, or hope to be, I owe to my angel mother. — Abraham Lincoln.

· By the time a man realizes that maybe his father was right, he usually has a son who thinks he's wrong. — Charles Wadsworth, Classical Pianist

Remedies for Anger[5]

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".[6]

World Hepatitis Day[7]

World Hepatitis Day seeks to raise awareness for the spectrum of Hepatitis diseases. Hepatitis diseases cause inflammation of the liver cells. There are five main types of hepatitis, A, B, C, D and E. It is estimated that around 250 million people worldwide are infected with Hepatitis C and 300 million people are Hepatitis B carriers.

World Hepatitis Day was proclaimed by the World Health Organization. It is celebrated annually on July 28th.

World Hepatitis Day Facts

Hepatitis A is usually transmitted by consuming contaminated food or water or coming into contact with an infected person's feces.

Hepatitis B is a sexually transmitted disease. It is transmitted through exposure to infected blood or body fluids.

Hepatitis B is spread via blood of an infected person.

Hepatitis can also be caused by alcohol and other toxins and infections.

Life Matters: Embryo Research[8]

The Nuremberg Code (1947) was prompted by the horrific and often deadly experimentation on human beings in Nazi concentration camps that came to light during the “Doctors’ Trials” before the Nuremberg Military Tribunals. The main principles of the Nuremberg Code require that experiments involving human subjects cause no unnecessary risk, be undertaken with the full and informed consent of the subjects and must never knowingly cause serious injury or death. Nazi doctors were not the first, nor the last, to perform inhumane and sometimes disabling research on unsuspecting human subjects living in poverty, in prisons, mental health institutions, and orphanages. The Tuskegee syphilis experiments, the Stateville Penitentiary Malaria Study, and the Willowbrook (Long Island) State School experiments—in which children with mental disabilities were intentionally infected with viral hepatitis—are just a few examples of cases in which doctors put the pursuit of knowledge and “cures” ahead of the lives and well-being of individual human beings. The Nuremberg Code inspired other declarations of medical and research ethics. In 1948, the World Medical Association approved a statement addressing the ethics of physicians, the Declaration of Geneva. As originally adopted, it read in part: “I will maintain the utmost respect for human life, from the time of conception; even under threat, I will not use my medical knowledge contrary to the laws of humanity.”

Novena in Honor of Saint John Marie Vianney[9]

Complete Trust in God

Saint John Marie Baptist Vianney, what confidence the people had in your prayers! You could not leave your old rectory or your humble church without being surrounded by imploring souls, who appealed to you as they would have appealed to Jesus Himself during His earthly life. And you, O good Saint, gave them hope by your words, which were full of love for God. You, who had always counted entirely on the heart of God, obtain for me a deep filial trust in His Providence. As the hope of divine goods fills my heart, give me courage and help me to always obey the Commandments of God. Holy Priest of Ars, I have confidence in your intercession. Pray for me during this novena especially for ... (mention silently your special intentions).

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be.

Daily Devotions

· Drops of Christ’s Blood

· Offering to the sacred heart of Jesus

· Make reparationsto the Holy Face

· 90 Days for our Nation, Total Consecration-Day 19

· Novena to the Holy face Day 5

· Today in honor of the Holy Trinity do the Divine Office giving your day to God. Avoid work or shopping.