Psalm 49, Verse 6-7
6 Why
should I fear in evil days, with the
iniquity of my assailants surrounding me, 7
of those who trust in their wealth
and boast of their abundant riches?
Trust
in Christ our savior and live the virtues of our Lady: humility, generosity,
chastity, patience, temperance and love of fellow man. Do not put your faith in
coin; for the bankruptcy of our cultural heart is that we allow the innocent to
be killed in this nation. God cries over the sacrifices of future unborn children
for the dreams of the mother. No amount of future happiness or gain in independence
is worth the life of an innocent. Know that life is greater than liberty and
liberty is greater than wealth.
Beloved: Teach and urge these things. Whoever teaches
something different and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus
Christ and the religious teaching is conceited, understanding nothing, and has
a morbid disposition for arguments and verbal disputes. From these come envy,
rivalry, insults, evil suspicions, and mutual friction among people with
corrupted minds, who are deprived of the truth, supposing religion to be a
means of gain. Indeed, religion with contentment is a great gain. For we
brought nothing into the world, just as we shall not be able to take anything
out of it. If we have food and clothing, we shall be content with that. Those
who want to be rich are falling into temptation and into a trap and into many
foolish and harmful desires, which plunge them into ruin and destruction. For
the love of money is the root of all evils, and some people in their desire for
it have strayed from the faith and have pierced themselves with many pains. But
you, man of God, avoid all this. Instead, pursue righteousness, devotion,
faith, love, patience, and gentleness. Compete well for the faith. Lay hold of
eternal life, to which you were called when you made the noble confession in
the presence of many witnesses. (Tm. 6:2-12)
If we truly wish to make our nation great again; we
ourselves must grow in holiness and
then in turn our families will build holy communities and holy communities will
build a Holy Nation.
Since
the 16th century Catholic piety has assigned entire months to special
devotions. As a reminder of our duty to pray for the suffering faithful in
Purgatory, the Church has dedicated the month of November to the Holy Souls.
The Holy Souls are those who have died in the state of grace but who are not
yet free from all punishment due to their unforgiven venial sins and all other
sins already forgiven for which satisfaction is still to be made. They are
certain of entering Heaven, but first they must suffer in Purgatory. The Holy
Souls cannot help themselves because for them the night has come, when no man
can work (John 9:4). It is our great privilege of brotherhood that we can
shorten their time of separation from God by our prayers, good works, and, especially,
the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.
Prayer
INVOCATION
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord; and let perpetual light shine upon them.
May they rest in peace. Amen.
FOR
THE SOULS IN PURGATORY My Jesus, by the sorrows Thou didst suffer in Thine
agony in the Garden, in Thy scourging and crowning with thorns, in the way to
Calvary, in Thy crucifixion and death, have mercy on the souls in purgatory,
and especially on those that are most forsaken; do Thou deliver them from the
dire torments they endure; call them and admit them to Thy most sweet embrace
in paradise. Our Father, Hail Mary, Eternal rest, etc.
FOR
ALL THE DECEASED By Thy resurrection from the dead, O Christ, death no longer
hath dominion over those who die in holiness. So, we beseech Thee, give rest to
Thy servants in Thy sanctuary and in Abraham's bosom. Grant it to those, who
from Adam until now have adored Thee with purity, to our fathers and brothers,
to our kinsmen and friends, to all men who have lived by faith and passed on
their road to Thee, by a thousand ways, and in all conditions, and make them
worthy of the heavenly kingdom. Byzantine Liturgy
DE
PROFUNDIS The psalmist is crying out here from the depression that grips him
because of his sense of sin. He tells God that no man could be forgiven should
strict justice be demanded; but, since God is forgiving and merciful, the
psalmist (Israel) will hope for redemption from iniquities. We, who know the
mercy of God far better than the g Israelites, may pray this psalm with even
greater trust in God. The Church uses this psalm in the liturgy as her official
prayer for the souls in Purgatory. Out of the depths I cry to You, O Lord;
Lord, hear my, voice! Let Your ears be attentive to my voice in supplication:
If You, O Lord, mark iniquities, Lord, who can stand? But with You is
forgiveness, that You may be revered. I trust in the Lord; my soul trusts in
His word. My soul waits for the Lord more than sentinels wait for the dawn.
More than sentinels wait for the dawn, let Israel wait for the Lord, For with
the Lord is kindness and with Him is plenteous redemption; And He will redeem
Israel from all their iniquities.
Psalm 130
THE
MISERERE This psalm is a marvelous act of contrition, confession, and
supplication by a repentant sinner. It was composed by David after his sin with
Bethsabee. In reparation David promises to lead others back to God by telling
them of the ways of divine justice. Instead of offering God an external
sacrifice which he knows He will not accept, he offers instead the sacrifice of
a contrite and humble heart, a sacrifice that will always be most pleasing in
the eyes of God.
Have mercy on me, O God, in Your goodness;
in the greatness of Your compassion wipe out my offense. Thoroughly wash me
from my guilt and of my sin cleanse me. For I acknowledge my offense, and my
sin is before me always: "Against You only have I sinned, and done what is
evil in Your sight"-- That You may be justified in Your sentence,
vindicated when You condemn. Indeed, in guilt was I born, and in sin my mother
conceived me; Behold, you are pleased with sincerity of heart, and in my inmost
being You teach me wisdom. Cleanse me of sin with hyssop, that I may be
purified; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Let me hear the sounds of
joy and gladness; the bones You have crushed shall rejoice. Turn away Your face
from my sins and blot out all my guilt. A clean heart create for me, O God, and
a steadfast spirit renew within me. Cast me not out from Your presence, and
Your holy spirit take not from me. Give me back the joy of Your salvation, and
a willing spirit sustain in me. I will teach transgressors Your ways, and
sinners shall return to You. Free me from blood guilt, 0 God, my saving God;
then my tongue shall revel in Your justice. O Lord open my lips, and my mouth
shall proclaim Your praise. For You are not pleased with sacrifices; should I
offer a holocaust, you would not accept it. My sacrifice, O God, is a contrite
spirit; a heart contrite and humbled, O God, You will not spurn. Be bountiful,
O Lord, to Sion in Your kindness by rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem; Then
shall You be pleased with due sacrifices, burnt offerings and holocausts; then
shall they offer up bullocks on Your altar. Psalm 50
FOR
THE SOULS IN PURGATORY O Lord, who art ever merciful and bounteous with Thy
gifts, look down upon the suffering souls in purgatory. Remember not their
offenses and negligence’s, but be mindful of Thy loving mercy, which is from
all eternity. Cleanse them of their sins and fulfill their ardent desires that
they may be made worthy to behold Thee face to face in Thy glory. May they soon
be united with Thee and hear those blessed words which will call them to their
heavenly home: "Come, blessed of My Father, take possession of the kingdom
prepared for you from the foundation of the world."
Daily Devotions
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