Tuesday, July 21, 2020

Day 15-Let Freedom Ring: Freedom from Wastefulness

My Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,

At a word from you the devil and his minions flee in terror.

You are the source of all truth. You are the source of all strength.

By the power of your Cross and Resurrection, we beseech you, O Lord

To extend your saving arm and to send your holy angels

To defend us as we do battle with Satan and his demonic forces.

Exorcise, we pray, that which oppresses your Bride, The Church,

So that within ourselves, our families, our parishes, our dioceses, and our nation

We may turn fully back to you in all fidelity and trust.

Lord, we know if you will it, it will be done.

Give us the perseverance for this mission, we pray.

Amen

Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception ... pray for us

St. Joseph ... pray for us

St. Michael the Archangel ... pray for us

(the patron of your parish) ... pray for us

(your confirmation saint) ... pray for us

"Freedom from Wastefulness" by Fr. Jim Altman

Dear family, maybe you, like me, would hear your mom say something to the effect: "finish what's on your plate, don't waste it, you know there are people starving in Africa." It's safe to say that when it came to peas and carrots, I was not much concerned about who might be starving. Frankly, if they were hungry, I gladly would have shared my excess peas and carrots.

The same anti-wastefulness doctrine would be drilled in many different ways: "quit standing there with the refrigerator door open" - "close the door, we're not heating the outside" - "don't waste your money on that" Whatever it might be, we came to understand that wastefulness was a bad thing. In these "green" times, the culture really has hammered us with wasting any natural resources.

Further, depending on the gravity of what was wasted, the consequences could be great indeed. If we failed to work hard in school, we will have "wasted" our opportunity to get a good education. If we failed to further God-given talents in any other field, like music or sports, we might hear "what a waste." Pope St. John Paul II said "artistic talent is a gift from God and whoever discovers it in himself has a certain obligation: to know that he cannot waste this talent, but must develop it."

If we failed to take advantage of any opportunity for such development, it would be an opportunity "wasted." Who among us would want to bear the brunt of the accusation, "what a waste"? Jesus the Lord taught about wasting talents in the Parable of the Talents, and we all know what became of the guy who buried his talents in the back yard: "... throw this useless servant into the darkness outside, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth." -Mt 25:30

Ironically, when I was younger, there was a phrase bantered about essentially as a badge of honor, "I got wasted" when referring to having done some hard partying. Somehow "getting wasted" was a good thing. To my shock, when researching the theology of waste, one search turned up the following: "Guidance on Cannabis Waste Management Requirements." Seriously? What's this world coming to?

Dear family, we all know we are supposed to eat our food, conserve on energy, take good care of our bodies, and make something of the talents God has given us. We probably all do a credible job at not being wasteful in those departments. Rather, at the Last Judgment, the thing that likely will be the downfall of money is something few people even think about: wasted time. Victor Hugo (Les Miserables, The Hunchback of Notre Dame) said: "Short as life is, we make it still shorter by the careless waster of time." Unfortunately, it seems not many pay attention to this waste of time until they run out of time. We all have heard the line: "on their deathbed nobody ever says I wish I would have spent another day in the Office!" What I never have heard anyone say is "I wish I would have spent another day in church."

So much of our thought processes about waste, maybe all of them, consider waste only as regards to temporal things. Do we ever consider waste as regards preparation for eternity? How much time do we waste that better could be spent in prayer and contemplation of eternal Truths upon which our salvation actually does depend? Perhaps if we spent more time in prayer and contemplation, we would not feel so great a need to waste so much time immersed in activities that do not promote an increase of Grace in our lives. Perhaps we would not waste so much time on the accumulation and maintenance of temporal goods, and spend a lot more time in accumulation and maintenance of spiritual goods. Unfortunately, sometimes trying to tell someone this is like "talking to the wall," as the saying goes. In other words, it may seem like "you're wasting your breath!"

St. Vincent de Paul said "our business is to attain Heaven; everything else is a sheer waste of time." That pretty much says it all. How many of us devote even a small portion of time, much less spend adequate and sufficient time, on the business of attaining Heaven? How many of us hear and follow the voice of the Good Shepherd Himself who told us point blank: "When [Jesus] returned to his disciples he found them asleep. He said to Peter, 'So you could not keep watch with me for one hour? Watch and pray that you may not undergo the test.'" -Mt 26:40-41 Do we not know that the time for testing is upon us?! Are we even attempting to waste less time on frivolous and temporal matters and spend more time on the only thing that counts?

Even this thought does not give us the fullness of our calling, our duty of service to others. All of us actually are called to suffer for others, suffer for their souls. That is why the great Archbishop Sheen said "Much suffering in hospitals is wasted." It is why Mother Angelica said, "Suffering in itself does not make us holy. It is only when we unite it, out of love, to the suffering of Christ that it has meaning. Suffering without love is wasted pain." It is why Pope St. John Paul II said "each man, in his suffering, can also become a sharer in the redemptive suffering of Christ."

Dear family, time is the only thing we cannot buy. No amount of money can perpetually delay our inevitable suffering and death. When that time comes for all of us, we will be called to account for our time. Did we waste it or did we make good use of it? Did we take the toughest times of suffering and offer it up to share in the redemptive suffering of Christ? Let us once again stop and ponder those ultimate words of St. Vincent de Paul "our business is to attain Heaven; everything else is a sheer waste of time."

Prayer of Reparation

My Lord and my God,
We have allowed the temptation of the devil to move our hearts toward a gross waste of time.
We have fallen into countless and endless distractions when we have not lived up to the call of our Baptism by not giving back to You a just tithing of our time.
We cling to so many meaningless distractions that fill up our day, leaving little energy to spend time with You.
In our weakness, we have been weak in Faith, and clung to our time as if it was our own, even to the point of acting like the Rich Fool who himself did not realize: "his time was up."
Why is it we are afraid to come to You in time, so we can be with You in eternity?
We turn to You Lord, in our weakness, and beg Your forgiveness for our selfish waste of the time You have given us.
We love You, Lord, and we beg for the courage to live out our lives giving generously to You of our time, especially our time in suffering, as St. Paul urged us to do: "Watch carefully then how you live, not as foolish persons but as wise, making the most of the opportunity, because the days are evil." -Eph 5:15-16
We know, Lord, if You will it, it will be done.
Trusting in You, we offer our prayer to You who live and reign forever and ever.
Amen.

Prayer of Exorcism

Lord God of Heaven and Earth,
In Your power and goodness, You created all things.
You set a path for us to walk on and a way to an eternal relationship.
By the strength of Your arm and Word of Your mouth
Cast from Your Holy Church every fearful deceit of the Devil
Drive from us manifestations of the demonic that oppress us and beckon us to faithlessness and fear.
Still the lying tongue of the devil and his forces so that we may act freely and faithfully to Your will.
Send Your holy angels to cast out all influence that the demonic entities in charge of fear have planted in Your Church.
Free us, our families, our parish, our diocese, and our country from all trickery and deceit perpetrated by the Devil and his hellish legions.
Trusting in Your goodness Lord,
We know if You will it, it will be done in unity with Your Son and the Holy Spirit, One God forever and ever.
Amen.

Litany of St. Michael the Archangel

Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.

God the Father of Heaven, have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy, etc.
God the Holy Ghost,
Holy Trinity, one God,

Holy Mary, Queen of the Angels, pray for us, etc.
St. Michael, the Archangel,
Most glorious attendant of the Triune Divinity,
Standing at the right of the altar of Incense,
Ambassador of Paradise,
Glorious Prince of the Heavenly armies,
Leader of the Angelic hosts,
The standard-bearer of God's armies,
Defender of Divine glory,
First defender of the Kingship of Christ,
Strength of God,
Invincible Prince and warrior,
Angel of Peace,
Guide of Christ,
Guardian of the Catholic Faith,
Champion of God's people,
Guardian Angel of the Eucharist,
Defender of the Church,
Protector of the Sovereign Pontiff,
Angel of Catholic action,
Powerful intercessor of Christians,
Bravest defender of those who hope in God,
Guardian of our souls and bodies,
Healer of the sick,
Help of those in their agony,
Consoler of the Souls in Purgatory,
God's messenger for the souls of the just,
Terror of the evil spirits,
Victorious in battle against evil,
Guardian and Patron of the universal Church,

Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world,
spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world,
graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world,
have mercy on us.

Pray for us, O glorious St. Michael,
That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray.
Relying, O Lord, upon the intercession of Thy blessed Archangel Michael, we humbly beg of Thee, that the Sacrament of the Eucharist which we have received may make our souls holy and pleasing to Thee. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

To see the Goals, Methods and Levels of "Let Freedom Ring," go HERE.

Matthew, Chapter 21, verse 46:

And although they were attempting to arrest him, they FEARED the crowds, for they regarded him as a prophet.

This verse is referring to John the Baptist, but they, the priests and powerful, also feared the crowds because of Jesus. Fear is a natural reaction and when we fear something, we naturally do one of five things. We either fight, run away, do nothing, compromise or grow. The whole of the bible are stories of people both good and bad making choices. Some of people’s choices were good and some were evil; but it was always the spirit of God that urged men to make choices that caused growth in humankind; to create a Kingdom of God on earth. Both John the Baptist and Jesus were marked by the priests and elders for death because they threatened their power over the people which they feared. Like savage beasts they killed anything that got in their way.

According to John Maxwell[1] leaders lose their right to selfishness and must take the lives of others into account before their own. They must testify to the truth and tell people what they need to hear rather than what they want to hear. They must tell people where they have to go to grow the Kingdom and not where they desire to go.

Christ came not only to restore the Israelites but all of mankind into His Kingdom: The Kingdom of God. Leaders in the Kingdom must fear not and lead from principle rather than from reaction.

Novena of St. Ann[2]

Daily Prayer to Saint Ann

O glorious St. Ann, you are filled with compassion for those who invoke you and with love for those who suffer! Heavily burdened with the weight of my troubles, I cast myself at your feet and humbly beg of you to take the present intention which I recommend to you in your special care.

Please recommend it to your daughter, the Blessed Virgin Mary, and place it before the throne of Jesus, so that He may bring it to a happy issue. Continue to intercede for me until my request is granted. But, above all, obtain for me the grace one day to see my God face to face, and with you and Mary and all the saints to praise and bless Him for all eternity. Amen.

Our Father, . . . Hail Mary . . .

O Jesus, Holy Mary, St. Ann, help me now and at the hour of my death. Good St. Ann, intercede for me.

FIFTH DAY

Hail, all-powerful Lady. By God’s special favor, grant consolation to those who invoke you. Procure for them the eternal riches of heaven, and like a good mother, success in their temporal affairs as well.

Good St. Ann, obtain my deliverance from the punishment which my sins deserve. Obtain for me success in my temporal affairs; especially see to the salvation of my soul.

St. Ann, by your influence with Mary’s son Jesus, you have won the gift of conversion for many sinners. Will you then abandon me, who have chosen you as my mother? No, St. Ann. Your name alone, which signifies grace, assures me of the help of your prayers, and these prayers will surely procure pardon and mercy from Jesus. You will pray for me now and at the hour of my death.

Total Consecration to St. Joseph-Day 2[3]

The Litany of St. Joseph teaches us the virtues we need to emulate to “Be all we can be”, for God. The basis of Father Calloway’s Total Consecration to St. Joseph is contained in the litany. Today spend some time in quiet reflection with the litany before the blessed sacrament.

Litany of St. Joseph

Lord, have mercy on us	Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us.
Jesus, hear us,	Jesus, graciously hear us.

God the Father of heaven,	have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the World,	have mercy on us.
God the Holy Spirit,	have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, one God,	have mercy on us.

Holy Mary,	pray for us.
St. Joseph,	pray for us.
Renowned offspring of David,	pray for us.
Light of Patriarchs,	pray for us.
Spouse of the Mother of God,	pray for us.
Chaste guardian of the Virgin,	pray for us.
Foster father of the Son of God,	pray for us.
Diligent protector of Christ,	pray for us.
Head of the Holy Family,	pray for us.
Joseph most just,	pray for us.
Joseph most chaste,	pray for us.
Joseph most prudent,	pray for us.
Joseph most strong,	pray for us.
Joseph most obedient,	pray for us.
Joseph most faithful,	pray for us.
Mirror of patience,	pray for us.
Lover of poverty,	pray for us.
Model of artisans,	pray for us.
Glory of home life,	pray for us.
Guardian of virgins,	pray for us.
Pillar of families,	pray for us.
Solace of the wretched,	pray for us.
Hope of the sick,	pray for us.
Patron of the dying,	pray for us.
Terror of demons,	pray for us.
Protector of Holy Church,	pray for us.

Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world,	spare us, O Jesus.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world,	graciously hear us, O Jesus.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world,	have mercy on us, O Jesus.

He made him the lord of his household	And prince over all his possessions.

Let us pray:

O God, in your ineffable providence you were pleased to choose Blessed Joseph to be the spouse of your most holy Mother; grant, we beg you, that we may be worthy to have him for our intercessor in heaven whom on earth we venerate as our Protector: You who live and reign forever and ever.

Goffine’s Devout Instructions, 1896

To encourage us to veneration for St. Joseph St. Teresa wrote: “I do not remember to have asked St. Joseph for anything which he did not grant me. The great favors which God has granted me through him, and the many dangers of soul and body from which he has freed me, truly deserve admiration. It seems that God has granted to other saints the grace of assisting, in particular needs, those who invoke their intercession; but this glorious saint assists in all needs. The Lord seems thereby to indicate that, as He was subject to Joseph on earth, so now He grants him whatever he asks for. The same thing has been experienced by persons whom I have advised to recommend themselves to him;” “I would gladly advise everyone,” says St. Alphonsus, to have a great devotion towards this saint, since I have experienced what graces he can obtain from God. For several years I have asked him, on his feast, for some particular grace, and every time my petition has been granted. As we all have to die, we should have a particular devotion towards St. Joseph, that he may obtain for us a happy death ; for all Catholic Christians consider him to be an intercessor for the dying, and that he assists, at the hour of death, those who venerate him; and this for three reasons:

1. Because Jesus loves him, not only as a friend, but as a father, on which account his inter cession is more powerful than that of any other saint.

2. Because St. Joseph obtained special power against the evil spirits who tempt us at the hour of death.

3. The assistance which Jesus and Mary gave to Joseph at the hour of his own death procured for him the right to obtain a holy and easy death for his dependents. If in their dying hour they invoke his aid, not only will he assist them, but he will obtain for them the assistance of Jesus and Mary. Ought not these words of a great saint encourage you to venerate St. Joseph every day? Should not the hope of dying one day under the protection of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, move you to devotion to the foster-father of Jesus?

Prayer to St. Joseph.

O most chaste Joseph, who, by thy purity and other exalted virtues, wast worthy to be chosen for the spouse of Mary and the foster-father of Jesus, I beseech thee, by the great graces of which thou wast made partaker, that thou wouldst, by thy intercession, obtain for all parents grace to rear their children piously; for all married persons who are distressed and afflicted through poverty and tribulations consolation and encouragement; for all unmarried persons who have devoted their chastity to God the grace of perseverance; and, finally, for all the dying the grace to come, after a happy death, to thy foster child, Jesus Christ, Who, with the Father and the Holy Ghost, liveth and reigneth one God, world without end. Amen. Saint Joseph, pray for us.

Memorare to St. Joseph[4]

Remember, O most chaste spouse of the Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who implored your help and sought your intercession were left unassisted.

Full of confidence in your power I fly unto you and beg your protection.

Despise not O Guardian of the Redeemer my humble supplication, but in your bounty, hear and answer me. Amen.

Act of Consecration to St. Joseph

O dearest St. Joseph, I consecrate myself to your honor and give myself to you, that you may always be my father, my protector and my guide in the way of salvation.

Obtain for me a greater purity of heart and fervent love of the interior life.

After your example may I do all my actions for the greater glory of God, in union with the Divine Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

O Blessed St. Joseph, pray for me, that I may share in the peace and joy of your holy death. Amen.

Daily Devotions/Practices

· Make reparations to the Holy Face-Tuesday Devotion

· Pray Day 5 of the Novena for our Pope and Bishops

· Tuesday: Litany of St. Michael the Archangel

· Offering to the sacred heart of Jesus

· "Faith cannot save without virtue"

· Drops of Christ’s Blood

· Universal Man Plan

· Pray for our nation.