Day 31-Let Freedom Ring: Freedom from Materialism
"My kid can't serve because he has a ball tournament this weekend."
"And this tournament is both on Saturday night and SUNDAY MORNING?"
"I know, Father, but he did make a commitment to the team. We will try to get to Mass at some time" (Thinking to myself: Hmmmm. I am sure what God meant by first fruits was really leftovers, but that's another discussion. Maybe we should talk about the commitment to God is of greater value).
"So why is going to this game so important?"
"Because he needs extracurriculars to get into a good college?"
"Why is that important?"
"So he can get a good job."
"Why is that important?"
"So he can be successful and make a good salary."
"Why is that important?"
"So he can raise a family and live without financial worry" (Me thinking to myself: Hmmmm, no wonder my homilies on priestly vocations fall on deaf ears; but again, another time).
"May I quote Mark 8:6? "What does it profit for man to gain the whole world yet forfeit their soul?" The third commandment is to keep holy the Sabbath, no? Is teaching your son that a ball game holds greater importance than the Day of the Lord a lesson you wish teach to him?"
We have allowed the temptation of the devil to move our hearts to not see fulfillment in Your goodness.
We have chased after earthly goals and trinkets as if they were more important.
We have allowed material goals to supplant our relationship with You.
We have expected You to be pleased with our neglect and half-heartedness.
We have, at times, been a source of scandal for those searching through our sinfulness and rebellion to You.
In our fear, we have allowed the ancient foe to advance.
We turn to You Lord, in our sorrow and guilt, and beg Your forgiveness for our materialism.
We beg for the grace of your goodness to build up within us what you sought to build up in Your apostles in that tempest tossed boat.
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.
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 materialism.
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 materialism 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 for ever and ever.
Amen.
Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.
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.
of the Eternal Father, save us.
Blood of Christ, of the New and Eternal Testament, etc.
Blood of Christ, falling upon the earth in the Agony,
Blood of Christ, shed profusely in the Scourging,
Blood of Christ, flowing forth in the Crowning with Thorns,
Blood of Christ, poured out on the Cross,
Blood of Christ, price of our salvation,
Blood of Christ, without which there is no forgiveness,
Blood of Christ, Eucharistic drink and refreshment of souls,
Blood of Christ, stream of mercy,
Blood of Christ, victor over demons,
Blood of Christ, courage of martyrs,
Blood of Christ, strength of confessors,
Blood of Christ, bringing forth virgins,
Blood of Christ, help of those in peril,
Blood of Christ, relief of the burdened,
Blood of Christ, solace in sorrow,
Blood of Christ, hope of the penitent,
Blood of Christ, consolation of the dying,
Blood of Christ, peace and tenderness of hearts,
Blood of Christ, pledge of Eternal Life,
Blood of Christ, freeing souls from purgatory,
Blood of Christ, most worthy of all glory and honor,
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.
R. And made us, for our God, a kingdom.
Almighty and eternal God, Thou hast appointed Thine only-begotten Son the Redeemer of the world and willed to be appeased by his blood. Grant, we beg of Thee, that we may worthily adore this price of our salvation and through its power be safeguarded from the evils of the present life so that we may rejoice in its fruits forever in heaven. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.
Introduction to the
Gospel of Luke[1]
The Gospel
according to Luke illustrates God’s
dealings with humanity found in the Old Testament, showing how God’s promises to Israel have been fulfilled
in Jesus and how the salvation promised to Israel and accomplished by Jesus has
been extended to the Gentiles. The stated purpose is to provide Theophilus and
others like him with certainty—assurance—about earlier instruction they have
received. To accomplish his purpose, Luke shows that the preaching and teaching
of the representatives of the early church are grounded in the preaching and
teaching of Jesus, who during his historical ministry prepared his specially
chosen followers and commissioned them to be witnesses to his resurrection and
to all else that he did. This continuity between the historical ministry of
Jesus and the ministry of the apostles is Luke’s way of guaranteeing the fidelity
of the Church’s
teaching to the teaching of Jesus. Luke’s
story of Jesus and the church is dominated by a historical perspective. This
history is first of all salvation history. God’s divine plan for human salvation
was accomplished during the period of Jesus, who through the events of his life
fulfilled the Old Testament prophecies, and this salvation is now extended to
all humanity in the period of the church. This salvation history, moreover, is
a part of human history. Luke relates the story of Jesus and the church to
events in contemporary Palestinian and Roman history for, as Paul says, “this was not done in a corner.” Luke is concerned with presenting
Christianity as a legitimate form of worship in the Roman world, a religion
that is capable of meeting the spiritual needs of a world empire like that of
Rome. To this end, Luke depicts the Roman governor Pilate declaring Jesus
innocent of any wrongdoing three times. At the same time Luke argues in Acts
that Christianity is the logical development and proper fulfillment of Judaism
and is therefore deserving of the same toleration and freedom traditionally
accorded Judaism by Rome.
The prominence given to
the period of the church in the story has important consequences for Luke’s interpretation of the teachings
of Jesus. By presenting the time of the church as a distinct phase of salvation
history, Luke accordingly shifts the early Christian emphasis away from the
expectation of an imminent Parousia to the day-to-day concerns of the Christian
community in the world. He does this in the gospel by regularly emphasizing the
words “each day”
in the sayings of
Jesus. Although Luke still believes the Parousia to be a reality that will come
unexpectedly, he is more concerned with presenting the words and deeds of Jesus
as guides for the conduct of Christian disciples in the interim period between
the ascension and the Parousia and with presenting Jesus himself as the model
of Christian life and piety. Throughout the gospel, Luke calls upon the
Christian disciple to identify with the master Jesus, who is caring and tender
toward the poor and lowly, the outcast, the sinner, and the afflicted, toward all
those who recognize their dependence on God, but who is severe toward the proud
and self-righteous, and particularly toward those who place their material
wealth before the service of God and his people. No gospel writer is more
concerned than Luke with the mercy and compassion of Jesus. No gospel writer is
more concerned with the role of the Spirit in the life of Jesus and the
Christian disciple, with the importance of prayer, or with Jesus’ concern for women. While Jesus
calls all humanity to repent, he is particularly demanding of those who would
be his disciples. Of them he demands absolute and total detachment from family
and material possessions. To all who respond in faith and repentance to the
word Jesus preaches, he brings salvation and peace and life.
Early Christian tradition,
from the late second century on, identifies the author of this gospel and of
the Acts of the Apostles as Luke, a Syrian from Antioch. The prologue of the
gospel makes it clear that Luke is not part of the first generation of
Christian disciples but is himself dependent upon the traditions he received
from those who were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word.
AUGUST 6 Thursday
FEAST OF THE TRANSFIGURATION
Luke, Chapter 1,
verse 10-12:
10 Then, when the whole assembly of the people was praying outside at the hour of the incense offering, 11the angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right of the altar of incense. 12Zechariah was troubled by what he saw, and FEAR came upon him.
Zechariah
was troubled, and he was afraid. I do not think this was Holy fear for
Zechariah’s faith did not equal his fear and he was filled with unbelief.
His intellect outweighed his heart and as a result he was left unable to speak
until the birth of his son as the angel told him. That son was John the
Baptist. There are times when we must listen to our hearts and not our heads.
Feast of the Transfiguration[2]
This is the second
commemoration during the liturgical year of the miracle of the Transfiguration.
(The first, on the second Sunday in Lent, recalls Christ's divinity, while
today emphasizes His triumph and glory.
GOSPEL
Matt xvii 1-9
At that time: Jesus taketh unto Him Peter and James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into a high mountain apart: and He was transfigured before them. And His face did shine as the sun: and His garments became white as snow. And behold there appeared to them Moses and Elias talking with Him. And Peter, answering, said to Jesus: Lord, it is good for us to be here: if Thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles, one for Thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias. And as he was yet speaking, behold a bright cloud overshadowed them. And lo a voice out of the cloud saying: This is My beloved Son, in Whom I arn well pleased: hear ye Him. And the disciple’s hearing, fell upon their face: and were very much afraid. And Jesus came and touched them: and said to them: Arise, and fear not. And they lifting up their eyes saw no one, but only Jesus. And as they came down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, saying: Tell the vision to no man, till the Son of man be risen from the dead.
Why was Jesus transfigured before
His disciples on Mount Thabor?
1. To give them a
manifest proof of His divinity.
2. To prevent all
doubt on their part when they should see Him on Mount Calvary.
3. To encourage all
the faithful to patience under agony and suffering.
4. To show us how our
glorified bodies shall rise from the dead (i. Cor. xv. 52).
Why did Moses and Elias appear with Our Lord? To testify that Jesus, was the Savior of the world, spoken of by the law and the prophets.
Night Operations[3]
This vision happened in the night. As they went down the
mountain early the next morning, Jesus bade them not to tell anyone what they
had seen till he should be risen from the dead. In the Transfiguration Christ
enjoyed for a short while that glorified state which was to be permanently His
after His Resurrection on Easter Sunday. The splendor of His inward Divinity
and of the Beatific Vision of His soul overflowed on His body and permeated His
garments so that Christ stood before Peter, James, and John in a snow-white
brightness. The purpose of the Transfiguration was to encourage and strengthen
the Apostles who were depressed by their master’s prediction of His own Passion
and Death. The Apostles were made to understand that His redeeming work has two
phases: The Cross, and glory—that we shall be glorified with Him only if we
first suffer with Him.
Transfiguration-Things to do:[4]
- In
the Russian Orthodox church, honey, pears, apples, plums and other fruits
are brought to the church for blessing. This feast is also referred to as
"Metamorphosis" in the Eastern church.
- The
Transfiguration was another "first fruits" harvest feast
particularly of grapes and wheat. The Roman Ritual has a blessing of
grapes and blessing of the harvest for this feast.
- Playing
up on the brilliant white of the garments, decorating with white
(tablecloth, candles, etc.) and serving some white foods (mashed potatoes,
vanilla ice cream, Mexican wedding cookies, meringues, etc.) can bring to
mind that dazzling white.
- Having
Moses and Elijah at the Transfiguration is a reminder of the Old
Testament. Bring in some Jewish recipes or foods to highlight this aspect
of the feast day.
Root Beer Float Day[5]
Root Beer Float Day is celebrated on August 6th every year.
Between the luxurious vanilla ice-cream and the sumptuous root beer foam, how
can any individual resist this delightful beverage? This amazingly refreshing
summer treat has its own special day to celebrate its undeniable brilliance. Towards
the end of the 19th century, a gentleman named Frank Wisner created the first
root beer float. Strangely, this float was nicknamed the “black cow.” If you
are wondering how to make one of these superb drinks, then simply add a scoop
of vanilla ice-cream to a cold glass of root beer. The taste of root beer float
makes the taste buds tingle with utter excitement. To celebrate Root Beer Float
Day why not create your own float? Make the float colorful and presentable so
that other people can see you have really made an effort for this special
occasion!
Total Consecration to St. Joseph-Day 18[6]
On
Day 18 Father Calloway points out that Joseph was a gentle soul that was never
too lenient nor too harsh. Joseph’s principal virtue was that of prudence.
Prudence is necessary in the avoidance of erroneous extremes. A prudent man has
the perfect balance of self-restraint, fairness and courage.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
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 on us.
God the Holy Spirit have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, One God, have mercy on us.
Holy Mary, pray for us.
Saint Joseph, Pray for Us.
Noble 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.
Zealous Defender 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.
Father Calloway emphasizes
· Saint Joseph will help you develop the virtue of Kings and Rulers: PRUDENCE.
St. Joseph had prudence that was supercharged with the love of God. Unlike human prudence that guides a person to avoid difficulty, suffering and hardship. Joseph sought God’s heart which moved him to always strive for the greater good of God and man, even if it caused him suffering.
St Joseph’s Prudence[7]
1. St. Joseph never acted on impulse. He always reflected before acting. What husband would not have put away his wife without any delay when he discovered that she was about to give birth to a child that was not his’ Not so St. Joseph. He waited and pondered and prayed, and gradually formed the prudent resolve of sending her back in secret to her friends. Even after deciding on this plan as the best, he again waited and commended it to God, turned it over and over in his own mind, prayed still more before proceeding to act. It was this prudence of his, this charitable delay, that earned for him the solution of his doubts by an angel’s voice.
2. St. Joseph had entrusted to him the training up of Jesus. The formation of the character of the divine Child was committed to him. What prudence, what perfect prudence must he have possessed whom God considered as the fit guardian of the Eternal Word! If I were more prudent, God would entrust to me greater works to be done for Him.
3. Our Lady must have had wonderful confidence in the prudence of her spouse when she arose unhesitatingly at dead of night to fly with him to Egypt, just because he told her he had had a dream warning him to do so. But she knew not only how naturally careful and wise he was, but that he had an infused and supernatural prudence that could not be deceived. If I were more prudent, others would trust me more, and listen with greater confidence to my advice or commands.
Seven Sorrows and Seven Joys[8]
Over
the centuries there grew many different devotions to St. Joseph, expressing a
deep filial love for the foster-father of Jesus. Among them was the powerful
Seven Sunday’s devotion.
Whatever the origins may be, a devotion was developed where the seven sorrows and seven joys of Joseph became the focus of meditation on the seven Sundays preceding his feast on March 19. The first Sunday of these meditations is typically either the last Sunday of January or the first Sunday of February.
Below are the following joys and sorrows of St. Joseph, along with their respective passages in scripture. One approach to these Sundays is to read each passage and consider how Joseph would have felt in the situation. This is a form of lectio divina or “divine reading,” where you are able to put yourself into the scene and see Joseph’s expressions during each episode.
When praying the Seven Sunday’s devotion, it is customary to pray for a specific intention, asking St. Joseph’s powerful intercession for your needs.
1st Sunday
Sorrow
(Matthew 1:19) The Doubt of St. Joseph
Joy (Matthew 1:20) The Message of the Angel
2nd Sunday
Sorrow
(Luke 2:7) The Poverty of Jesus’ Birth
Joy (Luke 2:10-11) The Birth of the Savior
3rd Sunday
Sorrow
(Luke 2:21) The Circumcision
Joy (Matthew 1:25) The Holy Name of Jesus
4th Sunday
Sorrow
(Luke 2:34) The Prophecy of Simeon
Joy (Luke 2:38) The Effects of the Redemption
5th Sunday
Sorrow
(Matthew 2:14) The Flight into Egypt
Joy (Isaiah 19:1) The Overthrow of the Idols of Egypt
6th Sunday
Sorrow
(Matthew 2:22) The Return from Egypt
Joy (Luke 2:39) Life with Jesus and Mary at Nazareth
7th Sunday
Sorrow
(Luke 2:45) The Loss of the Child Jesus
Joy (Luke 2:46) The Finding of the Child Jesus in the Temple
o
Pray the Litany of St. Joseph.
Daily Devotions
·
do
a personal eucharistic stations of the cross.
·
The necessity of being
faithful to the end
·
Offering to
the sacred heart of Jesus
·
Rosary
[2] Goffine’s Devout Instructions
[4]https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/day.cfm?date=2019-08-06
[6]https://catholicexchange.com/now-is-the-time-to-consecrate-yourself-to-saint-joseph
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