Introduction to the Book of Ezra[1]
King Cyrus of Persia has
just defeated the Babylonians. Inspired by God's spirit, he tells the
Israelites that they can head home and rebuild their temple. He returns the
sacred temple vessels stolen by the Babylonians and personally bankrolls the
whole building project from his treasury. Zerubbabel and Jeshua the High Priest
lead the people back and start laying down the foundations for a new Temple.
But Israel's enemies are able to frustrate the building plans by getting the
new Persian king Artaxerxes to order construction to a halt. Things stay that
way until Darius comes to power in Persia. Two prophets, Haggai and Zechariah,
urge the Israelites to start building, so naturally the enemies of Israel again
complain to the king and demand he check the records to see if Cyrus actually
gave permission to build. But—when Darius finds Cyrus's original decree, he
lets them start rebuilding. Ezra (earlier in time but not in the narrative) is
sent by Artaxerxes to help the Israelites get their religious observance back
on track. A big part of this involves Ezra breaking up marriages between
Israelites and non-Israelites. He has a major meltdown when he hears about all
the intermarriage, and manages to convince the men to send away their foreign
wives and children.
JULY 4 Sixth Sunday after Pentecost
(14th S. Ord. Time)
INDEPENDENCE
DAY
Ezra, Chapter 3, Verse 3
They set the altar on its
foundations, for they lived in FEAR of
the peoples of the lands, and offered burnt offerings to the LORD on it, both
morning and evening.
Today
is our Nations Independence Day and we honor those who have paid the supreme
sacrifice of devotion watching our nation. Pray today for the souls of those
taken in battle. In the communion of saints, it is our duty; no: our honor to
pray for the souls of those in our company who have died; especially those who
have passed through the valley of fear in the heat of battle.
Today
due to the COVID and THE NEW WORLD ORDER; we are like those who followed Ezra;
we are returning to rebuild our temple. The foundation of our church is that Christ
rose from the dead; and is with us in the Eucharist. Do not, live in fear, of
the DARK State and the peoples of this land. Pray morning and evening.
ON KEEPING THE LORDS DAY HOLY[2]
CHAPTER II
DIES CHRISTI
The Day of the Risen Lord
and of the Gift of the Holy Spirit
An indispensable day!
30. It is clear then why, even in our
own difficult times, the identity of this day must be protected and above all
must be lived in all its depth. An Eastern writer of the beginning of the third
century recounts that as early as then the faithful in every region were
keeping Sunday holy on a regular basis. What began as a spontaneous practice
later became a juridically sanctioned norm. The Lord's Day has structured the
history of the Church through two thousand years: how could we think that it
will not continue to shape her future? The pressures of today can make it
harder to fulfil the Sunday obligation; and, with a mother's sensitivity, the
Church looks to the circumstances of each of her children. In particular, she
feels herself called to a new catechetical and pastoral commitment, in order to
ensure that, in the normal course of life, none of her children are deprived of
the rich outpouring of grace which the celebration of the Lord's Day brings. It
was in this spirit that the Second Vatican Council, making a pronouncement on
the possibility of reforming the Church calendar to match different civil
calendars, declared that the Church "is prepared to accept only those
arrangements which preserve a week of seven days with a Sunday". Given its
many meanings and aspects, and its link to the very foundations of the faith,
the celebration of the Christian Sunday remains, on the threshold of the Third
Millennium, an indispensable element of our Christian identity.
Sixth Sunday after Pentecost[3]
This Sunday stresses
the need for constant repentance and fidelity to our baptismal vows.
THE Introit of the Mass of to-day is
the prayer of a soul that confides in the powerful and benign protection of
God. The Lord is the strength of His people, and the protector of the salvation
of His anointed. Save Thy people, O Lord, and bless Thy inheritance, and rule
them forever. Unto Thee will I cry, O my God be not Thou silent to me, lest I
become like them that go down into the pit (Ps. xxvii. 8, 9, 1).
Prayer.
O God of hosts, to Whom belongeth all that is best, infuse into our breasts the
love of Thy name, and grant within us an increase of devotion, that Thou mayest
nourish what is good, and by the pursuit of piety preserve what Thou hast
nourished.
EPISTLE. Rom. vi. &-11.
Brethren: All we, who are baptized
in Christ Jesus, are baptized in His death. For we are buried together with Him
by baptism unto death: that as Christ is risen from the dead by the glory of
the Father, so we also may walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted
together in the likeness of His death, we shall be also in the likeness of His
resurrection. Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with Him, that the
body of sin may be destroyed, to the end that we may serve sin no longer. For
he that is dead is justified from sin. Now if we be dead with Christ, we
believe that we shall live also together with Christ: knowing that Christ
rising again from the dead, dieth now no more, death shall no more have
dominion over Him. For in that He died to sin, He died once: but in that He
liveth, He liveth unto God. So, do you also reckon that you are dead to sin,
but alive unto God, in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Explanation.
St. Paul here exhorts us that as through baptism we become members of Christ’s
mystical body, what was accomplished in Him actually must also take place in us
spiritually. As Jesus died for our sins, was buried, rose again, and ascended
into heaven, so also must we, once risen from sin, live henceforth to God, a
new, holy life, conformed to that of Christ.
GOSPEL. Mark viii. 1-9.
At that time, when there was a great multitude with Jesus,
and they had nothing to eat, calling His disciples together, He saith to them:
I have compassion on the multitude; for behold they have now been with Me three
days, and have nothing to eat. And if I shall send them away fasting to their
home, they will faint in the way: for some of them came from afar off. And His
disciples answered Him: From whence can anyone fill them here with bread in the
wilderness? And He asked them: How many loaves have ye? Who said: Seven. And He
commanded the multitude to sit down upon the ground. And taking the seven
loaves, giving thanks, He broke, and gave to His disciples for to set before
them, and they set them before the people. And they had a few little fishes and
He blessed them, and commanded them to be set before them. And they did eat and
were filled, and they took up that which was left of the fragments, seven
baskets. And they that had eaten were about four thousand: and He sent them
away.
Why
did Jesus say, I have compassion on the multitude, etc.?
To confirm by acts what He had previously, through St. Matthew (Matt. vi. 33),
taught in words, namely, that to them who seek first the kingdom of God and His
justice, all other things shall be added without asking; and to show us, at the
same time, the greatness of God’s love, which takes account of every hour spent
in His service, and compassionates every want of man. The multitude were not
solicitous for food, and had not even asked it from Him, and yet He cared for them.
Renewal
of Baptismal Promises[4]
V. Do you reject Satan?
R. I do.
V. And all his works?
R. I do.
V. And all his empty promises?
R. I do.
V. Do you believe in God, the Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth?
R. I do.
V. Do you believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was born of the
Virgin Mary was crucified, died, and was buried, rose from the dead, and is now
seated at the right hand of the Father?
R. I do.
V. Do you believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Catholic church, the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting?
R. I do.
V. God, the all-powerful Father of our Lord Jesus Christ has given us a new
birth by water and the Holy Spirit, and forgiven all our sins. May he also keep
us faithful to our Lord Jesus Christ for ever and ever.
R. Amen.
(This is a family service that is directed by one of the parents. The family
members renew their baptismal vows and sprinkle themselves with the Easter
water,)
Independence Day[5]
Independence Day commemorates the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. Independence Day is the most important secular holiday held in the United States. Americans take this day to celebrate all that is American, remembering the great sacrifices of our forefathers as they fought and won our independence from Great Britain. The holiday is also referred to as 4th of July, named after the date on which it is celebrated each year.
Independence Day
Facts & Quotes
·
In
July 1776, there were approximately 2.5 million people living in the new
nation.
·
The
first public reading of the Declaration of Independence didn't occur until July
8, 1776. It was sent to the printers on July 4th.
·
The
original Declaration of Independence can be viewed by visiting the National
Archives, Washington D.C. The original copy is severely faded and sits
under special glass in the Rotunda for the Chambers of Freedom.
·
The
Statue of Liberty is a great symbol of American Freedom. It was given to the US
by France in 1886. It was delivered in 214 crates and assembled on what
is known as Liberty Island, in New York Harbor.
· Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, to assure the survival and success of liberty. - John F. Kennedy
Independence Day Top
Events and Things to Do
·
Attend
or host a Barbeque.
·
Watch
Fireworks. Large cities such as New York, Miami, Chicago and Los Angeles all
have large firework displays.
·
Read
or recite the Preamble to the Declaration of Independence.
·
Watch
or attend Nathan's famous Hot
Dog eating contest
in Coney Island.
·
Watch
a Parade. Most local cities host parades to celebrate Independence Day.
·
Contribute
to the independence of a veteran
Catholic
Culture Library Related Articles[6]
·
First Centenary of First American Bishops
·
How Birth Control Changed America — For the Worse
·
The Philosophy of American Patriotism in the Present
Crisis
·
The Relevance of Thomas Jefferson
·
Thomas Jefferson and Freedom of Religion
·
Sapientiae Christianae—On Christians as Citizens
Declaration of
Independence; 1776.
We hold these truths to be self-evident:
That all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness; that, to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed; that whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new government, laying its foundation on such principles, and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their safety and happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shown that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same object, evinces a design to reduce them under absolute despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such government, and to provide new guards for their future security.
Prayer[7]
Almighty God, Father of
all nations, for freedom you have set us free in Christ Jesus (Gal 5:1). We
praise and bless you for the gift of religious liberty, the foundation of human
rights, justice, and the common good. Grant to our leaders the wisdom to
protect and promote our liberties; by your grace may we have the courage to
defend them, for ourselves and for all those who live in this blessed land. We
ask this through the intercession of Mary Immaculate, our patroness, and in the
name of your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, with
whom you live and reign, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Render unto Caesar[8]
This country cannot afford
to be materially rich and spiritually poor.
John F. Kennedy
Have
we become a soulless Nation? Have we in the pursuit of happiness; ignored the
Gospel of Life. Realizing that if we put success or liberty as greater values
than life that we are serving Caesar and not God. To understand this, we need
to review the US Bishops “The Gospel of Life”.
The Gospel of Life[9]
Brothers and sisters in the Lord:
At the conclusion of the 1998 ad limina visits of the bishops of the United
States, our Holy Father Pope John Paul II spoke these words:
Today I believe the Lord is saying to us all: do not hesitate, do not be afraid to engage the good fight of the faith (cf. I Tim 6:12). When we preach the liberating message of Jesus Christ, we are offering the words of life to the world. Our prophetic witness is an urgent and essential service not just to the Catholic community but to the whole human family.
In this statement we attempt to fulfill our role as teachers
and pastors in proclaiming the Gospel of Life. We are confident that the
proclamation of the truth in love is an indispensable way for us to exercise
our pastoral responsibility.
"Your
country stands upon the world scene as a model of a democratic society at an
advanced stage of development. Your power of example carries with it
heavy responsibilities. Use it well, America!"
--Pope John Paul II, Newark, 1995
When
Henry Luce published his appeal for an "American century" in 1941, he
could not have known how the coming reality would dwarf his dream. Luce
hoped that the "engineers, scientists, doctors . . . builders of roads
[and] teachers" of the United States would spread across the globe to
promote economic success and American ideals: "a love of freedom, a
feeling for the quality of opportunity, a tradition of self-reliance and
independence and also cooperation." Exactly this, and much
more, has happened in the decades since. U.S. economic success has
reshaped the world. But the nobility of the American experiment flows
from its founding principles, not from its commercial power. In this
century alone, hundreds of thousands of Americans have died defending those
principles. Hundreds of thousands more have lived lives of service to
those principles -- both at home and on other continents -- teaching, advising
and providing humanitarian assistance to people in need. As Pope John
Paul has observed, "At the center of the moral vision of [the American]
founding documents is the recognition of the rights of the human person . .
." The greatness of the United States lies "especially [in its]
respect for the dignity and sanctity of human life in all conditions and at all
stages of development."
Now
the word of the Lord came to me saying: Before I formed you in the womb I knew
you, before you were born, I consecrated you; a prophet to the nations I
appointed you.
--Jeremiah 1:5
The Patriotic Rosary[10] is prayed everywhere from within cloistered convents, to inside the Pentagon; from dangerous military fields around the globe to the quietness of the Bedroom of Apparitons and the Field of Apparitions at Caritas, which is the home of the Patriotic Rosary. The Patriotic Rosary quickly captured the hearts and attention of millions when first heard and prayed. Inspired by Our Lady of Medjugorje, the Patriotic Rosary is a powerful prayer for divine protection and mercy for our Nation and its rebirth. The history of the writing of the Patriotic Rosary origins back to 1995 at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, where the first promptings of Our Lady was felt and the impulse to form the Patriotic Rosary was given. The Patriotic Rosary, the Prayer to Heal Our Land, and the “Seven Novenas for the Reconciling of Ourselves, our Families and our Nation Back to God,” all for the rebirth of America, have the grounds at Caritas of Birmingham as their home. It is Caritas of Birmingham, whose founder, known as A Friend of Medjugorje, wrote the Patriotic Rosary, and that also operates the Official Medjugorje Site. It was a surprise in 1988, after many prayers near the Pine Tree for the healing of our Nation that Our Lady began to write a beautiful story, through Her Medjugorje apparitions at Caritas, telling us that a Nation and its healing, represented by the Pine in the Field, would come only through the individual, represented by the family bed. In those first apparitions, Our Lady appeared in the Bedroom over the family bed, then on Thanksgiving Day, November 24, 1988, She appeared near the Pine, then back to the Bedroom for the remaining two months of daily apparitions. This spoke clearly that our Nation would be healed through strong marriages forming strong holy families raising strong individuals which will heal and make a strong nation. Our Nation’s future depends on the healing of the family. Pray the Patriotic Rosary.
Daily Devotions
·
Today in honor of the
Holy Trinity do the Divine Office giving your day to God. To honor God REST: no
shopping after 6 pm Saturday till Monday. Don’t forget the internet.
·
Offering to
the sacred heart of Jesus
·
Make
reparations to the Holy Face
·
Go to MASS
·
Rosary
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