Twenty-Fifth Sunday after Pentecost
WORLD DIABETES DAY
Psalm 135, Verse 20:
20 House
of Levi, bless the LORD! You who FEAR the LORD, bless the LORD!
The hymn 135 begins and ends with an invitation to praise God for the great act of choosing Israel. The story of Israel’s emergence as a people is told in Ps 135:5–14; God created and redeemed the people, easily conquering all opposition. God’s defeat of hostile powers means that the powers themselves and their images are useless.[1]
This psalm also begins and ends with a
Hallelujah. In it we see that those who
love and have holy fear have it in their heart to praise God. It would be a good practice to make a prayer
of praise to our God when we get up and when we go to bed. For the evening
prayer might I suggest to sit quietly before bed reflecting on Psalm 40:11 “Be
still and know I am God.” Offer to our Lord your good works, and your failings,
and praise Him for the graces He has given regarding your concerns.
ON
KEEPING THE LORDS DAY HOLY[2]
CHAPTER III
DIES ECCLESIAE
The Eucharistic Assembly:
Heart of Sunday
The Sunday obligation
49. Because the faithful are obliged to attend Mass unless
there is a grave impediment, Pastors have the corresponding duty to offer to
everyone the real possibility of fulfilling the precept. The provisions of
Church law move in this direction, as for example in the faculty granted to
priests, with the prior authorization of the diocesan Bishop, to celebrate more
than one Mass on Sundays and holy days, the institution of evening Masses and
the provision which allows the obligation to be fulfilled from Saturday evening
onwards, starting at the time of First Vespers of Sunday. From a liturgical
point of view, in fact, holy days begin with First Vespers. Consequently, the
liturgy of what is sometimes called the "Vigil Mass" is in effect the
"festive" Mass of Sunday, at which the celebrant is required to
preach the homily and recite the Prayer of the Faithful.
Moreover, Pastors should remind the
faithful that when they are away from home on Sundays, they are to take care to
attend Mass wherever they may be, enriching the local community with their
personal witness. At the same time, these communities should show a warm sense
of welcome to visiting brothers and sisters, especially in places which attract
many tourists and pilgrims, for whom it will often be necessary to provide
special religious assistance.
Twenty-Fifth Sunday after Pentecost
Prayer.
Grant, we beseech Thee, Almighty God, that, ever fixing our
thoughts on reasonable things, we may perform, both in words and works, the
things that are pleasing to Thee. Amen.
EPISTLE, i. Thess. i. 2-10.
Brethren: We give
thanks to God always for you all: making a remembrance of you in our prayers
without ceasing, being mindful of the work of your faith, and labor, and
charity, and of the enduring of the hope of Our Lord Jesus Christ before God
and our Father. Knowing, brethren beloved of God, your election: for our Gospel
hath not been unto you in word only, but in power also, and in the Holy Ghost,
and in much fulness, as you know what manner of men, we have been among you for
your sakes. And you became followers of us, and of the Lord, receiving the word
in much tribulation, with joy of the Holy Ghost: so that you were made a
pattern to all that believe in Macedonia and in Achaia. For from you was spread
abroad the word of the Lord, not only in Macedonia and in Achaia, but also in
every place, your faith which is towards God, is gone forth, so that we need
not to speak anything. For they themselves relate of us, what manner of
entering in we had unto you ; and how you turned to God from idols, to serve
the living and true God, and to wait for His Son from heaven (Whom He raised up
from the dead), Jesus Who hath delivered us from the wrath to come.
Explanation. St. Paul wishes grace and peace to the Thessalonians; gives them
the assurance of his prayers without ceasing and declares his joy at their
having received the faith in Christ; at their being zealous in good works and
firm in tribulation, and at their persevering in the hope of reward, whereby
they became a pattern to others, who were led to embrace the true religion, and
were confirmed in it by their example. Oh, that we could say the same of
Christians of the present day! Such a life is- the glory of Christianity. Let
us, therefore, endeavor to have a living faith, shining forth in all good
works, with a firm hope of our salvation, that we too may be an example to
unbelievers.
GOSPEL. Matt. xiii. 31-35.
At that time Jesus spoke to the multitudes this parable: The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard-seed, which a man took and sowed in his field: which is the least indeed of all seeds: but when it is grown up, it is greater than all herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come and dwell in the branches thereof. Another parable He spoke to them: The kingdom of heaven is like to leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal, until the whole was leavened. All these things Jesus spoke in parables to the multitudes: and without parables He did not speak to them. That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying: I will open My mouth in parables, I will utter things hidden from the foundation of the world.
"Why are the Church and the doctrines of Christ
compared to a grain of mustard-seed?
Because they are very similar: the mustard-seed, though
small, in Palestine grows to be very high, spreads wide, and is very prolific.
In like manner the Church and doctrine of Christ, though at the beginning very
small, increased so fast, and in time reached such a large growth, as to
surpass all other religions, so that the princes and wise men of the world
sheltered themselves under the protection of Christianity, as the bird? dwell
under the branches of the tree.
Why are the Church and the doctrines of Christ compared to
leaven?
Because as leaven in a short time penetrates and makes
palatable a large measure of meal, so the Church and the doc trines of Christ
penetrated most rapidly three quarters of the globe, corrected the foolish opinions
of the heathen, and gave them a taste lor divine things and heavenly wisdom.
Prayer.
Most amiable Jesus, we thank Thee for having called us to
Thy Church, and for having communicated to us Thy doctrine. Give us grace to
become by it each day better and more pleasing to Thee, and finally to attain
eternal happiness. Enlighten also the nations living in heresy and darkness,
that they may know Thee, and be delivered from the wrath to come. Amen
World Diabetes Day[3]
World Diabetes Day aims to raise awareness of diabetes, a disease that raises blood sugars. Diabetes can result in problems with other organs and significantly increase the risk of heart disease, stroke and death. As of 2015, approximately 1 in 10 adults worldwide is diabetic, a problem which poses a massive burden on nations as it threatens their health and economic prosperity. In 1991, World Diabetes Day was established by the International Diabetes Federation and the World Health Organization in an effort to address the increasing number of diabetes cases and its burden on countries. Currently, diabetes prevalence is highest in the Middle East and Southern Asia while it is lowest in Sub Saharan Africa. Diabetes, especially type 2, has been linked to obesity and a sedentary, inactive lifestyle and thus World Diabetes Day also serves to promote a healthy and active lifestyle that can drastically reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
World
Diabetes Day Facts & Quotes
·
According to the World Health Organization,
about 350 million people in the world have diabetes. The organization expects
this number to double in the next two decades.
·
More than 80% of deaths related to diabetes
occur in low and middle-income countries.
·
Type 2 diabetes is much more common than type 1.
Type 2 diabetes accounts for about 90% of the world's diabetes cases.
·
50% of people with diabetes die due to heart
disease and stroke (cardiovascular diseases).
·
I was determined to share my positive approach
and not let diabetes stand in the way of enjoying my life - Paula Deen,
celebrity chef
World
Diabetes Day Top Events and Things to Do
·
Visit your doctor if you are overweight, obese,
do not regularly exercise and do not eat a balanced diet. These are all factors
that can cause diabetes.
·
Participate in one of the American Diabetes
Association's fundraising activities which include, The Tour de Cure, Step
Out: Walk to Stop Diabetes, Rip's B.A.D. Ride or you can create your own
fundraising event by using the organizations' online tools.
·
Watch a documentary about diabetes and
diabetes-related topics such as obesity, sugar consumption and fast food. Our
favorites are Sugar Babies, The Human Trial, Simply Raw
Reversing Diabetes in 30 Days and Diabetes Cure Documentary
·
Learn about ways to control and lower the risk
of developing diabetes. The American Diabetes Association provides some great
ways to reduce your risk which include:
1) Eat a healthy balanced diet
2) Exercise regularly
3) Ensure that you are not overweight or obese
4) Remove unnecessary processed foods with high sugar content from your diet
5) Get checked for high blood pressure or abnormal cholesterol levels
·
Try the Iceman’s Universal Man
Plan
·
Learn about the symptoms and signs of diabetes.
Many cases of diabetes go undiagnosed for long periods of time while causing
irreversible damage to the body. Some common signs and symptoms include:
-Hunger
-Fatigue
-Frequent urination
-Constant Thirst
-Blurred vision
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.
·
Unite in the work of the Porters of St. Joseph by joining them
in fasting: Today's Fast: Catholic
Politicians & Leaders
·
Offering to
the sacred heart of Jesus
·
Make
reparations to the Holy Face
·
Go to MASS
· Rosary
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