Third
Sunday after Pentecost
FATHERS
DAY-INTERNATIONAL PICNIC DAY
Joshua, Chapter 10, Verse 25
Then Joshua said to them, “Do not
be AFRAID or dismayed, be firm and
steadfast. This is what the LORD will do to all the enemies against whom you
fight.”
Joshua,
the warrior of God, had just defeated the five Kings of Jerusalem and had all
of the soldiers put their foot on the Kings neck as a sign of victory over
evil. Additionally, it showed how God had personally empowered each of them to
overcome evil and they are not to be afraid or intimidated.
Joshua
defeated five Kings is the number significant. The number five symbolizes God's
grace, goodness and favor toward humans and is mentioned 318 times in
Scripture. Five is the number of grace, and multiplied by itself, which is 25,
is 'grace upon grace' (John 1:16). The Ten Commandments contains two sets of five
commandments. The first five commandments are related to our treatment and
relationship with God, and the last five concern our relationship with other humans.[1]
Additionally
in the Rosary there are five daily meditations on the life of Christ where the
faithful pray a decade of Hail Mary’s.
Aids in Battle[2]Know
the nature of devils.
·
What
a terrible revolution in their whole being: In their intellect, no thoughts but
of crime! In their will, no love but for evil!
·
There
is no repentance for the angels after their fall, just as there is no
repentance for men after death.
·
Christ
gave the Devil power over Himself so that he might be tempted and led into
danger and persecuted even to the point of death, so that He might in this way
liberate us from the Devil’s power.
·
In
the Book of Genesis we find a precise description of lie and falsification of
the truth about God, which Satan (under the form of a serpent) tries to
transmit to the first representatives of the human race: God is jealous of his
own prerogatives and therefore wants to impose limitations on man (see Gn 3:
5). Satan invites the man to free himself from the imposition of this yoke by
making himself “like God.”
ON KEEPING
THE LORD'S DAY HOLY[3]
CHAPTER III
DIES ECCLESIAE
The Eucharistic Assembly:
Heart of Sunday
The table of the word
40.
In considering the Sunday Eucharist more than thirty years after the Council,
we need to assess how well the word of God is being proclaimed and how
effectively the People of God have grown in knowledge and love of Sacred
Scripture. There are two aspects of this — that of celebration and that
of personal appropriation — and they are very closely related. At the
level of celebration, the fact that the Council made it possible to proclaim
the word of God in the language of the community taking part in the celebration
must awaken a new sense of responsibility towards the word, allowing "the
distinctive character of the sacred text" to shine forth "even in the
mode of reading or singing". At the level of personal appropriation, the
hearing of the word of God proclaimed must be well prepared in the souls of the
faithful by an apt knowledge of Scripture and, where pastorally possible, by special
initiatives designed to deepen understanding of the biblical readings,
particularly those used on Sundays and holy days. If Christian individuals and
families are not regularly drawing new life from the reading of the sacred text
in a spirit of prayer and docility to the Church's interpretation, then it is
difficult for the liturgical proclamation of the word of God alone to produce
the fruit we might expect. This is the value of initiatives in parish
communities which bring together during the week those who take part in the
Eucharist — priest, ministers and faithful — in order to prepare the Sunday
liturgy, reflecting beforehand upon the word of God which will be proclaimed. The
objective sought here is that the entire celebration — praying, singing,
listening, and not just the preaching — should express in some way the theme of
the Sunday liturgy, so that all those taking part may be penetrated more
powerfully by it. Clearly, much depends on those who exercise the ministry of
the word. It is their duty to prepare the reflection on the word of the Lord by
prayer and study of the sacred text, so that they may then express its contents
faithfully and apply them to people's concerns and to their daily lives.
Third
Sunday after Pentecost[4]
Because of God's
mercy, the Holy Spirit works to build the kingdom of God even in sinful souls.
ON
this Sunday, in the Introit of the Mass, the Church invites the sinner to call
on the Lord with confidence and humility. “Look Thou upon me and have mercy
upon me, O Lord, for I am alone and poor. See my abjection and my labor, and
forgive me all my sins, O my God. To Thee, O Lord, have I lifted up my soul; in
Thee, O my God, I put my trust, let me not be ashamed” (Ps. xxiv.).
Prayer.
O God, the protector of those who hope in Thee, without Whom nothing is strong,
nothing is holy, multiply Thy mercy upon us, that under Thy rule and guidance
we may so pass through the goods of time as not to forfeit those of eternity.
EPISTLE. I. Peter v. 6-11.
Dearly
Beloved: Be you humbled under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in
the time of visitation. Casting all your care upon Him, for He hath care of
you. Be sober and watch: because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion,
goeth about seeking whom he may devour. Whom resist ye, strong in faith,
knowing that the same affliction befalleth your brethren who are in the world.
But the God of all grace, Who hath called us unto His eternal glory in Christ
Jesus, after you have suffered a little, will Himself perfect you, and confirm
you, and establish you. To Him be glory and empire forever and ever. Amen.
GOSPEL. Luke xv. 1-10.
At that time
the publicans and sinners drew near unto Jesus to hear Him. And the Pharisees
and the scribes murmured, saying: This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with
them. And He spoke to them this parable, saying “What man of you that hath an
hundred sheep, and if he shall lose one of them, doth he not leave the
ninety-nine in the desert, and go after that which was lost until he find it?
And when he hath found it, lay it upon his shoulders rejoicing; and coming home
call together his friends and neighbors, saying to them: Rejoice with me,
because I have found my sheep that was lost? I say to you, that even so there
shall be joy in heaven upon one sinner that doth penance, more than upon
ninety-nine just who need not penance. Or what woman having ten groats*,
if she lose one groat (small coin) doth not light a candle and sweep the
house and seek diligently until she find it? And when she hath found it, call
together her friends and neighbors, saying: Rejoice with me, because I have
found the groat which I had lost. So, I say to you, there shall be joy before
the angels of God upon one sinner doing penance.”
Why did the Pharisees murmur?
Because
they thought themselves better than other men, and as they avoided the company
of sinners themselves, they required others to do likewise. They did not know,
or rather did not wish to know, that a truly just man always feels compassion
for sinners, and that the saints always desired and endeavored to promote their
conversion and eternal welfare. “True justice, says St. Gregory, has compassion
for sinners, while false and hypocritical justice is angry with them. Love
sinners, therefore, in imitation of Jesus, and pray earnestly for their
conversion.”
What does the parable of the lost sheep teach us?
It
teaches us the love of Jesus, Who seeks out sinners, brings them back to the
Father, and reinstates them in the privileges of the children of God. We find
in this parable an excuse for sinners. The sheep is a very simple animal which,
while grazing in the field, does not notice that it has left the fold. It is
lost, and when lost does not know the way back to the fold. It seems,
therefore, when Christ compared the sinner to a sheep He intended to say that
the sinner goes astray from the true path and from God through pure and natural
ignorance; because being dazzled and delighted by the things of the world, he
follows them; he separates himself from the just without knowing it, and, lost
in the desert of this world, he does not know his misfortune and has not,
humanly speaking, the means of returning again, if God in His infinite mercy
does not go in search of him and rescue him.
What is
meant by the words, “there shall be more joy over one sinner that does penance
than upon ninety-nine just who need not penance?
Thereby
it is not to be understood that the penitent sinner is more pleasing to God
than ninety-nine just, but that, as men have a special joy in finding that
which they supposed to be lost, so also God, the angels, and saints have an
extraordinary joy over the conversion of one sinner; because, in the conversion
of the sinner, they see the glory, love, and power of God exalted.
Aspiration.
O Lord, what
profit hast Thou in the conversion of a sinner, that Thou art thereby so
greatly pleased? The happiness of one of Thy poor creatures can add nothing to
Thine own. But Thou lovest me, and therefore it is that Thou art pleased if I
return to Thee. O my God, is it possible that I can know this Thy love, and
remain any longer in sin?
Building
up the Kingdom[5]
This
Sunday focuses on God's mercy, the Holy Spirit works to build the kingdom of
God even in sinful souls.
Scripture
and the Church teach us that we have three divinely ordained purposes that give
our lives meaning:
·
Salvation
— seeking
to save our eternal souls and help save the souls of others (that salvation,
the Church teaches, is God's free gift but requires our cooperation through
faith in God, obedience to his commandments, and repentance of our grave sins).
·
Service
— using
our God-given talents to build God's kingdom here on earth.
·
Sanctity
— growing
in holiness.
The
third of these life goals, sanctity, is central to building Catholic character.
At the end of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus says something that is stunning:
"Be thou made perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect" (Mt 5:48).
St. Gregory put it this way: "The goal of a virtuous life is to become like
God." Scripture tells us, "God is love" (1 Jn 4:16). If we want
to be like God, our vocation is to love. The essence of love is to sacrifice
for the sake of another, as Jesus did. Love is self-gift. What, then, is our
goal if we want to develop Catholic character in our children and ourselves?
Look to the character of Christ: A life of self-giving.
Natural
Virtues
The
high goal of Christ-like character builds on a base of what the Church calls
"natural virtues." Among the natural virtues that families and
schools should nurture are the four advanced by the ancient Greeks, named in
Scripture (Wis 8:7), and adopted by the Church as "the cardinal
virtues": prudence, which enables us to judge what we should do; justice,
which enables us to respect the rights of others and give them what they are
due; fortitude, which enables us to do what is right in the face of
difficulties; temperance, which enables us to control our desires and avoid
abuse of even legitimate pleasures. These natural virtues are developed through
effort and practice, aided by God's grace. To develop a Christ-like character,
however, we need more than the natural virtues. We also need the three
supernatural, or "theological," virtues:
Spiritual
Virtues
1. Faith in God, which enables us to
believe in God and the teachings of his church.
2. Hope in God, which leads us to view
eternal life as our most important goal and to place total trust in God.
3. Love of God, which enables us to
love God above all things and our neighbor as ourselves for the love of God.
The
three theological virtues are considered supernatural because they come from
God and have as their purpose our participation in God's divine life. As the
Catechism (1813) teaches, the theological virtues are not separate from the
natural virtues; rather, they "are the foundation of Christian moral
activity; they animate it and give it its special character." The Catholic
writer Peter Kreeft points out, "The Christian is prudent, just,
courageous, and self-controlled out of faith in God, hope in God, and love of
God." The supernatural virtues, like the natural virtues, grow stronger
through our effort and practice, in cooperation with God's grace.
Father’s
Day[6]
Father's
Day is the day to recognize, honor and celebrate the sacrifices and
accomplishments of fathers. In 1910, Washington State Governor declared
Father's Day on the 19th of July. It then became a permanent federal
holiday in 1972 when President Richard Nixon proclaimed that the third Sunday
in June would be further known as Father's Day. On this day, children
celebrate their fathers and father figures to show their love and appreciation.
Father's Day Facts & Quotes
·
In
1966, President Lyndon B. Johnson declared the third Sunday in June as Father's
Day. It became a permanent holiday in 1972 when President Richard Nixon
proclaimed that the third Sunday in June would remain Father's Day.
·
Mrs.
Sonora Smart Dodd first came up with the idea for Father's Day after hearing a
Mother's Day sermon in church. She was raised by her father and wanted to
honor him.
·
In
2014, 4% of all U.S. children lived only with their fathers.
·
It
is easier for a father to have children than for children to have a real
father. - Pope John XXIII
·
When
one has not had a good father, one must create one. - Frederich Wilhelm
Nietzsche
Father's Day Top
Events and Things to Do
·
Attend
a Baseball game. Father’s Day occurs in the midst of Baseball season.
·
Arrange
a BBQ and invite all of the fathers in your family.
·
Spend
the day with Dad doing one of his favorite activities: fishing, golfing,
hiking.
·
Complete
one of dad's chores or projects as a surprise. If it's something you don't know
how to do, offer to help and learn.
·
Take
the President's
Fatherhood’s Pledge.
·
Teach justice, prudence, temperance, and fortitude to
children.
How to Be a Good
Father[7]
The father's role in our
modern society has dwindled to almost nothing. But as a Christian the father's
role is important in molding and giving example to his children, especially to
his sons.
Probably nobody denies
that the typical father exercises less authority in his home today than at any
time in history. Reasons for this decline probably are of no interest or help
in the present discussion; but the effect of it cannot be overlooked. For
evidence accumulated by psychiatrists, social workers and similar experts
proves unmistakably that when children lack a strong father to guide them, they
suffer serious damage in many important ways. Consider these facts:
There is a startling growth
in homosexual tendencies among the young, and most authorities agree that the
boy who develops feminine characteristics usually has had unsatisfactory
relations with his father in one or several important respects. Increases in
juvenile delinquency —
a headlined trend in every part of the country — are also due to the weak position
of the father; the lack of an affectionate and understanding relationship
between father and son is a prevalent characteristic in the background of boys
charged with criminal offenses. Many authorities also blame the shocking rates
of divorce and marriage breakdowns to this cause. The fathers of those who
cannot succeed in marriage often never gave their children a realistic example
of how a man should live with his wife in this relationship.
The importance of the
father as an example of manhood to his son and daughter probably cannot be
overestimated. For example, one day your son may marry and have a family. To be
a successful father, he should know how to train his children; how to treat his
wife and their mother in their presence; what to discuss with them about his
work; how to show them manual skills, such as repairing a chair or painting
furniture; how to perform in countless other important areas. The best way to
learn how to act as a father is to observe one in action.
What ideals will he
display as husband and father? To a large extent, that answer will depend upon
those he has learned from you, his father, in your own home. What part will he
play in the religious education of his children? The answer will largely depend
upon whether you have led the family to Mass each Sunday, whether you say grace
before meals in your home, whether you take an active part in the spiritual
life of your parish. How should he act toward his wife — aloof, affectionate, domineering,
docile? Here too the answer will mainly depend upon your example.
The adage, "Like
father, like son," is firmly based on fact. No matter how much he may
resist your influence, your son will be like you in many different ways. If
your influence is wholesome, the effect upon him will be wholesome. If you are
a bad father, you will almost surely corrupt him in some significant way.
Remember also that you represent God before your child because you are — or should be — the figure of authority in your
home. He will be taught that he can always depend upon the mercy and goodness
of the eternal Father; but it will be difficult for him to grasp the full
importance of that teaching if he cannot rely upon the goodness of his earthly
father.
It has been said that, in
addition to giving wholesome example, a good father follows four fundamental
rules in his dealing with his children.
·
First,
he shows himself to be truly and sincerely interested in their welfare.
·
Secondly,
he accepts each child for what he is, and encourages any special talent which
the youngster possesses.
·
Thirdly,
he takes an active part in disciplining his children.
·
And
finally, he keeps lines of communication open with them at all times.
Each of these rules is
worth detailed consideration, because the typical American father often ignores
one or more of them.
1.
Show an interest in your child's welfare. You can do this by
devoting time to him, every day if possible. Try to discuss with him his
experiences, problems, successes and failures. By giving yourself to him in
this intimate way, you give him the feeling that he can always depend upon you
to understand and help him in his difficulties. In a large family, it is
especially important that you find time for intimate moments with each
child. Every youngster should know that his father is interested in him as an
individual, and is sympathetic with him and devoted to his welfare.
Modern
fathers may find it more difficult to make their children an intimate part of
their lives than did men of a few generations ago. Today's fathers often work
many miles away from home. They leave for their jobs early in the morning and
do not return until late in the evening, perhaps after the children are in bed.
Unlike the men of an earlier age who often worked close to their homes, today's
fathers may seldom see their youngsters during the week. To offset this
condition, they should try to devote as much of their weekends to them as
possible. This does not mean that you should be a "pal" to your
children or that you must act like a juvenile, when aging bones may not permit
this. But at family gatherings, picnics, trips to the ballpark or even visits
to the school, you are sharing leisure moments with them.
2.
Accept your child and encourage his talents. One man hoped for a
son, and found it impossible to conceal his disappointment when a girl was
born. He now spends much time trying to inculcate masculine virtues in her and
berates her constantly because she is not proficient at sports. A successful
lawyer prides himself upon his intellect and once hoped that his son would
achieve great scholastic success. But the lad, now in high school, has shown no
pronounced ability in academic work; however, he is skilled at working with his
hands. He must face unending sneers from his father about his
"stupidity." A third man married a beautiful woman and expected his
daughters to be beauties too. One girl is extremely plain, however. Even at the
age of ten she knows that she is a complete disappointment to her father.
All
of these examples indicate ways in which fathers display a lack of acceptance
of their children. It is a fact that the qualities a child inherits — his physical attributes,
aptitudes, and many other characteristics —
are the result of chance. He may be a genius or an idiot: you should not claim
credit if the first possibility occurs any more than you should feel ashamed
for the second. The moral is plain: your children are a gift from God, and
you should always accept each of them in a spirit of gratitude. In fact,
the saintly father will accept a defective child with greater gratitude, for
God has offered him an opportunity to provide more love, affection and
direction than the ordinary youngster might need.
Remember
also that your child is an individual, with talents which you perhaps cannot
appreciate. Let him develop them in the best way possible. In attempting to
learn why many gifted children do not go to college, researchers have found
that their parents often have actively discouraged them. In a typical case, a
father became wealthy through real estate investments and could easily afford
college for a son with a strong aptitude in science. But the father accused the
boy of trying to "put on airs" whenever college was discussed. Thanks
to him, the son is now a misfit.
3.
Don't shirk unpleasant tasks of parenthood. "See your
mother; don't bother me" is a remark commonly made by one type of father.
He returns from work, eats his dinner and then settles down to an evening
behind his newspaper or before the television screen. When his children seek
his aid with their homework or when they become unruly and require a strong
parental hand, he is "too busy" to pay attention. Such an attitude tells
a child that his mother is the true figure of importance in the family, while
Dad is only the boarder who pays the bills.
It
is not fair for fathers to enjoy all the pleasures of parenthood — to play with the children, to
boast about their growth —
and to give mothers all the painful duties. A father should discipline as often
as the mother. If he fails to do so, he gives the children the idea that he
does not stand with the mother in her efforts to instill proper manners and
acceptable forms of behavior. As a matter of fact, in major matters the good
father is likely to be the court of last resort. This is as it should be
for his authority is more impressive and its effect more lasting than that of
the mother.
4.
Keep lines of communication open with your children. Teenagers
often say that they cannot talk to their fathers about questions which disturb
them. This breakdown in communication usually stems from one of three factors,
or a combination of them. The father may be so severe in his discipline that he
appears as a dictator in the youngster's mind; in the past he has always been
"too busy" to keep on close terms with his boy; or he has not given
his youngster the respectful attention he should have.
Stalin-type
fathers fortunately are on the way out in America, for most men have learned
that it is easier to train a child with loving kindness than with brute force.
But some stern unyielding fathers remain. They may beat their child into
patterns of behavior that offend no one, but in the process, they often create
a bitter adult who is never able to confide fully in another human
being.
The
second and third possible explanations for a child's unwillingness or inability
to confide in his father may have even worse effects than the first. In the
first instance, unless the father is a calloused brute, his child may at least
discern evidence that his father is interested in his welfare. But when a
father does not even care enough to concern himself with the child's upbringing
in any serious way, he evidences a complete absence of love or interest.
There are many things that
human beings prefer to keep to themselves, and it is probably good that this is
so. Your child should not feel that he must lay bare his innermost
thoughts and desires. But he should know that in times of stress and strain he
has a sympathetic and loving adviser to turn to. You will fulfill that role if
you strive always to treat him with courtesy and sympathy, and with an
understanding based upon your memory of the difficulties, problems, fears and
aspirations of your own boyhood. Never ridicule him: it is the opposite
of sympathy and probably locks more doors between father and son than any other
action.
Activity
Source: Catholic Family Handbook, The by Rev. George A.
Kelly, Random House, Inc., New York, 1959
International Picnic Day[8]
International Picnic Day celebrates gathering together outdoors to eat and enjoy one another's company, which has traditionally been called Picnic. The true origin of International Picnic Day is unknown, but can be traced back to the end of the French Revolution and the Victorian Era. Picnics were ways for people to escape the restrictions of etiquette and formality. As an informal food holiday, there are few rules and lots of options. International Picnic Day is observed on June 18th each year.
International
Picnic Day Facts & Quotes
- According
to Guinness World Records, the largest picnic took place in Portugal,
2009. 22, 232 people participated. Two other records were set during that
same event, largest litter bin and loudest applause.
- The
use of the phrase no picnic is used to describe something
unenjoyable.
- Picnic
was most likely invented by the French. Shortly after the French
Revolution ended, the Royal Gardens were opened to the public for the
first time. It was the new common pastime for the French to visit the
gardens and take along a meal.
- You
can plan a pretty picnic, but you can't predict the weather. - Andre 3000
(song 'Ms. Jackson')
- A
few sandwiches short of a picnic. - is a phrase used to describe someone
who is not mentally together.
International
Picnic Day Top Events and Things to Do
- Arrange
a picnic with friends in the nearby park. Prepare food beforehand and
enjoy eating in the nature.
- Take
a Frisbee or a ball and play sport games after eating.
- Bring
a music player with you and listen to your favorite music while enjoying
the food and conversation.
- Search on the internet
for new food recipes and prepare new easy dishes for your picnic. Make a
contest for the best recipe.
Catechism of the
Catholic Church
PART ONE: THE PROFESSION OF FAITH
SECTION ONE-"I
BELIEVE" - "WE BELIEVE"
CHAPTER
THREE-MAN'S RESPONSE TO GOD
Article 2-WE
BELIEVE
III. Only One Faith
172 Through the centuries, in so many languages,
cultures, peoples and nations, the Church has constantly confessed this one
faith, received from the one Lord, transmitted by one Baptism, and grounded in
the conviction that all people have only one God and Father. St. Irenaeus
of Lyons, a witness of this faith, declared:
173 "Indeed, the Church, though scattered
throughout the whole world, even to the ends of the earth, having received the
faith from the apostles and their disciples. . . guards [this preaching and
faith] with care, as dwelling in but a single house, and similarly believes as
if having but one soul and a single heart, and preaches, teaches and hands on
this faith with a unanimous voice, as if possessing only one mouth."
174 "For though languages differ throughout
the world, the content of the Tradition is one and the same. the Churches
established in Germany have no other faith or Tradition, nor do those of the
Iberians, nor those of the Celts, nor those of the East, of Egypt, of Libya,
nor those established at the centre of the world. . ." The Church's
message "is true and solid, in which one and the same way of salvation
appears throughout the whole world."
175 "We guard with care the faith that we
have received from the Church, for without ceasing, under the action of God's
Spirit, this deposit of great price, as if in an excellent vessel, is
constantly being renewed and causes the very vessel that contains it to be
renewed."
Religion in the Home for
Preschool
The Trinity is obviously too difficult
to attempt to explain to children of three. If they ask questions, a word or so
will suffice.
"God in Heaven, —the Son,
Jesus Who came on earth, —and the Holy Ghost, the name of His Spirit of
Love."
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.
·
Do not examine with curiosity the
roads down which I lead you. Choose to walk in faith. Resist the
spirit of curiosity.
·
Unite in the work of the Porters of St. Joseph by joining them
in fasting: Conversion
of Sinners
·
Litany of the Most Precious
Blood of Jesus
·
Offering to
the sacred heart of Jesus
·
Rosary
[2]Thigpen, Paul. Manual for Spiritual
Warfare. TAN Books.
[4] Goffine’s Devout Instructions, 1896
* medieval silver coin
[5]http://www.catholiceducation.org/en/education/catholic-contributions/building-catholic-character-5-things-parents-can-do.html
[6] https://www.wincalendar.com/Fathers-Day
[7]https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/activities/view.cfm?id=128
[8] https://www.wincalendar.com/International-Picnic-Day
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