To Your Right Foot,
I entrust Dara Hope,
whose name carries wisdom and expectation.
Guide her steps in peace, and may she walk with hope through every valley and mountain.
Dara’s Corner
- Bucket List Trip: “The World” next port of call: Cannes, France
- Foodie-Try Meal Prep
- Spirit Hour: Mudslide
- Tom Hanks, born on July 9, 1956
- Stop the soul sucking
- 5 Things to Do When You Are Betrayed by Another Catholic
- Move Beyond Distrust
- Our religious affiliation does not ensure that we act in a saintly manner — which is why confession so readily available.
- Make a Decision
- You can let this betrayal drag you down or you can use it to help you find a deeper faith and closer relationship to Christ.
- Work Through the Emotional Baggage
- As always, prayer is the best recourse. It is okay to go to God and tell him why you are seething. Of course, he already knows, but somehow the act of explaining it to him has a way of lightening the load.
- Consider Your Unique Abilities
- Our betrayals can, if we don’t let them destroy us, be a signal of what types of souls God wants us to help.
- Remember the Ransom
- In Les Miserables there is the iconic scene where the saintly old bishop, just after telling the police that Jean Valjean was actually given the silver he stole, says to the hardened criminal, “Jean Valjean my brother you no longer belong to evil. With this silver, I have bought your soul. I’ve ransomed you from fear and hatred, and now I give you back to God.”
Introduction to Philemon
The Letter to Philemon, though brief, is a profound and personal appeal
from St. Paul that touches on themes of reconciliation, Christian identity, and
the transformative power of love over fear—especially when viewed through a
Catholic lens.
Summary of the Letter
Paul writes to Philemon, a Christian in Colossae, on behalf of Onesimus,
a runaway slave who has become a Christian and a spiritual son to Paul during
his imprisonment. Paul appeals not with apostolic authority but with humility
and affection, asking Philemon to receive Onesimus back—not as a slave, but as
a beloved brother in Christ (Philemon 16). Paul even offers to repay any debt
Onesimus owes, modeling Christ-like self-giving love.
Catholic Perspective on Fear in the Letter
From a Catholic viewpoint, the letter subtly addresses fear—not directly,
but through its moral and spiritual implications:
·
Fear of Social Repercussions: In the Roman world,
forgiving a runaway slave and treating him as a brother would have been
socially radical. Paul’s appeal challenges Philemon to overcome fear of
societal norms and act in accordance with the Gospel.
·
Fear of Loss or Injustice: Paul acknowledges that
Onesimus may have wronged Philemon, yet he invites him to relinquish any claim
to vengeance or restitution. This echoes Christ’s call to forgive seventy times
seven (Matthew 18:22).
·
Love as the Antidote to Fear: Paul’s tone is
pastoral and affectionate, not commanding. He writes, “I rather urge you out of
love” (Philemon 9), embodying the Johannine principle that “perfect love casts
out fear” (1 John 4:18). The letter becomes a lived theology of grace, where
love transforms relationships and dissolves fear.
·
Freedom in Christ: Onesimus, once a slave, is now
“more than a slave, a brother” (Philemon 16). This redefinition of identity in
Christ liberates both Onesimus and Philemon from the fear-based structures of
domination and subjugation.
In essence, the Letter to Philemon is a quiet but powerful witness to the
Gospel’s ability to overcome fear through love, mercy, and the dignity of every
person in Christ.
Introduction to Ephesians[1]
Ephesians is the great Pauline letter about the church. It deals, however, not so much with a congregation in the city of Ephesus in Asia Minor as with the worldwide church, the head of which is Christ, the purpose of which is to be the instrument for making God’s plan of salvation known throughout the universe. Ephesians emphasize the unity in the church of Christ that has come about for both Jews and Gentiles within God’s household and indeed the “seven unities” of church, Spirit, hope; one Lord, faith, and baptism; and the one God. Yet the concern is not with the church for its own sake but rather as the means for mission in the world. The gifts Christ gives its members are to lead to growth and renewal.
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The Letter to the Ephesians, from a Catholic perspective, is a
profound meditation on the mystery of Christ and the unity of the Church. It is
traditionally attributed to St. Paul and likely written during his imprisonment
in Rome. The letter is structured in two main parts: a theological reflection
on salvation and unity in Christ (chapters 1–3), and a practical exhortation on
how Christians should live out this unity in daily life (chapters 4–6).
Summary of Ephesians (Catholic Perspective)
- Theological
Themes (Chapters 1–3):
- Unity
in Christ: All people—Jews and Gentiles—are reconciled and united in
Christ, forming one body, the Church.
- Divine
Plan of Salvation: God’s eternal plan is revealed in Christ, who is the
head of the Church. This plan includes the adoption of believers as
children of God and their incorporation into the household of God.
- The
Church as the Body of Christ: The Church is portrayed as a living
organism with Christ as its head, emphasizing the spiritual unity and
mission of the faithful.
- Ethical
Exhortations (Chapters 4–6):
- Living
in Unity and Love: Christians are called to humility, patience, and love,
maintaining the unity of the Spirit.
- Moral
Conduct: Paul urges believers to live as children of light, avoiding sin
and embracing virtues like kindness, forgiveness, and integrity.
- Family
and Social Roles: The letter outlines Christian responsibilities within
households and communities, including mutual respect in marriage and
honorable conduct in work.
Ephesians on Fear and Being Afraid
While Ephesians does not explicitly focus on fear in the way some other
Pauline letters do, it addresses the spiritual condition that underlies
fear—alienation from God—and offers a vision of peace and confidence rooted in
Christ. From a Catholic viewpoint:
- Fear is
overcome by unity with Christ: The letter emphasizes that believers are no
longer "strangers and sojourners" but "fellow citizens with
the saints" (Eph 2:19). This new identity in Christ dispels fear by
grounding the faithful in divine love and purpose.
- Spiritual
Armor as a Response to Fear: In Ephesians 6:10–20, Paul describes the
"armor of God"—truth, righteousness, faith, salvation, and the
Word of God—as spiritual defenses against evil. This imagery encourages
courage and vigilance, not fear, in the face of spiritual trials.
- Peace
through Reconciliation: Christ "is our peace" (Eph 2:14), having
broken down the dividing wall of hostility. This reconciliation with God
and others is the antidote to fear, offering a foundation of trust and
hope.
In essence, Ephesians invites Catholics to live fearlessly—not by denying the reality of suffering or evil, but by rooting their identity in Christ, who brings peace, unity, and strength through the Spirit.
JULY 9 Wednesday
Ephesians, Chapter 6, Verse 5-8
5
Slaves, be obedient to your human masters with FEAR and trembling, in sincerity of heart, as to Christ, 6 not only when being watched, as currying favor, but as slaves of
Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, 7 willingly serving the Lord and not human
beings, 8 knowing that each will be requited from the
Lord for whatever good he does, whether he is slave or free.
“Slaves be obedient to your human
masters with fear and trembling, in sincerity of heart, as to Christ” I often reflected on this verse
while working constructing the South Pole Station especially on those days that
were close to 80 below zero! Therefore, increase in faith, hope, and love.
“Do
not be afraid any longer, little flock, for your Father is pleased to give you
the kingdom.” (Lk 12:32)
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Here's a Catholic
summary of Ephesians Chapter 6, with a focus on its approach to fear:
📘 Ephesians Chapter 6 — Catholic
Summary
1.
Christian Duties in Relationships (vv. 1–9)
Paul begins
with practical exhortations:
·
Children are to obey their parents “in the
Lord” (v.1), honoring them as the first commandment with a promise.
·
Fathers are to raise children in the
discipline of the Lord, not provoke them.
·
Slaves
and masters are
instructed to act justly, with sincerity and mutual respect, knowing they both
serve the same Master in heaven.
These
teachings emphasize dignity, obedience, and justice rooted in Christ,
not fear of human authority.
2. The
Armor of God (vv. 10–20)
This is the
heart of the chapter and one of the most vivid metaphors in the New Testament.
“Put
on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of
the devil.” (v.11)
Paul
describes the Christian life as spiritual warfare, not against “flesh
and blood,” but against spiritual forces of evil (v.12). The armor
includes:
·
Belt
of truth
·
Breastplate
of righteousness
·
Shoes
of the Gospel of peace
·
Shield
of faith (to
quench the “flaming arrows” of the evil one)
·
Helmet
of salvation
·
Sword
of the Spirit (the
Word of God)
😨 Fear and Ephesians 6 — A Catholic
Perspective
Not Fear,
But Readiness
Ephesians 6
does not promote fear—it acknowledges the reality of spiritual danger
while calling the faithful to courage, vigilance, and trust in God’s power.
Key
Catholic Insights:
·
Spiritual
Combat Is Real:
The Church affirms the existence of spiritual warfare. As Catholic Exchange notes, the devil is real, but we are not
to be paralyzed by fear. Instead, we are to be strengthened by grace, prayer,
and the sacraments.
·
Grace,
Not Self-Reliance:
The armor of God is not self-made. It is God’s gift, and we must put it
on through prayer, virtue, and sacramental life.
·
Prayer
as the Weapon:
Paul ends with a call to “pray at every opportunity in the Spirit” (v.18). In
Catholic teaching, prayer is the lifeblood of spiritual strength,
especially in times of fear or temptation.
“Be
strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.” (v.10) — This is not a
call to bravado, but to humble dependence on divine strength.
Let Freedom Ring-Day 3 “Freedom
from Treason.”
(See Character is Destiny for opposing virtue: LOYALTY)
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 Treason" by Fr. Jim Altman
Dear
family, the very word "treason" stirs a fundamental loathing within
us toward the traitor. Nobody likes a traitor, a betrayer. Indeed, as to the
greatest traitor of all time, the betrayer of the Son of God, Jesus Himself
said "... woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed. It
would be better for that man if he had never been born." Mt 26:24
The
common understanding or definition of traitor is criminal disloyalty, typically
to the state. It is a crime that covers some of the more extreme acts against
one's nation or sovereign. Perhaps the most ancient figure that exemplifies
treason is Brutus, who betrayed Julius Caesar, through whom Shakespeare had
utter the famous words "et tu Brute?" - "and you, Brutus" -
even you, Brutus, my friend? Remember such similar, chilling words, spoken
2,000 years ago, "Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a
kiss?" Lk 22:48.
As
Americans - at least before the current historical revisionism - we have known
since schooldays what to think of treason. We were taught what to think through
classic examples that, like every good parable, imparted to us the sense of
right and wrong. On the one hand, we learned of the betrayal by Benedict
Arnold, whose name has become synonymous with treason. Benjamin Franklin wrote
that "Judas sold only one man, Arnold three million." On the other
hand, we learned of the glorious sacrifice of Nathan Hale who, as he stood
before the British gallows, uttered the renowned words "I only regret that
I have but one life to lose for my country."
Who
can forget the brave witness of Faith of Bishop St. John Fisher who refused to
apostatize himself before the malevolent King Henry VIII, whilst the rest of
the cowardly episcopacy bent to the will of a mere human. Who can forget the
more recent brave witnesses of the Mexican clergy-martyrs, like Blessed Miguel
Pro, or the incomprehensibly brave 14-year-old boy, St. José Sánchez del Río.
It
all fits together ... the secular revulsion we have toward the "Benedict
Arnolds" of the world, and the revulsion we have toward the
"Judases" who betrayed us in the Faith. It certainly explains the
revulsion that the faithful had for the grave betrayal of the abuse scandal. It
was bad enough that abuse occurred in the first place; it was immeasurably
worse when certain members of the hierarchy covered it up, it was much worse
than that when others who knew stood by and did nothing, and worst of all when
some of the hierarchy themselves were perpetrators. The grave consequences to
the faith of the faithful is well known.
But
it is easy to blame those we readily identify as Judases. It is a lot easier
to point the finger at other particularly evil traitors, but what about us? Let
us never forget the parable Jesus taught about those who were convinced of
their own righteousness. How often are we like the Pharisee who took up his
position in the Temple "... and spoke this prayer to himself, 'O
God, I thank you that I am not like the rest of humanity-greedy, dishonest,
adulterous-or even like this tax collector." Lk 18:11
The
fact is that we all have been traitors. In fact, we all are traitors, to a
greater or lesser extent, maybe, but traitors nonetheless, every single time we
betray the Sacrifice on Calvary, every time we sin, in what we have done and in
what we have failed to do. We betray the Cross of Christ every time we refuse
to pick up our cross and follow Jesus to our own personal Calvary. For today,
let us look at what might be the most insidious way we betray Jesus in what we
have failed to do.
As
the great Archbishop Charles Chaput once said: "For Pope Benedict, lay
people and priests don't need to publicly renounce their Catholic faith to be
apostates; they simply need to be silent when their baptism demands that they
speak out, to be cowards when Jesus asks them to have courage." So, what
about us? What about our own treason?
Dear
family, in our PC-poisoned culture, we are stigmatized, chastised and
ostracized when we try to live out our Faith publicly. We are hammered by the
proposition that we are being "judgmental" when we stand up for the
Truths of our Faith. Yet, if we speak the unchanged and unchangeable Truth
about sin, and endure the repercussions for speaking up and speaking out,
should we not have the same attitude as Jesus to the temple guard, "If
I have spoken wrongly, testify to the wrong; but if I have spoken rightly, why
do you strike me?" Jn 18:23
Let
us pray this day to be free from treason - from highest treason -
against Jesus our Lord, in what we do, but perhaps even more, in what we have
failed to do, by remaining silent when our baptism calls us to arms, to stand
up and speak out against sin in the world. Indeed, dear family, we will know we
have gone spiritually blind when we can see nothing significantly wrong with
something that God has called sin.
Prayer
of Reparation
My
Lord and my God, we have allowed the temptation of the devil to move our hearts
to move our hearts toward treason. We have fallen into treason when we have not
lived up to the call of our Baptism by not acknowledging You before others. We
fear the persecution in every aspect of our lives, especially those things that
impact on our income, or on our social relationships. In our weakness, we have
been weak in Faith, and betrayed You like Peter in the courtyard, denying You
far many more times. In so many ways, we fear the ill-will of man more than we
fear the loss of Heaven. We turn to You Lord, in our weakness, and beg Your
forgiveness for our countless betrayals. We love You, Lord, and we beg for the
courage to say to others, "yes, I know Him Who is Lord of Heaven and
Earth." 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.
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
for ever and ever. Amen.
Litany of the Blessed Sacrament
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
God the Father in heaven, have mercy upon us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world,
God the Holy Spirit,
Holy Trinity, one God,
Jesus, present with us now in this holy sacrament. We adore
you.
Jesus, who changed water into wine and blessed the wedding
at Cana.
Jesus, who ate with sinners and tax collectors.
Jesus, who blessed the home of Martha and Mary.
Jesus, who sat at table with your friends at the Last
Supper.
Jesus, who offered your body on the Cross for all.
Jesus, who blessed and broke bread for Cleopas and his
companion.
Jesus, throned in the highest at the marriage supper of the
Lamb.
Jesus, have mercy upon us.
Jesus, bread of life.
Jesus, priest of the new covenant.
Jesus, manna from heaven.
Jesus, cup of blessing.
Jesus, food of eternal life.
In the gift of the eucharist,
we proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes again.
In the gift of the eucharist.
you satisfy our hunger.
In the gift of the eucharist,
you unite us into one body.
In communion,
may we receive you worthily.
In communion,
may we humbly adore you.
In communion,
may we pledge our lives to serve you.
In communion,
may we be strengthened to deeds of love and compassion.
Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world,
have mercy upon us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world,
have mercy upon us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world,
grant us peace.
Jesus said, ‘I am the bread of life.
Whoever comes to me will never be hungry,
and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.’
Lord Jesus, Christ
we thank you that in this wonderful sacrament
you have given us the memorial of your passion:
grant us so to reverence the sacred mysteries
of your body and blood
that we may know within ourselves
and show forth in our lives
the fruits of your redemption;
for you are alive and reign with the Father
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.
Amen.
14th Amendment to US Constitution ratified, July 9, 1868[2]
This amendment to the Constitution granted citizenship to “all persons born or naturalized in the United States,” which included former slaves recently freed.
Under
current law, U.S.-born children of unauthorized immigrants are automatically
considered U.S. citizens. Select states and certain Federal lawmakers are
hoping to change that. In an effort to end birthright citizenship – which has its origins in English
common law – for
children of unauthorized immigrants born in the United States, state and
federal lawmakers have proposed everything from state-level legislation to a
constitutional amendment. They claim that by repealing birthright citizenship,
the United States will deter immigrants from coming to the United States and
giving birth to what they term "anchor babies" through whom
unauthorized family members allegedly then obtain legal status. Proponents for a
repeal of birthright citizenship are drafting state-level legislation to deny
privileges of U.S. citizenship to the U.S.-born children of unauthorized
aliens. Because citizenship is within the purview of the federal government,
and not the states, the proponents hope that doing so will ultimately trigger a
Supreme Court review of the law.
Position of the Catholic Church
To
address legitimate concerns surrounding immigration law enforcement in the
United States, the Catholic Church believes that our country must pass
immigration reform laws to ensure the rule of law, while simultaneously
ensuring that the laws that rule are rooted in the reunification of family and
respectful of the human dignity of the immigrants in our midst. The Church
opposes the repeal of birthright citizenship because it would render innocent
children stateless, depriving them of the ability to thrive in their
communities and reach their full potential. The Church believes that a repeal
of birthright citizenship would create a permanent underclass in U.S. society,
contravening U.S. democratic tradition; undermining the human dignity of
innocent children who would be punished though they did nothing wrong; and
ultimately weakening the family. Because of this, the Church opposes efforts
underway for its repeal.
Copilot
The
recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling involving the 14th Amendment centers on the
issue of birthright citizenship and the limits of judicial authority—not yet on
the constitutionality of the policy itself.
🏛️ The Case at a Glance
On
June 27, 2025, the Supreme Court ruled 6–3 to lift nationwide injunctions that
had blocked former President Donald Trump’s executive order aimed at ending
birthright citizenship for children born in the U.S. to parents who are in the
country illegally or temporarily.
What
the Court Did:
·
Did
not rule on whether the executive order violates the 14th Amendment.
·
Did
rule that lower courts overstepped their authority by issuing nationwide
injunctions.
·
The
decision allows the policy to take effect in 30 days in states that did not
challenge it, while litigation continues in lower courts.
📜 The 14th Amendment and Birthright Citizenship
The
14th Amendment, ratified in 1868, states:
“All
persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the
jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States…”
This
clause has long been interpreted—most notably in United States v. Wong Kim
Ark (1898)—to guarantee citizenship to nearly all born on U.S. soil,
regardless of their parents' immigration status.
😨 Catholic Perspective on Fear and the 14th Amendment
From
a Catholic social teaching standpoint, this ruling raises serious moral and
pastoral concerns:
1.
Human Dignity and the Stranger
The
Church teaches that every person, regardless of legal status, possesses
inherent dignity (cf. Gaudium et Spes, 27). Policies that create fear or
uncertainty for children born in the U.S. to immigrant parents may undermine
this dignity.
2.
Fear vs. Justice
Catholic
tradition calls for just laws that promote the common good and protect the
vulnerable. The potential rollback of birthright citizenship could instill fear
in immigrant communities, especially among pregnant women and families, which
contradicts the Gospel call to welcome the stranger (cf. Matthew 25:35).
3.
Subsidiarity and the Role of the Courts
The
ruling also touches on the principle of subsidiarity—that decisions should be
made at the most local level competent to do so. The Court’s limitation on
nationwide injunctions may reflect a legal application of this principle, but
it also raises questions about access to justice for those not directly party
to a lawsuit.
⚖️
What Comes Next?
·
The
constitutionality of Trump’s executive order will now be litigated in lower
courts.
·
For
now, birthright citizenship remains intact, but its future is uncertain in
states that did not challenge the order.
·
Catholic
leaders and advocacy groups are likely to continue defending the rights of
immigrant families under the 14th Amendment.
Every Wednesday is
Dedicated to St. Joseph
The Italian culture has
always had a close association with St. Joseph perhaps you could make
Wednesdays centered around Jesus’s Papa. Plan an Italian dinner of pizza or
spaghetti after attending Mass as most parishes have a Wednesday evening Mass.
You could even do carry out to help restaurants. If you are adventurous, you
could do the Universal Man Plan: St. Joseph style. Make the evening a family
night perhaps it could be a game night. Whatever you do make the day special.
·
Devotion to the 7 Joys and Sorrows of St.
Joseph
·
Do the St.
Joseph Universal Man Plan.
· Total Consecration to St. Joseph Day 5
Daily
Devotions
·
Unite in the work of the Porters of St. Joseph by joining them
in fasting: Purity
·
Novena
to Our Lady of Mount Carmel-Day 3
·
Litany of the Most Precious
Blood of Jesus
·
Offering to
the sacred heart of Jesus
·
Rosary
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