Vinny’s Corner
· July 5-July 27 Tour de France[3]
Celebrate France’s biggest sporting event this month — the Tour de France. The official kick-off takes place on the island of Corsica then crosses onto France’s mainland. Cruise the French countryside as you follow the grand event. Or if you can’t make it abroad, head to one of America’s top bicycling cities.
· Bucket Item trip: Pilgrimage: Manoppello Italy: Basilica of the Holy Face “Veronica’s Veil”
· Saturday Litany of the Hours Invoking the Aid of Mother Mary
· Foodie: Pollo al Mattone (Italian Roast Chicken Under a Brick)
· Spirit hour: Villa Vallombrosa Wine
o World Rum Day-My Dad was stationed in Barbados when in the Navy
JULY 12 Saturday
St.
Veronica-Simplicity Day
Matthew,
Chapter 10, Verse 26
“Therefore, do not be AFRAID of them. Nothing is concealed that will not be revealed, nor secret that will not be known.
Christ’s message here is to have courage under persecution.
Yes, if they killed Christ what will they do to us.
Look at what is going on in the Middle East, there is no doubt it will be here, but Christ reassures us to do not be afraid.
In Acts 8:1-8 we see
that there was a severe persecution of the followers of Christ in Jerusalem
promulgated by Saul, who by the grace of God was converted and became the
apostle to the gentiles Paul. We must not give up hope and we must pray for our
persecutors; perhaps Christ will send us another Paul.
Therefore, do not be afraid, for everyone who believes in the Son has eternal life, and Christ has told us the He will raise us on the last day. (John 6:40)
For
as the heavens are high above the earth, so surpassing is his kindness toward
those who fear him. As far as the east is from the west, so far has he put our
transgressions from us.
Copilot
Certainly! Here's a Catholic reflection on Mark
Chapter 10, focusing on its lessons about fear and being afraid:
📖 Mark Chapter 10 — Overview
Mark 10 is rich with teachings from Jesus as He
journeys toward Jerusalem. Key episodes include:
1. Teaching on Marriage and Divorce (vv. 1–12)
2. Jesus Blesses the Children (vv. 13–16)
3. The Rich Young Man (vv. 17–31)
4. The Third Passion Prediction (vv. 32–34)
5. James and John’s Ambition (vv. 35–45)
6. Healing of Blind Bartimaeus (vv. 46–52)
😨 Lessons on Fear and Being Afraid — Catholic Perspective
1. Fear of Losing Control (vv. 17–22)
The rich young man approaches Jesus sincerely but
walks away sad when told to give up his possessions. His fear is not of Jesus,
but of losing control, comfort, and security.
Catholic Insight: This
reflects the spiritual danger of attachment. Fear of letting go can
block us from receiving the greater treasure—eternal life. The Catechism
teaches that detachment from riches is necessary for discipleship (CCC 2544).
Lesson: Fear of
sacrifice must be overcome by trust in Christ’s promise: “You will have
treasure in heaven.”
2. Fear of Inadequacy (vv. 23–27)
When Jesus says it’s hard for the rich to enter the
Kingdom, the disciples are “exceedingly astonished” and ask, “Then who can
be saved?”
Catholic Insight: This
is the fear of not being enough. Jesus responds with hope: “For human
beings it is impossible, but not for God.” (v. 27)
Salvation is not earned—it is grace. The Church teaches that God’s grace
enables what we cannot do alone (CCC 1996–2001).
Lesson: Fear of
failure is answered by divine mercy. What is impossible for us is
possible for God.
3. Fear of Suffering (vv. 32–34)
As Jesus predicts His Passion, the disciples are
“amazed” and “afraid.” They follow, but with trembling hearts.
Catholic Insight: This
fear is natural—but Jesus does not rebuke them. Instead, He reveals the
cross as the path to glory. Catholic spirituality embraces this paradox: suffering
united to Christ becomes redemptive (cf. CCC 618).
Lesson: Fear of
suffering is not weakness—it’s an invitation to deeper trust. Christ walks
ahead of us, carrying the cross first.
4. Fear of Being Overlooked (vv. 35–45)
James and John ask for places of honor. Their
ambition may mask a deeper fear: being forgotten or left behind.
Catholic Insight: Jesus
redefines greatness as service. He calls His followers to imitate Him,
who came “not to be served but to serve” (v. 45).
True greatness in the Kingdom is found in humble love, not status.
Lesson: Fear of
insignificance is healed by the call to self-giving love.
5. Fearless Faith (vv. 46–52)
Blind Bartimaeus cries out, “Jesus, Son of
David, have mercy on me!” Despite being rebuked, he persists. Jesus heals
him and says, “Your faith has saved you.”
Catholic Insight:
Bartimaeus models bold, fearless faith. He is not afraid to cry out, to
be seen, or to follow Jesus “on the way”—a phrase that hints at the way of the
cross.
Lesson: Fear must
give way to faith that acts. God responds to the cry of the humble.
✝️ Final Reflection
Mark 10 teaches that fear is part of the journey of
discipleship—fear of loss, failure, suffering, insignificance. But each fear is
met by a deeper truth:
·
God’s grace is sufficient
·
Christ walks ahead of us
·
The cross leads to glory
·
Faith casts out fear
St.
Veronica[1]
Simplicity Day[2]
” In character, in manner, in
style, in all things, the supreme excellence is simplicity.”
~ Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
We live in a complicated world; with
taxes and devices and every imaginable complication the world can provide.
Wouldn’t it be nice if we could just take some time to keep things simple? To
winnow life down to the bare essentials and hold onto it like the precious
thing it is? Simplicity Day encourages you to do just that, to let go of all of
life’s complications and live a day… simple. Simplicity Day was born out of a
need to be free from the complications of the world and to allow ourselves to
just be simple. Celebrate life through simplicity by turning off your devices,
getting rid of complicated things and just let life be about living for a day. One
of the great conundrums of the modern world is that the more opportunities and
options you have the less happy you’re going to be. Some of the happiest people
in the world have been determined to be those who live in uncivilized areas
concerning themselves only with what they’re going to eat that day and where a
good place to sleep is. We can learn much from them, though few of us would
want to go to such extremes. However, we can all benefit from just cutting out
the things that make our lives difficult. Simplicity Day is about getting rid
of these complications and culling from your life what doesn’t bring you joy.
How to Celebrate Simplicity Day
·
Step away from the computer and find a sunny
nook with a cup of tea and a book to pass the time.
·
Walk in the forests or through fields and just
feel the sun on your skin and the sounds of birds and insects. These moments
will be the ones that can truly set you free. During these long moments take
the time to relax and consider how you want to proceed in your life.
·
What can you cut out that buries you under
complications that bring no benefits? Are there people or things you can remove
that will make your life a little happier each day by the removal of these
complications?
·
These questions can lead you to a simpler,
happier life. Wouldn’t it be nice to have peace of mind? Simplicity Day can
lead the way.
We continue reading today Genesis 43-44, Job 35-36, and Proverbs 4:10-19. Fr.
Mike highlights the transformation of Judah's heart and how his change shows us
that we too can change regardless of our past.
Daily Devotions
·
Unite in the work of the Porters of St. Joseph by joining them
in fasting: Holy Priests, Consecrated, & Religious notice I haven’t found a link to someone living to
emulate-any suggestions-please post.
·
Novena
to Our Lady of Mount Carmel-Day 6
·
Litany of the Most Precious
Blood of Jesus
·
Offering to
the sacred heart of Jesus
·
Rosary
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