30 June 2015
Thank You, Lord
Thank you, Lord, for the saints You place in our lives and for their example and their prayers.
Br. Timothy Danaher, O.P. on the Role of Saints in the Church
"Are saints just Catholic celebrities? In some ways they seem similar. Hollywood and the Vatican each place certain people in the public eye, even though they promote different kinds of people and values. Also, like celebrities many saints were born with incredible talent, or into wealthy families. Thomas Aquinas fulfills both categories - he was both exceptionally intelligent and a cousin of the Holy Roman Emperor.
"The one thing, however, which sets saints apart is this: celebrities are recognized for excellence in the world, whereas saints are recognized for something from a totally different world."
In a recent commentary, Brother Timothy Danaher, O.P., reflected on the saints around us and on the role of saints in the Church.
To access Brother Timothy's complete post, please visit:
Dominicana: Are Saints Just Catholic Celebrities? (30 JUN 15)
"The one thing, however, which sets saints apart is this: celebrities are recognized for excellence in the world, whereas saints are recognized for something from a totally different world."
In a recent commentary, Brother Timothy Danaher, O.P., reflected on the saints around us and on the role of saints in the Church.
To access Brother Timothy's complete post, please visit:
Dominicana: Are Saints Just Catholic Celebrities? (30 JUN 15)
Reflection Starter from Henry Ward Beecher
"Every tomorrow has two handles. We can take hold of it with the handle of anxiety or the handle of faith." - Rev. Henry Ward Beecher
29 June 2015
The Aroostook War and How It Changed the United States
"On July 4, 1827, less than a decade into Maine's life as an official state, outspoken sawmill owner John Baker raised a homemade American flag on the western side of the junction between Baker Brook and the St. John River.
"It was a bold statement on what was still disputed territory as the dust slowly settled from two previous wars against the British. Baker, the so-called 'Washington of the Republic of Madawaska,' was arrested by New Brunswick authorities and held until he could pay a 25-pound fine - an amount estimated to be worth tens of thousands of U.S. dollars in today's money.
"The incident contributed to growing pressure on the U.S. and Great Britain to determine once and for all where the northeasternmost borders between the two countries’ North American territories should be placed.
"Many Mainers have at least heard of the resultant Aroostook War, otherwise known as the 'Pork and Beans War.' But what largely became a footnote in U.S. military history changed America forever, in ways few people may recognize."
A recent Bangor Daily News article reported on this conflict, which began 188 years ago this week, and was the only occasion in which a state of the United States declared war on a foreign country.
To access this report (including its list of effects still being felt today, please visit:
Bangor Daily News: Think Maine: How Maine’s little-known war changed America forever (23 JUN 15)
Background information:
Maine: An Encyclopedia: Aroostook War
"It was a bold statement on what was still disputed territory as the dust slowly settled from two previous wars against the British. Baker, the so-called 'Washington of the Republic of Madawaska,' was arrested by New Brunswick authorities and held until he could pay a 25-pound fine - an amount estimated to be worth tens of thousands of U.S. dollars in today's money.
"The incident contributed to growing pressure on the U.S. and Great Britain to determine once and for all where the northeasternmost borders between the two countries’ North American territories should be placed.
"Many Mainers have at least heard of the resultant Aroostook War, otherwise known as the 'Pork and Beans War.' But what largely became a footnote in U.S. military history changed America forever, in ways few people may recognize."
A recent Bangor Daily News article reported on this conflict, which began 188 years ago this week, and was the only occasion in which a state of the United States declared war on a foreign country.
To access this report (including its list of effects still being felt today, please visit:
Bangor Daily News: Think Maine: How Maine’s little-known war changed America forever (23 JUN 15)
Background information:
Maine: An Encyclopedia: Aroostook War
Solemnity of Saint Peter and Saint Paul, Apostles
Today the Church celebrates the Solemnity of Saint Peter and Saint Paul, Apostles. The assigned readings are Acts 12:1-11; 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 17-18; and Matthew 16:13-19. The Responsorial Psalm is Psalm 34 (Psalm 34:2-9).
The Gospel reading is as follows:
When Jesus went into the region of Caesarea Philippi he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?”
They replied, “Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”
He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”
Simon Peter said in reply, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
Jesus said to him in reply, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah. For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father. And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys to the Kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”
Reflections on this feast day:
Catholic Digest: St. Peter and St. Paul, Apostles
American Catholic: Saint of the Day: Solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul
Dominicana: On Living Large (29 JUN 15)
The Gospel reading is as follows:
When Jesus went into the region of Caesarea Philippi he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?”
They replied, “Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”
He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”
Simon Peter said in reply, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
Jesus said to him in reply, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah. For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father. And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys to the Kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”
Reflections on this feast day:
Catholic Digest: St. Peter and St. Paul, Apostles
American Catholic: Saint of the Day: Solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul
Dominicana: On Living Large (29 JUN 15)
Thank You, Lord
Thank you, Lord, for the many ways in which You work through us as we live our lives in today's world.
Simcha Fisher on Our Presence as Catholics in Today's World
"Between my adequate-ish knowledge of scripture and our 175-pound mastiff, I think we've seen the last of this particular Jehovah's Witness.
"The woman who came to our door this morning had been here before (back when the dog was smaller and less ... avid), but I think she's finally chalked us up as a lost cause. She said that she had been raised Catholic -- that her own mother is a Eucharistic Minister in my parish. I hate to think what her catechesis was like! She was under the impression that Catholics don't read the Bible or think about what it means. I was able to persuade her otherwise, just by quoting a few lines of the Gospel that I've heard a thousand times at Mass; so at least there's that.
"I wish that I had been less defensive and more inviting, though. As an evangelist, I'm laboring under a triple whammy: I'm a New Englander, I'm shy, and I'm a Catholic. (Also I was in my pajamas, but so is half the country.) All three together mean that I'm entirely focused on closing the door as quickly as I can and getting back to my comfortable, private living room. I have almost zero inclination to tell a stranger, 'Hey, have you heard about this magnificent truth which will transform your life? Let me tell you . . .'
"But that is what the Pope (and all the Popes since Peter, for goodness' sake) has been telling us to do: not to be content with hunkering down and preserving the Faith within our fortress, but to actively go out and spread the Good News."
In a recent commentary, writer Simcha Fisher reflected on the importance of being a Catholic presence to those we encounter each day.
To access her complete reflection, please visit:
NC Register: Blog: Knock knock! Who's there? A Catholic. (25 JUN 15)
"The woman who came to our door this morning had been here before (back when the dog was smaller and less ... avid), but I think she's finally chalked us up as a lost cause. She said that she had been raised Catholic -- that her own mother is a Eucharistic Minister in my parish. I hate to think what her catechesis was like! She was under the impression that Catholics don't read the Bible or think about what it means. I was able to persuade her otherwise, just by quoting a few lines of the Gospel that I've heard a thousand times at Mass; so at least there's that.
"I wish that I had been less defensive and more inviting, though. As an evangelist, I'm laboring under a triple whammy: I'm a New Englander, I'm shy, and I'm a Catholic. (Also I was in my pajamas, but so is half the country.) All three together mean that I'm entirely focused on closing the door as quickly as I can and getting back to my comfortable, private living room. I have almost zero inclination to tell a stranger, 'Hey, have you heard about this magnificent truth which will transform your life? Let me tell you . . .'
"But that is what the Pope (and all the Popes since Peter, for goodness' sake) has been telling us to do: not to be content with hunkering down and preserving the Faith within our fortress, but to actively go out and spread the Good News."
In a recent commentary, writer Simcha Fisher reflected on the importance of being a Catholic presence to those we encounter each day.
To access her complete reflection, please visit:
NC Register: Blog: Knock knock! Who's there? A Catholic. (25 JUN 15)
Reflection Starter from St. Peter
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who in his great mercy gave us a new birth to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead." - 1 Peter 1:3
28 June 2015
Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Today the Church celebrates the Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time. The assigned readings are Wisdom 1:13-15; 2:23-24; 2 Corinthians 8:7, 9, 13-15; and Mark 5:21-43. The Responsorial Psalm is Psalm 30 (Psalm 30:2, 4-6, 11-13).
For one version of the Responsorial Psalm set to music, please visit:
YouTube: Responsorial Psalm 13th Ordinary Sunday, Year B
The Gospel reading is as follows:
When Jesus had crossed again in the boat to the other side, a large crowd gathered around him, and he stayed close to the sea. One of the synagogue officials, named Jairus, came forward. Seeing him he fell at his feet and pleaded earnestly with him, saying, "My daughter is at the point of death. Please, come lay your hands on her that she may get well and live." He went off with him, and a large crowd followed him and pressed upon him.
There was a woman afflicted with hemorrhages for twelve years. She had suffered greatly at the hands of many doctors and had spent all that she had. Yet she was not helped but only grew worse. She had heard about Jesus and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak. She said, "If I but touch his clothes, I shall be cured." Immediately her flow of blood dried up. She felt in her body that she was healed of her affliction.
Jesus, aware at once that power had gone out from him, turned around in the crowd and asked, "Who has touched my clothes?"
But his disciples said to Jesus, "You see how the crowd is pressing upon you, and yet you ask, 'Who touched me?'" And he looked around to see who had done it.
The woman, realizing what had happened to her, approached in fear and trembling. She fell down before Jesus and told him the whole truth. He said to her, "Daughter, your faith has saved you. Go in peace and be cured of your affliction."
While he was still speaking, people from the synagogue official's house arrived and said, "Your daughter has died; why trouble the teacher any longer?"
Disregarding the message that was reported, Jesus said to the synagogue official, "Do not be afraid; just have faith." He did not allow anyone to accompany him inside except Peter, James, and John, the brother of James.
When they arrived at the house of the synagogue official, he caught sight of a commotion, people weeping and wailing loudly. So he went in and said to them, "Why this commotion and weeping? The child is not dead but asleep." And they ridiculed him. Then he put them all out.
He took along the child's father and mother and those who were with him and entered the room where the child was. He took the child by the hand and said to her, "Talitha koum," which means, "Little girl, I say to you, arise!" The girl, a child of twelve, arose immediately and walked around. At that they were utterly astounded. He gave strict orders that no one should know this and said that she should be given something to eat.
Reflections on these readings:
Oblates of St. Francis de Sales: Sundays Salesian: Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (June 28, 2015)
Oblates of St. Francis de Sales: Salesian Sunday Reflection: Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (June 28, 2015)
Community in Mission: From Despair to Deliverance: The Journey of Jairus – A Homily for the 13th Sunday of the Year (27 JUN 15)
Word on Fire: God Did Not Make Death (Cycle B * Ordinary Time * Week 13)
St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology: Arise!: Scott Hahn Reflects on the Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (22 JUN 15)
CWR Blog: Death: Uncomfortable Fact and Conquered Foe (22 JUN 15)
Spirituality of the Readings: Death and Life (13th Sunday of Ordinary Time B)
The Word Embodied: Prophetic Dying (13th Sunday of Ordinary Time B)
Historical Cultural Context: Jesus the Healer (13th Sunday of Ordinary Time B)
Thoughts from the Early Church: Commentary by Peter Chrysologus (13th Sunday of Ordinary Time B)
Word to Life Radio Broadcast: Thirteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time (26 JUN 15)
For one version of the Responsorial Psalm set to music, please visit:
YouTube: Responsorial Psalm 13th Ordinary Sunday, Year B
The Gospel reading is as follows:
When Jesus had crossed again in the boat to the other side, a large crowd gathered around him, and he stayed close to the sea. One of the synagogue officials, named Jairus, came forward. Seeing him he fell at his feet and pleaded earnestly with him, saying, "My daughter is at the point of death. Please, come lay your hands on her that she may get well and live." He went off with him, and a large crowd followed him and pressed upon him.
There was a woman afflicted with hemorrhages for twelve years. She had suffered greatly at the hands of many doctors and had spent all that she had. Yet she was not helped but only grew worse. She had heard about Jesus and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak. She said, "If I but touch his clothes, I shall be cured." Immediately her flow of blood dried up. She felt in her body that she was healed of her affliction.
Jesus, aware at once that power had gone out from him, turned around in the crowd and asked, "Who has touched my clothes?"
But his disciples said to Jesus, "You see how the crowd is pressing upon you, and yet you ask, 'Who touched me?'" And he looked around to see who had done it.
The woman, realizing what had happened to her, approached in fear and trembling. She fell down before Jesus and told him the whole truth. He said to her, "Daughter, your faith has saved you. Go in peace and be cured of your affliction."
While he was still speaking, people from the synagogue official's house arrived and said, "Your daughter has died; why trouble the teacher any longer?"
Disregarding the message that was reported, Jesus said to the synagogue official, "Do not be afraid; just have faith." He did not allow anyone to accompany him inside except Peter, James, and John, the brother of James.
When they arrived at the house of the synagogue official, he caught sight of a commotion, people weeping and wailing loudly. So he went in and said to them, "Why this commotion and weeping? The child is not dead but asleep." And they ridiculed him. Then he put them all out.
He took along the child's father and mother and those who were with him and entered the room where the child was. He took the child by the hand and said to her, "Talitha koum," which means, "Little girl, I say to you, arise!" The girl, a child of twelve, arose immediately and walked around. At that they were utterly astounded. He gave strict orders that no one should know this and said that she should be given something to eat.
Reflections on these readings:
Oblates of St. Francis de Sales: Sundays Salesian: Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (June 28, 2015)
Oblates of St. Francis de Sales: Salesian Sunday Reflection: Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (June 28, 2015)
Community in Mission: From Despair to Deliverance: The Journey of Jairus – A Homily for the 13th Sunday of the Year (27 JUN 15)
Word on Fire: God Did Not Make Death (Cycle B * Ordinary Time * Week 13)
St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology: Arise!: Scott Hahn Reflects on the Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (22 JUN 15)
CWR Blog: Death: Uncomfortable Fact and Conquered Foe (22 JUN 15)
Spirituality of the Readings: Death and Life (13th Sunday of Ordinary Time B)
The Word Embodied: Prophetic Dying (13th Sunday of Ordinary Time B)
Historical Cultural Context: Jesus the Healer (13th Sunday of Ordinary Time B)
Thoughts from the Early Church: Commentary by Peter Chrysologus (13th Sunday of Ordinary Time B)
Word to Life Radio Broadcast: Thirteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time (26 JUN 15)
Thank You, Lord
Thank you, Lord, for the gift of Your grace, a gift that constantly reaches out to us.
Msgr. Pope on Why the Road to Destruction is Wide and the Road to Salvation Narrow
"In the gospel earlier this week, we read a warning from Jesus that too many people just brush aside:
"Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the road broad that leads to destruction, and those who enter through it are many. How narrow the gate and constricted the road that leads to life. And those who find it are few (Matt 6:12-13). . . .
"The question does surely arise as to why many walk the wide road to destruction and Hell. Is it because God is stingy or despotic? No. God surely wants to save us all (Ez 18:23; 1 Tim 2:4). The real answer is that we are hard to save and we must become more sober about that. We have hard hearts, thick skulls, and innumerable other traits that make us a difficult case.
"If even a third of the angels fell, that ought to make us very aware of our own tendency to fall. This should make us more humble about our own situation. The fallen angels had intellects vastly superior to ours and their angelic souls were not weighed down with the many bodily passions that beset us. But still, they fell!
"Adam and Eve, possessing preternatural gifts and existing before all the weaknesses we inherited from sin, also fell. Are you and I, in our present unseemly state and vastly less gifted than the angels, really going to claim that we are not in any real danger or are easy to save?
"We need to sober up and run to God with greater humility, admitting that we are a hard case and in desperate need of the medicines and graces that God offers. He offers us His Word, the Sacraments, holy fellowship, and lots of prayer! We need not be in a panic, but we do need to be far more urgent than most moderns are about themselves and the people whom they say they love."
In a recent commentary, Monsignor Charles Pope (pastor of Holy Comforter-Saint Cyprian Parish, Washington, DC) reflected on why we humans "can be a hard case in terms of being saved" (including, among others, having hard hearts and stubborn wills, being obtuse in our desires, not liking to be told what to do, and acting like lemmings.
To access Msgr. Pope’s complete post, please visit:
Community in Mission: Why Is the Road to Destruction Wide and the Road to Salvation Narrow? A Meditation on a Teaching by Jesus (24 JUN 15)
"Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the road broad that leads to destruction, and those who enter through it are many. How narrow the gate and constricted the road that leads to life. And those who find it are few (Matt 6:12-13). . . .
"The question does surely arise as to why many walk the wide road to destruction and Hell. Is it because God is stingy or despotic? No. God surely wants to save us all (Ez 18:23; 1 Tim 2:4). The real answer is that we are hard to save and we must become more sober about that. We have hard hearts, thick skulls, and innumerable other traits that make us a difficult case.
"If even a third of the angels fell, that ought to make us very aware of our own tendency to fall. This should make us more humble about our own situation. The fallen angels had intellects vastly superior to ours and their angelic souls were not weighed down with the many bodily passions that beset us. But still, they fell!
"Adam and Eve, possessing preternatural gifts and existing before all the weaknesses we inherited from sin, also fell. Are you and I, in our present unseemly state and vastly less gifted than the angels, really going to claim that we are not in any real danger or are easy to save?
"We need to sober up and run to God with greater humility, admitting that we are a hard case and in desperate need of the medicines and graces that God offers. He offers us His Word, the Sacraments, holy fellowship, and lots of prayer! We need not be in a panic, but we do need to be far more urgent than most moderns are about themselves and the people whom they say they love."
In a recent commentary, Monsignor Charles Pope (pastor of Holy Comforter-Saint Cyprian Parish, Washington, DC) reflected on why we humans "can be a hard case in terms of being saved" (including, among others, having hard hearts and stubborn wills, being obtuse in our desires, not liking to be told what to do, and acting like lemmings.
To access Msgr. Pope’s complete post, please visit:
Community in Mission: Why Is the Road to Destruction Wide and the Road to Salvation Narrow? A Meditation on a Teaching by Jesus (24 JUN 15)
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