This moment in Matthew’s Gospel reminds me of a beautiful passage from Pope Benedict XVI on the holiness of the Church, which he describes as a mutual bearing one another up. Note what Jesus says here: It is because of the faith of those who bring the paralytic to him that the man’s sins are forgiven. I’m not sure there’s a better scene in the Gospel to get at what it means to be Church, how much we depend on the faith of others and how much responsibility we have for bringing others to Christ.
Today, as we celebrate our nation’s independence, and we rightfully honor all its blessings, I continue to believe that the Catholic teaching on our fundamental interdependence—on the debt of love that we owe to one another—can serve as a leaven for our fractious and lonely culture. It begins with us and our always growing closer to Christ and bearing one another up.
Lord please hear our prayers and bring your light to all those experiencing natural disasters, Haiti, the Middle East, Ukraine, Russia, Darfur, the Sudan, and all those suffering around the world - also for their strength, courage and resilience to continue walking in faith. Send them your light. Father in Heaven, have mercy on us and on the whole world! You sent Your Son, the Prince of Peace, for the salvation of the world. We pray that the Peace of Christ will reign in Haiti, the Middle East, Ukraine, Russia, Darfur and Sudan. Please protect and send aid to those in need and all who are at-risk. We pray for peace and rebuilding– we who are working towards it and for all those who are suffering or in danger from conflicts. We pray for an end to violence and war – we pray for wisdom for all leaders who have a hand in this. Lord God please help those in most need of thy mercy. Amen.
Excellent reflection this morning, Father Dennis! Just as we’re interdependent on our Faith Community, we must imitate Our Lord’s actions and be accepting of all our fellow citizens of this country and around the world. We must trust that God’s plan is unfolding for the common good. Love our neighbor as ourselves. Amen.
Father, your Reflection made the light of understanding brighter! Thank you. A Happy and prayer filled Fourth of July that we might become one nation under God…AGAIN!❣️????????
Sharing with you, “ DAY TWO “Prophecy never had its origin in the human will...” *** READ “For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.” 2 Peter 1:21 *** REFLECT Biblical prophecy can often feel mysterious and even irrelevant as we live our everyday lives. How do these words, written thousands of years ago, apply to us today? Prophecy that Jesus has already fulfilled helps us to remember that God has a perfect plan for His people. Through God’s fulfilled promises we know that He is faithful and always keeps His Word. Prophecy that has yet to be fulfilled gives us hope for the future because we know that God’s plan is secure. When we struggle through the brokenness of today’s world, we place our ultimate hope in God’s promises from Revelation. Prophecy reminds us that God is working in the lives of His people today and has a perfect plan to make all things new. When we long for justice, healing, security, and freedom, prophecy gives us hope for today and assurance for tomorrow. *** PRAY Take some time to praise God as the one who keeps His promises today and for eternity. Ask God to reveal how He is working in your life specifically and pray for the faith to trust in His plan for you and those you love.“
Safe and Happy 4th everyone. We got here because informed and strong-willed people made the conscious decision to exercise their right to vote! I don't care who or why you voted. Just remember to do it. You have no one to blame but yourself if you don't...(slowly stepping off my soapbox)
Hahaha, Bill, I agree…if we don’t vote…we deserve who/what we get…….I jumped on the soap box :-)
Vicky G I want you to know that You will be in my prayers whenever I stop to pray. Your merciful Heart and attitude is an inspiration to me and I am sure the living faith family. I am praying for you right now Ken
Thank you father Dennis for your contributions and reflections. I always enjoy your take on things. Read the reflections about beloved sisters that were returned to heaven this week. Very touching. Ken
Grateful for your good word., Ken.
More important than independence and interdependence, it is our dependence on God!!! *** Listen to the 3rd vision God gave Amos in Amos 7:7-9, "Then the Lord gave me (Amos) a third vision. He was standing by a wall. It had been built very straight, all the way up and down. He was holding a plumb line. The Lord asked me, “What do you see, Amos?” “A plumb line,” I replied. Then the Lord said, “Look at what I am doing. I am hanging a plumb line next to My people Israel. It will show how crooked they are. I will no longer spare them. “The high places where Isaac’s people worship other gods will be destroyed. The other places of worship in Israel will also be torn down. I will use My sword to attack Jeroboam’s royal family.” *** Look at Israel's history in the OT! They fought each other within (their own people) and without (other nations)! But God didn't punish them for fighting but always their idolatry specifically! *** Here is the plumb line in Exodus 20:3-6, "You shall have no other gods before Me. “You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate Me, but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love Me and keep My commandments!" ******* What image do I make to bow down or worship other than my Lord God?
Just as in todays readings Amos foretold of God’s call for Israel’s repentance, so we too as a nation are called to turn back to to the Lord and pray that He will heal our country. May we as a united people repent of our deep divisions and thank God for all the blessings and goodness He has poured out upon our land and its people. “Have mercy on us and on the whole world. “
I have mixed feelings about this day. I admire and applaud all those who fought for our freedoms, and all those who died fighting for our freedoms. But then I look at what’s become of our country, and I hang my head in shame and weep. I pray the Lord rescue us from ourselves!!
Joann: you got your holidays mixed up. Today is the celebration of our independence from England - not Memorial Day or Armed Forces Day. That Declaration of Independence took guts on the part of our forefathers! We sometimes seem to dishonor the freedom that those long-ago people won for us. Instead of hanging your head in shame and weeping, pray for all the people who live in this still-great country of ours that God will somehow lead all of us - or at least most of us - to respect each other, even if we don't agree with each other, so that we may live in some kind of harmony with each other. And St. Michael, the Archangel, protect us all in this country from the evil designs of Satan and his evil spirits. Lord, please hear this prayer. Amen!
Agree 100% Joan.
It is a very good thing that our hope is not in human people, but in our faithful God! He continues to wait for His people, Israel, to return to Him and recognize His Son Jesus! So He is with the rest of the world of Gentiles to come to Him before Jesus comes back! *** 2 Chronicles 7:13-15, "At times I might shut up the heavens so that no rain falls, or command grasshoppers to devour your crops, or send plagues among you. Then if My people who are called by My Name will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land. My eyes will be open and My ears attentive to every prayer made in this place!" *** 1 John 1:8-10, "If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth. But if we confess our sins to Him, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. If we claim we have not sinned, we are calling God a liar and showing that His Word has no place in our hearts!" *** Romans 15:13, "I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in Him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit!" ******* Lord God, I am sorry for all the things I've made it...when it is all about You, Lord Jesus, and not about me or others that I don't like :-( Heart of Worship by Matt Redman https://youtu.be/gljs4N7ZoD4?si=wtu9LnKNYbQXv-Rv *** 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24, "Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Give thanks no matter what happens. God wants you to thank Him because you believe in Christ Jesus. Don’t try to stop what the Holy Spirit is doing. Don’t treat prophecies as if they weren’t important. But test all prophecies. Hold on to what is good. Say no to every kind of evil. God is the God Who gives peace. May He make you holy through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept free from blame. May you be without blame from now until our Lord Jesus Christ comes. The God Who has chosen you is faithful. He will do all these things!" Amen!!!
Hello Joann, instead of celebrating interdependence, our nation is, by our behavior, celebrating our divisiveness. More shame and sadness than optimism.
May everyone have a Blessed 4th of July holiday! "Apart from the cross, there is no other ladder by which we may gather to heaven." St. Rose of Lima
God Bless America Happy 4th of July LFF ????????
Thank you, LFFamily, for praying with me for Jessi…she passed her STEP2 exam of two weeks ago ♥️ Praise You Lord Jesus in Psalm 93:1-2, 4-5, “Lord, it is good to praise You. Most High God, it is good to make music to honor You. It is good to sing every morning about Your love. It is good to sing every night about how faithful You are. Lord, You make me glad by Your deeds. I sing for joy about what You have done. Lord, how great are the things You do! How wise Your thoughts are!” Amen ♥️✝️♥️ *** Been So Good by Elevation Worship https://youtu.be/nxMqTrJdjtg?si=Z7_LDjeYa_23gEPj
Yeah Dr. Jessi. May God continue to bless your studies until you begin your full time medical ministry as a physician. Amen.
Congrats in order for Jessi today!On your way to the next chapter of your journey. You’re on a roll now. God bless!
Congrats to Jessi on her test. Prayers to her as she moves forward.
Thank you for sharing Jesse’s triumphs and for allowing us to join in prayers of praise!! Praying today all are free from the bonds of oppression, in their nation and in their heart.
Continue to pray for Jessi’s upcoming residency interviews and praise God for His plan for her to be a servant doctor where, when and how, Amen ♥️✝️♥️
Amen... Happy 4th of July... may the Lord continue to bless each and everyone of you
Amen.☮️❤️
Amen! Happy 4th LFF????❤️????????
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Happy 4th all. One of my favorite holidays. Fr. Dennis, you sure have interdependence right. That is grace, the relationship we honor and hold with God. We experience it with one another, our communities and our planet. May we continue to cherish and honor it. Amen.