Archive for August 13, 2011

Let Us Pray For The Suffering And Dying

Posted: August 13, 2011 by CatholicJules in Prayers
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This little prayer can be said daily and I urge you to join me in saying it…

“O St. Joseph, foster father of Jesus Christ and true spouse of the Virgin Mary,
pray for us and for the suffering and dying of today.”

 

Another Beautiful prayer to St Joseph

“O Holy Joseph, help each and every one of us,
especially at the hour of death.
Watch over our souls and our bodies and protect our families.
You know, O beloved Saint, that every day we and our brethren pray to you and that we shall never cease to pray for all those who are suffering and dying.
Grant us our warm prayers and grant that all who come to their aid may prosper, pour out blessings on their concerns and their families!  Amen”

For membership or to obtain the Holy Cloak In Honor Of St Joseph click here

August 14th, 2011 – 20th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Posted: August 13, 2011 by CatholicJules in Sunday Reflections
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Sunday Bible Reflections by Dr. Scott Hahn

A Foreigner’s Faith

Readings:
Isaiah 56:1, 6-7
Psalm 67:2-3, 5, 6, 8
Romans 11:13-15, 29-32
Matthew 15:21-28

Most of us are the foreigners, the non-Israelites, about whom today’s First Reading prophesies.

Coming to worship the God of Israel, we stand in the line of faith epitomized by the Canaanite woman in today’s Gospel. Calling to Jesus as Lord and Son of David, this foreigner shows her great faith in God’s covenant with Israel.

Jesus tests her faith three times. He refuses to answer her cry. Then, He tells her His mission is only to Israelites. Finally, he uses “dog,” an epithet used to disparage non-Israelites (see Matthew 7:6). Yet she persists, believing that He alone offers salvation.

In this family drama, we see fulfilled Isaiah’s prophecy and the promise we sing of in today’s Psalm. In Jesus, God makes known among all the nations His way and His salvation (see John 14:6).

At the start of salvation history, God called Abraham (see Genesis 12:2). He chose his offspring, Israel, from all the nations on the face of the earth, to build His covenant kingdom (see Deuteronomy 7:6-8; Isaiah 41:8).

In God’s plan, Abraham was to be the father of many nations (see Romans 4:16-17). Israel was to be the firstborn of a worldwide family of God, made up of all who believe what the Canaanite professes – that Jesus is Lord (see Exodus 4:22-23; Romans 5:13-24).

Jesus came first to restore the kingdom to Israel (see Acts 1:6; 13:46). But His ultimate mission was the reconciliation of the world, as Paul declares in today’s Epistle.

In the Mass we join all peoples in doing Him homage. As Isaiah foretold, we come to His holy mountain, the heavenly Jerusalem, to offer sacrifice at His altar (see Hebrews 12:22-24,28). With the Canaanite, we take our place at the Master’s table, to be fed as His children.