June 30 - Memorial of the First Holy Martyrs of the Holy Roman Church

[MariaChristi]

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Hopefully, you’ll make time to ponder the Mass Readings for today, Tuesday in Ordinary time and also for the Optional Memorial of the First Martyrs. The Readings for both are significant for us at this time of suffering and confusion in the world and in the Church. I’m posting the First Reading and Gospel from the Optional Memorial for they seem to fit even more closely with our present experience:

Reading 1

Brothers and sisters:
If God is for us, who can be against us?
He did not spare His own Son
but handed Him over for us all,
how will He not also give us everything else along with Him?
Who will bring a charge against God’s chosen ones?
It is God who acquits us.
Who will condemn?
It is Christ Jesus who died, rather, was raised,
who also is at the right hand of God,
who indeed intercedes for us.
What will separate us from the love of Christ?
Will anguish, or distress, or persecution, or famine,
or nakedness, or peril, or the sword?
As it is written:

For your sake we are being slain all the day;
we are looked upon as sheep to be slaughtered.

No, in all these things we conquer overwhelmingly
through Him who loved us.
For I am convinced that neither death, nor life,
nor angels, nor principalities,
nor present things, nor future things,
nor powers, nor height, nor depth,
nor any other creature will be able to separate us
from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Rom 8:31-39)

Gospel

Jesus said to His disciples:
“See that no one deceives you.
For many will come in My Name, saying,
‘I am the Christ,’ and they will deceive many.
You will hear of wars and reports of wars;
see that you are not alarmed,
for these things must happen, but it will not yet be the end.
Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom;
there will be famines and earthquakes from place to place.
All these are the beginning of the labor pains.
Then they will hand you over to persecution,
and they will kill you.
You will be hated by all nations because of My Name.
And then many will be led into sin;
they will betray and hate one another.
Many false prophets will arise and deceive many;
and because of the increase of evildoing,
the love of many will grow cold.
But the one who perseveres to the end will be saved.” (Mt 24:4-13 )

Mass Readings for Tuesday, and scroll down for the Memorial for the Martyrs:

Tuesday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time | USCCB

Mary Mother of the Church, Refuge of Sinners, pray for us! Jesus we trust In You. Come Holy Spirit fill the Hearts of Your faithful, renew the face of the earth for the Glory of The Father! Amen.

 

[MariaChristi]

Dear Stephie,

Thanks again for your Faith-Full and Loving “heart” ! The final words of Jesus in this Gospel passage ring so true – as does every Word from God:

Many false prophets will arise and deceive many;
and because of the increase of evildoing,
the love of many will grow cold.
But the one who perseveres to the end will be saved.” (from Mt 24:4-13 )

When we listen to the “News” on radio, TV or read it in other forms of the media these days, are we aware of how many may not be telling the Truth or even be able to discern truth from lies? When we see the actions of violence what are our thoughts?

How much time do we give to listening to God’s Word and to prayer with attention and devotion? I wonder. These are very difficult days, but the Words of Jesus still ring true in my heart. He has told us: “…the one who perseveres to the end will be saved”. I believe Him and by His Grace I trust in Him and Love Him with the Supernatural Gifts of Faith, Hope and Charity given to me in Baptism.

It seems to me a good time to take a break from writing and so I’m going to spend more time in prayerful listening to God’s Word. Please let us continue to pray for one another, for the Church and for all those in most need of God’s Mercy.

 

[StephieNorthCo]

All those questions are good things to ponder.

Particularly in the present times we are in.

I will continue to pray for you.

God bless.

 

[MariaChristi]

Thanks, Stephie, dear and Faith -Full sister!

Today’s Gospel (July 2) shows us Jesus curing a paralytic because of the Faith of those who brought him to Jesus. May we remain Faith-FULL in praying for one another, for the Church, and especially for all those in most need of His Mercy, through and with Mary our Mother.