June 4 - "...the Word of God is not chained"...(2 Tm 2:8-15)

[MariaChristi]

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

How powerful is God’s Word! Jesus the Word made Flesh in the Womb of Mary by the power of the Holy Spirit lives and dies and rises in us by our Baptism into Him. Yet so many of the baptized are so unaware of Him. Today’s Mass readings can give us the strength we need if we prayerfully listen to Jesus speaking through those He inspired to write.

The word limit on CAF prevents my including every word here, but I will give some excerpts and encourage you to read all at: http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/060420.cfm

Reading 1:

Beloved:
Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, a descendant of David:
such is my Gospel, for which I am suffering,
even to the point of chains, like a criminal.
But the word of God is not chained.
Therefore, I bear with everything for the sake of those who are chosen,
so that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus,
together with eternal glory.
This saying is trustworthy:

If we have died with him
we shall also live with him;
if we persevere
we shall also reign with him.
But if we deny him
he will deny us.
If we are unfaithful
he remains faithful,
for he cannot deny himself.

Remind people of these things
and charge them before God to stop disputing about words.
This serves no useful purpose since it harms those who listen.
Be eager to present yourself as acceptable to God,
a workman who causes no disgrace,
imparting the word of truth without deviation. (2 Tm 2:8-15)

Responsorial Psalm:

Teach me your ways, O Lord.

Alleluia verse:

Our Savior Jesus Christ has destroyed death
and brought life to light through the Gospel.

From today’s Gospel:

One of the scribes came to Jesus and asked him,
“Which is the first of all the commandments?”
Jesus replied, “The first is this:
Hear, O Israel!
The Lord our God is Lord alone!
You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart,
with all your soul, with all your mind,
and with all your strength.
The second is this:
You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
There is no other commandment greater than these.”… ( from Mk 12:28-34)

Come Holy Spirit, renew the Church; renew the face of the earth! Jesus we trust in You! Mary, Mother of the Church, pray for us.

 

[MariaChristi]

Dear Stephie,

Thanks agan, for your Faith-Full and loving “heart”! Today is the First Friday of June - the Month of the Sacred Heart and His Heart is uppermost in my mind today. I know there are still Churches who cannot yet offer “public Masses” but I also know there are many “Faith-Full” hearts like yours who will offer all hearts filled with Loving Reparation to His Sacred Heart in Spiritual Communions.

Let us pray for one another, for the Church and for all those in most need of His Mercy. Let us pray in Reparation for our sins and the sins of the Whole world. Let us console the Heart of Jesus today!

 

[StephieNorthCo]

Normally, we have been getting 40 or so at morning video Mass. Today, we had 125! Not sure why, but it was nice to see the additional representation. We open Mass, with restrictions, starting next Monday.

 

[MariaChristi]

Dear Stephie,

Thanks for your “heart” and for this reply. I’d like to think that the increase in persons at your morning video Mass was because it is the First Friday in June, and some are actually remembering Jesus’ words to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque.

We have a large church building and so the social distancing is not difficult and we’ve had a good attendance at Sunday Mass – less than usual but we are an elderly parish and many are in that “vulnerable category” who have been encouraged to stay home. The Bishop has continued the dispensation for those who feel they cannot attend Mass.

Tomorrow, I’m hoping there will be an even better attendance than today because some will not be working and can participate in the First Saturday Mass offered in Reparation to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. We used to have a fairly good attendance on First Fridays and Saturdays, – if there was ever a time when we needed to pray in Reparation it is now.

“O Jesus, living in Mary, come and live in your servants, in the spirit of Your holiness, in the fullness of Your power, in the perfection of Your ways, in the truth of Your virtues, in the communion of Your mysteries. Rule over every adverse power, in Your Spirit, for the glory of the Father. Amen.” – Prayer of Fr. Jean Jacques Olier, S.S. (1608-1657)