The Mass
 |
Other Feast Days and Prayers |
June 20, 1999
Today's Feastday,
Today is Sunday in the Twelfth Week of Ordinary Time. In the Bible readings,
the question is not fear in general; it is the particular fear which Christians
feel at the moment they must witness to their faith in God, the Lord Jesus,
and the mysterious reign of justice and love to be established in society.
The temptation is to keep silent, not to rock the boat. But may we? Christianity
has its long history of glorious martyrs.
Jeremiah is so appealing to us because he is very human. He knew what it
means to be scared to death. When God called him, he tried to talk his way
out of his prophetic vocation: "Ah, Lord God! I know not how to speak; I am
too young" (Jer 1,6). Yet though afflicted with fear and trembling, this
humble man ultimately accepted his mission. Unlike the "professional prophets,"
Jeremiah spoke up and condemned evil. Hence, he was constantly harassed and
persecuted to such and extent that martyrdom, rejection, and persecution came
to be regarded by later Israelites as inseparable from the prophetic vocation.
We mentioned the power of evil opposing those who witness for God's reign
of justice, love, peace and truth on earth. Paul meditates extensively on
evil and its threatening power in society. The sin of the world is a fact.
All of mankind is born into this sinful situation, which is the root of all
misery in this world. But Paul also speaks about evil's defeat by Jesus'
meritorious death on the cross. Threatened by evil and tempted by sin, we
Christians trust in the redeeming power of our Lord Christ.
When the Lord sent his disciples on their mission to announce that the
reign of God was at hand, to cure the sick and expel the demons, he knew that
they would run into opposition. He encourages them: "Do not let men intimidate
you... Whoever acknowledges me before men I will acknowledge before my Father
in heaven." This is God's word to all Christians whenever their conscience
tells them to witness.
Today's Prayer
Father,
guide and protector of your people,
grant us an unfailing respect for your name,
and keep us always in your love.
Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
Amen.
Spiritual Communion Prayer
Please join us with this prayer in asking the Lord Jesus to be with you.
Act of Spiritual Communion
My Jesus, I believe that You are in the Blessed Sacrament.
I love You above all things, and I long for you in my soul.
Since I cannot now receive You sacramentally,
come at least spiritually into my heart.
I know You have already come.
I embrace You and unite myself entirely to You;
never permit me to be separated from You.
Saint Ann's Media *
Box 111 *
Scranton, PA 18504-0111
E-mail: frpeter@themass.org *
Ph: 570-941-0100 *
Fax: 570-941-0185
Copyright © 1999. St Ann's Media. All Rights Reserved.
Web Pages Designed and Edited By Terry Marcheona