In this e-weekly:-
The 12 Promises of the Sacred Heart of Jesus ("Helpful Hints of Life")
- Things You Will Probably Never Hear Catholics Say… (Smiling Cat Section)
- Relic of St. Clement Found in Trash Now Resides in Westmister Cathedral (News Section)
- www.RomanCatholicGoodNews.com has past e-weeklies and some new homilies posted
The 12 Promises of the Sacred Heart of Jesus ("Helpful Hints of Life")
- Things You Will Probably Never Hear Catholics Say… (Smiling Cat Section)
- Relic of St. Clement Found in Trash Now Resides in Westmister Cathedral (News Section)
- www.RomanCatholicGoodNews.com has past e-weeklies and some new homilies posted
The Adorable and Most Sacred Heart of Jesus
Roman Catholic Good News
Receiving the Gospel, Serving God and Neighbor
FIRST FRIDAYS
"But one of the soldiers with a spear opened his side,
and immediately there came out blood and water."
- John 19:34
Dear friends in Christ Jesus,
Friday, July 6th marked the continuing of 9 consecutive FIRST FRIDAYS which our Lord asked through St. Margaret Mary that can be offered to His Sacred Heart for special graces and benefit to humanity, especially individuals.
12. The all-powerful love of My Heart will grant to all those who shall receive Communion on the First Friday of nine consecutive months the grace of final repentance; they shall not die under My displeasure, nor without receiving their Sacraments; My Heart shall be their assured refuge at the last hour. –Jesus Christ
The month of June is dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. God's love has been enfleshed in the human heart of Jesus, which we call His Sacred Heart because from it gushed "immediately blood and water. (John 19:34)" Holy Water in Baptism for the washing away of Original Sin and forgiveness of your sins and mine. Precious Blood to be drunk to eternal life or for us to be drenched in the Sacrament of Confession for the return to Baptismal innocence after personal sin.
Look at the website sections for more on the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Look to "Helpful Hints of Life" for Jesus 12 Promises to those who have Devotion to His Sacred Heart. Receive Him, Who is only Love and Mercy, in the Sacraments of His Church!
Peace and prayers in Jesus through Mary, loved by Saint Joseph,
Father Robert
P.S. This coming Sunday is Solemnity of the Birth of St. Joseph the Baptist. >>> Readings
Friday, July 6th marked the continuing of 9 consecutive FIRST FRIDAYS which our Lord asked through St. Margaret Mary that can be offered to His Sacred Heart for special graces and benefit to humanity, especially individuals.
12. The all-powerful love of My Heart will grant to all those who shall receive Communion on the First Friday of nine consecutive months the grace of final repentance; they shall not die under My displeasure, nor without receiving their Sacraments; My Heart shall be their assured refuge at the last hour. –Jesus Christ
The month of June is dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. God's love has been enfleshed in the human heart of Jesus, which we call His Sacred Heart because from it gushed "immediately blood and water. (John 19:34)" Holy Water in Baptism for the washing away of Original Sin and forgiveness of your sins and mine. Precious Blood to be drunk to eternal life or for us to be drenched in the Sacrament of Confession for the return to Baptismal innocence after personal sin.
Look at the website sections for more on the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Look to "Helpful Hints of Life" for Jesus 12 Promises to those who have Devotion to His Sacred Heart. Receive Him, Who is only Love and Mercy, in the Sacraments of His Church!
Peace and prayers in Jesus through Mary, loved by Saint Joseph,
Father Robert
P.S. This coming Sunday is Solemnity of the Birth of St. Joseph the Baptist. >>> Readings
 | June 24, 2018 - Solemnity of the Nativity of Saint John ... www.usccb.org June 24, 2018 - Solemnity of the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist - Mass during the Day « June 23 | June 25 » |
 | P.S.S.S. Sunday Readings with Reflections and Questions at end of e-mail Homily Most Holy Body and Blood of Our Lord is found below (7 minutes length): Most Holy Body and Blood of Our Lord |
"Helpful Hints of Life"
The Twelve Promises of Jesus
to those who honor His Sacred Heart
given to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque
to those who honor His Sacred Heart
given to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque
1. I will give them all the graces necessary for their state in life.
2. I will give peace in their families.
3. I will console them in all their troubles.
4. They shall find in My Heart an assured refuge during life and especially at the hour of death.
5. I will pour abundant blessings on all their undertakings.
6. Sinners shall find in My Heart the source and infinite ocean of mercy.
7. Tepid souls shall become fervent.
8. Fervent souls shall speedily rise to great perfection.
9. I will bless the homes in which the image of My Sacred Heart shall be exposed and honored.
10. I will give to priests the power to touch the most hardened hearts.
11. Those who propagate this devotion shall have their name written in My Heart, and it shall never be effaced.
12. The all-powerful love of My Heart will grant to all those who shall receive Communion on the First Friday of nine consecutive months the grace of final repentance; they shall not die under My displeasure, nor without receiving their Sacraments; My Heart shall be their assured refuge at the last hour.
"Jesus knew and loved us each and all during his life, his agony and his Passion, and gave himself up for each one of us: "The Son of God. . . loved me and gave himself for me." He has loved us all with a human heart. For this reason, the Sacred Heart of Jesus, pierced by our sins and for our salvation, "is quite rightly considered the chief sign and symbol of that. . . love with which the divine Redeemer continually loves the eternal Father and all human beings" without exception. -Catechism of the Catholic Church#478
2. I will give peace in their families.
3. I will console them in all their troubles.
4. They shall find in My Heart an assured refuge during life and especially at the hour of death.
5. I will pour abundant blessings on all their undertakings.
6. Sinners shall find in My Heart the source and infinite ocean of mercy.
7. Tepid souls shall become fervent.
8. Fervent souls shall speedily rise to great perfection.
9. I will bless the homes in which the image of My Sacred Heart shall be exposed and honored.
10. I will give to priests the power to touch the most hardened hearts.
11. Those who propagate this devotion shall have their name written in My Heart, and it shall never be effaced.
12. The all-powerful love of My Heart will grant to all those who shall receive Communion on the First Friday of nine consecutive months the grace of final repentance; they shall not die under My displeasure, nor without receiving their Sacraments; My Heart shall be their assured refuge at the last hour.
"Jesus knew and loved us each and all during his life, his agony and his Passion, and gave himself up for each one of us: "The Son of God. . . loved me and gave himself for me." He has loved us all with a human heart. For this reason, the Sacred Heart of Jesus, pierced by our sins and for our salvation, "is quite rightly considered the chief sign and symbol of that. . . love with which the divine Redeemer continually loves the eternal Father and all human beings" without exception. -Catechism of the Catholic Church#478
Catholic Website of the Week
For those traveling this summer and needing to get to the Holy Mass.
MASS TIMES AND CATHOLIC CHURCHES throughout the US
http://www.masstimes.org/
Simply type in the town you will be in.
For those traveling this summer and needing to get to the Holy Mass.
MASS TIMES AND CATHOLIC CHURCHES throughout the US
http://www.masstimes.org/
Simply type in the town you will be in.
Diocesan News AND BEYOND
Relic of St Clement found in trash settles into Westminster Cathedral
A relic discovered last year by a U.K. waste management company found a home Tuesday in London's Westminster Cathedral.
“Choosing an appropriate resting place was very important to us,” said Enviro Waste Owner James Rubin in a statement on the company's website. “Therefore, we think Westminster Cathedral is the best and safest place for the bone due to its importance to the church and to ensure that it won’t get lost again!”
Rubin presented the relic to Archbishop George Stack of Cardiff at the cathedral's Lady Chapel June 19. Archbishop Stack is chair of the English and Welsh bishops' patrimony committee.
The relic will be displayed in the Treasures of Westminster Cathedral Exhibition.
The bone fragment is encased in a wax-sealed case and includes an inscription that it is “from the bones of St. Clement, Pope and Martyr.”
St. Clement was a first-century Christian thought to have been a disciple of Sts. Peter and Paul.
It is believed that St. Clement converted from Judaism to Catholicism, and may have shared in some of the missionary journeys of St. Peter or St. Paul, and assisted them in running the Church at the local level.
Around the year 90, he was raised to the position of Pope, following Peter, Linus, and Cletus. His writings reveal much about the early Church, but little about his own life.
According to one account, he died in exile during the reign of the Emperor Trajan, who purportedly banished Clement to Crimea and had him killed in retaliation for evangelizing the local people, around the year 100. He is among the saints mentioned in the Roman Canon.
In 868, the Greek missionary St. Cyril claimed to have recovered St. Clement's bones.
Enviro Waste conducted public research before deciding what to do with the relic. They posted about it on their website blog in April, requesting input from viewers.
“650+ suggestions and over 9,000 visits to the page” later, the updated post said, they decided that the Westminster Cathedral in London should have it.
The relic's owner has said it was stolen from his car when it was broken into, and agreed to loan it permanently to Westminster Cathedral.
Vice Chair of the patrimony committee of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales Sophie Andreae was the one who reached out to Enviro Waste, requesting the relic’s placement be in the cathedral.
She explained to the BBC why relics are important to Catholics.
“Catholics feel that they have not just a link with a very holy person from the past, but also a link with the divine,” Andreae said.
A relic discovered last year by a U.K. waste management company found a home Tuesday in London's Westminster Cathedral.
“Choosing an appropriate resting place was very important to us,” said Enviro Waste Owner James Rubin in a statement on the company's website. “Therefore, we think Westminster Cathedral is the best and safest place for the bone due to its importance to the church and to ensure that it won’t get lost again!”
Rubin presented the relic to Archbishop George Stack of Cardiff at the cathedral's Lady Chapel June 19. Archbishop Stack is chair of the English and Welsh bishops' patrimony committee.
The relic will be displayed in the Treasures of Westminster Cathedral Exhibition.
The bone fragment is encased in a wax-sealed case and includes an inscription that it is “from the bones of St. Clement, Pope and Martyr.”
St. Clement was a first-century Christian thought to have been a disciple of Sts. Peter and Paul.
It is believed that St. Clement converted from Judaism to Catholicism, and may have shared in some of the missionary journeys of St. Peter or St. Paul, and assisted them in running the Church at the local level.
Around the year 90, he was raised to the position of Pope, following Peter, Linus, and Cletus. His writings reveal much about the early Church, but little about his own life.
According to one account, he died in exile during the reign of the Emperor Trajan, who purportedly banished Clement to Crimea and had him killed in retaliation for evangelizing the local people, around the year 100. He is among the saints mentioned in the Roman Canon.
In 868, the Greek missionary St. Cyril claimed to have recovered St. Clement's bones.
Enviro Waste conducted public research before deciding what to do with the relic. They posted about it on their website blog in April, requesting input from viewers.
“650+ suggestions and over 9,000 visits to the page” later, the updated post said, they decided that the Westminster Cathedral in London should have it.
The relic's owner has said it was stolen from his car when it was broken into, and agreed to loan it permanently to Westminster Cathedral.
Vice Chair of the patrimony committee of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales Sophie Andreae was the one who reached out to Enviro Waste, requesting the relic’s placement be in the cathedral.
She explained to the BBC why relics are important to Catholics.
“Catholics feel that they have not just a link with a very holy person from the past, but also a link with the divine,” Andreae said.
THIS 95-YEAR-OLD CATHOLIC COUPLE DIED IN EACH OTHER'S ARMS...
San Diego, Calif. (EWTN News/CNA) - Few love stories can say that they began at the age of eight. But for Jeanette and Alexander Toczko, they couldn't have imagined life any other way.
What began as a childhood crush later bloomed into a deep, committed love – a love that would last throughout a war, five children, and seventy-five years of marriage.
“Their hearts beat as one from as long as I can remember,” said Aimee Toczko-Cushman, one of the couple's five children, according to the Daily Mail.
After meeting his future wife at the age of eight, Alexander Toczko married Jeanette in 1940 while he was enrolled in the U.S. Navy as a telegraph operator. Alexander was a devoted husband to his wife Jeanette, and as Catholics, he fondly carried a snapshot of Jeanette's First Holy Communion in his wallet.
The Toczko's settled in San Diego, California in 1971 where Alexander and Jeanette worked together, establishing their own fashion photography and advertising firm. Alexander had a passion for golf and sketching, and the couple loved to travel with each other.
They raised their five children in the San Diego area, and over the years became the proud grandparents of ten grandchildren.
This past June, the couple celebrated their 75th wedding anniversary. Alexander, a WWII veteran, was 95 and Jeanette was 96.
The couple's health had been declining over the months, especially after Alexander had taken a recent fall, breaking his hip.
“He was going fast,” their son, Richard Toczko, remembered.
Hospice care was brought to Jeanette and Alexander's home, so that they could share their own bed and stay close to each other in their final moments.
Remarkably, the inseparable couple had a dying wish that they often told their children – they both wanted to pass away together, in each other's arms and in their own bed.
Alexander was the first to go on June 17. Once Jeanette had been informed that her husband had died, she said, “See this is what you wanted. You died in my arms and I love you. I love you, wait for me, I'll be there soon.”
Jeanette died only hours after her husband on June 18.
“Even the hospice nurse said it was the most incredible thing to see the two of them taking those last breaths together,” Aimee Toczko-Cushman said.
“They both entered the pearly gates holding hands,” reflected their son, Richard Toczko.
A funeral mass was held for Alexander and Jeanette on June 29, a ceremony which commemorated both their lives and their 75th wedding anniversary. They were buried at the Miramar National Cemetery in San Diego.
" 1. Be especially attentive "to the content and unity of the whole Scripture". Different as the books which compose it may be, Scripture is a unity by reason of the unity of God's plan, of which Christ Jesus is the center and heart, open since his Passover.
The phrase "heart of Christ" can refer to Sacred Scripture, which makes known his heart, closed before the Passion, as the Scripture was obscure. But the Scripture has been opened since the Passion; since those who from then on have understood it, consider and discern in what way the prophecies must be interpreted." -Catechism of the Catholic Church #112
San Diego, Calif. (EWTN News/CNA) - Few love stories can say that they began at the age of eight. But for Jeanette and Alexander Toczko, they couldn't have imagined life any other way.
What began as a childhood crush later bloomed into a deep, committed love – a love that would last throughout a war, five children, and seventy-five years of marriage.
“Their hearts beat as one from as long as I can remember,” said Aimee Toczko-Cushman, one of the couple's five children, according to the Daily Mail.
After meeting his future wife at the age of eight, Alexander Toczko married Jeanette in 1940 while he was enrolled in the U.S. Navy as a telegraph operator. Alexander was a devoted husband to his wife Jeanette, and as Catholics, he fondly carried a snapshot of Jeanette's First Holy Communion in his wallet.
The Toczko's settled in San Diego, California in 1971 where Alexander and Jeanette worked together, establishing their own fashion photography and advertising firm. Alexander had a passion for golf and sketching, and the couple loved to travel with each other.
They raised their five children in the San Diego area, and over the years became the proud grandparents of ten grandchildren.
This past June, the couple celebrated their 75th wedding anniversary. Alexander, a WWII veteran, was 95 and Jeanette was 96.
The couple's health had been declining over the months, especially after Alexander had taken a recent fall, breaking his hip.
“He was going fast,” their son, Richard Toczko, remembered.
Hospice care was brought to Jeanette and Alexander's home, so that they could share their own bed and stay close to each other in their final moments.
Remarkably, the inseparable couple had a dying wish that they often told their children – they both wanted to pass away together, in each other's arms and in their own bed.
Alexander was the first to go on June 17. Once Jeanette had been informed that her husband had died, she said, “See this is what you wanted. You died in my arms and I love you. I love you, wait for me, I'll be there soon.”
Jeanette died only hours after her husband on June 18.
“Even the hospice nurse said it was the most incredible thing to see the two of them taking those last breaths together,” Aimee Toczko-Cushman said.
“They both entered the pearly gates holding hands,” reflected their son, Richard Toczko.
A funeral mass was held for Alexander and Jeanette on June 29, a ceremony which commemorated both their lives and their 75th wedding anniversary. They were buried at the Miramar National Cemetery in San Diego.
" 1. Be especially attentive "to the content and unity of the whole Scripture". Different as the books which compose it may be, Scripture is a unity by reason of the unity of God's plan, of which Christ Jesus is the center and heart, open since his Passover.
The phrase "heart of Christ" can refer to Sacred Scripture, which makes known his heart, closed before the Passion, as the Scripture was obscure. But the Scripture has been opened since the Passion; since those who from then on have understood it, consider and discern in what way the prophecies must be interpreted." -Catechism of the Catholic Church #112
A bit of humor…
50 Things You'll (probably) Never Hear Catholics Say
16) Go ahead and ask me all your questions about Catholicism. I feel pretty confident that I can answer all of them.
17) There are too many people in the front pews at Mass.
18) I had my conversion through Religious Ed.
19) Birth Control or Natural Family Planning (NFP)? I haven’t really heard any strong opinions one way or the other.
20) Donuts after Mass AGAIN?!?!
21) The Catechism of the Catholic Church, that 2600 page book? Yeah, it's a pretty quick read. Totally beach material.
22) All that exorcism stuff doesn’t freak me out at all.
23) You're interested in celibacy, too?!!
24) G.K. Chesterton… He was Anglican, right?
25) I don't know who to pray to when I lose my stuff!
26) I never really get distracted during the Rosary either.
27) Latin Tridentine Mass and Novus Ordo are practically the same thing.
28) I, too, have a devotion to St. Willibald.
29) How ‘bout them Crusades?!
30) Mary who?
31) I just wish the Sisters of Life were more joyful.
32) I’m not at all self-conscious after Ash Wednesday Mass. Let’s go to the disco.
33) What marriage controversy?
34) I think St. Patrick would be proud of how we celebrate him.
35) I miss Limbo.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Several days ago as I left a meeting at our church, I desperately gave myself a personal TSA pat down.
I was looking for my keys. They were not in my pockets. A quick search in the meeting room revealed nothing.
Suddenly I realized, I must have left them in the car.
Frantically, I headed for the parking lot. My wife, Diane, has scolded me many times for leaving the keys in the ignition. My theory is the ignition is the best place not to lose them. Her theory is that the car will be stolen.
As I burst through the doors of the church, I came to a terrifying conclusion. Her theory was right. The parking lot was empty.
I immediately called the police, gave them my location, confessed that I had left my keys in the car and that it had been stolen.
Then I made the most difficult call of all, “Honey,” I stammered. I always call her “honey”in times like these. “I left my keys in the car, and it has been stolen.”
There was a period of silence. I thought the call had been dropped, but then I heard Diane’s voice. “Ken” she barked, “I dropped you off!”
Now it was my turn to be silent. Embarrassed, I said, “Well, can you please come and get me.”
Diane retorted, “I will, as soon as I can convince this policeman I have not stolen your car!”
Prayer to the Sacred Heart
0 Jesus! divine Savior, from whose Heart comes forth this bitter complaint, "I looked for one that would comfort me, and I found none," graciously accept the feeble consolation we offer You, and aid us so powerfully by your grace, that we may, for the time to come, shun more and more all that can displease You, and prove ourselves in everything, and everywhere, and forever Your most faithful and devoted servants. We ask it through Your Sacred Heart, O Lord, who live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit one God, world without end. Amen.
"Christ is the light of humanity; and it is, accordingly, the heart-felt desire of this sacred Council, being gathered together in the Holy Spirit, that, by proclaiming his Gospel to every creature, it may bring to all men that light of Christ which shines out visibly from the Church." These words open the Second Vatican Council's Dogmatic Constitution on the Church. By choosing this starting point, the Council demonstrates that the article of faith about the Church depends entirely on the articles concerning Christ Jesus. The Church has no other light than Christ's; according to a favorite image of the Church Fathers, the Church is like the moon, all its light reflected from the sun." -Catechism of the Catholic Church #748
SUNDAY MASS READINGS AND QUESTIONS
for Self-Reflection, Couples or Family Discussion
Solemnity of the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist
-June 24, 2018-
The First Reading- Isaiah 49: 1-6
Hear me, O coastlands, listen, O distant peoples. The LORD called me from birth, from my mother's womb he gave me my name. He made of me a sharp-edged sword and concealed me in the shadow of his arm. He made me a polished arrow, in his quiver he hid me. You are my servant, he said to me, Israel, through whom I show my glory. Though I thought I had toiled in vain, and for nothing, uselessly, spent my strength, yet my reward is with the LORD, my recompense is with my God. For now the LORD has spoken who formed me as his servant from the womb, that Jacob may be brought back to him and Israel gathered to him; and I am made glorious in the sight of the LORD, and my God is now my strength! It is too little, he says, for you to be my servant, to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and restore the survivors of Israel; I will make you a light to the nations, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.
Reflection
In the first reading, we hear the second portion of the “servant song” of Isaiah. Centuries before the Birth of Christ, Isaiah prophesied that all nations would be included in the blessings of his New Covenant. Everyone is called to a life in Christ through the grace of the Sacraments and the desire and determination to live the Gospel message.
Adults -Jesus came as a servant. How do you serve others in His name?
Teens - What does it mean to you that Jesus came to serve? What does that say about what God asks of us?
Kids - What are some ways that you can be kind to others?
Responsorial- Psalm 139: 1B-3, 13-14AB, 14C-15
R. I praise you, for I am wonderfully made.
O LORD, you have probed me, you know me:
you know when I sit and when I stand;
you understand my thoughts from afar.
My journeys and my rest you scrutinize,
with all my ways you are familiar.
R. I praise you for I am wonderfully made.
Truly you have formed my inmost being;
you knit me in my mother's womb.
I give you thanks that I am fearfully, wonderfully made;
wonderful are your works.
R. I praise you, for I am wonderfully made.
My soul also you knew full well;
nor was my frame unknown to you
When I was made in secret,
when I was fashioned in the depths of the earth.
R. I praise you, for I am wonderfully made.
Reflection
-What helps you recognize that you are wonderfully made?
The Second Reading- Acts 13: 22-26
In those days, Paul said: "God raised up David as king; of him God testified, I have found David, son of Jesse, a man after my own heart; he will carry out my every wish. From this man's descendants God, according to his promise, has brought to Israel a savior, Jesus. John heralded his coming by proclaiming a baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel; and as John was completing his course, he would say, 'What do you suppose that I am? I am not he. Behold, one is coming after me; I am not worthy to unfasten the sandals of his feet.' "My brothers, sons of the family of Abraham, and those others among you who are God-fearing, to us this word of salvation has been sent."
Reflection
Here we see Saint Paul reflecting on how Jesus Christ fulfilled the prophecies of old, and on the ministry of John the Baptist. John the Baptist never took honor for himself, he simply spread the message he was given, and always pointed toward Christ.
How does your life point to Christ?
The Holy Gospel according to Luke 1: 57-66, 80
When the time arrived for Elizabeth to have her child she gave birth to a son. Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown his great mercy toward her, and they rejoiced with her. When they came on the eighth day to circumcise the child, they were going to call him Zechariah after his father, but his mother said in reply, "No. He will be called John." But they answered her, "There is no one among your relatives who has this name." So they made signs, asking his father what he wished him to be called. He asked for a tablet and wrote, "John is his name," and all were amazed. Immediately his mouth was opened, his tongue freed, and he spoke blessing God. Then fear came upon all their neighbors, and all these matters were discussed throughout the hill country of Judea. All who heard these things took them to heart, saying, "What, then, will this child be?" For surely the hand of the Lord was with him. The child grew and became strong in spirit, and he was in the desert until the day of his manifestation to Israel.
Reflection
The Church celebrates as solemnities only three people’s birthdays; Jesus, Mary and John the Baptist. When we look at the scriptures related to John, we see why he’s celebrated with the heavy hitters. The Jewish scriptures prophesied his coming, he had a miraculous birth, was able to recognize Jesus before either of them were born, and laid the groundwork for people to be ready to hear Jesus’ message.
When John was born, the whole countryside wondered what he would become, expecting God to do something amazing with him, because of the strange circumstances of this birth. Luke tells us, in similar words to describe Jesus’ growing up, “The child grew and became strong in spirit.” He and Jesus were akin in family relation and in spirit.
John was a wild character—he lived in the desert, wore deliberately itchy clothes, ate bugs and yelled at people. He had a very different approach than Jesus, but it was exactly what was needed to prepare people to hear Jesus and see him for what he was. He was brave and principled, willing to speak the truth even when it meant that he’d be killed for it. He’s important because of his participation in salvation history, and because he’s a reminder to our Church that it takes all kinds to preach the Gospel effectively.
Adults -Does following your faith make you stand out? How do you use that to teach people about the faith?
Teens -What can you learn about your role in the Church by reflecting on the person of John the Baptist? What characteristics do you have that would make you a good evangelist?
Kids - John was a miracle baby for his parents. People couldn’t wait to see what he would be when he grew up. What do you want to be when you grow up?
"Christ is the light of humanity; and it is, accordingly, the heart-felt desire of this sacred Council, being gathered together in the Holy Spirit, that, by proclaiming his Gospel to every creature, it may bring to all men that light of Christ which shines out visibly from the Church." These words open the Second Vatican Council's Dogmatic Constitution on the Church. By choosing this starting point, the Council demonstrates that the article of faith about the Church depends entirely on the articles concerning Christ Jesus. The Church has no other light than Christ's; according to a favorite image of the Church Fathers, the Church is like the moon, all its light reflected from the sun." -Catechism of the Catholic Church #748
SUNDAY MASS READINGS AND QUESTIONS
for Self-Reflection, Couples or Family Discussion
Solemnity of the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist
-June 24, 2018-
The First Reading- Isaiah 49: 1-6
Hear me, O coastlands, listen, O distant peoples. The LORD called me from birth, from my mother's womb he gave me my name. He made of me a sharp-edged sword and concealed me in the shadow of his arm. He made me a polished arrow, in his quiver he hid me. You are my servant, he said to me, Israel, through whom I show my glory. Though I thought I had toiled in vain, and for nothing, uselessly, spent my strength, yet my reward is with the LORD, my recompense is with my God. For now the LORD has spoken who formed me as his servant from the womb, that Jacob may be brought back to him and Israel gathered to him; and I am made glorious in the sight of the LORD, and my God is now my strength! It is too little, he says, for you to be my servant, to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and restore the survivors of Israel; I will make you a light to the nations, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.
Reflection
In the first reading, we hear the second portion of the “servant song” of Isaiah. Centuries before the Birth of Christ, Isaiah prophesied that all nations would be included in the blessings of his New Covenant. Everyone is called to a life in Christ through the grace of the Sacraments and the desire and determination to live the Gospel message.
Adults -Jesus came as a servant. How do you serve others in His name?
Teens - What does it mean to you that Jesus came to serve? What does that say about what God asks of us?
Kids - What are some ways that you can be kind to others?
Responsorial- Psalm 139: 1B-3, 13-14AB, 14C-15
R. I praise you, for I am wonderfully made.
O LORD, you have probed me, you know me:
you know when I sit and when I stand;
you understand my thoughts from afar.
My journeys and my rest you scrutinize,
with all my ways you are familiar.
R. I praise you for I am wonderfully made.
Truly you have formed my inmost being;
you knit me in my mother's womb.
I give you thanks that I am fearfully, wonderfully made;
wonderful are your works.
R. I praise you, for I am wonderfully made.
My soul also you knew full well;
nor was my frame unknown to you
When I was made in secret,
when I was fashioned in the depths of the earth.
R. I praise you, for I am wonderfully made.
Reflection
-What helps you recognize that you are wonderfully made?
The Second Reading- Acts 13: 22-26
In those days, Paul said: "God raised up David as king; of him God testified, I have found David, son of Jesse, a man after my own heart; he will carry out my every wish. From this man's descendants God, according to his promise, has brought to Israel a savior, Jesus. John heralded his coming by proclaiming a baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel; and as John was completing his course, he would say, 'What do you suppose that I am? I am not he. Behold, one is coming after me; I am not worthy to unfasten the sandals of his feet.' "My brothers, sons of the family of Abraham, and those others among you who are God-fearing, to us this word of salvation has been sent."
Reflection
Here we see Saint Paul reflecting on how Jesus Christ fulfilled the prophecies of old, and on the ministry of John the Baptist. John the Baptist never took honor for himself, he simply spread the message he was given, and always pointed toward Christ.
How does your life point to Christ?
The Holy Gospel according to Luke 1: 57-66, 80
When the time arrived for Elizabeth to have her child she gave birth to a son. Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown his great mercy toward her, and they rejoiced with her. When they came on the eighth day to circumcise the child, they were going to call him Zechariah after his father, but his mother said in reply, "No. He will be called John." But they answered her, "There is no one among your relatives who has this name." So they made signs, asking his father what he wished him to be called. He asked for a tablet and wrote, "John is his name," and all were amazed. Immediately his mouth was opened, his tongue freed, and he spoke blessing God. Then fear came upon all their neighbors, and all these matters were discussed throughout the hill country of Judea. All who heard these things took them to heart, saying, "What, then, will this child be?" For surely the hand of the Lord was with him. The child grew and became strong in spirit, and he was in the desert until the day of his manifestation to Israel.
Reflection
The Church celebrates as solemnities only three people’s birthdays; Jesus, Mary and John the Baptist. When we look at the scriptures related to John, we see why he’s celebrated with the heavy hitters. The Jewish scriptures prophesied his coming, he had a miraculous birth, was able to recognize Jesus before either of them were born, and laid the groundwork for people to be ready to hear Jesus’ message.
When John was born, the whole countryside wondered what he would become, expecting God to do something amazing with him, because of the strange circumstances of this birth. Luke tells us, in similar words to describe Jesus’ growing up, “The child grew and became strong in spirit.” He and Jesus were akin in family relation and in spirit.
John was a wild character—he lived in the desert, wore deliberately itchy clothes, ate bugs and yelled at people. He had a very different approach than Jesus, but it was exactly what was needed to prepare people to hear Jesus and see him for what he was. He was brave and principled, willing to speak the truth even when it meant that he’d be killed for it. He’s important because of his participation in salvation history, and because he’s a reminder to our Church that it takes all kinds to preach the Gospel effectively.
Adults -Does following your faith make you stand out? How do you use that to teach people about the faith?
Teens -What can you learn about your role in the Church by reflecting on the person of John the Baptist? What characteristics do you have that would make you a good evangelist?
Kids - John was a miracle baby for his parents. People couldn’t wait to see what he would be when he grew up. What do you want to be when you grow up?