Father Madden's Sunday Reflection
19th Sunday in Ordinary Time
St. John's Church
August 7, 2022
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- Prayer: Parish Needs & Intentions / Additional Prayers
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Fr. Madden's
Sunday Reflection
Dear friends in the Lord,
Today’s second reading offers the first of four consecutive passages from the Letter to the Hebrews. Those of us of a certain age will remember when it was referred to as the “Letter of Paul to the Hebrews.” However, that is not the title in the letter itself, which was simply “to the Hebrews.” It is addressed to Jewish Christians. Scholars generally agree that the author is unknown. The letter’s message, though, is clear: Jesus Christ, the compassionate High Priest, is superior to all that came before. This message is as true and as vital today as when the letter was first written. My thanks to the Little Rock Catholic Study Bible for the following:
The author addresses people who are in danger of apostasy from their Christian faith. Sounds familiar. Further, this danger was not due to any persecution from outsiders but to a weariness with the demands of the Christian life and a growing indifference to their calling. We are seeing this today, as well. The Bible contains everything we need for our salvation. Still, I wish we did know and know about the author of Hebrews. After all, we have much in common in terms of trying to live the life of a Christian disciple with fidelity. We, too, live in a place and time that has seen a significant decline in the number of those who actively participate in the Christian community. Including some, unfortunately, in our own families.
The author’s main theme, the priesthood and sacrifice of Jesus, is seen as a means of restoring the lost fervor of those who have wavered and of strengthening their faith. The author calls his letter or, more accurately, his sermon a “message of encouragement.” He reviews the history of Israel in order to demonstrate that Jesus Christ fulfills and even surpasses the hopes expressed in the Old Testament. In so doing the Letter to the Hebrews reminds us of the witness and faith of our ancestors. Those whom St John Paul II called our “elder brothers and sisters in the faith.”
The focus of today’s passage is Abraham and Sarah. They “obeyed” when called to go to another place that they did not know. “By faith” they sojourned. “By faith” they received the power to generate, miraculously, “descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sands in the seashore.” “By faith” we, too, carry on toward “the realization of what is hoped for and evidence of things unseen.”
In Christ’s Peace,
Fr John Madden
1st Reading: Wisdom 18
The night of the passover was known beforehand to our fathers,
that, with sure knowledge of the oaths in which they put their faith,
they might have courage.
Your people awaited the salvation of the just
and the destruction of their foes.
For when you punished our adversaries,
in this you glorified us whom you had summoned.
For in secret the holy children of the good were offering sacrifice
and putting into effect with one accord the divine institution.
that, with sure knowledge of the oaths in which they put their faith,
they might have courage.
Your people awaited the salvation of the just
and the destruction of their foes.
For when you punished our adversaries,
in this you glorified us whom you had summoned.
For in secret the holy children of the good were offering sacrifice
and putting into effect with one accord the divine institution.
Responsorial: Psalm 33
R. Blessed the people the Lord has chosen to be his own.
Exult, you just, in the LORD;
praise from the upright is fitting.
Blessed the nation whose God is the LORD,
the people he has chosen for his own inheritance.
R. Blessed the people the Lord has chosen to be his own.
See, the eyes of the LORD are upon those who fear him,
upon those who hope for his kindness,
To deliver them from death
and preserve them in spite of famine.
R. Blessed the people the Lord has chosen to be his own.
Our soul waits for the LORD,
who is our help and our shield.
May your kindness, O LORD, be upon us
who have put our hope in you.
R. Blessed the people the Lord has chosen to be his own.
2nd Reading: Hebrews 11
Brothers and sisters:
Faith is the realization of what is hoped for
and evidence of things not seen.
Because of it the ancients were well attested.
By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place
that he was to receive as an inheritance;
he went out, not knowing where he was to go.
By faith he sojourned in the promised land as in a foreign country,
dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs of the same promise;
for he was looking forward to the city with foundations,
whose architect and maker is God.
By faith he received power to generate,
even though he was past the normal age
—and Sarah herself was sterile—
for he thought that the one who had made the promise was
trustworthy.
So it was that there came forth from one man,
himself as good as dead,
descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky
and as countless as the sands on the seashore.
All these died in faith.
They did not receive what had been promised
but saw it and greeted it from afar
and acknowledged themselves to be strangers and aliens on earth,
for those who speak thus show that they are seeking a homeland.
If they had been thinking of the land from which they had come,
they would have had opportunity to return.
But now they desire a better homeland, a heavenly one.
Therefore, God is not ashamed to be called their God,
for he has prepared a city for them.
By faith Abraham, when put to the test, offered up Isaac,
and he who had received the promises was ready to offer his only son,
of whom it was said,
“Through Isaac descendants shall bear your name.”
He reasoned that God was able to raise even from the dead,
and he received Isaac back as a symbol.
Faith is the realization of what is hoped for
and evidence of things not seen.
Because of it the ancients were well attested.
By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place
that he was to receive as an inheritance;
he went out, not knowing where he was to go.
By faith he sojourned in the promised land as in a foreign country,
dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs of the same promise;
for he was looking forward to the city with foundations,
whose architect and maker is God.
By faith he received power to generate,
even though he was past the normal age
—and Sarah herself was sterile—
for he thought that the one who had made the promise was
trustworthy.
So it was that there came forth from one man,
himself as good as dead,
descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky
and as countless as the sands on the seashore.
All these died in faith.
They did not receive what had been promised
but saw it and greeted it from afar
and acknowledged themselves to be strangers and aliens on earth,
for those who speak thus show that they are seeking a homeland.
If they had been thinking of the land from which they had come,
they would have had opportunity to return.
But now they desire a better homeland, a heavenly one.
Therefore, God is not ashamed to be called their God,
for he has prepared a city for them.
By faith Abraham, when put to the test, offered up Isaac,
and he who had received the promises was ready to offer his only son,
of whom it was said,
“Through Isaac descendants shall bear your name.”
He reasoned that God was able to raise even from the dead,
and he received Isaac back as a symbol.
Alleluia
Stay awake and be ready!
For you do not know on what day your Lord will come.
Gospel: Luke 12
Stay awake and be ready!
For you do not know on what day your Lord will come.
Gospel: Luke 12
Jesus said to his disciples:
“Do not be afraid any longer, little flock,
for your Father is pleased to give you the kingdom.
Sell your belongings and give alms.
Provide money bags for yourselves that do not wear out,
an inexhaustible treasure in heaven
that no thief can reach nor moth destroy.
For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be.
“Gird your loins and light your lamps
and be like servants who await their master’s return from a wedding,
ready to open immediately when he comes and knocks.
Blessed are those servants
whom the master finds vigilant on his arrival.
Amen, I say to you, he will gird himself,
have them recline at table, and proceed to wait on them.
And should he come in the second or third watch
and find them prepared in this way,
blessed are those servants.
Be sure of this:
if the master of the house had known the hour
when the thief was coming,
he would not have let his house be broken into.
You also must be prepared, for at an hour you do not expect,
the Son of Man will come.”
Then Peter said,
“Lord, is this parable meant for us or for everyone?”
And the Lord replied,
“Who, then, is the faithful and prudent steward
whom the master will put in charge of his servants
to distribute the food allowance at the proper time?
Blessed is that servant whom his master on arrival finds doing so.
Truly, I say to you, the master will put the servant
in charge of all his property.
But if that servant says to himself,
‘My master is delayed in coming,’
and begins to beat the menservants and the maidservants,
to eat and drink and get drunk,
then that servant’s master will come
on an unexpected day and at an unknown hour
and will punish the servant severely
and assign him a place with the unfaithful.
That servant who knew his master’s will
but did not make preparations nor act in accord with his will
shall be beaten severely;
and the servant who was ignorant of his master’s will
but acted in a way deserving of a severe beating
shall be beaten only lightly.
Much will be required of the person entrusted with much,
and still more will be demanded of the person entrusted with more.”
“Do not be afraid any longer, little flock,
for your Father is pleased to give you the kingdom.
Sell your belongings and give alms.
Provide money bags for yourselves that do not wear out,
an inexhaustible treasure in heaven
that no thief can reach nor moth destroy.
For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be.
“Gird your loins and light your lamps
and be like servants who await their master’s return from a wedding,
ready to open immediately when he comes and knocks.
Blessed are those servants
whom the master finds vigilant on his arrival.
Amen, I say to you, he will gird himself,
have them recline at table, and proceed to wait on them.
And should he come in the second or third watch
and find them prepared in this way,
blessed are those servants.
Be sure of this:
if the master of the house had known the hour
when the thief was coming,
he would not have let his house be broken into.
You also must be prepared, for at an hour you do not expect,
the Son of Man will come.”
Then Peter said,
“Lord, is this parable meant for us or for everyone?”
And the Lord replied,
“Who, then, is the faithful and prudent steward
whom the master will put in charge of his servants
to distribute the food allowance at the proper time?
Blessed is that servant whom his master on arrival finds doing so.
Truly, I say to you, the master will put the servant
in charge of all his property.
But if that servant says to himself,
‘My master is delayed in coming,’
and begins to beat the menservants and the maidservants,
to eat and drink and get drunk,
then that servant’s master will come
on an unexpected day and at an unknown hour
and will punish the servant severely
and assign him a place with the unfaithful.
That servant who knew his master’s will
but did not make preparations nor act in accord with his will
shall be beaten severely;
and the servant who was ignorant of his master’s will
but acted in a way deserving of a severe beating
shall be beaten only lightly.
Much will be required of the person entrusted with much,
and still more will be demanded of the person entrusted with more.”
Prayer
St. John's Parish:
Prayer Needs & Intentions
Please remember the following needs and intentions in your prayers:
- For Charlie and Robin. Charlie is going through a delicate procedure following bladder cancer. Please pray for him and Robin. (Patricia C)
- For Laura, Karl and Patti. God help us. We surrender to you. Thank you ❤️ (Patricia C)
- For a Special Intention (George V)
- Prayers please for Tommy Long who was taken to the ER in an emergency yesterday and who is inpatient 1-2 days in the hospital. Thank You. 🙏🙏 (TRICIA K)
- For the success and accomplishment of the missions of St. John’s Food For The Poor and Nativity School of Worcester. (William L)
- For the people in Kentucky (Karen S)
- Please pray for Lisa S., Sharlene S., Katrina H. and Emily R. who are all battling cancer right now. Thank you! God Bless! (Barbara D)
- Please pray for the health and intentions of Jeff Parson and my personal intentions. (Steve S)
- A miracle for my son, for my employment in the Fall, and for the mental health of my family (Kassandra R)
- For my brother's enlightenment in decision-making regarding life altering medical options (Pamela J)
- Please pray for my son Michael James (James K)
- Please continue praying for little Henry. His operation Monday was a success. They are now trying to wean him off the ventilator. Thanks for your prayers for this little 6 week old (Brian M)
- Please pray for a peaceful passing of John Lajoie. (Cynthia D)
- Requesting prayers for Christopher who is very anxious about his upcoming surgery that he surrender his anxiety to the Almighty. For those grieving the loss of a loved one, especially Pat who has lost 3 relatives in 3 weeks and Sheila whose daughter was murdered. (Sandra K)
- Please Pray For all the people at Saint Francis rehab and nursing and everybody suffering with the heat (Larry T)
- Please pray for special intentions and healing for my sister ! Thank you 🙏 (Kathleen L)
- My family's health and a special Intention for a friend who'll be having heart valve surgery next week. Thank you 🙏 (Anne L)
- Praying for improved health for Martin O, Cathy L, Ann Marie L, Cathy D, Dolores B, Sharon R, Mary O, Earle M, Togo P, Jo-Anne C and Anne Q. (Donna W)
- Need prayers for 2 women battling Lung Cancer-Frances M and Susan L (Paul L)
- For healing in the aftermath of unfounded accusations against St. John's leadership (William T)
- For a special intention (Dan S)
To share a prayer request or intention in the Sunday Reflection, please click the REPLY button at the bottom of the Saturday morning Prayer Intentions email and post it in the comments.
Additional Prayers:
Spiritual Communion - Pandemic Prayer - Prayer to St. Michael
Act of Spiritual Communion
by St. Alphonsus de Liguori
My Jesus, I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament.
I love You above all things, and I desire to receive You into my soul.
Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as if You were already there and unite myself wholly to You.
Never permit me to be separated from You. Amen.
Prayer in Time of Pandemic (Updated)
from Bishop McManus
O God, whose Only Begotten Son bore the weight of human suffering for our salvation, hear the prayers of your Church for our sick brothers and sisters and deliver us from this time of trial.
Open our ears and our hearts to the voice of your Son:
"Be not afraid, for I am with you always."
Bless all doctors and nurses, researchers and public servants; give us the wisdom to do what is right and the faith to endure this hour,
that, trusting in your loving protection
we might see the end of this pandemic
and rejoice in your mercy.
Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Prayer to St. Michael the Archangel
by Pope Leo XIII
St. Michael the Archangel,
defend us in battle.
defend us in battle.
Be our defense against
the wickedness and snares of the Devil.
May God rebuke him, we humbly pray,
and do thou,
and do thou,
O Prince of the heavenly hosts,
by the power of God,
by the power of God,
thrust into hell Satan,
and all the evil spirits,
who prowl about the world
seeking the ruin of souls.
and all the evil spirits,
who prowl about the world
seeking the ruin of souls.
Amen.
PRAYER PLEDGE
Join the team of St. John's parishioners pledging to pray daily
for the religious education and spiritual formation of our young people
In this challenging time our commitment to praying for our youth is more necessary than ever. Without prayer we cannot hope to transmit the riches of our Catholic faith to the next generation; join us as we lift our voices to God and ask for His blessing upon our efforts to teach our young people to become disciples of Christ.
We welcome you to pray a daily prayer of your own choosing, or to use the "Prayer for St. John's Religious Education" below. 👇
Prayer for St. John's Religious Education
Most gracious Lord, we ask your blessing upon the Religious Education program of our beloved parish of St. John’s. Please allow Your love and grace to flow freely and permeate the hearts and souls of our students and their families. Holy Spirit allow your gifts of Wisdom, Knowledge, and Piety to flourish in our Catechists as they pass on the teachings of Your Church to our students. Bless our volunteers for their generosity and loyalty which keeps our program operating properly. St. Joseph, intercede for our parents in this time so that they will recognize and accept their role as leaders of the Domestic Church.
We praise and honor you our Triune God, Father, Son and Spirit. Amen
St. Charles Borromeo, patron of catechists, pray for us.
St. Gemma Galgani, patron of students, pray for us.
Schola Cantorum
Introit
Deus in adiutorium
Communio
Panem de caelo
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