Priests, deacons, and religious are required to pray the Liturgy of the Hours.  If yesterday was not the feast of the Birth of Mary, we would have started the book of Lamentations in the Office of Readings.  In today's Office of Readings, I read the passages for yesterday and today from Lamentations 1 & 3.  The picture above quotes Lamentations 3:25.  It comes after many verses of the prophet Jeremiah lamenting.  I was particularly struck by Lamentations 3:19-24:

The thought of my homeless poverty
   is wormwood and gall;
Remembering it over and over
   leaves my soul downcast within me.
But I will call this to mind,
   as my reason to have hope:

The favors of the Lord are not exhausted,
   his mercies are not spent;
They are renewed each morning,
   so great is his faithfulness.
My portion is the Lord, says my soul;
   therefore will I hope in him.

     If you would like to pray the Liturgy of the Hours, I recommend using iBreviary.  Here's a link to today's Office of Readings.

     The timing of Lamentations accords with the two funerals we had today and one yesterday as well as the death of Queen Elizabeth II yesterday and the 25th anniversary of St. Teresa of Kolkata passing on September 5, 1997.  I find it interesting that Queen Elizabeth departed this life on the feast of the Birth of Mary.

     The federal government is strongly promoting violations of the 5th & 6th commandments.

     First, the USCCB is calling upon us to oppose the "Respect for Marriage Act" because it actually disrespects marriage.  Visit here.

     Second, the USCCB also urges us to take action regarding proposed changes to Title IX that disrespect life and human nature.  Visit here.

     A common emotional response to evil actions locally and beyond is anger.  Instead of anger inspired actions, I suggest lamenting.  Jeremiah, in my opinion, is the best complainer in the Bible.  He's so good at complaining that we call them laments.  In a lament, we pour out our complaints to the Lord.  We share our profound sadness about whatever cross we have in mind.  When finished, we remain quiet and listen.  The Lord often does something mysterious and wonderful because we then find ourselves praising Him.  The verses above in Lamentations 3:19-24 give you a glimpse into the lament form.  We would do well to experience deep sadness in response to terrible events, share that sadness with the Lord, and place our trust and hope in Him.

     Let's pray for one another's intentions.

1)  For peace in Ukraine.

2)  For those who have died recently and their families.

3)  For our country to respect human life, marriage, and human nature.

4)  For those preparing for marriage.

5)  For parents, the primary educators of their children.

God love you,

Fr. Jim