“Rejoice heartily, O daughter Zion, shout for joy, O daughter Jerusalem!” Zechariah 9:9

Happy Independence Day!

This weekend we celebrate the birthday of our country. We should be rightly proud of all that this nation has done to promote the cause of freedom and justice throughout the world and throughout our history.  We who live here, are truly blessed to live in this great nation, whether we were born here or came as immigrants.

Today’s first reading from Zechariah describes a people longing for a better life.  The reading takes place during the Babylonian exile.  The Israelites had suffered a crushing defeat and humiliation at the hands of the Babylonians.  Jerusalem was destroyed, the temple was profaned, looted and burnt down, the king was killed and many of the Israelites were taken away from their home country into exile.  The nation for all practical purposes no longer existed. 

Yet in the midst of such wreckage of lives and property, the people were called to a renewed faith in God and his Divine Providence.  Zechariah called them to imagine a New Jerusalem, led not by a warrior king as of old, but by a humble and peaceful king. This prophecy is fulfilled in the Savior’s triumphant entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday.

Today many of us may feel exiled, not to some distant land, but in our homes as we practice social distancing and self quarantine. Like the ancient Israelites we must keep faith in God and know that our exile will someday come to an end.  This Independence Day weekend, let us commit ourselves to trust in God’s promise; that one day we will rejoice heartily and shout for joy at the coming of the Prince of Peace.

Blessings, 

Deacon Jack

P.S.

+ PLEASE join us St. Clare’s live-stream Mass TODAY July 4th weekend:

Sunday 9:00 AM. www.stclarehouston.org, Looking forward to welcoming y’all virtually!

+ I’m deeply grateful for your generous financial support during this difficult time. Without your financial support, we are unable to sustain our ministry during this crisis. Here are options for Weekly/monthly giving: 

(1) ONLINE (preferably and make sure to choose St. Clare of Assisi) please visit:

https://www.archgh.org/ways-to-give/parish-offertory-support/ 

(2) Mail in your envelope, and 

(3) drop box at church.

+ Also go to our website and enjoy our July 4th celebration “Love Casts #10”