Seventeeth Sunday in Ordinary Time

 

Our world is in a most difficult place right now. Wars are raging, fires are out of control, violence abounds, political rivalries are in motion, and the Olympics have begun. It is a time when emotions are strained, and we may feel helpless. Political figures are maligning one another, and social media has blown up with disparaging remarks and comments.  During these times one may ask what can I do? It is a time for deep prayer and self-control when speaking to others.

Our gospel today speaks of the feeding of the 5, 000. It was a situation where Jesus did not turn the people away. Jesus asks what was available to help the people. He doesn’t create out of nothing. Jesus asks us to simply share what we have. We are called to share our time, talent, what we have with one another in faith. Perhaps as we navigate these crazy times we can remember to share what we have with one another in faith.

Prayer for Peace

 

Last evening during a scheduled rally in Pennsylvania, Donald Trump was injured in what has been called an assassination attempt. Today let us hold our world in prayer and pray for peace in these turbulent times.

A Prayer for World Peace

We pray for the power to be gentle; the strength to be forgiving; the patience to be understanding; and the endurance to accept the consequences of holding on to what we believe to be right.

May we put our trust in the power of good to overcome evil and the power of love to overcome hatred.

We pray for the vision to see and the faith to believe in a world emancipated from violence, a new world where fear shall no longer lead persons to commit injustice, nor selfishness make them bring suffering to others.

Help us to devote our whole life and thought and energy to the task of making peace, praying always for the inspiration and the power to fulfill the destiny for which we and all humans were created.

- Author Unknown

4th of July Weekend

On Thursday we celebrated the 248th Anniversary of independence from Great Britian. It is a day filled with family barbecues, parades, and outstanding firework displays. As we mark the end of the 4th of July long weekend let us continue to pray for our nation.  May we always hold to the ideals set forth by our forefathers and foremothers.  May God continue to bless the USA.

God, source of all freedom,

this day is bright with the memory of those
who declared life and liberty are your gift to every human being.

Help us to continue a good work begun long ago.

Make our vision clear and our will strong:
that only in human solidarity will we find liberty,
and justice only in the honor that belongs to every life on earth.

Turn our hearts toward the family of nations:
to understand the ways of others, to offer friendship,
and to find safety only in the common good of all.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

– from Catholic Household Blessings & Prayers