July is the month dedicated to the Precious Blood of the Lord
In other years: Saint Otto, Bishop of Bamberg, indefatigable evangelizer and apostle of the Pomeranians (1060-1139)
Readings of the Day
Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 25 Serious Faults - 31 Qualifications of the Monastery Cellarer
Mass: 2 Kings 4:8-11, 14-16a; Resp Ps 89; Rm 6:3-4, 8-11; Mt 10:37-42
You are the splendor of their strength.
MARY, MOTHER OF THE CHURCH,
MARY, IMMACULATE,
SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL,
PRAY FOR US.
BLOOD OF CHRIST, STREAM OF MERCY,
SAVE US.
If then we have died for Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him.
(Rm 6:8)
Welcome to the Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time and the week when we celebrate our country's Independence Day, that is, the 4th of July! This week we pray especially to Saint Elizabeth Ann Bayley Seton (1774-1821), "the first daughter of the United States of America to be glorified with this incomparable title," as Pope Saint Paul VI preached at Mother Seton's canonization on September 14, 1975. "Saint Elizabeth Ann Bayley Seton is a saint!", the pontiff proclaimed. In his homily, the Holy Father quoted Cardinal Francis Spellman (1889-1967), Archbishop of New York, who declared, "Elizabeth Ann Seton was wholly American." So, we pray to Mother Seton to intercede on behalf of our country, the people of our country, and the Church in our country. And may Mary, Immaculate Conception, the principal patroness of the United States of America, cover us in her protective veil. Immaculate Mary, your praises we sing!
Throughout this week, let us think of ourselves as dead to sin and living for God in Christ Jesus (see Rm 6:11). Like Mother Seton, may we be courageous witnesses to our faith, take up our crosses and follow after Jesus, for whoever does not take up his cross and follow after Jesus is not worthy of Him. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for Jesus' sake will find it (see Mt 10:38-39). "Be children of the Church," were the words of Mother Seton on her deathbed, January 2, 1821. United in faith and prayer, then, let us give it up for the Lord and be children of the Church. Amen.
For the voices this week, I turn again to tea bag tags. Gems are found therein. However, to keep things in priority, the first voice seems the best place to start. Saint Roman Adame was canonized by Pope Saint Paul II in the Jubilee Year of 2000. His feast is celebrated May 21.
Let everything be for God.
(Saint Roman Adame Rosales, 1859-1927)
Every neighbor can be your teacher.
(Anonymous, tea bag tag)
Let your energy be used to build, not destroy.
(Anonymous, tea bag tag)
The one who listens understands.
(Anonymous, tea bag tag)
Let the opportunities come to you.
(Anonymous, tea bag tag)
Balance of head and heart builds strength of character.
(Anonymous, tea bag tag)
If you truly love nature, you will find beauty everywhere.
(Anonymous, tea bag tag)
Earth laughs in flowers.
(Anonymous, tea bag tag)
All you Saints of the Week, pray for us!
SAINT ELIZABETH ANN BAYLEY SETON,
BLESSED PIER GIORGIO FRASSATI,
SAINT OTTO,
SAINT THOMAS THE APOSTLE, PATRON OF ARCHITECTS AND BUILDERS,
SAINT ELIZABETH OF PORTUGAL,
BLESSED JOHN CORNELIUS,
BLESSED MARIE CROCIFISSA CURCIO,
SAINT ANTONY MARY ZACCARIA,
SAINT MODWEN
BLESSED GEORGE NICHOLS, RICHARD YAXLEY, THOMAS BELSEN, HUMPHREY PRITCHARD,
SAINT MARIA GORETTI,
SAINT MONINNE,
BLESSED PETER TO ROT,
BLESSED EUGENE III,
SAINT MAELRUAIN,
PRAY FOR US.
Today's photo: I found this some weeks ago in a medical office parking lot in Eureka. At your name they rejoice all the day.
© Gertrude Feick 2023
