The Angelus

The Angel of the Lord declared to Mary:
And she conceived of the Holy Spirit.

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of
our death. Amen.

Behold the handmaid of the Lord: Be it done unto me according to Thy word.

Hail Mary . . .

And the Word was made Flesh: And dwelt among us.

Hail Mary . . .

Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray:

Pour forth, we beseech Thee, O Lord, Thy grace into our hearts; that we, to whom the incarnation of Christ, Thy Son, was made known by the message of an angel, may by His Passion and Cross be brought to the glory of His Resurrection, through the same Christ Our Lord.

Amen.

"Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you" (Lk 1:28)

"Blessed are you among women,
and blessed is the fruit of your womb"
(Lk 1:42).

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/religion/3579518/posts?page=3

Saint of the Day — Saint Paulinus of Nola

Information: St. Silverius

Feast Day: June 20

Born: 480 at Frosinone (in modern Italy)

Died: November 537

Patron of: Ponza, Italy

Holy Spirit Interactive Kids: A Saint a Day

Blessed Michelina

Feast Day: June 20
Born: 1300 :: Died: 1356

Michelina was born at Pesaro, Urbino in Italy. Her family was very rich and she married Duke Malatesta when she was twelve years old. Michelina was a happy person by nature and did not seem to have a problem in the world. But when she was just twenty, her husband died. All of a sudden, Michelina found herself alone with a little son to raise.

The young mother anxiously tried to find happiness in the things around her. She attended one party after another and was always on the look out for fun and fancy meals. She couldn't seem to have enough of the good things that life offered.

After a while though, she realized that her son needed her more and that she was also responsible for how she used her money and time. Michelina felt as though her life was empty and decided to settle down and became a responsible adult.

A holy Franciscan lay woman named Syriaca lived in Pesaro. Syriaca realized that Michelina was really a wonderful person who needed guidance. Syriaca and Michelina became good friends and soon Michelina became prayerful too. She took good care of her child and home. She spent her free time helping the poor and needy. She visited the lonely and took care of those too sick or too old to look after themselves.

Then her son died and she became a lay Franciscan. At first, her relatives were concerned and were not happy when she gave away her fancy clothes and started to eat plain food. They thought she was mad and decided to lock her up. But after a while, they realized that Michelina was truly a holy woman.

Michelina lived her whole life in the same house in Pesaro. She died in 1356 at the age of fifty-six. In her memory, the people of her town kept a lamp always lit in her home. In 1590, Blessed Michelina's house was made into a church.

Reflection: Do I know someone who needs guidance and help to be more spiritual?

CATHOLIC ALMANAC

Wednesday, June 20

Liturgical Color: Green

Pope St. Silverius is honored by the
Church today. A very holy man, he had a
short reign in 536-537 A.D. Civil
authorities plotted against him because
he would not back their heresies. He was
arrested on false charges and starved to
death.

Catholic Culture

Ordinary Time: June 20th

Wednesday of the Eleventh Week of Ordinary Time

MASS READINGS

June 20, 2018 (Readings on USCCB website)

COLLECT PRAYER

O God, strength of those who hope in you, graciously hear our pleas, and, since without you mortal frailty can do nothing, grant us always the help of your grace, that in following your commands we may please you by our resolve and our deeds. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

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Popes Through the Ages | Joseph Brusher

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Old Calendar: St. Silverius, pope and martyr

St. Silverius was pope for a very short time in 546-7 A.D. But his brief pontificate made him a martyr for the truth, which he defended at the cost of his life. He died in exile at the isle of Ponza, for refusing the empress Theodora's demand to reinstate the heresiarch Anthimos in the see of Constantinople. His body was brought back to Rome and laid in the Vatican basilica. According to the 1962 Missal of St. John XXIII the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite, today is his feast.

St. Silverius
When news of Agapitus' death reached Rome, King Theodahad, fearing the imminent Eastern invasion, was determined to have a pro-Gothic ally on the throne of Peter. Silverius, son of the glorified Pope Hormisdas, was his candidate. The clergy reluctantly submitted to the will of their king and elected the subdeacon, accepting him only for the sake of unity. The destiny of this pope, however, would not follow the same glorious path as that of his father.

While Silverius was being consecrated in Rome, the emperor's wife Theodora was making her own plans to reinstate the Monophysite, Anthimus, as patriarch of Constantinople. Striking a bargain with the chosen successor of Boniface II, Vigilius (who had been serving as nuncio to Constantinople), the empress packed him off to Rome, promising him the papacy in exchange for the heretic's rehabilitation. But by the time Vigilius reached his destination, Silverius was already tending to the needs of the Apostolic See.

The emperor's general Belisarius now marched on Rome. As the Eastern army drew near, the Romans looked to their pope for advice. Silverius, realizing that resistance would be fruitless, recommended surrender. In early December of 536, as a triumphant army occupied Rome, Belisarius summoned the pope to his quarters. Theodora had been adamant with the general—the pope must submit to her wishes or face dire consequences. The general's first tactic with Silverius failed. Using forged letters, Belisarius had accused the pope of treason on the grounds that he had allowed the city's gates to be opened for the retaliating Goths, now led by King Witiges. The general ordered Silverius to concede to the empress by reinstating Anthimus as patriarch and giving in to the Monophysite doctrine. Silverius adamantly refused. Belisarius took no chances the second time; he seized the pope and, stripping him of his pallium, deposed the protesting Silverius, now clothed only in a monk's habit. The clergy was then notified by a subdeacon of the pope's terrible treatment and sentence of banishment. When the general ordered the election of a new pope, the ambitious Vigilius was well prepared. Through coercion Belisarius and Vigilius successfully accomplished the nomination and election of the latter by the clergy.

Silverius had been deported to Patara, a seaport in Lycia. The local bishop was so distressed that he personally went to Constantinople to plead with Justinian, telling him that Silverius had been unjustly accused and, more, unjustly exiled. The emperor believed there might be some merit to this and ordered Silverius back to Rome to face a fair trial. Moreover, he ordered that, if found innocent, Silverius was to be given back his throne. Vigilius panicked, and as soon as Silverius reached Rome, the new pope ordered his removal to Palmaria, an island in the Gulf of Gaeta. It was on this island that Silverius was forced to submit his abdication. After suffering torture and starvation, Silverius died, a martyr for his Church.

Silverius was buried on the same island of his exile, his grave becoming the center of miraculous healings.

Excerpted from The Popes: A Papal History, J.V. Bartlett

The Word Among Us

Meditation: Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18

11th Week in Ordinary Time

When you fast . . .(Matthew 6:17)

The Irish playwright George Bernard Shaw once wrote, “There is no love sincerer than the love of food.” This quote, while originally penned in humor, contains a kernel of truth. We love food! Not only does it satisfy our physical hunger, but it can bring us comfort and happiness as well. So for many of us, the idea of intentionally going without it—fasting—can make us feel uncomfortable.

Remember, though, that the culture Jesus addressed was more accustomed to fasting than ours. Almsgiving, prayer, and fasting were the three most important spiritual disciplines to a faithful Jew. Fasting, in particular, was seen as a powerful expression of turning to God in repentance. It wasn’t necessarily repentance from a particular sin. Rather, fasting was seen as an effective way of turning to God.

It might help to think of a radio. In order to clear the static and find the station you’re looking for, you have to turn the knob until the radio is in tune with the station’s frequency. In a similar way, fasting was seen as a valuable method of finding the Lord and hearing his voice.

Fasting is just as valuable today as it was in Jesus’ time. It gives us more time to turn to the Lord in prayer. The physical hunger we feel can help put us in touch with our spiritual hunger for Jesus. It confirms Jesus’ teaching that we don’t live on bread alone “but by every word that comes forth from the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4). Even better, tuning in to the Lord through fasting puts us more clearly in touch with his love, his desires, and his peace. These spiritual rewards far outweigh any temporary feelings of discomfort from hunger.

It’s important also to see that Jesus didn’t say if you fast, but rather, when you fast. If you’d like to begin but aren’t sure how, keep it simple at first. Give up just one meal, and spend that time focusing on the Lord in prayer or reading the Scriptures. Just try this once a week, and let it build from there. You’ll be amazed at how quickly your spiritual frequency becomes more tuned in with the Lord’s!

“Lord Jesus, I’m hungry for your words of life.”

2 Kings 2:1, 6-14
Psalm 31:20-21, 24

Marriage = One Man and One Woman Until Death Do Us Part

Daily Marriage Tip for June 20, 2018:

Marriage Challenge: While you may have settled in to a comfortable lifestyle, routines can get boring. Try something new together this week – a new food, recreation, book…

Regnum Christi

June 20, 2018 – The Danger of Vanity

Wednesday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time
Father Walter Schu, LC

Matthew 6: 1-6, 16-18

Jesus said to his disciples: “Take care not to perform righteous deeds in order that people may see them; otherwise, you will have no recompense from your heavenly Father. When you give alms, do not blow a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets to win the praise of others. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right is doing, so that your almsgiving may be secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you. When you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, who love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on street corners so that others may see them. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you pray, go to your inner room, close the door, and pray to your Father in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you. When you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites. They neglect their appearance, so that they may appear to others to be fasting. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you may not appear to be fasting, except to your Father who is hidden. And your Father who sees what is hidden will repay you.”

Introductory Prayer: Lord, I believe in you with a living faith. Though I am so inclined to sin and weakness, I trust in your mercy. I want to show my love for you in this meditation. I long for my recompense to come only from you, not from people’s applause.

Petition: Lord, help me to act with greater purity of intention in my life.

1. Who Do You Seek to Please: In today’s Gospel reading, Christ presents a difficult challenge and, at the same time, a great consolation. His teaching can be summed up with a simple phrase: In everything we do, act always before God alone. At the end of our life, all that will remain is what we have done for God and our brothers and sisters. Everything else, all of our vanities, our desires to be esteemed, loved or taken into account will vanish on the last day, like fog disappears under the rays of the sun. The challenge is clear: to act before God with absolute purity of intention. But where is the consolation? Our heavenly Father “sees in secret.” What might never be perceived or recognized or appreciated by the world will one day be rewarded in heaven.

2. Between You and God: Mother Theresa echoes the Gospel teaching in a brief poem entitled “It’s Between You and God.”
People are often unreasonable, illogical and self-centered.
Forgive them anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives.
Be kind anyway.
If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true enemies.
Succeed anyway.
If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you.
Be honest and frank anyway.
What you spend years building, someone may destroy overnight.
Build anyway.
If you find serenity and happiness, others may be jealous.
Be happy anyway.
The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow.
Do good anyway.
Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough.
Give the world the best you have anyway.
Why?
Because in the final analysis, all of this is between you and God….
It was never between you and them anyway.

3. Our Everlasting Reward: Christ declares three times that hypocrites who act before others have already received their reward. One day each of us will stand alone before Christ. Our eternal destiny will depend upon the outcome of that moment. May we not discover to our chagrin that our hands are empty because we have secretly acted to win the applause of men. Rather, may we perform our good deeds in secret, not letting our left hand know what our right is doing. Then our heavenly Father, “who sees what is hidden” will repay us.

Conversation with Christ: Thank you, Lord, for always seeing what is hidden, for always being ready to reward what is done for you. Your words and the example of holy men and women inspire me on this point. I wish to live facing you and eternity and to give up all my vain ambitions and worries about what others think of my actions.

Resolution: I will renew my purity of intention in the different activities of the day, doing them out of love for Christ and to help establish his Kingdom.

Homily of the Day

June 20, 2018

If we have a nice house, a new car, or a promotion in our job, do we find ourselves flaunting our good fortune? Why do we have to show off?

The Gospel reading today tells us not to perform our good deeds of helping the needy, of prayer and of fasting for other people to see. What we do should not be intended to be shown off, perhaps to impress others or to gain popularity. Rather our actions should be our response to God’s love: “Your Father who sees what is kept secret will reward you.”

Let us always check our motives. We should be conscious of our intentions: we pray because we wish to be close to God; we give alms because alms-giving is an expression of our love of God shown by love of neighbor; we fast for our purification and spiritual strength. We do not do any of these good deeds to impress others.

One Bread, One Body

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All Issues > Volume 34, Issue 4

<< Wednesday, June 20, 2018 >>

2 Kings 2:1, 6-14
View Readings

Psalm 31:20-21, 24

Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18
Similar Reflections

OUT ON A LIMB

"Your Father Who sees what is hidden will repay you." �Matthew 6:18

We are in the middle of three weeks of reading Jesus' Sermon on the Mount. In the first ten days, He set a standard of holiness that was "out of this world." He teaches us to regard lowliness and persecution as blessed (see Mt 5:3, 10). We aren't allowed even to get angry or look lustfully (Mt 5:22, 28). Jesus went so far as to require that we offer no resistance to injury, turn the other cheek, and love our enemies (Mt 5:39, 44). He finally was "totally unrealistic" when He told us to be made perfect as our heavenly Father is perfect (see Mt 5:48). Obviously this is impossible.

Jesus understands our dilemma. He said to the young rich man: "For man it is impossible but not for God. With God all things are possible" (Mk 10:27). The Son wants to give us a profoundly deeper trust in our Father so we will let Him grace us to live the Sermon on the Mount. The Lord is calling us to give alms, pray, and fast as we may never have done before (Mt 6:1ff).

We need to get out on the limb by giving a major contribution, praying for hours, or going on a long-term fast. When the limb breaks, we will discover that our heavenly Father will catch us (cf Ps 94:18, RNAB). We will trust Him to work more radically in our lives.

Prayer: Abba, do anything You want in, through, and with me � anything!

Promise: "The Lord keeps those who are constant, but more than requites those who act proudly." —Ps 31:24

Praise: Totaling his car, George learned to trust totally in God, and has lived in that trust for several decades.

Blessed Michelina

Ordinary Time: June 20th

Wednesday of the Eleventh Week of Ordinary Time

MASS READINGS

COLLECT PRAYER

Recipes (1)

Activities (2)

Prayers (2)

Library (1)

Meditation: Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18

June 20, 2018 – The Danger of Vanity

One Bread, One Body

OUT ON A LIMB

"Love one another as I have loved you."