Cathlic Caucus: Daily Mass Readings, 07-16-05, Optional, Our Lady of Mount Carmel

July 16, 2005
Saturday of the Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time

Psalm: Saturday 31

Reading I
Ex 12:37-42

The children of Israel set out from Rameses for Succoth,
about six hundred thousand men on foot,
not counting the little ones.
A crowd of mixed ancestry also went up with them,
besides their livestock, very numerous flocks and herds.
Since the dough they had brought out of Egypt was not leavened,
they baked it into unleavened loaves.
They had rushed out of Egypt and had no opportunity
even to prepare food for the journey.

The time the children of Israel had stayed in Egypt
was four hundred and thirty years.
At the end of four hundred and thirty years,
all the hosts of the LORD left the land of Egypt on this very date.
This was a night of vigil for the LORD,
as he led them out of the land of Egypt;
so on this same night
all the children of Israel must keep a vigil for the LORD
throughout their generations.

Responsorial Psalm
Ps 136:1 and 23-24, 10-12, 13-15

R. His mercy endures forever.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good,
for his mercy endures forever;
Who remembered us in our abjection,
for his mercy endures forever;
And freed us from our foes,
for his mercy endures forever.
R. His mercy endures forever.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Who smote the Egyptians in their first-born,
for his mercy endures forever;
And brought out Israel from their midst,
for his mercy endures forever;
With a mighty hand and an outstretched arm,
for his mercy endures forever.
R. His mercy endures forever.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Who split the Red Sea in twain,
for his mercy endures forever;
And led Israel through its midst,
for his mercy endures forever;
But swept Pharaoh and his army into the Red Sea,
for his mercy endures forever.
R. His mercy endures forever.
or:
R. Alleluia.

Gospel
Mt 12:14-21

The Pharisees went out and took counsel against Jesus
to put him to death.

When Jesus realized this, he withdrew from that place.
Many people followed him, and he cured them all,
but he warned them not to make him known.
This was to fulfill what had been spoken through Isaiah the prophet:

Behold, my servant whom I have chosen,
my beloved in whom I delight;
I shall place my Spirit upon him,
and he will proclaim justice to the Gentiles.
He will not contend or cry out,
nor will anyone hear his voice in the streets.
A bruised reed he will not break,
a smoldering wick he will not quench,
until he brings justice to victory.
And in his name the Gentiles will hope.

From: Exodus 12: 37-42

The Sons of Israel Leave Egypt

[37] And the people of Israel journeyed from Rameses to Succoth, about six
hundred thousand men on foot, besides women and children. [38] A mixed
multitude also went up with them, and very many cattle, both flocks and
herds. [39] And they baked unleavened cakes of the dough which they had
brought out of Egypt, for it was not leavened, because they were thrust out
of Egypt and could not tarry, neither had they prepared for themselves any
provisions.

[40] The time that the people of Israel dwelt in Egypt was four hundred and
thirty years. [41] And at the end of four hundred and thirty years, on that
very day, all the hosts of the Lord went out from the land of Egypt. [42] It
was a night of watching by the Lord, to bring them out of the land of Egypt;
so this same night is a night of watching kept to the Lord by all the people
of Israel throughout their generations.

Commentary:

12:37-42. Here we are given concrete details about the departure from Egypt.
They headed towards Succoth, a city which modern excavations locate some 15
kms (nine miles) south-east of Rameses, in the Nile delta. It seems to make
sense that they should have avoided trade routes, which would have been
quieter but busier and patrolled by Egyptian armies--the coast road to the
country of the Philistines (cf. 13:17), the road through the southern
desert, which led to Beer-sheba, or the trading route linking Egypt and
Arabia. Even in this little thing one can see God's special providence at
work: he has no need of beaten tracks to show his people where to go.

The figure of 600,000 is an idealize one (cf. Num 1:46; 26:51), for it would
imply a total population of three million people, women and children
included. Maybe for the hagiographer's contemporaries this figure had a
significance which escapes us today; or perhaps it is just a way of
indicating that there were very many people--part of the epic style of the
account, to highlight the power of God.

The figure of 430 years for the time the sons of Israel had been in Egypt
(v. 40) is slightly different from the 404 years which appears more often in
the Bible (cf, Gen 15:13; Acts 7:6; Gal 3:16-17). In the Pentateuch numbers
often have a more symbolic than chronological meaning (cf. the note on Gen
5:1-32). The 400 years would mean that the chosen people lived in Egypt for
ten generations (forty years per generation: cf. the note on Ex 7:9), that
is, a complete period of the history of Israel.

"Night of watching" (v. 42): if the darkness causes any misgiving, God will
transform it into a time of salvation. Because God looks out for them, the
Israelites will also commemorate the night of their deliverance by keeping
watch. Christian liturgy celebrates the Lords' resurrection with a solemn
vigil, commemorating the deliverance of the Israelites, the redemption of
Christians, and Christ's victory over death--three stages in God's
intervention to save souls; as the Church sings: "This is the night when
first you saved our fathers: you freed the people of Israel from their
slavery. [...] This is the night when Christians everywhere (are) washed
clean of sin and freed from all defilement. [...] This is the night when
Jesus Christ broke the chains of death and rose triumphant from the grave"
("Roman Missal", Exultet).

Source: "The Navarre Bible: Text and Commentaries". Biblical text
taken from the Revised Standard Version and New Vulgate. Commentaries
made by members of the Faculty of Theology of the University of
Navarre, Spain. Published by Four Courts Press, Kill Lane, Blackrock,
Co. Dublin, Ireland.

From: Matthew 12:14-21

Jesus, the Suffering Servant of Yahweh

[14] But the Pharisees went out and took counsel against Him, how to
destroy Him. [15] Jesus, aware of this, withdrew from there. And many
followed Him, and He healed them all, [16] and ordered them not to make
Him known. [17] This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet
Isaiah: [18] "Behold my servant whom I have chosen, my beloved with
whom my soul is well pleased. I will put my Spirit upon Him, and He
shall proclaim justice to the Gentiles. [19] He will not wrangle or
cry aloud, nor will any one hear His voice in the streets; [20] He will
not break a bruised reed or quench a smoldering wick, till He brings
justice to victory; [21] and in His name will the Gentiles hope."

Commentary:

17-21. Once again the sacred text points out the contrast between the
contemporary mistaken Jewish notion of a spectacular messianic kingdom
and the discernment which Jesus asks of those who witness and accept
His teaching and miracles. By providing this long quotation from
Isaiah (42:1-4), the Evangelist is giving us the key to the teaching
contained in Chapters 11 and 12: in Jesus the prophecy of the Servant
of Yahweh is fulfilled: the lovable and gentle teacher has come to
bring the light of truth.

When narrating the passion of our Lord, the Gospels will once again
remind us of the figure of the Servant of Yahweh, to show that in Jesus
the suffering and expiatory aspect of the death of the Servant finds
fulfillment (cf. Matthew 27:30, with reference to Is 50:6; Matthew 8:17
and Isaiah 53:4; John 1:38 and Isaiah 53:9-12; etc.).

17. Isaiah 42:1-4 speaks of a humble servant, beloved of God, chosen by
God. And in fact Jesus, without ceasing to be the Son of God, one in
substance with the Father, took the form of a servant (cf. Philippians
2:6). This humility led him to cure and care for the poor and
afflicted of Israel, without seeking acclaim.

18. See the note on Matthew 3:16.

[Note on Matthew 3:16 states:

16. Jesus possessed the fullness of the Holy Spirit from the moment of
His conception. This is due to the union of human nature and divine
nature in the person of the Word (the dogma of hypostatic union).
Catholic teaching says that in Christ there is only one person (who is
divine) but two natures (divine and human). The descent of the Spirit
of God spoken of in the text indicates that just as Jesus was solemnly
commencing His messianic task, so the Holy Spirit was beginning His
action through Him. There are very many texts in the Old Testament
which speak of the showing forth of the Holy Spirit in the future
Messiah. This sign of the Spirit gave St. John the Baptist
unmistakable proof of the genuineness of his testimony concerning
Christ (cf. John 1:29-34). The mystery of the Holy Trinity is revealed
in the baptism of Jesus: the Son is baptized; the Holy Spirit descends
on Him in the form of a dove; and the voice of the Father gives
testimony about His Son. Christians must be baptized in the name of
the Three Divine Persons. "If you have sincere piety, the Holy Spirit
will descend on you also and you will hear the voice of the Father
saying to you from above: "This was not My son, but now after Baptism
he has been made My son" (St. Cyril of Jerusalem, "De Baptismo", 14).]

19. The justice proclaimed by the Servant, who is filled with the Holy
Spirit, is not a noisy virtue. We can see the loving, gentle way Jesus
worked His miracles, performing righteousness in all humility. This is
how He brings about the triumph of His Father's Justice, His plan of
revelation and salvation--very quietly and very effectively.

20. According to many Fathers, including St. Augustine and St. Jerome,
the bruised reed and the smoldering wick refer to the Jewish people.
They also stand for every sinner, for our Lord does not seek the
sinner's death but his conversion, and his life (cf. Ezekiel 33:11).
The Gospels often bear witness to this reassuring truth (cf. Luke
15:11-32), the parable of the prodigal son; Matthew 18:12-24, the
parable of the lost sheep; etc.).

Catholic Culture

Collect:
Father, may the prayers of the Virgin Mary protect us and help us to reach Christ her Son who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

Recipes:

» Granita di Caffe
» Torrone

Activities:

less

Prayers:

» Novena to Our Lady of Mount Carmel

less

July 16, 2005

Optional Memorial of Our Lady of Mount Carmel

Old Calendar: Commemoration of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel

Sacred Scripture celebrated the beauty of Carmel where the prophet Elijah defended the purity of Israel's faith in the living God. In the twelfth century, hermits withdrew to that mountain and later founded the Carmelite order devoted to the contemplative life under the patronage of Mary, the holy Mother of God.

Devotion to Our Lady of Mount Carmel is worldwide, and most Catholics are familiar with the Scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, also known as the Brown Scapular. Mary appeared to St. Simon Stock on July 16, 1251, and gave him the scapular with the following words, which are preserved in a fourteenth century narrative: "This will be for you and for all Carmelites the privilege, that he who dies in this will not suffer eternal fire." The feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel was instituted for the Carmelites in 1332, and extended to the whole Church by Benedict XIII in 1726.

Our Lady of Mount Carmel
Today is the principal feast day of the Carmelite Order. Through the efforts of the crusader Berthold, a group of hermits living on Mount Carmel were organized into an Order after the traditional Western type about the year 1150. Oppressed by the Saracens, the monks slowly emigrated to Europe. During the night preceding the sixteenth of July, 1225, the Blessed Virgin is said to have commanded Pope Honorius III to approve the foundation. Since the Carmelites were still under constant harassment, the sixth General of the Order, St. Simon Stock, pleaded with the Blessed Virgin for some special sign of her protection. On July 16, 1251, she designated the scapular as the special mark of her maternal love. That is why the present feast is also known as the feast of the Scapular. The scapular, as part of the habit, is common to many religious Orders, but it is a special feature of the Carmelites. A smaller form of the scapular is given to lay persons in order that they may share in the great graces associated with it. Such a grace is the "Sabbatine privilege." In the so-called Bulla Sabbatina John XXII affirmed that wearers of the scapular are soon freed from the flames of purgatory, at least by the Saturday after death. The latest confirmation of the Bulla Sabbatina was promulgated by the Sacred Congregation of Indulgences, July 4, 1908. — The Church's Year of Grace, Pius Parsch

Things to Do:

If you have not already done so, have a priest enroll you in the Scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, or popularly known as the "Brown Scapular" and begin wearing it as a sign of your love for Our Lady. A priest enrolls people in the Brown Scapular only once. The Scapular can then be replaced afterwards by other scapulars or the scapular medal, which has on one side the image of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and on the other, the image of Mary. The medal needs to be blessed by a priest, but the cloth scapulars do not require a blessing (separate from enrollment).
Wearing the Brown Scapular is not an automatic guarantee of salvation. It is not a magical charm, nor is it an excuse to live in a way contrary to the teachings of the Church. It is a sacramental which has been approved by the Church for over seven centuries and is a sign of one's decision to follow Jesus as did Mary, the perfect model of all the disciples of Christ. In addition to being an introduction into the Family of Carmel, the Brown Scapular is an expression of our belief that we will meet God in eternal life, aided by the intercession and prayer of Mary. While sacramentals prepare us to receive grace if we are in the right disposition, the Church emphasizes that only sacraments can confer sanctifying grace. (see Catechism, no. 1670.)
Periodically the Church reexamines devotions and popular piety to make sure they are "not at odds with the centrality of the Sacred Liturgy. Rather, in promoting the faith of the people, who regard popular piety as a natural religious expression, they predispose the people for the celebration of the Sacred Mysteries" (John Paul II, September 2001). In accordance with Vatican II, the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments issued the Directory on Popular Piety in 2001 to reevaluate different devotions and popular piety. Though the Brown Scapular is included in the document as a wonderful pious practice, the Directory does not mention the Sabbatine Privilege, which continues to present historical difficulties. The Directory rather emphasizes the beautiful sign of the "filial relationship" with the faithful and Mary:
205. The history of Marian piety also includes "devotion" to various scapulars, the most common of which is devotion to the Scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. Its use is truly universal and, undoubtedly, it is one of those pious practices which the Council described as "recommended by the Magisterium throughout the centuries."
The Scapular of Mount Carmel is a reduced form of the religious habit of the Order of the Friars of the Blessed Virgin of Mount Carmel. Its use is very diffuse and often independent of the life and spirituality of the Carmelite family.
The Scapular is an external sign of the filial relationship established between the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother and Queen of Mount Carmel, and the faithful who entrust themselves totally to her protection, who have recourse to her maternal intercession, who are mindful of the primacy of the spiritual life and the need for prayer.
The Scapular is imposed by a special rite of the Church which describes it as "a reminder that in Baptism we have been clothed in Christ, with the assistance of the Blessed Virgin Mary, solicitous for our conformation to the Word Incarnate, to the praise of the Trinity, we may come to our heavenly home wearing our nuptial garb."
The imposition of the Scapular should be celebrated with "the seriousness of its origins. It should not be improvised. The Scapular should be imposed following a period of preparation during which the faithful are made aware of the nature and ends of the association they are about to join and of the obligations they assume."
Pope John Paul II has worn the scapular for a long time. The Holy Father's talk on the Scapular of Carmel, A Treasure for the Church mentions that the Brown Scapular must
Therefore two truths are evoked by the sign of the Scapular: on the one hand, the constant protection of the Blessed Virgin, not only on life's journey, but also at the moment of passing into the fullness of eternal glory; on the other, the awareness that devotion to her cannot be limited to prayers and tributes in her honour on certain occasions, but must become a "habit", that is, a permanent orientation of one's own Christian conduct, woven of prayer and interior life, through frequent reception of the sacraments and the concrete practice of the spiritual and corporal works of mercy. In this way the Scapular becomes a sign of the "covenant" and reciprocal communion between Mary and the faithful: indeed, it concretely translates the gift of his Mother, which Jesus gave on the Cross to John and, through him, to all of us, and the entrustment of the beloved Apostle and of us to her, who became our spiritual Mother.
For the definitive treatment on the brown scapular, read The Scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel: Catechesis and Ritual.
The Blessed Virgin's scapular should remind us that Christians have an apostolate against current extremes and extravagances in modes of dress. Clothes are a symbol of the person. Like the Christian heart, dress must be chaste and simple, for one judges the interior from the exterior. It should not be necessary to add that special attention be given this matter when preparing for church attendance. Examine yourself on how well you reflect Christian modesty in your dress and if you are a parent, how well you ensure that your children are modestly dressed.
In Brooklyn, New York, there is an annual festival for Our Lady of Mount Carmel. Find out more about the tradition of the Giglio Feast. Also look around your area for Italian parishes, maybe one named after Our Lady of Mount Carmel? Many times the parish will host wonderful festivals in her honor.
From the Catholic Culture library, the Scapular Devotion, a description of Different Kinds of Scapulars, The Brown Scapular and information on the Scapular Medal.
Learn more about St. Simon Stock and the Brown Scapular.

American Catholic’s Saint of the Day

July 16, 2005

Our Lady of Mount Carmel

Hermits lived on Mount Carmel near the Fountain of Elijah (northern Israel) in the 12th century. They had a chapel dedicated to Our Lady. By the 13th century they became known as “Brothers of Our Lady of Mount Carmel.” They soon celebrated a special Mass and Office in honor of Mary. In 1726 it became a celebration of the universal Church under the title of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. For centuries the Carmelites have seen themselves as specially related to Mary. Their great saints and theologians have promoted devotion to her and often championed the mystery of her Immaculate Conception.

St. Teresa of Avila called Carmel “the Order of the Virgin.” St. John of the Cross credited Mary with saving him from drowning as a child, leading him to Carmel and helping him escape from prison. St. Theresa of the Child Jesus believed that Mary cured her from illness. On her First Communion she dedicated her life to Mary. During the last days of her life she frequently spoke of Mary.

There is a tradition (which may not be historical) that Mary appeared to St. Simon Stock, a leader of the Carmelites, and gave him a scapular, telling him to promote devotion to it. The scapular is a modified version of Mary’s own garment. It symbolizes her special protection and calls the wearers to consecrate themselves to her in a special way. Obviously, no magic way of salvation is intended. Rather, the scapular is a reminder of the gospel call to prayer and penance—a call that Mary models in a splendid way.

Comment:

The Carmelites were known from early on as “Brothers of Our Lady of Mount Carmel.” The title suggests that they saw Mary not only as “mother,” but also as “sister.” The word “sister” is a reminder that Mary is very close to us. She is the daughter of God and therefore can help us be authentic daughters and sons of God. She also can help us grow in appreciation of being sisters and brothers to one another. She leads us to a new realization that all human beings belong to the family of God. When such a conviction grows, there is hope that the human race can find its way to peace.

Quote:

“The various forms of piety toward the Mother of God, which the Church has approved within the limits of sound and orthodox doctrine, according to the dispositions and understanding of the faithful, ensure that while the mother is honored, the Son through whom all things have their being (cf. Colossians 1:15–16) and in whom it has pleased the Father that all fullness should dwell (cf. Colossians 1:19) is rightly known, loved and glorified and his commandments are observed” (Dogmatic Constitution on the Church, 66).

Mt 12:14-21
#	Douay-Rheims	Vulgate
14	And the Pharisees going out made a consultation against him, how they might destroy him.	exeuntes autem Pharisaei consilium faciebant adversus eum quomodo eum perderent
15	But Jesus knowing it, retired from thence: and many followed him, and he healed them all.	Iesus autem sciens recessit inde et secuti sunt eum multi et curavit eos omnes
16	And he charged them that they should not make him known.	et praecepit eis ne manifestum eum facerent
17	That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaias the prophet, saying:	ut adimpleretur quod dictum est per Esaiam prophetam dicentem
18	Behold my servant whom I have chosen, my beloved in whom my soul hath been well pleased. I will put my spirit upon him, and he shall shew judgment to the Gentiles.	ecce puer meus quem elegi dilectus meus in quo bene placuit animae meae ponam spiritum meum super eum et iudicium gentibus nuntiabit
19	He shall not contend, nor cry out, neither shall any man hear his voice in the streets.	non contendet neque clamabit neque audiet aliquis in plateis vocem eius
20	The bruised reed he shall not break: and smoking flax he shall not extinguish: till he send forth judgment unto victory.	harundinem quassatam non confringet et linum fumigans non extinguet donec eiciat ad victoriam iudicium
21	And in his name the Gentiles shall hope.	et in nomine eius gentes sperabunt

The presentation

The Interview With God, its popularity propelled by millions of visitors from all parts of the world, has become a spiritual phenomenon.

The online presentation has spread like wildfire, and has touched hearts all around the world. People of all walks of life and of all faiths are fully embracing it. The subtle reminder of a caring and active God has become the focus of countless emails to loved ones, and conversations everywhere. To date, the beautiful message has reached millions.

A remarkable number of e-mails and letters come from those that have expressed how God has touched them and personally spoken to them through The Interview With God. Aching hearts healed, families touched, lives being blessed. The spirit of God's love truly brings meaning and hope -- what our world needs, and now receives with open arms.

Millions more are waiting for the simple and powerful message that God is with us... always. Whose life can you touch today by sharing The Interview With God?

View the Presentation Video

The poem

THE INTERVIEW WITH GOD

I dreamed I had an interview with God.

"So you would like to interview me?"
God asked.

"If you have the time" I said.

God smiled. "My time is eternity."
"What questions do you have in mind for me?"

"What surprises you most about humankind?"

God answered...
"That they get bored with childhood,
they rush to grow up, and then long to be
children again."

"That they lose their health to make money...
and then lose their money to restore their health."

"That by thinking anxiously about the future,
they forget the present,
such that they live in neither the present
nor the future."

"That they live as if they will never die,
and die as though they had never lived."

God's hand took mine and we were
silent for a while. And then I asked...
"As a parent, what are some of life's lessons
you want your children to learn?"

"To learn they cannot make anyone love them.
All they can do is let themselves be loved."

"To learn that it is not good to compare
themselves to others."

"To learn to forgive by practicing forgiveness."

"To learn that it only takes a few seconds
to open profound wounds in those they love,
and it can take many years to heal them."

"To learn that a rich person is not one who
has the most, but is one who needs the least."

"To learn that there are people who love
them dearly, but simply have not yet learned
how to express or show their feelings."

"To learn that two people can look at the
same thing and see it differently."

"To learn that it is not enough that they
forgive one another, but they must also
forgive themselves."

"Thank you for your time," I said humbly.
"Is there anything else you would like
our children to know?"

God smiled and said,
"Just know that I am here ... always."
-author unknown

The Word Among Us

Saturday, July 16, 2005

Meditation
Matthew 12:14-21

Over the centuries, countless believers have followed Jesus’ pattern of doing the work of the Lord with great courage, all the time trying not to offend his detractors. Each person’s story reflects another facet of the Messiah, who “will not break a bruised reed” (Matthew 12:20), but who also will not rest until he sees the justice of God established on the earth. One such person is Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati, a twentieth-century Italian from Turin.

Born into a prestigious and aristocratic family, Pier Giorgio might easily have become the type of person you would expect to trample on bruised reeds. Handsome, athletic, popular, a practical jokester, and a hardworking engineering student—this young man had it all. Yet he was also touched by the needs around him, so he set privilege aside and committed himself to working for the marginalized.

Pier Giorgio had a special love for the poor and sick. He sought them out in the slums to bring them food, medicine, clothing, and money. “Jesus comes to me every morning in Holy Communion,” he would say, “and I repay him in my very small way by visiting the poor.” He was always looking to put money aside for his charities—choosing to walk instead of taking the bus, to ride the train in third class rather than first. He brought friends to church and told them, “Approach the Communion table as often as you can. Feed on this bread of angels. There you’ll draw the energy you need to fight inner battles.” Pier Giorgio was just twenty-four when he died suddenly of polio—which doctors suspected he caught while visiting the sick.

Pope John Paul II called Pier Giorgio a “man of the Beatitudes,” when he beatified him in 1990. “The power of the Spirit of Truth, united to Christ, made Pier Giorgio Frassati a modern witness to the hope which springs from the gospel and to the grace of salvation which works in human hearts. . . . By his example he proclaims that a life lived in Christ’s Spirit—the Spirit of the Beatitudes—is ‘blessed,’ and that only the person who becomes a ‘man or woman of the Beatitudes’ can succeed in communicating love and peace to others.”

“Lord, raise up many men and women of the Beatitudes! Help us to love everyone with your justice—one that is tempered with mercy and compassion.”

Exodus 12:37-42; Psalm 136:1,10-15,23-24

One Bread, One Body

<< Saturday, July 16, 2005 >>

Our Lady of Mount Carmel

Exodus 12:37-42

Psalm 136

Matthew 12:14-21

View Readings

HEY, WAITER!

“They had been rushed out of Egypt and had no opportunity even to prepare food for the journey. The time the Israelites had stayed in Egypt was four hundred and thirty years.” —Exodus 12:39-40

Sometimes it seems like the Lord is not moving at all. We wait seemingly for years and nothing changes. Then He moves so fast that we don’t even have time to get ready or grab a bite to eat (Ex 12:39). We are hard-pressed to keep up with Him. With God, our heritage is not so much in the final destination as it is in the waiting. If we wait well, then we’ll be ready to move into freedom well.

The Israelites were unprepared for freedom. They couldn’t trust God to deliver them from the peoples of the land (Nm 14:1ff) even though they had recently walked between walls of water. They had seen those same walls of water swallow the mighty army of Egypt which pursued them. Perhaps the Israelites hadn’t used their waiting to grow in trusting God, and so weren’t ready to trust God when He started moving in power on their behalf.

If we wait well — in vigilance, love, and trust — we will be better prepared to live in freedom once the waiting is over. “Make the most of the present opportunity” (Eph 5:16) during which you are waiting. Ask God to help you grow in trust in Him, in knowledge of Him, and in love for Him. Be free now, so you can be free when the waiting is over forever.

Prayer: Father, “while waiting for” what I need from You, may I “make every effort to be found without stain or defilement, and at peace in [Your] sight” (2 Pt 3:14).

Promise: “Many people followed [Jesus] and He cured them all.” —Mt 12:16

Praise: Our Lady of Mount Carmel points us to the Most High One. She promised her Son would transform our lives if we would repent.

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

The presentation

THE INTERVIEW WITH GOD

:o)

One Bread, One Body