For your reading, reflection, faith-sharing, comments, questions, discussion.

Alleluia Ping!

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OK, everybody----------

I am going on a pilgrimage to Eastern Europe and will be gone beginning June 12th and returning June 25th, so I will need to have someone post the Daily Readings. Several of you have done it in the past, so perhaps you can split the two weeks I will be gone.

BTW, here is my itnierary:

Day 1 June 12 -- leave U. S.
Day 2 June 13 -- Prague
Day 3 June 14 -- Prague
Day 4 June 15 -- Prague, Wroclaw, Warsaw
Day 5 June 16 -- Warsaw Fr. Kolbe's Convent
Day 6 June 17 -- Czesochowa
Day 7 June 18 -- Auschwitz, Wadowice, Kalwaria, Krakow
Day 8 June 19 -- Krakow
Day 9 June 20 -- Krakow St. Faustina & Salt Mines
Day 10 June 21 -- Litmanova, Budapest
Day 11 June 22 -- Budapest
Day 12 June 23 -- Puszta, Vienna
Day 13 June 24 -- Vienna
Day 14 June 25 -- Return Flight

Here are the links I use in posting:

http://www.usccb.org/nab/

Navarre and commentaries -- sign up on cin.org to get it in your email

http://www.universalis.com/-700/today.htm

Mass Readings from Jerusalem Bible, Office of Readings, Lauds, Vespers, Compline

== Saint of the Day header

<a href="http://www.americancatholic.org/Features/SaintofDay/default.asp">American Catholic’s Saint of the Day</a> <P>

<img src="http://www.americancatholic.org/Features/SaintofDay/gfx/SaintsSODhome_hdr.jpg">

<P>

Catholic Culture http://www.catholicculture.org/lit/calendar/day.cfm

Regnum Christi Meditations http://regnumchristi.org/english/meditaciones/index.phtml?se=39&ca=95&te=60

http://www.ewtn.com/devotionals/inspiration.htm --Thought of the Day

<a href="http://www.catholicexchange.com/church_today/message.asp?message_id=&sec_id=3">Homily of the Day</a><P>

Word Among Us http://www.wau.org/

<a href="http://www.presentationministries.com/obob/obob.asp">One Bread, One Body</a><P>

If you have any questions, please FReepmail me.

Hugs,

Salvation

St. Justin Martyr (A.D. 110 - 165) [Read only]

St. Justin Martyr

Orthodox Feast of Martyr Justin the Philosopher and those with him at Rome

The Holy Spirit: Pentecost

Wow! Wish I had the time for something like THAT!

Have a great trip!

Whoa!!! I hope you have a great time! God speed!

I'm going to have to something like that myself. Someday....

This will be the first time I have ever been out of the United States. Please pray for me!

I wish I had a laptop of hand-held so I could get things to you each day, but I don't.

I'll keep a diary and put it all together when I get back.

These don't match up --- hmmmmmm.

From: Acts 28:16-20, 30-31

Arrival in Rome (Continuation)

[16] And when we came into Rome, Paul was allowed to stay by himself,
with the soldier that guarded him.

Paul and the Roman Jews

[17] After three days he called together the local leaders of the Jews;
and when they had gathered, he said to them, "Brethren, though I had
done nothing against the people or the customs of our fathers, yet I
was delivered prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans.
[18] When they had examined me, they wished to set me at liberty,
because there was no reason for the death penalty in my case. [19] But
when the Jews objected, I was compelled to appeal to Caesar though I
had no charge to bring against my nation. [20] For this reason
therefore I have asked to see you and speak with you since it is
because of the hope of Israel that I am bound with this chain."

Paul's Ministry in Rome

[30] And he lived there two whole years at his own expense and welcomed
all who came to him, [31] preaching the kingdom of God and teaching
about the Lord Jesus Christ quite openly and unhindered.

Commentary:

16. Paul must have arrived in Rome around the year 61. He was allowed
to stay in a private house; in other words he was under "custodia
militaris", which meant that the only restriction was that he was
guarded by a soldier at all times.

This is the last verse where St Luke uses the first person plural.

17. In keeping with his missionary custom, Paul immediately addresses
the Jews of Rome; in fact there is no further mention of his contact
with the Christians in the city. The Apostle wants to give his fellow
Jews a kind of last opportunity to hear and understand the Gospel. He
presents himself as a member of the Jewish community who wants to take
a normal part in the life of that community and feels he has to explain
his own position.

19. The use of Roman privileges by a Jew might have been regarded by
Jews as a sign of disrespect towards their own beliefs and customs.
Therefore, Paul tries to explain why he took the exceptional step of
invoking his Roman citizenship and appealing to Caesar.

30-31. "Not only was he not forbidden to preach in Rome", St Bede
writes, "but despite the enormous power of Nero and all his crimes
which history reports, he remained free to proclaim the Gospel of
Christ to the furthest parts of the West, as he himself writes to the
Romans: 'At present, however, I am going to Jerusalem with aid for the
saints' (Rom 15:25); and a little later: 'When therefore I have
completed this, and have delivered to them what has been raised, I
shall go on by way of you to Spain' (v. 28). Finally he was crowned
with martyrdom in the last years of Nero" ("Super Act Expositio, ad
loc.").

We do not know exactly what happened at the end of the two years. It
may be that Paul's Jewish accusers did not appear, or they may have
argued their case before the imperial tribunal and Paul was found not
guilty. At any event, he was set free and Luke considers his task
done--the work God gave him to do when he inspired him to write his
book.

"If you ask me", St John Chrysostom observes, "why St Luke, who stayed
with the Apostle up to his martyrdom, did not bring his narrative up to
that point, I will reply that the Book of the Acts, in the form that
has come down to us, perfectly fulfills its author's purpose. For the
evangelists' only aim was to write down the most essential things"
("Hom. on Acts", 1).

The kind of conventional way the book concludes has led many
commentators (from early times up to the present day) to think that it
had already been finished before Paul's first imprisonment in Rome came
to an end. Christian tradition has nothing very concrete to say about
exactly when the Acts of the Apostles was written.

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: John 17:20-26

The Priestly Prayer of Jesus (Continuation)

(Jesus lifted His eyes to Heaven and said,) [20] "I do not pray for
these (My disciples) only, but also for those who believe in Me through
their word, [21] that they may all be one; even as Thou, Father, art in
Me, and I in Thee, that they also may be in us, so that the world may
believe that Thou hast sent Me. [22] The glory which Thou hast given Me
I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, [23] I in
them and Thou in Me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the
world may know that Thou hast sent Me and hast loved them even as Thou
hast loved Me. [24] Father, I desire that they also, whom Thou hast
given Me, may be with Me where I am, to behold My glory which Thou hast
given Me in Thy love for Me before the foundation of the world. [25] O
righteous Father, the world has not known Thee, but I have known Thee;
and these know that Thou hast sent Me. [26] I made known to them Thy
name, and I will make it known, that the love with which Thou hast
loved Me may be in them, and I in them."

Commentary:

20-23. Since it is Christ who is praying for the Church His prayer is
infallibly effective, and therefore there will always be only one true
Church of Jesus Christ. Unity is therefore an essential property of
the Church. "We believe that the Church founded by Jesus Christ and
for which He prayed is indefectibly one in faith, in worship and in the
bond of hierarchical communion" ([Pope] Paul VI, "Creed of the People
of God", 21). Moreover, Christ's prayer also indicates what the basis
of the Church's unity will be and what effects will follow from it.

The source from which the unity of the Church flows is the intimate
unity of the Three Divine Persons among whom there is mutual love and
self-giving. "The Lord Jesus, when praying to the Father `that they
may all be one...even as we are one' (John 17:21-22), has opened up new
horizons closed to human reason by implying that there is a certain
parallel between the union existing among the Divine Persons and the
union of the sons of God in truth and love. It follows, then, that if
man is the only creature on earth that God has wanted for its own sake,
man can fully discover his true self only in a sincere giving of
himself" (Vatican II, "Gaudium Et Spes", 24). The unity of the Church
is also grounded on the union of the faithful with Jesus Christ and
through Him with the Father (verse 23). Thus, the fullness of
unity--"consummati in unum"--is attained through the supernatural grace
which comes to us from Christ (cf. John 15:5).

The fruits of the unity of the Church are, on the one hand, the world
believing in Christ and in His divine mission (verses 21, 23); and, on
the other hand, Christians themselves and all men recognizing God's
special love for His faithful, a love which is a reflection of the love
of the Three Divine Persons for each other. And so, Jesus' prayer
embraces all mankind, for all are invited to be friends of God (cf. 1
Timothy 2:4). "Thou hast loved them even as Thou hast loved Me": this,
according to St. Thomas Aquinas, "does not mean strict equality of love
but similarity and like-motivation. It is as if He were saying: the
love with which You have loved Me is the reason and the cause of Your
loving them, for, precisely because You love men do You love those who
love Me" ("Commentary on St. John, in loc."). Besides noting this
theological explanation, we should also ponder on how expressively
Christ describes His ardent love for men. The entire discourse of the
Last Supper gives us a glimpse of the depth of Jesus' feelings--which
infinitely exceeds anything we are capable of experiencing. Once again
all we can do is bow down before the mystery of God-made-man.

20. Christ prays for the Church, for all those who, over the course of
centuries, will believe in Him through the preaching of the Apostles.
"That divine mission, which was committed by Christ to the Apostles, is
destined to last until the end of the world (cf. Matthew 28:20), since
the Gospel, which they were charged to hand on, is, for the Church, the
principle of all its life for all time. For that very reason the
Apostles were careful to appoint successors in this hierarchically
constituted society" (Vatican II, "Lumen Gentium", 20).

The apostolic origin and basis of the Church is what is termed its
"apostolicity", a special characteristic of the Church which we confess
in the Creed. Apostolicity consists in the Pope and the Bishops being
successors of Peter and the Apostles, holding the authority of the
Apostles and proclaiming the same teaching as they did. "The sacred
synod teached that the bishops have by divine institution taken the
place of the Apostles as pastors of the Church, in such wise that
whoever listens to them is listening to Christ and whoever despises
them despises Christ and Him who sent Christ (cf. Luke 10:15)" (Vatican
II, "Lumen Gentium", 20).

21. Union of Christians with Christ begets unity among themselves.
This unity of the Church ultimately redounds to the benefit of all
mankind, because since the Church is one and unique, she is seen as a
sign raised up for the nations to see, inviting all to believe in
Christ as sent by God come to save all men. The Church carries on this
mission of salvation through its union with Christ, calling all mankind
to join the Church and by so doing to share in union with Christ and
the Father.

The Second Vatican Council, speaking of the principles of ecumenism,
links the Church's unity with her universality: "Almost everyone,
though in different ways, longs for the one visible Church of God, a
Church truly universal and sent forth to the whole world that the world
may be converted to the Gospel and so be saved, to the glory of God"
("Unitatis Redintegratio", 1). This universality is another
characteristic of the Church, technically described as "catholicity".
"For many centuries now the Church has been spread throughout the
world, and it numbers persons of all races and walks of life. But the
universality of the Church does not depend on its geographical
distribution, even though this is a visible sign and of motive of
credibility. The Church was catholic already at Pentecost: it was born
catholic from the wounded heart of Jesus, as a fire which the Holy
Spirit enkindled.

"In the second century the Christians called the Church catholic in
order to distinguish it from sects, which, using the name of Christ,
were betraying His doctrine in one way or another. `We call it
catholic', writes St. Cyril, `not only because it is spread throughout
the world, from one extreme to the other, but because in a universal
way and without defect it teaches all the dogmas which men ought to
know, of both the visible and the invisible, the celestial and the
earthly. Likewise because it draws to true worship all types of men,
governors and citizens, the learned and the ignorant. And finally,
because it cures and heals all kinds of sins, whether of the soul or of
the body, possessing in addition--by whatever name it may be
called--all the forms of virtue, in deeds and in words and in every
kind of spiritual life' ("Catechesis", 18, 23)" ([St] J. Escriva, "In Love
with the Church", 9).

Every Christian should have the same desire for this unity as Jesus
Christ expresses in His prayer to the Father. "A privileged instrument
for participation in pursuit of the unity of all Christians is prayer.
Jesus Christ Himself left us His final wish for unity through prayer to
the Father: `that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe
that Thou hast sent Me' (John 17:21).

"Also the Second Vatican Council strongly recommended to us prayer for
the unity of Christians, defining it `the soul of the whole ecumenical
movement' ("Unitatis Redintegratio", 8). As the soul to the body, so
prayer gives life, consistency, spirit, and finality to the ecumenical
movement.

"Prayer puts us, first and foremost, before the Lord, purifies us in
intentions, in sentiments, in our heart, and produces that `interior
conversion', without which there is no real ecumenism. (cf. "Unitatis
Redintegratio", 7).

"Prayer, furthermore, reminds us that unity, ultimately, is a gift from
God, a gift for which we must ask and for which we must prepare in
order that we may be granted it" ([Pope] John Paul II, "General
Audience", 17 January 1979).

22-23. Jesus possess glory, a manifestation of divinity, because He is
God, equal to the Father (cf. note on John 17:1-5). When He says that
He is giving His disciples this glory, He is indicating that through
grace He makes us partakers of the divine nature (2 Peter 1:4). Glory
and justification by grace are very closely united, as we can see from
Sacred Scripture: "Those whom He predestined He also called, and those
whom He called He also justified, and those whom He justified He also
glorified" (Romans 8:30). The change grace works in Christians makes
us ever more like Christ, who is the likeness of the Father (cf. 2
Corinthians 4:4; Hebrews 1:2-3): by communicating His glory Christ
joins the faithful to God by giving them a share in supernatural life,
which is the source of the holiness of Christians and of the Church:
"Now we can understand better how [...] one of the principal aspects of
her holiness is that unity centered on the mystery of the one and
triune God. `There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called
to the one hope that belongs to your call, one Lord, one faith, one
baptism; one God and Father of us all, who is above all and through all
and in all' (Ephesians 4:4-6)" ([St] J. Escriva, "In Love with the Church", 5).

24. Jesus concludes His prayer by asking that all Christians attain the
blessedness of Heaven. The word He uses, "I desire", not "I pray",
indicates that He is asking for the most important thing of all, for
what His Father wants--that all may be saved and come to a knowledge of
the truth (cf. 1 Timothy 2:4): which is essentially the mission of the
Church--the salvation of souls.

As long as we are on earth we share in God's life through knowledge
(faith) and love (charity); but only in Heaven will we attain the
fullness of this supernatural life, when we see God as He is (cf. 1
John 3:2), face to face (cf. 1 Corinthians 13:9-12). Therefore, the
Church has her sights fixed on eternity, she is eschatological: that
is, by having in this world all the resources necessary for teaching
God's truth, for rendering Him true worship and communicating the life
of grace, she keeps alive people's hope of attaining the fullness of
eternal life: "The Church, to which we are all called in Christ Jesus,
and in which by the grace of God we acquire holiness, will receive its
perfection only in the glory of Heaven, when will come the time of the
renewal of all things (Acts 3:21). At that time, together with the
human race, the universe itself, which is so closely related to man and
which attains its destiny through him, will be perfectly reestablished
in Christ (cf. Ephesians 1:10; Colossians 1:20; 2 Peter 3:10-13)"
(Vatican II, "Lumen Gentium", 48).

25-26. God's revelation of Himself through Christ causes us to begin to
share in the divine life, a sharing which will reach its climax in
Heaven: "God alone can give us right and full knowledge of this reality
by revealing Himself as Father, Son and Holy Spirit, in whose eternal
life we are by grace called to share, here below in the obscurity of
faith and after death in eternal light" ([Pope] Paul VI, "Creed of the
People of God").

Christ has revealed to us all we need to know in order to participate
in the mutual love of the Divine Persons--primarily, the mystery of who
He is and what His mission is and, with that, the mystery of God
Himself ("I made known to them Thy name"), thus fulfilling what He had
announced: "No one knows the Father except the Son and any one to whom
the Son chooses to reveal Him" (Matthew 11:27).

Christ continues to make known His Father's love, by means of the
Church, in which He is always present: "I am with you always, to the
close of the age" (Matthew 28:20).

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.

Mass Readings

First reading	Acts 22:30 - 23:11 ©
The next day, since he wanted to know what precise charge the Jews were bringing, the tribune freed Paul and gave orders for a meeting of the chief priests and the entire Sanhedrin; then he brought Paul down and stood him in front of them. Now Paul was well aware that one section was made up of Sadducees and the other of Pharisees, so he called out in the Sanhedrin, ‘Brothers, I am a Pharisee and the son of Pharisees. It is for our hope in the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial.’ As soon as he said this a dispute broke out between the Pharisees and Sadducees, and the assembly was split between the two parties. For the Sadducees say there is neither resurrection, nor angel, nor spirit, while the Pharisees accept all three. The shouting grew louder, and some of the scribes from the Pharisees’ party stood up and protested strongly, ‘We find nothing wrong with this man. Suppose a spirit has spoken to him, or an angel?’ Feeling was running high, and the tribune, afraid that they would tear Paul to pieces, ordered his troops to go down and haul him out and bring him into the fortress. Next night, the Lord appeared to him and said, ‘Courage! You have borne witness for me in Jerusalem, now you must do the same in Rome.’

First reading

Acts 22:30 - 23:11 ©

The next day, since he wanted to know what precise charge the Jews were bringing, the tribune freed Paul and gave orders for a meeting of the chief priests and the entire Sanhedrin; then he brought Paul down and stood him in front of them. Now Paul was well aware that one section was made up of Sadducees and the other of Pharisees, so he called out in the Sanhedrin, ‘Brothers, I am a Pharisee and the son of Pharisees. It is for our hope in the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial.’ As soon as he said this a dispute broke out between the Pharisees and Sadducees, and the assembly was split between the two parties. For the Sadducees say there is neither resurrection, nor angel, nor spirit, while the Pharisees accept all three. The shouting grew louder, and some of the scribes from the Pharisees’ party stood up and protested strongly, ‘We find nothing wrong with this man. Suppose a spirit has spoken to him, or an angel?’ Feeling was running high, and the tribune, afraid that they would tear Paul to pieces, ordered his troops to go down and haul him out and bring him into the fortress.
Next night, the Lord appeared to him and said, ‘Courage! You have borne witness for me in Jerusalem, now you must do the same in Rome.’

Psalm or canticle: Psalm 15

Gospel	John 17:20 - 26 ©
Jesus raised his eyes to heaven and said: ‘I pray not only for these, but for those also who through their words will believe in me. May they all be one. Father, may they be one in us, as you are in me and I am in you, so that the world may believe it was you who sent me. I have given them the glory you gave to me, that they may be one as we are one. With me in them and you in me, may they be so completely one that the world will realise that it was you who sent me and that I have loved them as much as you loved me. Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, so that they may always see the glory you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world. Father, Righteous One, the world has not known you, but I have known you, and these have known that you have sent me. I have made your name known to them and will continue to make it known, so that the love with which you loved me may be in them, and so that I may be in them.’

Gospel

John 17:20 - 26 ©

Jesus raised his eyes to heaven and said:
‘I pray not only for these,
but for those also
who through their words will believe in me.
May they all be one.
Father, may they be one in us,
as you are in me and I am in you,
so that the world may believe it was you who sent me.
I have given them the glory you gave to me,
that they may be one as we are one.
With me in them and you in me,
may they be so completely one
that the world will realise that it was you who sent me
and that I have loved them as much as you loved me.
Father, I want those you have given me
to be with me where I am,
so that they may always see the glory you have given me
because you loved me before the foundation of the world.
Father, Righteous One,
the world has not known you,
but I have known you,
and these have known that you have sent me.
I have made your name known to them
and will continue to make it known,
so that the love with which you loved me may be in them,
and so that I may be in them.’

Office of Readings -- Awakening Prayer

Office of Readings

If this is the first Hour that you are reciting today, you should precede it with the Invitatory Psalm.

O God, come to my aid.
O Lord, make haste to help me.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
world without end.
Amen. Alleluia.

A suitable hymn may be inserted at this point.

Psalm 88 (89)
A lament at the ruin of the house of David
But you have spurned and rejected him; you are enraged against your anointed. You have repudiated the covenant of your servant, you have trampled his crown in the dust. You have demolished his walls and laid his fortifications in ruins. Anyone who passes can despoil him; he is a mockery among his neighbours. You have strengthened the arm of those who oppress him, you have gladdened the hearts of his enemies. You have turned back the sharp edge of his sword; you have deprived him of your help in battle. You have put an end to his splendour, and cast his throne to the ground. You have cut short the days of his youth; you have covered him from head to foot in shame. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Psalm 88 (89)

A lament at the ruin of the house of David

But you have spurned and rejected him;
you are enraged against your anointed.
You have repudiated the covenant of your servant,
you have trampled his crown in the dust.
You have demolished his walls
and laid his fortifications in ruins.
Anyone who passes can despoil him;
he is a mockery among his neighbours.

You have strengthened the arm of those who oppress him,
you have gladdened the hearts of his enemies.
You have turned back the sharp edge of his sword;
you have deprived him of your help in battle.
You have put an end to his splendour,
and cast his throne to the ground.
You have cut short the days of his youth;
you have covered him from head to foot in shame.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
world without end.
Amen.

Psalm 88 (89)
How long, O Lord, will you hide yourself? For ever? Will your anger always burn like fire? Remember how short is my time. Was it truly so pointless, your creation of man? Who is the man who can live and not die, who can save his life from the grasp of the underworld? Where are the kindnesses you showed us of old? Where is the truth of your oath to David? Remember, Lord, how your servants are taunted, the taunts I bear in my bosom, the taunts of the nations – the insults of your enemies, Lord, the insults that follow the steps of your anointed! Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Psalm 88 (89)

How long, O Lord, will you hide yourself? For ever?
Will your anger always burn like fire?
Remember how short is my time.
Was it truly so pointless, your creation of man?
Who is the man who can live and not die,
who can save his life from the grasp of the underworld?

Where are the kindnesses you showed us of old?
Where is the truth of your oath to David?
Remember, Lord, how your servants are taunted,
the taunts I bear in my bosom, the taunts of the nations –
the insults of your enemies, Lord,
the insults that follow the steps of your anointed!

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
world without end.
Amen.

Psalm 89 (90)
Let the Lord's glory shine upon us
Lord, you have been our refuge from generation to generation. Before the mountains were born, before earth and heaven were conceived, from all time to all time, you are God. You turn men into dust, you say to them “go back, children of men”. A thousand years in your sight are like yesterday, that has passed; like a short watch in the night. When you take them away, they will be nothing but a dream; like the grass that sprouts in the morning: in the morning it grows and flowers, in the evening it withers and dries. For we are made weak by your anger, thrown into confusion by your wrath. You have gazed upon our transgressions; the light of your face illuminates our secrets. All our days vanish in your anger, we use up our years in a single breath. Seventy years are what we have, or eighty for the stronger ones; and most of that is labour and sadness – quickly they pass, and we are gone. Who can comprehend the power of your wrath? Who can behold the violence of your anger? Teach us to reckon our days like this, so that our hearts may be led at last to wisdom. Turn to us, Lord, how long must we wait? Let your servants call on you and be answered. Fill us with your kindness in the morning, and we shall rejoice and be glad all the days of our life. Give us joy for as long as you afflicted us, for all the years when we suffered. Let your servants see your great works, and let their children see your glory. Let the glory of the Lord God be upon us: make firm the work of your hands. Make firm the work of your hands. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Psalm 89 (90)

Let the Lord's glory shine upon us

Lord, you have been our refuge
from generation to generation.
Before the mountains were born,
before earth and heaven were conceived,
from all time to all time, you are God.

You turn men into dust,
you say to them “go back, children of men”.
A thousand years in your sight
are like yesterday, that has passed;
like a short watch in the night.

When you take them away, they will be nothing but a dream;
like the grass that sprouts in the morning:
in the morning it grows and flowers,
in the evening it withers and dries.

For we are made weak by your anger,
thrown into confusion by your wrath.
You have gazed upon our transgressions;
the light of your face illuminates our secrets.

All our days vanish in your anger,
we use up our years in a single breath.
Seventy years are what we have,
or eighty for the stronger ones;
and most of that is labour and sadness –
quickly they pass, and we are gone.
Who can comprehend the power of your wrath?
Who can behold the violence of your anger?
Teach us to reckon our days like this,
so that our hearts may be led at last to wisdom.

Turn to us, Lord, how long must we wait?
Let your servants call on you and be answered.
Fill us with your kindness in the morning,
and we shall rejoice and be glad all the days of our life.
Give us joy for as long as you afflicted us,
for all the years when we suffered.

Let your servants see your great works,
and let their children see your glory.
Let the glory of the Lord God be upon us:
make firm the work of your hands.
Make firm the work of your hands.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
world without end.
Amen.

Reading	1 John 5:13 - 21 ©
I have written all this to you so that you who believe in the name of the Son of God may be sure that you have eternal life. We are quite confident that if we ask him for anything, and it is in accordance with his will, he will hear us; and, knowing that whatever we may ask, he hears us, we know that we have already been granted what we asked of him. If anybody sees his brother commit a sin that is not a deadly sin, he has only to pray, and God will give life to the sinner – not those who commit a deadly sin; for there is a sin that is death, and I will not say that you must pray about that. Every kind of wrong-doing is sin, but not all sin is deadly. We know that anyone who has been begotten by God does not sin, because the begotten Son of God protects him, and the Evil One does not touch him. We know that we belong to God, but the whole world lies in the power of the Evil One. We know, too, that the Son of God has come, and has given us the power to know the true God. We are in the true God, as we are in his Son, Jesus Christ. This is the true God, this is eternal life. Children, be on your guard against false gods.

Reading

1 John 5:13 - 21 ©

I have written all this to you
so that you who believe in the name of the Son of God
may be sure that you have eternal life.

We are quite confident that if we ask him for anything,
and it is in accordance with his will,
he will hear us;
and, knowing that whatever we may ask, he hears us,
we know that we have already been granted what we asked of him.
If anybody sees his brother commit a sin
that is not a deadly sin,
he has only to pray, and God will give life to the sinner
– not those who commit a deadly sin;
for there is a sin that is death,
and I will not say that you must pray about that.
Every kind of wrong-doing is sin,
but not all sin is deadly.

We know that anyone who has been begotten by God
does not sin,
because the begotten Son of God protects him,
and the Evil One does not touch him.
We know that we belong to God,
but the whole world lies in the power of the Evil One.
We know, too, that the Son of God has come,
and has given us the power
to know the true God.
We are in the true God,
as we are in his Son, Jesus Christ.
This is the true God,
this is eternal life.
Children, be on your guard against false gods.

Reading	From the Acts of the martyrdom of Saint Justin and his companion saints
I have accepted the true doctrines of the Christians
The saints were seized and brought before the prefect of Rome, whose name was Rusticus. As they stood before the judgement seat, Rusticus the prefect said to Justin: “Above all, have faith in the gods and obey the emperors”. Justin said: “We cannot be accused or condemned for obeying the commands of our Saviour, Jesus Christ”. Rusticus said: “What system of teaching do you profess?” Justin said: “I have tried to learn about every system, but I have accepted the true doctrines of the Christians, though these are not approved by those who are held fast by error”. The prefect Rusticus said: “Are those doctrines approved by you, wretch that you are?” Justin said: “Yes, for I follow them with their correct teaching”. The prefect Rusticus said: “What sort of teaching is that?” Justin said: “Worship the God of the Christians. We hold him to be from the beginning the one creator and maker of the whole creation, of things seen and things unseen. We worship also the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God. He was foretold by the prophets as the future herald of salvation for the human race and the teacher of distinguished disciples. For myself, since I am a human being, I consider that what I say is insignificant in comparison with his infinite godhead. I acknowledge the existence of a prophetic power, for the one I have just spoken of as the Son of God was the subject of prophecy. I know that the prophets were inspired from above when they spoke of his coming among men”. Rusticus said: “You are a Christian, then?” Justin said: “Yes, I am a Christian”. The prefect said to Justin: “You are called a learned man and think that you know what is true teaching. Listen: if you were scourged and beheaded, are you convinced that you would go up to heaven?” Justin said: “I hope that I shall enter God’s house if I suffer that way. For I know that God’s favour is stored up until the end of the whole world for all who have lived good lives”. The prefect Rusticus said: “Do you have an idea that you will go up to heaven to receive some suitable rewards?” Justin said: “It is not an idea that I have; it is something I know well and hold to be most certain”. The prefect Rusticus said: “Now let us come to the point at issue, which is necessary and urgent. Gather round then and with one accord offer sacrifice to the gods”. Justin said: “No one who is right thinking stoops from true worship to false worship”. The prefect Rusticus said: “If you do not do as you are commanded you will be tortured without mercy”. Justin said: “We hope to suffer torment for the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ, and so be saved. For this will bring us salvation and confidence as we stand before the more terrible and universal judgement-seat of our Lord and Saviour”. In the same way the other martyrs also said: “Do what you will. We are Christians; we do not offer sacrifice to idols”. The prefect Rusticus pronounced sentence, saying: “Let those who have refused to sacrifice to the gods and to obey the command of the emperor be scourged and led away to suffer capital punishment according to the ruling of the laws”. Glorifying God, the holy martyrs went out to the accustomed place. They were beheaded, and so fulfilled their witness of martyrdom in confessing their faith in their Saviour.

Reading

From the Acts of the martyrdom of Saint Justin and his companion saints

I have accepted the true doctrines of the Christians

The saints were seized and brought before the prefect of Rome, whose name was Rusticus. As they stood before the judgement seat, Rusticus the prefect said to Justin: “Above all, have faith in the gods and obey the emperors”. Justin said: “We cannot be accused or condemned for obeying the commands of our Saviour, Jesus Christ”.
Rusticus said: “What system of teaching do you profess?” Justin said: “I have tried to learn about every system, but I have accepted the true doctrines of the Christians, though these are not approved by those who are held fast by error”.
The prefect Rusticus said: “Are those doctrines approved by you, wretch that you are?” Justin said: “Yes, for I follow them with their correct teaching”.
The prefect Rusticus said: “What sort of teaching is that?” Justin said: “Worship the God of the Christians. We hold him to be from the beginning the one creator and maker of the whole creation, of things seen and things unseen. We worship also the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God. He was foretold by the prophets as the future herald of salvation for the human race and the teacher of distinguished disciples. For myself, since I am a human being, I consider that what I say is insignificant in comparison with his infinite godhead. I acknowledge the existence of a prophetic power, for the one I have just spoken of as the Son of God was the subject of prophecy. I know that the prophets were inspired from above when they spoke of his coming among men”.
Rusticus said: “You are a Christian, then?” Justin said: “Yes, I am a Christian”.
The prefect said to Justin: “You are called a learned man and think that you know what is true teaching. Listen: if you were scourged and beheaded, are you convinced that you would go up to heaven?” Justin said: “I hope that I shall enter God’s house if I suffer that way. For I know that God’s favour is stored up until the end of the whole world for all who have lived good lives”.
The prefect Rusticus said: “Do you have an idea that you will go up to heaven to receive some suitable rewards?” Justin said: “It is not an idea that I have; it is something I know well and hold to be most certain”.
The prefect Rusticus said: “Now let us come to the point at issue, which is necessary and urgent. Gather round then and with one accord offer sacrifice to the gods”. Justin said: “No one who is right thinking stoops from true worship to false worship”.
The prefect Rusticus said: “If you do not do as you are commanded you will be tortured without mercy”. Justin said: “We hope to suffer torment for the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ, and so be saved. For this will bring us salvation and confidence as we stand before the more terrible and universal judgement-seat of our Lord and Saviour”.
In the same way the other martyrs also said: “Do what you will. We are Christians; we do not offer sacrifice to idols”.
The prefect Rusticus pronounced sentence, saying: “Let those who have refused to sacrifice to the gods and to obey the command of the emperor be scourged and led away to suffer capital punishment according to the ruling of the laws”. Glorifying God, the holy martyrs went out to the accustomed place. They were beheaded, and so fulfilled their witness of martyrdom in confessing their faith in their Saviour.

A concluding prayer may follow here.

American Catholic’s Saint of the Day

June 1, 2006

St. Justin

(d. 165)

Justin never ended his quest for religious truth even when he converted to Christianity after years of studying various pagan philosophies.

As a young man, he was principally attracted to the school of Plato. However, he found that the Christian religion answered the great questions about life and existence better than the philosophers.

Upon his conversion he continued to wear the philosopher's mantle, and became the first Christian philosopher. He combined the Christian religion with the best elements in Greek philosophy. In his view, philosophy was a pedagogue of Christ, an educator that was to lead one to Christ.

Justin is known as an apologist, one who defends in writing the Christian religion against the attacks and misunderstandings of the pagans. Two of his so-called apologies have come down to us; they are addressed to the Roman emperor and to the Senate.

For his staunch adherence to the Christian religion, Justin was beheaded in Rome in 165.

Comment:

As patron of philosophers, Justin may inspire us to use our natural powers (especially our power to know and understand) in the service of Christ and to build up the Christian life within us. Since we are prone to error, especially in reference to the deep questions concerning life and existence, we should also be willing to correct and check our natural thinking in light of religious truth. Thus we will be able to say with the learned saints of the Church: I believe in order to understand, and I understand in order to believe.

Quote:

"Philosophy is the knowledge of that which exists, and a clear understanding of the truth; and happiness is the reward of such knowledge and understanding" (Justin, Dialogue with Trypho, 3).

As a Scientist I have travelled extensively all over the world. The most general thing I can say for Europe is that you should have little trouble in larger European cities where the population is more 'cosmopolitan' and English is usually either a second language or picked up from the barrage of American media they are exposed to. Once you leave the big-city areas however, it gets a little more diffcult and you have to play a game of 'Charades' sometimes to get your point across.

Good thing I am with a tour group. Our priest is leading it!

Thursday, June 1, 2006
St. Justin, Martyr (Memorial)

First Reading:
Psalm:
Gospel:

Acts 22:30; 23:6-11
Psalm 16:1-2, 5, 7-11
John 17:20-26

God is ascended with jubilee, and the Lord with the sound of trumpet.

-- Ps. xlvi. 6

Catholic Culture

Collect:
Father, through the folly of the cross you taught St. Justin the sublime wisdom of Jesus Christ. May we too reject falsehood and remain loyal to the faith. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

Activities:

Prayers:

June 01, 2006

Memorial of St. Justin, martyr

Old Calendar: St. Angela Merici, virgin

St. Justin, apologist and martyr, was one of the most important Christian writers of the second century. He himself tells how his study of all the schools of philosophy led him to Christianity, and how he dedicated his life to the defense of the Christian faith as "the one certain and profitable philosophy."

St. Justin is particularly celebrated for the two Apologies which he was courageous enough to address in succession to the persecuting emperors Antoninus and Marcus Aurelius. One of them contains a description of the rites of baptism and the ceremonies of Mass, thus constituting the most valuable evidence that we possess on the Roman liturgy of his day. He was beheaded in Rome in 165. Justin is also referred to as "the Philosopher."

Before the reform of the General Roman Calendar today was the feast of St. Angela Merici. Her feast is now celebrated on January 27. St. Justin's feast was celebrated on April 14.

St. Justin
Justin, the son of Priscus, was a Greek by race, and was born at Nablus in Palestine. He passed his youth in the study of letters. When he grew to manhood he was so taken with the love of philosophy and the desire of truth, that he became a student of philosphy and examined the teaching of all the philosophers. He found in them only deceitful wisdom and error. He received the light of heaven from a venerable old man, who was a stranger to him, and embraced the philosophy of the true Christian faith. Henceforth he had the books of Holy Scripture in his hands by day and night, and his soul was filled with the divine fire enkindled by his meditations. Having thus acquired the excellent knowledge of Jesus Christ, he devoted his learning to the composition of many books explaining and propagating the Christian faith.

Among the most famous of the works of Justin are his two Apologies or Defences of the Christian faith. These he offered in the Senate to the Emperor Antoninus Pius and his sons, together with Marcus Antoninus Verus and Lucius Aurelius Commodus, who were cruelly persecuting the followers of Christ. By these Apologies and his vigorous disputations in defense of the faith he obtained a public edict from the government to stay the slaughter of the Christians. But Justin himself did not escape. He had blamed the wicked life led by Crescens the Cynic, who caused him to be accused and arrested. He was brought before Rusticus, the Prefect of Rome, and questioned concerning the doctrine of the Christians. Whereupon he made this good confession in the presence of many witnesses: "The right doctrine which we Christian men do keep with godliness is this: that we believe that there is one God, the maker and creator of all things, both those which are seen and those which bodily eyes do not see; and that we confess the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who was of old foretold by the Prophets, and who is to come to judge all mankind."

In his first Apology Justin had given, in order to rebut the slanders of the heathen, an open account of the Christian assemblies and of the holy Mysteries there celebrated. The prefect asked him in what place he and Christ's other faithful servants in the city were accustomed to meet. But Justin, fearing to betray the holy mysteries and his brethren, mentioned only his own dwelling near the famous church in the house of Pudens, where he lived and taught his disciples. The prefect then bade him choose whether he would sacrifice to the gods or suffer a cruel scourging. The unconquered champion of the faith answered that he had always desired to suffer for the Lord Jesus Christ, from whom he hoped to receive a great reward in heaven. The prefect thereupon sentenced him to death, and thus this excellent philosopher, giving praise to God, suffered the pain of scourging, and then shed his blood for Christ, and was crowned with martyrdom. Some of the faithful stole away his body and buried it in a fitting place.

Excerpted from The Liturgical Year, Abbot Gueranger O.S.B.

Patron: Apologists; lecturers; orators; philosophers; speakers.

Symbols: Ox; pen; sword; red-hot helmet.

Things to Do:

St. Justin was a prolific writer, and one of the first Christians to write about the Eucharistic liturgy of the early church. Read some of Justin Martyr's writings.
Read this account of St. Justin's life and another account from the Church Fathers of his martyrdom.
The Catholic Encyclopedia has an excellent entry on St. Justin. Their summary: "The role of St. Justin may be summed up in one word: it is that of a witness. We behold in him one of the highest and purest pagan souls of his time in contact with Christianity, compelled to accept its irrefragable truth, its pure moral teaching, and to admire its superhuman constancy. He is also a witness of the second-century Church which he describes for us in its faith, its life, its worship, at a time when Christianity yet lacked the firm organization that it was soon to develop, but the larger outlines of whose constitution and doctrine are already luminously drawn by Justin. Finally, Justin was a witness for Christ unto death."

Lauds -- Morning Prayer

Morning Prayer (Lauds)

If this is the first Hour that you are reciting today, you should precede it with the Invitatory Psalm.

O God, come to my aid.
O Lord, make haste to help me.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
world without end.
Amen. Alleluia.

A suitable hymn may be inserted at this point.

Psalm 86 (87)
Jerusalem, mother of all nations
Its foundations are set on the sacred mountains – the Lord loves the gates of Sion more than all the tents of Jacob. Glorious things are said of you, city of God! I shall count Rahab and Babylon among those who acknowledge me. The Philistines, Tyrians, Ethiopians – all have their birthplace here. Of Sion it will be said “Here is the birthplace of all people: the Most High himself has set it firm”. The Lord shall write in the book of the nations: “Here is their birthplace”. They will sing as in joyful processions: “All my being springs from you”. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Psalm 86 (87)

Jerusalem, mother of all nations

Its foundations are set on the sacred mountains –
the Lord loves the gates of Sion
more than all the tents of Jacob.
Glorious things are said of you, city of God!

I shall count Rahab and Babylon among those who acknowledge me.
The Philistines, Tyrians, Ethiopians –
all have their birthplace here.
Of Sion it will be said “Here is the birthplace of all people:
the Most High himself has set it firm”.

The Lord shall write in the book of the nations:
“Here is their birthplace”.
They will sing as in joyful processions:
“All my being springs from you”.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
world without end.
Amen.

Canticle	Isaiah 40
The good shepherd is God, the Most High
Behold, the Lord God comes in strength, and his right arm triumphs. Behold, his reward is with him, his prize is before him. Like a shepherd he feeds his flock, he gathers the lambs in his arms and lifts them to his breast; he carries the pregnant ewes. Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand and arranged the heavens with his palms? Who has measured the dust of the earth, weighed out the mountains, weighed the hills on the balance? Who directed the spirit of the Lord? Who gave him advice in his task? With whom did he consult? Who taught him? Who led him in the paths of justice, gave him knowledge, showed him the way of understanding? Behold, the Gentiles are like a drop in a bucket, a piece of fluff on the scales. All the islands are a handful of dust. What burnt-offering could be worthy of the Lord? The forests of Lebanon could not feed that fire; all the animals of Lebanon would not be enough for that sacrifice. All the nations count for nothing before him: for him, they are nothingness and emptiness. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Canticle

Isaiah 40

The good shepherd is God, the Most High

Behold, the Lord God comes in strength, and his right arm triumphs.
Behold, his reward is with him, his prize is before him.
Like a shepherd he feeds his flock,
he gathers the lambs in his arms and lifts them to his breast;
he carries the pregnant ewes.

Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand
and arranged the heavens with his palms?
Who has measured the dust of the earth,
weighed out the mountains,
weighed the hills on the balance?
Who directed the spirit of the Lord?
Who gave him advice in his task?

With whom did he consult? Who taught him?
Who led him in the paths of justice,
gave him knowledge,
showed him the way of understanding?

Behold, the Gentiles are like a drop in a bucket,
a piece of fluff on the scales.
All the islands are a handful of dust.
What burnt-offering could be worthy of the Lord?
The forests of Lebanon could not feed that fire;
all the animals of Lebanon would not be enough for that sacrifice.
All the nations count for nothing before him:
for him, they are nothingness and emptiness.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
world without end.
Amen.

Psalm 98 (99)
The Lord our God is holy
The Lord reigns! let the peoples tremble. He is enthroned on the cherubim: let the earth shake. The Lord is great in Sion, he is high above all the peoples. Let them proclaim his name – great and terrible it is, let them proclaim his holy name, the powerful king, who loves justice. The laws you establish are just: you have given Jacob uprightness and right judgement. Praise the Lord, our God, worship at his footstool, for he is holy. Moses and Aaron were among his prophets, Samuel one of those who called on him. They called on the Lord and he listened, and from the pillar of cloud he spoke to them. They kept his decrees and the commands he gave them. Lord our God, you listened to them; O God, you were gracious to them, but you punished their wrongdoing. Praise the Lord, our God, worship on his holy mountain, for the Lord our God is holy. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Psalm 98 (99)

The Lord our God is holy

The Lord reigns! let the peoples tremble.
He is enthroned on the cherubim: let the earth shake.
The Lord is great in Sion,
he is high above all the peoples.

Let them proclaim his name – great and terrible it is,
let them proclaim his holy name,
the powerful king, who loves justice.
The laws you establish are just:
you have given Jacob uprightness and right judgement.

Praise the Lord, our God,
worship at his footstool,
for he is holy.

Moses and Aaron were among his prophets,
Samuel one of those who called on him.
They called on the Lord and he listened,
and from the pillar of cloud he spoke to them.
They kept his decrees
and the commands he gave them.
Lord our God, you listened to them;
O God, you were gracious to them,
but you punished their wrongdoing.

Praise the Lord, our God,
worship on his holy mountain,
for the Lord our God is holy.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
world without end.
Amen.

A short Bible reading and responsory may follow here.

Canticle	Benedictus
The Messiah and his forerunner
Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, for he has come to his people and brought about their redemption. He has raised up the sign of salvation in the house of his servant David, as he promised through the mouth of the holy ones, his prophets through the ages: to rescue us from our enemies and all who hate us, to take pity on our fathers, to remember his holy covenant and the oath he swore to Abraham our father, that he would give himself to us, that we could serve him without fear – freed from the hands of our enemies – in uprightness and holiness before him, for all of our days. And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High: for you will go before the face of the Lord to prepare his path, to let his people know their salvation, so that their sins may be forgiven. Through the bottomless mercy of our God, one born on high will visit us to give light to those who walk in darkness, who live in the shadow of death; to lead our feet in the path of peace. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Canticle

Benedictus

The Messiah and his forerunner

Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, for he has come to his people and brought about their redemption.
He has raised up the sign of salvation in the house of his servant David,
as he promised through the mouth of the holy ones, his prophets through the ages:
to rescue us from our enemies and all who hate us, to take pity on our fathers,
to remember his holy covenant and the oath he swore to Abraham our father,
that he would give himself to us, that we could serve him without fear – freed from the hands of our enemies –
in uprightness and holiness before him, for all of our days.

And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High: for you will go before the face of the Lord to prepare his path,
to let his people know their salvation, so that their sins may be forgiven.
Through the bottomless mercy of our God, one born on high will visit us
to give light to those who walk in darkness, who live in the shadow of death;
to lead our feet in the path of peace.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
world without end.
Amen.

Some short prayers may follow here, to offer up the day's work to God.

Our Father, who art in Heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come,
thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses
as we forgive those that trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.

A concluding prayer may follow here.

May the Lord bless us and keep us from all harm; and may he lead us to eternal life.

A M E N

Have a wonderful time in Prague. Its a beutiful city with many wonderful churches, the Cathedral, and the Saints on Charles' Bridge.

Christ's Peace

REgnum Christi

Christian Unity Through the Holy Spirit
June 1, 2006

How can I, as a person of faith, help the cause of Christian unity? Above all through prayer.

Saint Justin, martyr
Father Walter Schu, LC

John 17: 20-26
Lifting up his eyes to heaven, Jesus prayed saying: "I pray not only for these, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, so that they may all be one, as you, Father, are in me and I in you, that they also may be in us, that the world may believe that you sent me. And I have given them the glory you gave me, so that they may be one, as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may be brought to perfection as one, that the world may know that you sent me, and that you loved them even as you loved me. Father, they are your gift to me. I wish that where I am they also may be with me, that they may see my glory that you gave me, because you loved me before the foundation of the world. Righteous Father, the world also does not know you, but I know you, and they know that you sent me. I made known to them your name and I will make it known, that the love with which you loved me may be in them and I in them."

Introductory Prayer: Lord, may you bring about the unity of all Christians in the world through the power of the Holy Spirit. May many more people throughout the earth become Christian by our authentic witness of Christian charity.

Petition: Lord, help me to grow in authentic Christian love through the power of the Holy Spirit. Enable me to be an instrument of love so that “the world may believe.”

1. “That the World May Believe That You Sent Me.” “The mission of Christ the Redeemer, which is entrusted to the Church, is still very far from completion.” These haunting words, with which Pope John Paul the Great opened his 1990 encyclical Redemptoris Missio, reflect the urgency of the Holy Spirit’s call to a new evangelization. Christ’s priestly prayer to his Father that all may be one reveals what John Paul the Great has called the biggest obstacle to evangelization: the lack of Christian unity. Pope Benedict XVI has made Christian unity one of the main goals of his pontificate. How can I, as a person of faith, help the cause of Christian unity? Above all through prayer. Vatican II has defined prayer as “the soul of the whole ecumenical movement” (Unitatis redintegratio, no. 8).

2. “That They May Be One:” Christ’s Prayer and Ours. In his sublime priestly prayer, just hours before his passion and death, Christ reveals that his desire for all people to be one with him and the Father arises from the depths of his heart. Yet over 2,000 years after Christ’s redemption, less than one third of the people in the world call themselves Christians. How urgent is the call to Christian unity so that “the world may believe”! Our prayer must echo Christ’s constant appeal to the Father that the lost unity of Christians may be restored. “Prayer puts us, first and foremost, before the Lord, purifies us in intentions, in sentiments, in our heart, and produces that ‘interior conversion,’ without which there is no real ecumenism” (cf. Unitatis redintegratio,, no. 7).

3. “That the Love with Which You Loved Me May Be in Them.” On this feast of St Justin Martyr, we cannot help but recall a profound conviction of our beloved Pope John Paul the Great: There is no greater witness to Christ than the martyrs. The martyrs gave testimony to the depths of Christ’s love to point of shedding their own blood for him. With the help of the Holy Spirit, we too can live out the witness of Christian charity in our lives: the one force capable of uniting all men and women in Christ. Legionary of Christ founder Fr Marcial Maciel reflects on the power of the Holy Spirit to enable us to live authentic Christian love: “He teaches us to love, he teaches us to forgive, he teaches us to forget offences, to do good without expecting any recompense, to trust in God and love him above all things” (Letter, May 3, 1986).

Dialogue with Christ: Lord, help me to ardently desire the unity of all Christians. Help me to pray constantly for this unity and work for it in my life.

Resolution: I will pray for Christian unity in a special way today and do an act of charity to help draw someone closer to Christ.