12th Week, Friday, Jun 26th

2 Kings 25: 1-12 / Matthew 8: 1-4 

Babylon strikes Judah again: The city and the Temple were destroyed.

Judah’s “day of reckoning” dawned in 587 B.C. That date is branded forever on the heart of every Jew. It marks the year when Babylonian armies descended upon Jerusalem and reduced the city and the Temple to a pile of charred rubble. The people who survived the devastating defeat were led off to captivity in Babylon. There they joined many relatives and friends who had been taken captive ten years before.

Against Religious Nationalism by Joseph Lobo

 Joseph Lobo, SJ 

In some countries a form of religious-cultural nationalism is back in vogue. Religion is exploited both to obtain popular support and to launch a political message that is identified with people’s loyalty and devotion to a nation.[1] It is taken for granted that people have in religion a common identity, origin and history, and that these support an ideological, cultural and religious homogeneity that is strengthened by geopolitical boundaries.

John the Baptist - Nativity - Jun 24th

The Lord called me: You are my servant.

This is the second of the four “servant songs” in Isaiah. (Isaiah 40-50). These songs exalt the perfect Israelite, whose suffering saves many people. (Isaiah 53: ii). In one sense, the songs apply to Israel and to all of its great leaders; but in another sense, they apply ultimately and uniquely to Jesus alone. (Acts 3:13,26)

Birth of John the Baptist - Jun 24 - Liturgy

Greeting (See the First Reading of the Vigil) 

Do not be afraid to speak, says the Lord, for I am with you to protect you.  I am putting my words into your mouth.  Say whatever I command you.  May the Lord speak through us and be always be with you. R/ And also with you.  

Sacred Heart of Jesus and Bl. Moreau

Colgate, Kraft and Heinz were almost 100% Tithers

So far over 14,600 people have viewed this post!
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Did you know that many are or have been almost 100% tithers? Among the many famous ones are William Colgate, (Colgate-Palmolive), James L.  Kraft (Kraft foods), and Henry John Heinz (Ketchup).  All three of these men started out tithing 10%, and so blessed were they by the practice, that at the time of their death, they were giving away almost 100% of their income!
Colgate and his Christian track record

Kingdom of God in Matthew (A): Sundays: 10 to 34

The Sacred heart of Jesus - Jun 19 - Liturgy

THE SACRED HEART OF JESUS  

God Loved Us First 

Greeting (See second reading)

 God loved us before we could love him. He sent us his Son as our Savior and let us share in his Holy Spirit. May this love always be with you. R/ And also be with you. 

11th Week, Wednesday, Jun 17th

2 Kings 2:1, 6-14 / Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18 

Elijah strikes the water: He and Elisha crossed the river dry-shod.

Elijah took his cloak and struck the water. Immediately the water divided, and he and Elisha crossed the river on dry ground. This unusual action serves two purposes. First, it sets the stage for Elisha to repeat the same miracle, confirming that Elijah had passed on to him the power of prophecy.

11th Week, Tuesday, Jun 16th

1 Kings 21:17-29 / Matthew 5:43-48

Ahab’s wife leads him astray: Ahab sinned gravely against God.

A Catholic boy married a non-Catholic girl. After two years of marriage the girl enrolled in the parish RCIA program and became a Catholic. In the months and years that followed, she became deeply involved in the parish. As the boy’s wife became involved, so did the boy. Later he told some of his friends, “If it weren’t for the example and inspiration of my wife, I wouldn’t be involved at all in the Church. I’d probably not even be a Catholic anymore.”