June 3, 2014

Charles Lwanga and companions

June 3, 2014:  St. Charles Lwanga and Companions, Martyrs

Readings
  • Acts 20:17-27  Paul to Miletus presbyters:  “Since I first came to Asia, I've served the Lord and taught you, and I bore witness to repentance and faith.  But now I'm going to Jerusalem; the Spirit has warned me hardships await me there, but I must bear witness to the Gospel and finish the ministry the Lord gave me.  You won't see me again.  I proclaimed God's plan to you, so I'm not responsible for your blood.”

    Wordle: Readings 6-3-14
  • Ps 68:10-11, 20-21  "Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth."  You restored the land and provided your flock for the needy.  The Lord our salvation bears our burdens.

  • Jn 17:1-11a  “Father, glorify your son, so your son may glorify you and give eternal life to all you gave him.  I glorified you by accomplishing the work you gave me; now glorify me with the glory I had with you before.  I revealed your name to those you gave me.  They've kept your word and know everything you gave me is from you and that I came from you.  I pray for the ones you gave me because they're yours.  I'll no longer be in the world, but they are, while I'm coming to you.”
Pope Francis
  • Homily:  Jesus prays for us!  The Lord consoled the people before his Passion and told the Father, "I pray for them."  "Don't sin, but if you do, know we have an advocate before the Father who prays for us..." (1 Jn 2:1).  Jesus is praying for me right now; he's the first advocate and then sends the Paraclete.  Whenever you have a problem or need, ask Jesus to pray for you.  How does he pray?  I don’t believe he talks with the Father much; he loves.  I'm certain he shows his wounds to the Father, as if to say, "They're your children; I saved them with these.  Help them."  Otherwise, why would his body still have wounds after the Resurrection?  He wanted to bring them to heaven to show them to the Father and pray for us.  We must believe that right now Jesus intercedes for us all before the Father.  Don't forget to ask Jesus' intercession:  "Pray for me.  Show the Father your wounds, the wounds of my sin, the wounds of my problem right now."
Music
Reflections
    • Creighton:  Paul reminds church leaders what's been built and how they need to continue to bear witness to Jesus; he didn't let the uncertainty ahead get in the way of proclaiming the Gospel.
    • One Bread One Body:  The Holy Spirit warned Paul that hardships awaited him.  The Spirit warns us of trouble and then gets us into it.  To receive the Spirit, we must volunteer to get in the Spirit's kind of trouble, like losing my job, or life, for keeping my Christian values.
      • DailyScripture.net:  Jesus' 'glory' is the cross, in which God reveals his love and the power of redemption.  Eternal life is having God's life within us.  Knowledge of God is personal knowledge, not merely factual knowledge.  "If only I possessed the grace, good Jesus, to be at one with you!  Amidst everything around me, all I crave is unity with you; unite my soul to your goodness.  You're mine; when shall I be yours?  Lord, my beloved, be the magnet of my heart; clasp, press, unite me to your sacred heart.  You've made me for yourself; make me one with you.  Absorb this drop of life into the ocean of goodness whence it came."  —Prayer of St. Francis de Sales [If you can cite it, please comment or e-mail.]
      • Universalis:  St. Charles Lwanga and 21 companions, Ugandan martyrs; St. Kevin, monastery founder
      Apparel

      • "Question mark" tie pin:  I don't know what will happen to me in Jerusalem (1st reading)
      • "Dove" pin:  "the Holy Spirit has been warning me" (1st reading)
      • "Sheep" tie bar:  Your flock settled in the land (psalm)
      • "Bear" tie bar:  The Lord 'bears' our burdens (psalm)
      • "Eyeball" tie pin:  "Jesus raised his eyes to heaven" (gospel)
      • "Clock" tie bar:  “Father, the hour has come." (gospel)
      • "Kneeling person" tie bar:  "I pray for those you gave me" (gospel)
      • "Hot air balloons" tie:  "Jesus has been taken up to heaven and will return." (Sunday 1st reading)
      • White shirt:  Easter season
      Dress your life!

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