July 4, 2017

July 4

July 4, 2017:  Tuesday, 13th week, Ordinary Time / Independence Day

Find 15 connections with today?
Legend at bottom

Listen
For gospel
For Independence Day
For Psalm 26
  • Gn 19:15-29  Angels urged Lot and family to flee to the hills.  He hesitated; they led them out.  He wanted to flee to Zoar; God spared Zoar while overthowing the Plain.  Lot's wife looked back; she was turned to salt.
    Animate
  • Ps 26:2-3, 9-12  "O Lord, your mercy is before my eyes."  Lord, test my soul and heart.  I walk in your truth.  Redeem me; have mercy.
  • Mt 8:23-27  As Jesus got into a boat, his disciples followed.  When a storm came up, they woke him:  “Lord, save us!” / “Why are you terrified, you of little faith?”  He rebuked the winds and sea, there was calm, and they were amazed:  “What sort of man is this, whom even the winds and sea obey?”
Reflect, with "Jesus calms the storm" gallery
  • Creighton:  Today’s readings call us to contemplate mercy and our need for it.  The story of Lot's rescue from destruction reminds that God’s mercy actively engages us, even when we're reluctant.  When Lot hesitated to leave, angels went so far as to take him by the hand.  Why did Lot hesitate after the dire warning?  It seems he'd rather die than endure the hard journey.  His conduct would likely have disappointed his uncle Abraham.  We understand neither the generosity toward Lot nor his wife's death.   The story shows us God is rich in mercy, even toward those who don't deserve to be rescued.  That mercy may also come from others' prayers.  Let's be grateful for others' prayers and generous with our own.  While Lot's environment may have dulled his senses, the disciples with Jesus saw their need.  When we spend time with Jesus, we're awakened to our need for mercy, and he gives us what we need.  Once the disciples were rescued, they chose to follow Jesus.  Lord, help us spend time with you.  Awaken our sensibilities, and help us respond with gratitude.  Give us faith to pray for others and so share the joy of participating in your mercy.
  • One Bread, One Body:  "Tour guides":  After the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus took the disciples on a tour of healing, miracles, and deliverance:  they saw a leper cleansed, the centurion's servant and Peter's mother-in-law healed, a storm stopped, men delivered from demons, a paralytic cured, Jairus's daughter raised, a hemorrhaging woman cured, blind men given sight, and a mute delivered of a demon and enabled to speak!  Then Jesus asked his disciples to pray for tour guides, workers for the harvest; they became the answer to their own prayers and were given authority.  Jesus has given us "authority to expel unclean spirits and cure sickness and disease," but most Christians don't believe that.  Let's go on tour with Jesus and see his works, then believe....
  • Passionist:  "Lives of courage and peace":  Today's readings tell of God’s directives to Lot to run from the destruction of the evil people of Sodom and Gomorrah, and of Jesus’ dealings with his fearful disciples during a storm.  God, loving, just, and powerful, knows us and provides for us even when we doubt or fear.  As we celebrate our freedom and independence, God journeys with us and challenges us to face daily life as faithful citizens.  The optional Independence Day readings (Is 57:15-19, Phil 4:6-9, Jn 14:23-29) call us to be people of peace.  Isaiah calls for peace, especially for those struggling or dejected in spirit; Paul reminds us to have no anxiety but to turn to God for our needs; Jesus gifts his disciples, “My peace I give you.”  As we encounter evil and human weakness, our faith fosters peace and perspective that gives us reason to celebrate and renew our commitment.  Jesus assures us of his love and gives us his peace.  We find meaning in the Cross as we seek peace and freedom, in uncertainty and suffering, in a culture of violence and death.  With Jesus’ love and encouragement, we freely face life's challenges and see today as a blessing.  May today's celebration help us be grateful and courageous in bringing about true peace and sharing our God-given blessings.
  • DailyScripture.net:  "Why are you afraid, O men of little faith?"  The disciples' faith was asleep; they feared even though their Lord was with them.  When we're tested, Jesus asks us too, Have you no faith?  Recognize the Lord's presence, even in adversity, sorrow, and temptation:  "It is I; don't be afraid."  Believing is only possible through the Holy Spirit, who moves us and opens our mind to truth.  Faith enables us to relate to God with reliance, believing and adhering to his trustworthy word.  Faith must be nourished with the word of God.  Fear doesn't need to cripple us.  Courage with faith enables us to embrace God's word confidently and act on it with hope.  God's love strengthens us and enables us to act with justice and kindness....
Dress legend
  • 'Angel' pin:  Angels seized the hands of Lot and his family (1st reading)
  • 'Alps' pin:  "Get off to the hills" (1st reading)
  • 'Sun' pin:  The sun was rising as Lot arrived in Zoar (1st reading)
  • 'Fire' pin:  The Lord rained fire on Sodom and Gomorrah (1st reading)
  • 'Eyeball' pin:  Lot's wife looked back and was turned into salt (1st reading); the Lord's mercy is before my eyes (psalm)
  • 'Heart' with flag pin:  Lord, test my soul and heart (psalm); flag for Independence Day
  • 'Blood drop' pin:  Don't gather with men of blood... (psalm)
  • 'Hands' pin:  ...on whose hands are crimes and bribes (psalm)
  • 'Walker' tie pin:  I walk in integrity (psalm)
  • 'Feet' pin:  My foot stands on level ground (psalm)
  • 'Boats' tie:  As Jesus got into a boat, his disciples followed him.  (gospel)
  • Red, white, and blue shirt:  Blue for storm (gospel), all for Independence Day
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