The Future of the United States of America.

PurpleFlower · Sep 17, 2021

miker said: ↑

Today’s Mass reading just reinforce in my mind the times we live in and how to responds. Even Jesus’ prayer was NOT to take his disciples out of the world. He had to stay in the world himself to suffer and die. We too must face our cross in the world. But Jesus did pray we would not succumb to evil. He prayed we would never give in to the world. And we would be consecrated to the truth! Truth- something that is a rare commodity in our world today

As St Paul wrote in first reading, we will struggle but in end we too will be raised.

Two very encouraging readings today. Thanks be to God!

Reading 1
2 Cor 4:7-15
Brothers and sisters:
We hold this treasure in earthen vessels,
that the surpassing power may be of God and not from us.
We are afflicted in every way, but not constrained;
perplexed, but not driven to despair;
persecuted, but not abandoned;
struck down, but not destroyed;
always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus,
so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our body.
For we who live are constantly being given up to death
for the sake of Jesus,
so that the life of Jesus may be manifested in our mortal flesh.

So death is at work in us, but life in you.
Since, then, we have the same spirit of faith,
according to what is written, I believed, therefore I spoke,
we too believe and therefore speak,
knowing that the one who raised the Lord Jesus
will raise us also with Jesus
and place us with you in his presence.
Everything indeed is for you,
so that the grace bestowed in abundance on more and more people
may cause the thanksgiving to overflow for the glory of God.

Gospel
Jn 17:11b-19
Jesus raised his eyes to heaven and prayed, saying:
"Holy Father, keep them in your name that you have given me,
so that they may be one just as we are one.
When I was with them I protected them in your name that you gave me,
and I guarded them, and none of them was lost
except the son of destruction,
in order that the Scripture might be fulfilled.
But now I am coming to you.
I speak this in the world
so that they may share my joy completely.
I gave them your word, and the world hated them,
because they do not belong to the world
any more than I belong to the world.
I do not ask that you take them out of the world
but that you keep them from the Evil One.
They do not belong to the world
any more than I belong to the world.
Consecrate them in the truth.
Your word is truth.
As you sent me into the world,
so I sent them into the world.
And I consecrate myself for them,
so that they also may be consecrated in truth."
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bflocatholic said: ↑

Today is also the memorial feast of Sts. Cornelius and Cyprian, two ancient martyrs. Certainly, Cornelius and Cyprian lived in difficult times, as do we. I came across this prayer attributed to St. Cyprian, which I found to be inspiring:

We pray to the Lord without duplicity,
in tune with one another,
entreating God with sighs and tears.
We pray that peace may very soon be restored to us,
that help reach us in our dangers and draw us
from our dark retreats,
and that God's gracious promises find fulfillment.
May we see after the rain, fair weather;
after the darkness, light;
after these storms and tempests, a gentle calm.
Amen.

Sts. Cyprian and Cornelius, pray for us!
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Thank you. These posts are what this forum--all of us--truly needs. Wisdom and encouragement to fill our tanks back up with Christ and keep on going as we pick up our crosses and follow Him.

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The Future of the United States of America.

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