Friday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time
The law of the LORD is perfect, refreshing the soul.
The decree of the LORD is trustworthy, giving wisdom to the simple.
The precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart.
The command of the LORD is clear, enlightening the eye.
The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever.
The statutes of the LORD are true, all of them just;
More desirable than gold, than a hoard of purest gold,
Sweeter also than honey or drippings from the comb. (Psalm 19:8-11)
Piety
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred let me sow love.
Where there is injury; pardon.
Where there is doubt; faith.
Where there is despair; hope.
Where there is darkness; light.
Where there is sadness; joy. (Peace Prayer of
Study
http://www.usccb.org/nab/072707.shtml
Today, the readings have us focus upon doing the right thing based upon listening and understanding of the scriptures. Listen to the Lord. Understand What He is telling us. Do the right thing.
Listening can only happen when we go off, alone to a quiet place to let the Lord speak to us. Piety is intense two-way communication with the Lord.
Like with any friend, we let Him know how much we admire Him. We share our faults and short-comings with the Lord in these frequent conversations. We thank Him for how he helps us every day. We ask Him to continue to help us further in the future.
Adoration. Confessional. Thanksgiving. Supplication.
Sometimes, the message the Lord has for us requires that we learn more about what He has revealed. Scripture study makes the words of Sacred Scripture come alive.
Do the right thing. Whether focusing on the Ten Commandments of the Hebrew Bible or the two commandments Jesus gave in the New Testament, right actions and right relationships are the vital final link in fulfilling our duties once we understand, through faith, the message the Lord has for us.
Three steps we are reminded about today. Piety. Study. Action. But you already know that these three steps of piety, study and action are sweeter than all the honey.
Action
Last Sunday, in an address following the Angelus, Pope Benedict XVI spoke of the senseless slaughter of the wars going on throughout the world. He said that war creates patches of “hell” in this marvelous “garden” which God has entrusted to us to care and tend.
In the midst of this beauty, we must never forget the situations in which our brothers and sisters at times find themselves. War, with its aftermath of bereavement and destruction, has always been deemed a disaster in opposition to the plan of God, who created all things for existence and particularly wants to make the human race one family.
Similar feelings about war recently prompted Catholic members of the House of Representatives to address a letter to the
The Bishops have since requested meetings with representatives of BOTH parties in Congress.
Numerous resources have been posted on the internet from the bishops, including the four priority messages to Congress. These include a call for peace in the Middle East both in
As the bishops gear up for more leadership activity to bring people to the world, consider sending your members of Congress a note about the war. Review the statement for key points. You can find it at http://www.usccb.org/sdwp/projects/200702csmghm.pdf
As Pope Benedict spoke: The beauty of nature reminds us that we have been appointed by God to “tend and care for” this "garden" which is the Earth (cf. Genesis 2: 8-17), and I see that you truly tend and take care of this beautiful garden of God, a true paradise. So, when people live in peace with God and one another, the earth truly resembles a “paradise.”
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