July 8, 2011
Friday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time
By Melanie Rigney
(God said to Jacob:) “Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for there I will make you a great nation.” (Genesis 46:3)
Trust in the Lord and do good, that you may dwell in the land and be fed in security. (Psalms 37:3-4)
“Brother will hand over brother to death, and the father his child; children will rise up against parents and have them put to death. You will be hated by all because of my name, but whoever endures to the end will be saved.” (Matthew 10:21-22)
Piety
Lord, help me to put You first in my life—today, tomorrow, and forever.
Study
In two weeks, some people in our diocese will be commemorating the 150th anniversary of the Civil War’s Battle of First Manassas. Back on July 21, 1861, people from the Washington, D.C., came to Manassas with picnic lunches, settling in to watch an event much as we might do at Wolftrap these days. But instead of a civilized “show,” what they got was the bloodiest battle in our country’s history to that point. Nearly 750 men were dead at the end of the fight, and 1,700 were injured.
War always brings tragedies, but civil wars bring the added pain of brothers fighting against brothers, fathers fighting against sons. Then there are the “cold wars” in our own families, breaks over political issues or lifestyles or addictions or silly little spats for reasons no one can remember anymore that have turned into alienation and betrayal.
In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus reminds us of Micah’s Old Testament warning to trust in the Lord before all. No other human, even those we profess to love the most and who profess to love us, can provide God’s security—and salvation.
Action
Where do you feel insecure in your relationship with Our Father? Consider talking about this with a trusted friend or spiritual adviser.
