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June 17, 2007: 11th Sunday in Ordinary Time- 2007
June 16, 2007
 

 
 

 
My Prayer Box
the Newsletter of My Catholic Tradition

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A Time for Reflection
 

The Dead Church
A new Pastor in a small Oklahoma town spent the first four days making personal visits to each of the members, inviting them to come to his first services.


The following Sunday the church was all but empty. Accordingly, the Pastor placed a notice in the local newspapers, stating that, because the church was dead, it was everyone's duty to give it a decent Christian burial. The funeral would be held the following Sunday afternoon, the notice said.

Morbidly curious, a large crowd turned out for the "funeral." In front of the pulpit, they saw a closed coffin, smothered in flowers. After the Pastor delivered the eulogy, he opened the coffin and invited his congregation to come forward and pay their final respects to their dead church.

Filled with curiosity as to what would represent the corpse of a "dead church," all the people eagerly lined up to look in the coffin. Each "mourner" peeped into the coffin then quickly turned away with a guilty, sheepish look.

In the coffin, tilted at the correct angle, was a large mirror.

   

 
 

Gideon
The Sixth and Reluctant Judge, the Book of Judges

  Introduction
 
The Book of Judges derives its title from the twelve heroes of Israel whose deeds it records.

They were not magistrates, but military leaders sent by God to aid and to relieve his people in time of external danger. They exercised their activities in the interval of time between the death of Joshua and the institution of the monarchy in Israel.

Gideon is the sixth of the judges and is one of the Major Judges, along with Othniel, Ehud, Barak, Jephthah and Samson.

Just as Moses argued with the LORD over his being chosen, Gideon was quite unsure of how he could deliver Israel from their oppressors.

The Call of Gideon

Again the Israelites offend the LORD, who then delivers them into the power of Midian holding them subject for seven years. For fear of Midian the Israelites establish the fire signals on the mountains, the caves for refuge, and the strongholds.

After the Israelites complete their sowing, as they’ve done before, Midian, Amalek and the Kedemites encamp opposite them. They are intent on destroying the produce of the land as far as the outskirts of Gaza, leaving no sustenance in Israel. There so many of them that when they come into the land they lay it waste.

Being reduced to misery by Midian the Israelites cry out to the LORD, who then sends a prophet who says to the Israelites that these are happening because the LORD has told the Israelites repeatedly not to venerate the gods of the Amorites in whose land they are dwelling but they would not listen.

Then the angel of the LORD comes and appears to Gideon, son of Joash the Abiezrite. The LORD tells Gideon that He will send him to save Israel from the power of Midian. But Gideon answers that how can he save Israel if his family is the meanest in Manasseh, and he is the most insignificant in his father's house. The LORD tells Gideon that He shall be with him.

Gideon asks the LORD not leave until he comes back with his offering before him. The LORD answers that he will await his return. So Gideon goes and prepares a kid and unleavened cakes. He puts the meat in a basket and the broth in a pot, then presents them to the LORD.

The angel of God tells Gideon to lay the meat and unleavened cakes on the rock; then pour out the broth. When he had done so, the angel of the LORD touches the meat and unleavened cakes with the tip of the staff he is holding. Thereupon a fire comes up from the rock which consumes the meat and unleavened cakes, and the angel of the LORD disappears from sight.
Gideon destroys the Altar to Baal

Gideon, now afraid for having seen the angel of the LORD face to face, is assured by the LORD that he shall not die. Gideon builds there an altar to the LORD and calls it Yahweh-shalom.

That same night the LORD tells Gideon to destroy his father's altar to Baal and cut down the sacred pole that is by it. The LORD tells Gideon to build on top of the stronghold an altar to the LORD, instead. Then he is told to take the seven-year-old spare bullock and offer it as a holocaust on the wood from the sacred pole he has cut down. And Gideon does as the LORD commanded.

Early the next morning the townspeople find that the altar of Baal had been destroyed. Later they learn that Gideon, son of Joash, had done it.

So the townspeople say to Joash to bring out his son that he may die. But Joash replies to all who were standing around him, that if he whose altar has been destroyed is a god, let him act for himself! So on that day Gideon is called Jerubbaal, meaning, "Let Baal take action against him, since he destroyed his altar."

Now, all of Midian, Amalek and the Kedemites gather and cross over into the valley of Jezreel, where they encamp.

The spirit of the LORD envelops Gideon. He blows the horn that summons Abiezer to follow him.  He also sends messengers throughout Manasseh, through Asher, Zebulun and Naphtali and these tribes advance to meet the others.

Gideon asks God for a sign, that if indeed He is going to save Israel through him the LORD shall make dew come on the wool alone, while all the ground is dry.

Early the next morning he wrings the dew from the fleece, squeezing out of it a bowlful of water. Yet the ground is dry.

Still unsure, Gideon again asks for another sign - to make the ground wet with dew and the fleece dry.  That night God does so; the fleece alone is dry, but the ground is wet with dew.

Early the next morning Gideon encamps by Enharod with all his soldiers. The camp of Midian is in the valley north of Gibeath-hammoreh.

Choosing Gideon's Army

The LORD tells Gideon that he has too many soldiers with him. With so many men, there would be reason for Gideon's army to claim the victory as their own, instead of giving the credit to the LORD. He tells Gideon to tell the soldiers who are afraid or fearful to leave. Twenty-two thousand of the soldiers leave, but ten thousand remain.

The LORD tells Gideon that there are still too many soldiers. So He tells Gideon to lead them down to the water so the LORD will test them. At the water the LORD tells Gideon to separate those who drink from the water like a dog from those who drink water raised to their mouths by hand. Of them, three hundred chosen men drink water raised to their mouths by hand. Gideon let the rest of the soldiers go.

That night the LORD tells Gideon to attack the Midian camp. After spying on Midian, Gideon tells them to arise, for the LORD has delivered the camp of Midian into their power. He divides the three hundred men into three companies, and provides them all with horns and with empty jars and torches inside the jars. Then he tells them to watch him and follow his lead, and do exactly as he does.

Gideon goes to the edge of the camp, blows his horn, and breaks the jar he was holding and so do the three hundred soldiers with him! Then they hold the torches in their left hands, and in their right they blow the horns, and cry out, "A sword for the LORD and Gideon!"

They all remain standing in place around the camp, while the whole camp fall to running and shouting

and fleeing. Throughout the camp the LORD set the sword of one against another. The army flees. The Israelites are called to arms from Naphtali, from Asher, and from all Manasseh, and they pursue Midian.

Gideon also sends messengers throughout the mountain region of Ephraim to seize the water courses against them as far as Beth-barah, and the Jordan as well.

They capture the two princes of Midian, Oreb and Zeeb, killing Oreb at the rock of Oreb and Zeeb at the wine press of Zeeb. Then they pursue Midian and carry the heads of Oreb and Zeeb to Gideon beyond the Jordan.

But the Ephraimites quarreled bitterly with Gideon for not calling them when he attacked Midian. But Gideon tells the Ephraimites that the LORD has delivered the princes of Midian to them. He also tells them that what he has done is nothing compared to what they have accomplished. Thus their anger against him subsides.

Gideon reaches and crosses the Jordan with his three hundred men exhausted and famished. So Gideon asks the men of Succoth to give his followers some loaves of bread. But they refuse and and indeed, they mock him.

So Gideon tells them that when the LORD has delivered Zebah and Zalmunna into his power, he will come back and grind their flesh in with the thorns and briers of the desert.

Then Gideon goes from there to Penuel and makes the same request of them, but the men of Penuel answer him as had the men of Succoth.  So to the men of Penuel, too, he says that when he returns in triumph, he will demolish their tower.

Now the two kings of Midian, Zebah and Zalmunna are in Karkor with their force of

about fifteen thousand men. Gideon goes up and attacks the camp. Zebah and Zalmunna flee with Gideon in pursuit. He takes them captive throwing the entire army into panic.

Then Gideon returns from battle by the pass of Heres where he captures a young man of Succoth. Upon being questioned the young man lists for him the seventy-seven princes and elders of Succoth.

Then he goes back to Succoth and captures their princes and elders. He gathers thorns and briers of the desert, and grinds the captive men of Succoth into them. He also demolishes the tower of Penuel and slays the men of the city.

The Israelites then asks Gideon to rule over them for he has rescued them from the power of Midian. But Gideon answers them that neither he nor his sons but the LORD must rule over them.

Gideon goes on to say for each of them to give him a ring from his booty. And they spread out a cloak into which everyone throws a ring from his booty. Gideon receives gold rings weighing seventeen hundred gold shekels, in addition to the crescents and pendants, the purple garments worn by the kings of Midian, and the trappings that were on the necks of their camels.

Gideon makes an ephod out of the gold and places it in his city Ophrah. However, all Israel pays idolatrous homage to it there, and causes the ruin of Gideon and his family.

Thus Midian becomes the subject of the Israelites and the land is peaceful for forty years, during the lifetime of Gideon.  Then Jerubbaal, son of Joash, goes back home to stay. Now Gideon has seventy sons, his direct descendants, for he had many wives. His concubine who lived in Shechem also bears him a son, whom he names Abimelech.

At a good old age Gideon, son of Joash, dies and is buried in the tomb of his father Joash in Ophrah of the Abiezrites. But after Gideon dies, the Israelites again abandon themselves to the Baals, making Baal of Berith their god and forgetting the LORD, their God, who had delivered them from the power of their enemies all around them. Nor were they grateful to the family of Jerubbaal (Gideon) for all the good he had done for Israel.

 
For further reading on the heroes of the Old Testament:
I & II Samuel: A Commentary (Old Testament Library)
First sentence in the book:
""THE BOOKS OF SAMUEL contain that part of the history of Israel which describes the foundation of the State, running from the close of the period of the Judges to the establishment of the united kingdom."

 

 
The Sunday Readings

June 17, 2007: Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time

First Reading From the 2nd Book of Samuel:
2 Sm 12:7-10, 13
  Nathan said to David:
“Thus says the LORD God of Israel:
‘I anointed you king of Israel. I rescued you from the hand of Saul. I gave you your lord’s house and your lord’s wives for your own. I gave you the house of Israel and of Judah. And if this were not enough, I could count up for you still more.

Why have you spurned the Lord and done evil in his sight? You have cut down Uriah the Hittite with the sword; you took his wife as your own, and him you killed with the sword of the Ammonites.

Now, therefore, the sword shall never depart from your house, because you have despised me and have taken the wife of Uriah to be your wife.’

Then David said to Nathan,
“I have sinned against the LORD.”

Nathan answered David:
“The LORD on his part has forgiven your sin: you shall not die.”

 
Responsorial From the Book of Psalms:
Ps 32:1-2, 5, 7, 11
R. Lord, forgive the wrong I have done.

Blessed is the one whose fault is taken away, whose sin is covered.
Blessed the man to whom the LORD imputes not guilt,
in whose spirit there is no guile.
R. Lord, forgive the wrong I have done.

I acknowledged my sin to you, my guilt I covered not.
I said, “I confess my faults to the LORD,”
and you took away the guilt of my sin.
R. Lord, forgive the wrong I have done.

You are my shelter; from distress you will preserve me;
with glad cries of freedom you will ring me round.
R. Lord, forgive the wrong I have done.

Be glad in the LORD and rejoice, you just;
exult, all you upright of heart.
R. Lord, forgive the wrong I have done.
 
Second Reading from the Letter to the Galatians
Gal 2:16, 19-21
   
  Brothers and sisters:
We who know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ
and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.

For through the law I died to the law, that I might live for God.

I have been crucified with Christ; yet I live, no longer I, but Christ lives in me; insofar as I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God who has loved me and given himself up for me.

I do not nullify the grace of God; for if justification comes through the law, then Christ died for nothing.

   
 
Reading From the Gospel of Luke:
Lk 7:36—8:3 or 7:36-50
  A Pharisee invited Jesus to dine with him, and he entered the Pharisee’s house and reclined at table.

Now there was a sinful woman in the city who learned that he was at table in the house of the Pharisee. Bringing an alabaster flask of ointment, she stood behind him at his feet weeping and began to bathe his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them, and anointed them with the ointment.

When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know who and what sort of woman this is who is touching him, that she is a sinner.”

Jesus said to him in reply,
“Simon, I have something to say to you.”

“Tell me, teacher, ” he said. “Two people were in debt to a certain creditor; one owed five hundred days’ wages and the other owed fifty. Since they were unable to repay the debt, he forgave it for both. Which of them will love him more?”

Simon said in reply,
“The one, I suppose, whose larger debt was forgiven.”

He said to him, “You have judged rightly.”

Then he turned to the woman and said to Simon,
“Do you see this woman? When I entered your house, you did not give me water for my feet, but she has bathed them with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You did not give me a kiss, but she has not ceased kissing my feet since the time I entered. You did not anoint my head with oil, but she anointed my feet with ointment.

So I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven because she has shown great love. But the one to whom little is forgiven, loves little.”

He said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”

The others at table said to themselves,
“Who is this who even forgives sins?”

But he said to the woman,
“Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”

Afterward he journeyed from one town and village to another, preaching and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. Accompanying him were the Twelve and some women who had been cured of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, Joanna, the wife of Herod’s steward Chuza, Susanna, and many others who provided for them out of their resources.

 

or

 
A Pharisee invited Jesus to dine with him, and he entered the Pharisee’s house and reclined at table.

Now there was a sinful woman in the city who learned that he was at table in the house of the Pharisee. Bringing an alabaster flask of ointment, she stood behind him at his feet weeping and began to bathe his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them, and anointed them with the ointment.

When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this he said to himself,
“If this man were a prophet, he would know who and what sort of woman this is who is touching him, that she is a sinner.”

Jesus said to him in reply,
“Simon, I have something to say to you.”

“Tell me, teacher, ” he said. “Two people were in debt to a certain creditor; one owed five hundred day’s wages and the other owed fifty. Since they were unable to repay the debt, he forgave it for both. Which of them will love him more?”

Simon said in reply,
“The one, I suppose, whose larger debt was forgiven.”

He said to him, “You have judged rightly.”

Then he turned to the woman and said to Simon,
“Do you see this woman? When I entered your house, you did not give me water for my feet, but she has bathed them with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You did not give me a kiss, but she has not ceased kissing my feet since the time I entered. You did not anoint my head with oil, but she anointed my feet with ointment.

So I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven because she has shown great love. But the one to whom little is forgiven, loves little.”

He said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”

The others at table said to themselves,
“Who is this who even forgives sins?”

But he said to the woman,
“Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”

 
 

References

I & II Samuel: A Commentary (Old Testament Library)
First sentence in the book:
""THE BOOKS OF SAMUEL contain that part of the history of Israel which describes the foundation of the State, running from the close of the period of the Judges to the establishment of the united kingdom."
Read more about the Liturgical Year
 

The Origins of the Liturgical Year (Pueblo Books) by Thomas J. Talley (Author) The Rev. Dr. Thomas J. Talley, Professor of Liturgics at the General Theological Seminary in New York, is one of the leading liturgists in the country. He gives us a fresh examination of the complex history of the Liturgical Year.
   
The Cultural World of Jesus: Sunday by Sunday, Cycle C. (Bestseller! the Cultural World of Jesus: Sunday by Sunday) by John J. Pilch (Author)
Reader Review: The book by Pilch provides those who not only fill the pulpits across this country but also all interested in the cultural world in which Jesus lived with a lot of pertinent information that sheds light on a lot of areas that have been "muddled" in the past. Yes, I highly recommend this book. - James Mauldin
   

Learn more and read the Old Testament.

Preaching from the Old Testament by Elizabeth Achtemeier (Author) Reader Review: The author of these thirty-two short chapters begins and ends with the assumption that problems we experience with the Old Testament are our problem, not the Bible's. This subordinating of the Bible reader to the well-weathered book he holds in his hand opens doors, not to forced harmonisations of problematic passages, but to fresh reappraisal of difficult texts on their own terms. - David A. Baer
   
The Navarre Bible: Pentateuch (The Navarre Bible: Old Testament) This volume helps you make the first five books of the Old Testament a vital part of your spiritual reading and practical growth in the Christian life. It contains the full English and Latin texts of these books, along with extensive and faithfully Catholic commentaries. Like other volumes in the world-renowned Navarre Bible series, these commentaries draw on Church documents, the exegesis of Fathers and

Doctors of the Church, and the works of contemporary spiritual writers — particularly St. Josemaría Escrivá, who initiated the Navarre Bible project.

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  Comments and Suggestions are Most Welcome.

If you have any comments or contributions, please use the form in this link.

   
 

Some Hazards at the Beach

 
Dealing with Jellyfish
Jellyfish are among the most unpleasant seawater calamities. Fortunately, most victims make a complete recovery within days. If you or someone you know is stung by a jellyfish, get to shore and contact rescue workers immediately.

If none are present and you are required to address the wound yourself, pour vinegar on the wound to disable the nematocysts. If you do not have vinegar present, use salt water, but DO NOT use anything else. The slightest change in PH level could elicit the release of more venom. Once the nematocysts are disabled, it is time to
  remove them. Before doing so, make sure you have protective clothing, as to ensure you are not wounded while attempting to help. Then, pull the larger portions of the jellyfish out of the wound. Next, take a sharp edge and run it along the wound to remove the smaller, remaining particles. A razor, credit card, or knife will suffice. Then, get the victim to medical care as soon as possible. Doctors will most likely prescribe something to reduce skin irritation.
   
 
Dealing with Sharks
Sharks are the scariest of seawater horrors, but unjustifiably so. Your chances of being bitten by a shark are about as good as your chances of being struck by lightning. Beyond that, only 1% of shark bites are fatal. Lastly, by following a few simple precautions, swimmers and surfers can reduce their chances almost to zero. To understand how to prevent against a shark attack, you need to understand what causes one. In California, there are no sharks that act as natural predators to humans. If someone is bitten by a shark, it is an accident. So, what causes an accident on the shark's part? Swimming in murky waters,
  swimming near sunset or sunrise (when sharks feed), swimming while bleeding, or swimming alone. Sharks are much more likely to confuse one human for a fish than many humans as fish. Avoid those situations, and you should be safe. Sorry, we can't help you with the lightning.
   
 
Understanding Rip Currents
Rip currents are actually a much more real concern than sharks and jellyfish combined. Drowning is one of the leading causes of death in children under the age of 15, and a rip current is a scary situation in which to find yourself. However, most people who drown in a rip current do so because they fight against
it, instead of taking the ride. See, rip currents are caused by a large influx of water (in the form of a large set of waves or increased tide) coming to the shore. Naturally, the water has to return to the ocean. Since water seeks the lowest point, sometimes a rushing underwater torrent of water will form in a low point on the sea floor, like an underwater river. If you get caught in this, it may feel as though you are being tugged underneath, but, in reality, you are being towed out to sea. The good news is
  that the current has to come to an end, eventually.

Your best bet is either to swim parallel to the beach (like swimming across a river) until you have cleared the current or to simply take the ride and let the next set of waves take you back to shore. Whatever you do, don't fight against it. You can't swim against a rip current anymore than you can swim up Niagara Falls.
   
 
Dealing with Stingray
A stingray wound is serious and should receive medical attention. If a stingray barbs you, you should see a doctor as soon as possible.

Stingrays have venom on their barb that can cause a “drastic decrease in blood pressure, increased pulse, dizziness and possible shock.”
   
The barb may break off in the wound and it must be removed by a doctor. The wound will need to be cleaned to avoid infection. The victim may also need a tetanus shot.

If a stingray barbs you, get out of the water and onto the beach and notify emergency services immediately. Apply pressure to control the bleeding.

If the wound is not serious but you are in a lot of pain, soak wound in water as hot as you can stand for half an hour to an hour. Alternatively, wrap hot towels around the wound. Heat helps break down the venom and relieve the pain.

See a doctor immediately.

 
   
 

Recipes

   
 
Crisp Fried Whitebait
Ingredients
SERVES FOUR
Ingredients
Oil, for deep-frying
2/3 cup milk
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 lb whitebait, thawed if frozen

Be very careful with the hot oil in this recipe!

Click here for a Printer Friendly Version
   

Roast Chicken with Herb Cheese, Chili and Lime Stuffing

Ingredients
SERVES FIVE TO SIX
4 lb chicken
1 lime
1/2 cup cream cheese with herbs and garlic
1 mild fresh red chili, seeded and finely chopped

Click here for a Printer Friendly Version

   

Almond Cookies

SERVES FOUR
1 1/4 lb apricots, halved and stoned (pitted)
1/2 cup caster (superfine) sugar
1 cup cream cheese
3 oz gingernut biscuits (gingersnaps), crushed to crumbs

For an even easier version, use 14 oz canned apricots in juice. Use juice from the can to beat into the cream cheese.



Click here for a Printer Friendly Version

   
 

 
 

   
 

Engineering Terms & What They REALLY Mean
Part I

   
  PLEASE NOTE AND INITIAL
  What this actually means:
 

Let's spread the responsibility for the screw up.

  GIVE US THE BENEFIT OF YOUR THINKING
  What this actually means:
 

We'll listen to what you have to say as long as it doesn't interfere with what we've already done.

  GIVE US YOUR INTERPRETATION
  What this actually means:
 

I can't wait to hear this bull!

  SEE ME or LET'S DISCUSS
  What this actually means:
 

What did you do now!

  ALL NEW
  What this actually means:
 

Parts not interchangeable with the previous design.

  RUGGED
  What this actually means:
 

Too d**n heavy to lift!

  LIGHTWEIGHT
  What this actually means:
 

Lighter than RUGGED.

  YEARS OF DEVELOPMENT
  What this actually means:
 

One finally worked.

  ENERGY SAVING