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My Prayer Box
the Newsletter of My Catholic Tradition
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To trivia or not: |
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Answers to last week's
trivia: |
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Who made the annunciation to Mary? |
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The angel Michael |
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The angel Gabriel |
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The angel Raphael |
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St John |
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Which holy shrine contains the house
considered to be where the Word became
incarnate (conception of Jesus) and where
Jesus was raised. |
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Holy House of Loreto |
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Church of the Holy Sepulcher |
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Lourdes |
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Monte San Angelo |
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What name did the Lord give Jacob after he
wrestled an angel? |
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Jacob the Wrestler |
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Israel |
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Esau |
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Isaac |
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A
Lesson from |
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Jacob's Ladder
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In most instances we hold certain places
reserved for one of highest esteem. For
example, we expect the head of our churches to
be seated at the most conspicuous location.
This "shows" respect from us. Heads of states
and presidents of companies, or any one of
notable position are afforded similar signs of
respect. In our homes we do the same. The
head of the household sits at the head of the
table. Everyone else sits around the table
according to his or her perceived position within
the family. |
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You most likely have already read the
story of Jacob's ladder. The biblical account
of Jacob's life including Jacob's Ladder can
be found
at this link.
To summarize, Jacob had to escape from his
twin brother's evil schemes, to the house of
his mother Rebecca's brother, Laban. On his
way to the house of Laban, he rested on a
piece of rock taken from a shrine nearby and
fell asleep. In his sleep Jacob had a dream
that |
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"a stairway rested on the ground, with
its top reaching to the heavens; and God's
messengers were going up and down on it."
Genesis 28:12
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Now the question comes up: where was God in
this dream? One would expect that God would be
found at the top of the stairway - a place of
honor for most people. What's amazing about
this story comes on the next verse: |
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And there was the LORD standing beside
him ...
Genesis 28:13
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The Lord could have easily been at the top of the
ladder, as a supreme being and God of all. But
he was not. He was standing right beside Jacob!
The message of course is that no matter
what the trials are in our life, God is always
beside us, for us. |
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This story may have been the
inspiration of the poem "Footsteps in the
Sand." |
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Footsteps In The Sand
One night a man had a dream.
He dreamed he was walking along the beach
with the LORD.
Across the sky flashed scenes from his life.
For each scene, he noticed two sets of
footprints in the sand:
one belonging to him, and the other to the
LORD.
When the last scene of his life flashed
before him
he looked back, at the footprints in the
sand.
He noticed that many times along the path of
his life
there was only one set of footprints.
He also noticed that it happened at the very
lowest and saddest times of his life.
This really bothered him and he questioned
the LORD about it:
"LORD, you said that once I decided to
follow you,
you'd walk with me all the way.
But I have noticed that during the most
troublesome times in my life
there is only one set of footprints.
I don't understand why when I needed you
most you would leave me."
The LORD replied:
"My son, My precious child, I love you and I
would never leave you,
During your times of trial and suffering,
when you see only one set of footprints, it
was then that I carried you."
Author unknown*
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Although progeny* is in question, the
poem is still awesome and powerful! |
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*Authorship of
"Footsteps in the Sand" had always been in
question (see
write up here) with about a
dozen people claiming to be the real author.
Some sources credit
Mary Stevenson as the author, although
she, Floyd Keeton, Carolyn Joyce Carty and
Margaret Fishback Powers each hold separate
Registration Numbers awarded by the U.S.
Copyright Office for versions filed that
differ only in minor points. Please note that
a copyright may not infer authorship. On May
12, 2008 the estate of Mary Stevenson filed a
copyright infringement lawsuit against Carolyn
Joyce Carty and Margaret Fishback Powers
at the US Federal Court (Eastern District
of New York). I am not sure from whose filed
version the poem above comes. |
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Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
July 12, 2009
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First Reading From
the
Book of the
Prophet Amos: |
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Am 7:12-15 |
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Amaziah, priest of Bethel, said to Amos,
"Off with you, visionary, flee to the land of
Judah! There earn your bread by prophesying,
but never again prophesy in Bethel; for it is the
king's sanctuary and a royal temple."Amos
answered Amaziah, "I was no prophet, nor have I
belonged to a company of prophets; I was a
shepherd and a dresser of sycamores. The LORD took
me from following the flock, and said to me, Go,
prophesy to my people Israel." |
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Responsorial From the Book of Psalms:
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Ps 85:9-10, 11-12, 13-14 |
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R. (8) Lord, let us see your kindness, and
grant us your salvation.
I will hear what God proclaims;
the LORD —for he proclaims peace.
Near indeed is his salvation to those who fear
him,
glory dwelling in our land.
R. Lord, let us see your kindness, and grant us
your salvation.
Kindness and truth shall meet;
justice and peace shall kiss.
Truth shall spring out of the earth,
and justice shall look down from heaven.
R. Lord, let us see your kindness, and grant us
your salvation.
The LORD himself will give his benefits;
our land shall yield its increase.
Justice shall walk before him,
and prepare the way of his steps.
R. Lord, let us see your kindness, and grant us
your salvation. |
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Second Reading from the Letter to the
Ephesians |
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Eph 1:3-14 or Eph 1:3-10 |
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Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus
Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every
spiritual blessing in the heavens, as he chose us
in him, before the foundation of the world, to be
holy and without blemish before him.
In love he destined us for adoption to himself
through Jesus Christ, in accord with the favor of
his will, for the praise of the glory of his grace
that he granted us in the beloved.
In him we have redemption by his blood, the
forgiveness of transgressions, in accord with the
riches of his grace that he lavished upon us.
In all wisdom and insight, he has made known to
us the mystery of his will in accord with his
favor that he set forth in him as a plan for the
fullness of times, to sum up all things in Christ,
in heaven and on earth.
In him we were also chosen, destined in accord
with the purpose of the One who accomplishes all
things according to the intention of his will, so
that we might exist for the praise of his glory,
we who first hoped in Christ.
In him you also, who have heard the word of
truth, the gospel of your salvation, and have
believed in him, were sealed with the promised
holy Spirit, which is the first installment of our
inheritance toward redemption as God's possession,
to the praise of his glory. |
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or |
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Eph 1:3-10 Blessed be the God and Father
of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in
Christ with every spiritual blessing in the
heavens, as he chose us in him, before the
foundation of the world, to be holy and without
blemish before him.
In love he destined us for adoption to himself
through Jesus Christ, in accord with the favor of
his will, for the praise of the glory of God's
grace that he granted us in the beloved.
In him we have redemption by his blood, the
forgiveness of transgressions, in accord with the
riches of his grace that he lavished upon us.
In all wisdom and insight, he has made known to
us the mystery of his will in accord with his
favor that he set forth in him as a plan for the
fullness of times, to sum up all things in Christ,
in heaven and on earth. |
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Reading From the
Gospel of Mark:
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Mk 6:7-13 |
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Jesus summoned the Twelve and began to send
them out two by two and gave them authority over
unclean spirits.
He instructed them to take nothing for the
journey but a walking stick— no food, no sack, no
money in their belts. They were, however, to wear
sandals but not a second tunic. |
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He said to them,
"Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you
leave. Whatever place does not welcome you or
listen to you, leave there and shake the dust off
your feet in testimony against them." So they
went off and preached repentance. The Twelve drove
out many demons, and they anointed with oil many
who were sick and cured them. |
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References |
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Render Unto Caesar: Serving the Nation by Living our Catholic Beliefs in Political Life
by
Charles J. Chaput
(Author)
“At a time
when the ‘faith and values’ vote has never
been more important, Archbishop Charles Chaput
deftly explores the intersection of morality,
reason, and politics. |
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This isn’t
just a book for Catholics, but for anyone who
cares about the state of America’s soul —and
how that concern might shape the 2008
elections.”
—John
L. Allen Jr., NCR and CNN senior Vatican
correspondent,
Amazon |
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Happiness Is a Serious
Problem: A Human Nature Repair Manual
by Dennis Prager.
In this unique blend of self-help and moral
philosophy, talk-radio host Dennis Prager
asserts that we're actually obligated to be
happy, because it makes us better people.
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Praying With Frederic Ozanam (Companions for the Journey Series)
- Paperback, by Ronald Cm Ramson (Author) |
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Praying With Louise De Marillac (Companions for the Journey Series)
by Audrey Gibson (Author), Kieran Kneaves
(Author) |
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Praying with Vincent de Paul (Companions for the
Journey)
2004, by Thomas McKenna
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The Rise of Christianity: How the Obscure, Marginal, Jesus Movement Became the Dominant Religious Force ....
(Paperback)
by
Rodney Stark (Author)
From the Publisher |
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"... this account of Christianity's remarkable
growth within the Roman Empire is already the
subject of much fanfare. "Anyone who
has puzzled over Christianity's rise to
dominance... must read it," ...
Read
the first page. |
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Living Liturgy: Spirituality, Celebration, and Catechesis for Sundays and Solemnities - Year B - 2009
by C.PP.S. Joyce Ann
Zimmerman (Author), Thomas A. Greisen (Author),
S.N.D. de N. Kathleen Harmon (Author), M.S.
Thomas L. Leclerc (Author) |
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"Perfect for home use or to prepare for weekly
liturgy . . . It includes help for the
celebration, ideas for catechesis on the
particular event, and ways to understand the
readings more deeply. Finally, it includes
sample questions from which priests, deacons,
lay groups, ministers and others can jump off
into deeper discussion." |
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Straight Answers, Answers to 100 Questions about
the Catholic Faith
by Ph.D Rev. William P.
Saunders (Author)
Review by:
Reverend William G. Curlin Bishop of Charlotte
Straight Answers offers Catholics a simple and
direct response |
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to the many questions
concerning the Catholic Church. It spells out
profound truths in very simple language for all
who seek a better understanding of their Faith.
I highly recommend it for Catholics, both young
and old. |
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The Power of Intention: Learning to Co-create Your World Your Way
From Amazon: |
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After years of spiritual study and reflection,
inspirational speaker and bestselling
author Wayne Dyer has emerged a highly esteemed
teacher. His current message about tapping into
the power of intention may sound like good old
positive thinking: just stay focused on what you
want, rather than focusing on the lack of having
what you want. But the teaching here goes deeper
than just controlling thoughts (although he does
acknowledge that thought control is a
surprisingly challenging and significant
endeavor).
This book might
help readers land a better job, but it's more
relevant for those who are ready to detach from
an ego-driven life filled with quick fixes of
happiness and step into a more authentic,
joyful, and spiritually fulfilling life. His
core teachings speak to tapping into a universal
source of energy that can also be called the
"power of intention." |
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The Chariot of Israel: Exploits of the Prophet of Elijah
THE CHARIOT OF ISRAEL: When Elijah was caught up
to heaven, his disciple Elisha cried out, "the
chariot of Israel, and its horsemen." Elisha was
referring not to the chariot but to the prophet.
This study of Elijah’s life will captivate you
as |
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it walks you through a
pivotal period in Israel’s history, and
illustrative maps will give you a better
picture of the physical geography of this
ancient land. |
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The First Book of Kings (Cambridge Bible Commentaries on the Old Testament) This
volume of commentary on the New English Bible text of the First Book of Kings
follows the pattern of the now well-established series on the Old and New
Testaments. The main divisions of the text are those provided |
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by the New English Bible
itself, but these are further subdivided for the
purposes of the commentary, which is printed in
short sections following the relevant portion of
the text.
Canon Robinson suggests that the editors of I
Kings compiled their history in order to teach
the Hebrews that their existence as Israel, the
covenant people of God, depended upon their
continuing loyalty to their own religious
traditions, and their refusal to exchange them
for the very different traditions of the
Canaanites among whom they lived.
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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." |
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Read more about the Liturgical Year |
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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. |
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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 |
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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 |
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Learn more and read the Old Testament. |
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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
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harmonisations
of problematic passages, but to fresh
reappraisal of difficult texts on their
own terms. -
David A. Baer |
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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
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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.
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Comments and Suggestions are Most Welcome.
If you have any comments or contributions,
please
use the form in this link.
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© 2006. My Catholic Tradition. All rights reserved |
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Rey
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