Daily Devotion July 20, 2021

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Sunday Reflection (July 18, 2021)

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Because God “so loved the world,” Christ’s Church is everywhere.
Christ’s Church is Catholic, that is, Universal, and because the Church
is universal, no one Church or group of Churches can claim to be the only
true Church. Every Church is particular, yet part of something bigger
than itself. Together, we are being built together to bear witness to God’s
love as revealed in Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:17-22).
 
Because of the leading of the Holy Spirit, the world learns that God 
dwells within us and among us who proclaim and enact the message of
God’s love and compassion. Christ’s Church is the place of God’s
presence. What can we do to make our witness to God’s love and
compassion more inviting to others? What can we do to enact love
and compassion for the whole world?

Prayer for the Week (July 18-July 24, 2021)

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Let us pray:  God, throughout the hours of our days, remain at the center of our thoughts and actions: Father, through the Holy Spirit draw us to you, and hold us together as individuals and as a community of faith. Enable us to focus our hopes as we aim to do your will.   Be our source of loving support through Christ Jesus our Lord.
Amen.

(Glen E. Rainsley, alt.) 

Daily Devotion July 15, 2021

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Daily Devotion July 13, 2021

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Sunday Reflection (July 11, 2021)

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Herod Antipas knew that John the Baptist was, indeed, a true prophet;
yet, when asked for the head of John the Baptist, he could not refuse,
or could he? Of course, he could have refused, but his honor and his
standing were of more importance than the life of John the Baptist.
How often do political elites scheme against others to get ahead?
Despite the popularity of John the Baptist, he had neither the power
nor the position to compel Herod to release him and not have him
murdered. Much like Jesus, John the Baptist was not politically well placed
but God was on his side.

Herod compromised himself which leads to a question for us: Have you
ever been like Herod Antipas? Have you ever compromised your faith in
Christ? That is, you listened and understood and knew the right thing to
do but did not do it? Our reasons for not responding are probably like
Herod’s. We have other concerns that are more important. We have
positions that are more important. But, what is more important than
loving God and our neighbor?

Prayer for the Week (July 11-July 17, 2021)

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Let us pray to be faithful to the light
we have received:
Father, may the light of your truth guide us
to your kingdom through a world filled
with lights contrary to your own.
May our love make us what you have called us
to be in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Amen.
(Sunday Missal, alt.)

Daily Devotion July 8, 2021

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Daily Devotion July 6, 2021

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Prayer for the Week (July 4-July 10, 2021)

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Let us pray that we reject not the Word of God
    coming among his own:
God, our Father without equal, your Son, your Word,
    came among us as one of our own,
    our own flesh and blood.
Dispose us to welcome him always and to listen
    to what he tells us through the Holy Spirit,
    even when his Word upsets and disturbs us,
    for it is a Word of life and grace.
Give us the courage to pass on his Word to one another,
    so that it liberate us all and lead us to you as your one people.
Amen.                                                                                                     (Claretian Publications)