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Sunday, September 5, 2010:  (TWENTY-THIRD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME)  Readings for today:  Wisdom 9:13-18b  /  Philemon 9-10, 12-17  /  Luke 14:25-33:

 

Reading I - A reading from the book of Wisdom (Wisdom 9:13-18b):

 

13
Who can know God's counsel, or who can conceive what our LORD intends?
14
For the deliberations of mortals are timid, and unsure are our plans.
15
For the corruptible body burdens the soul and the earthen shelter weighs down the mind that has many concerns.
16
And scarce do we guess the things on earth, and what is within our grasp we find with difficulty; but when things are in heaven, who can search them out?
17
Or who ever knew your counsel, except you had given Wisdom and sent your holy spirit from on high?
18
And thus were the paths of those on earth made straight.

 

 

Responsorial Psalm - (Psalm 90:3-4, 5-6, 12-13, 14-17):

 

R. (1) In every age, O Lord, you have been our refuge.


You turn man back to dust,
saying, "Return, O children of men."
For a thousand years in your sight
are as yesterday, now that it is past,
or as a watch of the night.


R. In every age, O Lord, you have been our refuge.


You make an end of them in their sleep;
the next morning they are like the changing grass,
Which at dawn springs up anew,
but by evening wilts and fades.


R. In every age, O Lord, you have been our refuge.


Teach us to number our days aright,
that we may gain wisdom of heart.
Return, O LORD! How long?
Have pity on your servants!


R. In every age, O Lord, you have been our refuge.


Fill us at daybreak with your kindness,
that we may shout for joy and gladness all our days.
And may the gracious care of the LORD our God be ours;
prosper the work of our hands for us!
Prosper the work of our hands!


R.
In every age, O Lord, you have been our refuge.

 

 

 

Reading II - A reading from the letter of St. Paul to Philemon (Philemon 9-10. 12-17):

 

9
I, Paul, an old man, and now also a prisoner for Christ Jesus.
10
I urge you on behalf of my child Onesimus, whose father I have become in my imprisonment,
12
I am sending him, that is, my own heart, back to you.
13
I should have liked to retain him for myself, so that he might serve 11 me on your behalf in my imprisonment for the gospel,
14
but I did not want to do anything without your consent, so that the good you do might not be forced but voluntary.
15
Perhaps this is why he was away from 12 you for a while, that you might have him back forever,
16
no longer as a slave but more than a slave, a brother, beloved especially to me, but even more so to you, as a man 13 and in the Lord.
17
So if you regard me as a partner, welcome him as you would me.

 

 

 

Gospel - A reading from the Holy Gospel according to St. Luke (Luke 14:25-33):

 

25
6 Great crowds were traveling with Jesus, and he turned and addressed them,
26
"If any one comes to me without hating his father 7 and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple.
27
Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.
28
Which of you wishing to construct a tower does not first sit down and calculate the cost to see if there is enough for its completion?
29
Otherwise, after laying the foundation and finding himself unable to finish the work the onlookers should laugh at him
30
and say, 'This one began to build but did not have the resources to finish.'
31
Or what king marching into battle would not first sit down and decide whether with ten thousand troops he can successfully oppose another king advancing upon him with twenty thousand troops?
32
But if not, while he is still far away, he will send a delegation to ask for peace terms.
33
In the same way, everyone of you who does not renounce all his possessions cannot be my disciple.
 

 

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09/05/10- Tracy L. Dong on the readings for today:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U1QuiqkQDs4

 

 

 

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Sunday, August 29, 2010:  (TWENTY-SECOND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME)  Readings for today:  Sirach 3:17-18, 20, 28-29  /  Hebrews 12:18-19, 22-24a  /  Luke 14:1, 7-14:

 

Reading I - A reading from the book of Sirach (Sirach 3:17-18, 20, 28-29):

 

17
2 My child, conduct your affairs with humility, and you will be loved more than a giver of gifts.
18
Humble yourself the more, the greater you are, and you will find favor with God.
20
What is too sublime for you, seek not, into things beyond your strength search not.
28
The mind of a sage appreciates proverbs, and an attentive ear is the wise man's joy.
29
4 Water quenches a flaming fire, and alms atone for sins.

 

 

Responsorial Psalm - (Psalm 68:4-5, 6-7, 10-11):

 

R. (cf. 11b) God, in your goodness, you have made a home for the poor.


The just rejoice and exult before God;
they are glad and rejoice.
Sing to God, chant praise to his name;
whose name is the LORD.


R. God, in your goodness, you have made a home for the poor.


The father of orphans and the defender of widows
is God in his holy dwelling.
God gives a home to the forsaken;
he leads forth prisoners to prosperity.


R. God, in your goodness, you have made a home for the poor.


A bountiful rain you showered down, O God, upon your inheritance;
you restored the land when it languished;
your flock settled in it;
in your goodness, O God, you provided it for the needy.


R.
God, in your goodness, you have made a home for the poor.

 

 

 

Reading II - A reading from the letter of St. Paul to the Hebrews (Hebrews 12:18-19, 22-24a):

 

Brothers and sisters:

18
4 You have not approached that which could be touched 5 and a blazing fire and gloomy darkness and storm
19
and a trumpet blast and a voice speaking words such that those who heard begged that no message be further addressed to them
22
No, you have approached Mount Zion and the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and countless angels in festal gathering,
23
and the assembly of the firstborn enrolled in heaven, 6 and God the judge of all, and the spirits of the just made perfect,
24
and Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and the sprinkled blood that speaks more eloquently 7 than that of Abel.

 

 

 

Gospel - A reading from the Holy Gospel according to St. Luke (Luke 14:1, 7-14):

 

1
1 On a sabbath Jesus went to dine at the home of one of the leading Pharisees, and the people there were observing him carefully.
7
4 He told a parable to those who had been invited, noticing how they were choosing the places of honor at the table.
8
"When you are invited by someone to a wedding banquet, do not recline at table in the place of honor. A more distinguished guest than you may have been invited by him,
9
and the host who invited both of you may approach you and say, 'Give your place to this man,' and then you would proceed with embarrassment to take the lowest place.
10
Rather, when you are invited, go and take the lowest place so that when the host comes to you he may say, 'My friend, move up to a higher position.' Then you will enjoy the esteem of your companions at the table.
11
For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted."
12
Then he said to the host who invited him, "When you hold a lunch or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or your wealthy neighbors, in case they may invite you back and you have repayment.
13
Rather, when you hold a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind;
14
blessed indeed will you be because of their inability to repay you. For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous."

 

 

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08/31/10-  Video of Today's Gospel  (Luke 14:1-35):  The gospel is read aloud for you so you don't have to read it...in case you don't like to read.

 

http://vimeo.com/12328070

 

Luke 14:1-35 from Steve Shockey on Vimeo.

 

 

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Sunday, August 22, 2010:  (TWENTY-FIRST SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME)  Readings for today:  Isaiah 66:18-21  /  Hebrews 12:5-7, 11-13  /  Luke 13:22-30:

 

Reading I - A reading from the book of the Prophet Isaiah (Isaiah 66:18-21):

 

Thus says the LORD:

18
3 I know their works and their thoughts, and I come to gather nations of every language; they shall come and see my glory.
19
I will set a sign among them; from them I will send fugitives to the nations: to Tarshish, Put and Lud, Mosoch, Tubal and Javan, to the distant coastlands that have never heard of my fame, or seen my glory; and they shall proclaim my glory among the nations.
20
They shall bring all your brethren from all the nations as an offering to the LORD, on horses and in chariots, in carts, upon mules and dromedaries, to Jerusalem, my holy mountain, says the LORD, just as the Israelites bring their offering to the house of the LORD in clean vessels.
21
Some of these I will take as priests and Levites, says the LORD.

 

 

 

Responsorial Psalm - (Psalm 117:1, 2):

 

R. (Mk 16:15) Go out to all the world and tell the Good News.

Praise the LORD all you nations;
glorify him, all you peoples!


R. Go out to all the world and tell the Good News.

For steadfast is his kindness toward us,
and the fidelity of the LORD endures forever.


R. Go out to all the world and tell the Good News.

 

 

 

Reading II - A reading from the letter of St. Paul to the Hebrews (Hebrews 12:5-7, 11-13):

 

Brothers and sisters,

5
You have forgotten the exhortation addressed to you as sons: "My son, do not disdain the discipline of the Lord or lose heart when reproved by him;
6
for whom the Lord loves, he disciplines; he scourges every son he acknowledges."
7
Endure your trials as "discipline"; God treats you as sons. For what "son" is there whom his father does not discipline?
11
At the time, all discipline seems a cause not for joy but for pain, yet later it brings the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who are trained by it.
12
So strengthen your drooping hands and your weak knees.
13
Make straight paths for your feet, that what is lame may not be dislocated but healed.

 

 

 

Gospel - A reading from the Holy Gospel according to St. Luke (Luke 13:22-30):

 

22
9 Jesus passed through towns and villages, teaching as he went and making his way to Jerusalem.
23
Someone asked him, "Lord, will only a few people be saved?" He answered them,
24
"Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I tell you, will attempt to enter but will not be strong enough.
25
After the master of the house has arisen and locked the door, then will you stand outside knocking and saying, 'Lord, open the door for us.' He will say to you in reply, 'I do not know where you are from.'
26
And you will say, 'We ate and drank in your company and you taught in our streets.'
27
Then he will say to you, 'I do not know where (you) are from. Depart from me, all you evildoers!'
28
And there will be wailing and grinding of teeth when you see Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God and you yourselves cast out.
29
And people will come from the east and the west and from the north and the south and will recline at table in the kingdom of God.
30
For behold, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last."

 

 

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08/22/10- The Alien-Demon Agenda Part 1:

 

http://www.tribulation-now.com/2010/06/alien-demon-agenda-part-1.html

 

Tuesday, June 29, 2010

The Alien Demon Agenda (Part 1)

 

 
The Demonic Hierarchy
And some of their challenges ...

When you attempt to unravel the extremely complex dynamics of this total onslaught of humanity by Lucifer's army, you begin to discover a lot of new concepts, plans, terminology, and technologies.  Over a year ago I began to think that America appeared to be the Great Babylon, because the descriptions of it in Jeremiah 50, 51 and Revelation 18 were so evident.  I had already seen what this country was doing on a global level.  I read the book by John Perkins, entitled "The Economic Hit Man" and there was no question the U.S. was "conquering" the globe under the cloak of humanitarian cause.

But then you read "Behold a Pale Horse" by William Cooper.  He was a high ranking military officer involved in the U.S. cover-up of this "alien / demon" phenomena (until "they"executed him).  Cooper, being on the front lines, was tormented spiritually and even began to question his belief in Christianity.  Cooper was a highly credible insider who had access to Top Secret military documentation and insider sources and saw these "things" with his own eyes.  He confirmed the unthinkable.  He confirmed that, not only had the U.S. government known and consorted with these "alien" entities, but in FACT had actually signed "Treaties" with them.  Agreements. 

Or as our Lord, the Most High God, and King Jesus would put it ... they signed OATHS!


Oaths Signed Directly with the DEVIL

These "oaths" of agreement, or treaties, allowed these demonic entities to have a certain amount of freedom and secrecy in exchange for "technological know-how".  In exchange for this technology, our government agreed to "allow" these demons free access to "human beings" for their own purposes.  We "agreed", (with some rather pathetic restrictions), to allow them to "harvest" human beings and perform abominations on their bodies.  The U.S. government told LUCIFER he could have the "bodies" and "souls" of God's greatest creations (in his "own image") to torment, torture, mutilate, and genetically alter. 

THINK ABOUT THAT

In fact, (while I will try to tackle this most difficult concept in a later article), these demon entities, not only genetically tinker with our bodies and create very "human looking" versions of themselves ... BUT... they have reportedly perfected this activity referred to as "soul scalping".  Suffice it to say, "soul scalping" is the act of using extremely advanced technologies to harvest the human "life force" from the living body and put it into "containers" to use in another "body-like" form for their own purposes.

I refer you to the an excerpt from
"Aliens, Demons, Nephilim, Time Travel and God" (Part 4).  Remember this stuff was happening 2,000 years ago.
 
Another thing these Bacchae were known for is wearing demonic bracelets or "bands". · The Bacchae are biblically famous as they would wear "magic bands" called "kesatot". These bands would entrap the souls of their victims.
Ez. 13:20

"Therefore, thus says the Lord GOD, "Behold I am against your magic bands [kesatot] by which you hunt lives [souls] there as birds, and I will tear them off your arms; and I will let them go, even those lives [souls] whom you hunt as birds"

NAS
Since these "Bacchae" were able to capture souls of humans with their "magic bracelets" and demonic rituals, how arrogant must we be to think that Lucifers' own demonic alien armies have not "technologically" perfected this in their alien abduction activities?

Now that I have your attention, let's digress to a less sinister concept.  Let's investigate the challenges they face with their "reporting hierarchy" ... top down.


The Question of "When"?

The question I get asked more than any other question is "when".  When will this all start to happen?  Will it really be 2010 that the U.S. is toppled to effect their global control objective?  My answer is always the same.  Only God knows for sure. 

Our Lord draws lines in the sand, and allows these things to happen to OUR GLORY - AMEN!  We must never forget, as this play unfolds, that WE WIN.  Take the time to go back and read about the wonderful period we have awaiting us in the Millennium in the the last article posted here:

Heaven on Earth, a Sneak Peak of Our Future
http://www.tribulation-now.com/2010/06/heaven-on-earth-sneak-peak-of-our.html


The Demonic Control Hierarchy
Why is Even Their Timeline in Question?

There are a lot of fascinating "behind the scenes" dynamics at work we often overlook. For example, you have this earthy hierarchy taking orders from the "demonic". Then you have the earthly "manifestation" of the demonic in the flesh (e.g. the reptilian / alien entities and many more).


The Demons on Earth NEED the Demons in Other Dimensions

However I find it MOST INTERESTING, that these "earthy" demonic manifestations have this NEED to make contact with the "other dimensional" demons, as evidenced by their Satanic rituals and sacrificial ceremonies. I find that REMARKABLE. This implies that this "hierarchy" extends into the other dimensions (1st and 2nd Heavens) and there is a requirement for "contact" into these realms.  WHY?  This need is further underscored by their hunger to break-through these dimensions with "star-gate like" technologies such as the CERN Accelerator.  There is no question they "need" a break-through.  PUN-INTENDED.



The Earth-Bound Physical Demons

Then below that "hierarchy" you have the multiple levels of Satanic power structures here on earth. Arguably they are led by the "reptilian" entities top down. But again, this line gets blurred by the fact that these "reptilian" entities live inside the energy forces of the human bloodlines they control (in some cases, not all however). These "earthly" Satanic power structures work in concert with one another through organized and coordinated rituals on a global level and set up their power epicenters along these "ley lines".

Now amongst these "pockets" of earthly Satanic power levels (the Brotherhood, the multiple levels of the Masonic Order, the Rosicrucians, the various "Orders" of this and that, the Committee of 300, the Trilateral Commission, the "Royalty" etc.) you have some FREE WILL. You always have "free will". If it wasn't for this "free will" dynamic you wouldn't have had the Luciferian Rebellion in the first place. So THAT comes into play.

 
Oh and just to "wet your whistle" a bit more.  Were you aware the insignia of the Trilateral Commission, is the exact insignia these "alien / demon" entities display on both their garb and their technological space buggies?


Military Commanders, Black Ops, and High Level Insiders

THEN you progress downward into the levels of the Military, and Governments. When you consider ALL the people that have been assassinated (from government / military leaders, to scientists and bio-weapons experts, to DUMB workers, to escaped Brotherhood members, to whistle blowers at all levels) you start to see that "THEY" are threatened by information leaks.

Moreover "they" are infinitely concerned with uncontrolled uprisings. I believe this concern over "human uprising" is a huge worry of theirs. This is probably because they have got their butts kicked in the past as a result of unexpected consequences in their own orchestrated wars etc. These unexpected uprisings have most likely caused delays which they had to work around through subsequent years of alternative strategies and manipulation. THEY are very careful about how quick "they" do something. Careful control is paramount to these entities.

We ARE a threat to them.


Department Heads and Organizational Leaders

Now further down the hierarchy you have their "commanders" or official department heads. These folks are probably not "in on the whole deal" but are good "order takers". How much any of these "order takers" know is up for grabs. I am utterly fascinated by the book "Behold a Pale Horse" by William Cooper, because "they" could have killed him long before that book got released. And they actually tried a couple times.

The fact is that THEY cannot read our minds. "They" actually need resources "on the ground" to do reconnaissance. "They" depend on "earthly" technologies to "hear and see" what we are doing. This level of "order takers" is a huge threat to "them". They know just enough to stir up a world of hurt and "they" need a LOT OF THEM to do their bidding.

 
This explains why "their" strategy is to kill or eliminate the x-military veterans and trained forces in the first round as a threat. When these "things" manifest in the flesh, "they" are vulnerable to our technological weaponry.

"They" are vulnerable to us, just as we were vulnerable to the American Indians arrows even though we had guns. A lot of pissed off people with rocks in their hands can overtake battalions of soldiers by sheer numbers alone.


Law Enforcement, Government Workers, The Good Ones

The next level down you have the people in law enforcement, government workers (FEMA / Homeland Security), regular military and x-military, and other people with limited powers of authority.

During Katrina, "they" actually called in "Blackwater" mercenaries. This is because there were military and regular law enforcement personnel that were extremely reluctant to do "door to door" gun confiscation. Just like with the lying situation at Waco, Texas, nobody in New Orleans shot guns at the helicopters as "they" claimed. It was a setup orchestrated to execute a plan of attack and to "practice" the drill.

The misinformation perpetuated by these lying news reports spreads like a fire throughout this "level" of much needed "law enforcement" workers to make them "think" they are threatened by the general populous. These lies are further amplified by additional military and law enforcement drills happening every month across the country. These lying drills and "exercises" have been going on for more than 15 years. If you have any doubt, watch the Police State series documentaries from Alex Jones on YouTube.  Or better yet, forfeit a 12 pack, and buy one of the DVDs.

 

The Common Man and the Armed Citizenry

And then further down this "people control" pyramid, you have the "armed citizens" of this country. As proven by their "orchestrated" practice drill called "The War of the Worlds" radio broadcast on Sunday October 30th, 1938, the citizens of the United States grabbed their guns and went out to kill these "demon / aliens".

This was arguably one of the most important "proof of concept" drills these entities have ever executed. They needed to know what the impact might be should "they" be "announced" on a large scale. The actions of the citizens of this country at that time, almost certainly delayed their plans to "manifest" themselves even earlier than today.


The Importance of Martial Law to Their Objective

This is why martial law and the help of foreign troops is utterly key to the upset of this country. The hierarchy of the United States government structure is a major stumbling block for their control timeline. This idea of the individual "states" having veto powers over their "central command" in D.C. is throwing rocks into their "gear box" all the time. This is why the Federal Government continues to usurp the States powers at an alarming rate. This is also why you see the Federal government commandeering the National Guard and getting them out of the way as much as possible (or using them in "other" contrived emergency situations).
 
All things considered, it seems to me, "they" know they must have some type of martial law in place and they MUST have the vast majority of the country under their militaristic control BEFORE they spring their "alien" DELUSION upon us.  Otherwise, through their own "proof of concept" testing, they know as a fact they are in for a huge hill of crap.  When the "good old boy" citizenry of the USoA sees these "creatures" with their own eyes, they know - ALL BETS ARE OFF.
 
 
THE GREATEST POWER & THREAT TO THEM ALL
 
And indeed, the greatest threat to their cause is THE HOLY SPIRIT.
 
While it is not up to us to question God's authority, it is in FACT up to us to use the power of His Holy Spirit to assist in the fighting of this war.  It "blows my mind" to think of how utterly ineffective we all feel amongst all this military might.  We all need to take the time to read about Elijah again.  We need to REMIND OURSELVES that God's army of fiery chariots can stomp out armies of nations, guns, flying saucers, laser beams and atomic weaponry LIKE NO OTHER.
 
I believe our Lord is WAITING FOR US to WAKE UP and start focusing our prayer power on the objectives of the LORD.  We need to pray to TRIP UP the enemy's plans.  We need to COMMAND IN JESUS NAME these DEMONS are rendered to "no effect" and cast INTO THE ABYSS.
 
While there is no question the Bible says that in the end, God will have to "step in" and dump down his Mighty Wrath to wipe out this Earth, we MUST NOT assume our contribution has anything less than the GREATEST POWER. 
 
WE CONTROL the amount of horror we will face! 
WE CONTROL the amount of power the enemy has against us!
 
WE ARE THE DEVILS' MASTER
 
They might win here on the earth for a short period of time.
 
 
 
BUT WE WIN the BATTLE
 
WE WIN THE WAR
 
 
 
 
BE BLESSED IN JESUS NAME!

SEE THE:

 
Alien Demon Agenda (Interim Part 1-2) here:

 

 
The Alien Demon Agenda (Part 2) here:

 

 
and the "Alien Demon Agenda (Part 3) Apotheosis here:

 

 

 

 

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Sunday, August 15, 2010:  (SOLEMNITY OF THE ASSUMPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY)  Readings for today:  Revelation 11:19a; 12:1-6a, 10ab  /  1 Corinthians 15:20-27  /  Luke 1:39-56:

 

Reading I - A reading from the book of Revelation (Revelation 11:19a; 12:1-6a, 10ab):

 

19
God's temple in heaven was opened, and the ark of his covenant could be seen in the temple.
1
1 A great sign appeared in the sky, a woman 2 clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars.
2
She was with child and wailed aloud in pain as she labored to give birth. 3
3
Then another sign appeared in the sky; it was a huge red dragon, 4 with seven heads and ten horns, and on its heads were seven diadems.
4
Its tail swept away a third of the stars in the sky and hurled them down to the earth. Then the dragon stood before the woman about to give birth, to devour her child when she gave birth.
5
She gave birth to a son, a male child, destined to rule all the nations with an iron rod. 5 Her child was caught up to God and his throne.
6
The woman herself fled into the desert where she had a place prepared by God.
10
Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say: "Now have salvation and power come, and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Anointed.

 

 

 

Responsorial Psalm - (Psalm 45:10, 11, 12, 16):

 

R. (10bc) The queen stands at your right hand, arrayed in gold.


The queen takes her place at your right hand in gold of Ophir.


R. The queen stands at your right hand, arrayed in gold.


Hear, O daughter, and see; turn your ear,
forget your people and your father’s house.


R. The queen stands at your right hand, arrayed in gold.


So shall the king desire your beauty;
for he is your lord.


R. The queen stands at your right hand, arrayed in gold.


They are borne in with gladness and joy;
they enter the palace of the king.


R.
The queen stands at your right hand, arrayed in gold.

 

 

 

Reading II - A reading from the first letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians (1 Corinthians 15:20-27):

 

Brothers and sisters:

20
7 8 Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.
21
9 For since death came through a human being, the resurrection of the dead came also through a human being.
22
For just as in Adam all die, so too in Christ shall all be brought to life,
23
but each one in proper order: Christ the firstfruits; then, at his coming, those who belong to Christ;
24
then comes the end, 10 when he hands over the kingdom to his God and Father, when he has destroyed every sovereignty and every authority and power.
25
For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet.
26
11 The last enemy to be destroyed is death,
27
12 for "he subjected everything under his feet." But when it says that everything has been subjected, it is clear that it excludes the one who subjected everything to him.

 

 

 

Gospel - A reading from the Holy Gospel according to St. Luke (Luke 1:39-56):

 

39
Mary set out and traveled to the hill country in haste to a town of Judah,
40
where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth.
41
When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the infant leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth, filled with the holy Spirit,
42
cried out in a loud voice and said, "Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.
43
And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord 14 should come to me?
44
For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy.
45
Blessed are you who believed 15 that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled."
46
And Mary said: 16 "My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord;
47
my spirit rejoices in God my savior.
48
For he has looked upon his handmaid's lowliness; behold, from now on will all ages call me blessed.
49
The Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name.
50
His mercy is from age to age to those who fear him.
51
He has shown might with his arm, dispersed the arrogant of mind and heart.
52
He has thrown down the rulers from their thrones but lifted up the lowly.
53
The hungry he has filled with good things; the rich he has sent away empty.
54
He has helped Israel his servant, remembering his mercy,
55
according to his promise to our fathers, to Abraham and to his descendants forever."
56
Mary remained with her about three months and then returned to her home.

 

 

--------------------

 

08/15/10- Queen of Heaven video:

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=klt4d7Hvdck

 

 

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Sunday, August 8, 2010:  (NINETEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME)  Readings for today:  Wisdom 18:6-9  /  Hebrews 11:1-2, 8-19  /  Luke 12:32-48:

 

Reading I - A reading from the book of Wisdom (Wisdom 18:6-9):

 

6
That night of the passover was known beforehand to our fathers, that, with sure knowledge of the oaths in which they put their faith, they might have courage.
7
Your people awaited the salvation of the just and the destruction of their foes.
8
For when you punished our adversaries, in this you glorified us whom you had summoned.
9
3 For in secret the holy children of the good were offering sacrifice and putting into effect with one accord the divine institution, That your holy ones should share alike the same good things and dangers, having previously sung the praises of the fathers.

 

 

 

Responsorial Psalm - (Psalm 33:1, 12, 18-19, 20-22):

 

R. (12b) Blessed the people the Lord has chosen to be his own.


Exult, you just, in the LORD;
praise from the upright is fitting.
Blessed the nation whose God is the LORD,
the people he has chosen for his own inheritance.


R. Blessed the people the Lord has chosen to be his own.


See, the eyes of the LORD are upon those who fear him,
upon those who hope for his kindness,
To deliver them from death
and preserve them in spite of famine.


R. Blessed the people the Lord has chosen to be his own.


Our soul waits for the LORD,
who is our help and our shield.
May your kindness, O LORD, be upon us
who have put our hope in you.


R.
Blessed the people the Lord has chosen to be his own.

 

 

 

 

Reading II - A reading from the letter of St. Paul to the Hebrews (Hebrews 11:1-2, 8-19):

 

Brothers and sisters:

1
1 Faith is the realization of what is hoped for and evidence 2 of things not seen.
2
Because of it the ancients were well attested.
8
By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance; he went out, not knowing where he was to go.
9
By faith he sojourned in the promised land as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs of the same promise;
10
for he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and maker is God.
11
By faith he received power to generate, even though he was past the normal age--and Sarah herself was sterile--for he thought that the one who had made the promise was trustworthy.
12
So it was that there came forth from one man, himself as good as dead, descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sands on the seashore.
13
All these died in faith. They did not receive what had been promised but saw it and greeted it from afar and acknowledged themselves to be strangers and aliens on earth,
14
for those who speak thus show that they are seeking a homeland.
15
If they had been thinking of the land from which they had come, they would have had opportunity to return.
16
But now they desire a better homeland, a heavenly one. Therefore, God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.
17
By faith Abraham, when put to the test, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was ready to offer his only son,
18
of whom it was said, "Through Isaac descendants shall bear your name."
19
6 He reasoned that God was able to raise even from the dead, and he received Isaac back as a symbol.

 

 

Gospel - A reading from the Holy Gospel according to St. Luke (Luke 12:32-48):

 

Jesus said to his disciples:

32
Do not be afraid any longer, little flock, for your Father is pleased to give you the kingdom.
33
Sell your belongings and give alms. Provide money bags for yourselves that do not wear out, an inexhaustible treasure in heaven that no thief can reach nor moth destroy.
34
For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be.
35
8 "Gird your loins and light your lamps
36
and be like servants who await their master's return from a wedding, ready to open immediately when he comes and knocks.
37
Blessed are those servants whom the master finds vigilant on his arrival. Amen, I say to you, he will gird himself, have them recline at table, and proceed to wait on them.
38
And should he come in the second or third watch and find them prepared in this way, blessed are those servants.
39
Be sure of this: if the master of the house had known the hour when the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into.
40
You also must be prepared, for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come."
41
Then Peter said, "Lord, is this parable meant for us or for everyone?"
42
And the Lord replied, "Who, then, is the faithful and prudent steward whom the master will put in charge of his servants to distribute (the) food allowance at the proper time?
43
Blessed is that servant whom his master on arrival finds doing so.
44
Truly, I say to you, he will put him in charge of all his property.
45
But if that servant says to himself, 'My master is delayed in coming,' 9 and begins to beat the menservants and the maidservants, to eat and drink and get drunk,
46
then that servant's master will come on an unexpected day and at an unknown hour and will punish him severely and assign him a place with the unfaithful.
47
That servant who knew his master's will but did not make preparations nor act in accord with his will shall be beaten severely;
48
and the servant who was ignorant of his master's will but acted in a way deserving of a severe beating shall be beaten only lightly. Much will be required of the person entrusted with much, and still more will be demanded of the person entrusted with more.

 

--------------------

 

08/08/10- Jesus Emerges From the Tomb (Story of a painting) - Thanks Rose!

 

http://www.cbn.com/media/player/index.aspx?s=/vod/MW131v2_WS&WT.mc_id=EmbedPlayer

 

 

 

 

______________________________________________________________

Sunday, August 1, 2010:  (EIGHTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME)  Readings for today:  Ecclesiastes 1:2; 2:21-23  /  Colossians 3:1-5, 9-11  /  Luke 12:13-21:

 

Reading I - A reading from the book of Ecclesiastes (Ecclesiastes 1:2; 2:21-23):

 

2
2 Vanity of vanities, says Qoheleth, vanity of vanities! All things are vanity!
21
Here is one who has labored with wisdom and knowledge and skill, and to another, who has not labored over it, he must leave his property. This also is vanity and a great misfortune.
22
For what profit comes to a man from all the toil and anxiety of heart with which he has labored under the sun?
23
All his days sorrow and grief are his occupation; even at night his mind is not at rest. This also is vanity.

 

 

 

Responsorial Psalm - (Psalm 90:3-4, 5-6, 12-13, 14, 17):

 

R. (1) If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.


You turn man back to dust,
saying, “Return, O children of men.”
For a thousand years in your sight
are as yesterday, now that it is past,
or as a watch of the night.


R. If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.


You make an end of them in their sleep;
the next morning they are like the changing grass,
Which at dawn springs up anew,
but by evening wilts and fades.


R. If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.


Teach us to number our days aright,
that we may gain wisdom of heart.
Return, O LORD! How long?
Have pity on your servants!


R. If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.


Fill us at daybreak with your kindness,
that we may shout for joy and gladness all our days.
And may the gracious care of the LORD our God be ours;
prosper the work of our hands for us!
Prosper the work of our hands!


R.
If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.

 

 

 

Reading II - A reading from the letter of St. Paul to the Colossians (Colossians 3:1-5, 9-11):

 

Brothers and sisters:

1
1 If then you were raised with Christ, seek what is above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.
2
Think of what is above, not of what is on earth.
3
For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
4
When Christ your life appears, then you too will appear with him in glory.
5
2 Put to death, then, the parts of you that are earthly: immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and the greed that is idolatry. 3
9
Stop lying to one another, since you have taken off the old self with its practices
10
6 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed, for knowledge, in the image of its creator.
11
Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, 7 slave, free; but Christ is all and in all.

 

 

Gospel - A reading from the Holy Gospel according to St. Luke (Luke 12:13-21):

 

13
6 Someone in the crowd said to Jesus, "Teacher, tell my brother to share the inheritance with me."
14
He replied to him, "Friend, who appointed me as your judge and arbitrator?"
15
Then he said to the crowd, "Take care to guard against all greed, for though one may be rich, one's life does not consist of possessions."
16
Then he told them a parable. "There was a rich man whose land produced a bountiful harvest.
17
He asked himself, 'What shall I do, for I do not have space to store my harvest?'
18
And he said, 'This is what I shall do: I shall tear down my barns and build larger ones. There I shall store all my grain and other goods
19
and I shall say to myself, "Now as for you, you have so many good things stored up for many years, rest, eat, drink, be merry!"
20
But God said to him, 'You fool, this night your life will be demanded of you; and the things you have prepared, to whom will they belong?'
21
Thus will it be for the one who stores up treasure for himself but is not rich in what matters to God." 7

 

 

-------------------

 

08/01/10- Article: Anne Rice Leaves Christianity Again -

 

http://www.click2houston.com/entertainment/24442284/detail.html

Novelist Anne Rice Leaves Christianity

Rice Best Known For 'Interview With A Vampire'

 

POSTED: Thursday, July 29, 2010
UPDATED: 8:38 am CDT July 30, 2010

 

Anne Rice has had a religious conversion: She's no longer a Christian.

 

"In the name of Christ, I refuse to be anti-gay. I refuse to be anti-feminist. I refuse to be anti-artificial birth control," the author wrote Wednesday on her Facebook page. "In the name of ... Christ, I quit Christianity and being Christian. Amen."

 

Rice, 68, is best known for "Interview With a Vampire" and other gothic novels. Raised as a Catholic, she had rejected the church early in her life but renewed her faith in recent years and in 2008 released the memoir "Called Out of Darkness: A Spiritual Confession."

 

In a telephone interview Thursday, Rice said she had been having doubts for the past two to three years. She was troubled by the child abuse scandals in the church, and the church's defensive reaction, and by the ex-communication of Sister Margaret McBride, a nun and hospital administrator who had approved an abortion for a woman whose life was in danger.

 

"I believed for a long time that the differences, the quarrels among Christians didn't matter a lot for the individual, that you live your life and stay out of it. But then I began to realize that it wasn't an easy thing to do," said Rice, speaking from her home near Palm Springs, Calif. "I came to the conclusion that if I didn't make this declaration, I was going to lose my mind."

 

Rice said she is a Democrat who supports the health care legislation signed into law by President Barack Obama and believes gay marriage inevitably will be permitted throughout the country. Although no longer part of any denomination, she remains a believer and continues to read theology and post Biblical passages on her Facebook page. She has no immediate plans to write about her leaving the church and will continue with her metaphysical fiction series, "Songs of the Seraphim."

 

Rice will not be taking up vampires again, but she said she is a big fan of the HBO series "True Blood," enjoyed the first two "Twilight" movies (she has yet to read any of the Stephenie Meyer novels) and is interested in seeing her most famous character, the vampire Lestat de Lioncourt, return to the screen.

 

"We're in talks about it," she said. "But then we've always been in talks about it. Hope springs eternal in California."

 

 

 

______________________________________________________________

Sunday, July 25, 2010:  (SEVENTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME)  Readings for today:  Genesis 18:20-32  /  Colossians 2:12-14  /  Luke 11:1-13:

 

Reading I - A reading from the book of Genesis (Genesis 18:20-32):

 

20
6 In those days the LORD said: "The outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is so great, and their sin so grave,
21
that I must go down and see whether or not their actions fully correspond to the cry against them that comes to me. I mean to find out."
22
While the two men walked on farther toward Sodom, the LORD remained standing before Abraham.
23
Then Abraham drew nearer to him and said: "Will you sweep away the innocent with the guilty?
24
Suppose there were fifty innocent people in the city; would you wipe out the place, rather than spare it for the sake of the fifty innocent people within it?
25
Far be it from you to do such a thing, to make the innocent die with the guilty, so that the innocent and the guilty would be treated alike! Should not the judge of all the world act with justice?"
26
The LORD replied, "If I find fifty innocent people in the city of Sodom, I will spare the whole place for their sake."
27
Abraham spoke up again: "See how I am presuming to speak to my Lord, though I am but dust and ashes!
28
What if there are five less than fifty innocent people? Will you destroy the whole city because of those five?" "I will not destroy it," he answered, "if I find forty-five there."
29
But Abraham persisted, saying, "What if only forty are found there?" He replied, "I will forebear doing it for the sake of the forty."
30
Then he said, "Let not my Lord grow impatient if I go on. What if only thirty are found there?" He replied, "I will forebear doing it if I can find but thirty there."
31
Still he went on, "Since I have thus dared to speak to my Lord, what if there are no more than twenty?" "I will not destroy it," he answered, "for the sake of the twenty."
32
But he still persisted: "Please, let not my Lord grow angry if I speak up this last time. What if there are at least ten there?" "For the sake of those ten," he replied, "I will not destroy it."

 

 

Responsorial Psalm - (Psalm 138:1-2, 2-3, 6-7, 7-8):

 

R. (3a) Lord, on the day I called for help, you answered me.


I will give thanks to you, O LORD, with all my heart,
for you have heard the words of my mouth;
in the presence of the angels I will sing your praise;
I will worship at your holy temple
and give thanks to your name.


R. Lord, on the day I called for help, you answered me.


Because of your kindness and your truth;
for you have made great above all things
your name and your promise.
When I called you answered me;
you built up strength within me.


R. Lord, on the day I called for help, you answered me.


The LORD is exalted, yet the lowly he sees,
and the proud he knows from afar.
Though I walk amid distress, you preserve me;
against the anger of my enemies you raise your hand.


R. Lord, on the day I called for help, you answered me.


Your right hand saves me.
The LORD will complete what he has done for me;
your kindness, O LORD, endures forever;
forsake not the work of your hands.


R.
Lord, on the day I called for help, you answered me.

 

 

 

Reading II - A reading from the letter of St. Paul to the Colossians (Colossians 2:12-14):

 

Brothers and sisters:

12
You were buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead.
13
And even when you were dead (in) transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, he brought you to life along with him, having forgiven us all our transgressions;
14
6 obliterating the bond against us, with its legal claims, which was opposed to us, he also removed it from our midst, nailing it to the cross.

 

 

 

Gospel - A reading from the Holy Gospel according to St. Luke (Luke 11:1-13):

 

1
1 2 Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he had finished, one of his disciples said to him, "Lord, teach us to pray just as John taught his disciples."
2
3 He said to them, "When you pray, say: Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come.
3
Give us each day our daily bread 4
4
and forgive us our sins for we ourselves forgive everyone in debt to us, and do not subject us to the final test."
5
And he said to them, "Suppose one of you has a friend to whom he goes at midnight and says, 'Friend, lend me three loaves of bread,
6
for a friend of mine has arrived at my house from a journey and I have nothing to offer him,'
7
and he says in reply from within, 'Do not bother me; the door has already been locked and my children and I are already in bed. I cannot get up to give you anything.'
8
I tell you, if he does not get up to give him the loaves because of their friendship, he will get up to give him whatever he needs because of his persistence.
9
"And I tell you, ask and you will receive; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.
10
For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.
11
What father among you would hand his son a snake when he asks for a fish?
12
Or hand him a scorpion when he asks for an egg?
13
If you then, who are wicked, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the Father in heaven give the holy Spirit 5 to those who ask him?"

 

 

--------------------

 

 

07/25/10- John 3:16 A Story -

 

A little boy was selling newspapers on the corner,
the people were in and out of the cold.

 



The little boy was so cold that he wasn't trying
to sell many papers.

 



He walked up to a policeman and said,
"Mister, you wouldn't happen to know where a poor boy
could find a warm place to sleep tonight would you?




 



You see, I sleep in a box up around the corner there and
down the alley and it's awful cold in there for tonight.
Sure would be nice to have a warm place to stay."



 



The policeman looked down at the little boy and said, "You
go down the street to that big white house and you knock
on the door. When they come out the door you just say
John 3:16, and they will let you in."




 



So he did. He walked up the steps and knocked on the
door, and a lady answered. He looked up and said,
"John 3:16." The lady said, "Come on in, Son."


 



 



She took him in and she sat him down in a split! bottom
rocker in front of a great big old fireplace, and she went
off. The boy sat there for a while and thought to himself:
John 3:16 . I don't understand it, but it sure makes a
cold boy warm.




 



Later she came back and asked him "Are you hungry ? "
He said, "Well, just a little.. I haven't eaten in a couple of
days, and I guess I could stand a little bit of food,"




 



The lady took him in the kitchen and sat him down to a table
full of wonderful food. He ate and ate until he couldn't eat
any more. Then he thought to himself:
John 3:16. Boy, I sure don't understand it but it sure
makes a hungry boy full.




 



She took him upstairs to a bathroom to a huge bathtub
filled with warm water, and he sat there and soaked for a
while. As he soaked, he thought to himself: John 3:16
I sure don't understand it, but it sure makes a dirty boy
clean. You know, I've not had a bath, a real bath, in my
whole life. The only bath I ever had was when I stood in
front of that big old fire hydrant as they flushed it out.


The lady came in and got him. She took him to a room,
tucked him into a big old feather bed, pulled the covers
up around his neck, kissed him goodnight and turned out
the lights. As he lay in the darkness and looked out

the
window at the snow coming down on that cold night,
he thought to himself: John 3:16...I don't understand it but
it sure makes a tired boy rested.




 



The next morning the lady came back up and took him
down again to that same big table full of food. After he
ate, she took him back to that same big old split bottom
rocker in front of the fireplace and picked up
a big old Bible.



 

 



She sat down in front of him and looked into his young face.
"Do you understand John 3:16 ?" she asked gently. He
replied, "No, Ma'am, I don't. The first time I ever heard it
was last night when the policeman told me to use it,"
She opened The Bible to John 3:16 and began to explain
to him about Jesus. Right there, in front of that big old fireplace,
he gave his heart and life to Jesus. He sat there
and thought: John 3:16 -- don't understand it, but it sure
makes a lost boy feel safe.



 



You know, I have to confess, I don't understand it either,
how God was willing to send His Son to die for me, and how
Jesus would agree to do such a thing.

I don't understandthe agony of the Father and
every angel in heaven as they watched Jesus suffer and die.

I don't understand the intenselove for ME that kept Jesus on the cross till the
end.
I don't understand it, but it sure does make life worth living!



 


John 3:16- For God so loved the world, that He gave His only
begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should
not perish, but have everlasting life.

 

 

______________________________________________________________

Sunday, July 18, 2010:  (SIXTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME)  Readings for today:  Genesis 18:1-10a  /  Colossians 1:24-28  /  Luke 10:38-42:

 

Reading I - A reading from the book of Genesis (Genesis 18:1-10a):

 

1
The LORD appeared to Abraham by the terebinth of Mamre, as he sat in the entrance of his tent, while the day was growing hot.
2
Looking up, he saw three men standing nearby. When he saw them, he ran from the entrance of the tent to greet them; and bowing to the ground,
3
1 he said: "Sir, if I may ask you this favor, please do not go on past your servant.
4
Let some water be brought, that you may bathe your feet, and then rest yourselves under the tree.
5
Now that you have come this close to your servant, let me bring you a little food, that you may refresh yourselves; and afterward you may go on your way." "Very well," they replied, "do as you have said."
6
2 Abraham hastened into the tent and told Sarah, "Quick, three seahs of fine flour! Knead it and make rolls."
7
He ran to the herd, picked out a tender, choice steer, and gave it to a servant, who quickly prepared it.
8
3 Then he got some curds and milk, as well as the steer that had been prepared, and set these before them; and he waited on them under the tree while they ate.
9
"Where is your wife Sarah?" they asked him. "There in the tent," he replied.
10
4 One of them said, "I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah will then have a son."

 

 

Responsorial Psalm - (Psalm 15:2-3, 3-4, 5):

 

R. (1a) He who does justice will live in the presence of the Lord.


One who walks blamelessly and does justice;
who thinks the truth in his heart
and slanders not with his tongue.


R. He who does justice will live in the presence of the Lord.


Who harms not his fellow man,
nor takes up a reproach against his neighbor;
by whom the reprobate is despised,
while he honors those who fear the LORD.


R. He who does justice will live in the presence of the Lord.


Who lends not his money at usury
and accepts no bribe against the innocent.
One who does these things
shall never be disturbed.


R.
He who does justice will live in the presence of the Lord.

 

 

Reading II - A reading from the letter of St. Paul to the Colossians (Colossians 1:24-28):

 

Brothers and sisters:

24
13 Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking 14 in the afflictions of Christ on behalf of his body, which is the church,
25
of which I am a minister in accordance with God's stewardship given to me to bring to completion for you the word of God,
26
the mystery hidden from ages and from generations past. But now it has been manifested to his holy ones,
27
to whom God chose to make known the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; it is Christ in you, the hope for glory.
28
It is he whom we proclaim, admonishing everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone perfect in Christ.

 

 

Gospel - A reading from the Holy Gospel according to St. Luke (Luke 10:38-42):

 

38
13 Jesus entered a village where a woman whose name was Martha welcomed him.
39
14 She had a sister named Mary (who) sat beside the Lord at his feet listening to him speak.
40
Martha, burdened with much serving, came to him and said, "Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me by myself to do the serving? Tell her to help me."
41
The Lord said to her in reply, "Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things.
42
15 There is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part and it will not be taken from her."

 

 

--------------------

 

 

07/18/10- "Jesus Loves Strippers"-  This is an excellent way to get people to like Christians...these people do it right!

 

http://www.wacotrib.com/news/Waco-ministry-reaches-out-to-exotic-dancers.html

 

Waco ministry reaches out to exotic dancers

By Erin Quinn / Tribune-Herald staff writer

Saturday July 10, 2010
 
 
 

Baylor University graduates Brett and Emily Mills of Waco spend their days, and many nights, reminding the city’s 40 or so exotic dancers that Jesus loves strippers.

The couple’s “Jesus Loves Strippers” ministry reaches out to individuals they believe the church inadvertently casts away.

Every month, the couple and about a half-dozen volunteers hit the Waco strip club circuit — Sonny’s BYOB, Show Time and Two Minnie’s — with bags of gifts from local sponsors filled with makeup, cookies, bandages and school supplies in August.


Co-founder Brett Mills and volunteers Leah Colucci, Kellie Gibson and Kristen Campbell gather bags of makeup and food to bring to Waco strippers.
Rod Aydelotte/Tribune-Herald

Wearing purple “Jesus Loves Strippers” T-shirts, Emily Mills and the female volunteers approach the dancers in their dressing rooms early in the night. They use the gift bags as ice-breakers and, more often than not, conversations flow from there.

The volunteers don’t bring Bibles. They don’t launch into talk about God.

Many of the strippers, they find, have long felt disconnected from faith.

“Only God can change a person,” said Emily Mills, a 32-year-old mother of three. “Our goal is not to go in and change them, but make them realize that God loves them no matter what they do and where they are.”

Instead, they talk about their children. Their boyfriends. School. Hopes for the future or just for the night.

Brett, 34, from Houston, and Emily, from Tyler, met at Baylor among 2,000 students in a large-group Bible study.

They met singing in the Bible studies and, together, questioned the effectiveness of what they were doing.

“For me, there was beginning to be a disconnect,” Emily Mills said. “Church was not relevant to everyday people. I feel like there were a lot of people out there who Jesus would have walked with that probably feel alienated by the church.”

They visited other types of ministries, including one in Austin that reaches out to strippers.

They were determined to build a similar ministry in Waco.

“The church can reach out to the homeless and the down-and-out, but it doesn’t know what to do with sex,” Emily Mills said. “It’s just so taboo.”

So, in 2005, they started Jesus Said Love, followed by its extensions, Jesus Loves Strippers and Jesus Loves Truckers — all divisions of Bartimaeus Ministries Inc., a nonprofit organization.

Brett and Emily also tour as a Christian music duo, but their full-time jobs are expanding the ministry.

With a pack of volunteers, they make their rounds at the clubs once a month, but spend the rest of their time developing the relationships with the women.

Emily Mills, 32, listens to the manager of a Waco strip club. Mills and her husband, Brett, started Jesus Loves Strippers in 2005.
Emily Mills, 32, listens to the manager of a Waco strip club. Mills and her husband, Brett, started Jesus Loves Strippers in 2005.
Rod Aydelotte/Waco Tribune-Herald

“Ninety-nine percent of them don’t really want to be there,” Emily Mills said. “Most say that they’re just going to do it for six months until they can make enough money to get on their feet. The danger is that it becomes a lifestyle. That’s when it takes a toll on a woman’s soul.”

One 31-year-old mother of four daughters explained she started stripping in September, after having danced in similar clubs for a decade or more.

When times got rough and she couldn’t pay the bills last fall, she turned to taking her clothes off to make more money. She told Emily Mills in the dressing room of a Waco strip club that she felt she had no other choice.

The dancer asked the ministry volunteers if they could help her find a different job. Emily promised to see what she could do.

Forming a connection

Most of the women love the “Jesus Loves Strippers” shirts. Volunteer Leah Colucci, 23, talks about trading her ministry shirt with a dancer who wore a shirt that read “Sinful.”

Brett Mills and any other male volunteers don’t go in the clubs. They wait in the parking lots, acting as security and chatting with the club managers and patrons loitering near the entrances.

Jennifer Ledford, a 30-year-old bartender at Sonny’s BYOB, called Brett and Emily her “heroes.”

Last year, when Ledford needed extensive dental work, Emily Mills found a dentist to give her a discount. When Ledford was debating going to school, Emily Mills contacted a friend at McLennan Community College, who guided her through registration.

“Brett and Emily don’t push anyone to change their life,” she said. “They just really want to help you. They’ve changed my life.”

Two weeks ago, when the 1-year-old daughter of a Sonny’s dancer was taken by medical helicopter to Scott & White Hospital in Temple after suffering a series of seizures, Emily Mills had volunteers at the hospital to pray with the family within hours.

The dancer didn’t believe in God until that day, said Heather Bonge, a 26-year-old former Sonny’s employee.

Emily and Brett Mills gather in the parking lot of Sonny’s BYOB strip club. The Waco couple started the Jesus Loves Strippers ministry in 2005.
Emily and Brett Mills gather in the parking lot of Sonny’s BYOB strip club. The Waco couple started the Jesus Loves Strippers ministry in 2005.
Rod Aydelotte/Waco Tribune-Herald

“Brett and Emily deserve everything good that happens to them,” Bonge said. “They are absolutely not judgmental. If I need anything, any time, day or night, we know we can call them.”

The couple’s newest venture is Jesus Loves Truckers.

Brett, Emily and their volunteers set up in the parking lot of the Flying J truck stop with bags of burritos and travel essentials.

“We’ve had some guys come by who said they hadn’t talked in two days,” Emily Mills said. “Truckers are lonely.”

Everyone needs to be reminded that they’re loved by Jesus, they said.

Their other ideas to expand their ministry: Jesus Loves Doctors or Jesus Loves Housewives.

Strippers, truckers, doctors, housewives. It really doesn’t matter. Because reaching out to the seemingly very different groups would essentially be the same, the Mills said.

While society might discriminate, their message is that Jesus does not.

“I’m not going to save the world one stripper at a time,” Emily Mills said. “What I’ve realized is that I am her and she is me. We’ve both been broken. We both struggle. We’re all in need of more grace than sometimes we’re willing to admit.”

equinn@wacotrib.com

 

 

______________________________________________________________

Sunday, July 11, 2010:  (FIFTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME)  Readings for today:  Deuteronomy 30:10-14  /  Collosians 1:15-20  /  Luke 10:25-37:

 

Reading I - A reading from the book of Deuteronomy (Deuteronomy 30:10-14):

 

Moses said to the people:

10
If only you heed the voice of the LORD, your God, and keep his commandments and statutes that are written in this book of the law, when you return to the LORD, your God, with all your heart and all your soul.
11
2 "For this command which I enjoin on you today is not too mysterious and remote for you.
12
It is not up in the sky, that you should say, 'Who will go up in the sky to get it for us and tell us of it, that we may carry it out?'
13
Nor is it across the sea, that you should say, 'Who will cross the sea to get it for us and tell us of it, that we may carry it out?'
14
3 No, it is something very near to you, already in your mouths and in your hearts; you have only to carry it out.

 

 

 

Responsorial Psalm - Psalm 19 "Lord You Have the Words" by David Haas (http://www.lyrics007.com/David Haas Lyrics/Lord, You Have The Words Lyrics.html):

 

Refrain: Lord, you have the words of everlasting life.

 
1. The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul;
the Lord's rule is to be trusted, the simple find wisdom.

Refrain: Lord, you have the words of everlasting life.

 
2. The fear of the Lord is holy, abiding forever;
the decrees of the Lord are true, all of them just.

Refrain: Lord, you have the words of everlasting life.

 
3. The precepts of the Lord are right, they gladden the heart,
the command of the Lord is clear, giving light to the eye.

Refrain: Lord, you have the words of everlasting life.

 
4. They are worth more than gold, than the finest gold,
sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb.

Refrain: Lord, you have the words of everlasting life.
 

 

 

Reading II - A reading from the letter of St. Paul to the Colossians (Colossians 1:15-20):

 

15
6 Christ Jesus is the image 7 of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.
16
For in him 8 were created all things in heaven and on earth, the visible and the invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers; all things were created through him and for him.
17
He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.
18
He is the head of the body, the church. 9 He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things he himself might be preeminent.
19
For in him all the fullness 10 was pleased to dwell,
20
and through him to reconcile all things for him, making peace by the blood of his cross 11 (through him), whether those on earth or those in heaven.

 

 

 

 

Gospel - A reading from the Holy Gospel according to St. Luke (Luke 10:25-37):

 

25
10 There was a scholar of the law 11 who stood up to test him and said, "Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?"
26
Jesus said to him, "What is written in the law? How do you read it?"
27
He said in reply, "You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your being, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself."
28
He replied to him, "You have answered correctly; do this and you will live."
29
But because he wished to justify himself, he said to Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?"
30
Jesus replied, "A man fell victim to robbers as he went down from Jerusalem to Jericho. They stripped and beat him and went off leaving him half-dead.
31
12 A priest happened to be going down that road, but when he saw him, he passed by on the opposite side.
32
Likewise a Levite came to the place, and when he saw him, he passed by on the opposite side.
33
But a Samaritan traveler who came upon him was moved with compassion at the sight.
34
He approached the victim, poured oil and wine over his wounds and bandaged them. Then he lifted him up on his own animal, took him to an inn and cared for him.
35
The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper with the instruction, 'Take care of him. If you spend more than what I have given you, I shall repay you on my way back.'
36
Which of these three, in your opinion, was neighbor to the robbers' victim?"
37
He answered, "The one who treated him with mercy." Jesus said to him, "Go and do likewise."

 

 

--------------------

 

 

07/11/10- Tosh.O clip: "Church People Gone Wild":  Enjoy!

 
 
 
Currently reading:
Meyer's New Moon Twilight Saga, Book 2008 (New Moon (The Twilight Saga, Book 2) by Stephenie Meyer)
By Stephenie Meyer


Read more: http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.ListAll&bID=536995330#ixzz0tQzvBYJ6
 

 

 
 
 
Currently reading:
Meyer's New Moon Twilight Saga, Book 2008 (New Moon (The Twilight Saga, Book 2) by Stephenie Meyer)
By Stephenie Meyer


Read more: http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.ListAll&bID=536995330#ixzz0tQzvBYJ6
 
 
 
 
Currently reading:
Meyer's New Moon Twilight Saga, Book 2008 (New Moon (The Twilight Saga, Book 2) by Stephenie Meyer)
By Stephenie Meyer


Read more: http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.ListAll&bID=536995330#ixzz0tQzvBYJ6
 
 
 
 
Currently reading:
Meyer's New Moon Twilight Saga, Book 2008 (New Moon (The Twilight Saga, Book 2) by Stephenie Meyer)
By Stephenie Meyer


Read more: http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.ListAll&bID=536995330#ixzz0tQzvBYJ6
 

 

 

 

______________________________________________________________

Sunday, July 4, 2010:  (FOURTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME)  Readings for today:  Isaiah 66:10-14c  /  Galatians 6:14-18  /  Luke 10:1-12, 17-20:

 

Reading I - A reading from the book of the Prophet Isaiah (Isaiah 66:10-14c):

 

Thus says the LORD:

10
Rejoice with Jerusalem and be glad because of her, all you who love her; Exult, exult with her, all you who were mourning over her!
11
Oh, that you may suck fully of the milk of her comfort, That you may nurse with delight at her abundant breasts!
12
For thus says the LORD: Lo, I will spread prosperity over her like a river, and the wealth of the nations like an overflowing torrent. As nurslings, you shall be carried in her arms, and fondled in her lap;
13
As a mother comforts her son, so will I comfort you; in Jerusalem you shall find your comfort.
14
When you see this, your heart shall rejoice, and your bodies flourish like the grass; The LORD'S power shall be known to his servants,

 

 

 

Responsorial Psalm - Psalm 1-3, 4-5, 6-7, 16, 20:

 

R. (1) Let all the earth cry out to God with joy.


Shout joyfully to God, all the earth,
sing praise to the glory of his name;
proclaim his glorious praise.
Say to God, "How tremendous are your deeds!"


R. Let all the earth cry out to God with joy.


"Let all on earth worship and sing praise to you,
sing praise to your name!"
Come and see the works of God,
his tremendous deeds among the children of Adam.


R. Let all the earth cry out to God with joy.


He has changed the sea into dry land;
through the river they passed on foot;
therefore let us rejoice in him.
He rules by his might forever.


R. Let all the earth cry out to God with joy.


Hear now, all you who fear God, while I declare
what he has done for me.
Blessed be God who refused me not
my prayer or his kindness!


R.
Let all the earth cry out to God with joy.

 

 

 

Reading II - A reading from the letter of St. Paul to the Galatians (Galatians 6:14-18):

 

Brothers and sisters:

14
May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which 10 the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.
15
For neither does circumcision mean anything, nor does uncircumcision, but only a new creation. 11
16
Peace and mercy be to all who follow this rule 12 and to the Israel of God.
17
From now on, let no one make troubles for me; for I bear the marks of Jesus 13 on my body.
18
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers and sisters. Amen.

 

 

 

Gospel - A reading from the Holy Gospel according to St. Luke (Luke 10:1-12, 17-20):

 

1
1 After this the Lord appointed seventy (-two) 2 others whom he sent ahead of him in pairs to every town and place he intended to visit.
2
He said to them, "The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest.
3
Go on your way; behold, I am sending you like lambs among wolves.
4
3 Carry no money bag, no sack, no sandals; and greet no one along the way.
5
Into whatever house you enter, first say, 'Peace to this household.' 4
6
If a peaceful person 5 lives there, your peace will rest on him; but if not, it will return to you.
7
Stay in the same house and eat and drink what is offered to you, for the laborer deserves his payment. Do not move about from one house to another.
8
Whatever town you enter and they welcome you, eat what is set before you,
9
cure the sick in it and say to them, 'The kingdom of God is at hand for you.'
10
Whatever town you enter and they do not receive you, go out into the streets and say,
11
'The dust of your town that clings to our feet, even that we shake off against you.' Yet know this: the kingdom of God is at hand.
12
I tell you, it will be more tolerable for Sodom on that day than for that town.
17
The seventy (-two) returned rejoicing, and said, "Lord, even the demons are subject to us because of your name."
18
Jesus said, "I have observed Satan fall like lightning 8 from the sky.
19
Behold, I have given you the power 'to tread upon serpents' and scorpions and upon the full force of the enemy and nothing will harm you.
20
Nevertheless, do not rejoice because the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice because your names are written in heaven."

 

 

--------------------

 

-

 

______________________________________________________________

Sunday, June 27, 2010:  (THIRTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME)  Readings for today:  1 Kings 19:16b, 19-21  /  Galatians 5:1, 13-18  /  Luke 9:51-62:

 

 

Reading I - A reading from the first book of Kings (1 Kings 19:16b, 19-21):

 

The LORD said to Elijah:

16
You shall anoint  Elisha, son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah, as prophet to succeed you.
19
3 Elijah set out, and came upon Elisha, son of Shaphat, as he was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen; he was following the twelfth. Elijah went over to him and threw his cloak over him.
20
Elisha left the oxen, ran after Elijah, and said, "Please, let me kiss my father and mother good-bye, and I will follow you." "Go back!" Elijah answered. "Have I done anything to you?"
21
Elisha left him and, taking the yoke of oxen, slaughtered them; he used the plowing equipment for fuel to boil their flesh, and gave it to his people to eat. Then he left and followed Elijah as his attendant.

 

 

 

Responsorial Psalm - Psalm 1-2, 5, 7-8, 9-10, 11:

 

R.     (cf. 5a) You are my inheritance, O Lord.

 

Keep me, O God, for in you I take refuge;

I say to the LORD, “My Lord are you.

O LORD, my allotted portion and my cup,

you it is who hold fast my lot.”

 

R.     You are my inheritance, O Lord.

 

I bless the LORD who counsels me;

even in the night my heart exhorts me.

I set the LORD ever before me;

with him at my right hand I shall not be disturbed.

 

R.     You are my inheritance, O Lord.

 

Therefore my heart is glad and my soul rejoices,

my body, too, abides in confidence

because you will not abandon my soul to the netherworld,

nor will you suffer your faithful one to undergo corruption.

 

R.     You are my inheritance, O Lord.

 

You will show me the path to life,

fullness of joys in your presence,

the delights at your right hand forever.

 

R.     You are my inheritance, O Lord.

 

 

 

Reading II - A reading from the letter of St. Paul to the Galatians (Galatians 5:1, 13-18):

 

Brothers and sisters:

1
1 2 For freedom Christ set us free; so stand firm and do not submit again to the yoke of slavery.
13
10 11 For you were called for freedom, brothers. But do not use this freedom as an opportunity for the flesh; rather, serve one another through love.
14
For the whole law is fulfilled in one statement, namely, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." 12
15
But if you go on biting and devouring one another, beware that you are not consumed by one another.
16
I say, then: live by the Spirit and you will certainly not gratify the desire of the flesh. 13
17
For the flesh has desires against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; these are opposed to each other, so that you may not do what you want.
18
But if you are guided by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

 

 

 

Gospel - A reading from the Holy Gospel according to St. Luke (Luke 9:51-62):

 

51
23 24 25 When the days for Jesus' being taken up were fulfilled, he resolutely determined to journey to Jerusalem,
52
26 and he sent messengers ahead of him. On the way they entered a Samaritan village to prepare for his reception there,
53
but they would not welcome him because the destination of his journey was Jerusalem.
54
When the disciples James and John saw this they asked, "Lord, do you want us to call down fire from heaven to consume them?"
55
Jesus turned and rebuked them,
56
and they journeyed to another village.
57
27 As they were proceeding on their journey someone said to him, "I will follow you wherever you go."
58
Jesus answered him, "Foxes have dens and birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to rest his head."
59
And to another he said, "Follow me." But he replied, "(Lord,) let me go first and bury my father."
60
But he answered him, "Let the dead bury their dead. 28 But you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God."
61
And another said, "I will follow you, Lord, but first let me say farewell to my family at home."
62
(To him) Jesus said, "No one who sets a hand to the plow and looks to what was left behind is fit for the kingdom of God."

 

 

--------------------

 

 

06/27/10-

______________________________________________________________

Sunday, June 20, 2010:  (TWELFTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME)  Readings for today:  Zechariah 12:10-11; 13:1  /  Galatians 3:26-29  /  Luke 9:18-24:

 

 

Reading I -  A reading from the book of the prophet Zechariah (Zechariah 12:10-11; 13:1):

 

Thus says the LORD:

10
2 I will pour out on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and petition; and they shall look on him whom they have thrust through, and they shall mourn for him as one mourns for an only son, and they shall grieve over him as one grieves over a first-born.
11
3 On that day the mourning in Jerusalem shall be as great as the mourning of Hadadrimmon in the plain of Megiddo.
1
1 On that day there shall be open to the house of David and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, a fountain to purify from sin and uncleanness.

 

 

 

Responsorial Psalm - Psalm 63:2, 3-4, 5-6, 8-9:

 

R.     (2b) My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord my God.

 

 

O God, you are my God whom I seek;

for you my flesh pines and my soul thirsts

like the earth, parched, lifeless and without water.

 

 

R.     My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord my God.

 

 

Thus have I gazed toward you in the sanctuary

to see your power and your glory,

For your kindness is a greater good than life;

my lips shall glorify you.

 

 

R.     My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord my God.

 

 

Thus will I bless you while I live;

lifting up my hands, I will call upon your name.

As with the riches of a banquet shall my soul be satisfied,

and with exultant lips my mouth shall praise you.

 

 

R.     My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord my God.

 

 

You are my help,

and in the shadow of your wings I shout for joy.

My soul clings fast to you;

your right hand upholds me.

 

 

R.     My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord my God.

 

 

 

Reading II - A reading from the letter of St. Paul to the Galatians (Galatians 3:26-29):

 

Brothers and sisters:

26
Through faith you are all children of God 17 in Christ Jesus.
27
18 19 For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.
28
There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free person, there is not male and female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
29
And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's descendant, heirs according to the promise.

 

 

 

Gospel - A reading from the Holy Gospel according to St. Luke (Luke 9:18-24):

 

18
8 9 Once when Jesus was praying in solitude, and the disciples were with him, he asked them, "Who do the crowds say that I am?"
19
They said in reply, "John the Baptist; others, Elijah; still others, 'One of the ancient prophets has arisen.'"
20
Then he said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" Peter said in reply, "The Messiah of God." 10
21
He rebuked them and directed them not to tell this to anyone.
22
He said, "The Son of Man must suffer greatly and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed and on the third day be raised."
23
Then he said to all, "If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily 11 and follow me.
24
For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.

 

 

--------------------

 

 

06/20/10-  Depeche Mode "Personal Jesus" video- Enjoy!

 

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u1xrNaTO1bI

 

 

______________________________________________________________

Sunday, June 13, 2010:  (ELEVENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME)  Readings for today:  2 Samuel 12:7-10, 13  /  Galatians 2:16, 19-21  /  Luke 7:36- 8:3:

 

 

Reading I - A reading from the second book of the prophet Samuel (2 Samuel 12:7-10, 13):

 

7
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.
8
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.
9
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.
10
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.'
13
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 Psalm - Psalm 32:1-2, 5, 7, 11:

 

R.     (cf. 5c)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.

 

 

 

Reading II - A reading from letter of St. Paul to the Galatians (Galatians 2:16, 19-21):

 

Brothers and sisters:

16
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. 16
19
For through the law I died to the law, 19 that I might live for God. I have been crucified with Christ;
20
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.
21
I do not nullify the grace of God; for if justification comes through the law, then Christ died for nothing.

 

 

 

Gospel - A reading from the Holy Gospel according to St. Luke (Luke 7:36- 8:3):

 

36
10 11 A Pharisee invited Jesus to dine with him, and he entered the Pharisee's house and reclined at table.
37
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,
38
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.
39
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."
40
Jesus said to him in reply, "Simon, I have something to say to you." "Tell me, teacher," he said.
41
"Two people were in debt to a certain creditor; one owed five hundred days' wages 12 and the other owed fifty.
42
Since they were unable to repay the debt, he forgave it for both. Which of them will love him more?"
43
Simon said in reply, "The one, I suppose, whose larger debt was forgiven." He said to him, "You have judged rightly."
44
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.
45
You did not give me a kiss, but she has not ceased kissing my feet since the time I entered.
46
You did not anoint my head with oil, but she anointed my feet with ointment.
47
So I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven; hence, she has shown great love. 13 But the one to whom little is forgiven, loves little."
48
He said to her, "Your sins are forgiven."
49
The others at table said to themselves, "Who is this who even forgives sins?"
50
But he said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you; go in peace."
1
1 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
2
and some women who had been cured of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out,
3
Joanna, the wife of Herod's steward Chuza, Susanna, and many others who provided for them out of their resources.

 

 

Picture from http://www.jesus-is-savior.com/Basics/jesus_woman_washes_feet.jpg

 

______________________________________________________________

Sunday, June 6, 2010:  (CORPUS CHRISTI - SOLEMNITY OF THE MOST HOLY BODY AND BLOOD OF CHRIST)  Readings for today:  Genesis 14:18-20  /  1 Corinthians 11:23-26  /  Luke 9:11b-17:

 

From: http://radiofamilyrosaryphoenix.homestead.com/files/body_and_blood_of_christ2.jpg

 

 

Reading I -  A reading from the book of Genesis (Genesis 14:18-20):

 

18
5 In those days, Melchizedek, king of Salem, brought out bread and wine, and being a priest of God Most High, he blessed Abram with these words:
19
6 Blessed be Abram by God Most High, the creator of heaven and earth;
20
7 And blessed be God Most High, who delivered your foes into your hand." Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything.

 

 

 

Responsorial Psalm - Psalm 110:1, 2, 3, 4:

 

R.     (4b) You are a priest for ever, in the line of Melchizedek.

 

 

The LORD said to my Lord: "Sit at my right hand

 till I make your enemies your footstool."

 

 

R.     You are a priest for ever, in the line of Melchizedek.

 

 

The scepter of your power the LORD will stretch forth from Zion:

"Rule in the midst of your enemies."

 

 

R.     You are a priest for ever, in the line of Melchizedek.

 

 

"Yours is princely power in the day of your birth, in holy splendor;

before the daystar, like the dew, I have begotten you."

 

 

R.     You are a priest for ever, in the line of Melchizedek.

 

 

The LORD has sworn, and he will not repent:

"You are a priest forever, according to the order of Melchizedek."

 

R.     You are a priest for ever, in the line of Melchizedek.

 

 

 

Reading II - A reading from the first letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians (1 Corinthians 11:23-26):

 

Brothers and sisters:

23
11 I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you, that the Lord Jesus, on the night he was handed over, took bread,
24
and, after he had given thanks, broke it and said, "This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me."
25
In the same way also the cup, after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me."
26
For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the death of the Lord until he comes.

 

 

 

Gospel - A reading from the Holy Gospel according to St. Luke (Luke 9:11b-17):

 

11
Jesus spoke to the crowds about the kingdom of God, and he healed those who needed to be cured.
12
As the day was drawing to a close, the Twelve approached him and said, "Dismiss the crowd so that they can go to the surrounding villages and farms and find lodging and provisions; for we are in a deserted place here."
13
He said to them, "Give them some food yourselves." They replied, "Five loaves and two fish are all we have, unless we ourselves go and buy food for all these people."
14
Now the men there numbered about five thousand. Then he said to his disciples, "Have them sit down in groups of (about) fifty."
15
They did so and made them all sit down.
16
Then taking 7 the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, he said the blessing over them, broke them, and gave them to the disciples to set before the crowd.
17
They all ate and were satisfied. And when the leftover fragments were picked up, they filled twelve wicker baskets.

 

 

--------------------

 

 

06/06/10:  Talladega Nights clip - Ricky Bobby says grace at dinner to infant baby Jesus -  All I can say is it's hilarious!

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vuAUI_0knfk

 

 

 

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Sunday, May 30, 2010:  (SOLEMNITY OF THE MOST HOLY TRINITY)  Readings for today:  Proverbs 8:22-31  /  Romans 5:1-5  /  John 16:12-15:

(Image courtesy of http://www.boston-catholic-journal.com/images/most-holy-trinity.jpg )

 

Reading I - A reading from the book of Proverbs (Proverbs 8:22-31):

 

Thus says the wisdom of God:

22
5 "The LORD possessed me, the beginning of his ways, the forerunner of his prodigies of long ago;
23
6 From of old I was poured forth, at the first, before the earth.
24
7 When there were no depths I was brought forth, when there were no fountains or springs of water;
25
Before the mountains were settled into place, before the hills, I was brought forth;
26
While as yet the earth and the fields were not made, nor the first clods of the world.
27
"When he established the heavens I was there, when he marked out the vault over the face of the deep;
28
When he made firm the skies above, when he fixed fast the foundations of the earth;
29
When he set for the sea its limit, so that the waters should not transgress his command;
30
8 Then was I beside him as his craftsman, and I was his delight day by day, Playing before him all the while,
31
playing on the surface of his earth; and I found delight in the human race.

 

 

 

 

Responsorial Psalm - Psalm 8:4-5, 6-7, 8-9:

 

R.          (2a)  O Lord, our God, how wonderful your name in all the earth!

 

 

When I behold your heavens, the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars which you set in place —
What is man that you should be mindful of him,
or the son of man that you should care for him?

 

 

R.          O Lord, our God, how wonderful your name in all the earth!

 

 

You have made him little less than the angels,
and crowned him with glory and honor.
You have given him rule over the works of your hands,
putting all things under his feet:

 

 

R.          O Lord, our God, how wonderful your name in all the earth!

 

 

All sheep and oxen,
yes, and the beasts of the field,
The birds of the air, the fishes of the sea,
and whatever swims the paths of the seas.

 

 

R.          O Lord, our God, how wonderful your name in all the earth!

 

 

 

 

Reading II - A reading from the letter of St. Paul to the Romans (Romans 5:1-5):

 

Brothers and sisters:

1
1 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace 2 with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,
2
through whom we have gained access (by faith) to this grace in which we stand, and we boast in hope of the glory of God.
3
Not only that, but we even boast of our afflictions, knowing that affliction produces endurance,
4
and endurance, proven character, and proven character, hope,
5
and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the holy Spirit that has been given to us.

 

 

 

Gospel - A reading from the Holy Gospel according to St. John (John 16:12-15):

 

Jesus said to his disciples:

12
"I have much more to tell you, but you cannot bear it now.
13
5 But when he comes, the Spirit of truth, he will guide you to all truth. He will not speak on his own, but he will speak what he hears, and will declare to you the things that are coming.
14
He will glorify me, because he will take from what is mine and declare it to you.
15
Everything that the Father has is mine; for this reason I told you that he will take from what is mine and declare it to you.

 

 

--------------------

 

05/30/10- Christians (not) by Maya Angelou -  I got this in email and felt it was worth sharing, even though when I googled it, Snopes.com says that not only did Maya Angelou not write this, but she denies writing it on her website.  So I'm gonna say it's by "Anonymous", and I share it because I like it:

 

"When I say… “ I am a Christian” I’m not shoutin’ “I’m clean livin’”
 

I’m whispering “ I was LOST, now I’m found and forgiven.”

When I say… “ I am a Christian” I don’t speak of this with pride. I’m confessing that I stumble and need Christ to be my guide.

When I say… “ I am a Christian” I’m not trying to be strong. I’m professing that I ‘m weak and need His strength to carry on.

When I say… “ I am a Christian” I’m not bragging of success. I’m admitting I have failed and need God to clean my mess.

When I say… “ I am a Christian” I’m not claiming to be perfect, my flaws are far too visible but, God believes I am worth it.

When I say… “ I am a Christian” I still feel the sting of pain.  I have my share of heartaches, so I call upon His name.

When I say… “ I am a Christian” I’m not holier than thou, I’m just a simple sinner who received God’s good grace somehow."

 

 

 

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Sunday, May 23, 2010:  (SOLEMNITY OF PENTECOST)  Readings for today:  Acts 2:1-11  /  1 Corinthians 12:3b-7, 12-13  /  John 14:15-16, 23b-26:

 

 

Reading I - A reading from the acts of the Apostles (Acts 2:1-11):

 

1
1 When the time for Pentecost was fulfilled, they were all in one place together.
2
And suddenly there came from the sky a noise like a strong driving wind, 2 and it filled the entire house in which they were.
3
Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire, 3 which parted and came to rest on each one of them.
 

4

And they were all filled with the holy Spirit and began to speak in different tongues, 4 as the Spirit enabled them to proclaim.
5
Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven staying in Jerusalem.
6
At this sound, they gathered in a large crowd, but they were confused because each one heard them speaking in his own language.
7
They were astounded, and in amazement they asked, "Are not all these people who are speaking Galileans?
8
Then how does each of us hear them in his own native language?
9
We are Parthians, Medes, and Elamites, inhabitants of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia,
10
Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the districts of Libya near Cyrene, as well as travelers from Rome,
11
both Jews and converts to Judaism, Cretans and Arabs, yet we hear them speaking in our own tongues of the mighty acts of God."
 

 

http://saltandlighttv.org/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/pentecost.jpg

 

 

Responsorial Psalm - (Psalm 104:1, 24, 29-30, 31, 34):

 

R. (cf. 30) Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth.

 

 

Bless the LORD, O my soul!

O LORD, my God, you are great indeed!

How manifold are your works, O LORD!

the earth is full of your creatures;

 

 

R. Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth.

 

 

May the glory of the LORD endure forever;

may the LORD be glad in his works!

Pleasing to him be my theme;

I will be glad in the LORD.

 

 

R. Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth.

 

 

If you take away their breath, they perish

and return to their dust.

When you send forth your spirit, they are created,

and you renew the face of the earth.

 

 

R. Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth.

 

 

 

 

Reading II - A reading from the first letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians (1 Corinthians 12:3b-7, 12-13):

 

Brothers and sisters:

 

3
No one can say, "Jesus is Lord," except by the holy Spirit.
4
3 There are different kinds of spiritual gifts but the same Spirit;
5
there are different forms of service but the same Lord;
6
there are different workings but the same God who produces all of them in everyone.
7
To each individual the manifestation of the Spirit is given for some benefit.
12
4 As a body is one though it has many parts, and all the parts of the body, though many, are one body, so also Christ.
13
For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, slaves or free persons, and we were all given to drink of one Spirit.

 

 

 

Gospel - A reading from the Holy Gospel according to St. John (John 14:15-16, 23b-26):

 

Jesus said to his disciples:

 

15
"If you love me, you will keep my commandments.
16
And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate 8 to be with you always,
23
Whoever loves me will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our dwelling with him.
24
Whoever does not love me does not keep my words; yet the word you hear is not mine but that of the Father who sent me.
25
"I have told you this while I am with you.
26
The Advocate, the holy Spirit that the Father will send in my name--he will teach you everything and remind you of all that (I) told you.

 

 

 

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Sunday, May 16, 2010:  (THE ASCENSION OF THE LORD)  Readings for today:  Acts 1:1-11  /  Hebrews 9:24-28; 10:19-23  /  Luke 24:46-53:

 

 

Reading I -  A reading from the acts of the Apostles (Acts 1:1-11):

 

1
1 In the first book, Theophilus, I dealt with all that Jesus did and taught
2
until the day he was taken up, after giving instructions through the holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen.
3
He presented himself alive to them by many proofs after he had suffered, appearing to them during forty days 2 and speaking about the kingdom of God.
4
While meeting with them, he enjoined them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for "the promise of the Father 3 about which you have heard me speak;
5
for John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the holy Spirit."
6
When they had gathered together they asked him, "Lord, are you at this time going 4 to restore the kingdom to Israel?"
7
5 He answered them, "It is not for you to know the times or seasons that the Father has established by his own authority.
8
6 But you will receive power when the holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, throughout Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
9
When he had said this, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him from their sight.
10
While they were looking intently at the sky as he was going, suddenly two men dressed in white garments stood beside them.
11
They said, "Men of Galilee, why are you standing there looking at the sky? This Jesus who has been taken up from you into heaven will return in the same way as you have seen him going into heaven."

 

http://biblicalpaths.files.wordpress.com/2009/05/jesus-ascension2.jpg

 

 

Responsorial Psalm - Psalm 47:2-3, 6-7, 8-9:

 

R.  (6) God mounts his throne to shouts of joy: a blare of trumpets for the Lord.
 

 

All you peoples, clap your hands,

shout to God with cries of gladness,

For the LORD, the Most High, the awesome,

is the great king over all the earth.

 

 

R. God mounts his throne to shouts of joy:  a blare of trumpets for the Lord.

 

 

God mounts his throne amid shouts of joy;

the LORD, amid trumpet blasts.

Sing praise to God, sing praise;

sing praise to our king, sing praise.

 

 

R. God mounts his throne to shouts of joy:  a blare of trumpets for the Lord.

 

 

For king of all the earth is God;

sing hymns of praise.

God reigns over the nations,

God sits upon his holy throne.

 

 

R. God mounts his throne to shouts of joy:  a blare of trumpets for the Lord.

 

 

 

 

Reading II - A reading from the letter of St. Paul to the Hebrews (Hebrews 9:24-28; 10:19-23):

 

24
Christ did not enter into a sanctuary made by hands, a copy of the true one, but heaven itself, that he might now appear before God on our behalf.
25
Not that he might offer himself repeatedly, as the high priest enters each year into the sanctuary with blood that is not his own;
26
if that were so, he would have had to suffer repeatedly from the foundation of the world. But now once for all he has appeared at the end of the ages 19 to take away sin by his sacrifice.
27
Just as it is appointed that human beings die once, and after this the judgment,
28
so also Christ, offered once to take away the sins of many, 20 will appear a second time, not to take away sin but to bring salvation to those who eagerly await him.
19
9 Therefore, brothers, since through the blood of Jesus we have confidence of entrance into the sanctuary
20
10 by the new and living way he opened for us through the veil, that is, his flesh,
21
11 and since we have "a great priest over the house of God,"
22
let us approach with a sincere heart and in absolute trust, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience 12 and our bodies washed in pure water.
23
Let us hold unwaveringly to our confession that gives us hope, for he who made the promise is trustworthy.

 

 

 

Gospel - A reading from the Holy Gospel according to St. Luke (Luke 24:46-53):

 

Jesus said to his disciples:

 

46
11"Thus it is written that the Messiah would suffer and rise from the dead on the third day
47
and that repentance, for the forgiveness of sins, would be preached in his name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem.
48
You are witnesses of these things.
49
And (behold) I am sending the promise of my Father 12 upon you; but stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high."
50
13 Then he led them (out) as far as Bethany, raised his hands, and blessed them.
51
As he blessed them he parted from them and was taken up to heaven.
52
They did him homage and then returned to Jerusalem with great joy,
53
and they were continually in the temple praising God. 14

 

 

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Sunday, May 9, 2010:  (SIXTH SUNDAY OF EASTER)  Readings for today:  Acts 15:1-2, 22-29  /  Revelation 21:10-14, 22-23  /  John 14:23-29:

 

 

Reading I - A reading from the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 15:1-2, 22-29):

 

1
1 Some who had come down from Judea were instructing the brothers, "Unless you are circumcised according to the Mosaic practice, you cannot be saved." 2
2
Because there arose no little dissension and debate by Paul and Barnabas with them, it was decided that Paul, Barnabas, and some of the others should go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and elders about this question.
22
Then the apostles and elders, in agreement with the whole church, decided to choose representatives and to send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. The ones chosen were Judas, who was called Barsabbas, and Silas, leaders among the brothers.
23
This is the letter delivered by them: "The apostles and the elders, your brothers, to the brothers in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia of Gentile origin: greetings.
24
Since we have heard that some of our number (who went out) without any mandate from us have upset you with their teachings and disturbed your peace of mind,
25
we have with one accord decided to choose representatives and to send them to you along with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,
26
who have dedicated their lives to the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
27
So we are sending Judas and Silas who will also convey this same message by word of mouth:
28
'It is the decision of the holy Spirit and of us not to place on you any burden beyond these necessities,
29
namely, to abstain from meat sacrificed to idols, from blood, from meats of strangled animals, and from unlawful marriage. If you keep free of these, you will be doing what is right. Farewell.'"

 

 

 

Responsorial Psalm -  Psalm 67-2-3, 5, 6, 8:

 

R. (4)