What we read of the people of Nazareth is significant and striking. Jesus had returned there after beginning his ministry and working his first miracles. They were not only amazed by his teaching and his works, but they were even "scandalized by him."
In other words, they spoke of him and treated him with suspicion and hostility, as one who was unwelcome. "Jesus said to them, 'A prophet is not without honor except in his native place, and among his own kin and in his own house.' So he was not able to perform any mighty deed there, apart from curing a few sick people by laying his hands on them. He was amazed at their lack of faith" (Mk 6:4-6).
Miracles are signs of Jesus' divine power. When there is an obstinate blindness in recognizing such power, a miracle loses its reason. Therefore faith in Christ is a constitutive condition of salvation, of eternal life.
The judgment is implicit in the choice of accepting or rejecting faith in Christ. "Whoever believes in him will not be condemned, but whoever does not believe has already been condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God" (Jn 3:18).
Prayer for Our Priests
O Jesus, Eternal High Priest;
Keep all Your priests within the shelter of Your
Sacred Heart, where none may harm them.
Keep unstained their anointed hands
Which daily touch Your Sacred Body.
Keep unsullied their lips purpled with Your Precious Blood.
Keep pure and unearthly their hearts sealed with the sublime
marks of Your glorious priesthood.
Let Your holy love surround them and
shield them from the world’s contagion.
Bless their labors with abundant fruit,
and may the souls to whom they have ministered
to be their joy and consolation
and in Heaven their beautiful and everlasting crown.
O Mary, Queen of the clergy, pray for us;
Saint John Marie Vianney, pray for us;
Obtain for us many holy priests. AMEN.
Simply Stewardship
(Thought for the Week)
This weekend as we celebrate the Independence of our country, we will do well to echo the Psalmist, saying, “Our eyes are fixed on the Lord, pleading for his mercy.” May we always recognize and use wisely the gifts of freedom and abundance He has showered upon us
LAST WEEK’S COLLECTION
Your gifts for stewardship for last Sunday’s Mass amounted to $1,724.00. We thank you for your generous donation.
TECHA SCHEDULE
July 5—11: Glorina Perez / Lucia McDonald
July 12-18: Dolores Chargualaf
Traditional village Lanchon Cotpus - Saturday, June 13, 2009
(Click on each image to enlarge.)
As we celebrate the Fourth of July, we again give thanks to Almighty God for our beloved country. How blessed we are to live in this land of the free. Let us never cease giving God thanks for all our blessings and let us continue to pray for the USA and her people.
