26th Sunday of Ordinary Time - B

The Word of God Enflames our Faith - Year of Faith 2012-2013

by Teresa Monaghen

Gospel Mk 9:38-43, 45, 47-48
At that time, John said to Jesus,
"Teacher, we saw someone driving out demons in your name,
and we tried to prevent him because he does not follow us."
Jesus replied, "Do not prevent him.
There is no one who performs a mighty deed in my name
who can at the same time speak ill of me.
For whoever is not against us is for us.
Anyone who gives you a cup of water to drink
because you belong to Christ,
amen, I say to you, will surely not lose his reward.

"Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin,
it would be better for him if a great millstone
were put around his neck
and he were thrown into the sea.
If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off.
It is better for you to enter into life maimed
than with two hands to go into Gehenna,
into the unquenchable fire.
And if your foot causes you to sin, cut if off.
It is better for you to enter into life crippled
than with two feet to be thrown into Gehenna.
And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out.
Better for you to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye
than with two eyes to be thrown into Gehenna,
where 'their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched.'"

My Commentary -In this year of faith starting in a few weeks we are reminded strongly not to become lax, insipid, tasteless...The document Porta Fidei #3 says "we cannot accept that salt should become tasteless or the light be kept hidden (cf Mt. 5:13-15)". A radical commitment to the Gospel is required! We are invited this week to a radical conversion. The Gospel wants to correct the wrong idea of what it means to be a Christian (9:38-40), reminding us to get up and give the cup of cold water to our brothers and sisters in Christ. We cannot sit back but GET UP, OFFER, GIVE (9:41). We are to live in such a way that we will not scandalize the little ones especially in our insipidity, tastelessness, lack of luster, or joy (9:42). Finally we are called to a radical  commitment so much so that nothing should keep us from growing in holiness and if it does, we must ask the Lord for the strength to even pluck out our eyes or cut off our hands if they should holds us back (9:43-48).

Colloquy: Oh Lord, I do desire to go all the way, but I am more talk than action. I pray this week that you will open my heart and explode the rubble of my mediocrity with your absolute, unconditional love for me, and filled with this awareness may I love with the love you fill me with, and give fully from the life-giving graces you give me to share with everyone, especially the little ones. Amen.

August Pro Sanctity Prayer Letter

Pro Sanctity Movement

a call to holiness in daily life

11002 N. 204th St.

Elkhorn, NE. 68022

psm@prosanctity.org

402-289-2670 or FAX 402-289-1938

August 2012



Dear Pro Sanctity Prayer Partners:



The summer is passing so quickly, soon the activities of fall will resume, returning to school and a more regular work schedule. We hope you enjoy the remaining days and thank God for the relaxation and time with family they offer



Praying to Jesus through Mary is our theme for this month. As Jesus was dying on the cross He said to John, “Behold your mother”. With this action He gave Mary, His mother, to the entire Church as a gift. When we think about her life, both in general and as we are praying the rosary, we cannot help but marvel and her complete availability and surrender to the divine plan of the Father for the salvation of all mankind. The image of a loving mother is something that the vast majority of us can relate to as part of our own families, so it should not be difficult and it should fill us with great joy to realize that we have a heavenly mother who, like her Son, knows everything about us and listens attentively when we call upon her.



With this in mind, I want to challenge myself and all of you to develop a more intimate relationship with Mary. We can do this by praying the rosary more faithfully and truly seeing her as our mother who loves us infinitely and who is calling us to herself so that she can point us to her Son



Let us pray especially this month for the desire to be closer to Mary and for a deeper awareness of her presence in our lives and what she is calling us to do. Surely she will not withhold from us something she wants so greatly for us to have. Let us also pray for the victims of recent violence in Colorado as well as those victims of violence all over the country. It seems there has never been a greater need for the unconditional love of God and those who communicate it. Also let us continue to pray for rain so that our farmers can provide the food we need.







Thank you for praying with us

Dan and Joan Kash, Marian Lenz, Anne Zugelder









Prayer Request:





Stephen and Nancy Tefft for the healing of Stephens wrist and extra grace to cope with changes

Katherine who has had her wisdom teeth pulled

Parishes and schools in southeast Omaha dealing with closing and reorganization and the priests and people who assist them

Rich Woods who had a stent placed in his heart

Young people starting college this year

Mr Harper who has cancer

Leon who is recovering from brain surgery

Mary Goodwin whose brother John passed away

People looking for work

Diocesan meetings currently in progress and upcoming

Prayer to St Joseph for the continuing needs of the Pro Sanctity Retreat Center in Omaha

Continued healing for John Patrick Nicholson

The ongoing culture wars that we may persevere in defending the lives of the unborn and for Christians being persecuted for their beliefs

Kelly and Tom

Mary’s intentions

Thanksgiving for all the awesome gifts and graces God gives me

John’s family

Joannas’ new Job as Dean of Liberal Arts at Chaldron State College

James new clinic

For the earth

Theresa, David and Paul Hahn

Brian Alder

Talula Childers

Young turn back to God

Poor Souls

Farmers Harvest

Healing for Dustin

Success in my new job

That my nephew may discern his path in life

For expecting unwed mothers, especially Kate and Emily

Healing for people with brain cancer and thyroid cancer

John and Frances Monaghen

For the intercession of St. Thomas Moore for Judge Zastera’s just judgment

For Annibella and Grace to go to St. Pats in Elkhorn

For the conversion James Foster

For the repose of Samuel Noah Korus’ soul; stillborn 6wks

For Jeff Korus new career at St. Pats

Mary’s sister in law

Fr. Justin Pisciotta who died last week

For my sister Helen who broke her wrist and will have surgery on the 11th For John Joseph trip to Germany

John and Frances Monaghen

For all students returning to school

For a new Family Rep on NE PSM Board

For a peaceful end to the confrontation in Syria

For the new apostolic Year

For more Vocations

















John



John of miraculous birth

Ordained by God from the beginning

Leaped with joy before his Savior



John withdrew from society

Learned Truth in the wilderness

Submitted to God’s tenderness



John lowly and unkept

Preached the truth upon the banks

Poured Jordan’s water upon the Lord



John challenged the rich with his words

Imprisoned for his witness

Showed strength and hope in the Lord



John lost his head for Truth

Stood humbly before Jesus

Took nothing for himself

Anne Zugelder

August Pro Sanctity Prayer Letter