Catholic Catechism for Adults, Ch 2,

God Comes to Meet Us.
God reveals a plan of loving goodness. CCC, Nos. 50-67
United States Catholic Catechism for Adults. USCC Bishops, 2006 ed.

Meditation

Jesus Christ is the definitive revelation of God:
Christ, the Son of God made man, is the Father's one, perfect, and unsurpassable Word. In him he has said everything; there will be no other word than this one. St. John of the Cross, among others, commented strikingly on Hebrews 1:1-2: "In giving us his Son, his only Word (for he possesses no other), he spoke everything to us at once in this sole Word - and he has no more to say...because what he spoke before to the prophets in parts, he has now spoken all at once by giving us the All Who is His Son. Any person questioning God or desiring some vision or revelation would be guilty not only of foolish behavior but also of offending him, by not fixing his eyes entirely upon Christ and by living with the desire for some other novelty."

CCC, no.65, citing St.John of the Cross, The Ascent of Mount Carmel, 2, 22, 3-5

Prayer

Your word, Lord, stands forever; it is firm as the heavens. Through all generations your truth endures; fixed to stand firm like the earth. Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light for my path.

Psalm 119:89-90; 105

Make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue.

2 Pt 1:5

Catholic Catechism for Adults, Ch 1

My Soul Longs for you, O God (Ps 42:2)
The Human Quest for God. CCC, Nos. 27-43
from US Catholic Catechism for Adults, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops

Meditation

Where did I find you, that I came to know you? You were not within my memory before I learned of you. Where, then, did I find you before I came to know you, if not within yourself, far above me?...Late have I loved you, O Beauty ever ancient, ever new, late have I loved you!...Created things kept me from you; yet if they had not been in you they would not have been at all. [O eternal truth, true love and beloved eternity. You are my God. To you I sigh day and night.]...You were with me but I was not with you. Created things kept me from you; yet if they had not been in you they would not have been at all. You called, you shouted, and you broke through my deafness. You flashed, you shone, and you dispelled my blindness. You breathed your fragrance on me; I drew in breath and now I pant for you. I have tasted you; now I hunger and thirst for more. You touched me, and I burn for your peace.

St. Augustine, The Confessions, bk.10, chap.26,27.37

Prayer

As the deer longs for streams of water,
so my soul longs for you, O God.
My being thirsts for God, the living God.
When can I go and see the face of God?
My tears have been my food day and night,
as they ask daily, "Where is your God?"
Those times I recall as I pour out my soul,
When I went in procession with the crowd,
I went with them to the house of God,
Amid loud cries of thanksgiving,
with the multitude keeping festival.
Why are you downcast, my soul;
why do you groan within me?
Wait for God, whom I shall praise again,
my savior and my God.

Ps 42:2-6

God loves each one of us as if there were only one of us to love.

St. Augustine

First Saturday of the month, July 4, 2009

Independence Day
Fr. Ignatius at Our Lady of Mt Carmel Church in his homily emphasize our Christian roots as a nation and this prayer:
On this holiday, we give thanks for the good things God gives us and we ask for the grace to share them with the world.
We lift up our hearts, O God, on this day of celebration in gratitude for the gift of being Americans.
We rejoice with all those who share in the great dream of freedom and dignity for all.
With flags and feasting, with family and friends, we salute those who have sacrificed that we might have the opportunity to bring to fulfillment our many God-given gifts. As we deny all prejudice a place in our hearts, may we also clearly declare our intention to work for the time when all people, regardless of race, religion or sex, will be granted equal dignity and worth. Come, O gracious God, who led your children Israel from slavery, keep us free from all that might hold us n bondage.
Bless our country and join our simple celebration that we may praise you, our Source of freedom, the One in whom we place our trust. Amen