Heart of Jesus, Son of the eternal Father
President Trump visited the Saint John Paul II National Shrine
I am very sad when I am looking at the reality of our beloved Country. First, the fear of the virus and now the scary images of the destroyed stores and houses set on fire. I understudy the rights to legal and peaceful demonstration.
And I think to myself, what happened to this country that was so beloved by God. And it is sad when our Shepherds are silent.
President Trump with the Bible in hand in front of the Anglican Church reminded us that the Word of God is the most important. For me, this picture was not a PR photo, as the Bishop of this Church comment. And then the President visit to the Center of Saint John Paul the Second. Again He shows us that, as this holy Pope taught, at the center of our lives are the everlasting values that come from the Gospel.
I don't want to mention the mocking statements of Archbishop Gregory, the Archbishop of Washington.
May God forgive him.
"After he visited the St. John Paul II National Shrine President Donald Trump signed an executive order “to advance international religious freedom.” The order calls religious freedom “a moral and national security imperative” and declares it “a foreign policy priority of the United States.”
The order calls for “robust” engagement with civic organizations in other countries, and also calls on the secretary of state, in consultation with the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), to develop a plan to “prioritize” religious freedom in foreign policy and foreign assistance. International religious freedom is also to be part of U.S. diplomacy.
According to a senior administration official, the executive order builds upon Trump’s address to world leaders in September at the U.N. General Assembly where he called on countries to “end religious persecution.” “Stop the crimes against people of faith. Release prisoners of conscience. Repeal laws restricting freedom of religion and belief. Protect the vulnerable, the defenseless, and the oppressed,” President Trump said in September. Tuesday’s order, the official said, implements that vision of international religious freedom in U.S. foreign policy."
Finally, churches were allowed to open. Instead of coming to prayer, to adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, to national retreats, our shepherds issue directives on how to use hand sanitizer and masks. Brothers and sisters, the center of the church's life is the Eucharist. Please, try to show your face and your hearts that God could recognize you. In this month dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, please pray the Litany for all Priests and Bishops that we will not lose our own identity and we will remember our vocation, which is to serve God and people. Pray for us that we will always remember the words of Saint John Paul II: "Do not be afraid! Open wide the doors for Christ!"
Litany to the Sacred Heart of Jesus
- Biblical Basics and Message
When we speak about the Heart of Jesus, we mean Jesus Christ - God and Man. His Heart, called in Litany is a reflection of His origin, life and activity. Everything we say about the Heart of the Lord Jesus we speak about him as a Person. Therefore, let's look at the individual invocations of this Litany. Let's try to find its biblical foundations and message for today.
Heart of Jesus, Son of the eternal Father
“When day came the council of elders of the people met, both chief priests and scribes, and they brought Him before their Sanhedrin. They said,
"if you are the Messiah, tel us,"but He replied to them. "if I tell you, you will not believe, and if I question, you will not respond. But from this time on the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the power of God."
The all asked, "Are you then the Son of God?"
He replied to them, "You say that I AM. (Luke 22: 66-71)
Jesus is the Son of God, the Word made flesh (cf. Jn 1:14). Moreover, he is the beloved Son of God in whom the Father is well pleased (cf. Mt 3:17). The truth about Jesus' divine filiation indicates the Father's great love for man. Here he sends Jesus into the world to save a sinful man. The Father sacrifices his Son for my good, for my eternal salvation. Jesus himself, when he was asked if he is God, confirms his divine origin.
(cf. Lk 22, 70) And he will pay for this truth with his life. His death is the seal of his preaching. However, he does not give up truth and love. He is the truth and for the truth he came to the earth. Let us thank God the Father for the gift of Jesus Christ in which love and truth were revealed.
LIVE THE WORD!
Take a look at your life, your words - see how hypocritical and sometimes half-true they are. Staring at Jesus, the Son of God, decide to live in truth before God, people and yourself. Remember about the daily examination of conscience.
Heart of Jesus, Son of the Eternal Father, have mercy on us!
Until Tomorrow
fr. George