Holy Name of Jesus National Catholic Church

My children must be
…righteous before the Lord.

We acknowledge that what makes a man righteous is not obedience to the Law, but faith in Jesus Christ.

What is righteousness? It is an attribute implying that a person’s actions are justified, that the person has been “judged” or “reckoned” as leading a life that is pleasing to God. Some of the attributes of righteousness are being upright, just, straight, innocent, true, and sincere.

The Jewish teachers instructed that righteousness was equivalent to following the Law very strictly. The Jewish people have to work at righteousness by carrying out tasks.

St. Paul shows us that righteousness is more than mere acts, even if they are right acts. It comes from faith. Faith in Jesus leads us to performing right and proper acts, but those actions do not come first. Rather those acts derive from faith.

Jesus offers us the salvation He has won for us. Belief and faith in His coming, life, suffering, death, resurrection, ascension, and second coming provides the benefits of that salvation. In our act of faith in Him, in the waters of regeneration, in accepting the gift of the Holy Spirit, and our membership in the community of faith we are changed to a people who do for the right reason, Jesus.

As changed people we walk in faith and have – already own – what has been won for us through God’s righteousness.

The good and righteous fathers among us have instilled this lesson in us. We are most aware of this when we consider WHY we do what we do.

Our dads showed us the way to go – teaching that we must do things for the right reason. That reason should never be simple adherence to a law or rule. Simple obedience out of fear, or just because, is never a good enough reason. We have to look and consider more deeply the “why” behind what we do.

As those with faith in Jesus Christ we do right, not because society says so or imposes penalties for doing wrong, but because doing right flows from faith. By faith we understand, by faith we live, by faith we walk in His footsteps. We are a people whose first instinct is to love, to do right, to live with integrity, to forgive – all coming from faith.

Simon the leper didn’t get the kind of righteousness faith demands. He wondered why Jesus showed love toward the sinful woman who was anointing His feet. Simon relied on the law in determining what should be done (while forgetting the laws of hospitality). Jesus showed him that her faith was the way to righteousness.
Let our lives and our reasons for doing be based on faith; pleasing to God, pleasing as precious ointment.

• 6/9 – Hebrews 11:1 – Lord Jesus, thank You for giving me faith and hope. Grant me even stronger faith, assurance in Your promises, and the conviction to proclaim what I believe without seeing.
• 6/10 – Psalm 27:4-5 – Lord, throughout my days sustain me in the hope of shelter in times of trouble. Lift me up over adversity. Bring me to Your heavenly kingdom.
• 6/11 – Romans 15:13 – Lord God, fill me with joy and peace in believing. Grant that I may abound in hope by the power of Your Holy Spirit.
• 6/12 – Romans 15:4 – Lord Jesus, grant that I may be diligent in studying Your word and carrying it out. Help me to see the hope that is ever before me.
• 6/13 – Romans 12:12 – Lord Jesus, I rejoice in the hope You have provided. Grant that through that hope I may be patient in suffering and persevering in prayer.
• 6/14 – Romans 8:24-25 – Lord Jesus, You declared blessed those who believe without seeing. Grant that I may not place my belief, trust, and hope in the worldly things I see, but rather in Your promised kingdom which cannot be seen.
• 6/15 – 1 Corinthians 15:19 – Lord Jesus, thank You for the promise of eternal life. Grant that I may never place my hope in the present day, but rather keep my vision on everlasting life in You.

Pray the week: Lord Jesus, thank You for the gift of hope. Grant me confidence in Your goodness and promises.

Stop crying
…and see hope.

Hear, O LORD, and have pity on me; O LORD, be my helper. You changed my mourning into dancing; O LORD, my God, forever will I give you thanks.

Remember learning the Act of Hope? It is one of those basic prayers we all learned as children perhaps from our parents or in catechism class: O my God, relying on Thy infinite goodness and promises, I hope to obtain pardon for my sins, the help of Thy grace, and life everlasting through the merits of Jesus Christ, my Lord and Redeemer. Amen.

Today we see all of this in action. Elijah begs God for mercy upon the widow at Zarephath whose son has died.

Elijah had been a guest in her house for a long time. She and her son were dying of starvation when Elijah arrived, yet she gave him the last of what she had and from that point forward her barrel did not go empty – they were all able to eat for many days. After the famine is over her son got sick and died. After all she did she is pushed to the end of her rope and doubts.

Even though she had witnessed a miracle, and had been fed by the hand of the Lord, there is that moment of weakness and doubt. Yet God does not abandon her, He listens to Elijah’s pleading bringing her son back to life. Then she remembers her faith and the mercy of the Lord.

The lesson is that even though we lack consistent faith God does not forsake us. We always have the promise of hope.

St. Paul is recounting the fact that he had been a cruel jerk toward Christians. He tells the Galatians that at the height of his power and cruelty Jesus touched him, redeemed him, and trusted him with His message.

The lesson is that even though we sin and fall, even if we fall to the depths of depravity, God does not forsake us. He continually calls us back to His way and sends His grace to motivate us to change. We have the hope of forgiveness and redemption.

Two thousand years ago a funeral procession made its way toward the gates of Nain. The crowd was devastated: they had lost a son. His mom, a widow grieved. There was hopelessness. At the gates Jesus notices this grieving. He “was moved with pity for her,” and responded with compassion. He looked her in the eye, and says, “Do not weep.” God has “visited his people,” and was ready to save her and her son.

The lesson is that there is no hopelessness. We have tremendous hope because Jesus has the power not only to heal, but to raise. God continues to surprise us with His hope. Jesus returns to us every day with reason for hope.

Completed, albeit a bit late. Check the newsletter out, stay informed, wish dad a happy Father’s Day, check out “Change Your Career Day,” see our action packed schedule, and be entertained. You may view and download a copy right here — June 2013 Newsletter.

• 6/2 – John 6:51 – Lord Jesus, I thank You for Your Body and Blood which build me into Your likeness and bring me eternal life.
• 6/3 – Hebrews 10:19-20 – Lord Jesus, You destroyed the curtain that separated all from You, tearing it from top to bottom. I praise and thank You for allowing me into Your life giving presence.
• 6/4 – 1 Corinthians 10:17 – Lord Jesus, in Your Body and Blood You draw us all together. Break down the self-imposed barriers that separate Christians and draw all to Your one table.
• 6/5 – Psalm 116:13 – Lord, in the one cup we proclaim Your death and await Your coming again. Thank You for allowing us to call You by Your Holy Name, and to approach Your Holy Mysteries.
• 6/6 – Philippians 3:10-11 – Lord Jesus, thank You for the gift of regeneration by which I have come to know You and the power of Your resurrection. Give me a share of Your sufferings so that i may become more like You and gain the promise of resurrection.
• 6/7 – 1 Corinthians 11:27-29 – Lord Jesus, give me clear vision to recall my sins, confess them worthily, and make amends so that I may approach Your Body and Blood without blame and partake to my salvation.
• 6/8 – 1 Corinthians 10:21 – Lord Jesus, make me singleminded, give me focus so that I may reject the ways of the world and live only to know, love, and serve You.

Pray the week: Lord Jesus, come into my life, make me one with You in the Eucharistic bread.

For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the death of the Lord until he comes.

Imagine if we were to walk into our very last class, just before graduation, and the professor says: ‘Forget everything you have ever learned, forget everything you know, and be filled with grace.’

Today, and every Sunday (and in reality every day), we are asked to do that, to surrender our intellectualism, our self-assured knowledge, and enter into the mystery of faith. We are asked to turn ourselves over to the Holy Spirit and to allow ourselves to be filled with the grace God offers us so that we can do much good in His name.

Our friends and close compatriots in the Orthodox Church have beautiful liturgies that call to mind both the majesty and mystery of God presence among us. Their tradition, unlike western tradition, does not rely on over thinking the mystery of God, with attempts to analyze and explain every nuance of God’s presence in our lives, but rather to worship and live trusting in the gift of faith handed down through God’s Word and Church Tradition.

We are in the midst of the Octave of Corpus Christi, eight days set aside to reflect on the mystery of the Body and Blood of Jesus in our lives, this wondrous gift that provides the grace through which we become more and more into the image of Christ.

As we have studied over the past few months, the Holy Mass is the occasion in which we encounter the full reality of Jesus among us. That reality is fully present in the Eucharistic action of the priest and the Christian people. In the Eucharistic action of ‘remembrance’ we live fully present at the Last Supper, at the foot of the Cross, the resurrection and ascension, and finally in Christ’s coming again. We are there with Him, present to Him, He is with us, and we are filled with His grace and tremendous love.

Our reception of the Eucharist in Holy Communion continues the mystery of Jesus in our life as Christians. In Communion we are joined as one. I could be receiving Communion on the moon, you here in Schenectady, each receiving the fullness of Jesus, each joined together as one body in Him. We are not separate and apart, alone in our communion, but together as one.

In these special eight days, and every day, let us forget what we think we know and actively be filled with grace, the glorious mystery of what we become in His Body and Blood.

Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, hear us. Christ, graciously hear us.
God the Father of Heaven, have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us.
God the Holy Ghost, have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, One God, have mercy on us.

Jesus, hidden in the Blessed Sacrament, have mercy on us.
Bread of Angels, have mercy on us.
Bread made flesh by the omnipotence of the Word, have mercy on us.
Bread of our souls, have mercy on us.
Food of the elect, have mercy on us.
Refreshment of holy souls, have mercy on us.
Most pure feast, have mercy on us.
Sacrament of piety, have mercy on us.
Sacrament of love, have mercy on us.
Source of all virtue, have mercy on us.
Fountain of grace, have mercy on us.
Mystery of faith, have mercy on us.
Mystery of love, have mercy on us.
Most high and most adorable Sacrament, have mercy on us.
Memorial of that most wonderful Divine love, have mercy on us.
Holy oblation, have mercy on us.
Lamb without spot, have mercy on us.
Fountain of Divine mercy, have mercy on us.
Viaticum of such that die in the Lord, have mercy on us.
Pledge of future glory, have mercy on us.

Be merciful to us, Spare us, O Lord,
Be merciful to us, Hear us, O Lord.

From an unworthy reception of Thy Body and Blood, Deliver us, O Lord.
From every occasion of sin, Deliver us, O Lord.
From being negligent of Thy grace, Deliver us, O Lord.
Through the mystery whereby Thou didst institute this Most Blessed Sacrament, Deliver us, O Lord.
Through Thy Passion and Death, Deliver us, O Lord.
Through Thy glorious Resurrection, Ascension, and descent of the Holy Ghost, Deliver us, O Lord.

We sinners beseech Thee, O God, Hear us, O Lord.
That Thou wouldst vouchsafe to preserve and increase our faith, reverence, and devotion toward this admirable Sacrament, We beseech Thee, hear us, O Lord.
That Thou wouldst vouchsafe to move us to a frequent reception of the Holy Eucharist, We beseech Thee, hear us, O Lord.
That Thou wouldst vouchsafe to impart to us the precious fruits of this most holy Sacrament, We beseech Thee, hear us, O Lord.
That at the hour of death Thou wouldst strengthen us by this heavenly food, We beseech Thee, hear us, O Lord.
That Thou wouldst vouchsafe to cll us to the feast of the Lamb, We beseech Thee, hear us, O Lord.
Son of God, We beseech Thee, hear us, O Lord.

Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, Hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, Hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, Have mercy on us.

Christ, hear us. Christ, graciously hear us.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.

Our Father…
Hail Mary…
Glory be…

Thou gavest us Bread from Heaven, O Lord.
Having in it the sweetness of every taste.

Let Us Pray

O God, Who in this wonderful Sacrament
hast left us a memorial of Thy Passion,
grant us, we beseach Thee,
so to venerate the Sacred Mysteries
of Thy Body and Blood,
that we may ever feel within ourselves
the fruit of Thy Redemption,
Who livest and reignest,
forever and ever.
Amen.

• 5/26 – Isaiah 6:8 – Lord Jesus, thank You for coming to do the will of Your Father in redeeming and saving me. Keep me in Your constant care.
• 5/27 – Genesis 1:2 – Lord God, thank You for sending forth the Holy Spirit and for the Spirit’s creative power. Grant that I may ever honor and protect Your creation.
• 5/28 – Isaiah 9:6 – Eternal Father, thank You for the gift of Your Son, Jesus. Grant that I may recognize in Him and His authority the counseling, peace, and eternal life that I desire.
• 5/29 – John 6:27 – Lord Jesus, grant that I may count the things of the world as nothing; rather that I work for the food You give, Your presence in and around me and my one way to the Father.
• 5/30 – Philippians 2:11 – Lord, as I bow low before Your holy Sacrament know that I love and adore You. You are my Lord and God!
• 5/31 – 1 Peter 1:2 – God, I glorify and praise You, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Grant me Your grace so as to better do Your will each day.
• 6/1 – Matthew 28:19 – Lord, thank You for the gift of regeneration in the waters of baptism. Grant that I may live a life that reflects my regeneration, a life dedicated to You and Your way.

Pray the week: Lord God, You are One, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Grant that I may always proclaim Your revealed truth and unity.

I thank my God in all my remembrance of you – Philippians 1:3

Heavenly Father, Whose care and guidance brought our forefathers to this great land, and led them through faith, courage and self-sacrifice to build the foundations of a great democratic nation, dedicated to Thy service and the rights of man, lead us, O God, in our day, as Thou didst lead our forefathers, and help us to be faithful stewards of the heritage which Thou hast entrusted to us.

Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. — From Memorial Day Prayers according to the Ritual of the Polish National Catholic Church

On Saturday, May 25th, we welcomed Marianna Josephine Zemken, daughter of Donovan Zemken and Rebecca Ann (Clas) Martineau into the family of faith through the waters of regeneration in baptism. The godparents were Mitchell Zemken and Rebecca Delisa. May our Lord and Savior watch over and protect Marianna and continually fill her life with knowledge of Him and His joy.