Deacon Ward's Message of the Day 6/24/2020

Deacon Ward's Almost Daily Message 

Wednesday June 24, 2020

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Today we celebrate the birth of St. John the Baptist; let us pray for his intercession for our needs and the needs of others.

It's important that we come to know our saints...for they are our models of holiness. 

Here is the story of Saint John the Baptist...

Jesus called John the greatest of all those who had preceded him: “I tell you, among those born of women, no one is greater than John….” But John would have agreed completely with what Jesus added: “[Y]et the least in the kingdom of God is greater than he” (Luke 7:28).

John spent his time in the desert, an ascetic. He began to announce the coming of the Kingdom, and to call everyone to a fundamental reformation of life. His purpose was to prepare the way for Jesus. His baptism, he said, was for repentance. But one would come who would baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire. John was not worthy even to untie his sandals. His attitude toward Jesus was: “He must increase; I must decrease” (John 3:30).

John was humbled to find among the crowd of sinners who came to be baptized the one whom he already knew to be the Messiah. “I need to be baptized by you” (Matthew 3:14b). But Jesus insisted, “Allow it now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness” (Matthew 3:15b). Jesus, true and humble human as well as eternal God, was eager to do what was required of any good Jew. Jesus thus publicly entered the community of those awaiting the Messiah. But making himself part of that community, he made it truly messianic.

The greatness of John, his pivotal place in the history of salvation, is seen in the great emphasis Luke gives to the announcement of his birth and the event itself—both made prominently parallel to the same occurrences in the life of Jesus. John attracted countless people to the banks of the Jordan, and it occurred to some people that he might be the Messiah. But he constantly deferred to Jesus, even to sending away some of his followers to become the first disciples of Jesus.

Perhaps John’s idea of the coming of the Kingdom of God was not being perfectly fulfilled in the public ministry of Jesus. For whatever reason, when he was in prison he sent his disciples to ask Jesus if he was the Messiah. Jesus’ answer showed that the Messiah was to be a figure like that of the Suffering Servant in Isaiah. John himself would share in the pattern of messianic suffering, losing his life to the revenge of Herodias.

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Reflection

John challenges us Christians to the fundamental attitude of Christianity—Total dependence on the Father, in Christ. 

Except for the Mother of God, no one had a higher function 
in the unfolding of salvation. 
Yet the least in the kingdom, Jesus said, is greater than he, for the pure gift that the Father gives. 
The attractiveness as well as the austerity of John, his fierce courage in denouncing evil—all stem from his fundamental and total placing of his life within the will of God.

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Continuing to remember all of our priests in our prayers... 

Today, we pray for Fathers Rijo Johnson, SDV and Daniel Jordan of our diocese…and also for Deacons Richard Anderberg and David Baker.

“Eternal Father, we lift up to you these and all the priests and deacons of the world.

Sanctify them, heal and guide them.

Mold them into the likeness and holiness

of your Son, Jesus, the Eternal High Priest.

May their lives be pleasing to you. In Jesus' name, we pray."  Amen.

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All of us have daily habits, and one of those habits, hopefully, is giving time to God.

During this difficult period it is, without a doubt, the time to make God the one thing we pursue above everything else.

How can I make time with God a daily habit?

Give Thanks

Have you had your prayers answered...been healed? Take a moment to give Him thanks for what He has done for you!


Spend 5 Minutes in Silence

To be with Jesus starts with stillness. Take a deep breath...and turn over to Him anything that concerns you.
Spend 5 minutes centering your heart on the One who matters most.

Remember Whose You Are

God truly loves you...let that sink in. Think of the price He paid for you. Remind yourself whose you are...your dreams should be wrapped with God. 

Meditate on God's Word

How does God want you to live? One way to know is to spend time in Scripture...the Holy Bible.
Ask God to speak to you through His words...leading you in the decisions of your daily life.

Focus on What is Excellent

Ask yourself what is praiseworthy...what decisions would honor and please God.
Make a list...and pursue!

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****FRIDAY!****

"It is easier for the world to exist without a sun than to exist without the Eucharist."

(St. Padre Pio)

...Starting at 7:00 PM!

 Come and join us (or online) for 

Holy Adoration and Holy Rosary (Led by Fr. Rijo)

 from St. Mary Star of the Sea Church

Thanks for tuning in!
🌹🌹Until next time...In His Peace.   Deacon Ward🌹🌹  

Telephone  /  Email

(802-624-4964  /  nekdeacon@gmail.com)