22nd/23rd Sundays after Pentecost

Last Sunday, the 22nd Sunday after Pentecost, we heard about giving to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to give to God what is His. What is His is you and me individually. This means giving your whole mind, your whole heart, your whole soul, and your whole being to Him. He has created us, and He wants us to be with Him forever in heaven, if we but follow His rules.

We had St. Luke this week as one of our days. He was one of the four Evangelists, signified by an ox. He took his place with the others; the man, the lion, and the eagle, all signifying the 'Big Four', as I like to call them. He was with St. Paul so much during his life that some think that he(Paul) might have contributed much to Luke's Gospel, without putting his(Paul's) name on it. Something to think about, I think.

Yesterday we had St. Raphael, the Archangel, one of the seven, who stands before the throne of God Himself. He was in the book of Tobias in the Old Testament. The protestants don't have this book, and I think that's because it talks about Catholic things. Their loss, because this is one of my favorite books to read. I'm going to end this with the prayer from the Ambrosian breviary, in honor of St. Raphael.


O Raphael, divinely sent guide, graciously receive the hymn we suppliants address to thee with joyful voice.

Make straight for us the way of salvation, and forward our steps: lest at any time we wander astray, and turn from the path to heaven.

Look down upon us from on high; reflect into our souls the splendour shining from above, from the Holy Father of lights.

Give perfect health to the sick, dispel the darkness of the blind: and while driving away diseases of the body, give spiritual strength to our souls.

Thou who standest before the sovereign Judge, plead for the pardon of our crimes: and as a trusty advocate appease the avenging wrath of the Most High.

Renewer of the great battle, crush our proud enemy: against the rebel spirits give us strength, and increase our grace.

To God the Father be glory, and to the Son, together with the Paraclete Spirit, now and for evermore. Amen.


It's good to be back, and I hope to see you this Sunday.