Mt. Rushmore, 2007
Day Seven
Remembering Our ForefathersPrayer
Father of life, help this nation to hear the voice of our forefathers: and to believe that God has truly given us the right to life, to liberty, and to the pursuit of happiness.
A Reading from the Acts of the Apostles 17: 26-28
[God] made from one the whole human race to dwell on the entire surface of the earth, and he fixed the ordered seasons and the boundaries of their regions, so that people might seek God, even perhaps grope for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us. For "In him we live and move and have our being..."
(silent reflection)
Prayer
God of all creation, make every one of your children a defender and promoter of the right to life.
A Reflection by Pope John Paul II*
[The] Gospel gave a new meaning to the concept of native land [patria]. In its original sense, it means what we have inherited from our fathers and mothers on earth. The inheritance we receive from Christ orientates the patrimony of human native lands and cultures toward the eternal homeland. Christ says: "I came from the Father and have come into the world; again I am leaving the world and going to the Father" (John 16:28). Christ's departure to go to the Father introduces a new homeland into human history. Sometimes we speak of the "heavenly home," or "eternal home: These expression indicate what has been accomplished in the history of man and the history of nations through Christ's coming into the world and through his leaving this world to go to the Father.
Our Father...
Hail Mary...
Glory Be...
*Pope John Paul II, Memory and Identity: Conversations at the Dawn of a Millennium, pp. 62f.
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There are so many songs we have as a nation that give rise to patriotism. There are also many more songs, I would contend, that should give rise to Christian Patriotism. I'm also thinking there are songs of gratitude that must be sung, as well, for this precious life we have been given. "Now Thank We All Our God" is one I am humming now...A grand and glorious song of thanksgiving, I'm thinking!
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For all who join in this chorus, I say
Thanks Be to God!
For all who join in this chorus, I say
Thanks Be to God!
Cathy,
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for posting this Right to Life novena. Prayer is so critical in the fight to save the unborn from an unnecessary death.
I invite you to visit my blog for a prayer challenge in saving babies from abortion. God Bless, Kathy
I've been reading your posts and I'm so blessed by them, Cathy. My heart, thoughts, and prayers go out to those who have had an abortion and struggle with the aftermath.
ReplyDeleteThank you both for you kind and compassionate contributions...God Bless you!!!
ReplyDelete"Now Thank We All Our God" is one of the hymns that goes so far back in my memory, I think I must have learned it in the womb!
ReplyDeletePrayers going out for your RCIA presentation! Blessings, Blessings! ~Lisa
It was one of the first songs I remember singing in church after Vatican II that I could understand. Even though the Latin sung by the choir at church was so angelic, and the chant seemed to lift the soul to heaven, the actual participation in the singing was a grand experience.
ReplyDeleteI seem to be on my way with the presentation...just taking a break!! Thank you!
Thank you for these prayers and meditations. They are so important as we fight for the innocent babies. Blessings!
ReplyDelete