God & Country

As sacred Scripture proclaims: “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord.”  [Psalm 33:12a]  Although it is no longer ‘politically correct’ to highlight or even mention it, our Country was firmly built on Judeo-Christian values, and public prayer was proudly practiced.  Our laws were quite consistent with most biblical mandates; when they were not, we amended or replaced them – and must still do so.  We must now work to guarantee to the unborn the same justice and protection under the law we now give to men and women of every race, language, or way of life.  And we should do all we can to help those in other nations enjoy the freedoms we so often take for granted, as we are currently doing for the people of Ukraine.  At the very least, we must intercede for them as we do in the orations for Masses offered For Those Held in Captivity.

Collect –#43: For Those Held in Captivity

O God, whose Son humbled himself
and took the form of a slave to redeem
the human race from being captive to sin,
grant to your servants held in confinement
that they may obtain the freedom you destine
to all, for we are your sons and daughters.
Through our Lord Jesus … for ever and ever.  Amen.

TO WHAT OR TO WHOM ARE WE ‘CAPTIVE?’  In last Sunday’s Second Reading, Saint Paul warned us “do not submit again to the yoke of slavery.”  [Galatians 5:1b]  He was more adamant in another Letter: “See to it that no one captivate you with an empty, seductive philosophy according to human tradition, according to the elemental powers of the world and not according to Christ.”  [Colossians 2:8]  Do we citizens of the United States of America heed his advice?

Our Country has been like an oasis [albeit, an imperfect one, as are all human endeavors] in striving to be freed from the captivity of repressive regimes and rogue rulers who stifle their people for their own benefit.  The ‘American Experiment’ has accomplished amazing feats; through wars, natural disasters, economic upheavals, and other challenges, we truly formed “one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”  And while, as the Preface for Independence Day says, the ‘Promise of America’ is a task for today and a promise for tomorrow,” we are obligated to see that others – and we ourselves – are NOT captivated by the things of this world, or by any sinful ways of acting or even thinking, so that all may be truly free.

Prayer over the Offerings – For Those Held in Captivity

Through the saving Sacrament of human
redemption which we offer you, Lord,
grant that your servants may be released from
captivity and rejoice in lasting freedom of soul.
Through Christ our Lord.  Amen.

FREEDOM OF SOUL.”  While it is a good thing to enjoy ‘freedom of body,’ whereby we can use our physical gifts and talents to attain “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness,” securing “lasting freedom of soul” is even more important.  This is what the Apostles experienced at Pentecost: with God’s gifts of grace, they were ‘freed’ from all fear and terror; that enabled them to boldly proclaim God’s Truth and even suffer the consequences for doing so.  With the help that comes to us through the Eucharist, by which Jesus literally enters into us, we can promote and defend God’s Truth.

Prayer after Communion – For Those Held in Captivity

Mindful of the price paid for our deliverance,
we implore your mercy, O Lord,
upon our brothers and sisters,
that they may be released from captivity
and become servants of your justice.
Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

FOLLOW ME.”  Jesus’ invitation, “Follow Me,” which He offers to every Christian and potential disciple, summons us to think and pray, speak and act as Jesus did.  It is ultimately a call to embrace and carry the Cross.  If we truly follow Christ, we must accept the difficulties caused by rejecting every mindset or action contrary to Gospel values.  We must also joyfully endure the insults, penalties and tensions caused by countering all who are captivated by the often selfish, self-serving values of this world.  May God bless America!

With God’s love and my prayers,

Very Rev. Michael J. Kreder, VF, KCHS

God & Country

As sacred Scripture proclaims: “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord.”  [Psalm 33:12a]  Although it is no longer ‘politically correct’ to highlight or even mention it, our Country was firmly built on Judeo-Christian values, and public prayer was proudly practiced.  Our laws were quite consistent with most biblical mandates; when they were not, we amended or replaced them – and must still do so.  We must now work to guarantee to the unborn the same justice and protection under the law we now give to men and women of every race, language, or way of life.  And we should do all we can to help those in other nations enjoy the freedoms we so often take for granted, as we are currently doing for the people of Ukraine.  At the very least, we must intercede for them as we do in the orations for Masses offered For Those Held in Captivity.

Collect –#43: For Those Held in Captivity

O God, whose Son humbled himself
and took the form of a slave to redeem
the human race from being captive to sin,
grant to your servants held in confinement
that they may obtain the freedom you destine
to all, for we are your sons and daughters.
Through our Lord Jesus … for ever and ever.  Amen.

TO WHAT OR TO WHOM ARE WE ‘CAPTIVE?’  In last Sunday’s Second Reading, Saint Paul warned us “do not submit again to the yoke of slavery.”  [Galatians 5:1b]  He was more adamant in another Letter: “See to it that no one captivate you with an empty, seductive philosophy according to human tradition, according to the elemental powers of the world and not according to Christ.”  [Colossians 2:8]  Do we citizens of the United States of America heed his advice?

Our Country has been like an oasis [albeit, an imperfect one, as are all human endeavors] in striving to be freed from the captivity of repressive regimes and rogue rulers who stifle their people for their own benefit.  The ‘American Experiment’ has accomplished amazing feats; through wars, natural disasters, economic upheavals, and other challenges, we truly formed “one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”  And while, as the Preface for Independence Day says, the ‘Promise of America’ is a task for today and a promise for tomorrow,” we are obligated to see that others – and we ourselves – are NOT captivated by the things of this world, or by any sinful ways of acting or even thinking, so that all may be truly free.

Prayer over the Offerings – For Those Held in Captivity

Through the saving Sacrament of human
redemption which we offer you, Lord,
grant that your servants may be released from
captivity and rejoice in lasting freedom of soul.
Through Christ our Lord.  Amen.

FREEDOM OF SOUL.”  While it is a good thing to enjoy ‘freedom of body,’ whereby we can use our physical gifts and talents to attain “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness,” securing “lasting freedom of soul” is even more important.  This is what the Apostles experienced at Pentecost: with God’s gifts of grace, they were ‘freed’ from all fear and terror; that enabled them to boldly proclaim God’s Truth and even suffer the consequences for doing so.  With the help that comes to us through the Eucharist, by which Jesus literally enters into us, we can promote and defend God’s Truth.

Prayer after Communion – For Those Held in Captivity

Mindful of the price paid for our deliverance,
we implore your mercy, O Lord,
upon our brothers and sisters,
that they may be released from captivity
and become servants of your justice.
Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

FOLLOW ME.”  Jesus’ invitation, “Follow Me,” which He offers to every Christian and potential disciple, summons us to think and pray, speak and act as Jesus did.  It is ultimately a call to embrace and carry the Cross.  If we truly follow Christ, we must accept the difficulties caused by rejecting every mindset or action contrary to Gospel values.  We must also joyfully endure the insults, penalties and tensions caused by countering all who are captivated by the often selfish, self-serving values of this world.  May God bless America!

With God’s love and my prayers,

Very Rev. Michael J. Kreder, VF, KCHS