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Sections of the Novena Booklet

 

Novena to the Good Shepherd

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How to Pray the Novena

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Day 1: For the Proud, the Arrogant and the Doubtful

A Reading from the Book of Genesis (3:8-19).

    And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden- in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden. But the Lord God called to the man, and said to him, "where are you?" And he said, "I heard the sound of you in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself. He said, "Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten of the tree of which I commanded you not to eat?" The man said, " The woman whom you gave to be with me, she gave me fruit of the tree, and I ate. Then the Lord God said to the woman, "What is this that you have done?" The woman said, "The serpent beguiled me, and I ate."

    The Lord God said to the serpent, "Because you have done this, cursed are you above all cattle, and above all wild animals; upon your belly you shall go, and dust you shall eat all the days of your life. I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel." 

    To the woman he said, "I will greatly multiply your pain in childbearing; in pain you shall bring forth children, yet your desire shall be for your husband, and he shall rule over you."

    And to Adam he said, "Because you have listened to the voice of your wife, and have eaten of the tree of which I commanded you, 'You shall not eat of it,' cursed is the ground because of you; in toil you shall eat of it all the days of your life; thorns and thistles it shall bring forth to you; and you shall eat the plants of the field. In the sweat of your face you shall eat bread till you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; you are dust, and to dust you shall return."

    The Word of the Lord.

    This chapter tells the story of the fall of our first parents, Adam and Eve, and the consequences of their sin. Following their sin, they were expelled from the Garden of Eden that God had created for them. They now feared God with whom they had once lived in harmony. The fundamental truth communicated here is that evil and suffering were not brought about by God; rather, they are the direct result of freely rejecting God's mandate. Our first parents misused their free will and disobeyed God's command, forfeiting their state of original holiness and justice as well as their communion with God, both for themselves and for their descendants. In essence, this violation of God's command brought sin into the world and would be transmitted through each generation of human life. Nonetheless, God promised them redemption in the future and that the Evil One would be defeated.(Footnote Passage from the Didache Bible)

    CCC 390: The account of the fall in Genesis 3 uses figurative language, but affirms a primeval event, a deed that took place at the beginning of the history of man. Revelation gives us the certainty of faith that the whole of human history is marked by the original fault freely committed by our first parents.

Questions for Discussion or Reflection

Why do you think some people are not comfortable with the teachings about Original Sin and their personal sins? St. Paul writes, "I do not do the good I want, but I do the evil I do not want" (Rom 7:19). He discovered an inner war between evil and good. In what ways could you identify with his analysis?

Pray: 

Novena Prayer 
Hail Mary 
Glory Be

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Day 2: For Those Who Commit Murder and Slander

A reading from the Book of Genesis (4:1-16).

    Now Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and bore Cain, saying, “I have gotten a man with the help of the Lord.” And again, she bore his brother Abel. Now Abel was a keeper of sheep, and Cain a tiller of the ground. In the course of time Cain brought to the Lord an offering of the fruit of the ground, and Abel brought some of the firstlings of his flock and of their fat portions. And the Lord had regard for Abel and his offering, but for Cain and his offering he had no regard. So Cain was very angry, and his countenance fell. The Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry, and why has your countenance fallen? If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is lurking at the door; its desire is for you, but you must master it.

    Cain said to Abel his brother, “Let us go out to the field.” And when they were in the field, Cain rose up against his brother Abel, and killed him. Then the Lord said to Cain, “Where is Abel your brother?” He said, “I do not know; am I my brother’s keeper?” And the Lord said, “What have you done? The voice of your brother’s blood is crying to me from the ground. And now you are cursed from the ground, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother’s blood from your hand. When you till the ground, it shall no longer yield to you its strength; you shall be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth.” Cain said to the Lord, “My punishment is greater than I can bear. Behold, you have driven me this day away from the ground; and from your face I shall be hidden; and I shall be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth, and whoever finds me will slay me.” Then the Lord said to him, “Not so! If anyone slays Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold.” And the Lord put a mark on Cain, lest any who came upon him should kill him. Then Cain went away from the presence of the Lord, and dwelt in the land of Nod, east of Eden.

The Word of the Lord.

    One sin often leads to another; what began as Cain’s envy of his brother led him to a hatred that eventually provoked murder. Lesser sins, when left unchecked, reduce our resistance to greater temptation. (footnote passage from the Didache Bible)

    CCC 401: After that first sin, the world is virtually inundated by sin. There is Cain’s murder of his brother Abel and the universal corruption which follows in the wake of sin. Likewise, sin frequently manifests itself in the history of Israel, especially as infidelity to the God the Covenant and as transgression of the Law of Moses. And even after Christ’s atonement, sin raises its head in countless ways among Christians. Scripture and the Church’s Tradition continually recall the presence and universality of sin in man’s history: 

    What Revelation makes known to us is confirmed by our own experience. For when man looks into his own heart he finds that he is drawn toward what is wrong and sunk in many evils which cannot come from his good creator. Often refusing to acknowledge God as his source, man has also upset the relationship which should link him to his last end; and at the same time he has broken the right order than should reign within himself as well as between himself and other men and all creatures (Gaudium et Spes 13 § 1.)

Questions for Discussion or Reflection

How can families promote respect for life and the value of life in the world today? What are the root causes of the culture of death? How can we promote the value of human life in all its stages in contrast to the attacks leveled against human life by means of abortion, in-vitro fertilization and euthanasia?

Pray: 

Novena Prayer 
Hail Mary 
Glory Be

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Day 3: For Those Who Worship Idols and Creature Comforts

A reading from the Book of Exodus (32:1-14)

    When the people saw that Moses delayed to come down from the mountain, the people gathered themselves together to Aaron, and said to him, "Up, make us gods, who shall go before us; as for this Moses, the man who brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him." And Aaron said to them, "Take off the rings of gold which are in the ears of your wives, your sons, and your daughters, and bring them to me..." And he received the gold at their hand, and fashioned it.. and made a molten calf; and they said, "These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt!..." And the Lord said to Moses, "Go down; for your people, whom you brought up out of the land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves; they have turned aside quickly out of the way which I commanded them; they have made for themselves a molten calf, and have worshiped it and sacrificed to it, and said, 'These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt!'" And the Lord said to Moses, "I have seen this people, and behold, it is a stiff-necked people; now therefore let me alone, that my wrath may burn hot against them and I may consume them; but of you I will make a great nation."

    But Moses begged the Lord his God and said, "O Lord, why does your wrath burn hot against your people, who you have brought forth out of the land of Egypt with great power and with a mighty hand? Why should the Egyptians say, "With evil intent he brought them forth, to slay them in the mountains, and to consume them from the face of the earth'? Turn from your fierce wrath, and repent of this evil against your people. Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, your servants, to whom you wore by your own self, and said to them, 'I will multiply your descendants as the stars of heaven, and all this land that I have promised I will give to your descendants, and they shall inherit it forever.'" And the Lord repented of the evil which he thought to do to his people.

    The Word of the Lord.

    Although the Israelites turned to the worship of the golden calf, God forgave them and remained faithful to them because of the intercessory prayer of Moses. He stood "in the breach" between humanity and God, and in doing so provided a model that would inspire Israel's leaders for years to come. God had always been a just God, and now he began to manifest more clearly his unbounded forgiveness. (Footnote passage from the Didache Bible)

    CCC 2113: Idolatry not only refers to false pagan worship. It remains a constant temptation to faith. Idolatry consists in divinizing what is not God. Man commits idolatry whenever he honors and reveres a creature in place of God, whether this be gods or demons (for example, satanism), power, pleasure, race, ancestors, the state, money, etc. Jesus says, "You cannot serve God and mammon." Many martyrs died for not adoring "the Beast" refusing even to simulate such worship. Idolatry rejects the unique Lordship of God; it is therefore incompatible with communion with God.

Questions for Discussion or Reflection

Most people in our culture say they believe in the existence of God. What causes the disconnection between that belief and the behavior of many? How do you find that acts of faith, hope, and love bring you closer to God and make your behavior and act of praise to the Lord? How can we discover the presence of God in our lives? How can we share an awareness of this reality with others?

Pray: 

Novena Prayer 
Hail Mary 
Glory Be

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Day 4: For Those Involved in the Dark Arts & Superstitious Practices

A reading from the First Book of Samuel (28:6-19)

    When Saul inquired of the Lord, the Lord did not answer him, either by dreams... or by prophets. Then Saul said to his servants, "Seek out for me a woman who is a medium, that I may go to her and inquire of her." And his servants said to him, "Behold, there is a medium at Endor." So Saul disguised himself and put on other garments, and went, he and two men with him; and they came to the woman by night. And he said, "Divine for me by a spirit, and bring up for me whomever I shall name to you." The woman said to him, "Surely you know what Saul has done, how he has cut off the mediums and the wizards from the land. Why then are you laying a snare for my life to bring about my death?" But Saul swore to her by the Lord, "As the Lord lives, no punishment shall come upon you for this thing." Then the woman said, "Whom shall I bring up for you?" He said, "Bring up Samuel for me." When the woman saw Samuel, she cried out with a loud voice; and the woman said to Saul, "Why have you deceived me? You are Saul." The king said to her, "Have no fear; what do you see?" And the woman said to Saul, "I see a god coming up out of the earth." He said to her, "What is his appearance?" And she said, "An old man is coming up; and he is wrapped in a robe." And Saul knew that it was Samuel, and he bowed with his face to the ground, and did obeisance.

    Then Samuel said to Saul, "Why have you disturbed me by bringing me up?" Saul answered, "I am in great distress; for the Philistines are warring against me, and God has turned away from me and answers me no more, either by prophets or by dreams; therefore I have summoned you to tell me what I shall do." And Samuel said, "Why then do you ask me, since the Lord has turned from you and become your enemy? The Lord has done to you as he spoke by me; for the Lord has torn the kingdom out of your hand, and given it to your neighbor, David. Because you did not obey the voice of the Lord, and did not carry out his fierce wrath against Amalek, therefore the Lord has done this thing to you this day. Moreover the Lord will give Israel also with you into the hand of the Philistines; and tomorrow you and your sons shall be with me; the Lord will give the army of Israel also into the hand of the Philistines."

    The Word of the Lord.

    Conjuring dead spirits was against the Mosaic Law, and any kind of divination is in violation of the First Commandment. The Church teaches that any consultation of mediums, seances, palm readers, astrological signs, horoscopes, or seers is gravely sinful since it at least implicitly seeks a preternatural intervention that involves demonic forces. This practice also reflects an inordinate desire to acquire knowledge and to control future events that are within God's competence alone. (Footnote Passage from the Didache Bible)

    CCC 2116: All forms of divination are to be rejected: recourse to Satan or demons, conjuring up the dead or other practices falsely supposed to "unveil" the future. Consulting horoscopes, astrology, palm reading, interpretation of omens and lots, the phenomena of clairvoyance, and recourse to mediums all conceal a desire for power over time, history, and, in the last analysis, other human beings, as well as a wish to conciliate hidden powers. They contradict the honor, respect, and loving fear that we owe to God alone.

Questions for Discussion or Reflection

Can you describe material things and as well as immaterial things becoming 'gods' in someone's life? What would be some prime examples of these 'gods' that we see in today's world? How could you describe the sense of allurement and the downplaying of sin and experienced by the worldly spirit?

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Novena Prayer 
Hail Mary 
Glory Be

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Day 5: For Adulterers, Fornicators and the Impure

A reading from the Second Book of Samuel (11:2-21).

    It happened, late one afternoon, when David arose from his couch and was walking upon the roof of the king’s house, that he saw from the roof a woman bathing; and the woman was very beautiful. And David sent and inquired about the woman. And one said, “Is not this Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite?” So David sent messengers, and took her; and she came to him, and he lay with her… Then she returned to her house. And the woman conceived; and she sent and told David, “I am with child.”

    So David sent word to Joab, “Send me Uriah the Hittite.” And Joab sent Uriah to David. When Uriah came to him, David asked how Joab was doing, and how the people fared, and how the war prospered. Then David said to Uriah, “Go down to your house, and wash your feet.” And Uriah went out of the king’s house, and there followed him a present from the king. But Uriah slept at the door of the king’s house with all the servants of his lord, and did not go down to his house. When they told David, “Uriah did not go down to his house,” David said to Uriah, “Have you not come from a journey? Why did you not go down to your house?” Uriah said to David, “The ark and Israel and Judah dwell in booths; and my lord Joab and the servants of my lord are camping in the open field; shall I then go to my house, to eat and to drink and to lie with my wife? As you live, and as your soul lives, I will not do this thing.” Then David said to Uriah, “Remain here today also, and tomorrow I will let you depart.” So Uriah remained in Jerusalem that day, and the next. And David invited him, and he ate in his presence and drank, so that he made him drunk; and in the evening he went out to lie on his couch with the servants of his lord, but he did not go down to his house.

    In the morning David wrote a letter to Joab, and sent it by the hand of Uriah. In the letter he wrote, “Set Uriah in the forefront of the hardest fighting, and then draw back from him, that he may be stuck down and die.” And as Joab was besieging the city, he assigned Uriah to the place where he knew there were valiant men. And the men of the city came out and fought with Joab and some of the servant of David among the people fell. Uriah the Hittite was slain also. Then Joab sent and told David all the news about the fighting; and he instructed the messenger, “When you have finished telling all the news about the fighting to the king, then, if the king’s anger rises, and if he says to you, ‘Why did you go so near the city to fight? Did you not know that they would shoot from the wall?... then you shall say, ‘Your servant Uriah the Hittite is dead also.’”

The Word of the Lord.

How can we best maintain purity? (Taken from an apologetical explanation of growing in purity of the Didache Bible, p. 466)

    To rise above concupiscence requires purity of faith, prayer, recourse to the Sacraments, and commitment to the virtues that support this disposition. The struggle against concupiscence takes place primarily in the human heart, which is the source of all personal sin. In order to overcome temptation, we must rely on God’s grace, strive to control our human passions, and seek purity of heart. True purity of heart means the aligning of our minds and wills to what God expects of us. A pure heart fosters purity of body and purity of faith—thus purity in what we desire, what we do, and what we believe. (Cf. CCC 2517-2519)

    Our battle against concupiscence begins at Baptism. With the help of God’s grace obtained through prayer and the reception of the Sacraments, we strive to live lives of chastity in keeping with our state of life; to have purity of intentions, meaning to seek God’s will in all things; and purity of vision, which is the practice of guarding our senses and thoughts from anything that might lead us away from the will of God. A life of prayer, of course, is a constant and invaluable aid in building and maintaining purity of heart. (Cf. CCC 2348-2359, 2520)

Questions for Discussion or Reflection

How can we best show respect for human sexuality in the light of a culture that demeans it? What are the ways of reversing the degradation of sexuality? Why is marital fidelity so important for the stability of the family and society? What spiritual means does the Church offer to strengthen marriages or rebuild troubled marriages? How does Saint Pope John Paul II's, “Man and Woman He Created Them – Theology of the Body” help you to appreciate the beauty of the gift of sexuality and its integration into your life?

Pray: 

Novena Prayer 
Hail Mary 
Glory Be

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Day 6: For the Spiritually Oppressed

A Reading from the Gospel of Mark (5:1-20).

    They came to the other side of the sea, to the country of the Gerasenes. And when he had come out of the boat, there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit, who lived among the tombs; and no one could bind him anymore, even with a chain; for he had often been bound with shackles and chains, but the chains he wrenched apart, and the shackles he broke in pieces; and no one had the strength to subdue him. Night and day among the tombs and on the mountains he was always crying out, and bruising himself with stones. And when he saw Jesus from afar, he ran and worshiped him; and crying out with a loud voice, he said, “What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I adjure you by God, do not torment me.” For he had said to him, “Come out of the man, you unclean spirit!” And Jesus asked him, “What is your name?” He replied, “My name is Legion; for we are many.” And he begged him eagerly not to send them out of the country. Now a great her of swine was feeding there on the hillside; and they begged him, “Send us to the swine, let us enter them.”  So he gave them leave. And the unclean spirits came out, and entered the swine; and the herd, numbering about two thousand, rushed down the steep bank into the sea, and were drowned in the sea.

    The herdsmen fled, and told it in the city and in the country. And people came to see what it was that had happened. And they came to Jesus, and saw the demoniac sitting there, clothed and in his right mind, the man who had had the legion; and they were afraid. And those who had seen it told what had happened to the demoniac and to the swine. And they began to beg Jesus to depart from their neighborhood. And as he was getting into the boat, the man who had been possessed with demons begged him that he might be with him. But he refused, and said to him, “Go home to your friends, and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.” And he went away and began to proclaim in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him; and all men marveled.

The Gospel of the Lord.

Gerasa was largely pagan territory. The possessed man was not only Gentile but unclean, living among the tombs and a herd of swine. Christ’s mission of redemption includes everyone, i.e., Jews as well as Gentiles. The expulsion of the demons manifested the reign of God and the ultimate defeat of Satan. (Footnote Passage from the Didache Bible)

CCC 2854: When we ask to be delivered from the Evil One, we pray as well to be freed from all evils, present, past, and future, of which he is the author or instigator. In this final petition (of the Our Father prayer), the Church brings before the Father all the distress of the world. Along with deliverance from the evils that overwhelm humanity, she implores the precious gift of peace and the grace of perseverance in expectation of Christ’s return. By praying in this way, she anticipates in humility of faith the gathering together of everyone and everything in him who has “the keys of Death and Hades,” who “is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.” (Rev 1:8, 18a; cf. Rev 1:4; Eph 1:10)

Questions for Discussion or Reflection

Does the Pauline teaching, "For we are not contending against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world ruler of this presence darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places" (Eph 6:12) mean anything to me? Am I aware that a real spiritual battle takes place around me? Could I describe an experience? Do I find consolation in St. Paul's recommendations in Ephesians 6:14-19, to fight back?

Pray: 

Novena Prayer 
Hail Mary 
Glory Be

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Day 7: For Traitors and Apostates

A reading from the Gospel of Luke (22:1-6; 47-53).

    Now the feast of Unleavened Bread drew near, which is called the Passover. And the chief priests and scribes were seeking how to put [Jesus] to death; for they feared the people. Then Satan entered into Judas called Iscariot, who was of the number of the Twelve; he went away and conferred with the chief priests and captains how he might betray him to them. And they were glad, and engaged to give him money. So he agreed, and sought an opportunity to betray him to them in the absence of the multitude…

    While he was still speaking, there came a crowd, and the man called Judas, one of the Twelve, was leading them. He drew near to Jesus to kiss him; but Jesus said to him, “Judas, would you betray the Son of man with a kiss?” And when those who were about him saw what would follow, they said, “Lord, shall we strike with the sword?” And one of them struck the salve of the high priest and cut off his right ear. But Jesus said, “No more of this!” And he touched his ear and healed him. Then Jesus said to the chief priests and captains of the temple and elders, who had come out against him, “Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs? When I was with you day after day in the temple, you did not lay hands on me. But this is your hour, and the power of darkness.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

    The “opportune time” that the Devil had been seeking to destroy Christ since his failed temptations in the desert (cf. Lk 4:13) included the betrayal of Christ by Judas Iscariot. It was an opportune time as well for the enemies of Christ, who were seeking a way to get rid of him. (Footnote Passage from the Didache Bible)

    CCC 538: The Gospels speak of a time of solitude for Jesus in the desert immediately after his baptism by John. Driven by the Spirit into the desert, Jesus remains there for forty days without eating; he lives among wild beast, and angels minister to him. At the end of this time Satan tempts him three times, seeking to compromise his filial attitude toward God. Jesus rebuffs these attacks, which recapitulate the temptations of Adam in Paradise and of Israel in the desert, and the devil leaves him “until an opportune time.”

Questions for Discussion or Reflection

Why do you think God permits the devil to tempt us? According to the Church Father, St. John Chrysostom, the devil tempts us especially when we are alone as he did to Jesus in the wilderness. Do you realize how important it is to have meaningful and good relationships at every turn? What are the ways you sense protection from a community where you are loved and accepted?

Pray: 

Novena Prayer 
Hail Mary 
Glory Be

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Day 8: For Deceivers, Charlatans, Imposters, Cheats and Pretenders

A Reading from the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 4:32-5:1-11).

    Now the company of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things which he possessed was his own, but they had everything in common. And with great power the apostles gave their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. There was not any one needy among them, for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of what was sold and laid it at the apostles’ feet; and distribution was made to each as any had need. Thus Joseph who was surnamed by the apostles Barnabas (which means, Son of encouragement), a Levite, a native of Cyprus, sold a field which belonged to him, and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.

    But a man named Ananias with his wife Sapphira sold a piece of property, and with his wife’s knowledge he kept back some of the proceeds, and brought only a part and laid it at the apostles’ feet. But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back part of the proceeds of the land? While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? How is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.”

    When Ananias heard these words, he fell down and died. And great fear came upon all who heard it. The young men rose and wrapped him up and carried him out and buried him. After an interval of about three hours his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. And Peter said to her, “Tell me whether you sold the land for so much.” And she said, “Yes, for so much.” Burt Peter said to her, “How is it that you have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? Listen, the feet of those that have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.” Immediately she fell down at his feet and died. When the young men came in they found her dead, and they carried her out and buried her beside her husband. And great fear came upon the whole Church, and upon all who heard of these things.

The Word of the Lord.

    The sin of Ananias and Sapphira was not that they held back part of the proceeds from the sale of their land but rather their deception before God and the Church. They were not required to sell the land, and their choice to do so shows a degree of generosity. However, the hypocrisy of their dishonesty and, perhaps, their desire to make a good impression negated the good they would otherwise have accomplished. Each of them fell dead at the revelation of their misdeed, which clearly reflected God’s displeasure. The virtue that is opposite of this vice is veracity, which is the practice of speaking and acting in accordance with the truth. (Footnote Passage from the Didache Bible)

    CCC 2468: Truth as uprightness in human action and speech is called truthfulness, sincerity, or candor. Truth or truthfulness is the virtue which consists in showing oneself true in deeds and truthful in words, and in guarding against duplicity, dissimulation, and hypocrisy.

Questions for Discussion or Reflection 

Why do we believe what people say? What happens when we discover that someone has lied? What is the relationship between trust and truth? When you encounter people who caused you to be skeptical about the truth of the Church’s doctrine and moral teachings, how should you react?

Pray: 

Novena Prayer 
Hail Mary 
Glory Be

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Day 9: For the Obstinate of Heart and Those who Level Persecution

A reading from the Acts of the Apostles (9:1-18).

    But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. Now as he journeyed he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven flashed about him. And he fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting; but rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.” The men who were traveling with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one. Saul arose from the ground; and when his eyes were opened, he could see nothing; so they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. And for three days he was without sight and neither ate nor drank.

    Now there was a disciple at Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.” And the Lord said to him, “Rise and go to the street called Straight, and inquire in the house of Judas for a man of Tarsus named Saul; for behold, he is praying, and he has seen a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him so that he might regain his sight.” But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints at Jerusalem; and here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call upon your name.” But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel; for I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.” So Ananias departed and entered the house. And laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came, has sent me that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes and he regained his sight. Then he rose and was baptized, and took food and was strengthened.

The Word of the Lord.

    The dramatic conversion of Saul illustrates the power of an encounter with the risen Lord. I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting: These words reveal something of the Mystical Body of Christ, a concept that Saul, later renamed Paul, would develop in his writings. The Christian community is, in a very real sense, the Body of Christ. A good deed done to a member of the Mystical Body is done to Christ himself, and the opposite holds true as well. (Footnote passage from the Didache Bible)

    CCC 432: The name “Jesus” signifies that the very name of God is present in the person of his Son, made man for the universal and definitive redemption from sins. It is the divine name that alone brings salvation, and henceforth all can invoke his name, for Jesus united himself to all men through his Incarnation, so that “there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12)

Questions for Discussion or Reflection

The Catechism of the Catholic Church at number 675 states that before Christ second coming, the Church must pass through a final trial that will shake the faith of many believers and that the persecution against her will take the form of a religious deception offering men an apparent solution to their problems at the price of apostasy from the truth. If you have ever meditated on this teaching what image or images have come to mind? How often do you pray for those who are far from God?

Pray: 

Novena Prayer 
Hail Mary 
Glory Be

 

Jesus, I Trust in You!

 

Novena Prayer for the Return of Lapsed Catholics

 

O Good Shepherd, you never cease to seek out the lost, to call home the stray, to comfort the frightened, and to bind up the wounded. I ask you to bring (mention names) back to the practice of the Faith, and to remove all obstacles that prevent them from receiving your abundant mercy, which flows sacramentally through the heart of your holy Church. Through the intercession of Mary, the Mother of God, their Guardian Angel(s), their Patron Saint(s) and the ever prayerful St. Monica, may you pardon their sins and unshackle them from whatever hinders their freedom to come Home. For you, O Good Shepherd, loved us to the end and offered yourself to the Father for the salvation of all. Amen.

 

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