Readings: Exodus, 34, 4-9, Note the great line, The Lord is Gracious & Merciful, slow to anger, and rich in kindness & fidelity;
Daniel 3, Glory and Praise Forever;
2 Corinthians 13, 11-13;
John 3, 16-18. Great readings today!
Father’s Day History:
Four steps:
1. The Civil War started thinking about a Mother’s Day. Anna Jarvis pushed it ca. 1907 and it was made official in 1914 by President Woodrow Wilson.
2. Monongah, WV mining disaster, 210 fathers killed, Dec. 6, 1907 (just before Christmas & after the Mother’s Day activity). Fairmont, WV. Grace Golden Clayton pushed the idea.
3. Spokane, WA, Sonora Dodd & influence of Mother’s Day. Dodd’s dad had fought in the Civil War and all by himself raised Sonora & her 5 siblings.
4. Pres. LBJ made it special, 1966. Pres. Nixon made it a national holiday, 1972.
Exodus Story:
The Israelite people have been wandering around in the Sinai Desert for many years after escaping from old Pharaoh in Egypt. Moses has been invited up Mt. Sinai to receive 10 Commandments.
He comes down loaded with two stone tablets written on both sides and discovers that the people have become exasperated with him and the wandering in the desert. They have created a gold bull to celebrate with and to worship.
Old Moses, all angry, throws down the tablets and breaks them. He calls Aaron, his lieutenant, tells him to gather the Levite tribe, the priestly tribe, and he tells them to slaughter all the rest. They do.
Then, and here we take up the reading, Yahweh tells Moses to make two more tablets and to return to the top of Mt. Sinai, where he will get another set of commandments. It is here where that marvelous line about the nature of God is mentioned again, "The Lord is gracious & merciful, never gets angry, and is abounding in love."
Beware of taking this story literally. It is mythical history making.
Responsorial Psalm from the Book of Daniel:
A great story. Characters: three Jewish boys, a gold statue, and the great King, Nebuchadnezzar, what a name.
Seems like old Nebuchadnezzar decided to cast a gold statue. He wanted everyone to bow down to it. Three Jewish boys said no. Even though they were favorites of the king, he had to throw them into a flaming furnace.
Far from being burned up, the boys started dancing around in joy and they sang the song we have for today’s responsorial psalm. Though this is totally a mythical story, you can picture them.
Homily was given by Tony Levatino of Holy Trinity Parish.
Picture 1: Consecration
Picture 2: Our Father
Picture 3: Father's Day Blessing
Picture 4: Father's Day Blessing
Picture 5: Tony
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