- Justin Haggerty | The Daily Knight
Today's Liturgy Prepares the Faithful to be Persecuted for Christ - Usurper Government of America
Justin Haggerty | The Daily Knight
With heavy hearts, many faithful across the United States committed themselves to prayer and fasting today, a day when the rule of law and the constitution abdicated to tyranny. As an usurper administration occupies the White House, which took power by an unlawful election that was unconstitutionally certified, an agenda becomes clear that threatens free speech and thought, freedom of religion, the right to pursue happiness, and the very virtues and doctrines of Christianity.
People of good will, who will maintain oaths to defend the Republic and the Church, will find themselves under persecution. Not only did Plato teach that "no one is more hated than he who speaks the truth," but, one could easily capitalize "He," and it would appear that the statement came from the Gospel, for "He" could most evidently be our Lord Jesus Christ.
Christ, the Word Incarnate, the Author of all goodness and truth, was tortured and crucified for the truth. The Prophets were put to death. The Apostles, less St. John the Evangelist, spread the Gospel until their martyrdom. The first 33 popes, following St. Peter, were martyred. In fact, the Holy Catholic & Apostolic Church was built on the blood of martyrs, many of which are invoked in the Canon of the Mass.
In many ways, the blood of martyrs is what purifies and strengthens the faith, in addition to sanctifying grace and the Holy Eucharist. Today, far from the persecutions by the Roman Empire, Christians are martyred by saracens and socialists across Western Europe, islamic extremists in Nigeria and Syria, hindus in India, and communists in China. Violence, intimidation, and anti-Christian bigotry are growing in America, following the footsteps of militant atheistic revolutions of the French Revolution and the Soviet Union.
We must put faith in Christ and let go of the world, for those who "shall lose [their] life for [Him], shall find it" (Matthew 10:39).
Feast of St. Fabian, Pope, and St. Sebastian, Martyrs (Roman Catholic Daily Missal, 1962)
INTROIT ~ Ps. 78:11,12,10,1
Let the sighing of the prisoners come in before Thee, O Lord; render to our neighbors sevenfold in their bosom; revenge the blood of Thy Saints, which hath been shed. (Psalm) O God, the heathens are come into Thine inheritance; they have defiled Thy holy temple: they have made Jerusalem as a place to keep fruit. Glory be to the Father. Let the sighing...
COLLECT
O Almighty God, have regard to our weakness: and since the weight of our own evil deeds is oppressive, may the glorious intercession of Thy blessed Martyrs, Fabian and Sebastian, protect us. Through our Lord.
EPISTLE ~ Heb. 11:33-39
Brethren, the saints through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, recovered strength from weakness, became valiant in battle, put to flight the armies of foreigners: women received their dead raised to life again: but others were racked, not accepting deliverance, that they might find a better resurrection; and others had trial of mockeries and stripes, moreover also of bands and prisons: they were stoned, they were cut asunder, they were tempted, they were put to death by the sword, they wandered about in sheepskins, in goat-skins, being in want, distressed, afflicted, of whom the world was not worthy; wandering in deserts, in mountains, and in dens, and incaves of the earth. And all these were found approved by the testimony of faith, in Christ Jesus our Lord.
GRADUAL ~ Ex. 15:11,6
God is glorious in His Saints, wonderful in majesty, doing wonders. Thy right hand, O Lord, is glorified in strength; Thy right hand hath broken the enemies.
ALLELUIA ~ Ps. 144:10,11
Alleluia, alleluia. Thy Saints shall bless Thee, O Lord; they shall speak of the glory of Thy kingdom. Alleluia.
GOSPEL ~ Lk. 6:17-23
At that time, Jesus coming down with them stood in a plain place, and the company of His disciples, and a very great multitude of people from all Judea, and Jerusalem, and the seacoast both of Tyre and Sidon, who were come to hear Him and to be healed of their diseases. And they that were troubled with unclean spirits were cured. And all the multitude sought to touch Him: the virtue went out from Him and healed all. And He, lifting up His eyes on His disciples, said, Blessed are ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God. Blessed are ye that hunger now: for you shall be filled. Blessed are ye that weep now: for you shall laugh. Blessed shall you be when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake. Be glad in that day and rejoice: for behold your reward is great in heaven.
OFFERTORY ~ Ps. 31:11
Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, ye just; and glory, all ye right of heart.
SECRET
O Lord, graciously receive the offerings consecrated to Thee, by the merits of Thy blessed Martyrs Fabian and Sebastian, and grant that they may prove to us an abiding source of strength. Through our Lord.
COMMUNION ~ Lk. 6:6,8,19
A multitude of sick, and they that were troubled with unclean spirits, came to Him: for virtue went out from Him and healed all.
POSTCOMMUNION
Refreshed by the sacred gifts of which we have partaken, we beseech Thee, O Lord our God, that through the intercession of Thy holy Martyrs Fabian and Sebastian, we may feel the power of the rite which we celebrate. Through our Lord.
In Christ Crucified and the Most Victorious Heart of Jesus.
