James Cardinal Hickey Assembly #2534

The Passion of Jesus

I’d always thought that “The Passion of Jesus,” with a capital P, referred to Jesus’ suffering and death. But what if we talked simply about the passion of Christ, with no capital P?

Then the passion of Christ would be more about the intensity (the passion) with which Jesus welcomed people, ate with them, reached out to them in their need and enjoyed their company. It would also be about the passion with which he did his Father’s will and showed people that the Father was also passionately committed to them.

As a matter of fact, in Jesus’ case the two meanings of the one word “passion” are not unrelated. One of the great New Testament scholars of the last century argued that because Jesus lived with passionate intensity and preached a loving, forgiving God, the religious leaders found him to be a threat to their power and authority and decided to kill him, handing him over to Pilate, who had him tortured and crucified.

So this Good Friday, try to realize that Jesus’ Passion came from his passion for his Father and for us. That makes the story of Jesus’ last days not just about physical suffering but about the greatest act in a life of passionate faithfulness and love.

Copied with permission from The Bridge

A note on St. Patrick's Day

Today we honor the great saint – Patrick. It can be argued that his evangelization is directly responsible for the saving of Western Civilization. This man, taken as a slave as a young man, escaped and returned to his captors armed with the faith. His faith and his missionary spirit brought the light of Christ to the Emerald Isle. Below is the prayer of his breastplate; the armor that we should wear as Knights.

I arise today
Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity,
Through belief in the Threeness,
Through confession of the Oneness
of the Creator of creation.

I arise today
Through the strength of Christ's birth with His baptism,
Through the strength of His crucifixion with His burial,
Through the strength of His resurrection with His ascension,
Through the strength of His descent for the judgment of doom.

A Note on President's Day

Isaac Newton, once said, "If I have seen farther, it is because I have stood on the shoulders of Giants." We Americans have a great legacy of presidential leadership and patriotism.

As we celebrate Presidents Day, we remember the legacy and contributions of our greatest leaders. However, today I would like to focus on our first president.

George Washington was the first president of the United States of America. He served two terms as president, over the period from 1789 two 1797.

Before he became president, he played important roles in the military, leading the American Continental Army to victory over the British in 1783. Washington's patriotic leadership is inspiring because he led in a time of great difficulty, challenge, and uncertainty. He had none of the amenities of the modern world, nor the stability of strong government. For many families, having food on daily basis, during a harsh winter was a luxury. During such a difficult time, Washington was called to "free us" from the repression of the British. Eleanor Roosevelt describes the challenges best in one of her "My Day" letters.

"To me, the days at Valley Forge best show the stuff of which Washington was made. He went through great discouragement, with an Army that was ragged, poorly fed and never warm, with insufficient ammunition, and with a divided government back of him which often provided no money with which to pay his soldiers.

His soldiers were deeply concerned about their homes and families. Because they knew that food would be lacking at home if the seeds were not planted and the harvest garnered, they frequently asked to go home in groups which made the strength of his army uncertain, even though they promised to return.

What vision Washington must have had of the future to make him fight the Revolution through to victory! No wonder he was tired at the end, no wonder he longed to join his wife and live in peace at Mount Vernon. How simple the little problems of farm management must have seemed as he labored at his desk at Valley Forge!" – Eleanor Roosevelt

As we commemorate Presidents' Day, let us think of the great sacrifice, service, and patriotism of our presidents. However, let us not forget our first president. George Washington. He was a giant among men. He carried the weight of a nation, and became the father of our great nation. He was a true American patriot.

Sir Knights, brothers, we are called to be like Washington! We are called to be patriots for we have stood on the shoulders of giants!

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Prayer Intentions

Requested Prayers:

For a return to health and speedy recovery of our Past Faithful Navigator SK Anthony I Colbert, PSD, FDD, PGK, PFN, FS
For the District Membership Director, SK Tom Firestone and his speedy recovery and return home.
For the continued recovery of Deacon Rick Fisher of O’Boyle Assembly.
For the continued recovery of Fr. Callan from his recent liver transplant surgery.
For the citizens of and the American soldiers, sailors, and Marines stationed in Korea and Guam.
For all the victims involved in the recent shootings in Las Vegas, Texas, and California. For the repose of the souls of all those who perished in these tragedies, and for the recovery of those victims who are still receiving care. May Christ our Lord grant them all peace.

Assembly Intentions:

For His Holiness, Pope Francis, that God may protect him from his enemies and grant him the courage and wisdom to guide the Church in these turbulent times.
Standing in Solidarity with His Holiness, Pope Francis, for the sick, distressed, and impoverished throughout the world and recommitting ourselves to serving those in need wherever we are present.
That the Holy Spirit enlighten elected officials to adopt laws, and judges to make judicial decisions that affirm the family and the authentic nature of marriage.
For the mission success and the safe return of all military personnel, especially those deployed to Iraq, Afghanistan, the Horn of Africa, and other combat zones throughout the world.
For those men and women who have served, especially those who suffered serious combat injuries, and we pray for the souls of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice by giving their lives in the service of their country.
For Saint John Paul II’s intercession, in praying with him for the Church as well as for the good of our society and for the family.
For the Canonization of our founder, the Venerable Servant of God Rev. Fr. Michael J. McGivney.
For Catholic Military Chaplains and for an increase in vocations to the Catholic military chaplaincy.

holy family bdc

"Today, the Knights of Columbus is providentially positioned to play a key role in the new alliance between the Church and the family called for by Pope Francis … What is necessary now is our greater involvement in the renewal of parish and family life."

-Supreme Knight Carl Anderson

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