— Psalm 2:1-4 —

 =E2=80=94 Psalm 2:1-4 =E2=80=94=20

Why do the nations conspire
and the peoples plot in vain?
The kings of the earth rise up
and the rulers band together
against the Lord and against his anointed, saying,
"Let us break their chains
and throw off their shackles."
The One enthroned in heaven laughs;
the Lord scoffs at them.
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D
God is all-powerful. He created the world and knew=20
about the empires of the earth long before they came=20
Into being. But pride and power cause nations and leaders=20
to rebel against God and try to break free of him.=20
Our world has many leaders who boast of their power,=20
who rant and rave against God and his people, and promise=20
to take over and form their own empires. But God laughs=20
because any power they have comes from him, and he can=20
also take it from them. We need not fear the boasts of tyrants=20
=E2=80=94 they are in God's hands.

<<>><<>><<>>
July 31st - Saint Helen of Sk=C3=B6vde
(also known as Saint Helena, or Saint Elin av Sk=C3=B6vde,)

1101-1160
 Saint Helen of Sk=C3=B6vde--widow, pilgrim, and martyr of the Church.
Helen is the patron saint of Sk=C3=B6vde, Sweden, and her image decorates
the coat of arms for the town. Her Acts were recorded by the Bishop of
Skara, Brynolf Algotsson, a 100 years after her death.

Born into nobility, Helen lived a quiet and entitled upbringing.
Married as a young woman, she married and bore several children, but
was sadly widowed at a very young age. Following the death of her
husband, Helen devoted herself to caring for her family and
maintaining the family farm. Diligent and hard-working, the family
thrived. However, she soon began to feel called to help those who were
less well-off, and gradually began distributing her wealth and
possessions to the poor.

Dedicated to the Lord, she financed the construction of the church in
Sk=C3=B6vde, and subsequently departed Sweden for a pilgrimage to the Holy
Land. In Jerusalem, she grew closer to God, and returned to Sk=C3=B6vde to
her farm where she dwelt in charitable acts, quiet contemplation, and
prayer.

Prior to her departure on pilgrimage, Helen=E2=80=99s now-adult daughter
married an unkind and abusive man, who frequently beat her and was
mercilessly unkind. While Helen was away, visiting the Church of the
Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem, the servants of the household conspired
to murder the abusive man. Upon her return, her daughter=E2=80=99s in-laws
blamed her, and hoping to avenge the death of their son, killed Helen
on the way to church at G=C3=B6tene.

Saint Helen was buried in the Sk=C3=B6vde church she helped finance, and a
spring with reported miraculous healing properties sprang forth at the
site. Following her death, the miracles began. The most profound
miracle resulted when a blind man found the severed finger of Saint
Helen (wearing a ring she had returned from the Holy Land with), and
was instantly restored to sight. Other strange curiosities include the
stone on which her body was washed that was said to have split in two
as her blood ran over it. Pregnant women traditionally walked around
the stones to ensure a hassle-free delivery.

Over time, Saint Helen=E2=80=99s grave became a pilgrimage site.
Traditionally, pilgrims would take home small bags of dirt from St.
Helen=E2=80=99s grave (they wore the bags around their necks) for their
healing properties.

Saint Helen demonstrated, throughout her life, and openness to the
call of the Lord. Not content to relax in her nobility and privilege,
she distributed all she had to those in need, espousing the charitable
acts of Jesus. Drawn to the Holy Land, she opened herself to the call
of God, leading her deeper into the sacred relationship with the
Divine. We pray today for the same courage to open ourselves to the
call of the Lord, certain in the wonders and gifts that await us.
 by Jacob


Saint Quote:
"Act as if everything depended on you; trust as if everything depended
on God." =E2=80=9CLet us work as if success depended upon ourselves alone, =
but
with heartfelt conviction that we are doing nothing, and God
everything.=E2=80=9D
--Saint Ignatius of Loyola

Bible Quote
29 I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among
you, not sparing the flock; 30 and from among your own selves will
arise men speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after
them. 31 Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did
not cease night or day to admonish every one with tears. 32 And now I
commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to
build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are
sanctified. (Acts 20:29-32)   RSVCE


<><><><>
Take, O Lord, and receive my entire liberty,
my memory, my understanding and my whole will.
All that I am and all that I possess You have given me.
I surrender it all to You to be disposed of according to Your will.
Give me only Your love and Your grace;
with these I will be rich enough,
and will desire nothing more.
--Prayer of Saint Ignatius Loyola