Halftime Speech

This is the 183rd. day of the calendar year (184th., if it is a leap year).

We are half-way through.

Go back to your New Year's resolutions, if you made them. How are you doing with them? Which ones have you successfully completed? Which ones are still a work in progress but moving steadily toward your goal? Which ones have faltered, even though they still are worthy of your effort?

Take an honest look at where you were, where you are, and where you would like to be. Have you seen a change, even though it may seem imperceptible? Perhaps now is the time to renew your resolve and commitment, whether with what you are striving to accomplish or some new challenge.

As Theodore Roosevelt stated, humanity is at its best when it is in striving for something:

It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; because there is not effort without error and shortcomings; but who does actually strive to do the deed; who knows the great enthusiasm, the great devotion, who spends himself in a worthy cause, who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement and who at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly. So that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat.

Go Forward.

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Originally posted 7/3/2006, including the year and this {UPDATE (7/5): I goofed. July 2 is the half-way point of the year. The message still stands.}

Re-posted 7/2/2021.

Re-posted 7/2/2022.

Re-posted 7/2/2024.

Re-posted 7/2/2025.

Resolutely Free

There are claims that today should be our Independence Day, based on the approval of this resolution present by Richard Henry Lee to the Continental Congress this day in 1776:

Resolved, That these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent States, that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain is, and ought to be, totally dissolved.

That it is expedient forthwith to take the most effectual measures for forming foreign Alliances.

That a plan of confederation be prepared and transmitted to the respective Colonies for their consideration and approbation.

While eloquent enough, what followed two days later is certainly more edifying.

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Originally posted 7/2/2011.
Re-posted 7/2/2013.

Re-posted 7/2/2019.

Re-posted 7/2/2020.

Re-posted 7/2/2021.

Re-posted 7/2/2022.

Re-posted 7/2/2024.

Re-posted 7/2/2025.

DR Squared: Thursday Of The Thirteenth Week In Ordinary Time (Year II)

First Reading:  Amos 7:10-17

And Amasias the priest of Bethel sent to Jeroboam king of Israel, saying: Amos hath rebelled against thee in the midst of the house of Israel: the land is not able to bear all his words. For thus saith Amos: Jeroboam shall die by the sword, and Israel shall be carried away captive out of their own land. And Amasias said to Amos: Thou seer, go, flee away into the land of Juda: and eat bread there, and prophesy there. But prophesy not again any more in Bethel: because it is the king's sanctuary, and it is the house of the kingdom.  And Amos answered and said to Amasias: I am not a prophet, nor am I the son of a prophet: but I am a herdsman plucking wild figs. And the Lord took me when I followed the flock, and the Lord said to me: Go, prophesy to my people Israel. And now hear thou the word of the Lord: Thou sayest, thou shalt not prophesy against Israel, and thou shalt not drop thy word upon the house of the idol. Therefore thus saith the Lord: Thy wife shall play the harlot in the city, and thy sons and thy daughters shall fall by the sword, and thy land shall be measured by a line: and thou shalt die in a polluted land, and Israel shall go into captivity out of their land.

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 19 (18):10cd; V. 8, 9, 10, 11

R.  (T)he judgments of the Lord are true, justified in themselves.

V.  The law of the Lord is unspotted,

     converting souls:

     the testimony of the Lord is faithful,

     giving wisdom to little ones.

V.  The justices of the Lord are right,

     rejoicing hearts:

     the commandment of the Lord is lightsome,

     enlightening the eyes.

V.  The fear of the Lord is holy,

     enduring for ever and ever:

     the judgments of the Lord are true,

     justified in themselves.

V.  More to be desired than gold

     and many precious stones:

     and sweeter than honey

     and the honeycomb.

Gospel Reading:  Matthew 9:1-8

And entering into a boat, he passed over the water and came into his own city. And behold they brought to him one sick of the palsy lying in a bed. And Jesus, seeing their faith, said to the man sick of the palsy: Be of good heart, son, thy sins are forgiven thee. And behold some of the scribes said within themselves: He blasphemeth.  4 And Jesus seeing their thoughts, said: Why do you think evil in your hearts? Whether is easier, to say, Thy sins are forgiven thee: or to say, Arise, and walk? But that you may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (then said he to the man sick of palsy,) Arise, take up thy bed, and go into thy house. And he arose, and went into his house. And the multitude seeing it, feared, and glorified God that gave such power to men.

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

July 2026 Morning Offering Prayer Intention

Here is the intention for this month when praying the Morning Offering:

For Respect For Human Life. Let us pray for the respect and protection of human life in all its stages, recognizing it as a gift from God.

A link is provided for further reflection.

National Anthem Sweet

In honor of Canada Day (once upon a time called Dominion Day), I present the lyrics to one of the most melodious national anthems in the world.

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O Canada! Our home and native land!
True patriot love in all thy sons command.
With glowing hearts we see thee rise,
The True North strong and free!
From far and wide, O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
God keep our land glorious and free!
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.

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A history of how the song developed can be found here.

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Originally posted on 7/1/2009.

Re-posted on 7/1/2010.
Re-posted on 7/1/2011.
Re-posted on 7/1/2013.
Re-posted on 7/1/2014.
Re-posted on 7/1/2016.
Re-posted on 7/1/2017.
Re-posted on 7/1/2018.

Re-posted on 7/1/2019.

Re-posted on 7/1/2020.

Re-posted on 7/1/2021.

Re-posted on 7/1/2022.

Re-posted on 7/1/2023.

Re-posted on 7/1/2024.

Re-posted on 7/1/2025.

DR Squared: Optional Memorial Of Saint Junipero Serra, Priest [In The Dioceses Of The United States]

There are no assigned readings; they may be selected from the Common of Pastors:  For Missionaries or the Common of Holy Men and Women:  Religious. This post will not have a Douay-Rhimes submission.

DR Squared: Wednesday Of The Thirteenth Week In Ordinary Time (Year II)

First Reading:  Amos 5:14-15, 21-24

Seek ye good, and not evil, that you may live: and the Lord the God of hosts will be with you, as you have said. Hate evil, and love good, and establish judgment in the gate: it may be the Lord the God of hosts may have mercy on the remnant of Joseph. I hate, and have rejected your festivities: and I will not receive the odour of your assemblies. And if you offer me holocausts, and your gifts, I will not receive them: neither will I regard the vows of your fat beasts. Take away from me the tumult of thy songs: and I will not hear the canticles of thy harp. But judgment shall be revealed as water, and justice as a mighty torrent.

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 50:7, 8-9, 10-11, 12-13, 16bc-17

R.  (A)nd there is the way by which I will shew him the salvation of God.

V.  Hear, O my people, and I will speak:

     O Israel, and I will testify to thee:

     I am God, thy God.

V.  I will not reprove thee for thy sacrifices:

     and thy burnt offerings are always in my sight.

     I will not take calves out of thy house:

     nor he goats out of thy flocks.

V.  For all the beasts of the woods are mine:

     the cattle on the hills, and the oxen.

     I know all the fowls of the air:

     and with me is the beauty of the field.

V.  If I should be hungry, I would not tell thee:

     for the world is mine, and the fulness thereof.

     Shall I eat the flesh of bullocks?

     or shall I drink the blood of goats?

V.  Why dost thou declare my justices,

     and take my covenant in thy mouth?

     Seeing thou hast hated discipline:

     and hast cast my words behind thee.

Gospel Reading:  Matthew 8:28-34

And when he was come on the other side of the water, into the country of the Gerasens, there met him two that were possessed with devils, coming out of the sepulchres, exceeding fierce, so that none could pass by that way. And behold they cried out, saying: What have we to do with thee, Jesus Son of God? art thou come hither to torment us before the time? And there was, not far from them, an herd of many swine feeding. And the devils besought him, saying: If thou cast us out hence, send us into the herd of swine. And he said to them: Go. But they going out went into the swine, and behold the whole herd ran violently down a steep place into the sea: and they perished in the waters. And they that kept them fled: and coming into the city, told every thing, and concerning them that had been possessed by the devils. And behold the whole city went out to meet Jesus, and when they saw him, they besought him that he would depart from their coasts.

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

DR Squared: Optional Memorial Of The First Holy Martyrs Of The Holy Roman Church

First Reading:  Romans 8:31b-39

If God be for us, who is against us? He that spared not even his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how hath he not also, with him, given us all things? Who shall accuse against the elect of God? God that justifieth. Who is he that shall condemn? Christ Jesus that died, yea that is risen also again; who is at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. Who then shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation? or distress? or famine? or nakedness? or danger? or persecution? or the sword (As it is written: For thy sake we are put to death all the day long. We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.) But in all these things we overcome, because of him that hath loved us. For I am sure that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor might, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 124 (123):7a; V. 2-3, 4-5, 7b-8

R.  Our soul hath been delivered as a sparrow out of the snare of the fowlers.

V.  If it had not been that the Lord was with us,

     When men rose up against us,

     Perhaps they had swallowed us up alive.

     When their fury was enkindled against us,

V.  Perhaps the waters had swallowed us up.

     Our soul hath passed through a torrent:

     perhaps our soul had passed through

     a water insupportable.

V.  The snare is broken,

     and we are delivered.

     Our help is in the name of the Lord,

     who made heaven and earth.

Gospel Reading:  Matthew 24:4-13

And Jesus answering, said to them: Take heed that no man seduce you:  For many will come in my name saying, I am Christ: and they will seduce many. And you shall hear of wars and rumours of wars. See that ye be not troubled. For these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; and there shall be pestilences, and famines, and earthquakes in places:  Now all these are the beginnings of sorrows. Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall put you to death: and you shall be hated by all nations for my name's sake. And then shall many be scandalized: and shall betray one another: and shall hate one another. And many false prophets shall rise, and shall seduce many. And because iniquity hath abounded, the charity of many shall grow cold. But he that shall persevere to the end, he shall be saved.

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

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Originally posted 6/30/2025.

DR Squared: Tuesday Of The Thirteenth Week In Ordinary Time (Year II)

First Reading:  Amos 3:1-8; 4:11-12

Hear the word that the Lord hath spoken concerning you, O ye children of Israel: concerning the whole family that I brought up out of the land of Egypt, saying:  You only have I known of all the families of the earth: therefore will I visit upon you all your iniquities. Shall two walk together except they be agreed? Will a lion roar in the forest, if he have no prey? will the lion's whelp cry out of his den, if he have taken nothing? Will the bird fall into the snare upon the earth, if there be no fowler? Shall the snare be taken up from the earth, before it hath taken somewhat? Shall the trumpet sound in a city, and the people not be afraid? Shall there be evil in a city, which the Lord hath not done? For the Lord God doth nothing without revealing his secret to his servants the prophets. The lion shall roar, who will not fear? The Lord God hath spoken, who shall not prophesy?  destroyed some of you, as God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrha, and you were as a firebrand plucked out of the burning: yet you returned not to me, saith the Lord. Therefore I will do these things to thee, O Israel: and after I shall have done these things to thee, be prepared to meet thy God, O Israel.

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 5:9a; V. 4b-6a, 6b-7, 8

R.  Conduct me, O Lord, in thy justice:

V.  O Lord, in the morning thou shalt hear my voice.

     In the morning I will stand before thee, and will see:

     because thou art not a God that willest iniquity.

     Neither shall the wicked dwell near thee:

V.  (N)or shall the unjust abide before thy eyes.

     Thou hatest all the workers of iniquity:

     Thou wilt destroy all that speak a lie.

     The bloody and the deceitful man the Lord will abhor.

V.  But as for me in the multitude of thy mercy,

     I will come into thy house;

     I will worship towards thy holy temple,

     in thy fear.

Gospel Reading:  Matthew 8:23-27

And when he entered into the boat, his disciples followed him:  And behold a great tempest arose in the sea, so that the boat was covered with waves, but he was asleep. And they came to him, and awaked him, saying: Lord, save us, we perish. And Jesus saith to them: Why are you fearful, O ye of little faith? Then rising up he commanded the winds, and the sea, and there came a great calm. But the men wondered, saying: What manner of man is this, for the winds and the sea obey him?

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

DR Squared: Solemnity Of Saints Peter And Paul, Apostles--Mass During The Day

First Reading:  Acts 12:1-11

And at the same time, Herod the king stretched forth his hands, to afflict some of the church. And he killed James, the brother of John, with the sword. And seeing that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to take up Peter also. Now it was in the days of the Azymes. And when he had apprehended him, he cast him into prison, delivering him to four files of soldiers to be kept, intending, after the pasch, to bring him forth to the people. Peter therefore was kept in prison. But prayer was made without ceasing by the church unto God for him. And when Herod would have brought him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and the keepers before the door kept the prison. And behold an angel of the Lord stood by him: and a light shined in the room: and he striking Peter on the side, raised him up, saying: Arise quickly. And the chains fell off from his hands. And the angel said to him: Gird thyself, and put on thy sandals. And he did so. And he said to him: Cast thy garment about thee, and follow me. And going out, he followed him, and he knew not that it was true which was done by the angel: but thought he saw a vision. And passing through the first and the second ward, they came to the iron gate that leadeth to the city, which of itself opened to them. And going out, they passed on through one street: and immediately the angel departed from him. And Peter coming to himself, said: Now I know in very deed, that the Lord hath sent his angel, and hath delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation of the people of the Jews.

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 34 (33):5b; V. 2-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9

R.  (H)e delivered me from all my troubles.

V.  I will bless the Lord at all times,

     his praise shall be always in my mouth.

     In the Lord shall my soul be praised:

     let the meek hear and rejoice.

V.  O magnify the Lord with me;

     and let us extol his name together.

     I sought the Lord, and he heard me;

     and he delivered me from all my troubles.

V.  Come ye to him and be enlightened:

     and your faces shall not be confounded.

     This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him:

     and saved him out of all his troubles.

V.  The angel of the Lord shall encamp round about them that fear him:

     and shall deliver them.

     O taste, and see that the Lord is sweet:

     blessed is the man that hopeth in him. 

Second Reading:  2 Timothy 4:6-8, 17-18

For I am even now ready to be sacrificed: and the time of my dissolution is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith. As to the rest, there is laid up for me a crown of justice, which the Lord the just judge will render to me in that day: and not only to me, but to them also that love his coming. Make haste to come to me quickly. But the Lord stood by me, and strengthened me, that by me the preaching may be accomplished, and that all the Gentiles may hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. The Lord hath delivered me from every evil work: and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Gospel Reading:  Matthew 16:13-19

And Jesus came into the quarters of Caesarea Philippi: and he asked his disciples, saying: Whom do men say that the Son of man is? But they said: Some John the Baptist, and other some Elias, and others Jeremias, or one of the prophets. Jesus saith to them: But whom do you say that I am? Simon Peter answered and said: Thou art Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answering, said to him: Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-Jona: because flesh and blood hath not revealed it to thee, but my Father who is in heaven. And I say to thee: That thou art Peter; and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give to thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven. And whatsoever thou shalt bind upon earth, it shall be bound also in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose upon earth, it shall be loosed also in heaven.

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

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Originally posted 6/29/2025.