♪ [Piano music] ♪

The following presentation is made possible by the generosity of the viewers of Sunday Mass at Mercy Home for Boys and Girls in Chicago.

Good morning and welcome to Sunday Mass at Mercy Home for Boys and Girls.

Today we celebrate the 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time.

My name is Dan Riley. I’m joined by Tom McNamara and Bridget Gerace and our celebrant is Father James Wallace.

♪ We gather together to ask the Lord’s blessing. ♪
♪ He chastens and hastens His will to make known. ♪
♪ Awake and oppressing now cease from distressing. ♪
♪ Sing praises to His name. ♪
♪ He forgets not His own. ♪

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
-Amen.

The Lord be with you.
-And with your spirit.

Good morning, brothers and sisters. Welcome from Mass here at Mercy Home. Thank you for joining us. Thank you for praying together. We open our hearts up to again receive the Holy Spirit and these sacred mysteries. We begin by calling to mind our sins.

I confess to Almighty God and to you my brothers and sisters that I have greatly sinned in my thoughts and in my words and what I have done and in what I have failed to do through my fault, through my fault, through my most grievous fault. Therefore I ask blessed Mary, ever Virgin, all the angels and saints and to you my brothers and sisters to pray for me to the Lord our God.

May Almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins and bring us to everlasting life.
-Amen.

♪ Lord have mercy. ♪
-♪ Lord have mercy. ♪
♪ Christ have mercy. ♪
-♪ Christ have mercy. ♪
♪ Lord have mercy. ♪
-♪ Lord have mercy. ♪

♪ [Piano music] ♪
♪ Glory to God in the highest ♪
♪ and on earth peace to people of good will. ♪
♪ Glory to God in the highest ♪
♪ and on earth peace to people of good will. ♪

Let us pray.

O God, who in the abasement of Your Son have raised up a fallen world, fill Your faithful with holy joy for on those You have rescued from slavery to sin, You bestow eternal gladness. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God forever and ever.
-Amen.

A reading from the book of the Prophet Zechariah.

Thus says the Lord, rejoice heartily, O daughter Zion. Shout for joy, O daughter Jerusalem. See, your king shall come to you. A just savior is he, meek and riding on an ass, on a colt, the foal of an ass. He shall banish the chariot from Ephraim and the horse from Jerusalem. The warriors bow, shall be banished, and he shall proclaim to the nations. His dominion shall be from sea to sea and from the river to the ends of the earth.

The word of the Lord.
-Thanks be to God.

♪ [Piano music] ♪
♪ I will praise Your name forever, ♪
♪ my King and my God. ♪
♪ I will praise Your name forever, ♪
♪ my King and my God. ♪
♪ I will extol You my God and King, ♪
♪ and bless Your name forever and ever. ♪
♪ I will bless You day after day, ♪
♪ and praise Your name forever and ever. ♪
♪ I will praise Your name forever, ♪
♪ my King and my God. ♪

A reading from the letter of Saint Paul to the Romans.

Brothers and sisters, you are not in the flesh. On the contrary, you are in the spirit if only the Spirit of God dwells in you. Whoever does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to Him. If the Spirit of the One who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, the One who raised Christ from the dead will give life to your mortal bodies also through His Spirit that dwells in you. Consequently, brothers and sisters, we are not debtors to the flesh to live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh, you will die. But if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.

The word of the Lord.
-Thanks be to God.

♪ [Piano music] ♪
♪ Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. ♪
♪ Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. ♪
♪ Blessed are You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth ♪
♪ You have revealed to little ones ♪
♪ the mysteries of the kingdom ♪
♪ Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. ♪

The Lord be with you.
-And with your spirit.

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew.
-Glory to You, O Lord.

At that time Jesus exclaimed, “I give praise to You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although You have hidden these things from the wise and the learned, You have revealed them to the little ones. Yes, Father, such has been Your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, no one knows the Son except the Son, and anyone to whom the Son wishes to reveal Him. Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart, and you will find rest for yourselves, for my yoke is easy and my burden light.”

The Gospel of the Lord.
-Praise to You, Lord Jesus Christ.

Yesterday was July 4th and the 250th anniversary of our nation’s founding, more or less, I guess you could say. So happy 4th of July. Happy anniversary to the United States of America.

The United States, as you all know, has fought several wars over its history, including the War of Independence. And there’s some connections actually you could make from the readings of the tyrant and oppressor and so forth to the War of Independence. Maybe I’ll touch on that in a second. But there’s an interesting war or a series of war that were known as the Barbary Wars that the United States fought in the early 19th century, 1804 to 1807 – and then around 1808 to 1812 or so.

The Barbary Wars were the Barbary pirates, as they were known, were a group of, well, pirates from North Africa who basically tyrannized the entire Mediterranean for centuries from what is today modern-day Libya and Algeria and so forth and even parts of Morocco and Egypt. And so these pirates basically controlled the Mediterranean other than the British Navy, and they would, of course, capture ships, they would sink them, many, many goods, valuables were lost over the centuries. And the European powers were just either too afraid or disinterested or disorganized in attacking or taking care of this problem.

So this change, though, with the United States of America is actually Thomas Jefferson who said enough is enough, and he sent the United States Navy and the Marines to the Mediterranean off the coast of Sicily. And long story short, I won’t get into all the exploits of the battles and so forth, but we basically won this war. And it was actually Pope Pius VII who said after the conclusion of these wars, saying, “The United States of America, though in its infancy, has done more for Europe and the Church than any other nation has in centuries.”

So the Pope recognized the United States for taking care of a problem, serving Europe and the rest of mankind.

Now, this was a calculated risk on Jefferson’s part. Again, the United States is in its infancy, so if it fights this war and it loses or it does poorly in the war, it’s going to invite other European powers maybe to take advantage of the United States and for other European powers not to take this country seriously. But he believed that we could do this. And it was ultimately, as the Pope recognized, an act of service to humanity, to free people from this oppression.

All right, let me make a quick historical connection here to the Gospel, because when Jesus says, “My yoke is easy, my burden is light. Come to me, all you who labor and are rest.” There’s a historical context to this.

Jesus, of course, is the Messiah. He’s the King of Israel. But the Jewish people, the ancient Israelites, did not have a positive notion of the Messiah or of the kings of Israel because the kings of Israel imposed very heavy burdens, literally taxes on the people. They weren’t kings or leaders that brought peace, prosperity, and freedom to the people.

So it goes actually to King David. King David, in fighting his wars, establishing and consolidating the empire of Israel, basically conscripts many men to fight. And then his son Solomon, in building the temple, actually has to sell off portions of his people into slavery to fund the temple. And there’s other things that Solomon does that aren’t really helpful for the people. And then finally, the straw that breaks the camel’s back, kind of like the King George for the American colonies, is Solomon’s son, a guy named Rahoboam.

Rahoboam imposed very heavy taxes on the people, and this causes the rupture in Israel. There’s a civil war, and the place will never be the same.

So again, the people just had a heavy feeling about kings and leaders. So when Jesus says, “Look, I’m not going to be like these other kings and leaders from the past. I’m here to set you free, to impose a burden on you that’s paradoxically going to lift your spirits.” This is what our faith is about.

So it’s helpful for us to maybe do an examination of conscience of how we see our spiritual lives, how we see the Church, how we see God. Does He impose heavy burdens on us? Is there a feeling of heaviness around our faith? Do we feel that it just constrains our freedom? Or does God truly set us free? Does God give us a light-hearted spirit? Does He give us the Holy Spirit that allows us to really be people of peace and joy, and that bring other people into this beautiful faith too? This is the kind of faith that Jesus proposes to us.

And so we ask the Holy Spirit to give us the proper understanding that we may live in freedom and invite others to live that way too. Amen.

And so, friends, now we profess our faith:

I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible. I believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the Only Begotten Son of God, born of the Father before all ages, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father. Through Him all things were made. For us men and for our salvation, He came down from heaven, and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary and became man. For our sake, He was crucified under Pontius Pilate. He suffered death and was buried, and rose again on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and His kingdom will have no end. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son is adored and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets. I believe in one holy Catholic and Apostolic Church. I confess one baptism for the forgiveness of sins, and I look forward to the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. Amen.

We pray now for all the needs of our Church and of our world. Our response to each prayer will be, “Lord, hear our prayer.”

For our Holy Father and all clergy, as they spread Christ’s Gospel throughout the world, may they be protected in their ministry. We pray to the Lord.
-Lord, hear our prayer.

For our country, as we celebrated Independence Day yesterday, may we remember with gratitude and prayer our armed forces members who protected us throughout history, who protect us now, and those who made the ultimate sacrifice. May they rest in the Lord’s loving embrace. We pray to the Lord.
-Lord, hear our prayer.

For the co-workers and benefactors of Mercy Home, may they feel God’s love as they serve the youth in Mercy Home’s care. We pray to the Lord.
-Lord, hear our prayer.

For the protection of all first responders who risk their lives daily to ensure our safety. We pray to the Lord.
-Lord, hear our prayer.

Loving Father, we ask that You answer these prayers. We make them with confidence through Christ our Lord.
-Amen.

♪ [Piano music] ♪
♪ [Piano music continues] ♪

Pray, brothers and sisters, that my sacrifice and yours may be acceptable to God, the Almighty Father.
-May the Lord accept the sacrifice at your hands for the praise and glory of His name, for our good and the good of all His holy Church.

May this oblation dedicated to Your name purify us, O Lord, and day by day bring our conduct closer to the life of heaven. Through Christ our Lord.
-Amen.

The Lord be with you.
-And with your spirit.

Lift up your hearts.
-We lift them up, O Lord.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
-It is right and just.

It is truly right and just, our duty and our salvation always and everywhere to give You thanks, Lord, holy Father, almighty and eternal God, through Christ our Lord. For by His birth, He brought renewal to humanity’s fallen state, and by His suffering, canceled out our sins. By His rising from the dead, He has opened the way to eternal life, and by sending to You, O Father, He has unlocked the gates of heaven. And so, with the company of angels and saints, we sing the hymn of Your praise, as without end, we acclaim.

♪ [Piano music] ♪
♪ Holy, holy, holy, Lord, God of hosts, ♪
♪ heaven and earth are full of Your glory. ♪
♪ Hosanna in the highest. ♪
♪ Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord. ♪
♪ Hosanna in the highest. ♪

You are indeed holy, O Lord, the fount of all holiness. Make holy, therefore, these gifts, we pray, by sending down Your Spirit upon them like the dewfall, so that they may become for us the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ.

At the time He was betrayed and entered willingly into His Passion, He took bread, and giving thanks, broke it, and gave it to His disciples, saying, “Take this, all of you, and eat of it, for this is My Body, which will be given up for you.” In a similar way, when supper was ended, He took the chalice, and once more, giving thanks, He gave it to His disciples, saying, “Take this, all of you, and drink from it, for this the chalice of My Blood, the Blood of the new and eternal covenant, which will be poured out for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Do this in memory of me.”

The mystery of faith.

♪ [Piano music] ♪
♪ When we eat this bread and drink this cup, ♪
♪ we proclaim Your death, O Lord, ♪
♪ until You come again. ♪

Therefore, as we celebrate the memorial of His death and resurrection, we offer You, Lord, the bread of life and the chalice of salvation, giving thanks to You who have held us worthy to be in Your presence and minister to You. Humbly we pray that partaking of the Body and Blood of Christ, we may be gathered into one by the Holy Spirit. Remember, Lord, Your Church spread throughout the world and bring her to the fullness of charity, together with Leo, our Pope, and Blas…, our bishop, and all the clergy. Remember also our brothers and sisters who have fallen asleep in the hope of the resurrection, and all who have died in Your mercy, welcome them into the light of Your face. Have mercy on us all, we pray, that with the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God, blessed Joseph, her spouse, with the blessed apostles, and all the saints who have pleased You throughout the ages, we may merit to be co-heirs to eternal life, and may praise and glorify You through Your Son, Jesus Christ. Through Him and with Him and in Him, O God, Almighty Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory and honor is Yours forever and ever.

♪ [Piano music] ♪
♪ Amen, amen, amen. ♪

Let us all join our voices together now and pray the words that Jesus taught us:

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

Deliver us, Lord, we pray, from every evil, graciously grant peace in our days, that by the help of Your mercy we may be always free from sin and safe from all distress, as we await the blessed hope and the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ.
-For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are Yours, now and forever.

Lord Jesus Christ, who said to Your apostles, “Peace I leave you, my peace I give you,” look not on our sins, but on the faith of Your Church, and graciously grant her peace and unity in accordance with Your will, who live and reign forever and ever.
-Amen.

The peace of the Lord be with you always.
-And with your spirit.

Let us offer each other the sign of peace.

Brothers and sisters, peace be with you.

On behalf of Father Scott Donahue and all the staff and residents here at Mercy Home, God bless you and thank you, as always, for your support of Mercy Home. We pray for you and for your intentions, which we have here, and know that we hold you deep in our hearts, and we hope that Christ’s peace may reign now and in your life. Amen.

♪ [Piano music] ♪
♪ Lamb of God, ♪
♪ You take away the sins of the world: ♪
♪ have mercy on us. ♪
♪ Lamb of God, ♪
♪ You take away the sins of the world: ♪
♪ have mercy on us. ♪
♪ Lamb of God, ♪
♪ You take away the sins of the world: ♪
♪ grant us peace. ♪

Behold the Lamb of God. Behold Him who takes away the sins of the world. Blessed are those called to the supper of the Lamb.
-Lord, I’m not worthy that You should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed.

♪ [Piano music] ♪

For those of you at home, please turn to page six in your TV Mass guide and join in singing our communion song, “Not for Tongues of Heaven’s Angels.”

♪ Not for tongues of heaven’s angels, ♪
♪ not for wisdom to discern, ♪
♪ not for faith that masters mountains, ♪
♪ for this better gift we yearn: ♪
♪ may love be ours, Lord; may love be ours. ♪
♪ may love be ours, O Lord. ♪

♪ [Piano music] ♪
♪ Love is humble, love is gentle, ♪
♪ love is tender, true, and kind; ♪
♪ love is gracious, ever patient, ♪
♪ generous of heart and mind: ♪
♪ may love be ours, Lord; may love be ours. ♪
♪ may love be ours, O Lord. ♪

And now together we will pray the prayer for the children of Mercy Home.
-Our Lady of Mercy, we pray that You will guide, protect, and bless all boys and girls who this day have a home called Mercy. May they find the Father’s mercy as we offer them our hearts in the name of Your Son, Jesus Christ. May they see God’s mercy in action through our love, prayers, and sacrifices.

Let us pray.

Grant, we pray, O Lord, that having been replenished by such great gifts, we may gain the prize of salvation and never cease to praise You. Through Christ our Lord.
-Amen.

Again, I hope you all have a wonderful holiday weekend. Enjoy your summer breaks. And again, we appreciate your support of Mercy Home, the great work that we do here for the needy children, the boys and girls here in the city of Chicago and beyond. So we appreciate your support. God bless you this day.

The Lord be with you.
-And with your spirit.

Bow your heads and pray for God’s blessing. May Almighty God bless you in His kindness and pour out His wisdom upon you. May He nourish you always with the teachings of the faith and make you persevere in holy deeds. And may He turn your steps toward Himself and show you the path of charity and peace. And may the blessing of Almighty God, the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit come down on you all and remain with you forever.
-Amen.

Go forth. The Mass has ended.
-Thanks be to God.

♪ [Piano music] ♪
♪ There’s a wideness in God’s mercy, ♪
♪ like the wideness of the sea. ♪
♪ There’s a kindness in God’s justice, ♪
♪ which is more than liberty. ♪
♪ There is plentiful redemption. ♪
♪ In the blood that has been shed. ♪
♪ There is joy for all the members… ♪

Hello my friends. As you know, as I know, this TV ministry at Mercy Home is so important. It allows us to gather wherever you may be to participate in the prayer of the Church. It allows us to pray for one another and how important it is. It allows you and me to pray for the children here at Mercy Home for Boys and Girls. We’re nourished by our presence together and by the celebration of the Eucharist.

I just want to take this opportunity to thank you so very much for the ways in which you support this Mass here at Mercy Home for Boys and Girls. Please consider doing that going forward as well. May God bless you and your family and your friends for all you do for the TV Mass at Mercy Home and for our children.

The music for the broadcast of Sunday Mass at Mercy Home is generously provided by GIA Publications Incorporated and its World Library Publications division.

♪ [Piano music] ♪

♪ [Piano music] ♪

The following presentation is made possible by the generosity of the viewers of Sunday Mass at Mercy Home for Boys and Girls in Chicago.

Good morning and welcome to Sunday Mass at Mercy Home for Boys and Girls.

Today we celebrate the 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time.

My name is Dan Riley. I’m joined by Tom McNamara and Bridget Gerace and our celebrant is Father James Wallace.

♪ We gather together to ask the Lord’s blessing. ♪
♪ He chastens and hastens His will to make known. ♪
♪ Awake and oppressing now cease from distressing. ♪
♪ Sing praises to His name. ♪
♪ He forgets not His own. ♪

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
-Amen.

The Lord be with you.
-And with your spirit.

Good morning, brothers and sisters. Welcome from Mass here at Mercy Home. Thank you for joining us. Thank you for praying together. We open our hearts up to again receive the Holy Spirit and these sacred mysteries. We begin by calling to mind our sins.

I confess to Almighty God and to you my brothers and sisters that I have greatly sinned in my thoughts and in my words and what I have done and in what I have failed to do through my fault, through my fault, through my most grievous fault. Therefore I ask blessed Mary, ever Virgin, all the angels and saints and to you my brothers and sisters to pray for me to the Lord our God.

May Almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins and bring us to everlasting life.
-Amen.

♪ Lord have mercy. ♪
-♪ Lord have mercy. ♪
♪ Christ have mercy. ♪
-♪ Christ have mercy. ♪
♪ Lord have mercy. ♪
-♪ Lord have mercy. ♪

♪ [Piano music] ♪
♪ Glory to God in the highest ♪
♪ and on earth peace to people of good will. ♪
♪ Glory to God in the highest ♪
♪ and on earth peace to people of good will. ♪

Let us pray.

O God, who in the abasement of Your Son have raised up a fallen world, fill Your faithful with holy joy for on those You have rescued from slavery to sin, You bestow eternal gladness. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God forever and ever.
-Amen.

A reading from the book of the Prophet Zechariah.

Thus says the Lord, rejoice heartily, O daughter Zion. Shout for joy, O daughter Jerusalem. See, your king shall come to you. A just savior is he, meek and riding on an ass, on a colt, the foal of an ass. He shall banish the chariot from Ephraim and the horse from Jerusalem. The warriors bow, shall be banished, and he shall proclaim to the nations. His dominion shall be from sea to sea and from the river to the ends of the earth.

The word of the Lord.
-Thanks be to God.

♪ [Piano music] ♪
♪ I will praise Your name forever, ♪
♪ my King and my God. ♪
♪ I will praise Your name forever, ♪
♪ my King and my God. ♪
♪ I will extol You my God and King, ♪
♪ and bless Your name forever and ever. ♪
♪ I will bless You day after day, ♪
♪ and praise Your name forever and ever. ♪
♪ I will praise Your name forever, ♪
♪ my King and my God. ♪

A reading from the letter of Saint Paul to the Romans.

Brothers and sisters, you are not in the flesh. On the contrary, you are in the spirit if only the Spirit of God dwells in you. Whoever does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to Him. If the Spirit of the One who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, the One who raised Christ from the dead will give life to your mortal bodies also through His Spirit that dwells in you. Consequently, brothers and sisters, we are not debtors to the flesh to live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh, you will die. But if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.

The word of the Lord.
-Thanks be to God.

♪ [Piano music] ♪
♪ Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. ♪
♪ Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. ♪
♪ Blessed are You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth ♪
♪ You have revealed to little ones ♪
♪ the mysteries of the kingdom ♪
♪ Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. ♪

The Lord be with you.
-And with your spirit.

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew.
-Glory to You, O Lord.

At that time Jesus exclaimed, “I give praise to You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although You have hidden these things from the wise and the learned, You have revealed them to the little ones. Yes, Father, such has been Your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, no one knows the Son except the Son, and anyone to whom the Son wishes to reveal Him. Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart, and you will find rest for yourselves, for my yoke is easy and my burden light.”

The Gospel of the Lord.
-Praise to You, Lord Jesus Christ.

Yesterday was July 4th and the 250th anniversary of our nation’s founding, more or less, I guess you could say. So happy 4th of July. Happy anniversary to the United States of America.

The United States, as you all know, has fought several wars over its history, including the War of Independence. And there’s some connections actually you could make from the readings of the tyrant and oppressor and so forth to the War of Independence. Maybe I’ll touch on that in a second. But there’s an interesting war or a series of war that were known as the Barbary Wars that the United States fought in the early 19th century, 1804 to 1807 – and then around 1808 to 1812 or so.

The Barbary Wars were the Barbary pirates, as they were known, were a group of, well, pirates from North Africa who basically tyrannized the entire Mediterranean for centuries from what is today modern-day Libya and Algeria and so forth and even parts of Morocco and Egypt. And so these pirates basically controlled the Mediterranean other than the British Navy, and they would, of course, capture ships, they would sink them, many, many goods, valuables were lost over the centuries. And the European powers were just either too afraid or disinterested or disorganized in attacking or taking care of this problem.

So this change, though, with the United States of America is actually Thomas Jefferson who said enough is enough, and he sent the United States Navy and the Marines to the Mediterranean off the coast of Sicily. And long story short, I won’t get into all the exploits of the battles and so forth, but we basically won this war. And it was actually Pope Pius VII who said after the conclusion of these wars, saying, “The United States of America, though in its infancy, has done more for Europe and the Church than any other nation has in centuries.”

So the Pope recognized the United States for taking care of a problem, serving Europe and the rest of mankind.

Now, this was a calculated risk on Jefferson’s part. Again, the United States is in its infancy, so if it fights this war and it loses or it does poorly in the war, it’s going to invite other European powers maybe to take advantage of the United States and for other European powers not to take this country seriously. But he believed that we could do this. And it was ultimately, as the Pope recognized, an act of service to humanity, to free people from this oppression.

All right, let me make a quick historical connection here to the Gospel, because when Jesus says, “My yoke is easy, my burden is light. Come to me, all you who labor and are rest.” There’s a historical context to this.

Jesus, of course, is the Messiah. He’s the King of Israel. But the Jewish people, the ancient Israelites, did not have a positive notion of the Messiah or of the kings of Israel because the kings of Israel imposed very heavy burdens, literally taxes on the people. They weren’t kings or leaders that brought peace, prosperity, and freedom to the people.

So it goes actually to King David. King David, in fighting his wars, establishing and consolidating the empire of Israel, basically conscripts many men to fight. And then his son Solomon, in building the temple, actually has to sell off portions of his people into slavery to fund the temple. And there’s other things that Solomon does that aren’t really helpful for the people. And then finally, the straw that breaks the camel’s back, kind of like the King George for the American colonies, is Solomon’s son, a guy named Rahoboam.

Rahoboam imposed very heavy taxes on the people, and this causes the rupture in Israel. There’s a civil war, and the place will never be the same.

So again, the people just had a heavy feeling about kings and leaders. So when Jesus says, “Look, I’m not going to be like these other kings and leaders from the past. I’m here to set you free, to impose a burden on you that’s paradoxically going to lift your spirits.” This is what our faith is about.

So it’s helpful for us to maybe do an examination of conscience of how we see our spiritual lives, how we see the Church, how we see God. Does He impose heavy burdens on us? Is there a feeling of heaviness around our faith? Do we feel that it just constrains our freedom? Or does God truly set us free? Does God give us a light-hearted spirit? Does He give us the Holy Spirit that allows us to really be people of peace and joy, and that bring other people into this beautiful faith too? This is the kind of faith that Jesus proposes to us.

And so we ask the Holy Spirit to give us the proper understanding that we may live in freedom and invite others to live that way too. Amen.

And so, friends, now we profess our faith:

I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible. I believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the Only Begotten Son of God, born of the Father before all ages, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father. Through Him all things were made. For us men and for our salvation, He came down from heaven, and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary and became man. For our sake, He was crucified under Pontius Pilate. He suffered death and was buried, and rose again on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and His kingdom will have no end. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son is adored and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets. I believe in one holy Catholic and Apostolic Church. I confess one baptism for the forgiveness of sins, and I look forward to the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. Amen.

We pray now for all the needs of our Church and of our world. Our response to each prayer will be, “Lord, hear our prayer.”

For our Holy Father and all clergy, as they spread Christ’s Gospel throughout the world, may they be protected in their ministry. We pray to the Lord.
-Lord, hear our prayer.

For our country, as we celebrated Independence Day yesterday, may we remember with gratitude and prayer our armed forces members who protected us throughout history, who protect us now, and those who made the ultimate sacrifice. May they rest in the Lord’s loving embrace. We pray to the Lord.
-Lord, hear our prayer.

For the co-workers and benefactors of Mercy Home, may they feel God’s love as they serve the youth in Mercy Home’s care. We pray to the Lord.
-Lord, hear our prayer.

For the protection of all first responders who risk their lives daily to ensure our safety. We pray to the Lord.
-Lord, hear our prayer.

Loving Father, we ask that You answer these prayers. We make them with confidence through Christ our Lord.
-Amen.

♪ [Piano music] ♪
♪ [Piano music continues] ♪

Pray, brothers and sisters, that my sacrifice and yours may be acceptable to God, the Almighty Father.
-May the Lord accept the sacrifice at your hands for the praise and glory of His name, for our good and the good of all His holy Church.

May this oblation dedicated to Your name purify us, O Lord, and day by day bring our conduct closer to the life of heaven. Through Christ our Lord.
-Amen.

The Lord be with you.
-And with your spirit.

Lift up your hearts.
-We lift them up, O Lord.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
-It is right and just.

It is truly right and just, our duty and our salvation always and everywhere to give You thanks, Lord, holy Father, almighty and eternal God, through Christ our Lord. For by His birth, He brought renewal to humanity’s fallen state, and by His suffering, canceled out our sins. By His rising from the dead, He has opened the way to eternal life, and by sending to You, O Father, He has unlocked the gates of heaven. And so, with the company of angels and saints, we sing the hymn of Your praise, as without end, we acclaim.

♪ [Piano music] ♪
♪ Holy, holy, holy, Lord, God of hosts, ♪
♪ heaven and earth are full of Your glory. ♪
♪ Hosanna in the highest. ♪
♪ Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord. ♪
♪ Hosanna in the highest. ♪

You are indeed holy, O Lord, the fount of all holiness. Make holy, therefore, these gifts, we pray, by sending down Your Spirit upon them like the dewfall, so that they may become for us the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ.

At the time He was betrayed and entered willingly into His Passion, He took bread, and giving thanks, broke it, and gave it to His disciples, saying, “Take this, all of you, and eat of it, for this is My Body, which will be given up for you.” In a similar way, when supper was ended, He took the chalice, and once more, giving thanks, He gave it to His disciples, saying, “Take this, all of you, and drink from it, for this the chalice of My Blood, the Blood of the new and eternal covenant, which will be poured out for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Do this in memory of me.”

The mystery of faith.

♪ [Piano music] ♪
♪ When we eat this bread and drink this cup, ♪
♪ we proclaim Your death, O Lord, ♪
♪ until You come again. ♪

Therefore, as we celebrate the memorial of His death and resurrection, we offer You, Lord, the bread of life and the chalice of salvation, giving thanks to You who have held us worthy to be in Your presence and minister to You. Humbly we pray that partaking of the Body and Blood of Christ, we may be gathered into one by the Holy Spirit. Remember, Lord, Your Church spread throughout the world and bring her to the fullness of charity, together with Leo, our Pope, and Blas…, our bishop, and all the clergy. Remember also our brothers and sisters who have fallen asleep in the hope of the resurrection, and all who have died in Your mercy, welcome them into the light of Your face. Have mercy on us all, we pray, that with the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God, blessed Joseph, her spouse, with the blessed apostles, and all the saints who have pleased You throughout the ages, we may merit to be co-heirs to eternal life, and may praise and glorify You through Your Son, Jesus Christ. Through Him and with Him and in Him, O God, Almighty Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory and honor is Yours forever and ever.

♪ [Piano music] ♪
♪ Amen, amen, amen. ♪

Let us all join our voices together now and pray the words that Jesus taught us:

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

Deliver us, Lord, we pray, from every evil, graciously grant peace in our days, that by the help of Your mercy we may be always free from sin and safe from all distress, as we await the blessed hope and the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ.
-For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are Yours, now and forever.

Lord Jesus Christ, who said to Your apostles, “Peace I leave you, my peace I give you,” look not on our sins, but on the faith of Your Church, and graciously grant her peace and unity in accordance with Your will, who live and reign forever and ever.
-Amen.

The peace of the Lord be with you always.
-And with your spirit.

Let us offer each other the sign of peace.

Brothers and sisters, peace be with you.

On behalf of Father Scott Donahue and all the staff and residents here at Mercy Home, God bless you and thank you, as always, for your support of Mercy Home. We pray for you and for your intentions, which we have here, and know that we hold you deep in our hearts, and we hope that Christ’s peace may reign now and in your life. Amen.

♪ [Piano music] ♪
♪ Lamb of God, ♪
♪ You take away the sins of the world: ♪
♪ have mercy on us. ♪
♪ Lamb of God, ♪
♪ You take away the sins of the world: ♪
♪ have mercy on us. ♪
♪ Lamb of God, ♪
♪ You take away the sins of the world: ♪
♪ grant us peace. ♪

Behold the Lamb of God. Behold Him who takes away the sins of the world. Blessed are those called to the supper of the Lamb.
-Lord, I’m not worthy that You should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed.

♪ [Piano music] ♪

For those of you at home, please turn to page six in your TV Mass guide and join in singing our communion song, “Not for Tongues of Heaven’s Angels.”

♪ Not for tongues of heaven’s angels, ♪
♪ not for wisdom to discern, ♪
♪ not for faith that masters mountains, ♪
♪ for this better gift we yearn: ♪
♪ may love be ours, Lord; may love be ours. ♪
♪ may love be ours, O Lord. ♪

♪ [Piano music] ♪
♪ Love is humble, love is gentle, ♪
♪ love is tender, true, and kind; ♪
♪ love is gracious, ever patient, ♪
♪ generous of heart and mind: ♪
♪ may love be ours, Lord; may love be ours. ♪
♪ may love be ours, O Lord. ♪

And now together we will pray the prayer for the children of Mercy Home.
-Our Lady of Mercy, we pray that You will guide, protect, and bless all boys and girls who this day have a home called Mercy. May they find the Father’s mercy as we offer them our hearts in the name of Your Son, Jesus Christ. May they see God’s mercy in action through our love, prayers, and sacrifices.

Let us pray.

Grant, we pray, O Lord, that having been replenished by such great gifts, we may gain the prize of salvation and never cease to praise You. Through Christ our Lord.
-Amen.

Again, I hope you all have a wonderful holiday weekend. Enjoy your summer breaks. And again, we appreciate your support of Mercy Home, the great work that we do here for the needy children, the boys and girls here in the city of Chicago and beyond. So we appreciate your support. God bless you this day.

The Lord be with you.
-And with your spirit.

Bow your heads and pray for God’s blessing. May Almighty God bless you in His kindness and pour out His wisdom upon you. May He nourish you always with the teachings of the faith and make you persevere in holy deeds. And may He turn your steps toward Himself and show you the path of charity and peace. And may the blessing of Almighty God, the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit come down on you all and remain with you forever.
-Amen.

Go forth. The Mass has ended.
-Thanks be to God.

♪ [Piano music] ♪
♪ There’s a wideness in God’s mercy, ♪
♪ like the wideness of the sea. ♪
♪ There’s a kindness in God’s justice, ♪
♪ which is more than liberty. ♪
♪ There is plentiful redemption. ♪
♪ In the blood that has been shed. ♪
♪ There is joy for all the members… ♪

Hello my friends. As you know, as I know, this TV ministry at Mercy Home is so important. It allows us to gather wherever you may be to participate in the prayer of the Church. It allows us to pray for one another and how important it is. It allows you and me to pray for the children here at Mercy Home for Boys and Girls. We’re nourished by our presence together and by the celebration of the Eucharist.

I just want to take this opportunity to thank you so very much for the ways in which you support this Mass here at Mercy Home for Boys and Girls. Please consider doing that going forward as well. May God bless you and your family and your friends for all you do for the TV Mass at Mercy Home and for our children.

The music for the broadcast of Sunday Mass at Mercy Home is generously provided by GIA Publications Incorporated and its World Library Publications division.

♪ [Piano music] ♪

♪ [Piano music] ♪

The following presentation is made possible by the generosity of the viewers of Sunday Mass at Mercy Home for Boys and Girls in Chicago.

Good morning and welcome to Sunday Mass at Mercy Home for Boys and Girls.

Today we celebrate the 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time.

My name is Dan Riley. I’m joined by Tom McNamara and Bridget Gerace and our celebrant is Father James Wallace.

♪ We gather together to ask the Lord’s blessing. ♪
♪ He chastens and hastens His will to make known. ♪
♪ Awake and oppressing now cease from distressing. ♪
♪ Sing praises to His name. ♪
♪ He forgets not His own. ♪

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
-Amen.

The Lord be with you.
-And with your spirit.

Good morning, brothers and sisters. Welcome from Mass here at Mercy Home. Thank you for joining us. Thank you for praying together. We open our hearts up to again receive the Holy Spirit and these sacred mysteries. We begin by calling to mind our sins.

I confess to Almighty God and to you my brothers and sisters that I have greatly sinned in my thoughts and in my words and what I have done and in what I have failed to do through my fault, through my fault, through my most grievous fault. Therefore I ask blessed Mary, ever Virgin, all the angels and saints and to you my brothers and sisters to pray for me to the Lord our God.

May Almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins and bring us to everlasting life.
-Amen.

♪ Lord have mercy. ♪
-♪ Lord have mercy. ♪
♪ Christ have mercy. ♪
-♪ Christ have mercy. ♪
♪ Lord have mercy. ♪
-♪ Lord have mercy. ♪

♪ [Piano music] ♪
♪ Glory to God in the highest ♪
♪ and on earth peace to people of good will. ♪
♪ Glory to God in the highest ♪
♪ and on earth peace to people of good will. ♪

Let us pray.

O God, who in the abasement of Your Son have raised up a fallen world, fill Your faithful with holy joy for on those You have rescued from slavery to sin, You bestow eternal gladness. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God forever and ever.
-Amen.

A reading from the book of the Prophet Zechariah.

Thus says the Lord, rejoice heartily, O daughter Zion. Shout for joy, O daughter Jerusalem. See, your king shall come to you. A just savior is he, meek and riding on an ass, on a colt, the foal of an ass. He shall banish the chariot from Ephraim and the horse from Jerusalem. The warriors bow, shall be banished, and he shall proclaim to the nations. His dominion shall be from sea to sea and from the river to the ends of the earth.

The word of the Lord.
-Thanks be to God.

♪ [Piano music] ♪
♪ I will praise Your name forever, ♪
♪ my King and my God. ♪
♪ I will praise Your name forever, ♪
♪ my King and my God. ♪
♪ I will extol You my God and King, ♪
♪ and bless Your name forever and ever. ♪
♪ I will bless You day after day, ♪
♪ and praise Your name forever and ever. ♪
♪ I will praise Your name forever, ♪
♪ my King and my God. ♪

A reading from the letter of Saint Paul to the Romans.

Brothers and sisters, you are not in the flesh. On the contrary, you are in the spirit if only the Spirit of God dwells in you. Whoever does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to Him. If the Spirit of the One who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, the One who raised Christ from the dead will give life to your mortal bodies also through His Spirit that dwells in you. Consequently, brothers and sisters, we are not debtors to the flesh to live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh, you will die. But if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.

The word of the Lord.
-Thanks be to God.

♪ [Piano music] ♪
♪ Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. ♪
♪ Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. ♪
♪ Blessed are You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth ♪
♪ You have revealed to little ones ♪
♪ the mysteries of the kingdom ♪
♪ Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. ♪

The Lord be with you.
-And with your spirit.

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew.
-Glory to You, O Lord.

At that time Jesus exclaimed, “I give praise to You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although You have hidden these things from the wise and the learned, You have revealed them to the little ones. Yes, Father, such has been Your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, no one knows the Son except the Son, and anyone to whom the Son wishes to reveal Him. Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart, and you will find rest for yourselves, for my yoke is easy and my burden light.”

The Gospel of the Lord.
-Praise to You, Lord Jesus Christ.

Yesterday was July 4th and the 250th anniversary of our nation’s founding, more or less, I guess you could say. So happy 4th of July. Happy anniversary to the United States of America.

The United States, as you all know, has fought several wars over its history, including the War of Independence. And there’s some connections actually you could make from the readings of the tyrant and oppressor and so forth to the War of Independence. Maybe I’ll touch on that in a second. But there’s an interesting war or a series of war that were known as the Barbary Wars that the United States fought in the early 19th century, 1804 to 1807 – and then around 1808 to 1812 or so.

The Barbary Wars were the Barbary pirates, as they were known, were a group of, well, pirates from North Africa who basically tyrannized the entire Mediterranean for centuries from what is today modern-day Libya and Algeria and so forth and even parts of Morocco and Egypt. And so these pirates basically controlled the Mediterranean other than the British Navy, and they would, of course, capture ships, they would sink them, many, many goods, valuables were lost over the centuries. And the European powers were just either too afraid or disinterested or disorganized in attacking or taking care of this problem.

So this change, though, with the United States of America is actually Thomas Jefferson who said enough is enough, and he sent the United States Navy and the Marines to the Mediterranean off the coast of Sicily. And long story short, I won’t get into all the exploits of the battles and so forth, but we basically won this war. And it was actually Pope Pius VII who said after the conclusion of these wars, saying, “The United States of America, though in its infancy, has done more for Europe and the Church than any other nation has in centuries.”

So the Pope recognized the United States for taking care of a problem, serving Europe and the rest of mankind.

Now, this was a calculated risk on Jefferson’s part. Again, the United States is in its infancy, so if it fights this war and it loses or it does poorly in the war, it’s going to invite other European powers maybe to take advantage of the United States and for other European powers not to take this country seriously. But he believed that we could do this. And it was ultimately, as the Pope recognized, an act of service to humanity, to free people from this oppression.

All right, let me make a quick historical connection here to the Gospel, because when Jesus says, “My yoke is easy, my burden is light. Come to me, all you who labor and are rest.” There’s a historical context to this.

Jesus, of course, is the Messiah. He’s the King of Israel. But the Jewish people, the ancient Israelites, did not have a positive notion of the Messiah or of the kings of Israel because the kings of Israel imposed very heavy burdens, literally taxes on the people. They weren’t kings or leaders that brought peace, prosperity, and freedom to the people.

So it goes actually to King David. King David, in fighting his wars, establishing and consolidating the empire of Israel, basically conscripts many men to fight. And then his son Solomon, in building the temple, actually has to sell off portions of his people into slavery to fund the temple. And there’s other things that Solomon does that aren’t really helpful for the people. And then finally, the straw that breaks the camel’s back, kind of like the King George for the American colonies, is Solomon’s son, a guy named Rahoboam.

Rahoboam imposed very heavy taxes on the people, and this causes the rupture in Israel. There’s a civil war, and the place will never be the same.

So again, the people just had a heavy feeling about kings and leaders. So when Jesus says, “Look, I’m not going to be like these other kings and leaders from the past. I’m here to set you free, to impose a burden on you that’s paradoxically going to lift your spirits.” This is what our faith is about.

So it’s helpful for us to maybe do an examination of conscience of how we see our spiritual lives, how we see the Church, how we see God. Does He impose heavy burdens on us? Is there a feeling of heaviness around our faith? Do we feel that it just constrains our freedom? Or does God truly set us free? Does God give us a light-hearted spirit? Does He give us the Holy Spirit that allows us to really be people of peace and joy, and that bring other people into this beautiful faith too? This is the kind of faith that Jesus proposes to us.

And so we ask the Holy Spirit to give us the proper understanding that we may live in freedom and invite others to live that way too. Amen.

And so, friends, now we profess our faith:

I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible. I believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the Only Begotten Son of God, born of the Father before all ages, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father. Through Him all things were made. For us men and for our salvation, He came down from heaven, and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary and became man. For our sake, He was crucified under Pontius Pilate. He suffered death and was buried, and rose again on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and His kingdom will have no end. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son is adored and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets. I believe in one holy Catholic and Apostolic Church. I confess one baptism for the forgiveness of sins, and I look forward to the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. Amen.

We pray now for all the needs of our Church and of our world. Our response to each prayer will be, “Lord, hear our prayer.”

For our Holy Father and all clergy, as they spread Christ’s Gospel throughout the world, may they be protected in their ministry. We pray to the Lord.
-Lord, hear our prayer.

For our country, as we celebrated Independence Day yesterday, may we remember with gratitude and prayer our armed forces members who protected us throughout history, who protect us now, and those who made the ultimate sacrifice. May they rest in the Lord’s loving embrace. We pray to the Lord.
-Lord, hear our prayer.

For the co-workers and benefactors of Mercy Home, may they feel God’s love as they serve the youth in Mercy Home’s care. We pray to the Lord.
-Lord, hear our prayer.

For the protection of all first responders who risk their lives daily to ensure our safety. We pray to the Lord.
-Lord, hear our prayer.

Loving Father, we ask that You answer these prayers. We make them with confidence through Christ our Lord.
-Amen.

♪ [Piano music] ♪
♪ [Piano music continues] ♪

Pray, brothers and sisters, that my sacrifice and yours may be acceptable to God, the Almighty Father.
-May the Lord accept the sacrifice at your hands for the praise and glory of His name, for our good and the good of all His holy Church.

May this oblation dedicated to Your name purify us, O Lord, and day by day bring our conduct closer to the life of heaven. Through Christ our Lord.
-Amen.

The Lord be with you.
-And with your spirit.

Lift up your hearts.
-We lift them up, O Lord.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
-It is right and just.

It is truly right and just, our duty and our salvation always and everywhere to give You thanks, Lord, holy Father, almighty and eternal God, through Christ our Lord. For by His birth, He brought renewal to humanity’s fallen state, and by His suffering, canceled out our sins. By His rising from the dead, He has opened the way to eternal life, and by sending to You, O Father, He has unlocked the gates of heaven. And so, with the company of angels and saints, we sing the hymn of Your praise, as without end, we acclaim.

♪ [Piano music] ♪
♪ Holy, holy, holy, Lord, God of hosts, ♪
♪ heaven and earth are full of Your glory. ♪
♪ Hosanna in the highest. ♪
♪ Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord. ♪
♪ Hosanna in the highest. ♪

You are indeed holy, O Lord, the fount of all holiness. Make holy, therefore, these gifts, we pray, by sending down Your Spirit upon them like the dewfall, so that they may become for us the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ.

At the time He was betrayed and entered willingly into His Passion, He took bread, and giving thanks, broke it, and gave it to His disciples, saying, “Take this, all of you, and eat of it, for this is My Body, which will be given up for you.” In a similar way, when supper was ended, He took the chalice, and once more, giving thanks, He gave it to His disciples, saying, “Take this, all of you, and drink from it, for this the chalice of My Blood, the Blood of the new and eternal covenant, which will be poured out for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Do this in memory of me.”

The mystery of faith.

♪ [Piano music] ♪
♪ When we eat this bread and drink this cup, ♪
♪ we proclaim Your death, O Lord, ♪
♪ until You come again. ♪

Therefore, as we celebrate the memorial of His death and resurrection, we offer You, Lord, the bread of life and the chalice of salvation, giving thanks to You who have held us worthy to be in Your presence and minister to You. Humbly we pray that partaking of the Body and Blood of Christ, we may be gathered into one by the Holy Spirit. Remember, Lord, Your Church spread throughout the world and bring her to the fullness of charity, together with Leo, our Pope, and Blas…, our bishop, and all the clergy. Remember also our brothers and sisters who have fallen asleep in the hope of the resurrection, and all who have died in Your mercy, welcome them into the light of Your face. Have mercy on us all, we pray, that with the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God, blessed Joseph, her spouse, with the blessed apostles, and all the saints who have pleased You throughout the ages, we may merit to be co-heirs to eternal life, and may praise and glorify You through Your Son, Jesus Christ. Through Him and with Him and in Him, O God, Almighty Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory and honor is Yours forever and ever.

♪ [Piano music] ♪
♪ Amen, amen, amen. ♪

Let us all join our voices together now and pray the words that Jesus taught us:

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

Deliver us, Lord, we pray, from every evil, graciously grant peace in our days, that by the help of Your mercy we may be always free from sin and safe from all distress, as we await the blessed hope and the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ.
-For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are Yours, now and forever.

Lord Jesus Christ, who said to Your apostles, “Peace I leave you, my peace I give you,” look not on our sins, but on the faith of Your Church, and graciously grant her peace and unity in accordance with Your will, who live and reign forever and ever.
-Amen.

The peace of the Lord be with you always.
-And with your spirit.

Let us offer each other the sign of peace.

Brothers and sisters, peace be with you.

On behalf of Father Scott Donahue and all the staff and residents here at Mercy Home, God bless you and thank you, as always, for your support of Mercy Home. We pray for you and for your intentions, which we have here, and know that we hold you deep in our hearts, and we hope that Christ’s peace may reign now and in your life. Amen.

♪ [Piano music] ♪
♪ Lamb of God, ♪
♪ You take away the sins of the world: ♪
♪ have mercy on us. ♪
♪ Lamb of God, ♪
♪ You take away the sins of the world: ♪
♪ have mercy on us. ♪
♪ Lamb of God, ♪
♪ You take away the sins of the world: ♪
♪ grant us peace. ♪

Behold the Lamb of God. Behold Him who takes away the sins of the world. Blessed are those called to the supper of the Lamb.
-Lord, I’m not worthy that You should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed.

♪ [Piano music] ♪

For those of you at home, please turn to page six in your TV Mass guide and join in singing our communion song, “Not for Tongues of Heaven’s Angels.”

♪ Not for tongues of heaven’s angels, ♪
♪ not for wisdom to discern, ♪
♪ not for faith that masters mountains, ♪
♪ for this better gift we yearn: ♪
♪ may love be ours, Lord; may love be ours. ♪
♪ may love be ours, O Lord. ♪

♪ [Piano music] ♪
♪ Love is humble, love is gentle, ♪
♪ love is tender, true, and kind; ♪
♪ love is gracious, ever patient, ♪
♪ generous of heart and mind: ♪
♪ may love be ours, Lord; may love be ours. ♪
♪ may love be ours, O Lord. ♪

And now together we will pray the prayer for the children of Mercy Home.
-Our Lady of Mercy, we pray that You will guide, protect, and bless all boys and girls who this day have a home called Mercy. May they find the Father’s mercy as we offer them our hearts in the name of Your Son, Jesus Christ. May they see God’s mercy in action through our love, prayers, and sacrifices.

Let us pray.

Grant, we pray, O Lord, that having been replenished by such great gifts, we may gain the prize of salvation and never cease to praise You. Through Christ our Lord.
-Amen.

Again, I hope you all have a wonderful holiday weekend. Enjoy your summer breaks. And again, we appreciate your support of Mercy Home, the great work that we do here for the needy children, the boys and girls here in the city of Chicago and beyond. So we appreciate your support. God bless you this day.

The Lord be with you.
-And with your spirit.

Bow your heads and pray for God’s blessing. May Almighty God bless you in His kindness and pour out His wisdom upon you. May He nourish you always with the teachings of the faith and make you persevere in holy deeds. And may He turn your steps toward Himself and show you the path of charity and peace. And may the blessing of Almighty God, the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit come down on you all and remain with you forever.
-Amen.

Go forth. The Mass has ended.
-Thanks be to God.

♪ [Piano music] ♪
♪ There’s a wideness in God’s mercy, ♪
♪ like the wideness of the sea. ♪
♪ There’s a kindness in God’s justice, ♪
♪ which is more than liberty. ♪
♪ There is plentiful redemption. ♪
♪ In the blood that has been shed. ♪
♪ There is joy for all the members… ♪

Hello my friends. As you know, as I know, this TV ministry at Mercy Home is so important. It allows us to gather wherever you may be to participate in the prayer of the Church. It allows us to pray for one another and how important it is. It allows you and me to pray for the children here at Mercy Home for Boys and Girls. We’re nourished by our presence together and by the celebration of the Eucharist.

I just want to take this opportunity to thank you so very much for the ways in which you support this Mass here at Mercy Home for Boys and Girls. Please consider doing that going forward as well. May God bless you and your family and your friends for all you do for the TV Mass at Mercy Home and for our children.

The music for the broadcast of Sunday Mass at Mercy Home is generously provided by GIA Publications Incorporated and its World Library Publications division.

♪ [Piano music] ♪

Yesterday was July 4th and the 250th anniversary of our nation’s founding, more or less, I guess you could say. So happy 4th of July. Happy anniversary to the United States of America.

The United States, as you all know, has fought several wars over its history, including the War of Independence. And there’s some connections actually you could make from the readings of the tyrant and oppressor and so forth to the War of Independence. Maybe I’ll touch on that in a second. But there’s an interesting war or a series of war that were known as the Barbary Wars that the United States fought in the early 19th century, 1804 to 1807 – and then around 1808 to 1812 or so.

The Barbary Wars were the Barbary pirates, as they were known, were a group of, well, pirates from North Africa who basically tyrannized the entire Mediterranean for centuries from what is today modern-day Libya and Algeria and so forth and even parts of Morocco and Egypt. And so these pirates basically controlled the Mediterranean other than the British Navy, and they would, of course, capture ships, they would sink them, many, many goods, valuables were lost over the centuries. And the European powers were just either too afraid or disinterested or disorganized in attacking or taking care of this problem.

So this change, though, with the United States of America is actually Thomas Jefferson who said enough is enough, and he sent the United States Navy and the Marines to the Mediterranean off the coast of Sicily. And long story short, I won’t get into all the exploits of the battles and so forth, but we basically won this war. And it was actually Pope Pius VII who said after the conclusion of these wars, saying, “The United States of America, though in its infancy, has done more for Europe and the Church than any other nation has in centuries.”

So the Pope recognized the United States for taking care of a problem, serving Europe and the rest of mankind.

Now, this was a calculated risk on Jefferson’s part. Again, the United States is in its infancy, so if it fights this war and it loses or it does poorly in the war, it’s going to invite other European powers maybe to take advantage of the United States and for other European powers not to take this country seriously. But he believed that we could do this. And it was ultimately, as the Pope recognized, an act of service to humanity, to free people from this oppression.

All right, let me make a quick historical connection here to the Gospel, because when Jesus says, “My yoke is easy, my burden is light. Come to me, all you who labor and are rest.” There’s a historical context to this.

Jesus, of course, is the Messiah. He’s the King of Israel. But the Jewish people, the ancient Israelites, did not have a positive notion of the Messiah or of the kings of Israel because the kings of Israel imposed very heavy burdens, literally taxes on the people. They weren’t kings or leaders that brought peace, prosperity, and freedom to the people.

So it goes actually to King David. King David, in fighting his wars, establishing and consolidating the empire of Israel, basically conscripts many men to fight. And then his son Solomon, in building the temple, actually has to sell off portions of his people into slavery to fund the temple. And there’s other things that Solomon does that aren’t really helpful for the people. And then finally, the straw that breaks the camel’s back, kind of like the King George for the American colonies, is Solomon’s son, a guy named Rahoboam.

Rahoboam imposed very heavy taxes on the people, and this causes the rupture in Israel. There’s a civil war, and the place will never be the same.

So again, the people just had a heavy feeling about kings and leaders. So when Jesus says, “Look, I’m not going to be like these other kings and leaders from the past. I’m here to set you free, to impose a burden on you that’s paradoxically going to lift your spirits.” This is what our faith is about.

So it’s helpful for us to maybe do an examination of conscience of how we see our spiritual lives, how we see the Church, how we see God. Does He impose heavy burdens on us? Is there a feeling of heaviness around our faith? Do we feel that it just constrains our freedom? Or does God truly set us free? Does God give us a light-hearted spirit? Does He give us the Holy Spirit that allows us to really be people of peace and joy, and that bring other people into this beautiful faith too? This is the kind of faith that Jesus proposes to us.

And so we ask the Holy Spirit to give us the proper understanding that we may live in freedom and invite others to live that way too. Amen.