Faith Resources Newsletter - Number 69 - March 2017

Faith Resources Newsletter Number 69 March 2017 If the sacrament of the Lord’s passion is to work its effect in us, we must imitate what we receive and proclaim to mankind what we revere. The cry of the Lord finds a hiding place in us if our lips fail to speak of this, though our hearts believe in it. So that his cry may not lie concealed in us it remains for us all, each in his own measure, to make known to those around us the mystery of our new life in Christ.  Pope St Gregory the Great

Message from the Manager Welcome to our third Newsletter for 2017. We are more than half way through Lent. The amazing feasts of St Patrick, St Joseph and the Annunciation have brightened this time of prayer, penance, sacrifice and almsgiving. These feasts give us much hope as we look forward to beautiful feast of the Resurrection of Christ Jesus on Easter Sunday.  A week later is Divine Mercy Sunday. We encourage everyone to make the Nine Day Divine Mercy Novena starting on Good Friday and finishing on the eve of the Feast of Divine Mercy. Eastertide is beautiful and joyous, a time of hope for the world. Pope St John Paul II had great devotion to the message of Divine Mercy entrusted to St Faustina. At her Canonisation of 30th April 2000, he declared that, from the following year, the Sunday after Easter Sunday would be the Feast of Divine Mercy. Please continue to pray for all Australians as the tenacity of those opposed to the welfare of our country is an ever present threat. Jesus spoke to St Faustina and asked her to spread the message of His Great Mercy. Along with the rosary, the most incredible weapon in this struggle, the Chaplet of Divine Mercy gives us another wonderful source of grace and great hope. Despite the amazing joy and hope we must be wise to the unrelenting attacks of Satan. We urge everyone to stay vigilant and informed. If you have not already read the following books we have acquired new supplies of Gabriele Kuby’s book, ‘The Global Sexual Revolution’, and David van Gend’s book, ‘Stealing from a Child’. Bill Muehlenberg’s books, ‘Strained Relations’ and ‘Dangerous Relations’ are now available. Only through thorough research, can we fully appreciate the seriousness of the subtle manipulation being thrust upon us. Absolute Relativism by Chris Stefanic $6.00 and Therese of Lisieux’s favourite book, The End of the Present World & The Mysteries of the Future Life by Fr Charles Arminjon $34.95, which have extremely important messages, pertinent to every age, are also back in stock. The 100th Anniversary of Our Lady of Fatima is fast approaching. Jacinta, Lucia and Francisco, after hearing Our Lady’s message, told us that if people obeyed her requests, the world would have peace, sinners would be converted and countless souls would be saved from the fires of Hell. Many people will have heard of Gloria Polo. During her recent visit, she urged people to pray hard and amend their lives because the fires of hell are real. The three children of Fatima were so horrified by their vision of hell that only God’s graces kept them alive. But when Gloria was struck by lightning in 1995 and died, Satan and his devils tried to take her there. Only Our Blessed Mother and the prayers of holy men and women saved her from the horrors awaiting her. She now travels the world giving testimony of her miraculous recovery and urging the conversion of sinners. God has entrusted adults with the special mission of passing on the Holy Catholic Faith, in its entirety to our children, and with this in mind, our large selection of Spiritual Reading, CDs and Lent and Easter colouring and activity books for the young will help them be focused on the true meaning of Lent and Easter. Fr Tierney’s most recent publications in his Handouts series appear in the second half of this newsletter. You are encouraged to take the time to read them. Satan is especially active in Lent. Father’s critical thinking and wisdom are evident in the way he analyses and presents a logical explanation and apologetics on a myriad of topical issues. Reading his handouts not only keeps us informed of the true teachings of Holy Mother Church, but they bring us closer to Christ Jesus. A very sincere thank you is offered to all our readers who help us through prayer and financial sacrifice. May God continue to grant you a Blessed Lent and give you the graces of a holy Easter. Gai Smith Manager Featured items Holy Week is approaching. Bringing Lent Home with Mother Teresa by Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle $7.50 Bringing Lent Home with St Therese of Lisieux by Donna- Marie Cooper O’Boyle $7.50 Bringing Lent Home with St John Paul II by Donna- Marie Cooper O’Boyle $7.50 Stations of the Cross CD by Holy Heroes $14.95 (Corresponding Activity Book $6.95) St Paul Holy Week Missal at the very special price of $5.00 In Conversation with God Vol 2 (Lent, Holy Week, Eastertide) by Fr Francis Fernandez $37.50 On Sunday 16th April we celebrate the glorious feast of the Resurrection and Sunday 23rd April is Divine Mercy Sunday. All orders over $60 will receive a free 3 o’clock Divine Mercy Fridge Magnet. Easter Homilies of Benedict XVI $7.00 Easter at Ephesus CD by Benedictines of Mary (Glorious, Uplifting Music for Easter) $24.95 The Saving Power of Divine Mercy CD by Fr Jason Brooks 7 Secrets of Divine Mercy CD by Vinny Flynn The Necessity of Divine Mercy CD by Fr Chris Alar The True Meaning of Easter CD by Fulton Sheen CD. These CDs are $5.00 each. 7 Secrets of Divine Mercy by Vinny Flynn $22.00 Divine Mercy Prayer Book by Marian Fathers $4.00 The Divine Mercy and St Faustina by Fr Witco $7.00ea. Divine Mercy Novena and Prayers (Hirten) $4.00 The 19th March was the feast of St Joseph, Foster Father of Our Lord and spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The Holy Cloak in Honour of St Joseph (Traditional Novena favoured by St Therese) $6.00 Favourite Prayers to St Joseph (Tan) $4.50 The Divine Favours Granted to St Joseph by Pere Binet $12.50 St Joseph the Patron of the Universal Church CD by Dr Mark Miravalle $5.00   The centenary of the first apparition at Fatima occurs on 13th May. Fr Andrew Apostoli is an expert on Fatima and this set of DVDs provides a comprehensive overview of Fatima and what is means for the world today. It is recommended highly. Fatima: Heaven’s Peace Plan DVD $35.95 (4 DVD set filmed on location by EWTN with Fr Apostoli). Recent DVD Struck by Lightning by Gloria Polo on special for $19.50 Struck by Lightning CD by Gloria Polo on special $9.50 On May 5th, 1995 something extraordinary happened to Dr Gloria Polo Ortiz, a dentist from Bogota Columbia. She was taking shelter from a storm with her nephew, when both of them were struck by lightning. Her nephew died but what happened to Gloria afterwards was a miracle which led to her conversion and a life of abandonment to the will of God. She now tells her story in many different countries around the world, and has the approval of her diocese in Bogota, Columbia, and her spiritual director. So many people deny the existence of the hell, devils and Satan but Gloria tells us that hell exists, the devil and his army are real and to the horrors that await those who reject Christ and die in mortal sin. Her testimony is an inspiration for all of us, and will increase our faith in Christ Jesus and His Holy Catholic Church. Cardinal Newman Catechist Consultants — 25th March, 2016 — HANDOUTS n. 143 “Clear, brief and easily assimilated by all” Religion and Life Priestly Ministry Download as a PDF A CHAP bespoke me on my way into the foyer of the Royal North Shore Hospital. “Are you the Anglican chaplain?” I was wearing my black clerical suit with the usual white Roman collar which showed I was in “the God-squad” and said I was the Catholic chaplain. At that, in an awestruck tone, he asked, “Have you come to give the Last Rites?” His tone matched the prospect of the Great Passover from this world. I smiled. “Not this time. We priests are in the spiritual import-export business. And between import and export, we do a lot of value-added improvement, you know, between our imports in Baptism and our exports in the Last Rites.” I went on, “We’re in the improvement industry. You know, Sermons and all that, and Confession for the forgiveness of sins. It’s in John 20:23. But the hardest part of being a priest is improving myself.” His final comment was, “Sounds a pretty tough sort of religion, but rather noble,” and went off satisfied. Such is a providential encounter God gives priests. God and Caesar SOME THERE ARE who doubt if a catholic layman could ever be trusted with high rank in a democratic government. Would he force his religion on the unwilling? Yet our aim is not a secret. It is open for all to know. Our aim is that Jesus Christ rule in all hearts. We don’t force our religion on anyone. We can’t accept conscripts. We can only invite people to join us freely. Freewill and its responsibility to conscience are our basics. Like all good politicians, a Catholic in parliament works for harmony in society. It’s a plus for everyone if a politician believes in God, and thereby must respect the basic human rights which are not conferred by governments. Acquired Rights conferred by governments are flimsy. They can be changed or withdrawn by those who conferred them, leaving us defenceless. “The Prime Minister gave and the Prime Minister taketh away, as it pleased the Prime Minister so is it done,” quipped Sir Humphrey Appleby in Yes, Minister. We must insist that not even in a democracy can a government do anything it likes. It cannot take away our God-given rights and duties, which God built into us moral creatures — even with a mandate from voters, though governments sometimes try to do this. The fact is, we are accountable to God for upholding our religion, conscience and freedom, and supreme values like life, marriage, property and truth, which forbid murder, adultery, theft and lies. Nor can any government change biological facts, or change unhealthy acts into healthy ones, or wrong into right. Governments EDUCATION in state schools is far less moral than it was before the 1960s. More and more of our bureaucrats, lawyers, judges, politicians and their legislation, are atheist. More and more we find closet Freudian-Marxists, “coming out”, who strive to abolish God, marriage and family by Stopping free speech (cf. Handouts nn. 133, 137, 142). Most lack moral discernment and moral will power, i.e. the strength to resist organized pressure from highly organized pressure groups of homosexuals, their kindred unisex promoters in the Safe Schools Coalition and euthanasia and eugenic groups. Devotion An old childhood Sunday School hymn prompted us to “light one small candle rattier than curse the darkness”:- JESUS BIDS US shine with a clear, pure light, Like a little candle burning in the night; In this world of darkness, we must shine, You in your small corner, and I in mine. 2.            Jesus bids us shine, first of all for Him; Well He sees and knows it if our light is dim; He looks down from heaven, sees us shine, You in your small corner, and I in mine. 3.    Jesus bids us shine, then, for all around Many kinds of darkness in this world abound: Sin, and want, and sorrow — we must shine, You in your small comer, and I in mine. 4.    Jesus bids us shine, as we work for Him, Bringing those that wander from the paths of sin; He will ever help us, if we shine, You in your small comer, and I in mine. Edwin Excell, 1884 Forty Years in the Desert THE DESERT which the Chosen People traversed from Egypt to the Holy Land was not all sand and a rare oasis like the Sahara Desert. Rather, it was sparsely populated, and not entirely without vegetation and water, perhaps something like outback Australia. The tribes living were pagan idolaters and so doubly enemies to the Chosen People passing through. Deuteronomy 29 mentions conscience. See The Liturgy of the Hours volume I, page 449:- If, after hearing these sanctions, such a man should bless himself in his heart and say, “I may follow the dictates of my own heart and still lack nothing; much water drives away thirst,” the Law will not pardon him. The wrath and jealousy of the Lord will blaze against such a man; every curse within this book will fall on him. The desert which we Catholics are traversing today in this second decade of the 21st century is a situation not unlike that of the first Chosen People, with oppressors within and without.   Educational Bureaucrats THE administration that runs schools is enormous. Yet the benefit to pupils is not commensurate with size of the bureaucracy — indeed, it may be inversely proportional. “Small is beautiful.” Compulsion is the watchword of bureaucracy. Government legislation set up State Schools “free, compulsory and secular”. The law allows others such as churches to run fee-paying schools, which are permitted be more or less religious, with the rest of the curriculum set by the State. Federal Government and State Governments have Departments of Education. The Catholic Church has diocesan Catholic Education Offices, dozens of them. Some bureaucrats are educational experts. Indeed, some of these have actually been teachers. Others are escapees from the stress of face-to-face teaching. Bureaucrats, especially educational, revel in rules, compulsion, surveillance, paper qualifications, reports and inspections. But such attitudes and procedures are poor educational psychology. And they make effective teaching all the more difficult. It is far better to recommend “guidelines” than to mandate with an iron fist in a velvet glove. Guidelines can profit pupils, teachers and home schooling parents. Thus educational authorities could:- ·         recommend good ideas, ·         publicize successful ventures, ·         be available to help when asked for it, and ·         practise subsidiarity: intervene only as a last resort. Pope Benedict told an audience of university students that God based creation on mathematics. Hurrah for algebra! Illegal Liturgical Prohibitions SOME PRIESTS try to abolish genuflections made by the laity receiving Holy Communion. Further, some have hidden the Blessed Sacrament from the congregation arriving for, or departing from, Mass, and thereby eliminated all genuflecting. Kneeling for Holy Communion is an authorized alternative to bowing, an exception to the present rule. Kneeling for Communion never required bowing or genuflecting. In countries like Australia where the bishops’ conference has mandated a profound bow, all communicants still have a right to kneel ...individual members of the faithful may choose to receive Communion while kneeling. General Instruction of Roman Missal n. 160, Australian version 2011 Interestingly, their mandate seems to negate GIRM nn. 274, 275 on when to genuflect and when to bow. See also Redemptio Sacramentum n. 91 (and its n. 93 which says the Communion plate should be retained). For practical apologetics in a parish it is worth noting that there are a number of other customs from the piety of the past now authorized once more. RSPCA THE ROYAL SOCIETY for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has a noble ideal seemingly extending to every single individual animal... But surely excepting mosquitoes and such like? Then there are evolutionists who rate man as just another animal, without any privilege of “species preference”. Their extremists even group man with rats and mice, vermin on the earth. Yet in Australia, babies are routinely put to death with great cruelty at the whim of others. The RSPCA does not protest this particular cruelty to “animals”. Greenies “Greenies” are a misnomer for the secular humanist political group in our society. They are the old “parlour pinks” of the 1930s, Lenin’s “useful idiots”, soft communists who, in fervent ‘denial’, refused to believe that Joseph Stalin was savaging his own people, and that Russia was not a paradise of earth, especially for the poor. Today’s Greenies became popular by saving some natural beauty and environment from government- alleged necessities, or from the greed of the rich. Once they were accepted, they promoted their lethal solutions to social problems: abortion and infanticide, suicide even for children, euthanasia, at first voluntary, then compulsory. They say “Save the baby whales” — not the babies. Incidentally, they do not aim to save every single member of a threatened species, whereas we, who are true Godly humanists, recognize that each man is made in the image of God, endowed with dignity, duty and destiny, so that each and every single human being transcends any animal or its entire species. Father James Tierney © The Rev. B.J.H. Tierney. Handouts are free and may be copied for any non-profit teaching purpose. However, donations to defray costs are welcome and should be made to the publisher and distributor, the Cardinal Newman Faith Resources Inc. PO Box 359, St Marys NSW 1790; phone 02 9673 2235; fax 02 9623 3181 email <fr@eardinalnewman.com.au> Cardinal Newman Catechist Consultants — 1st March, 2017 — HANDOUTS n. 144 “Clear, brief and easily assimilated by all” The Law of God is the Will of God Download as a PDF IN PSALMS and the Old Testament, the “Law” of God means much more than the Ten Commandments and those rites for worship and conduct in Leviticus which were abrogated by the New Testament. The Law is The Torah, the first five books of the Bible, the Pentateuch”, that is, the historical books: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy. THE WILL OF GOD In Psalm 119 [118 in the Vulgate], “Law” and its various synonyms are to be understood in the widest sense of revealed teaching as handed on by the prophets. This psalm was one of the most remarkable monuments of the Israelitic devotion to Divine Revelation, to the Will of God and His plan. The 176 verses of Psalm 119 were a little easier to memorize with a new letter of the 22 in the Hebrew alphabet to start each of the 22 groups, each of 8 verses: Aleph, Beth, Ghimel, Daleth... ABGD... (note: G, not C). In his Bible translation (not used here), Msgr Ronald Knox used our ABCD... for the 22 sets of 8 verses each, neatly omitting QXYZ. Each verse except for v. 122 has one of the words used in the Torah. In our Liturgy of the Hours, the Grail Version has law, will, ways, precept, rulings, commands, decrees, statutes. In the Jerusalem Bible, these are: decree, precept, statute, commandment, promise, word, judgement, way. ALL THESE WORDS remind us of the Will of God for us in Christ’s new and everlasting Covenant in His Church. In the Vulgate Lathi, verses 1-8 are: 1 alleluia ALEPH beati inmaculati in via qui ambulant in lege Domini 2 beati qui scrutantur testinionia eius in toto corde exquirent eum J non enim qui operantur iniquitatem in viis eius ambulaverunt 4 tu mandasti mandata tua custodire nimis 5 utinam dixigantur viae meae ad custothendas iustificationes tuas 6 tunc non confundar cum perspexero in omnibus mandatis tuis 7 confitebor tibi in directione cordis in eo quod didici iudicia iustitiae tuae 8 iustificationes tuas custodiam non me derelinquas usquequaque The RSV has: law, testimonis, precepts, statutes, commandments, ordinances, statutes, in each group of 8 verses: 1.        ALEPH: Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the Lord 2.        Blessed are those who keep his testimonies, who seek him with their whole heart, 3.        who also do no wrong, but walk in his ways! 4.        Thou hast commanded thy precepts to be kept diligently. 5.        O that my ways may be steadfast in keeping thy statutes! 6.        Then I shall not be put to shame, having my eyes fixed on all thy commandments. 7.        I will praise thee with an upright heart, when I learn thy righteous ordinances. 8.        I will observe thy statutes; O forsake me not utterly! 9.        BETH: How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to thy word. 10.     With my whole heart I seek thee; let me not wander from thy commandments! 11.     I have laid up thy word in my heart, that I might not sin against thee 12.     Blessed be thou, O Lord; teach me thy statutes! 13.     With my lips I declare all the ordinances of thy mouth. 14.     In the way of thy testimonies I delight as much as in all riches. 151 will meditate on thy precepts, and fix my eyes on thy ways. 16 I will delight in thy statutes; I will not forget thy word. 17 GHIMEL: Deal bountifully with thy servant, that I may live and observe thy word.18 Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law. I am a sojourner on earth; hide not thy commandments from me!20 My soul is consumed with longing for thy ordinances at all times.21 Thou dost rebuke the insolent, accursed ones, who wander from thy commandments; 22 take away from me their scorn and contempt, for I have kept thy testimonies. 23 Even though princes sit plotting against me, thy servant will meditate on thy statutes. 24 Thy testimonies are my delight, they are my counselors. 25 DALETH: My soul cleaves to the dust; revive me according to thy word! 26 When I told of my ways, thou didst answer me; teach me thy statutes! Make me understand the way of thy precepts, and I will meditate on thy wondrous works. 28 My soul melts away for sorrow; strengthen me according to thy word! 29 Put false ways far from me; and graciously teach me thy law! 30 I have chosen the way of faithfulness, I set thy ordinances before me.31 I cleave to thy testimonies, O Lord; let me not be put to shame! 32 I will run in the way of thy commandments when thou enlargest my understanding! 33 Teach me, O lord, the way of thy statutes; and I will keep it to the end.34 Give me understanding^ that I may keep thy law and observe it with my whole heart. 5 Lead me in the padi of thy commandments, for I delight in it. 36 Incline my heart to thy testimonies, and not to gam!37 Turn my eyes from looking at vanities; and give me life in thy ways.38 Confirm to thy servant thy promise, which is for diose who fear thee. 3 Turn away the reproach which I dread; for thy ordinances are good.40 Behold, I long for thy precepts; in thy righteousness give me life! 41 Let thy steadfast love come to me, O Lord, thy salvation according to thy promise; 42 then shall I have an answer for those who taunt me, for I trust in thy word.43 And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth, for my hope is in thy ordinances.44 I will keep thy law continually, for ever and ever" 45 and I shall walk at liberty, for I have sought thy precepts.4 I will also speak of thy testimonies before kings, and shall not be put to shame;47 for I hid my delight in thy commandments, which I love.481 revere thy commandments, which I love, and I will meditate on thy statutes. 49 Remember thy word to thy servant, in which thou hast made me hope.50 This is my comfort in my affliction that thy promise gives me life.51 Godless men utterly deride me, but I do not turn away from thy law.52 When I think of thy ordinances from of old, I take comfort, O Lord. Hot indignation seizes me because of the wicked, who forsake thy law.54 Thy statutes have been my songs in the house of my pilgrimage. 5 I remember thy name in the night, O Lord, and keep thy law.56 This blessing has fallen to me, that I have kept thy precepts. 57 The Lord is my portion; I promise to keep thy words. 58 I entreat thy favor with all my heart; be gracious to me according to thy promise.59 When I think of thy ways, I turn my feet to thy testimonies;601 hasten and do not delay to keep thy commandments.61 Though the cords of the wicked ensnare me, I do not forget thy law.62 At midnight I rise to praise thee, because of thy righteous ordinances.631 am a companion of all who fear thee, of those who keep thy precepts.64 The earth, O Lord, is full of thy steadfast love; teach me thy statutes! 65 Thou hast dealt well with thy servant, O Lord, according to thy word. 66 Teach me good judgment and knowledge, for I believe in thy commandments.67 Before I was afflicted I went astray; but now I keep thy word. 68 Thou art good and doest good; teach me thy statutes. 69 The godless besmear me with lies, but with my whole heart I keep thy precepts;70 their heart is gross like fat, but I delight in thy law. It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I might learn thy statutes.72 The law of thy mouth is better to me than thousands of gold and silver pieces. 73 Thy hands have made and fashioned me; give me understanding that I may learn thy commandments. 4 Those who fear thee shall see me and rejoice, because I have hoped in thy word.75I know, O Lord, that thy judgments are right, and that in faithfulness thou hast afflicted me. 76 Let thy steadfast love be ready to comfort me according to thy promise to thy servant.77 Let thy mercy come to me, that I may live; for thy law is my delight. 78Let the godless be put to shame, because they have subverted me with guile; as for me, I will meditate on thy precepts.79 Let those who fear thee turn to me, that they may know thy testimonies.80 May my heart be blameless in thy statutes, that I may not be put to shame! 81 My soul languishes for thy salvation; I hope in thy word. 82 My eyes fail with watching for thy promise; I ask, ’’When wilt thou comfort me?”83 For I have become like a wineskin in the smoke, yet I have not forgotten thy statutes. 84 How long must thy servant endure? When wilt thou judge those who persecute me? 85 Godless men have dug pitfalls for me, men who do not conform to thy law.86 All thy commandments are sure; they persecute me with falsehood; help me! 87 They have almost made an end of me on earth; but I have not forsaken thy precepts.88 In thy steadfast love spare my life, that I may keep tire testimonies of thy mouth. 89 For ever, O Lord, thy word is firmly fixed in the heavens. 90 Thy faithfulness endures to all generations; thou hast established the earth, and it stands fast. 91 By thy appointment they stand this day; for all tilings are thy servants. 9' If thy law had not been my delight, I should have perished in my affliction.93 I will never forget thy precepts; for by them thou hast given me life.94I am thine, save me; for I have sought thy precepts. 5 The wicked lie in wait to destroy me; but I consider thy testimonies.96I have seen a limit to all perfection, but thy commandment is exceedingly broad. 97 Oh, how I love thy law! It is my meditation all the day. 98 Thy commandment makes me wiser than my enemies, for it is ever with me. 99 I have more understanding than all my teachers, for thy testimonies are my meditation. 001 understand more than the aged, for I keep thy precepts.101I hold back my feet from every evil way, in order to keep thy word. “I do not turn aside from thy ordinances, for thou hast taught me.103 How sweet are thy words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! 104 Through thy precepts I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way. 105 Thy word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. 106 I have sworn an oath and confirmed it, to observe thy righteous ordinances. 1071 am sorely afflicted; give me life, O LORD, according to thy word!108 Accept my offerings of praise, O Lord, and teach me thy ordinances. 1091 hold my life in my hand continually, but I do not forget thy law. 110 The wicked have laid a snare for me, but I do not stray from thy precepts. 111 Thy testimonies are my heritage for ever; yea, they are the joy of my heart. 1121 incline my heart to perform thy statutes for ever, to the end. 113 1 hate double-minded men, but I love thy law.114 Thou art my hiding place and my shield; I hope in thy word.115 Depart from me, you evildoers, that I may keep the commandments of my God. 116 Uphold me according to thy promise, that I may live, and let me not be put to shame in my hope! 117 Hold me up, that I may be safe and have regard for thy statutes continually! 118 Thou dost spurn all who go astray from thy statutes; yea, their cunning is in vain.119 All the wicked of the earth thou dost count as dross; therefore I love thy testimonies.120 My flesh trembles for fear of thee, and I am afraid of thy judgments. 121 I have done what is just and right; do not leave me to my oppressors. 122 Be surety for thy servant for good; let not the godless oppress me. 123 My eyes fail with watching for thy salvation, and for the fulfilment of thy righteous promise. 124 Deal with thy servant according to thy steadfast love, and teach me thy statutes. 125 I am thy servant; give me understanding, that I may know thy testimonies! 126 It is tune for the Lord to act, for thy law has been broken. 127 Therefore I love thy commandments above gold, above fine gold. 128 Therefore I direct my steps by all thy precepts; I hate every false way. 129 Thy testimonies are wonderful; therefore my soul keeps them. 130 The unfolding of thy words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple. 131 With open mouth I pant, because I long for thy commandments.132 Turn to me and be gracious to me, as is thy wont toward diose who love thy name. 133 Keep steady my steps accordin^to thy promise, and let no iniquity get dominion over me. Redeem me from man’s oppression, that I may keep thy precepts. 135 Make thy face shine upon thy servant, and teach me thy statutes. 136 My eyes shed streams of tears, because men do not keep thy law. 137 Righteous art thou, O Lord, and right are thy judgments. Thou hast appointed thy testimonies in righteousness and in all faithfulness.139 My zeal consumes me, because my foes forget thy words. Thy promise is well tried, and thy servant loves it. 141 I am small and despised, yet I do not forget thy precepts. 142 Thy righteousness is righteous for ever, and thy law is true. 143 Trouble and anguish have come upon me, but thy commandments are my delight. 144 Thy testimonies are righteous for ever; give me understanding that I may live. 145 With my whole heart I cry; answer me, O Lord! I will keep thy statutes. 146I cry to thee; save me, that I may observe thy testimonies. 1471 rise before dawn and cry for help; I hope in thy words.148 My eyes are awake before the watches of the night, that I may meditate upon thy promise.149 Hear my voice in thy steadfast love; O Lord, in thy justice preserve my life. 150 They draw near who persecute me with evil purpose; they are far from thy law. 151 But thou art near, O Lord, and all thy commandments are true. 152 Long have I known from thy testimonies that thou hast founded them for ever. 153 Look on my affliction and deliver me, for I do not forget thy law. 154 Plead my cause and redeem me; give me life accordhig to thy promise! 155 Salvation is far from the wicked, for they do not seek thy statutes.156 Great is thy mercy, O Lord ; give me life according to thy justice. Many are my persecutors and my adversaries, but I do not swerve from dry testimonies.1581 look at the faithless with disgust, because they do not keep thy commands. 159 Consider how I love thy precepts! Preserve my life according to thy steadfast love. 160 The sum of thy word is truth; and every one of thy righteous ordinances endures for ever. 161 Princes persecute me without cause, but my heart stands in awe of thy words. 162 I rejoice at thy word like one who finds great spoil.1631 hate and abhor falsehood, but I love thy law. Seven tunes a day I praise thee for thy righteous ordinances. 165 Great peace have those who love thy law; nothing can make them stumble.1661 hope for thy salvation, O Lord, and I do thy commandments. 167 My soul keeps thy testimonies; I love them exceedingly. 1681 keep thy precepts and testimonies, for all my ways are before thee. 169 Let my cry come before thee O Lord; give me understanding accordhig to thy word! 170 Let my supplication come before thee; deliver me according to thy word. 171 My lips will pour forth praise that thou dost teach me thy statutes. 172 My tongue will sing of thy word, for all thy commandments are right.173 Let thy hand be ready to help me, for I have chosen thy precepts. 174 I long for thy salvation, O Lord, and thy law is my delight.175 Let me live, that I may praise thee, and let thy ordinances help me.1761 have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek thy servant, for I do not forget thy commandments. In our Divine Office, the 22 parts of Psalm 119 [118] are spread out in separate Hours in the 4 week cycle of Psalms. This helps us to sustain our attention and devotion. Father James Tierney © The Rev. B.J.H. Tierney. Handouts are free and may be copied for any non-profit teaching purpose. However, donations to defray costs are welcome and should be made to the publisher and distributor, the Cardinal Newman Faith Resources Inc. PO Box 359, St Marys NSW 1790; phone 02 9673 2235; fax 02 9623 3181 email <fr@eardinalnewman.com.au> THIS APOSTOLATE NEEDS YOUR HELP All donations large or small are gratefully received from benefactors to assist in our valuable apostolate. Please be assured that you are remembered in our prayers. To help you, we have purchase an extensive new range of stock and are upgrading our on-line services. You can assist by: Being a Volunteer on a roster for a few hours a week; a regular 2 hours or more would be great Making a donation, either by direct deposit or by using the form below Buying books and religious goods from us Direct Deposit - ANZ Bank: BSB 012408  Account: 227329572  Please cite your name as our reference. For notification of the direct deposit  remittance: fr@cardinalnewman.com.au or fax: (02) 9623 3181 credit card, cheque, money order - please return the form below to: Cardinal Newman Faith Resources Inc  PO BOX 359 ST MARYS  1790