As we continue to reflect on the "Anima Christi", our phrase for this weekend is "from the evil one protect me". Since Father's Day is this Sunday, I am approaching this from God our Father as our protector who is always ready to answer our call for help. He has said "Ask and your shall receive . . ." As an earthly father does everything he can to protect, feed, nourish and provide for his child, think about how infinitely greater is God the Father's love for all of us as His children to protect and provide for us! He bestows His grace on us to fight Satan's attempts to influence us to sin! Last week's readings emphasized that the evil one is always waiting to use every opportunity to attack us when we are most vulnerable. Ask God for His help!
Addressing themes of growth and harvest in the Mass readings, we sing "For the Fruits of This Creation" and "Let all Things Now Living." The words in these hymns focus on everything in creation God has given us. The Responsorial Psalm "Lord, it is good to give thanks to You" expands this by reminding us He provides all we need in creation to attain our heavenly home with Him for all eternity.
This Father's Day we thank God our Father for all His blessings, and we ask for His special blessings on our earthly fathers (biological, adoptive, foster, and spiritual).