Pageviews last month

The Iceman Story

The Iceman Story
Support this work by purchasing the book or the audiobook.

Feast of St. John

-
John, Chapter 7, verse 13:
13 Still, no one spoke openly about him because they were afraid of the Jews.

Today is the feast of St. John so I chose a verse on fear from the gospel of John.  We see here that Jesus was a wanted man because he was fearless toward the Jews and they hated him for it.  People were afraid to even speak about Jesus or worst yet speak up in his behalf.  Often it is easier for us to not speak up when we hear gossip or worse yet to join in the gossip and relish in it.  We often love to hear the worse things about others or lack the courage to defend their good name.  It has been said it is better to say nothing then to say anything negative about another but Christ compels us to go even further with this verse; to be fearless in the defense of others.

Traditionally wine is blessed on the Feast of St. John.  Wine if used in moderation is a good thing.  Yet, sometimes it may cause an increase in our fears or make us fool hardy when speaking, giving us a false sense of courage.  So blessing our wine is a good idea to dedicate its use for our good and not our detriment.

St. Johns wine blessing[1]
Blessing of Wine for the Feast of St. John the Apostle - Dec. 27 
Holy Lord, Father Almighty, eternal God! You willed that Your Son, equal to You in agelessness and substance should descend from heaven and in the fullness of time be born of the most holy Virgin Mary. Thus He could seek the lost and wayward sheep and carry it on His shoulders to the sheepfold, and could cure the man fallen among robbers of his wounds by pouring in oil and wine. Deign now to bless and sanctify this wine which You produced for man's drink. Whoever drinks of it on this holy feast, grant him life in body and soul. By Your goodness, let it be to him strength to prosper him on the way, that his journey may come to a blessed end. Through the same Christ our Lord.  Amen.

Today is also the second day of Christmas the two turtle doves in the 12 days of Christmas song are symbolic of the two bible testaments the old and the new.  For those who the Holy Spirit inspires perhaps it would be a good habit to start your day by reading the old testament in the morning and the new testament in the evening.


[1] http://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/prayers/view.cfm?id=46

Comments

Post a Comment

Presidents' 100 for the dinner table

Presidents' 100 for the dinner table
THE PRESIDENT’S 100 at the dinner table: A NATIONAL BLUEPRINT FOR STRENGTH, CLARITY & RENEWAL

Popular posts from this blog

Alien Manifestations vs. Marian Apparitions Double Feature The Vice That Makes Men Quit - And How to Kill It

-
Image
  SUMMARY OF THE VIDEO Alien Manifestations vs Marian Apparitions Core message: Fr. Donald Calloway argues that the modern obsession with aliens, UAPs, and UFOs is becoming a major spiritual distraction and even a deception in the battle for souls. He warns that the cultural excitement around extraterrestrial phenomena is pulling people away from the Gospel, the sacraments, and especially the messages of the Blessed Mother. youtu.be Key Points from the Video The alien/UFO craze is an “unholy distraction.” It diverts attention from the real spiritual battle and from the messages Heaven has already given through Marian apparitions. youtu.be Confusion and division are growing. The topic is becoming a wedge among believers, creating fascination, fear, and speculative thinking instead of prayer and discernment. youtu.be The Blessed Mother has already warned us. Fr. Calloway stresses that Our Lady’s messages—Fatima, Lourdes, Guadalupe, Akita—contain everything...
Read more

Wednesday, June 3, 2026 First Wednesday

-
Image
  Join brother Knights in prayer as the United States turns 250! Leading up to America’s 250th anniversary this summer, the U.S. bishops will consecrate the nation to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. All American Knights and their families are encouraged to participate. You’re invited to join us in a novena — nine days of prayer — from June 3-11, concluding with the consecration of the country on the eve of the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart. Thousands have already signed up to receive each day’s prayers in their inbox. Sign up to receive yours! Sign Up Supreme Knight Patrick Kelly is also encouraging all Knights to enthrone an image of the Sacred Heart in their home — a simple act of devotion that centers us on the heart of Jesus. You can find everything you need for an enthronement at the Catholic Information Service website, shopcatholicinfo.com . We look forward to joining you in prayer! 1. Summary of the Video Core message: Satan’s attacks are strategic, psychological, and aimed...
Read more

Saturday, May 30, 2026 Joan of Arc/Ember Saturday

-
Image
  Summary & Reflection on Confronting Evil 1. Evil is real, personal, and resisted through Christ’s authority The Catechism teaches that evil is not merely psychological or symbolic; it is a real, personal force acting through fallen angels (CCC 391–395). Christ’s victory over Satan is definitive, but not yet fully manifested, which means the Christian life is lived in combat (CCC 409). This frames every spiritual exhortation—whether prayer, deliverance, or moral vigilance—as participation in Christ’s own authority. 2. The Christian confronts evil first by obedience of faith The CCC roots spiritual warfare not in dramatic gestures but in obedience (CCC 144–149). Evil is confronted when a man submits his intellect and will to God’s revelation. This is the opposite of the devil’s rebellion. Where Satan says, “I will not serve,” the Christian says, “Speak, Lord, your servant is listening.” 3. The ordinary means of grace are the primary weapons The Church insists that ...
Read more

Friday, June 5, 2026 Sacred Heart of Jesus

-
Image
  Smoke in this Life Not the Next Virtue: Reparation & Tender Strength Cigar: Maduro — deep, slow‑burning Bourbon: Stagg Jr. — intense, unflinching Reflection: What wound in me needs to be offered back. SMOKE — The Pain of Loss She appeared shining so fiercely the girl couldn’t look at her. Two days later, brighter still, she genuflected at the altar, thanked the girl, and rose to heaven with her angel. Her only suffering in Purgatory: The pain of loss — distance from God. No flames. Only love delayed. Chrysostom: All earthly torments are nothing compared to losing the sight of God. Maduro becomes a vigil flame. Stagg becomes honesty. Smoke becomes intercession for a soul who longs for God more than we long for breath. Reflection What wound in me still hides from His gaze. What distance I keep that He never asked for. Tonight I name it, hand it over, JUNE 5 Friday-Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus First Friday-Saint Boniface-National Doughnut Da...
Read more

Thursday, June 4, 2026-Corpus Christi

-
Image
  Corpus Christi, CCC, and Confronting Evil Corpus Christi is placed on Thursday because it recalls Holy Thursday , the night Christ instituted the Eucharist. Many countries move it to Sunday so the whole Church can participate, but the meaning remains the same: the Eucharist is Christ’s living presence among His people. The Catechism teaches that the Eucharist is the “source and summit of the Christian life” (CCC 1324) and that Christ’s sacrifice becomes present in every Mass (CCC 1366). Corpus Christi exists to proclaim this truth publicly—especially through Eucharistic processions. The feast confronts one of the oldest evils: the denial of the Real Presence . The video emphasizes that Christ remains with His people in the tabernacle and in Communion. The Church responds to unbelief not with argument but with adoration —carrying Christ into the streets as a declaration of His kingship. The CCC says evil is defeated by union with Christ’s sacrifice (CCC 618). Corpus Christ...
Read more

A Mortgage System That Rewards Marriage, Children, and Service: A Blueprint for American Renewal

-
Image
Introduction: What If We Rewarded the People Who Hold the Country Together? Every nation has to decide what it values. Some reward consumption. Some reward speculation. Some reward short-term gain. But what if America chose to reward the people who actually build the country? What if the path to homeownership — the heart of the American Dream — became easier for those who commit to marriage, raise children, serve their communities, defend the nation, and carry the weight of a lifetime of work into retirement? Imagine a mortgage system built around civilizational priorities , not bank profits: –1% mortgage rate for getting married –1% for each child born or adopted –1% for military service –1% for public service (teachers, nurses, first responders) –1% at retirement This isn’t a gimmick. It’s a demographic, economic, and cultural strategy — one that could reshape the country for the better. Let’s explore the positives, the challenges, and how such a system could help...
Read more

Friday, February 27, 2026

-
Image
  NIC’s Corner- Try  Legendary Pizza Recipes ·           Religion in the Home for Preschool: February ·           Spirit Hour:  Burgundy Wine or Kahlua ·           Writer John Steinbeck born 1902-1968 ·           Bucket List trip:  Chesa Grischuna ·           How to celebrate Feb 27th o     Rise and shine! Start your day with a hearty breakfast to fuel the adventures ahead. Whip up some toast, bacon, eggs, and a steaming cup of coffee – celebrate  The Big Breakfast Day  in style. As you savor each bite, consider the importance of protein in your diet. Pack a protein-packed snack for an on-the-go boost later in the day to honor  National Protein Day . o     Feeling nostalgic? Throw it back with some ret...
Read more

Saturday, June 6, 2026 Immaculate Heart of Mary-D Day

-
Image
  Smoke in This Life Not the Next Sat, June 6 — First Saturday (Immaculate Heart) Virtue: Shelter & Intercession Cigar: Mild, maternal (Connecticut) Bourbon: Larceny Small Batch — soft, enduring Reflection: Whose sorrow do I carry with Mary? Mary’s Heart is the shelter where sorrow becomes intercession. On this First Saturday, I take up one grief — mine or another’s — and place it inside her Heart, where tenderness becomes strength and wounds become prayer. Purgatory reminds me that love must be purified. Better to smoke in this life than the next. Let the burn of repentance happen now, not later. Immaculate Heart of Mary, teach me whose sorrow I am meant to carry today. Day 6 Sacred Heart Retreat Introduction to 2 Kings [1] First, we'll re-cap a few things about the two Books of Kings, as a whole. They're part of the Deuteronomistic history. What does that mean?"   Well, it means that the Book of Deuteronomy, and its religious legal code, help...
Read more

Friday, August 26, 2022

-
Image
 Switch of Manliness Legacy OUR LADY OF CZESTOCHOWA   Acts, Chapter 10, verse 1-4 1 Now in Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion of the Cohort called the Italica, 2 devout and God-fearing along with his whole household, who used to give alms generously to the Jewish people and pray to God constantly. 3 One afternoon about three o’clock, he saw plainly in a vision an angel of God come into him and say to him, “Cornelius.” 4 He looked intently at him and seized with FEAR , said, “What is it, sir?” He said to him, “Your prayers and almsgiving have ascended as a memorial offering before God.   Cornelius’ Cohort was an auxiliary unit of archers, men who are expert at hitting a mark or target.   Sin is the act of violating God's will. Sin can also be viewed as anything that violates the ideal relationship between an individual and God, or as any diversion from the ideal order for human living. To sin has been defined as "to miss the mark" to have a h...
Read more

St. Ignatius Universal Man Plan

St. Ignatius Universal Man Plan
You must give yourself away to begin

St. George Universal Man Plan

St. George Universal Man Plan
Fight your Dragons

St. Peter Universal Man Plan

St. Peter Universal Man Plan
Be a Fisher of Men

St. Joseph Universal Man Plan

St. Joseph Universal Man Plan
Be a Guardian