Ember Saturday, May 21, 2016 ARMED FORCES DAY
Matthew, Chapter 17, verse 5-8
5 While he was still
speaking, behold, a bright cloud cast a shadow over them, then from the cloud
came a voice that said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased;
listen to him.” 6 When the disciples heard this, they fell
prostrate and were very much afraid. 7But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Rise, and do not be afraid.” 8And when
the disciples raised their eyes, they saw no one else but Jesus alone.
The apostles during the
transfiguration heard the voice of the Father; saw the light of the Holy Spirit
and were touched by the Son of God, Christ the messiah. They fully experienced
the triune God which empowered them for the trial ahead.
The Most Blessed Trinity[1]
Who is God? God is an infinite being, of all possible perfections, the
most sublime and excellent of all goods, existing from all eternity, and containing
within Himself the principle of His own being and substance from Whom all other
things have received their existence and life, “for of Him, and by Him, and in Him
are all things” (Rom. xi. 36).
What is the blessed Trinity? It is this one God, Who is one in nature
and threefold in person, the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
Is each of these persons God? Yes, for each possesses the divine nature
and substance.
Is any of these three persons older, more powerful, or greater than
another? No, they are all three, from eternity, equal in power, sublimity, and
majesty, and must therefore be equally adored.
From Whom is the Father? From Himself, before all eternity.
From Whom is God the Son? The Son is begotten of the Father before all
ages.
From Whom is God the Holy Ghost? He proceeds from the Father and the
Son.
Ember Saturday[2]
Ember Days in the Liturgical Year Today
In 1966, Pope Paul VI’s apostolic constitution, Paenitemini, which addressed and altered feasting regulations,
excluded Ember Days as days of fast and abstinence. In 1969, the liturgical
reforms altered how they are observed in parishes:
“On rogation and ember days the practice of the
Church is to offer prayers to the Lord for the needs of all people, especially
for the productivity of the earth and for human labor, and to make
public thanksgiving. In order to adapt the rogation and ember days to various
regions and the different needs of the faithful, the conferences of bishops
should arrange the time and plan of their celebration. Consequently, the
competent authority should lay down norms, in view of local conditions, on
extending such celebrations over one or several days and on repeating them
during the year. On each day of these celebrations the Mass should be one of
the votive Masses for various needs and occasions that is best suited to the
intentions of the petitioners.”
General Norms for the Liturgical Year Calendar, Apostolic Letter of Pope Paul VI
General Norms for the Liturgical Year Calendar, Apostolic Letter of Pope Paul VI
Today do some act of mercy toward
those who are in need.
Hiking
Today I will be leading a spiritual hike you are invited but if you cannot I ask all my readers to add their prayers for Meek and humble souls as requested by our Lord via Saint Faustina.
Eighth Day
"Today bring to Me the Souls who are in the prison of Purgatory, and immerse them in the abyss of My mercy. Let the torrents of My Blood cool down their scorching flames. All these souls are greatly loved by Me. They are making retribution to My justice. It is in your power to bring them relief. Draw all the indulgences from the treasury of My Church and offer them on their behalf. Oh, if you only knew the torments they suffer, you would continually offer for them the alms of the spirit and pay off their debt to My justice."
Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon the souls suffering in Purgatory, who are enfolded in the Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus. I beg You, by the sorrowful Passion of Jesus Your Son, and by all the bitterness with which His most sacred Soul was flooded: Manifest Your mercy to the souls who are under Your just scrutiny. Look upon them in no other way but only through the Wounds of Jesus, Your dearly beloved Son; for we firmly believe that there is no limit to Your goodness and compassion. Amen.
Most Merciful Jesus, You Yourself have said that You desire mercy; so I bring into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart the souls in Purgatory, souls who are very dear to You, and yet, who must make retribution to Your justice. May the streams of Blood and Water which gushed forth from Your Heart put out the flames of Purgatory, that there, too, the power of Your mercy may be celebrated.
Armed Forces Day History[3]
Armed Forces Day Facts & Quotes
- According to the US Dept. of Defense, as of 2013, there are 1,387,493 personnel serving in active duty in the United States; 1,259,000 are serving in the different reserve branches.
- As
of September 2011, there were just over 214,000 women serving in active
duty. That is 14.6% of all active duty personnel.
One of the best ways to keep peace is to be prepared for war.- General George Washington
Armed Forces Day
Top Events and Things to Do
- Attend
a parade or a military air show.
- Send
a care package to military personnel stationed overseas. Free flat-rate
boxes are available at USPS. Use these to mail to military bases for a low
cost.
- Fly
the American Flag.
- Visit
a local Veteran's Hospital or Nursing Home to show your gratitude.
- Honor
Military Working Dogs by donating to the ASPCA or other charitable
organizations that protect and serve these heroic animals.
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