This blog is based on references in the Bible to fear. God wills that we “BE NOT AFRAID”. Many theologians state that the eighth deadly sin is fear. It is fear and its natural animal reaction to fight or flight that is the root cause of our failings to create a Kingdom of God on earth. By “the power of the Holy Spirit” we can be witnesses and “communicators” of a new and redeemed humanity “even to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:7 8). This blog is dedicated to Mary the Mother of God.
For
the Father loves his Son and shows him everything that he himself does,
and he will show him greater works than these, so that you may be amazed.
Jesus as the son of God has
received His power; the divine power of life-giving and judgment. These two
powers form a constant part of the Father’s life. Babies are born, even on the
Sabbath, and people die. God does not stop his life giving on the Sabbath and
neither should we. God the Father gives life and so too the Son which He demonstrated
by rising from the dead. Christ gives life and whoever hears and accepts him
receives eternal life and does not come under judgment for he who hears the Son
hears the Father. Whoever responds negatively judges himself or herself by that
very fact. Christ is loyal to those who trust in Him.[1]
Sir Ernest Shackleton like so many of his generation were ultimate
adventurers – part hero, part daredevil – fighting the elements and the odds,
too far from civilization to call for help – laying it all on the line purely
for the love of adventure. Shackleton led a doomed expedition to miraculous
survival through the sheer force of his motivational leadership. In 1914, he
set out with a crew of twenty-eight men on a quest to be the first to travel
across the entire Antarctic continent by way of the South Pole. His ship, Endurance,
became caught in ice and was crushed. After abandoning the ship, he and his men
faced incredible hardship from a variety of brutal Antarctic conditions – from
shifting weather to shifting ice, along with the trials of hunger, illness and
discouragement – for more than a year. Yet every man got home safely, when the
entire expedition would have perished under weaker leadership. Incredibly, the
only casualty was frostbitten toes on one man. He had passion for the adventure
of the mission but he also had passion for the men he led. When he was forced
to abandon his doomed ship and realized he would not achieve his goal of
reaching the South Pole en route to the other side, he kept his disappointment
to himself while he shifted his priorities to the well-being of his men. He
said to another leader, F.A. Worsley, “It is a pity [to miss the crossing], but
that cannot be helped. It is the men we have to think about. “He put his men
above himself. He understood that the survival of them all might well depend on
the quality of his leadership. He also realized that he could provide better
leadership if he served as well as led. “Shackleton shared the physical labors
as well as the watches…[He] would forego his own rations in order to feed the
undernourished or the ill. And he often did so without anyone knowing
it…Shackleton always put the needs of his men ahead of his personal comfort,
and as a result he saved them all.” He realized that in order to survive they
would have to stay healthy – mentally as well as physically. When we are trying
to survive, having fun is the farthest thing from our minds. It may even be seen
as trivializing the suffering. But during harsh tribulation it is more important than ever to find something to
enjoy. During hard times we need to find a source of joy in order to maintain a
healthy perspective. As a leader, Shackleton accepted responsibility for
maintaining the spirits as well as the health of his men. Yes, they were brave
adventurers just as Shackleton was, well able to take care of themselves.
Still, Shackleton knew that as a leader he could provide a unique kind of
influence that would be empowering, energizing and uplifting. He continually
sought out ways to boost morale. He set aside time for recreation. They
improvised various forms of entertainment. Several of the men had chosen books
among the possessions they salvaged, and they read aloud to each other. They
played soccer on the ice. “Humor…played a role, with Shackleton telling stories
or teasing his men. What Shackleton was doing was keeping his men alive inside;
by encouraging them to read or sing, he was keeping their spirits from sagging
or dwelling on the inhospitalities that in other circumstances might have overwhelmed
them.” He Inspired Loyalty. Shackleton’s passion for his mission and for his
men, his passion for leadership, and his passion for motivation were a source
of energy and courage during times of severe adversity. These virtues made him
a leader that people wanted to follow. Even when his men may not have wanted to
do something for themselves, they would do it for him. He inspired this kind of
loyalty because he gave it to his men. They respected and trusted him because
he respected and trusted them. They took care of him because he took care of
them. They put him first because he put them first. He was a wonderful example
of what a role model should be.
Shackleton dedicated South,
the book he wrote about their extraordinary exploits, “To My Comrades.” In
one especially moving passage he observed: “In memories we were rich. We had
pierced the veneer of outside things. We had suffered, starved and triumphed,
groveled down yet grasped at glory, grown bigger in the bigness of the whole.
We had seen God in His splendors, heard the text that natures renders. We had
reached the naked soul of man.” Sixty years after they had been rescued, the
expedition’s first officer, Lionel Greenstreet, was asked how they had done it,
how had they survived such a deadly misadventure. Greenstreet gave a one-word
response: “Shackleton.”
I have been to Antarctica, and with
Shackleton, I can voice I have seen the face of God through the power and
majesty of nature. As catholic’s we recognize this same power of God in nature
and celebrate it in our Ember Day observations.
Psalm 147:12, 16-17 "Praise the Lord, O Jerusalem: praise thy God, O
Sion. Who giveth snow like wool: scattereth mists like ashes. He sendeth his
crystal like morsels: who shall stand before the face of his cold?"
Winter is a time of reflection, when human activity is stilled and snow
blankets the world with silence. For the Christian, Winter symbolizes Hope:
though the world now appears lifeless and makes us think of our own mortality,
we hope in our resurrection because of the Resurrection of the One Whose
Nativity we await now. How providential that the Christ Child will be born at
the beginning of this icy season, bringing with Him all the hope of Spring!
Also among our Winter feasts are the Epiphany and Candlemas,
two of the loveliest days of the year, the first evoked by water, incense, and
gold; the latter by fire...Yes, despite the typical, unimaginative view of
Winter as a long bout with misery, the season is among the most beautiful and
filled with charms. The ephemeral beauty of a single snowflake... the pale blue
tint of sky reflected in snow that glitters, and gives way with a satisfying
crunch under foot... skeletal trees entombed in crystal, white as bones, cold
as death, creaking under the weight of their icy shrouds... the wonderful
feeling of being inside, next to a fire, while the winds whirl outside... the
smell of burning wood mingled with evergreen... warm hands embracing your
wind-bitten ones... the brilliant colors of certain winter birds, so shocking
against the ocean of white... the wonderfully long nights which lend themselves
to a sense of intimacy and quiet! Go outside and look at the clear Winter skies
ruled by Taurus, with the Pleiades on its shoulder and Orion nearby... Such
beauty! Even if you are not a "winter person," consider that
Shakespeare had the right idea when he wrote in "Love's Labours
Lost":
Why should proud summer boast
Before the birds have any cause to sing?
Why should I joy in an abortive birth?
At Christmas I no more desire a rose
Than wish a snow in May’s new-fangled mirth;
But like of each thing that in season grows.
It is nine days before Christmas. Today start a Christmas
novena with your family or someone you love.
30 Days of Women and Herbs – Frauendreissiger Mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris) 2 Maccabees, Chapter 15, Verse 8 He urged his men not to fear the attack of the Gentiles, but mindful of the help they had received in the past from Heaven, to expect now the victory that would be given them by the Almighty. As an old, retired military man it was common for us to say while we were loading our magazines with bullets, “Praise the Lord and pass the ammunition." We knew that without faith it is impossible to please God, for whoever would approach him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. Optimists see steppingstones where pessimists see stumbling blocks. Heavenly Intercession [1] "Stretching out his right hand, Jeremiah presented a gold sword to Judas. As he gave it to him, he said 'Accept this holy sword as a gift from God; with it you shall crush your adversaries.' " —2 Maccabees 15:15-16 Nicanor planned to slaughter the Jews on th
Jeremiah, Chapter 26, verse 19 Did Hezekiah, king of Judah, and all Judah condemn him to death? Did he not fear the LORD and entreat the favor of the LORD, so that the LORD had a change of heart regarding the evil he had spoken against them? We, however, are about to do great evil against ourselves.” Have you ever been around people who cannot handle the truth! Speaking the truth got Jeremiah in dire straits. Unmoving, the temple officials and elders trashed Jeremiah nonetheless they were too afraid to kill him. Dire Straits [1] · At the beginning of Jehoiakim's reign, God tells Jeremiah to stand in the court of the temple and speak to all the people and cities of Judah. They're getting another chance to repent. Maybe they'll actually listen this time. · If the people don't finally come to their senses, God's going to do the same thing to Jerusalem that he did to Shiloh up north: it'll be devastated, but the priests and prophets don't want
Friday of the Fifth Week of Easter Deuteronomy, Chapter 10, Verse 12-13 12 Now, therefore, Israel, what does the LORD, your God, ask of you but to FEAR the LORD, your God, to follow in all his ways, to love and serve the LORD, your God, with your whole heart and with your whole being, 13 to keep the commandments and statutes of the LORD that I am commanding you today for your own well-being? What is meant by serving God? Doing the will of God in all things which He requires of us, in whatever state of life we may be placed, and doing this with fidelity, with unwearied zeal, and out of love for Him. (Goffine’s Devout Instructions, 1896) When we are bored and familiar with routine work, let us generously offer ourselves to the Lord for He indeed knows our needs and will take care of our well-being. Fitness Friday- Water [1] In order to prevent dehydration, anyone who exercises (especially athletes) should drink water before, during, and after the workou
Thursday of the Fifth Week of Easter TWILIGHT ZONE DAY Deuteronomy, Chapter 8, Verse 5-6 5 So you must know in your heart that, even as a man disciplines his son, so the LORD, your God, disciplines you. 6 Therefore, keep the commandments of the LORD, your God, by walking in his ways and FEARING him. When we fear the Lord our contentment does not come from any absence of problems but from knowingly choosing how to respond to them righteously. God does not want to squash our dreams with His commandments. No, he listens and smiles like we do when we see and hear the dreams of a child. Yet, He knows that all dreams must be founded in reality and the truth. When our dreams work against His commandments; our dreams work against us. Every dream must have a foundation of love and in some way must increase the life, liberty, or the happiness of others. Yes, on the Day of Judgment the homes of the poor will be honored more than the great mansions of the rich. Simple obe
Tuesday of the Fifth Week of Easter John, Chapter 14, verse 27 Peace, I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or AFRAID . Shalom, which means peace, is a Hebrew salutation. Yet Christ tells us that HIS shalom is different. It is a gift of salvation a messianic blessing. Through the spirit we are born again, sons and daughters of the eternal. The world and its attractions to sin lose its sparkle to us. Yes, we may fall from time to time, but the spirit and peace of Christ is always with us, and we rise up again. 10 things happy professionals do before 10 a.m. [1] Success often seems like a visionary goal — a feat in life that’s attempted only after many strides, plenty of pitfalls and a healthy serving of endurance. However, for those who consider themselves fulfilled by their career, it’s not only a sense of accomplishment and an impressive LinkedIn profile that defines their satisf
Monday Night at the Movies Krzysztof Kieslowski, The Decalogue, 1988. Monday of the Fifth Week of Easter ST. MICHAEL Deuter onomy, Chapter 6, Verse 24-25 24 The LORD commanded us to observe all these statutes in FEAR of the LORD, our God, that we may always have as good a life as we have today. 25 This is our justice before the LORD, our God: to observe carefully this whole commandment he has enjoined on us.” Today reflect on Christ’s mind given in the gospel. “To you who hear I say, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. To the person who strikes you on one cheek, offer the other one as well, and from the person, who takes your cloak, do not withhold even your tunic. Give to everyone who asks of you, and from the one who takes what is yours do not demand it back. Do to others as you would have them do to you. For if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love t
Ascension Eve Epistle Eph. 4, 7-14 7 But grace was given to each of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift. 8 Therefore, it says: “He ascended on high and took prisoners captive; he gave gifts to men.” 9 What does “he ascended” mean except that he also descended into the lower [regions] of the earth? 10 The one who descended is also the one who ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things. 11 And he gave some as apostles, others as prophets, others as evangelists, others as pastors and teachers, 12 to equip the holy ones for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 13 until we all attain to the unity of faith and knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the extent of the full stature of Christ, 14 so that we may no longer be infants, tossed by waves and swept along by every wind of teaching arising from human trickery, from their cunning in the interests of deceitful scheming. Gospel John 17, 1-11 1 When Jesu
Armed Forces Week It is more than one day of honor. It’s an entire week! Join us as we celebrate a week of Military Appreciation Days – May 15 through May 19, 2023 – for each branch of the Armed Forces followed by a special lunch on Armed Forces Day on May 20, 2023. Starting on Monday, May 15, 2023, all active duty service members and veterans can enjoy a Free Sandwich on their designated day. These brave men and women have fought for our freedom, and we are proud to honor them. Please join us in this week long celebration.
Day 2 Pentecost Novena: Prayer for the Gift of Holy Fear Come thou father of the poor, come with treasures that endure, come thou light of all that live. Come, O blessed Spirit of Holy Fear, penetrate my inmost heart, that I may set you, my Lord and God, before my face forever; help me to shun all things that can offend you, and make me worthy to appear before the pure eyes of your Divine Majesty in heaven, where you live and reign in the unity of the Blessed Trinity, God, world without end. Amen. Saturday in the Octave of Ascension FEAST OF MARY QUEEN OF APOSTLES Armed Forces Day Deuteronomy, Chapter 17, Verse 18-20 18 When he is sitting upon his royal throne, he shall write a copy of this law upon a scroll from the one that is in the custody of the Levitical priests. 19 It shall remain with him and he shall read it as long as he lives, so that he may learn to FEAR the LORD, his God, and to observe carefully all the words of this law and these statutes, 20 so that he d
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