Friday, December 9, 2016

Isaiah, Chapter 48, verse 18-19:

¹⁸ If only you would attend to my commandments, your peace would be like a river, your vindication like the waves of the sea, ¹⁹your descendants like the sand, the offspring of your loins like its grains, their name never cut off or blotted out from my presence.

If only you would attend to my commandments--so what must we do?

Catholic Morality: Life in Christ[1]

Catholic morality is about life: “I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” (John 10:10) Faith & baptism give us new life in Christ. That life involves far more than simply following a set of rules. It is essential to know Christ’s principles: they are the how-to manual for living fully your new life, for obtaining that abundant life HE has promised you. The Catholic Catechism starts its section on Catholic morality with St. Leo the Great’s beautiful words: Christian, recognize your dignity and, now that you share in God’s own nature, do not return to your former base condition by sinning. Remember who is your head and of whose body you are a member. Never forget that you have been rescued from the power of darkness and brought into the light of the Kingdom of God. (Catechism, #1691) Morality is a call to recognize our dignity as men and women who have received a free gift of new life in Christ. We must live accordingly.

Today would be a good day to sing Christmas Carols. It has been said that singing is praying twice. The season of advent is all about recognizing that our God has come as a gentle child on Christmas day and his delight is in us. One of my favorite representations of the Lords delight with us is a statue of Joseph and the baby Jesus. Jesus and Joseph are playing. Joseph is slightly bent with the baby Jesus giggling crawling over the back of Joseph and peeking over his shoulder looking at his face in peek a boo fashion and delight is all over both of their faces. How can we fear when we have a God who loves us so! In times of tribulation when we feel courage being drained from our souls let us remember the courage of blessed Saint Joseph reflecting on his courage, strength and of course gentleness with our Lord Jesus. In times of trouble let us call on the aid of St. Joseph reflecting on this portion of the litany of Saint Joseph[2].

Today is the feast of Saint Juan Diego.

COURAGE FOR THE MODERN WORLD 2017 #2017CALENDAR

Authored by Mr. Richard H. Havermale Jr.This book is the continuation of my first book based on more than 365 references in the Bible to fear, dread, and that in fact our God encourages us to "BE NOT AFRAID". To do this we must be in the presence of our Lord and talk to Him. I recommend you develop the habit of spending 10-15 minutes a day with our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel or if that is not available some other quiet place where you can be in the presence of our Lord. Read the daily entry and reflect on it asking our Lord and His mother to talk to your heart and reveal to you the will of the Father and then Do it. The layout of this book is to list and reflect on the books of the bible Sirach through Revelations. In the early part of September my search of the verses dealing with fear and being afraid was completed; so I asked the Lord what do I, do now. After some reflection I realize that the fruit of fear in the Lord is the Theological virtues of Faith, Hope and Love which ultimately results in Peace of the Lord. As a consequence the month of September will deal with Peace, October with Love and the month of November will be reflections on Faith and Hope. After Thanksgiving for the season of Advent and Christmas this work uses a multitude of references that reflect the Christmas season. There are many theologians who state that the eighth deadly sin is fear itself. 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. Saint John Paul II in his writings and talks also tells us to BE NOT AFRAID. In fear or anger we walk away from God. Our Lord, Jesus Christ taught us how to walk back toward God in His sermon on the mount through the Beatitudes. Each of the beatitudes is the antidote for the opposite deadly sins.

[1] http://www.beginningcatholic.com/catholic-morality

[2] https://www.ewtn.com/devotionals/litanies/joseph.htm

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Thursday, May 27, 2021

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Monday, August 12, 2019

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Thursday, February 8, 2024

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