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.
Saturday in the Octave of the Immaculate Conception FEAST OF JUAN DIEGO-CHRISTMAS CARD DAY Job, Chapter 21, Verse 9 Their homes ar...
Sunday, February 12, 2017
Monday, February 13, 2017
Numbers, chapter 22, Verse 2-3
2Now Balak, son of Zippor, saw all that
Israel did to the Amorites,3and Moab feared the Israelites greatly because they were numerous. Moab was
in dread of the Israelites.
Fear is listed by many
theologians as the 8th deadly sin. God in making us a Holy people
wants us to be free of fear. Is it any wonder that people without faith are
plagued by fear? Fear Dominates Politics, Media and Human Existence in
America—And It’s Getting Worse according to Don Hazen.
“Fear is the mind-killer” – Frank Herbert, Dune
People cannot think clearly when they are afraid. As
numerous studies have shown, fear is the enemy of reason. It distorts
emotions and perceptions, and often leads to poor decisions. For people who
have suffered trauma, fear messages can sometimes trigger uncontrollable
flight-or-fight responses with dangerous ramifications.
Yet over time, many interlocking aspects of our society
have become increasingly sophisticated at communicating messages and
information that produce fear responses. Advertising, political ads, news
coverage and social media all send the constant message that people should be
afraid—very afraid.
In addition, television and film are filled with extreme
violence and millions of fictional deaths, far out of proportion to what
happens in real life, as researchers have pointed out…All this, despite statistics
indicating that in most parts of the country, the crime rate is actually
on the decline.
Fear is so pervasive that experts have made the case we
live in a generalized “culture of fear,” also the name of a book by Barry
Glassner which underscores the fact that we often fear the wrong things, and
incredibly out of proportion to reality. Statistics show you have a much higher
chance of being killed by lightning than by a terrorist.[1]
St. Catherine experienced the stigmata and every Thursday-Friday
accompanied Jesus in His Passion. Despite Catherine's extraordinary interior
life, she continued to serve the monastery in many capacities including
prioress for 36 years. The Canticle of the Passion was revealed to Catherine
immediately after her first great ecstasy of the Passion. Our Lady desired
Catherine to spread it as a form of prayer and contemplation pleasing to Our
Lord. The Canticle is chanted in some Dominican monasteries on the Fridays of
Lent.
Prayer
My friends and My neighbors * have drawn near and stood against Me. I was
delivered up and came not forth; * My eyes languished through poverty. And my
sweat became as drops of blood, * trickling down and upon the ground. For many
dogs have encompassed Me * the council of the malignant hath besieged Me. I
have given My body to the strikers * and My cheeks to them that plucked them. I
have not turned away My face from them that rebuked Me * and spit upon Me. For
I am ready for scourges, * and My sorrow is continually before Me. The
soldiers, plaiting a crown of thorns, placed it upon My head. They have dug My
hands and feet; * they have numbered all My bones. And they gave Me gall for My
food; * and in My thirst, they gave me vinegar to drink. All they that saw Me
laughed Me to scorn; * they have spoken with lips and wagged their heads. They
have looked and stared upon Me; * they parted My garments among them and upon
My vesture they cast lots. Into Thy hands I commend My spirit; * Thou has
redeemed me, O God of truth. Be mindful, O Lord, of Thy servants, * when Thou
shalt come into Thy kingdom. And Jesus having cried out with a loud voice *
gave up the ghost. The mercies of the Lord * I will sing for all eternity. Surely
He hath borne our infirmities * and carried our sorrows. He was bruised for our
sins. All we, like sheep, have gone astray; * every one hath turned aside into
his own way. For the Lord hath placed upon him * the iniquities of us all. Arise,
why sleepest Thou, O Lord? * Arise and cast us not off to the end. Behold, God
is my Saviour, * I will deal confidently, and will not fear. We beseech Thee, O Lord, help Thy servants * whom Thou hast
redeemed with Thy Precious Blood.
V. Have mercy on us, O benign Jesus. R. Who in Thy clemency didst suffer for
us.
Look
down, we beseech Thee, O Lord, on this Thy family for which Our Lord Jesus
Christ did not hesitate to be delivered into
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