One night while Paul was in
Corinth, the Lord said to him in a vision, "Do not be afraid.
And the fear of God came upon all the kingdoms of the surrounding lands
when they heard how the LORD
had fought against the enemies of Israel.
Fear is a natural
response to the unknown and to powers beyond comprehension. After experiencing
our Lord for forty days after the resurrection and seeing him leave again and
without the Holy Spirit’s presence the
disciples were heartbroken but He promised them that He would send the Holy
Spirit saying it is better for us that He leave us so we may receive power from
on high. The first gift of the Holy Spirit is the gift of Holy fear; to respond
to God’s love as a son or daughter rather than a servant.
Preparing for the empowerment of the Holy Spirit[1]
On Ascension Day the Lumen Christi is taken from the
dining room table to signify that the Lord has ascended. In the days when the
Faith was flourishing, the Sunday after the feast of the Ascension was called
"The Sunday of the Roses," the name given from the custom of strewing
the pavements of the churches with roses, as an homage to Christ who ascended
into heaven when the earth was in the season of flowers. Why cannot we in our
day have roses in our homes, make an offering of flowers to our church, or take
roses from our gardens to one infirm or sick? Here are some prayers and
meditations to be said in the family between the Ascension and Pentecost
Sunday.
Prayer:
Father:
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God
ascends amid shouts of joy, Alleluia.
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Family:
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The
Lord, amid trumpet blasts, Alleluia.
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Father:
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Let us
pray. O King of glory, Lord of hosts, this day You ascended triumphantly
above all heavens. Leave us not orphans, but send upon us the Promise of the
Father, the Spirit of Truth.
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Family:
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Alleluia.
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Father:
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Only-begotten
Son of God, having conquered death, Thou didst pass from earth to heaven! As
Son of Man seated in great glory on Thy throne and praised by the whole
angelic host, grant that we who in the jubilant devotion of our faith,
celebrate Thine Ascension to the Father, may not be fettered by the chains of
sin to earthly loves. And may the aim of our unceasing prayer be directed
toward the heavens whither, after Thy Passion, Thou didst ascend in glory.
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Family:
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Amen.
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Meditations before Pentecost
One of the simplest ways we have found for young
children to prepare for Pentecost is by meditating on the mysteries of the
Chaplet of the Holy Spirit. We reflect on one mystery a day.
Opening
Prayer: Sign of
the Cross. Act of Contrition.
First Mystery
Jesus is conceived by the Holy Spirit of the Virgin
Mary. Meditation: The Holy
Spirit shall come upon thee and the power of the Most High shall overshadow
thee. Therefore the Holy One to be born shall be called the Son of God (Luke
11:35).
Prayers: One Our Father and Hail Mary; seven Glory be to the Father.
Prayers: One Our Father and Hail Mary; seven Glory be to the Father.
Second Mystery
The Spirit of the Lord rests upon Jesus.
Meditation: When Jesus was baptized, He immediately came up from the water. And behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending as a Dove and coming upon Him (Matthew 3:16).
Prayers: One Our Father and Hail Mary; seven Glory be to the Father.
Meditation: When Jesus was baptized, He immediately came up from the water. And behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending as a Dove and coming upon Him (Matthew 3:16).
Prayers: One Our Father and Hail Mary; seven Glory be to the Father.
Third Mystery
Jesus is led by the Spirit into the desert.
Meditation: Now Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan, and was led by the Spirit about the desert for forty days, being tempted the while by the devil (Luke 4:11).
Prayers: One Our Father and Hail Mary; seven Glory be to the Father.
Meditation: Now Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan, and was led by the Spirit about the desert for forty days, being tempted the while by the devil (Luke 4:11).
Prayers: One Our Father and Hail Mary; seven Glory be to the Father.
Fourth Mystery
The Holy Spirit in the Church.
Meditation: Suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a violent wind blowing, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak of the wonderful works of God (Acts 2:2, 4, 11).
Prayers: One Our Father and Hail Mary; seven Glory be to the Father.
Meditation: Suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a violent wind blowing, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak of the wonderful works of God (Acts 2:2, 4, 11).
Prayers: One Our Father and Hail Mary; seven Glory be to the Father.
Fifth Mystery
The Holy Spirit in the souls of the Just.
Meditation: Or, do you not know that your members are the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you? Do not extinguish the Spirit. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God in whom you were sealed for the day of redemption (1 Cor. 6:19; 1 Thess. 5:19; Eph. 4:30).
Prayers: One Creed, Our Father, Hail Mary; seven Glory be to the Father.
Meditation: Or, do you not know that your members are the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you? Do not extinguish the Spirit. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God in whom you were sealed for the day of redemption (1 Cor. 6:19; 1 Thess. 5:19; Eph. 4:30).
Prayers: One Creed, Our Father, Hail Mary; seven Glory be to the Father.
Ramadan[2]
Ramadan is the holiest
month in the Islamic calendar, during which, for a period of thirty days,
Muslims abstain from eating, and drinking from sunrise to sunset. Muslims do
this because it is a pillar of Islam, and obligatory for everyone. In
other words, God decreed this entire month holy for Muslims so that they can
increase their remembrance of life after death. Muslims also abstain from
all bad deeds and habits, like smoking, swearing,
backbiting, and disrespectfulness. Muslims reflect upon themselves, their
religion, and the characteristics of God. Fasting during Ramadan is one of the
five pillars of Islam. Fasting and abstaining from bad habits teaches Muslims
self-control, humility, and generosity. Ramadan is a time for charity,
family, and good deeds. Muslims fast because they believe it is vital for
spiritual health. Unlike the fast of Ashurah, the fasts of Ramadan are declared
mandatory by God because like salah (praying towards Mecca), fasting helps
Muslims maintain spiritual and physical health. The month of Ramadan begins
when the new moon of Ramadan is sighted and ends when the new moon of Sha'ban
is sighted. Muslims also believe that devils are chained up during Ramadan.
Ramadan Facts & Quotes
·
Ramadan comes from the word ramadaa, which means
'sunbaked' in Arabic. This is perhaps a reference to the pangs of hunger
Muslims feel when fasting.
·
According to Islamic tradition, menstruating
women, women who are experiencing bleeding after giving birth, people who are
sick (either with short term or long term illnesses), and travelers are exempt
from fasting. Pregnant women also have the option of skipping fasts.
·
In Islamic countries, when Ramadan ends and the
crescent moon is first seen, people bang drums and give mighty shouts.
·
According to Sunnah belief, the Prophet Muhammad
once said, There is no conceit in fasting.
·
who believe, fasting is decreed for you as it
was decreed for those before you; perchance you will guard yourselves (Quran,
2:183)
Ramadan Top Events and Things to
Do
·
The fast is usually broken in a family setting,
where traditional foods are served. Most Muslims begin their meal with a few
dates and a glass of milk because the Prophet Muhammad used to do the same.
The high sugar content of the dates sends energy to weary fasting Muslim,
while the fiber in the dates and the protein in the milk fills them up and
prevents nausea.
·
During Ramadan, Muslims congregate every night
in the mosque to pray Taraweeh prayers in congregation. In the United States,
in between sets of prayers, the Imam gives a brief sermon and encourages people
to give to charity.
·
In Islamic countries, the end of the fast is
signaled by a loud call to the sunset prayer. Most people eat a small meal,
pray at the mosque, and then join their families for a large, festive dinner.
Fitness Friday
Recognizing that God the
Father created man on Friday the 6th day I propose in this blog to
have an entry that shares on how to recreate and renew yourself in strength;
mind, soul and heart.
Daily Devotions/Prayers
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