ICEMANforChrist

November The Thanksgiving meal is a ritual. Whether we are from rural or urban backgrounds, we know the harvest time passes and the year draws to an end. Giving thanks to God is Eucharist, a heavenly banquet and the foretaste of things to come. We are not worthy receivers of this sacrament without the haunting knowledge of the poor nutrition for many in our country and famine in other countries. How can we respond to homelessness and hunger here in our own land and share our bounty with those who are poor in other countries (lands)? First World Day of the Poor [1] The annual collection for the Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD) will be held in most parishes the weekend of November 18-19, on the celebration of the First World Day of the Poor instituted by Pope Francis. World Day of the Poor will mark the "moments of encounter and friendship, solidarity and concrete assistance " with people living in poverty. "Poverty challenges us daily in the...

ALL HOLLOWS EVE Proverbs, Chapter 15, Verse 16 Better a little with fear of the LORD than a great fortune with anxiety. The sages favor wealth over poverty—but not at any price. Wisdom makes poverty not only bearable but even joyful like the joy of feast days. [1] All Hallows Eve [2] Halloween or All Hallows' Eve is not a liturgical feast on the Catholic calendar, but the celebration has deep ties to the Liturgical Year. The three consecutive days — Halloween, All Saints Day and All Souls Day — illustrate the Communion of Saints. We, the Church Militant (those on earth, striving to get to heaven) pray for the Church Suffering (those souls in Purgatory) especially on All Souls Day and the month of November. We rejoice and honor the Church Triumphant (the saints, canonized and uncanonized) in heaven. We also ask the Saints' intercession for us. In England, saints or holy people are called "hallowed," hence the name "All Hallow's Day....

Proverbs, Chapter 14, Verse 26-27 26 The fear of the LORD is a strong defense, a refuge even for one’s children. 27 The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, turning one from the snares of death. It has been said the body is an excellent servant but a poor master.  When we obey the voice of our servant the body it ultimately leads to our destruction and eventually we walk in darkness.  Yet, when we trust in the Lord and master our bodies from addiction and or lusts of the flesh we thrive.  God’s ultimate wish is for us to thrive.  The Lord offers a choice to those who walk in darkness: either trust in the true light, or walk in their false light and suffer the consequences. James 1:12-15 “ Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither temp...