ICEMANforChrist

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.

Friday, December 1, 2017

December

We turn our attention indoors with Advent prayers and preparations for the birth of Christ; for most of us, the indoors makes up the part of our environment in which we spend the most time. It is also the most unregulated and can be the most polluted part of the total environment –due to new home cleaning products and tighter ventilation. Consider a simpler home environment, where houseplants purify the air, where fresh air is plentiful, and where chemical products are limited and controlled. The yearly cycle of twelve months can make us more aware of our human environment and should help us as individuals and as a community to conduct a monthly examination of conscience.

FIRST FRIDAY December 1

Sirach, Chapter 3, Verse 7

Those who fear the Lord honor their father, and serve their parents as masters.

Besides the virtues that must characterize our conduct toward God, special duties are enjoined, such as honor and respect toward parents, with corresponding blessings. By showing such respect especially to old and infirm parents, the sins of children are pardoned. Failure to honor father and mother is blasphemy and merits a curse from God (v. 16)[1]

First Friday Devotion[2]

Nine consecutive Fridays in reparation to the Sacred Heart of Jesus

Our Lord appeared to St. Margaret Mary Alocoque (1647-1690), a French nun in the Visitation Order, and gave her the special task to spread devotion to His Most Sacred Heart at a time when religion was growing cold in the hearts of mankind. He said to her:

“Behold this heart which, not withstanding the burning love for men with which it is consumed and exhausted, meets with no other return from most Christians than sacrilege, contempt, indifference and ingratitude, even in the sacrament of my love [the Eucharist]. But what pierces my heart most deeply is that I am subjected to these insults by persons especially consecrated to my service.” Jesus asked for special prayers and practices to make amends (reparation) for this great neglect to the proper reverence owed to God. For those who did this faithfully, he made what St. Margaret Mary referred to as the “Great Promise” which was the last and greatest of the Twelve Promises of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

“I promise you in the unfathomable mercy of my heart that my omnipotent love will procure the grace of final penitence for all those who receive communion on nine successive first Fridays of the month; they will not die in my disfavor [the grace of final repentance], or without having received the sacraments, since my divine heart will be their sure refuge in the last moments of their life.”

Conditions to Fulfill the First Friday Devotion

The specific conditions to receive the Great Promise of the Sacred Heart of Jesus are:

1. Receive Holy Communion on nine consecutive first Fridays of the month (this assumes that the person is in a state of grace, having made a sacramental confession for any mortal sins prior to receiving communion).

2. Having the intention, at least implicitly, of making reparation to the Sacred Heart of Jesus for all the sinfulness and ingratitude of men.

Sex and Holy Purity[3]

It's impossible to discuss Holy Purity without visiting The Sermon on the Mount. When Jesus taught the multitudes the twelve Beatitudes, He was speaking to all men of all ages on correct moral conduct. In number eight of the Beatitudes, "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God," Christ was teaching of the cleanness of the whole person, not just his heart. The heart represents one's thought, words and deeds. Remember Sister Christine Joseph's morning prayer?

"A man is worth what his heart is worth." Purity of heart is a gift of God and we are to be constant in our vigilance to acquire and keep this purity - whose reward will be the Beatific Vision. Holy purity is a virtue. Jesus placed such an emphasis on purity that He warned us to fight hard without making any concessions. And, if we fall from grace, we begin again. King David suffered the grave crime of adultery. God punished him, he repented his sin and went on to lead a life of holy purity. Jesus warned us to protect the purity of our whole being, especially the 'lust of the eyes' and 'adultery in the heart.' To understand this important teaching, let us look at scripture, Mt. 5: 27-28:

"You have heard that it was said, you shall not commit adultery. But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart."

Sinful 'lust of the eyes' and 'adultery in the heart' can take place even within the marriage. In other words, it is morally wrong for spouses to 'use' one another. Pope John Paul II addressed this sorrowful reality during his general audience of October 8, l980:

"Adultery 'in the heart' is committed not only because man 'looks' in this way at a woman who is not his wife, but precisely because he looks at a woman in this way. Even if he looked in this way at the woman who is his wife, he could likewise commit adultery 'in his heart.'"

John Paul is saying that it is possible for a husband to treat his wife as 'nothing but an object for his gratification.' The sinful perversion of sodomy, man with man and woman with woman, is most grievous against 'holy purity.' It was recently reported by the New York Times that in Key West, Florida the densely populated year-round sodomite community celebrates a Fall Fantasy Fest each year. Same-sex rituals are performed in full public display with little or no outcry from local police or towns people. Key West has been referred as a modern-day Sodom and Gomorrah.

"Decorum and modesty are younger brothers of purity," said St. Josemaría Escrivá.

When a woman, young or old, dresses immodestly, she not only tempts men to sin against purity, but she incurs the sin of temptress upon her own soul. An immodest woman who reveals her body while she is walking at a public venue (a shopping mall, a sports arena, a concert) could conceivably cause hundreds, perhaps thousands of men to commit the sins of 'lust of the eyes' and 'adultery in the heart' in one hour's time. An immodestly dressed cheerleader, for example, whom the ESPN television camera man captures numerous times for a hundred million male viewers, would certainly be a cause of tremendous spiritual harm for young and adult male viewers nationwide. In addition, the anger and contempt that wives and mothers hold in their hearts for such immodest women, who tempt their sons and husbands, is another sin against purity of heart. Woe to immodest women who invite through the eyes many iniquities into the soul. For such women tempt the beast in men and cause loss of dignity and respect for the whole of womanhood. A certain popular priest, well known to viewers of a Catholic television network, was a college champion swimmer and diver. After entering the priesthood, and as our culture decayed in decorum and modesty, he sadly could no longer frequent swimming pools and the seaside. It became an occasion of sin for him due to the immodestly dressed women in bathing suits designed to publicly expose their bodies. If, today, you invite guests to your swimming pool, it would be well to have modest bathing suits, in all sizes, to maintain the purity of heart at your home. Or better yet, do as a popular Catholic Family land place of retreat in Ohio practices. They have an excellent code of modesty for families swimming at their pool. Everyone wears long loose t-shirts over their swimming attire in and out of the water. God surely is pleased with this wholesome recreation.

World AIDS Day History[4]

World AIDS Day serves to remember those who have died from AIDS and to bring about awareness of HIV/AIDS through education and publicly held events. HIV is a virus that attacks the body's immune system and makes it progressively more difficult to fight infections and diseases. Once HIV advances and becomes so severe that the body's immune system is too weak to fight off many infections and diseases, it is called AIDS. There is currently no cure for HIV or AIDS and if left untreated by antiretroviral medication, patients' immune systems fail leading to death. World AIDS Day is also an opportunity for people to show their support for people living with HIV. World AIDS Day is one of the eight WHO Global Health Days. The day was created by the World Health Organization in 1988. Since its inception over two decades ago, the world has managed to halt and reverse the spread of HIV. According to the WHO, the occurrence of new cases has decreased 35% between 2000 and 2015, while AIDS-related deaths have decreased by 24% over the same time frame, all thanks to antiretroviral treatments and widespread AIDS education and awareness. World AIDS Day is observed on December 1st of each year.

World AIDS Day Facts

· The theme for World AIDS Day in 2016 was Leadership. Commitment. Impact.

· The Red Ribbon is the universal symbol of support for those living with HIV/AIDS.

· The AIDS Memorial Quilt Project allows friends and family members of someone who has died from AIDS to construct a quilt panel and have it placed in the quilt. The quilt travels and is displayed throughout the US.

· The first case of what is now known as AIDS was reported in the US in June 1981.

· According to the Centers for Disease Control, more than a million people in the United States are living with HIV infection, and almost 1 in 5 are unaware of their infection.

· According to World Health Organization, AIDS has claimed over 39 million lives globally.

World AIDS Day Top Events and Things to Do

· Wear a Red Ribbon, an international symbol of AIDS support.

· Learn the facts of how HIV is transmitted so you can be better prepared. Remember, HIV is spread through body fluids such as blood, semen, rectal and vaginal fluids and breast milk.

· Get involved in a fundraising efforts to support research into HIV/AIDS treatment. Many fundraisers are done in the form of HIV/AIDS day walks.

· Watch a movie or documentary about HIV/AIDS. Some popular suggestions: Dallas Buyers Club (2013), Philadelphia(1993), Longtime Companion (1990), The Age of AIDS (2006) and AIDS, Inc (2007).

· Get tested if unsure of your infection status. Local pharmacies sell HIV home test kits or you can find free testing sites in most areas.

49 Godly Character Traits[5]

As we near the Advent season let us take up the nature of God by reflecting on these traits that make us a model for our children and our sisters and brothers in Christ. Today reflect on:

Boldness vs. Fearfulness

Confidence that what I have to say or do is true and right and just in the sight of God (Acts 4:29)

2610 Just as Jesus prays to the Father and gives thanks before receiving his gifts, so he teaches us filial boldness: "Whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you receive it, and you will." Such is the power of prayer and of faith that does not doubt: "all things are possible to him who believes." Jesus is as saddened by the "lack of faith" of his own neighbors and the "little faith" of his own disciples as he is struck with admiration at the great faith of the Roman centurion and the Canaanite woman.

Fitness Friday-Hunting Workout

Recognizing that God the Father created man on Friday the 6^th 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.

Elk hunting[1] (or indeed any rough-country hunt where drastic elevation changes are a routine part of the hunt) requires a different kind of planning and conditioning than your usual whitetail hunt. The most common problem out-of-state hunters experience is not being in good enough physical condition to handle constant up-and-down foot travel at high elevation - especially when carrying a pack. The result is a physically exhausted hunter who is unable to perform. Hours and days of precious hunting time are wasted due to need for rest and recovery. Here’s a twelve-week plan that will prep you for the high country. There are two main components to physical prep for rough-country hunting: cardiovascular and muscular. Plan on exercising thirty to forty-five minutes per weekday, alternating between cardio and muscular workouts. Be sure to stretch and warm up gradually before workouts and cool off gradually afterwards.

Week One: Start out easy on yourself to lower risk of hurting joints or tendons.
Mon/Wed/Fri cardio: Go for a brisk 45-minute walk, preferably including up and down terrain.
Tues/Thurs/Sat muscular: Spend 30 minutes climbing up and down the local bleacher stairs (or a nice steep hill). Take regular short rests.

Week Two: Step it up a little.
Mon/Wed/Fri cardio: Add short stints of jogging to your walk.
Tues/Thurs/Sat muscular: same 30-minute routine, just cut down on rest time.

Week Three: Start getting focused.
Mon/Wed/Fri cardio: Begin pushing yourself, walking less and jogging more.
Tues/Thurs/Sat muscular: Same 30-minute routine, add three squats and three lunges (don’t use weights) alternately during short rest periods.

Week Four: You should be feeling much stronger by now, and hurting less. Remain careful to avoid injury.
Mon/Wed/Fri cardio: Try to jog the majority of your 45 minutes.
Tues/Thurs/Sat muscular: Try to spend the entire 30 minutes climbing your stairs or hillside, alternating between five squats and five lunges every few minutes. Only rest at the ten and twenty minute marks.

Week Five: By now you should be enjoying your workouts.
Mon/Wed/Fri cardio: Warm up, then alternate two minute sprints with walking to catch your breath. 45 minutes.
Tues/Thurs/Sat muscular: Wear a pack with 20 pounds of weight in it during your routine. Rest when needed.

Daily Devotions

· Drops of Christ’s Blood

· Offering to the sacred heart of Jesus

· Pray the 54 Day Rosary for our Pope and President

· Novena to the Immaculate Conception

· Please pray for me and this ministry

[1]http://www.usccb.org/bible/sirach/3

[2]https://www.catholiccompany.com/getfed/what-is-the-first-friday-and-first-saturday-devotion/

[3]http://www.catholic.org/featured/headline.php?ID=1466

[4]https://www.wincalendar.com/World-Aids-Day

[5]http://graceonlinelibrary.org/home-family/christian-parenting/49-godly-character-qualities/
[1]https://www.outdoorlife.com/blogs/game-changers/your-12-week-plan-get-shape-elk-hunting-season

Thursday, November 30, 2017

FEAST OF SAINT ANDREW

Psalm, Chapter 19, Verse 10-11

¹⁰The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever. The statutes of the LORD are true, all of them just; ¹¹More desirable than gold, than a hoard of purest gold, Sweeter also than honey or drippings from the comb.

Fear of the Lord is pure; so one can deduce that a person that fears the Lord is pure. So what is purity?

Freedom from anything that weakness or impairs or changes the nature of a being or its activity. Purity of faith means the absence of error what is contrary to the revealed truth; purity of intention is the exclusion of self-will in the desire to perform the will of god; purity of morals commonly refers to the virtue of chastity and therefore freedom from wrongdoing in sexual activity, but on a broader level it means the absence of misbehavior, especially in one's external or publicly recognizable conduct. (etym. Latin puritas, clearness, cleanness, uprightness.)

Christ gave us his faith and his intent was to do the fathers will which was to bring us back to Him and lastly he gave us his body to take our impurities and change them with the bread and the wine into his own virtues. Strive therefore to be pure in body; will; and the faith. If you have sinned go to confession and then receive his body (virtue) even if you feel undeserving. It was the cost of His love.

Sex and Holy Purity[1]

What is the single greatest gift a young man and woman can give each other in marriage? It is their holy purity or chastity. Without holy purity, human love - popularly known as 'sex' - becomes corrupt. There is no true human love without holy purity.

What is the single greatest virtue a young man and woman find most difficult to practice in this 21st century? It is the virtue of holy purity or chastity. The sixth and ninth Commandment of God teaches specifically against sins of the flesh. When we practice holy chastity as taught by God's Commands, we also will obtain purity of mind and heart. As the Catechism of the Catholic Church notes, "purity of heart is the precondition of the vision of God." Without a knowledge and great love for God, holy purity will be very hard to maintain. St. Paul teaches us that chastity is a 'fruit of the Holy Spirit.' A strong Sacramental life, especially frequent reception of the Sacrament of Confession and the Eucharist, is most important. Nevertheless, what about the countless temptations that seemingly are everywhere? The best defense is a good offense - maintain a holy attack against impurity. Here is a list of weapons to use to maintain holy purity:

· Begin each day with Holy Mass, if possible, and fruitful prayer. Moreover, remember Sister Christine Joseph's morning prayer and offer every thought, word, and deed of the day to Jesus.

· Dress modestly. Forget the current partially nude fashions. Instead, women should dress their body in modest clothing. Remember, a women's husband is the only person who should see and receive the joy of her body. Follow the dress code for permission to enter Saint Peter's Basilica in Rome: women must cover their shoulders and upper arms, must wear skirts below the knee, the collar of their blouse is to be at the collar bone, and no tight revealing clothing. The Basilica's custodians standing on the outside porte-cochere will shake their finger at badly dressed persons and ask: "Quo vadis?" (Where are you going?) They will tell them to go back to their hotel, put some clothes on and then come back to enter the House of God

· Avoid inappropriate conversations. When a discussion becomes off color or the language is impure, change the subject or walk away from the group. Remember, the tongue and lips that receive Holy Communion should not be accused of uttering neither indecent words nor risqué stories.

· Arm oneself with holy sacramentals. Wear a blessed crucifix on your chest; wear a properly invested Brown Scapular around your neck; keep a blessed rosary in your pocket or purse. A blessed 'Angus Dei' medal could be attached to your rosary.

· Reject bad forms of entertainment. Imagine sitting next to the guest of honor, Pope John Paul II. Would he be offended at the television program or the movie we were watching? If it is not appropriate for the Pope, it is not appropriate for persons desiring holy purity.

· Avoid useless activities. Ask the question: 'By performing this activity, would it be giving honor and glory to God?' If it would not, best to leave the activity alone.

· Remain cheerful. The crowd will follow a cheerful, courageous leader. Care not for human respect and give your heart to God. Observers will want to possess and imitate this same courage and dignity.

· Avoid occasions of sin. Very often people feel compunction for their faults and yet they go back to the very sins they previously condemned and commit them again...and again. Do not return to the scene of the crime, for it will tempt the heart once more.

Often times, when resisting the sins of the flesh, people will develop a divided heart. Having become lukewarm from serving two masters - the desires of the flesh and the service of the Lord - people run the risk of seeking approval from their peers rather than from God. The Virtue of purity requires an undivided heart.

Saint (Mother) Theresa of Calcutta had this advice for unmarried people:

· You are the future of family life.

· You are the future of the joy of loving.

· You are the future of making your life something beautiful for God...a pure love.

· That you love a girl or that you love a boy is beautiful, but do not spoil it, do not destroy it.

· Keep your heart pure...Keep your heart virgin.

· Keep your love virgin, so that on the day of your marriage you can give something beautiful to each other...the joy of a pure love.

What is the holy remedy? The first step is to begin again...and again. Seek the forgiveness of our merciful Lord in the confessional. The second step is to go to our Holy Mother, Mary, Mater pulchrae dilectionis, Mother of Fair Love. Mary Most Pure will help us overcome the many temptations of the flesh and to live holy purity as she lived it so perfectly with Saint Joseph.

2339 Chastity includes an apprenticeship in self-mastery which is a training in human freedom. The alternative is clear: either man governs his passions and finds peace, or he lets himself be dominated by them and becomes unhappy. "Man's dignity therefore requires him to act out of conscious and free choice, as moved and drawn in a personal way from within, and not by blind impulses in himself or by mere external constraint. Man gains such dignity when, ridding himself of all slavery to the passions, he presses forward to his goal by freely choosing what is good and, by his diligence and skill, effectively secures for himself the means suited to this end."

2342 Self-mastery is a long and exacting work. One can never consider it acquired once and for all. It presupposes renewed effort at all stages of life. The effort required can be more intense in certain periods, such as when the personality is being formed during childhood and adolescence.

Feast of Saint Andrew

ANDREW, a brother of St. Peter, born at Betlisaida, was first a disciple of John the Baptist. Afterwards both the brothers were called by Christ, on the Sea of Galilee, before all the other apostles, with the words: Come after Me, and I will make you to become fishers of men (Mark i. 17). Immediately they left all, and became faithful disciples of Jesus, arid witnesses of His deeds and sufferings, of His resurrection and ascension. After the descent of the Holy Ghost, Andrew travelled through Scythia, Epirus, and Thrace, and by his teachings and miracles converted vast numbers to Christ. As he was preaching at Patras, a city of Acliaia, he was violently pressed by the proconsul, Aegeas, to offer sacrifice to the idols; but he nobly answered him, I daily offer sacrifice to God; not the flesh of oxen, nor the blood of rams, but an unspotted Lamb; and although all the faithful may have partaken of His flesh, yet the Lamb remains as before He was offered, alive and undivided. Aegeas, enraged, committed him to prison, and on the following day caused him to be scourged; and as he persevered in his declaration, condemned him to be put to death by crucifixion. When he saw the cross, the instrument of his death, he greeted it with joy, embraced it, and said, O good cross, that was adorned with the limbs of Christ, thee have I long desired; thee have I fervently loved; thee have I continually sought. Now thou art made ready for me, according to the wish of my heart. Take me away from men, and restore me again to my Master, that through thee I may come to Him Who through thee has redeemed me. After this he was nailed to the cross. Two days he remained hanging thereon, preaching faith in Jesus, until his soul was taken up to Him Whom he had so ardently desired to resemble in the manner .of His death.

(Goffine’s Divine Instructions)

St Andrew Facts[2]

· Andrew was fishing with Simon Peter, James the Greater, John, and their father, Zebedee, when Jesus came and said he would make them fishers of men (John 1:35-42).

· Andrew was reportedly martyred on November 30 in the year 60 A.D by a Roman governor's order in Achaia (Greece). He was crucified and bound to the cross to increase his suffering. The cross was tilted to create an "x," which is known today as St. Andrew's cross and is the basis for the Scottish flag.

· The Feast of St. Andrew is the last holiday of the Christian year. It is held the day before Advent begins, November 30 in Roman Catholic and some Protestant churches. St. Andrew's Day is a holiday in Scotland that honors the disciple as the country's patron saint.

· St. Andrew is the brother of St. Peter (Simon Peter), who was the first leader of the church.

· St. Andrew is the Patron saint of : Amalfi (Italy), Barbados, Esgueira (Portugal), Luqa (Malta), Patras (Greece), Romania, Russia, Scotland and Ukraine.

St Andrew Top Events and Things to Do

· Travel to Scotland to celebrate St. Andrew's Day. The holiday commences many parties and festivals in Scotland and it is also an official holiday in the country.

· St. Andrew's remains, or relics, are thought to be buried in Italy at the cathedral in Amalfi. Pilgrimage to Italy to visit.

· Go fishing or enjoy a seafood dinner. St. Andrew is the patron saint of fishermen. He was a fisherman before he left his old life to follow Jesus Christ.

· Visit St Andrew's Cathedral in Patras, Greece. It is the largest church in the Balkans region and one of the largest in Europe. According to history, St. Andrew was crucified just outside of the church.

· Take pictures of yourself on St Andrew's Day and use the Instagram tag #myinstagram to win prizes.

49 Godly Character Traits[3]

As we near the Advent season let us take up the nature of God by reflecting on these traits that make us a model for our children and our sisters and brothers in Christ. Today reflect on:

Availability vs. Self-centeredness

Making my own schedule and priorities secondary to the wishes of those I am serving (Philippians 2:20–21)

Daily Devotions

· Drops of Christ’s Blood

· Offering to the sacred heart of Jesus

· Pray the 54 Day Rosary for our Pope and President

· Novena to the Immaculate Conception

· Please pray for me and this ministry

[1]http://www.catholic.org/featured/headline.php?ID=1432

[2]https://www.wincalendar.com/St-Andrew

[3]http://graceonlinelibrary.org/home-family/christian-parenting/49-godly-character-qualities/

Wednesday, November 29, 2017

Sirach, Chapter 2, Verse 15-17

¹⁵ Those who fear the Lord do not disobey his words; those who love him keep his ways. ¹⁶ Those who fear the Lord seek to please him; those who love him are filled with his law. ¹⁷ Those who fear the Lord prepare their hearts and humble themselves before him.

Ben Sira gives a stern warning to those who compromise their faith in time of affliction; they fail in courage and trust and therefore have no security (vv. 12–14). But those who fear the Lord through obedience, reverence, love, and humility find his “mercy equal to his majesty” (vv. 15–18).[1]

“Perfect love casts out all fear.” Many of us are conscious of our sins and failures. The older we get, the more we become aware that we have not measured up to what God had in mind for us from all eternity. We begin to worry about Judgment Day. Fear. Even when we are younger, if we have a good conscience, we worry over our sins. Remember that God loved us so much that he sent his Son to save us. Remember that Jesus gave his life for each of us personally. Remember that God is not like us: He loves us with an everlasting love. We need to realize this love of God so that it will cast out all fear from our hearts. We must not be presumptive, but we must be appreciative. Remember the musical “Fiddler on the Roof?” When they thought a ghost appeared, they shouted and screamed to drive the ghost away. This is what happens in the gospel: The disciples thought that Jesus was a ghost. They were terrified and cried out: This means that the screamed and shouted in order to drive the ghost away. But Jesus says, “Do not be afraid; it is I!” Jesus is always with us. We may not see him or feel him, but he is always present to help us through the storms of life. Do not be afraid. Perfect love casts out all fear![2]

49 Godly Character Traits[3]

As we near the Advent season let us take up the nature of God by reflecting on these traits that make us a model for our children and our sisters and brothers in Christ. Today reflect on:

Attentiveness vs. Unconcern

Showing the worth of a person by giving undivided attention to his words and emotions (Hebrews 2:1)

2716 Contemplative prayer is hearing the Word of God. Far from being passive, such attentiveness is the obedience of faith, the unconditional acceptance of a servant, and the loving commitment of a child. It participates in the "Yes" of the Son become servant and the Fiat of God's lowly handmaid.

Deep calls to deep… (Ps. 42)

Daily Devotions

· Drops of Christ’s Blood

· Offering to the sacred heart of Jesus

· Pray the 54 Day Rosary for our Pope and President

· Please pray for me and this ministry

[1]http://usccb.org/bible/sirach/2

[2] http://catholicdioceseofwichita.org/january-2011/12986-wednesday--st-john-neumann

[3]http://graceonlinelibrary.org/home-family/christian-parenting/49-godly-character-qualities/

Tuesday, November 28, 2017

Sirach, Chapter 2, Verse 7-10

⁷ You that fear the Lord, wait for his mercy, do not stray lest you fall. ⁸ You that fear the Lord, trust in him, and your reward will not be lost. ⁹ You that fear the Lord, hope for good things, for lasting joy and mercy. ¹⁰ Consider the generations long past and see: has anyone trusted in the Lord and been disappointed? Has anyone persevered in his fear and been forsaken? Has anyone called upon him and been ignored?

Serving the Lord is not without its trials; but no matter what happens, the genuine believer will remain sincere, steadfast, and faithful. Misfortune and humiliation are means of purification to prove one’s worth. Ben Sira believed that patience and unwavering trust in God are ultimately rewarded with the benefits of God’s mercy and of lasting joy.[1]

49 Godly Character Traits[2]

As we near the Advent season let us take up the nature of God by reflecting on these traits that make us a model for our children and our sisters and brothers in Christ. Today reflect on:

Alertness vs Unawareness

Being aware of that which is taking place around me so I can have the right response to it (Mark 14:38)

2742 "Pray constantly…always and for everything giving thanks in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God the Father." St. Paul adds, "Pray at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance making supplication for all the saints." For "we have not been commanded to work, to keep watch and to fast constantly, but it has been laid down that we are to pray without ceasing." This tireless fervor can come only from love. Against our dullness and laziness, the battle of prayer is that of humble, trusting, and persevering love.

Edge toward the Mystery[3]

The season of Advent prepares us for properly celebrating the birth of the Redeemer. We remember the birth of Christ over 2000 years ago, but unless Christ is also born in our own souls the event will mean nothing to us. This Advent focus on a deeply spiritual level, with being "intensely thankful; in the Sacrament of the Eucharist of the Saviour, who took flesh in Mary's womb twenty centuries ago, continues to offer himself to humanity as the source of divine life." (Mane nobiscum Domine).

The Eucharist is a mystery of Light. Throughout the season of Advent the Church points to the coming of the Light of the World. We are awaiting the birth of the Messiah. The Liturgy commemorates salvation history, the prophets and the people of the Old Testament, waiting in darkness to see the Light. Mary was the first tabernacle, carrying Christ in her womb. She is "woman of the Eucharist" and our model. By putting Holy Mass and the Eucharist at the center of our lives, and being "taught" by Mary, we will enter more deeply in Christ's coming, and God prepares our souls for the coming of His Son. During Advent, add some spiritual activities, such as attending Mass, visiting Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, and keeping Sunday holy. To help reinforce the Eucharist in teaching the children in our home, here are some other highlighted activities and recipes.

· The Advent Wreath This is the most popular Advent tradition, with a strong emphasis on the coming of the Light of the World. More candles are lit the closer we come to Christmas, and the closer we are to receive Him in our hearts and in Holy Communion.

· Jesse Tree, Old Testament Salvation History The Jesse Tree is one way to commemorate the memorial of salvation history, prefigured in the Old Testament, including types of Christ and prefigures of the Eucharist. Here is an alternative set of Jesse Tree symbols, which include symbols of the Eucharist, such as Bethlehem, "House of Bread", Manna, and the Ark of the Covenant.

· December 13: St. Lucy, Feast of Light Lucy, or Lucia means Light. Her feast originally coincided with the winter solstice, which marked the shortest day of the year. With her feast day we watch for the Light of the World to come, and many of these feastday customs bring home the mystery of Light.

· Christmas Wheat Also known as "St. Lucy's Wheat" is a Hungarian custom of planting wheat seeds. The symbolism points back to the Eucharist, the Bread of Life.

· Lebkuchen or Lifecake An excellent recipe that points back to the Bread of Life. Read about the history of Lebkuchen.

· Breads of Christmas Bread always points back to the Eucharist. The baking for these Christmas breads occurs during Advent, reminding us of the expectation of Jesus, the Bread of Angels.

· Oplatek or Bread of Angels This is an old Polish custom of exchanging large oval-shaped wafers with figures imprinted on the front reminds us of our daily bread and the Bread of Life who came into the world.

Giving Tuesday[4]

Giving Tuesday aims to celebrate and promote charity and generosity. After two of the largest shopping days, Black Friday and Cyber Monday, Giving Tuesday aims to provide people with a day to give back to the world. Giving back can be through donations, volunteering time or any other form of charitable action. Giving Tuesday was first celebrated in 2012. Since its inception, there has been a 470% increase in online donations for the cause. It is celebrated annually on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving as a reminder of the importance of generosity over consumption.

Giving Tuesday Facts & Quotes

· Last year, Giving Tuesday saw a year over year increase of 300% on total donations and a 28% increase in new monthly donors.

· In 2015, there were a total of 1.3 million social media mentions of Giving Tuesday. It officially went viral.

· In 2015, the mean gift size (meaning the average between everybody who donated) on Giving Tuesday was $107.47.

· Over 71 countries around the world support and participate in Giving Tuesday.

· You may have heard of Black Friday and Cyber Monday. There's another day you might want to know about: Giving Tuesday. The idea is pretty straightforward. On the Tuesday after Thanksgiving, shoppers take a break from their gift-buying and donate what they can to charity. – Bill Gates, creator of Microsoft.

Giving Tuesday Top Events and Things to Do

· Watch a movie on the joys of gifts and giving. Some suggestions are: Pay it Forward (2000), It’s a Wonderful Life (1946), and Millions (2004).

· Spread awareness on social media by using the hashtag #GivingTuesday, #TuesdayGiveawayDay and #TuesdayMeansDonate.

· Volunteer your time at a local homeless shelter or volunteer organization. Giving can be much more than simply giving your money or things away. Giving your time is equally as valuable and in some ways more important.

· Read a book about the joys of sharing. Some suggestions are: The Giving Book, Giving: How Each of Us Change the World and The Giving Tree.

· Donate to a charity of your choice. Charity Navigator can help you find a charity that suits you.

Daily Devotions

· Drops of Christ’s Blood

· Offering to the sacred heart of Jesus

· Pray the 54 Day Rosary for our Pope and President

· Please pray for me and this ministry