BAPTISM OF JESUS-PLOUGH MONDAY
Sirach,
Chapter 15, Verse 13
Abominable wickedness the LORD hates and he does not let it happen to
those who fear him.
Have you ever been so
angry; livid at someone or something and then discovered the reason for your
anger was directly correlated to a defect in yourself that you had buried and
chose to ignore. We all have and then realized that we are not as perfect as we
pretend to be. Let us reflect on Paul’s advice to the Ephesians, “Brothers and
sisters: I declare and testify in the Lord that you must no longer live as the
Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds; that is not how you learned
Christ, assuming that you have heard of him and were taught in him, as truth is
in Jesus, that you should put away the old self of your former way of life,
corrupted through deceitful desires, and be renewed in the spirit of your
minds, and put on the new self, created in God’s way in righteousness and
holiness of truth. (Eph 4:17-20) By the renewal of our minds we through
Christ’s grace check our feelings, moods and prejudices or preferences and strive
to maintain the right intensions.
Lord, Grant that I may follow
Your words in my daily life. Let Your truth teach me, guide me, and protect me
and may it deliver me from all evil desires and foolish love. Let me esteem
nothing as great, or valuable, or wonderful, except insofar as it makes me
better and more pleasing in your eyes. In this way I shall never be a slave of
this earth, but shall walk daily towards Heaven in Holy Fear.[1]
Catechism
of the Catholic Church
III. THE LOVE OF HUSBAND AND WIFE
Conjugal
fidelity
2364 The married couple forms "the intimate partnership of
life and love established by the Creator and governed by his laws; it is rooted
in the conjugal covenant, that is, in their irrevocable personal consent."
Both give themselves definitively and totally to one another. They are no
longer two; from now on they form one flesh. The covenant they freely
contracted imposes on the spouses the obligation to preserve it as unique and
indissoluble. "What therefore God has joined together, let not man put
asunder."
2365 Fidelity expresses constancy in keeping one's given word. God
is faithful. The Sacrament of Matrimony enables man and woman to enter into
Christ's fidelity for his Church. Through conjugal chastity, they bear witness
to this mystery before the world. St. John Chrysostom suggests that young
husbands should say to their wives: I have taken you in my arms, and I love
you, and I prefer you to my life itself. For the present life is nothing, and
my most ardent dream is to spend it with you in such a way that we may be
assured of not being separated in the life reserved for us. I place your love
above all things, and nothing would be more bitter or painful to me than to be
of a different mind than you.
Catholic Calendar[2]
Read: "The origin and foundation of
Christian Baptism is Jesus. Before starting his public ministry, Jesus
submitted himself to the baptism given by John the Baptist. "The waters
did not purify him; he cleansed the waters. . Jesus did not need to be baptized
because he was totally faithful to the will of his Father and free from sin.
However, he wanted to show his solidarity with human beings in order to
reconcile them to the Father. By commanding his disciples to baptize all
nations, he established the means by which people would die to sin—Original and
actual—and begin to live a new life with God." "In Baptism, the Holy
Spirit moves us to answer Christ's call to holiness. In Baptism, we are asked
to walk by the light of Christ and to trust in his wisdom. We are invited to
submit our hearts to Christ with ever deeper love."
Reflect: "In the one Body of
Christ, all the members share 'a common dignity' so that 'no inequality arising
from race or nationality, social condition or sex' exists, for all are one in
Christ"
Pray in
thanksgiving for a child in your family today.
Act: "After being baptized, we
acknowledge or receive a white garment to signify that we have risen with
Christ. We receive a lighted candle, which symbolizes that we are a new
creation, enlightened by Christ. We are now called to carry that light into the
dark world to extend the light to others. The gifts given at Baptism, Pope Benedict
XVI writes, are for 'the building up of Christ's Body (1 Cor 12) and for ever
greater witness to the Gospel in the world' At the start of this year, think
about ways that you can bring more of Christ's light to the world.
Baptism of Jesus[3]
"Seek the Lord while he may
be found, call upon him while he is near" (Is 55, 6).
Blessing of Water[4]
Renewal
of Baptismal Vows
And so I ask you:
V. Do you renounce Satan?
R. I do.
V. And all his works?
R. I do.
V. And all his empty show?
R. I do.
OR:
V. Do you renounce sin, so as to live in the freedom of the children of God?
R. I do.
V. Do you renounce the lure of evil, so that sin may have no mastery over you?
R. I do.
V. Do you renounce Satan, the author and prince of sin?
R. I do.
V. Do you believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth?
R. I do.
V. Do you believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was born of the Virgin Mary, suffered death and was buried, rose again from the dead and is seated at the right hand of the Father?
R. I do.
V. Do you believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting?
R. I do.
V. And may almighty God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has given us new birth by water and the Holy Spirit and bestowed on us forgiveness of our sins, keep us by his grace, in Christ Jesus our Lord, for eternal life.
R. Amen.
Plough Monday is the traditional
start of the English agricultural year. While local practices may vary, Plough
Monday is generally the first Monday after Twelfth Day (Epiphany), 6 January.
The day traditionally saw the resumption of work after the Christmas period.
As we begin our working year let
us remember that our primary work in the world as a follower of Christ is to do
his will for us putting our hand on the plough and looking forward to the year;
may all of our days and rows be straight.
No man, having put his hand ... -
To put one's hand to a plow is a proverbial expression to signify undertaking
any business. In order that a plowman may accomplish his work, it is necessary
to look onward - to be intent on his employment - not to be looking back with
regret that he undertook it. So in religion; He that enters on it must do it
with his whole heart, He that comes still loving the world - still looking with
regret on its pleasures, its wealth, and its honors - that has not
"wholly" forsaken them as his portion, cannot be a Christian, and is
not fit for the kingdom of God. How searching is this test to those who profess
to be Christians! And how solemn the duty of all people to renounce all earthly
objects, and to be not only "almost," but "altogether," followers
of the Son of God! It is perilous to tamper with the world - to look at its
pleasures or to seek its society. He that would enter heaven must come with a
heart full of love to God; giving "all" into his hands, and prepared
always to give up all his property, his health, his friends, his body, his soul
to God, when he demands them, or he cannot be a Christian. Religion is
everything or nothing. He that is not willing to sacrifice
"everything" for the cause of God, is really willing to sacrifice
nothing.[5]
49
Godly Character Traits[6]
During
this Christmas 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:
Sensitivity vs.
Callousness
Exercising my senses so I can perceive the true spirit and emotions of those around me (Romans 12:15)
1466 The
confessor is not the master of God's forgiveness, but its servant. The minister
of this sacrament should unite himself to the intention and charity of Christ.
He should have a proven knowledge of Christian behavior, experience of human
affairs, respect and sensitivity toward the one who has fallen; he must love
the truth, be faithful to the Magisterium of the Church, and lead the penitent
with patience toward healing and full maturity. He must pray and do penance for
his penitent, entrusting him to the Lord's mercy.
1851 It is
precisely in the Passion, when the mercy of Christ is about to vanquish it,
that sin most clearly manifests its violence and its many forms: unbelief,
murderous hatred, shunning and mockery by the leaders and the people, Pilate's
cowardice and the cruelty of the soldiers, Judas' betrayal - so bitter to
Jesus, Peter's denial and the disciples' flight. However, at the very hour of
darkness, the hour of the prince of this world, the sacrifice of Christ
secretly becomes the source from which the forgiveness of our sins will pour
forth inexhaustibly.
God indeed is my salvation; I am confident and unafraid. For the LORD is
my strength and my might, and he has been my salvation.
Daily
Devotions
·
Please pray for me and
this ministry
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