TWELFTH NIGHT
Sirach, Chapter 7, Verse 29
With all your soul fear God
and revere his priests.
Yes, revere your priests
but do not be a ninny, remember Christ was killed by the priests of his time.
Evil men and women do hide in sheep’s clothing. Be smart; protect yourself and
your children.
The FBI estimates
that there is a sex offender living in every square mile of the United States.
One in ten men has molested children. Most child molesters are able to molest
dozens of children before they are caught and have a three percent (3%) chance
of being apprehended for their crimes. Boys and girls are at nearly equal risk
to be abused and almost a quarter will be molested sometime before their 18th
birthday. Fewer than five percent (5%) will tell anyone. The overwhelming
majority of child victims are abused by someone they know and trust, someone
most parents would never suspect. No one can protect your children but you.
Educate yourself and your family about child sexual abuse. Don’t let a child
molester do it for you![1]
Talk to your children about this. Good
information is available from the US Department of Justice.[2]
Catechism
of the Catholic Church
II. THE VOCATION TO CHASTITY cont.
Offenses
against chastity
2351
Lust is disordered desire for or inordinate
enjoyment of sexual pleasure. Sexual pleasure is morally disordered when
sought for itself, isolated from its procreative and unitive purposes.
2352 By masturbation is to be
understood the deliberate stimulation of the genital organs in order to derive
sexual pleasure. "Both the Magisterium of the Church, in the course of
a constant tradition, and the moral sense of the faithful have been in no doubt
and have firmly maintained that masturbation is an intrinsically and gravely
disordered action." "The deliberate use of the sexual faculty, for
whatever reason, outside of marriage is essentially contrary to its
purpose." For here sexual pleasure is sought outside of "the sexual
relationship which is demanded by the moral order and in which the total meaning
of mutual self-giving and human procreation in the context of true love is
achieved." To form an equitable judgment about the subjects' moral
responsibility and to guide pastoral action, one must take into account the
affective immaturity, force of acquired habit, conditions of anxiety or other
psychological or social factors that lessen, if not even reduce to a minimum,
moral culpability.
2353 Fornication is carnal
union between an unmarried man and an unmarried woman. It is gravely
contrary to the dignity of persons and of human sexuality which is naturally
ordered to the good of spouses and the generation and education of children.
Moreover, it is a grave scandal when there is corruption of the young.
2354 Pornography consists in
removing real or simulated sexual acts from the intimacy of the partners, in
order to display them deliberately to third parties. It offends against
chastity because it perverts the conjugal act, the intimate giving of spouses
to each other. It does grave injury to the dignity of its participants (actors,
vendors, and the public), since each one becomes an object of base pleasure and
illicit profit for others. It immerses all who are involved in the illusion of
a fantasy world. It is a grave offense. Civil authorities should prevent the
production and distribution of pornographic materials.
2355 Prostitution does injury
to the dignity of the person who engages in it, reducing the person to an instrument of sexual
pleasure. The one who pays sins gravely against himself: he violates the
chastity to which his Baptism pledged him and defiles his body, the temple of
the Holy Spirit. Prostitution is a social scourge. It usually involves women,
but also men, children, and adolescents (The latter two cases involve the added
sin of scandal.). While it is always gravely sinful to engage in prostitution,
the imputability of the offense can be attenuated by destitution, blackmail, or
social pressure.
2356 Rape is the forcible
violation of the sexual intimacy of another person. It does injury to
justice and charity. Rape deeply wounds the respect, freedom, and physical and
moral integrity to which every person has a right. It causes grave damage that
can mark the victim for life. It is always an intrinsically evil act. Graver
still is the rape of children committed by parents (incest) or those
responsible for the education of the children entrusted to them.
“I promise
you, in the excessive mercy of my Heart that my all powerful love will grant to
all those who receive Holy Communion on the first Friday for nine consecutive
months, the grace of final repentance; they shall not die in my disgrace nor
without receiving the sacraments; my divine Heart shall be their safe refuge in
that last moment.” — Our Lord to St.
Margaret Mary
How to complete the First Friday’s Devotion
- Receive Holy Communion on each
First Friday;
- The nine Fridays must be
consecutive;
- They must be made in honor and
in reparation to His Sacred Heart.
ACT OF REPARATION TO THE SACRED HEART OF JESUS
Sacred
Heart of Jesus, animated with a desire to repair the outrages unceasingly
offered to Thee, we prostrate before Thy throne of mercy, and in the name of
all mankind, pledge our love and fidelity to Thee!
©
The more Thy mysteries are
blasphemed, the more firmly we shall
believe them, O Sacred Heart of Jesus!
©
The more impiety endeavors to
extinguish our hopes of immortality, the
more we shall trust in Thy Heart, sole hope of mankind!
©
The more hearts resist Thy Divine
attractions, the more we shall love Thee,
O infinitely amiable Heart of Jesus!
©
The more unbelief attacks Thy
Divinity, the more humbly and profoundly
we shall adore It, O Divine Heart of Jesus!
©
The more Thy holy laws are
transgressed and ignored, the more we
shall delight to observe them, O most holy Heart of Jesus!
©
The more Thy Sacraments are despised
and abandoned, the more frequently we
shall receive them with love and reverence, O most liberal Heart of Jesus!
©
The more the imitation of Thy
virtues is neglected and forgotten, the
more we shall endeavor to practice them, O Heart of Jesus, model of every
virtue!
©
The more the devil labors to destroy
souls, the more we shall be inflamed with
desire to save them, O Heart of Jesus, zealous Lover of souls!
©
The more sin and impurity destroy
the image of God in man, the more we
shall try by purity of life to be a living temple of the Holy Spirit, O Heart
of Jesus!
©
The more Thy Holy Church is
despised, the more we shall endeavor to
be her faithful children, O Sweet Heart of Jesus!
©
The more Thy Vicar on earth is
persecuted, the more we will honor him as
the infallible head of Thy Holy Church, show our fidelity and pray for him, O
kingly Heart of Jesus!
O
Sacred Heart, through Thy powerful grace, may we become Thy apostles in the
midst of a corrupted world, and be Thy crown in the kingdom of heaven. Amen.
12 Promises of the Sacred Heart to St. Margaret Mary
1. I will give them all the graces necessary for their
state of life.
2. I will give peace in their families.
3. I will console them in all their troubles.
4. I will be their refuge in life and especially in
death.
5. I will abundantly bless all their undertakings.
6. Sinners shall find in my Heart the source and
infinite ocean of mercy.
7. Tepid souls shall become fervent.
8. Fervent souls shall rise speedily to great
perfection.
9. I will bless those places wherein the image of
my Sacred Heart shall be exposed and venerated.
10. I will give to priests the power to touch the most
hardened hearts.
11. Persons who propagate this devotion shall have their names
eternally written in my Heart.
12. In the excess of the mercy of my heart, I promise you that
my all powerful love will grant to all those who will receive Communion on the
First Fridays, for nine consecutive months, the grace of final repentance: they
will not die in my displeasure, nor without receiving the sacraments; and my
Heart will be their secure refuge in that last hour.
But what exactly are the Twelve Days of Christmas? They are the days between Christmas and the Feast of the Epiphany that constitute an unbroken period of joy and celebration (see Christmas Schema). Epiphany is considered the twelfth day of Christmas (in fact it is sometimes called "Twelfth Day") while the Eve of Epiphany is called "Twelfth Night." Shakespeare's play, "Twelfth Night," takes its name from the Vigil because during this period festivals (such as the Feast of Fools or the Feast of the Ass) used to be held in which everything was turned upside-down -- a little like the reversed identities of the characters in the play. These "preposterous" observances, incidentally, were a joyful mimicry of the inversion of almighty God becoming a lowly man, of the King appearing as a humble infant.
The twelve nights of Christmas were primarily a time of rest from unnecessary labor and joyful prayer. On each of these nights the Christmas tree lights and the Christmas candle would be lit, while the family would gather around the manger to recite prayers and sing carols and hymns. Similar services are held in some churches during these nights as well.
Twelfth day of Christmas
is represented by the Twelve Drummers drumming in the song which of course represents
the twelve points of the Apostles Creed. It is interesting to note that
these 12 points are indeed pointing to the abode of God and that our Lord is
the gate of heaven.
1.
I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of
heaven and earth.
2.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.
3.
He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and
born of the Virgin Mary.
4.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died,
and was buried.
5.
He descended into hell. On the third day he rose again.
6.
He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand
of God the Father Almighty.
7.
He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
8.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
9.
the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints,
10. the
forgiveness of sins,
11. the
resurrection of the body,
12. and
the life everlasting.
Additionally the 12th
Station of the Cross Jesus dies. Today would be a good day to do the Eucharistic
Stations of the Cross.
Fitness Friday-Hunting Workout
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.
Elk hunting[5] (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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Week Six: You should be feeling like a bonafide athlete.
Mon/Wed/Fri cardio: Back to jogging, but pick up the pace a bit.
Tues/Thurs/Sat muscular: Try to get through your routine – hiking with pack and five crunches/lunges every five minutes – without stopping to rest.
Mon/Wed/Fri cardio: Back to jogging, but pick up the pace a bit.
Tues/Thurs/Sat muscular: Try to get through your routine – hiking with pack and five crunches/lunges every five minutes – without stopping to rest.
Week Seven: Halfway there!
Mon/Wed/Fri cardio: Back to sprinting/walking. Push yourself.
Tues/Thurs/Sat muscular: Add five pounds to your pack (total 25), same routine.
Mon/Wed/Fri cardio: Back to sprinting/walking. Push yourself.
Tues/Thurs/Sat muscular: Add five pounds to your pack (total 25), same routine.
Week Eight: Second amendment week.
Mon/Wed/Fri cardio: Trade the jogging in for a smooth relaxed 45 min run. (Faster than jogging, but not a sprint)
Tues/Thurs/Sat muscular: Same routine as week seven, but carry your bow or rifle (empty of course) or object of similar weight/balance).
Mon/Wed/Fri cardio: Trade the jogging in for a smooth relaxed 45 min run. (Faster than jogging, but not a sprint)
Tues/Thurs/Sat muscular: Same routine as week seven, but carry your bow or rifle (empty of course) or object of similar weight/balance).
Week Nine: Hang in there.
Mon/Wed/Fri cardio: Sprinting and walking. Keep pushing.
Tues/Thurs/Sat muscular: Add five pounds – you’re up to 30 pounds plus your rifle/bow. Stay strong and focused.
Mon/Wed/Fri cardio: Sprinting and walking. Keep pushing.
Tues/Thurs/Sat muscular: Add five pounds – you’re up to 30 pounds plus your rifle/bow. Stay strong and focused.
Week Ten: Home stretch – only three weeks till the hunt.
Mon/Wed/Fri cardio: More smooth relaxed running. Keep it strong.
Tues/Thurs/Sat muscular: Same routine, add another five pounds. You’re up to thirty five now, approximately the weight of a three day bivy pack. Keep up the squats and lunges, they will prep you for big tough steps when climbing, and crouching while stalking.
Mon/Wed/Fri cardio: More smooth relaxed running. Keep it strong.
Tues/Thurs/Sat muscular: Same routine, add another five pounds. You’re up to thirty five now, approximately the weight of a three day bivy pack. Keep up the squats and lunges, they will prep you for big tough steps when climbing, and crouching while stalking.
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:
Reverence vs.
Disrespect
Awareness of how God is working through the people and events in my life to produce the character of Christ in me (Proverbs 23:17–18)
82 As
a result the Church, to whom the transmission and interpretation of Revelation
is entrusted, "does not derive her certainty about all revealed truths
from the holy Scriptures alone. Both Scripture and Tradition must be accepted
and honored with equal sentiments of devotion and reverence."
1939
The principle of solidarity, also
articulated in terms of "friendship" or "social charity,"
is a direct demand of human and Christian brotherhood.
An error, "today abundantly widespread, is disregard
for the law of human solidarity and charity, dictated and imposed both by our
common origin and by the equality in rational nature of all men, whatever
nation they belong to. This law is sealed by the sacrifice of redemption
offered by Jesus Christ on the altar of the Cross to his heavenly Father, on
behalf of sinful humanity."
2164 "Do
not swear whether by the Creator, or any creature, except truthfully, of
necessity, and with reverence" (St. Ignatius of Loyola, Spiritual Exercises, 38).
Daily
Devotions
·
Please pray for me and
this ministry
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