HOLY NAME OF JESUS-10TH
DAY OF CHRISTMAS
Sirach,
Chapter 9, Verse 16-18
16 Take the righteous for your table companions; and
let your glory be in the fear of God. 17 Work by skilled hands will earn praise; but the
people’s leader is proved wise by his words. 18 Loud mouths are feared in their city, and
whoever is reckless in speech is hated.
It
is natural to fear loud powerful men or women who can do us grave harm. What
does a person do who finds themselves afraid of powerful, selfish and perhaps
evil people? Naturally your choices are you can fight, run, do nothing, come to
a compromise or grow by developing a third alternative as described by the late
Dr. Steven Covey[1]. That
is to come to a solution that is better than you or your opponent, could have
come up on your own.
Next
time you are faced with fear; resist
the temptation to react in the classic fight or flight method and try to discover
a way for everyone to win. That is not always possible but that should be your
goal.
Catechism
of the Catholic Church
II. THE VOCATION TO
CHASTITY cont.
The integrality of the gift of self
2346 Chastity is the form of
all the virtues. Under its influence, chastity appears as a school of the
gift of the person. Self-mastery is ordered to the gift of self. Chastity leads
him who practices it to become a witness to his neighbor of God's fidelity and
loving kindness.
2347 The virtue of chastity
blossoms in friendship. It shows the disciple how to follow and imitate him
who has chosen us as his friends, who has given himself totally to us and
allows us to participate in his divine estate. Chastity is a promise of
immortality. Chastity is expressed notably in friendship with one's neighbor.
Whether it develops between persons of the same or opposite sex, friendship
represents a great good for all. It leads to spiritual communion. Friendship is when two bodies become one
soul (Chinese Cookie Fortune).
Christmas Calendar[2]
Read: Today we remember and honor the Most Holy Name of Jesus. Take
time to read the Litany of the Holy Name of Jesus.
Reflect: "In the face of the sin and injustice we see present
in our communities and in our world, the Eucharist 'plants a seed of living
hope in our daily commitment to the work before us,' challenging us to live
'Eucharistic' lives. It affirms our role as citizens and as men and women in
various professions at different levels of society in 'contributing with the
light of the Gospel to the building of a more human world, a world fully in
harmony with God's plan' (Ecclesia de Eucharistia, no. 20)."
Pray: At the start of Poverty Awareness Month, take time to pray for those in poverty.
Act: January is Poverty Awareness Month. Take a few minutes to look
at this interactive map to better understand what poverty looks like
in your city, county, and state.
The
Name Jesus as had been foretold by the angel. The feast is meant to impress on
us Christians the dignity of the Holy Name. What did a name signify originally?
The name should express the nature of
a thing. Thus Adam in paradise gave the animals names in accordance with their
being. Among the Jews God's name expressed His essence, Yahweh, i.e., I (alone)
am who am (and cause all else to be). The Jews had the highest respect for the
name of God, a reverence that finds continuation in the Our Father:
"Hallowed be Thy Name." Persons who played prominent roles in the
history of salvation often received their names from God Himself. Adam — man of
the earth; Eve — mother of all the living; Abraham — father of many nations;
Peter — the rock. The Savior's precursor was given the name God assigned him.
According to divine precedent, then, the name of the Redeemer should not be
accidental, of human choosing, but given by God Himself. For His name should
express His mission. We read in Sacred Scripture how the angel Gabriel revealed
that name to Mary: "You shall call His name Jesus." And to St. Joseph
the angel not merely revealed the name but explained its meaning: "You
shall call His name Jesus, for He shall save His people from their sins."
The Messiah should not only be the savior, but should be called Savior. With
Jesus, therefore, the name actually tells the purpose of His existence. This is
why we must esteem His name as
sacred. Whenever we pronounce it, we ought to bow our heads; for the very name
reminds us of the greatest favor we have ever received, salvation.
His
name was called Jesus, which was called by the Angel before He was conceived in
the womb." LUKE ii. 21.
1.
It is not difficult to meditate upon the Holy Name, or to use the Holy Name in
prayer. More than any other name, perhaps alone among all proper names, it is
appropriate to the One Who owned it. Usually the names of men are given at
random; they mean nothing in themselves; a man who happens to be called John
might just as well have been called Thomas or William; the mere name tells us
nothing about him; it is a convenient means of distinguishing him from others,
a label put upon him and little or no more With a few human beings it has been
otherwise: Adam, Abraham, Josue, John the Baptist were given names that
signified the men on whom they were bestowed. But with none is this so true as
it is with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. With care the Angel impressed it
on His Mother's mind: "Thou shalt call His name Jesus," he said, and
there followed the description of His future greatness. With care it was
repeated to Joseph: Thou shalt call His name Jesus, for He shall save His people
from their sins.
2.
The Name stands as a complete summary and description of our Lord's character
and office, and it is under this aspect that it has been regarded by thousands
of saints, whose hearts have melted at its mere sound. To them Jesus is their
God, Jesus is their King, Jesus is their Redeemer, Jesus is their Mediator,
Jesus is their Savior, Jesus is their great Priest, Jesus is their Intercessor,
Jesus is the Captain under Whom they fight, Jesus is the Leader Whom they
follow, Jesus is their Teacher, Jesus is the Giver of their law, Jesus is the
Spouse and Shepherd of their souls, Jesus is their Light, Jesus is their Life,
Jesus is the Judge before Whom they rejoice to think that they must one day
stand, Jesus is their final and eternal Reward, for which alone they live.
3.
But He is also to them the mirror of all the most glorious and winning virtues.
He is, and His Name tells them that He is, unbounded Charity, infinite Mercy, extremist
Kindness, deepest Humility, most devoted Piety, transparent Simplicity,
uttermost Poverty, Chastity without a stain. It is the prerogative of love to
transform those who love into the likeness of Him Whom they love; and as the
mere name of one who is loved cannot sound in the ear or be thought of in the mind
without adding to the love which is already there, so the thought of the Holy
Name and the mention of the Holy Name have a kind of sacramental power in the
hearts of His saints. They seem to convey the grace which enables men to think
like Him, to speak like Him, to act like Him, to sacrifice themselves like Him,
and to Him, and for Him, and along with Him, to make Him known to others, not
by word only, but also by reproduction of Him in themselves, and to win all men
to love Him.
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and let all that is
within thee bless His Holy Name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and never forget
all He hath done for thee. Ps. cii.
i, 2.
Today is the tenth
day of Christmas the 10 Lord’s a leaping are a sign for the Ten
Commandments.
This is just in but better
late than never-let’s do this Icemen and women!
Nineveh 90 for life: January 1 to Easter vigil Sign up here: join Nineveh 90 for life
Whether it’s a Navy SEAL or a Saint, we admire those who put it all on the
line — go “all in!” — Those who are totally dedicated to the mission … and God
admires them too. Throughout salvation history, we have seen how God responds
to this resolute and determined kind of prayer, just as Jesus taught His
disciples. It was in Nineveh that the entire city turned back to God and did
all that they could, through prayer and penance, to “demonstrate to” God that
they were absolutely resolute in this “turning.” God saw how “serious” they
were about this, and He was moved (Jonah 3:3-10). This is yet
another story that demonstrates how God – a perfect Father – compels His
children to be truly resolute and quite serious when calling out to Him.
St. Bernard of Clairvaux wrote,
“Timid prayer does not pierce heaven, because immoderate fear
binds the soul so that prayer, far from flying upward, cannot even come out. Being
lukewarm, it grows weak in its flight and falls because it has no strength.
Prayer that is faithful, humble, and fervent will undoubtedly pierce heaven and
it will certainly not return fruitless.”
This is what “Nineveh 90 for Life” is all about. This is a prayer campaign
for resolute spiritual “WARRIORS!!” who seek to join ranks with tens of
thousands of others in this “Supernaturally Charged” 90-Day crusade to deal the last
blow to the culture of death.
Congress is becoming more pro-life, this administration is more pro-life,
the courts are becoming more pro-life, “science” is more pro-life, and the
country itself is becoming more pro-life. I believe we are on the verge of
witnessing an end to the worst mass murder of innocents in the history of
civilization. The time is now for us to marshal everything we’ve got to see
this through to its completion … to deal the last blow. Nineveh 90 for Life begins on the
Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God (January 1) and goes until the Easter Vigil
(March 31). Special Forces Prayer Warriors (those who join) will be
challenged to enter into a period of prayer and mortification. “Mortification,”
at its essence, means to “die to yourself.” This will be our time to let go of
bad and sinful habits and to embrace more good and healthy and Godly habits.
The research in the behavioral sciences says that 90 days is about the
time needed to change bad habits. What better time to be
resolute then when, traditionally, many take on “New Year’s Resolutions.”
Except this will be done with a support system that is tens of thousands of Special
Forces warriors strong! We will also be using some of the tried and true
very powerful supernatural elements. Namely, the Brown Scapular, 54 Day Rosary
Novena, and the 33 Day Preparation for Marian Consecration.
We believe supernatural strength increases to the degree we are detached
from worldliness. “He must increase, but I must decrease” was
the call of St. John the Baptist. This is our time to “make straight a path for
the Lord.” To put aside everything that stands in the way of Christ to fill us
up completely with His Divine Life. THIS is the way we become “strong in the
Lord and in His mighty power!” God will surely hear and answer this throng of
tens of thousands detached from the world and resolute in our plea to end the
culture of death. I am certain of it!
“Consecration Day” will be on March 31, Easter
Vigil, and the Feast of Our Lady of the Holy Cross.
Nineveh 90 – Ten Elements
For these 90 days, resolve
to let go of repetitive sin you struggle with (e.g., acts of impurity,
over-eating, alcohol, etc.)
2.
Daily Mass (If you are able)
3.
Confession (at least once a month … immediately
following grave sin)
4.
Support System: Create or join a “Nineveh 90 Squad” of
3+ people. Maybe create a Facebook group. Also, try to join together with an
“Accountability Buddy.”
5.
Daily Prayer (Developing a quality Catholic Prayer Life)
9.
Holy Hour (or at
least 20 minutes of quiet prayerful reflection time. Does not need to be before
the Blessed Sacrament. This is normally done at home or your favorite prayer
space … maybe create a “God Cave” in your home)
For 90 Days, Commit to …
·
Seven hours of sleep is essential
·
No alcohol
·
No desserts & sweets
·
No eating between meals
·
No soda or sweetened drinks
·
Limit television or movies (news allowed)
·
Only music that lifts the soul to God
·
Limit televised sports (maybe one per week)
·
Limit recreational computer time (only use for
personal needs and fulfillment. May be needed for Nineveh 90 too)
o
Prayer Intentions for
54 Day Rosary Novena:
§
End to abortion
§
Personal holiness
§
For the conversion of
loved ones..
·
33 Day Preparation for Consecration – February
26 to March 30 (Good Friday)
Sundays and Solemnities: May be a day of relaxed discipline,
but not abandoned. (Sleep in an extra hour, cream in your coffee, a dessert, a
beer, etc.)
Fasting: Wednesdays and Fridays (Water/Juice and bread only,
if medically allowed, otherwise as is outlined by the USCCB)
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:
Resourcefulness vs.
Wastefulness
Wise use of that which others would normally overlook or discard (Luke 16:10)
2445
Love for the poor is incompatible
with immoderate love of riches or their selfish use:
Come now, you rich, weep and howl for the miseries that are
coming upon you. Your riches have rotted and your garments are moth-eaten. Your
gold and silver have rusted, and their rust will be evidence against you and
will eat your flesh like fire. You have laid up treasure for the last days.
Behold, the wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by
fraud, cry out; and the cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the
Lord of hosts. You have lived on the earth in luxury and in pleasure; you have
fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter. You have condemned, you have killed
the righteous man; he does not resist you.
2501 Created
"in the image of God," man also expresses the truth of his
relationship with God the Creator by the beauty of his artistic works. Indeed,
art is a distinctively human form of expression; beyond the search for the
necessities of life which is common to all living creatures, art is a freely
given superabundance of the human being's inner riches. Arising from talent
given by the Creator and from man's own effort, art is a form of practical
wisdom, uniting knowledge and skill, to give form to the truth of reality in a
language accessible to sight or hearing. To the extent that it is inspired by
truth and love of beings, art bears a certain likeness to God's activity in
what he has created. Like any other human activity, art is not an absolute end
in itself, but is ordered to and ennobled by the ultimate end of man.
Daily
Devotions
·
Please pray for me and
this ministry
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