Friday, January 16, 2018
Friday after Ash Wednesday
Chinese new year 4716
Isaiah,
Chapter 40, verse 9:
9 Go up onto a
high mountain, Zion, herald of good news! Cry out at the top of your voice, Jerusalem,
herald of good news! Cry out, do not fear! Say to the cities of Judah: Here
is your God!
Christ delights in us if we
delight in Him we should also delight in others.
One of my favorite representations of the Lords
delight with us is a statue of Joseph and the baby Jesus. Jesus and Joseph are
playing. Joseph is slightly bent with
the baby Jesus giggling crawling over the back of Joseph and peeking over his
shoulder looking at his face in peek a boo fashion and delight is all over both
of their faces. How can we fear when
we have a God who loves us so!
In times of tribulation when we feel courage being
drained from our souls let us remember the courage of blessed Saint Joseph
reflecting on his courage, strength and of course gentleness with our Lord
Jesus. In times of trouble let us call on the aid of St. Joseph reflecting on
this portion of the litany of Saint Joseph[1].
”St. Joseph, Renowned offspring of David, Light of
Patriarchs, Spouse of the Mother of God, Chaste guardian of the Virgin, Foster
father of the Son of God, Diligent protector of Christ, Head of the Holy
Family, Joseph most just, Joseph most chaste, Joseph most prudent, Joseph most
strong, Joseph most obedient, Joseph most faithful, Mirror of patience, Lover
of poverty, Model of artisans, Glory of home life, Guardian of virgins, Pillar
of families, Solace of the wretched, Hope of the sick, Patron of the dying,
Terror of demons, Protector of Holy Church.
Pray for Us!”
Friday after Ash Wednesday-Fast
Read: Today we are reminded of the practice of fasting on Fridays
during Lent. Read this reflection on why we fast on Fridays in the weeks
leading up to Easter Sunday.
Reflect: Pope Francis said of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving,
"All three exclude the need for appearances: what counts is not
appearances; the value of life does not depend on the approval of others or on
success, but on what we have inside us."
—Ash Wednesday Homily, 2014
Pray:
"Blessed are you, Lord, God of all
creation:
you make us hunger and thirst for
holiness.
Blessed are you, Lord, God of all
creation:
you call us to true fasting:
to set free the oppressed,
to share our bread with the hungry,
to shelter the homeless and to clothe
the naked."
—Catholic Household Blessings and
Prayers, 96
Act: Many often choose something to give up during all of Lent—not
just on Fridays—as a way of fasting. Practice self-discipline and choose
something to refrain from until Easter. Challenge yourself!
Chinese New Year[2]
Chinese
New Year Facts & Quotes
·
2018
is the Year of the Dog according to the Chinese animal zodiac cycle.
·
The
Chinese New Year is celebrated as the Spring Festival in China. It is the
nation's most important festival.
·
Every
child receives a monetary gift for New Year. The gift is wrapped in a red
envelope.
·
I
wish you happiness that comes from within, the best of luck to keep you pushing
and peace in all days of the New Year. - Gong Xi Fa Cai, Popular New Year song
Chinese
New Year Top Events and Things to Do
·
Sing
a popular Chinese New Year song called Gonf Xi Fa Cai.
·
Clean
your house. It is customary for Chinese to clean their homes in preparation for
the New Year and the fresh start.
·
Prepare
your red envelopes for the kids. This is considered lucky money for children.
·
Attend
a Chinese New Year Festival in a town near you. Most large cities in the US
have a Chinatown district that will host events and pageants.
·
Get
together with friends and create a long dragon on sticks. One person gets to
create the head, and the remainder creates the long flowy tail. Remember to use
bright colors.
The Devil and Temptations[3]
There are many and varied ways in which sin and evil are presented to us in
an attractive way. Avoid them as you would a viper in the desert.
The Kingdom Of Darkness and Forbidden Power
·
Witchcraft or superstitious magic is used to
produce effects that are beyond the power of man. These effects may be good or
bad and are brought about by the use of magical words or gestures, or the use
of magical herbs, powders, liquids or similar things. There is often a specific
invocation of the devil. Physical evils are directed against individuals
because of hatred or jealousy. We have all heard about sticking pins in dolls,
the evil eye, the eating of cursed food or drinking a liquid, that through the
power of darkness is to cause harm, sickness, or death. This is witchcraft.
Today, witches can be found almost everywhere, and often they are presented in
a positive light. Just remember everyone involved in false worship, seeking
forbidden knowledge, or using forbidden power should be absolutely avoided.
·
There is also an increased interest in African
witchcraft-- voodooism. The gods of voodooism are good and bad. Usually a
voodoo service begins after sunset and ends in the early morning. It often
includes a bloody sacrifice of a goat or chicken. There is prayer and singing.
The gods are supposed to briefly enter into the persons during the ritual.
·
In voodooism and witchcraft, Catholic objects
such as images of saints, crucifixes, candles, holy water and Catholic prayers
are sometimes used, as well as other objects and prayers. Do not be fooled by
the apparent religious nature of what happens.
·
If you have any objects or written prayers that
have been used in witchcraft or given you by a witch, they should be completely
destroyed.
If you have been involved
in witchcraft you must renounce the
devil, renounce the witchcraft in which you have been involved and all witchcraft,
ask God's pardon, and confess your sin to a priest. In Confession (the
Sacrament of Reconciliation) there is Divine Power needed to free one from the
influence of evil.
Daily
Devotions
·
Please pray for me and this ministry
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