Thursday, March 8, 2018
International
Women's Day
22 Should you not fear me—oracle of the
LORD—should you not tremble before me? I made the sandy shore the sea’s limit,
which by eternal decree it may not overstep. Toss though it may, it is to no
avail; though its billows roar, they cannot overstep.
23
But this people’s heart is
stubborn and rebellious; they turn and go away, 24 and do not say in their hearts, “Let us fear
the LORD, our God, Who gives us rain early and late, in its time; who watches
for us over the appointed weeks of harvest.”
This stubborn and rebellious nature of people is
what led to Christ’s death on the cross. His death was the fulfillment of the
proclaiming of God’s name to all the peoples of the world; for over His head
was placed a notice: King of the Jews.
It is thought-provoking to contemplate that Pilates
notice was printed in three languages Hebrew, Latin and Greek. These three
cultures in a sense represented the characteristics of God. The Hebrew’s were
Gods people and represented the good
of man and brought the idea that the person was created by God and is more
valuable than the universe. Latin the language of the Romans brought the idea
that truth is the highest value and
the Greeks culture brought the idea of beauty
being the greatest value. In Christ’s death is represented all three values.
That a good God died for man; true to the end; and His shame was turned by love
to beauty.
The Archangels Michael, Gabriel and Raphael, also
represent these three values Michael the truth that angels and men are willing
to fight for; Raphael the good and Gabriel the beauty. On further reflection I
can see these same three attributes reflected the preamble of the US
constitution: Life (good); Liberty (truth); and pursuit of happiness (beauty).
We can also recognize that the Name of God which is
goodness; truth and beauty is feared
by evil men and women when they are inspired by Satan and the demons to take
away our life, liberty or our pursuit of happiness.
Surely,
it is time for Christians to "rise from sleep," and to offer vigorous
resistance to the enemies of salvation. The weapons in this conflict are not
the arms of civil warfare, but the spiritual weapons of prayer and penance,
increased fidelity to the Commandments of God, and frequent reception of the
Sacraments. And surely we can choose no better leader in this conflict than the
powerful captain who led the faithful Angels to victory. Let us, then, with
confident trust, invoke the aid and the protection of this mighty Archangel
whose shield bears the inscription: "Michael-Quis ut Deus-Who is like unto
God?"[1]
We are composed of body and soul, “every part of the
body is an expressive instrument of the soul. The soul does not inhabit the
body as a man inhabits a house, It lives and works in each member, each fiber,
and reveals itself in the body’s every line, contour and movement.” Our bodies
communicate respect or contempt. By our gestures and the way we comport
ourselves we confirm his presence. We are “ensouled” bodies as much as we are
embodied souls. We should always move as the Church directs us: sit, stand,
bow, kneel, strike the breast, make the Sign of the Cross, all in due time. The
scriptures speak of several postures of prayer: 1) Standing 2) Kneeling 3)
bowing 4) prostrating.
Standing gives the expression to the
prayers of our heart. Standing is a sign of vigilance and action acknowledging
that we are the warriors of God; as a soldier on duty. A Knight always stood in
the presence of the King or Judge. Standing was a sign of deference and trust.
We acknowledge that none of our weapons or self-defenses can repel Him for He
alone is all powerful and all knowing. We are vulnerable in His presence.
Military officers know that comportment has serious consequences. Soldiers tend
to live up, or down to the way they carry themselves. That’s why there are
strict rules about how a soldier should stand when at attention. Bad posture is
bad for the spine and communicates disrespect for ourselves and others.
Standing expresses the filial liberty given us by the risen Christ, who has
freed us from the slavery to sin.
Kneeling is the prayer posture of
mothers, rulers, lepers, and Jesus himself. Kneeling is the side of worship
that is at rest and is quiet; “I bow my knees before the Father”. (Eph. 3:14)
Kneeling expresses the recognition of our humility before the Almighty Lord
(Phil 2:10). Kneeling is associated with reverence, submission and obeisance.
Kneeling renders a person defenseless and unable to flee and shows a trust in a
power beyond the merely human.
Bowing or
genuflecting is
an act of showing recognition of our God. It is adoration. In bowing or
genuflecting we show our faith in the real presence of Jesus Christ in the
sacrament of the altar. To me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear.
In prostration a person lies face down upon the
ground. We are connected to the earth from which we came. Prostrations are
reserved for most solemn moments, such as the ordination of a bishop or priest.
Remember our Lord prostrated Himself in the garden of Gethsemane. The posture
indicates the candidate’s inadequacy for the task to which he has been called.
Recall our Lord asking the Father to take to cup…but not my will but thine. Our
body expresses self-emptying.
Sitting-We spend a lot of time in church
sitting; by this position we show our receptiveness and our willingness to
listen and take the Word of God.
Worship Him and give Him all your heart, mind, soul
and will!
When God’s
people fast, the power of their prayers is increased, especially when they are
engaged in spiritual warfare.
In response
to Daniel’s fasting and prayer, God had sent the Archangel Michael to battle a
demonic power (called “the prince of the kingdom of Persia”)
If prayer is
a spiritual weapon, fasting is the spiritual whetstone on which it is
sharpened.
International
Women’s Day celebrates women’s achievements throughout the world. Its
purpose is to promote women’s equality, encourage support for repressed women
and promote appreciation toward women everywhere. Many organizations,
including the United
Nations, use this day to also celebrate extraordinary achievements
of ordinary women. International Women's Day was initially promoted by the Socialist
Party of America. In 1909, it designated this day in remembrance of a
major strike by the International Ladies’ Garment Workers Union. The
holiday is now recognized internationally and is an Official National Holiday
for many countries, including: China, Russia and Ukraine. It is observed
annually on March 8th.
International
Women's Day Facts & Quotes
·
In
2016, the theme for International Women's Day as promoted by the United Nations
was Planet 50-50 by 2030: Step It Up for
Gender Equality.
·
On
the eve of World War I, women across Europe and Russia celebrated the holiday
by protesting the war and campaigning for peace.
·
On
this day, the US Dept. of State and the First Lady award the International
Women of Courage Awards. Ten women, are given the award - who have
exemplified exceptional courage and leadership in advocating for human rights,
women’s equality, and social progress, often at great personal risk
·
I
am an example of what is possible when girls
from the very beginning of their lives are loved and nurtured by people around
them. I was surrounded by extraordinary women in my life, grandmothers,
teachers, aunts, cousins, neighbors, who taught me about quiet strength and
dignity. -Michelle Obama
·
There
is one universal truth, applicable to all countries, cultures and communities:
violence against women is never acceptable, never excusable, never tolerable. -
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon
International
Women's Day Top Events and Things to Do
·
Organize
a sporting
event for women. Numerous studies have shown many benefits for women that
play sports. A recent study by the EY Women Athletes Business Network
even found that women that play sports were more likely to excel in business.
·
If
you're a woman, try learning a task that is typically done by men. Such a
chore may be: changing the oil on your car, computer programming, mowing the
lawn, painting, and any home improvement project.
·
If
you’re a man, show appreciation by performing a chore for your special lady
that is typically done by her. This may include cooking, cleaning, child
care or anything that the special woman in your life does.
·
Watch
a movie that portrays strong empowered women. Our favorites: Bend It Like Beckham (2002), Elizabeth (1998), Erin
Brockovich
(2000), The Help (2011), A League of Their Own (1992), Mulan (1998), My
Fair Lady
(1964), Norma Rae (1979), Volver (2006).
The
Church gives thanks for all the manifestations of the feminine
"genius" which have appeared in the course of history, in the midst
of all peoples and nations; she gives thanks for all the charisms which the
Holy Spirit distributes to women in the history of the People of God, for all
the victories which she owes to their faith, hope and charity: she gives thanks
for all the fruits of feminine holiness.
-John Paul II, Apostolic Letter
Daily Devotions
·
Manhood of
the Master-Day 5 week 6
·
Do
30 min. in front of the Blessed Sacrament.
·
Please
pray for me and this ministry
[2] Hahn, Scott, Signs of Life; 40 Catholic
Customs and their biblical roots. Chap. 10. Posture.
[3]Thigpen,
Paul. Manual for Spiritual Warfare. TAN Books.
Comments
Post a Comment