Baruch,
Chapter 6, Verse 14
Each
has in its right hand an ax or dagger, but it cannot save itself from war or
pillage. Thus it is known they are not gods; do not fear them.
Baruch who was the scribe of Jeremiah argues against
the temptation to worship Babylonian gods. He sets forth reasons such as they
are weak, helpless, attended by unworthy ministers who use these frightening
gods with weapons to enslave and control the masses and in like manner the
priests frightened the Jews into condemning Christ. To this Peter testifies, “The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and
the God of Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified his servant Jesus whom
you handed over and denied in Pilate’s presence, when he had decided to release
him. You denied the Holy and Righteous One and asked that a murderer be
released to you. The author of life you put to death, but God raised him from
the dead; of this we are witnesses.”(Act 3:13-15) Christ now compels us-Do
not fear. We are blessed because we
are the receivers of the apex of God’s graces through Jesus Christ and He has
given us His own mother as our mother. Even greater is the salvation we have
received via the action of Divine Mercy.
If you are afraid to start again or are discouraged
by failure it is because you do not understand you can do nothing without
Christ. Therefore if you have sinned go to confession and receive His Body and
Blood: being renewed.
I remember in 2006 when I and my wife Mary were
blessed with being able to make a trip to Israel. I was reflecting upon the
graces I had received. I was thanking the Lord for I had touched the spot on
the earth where He was born, and I had touched the spot where He had died, and
I had touched the spot where He had ascended into heaven. I was prideful and
thought how lucky am I. Then my Lord reminded me that a greater grace still awaits
me and everyone in the Holy Eucharist. Be honest, humble yourself and make a
sincere effort. Leave all else in His hands-saying: Jesus I Trust in You! Pride
wants immediate success. Be brave and renew your intentions, make a resolution
daily to do the will of God and seek to please Him.
The
account of Christ's Passion according to St. Luke during the daily Mass; and
the nocturnal office of Tenebrae, a sustained reflection on the
treachery of Judas, the privation of holiness, and the need for conversion. Tenebrae
consists of the divine office of Matins and Lauds for Maundy Thursday. It
is generally held on the night of "Spy Wednesday" of Holy Week,
so-called because it is believed to be the night on which Judas Iscariot
betrayed our Lord. The service thus explores the nature of Judas' betrayal, the
mental anguish of our suffering Lord, and the desecration of what was once holy
and beautiful. Its ceremonies include the use of a "hearse," a
triangular candelabrum that holds fifteen candles which are successively
extinguished during the liturgy until the entire church is enveloped in
darkness. Only one candle remains lit at the end, which is hidden by the
Epistle side of the altar before the Miserere is chanted. The service
concludes with a banging noise, followed by silence. The extinction of the fourteen
candles calls to mind the fourteen holy men mentioned in the Bible who, from
the foundation of the world to the very threshold of Christ's coming, were
slain by their own wicked brethren. The hiding of the fifteenth candle, on the
other hand, signifies the murder and resurrection of Christ Himself, while the
banging noise commemorates the confusion of nature when its Creator died (Mt.
27.51).
Daily Devotions
·
Manhood of
the Master-Day 4 week 9
·
Do
60 min. in front of the Blessed Sacrament.
·
Please
pray for me and this ministry
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