Introduction to
Colossians
This
letter is addressed to a congregation at Colossae in the Lycus Valley in Asia
Minor, east of Ephesus. At the time of writing, Paul had not visited there. The
community had apparently been established by Epaphras of Colossae. Problems,
however, had arisen, brought on by teachers who emphasized Christ’s relation to
the universe (cosmos). Their teachings stressed angels; “principalities and
powers,”, which were connected with astral powers and cultic practices and
rules about food and drink and ascetical disciplines. These teachings, Paul
insists, detract from the person and work of Christ for salvation. Such
teachings are but “shadows”; Christ is “reality”. For help in dealing with
these problems that the new teachers posed at Colossae, Epaphras sought out
Paul, who was then imprisoned. Paul, without entering into debate over the
existence of angelic spirits or their function, simply affirms that Christ
possesses the sum total of redemptive power and that the spiritual renewal of
the human person occurs through contact in baptism with the person of Christ,
who died and rose again. It is unnecessary for the Christian to be concerned
about placating spirits or avoiding imagined defilement through ascetical practices
in regard to food and drink. True Christian asceticism consists in the
conquering of personal sins and the practice of love of neighbor in accordance
with the standard set by Christ. Paul commends the community as a whole; this
seems to indicate that, though the Colossians have been under pressure to adopt
the false doctrines, they have not yet succumbed. The apostle expresses his
prayerful concern for them. His preaching has cost him persecution, suffering,
and imprisonment, but he regards these as reflective of the sufferings of
Christ, a required discipline for the sake of the gospel. His instructions to
the Christian family and to slaves and masters require a new spirit of
reflection and action. Love, obedience, and service are to be rendered “in the
Lord”. Colossians follows the outline of a typical Pauline letter. It is
distinguished by the poetic lines concerning who Christ is and what Christ
means in creation and redemption. Paul interprets the relation between the body
of Christ, which he insists is the church, and the world or cosmos to be one
not simply of Christ’s preexistence and rule but one of missionary advance into
the world by the spreading of the word. In this labor of the missionary body of
Christ, Paul as a minister plays a prime part in bringing Christ and the gospel
as hope to the Gentiles. To “every creature under heaven” the word is to be
proclaimed, so that everyone receives Christ, is established in faith, and
walks in Christ.
AUGUST 7 Tuesday
FULL STURGEON MOON
Colossians, Chapter
3, Verse 22
Slaves,
obey your human masters in everything, not only when being watched, as currying
favor, but in simplicity of heart, fearing
the Lord.
Paul reminds the Colossians as he did the Ephesians
that we serve Christ not the rulers of this world but because the rulers are
also sons of God we should obey them.
One of my greatest challenges mentally and physically
was when I was a member of a crew of engineers that finished the construction
of the South Pole Station. I recorded my service there in a book entitled, “The Ice is
Nice and Chee Chee is Peachy.”
Coffee with Christ: Tuesdays
Are Special
We seek friendship with God through Christ, the Holy
Spirit and His mother-Mary. There is no greater help in our life’s journey in
this world than through friendship with Jesus Christ and His mother. Prayer is,
in its purest sense, a personal journey or intimacy with Our Lord. The
imaginary premise of this article is to encourage having a “Coffee Clutch” with
Christ and gather for coffee and conversation through the inspiration of the
Holy Spirit. Ideally having a regular or daily set time or appointment to meet
and discuss with Him your hopes, dreams, plans and goals. To bear your heart to
Him. To just sit down with Christ and talk, laugh, and enjoy each other’s
company, over a cup of coffee. To make the common Holy and grow in the love and
likeness to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
My
Coffee Conversation with Christ
During a Coffee I apologize to Christ as I hand Him a
cup of micro waved coffee. I tell him
that I could not sleep last night and that I got up in the middle of the night
and could not go back to sleep. He states that when that happens it is a good
time to pray. Pray and I will be there with you. He mentions that the coffee is
good, and he would have liked to have had a micro wave back in Jerusalem. He
also tells me that I should try and make it to the Blessed Sacrament Chapel for
a little “one on one” time. He further reveals that Tuesdays are always trying
for Him; for it was the day that Judas went to the Sanhedrin to betray Him and
that it comforts Him when someone has a special devotion to him on that day. He
further states that I would grow in grace if I was careful to observe and make
a Novena to His Holy Face for the nine days preceding Ash Wednesday ending the
Novena on Shrove (day before Ash Wednesday) Tuesday.
(as dictated by Our Lord to Sister Marie of St. Peter)
May the most holy, most sacred, most adorable, most incomprehensible and ineffable Name of God be forever praised, blessed, loved, adored and glorified in Heaven, on Earth, and under the Earth by all the creatures of God and by the Sacred Heart of Our Lord Jesus Christ in the Most Holy Sacrament of the Altar. Amen. Eternal Father, I offer Thee the adorable Face of Thy Beloved Son for the honour and glory of Thy Name, for the conversion of sinners and the salvation of the dying. Amen.
All those who honor My Face in a spirit of reparation
will by so doing perform the office of the pious Veronica. According to the
care they take in making reparation to My Face, disfigured by blasphemers, so
will I take care of their souls which have been disfigured by sin. My Face is
the seal of the Divinity, which has the virtue of reproducing in souls the
image of God.
Those who by words, prayers or writing defend My cause
in this Work of Reparation I will defend before My Father and will give them My
Kingdom.
By offering My Face to My Eternal Father, nothing will
be refused, and the conversion of many sinners will be obtained.
By My Holy Face, they will work wonders, appease the
anger of God, and draw down mercy on sinners.
As in a kingdom they can procure all that is desired
with a coin stamped with the King's effigy, so in the Kingdom of Heaven they
will obtain all they desire with the precious coin of My Holy Face.
Those who on earth contemplate the wounds of My Face
shall in Heaven behold it radiant with glory.
They will receive in their souls a bright and constant
irradiation of My Divinity, that by their likeness to My Face they shall shine
with particular splendor in Heaven.
I will defend them, I will preserve them, and I assure
them of Final Perseverance.[2]
"Read
these counsels slowly. Pause to meditate on these thoughts. They are things
that I whisper in your ear-confiding them-as a friend, as a brother, as a
father. And they are being heard by God. I won't tell you anything new. I will
only stir your memory, so that some thought will arise and strike you; and so
you will better your life and set out along ways of prayer and of Love. And in
the end you will be a more worthy soul."
40. Give the polite excuse which christian charity and social
convention demand. And then... on your way again! With holy shamelessness,
without stopping until you have finally scaled the heights of duty.
Full Sturgeon Moon
According to the almanac today we are having a Full
Sturgeon Moon; plan to spend some time fishing or visit an aquarium with your
children or grandchildren.
National
Sister Day celebrates sisters, the special bond they share with their sisters,
and their contributions to the family. It is your opportunity to show
appreciation for that special family relationship. It is a day to love and
acknowledge the joy that you sister brings to your life and make sure that she
knows that you appreciate and cherish her.
National Sister Day is an unofficial holiday that is celebrated annually on August 7. It was celebrated for the first time on August 7, 2011.
National Sister Day is an unofficial holiday that is celebrated annually on August 7. It was celebrated for the first time on August 7, 2011.
National Sister Day Facts &
Quotes
·
Studies
form Brigham Young University show that sisters give siblings better mental
health.
·
According
to the Journal of Politics, boys with sisters are more likely to become
republican. Young men who were raised with sisters are more typically more
likely to express social conservative views on attitudes about gender roles.
·
Men
with sisters are more likely to have involved interactions and be liked
significantly more by their female acquaintances than those who did not have a
sister. In short, brother benefit from having sisters by having a higher likelihood
of getting a date.
·
There
is nobody in this world that knows me better than my sister. – Tia Mowry,
American actress and model.
·
Sister
is probably the most competitive relationship within the family, but once the
sisters are grown, it becomes the strongest relationship. – Margaret Mead,
American Cultural Anthropologist.
Tomorrow
will be my sister Linda’s Birthday I hope her day is special; please pray for
her intentions.
·
Please
Pray for Senator
McCain and our country; asking Our Lady of Beauraing to
intercede.
At once Jesus spoke to them, "Take
courage, it is I; do not be afraid."
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