Rogation Tuesday
SAINT BERNARD
27 When the jailer woke up and saw the prison doors wide
open, he drew [his] sword and was about to kill himself, thinking that the
prisoners had escaped. 28
But Paul shouted
out in a loud voice, “Do no harm to yourself; we are all here.” 29 He asked for a light and rushed in and, trembling with
fear, he fell down before Paul and Silas. 30 Then he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I
do to be saved?”
In this work of God’s Mercy, Christ frees
the jailer from the jail of fear and sin.
Paul was not overwhelmed by circumstances.
The earthquake had not numbed him with fear. He had no abject terror of death.
Paul had his wits about him. He heard the jailer's cry, heard the sword being
drawn - perhaps, he saw the shadow of it cast by the dim lamplight upon the
prison wall and spoke out in mercy to save the man's life from the consequences
of sin.
Our fallen natures continually drag us down. We have little power to withstand the inclination to sin when it is strong upon us. We scarcely live a day of our lives without falling short of the standards we set ourselves let along the standards that God sets. It is very doubtful that the Philippian jailer thought along these lines exactly - nor do most people who are converted! The jailer just knew that he needed saving from the way he was. He compared himself with Paul and Silas and he was disgusted with the life he led. He hadn't the fortitude, inner joy, peace or consideration for others that Paul exhibited. The jailer feared death. He had no sort of relationship with God. He had no hope of life beyond the grave because he had no assurance that God was interested him let alone loved him. The jailer was lost, and he knew it.
Paul and Silas replied to the
jailer's question as one: "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be
saved - you and your household." Paul did not point the jailer to
Jesus' saving work but to Jesus himself. This is because in the first instance
the human heart must submit to Jesus. A sinner has to answer, "I
will," to that command of Paul and Silas. Saving faith involves
submitting, surrendering and yielding to Jesus. The rebel has to shoulder arms
and say to the Savior, "I give in. Please rescue me."
Today would be a
good day to reflect on what we want to harvest this fall; so like farmers we
must till the soil of our soul reflecting this day on our use of our TALENTS
and look at in what ways we may offer our abilities to Christ to help build a
harvest for His Kingdom.
Work is one of these aspects, a perennial and fundamental one, one that is always relevant and constantly demands renewed attention and decisive witness."
The Church considers it her task always to call attention to the dignity and rights of those who work, to condemn situations in which that dignity and those rights are violated, and to ensure authentic progress by man and society." "Human work is a key, probably the essential key, to the whole social question, if we try to see that question really from the point of view of man's good. And if the solution - or rather the gradual solution - of the social question, which keeps coming up and becomes ever more complex, must be sought in the direction of 'making life more human', then the key, namely human work, acquires fundamental and decisive importance."
Work
and Man
John Paul, "work is a
fundamental dimension of man's existence on earth." This conviction is
found in the first pages of Genesis: "Be fruitful and multiply, and fill
the earth and subdue it." "Man's dominion over the earth is achieved
in and by means of work. ... The proper subject of work continues to be
man," and the finality of work "is always man himself." It is a
question of the objective and subjective meaning of work: although both are
important, the second takes precedence; "there is no doubt that human work
has an ethical value of its own, which clearly and directly remains linked to
the fact that the one who carries it out is a person, a conscious and free
subject, that is to say a subject that decides about himself." Although
technology fosters an increase in the things produced by work, sometimes it
"can cease to be man's ally and become almost his enemy, as when the
mechanization of work 'supplants' him, taking away all personal satisfaction
and the incentive to creativity and responsibility, when it deprives many
workers of their previous employment, or when,
through exalting the machine, it reduces man to the status of its slave."
"in order to achieve social justice in the various parts of the world, in
the various countries, and in the relationships between them, there is a need
for ever new movements of solidarity of the workers and with the workers."
"Work
is a good thing for man - a good thing for his humanity - because through work
man not only transforms nature, adapting it to his own needs, but he also
achieves fulfillment as a human being and indeed, in a sense, becomes 'more a
human being'."
Conflict:
Labor and Capital in the Present Phase of History
Rights
of Workers
·
He
discusses the need to take action against unemployment, which is a true social
calamity and a problem of a moral as well as an economic nature. Starting with
the concept of the "indirect employer," in other words, "all the
agents at the national and international level that are responsible for the
whole orientation of labor policy," he notes that in order to solve the
problem of unemployment, these agents "must make provision for overall
planning." This "cannot mean one-sided centralization by the public
authorities. Instead, what is in question is a just and rational coordination,
within the framework of which the initiative of individuals ... must be
safeguarded."
·
Speaking
of the rights of workers, he recalls the dignity of agricultural work and the
need to offer jobs to disabled people. As for the matter of salaries, he writes
that "the key problem of social ethics in this case is that of just
remuneration for work done."
·
In
addition, "there must be a social re-evaluation of the mother's
role." Specifically, "the whole labor process must be organized and
adapted in such a way as to respect the requirements of the person and his or
her forms of life, above all life in the home, taking into account the
individual's age and sex."
·
It
is fitting that women "should be able to fulfill their tasks in accordance
with their own nature, without being discriminated against and without being
excluded from jobs for which they are capable, but also without lack of respect
for their family aspirations and for their specific role in contributing, together
with men, to the good of society."
·
Besides wages, there are other social benefits
whose objective is "to ensure the life and health of workers and their
families." In this regard, he notes the right to leisure time, which
should include weekly rest and yearly vacations.
·
The
Pope then considers the importance of unions, which he calls "an
indispensable element of social life." "One method used by unions in
pursuing the just rights of their members is the strike or work stoppage. This
method is recognized by Catholic social teaching as legitimate in the proper
conditions and within just limits," but must not be abused.
·
As
for the question of emigration for work reasons, he affirms that man has the
right to leave his country to seek better living conditions in another.
"The most important thing is
that the person working away from his native land, whether as a permanent
emigrant or as a seasonal worker, should not be placed at a disadvantage in
comparison with the other workers in that society in the matter of working
rights."
Elements
for a Spirituality of Work
·
Labor
has meaning in God's eyes. Thus, "the knowledge that by means of work man
shares in the work of creation constitutes the most profound motive for
undertaking it in various sectors."
·
Labor
is participation in the work of the Creator and the Redeemer. Jesus Christ
looks upon work with love because he himself was a laborer.
·
This
is a doctrine, and at the same time a program, that is rooted in the
"Gospel of work" proclaimed by Jesus of Nazareth. "By enduring
the toil of work in union with Christ crucified for us, man in a way
collaborates with the Son of God for the redemption of humanity. He shows
himself a true disciple of Christ by carrying the cross in his turn every day
in the activity that he is called upon to perform."
Here, life coaches and psychologists explain the joint secrets happy professionals share:
1.
They get enough sleep
Even if college was many moons ago,
you’ve likely pulled an all-nighter in the past year. Or, you’ve been so
overworked and double-booked that you spent more time tossing and turning than
resting. For those people who wake up ready – and elated – to tackle the day
ahead, the eight hours that come before the alarm clock dings are just as important
as the minutes that follow it. As licensed therapist Melody Li
explains, many workers overlook the power of a good night’s sleep in an effort
to push their minds and bodies to the limit. As studies indicate and Li
reminds, not reaping the rewards of shuteye usually results in poor memory,
difficulty problem-solving and unexplained ups and downs. Professionals who
tuck themselves into bed instead of watching Netflix (or their favorite YouTube
videos on repeat)? They wake up in better spirits.
2.
They take their time
Sure, there are some mornings that
warrant that tempting snooze button, but to rise on the right side of the bed,
yoga therapist and natural health expert Dr. Lynn Anderson Ph.D.,
giving yourself time to linger is key. When you feel frazzled or pressed for
time, you’ll not only make more mistakes which can bum-out your confidence
levels, but you don’t allow yourself to ease into the day’s tasks in an enjoyable
manner. “Get up early enough to relax, enjoy a cup of tea or coffee and
organize the day. Rushing and running late leads to stress and stress is like a
fire extinguisher for happiness. It’s a poisonous gas that makes a mess. Being
organized and relaxed creates happiness,” she shares.
3.
They make their bed
Seems simple enough, but how often
do you leave your apartment or home in shambles? It’s easy to forget in the
hustle of the morning, but motivational speaker and workplace expert Amy Cooper
Hakim,
Ph.D. says there’s a sense of glee found
when your living area is prime. “A happy professional builds confidence and
self-efficacy by completing a simple chore like making her bed before heading
to the office. This act sets a ‘can do’ mindset into motion for the day. It’s
an easy task to check off the to-do list,” she shares. “When we accomplish
one item on our agenda, we are more driven to accomplish others. Also, as a
double bonus, many find it especially comforting and gratifying to climb into a
made bed at the end of a long day!”
4.
They are able to see gratitude and practice humility
We all have that Wonder Woman (or
man) in our life that seemingly glides through life, experiencing it all with
ease. They’re top of their game at work, thoughtful and kind to others, brave
to their core, and overall, rather funny. If you dig a little deeper, you’ll
notice a common thread of humility in these happy-go-lucky, positive-thinking
individuals. Career coach and shamanic practitioner John Moore
explains that those who exercise gratitude as part of their daily routine
tend to be more joyful, in life and in work. He adds that research even
indicates thankful people have better relationships and more enduring
psychological health.
5.
They set daily goals
Yep, you read that correctly: Happy
professionals are masters of setting micro, 24/7 goals that keep them on the
right track. As career and branding expert Wendi Weiner
explains, those who are able to turnaround the best work with the best attitude
take the time to plan ahead, so they aren’t caught in a bind or a last-minute
deadline that slipped off their radar. “These are non-negotiable tasks that
must be completed for that day. The reason for this is that when you actually
achieve what you set out to achieve, that will raise the level of happiness and
personal satisfaction,” she says.
6.
They communicate with others
Those people who are nearly always
smiling — and not faking it, but really grinning their heart out — usually want
to spend time with one another. Moore explains that the pull comes from a part
in our brains called the ‘anterior cingulate cortex’ which measures social
status, as well as pain and a high number of opiate receptors. “Social
exclusion registers in the brain much like physical pain. In studies, one of
the greatest predictors of happiness is the breadth of social networks,” he
says.
Even if you don’t start chatting up
a storm with your partner or your morning-hating roommate, Moore says you’ll start
the day off brighter if you, at the very least, communicate in some way. “Happy
professionals focus some of their morning time growing and nurturing social
connections. Check in with friends, meet someone for coffee, chat up the cute
barista — just start talking!” he says.
7.
They keep their calendars open
It might be difficult to tango
around time zones if you have international clients, but if you can help it,
health coach Kenneth
Rippetoe recommends keeping your calendar
completely free until after 10 a.m. This gives you time to prepare for your day
and be mindful of the moments you’re giving your energy to others, instead of
always being readily available. “Practice being intentional with your time and
resources. When you are intentional, you make the choices that do align with
your value system and goals for your personal and professional life,” he
explains.
8.
They focus on the present and future, not the past
Ask anyone who has been able to
send away the skeletons in their closet and they’ll agree that releasing the mistakes
of yesteryear was the first step. If you find yourself dreading each day or
feeling anxious about how your career will exceed, Weiner suggests taking a
page from the notebook of joy-focused professionals who make a habit of living
in the moment and preparing for the future with a solid outlook. “Happy
professionals will concentrate their focus on the present things they are doing
and the present goals they want to achieve as well as the future things they
plan to do and/or achieve,” she explains. “Their energy will concentrate less
on regrets, and more on taking chances and risks to maximize their happiness.”
9.
They complete a task that makes them feel powerful
Perhaps it was after you ran your
very first 5K. Or landed a client that took months to romance. Or when you
finally took the plunge and checked ‘bungee jumping’ off your bucket list.
While you can’t perform one-of-a-kind feats every single day (sadly), Li
stresses the importance of completing something in the A.M. that set you up to
feel powerful throughout the day. Though every person will sing a different
tune, it’s most important that you strategize your day to make time for this
task. “For many, it’s some type of physical activity like running, swimming, or
lifting. For others, it might be solving a tricky puzzle or crossword. It could
be meditating, dancing to energetic music, or even stretching,” she explains.
“Whatever that looks like to you, spend at least 15 minutes doing something
that reinforces the strength that you hold within and carry this sense of power
with you into your day.”
10.
They visualize their success
Much like amping up for the future
— whether it’s a month, a year or a decade away — psychologist and relationship
expert Anotina Hall
says happy careers are much like flourishing love affairs. To truly find the
grace and vulnerability in the positions you’re in, you have to be courageous
enough to imagine your future. As Hall explains, “Studies have shown that by
spending even a few minutes each morning to visualize your goals coming to
fruition with ease increases the likelihood of successfully accomplishing those
goals.
“See your upcoming meeting in vivid
detail, visualizing the desired outcome will help make it go well and build
your confidence!”
Historically today is the feast of St. Bernard of
Montjoux, an Italian churchman, founder of the Alpine hospices of Saint
Bernard. He is most famous for the hospices he built on the summits of passes
over the Alps. Many pilgrims from France and Germany would travel over the Alps
on their way to Rome, but it was always a possibility that one would die from
freezing along the way. In the 9th century a system of hospices had been attempted
but had lapsed long before Bernard's time. Bernard's hospices in the 11th
century was placed under the care of clerics and laymen and were well equipped
for the reception of all travelers. A now-famous breed of dogs, known for its
endurance in high altitude and cold, was named in honor of this saint.
Bernard's life has been the focus of many romantic plays and stories. Many of
us may remember childhood stories of St. Bernard dogs coming to the rescue of
stranded or injured victims on Alpine slopes. The dogs almost always seem to
have a cask of Brandy attached to their collars and when the victims were
revived by a good drink the dogs would lead them to safety.
Things
to Do
National Burger
Day
National Burger Day is a day of appreciation for
hamburgers. The term hamburger is derived from the city of
Hamburg, Germany, where beef from Hamburg cows was minced and formed into
patties to make Hamburg steaks. The origin of the hamburger in the United
States remains debated, although most claim that the hamburger originated
between 1880 and 1900. Since then, this beef patty in a bun has become a
global staple of the fast-food diet and the backyard cookout. In recent
years, these traditional beef patties have been transformed to include other
meat and vegetarian options such as, bison, ostrich, deer, chicken, turkey,
veggies, tofu and bean patties. National Hamburger Day is celebrated annually
on May 28th.
National Burger
Day Facts & Quotes
·
Louis
Lassen is believed to have invented the hamburger, according to New York
Magazine.
·
The
average American man consumes 6.9 oz. of meat per day, while women consume 4.4
oz. Of this, 55% is red meat including beef, followed by poultry and
fish.
·
In
2013, American meat companies produced 25.8 billion pounds of beef. In
2014, the U.S. exported 1.7 billion pounds of beef.
·
The
world's biggest burger weighed 2,014 pounds and required a crane to flip.
The Guinness World record holding burger was cooked at the Black Bear
Casino Resort in Carlton, Minn. The bacon cheeseburger had 16.5 pounds of
bacon, 50 pounds of lettuce, 60 pounds of onions and 40 pounds of cheese.
·
One
of the most expensive burgers in the world is The Biggest Damn Burger in the
World, made by Juicy Foods in Corvallis, Oregon. With a price tag of
$5,000, the burger includes 777 pounds of meat and toppings.
·
In
the States, you can buy Chinese food. In Beijing you can buy hamburger. It's
very close. Now I feel the world become a big family, like a really big family.
You have many neighbors. Not like before, two countries are far away. - Jet Li,
Actor, Martial Artist.
National Burger
Day Top Events and Things to Do
·
Host
a backyard burger barbecue to celebrate the National Burger Day.
·
Attend
a burger festival. Here are some festivals to consider:
1) National Hamburger Festival, Akron, Ohio
2) Burger Fest, Hamburg, New York
3) Denver Burger Battle, Denver, Colorado
4) Taste of Hamburger Festival, Hamburg, PA
5) Sacramento Burger Battle, Sacramento, California
1) National Hamburger Festival, Akron, Ohio
2) Burger Fest, Hamburg, New York
3) Denver Burger Battle, Denver, Colorado
4) Taste of Hamburger Festival, Hamburg, PA
5) Sacramento Burger Battle, Sacramento, California
·
Try
making burgers with alternative toppings. Some of our favorites are:
1) Mac & Cheese
2) Avocado
3) Peanut Butter
4) Sunny Side-Up Egg
5) French Fries
1) Mac & Cheese
2) Avocado
3) Peanut Butter
4) Sunny Side-Up Egg
5) French Fries
·
For
a healthier and nutritious
take on the traditional burger, try a veggie burger. Here are some
suggestions for a veggie burger patty:
1) Middle Eastern Falafel burger patty made from fava beans and chickpeas. Spices such as garlic, scallions, cumin and coriander can also be added.
2) Lentil and mushroom burger patty made from a combination of lentils, mushrooms, carrots, breadcrumbs and spices.
3) Black bean burger patty made from black beans and spices such as oregano, chili powder and lime juice.
4) Lentil and barley patty made from lentils, barley, breadcrumbs and spices including cumin, oregano, chili powder, black pepper and dry garlic powder.
1) Middle Eastern Falafel burger patty made from fava beans and chickpeas. Spices such as garlic, scallions, cumin and coriander can also be added.
2) Lentil and mushroom burger patty made from a combination of lentils, mushrooms, carrots, breadcrumbs and spices.
3) Black bean burger patty made from black beans and spices such as oregano, chili powder and lime juice.
4) Lentil and barley patty made from lentils, barley, breadcrumbs and spices including cumin, oregano, chili powder, black pepper and dry garlic powder.
·
Take
up the challenge to create a healthy burger meal. Some options include to
replace burger toppings with broccoli and cheese, and replacing potato fries
with baked sweet potatoes or replacing the bun with lettuce.
About the Beef[7]
Cheesy 'Juicy
Lucy' Burger
Cheesy Juicy Lucy
Burger is a cheeseburger with the cheese inside instead of on top. Surprise
your guests at your next cookout with this incredibly cheesy, juicy burger.
Ingredients:
·
1 1/2 pounds Certified
Angus Beef ®ground beef (80/20 blend ideal)
·
6 slices American cheese
·
3 cloves fresh garlic, finely chopped
(or substitute 1 teaspoon garlic powder)
·
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
·
1/2 teaspoon coarse kosher salt
·
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black
pepper
·
Canola cooking spray
·
4 buns
·
Grill pan or cast-iron pan (optional)
Instructions:
1.
Cut each cheese
slice evenly into 4 squares; arrange in 4 stacks with 6 slices each.
2.
In a large mixing bowl combine
ground beef, garlic, Worcestershire, salt and pepper; mix by hand.
3.
Form beef mixture into 8 thin
patties on a large sheet pan. With your thumb, press an indented well in the
center of 4 patties and put the portioned cheese in the wells. Encase the
cheese with the remaining 4 patties, hand forming your burger to a uniform shape
with sealed edges. Refrigerate at least 30 minutes before grilling.
4.
Spray burgers with a light
coat of cooking spray. Grill or pan sear over high heat 3 minutes per side.
Transfer to cool side of grill or 375°F oven to finish cooking to an internal doneness
of 160°F (5 to 8 minutes). Remove from grill and rest at least 3 minutes for
cheese to set.
Daily Devotions
·
I
will have no sweets or junk food (Exception Sundays, Holidays and Feast Days
that you fast the day before).
·
Pray for the Pope, Bishops, Priest’s
and Religious.
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