Saturday, January 25, 2020
Conversion of St.
Paul- chinese new year (RAT)
Sirach, Chapter 3, Verse 7
Those who fear
the Lord honor their father, and serve their parents as masters.
Besides
the virtues that must characterize
our conduct toward God, special duties are enjoined, such as honor and respect
toward parents, with corresponding blessings. By showing such respect
especially to old and infirm parents, the sins of children are pardoned.
Failure to honor father and mother is blasphemy and merits a curse from God (v.
16)[1]
Sometime after the death of Our Lord, St. Paul returned to Palestine. His profound conviction made his zeal develop to a religious fanaticism against the infant Church. He took part in the stoning of the first martyr, St. Stephen, and in the fierce persecution of the Christians that followed. Entrusted with a formal mission from the high priest, he departed for Damascus to arrest the Christians there and bring them bound to Jerusalem. As he was nearing Damascus, about noon, a light from heaven suddenly blazed round him. Jesus with His glorified body appeared to him and addressed him, turning him away from his apparently successful career. An immediate transformation was wrought in the soul of St. Paul. He was suddenly converted to the Christian Faith. He was baptized, changed his name from Saul to Paul, and began travelling and preaching the Faith. He was martyred as an Apostle in Rome around 65 AD.
What do we learn from
this history?[3] Not to despise any sinner, nor to
despair of his salvation: for, like Paul on the road to Damascus, the greatest
sinner may, by the grace of God, be suddenly converted, and become a saint. At
the command of God he accepted Ananias as his leader in the way of salvation,
and became as zealous for the honor of Christ as he had previously been intent
on persecuting Him. In like manner, a convert must shut his eyes to all by
which he has heretofore been led astray and must give heed to that only which
God commands.
Today try and be 100% for God.
As iron, cast into the fire, loses
its rust and becomes bright with the flame, so too a man who turns his whole
heart to Me is purified and all sluggishness and changed into a new man.[4]
Who am I, Lord, that I should be considered by You: I
AM WHO AM.
Like Paul we must
be fearless in proclaiming the gospel.
“Go into the whole world and proclaim
the Gospel to every creature. Whoever
believes and is baptized will be saved; whoever does not believe will be
condemned. (Mk. 16:15-16)
Chinese
New Year Facts & Quotes
·
2020
is the Year of the Rat. 2019 is the Year of the Pig. 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.
9 Days for Life is a "digital pilgrimage" of
prayer and action focused on cherishing the gift of every person's life. A
multi-faceted novena highlighting a different intention each day provides
reflections, bonus information, and suggested actions. Join to receive the
novena through the 9 Days for Life app, daily emails, or daily texts. See below
for information on how else you can get involved! #9DaysforLife #OurPrayersMatter
Day Five:
Intercession: May each person
suffering from the loss of a child through abortion find hope and healing in
Christ.
Prayers: Our Father, 3 Hail Mary’s,
Glory Be
Reflection: After
more than four decades of legalized abortion, many children’s lives have been
ended, and many parents and family members suffer that loss—often in silence.
Yet God’s greatest desire is to forgive. No matter how far we have each strayed
from His side, He says to us, “Don’t be afraid. Draw close to my heart.” Be
assured that it is never too late to seek God's forgiveness in the Sacrament of
Reconciliation.
Acts of Reparation (Choose one.)
·
Abstain
from meat today. If you are already abstaining from meat today, skip your
favorite snack, too.
·
Pray
the Chaplet of Divine Mercy (www.usccb.org/divine-mercy-chaplet) for those who are suffering the
loss of a child through abortion, asking that they find healing and peace.
·
Offer
some other sacrifice, prayer, or act of penance that you feel called to do for
today’s intention.
1942 proved a fortuitous year for transatlantic travelers wearied by the cold and damp conditions of an Irish winter. Thanks to the innovative imagination of bartender Joe Sheridan, they were soon to have their cockles delightfully warmed by an almost decadent blend of fine Irish whiskey with the irresistible taste and aroma of freshly brewed coffee. Combined with the subtle sweetness of brown sugar and sipped through the luxurious density of whipped cream, it was a recipe that would become a global hit that needed no specific weather conditions to be enjoyed.
Daily
Devotions
[3]Goffine’s Devout Instructions, 1896.
[4] Paone, Anthony J., Our Daily Bread, 1954.
[6]http://www.usccb.org/about/pro-life-activities/january-roe-events/nine-days-of-prayer-penance-and-pilgrimage.cfm
[7]https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/irish-coffee-day/
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