Thursday, January 9, 2020

- January 08, 2020

Thursday after Epiphany

Wisdom, Chapter 6, Verse 7-8

⁷ For the Ruler of all shows no partiality, nor does he fear greatness, because he himself made the great as well as the small, and provides for all alike; ⁸but for those in power a rigorous scrutiny impends.

No matter how big or important you are God is greater. If you are in a position of power exercise your power as if you are working for God; for the power, you have been given to you is from him. Whether you are great or unimportant complete your duties as if it is for the Lord. In all things do your best. If you are in power take care of and listen to your people do not lord, it over them. Your authority has been given to you by the Lord.

Scrutiny of the Powerful[1]

St. Elizabeth, Duchess of Thuringia, it is said that the servant of God lost her mother, Gertrude, Queen of Hungary, about the year 1220. In the spirit of a holy Christian daughter, she gave abundant alms, redoubled her prayers and mortifications, exhausted the resources of her charity for the relief of that dear soul. God revealed to her that she had not done too much. One night the deceased appeared to her with a sad and emaciated countenance; she placed herself on her knees next to the bed, and said to her, weeping, “My daughter, you see at your feet your mother overwhelmed with suffering. I come to implore you to multiply your suffrages, that Divine Mercy may deliver me from the frightful torments I endure. Oh! how much are those to be pitied who exercise authority over others? I expiate now the faults that I committed upon the throne. Oh! my daughter, I pray you by the pangs I endured when bringing you into the world, by the cares and anxieties which your education cost me, I conjure you to deliver me from my torments.” Elizabeth, deeply touched, arose immediately, took the discipline to blood, and implored God, with tears, to have mercy on her mother, Gertrude, declaring that she would not cease to pray until she had obtained her deliverance. Her prayers were heard.

Christmas Weekday - Day Sixteen[2]

St. Francis initiated the beautiful practice of displaying a Christmas crib or creche. He built it in a cave on a bleak mountain near the village of Greccio. News of what he was doing spread all over the countryside and a steady stream of men, women and chldren came by night carrying torches and candles to light their way. "It seemed like midday," wrote someone who was there, "during that midnight filled with gladness for man and beast, and the crowds drawing near, so happy to be present for the renewal of the eternal mystery." Francis himself sang the Gospel story in a voice which was "strong and sweet and clear," says the observer. "Then he preached to the people, most movingly, about the birth of the poor King in little Bethlehem." — Excerpted from Christmas

· Day Sixteen activity (St. Francis and the Creche)

· Day Sixteen recipe (Double Chocolate Mocha Biscotti)

Law Enforcement Appreciation Day[3]

Law Enforcement Appreciation Day was created to celebrate police officers. It's a day to thank them for the public service they provide and to show support. It is also a time to commemorate the officers that have died in the line of duty.

Law Enforcement Appreciation Day Facts

As of 2018, there are over 900,000 sworn police officers serving in the United States. Approximately 12% are female.
According to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund (NLEOMF), for the ten-year period of 2008-2017, the main cause of death of police officers was gunshots. The second one was auto crashes. 1511 police officers died in the line of duty during said period.
The Public Safety Officer Medal of Valor is the highest honor that can be awarded to a public safety officer in the United States. The awardees are posted here.

Law Enforcement Appreciation Day Top Events and Things to Do

In 1989, during the holiday season, Dolly Craig put two blue candles in her living room window. The purpose was to commemorate her son-in-law, Daniel Gleason, who died in the line of duty, and her daughter, Daniel's wife, who died in a car accident in 1989. The idea was adopted by C.O.P.S (Concerns of Police Survivors) under the name Project Blue Light. You can take part by placing a blue light on your window during the holiday season to commemorate fallen officers.
Watch a police movie. From infiltration films like Donnie Brasco (1997) and The Departed (2006), to detective films like Se7en (1995) and comedies like Hot Fuzz (2007).
Wear blue.
If you see a law enforcement officer, thank them for their service.
If you have a positive story involving law enforcement, share it on social media.

Geek Out at the Consumer Electronics Show[4]

January 9-12

You don’t have to be a tech geek or even be in the tech business to go to the Consumer Electronics Show (CES). For four days in January, Las Vegas becomes the gathering place for all thing’s consumer technology. It often serves as the proving ground and the place to unveil the latest and greatest breakthroughs in high tech.