Sunday, February 23, 2020
The crown of the elderly, wide
experience; their glory, the fear of the Lord.
One of the most curious phenomenon of our modern society
is that by the year 2020 we will have five generations working together: Each
with different values and views of life.
The Johnsons report[1]
that each generation has been influenced by the major historical events, social
trends, and cultural phenomena of its time. These forces shape ideas about
everything from expectations and perceptions about what the workplace will
provide and how employees should behave, to company loyalty and work ethic.
Generational characteristics identified After studying generational
characteristics of the five major working generations, the Johnsons identified
distinct generational characteristics that impact work styles, team behavior,
and communication styles. By understanding the differences between generational
groups, conflicts can be avoided, they say. The father-daughter team explains
generational differences as follows:
Traditionals: Born before 1945, “The Depression
Babies.” Influenced by the Great Depression and World War II. Traits: Loyal, respectful of authority,
stubbornly independent, excellent work ethic, dependable, and have advanced
communication and interpersonal skills.
Baby Boomers: Born
1946-1964, “The Woodstock Generation.” Influenced by the Vietnam War, the ’60s,
and postwar social change. Traits: Well-educated, question
authority, excellent teamwork skills, and thrive on adrenaline-charged
assignments.
Generation X: Born
1965-1980, “The Latchkey Generation.” Products of divorced parents. Traits: Independent, family-focused,
intolerant of bureaucracy, critical, hardworking, and socially responsible.
Generation Y: Born
1981-1995. “The Entitled Generation.” Influenced by technology and doting parents.
Traits: Highly socialized, loyal,
technologically savvy, socially responsible, and require work-life balance.
Linksters: Born
after 1995. “The Facebook Crowd.” Influenced by a media-saturated world. Traits: Technologically dependent, closely tied
to parents, tolerant of alternative lifestyles, involved in green causes and
social activism.
How to resolve intergenerational conflicts How do you work with or manage the
different generational group? The Johnson's offer the following six tips:
1.
Understand work styles. Traditionals and baby boomers
don’t like to be micromanaged, while Gen Y’ers and linksters crave specific,
detailed instructions about how to do things and are used to hovering
authorities.
2.
Consider generational values. Each generation is protecting a
distinct set of values, and conflict may threaten these values. For example,
baby boomers value teamwork, cooperation, and buy-in, while Gen X’ers prefer to
make a unilateral decision and move on—preferably solo.
3.
Share perceptions. When employees of two or more
generations are involved in a workplace conflict, they can learn a great deal
by sharing their perceptions. A traditional may find the lack of formality and
manners of a Gen Y’er offensive, while a Gen Y’er may feel “dissed” when this
older employee fails to respect his or her opinions and input.
4.
Find a generationally appropriate
fix. You
can’t change people’s life experiences, but you can work with the set of
workplace attitudes and expectations that result. If there is a knowledgeable
boomer who is frustrated by the lack of experience of a Gen Y’er, coupled with
his or her sense of entitlement, turn the boomer into a mentor.
5.
Find commonality. Traditionals and Gen Y employees
tend to value security and stability. Traditionals and boomers resist change.
But both crave training and development. Gen X and Gen Y employees place a high
value on workplace flexibility and work-life balance. Boomers and linksters are
most comfortable with diversity and alternative lifestyles. Gen Y and linksters
are technologically adept and committed to socially responsible policies.
6.
Learn from each other. Each generation has valuable
lessons to teach the next. Traditionals and boomers have a wealth of knowledge
and tricks of the trade that younger workers need. Generation X employees are
widely known for their fairness and mediation abilities. Generation Y workers
are technology wizards. And Linksters hold clues to future workplace,
marketing, and business trends.[2]
"We
are going up to Jerusalem" -- a setting of the stage for the pilgrimage of
Lent, and the one thing we must bring with us: charity. [Also, traditional time
for going to confession]
In
the Roman Catholic Church, the terms for this Sunday (and the two immediately
before it — Sexagesima and Septuagesima Sundays) were eliminated in the reforms
following the Second Vatican Council, and these Sundays are part of Ordinary
Time. According to the reformed Roman Rite Roman Catholic calendar, this Sunday
is now known by its number within Ordinary Time — fourth through ninth,
depending upon the date of Easter. The earlier form of the Roman Rite, with its
references to Quinquagesima Sunday, and to the Sexagesima and Septuagesima
Sundays, continues to be observed in some communities. In traditional
lectionaries, the Sunday concentrates on Luke
18:31–43,
"Jesus took the twelve aside and said, 'Lo, we go to Jerusalem, and
everything written by the prophets about the Son of Man shall be fulfilled' ...
The disciples, however, understood none of this," which from verse 35 is
followed by Luke's version of Healing
the blind near Jericho.
The passage presages the themes of Lent and Holy Week.
ON[4]
this Sunday the Church, in the Introit, calls upon God for help, with a
sorrowful but confident heart. Be Thou unto me a protector and place of refuge;
save me, for Thou art my strength and refuge, and for Thy name s sake Thou wilt
be my leader, and wilt nourish me. In Thee, O Lord, have I hoped; let me never
be confounded; deliver me in Thy justice, and set me free; (Ps. xxx. 3, 4, 2).
Mercifully hear our prayers, O
Lord, we beseech Thee, and, absolving us from the bonds of sin, preserve us
from all adversity. Amen.
EPISTLE, i. COT. xiii. 1-13.
Brethren:
If I speak with the tongues of men, and of angels, and have not charity, I am
become as sounding brass or a tinkling cymbal ; and if I should have prophecy,
and should know all mysteries, and all knowledge, and if I should have all
faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.
And if I should distribute all my goods to feed the poor, and if I should
deliver my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. Charity
is patient, is kind: charity envieth not, dealeth not perversely, is not puffed
up, is not ambitious, seeketh not her own, is not provoked to anger, thinketh
no evil, rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth with the truth: beareth all
things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Charity
never falleth away: whether prophecies shall be made void, or tongues shall
cease, or knowledge shall be destroyed. For we know in part, and we prophesy in
part. But when that which is perfect is come, that which is in part shall be
done away. When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I
thought as a child. But when I became a man, I put away the things of a child.
We see now through a glass in a dark manner: but then face to face. Now I know
in part: but then I shall know even as I am known. And now there remain, faith,
hope, charity: these three, but the greatest of these is charity.
Explanation. St. Paul here teaches the Romans,
and us in them, the necessity, the qualities, and the advantages of charity:
The necessity because all natural and supernatural gifts all good works,
virtues, and sacrifices even martyrdom itself cannot save us if we have no
charity. By charity only are we and our works pleasing to God. The qualities of
charity which are good-will without envy, suspicion, perversity, or malice;
pure intention without selflove, ambition, immodesty, or injustice; untiring
patience without hastiness; and, finally, humble submission to God, Who is all
to him that possesses charity. The advantages of charity in that it gives to
good works their value, and that it never fails; for while all things else
cease while faith passes into seeing, hope into possession, knowledge in part
into knowledge of the whole charity is ever lasting, and therefore the greatest
of the three. Faith, “says St. Augustine,”; lays the foundation of the house of
God; hope builds up the walls; charity covers and completes it.”
Aspiration.
O God of love pour into my heart the spirit of charity, that, according to the
spirit of St. Paul, I may always endeavor to be in the state of grace, that so
all my works may be pleasing to Thee, and of merit to me. Amen.
GOSPEL. Luke xviii. 31-43.
Why did Our Savior so often predict His sufferings to His apostles?
1. To show that He already knew of them, thereby indicating His omniscience; and that,
2. He desired to suffer.
3. In order that His disciples should not be scandalized at His humiliation, nor think evil of Him as if He had deceived them, but by remembering His words, be rather confirmed in their belief in Him as the Son of God and Redeemer of the world.
Did not the apostles understand
anything of what He thus predicted in regard to His sufferings?
They
may have known that He was to suffer, for St. Peter undertook to dissuade Him
from it (Matt. xvi. 22), but they could not reconcile these predictions with
their expectation of a future glorious kingdom. Nor would we be able to cast
off our prejudices, and understand the truths of the faith, however plainly
taught, were we not enlightened by the Holy Ghost.
What should we learn from this
history of the blind man?
1.
The inexpressible misfortune of blindness of the heart a state in which we know
not our God, our Redeemer and Sanctifier, and see neither the way of divine
life, nor the hindrances to our salvation, but grope about in the darkness of
ignorance and sin.
2.
Where to find One Who will save us from this awful condition, in Jesus Christ
healing and enlightening us through and in His Church.
3.
The holy zeal and perseverance with which we should seek and call upon Him for
deliverance, disregarding alike the bad examples, persecutions, and mockery of
the world.
4.
How fervently we should thank God, and how faithfully we should follow Him,
after He has opened the eyes of our soul and freed us, by His grace, from the
spiritual blindness of sin.
Eastern
Orthodox Church
In
the Eastern Orthodox Church, its equivalent, the Sunday before Great Lent, is called "Forgiveness
Sunday", "Maslenitsa Sunday", or "Cheesefare Sunday".
The latter name comes because this Sunday concludes Maslenitsa, the week in which butter and
cheese may be eaten, which are prohibited during Great Lent. The former name
derives from the fact that this Sunday is followed by a special Vespers called
"Forgiveness Vespers" which opens Great Lent. On this day the Eastern
Orthodox Church Christians at the liturgy listen to the Gospel speaking of
forgiveness of sins, fasting, and the gathering of treasures in heaven. On this
day, all Orthodox Christians ask each other for forgiveness to begin the Great
Lent with a good heart, to focus on the spiritual life, to purify the heart
from sin in confession, and to meet Easter - the day of the Resurrection of
Jesus with a pure heart. This is the last day before Lent when non-lenten food
is eaten.
NOVENA TO THE HOLY FACE
DAILY PREPARATORY PRAYER
We now implore all the Angels and Saints to intercede for us as we pray this Holy Novena to the Most Holy Face of Jesus and for the glory of the most Holy Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.
Eighth Day
Psalm 51, 16-17.
O rescue me, God my helper, and my tongue shall ring out your goodness. O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth shall declare your praise.
Through the merits of your precious blood and your Holy Face, O Jesus, grant us our petition, Pardon and Mercy.
Prayer
to Saint Peter
Pray
one (1) Our Father, (3) Hail Mary’s, (1) Glory Be.
O Bleeding Face, O Face Divine, be every adoration Thine. (Three times)
There are many and varied ways in which sin
and evil are presented to us in an attractive way.
The
New Age Movement
·
Although
virtually unknown a few years ago, this movement is gaining in popularity on an
international level. On the surface it appears to be a "peace"
movement, but in my estimation, it definitely belongs to the occult. This is
because it presents some basic characteristics that are identified with the
occult, even though Satan is not mentioned.
·
For
example, the "god" of the New Age is not the God of Christianity and
Judaism. The New Age god is more like an impersonal energy or force of which
the whole universe consists. This is a form of pantheism. For us God is Creator
and Lord of all. We are his creatures. In the New Age, Jesus becomes one of the
many spiritual masters who discovered his higher self. It is believed that in
the New Age we can also be enlightened, and this through our own efforts not
through revelation and the grace of God.
·
The
New Age Movement is sometimes called a peace movement. Somehow, it is said,
that when we become a part of this "Harmonic Convergence" we can
bring to bear a mighty power that is beyond ourselves for achieving world
peace. But when we talk about any power that is not from God, and beyond
ourselves we are really talking about the occult.
·
Do
not be deceived by the talk about ecology, the beauty of nature in the world,
and the fundamental goodness of the apparent goals of this movement. Those who
join the New Age Movement are entering a movement dealing with occult spiritual
power. It is not a spiritual power that comes from God, but from the Kingdom of
False Light and Darkness.
Daily
Devotions
·
Today in honor of the Holy Trinity do the Divine Office giving
your day to God. To honor God REST: no shopping after SUNSET ON SATURDAY till
Monday. Don’t forget the internet.
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