Tuesday of the Third Week of Easter
ST. LOUIS DE MONTFORT- HAATZMA'UT
Jeremiah,
Chapter 5, Verse 22-24
22 Should you not FEAR me—oracle of the
LORD—should you not tremble before me? I made the sandy shore the sea’s limit,
which by eternal decree it may not overstep. Toss though it may, it is to no
avail; though its billows roar, they cannot overstep.
23
But this people’s heart is stubborn
and rebellious; they turn and go away, 24 and do not say in their hearts, “Let us FEAR the LORD, our
God, Who gives us rain early and late, in its time; who watches for us over the
appointed weeks of harvest.”
This stubborn and rebellious nature of people is what
led to Christ’s death on the cross. His death was the fulfillment of the
proclaiming of God’s name to all the peoples of the world; for over His head
was placed a notice: King of the Jews.
It is thought-provoking to contemplate that Pilate’s
notice was printed in three languages Hebrew, Latin and Greek. These three
cultures in a sense represented the characteristics of God. The Hebrew’s were
Gods people and represented the good
of man and brought the idea that the person was created by God and
is more valuable than the universe. Latin the language of the Romans brought
the idea that truth is
the highest value and the Greeks culture brought the idea of beauty being the greatest value.
In Christ’s death is represented all three values. That a good God died for
man; true to the end; and His shame was turned by love to beauty.
The Archangels Michael, Gabriel and Raphael, also
represent these three values Michael the truth that angels and men are willing
to fight for: Raphael the good and Gabriel the beauty. On further reflection I
can see these same three attributes reflected the preamble of the US
constitution: Life (good); Liberty (truth); and pursuit of happiness (beauty).
We can also recognize that the Name of God which is
goodness; truth and beauty is feared
by evil men and women when they are inspired by Satan and the demons to take
away our life, liberty or our pursuit of happiness.
Surely,
it is time for Christians to "rise from sleep," and to offer vigorous
resistance to the enemies of salvation. The weapons in this conflict are not
the arms of civil warfare, but the spiritual weapons of prayer and penance,
increased fidelity to the Commandments of God, and frequent reception of the
Sacraments. And surely, we can choose no better leader in this conflict than
the powerful captain who led the faithful Angels to victory. Let us, then, with
confident trust, invoke the aid and the protection of this mighty Archangel
whose shield bears the inscription: "Michael-Quis ut Deus-Who is like unto
God?"[1]
Louis' life is inseparable from his
efforts to promote genuine devotion to Mary, the mother of Jesus and mother of
the church. Totus tuus (completely yours) was Louis's personal motto; Karol
Wojtyla chose it as his episcopal motto. Born in the Breton village of
Montfort, close to Rennes (France), as an adult Louis identified himself by the
place of his baptism instead of his family name, Grignion. After being educated
by the Jesuits and the Sulpicians, he was ordained as a diocesan priest in
1700. Soon he began preaching parish missions throughout western France. His
years of ministering to the poor prompted him to travel and live very simply,
sometimes getting him into trouble with church authorities. In his preaching,
which attracted thousands of people back to the faith, Father Louis recommended
frequent, even daily, Holy Communion (not the custom then!) and imitation of
the Virgin Mary's ongoing acceptance of God's will for her life. Louis founded
the Missionaries of the Company of Mary (for priests and brothers) and the Daughters
of Wisdom, who cared especially for the sick. His book, True Devotion to the
Blessed Virgin, has become a classic explanation of Marian devotion. Louis died
in Saint-Laurent-sur-Sevre, where a basilica has been erected in his honor. He
was canonized in 1947.
Things to
Do
·
Resolve
to pray the rosary daily starting today.
·
Learn
about the Missionaries
of the Company of Mary (Montfort Missionaries) and support their
work with your prayers, sacrifices and financial offerings.
Israel Independence Day
Yom
Haazmaut (Hebrew: יום העצמאות) is Israel's Independence Day. Israel
declared independence on May 14th, 1948. This was only a few hours before
the British Mandate of Palestine was to draw to an end. Yom Haazmaut is a public
holiday in Israel. All commercial establishments are closed, apart from
Restaurants, Cafes and Bars. Israelis celebrate Yom Haazmaut with an opening
ceremony, comprising lighting of the Masuot (twelve torches, one for each of
the twelve tribes of Israel). The honor of lighting each torch is given to
outstanding Israelis, such as brave soldiers and policemen, scientists,
artists, senior citizens and the like. Yom Haazmaut always occurs the day after
Yom Hazikaron (Memorial Day to honor fallen soldiers and soldier victims of
terrorists). There are typically firework displays at night, airplane
displays and bands during the day. Israeli citizens spend Yom Haazmaut with
family and friends, often in a Park, on a beach or at home. The Israel Prize is
given in scientific fields to notable scientists, artists and people who made a
lifetime contribution to the State of Israel.
Yom
HaAtzma'ut (Israel) Facts & Quotes
·
Many
Jewish prophets in the Bible prophesied that the Children of Israel would
return to their land. Isaiah, Jeremiah and Zachariah made notable
prophecies. For example, Jeremiah 29:10. This is what the Lord says:
'When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill
my good promise to bring you back to this place'.
·
In
the 19th century, Theodor (Benjamin Zeev) Herzl was the visionary of the State
of Israel in his book Altneuland, 'The Old New
Land' in 1902. Tel Aviv (old hill/ new spring) was established in 1909.
·
According
to Rabbi Tzvi Yehuda Kook and many others in the Religious Zionist camp, the
founding of the State of Israel was considered to be Atchalta DeGeulah the beginning
of the final redemption.
·
In
the Talmud (Sanhedrin 98a) it is stated by Rav Aba Ein lecha meg'uleh mizu,
there is no greater indication of the end of days than that which the prophet
Ezekiel (Ezekiel 36:8) prophesizes, Now mountains of Israel, your branches
shall come forth and your fruit will be offered to my people Israel.
·
The
return of Jews to the Holy Land was also mentioned by Isaiah: On that day (the
day of the redemption) a great shofar will be sounded, and those who are lost
in the land of Ashur (Assyria) and those who are dispersed in the Land of Egypt
will return to the Holy Land. (Isaiah 27:13).
Yom
HaAtzma'ut (Israel) Top Events and Things to Do
·
Attend
a Yom Haazmaut Party, held at many local Israeli/Jewish Communities on the Eve
of Yom Haazmaut. Typically, Israeli food is served, followed by a
fireworks display. A live broadcast of the Yom Haazmaut ceremony from Har
Herzl, Jerusalem may be watched and culminates in the singing of the Hatikvah,
the Israeli National Anthem.
·
Attend
a lecture on the connection between Jews, Israel and the Bible. Yeshivah
University holds many public lectures on this topic.
·
Attend
a Yom Haazmaut Concert. There are many venues for Yom Haazmaut concerts
including popular ones at New York City and Stamford (CT).
·
Take
part or view the Bible Quiz (Chidon Hatanach)
Daily
Devotions
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