Friday, November 6, 2020
I'm Fighting Back, 2020!
"I fear all we have done is to awaken a sleeping giant and filled him with a terrible resolve."
Here's What I Am Doing
- I will eat each day between a set window of 2-4 hours. For example, 2pm to 6pm (This is also called "intermittent fasting" and is found to be healthy as it burns unwanted fat and regulates body sugar. One can widen or narrow this window and choose a different time of day that suits a lifestyle).
- I will drink only water. Coffee and Tea are also allowed.
- I will have no sweets or junk food (Allowed on exception days noted above).
- I will daily mortify the flesh with exercise (e.g., walking, strength training, etc.)
- Whenever I hunger, or sacrifice, or suffer in any way, I will offer it up as I pray a Hail Mary for the conversion of sinners and the end to abortion.
- Upon waking up, I will pray the Morning Offering.
- Before the Blessed Sacrament (if possible), preferably in the morning, I will spend at least 15-20 minutes each day, in meditation and quiet mental prayer.
- Before the Blessed Sacrament (if possible), preferably in the morning, I will spend at least 15-20 minutes each day reading and reflecting on the daily Mass readings.
- Before the Blessed Sacrament (if possible), preferably in the morning, I will pray the rosary daily for the following intentions:
- An end of abortion
- My growth in holiness
- For a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit on Pope Francis and our bishops, and for a spiritual renewal in the United States of America.
- I will pray the Chaplet of St. Michael against the forces of evil in the world.
- I will pray the Angelus (6am, noon, 6pm).
- I will examine my conscience and privately ask God's forgiveness each night.
- I will go to Confession frequently. At least once a month.
- I will wear the Brown Scapular (or Scapular Medal)
- I will renew my consecration to Mary on a regular basis (at least weekly).
- Whenever I am asked for prayers, I will journal their name and daily pray the Sacred Heart Novena Prayer for all those who asked for my prayers (this is how Padre Pio prayed for others).
- I will build my Holy Alliance each day by calling upon a Saint to pray with me for a Holy Soul in Purgatory. Then, I will ask my Holy Alliance to pray with me for those who have asked for my prayers, as I pray the Sacred Heart Novena Prayer (Learn about building your Holy Alliance HERE).
I'm Going In!
(Please recruit family and friends to enlist!)
First Friday
Romans, Chapter 12, Verse 18
If possible, on your
part, live at PEACE with all.
It is fair that we
recount how God has removed our faults and how he imputes no guilt on us when
we sincerely repent and turn away from our sins and ask for forgiveness. Once
He has freed us, it is then that we can gratefully receive the counsels of the
Holy Spirit which show us our path and gives us peace with God, ourselves and
others.
Do not plot evil
against your neighbors when they live at peace with you. Proverbs 3: 29
The Shema Yisrael which is the same prayer the Christ prayed every morning and tells us that God is to be loved.
Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one; and you shall love the Lord your God with all your Heart, and with all your soul, and with your entire mind, and with all your strength.
Christ is the living example of God’s love for us. His heart could not rest until He repaid our debt. His soul was so tormented for love of us that He sweated blood in the garden for us. His mind was ever on us when He multiplied the loaves or healed the sick and with all His strength He offered his life as an eternal sacrifice before the Father. He for love of us took the cup and drank it to the dregs during His passion.
To help us understand this love of His for us is the mission of the Confraternity of the Passion International[1] who document the full suffering of our Lord to show us how we are loved.
Don't
forget to pray for the Poor
Souls in Purgatory from November 1 to the 8th.
Purgatory[2]
Father Gerard,
that the custom of having thirty masses said for the dead is also widely spread
in Italy and other Christian countries. These Masses are called the Thirty
Masses of St. Gregory, because the pious custom seems to trace its origin back
to this great Pope. It is thus related in his Dialogues (Book 4, chap. 40): A
Religious, named Justus, had received and kept for himself three gold pieces.
This was a grievous fault against his vow of poverty. He was discovered and
excommunicated. This salutary penalty made him enter into himself, and some
time afterwards he died in true sentiments of repentance. Nevertheless, St.
Gregory, in order to inspire the brethren with a lively horror of the sin of
avarice in a Religious, did not withdraw the sentence of excommunication:
Justus was buried apart from the other monks, and the three pieces of money
were thrown into the grave, whilst the Religious repeated all together the
words of St. Peter to Simon the Magician, Pecunia tua tecum sit in
perditionem—“Keep thy money to perish with thee.” Sometime afterwards, the holy
Abbot, judging that the scandal was sufficiently repaired, and moved with
compassion for the soul of Justus, called the Procurator and said to him
sorrowfully, “Ever since the moment of his death, our brother has been tortured
in the flames of Purgatory; we must
through charity make an effort to deliver him. Go, then, and take care that
from this time forward the Holy Sacrifice is offered for thirty days; let not
one morning pass without the Victim of Salvation being offered up for his release.”
The Procurator obeyed punctually. The thirty Masses were celebrated in the
course of thirty days. When the thirtieth day arrived and the thirtieth Mass
was ended, the deceased appeared to a brother named Copiosus, saying, “Bless
God, my dear brother, today I am delivered and admitted into the society of the
saints.” Since that time the pious custom of celebrating thirty Masses for the
dead has been established.
First
Friday
Meditation
for The First Friday Of the Month[3]
At
the hour of our death, when life, like a false friend, is about to forsake us,
we must, in a special manner, increase our confidence in the Heart of Jesus. It
is said that Our Lord appeared one day to a holy soul who had conjured Him to
grant to a pious person a happy passage from this life, and addressed to her
these consoling words: (My daughter, where is the pilot who, having brought
into port a vessel laden with precious stones, sinks it in the sea at the
moment of his arrival? Can you suppose that, after having granted so many
graces to this soul in the course of her life, I shall abandon her at the end
thereof??
Let
us lean on the heart of Jesus; and driven on the stormy sea of this world, under
the protection which He grants to those who love Him, we shall one day
triumphantly enter the desired port, and enjoy the eternal blessings of that
holy guidance. Death was always precious in the sight of God, for Jesus was to
pass through its portal; it is precious to Him still, for Jesus has died. No
one who is devout to the heart of Jesus will fail to find at the moment of his
death more excellent and abundant treasures than he had ever expected to
receive. Death, precious to Himself, will not Our Lord render it also
inexpressibly so to us?
Faith
cannot mistake the proofs of His tenderness. If we may venture to say so, the
exile of the being He created is a sorrow to Him as much as to the soul itself;
for, like a tender father, God desires that His children should be with Him in
His kingdom. Of all the hours of life this is the one which is the most
precious in the sight of God, exerts the greatest power over His love, and for
this very reason has such a mighty influence over His mercy and justice. In
order to receive the fulness of the new life to be merited by repentance
through the divine reparation every man must undergo the terrible suffering of
death; but is not this suffering, caused by sin, like all other trials, a token
of love on the part of God? Without death life could not attain to its end;
without death how could the soul ever reach eternal life?
The
rebel angel escaped the sentence of death, but for him there was no
resurrection. It is decreed that man should die, or, rather, the soul, cleansed
by the blood of Our Lord, and vivified by His love, passes into eternity before
the body which it shall one day glorify; united together they are called by
Jesus to reign in heaven in a state so exalted that it could not have been won
by primeval innocence. Even in this world, without awaiting the eternal
glorifying of humanity, the most beloved amongst the friends of God experience
through their whole being a marvelous transformation which robs death of its
terrors, and wholly disengages them from this transitory world. The interior
light by which they are led is no longer human, but divine, through Jesus; and
a supernatural love is substituted for that natural love which they made their
law; and not only are their criminal affections destroyed, but the love of God
above all things gives them, even in this life, a foretaste of heaven. They
feel no longer an engrossing care for the preservation of the body, but sigh
after death, crying incessantly to God, with St. Paul, “I desire to be
dissolved, and to be with Christ. They exult when they hear the clock strike,
at the thought that one hour less remains for them to pass in this exile; death
is no longer a passage of sorrow, but the desired way by which they shall go to
the Lord; they sigh after it, they desire it, and would fain hasten the moment
of its approach by the ardor of their desire for the enjoyment of a
never-ending eternity. One single thing restrains them: it is when the
perfection of love imposes on them a law of charity yet stronger, which would
detain them in this world for the glory of God and the good of their brethren;
says St. Teresa, “thus do souls arrive at a strict union with Jesus.” Thus
ardently they have desired to die in order to enjoy the presence of Our Lord;
this is their martyrdom that their exile is prolonged; yet they are so inflamed
with the desire of knowing Him, of making His name hallowed, of being useful to
the souls of others, that far from sighing after death they would wish to live
for many years, even amidst the greatest sufferings, too happy in being able to
add to the glory of their divine Master. Perfect submission in death is an act
of entire adoration, a magnificent profession of faith and praise; its beauty
consists in the cheerful and ready sacrifice which the creature makes to the
Creator of the life which He had given, shadowing forth God s power in all its
grandeur. Death beholds the soul already in adoration annihilated at the
thought of the near approach of eternity; this, we may well imagine, is the
kind of death the angels love to contemplate. The soul takes to itself no
merit, places no trust on the way in which it has served God, and desires to
possess even the smallest consolation the Church can bestow. It is specially
attracted by the sanctity of God, which makes it aspire to become pure, pure
almost beyond conception, in order to appear before the inviolable majesty of
God; relying only on His mercy; never losing its confidence in the greatness of
the divine compassion, but fearing lest its offences may be beyond the reach of
pardon; dying the death of a child, with its eyes fixed on the countenance of
its tender Father. Why, then, when in a state of grace, should we entertain a
fear of death?”
Whosoever
dwelleth in love, dwelleth in God, and God abides in him.” He who loves God is
then sure of His grace and dying in this state is certain of enjoying forever
the sovereign good in the habitations of the elect. And can such a one fear
death?
David
has, however, said that no living man is entirely pure in the sight of God.
Thus no one should have the presumption to hope for salvation through his own
merits; for, except Jesus and Mary, no one was ever exempt from sin. But we
need not fear death when we have a true sorrow for our faults, and place our
confidence in the merits of Jesus, who came on this earth in order to redeem
and save sinners, for whom He shed His blood, for whom He died. The blood of
Jesus Christ, says the Apostle, cries more loudly in favor of sinners than the
blood of Abel for vengeance against Cain. Grace transforms into a brilliant
light that which by its nature was plunged in darkness and obscurity, and the
plaintive cry of our misery is changed into a song of triumph; for the fetters
which yet separate the soul of the dying from the heavenly Jerusalem are so
near being severed asunder that the triumphant alleluias of heaven mingle with
the lamentations of earth, and the last gaze of repentant love is tenderly
fixed on the crucifix till earth fades from view. The transit of the creature
from time to eternity is dear to the Creator; for precious in the sight of the
Lord is the death of His saints. Let us throw aside, then, those vain fears of
death, and regard it as a tribute which all must pay to nature. Let us be ready
cheerfully to leave this world when Our Lord shall call us to the land where
the saints await us, and where we shall meet those who have instructed us in
the faith, and whose victory will in some measure supply for the negligence
with which we have performed our own duties toward our heavenly Father. Let us
unite ourselves to those glorious troops of blessed spirits who are seated in
the kingdom of God with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; into which the good thief
entered in triumph after a life of sin, and now enjoys, in the company of the
elect, the ineffable delights of paradise; where there is no darkness nor
storms, no intense heat, excessive cold, sickness, or sorrow ; and where there
is no need of the light of the sun, because the Sun of justice alone enlightens
the heavenly Jerusalem.
Iceman’s 40 hours devotion
It is traditionally believed that the duration of time from Christ's death until His Resurrection is forty hours, from 3 p.m. on Good Friday until 7 a.m. Easter Sunday. It is a pious practice to start this devotion on first Fridays.
First Friday
·
Start the devotion
at 3 pm with a visit to the Blessed sacrament. Meditate on the Chaplet to
the Holy Face and the Chaplet of
Divine Mercy.
· At sundown break fast (fish and oil) and watch a movie from the Vatican list of movies. (start second fast 2 hours before bed)
Saturday
·
On waking take a
walk and meditate on ways you have been walking
away from God.
·
In the
afternoon spend time with Mary and do the first
Saturday devotion or do a Eucharistic
Stations of the Cross and go to confession. After confession you may consider doing a mikvah or roman
bath
· At sundown break fast (fish and oil) and watch a movie from the Vatican list of movies. (start third fast 2 hours before bed)
Sunday
·
On waking go to Mass
early and do the prayer before
Mass
·
Receive our Lord in
the Eucharist in thanksgiving.
·
Break your fast and
strive to be a soldier for Christ and live the beatitudes
walking with our Lord.
World
Saxophone Day[4]
November 6 is Saxophone
Day, an unofficial holiday that celebrates the woodwind instrument popularly
used in jazz, classical music, and military ensembles. The day honors
saxophonists and commemorates the birth anniversary of its inventor Adolphe
Sax. Born in Belgium in 1814, Sax was an instrument maker and musician who
designed and introduced the Saxophone in 1840. It was first adopted for use in
military bands and soon became a popular instrument played in a concert band and
in chamber music. Chamber music is a type of music played by a group of small
instruments - ones that usually can fit into a small room or chamber. Today,
the Saxophone is used extensively in jazz and other kinds of dance music and in
symphony orchestras around the world.
Many Different Types
The Saxophone comes in
many different varieties, though most saxophonists usually use one of the four
most popular types. These are tenor, baritone, alto, and soprano saxophones.
The tenor saxophone is usually used in jazz and rock music bands, while the
baritone saxophone tends to be reserved for jazz solos. The Alto Saxophone is
easy to play and therefore used to train beginners. The Soprano plays the
highest pitch among all saxophones and is also often played in jazz bands.
Other saxophones include Mezzo Soprano, Sopranino, Tubax, Bass and Contrabass.
How to Celebrate?
·
Are you a saxophonist? Bring out your instrument
and play some music with a band or solo for your family and friends.
·
Attend a chamber music, jazz or symphony
orchestra concert. Keep an ear out for the Saxophone notes.
·
If you have always wanted to learn how to play
the Saxophone, today is the day to get started.
Fitness Friday -Be a Radiant Person[5]
The Four Dimensions of Life
Beyond the laws of radiant
health are some broader principles that include the whole person. Human beings
are made up of more than just a body. The World Health Organization defines
health as "a state of complete physical, mental, and social wellbeing, and
not merely the absence of disease or infirmity." This definition is
incomplete as it leaves out one significant aspect of life and health—the
spiritual. This understanding is illustrated clearly in Luke 2:52 which tells
us that, "Jesus increased in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and
man." A rough paraphrase would state that Jesus grew mentally, physically,
spiritually and socially.
Health for the whole person
We cannot be totally well
unless every part of us is healthy. In fact, the mental, social, and spiritual
factors may be even more involved in causing or fighting many diseases than are
the physical factors. Many of the laws that we listed as governing physical
health apply equally well to the other facets of life.
1. Nutrition-It is
necessary to eat to live, not only physically, but also in the other three
dimensions.
·
Mentally:
If new information and ideas are not fed into the mind on a regular basis the
intellect ceases to grow and develop, becoming weak and stunted. Don't dwell on
the trivial, degrading, or useless; these things can be considered mental junk
food. I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love;
for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble ... my loving God. PSALM
59:16
·
Socially:
If love, respect, and companionship are not a regular part of your life, your
social capabilities become weak and dwarfed.
·
Spiritually:
Christians nourish themselves spiritually through Bible study, prayer,
fellowship, and service to others.
2. Exercise—Activity is a
law of life that is often phrased this way, "Use it or lose it."
·
Mentally:
Intellect, memory, wisdom, attitude, and willpower need to be exercised.
·
Socially:
Love, tact, the social graces, communication, and core values grow when they
are practiced.
·
Spiritually:
The exercise of faith, prayer, love, and perseverance are essential for spiritual
strength and growth.
3. Rest—We need to relax
and regenerate after activity.
·
Mentally:
The mind needs to rest after periods of intense mental activity in order to
recuperate. In addition, a good night's sleep gives the mind a chance to
reorganize and start afresh.
·
Socially:
A time away in privacy and solitude is necessary after periods of heavy social
interaction.
·
Spiritually:
After intense periods of ministry Christ's servants need to "Come apart
and rest awhile" by spending time with Him. Time with Christ is spiritual
rejuvenation. (See Mark 6:30,31).
4. Temperance—The basic
definition of this law of life and health is to avoid that which is harmful and
practice moderation in that which is healthful.
First, do no harm.
·
Mentally:
Don't do anything that would destroy or pollute your mental faculties.
·
Socially:
Don't acquire harmful habits or friends, or engage in socially destructive
behaviors like gossip, criticism, breaking civil laws, or engaging in risky,
degrading, sexual behaviors.
·
Spiritually:
Don't destroy your spiritual sensibilities by dwelling on spiritually
destructive emotions such as hatred, anger, or revenge. Avoid putting yourself
under Satan's power through occult practices or the rejection of the Spirit of
God.
Second, practice moderation and balance
in things that are good. This involves more than just a balance between such
things as activity and rest, logic and emotion, solitude and the multitude. It
also consists of keeping a healthy balance between the four dimensions
(mentally, physically spiritually and socially). When one of these areas of
life becomes all-encompassing or is neglected, the result is an unbalanced and
unhealthy individual.
Finally, part of being in balance is knowing
what is most valuable and important. There will be times when you will have to
choose between what is best for one element at the expense of the others. A
young person might have to choose between a career in sports or science. You
might have time to get either physical exercise or spiritual nourishment but
not both. You make choices based on what you value most. Why not make your
spiritual dimension the top priority, and base each decision on how it will
affect your spiritual life and health? It would be a terrible waste to make
physical health your highest priority only to miss out completely on eternal
life and the associated radiant health Christ promises. "But seek ye first
the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added
unto you." (Matt. 6:33).
5. Water, fresh air, and
sunshine—These are all useful for cleanliness, which is a principle that
applies equally to all segments of life.
·
Spiritually:
We need to open our hearts daily to the sunshine of God's love, let the pure
air of the Spirit flow into our lives, and be washed in the cleansing blood of
Jesus, accepting His forgiveness.
·
Mentally:
Likewise, when the mind is polluted and degraded there is help in the
principle, "By beholding we become changed?" But ultimately, only by
accepting Christ's offer to create in us a new life can the mind be completely
cleansed.
·
Socially:
As Christ changes the life and the person sincerely repents, confesses,
apologizes, and makes amends, others will realize that this is a new and clean
person.
Christ knows and loves
each of us as if there was no one else. He longs for us to accept His offer of
salvation. He desires to cleanse us, and make us whole, that we might achieve
the happiness and abundant life for which we were created.
The Inseparable Four Dimensions
The four dimensions of
life are inseparable and so interrelated that what affects one part of us
affects every other part as well.
·
Physically:
Poor physical health can cloud the mind, depress the attitudes, and make it
more difficult to keep spiritually healthy. Conversely, good health can clear
the mind and improve the mental outlook, promoting enriched spiritual strength
and health.
·
Mentally:
Willpower, attitude, and intellect have a decided influence on how we live our
lives and apply or reject the various laws of health.
·
Socially:
Both the attitudes that permeate our homes, and the relationships we form, have
the power to affect our health
·
Spiritually:
The exercise of faith, love, hope, prayer, perseverance, and dedication to God
will bring peace of mind, character growth, and increased physical health.
The study and practice of
these extended health principles will make a difference in the usefulness and
quality of life. Each of these laws with which we cooperate brings a benefit,
but when we cooperate with all of them the rewards are multiplied!
Daily Devotions
·
First Friday
Meditation on the master’s Joy
·
Offering to
the sacred heart of Jesus
·
Rosary
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