Tuesday, January 26, 2021

- January 25, 2021

FEAST OF SAINTS TIMOTHY AND TITUS, BISHOPS

Genesis, Chapter 42, Verse 18

On the third day Joseph said to them: “Do this, and you shall live; for I am a God-fearing man.

Joseph (coat of many colors) is a God-fearing man, even when he was in prison, he was free because he never esteemed anything above God; never forgetting God’s love and goodness. Knowing that a person becomes as great or small and inferior as the things he loves and values. When a person looks only for worldly satisfactions, they become blind to the gentle loving presence of the creator.

One who seeks only pleasure, ease honor or profit is a worldling, that is, he lives only for this life. Gradually he becomes a slave of his earthly desires, so that he cannot even think of God. He will believe in Heaven to late—when he finds its gates forever closed to him.^{^[1]}

Feast of Saints Timothy and Titus, Bishops[2]

St. Timothy, born in Galatia in Asia Minor, was baptized and later ordained to the priesthood by St. Paul. The young Galatian became Paul's missionary companion and his most beloved spiritual son. St. Paul showed his trust in this disciple by consecrating him bishop of the great city of Ephesus. St. Timothy was stoned to death thirty years after St. Paul's martyrdom for having denounced the worship of the goddess Diana.

St. Titus, a convert from paganism, was a fellow laborer of St. Paul on many apostolic missions. St. Paul later made him bishop of Crete, a difficult charge because of the character of the inhabitants and the spread of erroneous doctrines on that island. St. Paul's writings tell us that St. Titus rejoiced to discover what was good in others and drew the hearts of men by his wide and affectionate sympathy.

Australia Day[3]

Australia Day commemorates the arrival of the First Fleet of 11 convict ships from Britain. On this day in 1788, Captain Arthur Phillip first raised the British flag at Sydney Cove, marking the British occupation of Australia which has been claimed 8 years earlier by the arrival of Captain James Cook in 1770. Australia Day is observed annually on January 26th each year with barbeques and fireworks. Today, the day gives Australians the opportunity to reflect upon what it means to be Australian, the history that shaped the nation and the brighter future that the country has to look forward to.

Australia Day Facts & Quotes

· In 2015 Australia day coincided with 150th anniversary of Colac's Botanic Gardens.

· Australia was originally designed as a penal colony - a place used to exile convicts and criminals. The first was named the Colony of New South Wales.

· The Australian Flag is flown to commemorate this holiday. The flag includes: The Union Jack, representing historical ties to Great Britain; a large white seven-tipped star representing the 7 provinces making up the Commonwealth of Australia; and five white stars in the Southern Cross constellation pattern, a reminder of their Southern Hemisphere location.

· The entire population of Australia (22.3 Million) is less than the population of Texas (26 Million).

· There's an expression in Australia that's called 'Go Bush,' which means to get out of the city and relax. I try and 'go bush' to places where there's no cell reception. But I don't get to do that often, so for the most part, it's just a state of mind. - Cate Blanchett, actress

Australia Day Top Events and Things to Do

· Watch fireworks displays. Some of the grander displays are at Sydney harbor, Rooty Hill and the shores of Lake Burley Griffin.

· Watch or attend the Oz Day 10km race in Sydney, Australia.

· Visit Hyde Park in Sidney where many Australia day events take place.

· Attend flag raising and citizenship ceremonies in Canberra and Perth.

Dress Up Like a Viking at “Up Helly Aa” Festival[4]

Up Helly Aa 2021, due to be held on Tuesday 26th January, has been postponed for a year. Aa what weenies

The traditional festival of fire known as "Up Helly Aa" takes place annually on the last Tuesday of January in Shetland, UK. Participants in full costume haul a Viking longboat through the streets as paraders throw flaming torches into the galley.