Let Freedom Ring: Freedom from Lack of Trust in Divine Providence
At a word from You the devil and his minions flee in terror.
You are the source of all truth. You are the source of all strength.
By the power of your Cross and Resurrection, we beseech You, O Lord
To extend Your saving arm and to send Your holy angels
To defend us as we do battle with Satan and his demonic forces.
Exorcise, we pray, that which oppresses Your Bride, The Church,
So that within ourselves, our families, our parishes, our dioceses, and our nation
We may turn fully back to You in all fidelity and trust.
Lord, we know if You will it, it will be done.
Give us the perseverance for this mission, we pray.
Amen
St. Joseph...pray for us
St. Michael the Archangel...pray for us
(the patron of your parish )... pray for us
(your confirmation saint)...pray for us
Hear me.
From the desire of being esteemed,
Deliver me, O Jesus.
From the desire of being loved,
Deliver me, O Jesus.
From the desire of being extolled, etc.
From the desire of being honored,
From the desire of being praised,
From the desire of being preferred to others,
From the desire of being consulted,
From the desire of being approved,
From the fear of being humiliated,
From the fear of being despised,
From the fear of suffering rebukes,
From the fear of being calumniated,
From the fear of being forgotten,
From the fear of being ridiculed,
From the fear of being wronged,
From the fear of being suspected,
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be esteemed more than I,
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That, in the opinion of the world, others may increase
and I may decrease,
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be chosen and I set aside,
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be praised and I go unnoticed,
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be preferred to me in everything,
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may become holier than I,
provided that I may become as holy as I should,
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
__ Daily reflection and prayers
__ Litany of the day
__ Pray a Rosary
__ Divine Mercy Chaplet
__ Spiritual or corporal work of mercy
__ Fast/abstain (according to level)
__ Exercise (according to level/ability)
__ Refrain from conventional media (only 1 hr. of social)
__ Examination of conscience (confession 1x this week)
Monday of the Third Week of Lent
International
Women's Day
Deuteronomy, Chapter 5, Verse 4-6
4 Face
to face, the Lord spoke with you on the mountain from the midst of the fire,
5
while I was standing between the
Lord and you at that time, to announce to you these words of the Lord, since
you were AFRAID of the fire and would
not go up the mountain: 6 I
am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out
of the house of slavery.
Today
reflect on how our labor can be slavery or it can be a joy. In the end you are
responsible for your own happiness. The fire on the mountain was not an impediment
to the Israel people coming to God; it was their excuse. The secret of success
is finding out our vocation from God and following it. When we follow God’s
guidance to the do the work, he has intended for us, we are like the tree that
Moses saw that brought him into the service of the Lord. We will burn but not
be consumed! Then, when others see our work and wonder at our joy in slavery to
the Lord, they too will come to know that “His
burden is light.” (Mt. 11-30)
Many
years ago, I also, like the people of Israel was afraid of the fire; and
refused to go up on the mountain. Yes, I was called to the priesthood. I was
afraid of the fire. I made all the excuses: I am not worthy; I want a wife; I
want children. I turned away and the life I thought would be a joy was
unsatisfying. Yet, the Lord did not abandon me; He has never chided me: No,
only I have chided myself. He has made good out of all I have shattered with my
selfishness. This is the challenge of the cross that when we fall, and we will
fall; that we pick the cross up again and drink the cup the Lord has given us
to the dregs. How committed are you to discovering and following Jesus?
My
sheep hear my voice, says the Lord; I know them, and they follow me. (Jn:
10:27)
Monday of the Third
Week of Lent[1]
Prayer.
POUR forth, in Thy mercy, we beseech Thee, O Lord,
Thy grace into our hearts, that, as we abstain from flesh, we may also restrain
our senses from hurtful excesses.
EPISTLE, iv. Kings v. 1 15.
In those days: Naaman, general of the army of the
king of Syria, was a great man with his master, and honorable: for by him the
Lord gave deliverance to Syria: and he was a valiant man and rich, but a leper.
Now there had gone out robbers from Syria, and had led away captive out of the
land of Israel a little maid, and she waited upon Naaman’s wife. And she said
to her mistress: I wish my master had been with the prophet, that is in
Samaria: he would certainly have healed him of the leprosy which he hath. Then
Naaman went into his lord, and told him, saying: Thus, and thus said the girl
from the land of Israel. And the king of Syria said to him: Go, and I will send
a letter to the king of Israel. And he departed, and took with him ten talents
of silver, and six thousand pieces of gold, and ten changes of raiment, and
brought the letter to the king of Israel, in these words: When thou shalt
receive this letter, know that I have sent to thee Naaman my servant, that thou
mayest heal him of his leprosy. And when the king of Israel had read the
letter, he rent his garments, and said: Am I God, to be able to kill and give
life, that this man hath sent to me, to heal a man of his leprosy? mark, and
see how he seeketh occasions against me. And when Eliseus the man of God had
heard this, to wit, that the king of Israel had rent his garments, he sent to
him, saying: Why hast thou rent thy garments? let him come to me, and let him
know that there is a prophet in Israel. So Naaman came with his horses and
chariots, and stood at the door of the house of Eliseus: and Eliseus sent a
messenger to him saying: Go, and wash seven times in the Jordan, and thy flesh
shall recover health, and thou shalt be clean. Naaman was angry and went away,
saying: I thought he would have come out to me, and standing- would have
invoked the name of the Lord his God, and touched with his hand the place of
the leprosy, and healed me. Are not the Abana and the Pharphar, rivers of
Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel, that I may wash in them, arid
be made clean? So as he turned, and was going away with indignation, his
servants came to him, and said to him: Father, if the prophet had bid thee do
some great thing, surely thou shouldst have done it : how much rather what he
now hath said to thee: Wash, and thou shalt be clean? Then he went down, and
washed in the Jordan seven times: according to the word of the man of God, and
his flesh was restored, like the flesh of a little child, and he was made
clean. And returning to the man of God with all his train, he came, and stood
before him, and said: In truth, I know there is no other God in all the earth,
but only in Israel.
GOSPEL. Luke iv. 23-30.
At that time Jesus said to the Pharisees: Doubtless
you will say to Me this similitude: Physician, heal Thyself: as great things as
we have heard done in Capharnaum, do also here in Thy own country. And He said:
Amen I say to you, that no prophet is accepted in his own country. In truth I
say to you, there were many widows in the days of Elias in Israel, when heaven
was shut up three years and six months, when there was a great famine
throughout all the earth. And to none of them was Elias sent, but to Sarepta of
Sidon, to a widow woman. And there were many lepers in Israel in the time of
Eliseus the prophet: and none of them was cleansed but Naaman the Syrian. And
all they in the synagogue, hearing these things, were filled with anger. And
they rose up and thrust Him out of the city: and they brought Him to the brow
of the hill, where on their city was built, that they might cast Him down
headlong. But He passes through the midst of them, went His way.
The Practices of a Committed
Catholic Man[2]
What
practices can help us to take up our cross and follow our King?
If
we think of soldiers who do not remain in strong physical and mental shape and
who fail to practice the essential combat arts, we know they will not be ready
for battle and will be a danger to themselves and their comrades in arms. The
same is true for Catholic men; those who do not prepare and strengthen
themselves for spiritual combat are incapable of filling the breach for Christ.
While
there are many habits and devotions that a Catholic man can form, I charge you
with keeping these seven basic practices* on a daily, weekly, and monthly
basis. If these practices are not (yet) part of your life, start now!
Daily
1.
Pray every day. Each Catholic man must start his
day with prayer. It is said, “Until you realize that prayer is the most
important thing in life, you will never have time for prayer.” Without prayer,
a man is like a soldier who lacks food, water, and ammunition. Set aside some
time to speak with God first thing each morning. Pray the three prayers essential
to the Catholic faith: The Our Father, the Hail Mary, and the Glory Be. Pray
also at every meal. Before food or drink touches your lips, make the Sign of
the Cross, say the “Bless us, O Lord” prayer, and end with the Sign of the
Cross. Do this no matter where you are, with whom or how much you are eating.
Never be shy or ashamed about praying over meals. Never deny Christ the
gratitude that is due to Him. Praying as a Catholic man before every meal is a
simple but powerful way to keep strong and fill the breach.
2.
Examine your conscience before going to sleep. Take a few moments to review the
day, including both your blessings and sins. Give God thanks for blessings and
ask forgiveness for sins. Say an Act of Contrition.
3.
Go to Mass.
Despite the fact that attending weekly Mass is a Precept of the Church, only
about one in three Catholic men attend Sunday Mass. For large numbers of
Catholic men, their neglect to attend Mass is a grave sin, a sin that puts them
in mortal danger. The Mass is a refuge in the Spiritual Battle, where Catholic
men meet their King, hear His commands, and become strengthened with the Bread
of Life. Every Mass is a miracle where Jesus Christ is fully present, a miracle
that is the high point not only of the week, but of our entire lives on Earth.
In the Mass, a man gives thanks to God for his many blessings and hears Christ
send him again into the world to build the Kingdom of God. Fathers who lead their
children to Mass are helping in a very real way to ensure their eternal salvation.
4.
Read the Bible. As St. Jerome so clearly tells us,
“Ignorance of the Sacred Scriptures is ignorance of Christ.” When we read God’s
word, Jesus is present. Married men read with your wife and your children. If a
man’s children see him read the Scriptures, they are more likely to remain in
the Faith. My brothers in Christ, this I can assure you: men who read the Bible
grow in grace, wisdom, and peace.
5.
Keep the Sabbath. From the creation of Adam and Eve,
God the Father established a weekly cycle ending with the Sabbath. He gave us
the Sabbath to ensure that one day out of seven we will give thanks to God,
rest, and be refreshed. In the Ten Commandments, God asserts anew the
importance of keeping the Sabbath. With today’s constant barrage of buying and selling
and the cacophony of noisy media, the Sabbath is God’s respite from the storm.
As Catholic men, you must begin, or deepen, keeping the holiness of the
Sabbath. If you are married, you must lead your wives and children to do the
same. Dedicate the day to rest and true recreation and avoid work that is not
necessary. Spend time with family, attend Mass, and enjoy the gift of the day.
Monthly
6.
Go to Confession. At the very start of Christ’s
public ministry, Jesus calls on all men to repent. Without repentance from sin,
there can be no healing or forgiveness, and there will be no Heaven. Large
numbers of Catholic men are in grave mortal danger, particularly given the
epidemic levels of pornography consumption and the sin of masturbation. My
brothers get to Confession now! Our Lord Jesus Christ is a merciful King who
will forgive those who humbly confess their sins. He will not forgive those who
refuse. Open your soul to the gift of our Lord’s mercy!
Confession[3]
In the beginning God asks Adam,
where are you? Adam had sinned and so he hid from God? After Cain killed Able
God asked him, “Where is your brother? Yet again according to catholic
tradition Saint Peter was fleeing from crucifixion in Rome at the hands of the
government, and along the road outside the city he meets the risen Jesus and
this time it is Peter who asks the question in Latin "Quo vadis?" “Where are you going?”
to which Jesus replies, "Romam eo iterum
Confession is our own turning like
Peter around to walk with our Lord: to carry our cross with Him and to suffer
with Him if need be. Confession is something you do with your mouth and with
your mind, heart and actions. Confession should always be individual, spoken
and specific. It is customary for devout Catholics to go to confession
frequently and the saints have recommended that we go at least once a month.
Yet in recent years some parishes have seen a decline in the number of
confessions. It is not that we are having a decline in sin; it is because our
hearts have become worldly. Will we have the hearts to see our Lord as He
passes us by and even say to Him “Quo Vadis”: have we become so worldly that we
have lost a sense of sin? Has our no-fault culture convinced us to keep walking
in the opposite direction of our Lord thinking “I’m OK, you’re OK, no matter
what choices we have made? Yes, God loves us just the way we are, but he loves
us too much to keep us fat, dumb and happy. We need to experience his
forgiveness so that we can heal and grow. “It
is better to confess one’s sins than to harden one’s heart.” (Pope St.
Clement I)
7.
Build
fraternity with other Catholic men. Catholic friendship among men has a
dramatic impact on their faith lives. Men who have bonds of brotherhood with
other Catholic men pray more, go to Mass and Confession more frequently, read
the Scriptures more often, and are more active in the Faith. Proverbs tells us:
“As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another” (27:17). I call on each of
our priests and deacons to draw men together in their parishes and to begin to
rebuild a vibrant and transforming Catholic fraternity. I call on laymen to
form small fellowship groups for mutual support and growth in the faith. There
is no friendship like having a friend in Christ.
Aids
in Battle[4]
The Word of God useful for our warfare with evil
These biblical passages
provide aids in warfare for those who will ponder and act upon the truths they
teach us. Recite them as battle cries in the heat of the conflict. Call on
Jesus Christ, our Champion when the battle is fierce, turn your eyes to our
victorious commander and place your confidence in Him.
·
To
this end the Son of God appeared that He might destroy the works of the Devil.
1 Jn 3: 8
·
Be
steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that
your labor is not in vain in the Lord.
·
That
at the name of Jesus every knee should bend of those in heaven, on earth and
under the earth, and every tongue should confess that the Lord Jesus Christ is
in the glory of God the Father.
·
Disarming
the Principalities and Powers, He displayed them openly, leading them away in
triumph by force of [the Cross]. Col 2: 15
·
Now
has come the salvation, and the power, and the kingdom of our God.
International
Women's Day[5]
International Women’s Day celebrates women’s achievements throughout the world. Its purpose is to promote women’s equality, encourage support for repressed women and promote appreciation toward women everywhere. Many organizations, including the United Nations, use this day to also celebrate extraordinary achievements of ordinary women. International Women's Day was initially promoted by the Socialist Party of America. In 1909, it designated this day in remembrance of a major strike by the International Ladies’ Garment Workers Union. The holiday is now recognized internationally and is an Official National Holiday for many countries, including: China, Russia and Ukraine. It is observed annually on March 8th.
International Women's
Day Facts & Quotes
·
On
the eve of World War I, women across Europe and Russia celebrated the holiday
by protesting the war and campaigning for peace.
·
On
this day, the US Dept. of State and the First Lady award the International
Women of Courage Awards. Ten women are given the award - who have
exemplified exceptional courage and leadership in advocating for human rights,
women’s equality, and social progress, often at great personal risk
· There is one universal truth, applicable to all countries, cultures and communities: violence against women is never acceptable, never excusable, never tolerable. - UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.
International Women's
Day Top Events and Things to Do
·
Organize
a sporting
event for women. Numerous studies have shown many benefits for women that
play sports. A recent study by the EY Women Athletes Business Network
even found that women that play sports were more likely to excel in business.
·
If
you're a woman, try learning a task that is typically done by men. Such a
chore may be: changing the oil on your car, computer programming, mowing the
lawn, painting, and any home improvement project.
·
If
you’re a man, show appreciation by performing a chore for your special lady
that is typically done by her. This may include cooking, cleaning, childcare
or anything that the special woman in your life does.
·
Watch
a movie that portrays strong empowered women. Our favorites: Bend
It Like Beckham
(2002), Elizabeth
(1998), Erin Brockovich (2000), The Help (2011), A
League of Their Own
(1992), Mulan
(1998), My Fair Lady
(1964), Norma Rae
(1979), Volver
(2006).
The Church
gives thanks for all the manifestations of the feminine "genius"
which have appeared in the course of history, in the midst of all peoples and
nations; she gives thanks for all the charisms which the Holy Spirit
distributes to women in the history of the People of God, for all the victories
which she owes to their faith, hope and charity: she gives thanks for all the
fruits of feminine holiness.-John Paul II, Apostolic Letter
A woman of Influence[1]
“The hour is coming, in fact has come, when the vocation
of woman is being acknowledged in its fullness, the hour in which women acquire
in the world an influence, an effect, and a power never hitherto achieved. That
is why, at this moment when the human race is undergoing so deep a
transformation, women impregnated with a spirit of the Gospel can do so much to
aid humanity in not falling.” (Closing speeches Vatican Council II, 12/8/65).
Mother Mary is a perfect role model for all women, of
course, but for women who work in particular. According to St. Louis de Montfort,
Mary has principle virtues, which when practiced help to lead us to her Son and
create a home and world that celebrates the greatness of the Lord.
·
Profound Humility: Are
you focused on others more than yourself? Do you care who gets the credit? Does
this impact the way you treat others?
·
Angelic Sweetness: Is
your approach nurturing and relational? Do you avoid calumniation? Even when
difficult, do you respond to others by extending grace and mercy?
·
Ardent Charity: How do
you approach others? Your supervisors? Your clients? Your family? Is your
approach focused on valuing a relationship more than a material good? Are you
able to articulate information and ideas in a mutually respectful way?
·
Heroic Patience: Do you
really listen? Are you able to rise above a situation in order to assist others
as they learn new tasks? Do you hold your temper or judgment when you disagree
with others? Are you willing in your attitude to seek understanding of others,
even when it is difficult?
·
Divine Wisdom: Recalling
your baptism, and especially your confirmation, do you recall and use the gifts
of the Holy Spirit in your decisions? Do you pray for guidance? Do you seek
Biblical and Church tradition answers and solutions? Do you show gratitude to
God when you recognize divine wisdom?
Mary’s virtues bring us to a very feminine leadership
style: one steeped in relationship building, not shying away from truth or
faith, but approaching others in grace. When practiced at work, or home these
virtues of Our Lady can lead us to Holiness and a fulfilled leadership at work.
[1]http://www.integratedcatholiclife.org/2013/01/wallace-everyday-example-of-mary-for-women-who-work/
Daily Devotions/Activities
·
Eat waffles and Pray for the assistance of the Angels
·
Manhood of
the Master-week 3 day 6-Joy
·
Monday: Litany of
Humility
·
Rosary
[1] Goffine’s Devout Instructions, 1896.
*Let
us be faithful to these practices as Naaman was faithful to wash himself seven
times in the Jordan to cleanse himself of leprosy at the instruction of the
prophet Elias.
[3] Hahn, Scott, Signs of Life; 40
Catholic Customs and their biblical roots. Chap. 28. Confession.
[4]Thigpen, Paul. Manual for Spiritual
Warfare. TAN Books.
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