Saturday, May 8, 2021

Saturday of the Fifth Week of Easter

ST. MICHAEL-3^RD SHIFT WORKERS-TRAIN DAY

Judges, Chapter 14, Verse 11

Out of their FEAR of him, they brought thirty men to be his companions.

This verse is about Sampson the strongman of the bible, who struck fear into the hearts of the pagan Philistines. Nevertheless, how different was Sampson from his pagan neighbors? Justyn Rees has an interesting, shortened tale of the tragedy of Sampson that is available online that is a quick thought-provoking read in his book entitled, “Old Story New”.[1]

Sampson who was born endowed with great physical strength started out following God but failed to continue walking in the spirit of He that Is. John Maxwell[2] points out that like Gideon many men fail toward the end of their life because they dilute the vision God had given them, and have become too comfortable with their success and lack the self-control to overcome their weaknesses. John’s advice to leaders is to be self-disciplined using a quote from Plato, “The first and best victory is to conquer self.” John points out a five-step plan to develop self-discipline in your life.

1. Develop and follow your priorities. Time is a precious commodity, do what’s really important first and release yourself from the rest.

2. Make a disciplined lifestyle your goal. Set up systems and routines to ensure you feed the mind, body, spirit and love of neighbor daily.

3. Challenge your excuses. We all make them; push the envelope.

4. Remove rewards until you finish the job. Eat your vegetables first.

5. Stay focused on results. Focus on the outcomes and not the difficulties in accomplishing it; envision the change.

Apparition of St. Michael[3]

It is evident from Holy Scripture that God is pleased to make frequent use of the ministry of the heavenly spirits in the dispensations of His providence in this world. The Angels are all pure spirits; by a property of their nature, they are immortal, as is every spirit. They have the power of moving or conveying themselves at will from place to place, and such is their activity that it is not easy for us to conceive of it. Among the holy Archangels, Saints Michael, Gabriel and Raphael are particularly distinguished in the Scriptures. Saint Michael, whose name means Who is like unto God? is the prince of the faithful Angels who opposed Lucifer and his followers in their revolt against God.

Since the devil is the sworn enemy of God’s holy Church, Saint Michael is given to it by God as its special protector against the demon’s assaults and stratagems.

Various apparitions of this powerful Angel have proved the protection of Saint Michael over the Church. We may mention his apparition in Rome, where Saint Gregory the Great saw him in the air sheathing his sword, to signal the cessation of a pestilence and the appeasement of God’s wrath. Another apparition to Saint Ausbert, bishop of Avranches in France, led to the construction of Mont-Saint-Michel in the sea, a famous pilgrimage site. May 8^th, however, is destined to recall another no less marvelous apparition, occurring near Monte Gargano in the Kingdom of Naples.

In the year 492 a man named Gargan was pasturing his large herds in the countryside. One day a bull fled to the mountain, where it could not be found. When its refuge in a cave was discovered, an arrow was shot into the cave, but the arrow returned to wound the one who had sent it. Faced with this mysterious occurrence, the persons concerned decided to consult the bishop of the region. He ordered three days of fasting and prayers. After three days, the Archangel Michael appeared to the bishop and declared that the cavern where the bull had taken refuge was under his protection, and that God wanted it to be consecrated under his name and in honor of all the Holy Angels.

Accompanied by his clergy and people, the pontiff went to that cavern, which he found already disposed in the form of a church. The divine mysteries were celebrated there, and there arose in this same place a magnificent temple where the divine Power has wrought great miracles. To thank God’s adorable goodness for the protection of the holy Archangel, the effect of His merciful Providence, this feast day was instituted by the Church in his honor.

It is said of this special guardian and protector of the Church that, during the final persecution of Antichrist, he will powerfully defend it: “At that time shall Michael rise up, the great prince who protects the children of thy people.”

Judgment Day[4]

How will the Last Judgment begin?

At the command of God, the angels, with the sound of the trumpet, shall summon all men to judgment (i. These, iv. 15). The bodies and souls of the dead shall be again united, and the wicked shall be separated from the righteous, the just on the right, the wicked on the left (St. Matt. xxv. 33). The angels and the devils will be present, and Christ Himself will appear in a bright cloud with such power and majesty that the wicked, for fear, will not be able to look at Him, but will say to the mountains, “Fall on us,” and to the hills, “Cover us” (St. Luke xxiii. 30).

Why will God hold a general and public judgment?

1. That all may know how just He has been in the particular judgment of each one.

2. That justice may at last be rendered to the afflicted and persecuted, while the wicked who have oppressed the poor, the widow, the orphan, the religious, and yet have often passed for upright and devout persons, may be known in their real characters and be forever disgraced.

3. That Jesus Christ may complete His redemption, and openly triumph over His enemies, who shall see the glory of the Crucified, and tremble at His power.

How will the Last Judgment proceed?

The books will be opened, and from them all men will be judged; all their good and bad thoughts, words, and deeds, even the most secret, known only to God, will be revealed before the whole world, and according to their works men will be rewarded or be damned forever. The wicked shall go into everlasting punishment, but the just into life everlasting (St. Matt. xxv.46).

Today is Third Shift workers day-let us pray for those who like the angels of God, provide us with healing, protection and subsistence while we sleep.

Third Shift Workers’ Day

Most people work during the day, which is lucky for them. Third Shift Workers’ Day celebrates those who lead more nocturnal lives. Do you ever spare a thought for the nurses, fire-fighters, supermarket shelf-fillers, and all the other brave people that work the graveyard shift while you sleep soundly in your soft, warm bed?

They are the people that really keep the world turning, yet they might as well be invisible as far as most of us are concerned. Inhabiting the strange, monochromatic world of dreams, they keep us safe from harm, make sure our packages are delivered on time, and see to it that our morning croissant is freshly baked. Now come on and drink a toast to the health of third shift workers everywhere. Let’s face it, what with the ravages wreaked on their immune systems from having their body clock messed around so much, they’ll be grateful for it!

Train Day[5]

They cross thousands of miles across the countryside all over the world, transporting goods and passengers to places far-flung, and bringing back the same to their point of origin. Two gleaming lines of silver lay their path, as they move through cities and forests, mountains and plains to bring everything to those who need it, whether it’s cargo or people. Of course, we’re talking about trains, those powerful machines that inspired so much of history and have done amazing things for economies and industry all over the world. Train Day commemorates these wonderful machines and the role they play in our lives.

History of Train Day

The history of Train Day is the history of trains, and that history goes back farther than you might suspect. Railroads were actually a progression from wagonways, which were essentially railroads powered by horse, and have a history going back over 2000 years. The reason wagonways (and of course railways) came into existence was one of simple practicality, you could transport larger loads over a greater distance with prepared paths! The first ‘ways’ weren’t even created with metal rails, they were instead created with wooden rails, and in the distance, path even cut-stone tracks. By being carefully prepared you could increase the amount a single horse could haul from one ton to nearly 13 tons! That’s a huge improvement in cargo capacity and a huge boon to those who have to move a lot of it a goodly distance. Of course, with wooden rails they had to be often replaced and so it became common practice to cover them with a thin metal plate to help the wood last. The industrial revolution changed all that, and metal rails are here to stay! And then in 2008 Amtrak established Train Day to help celebrate the history of the locomotive.

How to Celebrate Train Day

The best way to celebrate train day is to go out and take a ride on a train! It doesn’t matter where it’s going, riding a train can be a fantastic and relaxing experience. Some towns have steam trains that are part of their history and still in operation, and dinner trains are always a nice experience. Or, if you’re planning on taking a trip, rather than taking a car or plane, take a train for a relaxing ride across the country. Train Day is a great chance to go out and see the world and experience these amazing vehicles.

Must Take Train Trips[6]top ten count down

10. VIA Rail's Canadian

Country: Canada

The Canadian is considered as one of the best trains in Canada, and it indeed is your window to the vast nation of Canada. The train runs between Toronto and Vancouver and covers the distance of 4,466 km in four nights and five days. The train takes the travelers through the varied terrains of the vast Canadian country. Running through waterfalls, golden prairie fields, and the Canadian Rockies, the train gives the traveler a glimpse of the vastness and diversity of Canada. The train has Prestige, sleeper plus, and economy class to suit every budget. It is equipped with state-of-the-art amenities and elegant lounges and spacious compartments.

9. Rocky Mountaineer

Country: Canada

This train follows the historic Canadian Pacific route. The Rocky Mountaineer takes you through the Canadian Rockies into Western Canada. The train journey is filled with some of the most memorable views. From lava cliffs to canyons, the train takes you through some of the best Canadian landscapes. More than likely you will even spot some wildlife on the side as well including bighorn sheep and even an occasional grizzly or a black bear! The best view is seen from the Gold-leaf rail carriages, where the passengers are seated in a glass dome atop the train.

8. Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad

Country: United States of America

It is one of the best-preserved heritage railroads in the world. The narrow-gauge rail track is just 3 feet wide and operates at a distance of 45.2 miles. The train connects the towns of Durango and Silverton in the state of Colorado. This is a historic route that was taken by the Denver and Rio Grande Railway and was used for the transportation of gold and silver mined in the San Juan Mountains. This train still uses a steam driven locomotive and has been in operation without interruption since 1881.

7. California Zephyr

Country: United States of America

One of the longest railroad journeys in the Unites States, the Zephyr connects the cities of Chicago and San Francisco. The train takes the passengers through arguably one of the most scenic train routes in North America. It cruises along the Rockies and the beautiful Sierra Nevada. The train crosses as many as seven states. Some of the highlights that the train goes through include Moffat tunnel, the Rockies, Sierra Nevada, Glenwood Canyon, Winter Park and San Pablo Bay.

6. Coast Starlight

Country: United States of America

The Coast Starlight is one of the few train tracks that runs almost entirely along the coast of the Pacific Ocean. The train connects the cities of Los Angeles and Seattle. It eases through many cities including Santa Barbara, Sacramento, and San Francisco. The route is breathtaking. From the snow-clad mountains to lush forests and serene coastline makes up a view that stays with you for a long time. The train itself is not quite as luxurious as some other trains on this list, but the sheer view makes for it and then some more!

5. The Grand Canyon Railway

Country: Unites States of America

The train offers the iconic view of the Grand Canyon like no other. The breathtaking cliffs of the south tip of the Grand Canyon and the desert land of Arizona makes one of the best traveling experience. The train itself is also quite exclusive. The passenger cars are vintage 1920s Pullman cars while the café on board dates back to 1950s. The 130-mile route is studded with numerous spots that make you gaze in wonder and awe.

5. Denali Star

Country: The United States of America

The picturesque route from Anchorage to Fairbanks in Alaska is best explored from this beautiful train. The specially designed double-decker dome shapes cars offer the best views of the majestic state of Alaska. The view of Mount McKinley is one of the things that you will never forget from this train. The route is also quite frequently visited by wildlife including the massive Grizzly Bears and Moose.

4. Hiram Bingham Orient-Express

Country: Peru

The alluring Machu Pichu can be reached aboard the Hiram Bingham. The train itself is a 1920s-style locomotive that chugs along the high plains and cruises through the agricultural terraces to reach the Inca Citadel. The train 3-and-a-half-hour-long journey takes you through the best views of Peru's Urubamba River. The train takes the travelers to an elevation of 7500 feet above the sea level. It can cause altitude sickness, and oxygen is available just in case.

3. Rhine Valley Line

Country: Germany

The most beautiful train trip that you can take in Germany, the Rhine Valley line offers postcard views of the German land. The train tracks overlooking river takes you from Mainz to Koblenz in less than three hours. The train takes you through the beautiful castles and fortresses. This is truly one of the best train rides in Europe. Although the distance is quite short (62-miles), there is no scarcity of some gorgeous vistas.

2. The Ghan

Country: Australia

This is perhaps the longest train trip on this list. The Ghan takes you across the continent of Australia from Adelaide to Darwin. The two-day mammoth journey through the natural landscapes and wilderness of central and northern Australia offers some of the best views of the desert in the central part to the lush tropical climates of the northern territory. The train offers both Platinum and Gold class accommodations. Although the Platinum level is significantly more expensive, it offers private cabins and bathrooms.

1. Venice Simplon-Orient-Express

Country: Italy

This is perhaps the most gorgeous train you will ever see. The interiors of the cars were designed by famous artists such as Rene Lalique. It is arguably one of the most celebrated trains in the entire world. The train carries the passengers in the classic pre-modern era style. The glamorous cars and the delicious meals add to the overall experience of cruising through Europe’s most beautiful landscapes.

Daily Devotions

· Saturday Litany of the Hours Invoking the Aid of Mother Mary

· Manhood of the Master-week 12 day 4

· Offering to the sacred heart of Jesus

· Make reparations to the Holy Face

· Drops of Christ’s Blood

· Iceman’s 40 devotion

· Universal Man Plan

· Rosary