Friday in the Octave of the Sacred Heart of Jesus
INTERNATIONAL
PICNIC DAY
1 Chronicles, Chapter 21, Verse 29-30
29 The tabernacle of the Lord, which
Moses had made in the wilderness, and the altar for burnt offerings were at
that time on the high place at Gibeon. 30 But David could not go into his
presence to inquire of God, for he was FEARFUL
of the sword of the angel of the Lord.
The
sword of the Angel is another way of saying the divine justice. When we sin we
all fear the sword of the Angel, for all have sinned; yet when we sin we fear
the thing that can save us-trusting that
God is bigger than our sin. We like David are fearful of punishment for our
sins and that we will get exactly what we did not count on. Yet, know; God’s
mercy is greater than His justice. Trust is central to salvation.
Census of
Sin[1]
King
David had ordered a census to be taken. David’s general Joab strongly cautioned
the King against such a measure, but David insisted on it anyway. Upon
completion of the census the Prophet Gad informed David of God’s anger and
intention to punish David and all Israel for this sin.
What’s
wrong with a Census? –In
effect David’s lack of trust. For God had called David to trust in God, not in
man, not in numbers. We have a tendency to rely too much on numbers. We tend to
think that something is good, or right or successful, based on how many people
attended, or how many support a cause or view. Of this tendency we must be very careful.
Is our power or rightness rooted in
numbers, in popularity, in profit, or in God? David in counting his people is, it would seem,
seeking confidence in his numbers, rather than God, and this is a sin. For,
David could well have considered with pride the fact that he had amassed a
large number of people in reuniting the Israel and Judah, in conquering the
Philistines and the Hittites et al.
Thus,
taking a census was a way of flattering himself, and making a name for himself.
The numbers ARE quite impressive. So impressive, in fact that we moderns doubt
them: 800,000 men fit for military service in Israel, and 500,000 men in Judah.
This number of over 1 million men does not include women, children or the
elderly. Hence the full census number may have closer to 5 million. This seems
an unlikely number, and opens up the great debate among biblical scholars about
biblical numeration but for here, let it be said, David was enthroned over
a numerous nation and his census is a likely indication that he was quite proud
of his accomplishment, and wanted that accomplishment recorded for history
and/or his contemporaries: “David: King of multitudes!”
These
are not David’s people to number; they are God’s people. Since counting hints
at accomplishment and control, David sins in trying to know a number that is
none of his business, a number that is for God alone to know. God numbers the
people and calls them by name (cf Gen 15:15). Note that David is
delivered a number of men “fit for military service.” Hence in the ancient
world, a census was often a tool of military draft. It was also a tool used to
exact taxes, and for Kings to measure power, and manipulate and coerce based on
that power. Even in our own time the taking of the Census every ten years is
often steeped in power struggles, political gerrymandering, tax policy,
spending priorities, the number of seats in the legislature, and the pitting of
certain ethnic and racial groups against each other. A lot of mischief and
political power struggles are tied back to the census, because numbers are
powerful things. Those that have “the numbers on their side” get seats at the
table. Those who do not can wait outside.
Thus,
David, in amassing numbers, amasses power and the capacity to manipulate his
people in sinful or unjust ways.
Apostolic Exhortation[2]
Veneremur
Cernui – Down in Adoration Falling
of The Most Reverend Thomas J. Olmsted, Bishop of
Phoenix,
to Priests, Deacons, Religious and the Lay Faithful of the Diocese of Phoenix
on the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist
My
beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Part
III
Loving
and Adoring the Eucharistic Lord
VI. Pastors, have one
Eucharistic procession each year in your parish.
101. Of course, any Eucharistic
procession should be reverent, beautiful, peaceful, festive, and well-planned.
But there will be much variation from parish to parish. For a particular parish
the procession could be several miles and in highly public places; it could be
shorter and simply around the parish campus. Perhaps it involves a few dozen or
several hundred people, or even much larger crowds. For some parishes (like
those in the cooler climates) the feast of Corpus Christi may be the best time
for a procession. For others (like those in warmer places), parishes may want
to choose another day each year. Possibilities include the celebration of Our
Lady of Guadalupe (our diocesan patroness), Christ the King, Epiphany,
Pentecost, the parish’s patronal feast day, and the celebration of the
anniversary of the dedication of the church.
VII. Pastors, consider how you
can make Eucharistic adoration a more available evangelical opportunity.
102. As we discussed above,
Eucharistic adoration can be a significant opportunity for evangelization
because there we truly are able to bring a friend into the sacramental, living,
bodily presence of Christ. The Eucharist is the greatest treasure of the Church
for it is Christ Himself – and it is the treasure to which the church
invites each man and woman in every place and time. But all priests know the
confused and overwhelmed look that can often appear on the face of a
non-Catholic after attending Mass for the first time. We can forget how rich,
complex, and biblical are the symbolic words, images, and gestures in the Mass.
It is like another world with a foreign language. For those unfamiliar with
Catholic liturgy, this complexity can frequently be so alien as to be almost
entirely impenetrable. Eucharistic adoration, on the other hand, is much
simpler and less demanding for an un-evangelized person. It can be a kind of
door or bridge to the full sacramental life of the church.
103. What would it look like if your
parish made Eucharistic adoration more beautiful, available, and accessible to
Catholics who could invite friends? Are times for adoration widely publicized?
Is the place where adoration is held reverent, dignified, safe, and inviting?
How often do Mass-going Catholics receive encouragement to invite friends and
family members to adoration? Are there resources which can easily assist
non-Catholics and fallen-away Catholics in beginning to learn to pray in the
presence of the Eucharistic Lord?
To be continued…
Humility leads to Gratitude; Gratitude
leads to confidence; Confidence leads to love[3]
The virtues of gratitude, confidence
and love, stimulated and motivated by the Holy Eucharist, are especially
necessary in the modern world. Today gratitude has become a forgotten virtue;
confidence in God has been replaced by arrogant self-reliance; love for God and
for mankind has been driven from the hearts of many by a spirit of pagan
selfishness.
Catholics must strive to revive these
virtues and shall have the special help of Our Lord in the Holy Eucharist. If
we cultivate a deep and persevering devotion to Him who dwells among us under
the humble appearances of bread and wine, particularly if we receive Holy
Communion frequently and fervently, we cannot but make progress in the spirit
of gratitude, in unwavering confidence in God's assistance, and in ardent love
both for God and for our fellowmen.
Fitness Friday[4]
Health Benefits of Bergamot
A blend of the sour orange
and lemon (or citron) plant, bergamot
produces a fruit that looks like a round lemon. Although generally too sour to
eat on its own, it’s been part of the Mediterranean diet since the early 18th
century.
People use extracts from
bergamot’s sour juice and oil from its peel for a variety of things including:
- Scents
for personal care products
- Aromatherapy
- Health
supplements
Bergamot has health
benefits include:
Reducing
Cholesterol
Several studies have shown
that bergamot may help to reduce overall cholesterol and “bad” LDL cholesterol.
It may also help to increase “good” HDL cholesterol and has the potential to be
an effective supplement to cholesterol drugs.
Depression
Relief
Studies have shown that an
aromatherapy blend that includes bergamot may help with depression symptoms in
older adults, people with terminal cancer, and women who are at high risk of
postpartum depression.
There hasn’t been enough
research yet to confirm the results, and there’s no conclusive evidence that it
can help with depression in other populations. However, there have been some
promising early studies with animals.
Scientists have found that
bergamot might protect the joints in people taking aromatase inhibitors as part
of cancer treatment. More research is needed.
Schizophrenia Relief
One study shows that
taking bergamot supplements may help people with schizophrenia think more
clearly. People in the study had better results on several cognitive tests
after taking bergamot. Further research is needed.
Mild side effects. Some
people experience side effects like dizziness, muscle cramps, and heartburn
when they take bergamot with food.
Blood sugar issues. Bergamot may cause your blood sugar to
drop. If you have diabetes, your
blood sugar might reach unsafe levels. It’s important to monitor those levels
if you choose to use bergamot supplements.
Even if you don’t have diabetes, bergamot could make it harder for doctors to control your blood sugar during surgery. Experts recommend that you stop using bergamot supplements two weeks before you have surgery.
International Picnic Day
celebrates gathering together outdoors to eat and enjoy one another's company,
which has traditionally been called Picnic. The true origin of
International Picnic Day is unknown, but can be traced back to the end of the
French Revolution and the Victorian Era. Picnics were ways for people to
escape the restrictions of etiquette and formality. As an informal food
holiday, there are few rules and lots of options. International Picnic
Day is observed on June 18th each year.
International
Picnic Day Facts & Quotes
- According
to Guinness World Records, the largest picnic took place in Portugal,
2009. 22,232 people participated. Two other records were set during that
same event, largest litter bin and loudest applause.
- The
use of the phrase no picnic is used to describe something
unenjoyable.
- Picnic
was most likely invented by the French. Shortly after the French
Revolution ended, the Royal Gardens were opened to the public for the
first time. It was the new common pastime for the French to visit the
gardens and take along a meal.
- You
can plan a pretty picnic, but you can't predict the weather. - Andre 3000
(song 'Ms. Jackson')
- A
few sandwiches short of a picnic. - is a phrase used to describe someone
who is not mentally together.
International
Picnic Day Top Events and Things to Do
- Arrange
a picnic with friends in the nearby park. Prepare foods beforehand and
enjoy eating in the nature.
- Take
a Frisbee or a ball and play sport games after eating.
- Bring
a music player with you and listen to favorite music while enjoying the
food and conversation.
- Search
in the internet for new food recipes and prepare new easy dishes for your
picnic. Make a contest for the best recipe.
Daily Devotions
·
Do not examine with curiosity the
roads down which I lead you. Choose to walk in faith. Resist the
spirit of curiosity.
·
Offering to
the sacred heart of Jesus
[1]http://blog.adw.org/2012/02/whats-so-sinful-about-a-census-and-why-did-israel-get-punished-for-something-david-did/
[3]https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/day.cfm?date=2021-06-18
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