Wednesday, October 26, 2022

- October 20, 2022

NATIONAL PUMPKIN DAY

Acts, Chapter 10, Verse 36

³⁶ You know the word [that] he sent to the Israelites as he proclaimed PEACE through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all, ³⁷ what has happened all over Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached, ³⁸ how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the holy Spirit and power. He went about doing good and healing all those oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.

With the election cycle upon us let us take these verses to heart. Why should I fear evil in the future or the injustice of our nation on the faithful? Instead, we should look seriously at the candidates for their faith in God and their virtues. Look and see which of the candidates have the virtues of our Lady: humility, generosity, chastity, patience, temperance, and love of fellow man.

It is not the economy in coin; but the bankruptcy of our cultural heart that is killing this nation that sacrifices the future of children for the future of the mother. No amount of future happiness or gain in liberty is worth the life of an innocent. Know that life is greater than liberty and liberty is greater than wealth.

Beloved: Teach and urge these things. Whoever teaches something different and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the religious teaching is conceited, understanding nothing, and has a morbid disposition for arguments and verbal disputes. From these come envy, rivalry, insults, evil suspicions, and mutual friction among people with corrupted minds, who are deprived of the truth, supposing religion to be a means of gain. Indeed, religion with contentment is a great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, just as we shall not be able to take anything out of it. If we have food and clothing, we shall be content with that. Those who want to be rich are falling into temptation and into a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires, which plunge them into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is the root of all evils, and some people in their desire for it have strayed from the faith and have pierced themselves with many pains. But you, man of God, avoid all this. Instead, pursue righteousness, devotion, faith, love, patience, and gentleness. Compete well for the faith. Lay hold of eternal life, to which you were called when you made the noble confession in the presence of many witnesses. (Tm. 6:2-12)

If we truly wish to make our nation great again; we ourselves must grow in holiness and then in turn our families will, which in turn our communities will; and thus, our nation will have a rebirth.

Loving Submission of the Angels[1]

Angels are an example to men of living service and obedience. They delight in men as this is the will of God; who gave of His precious blood to redeem us. They in their loving submission do not refuse to bestow their care on the most hardened of sinners. They do not abandon even those most wretched of persons who live in mortal sin, who trample underfoot the blood of Christ and are guilty of His death! No, they with incredible kindness continue to watch over these unfortunate souls and spare no effort in bringing them to penance and reconciliation with God. Therefore, judge no man and pray for them.

If I were the Devil^{^[2]}

“If I Were the Devil” is a form of social criticism, an essay that postulates what steps the devil might take in order to corrupt human civilization (and the United States in particular) and lead it down the path of darkness — before delivering the catch that all the steps listed are phenomena that are already taking place in the world today. It was written and popularized by national radio commentator and syndicated columnist Paul Harvey.

If I were the devil . . .

· I would gain control of the most powerful nation in the world.

· I would delude their minds into thinking that they had come from man’s effort, instead of God’s blessings.

· I would promote an attitude of loving things and using people, instead of the other way around.

· I would dupe entire states into relying on gambling for their state revenue.

· I would convince people that character is not an issue when it comes to leadership.

· I would make it legal to take the life of unborn babies.

· I would make it socially acceptable to take one’s own life and invent machines to make it convenient.

· I would cheapen human life as much as possible so that the life of animals are valued more than human beings;

· I would take God out of the schools, where even the mention of His name was grounds for a lawsuit.

· I would come up with drugs that sedate the mind and target the young, and I would get sports heroes to advertise them.

· I would get control of the media, so that every night I could pollute the mind of every family member for my agenda.

· I would attack the family, the backbone of any nation.

· I would make divorce acceptable and easy, even fashionable. If the family crumbles, so does the nation.

· I would compel people to express their most depraved fantasies on canvas and movie screens, and I would call it art.

· I would convince the world that people are born homosexuals, and that their lifestyles should be accepted and marveled.

· I would convince the people that right and wrong are determined by a few who call themselves authorities and refer to their agenda as politically correct.

· I would persuade people that the church is irrelevant and out of date, and the Bible is for the naive.

· I would dull the minds of Christians, and make them believe that prayer is not important, and that faithfulness and obedience are optional.

· I guess I would leave things pretty much the way they are.

Pumpkin Day[3]

There’s one thing that represents October more than anything else, and it’s not Halloween (though it’s involved). That thing? The pumpkin. It starts appearing on shelves and farmers market’s stands on the last week or two of September and is the herald that lets you know that Pumpkin Pies, Jack-o-Lanterns, and all the joys of fall are just around the corner. Pumpkin Day celebrates these noble squash’s, and the history and tradition tied up in their iconic orangeness.

History of Pumpkin Day

Often when people think of Halloween, they think of Jack-o-Lanterns and pumpkins, and even when you’re looking at that ‘false medieval’ imagery that’s present in most fantasy games, you’ll regularly see pumpkins being present, especially during Halloween events. What many people don’t know is that the pumpkin is actually a plant from the new world, like all squash, so the image of pumpkin jack-o-lanterns in front of ancient medieval homes is just plain wrong. These are an all American (And South American) plant, and the jack-o-lantern at Halloween is a distinctly New World thing. So, let’s learn a little bit about the Pumpkin in honor of Pumpkin Day, starting with what the word pumpkin means. It’s pretty simple, as it comes from the Greek word pepon, or ‘Large Melon’, but it didn’t go straight to pumpkin. First it was pompon to the French, and then pumpion to the British. It was the Americans that finally changed the word to its present Pumpkin, and so it’s been ever since! Pumpkin Day is a great opportunity to add this delicious squash to your diet, whether in the form of a traditional pumpkin pie, or a rich and savory pumpkin soup.

How to celebrate Pumpkin Day

The first step to celebrating Pumpkin Day is simple, get out there and get yourself a bunch of pumpkins! Alright, maybe that’s a bit much, maybe instead you could just stop off at your favorite grocery store or restaurant and order yourself up a great big slice of pumpkin pie. Not in the mood for pie? Pumpkin Spice lattes are going to be hitting the shelves at your local coffee shops (Starbucks is particular fond of trotting them out this time of year). If you’re feeling really inventive, go back to square one and buy a bunch of pumpkins, roast them, and make yourself an all-pumpkin meal! Pumpkin Soup, Pumpkin Bread, Pumpkin Cake, Pumpkin Muffins, and a warm cup of Pumpkin Spice Coffee for dessert!

Catechism of the Catholic Church

PART THREE: LIFE IN CHRIST

SECTION ONE-MAN'S VOCATION LIFE IN THE SPIRIT

CHAPTER ONE THE DIGNITY OF THE HUMAN PERSON

Article 7-THE VIRTUES

I. The Human Virtues

1804 Human virtues are firm attitudes, stable dispositions, habitual perfections of intellect and will that govern our actions, order our passions, and guide our conduct according to reason and faith. They make possible ease, self-mastery, and joy in leading a morally good life. the virtuous man is he who freely practices the good.
The moral virtues are acquired by human effort. They are the fruit and seed of morally good acts; they dispose all the powers of the human being for communion with divine love.

The cardinal virtues

1805 Four virtues play a pivotal role and accordingly are called "cardinal"; all the others are grouped around them. They are: prudence, justice, fortitude, and temperance. "If anyone loves righteousness, [Wisdom's] labors are virtues; for she teaches temperance and prudence, justice, and courage." These virtues are praised under other names in many passages of Scripture.

1806 Prudence is the virtue that disposes practical reason to discern our true good in every circumstance and to choose the right means of achieving it; "the prudent man looks where he is going." "Keep sane and sober for your prayers." Prudence is "right reason in action," writes St. Thomas Aquinas, following Aristotle. It is not to be confused with timidity or fear, nor with duplicity or dissimulation. It is called auriga virtutum (the charioteer of the virtues); it guides the other virtues by setting rule and measure. It is prudence that immediately guides the judgment of conscience. the prudent man determines and directs his conduct in accordance with this judgment. With the help of this virtue we apply moral principles to particular cases without error and overcome doubts about the good to achieve and the evil to avoid.

1807 Justice is the moral virtue that consists in the constant and firm will to give their due to God and neighbor. Justice toward God is called the "virtue of religion." Justice toward men disposes one to respect the rights of each and to establish in human relationships the harmony that promotes equity with regard to persons and to the common good. the just man, often mentioned in the Sacred Scriptures, is distinguished by habitual right thinking and the uprightness of his conduct toward his neighbor. "You shall not be partial to the poor or defer to the great, but in righteousness shall you judge your neighbor." "Masters, treat your slaves justly and fairly, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven."

1808 Fortitude is the moral virtue that ensures firmness in difficulties and constancy in the pursuit of the good. It strengthens the resolve to resist temptations and to overcome obstacles in the moral life. the virtue of fortitude enables one to conquer fear, even fear of death, and to face trials and persecutions. It disposes one even to renounce and sacrifice his life in defense of a just cause. "The Lord is my strength and my song." "In the world you have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."

1809 Temperance is the moral virtue that moderates the attraction of pleasures and provides balance in the use of created goods. It ensures the will's mastery over instincts and keeps desires within the limits of what is honorable. the temperate person directs the sensitive appetites toward what is good and maintains a healthy discretion: "Do not follow your inclination and strength, walking according to the desires of your heart." Temperance is often praised in the Old Testament: "Do not follow your base desires, but restrain your appetites." In the New Testament it is called "moderation" or "sobriety." We ought "to live sober, upright, and godly lives in this world."

To live well is nothing other than to love God with all one's heart, with all one's soul and with all one's efforts; from this it comes about that love is kept whole and uncorrupted (through temperance). No misfortune can disturb it (and this is fortitude). It obeys only (God) (and this is justice), and is careful in discerning things, so as not to be surprised by deceit or trickery (and this is prudence).

The virtues and grace

1810 Human virtues acquired by education, by deliberate acts and by a perseverance ever renewed in repeated efforts are purified and elevated by divine grace. With God's help, they forge character and give facility in the practice of the good. the virtuous man is happy to practice them.

1811 It is not easy for man, wounded by sin, to maintain moral balance. Christ's gift of salvation offers us the grace necessary to persevere in the pursuit of the virtues. Everyone should always ask for this grace of light and strength, frequent the sacraments, cooperate with the Holy Spirit, and follow his calls to love what is good and shun evil.

Every Wednesday is Dedicated to St. Joseph

The Italian culture has always had a close association with St. Joseph perhaps you could make Wednesdays centered around Jesus’s Papa. Plan an Italian dinner of pizza or spaghetti after attending Mass as most parishes have a Wednesday evening Mass. You could even do carry out to help restaurants. If you are adventurous you could do the Universal Man Plan: St. Joseph style. Make the evening a family night perhaps it could be a game night. Whatever you do make the day special.

· Do the St. Joseph Universal Man Plan.

· Do Day 2 of the Consecration to St. Joseph.