FEAST OF SAINT MARTIN/VETERANS DAY
Romans, Chapter 15, Verse 13
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and PEACE in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
The God of Hope?
It has been
said that the only things worse than insanity are despair and hopelessness. But
praise the Lord, we serve a God of hope!
The Greek
word for "hope" is elpo meaning "to look forward to with
pleasurable confidence and expectation." The Apostle Paul wrote to the
Romans, "Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing,
that ye may aboard in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost" (Romans
15:13). Paul introduces an incredible idea "that you may abound in
hope" He means, "that you may have enough to spare; a supply that is
overflowing, excessive, beyond measure!" Some may think, "That sounds
like a cruel joke. In my present condition all I want is a ray of hope, just a
single evidence of answered prayer. Just one little sign of change!" But
beloved, God's Word is true! He is a God of hope -- a hope that is excessive,
overflowing and beyond measure. Paul's prayer for the people of God was that He
would "fill you with all joy and peace in believing." This is to be a
normal state for all Christians: not just for well-adjusted, happy-go-lucky
believers -- but for all! God is not mocking His hurting children today. He is
now a God of hope, ready to flood your soul with exceeding, overflowing joy and
peace by the power of the Holy Ghost in you. Paul said, "For we are saved
by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he
yet hope for? But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait
for it" (Romans 8:24-25) Yet we respond by demanding to see a change in
our situation: "But I could have hope if I could just see a little
movement, a small piece of evidence that God is working for my good, just
something to get hold of. I need to see something change. How can I have hope
when months go by and things only get worse?" But "to abound in
hope" is to have excessive, overflowing patience -- more than enough patience
to "wait for it." You see, the joy and peace come when you know God
has everything under control![1]
St. Martin[2]
MARTIN was born in the year 316 in Pannonia, or Hungary, of pagan parents, but he received secret instructions in the Christian religion, and in his tenth year was received into the number of the catechumens, that is, of those who are preparing themselves to receive holy Baptism. At the age of fifteen he became a soldier, being, as is probable, forced to do so by his father, to whom the religion of the boy had become known.
Out of love of God he
not only kept himself aloof from the excesses so common in this state of life,
but he took advantage of it to practice love for man, by dividing his pay among
the poor. Being one day solicited for alms by a beggar, and having nothing but
his arms and his cloak, he gave him half his cloak.
The following night
Christ appeared to him, wearing that half of the cloak, and said to him:
Martin, who is yet a catechumen, has clothed Me with this garment. Moved by
this comforting apparition, he received holy Baptism, gave up the life
of a soldier, and betook himself to St. Hilary, Bishop of Poitiers, in
France. As he was careful about his own salvation, so also was he careful of
the salvation of others, particularly of his parents and relatives, for the
sake of whose conversion he undertook a journey to his native land.
On his return he
built, not far from Poitiers, the first convent in France, into which he
received twenty-four monks, with whom he led a strict and virtuous life. His
great faith made him like the apostles in regard to miracles, and the fame
thereof spread abroad to that degree that, in spite of his refusals, he was
chosen Bishop of Tours. This high dignity made no change in his manner of
living; rather it increased his humility, his patience under the greatest
persecutions, his zeal for the glory of God, his love for his neighbor, and
particularly for his enemies.
After he had in such
manner ruled over his diocese for twenty-six years, being then over eighty
years old, the strength of life left him. He thereupon collected his disciples
about him, and said: Children, I am dying. They wept and mourned. Moved by
their tears, he in his prayers professed himself willing to labor longer if it
were God's will. But he had labored for heaven enough, and God desired to
place upon him the long-merited crown. With his eyes raised to heaven, he
prayed incessantly, allowing himself no relief. At his last moments the enemy
sought to confound him by a horrible apparition, but, full of confidence in
God, the saint cried out: What do you seek, cruel monster? In me you will find
nothing that is yours; and soon after his spirit gently sank to rest. Would
that we might learn from this saint truly to love God, and to care not only for
our own salvation, but for the welfare of our fellow men in body and soul! Then
we, too, might have nothing to fear in death.
Prayer.
O God, Who seest that we cannot
subsist by any strength of our own, mercifully grant that by the intercession
of blessed Martin, Thy confessor and bishop, we may be protected against all
adversity.
EPISTLE. Ecclus. xliv., xlv.
Behold a great priest, who in his days
pleased God and was found just, and in the time of wrath he was made a
reconciliation. There was not found the like to him who kept the law of the
Most High. Therefore, by an oath the Lord gave him glory in his posterity. He
gave him the blessing of all nations and confirmed His covenant upon his head.
He acknowledged him in his blessings, He preserved for him His mercy: and he
found grace before the eyes of the Lord. He glorified him in the sight of kings
and gave him a crown of glory. He made an everlasting covenant with him, and
gave him a great priesthood, and made him blessed in glory. To execute the
office of the priesthood, and to have praise in His name, and to offer Him due
incense for an odor of sweetness.
GOSPEL. Luke xi. 33-36.
At that time Jesus said to the multitude of the Jews: No
man lighteth a candle, and putteth it in a hidden place, nor under a bushel:
but upon a candlestick, that they that come in may see the light. The light of
thy body is thy eye. If thy eye be single, thy whole body will be lightsome:
but if it be evil, thy body also will be darksome. Take heed therefore that the
light which is in thee be not darkness. If then thy whole body be lightsome,
having no part of darkness, the whole shall be lightsome, and as a bright lamp
shall enlighten thee.
What does this gospel teach us?
1. The same that it once taught the Jews:
thus, Jesus is always the light of the world, and He has not left Himself
without witness that He is so. This light is ever shining upon the world in His
doctrines, His life, His acts, in His Church and in the mysteries of grace laid
up therein, in the growth and preservation of that Church, and in the miracles
which to this hour continue to be wrought within it. Hence, if we do not know
Him, if we do not obey and reverence His Church, it is but blindness and
obduracy on our part; there is wanting to us a pure, sincere mind, that loves
only the truth. This gospel accordingly admonishes us:
2. That we should acquire such a mind;
for, says Jesus, as a sound, clear eye keeps the whole body always in the right
direction, and guides it in all its movements, while an eye that is awry, or
otherwise defective, causes the body to fall, in like manner a heart that is
pure and always turned towards God gives the right direction to our thoughts,
wishes, and actions, and causes us to see the light of truth, whereas a heart
fixed upon the various goods of the world, but blinded to God, fills our
thoughts, wishes, and actions with corruption and sin. How great in that case
must be the darkness, the depravity, the misery!
3. This gospel contains the emblem of that
which, all superiors, masters, heads of families, parents and particularly
priests should be, namely, lights, like Jesus Himself. For this they are set
upon the candlestick. They are, accordingly, to give light by their teaching
and life, by their avoidance of scandals; of that which every Christian should
be a light, by his faith, his good works. Finally, of the temper with which the
faithful and all inferiors should meet those who are set over them, with
believing and trusting minds.
Prayer to St. Martin,
O St. Martin, precious heart of the priesthood, loving
father of the poor, bright example of the religious, who, out of zeal for the
glory of God, couldst neither be overcome by labor nor by death itself, at
whose departure hence the angels therefore rejoiced, I implore thee, through
thy powerful intercession, to obtain for me a heart full of compassion for the
needy, for the apostolic pastors of the Church, true zeal, and for all, on the
bed of death, the grace by which, after this life of misery, we may together
enter into that joy of the Lord which thou, as a good and faithful servant,
already possessest.
In honor of St. Martin today would be
a good day to go through our closets and cut our cloaks in half to donate to
the poor. While serving in Germany myself I have a fond memory of St. Martin
Day in which my children participated in the nighttime St. Martins Day Parade
in the small town of Gersbach, Germany. On St. Martin's Day, children
in Flanders, the southern and north-western parts of the Netherlands,
and the Catholic areas of Germany and Austria still participate
in paper lantern processions. Often, a man dressed as St. Martin
rides on a horse in front of the procession. The children sing songs about St.
Martin and about their lanterns. The food traditionally eaten on the day
is goose, a rich bird. According to legend, Martin was reluctant to become
bishop, which is why he hid in a stable filled with geese. The noise made by
the geese betrayed his location to the people who were looking for him.
Things
to do[3]
- Recite
the Iste
Confessor in honor of St. Martin.
- Cook
a special dinner of roast goose or duck in honor of St. Martin. Bake some
horseshoe cookies.
- In
Europe this day is traditionally known as Martinmas. Many foods and
traditions are connected with this day. See also Women
for Faith and Family for more Catholic traditions.
- St.
Martin is patron saint of wine growers, wine makers and vintners. In
France, the tasting of the new wine is done today. Have a Martinmas
gathering, serving this year's Noveau Beaujolais wine from France.
- Read
Painting
Angels, Saints and Their Symbols for a discussion about St. Martin's
symbols in art.
- For
more biographies and other information on St. Martin, read Patron
Saints Index.
- See
the Life of St Martin as depicted in the stained glass of Chartres
Cathedral (c.1220) here.
- The
children will enjoy this dessert St.
Martin's Horseshoes and you can learn more about customs for this
feast.
CHRISTIAN
TRADITIONS[4]
In the Christian era the custom of
celebrating a thanksgiving harvest festival began in the High Middle Ages. For
lack of any definite liturgical day or ceremony prescribed by the Church, various
practices came to be observed locally. In many places, as in Hungary, the Feast
of the Assumption included great thanksgiving solemnities for the grain
harvest. Delegates from all parts of the country came for the solemn procession
to Budapest, carrying the best samples of their produce. A similar ceremony was
observed in Poland, where harvest wreaths brought to Warsaw from all sections
were bestowed on the president in a colorful pageant. These wreaths (wieniec),
made up of the straw of the last sheaf (broda), were beautifully
decorated with flowers, apples, nuts, and ribbons, and blessed in churches by
the priests.
The most common, and almost universal,
harvest and thanksgiving celebration in medieval times was held on the Feast of
Saint Martin of Tours (Martinmas) on November 11. It was a holiday in Germany,
France, Holland, England, and in central Europe. People first went to Mass and
observed the rest of the day with games, dances, parades, and a festive dinner,
the main feature of the meal being the traditional roast goose (Martin's
goose). With the goose dinner they drank "Saint Martin's wine," which
was the first lot of wine made from the grapes of the recent harvest. Martinmas
was the festival commemorating filled barns and stocked larders, the actual
Thanksgiving Day of the Middle Ages. Even today it is still kept in rural
sections of Europe, and dinner on Martin's Day would be unthinkable without the
golden-brown, luscious Martin's goose.
Today
is Veterans Day let us remember to pray today for both our military and
veterans. Also ask today's Holy Saint Martin of Tours to intercede for our
military and veterans who have born the yoke of service to this nation.
Veterans
Day[5]
Today
is the 104th Anniversary of the end of
WWI[6]
Veterans Day seeks to honor and give thanks to all the men and women who have served and are serving in the US Armed Forces. Ceremonies are held across the country at Veterans Hospitals, cemeteries, and National Monuments. At 11:00 a.m. EST, the Veterans Day National Ceremony is held at Arlington National Cemetery. At this ceremony the President of the United States, or his assigned ambassador, places a wreath on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Veterans Day is observed on November 11th each year. Today is also the start of the Fasching season in Germany which begins on 11/11 at the 11th hour and at the 11th second.
Veterans Day Facts
& Quotes
·
In 1954, President Dwight D. Eisenhower issued a
proclamation urging the nation to support the Veterans Day effort in any way
possible.
·
During World War II, over 16 million men and
women served in the military. The war resulted in over 400,000 deaths.
·
The War of Global Terrorism, encompassing
October 7, 2001 to May 29, 2012, has seen 54,820 casualties of which 6,456 resulted
in death.
·
This nation will remain the land of the free
only so long as it is the home of the brave. - Elmer Davis
Veterans
Day Top Events and Things to Do
·
Volunteer at a local VA facility.
·
Thank everyone you know who has served in the
armed forces.
·
Take flowers to the grave sites of deceased
military personnel.
·
Invite local veterans to a special luncheon in
their honor.
·
Make a donation of time or money to a local
Veterans organization.
Remember
we are all in a battle with the forces of evil that seek the destruction of
ourselves and our prosperity
Fitness Friday
Are You Tough Enough for the VETERAN’S Workout Challenge?[7]
45-minute program to push your body
and mind to the limit.
The Warmup
warmup
movements that will directly prepare your body for the challenging work ahead.
Repeat 3 rounds before starting the workout.
- 10
Lunge and reach
- 10
Prisoner Squats
- 10
Inchworms to Cobra
Mental Challenge
Lay
out 10 random objects. Take two minutes to memorize as many details as possible
about the items. For example: the logo, color, shapes, and words.
Strength Circuit 1
Set
your timer for 10 minutes. Complete 3 reps of each exercise, then 6, then 9,
working your way up a 3-rep ladder.
- 25-meter
Bear crawl
- Iron
mikes
Cardio Round 1
Set
a timer for 5 minutes. Complete 50 burpees for time. The faster you finish, the
more rest you have before your next set of strength work.
Strength Circuit 2
Set
your timer for 10 minutes and complete as many rounds as possible. Complete
both carries on one side before repeating on the other side.
- 50
ft Single Arm Kettlebell Farmers Carry
- 50
ft Single Arm Kettlebell Front Rack Carry
Cardio Round 2
Set
a timer for 5 minutes. Complete 50 burpees for time. Try to complete them
faster than the first time.
Strength Circuit 3
Set
your timer for 10 minutes and complete as many rounds as possible.
- 10
Walking lunges
- 10
Kettlebell swings
Cardio Round 3
Set
a timer for 5 minutes. Complete 50 burpees for time. Make this round your
fastest.
Mental Challenge
Set
a timer for two minutes and recite as many details as possible about the items
you memorized at the beginning of the workout.
Daily
Devotions
·
Unite in the work of the Porters of St. Joseph by joining them
in fasting: Today's Fast: End
Sex Trafficking Slavery
·
Litany of the Most Precious
Blood of Jesus
· Offering to
the sacred heart of Jesus
·
Friday Fish: Mahi
Mahi
·
Rosary
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