Thursday, August 17, 2023
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Thursday in the Octave of the
Assumptions
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 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; Gods
mercy is greater that 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.
Catechism of the Catholic
Church
PART ONE: THE PROFESSION
OF FAITH
SECTION
TWO-I. THE CREEDS
CHAPTER
THREE-I BELIEVE IN THE HOLY SPIRIT
Article 12-"I BELIEVE IN LIFE EVERLASTING"
I. The Particular Judgment
1021 Death
puts an end to human life as the time open to either accepting or rejecting the
divine grace manifested in Christ. The New Testament speaks of judgment
primarily in its aspect of the final encounter with Christ in his second
coming, but also repeatedly affirms that each will be rewarded immediately
after death in accordance with his works and faith. the parable of the poor man
Lazarus and the words of Christ on the cross to the good thief, as well as
other New Testament texts speak of a final destiny of the soul -a destiny which
can be different for some and for others.
1022 Each
man receives his eternal retribution in his immortal soul at the very moment of
his death, in a particular judgment that refers his life to Christ: either
entrance into the blessedness of heaven-through a purification or
immediately, -or immediate and everlasting damnation.
At the evening of life, we shall be judged on our love.
Thursday Feast
Thursday is the day of the week
that our Lord gave himself up for consumption. Thursday commemorates the last
supper. Some theologians believe after Sunday Thursday is the holiest day of
the week. We should then try to make this day special by making a visit to the
blessed sacrament chapel, Mass or even stopping by the grave of a loved one.
Why not plan to count the blessing of the week and thank our Lord. Plan a
special meal. Be at Peace.
- Hearty Potato Soup
- Li'l Cheddar Meat
Loaves
- Rosemary Roasted Potatoes and Asparagus
- Easy Lemon Pie
MEDICINAL PLANTS Day 3-Revealed by Heaven to Luz De María
OUTDOORS EXPOSURE AND GOOD SAMARITAN OIL
My children are
suffering more frequently from respiratory diseases, which increase, being
recurrent and requiring long treatment. Children, have you not asked yourselves
why it is that you should be weaker faced with respiratory diseases?
Exposure to drastic
changes in the climate greatly contributes to your bodies’ being exposed to
respiratory complications, but at the same time the hand of man is implicit,
spreading chemicals and viruses through the air so that you fall sick more
frequently, and these sometimes become mortal for human beings. Faced with
this, you should protect yourselves in order to minimize exposure to white
trails when they cover the atmosphere. At the same time, spray the oil of the
Good Samaritan on what you have chosen to protect your nose and mouth.
Sick minds of
powerful nations are the demons that spread the disease on My children in
airplanes. Shut your homes and do not expose yourselves to the open air when
you see strange forms in the atmosphere.” Blessed Virgin Mary, 12.21.2019
Daily
Devotions
·
Unite in the work of the Porters of St. Joseph by joining them
in fasting: Individuals
with Mental Illness
·
30
Days of Women and Herbs – Frauendreissiger
o
Valerian
(Valeriana officinalis)
·
do
a personal eucharistic stations of the cross.
·
Religion
in the Home for Preschool: August
·
Litany of the Most Precious
Blood of Jesus
·
Offering to
the sacred heart of Jesus
·
Rosary
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