Friday, November 10, 2023
VETERANS DAY OBSERVED
2 Maccabees, Chapter 3, Verse 29-30
29 As Heliodorus lay speechless because of God’s action and deprived
of any hope of recovery, 30 the people praised the Lord who had marvelously glorified his own
place; and the temple, charged so shortly before with FEAR and
commotion, was filled with joy and gladness, now that the almighty Lord had
appeared.
As Mr. H approaches the temple both he and his associates
encounter the living God where upon he and his associates are thrown into panic
and fainting. Then a rider on the magnificent horse charges H and his two
companions, who fall to the ground unconscious. Mr. H is then unceremoniously
carried away on a stretcher, utterly helpless. The people praise God who has
protected the temple. H fearful of his death, have his supporters ask the high
priest to pray for him which the High priest does and Mr. H now proclaims God’s
power and majesty and the story continues with:
·
Simon Maccabee opposes the high priest, Onias.
·
Onias is disposed as high priest by his brother Jason who bribes
the king and is part of the Hellenistic party.
·
Jason doesn’t pay his bribe in a timely manner and is supplanted
by Menelaus who offers more but does not pay as promised then is on the run.
·
The king marches with is army to squash the cities that are not
with the program and leaves his trusted henchman Andronicus in charge who
promptly murders the ex-high priest Onias.
·
Menelaus plunders the temple of its golden vessels and booms back
on top; bribes away.
·
Jason the bad man with no money dies in exile. Do we see a pattern
here?
·
Antiochus IV then attacks the Jews and profanes the temple.
·
Antiochus IV then proscribes Jewish practices and persecutes the
religious
Veterans
Day[1]
Tomorrow
is the 105th Anniversary of the end of
WWI[2]
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. Tomorrow 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.
·
Today is the US
Marine Corps birthday
Remember
we are all in a battle with the forces of evil that seek the destruction of
ourselves and our prosperity.
Today is the Feast of Leo the Great who faced down Attila the Hun and penned of Christ who was a warrior for our cause:
Lowliness is assured by majesty, weakness by power, mortality by eternity. To pay the debt of our sinful state, a nature that was incapable of suffering was joined to one that could suffer. Thus, in keeping with the healing that we needed, one and the same mediator between God and men, the man Jesus Christ, was able to die in one nature, and unable to die in the other.
THE VIRTUES OF A SOLDIER OF CHRIST
Another way to illustrate the virtues of a genuine man* of God is by reference to a good soldier. The relation between a man of God and a soldier will seem either somewhat obvious or a stretch depending upon your larger views of the military and military interventions. If you do not see the connection at this point, I ask you to bear with me briefly, because I think its relevance will soon become apparent.
A good soldier, especially one fit for battle, generally
has the following ten traits, among others:
1.
He is willing to give his life to protect others.
2.
He is task-oriented, and lets his actions speak for themselves.
3.
He does his duty, even when it is unappreciated.
4.
He is a man of honor, who is loyal to others and to his principles.
5.
He is rooted in discipline and strength.
6.
He may be tender and compassionate but never soft.
7.
He sees himself as part of a unit, a band of brothers, greater than
himself.
8.
He follows the chain of command, without considering it demeaning.
9.
He is courageous, even and especially when heroism is required.
10. He
sees sacrifice as an opportunity to show his character and demonstrate love.
The practical and theological relevance of these
observations for our discussion can be seen very readily in the fact that all
ten of these traits can be said, without a stretch, about the God-man Jesus
Christ.
• He was willing to give his life to protect others – Jesus
willingly gave his life to save us. He is the Good Shepherd who made good on
his promise to give his life for his sheep (John 10:11). Even in the Garden of
Gethsemane, as he handed himself over, he demanded that his disciples be let go
(John 18:8).
• He was task-oriented, and let his actions speak for
themselves – from his earliest days, when he announced he was “about the
Father’s business” (Luke 2:49), his whole life was dedicated to accomplishing
that mission. He lived by the same principles he taught, not to be distracted
from his purpose (Luke 10:4), which not even the devil could do by promising
him all the power of the world (Matthew 4:9). He let his actions also speak
more loudly than his words. As he said once when challenged by the Pharisees,
“Even if you do not believe me, believe the works” (John 10:25, 37; 14:10). He
backed up each of his discourses with miracles that testified to his power, the
greatest miracle and message of all being what he said from the pulpits of the
Cross and the empty tomb.
• He did his duty, even when it was unappreciated – Jesus
fulfilled his mission even when one of his apostles thought he was less
valuable than 30 silver pieces, when the rest of his hand-picked men ran away,
when he was hammered to wood by those for whom he was dying, when he was mocked
by four different groups as he agonizingly hung from the Cross, wondering all
the while, “When the Son of man comes, will he find faith on earth?” (Luke
18:8). He was the “grain of wheat” that fell to the ground and died, knowing
that that seed would hit hardened, rocky, weedy soil in addition to good, but
he did it anyway (John 12:24; Luke 8:5ff). Yet, at the end of it all, he cried
out in triumph, “It is finished!” (John 19:30) which was the equivalent of
“mission accomplished.”
• He was a man of honor, who was loyal to others and to his
principles – Jesus kept his dignity, even when being tempted by the devil,
tested by the hypocritical Pharisees, beaten by the brutal guards, and mocked
by thieves and passersby. He was loyal to his disciples, never abandoning them
though they abandoned him; to Israelites, despite the many times they broke
God’s covenant; to sinners, no matter what their sin. He was knightly in his
protection and care for women in need and danger, like the woman caught in
adultery, the woman at the well in Samaria, and the woman who washed his feet
with her tears in the house of Simon the Pharisee.
• He was rooted in discipline and strength – He called
himself the “stronger man” who would overpower the devil and divide his spoils
(Luke 11:22), who could calm even the winds and the sea (Matthew 8:27), who
would repeatedly say to his frightened followers, “Do not be afraid. It is I!”
(Matthew 14:27). His strength was shown most when out of discipline he did not
use it, when tempted in the desert or on the Cross. His power was always used
not for his own benefit but for others, to teach them the discipline that makes
disciples.
• He was tender and compassionate but never soft – He who
was “meek and humble of heart,” who cared compassionately for parents and
widows, for the woman caught in adultery, for the crowds who were like sheep
without a shepherd (Matthew 11:29; Luke 7:12; John 8:3; Mark 6:34), was
also capable of driving the money changers from the temple with a whip, calling
the Pharisees “whitewashed sepulchers” and telling forgiven sinners to “go and
sin no more” (John 2:14; Matthew 23:27; John 8:11).
• He saw himself as part of a unit, a band of brothers –
Jesus came from heaven to earth to form a family with the same Father in heaven
(Matthew 12:50). To that family, the Church, he gave his whole mission. To the
twelve whom he associated most intimately in this task, he gave his own power
to turn bread and wine into his Body and Blood and to forgive sins in his name
(Luke 22:19-20; Matthew 16:19; John 20:19-23). To the Church he gave his whole
message (Matthew 28:18-20). He said that all members of the Church were a part
of him, as branches on the vine (John 15:5).
• He followed the chain of command, without considering it
a threat – Jesus said simply, “I seek not my own will but the will of him who
sent me,” “I do nothing on my own authority but speak thus as the Father taught
me” and “not my will, but thine, be done” (John 5:30; John 8:28; Luke 22:42).
• He was courageous, even and especially when heroism was
required – Courage is doing what ought to be done in spite of one’s fears, a
virtue Jesus showed us time and again, but especially during his agony and on
Good Friday. Despite asking for the cup of suffering to pass from him, he drank
it to the dregs, sweating blood-filled perspiration, being beaten, scourged and
crucified for our sake (Matthew 26:39).
• He saw sacrifice as an opportunity to show his character
and demonstrate love – “Greater love has no man than this,” he said, “that a
man lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13) and he evinced that love in
hundreds of little ways and unforgettably through his supreme sacrifice. The
real Christian man will seek to embody these same virtues. They will help him
to become a real soldier of Christ. They will help form him to be another
Christ and train him to love others as Christ loves.
Fitness Friday
Are You Tough Enough for the VETERAN’S Workout Challenge?[3]
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.
Mastering Wellness:
Fight Health-Robbing Inflammation with 9 Simple Steps[4]
In a world where our daily routines are often filled with
stress, unhealthy diets, and little time for self-care, inflammation has become
a common health concern. Chronic inflammation can wreak havoc on your body and
lead to various diseases. The good news is that you can take control of your
health by combating inflammation through simple yet effective steps. In this
article, we'll explore how to fight health-robbing inflammation with nine
practical strategies.
1. Prioritize Your Diet
The food you consume plays a pivotal role in your body's
inflammatory response. To combat inflammation, focus on an anti-inflammatory
diet rich in whole foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean
proteins. Incorporate omega-3 fatty acids found in fish, flaxseeds, and
walnuts, as they have potent anti-inflammatory properties. Avoid or limit
processed foods, sugary snacks, and excessive red meat consumption, which can
exacerbate inflammation.
2. Stay Hydrated
Proper hydration is essential to maintaining a healthy balance
in your body. Dehydration can trigger inflammatory responses, so ensure you
drink an adequate amount of water daily. Herbal teas and infusions like ginger
and turmeric can also be great choices, thanks to their natural
anti-inflammatory properties.
3. Get Active
Regular physical activity is a cornerstone of a healthy
lifestyle. Exercise helps reduce inflammation by regulating the production of
pro-inflammatory molecules. Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity
exercise per week. Activities like walking, swimming, or cycling can be both
enjoyable and beneficial.
4. Manage Stress
Stress is a well-known trigger for inflammation. Incorporate
stress management techniques into your daily routine. These may include
meditation, deep breathing exercises, yoga, or simply taking time for yourself
to relax and unwind.
5. Adequate Sleep
Quality sleep is when your body rejuvenates and repairs itself.
Aim for 7-9 hours of uninterrupted sleep per night. Poor sleep can lead to
increased inflammation and a higher risk of chronic diseases.
6. Maintain a Healthy Weight
Excess body fat can release pro-inflammatory chemicals.
Achieving and maintaining a healthy weight through a balanced diet and regular
exercise can significantly reduce inflammation and its associated risks.
7. Say No to Smoking
Smoking is a major source of inflammation in the body. Quitting
smoking is one of the best steps you can take to reduce inflammation and
improve your overall health.
8. Limit Alcohol Consumption
Excessive alcohol consumption can lead to inflammation,
particularly in the liver. If you choose to consume alcohol, do so in
moderation to minimize its impact on your body.
9. Incorporate Anti-Inflammatory Herbs and Spices
Nature provides us with an array of herbs and spices known for
their anti-inflammatory properties. Turmeric, ginger, cinnamon, and garlic are
just a few examples. Incorporate them into your meals and enjoy their flavor
and health benefits.
Inflammation is a natural response of the body to injuries and
infections, but when it becomes chronic, it can lead to serious health issues.
By following these nine simple steps, you can take control of your health and
effectively combat health-robbing inflammation. Remember, consistency is key,
and these lifestyle changes will not only reduce inflammation but also promote
overall well-being. Start your journey towards a healthier, inflammation-free
life today, and watch your vitality and quality of life soar.
Catechism of the Catholic
Church
PART TWO: THE CELEBRATION OF THE CHRISTIAN
MYSTERY
SECTION TWO-THE SEVEN
SACRAMENTS OF THE CHURCH
CHAPTER THREE-THE SACRAMENTS AT THE SERVICE OF
COMMUNION
ARTICLE 6-THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY ORDERS
II. The Sacrament of Holy Orders in
the Economy of Salvation
The priesthood of the Old Covenant
1539 The chosen people was
constituted by God as "a kingdom of priests and a holy nation." But
within the people of Israel, God chose one of the twelve tribes, that of Levi,
and set it apart for liturgical service; God himself is its inheritance. A
special rite consecrated the beginnings of the priesthood of the Old Covenant.
the priests are "appointed to act on behalf of men in relation to God, to
offer gifts and sacrifices for sins."
1540 Instituted to proclaim the
Word of God and to restore communion with God by sacrifices and prayer, this
priesthood nevertheless remains powerless to bring about salvation, needing to
repeat its sacrifices ceaselessly and being unable to achieve a definitive
sanctification, which only the sacrifice of Christ would accomplish.
1541 The liturgy of the Church,
however, sees in the priesthood of Aaron and the service of the Levites, as in
the institution of the seventy elders, a prefiguring of the ordained
ministry of the New Covenant. Thus in the Latin Rite the Church prays in the
consecratory preface of the ordination of bishops:
God the Father of our Lord Jesus
Christ,
by your gracious word
you have established the plan of
your Church.
From the beginning,
you chose the descendants of
Abraham to be your holy nation.
You established rulers and priests
and did not leave your sanctuary
without ministers to serve you....
1542 At the ordination of priests,
the Church prays:
Lord, holy Father, . . .
when you had appointed high priests
to rule your people,
you chose other men next to them in
rank and dignity
to be with them and to help them in
their task....
you extended the spirit of Moses to
seventy wise men....
You shared among the sons of Aaron
the fullness of their father's
power.
1543 In the consecratory prayer for
ordination of deacons, the Church confesses:
Almighty God . . ..
You make the Church, Christ's body,
grow to its full stature as a new
and greater temple.
You enrich it with every kind of
grace
and perfect it with a diversity of
members
to serve the whole body in a
wonderful pattern of unity.
You established a threefold
ministry of worship and service,
for the glory of your name.
As ministers of your tabernacle you
chose the sons of Levi
and gave them your blessing as
their everlasting inheritance.
The one priesthood of Christ
1544 Everything that the priesthood
of the Old Covenant prefigured finds its fulfillment in Christ Jesus, the
"one mediator between God and men." The Christian tradition
considers Melchizedek, "priest of God Most High," as a prefiguration
of the priesthood of Christ, the unique "high priest after the order of
Melchizedek"; "holy, blameless, unstained," "by a
single offering he has perfected for all time those who are sanctified," that
is, by the unique sacrifice of the cross.
1545 The redemptive sacrifice of
Christ is unique, accomplished once for all; yet it is made present in the
Eucharistic sacrifice of the Church. the same is true of the one priesthood of
Christ; it is made present through the ministerial priesthood without
diminishing the uniqueness of Christ's priesthood: "Only Christ is the
true priest, the others being only his ministers."
Two participations in the one
priesthood of Christ
1546 Christ, high priest and unique
mediator, has made of the Church "a kingdom, priests for his God and
Father." The whole community of believers is, as such, priestly. the
faithful exercise their baptismal priesthood through their participation, each
according to his own vocation, in Christ's mission as priest, prophet, and
king. Through the sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation the faithful are
"consecrated to be . . . a holy priesthood."
1547 The ministerial or
hierarchical priesthood of bishops and priests, and the common priesthood of
all the faithful participate, "each in its own proper way, in the one
priesthood of Christ." While being "ordered one to another," they
differ essentially. In what sense? While the common priesthood of the
faithful is exercised by the unfolding of baptismal grace - a life of faith,
hope, and charity, a life according to the Spirit -, the ministerial priesthood
is at the service of the common priesthood. It is directed at the unfolding of
the baptismal grace of all Christians. the ministerial priesthood is a means by
which Christ unceasingly builds up and leads his Church. For this reason it is
transmitted by its own sacrament, the sacrament of Holy Orders.
In the person of Christ the Head .
. .
1548 In the ecclesial service of
the ordained minister, it is Christ himself who is present to his Church as
Head of his Body, Shepherd of his flock, high priest of the redemptive
sacrifice, Teacher of Truth. This is what the Church means by saying that the
priest, by virtue of the sacrament of Holy Orders, acts in persona Christi
Capitis:
It is the same priest, Christ
Jesus, whose sacred person his minister truly represents. Now the minister, by
reason of the sacerdotal consecration which he has received, is truly made like
to the high priest and possesses the authority to act in the power and place of
the person of Christ himself (virtute ac persona ipsius Christi).
Christ is the source of all priesthood: the priest of the old law was a figure
of Christ, and the priest of the new law acts in the person of Christ.
1549 Through the ordained ministry,
especially that of bishops and priests, the presence of Christ as head of the
Church is made visible in the midst of the community of believers. In the
beautiful expression of St. Ignatius of Antioch, the bishop is typos tou
Patros: he is like the living image of God the Father.
1550 This presence of Christ in the
minister is not to be understood as if the latter were preserved from all human
weaknesses, the spirit of domination, error, even sin. The power of the Holy
Spirit does not guarantee all acts of ministers in the same way. While this
guarantee extends to the sacraments, so that even the minister's sin cannot
impede the fruit of grace, in many other acts the minister leaves human traces
that are not always signs of fidelity to the Gospel and consequently can harm
the apostolic fruitfulness of the Church.
1551 This priesthood is
ministerial. "That office . . . which the Lord committed to the pastors of
his people, is in the strict sense of the term a service." It is
entirely related to Christ and to men. It depends entirely on Christ and on his
unique priesthood; it has been instituted for the good of men and the communion
of the Church. the sacrament of Holy Orders communicates a "sacred power"
which is none other than that of Christ. the exercise of this authority must
therefore be measured against the model of Christ, who by love made himself the
least and the servant of all. "The Lord said clearly that concern for his
flock was proof of love for him."
. . . "in the name of the
whole Church"
1552 The ministerial priesthood has
the task not only of representing Christ - Head of the Church - before the
assembly of the faithful, but also of acting in the name of the whole Church
when presenting to God the prayer of the Church, and above all when offering
the Eucharistic sacrifice.
1553 "In the name of the whole
Church" does not mean that priests are the delegates of the community. the
prayer and offering of the Church are inseparable from the prayer and offering
of Christ, her head; it is always the case that Christ worships in and through
his Church. the whole Church, the Body of Christ, prays and offers herself
"through him, with him, in him," in the unity of the Holy Spirit, to
God the Father. the whole Body, caput et membra, prays and offers itself, and
therefore those who in the Body are especially his ministers are called
ministers not only of Christ, but also of the Church. It is because the
ministerial priesthood represents Christ that it can represent the Church.
Daily Devotions
·
Today's Fast: Unite in the work of the Porters of St. Joseph by joining them
in fasting: Today's Fast: Restoring the Constitution.
·
Litany of the Most Precious
Blood of Jesus
·
Offering to
the sacred heart of Jesus
·
Friday Fish: Mahi
Mahi
·
Rosary
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