Monday, November 27, 2023
Monday Night at the Movies
Mark Pellington, Henry Poole is Here, 2008.
Monday in the Octave
of Christ the King
OUR
LADY OF THE MIRACULOUS MEDAL
Cyber
Monday-Full Beaver Moon
Daniel, Chapter 1, Verse 10
Though God had given Daniel the favor and sympathy of the chief
chamberlain, he nevertheless said to Daniel, "I am AFRAID of my lord the king; it is he who allotted your food and
drink.
As a Catholic in
the modern world have you ever felt like you were living in exile; because
those who are not of the body of Christ are sort of foreign?
Exile on (Babylon's) Main Street[1]
The story begins when Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon besieges Jerusalem. He breaks in, conquers the city, and captures the king and some of the sacred vessels dedicated to God in the temple. After this mad-cap spree, the king orders his palace master Ashpenaz to take some of the royal and well-educated Israelites and bring them back to Babylon to serve at the king's palace. Daniel and his friends Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah are among the people who get exiled to Babylon. The palace master makes them cash in their Hebrew names for slick, new Babylonian ones. Daniel receives the totally metal name of "Belteshazzar"; Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah become respectively "Shadrach," "Meshach," and "Abednego." Um, is this Kosher? Immediately, Daniel n' pals run into a problem. The king offers them daily rations of fine Babylonian cuisine and wine—but the food isn't kosher. Fortunately, God has mercy on Daniel by making the palace master merciful. After some back and forth, he gives Daniel, Shadrach, and co. permission to do a trial run: they'll "go veg" for ten days, eating nothing but water and vegetables. If they don't look worse than everyone else after that time, they can consider the next step to take. Of course, they end up looking better than the people who are chowing down on the Babylonian cheeseburgers and lobster rolls (or whatever they were serving), and they're allowed to keep eating appropriate kosher and vegetarian meals. Rather than collapsing from weakness, Daniel and his friends load up on wisdom, knowledge, and skills—all provided by God. Daniel also receives the ability to interpret dreams and visions, which will prove handy pretty soon. When Nebuchadnezzar finally calls in the elite Israelites, after their training in Babylonian ways has been completed, he discovers that no one is wiser or more knowledgeable than Daniel and his friends. They're superior to all the Babylonian wise men, as well. The book notes that Daniel remained in Nebuchadnezzar's court until the first year the Persian king Cyrus came to reign.
Maybe
there is something to this vegan gig?
Octave of Christ the
King
·
attend
Mass daily or via EWTN or the internet
·
Mediate
on the virtues of Mary (Humility, Generosity, Chastity, Patience,
Temperance, Understanding/love and Wisdom. One for each day.
·
Fast
doing the Daniel fast (Monday-Saturday).
· Exercise-Universal Man Plan.
Generosity[2] is the virtue of giving not taking.
Generosity is giving to another person something of yours as an act of freewill, without obligation. Generosity requires an awareness of your own freedom—I choose to give this gift—and the decision to make good use of that freedom—I choose to do good.
Although you
may think first of generosity in monetary terms, often non-monetary gifts, such
as time, encouragement, hope, laughter, hospitality, service, and forgiveness,
may have the most value.
·
If
you are giving to right a wrong then you are acting from justice, not generosity.
·
If
you are giving out of a sense of obligation you are acting from reciprocity,
not generosity.
·
If
you are giving out of a sense of loyalty you are acting from solidarity, not generosity.
·
If
you are giving out of a sense of self-interest, it is selfishness, not
generosity.
·
If
you are giving to someone you love, then you are acting from love, not generosity.
·
Generosity
is your decision to act in opposition to hate, contempt, envy, anger, and even
indifference.
·
Generosity
keeps good company, as the following combinations of virtues show:
- Generosity
+ courage = heroism
- Generosity
+ justice = equity
- Generosity
+ compassion = benevolence
- Generosity
+ mercy = leniency
- Generosity
+ gentleness = kindness
- Help
when you can.
- Perform
random acts of kindness such as these
examples.
- Give
without hope of reward and without anticipation of gratitude.
- Enjoy
the virtue of generosity.
Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal[3]
In
the year 1830, Our Lady appeared to St. Catherine Laboure, a Daughter of
Charity in Paris, and told her that God had a mission for her. Standing upon a
globe, the Virgin Mary held a golden ball which she seemed to offer to God, and
on her fingers were rings with gems that emitted rays of light. She told St.
Catherine, "These rays symbolize the graces I shed upon those who ask for
them. The gems from which rays do not fall are the graces for which souls
forget to ask. The Blessed Virgin instructed St. Catherine to have a medal made
of these images, and she promised many graces to all who wear it.
Highlights and Things
to Do:
- Read
the inspiring story of the converson of Alphonse
Ratisbonne. For a an entire book on the subject see The conversion of Marie-Alphonse Ratisbonne by
Bussieres, Theodore de, Baron.
- Read
more about the Miraculous Medal at the Central Association of the Miraculous Medal and obtain
a free Miraculous Medal.
- Read
the biography of St. Catherine Labouré by Fr. Joseph Dirvin, Saint Catherine Laboure of the Miraculous Medal.
Meaning of the Medal[4]
The Front
Here, we see a woman, the Mother of God, encircled by a
short and famous prayer: "O Mary conceived without sin. . . . " Being
conceived without sin—the mystery of her Immaculate Conception—means that from
the beginning this woman was full of grace. Mary stands on a globe, the world.
Around her feet a twisted serpent, the devil, struggles for mastery. It is a
conflict between good and evil. Satan's is a world of darkness and disgrace;
Mary's is a world of light and grace. But hers is the victory won by Christ—the
light of the world. So, we see the light and grace of Christ flowing from her
hands; and those who choose grace rather than darkness turn to her for help:
"pray for us who have recourse to thee."
The Back
On the back of the medal, we see a large letter M with a
cross above it. M is for Mary and Mother because she is indeed the Mother of
God's people—a people founded on the twelve Apostles, signified by the twelve
stars arranged around the rim. The two hearts are those of Jesus and Mary.
God's message for Mary was one of suffering "a sword will pierce your
heart too"—just as the heart of her Son would be pierced by a soldier's
lance. The showing of the two hearts in one grand alliance is a reminder of
God's love for us. Mother and Son are united in the work of redemption as
Christ offers himself on the cross and Mary stands compassionately at his feet,
assenting in faith so that the world might be saved. The medal, then, is a
summary in itself of the Church's teaching on Our Lady—a mini-catechism of the
faith for everyone.
The MI Movement
One of the most celebrated cases of a conversion, through
the use of the Miraculous Medal, was that of the agnostic, Alphonse Ratisbonne.
In January 1917, while still a seminarian at the Conventual Franciscan Friars'
Seraphicum in Rome, St. Maximilian Kolbe heard the Miraculous Medal conversion
story of Ratisbonne. This wonderful account inspired St. Maximilian to
recognize the powerful role that God had given Mary in the work of leading people
to conversion and growth in holiness. He understood that the Miraculous Medal
symbolized her active presence in the Church as Mediatrix of All Graces. For
the next nine months St. Maximilian meditated upon the Miraculous Medal, the
apparition of Our Lady to St. Catherine Laboure, and the marvel of Ratisbonne's
conversion.
On the evening of October 16, 1917, St. Maximilian was
ready to put these Marian insights into a concrete plan of action. He gathered
six Franciscan companions in a room at their seminary on Rome's Via San Teodoro
to establish what he called in Latin the Militia Immaculatae (MI), that is, the
"Knights of the Immaculata." This movement, which now numbers
millions of members worldwide, would bind people together around one compelling
and fruitful ideal: spiritual union with Mary the Immaculata. This ideal would
attract various kinds and classes of people (clergy, religious, and laity),
stirring each to form a person-to-person relationship with Mary by means of the
"Act of Total Consecration," and entrustment of self to her.
St. Maximilian made the Miraculous Medal the insignia of
the MI movement. He recommended that people wear it as an external sign of
their Total Consecration to the Immaculata. Mindful of Mary's promise to St.
Catherine that "all who wear it will receive great graces," St.
Maximilian saw the medal as a means of safeguarding the consecration. It
reminds MIs that by their consecration they are to belong to Mary, work for
her, and become one with her, so that she might act through them as her
instruments.
The Miraculous Medal helps MIs to love Jesus through Mary,
so as to hasten the transformation of individuals, families, and society into a
"civilization of love."
Purpose of the
MI:
Pursue the conversion and growth in holiness of all people,
under the sponsorship of the Blessed and Immaculate Virgin Mary.
May I join the
MI?
All Catholics are welcome to join. One's "work"
in the MI is simply to live the spirit of Total Consecration to Mary as taught
by the saints and popes. MIs try to bring the presence of Mary into daily life,
by offering up daily duties, prayers, sufferings, and good works for the
conversion and sanctification of souls. MIs need not attend meetings, nor pay
dues, nor follow complicated rules.
Miraculous Medal Invocation Prayer
O Mary conceived without sin, pray
for us
who have recourse to you, and for all who do
not have recourse to you, especially the enemies
of the Church and those recommended to you.
Meditation Prayer with the Miraculous Medal
Mary, this medal is a sign and a
guarantee of your presence. You are present because your power is present, your
voice is present, and your love is present. Therefore, O wonderful Sinless
Woman and our Mystical Mother, we call on you now to fulfill your guarantee. Bring
us the great graces you promised to those who carry this medal, especially to
those who wear it around their neck. Make us perceive our presence now and
always. Make us consciously experience your power, your love and your guidance,
that in their strength we may begin to share in your perfect response to God
and to each of his creatures and join in your war with the ancient Serpent.
Help us utterly abandon our self-centered feelings and preoccupations. Help us
hear and understand you. Teach us to listen and learn. Help us respond to you
today and always; that made one with you we might more fully respond with the
rest of the Church to the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, participating in their
life and unity.
Cyber
Monday[5]
(another secular
event)
This Christmas season
when you make out your gift list try to give a gift to those you love that
truly helps them to prosper!
Cyber Monday seeks to sell
massive quantities of goods through online stores at a sale price. Marketing
companies created the term Cyber Monday as a catchphrase to persuade people to
shop online. In 2014, Cyber Monday sales were a record 2.68 billion dollars,
making it one of the biggest shopping days of the year. Cyber Monday is not an
official holiday, but it is an international day recognized by consumers. The
term Cyber Monday developed naturally overtime as online sales following Thanksgiving spiked. This
was seen as an opportunity to brand the new shopping occasion; much the same
way black Friday was years earlier. Cyber Monday was first originally held
November of 2005. The day it is held varies from year to year, but it is always
held the Monday following Thanksgiving in the US.
Cyber Monday Facts & Quotes
Since 2010, Cyber Monday
has been the highest online spending day in the year in the US. Sales numbers
on Cyber Monday have gradually increased by at least $100 million each year
since the term was first coined. According to a survey by the National Retail
Federation, 90% of online shoppers surveyed said low prices were the most
important part of their shopping experience on Cyber Monday. The top 3 products
purchased online on Cyber Monday are: Apparel, books/DVDs/Videos/Games and
Consumer electronics. You may have heard of Black Friday and Cyber
Monday. There's another day you might want to know about: Giving Tuesday. The idea
is pretty straightforward. On the Tuesday after Thanksgiving, shoppers take a
break from their gift-buying and donate what they can to charity.
– Bill Gates, creator of Microsoft.
Cyber Monday Top Events and Things
to Do
Buy
something! You can buy just about anything online these days, so treat yourself
or a loved one to something you have been saving up for. Chances are it is at a
reduced price on Cyber Monday! Fill your online shopping cart with all the
things you were thinking of buying at all retail shops. Total up the cost of
all the things you were going to buy, and instead of buying them, donate that
exact amount of money to a charity of your choice. Spread awareness on social
media by using the hashtag#CyberMonday, #CyberDeals and #DealsDealsDeals.
Promote your favorite retailers over social media using their hashtags and by
reposting their posts. Save your money today and wait until Giving Tuesday
tomorrow to donate it all or use it to purchase items for donation.
CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH
§ PART TWO: THE CELEBRATION
OF THE CHRISTIAN MYSTERY
§ SECTION TWO THE SEVEN
SACRAMENTS OF THE CHURCH
§ CHAPTER FOUR OTHER
LITURGICAL CELEBRATIONS
§ Article 2-CHRISTIAN
FUNERALS
1680 All the sacraments, and principally those
of Christian initiation, have as their goal the last Passover of the child of
God which, through death, leads him into the life of the Kingdom. Then what he
confessed in faith and hope will be fulfilled: "I look for the
resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come."
Full Beaver Moon
According
to the almanac today is a Full Beaver Moon; plan to spend some time watching
the Narnia series or reading “The Witch the Lion and the Wardrobe” with your
children or grandchildren.
Daily Devotions
·
Unite in the work of the Porters of St. Joseph by joining them
in fasting: Today's Fast: Protection
of Life from Conception until natural death.
·
Eat
waffles and Pray for the assistance of the Angels
·
Religion
in the home: Preschool for December
·
Offering to
the sacred heart of Jesus
·
Make
reparations to the Holy Face
·
Monday: Litany of Humility
·
Rosary
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