Saturday, December 2, 2023
First Saturday
END OF SLAVERY DAY
Job, Chapter 6, Verse 21
It is thus that you have now become
for me; you see a terrifying thing and are AFRAID.
Job
is a horrifying thing to look upon. He is just plain nasty. Full of oozing
sores and covered in filth. He kind of looks like our savior on the way to pay
for our sins. Job is scaring his neighbors, and they find no fun in fear. Can
you run away from your fears?
Taking
Courage[1]
The words “Be Not Afraid” are written more than 365 times in the
Bible. God has reminded us continuously throughout Sacred Scripture to have no
fear and trust in Him. Sometimes circumstances let our fear take the lead while
our faith in God lags.
St. John Paul II reminds us to “Be Not Afraid”.
“Have no fear of moving into the unknown. Simply step out
fearlessly knowing that I am with you, therefore no harm can befall you; all is
very, very well. Do this in complete faith and confidence.”
We must remember the greatness of our God and trust in His plan,
even during times when it seems like He is not there.
1.
Here are three
important tips to keep in mind:
Remember that Christ has defeated sin and death so that we
can have an abundant life in Him.
John 10:10 says that “A thief comes only to steal and slaughter
and destroy; I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly”
(John 10:10). Christ came into this world, vulnerable and susceptible to
suffering, so that we may be freed from the bondage of sin through His death.
His Resurrection from the dead should be a cause of great joy for us. Our fears
should shrink from the realization of Christ’s Redemption.
2.
Get out of your comfort
zone.
This saying may sound cliche, but it is imperative! As Neale
Donald Walsch has said: “Life begins at the end of your comfort zone.” It
is not until we face our fears that we will truly start living our lives to the
full.
3.
Do not become discouraged!
Bad times are bound to happen, but It is important to have faith
during those times, though it may be difficult. Deuteronomy 31:8 says that “It
is the LORD who goes before you; he will be with you and will never fail you or
forsake you. So do not fear or be dismayed.” It is important to remember God’s
presence in our lives. Although there is bound to be hard times throughout
life, we must recognize that God is
with us more than ever during those tumultuous times, even if His Presence is
not felt. When confronted with unforeseen circumstances, we have two choices to
make. We can either allow ourselves to be paralyzed by fear, or we can
surrender ourselves to God. In the end, the choice to have faith in the face of
fear will deepen our trust in God. Let us not run away from fear, but face it
head on, knowing that God is in control. He will not allow our fears to get the
better of us, but He will use them for our own benefit, drawing us closer and
closer to Himself.
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.
First Saturday[2]
The elements of this devotion, therefore, consist in the
following four points, all of which must be offered in reparation to the
Immaculate Heart of Mary.
1.
Confession: This confession can be made before
the First Saturday or afterward, provided that Holy Communion be received in
the state of grace. In 1926, Christ in a vision explained to Lucia (Fatima)
that this confession could be made a week before or even more, and that it
should be offered in reparation.
2.
Holy
Communion: Before
receiving Holy Communion, it is likewise necessary to offer it in reparation to
Our Lady. Our Lord told Lucia in 1930, “This Communion will be accepted on the
following Sunday for just reasons, if my priests allow it so.” So, if work or school, sickness, or
another just reason prevents Communion on a First Saturday, with this
permission it may be received the following Sunday. If Communion is
transferred, any or all of the other acts of devotion may also be performed on
Sunday if the person so desires.
3.
Rosary: The Rosary is a vocal prayer said
while meditating upon the mysteries of Our Lord’s life and Passion and Our Lady’s life. To comply with
the request of our Blessed Mother, it must be offered in reparation and said
properly while meditating.
4. 15-minute meditation: Also offered in reparation, the meditation may embrace one or more mysteries; it may include all, taken together or separately. This meditation should be the richest of any meditation, because Our Lady promised to be present when she said “...those who keep me company....”
International Day for
the Abolition of Slavery[3]
The International Day for the Abolition of Slavery aims to end slavery in the world. Contemporary forms of slavery include sexual exploitation, forced marriage, trafficking of persons and recruitment of children for armed conflict. The International Labour Organization estimates that there are currently 21 million people enslaved in the world, a business that generates around 150 billion US dollars in illegal profits every year. The International Day for the Abolition of Slavery was designated by the United Nations General Assembly as a day to be celebrated every December 2nd. The day marks the 1949 adoption of the UN Convention for the Suppression of the Traffic in Persons and of the Exploitation of the Prostitution of Others.
International Day for the Abolition of Slavery Facts & Quotes
·
The average cost of a slave globally is $90.
·
Human trafficking is the third largest
international crime industry after illegal drugs
and arms trafficking. It generates a profit of approximately 32 billion every
year.
·
1 million children
are enslaved worldwide.
·
Child slavery is a crime against humanity.
Humanity itself is at stake here. A lot of work still remains, but I will see
the end of child labor in my lifetime. – Kailash Satyarthi, Indian children’s
rights advocate and founder of Bachpan Bachao Andolan.
International Day for the Abolition of Slavery Top Events and Things to
Do
·
Watch a movie about the horrors of slavery. Some
suggestions are: 12 Years a Slave (2014), Django Unchained (2014) and Amistad
(1997)
·
Donate to a charity
fighting to end slavery.
·
Spread awareness by using the hashtags
#InternationalDayforAbolitionofSlavery, #EndSlavery and #HumanRightsMatter.
·
Volunteer your time at a local rescue center for
victims of human
trafficking. These centers assist victims in sharing their stories,
regaining their lives and dignity, and helping to reduce this problem.
·
Read a book about the horrors of slavery. Some
suggestions are Uncle Tom’s Cabin, Beloved and Chains.
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
1700 The dignity of the human
person is rooted in his creation in the image and likeness of God (article 1);
it is fulfilled in his vocation to divine beatitude (article 2). It is
essential to a human being freely to direct himself to this fulfillment (article
3). By his deliberate actions (article 4), the human person does, or does not,
conform to the good promised by God and attested by moral conscience (article
5). Human beings make their own contribution to their interior growth; they
make their whole sentient and spiritual lives into means of this growth
(article 6). With the help of grace they grow in virtue (article 7), avoid sin,
and if they sin they entrust themselves as did the prodigal son to the
mercy of our Father in heaven (article 8). In this way they attain to the
perfection of charity.
Jesse Tree[4]
Jesse
Tree Scriptures (The Symbols Are Only Suggestions)
·
December 1 Creation: Gen. 1:1-31; 2:1-4 Symbols: sun, moon,
stars, animals, earth
·
December
2 Adam and Eve:
Gen. 2:7-9, 18-24 Symbols: tree, man, woman
Daily
Devotions
·
Unite in the work of the Porters of St. Joseph by joining them
in fasting: Today's Fast: Restoring
the Church
·
Offering to
the sacred heart of Jesus
·
Make
reparations to the Holy Face
·
Rosary
[1]http://www.catholicstand.com/not-afraid-faith-despite-fear/
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