Saturday, December 30, 2023
Saturday in the Octave of Christmas
Psalm 40, verse 2-4
2
Surely, I wait for the LORD, who bends down to me and
hears my cry, 3
Draws me up from the pit of destruction, out of the muddy clay, Sets my feet
upon rock, steadies my steps, 4
And puts a new song in my mouth, a hymn to our God. Many shall look on in FEAR and they shall trust in the LORD.
As a
people we have descended into the pit of destruction, and we see the leaders of
this Nation clamor to get themselves out of the pit and pull each other down
when they see another rising higher out of the pit and so all are mired in
their own filthiness. Let us now acknowledge our greatness comes from the Lord
who in his might reproves nations that forsake his laws and shines on those
that obey his laws. For surely only He can bend down to save us. Pray, cry out
to Him, for only He can draw us out of the pit of destruction and set our feet
upon the rock of truth. In hymn let us sing out to His mother which he sends to
us. May God save and bless this nation that is a light to the world that only
flickers now.
Sixth Day of
Christmas-Six Geese a-Laying = the six days of creation[1]
1st Day: Creation of light and its
separation from darkness
2nd Day: Creation of the firmament
and division of the waters
3rd Day: Collection of waters (sea)
and formation of dry land (earth); creation of plants according to their own
likeness
4th Day: Creation of heavenly bodies
in the firmament (sun, moon, and stars)
5th Day: Creation of sea creatures
and winged fowl from the waters
6th Day: Creation of cattle, creeping
things, and beasts from the dry land; creation of mankind, male and female
December
30, Sixth Day in the Octave of Christmas - Day Six[2]
God is your beatitude. The things of time
are toys. You are eternity's child, and your eternity has already begun! There
is a compelling urgency every day and every hour of the day. In it we are to
witness to the truth — that God greeted and gifted us at Christmas.
If you know what witness means, you understand why God brings St. Stephen, St. John, and the Holy Innocents to the crib in the cave as soon as Christ is born liturgically. To be a witness is to be a martyr. Holy Mother Church wishes us to realize that we were born in baptism to become Christ — He who was the world's outstanding Martyr. — Love Does Such Things, by Rev. M. Raymond, O.C.S.O.
·
Day Sixth activity
(Gingerbread Bowls)
·
Day Sixth recipe
(Lamb's Wool)
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
Article 7-THE VIRTUES
I. The Human Virtues
1804 Human virtues are firm
attitudes, stable dispositions, habitual perfections of intellect and will that
govern our actions, order our passions, and guide our conduct according to
reason and faith. They make possible ease, self-mastery, and joy in leading a
morally good life. the virtuous man is he who freely practices the good.
The moral virtues are acquired by human effort. They are the fruit and seed of
morally good acts; they dispose all the powers of the human being for communion
with divine love.
The cardinal virtues
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.
1806 Prudence is the virtue that
disposes practical reason to discern our true good in every circumstance and to
choose the right means of achieving it; "the prudent man looks where he is
going." "Keep sane and sober for your prayers." Prudence
is "right reason in action," writes St. Thomas Aquinas, following
Aristotle. It is not to be confused with timidity or fear, nor with
duplicity or dissimulation. It is called auriga virtutum (the charioteer of the
virtues); it guides the other virtues by setting rule and measure. It is
prudence that immediately guides the judgment of conscience. the prudent man
determines and directs his conduct in accordance with this judgment. With the
help of this virtue we apply moral principles to particular cases without error
and overcome doubts about the good to achieve and the evil to avoid.
1807 Justice is the moral virtue
that consists in the constant and firm will to give their due to God and
neighbor. Justice toward God is called the "virtue of religion."
Justice toward men disposes one to respect the rights of each and to establish
in human relationships the harmony that promotes equity with regard to persons
and to the common good. the just man, often mentioned in the Sacred Scriptures,
is distinguished by habitual right thinking and the uprightness of his conduct
toward his neighbor. "You shall not be partial to the poor or defer to the
great, but in righteousness shall you judge your neighbor." "Masters,
treat your slaves justly and fairly, knowing that you also have a Master in
heaven."
1808 Fortitude is the moral virtue
that ensures firmness in difficulties and constancy in the pursuit of the good.
It strengthens the resolve to resist temptations and to overcome obstacles in
the moral life. the virtue of fortitude enables one to conquer fear, even fear
of death, and to face trials and persecutions. It disposes one even to renounce
and sacrifice his life in defense of a just cause. "The Lord is my
strength and my song." "In the world you have tribulation; but
be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."
1809 Temperance is the moral virtue
that moderates the attraction of pleasures and provides balance in the use of
created goods. It ensures the will's mastery over instincts and keeps desires
within the limits of what is honorable. The temperate person directs the
sensitive appetites toward what is good and maintains a healthy discretion:
"Do not follow your inclination and strength, walking according to the
desires of your heart." Temperance is often praised in the Old
Testament: "Do not follow your base desires, but restrain your
appetites." In the New Testament it is called "moderation"
or "sobriety." We ought "to live sober, upright, and godly lives
in this world."
To live well is nothing other than
to love God with all one's heart, with all one's soul and with all one's
efforts; from this it comes about that love is kept whole and uncorrupted
(through temperance). No misfortune can disturb it (and this is fortitude). It
obeys only (God) (and this is justice), and is careful in discerning things, so
as not to be surprised by deceit or trickery (and this is prudence).
The virtues and grace
1810 Human virtues acquired by
education, by deliberate acts and by a perseverance ever renewed in repeated
efforts are purified and elevated by divine grace. With God's help, they forge
character and give facility in the practice of the good. the virtuous man is
happy to practice them.
1811 It is not easy for man,
wounded by sin, to maintain moral balance. Christ's gift of salvation offers us
the grace necessary to persevere in the pursuit of the virtues. Everyone should
always ask for this grace of light and strength, frequent the sacraments,
cooperate with the Holy Spirit, and follow his calls to love what is good and
shun evil.
Daily Devotions
·
Unite in the work of the Porters of St. Joseph by joining them
in fasting: Today's Fast: The
lonely and destitute.
·
Saturday
Litany of the Hours Invoking the Aid of Mother Mary
·
Litany of the Most
Precious Blood of Jesus
·
Offering to
the sacred heart of Jesus
·
Rosary
[2]https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/day.cfm?date=2019-12-30
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