Wednesday, February 14, 2024
Ash Wednesday
Valentine’s Day
Judith, Chapter 4,
Verse 1-2
1
When the Israelites who lived in Judea heard of all
that Holofernes, the ranking general of Nebuchadnezzar king of the Assyrians,
had done to the nations, and how he had looted all their shrines and utterly
destroyed them, 2
they were in very great FEAR of him, and greatly alarmed for Jerusalem and the temple of
the Lord, their God.
Join the resistance! No not the fake news one but the resistance to all that is evil. Godly resistance is much different than the guttural takes no prisoners of modern time’s resistance with our pink devil horned hats.
Holy
Resistance[1]
·
The
Israelites’ reaction to invasion differs from their neighbors in two respects:
The nature of their fear and their response.
·
Their
fear is not only for themselves but primarily for Jerusalem and the temple of
the Lord.
·
Most
secularists surrender to evil with joy; but the holy prepare to defend its most
precious possession: faith and trust in He who is.
·
We
must prepare to defend the mountain passes by defending our faith.
·
However,
the most important preparation for siege is spiritual through prayer and
fasting.
·
Note
Mary the Mother of Christ via Fatima apparitions tell us that we like the
Israelites must continue in prayer,
making reparation and consecration to God.
· The key is cry unto the Lord.
The Book of Judith symbolic of the Virgin Mary[2]
Judith was a holy widow. She wore haircloth and fasted almost every day. She spent most of her time in a chamber of her home, praying. The land of Israel was in distress, being under siege by Holofernes. It is when Israel is in it's greatest need that she comes forth from the chamber to save them by her intercession. This is symbolic of the Blessed Virgin Mary and her victory over Satan in the very last days to come. What is most interesting and noteworthy is the talk she gave to the leaders of the people. Her words apply to us in the latter days of this great apostasy from the Catholic faith. We should pay heed and learn from her as they are words Our Lady would no doubt address to each of us: Have patience, be humble, pray to God for mercy, it was our fathers that drew down this chastisement upon us: Our part is to suffer these tribulations as penance for our sins. It is for our sanctification.
Judith was symbolic of the Virgin Mary
And they came to her, and she said to them: What is this word, by which Ozias hath consented to give up the city to the Assyrians, if within five days there come no aid to us? And who are you that tempt the Lord? This is not a word that may draw down mercy, but rather that may stir up wrath, and enkindle indignation. You have set a time for the mercy of the Lord, and you have appointed him a day, according to your pleasure. But forasmuch as the Lord is patient, let us be penitent for this same thing, and with many tears let us beg his pardon: For God will not threaten like man, nor be inflamed to anger like the son of man. And therefore, let us humble our souls before him, and continuing in an humble spirit, in his service: Let us ask the Lord with tears, that according to his will so he would shew his mercy to us: that as our heart is troubled by their pride, so also we may glorify in our humility. For we have not followed the sins of our fathers, who forsook their God, and worshiped strange gods. For which crime they were given up to their enemies, to the sword, and to pillage, and to confusion: but we know no other God but him. Let us humbly wait for his consolation, and the Lord our God will require our blood of the afflictions of our enemies, and he will humble all the nations that shall rise up against us and bring them to disgrace. And now, brethren, as you are the ancients among the people of God, and their very soul resteth upon you: comfort their hearts by your speech, that they may be mindful how our fathers were tempted that they might be proved, whether they worshiped their God truly. They must remember how our father Abraham was tempted, and being proved by many tribulations, was made the friend of God. So Isaac, so Jacob, so Moses, and all that have pleased God, passed through many tribulations, remaining faithful. But they that did not receive the trials with the fear of the Lord, but uttered their impatience and the reproach of their murmuring against the Lord, Were destroyed by the destroyer, and perished by serpents. As for us therefore let us not revenge ourselves for these things which we suffer. But esteeming these very punishments to be less than our sins deserve, let us believe that these scourges of the Lord, with which like servants we are chastised, have happened for our amendment, and not for our destruction. And Ozias and the ancients said to her: All things which thou hast spoken are true, and there is nothing to be reprehended in thy words. Now therefore pray for us, for thou art a holy woman, and one fearing God. JUDITH 8, 10-34
Ash Wednesday[3]
The solemn season begins with a reminder of our mortality and our profound need for repentance and conversion.[4]
Why is this day so called?
Because on this day the Catholic Church blesses ashes and puts them on the foreheads of the faithful, saying, “Remember, man, that thou art dust, and unto dust shalt thou shall return” (Gen. iii. 19).
Why are the ashes blessed?
1. That all who receive them with a contrite heart may be preserved in soul and body.
2. That God may give them contrition and pardon their sins.
3. That He may grant them all they humbly ask for, particularly the grace to do penance, and the reward promised to the truly penitent.
Why are the faithful sprinkled with ashes?
The sprinkling with ashes was always a public sign of penance as such God enjoined it upon the Israelites (Jer. xxv. 34). David sprinkled ashes on his beard (Ps. ci. 10). The Ninevites (Jonas iii. 6), Judith (Jud. ix. 1), Mordechai (Esther iv. 1), Job (xlii. 6), and others, did penance in sackcloth and ashes. To show the spirit of penance and to move God to mercy, the Church, at the Introit of the Mass, uses the following words: “Thou hast mercy upon all, O Lord, and hatest none of the things which Thou hast made, and winkest at the sins of men for the sake of repentance, and sparing them, for Thou art the Lord our God” (Wis. xi. 24, 25).
Prayer. Grant to Thy faithful, O Lord, that they may begin the venerable solemnities of fasting with becoming piety and perform them with undisturbed devotion.
EPISTLE. Joel ii. 12-19.
Therefore, saith the Lord: Be converted to Me with all your heart, in fasting, and in weeping, and in mourning. And rend your hearts and not your garments and turn to the Lord your God: for He is gracious and merciful, patient and rich in mercy, and ready to repent of the evil. Who knoweth but he will return, and forgive, and leave a blessing behind him, sacrifice and libation to the Lord your God? Blow the trumpet in Sion, sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly, gather together the people, sanctify the church, assemble the ancients, gather together the little ones, and them that suck at the breasts: let the bridegroom go forth from his bed, and the bride out of her bride-chamber. Between the porch and the altar, the priests, the Lord s ministers, shall weep, and shall say: Spare, O Lord, spare Thy people; and give not Thy inheritance to reproach, that the heathens should rule over them; why should they say among the nations: Where is their God? The Lord hath been zealous for His land, and hath spared His people: and the Lord answered and said to His people: Behold I will send you corn, and wine, and oil, and you shall be filled with them: and I will no more make you a reproach among the nations, saith the Lord Almighty.
Explanation. The prophet, in these words, calls upon the Israelites to be converted, reminding them of the great mercy of God, and exhorting them to join true repentance for their sins with their fasting and alms. They should all, without exception, do penance and implore the mercy of God, Who would then forgive them, deliver them from their enemies, and bring peace and happiness upon them.
GOSPEL. Matt. vi. 16-21.
At that time Jesus said to His disciples: When you fast, be not as the hypocrites, sad: for they disfigure their faces that they may appear unto men to fast. Amen I say to you, they have received their reward. But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thy head, and wash thy face, that thou appear not to men to fast, but to thy Father Who is in secret: and thy Father, Who seeth in secret, will repay thee. Lay not up to yourselves treasures on earth: where the rust and moth consume, and where thieves break through and steal. But lay up to yourselves treasures in heaven: where neither rust nor moth doth consume, and where thieves do not break through, nor steal. For where thy treasure is, there is thy heart also.
Instruction on Lent
What is the origin of fasting?
Under the Old Law the Jews fasted by the command of God; thus, Moses fasted forty days and forty nights, on Mount Sinai, when God gave him the Ten Commandments; Elias, in like manner, fasted in the desert. Jesus also fasted and commanded His apostles to fast also. The Catholic Church, says St. Leo, from the time of the apostles, has enjoined fasting upon all the faithful.
Why has the Church instituted the fast before Easter?
1. To imitate Jesus Christ, who fasted forty days.
2. To participate in His merits and passion; for as Christ could only be glorified through His sufferings, so in order to belong to Him we must follow Him by a life answering to His.
3. To subject the flesh to the spirit, and thus,
4, prepare us for Easter and the worthy reception of the divine Lamb.
5. Finally, to offer to God some satisfaction for our sins, and, as St. Leo says, to atone for the sins of a whole year by a short fast of the tenth part of a year.
Was the fast of Lent kept in early times as it is now?
Yes, only more rigorously; for:
1. The Christians of the early ages abstained not only from flesh-meat, but from those things which are produced from flesh, such as butter, eggs, cheese, and also from wine and fish.
2. They fasted during the whole day, and ate only after vespers, that is, at night.
How shall we keep the holy season of Lent with advantage?
We should endeavor not only to deny ourselves food and drink, but, still more, all sinful gratifications. And as the body is weakened by fasting, the soul, on the other hand, should be strengthened by repeated prayers, by frequent reception of the holy sacraments, attending Mass, spiritual reading, and good works, particularly those of charity. In such manner we shall be able, according to the intention of the Church, to supply by our fasting what we have omitted during the year, especially if we fast willingly, and with a good intention.
Prayer.
O Lord Jesus, I offer up to Thee my fasting and self-denial, to be united to Thy fasting and sufferings, for Thy glory, in Gratitude for so many benefits received from Thee, in satisfaction for my sins and those of others, and to obtain Thy holy grace that I may overcome my sins and acquire the virtues which I need. Look upon me, O Jesus, in mercy. Amen.
Ash Wednesday Top Events and Things to Do[5]
·
Go
to your local parish to get ashes and reflect on your own mortality and
sinfulness. Non-Christians are also welcomed to get ashes.
·
Fast
during Ash Wednesday to commemorate Jesus fasting for forty days in the desert.
Catholics are specifically instructed to not eat meat and are only
permitted to eat one full meal. However, they may have 2 snacks in the
form of some food in the morning and evening.
·
Make
fiber-rich vegetarian versions of popular dishes. Some good ideas are
Veggie Burgers, Vegetarian Chili and salads with Tempeh. The fiber will
help keep you feeling full - useful if you fast for the rest of the day!
·
Rent
a movie that reflects on Mortality or Repentance. Some suggestions: Les
Misérables (2012),
Dorian
Gray (2009), What
Dreams May Come
(1998), Flatliners
(1990) and The Seventh Seal (1957).
· Discuss mortality, repentance and the meaning of life with your friends or with a church group.
Of all the observances of Lent, the chief among these is the Great Fast. So, intertwined are the words Lent and the Great Fast, that in fact the Fathers of the Church sometimes used the terms interchangeably. This solemn obligation is believed to be of Apostolic origin and takes its precedent, as we mentioned above, from the examples of Moses, Elias, and Jesus Christ. The Great Fast used to consist of both abstinence and fasting. Christians were expected to abstain not only from flesh meat, but from all things that come from flesh, e.g. milk, cheese, eggs, and butter. Eastern rite Christians still observe this practice, while the Western church gradually kept only abstinence from meat (reference to all lacticinia, or "milk foods," was dropped in the 1919 Roman Code of Canon Law). Both East and West, however, agree on the importance of fasting. Originally this meant taking only one meal a day, though the practice was modified over the centuries. The preconciliar practice in the U.S. was for all able-bodied Catholics ages 21 to 60 to have one full meal a day which could include meat, and two meatless meals which together could not equal one full meal. Snacking between meals was prohibited, though drinking was not. Ash Wednesday, Fridays and the Ember Days were days of total abstinence from meat, while Sundays were completely exempted from all fasting and abstaining. The idea behind the Great Fast -- as well as other periods of fasting -- is that by weakening the body it is made more obedient to the soul, thereby liberating the soul to contemplate higher things. St. Augustine gives perhaps the best example: if you have a particularly high-spirited horse, you train it at the times when it is too weak to revolt. It is our opinion that this venerable practice should still be taken seriously. Even though current ecclesiastical law has reduced the fast from forty days to two and eliminated the thirty-three days of partial abstinence, this does not mean that observing the Great Fast is not salubrious or praiseworthy. This said, however, the Great Fast should not be adhered to legalistically. In the words of St. John Chrysostom: "If your body is not strong enough to continue fasting all day, no wise man will reprove you; for we serve a gentle and merciful Lord who expects nothing of us beyond our strength."
Lent-10 Things
to Remember for Lent[7]
1. Remember
the formula. 10 Commandments, 7 sacraments, 3 persons in the
Trinity. For Lent, the Church gives us almost a slogan—Prayer, Fasting and
Almsgiving—as the three things we need to work on during the season.
2. It’s
a time of prayer. As we pray, we go on a journey over 40 days, one
that hopefully brings us closer to Christ and leaves us changed by the
encounter with him.
3. It’s
a time to fast. With the fasts of Ash Wednesday and Good
Friday, meatless Fridays, and our personal disciplines interspersed, Lent is
the only time many Catholics these days actually fast. And maybe that’s why it
gets all the attention. “What are you giving up for Lent? Hotdogs? Beer?
Jellybeans?” It’s almost a game for some of us, but fasting is actually a form
of penance, which helps us turn away from sin and toward Christ.
4. It’s
a time to work on discipline. Set time to work on personal
discipline in general. Instead of giving something up, it can be doing
something positive. “I’m going to exercise more. I’m going to pray more. I’m
going to be nicer to my family, friends and coworkers.”
5. It’s
about dying to yourself. The more serious side of Lenten discipline
is that it’s about more than self-control – it’s about finding aspects of
yourself that are less than Christ-like and letting them die. The suffering and
death of Christ are foremost on our minds during Lent, and we join in these
mysteries by suffering, dying with Christ and being resurrected in a purified
form.
6. Don’t
do too much. It’s tempting to make Lent some ambitious period
of personal reinvention, but it’s best to keep it simple and focused. There’s a
reason the Church works on these mysteries year after year. We spend our entire
lives growing closer to God. Don’t try to cram it all in one Lent. That’s a
recipe for failure.
7. Lent
reminds us of our weakness. Of course, even when we set
simple goals for ourselves during Lent, we still have trouble keeping them.
When we fast, we realize we’re all just one meal away from hunger. Lent shows
us our weakness. This can be painful but recognizing how helpless we are makes
us seek God’s help with renewed urgency and sincerity.
8. Be
patient with yourself. When we’re confronted with our own
weakness during Lent, the temptation is to get angry and frustrated. “What a
bad person I am!” But that’s the wrong lesson. God is calling us to be patient
and to see ourselves as he does, with unconditional love.
9. Reach
out in charity. As we experience weakness and suffering during Lent,
we should be renewed in our compassion for those who are hungry, suffering or
otherwise in need. The third part of the Lenten formula is almsgiving. It’s
about more than throwing a few extra dollars in the collection plate; it’s
about reaching out to others and helping them without question as a way of
sharing the experience of God’s unconditional love.
10. Learn to love like Christ. Giving of ourselves in the midst of our suffering and self-denial brings us closer to loving like Christ, who suffered and poured himself out unconditionally on the cross for all of us. Lent is a journey through the desert to the foot of the cross on Good Friday, as we seek him out, ask his help, join in his suffering, and learn to love like him.
Lenten Calendar[8]
Read: Take inspiration for your Lenten journey from prayer and the reading of Scripture, from fasting and from giving alms. – Lent is essentially an act of prayer spread out over 40 days. As we pray, we are brought closer to Christ and are changed by the encounter with him. Fasting – The fasting that we all do together on Fridays is but a sign of the daily Lenten discipline of individuals and households: fasting for certain periods of time, fasting from certain foods, but also fasting from other things and activities. Almsgiving – The giving of alms is an effort to share this world equally—not only through the distribution of money, but through the sharing of our time and talents.
Reflect: “Even now, says the LORD, return to me with your whole heart, with fasting, and weeping, and mourning” (Joel 2:12, Lectionary)
Pray: As we begin Lent, we pray for the strength to commit ourselves to prayer, fasting, and almsgiving so that we may grow to love God more each day.
Act: Have you picked up your Catholic Relief Services Rice Bowl for Lent this year? Make a commitment to dropping in spare change every day. Another way to give alms today is by giving to the National Collection for the Church in Central and Eastern Europe.
Prayer
before the Crucifix[9]
This prayer is designed to be said within the family before
a Crucifix from Ash Wednesday to Saturday at the beginning of Lent.
Prayer
Mother or a child: From the words
of St. John the Evangelist (14:1-6).
Let not your
hearts be troubled. You believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's
house there are many mansions. Were it not so, I would have told you, because I
go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I am
coming again, and I will take you to myself, that where I am, there you also
may be. And where I go, you know, and the way you know.
Father:
We ought to glory in the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ
Family: in whom is our salvation,
life and resurrection.
Father: Let us pray. Grant to your faithful, Lord, a
spirit generous enough to begin these solemn fasts with proper fervor and to
pursue them with steadfast devotion. This we ask of you through our Lord Jesus
Christ, your Son.
Family: Amen. Favor this dwelling,
Lord, with your presence. Far from it repulse all the wiles of Satan. Your holy
angels—let them live here, to keep us in peace. And may your blessing remain
always upon us. This we ask of you through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son.
Father: Let us bless the Lord.
Family: Thanks be to God.
Father: May the almighty and merciful Lord, Father,
Son, and Holy Spirit, bless and keep us.
Family: Amen.
Prayer Source: Holy Lent by Eileen O'Callaghan,
The Liturgical Press, Collegeville, Minnesota, 1975
A Practical Guide to Fasting
Fasting – a word we normally reserve for Lent. Once Easter
comes, we box it up and package it away until the next Lent. Yet this should
not be so among Catholic men. A while ago, Sam discussed the great benefits of fasting.
http://www.40daysofprayerandfasting.org/live-the-fast/
Now you may be thinking … Fasting sounds great, but where do
I start? … Let’s take some time to look at the basics of fasting well.
Preparation: It is important to develop a
strategy before beginning to fast. This starts with setting a realistic goal.
For example, you should start simple, such as a bread and water fast for one
meal, one day a week. Also, select your fast day. I recommend Wednesday or
Friday, as these are the two traditional Catholic days to fast, commemorating
Jesus’ betrayal and crucifixion. As you grow in fasting discipline, you could
increase your fast to multiple meals on fast day or even multiple days a week.
Water: Water helps purify our bodies of
toxins, while providing only the basic hydration we need to survive. When
fasting, make sure to bring a water bottle with you throughout the day and
drink frequently to stay hydrated. One temptation may be to slip in a cup of
coffee or soft drink during the day. However, stay strong against this
temptation. The bread and water will satisfy your basic needs even if they do
not bring the comfort of your favorite food or beverage.
Fasting Bread
Taken from Sr. Emmanuels' book[10], "Healing and Liberation
Through Fasting".
This bread is very hearty and really sustains one who chooses to fast on bread
and water.
3 cups white flour
4 cups wheat flour
1 pkg dry yeast
1/2 cup of lukewarm water
2 cups of very hot water
1 beaten egg
1 Tablespoon Salt
2 Tablespoons Sugar or Honey
2 Tablespoons of Olive Oil
1 teaspoon of butter
1 cup Raisins (or fresh apple peeled and cut)
1 cup Almonds or Walnuts
1 cup Plain Oats
In a medium sized bowl, dissolve yeast in 1/2 cup lukewarm
water. Cover with a plate and wait a few minutes until bubbly. In a large bowl,
combine the flours. Make a well in the flour and add the yeast mixture. Mix a
bit.
Reusing the now empty medium bowl, combine Salt, Sugar, Butter,
Oil, Raisins, Nuts, 1 beaten egg, and the two cups of very hot water. Pour this
over the yeast mixture. Mix/knead the dough, adding flour and or water as
needed.
Knead the dough until it comes clean from the bowl. Cover with a
plate or towel and let it rise ten minutes. (I often skip this step and the
bread still tastes fine) Knead it again until it has spring to it. Place in
well-greased bowl and cover, letting it rise until doubled in size, 45 minutes
to 1 hour, depending on room temp.
Form into desired shapes. This will make two large or three
medium loaves. Place in greased pan. Brush the top with remaining egg (if you
did not use it in recipe) and sprinkle with sesame seeds, oats or poppy seeds,
if desired.
Bake at 375 degrees for 35 minutes, until done and golden brown.
Bread: Selecting the proper fasting
bread is crucial to a successful fast. Since the typical bread we eat is
processed and devoid of most nutritional value, I recommend the bread made by
the group, Live the
Fast. As a
bonus, if you are a priest, seminarian or religious, they will send you bread
free! Their bread is all-natural. They bake the bread, freeze it, and then ship
it to your home along with a booklet of fasting instructions. Once you receive
it, you place it in the freezer. On fast day, you take the bread out of the
freezer and heat it in the oven for a few minutes. The bread is
filling but austere; to give the one fasting the nutrition needed to complete
the day’s tasks and nothing more.
Prayer: While you are heating up the
bread, grab a notebook and write down your prayer intentions for the day. Maybe
a friend has lost a job, a relative is sick, or someone has asked for your
prayers. Keep the list with you and offer up prayers for these people throughout
the day. After the bread is finished baking, take it out of the oven, say a
prayer and then eat your first piece. As you go throughout the day, look for
extra opportunities to pray, especially during mealtimes. Maybe you could
attend daily Mass or stop to visit the Blessed Sacrament during your lunch
break. Intentional prayer during fasting helps remind us that fasting is not
purely an ascetical practice. We forgo food to grow closer to God, not to show
how tough we can be on our bodies. The hunger we experience while fasting
instills in us the truth that nothing in this world can satisfy us but God
alone.
Temptations: You will undergo many temptations
while you fast, so stay close to God in prayer. One may be to boast to your
friends about how great you are for fasting. Jesus warned us in the Gospel that
those kinds of people are hypocrites. The purpose of fasting is to draw us
closer to Christ, not draw others closer to us for our own greatness. Another
temptation may be free food. Just like during Lent when meat becomes more
available and appealing on Fridays, expect more temptations to eat during the
fast. A co-worker may offer you a snack or tell you about some leftovers from a
department’s lunch in the break room. Stay vigilant against these temptations
and focus your mind on other things. The
less you think about food during the day, the easier it will be to fast.
Breaking
the Fast: End your fast day with a prayer.
Thank God for the day and then prepare a normal sized meal. The temptation can
be to gorge yourself with food after eating less during the day, but this is
not beneficial. Eat your meal slowly and mindfully. Thank God for the gift of
food and the grace he gave you to fast well. Just like any other habit, fasting
can be difficult to begin and you may want to quit. You will have days where
you fast well and others where you give into hunger easily. Do not be
discouraged but persevere! God has great graces for those who fast and will
help draw near to him those who seek him through the discipline of fasting.
“Fasting purifies the soul. It lifts up the mind, and it
brings the body into subjection to the spirit. It makes the heart contrite
and humble, scatters the clouds of desire, puts out the flames of lust and
enkindles the true light of chastity.” (St. Augustine)
Valentine's Day[11]
Valentine's
Day is a celebration of love and friendship.
The holiday derived its name from two Roman martyrs for love, both named
Valentine. The first Valentine was beheaded on February 14th, but not
before leaving a note signed from your Valentine for his lady. The second
Valentine was supposedly a bishop who secretly married young couples, an act
that was forbidden by the Roman Emperor who wanted young men to first serve as
soldiers before marrying. Valentine ignored the law and was beheaded on
February 14. An ancient Roman festival called Lupercalia, a celebration for
which young men randomly chose the name of a young girl
to escort to the festivities, has also been linked to the origins of
Valentine's Day.
Since
then, the custom of selecting a sweetheart on February 14th has spread through
Europe and its colonies and transformed itself into the celebration of love and
friendship that we know today.
Valentine's
Day Facts & Quotes
·
Symbols
for Valentine’s Day include hearts, chocolate, flowers, and Cupid - the Roman
God of Love.
·
52%
of US consumers will send out at least 1 Valentine's Day card, 47% will send
candy, and 34% will send flowers.
·
Love
looks not with the eyes but with the mind. And therefore, is winged Cupid
painted blind. - William Shakespeare (A Midsummer Night's Dream)
Valentine's
Day Top Events and Things to Do
·
Send
someone you care for a Valentine's Day card. Take the time to write a small
note or love poem inside. Sign it, from your Valentine.
·
Go
to a special romantic dinner with your sweetheart. Tip: Book early as
this is one of the busiest days of the year for restaurants.
·
Watch
the movie Valentine's Day (2010) or the Notebook (2004). Both are
romance movies with star casts.
·
Send
a Secret Valentine to someone several days before, and then reveal your
identity on February 14th.
·
Remember
other important people in your life, such as your parents, grandparents and old
friends. Send them a small card or gift to remind them of how much you care.
Catholic
Things to Do[12]
·
Read the Golden
Legend account of St. Valentine's life.
·
Pray to St. Valentine for an increase of true,
sacrificial love within marriages.
·
Make Valentines for those closest to you — your
family and friends. If you have children, teach them to make valentines from
red construction paper and doilies.
· Begin to read and discuss some of St. John Paul II's works on marriage; for example, Love and Responsibility or his The Theology of the Body Human Love in the Divine Plan (Parish Resources).
Drops of Christ’s
Blood[13]
St. Elizabeth,
Queen of Hungary, with St. Matilda and St. Bridget, wishing to know something
of the Passion of Jesus Christ, offered fervent and special prayers. Upon which
Our Lord revealed to them:
To all the
faithful who shall recite for 3 years, each day, 2 Our Fathers,
2 Hail Mary’s and 2 Glory Be’s in honor of the drops of Blood I lost,
I will concede the following 5 graces:
1. The plenary indulgence and
remittance of your sins.
2. You will be free from the pains of
Purgatory.
3. If you should die before completing
the said 3 years, for you it will be the same as if you had completed them.
4. It will be upon your death the same
as if you had shed all your blood for the Holy Faith.
5. I will descend from Heaven to take
your soul and that of your relatives, until the fourth generation.
Blessed by His Holiness Pope Leo
XIII in Rome, April 5, 1890
The
thought of saving souls should always be on our mind. St. John Bosco stated it
well. "There is nothing more holy in this world than to work for the good
of souls, for whose salvation Jesus Christ poured out the last drops of His
blood." St. Vincent de Paul tells us that: "The salvation of men and
our own are so great a good that they merit to be obtained at any price."
Sad to say, the great majority of Catholics put forth little or no effort in
promoting the greater honor and glory of God and the salvation of souls. Let us
keep in mind that if we manage to save one soul, we also ensure the salvation
of our own. The Holy Ghost reveals this to us in the Holy Bible. [St. James 5:
19-20] This little practice gives us a very easy way to save our own soul as
well as the ones dearest to us------our family.
Catechism
of the Catholic Church
PART THREE: LIFE IN CHRIST
SECTION TWO-THE TEN COMMANDMENTS
CHAPTER
ONE-YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR
SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND
Article 1-THE FIRST COMMANDMENT
III. "You Shall Have No Other Gods Before Me"
2110 The first commandment
forbids honoring gods other than the one Lord who has revealed himself to his
people. It proscribes superstition and irreligion. Superstition in some sense
represents a perverse excess of religion; irreligion is the vice contrary by
defect to the virtue of religion.
Superstition
2111 Superstition is the
deviation of religious feeling and of the practices this feeling imposes. It
can even affect the worship we offer the true God, e.g., when one attributes an
importance in some way magical to certain practices otherwise lawful or necessary.
To attribute the efficacy of prayers or of sacramental signs to their mere
external performance, apart from the interior dispositions that they demand, is
to fall into superstition.
Idolatry
2112 The first commandment
condemns polytheism. It requires man neither to believe in, nor to venerate,
other divinities than the one true God. Scripture constantly recalls this
rejection of "idols, (of) silver and gold, the work of men's hands. They
have mouths, but do not speak; eyes, but do not see." These empty idols
make their worshippers empty: "Those who make them are like them; so are
all who trust in them." God, however, is the "living
God" who gives life and intervenes in history.
2113 Idolatry not only refers
to false pagan worship. It remains a constant temptation to faith. Idolatry
consists in divinizing what is not God. Man commits idolatry whenever he honors
and reveres a creature in place of God, whether this be gods or demons (for
example, satanism), power, pleasure, race, ancestors, the state, money, etc.
Jesus says, "You cannot serve God and mammon." Many martyrs died
for not adoring "the Beast" refusing even to simulate such
worship. Idolatry rejects the unique Lordship of God; it is therefore
incompatible with communion with God.
2114 Human life finds its unity
in the adoration of the one God. the commandment to worship the Lord alone
integrates man and saves him from an endless disintegration. Idolatry is a
perversion of man's innate religious sense. An idolater is someone who "transfers
his indestructible notion of God to anything other than God."
Divination and magic
2115 God can reveal the future
to his prophets or to other saints. Still, a sound Christian attitude consists
in putting oneself confidently into the hands of Providence for whatever
concerns the future, and giving up all unhealthy curiosity about it. Improvidence,
however, can constitute a lack of responsibility.
2116 All forms of divination
are to be rejected: recourse to Satan or demons, conjuring up the dead or other
practices falsely supposed to "unveil" the future. Consulting
horoscopes, astrology, palm reading, interpretation of omens and lots, the
phenomena of clairvoyance, and recourse to mediums all conceal a desire for
power over time, history, and, in the last analysis, other human beings, as
well as a wish to conciliate hidden powers. They contradict the honor, respect,
and loving fear that we owe to God alone.
2117 All practices of magic or
sorcery, by which one attempts to tame occult powers, so as to place them at
one's service and have a supernatural power over others - even if this were for
the sake of restoring their health - are gravely contrary to the virtue of
religion. These practices are even more to be condemned when accompanied by the
intention of harming someone, or when they have recourse to the intervention of
demons. Wearing charms is also reprehensible. Spiritism often implies
divination or magical practices; the Church for her part warns the faithful
against it. Recourse to so-called traditional cures does not justify either the
invocation of evil powers or the exploitation of another's credulity.
Irreligion
2118 God's first commandment
condemns the main sins of irreligion: tempting God, in words or deeds,
sacrilege, and simony.
2119 Tempting God consists in
putting his goodness and almighty power to the test by word or deed. Thus Satan
tried to induce Jesus to throw himself down from the Temple and, by this
gesture, force God to act. Jesus opposed Satan with the word of God:
"You shall not put the LORD your God to the test." The
challenge contained in such tempting of God wounds the respect and trust we owe
our Creator and Lord. It always harbors doubt about his love, his providence,
and his power.
2120 Sacrilege consists in
profaning or treating unworthily the sacraments and other liturgical actions,
as well as persons, things, or places consecrated to God. Sacrilege is a grave
sin especially when committed against the Eucharist, for in this sacrament the
true Body of Christ is made substantially present for us.
2121 Simony is defined as the
buying or selling of spiritual things. To Simon the magician, who wanted
to buy the spiritual power he saw at work in the apostles, St. Peter responded:
"Your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain God's
gift with money!" Peter thus
held to the words of Jesus: "You received without pay, give without
pay." It is impossible to appropriate to oneself spiritual goods and
behave toward them as their owner or master, for they have their source in God.
One can receive them only from him, without payment.
2122 The minister should ask
nothing for the administration of the sacraments beyond the offerings defined
by the competent authority, always being careful that the needy are not
deprived of the help of the sacraments because of their poverty." The
competent authority determines these "offerings" in accordance with
the principle that the Christian people ought to contribute to the support of
the Church's ministers. "The laborer deserves his food."
Atheism
2123 "Many . . . of our
contemporaries either do not at all perceive, or explicitly reject, this
intimate and vital bond of man to God. Atheism must therefore be regarded as
one of the most serious problems of our time."
2124 The name
"atheism" covers many very different phenomena. One common form is
the practical materialism which restricts its needs and aspirations to space
and time. Atheistic humanism falsely considers man to be "an end to
himself, and the sole maker, with supreme control, of his own
history." Another form of contemporary atheism looks for the
liberation of man through economic and social liberation. "It holds that
religion, of its very nature, thwarts such emancipation by raising man's hopes
in a future life, thus both deceiving him and discouraging him from working for
a better form of life on earth."
2125 Since it rejects or denies
the existence of God, atheism is a sin against the virtue of religion. The
imputability of this offense can be significantly diminished in virtue of the
intentions and the circumstances. "Believers can have more than a little
to do with the rise of atheism. To the extent that they are careless about
their instruction in the faith, or present its teaching falsely, or even fail
in their religious, moral, or social life, they must be said to conceal rather
than to reveal the true nature of God and of religion."
2126 Atheism is often based on
a false conception of human autonomy, exaggerated to the point of refusing any
dependence on God. Yet, "to acknowledge God is in no way to oppose
the dignity of man, since such dignity is grounded and brought to perfection in
God...." "For the Church knows full well that her message is in
harmony with the most secret desires of the human heart."
Agnosticism
2127 Agnosticism assumes a
number of forms. In certain cases the agnostic refrains from denying God;
instead he postulates the existence of a transcendent being which is incapable
of revealing itself, and about which nothing can be said. In other cases, the
agnostic makes no judgment about God's existence, declaring it impossible to
prove, or even to affirm or deny.
2128 Agnosticism can sometimes
include a certain search for God, but it can equally express indifferentism, a
flight from the ultimate question of existence, and a sluggish moral
conscience. Agnosticism is all too often equivalent to practical atheism.
Every Wednesday is
Dedicated to St. Joseph
The Italian culture has
always had a close association with St. Joseph perhaps you could make
Wednesdays centered around Jesus’s Papa. Plan an Italian dinner of pizza or
spaghetti after attending Mass as most parishes have a Wednesday evening Mass.
You could even do carry out to help restaurants. If you are adventurous, you
could do the Universal Man Plan: St. Joseph style. Make the evening a family night,
perhaps it could be a game night. Whatever you do make the day special.
·
Do the St.
Joseph Universal Man Plan.
·
Devotion to the 7 Joys and Sorrows of St. Joseph
Coffee with Christ
Yesterday someone very dear to me came to me and told me that the obscure book I published in 2014 “Coffee with Christ” has done more to bring her peace and faith than all the therapy and counseling she has ever received. So, in response I have decided to ask the Lord to meet with me once again for a daily coffee talk during the season of Lent.
The original idea of the book was to seek friendship with God through Christ, the Holy Spirit and His mother-Mary. Prayer is, in its purest sense, a personal journey or intimacy with Our Lord. There is no greater help in our life’s journey in this world than through friendship with Jesus Christ and His mother. The imaginary premise of this book is having a regular “Coffee Clutch” with Christ and gather for coffee and conversation through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Ideally this will serve as encouragement for you to enter into your own “coffee clutch” with Christ. Having a regular or daily set time or appointment to meet and discuss with Him your hopes, dreams, plans and goals. To bear your heart to Him. To just sit down with Christ and talk, laugh, and enjoy each other’s company, over a cup of coffee. To make the common Holy and grow in the love and likeness to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Today is Ash Wednesday
Christ sips his coffee and looks at me and says, “Are you
happy?”. I look at him and say no, not particularly. Why? You can’t put the coffee
in a full cup to enjoy. No first you must empty the cup-wash it out get rid of
the old residue, smell the aroma, and enjoy the juice of the Columbian bean. He
laughs. Do you understand? I think so Lord. Lent is a time to clean the cup of
our life from residue and allow you to fill it. He says and what is the aroma? My
works Lord. Close, when you love the Father and others there is a rich aroma
but to…you get the idea. Use Lent to perfect your Love. Lent is a time to clean
the cup and fill it with His love. To do this go off to a quiet place and rest
awhile.
Daily Devotions
·
Unite in the work of the Porters of St. Joseph by joining them
in fasting: Today's Fast: Catholic
Politian’s and Leaders.
·
Rosary
[1]The Collegeville Bible Commentary,
1986.
[3]Goffine’s
Devout Instructions, 1896
[7]http://www.usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/liturgical-year/lent/journey-to-the-foot-of-the-cross-10-things-to-remember-for-lent.cfm
[8]http://www.usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/liturgical-year/lent/march-6.cfm
[12]https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/day.cfm?date=2017-02-14
[13]http://www.catholictradition.org/Christ/holy-wounds2.htm
FROM LAST YEAR
Personal Program for Lent
Activity Source: Original Text (JGM) by Jennifer Gregory Miller, © Copyright 2003-2022 by Jennifer Gregory Miller
Explanation of the purpose of a personal program during Lent and ideas to implement.
DIRECTIONS
Importance of a Personal Lenten Program
It isn't enough to slide through Lent just observing the fast and abstinence laws or giving up chocolate. We should all undertake a Lenten program, an inward cleansing and purification, for oneself and the family. The program needs to be planned and organized. Ask the question: What shall I and my family do this year for Lent? Goals and activities should be realistic and reasonable, and parents should make sure that their children know why these practices are being adopted, rather than merely forcing them upon them.
After deciding our goals, both individual and family's, we need to arrange our schedules, plan the different events and make adjustments to our life to put these resolutions into practice. Our daily life doesn't stop just because Lent is here. The challenge is to observe the spirit of Lent and perform the works of Lent while living in a secular culture, to remain in the world but not become a product of it.
Three Categories for a Personal Program
There are three principal works for Lent, as taught to us by Christ: prayer, fasting and mortification, and almsgiving. More categories from Catholic tradition can be added, such as Good Works, Education, and Self-Denial. All are linked to each other. It is through prayer that we know Christ, understand His Will for us. Through our prayers we open ourselves to charity, generosity towards others and self-denial to ourselves.
1. Prayer"Prayer is the raising of one's mind and heart to God or the requesting of good things from God" (St. John Damascene). We communicate with God and work on our relationship with God. There are many forms of prayer that we can and should practice, both interior and exterior prayers.
- Adding extra daily Masses throughout Lent would be ideal. If this is not possible, the readings from the Mass should be read and meditated upon daily. This could be done as a family, perhaps at the dinner meal. The Mass is the prayer of the Church, and the highest form of prayer. It also unites us with the whole Church in public prayer.
- A strong emphasis should be made in frequent reception of the sacraments of the Eucharist and Penance. We should learn how to daily examine our consciences.
- Another prayer of the Church is the Divine Office, or Liturgy of the Hours. Praying the Divine Office unites our prayers with the Liturgy of the universal Church.
- The Stations of the Cross are special during Lent, because they meditate on the Passion of Christ. Usually the Stations are offered at the parish church on Fridays in Lent. They can also be prayed together as a family.
Other Prayer Suggestions:
- The daily rosary, especially prayed together as a family
- Visits to the Blessed Sacrament
- Personal meditation, especially with Scripture
- Spontaneous short prayers or ejaculations, such as "Jesus, I trust in You."
- Praying the Angelus at the 12:00 and 6:00 hours
- Morning and Evening Prayer
- Prayers Before and After Meals
- Spiritual Communions
- Praying the Seven Penitential Psalms (especially appropriate during Lent)
Included in our Prayers category we add our Education and Reading. During Lent (and throughout the year) we need spiritual enlightenment. We can find this through spiritual reading, both individually and as a family. This is a prerequisite to a continued growth in the spiritual life. Maria Von Trapp suggests three categories in our Lenten reading program:
- Something for the mind. We should do some research, study the papal encyclicals, read the Catechism of the Catholic Church, delve into Church history, study Catholic philosophy.
- Something for the soul. This should be deeper spiritual reading that gives a program, guidance, and spiritual direction, including writings of the saints like St. Teresa of Avila, St. Thérèse of Lisieux or St. Francis de Sales.
- Something for the heart. We need inspiration. The best way is to read biographies of Christ, Mary, saints or people who put their spiritual life into action. Bishop Fulton Sheen's Life of Christ is excellent Lenten reading.
Scripture is an excellent source for all these categories. The Church strongly encourages study and meditative reading of the Bible.
2. Fasting and Abstaining
We must fulfill the minimum requirements of the Church for fasting and abstinence. But there are other forms of abstaining and fasting. We must remember that when we do "give up" something, it should be completely, not saved for later. The money we save from not buying a cup of coffee should be given as a donation to charity. The time we don't watch TV should be spent doing spiritual reading, or family time. Below are some examples of other forms of fasting or abstaining:
- Refrain from complaining, gossiping, grumbling or losing one's temper.
- Reduce or eliminate time surfing the Internet or playing video games.
- Abstain from favorite drinks, desserts or foods.
- Curb forms of entertainment such as TV, dining out, movies.
- Give up smoking, caffeine, beer and liquor.
- Eat less at meals, or eat fewer snacks between meals.
- Fast or abstain extra days in Lent besides Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.
- Eat without complaining.
- Make simple meals that are healthy, but less appealing to the sense of taste.
In fasting, we are also practicing Self-Denial. This is the area that tests our will-power. We have the opportunity to give up innocent pleasures without complaining: radio, TV, internet, personal time or leisure, secular reading. We can choose one area in Lent and try to persevere throughout the 40 days. This is not just a test of wills—the main intention is purification, and making reparation for the offenses against the Mystical Body of Christ. So even if these actions are done in private or secret, they help us grow in our spiritual life, and benefit the whole Church.
3. Almsgiving and Good Works
In the opening Gospel of Lent on Ash Wednesday, Matthew 6:1-6; 16-18, we are told to pray, fast and give alms. Almsgiving is not a thing of the past, but still a necessity in becoming saints. Almsgiving is also tied closely with fasting. Whatever we give up, the money we save should go to the needy. It should be given away to the missions, the Church or a worthy charity. In a family with small children it helps to make this a visual practice by, for example, having a jar or box in the center of the table as a reminder and measure of progress.
It is also considered "almsgiving" to give one's time and goods to those who are in need, i.e., donating time for a soup kitchen, giving clothes to charity, visiting the shut-ins and elderly, driving those without transportation and other similar practices.
Under this category we include Good Works, a positive aspect of almsgiving. We can use the Spiritual and Corporal Works of Mercy as a guide for ways to show charity toward others. Good works deal with two kinds of action: perfection of our daily duties and perfection of charity toward others. See Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy.
Our daily duties include our job as a spouse, as a parent, as a child, as a worker or student. We need to strive to do our best in these capacities, even if that means being more patient, more cheerful, more efficient, more charitable, less critical, less gossiping, or less backbiting. We need to make the most of the time we are given each day; we should not waste time. This is the positive area of our Lenten program. We should work on virtues, like obedience, charity, humility, chastity and perseverance.
How can I improve my daily duty?
Daily Duty at Work: We should make sure that we don't waste time. We are being paid to be productive, so we should curb spending work time surfing the Internet, being on social media, answering personal phone calls and personal email. We should strive for our work to be efficient and our best, not shoddy, hastily completed work.
Daily Duty with Family: We can improve the quality of our family life by spending time reading and doing family activities together instead of watching TV and playing video games. If a family dinner isn't a common occurrence, we should schedule a few nights a week for everyone to have dinner together. We then can enjoy being together, talk and share events with each other and maybe read some Lenten reflections while at dinner. And every member in our family deserves to be treated charitably and patiently. We need to make concerted efforts to be cheerful in our home, not just save it for strangers. Our family deserves the best.
Daily Duty with Personal Time: At the end of our life at the personal judgment, we will be accountable for every moment of our lives. Is all the time used wisely, or is there room for improvement? Are morning and evening prayers in the routine? Can we spend more personal time for prayer, or discipline ourselves to get enough sleep (in order to be less irritable and more productive)? Many of us postpone or procrastinate personal jobs, prayer and reading for some other time. But NOW is the time to make the best of our daily duty.
For families with younger children, there are instructions for a Family Lenten Chart to help keep visible track of progress during Lent.
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