Monday Night at the Movies
William Friedkin, The Exorcist, 1973.
Christopher’s Corner Watch “The Robe”
· Day of Svetitskhoveli Cathedral
· How to celebrate Oct 14th
o Wake up to a day full of tradition and gratitude. Begin with a hearty breakfast to fuel your adventures ahead.
§ Indulge your sweet tooth with a homemade dessert or a treat from a local bakery. Savor each bite and let yourself enjoy the simple pleasures in life.
o Take a moment to appreciate the environment by participating in an e-waste recycling drive. Make a difference by responsibly disposing of old electronics.
o Celebrate love and connections by reaching out to loved ones. Send a heartfelt message or plan a surprise visit to show your affection.
o Embrace your unique identity by embracing your natural beauty. Whether you’re bald or not, take pride in your appearance and carry yourself with confidence.
OCTOBER 14 Monday Columbus Day Observed-No
mail
1 Kings, Chapter 17, Verse 13
Elijah said to her, “Do not be AFRAID. Go and do as you have said. But
first make me a little cake and bring it to me. Afterwards you can prepare
something for yourself and your son.
Anyone
can be for the Lord during the good times; but can you still have a heart of
faith and love during the worst of times. Here Elijah asked the widow of
Zarephath not to be afraid and to make a cake for him from the last of her food
during the worst famine in her lifetime. What she did was just that and by her
faith Elijah was able to multiply the oil and flour and later even raise her
son back to life. The lesson here is sin brings suffering and fidelity brings
nourishment. The power of Yahweh to take away life and to restore it is here
demonstrated, as is Elijah’s confidence in the Lord.[1]
The Widow’s Generosity[2]
The widow of Zarephath was challenged by the prophet Elijah to share what little she had, despite her desperate circumstances. Because of this poor woman’s generosity and goodness, and Elijah’s faithfulness, God strengthened the prophet’s faith and renewed his capacity for ministry. The Lord used the prophet to bring consolation and peace of mind and heart to the widow and her son. Authentic ministry is always mutual: we set out to help others and we end up being helped and blessed by the very people we set out to help! The Lord will provide for us, beyond outward appearances of weakness, failure, fatigue, trepidation, and fear. God always does far more than we can ever ask for or imagine! This striking Old Testament story forces us to ask some serious questions of our own lives.
How have I responded to the needs of those around us when we've felt that we’ve got little or nothing to give?
Do we worry that there will not be enough for us if we give away our money or our time?
Elijah exhorted the widow with the words, "Do not be afraid." This same admonition is repeated in the Gospels and was also the refrain of St. John Paul II's long, fruitful, prophetic Petrine ministry: "Be not afraid!"
How does fear affect our lives and keep us from obeying the spirit of the Lord?
Do we cling to those things that cannot help us, forgetting to trust in the goodness of God?
The widow of Zarephath was generous to Elijah. She gave to the limit of her resources, and God rewarded both the widow and her son.
Do we have that same radical faith and trust?
Do we behave as if we are owners of our talents and resources or simply as if we are God's steward?
This reading causes us to make some firm resolves with our own lives. Let me suggest a few concrete actions based on this story from the First Book of Kings. It is important to consider our own willingness to be generous with both material goods and with our very being. Perhaps this week we can ask God for the grace to respond charitably to those who ask of us, whether it is a worthwhile charity or the neighbor, friend or colleague who simply needs to talk and to be heard. The well-to-do who put money in the treasury were never condemned by Jesus; he simply pointed out the nature of their contribution. They gave from their surplus, and thus it did not "cost" them as much to give.
Do we have a surplus from which to contribute?
If so, do we use this money in the best way possible?
How do we consider our charitable giving?
Are we concerned with the poor, the sick, the homeless, refugees and those on the peripheries of society?
Do we use our wealth to help create a culture of life?
Or are we more interested in building up our personal security?
Perhaps
we can pray this week for wisdom and a spirit of generosity so that we will use
our money to help further the kingdom of God.
Catechism of the Catholic
Church
Day 123
The
episcopal college and its head, the Pope
880 When
Christ instituted the Twelve, "he constituted [them] in the form of a
college or permanent assembly, at the head of which he placed Peter, chosen
from among them." Just as "by the Lord's institution, St. Peter
and the rest of the apostles constitute a single apostolic college, so in like
fashion the Roman Pontiff, Peter's successor, and the bishops, the successors
of the apostles, are related with and united to one another."
881 The Lord
made Simon alone, whom he named Peter, the "rock" of his Church. He
gave him the keys of his Church and instituted him shepherd of the whole
flock. "The office of binding and loosing which was given to Peter
was also assigned to the college of apostles united to its
head." This pastoral office of Peter and the other apostles belongs
to the Church's very foundation and is continued by the bishops under the
primacy of the Pope.
882 The
Pope, Bishop of Rome and Peter's successor, "is the perpetual and visible
source and foundation of the unity both of the bishops and of the whole company
of the faithful." "For the Roman Pontiff, by reason of his
office as Vicar of Christ, and as pastor of the entire Church has full,
supreme, and universal power over the whole Church, a power which he can always
exercise unhindered."
883
"The college or body of bishops has no authority unless united with the
Roman Pontiff, Peter's successor, as its head." As such, this college has
"supreme and full authority over the universal Church; but this power
cannot be exercised without the agreement of the Roman Pontiff."
884
"The college of bishops exercises power over the universal Church in a
solemn manner in an ecumenical council." But "there never is an
ecumenical council which is not confirmed or at least recognized as such by
Peter's successor."
885
"This college, in so far as it is composed of many members, is the
expression of the variety and universality of the People of God; and of the
unity of the flock of Christ, in so far as it is assembled under one
head."
886
"The individual bishops are the visible source and foundation of unity in
their own particular Churches." As such, they "exercise their
pastoral office over the portion of the People of God assigned to
them," assisted by priests and deacons. But, as a member of the
episcopal college, each bishop shares in the concern for all the
Churches. The bishops exercise this care first "by ruling well their
own Churches as portions of the universal Church," and so contributing
"to the welfare of the whole Mystical Body, which, from another point of
view, is a corporate body of Churches." They extend it especially to
the poor, to those persecuted for the faith, as well as to missionaries
who are working throughout the world.
887
Neighboring particular Churches who share the same culture form ecclesiastical
provinces or larger groupings called patriarchates or regions. The bishops
of these groupings can meet in synods or provincial councils. "In a like
fashion, the episcopal conferences at the present time are in a position to
contribute in many and fruitful ways to the concrete realization of the
collegiate spirit."
Daily Devotions
·
Unite in the work of the Porters of St. Joseph by joining them
in fasting: Today's Fast: Catholic
Politicians and Leaders
·
Eat waffles and Pray for the assistance of the Angels
·
Religion
in the Home for Preschool: October
·
Litany of the Most Precious
Blood of Jesus
·
Offering to
the sacred heart of Jesus
·
Monday: Litany of
Humility
·
Rosary
No comments:
Post a Comment