ICEMANforChrist

This blog is based on references in the Bible to fear. God wills that we “BE NOT AFRAID”. Many theologians state that the eighth deadly sin is fear. It is fear and its natural animal reaction to fight or flight that is the root cause of our failings to create a Kingdom of God on earth. By “the power of the Holy Spirit” we can be witnesses and “communicators” of a new and redeemed humanity “even to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:7 8). This blog is dedicated to Mary the Mother of God.

Saturday, November 16, 2024

Vinny’s Corner

· How to celebrate Nov 16th

o Let’s kick off the day by celebrating National Button Day! Go through your closet and dig out any clothing that needs a button replaced or jazzed up. Get creative with mismatched buttons for a funky look.

§ Next up, it’s Icelandic Language Day. Challenge yourself to learn a few Icelandic phrases online or listen to an Icelandic music playlist.

· Continue the fun by observing Louis Riel Day with a moment of reflection on the history and culture of the Métis people.

· For National Fast Food Day, treat yourself to a budget-friendly fast food meal of your choice. Make sure to savor every bite and maybe even try a new menu item.

o To honor International Day for Tolerance, take time to educate yourself on different cultures and traditions through online resources or documentaries.

· Then, on Have a Party with Your Bear Day, gather your teddy bear or any plush toy for a mini celebration. Enjoy a cozy picnic indoors or set up a tea party for you and your fluffy friend. Don’t forget to snap some photos for memories.

o As you wind down, mark Check Your Wipers Day by giving your car some TLC. Check your wipers for wear and tear, and if needed, replace them to ensure clear visibility on the roads.

· End the day on a musical note with Clarinet Day. Listen to some clarinet performances online or even attempt to play a tune yourself if you have a clarinet lying around.

o Finally, pay homage to Indiana Day. Research the state’s history, famous landmarks, or whip up a classic dish like cornbread or Hoosier pie to experience a taste of Indiana.

NOVEMBER 16 Saturday

ST GERTRUDE

Luke, Chapter 18, Verse 1-8

¹Then he told them a parable about the necessity for them to pray always without becoming weary. He said, ²“There was a judge in a certain town who neither FEARED God nor respected any human being. ³ And a widow in that town used to come to him and say, ‘Render a just decision for me against my adversary.’ ⁴ For a long time the judge was unwilling, but eventually he thought, ‘While it is true that I neither fear God nor respect any human being, ⁵because this widow keeps bothering me I shall deliver a just decision for her lest she finally come and strike me.’” ⁶ The Lord said, “Pay attention to what the dishonest judge says. ⁷ Will not God then secure the rights of his chosen ones who call out to him day and night? Will he be slow to answer them? ⁸ I tell you, he will see to it that justice is done for them speedily. But when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?”

Will the Son of Man find faith on earth when he comes?

We must remain faithful to the gospel of Christ and stand with the Holy Catholic Church.

We must continue to ask Him to come to our assistance against the Philistines of our age.

We must not fail to call out to Him night and day to save us from the wicked and to pray for their conversion and for the souls of the Martyrs of freedom that they have made.

Our enemy is not men but the devil and those are in his control.

We must never become to weary or afraid to take the gospel to those places that are most devoid of faith, hope and love.

“Only those that see the invisible can do the impossible.” Tyrese

St. Gertrude[1]

St. Gertrude the Great, a Cistercian nun, is one of the most lovable German saints from medieval times, and through her writings she will remain for all ages a guide to the interior life. When she was twenty-five years old (1281), Christ began to appear to her and to disclose to her the secrets of mystical union. Obeying a divine wish, she put into writing the favors of grace bestowed upon her. Her most important work, Legatus Divinae Pietatis, "The Herald of Divine Love,".

The Gift of Frequent Communion^{^[2]}

All too few of us are blessed with the opportunity for daily Mass and Communion. Even St. Gertrude herself had trouble doing that (primarily due to her illnesses). In one of her writings, she relates a conversation with Jesus in which they talked about the graces given to daily communicants…with a surprising statement about when graces are NOT given.

Here’s an excerpt from St. Gertrude’s writings:

· Gertrude said, “How far above me in beatitude will those priests be who communicate every day to fulfill the duties of their ministry!”

o “It is true,” replied Our Lord, “that those who celebrate worthily shall shine in great glory, but the love of him who communicates with pleasure should be judged of very differently from the exterior magnificence that appears in this mystery. There will be one reward for him who has

§ approached with desire and love.

§ There will be another for him who approaches with fear and reverence.

§ and another for him who is very diligent in his preparation.

§ But those who habitually celebrate through custom only shall have no share in My gifts.”

–The Life and Revelations of St. Gertrude the Great

How many of us Catholics judge our sanctity by the numbers of Masses and Communions we experience? Holiness is not a numbers game, but a “heart game.” The most eloquent prayers–even the Mass itself–are of little value without engagement of the heart. But prayers fueled by love, devotion and confidence will move the highest mountains.

Reflection: At Communion time, we must always be aware of the awesome significance of what we are about to do. Our hearts must be in the game. It is Christ Himself, Creator of the Universe, whom we receive in the form of the Host.

Before approaching the table of the Lord, we pray to be worthy; we pray to be in the moment when God blesses us with this indescribable Eucharistic miracle. We pray to be prepared.

Catechism of the Catholic Church

Day 157

1153 A sacramental celebration is a meeting of God's children with their Father, in Christ and the Holy Spirit; this meeting takes the form of a dialogue, through actions and words. Admittedly, the symbolic actions are already a language, but the Word of God and the response of faith have to accompany and give life to them, so that the seed of the Kingdom can bear its fruit in good soil. the liturgical actions signify what the Word of God expresses: both his free initiative and his people's response of faith.

1154 The liturgy of the Word is an integral part of sacramental celebrations. To nourish the faith of believers, the signs which accompany the Word of God should be emphasized: the book of the Word (a lectionary or a book of the Gospels), its veneration (procession, incense, candles), the place of its proclamation (lectern or ambo), its audible and intelligible reading, the minister's homily which extends its proclamation, and the responses of the assembly (acclamations, meditation psalms, litanies, and profession of faith).

1155 The liturgical word and action are inseparable both insofar as they are signs and instruction and insofar as they accomplish what they signify. When the Holy Spirit awakens faith, he not only gives an understanding of the Word of God, but through the sacraments also makes present the "wonders" of God which it proclaims. The Spirit makes present and communicates the Father's work, fulfilled by the beloved Son.

Singing and music

1156 "The musical tradition of the universal Church is a treasure of inestimable value, greater even than that of any other art. The main reason for this pre-eminence is that, as a combination of sacred music and words, it forms a necessary or integral part of solemn liturgy." The composition and singing of inspired psalms, often accompanied by musical instruments, were already closely linked to the liturgical celebrations of the Old Covenant. The Church continues and develops this tradition: "Address . . . one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with all your heart." "He who sings prays twice."

1157 Song and music fulfill their function as signs in a manner all the more significant when they are "more closely connected . . . with the liturgical action," according to three principal criteria: beauty expressive of prayer, the unanimous participation of the assembly at the designated moments, and the solemn character of the celebration. In this way they participate in the purpose of the liturgical words and actions: the glory of God and the sanctification of the faithful:

How I wept, deeply moved by your hymns, songs, and the voices that echoed through your Church! What emotion I experienced in them! Those sounds flowed into my ears distilling the truth in my heart. A feeling of devotion surged within me, and tears streamed down my face - tears that did me good.

1158 The harmony of signs (song, music, words, and actions) is all the more expressive and fruitful when expressed in the cultural richness of the People of God who celebrate. Hence "religious singing by the faithful is to be intelligently fostered so that in devotions and sacred exercises as well as in liturgical services," in conformity with the Church's norms, "the voices of the faithful may be heard." But "the texts intended to be sung must always be in conformity with Catholic doctrine. Indeed, they should be drawn chiefly from the Sacred Scripture and from liturgical sources."