February 23 Sunday-Sexagesima
ST. POLYCARP
Daniel,
Chapter 3, Verse 90
Bless the God of gods, all you who FEAR the Lord; praise and give thanks, for his mercy endures forever.
God gave the
land of Israel to the Israelites as an eternal possession; land could be leased
to pay debts, but it always reverted back to the family who owned it. In a
similar way Christ has given the possession of your eternal soul back over to
you through His mercy; after you leased it out to the evil one. Do not fear or be dismayed to take possession
of it.
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, and to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord. (Luke 4:18-19)
The way we take possession of our soul is by the way of purification. A man in possession of his soul seeks to live in such a way that he does not lose ownership of his soul. He strives to place first things first and he endeavors to follow God’s holy Will in his life. Conversion means turning to God (Beatitude Meditation) and keeping the four last things in our mind when we are tempted: Death, Judgment, Heaven and hell. Immediately after death we will be judged, and our private judgment will be repeated on the Day of Judgment; when all men will know us for what we are. If we have done our best and followed Christ’s commandments (if you love me you will keep my commandments) we will join Him in Heaven but if we have ignored His commandments and refused to make use of His help (via the church sacraments) we shall be condemned to hell. [1].
Therefore, strive to love God in your daily life and make use of His grace. When you fall, immediately make a prayer in honor of the Wound of His Holy Shoulder making use of His grace in the sacrament of confession at the earliest opportunity and receive Holy Communion only after confession.
O Loving Jesus, meek Lamb of God, I miserable sinner, salute
and worship the most Sacred Wound of Thy Shoulder on which Thou didst bear Thy
heavy Cross, which so tore Thy flesh and laid bare Thy Bones as to inflict on
Thee an anguish greater than any other wound of Thy Most Blessed Body. I adore
Thee, O Jesus most sorrowful; I praise and glorify Thee, and give Thee thanks
for this most sacred and painful Wound, beseeching Thee by that exceeding pain,
and by the crushing burden of Thy heavy Cross to be merciful to me, a sinner,
to forgive me all my mortal and venial sins, and to lead me on towards Heaven
along the Way of Thy Cross. Amen.
Imprimatur: Thomas D. Beven, Bishop of Springfield
ON KEEPING THE LORD'S DAY HOLY[3]
CHAPTER
II
DIES
CHRISTI
The
Day of the Risen Lord
and of the Gift
of the Holy Spirit
The
day of the new creation
25.
In effect, Sunday is the day above all other days which summons Christians to
remember the salvation which was given to them in baptism and which has made
them new in Christ. "You were buried with him in baptism, in which you
were also raised with him through faith in the working of God, who raised him
from the dead" (Col 2:12; cf. Rom 6:4-6). The liturgy
underscores this baptismal dimension of Sunday, both in calling for the
celebration of baptisms — as well as at the Easter Vigil — on the day of the
week "when the Church commemorates the Lord's Resurrection", and in
suggesting as an appropriate penitential rite at the start of Mass the sprinkling
of holy water, which recalls the moment of Baptism in which all Christian life
is born.
SEXAGESIMA
SUNDAY
The perils of exile (persecution) and the fruits of asceticism (the Word being sown into our hearts).
Sexagesima literally means "sixtieth," though it only falls 56 days before Easter. During these weeks contemplate the ways you can build up your fear of the Lord remembering that fear of the Lord is really a deep abiding love for God.
The Introit of the Mass is taken from the forty-third psalm: Arise; why sleepest Thou, O Lord? Arise, and cast us not off to the end; why turnest Thou Thy face away, and forgettest our trouble? for our soul is humbled down to the dust; our belly cleaveth to the earth. Arise, O Lord, help us, and redeem us for Thy name’s sake. We have heard, O God, with our ears; our fathers have declared to us.
Prayer.
O God, Who seest that we confide in no action of our own, grant, in Thy mercy, that we may be defended from all evils by the protection of the Doctor of the gentiles. Amen.
EPISTLE, ii. Cor. xi. 19; xii. 9.
Brethren: You gladly suffer the foolish: whereas
yourselves are wise. For you suffer if a man bring you into bondage, if a man
devour you, if a man take from you, if a man be lifted up, if a man strike you
on the face. I speak according to dishonor, as if we had been weak in this
part. Wherein if any man dare (I speak foolishly) I dare also: they are
Hebrews, so am I: they are Israelites, so am I: they are the seed of Abraham,
so am I: they are the ministers of Christ (I speak as one less wise), I am more:
in many more labors: in prisons more frequently, in stripes above measure, in
deaths often. Of the Jews five times did I receive forty stripes, save one.
Thrice was I beaten with rods, once I was stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck,
a night and a day I was in the depth of the sea. In journeying often, in perils
of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own nation, in perils from the
gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the
sea, in perils from false brethren: in labor and painfulness, in much
watchings, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.
Besides those things which are without: my daily instance, the solicitude for
all the churches. Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is scandalized, and I am
not on fire? If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things that concern my
infirmity. The God and Farther of Our Lord Jesus Christ, Who is blessed
forever, knoweth that I lie not. At Damascus, the governor of the nation under
Aretas the king guarded the city of the Damascenes to apprehend me: and through
a window in a basket was I let down by the wall, and so escaped his hands. If I
must glory (it is not expedient indeed), but I will come to the visions and
revelations of the Lord. I know a man in Christ above fourteen years ago
(whether in the body, I know not, or out of the body, I know not, God knoweth),
such an one rapt even to the third heaven. And I know such a man (whether in
the body or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth) that he was caught up
into paradise: and heard secret words which it is not granted to man to utter.
For such an one I will glory: but for myself I will glory nothing, but in my infirmities.
For though I should have a mind to glory, _ snail- not be foolish: for I will
say the truth: but I forbear, lest any man should think of me above that which
he seeth in me, or anything he heareth from me. And lest the greatness of the
revelations should exalt me, there was given me a
sting
of my flesh, an angel of Satan, to buffet me. For which thing thrice I besought
the Lord, that it might depart from me: and He said to me: My grace is
sufficient for thee: for power is made perfect in infirmity. Gladly therefore
will I glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may dwell in me.
By the example of St. Paul, the Church would incite us to work out our salvation by cooperating faithfully with the grace of God. Let us, like this great apostle, be not irritated at temptations, but firmly combat and overcome them by the help of divine grace.
Prayer.
Grant me, O God, Thy grace, that I may in these evil days keep steadily to Thy holy doctrine, and never be seduced from obeying it, either by the allurements of the world, or the reproaches of the wicked. Amen.
GOSPEL. Luke viii. 4-15.
At that time: When a very great multitude was gathered together and hastened out of the cities unto Him, He spoke by a similitude: The sower went out to sow his seed: and as he sowed, some fell by the wayside and was trodden down, and the fowls of the air devoured it. And other some fell upon a rock: and as soon as it was sprung up, it withered away, because it had no moisture. And other some fell among thorns, and the thorns growing up with it, choked it. And other some fell upon good ground: and being sprang up, yielded fruit a hundredfold. Saying these things, He cried out: He that hath ears to hear, let him hear. And His disciples asked Him what this parable might be. To whom He said: To you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God, but to the rest in parables, that seeing they may not see, and hearing may not understand. Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. And they by the wayside, are they that hear; then the devil cometh, and taketh the word out of their heart, lest believing they should be saved. Now they upon the rock, are they who when they hear, receive the word with joy: and these have no roots: for they believe for a while, and in time of temptation, they fall away. And that which fell among thorns, are they who have heard, and going their way, are choked with the cares and riches and pleasures of this life and yield no fruit. But that on the good ground: are they who in a good and a very good heart, hearing the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit in patience.
Why is the word of God here compared to seed?
Because as good fruits spring from good seed, so do good works from the word of God; and as it is impossible for any soil not sown to produce good fruits, so neither can men produce the fruits of the Spirit without the seed of the divine Word.
Why did Our Savior cry out, “He that hath ears to hear, let him hear?”
To declare the necessity of heeding the word of God, since without the instruction in our holy religion which we derive from that word we cannot know what we must do to please God, and save our souls.
How, then, does it happen that, notwithstanding the excellence of the divine word, there are so many bad Christians?
The fault is with men, who, though they hear the word of God, hear, read, and meditate superficially. The divine seed finds no moisture or root in their hearts; they are overgrown with the piercing thorns of cares, riches, and sensual lusts, so that the seed of the divine word is choked up, and can neither grow nor bear fruit.
What is the effect of the word of God when heeded?
To wash away sin, implant virtue, and create the world anew. Jeremias says: “Are not My words as a fire” (Jer. xxiii. 29) which bursts out from within, consuming the vapors of sin, drying up the marshes of vice, and killing the deep roots of bad habits? Again, it is “a hammer,” breaking in pieces the rocks of hardened hearts. St. Paul says: “It is living and effectual, and more piercing than any two-edged sword: reaching into the division of the soul and spirit, of the joints also and the marrow” (Heb. iv. 12) that is, cutting away from the spirit sensual lusts. St. James calls it a mirror, in which a man beholding himself and his sins becomes ashamed, and tries to get free from them (James i. 23). It is, finally, the good seed, which, falling upon good ground, yields fruit a hundredfold.
What must we do BEFORE a sermon?
St. Chrysostom asks, “Who pours a precious liquid into an unclean vessel, before he has washed it?” We should, therefore, cleanse our hearts before a sermon by contrition, for wisdom will not enter into a malicious soul (Wis. i. 4). As the ground to be sown must first be prepared, so must our hearts be cleansed, and made ready by a holy desire of learning what is good.
What must we do DURING a sermon?
We must listen attentively and respectfully, for it is God Who speaks to us through the preacher: “He that heareth you, heareth Me” (Luke x. 16). If an ambassador reading the letters of his king is listened to with great attention, quiet, and respect, says St. Chrysostom, how much greater veneration should we not pay to the minister of God announcing His holy will? Be careful, therefore, not to show contempt for the preacher, for that will reach back to God, Who has said, “He that despiseth you, despiseth Me” (Luke x. 16). Be careful not to apply what is said in the sermon to others, but rather take heed to thyself (i. Tim. iv. 16). If you are free from those sins which the sermon points at, thank God, arid pray that you may not fall into them.
What must we do AFTER a sermon?
We must endeavor
to practice what we have heard; for God justifies, not the hearers of the law,
but only the doers (Rom. ii. 13) of it. In order to practice what we hear in
the sermon it is necessary, in the first place, to keep it in our minds, to
ponder it carefully and remember it. Christ, therefore, blesses those who hear
the word of God and keep it (Luke xi. 28). The seed cannot bring forth fruit if
not well covered with good ground, warmed by the sun, moistened by the rain and
dew, and cared for in other ways. Finally, pray often to God, that He may keep
alive in you the divine truths which you have heard.
Prayer.
O my God, I am
covered with shame, because the seed of Thy divine word, which Thou hast so
abundantly sown in my heart, has brought forth so little fruit. Have mercy, O
Lord, and change my heart, that it may become good ground, in which Thy word
may take root, thrive, grow, and finally bring forth the fruit of salvation,
which Thou requirest of me. Amen.
o Devotion of the Seven Sundays: St Joseph-3rd Sunday
Novena to the Holy Face
To prepare ourselves for union with God; I recommend we start a Novena to the Holy Face of Christ. I try to do this yearly in preparation for lent.
The Novena will end on Tuesday before Ash Wednesday which is the day that Judas went to the Sanhedrin to betray Christ.
NOVENA TO THE HOLY FACE
[4]The Golden Arrow
(as dictated by Our Lord to Sister Marie of St. Peter)
May the most holy, most sacred, most adorable, most incomprehensible and ineffable Name of God be forever praised, blessed, loved, adored and glorified in Heaven, on Earth, and under the Earth by all the creatures of God and by the Sacred Heart of Our Lord Jesus Christ in the Most Holy Sacrament of the Altar. Amen. Eternal Father, I offer Thee the adorable Face of Thy Beloved Son for the honor and glory of Thy Name, for the conversion of sinners and the salvation of the dying. Amen.
All those who honor My Face in a spirit of
reparation will by so doing perform the office of the pious Veronica. According
to the care they take in making reparation to My Face, disfigured by
blasphemers, so will I take care of their souls which have been disfigured by
sin. My Face is the seal of the Divinity, which has the virtue of reproducing
in souls the image of God.
1. Those who by words, prayers or writing defend My
cause in this Work of Reparation I will defend before My Father, and will give
them My Kingdom.
2.
By offering My
Face to My Eternal Father, nothing will be refused, and the conversion of many
sinners will be obtained.
3. By My Holy Face, they will work wonders, appease the
anger of God, and draw down mercy on sinners.
4. As in a kingdom they can procure all that is desired
with a coin stamped with the King's effigy, so in the Kingdom of Heaven they
will obtain all they desire with the precious coin of My Holy Face.
5. Those who on earth contemplate the wounds of My Face
shall in Heaven behold it radiant with glory.
6. They will receive in their souls a bright and
constant irradiation of My Divinity, that by their likeness to My Face they
shall shine with particular splendor in Heaven.
7.
Novena in Honor
of
the Most Holy Face of Jesus
"I
firmly wish that my face reflecting the intimate pains of my soul, the
suffering and love of my heart, be more honored! Whoever gazes upon me already
consoles me." (Our Lord Jesus Christ to Sister Pierina)
DAILY PREPARATORY PRAYER
O
Most Holy and Blessed Trinity, through the intercession of Holy Mary, whose
soul was pierced through by a sword of sorrow at the sight of the passion of
her Divine Son, we ask your help in making a perfect Novena of reparation with
Jesus, united with all His sorrows, love and total abandonment.
We
now implore all the Angels and Saints to intercede for us as we pray this Holy
Novena to the Most Holy Face of Jesus and for the glory of the most Holy
Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.
(Start
novena)
"All
those who, attracted by my love, and venerating my countenance, shall receive,
by virtue of my humanity, a brilliant and vivid impression of my divinity. This
splendor shall enlighten the depths of their souls, so that in eternal glory
the celestial court shall marvel at the marked likeness of their features with
my divine countenance." (Our Lord Jesus Christ to St. Gertrude)
First
Day
(Console Holy Face and recite Daily Preparatory
Prayer)
Psalm
51, 3-4.
Have mercy on me, O God in your goodness,
in your great tenderness wipe away my faults; wash me clean of my guilt, purify
me from my sin.
O
most Holy Face of Jesus, look with tenderness on us who are sinners. You are a
merciful God, full of love and compassion. Keep us pure of heart, so that we
may see Thee always. Mary, our Mother, intercede for us; Saint Joseph, pray for
us.
Through
the merits of your precious blood and your Holy Face, O Jesus, grant us our
petition, Pardon and Mercy.
Prayer
to Our Almighty Father
Almighty Father come into our hearts, and
so fill us with your love that forsaking all evil desires, we may embrace you,
our only good. Show us, O Lord our God, what you are to us. Say to our souls, I
am your salvation, speak so that we may hear. Our hearts are before you; open
our ears; let us hasten after your voice. Hide not your Face from us, we
beseech you, O Lord. Open our hearts so that you may enter in. Repair the
ruined mansions, that you may dwell therein. Hear us, O Heavenly Father, for
the sake of your only Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you
and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever Amen.
Pray
one (1) Our Father, (3) Hail Mary’s, (1) Glory Be,
O Bleeding Face, O Face Divine, be every adoration Thine. (Three times)[6]
Manhood of the Master[7]
In 1913 the renowned Harry Emerich Fosdick wrote a 12-week study on the Manhood of Jesus Christ. Fosdick writes, “This work is not a portrait of the life of the Master or a study of his teaching. It is an endeavor to understand and appreciate the quality of his character. Neither this this work an attempted to contribution to the theology; it is an endeavor, rather, to get back behind the thoughts of the centuries about him, and to see the Man Christ Jesus himself as he lives in the pages of the gospels.
During the Lenten period we will utilize the work to come closer to Christ’s manhood using this source as fruit for a study of Christ. Hopefully our study will help us rise with Christ and become true sons of Mary and the Church.
o Manhood of the Master-week 1 day 1
Catechism
of the Catholic Church
Day
253 1913-1927
PART THREE: LIFE IN CHRIST
SECTION ONE-MAN'S VOCATION LIFE IN THE
SPIRIT
CHAPTER TWO-THE HUMAN COMMUNION
Article 2-PARTICIPATION IN SOCIAL LIFE
III. Responsibility and Participation
1913
"Participation" is the voluntary and generous engagement of a person
in social interchange. It is necessary that all participate, each according to
his position and role, in promoting the common good. This obligation is
inherent in the dignity of the human person.
1914
Participation is achieved first of all by taking charge of the areas for which
one assumes personal responsibility: by the care taken for the education of his
family, by conscientious work, and so forth, man participates in the good of
others and of society.
1915 As far as
possible citizens should take an active part in public life. The manner of this
participation may vary from one country or culture to another. "One must
pay tribute to those nations whose systems permit the largest possible number
of the citizens to take part in public life in a climate of genuine
freedom."
1916 As with
any ethical obligation, the participation of all in realizing the common good
calls for a continually renewed conversion of the social partners. Fraud and
other subterfuges, by which some people evade the constraints of the law and
the prescriptions of societal obligation, must be firmly condemned because they
are incompatible with the requirements of justice. Much care should be taken to
promote institutions that improve the conditions of human life.
1917 It is
incumbent on those who exercise authority to strengthen the values that inspire
the confidence of the members of the group and encourage them to put themselves
at the service of others. Participation begins with education and culture.
"One is entitled to think that the future of humanity is in the hands of
those who are capable of providing the generations to come with reasons for
life and optimism."
IN BRIEF
1918 "There is no authority except from God, and those
authorities that exist have been instituted by God" (Rom 13:1).
1919 Every human community needs an authority in order to
endure and develop.
1920 "The political community and public authority are
based on human nature and therefore . . . belong to an order established by
God" (GS 74 # 3).
1921 Authority is exercised legitimately if it is committed
to the common good of society. To attain this it must employ morally acceptable
means.
1922 The diversity of political regimes is legitimate,
provided they contribute to the good of the community.
1923 Political authority must be exercised within the
limits of the moral order and must guarantee the conditions for the exercise of
freedom.
1924 The common good comprises "the sum total of
social conditions which allow people, either as groups or as individuals, to
reach their fulfillment more fully and more easily" (GS 26 1).
1925 The common good consists of three essential elements:
respect for and promotion of the fundamental rights of the person; prosperity,
or the development of the spiritual and temporal goods of society; the peace
and security of the group and of its members.
1926 The dignity of the human person requires the pursuit
of the common good. Everyone should be concerned to create and support
institutions that improve the conditions of human life.
1927 It is the role of the state to defend and promote the
common good of civil society. The common good of the whole human family calls
for an organization of society on the international level.
Daily Devotions
·
Unite in the work of the Porters of St. Joseph by joining them
in fasting: Today's Fast: An end
to the use of contraceptives.
·
Litany of the Most Precious
Blood of Jesus
·
Offering to
the sacred heart of Jesus
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