o
As a toddler I
loved mozzarella cheese so much I tried to eat it in the store leaving my teeth
marks in the cheese and not being able to break through the plastic package.
·
Eat waffles and Pray for the assistance
of the Angels
·
Bucket List trip[2]:
The
Sword of St. Michael
·
Religion in the Home for
Preschool: May
·
Monday: Litany of Humility
·
Spirit Hour: "Sunset"
Michelada
MAY 5 Monday of the Third Week of
East
Cinco
De Mayo
1 Maccabees, Chapter 9, Verse 6
The rats are the first to
leave a sinking ship. You can tell when something
is about to fail because
large numbers of people
begin to leave it.
Death of Judas Maccabee[1]
Judas cleverly negotiated
a treaty of alliance with Rome that recognized Judea as an independent state.
For the first time since before the Babylonian exile, the Jews had their own
sovereign nation. Demetrius feared a Rome-supported Judea might induce another
of his inherited enemies, Egypt, to join the alliance and invade his empire
through Judea. Basing his actions on reports that the Maccabean army was
disbanding, Demetrius dispatched a 24,000-man expedition in the spring of 160
bc. Sure enough, Judas was unable to mobilize more than 3,000 troops. Joining
battle at Elasa, about six miles east of Beth Horon, the armies clashed briefly
before the Jewish warriors, demoralized by the eight-to-one odds, broke and
fled, leaving their peerless commander with just 800 valiant veterans. Leading
his small band in a desperate charge on the enemy’s right flank, Judas killed a
great number of Seleucids but failed in the crucial objective of killing their
commander, General Bacchides. Instead, Judas and his little group of loyalists
were wiped out. It had taken the Syrians far too long, but in Bacchides they
finally found a leader capable of concocting viable strategy and instilling
needed flexibility into Syrian formations. Considering the overpowering
numerical advantage the Syrians enjoyed in that April clash, it could be said
the Maccabees were drawn into a trap even if they realized it from the
beginning, for they could not afford to allow this pagan multitude to rampage
unchecked throughout Judea. Confronting it when they did, before they had time
to assemble sufficient soldiers, was unavoidable—and fatal.
Speaking of Sovereignty-asked
Copilot-If there is any significance with the horse that won the Kentucky Debry
being called “Sovereignty”
Sovereignty, the
racehorse, won the 151st Kentucky Derby, defeating the favorite, Journalism.
Some have interpreted the victory symbolically, particularly in political and
cultural contexts, but whether it signifies a divine event like the return of
Christ’s sovereignty is a matter of personal belief.
In Christian theology,
Christ’s sovereignty refers to His ultimate authority over all creation, which
is not dependent on earthly events like horse races. However, people often find
meaning in unexpected places, and if this victory resonates with you spiritually,
it could serve as a reminder of divine rule and providence.
The Legacy
of Judas Maccabeus
For no small reason, Judas
was called “the Hammer.” His unparalleled battlefield adaptability, proficiency
in exploiting an enemy’s mistakes, ability to fight at night, and effective use
of terrain, surprise, and espionage made him the bane of succeeding Seleucid
commanders. After Judas’s death, his brothers Jonathan and Simon eventually
achieved the Judean dream of religious and political independence. It was the
first time in recorded history that a subject people had won a revolutionary
war for religious freedom. Because he fought in just one poorly chronicled war,
Judas Maccabeus has largely been lost among the giant shadows cast by Alexander
the Great, Julius Caesar, Genghis Khan, Napoleon Bonaparte, Shaka Zulu, and
other great conquerors. Unlike them, Judas was a man of noble motives who
fought because he had no other choice. Unfettered by outmoded convention, he
taught himself and his followers to fight via methods too subtle to be
perceived by their powerful but outmoded adversaries. Today’s high-tech
military strategists would be well served to study the humble partisan leader
of long ago, who wanted nothing more for himself and his people than to be
allowed to live and worship in peace.
Martyrdom[2]
If we look at
the modern world, we see nothing but hostility toward the Faith. In the
Middle East, Christians are being martyred in the most brutal way. Every day
brings a new threat. Persecution is open and the choice is clear: Serve Christ
or die. To live and embrace the Faith in such circumstances requires a
great deal of holy fearlessness.
Even in the “civilized”
West, persecution is no less present, albeit in a different and more subtle
form. We are asked by the powers that be to acquiesce, to compromise on the
most fundamental moral issues that exist.
·
Things
like the nature of marriage
·
The
protection of innocent human life in the womb
·
The
nature and purpose of human sexuality
Our suffering may be in
the form of an angry boss, the loss of a business, or simply persecution with
words. While no one is holding a knife to our throat, the choice is just as
clear: Serve Christ or suffer. Tragically, there are many bishops and prelates
who like the Pharisees—fear the
opinion of men more than they fear God. There are many in the hierarchy who
would rather make peace with the world and its evil ideologies than suffer
with Jesus in obedience to the will of God. As St. Paul said, “I have often
told you and now tell you even with tears, [they] live as enemies of the cross
of Christ” (Phil. 3:18). These men will have their reward, but as for us, let
us serve Christ. Let us choose always to obey God rather than men, no matter
what the cost. Let us pray to the Holy Spirit for the holy boldness that he
gave on the day of Pentecost to the once cowardly St. Peter. Let us strive
after the courage of men like St. Thomas More, St. John Fisher, who joyfully
chose martyrdom rather than deny the truths of the Faith. Most of all, let us
take up our crosses and follow Christ, who said, “not everyone who says to me,
‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the
will of my Father who is in heaven.” May the will of God be done.
Cinco de Mayo[3]
Today
is Cinco de Mayo; sometimes referred to as Cinco de Drunko, due to the heavy
consumption of alcohol connected with the hedonistic celebration. Cinco de Mayo
is a relatively minor holiday in Mexico. However, in America it is up there
with some of our most celebrated: like the Fourth of July and St. Patrick’s Day.
The holiday has reinvented itself in America, from celebrating Mexico's win at
the Battle of Puebla, to celebrating Mexican culture, and beer, and tequila. If
we're being completely honest though, the actual meaning of Cinco de Mayo in
America is pretty lost on us, but so is the meaning of St. Patrick’s Day. Today
instead of following this hedonistic celebration try and make it to Mass today.
Things
to Do[4]: other than drinking yourself into unconsciousness
- Attend a
Cinco de Mayo Festival. Popular such festivals can be found in San
Antonio, Los Angeles, Chicago and Houston.
- Go eat or
have drinks at a Mexican restaurant.
- Make Margaritas
with Mexican tequila.
- Attend a
Parade.
- Make a piñata
with your friends. Piñatas usually contain sweets or treats that fall out
once it has been smashed open.
Instruction on Intemperance[5]
“Be sober and watch.” I. Peter v. 8.
St. Peter prescribes sobriety and watchfulness as necessary means for resisting the attacks of the devil, who by day and night goes about seeking whom he may devour. Woe to those who, by reason of their drunkenness, (The term drunkard applies to any person who is caught up in the addiction cycle, whether it is drink, gambling, drugs or sex.) live in a continual night and lie in the perpetual sleep of sin! How will it be with them if, suddenly awakened from this sleep by death, they find themselves standing, burdened with innumerable and unknown sins, before the judgment-seat of God? For who can number the sins, committed in and by reason of drunkenness, which the drunkard either accounts as trifles, easily pardoned, or else, not knowing what he has thought, said, and done in his fit of intoxication, considers to be no sins at all? Will the divine Judge, at the last day, thus reckon? Will He also find no sin in them? Will He let go unpunished the infamous deeds and the scandals of their drunkenness?
He Who demands strict account of every word spoken in vain, will He make no inquiry of so many shameful, scandalous, and blasphemous sayings, of so much time wasted, of so much money squandered, of so many neglects of the divine service, of the education of children, of the affairs of home, and of innumerable other sins? Will they be able to excuse themselves before this Judge by saying that they did not know what they were doing? Or that what they did was for want of reflection, or in jest? Or that they were not strong, and could not bear much? Will not such excuses rather witness against them that they are the worthier of punishment for having taken more than their strength could bear, thereby depriving themselves of the use of reason, making themselves like brutes, and, of their own free will, taking on themselves the responsibility for all the sins of which their drunkenness was the occasion? What, then, awaits them? What else than the fate of the rich glutton who, for his gluttony, was buried in hell? (Luke xvi. 22.)
Yes, that shall be the place and the portion of the drunkard! There shall they in vain sigh for a drop of water. There, for all the pleasures and satisfactions which they had in the world, as many pains and torments shall now lay hold of them (Apoc. xviii. 7); there shall they be compelled to drain the cup of God’s anger to the dregs, as they, in life, forced others into drunkenness. This is what they have to hope for, for St. Paul says expressly that drunkards shall not possess the kingdom of God (i. Cor. vi. 10). What then remains for them but to renounce either their intemperance or heaven? But how rare and difficult is the true conversion of a drunkard! This is the teaching of experience. Will not such a one, therefore, go to ruin?
Catechism
of the Catholic Church
Day 323 2500-2513
PART THREE: LIFE IN CHRIST
SECTION TWO-THE TEN COMMANDMENTS
CHAPTER
TWO-YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF
Article 8-THE EIGHTH COMMANDMENT
VI. Truth, Beauty, and Sacred Art
2500 The
practice of goodness is accompanied by spontaneous spiritual joy and moral
beauty. Likewise, truth carries with it the joy and splendor of spiritual
beauty. Truth is beautiful in itself. Truth in words, the rational expression
of the knowledge of created and uncreated reality, is necessary to man, who is
endowed with intellect. But truth can also find other complementary forms of
human expression, above all when it is a matter of evoking what is beyond
words: the depths of the human heart, the exaltations of the soul, the mystery
of God. Even before revealing himself to man in words of truth, God reveals
himself to him through the universal language of creation, the work of his
Word, of his wisdom: the order and harmony of the cosmos - which both the child
and the scientist discover - "from the greatness and beauty of created
things comes a corresponding perception of their Creator," "for the
author of beauty created them."
[Wisdom] is
a breath of the power of God, and a pure emanation of the glory of the
Almighty; therefore nothing defiled gains entrance into her. For she is a
reflection of eternal light, a spotless mirror of the working of God, and an
image of his goodness. For [wisdom] is more beautiful than the sun, and
excels every constellation of the stars. Compared with the light she is found
to be superior, for it is succeeded by the night, but against wisdom evil does
not prevail. I became enamored of her beauty.
2501 Created "in the image of God," man also expresses the truth of his relationship with God the Creator by the beauty of his artistic works. Indeed, art is a distinctively human form of expression; beyond the search for the necessities of life which is common to all living creatures, art is a freely given superabundance of the human being's inner riches. Arising from talent given by the Creator and from man's own effort, art is a form of practical wisdom, uniting knowledge and skill, to give form to the truth of reality in a language accessible to sight or hearing. To the extent that it is inspired by truth and love of beings, art bears a certain likeness to God's activity in what he has created. Like any other human activity, art is not an absolute end in itself, but is ordered to and ennobled by the ultimate end of man.
2502 Sacred
art is true and beautiful when its form corresponds to its particular vocation:
evoking and glorifying, in faith and adoration, the transcendent mystery of God
- the surpassing invisible beauty of truth and love visible in Christ, who
"reflects the glory of God and bears the very stamp of his nature,"
in whom "the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily." This
spiritual beauty of God is reflected in the most holy Virgin Mother of God, the
angels, and saints. Genuine sacred art draws man to adoration, to prayer, and
to the love of God, Creator and Savior, the Holy One and Sanctifier.
2503 For this
reason bishops, personally or through delegates, should see to the promotion of
sacred art, old and new, in all its forms and, with the same religious care,
remove from the liturgy and from places of worship everything which is not in
conformity with the truth of faith and the authentic beauty of sacred art.
IN BRIEF
2504 "You shall not bear false witness against your
neighbor" (Ex 20:16). Christ's disciples have "put on the new man,
created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness" (Eph
4:24).
2505 Truth or truthfulness is the virtue which consists in
showing oneself true in deeds and truthful in words, and guarding against
duplicity, dissimulation, and hypocrisy.
2506 The Christian is not to "be ashamed of testifying
to our Lord" (2 Tim 1:8) in deed and word. Martyrdom is the supreme
witness given to the truth of the faith.
2507 Respect for the reputation and honor of persons
forbids all detraction and calumny in word or attitude.
2508 Lying consists in saying what is false with the
intention of deceiving the neighbor who has the right to the truth.
2509 An offense committed against the truth requires
reparation.
2510 The golden rule helps one discern, in concrete
situations, whether or not it would be appropriate to reveal the truth to
someone who asks for it.
2511 "The sacramental seal is inviolable" (CIC,
can. 983 # 1). Professional secrets must be kept. Confidences prejudicial to
another are not to be divulged.
2512 Society has a right to information based on truth,
freedom, and justice. One should practice moderation and discipline in the use
of the social communications media.
2513 The fine arts, but above all sacred art, "of
their nature are directed toward expressing in some way the infinite beauty of
God in works made by human hands. Their dedication to the increase of God's
praise and of his glory is more complete, the more exclusively they are devoted
to turning men's minds devoutly toward God" (SC 122).
THIS WE BELIEVE
PRAYERS AND TEACHINGS OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH
Prayer to St. Michael the
Archangel
St. Michael the Archangel,
defend us in battle. Be our defense against the wickedness and snares of the
Devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray, and do thou, O Prince of the
heavenly hosts, by the power of God, thrust into hell Satan, and all the evil
spirits, who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.
Christopher’s
Corner
28th Annual Eagle Festival
at Mason Neck State Park
·
Religion in the Home for
Preschool: May
Daily
Devotions
·
Unite in the work of the Porters of St. Joseph by joining them
in fasting: Today's Fast: Increase
in Christian Masculinity
·
Litany of the Most Precious
Blood of Jesus
·
Offering to
the sacred heart of Jesus
·
Make
reparations to the Holy Face
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