Rachel’s Corner
She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus,* because he will save his people from their sins.” (Matthew 1:21)
- Global Work From Home Day-OR What about a Nanny? OR a Robot
- How to Choose and Hire a Nanny for Your Family
- Now what about Hiring a Family Teacher to homeschool the kids. Catholic schools are iffy, and public schools are a disaster.
- Before COVID, there was a little-known secret shared only by a few very busy parents. The secret was that with a little help, your child (or children) can achieve a well-rounded education or supplemental education experience at home — even when parents are too busy to be involved. How is this possible? Simple. Hire a private homeschool teacher to come to your house.
· National Cherry Blossom Festival in D.C. till April 13
o The nation’s capital comes abloom every spring with the annual National Cherry Blossom Festival. See the famed cherry blossom trees, lining the Tidal Basin, while strolling by iconic sites like the Jefferson and Martin Luther King memorials.
- Stress Awareness Month-Luke don’t go to the dark side
- Community Garden Week-Great to do with Kids
· do a personal eucharistic stations of the cross.
· Bucket List trip: Skiing in India?
· 30 Days with St. Joseph Day 22
- Try “Stag’s Antlers[4]”
· Spirit Hour: Water
Thursday Feast
Thursday is the day of the week that our Lord gave himself up for consumption. Thursday commemorates the last supper. Some theologians believe after Sunday Thursday is the holiest day of the week. We should then try to make this day special by making a visit to the blessed sacrament chapel, Mass or even stopping by the grave of a loved one. Why not plan to count the blessing of the week and thank our Lord. Plan a special meal. Be at Peace.
· According to Mary Agreda[5] in her visions it was on a Thursday at six o'clock in the evening and at the approach of night that the Angel Gabriel approached and announced her as Mother of God and she gave her fiat.
Today’s Menu is from Palm Springs
· Moroccan Salmon Quinoa & Vegetable Sauté
· Grain Bowl
Best Places to Visit in April
Palm Springs, California[6]
I love this place for the sun and hot weather this month, as temperatures reach 31 degrees. It has always been famous as a retreat for showbiz stars, retirees, and snowbirds escaping cold winters.
There is entertainment, spas, and shopping aplenty, as well as many retro-styled hotels and about 100 golf courses. There are lots of other opportunities, especially for outdoor experiences.
The area is well-provided with hiking trails, but I highly recommend going on a fun Jeep adventure and cultural experiences like the Agua Caliente Cultural Museum.
I would also suggest going on the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, which rotates on its short journey to the Monte San Jacinto State Park.
- Visitor’s Centre Address: Palm Springs Visitor Information Center, 2901 North Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, CA 92262, Phone: 800-347-7746 | 760-778-8418
My highlights…
- Strolling down the city sidewalks to discover the famous Palm Springs Walk of Stars, created in 1992.
- Checking out the Palm Springs Art Museum, which displays contemporary and modern art and I loved the stunning sculpture garden.
- Wandering through the Sunnylands and explore 12 acres of beautiful botanic gardens.
April 10 Thursday in Passion Week
Malachi, Chapter 3, verse 19-21
19 For the day is coming, blazing like an oven, when all the arrogant and all evildoers will be stubble, And the day that is coming will set them on fire, leaving them neither root nor branch, says the LORD of hosts. 20 But for you who fear my name, the sun of justice will arise with healing in its wings; And you will go out leaping like calves from the stall 21 and tread down the wicked; They will become dust under the soles of your feet, on the day when I take action, says the LORD of hosts.
We should pray today for those who use drugs, and we should pray for our country which is also in a drug induced stupor. Likewise, today, I ask you to pray for the souls of those who die from cancer and for their families. Our world nowadays is full of cancers in our education, government, labor management, and in our media. Our Lord asks us to not be afraid. He asks us to go out and proclaim His name. You can change the world! We can all become bearers of Christ by becoming a Christopher.[1]
Thursday in Passion Week
Prayer.
GRANT, we beseech Thee, Almighty God, that the dignity of human nature, wounded by intemperance, may be reformed by healthful abstinence.
EPISTLE. Daniel iii. 34-45.
In those days Azarias prayed to the Lord, saying: O Lord our God, deliver us not up forever, we beseech Thee, for Thy name’s sake, and abolish not Thy covenant. And take not away Thy mercy from us for the sake of Abraham Thy beloved, and Isaac Thy servant, and Israel Thy holy one: to whom Thou hast spoken promising that Thou wouldst multiply their seed as the stars of heaven, and as the sand that is on the seashore. For we, O Lord, are diminished more than any nation, and are brought low in all the earth this day for our sins. Neither is there at this time prince, or leader, or prophet, or holocaust, or sacrifice, or oblation, or incense, or place of first fruits before Thee, that we may find Thy mercy: nevertheless, in a contrite heart and humble spirit let us be accepted. As in holocausts of rams, and bullocks, and as in thousands of fat lambs: so, let our sacrifice be made in Thy sight this day, that it may please Thee: for there is no confusion to them that trust in Thee. And now we follow Thee with all our heart, and we fear Thee, and seek Thy face. Put us not to confusion, but deal with us according to Thy meekness, and according to the multitude of Thy mercy. And deliver us according to Thy wonderful works, and give glory to Thy name, O Lord: and let all them be confounded that show evils to Thy servants, let them be confounded in all Thy might, and let their strength be broken. And let them know that Thou art the Lord, the only God, and glorious over all the world, O Lord our God.
GOSPEL. Luke vii. 36-50.
At that time one of the Pharisees desired Him to eat with him. And He went into the house of the Pharisee and sat down to meat. And behold a woman that was in the city a sinner, when she knew that He sat at meat in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster box of ointment: and standing behind at His feet, she began to wash His feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head, and kissed His feet, and anointed them with the ointment. And the Pharisee, who had invited Him, seeing it, spoke within himself, saying: This man if He were a prophet, would know surely who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth Him: that she is a sinner. And Jesus answering, said to him: Simon, I have somewhat to say to thee. But he said: Master, say it. A certain creditor had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty. And whereas they had not wherewith to pay, he forgave them both.
Which therefore of the two loveth him most?
Simon answering said I suppose that he to whom he forgave most. And He said to him: Thou hast judged rightly. And turning to the woman, He said unto Simon:
Dost thou see this woman?
I entered into thy house, thou gavest Me no water for My feet: but she with tears hath washed My feet, and with her hairs hath wiped them. Thou gavest Me no kiss: but she, since she came in, hath not ceased to kiss My feet. My head with oil thou didst not anoint but she with ointment hath anointed My feet. Wherefore I say to thee: Many sins are forgiven her, because she hath loved much. But to whom less is forgiven, he loveth less. And He said to her: Thy sins are forgiven thee. And they that sat at meat with Him began to say within themselves:
Who is this that forgiveth sins also?
And He
said to the woman: Thy faith hath made thee safe: go in peace.
Lenten Calendar
Read: The Servant Songs, Day Four:
(Within the Book of the Prophet Isaiah we encounter four poetic sections known as the Songs of the Suffering Servant. The specific identity of this Servant of the Lord remains the topic of scholarly debate. Perhaps it refers to the prophet Isaiah himself, perhaps the entire nation of Israel, or possibly the promised Messiah. Christian faith sees these prophetic utterances fulfilled in the life, ministry, death, and resurrection of Jesus the Lord.
Because of the Christian identification of the Suffering Servant with Jesus, the four Servant Songs become a way of encountering the Lord during this Lenten Season. Not only do they give us a sense of the commitment and endurance that characterized his messianic ministry, but they become a way of touching the bruised face of the Messiah, of hearing the resolute determination that sustained him in the midst of trial, and of rejoicing with him in God’s ultimate vindication of his calling and service.)
The fourth song proclaims the salvific value of the Servant’s innocent suffering that will justify many and blot out their offenses.
Reflect: Today we reflect on the last of the four Servant Songs.
Pray: Take time with the fourth Servant Song today. Read from Isaiah 52:13 to Isaiah 53:12.
Act: Here the prophet proclaims the “prosperity”
of God’s servant, but it is not a worldly prosperity accomplished
through human wisdom. “Who would believe what we
have heard?” God’s silent and afflicted
servant prospers through a life given to God as an offering for sin. Through
suffering, the servant acquires great wealth and “offspring”
before God: many are justified before God, iniquity is removed, wounds are
healed, and sinners receive an intercessor. The servant prospers in what is
true wealth to God.
Aids in Battle [2] The “Our Father” is a battle cry
In this prayer,
Christ has just spoken of the Evil One, placing us on alert before the battle,
reminding us of our enemy, and keeping us from negligence. “For the kingdom,
the power, and the glory are Yours” (see Mt 6: 13).
·
The
kingdom belongs to God, we should fear no one. For no one can withstand Him or
tear apart His Empire.
·
“The
power is Yours,” Christ says. For this reason, no matter how many forms your
weakness may take, you may still rightly be confident in the battle.
·
“The
glory is Yours.” Not only can God free you from the dangers you face; He can
also make you glorious and outstanding in battle. His power is great, and His
glory is beyond telling— they are both limitless and never come to an end. See
how He has in every way anointed you, His champion, and surrounded you with
confidence? ST. JOHN
Catechism
of the Catholic Church
Day
298 2284-2287
PART THREE: LIFE IN CHRIST
SECTION TWO-THE TEN COMMANDMENTS
CHAPTER
TWO-YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF
Article 5-THE FIFTH
COMMANDMENT
II. Respect for the Dignity of Persons
Respect for the souls of others:
scandal
2284 Scandal
is an attitude or behavior which leads another to do evil. The person who gives
scandal becomes his neighbor's tempter. He damages virtue and integrity; he may
even draw his brother into spiritual death. Scandal is a grave offense if by
deed or omission another is deliberately led into a grave offense.
2285 Scandal
takes on a particular gravity by reason of the authority of those who cause it
or the weakness of those who are scandalized. It prompted our Lord to utter
this curse: "Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to
sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened round his
neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea." Scandal is grave
when given by those who by nature or office are obliged to teach and educate
others. Jesus reproaches the scribes and Pharisees on this account: he likens
them to wolves in sheep's clothing.
2286 Scandal
can be provoked by laws or institutions, by fashion or opinion.
Therefore, they are guilty of
scandal who establish laws or social structures leading to the decline of
morals and the corruption of religious practice, or to "social conditions
that, intentionally or not, make Christian conduct and obedience to the
Commandments difficult and practically impossible." This is also true
of business leaders who make rules encouraging fraud, teachers who provoke
their children to anger, or manipulators of public opinion who turn it
away from moral values.
2287 Anyone
who uses the power at his disposal in such a way that it leads others to do
wrong becomes guilty of scandal and responsible for the evil that he has
directly or indirectly encouraged. "Temptations to sin are sure to come;
but woe to him by whom they come!"
PRAYERS AND TEACHINGS OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH
How
to Baptize in case of an Emergency[3]
When an individual is on
their deathbed, anyone can baptize them into the Christian faith.
Baptism
is a beautiful sacrament, one that opens the doorway to God’s grace into a
person’s soul, initiating them into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
As
the Catechism of the Catholic Church explains, “Holy Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian
life, the gateway to life in the Spirit (vitae spiritualis
ianua), and the door which gives access to the other sacraments. Through
Baptism we are freed from sin and reborn as sons of God; we become members of
Christ, are incorporated into the Church and made sharers in her mission:
Baptism is the sacrament of regeneration through water in the word” (CCC 1213).
In normal circumstances,
a bishop, priest or deacon is the ordinary minister of the sacrament. However,
in an emergency, anyone
can baptize a person who wants
to be baptized.
In case of necessity, anyone, even a non-baptized person, with the
required intention, can baptize, by using the Trinitarian baptismal formula. The intention required is to will to do
what the Church does when she baptizes. The Church finds the reason for this
possibility in the universal saving will of God and the necessity of Baptism for salvation. (CCC 1256)
Most
often this is seen in birthing centers, where newborn infants are quickly
baptized by a nurse or doctor, when death appears imminent. In this particular
case, the parents request this to be done (usually beforehand) and those
administering baptism do so with the right intention. Sometimes a baby will
recover, in which case the parish priest will perform additional rites
surrounding the sacrament of baptism, as it is not possible to be baptized
twice.
At
the other end of the spectrum, adults who are dying can also be baptized if they
request it, by anyone who is present. Fr. Paul de Ladurantaye explains in the Arlington
Catholic Herald
exactly how this is done.
In the case of necessity (e.g., the danger of death), the
person who baptizes pours water three times over the candidate’s head, or immerses the
candidate three times in water, while simultaneously pronouncing the baptismal formula: “N., I baptize you in the name of the Father
(the minster pours water or immerses the first time), and of the Son (the
minister pours water or immerses a second time), and of the Holy Spirit (the
minister pours water or immerses a third time).” A lay person who administers
an emergency baptism must at least have the intention to do what the Church
does when baptizing. It is also desirable that, as far as possible, one or two
witnesses to the baptism be present.
It
must be kept in mind that this type of baptism performed by laypeople should
only be administered to people in an emergency situation. If the person recovers and
returns to full health, then that person should present themselves to the
nearest parish and explain their situation so that they can be fully welcomed
into the Catholic Church.
If
a priest or deacon is available and able to come to the bedside of someone
dying, then that option should be pursued first. However, if that is not an
option and time does not allow an extensive search for an ordained minister, a
layperson should step in.
Daily Devotions
·
Unite in the work
of the Porters of St. Joseph by
joining them in fasting: Today's Fast: Restoring
the Constitution
·
Start April 10 to
end on May 13, the feast of Our Lady of Fatima
·
Litany of the Most Precious
Blood of Jesus
·
Offering to
the sacred heart of Jesus
·
Make reparations to the Holy Face
[1] James Keller, You Can Change the
World!
[2] Thigpen, Paul. Manual for Spiritual
Warfare. TAN Books.
[3] https://aleteia.org/2020/03/30/how-laypeople-can-baptize-in-an-emergency/
[4] Sheraton, Mimi. 1,000 Foods
To Eat Before You Die: A Food Lover's Life List (p. 892). Workman Publishing
Company. Kindle Edition.
[5] Venerable Mary of Agreda. The Mystical
City of God: Complete Edition Containing all Four Volumes with Illustrations
(p. 770). Veritatis Splendor Publications. Kindle Edition
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