Rachel’s Corner Aspen is not just for snow bunnies.
For thus said the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel: By waiting and by calm you shall be saved, in quiet and in trust shall be your strength. Isaiah 30:15
· Bucket List: Military Hop
o The Andersen Passenger Terminal, Gaum
· do a personal eucharistic stations of the cross.
· Foodie: Tinala Katne
· Spirit Hour: Calamansi Cocktail
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[2] 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.
KC BBQ Menu
Best Place to visit in August: Aspen, Colorado
Easily one of the best places to visit in the USA in August, Aspen is a posh mountain town in Colorado that is known for its incredible skiing. But dare to visit Aspen in August, and you’ll be treated to an incredible array of wildflowers that come to life between June and August.
In particular, the Maroon Bells Scenic Loop in the Snowmass Wilderness is a great place to spot species like Wild Geranium, Indian Paintbrush, and Bush Sunflowers. After all, it’s a 1.9-mile hike that will take you an hour to complete and that requires advanced reservations from May through October. Additionally, other great wildflower hikes in Aspen include Lost Man Loop, Midway Trail, Grizzly Lake Trail, and Willow Lake Trail.
However, when you’re ready to get off the trails, enjoy impressive views from the Silver Queen Gondola before attending one of The Free Snowmass Thursday Night Concerts. You can also go paddleboarding on the Roaring Fork and jump off a rock cliff into the water at Devil’s Punch Bowl. Just don’t leave the area without mountain biking along The Rio Grande Trail. After all, this track is suitable for all skill levels and takes you past Woody Creek Tavern, which is a great place to stop for lunch.
- Where to Stay: The Little Nell
- Nearest Airport: Denver International Airport
- Average Temperatures: 77°F // 48°F
A PRAYER BEFORE MASS (THURSDAY)
(By Saint Ambrose)
For Thou hast mercy upon all, O Lord, and hatest nothing that Thou hast made. Remember how frail our nature is, and that Thou art our Father and our God. Be not angry with us forever and shut not up Thy tender mercies in displeasure. For it is not for our just works that we present our prayers before Thy face, but for the multitude of Thy tender mercies. Take away from us, O Lord, our iniquities, and mercifully kindle in us the fire of Thy Holy Spirit. Take away from us the heart of stone, and give us a heart of flesh, a heart to love and adore Thee, a heart to delight in, to follow, and to enjoy Thee. And we entreat Thy mercy, O Lord, that Thou wouldst look down graciously upon Thy family, as it pays its vows to Thy most holy name; and that the desire of none may be in vain, and the petitions of none unfulfilled, do Thou inspire our prayers, that they may be such as Thou delightest to hear and answer.
· Let Freedom Ring Day 32 Freedom from Irreverence
o Fear of the Lord is the entry point; this is the trigger that ignites all of the other gifts of the Holy Spirit. Without this "trigger," we are prone to reduce our faith/religion to merely another organization that has a sense of social responsibility. Jesus is then reduced to an historic figure to emulate. Mass is just a social gathering that many may say (without saying), "it had better have good entertainment if you are going to make me endure this for an hour." So then, why not just throw on our worst recreational attire for Mass, and get in line to grab Jesus like we're reaching for a potato chip? Where is the desire to be filled with the supernatural power of grace?
§ Irreverence is spreading through modem society like a cancer. It is metastasizing and has infected virtually every facet of our everyday life. The authentic meaning of “culture” refers to a refinement, an elevation, a spiritualization of everyday life—that is, it aims to put the seal of the Spirit on our daily activities. Today, however, the word “culture” refers to whatever has been most recently produced. We have forgotten that true culture elevates; it does not drag down. I dare say that much of what we see today is an anti-culture. It certainly cannot be read as a sursum corda (Lift up your hearts)—a call to look upward, triggering gratitude in our souls. It was typical of Plato's genius that he would warn us that one of the main aims of education is to train a child to "love what is lovable, and hate what is mean and ugly." This is the antidote to the disease of irreverence that is ravaging our society and sickening our culture. When will we avail ourselves of it?
AUGUST 7 Thursday
National Lighthouse Day
Luke, Chapter 12, Verse 32
Do not be AFRAID any longer, little flock, for your Father is pleased to give
you the kingdom.
Are we living in
the Kingdom?
Copilot
That’s a beautiful and piercing question, and
one that theologians, mystics, and everyday believers have wrestled with for
centuries.
📖 Luke 12:32 is a tender assurance. Jesus speaks to his disciples
as a “little flock,” reminding them that the Kingdom isn’t earned through fear
or striving—it’s given, joyfully, by the Father. That phrase “pleased to
give you the kingdom” reveals something profound: God delights in sharing His
reign, His presence, His life with us.
So, are we living in the Kingdom?
🌿 Already, but not yet. That’s the classic theological framing. The
Kingdom of God is already present—in Christ’s resurrection, in the
Church, in acts of mercy, justice, and love. Every time we forgive, every time
we choose hope over despair, every time we recognize Christ in the poor or the
stranger, we participate in the Kingdom.
But it’s also not yet fully realized.
We still live in a world marked by suffering, division, and longing. The
fullness of the Kingdom—where every tear is wiped away and God is all in all—is
still to come.
🕊️ In Catholic theology, this tension is rich with meaning. The Eucharist
is a foretaste of the heavenly banquet. The Beatitudes sketch the contours of
Kingdom life. And the Church, though imperfect, is the seed and beginning of
the Kingdom on earth.
The question becomes: how do we live as
citizens of that Kingdom now, even as we await its fullness?
Lesson
Here are some rich spiritual lessons drawn
from Luke 12:32 and its surrounding verses:
🐑
1. We Are the Beloved Flock
- Jesus calls
us “little flock,” a term of endearment and intimacy.
- It reminds us
that we are not forgotten, even when we feel small or vulnerable.
- The Good
Shepherd knows each sheep by name—and delights in giving us the Kingdom.
👑
2. The Kingdom Is a Gift, Not a Reward
- “Your Father
is pleased to give you the Kingdom” reveals divine generosity.
- We don’t earn
the Kingdom through fear or perfection—it’s freely given out of
love.
- This
challenges any notion of transactional faith and invites us into trust.
🔥
3. Fear Is Not Our Master
- The command
“Do not be afraid” is repeated throughout scripture—but here, it’s tied to
identity.
- We are heirs,
not orphans. Fear loses its grip when we remember whose we are.
- Holy fear
(awe before God) replaces crippling fear (anxiety about the world).
💡
4. Live in Readiness
- The verses
that follow (Luke 12:33–40) urge us to be vigilant, generous, and
spiritually awake.
- Readiness
isn’t frantic—it’s faithful living, rooted in hope and service.
- The Kingdom
is both present and coming, so we live in the “already but not yet.”
💰
5. Treasure What Matters
- Jesus invites
us to store up treasure in heaven, not cling to earthly wealth.
- Where our
treasure is, there our heart will be also—so we examine what we truly
value.
- Generosity
becomes a spiritual discipline that aligns us with Kingdom priorities.
Luke 12:32 speaks of a gifted Kingdom,
a divine inheritance offered to a “little flock” without fear. Now consider the
lighthouse—a steadfast beacon that pierces the darkness, guiding ships
to safety. On National Lighthouse Day (August 7), we honor these
structures not just for their maritime utility, but for their spiritual
symbolism: hope, guidance, resilience, and divine presence.
National Lighthouse Day[1]
National Lighthouse Day
celebrates the important role lighthouses have played throughout history. Being
symbolic beacons of hope and safety, lighthouses have not only guided sailors
to safe shores but have also represented the unwavering spirit of the maritime
community. This commemorative day aims to raise awareness about the
preservation of these historical structures and their significance in American
culture.
The origin of National
Lighthouse Day dates back to August 7, 1789, when the U.S. Congress enacted a
law transferring lighthouses from individual states to the federal government,
which led to the establishment of the United States Lighthouse Service. Since
then, lighthouses have played a crucial role in the nation's development and
expansion by ensuring the safety and navigation of countless ships. In 1989, as
part of the 200th anniversary celebration, President George H. W. Bush
officially designated August 7th as National Lighthouse Day. The observance
pays homage to the dedicated services of lighthouse keepers and the rich
maritime heritage of America.
On National Lighthouse
Day, people across the United States come together to celebrate and appreciate
these iconic structures. Lighthouse preservation organizations and maritime
museums host various events, including open houses, guided tours, and educational
presentations. Communities gather to share stories, engage in historical
discussions, and promote the efforts to preserve the nation's lighthouses for
future generations to cherish. Mark your calendars for August 7th and join the
celebrations honoring the enduring legacy of American lighthouses.
National Lighthouse Day
facts
- The
first lighthouse to be built in the world is believed to be the Pharos of
Alexandria. According to howstuffworks, it is thought to have been
constructed around 270 B.C in ancient Egypt. It is one of the Seven
Wonders of the Ancient World and is believed to have been the tallest
structure on the planet at the time, 450 feet (137.16 meters) tall.
- The
oldest and still functioning lighthouse in the world is the Tower of
Hercules. It was built by the Romans in northern Spain during the 1st
century A.D.
- The
US Congress passed an act in 1789 that provided for the establishment and
support of lighthouses, beacons, buoys, and public piers. By 1900 the US
had built more than 1,000 lighthouses. National Lighthouse Day was
established in 1989 in celebration of the 200th anniversary of this act.
It was also the day of the first federally commissioned lighthouse.
National Lighthouse Day would again be recognized in 2013 but only as an
unofficial holiday.
- The
US National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act of 2000 detailed a
process in which the coast guard can transfer decommissioned lighthouses
to nonprofit groups and other organizations. This method allows the
history and aesthetics of lighthouses in the US to be preserved. If no
organizations claim the lighthouse, it goes up for auction to the public.
Top things to do in the US
for National Lighthouse Day
- Visit
a lighthouse. Some of the most notable are the Boston Light on Little
Brewster Island, Massachusetts, and the Cape Hatteras in North Carolina.
Another notable lighthouse is the St. George Reef in Crescent City,
California. It is one of the most expensive lighthouses ever built in the
US ($700,000).
- Watch
a special
edition video from the US Lighthouse Society. The video looks at
Congress' act of 1789 which established lighthouses. It also celebrates
National Lighthouse Day.
- Watch
a movie about lighthouses and the struggles that come from maintaining
one. Here are our suggestions:
The Lighthouse (2019)
The Vanishing (2018)
The Light Between Oceans (2016)
Bible in a Year Day 50 Sacrificial Offerings
Fr. Mike encourages us to look at how we can increase our generosity to God and neighbor, inspired by the sacrificial offerings of Israel. Our readings for today are Exodus 37-38, Leviticus 26, and Psalm 82.
Daily
Devotions
·
Unite in the work of the Porters of St. Joseph by joining them
in fasting: Protection
of Traditional Marriage
·
Religion
in the Home for Preschool: August
·
Litany of the Most Precious
Blood of Jesus
·
Offering to
the sacred heart of Jesus
·
Rosary
[2] 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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