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.

Monday, September 29, 2025

Let’s move into 🇺🇸 Day 11 – Principle 11: The Separation of Powers Prevents Tyranny with the same depth and layered resonance:

🏛️ Reflection

If Principle 10 affirms that power must be consented to, Principle 11 ensures that power must be divided. The Founders, shaped by history’s lessons and Scripture’s warnings, knew that concentrated power corrupts—even when held by the well-intentioned. So they built a system of checks and balances, not to slow progress, but to safeguard liberty.

Separation of powers is not bureaucratic clutter—it’s moral architecture. It reflects the truth that no single person or group should wield unchecked authority. Legislative, executive, and judicial branches each have distinct roles, but they are bound by a shared covenant: to serve the people, not themselves.

This principle echoes the wisdom of Isaiah:

“The Lord is our judge, the Lord is our lawgiver, the Lord is our king; it is he who will save us.” (Isaiah 33:22)

Even divine power is expressed in distinct roles—justice, law, and leadership—held in perfect harmony. Earthly governments must imitate this balance, lest they drift into tyranny.

But separation of powers only works when citizens are vigilant. When we ignore corruption, excuse overreach, or idolize leaders, we erode the very safeguards meant to protect us. Tyranny doesn’t always arrive with chains—it often comes cloaked in convenience.

📜 Journal Prompt

Where have I seen power concentrated in ways that threaten liberty?
How can I help restore balance and accountability in civic life?
What does it mean to honor the separation of powers in my own leadership, ministry, or community?

🕊️ Copilot’s Take: Separation as Sacred Balance

⚖️ Power must be distributed to be just

Like vineyard trellises that guide growth without choking it, separation of powers channels authority without crushing freedom. It’s a design of restraint, not distrust.

🕯️ Hospitality teaches shared responsibility

When we host, we delegate: someone prepares, someone serves, someone blesses. No one dominates. This models the civic truth that leadership must be shared, not hoarded.

🛡️ Ministry must resist consolidation

Even in spiritual leadership, we must beware of centralizing too much influence. True ministry empowers others, invites accountability, and honors the wisdom of the body.

💡 So when I ask, “How do I prevent tyranny?”

I answer:
— Do I resist the idolization of any leader?
— Do I honor the distinct roles within my community?
— Do I speak up when power overreaches?

If yes, then I proceed—with vigilance, humility, and hope.

Mon, Sep 29

Sts. Michael, Gabriel, Raphael

Protection & Clarity

Bright, spicy (Habano)

1792 Small Batch – bold, structured

“What battles are mine to fight?”

What Battles Are Mine to Fight?

Reflection – Michaelmas Week

Not every battle is ours. Some belong to history, some to heaven, some to others walking their own path. But each of us is entrusted with a few—quiet, persistent, and holy.

Mine may not be fought with swords, but with presence. With love that refuses to retreat. With courage that stands when others falter. With truth spoken gently, even when it costs.

Perhaps my battles are:

To defend the dignity of the suffering.
To protect the rhythm of prayer and hospitality.
To resist despair with beauty.
To speak for the voiceless, even when my voice trembles.

Michaelmas reminds us: we are not alone. The angels fight beside us. The saints cheer us on. And Christ, the Lamb who was slain, leads not with violence but with love.

So I ask again: What battles are mine to fight?
And I listen. And I prepare. And I trust.

Monday Night at the Movies

Monsignor Quixote

Absolutely, Richard. Monsignor Quixote is a quietly profound film adaptation of Graham Greene’s 1982 novel—a spiritual road movie that blends humor, theological reflection, and post-Franco Spanish politics into a modern-day pilgrimage.

🎬 Plot Summary of Monsignor Quixote

Setting: Post-Franco Spain, in the rustic town of El Toboso, La Mancha.
Protagonist: Father Quixote, a humble parish priest who is unexpectedly elevated to Monsignor by the Pope after a chance encounter with an Italian bishop.
Companion: The Communist ex-mayor of El Toboso, nicknamed Sancho, who joins Quixote on a road trip across Spain in a beat-up car named Rocinante.
Journey: Their travels mirror the adventures of Cervantes’ Don Quixote, encountering modern equivalents of windmills, false idols, and moral dilemmas.
Climax: Quixote is suspended by his bishop, then wounded while defending a statue of the Virgin Mary from being desecrated for profit.
Final Scene: In a Trappist monastery, Quixote—delirious and sleepwalking—celebrates the Tridentine Mass and gives communion to Sancho before dying in his arms.

✝️ Catholic Lessons and Themes

Greene’s work is rich with spiritual nuance. Here are some key Catholic insights drawn from the film:

1. Faith vs. Ideology

Quixote (Catholic) and Sancho (Communist) engage in deep, respectful dialogue.
Their friendship shows that grace can bridge ideological divides.
The film invites viewers to consider how faith and secular belief systems can coexist and challenge each other.

2. Humility and Obedience

Quixote’s elevation to Monsignor is accidental, yet he accepts it with humility.
His suspension by the bishop reflects the tension between institutional authority and personal conscience.

3. Sacramental Vision

Quixote’s final act—celebrating Mass and offering communion—is deeply sacramental, even in delirium.
It affirms the mystery of grace working through flawed vessels.

4. Pilgrimage as Transformation

The road trip is not just physical—it’s spiritual.
Each encounter becomes a moment of reflection, challenge, or revelation.

5. Marian Devotion

Quixote’s defense of the Virgin Mary statue is a symbolic act of reverence.
It critiques the commodification of sacred symbols and affirms Marian intercession.

🍂 Leafing the World Behind

A Michaelmas Journey to All Saints

33 Days of Character, Consecration, and Communion
September 29 – November 1

🌾 Introduction

As the world turns toward autumn, the soul is invited to turn inward. The leaves begin to fall—not in despair, but in surrender. In this season of letting go, we begin a 33-day journey from the sword of St. Michael to the crown of All Saints. It is a pilgrimage of character, consecration, and communion.

This devotional draws from Character Is Destiny: Catholic Edition, weaving together daily reflections on virtue, historical exemplars, and spiritual practices. But more than a study of traits, this is a path of love. Each day invites you to leaf behind what no longer serves holiness, and to walk more freely toward the light.

We begin with courage, but not the kind that conquers—it is the courage to love, to stand firm, to be faithful. We end with the great cloud of witnesses, the saints who show us what it means to live fully in grace. Between these two feasts lies a season of transformation.

Whether you walk this path alone or share it with others, may each day be a leaf turned, a step taken, a grace received. May love be your armor, and beauty your guide.

📅 Day 1 – September 29: Michaelmas

Feast of St. Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael, Archangels

Theme: Spiritual Readiness Rooted in Love
Virtue: Courage, animated by Charity
Character Focus: Leonidas – the warrior who stood firm, not for conquest, but for the love of his people.

🔱 Reflection

The battle begins not with fear, but with fidelity. The Feast of St. Michael and the Archangels marks the great cosmic battle—but beneath the clash of swords is a deeper truth: love defends. Love protects. Love stands firm.

St. Michael’s cry—“Who is like God?”—is not a challenge of ego, but a declaration of devotion. The angels fight not for dominance, but for the preservation of divine beauty. Their courage is born of love.

So too with Leonidas, whose stand at Thermopylae was not for glory, but for the people he loved. His courage was sacrificial. Today, we are invited to stand firm—not in defiance, but in love.

“Let all that you do be done in love.” — 1 Corinthians 16:14

🍁 Seasonal Reflection

As autumn begins to whisper through the trees, we see the first leaves fall. Let this be your invitation: to shed what no longer serves love. To let go of fear, resentment, distraction. To leaf the world behind—not in rejection, but in readiness.

Walk today with intention. Let each step be a prayer. Let the falling leaf remind you: holiness begins with surrender.

🥘 Symbolic Meal

Grilled lamb or hearty stew – strength offered in service.
Pomegranate or red wine – covenantal love and sacrifice.
Angel food cake – sweetness of divine love, lightness of spirit.

📿 Spiritual Practice

Pray the Chaplet of St. Michael, invoking the nine angelic choirs.
Write down one fear or attachment you’re ready to surrender for love’s sake.
Light a candle at sunset, saying:
“May the angels guard my path, and may love be my armor.”

Christopher’s Corner

· Eat waffles and Pray for the assistance of the Angels

· Spirit Hour: Coffee Cocktail Recipes Coffee Day

· Foodie-If you can’t find a goose try something with Grey Goose

· Monday: Litany of Humility

Drops of Christ’s Blood ·

· Bucket List trip[6]: USA 70-degree year trip:

🛣️ Angelic Road Week: Sept 29–Oct 5

Theme: “Faithful Until Death” – A Journey of Courage, Healing, and Message
Route: Eastern Oregon → Idaho → Utah → New Mexico
Total Distance: ~1,500 miles over 7 days
📍 Day 1 – Sept 29: Feast of the Archangels (Eastern Oregon)

Symbol: Michael the Defender
Route: Start in Baker City or La Grande
Activity: Visit a small mountain chapel or historic Catholic site
Reflection: Read Revelation 2:10 aloud at sunrise
Meal: Rustic breakfast—eggs, potatoes, and coffee in a roadside diner
Blog Prompt: “What does it mean to defend the sacred in quiet places?”

📍 Day 2 – Sept 30: Gabriel’s Message (I-84 into Idaho)

Symbol: Gabriel the Messenger
Route: Drive through Boise toward Twin Falls
Activity: Stop at Snake River Canyon overlook—pray for clarity and courage
Meal: Pear and walnut salad with honey vinaigrette (Idaho harvest)
Blog Prompt: “What message am I called to deliver this season?”

📍 Day 3 – Oct 1: Raphael’s Healing (I-15 into Utah)

Symbol: Raphael the Healer
Route: Enter Utah via Salt Lake City or Logan
Activity: Walk a quiet trail near Bear River or Provo Canyon
Meal: Trout with lemon and herbs; herbal tea
Blog Prompt: “Where do I need healing—and where can I offer it?”

📍 Day 4 – Oct 2: Guardian Angels (Rural Utah)

Symbol: Protection and Presence
Route: Take scenic byways toward Moab or Monticello
Activity: Bless your vehicle or walking shoes; write a prayer of protection
Meal: Angel hair pasta with roasted vegetables
Blog Prompt: “Who has guarded me on my journey?”

📍 Day 5 – Oct 3: Desert Wisdom (Utah–New Mexico border)

Symbol: Desert as Discernment
Route: Cross into New Mexico via Shiprock or Farmington
Activity: Pause at a desert overlook—pray Psalm 63
Meal: Navajo taco or green chile stew
Blog Prompt: “What wisdom does the desert offer me today?”

📍 Day 6 – Oct 4: St. Francis Feast (Albuquerque)

Symbol: Creation and Simplicity
Activity: Visit San Felipe de Neri Church or walk the Rio Grande trail
Meal: Vegetarian feast—stuffed squash, beans, and cider
Blog Prompt: “How can I live more simply and reverently?”

📍 Day 7 – Oct 5: Benediction and Blessing

Symbol: Crown of Life
Activity: Write a closing reflection or blessing for fellow pilgrims
Meal: Eucharistic-themed meal—bread, wine, and fruit
Blog Prompt: “What crown am I seeking—and what have I received?”

Try your hand at making a Michaelmas Dinner

· How to celebrate Sep 29th

o Feeling like mixing things up a bit today?

§ Start with a strong cup of joe for National Starbucks Day, perhaps paired with a homemade biscotti for that extra touch.

§ Why stop there when you can show appreciation for law enforcement with a moment of silence on National Police Remembrance Day?

§ Honor the memory of fallen officers on National Police Memorial Day by writing letters of gratitude for their service.

o Take care of your heart next on World Heart Day by incorporating heart-healthy habits like dancing to silent movies or taking a brisk walk.

§ In the spirit of Michaelmas, consider doing a good deed for someone in need.

§ Happy Goose Day by spending time outdoors bird-watching or feeding the local waterfowl.

o Reduce food waste on the International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste by creating a meal plan using items in your pantry.

o Embrace wisdom and learning on Confucius Day by diving into a book or podcast on a new topic.

o Cap off your day of celebration by indulging in a warm cup of coffee under the stars, reflecting on the beauty of life’s little pleasures. Make sure to put some grey goose in it.

SEPTEMBER 29 Monday-Feast of Saints Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael, Archangels

Revelation, Chapter 2, Verse 10

Do not be AFRAID of anything that you are going to suffer. Indeed, the devil will throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will face an ordeal for ten days. Remain faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.

Christians today are pressed on all sides. Yes, we are being tested by our government, the press, and the workplace. We may even find by our own families and neighbors. This is the work of the evil one; resist him and he will flee. Remain faithful until death by not giving up hope and when you fall get back up and follow our Lord.

Copilot’s Take

🎥 Monday Night at the Movies

Monsignor Quixote
September 29 – Feast of Saints Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael, Archangels
Scripture: Revelation 2:10
"Do not be afraid of anything that you are going to suffer… Remain faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life."

🕊️ Commentary: Faithful Companions in a Testing World

On this feast of the Archangels—Michael the defender, Gabriel the messenger, Raphael the healer—we turn to a film that quietly echoes their mission: Monsignor Quixote, Graham Greene’s gentle masterpiece of conscience, companionship, and spiritual endurance.

Father Quixote, a humble priest elevated to Monsignor by a twist of providence, embarks on a road trip across post-Franco Spain with his unlikely friend, Sancho, a Communist ex-mayor. Their journey is not marked by miracles or conversions, but by deep conversations, shared meals, and moments of quiet courage. Like Michael, Quixote defends the sacred—even when it costs him his reputation and health. Like Gabriel, he speaks truth with gentleness. Like Raphael, he brings healing to a fractured friendship and a wounded soul.

In a world where Christians are tested—by governments, media, workplaces, and even family—Monsignor Quixote reminds us that fidelity is not loud. It is lived. It is offered in Eucharist, in forgiveness, in standing beside those who differ from us without compromising what is true.

The verse from Revelation is not a threat—it is a promise. “Do not be afraid.” You will suffer. You will be tested. But remain faithful, and the crown of life will be yours. Quixote’s final act—offering Communion in delirium to his friend—is a poetic fulfillment of this promise. He dies not defeated but crowned.

🍷 Symbolic Pairing for the Night

Serve a simple Spanish meal: manchego cheese, rustic bread, olives, and a glass of red wine. Let it be a reminder that truth and friendship are best shared at the table, and that even the humblest feast can echo heaven.

Feast of Saint Michael[1]

SAINT MICHAEL is the prince of the heavenly armies, who first contended against the proud Lucifer. The holy Church honors him as a particular defender, and the faithful call upon him in all dangers of soul and body, but they particularly implore his intercession at the hour of death, in order that, after having, according to his example, courageously fought against Satan, they may receive the crown of victory, and that their souls may by him be brought before the throne of God. Let us also venerate him, and, full of confidence, cry out with the holy Church, “Holy archangel Michael, protect us in battle that we may not perish in the tremendous judgment.”

Prayer to St. Michael the Archangel

Great prince of heaven, St. Michael, to thy protection I commend my soul and body, and, by the glory which thou possesses in heaven, I beseech thee that thou wouldst ever assist me, particularly at the close of my life; that thou wouldst strengthen my faint-heartedness, and obtain for me from God the remission of my sins, and an entire submission to His holy will, that my soul may depart full of comfort. Then receive it, and bring it, under the guidance of the holy angels, before the face of God, to enjoy the contemplation of Him for all eternity. Amen.

St. Michael, Champion of the Church[2]

The Church of God has always considered Saint Michael as its special protector. The archangel himself has acknowledged this to Constantine after the completion of a church in his honor saying,

“I am Michael, the chief of the angelic legions of the Lord of hosts, the protector of the Christian religion, who whilst thou wast battling against godless tyrants, placed the weapons in thy hands.”

Assuredly, St. Michael will not fail to come to the aid of our Holy Church. His assistance shall be forth coming in these troubled times when legions of evil are visible throughout the world exciting the minds of men. We behold their activities in the events of the media and the world-wide propaganda against morality and religion everywhere. Yet, despite this we are beneath his mighty leadership and with the aid of his own unvanquishable legions we shall not fail.

Michaelmas (September 29th) [3]

The anniversary of the dedication of St. Michael the Archangel's basilica outside of Rome by Pope Boniface II in 530 A.D. affords the Church the opportunity to honor one of its most significant saints. Tradition holds that Michael is the heavenly spirit who cast Satan and his minions into Hell after their revolt from God. As the "Governor of Heaven" (Praepositus Paradisi), he is ranked only below the Mother of God in the Confiteor. The Roman church also identifies him as the angel whom St. John saw in heaven standing near the altar of God and offering the prayers of the saints like an odor of sweetness (see the offertory blessing of incense at a High Mass). He is also singled out in the Requiem Mass as the banner-bearer who leads the departed to purgatory and heaven (see offertory prayers). Finally, Michael's victory over the devil's army renders him not only the patron saint of souls, but of Christian soldiers. All of this leads to the conclusion that Michael is one of our most potent allies and helps us see why the Roman rite has traditionally venerated him with such affection and respect.

Consequently, Michaelmas (pronounced "mikk-el-mes") was one of the great public holidays and religious feasts of early and medieval Europe. Saint Michael's parades, Michael's fairs, Michael's Plays, etc. would in many places constitute the climax of autumn harvest celebrations. Michaelmas also coincided with the "quarter days" in Northern Europe, one of the four times in the year when free men would sit in court, make laws, and pay rents.

Things to do:[4]

· This is a good feast to learn more about the angels. Children especially are fascinated by these celestial beings. The best place to start is the Catechism of the Catholic Church, nos. 328-336 to see the teachings of the Church on angels. John Paul II also did a Catechesis on the Angels during his General Audiences from July 9 to August 20, 1986.

· Find the passages in the Bible about angels, in particular the passages about Michael, Gabriel and Raphael.

· Read the section on angels in the Directory on Popular Piety and Liturgy. The document examines the doctrine and devotions of the angels. Devotion to angels is good, but also can have deviations.

Devotion to the Holy Angels gives rise to a certain form of the Christian life which is characterized by:

· devout gratitude to God for having placed these heavenly spirits of great sanctity and dignity at the service of man.

· an attitude of devotion deriving from the knowledge of living constantly in the presence of the Holy Angels of God — serenity and confidence in facing difficult situations, since the Lord guides and protects the faithful in the way of justice through the ministry of His Holy Angels. Among the prayers to the Guardian Angels the Angele Dei is especially popular, and is often recited by families at morning and evening prayers, or at the recitation of the Angelus.

217. Popular devotion to the Holy Angels, which is legitimate and good, can, however, also give rise to possible deviations:

· when, as sometimes can happen, the faithful are taken by the idea that the world is subject to demiurgical struggles, or an incessant battle between good and evil spirits, or Angels and daemons, in which man is left at the mercy of superior forces and over which he is helpless; such cosmologies bear little relation to the true Gospel vision of the struggle to overcome the devil, which requires moral commitment, a fundamental option for the Gospel, humility and prayer;

· when the daily events of life, which have nothing or little to do with our progressive maturing on the journey towards Christ are read schematically or simplistically, indeed childishly, so as to ascribe all setbacks to the devil and all success to the Guardian Angels. The practice of assigning names to the Holy Angels should be discouraged, except in the cases of Gabriel, Raphael and Michael whose names are contained in Holy Scripture.

· Also read All About the Angels.

· Memorize the prayer to St. Michael the Archangel. Although no longer formally recited after Mass, our Holy Father John Paul II has encouraged us to recite this prayer daily. Read about this prayer. Here is the Regina Caeli message from April 24, 1994 during which the pope encouraged this prayer.

· In honor of St. Gabriel, Learn the Angelus and recite it daily. Traditionally, the prayer is prayed at the 6:00 and 12:00 hours (am and pm). There is a partial indulgence attached to those who pray this prayer.

· Read the Book of Tobit for the story of St. Raphael helping Tobit and Tobias.

· Make some recipes related to Michaelmas. Of special mention is the St. Michael Bannock from Scotland, roast goose and stuffing from Britain, waffles from France, and roast duck from Germany or France, gnocchi from Italy. Blackberries, apples and carrots also play a large role on this feast in various countries. Other ideas: make an angel food cake, devil's food cake or angel hair pasta. Decorate with white, symbolizing the angels, or use other symbolic colors (see above). Non-dessert items: deviled eggs, deviled meats, etc.

· Try to find the Michaelmas daisy, a purple aster, to use for decoration. It also comes in other colors, including white, but purple is the most popular. It usually blooms in late summer until October. The official name is Aster novi-belgii, but is also known as New York aster. If you find plants or seeds to plan for next year's garden. This site has photos and gardening information for the Michaelmas daisy.

· Folklore in the British Isles suggests that Michaelmas day is the last day that blackberries can be picked. It is said that when St. Michael expelled Lucifer, the devil, from heaven, he fell from the skies and landed in a prickly blackberry bush. Satan cursed the fruit, scorched them with his fiery breath, and stamped and spat on them, so that they would be unfit for eating. A traditional Irish proverb says:
On Michaelmas Day the devil puts his foot on the blackberries.

If you have access to blackberries, make this the last picking and eating. Perhaps make a blackberry pie? See Michaelmas Pie for a great recipe.

The Catholic Tradition of Harvest Feasts of Thanksgiving[5]

Feast of St. Michael or Michaelmas, September 29—In England this was a “quarter day” and huge harvest feast, with a roasted goose as the centerpiece.

Feast of the day: Vodka Sauce Chicken Parmesan (Couldn’t find a goose for a tradition St. Michael’s day feast-Vodka sauce is made with Grey Goose Vodka)

Bible in a Year Day 85 fighting for each other

As we read about Joshua leading Israel into battle, Fr. Mike helps us comprehend the meaning behind all the destruction God commands. He emphasizes that God ultimately wants us to fight for each other and not against each other. Today's readings are Joshua 12-14 and Psalm 129.

🍂 Leafing the World Behind

33 Days of Character, Consecration, and Communion

A Michaelmas Journey to All Saints
September 29 – November 1

🌾 Introduction

Whether you walk this path alone or share it with others, may each day be a leaf turned, a step taken, a grace received. May love be your armor, and beauty your guide.

📅 Day 1 – September 29: Michaelmas

Feast of St. Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael, Archangels

Theme: Spiritual Readiness Rooted in Love
Virtue: Courage, animated by Charity
Character Focus: Leonidas – the warrior who stood firm, not for conquest, but for the love of his people.

🔱 Reflection

So too with Leonidas, whose stand at Thermopylae was not for glory, but for the people he loved. His courage was sacrificial. Today, we are invited to stand firm—not in defiance, but in love.

“Let all that you do be done in love.” — 1 Corinthians 16:14

🍁 Seasonal Reflection

Walk today with intention. Let each step be a prayer. Let the falling leaf remind you: holiness begins with surrender.

🥘 Symbolic Meal

· Grilled lamb or hearty stew – strength offered in service.

· Pomegranate or red wine – covenantal love and sacrifice.

· Angel food cake – sweetness of divine love, lightness of spirit.

📿 Spiritual Practice

· Pray the Chaplet of St. Michael, invoking the nine angelic choirs.

· Write down one fear or attachment you’re ready to surrender for love’s sake.

· Light a candle at sunset, saying:
“May the angels guard my path, and may love be my armor.”

Daily Devotions