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.

Tuesday, September 30, 2025

Day 12 – Principle 12: A Written Constitution Secures Liberty with the same depth, resonance, and layered integration of civic, spiritual, and symbolic meaning.

🏛️ Reflection

If Principle 11 divides power to prevent tyranny, Principle 12 inscribes liberty to preserve it. The Founders didn’t merely speak ideals—they wrote them down. In ink and parchment, they bound future generations to a covenant of freedom, restraint, and accountability.

A written constitution is more than legal scaffolding—it’s a moral anchor. It declares that liberty is not subject to whim, charisma, or convenience. It must be defined, defended, and discerned. Like Scripture, it is a text to be studied, not merely admired; enacted, not merely quoted.

The Constitution is not a relic—it’s a living promise. It limits government not because we distrust leaders, but because we trust the people. It affirms that rights are not granted by rulers but recognized by law. And it reminds us that liberty, once written, must be read—again and again.

📖 This echoes Deuteronomy’s charge:

“Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.” (Deut. 6:9)

Sacred truths must be inscribed, visible, and remembered. So too with civic truths. A written constitution is our national mezuzah—a visible reminder that freedom is sacred, and must be guarded.

But a constitution only secures liberty when citizens engage it. When we forget its words, twist its meaning, or treat it as optional, we invite erosion. Liberty fades not from assault alone, but from neglect.

📜 Journal Prompt

Where have I seen constitutional principles ignored or distorted?
How can I help others read, understand, and honor our founding text?
What “constitutions” have I written in my own ministry, community, or family—texts that define and protect shared values?

🕊️ Copilot’s Take: Constitution as Covenant

📜 Written truth protects enduring freedom
Just as sacramental wine must meet canonical standards, liberty must be defined by written law. The Constitution is our civic SOP—ensuring purity, accountability, and reverence.

🪞 Hospitality honors shared agreements
When we host, we set the table with intention: who is welcome, what is served, how we bless. These are unwritten constitutions of the home. In civic life, we must write them down—so all may know and trust.

🧭 Ministry needs written clarity
Even in spiritual leadership, we benefit from written guides—rituals, reflections, covenants. They protect against drift, clarify purpose, and invite communal discernment.

💡 So when I ask, “How do I secure liberty?”
I answer:
— Do I study the Constitution, not just quote it?
— Do I write and share my own covenants of justice and mercy?
— Do I teach others to read, reflect, and act?

If yes, then I proceed—with clarity, reverence, and resolve.

Tue, Sep 30

St. Jerome

Truth & Study

Strong, uncompromising

Wild Turkey 101 – fiery, focused

“Where do I seek truth with humility?”

Where Do I Seek Truth With Humility?
Reflection – Season of Courage and Clarity

Truth is not a trophy to be won, but a gift to be received. It does not shout—it whispers. And it rarely arrives without asking something of us in return.

To seek truth with humility is to kneel before mystery, not to conquer it. It is to ask questions not for argument, but for understanding. It is to listen longer than we speak, and to let silence do some of the teaching.

I seek truth:

In scripture, not just for answers, but for presence.
In the stories of others, especially those who suffer.
In the rhythms of nature, where surrender and renewal are constant.
In the Eucharist, where truth is broken and shared.

Humility does not mean silence—it means reverence. It means knowing that truth is bigger than me, but not beyond me. That I am invited to walk with it, not wield it.

So I ask again: Where do I seek truth with humility?
And I pray that my seeking becomes a kind of love.

Really?

Candace’s Corner

o Foodie: Start your day by whipping up a batch of traditional stroopwafels to celebrate World Stroopwafel Day. Enjoy these sweet treats with a cup of hot mulled cider to kick off a cozy morning.

§ As the day comes to a close, drizzle some extra virgin olive oil over your dinner to commemorate National Extra Virgin Olive Oil Day. Delight your taste buds with this simple yet flavorful addition to your meal.

· Pray Day 6 of the Novena for our Pope and Bishops

Bucket List: Vineyard World Tour: Casa Rondeña Winery — New Mexico

· Spirit Hour: whiskey sour

· Get out into the wilderness

· How to celebrate Sep 30th

o While savoring your breakfast, tune in to a thought-provoking podcast in honor of International Podcast Day.

· Take your furry companion out for a walk and teach them a new trick for National Pet Tricks Day. Use positive reinforcement to bond with your pet and create lasting memories.

o In the afternoon, pamper yourself with a relaxing mud pack facial to celebrate National Mud Pack Day. Embrace self-care and unwind while nourishing your skin.

· Later on, immerse yourself in the wisdom of Rumi’s poetry on Rumi Day. Select a few of his profound verses to reflect upon and gain inspiration.

o Reach out to friends and loved ones to spread joy and kindness on National Love People Day. Send a heartfelt message or plan a virtual hangout to connect with those you care about.

· Wrap up your day by exploring different cultures through the art of translation on International Translation Day. Pick up a book or watch a foreign film to appreciate the beauty of language diversity.

Here is your complete, beautifully integrated guide for Day 2 of Leafing the World Behind, now rooted in Benedictine hope, Catholic virtue formation, and the arc of a 33-day pilgrimage culminating on All Saints Day. It’s formatted for devotional use, symbolic enactment, or blog sharing—ready to stir, anchor, and guide.

🍂 Leafing the World Behind
33 Days of Character, Consecration, and Communion
A Michaelmas Journey to All Saints
Day 2 – September 30: St. Benedict’s Way
🌿 Core of Strength
Before Peter was entrusted with leadership, Christ asked him a question that pierced deeper than duty:
“Do you love Me more than these?”
It was love—not power—that qualified Peter to lead. And it was love that compelled Christ to say,
“Feed My lambs.”
To feed the lambs is to nourish them with more than food. It is to form them with a core of strength—a strength not built on dominance, but on devotion. If we wish to cultivate strength in ourselves and others, we must offer:
🕊️ Hope – the light that guides through darkness
💪 Confidence – the assurance of belovedness and purpose
🧺 Work ethic – the dignity of labor offered in love
🌱 Resilience – the grace to rise again
🔒 Self-control – the freedom to choose the good
🛡️ Courage – the strength to stand firm in love
This is the strength Christ asked of Peter. This is the strength we are called to offer the lambs in our care. And this is the strength we now seek with St. Benedict.
📅 Day 2 – St. Benedict’s Way
Theme: Ordered Love and Humble Stewardship
Virtue: Discipline, animated by Charity
Character Focus: St. Benedict – the founder of Western monasticism, who shaped a way of life rooted in ora et labora (prayer and work)
🔔 Reflection St. Benedict did not build empires. He built sanctuaries. His Rule is not a system of control—it is a rhythm of grace. In a world of chaos, Benedict teaches us to listen. In a culture of ambition, he teaches us to serve.
Discipline, when animated by charity, becomes a gift. It is not rigidity, but reliability. It is the daily “yes” to grace. Benedict’s way is a path of stability—not to stay stuck, but to grow deep roots.
Today, we are invited to embrace the sacred rhythm: to order our day not around productivity, but around presence. To let love shape our schedule, our silence, our service.
“Listen carefully… with the ear of your heart.” — Rule of St. Benedict, Prologue
🍁 Seasonal Reflection
The leaves continue to fall, and the air grows still. Autumn is a season of rhythm—sunsets earlier, mornings cooler, the earth settling into rest. Let this be your invitation: to find your own sacred rhythm. To order your day around what matters most. To let go of chaos and cling to grace.
Today, walk slowly. Let your steps match the breath of the Spirit. Let your tasks be offerings. Let your silence be prayer.
🥘 Symbolic Meal
Lentil soup or barley bread – simplicity and nourishment
Honey – sweetness found in discipline
Herbal tea – calming presence, steeped in patience
📿 Spiritual Practice
Create a simple Rule of Life for the next week: 3 daily anchors (e.g., prayer, service, silence)
Read a short passage from the Rule of St. Benedict and reflect on one phrase
At sunset, sit in silence for 10 minutes, breathing slowly, saying:
“Let my life be a rhythm of love. Let my heart be ordered by grace.”

🌟 Pilgrimage Arc: 33 Days Toward the Saints

This journey—Leafing the World Behind—is not just about shedding. It’s about rooting deeper, rising slowly, and becoming shelter for others. By walking this rhythm for 33 days, you join a long tradition of preparation: a Marian arc, a saintly ascent, a slow unveiling of character.

Let each day be a leaf—turned, offered, and composted in grace.

Why 33 Days?
Christ lived 33 years. Many Marian consecrations follow this rhythm. It’s a sacred span for transformation—long enough to form habit, short enough to stay tender.
Destination:
Let this pilgrimage culminate on All Saints Day (November 1)—a feast of holy emulation. Not perfection, but participation. Not escape, but embodiment.
Invitation:
Each day, honor a virtue. Emulate a saint. Let your vineyard of character ripen. Use Character Is Destiny: Catholic Edition as a companion—its daily saint reflections and virtue guides can anchor your steps.

SEPTEMBER 30 Tuesday-Saint Jerome, Priest and Doctor

Hot Mulled Cider Day

Revelation, Chapter 11, Verse 10-11

The inhabitants of the earth will gloat over them and be glad and exchange gifts because these two prophets tormented the inhabitants of the earth. But after the three and a half days, a breath of life from God entered them. When they stood on their feet, great FEAR fell on those who saw them.

The two great witnesses as mentioned here are the spirits of righteousness and truth. The world delights in destruction and will pay almost any price to avoid the truth. Yet, if a man aligns himself with the one who had risen on the third day, the breath of life from God will enter him. A man resurrected in the risen Lord is a fearful thing for he cannot be brought, and he is clothed in the power of God: All the world fears a man that will stand on his feet.

I will hear what God proclaims;
the LORD –for he proclaims peace.
Near indeed is his salvation to those who fear him,
glory dwelling in our land.

Copilot’s Take:

St. Jerome’s feast, paired with the haunting imagery of Revelation 11, invites us to reflect on the kind of fear that holiness provokes—not dread, but awe. The world rejoices when truth seems buried, when righteousness appears defeated. But the breath of God cannot be silenced. When the two witnesses rise, fear falls—not because they threaten, but because they stand. Jerome, too, was a man who stood—fiercely, faithfully, and often alone. His scholarship was not sterile; it was forged in the desert, steeped in penance, and driven by love for the Word. Catholics today can learn from Jerome that fear is not the enemy—it is the beginning of wisdom when rightly ordered. To fear God is to revere truth, to resist compromise, and to rise with Christ in a world that prefers comfort to conviction. On this day of hot mulled cider, we sip warmth while contemplating fire—the fire of truth, the fire of resurrection, the fire that makes a man unshakable. Jerome reminds us: the world fears a man who stands on his feet, because such a man cannot be bought, cannot be broken, and cannot be ignored.

🦁 St. Jerome: Scholar of the Desert, Servant of the Word

St. Jerome (c. 342–420) was a brilliant and fiery figure in the early Church—a priest, theologian, and translator best known for producing the Latin Vulgate, the Church’s official Bible for centuries. Born in Stridon (modern-day Croatia), Jerome was classically educated in Rome, where he indulged in worldly pleasures before undergoing a profound conversion.

His spiritual journey led him to the deserts of Syria, where he embraced a life of asceticism, study, and penance. He mastered Hebrew and Greek, lived in Bethlehem, and devoted himself to Scripture, often battling his own pride, anger, and fear through intense prayer and self-discipline.

Jerome’s writings reveal a man deeply aware of his weaknesses. In one famous vision, he was scourged before God for being “Ciceronian rather than Christian,” a moment that spurred him to surrender his intellectual pride and dedicate his gifts fully to Christ.

🙏 Lessons on Fear for Catholics

St. Jerome’s life offers profound lessons on fear—not as something to be avoided, but as something to be transformed:

1. Fear as a Mirror of the Soul

Jerome often visited crypts to meditate on death, confronting his fear of judgment and hell. For Catholics, fear can be a mirror—revealing attachments, pride, or spiritual complacency. When faced honestly, it becomes a call to conversion.

2. Fear of Failure vs. Fear of God

Jerome feared being unfaithful more than being unpopular. His sharp tongue and bold critiques were rooted in a deep reverence for truth. Catholics are invited to fear not failure or rejection, but separation from God. This is filial fear—a reverent awe that draws us closer to holiness.

3. Fear as Fuel for Discipline

Rather than paralyze him, Jerome’s fear of sin fueled his discipline. He beat his breast, fasted, studied, and prayed—not out of self-hatred, but out of love for the Word. Catholics can channel fear into holy resolve, letting it shape a life of virtue and vigilance.

4. Fear Transformed by Love

Ultimately, Jerome’s journey was not about escaping fear but letting love transform it. His devotion to Scripture, his service to the Church, and his penitential life were all rooted in a desire to love God more deeply. As Scripture says:

“Perfect love casts out fear.” — 1 John 4:18

Bible in a Year Day 86 The Real Presence of God

Fr. Mike reminds us that God is present with us in every step of our journey, even the seemingly mundane aspects. He also encourages us to not be discouraged on this journey, but to focus on relating to the historic stories of our biblical brothers and sisters. Today's readings are Joshua 15-18, and Psalm 130.

Hot Mulled Cider Day[1]

The winter will be short, the summer long, the autumn amber-hued, sunny and hot, Tasting of cider and of scuppernong; All seasons sweet, but autumn best of all. The squirrels in their silver fur will fall Like falling leaves, like fruit, before your shot. Elinor Wylie

The chilly seasons welcome a delicious drink called hot mulled cider, a traditional drink made from heated apple cider with various spices added, including citrus orange, nutmeg, cloves and cinnamon. It is a perfect drink on chilly days whether you are home alone by your fireplace reading a book, or having a party serving this drink with your friends. The history of hot mulled cider is bears remarkable similarities to the old pagan tradition called Wassailing. The word ‘wassail’ comes from the Anglo-Saxon phrase ‘waes hael’, which means ‘good health’. The wassail was a drink made of mulled ale, curdled cream, roasted apples, eggs, cloves, ginger, nutmeg and sugar. It was served from huge, 10-gallon bowls, often made of silver or pewter. This originally came from a story about a young beautiful maiden presenting the drink to Prince Vortigen, saying the words “waes hael” in a toast. The term wassailing refers to the act of the bowl being carried into the room with great splendor, a traditional carol about wassailing and then the beverage was served. Nowadays, hot mulled cider is generally referred to non-alcoholic, fermented apple juice. Hard cider would be the alcoholic version of apple cider. This drink can be served during the fall and winter seasons, and it is similar to Mulled wine, which is essentially hot, sweetened red wine made aromatic with the addition of citrus fruits and warming spices such as cloves, cinnamon and nutmeg. However, people these days have been gravitating towards mulled apple cider as a drink that anyone can have.

How to celebrate Hot Mulled Cider Day

One of the best ways to celebrate this holiday is to find a recipe and make mulled cider yourself! It’s a very easy and simple drink with a lot of flavor. In a large pot, add brown sugar to apple cider over medium heat. Stir until all the sugar has dissolved. Then add other ingredients such as nutmeg, allspice, orange juice, and lemon juice, and bring to a boil. When serving, strain out the spices, pour into a mug, and enjoy! Add a cinnamon stick to your mug if you’d like or make it fancy and add rum into your mixture.

Daily Devotions

· Unite in the work of the Porters of St. Joseph by joining them in fasting: Today's Fast: The lonely and destitute.

· Religion in the Home for Preschool: September

· Litany of the Most Precious Blood of Jesus

· Offering to the sacred heart of Jesus

· Drops of Christ’s Blood

· Universal Man Plan

· Rosary

OCTOBER

TREES DECLARE THEIR OWN SERMON

in brief autumn's painted landscape. We note their size and type and variety and beauty. Trees serve as symbols of the gift-giving aspects of our lives. Trees provide fruit, wood, climatic modification, wind and sun protection, prevention of soil erosion, and a host of other benefits.

This is the time to plant trees and to prepare them for winter.

Should we not give more attention to how our lives can bear fruit in Christ and in the protection of our forests?

Overview of October[2]

October falls during the liturgical season known as Tempus per Annum or Ordinary Time (formerly Time After Pentecost), which is represented by the liturgical color green. Green is a symbol of hope, as it is the color of the sprouting seed and arouses in the faithful the hope of reaping the eternal harvest of heaven, especially the hope of a glorious resurrection. The liturgical color green is worn during the praying of Offices and celebration of Masses of Ordinary Time.

Autumn Festivities

October usually is an enjoyable time of the year in the United States. The autumn season manifests itself with wonderful fall foliage in many parts of the country. The temperatures are cooler, inviting people outdoors for nature walks, apple or pumpkin picking. The celebrations of the Church for the month of October are also wonderful and unique. The feasts of some of the most popular saints of the universal Church are celebrated during this month: St. Therese the Little Flower (France), St. Francis of Assisi (Italy) and St. Teresa of Avila (Spain). These saints come from different countries, and in honoring these saints we can include cultural dishes or activities from each country to make the feast day even more special. Read more about the lives of these saints. Perhaps the family can pick one virtue that each saint practiced well and try to implement it.

The feasts in October also include two of the most popular, time-honored devotions of Catholics, the devotion to the Holy Rosary (October 7) and the Guardian Angels (October 2).

In October 2002 St. John Paul II wrote the Apostolic Letter Rosarium Virginis Mariae (the Rosary of the Virgin Mary)."

This letter introduced five new mysteries, called the Luminous or Mysteries of Light, which are:

Jesus' Baptism in the Jordan
Jesus' self-manifestation at the wedding of Cana
Proclamation of the Kingdom of God, with the call to conversion
the Transfiguration, and
the Institution of the Eucharist.

Try to make a more concerted effort to pray the Rosary together as a family during the month of October, read the Apostolic Letter to understand the beauty of this devotion more deeply, and pray the Luminous mysteries.

Every person has a guardian angel assigned to them, and October 2 the Church celebrates the role of these Guardian Angels. We should show devout gratitude to God for placing these angels at our service. Having a guardian should give us confidence during all of life's difficulties. Every Catholic should know the Angele Dei (Angel of God) prayer and pray it often. The Directory on Popular Piety suggests that families pray it at morning and evening prayers or after the Angelus.

All Hallows' Eve or Halloween heralds the month of November with emphasis on the Communion of Saints, especially the Church Suffering (the Poor Souls in Purgatory) and the second coming of Christ or parousia. This last day of October on the secular calendar is second only to Christmas in commercial preparations. The secular festivities center on ghouls, witches and devils, but the Christian counterpart focus on the communion of saints. As Christians living a "Catholic Culture", we should try to explore the Christian roots of the Halloween festivities.

October: Respect Life Month[3]

We mark the month of October as Respect Life Month. Looking back over the last year, there's been a lot of uncertainty, suffering, and heartache. Between tragedies that occur in the public eye and trials that take place in our personal lives, there's no shortage of reasons we cry out to God. At such times, we may feel alone and unequipped to handle the circumstances. But we have an anchor of hope to cling to. With words that echo through thousands of years into the corners of our hearts, God says to us, "Do not fear: I am with you" (Isaiah 41:10). God isn't a detached, distant observer to our pain; the Eternal Son became man and Himself experienced immense suffering—for you and for me. His wounds indicate the very essence of our identity and worth: we are loved by God. There are times we may doubt the value of our own lives or falter at the thought of welcoming and embracing the life of another. But reflecting on the healed wounds of the Risen Christ, we can see that even our most difficult trials can be the place where God manifests his victory. He makes all things beautiful. He makes all things new. He is the God of redemption. That's powerful. That's something to hold onto. And He is always with us. Jesus promised this when he gave the disciples the same mission, he gives to each of us: Go. As followers of Jesus Christ, we know that our identity and our mission are two sides of the same coin; like the apostles, we are called to be missionary disciples. We are not only invited to follow and take refuge in God, our stronghold, but we are also commissioned to reach out to one another, especially to the weak and vulnerable. Building a culture of life isn't something we just do one month of the year, or with one event or initiative—it's essential to who we are. It happens through our daily actions, how we treat one another, and how we live our lives.

How do we respond when our aging parents are in failing health?

Do they know how much we love them and cherish each day given?

Do we ensure they know they are never a burden to us?

In our own challenging times, do we ask for support?

When others offer a helping hand, do we receive it?

When our friend becomes pregnant in difficult circumstances, do we show compassion that tangibly supports her and helps her welcome the life of her new little one?

Sometimes, we may not be sure exactly what to do, but let's not allow the fear of doing the wrong thing or saying the wrong thing keep us from living out our missionary call. We don't need to have everything figured out all at once. Let's remember the guidance of Our Blessed Mother, the first disciple: "Do whatever he tells you" (John 2:5). https://www.usccb.org/prolife

Reverence Life[4]

From the time we are knit together in our mothers’ wombs until we take our final breaths, each moment of our lives is a gift from God. While every season of life brings its own challenges and trials, each season also gives us new opportunities to grow in our relationship with God. Today the gift of life is threatened in countless ways. Those who are most vulnerable, rather than receiving the protection they deserve, are all too often seen as a burden and as expendable. As new attacks on human life continue to emerge, we can be tempted to despair, but Christ instead offers us unfailing hope. Hope is not false optimism or empty positivity. Christian hope is something much more profound and goes to the very depths of our identity as followers of Christ. Hope is the virtue “by which we desire the kingdom of heaven and eternal life as our happiness, placing our trust in Christ’s promises and relying not on our own strength, but on the help of the grace of the Holy Spirit” (CCC, 1817).

Like us, Christ entered the world through the womb of a woman. He willingly experienced the fullness of human suffering. He breathed his last on the Cross at Calvary in order that He might save us. Therefore, “God is the foundation of hope: not any god, but the God who has a human face and who has loved us to the end” (Spe salvi 31).

Christians know “they have a future: it is not that they know the details of what awaits them, but they know in general terms that their life will not end in emptiness” (SS 2).

For this reason, a woman experiencing a difficult pregnancy can find the strength to welcome her precious child into the world. A man facing a terminal diagnosis can see that the end of his earthly life is only the beginning of eternal life with Christ. The Church teaches us that “the one who has hope lives differently” (SS 2).

Christ’s promise of salvation does not mean that we will be spared from suffering. Rather, the promise of salvation ensures that even in the darkest moments of our lives, we will be given the strength to persevere. By virtue of this Christian hope, we can face any challenge or trial. When the seas of life swell and we are battered by the waves, hope allows us to remain anchored in the heart of God. May we hold fast to Christ our hope, from the beginning of life to its very end.

October Travel and Events