Friday, June 12, 2026
The chant “Deus Vult” draws its power from the collision of two worlds: the serene discipline of Gregorian prayer and the raw urgency of medieval battle. The phrase — “God wills it” — was not originally a cry of conquest but a declaration that evil would not have the final word. In the hymn’s modern presentations, the low drones, monastic intervals, and martial cadence evoke a people who believed that spiritual warfare was as real as steel and blood. It is the sound of men who prayed before they fought, and who understood that victory was never theirs, only God’s.
The Church today teaches the same truth without the swords. The Catechism is blunt: evil is real, personal, and active (CCC 409, 1707). Every Christian lives “in a dramatic struggle between good and evil,” and the battlefield is now the human heart, the culture, and the defense of the vulnerable. The medieval cry becomes interior: not a call to take territory, but a call to take responsibility. “Deus vult” becomes the courage to resist sin, to defend the dignity of others, and to stand firm when the age demands compromise.
To confront evil today is to fight with different weapons — truth spoken without fear, charity that refuses to yield, and a life ordered toward Christ’s kingship. The chant reminds us that the Christian is never passive. The battlefield has changed, but the mission has not.
Smoke in this Life Not the NextSome nights a man settles for the cheap bourbon and the cheap cigar — not as escape, but as a way to breathe after a hard day. Even the cheap smoke can steady a man long enough to hear the truth he’s been avoiding.
“Fear not… it is God who restores to me my life; He wishes to show in my person a man raised from the dead.” That line hits different when you know you’ve lived below your calling. Resurrection isn’t poetry — it’s a demand. If God gives you your life back, He expects it to look nothing like the one you wasted.
So you sit with the ember and the burn, realizing you’re alive again, and therefore accountable. The cheap smoke becomes the reminder: you were raised for more.
JUNE
12 Friday-Solemnity of the Most Sacred
Heart of Jesus
Superman Day
1 Chronicles, Chapter 21, Verse 29-30
The
tabernacle of the LORD, which Moses had made in the wilderness, and the altar
for burnt offerings were at that time on the high place at Gibeon.
But David could not go into his
presence to inquire of God, for he was FEARFUL
of the sword of the angel of the LORD.
The
sword of the Angel is another way of saying divine justice. When we sin, we all
fear the sword of the Angel, for all have sinned; yet when we sin, we fear the
thing that can save us-trusting that God
is bigger than our sin. We, like David, are fearful of punishment for our
sins and that we will get exactly what we did not count on. Yet, know; Gods
mercy is greater that His justice. Trust is central to salvation.
Census of
Sin[1]
King
David had ordered a census to be taken. David’s general Joab strongly cautioned
the King against such a measure, but David insisted on it anyway. Upon
completion of the census the Prophet Gad informed David of God’s anger and
intention to punish David and all Israel for this sin.
What’s wrong with a
Census?
In effect David’s lack of trust. For God had called
David to trust in God, not in man, not in numbers. We have a tendency to rely
too much on numbers. We tend to think that something is good, or right or
successful, based on how many people attended, or how many support a cause or
view. Of this tendency we must be
very careful.
Is our power or rightness rooted in
numbers, in popularity, in profit, or in God?
David in counting his people is, it would seem, seeking confidence in his numbers, rather than God, and this is a sin. For, David could well have considered with pride the fact that he had amassed a large number of people in reuniting the Israel and Judah, in conquering the Philistines and the Hittites et al. Thus, taking a census was a way of flattering himself, and making a name for himself. The numbers ARE quite impressive. So impressive, in fact that we moderns doubt them: 800,000 men fit for military service in Israel, and 500,000 men in Judah. This number of over 1 million men does not include women, children or the elderly. Hence the full census number may have closer to 5 million. This seems an unlikely number and opens up the great debate among biblical scholars about biblical numeration but for here, let it be said, David was enthroned over a numerous nation and his census is a likely indication that he was quite proud of his accomplishment, and wanted that accomplishment recorded for history and/or his contemporaries: “David: King of multitudes!” These are not David’s people to number; they are God’s people. Since counting hints at accomplishment and control, David sins in trying to know a number that is none of his business, a number that is for God alone to know. God numbers the people and calls them by name (cf Gen 15:15).
Note that David is delivered a number of men “fit for military service.” Hence in the ancient world, a census was often a tool of military draft. It was also a tool used to exact taxes, and for Kings to measure power, and manipulate and coerce based on that power. Even in our own time the taking of the Census every ten years is often steeped in power struggles, political gerrymandering, tax policy, spending priorities, the number of seats in the legislature, and the pitting of certain ethnic and racial groups against each other. A lot of mischief and political power struggles are tied back to the census, because numbers are powerful things. Those that have “the numbers on their side” get seats at the table. Those who do not can wait outside. Thus, David, in amassing numbers, amasses power and the capacity to manipulate his people in sinful or unjust ways.
Copilot’s
Take
The
Catechism teaches that sin is not just personal—it becomes structural when
enough people cooperate with it. David’s census is the perfect biblical mirror:
a leader manipulating numbers to secure power, justify decisions, and control
outcomes. The CCC calls this the “structures of sin” (CCC 1869), and it’s
astonishing how little the human heart has changed. What David did with
counting, modern leaders do with districts, data, and demographics. The tools
are different; the temptation is the same.
Confronting
evil begins with naming it. Not with rage, not with despair, but with clarity.
The CCC says evil thrives in the dark, but truth brings it into the light (CCC
2485). Gerrymandering, political manipulation, and the endless gamesmanship we
see today are simply updated versions of David’s census—attempts to secure
power by shaping the numbers instead of shaping the nation’s soul. It’s not
new. It’s not surprising. But it is still wrong. And the Sacred Heart calls us
to see it for what it is.
The real
danger is not that politicians play these games. The real danger is when we
start believing the numbers matter more than the truth. When we start thinking
the census is reality. When we forget that God has never once needed a majority
to change history. Gideon had 300. David had five stones. The Apostles had
eleven men and a locked room. The CCC reminds us that God works through the
small, the faithful, the courageous—not the numerically impressive (CCC 544).
So
confronting evil today means refusing to be hypnotized by the scoreboard. It
means remembering that manipulation is a sign of weakness, not strength. It
means recognizing that when leaders twist boundaries, rewrite maps, or
weaponize data, they are revealing the same insecurity David revealed when he
counted his people. And just like David, they will eventually face the truth:
numbers cannot save you. Only God can.
This is why the Sacred Heart matters today. It cuts through the noise. It exposes the games. It reminds us that divine justice is real, but divine mercy is greater. And it gives us the courage to confront evil not with bitterness, but with clarity and confidence. The Sacred Heart is not impressed by political strategies. It is not intimidated by power. It is not fooled by numbers. It burns for truth, and it burns for the renewal of nations—starting with the renewal of hearts.
And that is
why consecrating America to the Sacred Heart is not a sentimental gesture. It
is a declaration of spiritual war. It is a refusal to let manipulation define
our future. It is a reminder that God—not the census, not the district map, not
the poll numbers—has the final word. The Sacred Heart is our anchor in a world
addicted to counting. It is our compass in a culture obsessed with control. And
it is our courage when confronting evil feels overwhelming.
Why This
Feast Appears Twice in This Blog
(Who,
What, When, Where, and Why)
Who: The
bishops of the United States — the shepherds responsible for guarding the soul
of the nation — finally acted together. Not because the cultural climate is
calm, but because it is chaotic. And when bishops move in unity, it is rarely
because of human strategy. It is almost always because the Holy Spirit finally
pushed them past hesitation and into obedience.
What: A
full, public, national Consecration of the United States to the Sacred Heart of
Jesus. This is not a devotional footnote. It is a spiritual line in the sand —
a declaration that Christ’s Heart, not political machinery, is the true center
of this nation’s hope.
When: This
year — uniquely — the calendar and the bishops’ decision created a rare
situation:
the traditional Solemnity of the Sacred Heart and a second national
consecration within the same cycle.
Two moments
of grace.
Two invitations to begin again.
A year with two Christmases — two times when Christ breaks into the story and
resets the spiritual clock.
Where: Across
the entire nation — from cathedrals to small parishes, from chapels to living
rooms, from the coasts to the desert. This isn’t a regional devotion or a
diocesan experiment. It is a nationwide act of surrender, a spiritual covering
placed over the whole map of the United States.
Why: Because
the Holy Spirit finally broke through the inertia.
Because the bishops finally recognized that the nation is in a spiritual
emergency. Because the same old political games — manipulation, gerrymandering,
power‑grabbing, and the endless obsession with numbers — have hollowed out
public trust and poisoned civic life. Because the Church cannot fight
structural sin with silence. Because the Sacred Heart is the only antidote to a
culture addicted to control.
And
because God, in His mercy, decided that this year needed two resets, not one. Two
feasts. Two invitations.
Two chances for this nation — and this blog — to let Christ reign.
Epistle of Barnabas[2]
CHAP. II THE JEWISH SACRIFICES ARE NOW ABOLISHED.
Since, therefore, the days are evil, and Satan possesses
the power of this world, we ought to give heed to ourselves, and diligently
inquire into the ordinances of the Lord. Fear and patience, then, are helpers
of our faith; and long-suffering and continence are things which fight on our
side. While these remain pure in what respects the Lord, Wisdom, Understanding,
Science, and Knowledge rejoice along with them. For He hath revealed to us by
all the prophets that He needs neither sacrifices, nor burnt offerings, nor
oblations, saying thus, "What is the multitude of your sacrifices unto Me,
saith the Lord? I am full of burnt offerings, and desire not the fat of lambs,
and the blood of bulls and goats, not when ye come to appear before Me: for who
hath required these things at your hands? Tread no more My courts, not though
ye bring with you fine flour. Incense is a vain abomination unto Me, and your
new moons and sabbaths I cannot endure." He has therefore abolished these
things, that the new law of our Lord Jesus Christ, which is without the yoke of
necessity, might have a human oblation. And again, He says to them, "Did I
command your fathers, when they went out from the land of Egypt, to offer unto
Me burnt offerings and sacrifices? But this rather I commanded them, let no one
of you cherish any evil in his heart against his neighbor, and love not an oath
of falsehood." We ought therefore, being possessed of understanding, to
perceive the gracious intention of our Father; for He speaks to us, desirous
that we, Not going astray like them, should ask how we may approach Him. To us,
then, He declares, "A sacrifice [pleasing] to God is a broken spirit; a
smell of sweet savor to the Lord is a heart that glorifieth Him that made
it." We ought therefore, brethren, carefully to inquire concerning our
salvation, lest the wicked one, having made his entrance by deceit, should huff
us forth from our [true] life.
Apostolic Exhortation[3]
Veneremur Cernui
– Down in Adoration Falling
of
The Most Reverend Thomas J. Olmsted, Bishop of Phoenix,
to Priests, Deacons, Religious and the Lay Faithful of the Diocese of Phoenix
on the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist
My beloved Brothers and
Sisters in Christ,
Part III
Loving and Adoring the Eucharistic Lord
VI. Pastors, have one Eucharistic procession each year in your parish.
98.
Consider what is communicated non-verbally to both those who participate and
those who witness it: that Christ is truly present in the Eucharist; that He
personally leads His people through space and time; that the faithful are
linked to Him as His body-members; that the bishop and priests are configured
to Him as the head; that everyone has a place in His body; that the Church has
a place and role in public, not just in private; that the Church is not afraid
of the world but confidently bears the light of Christ to it; that the Church
is filled with joy, peace, and confidence in Christ.
99.
One need only consider any year or even every month in our age to see that the
people take their passions to the streets to be seen and heard. Riots,
protests, marches, and demonstrations in the streets are common, but too often
they are fueled by narrow ideologies and enflamed by bitterness, resentment,
anger, and a cramped secularist perspective. Imagine the witness in our
neighborhoods, towns, and cities for people of all backgrounds to see that the
Church has a message to bring to the streets – that of Christ’s
Eucharistic presence, His victory over all evil, sin, and death – and she
is enflamed with the attractive witness of love, joy, and peace.
100.
Therefore, I invite our pastors, along with their closest collaborators, to
consider planning one Eucharistic procession each year in your parish boundary.
Imagine how one beautiful Eucharistic procession would imprint the memories of
children and families with the Eucharistic mystery.
To be continued…
Bible
in a year Day 342 Generous Hearts
Fr. Mike comments on the
growing divide between Judaism and Christianity that Paul experiences on
mission in Acts 21. In 2 Corinthians, Fr. Mike explains the difference between
Godly grief that brings us to repentance, and worldly grief that leads us to destruction.
We also learn about the importance of imitating the generosity of Christ.
Today's readings are Acts 21, 2 Corinthians 6-8, and Proverbs 29:1-4.
Superman Day[4]
What’s that? There in the sky? Is
it a bird? Is it a plane?
No! It’s the Man of Tomorrow! Superman has gone by many names over the years, but one thing has remained the same. He has always stood for what’s best about humanity, all of our potential for terrible destructive acts, but also our choice to not act on the level of destruction we could wreak. Superman was first created in 1933 by Joe Shuster and Jerry Siegel, the writer and artist respectively. His first appearance was in Action Comics #1, and that was the beginning of a long and illustrious career for the Man of Steel. In his unmistakable blue suit with red cape, and the stylized red S on his chest, the figure of Superman has become one of the most recognizable in the world. Superman has been through a lot of changes since his initial creation, his original Golden Age incarnation being a villainous character that bears absolutely no resemblance to our current hero. Superman as we know and love him today didn’t appear until Action Comics #1, published on April 18, 1938. Such was his success that he got his own comic in 1939, and the world has never looked back since.
Since
that time, our boy in blue has seen appearances in every form of media the
world has to offer. Comic books, video games, movies, novels, stickers,
T-shirts, there isn’t
a place that the Man of Steel hasn’t
made an appearance. He’s
even been represented in more than one TV show throughout the years, most
recently “Smallville”, which retells his time as a youth
in the town he grew up in. Examining the Man of Steel during his developmental
phases shows him in a rarely seen state of vulnerability, living through the
turbulence of adolescence.
How
to Celebrate Superman Day
For
those desiring to celebrate Superman Day, there are many options that range
from entertaining to altruistic. The best way to celebrate Superman Day is to
host a Superman themed get together with your friends, complete with a cake
decorated with the iconic S emblem.
For
the dastardly a little green food coloring can change Marshmallow Crispy Bars
into Kryptonite bars, and a trampoline in the yard will give everyone a bit of
the experience of flying like the Man of Steel.
Finish
it all off with a marathon of movies and` you’ll have a “Super Celebration” this day.
For
those looking to be a bit more altruistic, Superman Day is also a great day to
remember what the Man of Steel actually stood for.
The
Red, White, and Blue of his uniform stood for what made America great, which at
that time was a desire for Justice, to help those in need, and a powerful
spirit. So, you could spend your day working at Soup Kitchens, Blood Drives, or
a volunteer organization that serves your community. The opportunities to be a
little bit “Super” are limitless, just get out there
and help your fellow man!
Fitness
Friday-Get off your Knees America
Knee Exercises[1]
Is It Safe for Me to Exercise?
Are you
worried that working out could cause more knee damage or pain?
As
long as your doctor says it’s OK, the best thing you can do is to strengthen
the muscles that support your knee and keep them flexible. Start slowly, and
build up over time. Talk to your doctor about which specific exercises are good
for you.
Warm Up First
You can ride a stationary
bike for about 5 minutes, take a brisk 2-minute walk while pumping your arms,
or do 15-20 wall push-ups followed by the same number of calf raises. Doing
this will help you get more out of your workout, prepare you to stretch, and
lower your risk of an injury.
1. Straight Leg Raises
If your knee’s not at its
best, start with a simple strengthening exercise for your quadriceps, the
muscles in the front of the thigh. This move puts little to no strain on the
knee. Lie on your back on the floor or another flat surface. Bend one knee and
place your foot flat on the floor. Keeping the other leg straight, raise it to
the height of the opposite knee. Repeat 10-15 times for three sets.
2. Hamstring Curls
These are the muscles
along the back of your thigh. Lie flat on your stomach. Slowly bring your heels
as close to your butt as you can, and hold that position. Do three sets of 15.
You can also do this exercise standing while you hold onto a chair and lift one
leg at a time. If this becomes easy, you can add ankle weights, slowly
increasing the weight from 1 to 3 to 5 pounds.
3. Prone Straight Leg Raises
Lie on your stomach with
your legs straight. Tighten the muscles in your bottom and the hamstring of one
leg, and lift toward the ceiling. Hold 3-5 seconds, lower, and repeat. Do 10-15
lifts and switch sides. You can add ankle weights as you gain strength. You
shouldn’t feel back pain. If you do, limit how high you lift up. If it still
hurts, stop and talk to your doctor.
4. Wall Squats
This is a more advanced
move. You’ll keep your feet on the floor. Stand with your back against a wall,
your feet about shoulder-width apart. Slowly bend your knees, and keep your
back and pelvis against the wall. Hold for 5-10 seconds. Don’t bend too deeply.
If you feel pressure or discomfort in your knees, change your position. Repeat
the exercise and try to hold the sit position a few seconds longer each time.
5. Calf Raises
Stand facing the back of a
sturdy chair, other support such as the back of a couch, or a wall bar at the
gym. You can also do this on the stairs, holding on to the banister with your
heels hanging off the edge of the step. Slowly raise the heels as high as you
can, then lower. Do three sets of 10-15. When it becomes easy, lift one foot
slightly off the floor, with all your weight on the other foot.
6. Step-Ups
Place one foot on a step
bench, platform, or the lowest step on a staircase. Keeping your pelvis
level, bend your knee and slowly lower the opposite foot to the floor. Lightly
touch your toe to the floor, then rise back up. Repeat 10-15 times, then switch
legs.
Too easy?
Use
a higher step or touch your heel instead of your toe.
7. Side Leg Raises
Lie on one side with your
legs stacked. Bend the bottom leg for support. Straighten the top leg and raise
it to 45 degrees. Hold for 5 seconds, lower and relax briefly, then repeat
10-15 times. Switch sides and start over.
Want to try a bit of a
different spin on the move?
Point
the toe of your upper leg slightly toward the floor as you raise it.
8. Leg Presses
Sit on a leg-press machine
with your back and head against the support and your feet flat on the foot
plate. Adjust the seat back so it’s comfortable. Slowly push the plate away
from you until your legs are extended. Bend your knees and return to your starting
position. Do three sets of 10-15 reps. (Ask a gym staff member for help the
first time you do this.)
No-No's for Your Knee
Exercise should never
cause pain or make it worse. Remember: Muscle soreness after a hard workout is
normal. But sharp, shooting, or sudden pain in the muscles or joints means you
should stop and check with your doctor.
Knee-Friendly Cardio
Gentle is good.
So skip high-impact activities such as running or intense aerobics. Notice
what feels right for you. For example, some people love elliptical machines,
but others don’t. Swimming, jogging in water, or water aerobics are often
great! Double-check with your doctor about your exercise plan.
This
is the day the LORD has made.
let
us rejoice in it and be glad.
(Psalm
118:24)
Bucket List trip: Rich
vs Poor Tour: Luxembourg vs. Burundi
Luxembourg: Per Capita:
$141,000 The country has positioned itself as a global financial hub,
attracting banks, investment funds, and multinational corporations with its
business-friendly regulations and tax advantages.
Burundi-Per Capita $1000 political instability and conflict are the biggest reasons for Burundi's poverty. Decades of civil war, unrest, and weak governance have disrupted economic development, destroyed infrastructure, and discouraged investment. Stability is essential for long-term growth, and Burundi has struggled to maintain it.
Note from the author: And
when the long shadow of the Iran–Russia wars finally recede, the world will
face a choice about what kind of peace it wants to build. Some nations will
rebuild their militaries; others will rebuild their alliances. But America, if
it wishes to lead with imagination rather than exhaustion, could choose
something different: to turn its attention to Africa’s great, unfinished artery
— the Congo River. A modern lock‑and‑navigation system, stretching from the
Atlantic deep into the interior, would do more than move barges. It would move
history. It would give Burundi — landlocked, wounded, and waiting — a chance to
become great in a way it has never been allowed to be. Not through charity, but
through connection. Not through intervention, but through infrastructure. A
peace that builds rather than breaks. A peace that opens the heart of a
continent.
National
Migraine and Headache Awareness Month
Cheat: National
Steakhouse Month “make
it surf and turf”
Stay at home: Catholic
Recipe: Skewered Beef Roman Style
Spirit Hour: Bee’s Knees
National
Movie Night dinner and a movie
Get an indulgence
Daily
Devotions
Unite in the work of the Porters of St. Joseph by joining them
in fasting: Holy Priests, Consecrated, & Religious
Litany
of the Most Precious
Blood of Jesus
Offering to
the sacred heart of Jesus
Rosary
[1]http://blog.adw.org/2012/02/whats-so-sinful-about-a-census-and-why-did-israel-get-punished-for-something-david-did/
[4]https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/superman-day/
JOHNNY COME LATELY (1943)
James Cagney • Grace George • Marjorie Main
Directed by William K. Howard
A small‑town moral drama wrapped in newspaperman grit,
Johnny Come Lately is not merely a period piece.
It is a meditation on conscience —
the courage to speak truth,
the cost of resisting corruption,
and the quiet heroism of a man who refuses to be bought.
It is the tale of a drifter who becomes a defender,
an old woman fighting for her town’s soul,
and a community learning that justice often begins
with one stubborn voice refusing to stay silent.
And then the reckoning comes —
not through violence or swagger,
but through the slow, steady force
of a man who chooses integrity over comfort.
1. Production & Historical Setting
A Nation at War With Corruption and Apathy
Released in 1943, as America was deep in World War II,
the film reflects a country rediscovering the value of courage,
public virtue,
and the duty to confront evil rather than tolerate it.
It is a story for a nation learning that
James Cagney: The Wanderer With a Moral Spine
Cagney’s Tom Richards is light on possessions
but heavy with principle.
He drifts into town with nothing to prove —
yet becomes the one man willing to challenge
a political machine built on intimidation and decay.
His charm is easy,
but his conscience is steel.
Grace George: The Lioness in Widow’s Clothing
As Vinnie McLeod, she is fierce, dignified,
and unwilling to surrender her newspaper
to the town’s corrupt mayor.
She is the film’s moral anchor —
the reminder that age does not diminish courage.
Marjorie Main: The Rough‑Edged Heart
Main brings humor and grit,
the kind of loyalty that stands beside the righteous
even when the cost rises.
2. Story Summary
A Drifter Walks Into a Broken Town
Tom Richards arrives in Plattsville looking for work
and finds a widow fighting a losing battle
against Mayor Dougherty’s corrupt empire.
A Newspaper Becomes a Weapon
Richards joins her paper,
reviving it with fearless editorials
that expose the mayor’s abuses.
Truth becomes the town’s first taste of fresh air.
Corruption Strikes Back
Bribes, threats, and violence follow.
An assassination attempt meant for Vinnie
reveals how deep the rot runs.
Richards refuses to bend.
A Town Awakens
The people finally rise,
forcing Dougherty to face the consequences
of his long‑protected sins.
The Drifter Moves On
With justice restored,
Richards leaves as quietly as he arrived —
a man who never stays for applause.
3. Spiritual & Moral Resonances
A. Truth Is a Form of Warfare
Richards fights not with fists
but with words that refuse to lie.
In a corrupt age, truth is a weapon.
B. Evil Thrives on Silence
The mayor’s power depends on a town
too tired or too afraid to resist.
Sin expands wherever men retreat.
C. Courage Is Contagious
One man’s integrity
awakens the conscience of an entire community.
D. Justice Requires Sacrifice
Richards risks comfort, safety, and belonging
to defend what is right.
Righteousness always costs something.
E. God Often Works Through the Unlikely
A drifter and a widow
become the instruments of renewal.
Grace loves to choose the underestimated.
4. Hospitality Pairing — A Small‑Town Table
Drink: A straight rye whiskey — clean, sharp, principled.
Plate: Pot roast with root vegetables — humble, honest, enduring.
Atmosphere: A wooden table, a single lamp, the smell of ink and paper —
the world of a man who prints truth even when it hurts.
Symbol: A worn newspaper press — the humble machine that topples giants.
5. Reflection Prompts
- Where have I tolerated corruption because resistance felt costly.
- What truth am I being called to speak, even if no one applauds.
- Who is the “widow” in my life — the person whose fight I am meant to join.
- Where has my silence allowed evil to grow.
- What would it look like to walk into my own town — my home, my work, my circle — as a man who refuses to be bought.
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