ICEMANforChrist

First Wednesday FEAST ST. PHIILIP and JAMES-Finding of the HOLY CROSS   Deuteronomy, Chapter 5, Verse 29 Would that they might always be of such a mind, to FEAR me and to keep all my commandments! Then they and their descendants would prosper forever.   Our loving God knew Israel would become full of hubris and haughtiness and forget the commandments that He enjoined them, and they needed a savior. Let us not be like the Angels of God who fell from heaven by an act of pride and rebellion by refusing to honor Mary the Mother of God. Let us be like unto Gabriel who on announcing the conception of Christ said to Mary:   "Hail" "Full of Grace" "The Lord is with you" [1]   Let us this day emulate Christ’s mother and ours: Mary and never weary of union with Christ through the most Holy Eucharist. This day try to spend some time in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel.   Faithful Friendship Trusts [2]   As human bein...

  Tuesday of the Fourth Week of Easter   Matthew, Chapter 10, verse 26 “Therefore, do not be AFRAID of them. Nothing is concealed that will not be revealed, nor secret that will not be known.   Christ’s message here is to have courage under persecution. Yes, if they killed Christ what will they do to us. Look at what is going on in the Middle East, there is no doubt it will be here, but Christ reassures us to do not be afraid. In Acts 8:1-8 we see that there was a severe persecution of the followers of Christ in Jerusalem promulgated by Saul, who by the grace of God was converted and became the apostle to the gentiles Paul. We must not give up hope and we must pray for our persecutors; perhaps Christ will send us another Paul.   Therefore, do not be afraid, for everyone who believes in the Son has eternal life, and Christ has told us the He will raise us on the last day. (John 6:40)   For as the heavens are high above the earth, so surpassing is his ...

   MAY   Flowers in Mary's month tie us closely to the reawakening earth. The time of Resurrection and expectant Pentecost is one of buds, blossoms, wildflowers, and greening of meadows and lawns. Days lengthen and we welcome the warmth of the sun after the long winter. Jesus is risen and is present in our midst, and so we rise and ascend with him.   Overview of May [1]   The month of Mary   May is the "month which the piety of the faithful has especially dedicated to Our Blessed Lady," and it is the occasion for a "moving tribute of faith and love which Catholics in every part of the world [pay] to the Queen of Heaven. During this month Christians, both in church and in the privacy of the home, offer up to Mary from their hearts an especially fervent and loving homage of prayer and veneration. In this month, too, the benefits of God's mercy come down to us from her throne in greater abundanc...