Gospel of John- 2:1-12- The Wedding Feast at Cana – January 14th, 2018

Posted on January 16, 2018 by mikatsa6

Bartolome-Esteban-Murillo-The-Marriage-Feast-at-Cana

John 2:1-12

The Wedding at Cana


On the third day there was a wedding at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. 2 Jesus also was invited to the wedding with his disciples. 3 When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” 4 And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does this have to do with me? My hour has not yet come.” 5 His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”

6 Now there were six stone water jars there for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. 7 Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. 8 And he said to them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the feast.” So they took it. 9 When the master of the feast tasted the water now become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom 10 and said to him, “Everyone serves the good wine first, and when people have drunk freely, then the poor wine. But you have kept the good wine until now.” 11 This, the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested his glory. And his disciples believed in him.

12 After this he went down to Capernaum, with his mother and his brethren and his disciples, and they stayed there for a few days.

In the Traditional calendar of the Holy Mother Church, Sunday’s Gospel reading comes from John 2: 1-12. Called the Fourth Gospel, it is probably the most beautifully written of the Four Gospels. From the opening line, we are taken back to the Old Testament and the Book of Genesis. Both start with the line, “In the beginning…”  But whereas the Book of Genesis reveals the story of mankind’s  pride and disobedience which lead to sin, the 2nd Gospel of John reveals the story of holiness and redemption. By obeying His Mother, Jesus brings forth the manifestation of His divine nature, thus embarking on the path that would lead to man’s salvation.

The correlations between the Old and New Testament doesn’t end there. When Jesus turns the water in wine, it reminds us of Moses, who turned water into blood.

moses turning water to blood.jpg

The Lord said to Moses, “Tell Aaron, ‘Take your staff and stretch out your hand over the waters of Egypt—over the streams and canals, over the ponds and all the reservoirs—and they will turn to blood.’ Blood will be everywhere in Egypt, even in vessels of wood and stone.”

20) Moses and Aaron did just as the Lord had commanded. He raised his staff in the presence of Pharaoh and his officials and struck the water of the Nile, and all the water was changed into blood. 21) The fish in the Nile died, and the river smelled so bad that the Egyptians could not drink its water. Blood was everywhere in Egypt.

 

This was Moses first sign, or plague, that was sent from God so that the Egyptian Pharaoh would let His people go. This sign, sent from God, through Moses, was to let the Israelites  know that with Him, they would be free. When Jesus obeyed His Mother and turned the water into wine, it also represents to us, that Jesus, Who is God made Man, came to free His people, once again. This action, of turning the water into wine was symbolic in the anticipation that Jesus would take the waters, which represent life, and turn them into wine which represents joy… that Jesus would later take wine and turn it into eternal life…eternal joy … by turning it into His Blood during the Last Supper…It was then that Jesus would turn the Bread and wine into His Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity in the Holy Eucharist, thus giving Himself to the world, as the Perfect Sacrifice.

This Gospel is filled with so much symbolism and foreshadowing that it is worth reading and meditating upon the entire Gospel of John. As I conclude this post, there is one final point that I want to address, and that is the importance of Mary’s role in all of it. Her role is that of  Co- Redemptix for all of mankind. It begins with her Immaculate Conception in the womb of her mother, Ann, and continues right on until Jesus is hanging on the Cross, uttering His Last Words to John, “Behold thy Mother.”

Theology teaches us that Mary knew from the moment of her conversation with Gabriel…from Her Yes... Her fiat… that her heart would be pierced, because she had  the foreknowledge that Jesus was going to suffer immeasurable pain and be put to death on The Cross for the salvation of mankind. Yet, here we are, witnessing Mother and Son, as guests at a wedding party, celebrating the joyous occasion. Jesus’ hour has not yet come.

wedding at cana

The wedding party has run out of wine, and Mary, feeling a sense of compassion for the young couple, prompts Her Son, Jesus, to do something. She does this knowing full well that it will fulfill a part of the Epiphany promise that Christ’s Divine Nature would have to be revealed to mankind, in essence,  this action would begin His walk towards Calvary. Knowing all of this, Mary does it anyway, embracing the Cross that would surely follow. Unlike Jesus Who is Divine, Mary is purely human. In body, and in Nature. She is just like one of us…except that She was Immaculately Conceived, but She is still a Mother…a mother who suffers and feels pain, and she is doing what God wants of her…leading her Son, the New Adam, on His path to redeem what our first parents had lost in the garden of Eden. It must have filled Her heart with sorrow and pain…knowing….what lie ahead, but still humbly obeying the Will of God. Let us pray:

Dear Lord, You prepared the Blessed Mother for Her role in the salvation of man, by keeping her spotless from the moment of her conception. Even though we are marked by the stain of sin,  Help us, as we seek to follow her example of humility, so that we may imitate Her love and obedience and place our Trust in You Oh Lord. We ask this through  Jesus Christ. Amen.

 

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Speaking the Truth of Christ – Saint Hilary of Poitiers

Posted on January 15, 2018 by mikatsa6

Saint Hilary of Poitiers

“They didn’t know who they were.” These are the timeless and priceless words of Saint Hilary who was describing the vast number of people who had fallen under the heretical belief that Jesus was not divine. This was known as the Arian heresy of the fourth century, and it threatened the very existence of Christ’s Church … which by the way, was the Catholic Church…Sadly, these very words can be applied to many Catholics today… many Christians today, who have lost their sense of what is Truth… who have lost their sense right and wrong… who have lost their sense of moral absolutes.

It seems the more things change the more they stay the same…the year was 315 and  Hilary Poitiers was born into a pagan family. He was educated in the Greek and Latin classics and was raised without any significant Christian influence. Like many others of his time, he poured over the classics and then studied the Bible…merely as an opportunity to expand his knowledge. It was through the Bible that the goodness of God and His graces…poured into Hilary and soon he was led on a journey towards the Truth. His conversion had begun, and soon he abandoned his pagan ways and was baptized into the Faith. It wasn’t until he read Sacred Scripture that he realized that    Christianity was in fact, compatible with philosophy and the sciences. From that realization, his life would never be the same… He would become a priest and then go on to be named Bishop, courageously defending the Truth, even when he was greatly outnumbered… even by those who were supposed to be working for the same cause! At one point, so many bishops were confused by the Arian heresy, that they had Hilary exiled to distant lands. But the people there loved Hilary and learned much from the brilliant teacher of Theology, and he never gave up… and did everything within his power defending the Truth…not only with his preaching and talks but with his writings as well. He ultimately succeeded, and years after he died, he was declared a saint as well as a Doctor of the Church.

We should ask ourselves, “What does God want from us?” How many times have we sat listening  to the very same Word of God and not even batted an eye? Or flinched… or moved an inch?? Remember, these are the very same Words that have converted thousands... hundreds of thousands of men, often convincing them to leave their worldly possessions  behind to follow Christ. We have to ask ourselves, What then, are we doing wrong that we cannot be moved into action? Do we merely proclaim that we are ‘Christian’, without honestly believing it…I mean…be- living it?

The world today is riddled with heretical thoughts… and ideas. There are so many “Christian” congregations that waste so much time spewing hatred against the True Church of Christ than on His actual  teachings… And these thoughts are not just springing from ‘Protestant’ communities which have already rejected some of  Christ’s teachings and broken away from the Mother Church, No, some of these heretical thoughts actually have their roots from within the Catholic Church. It is quite blasphemous, really. Sects who go around proclaiming ‘the gospel’ all the while slandering the very institution that Our Lord created. Does anyone even recognize the Truth anymore? Much like the days of St. Hilary, some proclaimed ‘church leaders’ are deceiving man, and leading them with lies. Sadly, many are so corrupt in their hearts that they don’t understand the  damage they are doing…

But, like I said before, this is nothing new, the devil has hated God from the moment he refused to honor Him in heaven…and it has been a downward tumble ever since. If we don’t keep our hearts and minds pure… and focused on what is True, all kinds of deceit and manipulations can creep into our souls, affecting the very way we worship and pray. A favorite motto of St. Hilary’s was:

Ministros veritatis decet vera proferre, “Servants of the truth ought speak the truth.”

Let that one sink in...As Christians, we are called to be bearers of such Truth. If as Christians we continue to look the other way… continue to let it be someone else’s problem… everything will fall apart. This is our battle…this is our ‘fight.’There is a popular quote from Edmund Burke that states: “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men should do nothing.” I believe that he was speaking more of political evils of his time, but it applies to what is happening now, as well. Most Christians have become so comfortable with letting someone else do all the work. We are lazy…and like the easy wide road…even if we know where it leads…. Heck, many ‘Christian’ communities teach that once saved always saved. .. There is no accountability for their actions or their in-actions, all the while they go on living their lives in sin, pretending that their salvation is a given…this simply is not true! Our salvation is from God…won for us by Jesus Christ, but it means that we have to unite ourselves to Him…we have to empty ourselves …completely…and allow Him to fill our very souls, otherwise we will never get to heaven. And this my friends…is a daily struggle…it is not a ‘one and done!’

We must speak the Truth not only with charity but clarity as well. In all matters… particular those matters which concern the salvation of souls. This involves those heresies that are spreading throughout the Church. We must refuse to allow lies to be spread…we must delve into the history of our wonderful Holy Mother Church and seek not only inspiration, but intercession as well, from the great number of men and women who now rank among the saints in Heaven. These were the ones who were able to live their life in a way that was pleasing to the Lord. We must learn to read the Sacred Scriptures like a saint…allowing it to move us…change us…fill us with the very Word of God and convert our soul for the work of the Lord and the salvation of the world.

Let us pray.

Father, there are heresies that continue to plague the Church today. Many of the same ones that show up throughout the different ages. Unfortunately the heresy of Arianism continues to rear its ugly head  in different forms today.  Grant us the grace that we may be as courageous and bold in our defense against such false teachings as Saint Hilary, and never grow weary of pursuing and defending truth.  We ask this in the powerful name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

 

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Ask Yourself, Are You of God or of the Devil?

Posted on January 11, 2018 by mikatsa6

 1st John 3: 7-10

Children, let no one deceive you.
The person who acts in righteousness is righteous,
just as he is righteous.
Whoever sins belongs to the Devil,
because the Devil has sinned from the beginning.
Indeed, the Son of God was revealed to destroy the works of the Devil.
No one who is begotten by God commits sin,
because God’s seed remains in him;
he cannot sin because he is begotten by God.
In this way,
the children of God and the children of the Devil are made plain;
no one who fails to act in righteousness belongs to God,
nor anyone who does not love his brother.

We’ve all been there before…You see a friend or a family member doing something that is detrimental to the salvation of their soul, and wanting to help them out…you offer advice… just trying to steer them in the right direction. Of course, instead of the person being thankful that you are concerned about their eternal welfare….(which they never are)... they usually look at you like you’re the devil and say…”Well, just who the he** do you think you are?“… Their attitude leaves most of us standing there with our mouths hanging open, deflated…allowing our egos… our feelings… to get the better of us, we turn away,  muttering, “To he** with them… I was just trying to help”… There is no charity in what we have done. And when we respond like that.. without charity…without love… we’ve fallen into the same trappings of the devil and we both lose…and no one gains anything…

If we are really trying to help...if we are really trying to save them from an eternity of hell and fire and unimaginable pain… First, we have to remember that we must do all things for Christ with a charitable heart…this means we have to pray, if just to adjust our own attitudes …but the praying doesn’t end there, we will have to pray more throughout the whole conversation. Often there is pain and hurt mixed in with the anger… we will be treading on delicate ground. We will not be able to do it on our own accord. We  are going to have to work, and we must be willing to sacrifice… and suffer.

Secondly, we have to remember that this is not about us… or our feelings, it is about the Truth. Because if we allow ourselves to  lose our head in the heat of battle… we could lose it all. It’s that simple. It is going to be a hard road to navigate when we are dealing with people who are so immersed in their sin, that they can’t see the black from the white…the Truth from the lie…so much so, that anything we might say or do is going to invoke anger… guaranteed. The devil will make sure of it. And there will be slander and maliciousness and evil words that will make you wish that you had just kept your mouth shut. Make you wish that you had just looked the other way. But as Christians…as Faithful Catholics we have to ask ourselves...or rather…we have to ask God, what does He want from us? And if we are worth our salt, we already know…He wants the Truth...because He is the Truth that we are to proclaim … everywhere…all the time..  Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen, said:

“Moral principles do not depend on a majority vote, Wrong is wrong, even if everybody is wrong. Right is right, even if nobody is right.”

I was looking at social media the other day, where a young woman has just posted pictures and the announcement of her engagement to another woman. A woman who has small children. And even though it is not my life…not my daughter… it made me sad. It was like a punch in the gut…and it broke my heart…really... I was up most of the night praying for all involved.  One of the saddest parts of this whole thing though, is that everybody was hitting the ‘Like’ button…everyone was like ‘This is so cool…you look so happy...’ blah blah blah..lie…lie…lie….lie…

The devil is a quiet manipulator, he uses our sins against our children. Did you know that? If a couple has a history of abuse or abortion or use of birth control…demons…real demons, can and will attach themselves to our children. And if a young person suffers abuse at the hands of another.. .demons are there as well. They attach themselves to the disorder… almost feeding off of it…if you will. Therefore, these demons will attach themselves to the victim, just as much as to the one who commits the crime. We have to pray. We have to develop a militant life of prayer. The reality of hell is not a joke. We have to repent of our sins. Most people will think this is crazy and think I’m nuts, all the while accepting that this abomination against the Lord is good and wonderful….

Homosexuality along with transgenderism, or rather, gender dysphoria; were classified as  mental disorders up until the 1970’s. In the Church if a person suffered from same sex attraction or gender confusion…it was viewed as a cross that they were to bear… while still trying to live a chaste and holy life. It wasn’t viewed as a normal way of life rift with rainbows and smiley faces… It was viewed as what it was and still is… a cross that must but carried but not flaunted. It wasn’t until recent years that the science of it all has been turned on it’s head, and the world wants to invent new definitions of gender… But science is a reality and human biology hasn’t changed. In fact, did you know that the human body is made up of over 37 trillion cells…and each of these cells identify us as either male or female. Man or woman. Our gender is not an organ… our gender is our whole body…it is in our DNA.

“So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. And God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it; and have dominion over the fish of the sea and  over the birds of the air and over every living thing that moves upon the earth.” –                  Genesis 1:26-28

Angels and demons on the other hand do not have gender. And whereas angels relish in this…demons…well  they are demons, and they hate this. They want to destroy gender. That is why they attach themselves to our disorders… and try to disrupt the natural order of things. Like the devil…they seek to cause unease and despair….they seek to destroy what is good and holy. That is a large part of the homosexual revolution in the world. I know many people will not like this…many people will say I am promoting hate. But I am not. I feel like I have to help spread the Truth. There is darkness all around. Many men have lost their souls and can not even see the evil that they are spreading. And it is evil. As we read in the Bible from the 1st letter of John…’Whoever sins belongs to the Devil‘. If someone is misguided or has been hurt, they need our prayers. We must remember, that most of the time these are the very ones who are being deceived… We need to pray for them to be able to see the Truth of God and His creation… But woe to those who spread the lies and manipulate others … Those who are twisting the Truth… or causing abuse…or just those who encourage young children to accept the workings of the devil by exposing them to a lifestyle that is so seeped in sin….and lies.

“If anyone causes one of these little ones–those who believe in me–to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.”-Matthew 18:6

As we enter into this battle, trying to fend off the advancement of this new ‘homosexual revolution’ we have to understand…it is nothing new… it is sin and it is as old as the devil. But God…well, He is older… and He’s got our backs. It will difficult…we have to really buckle up on our prayer life…We will have to make sacrifices and offer them up for conversion… We will have to hold firm to what is True and right … and just maybe with the good graces of God… and a fair dose of His mercy… we will be able to help someone decide that in fact they want to be of God and not of the devil. Dear Lord, have mercy on us and give us the strength we need to do your will in all things, especially those which are the most difficult . Amen.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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The Baptism of the Lord – January 8th

Posted on January 9, 2018 by mikatsa6

baptism of the Lord

With the Feast of Epiphany behind us, the Church guides us along our journey of the Liturgical year, following along  the life of Christ, taking us immediately into the celebration of His Baptism. In our minds it is easy to make the progression of His birth to His baptism, but we must remember that Christ was 30 years old when He stepped into the Jordan River and was baptized by a reluctant Saint John the Baptist, who felt he was not even worthy to unstrap the sandals from Christ’s feet.

Though Christ was born free of Original Sin, He submitted to baptism so as to set an example for the rest of us. Christ also did it so that He could institute the Sacrament of baptism…With the voice of God from above, and the Spirit descending upon Him… Christ’s flesh actually blessed the waters…and made them Holy… conferring the power of True Baptism and  instituting the sacrament for the rest of us.  Christ’s baptism was another Epiphany for man…it revealed to mankind His divinity…It was a moment of  Divine manifestation. As we remember Christ’s baptism, the role of Saint John the Baptist should not go underplayed…for it was John’s baptism that moved men to an attitude of repentance and prepared them for the confession of their sins.

The Sacrament of Baptism is necessary for our salvation. We need it to become the adopted sons and daughters of God. It frees us from the darkness of original sin and incorporates us into God’s family. In the Sacrament of Baptism the entire Trinity intervenes once again on behalf of mankind. The baptism of Christ reveals to us the spiritual elements which also take place in our souls as we are baptized.

When Christ was baptized the Holy Spirit descended upon Him, much like our own baptism, when the Holy Spirit descends upon us and rests in our soul. When Christ was baptized, God’s voice could be heard proclaiming that Jesus was His ‘Beloved Son.’ At our own baptism, it is not so much the booming of God’s voice that we hear…but still... we become the adopted children of God… we become His family!  And finally at the baptism of Christ , the heavens were opened…just as in our own baptism…the heavens are once again opened to us…as we have been washed from the stain of original sin, and now able to enter the kingdom of heaven… as long as we continue to seek out God’s mercy and live in His grace…but at least it is opened to us…baptism gives us a hope for the eternal.

Finally, Saint John the Baptist served as a herald of the One Who was to follow. In humility and obedience to the promptings of God in his soul, he was much like an arrow that points the path…He led his life with his eyes and heart focused only on the Lord.  He lived his life as an example for the rest of mankind to follow…When asked if he was the Christ he replied… “I am not the Christ; I am the one who has been sent to go in front of him.” He also shows us that in order to grow in Christ we must lessen ourselves. “He must grow greater, I must grow less.”(John 3, 26-31).

On coming up out of the water he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit, like a dove, descending upon him.  And a voice came from the heavens, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”  Mark 10-11

 

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Feast of the Epiphany – January 6th, 2018

Posted on January 7, 2018 by mikatsa6
Magi

We three Kings of Orient are, bearing gifts we traverse afar, field and fountain, moor and mountain, following yonder star.

Today in the calendar of the Traditional Catholic Church, January 6th is observed as the Feast of the Epiphany…however in the Novus Ordo, or the New Order, since Vatican II, it has been switched to Sunday,  but regardless of its date on the Liturgical calendar, it is the feast which renews the joy we just experienced at Christmastime in the Nativity of Our Lord…it is a second Christmas of sorts… further revealing to us, the birth of Christ in a whole New Light…

wise-men.jpg

O star of wonder, star of night, star of royal beauty bright: westward leading, still proceeding, guide us to the Perfect Light.

At Christmas, we found a few shepherds who were called by Angels to recognize that Jesus was indeed the Word made Flesh, but in the Epiphany we celebrate the fact that the very voice of God called out to the whole world…a world darkened by sin…With the Light of the Star…the Divine Light of God, that served as a revelation to the world of Christ’s birth… It was His voice shining through the star, offering them a beacon of hope in the darkness of night, which prompted the wise men to seek Him, to seek out the manifestation of God Himself … and adore Him in the Infant Jesus…Whom they found lying in a manger.

In the history of God…or rather, in the history of Jesus and the manifestations of His divinity to the world, January 6th is an important date. According to a long list of theological writer’s including Pope Benedict XIV, there are three distinct manifestations of God’s glory that occur on the date of January 6th, starting with the Adoration of the Magi on the Feast of the Epiphany. It was also January 6th when Jesus was baptized by St. John, in the River Jordan. And finally, it was on January 6th when Mary prompted Jesus to perform the Miracle at Cana…the changing of  water into wine…which signified the start of His public ministry. Of course, in the Church’s Liturgical calendar, the Feast of the Epiphany is the one that is celebrated because with it, it brings the fulfillment of the promise of Advent.

epiphany.jpg

Born a King on Bethlehem’s plain,
gold I bring to crown him again,
King for ever, ceasing never
Over us all to reign.

The three magi represent “the first-fruits of the gentiles,” they were the first to recognize the Light of God, in a world which had long been swallowed by the darkness of sin. The three Kings symbolize all men. And even though there is no Scriptural references, we have Tradition … which also points out that the three wise men represent the different ages of man. They signify that God has invited all to worship Him as the One True God… God loves all men, regardless of their differences…regardless of their age… regardless of their languages, or their culture. The Wise Men show us, that regardless of who men are… that all who listen to His call…. will be loved by Him… equally.

As we finish up this season of Christmas, let this ‘second Christmas’ remind us of our recent joy at the birth of Our Lord and Savior! As we contemplate Christ, Who is with us today in the Eucharist, still calling each of us to Him…everyday…. Let us pray that we may imitate the Wise men who heard the quite stirring of God’s call in their hearts…and responded, whether they understood what it meant or not, they followed it, traveling miles across distant lands.. unsure of what they would find.

The world we are living in is once again being consumed by the darkness of evil, and   the Truth is often distorted and profaned. Yet, God still calls us. Stirring our souls. Shining His Light to guide us through a world of darkness. As faithful Catholics… faithful Christians…we have to pray that we will be like the Magi and follow Christ’s Light  even though we may not always know what to expect… We need to pray that we will be like them …. able to discern God’s calling in our soul. As the Church militant upon this earth, we are only called to follow Christ’s Light…but also, to be that same Light to the world today. We will need courage. We need to live our lives so that we can serve as a reminder to this godless world…that God is still here…that Christ is still with us...and during this Feast of the Epiphany, we should strive to share this message of Christ’s Love with the world, and more importantly…that through Christ, the world has received her salvation.

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January 5th, 2018 First Friday of the Month – First Friday of the Year

Posted on January 5, 2018 by mikatsa6

As we prepare to celebrate the Feast of the Epiphany…we have an opportunity to really make some changes…to make some resolutions that will transform our lives. Today is First Friday…a day traditionally devoted to honoring the Sacred Heart of Jesus with a special Mass and an hour of adoration and prayers. So as we begin this new year of 2018, instead of only focusing on our physical selves…let us also work on our spiritual selves… and remember there is no better  place to start than at the Heart and center of it all…and to spend an hour of our day…an hour of this first ‘First Friday’ of 2018  paying honor and praying to Heart of the One Who made it all possible…the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

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January – Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus

Posted on January 3, 2018 by mikatsa6

wise-men-star-gift-1024x576

Even though the Octave of Christmas has come to and end and we have entered into this 9th day of Christmas, we must remember that it does not matter what the rest of the world thinks… It is still Christmas until the 6th of January…the Feast of the Epiphany! There is no shame in keeping the tree up or keeping the outdoor decorations aglow! It is true that the secular world has already moved on, but we can’t expect them not to because after all, they really don’t celebrate the Christ of Christmas…anyway…

circumcision of Christ.jpg

 

In the Traditional Latin Rite, the Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus was celebrated on or near the 3rd of January since it is right about that time that Jesus was circumcised and named, but now, the whole month of January is dedicated to honoring the Holy name of Jesus.

St. Alphonsus de Liguori wrote a beautiful discourse about the Holy Name of Jesus, which I have copied sections of it below….Merry Christmas…. and enjoy….

THE MOST HOLY NAME OF JESUS         

By St. Alphonsus de Liguori

“His Name was called Jesus.” This great Name of Jesus was not given by man, but by God Himself: ‘The Name of Jesus, says St. Bernard, was first preordained by God. It was a new Name: “A new Name, which the mouth of the Lord shall name.” A new Name, which God alone could give to Him whom He destined for the Saviour of the world. A new and an eternal Name; because, as our salvation was decreed from all eternity, so from all eternity was this Name given to the Redeemer. Nevertheless this Name was only bestowed on Jesus Christ in this world on the day of His circumcision: “And after eight days were accomplished that the Child should be circumcised, His Name was called Jesus.” The Eternal Father wished at that time to reward the humility of His Son by giving Him so honorable a Name. Yes, while Jesus humbles Himself, submitting in His circumcision to be branded with the mark of a sinner, it is just that His Father should honor Him by giving Him a Name that exceeds the dignity and sublimity of any other Name: “God hath given Him a Name which is above all names.”

And He commands that this Name should be adored by the angels, by men, and by devils: “That in the Name of Jesus every knee should bow of those that are in heaven, on earth, and under the earth.”  If, then, all creatures are to adore this great Name, still more ought we sinners to adore it, since it was in our behalf that this Name of Jesus, which signifies Savior, was given to Him; and for this end also He came down from heaven, namely, to save sinners: “For us men and for our salvation.” He came down from heaven, and was made man. We ought to adore Him, and at the same time to thank God who has given Him this Name for our good; for it is this Name that consoles us, defends us, and makes us burn with love.

The Name of Jesus is not a Name of light only, but it is meat also. Dost thou ever call it to mind, and remain unstrengthened? Is there anything like it to enrich the soul of him that thinketh of it? What is there like it to restore the fagged senses, to fortify strength, to give birth to good lives and pure affections? The soul is fed on husks if that whereon it feedeth lack seasoning with this salt. If thou writest, thou hast no meaning for me if I read not of Jesus there. If thou preach, or dispute, thou hast no meaning for me if I hear not of Jesus there. The mention of Jesus is honey in the mouth, music in the ear, and gladness in the heart. It is our healing too. Is any sorrowful among us? Let the thought of Jesus come into his heart, and spring to his mouth. Behold, when the day of that Name beginneth to break, every cloud will flee away, and there will be a great calm. Doth any fall into sin? Doth any draw nigh to an hopeless death? And if he but call on the life-giving Name of Jesus, will he not draw the breath of a new life again?

Holy name of Jesus

Holy Name Devotions

The simplest form of devotion to the Most Holy Name of JESUS is the devout, loving recitation of that Name above all names.  Each time you whisper His precious Name … “Jesus” … let it be a loving invocation to your Divine Savior and Lord.  You can even make it part of a short prayer, like “Jesus, I love You!“, “Praise You, Jesus“, and of course, Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me! (a form of the Jesus Prayer).

Praise to the Holy Name of JESUS

O Glorious Name of Jesus,

gracious Name,

Name of love and of power!

Through You, sins are forgiven,

enemies are vanquished,

the sick are freed from illness,

the suffering are made strong and cheerful.

You bring honor to believers, instructions to preachers,

strength to those who toil,

and sustenance tot he weary.

Our love for You is ardent and glowing,

through You are prayers are heard.

The souls of those who contemplate You

are filled to overflowing;

and all blessed in Heaven

are filled with Your Glory.

Grant that we too may reign with them

through this Your Most Holy Name. Amen.

Baby Jesus Holy name

 

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8th Day of Christmas – Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Posted on January 1, 2018 by mikatsa6

Solemnity-Of-Mary-Mother-Of-God-Photo

On this eight day of Christmas, my True Love gave to me….the Mother of God, in the Blessed Virgin Mary…

As we round out this last day of the Octave of Christmas, we have the liturgical Feast of the Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, which celebrates the divine, virginal Motherhood of  the Blessed Virgin. It is the highest title ever given to the Blessed Mother, it is  Theotokos…which means God-bearer or, Mother of God. It is the oldest feast of Mary which is celebrated by the Catholic Church. Just as Christmas honors Jesus…for He truly is the Prince of Peace.…honoring Mary in the Solemnity of Mary…honors Her as the Queen of Peace.

Through the power of the Holy Spirit, God the Father chose and  prepared Mary to be the dwelling place of His Son…Even though She was prepared…she did not fully understand everything that the angel revealed to her….She could have said no…Yet, it was through the Blessed Virgin’s yes…Her fiat…that Christ’s birth was made possible. With her words: “Be it done unto me according to Thy Word“… Mary sanctioned God’s plan of man salvation.

Mary and Jesus

 

Mary, the lowly handmaid of the Lord, gave God, the Father of the universe, a human form…a human body that could suffer and die and save us from the fires of hell. We honor the Blessed Mother on this Solemnity, because it was She, who with her heart full of grace…her heart full of ‘yes’…that gave us…bore, our Lord and Savior in the virgin birth. Even though the Blessed Mother did not fully understand all that involved Jesus including His conception and His birth …She did not let her lack of understanding deter her from her Faith… or Her obedience to the Lord.

The true importance of Mary’s motherhood is not fully revealed until Jesus is hanging…dying, on the Cross. It did not matter that His power to work miracles did not come from Her…what mattered was that Her motherhood gave Jesus His body…so that He could become man…like us in all things but sin, and suffer for all mankind… saving us from our sins.

A part of her importance was revealed,  when Jesus was dying on the Cross, and turning to His Mother and said “Woman, behold your son,” and then turning to His disciple John, he said “Behold your Mother.” It shows that Jesus intended for His Mother, to have a new role…one of a maternal nature over His disciples.  And by entrusting His Mother to John, He was in fact, entrusting Her to all men, whose Mother she becomes in the work of salvation. It was from the Cross that Jesus established Mary’s role as Mother to all mankind.

So on this eighth day of Christmas, the Solemnity of the Blessed Mary, let us pray for the Blessed Mother’s intercession, so that like Her, we will be willing to give Him our yes…in all things…especially in those things we cannot understand…those things that require from us…our humility…our obedience and our Faith.

Mary and Baby Jesus

Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us.

 

 

 

 

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7th Day of Christmas – Feast of the Holy Family December 31st

Posted on December 31, 2017 by mikatsa6

HolyFamilybyGutierrez.jpg

Dear Lord, bless our family. Be so kind as to give us the unity, peace, and mutual love that You found in Your own family in the little town of Nazareth.

    Saint Joseph, bless the head of our family. Obtain for him the strength, the wisdom, and the prudence he needs to support and direct those under his care.

    Mother Mary, bless the mother of our family. Help her to be pure and kind, gentle and self-sacrificing. For the more she resembles you, the better will our family be.

    Lord Jesus, bless the children of our family. Help them to be obedient and devoted to their parents. Make them more and more like You. Let them grow, as You did, in wisdom and age and grace before God and man.

    Holy Family of Nazareth, make our family and home more and more like Yours, until we are all one family, happy and at peace in our true home with You. Amen.

holy-fam.png

Jesus, Mary and Joseph, like you, we are members of the Father’s family. We pray that our family love may reflect his love on its openness to all people. May we forgive even when not forgiven, and be patient with others’ weaknesses.

Jesus, give us peace, unit and strength to meet the difficulties of daily living. May we use our family resources to improve the quality of life for ourselves and all people. Let us show joy in serving, for whatever we do for others, we do for you.

Mary, inspire us, that our love may be strong but not possessive. Let our willingness to give depend on the needs of others rather than on the cost of giving.

Joseph, help us to be attentive to the Father’s will. Let us be ready, as you were, to act whenever he calls us. Amen.

 

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6th Day of Christmas – December 30th

Posted on December 31, 2017 by mikatsa6

six geese alaying.jpg

 

“On the sixth day of Christmas my True Love gave to me….six geese a laying, five golden rings…. four calling birds, three French hens, two turtle doves and a Partridge in a pear tree…”

 

 

As we round out the first week of this the Christmas season, we are fast approaching the final days of this year…fast approaching the first day of the coming New Gregorian Year. And even though we haven’t accumulated the great number of gifts that we have been singing  about in the “Twelve Days of Christmas“… We do have a great and loving Father Whose generosity will not be outdone! Just this week alone we have have had much to rejoice about and be glad…starting with Nativity and the birth of Christ…God has started this season with the Best…yet he still keeps on giving…And this weekend as we ring in the New common Year we will also be celebrating the Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary..but it doesn’t end there!

According to the “Enchiridion Indulgentiarum,” (4th edition) we have an opportunity to gain two Plenary Indulgences in the next two days…December 31st and January 1st. The “Enchiridion Indulgetiarum,” is a beautiful little book that lists all of the indulgences that can be gained by Faithful Catholics in good standing. And according to the list, not only has God been generous with us this past week, but His generosity continues on…

With just a little bit of effort…just a few moments of your time, you might even gain an indulgence for yourself and for a deceased loved one. It is not difficult and would easily be fulfilled this weekend while attending Mass. God has already done most of the work anyway…it is only because of His goodness and graces that this wonderful gift is even possible. We just must remember that if we carry out our duties and bear the difficulties of life… raising our hearts and our minds to the Lord in humble trust, He will not abandon our petitions.
Plenary Indulgences Available Dec. 31st – Jan. 1st:
1. A plenary indulgence is granted to the Christian faithful who, in a church or in an          oratory, take part in a recitation or solemn chant of the Te Deum, on the eve of December 31st, in thanksgiving to God for the favors received in the course of the entire past year.

2. A plenary indulgence is granted to the Christian faithful who, in a church or oratory, take part in the recitation or solemn chant of the hymn Veni Creator, on the first day of the year, imploring divine assistance for the whole of the coming year.

In addition to the chants, one must also:  a.) Say one ‘Our Father’ and one ‘Hail Mary’ for the Pope’s intentions. b.) Worthily receive Holy Communion c.) Make a sacramental confession within 20 days of New Year’s Day. d.)  Must be free from all attachment to sin, even venial sin (or the indulgence is partial, not plenary).

Te Deum

Latin text Translation from the Book of Common Prayer

Te Deum laudámus: te Dominum confitémur.
Te ætérnum Patrem omnis terra venerátur.
Tibi omnes Angeli; tibi cæli et univérsae potestátes.
Tibi Chérubim et Séraphim incessábili voce proclámant:
Sanctus, Sanctus, Sanctus, Dóminus Deus Sábaoth.
Pleni sunt cæli et terra majestátis glóriæ tuæ.
Te gloriósus Apostolórum chorus;
Te Prophetárum laudábilis númerus;
Te Mártyrum candidátus laudat exércitus.
Te per orbem terrárum sancta confitétur Ecclésia:
Patrem imménsæ majestátis;
Venerándum tuum verum et únicum Fílium;
Sanctum quoque Paráclitum Spíritum.
Tu Rex glóriæ, Christe.
Tu Patris sempitérnus es Fílius.
Tu ad liberándum susceptúrus hóminem, non horruísti Vírginis úterum.
Tu, devícto mortis acúleo,
aperuísti credéntibus regna cælórum.
Tu ad déxteram Dei sedes, in glória Patris.
Judex créderis esse ventúrus.
Te ergo quǽsumus, tuis fámulis súbveni,
quos pretióso sánguine redemísti.
Ætérna fac cum sanctis tuis in glória numerári.

[added later, mainly from Psalm verses:]
Salvum fac pópulum tuum, Dómine, et bénedic hæreditáti tuæ.
Et rege eos, et extólle illos usque in ætérnum.
Per síngulos dies benedícimus te.
Et laudámus nomen tuum in sǽculum, et in sǽculum sǽculi.
Dignáre, Dómine, die isto sine peccáto nos custodíre.
Miserére nostri, Dómine, miserére nostri.
Fiat misericórdia tua, Dómine, super nos, quemádmodum sperávimus in te.
In te, Dómine, sperávi: non confúndar in ætérnum.

We praise thee, O God : we acknowledge thee to be the Lord.
All the earth doth worship thee : the Father everlasting.
To thee all Angels cry aloud : the Heavens, and all the Powers therein.
To thee Cherubim and Seraphim : continually do cry,
Holy, Holy, Holy : Lord God of Hosts;
Heaven and earth are full of the Majesty : of thy glory.
The glorious company of the Apostles : praise thee.
The goodly fellowship of the Prophets : praise thee.
The noble army of Martyrs : praise thee.
The holy Church throughout all the world : doth acknowledge thee;
The Father : of an infinite Majesty;
Thine honourable, true : and only Son;
Also the Holy Ghost : the Comforter.
Thou art the King of Glory : O Christ.
Thou art the everlasting Son : of the Father.
When thou tookest upon thee to deliver man : thou didst not abhor the Virgin’s womb.
When thou hadst overcome the sharpness of death :
thou didst open the Kingdom of Heaven to all believers.
Thou sittest at the right hand of God : in the glory of the Father.
We believe that thou shalt come : to be our Judge.
We therefore pray thee, help thy servants :
whom thou hast redeemed with thy precious blood.
Make them to be numbered with thy Saints : in glory everlasting.

[added later, mainly from Psalm verses:]
O Lord, save thy people : and bless thine heritage.
Govern them : and lift them up for ever.
Day by day : we magnify thee;
And we worship thy Name : ever world without end.
Vouchsafe, O Lord : to keep us this day without sin.
O Lord, have mercy upon us : have mercy upon us.
O Lord, let thy mercy lighten upon us : as our trust is in thee.
O Lord, in thee have I trusted : let me never be confounded.

Veni Creator

Latin text
English version
Veni Creator Spiritus,
mentes tuorum visita,
imple superna gratia,
quae tu creasti, pectora.
Come, Holy Ghost, Creator, come
from thy bright heav’nly throne;
come, take possession of our souls,
and make them all thine own.
Qui diceris Paraclitus,
donum Dei altissimi,
fons vivus, ignis, caritas,
et spiritalis unctio.
Thou who art called the Paraclete,
best gift of God above,
the living spring, the living fire,
sweet unction and true love.
Tu septiformis munere,
dextrae Dei tu digitus
tu rite promissum Patris,
sermone ditans guttura.
Thou who art sevenfold in thy grace,
finger of God’s right hand;
his promise, teaching little ones
to speak and understand.
Accende lumen sensibus,
infunde amorem cordibus,
infirma nostri corporis
virtute firmans perpeti.
O guide our minds with thy blest light,
with love our hearts inflame;
and with thy strength, which ne’er decays,
confirm our mortal frame.
Hostem repellas longius
pacemque dones protinus;
ductore sic te praevio
vitemus omne noxium.
Far from us drive our deadly foe;
true peace unto us bring;
and through all perils lead us safe
beneath thy sacred wing.
Per te sciamus da Patrem
noscamus atque Filium,
te utriusque Spiritum
credamus omni tempore.
Through thee may we the Father know,
through thee th’eternal Son,
and thee the Spirit of them both,
thrice-blessed three in One.
(In some instances, the Minor Doxology follows)
Deo Patri sit gloria,
et Filio qui a mortuis
Surrexit, ac Paraclito,
in saeculorum saecula.
All glory to the Father be,
With his coequal Son;
The same to thee, great Paraclete,
While endless ages run.
Amen.
Amen.

 

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