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NIC’s Corner
Find your delight in the LORD
who will give you your heart’s desire.
(Psalm 37:4)
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o villa fleur will captivate guests transcending them into an eclectic atmosphere of rich prints and bold textures, striking visuals and lush florals. set under romantic lighting, guests will settle into parlor-style seating designed to ignite the senses while enjoying chef-driven fare and elixirs and a state-of-the-art projection show designed exclusively for villa fleur. this rare journey is available for a limited time from March 14 – May 11.
· Bucket List trip: Retreat in the Himalayan Foothills
· Spirit Hour: National Ranch Water Day
· 30 Days with St. Joseph Day 23
· Try “National Poutine Day”
· Get an indulgence
“Little by little, one goes far”
Highly Sensitive Person: 5 Things That Are Draining Your Energy Without You Realizing[10]
If you identify as a highly sensitive person (HSP), you’ll likely be familiar with a general feeling of overwhelm and emotional exhaustion.
Are you feeling overwhelmed, exhausted, and overloaded all at the same time?
Us too. Here are the five things in your life that might be draining your energy without you even realizing.
You’re saying ‘yes’ too often
It sounds obvious being too available is a quick way to drain anyone, but especially HSPs. Yes, it’s tempting to agree to every brunch plan, birthday party and family day, but it’s essential to make sure you have enough time to recoup between. The same goes for agreeing to emotional labour, too.
As Boyer urges: “Check your boundaries, my friend!” If you don’t have the capacity to be there for a friend, be honest and tell them so. A good friend will understand and respect your limits.
You’re always multitasking
As productive as it may feel, research actually suggests that multitasking takes a serious toll on output. Our brains lack the ability to perform multiple tasks at the same time, so in moments where we think we’re multitasking, we’re likely just switching quickly from task to task.
For HSPs, this can be particularly taxing on their already fraught nervous system. Instead, Boyer advises batching similar tasks together as often as you can. “You’ll be amazed at how much more you get done this way,” she says.
“Because, more often than not, it’s the minutiae of life that slowly wears us down”
You’re procrastinating on annoying to-dos
Clearing out your wardrobe, filing paperwork and stocking up your cupboards are never anyone’s favourite chores, but having small tasks sit on your to-do list week after week takes up valuable mental space and unconsciously drains your energy. Actually, the best way to tackle it is by just doing the task. It might feel like a slog at first, but she promises you’ll feel much better for it.
You have a messy, cluttered space
“As an HSP, you’re taking in everything in your environment,” explains Boyer. So it’s important to set yourself up for success with a calming, mess-free area, no matter the size of your home. “ Tidying up, changing a paint color, or reorganizing a space can do wonders for your energy,” she adds.
You’re too available and accessible
Once again, the key here is setting boundaries. “When we’re always accessible, we take ourselves out of the flow, give away our energy, and de-prioritise ourselves,” stresses Boyer. It can be hard, but checking yourself when you feel like you’re acting on your people pleasing tendencies or allowing others to trauma dump on you can be a vital first step in protecting yourself.
Fun things to do in Arizona.
Beware of others’ butts when in the water!
· Coachella--April 11-13 & 18-20--Get your music fill at the annual Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival. The annual 2-weekend, 3-day fest kicks off in Indio, CA, with more than 150 performances.
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13 years ago, we lost a beautiful soul, my mother. Before her diagnosis I had never heard of pancreatic cancer, over the next 6 months I would come to understand and hate this disease. My mom fought for 6 months, bravely and graciously. When she was diagnosed the 5 year survival rate was 5%, today it has increased to 12% through awareness and research. I’ve been witness to the great work PanCan has done over the years. Please consider donating and joining my team in memory of my mom, Diane Havermale.
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Introduction to Sirach
The Wisdom of Ben Sira derives its title from the author, “Yeshua [Jesus], son of Eleazar, son of Sira” (50:27). This seems to be the earliest title of the book. The designation “Liber Ecclesiasticus,” meaning “Church Book,” appended to some Greek and Latin manuscripts, is perhaps due to the extensive use the church made of this book in presenting` moral teaching to catechumens and to the faithful. The title “Sirach” comes from the Greek form of the author’s name. The author, a sage who lived in Jerusalem, was thoroughly imbued with love for the wisdom tradition, and also for the law, priesthood, Temple, and divine worship. As a wise and experienced observer of life he addressed himself to his contemporaries with the motive of helping them to maintain religious faith and integrity through study of the books sacred to the Jewish tradition. The book contains numerous well-crafted maxims, grouped by affinity, and dealing with a variety of subjects such as the individual, the family, and the community in their relations with one another and with God. It treats of friendship, education, poverty and wealth, laws, religious worship, and many other matters that reflect the religious and social customs of the time. Written in Hebrew in the early years of the second century B.C., the book was finished by ca. 175. The text was translated into Greek by the author’s grandson after 117 B.C. He also wrote a foreword which contains valuable information about the book, its author, and himself as translator. Until the close of the nineteenth century the Wisdom of Ben Sira was known to Christians in translations, of which the Greek rendering was the most important. From it the Latin version was made. Between 1896 and 1900, again in 1931, and several times since 1956, incomplete manuscripts were discovered, so that more than two thirds of the book in Hebrew is available; these Hebrew texts agree substantially with the Greek. One such text, from Masada, is pre-Christian in date. The New American Bible provides a critical translation based on the evidence of all the ancient texts. Though not included in the Jewish Bible after the first century A.D., nor, therefore, accepted by Protestants, the Wisdom of Ben Sira has been recognized by the Catholic Church as inspired and canonical. The Foreword, though not properly part of the book, is always included with it because of its antiquity and importance. The contents of the Wisdom of Ben Sira are of a discursive nature, not easily divided into separate parts. Chapters 1–43 deal largely with moral instruction; 44:1–50:24 contain a eulogy of the heroes of Israel. There are two appendixes in which the author expresses his gratitude to God (51:1–12), and invites the unschooled to acquire true wisdom (51:13–30).
APRIL 11 Feast of the Seven Dolor’s of the Blessed Virgin
Mary
ST. STANISLAUS
Sirach, Chapter 1, Verse 11-21
11 The FEAR of the Lord is glory and exultation, gladness and a festive crown. 12 The fear of the Lord rejoices the heart, giving gladness, joy, and long life. 13 Those who fear the Lord will be happy at the end, even on the day of death they will be blessed. 14 The beginning of wisdom is to fear the Lord; she is created with the faithful in the womb. 15 With the godly she was created from of old, and with their descendants she will keep faith. 16 The fullness of wisdom is to fear the Lord; she inebriates them with her fruits. 17 Their entire house she fills with choice foods, their granaries with her produce. 18 The crown of wisdom is the fear of the Lord, flowering with peace and perfect health. 19 Knowledge and full understanding she rains down; she heightens the glory of those who possess her. 20 The root of wisdom is to fear the Lord; her branches are long life. 21 The fear of the Lord drives away sins; where it abides it turns back all anger.
For today’s reflection let us replace the word fear with trust; for does He not ask us in the revelation of the Divine Mercy to trust.
·
Trust
of the Lord is glory.
·
Trust
of the Lord gives joy.
·
Trust
of the Lord gives blessedness upon death.
·
Trust
of the Lord gives wisdom.
·
Trust
of the Lord gives peace and perfect health.
· Trust of the Lord turns back anger and drives away sin.
397 Man, tempted by the devil, let his trust in his Creator die in his heart and, abusing his freedom, disobeyed God's command. This is what man's first sin consisted of. All subsequent sin would be disobedience toward God and lack of trust in his goodness.
2797 Simple and faithful trust, humble and joyous assurance are the proper dispositions for one who prays the Our Father.
2828
"Give us":
The trust of children who look to their Father for everything is beautiful.
"He makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the
just and on the unjust." He gives to all the living "their food in
due season." Jesus teaches us this petition, because it glorifies our
Father by acknowledging how good he is, beyond all goodness.
Feast of
the Seven Dolor’s of the Blessed Virgin Mary
(FRIDAY
IN PASSION WEEK.)
THE part which the Blessed Virgin took in the sufferings and death
of her beloved Son has induced the Church to give her the glorious title of
Queen of Martyrs. The feast of the Seven Dolors was first instituted by the
Council of Cologne, in the year 1423, in order to make amends for what the
Hussites had done against the veneration of the Blessed Virgin, whom they, like
all heretics, had assailed with many calumnies and insults; in particular,
rejecting the image of the Mother of Dolors with the body of her dead Son
resting upon her lap.
This feast was originally called the feast of the Compassion of
the Blessed Virgin.
At the presentation of Jesus in the temple Simeon had predicted
that the suffering of the Son would be the suffering of the Mother also: Behold
this child is set for the fall and for the resurrection of many in Israel, and
for a sign which shall be contradicted; and thy own soul a sword shall pierce
(Luke ii. 34, 35). The ignominy, insults, and cruelties inflicted on Him were
to be so many swords piercing her heart. Remember, therefore, on this day the
seven dolors which the Blessed Virgin experienced:
1. At the circumcision of her Son.
2. At her flight into Egypt with Him.
3. On losing Him for three days in the temple.
4. At the sight of Him carrying the cross.
5. At His death.
6. When beholding His side pierced with a spear, and His body
taken down from the cross.
7. At His burial. Make an act of contrition for your sins, which
helped so much to cause the sufferings and death of Jesus, and resolve firmly
that you will no more grieve the hearts of Jesus and Mary by sin. Ask her to
assist you at your death by her powerful intercession, that then she may show
herself to you as a mother, and obtain from her beloved Son grace for you.
The Introit of the Mass is as follows: “There stood by the cross
of Jesus His Mother, and His Mother s sister, Mary of Cleophas, and Mary
Magdalen” (John xix.). “Woman, behold thy son,” said Jesus, and to the
disciple: “Behold thy mother.” Glory be to the Father…
Prayer. O Lord, in Whose passion, according to the prophecy of Simeon, a
sword of sorrow pierced the most sweet soul of Mary, mother and virgin, grant,
in Thy mercy, that we may call to mind with veneration her transfixion and
sufferings; and by the glorious merits and prayers of all the saints, who stood
faithfully by the cross, interceding for us, may experience the happy effects
of Thy passion. Amen.
EPISTLE. Judith xiii. 23-25.
The Lord hath blessed thee by His power, because by thee He hath
brought our enemies to naught. And Ozias, the prince of the people of Israel,
said to her, Blessed art thou, O daughter, by the Lord the most high God, above
all women upon the earth. Blessed be the Lord Who made heaven and earth, Who hath
directed thee to the cutting off the head of the prince of our enemies. Because
He hath so magnified thy name this day, that thy praise shall not depart out of
the mouth of men who shall be mindful of the power of the Lord forever, for
that thou hast not spared thy life, by reason of the distress and tribulation
of thy people, but hast prevented our ruin in the presence of our God.
GOSPEL. John xix.
25-27.
At that time: There stood by the cross of Jesus His Mother, and
His Mother s sister, Mary of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalen. When Jesus therefore
had seen His Mother and the disciple standing whom He loved, He saith to His
Mother: Woman, behold thy son. After that, He saith to the disciple: Behold thy
mother. And from that hour the disciple took her to his own.
Friday of Sorrows[1]
A
special commemoration, one week before Good Friday, of Mary's compassion for
(literally, "suffering with") Her innocent son.
The Friday of Sorrows is
a solemn pious remembrance of the sorrowful Blessed Virgin Mary on the Friday
before Palm Sunday held in the fifth week of Lent (formerly called
"Passion Week"). In Divine
Worship: The Missal
it is called Saint Mary in Passiontide and sometimes it is traditionally
known as Our Lady in Passiontide.
In certain Catholic
countries, especially in Mexico, Guatemala, Italy, Peru, Brazil, Spain, Malta,
Nicaragua and the Philippines, it is seen as the beginning of the Holy Week celebrations and termed as Viernes
de Dolores (Friday of Sorrows). It takes place exactly one week before Good
Friday, and concentrates on the emotional pain that the Passion of Jesus Christ
caused to his mother, the Blessed Virgin Mary, who is venerated under the title
Our
Lady of Sorrows. In
certain Spanish-speaking countries, the day is also referred to as Council
Friday, because of the choice of John
11:47-54 as the
Gospel passage read in the Tridentine Mass on that day (which is now read in
slightly expanded form on Saturday of the fifth week of Lent), which recounts
the conciliar meeting of the Sanhedrin priests to discuss what to do with
Jesus. Like all Fridays in Lent, this Friday is a day of abstinence from meat,
unless the national episcopal conference has indicated alternative forms of
penance. A similar commemoration in sympathy with the Virgin Mary under the
title of Our
Lady of Solitude
is held on Black
Saturday.
Prayers for the Dead[2]
Relationships never end and neither should our prayers for the dead. In addition to PRAYERS, we should also offer up Masses for them and offer indulgences for their benefit. The dead cannot pray for themselves but they can pray for us and we in turn should pray for them.
Fasting
and Mortification[3]
Modern
man and the media often portray persons that fast as deranged, passé or even
ignorant. However, fasting and bodily discipline are truly the marks of a man
or woman of mature intellect which has mastery over not only the mind but also
the body and spirit. St. Paul put it in stronger terms, “put to death therefore
what is earthly in you (Col. 3:5).” Jesus has also said, “If any man would come
after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” Christ
knew we become attached to created things and to the pleasure they bring us.
St. Augustine said that sin begins as a turning away from God and a turning
toward lesser goods. When we sin, we don’t choose evil. We choose something
less than God and His will. Our bodies want more than they need, so we must
give them less than they want. Our bodies must be subject to our reason—or our
reason will soon be subjected to our bodies. St. Paul went even further. “I
pommel my body and subdue it” (1 Cor. 9:27). Nevertheless, our goal should be
to let our reason/soul cooperate with the Holy Spirit.
Chassidic philosophy[4] demonstrates three ways in which
the body and soul can interact:
Ø
The
soul can try and mitigate the urges of the body. Things that look good, taste
good and feel good are stimulating and addictive. Most of us live life with our
body in the driver’s seat. The soul just can’t compete. And so, the soul tries
to negotiate reasonably, and encourages moderation.
Ø
Or,
the soul can choose to reject the body and abhor anything associated with
materialism. The soul-driven person would then rebel against society’s shallow
and false veneers. Simplicity and ascetism become the ultimate goals of the
soul.
Ø
The
third scenario is not a compromise between the first two. It is an entirely new
approach, where the body and soul learn to work together. The soul neither
leans towards the body nor rejects it. It
does not react; it pro-acts. In a proactive position, the soul directs and
channels the body’s inclination in a constructive way. In this last approach,
instead of repressing the body’s needs, the soul views them as an opportunity
to serve God in a whole new way.
Ø
Using
the third approach we should fast with a purpose like Moses or Elijah for
example before going into God’s presence or to strengthen us or for the benefit
of others. Jesus fasted not because He needed to, but as a model for us. We
should make self-sacrifices in an effort to make others happy or out of love
for our God to share in his plan of salvation.
Lenten Calendar[5]
Read: “Wherefore, we ask, urgently and prayerfully, that we, as people of God,
make of the entire Lenten Season a period of special penitential observance.
Following the instructions of the Holy See, we declare that the obligation both
too fast and to abstain from meat, an obligation observed under a stricter
formality by our fathers in the faith, still binds on Ash Wednesday and Good
Friday. No Catholic Christian will lightly excuse himself from so hallowed an
obligation on the Wednesday which solemnly opens the Lenten season and, on that
Friday, called ‘Good’ because on that day Christ suffered in the flesh and died for our sins.
. .. Gratefully remembering this, Catholic peoples from time immemorial have
set apart Friday for special penitential observance by which they gladly suffer
with Christ that they may one day be glorified with Him. This is the heart of
the tradition of abstinence from meat on Friday where that tradition has been
observed in the holy Catholic Church.”
(1966
USCCB Pastoral Statement on Penance and Abstinence, no. 12 and no. 18)
Reflect: "If you have fasted two or three
days, do not think of yourself better than others who do not fast. You fast and
are angry; another eats and wears a smiling face."
—St. Jerome, Letters, 22.37
Pray: Pray that abstinence from some of your
favorite things this Lenten season will help bring you closer to God long after
the season is over.
Act: Take note of the meatless meals you have enjoyed this Lent. Add your favorites to your family’s regular meal rotation once Lent is over.
· Indulgence: Visit to Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament duing the solemn exposition on Holy Thursday and Good Friday
St. Stanislaus[6]
I shall
content myself with relating the history of St. Stanislaus, Bishop of Cracow,
Poland, who restored to life a man who had been dead for three years, attended
by such singular circumstances, and in so public a manner, that the thing is
beyond the severest criticism.... This incident was known by countless persons
and by all the court of King Boleslaus II (reigned 1058-1080) St. Stanislaus,
bought from a man named Piotr [Peter] an estate situated on the banks of the
Vistula in the territory of Lublin for the use of his church at Cracow. The
Prelate gave the full price of it to the seller. This was done in the presence
of witnesses, and with the solemnities required in that country, but without
written deeds, for written accounts of transactions of this kind were seldom
made in Poland at that time. They contented themselves with having witnesses.
Stanislaus took possession of this estate, and his church enjoyed it peaceably
for about three years. In the interim, Piotr, who had sold it, happened to die.
The King of Poland, Boleslaus, had conceived an implacable hatred against the
holy Bishop because he had frequently reproved him for his excesses. Therefore,
seeking to cause him trouble, the King excited the three sons of Piotr, his
heirs, against their father and told them to claim the estate which their
father had sold, on the pretense that it had not been paid for. He promised to
support their demand, and to cause the estate to be restored to them. Thus,
these three men had the Bishop cited to appear before the King, who was then at
Solec, occupied in rendering justice under some tents in the country, according
to the ancient custom of the land, in the general assembly of the nation. The
Bishop was cited before the King and maintained that he had bought and paid for
the estate in question. The day was beginning to close, and the Bishop ran
great risk of being condemned by the King and his counselors. Suddenly, as if
inspired by the Holy Spirit, the Bishop promised the King to bring before him
in three days Piotr, the deceased man who had sold it to him. The condition was
accepted mockingly, as a thing impossible to be executed. The holy Bishop
retired to his Church a distance away, where
he prayed and fasted with his household for three days. On the third day,
he went in his pontifical robes, accompanied by his clergy and a multitude of
people, ordered the gravestone to be raised, and made them dig until they found
the corpse of the defunct, all fleshless and corrupted. Then St. Stanislaus commanded
him to come forth and bear witness to the truth before the King's tribunal. The
Bishop touched the bones with his crosier, and they filled out with flesh. The
dead Piotr rose; they covered him with a cloak. The Saint took him by the hand
and led him alive to the feet of the King. No one had the boldness to
interrogate him. But Piotr himself spoke out freely and declared that he had in
good faith sold the estate to the Prelate and that he had received the value of
it. After stating this, he severely reprimanded his sons, who had so
maliciously accused the holy Bishop. Stanislaus asked Piotr if he wished to
remain alive to do penance. Piotr thanked him and said he would not expose
himself anew to the danger of sinning. Stanislaus re-conducted him to his tomb,
where he again fell asleep in the Lord. It may be supposed that such a scene
had numerous witnesses, and that all Poland was quickly informed of it. The
King was only the more irritated against the Saint. Sometime after [on May 8,
1079], he killed the Bishop with his own hands as he was coming from the altar
in Wawel Castle outside the walls of Cracow. He then ordered that the Prelate’s
body be hacked into 72 pieces so that they might never be collected together to
be paid the honor due to them as the body of a martyr for the truth and for
pastoral liberty. St. Stanislaus was canonized in 1253 by Pope Innocent IV. He
is the patron of Poland and of the city and Diocese of Cracow and is invoked in
battle.
Things to Do:[7]
·
Sometimes evil has to be confronted boldly,
whatever the consequences. Brave men like St. Stanislaus of Cracow risked death
in facing evil. There is little chance today that we will ever be in that
danger, but we must always be willing to defend the truth, and it should be
very clear, in the face of genuine evil, where we stand. Christ our Lord can
expect no less from us. Say an extra prayer today for the gift of fortitude.
·
Learn a little more about the city of Kracow where both St.
Stanislaus and Pope John Paul II came from.
·
For those who are extremely interested in
knowing more about Polish history this online book, Polish
Americans and Their Communities of Cleveland may prove to be a good
source of information.
·
The final work of Franz Liszt is the unfinished
oratorio St. Stanislaus, for which he left two scenes (one and four) and two
polonaises. Learn more about this oratorio here
and if you are able find a copy and listen.
Catechism
of the Catholic Church
Day
299 2287
Respect for health
2288 Life and
physical health are precious gifts entrusted to us by God.
We must take reasonable care of them, taking into account the needs of others
and the common good.
Concern for the health of its citizens requires that society help in the
attainment of living-conditions that allow them to grow and reach maturity:
food and clothing, housing, health care, basic education, employment, and
social assistance.
2289 If
morality requires respect for the life of the body, it does not make it an
absolute value.
It rejects a neo-pagan notion that tends to promote the cult of the body, to
sacrifice everything for it's sake, to idolize physical perfection and success
at sports.
By its selective preference of the strong over the weak, such a conception can
lead to the perversion of human relationships.
2290 The
virtue of temperance disposes us to avoid every kind of excess: the abuse of
food, alcohol, tobacco, or medicine. Those incur grave guilt who, by
drunkenness or a love of speed, endanger their own and others' safety on the
road, at sea, or in the air.
2291 The use
of drugs inflicts very grave damage on human health and life. Their use, except
on strictly therapeutic grounds, is a grave offense. Clandestine production of
and trafficking in drugs are scandalous practices. They constitute direct
co-operation in evil, since they encourage people to practices gravely contrary
to the moral law.
Fitness Friday-Start the
Universal Man Plan
Recognizing that God the Father created man on Friday the 6th day I propose in this blog to have an entry that shares on how to recreate and renew yourself in strength, mind, soul and heart.
The
Radiant Person[8]
The Four
Dimensions of Life
Beyond the laws of radiant
health are some broader principles that include the whole person. Human beings
are made up of more than just a body. The World Health Organization defines
health as "a state of complete physical, mental, and social wellbeing, and
not merely the absence of disease or infirmity." This definition is
incomplete as it leaves out one significant aspect of life and health—the
spiritual. This understanding is illustrated clearly in Luke 2:52 which tells
us that, "Jesus increased in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and
man." A rough paraphrase would state that Jesus grew mentally, physically,
spiritually and socially.
Health for the
whole person
We cannot be totally well
unless every part of us is healthy. In fact the mental, social, and spiritual
factors may be even more involved in causing or fighting many diseases than are
the physical factors. Many of the laws that we listed as governing physical
health apply equally well to the other facets of life.
1. Nutrition-It is
necessary to eat to live, not only physically, but also in the other three
dimensions.
Mentally:
If new information and ideas are not fed into the mind on a regular basis the
intellect ceases to grow and develop, becoming weak and stunted. Don't dwell on
the trivial, degrading, or useless; these things can be considered mental junk
food. I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love;
for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble ... my loving God. PSALM
59:16
Socially:
If love, respect, and companionship are not a regular part of your life, your
social capabilities become weak and dwarfed.
Spiritually:
Christians nourish themselves spiritually through Bible study, prayer,
fellowship, and service to others.
2. Exercise—Activity is a
law of life that is often phrased this way, "Use it or lose it."
Mentally:
Intellect, memory, wisdom, attitude, and willpower need to be exercised.
Socially:
Love, tact, the social graces, communication, and core values grow when they
are practiced.
Spiritually:
The exercise of faith, prayer, love, and perseverance are essential for
spiritual strength and growth.
3. Rest—We need to relax
and regenerate after activity.
Mentally:
The mind needs to rest after periods of intense mental activity in order to
recuperate. In addition, a good night's sleep gives the mind a chance to
reorganize and start afresh.
Socially:
A time away in privacy and solitude is necessary after periods of heavy social
interaction.
Spiritually:
After intense periods of ministry Christ's servants need to "Come apart
and rest awhile" by spending time with Him. Time with Christ is spiritual
rejuvenation. (See Mark 6:30,31).
4. Temperance—The basic
definition of this law of life and health is to avoid that which is harmful and
practice moderation in that which is healthful.
First, do no harm.
Mentally:
Don't do anything that would destroy or pollute your mental faculties.
Socially:
Don't acquire harmful habits or friends, or engage in socially destructive
behaviors like gossip, criticism, breaking civil laws, or engaging in risky,
degrading, sexual behaviors.
Spiritually:
Don't destroy your spiritual sensibilities by dwelling on spiritually
destructive emotions such as hatred, anger, or revenge. Avoid putting yourself
under Satan's power through occult practices or the rejection of the Spirit of
God.
Second, practice
moderation and balance in things that are good. This involves more than just a
balance between such things as activity and rest, logic and emotion, solitude
and the multitude. It also consists of keeping a healthy balance between the
four dimensions (mentally, physically spiritually and socially). When one of
these areas of life becomes all-encompassing or is neglected, the result is an
unbalanced and unhealthy individual.
Finally, part of being in
balance is knowing what is most valuable and important. There will be times
when you will have to choose between what is best for one element at the
expense of the others. A young person might have to choose between a career in sports
or science. You might have time to get either physical exercise or spiritual
nourishment but not both. You make choices based on what you value most. Why
not make your spiritual dimension the top priority, and base each decision on
how it will affect your spiritual life and health? It would be a terrible waste
to make physical health your highest priority only to miss out completely on
eternal life and the associated radiant health Christ promises. "But seek
ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall
be added unto you." (Matt. 6:33).
5. Water, fresh air, and
sunshine—These are all useful for cleanliness, which is a principle that
applies equally to all segments of life.
Spiritually:
We need to open our hearts daily to the sunshine of God's love, let the pure
air of the Spirit flow into our lives, and be washed in the cleansing blood of
Jesus, accepting His forgiveness.
Mentally:
Likewise, when the mind is polluted and degraded there is help in the
principle, "By beholding we become changed?" But ultimately, only by
accepting Christ's offer to create in us a new life can the mind be completely
cleansed.
Socially:
As Christ changes the life and the person sincerely repents, confesses,
apologizes, and makes amends, others will realize that this is a new and clean
person.
Christ knows and loves
each of us as if there was no one else. He longs for us to accept His offer of
salvation. He desires to cleanse us, and make us whole, so that we might
achieve the happiness and abundant life for which we were created.
The Inseparable
Four Dimensions
The four dimensions of
life are inseparable and so interrelated that what affects one part of us
affects every other part as well.
Physically:
Poor physical health can cloud the mind, depress the attitudes, and make it
more difficult to keep spiritually healthy. Conversely, good health can clear
the mind and improve the mental outlook, promoting enriched spiritual strength
and health.
Mentally:
Willpower, attitude, and intellect have a decided influence on how we live our
lives and apply or reject the various laws of health.
Socially:
Both the attitudes that permeate our homes, and the relationships we form, have
the power to affect our health
Spiritually:
The exercise of faith, love, hope, prayer, perseverance, and dedication to God
will bring peace of mind, character growth, and increased physical health.
The study and practice of
these extended health principles will make a difference in the usefulness and
quality of life. Each of these laws with which we cooperate brings a benefit,
but when we cooperate with all of them the rewards are multiplied!
PRAYERS AND TEACHINGS OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH
How
to prepare for a Sick Call[9]
When a
person is homebound, bedridden, or suffering from a severe ailment, Catholics
are taught to call the priest. Decades ago the sacrament reserved for the very
ill or dying was known as Extreme Unction (last anointing) or more commonly “Last Rites.”
Today we know it as the Anointing of the Sick, and it is not given exclusively
to those who are on their deathbed. It is one of the seven sacraments and
invokes God’s divine aid for those suffering in a physical way.
In days when
people more often died at home, there developed the custom of having a “sick call” crucifix on hand for
emergency visits by a priest. This type of crucifix was hung on the wall of a person’s
home (usually above the bed). The crucifix contained a hidden compartment,
revealed by sliding the face of the cross downward. Within the compartment were
two candles, a small bottle of holy water and sometimes a white cloth.
The purpose
of the sick-call crucifix — they are still made today — is to facilitate the
ritual connected to the Anointing of the Sick, making the bedside a sacred
space for the sacrament. Interestingly, it used to be a popular wedding present, meant to be hung over the bed of
a married couple, ready to be of used
when a spouse was in need of an anointing. It reminded the couple of their commitment to be true to each other “in
sickness and in health.”
Here is
brief instruction on how to prepare for a home visit by a priest to celebrate
the Anointing of the Sick.
This can
often be a nightstand or a collapsable table that is small and easy to move.
The table will be there to hold all of the various elements of the ritual.
It is
appropriate to place a white cloth over the table, similar to the white cloth
covers the altar at Mass. If the sick person is near death, or has requested to
receive Holy Communion as part of the Anointing, the priest will bring a small
container called a pyx with a consecrated Eucharistic host in it. The priest
will place the pyx on the table and so the white cloth adds greater reverence
and respect to the King of Kings who is truly present in the host. (This is
also the case when an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion brings the
Eucharist to a person who is hospitalized or homebound.)
A sick-call
crucifix is constructed so that, when opened, the face of the crucifix can be
set upright in a slot in the base. This creates a focal point of the sacrament,
encouraging the sick person to unite their sufferings with Christ on the cross.
The crucifix
will also have two slots, one on either side. This is where the candles are to
be placed and lit when the priest arrives. Again, this is to mimic the altar at
Mass, reminding all present that Christ is truly present in the Eucharistic
host that the priest brings with him.
The holy
water bottle can be placed on the table as well, though often the priest will
bring his own with him. This is used to bless the sick person. After the priest
administers the anointing with the Oil of the Sick (which he will bring, from
the parish’s store of oils consecrated at the Chrism Mass each year, in a
container called a stock), he will need a white cloth or cotton ball to wipe
his fingers. (Sock sick-call crucifixes include these items, or the priest may
bring his own.) Another variation of the sick-call set has a small bell to be
set on the table for use after confession, signaling that family members may
return to the room.
The
sick-call crucifix is a beautiful tradition, one that adds a greater solemnity
for the occasion, reminding all in the room of God’s presence among them.
Daily Devotions
·
Unite in the work of the Porters of St. Joseph by joining them
in fasting: Today's Fast: End
Sex Trafficking, Slavery
·
Litany of the Most Precious
Blood of Jesus
·
Offering to
the sacred heart of Jesus
·
Make
reparations to the Holy Face
[2] Hahn, Scott, Signs of Life; 40
Catholic Customs and their biblical roots. Chap. 40. Prayers for the Dead.
[3] Hahn, Scott, Signs of Life; 40
Catholic Customs and their biblical roots. Chap. 27. Fasting and Mortification.
[7]https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/day.cfm?date=2019-04-11
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