This blog is based on references in the Bible to fear. God wills that we “BE NOT AFRAID”. Vincit qui se vincit" is a Latin phrase meaning "He conquers who conquers himself." Many theologians state that the eighth deadly sin is fear. It is fear and its natural animal reaction to fight or flight that is the root cause of our failings to create a Kingdom of God on earth. This blog is dedicated to Mary the Mother of God. "
·Today in honor of the Holy Trinity do the Divine Office giving your day to God. To honor God REST: no shopping after 6 pm Saturday till Monday. Don’t forget the internet.
·How to celebrate Dec 29th
oIt’s time for a day filled with productivity, music, flavorful dishes, and time management. Begin by creating a to-do list for” Still Need To Do Day.” Prioritize tasks, set achievable goals, and reward yourself along the way. Incorporate the soothing sounds of a cello to add elegance and inspiration to your day. Play classical music in the background or even try your hand at playing a few notes yourself.
oFor lunch, celebrate” National Pepper Pot Day” by cooking a warm and spicy pepper pot soup. Use basic ingredients like broth, meat, vegetables, and of course, peppers to create a hearty meal.
oAs the day winds down, embrace the importance of time with” Tick Tock Day.” Reflect on how you’ve spent your hours, organize your space, and plan for tomorrow. Remember, it’s not about the quantity of time but the quality of how you use it. End the day feeling accomplished, nourished, and mindful of the moments that make up your life.
🕯️ Bucket List Trip [3]– Part 10: USA 70-Degree Year Journey
Dates: December 29, 2025 – January 5, 2026 Theme: Caribbean Light – New Year Pilgrimage Route: San Juan → Old San Juan → El Yunque Rainforest → Caguas → Ponce Style: Island pilgrimage, New Year reflection, Eucharistic hospitality Climate Alignment: Daily highs 79–81°F
💰 Estimated Cost Overview
Category
Estimated Cost
Lodging (7 nights)
$720 (civilian mid‑range) OR ~$490 (military lodging at Fort Buchanan)
✨ This leg gives you New Year’s Eve in San Juan, Marian devotion on Jan 1, rainforest renewal, and Epiphany light—all within the 70‑degree rhythm.
December 29
Monday in the Octave of Christmas
St. Thomas
Becket-Pepper Pot Day
Genesis, Chapter 21, Verse 14-18
Early the next morning Abraham got some
bread and a skin of water and gave them to Hagar. Then, placing the child on
her back, he sent her away. As she roamed aimlessly
in the wilderness of Beer-sheba,the water in the skin was used up. So she put the
child down under one of the bushes,and then went and sat down opposite him,
about a bowshot away; for she said to herself, “I cannot watch the child die.”
As she sat opposite him, she wept aloud.God heard the boy’s voice, and God’s angel called to Hagar from heaven:
“What is the matter, Hagar? Do not FEAR; God has heard the boy’s voice
in this plight of his.Get up, lift up the boy and hold him by
the hand; for I will make of him a great nation.”
Hagar was the
servant of Sarah. Hagar was also the mother of Abraham’s firstborn illegitimate
son Ishmael. The situation here was horrendous, due to Sarah’s practical
nature; she gave her slave to Abraham to raise as a son to give his
inheritance, too. According to Islamic sources it was Ishmael that Abraham
tried to offer as a sacrifice to God at the Dome of the rock in Jerusalem. A
war ensued between the mother of Ishmael and the mother of Isaac. Now that
Sarah had her own son--Hagar and her son was a threat to Sarah and Sarah wanted
her and her son dead. Fear is the
root of the evil between Sarah and Hagar. Sarah and Hagar feared the loss of life and property for their son’s; and
unfortunately this in-house squabble continues today with the descendants of
Abraham (The Jews and the Arabs). Here we see God sends his angel to pronounce
to Hagar, dying of thirst and having to watch her son die of thirst, to not be afraid. Legend has it that the angel
produced life giving water for Hagar and Ishmael and the courage to continue.
Blood feuds are the worst and are usually caused by fear which leads to puffed up pride and envy. Pride and envy are a
slow poison to avoid. Today would be a good day to reflect if we have given in
to this type of poison.
Copilot’s Take
Hagar’s moment in the wilderness is not the
story of a child dying but of a mother who has already surrendered to fear,
convinced that loss is inevitable until God interrupts her despair and reveals
that Ishmael’s life and future are secure. That same fear-driven imagination —
the belief that something precious must be taken from us — fuels every human
feud, from Sarah’s anxiety over inheritance to the political collision between
Henry II and Thomas Becket, where fear of losing authority or integrity hardened
into rivalry and violence. Scripture shows that God steps in before tragedy
becomes destiny, preserving Ishmael, lifting Hagar, and even transforming
Becket’s martyrdom into a king’s repentance. The pattern is clear: fear writes
false endings, pride defends them, and God keeps breaking the cycle.
St. Thomas Becket
St. Thomas Becket, the Archbishop of Canterbury, suffered
martyrdom by the king's men in 1170 on this day. There is an excellent
movie about his life “Becket” if you have time to watch tonight which stars
Richard Burton and Peter O'Toole. Becket was a man of strength.
·Some
wonderful literature is based on this saint. Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey
Chaucer (1342 - 1400) follows a group of 30 pilgrims traveling to the
Canterbury Cathedral, the pilgrimage spot of St. Thomas Becket. T. S. Eliot
wrote a play called Murder in the Cathedral based on St. Thomas' murder.
·Today
would be a good time to gather with family and friends enjoy some Christmas
goodies and spend an evening singing Christmas carols.
oThe saints who are
assigned immediately following Christmas are honored because of their special
connection with Christ. December 29, the Feast of Saint Thomas Becket,
Archbishop of Canterbury, who was martyred in his cathedral by the soldiers of
Henry II in 1170, is the true anniversary date of his death. Because of the
great shock and sensation that this martyrdom caused at a time when all of
Europe was Catholic, the Roman authorities, in the thirteenth century, deemed
it appropriate to assign the celebration of his feast within the privileged
days of Christmas week, thus adding him to the group of "Christ's
nobility."
oIn the Middle
Ages, Christmas week also assumed the note of a hallowed time within the homes
of the faithful. Many observances of a religious character were introduced
locally and spread over large sections of the Christian population of Europe.
For the farmers and their animals, it was a time of rest and relaxation from
laborious work; only the necessary chores were done in a stable and barn. Thus,
the whole week became a series of holidays. More time than usual was spent on
prayer and religious exercises. It is still the custom in many sections of
Europe to light the candles of the Christmas tree every night while the whole
family says the rosary or performs some other devotion, followed by the singing
of carols.
oCarol singing from
house to house is an ancient tradition in central Europe on the twelve nights
between Christmas and Epiphany. The Poles call these nights the "Holy
Evenings" (Stoiete Wieczory). Another widespread practice is the
performance of religious plays portraying events of the Christmas story (such
as the Nativity, the visit of the Magi, the flight into Egypt, and the massacre
of Bethlehem). In southern Germany and Austria many such plays are still
performed in rural communities. Among the northern Slavs (Poles, Ukrainians,
Czechs, Slovaks) a puppet theater (szopka) is in vogue; its religious
scenes alternate with secular dramatic exhibits. In the cities of Poland
children put on Christmas dramas (jaselka). A similar performance (Bethlehemes
jatek) is done by children in Hungary; a representation of the manger is
carried from house to house, little dramatic plays are enacted, and carols
sung.
Read about St.
Thomas Becket,
once a royal chancellor of England. He was slain in his own cathedral for
defending the Church from interference by King Henry II.
Reflect: Christ's kingdom
is already present, but it is not yet fulfilled. The destruction of the last
enemy, death, is still to come, and then, says St. Paul, God will "be all
in all." This is why we pray "Thy kingdom come." When we pray "Thy
kingdom come," we are praying for a kingdom of truth, life, holiness,
grace, justice, love, and peace. Yet, let us also remember that for the sake of
this kingdom many of our sisters and brothers are suffering persecution.
Pray:
Becket
gave up his life for the sake of justice. Pray today for the many Christians
who still face persecution and death because of their faith.
Fifth Day in the Octave of Christmas - Day
Five[3]
Given the
tempo of the liturgical season with its feasts it is easy to overlook that one
saint who for many centuries was, after Mary and Joseph, the most venerated
person in European Christendom.
Devotion
to him spread like wildfire. He was enshrined in the hearts of men, and in
their arts. In statues and stained glass, in song and story this good bishop
was everywhere to be found France, Italy, Spain, Sweden. Many miracles were
attributed to his heavenly advocacy. — Excerpted from Days of the Lord
Today is the 5th day of Christmas the Five Golden
Rings representing the five books of the "Pentateuch" [Genesis,
Exodus, Numbers, Leviticus, and Deuteronomy].
Pepper
Pot, a thick and spicy soup that is an American staple dish, especially in the
southern regions of the United States. What is Pepper Pot? Well, it’s a soup
that contains twelve different ingredients. Now that we know the ingredients
for the Pepper Pot, let us look into the history of the day named for it,
Pepper Pot Day, shall we? In the modern world of today, Pepper Pot Soup has
many, many variations to it. But the soup’s true origins began on December 29th
of 1777 during the Revolutionary War, the Continental Army had been
experiencing an exceptionally harsh winter during the battle of Valley Forge.
The soldiers were low on food because the farmers in the area had gone and sold
all their supplies to the British Army for cash rather than the weak currency
that the Continental soldiers could offer them for their crops. Christopher
Ludwick, a baker general of the Continental Army, gathered whatever food he
could scrounge together to feed the cold and frail soldiers. The chef was able
to find scraps of tripe, meat, and some peppercorn. He then mixed the
ingredients together with some other seasonings and created the hot, thick, and
spicy soup we now know as pepper pot soup. It quickly became known as “the
soup that won the war.” The soup gave the soldiers the warmth and
strength that they needed to push the enemies back through the harsh winter
weather.
How to celebrate Pepper Pot Day
To
celebrate this holiday, all we have to do is gather the necessary ingredients
to make our own Pepper Pot Soup and share it amongst our friends and family.
Pepper Pot soup is a great way to warm up on a cold and dark winter’s night,
huddled around the fireplace and listening to stories narrated by family
members who always have interesting stories to be told to everyone they can
tell them to. Want to make your own? The ingredients are four cups of water,
four tablespoons of chicken bouillon powder, two medium grated potatoes, two
medium sized carrots which are also grated, two finely chopped celery stalks,
one finely chopped onion, one and a half cups of finely chopped green, red, or
yellow peppers, one half cup of all-purpose flour, two teaspoons of salt, one
teaspoon of pepper, one more cup of water, and finally, six cups of milk.
Bible in a
Year Day 181 Jonah and the Whale
Today,
we hear the story of the prophet Jonah, who, unlike Amos, does not want the
people to repent. The readings are 2 Kings 15, Jonah 1-4, and Psalm 138.
A wartime musical‑comedy about resourcefulness, integrity, and unexpected vocation
Beautiful but Broke (1944) is an American musical‑comedy directed by Charles Barton and starring Joan Davis, Jane Frazee, and John Hubbard. The film follows Dottie Duncan, secretary to theatrical agent Waldo Main. When Waldo is drafted into the Marines, he hands the failing agency over to Dottie, who suddenly finds herself responsible for keeping the business alive.
With most male musicians away at war, Dottie recruits her office neighbors—Sally and Sue—and organizes an all‑girl orchestra to fulfill a big contract. But everything goes wrong at once:
The railroad gives their seats to military personnel.
Dottie misplaces her purse containing the tickets.
The group becomes stranded in a small town.
Instead of giving up, the women adapt. They work at a daycare center supporting mothers engaged in wartime labor, and they perform at charity events to boost morale. Eventually, Dottie discovers that Bill Drake, who has been arranging their local activities, had her purse the whole time—keeping the tickets so the band wouldn’t leave.
The film blends slapstick comedy, wartime patriotism, and musical numbers, offering a light but meaningful story about perseverance and purpose.
✝️ Catholic Lessons & Reflections
Even though Beautiful but Broke is a breezy wartime comedy, it carries several themes that resonate deeply with Catholic social teaching—especially around vocation, solidarity, and the dignity of work.
1. Vocation Often Emerges Through Disruption
Dottie never planned to run an agency or lead a band.
Her calling emerges only when her world is upended.
Catholic spirituality teaches that God often reveals vocation through unexpected responsibility.
Lesson: When life shifts suddenly, grace often hides inside the new duty.
2. Solidarity in Times of Hardship
The women support one another, share burdens, and adapt together.
This mirrors the Catholic principle of solidarity, especially in wartime or crisis.
Their cooperation becomes a witness to communal resilience.
Lesson: Hardship becomes holy when borne together.
3. The Dignity of Work—Even Humble Work
Stranded and broke, the women take jobs at a daycare center and perform at charity events.
Catholic teaching affirms that all honest work—especially work that serves families—is dignified.
Their labor becomes an act of service to mothers supporting the war effort.
Lesson: Work offered for the good of others becomes a form of love.
4. Integrity vs. Manipulation
Bill Drake’s decision to hide Dottie’s purse is played for comedy, but it raises a moral tension.
Catholic teaching emphasizes truthfulness and respect for others’ freedom.
Even well‑intentioned manipulation undermines trust.
Lesson: Good ends never justify deceptive means.
5. Women as Agents of Renewal
The film highlights women stepping into leadership roles during wartime.
Catholic tradition honors the unique genius of women—creativity, relational strength, and moral clarity.
The all‑girl band becomes a symbol of feminine resilience and contribution.
Lesson: Women’s gifts are essential to the flourishing of community and culture.
6. Joy as a Spiritual Weapon
The musical numbers, humor, and camaraderie are not escapism—they are morale‑building.
Catholic tradition sees joy as a fruit of the Spirit and a force against despair.
Their performances lift the spirits of a weary community.
Lesson: Joy offered to others is a form of charity.
🌿 A Closing Reflection
Beautiful but Broke is more than a wartime musical—it’s a portrait of ordinary people discovering purpose through service, creativity, and perseverance. It affirms the Catholic conviction that God works through small acts, humble work, and unexpected responsibilities.
·Today in honor of the Holy Trinity do the Divine Office giving your day to God. To honor God REST: no shopping after 6 pm Saturday till Monday. Don’t forget the internet
·Read-Theodore Dresser’s (died today 1945) writer of “Sister Carrie” a Novel about the killing of childlike innocence.
·How to celebrate Dec 28th
oStart off your day by reaching out to a friend for National Call a Friend Day. Have a chat, catch up, or make plans for later. Next, celebrate National Download Day by discovering and downloading a new app, song, or podcast. Treat yourself to some chocolate candies for National Chocolate Candy Day. Indulge in your favorite sweet treats or try something new. For National Card Playing Day, gather some friends or family and enjoy a friendly card game. Make it more interesting with some snacks and drinks. Take a break and watch a short film for National Short Film Day. Explore different genres and styles to find something that resonates with you. Reflect on the importance of friendship and togetherness on Holy Innocents Day. Show appreciation for your loved ones and the bonds you share. End the day by saying the Pledge of Allegiance for Pledge of Allegiance Day. Honor your country and take a moment to reflect on its values. Embrace this unique assortment of holidays to connect, relax, and enjoy the little things in life.
Around the World in Perfect Weather: A 52‑Week Dream Trip
❄️ Patagonia Finale • Bariloche, Argentina December 28, 2025 – January 3, 2026
Dec 28 – Flight to Bariloche (Feast of the Holy Family, Sunday) • Flight: Freeport → Miami → Buenos Aires → Bariloche ($845–$1,050 round‑trip per person, 2–3 stops) • Mass: Catedral Nuestra Señora del Nahuel Huapi – Holy Family Sunday Mass at 11:00 AM, 8:00 PM, or 9:30 PM • Lodging: Hotel Tres Reyes ($120/night) • Meals: ~$70/day (Argentine steakhouse dinner + Swiss‑style chocolate dessert) • Symbolic Act: Journal on “Holy Family in Patagonia” — reflect on family roots at the edge of the Andes
Dec 29 – Glacial Lake Horizon (Fifth Day in the Octave of Christmas)
• Visit: Nahuel Huapi Lake Tours • Mass: Daily Mass at 11:00 AM or 8:00 PM • Lodging: Hotel Tres Reyes (~$120/night) • Meals: ~$65/day (lakefront café lunch + local wine supper) • Symbolic Act: Collect a stone from the lakeshore as a symbol of endurance
Dec 30 – Alpine Chocolate Communion (Sixth Day in the Octave of Christmas) • Walk: Calle Mitre – Bariloche’s famous chocolate shops (Chocolate Guide) • Mass: Daily Mass at 11:00 AM or 8:00 PM • Lodging: Hotel Tres Reyes (~$120/night) • Meals: ~$70/day (Swiss‑style chocolate tasting + Argentine dinner) • Symbolic Act: Share chocolate with fellow travelers as a gesture of joy
Dec 31 – New Year’s Eve Benediction (Seventh Day in the Octave of Christmas) • Mass: Catedral Nuestra Señora del Nahuel Huapi – Vigil of Mary, Mother of God at 8:00 PM (Holy Day of Obligation Vigil) • Lodging: Hotel Tres Reyes (~$120/night) • Meals: ~$80/day (celebratory New Year’s Eve supper with Malbec wine) • Symbolic Act: Journal on “Patagonia’s horizon” — reflect on endings and beginnings at the year’s close
Jan 1 – Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God (New Year’s Day, Holy Day of Obligation) • Mass: Catedral Nuestra Señora del Nahuel Huapi – Solemnity Mass at 11:00 AM or 8:00 PM • Lodging: Hotel Tres Reyes (~$120/night) • Meals: ~$70/day (New Year’s brunch + lakeside supper) • Symbolic Act: Leave a written prayer in the cathedral — “Mary, guide this new year’s journey”
Jan 2 – Mountain Trek & Reflection (Octave of Christmas) • Visit: Cerro Otto – cable car ride and panoramic trek • Mass: Daily Mass at 11:00 AM or 8:00 PM • Lodging: Hotel Tres Reyes (~$120/night)
• Meals: ~$65/day (mountain café lunch + Argentine supper) • Tickets: ~$15 cable car • Symbolic Act: Journal on “Heights of mercy” — reflect on ascent as spiritual growth
Jan 3 – Farewell to Patagonia (Octave of Christmas) • Visit: Civic Center & Patagonia Museum – cultural farewell • Mass: Daily Mass at 11:00 AM or 8:00 PM • Lodging: Hotel Tres Reyes (~$120/night) • Meals: ~$65/day (farewell supper with local wine) • Tickets: ~$10 entry • Symbolic Act: Write a closing note of gratitude for the year’s pilgrimage and leave it at the museum
💰 Cost Snapshot (Dec 28 – Jan 3 Bariloche Week)
Lodging (7 nights): ~$840
Meals (7 days): ~$475–$490
Tickets/Activities: ~$40–$50
Local Transport (bus/taxi): ~$150–$180
Flight Bahamas → Bariloche: ~$845–$1,050 round‑trip per person
➡️ Total per person: ~$2,350–$2,600 for the Bariloche week
December 28
Sunday
after Christmas
Holy
Family-Holy Innocents-Four Calling Birds-Card Playing
To Joseph the gift of
dreams and visions was given but to some is giving the gift of tongues. To
which many years ago (50 to be exact February 1975) at the birth of my
first-born daughter I had gone to the Gunpowder Inn, in Bermuda, to
celebrate her birth, with a couple of Native American friends. At the time
I was in the Navy Seabees, and we worked together.
When I had got there,
all of the sudden, I got an overwhelming feeling that I needed to speak in
tongues to P. Graves and I did. I felt stupid and fearful, but I spoke to him
in languages I knew not and used sign, too. He told me I used 800-year-old
languages that only a handful of people knew. The simple message from Christ
was that he (P. Graves) who was the last living war chief of the Blackfoot
tribe was not to assume his chieftainship and to let his son become chief or
otherwise there would be much blood.
I never heard from P.
Graves again after 1974 but as far as I know; no Blackfoot, has participated in
any Wounded Knee violence.
Wounded Knee: Trouble
Continues At Pine Ridge
“The troubles at Wounded Knee were not over after the siege. A
virtual civil war broke out between the opposing Indian factions on the Pine
Ridge reservation, and a series of beatings, shootings and murders left more
than 100 Indians dead. When two FBI agents were killed in a 1975 gunfight, the
agency raided the reservation and arrested AIM leader Leonard Peltier for the
crime. The FBI crackdown coupled with AIM’s own excesses ended its influence at
Pine Ridge. In 1977, Peltier was convicted of killing the two FBI agents and
sentenced to life in prison. To this day, Peltier’s supporters continue to
maintain his innocence and seek a presidential pardon for him.”[1]
Copilot
On December 28, the Sunday after Christmas, the
Church honors the Holy Family and remembers the Holy Innocents. Matthew’s
Gospel tells of Joseph, who rose, took the child and his mother, and warned in
a dream, departed for Galilee rather than return to Judea under Archelaus. His
obedience shows that divine warnings are not given for spectacle but for the
preservation of life. The day’s symbols—four calling birds and card
playing—remind that voices of truth often arrive unexpectedly, and that
leadership is always a hand dealt with risk, discernment, and grace. In the
shadow of Wounded Knee and Pine Ridge, where violence claimed many lives, the
lesson is clear: heed the warnings, step aside from pride, and let peace
prevail.
18.
Because the Third Commandment depends upon the remembrance of God's saving
works and because Christians saw the definitive time inaugurated by Christ as a
new beginning, they made the first day after the Sabbath a festive day, for
that was the day on which the Lord rose from the dead. The Paschal Mystery of
Christ is the full revelation of the mystery of the world's origin, the climax
of the history of salvation and the anticipation of the eschatological
fulfilment of the world. What God accomplished in Creation and wrought for his
People in the Exodus has found its fullest expression in Christ's Death and
Resurrection, though its definitive fulfilment will not come until the Parousia,
when Christ returns in glory. In him, the "spiritual" meaning of the
Sabbath is fully realized, as Saint Gregory the Great declares: "For us,
the true Sabbath is the person of our Redeemer, our Lord Jesus Christ".
This is why the joy with which God, on humanity's first Sabbath, contemplates
all that was created from nothing, is now expressed in the joy with which
Christ, on Easter Sunday, appeared to his disciples, bringing the gift of peace
and the gift of the Spirit (cf. Jn 20:19-23). It was in the Paschal
Mystery that humanity, and with it the whole creation, "groaning in
birth-pangs until now" (Rom 8:22), came to know its new
"exodus" into the freedom of God's children who can cry out with
Christ, "Abba, Father!" (Rom 8:15; Gal 4:6). In the
light of this mystery, the meaning of the Old Testament precept concerning the
Lord's Day is recovered, perfected and fully revealed in the glory which shines
on the face of the Risen Christ (cf. 2 Cor 4:6). We move from the
"Sabbath" to the "first day after the Sabbath", from the
seventh day to the first day: the dies Domini becomes the dies
Christi!
Sunday
after Christmas
(Goffine’s
devout instructions 1896)
Introit of the
Mass.
WHILE all things were in quiet silence, and
the night was in the midst of her course, Thy almighty Word, O Lord, leapt down
from heaven, from Thy royal throne ' ' (Wis. xviii. 14, 15). " The Lord
has reigned; He is clothed with beauty; the Lord is clothed with strength, and
hath girded Himself" (Ps. xcii. 1).
Prayer.
Almighty and
eternal God, direct our actions so as to be pleasing to Thee, that, in the name
of Thy beloved Son, we may deserve to abound in good works. Amen.
EPISTLE. Gal. iv.
1-7.
Brethren: As long as the heir is a child,
he different nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all: but is under
tutors and governors until the time appointed by the father: so, we also, when
we were children, were serving under the elements of the world. But when the
fulness of the time was come, God sent His Son, made of a woman, made under the
law, that He might redeem them who were under the law, that we might receive
the adoption of sons. And because you are sons, God hath sent the Spirit of His
Son into your hearts, crying Abba, Father. Therefore, now he is not a servant,
but a son. And if a son, an heir also, through God.
How are we to understand the words, “God
sent His Son, made under the law, that He might redeem them who were under the
law?”
St. Paul here speaks to such Christians
among the Galatians as were formerly Jews, and who supposed themselves yet
bound to keep the observances of the Law of Moses; he shows them that by His
death on the cross He dispensed with the Law, abolished its types and
ceremonies, and redeemed the Jews from the curse and bondage to which it
subjected them, delivering them thereby from sin and eternal death. We have
received still greater favors than the Jews, because in our ancestors we were
converted from Paganism to Christianity, and from children of the devil were
made by faith heirs of God. Let us show how we value such blessings by living
as children of God, in faith, love, confidence, patience, and innocence,
shunning sin as the only real evil; unless we would forfeit our name and
privileges as Christians, and voluntarily become a second time the slaves of
the devil.
GOSPEL. Luke ii.
33-40.
At that time Joseph and Mary, the Mother of
Jesus, were wondering at those things which were spoken concerning Him. And
Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, His Mother: Be hold 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, that out of many
hearts thoughts may be revealed. And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the
daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was far advanced in years and had
lived with her husband seven years from her virginity. And she was a widow
until fourscore and four years, who departed not from the temple, by fasting
and prayers serving night and day. Now she at the same hour coming in,
confessed to the Lord; and spoke of Him to all that looked for the redemption
of Israel. And after they had performed all things according to the law of the
Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their city Nazareth. And the child grew, and
waxed strong, full of wisdom: and the grace of God was in Him.
Why did Mary and Joseph wonder at these
things?
They were filled with joyous wonder that
Simeon was enabled by divine inspiration to recognize the child Jesus as the
promised Messias, and to say such great things of Him.
What does it mean to bless?
To give or wish something good to anyone;
in the first of these senses God alone blesses, because all goods of soul or
body which we have, or wish to have, come from Him; in the second sense, angels
and men may bless us, in wishing us whatever is good, and in praying for it to
God.
Have we examples of blessing in Scripture?
Yes, an angel blessed Jacob (Gen. xxxii.
29); Jacob, when dying, blessed his children and grandchildren (Gen. xlviii.
15); Melchizedek blessed Abraham (Gen. xiv. 19); Rebecca was blessed by her
brother (Gen. xxiv. 60); and the priests blessed the people. Our Savior also
blessed His disciples with up lifted hands.
Is it good for parents to bless their
children?
Yes, for God fulfils blessings of good
parents, as He did those, for example, of the patriarchs Isaac and Jacob.
"The father's blessing established the houses of the children, but the
mother's curse rooted up the foundations" (Eccles. iii. 11).
What virtue is there in the priest's
blessing?
Very great virtue: because it is given in
the name of the Church, through the merits of Jesus Christ, and comes from God
Himself, whose ministers and stewards the priests are. Parents should see that
their children are blessed by the priests who may come to visit them, as the
children were brought to Our Savior, that He might lay His hands on them, and
bless them (Matt. xix. 13).
How is Christ the fall and resurrection of
many in Israel?
He is the fall, that is, the damnation, of
those who do not receive Him, though they know Him to be the Savior of the
world; and of those also who believe in Him, and receive His holy teaching, but
do not live according to it. " If Christ had not come and spoken to them,
they would not have sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin " (St.
John xv. 22). He is the resurrection or salvation of those who believe in Him,
receive His doctrine, and live according to it.
What is the meaning of, “He is a sign which
shall be contradicted"?
This was a prophecy that Jesus Christ, His
life, works, teaching, and institutions should be the object of continual
contradiction on the part of sensual and worldly wisdom. It was fulfilled in
the blasphemies and persecutions of the Jews and gentiles, and is confirmed by
infidels of all ages, as well as by those Christians who, as St. Bernard says,
contradict His humility by their pride, His poverty by their avarice, His
fasting by their intemperance, His purity by their impurity, His zeal by their
sloth ; thus confessing Him with their lips, but denying Him by their deeds.
They are not faithful and sincere towards Jesus, and do not love Him, for they
do not obey His holy will; they are Christians only in name, of whom Christ is
not the resurrection, but the fall, for they are yet the slaves of sin.
What is meant by those words, " thy
own soul a sword shall pierce?”
That Mary would have to suffer
inexpressible pains and sorrows that would pierce her heart as with a sword.
Time made this plain; for how often was not
her beloved Son pursued and persecuted?
Yet the greatest grief she felt must have
been when she saw her Son in His sufferings and death, hanging, like a
malefactor, on the cross.
What else is to be learned from this
gospel?
First, widows may learn from Anna, who
departed not from the temple, how to serve God, by fasting and prayer, "
for the widow that liveth in pleasures is dead while she is living (i. Tim. v.
6).
Secondly, parents may learn to be careful
that their children increase not only in skill and wealth, but rather in the
grace of God, by living pious, edifying, and peaceable lives before God and
men.
Exhortation
Today is the last Sunday of the year. Ponder
with care on the truths and doctrines which the holy Church has laid before
thee in the epistles and gospels; thank God with thy whole heart for the great
favors and benefits which thou hast received in the incarnation and birth of
Jesus Christ; examine thyself also whether thy faith is living and efficient,
that thou mayest have the hope of being a child and heir of God;
ask thyself whether, during the past year,
Christ has been thy fall or thy resurrection?
hast, thou confessed Him in heart and deed,
or hast thou been a Christian only in name?
With such exercises and examinations occupy
thy mind until the New Year, that thou mayest be prepared to begin it worthily.
According to the
Mosaic Law, a Hebrew boy was not part of the family until he was circumcised
eight days after his birth; only then was he given his name, i.e., his identity
as an individual and as a son of Abraham. But there is a deeper reason as well.
Paradoxically, it is only after we have contemplated the various revelations of
the Light to both Jew and Gentile that we can appreciate the period of Jesus'
life that is shrouded in obscurity. It is because we now know who the boy Jesus
truly is that we can understand the importance of His family and the excellence
of His so-called hidden life. Like the shepherds of Bethlehem, we now recognize
Him as the Messiah for whom the Jews yearned; like the Magi, whose gifts
bespoke their convictions, we now recognize Him as a King worthy of gold, as
God worthy of frankincense, and as the Suffering Servant to be one day buried
with myrrh. And like the Blessed Virgin, who -- as we learn from the Gospel on
this feast-- kept all these things in her heart, we are now in a position to
appreciate the unique role of His Holy Family in the economy of our salvation.The
Feast
of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph holds up the domestic
life of Jesus, his mother, and foster father as the perfect model for
all Catholic households. As Pope Leo XIII explains, there is a lesson in this
family for everyone: for fathers, for mothers, for children; for nobility (the
Holy Family was from the royal house of David), for the poor (they gave up
their possessions in fleeing to Egypt), and so on. There are no prescribed or
uniform customs for the feast, but that does not mean no observances were made.
The following is an account from Father Weiser of Holy Family Sundays at our
own parish, Holy Trinity German Church, in the 1940s.
The
annual Holy Childhood procession, on the feast of the Holy Family, is one of
the most attractive ceremonies. In former years this procession was called the
"Shepherds' Procession" as the children marched through the church
dressed as shepherds and shepherdesses -- a lovely relic of popular medieval
piety (Holy Trinity Parish, 1844-1944, p. 37).
This
feast is also an ideal time to pray any of the devotions to the Holy Family
that are given in the Raccolta, the Church's old
official list of indulgences. The fact that many of these prayers are no longer
indulgenced does not make them any less meaningful or worthy of use. Let us reflect that the Holy family
was holy because of how they interacted with each other and the world.
A good practice during the twelve nights of
Christmas would be to turn off the TV and to rest and have joyful prayer with
the family. It is good to remember that Christ’s primary teachers in the
faith were Joseph and Mary. We also should remember to not rely on
schools to bring up our children in devotion to the Lord and that we are the
primary teachers of Faith, Hope and Love in our families (Especially in
light of COVID 19)
The
Holy Family
Marriage is too often conceived as the sacrament which unites a man and a woman
to form a couple. In reality, marriage establishes a family, and its purpose is
to increase the number of the elect, through the bodily and spiritual fecundity
of the Christian spouses.
1.
Every marriage intends children. Although Mary and Joseph were not united in a
carnal way, their marriage is a true marriage: an indissoluble, exclusive
union, wholly subordinated to the child. Mary and Joseph are united only in
order to bring Jesus into the world, to protect and raise him. They have only
one child, but he contains the whole of mankind, even as Isaac, an only child,
fulfilled the promise made to Abraham of a countless progeny.
2.
The purpose of every marriage is to establish a Christian family. The Holy
Family observed the religious laws of Israel; it went in pilgrimage to
Jerusalem every year with other Jewish families (Lk. 2:41). Jesus saddens and
amazes his father and his mother because to their will and company he prefers
"to be in his Father's house". Thus it may happen that God's will
obliges the family to make disconcerting sacrifices. Yet every Christian family
must live in harmony and in prayer, which are the pledges of joy and union.
3.
"He remained obedient to them." Jesus was God. And through the
fullness of grace Mary stood above Joseph. Nevertheless — if we except the
event in the Temple — Joseph remained the head of the family; he took the
initiative (as when the Holy Family fled to Egypt), and in Nazareth Jesus
obeyed his parents.
·Let
us imitate the Holy Family in our Christian families, and our family will be a
stronghold and a prefiguration of the heavenly family. Say a prayer dedicating
your family to the Holy Family. Also pray for all families and for our country
to uphold the sanctity of the marriage bond which is under attack.
·Read
the explanation of Jesus' knowledge in the activities section. Read Pope Pius
X's Syllabus of Errors which condemns
the modernist assertion that Christ did not always possess the consciousness of
His Messianic dignity.
·Have
the whole family participate in cooking dinner. You might try a Lebanese meal.
Some suggestions: stuffed grape leaves, stuffed cabbage rolls, lentils and
rice, spinach and meat pies, chicken and dumplings, hummus, Lebanese bread,
tabbouleh — a Lebanese salad and kibbi, a traditional Lebanese dish of
specially ground meat mixed with spices and cracked wheat. This is the same
kind of food that Mary served Jesus and St. Joseph. It's healthy and delicious.
Reflect:
"Christmas
celebrates the fruit of Mary and Joseph's trust in God. The long-awaited
Messiah, sent to save us from our sins and win back the eternal blessedness
lost by Adam's sin, is born. The Son of God is like us in all things but sin.
We learn from the Incarnation that our success is in God's hands. Without the
Father's love, we would be lost for all eternity. Mary and Joseph sacrificed
greatly to make the arduous journey to Bethlehem, to obey God's directive to
flee into Egypt, and to go to Nazareth to raise Jesus. Ambiguity, uncertainty,
and brokenness touched the Holy Family. Their lives teach us that we cannot
understand God's designs. This wonderful lesson urges parents to put their
families in God's hands and trust that their efforts will bear fruit. Faithful
parents are examples for us, single or married. We, too, are to put ourselves
in God's hands. In so doing, God's grace helps us realize better the depths of
who we are and what we are called to become."
THE account of the martyrdom of these
children is given in the gospel of to-day. The Church justly honors them as
martyrs, since they confessed Christ, if not by the mouth, yet by their death,
which they suffered by reason of Herod s hatred against Christ.
The Introit of the Mass reads: “Out of the
mouth of infants and suckling’s Thou hast perfected praise, because of Thy
enemies, O Lord. O Lord, how admirable is Thy name in the whole earth.”
Prayer.
O God, Whose praise the martyred innocents
confessed on this day not by speaking, but by dying mortify in us all the evils
of vices, that our life also may confess by actions Thy faith, which our tongue
proclaims.
EPISTLE. Apoc. xiv. 1-5.
In those days I beheld a Lamb standing upon
Mount Sion, and with Him a hundred forty-four thousand having His name, and the
name of His Father written on their foreheads…
GOSPEL. Matt. ii. 13-18.
At that time: An angel of the Lord appeared
in sleep to Joseph, saying: Arise, and take the child and His Mother, and fly
into Egypt: and be there until I shall tell thee: for it will come to pass that
Herod will seek the child to destroy Him…
What people
are like Herod?
All those who destroy children, in body or in soul; for example,
unmanly men who are cruel to their wives while with child, who strike them,
incite them to anger, or terrify them; heedless parents who neglect their
little ones, who do not take pains to keep them clean and healthy; those
corrupt and godless women who destroy the fruit of their shame either before or
after birth, and while yet unbaptized. But more cruel than all these, and even
than Herod himself, are they who scandalize little children by impure
conversations, by indecent songs, by acts of impurity in their presence, or by
inciting them to the like; for thereby they plunge the souls of the children
into destruction.
In
many religious communities, Innocents' Day was the traditional feast for the
youngest members. In keeping with the upside-down spirit of Twelfth night, the
youngest novice had the privilege of sitting at the first place or even of
being abbot for a day. Feast of the Holy Innocents is a day for the younger
members of the family or religious community. Some kind of "baby food" -- such as a hot cereal
with sugar and cinnamon -- is generally served to them. In the family, the
youngest member is also the "celebrity" of the day, especially if he
is a baby. Customs like decorating the crib or
blessing the babyare
appropriate ways of observing the feast. Today, on the day in which little ones
shed their blood for Christ, was the festival for choirboys and students.
The Holy Innocents saved the Child Jesus from
death by King Herod by the shedding of their own blood. The Holy Innocents are
the special patrons of small children, who can please the Christ Child by being
obedient and helpful to parents, and by sharing their toys and loving their
siblings and playmates.
The feast of the Holy Innocents is an
excellent time for parents to inaugurate the custom of blessing their children.
From the Ritual comes the form which we use on solemn occasions, such as First
Communion. But parents can simply sign a cross on the child's forehead with the
right thumb dipped in holy water and say: May God bless you, and may He be the
Guardian of your heart and mind—the Father, + Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.
Blessing
O Lord, Jesus Christ, Who didst embrace and lay thy
hands upon the little children when they came to thee, and didst say to them:
"Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not, for the
kingdom of heaven is theirs, and their angels always see the face of my
Father," — look with a Father's eye upon the innocence of these children
and their parents' devotion, and bless them this day through our ministry. By
thy grace and goodness let them make progress in desiring thee, loving thee,
fearing thee, obeying thy commandments — thus coming to their destined home,
through thee, Savior of the world, Who with the Father and the Holy Spirit
livest and reignest, God, forever and ever. Amen.
Today I will ask the Lord to bless all my seven children! (Claire,
Christopher, Candace, Dara, Rachel, Nicole and Vincent)
Four Calling Birds
Today in the song the 12 days of Christmas
the 4th day we sing of the Four Calling Birds which represent the
four gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. During the upcoming
year it would make a worthy project to read them all. These gospels will help
us to be persons of courage.
Read:
Read
today about the Holy
Innocents
who were put to death by King Herod.
Reflect:
The
observances of the Christmas season illuminate many key themes for the
faithful. Meditate today on this one:
"The
sacredness of human life and the wonderful event that is every birth, since the
Word of life came amongst men and was made visible through his birth of the
Virgin Mary (see 1 Jn 1:2)."
Act:
Add
an intercession
for life
that has particular meaning for your family to the mealtime blessing today.
Bible in a
Year Day 180 Giving Time to God
As we
conclude the book of Amos, we hear Amos rebuke the people for grudgingly giving
their time to God, as in prayer or on the sabbath, and counting the minutes
until they could do whatever they wanted. Fr. Mike points out that if we don't
give our hearts and minds to God, we won't be able to stand heaven, where
prayer and praise are everlasting. The readings are 2 Kings 13-14, Amos 7-9,
and Psalm 124.
The
holiday season has come and gone, and the end of the year is in sight.
You
know what you need to do now?
That’s right, you need to sit back and play out a few
rounds of solitaire, or maybe get the family together for a night of Texas
Hold’em, Slap Jack, or War. Whatever your pleasure, Card Playing Day is a
chance to wind down from all the kerfuffle of the season by engaging in a card
game or three. Playing cards are thought to have first been introduced to the
world in China before spreading across the globe to India, Persia, and
ultimately every corner of this… sphere. Ok, so that corner thing never has made
sense, unless you’re talking about a rectangular playing card, which thankfully
we are! A whole pack of them in fact. Playing cards have always been the last
bastion of entertainment in inclement weather, and thus were a favorite of the
winter holidays.
After
all, before the invention of television and electricity, what was one to do
when you’d heard all of Uncle Joe’s story, and couldn’t possibly bring yourself
to lay your eyes on another dog-eared novel?
That’s right, you play cards! There are numerous games
that exist in the world, hundreds from every culture imaginable. Some games are
unique to a particular region, or at least distinct to it (Like Baccarat) or
can be found in variations all over the world while clearly being recognizable
(like poker). Others still involve the use of playing boards as a utility in
keeping track of points, such as cribbage. Card Playing Day is an opportunity
and excuse to return to this age-old form of entertainment, and to spend a
little time alone, or connecting with your family.
How to celebrate
Card Playing Day
Well,
the simplest way to celebrate Card Playing Day is, of course, to participate in
the aforementioned past-time! However, if you’re really looking to make an
experience out of Card Playing Day, you may consider trying to learn a
variation of a game you already know, or even learning a completely new card
game altogether. There’re countless games out there you can learn, and if the
game you know has lost its appeal, it’s time to learn another one! We also
suggest getting out there and investing in a new deck of cards, there are
limitless variations on style and theme, and a new deck can make a new game
even more fun!
Here’s a clear, citation‑grounded summary of Party Girl (1930) followed by a set of Catholic moral lessons that naturally emerge from its themes. This one is rich—pre‑Code moral chaos wrapped around a Christmas‑time setting, which makes the spiritual contrasts even sharper.
🎬 Party Girl (1930) — Summary
A pre‑Code crime drama about deception, exploitation, and moral awakening
Party Girl is a 1930 American pre‑Code crime film directed by Victor Halperin and starring Douglas Fairbanks Jr., Jeanette Loff, and Marie Prevost. It is based on the novel Dangerous Business and follows the hidden world of a covert escort agency operating under the guise of the “Lindsay Social Bureau.”
Plot Overview (grounded in search results)
Maude Lindsay runs the “Lindsay Social Bureau,” secretly an escort service for wealthy businessmen.
Jay Rountree, son of a bottle manufacturer, is engaged to Ellen Powell, a former party girl trying to live a new life.
Jay and his friends crash a party and he meets Leeda Cather, a destitute woman from a once‑prominent family.
After a drunken night, Leeda claims Jay “ruined” her and pressures him into a sudden marriage, which he foolishly accepts.
Leeda manipulates the situation to secure money and business favors, including a contract for Jay’s father and a $5,000 payoff from her ex‑fiancé.
Jay discovers Leeda’s involvement in the escort racket and her ongoing deceptions.
Meanwhile, Ellen—heartbroken—gets drawn back toward the party‑girl world.
Police raid the operation and offer Leeda a deal if she cooperates with the investigation.
The film is a cautionary tale about moral compromise, the exploitation of women, and the destructive power of deceit.
✝️ Catholic Lessons & Reflections
Even though Party Girl is a pre‑Code melodrama, its moral structure aligns surprisingly well with Catholic teaching on chastity, dignity, truth, and repentance.
Below are the strongest Catholic lessons that emerge:
1. Sin Always Has a Social Cost
The escort racket harms everyone it touches—women, men, families, and businesses.
Catholic moral teaching emphasizes that sin is never private; it fractures communion and damages the wider community.
Lesson: Personal choices ripple outward. Vice spreads; virtue heals.
2. The Dignity of Women Must Never Be Exploited
The “party girl” system treats women as tools for business deals.
Catholic teaching insists on the inviolable dignity of every woman, made in the image of God.
The film exposes the lie that glamour or wealth can justify exploitation.
Lesson: Any system that commodifies women is fundamentally unjust.
3. Chastity Is Not Naïveté—It Is Freedom
Ellen’s struggle to leave her past behind shows the difficulty of conversion.
Catholic tradition sees chastity not as repression but as ordered love—the ability to give oneself freely and truthfully.
Ellen’s desire for a new life reflects the Church’s belief in redemption.
Lesson: Chastity is a path toward integrity, not shame.
4. Deception Destroys Relationships
Leeda’s manipulations—false claims, emotional blackmail, and financial schemes—corrode every relationship she touches.
Catholic teaching is clear: truth is the foundation of love.
Lies may offer short‑term advantage but always lead to long‑term ruin.
Lesson: Love cannot survive where truth is absent.
5. Repentance Is Always Possible, but Not Always Chosen
The film contrasts Ellen (who seeks a new life) with Leeda (who doubles down on manipulation).
Catholic spirituality teaches that God always offers a path back, but we must choose it.
The tragedy of Leeda is not her sin but her refusal to turn from it.
Lesson: Conversion is a gift—but it requires humility.
6. Wealth Cannot Substitute for Virtue
Jay’s privileged background does not protect him from moral foolishness.
Catholic teaching warns that wealth can create illusions of invulnerability.
Jay’s downfall begins when he treats sin lightly and assumes consequences won’t touch him.
Lesson: Virtue, not comfort, is the true safeguard of the soul.
7. Christmas Without Virtue Is Just Decoration
The film takes place around Christmas, but the characters’ lives are spiritually disordered.
Catholic tradition sees Christmas as the arrival of light into darkness.
The contrast highlights how far the characters are from the peace Christ brings.
Lesson: Christmas calls for conversion, not sentimentality.
🌿 A Closing Reflection
Party Girl is a stark reminder that glamour without virtue collapses into exploitation, and that the human heart longs for truth, dignity, and redemption. It’s a pre‑Code morality tale that unintentionally affirms the Catholic conviction that sin enslaves, but grace restores.
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