ICEMANforChrist

This blog is based on references in the Bible to fear. God wills that we “BE NOT AFRAID”. 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. By “the power of the Holy Spirit” we can be witnesses and “communicators” of a new and redeemed humanity “even to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:7 8). This blog is dedicated to Mary the Mother of God.

Monday Night at the Movies

The Nun's Story

Sunday, March 16, 2025

Saturday, March 15, 2025

Vinny’s Day Try “Rack of Lamb Persillade”

Las Fallas in Valencia, Spain March 1-19 Enjoy a high-spirited fiesta in Valencia, Spain’s third-largest city. The annual bash, held in commemoration of Saint Joseph, sees neighborhoods transformed into lively parties over a boisterous five-day period.

· 37th Annual Parade & Festival Sunday March 16 10:30-5:00

o St. Patrick's Day Festival brings the Irish spirit to Tucson in 2025!

§ Visit the Railroad Station

· Saturday Litany of the Hours Invoking the Aid of Mother Mary

Spirit hour: Cocktails to Kick the Cold and Flu
Elderflower tea is great for colds and flu’s
Bucket Item trip: Ethiopia

Introduction to Zechariah

The prophecies of First Zechariah can be dated to the late sixth century B.C., contemporary with those of Haggai; the oracles of Second Zechariah are somewhat later. The most striking feature of First Zechariah is a series of visions in which the prophet describes the centrality of Jerusalem, its Temple, and its leaders, who function both in the politics of the region and of the Persian empire and in God’s universal rule. These visions clearly relate to the Temple restoration begun in 520 B.C. The prophet is acutely aware of the devastation that comes from disobedience to God’s word, as had been spoken by God’s prophetic emissaries. Yet, it was now clear in this century after the rebuilding of the Temple and the repatriation of many of the exiles, that Judah would not soon regain political autonomy and a Davidic king. So the various poems, narratives, oracles, and parables of Second Zechariah maintain the hope of previous prophets by depicting a glorious restoration. At that time all nations will recognize Jerusalem’s centrality and acknowledge God’s universal sovereignty.

MARCH 15 Saturday of The First Week of Lent-Ember Day

St. Longinus-Ides of March-Lantern Festival-Holi

Zachariah, Chapter 8, Verse 13-15

¹³ Just as you became a curse among the nations, O house of Judah and house of Israel, so will I save you that you may be a blessing. Do not fear; let your hands be strong. ¹⁴Thus says the LORD of hosts: Just as I intended to harm you when your ancestors angered me—says the LORD of hosts—and I did not relent, ¹⁵so again in these days I intend to favor Jerusalem and the house of Judah; do not fear!

As gentiles who are God-fearing, we must accept our salvation by living the Shema Israel daily seeking to love Him with our whole heart, mind, soul and strength (let our hands be strong). This morning as I said the Shema Israel I thought Lord I don’t understand how to love you with my whole soul, but I decided to say the prayer looking in the mirror at myself. I then said, “Hear O Israel that the Lord our God is one, and you shall love the Lord your God with your whole heart, (I touched my heart) and with your whole mind, (I touched the side of my temple) with your whole soul (I instinctively touched my eyes; which are the windows of the soul) and flexed my arms and said with my whole strength.

It was then that I realized what the Lord had revealed to me. My eyes: with my eyes I see things as a child of God, or as a selfish clot. With my eyes I see the good in the world or I see things that I want. With my eyes I see another human as a beloved or as an object to be used. Yes, indeed with my eyes my soul does exist and I will now love the Lord my God with my whole eyes which are the windows of the soul.

Today reflect on how the Rosary meditations show us how Mary, Jesus and the Holy Spirit show us how to love God with our whole Heart, Mind, Soul and Strength.

Saturday of The First Week of Lent-Ember Day

EPISTLE, i. Thess. v. 14-23.

BRETHREN: We beseech you, rebuke the unquiet, comfort the feeble-minded, support the weak, be patient towards all men. See that none render evil for evil to any man: but ever follow that which is good towards each other, and towards all men. Always rejoice. Pray without ceasing. In all things give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concern ing you all. Extinguish not the spirit. Despise not prophecies. But prove all things: hold fast that which is good. From all appearance of evil refrain yourselves. And may the God of peace Himself sanctify you in all things: that your whole spirit, and soul, and body, may be preserved blameless in the coming of Our Lord Jesus Christ.

Gospel and Prayer the same as those of to-morrow.

Station "With St. Peter

And the Lord hath chosen thee this day

to be His peculiar people (1st lesson)

It is Ember Saturday. Oremus, flectamus genna! Let us pray, and in spirit kneel at the tomb of St. Peter, the great priest and supreme shepherd of Christ's flock, and let us listen with reverence to the words of his successor Pius XI "On the Priesthood," for on this day, in hundreds of cathedrals, apostolic hands will be laid on young levites, levites "who have chosen the Lord, this day, to be their God, and to walk in His ways and keep His ceremonies, and precepts and judgments, and obey His commands" (epistle).

"The human race has always felt the need of a priesthood: of men who have the official charge to be mediators between God and humanity, men who should consecrate themselves entirely to this mediation as to the very purpose of their lives; men who are set aside to offer to God public prayers and sacrifices in the name of human society. For human society as such is bound to offer to God public and social worship. It is bound to acknowledge in Him its supreme Lord and first beginning, and to strive towards Him as to its last end, to give Him thanks and to offer Him propitiation.

"The Apostle of the Gentiles perfectly sums up what may be said of the greatness, the dignity and the duty of the Christian priesthood: 'Let a man so account of us as of the ministers of Christ and the dispensers of the mysteries of God.' The priest is the minister of Christ--an instrument, that is to say, in the hands of the divine Redeemer. He continues the work of the redemption in all its world-embracing universality and divine efficacy, that work which wrought so marvelous a transformation in the world. Thus the priest, as is said with good reason, is indeed 'another Christ'; for in some way, he is himself a continuation of Christ. 'As the Father hath sent Me, I also send you,' is spoken to the priest; and hence the priest, like Christ, continue to give 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men of good will.'" (From the Encyclical Letter of His His Holiness Pope Pius XI.)

Let us pray, then, for all who in these days will be raised to this high and responsible position "that the God of peace may sanctify them in all things; that their whole spirit, and soul, and body, may be preserved blameless, for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ" (epistle); that the Lord may make them worthy laborers in His vineyard; that the Holy Spirit may fill them with Pentecostal fire and apostolic fortitude for the great work of "incorporating all things in Christ."

St. Peter, rock of the Church, bearer of the keys of God's kingdom, great priest of Jesus Christ, holy shepherd of His flock, bless those who are about to become fishers of men.

Prayer Source: Orate Fratres/Worship: A Review Devoted to the Liturgical Apostolate, The Liturgical Press

St. Longinus[1] Roman Catholic Church (pre-1969)

St. Longinus was the Roman centurion who pierced the side of Christ with a lance. He is said to have converted to Christianity after experiencing the darkness after Christ's death.

St. Luke tells us that the centurion "gave praise to God", and exclaimed, "Truly this was an upright man." (Luke 23:47)

What was believed to be the Holy Lance of Longinus, was given to Innocent VIII in 1492.

Things to Do:

· Read more about the statue of St. Longinus at St. Peter's Basilica.

· Read the Life of Saint Longinus from the Golden Legend.

Ides of March

In modern times, the Ides of March is best known as the date on which Julius Caesar was assassinated in 44 BC. Caesar was stabbed to death at a meeting of the Senate. As many as 60 conspirators, led by Brutus and Cassius, were involved.[2]

Caesar could garner so much power, but in the end, he was assassinated. No matter how powerful a person or corporation may be, there will be an end to their reign and their influence. By way of contrast, the Lord is the everlasting God. Jesus is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, who has the power of an endless life. Remembering the frailty and fallenness of all men is a crucial part of gaining wisdom. Solomon captured this so well when he wrote “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” (Prov. 9:10) but “the fear of man is a snare” (29:25). Remembering the fact that no matter how powerful a position a man or woman may hold, God “holds their breath in His hands and owns all their ways” (Dan. 5:23) and that “death is the destiny of everyone; the living should take this to heart” (Eccl. 7:2).[3]

Chinese Lantern Festival[4]

Also known as the Shang Yuan Festival or the Yuan Xiao Jie Festival, the Lantern Festival is a traditional Chinese holiday that falls during the first month of the lunar calendar, on the fifteenth day. The festival is a celebration of the end of the Chinese New Year celebrations and the start of the new year. It’s a time for families to come together and enjoy food, entertainment, and the lighting of lanterns. One of the fundamental traditions of the Lantern Festival is the display and appreciation of colorful lanterns as well as other activities such as fireworks displays, parades, and traditional dance and music performances. Many people also participate in cultural activities such as solving riddles written on lanterns or eating sweet dumplings, called yuanxiao.

History of Lantern Festival

The origins of the Lantern Festival can be traced back to the Han Dynasty (202 BC – 220 AD) in ancient China. According to legend, the festival was originally a celebration of the deity Taiyi, who was believed to be responsible for the creation of the universe. Over time, the festival evolved to become a celebration of the new year and the end of the winter season.

During the Tang Dynasty (618 – 907 AD), the Lantern Festival became an important cultural event that was celebrated by people from all walks of life as a time to pay respect to their ancestors and to pray for good fortune in the new year.

In the modern era, the Lantern Festival is still an important cultural event in China and is celebrated by millions of people around the world. It is a time for celebration, reflection, and coming together with loved ones, and is an integral part of Chinese culture and tradition.

How to Celebrate Lantern Festival

There are many ways in which people celebrate the Lantern Festival. Some common traditions and activities include:

Displaying and Appreciating Lanterns

People display lanterns of all shapes and sizes, often in the form of parades or displays. The lanterns are made from a variety of materials, including paper, silk, and metal, and come in a wide range of shapes and sizes. Some lanterns are shaped like animals or objects, while others are simple round or cylindrical shapes.

Lighting Lanterns

Many people also light lanterns as part of the festival celebrations. These lanterns can be small handheld lanterns or larger lanterns that are suspended in the air. In some cases, people release lanterns into the sky as a symbol of letting go of the past and welcoming the future.

Solving Riddles

Some lanterns may have riddles written on them, and people try to solve these riddles, which is seen as a fun and interactive way to celebrate the holiday.

Eating Traditional Foods

The Lantern Festival is also a time for people to enjoy traditional foods, such as yuanxiao, a type of sweet dumpling made from glutinous rice flour. Other traditional foods that are often eaten during the festival include tangyuan (sweet rice balls) and other sweet treats.

Enjoying Performances

The Lantern Festival is often accompanied by performances of traditional Chinese music and dance, as well as other forms of entertainment such as acrobatics and theater.

Fireworks Displays

In some areas, fireworks displays are an important part of the Lantern Festival celebrations. These displays are often elaborate and spectacular, and are enjoyed by people of all ages.

· Lyte Sky Lantern Festival 2025.

o Arizona- Tucson, Arizona

o Saturday, March 15th, 2025

o 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM

Daily Devotions

· Unite in the work of the Porters of St. Joseph by joining them in fasting: Today's Fast: The Families of St. Joseph Porters

· Offering to the sacred heart of Jesus

· Make reparations to the Holy Face

· Drops of Christ’s Blood

· Universal Man Plan

[1]https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/day.cfm?date=2021-03-15

[2]https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ides_of_March