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Smoke in This Life and Not the Next
Virtue: Gratitude & Vigilance
Cigar: Toasted, warm (Cameroon)
Bourbon: Jefferson’s Ocean — bright, expansive
Reflection: “What blessings have I overlooked?”
The Entry
The Cameroon wrapper gives you that toasted, sun‑warmed sweetness — the kind that doesn’t shout, but reveals itself slowly if you’re paying attention. Jefferson’s Ocean does the same thing: bright, saline edges, a sense of movement, a reminder that grace often arrives after long miles and rough waters.
This Tuesday is about seeing what you’ve missed. Gratitude is not soft; it’s a discipline of vigilance. It’s the refusal to let blessings slip past unnoticed. It’s the trained eye that catches the small mercies, the quiet rescues, the unearned consolations.
And vigilance is not suspicion — it’s readiness. It’s the posture of someone who knows God is always acting, even when the surface looks still.
Purgatory Note — The Press of Impatience
Advancing a little, she saw a multitude of souls bruised and crushed as under a press — those who had lived with impatience and disobedience. The image is severe, but the lesson is clean: impatience flattens the soul. It compresses everything into the narrow space of “my timing, my way.” Disobedience does the same — it collapses the will inward until it can no longer breathe freely.
The press is not punishment for punishment’s sake. It is the soul being stretched back into its true shape after years of shrinking itself.
Gratitude and vigilance are the antidotes now. They widen the interior space. They keep the soul supple. They prevent the slow hardening that leads to that crushing press later.
APRIL 28 Tuesday of the Fourth Week of Easter
St.
Louis de Montfort-Biological Clock Day
1 Samuel, Chapter 14, Verse 24-26
Even though the
Israelites were exhausted that day, Saul laid an oath on them, saying, “Cursed
be the one who takes food before evening, before I am able to avenge myself on
my enemies.” So, none of the people tasted food. Now there was a
honeycomb lying on the ground, and when the soldiers came to the
comb the honey was flowing; yet no one raised a hand from it to his mouth,
because the people FEARED the oath.
Saul
was unfaithful and weak and therefore led his warriors by fear rather than by
inspiration. His main concern was keeping and holding power. Hum…some things
don’t change. There was no humility in him, only hubris. “I” was the first word
in his life rather than saying and living the word of God.
Hear,
O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one; and you shall love the Lord your
God with all your Heart, and with all your soul, and with your entire mind, and
with all your strength.”
Saul
fell because of his hubris when humility would have saved him. Real leaders are
humble. They realize and appreciate the sacrifices of others and consider it a
privilege to have the honor and trust to lead them.
Copilot’s
Take
Saul’s rash oath in 1
Samuel 14 exposes a leader who has lost interior order. The Catechism teaches
that humanity lives in a battlefield where evil is both around us and within us
(CCC 409). Saul’s fear-driven command—“before I am able to avenge myself”—reveals
a man who no longer trusts God’s timing. His leadership becomes reactive, not
rooted. When a leader’s interior clock is governed by insecurity, he begins to
legislate panic as if it were piety.
The people’s response is
telling: they fear Saul’s oath more than they trust God’s provision. Honey lies
on the ground—strength, sweetness, renewal—and no one dares touch it. The CCC
warns that authority detached from the moral law becomes mere domination (CCC
1902–1903). Saul’s authority has drifted into that territory. He uses fear to
hold power rather than humility to steward it. Evil thrives in that environment
because fear always shrinks the soul before it ever strengthens the will.
Humility, by contrast,
is the foundation of prayer (CCC 2559) and the only posture that keeps a leader
aligned with God’s timing. Biological Clock Day becomes an unexpected metaphor
here: Saul’s interior timing is off. He rushes, reacts, and imposes burdens God
never commanded. Humility slows a man down enough to hear again. It restores
the rhythm of obedience. It keeps a leader from confusing urgency with
faithfulness.
St. Louis de Montfort
stands as the counterpoint. His life of total consecration is the exact
opposite of Saul’s self-consecration. Where Saul clings to control, de Montfort
empties himself. Where Saul binds others with fear, de Montfort binds himself
to Christ with love. The CCC’s vision of rightly ordered love—God above self,
freedom above coercion, courage above manipulation (CCC 1731, 1808)—is embodied
in him. This is how evil is confronted: not by frantic vows, but by ordered
love.
The pattern is
consistent across Scripture and history: hubris collapses; humility endures.
Evil is not defeated by oaths, displays of strength, or the leader’s anxiety.
It is confronted when a man refuses to lead by fear, refuses to make himself
the center, and refuses to weaponize urgency. When a leader fears God, the
people are free. When a leader fears losing power, the people starve. The fall
of Saul is not a mystery—it is a warning. The path of de Montfort is not an
exception—it is the blueprint.
The world is watching a widening conflict in the Middle East, and the pattern is painfully familiar: leaders grasping for control, factions acting from grievance rather than justice, and entire populations caught in the undertow of fear. The Church never treats war as an inevitability; it treats it as a sign of disordered hearts and disordered power. The Catechism warns that evil exploits precisely these moments of instability—when nations act from wounded pride, when vengeance masquerades as strategy, when rhetoric outruns reason (CCC 2314–2317). What is developing now is not simply geopolitical tension but a spiritual crisis: a region where ancient wounds, modern weapons, and competing narratives of righteousness collide. In such an hour, the Christian task is not to predict outcomes but to remain anchored in the truth that peace is built only where humility governs power, justice restrains force, and leaders refuse the Saul-like temptation to secure victory through fear.
St.
Louis Mary de Montfort[1]
Louis'
life is inseparable from his efforts to promote genuine devotion to Mary, the
mother of Jesus and mother of the church. Totus tuus (completely yours) was
Louis's personal motto; Karol Wojtyla chose it as his episcopal motto. Born in
the Breton village of Montfort, close to Rennes (France), as an adult Louis
identified himself by the place of his baptism instead of his family name,
Grignion. After being educated by the Jesuits and the Sulpicians, he was
ordained as a diocesan priest in 1700. Soon he began preaching parish missions
throughout western France. His years of ministering to the poor prompted him to
travel and live very simply, sometimes getting him into trouble with church
authorities. In his preaching, which attracted thousands of people back to the
faith, Father Louis recommended frequent, even daily, Holy Communion (not the
custom then!) and imitation of the Virgin Mary's ongoing acceptance of God's
will for her life. Louis founded the Missionaries of the Company of Mary (for
priests and brothers) and the Daughters of Wisdom, who cared especially for the
sick. His book, True Devotion to the Blessed Virgin, has become a classic
explanation of Marian devotion. Louis died in Saint-Laurent-sur-Sevre, where a
basilica has been erected in his honor. He was canonized in 1947.
Excerpted
from Saint of the Day, Leonard Foley, O.F.M.
Things to
Do
·
Read a longer biography of St. Louis de Montfort's life.
·
Read some of St.
Louis de Montfort's works and/or read articles
about his spirituality.
·
Consider making the consecration to
Mary recommended by St. Louis de Montfort.
·
Resolve to pray the rosary daily starting today.
·
Learn about the Missionaries
of the Company of Mary (Montfort Missionaries) and support their work with
your prayers, sacrifices and financial offerings.
·
From the Catholic Culture Library The
Spiritans and Under
the Banner and Protection of Mary.
20 best days of the year to start Consecration to
Mary[2]
·
Start January 9 to end on February 11, the feast
of the Apparation at Lourdes
·
Start February 20 (or 21st in a leap year) to
end on March 25, the feast of the Annunciation
·
Start April 10 to end on May 13, the feast of
Our Lady of Fatima
·
Start April 21 to end on May 24, the feast of
Mary, Help of Christians
·
Start April 28 to end on May 31, the feast of
the Visitation
·
Start May 25
to end on June 27, the feast of Our Lady of Perpetual Help
·
Start June 13 to end on July 16, the feast of
Our Lady of Mount Carmel
·
Start July 13 to end on August 15, the feast of
the Assumption
·
Start July 20 to end on August 22, the feast of
the Queenship of Mary
·
Start August 6 to end on September 8, the feast
of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary
·
Start August 10 to end on September 12, the
feast of the Holy Name of Mary
·
Start August 13 to end on September 15, the
feast of Our Lady of Sorrows
·
Start September 4 to end on October 7, the feast
of Our Lady of the Rosary
·
Start October 17 to end on November 19, the
feast of Our Lady of Divine Providence
·
Start October 19 to end on November 21, the
feast of the Presentation of the Virgin Mary
·
Start October 25 to end on November 27, the
feast of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal
·
Start November 5 to end on December 8, the feast
of the Immaculate Conception
·
Start November 9 to end on December 12, the
feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe
·
Start November 29 to end on January 1, the feast
of Mary, Mother of God
·
Start December 31 to end on February 2, the
feast of the Presentation of Our Lord.
Bible
in a year Day 298 The
Gift of Life
Fr. Mike gives us context for the beginning of 2 Maccabees and recounts the
story of Nehemiah’s discovery of the sacred fire. He also offers a reflection
for those struggling with grief and death, which serves as a reminder to all
about the blessing of our lives and the lives of those we love. Today’s
readings are 2 Maccabees 1, Sirach 40-41, and Proverbs 24:1-7.
TODAY IS ALSO Biological
Clock Day
Biological Clock Day offers a
variety of opportunities to pay respect and attention to our bodies. Perhaps
implement some of these ideas in celebration of the day:
Re-Regulate the Body
It might be a good idea to
celebrate Biological Clock Day by setting aside some time to re-regulate the
body. This will likely take more than a 24-hour period, but the day can perhaps
be a good catalyst. Get started by creating a regular bedtime routine that
allows plenty of time for relaxing and falling asleep at night.
Limit Artificial Light
One of the most basic ways
to observe Biological Clock Day might be to get back to a rhythm the way nature
intended it to be. Try unplugging those electronics and turn off the lights at
a set time in the evening. Pick up an actual book with pages instead of
scrolling through the phone.
See what happens when
nature takes its course and there’s no human intervention of technology to
hijack the processes the body really needs. It might take a bit of time for the
body to detox and reset itself, but the effort will certainly be worth it in the
end!
Practice Sleep Hygiene
Need some additional tips
on how to get the body to engage with its natural rhythms on Biological Clock
Day? Try some of these sleep hygiene ideas:
- Go to sleep and wake up at
the same time every day.
- Try to avoid taking naps if
they seem to inhibit the ability to fall asleep at the right time at night!
- Stop eating and exercising at
least two hours (or more) before bedtime and avoid chemical stimulants
like caffeine and nicotine during these hours.
- Try wearing glasses that
block blue light.
PRAYERS AND TEACHINGS OF THE CATHOLIC
CHURCH
Act of Faith
O my God, I firmly believe that
You are one God in three Divine Persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. I
believe that Your Divine Son became man and died for our sins, and that He will
come to judge the living and the dead. I believe these and all the truths which
the Holy Catholic Church teaches, because You revealed them, who can neither
deceive nor be deceived. Amen.
Around the Corner
·
Developmental
Disability Awareness Month
·
New
Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival
·
Bucket List trip[3]: Montfort
sur meu
·
Feast
of St. Louis De Montfort
o
Spirit Hour: Brittany
Cocktail
·
Try[4]: Blueberry Pie
· Coffee & Cannolis for St. Gianna
View all
recipes for St. Gianna here.
April 28 — Litany of Trust
When I fear that surrender will cost me too much — Jesus,
I trust in You
Opening Invocation
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the
Holy Spirit. Amen.
“Lord Jesus, steady my heart.
Strip away the illusions of control.
Teach me the freedom that comes only through surrender.”
Reflection
There is a particular fear that surfaces once Easter’s
brightness settles:
the fear that trusting God will require a cost you cannot bear.
Not the fear of suffering itself—
you’ve endured enough to know pain is survivable.
The deeper fear is this:
If I surrender fully, God may ask for something I want
to keep.
If I open my hands, He may take what I still cling to.
If I trust Him, He may lead me where I would not choose to go.
This is the fear that keeps a man half‑converted.
Half‑available.
Half‑alive.
But Christ does not deal in halves.
The Risen Lord stands before you today with the same
words He spoke to Peter on the shore:
“Follow Me.”
Not because He wants to diminish you,
but because He intends to make you whole.
Trust is not the loss of self.
Trust is the recovery of the self God intended.
Scripture
John 21:18
“When you were younger, you used to dress yourself and go where you wanted;
but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands…”
This is not a threat.
It is a promise:
maturity in Christ leads to a life guided, not grasping.
Petition of the Day
From the fear that surrender will cost me too much —
deliver me, Jesus.
Not because surrender is painless,
but because surrender is the only path to peace.
Act of Trust
“Jesus, I place my plans, my preferences, and my
private fears before You.
I release the illusion that I can secure my own future.
I choose the narrow road of obedience,
not because it is easy,
but because it is Yours.
Strengthen my will to follow You without bargaining.”
Hospitality Cue
Choose one concrete act of relinquishment today:
simplify one decision you’ve been over‑managing
hand off a task you’ve been gripping too tightly
say no to something that drains your mission
say yes to something God has been nudging you toward
Before you act, pray:
“Jesus, I trust in You.”
Let the action become the offering.
Closing Prayer
“O Christ, my Captain and my King,
teach me the courage of surrender.
Let my obedience be steady,
my heart unafraid,
my trust unbroken.
Lead me where You will,
and make me faithful there.”
Mary, Mother of Holy Confidence, pray for us.
Saint Joseph, Guardian of Surrender, pray for us.
Daily Devotions
·
Litany of the Most Precious
Blood of Jesus
·
Offering to
the sacred heart of Jesus
·
Make
reparations to the Holy Face
[2] https://aleteia.org/2021/08/22/these-are-the-20-best-days-of-the-year-to-start-a-marian-consecration/
[3] Schultz, Patricia. 1,000 Places to See Before You
Die: A Traveler's Life List Workman Publishing Company. Kindle Edition.
[4] Sheraton, Mimi. 1,000 Foods To Eat Before You Die: A
Food Lover's Life List (p. 800). Workman Publishing Company. Kindle Edition.
THE LIGHT THAT FAILED (1939)
Ronald Colman, Walter Huston, Ida Lupino, Muriel Angelus
A tragic drama where pride, blindness, and unspoken longing converge—and where a man discovers too late that vision without humility destroys the very people he loves.
1. Production & Historical Setting
Released by Paramount in 1939 and adapted from Rudyard Kipling’s novel, The Light That Failed sits at the crossroads of late‑’30s romantic tragedy and pre‑war fatalism. Directed by William A. Wellman, the film carries the muscular, unsentimental tone he brought to Wings and A Star Is Born, but here the canvas is smaller, more intimate, more bruised.
The film emerges from an era fascinated by:
- the wounded veteran as a symbol of masculine fragility
- the artist as both visionary and self‑saboteur
- the tension between imperial nostalgia and modern disillusionment
- the moral cost of pride in relationships
Ronald Colman plays Dick Heldar, a war artist whose eyesight is failing; Walter Huston plays Torpenhow, the loyal friend who sees the truth before Dick does. Ida Lupino, in one of her early breakout roles, plays Bessie—the volatile model whose resentment becomes the spark of tragedy. Muriel Angelus plays Maisie, the idealized love Heldar cannot hold onto because he cannot see her clearly.
The world of the film is a blend of London studios, Sudan battlefields, and the dim interiors where artists wrestle with their own shadows.
2. Story Summary
Dick Heldar returns from the Sudan with fame, scars, and a secret: his vision is deteriorating. He throws himself into painting, determined to complete his masterpiece before the darkness closes in. Torpenhow, his closest friend, tries to steady him, but Dick’s pride makes him deaf to warning.
Enter Bessie (Ida Lupino), a street‑tough model whose bitterness mirrors Dick’s own interior fractures. Their relationship is combustible—part muse, part torment, part mirror. Dick treats her with a mixture of condescension and desperation; she responds with wounded fury.
Maisie, the woman Dick truly loves, remains just out of reach. Their history is marked by misread intentions, unspoken apologies, and the emotional blindness that precedes the physical.
As Dick’s sight collapses, so does his judgment:
- His pride blinds him to Torpenhow’s loyalty.
- His desperation blinds him to Maisie’s affection.
- His cruelty blinds him to Bessie’s breaking point.
In a moment of vengeance and despair, Bessie destroys Dick’s nearly finished masterpiece. When he discovers the ruin, he realizes too late that his blindness—literal and moral—has cost him everything.
The film ends not with melodrama but with inevitability: a man undone by the very pride that once fueled his genius.
3. Spiritual & Moral Resonances
A. Pride Makes a Man Blind Before His Eyes Fail
Dick’s tragedy begins long before his vision dims. Pride isolates him, distorts his relationships, and makes him incapable of receiving help.
B. Wounded People Wound Others
Bessie is not a villain; she is a soul shaped by neglect and humiliation. Her act of destruction is the cry of someone who has never been seen with compassion.
C. Friendship as Moral Anchor
Torpenhow embodies the virtue of steadfastness. His loyalty is the film’s moral backbone—a reminder that true friendship is a form of grace.
D. The Danger of Idealized Love
Maisie represents the life Dick could have lived, but idealization prevents him from engaging her honestly. The film warns against loving an image rather than a person.
E. Talent Without Humility Becomes a Curse
Dick’s artistic gift becomes the very thing that destroys him because he refuses to steward it with gratitude, discipline, and truth.
4. Hospitality Pairing — The Artist’s Last Light
- Black tea with a squeeze of lemon — sharp, clear, a reminder of what is slipping away.
- A heel of crusty bread — the sustenance of men who work with their hands and eyes.
- A burnt match on the table — the symbol of vision fading, pride consuming itself.
- A sprig of lavender — the gentleness Dick could never receive, the mercy he needed but resisted.
A setting for evenings when you need to remember that gifts are not possessions—they are responsibilities.
5. Reflection Prompts
- Where has pride made me blind to the people who are trying to help me?
- What gifts in my life am I treating as entitlements rather than responsibilities?
- Who is the “Torpenhow” in my life—steady, loyal, often unthanked?
- Where am I idealizing someone instead of loving them truthfully?
- What resentment or wound in me, if left unaddressed, could become destructive?
