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. "
Best Place to visit in February: St Augustine, Florida
I think this is a fine and elegant gem! The easy-on-the-eye historic city was founded in Florida’s northeastern coast in 1565 and is filled with Spanish heritage, historic landmarks, gorgeous beaches and a romantic, laid-back vibe.
I found the weather to be mild and very pleasant this time of year, with 8 hours of sunshine per day and much less humidity than the summer months. It’s also off-season which means I found better rates on accommodation and far fewer crowds and tourists to contend with too – bonus!
Although the ocean wasn’t quite warm enough to swim comfortably, I relaxed on the beach and attended the events including the lively Fort Mose Jazz & Blues Series, the fun and family-friendly Old City Pirate Fest and the elegant St. Augustine Spanish Wine Festival.
Taking a wander down St George Street which was filled with a collection of art galleries, independent shops, and fine restaurants.
Learning about the history at Oldest House Museum and discovering what life was like in St Augustine years ago.
Drinking the water from Ponce de Leon’s Spring of Eternal Hope at The Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park!
Thursday Feast
Thursday is the day of the week that our Lord gave himself up for consumption. Thursday commemorates the last supper. Some theologians believe after Sunday Thursday is the holiest day of the week. We should then try to make this day special by making a visit to the blessed sacrament chapel, Mass or even stopping by the grave of a loved one. Why not plan to count the blessing of the week and thank our Lord. Plan a special meal. Be at Peace.
Deuteronomy is
narrated, for the most part, by Moses. Yep, thatMoses. Some people
actually say Moses wrote the book, but most scholars think that the writer(s)
were just using Moses the character as a means to get their message across.
Attributing the text to a hugely important cultural figure would give it more
power, right? Think about if someone today came out with "George
Washington's Lost Will." There'd be controversy, but you can bet that book
would sell.
Once you sift through
all the nitty-gritty laws and rules, the main message is that the Israelites
should worship one god (6:4) in one place (14:25). That god is God, and—even
though it's never named in the book—that place is Jerusalem. This message comes
along with a retelling of the Exodus story, the tales of
the Israelites in the book of Numbers, and the rules and regulations that will
help the Israelites recapture their culture's essence.
Moses conveys all
this through some pretty rousing and finger-pointing pep talks. Basically, the
previous generation of Israelites failed big time, refusing to fight for the
Promised Land. But after forty years of desert-wandering, a new generation
brings new hope. And if these Israelites obey God, then they'll conquer the
Promised Land. The whole book takes place at the Jordan River, while Moses
motivates and warns them. Obey and win; disobey and lose—big time.
Why Should I Care?
Deuteronomy is the
key to the entire Hebrew Bible. It's the bridge between the stories in Exodus
and Numbers, the laws in Leviticus, and the narratives in Joshua, 1 and 2
Samuel, and 1 and 2 Kings. All of the Bible before Deuteronomy has been, in a
narrative sense, leading up to the Israelites entering the Promised Land.
They've fought, been enslaved, seen God's fire, messed up, died, and been given
the law. Now, in Deuteronomy, they're on the edge of the Promised Land, so
close to their goal. But don't get too excited—Moses, their leader, makes them
take a really long pause. He wants them to take a deep breath to
reflect on where they've been (and think about what's to come). What better way
to do that than by retelling the story? And hey, if nothing else, Deuteronomy
gives you a really good cram tool if you somehow missed the first four books of
the Bible.
Deuteronomy is the last of the five books of Moses. The book
explains to the Israelites how to make a success of their life. To be a success
we must as General Patton said,
“Lead, follow, or
get the hell out of the way.”
After appointing Elders this was Moses advice to them; fear
no one except God. The greatest of our church is that we when we are troubled
and don’t know what to do we can always approach Him in prayer and seek the
advice of his elders (Mary and the Saints) anywhere we are. If we desire, we
may also approach our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel and bring any case
that is too difficult for Him to hear and He will answer us. Likewise, we may
approach a priest in confession or connect with a local parish spiritual
director. How great is our God that He does not abandon us? Furthermore, there
is a multitude of great Catholic websites and organizations where there are
elders of the church who can assist us in our difficult moments.
Copilot’s Take
Moses’ command in Deuteronomy 1:17 is not only about
rendering fair judgment; it is a masterclass in confronting evil. Evil thrives
wherever fear governs—fear of people’s opinions, fear of conflict, fear of
losing status, fear of standing alone. Moses tells the elders to fear no one
but God because only the fear of God breaks the power of every lesser fear.
This is why the previous generation collapsed: they saw giants in the land and
let terror rewrite their theology. Moses refuses to let the next generation
repeat that mistake. To confront evil, he says, you must first confront the
fear inside you. Ordered fear—fear of God—creates the courage to name evil,
resist it, and stand upright when others bend.
And Moses doesn’t leave them alone in the fight. “If a case
is too difficult, bring it to me,” he says. Evil often hides in complexity,
confusion, and intimidation, but God never asks us to face it without help. The
Church gives us the same assurance: Christ in the Blessed Sacrament, the
confessional, the saints, spiritual directors, and the whole communion of
believers stand with us when the battle feels too heavy. Lent is precisely this
training ground. It teaches us to confront evil not with rage or bravado, but
with clarity, humility, and the steady courage that comes from fearing God
alone. When we bring our hardest cases to Him, evil loses its power, and we
learn again that no desert, no temptation, and no darkness is stronger than the
God who walks with us.
IN those days Ezechias was sick even
to death, and the prophet Isaias, the son of Amos, came unto him, and said to
him: Thus, saith the Lord: Take order with thy house, for thou shalt die and
not live. And Ezechias turned his face toward the wall, and prayed to the Lord,
and said I beseech Thee, O Lord, remember how I have walked before Thee in
truth, and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in Thy sight.
And Ezechias wept with great weeping. And the word of the Lord came to Isaias,
saying: Go and say to Ezechias: Thus, saith the Lord the God of David thy
father: I have heard thy prayer, and I have seen thy tears: behold I will add
to thy days fifteen years: and I will deliver thee and this city out of the
hand of the king of the Assyrians, and I will protect it, saith the Lord Almighty.
GOSPEL.
Matt. viii. 5-13.
At that
time: When Jesus had entered into Capharnaum, there came to Him a centurion,
beseeching Him, and saying: Lord, my servant lieth at home sick of the palsy,
and is grievously tormented. And Jesus saith to him: I will come and heal him.
And the centurion, making answer, said: Lord, I am not worthy that Thou
shouldst enter under my roof; but only say the word, and my servant shall be
healed. For I also am a man subject to authority, having under me soldiers; and
I say to this, Go, and he goeth, and to another, Come, and he cometh, and to my
servant, Do this, and he doth it. And Jesus, hearing this, marveled, and said
to them that followed Him: Amen I say to you, I have not found so great faith
in Israel. And I say to you that many shall come from the East and the West,
and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of
heaven: but the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into the exterior
darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. And Jesus said to the
centurion, Go, and as thou hast believed, so be it done to thee. And the
servant was healed at the same hour.
Prayer.
O God, Who by sin art
offended, and by penance pacified, mercifully regard the prayers of Thy people,
making supplications to Thee, and turn away the scourges of Thy anger, which we
deserve for our sins.
Glorious Saint Michael, Prince of the heavenly
hosts, who stands always ready to give assistance to the people of God, who
fought with the dragon, the old serpent, and cast him out of heaven, and now
valiantly defends the Church of God that the gates of hell may never prevail
against her, I earnestly entreat you to assist me also, in the painful and
dangerous conflict which I sustain against the same formidable foe. Be with me,
O mighty Prince! That I may courageously fight and vanquish that proud spirit,
whom you, by the Divine Power, gloriously overthrew, and whom our powerful
King, Jesus Christ, has, in our nature, completely overcome; so having
triumphed over the enemy of my salvation, I may with you and the holy angels,
praise the clemency of God who, having refused mercy to the rebellious angels
after their fall, has granted repentance and forgiveness to fallen man. Amen.
Bible in a Year Day 232 Glory in Knowing God
Fr. Mike reflects on Jeremiah’s
sorrow for the people of Israel while reminding us that the one thing we ought
to find glory in, is in understanding and knowing God. In our reading of
Ezekiel, we hear about God's ongoing promise to restore Israel. Today’s
readings are Jeremiah 9, Ezekiel 39, and Proverbs 15:1-4.
THE TREE OF HAPPINESS
(Cont.)
King
Richard was glad to see all the Grand knights and their sons preparing for the
Quest. Why even Sir Michael sent for his God-son Gabriel to be part of the
great quest. Gabriel was the son of Henry, Sir Michael’s brother. Henry was not
a member of the royal court and lived deep in the forests of Utopia. Henry had
renounced his birthright, by his marriage to a simple peasantry woman, named
Diane, who was known not only for her beauty but also for her intelligent mind
and loving ways. Diane and Henry had raised Gabriel quite different from the
other young men of Utopia. He was taught all the great sciences of the time,
and his father trained him in the Knightly arts. He was a young man of strength
in both mind and body. That was why Sir Michael chose him to be his Sergeant at
Arms on the great crusade to find the Tree of Happiness.
When
Gabriel got the word that he was to go with his uncle he was in his most
favorite places to be. He was in the upper most branches of the oldest oak tree
in the forest. It was said of the tree that it was used as a meeting place for
Mass when St. Dennis first brought Utopia to the church over 500 years ago and
if this was true it would make the tree at least 600 years old. Gabriel always
loved it here. This was his special place. This was the place where he spoke
with his creator. It was here he developed his strength of mind and by climbing
the great tree he also developed his physical strength.
After
Gabriel joined Sir Michael, King Richard and the rest of the Crusaders visited
many faraway lands in search of the Tree of Happiness. They fought many battles
(which are stories themselves) and they learned the value of friendship, duty
and the worth of selfless service. The king and his Knights found themselves
returning to the beliefs of the church and strangely found themselves happy
although suffering in hardships together. After five years of searching, they found
themselves approaching Utopia having never found the Tree of Happiness and
having a sense of failure. Gabriel now a Knight himself, found they were
approaching the tree of St. Dennis, his special place, in the middle of a
terrible storm. As they approached the tree, Gabriel mentioned to King Richard
how this tree was a special place to him, and they camped there for the night
to wait out the storm. Gabriel had just finished mentioning this to King
Richard when a great bolt of lightning struck the great tree splitting it.
Sadly, later that night Gabriel went to bed.
In
the morning Gabriel, Sir Michael, King Richard, and the company of Knights
approached the split tree. As they approached, they discovered buried within
the tree a crucifix that had been attached to the tree and the tree had grown
around it. The crucifix was the cross of St. Dennis which had the following
words inscribed upon it, “Upon this tree (cross) God hung in payment for our
sins and love for us. THIS is the true Tree of Happiness.”
Today Diane T.
Havermale succumbed to pancreatic cancer in February 2015; She is loved and
remembered by her seven children: Claire, Christopher (Gabriel), Candace, Dara,
Rachel, Nicole and Vincent (Michael). Please pray for her intentions and those
who struggle with cancer.
[4]Sheraton, Mimi. 1,000 Foods
To Eat Before You Die: A Food Lover's Life List (p. 892). Workman Publishing
Company. Kindle Edition.
🎞️ The Good Bad Girl (1931)
Starring: Mae Clarke, James Hall, Marie Prevost Studio: Columbia Pictures Genre: Drama / Romance / Crime
⭐ Plot Summary
The story centers on Marcia Cameron (Mae Clarke), a young woman trying to outrun a past tied to the gangster Dapper Dan Tyler. She marries the respectable Bob Henderson, hoping to reinvent herself. But the past refuses to stay buried. When Dan resurfaces and circumstances tighten around her, Marcia must choose between fear and truth, between the shadows she once lived in and the life she longs to build.
It’s a compact, emotionally charged pre‑Code drama—lean, fast, and morally pointed.
🎭 Cast Highlights
Actor
Role
Notes
Mae Clarke
Marcia Cameron
Vulnerable yet resilient; filmed the same year as The Public Enemy.
James Hall
Bob Henderson
The “good man” whose love is tested by truth.
Marie Prevost
Trixie Barnes
Warm, witty, and grounding—classic Prevost.
Robert Ellis
Dapper Dan Tyler
A smooth, dangerous presence from Marcia’s past.
🕊️ Catholic & Moral Themes
This film practically begs for a moral reading. Three themes rise to the surface:
1. You cannot build a new life on a lie
Marcia’s attempt to hide her past mirrors the spiritual reality that unconfessed wounds eventually demand attention.
2. Love must be courageous, not fragile
Bob’s struggle reflects the difference between loving an ideal and loving a person. True covenantal love requires truth, not image.
3. Redemption requires stepping into the light
Marcia’s arc echoes the Gospel pattern: grace is offered, but courage is required.
🍸 Hospitality Pairing
A film about shedding the past and choosing honesty deserves a drink with clarity and bite.
“The Clean Break”
Gin
Grapefruit (Mae Clarke’s 1931 signature nod)
Honey syrup
Lemon twist
Simple, sharp, honest—just like Marcia’s final choice.
Ordinary Time | February 11 – February 17, 2026 Theme: Crossing, Listening & the Grace of New Lands Coordinates: Departing Sydney → Tasman Sea → Wellington → Akaroa
🌊 Day 1 — February 11 | Departing Sydney Title: The Courage to Cast Off • Ritual: Pilgrims stand at the stern, naming one attachment they are willing to loosen as they leave Australia • Scripture: Mark 1:18 — “Immediately they left their nets and followed Him.” • Meal: Herb omelet, fresh fruit, hot tea • Reflection: “Casting off is not abandonment—it is trust in motion.” • Hospitality Arc: Ask someone what they’re loosening their grip on
🌬️ Day 2 — February 12 | Tasman Sea Crossing
Title: The Listening Wind • Ritual: Pilgrims face the wind and name one truth they are ready to hear • Scripture: John 10:27 — “My sheep hear my voice…” • Meal: Lentil soup, seeded bread, ginger tea • Reflection: “Listening is the first act of discipleship.” • Hospitality Arc: Share with someone a truth that has been whispering to you
🌫️ Day 3 — February 13 | Mid‑Tasman Sea Title: The Clouded Middle • Ritual: Pilgrims sit in silence for five minutes, naming one place where clarity has not yet come • Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:7 — “We walk by faith, not by sight.” • Meal: Ginger carrot soup, rice crackers, mint tea • Reflection: “The middle is where faith grows its roots.” • Hospitality Arc: Ask someone where their path feels clouded—and simply witness it
🌅 Day 4 — February 14 | Approaching New Zealand (Valentine’s Day) Title: The Shore of Tenderness • Ritual: Pilgrims place a hand over their heart, naming one relationship that needs gentleness • Scripture: Colossians 3:14 — “Above all, clothe yourselves with love…” • Meal: Poached eggs, roasted tomatoes, herbal tea • Reflection: “Tenderness is strength softened by love.” • Hospitality Arc: Offer someone a word of kindness they didn’t expect
🌆 Day 5 — February 15 | Docked in Wellington Title: The Harbor of Wisdom • Ritual: Pilgrims walk the waterfront, naming one piece of wisdom they hope to receive in this new land • Scripture: James 1:5 — “If any of you lacks wisdom, ask God…” • Meal: Local seafood chowder, crusty bread, crisp white wine • Reflection: “Wisdom often arrives disguised as quiet noticing.” • Hospitality Arc: Share with someone the wisdom you’re seeking Local Inspiration: Wellington’s hills, harbor winds, and Māori heritage invite humility and attentiveness.
🌄 Day 6 — February 16 | Akaroa (Banks Peninsula)
Title: The Peninsula of Peace • Ritual: Pilgrims touch the shoreline or a smooth stone, naming one peace they long to cultivate • Scripture: John 14:27 — “My peace I give to you…” • Meal: Grilled salmon, citrus greens, sparkling elderflower • Reflection: “Peace is not the absence of waves—it is the presence of Christ.” • Hospitality Arc: Ask someone where they feel peace rising Local Inspiration: Akaroa’s French charm, volcanic cliffs, and calm bays create a natural sanctuary for reflection.
🌧️ Day 7 — February 17 | At Sea Toward Timaru Title: The Gentle Descent • Ritual: Pilgrims write one burden they are ready to set down and fold it into a small paper boat • Scripture: Psalm 131:2 — “I have calmed and quieted my soul…” • Meal: Chicken broth, steamed vegetables, warm lemon water • Reflection: “Descent is not diminishment—it is grounding.” • Hospitality Arc: Ask someone what they’re stepping down from—and honor their humility
February 18 Ash
Wednesday
Numbers, chapter 22, Verse 2-3
Now Balak, son of Zippor, saw all
that Israel did to the Amorites,and Moab FEARED the Israelites greatly because they were numerous. Moab was
in dread of the Israelites.
Fear
is listed by many theologians as the 8th deadly sin. God in making
us a Holy people wants us to be free of fear.
Is
it any wonder that people without faith are plagued by fear?
Fear Dominates Politics, Media and Human Existence in
America—And It’s Getting Worse according to Don Hazen.
“Fear is the mind-killer” – Frank
Herbert, Dune
People cannot think clearly when
they are afraid. As numerous studies have shown, fear is the enemy of
reason. It distorts emotions and perceptions, and often leads to poor
decisions. For people who have suffered trauma, fear messages can sometimes trigger
uncontrollable flight-or-fight responses with dangerous ramifications.
Yet over time, many interlocking
aspects of our society have become increasingly sophisticated at communicating
messages and information that produce fear responses. Advertising, political
ads, news coverage and social media all send the constant message that people
should be afraid—very afraid.
In addition, television and film
are filled with extreme violence and millions of fictional deaths, far out of
proportion to what happens in real life, as researchers have pointed out…All
this, despite statistics indicating that in most parts of the
country, the crime rate is actually on the decline.
Fear is so pervasive that experts
have made the case we live in a generalized “culture of fear,” also the name of
a book by Barry Glassner which underscores the fact that we often fear the
wrong things, and incredibly out of proportion to reality. Statistics show you
have a much higher chance of being killed by lightning than by a
terrorist.[1]
Copilot’s Take
Fear is always the first foothold
of evil. Before a person ever compromises, lashes out, or loses hope, fear has
already begun its quiet work of shrinking the soul. Balak’s panic in Numbers 22
is the same pattern we see in our own age: when people lose the fear of the
Lord, they become captive to every lesser fear. A culture without faith becomes
a culture of dread—easily manipulated, easily divided, easily overwhelmed. Fear
clouds judgment, distorts reality, and makes people vulnerable to the very forces
they believe they are resisting. This is why Scripture’s most repeated command
is “Do not be afraid,” not because danger is imaginary, but because fear is
spiritually corrosive. It is the atmosphere in which evil grows.
To confront evil, then, we must
first confront fear. Not by denying its presence, but by refusing its
authority. Ash Wednesday gives us the posture: we kneel, we receive the ashes,
and we remember that death itself has been defeated. A Christian who is not
afraid of death cannot be controlled by the world’s terrors. Holy
fear—reverence, awe, obedience—displaces the panic that evil depends on. It
restores clarity, steadiness, and courage. In a society addicted to fear, the
believer becomes a sign of contradiction: calm where others are frantic,
faithful where others are cynical, courageous where others are captive. This is
the beginning of Lent’s work—letting Christ free us from fear so we can stand
upright against evil.
The solemn season begins with a reminder of our
mortality and our profound need for repentance and conversion.[3]
Why is this day so called?
Because on this day the Catholic Church blesses ashes
and puts them on the foreheads of the faithful, saying, “Remember, man, that
thou art dust, and unto dust shalt thou shall return” (Gen. iii. 19).
Why are the ashes blessed?
1. That all who receive them with a
contrite heart may be preserved in soul and body.
2. That God may give them
contrition and pardon their sins.
3. That He may grant them all they
humbly ask for, particularly the grace to do penance, and the reward promised
to the truly penitent.
Why are the faithful sprinkled with ashes?
The sprinkling with ashes was always a public sign of
penance as such God enjoined it upon the Israelites (Jer. xxv. 34). David
sprinkled ashes on his beard (Ps. ci. 10). The Ninevites (Jonas iii. 6), Judith
(Jud. ix. 1), Mordechai (Esther iv. 1), Job (xlii. 6), and others, did penance
in sackcloth and ashes. To show the spirit of penance and to move God to mercy,
the Church, at the Introit of the Mass, uses the following words: “Thou hast
mercy upon all, O Lord, and hatest none of the things which Thou hast made, and
winkest at the sins of men for the sake of repentance, and sparing them, for
Thou art the Lord our God” (Wis. xi. 24, 25).
Prayer. Grant to Thy
faithful, O Lord, that they may begin the venerable solemnities of fasting with
becoming piety and perform them with undisturbed devotion.
EPISTLE. Joel ii. 12-19.
Therefore, saith the Lord: Be converted to Me with all
your heart, in fasting, and in weeping, and in mourning. And rend your hearts
and not your garments and turn to the Lord your God: for He is gracious and
merciful, patient and rich in mercy, and ready to repent of the evil. Who
knoweth but he will return, and forgive, and leave a blessing behind him,
sacrifice and libation to the Lord your God? Blow the trumpet in Sion, sanctify
a fast, call a solemn assembly, gather together the people, sanctify the church,
assemble the ancients, gather together the little ones, and them that suck at
the breasts: let the bridegroom go forth from his bed, and the bride out of her
bride-chamber. Between the porch and the altar, the priests, the Lord s
ministers, shall weep, and shall say: Spare, O Lord, spare Thy people; and give
not Thy inheritance to reproach, that the heathens should rule over them; why
should they say among the nations: Where is their God? The Lord hath been
zealous for His land, and hath spared His people: and the Lord answered and
said to His people: Behold I will send you corn, and wine, and oil, and you
shall be filled with them: and I will no more make you a reproach among the
nations, saith the Lord Almighty.
Explanation. The prophet, in these words, calls
upon the Israelites to be converted, reminding them of the great mercy of God,
and exhorting them to join true repentance for their sins with their fasting
and alms. They should all, without exception, do penance and implore the mercy
of God, Who would then forgive them, deliver them from their enemies, and bring
peace and happiness upon them.
GOSPEL. Matt. vi.
16-21.
At that time Jesus said to His disciples: When you
fast, be not as the hypocrites, sad: for they disfigure their faces that they
may appear unto men to fast. Amen I say to you, they have received their
reward. But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thy head, and wash thy face, that
thou appear not to men to fast, but to thy Father Who is in secret: and thy
Father, Who seeth in secret, will repay thee. Lay not up to yourselves
treasures on earth: where the rust and moth consume, and where thieves break
through and steal. But lay up to yourselves treasures in heaven: where neither
rust nor moth doth consume, and where thieves do not break through, nor steal.
For where thy treasure is, there is thy heart also.
Instruction on
Lent
What is the origin of fasting?
Under the Old Law the Jews fasted by the command of
God; thus, Moses fasted forty days and forty nights, on Mount Sinai, when God
gave him the Ten Commandments; Elias, in like manner, fasted in the desert.
Jesus also fasted and commanded His apostles to fast also. The Catholic Church,
says St. Leo, from the time of the apostles, has enjoined fasting upon all the
faithful.
Why has the Church instituted the fast before Easter?
1. To imitate Jesus Christ, who
fasted forty days.
2. To participate in His merits and
passion; for as Christ could only be glorified through His sufferings, so in
order to belong to Him we must follow Him by a life answering to His.
3. To subject the flesh to the
spirit, and thus,
4, prepare us for Easter and the
worthy reception of the divine Lamb.
5. Finally, to offer to God some
satisfaction for our sins, and, as St. Leo says, to atone for the sins of a
whole year by a short fast of the tenth part of a year.
Was the fast of Lent kept in early times as it is now?
Yes, only more rigorously; for:
1. The Christians of the early ages
abstained not only from flesh-meat, but from those things which are produced
from flesh, such as butter, eggs, cheese, and also from wine and fish.
2. They fasted during the whole
day, and ate only after vespers, that is, at night.
How shall we keep the holy season of Lent with
advantage?
We
should endeavor not only to deny ourselves food and drink, but, still more, all
sinful gratifications. And as the body is weakened by fasting, the soul, on the
other hand, should be strengthened by repeated prayers, by frequent reception
of the holy sacraments, attending Mass, spiritual reading, and good works,
particularly those of charity. In such manner we shall be able, according to
the intention of the Church, to supply by our fasting what we have omitted
during the year, especially if we fast willingly, and with a good intention.
Prayer.
O Lord Jesus, I offer up to Thee my
fasting and self-denial, to be united to Thy fasting and sufferings, for Thy
glory, in Gratitude for so many benefits received from Thee, in satisfaction
for my sins and those of others, and to obtain Thy holy grace that I may
overcome my sins and acquire the virtues which I need. Look upon me, O Jesus,
in mercy. Amen.
·Go
to your local parish to get ashes and reflect on your own mortality and
sinfulness. Non-Christians are also welcomed to get ashes.
·Fast
during Ash Wednesday to commemorate Jesus fasting for forty days in the desert.
Catholics are specifically instructed to not eat meat and are only
permitted to eat one full meal. However, they may have 2 snacks in the
form of some food in the morning and evening.
·Make
fiber-rich vegetarian versions of popular dishes. Some good ideas are
Veggie Burgers, Vegetarian Chili and salads with Tempeh. The fiber will
help keep you feeling full - useful if you fast for the rest of the day!
·Rent
a movie that reflects on Mortality or Repentance. Some suggestions: Les
Misérables (2012),
Dorian
Gray (2009), What
Dreams May Come
(1998), Flatliners
(1990) and The Seventh Seal (1957).
·Discuss
mortality, repentance and the meaning of life with your friends or with a
church group.
Of all the observances of Lent, the chief among these is the GreatFast. So, intertwined are
the words Lent and the Great Fast, that in fact the Fathers of the Church
sometimes used the terms interchangeably. This solemn obligation is believed to
be of Apostolic origin and takes its precedent, as we mentioned above, from the
examples of Moses, Elias, and Jesus Christ. The Great Fast used to consist of
both abstinence and fasting. Christians were expected to abstain not only from
flesh meat, but from all things that come from flesh, e.g. milk, cheese, eggs,
and butter. Eastern rite Christians still observe this practice, while the
Western church gradually kept only abstinence from meat (reference to all lacticinia,
or "milk foods," was dropped in the 1919 Roman Code of Canon
Law). Both East and West, however, agree on the importance of fasting.
Originally this meant taking only one meal a day, though the practice was
modified over the centuries. The
preconciliar practicein the U.S. was for all able-bodied Catholics
ages 21 to 60 to have one full meal a day which could include meat, and two
meatless meals which together could not equal one full meal. Snacking between
meals was prohibited, though drinking was not. Ash Wednesday, Fridays and the Ember
Days were days of total abstinence from meat, while Sundays were completely
exempted from all fasting and abstaining. The idea behind the Great Fast -- as
well as other periods of fasting -- is that by weakening the body it is made
more obedient to the soul, thereby liberating the soul to contemplate higher
things. St. Augustine gives perhaps the best example: if you have a
particularly high-spirited horse, you train it at the times when it is too weak
to revolt. It is our opinion that this venerable practice should still be takenseriously.
Even though current ecclesiastical law has reduced the fast from forty days to
two and eliminated the thirty-three days of partial abstinence, this does not
mean that observing the Great Fast is not salubrious or praiseworthy. This
said, however, the Great Fast should not be adhered to legalistically. In the
words of St. John Chrysostom: "If your body is not strong enough to
continue fasting all day, no wise man will reprove you; for we serve a gentle
and merciful Lord who expects nothing of us beyond our strength."
1.Remember the formula. 10
Commandments, 7 sacraments, 3 persons in the Trinity. For Lent, the Church
gives us almost a slogan—Prayer, Fasting and Almsgiving—as the three things we
need to work on during the season.
2.It’s a time of prayer. As we pray,
we go on a journey over 40 days, one that hopefully brings us closer to Christ
and leaves us changed by the encounter with him.
3.It’s a time to fast.With
the fasts of Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, meatless Fridays, and our personal
disciplines interspersed, Lent is the only time many Catholics these days
actually fast. And maybe that’s why it gets all the attention. “What are you
giving up for Lent? Hotdogs? Beer? Jellybeans?” It’s almost a game for some of
us, but fasting is actually a form of penance, which helps us turn away from
sin and toward Christ.
4.It’s a time to work on discipline.Set time to work on personal discipline in general. Instead of giving
something up, it can be doing something positive. “I’m going to exercise more.
I’m going to pray more. I’m going to be nicer to my family, friends and
coworkers.”
5.It’s about dying to yourself. The
more serious side of Lenten discipline is that it’s about more than
self-control – it’s about finding aspects of yourself that are less than
Christ-like and letting them die. The suffering and death of Christ are
foremost on our minds during Lent, and we join in these mysteries by suffering,
dying with Christ and being resurrected in a purified form.
6.Don’t do too much.It’s
tempting to make Lent some ambitious period of personal reinvention, but it’s
best to keep it simple and focused. There’s a reason the Church works on these
mysteries year after year. We spend our entire lives growing closer to God.
Don’t try to cram it all in one Lent. That’s a recipe for failure.
7.Lent reminds us of our weakness.Of course, even when we set simple goals for ourselves during Lent, we
still have trouble keeping them. When we fast, we realize we’re all just one
meal away from hunger. Lent shows us our weakness. This can be painful but
recognizing how helpless we are makes us seek God’s help with renewed urgency
and sincerity.
8.Be patient with yourself.When
we’re confronted with our own weakness during Lent, the temptation is to get
angry and frustrated. “What a bad person I am!” But that’s the wrong lesson.
God is calling us to be patient and to see ourselves as he does, with
unconditional love.
9.Reach out in charity. As we
experience weakness and suffering during Lent, we should be renewed in our
compassion for those who are hungry, suffering or otherwise in need. The third
part of the Lenten formula is almsgiving. It’s about more than throwing a few
extra dollars in the collection plate; it’s about reaching out to others and
helping them without question as a way of sharing the experience of God’s
unconditional love.
10.Learn
to love like Christ.Giving of ourselves in the midst of our
suffering and self-denial brings us closer to loving like Christ, who suffered
and poured himself out unconditionally on the cross for all of us. Lent is a
journey through the desert to the foot of the cross on Good Friday, as we seek
him out, ask his help, join in his suffering, and learn to love like him.
Read: Take inspiration for your Lenten
journey from prayer and the reading of Scripture, from fasting and from giving
alms. – Lent is essentially an act of prayer spread out over 40 days. As we
pray, we are brought closer to Christ and are changed by the encounter with
him. Fasting – The fasting that we all do together on Fridays is but a sign of
the daily Lenten discipline of individuals and households: fasting for certain
periods of time, fasting from certain foods, but also fasting from other things
and activities. Almsgiving – The giving of alms is an effort to share this
world equally—not only through the distribution of money, but through the
sharing of our time and talents.
Reflect: “Even now, says the LORD,
return to me with your whole heart, with fasting, and weeping, and mourning”
(Joel 2:12, Lectionary)
Pray: As we begin Lent, we pray for the
strength to commit ourselves to prayer, fasting, and almsgiving so that we may
grow to love God more each day.
Act: Have you picked up your Catholic
Relief Services Rice Bowl for Lent this year? Make a commitment to dropping in
spare change every day. Another way to
give alms today is by giving to the National Collection for the Church in
Central and Eastern Europe.
This
prayer is designed to be said within the family before a Crucifix from Ash
Wednesday to Saturday at the beginning of Lent.
Prayer
Mother or a child: From the words of St. John the
Evangelist (14:1-6).
Let not your hearts be troubled.
You believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house there are many
mansions. Were it not so, I would have told you, because I go to prepare a
place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I am coming again, and
I will take you to myself, that where I am, there you also may be. And where I
go, you know, and the way you know.
Father: We ought to glory in the Cross of our Lord
Jesus Christ
Family: in whom is our salvation, life and
resurrection.
Father:
Let us pray. Grant to your faithful, Lord, a spirit generous enough to begin
these solemn fasts with proper fervor and to pursue them with steadfast
devotion. This we ask of you through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son.
Family: Amen. Favor this dwelling, Lord, with your
presence. Far from it repulse all the wiles of Satan. Your holy angels—let them
live here, to keep us in peace. And may your blessing remain always upon us.
This we ask of you through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son.
Father:
Let us bless the Lord.
Family: Thanks be to God.
Father:
May the almighty and merciful Lord, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, bless and
keep us.
Family: Amen.
Prayer Source: Holy Lent by Eileen O'Callaghan,
The Liturgical Press, Collegeville, Minnesota, 1975
A Practical Guide to Fasting
Fasting – a word we normally
reserve for Lent. Once Easter comes, we box it up and package it away until the
next Lent. Yet this should not be so among Catholic men. A while ago, Sam
discussed the great benefits of fasting.
Now you may be thinking … Fasting
sounds great, but where do I start? … Let’s take some time to look at the
basics of fasting well.
Preparation:It
is important to develop a strategy before beginning to fast. This starts with
setting a realistic goal. For example, you should start simple, such as a bread
and water fast for one meal, one day a week. Also, select your fast day. I
recommend Wednesday or Friday, as these are the two traditional Catholic days
to fast, commemorating Jesus’ betrayal and crucifixion. As you grow in fasting
discipline, you could increase your fast to multiple meals on fast day or even
multiple days a week.
Water:Water
helps purify our bodies of toxins, while providing only the basic hydration we
need to survive. When fasting, make sure to bring a water bottle with you
throughout the day and drink frequently to stay hydrated. One temptation may be
to slip in a cup of coffee or soft drink during the day. However, stay strong
against this temptation. The bread and water will satisfy your basic needs even
if they do not bring the comfort of your favorite food or beverage.
3
cups white flour
4 cups wheat flour
1 pkg dry yeast
1/2 cup of lukewarm water
2 cups of very hot water
1 beaten egg
1 Tablespoon Salt
2 Tablespoons Sugar or Honey
2 Tablespoons of Olive Oil
1 teaspoon of butter
1 cup Raisins (or fresh apple peeled and cut)
1 cup Almonds or Walnuts
1 cup Plain Oats
In a
medium sized bowl, dissolve yeast in 1/2 cup lukewarm water. Cover with a plate
and wait a few minutes until bubbly. In a large bowl, combine the flours. Make
a well in the flour and add the yeast mixture. Mix a bit.
Reusing
the now empty medium bowl, combine Salt, Sugar, Butter, Oil, Raisins, Nuts, 1
beaten egg, and the two cups of very hot water. Pour this over the yeast
mixture. Mix/knead the dough, adding flour and or water as needed.
Knead
the dough until it comes clean from the bowl. Cover with a plate or towel and
let it rise ten minutes. (I often skip this step and the bread still tastes
fine) Knead it again until it has spring to it. Place in well-greased bowl and
cover, letting it rise until doubled in size, 45 minutes to 1 hour, depending
on room temp.
Form
into desired shapes. This will make two large or three medium loaves. Place in
greased pan. Brush the top with remaining egg (if you did not use it in recipe)
and sprinkle with sesame seeds, oats or poppy seeds, if desired.
Bake
at 375 degrees for 35 minutes, until done and golden brown.
Bread:Selecting
the proper fasting bread is crucial to a successful fast. Since the typical
bread we eat is processed and devoid of most nutritional value, I recommend the
bread made by the group, Live the
Fast. As a
bonus, if you are a priest, seminarian or religious, they will send you bread
free! Their bread is all-natural. They bake the bread, freeze it, and then ship
it to your home along with a booklet of fasting instructions. Once you receive
it, you place it in the freezer. On fast day, you take the bread out of the
freezer and heat it in the oven for a few minutes. The bread is
filling but austere; to give the one fasting the nutrition needed to complete
the day’s tasks and nothing more.
Prayer:While
you are heating up the bread, grab a notebook and write down your prayer
intentions for the day. Maybe a friend has lost a job, a relative is sick, or
someone has asked for your prayers. Keep the list with you and offer up prayers
for these people throughout the day. After the bread is finished baking, take
it out of the oven, say a prayer and then eat your first piece. As you go
throughout the day, look for extra opportunities to pray, especially during
mealtimes. Maybe you could attend daily Mass or stop to visit the Blessed
Sacrament during your lunch break. Intentional prayer during fasting helps
remind us that fasting is not purely an ascetical practice. We forgo food to
grow closer to God, not to show how tough we can be on our bodies. The hunger
we experience while fasting instills in us the truth that nothing in this world
can satisfy us but God alone.
Temptations:You
will undergo many temptations while you fast, so stay close to God in prayer.
One may be to boast to your friends about how great you are for fasting. Jesus
warned us in the Gospel that those kinds of people are hypocrites. The purpose
of fasting is to draw us closer to Christ, not draw others closer to us for our
own greatness. Another temptation may be free food. Just like during Lent when
meat becomes more available and appealing on Fridays, expect more temptations
to eat during the fast. A co-worker may offer you a snack or tell you about
some leftovers from a department’s lunch in the break room. Stay vigilant
against these temptations and focus your mind on other things. The less you think about food during the day,
the easier it will be to fast.
Breaking the Fast:End your fast day with a prayer.
Thank God for the day and then prepare a normal sized meal. The temptation can
be to gorge yourself with food after eating less during the day, but this is
not beneficial. Eat your meal slowly and mindfully. Thank God for the gift of
food and the grace he gave you to fast well. Just like any other habit, fasting
can be difficult to begin and you may want to quit. You will have days where
you fast well and others where you give into hunger easily. Do not be
discouraged but persevere! God has great graces for those who fast and will
help draw near to him those who seek him through the discipline of fasting.
“Fasting purifies the
soul. It lifts up the mind, and it brings the body into subjection to the
spirit. It makes the heart contrite and humble, scatters the clouds of
desire, puts out the flames of lust and enkindles the true light of chastity.” (St.
Augustine)
Fr.
Mike explains the significance behind the mention of bones in Jeremiah and
Ezekiel. In Jeremiah, we learn that the bones of God's people are scattered
because of their worship of false gods. In Ezekiel, we see the prophet prophesy
over the valley of dry bones and the Lord’s Spirit restoring and moving within
them. Today’s readings are Jeremiah 8, Ezekiel 37-38, and Proverbs 14:33-35.
THE TREE OF HAPPINESS
(Cont.)
“The situation is desperate”, King Richard mentioned to Sir
Michael. “The young knights have lost all self-discipline; they have no love or
sense of duty for the kingdom and most of the people never attend the churches
anymore.” King Richard didn’t mention it to Sir Michael, but his one desire was
to have his only daughter, “Dawn Tomorrow”, marry a Knight and see him Crowned
King and Dawn be a mother to a Great Nation. Richard was a religious King, but
due to the duties of his office he found it difficult to do much else then keep
his Knights in check. He wondered if anyone would be found worthy to take the
hand of Dawn Tomorrow in marriage. Utopia was a rich nation, and the pleasures
were many for all who could afford them. Even with heavy taxes being imposed,
most of the peasants in Utopia led lives of relative richness in material
things, but sadly most people lacked true happiness and so the King asked Sir
Michael for his advice. Sir Michael thought about it and thought about it and
could not come up with a solution to the problem. Then at last he came upon an
idea. A Quest! He remembered the legend his mother told him of when he was a
small boy. It was the legend of the Tree of Happiness. The Tree of Happiness,
according to the legend, was also in the Garden of Eden when God banned Adam
& Eve from Eden and although access to the Tree of Life was guarded by the
Angels, it is said that man may still have access to the fruit of the Tree of
Happiness. “That’s it”, Exclaimed Sir Michael. We will have a crusade to find
the Tree of Happiness and bring the fruit back to Utopia. To be continued.
Starring: Ruth Chatterton, Clive Brook, Paul Lukas Director: Dorothy Arzner Studio: Paramount Pictures Release: August 15, 1930 Runtime: 80 minutes
1. Plot Summary
Attorney Neil Dunlap, recently abandoned by his wife, spirals into a night of drinking that ends with an impulsive marriage to Pansy Gray, a burlesque performer he once defended in court.
Morning brings embarrassment, scandal, and pressure from his social circle to dissolve the marriage. But Pansy — vulnerable, proud, and determined — refuses to be treated as a mistake or a charity case.
As the two attempt to navigate their accidental union, they confront class prejudice, social ostracism, and their own wounded pride. Slowly, the marriage becomes a crucible for truth, humility, and unexpected loyalty, revealing that the woman society dismisses may be the only one with real integrity.
2. Cast Highlights
Actor
Role
Ruth Chatterton
Pansy Gray
Clive Brook
Neil Dunlap
Paul Lukas
Tony
Cecil Cunningham
Mrs. Magruder
Virginia Hammond
Judith
Huntley Gordon
Dr. Bradley
3. Themes & Texture
Even as a pre‑Code drama, the film carries a surprisingly tender moral core:
• Respectability vs. Authenticity
The “respectable” elite cling to appearances; Pansy clings to truth.
• Class Judgment & Social Ostracism
Pansy is treated as an embarrassment, revealing the cruelty of social virtue.
• Marriage as a Refining Fire
The accidental union becomes a place of purification rather than scandal.
• Female Agency in a Pre‑Code World
Pansy refuses pity, erasure, or the label “anybody’s woman.”
4. Catholic / Moral Reflection
This film, like many pre‑Code dramas, invites a rich moral reading:
• Dignity of the Human Person
Pansy’s insistence on being treated with respect mirrors the Church’s teaching that dignity is not earned by status.
• Mercy Over Judgment
Neil must learn to see Pansy not through the eyes of society but through the lens of compassion.
• Truth vs. Social Masks
The elite hide behind reputation; Pansy lives honestly, even when it costs her.
• Redemption Through Vocation
Pansy’s desire to rise above her past echoes the call to ongoing conversion.
5. Hospitality Pairing (1930s Pre‑Code Style)
Cocktail: The Sidecar (Classic 1930s)
Brandy
Cointreau
Lemon juice
Bright, elegant, and slightly tart — much like Pansy’s mix of vulnerability and backbone.
Snack Pairing: Salted Nuts & Citrus Slices
A simple speakeasy‑era pairing: humble, accessible, and perfectly suited to the film’s blend of grit and grace.
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