Thursday, January 29, 2026

Rachel’s Corner Try an “Blue Mountain Coffee”

· Spirit hour: “Benedictine” in honor of St. Francis de Sales

· Bucket List Trip: Hang with Joc Cousteau in Fiji

· Dry January or Ginuary

· Get your Soup On

· Hot Tea Month

· Plan winter fun:

o Soak in hot springs

o Hit the snow slopes

o Ride a snowmobile

o Go for a dog sled ride

o Ride a hot air balloon

· How to celebrate Jan 29th

o Feeling adventurous? Start your day with a challenging puzzle to kick things off on a stimulating note. Engage your brain and have fun working through it. Once your mind is warmed up, head outside for some fresh air. Consider supporting a cause by taking part in a beach cleanup or donating to a local charity. When you’re done, treat yourself to some delicious corn chips, perhaps with a homemade dip. Embrace the spirit of creativity by arranging a bouquet of carnations for a loved one, or brighten up your own space. Take a moment to reflect on your beliefs and celebrate individuality on Freethinkers Day. Dive into the rich traditions of Korean, Lunar, or Chinese New Year by learning about different cultures or trying out a new recipe. End your day surrounded by good company, engaging in stimulating conversations, and cherishing the moments shared with your loved ones

Best Place to visit in January: Tucson, Arizona

I’m a big fan of this vibrant city located in the Sonoran Desert. During the summer months the temperatures can be very hot, so I visit during the winter months instead.

It’s been dubbed the ‘City of Gastronomy’ by UNESCO, and when I’m here I always sample the tasty cuisine which has been inspired by a huge range of influences from Spanish and Native American to Mexican. I’m also always charmed by the spectacular natural beauty which is made up of a stunning surrounding mountain range, national parks and pine forests.

Om my trip, I visited the scenic Saguaro National Park, the majestic Mount Lemmon, the extraordinary Colossal Cave Mountain Park, the beautiful open-air museums and gardens, and the interesting old town which was filled with striking Spanish Colonial and Mexican buildings.

Visitor Center Address: Southern Tucson Visitor Center, 115 N. Church Ave. Tucson, AZ 85701

Map Location

Average temperature – 44 to 64

My personal highlights…

Taking an underground tour at Kartchner Caverns State Park and discovering the stunning cave formations.

Visiting Pima Air and Space Museum, the world’s largest aerospace museum. I thought the narrated tram tour was awesome!

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.

Dinner Menu

🇪🇸 Week 4 – Aviano → Naval Station Rota (Spain)

Theme: Atlantic Gatekeeping, Eucharistic Steadiness, Maritime Vigilance, Iberian Light
Dates: Fri, Jan 30 – Thu, Feb 5

🇪🇸 Naval Station Rota – Atlantic Gatekeeping & Eucharistic Steadiness

Day 1 – Fri, Jan 30 – Arrival & Base Orientation

Lodging: Navy Gateway Inns & Suites – Rota

Evening: Walk along Playa de la Costilla

Orientation at Rota Fitness Center

Day 2 – Sat, Jan 31 – Cathedral & Coastal Recreation

Morning: Cathedral of Jerez (turismojerez.com in Bing)

Afternoon Outdoor Rec: MWR Rota Outdoor Recreation (navymwrrota.com in Bing)

Evening: Bowling or intramural sports

Day 3 – Sun, Feb 1 – Sunday Mass & Maritime Witness

Catholic Mass: Naval Station Rota Chapel (navymwrrota.com in Bing)

Afternoon: Civic witness in Cádiz Cádiz Tourism

Evening: Community Center resilience night

Day 4 – Mon, Feb 2 – Fitness & Andalusian Culture

Morning: Rota Fitness Center (navymwrrota.com in Bing)

Afternoon: Jerez Alcázar (turismojerez.com in Bing)

Dinner: Tapas + sherry pairing in Jerez

Day 5 – Tue, Feb 3 – Fortress Harbors & Outdoor Rec

Morning: Castillo de San Sebastián (cadizturismo.com in Bing)

Outdoor Rec: MWR Rota Outdoor Recreation (navymwrrota.com in Bing)

Evening: Bowling league

Day 6 – Wed, Feb 4 – Monastic Clarity & Civic Witness

Morning: Monasterio de la Cartuja (turismojerez.com in Bing)

Afternoon: Civic witness in El Puerto de Santa María Tourism Portal

Evening: Community Center resilience

Day 7 – Thu, Feb 5 – Firelight Finale

Ritual Act: Candlelight vigil on the beach or balcony

Pour wine into a chalice, light a candle, and name one “harbor” God brought you safely into.

Final workout: Rota Fitness Center

JANUARY 29 Thursday

Kansas Day

Exodus, Chapter 9, Verse 27-30

Then Pharaoh sent for Moses and Aaron and said to them, “I have sinned this time! The LORD is the just one, and I and my people are the ones at fault. Pray to the LORD! Enough of the thunderand hail! I will let you go; you need stay no longer.” Moses replied to him, “As soon as I leave the city I will extend my hands to the LORD; the thunder will cease, and there will be no more hail so that you may know that the earth belongs to the LORD. But as for you and your servants, I know that you do not yet FEAR the LORD God.”

This was the seven plague of God on the Egyptians and of course Pharaoh had closed his ears and heart to God. Thunder was to the Egyptians the voice of God but they did not listen nor did the hail melt the ice of their hearts to the true God. Because God loves us He sometimes permits plagues in our lives that will bring about an exodus from our sin and a melting of our heart. When we are poor in spirit it is then that we can draw near to the Lord.

A young man approached Jesus and said, “Teacher, what good must I do to gain eternal life?” He answered him, “Why do you ask me about the good? There is only One who is good. If you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments.” He asked him, “Which ones?” And Jesus replied, “You shall not kill; you shall not commit adultery; you shall not steal; you shall not bear false witness; honor your father and your mother; and you shall love your neighbor as yourself.” The young man said to him, “All of these I have observed. What do I still lack?” Jesus said to him, “If you wish to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” When the young man heard this statement, he went away sad, for he had many possessions. (Mt. 19:16-22)

Today might be a good day to make a poor man feast.

Poor Man’s Feast[1]

Recipe originally uploaded to YouTube by 91-year-old cook and great grandmother, Clara, who recounts her childhood during the Great Depression as she prepares meals from the era.

DIRECTIONS

Prepare the vegetables: Dice the onion. Peel the potatoes and dice into cubes no larger than 1/2 inch.

Heat the oil in a 12" non-stick skillet over medium heat.

Add the potatoes and cook for 5 minutes, stirring once.

Add the onion and cook for another 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Add the sliced wieners and cook for another 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.

INGREDIENTS

3 tablespoons vegetable oil

1 medium onion, diced.

2 lbs potatoes, peeled and diced small.

5 hot dogs, sliced into rounds (about 10 oz)

8 ounces tomato sauce

1/4 teaspoon salt (to taste)

2 teaspoons sugar

Copilot’s Take

🌩 Reflection: When Power Bargains With the Thunder

Evil always reveals itself when it is cornered, and history gives us no shortage of examples. Pharaoh begged Moses to stop the thunder, not because he feared God, but because he feared losing control. And in our own era, we’ve watched public figures—Bill and Hillary Clinton among them—step into that same ancient pattern. When scandal, exposure, or national scrutiny pressed in, the instinct was not repentance but negotiation: “Just stop the thunder. Just quiet the storm. Just let the consequences pass.” It is the universal reflex of power confronted by truth. Whether in Washington, in state capitals, or in the eight or ten states that seem perpetually at odds with the moral foundations that once held us together, the pattern is the same: bargaining instead of conversion, image‑management instead of humility, survival instead of surrender. But Scripture teaches us that thunder is not the enemy; it is the mercy of God shaking loose what refuses to bow. Kansas learned this in its own crucible—Bleeding Kansas, burned towns, murdered settlers, and a frontier that refused to let slavery cross its borders. Moral clarity is costly, and confronting evil requires endurance, not theatrics. The saints fear the Lord; Pharaoh feared the storm. And every generation must decide which fear will govern its future.

Bible in a Year Day 211 Called by Name

Fr. Mike emphasizes our title as children of God as we read about the tragedy of the Babylonian exile. Even in our lowest moments, God wants us to know that he has called us each by name and has called us his, because a good Father does not abandon his children. Today's readings are Isaiah 43-44, Ezekiel 4-5, and Proverbs 12:5-8.

Kansas Day-Toto We are not in Kansas anymore[2]

Kansas Day Facts

Kansas was the first state to ratify the 15th amendment, thus allowing African American men the right to vote. The 15th amendment reads, the right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude.
Kansas is one of the highest producing agricultural states in the U.S. It is believed that they produce enough wheat in one year to provide everyone in the world with several loaves of bread.
The state of Kansas gets its name from the Kansa people, a Native tribe of Siouan who lived along the Kansas and Saline rivers. The name comes from the Siouan-language phrase meaning, people of the south wind.

Kansas Day Top Events and Things to Do

Visit the Old Cowtown Museum in Wichita, Kansas. It is one of the U. S’s oldest history museums and is home to more than 50 historic and re-created buildings.
Visit the Strataca Underground Salt Museum Museum in Hutchinson, Kansas. It is a popular museum built within one of the world's largest deposits of rock salt. It lets visitors explore tunnels and travel 650 feet underground.
Watch a movie representative of Kansas and its notable figures. Here are our suggestions:
Amelia (2009)
The Wizard of Oz (1939)
The Texans (1938)

Daily Devotions

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

· Offering to the sacred heart of Jesus

· Drops of Christ’s Blood

· Rosary

[1]http://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/recipes/view.cfm?id=1656

[2] https://www.wincalendar.com/Kansas-Day

Corsair (1931) — Thelma Todd

Pre‑Code Crime • Roland West • 75 minutes

🎭 Principal Cast

Chester Morris — John Hawks
Thelma Todd (as Alison Loyd) — Alison Corning
Fred Kohler — Big John
Noah Beery — Gregg
Mayo Methot — Marie

📘 Synopsis

A college football hero, pushed by his ambitious sweetheart Alison Corning, enters the world of high finance only to discover its corruption. Disillusioned, he becomes a Prohibition‑era pirate, hijacking rum‑runners aboard a sleek vessel called The Corsair. His vigilante crusade draws him deeper into danger, forcing him to choose between moral clarity and the seductive world Alison represents.

⭐ Thelma Todd’s Role

Credited under the name Alison Loyd, a brief studio rebranding.
Plays a socialite whose ambition and charm push the protagonist toward both success and ruin.
Serves as the film’s moral temptation, contrasting with the more grounded characters around her.
A transitional performance before her breakout comedic work with the Marx Brothers and Hal Roach.

🎥 Production Notes

Director: Roland West
Cinematography: Ray June
Music: Alfred Newman (early career)
Style: Fast-paced, atmospheric, and unmistakably pre‑Code in its treatment of crime, liquor, and moral ambiguity.
Tone: A blend of Wall Street cynicism and maritime adventure.

🧭 Themes

Corruption vs. integrity
The lure of wealth
Prohibition‑era moral gray zones
The cost of ambition
Masculine honor in a compromised world

🍸 Hospitality Pairing

Drink: The Rum‑Runner’s Vigil — dark rum, lime, a whisper of vermouth, shaken cold
Meal: Seared steak tips with charred peppers — rugged, simple, seafaring energy

false ambition:

When the world promises power, prestige, or quick gain, the soul must discern whether the invitation is a calling or a corruption. John Hawks’ descent into piracy mirrors the spiritual drift that occurs when ambition outruns virtue.

Combat Rosary of the Pontifical Swiss Guard

Minnesota and the Spirit of the Antichrist in Our Lives

Wednesday, January 28, 2026

Dara’s Corner-Try “Veracruz-Style Red Snapper”

· Bucket List trip: Australian Wine Country

· Carnival Time begins in Catholic Countries.

· Spirit Hour: Hunter Valley Wine

· Apple and Apricot Month

· Plan winter fun:

· Soak in hot springs

· Hit the snow slopes

· Ride a snowmobile

· Go for a dog sled ride

· Ride a hot air balloon

· How to celebrate Jan 28th

· Ever wondered how to make the most out of a day filled with kazoo tunes, LEGO creations, blueberry pancakes, vacation planning, speaking up, Viking celebrations, CO2 reductions, daisies, data privacy, rattlesnakes, community engagement, ladybug gifts, Geoffroy’s cats, and army pride? Start your morning with a stack of blueberry pancakes while drafting your dream vacation itinerary. Take a moment to appreciate nature with a bouquet of daisies and reflect on ways to reduce your carbon footprint. Engage with your community by attending a local event or volunteering. Embrace your creativity by building something out of LEGO bricks and celebrating the art of data privacy. Speak up about something you’re passionate about, maybe even participating in a kazoo concert or rattlesnake roundup. Honor military service with a moment of remembrance or gratitude. Throughout the day, keep an eye out for ladybugs and Geoffroy’s cats. End your day with a toast to the joy of embracing the weird and wonderful world we live in. Cheers to a day filled with unexpected celebrations!

🌍 Dara’s Corner: Aboard The World

Ordinary Time | January 29 – February 4, 2026
Theme: Descent, Discernment & the Grace of Preparation
Coordinates: At Sea → Albany → Southern Ocean → Approaching Tasmania

🌧️ Day 1 — January 29 | At Sea Along the Southern Coast

Title: The Grace of Descent

· Ritual: Pilgrims write one thing they are “descending from” — pride, hurry, fear — and fold it into a small paper boat

· Scripture: Psalm 131:2 — “I have calmed and quieted my soul…”

· Meal: Warm barley soup, seeded bread, chamomile tea

· Reflection: “Descent is not diminishment—it is grounding.”

· Hospitality Arc: Ask someone what they’re stepping down from—and honor their humility

🌬️ Day 2 — January 30 | Approaching Albany

Title: The Southern Wind

· Ritual: Pilgrims stand on deck facing the south wind, naming one truth they can no longer ignore

· Scripture: John 16:13 — “The Spirit of truth will guide you…”

· Meal: Lemon‑pepper fish, roasted vegetables, sparkling water

· Reflection: “Truth arrives like wind—felt before understood.”

· Hospitality Arc: Share with someone a truth that found you before you found it

🌊 Day 3 — January 31 | Docked in Albany

Title: Harbor of Honesty

· Ritual: Pilgrims walk the historic pier, placing a hand on the railing and naming one honest desire for the year

· Scripture: Psalm 51:6 — “You desire truth in the inward being…”

· Meal: Local seafood chowder, crusty bread, crisp white wine

· Reflection: “Honesty is the harbor where discernment begins.”

· Hospitality Arc: Tell someone the honest desire beneath your resolutions

Local Inspiration:
Albany’s rugged coastline, whaling station museum, and windswept headlands — a natural place for truth‑telling.

🌫️ Day 4 — February 1 | Southern Ocean Crossing

Title: The Clouded Path

· Ritual: Pilgrims sit in silence for five minutes, naming one place where the path ahead feels unclear

· Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:7 — “We walk by faith, not by sight.”

· Meal: Ginger‑carrot soup, rice crackers, mint tea

· Reflection: “Uncertainty is not failure—it is invitation.”

· Hospitality Arc: Ask someone where their path feels clouded—and simply witness it

🌅 Day 5 — February 2 | At Sea Toward Tasmania

Title: The Long Preparation

· Ritual: Pilgrims choose one small discipline to practice for the next seven days—silence, gratitude, early rising

· Scripture: Luke 12:35 — “Be dressed for action and have your lamps lit.”

· Meal: Herb omelet, fresh fruit, hot tea

· Reflection: “Preparation is the quiet work that makes revelation possible.”

· Hospitality Arc: Encourage someone in their chosen discipline—name the goodness you see in their effort

🌧️ Day 6 — February 3 | Nearing Tasmania

Title: The Edge of the New

· Ritual: Pilgrims stand at the bow and name one threshold they feel themselves approaching

· Scripture: Isaiah 42:9 — “See, the former things have come to pass…”

· Meal: Roasted chicken, lemon potatoes, rosemary tea

· Reflection: “Thresholds are not crossed—they are entered.”

· Hospitality Arc: Ask someone what threshold they sense—and bless their crossing

🌄 Day 7 — February 4 | Docked in Tasmania (Hobart or Burnie)

Title: The Shore of Discernment

· Ritual: Pilgrims walk the shoreline, picking up one stone that symbolizes what they are carrying into the next season

· Scripture: James 1:5 — “If any of you lacks wisdom, ask God…”

· Meal: Tasmanian salmon, citrus salad, sparkling elderflower

· Reflection: “Discernment is not choosing between good and bad—it is choosing between good and better.”

· Hospitality Arc: Share with someone the wisdom you’re seeking—and ask them what wisdom they seek

JANUARY 28 Wednesday-Feast of Saint Thomas Aquinas

Novena to the Holy Face-Day 1

Exodus, Chapter 9, Verse 20

Those of Pharaoh’s servants who FEARED the word of the LORD hurried their servants and their livestock off to shelter.

Even Pharaohs servants when they heard the word of God took action. Blessed are we that hear the word of the Lord!

Today we are a community living in the fulfillment of faith in Christ and He asks us to do something unthinkable,

“Amen, amen, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you do not have life within you. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day. For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him. Just as the living Father sent me and I have life because of the Father, so also the one who feeds on me will have life because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven. Unlike your ancestors who ate and still died, whoever eats this bread will live forever.” (John 6:53-58)

Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. (Mt. 4:19)

Aids in Battle[1]The Power of Christ’s Blood

This Blood, if rightly received, drives away demons and keeps them far away from us, while it calls to us both angels and the Lord of angels. For wherever they see the Lord’s Blood, demons flee, and angels run to gather together. For this Blood, poured forth, washed clean all the world. . . . Those who share this Blood stand with angels and archangels and the heavenly powers above, clothed in Christ’s own kingly robe, and having the armor of the Spirit. In fact, greater than everything I have yet described is this: Those who share this Blood are clothed with the King Himself.

ST. JOHN CHRYSOSTOM

Copilot’s Take

When the Word of God is received with reverence, the soul awakens to its true condition and moves toward shelter, just as the servants of Pharaoh acted when they recognized the power of the Lord. In the fullness of time, Christ deepened this call by offering His own Body and Blood as the decisive remedy against spiritual death, a gift that not only nourishes but fortifies those who receive it with faith. The Eucharist becomes the battleground where evil loses its claim, for the Precious Blood drives away darkness and draws the hosts of heaven near. To follow Christ, then, is to enter this divine protection, to stand clothed in His strength, and to participate in His mission of drawing souls from danger into life.

St. Thomas Aquinas, Priest and Doctor of the Church[2]

Thomas Aquinas thoughts on Fear

Article 1. Whether God can be feared? I answer that, Just as hope has two objects, one of which is the future good itself, that one expects to obtain, while the other is someone's help, through whom one expects to obtain what one hopes for, so, too, fear may have two objects, one of which is the very evil which a man shrinks from, while the other is that from which the evil may come. Accordingly, in the first way God, Who is goodness itself, cannot be an object of fear; but He can be an object of fear in the second way, in so far as there may come to us some evil either from Him or in relation to Him. From Him there comes the evil of punishment, but this is evil not absolutely but relatively, and, absolutely speaking, is a good. Because, since a thing is said to be good through being ordered to an end, while evil implies lack of this order, that which excludes the order to the last end is altogether evil, and such is the evil of fault. On the other hand the evil of punishment is indeed an evil, in so far as it is the privation of some particular good, yet absolutely speaking, it is a good, in so far as it is ordained to the last end. In relation to God the evil of fault can come to us, if we be separated from Him: and in this way God can and ought to be feared.

Article 2. Whether fear is fittingly divided into filial, initial, servile and worldly fear? I answer that, We are speaking of fear now, in so far as it makes us turn, so to speak, to God or away from Him. For, since the object of fear is an evil, sometimes, on account of the evils he fears, man withdraws from God, and this is called human fear; while sometimes, on account of the evils he fears, he turns to God and adheres to Him. This latter evil is twofold, viz. evil of punishment, and evil of fault. Accordingly if a man turn to God and adhere to Him, through fear of punishment, it will be servile fear; but if it be on account of fear of committing a fault, it will be filial fear, for it becomes a child to fear offending its father. If, however, it be on account of both, it will be initial fear, which is between both these fears.

Article 3. Whether worldly fear is always evil? I answer that, moral acts and habits take their name and species from their objects. Now the proper object of the appetite's movement is the final good: so that, in consequence, every appetitive movement is both specified and named from its proper end. For if anyone were to describe covetousness as love of work because men work on account of covetousness, this description would be incorrect, since the covetous man seeks work not as end but as a means: the end that he seeks is wealth, wherefore covetousness is rightly described as the desire or the love of wealth, and this is evil. Accordingly, worldly love is, properly speaking; the love whereby a man trusts in the world as his end, so that worldly love is always evil. Now fear is born of love, since man fears the loss of what he loves, as Augustine states. Now worldly fear is that which arises from worldly love as from an evil root, for which reason worldly fear is always evil.

Saint Thomas Aquinas’ thoughts on fear:^{^[3]}

1. Fear is a shrinking back from evil. Hence, we cannot fear God in himself, for God is infinite goodness. But one is said to fear God in the sense of fearing the evil of being separated from God by sin, and in the sense of fearing to incur his punishments for sin.

2. Fear is called servile fear when it is the dread of punishment alone. It is called filial fear or chaste fear when it is primarily the dread of offending God, our loving father. Between these two types of fear is initial fear, which is properly the beginning of filial fear, and differs from it only as imperfect differs from perfect. There is another type of fear called worldly fear which is the dread of losing temporal things to which the heart clings as to the ultimate good.

3. Worldly fear is always evil, for it discounts God and eternity, and dreads only the loss of creatural goods.

4. Servile fear is not good in point of its servility, but it is good inasmuch as it recognizes and dreads the evil that attends upon sin. From such a dread a person may readily rise to the higher and noble type of fear, and through this, to charity and repentance.

5. However, servile fear is essentially different from filial fear. Servile fear dreads punishment; filial fear dreads offending God. These two types of fear differ in their specific objects, and therefore differ essentially from each other.

6. Yet servile fear, as we have seen, has a good aspect, and, in this respect, it comes from the Holy Ghost; but it is not the gift of the Holy Ghost that we call fear. Hence, servile fear, in so far as it is good, can remain in the soul which has charity, that is, which is in the state of sanctifying or habitual grace, and therefore in the friendship and love of God.

7. Wisdom is knowledge of God together with the will to serve him and possess him. Now, the beginning of wisdom itself is faith, for by faith we know God and are directed to him. But the beginning of wisdom, in the sense of what arouses one and stirs oneto be wise, is fear. This beginning of wisdom is both servile fear and filial fear; such fear puts spurs to a man, so to speak, and makes him cultivate wisdom. In this sense, "the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom" (Psalm 110).

8. Initial fear is, as we have said, beginning fear. Both servile fear and filial fear may be, in some way, the start of fearing the Lord. Yet initial fear is closer to filial fear than to servile fear; indeed, it is, properly speaking, an imperfect form of filial fear.

9. Filial or chaste fear of the Lord is one of the seven gifts of the Holy Ghost. By it we revere God and avoid what separates us from him.

10. Filial fear increases with charity, for the more one loves God, the more one fears to offend him. Servile fear loses its servility as charity increases, and then, as the non servile dread of deserved punishments, it decreases in the glow of charity. For charity fixes the soul more and more on God, and thus the thought of self, and even of deserved punishment of oneself, becomes less and less. Besides, the greater one's charity is, the more confident is one's soul of escape from punishment. And thus, finally, the only fear in the charity-filled soul is filial fear.

11. Filial fear will exist in a perfected state in heaven. It cannot be the same as it is during earthly life, for in heaven all possibility of losing or offending God will be taken away. Servile fear will not exist at all in heaven.

12. The first beatitude, "Blessed are the poor inspirit," corresponds to the gift of fear. For if a man fears God perfectly, as he may do by the gift, he does not pridefully seek to be rich or honored but is humble and poor inspirit.Things to do:[4]

· Read G.K. Chesterton's biography, St. Thomas Aquinas, The Dumb Ox, which is full of Chestertonian profundity and wit online or purchase it from Amazon.

· Dive into the intellectual depth and beauty of St. Thomas' thought in his Summa Theologiae. Familiarize yourself with his method of inquiry by reading his section on God's attributes, especially the goodness of God. Here is a Bibliography in English.

· Nearly everyone, especially young people, knows and appreciates the story of St. Thomas chasing the prostitute from his room with a burning log. (She was sent by his wealthy family to tempt him away from the religious life.) After he drove away the temptress, two angels came to him and fastened a mystical chastity cord around his waist. Buy or fashion your own chastity belt, easy to make from braided yarn or thin, soft rope. (St. Joseph chastity belts are available at some Catholic shops.) This would be a beautiful alternative or addition to the "True Love Waits" chastity pledge and ring. It is a wonderful low-key symbol for self-conscious teens. It also serves as an excellent reminder to pray daily for the virtue of chastity.

· Meditate upon the profound humility of St. Thomas Aquinas, whose intellectual capacity far surpasses any since his time. He stopped writing at the end of his life after having a vision of the glory of God, claiming that 'All that I have written seems to me like straw compared to what has now been revealed to me.' How often do we take pride in our own intellectual achievements, fully crediting them to ourselves?

· If you are a student or teacher, or at all concerned about the crisis of Catholic education, make ample use of the Prayer to St. Thomas Aquinas for Schools and the Prayer to the Angel of Schools.

· Read Pope Leo XIII's encyclical, Aeterni Patris, strangely relevant to our time in its exhortation towards a renewal in philosophical study with a focus on the Angelic Doctor, Saint Thomas Aquinas.

· Finally, read Pope John Paul II's encyclical, Fides et Ratio, especially the section on The enduring originality of the thought of St. Thomas Aquinas. He expresses a similar intent to that of Pope Leo XIII's in the following words, "If it has been necessary from time to time to intervene on this question, to reiterate the value of the Angelic Doctor's insights and insist on the study of his thought, this has been because the Magisterium's directives have not always been followed with the readiness one would wish."

· From the Catholic Culture library: Light from Aquinas , The Meaning of Virtue in St. Thomas Aquinas and The Philosophy of Woman of St. Thomas Aquinas. For many more documents search the library for "Aquinas".

Bible in a Year Day 210

Fr. Mike compares the messages of Isaiah and Ezekiel, one coming from a pre-exile time and the other from a post-exile time. Even though they are coming from two very different points in salvation history, they both are persistent in speaking the Word of God, and sharing his consolation with the people of Israel. Today's readings are Isaiah 41-42, Ezekiel 2-3, and Proverbs 12:1-4.

Daily Devotions

· Unite in the work of the Porters of St. Joseph by joining them in fasting: Today's Fast: The Sick, afflicted, and infirmed.

· Offering to the sacred heart of Jesus

· Drops of Christ’s Blood

· Universal Man Plan

· Rosary

[1] Thigpen, Paul. Manual for Spiritual Warfare. TAN Books.

[2]http://www.newadvent.org/summa/2042.htm

[3]http://www.catholictheology.info/summa-theologica/summa-part2B.php?q=197

[4]https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/day.cfm?date=2020-01-28

🎬 Strange Marriage (1932)

Pre‑Code Hollywood — drama, crime, and moral ambiguity

⭐ Quick Overview

A young woman marries a wealthy man to escape poverty, only to find herself entangled in blackmail, corruption, and a web of moral compromises. The film leans heavily into Pre‑Code themes:

transactional marriage
class desperation
sexual implication without explicitness
corruption among the wealthy
women navigating power structures stacked against them

It’s a compact, moody drama that asks:
What is a marriage worth when survival is on the line?

📘 Plot Summary

Marian (Evalyn Knapp), a working‑class young woman, is pressured into a marriage of convenience with a wealthy older man, Judge Harlan. The marriage is less about love and more about protection — he offers her stability, she offers him companionship and social polish.

But Marian’s past won’t stay buried.
A criminal figure who once helped her threatens to expose her history unless she cooperates in a blackmail scheme. As the judge becomes entangled in the scandal, Marian must choose between loyalty, self‑preservation, and the possibility of real love with a younger man who sees her for who she is.

The film ends with a surprisingly moral — but not moralistic — resolution, typical of the Pre‑Code era:
sin has consequences, but mercy is possible.

🕊️ Catholic Moral Reading

1. Marriage as contract vs. covenant

The film exposes the fragility of marriages built on:

fear
money
social pressure
escape

It invites a reflection on the Catholic understanding of marriage as a sacramental covenant, not a survival strategy.

2. The danger of hidden sin

Marian’s past isn’t evil — it’s desperate — but secrecy becomes the weapon used against her.
A perfect tie‑in to:

Confession
The healing power of truth
The spiritual cost of living in fear

3. Corruption among the powerful

Judge Harlan’s world is polished but morally compromised.
A reminder that sin is not the domain of the poor — it’s often more refined among the wealthy.