ICEMANforChrist

This blog is based on references in the Bible to fear. God wills that we “BE NOT AFRAID”. Many theologians state that the eighth deadly sin is fear. It is fear and its natural animal reaction to fight or flight that is the root cause of our failings to create a Kingdom of God on earth. By “the power of the Holy Spirit” we can be witnesses and “communicators” of a new and redeemed humanity “even to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:7 8). This blog is dedicated to Mary the Mother of God.

Wednesday, August 6, 2025

Dara’s Corner

Bucket List Trip: “The World” next port of call: Syracuse, Sicily
Spirit Hour: Etna Rosso
Foodie- Pasta alla Siracusana
Do not be a “Material Girl”

· Let Freedom Ring Day 31 Materialism

o Materialism comes from a very dark place. It is a Godless place. Philosophically, materialism holds that all that is true is made up of material or comes from material interactions. Even the mind is subservient to the material world. In essence, all we have is what is measurable. No God. No heaven. No hell. No devil. Our life ends when we die. There is nothing beyond the grave. Hence, our only true happiness can be found in the accumulation of wealth, power, pleasure, and honor. Life becomes a mad dash of consumption and manipulation. Materialism is like a creeping vine; if not pulled up right away it will insinuate itself into your life and choke off any fruit a relationship with God might have born.

· Today is National Night Out.

AUGUST 6 First Wednesday-Transfiguration of the Lord

Root Beer Float-National Night Out

Luke, Chapter 9, Verse 44-45

“Pay attention to what I am telling you. The Son of Man is to be handed over to men.” But they did not understand this saying; its meaning was hidden from them so that they should not understand it, and they were AFRAID to ask him about this saying.

The apostles were so caught up with the glory of Christ and their own dreams of power that they dared not look at the truth. We often prefer to live in fantasy rather than face the present and actually see what is really going on. We like the apostles must “Pay Attention.” We must be mindful of others and support them where we can, we must check in with others, exercise forgiveness and engage in service to others and our (first to our families, charity begins at home-there should be no orphans in your family) community.

Copilot

Luke 9:44–45 is a moment of divine clarity met with human confusion. Jesus speaks plainly— “Pay attention”—yet the disciples, still dazzled by miracles and dreams of messianic triumph, cannot grasp the gravity of his words. Their fear to ask reveals not just ignorance, but a reluctance to confront suffering, loss, and the dismantling of their expectations.

We too often prefer fantasy over truth—It’s easier to cling to illusions of control, success, or spiritual comfort than to face the cross-shaped path of discipleship “Pay Attention” is not just a call to intellectual understanding—it’s a summons to active compassion, forgiveness, and service, beginning with those closest to us.

🕊️ Spiritual Application Highlights:

· Mindfulness: Attuning ourselves to the needs and struggles of others, especially those in our immediate circles.

· Forgiveness: Letting go of grudges that fracture relationships and hinder grace.

· Service: Living out the Gospel through tangible acts of love—feeding, listening, comforting, and reconciling.

“There should be no orphans in your family” echoes James 1:27’s call to care for orphans and widows, but reframed to challenge us: are we neglecting emotional or spiritual orphans within our own homes?

Lessons

The Feast of the Transfiguration offers radiant lessons that speak directly to the heart of discipleship, especially when paired with Luke 9:44–45. On Mount Tabor, Jesus reveals his divine glory to Peter, James, and John—a moment of dazzling light, prophetic fulfillment, and divine affirmation. Yet even in this brilliance, the disciples are overwhelmed and afraid. Sound familiar?

🌄 Key Lessons from the Transfiguration:

Divine Glory Is Revealed in Vulnerability
Just as Jesus shines in glory, he also speaks of his impending suffering. The juxtaposition reminds us that true transformation often comes through surrender, not triumph.
Listen to Him
The voice from the cloud says, “This is my Son…listen to him!”—a direct echo of the call to “Pay Attention.” Listening is not passive; it’s an act of obedience, attentiveness, and love.
Fear Is Part of the Journey
The disciples fall in fear, just as they were afraid to ask about Jesus’ suffering in Luke 9. But Jesus touches them and says, “Do not be afraid.” Holy fear leads to awe and reverence, not paralysis.
The Law and the Prophets Point to Christ
Moses and Elijah represent the Old Covenant, now fulfilled in Jesus. This moment bridges scripture, tradition, and revelation.
Transformation Prepares Us for Mission
The mountaintop experience isn’t the end—it’s preparation. The disciples must descend and walk with Jesus toward Jerusalem, toward the cross. Glory is not an escape; it’s empowerment.

We must “check in with others, exercise forgiveness, and engage in service.” The Transfiguration is not just a mystical event—it’s a call to action, to see Christ in others, especially in moments of suffering and fear.

Feast of the Transfiguration[1]

This is the second commemoration during the liturgical year of the miracle of the Transfiguration. (The first, on the second Sunday in Lent, recalls Christ's divinity, while today emphasizes His triumph and glory.

GOSPEL Matt xvii 1-9

At that time: Jesus taketh unto Him Peter and James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into a high mountain apart: and He was transfigured before them. And His face did shine as the sun: and His garments became white as snow. And behold there appeared to them Moses and Elias talking with Him. And Peter, answering, said to Jesus: Lord, it is good for us to be here: if Thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles, one for Thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias. And as he was yet speaking, behold a bright cloud overshadowed them. And lo a voice out of the cloud saying: This is My beloved Son, in Whom I am well pleased: hear ye Him. And the disciple’s hearing, fell upon their face: and were very much afraid. And Jesus came and touched them: and said to them: Arise, and fear not. And they lifting up their eyes saw no one, but only Jesus. And as they came down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, saying: Tell the vision to no man, till the Son of man be risen from the dead.

Why was Jesus transfigured before His disciples on Mount Thabor?

1. To give them manifest proof of His divinity.

2. To prevent all doubt on their part when they should see Him on Mount Calvary.

3. To encourage all the faithful to patience under agony and suffering.

4. To show us how our glorified bodies shall rise from the dead (i. Cor. xv. 52).

Why did Moses and Elias appear with Our Lord?

To testify that Jesus, was the Savior of the world, spoken of by the law and the prophets.

Night Operations[2]

This vision happened in the night. As they went down the mountain early the next morning, Jesus bade them not to tell anyone what they had seen till he should be risen from the dead. In the Transfiguration Christ enjoyed for a short while that glorified state which was to be permanently His after His Resurrection on Easter Sunday. The splendor of His inward Divinity and of the Beatific Vision of His soul overflowed on His body and permeated His garments so that Christ stood before Peter, James, and John in a snow-white brightness. The purpose of the Transfiguration was to encourage and strengthen the Apostles who were depressed by their master’s prediction of His own Passion and Death. The Apostles were made to understand that His redeeming work has two phases: The Cross, and glory—that we shall be glorified with Him only if we first suffer with Him.

Transfiguration-Things to do:[3]

In the Russian Orthodox church, honey, pears, apples, plums and other fruits are brought to the church for blessing. This feast is also referred to as "Metamorphosis" in the Eastern church.
The Transfiguration was another "first fruits" harvest feast particularly of grapes and wheat. The Roman Ritual has a blessing of grapes and blessing of the harvest for this feast.
Playing up on the brilliant white of the garments, decorating with white (tablecloth, candles, etc.) and serving some white foods (mashed potatoes, vanilla ice cream, Mexican wedding cookies, meringues, etc.) can bring to mind that dazzling white.
Having Moses and Elijah at the Transfiguration is a reminder of the Old Testament. Bring in some Jewish recipes or foods to highlight this aspect of the feast day.

The Catholic Tradition of Harvest Feasts of Thanksgiving[4]

The High Middle Ages (approximately 1000 to 1250 A.D.) marked the beginning of harvest feasts of thanksgiving with Catholic nations. These festivals were attached to particular saint or feast days. Not all days were celebrated everywhere, but they would vary in different countries throughout the liturgical year. Each date links to the CatholicCulture.org page on which the sidebar provides further information in the sections of Activities, Prayers, Recipes, etc. for the feast day:

Feast of the Transfiguration, August 6—This feast corresponds with the Jewish feast of Booths or Tabernacles. Both in Eastern churches and in Rome have the blessing of grapes, raisins and other fruits, wine and also blessing and incorporating the wheat grains in the celebration, particularly wheat pilaf. For more information, see my two previous commentaries on the Transfiguration.
Feast of the Assumption, August 15—In many Germanic countries this is thanksgiving harvest for first fruits, herbs and flowers, with the Roman Ritual including a Blessing of Fruits and Herbs for this feast. For more information, see my post on the Assumption.
Feast of St. Bartholomew, August 24—Because St. Bartholomew is the patron of shepherds and husbandmen, in Britain this was another harvest feast for shepherds and farmers. Lamb and mutton are the traditional foods for this feast.

First Wednesday[5]

Our Heavenly Father desires all three hearts of Jesus, Mary and Joseph to be honored. And so along with devotion to Jesus on First Fridays, and to Mary on First Saturdays, Our Father longs for us to add devotion to St. Joseph on each First Wednesday of the month.

"The Sacred Hearts of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph have been chosen by the Most Holy Trinity to bring peace to the world." It is at God's request that "special love and honor be given to them" to help us "imitate" their love and their lives, as well as "offer reparation" for the sins committed against them and their love.

The St. Joseph First Wednesday devotion is:

1. Pray the Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary - remembering St. Joseph's love, his life, his role and his sufferings

2. Receive Holy Communion - in union with the love St. Joseph had for Jesus the first time and each time he held him - his son, his God and Savior - in his arms.

In the approved apparitions of Our Lady of America, St. Joseph revealed:

· "I am the protector of the Church and the home, as I was the protector of Christ and his mother while I lived upon earth. Jesus and Mary desire that my pure heart, so long hidden and unknown, be now honored in a special way.

· Let my children honor my most pure heart in a special manner on the First Wednesday of the month by reciting the Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary in memory of my life with Jesus and Mary and the love I bore them, the sorrow I suffered with them.

· Let them receive Holy Communion in union with the love with which I received the Savior for the first time and each time I held Him in my arms.

· Those who honor me in this way will be consoled by my presence at their death, and I myself will conduct them safely into the presence of Jesus and Mary."

Bible in a Year Day 49 The Year of Jubilee

Fr. Mike explains why God repeats some of his instructions for worship and lays out the purpose for the year of jubilee. The readings are Exodus 35-36, Leviticus 25, and Psalm 81.

Root Beer Float Day[6]

Root Beer Float Day is celebrated on August 6th every year. Between the luxurious vanilla ice-cream and the sumptuous root beer foam, how can any individual resist this delightful beverage? This amazingly refreshing summer treat has its own special day to celebrate its undeniable brilliance. Towards the end of the 19th century, a gentleman named Frank Wisner created the first root beer float. Strangely, this float was nicknamed the “black cow.” If you are wondering how to make one of these superb drinks, then simply add a scoop of vanilla ice-cream to a cold glass of root beer. The taste of root beer float makes the taste buds tingle with utter excitement. To celebrate Root Beer Float Day why not create your own float? Make the float colorful and presentable so that other people can see you have really made an effort for this special occasion!

Daily Devotions

· Start August 6 the Total Consecration to Mary to end on September 8, the feast of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary

· Unite in the work of the Porters of St. Joseph by joining them in fasting: Authentic Feminism

· Religion in the Home for Preschool: August

· Litany of the Most Precious Blood of Jesus

· Offering to the sacred heart of Jesus

· Drops of Christ’s Blood

· Universal Man Plan

· Rosary

[1] Goffine’s Devout Instructions

[2]https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/day.cfm?date=2017-08-06

[3]https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/day.cfm?date=2019-08-06

[4]https://www.catholicculture.org/commentary/catholic-tradition-harvest-feasts-thanksgiving/

[5]https://enteringintothemystery.blogspot.com/2018/12/dont-forget-first-wednesday-devotion-to.html

[6]https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/root-beer-float-day/

Tuesday, August 5, 2025

Candace’s Corner

· 10 coolest summer getaways in Arizona: Mountains, lakes and a chilly cave trek

· Bucket List: Vineyard World Tour: Get your Woo-hoo on

o Vineyard

· St. Anthony Novena 8-on thirteen consecutive Tuesdays.

· Pray Day 1 of the Novena for our Pope and Bishops

· Foodie: Grilled Salmon

o At Home

· Spirit Hour: Roman Punch

· Let Freedom Ring Day 30 Freedom from Secularism

o The left bludgeons anyone who brings Faith into the public square, even priests, with the Big Lie of "separation of Church and State." But prior to Lyndon Johnson's amendment and threat of taxation, faithful shepherds spoke up and spoke out against secular sin. Now, most everyone's a big coward, trembling in fear about being taxed. Please, dear family, honestly ask and answer two simple questions: Do we think the Father of Jesus Christ thinks it's a good idea that we cower in a corner because of oppressive secularism? Do we think Our Father thinks we should not openly bring Him into the public square? The answers are obvious. So are the consequences for how we answer those questions.

o When Jesus said "give to Caesar what is Caesar's, and give to God what is God's," the corollary is "don't give to Caesar what belongs to God." As it was, as it is, as it always will be: God first, last and always. So let us always acknowledge God before men, and let us always openly apply our lives of Faith in the public square.

AUGUST 5 Tuesday

Basilica of Saint Mary Major in Rome

Matthew, Chapter 14, Verse 22-27

²² Then he made the disciples get into the boat and precede him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. ²³ After doing so, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When it was evening, he was there alone. ²⁴Meanwhile the boat, already a few miles offshore, was being tossed about by the waves, for the wind was against it. ²⁵During the fourth watch of the night, he came toward them, walking on the sea. ²⁶When the disciples saw him walking on the sea they were terrified. “It is a ghost,” they said, and they cried out in fear. ²⁷At once [Jesus] spoke to them, “Take courage, it is I; do not be AFRAID.”

The disciples, laboring against the turbulent sea are saved by Jesus. Jesus shows his power over the waters by his walking on the sea during the night. This happens during the fourth watch of the night-time: between 3 a.m. and 6 a.m. The Romans divided the twelve hours between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. into four equal parts called “watches.” Christ further demonstrates that he is divine by stating “it is I” or “I am.” This reflects his hidden identity of Jesus as Son of God.

Fear of Ghosts[1]

Peter Kreeft, professor of philosophy at Boston College, while acknowledging that the Catholic Church does not teach specifically about “ghosts” or spirits, speculates that there are three different kinds of ghosts:

We can distinguish three kinds of ghosts, I believe.

First, the most familiar kind: the sad ones, the wispy ones. They seem to be working out some unfinished earthly business or suffering some purgatorial purification until released from their earthly, business. These ghosts would seem to be the ones who just barely made it to Purgatory, who feel little or no joy yet and who need to learn many painful lessons about their past lives on earth.

Second, there are malicious and deceptive spirits and since they are deceptive, they hardly ever appear malicious. These are probably the ones who respond to conjuring’s at séances. They probably come from Hell. Even the chance of that happening should be sufficient to terrify away all temptation to necromancy.

Third, there are the bright, happy spirits of dead friends and family, especially spouses, who appear unbidden, at God’s will, not ours, with messages of hope and love. They seem to come from Heaven. Unlike the purgatorial ghosts who come back primarily for their own sakes, these bright spirits come back for the sake of us the living, to tell us all is well. They are aped by evil spirits who say the same, who speak “peace, peace, when there is no peace”. But deception works only one way: the fake can deceive by appearing genuine, but the genuine never deceives by appearing fake. Heavenly spirits always convince us that they are genuinely good. Even the bright spirits appear ghostlike to us because a ghost of any type is one whose substance does not belong in or come from this world. In Heaven these spirits are not ghosts but real, solid, and substantial because they are at home there. “One can’t be a ghost in one’s own country.”

How to Outwit the Six Ghosts of Fear[2]

BEFORE you can put any portion of this philosophy into successful use, your mind must be prepared to receive it. The preparation is not difficult. It begins with study, analysis, and understanding of three enemies which you shall have to clear out.

These are INDECISION, DOUBT, and FEAR! The members of this unholy trio are closely related; where one is found, the other two are close at hand.

INDECISION is the seedling of FEAR! Remember this, as you read. Indecision crystalizes into DOUBT, the two blend and become FEAR! The “blending” process often is slow. This is one reason why these three enemies are so dangerous. They germinate and grow without their presence being observed.

There are six basic fears, with some combination of which every human suffers at one time or another. Most people are fortunate if they do not suffer from the entire six. Named in the order of their most common appearance, they are:

· The fear of POVERTY

· The fear of CRITICISM

· The fear of ILL HEALTH

· The fear of LOSS OF LOVE OF SOMEONE

· The fear of OLD AGE

· The fear of DEATH

All other fears are of minor importance; they can be grouped under these six headings. The prevalence of these fears, as a curse to the world, runs in cycles.

Breaking the cycle of fear of poverty

“Each year you shall tithe all the produce of your seed that grows in the field;then in the place which the LORD, your God, chooses as the dwelling place of his name you shall eat in his presence the tithe of your grain, wine and oil, as well as the firstlings of your herd and flock, that you may learn always to fear the LORD, your God.” Deuteronomy 14

God wants you to celebrate life; you shall eat in his presence the tithe of your produce. Imagine what the world would be like if everyone did this! If we all took time off with a tenth of the money, we made to celebrate with God and our family and friends together. What a different world it would be. Imagine all the celebrations you would attend. Maybe we should all strive to take a 40-day retreat/celebration. Save your money for this! What is on your bucket list; perhaps the Lord wants you and me to cross off some of those things in His presence. If I were young again this is how I would budget: 10% for His Presence (30 to 40 days’ vacation); 10% for charity/church; 10% savings and live off the 70 percent; that is after the government takes their 50%. Imagine if there was a fair tax……. that bequeathed everyone $5000 above the poverty level for a family of 4 of $29,420 to invest. A good resource for financial advice is a book entitled, “The Richest Man in Babylon”[3].

Copilot

Fear—whether spiritual, psychological, or economic—can cloud our recognition of Christ’s presence and distort our perception of reality. The interweaving of Matthew 14 with Kreeft’s ghost typology and reflections on the “ghosts of fear” is a theological tapestry where winds and waves of the sea mirror the unseen forces of dread, hesitation, and spiritual distortion.

🌊 Walking into Fear with Christ’s Presence
The fourth watch is such a hauntingly rich moment: deep night, exhausted disciples, and then—Christ, striding through the chaos. His words, “It is I; do not be afraid,” cut through not only the storm but every layer of fear we carry. That “I am” echoes back to Exodus and forward to the Transfiguration—it’s not just assurance, it’s revelation.

🕯️ Ghosts & Discernment
Kreeft’s threefold typology has fascinating pastoral and mystical implications. It almost reads like a spiritual discernment manual:

· Purgatorial spirits: Bound to unfinished suffering, begging our prayers.

· Deceptive spirits: Cloaked in comfort but echoing hollow peace—how many false consolations do we mistake for God's voice?

· Heavenly visitants: Truly sent, not summoned, and bearing grace.

The line: “One can’t be a ghost in one’s own country.” There's something profoundly Eucharistic and eschatological in that. Heaven is home; everything here is shadow until then.

💰 Tithing & Fear of Poverty
That Deuteronomy 14 passage is a beautiful antidote to the fear of scarcity. Tithing as celebration—in God’s presence—is so radically different from the idea of obligation or loss. Budgeting in “retreat time” and sacred feasting flips the script on fear-based planning. It's fascinating to imagine a world where spiritual joy shapes economic life. And yes—The Richest Man in Babylon is a classic precisely because it reframes financial responsibility in terms of discipline and dignity.

🔥 Indecision, Doubt, Fear: The Unholy Trio
Napoleon Hill’s “ghosts of fear” resonate deeply. These mental phantoms may not haunt halls, but they haunt hearts. And like the disciples who mistook Christ for a ghost, we so often mistake the presence of grace for a threat, simply because it arrives in unfamiliar form.

Lessons

Matthew 14:22–27 offers a rich tapestry of Catholic insights—spiritual, sacramental, and ecclesial. Here are several key lessons drawn from this passage:

🌊 Christ’s Lordship Over Chaos
Jesus walking on the sea is not just a miracle—it’s a revelation. In Catholic theology, water often symbolizes chaos, sin, and death. By walking on the turbulent sea, Christ shows his dominion over all disorder. This echoes Genesis, where the Spirit hovers over the waters, and anticipates baptism, where Christ brings order and grace out of watery death.

🕯️ Prayer as Preparation for Mission
Before approaching the disciples, Jesus retreats to pray alone on the mountain. This solitude reflects his communion with the Father and models the rhythm of Catholic life: contemplation before action. The Catechism teaches that Jesus’ prayer is the foundation of our own (CCC 2602–2604). It’s a reminder that spiritual strength flows from intimacy with God.

🚶‍♂️ The Fourth Watch: Divine Timing
The “fourth watch” (3–6 a.m.) is a time of deep vulnerability—physical exhaustion, spiritual fatigue, and fear. Yet it’s precisely when Christ comes. Catholic tradition sees this as a metaphor for grace arriving when we are weakest. It’s a Eucharistic rhythm: Christ comes in the dark, in the storm, and says, “Take courage, it is I.”

👻 Fear and Misrecognition
The disciples mistake Jesus for a ghost. This speaks to the Catholic understanding of fear as a distortion of truth. When fear dominates, we misperceive grace as threat. The Church teaches that holy fear is reverence, not terror. Jesus’ words—“Do not be afraid”—are repeated throughout Scripture and liturgy, especially in Easter proclamations.

🪞 “It is I”: Echoes of the Divine Name
Jesus’ declaration, “It is I” (Greek: ego eimi) recalls God’s self-revelation to Moses: “I AM”. This is a profound Christological moment. In Catholic theology, it affirms Jesus’ divinity and his identity as the Son of God. The disciples’ fear is dispelled not by explanation, but by presence.

⛵ The Church as the Boat
The tossing boat is a classic Catholic image of the Church amid worldly storms. Christ doesn’t prevent the storm—he enters into it. This affirms the Church’s mission: not to escape suffering, but to endure it with Christ. The boat is fragile, but it holds together because Christ is near.

Dedication of the Basilica of Saint Mary Major in Rome[4]

On 5 August, at the height of the Roman summer, snow fell during the night on the summit of the Esquiline Hill. In obedience to a vision of the Virgin Mary which they had the same night, the couple built a basilica in honor of Mary on the very spot which was covered with snow.[5]

St. Mary Major is important to Christendom for three reasons:

(a) It stands as a venerable monument to the Council of Ephesus (431), at which the dogma of Mary's divine Motherhood was solemnly defined; the definition of the Council occasioned a most notable increase in the veneration paid to Mary.

(b) The basilica is Rome's "church of the crib," a kind of Bethlehem within the Eternal City; it also is a celebrated station church, serving, for instance, as the center for Rome's liturgy for the first Mass on Christmas. In some measure every picture of Mary with the divine Child is traceable to this church.

(c) St. Mary Major is Christendom's first Marian shrine for pilgrims. It set the precedent for the countless shrines where pilgrims gather to honor our Blessed Mother throughout the world. Here was introduced an authentic expression of popular piety that has been the source of untold blessings and graces for Christianity in the past as in the present.

The beginnings of St. Mary Major date to the Constantinian period. Originally it was called the Sicinini Basilica; it was the palace of a patrician family by that name before its transformation into a church by Pope Liberius. The story of its origin is legendary, dating from the Middle Ages. The Breviary gives this version:

Liberius was on the chair of Peter (352-366) when the Roman patrician John and his wife, who was of like nobility, vowed to bequeath their estate to the most holy Virgin and Mother of God, for they had no children to whom their property could go. The couple gave themselves to assiduous prayer, beseeching Mary to make known to them in some way what pious work they should subsidize in her honor.

Mary answered their petition and confirmed her reply by means of the following miracle. On the fifth of August — a time when it is unbearably hot in the city of Rome — a portion of the Esquiline would be covered with snow during the night. During that same night the Mother of God directed John and his wife in separate dreams to build a church to be dedicated to the Virgin Mary on the site where they would see snow lying. For it was in this manner that she wanted her inheritance to be used.

John immediately reported the whole matter to Pope Liberius, and he declared that a similar dream had come to him. Accompanied by clergy and people, Liberius proceeded on the following morning in solemn procession to the snow-covered hill and there marked off the area on which the church in Mary's honor was to be constructed.

Under Pope Sixtus III (432-440) the basilica was rebuilt, and upon the occasion of the definition of Mary's divine Motherhood by the Council of Ephesus, consecrated to her honor (432). He decorated the apse and walls with mosaics from the lives of Christ and His blessed Mother, which even to this day beautify the church and belong to the oldest we possess. As early as the end of the fourth century a replica of the Bethlehem nativity grotto had been added; on this account the edifice became known as "St. Mary of the Crib." To the Christian at Rome this church is Bethlehem. Other names for the basilica are: Liberian Basilica, because it dates to the time of Pope Liberius; St. Mary Major (being the largest church in Mary's honor in Rome); Our Lady of the Snow, because of the miracle that supposedly occasioned its erection.

We could point out how the divine Motherhood mystery dominates all Marian liturgy; for the Theotokos doctrine has kept Mariology Christo-centric in the Church's worship. Although recent popular devotion to Mary has become to a certain extent soft and sentimental and has, one may say, erected its own sanctuary around Mary as the center, devotion to our Blessed Mother in the liturgy has always remained oriented to Christ. In the liturgy the divine Motherhood has always been the bridge from Mary to Jesus. One need only examine Matins in honor of Mary or the Masses from her Common to be reassured. Everywhere Christ takes the central position, and Mary is the Christbearer. (Christopher)
—Excerpted from The Church's Year of Grace, Pius Parsch

Patronage: Italy; diocese of Reno, Nevada; Italy: Arzachena, Atella, Castiglione in Teverina, Conco, Rovereto, San Marco in Lamis, Susa, Torre Annunziata; Buenos Aires, Argentina; Almagro, Spain; Utah

Highlights and Things to Do:

Pray that your devotion to Mary remain solidly constructed upon dogma that is Christo-centric, for such is the fruit of a living faith in Mary's divine Motherhood.
Read this article from the Catholic Culture Library on Our Lady of the Snows.
Find more information see:

Find out more about the Basilica of St. Mary Major:

Bible in a Year-Day 48-God’s Presence

Fr. Mike reflects on God's presence to his people, and how that makes his chosen people distinct. Today's readings are Exodus 33-34, Leviticus 24, and Psalm 80.

Daily Devotions

· Unite in the work of the Porters of St. Joseph by joining them in fasting: True Masculinity

· Religion in the Home for Preschool: August

· Litany of the Most Precious Blood of Jesus

· Offering to the sacred heart of Jesus

· Drops of Christ’s Blood

· Universal Man Plan

· Rosary

[1]https://www.patheos.com/blogs/kathyschiffer/2015/04/jesus-a-ghost-what-does-the-catholic-church-teach-about-ghosts/

[2] https://livesensical.com/book-series/publishing-and-writing/

[3]https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Richest_Man_in_Babylon_%28book%29

[4]https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/day.cfm?date=2023-08-05

[5] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santa_Maria_Maggiore

I ain't fraid of no ghost

Fear in the Storm Hike—combining a hike through the rugged beauty near Jerome, AZ with a spiritual reflection on the apostles’ fear when they mistook Christ for a ghost walking on the water. Let’s bring both elements together:

🥾 Spiritual Hike in the Jerome Area: A Catholic Reflection on Fear and Faith

🌄 Recommended Trail: Woodchute Trail

Location: Just outside Jerome, AZ
Length: 6.7 miles round trip
Difficulty: Moderate to hard
Highlights: Panoramic views of the Verde Valley, peaceful forested paths, and a sense of solitude perfect for contemplation.

This trail offers a quiet, elevated setting—ideal for meditating on the Gospel story from Matthew 14:22–33, where the apostles, battered by wind and waves, see Jesus walking on the water and cry out in fear, thinking He is a ghost.

✝️ Catholic Reflection: “It is I; do not be afraid.”

“When the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified. ‘It is a ghost!’ they said, and they cried out in fear. At once Jesus spoke to them, ‘Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.’”
— Matthew 14:26–27

🌬️ Fear in the Storm

The apostles, many of them seasoned fishermen, were overwhelmed by the storm. But their greater fear came not from the sea—but from the unknown.
In Catholic tradition, this moment reveals how fear distorts our perception of Christ. They saw Him, but didn’t recognize Him.

👣 Faith That Steps Out

Peter’s response—“Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you”—is a bold act of faith. But when he takes his eyes off Jesus and focuses on the wind, he begins to sink.
This is a metaphor for our spiritual lives: when we focus on the chaos around us, we falter. But when we fix our gaze on Christ, we walk above the storm.

💡 Catholic Insight

According to Catholic reflections, this story teaches that mature faith is not the absence of fear, but the courage to trust in Christ amid fear.
Jesus doesn’t rebuke Peter for stepping out—He rebukes him for doubting. Even “little faith” is enough to begin the journey, but it must grow through trials.

🧘‍♂️ Suggested Meditative Practice on the Trail

Start your hike in silence, offering the walk as a prayer.
Pause at a scenic overlook—perhaps halfway up Woodchute Trail—and read Matthew 14:22–33 aloud.
Reflect on these questions:

What “storms” in my life cause me to lose sight of Christ?
When have I mistaken His presence for something frightening or unfamiliar?
What would it mean to “step out of the boat” in faith today?

Pray the Litany of Trust or simply repeat: “Jesus, I trust in You.”
End your hike with gratitude, recalling how Christ walks toward you in every storm.