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.
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.
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?
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]
·
"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
·
Rosary