Heaven and earth
Love constantly rejoices because the more it grows the more generously
it gives itself away. Consequently, while those who desire evil are
impoverished by their
getting, lovers are enriched by their giving. The desirous are troubled
even
as they seek
revenge for injuries done to them; lovers are at peace as they delight in
giving to others the
love that has been given to them. The desirous avoid the works of mercy,
while lovers do them
cheerfully. The desirous act to harm their neighbors; lovers do not do
evil
to their neighbors.
The desirous exalt themselves and are thereby dragged down into hell;
lovers
humble
themselves and rise up to heaven.
On earth love is fed by the words of God; in heaven it is filled by the
words of God. On earth
it has the company of friends; in heaven the fellowship of the angels. It
toils in the world, it
finds rest in heaven. Here below it is guided aright by growing; in that
other world it is
possessed in its perfection without threat.
-Fulgentius of Ruspe
<<>><<>><<>>
January 6th - Epiphany
Many countries of the world celebrate the feast of the Epiphany on January
6th. In Matthew's Gospel, Chapter 2, verse 1-11, we read:
After Jesus had been born at Bethlehem in Judaea during the reign of King
Herod, some wise men came to Jerusalem from the east. 'Where is the infant
king of the Jews?' they asked. We saw his star as it rose and have come to
do him homage.'....'At Bethlehem in Judaea'.....they set out. And there in
front of them was the star they had seen rising; it went forward and
halted
over the place where the child was. The sight of the star filled them with
delight, and going into the place they saw the child with his mother Mary,
and falling to their knees they did him homage. Then, opening their
treasures, they offered him gifts of gold and frankincense and myrrh...."
In Greek the word "epiphany" means the "manifestation of a divinity." St.
Paul was the first to use it in a Christian sense to indicate the first
and
final coming of Jesus Christ. In the West this feast is a celebration of
the
adoration of the Magi as told in Matthew's Gospel. In the East it is the
celebration of Christ's baptism.
The first celebration of the Epiphany is described by Clement of
Alexandria
at the beginning of the 3rd century. It is believed that it may have been
instituted to counteract the pagan festival of the "Sun God," which in the
Egyptian calendar was celebrated on the winter solstice or January 6th.
The feast originally celebrated Christ's birth, but after the acceptance
of
December 25th as the official feast of Christ's birth, the Roman
Calendar's
focus became more centered on the Adoration of the Magi and on Christ's
Baptism.
Today the Roman Liturgy stresses the Adoration of the Magi on Epiphany,
but
the miracle at Cana and Christ's Baptism are also recounted. A separate
feast of Christ's baptism is observed on the Sunday after Epiphany. In the
United States both the Epiphany and the Baptism have been moved to a
Sunday
observation.
Saint Quote:
"Chastity is to be specially guarded, because if it is lost all other
virtues are ruined"
-St. Jerome (Doctor, 342-420) - "Instructions On Christian Morality"
Bible Quotes:
"Without faith it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6) ... I could
not
otherwise be continent, except God gave it" - Wisdom 8:21
"Do not err: Neither fornicators nor idolaters nor adulterers: Nor the
effeminate nor liars with mankind [not 'liars' but 'liars with men', that
is, sodomites] ... [None of the unchaste] shall possess the kingdom of
God.
(1 Corinthians 6:9-10)
<><><><>
Sts. Joachim and Anne, A Family Prayer
Lord Jesus, through the intercession of Your Blessed
Mother Mary and Good St. Joseph we ask You to bless,
protect and guide our family. Humbly we approach Your
Eucharistic throne of grace and pray that You mold us into a
Holy Family. By the power of the Holy Spirit please help us
to do the will of Our Heavenly Father, during our earthly
sojourn, for Your honor and glory and the salvation of souls.
Help us to lead others to You in the Most Blessed
Sacrament. At the end of our journey please gather us
together, again, that we may be a family in Your heavenly
paradise and with the angels and saints sing Your praises
for eternity.
(From the book Family Hours of Adoration)
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