'Suppose that the whole horizon, as far as you can see from this mountain, were a sea of fire; if we cast into it a bit of oakum, it will disappear in an instant. So, when you have committed a fault, humble yourself before God, and cast your fault into the infinite ocean of charity, and at once it will be effaced from your soul; at the same time all distrust will disappear.'

St. Paul of the Cross

The Angelus

The Angel of the Lord declared to Mary:
And she conceived of the Holy Spirit.

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of
our death. Amen.

Behold the handmaid of the Lord: Be it done unto me according to Thy word.

Hail Mary . . .

And the Word was made Flesh: And dwelt among us.

Hail Mary . . .

Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray:

Pour forth, we beseech Thee, O Lord, Thy grace into our hearts; that we, to whom the incarnation of Christ, Thy Son, was made known by the message of an angel, may by His Passion and Cross be brought to the glory of His Resurrection, through the same Christ Our Lord.

Amen.

"Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you" (Lk 1:28)

"Blessed are you among women,
and blessed is the fruit of your womb"
(Lk 1:42).

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/3710887/posts

Saint of the Day — Saint Sabas

Information: St. Sabbas

Feast Day: December 5

Born: 439 at Motalala, Cappadocia

Died: 532

CATHOLIC ALMANAC

Wednesday, December 5

Liturgical Color: Violet

Bl. Philip Rinalidi died on this day in 1931. He
was a Salesian priest who trained under and
eventually succeeded St. Don Bosco as head of
the order. Under his leadership, the Salesian
Order gained an additional 4,000 members.

Catholic Culture

Advent: December 5th

Wednesday of the First Week of Advent

MASS READINGS

December 05, 2018 (Readings on USCCB website)

COLLECT PRAYER

Look with favor, Lord God, on our petitions, and in our trials grant us your compassionate help, that, consoled by the presence of your Son, whose coming we now await, we may be tainted no longer by the corruption of former ways. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

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Recipes (9)

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Activities (4)

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Library (1)

Joyful Expectation of Christmas Among Christians | Pope Benedict XVI

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Old Calendar: St. Sabbas, abbot

St. Sabbas is pictured as an abbot with an apple. He was once tempted to eat an apple outside of the prescribed mealtime, whereupon he vowed never to eat apples again. The Martyrology says: "At Mutala in Cappadocia the holy abbot Sabbas; in Palestine he gave the shining example of a holy life. Untiringly he labored in defense of the true faith against those opposing the Council of Chalcedon." In Jerusalem he built a famous laura (as oriental monasteries are called), which bears his name. When the Arabs later conquered the Holy City, the monks fled to Rome, where they built a monastery and introduced the veneration of their saint. In the Eastern Church St. Sabbas ranks high in popular devotion; he is distinguished by the titles "God-bearer, the Saint, Citizen of the Holy City, Star of the Desert, Patriarch of Monks." This feast is celebrated in the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite.

Jesse Tree ~ Noah

St. Sabbas
Saint Sabbas the Sanctified was born in the fifth century in Cappadocia, in the pious Christian family of John and Sophia. His father was a military commander. Journeying to Alexandria on military matters, his wife went with him, but they left their five-year-old son in the care of an uncle. When the boy reached eight years of age, he entered the monastery of St. Flavian, located nearby. The gifted child quickly learned to read and became an expert on the Holy Scriptures. In vain did his parents urge St. Sabbas to return to the world and enter into marriage. At seventeen years of age he received monastic tonsure, and attained such perfection in fasting and prayer that he was given the gift of wonderworking. After spending ten years at the monastery of St. Flavian, he went to other monasteries. St. Sabbas lived in obedience at this monastery until the age of thirty.

He was later blessed to seclude himself in a cave. On Saturdays, however, he left his hermitage and came to the monastery, where he participated in divine services and ate with the brethren. After a certain time St. Sabbas received permission not to leave his hermitage at all, and he struggled in the cave for five years. After several years, disciples began to gather around St. Sabbas, seeking the monastic life. As the number of monks increased, a lavra sprang up. When a pillar of fire appeared before St. Sabbas as he was walking, he found a spacious cave in the form of a church.

St. Sabbas founded several more monasteries. Many miracles took place through the prayers of St. Sabbas: at the Lavra a spring of water welled up, during a time of drought there was abundant rain, and there were also healings of the sick and the demoniacs. The saint surrendered his soul to God in the year 532.

Symbols: Abbot with an apple.

Things to Do:

Learn about the icon of the Mother of God called the "Milk-Giver" and its connection to St. Sabbas.
Take some time-off from TV viewing and make time for family reading of the Scripture passages concerning the Messiah (portions of Isaiah, the birth and infancy narratives).
Make preparations for the feast of St. Nicholas. Tonight many families put out their shoes or stockings for St. Nicholas to fill. Also many families celebrate with a party on St. Nicholas Eve.
Don't forget to pray "Hail and Blessed be the hour...", the Christmas Anticipatory Prayer every day until Christmas.
Read this longer biography of St. Sabas to find out why he is pictured with an apple.
Read St. Sabbas the Sanctified and his Holy Lavra.
Visit this site to learn more about the ancient monastery established in the 5th century by St. Sabas.

The Word Among Us

Meditation: Matthew 15:29-37

1st Week of Advent

They picked up the fragments left over—seven baskets full. (Matthew 15:37)

Here’s a question to ponder. If Jesus is the all-knowing perfect Son of God, why didn’t he give the apostles exactly the right amount of food for this crowd? Why did they end up with extra bread? Maybe he thought that the disciples might get hungry again. Or maybe he anticipated more people showing up later. More likely, Jesus used the leftovers to teach his disciples something.

The number of baskets remaining—seven—can give us a clue. In Jewish tradition, seven was an expression of perfection, the kind of perfection found only in God. It took God six days to create the world, and then he rested on the seventh. It was a day of satisfaction and plenty. It was a time to enjoy his creation. In the same way, the bread that Jesus provided satisfied the crowd in a way that no earthly food could (Matthew 15:37).

The number seven also shows us God’s limitless generosity. Isaiah lists seven gifts of the Spirit (11:2-3). The Book of Proverbs describes divine wisdom as having seven pillars (9:1). Jesus told Peter to forgive “seventy-seven times,” that is, always (Matthew 18:22). He knew that Peter could be so forgiving because God’s mercy is boundless.

Notice also that the apostles started with seven baskets, and they finished with seven baskets. It was Jesus’ way of saying that whenever we rely on God’s resources in our giving to someone, we will never run out. These fragments weren’t really leftovers. They were part of his endless supply of blessings!

All of these elements apply in a special way to the Eucharist, the Bread of Life that Jesus gives us every day at Mass. This bread, which is his Body, is unlike any other food we could ever eat. It is perfect, lacking in nothing. It is full of God’s eternal, unlimited blessings. When we receive this bread in faith and surrender our hearts to Jesus, he fills us with everything we need. He satisfies our hearts’ deepest desires. And he gives us plenty of “leftover” grace to share with everyone we will encounter. What a generous, loving God he is!

“Lord, I trust that your Body and your Blood can satisfy the deepest desires of my heart.”

Isaiah 25:6-10
Psalm 23:1-6

Daily Gospel Commentary

Blessed John Henry Newman (1801-1890)
Cardinal, founder of the Oratory in England, theologian
Twelve meditations and intercessions for Good Friday, 9-10

"My heart is moved with pity for the crowd"

Inspired Scripture has told us: “You have mercy on all, because you can do all things; and you overlook the sins of men that they may repent, For you love all things that are and loathe nothing that you have made… But you spare all things because they are yours, O Lord and lover of souls,” (Wis 11:23ff.). Now see what it is that causes him to come down from heaven and gives him the name of Jesus…: “You are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins,” (Mt 1:21). It is his great love for men, his compassion for sinners: this is what causes him to come down from heaven.

So why should he consent to veil his glory within a mortal body had he not ardently desired to save those who had gone astray and lost all hope of salvation? He himself says: “The Son of Man has come to seek and to save what was lost,” (Lk 19:10). Rather than leave us to perish, he has done all that an all-powerful God could do according to his divine attributes: he has given his own self. And he loves us all to such an extent that he wanted to give his life for each one of us, as absolutely, as fully as if there had been but one, single person to save. He is our best of friends…, the only true friend, and he has exercised all possible means to ensure that we should love him in return. He refuses us nothing so long as we consent to love him…

O my Lord and Saviour, in your arms I rest secure. If you keep me, I have nothing to fear; but if you abandon me I have nothing left to hope for. I have no idea what will happen to me as I await my death; I know nothing of what is to come; but I entrust myself to you… I lean entirely on you since you know what is good for me. As for me, I do not know.

Marriage = One Man and One Woman Until Death Do Us Part

Daily Marriage Tip for December 5, 2018:

When you receive Christmas cards in the mail, pray that evening for the people who sent the card. Display the cards visibly in your home to remember those family members and friends throughout Advent.

Regnum Christi

December 5, 2018 – A Decisive Response

05 Dec 2018

Wednesday of the First Week of Advent

Father John Doyle, LC

Matthew 15:29-37

At that time: Jesus walked by the Sea of Galilee, went up on the mountain, and sat down there. Great crowds came to him, having with them the lame, the blind, the deformed, the mute, and many others. They placed them at his feet, and he cured them. The crowds were amazed when they saw the mute speaking, the deformed made whole, the lame walking, and the blind able to see, and they glorified the God of Israel. Jesus summoned his disciples and said, “My heart is moved with pity for the crowd, for they have been with me now for three days and have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them away hungry, for fear they may collapse on the way.” The disciples said to him, “Where could we ever get enough bread in this deserted place to satisfy such a crowd?” Jesus said to them, “How many loaves do you have?” “Seven”, they replied, “and a few fish.” He ordered the crowd to sit down on the ground. Then he took the seven loaves and the fish, gave thanks, broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples, who in turn gave them to the crowds. They all ate and were satisfied. They picked up the fragments left over–seven baskets full.

Introductory Prayer: Lord Jesus, I now turn confidently to you, who are my friend and savior. You are always watching over me and protecting me whether I am mindful of you or not. Thank you. I love you, and I’m grateful for these moments to refresh myself in your presence.

Petition: My Jesus, give me an unshakeable confidence in your unconditional love.

Jesus on the Mountain: Jesus is the focal point of history and of all human aspirations. Even when he goes to out-of-the-way places, as is the case in this Gospel passage, he is sought after. He strides by the Sea of Galilee and scales up the mountain, and all humanity seeks him out. He doesn’t interrogate them about their past or condemn them for their sins. He simply gives to each what he or she needs: to the blind, sight; to the mute, the gift of speech; to the deaf, hearing. Imagine for a moment this poor mass of humanity around the Master. Place yourself with them. Your turn comes, and suddenly it is as if the crowd disappears and you are alone with Jesus. He looks into your eyes with loving concern and asks what you are seeking––even though he already knows it. My Jesus, it is you that I seek. Heal me, and do not let any sin separate me from you today.

“They Have Nothing to Eat.” Love is not always very practical. Jesus’ heart is moved with compassion for all those who have sought him out. He knows the sacrifices that they have made in searching him out, and he is not going to leave them disappointed. The disciples saw only the practical problem, but in his charity towards his neighbor, Jesus all but ignores it. What can I learn from Christ’s attitude? Will I ever be let down or not be satisfied if I seek Christ with a sincere heart?

The Bread of Life: The miracle that Jesus works in multiplying the loaves is a prelude to an even greater miracle he plans to bring about. Jesus knows the longings of our hearts, and he knows that material food has its limits, even when it is abundant. St Augustine states, “You made us for yourself, Oh Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in you.” How can I not trust that Jesus will always provide for what I truly need, after his lowering himself to appear as bread so that we can feed on him and be satisfied?

Conversation with Christ: My Jesus, I have a very wayward heart. I know that you are the only one who can fulfill the longing of my soul; yet so often I put my confidence in the fleeting things of this world instead. Reassure my heart that you will always provide for me if I put all my trust in you. Keep me going up the mountain towards your heavenly Kingdom, where you will be all in all.

Resolution: I will pause sometime during the day––perhaps before lunch––and make a spiritual communion by inviting Christ into my heart. I will thank him for the gift of himself in the blessed Eucharist and renew my confidence in him.

Homily of the Day

December 5, 2018

When Jesus embraced his role as teacher, healer and shepherd, to announce the coming of the Kingdom of God, he gave his all. In our language, Jesus was a “multitasker.” He performed all his miracles and cures freely; he taught about his Father’s love and mercy; he showed compassion and concern for the poor; he gave himself to his tasks out of love and was never half-hearted: “I am filled with compassion for these people; they have already followed me for three days and now they have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them away fasting or they may faint on the way.”

Each one of us is invited by Jesus to put our hearts in our quest and work for the Kingdom of God. Whatever our roles in life may be, each one of us has a privileged role and task for the spread of the Kingdom of God.

Have I realized my role, something only mine, in the spread of God’s kingdom? My role in my family? My role in my job or profession? My role in my community and parish? Have I worked hard and whole-heartedly to do my task and role?

We pray, “Lord Jesus, help us to be your compassionate servants and to be true companions to others so that our brothers and sisters may see and experience you in us. Amen.”

One Bread, One Body

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All Issues > Volume 35, Issue 1

<< Wednesday, December 5, 2018 >>

Isaiah 25:6-10
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Psalm 23:1-6

Matthew 15:29-37
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Please read: Donations appeal letter for 2018

NOT MUCH, BUT ALL

Jesus "took the seven loaves and the fish, and after giving thanks He broke them and gave them to the disciples, who in turn gave them to the crowds. All ate until they were full." �Matthew 15:36-37

Because Jesus is the same today as yesterday (Heb 13:8), this Christmas season will be a mountain-top experience. "The Lord of hosts will provide for all peoples" a great feast (Is 25:6). The result of this Christmas season will be "great astonishment" as we behold "the mute speaking, the deformed made sound, cripples walking about, and the blind seeing" (Mt 15:31). "The Lord God will wipe away the tears from all faces; the reproach of His people He will remove from the whole earth" (Is 25:8).

During this Advent, we must decide to give our "all" to the Lord. We must love Him with all our hearts (Mt 22:37) and for our entire lives into eternity. Even if we don't have much to offer, we do have all to offer, and the Lord doesn't want our much but our all. The Lord Jesus will take our little acts of love this Advent and multiply them to feed the masses during this Christmas season, in the new year, and beyond.

Beginning this Advent, give your "all" to Jesus. You will be astonished what He will do with it this Christmas, as He makes much out of our little all.

Prayer: Father, thank You for accepting my little "all."

Promise: "On this mountain He will destroy the veil that veils all peoples, the web that is woven over all nations; He will destroy death forever." —Is 25:7-8

Praise: George adopted Pope St. John Paul II's motto "Totus Tuus" as his own, meaning "Totally yours, Blessed Mother."

Advent: December 5th

Wednesday of the First Week of Advent

MASS READINGS

COLLECT PRAYER

Recipes (9)

Activities (4)

Prayers (10)

Library (1)

Meditation: Matthew 15:29-37

December 5, 2018 – A Decisive Response

One Bread, One Body

NOT MUCH, BUT ALL

Loving Dad!