Quit

Gossiping

Anticipating evils in the future

Faultfinding, nagging, and worrying

Dwelling on fancied slights and wrongs

Scolding and flying into a passion over trifles

Thinking that life is a grind and not worth living

Talking constantly about yourself and your affairs

Saying unkind things about acquaintances and friends

Lamenting the past, holding on to disagreeable experiences

Pitying yourself and bemoaning your lack of opportunities

Writing letters when the blood is hot, which you may regret later

Thinking that all the good chances and opportunities are gone by

Carping and criticizing. See the best rather than the worst in others

Dreaming that you would be happier in some other place or circumstance

Belittling those whom you envy because you feel they are inferior to yourself

Dilating on your pains and aches and misfortunes to every one who will listen to you

Speculating as to what you would do in some one else's place and do your best in your own

Gazing idly into the future and dreaming about it, instead of making the most of the present. 

             London Opinion via The Young Man's Guide by Fr Lasance

A wonderful little essay we ran across today which was included in the back the Guide book. Still good advice. 

"In the Name of Jesus, every knee shall bend in Heaven, on earth and in Hell."

Sometimes the seemingly simplest things have so much more power than we suspect – for good or ill.  On the Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus we discussed both.  Sadly, today we hear the name of God most often used as an acronym to indicate surprise, shock. Even good Christians rattle it off in jest or in exasperation.  Several years ago a priest explained that obviously this is a problem, a blasphemy.  However he went on to describe the power of the Holy Name and how we can and should use it reverently and regularly.  

"What do you know, Dear Reader, about the Name of Jesus?  You know that it is a holy name and that you must bow your head reverently when you say it.  That is very little.  It is as if you looked at a closed book and merely glanced at the title on the cover.  You know nothing of all the beautiful thoughts in the book itself. Even so, when you pronounce the Name of Jesus you know very little of the treasures hidden in it.This Divine Name is in truth a mine of riches; it is the fount of the highest holiness and the secret of the greatest happiness that a man can hope to enjoy on this earth.  Read and see.It is so powerful, so certain, that it never fails to produce in our souls the most wonderful results.  It consoles the saddest heart and makes the weakest sinner strong.  It obtains for us all kinds of favors and graces, spiritual and temporal. Two things we must do. 

First of all, we must understand clearly the meaning and value of the Name of Jesus.

Secondly, we must get into the habit of saying it devoutly, frequently, hundreds and hundreds of times every day.  Far from being a burden, it will be an immense joy and consolation."   

So begins the little booklet by Fr Paul Sullivan, The Wonders of the Holy Name.  He tells many stories from history of miracles connected to the Holy Name. Holy Name societies used to be very common in Catholic parishes.  St Paul tells us in scripture:

"Whatever you do in word or in work, do all in the Name of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Whether you eat or whether you drink, or whatever else you do,

do all in the Name of Jesus."

Fr Sullivan says:

"This advice all the Saints followed, so that their every act was done for love of Jesus, and therefore their every act and thought won them graces and merits.  It was by this Name that they became Saints.  If we follow this same advice of the Apostle, we too shall reach a very high degree of sanctity.

How are we to do everything in the Name of Jesus?  By acquiring the habit, as we have said, of repeating the Name of Jesus frequently in the course of the day. This presents no difficulty – it only demands good will."

The same priest who explained all this to us also had a habit of distributing small cards with the name of Jesus on them.  Just carry them, he said.  Set them where you will see them and reverently repeat the Name of God.  Fr Sullivan's little booklet elaborates on this idea: 

"Cards with the Holy Name inscribed on them have been used and recommended by the great lovers of the Holy Name, such as Msgr. Andre Dias, St. Leonard of Port Maurice, and St. Gregory of Tours…Our readers would do well to use these cards, carrying them about on their persons during the day, putting them under their pillows at night and placing them on the doors of the rooms."

Two stories from my own life.  I was visiting a friend when her husband came home from work for lunch.  He was standing at the counter saying grace and bowed slowly and deliberately as he said the words, "…through Christ our Lord..'   My friend explained later he was also teaching the children to bow their heads devoutly upon hearing the Holy Name.  The second story that sticks in my mind was many years ago when the Winans Family was nominated for a music award.  They were backstage waiting to go on and the act ahead of them was performing something inappropriate.  One of the brothers was quietly singing, "Jesus, Jesus, Jesus," over and over to himself until it was over.  An act of refocusing, reparation, devotion. 

The older I get the more convinced I am that words have power.  It is why different groups fight so bitterly over them. It is how we build up and how we tear down. In many social media circles it is now a trend to choose a focus word for the year.  Some let a computer generate this word.  Some reflect a bit and choose a word that comes to them.  Whole groups have been formed to meditate upon, write about, and create works based upon the chosen word. 

(decals from Ali Edwards design)

There is absolutely nothing wrong with aspirational projects.  For me, this year, I think the best word is Jesus. We cannot do better than this for our inspiration, our direction, our reflection.  

Litany of the Holy Name of Jesus

Lord, have mercy, Christ, have mercy.

Lord, have mercy, Jesus, hear us. Jesus, graciously hear us.

God, the Father of Heaven, have mercy on us.

God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us.

God, the Holy Spirit, have mercy on us.

Holy Trinity, one God, have mercy on us.

Jesus, Son of the living God, have mercy on us (etc.)

Jesus, Splendor of the Father,

Jesus, Brightness of eternal Light,

Jesus, King of Glory,

Jesus, Sun of Justice,

Jesus, Son of the Virgin Mary,

Jesus, most amiable,

Jesus, most admirable,

Jesus, the mighty God,

Jesus, Father of the world to come,

Jesus, angel of great counsel,

Jesus, most powerful,

Jesus, most patient,

Jesus, most obedient,

Jesus, meek and humble of heart,

Jesus, Lover of Chastity,

Jesus, our Lover,

Jesus, God of Peace,

Jesus, Author of Life,

Jesus, Model of Virtues,

Jesus, zealous for souls,

Jesus, our God,

Jesus, our Refuge,

Jesus, Father of the Poor,

Jesus, Treasure of the Faithful,

Jesus, good Shepherd,

Jesus, true Light,

Jesus, eternal Wisdom,

Jesus, infinite Goodness,

Jesus, our Way and our Life,

Jesus, joy of the Angels,

Jesus, King of the Patriarchs,

Jesus, Master of the Apostles,

Jesus, Teacher of the Evangelists,

Jesus, Strength of Martyrs,

Jesus, Light of Confessors,

Jesus, Purity of Virgins,

Jesus, Crown of all Saints,

Be merciful unto us, spare us, O Jesus!

Be merciful unto us, graciously hear us, O Jesus!

From all evil, deliver us, O Jesus!

From all sin, deliver us, O Jesus!

From Thy wrath, deliver us, O Jesus! (etc.)

From the snares of the devil,

From the spirit of fornication,

From everlasting death,

From the neglect of Thine inspirations,

Through the mystery of Thy holy Incarnation,

Through Thy Nativity,

Through Thine Infancy,

Through Thy most divine Life,

Through Thy Labors,

Through Thy Agony and Passion,

Through Thy Cross and Dereliction,

Through Thy Sufferings,

Through Thy Death and Burial,

Through Thy Resurrection,

Through Thine Ascension,

Through Thine Institution of the Most Holy Eucharist,

Through Thy Joys,

Through Thy Glory,

Lamb of God, who take away the sins of the world, spare us, O Jesus!

Lamb of God, who take away the sins of the world, graciously hear us, O Jesus!

Lamb of God, who take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us, O Jesus!

Jesus, hear us, Jesus, graciously hear us

Let us pray. O Lord Jesus Christ, Who has said: Ask and ye shall receive; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: grant, we beseech Thee, to us who ask the grace of Thy most divine love, that we may love Thee with all our hearts, words and works, and never cease to praise Thee. Make us, O Lord, to have a continual fear and love of Thy holy Name; for Thou never ceasest to rule and govern those whom Thou dost solidly establish in Thy love. Who livest and reignest for ever and ever.

Amen

"God wants us to fill our homes with happiness. He made childhood joyous, full of life, bubbling over with laughter, playful, bright and sunny.  It is a crime to repress the mirth and the gladness and to try to make children grave and stately.  Life's burdens will come soon enough to lie upon their shoulders.  Life will soon enough bring care and anxiety and hardship and a weight of responsibility. We should let them be young and free from care just as long as possible.  

We should put into their childhood days just as much sunshine and gladness, just as much cheerful pleasure as possible. Besides the way also to make them strong and noble in character when they grow up to manhood and womanhood is to make their childhood and youth both bright and happy.  If you want to produce a vigorous, healthy plant, you will not bring it up in a dark room; you will give it all the sunshine it will take.  Human lives will never grow into their best in gloom.  

Pour the sunshine about them in youth

let them be happy

encourage all innocent joy

provide pleasant games for them

romp and play with them

be a child again among them

Then God's blessing will come upon your home, and your children will grow up sunny hearted, gentle, affectionate, joyous themselves and joy-bearers to the world."

Home-Making by JR Miller

Nothing brings me greater happiness that the little clips of video my children send me of their children everyday.  It is truly beautiful to see them them playing and laughing together, greatly enjoying one another.  To be sure there are many sleepless nights, a multitude of new chores, medical bills, and responsibilities.  But as my son said the other day, "You can't know what will happen to your heart when you have a child."  

He's right.  It expands in untold ways.  The smile of a child is contagious.  Encourage it.  Share it.  Throw the windows open to let all the light of childhood flood your home and your hearts.  It makes the yoke of those responsibilities lighter and easier to carry.  

It is a fine thing if your child becomes a doctor or a lawyer, but nothing compares to sending joy-bearers out into a weary world. 

“The duty of the moment is what you should be doing at any given time, in whatever place God has put you.

And it must be done, because the duty of the moment is the duty of God.”

― Catherine Doherty

We discussed in our theology class that doing a good deed of your choice is, of course, a good thing.  However, doing what you ought or what you must and doing that to the best of your ability is ever more meritorious because it has added to it the virtue of obedience.  We can make a dozen resolutions for the new year.  They can be very motivating and are certainly not bad things.  Still it cannot compare with doing what is placed before us with a gentle spirit, trusting that is what would please God the most.  It is not that complicated to figure out what our purpose is.  It lies right there in meeting the duty of the moment.  

Scenes from Christmas at home, with a portion of the children.  My best gift this year was not cooking.  I have been complaining – sometimes vigorously – that it is neither my joy nor my skill set.  Due to severe food intolerances I also do not eat the majority of what is made.  It had become high level drudgery for me. Fortunately it has become intriguing and relaxing to my husband who organized the troops and made all the food.  All the food.  ALL.  the.  food.  So this day I set the table.  I took pictures.  I scurried around doing up dishes in between their projects.  It was delightful.  We all learned a lot.  

We attended midnight mass for the first time in many years for me.  It was magical. I am deeply indebted to our little church for doing the heavy lifting during the liturgical year celebrations after so many years of our being overseas or in a mission church.  

We did not read a ton this advent.  The library is closed again. I did read the children The Gift of the Magi one day over lunch.  I read it first in grade school and I remember being so amazed and surprised at the end.  I wanted to share it especially this year as the tone "out there" tends more and more towards discontent, disagreement, and entitlement.  Most of us today do not have to take such drastic steps to have a gift to give our beloved.  This is the legacy of historical literature. Perspective.  A reality check. Appreciation hopefully. Following the last novel I read of the same era, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, it leaves so many thoughts of a way of life most can no longer imagine though it was a mere 100 years ago. I also watched an old Walton's movie set during the depression and am thinking its time to rewatch that whole series. 

Our oldest spent the weekend with us watching movies and playing board games. It's funny how the things we used to do for them when they were little are the things they offer to do with us today.  We read together, watch interesting films, listen to each other's music, assemble more complex puzzles, and play more challenging versions of board games.

"A very Merry Christmas
And a happy New Year
Let’s hope it’s a good one
Without any fear."

I meant to write about this last month and time got completely away from me.   During one of our theology classes Sister spoke about purgatory and mentioned The Heroic Act of Charity.  I learned about this many years ago though have not spoken much about it.  

Just as we pray for one another here and now, we offer for and enjoy the prayers of the faithful who have left this world but who still love us and pray for our salvation.  Surely such an act of generosity to them will never go unrewarded. May they Rest In Peace. 

THE HEROIC ACT IN FAVOR OF THE SOULS IN PURGATORY

O MY GOD! for Thy greater glory, and to imitate as closely as possible the generous Heart of Jesus, my Redeemer, and also to testify my devotion to the Blessed Virgin, my Mother, who is also the Mother of the Souls in Purgatory, I place in her hands all my satisfactory works, as well as the fruit of all those which may be offered for my intention after my death, that she may apply them to the Souls in Purgatory according to her wisdom and good pleasure. Amen.

"This Heroic Act of Charity is the completely unselfish offering to God of all the satisfactory value of one's prayers and good works — plus the value of any that might be offered  for one after one's death — for the benefit of the Souls in Purgatory, rather than for oneself. The "satisfactory value" of a good work is its value with regard to making up for our sins and reducing our stay in Purgatory. However, the "meritorious value" of our good works is inalienable, i.e., our merits, which give us a right to an increase of glory in Heaven, cannot be applied to anyone else. Moreover, a person who has made the Heroic Act may still pray for himself, friends and other intentions.

The Heroic Act is revocable at will and is not a vow. Its actual ratification depends on the will of God. By making this act with purity of intention, one is relying upon the mercy of God and the prayers of the Communion of Saints to assist his soul after death. The Heroic Act was approved and encouraged by Pope Benedict XIII [1724-1730]." – catholictradition.org

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