At the name of Jesus every knee should bend,
in Heaven and on earth and under the earth and every tongue
should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the Glory of God the Father! –Philippians 2:10-11
Image Courtesy: Sister Mary Clark
Do not worry about anything but in everything by prayer and supplication with Thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God and the peace of God which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7
Saint Wenceslaus (907-929)
Image: Pinterest
(EWTN) Born in Prague Bohemia what is today the Czech Republic, Wenceslaus was the son of Duke Wratislaw a Christian and Dragomir a wicked heathen according to Catholic Encyclopedia — Wenceslaus received a good Christian education from his Grandmother Saint Ludmilla (Feast Day: 18 September)
Following the death of his father (Duke Wratislaw) Dragomir, acting as regent, opposed Christianity — Wenceslaus was urged by the people to take the reigns of government, he would place his Duchy, under the protection of Germany and introduced German Priests.
Wenceslaus took the vow of chastity and became known and respected for his virtues. — Emperor Otto I conferred on him the regal dignity and title.
For religious and national motives and at the instigation of his evil mother Dragomir, Wenceslaus was murdered by his brother Boleslaw at the door of the Church according to SQPN and buried there.
Emperor Otto responded to Wenceslaus death by invading Bohemia according to Catholic News Agency and engaging in battle for several years conquering the region. Otto I forced Boleslaw (some write Boleslaus) to reverse the anti-Christian measures that he and his evil mother Dragomir had taken.
There is no evidence that Dragomir who died soon after the murder of Wenceslaus ever repented for the murder of her son. Boleslaw however came to regret his wicked deed of murdering his own brother (and repented) when he learned of miracles that were taking place where Wenceslaus was buried.
Pope Benedict XVI on this date in 2009 in the Czech Republic during his homily said: “This is the lesson we can learn from Saint Wenceslaus, who had the courage to prefer the Kingdom of Heaven to the enticement of world power. His gaze never moved away from Jesus Christ who suffered for us, leaving us an example that we should follow in His steps…As an obedient disciple of the Lord, the young Prince Wenceslaus, remained faithful to the Gospel teachings he had learned from his Grandmother Saint Ludmilla — In observing these, even before committing himself to build peaceful relations within his lands and with neighboring countries, he took steps to spread the Christian faith, summoning Priests and building Churches…he was benevolent to the poor, clothed the naked, gave food to the hungry, welcomed Pilgrims just as the Gospel enjoins. He (Wenceslaus) did not allow injustice to be done to widows, he loved all people whether rich or poor. — He learned from the Lord to be merciful and gracious…”
Saint Wenceslaus is the subject of the well known favorite Christmas Carol ‘Good King Wenceslaus’ written in 1853 by English Hymnwriter John Mason Neale in collaboration with music editor Thomas Helmore.
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St. Thomas of Villanova (1488-1555) Image Courtesy: Catholic Fire
(Franciscan Media) Thomas was born at Spain Fuentellana in the Kingdom of Castile and was reared on the practices of Christianity and charity according to EWTN — Every Friday, Thomas’ father (Alazo Tomas Garcia) would give to charity all that he had earned at the mill besides his daily ration of bread however on ‘Great Feast Day’s’ he would add wood, wine and money while to poor farmers, he’d loan them money and seed.
Upon Alazo’s death, Thomas’s mother (Lucia) continued the practice that her late husband had started, together with supplying indigent Maidens in the neighborhood with clothing and money.
When 16 year old Thomas entered the Univ of Alcala, after completing his studies and earning a Masters of Arts and Theology degrees, he became a popular teacher there.
In 1516 Thomas joined the Augustinian Friars, taking his vows a year later and was Ordained a Priest the following year–his first Mass Celebrated as a Priest was on Christmas Day 1518
Fr. Thomas would resume his teaching of Theology at Salamanca Convent, preaching at Churches in Spain was soon added to his duties. Fr. Thomas was later nominated by the Emperor to be Archbishop of Granada but refused. When the See became vacant again he was pressured to accept.
The money the Cathedral Chapter offered to Bishop Thomas to furnish his house was instead donated to a hospital with his explanation:
“Our Lord will be better served by your money being spent on the poor in the hospital. What does a poor Friar like myself want with furniture?”
Bishop Thomas wore the same Habit he had received in the Novitate, mending it himself, his Servants and Domestic help were ashamed of him but couldn’t convince him to change. — Each day, several hundred poor people would come to Archbishop Thomas’s door, receiving a free meal, wine and money. — When Archbishop Thomas was criticized that people were taking advantage of him he replied:
“If there are people that refuse to work, that is for the Governor and the Police to deal with. My duty is to assist and relieve those who come to my door.”
Bishop Thomas would take-in Orphans and paid his Servants for every deserted child they brought to him. — Bishop Thomas encouraged the wealthy to mirror his example, in order to be richer in mercy in charity, than they were in earthly possessions.
Criticized for not being more strict with transgressors, Bishop Thomas said:
“Let him (the Complainer) inquire whether Saint Augustine or Saint John Chrysostom used anathemas (censure) or excommunication to stop the drunkenness and blasphemy which was so common among the people under their care?”
During Bishop Thomas’ final days, he commanded that all of the money he possessed be distributed to the poor, his material goods were to be given to the rector of his Alma mater. — As Mass was being celebrated in Bishop Thomas’s honor, he breathed his last, reciting the words of Jesus:
“Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.” —Psalm 31:5
Bishop Thomas in his lifetime was called the ‘Almsgiver’ and the ‘Father of the Poor’ — He was Beatified in 1618 by Pope Paul V and Canonized in 1658 by Pope Alexander VII
The Angel of the Lord stood before them and the glory of the Lord shone around them — saying, “I am bringing you Good News of Great Joy for all the people: To you is born this day in the City of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord!” –Luke 2:9-11 Image Courtesy: St. Paul Street Evangelization
Today is born our Savior, Christ the Lord!
(Cf, Luke 2:11)O sing to the Lord a new song;
Sing to the Lord, all the earth!
Sing to the Lord, bless His name!
Today is born our Savior, Christ the Lord!
(Cf. Luke 2:11)
Tell of His Salvation from day to day.
Declare His glory among the nations,
His marvelous works among all the peoples.
Today is born our Savior, Christ the Lord!
(Cf. Luke 2:11)
For great is the Lord and greatly to be praised;
He is to be revered above all gods.
For all the gods of the peoples are idols
but the Lord made the Heavens.
Honor and majesty are before Him;
Strength and beauty are in His Sanctuary.
Ascribe to the Lord, O families of the peoples,
ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.
Ascribe to the Lord the glory due His name;
Bring an offering and come into His courts.
Worship the Lord in Holy Splendor;
Tremble before Him, all the earth.
Say among the nations,
“The Lord Is King!
The world is firmly established; it shall never be moved.
He will judge the peoples with equity.”
Let the Heavens be glad and let the earth rejoice;
Let the sea roar and all that fills it;
Let the field exult and everything in it.
Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy
before the Lord;
Today is born our Savior, Christ the Lord!
(Cf. Luke 2:11)
For He is coming,
for He is coming to judge the earth.
He will judge the world with righteousness
and the peoples with His truth. –Psalm 96:1-13
- You May Experience the Joy of Salvation Today
Through The Good News of Jesus Christ!
Beloved, For the grace of God has appeared, bringing Salvation to all, training us to renounce impiety and worldly passions and in the present age to live lives that are self-controlled, upright and godly, while we wait for the blessed hope and the manifestation of the glory of our Great God and Savior, Jesus Christ! He it is who gave Himself for us that He might redeem us from all iniquity and purify for Himself a people of His own who are zealous for good deeds.
Declare these things; Exhort and reprove with all authority.
Let no one look down on you. –Titus 2:11-15
Related: For Today’s Holy Scripture Readings During Holy Christmas Mass at Night, Visit: -USCCB
“Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for He has looked favorably on His people and redeemed them.
He has raised up a Mighty Savior for us in the House of His servant David!” – Luke 1:68-69
Image Courtesy: EWTN
Zechariah (Father of John the Baptist) Prophecy
Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke this prophecy:
“Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for He has looked favorably on His people and redeemed
them. He has raised up a Mighty Savior for us in the House of His servant David, as He spoke
through the mouth of His Holy Prophets from of old, (See: Jeremiah 23:5-6; Daniel 9:21-24)
that we would be saved from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us. Thus He has
shown the mercy promised to our ancestors and has remembered His Holy Covenant, the oath
that he swore to our ancestor Abraham to grant us that we, being rescued from the hands of
our enemies might serve Him without fear, in Holiness and Righteousness before Him all our
days and you, child, will be called the Prophet of the Most High; For you will go before the Lord
to prepare His ways, to give knowledge of salvation to His people by the forgiveness of their
sins. By the tender mercy of our God, the dawn from on high will break upon us, to give light to
those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.”
Related: For Today’s Holy Scripture Readings and More, Visit: -USCCB
Christmas is Fast Approaching! Are You Ready? -Image Courtesy: Respect Life Los Angeles
(EWTN) Why Is Christmas Celebrated?
The Church celebrates the ‘marvelous works of God’ through public worship or liturgy
commemorating the great events in Salvation history. The Nativity of Our Lord celebrates the
point in history when the Son of God became Man for our Salvation — an act of loving
obedience to the Father and saving love for us, that will culminate on the Cross.
Imitating Christ Jesus Humility
Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit but in humility regard others as better than
yourselves. Let each of you look not to your own interests but to the interests of others. Let the
same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who though He was in the form of God, did not
regard equality with God as something to be exploited but emptied Himself, taking the form of
a slave, being born in human likeness and being found in human form (Luke 2:8-20)
He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death — even death on a Cross.
Therefore God also highly exalted Him and gave Him the name that is above every name, so
that at the name of Jesus, every knee should bend, in Heaven and on earth and under the earth
and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the Glory of God the Father!
- You May Experience the Joy of Salvation Today
Through The Good News of Jesus Christ
and Know Why He is the Reason for the Season!
To ALL who received Him (Jesus) who believed in His name, He gave power to become children of God; The Word became Flesh and lived among us and we have seen His glory as of a Father’s only Son, full of Grace and Truth! –John 1:12;14 -Image Courtesy: Franciscan Missionaries of the Eternal Word
Christ Our Advocate
My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin but if anyone does
sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the Righteous and He is the atoning
sacrifice for our sins and not for ours only but also the sins of the whole world!
Now by this we may be sure that we know Him, if we obey His Commandments. Whoever says,
“I have come to know Him” but does not obey His Commandments, is a liar and in such a
person the truth does not exist but whoever obeys His Word, truly in this person the love of
God has reached perfection. By this we may be sure that we are in Him: Whoever says, “I abide
in Him,” ought to walk as He walked.
A New Commandment
Beloved, I am writing you no new Commandment but an old Commandment that you have had
from the beginning; the old Commandment is the Word you have heard. Yet I am writing you a
new Commandment that is true in Him and in you because the darkness is passing away and
the true light is already shining. Whoever says, “I am the light,” while hating a brother or
sister, is still in darkness. Whoever loves a brother or sister lives in the light and in such a
person there is no cause for stumbling but whoever hates another Believer is in the darkness,
walks in the darkness and does not know the way to go because the
darkness has brought blindness.
I am writing to you little children
because your sins are forgiven on account of His name.
I am writing to you fathers
because you know Him who is from the beginning.
I am writing to you, young people
because you have conquered the evil one.
I write to you, children
because you know the Father.
I write to you, fathers
because you know Him who is from the beginning.
I write to you, young people
because you are strong
and the Word of God abides in you
and you have overcome the evil one.
Do not love the world or the things in the world. The love of the Father is not in those who love
the world; For all that is in the world — the desire of the flesh, the desire of the eyes, the pride
in riches — comes not from the Father but from the world and the world and its desire are
passing away (See also: James 4:14) but those who do the Will of God live forever!
Warning Against Antichrists
Children, it is the last hour! As you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many
antichrists have come. From this we know that it is the last hour. They went out from us but
they did not belong to us; for if they belonged to us, they would have remained with us but by
going out they made it plain that none of them belongs to us.
You have been anointed by the Holy One and all of you have knowledge. I write to you not
because you do not know the Truth but because you know it and you know that no lie comes
from the Truth. Who is the liar but the one that denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the
antichrist, the one who denies the Father and the Son. No one who denies the Son has the
Father; Everyone who confesses the Son has the Father also. Let what you heard from the
beginning abide in you. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, then you will abide
in the Son and in the Father and this is what He has promised us, Eternal Life!
I write these things to you concerning those who would deceive you. As for you, the anointing
that you received from Him abides in you and so you do not need anyone to teach you but as
His anointing teaches you about all things and is true and is not a lie and just as it has taught
you, abide in Him.
Now, little children, abide in Him, so that when He is revealed we may have confidence and not
be put to shame before Him at His coming.
Children of God
If you know that He is righteous, you may be sure that everyone who does right
has been born of Him. –1 John 2:1-29
- You May Know the Joy of Salvation and Eternal Life Today
Through The Good News of Jesus Christ
Related: For Today’s Holy Scripture Readings and More, Visit: -USCCB
Behold, the Lord Comes to Save His People;
Blessed are Those Prepared to Meet Him. -Image Courtesy: EWTN
Thanksgiving For God’s Goodness
Bless the Lord O my soul and all that is within me, bless His Holy Name!
Bless the Lord O my soul and do not forget all His benefits — who forgives all your iniquity, who
heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the Pit (Hell), who crown you with
steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good as long as you live so that your youth is
renewed like the eagle’s.
The Lord works vindication and justice for all who are oppressed. He made known His ways to
Moses, His acts to the people of Israel.
The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
He will not always accuse, nor will He keep His anger forever.
He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities.
For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is His steadfast love toward those who
fear Him; As far as the east is from the west, so far He removes our transgressions from us.
As a father has compassion for his children, so the Lord has compassion for those who fear
Him. For He knows how we were made, He remembers that we are dust.
As for mortals, their days are like grass, they flourish like a flower of the field, for the wind
passes over it and it is gone. its place knows it no more.
The steadfast love of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him and His
righteousness to children’s children, to those who keep His Covenant and remembers to do His
Commandments.
The Lord has established His throne in the heavens and His Kingdom rules over all.
Bless the Lord, O you His angels, you mighty ones who do His bidding, obedient to His spoken
word.
Bless the Lord, all His hosts, His ministers that do His will.
Bless the Lord, all His works, in all places of His dominion.
Bless the Lord, O my soul! –Psalm 103:1-22
That at the name of Jesus, every knee should bow in heaven and on earth…and every tongue confess
that Jesus Christ is Lord to the Glory of God the Father –Philippians 2:10-11
Image Courtesy: Sister Mary Clark
Rejoice in the Lord always, again I will say rejoice. Let all men know your forbearance.
The Lord is at hand.Have no anxiety about anything but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God and the peace of God, which passes all understanding will keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. –Philippians 4:6-7
The Angel said to them, “Do not be afraid for see–I am bringing you good news of great joy of all people. To you is born this day in the City of David a Savior who is the Messiah, the Lord.” –Luke 2:10-11
Image Courtesy: Respect Life Los Angeles
For a Child has been born for us, a Son given to us, authority rests upon His shoulders and He is named Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. –Isaiah 9:6
Raise your voice and tell the Good News.
Behold the Lord God comes with might. –Isaiah 40:9-10
“Stand up and raise your heads because your redemption is drawing near.” Luke 21:28B