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brookston · 4 months

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Holidays 1.14

Holidays

Assembly Line Workers' Day

Caesarean Section Day

Cat Day (French Republic)

Defender of the Motherland Day (Uzbekistan)

Diary Day (South Korea)

Flag Day (Georgia)

George Price Day (Belize)

Human Be-In Day

International Kite Day

International Male Chastity Day

Makar Sankranti (Kite Day; India)

Mallard Day (Oxford, England)

National Dolls Doing Business Day

National Dress Up Your Pet Day

National Forest Conservation Day (Thailand)

National Pothole Day (UK) [Closest Weekday to 15th]

National Saturday the 14th

National STI-Q Day

National Undhiyu Day (India)

National Vodou Day (New Orleans, Louisiana)

Organize Your Home Day

Revolution and Youth Day (Tunisia)

Schnitzelbank Day

STIQ Day (UK)

Sultan’s Day (Malaysia)

Take a Missionary to Lunch Day

Unknown Citizens Day (Philippines)

Veterans Day (India)

World Logic Day (UN)

Food & Drink Celebrations

Cakes and Ale Day (England)

Hot Pastrami Sandwich Day

National Undhiyu Day (India)

2nd Sunday in January

Baptism of the Lord [Sunday after Epiphany]

Blessing of the Sea (Margate, UK) [Sunday after 6th]

Meitlisunntig (Switzerland) [2nd Sunday]

National Sunday Supper Day [2nd Sunday]

No Pants Subway Ride [2nd Sunday]

Volunteer Fireman's Day [2nd Sunday]

Yamayaki (Grass Burning on Mount Wakakasuyama & Fireworks; Japan)

Independence & Related Days

Ratification Day (Treaty of Paris ratified, ending Revolutionary War; US; 1784)

Journée de la souveraineté retrouvée (Restored Sovereignty Day; Mali)

New Year’s Days

Amenzu n Yennayer (a.k.a. Aseggwas Amaziɣ, ⴰⵙⴳⴳⴰⵙ ⴰⵎⴰⵣⵉⵖ or Amazigh New Year; Algeria)

Azhyrnykhua (Abkhazia; Day the World was Created)

The Burning o' the Clavie (Burghead, Scotland)

Hen Galan (Wales)

New Year's Day (Julian Calendar)

Novy God (Russian New Year)

Old New Year (a.k.a. ...

Alter Silvester (Switzerland)

Anul Nou pe stil vechi (Romania)

Հին Նոր տարի (Armenia)

Стары Новы год (Belarus)

Стара Нова година (Bulgaria, Macedonia)

Старый Новый год (Russia)

Српска Нова година (Serbia)

Старий Новий рік (Ukraine)

ძველით ახალი წელი (Georgia)

Παλαιό νέο έτος (Greece)

Orthodox New Year (Bosnia and Herzegovina)

Yennayer (Berber Calendar New Year’s Day)

Festivals Beginning January 14, 2024

Africa Cup of Nations (Abidjan, Ivory Coast) [thru 2.11]

Cologne Furniture Fair (Cologne, Germany) [thru 1.18]

Critics’ Choice Awards (Santa Monica, California)

Fire & Ice Festival: Under the Sea (Somerset, Pennsylvania) [thru 1.14]

International Istanbul Open Backgammon Championship (Istanbul, Turkey) [thru 1.14]

Martin Luther King Parade, Walking the Talk, and Festival (Long Beach, California)

School Nutrition Industry Conference (Orland, Florida) [thru 1.16]

Feast Days

Barba'shmin (a.k.a. Barbasceminus; Christian; Saint)

Barry the Honeybee (Muppetism)

Basil of Ostrong (a.k.a. Basil the Great; Orthodox Church; Saint) [Serbia]

Berthe Morisot (Artology)

Bhogi begins (Festival to Surya, a Solar Diety; India)

Buddha (Positivist; Saint)

Circumcision of Jesus Christ (Orthodox Church)

Devasahayam Pillai (Latin Church; Blessed)

Divina Pastora (Barquisimeto)

Dondoyaki (Fire Festival; Japan)

Einar Hákonarson (Artology)

Eivind Berggrav (Lutheran)

Feast of Divina Pastora (Barquisimeto, Venezuela)

Feast of Nina (Bulgaria)

Feast of the Ass (Medieval Christianity)

Felix of Nola (Christian; Martyr)

Festum Asinorum (Medieval Burlesque Festival)

Gort Day (Church of the SubGenius)

Guido Franch Day (Church of the SubGenius; Saint)

Henri Fantan-Latour (Artology)

Hestia’s Day (Pagan)

Hilary (Christian; Saint)

Isaias and Sabbas (Christian; Saint)

Jean-Baptiste van Loo (Artology)

Macrina the Elder (Christian; Saint)

Odoric of Pordenone (Christian; Saint)

Pongol (Tamil Harvest Festival, India) [Usually 1.14 or 15]

Sava of Serbia (Christian; Saint)

Sidereal Winter Solstice (South, Southeast Asian cultures) (a.k.a. ...

Magh Bihu (Assam)

Maghe Sankranti (Nepal)

Maghi (Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab)

Makar Sankranti (Harvest Festival; India, Malaysia, Thailand)

Pongol begins (Tamil Nadu)

Tamil hai Pongal Day (Sri Lanka)

Uttarayan (Uttarakhand, Gujarat and Rajasthan)

Spell to Let Go Day (Starza Pagan Book of Days)

Thai Pongal (Sri Lanka)

Thorrablat (a.k.a. Þorrablót; Midwinter Festival; Iceland)

Thorrablat (Norse/Heathen Festival to Thor, God of Thunder)

Traditional Day of Offering (Bhutan)

Wear a Colander Day (Pastafarian)

Lucky & Unlucky Days

Sakimake (先負 Japan) [Bad luck in the morning, good luck in the afternoon.]

Umu Limnu (Evil Day; Babylonian Calendar; 2 of 60)

Unfortunate Day (Pagan) [5 of 57]

Premieres

Appleseed (Anime Film; 2005)

Batty Man, Parts 3 & 4 (Underdog Cartoon, S3, Eps. 31 & 32; 1967)

Belle (Anime Film; 2022)

The BFG, by Roald Dahl (Novel; 1982)

Bosko in Dutch (WB LT Cartoon; 1933)

The Boy Named If, by Elvis Costello (Album; 2022)

Bugs’ Bonnets (WB MM Cartoon; 1956)

Cape Fear, by John D. MacDonald (Novel; 1957)

The Captain and the Kids (MGM Cartoon; 1939)

Cookie’ with Gags (Fleischer/Famous Popeye Cartoon; 1955)

Dog Gone Modern (WB MM Cartoon; 1939)

Elektra (Film; 2005)

Father Brown (UK TV Series; 2015)

5-4-3-2-1 or The Quick Launch Counter (Rocky & Bullwinkle Cartoon, S5, Ep. 248; 1964)

Get Thee Behind Me Satan, recorded by Harriet Hilliard (Song; 1936)

Goof Gas Attack, Part 7 (Rocky & Bullwinkle Cartoon, S5, Ep. 247; 1964)

A Helping Paw (Color Rhapsody Cartoon; 1941)

Home, Tweet Home (WB MM Cartoon; 1950)

The House (Animated Film; 2022)

Independent People, by Halldór Laxness (Novel; 1934)

In Good Company (Film; 2005)

Inside Llewyn Davis (Film; 2014)

Lonesome Traveler, by Jack Kerouac (Essays; 1960)

Low, by David Bowie (Album; 1977)

No Hunting (Disney Cartoon; 1955)

Other Voices, Other Rooms, by Truman Capote (Novel; 1948)

Paul Simon, by Paul Simon (Album; 1972)

Permanent Waves, by Rush (Album; 1980)

Pirates from Below (Animated Cartoon; Jonny Quest #18; 1965)

The Poseidon Adventure, by Paul Gallico (Novel; 1969)

Pueblo Pluto (Disney Cartoon; 1949)

Red Riding Hoodlum (Woody Woodpecker Cartoon; 1957)

Sanford and Son (TV Series; 1972)

Saturday Evening Puss (Tom & Jerry Cartoon; 1950)

Scanners (Film; 1981)

The Today Show (TV Series; 1952)

Tosca, by Giacomo Puccini (Opera; 1900)

Waiting on a War, by the Foo Fighters (Song; 2021)

Today’s Name Days

Engelmar, Felix, Rainer (Austria)

Feliks, Malahija, Rajko, Srećko (Croatia)

Radovan (Czech Republic)

Felix (Denmark)

Feliks, Õnneleid (Estonia)

Sakari, Saku, Sasu (Finland)

Nina (France)

Engelmar, Felix, Rainer (Germany)

Nina (Greece)

Bódog (Hungary)

Dazio, Macrina (Italy)

Raitis, Roberta, Roberts (Latvia)

Auksė, Feliksas, Hilarijus, Laimis (Lithuania)

Herbjørg, Herbjørn (Norway)

Feliks, Hilary, Odo, Radogost (Poland)

Nina (Romania)

Radovan (Slovakia)

Félix (Spain)

Felicia, Felix (Sweden)

Adam, Nina (Ukraine)

Alair, Felice, Felicia, Felicity, Felix, Hilary, Hillary, Hillery (USA)

Today is Also…

Day of Year: Day 14 of 2024; 352 days remaining in the year

ISO: Day 7 of week 2 of 2024

Celtic Tree Calendar: Beth (Birch) [Day 20 of 28]

Chinese: Month 12 (Yi-Chou), Day 4 (Ding-Chou)

Chinese Year of the: Rabbit 4721 (until February 10, 2024)

Hebrew: 4 Shevat 5784

Islamic: 3 Rajab 1445

J Cal: 14 White; Sevenday [13 of 30]

Julian: 1 January 2024

Moon: 15%: Waxing Crescent

Positivist: 14 Moses (1st Month) [Buddha]

Runic Half Month: Peorth (Womb, Dice Cup) [Day 5 of 15]

Season: Winter (Day 25 of 89)

Zodiac: Capricorn (Day 24 of 31)

Calendar Changes

January (a.k.a. Ianuarius; Julian Calendar) [Month 1 of 12]

#calendar #Holidays

2 notes · View notes

brookstonalmanac · 4 months

Text

Holidays 1.14

Holidays

Assembly Line Workers' Day

Caesarean Section Day

Cat Day (French Republic)

Defender of the Motherland Day (Uzbekistan)

Diary Day (South Korea)

Flag Day (Georgia)

George Price Day (Belize)

Human Be-In Day

International Kite Day

International Male Chastity Day

Makar Sankranti (Kite Day; India)

Mallard Day (Oxford, England)

National Dolls Doing Business Day

National Dress Up Your Pet Day

National Forest Conservation Day (Thailand)

National Pothole Day (UK) [Closest Weekday to 15th]

National Saturday the 14th

National STI-Q Day

National Undhiyu Day (India)

National Vodou Day (New Orleans, Louisiana)

Organize Your Home Day

Revolution and Youth Day (Tunisia)

Schnitzelbank Day

STIQ Day (UK)

Sultan’s Day (Malaysia)

Take a Missionary to Lunch Day

Unknown Citizens Day (Philippines)

Veterans Day (India)

World Logic Day (UN)

Food & Drink Celebrations

Cakes and Ale Day (England)

Hot Pastrami Sandwich Day

National Undhiyu Day (India)

2nd Sunday in January

Baptism of the Lord [Sunday after Epiphany]

Blessing of the Sea (Margate, UK) [Sunday after 6th]

Meitlisunntig (Switzerland) [2nd Sunday]

National Sunday Supper Day [2nd Sunday]

No Pants Subway Ride [2nd Sunday]

Volunteer Fireman's Day [2nd Sunday]

Yamayaki (Grass Burning on Mount Wakakasuyama & Fireworks; Japan)

Independence & Related Days

Ratification Day (Treaty of Paris ratified, ending Revolutionary War; US; 1784)

Journée de la souveraineté retrouvée (Restored Sovereignty Day; Mali)

New Year’s Days

Amenzu n Yennayer (a.k.a. Aseggwas Amaziɣ, ⴰⵙⴳⴳⴰⵙ ⴰⵎⴰⵣⵉⵖ or Amazigh New Year; Algeria)

Azhyrnykhua (Abkhazia; Day the World was Created)

The Burning o' the Clavie (Burghead, Scotland)

Hen Galan (Wales)

New Year's Day (Julian Calendar)

Novy God (Russian New Year)

Old New Year (a.k.a. ...

Alter Silvester (Switzerland)

Anul Nou pe stil vechi (Romania)

Հին Նոր տարի (Armenia)

Стары Новы год (Belarus)

Стара Нова година (Bulgaria, Macedonia)

Старый Новый год (Russia)

Српска Нова година (Serbia)

Старий Новий рік (Ukraine)

ძველით ახალი წელი (Georgia)

Παλαιό νέο έτος (Greece)

Orthodox New Year (Bosnia and Herzegovina)

Yennayer (Berber Calendar New Year’s Day)

Festivals Beginning January 14, 2024

Africa Cup of Nations (Abidjan, Ivory Coast) [thru 2.11]

Cologne Furniture Fair (Cologne, Germany) [thru 1.18]

Critics’ Choice Awards (Santa Monica, California)

Fire & Ice Festival: Under the Sea (Somerset, Pennsylvania) [thru 1.14]

International Istanbul Open Backgammon Championship (Istanbul, Turkey) [thru 1.14]

Martin Luther King Parade, Walking the Talk, and Festival (Long Beach, California)

School Nutrition Industry Conference (Orland, Florida) [thru 1.16]

Feast Days

Barba'shmin (a.k.a. Barbasceminus; Christian; Saint)

Barry the Honeybee (Muppetism)

Basil of Ostrong (a.k.a. Basil the Great; Orthodox Church; Saint) [Serbia]

Berthe Morisot (Artology)

Bhogi begins (Festival to Surya, a Solar Diety; India)

Buddha (Positivist; Saint)

Circumcision of Jesus Christ (Orthodox Church)

Devasahayam Pillai (Latin Church; Blessed)

Divina Pastora (Barquisimeto)

Dondoyaki (Fire Festival; Japan)

Einar Hákonarson (Artology)

Eivind Berggrav (Lutheran)

Feast of Divina Pastora (Barquisimeto, Venezuela)

Feast of Nina (Bulgaria)

Feast of the Ass (Medieval Christianity)

Felix of Nola (Christian; Martyr)

Festum Asinorum (Medieval Burlesque Festival)

Gort Day (Church of the SubGenius)

Guido Franch Day (Church of the SubGenius; Saint)

Henri Fantan-Latour (Artology)

Hestia’s Day (Pagan)

Hilary (Christian; Saint)

Isaias and Sabbas (Christian; Saint)

Jean-Baptiste van Loo (Artology)

Macrina the Elder (Christian; Saint)

Odoric of Pordenone (Christian; Saint)

Pongol (Tamil Harvest Festival, India) [Usually 1.14 or 15]

Sava of Serbia (Christian; Saint)

Sidereal Winter Solstice (South, Southeast Asian cultures) (a.k.a. ...

Magh Bihu (Assam)

Maghe Sankranti (Nepal)

Maghi (Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab)

Makar Sankranti (Harvest Festival; India, Malaysia, Thailand)

Pongol begins (Tamil Nadu)

Tamil hai Pongal Day (Sri Lanka)

Uttarayan (Uttarakhand, Gujarat and Rajasthan)

Spell to Let Go Day (Starza Pagan Book of Days)

Thai Pongal (Sri Lanka)

Thorrablat (a.k.a. Þorrablót; Midwinter Festival; Iceland)

Thorrablat (Norse/Heathen Festival to Thor, God of Thunder)

Traditional Day of Offering (Bhutan)

Wear a Colander Day (Pastafarian)

Lucky & Unlucky Days

Sakimake (先負 Japan) [Bad luck in the morning, good luck in the afternoon.]

Umu Limnu (Evil Day; Babylonian Calendar; 2 of 60)

Unfortunate Day (Pagan) [5 of 57]

Premieres

Appleseed (Anime Film; 2005)

Batty Man, Parts 3 & 4 (Underdog Cartoon, S3, Eps. 31 & 32; 1967)

Belle (Anime Film; 2022)

The BFG, by Roald Dahl (Novel; 1982)

Bosko in Dutch (WB LT Cartoon; 1933)

The Boy Named If, by Elvis Costello (Album; 2022)

Bugs’ Bonnets (WB MM Cartoon; 1956)

Cape Fear, by John D. MacDonald (Novel; 1957)

The Captain and the Kids (MGM Cartoon; 1939)

Cookie’ with Gags (Fleischer/Famous Popeye Cartoon; 1955)

Dog Gone Modern (WB MM Cartoon; 1939)

Elektra (Film; 2005)

Father Brown (UK TV Series; 2015)

5-4-3-2-1 or The Quick Launch Counter (Rocky & Bullwinkle Cartoon, S5, Ep. 248; 1964)

Get Thee Behind Me Satan, recorded by Harriet Hilliard (Song; 1936)

Goof Gas Attack, Part 7 (Rocky & Bullwinkle Cartoon, S5, Ep. 247; 1964)

A Helping Paw (Color Rhapsody Cartoon; 1941)

Home, Tweet Home (WB MM Cartoon; 1950)

The House (Animated Film; 2022)

Independent People, by Halldór Laxness (Novel; 1934)

In Good Company (Film; 2005)

Inside Llewyn Davis (Film; 2014)

Lonesome Traveler, by Jack Kerouac (Essays; 1960)

Low, by David Bowie (Album; 1977)

No Hunting (Disney Cartoon; 1955)

Other Voices, Other Rooms, by Truman Capote (Novel; 1948)

Paul Simon, by Paul Simon (Album; 1972)

Permanent Waves, by Rush (Album; 1980)

Pirates from Below (Animated Cartoon; Jonny Quest #18; 1965)

The Poseidon Adventure, by Paul Gallico (Novel; 1969)

Pueblo Pluto (Disney Cartoon; 1949)

Red Riding Hoodlum (Woody Woodpecker Cartoon; 1957)

Sanford and Son (TV Series; 1972)

Saturday Evening Puss (Tom & Jerry Cartoon; 1950)

Scanners (Film; 1981)

The Today Show (TV Series; 1952)

Tosca, by Giacomo Puccini (Opera; 1900)

Waiting on a War, by the Foo Fighters (Song; 2021)

Today’s Name Days

Engelmar, Felix, Rainer (Austria)

Feliks, Malahija, Rajko, Srećko (Croatia)

Radovan (Czech Republic)

Felix (Denmark)

Feliks, Õnneleid (Estonia)

Sakari, Saku, Sasu (Finland)

Nina (France)

Engelmar, Felix, Rainer (Germany)

Nina (Greece)

Bódog (Hungary)

Dazio, Macrina (Italy)

Raitis, Roberta, Roberts (Latvia)

Auksė, Feliksas, Hilarijus, Laimis (Lithuania)

Herbjørg, Herbjørn (Norway)

Feliks, Hilary, Odo, Radogost (Poland)

Nina (Romania)

Radovan (Slovakia)

Félix (Spain)

Felicia, Felix (Sweden)

Adam, Nina (Ukraine)

Alair, Felice, Felicia, Felicity, Felix, Hilary, Hillary, Hillery (USA)

Today is Also…

Day of Year: Day 14 of 2024; 352 days remaining in the year

ISO: Day 7 of week 2 of 2024

Celtic Tree Calendar: Beth (Birch) [Day 20 of 28]

Chinese: Month 12 (Yi-Chou), Day 4 (Ding-Chou)

Chinese Year of the: Rabbit 4721 (until February 10, 2024)

Hebrew: 4 Shevat 5784

Islamic: 3 Rajab 1445

J Cal: 14 White; Sevenday [13 of 30]

Julian: 1 January 2024

Moon: 15%: Waxing Crescent

Positivist: 14 Moses (1st Month) [Buddha]

Runic Half Month: Peorth (Womb, Dice Cup) [Day 5 of 15]

Season: Winter (Day 25 of 89)

Zodiac: Capricorn (Day 24 of 31)

Calendar Changes

January (a.k.a. Ianuarius; Julian Calendar) [Month 1 of 12]

#Holidays

0 notes

wortzentriert · 11 months

Text

Episode 019: Priest, King, and Prophet as a Key to Bible Reading – SoundCloud

Hör dir Episode 019: Priest, King, and Prophet as a Key to Bible Reading von The Theopolis Podcast an auf #SoundCloud

#christentum #weltanschauung #Kosmologie #Bibel

0 notes

the-turin-project · 1 year

Photo

with many thanks to u/lbrey and u/jejwood from the wonderful reddit.com/r/latin, I have just recently managed to cobble together a translation of the admonitions portion of the instructions.

A leap year has two letters, of which the first flourishes from 1 January continuously to 24 February inclusive. The other all the way to the end of the year. Accordingly, January will be the style adapted of the first letter, from which a step will be made on 25 February, to another, which must follow immediately, this second [one] staying with the epacts; for it is no concern because passing through, however rarely, this is evident from 1 January to 24 February, the first [letter] does not stay, for the second letter is has its own of the year, because it obtains the larger part [of the year]. And because it is the main thing, to look to the Passover to rule, from which the rest of the moving [feasts] receive the law.

No letter has twice the same number of epacts, except D, which has two locations 24 and 25. In this case, when the Dominical letter D should happen with the epacts 24 or 25, the second D should always be accepted, except if it has been a leap year, that is, D [?]. C: in whose case it must be accepted D is placed in the first position.

There are some feasts, or solemnities which are neither properly movable nor properly immovable (for those are properly called movable whose date depends on that of Easter); therefore for the churches of Turin the time is assigned as follows.

The Second Sunday after Epiphany is the Feast of the the Most Holy Name of Jesus, 2nd Class, with a commemoration of the Sunday: Sunday within the octave of the Feast of the Assumption is the Feast of St Joachim, duplex major, with a commemoration of the Sunday and of the Octave day: The second Sunday of August is the Feast of the Most Holy Sacrament, duplex major, commemoration of the Sunday: Sunday within the Octave of the Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary is the Feast of the Most Holy Name of the same (i.e. the BVM), duplex major, commemoration of the Sunday: Sunday in the kalends of October, or the 1st Sunday after, is the Solemnity of the Most Holy Rosary, duplex major, commemoration of the Sunday:

The circle of movables indicates the spring and summer ember days, but those of autumn are celebrated on the Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday after the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross [these are the ember days], and those of winter after the third Sunday of Advent, but the Sunday after the 26th of November will be the 1st Sunday of Advent.

Denotes: 1.cl. = first class 2.cl. = second class Maj. = two times as large D = two times as small S = half of two times

Printed by Peter Joseph Zappata, & sons

as one may observe, the admonitions for the liturgical calendar are exceedingly complex. I was pointed towards B. Hausmann’s Learning the Breviary (1932) as a means for learning more about the history of the Catholic calendar and the ranking of feasts and sundry.

regarding the calendar’s provenance, the name of Zappata is an excellent lead to follow for learning more about the craftsmen who made this piece.

now that we have the instructions, the next steps will be to attempt putting them into practice. more on that to come.

#latin #catholic #liturgy #saints #scholarship #academia #rare books #special collections #msu #michigan state university #turin #italy #calendar #easter #holy feasts #provenance

0 notes

stpaullutheranchurch · 1 year

Text

january 15 2023

2023 Epiphany 2, January 15th

Old Testament: Isaiah 49:1-7

Psalm: Psalm 40:1-11

Epistle: 1st Corinthians 1:1-9

Gospel: John 1:29-42a

Sermon Text: John 1:29-42a

Sermon Title: “The Lamb of God”

Grace to you and peace from God the Father and our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.

At His baptism in the Jordan River, the focus of last Sunday’s sermon, Jesus was being revealed by the presence of the Holy Spirit in the form of a dove and the voice of the Father declaring from heaven, “this is My beloved Son with whom I am well pleased”. (Matthew 3:17b) John, who witnessed these things, now boldly speaks of Jesus; “on the next day (when) he saw Jesus coming towards him … (he said) Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world”. (John 1:29) John the Baptist had already confessed to the crowds, “I am not the Christ”. (John 1:20b) He is telling them; this Jesus is the One you should follow, not me.

We sing these words about the Lamb of God, every week in the liturgy and we join with the angels in the book of Revelation saying “Salvation belongs to our God and to the Lamb” (Revelation 7:10b) “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain , to receive power, and wealth, and wisdom, and might, and honor, and glory, and blessing … forever and ever”. (Revelation 5:12, 13b) The saints of God are those who have “washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb” of God. (Revelation 7:14b)

In saying that the Lamb, Jesus, takes away the sins of the world, John is affirming the doctrine of “universal atonement”; that the sins of every person in the entire world, throughout human history, were placed on Jesus on the cross and that He “desires all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth”. (1st Timothy 2:4) Martin Luther wrote, “For these sins, He is willing to suffer and die, that our sins may be forgiven and we may attain eternal life and blessedness … anyone who wishes to be saved, must know (and believe) that their sins have been placed on the back of this Lamb of God”; who has no sin of His own.

We are saved by faith; because of the “precious blood of Christ … a Lamb without blemish or spot”, (1st Peter 1:19b) “like a lamb that is led to the slaughter” (Isaiah 53:7) as the prophet Isaiah foretold it. So, as the Lamb of God, Jesus had to be true man in order to suffer and die, to atone for our sins, and the sins of the world, on the cross. He also had to be true man in order to perfectly keep God’s Law and commandments perfectly for us. This is called His passive and active obedience. Jesus is also true God as John now makes clear.

Now, John had previously (earlier in this chapter) spoken to the crowds saying that Jesus is the One, “who comes after me, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie”. (John 1:27) Here again, he repeats, “this is He of whom I said, after me comes a man who ranks before me , because He was before me”. (John 1:30) John is again bearing witness to Jesus’ divinity, of His eternal nature, that He has existed from all eternity. Earlier John had testified that “Jesus was in the beginning with God”. (John 1:2). Scripture also declares “Jesus Christ is the same, yesterday, and today, and forever”. (Hebrews 13:8) So, Luther also taught in the Small Catechism, “I believe in Jesus Christ, (who is) true God, begotten of the Father from all eternity, and also true man, born of the Virgin Mary”. (2nd Article explanation)

John the Baptist continued to speak of the Lamb of God saying, “For this purpose, I came baptizing with water, that He might be revealed to Israel”. (John 1:31b) John was not about promoting himself, but rather, “I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness; make straight the way of the Lord, as the prophet Isaiah said”. (John 1:23) John preached “a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins” (Luke 3:3b) and pointed all people, including his own disciples, to Jesus.

That was the whole purpose of his ministry. The faithful preacher of God’s Word will do same thing today; point people to Jesus and Him alone for the forgiveness of sins and the promise of eternal life. As the Holy Scriptures affirm, “There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name (than the name of Jesus) under heaven, given among men, by which we must be saved”. (Acts 4:12)

Again, “John bore witness, I saw the Spirit descend from heaven like a dove and remain on Him … He who sent me to baptize, with water said to me, He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain; this is He who baptizes with the Holy Spirit. And I have seen and have borne witness, that this is the Son of God”. (John 1:32-34) To bear witness (here) simply means to tell the truth. John saw this at Jesus’ baptism, as we heard last Sunday. The Father’s words from heaven; “this is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:17b); which John also heard; prove that Jesus is “very God of very God, begotten of the Father” as we just confessed in the Nicene Creed.

John continued to preach Jesus to his disciples, “and the next day again, John was standing with two of His disciples, and he looked at Jesus as He walked by and said (as he had said the day before) Behold, the Lamb of God. The two disciples heard him say this and they followed Jesus”. (John 1:35-37) John rejoiced when his disciples followed Jesus, for that was why he came. “He must increase and I must decrease”. (John 3:30) God worked through His Word and witness of John the Baptist to cause his own disciples to follow Jesus; who is the only way to the Father. Salvation is found in Christ Jesus alone.

Now, “Jesus turned and saw them following Him and said to them, What are you seeking? And they said to Him, Rabbi (which means teacher) where are You staying. He said to them, come and you will see. So, they came and saw where He was staying, and they stayed with Him that day, for it was about the tenth hour”. (John 1:38-39) (which is 4 P. M.) They gladly respond to Jesus’ invitation; even though they do not fully know what following Him will involve; for they too will suffer abuse and persecution and martyrdom for the sake of their faith in Jesus.

Who were these two disciples of John the Baptist? “One of the two who heard John speak and followed Jesus was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. He first found his own brother Simon and said to him; we have found the Messiah, which means Christ”. (or the Anointed One) (John 1:40-41) Even before going with Jesus, Andrew was so sure of who Jesus was that he bore witness to Him as the Christ to his brother first. “He brought him to Jesus and Jesus looked at him and said, so you are Simon, the son of John? From now on you will be called Cephas, which means Peter”. (John 1:42) The other disciple is unnamed, but is assumed by most to be the Apostle John, who never mentions himself directly in his Gospel.

If we read further in John 1, we would see this pattern of bearing witness to Jesus continue as, “Jesus found Phillip and said to him, follow Me … (then) Phillip found Nathanael and said to him, we have found Him of whom Moses in the Law and also the prophets wrote; Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph”. (John 1:43b-45) When Nathanael asked “can anything good come out of Nazareth? Phillip (invited him) saying; come and see”. (John 1:46) While talking to Jesus, Nathanael gave the great confession of faith, “You are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!” (John 1:49)

So, we have seen John the Baptist bear witness to Jesus, calling Him the “Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world” (John 1:29b) and how the word world indicates universal atonement; that Christ Jesus died for the sins of all people who have lived or ever will live. We again heard John speak of Jesus, not just as a man, but as “the Son of God” (John 1:34b); God in human flesh; “and there is salvation in no one else”. (Acts 4:12a) Finally, we heard of some of John’s disciples begin to follow Jesus and then go and tell others about Him, bringing them to Him.

Notice the pattern of how people come to follow Jesus and believe in Him for eternal life; it has nothing to do with their goodness or righteousness or self-preparedness; They simply heard the Word, the Gospel, preached and the Holy Spirit did the rest; for we confess in the Catechism, “I cannot by my own reason or strength believe in my Lord Jesus Christ or come to Him, but the Holy Spirit has called me by the Gospel”. Before Christ saved us, we were “dead in our trespasses and sins” (Ephesians 2:1). And “no one can say Jesus is Lord, except in the Holy Spirit”. (1st Corinthians 12:3)

For most of us (maybe all of us), we were saved when someone brought us to Jesus, in the waters of baptism, just as Andrew brough his brother Simon Peter to Jesus. As John the Baptist said, Jesus is the One “who baptizes with the Holy Spirit” (John 1:33b). He now gives the Holy Spirit to all who are baptized into the name of the triune God; Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. As the Apostle Paul wrote, “He saved us … according to His own mercy , by the washing of regeneration and the renewal of the Holy Spirit”. (Titus 3:5) Therefore, baptism is a means of grace; As is the Lord’s Supper, the Sacrament of the Altar. Which we will receive momentarily.

As Luther wrote in the Small Catechism, “these words, “given and shed for you”, show us that in the sacrament, forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation are given to us … whoever believes these words, has exactly what they say; the forgiveness of sins”. Therefore, Luther exhorts us saying; “We must never regard the sacrament as a harmful thing from which we should flee, but as a pure, wholesome, soothing medicine, that aids you and gives life in both body and soul … why then do we act as if the sacrament were poison that would kill us of we ate of it”. (Luther, Large Catechism, “Sacrament of the Altar”, par. 68)

(Therefore) “even if a scoundrel receives or administers the sacrament, it is still the true sacrament; that is, Christ’s body and blood, just as truly as when one uses it worthily. The Sacrament is founded not on human holiness (of those who administer or receive it) but on the Word of God … which is not rendered false because of an individual’s unworthiness or unbelief … no one can change the Sacrament, even thru misuse”. (Luther, L. C. “Sacrament of the Altar”, par. 16-17) So, even if the pastor who administers the Sacrament or the person who receives it next to you is a hypocrite, all who believe these words of Jesus receive forgiveness of their sins and strengthening of their faith.

Of course, the means of grace that is included in all the others is the Word of God, Holy Scripture, the Bible. Holy Baptism is described as a “washing of water with the Word”. (Ephesians 5:26b) The Sacrament of the Altar also needs to include Jesus’ “words of institution”; but the Word of God itself is a means of grace. “Faith comes by hearing and hearing through the Word of Christ”. (Romans 10:17) “You have been born again … through the living and abiding Word of God”. (1st Peter 1:23) “The Word of God is living and active, sharper than any two edged sword … discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart”. (Hebrews 4:12) These and countless other verses affirm that reading and hearing the Word of God, which is divinely inspired and without error, is a means of grace.

Knowing that these are the means by which God gives us His gifts of forgiveness of sin, life and salvation, it is important to know where God has told us we are to (normally) receive them; for our Lutheran Confessions condemn those who “imagine that God draws people to Himself … justifies them and saves them, without the hearing of God’s Word and without the use of the Holy Sacraments”. (Epitome, Article II, par. 13) “God has ordained Word and Sacrament as the ordinary means … to accomplish this end”. (Solid Declaration, Article XI, par. 76)

Therefore, “so that we obtain saving faith, the ministry of teaching the Gospel and administering the Sacraments was instituted”. (Augsburg Confession, Article V, par. 1) So, the church, in the Divine Service, is where we receive these gifts from our gracious and merciful God. Therefore, we are to as Luther declared, “not despise preaching and His Word, but hold it sacred and gladly hear and learn it”. (Small Catechism, 3rd Commandment explanation) Here is where “the Messiah, the Christ, … the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world” (John 1:41b, 29b) comes to us, every time we gather.

He promises to be here and thru His means, “He will sustain you to the end, guiltless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful”. (1st Corinthians 1:8-9a) His Word is always true. “The peace of God, which passes all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7) to life everlasting.

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hardcorefornerds · 1 year

Audio

JS Bach, Ich steh mit einem Fuß im Grabe (I stand with one foot in the grace), BWV153: No. 1 Sinfonia

Continuing my series of listening to Bach cantatas on the liturgical date they were originally composed for, with the third Sunday after Epiphany. Lots of emphasis on submission to God’s will via the Gospel reading of Matthew 8:9 (KJV: “And, behold, there came a leper and worshipped him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.”)

Somewhat unusually, this particular cantata opens with a purely instrumental Sinfonia, which (in this rendition anyway) has a melody that puts me in mind of something wistful you might hear from a Northern brass band in England.

Previous weeks:

2nd Sunday after Epiphany, BWV13, Meine Seufzer, meine Tränen (My sighs, my tears)

1st Sunday after Epiphany, BWV 32: Liebster Jesu, mein Verlangen (‘Dearest Jesus, my desire’)

#bach #history

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loulou1943 · 1 year

Video

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2nd Vespers for the 3rd Sunday After Epiphany

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mksrector · 1 year

Video

youtube

Sunday Morning Worship 2nd Sunday after the Epiphany 2023

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judyconda · 1 year

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Spiritual Sunday: Epiphany (Solemnity Feast of the Epiphany) [2nd Part] //TW Trigger Warning Caption contains In Western Christianity, the feast commemorates principally (but not solely) the visit of the Magi to the Christ Child, and thus Jesus Christ's physical manifestation to the Gentiles. It is sometimes called Three Kings' Day, and in some traditions celebrated as Little Christmas. Moreover, the feast of the Epiphany, in some denominations, also initiates the liturgical season of Epiphanytide. Eastern Christians, on the other hand, commemorate the baptism of Jesus in the Jordan River, seen as his manifestation to the world as the Son of God. The spot marked by Al-Maghtas in Jordan, adjacent to Qasr al-Yahud in the West Bank, is considered to be the original site of the baptism of Jesus and the ministry of John the Baptist. The traditional date for the feast is January 6. However, since 1970, the celebration is held in some countries on the Sunday after January 1. Those Eastern Churches which are still following the Julian calendar observe the feast on what, according to the internationally used Gregorian calendar, is January 19, because of the current 13-day difference between the Julian and Gregorian calendars. Although those in other Christian countries historically remove them on Candlemas, the conclusion of Epiphanytide. According to the first tradition, those who fail to remember to remove their Christmas decorations on Epiphany Eve must leave them untouched until Candlemas, the second opportunity to remove them; failure to observe this custom is considered inauspicious. In many Western Churches, the eve of the feast is celebrated as Twelfth Night (Epiphany Eve). The Monday after Epiphany is known as Plough Monday. Popular Epiphany customs include Epiphany singing, chalking the door, having one's house blessed, consuming Three Kings Cake, winter swimming, as well as attending church services. #spiritualsunday #mystique #spiritique #blessedsunday #blessed #epiphany #epiphanysunday https://www.instagram.com/p/CnJ2ja4SR7t/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

#spiritualsunday #mystique #spiritique #blessedsunday #blessed #epiphany #epiphanysunday

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santandreas · 1 year

Text

Epiphany

https://christ-our-hope-community.net/2023/01/

It appears that the feast of the Epiphany, which was held in the East and in certain Western Churches before it was observed in Rome, was originally a celebration of the nativity. For those churches where it was observed, January 6 was the equivalent of Christmas (December 25) in the Roman Church. The feast was first celebrated in Rome in the second part of the sixth century, and it later evolved into the festival’s complement and, in a sense, its crown. Epiphany translates to manifestation. The manifestation of our Lord to the entire world is what the Church commemorates now; after being revealed to the Bethlehem shepherds, He is revealed to the Magi who have journeyed from the East to adore Him. The Magi represent the first fruits of the Gentiles, according to Christian legend. All the Earth’s Peoples follow in their trail and the Epiphany, therefore, confirms the salvation of all peoples. St. Leo makes this point brilliantly in a sermon read at Matins, where he illustrates how the Magi’s devotion marks the birth of the Christian faith at a time when the vast majority of the pagan population is travelling to follow the star that calls it to seek its Saviour. That is also the explanation behind the great prophecy from Isaias that is read during the first nocturn at Matins and the Epistle of the Mass according to the liturgy. The Church returns to the idea of universal redemption when she sings the antiphon to the Magnificat at 2nd Vespers, interpreting the words to describe her own union with Christ as symbolised by the wedding feast at Cana and her children’s baptism as foreshadowed by Christ’s baptism in the Jordan. Epiphany was once an alternative day for formal baptisms. Again, from another source – The solemnity of the Epiphany is observed on January 6 or, if the episcopal conference so decides, on a Sunday between January 2 and January 8., The child Messiah is made known as the world’s light. The adoration of the Christ Child by the Magi, the Baptism of Christ, and the wedding feast at Cana are three mysteries that are included in this solemnity, as the antiphon for the Magnificat at Second Vespers reminds us. Extra candles and/or lamps may be placed around the sanctuary and in other parts of the church to honour Christ revealed as the Light of the Gentiles (Ceremonial of Bishops) It is usual to substitute the three Magi and their gifts for the shepherds’ representations at the crib. —Msgr. Peter J. Elliott, author of Ceremonies of the Liturgical Year, Ignatius Press.] Scripture Commentary ‌ Matthew 2:1–12 is the source of the feast’s gospel. The main characters of today’s Epiphany celebration are the Magi. They were pagan people who had no knowledge of the Jewish people’s true God. But that real God made known to them that the Jewish King he had prophesied had indeed come. A prince was born as foretold. When they arrived in Jerusalem, the capital of Judah they expected, of course, to find the city and the entire country in jubilation. Instead, they found suspicion and hatred in the reigning king—a hatred which shortly turned to murder The religious leaders were knowledgeable about their past history but completely uninterested in the present and the future. These officials must have understood that the Magi were adamant about the truth revealed to them since they would not have travelled so far on a “fool’s errand.” They also knew that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem. Despite this, they never considered accompanying the Magi to Bethlehem. These were the same officials that, despite his miracles, refused to accept his claim that he was not only the promised Messiah but also the real Son of God. These were men who rejected him because he had mercy on sinners and spoke of a future life. What they wanted from their Messiah was political power and earthly freedom and prosperity. Like Herod, they ended with murder—the crucifixion of the “King of the Jews.” The mediocre leaders of God’s Chosen People were not much worse than the pagan king. Let us choose to make the Magi our models, to follow them to Bethlehem and offer Christ all that we have and are. —Adapted from The Sunday Readings by Fr. Kevin O’Sullivan, O.F.M. Paraphrased www.catholicculture.org. (n.d.). The Epiphany of the Lord – January 08, 2023 – Liturgical Calendar. [online] Available at: https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/day.cfm?date=2023-01-08 [Accessed 4 Jan. 2023]. Image from Wikipedia public (1902). Journey of the Magi. [JEPG] Available at: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/7/7b/Journey_of_the_Magi.jpg [Accessed 4 Jan. 2023].

#liturgyepiphanymagi8th January 2023

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brookston · 1 year

Text

Holidays 1.8

Holidays

Argyle Day

Around the World Day

Babinden (Old Midwives' Day; Bulgaria)

Bowiemas

Bubble Bath Day

Colorism Awareness Day

Commonwealth Day (Northern Mariana Islands)

Earth’s Rotation Day

Emperor Norton Day

International Choreographers Day

It All Adds Up Day

Jackson Day (Louisiana)

Man Watcher's Day

Mercenaries Day (Nigeria)

Midwives’ Day

National Butcher’s Day (Cambodia)

National Career Coach Day

National JoyGerm Day

National Labrador Retriever Day

National Snuggle a Chicken Day

National Vision Board Day

National Winter Skin Relief Day

Nymph Guzom (Sikkim, India)

OA Day of Action

Old Hickory Day

Rationing Day (UK)

Redistribution of Wealth Day

Rock 'n' Roll Day

Show and Tell At Work Day

TRP Day

Vomit Day

War on Poverty Day

Women's Day (a.k.a. Midwife's Day; Greece)

World Literacy Day

World Typing Day

Food & Drink Celebrations

English Toffee Day

Milk Carton Day

National Cassoulet Day

National Eat Something Raw Day

2nd Sunday in January

Baptism of the Lord [Sunday after Epiphany]

Blessing of the Sea (Margate, UK) [Sunday after 6th]

Meitlisunntig (Switzerland) [2nd Sunday]

National Sunday Supper Day [2nd Sunday]

No Pants Subway Ride [2nd Sunday]

Volunteer Fireman's Day [2nd Sunday]

Independence Days

Caddia (a.k.a. Federal Republic of Caddia; Declared; 2018)

Monaco (Declared, 1297)

Feast Days

Abo of Tiflis (Christian; Saint)

Apollinaris Claudius (Christian; Saint)

Belus (Positivist; Saint)

Bubble Bath Day (Pastafarian)

Dakini Day (Vajrayana Buddhism; Tibet)

Eurosia Fabris (Christian; Blessed)

Flitzpizzle (Muppetism)

Gauchito Gil (Folk Catholicism)

Gudula (Christian; Saint) [Brussels]

The Haloa (Fertility Festival for Demeter & Dionysos; Ancient Greece)

Harriet Bedell (Episcopal Church US)

Jimi Hendrix Day (Church of the SubGenius; Saint)

Justitia (Roman Goddess of Justice)

Lawrence Giustiniani (Christian; Saint)

Lucian of Beauvais (Christian; Saint)

Maximus of Pavia (Christian; Saint)

Our Lady of Prompt Succor (Roman Catholic Church)

Pega (Anglican and Roman Catholic churches)

Sacrifices to Janus (Ancient Rome)

Severinus of Noricum (Christian; Saint)

Stephen Hawking Remembrance Day (Pastafarian)

Thorfinn of Hamar (Christian; Saint)

Toka Ebisu Matsuri begins (Festival of Ebisu; Japan) [thru 11th]

Lucky & Unlucky Days

Butsumetsu (仏滅 Japan) [Unlucky all day.]

Premieres

All Creatures Great and Small (UK TV Series; 1978)

Blackstar, by David Bowie (Album; 2016)

House of Lies (TV Series; 2012)

Leap Year (Film; 2010)

Leprechaun (Film; 1993)

Lupin (TV Series; 2020)

A Memory of Light, by Robert Jordan (Novel; 2013) [Wheel of Time #14]

Pirates of Penzance (Broadway Musical Revival; 1981)

Poirot (UK TV Series; 1989)

(Sittin’ On” The Dock of the Bay, by Otis Redding (Song; 1968)

Vessel, by Twenty One Pilots (Album; 2013)

Youth in Revolt (Film; 2010)

Today’s Name Days

Erhard, Gudula, Severin (Austria)

Bogoljub, Severin, Teofil (Croatia)

Čestmír (Czech Republic)

Erhardt (Denmark)

Gunnar, Kunder, Kunnar (Estonia)

Hilppa, Titta (Finland)

Lucien (France)

Erhard, Gudula, Heiko, Severin (Germany)

Agathon, Dominiki, Kelsios, Parthena, Theofilos, Vasilissa (Greece)

Gyöngyvér (Hungary)

Massimo, Severino (Italy)

Erhads, Gatis, Gundabis, Ivanda (Latvia)

Apolinaras, Gintė, Teofilis, Vilintas (Lithuania)

Torfinn, Turid (Norway)

Erhard, Mścisław, Seweryn (Poland)

Domnica, Gheorghe (Romania)

Severín (Slovakia)

Luciano, Severino (Spain)

Erland (Sweden)

Alvis, Elvis, Severin, Severina, Severne (USA)

Today is Also…

Day of Year: Day 8 of 2023; 357 days remaining in the year

ISO: Day 7 of week 1 of 2023

Celtic Tree Calendar: Beth (Birch) [Day 15 of 28]

Chinese: Month 12 (Dōngyuè), Day 17 (Bing-Yin)

Chinese Year of the: Tiger (until January 22, 2023)

Hebrew: 15 Teveth 5783

Islamic: 15 Jumada II 1444

J Cal: 8 Aer; Oneday [8 of 30]

Julian: 26 December 2022

Moon: 97%: Waning Gibbous

Positivist: 8 Moses (1st Month) [Belus]

Runic Half Month: Eihwaz (Yew) [Day 15 of 15]

Season: Winter (Day 19 of 90)

Zodiac: Capricorn (Day 18 of 30)

#calendar #Holidays

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pamphletstoinspire · 4 years

Photo

SECOND SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY

In the Introit of this day's Mass the Church calls upon all creatures to thank God for the Incarnation of His only-begotten Son.

INTROIT Let all the earth adore Thee, O God and sing to Thee: let it sing a psalm to Thy name (Ps. 65:4). Shout with joy to God all the earth, sing ye a psalm to His name: give glory to His praise (Ps. 65:1-2). Glory be to the Father.

COLLECT Almighty and eternal God, Who disposest all things in heaven and on earth: mercifully hear the supplications of Thy people, and give Thy peace to our times. Through our Lord.

EPISTLE (Rom.12:6-16). Brethren: We have different gifts, according to the grace that is given us: either prophecy, to be used according to the rule of faith, or ministry in ministering, or he that teacheth in doctrine, he that exhorteth in exhorting, he that giveth with simplicity, he that ruleth with carefulness, he that sheweth mercy with cheerfulness. Let love be without dissimulation. Hating that which is evil, cleaving to that which is good: loving one another with the charity of brotherhood: with honor inspiring one another: in carefulness not slothful: in spirit fervent: serving the Lord: rejoicing in hope: patient in tribulation: instant in prayer: communicating to the necessities of the saints: pursuing hospitality: bless them that persecute you: bless and curse not. Rejoice with them that rejoice, weep with them that weep: being of one mind, one towards another: not minding high things, but consenting to the humble. Be not wise in your own conceits.

EXPLANATION. St. Paul in this epistle exhorts every Christian to make good use of the gifts of God; if one receives an office, he must see well to it, so that he can give an account to God of the faithful performance of his duties. He exhorts especially to brotherly love which we should practice by charitable works; such as, receiving strangers hospitably, giving alms to those who are in need, and to those who by misfortune or injustice have lost their property; he commands us, at the same time, to rejoice in the welfare of our neighbor, as we rejoice at our own good fortune, and to grieve at his misfortunes as we would over those which befall us.

How is brotherly love best preserved?

By the virtue of humility which makes us esteem our neighbor above ourselves, consider his good qualities only, bear patiently his defects, and always meet him in a friendly, respectful, and indulgent manner. Humility causes us to live always in peace with our fellowmen, while among the proud, where each wishes to be the first, there is continual strife and dissatisfaction (Prov. 13:10).

INSTRUCTION FOR SUPERIORS

Those have to expect a severe sentence from God, who merely for temporal gain, seek profitable offices, and thrust themselves therein whether capable or not, and if capable care very little whether they fulfill the duties required, or perhaps make the fulfillment of them depend upon bribes. Of such God makes terrible complaint: Thy princes (judges) are faithless, companions of thieves: they all love bribes, they run after rewards. They judge not for the fatherless; and the widow's cause comes not into them (Is. 1:23). A most severe judgment shall be for them that bear rule (Wisd. 6:6).

ASPIRATION Grant us, O Lord, Thy grace, that according to Thy will, we may follow the instructions of St. Paul in regard to humility and love, have compassion upon all suffering and needy, think little of ourselves, and descend to the lowest, that we may, one day, be elevated with them in heaven.

GOSPEL (Jn. 2:1-11). At that time there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee: and the mother of Jesus was there. And Jesus also was invited, and his disciples, to the marriage. And the wine failing, the mother of Jesus saith to him: They have no wine. And Jesus with to her: Woman, what is it to me and to thee? my hour is not yet come. His mother saith to the waiters: Whatsoever he shall say to you, do ye. Now there were set there six water-pots of stone, according to the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three measures apiece. Jesus saith to them: Fill the water-pots with water. And they filled them up to the brim. And Jesus saith to them: Draw out now, and carry to the chief steward of the feast. And they carried it. And when the chief steward had tasted the water made wine, and knew not whence it was, but the waiters knew who had drawn the water; the chief steward calleth the bridegroom, and saith to him: Every man at first setteth forth good wine; and when men have well drank, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine until now. This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee: and manifested his glory, and his disciples believed in him.

Why was Christ and His mother present at this marriage?

In order to honor this humble and God-fearing couple who, with faithful hearts, had invited Him and His mother to their wedding; to give us an example of humility; to assist them in their poverty, and save their good name by changing water into wine; to reveal His dignity as the Messiah to His disciples by this miracle; and to sanctify by His presence the marriages that are contracted in the spirit of the Church.

Alas! how few marriages of our time could Jesus honor with His presence, because He is invited neither by fervent prayer, nor by the chaste life of the couple: He is excluded rather, by the frequent immorality of the married couple and their guests.

Why was Mary interested in this married couple?

Because she is merciful, and the Mother of Mercy, and willingly assists all the poor and afflicted who fear God. From this incident, St. Bonaventure judges of the many graces which we can hope for through Mary, now that she reigns in heaven; "For," says he, "if Mary while yet on earth was so compassionate, how much more so is she now, reigning in heaven!" He gives the reason by adding: "Mary now that she sees the face of God, knows our necessities far better than when she was on earth, and in proportion to the increase of her compassion, her power to aid us has been augmented." Ah! why do we not take refuge in all our necessities to this merciful mother, who although unasked assists the needy?

Why did Christ say to Mary: Woman, what is it to me and to thee?

This seemingly harsh reply of Christ was no reproach, for Mary had made her request only through love and mercy, and Christ calls those blessed who are merciful, but he wished to show that in the performance of divine work, the will of His heavenly Father alone should be consulted. He meant to remind her that He had not received the gift of miracles from her as the son of woman, but from His eternal Father, in accordance with whose will He would do that which she asked when the hour designed by God would come. Though the hour had not come, yet He granted the wish of His mother, who knew that her divine Son refused none of her requests, and so she said to the servants: "Whatsoever He shall say to you, do ye." Behold the great power of Mary's intercession! Neglect not, therefore, to take refuge in this most powerful mother!

What are we taught by the words: My hour is not yet come?

These words teach us that we should in all things await God's appointed time, and in things belonging to God and His honor, act only by divine direction, without any human motives.

What does the scarcity of wine signify?

In a spiritual sense the want of wine may be understood to signify the lack of love between married people, which is principally the case with those who enter this state through worldly motives, for the sake of riches, beauty of person, or who have before marriage kept up sinful intercourse. These should ask God for the forgiveness of their sins, bear the hardships of married life in the spirit of penance, and change the wrong motives they had before marriage; by doing so God will supply the scarcity of wine, that is the lack of true love, and change the waters of misery into the wine of patient affection.

Why did Christ command them to take the wine to the steward?

That the steward, whose office required him to be attentive to the conduct of the guests, and to know the quality of the wine, should give his judgment in regard to the excellence of this, and be able to testify to the miracle before all the guests.

ASPIRATION O my most merciful Jesus! I would rather drink in this world the sour wine of misery than the sweet wine of pleasure, that in heaven I may taste the perfect wine of eternal joy.

INSTRUCTION ON THE HOLY SACRAMENT OF MATRIMONY

What is Matrimony?

Matrimony is the perfect, indissoluble union of two free persons of different sex, for the purpose of propagating the human race, mutually to bear the burdens of life and to prevent sin (I Cor. 7:2).

Who instituted Matrimony?

God Himself, the Creator of all things (Gen. 1:27-28). He brought to man the helpmate, whom He formed from one of the ribs of Adam, that she who came from his heart, might never depart therefrom, but cling to him in the indissoluble bond of love (Gen. 2:18, 24). To this original, divine institution Christ refers (Mt. 19:4-6), and the Church declares the bond of marriage perpetual and indissoluble.

Is Matrimony a Sacrament?

Yes; according to the testimony of the Fathers, the Church has held it such from the times of the apostles, which she could not do, had Christ not raised it to the dignity of a Sacrament. St. Paul even calls it a great Sacrament, because it is symbolical of the perpetual union of Christ with His Church; and the Council of Trent declares: "If any one says that Matrimony is not really and truly one of the seven Sacraments of the Church instituted by Christ, but an invention of men that imparts no grace, let him be anathema" (Conc. Trid., Sess. XXIV, can. 1).

What graces does this Sacrament impart?

The grace of preserving matrimonial fidelity inviolate: the grace of educating children as Christians; of patiently enduring the unavoidable difficulties of married life, and of living peaceably with each other. Married people are indeed greatly in need of these graces, in order to fulfil their mutual obligations.

What is the external sign in the Sacrament of Matrimony?

The union of two single persons in Matrimony, which according to the regulations of the Council of Trent (Conc. Trid., Sess. XXIV, can. 1), must be formed publicly in the presence of the pastor, or with his permission before another priest, and two witnesses.

What preparations are to be made to receive the grace of this Sacrament?

1. The first and best preparation is a pure and pious life. 2. The light of the Holy Ghost should be invoked to know whether one is called to this state of life. 3. The parents and the father-confessor should be asked for advice. 4. The choice should be made in regard to a Christian heart, and a gentle disposition rather than to beauty and wealth. 5. The immediate preparation is, to purify the conscience, if it has not already been done, by a good general confession, and by the reception of the most holy Sacrament of the Altar. Before their marriage the young couple should ask their parents' blessing, should hear the nuptial Mass with devotion, with the intention of obtaining God's grace to begin their new state of life well, and finally they should commend themselves with confidence to the protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary and her spouse St. Joseph.

Why are there so many unhappy marriages?

Because so many people prepare the way by sins and vices, and continue to sin without interruption, and without true amendment until marriage, therefore always make sacrilegious confessions, even perhaps immediately before marriage. Besides this many enter the married life on account of carnal intentions, or other earthly motives; in many cases they do not even ask God for His grace; without any proper preparation for such an important, sacred act, on their marriage day they go to church with levity and afterwards celebrate their wedding with but little modesty. Is it any wonder that such married people receive no blessing, no grace, when they render themselves so unworthy?

Why did God institute married life?

That children might be brought up honestly and as Christians, and that they should be instructed especially in matters of faith; that married people should sustain each other in the difficulties of life, and mutually exhort one another to a pious life; and lastly, that the sin of impurity might be avoided. For they who in such manner receive matrimony as to shut out God from themselves, and from their mind, and to give themselves to their lust, as the horse and mule which have not understanding, over them the devil hath power (Too. 6:17).

'With what intentions should the married state be entered?

With such intentions as the young Tobias and his bride had, who before the marriage ceremony, ardently prayed God for His grace, and took their wedding breakfast in the fear of the Lord (Too. 14:15). Hence God's blessing was with them until death. If all young people would enter the married state thus, it would certainly be holy, God-pleasing and blessed, and the words of St. Paul, spoken to wives, would come true unto them: Yet she shall be saved by bearing children, if she continue in faith, and love, and sanctification with sobriety (I Tim. 2:15).

Why are the banns of marriage published three times in Church?

That all impediments which would render the marriage unlawful may be made known. Such impediments are: consanguinity, clandestine marriages, etc. Therefore, any one who is aware of such impediments, is bound to make them known to the pastor.

Why is the marriage performed in the presence of the parish priest?

Because the Catholic Church expressly declares that those marriages which are not performed in presence of the pastor, or with his permission before another priest, and two witnesses, are null and void (Conc. Trid., Sess. XXIV can. 1)1; and because the blessing of the priest, which he imparts in the name of the Church, gives the couple, if they are in a state of grace, strength, fortitude and grace to be faithful to each other, to endure all trials patiently, and to be safe from all the influences of the evil enemy."

Why do they join hands before the priest, and two witnesses?

By this they bind themselves before God and His Church to remain true to each other, and to be ready to assist each other in all adversities. The bridegroom puts a ring on the bride's finger which should remind her of her duty of inviolable fidelity; to this end the priest signs and seals this holy union with the unbloody Sacrifice of the New Law.

Can the bond of marriage be dissolved in the Catholic Church?

A valid marriage, contracted with the free consent of each of the parties, can according to the plain doctrine of the Scriptures, the constant teaching and practice of the Church, be dissolved only by the death of one of the parties. If the pope or a bishop, for important reasons, gives a divorce, this is only partial, and neither can marry again while the other lives. Such a marriage would not be valid. How pure and holy are the doctrine and practice of the Catholic Church in this the most important and sacred of all human relations, preserving its inviolability and sanctity; while, on the contrary, by means of the wanton doctrine of the heretics, which for trivial reasons entirely dissolves the marriage contract, this sacred union is made the deepest ignominy of mankind, and the play-ball of human passions and caprice!

What is thought of mixed marriages, or marriages between Catholics and Protestants?

The Catholic Church has always condemned such marriages, because of the great dangers to which the Catholic party is unavoidably exposed as well as the offspring. Such marriages promote indifference in matters of religion, by which the spiritual life of the soul is destroyed; they are a hindrance to domestic peace, cause mutual aversion, quarrels, and confusion; they give scandal to servants; they interfere with the Christian education of the children, even render it impossible, and they frequently lead to apostasy and despair. But the Catholic Church condemns especially those mixed marriages, in which either all or a number of the children are brought up in heresy, and she can never bless and look upon those as her children who do not fear to withdraw themselves and their own children from the only saving faith, and expose them to the danger of eternal ruin. Therefore, those Catholics who enter the matrimonial union with Protestants, although the marriage if lawfully contracted is valid, commit a mortal sin if they permit their children to be brought up in heresy, and should it not be their full intention to bring up their children in the Catholic faith at the time of their marriage, they would commit a sacrilege.

What should the newly married couple do immediately after the ceremony is performed?

They should kneel and thank God for the graces received in this holy Sacrament, in such or similar words: "Ratify, we beseech Thee, O Lord, that which by Thy grace Thou hast wrought in us, that we may keep that which in Thy presence we have promised unto the day of our Lord Jesus Christ." That they may keep their promise made at the altar, they should always remember the duties laid down to them by the priest at the time of their marriage, and the exhortations which are taken from the epistle of St. Paul to the Ephesians (Eph. 5:29, 31), wherein he instructs married people how they should comport themselves towards each other, and recalls to them as an example the union of Christ with His Church, and His love for her. To the husbands he says, they should love their wives as Christ loved His Church, for which He even gave Himself up to death; from this is seen, that men should assist their wives even unto death, in all need, and not treat them as servants. To the wives St. Paul says, that they as the weaker should be in all reasonable things obedient to their husbands, as the Church is obedient to Christ; for as Christ is the head of the Church, so is the husband the head of the wife. Experience proves there is no better way for women to win the hearts of their husbands than by amiable obedience and ready love, while, on the contrary, a querulous, imperative deportment robs them of their husbands' affections, and even causes them to be regarded with aversion. St. Paul says further; that husbands should love their wives (and consequently wives their husbands) as their own bodies, because married people are, as it were, one. They shall be two in one flesh; no man ever hated his own flesh, but nourisheth and cherisheth it, as also Christ doth the Church (Eph. 5:29, 31). How unjustly and barbarously do those act, who, instead of loving one another, rather hate and outrage each other, and cause the loss of their property, and by detraction steal their honor! These do not consider that he who hates and disgraces his partner in life, hates and disgraces himself; while according to the words of St. Paul he who loves her, loves himself. If married people would remain in constant love and unity, it is most necessary that they should patiently bear with each other's infirmities, wrongs, and defects, exhort one another with mildness and affection, keep their adversities, trials, and sufferings as much as possible to themselves, and complain in prayer only to God, who alone can aid them. By impatience, quarrels, and complaints the cross becomes only heavier and the evil worse. Finally, not only on their wedding day, but often through life, they should earnestly consider that they have not entered the married state that they may inordinately serve the pleasures of the body, but to have children who will one day inhabit heaven according to the will of God; as the angel said to Tobias: "For they who in such manner receive matrimony, as to shut out God from themselves and from their mind, and to give themselves to their lust as the horse and mule, which have not understanding, over them the devil hath power" (Tob. 6:17).

PRAYER Most merciful Jesus! who didst work Thy first miracle at the wedding in Cana by changing water into wine, thereby revealing Thy divine power and majesty, and honoring matrimony: grant we beseech Thee, that Thy faithful may ever keep sacred and inviolate the holy sacrament of Matrimony, and that they may so live in it truthfully, in the fear of the Lord, that they may not put an obstacle in the way of obtaining heaven for themselves, and their children.

1. In all such dioceses of the United States, where the Council of Trent has not been published, civil marriages are considered valid. The Catholic, however, who becomes married by civil authority commits a mortal sin, except in case of extreme necessity. To be married by a sectarian preacher is looked upon as a denial of faith, and incurs excommunication.

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