I SPEAK FOR THE TREES

Fans of Dr. Seuss were delighted when The Lorax became a full-length feature film last year: Someone needs to speak for the voiceless trees that clothe our planet. Today the Jewish community celebrates their annual “New Year for the Trees,” Tu Shevat, planting trees and enjoying the “seven fruits of the Torah,” particularly olives, grapes, figs, pomegranates, and dates. Join the celebration by enjoying biblical or seasonal fruits or by contributing to organizations that plant trees locally and globally.

INAUGURATION DAY

May God have Mercy upon us all. 

Today, as our most PRO ABORTION; PRO SAME SEX MARRIAGE President lays his hand upon the Bible which CONDEMNS both and swears to uphold and defend our US CONSTITUTION, which he believes is flawed and outdated. 

Only to be followed by having the benediction offered up by a false shepherd who believes and preaches that the Bible endorses SAME SEX MARRIAGE.

All I can say with a sincere heartfelt burden for our country... MAY GOD HAVE MERCY UPON OUR NATION!

LORD HELP US!!!


PHILIP CAPPUCCIO, MDiv, Pastor of Kingdom Life Center in Hershey PA

EPIPHANY

"O God, by the leading of a star you manifested your only Son to the peoples of the earth: Lead us, who know you now by faith, to your presence, where we may see your glory face to face; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen." Collect for the Epiphany

Today is the Epiphany! In some traditions, it is known as Three Kings Day as it commemorates the coming of the three wise men, who by their presence with the child Jesus and their gifts to Him, revealed Jesus to the world as Lord and King. 

The word epiphany means to "to reveal" or "to show." During the season of Epiphany, which lasts from now until Lent, we will have the chance to read passages from Scriptures which reveal more and more who Jesus Christ is - as the Son of God, as the Eternal Logos, etc. etc. 
This is a good thing because even those of us who are in the Church tend to have a vision of Jesus that is just too small, that is formed more by our culture and our own desires than by what Scripture reveals to us about Jesus. Thus, it is our prayer during this season that our vision of Jesus would be enlarged! 

THE 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS

“The Twelve Days of Christmas” celebrates the official Christmas season which starts liturgically on Christmas Day and ends twelve days later on the Feast of the Epiphany. The song by the same name was written in England to educate the faithful in the doctrines of the Faith at a time when being found with anything Catholic in writing meant certain imprisonment or death. The numbers were designed to help Catholics remember some basic facts about our Faith without being obvious to persecutors. 

“My true love” refers to God; “me” refers to every baptized person. The “twelve lords a leaping” are the twelve basic tenets of the Catholic Church outlined in the Apostles Creed. The “eleven pipers piping” are the eleven faithful Apostles. The “ten ladies dancing” are the Ten Commandments. The 
“nine drummers drumming” are the nine choirs of angels or the nine Fruits of the holy Spirit. The “eight maids a milking” are the Eight Beatitudes. The “seven swans a swimming” are the Seven Sacraments. The “six geese a laying” are the six days of creation. The “five golden rings” are the first five books of the Old Testament. 

The “four calling birds” are the four Gospels. The “three French hens” represent the Trinity, or the three Theological Virtues of Faith, hope and Love. The “two turtle doves” represent the two natures in Jesus: human and divine or the two Testaments, Old and New. The “partridge” is Jesus himself, and the “pear tree” is the Cross.

"Letters from the Cross", Newsletter of Catholic Radio Station WQOM

STATEMENT OF BELIEF

AMEN!

BELIEVE, RECEIVE, AND DON'T DECEIVE

FIFTH DAY WITHIN THE OCTAVE OF THE NATIVITY OF THE LORD

       

The Mass is not supposed to be something limited to 60 minutes or so on the weekend; it is intended to be a “peak experience” that flows outward to cover your whole life. The First Letter of John tells us, “Whoever says, ‘I know him,’ but does not keep his commandments is a liar . . . .”: To profess your faith only and not live it makes you a hypocrite. As John also said, “This is the way we may know that we are in union with him: whoever claims to abide in him ought to walk just as he walked.” To receive the Body of the Lord and not imitate him is equally dishonest. So the next time you’re at the table of God’s word, remember it’s telling you to live what you believe and what you receive.

TODAY’S READINGS: 1 John 2:3-11; Luke 2:22-35 (202)
“Whoever loves . . . remains in the light.”

Saturday, December 29

VALUE STATEMENT