PROMOTING THE MORAL GOOD
112. Nor can we fail to mention that seeking and pursuing the good of others and of the entire human family also implies helping individuals and societies to mature in the moral values that foster integral human development. The New Testament describes one fruit of the Holy Spirit (cf. Gal 5:22) as agathosyne; the Greek word expresses attachment to the good, pursuit of the good. Even more, it suggests a striving for excellence and what is best for others, their growth in maturity and health, the cultivation of values and not simply material wellbeing. A similar expression exists in Latin: benevolentia. This is an attitude that “wills the good” of others; it bespeaks a yearning for goodness, an inclination towards all that is fine and excellent, a desire to fill the lives of others with what is beautiful, sublime and edifying.
Excerpt: FRATELLI TUTTI
Pope Francis Encyclical
On Fraternity and Social Friendship
*Part of a sequential daily series to read and reflect on this new encyclical.
Reading 1
Sir 50:22-24
And now, bless the God of all,
who has done wondrous things on earth;
Who fosters people’s growth from their mother’s womb,
and fashions them according to his will!
May he grant you joy of heart
and may peace abide among you;
May his goodness toward us endure
to deliver us in our days.
#dailyingodsword
Amen🙏
Thursday, Nov 26, 2020
THANKSGIVING DAY
Give thanks, indeed
This Thanksgiving won’t be celebrated the way many of us hoped and imagined back when the pandemic started. And yet, we are alive. Most of us reading these words can breathe freely. The virus has reminded us to never again take these simple matters for granted. One of our wisest teachers about prayer, Dominican priest Meister Eckhardt (1260-1329), said, “If the only prayer you ever said in your entire life is thank you, that would suffice.” Even amid hard times, giving thanks to God is appropriate. Let it be your prayer today.
TODAY'S READINGS: Revelation 18:1-2, 21-23 19:1-3, 9a Luke 21:20-28
“But when these signs begin to happen, stand erect and raise your heads because your redemption is at hand.”
#takefiveforfaith
Even in the midst of challenge after challenge in 2020, one thing has been a shining light: Our parish community.
We have shown up for one another in countless ways to encourage hope and offer help. And with each challenge, we have found new ways to adapt together, to remain anchored in faith, to support and cherish family life and find creative connections for fellowship.
While celebrations may be scaled back this year, Thanksgiving gratitude remains. We are so thankful for you.
May you have a blessed Thanksgiving, fully present to the gift of today and all it holds.
Join us for Thanksgiving Mass 9am in the Plaza or via livestream
Nurses, doctors, healthcare workers, aides, first responders, homecare specialists, ministers, parents and spouses, support and relief workers and friends. We are all grateful for you. Art by Bro. Mickey O'Neill Mcgrath, OSFS
This Sunday is the first Sunday of Advent. A wonderful way to prepare for Christmas is to make an Advent wreath. It could be a great activity to share during this Thanksgiving holiday. Hope these photos inspire you!
You will need four candles—traditionally, three purple and one rose, though you can substitute white or anything you have around the house. Then, you will need some evergreen boughs or other greenery/decor to arrange around them. They don't even have to be in a circle; you can place them in a straight line—say, on the mantel over the fireplace. Have fun and enjoy this tradition together.
• Candle one (purple) represents hope. It is often called the prophets’ candle.
• Candle two (purple) represents peace. It is often called the angels’ candle.
• Candle three (pink) represents joy. It is often called the shepherds’ candle.
• Candle four (purple) represents love. It is often called the Bethlehem candle.
• You can also include a Christ candle in the middle of the wreath.
To celebrate with an Advent wreath, you light a candle on each Sunday of Advent. The first Sunday, you light candle one; the second Sunday you light candles one and two, etc. You can find readings to go along with the candle lightings online, make your own prayer or find a Christmas book that represents the theme of the week and read it with your children.
Tag us in your photos or text your photo to 619-977-1692 so we can share in the joy and encourage one another 🕯💜
This year Lord, let me be the one. The one who stops, sees the grace, the restoration and turns to you in thanksgiving. Grant me a heart ripe with thanksgiving. Amen
📷 The Ten Lepers, James C. Christensen 1942-2017
A UNIVERSAL LOVE THAT PROMOTES PERSONS
106. Social friendship and universal fraternity necessarily call for an acknowledgement of the worth of every human person, always and everywhere. If each individual is of such great worth, it must be stated clearly and firmly that “the mere fact that some people are born in places with fewer resources or less development does not justify the fact that they are living with less dignity”.[81] This is a basic principle of social life that tends to be ignored in a variety of ways by those who sense that it does not fit into their worldview or serve their purposes.
107. Every human being has the right to live with dignity and to develop integrally; this fundamental right cannot be denied by any country. People have this right even if they are unproductive, or were born with or developed limitations. This does not detract from their great dignity as human persons, a dignity based not on circumstances but on the intrinsic worth of their being.
Excerpt: FRATELLI TUTTI
Pope Francis Encyclical
On Fraternity and Social Friendship
*Part of a sequential daily series to read and reflect on this new encyclical.
Gospel Matthew 10:30
Are not two sparrows sold for a small coin?
Yet not one of them falls to the ground without your Father's knowledge.
Even all the hairs of your head are counted.
So do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.
#dailyingodsword
