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Ephesians 1:1-10
In Christ we have redemption by his Blood,
the forgiveness of transgressions,
in accord with the riches of his grace that he lavished upon us.
In all wisdom and insight, he has made known to us
the mystery of his will in accord with his favor
that he set forth in him as a plan for the fullness of times,
to sum up all things in Christ, in heaven and on earth.
the forgiveness of transgressions,
in accord with the riches of his grace that he lavished upon us.
In all wisdom and insight, he has made known to us
the mystery of his will in accord with his favor
that he set forth in him as a plan for the fullness of times,
to sum up all things in Christ, in heaven and on earth.
This evening, I received an email from the head of Daily Mass ministers. Due to the three cases of Ebola in the Dallas area, and a concern over the spread of the virus, communion under the precious blood has been suspended. The last time wine communion was taken away happened two years ago because of a flu outbreak. The cup didn't return for almost four months which caused an outcry from parishioners. Nobody wanted to see this happen again......
I always keep in mind: Sometimes we must sacrifice routine, comforts, conveniences, and traditions for our own health and safety. I'm not too thrilled communion wine is suspended, but I also recognize the preventative measure. I don't think anyone wants the church shut down and quarantined because of an Ebola outbreak.
Interior sacrifice is an important aspect our Catholic faith. We must make a diligent effort to avoid temptation, casting aside our own selfish wants and "needs" in order to follow the Lord. We must treat others with love, respect, and dignity. Interior sacrifice involves becoming "low" for a "higher" power, Jesus Christ.
Sometimes interior sacrifice is not an easy. We don't want to give up ways of doing things. We prefer to go through life according to our own time table. We become grumpy and irritable because a new set of rules impedes on our routine.
The ultimate interior sacrifice came from Jesus Christ when he died on the cross. He didn't want to die but understood it was the only way to save our souls from eternal damnation. It was all a part of the plan for our salvation.
Nobody knows how the Ebola crisis will end. Hopefully, the health care workers infected with the virus will survive, and most importantly, the virus no longer spreads. It's important for each one of us as concerned Christians to monitor our own health. If we're sick, stay home. If we see someone else sick, advise them to seek medical attention.
On the flip side, we should not allow the mass media's coverage of the crisis scare us into mass hysteria where we begin to shut down all schools; avoid going to the doctor for common illnesses; stop going to church; or racially target people of African origin, blaming them for the entrance of the disease into the United States.
I will continue to pray for the Ebola victims and their families. This is a horrible, horrible virus that's preventable, but it will take vigilant interior sacrifice. Along with prayer we need to use common sense. Stay safe!
Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque, Pray for Us!!
-J.
Interior sacrifice is an important aspect our Catholic faith. We must make a diligent effort to avoid temptation, casting aside our own selfish wants and "needs" in order to follow the Lord. We must treat others with love, respect, and dignity. Interior sacrifice involves becoming "low" for a "higher" power, Jesus Christ.
Sometimes interior sacrifice is not an easy. We don't want to give up ways of doing things. We prefer to go through life according to our own time table. We become grumpy and irritable because a new set of rules impedes on our routine.
The ultimate interior sacrifice came from Jesus Christ when he died on the cross. He didn't want to die but understood it was the only way to save our souls from eternal damnation. It was all a part of the plan for our salvation.
Nobody knows how the Ebola crisis will end. Hopefully, the health care workers infected with the virus will survive, and most importantly, the virus no longer spreads. It's important for each one of us as concerned Christians to monitor our own health. If we're sick, stay home. If we see someone else sick, advise them to seek medical attention.
On the flip side, we should not allow the mass media's coverage of the crisis scare us into mass hysteria where we begin to shut down all schools; avoid going to the doctor for common illnesses; stop going to church; or racially target people of African origin, blaming them for the entrance of the disease into the United States.
I will continue to pray for the Ebola victims and their families. This is a horrible, horrible virus that's preventable, but it will take vigilant interior sacrifice. Along with prayer we need to use common sense. Stay safe!
Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque, Pray for Us!!
-J.
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