What books should I read for Lent 2021?

There's something about C. S. Lewis' fiction- His Narnia books, I can re-read and I remember almost every word. I might experience Narnia differently, but I know the land very well. With Til We Have Faces and the Space Trilogy, it is as I have never read them. So I'll be re-reading them in 2021. It has been awhile in any case. I enjoyed Out of the Silent Planet last week- I think of it as a prose poem filled with hope and wisdom. 

This past week, I (re) read Rumer Godden's In This House Of Brede. This book explores the lives of Benedictine nuns a bit before the Vatican II Council. The nuns are human, but most of them are holy. I would say that it is a very realistic, sympathetic view of the lives of religious. I have been blessed to know holy women and I even lived for a year in a convent in Slovakia when I was teaching there! There is a lot of truth in this book. But I don't know what God is telling me. Twice I have read this book in preparation for a book club, but I have not been able to go to the meeting because of family obligations. Ah- the life of a non-celibate!

I am continuing my daily Bible reading. Tomorrow, I begin the Book of Deuteronomy. Salvation history is quite a ride! And for Great Lent, I will add two books that I have read in past years, but I need to re-visit them- Thirty Steps to Heaven and Lent and Easter- Wisdom from Fulton J Sheen- ,reading every morning after my Bible. I highly recommend both of them. This year, I am going to read with a pen in my hand so that I can mark up the books. Both of these books are truly ones that should be read multiple times. Lent is coming soon; my soul needs this season and it comes just in time every year! 

2021 Goals- reading every day- the Bible & other books

My mother has read through the Bible (a chapter or more every night before bed) multiple times. I have always admired her for that. But I never took my admiration and turned it into action. My knowledge of the Bible was limited to the readings in the Roman and Byzantine Catholic Churches- daily, feast days, and Sundays. I always get perfect scores on Bible knowledge quizzes. But that is not enough. For whatever reason, after watching a YouTube end-of-the-year video from minimalist and Christian Ashlynne Eaton where she recommended the Read Scripture app, I pulled the trigger. I haven't missed a reading since December 14th. I'm just about finished with Leviticus. I'm using my Saint Joseph Edition of the New American Bible- I plan to fill in the gaps of the Read Scripture app with  Fr Mike's Bible in a Year podcast when Catholic books are left out; I'll have to double my readings sometime! 

I'm attempting to average reading a book every week (in addition to the Bible) in 2021. We shall see. So far in 2021, I have read Agatha Christie's Death Comes at the End- ancient Egypt with no detective but 100% Christie! I recommend it

The 2nd book was short, sweet, and an old favorite. Finishing it again, I realized that I am like Helene in that I have never gotten to England even though I have planned to visit since I was 11. 84, Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff is a collection of letters to an English book shop. Just read it. And the newish film is good, too.

My third book of the year is Emma by Jane Austen. My university-going daughters were shocked to learn that the only Austen I have read is, of course, P & P. All my life, I was the bookworm. This doesn't mean that I read a great quantity of books; it means that I re-read favorites again and again. I am going for variety with my one-book-a-week adventure. I need to pick up the pace with Emma. The language is very rich and not necessarily easy to read late at night after a busy day!

Since January 4th, I've been using Wendy Speake's The 40-Day Sugar Fast every day after my Bible reading to help me re-set my taste buds. Because I am already sugar free (I eat 90% lowcarb/keto), I am fasting from sugar substitutes and alcohol. She is a gentle woman of God; reading her thoughts is a nice way to start the day! This fast ends Feb 13th- The Great Fast before Pascha (Lent) starts for new calendar Byzantine Catholics Monday, February 15th. So, I plan to take a break for one day and then use it again, adding fasting from meat for all days of the Great Fast (for health reasons, I do not usually go full vegan for fasting times... talk to your spiritual father and possibly your doctor about what is best for you). 

My word of the year is SPRING. Who knows what this means, but I have been trying to 'spring' out of bed at 5:45 so that I can get my Bible reading, etc done in the quiet of the early morning. Of course, once I turn a light on in the kitchen (must have coffee), the kitty cries from the garage. But it has been a great experience. Those who know me in real life are probably amazed. I'm getting old- going to hit the big 5-0 this summer. It is time to wake up early enough to see the sun rise. Even if I live another 50 years, I shouldn't take this beautiful world for granted. 

fyi- if you click on the book links and then make an amazon purchase, I might make a teeny bit of money. hasn't worked so far- but maybe...? 

Byzimom's take on Advent- the Nativity Fast

"The Nativity Forty-day Fast represents the fast undertaken by Moses, who — having fasted for forty days and forty nights — received the Commandments of God, written on stone tablets. And we, fasting for forty days, will reflect upon and receive from the Virgin the living Word — not written upon stone, but born, incarnate — and we will commune of His Divine Body." - St. Symeon of Thessalonika (1381-1429 AD) 

It is clear that the fast is designed to prepare us both physically and spiritually for the coming of the Savior at Christmas.  We are asked to abstain from meat and dairy products, eggs and oil, just as we do during the Great Fast, but the rules are a bit less strict.  We may eat fish and are allowed oil and wine on Tuesdays, Thursdays and weekends, and on feast days such as the Presentation of the Theotokos and St. Nicholas day.  

Many of us haven't given the Nativity Fast our full attention over the years, partly because we haven't been aware it existed in certain regions.  Growing up, I didn't even realize it was a "thing"! 

Sadly, among my community here it has fallen into the category of "things the old people used to do", that is...until some of us decided to revive it.  What a wonderful tool the practice of fasting an be!  How well it aids us in growing closer to God!  If only people would try it!  That said,  I challenge those of you who are new to the idea to come along with us and take a second look at fasting with the Church this season.  Start slowly.  Add on from year to year, one step at a time, and grow in your fasting practice.  Its a good idea to begin together, as a family, building community with like-minded Christians who are striving right along with you." --- read Lynn's entire post at byzimom.com 

Melkite Musings: The problem with Catholics

"Let me tell you a small personal story. For years my spiritual father was trying to make me understand that I had doubt in my heart, that I had fear and wasn’t showing real faith in God. Of course, being spiritually blind as a mole, I could not understand what he was saying. I mean, I was a Catholic! I went to Liturgy, prayed, went to Confession, occasionally gave a few dollars to homeless people, and got outraged about all the right things to be outraged about on social media. WHAT is my spiritual father talking about?!

And then it happened. Crisis of faith. The biggest one I’ve had in years, probably actually the biggest I EVER had. However, even there God was waiting to open my eyes. In doubting His existence so painfully and strongly, I finally started to understand what real faith should look like… and that for years I have had almost none!"

... continue this post at the blog 'Melkite Musings'

Are Byzantine Catholics Bible Christians?

we sing, pray, and read Holy Scripture in the Divine Liturgy

Opening Doxology [“Blessed is the Kingdom...] Mark: 11:10; Luke: 22:29-30, Matthew: 28:19; Revelation: 7:12.

The Great Litany – Philippians: 4:6-7; Psalm 51:1 Luke: 18:13; John: 14:27; 1 Timothy: 2:1-2; 

1 Hebrews: 13:7; Psalm 109:26; Luke: 1:42.

The First Antiphon – [“Bless the Lord, O my soul”]. Selected verses from Psalm 103.

The Second Antiphon – [“Praise the Lord, O my soul”]. Psalm 103.

The Hymn to Christ Incarnate – [“Only- begotten Son...,”]. John: 1:1, 3:16, 17:5, 19:18; Luke: 1:35; Hebrews: 2:14; Matthew: 8:25.

The Third Antiphon – [The Beatitudes] Matthew: 5:3-12.

The Little Entrance – [“Come let us worship..,] Psalm 95:1-6; Revelation: 7:11-12.

The Trisagion – [“Holy God, Holy Mighty...,”] Isaiah: 6:1-5; Revelation: 8:8.

Prokeimenon – Psalms 12:7,1; 28:9,1; 29:11,1; 33:22,1; 47:6,1; 76:11,1; 104:24,1; 118:14,18.

The Epistle – readings change daily, from the Epistles or Acts of the Apostles.

The Allelulia – Psalms 113:1; 135:1; 146:1; Revelation: 19: 1-6.

The Gospel – readings change daily. The Sermon – 1 Timothy: 4:13.

The Cherubic Hymn – [“Let us who mystically..”] Colossians: 3:12; Pslam 24; Revelations: 19:1-6.

The Great Entrance – Psalm 43:4; Matthew: 5: 23-24; Hebrews: 5:1.

The Peace – [“Peace be unto all...”]. John: 20: 9,21,26. 1 John 4:7; 1 Peter: 3:8; Philippians:2-2.

The Eucharistic Canon – [“Let us stand aright”] Leviticus: 3:1; Hebrews: 13:14-15; Hosea: 6:6; Psalm 49:19; Matthew: 9:13; Corinthians: 13:14; 2 Timothy: 4:22; Lamentations: 3:41.

The Eucharistic Prayer – [“Holy, Holy, Holy...” through the Consecration]. Isaiah: 6:3; Mark: 11:10; Matthew: 21:9; Corinthians: 11:23-24; Matthew: 26:26-28; John: 6:51; Luke: 22:20; Mark: 14: 23-24; Corinthians: 29: 14, 16; Romans: 21:1.

Hymn to the Theotokos – [“It is truly right...”]. Luke: 1:28, 42, 48.

The Concluding Eucharistic Prayers – 2 Maccabees: 12:44-45; 1 Timothy: 2:2; 2 Timothy: 2:15; Romans: 15:6; Titus: 2:13; Revelations:22:21

The Litany before the Lord’s Prayer - Ephesians: 5:2; Philippians: 4:18; 1 Peter: 3:15; Corinthians: 5:10; Ephesians: 4:13; Philippians: 2:1.

The Lord’s Prayer – Matthew: 6:9-13; Corinthians 29:11.

The Elevation of the Holy Gifts – [“Holy things are for the Holy.”] Leviticus: 11:44; Philippians: 2:10-11.

The Communion Hymn – [“Praise the Lord...”] Psalm 148:1.

The Eucharist – 1 Corinthians: 11:27-29; Matthew: 16:16; 1 Timothy: 1:15; Mark: 14:45; Luke: 23:42- 43; Isaiah: 6:7; 1 Timothy: 1:14; James: 4:8; Psalm 118: 26-27; Psalm: 34:8; 1 Peter: 1:19; John: 6: 32-35, 48-58; Psalm 116:13; Psalm 28:0.

Hymns after Holy Communion – [“We have received the true Light..”]. John: 1:9; Rev.: 3-14; Psalm 71:8; Chronicles: 16:9; Ephesians: 3:9.

Litany after Communion – Judges 18:6; Colossians: 3:17; Mark: 11:9.

Prayer behind the Ambo – [“O Lord, who blesses those who...”]. Genesis 12:3; Psalm 28:9, Psalm 26.8; Psalm 138:81, 1 Timothy: 2:2; James: 1:17.

“Blessed be the name of the Lord, from this time forth and for evermore!” Psalm 113:2.

“The blessing of the Lord…”. Psalm 129:8; 2 Corinthians 13:14.

The Dismisal – 1 Timothy: 1:1.

—Compiled by V. Rev. John J. Matusiak St. Joseph Russian Orthodox Church, OCA, Wheaton, IL

on the 5th day of Christmas- 5 faith-filled gifts for Catholics

We splurged on some lovely faith-centered gifts this Christmas season- take a look! 

A 4 book series- "In the days of knights and castles lived an adventurous young troubadour named Loupio. Orphaned and on his own in 13th century Italy, plucky Loupio meets Brother Francis of Assisi and his friend Brother Wolf, and so begins a new life of joyfully trying to do good, while still getting by in a dangerous world."

How many Bible categories can you match before time runs out? Roll the die to determine the letter for that round. You roll a "C". Now start the timer! How quickly can you think of a "Place Christ walked?..." Canaan!... "Things that separate us from each other?..." Carelessness! This game is entertaining, enhances faith and promotes learning. The Catholic Edition contains 48 additional Catholic categories.

Critically lauded singer, songwriter and musician, as well as author, speaker, producer and daughter of a Syrian refugee, Audrey Assad internationally released her second independent album, Inheritance, Feb 12 on Fortunate Fall Records with Tone Tree Music distribution-a collection of hymns and original songs that both pay homage to her childhood heritage and to her Catholic faith and charismatic spirituality.

The Way of a Pilgrim is the chronicle of an anonymous nineteenth century Russian Christian’s travels and spiritual inquiries. Eye-opening and extraordinary, The Way of a Pilgrim offers a one-of-a-kind portrait of the traditions and interior life of Russian Orthodox spirituality and practice.

An obvious clue could be strictly TABOO! To get your team to say MOSES would you say, PRINCE, EGYPT, PLAGUES, PHAROAH, or COMMANDMENT? In this game you can’t because all of those words are strictly TABOO. Rattle off clues while the time counts down. You’ll earn a point each time your team guesses correctly. But watch what you say. If your opponents hear a TABOO word, you’ll get buzzed and they’ll get the point.

These are affiliate links- if you click over to amazon and buy something right away (meaning before you click another blog's affiliate links) I will receive a tiny tiny portion of the $ at no cost to you. How tiny? I make about $2 a year in affiliate link $ 

BONUS! 

Support holy men in their monastic vocations by

buying some delicious coffee from the monks at Holy Resurrection Monastery! 

Humble Habits Coffee 

(not an affiliate link- and we pay for our coffee- yummy!) 

on the 4th day of Christmas- 4 fun family games

As much fun as it is to watch studio C youtube videos together... Christmastide really should be family-together-time- not family-turn-into-zombie-time...so here's some new games we are loving lately- Do you need more screen-free family time?

Enchanted Forest- awesomely fun, high-quality game for the younger set while not being Candyland-level-boring for teens and up 

I bought the junior level game for our family and my parents sent us the 'normal' level game. it is difficult! Play with teams for more fun! 

Our youngest was just diagnosed with severe dyslexia. This game is fun for our non-reader up to the oldest! (and it is cute, too) 

 

Tolkien-inspired gifts are a requirement in our household. 

Bonus: a new puzzle! For those readers without toddlers in the house, leaving out a puzzle to work on as a family over a few days is a lot of fun. With a toddler, it would be torture. So- toddler families- wait a few years before you start this tradition! 

These are affiliate links- if you click over to amazon and buy something right away (meaning before you click another blog's affiliate links) I will receive a tiny tiny portion of the $ at no cost to you. How tiny? I make about $2 a year in affiliate link $ 

Ventura Strong: Christmas is coming after the fire and sorrow

sculpture by Juan Manuel Cisneros  

Since December 4th, we in this part of California have been living with the smoke and fire danger of the Thomas Fire. One firefighter, traveling 200 miles away from his home to help, has perished. Most of our circle of Catholic homeschooling families have gone back to their homes after the clean-up, but the fire is still only half contained. One family has lost everything material, but they are happy that everyone is healthy and safe. 

We in Ventura County feels very blessed to be celebrating the Nativity of Jesus Christ this year, knowing how privileged we are to live in a place where people really come together to help their neighbors. 

Hail! New Child, being God from all eternity: a prayer in preparation for Christ's Nativity

Akathist in Preparation for the Nativity

The work of  Fr. Maximos of Holy Resurrection Monastery

Today the Virgin is on her way, to the cave where she will give birth to the Eternal Word of God in an ineffable manner. Rejoice, therefore, O Universe when you hear this news, and glorify with the angels and the shepherds Him who will appear as a new child, being God from all eternity.

The sacred sayings of the Prophets reach their fulfillment. See, a Virgin gives birth to God in the flesh in the city of Bethlehem within the Cave; let all creation be enriched, be glad and dance; the Master of all things is at hand to live among slaves, ransoming us, who are subject to corruption, from the power of the evil stranger, who sing:
Hail! Who from the beginning was the Word.
Hail! God with God, and Father’s Word.
Hail! Through Whom all things were made.
Hail! In Whom is Life, the Light of all.
Hail! Light in darkness.
Hail! Gloom’s dispeller.
Hail! Baptist’s sender.
Hail! Baptism’s goal.
Hail! In the world, but unknown.
Hail! Receiver of those who receive You.
Hail! Power of new birth.
Hail! Word made flesh among us dwelling.
Hail! New Child, being God from all eternity.

Order stills chaos. The Abyss is no longer void. Darkness has fled away.
The Word of God, Who once spoke from without, is now heard within.
The command, “Let there be” has been heard in the woman who replied,
“Let it be done.
Creation has learned at last to be itself, to become the cave that now holds
its Creator,
Echoing the angels’ hymn: Alleluia!

Dead Adam arise; clothe yourself with praise. Eve lift up your voice and shake off your shame. See, the bruised heel walks toward Bethlehem. In the House of Bread she casts away the stones of grief, feasts on the Father’s Fish Who has crushed the serpent’s head. Do not cease your hymn, skin-clad dust, or the stones themselves will cry out:
Hail! Planter of the Tree of Life.
Hail! Nailed upon the Tree of Death.
Hail! Fruit most desired in all the garden.
Hail! Delight to the enclosed heart’s eyes.
Hail! Whose feet have walked with ours in the dusk.
Hail! Who comes searching out our hidden shame.
Hail! Enemy to cunning envy.
Hail! Friend to peace-filled love.
Hail! Sewer of our skins.
Hail! Looser of our sins!
Hail! Companion in our exile.
Hail! Welcome home through Eden’s doors.
Hail! New Child, being God from all eternity.

Abraham was called out from his father’s house and from his own country;
Now Joseph returns to the land of his line, to David’s house.
Sarah once laughed at the thought of pleasure;
Mary now greets the sword of sorrow, forgetting anguish for the Child to be born,
Magnifying the Lord and crying:
Alleluia!

Click HERE for the entire prayer service posted at Monk Issac's blog 

Click HERE to learn more about the monks in Wisconsin 

Blessed Nativity Fast, Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays from priest's wife!

2017 has not been a good year in blogging for me. Only 13 posts. My peak was 2012 with 198 posts. Am I still blogging? Hmmm....with 13 posts in 2017, I don't think that qualifies as blogging. And this is not the sort of blog that can survive on a blog post every 3 months and 1,000+ comments of 'I love your blog! You are awesome! We love whatever posting you can do! You do you!' Somehow, even over the internet, everyone knows who the cool kids are. Wow- how INFP of me... anyway...

Click HERE for every post of mine with the label of 'Christmas' 

whether or not I blog- I pray you are having a blessed nativity fast

Eastern Hospitality during the Nativity Fast

Is anybody hungry? Click over to Eastern Hospitality and learn how to cook something yummy....

It is all Greek to me! Academy of Classical Greek on-line for homeschoolers and others

Take a look at this resource- this on-line academy is even a vendor for multiple charter schools!  

Do it for God! a link to Brother Isaac's blog

"One sentence!

Once sentence was all it took to remind me that anything I am doing for myself and not for God is something I am doing wrong.  It is something that needs to be fixed.  The fix will bring peace and joy.

The simple answer solved an immediate problem but has relevance for every single one of my actions.  It doesn’t matter what I am doing.  It can be singing, cleaning, speaking, teaching, welcoming guests, etc.

The answer to so many of my problems is simple.

“Do it for God!” .....read the entire post at Brother Isaac's blog....

do Bi-ritual Priests strengthen or weaken priesthood?

"If I can unite in myself the thought and the devotion of Eastern and Western Christendom, the Greek and the Latin Fathers, the Russians with the Spanish mystics, I can prepare in myself the reunion of divided Christians. From that secret and unspoken unity in myself can eventually come a visible and manifest unity of all Christians." --- Thomas Merton 

"Many will remember Pope St. John Paul II’s words from “Ut Unum Sint, “the Church must breathe with her two lungs”–its Eastern one and its Western one. In writing this, our late Holy Father was referring to the need to unify the East and West as one Church to combat the dangers of secularism and grow in cultural, intellectual, spiritual, and geopolitical strength. To be clear, the pope was not specifically exhorting individual Catholics to become bi-ritual. His encyclical calling for a balanced resuscitation and cooperation between the main traditions of the Church arose from a predominance of the Latin tradition while the Eastern tradition became more obscure. But, in the effort to achieve this balance, it can fall to priests and teachers to open the minds and hearts of individual Catholics to the liturgies they are not familiar with. With this knowledge, the Church herself might begin to breathe more fully and grow in health and strength. It is to this end that a bi-ritual experience in the context of education can help further this holy objective by making the world of liturgy full and fulfilling to those for whom it has grown stale or, what is worse, stultifying." --- by GREGORY DIPIPPO .... continue at New Liturgical Movement

how to live the Great Fast in preparation for Christ's Pascha

It is almost time for the Great Fast (Lent) before Pascha (Easter)! I love this graphic that I've seen all over social media. I believe it was written by Fr Daniel Rogich..... so many awesome ideas to implement, and it is nice to have our readings for the season in one place. 

Eastern Hospitality: feasting & fasting with Father Deacon Moses & Mother Gabriella

Have you visited the great new website: Eastern Hospitality? Abouna Moses and Mother Gabriella give instruction on making delicacies, some that are fast-friendly. In the middle of each episode, there is a theological teaching. They have clearly worked hard on this project. Please like and share and learn more about Eastern Christian hospitality! 

They had a great episode on the Christian discipline of fasting- click here for this episode that might convince you that our fasting seasons are God's gift to us. 

Great work, Abouna and Mother!