Litany of Humility

O Jesus! meek and humble of heart, Hear me. From the desire of being esteemed, Deliver me, Jesus. From the desire of being loved... From the desire of being extolled... From the desire of being honored... From the desire of being praised... From the desire of being preferred to others... From the desire of being consulted... From the desire of being approved... From the fear of being humiliated... Fromthe fear of being despised... From the fear of suffering rebukes... From the fear of being calumniated... From the fear of being forgotten... From the fear of being ridiculed... From the fear of being wronged... From the fear of being suspected... That others may be loved more than I, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it. That others may be esteemed more than I... That, in the opinion of the world, others may increase and I may decrease... That others may be chosen and I set aside... That others may be praised and I unnoticed... That others may be preferred to me in everything... That others may become holier than I, provided that I may become as holy as I should... Published by EWTN (Eternal Word Television Network).

La Catedral de Colonia, donde yacen los restos de los Reyes Magos.

Foto por Lori, publicado en X. El significado de epifania, segun el Diccionario de Oxford es "manifestacion de Cristo a los gentiles", otras palabras son "Revelacion" o experiencia religiosa poderosa. Ayer (Enero 6) celebramos la Epifania, cuando los tres reyes magos Melchor, Gaspar y Baltasar, fueron a visitar a Jesus, "Rey de Reyes" nacido en un pesebre en Belen. Los tres reyes, llevaron regalos a Jesus: Incienso, Mirra y Oro. Los tres reyes estan enterrados hoy en dia en la Catedral de Colonia. Hace muchos anos aprendimos con mis hermanos el poema de "La Catedral de Colonia" como un reto dado por nuestro padre. "Desde el alto ojival de su portada, hasta la flecha que en lo azul palpita, todo en la inmensa fabrica sucita el ansia de emprender otra cruzada. Mole de encaje e ilusion, cascada que rueda de la boveda infinita surtidor que hacia Dios se precipita, escala de Jacob, Puerta encantada. Tiene tanto a la vez de Piedra y Nube su pesadumbre formidable sube en la luz con tan agil movimiento, que se piensa detras de su fachada en alguna cantera evaporada o en alguna paralisis del viento. Autor: Juan Lozano y Lozano.

El Pecado de Omisión (Sin of Omission)

¿Qué es un pecado de omisión? Un pecado de omisión es cuando no se hace algo que se debe hacer. Si recordamos los Diez Mandamientos de la Ley de Dios, estos son: 1. Amar a Dios sobre todas las cosas. 2. No jurar su santo nombre en vano. 3. Santificar las fiestas. 4. Honrar a Padre y Madre. 5. No Matar. 6. No Fornicar. 7. No Robar. 8. No mentir. 9. No codiciar la mujer de tu prójimo. 10. No codiciar los bienes ajenos. Hay pecados Veniales, que son ofensas menores contra Dios y hay pecados Mortales que son ofensas mayores contra Dios. Pero el pecado de omisión, no escuchamos mucho de el. Según Catholic net, “Son pecados de omisión respecto a Dios, la omisión radical de inquirir sobre la religión revelada, cuando aparecen motivos suficientes para sospechar que existe; el no aceptarla y profesarla si ...” En el Nuevo Testamento, los apóstoles Pablo y Santiago nos hablan del pecado por omisión: "Y así, no hago el bien que quiero, sino el mal que no quiero". (Romanos 7, 19) "El que sabe hacer el bien y no lo hace, comete pecado". (St 4, 17). O sea que no educar a nuestros hijos en la Religion Católica, es un pecado de omisión. En la Parábola del Samaritano, habla de un hombre que fue asaltado por ladrones y lo dejaron herido en el suelo. Pasaron un sacerdote y un levita y no lo ayudaron. Pero el Samaritano, lo llevo a un sitio donde lo cuidaron y pago por su estadía. ¿En este caso, quien peco por omisión? El sacerdote y el levita, que no hicieron nada para ayudarlo. “Lo primero es mirar en nuestro corazón y distinguir aquellas acciones, aquellas palabras, que estaban a nuestro alcance y que no quisimos hacer o decir. Por miedo, por cobardía, por indiferencia, por pereza, por resentimiento... En definitiva, por falta de amor.” (Hozana) Hoy en día se ve que los jóvenes ya no usan los sacramentos. Y esto es un pecado de omisión. ¿Cuáles son los sacramentos? Estos son Bautismo, Confirmación, Eucaristía, Penitencia, Matrimonio, Unción de los enfermos, Ordenes Sacerdotales. Los Sacramentos son fuente de gracia, para fortalecer la fe y dan una disposición positiva, como promesa y garantía de la protección divina (Catecismo 1123). Pecados de omisión, serian no bautizar a sus hijos; no recibir los sacramentos de confirmación, penitencia y eucaristía; no casarse por la iglesia y no recibir la Unción si está en peligro de muerte. Estos pecados de omisión son ofensas contra Dios, en que básicamente estamos diciéndole: “No me importa”. Aunque puede ser por ignorancia, pero para Católicos, es importante que sus familias los informen de los pecados que están cometiendo. ¿Por qué es grave el pecado de omisión? Porque es un rechazo a Dios, lo que significa que al final de nuestras vidas, si rechazamos a Dios, estamos escogiendo condenar nuestras almas por toda la eternidad. Referencias: Biblia: New American Bible, St. Joseph Edition, 1970. Catecismo de la Iglesia Católica, 1121 Catholic.net https://es.catholic.net Desde la Fe https://desdelafe.mx/ Hozana https://Hozana.org Sin of Omission (Translation) What is a sin of omission? A sin of omission is when you don't do something that should be done. If we remember the Ten Commandments of God's Law, these are: 1. To love God above all things. 2. Do not swear God’s holy name in vain. 3. Sanctify the holidays. 4. Honor Father and Mother. 5. Do not kill. 6. Do not fornicate. 7. Do not steal. 8. Do not lie. 9. Do not covet your neighbor's wife. 10. Do not covet other people's goods. There are Venial sins, which are minor offenses against God, and there are Mortal sins that are major offenses against God. But the sin of omission, we don't hear much about it. According to Catholic net, "The sins of omission with respect to God are the radical omission to inquire about revealed religion, when there are sufficient grounds to suspect that it exists; not to accept it and profess it if..." In the New Testament, the apostles Paul and James tell us about sin by omission: "And so I do not do the good that I want, but the evil that I do not want." (Romans 7:19) "He who knows how to do good and does not do it, commits sin." (Jas 4:17). In other words, not educating our children in the Catholic Religion is a sin of omission. In the Parable of the Samaritan, he tells of a man who was assaulted by thieves and left wounded on the ground. A priest and a Levite passed by and did not help him. But the Samaritan took him to a place where he was taken care of and paid for his stay. In this case, who sinned by omission? The priest and the Levite, who did nothing to help him. "The first thing is to look into our hearts and distinguish those actions, those words, that were within our reach and that we did not want to do or say. Out of fear, cowardice, indifference, laziness, resentment... In short, for lack of love." (Hozana) Today it is seen that young people no longer use the sacraments. And this is a sin of omission. What are sacraments? These are Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, Penance, Matrimony, Anointing of the Sick, Priestly Orders. The sacraments are a source of grace, to strengthen faith and give a positive disposition, as a promise and guarantee of divine protection (Catechism 1123). Sins of omission would be not baptizing their children; not receiving the sacraments of confirmation, penance and the Eucharist; not to marry in the church and not to receive the Anointing if he is in danger of death. These sins of omission are offenses against God, in that we're basically saying to God, "I don't care." Although it may be out of ignorance, but for Catholics, it is important that their families inform them of the sins they are committing. Why is the sin of omission serious? Because it's a rejection of God, which means that at the end of our lives, if we reject God, we're choosing to condemn our souls for all eternity. References: Biblia: New American Bible, St. Joseph Edition, 1970. Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1121 Catholic.net https://es.catholic.net From the Faith https://desdelafe.mx/ Hozana https://Hozana.org

My dream about an alien

My dream Last night I had a dream that an alien had come to interview me and vice versa. He wanted to know how we call this round place, that they see from their place in space. They say we look like Bologna, from the light years away, so they call us the Land of Bologna, "Bo" for short. Therefore, they call us "Boings", yes, human boings. Well, I said that we thought the moon looked like Cheese, so I can totally understand. The main concern the alien had was what we had in our “Elevated Auditory Receptors”, and I said, you mean our EARs? Oh, yes, he said. Well, we wear earrings. Oh, earrings, I like that. Is it like the planet that has rings around it? Yes, I said, we call it Saturn. And by-the-way, the Land of Bo is called Earth. Ok, said the alien, so EAR and EARTH, that must have something in common. Two new words for my new “Bo” vocabulary. Ok, lady “Bo”, so where do I get some “earrings”? Well, I said, you can buy them all the way from Walmart, or even at Tiffany’s, it depends on your budget. Ah, so Boings have budgets… how do you get that? Me: Have you heard about working? We have a system in which you provide some service, and they pay you. So, you save your “money” and you start a budget based on how many bills you have to pay. All this was totally foreign to my little alien. I asked him, so do you guys wear some clothes? Or do you travel naked all over the universe? Yes, we don’t have any clothes, that is why there is so much fog so you cannot see us. We are embarrassed. Where can we get some clothes? Again, Walmart? Or perhaps Sacks 5th Avenue, I added. So, if you see a naked alien at Walmart, sorry, I referred him there and he is looking to make “Bo” Jeans a fashion statement throughout the Universe. That was the end of our conversation… so many questions that I had. Do they eat? How do they stay in shape? How do they communicate? Do they have babies? I am sure they have the same questions of us “Boings”. He seemed to like the idea that we have a sense of humor, and that laughing sounded like the "trickling of crystals". He really liked the sound of laughter. So, wishing you a lot of laughter in 2025, my dear Boings and if you have an encounter, send them to Target this time.

How Bubble Gum is made

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WB3st6SQnsk

Check this link if you are curious about how bubble gum is made.

Pistachio Muffins

Green Pistachio Muffins

2 cups whole wheat flour*

1 cup all-purpose flour*

1 cup sugar

2 tablespoons baking powder

1 box instant pistachio pudding

2 eggs, beaten

1 1/4 cups milk

1/2 tsp almond extract

3/4 cup vegetable oil

Mix flour, sugar, baking powder and dry pudding mix.

Combine eggs, milk and oil; add to dry mixture and mix until just moistened.

Fill baking cups full.

Bake 20 to 25 minutes in preheated 375-degree oven, or until muffins test done.

They are delicious!

Canning Asparagus

Asparagus — Spears or Pieces

Read full instructions and have all ingredients and equipment ready BEFORE starting. 

Quantity: An average of 5 pounds is needed for canner load of 2 pints.

Quality: Use tender, tight-tipped spears, 4 inches long for a pint jar.

Procedure: Wash asparagus and trim off tough scales. Break off tough stems and wash again. Cut into 1-inch pieces or can whole.

Boil jars and lids before filling them with asparagus.

Hot pack — Cover asparagus with boiling water. Boil 2 or 3 minutes.

Loosely fill jars with hot asparagus, leaving 1-inch headspace.

Add 1 teaspoon of salt (without iodine) per pint to the jars, if desired. Add boiling water, leaving 1-inch headspace. (Iodine changes the color of  asparagus).

Use a spatula around the asparagus, to take out the air bubbles of the jar.

Clean the rim of the jar with a paper towel and vinegar before putting on the lid.

Adjust lids and process.  If using a power cooker,  add water to cover ¼ of the jar.  Close the cover and press the “Steam- canning” button, and the cook time button and add 15 minutes to the default 30 minutes. (It will be processed for a total of 45 minutes).

Be careful when pulling out the cans from the boiling water, and after processing them in the power cooker.

Read the Power Cooker Instruction manual ahead of time.

Use the asparagus within a year.  Canning is fun, but follow the steps correctly to avoid bacteria which can produce botulism.