19 Sep 23 – How the Pandemic Shattered Social Skills and Destroyed Public Spaces

Today’s Topics:

1) Reading I – 1 Tm 3:1-13 – Beloved, this saying is trustworthy: whoever aspires to the office of bishop desires a noble task. Therefore, a bishop must be irreproachable, married only once, temperate, self controlled, decent, hospitable, able to teach, not a drunkard, not aggressive, but gentle, not contentious, not a lover of money. He must manage his own household well, keeping his children under control with perfect dignity; for if a man does not know how to manage his own household, how can he take care of the Church of God? He should not be a recent convert, so that he may not become conceited and thus incur the Devil’s punishment. He must also have a good reputation among outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, the Devil’s trap.

Similarly, deacons must be dignified, not deceitful, not addicted to drink, not greedy for sordid gain, holding fast to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. Moreover, they should be tested first; then, if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons. Women, similarly, should be dignified, not slanderers, but temperate and faithful in everything. Deacons may be married only once and must manage their children and their households well. Thus those who serve well as deacons gain good standing and much confidence in their faith in Christ Jesus.

Memorial of Saint Januarius, Bishop and Martyr

Saint Januarius, pray for us!

Bishop Sheen quote of the day

2) How the pandemic shattered social skills and destroyed public spaces

3) Pope says he may split the Catholic Church

4) The power of forgiveness: A man and his wife experience the supernatural power of forgiveness as he chooses to forgive his estranged father in the days before the old man’s death. What does forgiveness really mean? What does it look like? Does it give someone a free pass on their wrongdoing? Does it look like rolling over for a person to hurt you again? Here is a reflection on true, powerful, Christian forgiveness