Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Sep. 21:Death of Nathan Hale, Captain in the American Army

During the war for American Independence, the Battle of Long Island was the first battle after the Declaration of Independence, first battle of the army of America, the largest battle in the whole war, and was won only in that we successfully fled. This is the world in which Nathan Hale gave his one life for our country.

After the evacuation of Long Island, George Washington expressed a desire to Colonel Knowlton that he wished to learn about the British situation, strength, and future movements. This was communicated to a Captain Nathan Hale of Connecticut. Being animated by a sense of duty and considering this an opportunity to serve his country, he at once offered himself as a volunteer for this service. He successfully passed in disguise to Long Island but was apprehended during his return. Once the proof of his object was shown clearly, he openly and frankly expressed his purpose and views. Sir William Howe at once gave the order to have him executed the next morn.

The next morning he asked for a clergyman; he was denied. He asked for a Bible; he was denied. He asked that two letters he had written be delivered to his mother and sister; he was denied and his letters destroyed. "Unknown to all around him, without a single friend to offer him the least consolation, thus fell as amiable and worthy a young man as America could boast, with this as his dying observation, that 'he only lamented that he had but one life to lose for his country.'"

My fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.



You only get just one time around
You only get one shot at this
One chance, to find out
The one thing that you don't wanna miss
One day when it's all said and done
I hope you see that it was enough, this
One ride, one try, one life...
To love....

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

September 14: Triumph of the Holy Cross

When the Sacred Body of Christ was taken down from the Cross, the Cross itself was buried to prevent the the followers of Christ from finding it. In 312, Constantine, not yet a Christian, was doing battle for the throne. He prayed to the Christian God to aid him in his struggle. In answer to his prayers, a cross appeared in the heavens bearing the inscription: "In This Sign You Will Conquer." In gratitude for the victory over his foe, Constantine had the Sign of Christianity placed on the Roman standards and shields.

When the Edict of Milan was issued (granting freedom of worship to
Christians), Constantine's mother, St. Helena, gladly converted. According to tradition, she is credited with finding the true cross in 326. She engineered a dig around its burial place. The wood was declared the true cross when a woman experienced a cure when she touched it. The wood was enshrined in a silver casket and placed within a church on that spot. This event is celebrated on May 3 on the "The Invention of the Cross." (Invention in Latin means 'to come upon, to discover')

In the year 614, the king of Persia, invaded, sacked Jerusalem, and carried off the relics of the True Cross. The Emperor of Constantinople, Heraclius, in response, invaded Persia and forced them to sue for peace. Part of the deal was to restore the True Cross. Heraclius piosuly brought the the relics back to Jerusalem. When he reached the city gate to Calvary, he laid aside every robe and mark of royalty and, wearing only sackcloth, carried the relics back to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher (burial place). These events are celebrated on September 14 in the feast of the Triumph of the Holy Cross.


Let us ever glory in the cross of Christ,
our salvation and our hope.
Let us bow in homage to the Lord of Life,
who was broken to make us whole.
There is no greater love, as blessed as this:
to lay down one's life for a friend.
Let us ever glory in the cross of Christ
and the triumph of God's great love.
Glory in the Cross -Dan Schutte

Sunday, September 4, 2011

September 8: Feast of the Nativity of the Theotokos

September 8: Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary

The feast of the Immaculate Conception is celebrated on December 8th. Nine months later (funny how that works out), we celebrate the Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary on September 8th.

Theotokos is the Greek title for Mary. It means God-bearer or one who gives birth to God. Nativity just means birth. I have to admit I was kinda disappointed there was not more meaning behind it...



When I love I give it all I can
Like my mother does.
When I'm scared I bow my head and pray
Like my mother does.

When I feel weak and un-pretty
I know I am beautiful and strong
Because I see myself
Like my mother does.
Like My Mother Does -Lauren Alaina