Daily Challenge 8/1
Make an agreement to attend more than one liturgy this week.
Joke of the Day 7/1
How did Mary and Joseph know Jesus’ weight when he was born?
They had a weigh in a manger…
Featured Saint 17/1
| Aaron the High Priest
Claim to fame: Aaron was a prophet, high priest, and the elder brother of Moses the prophet. Knowledge of Aaron, along with his brother Moses, comes exclusively from the Bible. The Bible relates that, unlike Moses, who grew up in the Egyptian royal court, Aaron and his elder sister Miriam remained with their kinsmen in the eastern border-land of Egypt (Goshen). When Moses first confronted the Egyptian king about the Israelites, Aaron served as his brother’s spokesman (“prophet”) to the Pharaoh (Exodus 7:1). Part of the Law given to Moses at Sinai granted Aaron the priesthood for himself and his male descendants, and he became the first High Priest of the Israelites. Quote: “Is not Aaron the Levite your brother? I know that he can speak well. And look, he is also coming out to meet you. When he sees you, he will be glad in his heart. Now you shall speak to him and put the words in his mouth. And I will be with your mouth and with his mouth, and I will teach you what you shall do. So he shall be your spokesman to the people. And he himself shall be as a mouth for you, and you shall be to him as God.” (Ex 4:14-16) Fun fact: The Gospel of Luke records that both Zechariah and Elizabeth and therefore their son John the Baptist were descendants of Aaron.
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Spiritual Message of the Day 7/1
January: St Joseph’s Month
Each year in January and after celebrating Nativity, many of the church readings include the role of St Joseph as the carer being the father for baby Jesus. St Joseph is a unique saint who is full of virtues and hence a strong intercessor. Some of his virtues are:
1. A man of faith – not only in believing the strange message from Archangel Gabriel but also in his faith in God’s support throughout Mary’s pregnancy and the remainder of his life
2. A pure man – he dealt with this young attractive girl with all purity.
3. A man of great mercy – he did not want to expose St Mary but rather chose to protect her.
4. A man of self-denial – he suffered a great deal to be always there for St Mary and the little baby.
5. A heavenly man – he encountered many angels and they directly conversed with him on many occasions.
6. A man of great obedience – in all what heaven directed him without questioning.
7. A true father – who is much respected and loved by Jesus. St Mary used this love to convince Jesus to return with them to Gallilee.
Do yourself a favour and invite St Joseph to be your patron saint throughout the month of January.
-Fr Jonathan Ishak

