Worthy Sirs:
When you have found him, bring me word, so that I too may and do him homage.
As Saint Matthew reports, Herod said this to the Magi with the utmost sincerity in his eyes. We know better now, of course. Secrets, whispers, deception, lies, ego…these are the stuff real life is made of! We encounter the Herods of the world every single day of our lives. At work, at home, in relatives, friends and yes Sir Knights, in brother Knights as well. It is, after all, the human condition, to sin.
At the same time, we are also all blessed as the Magis were. We all have our own secret whisperings. The Holy Spirit that was loosed within us at our Confirmation as Catholics. The Holy Spirit who whispers to us that what we do is wrong. The voice in our hearts that remind us that we are all brother Knights after all, and remembering the promises we took as brother Knights, of Charity, Unity, Fraternity and Patriotism. Especially in dealings with or brother Knights. I love to quote this line that all of us have heard before, as Knights. It would do well for many of us to constantly remember it. For me, these are words that I live by:
Remember that no creature so accursed can be, but some good in him a loving eye can see.
Praise your brother openly, but if he has faults, let silence guard the gateway of your speech, for silence stills rumors and speech spreads scandal. But let neither silence nor any act of yours obstruct the way of justice. Confuse not charity with justice. Speak out fearlessly for the right.
So what do we as 4th Degree Knights do that allow us to live our lives with the wisdom of the Magi. Its historical fact, for instance, that the Magi were often referred to as “Kings”. And bearing gifts of gold and frankincense, they surely did not arrive and prostrate themselves before the Son of Man in tatters! And so it is, that when we arrive at mass smartly dressed, we are playing our role, not just as good Catholic Men, but also as 4th degree members, doing what we are supposed to do: displaying the public face of our order. When we dress in our tuxes and regalia for official functions and events, we do so with the full knowledge that we are coming to do HIM homage and to dignify the proceedings with our small contribution of being dressed for the occasion!
As you well know Sir Knights, the Executive has been in discussions about the wearing of the tuxedo at our General Meeting. We’ve come to the conclusion that this is not necessary, and in my emailed invitation to the Assembly, I said as much. I would like everyone to show up in Smart Business Attire. This is after all, a meeting. From now on, as long as I am the Faithful Navigator at least, this will be the norm, with Tux and Social Baldric to be worn at the user’s discretion, and when requested to do so for special events. You will, of course, be forewarned of this.
I would like to thank my Executive as well as the Sir Knights who have written in to me with support for this decision and others that I have made for the benefit of this Assembly. The time taken by you-all to help your Navigator is much appreciated.
Time. Now that’s a subject that I would like to go into with you Sir Knights. But before I do that, allow me to share with you a short story about Satan, and the goings-on at his convention:
Satan called a worldwide convention of demons.
In his opening address he said:
“We can’t keep Christians from going to church.”
”We can’t keep them from reading their Bibles and knowing the truth.”
“We can’t even keep them from forming an intimate relationship with their saviour.” ”Once they gain that connection with Jesus, our power over them is broken.”
“So let them go to their churches; let them have their covered dish dinners, BUT steal their time, so they don’t have time to develop a relationship with Jesus Christ..”
“This is what I want you to do,” said the devil:
“Distract them from gaining hold of their Saviour and maintaining that vital connection throughout their day!”
“How shall we do this?” his demons shouted.
“Keep them busy in the non-essentials of life and invent innumerable schemes to occupy their minds,” he answered. ”Tempt them to spend, spend, spend, and borrow, borrow, borrow.” ”Persuade the wives to go to work for long hours and the husbands to work 6-7 days each week, 10-12 hours a day, so they can afford their empty lifestyles.” ”Keep them from spending time with their children.”
“As their families fragment, soon, their homes will offer no escape from the pressures of work!”
“Over-stimulate their minds so that they cannot hear that still, small voice.”
“Entice them to play the radio or cassette player whenever they drive.” To keep the TV, VCR, CDs and their PCs going constantly in their home and see to it that every store and restaurant in the world plays non-biblical music constantly.”
”This will jam their minds and break that union with Christ.”
“Fill the coffee tables with magazines and newspapers.” ”Pound their minds with the news 24 hours a day.” ”Invade their driving moments with billboards.” “Flood their mailboxes with junk mail, mail order catalogs, sweepstakes, and every kind of newsletter and promotional offering free products, services and false hopes..”
“Keep skinny, beautiful models on the magazines and TV so their husbands will believe that outward beauty is what’s important, and they’ll become dissatisfied with their wives. “ ”Keep the wives too tired to love their husbands at night.”
“Give them headaches too! ” someone shouted frm the back! “If they don’t give their husbands the love they need, they will begin to look elsewhere.”
“That will fragment their families quickly!”
“Give them Santa Claus to distract them from teaching their children the real meaning of Christmas.” “Give them an Easter bunny so they won’t talk about his resurrection and power over sin and death.”
“Even in their recreation, let them be excessive.”
“Have them return from their recreation exhausted.”
“Keep them too busy to go out in nature and reflect on God’s creation.
Send them to amusement parks, sporting events, plays, concerts, and movies instead.” “Keep them busy, busy, busy!”
“And when they meet for spiritual fellowship, Involve them in gossip and small talk so that they leave with troubled consciences.” “Crowd their lives with so many good causes they have no time to seek power from Jesus.”
“Soon they will be working in their own strength, sacrificing their health and family for the good of the cause.”
“It will work!”
“It will work!”
It was quite a plan!
The demons went eagerly to their assignments causing Christians everywhere to get busier and more rushed, going here and there. Having little time for their God or their families.
Having no time to tell others about the power of Jesus to change lives.
I guess the question is, has the devil been successful in his schemes?
You be the judge!!!!!
Does “BUSY” mean: B-eing U-nder S-atan’s Y-oke?
And with that thought, I leave you, Vivat Jesus!
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