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deathexe-writes · 2 months ago

Text

Big thanks to @quickbeam2727 for helping with the fic!!

Word Count: 8033

CW: Mentions of throwing up but nothing happens, general Fairy Tail violence, kidnapping (vulcan taking Lucy)

Chapter Summery: Lucy’s dream comes true when Natsu, (Y/N), Happy, and Lumi take her to their headquarters in Magnolia to meet the rowdy members of Fairy Tail. For her first job, Lucy braves Mt. Hakobe with her new friends to find a missing wizard.

Masterlist

Ao3 Link: Fairy Tail x OC/Reader

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Episode 2: Fire Dragon, Monkey, and Bull

The Magic Council is having a meeting regarding Fairy Tail, and all the mischief they have caused. There are nine members, all standing on their own magic circles on a much larger magic circle.

“Those idiots from fairy tail have gone and done it again! This time they destroyed an entire port!” Council member #1 says.

“What is the matter with them?” Council member #2 states with disdain.

“I’m actually quite fond of those dimwits and their laissez-faire attitude.” Council member #3 says with amusement.

“Hmm. They may behave like fools,” says council member #4 “but we mustn’t forget they are also an extremely capable lot.”

“Yes, that’s true. They present quite the quandary.” Council member #5 states.

“I think we should just leave them be.” Council member #3 says, “After all, if it wasn’t for those fools, think how boring this world would be.”

~ Somewhere else ~

Natsu, Happy, (Y/N), and Lumi arrive with Lucy to Fairy Tail. The fire mage has his fists on his hips and looking quite proud of his guild as he looks up. (Y/N) can be seen standing next to him, holding Lumi to her chest, looking up at the guild sign with the same amount of fondness Natsu shows. Lucy is carrying her suitcase behind her and has an ecstatic look as she stares up at the Fairy Tail building. Happy is standing behind the group in the middle.

“Welcome to Fairy Tail!” Says Happy excitedly.

Lucy giggles with joy, Natsu then kicks the door open with a seemingly furious look on his face. (Y/N), Lumi, and Happy are behind him with a look of amusement on their faces.

“WE MADE IT BACK ALIVE!” Shouts Natsu as he kicks in the door.

“WE’RE HOME!” Happy yells excitedly with him.

Many members of Fairy Tail are seen in the guild hall sitting at various tables and visiting with one another. A few turn and smile, greeting Natsu and (Y/N) at their arrival. Lucy enters, smiling widely at the site of the guild hall.

“So I heard you went all out in Hargeon, Natsu. Had to go starting trou–” The guild member starts saying to Natsu, before he’s cut off with a kick to the face from the latter.

“AAH!” Shouts Natsu as he delivers a kick to the member seemingly out of nowhere.

“Why did you do that?!” Lucy puts her hands up in distress with a frightened look on her face. (Y/N), standing next to Lucy while Lumi hovers next to the Ice Dragon Slayer, is not as surprised that Natsu does this.

“You lied about that Salamander! I’m gonna kick your butt!” Natsu says to the member, raising his fist at him angrily.

“Don’t get mad at me. I’m not the one to blame here.” The kicked member responds “I’m just passing along a rumor I heard!” He shouts back.

“IT WAS JUST A RUMOR?!” Natsu asks angrily.

“YOU WANT TO FIGHT?!” The member asks Natsu equally as angry.

“LET’S GO!” Natsu shouts at him as tables and guild members start flying through the air.

“Now now, Natsu, I think you need to calm down–!” Happy says, shaking his paw up and down with a smug look on his face as an attempt to de-escalate the situation, before he’s thrown into the fray. The whole guild can be seen in a fight now, people getting thrown every which way, some landing on eachother.

‘Oh, wow! I’m actually standing inside the Fairy Tail Guild Hall.’ Lucy is in awe of where she is. (Y/N) and Lumi smile fondly at Lucy’s excitement.

“So Natsu and (Y/N) finally made it back, huh?” A boy turns around in Natsu’s direction, shirtless and pantless, just in his underwear, he has an angry expression on his face as he grits his teeth. He has spiky black-colored hair and dark blue eyes, he's wearing a necklace, which resembles a sword with a stone in it, and very long, knee length underwear.

“This is Gray Fulbuster. A very talented wizard, but he tends to– well, he has a bad habit of taking off his clothes.” The Narrator introduces Gray.

Gray walks slowly toward the fight. A woman can be seen drinking wine from a champagne glass, observing the chaos that's been unfolding. She seems mostly unbothered by the current state of the guild, just slightly irritated. She has mid-back length medium brown hair, and large dark brown eyes. She's wearing a light blue bikini top, a pair of capri pants, with two bands hanging from each leg and a light belt covered in heart motifs loosely tied around the waist. Her shoes consist of a pair of high-heeled sandals. She also had a pair of metal bracelets adorning her biceps and three silver bracelets on both wrists.

“It’s time we settled things once and for all.” Gray states, angrily marching towards the fight.

“Gray, your clothes?” The woman reminds said boy of his missing clothing situation. He half-heartedly directs his anger towards the woman.

“I don’t have time for that!” The ice mage shouts at her.

“This lovely lady is Cana Alberona. She holds the title of Fairy Tail’s Heaviest drinker.” The Narrator continues his introduction.

“You see? I don’t date the men here because they have no class.” Cana can be seen drinking directly from a barrel, much to the shock of Lucy.

“Come here and fight me, Natsu!” Gray shouts kicking someone behind Natsu. As he’s still fighting the man who told him the rumor, grabbing his arm and his face.

“Not until you put some clothes on!” Natsu shouts back.

“It’s only noon and you boys are already whining like spoiled babies.” A large, muscular man approaches Lucy and (Y/N), crossing his arms. He has white hair styled upwards in long, spikes, his dark eyes possess no visible eyebrows and his rectangular, elongated face has a stitched scar running down its right side, crossing his right eye. He's wearing a dark blue jacket, held closed on the front by a line of large buttons, with similar buttons on the sleeves’ back and the zip located on the high collar left open. The back of his jacket is adorned by large, light kanjis, which read “No. 1". He has loose pants that match his jacket, held up by a simple belt, and traditional Japanese geta sandals.

“This brute of a man is Elfman, a muscle-bound wizard who believes that all you need to solve any problem are two strong fists.” The Narrator continues.

“I'm a real man. You want me to prove it to ya!” Elfman shouts to Natsu and Gray, stomping towards the two.

“I can’t believe he’s encouraging them.” Lucy sweat drops, muttering to herself.

“Don’t worry Lucy, he’s normally like that.” (Y/N) reassures her, looking in the blondes direction, an easy going smile on her face at the chaos going on.

Natsu and Gray both simultaneously punch Elfman, sending him flying in the air.

‘They knocked him out that easily?!’ Lucy thinks to herself, shocked at the display. Giggling can be heard behind Lucy and (Y/N) as they turn towards it.

“Jeez, it’s so noisy around here, huh?” Another man sits behind the two on a bench against the wall with two women sitting in his lap, his arms resting on their waists. His hair is kept in a mildly short, spiky cut, with spiky strands covering his forehead, and other, longer ones jutting upwards from the top of his head. His left ear is adorned by three earrings: a stud and two rings, a green coat with a wide collar, complete with prominent, spiky, brownish-white fur trimming lining the hood, over a light red shirt covered in many flower-like motifs, black pants and whitish sneakers, each adorned by a pair of light green stripes.

“This is the lady-killer, Loke. Ranked high on the Most Eligible Wizard Bachelor’s list.” As the narrator finishes introducing Loke, he’s hit in the forehead with a glass cup.

“Are you all right?” The one of the girls he was flirting with asks him, concerned.

“I’m gonna go fight, only to protect you two.” He woos the girls as he joins the fight.

“Good luck, Loke.” Both say simultaneously.

“He’s definitely off my list…” Lucy crosses a picture of him out. “What the heck is wrong with these people? There’s not one sane person in the whole place.” As she says this, there are many guild members fighting. “No offence (Y/N).”

“None taken, don’t worry.” (Y/N) chuckles at Lucy’s bewilderment as Lumi has a small smile on her face.

“Hello! Are you new here? And (Y/N)! I see you and Natsu are back, how’d looking for Salamander go?” A voice asks behind the two. As she and (Y/N) turn, Lucy recognizes who it is.

“It’s Mirajane in the flesh!” Lucy gushes, she has her hands on her cheeks and hearts in her eyes. Mira closes her eyes and smiles at her as she holds a tray with drinks on it as Lucy fangirls about her.

Mira has long, white hair which curls slightly at the ends, with two bangs framing her face and reaching down to her chest; her hairstyle's most distinctive trait is a short, upward ponytail obtained by gathering and tying the hair covering her forehead and she has large blue eyes. She's wearing a sleeveless, ankle-length maroon dress with a pleated skirt. The chest is adorned by a large, pink bow, and similarly colored trimmings frame the neckline, acting as straps, and circle around the waist. Mirajane also wears high-heeled shoes that match her dress, and accessorizes with a small chain necklace with a blue oval gem attached to it, and a bracelet made of white flowers circling her right wrist.

“Hey Mira!” (Y/N) greets her favourite barmaid, as she smiles at her. "It was okay, it definitely wasn’t who we were looking for though.” (Y/N) responds a bit dejected, shrugging at Mira.

“This is Mirajane. A beautiful wizard who’s known for her bikini-clad photo spreads in Sorcerer Weekly magazine. She is currently an employee at fairy tail.” The Narrator explains.

“Um, don’t you think we should try to stop them or something?” Lucy asks, one hand to her mouth the other pointing at the fight with a concerned look.

“It’s always like this around here. I just leave them alone. Besides–” Mira gets cut off as Elfman gets flung into her to the shock of Lucy and (Y/N). “It’s kinda fun don’t you think?” She finishes as she passes out under an unconscious Elfman.

“AHH! DON’T DIE, MIRAJANE” Lucy screams as she flails her arms in bewilderment. She’s hit by Gray's body, as he’s thrown by Natsu. As she’s hit by his body, (Y/N), startled by what’s happening, moves to the side to avoid getting knocked over as well. Lucy’s shocked to see Natsu take Gray's underwear, leaving him entirely naked.

“GIVE ME BACK MY UNDERWEAR, JERK!” Gray shouts at Natsu. Lucy screams at Gray's nakedness, blushing as she covers her face with her hands, peeking through her fingers, (Y/N) and Lumi copy the blonde's actions (excluding the screaming) as he turns to Lucy and (Y/N), addressing the former. “Excuse me, miss, could I please borrow your underwear?” Gray asks as if it’s completely normal to ask for a girl's underwear.

“AS IF?!” Lucy hits him with a table leg, (Y/N) looks at her with surprise, her eyes wide and a small open mouthed smile on her face. Loke then suddenly picks Lucy up in a bridal carry, as she looks deeply disturbed, while (Y/N) and Lumi have disapproving expressions on their faces at Loke's actions. (Y/N) has her hands on her hips, the grey cat copying her actions.

“These guys are all so insensitive. A woman has needs–” Loke suddenly gets cut off as he’s uppercutted by Elfman, sending him flying. (Y/N), startled once again, takes a step back to avoid the commotion while Lumi covers her ears at the loud sounds happening all at once, an upset look on her face.

“REAL MEN SPEAK WITH THEIR FISTS, LOKE!” Elfman shouts, Natsu then kicks him away.

“I told you to butt out!” Natsu yells at him as he kicks Elfman.

“Aye…” Happy weakly mutters out.

Cana, still sitting at the bar with her back turned to the chaos that's been unfolding, looks irritated as she attempts to drink in peace. “It’s so loud. So much for having a drink to relax. That’s enough, you guys. I suggest that you knock it off.” She pulls out a tarot card and activates a teal magic circle.

“Oh yeah? Says who?” Gray taunts, his fist in his palm, summoning a light blue magic circle as well. Elfman shouts as he also makes a purple magic circle, transforming his right arm into a rock arm.

"You punks can be such a nuisance." Loke states, using a magic ring that summons a green magic circle.

"I'm ready for ya!" Natsu’s fists are on fire, as he prepares for further fighting.

"They always fight like this?" Lucy asks while holding Happy in front of her head like a shield. (Y/N) now back to standing next to Lucy, as the Dragon Slayer pets Lumi's head to calm the grey cat, looks at the Celestial Wizard in amusement.

"Uh-huh." Happy confirms while smiling.

"You don't seem worried!" Lucy says while sweating profusely.

"WOULD YOU FOOLS STOP BICKERING LIKE CHILDREN?!" The Guild Master suddenly appears, towering over the guild hall and all its members.

"He's huge!" Lucy says bewildered, (Y/N) can be seen snickering to her right. Lucy’s eyes and mouth are open in shock and horror at the size of the Guild Master before everyone.

"I'm sorry. I didn't know you were still here, Master." Mira states.

"Did you say Master?!" Lucy says startled as she turns towards him.

"Man, talk about a bunch of babies! Looks like I won this round, you guys!" Natsu has his fists on his hips and laughs, as everyone stops fighting with each other. As he laughs, Makarov steps on him causing (Y/N) to grimace and Lucy to make a noise in fear.

"Well, seems we've a new recruit." Makarov notices Lucy, startling the blonde.

"Yes, sir!" Lucy squeaks out. He retracts to his normal size to the astonishment of Lucy as she stares dumbstruck. Makarov raises his hand to greet Lucy. He is an extremely short, elderly man. He has black eyes and is growing bald with only the outer rims of his head containing white hair, he also has a thick white mustache. He's wearing an orange sweater with drawstrings and matching pants, he has a white shirt with a black Fairy Tail emblem in the middle. He has an orange and light blue "jester-like" hat, his shoes are pointy and brown.

"Nice to meet ya!" He says in a joyful tone to Lucy, smiling at her and (Y/N).

"He's tiny! This little guy's really in charge here?" She sounds astonished at the Guild Master's appearance.

"Lucy, don't be rude." (Y/N) says jokingly with a slight smirk on her face looking at her, still petting Lumi as the grey cat hovers beside her.

"Of course he is! Allow me to introduce the Fairy Tail Guild Master, Makarov." Mira introduces Master Makarov to Lucy. After introductions, he turns and leaps to the second floor overlooking the guild common area. He hits his back on the railing and ends up on his back and groans in pain for a moment before getting up to his feet, standing on the railing.

He clears his throat and begins to lecture the guild, as everyone looks at him with a bit of guilt.

“You’ve gone and done it again, you bunch of clods. Just take a look at how much paper work the Magic Council sent me this time,” He raises his hand to show a stack of papers and continues, “This is the biggest pile of complaints yet."

"Remember the magic council? Well, they monitor all of the different wizard guilds." the Narrator explains.

"Have you lost your minds?! All you kids are good for is getting higher-ups mad at me!" The crowd murmurs to each other at this, looking guilty. (Y/N) holds her left bicep, as she and Lumi look down slightly in regret, while Lucy looks at the Guild Master in concern for the guild. Makarov exhales and continues, “However… I say to heck with the Magic Council.” He says before setting the stack of papers on fire, and throws them down into the crowd. Natsu jumps up and catches the stack of flaming papers and begins eating it as Lucy looks on in awe.

“Now listen up. Any power that surpasses reason still comes from reason, right? Magic isn’t some kind of miraculous power. It is a talent that only works when the flow of energy inside of us and the flow of energy in the natural world are in perfect synchronization. To perform magic, one must have a strong mind and the ability to focus. It should take over your being and come pouring out of your soul. If all we do worry about following rules, then our magic will never progress. Don’t let those blowards on the council scare. Follow the path you believe in. ‘Cause that’s what makes the Fairy Tail guild number one!”

He points his fist in the air with his index finger and thumb extended, the other guild members copy this action, cheering with each other.

~ Short Timeskip ~

"There. Now you're an official member of the Fairy Tail guild." Lucy gasps and squeals as she gets her guild mark, which is on the back of her right hand. She stares at it in wondrous joy as Mirajane welcomes her to the guild.

"Hey Natsu, (Y/N), look. Mirajane just put the official Fairy Tail mark on my hand!" Lucy excitedly shows the two that she is now a member of the guild.

"Oh yeah? That's cool. Welcome to the guild, Loony." Natsu looks uninterested with his back turned to her, at the request board, (Y/N) standing to his left, seemingly more interested than he is, turns her head to look at the Celestial Wizard.

"The name's Lucy!" Unimpressed by Natsu’s lack of enthusiasm, she yells to correct him.

"That's great Lucy! Really proud of you!" She smiles at her, her hands behind her back with Lumi standing on the ground, clinging to her leg shyly. She then turns back to looking at the request board.

"This is the request board. The wizards can pick from any of the jobs listed on the board. Each presents a unique challenge, and a different pay rate." Explains the Narrator.

"Make sure you pick one with a big reward, Natsu!" Happy reminds Natsu, standing to his right.

"Whoa, 160,000 jewel to get rid of some thieves?" Natsu picks a job from the request board, excited at not only the reward, but to also get started on the job. (Y/N) seems equally as excited, peaking over his left shoulder, both hands resting on said shoulder at the piece of paper.

"Sounds good to me!" Happy sounds just as excited as Natsu and (Y/N).

"How come my dad hasn't come back yet?" Romeo, a young black haired boy, concerned that his father has not returned home, asks Makorov, who is drinking on the counter at the bar.

"You're starting to get on my nerves, Romeo. You're a wizard's son. Have faith in your father and wait patiently for him." Makarov scolds Romeo.

"But sir, he told me he'd be back in three days. And he's been gone for over a week now!"

"If I remember correctly, he took the job on Mt. Hakobe." Makarov off-handedly comments.

"That's right. And it's not that far from here, so why won't somebody go look for him?!"

"Listen, kid, your old man's a wizard. And like every other wizard in this guild, he can take care of himself. Now go home, and have some milk and cookies, and wait!" As he continues to drink and shout at Romeo, Natsu and (Y/N) look on solemnly as Makarov reprimands the young child. Mirajane drys a plate looking disheartened as Lucy looks saddened at the scene.

"JERK! I HATE YOU ALL!" Romeo has had enough of Makorov and punches him in the nose and runs away, out of the guild, crying.

"That's gotta be tough." Lucy says, saddened at the display.

"I know it sounds like the master doesn't care, but he really is worried." Mira explains to Lucy, sympathizing with Romeo.

Natsu punches the job board, leaving a crack in it as he walks away.

"What do you think you're doing?! You almost broke the board, Natsu." Nab exclaims to the fire wizard.

Makarov sighs as Natsu and Happy walk out of the guild hall, (Y/N) and Lumi trailing after them, as both Dragon Slayers carry their bags with them.

"This doesn't look good, Master. You know how they can be. I bet they're going up to Mt. Hakobe to save Macao." Nab says concerned to Makarov.

"When are those kids gonna grow up?" Says the one Natsu punched when he entered the guild with Lucy and the others.

"Who knows? Going after Macao isn't going to do anything except hurt his pride." Nab replies.

"Remember Nab, we can't choose another's path. Just leave them be." Makarov says self-opinionated.

"Why did Natsu and (Y/N) get so upset?" Lucy asks concerned for the two after Natsu's outburst as she looks in the direction they went.

"Probably because those two and Romeo have a lot in common. I think they see themselves in Romeo. Just because we're members of Fairy Tail, it doesn't mean we have our own personal issues. We've all had our fair share of suffering and loss." Mira explains solemnly to Lucy as she continues to wash dishes.

~ Timeskip ~

"Why'd you come with us?" Natsu groans out to Lucy.

He's lying on his stomach on the bench in the carriage they're riding in. Lucy and (Y/N) are sitting opposite him, although (Y/N) is leaning on Lucy in the same condition as Natsu, as Happy and Lumi sit on the floor.

"I thought maybe I could help. Wow, you guys really do have a serious case of motion sickness, don't you? It's just another reason to feel sorry for you." She says in a presuming tone as she puts her hands to her face in false sympathy.

"What's that supposed to mean?!" Natsu groans out, almost offended at the implication.

"Oh, nothing! Forget I said anything." She says flustered, when she suddenly has a somber expression recalling something Mira told her.

~ Flashback ~

"Many years ago Natsu's father and (Y/N)'s mother left and never came back. Well, technically they weren't their real father and mother, but the ones who raised them. They were actually dragons." Lucy pictures two dragons and gasps in alarm at the thought.

"THEY WERE A WHAT?!" She yells out in fright. "They were really raised by dragons?" She continues her question as Mira nods in confirmation.

"When he was a little boy, a dragon found him in the forest. He took him in and taught him about language, culture and magic. But one day, the dragon disappeared and never returned. The same goes for (Y/N)." Mira continues her explanation for Natsu and (Y/N)'s reaction.

"So those dragons must have been Igneel and Nivalis." Lucy says in realization.

"That's right." Mira confirms for Lucy.

"They both live for the day when they finally see Igneel and Nivalis again. It's kind of cute, don't you think?" She giggles softly in a fond manner at the thought of the two.

~ Present ~

The carriage suddenly stops, as Natsu and (Y/N) perk up at the abrupt stop.

"I guess we're there." Lucy states.

"ALL RIGHT! WE'RE STOPPED MOVING!" He and Happy laugh and dance merrily at the stopped carriage as the former has fire coming from his mouth. (Y/N) sits up from her slumped position, glad at the halted carriage, although she and Lumi have more decorum than the other two. (Y/N) smiles warmly at their (mostly Natsu's) reaction.

"I'm sorry, but this is as far as I can get you." As the driver reveals this he opens the doors to show they've arrived at a vast, snow covered mountain range. Strong winds blow ice and snow across the land as dark clouds cover the sky.

Lucy sits down in the opening, looking around as she gets out, (Y/N) sits between her and Natsu, holding onto Lumi, ready as well. Lucy looks out at the frozen wasteland they arrived at. Natsu stands to the girls' left, observing the landscape. Happy is holding on to the door, trying not to get blown away in the wind.

"WHOA!" Happy exclaims as he clings to the open door.

"Where the heck are we, Natsu?! It's a frozen wasteland!" Shouts Lucy through the howling winds.

~ Timeskip ~

Natsu, Lucy, and (Y/N) are walking along the mountain side, as the relentless wind and snow continues to inhibit their progress. None of them dressed for the weather. Lucy is walking behind Natsu and (Y/N), Lumi is being held by the latter, and Happy is clinging on to Natsu’s shoulder. Lucy looks uncomfortably cold, as she rubs her arms in hopes to bring warmth back into them. Natsu and (Y/N) look unbothered by the weather.

"Why is it so cold?! I know we're on a mountain, but it's summer right now! There shouldn't be a blizzard like this anywhere!" Lucy complains to the group.

"That's what you get for wearing light clothing." Natsu responds, looking back at her.

"Oh, please! You guys aren't dressed for it! Now hand over that blanket!" She demands from the fire wizard as she tugs on the blanket attached to his backpack.

"Gosh, she just keeps on talking, huh?" Natsu comments.

"Aye…" Happy agrees.

"Oh, I know! OPEN GATE OF THE CLOCK CONSTELLATION, HOROLOGIUM!" Lucy makes the impromptu decision to summon one of her spirits. The bow of the key is designed similar to a cuckoo clock with the crest in the middle, colored brown. The spirit is a tall brown grandfather clock with long, black arms, a glass case, a Roman-numerical clock at the center and a small face at the top with slit eyes and a thin, twirly, mustache-like mouth. The other four look amazed at the sudden appearance of the celestial being.

"A clock, whoa." "That is so cool!" Natsu and Happy say simultaneously as they look on in amazement.

As Lucy is now inside Horologium wrapped in Natsu's blanket, she begins to speak, although none of the others are able to understand her.

"Wait, I can't hear you." States Natsu in confusion.

"She says, "I'm staying in here, and I'm not coming out."" Horologium repeats what Lucy is saying.

"Then why'd you come along?" (Y/N) asks, confused.

""What kind of crazy job would force Macao to come to a place like this?" She inquires." Horologium relays.

"You should have asked that before you came with us. He went to slay a vulcan. It's a big monster." Natsu crosses his arms as he and (Y/N) converse with Lucy through Horologium. Lucy gasps in dread at this as he and (Y/N) continue walking alongside the mountain to find Macao, leaving Lucy and Horologium behind, not bothering to wait for them to catch up.

""I want to go back to the guild," she proclaims." Relays Horologium.

"Go ahead and be my guest, I say back." Natsu says sarcastically, marching on, as (Y/N) giggles into one of her hands at the remark, the other still holding onto Lumi.

"Aye." Happy says in agreement.

~ Timeskip ~

"MACAO! WHERE ARE YOU?!" Natsu shouts out to Macao as he and (Y/N) continue to climb the mountain. "MACAO!" Happy shouts.

"Natsu! Happy! Be careful! You're gonna cause an avalanche if you continue all this screaming. If you do that, we, well at least the two of you, won't be able to look for Macao at all. Plus, with all this yelling you might attract a monster to us." (Y/N) scolds the two, a stern look on both her and Lumi's face. Just as she says this, a vulcan jumps down from higher up in the mountains, smashing the ground in front of the group. Natsu and (Y/N) are able to dodge in time, as Happy and Lumi scramble away from the vulcan. The monster chuckles at them.

"See! What did I tell you!" She reprimands the two with a stern look on her face. Natsu and (Y/N) are in fighting stances as Lumi, down by (Y/N)'s leg, is cowering behind the ice mage, while Happy stands beside the fire mage.

"THAT'S A BIG VULCAN!" Happy, startled, exclaims.

"Huh?" The vulcan grunts out, snorting, as if searching for something, when suddenly he chuckles. The vulcan takes off in the direction the group was coming from, leaving Natsu and (Y/N) where they are.

"HEY, WAIT!" Exclaims (Y/N), as the group looks in the direction the vulcan runs off in.

The vulcan finds Lucy and Horologium. He picks up the spirit, which horrifies Lucy, as she is still hiding in him.

"Me like human woman." The vulcan states running off with Lucy and Horologium over his head.

"So it can talk, huh?" Natsu, covering his fist with his other hand, smiles at the thought of fighting the vulcan, while it takes off.

""Don't just stand there. Hurry up and save me," she yells furiously." Horologium relays as the vulcan giggles still running off with Lucy and the clock spirit.

~ Timeskip ~

"Near the summit of Mt. Hakobe…" The Narrator reveals.

The vulcan can be heard grunting happily as he had taken Lucy and Horologium to his cave. Lucy is quite anxious at the turn of events. The vulcan can be seen dancing around the clock, clearly happy with himself.

""How did I get myself into this mess? And what's with this giant monkey?! Why is he so excited?" She asks tearfully." Relays the clock spirit covering his face.

"WOMAN." The vulcan puts his face up to Lucy, looking at her through Horologium’s glass, steam coming from his nose as she whimpers from the close proximity.

Horologium then vanishes back to the celestial spirit world, much to the dismay of Lucy, who breaks down crying at being left alone with the vulcan.

"Where'd you go, Horologium?! Don't you disappear on me!" She cries out.

"Sorry, but my time is up. Take care." The clock spirit can be heard as he disappears.

"GIVE ME AN EXTENSION, PLEASE!" She wails out at Horologium.

"HEY, YOU BIG APE! WHERE'S MACAO?! TELL ME!" Natsu can be heard shouting as the vulcan is about to grab Lucy, catching their attention. Natsu and (Y/N) storm into the cave, Happy and Lumi flying behind them.

"Whoa!--" Natsu grunts out as he suddenly slips on the ice and falls on his back, spinning down the ice with his legs sticking up. (Y/N) slides to a stop where they 'planned' on stopping as Natsu continues sliding, she crosses her arms, putting a hand to her face, sweat-dropping.

"Whoa. That wasn't cool. Why does he feel like he has to make an entrance all the time?" Lucy has a very distressed look on her face as she rests her face on her palm, her expression mirroring the one (Y/N) has.

"Great job, Natsu, amazing entrance." (Y/N) sarcastically comments, standing beside Lucy, hand still on her face, arms crossed.

"Spill it, monkey. Where is our friend?" Natsu grunts out upside down to the vulcan. Lucy and (Y/N) quickly walk over to Natsu, (Y/N) standing beside him, as Lucy stands behind the two.

"You understand me, right? He's a human man. Now tell me where he is." He demands to the vulcan. The beast seems to think about Natsu's question for a second.

"Man?"

"That's right! Where are you hiding him?!" He once again demands to the vulcan, a serious look on his face.

"Don't you think you might be jumping to conclusions?" Lucy questions, concerned.

"Man!" The vulcan waves his hand at Natsu and (Y/N) and points to his right.

"Hey, I think he's gonna show us! (Y/N) c'mon!" He grabs (Y/N)'s wrist, pulling her towards the hole.

"Natsu, I don't know about this! What if it's a trick?" She tries to reason with him, although it seems to go through one ear and out the other as he drags her to the hole anyways. The two look out of the opening the vulcan pointed to, the wind was still howling.

"MACAO! WHOA– MONKEY!" Natsu yells out, when the vulcan pushes the two out of the hole, sending them falling down the mountain.

"GODDAMN IT, NATSU!" (Y/N) screams out in frustration at Natsu as she falls with him.

"NATSU! (Y/N)!" Lucy yells in distress as she rushes over to the hole and looks down to where the two fell.

"NO LIKE MAN. ME LIKE WOMAN!" The vulcan whoops out happily as he jumps from foot to foot in glee.

"This is bad news! He can't survive out there. Maybe (Y/N), but not Natsu." She says in concern, "NATSU! (Y/N)!" Lucy continues shouting for the two.

"Woman. Woman. Woman." Grunts the vulcan. "Woman Woman Woman Woman Woman." He repeats five more times, chuckling to himself. This seems to be the breaking point for Lucy as she turns back to the vulcan, casting aside her blanket, frowning at the beast.

"All right, you pervy monkey, you're going down! OPEN, GATE OF THE GOLDEN BULL! TAURUS!" Lucy summons her spirit Taurus, the Golden Bull. A head of a bull is carved in the base of the bow with two horns sprouting out on its side, surrounding a white center with the crest of the Golden Bull, colored in black. The blade of the key is designed similar to that of a two-sided axe, each side designed with an S facing the opposite direction. The blade culminates in a pointed tip. As he appears, he flexes his muscles and cow bells and moos can be heard.

The spirit is an extremely tall, heavily muscular and athletic minotaur. His body is covered in a black and white pattern similar to that of Holstein Friesian cattle, and the upper part of it, from the waist up, seems more massive than the lower one. His head is bovine in shape, with small, elongated ears jutting outwards from the sides of his head, and a pair of horns, testifying him as a bull, sitting on top of it. He has dark eyes, and his flat nose bears a large golden ring in it, similar to those worn by real bulls. The tail sprouting from his back, ending in a dark tuft.

Taurus wearing a dark indument, similar to a pair of swim briefs, held up by a silver, studded belt, with a belt buck reminiscent of his symbol. He also wears simple dark boots, and has a brown belt circling his neck, to which a golden cowbell is attached. His forearms are wrapped in bandages, and he wears brown fingerless gloves. Crossing his chest diagonally and passing over his right shoulder is a large, plain dark belt closed by a simple buckle, to which attaches his signature axe.

"Cow?" The vulcan says in a confused manner at the sudden appearance of the bull spirit.

"I should warn you, monkey boy, Taurus is the most powerful celestial spirit that I have a contract with." She remarks angrily to the beast.

"Oh, wow, Miss Lucy. I almost forgot what a nice figure you have. Why don't you come give me a smooch?" The bull spirit unashamedly flirts with Lucy.

"Oh yeah, and he's a big perv too." Lucy puts a hand to her head in discomfort at Taurus' flirtations.

"No touch my woman!" The vulcan demands at Taurus.

"Your woman? Them's fightin' words, you moo-nkey!" Angerly, the bull spirit gets ready to fight the vulcan.

"Get him!" Lucy commands Taurus as he leaps up into the air, wielding his axe and making a swinging motion as he strikes the ground. As he does so, a shock wave from the force of the axe is sent toward the vulcan, forcing him to dodge.

"He's fast!" As she says this, the vulcan leaps in the air to take a strike against Taurus. Miraculously, Natsu and (Y/N) return as the former kicks Taurus in the jaw, thinking he was another monster.

"Natsu!" Lucy shouts in shock. Not only at the entrance, but also him attacking her spirit.

"Looks like this is the end for me…" Taurus groans, knocked out because of the fire wizard. "Epic fail!" Distressed, Lucy exclaims looking in Taurus' direction. "Hey. So how come there are more monsters now than when we left?" Natsu gestures to the vulcan with his thumb, wondering why there are more monsters than before with Lucy.

"HE'S A FRIEND, DUMMY! ONE OF MY SPIRITS!" Lucy is beyond pissed with Natsu now,

"That guy?" Natsu, confused, points with his thumb at the vulcan. (Y/N), arms crossed, face-palms at Natsu's stupidity.

"No, Natsu! Obviously not him!" (Y/N) scolds him, exasperated.

"NOT HIM! THE BULL!" She yells, then stops, as if coming to a realization, "Wait a minute, how were you able to survive out there?" Lucy continues, confused.

"Happy came to save us. Thanks, little buddy." Natsu

"Yeah, thanks, Happy!" (Y/N) commends Happy at the save.

"Aye!" Happy says. Lucy crosses her arms when Natsu says Happy rescued him.

"So you can't handle other modes of transportation, but flying with Happy's okay? Also, Happy, I thought you could only carry one person at a time?" Natsu looks offended when Lucy implies that Happy, and by extension Lumi, is a mode of transportation.

"I don't remember saying that." Happy feigns ignorance to the question directed to him.

"What kind of stupid question is that? Happy isn't a mode of transportation. He's my friend. I mean, duh." Natsu stares at Lucy with a look of exasperation as if it's the most obvious thing in the world, as Lucy has a blank expression on her face in response.

"You're right. It was totally wrong of me to compare the two." Lucy says in a sarcastic manner.

"Don't worry Lucy, they're just being dramatic." (Y/N) states to Lucy, right hand waving up and down, her left resting on her cheek, eyes closed in an almost delighted manner, a smile on her face.

"MY WOMAN!" The vulcan jumps up from behind Natsu and (Y/N), about to strike both with his giant fist. Natsu blocks the attack with his arm, as (Y/N) dodges out of the way towards Lucy, as if to protect her from any attacks or debris.

"You listen up. I consider everyone in the Fairy Tail guild my friend." He states determinedly with a grunt as he's kicked by the vulcan across the cave. The force of the kick causes Natsu to slide across the ice, still on his feet, arms blocking his face.

"Whether it's Gramps and Mira, or even those annoying jerks Gray and Elfman." He stands straight up from his blocking position. "Happy, (Y/N), Lumi, and Lucy too. They're all my friends." A red magic circle appears beneath his feet as fire starts coming from said magic circle.

"Which is why…" He continues as the vulcan shouts making an attempt to attack Natsu, "…I'M NOT LEAVING WITHOUT MACAO!" As the beast is about to strike him, Natsu delivers a fire kick to the vulcans stomach, making the monster hit the ceiling of the cave and fall to his feet across from Natsu, as stalactites of ice fall. He grins at the vulcan, ready for the beast's attack.

The vulcan claps his hands and ice shoots toward Natsu, Lucy, and (Y/N). Lucy jumps out of the way of the incoming ice, Natsu remains standing where he is, melting the ice as it hits his body, his arms outstretched to either side of him.

"ICE-MAKE ICE WALL!" (Y/N) makes an ice shield to protect her and Lucy. Her ice seemingly has a light purple hue to it, as opposed to the blue tinted ice surrounding them, as a large wall of ice shoots up from the ground in front of them. (hex #ccccff if anyone's curious)

"YOUR ICE ATTACK HAS NO EFFECT ON FIRE!" Natsu shouts as he's pelted with icicles that melt on contact. The steam from the melted ice clears, now showing the monster, who can be seen holding onto Taurus' discarded axe and wielding it with intent as the vulcan chuckles.

"That's not good." Natsu states with a frown as Lucy and (Y/N) have a shocked look on their faces.

"He's got Taurus' axe!" Lucy says, alarmed.

"Please, be careful, Miss Lucy." The bull spirit groans out with a dazed look on his face.

The vulcan swings the axe horizontally at Natsu as he backflips away from the attack. The vulcan tries two more vertical strikes at Natsu, which he dodges with ease. Natsu then slips and falls backwards, much to the shock of (Y/N) and Lucy.

"NO!" "NATSU!" Lucy and (Y/N) shout simultaneously in distress at Natsu.

The vulcan takes this opportunity to strike at him while he's on his back. Natsu manages to sit up in time as he uses his hands, straining to stop the blade by pressing his palms together to each side of it.

"Go back, Taurus! If you go back beyond the gate, your axe will disappear too!" Lucy desperately commands to Taurus without success, trying to shake him awake. (Y/N) kneels beside Lucy, also attempting to shake him awake, while also keeping an eye on Natsu to make sure he's still doing alright.

Natsu uses his fire magic to heat up the axe, causing it to melt and drip into his mouth. The vulcan makes a questioning sound at the sight. Lucy and (Y/N) look at what's happening, as the former is surprised to see Natsu able to heat the blade. Happy and Lumi are flying beside them, also observing the fight.

"Is he melting the blade with his body heat?" Lucy asks unsettled at the display of strength.

"Uh-huh." Happy responds back.

"Oh yeah, now I got some fire in my belly." Natsu, mouth full of melted metal, says. He shoots the hardened metal at the vulcan, pelting him with said metal as the monster falls backwards, whimpering in pain. Natsu hits his fists together and quickly summons a magic circle.

"EAT THIS! FIRE DRAGON IRON FIST!" Natsu leaps up with a fist on fire and punches the vulcan, sending him flying backwards, landing on his back upside down.

Natsu, Lucy, and (Y/N) stand before the unconscious vulcan. Happy and Lumi hovering beside Lucy.

"We beat him!" Happy yells in delight.

"Yeah, but wasn't this monkey supposed to tell us where your friend is?" Lucy comments.

“Oh. Forgot about that." Natsu chuckles, scratching the back of his head.

"Well, I don't think he's gonna do much talking." She retorts back.

The vulcan suddenly begins to emit a strong light along with a large amount of magic. The group shields their eyes.

"What in the heck was that?" He says in shock at what's in front of him.

"Macao?" Both Natsu and (Y/N) gasp out simultaneously as their eyes widen in shock at the sight before them. Macao now in place of the vulcan.

"Are you telling me that big perverted monkey was actually your friend this whole time?!" Lucy exclaims out, confused.

"Yeah, he must have been taken over by that vulcan." (Y/N), distracted, explains to Lucy, almost in a daze due to the shock of the reveal.

"What do you mean, 'taken over'?" The latter asks back.

"It must have used a possession spell on him. You see, vulcans survive by stealing people's bodies and taking them over. They're evil body snatchers!" Happy explains for (Y/N) to Lucy.

~ Brief Timeskip ~

Macao is laid on Natsu's red blanket with bandages covering his stomach and arms. Natsu, Lucy, (Y/N), Lumi, and Happy are all kneeling around him.

"It looks like he put up a good fight before that vulcan finally got to him though." Solemnly Happy states looking at the poor condition Macao ended up in.

"Macao, don't you die on me! Romeo's waiting for you! Open your eyes!" Natsu in desperation yells at him not to die.

"C'mon, Macao! You gotta wake up for Romeo!" (Y/N), with a similar desperate air to her, pleads with Macao to wake up.

"Natsu? (Y/N)?" Macao’s eyes slowly open, much to the delight of everyone present, he groans, confused at the sight of the fire and ice wizards.

"You're okay!" Natsu, elated at Macao's wellbeing, has a large smile on his face. (Y/N) and Lucy have large smiles on their faces as well at the conscious man laying in front of them.

"I'm so pathetic. I defeated 19 of those brutes." Macao states disappointed in himself.

"Huh?" Disbelief can be seen on Lucy's face at the confession.

"But the 20th, that's the one that got me. I'm so angry with myself. I'm embarrassed to go home and face Romeo." Macao can be seen stewing in his shame, struggling to even get the words out.

"Don't be like that. Come on, man. You beat 19 monsters." Natsu says in an encouraging tone to the beat up man.

'No way. There were 20 of those giant monkey things? And he took on the job all by himself?' Lucy's in disbelief to learn how many vulcans there were, and Macao was able to defeat nineteen of them. Natsu extends his hand to help Macao up as (Y/N) and Natsu have an excited look on their faces.

"Now let's go home. Your little boy's been waiting for you." (Y/N) says excitedly.

'They're amazing. I can't even begin to compare to them.' Lucy thinks to herself with a fond expression. Happy calls her out on it and makes fun of her.

"Why are you grinning like that, Lucy? It's creepy." Happy jests at Lucy, paw to his face.

"I'll show you creepy. Watch your back." Threatened Lucy through gritted teeth.

~ Timeskip ~

The sun is setting as the group of wizards and flying cats return back to Magnolia, just as Romeo is sitting on the stairs, upset.

"Hey, Romeo!" Natsu yells to Romeo as he and the others smile and wave at him. Romeo’s eyes widened in disbelief, he begins to cry as he sees his dad again.

"DAD!" He leaps up and hugs Macao, causing them both to fall to the ground. Lucy looks shocked that they fell. The others are smiling joyfully at the heartwarming scene.

"You came back! I'm so sorry, dad!" Wails Romeo, crying in his dad's arms as they both sit on the ground.

"No, I'm sorry for making you worry." Reassures Macao to his son, squeezing him tight.

"I can handle it, 'cause I'm a wizard's son." Romeo says with conviction.

"Next time those bullies pick on you, here's what I want you to say: "Can your old man defeat 19 monsters by himself? 'Cause mine can." Macao instructs his son. Romeo gets up and shouts to the group as they walk down the street as the sun sets.

"NATSU! (Y/N)! THANKS FOR YOUR HELP!” Romeo shouts after them.

"No prob, kiddo." Natsu shouts, waving back at the boy.

"Aye!" Happy adds.

"LUCY, THANKS FOR HELPING TO BRING MY DADDY BACK TO ME!" Romeo shouts at Lucy.

Lucy turns to wave back at Macao and Romeo, giggling as she does so.

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orthodoxydaily · 3 months ago

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SAINTS&READING: THURSDAY JANUARY 2, 2025

december 20, 2024_january 2_ 2-25

Forefeast of the Nativity of Christ

HIEROMARTYR IGNATIUS, THE GOD-BEARER, BISHOP OF ANTIOCH (107).

The Hieromartyr Ignatius the God-Bearer, was a disciple of the holy Apostle and Evangelist John the Theologian, as was also Saint Polycarp, Bishop of Smyrna (February 23). Saint Ignatius was the second bishop of Antioch, and successor to Bishop Euodius, Apostle of the Seventy (September 7).

Tradition suggests that when Saint Ignatius was a little boy, the Savior hugged him and said: “Unless you turn and become as little children, you shall not enter into the Kingdom of Heaven” (Mt. 18:3). The saint was called “God-Bearer” (Theophoros), because he bore God in his heart and prayed unceasingly to Him. He also had this name because he was held in the arms of Christ, the incarnate Son of God.

Saint Ignatius was a disciple of the Apostle John the Theologian, together with Saint Polycarp of Smyrna. As Bishop of Antioch, Saint Ignatius was zealous and spared no effort to build up the church of Christ. To him is attributed the practice of antiphonal singing (by two choirs) during church services. He had seen a vision of the angels in heaven alternately singing praises to God, and divided his church choir to follow this example. In the time of persecution he was a source of strength to the souls of his flock, and was eager to suffer for Christ.

In the year 106 the emperor Trajan (98-117), after his victory over the Scythians, ordered everyone to give thanks to the pagan gods, and to put to death any Christians who refused to worship the idols. In the year 107, Trajan happened to pass through Antioch. Here they told him that Bishop Ignatius openly confessed Christ, and taught people to scorn riches, to lead a virtuous life, and preserve their virginity. Saint Ignatius came voluntarily before the emperor, so as to avert persecution of the Christians in Antioch. Saint Ignatius rejected the persistent requests of the emperor Trajan to sacrifice to the idols. The emperor then decided to send him to Rome to be thrown to the wild beasts. Saint Ignatius joyfully accepted the sentence imposed upon him. His readiness for martyrdom was attested to by eyewitnesses, who accompanied Saint Ignatius from Antioch to Rome.

On the way to Rome, the ship sailed from Seleucia stopped at Smyrna, where Saint Ignatius met with his friend Bishop Polycarp. Clergy and believers from other cities and towns thronged to see Saint Ignatius. He exhorted everyone not to fear death and not to grieve for him. In his Epistle to the Roman Christians, he asked them to assist him with their prayers, and to pray that God would strengthen him in his impending martyrdom for Christ: “I seek Him Who died for us; I desire Him Who rose for our salvation... In me, desire has been nailed to the cross, and no flame of material longing is left. Only the living water speaks within me, saying, ‘Hasten to the Father.’”

From Smyrna, Saint Ignatius went to Troas. Here he heard the happy news of the end of the persecution against Christians in Antioch. From Troas, Saint Ignatius sailed to Neapolis (in Macedonia) and then to Philippi.

On the way to Rome Saint Ignatius visited several churches, teaching and guiding the Christians there. He also wrote seven epistles: to the churches of Ephesus, Magnesia, Tralles, Rome, Philadelphia, and Smyrna. He also addressed a letter to Saint Polycarp, who mentions a collection of the letters of Saint Ignatius in his letter to the Philippians (Ch. 13). Saint Irenaeus of Lyons quotes from Saint Ignatius’s letter to the Romans (AGAINST HERESIES 5:28:4). All these letters have survived to the present day.

The Roman Christians met Saint Ignatius with great joy and profound sorrow. Some of them hoped to prevent his execution, but Saint Ignatius implored them not to do this. Kneeling down, he prayed together with the believers for the Church, for love between the brethren, and for an end to the persecution against Christians.

On December 20, the day of a pagan festival, they led Saint Ignatius into the arena, and he turned to the people: “Men of Rome, you know that I am sentenced to death, not because of any crime, but because of my love for God, by Whose love I am embraced. I long to be with Him, and offer myself to him as a pure loaf, made of fine wheat ground fine by the teeth of wild beasts.”

After this the lions were released and tore him to pieces, leaving only his heart and a few bones. Tradition says that on his way to execution, Saint Ignatius unceasingly repeated the name of Jesus Christ. When they asked him why he was doing this, Saint Ignatius answered that this Name was written in his heart, and that he confessed with his lips Him Whom he always carried within. When the saint was devoured by the lions, his heart was not touched. When they cut open the heart, the pagans saw an inscription in gold letters: “Jesus Christ.” After his execution Saint Ignatius appeared to many of the faithful in their sleep to comfort them, and some saw him at prayer for the city of Rome.

Hearing of the saint’s great courage, Trajan thought well of him and stopped the persecution against the Christians. The relics of Saint Ignatius were transferred to Antioch (January 29), and on February 1, 637 were returned to Rome and placed in the church of San Clemente.

REPOSE OF THE RIGHTEOUS JOHN OF KRONSTADT (1908)

Saint John of Kronstadt was born in the village of Sura in Archangel province on October 19, 1829, and was called John in honor of Saint John of Rila (August 18). His parents were very poor but were very devoted to the Church. Even though he was poor, as a young boy John learned to feel compassion for others in their misfortune. His neighbors frequently asked him to pray for them as they noticed this special grace-endowed gift in him. When John was ten, his parents were able to raise some money and send him to the local school, which was attached to the church. At first, the boy had a tough time with his studies. He worked for days on end but still failed to keep up.

Writing about his life he once recalled an evening when everyone had already gone to bed. “I could not sleep, and I still failed to understand anything I was taught. I still read poorly and could not remember anything I was told. I became so depressed I fell to my knees and began to pray. I don’t know whether I had spent a long time in that position or not, but suddenly something shook my whole being. It was as if a veil had fallen from my eyes, and my mind had been opened, and I remembered clearly my teacher of that day and his lesson. I also recalled the topic and the examples he had given. I felt so light and joyous inside.” After this experience he did so well he became one of the first in his class to be chosen to go to seminary, and after seminary to the Theological Academy in Saint Petersburg (a great honor at that time).

Throughout his studies, John thought about the importance of forgiveness, meekness, and love, and came to believe that these were the very center and power of Christianity, and that only one path—the path of humble love—leads to God and the triumph of His righteousness. He also thought a great deal about the Savior’s death on the Cross at Golgotha, and pitied those who did not know Jesus Christ. He wished to preach to them about His death and Resurrection. He dreamed about becoming a missionary to distant China, but saw that there was a great deal of work for a genuine pastor of Christ’s flock both in his own city and the surrounding towns.

When John graduated from the Academy he met Elizabeth Nesvitsky who lived in the town of Kronstadt. They dated, he proposed, and they were married. After his studies, John still desired to learn more about his faith and his Church.

It was in this frame of mind that he prepared to be a priest and to enter public ministry. He was ordained a deacon on December 10, 1855, and then priest on December 12. He was assigned to Saint Andrew’s Cathedral in the city of Kronstadt. He said, “I made myself a rule to be as sincere as possible in my work, and of strictly watching myself and my inner life.”

Father John wanted most of all to earn the love of the people in his care, because only a loving attitude could provide the firm support and help he needed as he faced the difficult work of the priesthood. His constant thought was how he would come before the Last Judgment and have to give an account, not only for his own deeds, but also the deeds of his flock, for whose education and salvation he was responsible. To him no one was a stranger; everyone who came to him for help became a friend and relative. He would tell people “The Church is the best heavenly friend of every sincere Christian.” He conducted divine services daily and offered the prayers of the faithful. He called all who rarely receive Holy Communion to prepare themselves and live their lives in a Christian way so that they could receive more often. Listening to Father John, many people changed their lifestyle, repented sincerely, and joyfully received Holy Communion on a regular basis.

At that time the government exiled murderers, thieves and other criminals to Kronstadt. Life was horrible for the exiles. Even children of exiles would become thieves and criminals. He would go to their dugouts, hovels and shacks to visit with them. Not satisfied with staying for five or ten minutes to administer some rite and then leave, Father John believed he was coming to visit a priceless soul, his brothers and sisters. He would stay for hours, talking, encouraging, comforting, crying, and rejoicing together with them.

From the beginning he also concerned himself with the material needs of the poor. He would shop for food, go to the pharmacy for prescriptions, to the doctor for help, many times giving the poor his last few coins. The inhabitants of Kronstadt would see him returning home barefoot and without his cassock. Often parishioners would bring shoes to his wife, saying to her, “Your husband has given away his shoes to someone, and will come home barefoot.” He would also write articles for the newspaper exhorting the people of Kronstadt to “support the poor morally and materially.” These appeals touched the hearts of many and Father John organized many charitable efforts. Realizing that his individual charity was insufficient for aiding the needy, he founded the Orthodox Christian House Parish Trusteeship of Saint Andrew the First-Called. This brotherhood coordinated many charitable efforts throughout the city and helped many needy people.

In 1857, he began teaching in the local city schools. He would tell people, “If children cannot listen to the Gospel, it is only because it is taught like any other subject, with boredom and indifference. Such teaching defeats the purpose of the Gospel. It fails because it forces students only to read words and memorize them instead of making them live in their lives.” To Father John there were no incapable students. He taught in such a way that poor pupils as well as good ones were able to understand. His attention was aimed not so much at forcing students to memorize as to fill their souls with the joy of living according to Christian values, sharing with them the holy thoughts which filled his soul.

When speaking to other priests about their vocation he would say, “You are a representative of the faith of the Church, O priest; you are a representative of Christ the Lord Himself. You should be a model of meekness, purity, courage, perseverance, patience, and lofty spirit. You are doing the work of God and must not let anything discourage you.”

Saint John has performed more miracles than almost any other saint, with the possible exception of Saint Nicholas. Through his prayers he healed the sick, gave hope to the hopeless, and brought sinners to repentance.

Father John labored endlessly in his work for the Lord preaching, teaching, and helping those in need. Having spent his entire life serving God and His people, Father John fell ill and died on December 20, 1908. Almost immediately, people from near and far began to make pilgrimages to the monastery where he was buried. Even today millions of Orthodox Christians in Russia and around the world pray to him to intercede for them as he had always done from his childhood.

Saint John was glorified by the Russian Orthodox Church on June 8, 1990.

Titus 1:5-2:1

5 For this reason I left you in Crete, that you should set in order the things that are lacking, and appoint elders in every city as I commanded you- 6 if a man is blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of dissipation or insubordination. 7 For a bishop must be blameless, as a steward of God, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, 8 but hospitable, a lover of what is good, sober-minded, just, holy, self-controlled, 9 holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught, that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who contradict. 10 For there are many insubordinate, both idle talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision, 11 whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole households, teaching things which they ought not, for the sake of dishonest gain. 12 One of them, a prophet of their own, said, "Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons." 13 This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith, 14 not giving heed to Jewish fables and commandments of men who turn from the truth. 15 To the pure all things are pure, but to those who are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure; but even their mind and conscience are defiled. 16 They profess to know God, but in works they deny Him, being abominable, disobedient, and disqualified for every good work.

1 But as for you, speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine:

Matthew 5:14-19

14 You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. 17 Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. 18 For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled. 19 Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

#orthodoxy #orthodoxchristianity #easternorthodoxchurch #originofchristianity #spirituality #holyscriptures #gospel #bible #wisdom #saints

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anastpaul · 7 months ago

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One Minute Reflection – 5 September – “The Month of The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary and The Holy Cross” – t Lawrence Justinian (1381-1455) Bishop of Venice, Confessor – Ecclesiasticus 44:16-27; 45:3-20, Matthew 25:14-23 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/ “Well done, good and faithful servant … Enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.”- Matthew 25:21 REFLECTION – “The Word of the Father, Only-begotten Son of God, Sun of Justice (Mal 3:20), is the great Merchant Who has brought us the price of our redemption. It is a truly precious exchange which we can never value sufficiently, when a King, Son of the King Most High, has become the Coin, the Gold has paid our dues, the Just Man is given for the sinner. Truly unmerited mercy, perfectly disinterested love, astonishing goodness…, it is a completely disproportionate purchase, in which the Son of God is delivered up for the servant, the Creator is put to death for the one He has created, the Lord is condemned for His slave. O Christ, these are Thine Works, Thou Who descended from Heaven’s brightness into our hellish darkness, to bring light to our gloomy prison. Thou came down from the Right Hand of the Divine Majesty, into our human misery, to redeem the human race, Thou Who descended from the Father’s glory to death on the Cross, to triumph over death and its author. Thou art the only One and there is no other but Thee Who could have been drawn to redeem us through Thine Own Goodness… Let all the merchants of Teman (Bar 3:23) withdraw from this place … it is not they but Israel [Thy] beloved whom [Thou hast] chosen, Thou Who hide these mysteries from the wise and prudent and have revealed them to those babes and humble servants of Thine (Lk 10:21) … O Lord, I willingly embrace this purchase since it concerns me!… I remember all the things Thou hast done, Thou Who desire that I should keep them alive … Therefore, I shall profit by this talent which Thou hast lent to me until Thy return and will stand before Thee with great joy. O God, grant that I may then hear these sweet words: “Well done, good and faithful servant! Enter thou into the joy of thy Lord” (Mt 25:21).” – St Bernard O.Cist. (1091-1153) Cistercian Monk, known as the Last Father and the Mellifluous Doctor of the Church (Selected sermons, no 42: The Five Purchases).

(via One Minute Reflection – 5 September – “Well done, good and faithful servant … Enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.”- Matthew 25:21 – AnaStpaul)

#catholic #catholicism #anastpaul #christianity #roman catholic #prayers

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outside-for-the-first-time · 3 months ago

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You have to answer all the music asks too! Mwahahaha!

I didn’t realize how evil this was until I started it. anyways let’s get into it 😤

1 - a song you like with a color in the title

Blue Magnolia by Electrophunk, David Ramirez

2 - a song you like with a number in the title

1979 by The Smashing Pumpkins

3 - a song that reminds you of summertime

Home by Good Neighbours

4 - a song that reminds you of someone you’d rather forget about

McKenzie by Houndmouth

5 - a song that needs to be played loud

The Dog Is Mine by K-OS

6 - a song that makes you want to dance

Mambo No. 5 by Lou Bega

7 - a song to drive to

Colored Emotions by Night Moves

8 - a song about drugs or alcohol

Whitehouse Road by Tyler Childers

9 - a song that makes you happy

You Get What You Give by New Radicals

10 - a song that makes you sad

Poppies by Flipturn

11 - a song that you never get tired of

Grease - From “Grease” by Frankie Valli

12 - a song from your preteen years

Title and Registration by Death Cab for Cutie

13 - one of your favorite 80s songs

Love Shack by The B-52s

14 - a song that you would love played at your wedding

Space and Time by Tyler Childers

15 - a song that is covered by another artist

Time > Breathe Reprise > by Greensky Bluegrass

16 - one of your favorite classical songs

Nutcracker, Op. 71, Act I, Scene II: March by The City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra, Friedmann Riehle

17 - a song that you would sing a duet with on karaoke

Home by Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros

18 - a song from the year you were born

What’s My Age Again? By Blink-182

19 - a song that makes you think about life

Blue Healer by Birdtalker

20 - a song that has many meanings to you

Broken Bells by Greta Van Fleet

21 - a favorite song with a persons name in the title

Jenny Jenkins by Mt. Joy

22 - a song that moves you forward

DARE by Gorillaz

23 - a song that you think everybody should listen to

No Smoke by Bendigo Fletcher

24 - a song by a band you wish were still together

Always Alright by Alabama Shakes

25 - a song by an artist no longer living

The Sounds of Science by the Beastie Boys (technically only Yauch is dead but)

26 - a song that makes you want to fall in love

All Again by Charles Wesley Godwin

27 - a song that breaks your heart

Montreal by The Ghost of Paul Revere

28 - a song by an artist with a voice you love

YAH. by Sego, Vacationer

29 - a song that you remember from your childhood

Can’t Get You Out of My Head by Kylie Minogue

30 - a song that reminds you of yourself

Kids by Current Joys

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hiswordsarekisses · 7 months ago

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‼️”Not long ago, a friend of mine made a major decision that eventually led to the breakup of his family. I spoke with the friend about the wrong thinking that was controlling his actions. His reply was the common Christian retort: “Well, I’ve prayed, and I have peace about it.”

I was shocked by his response. I could not see how a mature believer could claim, that as an answer to prayers for wisdom needed in a tough situation, the Lord had supplied “peace” toward a course of action that was in contradiction to the Scriptures.

The Lord offers to provide supernatural relief from anxieties to those who seek him in prayer: “And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:7). But this promise is often wrongly used as a way to feel a sense of “peace” about what one has determined for himself to be the will of God.

We impose the notion of “God’s peace” on these desires (even when they contradict Scripture) because they will lead to the absence of pain. God’s will, in contrast, tends to involve harder paths that demand suffering and endurance.

When a marriage struggles with intimacy, it is easy to envy the friend who left his marriage and appears to be happy in an adulterous relationship. This type of friend cannot be a measure for determining the will of God, because he is living in sin. Rather, the Christian friend enduring a less-than-perfect-marriage with joy is the one you should seek. We should go to such friends and share the depth of our suffering so that they can walk with us through our trials.

Whenever we are in pain (mentally, physically, or emotionally), and we want to be free from that pain, we must beware of our desires affecting how we “hear” the voice of God. We have to base it only on the Word of God and not our feelings. If we do not hold our decisions to the standard of God's Word, any peace or joy that we think we are experiencing outside of God's will is a deception that will not and cannot ever last.

Our Lord Jesus, with a full understanding of the wrath facing him at the Cross, came to a settled decision in prayer: “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will” (Mt. 26:42). By embracing suffering rather than letting it be the missing piece in determining God’s will, he was able to provide us the peace we need to endure our trials as the will of God.

~ Eric C. Redmond

Father I pray You renew my mind and thoughts and align them with Your Will, according to Your Word.

Saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.” Luke22:42

Give thanks in ALL circumstances; for THIS is the WILL OF GOD for you. 1stThessalonians 5:18

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah29:11

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Proverbs3:5-6

Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand. Proverbs19:21

Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. Ephesians5:17

If anyone's will is to do God's will, he will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on my own authority. John7:17

But seek first the kingdom of God (which is His will) and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Matthew6:22

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amayarikku · 9 months ago

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Sims 4 Inside Out 2 Legacy Challenge

Created by: Amayarikku

Rules

You should use the color or colors that are given with each gen with there looks and in there home.

Complete aspirations and careers for each generation.

You are permitted to do the generations in any order you would like except for generation 10

Each Generation can be what gender you would like them to be.

You can choose whatever names you would like.

no cheats are allowed

mods and cc can be used

Gen 1: Joy Traits: Cheerful, Loyal, Good

Aspiration: Friend of The World Career: Doctor

Colors: Yellow, Blue, Green

This generation should begin with a tiny home. Then as you move up in career, you can add more to the home. This Ge:n can marry, but must marry someone good/cheerful. Must have at least 2 kids.

Gen 2: Sadness Traits: gloomy, bookworm, geek

Aspiration: Nerd Brain Career: Writer Color: Blue

This gen cannot marry until aspiration and career are at max. This gen has relationships until then that just never seem to work, which is part of the reason for sadness. Cannot have more then 1 child.

Gen 3: You can have a werewolf for this gen if you would like to. Of Course, the gen still has to be an heir from Sadness. This generation represents anger.

Traits: Hotheaded, Mean, Ambitious Aspiration: Deviance

Career: Criminal Color: Red For this generation relationship status and amount of children is up to you.

Gen 4: Can be an alien if you choose. This gen represents fear.

Color: Purple Traits: Paranoid, Non-Committal, Clumsy

Aspiration: Academic/Serial Romantic either is fine.

Career: Business This generation is scared of relationships. This generation must either adopt or have a science baby.

Gen 5: Disgust Color: Green Traits: Jealous, high maintenance, over-achiever Aspiration: City Native (If you do not have this expansion pack, then choose the Fortune Aspiration)

Career: Style Influencer You can choose who this gen marries and the number of kids.

Gen 6: Anxiety Color: Orange Traits: Erratic, perfectionist, Active

Aspiration: Bodybuilder Career: Athletic

This gen must marry and have at least 4 children.

Gen 7: Envy Color: Turquoise Traits: Jealous, Self-Absorbed, Insider Aspiration: World Famous Celebrity Career: Actress

You do not have to max out career if you choose actress. If you do not have the Get Famous Pack, choose Freelance Botanist for the aspiration and gardener for the career. Max the Gardener Career.

Gen 8: Boredom Color: Violet Traits: unflirty, lazy, hates children

Career: Tech Guru Aspiration: Computer Whiz

No relationships

This gen must have a science baby.

Generation 9: Embarrassment Color: Pink Traits: Loner, Socially Awkward, glutton Aspiration: Master Chef Career: Culinary

You can choose relationship status, but can not have more than 2 children.

Gen 10: Riley You can make this character look how you would like. The house can be what you want it to be. Traits: Practice Makes Perfect/Genius, Music Lover, Adventurous

Aspiration: Can choose between Mt. Komorebi Sightseer, or Super Parent

Must marry High school Sweetheart

You do not have to max a career for this generation. You can choose to make money however you would like to.

#sims 4 legacy #sims 4 challenge #the sims 4

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gashface · 2 years ago

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Hey team,

Great to see you all out there on the field, submitting incredible edits this week! WOWIE! Thank you all for your time and thought spent on this week's edits, all of them were great!

Before we get to the results, we bid farewell to two of our beautiful models.

Mandy by @skaterboisims

And

Dawn Pepper by @bigppton-jpeg

Thank you for entering the competition, while it is sad to see you guys go, we wish you nothing but the best <3

Now onto the results! This week I was looking for themes based around the idea of a "homerun" This could be sports or even something outside the box with this phrase.

Charline Morel by @cyazurai

Baseball is one of the few sports where a fan has the opportunity to take away a physical memory. A moment frozen in time, in the form of a baseball. When a foul ball sails through the air, up, up over the heads of players and fans alike, an excited fan has the opportunity to pluck it straight out of the air (as long as it doesn’t crash into their face first). Some bring catcher’s mitts to increase their odds of being The One to catch the ball, and others improvise with baseball caps. Some are young, some are old, but the wonder in their eyes is all the same. Because that ball is undeniably special - it was a part of the action. A piece of the game, broken free, for someone to catch. Something that almost every player has interacted with - even the team you aren’t there to see. That ball embodies the hopes and dreams of every player on that field, as well as every single fan in the stands, and when a fan catches it they feel a rush of emotion. Excitement. Joy. Disbelief. Then they have the choice whether to keep that joy and excitement all to themselves, or give it away to a younger fan and spread the joy. No matter what, catching a foul ball can be a magical experience for fans, and make them feel like they were the ones to hit the Home Run.

POINTS

ORIGINALITY: 5/10

STORY: 8/10

EXECUTION: 9/10

STYLE: 8/10

Parker Winston by @morgynemberisagenderfluiddaddy

As a vampire hunter, I like to get a little creative with my weapons. A silver barbed bat might not be the most effective, but it pisses of the vamps, it amuses the hell outta me, and hey they call me a vampire bat for a reason. Also, for those wondering; yeah, I pitch as good as I hit ;) Swing batter, batter! - Parker <3

POINTS

ORIGINALITY: 5/10

STORY: 7/10

EXECUTION: 9/10

STYLE: 8/10

Ember Arendse by @wolfrynn313

Ember: "When I saw this week's prompt I thought: Well I don't know my way around a 'Homerun!', but I do know my way around a K.O! My Dad made it his personal mission to make sure that my brothers and I knew how to defend ourselves should we ever need to. I decided to have some action shots taken f.t my younger brother Phoenix." (Disclaimer, no siblings were harmed in the making of this shoot)

POINTS

ORIGINALITY: 8/10

STORY: 7/10

EXECUTION: 7/10

STYLE: 6/10

Babylon Fleur Beppu by @everythingtapioca

Babylon, a petite girl with a fiery spirit, had an unbreakable love for basketball. Despite her size, she dribbled with determination, her tiny frame swiftly dodging towering opponents. The court became her sanctuary, where she defied stereotypes and soared through the air like a shooting star. Every bounce of the ball echoed her dreams. With relentless dedication, she practised tirelessly, her passion igniting a fire within. And when the final buzzer sounded, Babylon's unwavering spirit shone brightly. She may have been small, but her love for the game was colossal. In the world of basketball, she stood tall, inspiring others to reach for the stars.

POINTS

ORIGINALITY: 8/10

STORY: 6/10

EXECUTION: 7/10

STYLE: 7/10

Eli Sims by @simsinfinitylt

Eli Sims, a renowned model, was photographed this morning enjoying the Mt. Komorebi mountains. Onlookers can confirm she was like a pro in the board, and everyone was very impressed. It seems Ms Sims was so confident in her skill she was riding the Ludicrous section of the mountain. In other news, after 6 years of the disappearance of Elizabeth Gil, daughter of the owners of Gil Fashion House, her parents are now addressing the matter and they have declared they hired a private investigator to look for their daughter.

POINTS

ORIGINALITY: 8/10

STORY: 5/10

EXECUTION: 8/10

STYLE: 9/10

Dillion Carter @mewo-ita

(Home run as in running away inside your home) A once cheerful and beloved doll, Penny Cheerful— is possessed by an entity taking on the appearance of a cake accessory. Her soul is snuffed as it uses the doll’s body to rampage the other toys, causing them to run away in terror from both their former best friend and their toybox home.

POINTS

ORIGINALITY: 10/10

STORY: 8/10

EXECUTION: 7/10

STYLE: 8/10

Su-Yen by @dododoesstuffs

I wanted to do a skateboard but I could find good stuff and I still had some skates. So why not combine two of Su-Yen’s hobbies, dancing and skateboarding, and do dancing on skates.

POINTS

ORIGINALITY: 8/10

STORY: 5/10

EXECUTION: 6/10

STYLE: 7/10

Good work everyone! I was very impressed with everyone's edits, once again I want to emphasise please don't let a number define you~! I want people to think outside the box and just have fun ya know! Thank you to everyone who submitted this week, it was so lovely reading all the stories and just seeing how creative you all are~

INFORMATION FOR THE NEXT PROMPT WILL BE RELEASED AROUND 10:00PM AEST 1ST OF JUNE

This week's prompt hint!

That's all guys! Can't wait to see what everyone does for WEEK 3

- Buddy

#SHINE #week2 #results #ts4 competition #ts4 #sims 4 #sims4 #sims4edits #ts4edits #ts4 edit #sims 4 edit #<3

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ongolecharles · 10 months ago

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DAILY SCRIPTURE READINGS (DSR) 📚 Group, Fri June 07th, 2024 ... Thursday of the Ninth Week in Ordinary Time, Year B/Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus

Reading 1

____________

Hos 11:1, 3-4, 8c-9

Thus says the LORD:

When Israel was a child I loved him,

out of Egypt I called my son.

Yet it was I who taught Ephraim to walk,

who took them in my arms;

I drew them with human cords,

with bands of love;

I fostered them like one

who raises an infant to his cheeks;

Yet, though I stooped to feed my child,

they did not know that I was their healer.

My heart is overwhelmed,

my pity is stirred.

I will not give vent to my blazing anger,

I will not destroy Ephraim again;

For I am God and not a man,

the Holy One present among you;

I will not let the flames consume you.

Responsorial Psalm

______________

Is 12:2-3, 4, 5-6.

R. (3) You will draw water joyfully from the springs of salvation.

God indeed is my savior;

I am confident and unafraid.

My strength and my courage is the LORD,

and he has been my savior.

With joy you will draw water

at the fountain of salvation.

R. You will draw water joyfully from the springs of salvation.

Give thanks to the LORD, acclaim his name;

among the nations make known his deeds,

proclaim how exalted is his name.

R. You will draw water joyfully from the springs of salvation.

Sing praise to the LORD for his glorious achievement;

let this be known throughout all the earth.

Shout with exultation, O city of Zion,

for great in your midst

is the Holy One of Israel!

R. You will draw water joyfully from the springs of salvation.

Reading 2

____________

Eph 3:8-12, 14-19

Brothers and sisters:

To me, the very least of all the holy ones, this grace was given,

to preach to the Gentiles the inscrutable riches of Christ,

and to bring to light for all what is the plan of the mystery

hidden from ages past in God who created all things,

so that the manifold wisdom of God

might now be made known through the church

to the principalities and authorities in the heavens.

This was according to the eternal purpose

that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord,

in whom we have boldness of speech

and confidence of access through faith in him.

For this reason I kneel before the Father,

from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named,

that he may grant you in accord with the riches of his glory

to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in the inner self,

and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith;

that you, rooted and grounded in love,

may have strength to comprehend with all the holy ones

what is the breadth and length and height and depth,

and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge,

so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

Alleluia

________

Mt 11:29ab

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Take my yoke upon you, says the Lord;

and learn from me, for I am meek and gentle of heart.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

_________

1 Jn 4:10b

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

God first loved us

and sent his Son as expiation for our sins.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel

________

Jn 19:31-37

Since it was preparation day,

in order that the bodies might not remain on the cross on the sabbath,

for the sabbath day of that week was a solemn one,

the Jews asked Pilate that their legs be broken

and they be taken down.

So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first

and then of the other one who was crucified with Jesus.

But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead,

they did not break his legs,

but one soldier thrust his lance into his side,

and immediately blood and water flowed out.

An eyewitness has testified, and his testimony is true;

he knows that he is speaking the truth,

so that you also may come to believe.

For this happened so that the Scripture passage might be fulfilled:

Not a bone of it will be broken.

And again another passage says:

They will look upon him whom they have pierced.

***

FOCUS AND LITURGY OF THE WORD

One just has to open a newspaper today or watch the daily news to see a plethora of examples where the world’s darkness reveals that the light of God’s love needs to be shone more brightly. In the spirit that lives within all of us, we too may hold onto a heavy-hearted darkness about ourselves, or places where there may be stumbling blocks to God’s love truly finding a home in our hearts. So, to celebrate a day of unconditional love, a sacred love, flowing forth from the heart of Jesus, is a devotion and a day of solemnity that brings hope to our world and a joy to our hearts.

I would like to reflect a bit on why this solemnity of the Sacred Heart is a dear devotion for me and a devotion to which I owe my vocation to the priesthood recall the genesis of this devotion, and why for us it is a solemn day of celebration and a transforming devotion that will change our hearts and the heart of our world for good, for God.

First, a personal story. When I was a young boy, our home parish, Immaculate Conception in Waukegan, Illinois, had to the left of the Altar, a huge mosaic to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. I used to love to sit in front of that piece of art and was mesmerized in the connection between the love that Christ had in his eyes and the love that that exposed heart symbolized.

Second, all celebrations, like this solemnity, have their beginnings. This story, is all about heart, the heart of a nun’s story, the heart of the Jesuit’s story. heart of our story. First, the heart of a nun’s story. The place was the Visitation convent at Paray-le-Monial in France. Between 1673 and 1675, our Lord appeared three times to a contemplative nun, Margaret Mary Alacoque, showed her his heart. In the first appearance, Jesus commissioned her to spread devotion to his sacred heart. In the second, he asked for Holy Communion and a Holy Hour of Reparation.

Third, during the octave of Corpus Christi in 1675, Jesus asked her to see a special feast established in reparation to his heart for the injuries done it. He added: "Go to my servant the Jesuit Father, Claude de La Colombiére and tell him from me to do all in his power to establish this devotion and give this pleasure to my heart." And Claude did "all in his power." The young Jesuit whom Jesus identified to Margaret Mary as "my faithful servant and perfect friend" preached the devotion to the end of his short life. (source: https://www.ewtn.com/catholicism/library/the-revelation-of-the-sacred-heart-of-jesus-paral-le-monial-france-13719.

This devotion remains a devotion that is promoted and defended in the Society of Jesus to this day. even though celebrated with remains alive in the Society. In a more recent Jesuit General Congregation (General Congregation 35, 2008) the Jesuits stressed and emphasized promoting Christ’s sacred heart when it proclaims, “Nothing could be more desirable and more urgent today, since the heart of Christ burns with love for this world, with all its troubles, and seeks companions who can serve it with him.”

And finally, Christ’s sacred heart and us. And so, what’s wrong with a little devotion, why has it become an outmoded practice. The word devotion is a word of affection, of love, of knowing that someone is so in love with us they are devoted to us, and in return we, in our love for them, and the things that represent them, like the Sacred Heart of Jesus, we are so in love, so devoted to them. So, the heart of Christ, as well as our own hearts, symbolizes something wonderful, something that is about the lifeblood flowing through our veins yes, but also, of what is and should be the heart of our faith, the heart of our very life, and this, this is love divine.

For love has the power to transform our very lives, to transform our world, in radical and wonderful ways, away from our own brokenness and need for healing, and into those places in this world that still live in darkness, oppression, hatred, and injustice, so that these places, these hearts of ours can feel too love’s clear promise of heaven. We recollect this image of Christ’s sacred heart, and see there a love given freely, a love fraught with all meaning, and see Christ’s love encouraging us to be brave, to not be afraid, for it’s only love after all.

***

SAINT OF THE DAY

Bl. Franz Jagerstatter

(May 20, 1907 – August 9, 1943)

Blessed Franz Jägerstätter’s Story

Called to fight for his country as a Nazi soldier, Franz eventually refused, and this husband and father of three daughters—Rosalie, Marie and Aloisia—was executed because of it.

Born in St. Radegund in Upper Austria, Franz lost his father during World War I and was adopted after Heinrich Jaegerstaetter married Rosalia Huber. As a young man, he loved to ride his motorcycle and was the natural leader of a gang whose members were arrested in 1934 for brawling. For three years he worked in the mines in another city and then returned to St. Radegund, where he became a farmer, married Franziska and lived his faith with quiet but intense conviction.

In 1938, he publicly opposed the German Anschluss–annexation–of Austria. The next year he was drafted into the Austrian army, trained for seven months and then received a deferment. In 1940, Franz was called up again but allowed to return home at the request of the town’s mayor. He was in active service between October 1940 and April 1941, but was again deferred. His pastor, other priests, and the bishop of Linz urged him not to refuse to serve if drafted.

In February 1943, Franz was called up again and reported to army officials in Enns, Austria. When he refused to take the oath of loyalty to Hitler, he was imprisoned in Linz. Later he volunteered to serve in the medical corps but was not assigned there.

During Holy Week Franz wrote to his wife: “Easter is coming and, if it should be God’s will that we can never again in this world celebrate Easter together in our intimate family circle, we can still look ahead in the happy confidence that, when the eternal Easter morning dawns, no one in our family circle shall be missing—so we can then be permitted to rejoice together forever.” He was transferred in May to a prison in Berlin.

Challenged by his attorney that other Catholics were serving in the army, Franz responded, “I can only act on my own conscience. I do not judge anyone. I can only judge myself.” He continued, “I have considered my family. I have prayed and put myself and my family in God’s hands. I know that, if I do what I think God wants me to do, he will take care of my family.”

On August 8, 1943, Franz wrote to Fransizka: “Dear wife and mother, I thank you once more from my heart for everything that you have done for me in my lifetime, for all the sacrifices that you have borne for me. I beg you to forgive me if I have hurt or offended you, just as I have forgiven everything…My heartfelt greetings for my dear children. I will surely beg the dear God, if I am permitted to enter heaven soon, that he will set aside a little place in heaven for all of you.”

Franz was beheaded and cremated the following day. In 1946, his ashes were reburied in St. Radegund near a memorial inscribed with his name and the names of almost 60 village men who died during their military service. He was beatified in Linz on October 26, 2007. His “spiritual testament” is now in Rome’s St. Bartholomew Church as part of a shrine to 20th-century martyrs for their faith. Blessed Franz’s liturgical feast is celebrated on August 9.

***

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