Happy New Year

Happy New Year. May this year brings to you and everyone you love good health and abundant success. God bless you all.

Pal Ron

"Elijah must first come"

Saturday, 12 December 

"Elijah must first come"

Gospel Reading: Matthew 17:9a,10-13
Alternate reading: Luke 1:26-38

And as they were coming down the mountain the disciples asked him, "Then why do the scribes say that first Elijah must come?" He replied, "Elijah does come, and he is to restore all things; but I tell you that Elijah has already come, and they did not know him, but did to him whatever they pleased. So also the Son of man will suffer at their hands." Then the disciples understood that he was speaking to them of John the Baptist.

Old Testament Reading: Sirach 48:1-4,9-11 (deutero-canonical)

Then the prophet Elijah arose like a fire, and his word burned like a torch. He brought a famine upon them, and by his zeal he made them few in number. By the word of the Lord he shut up the heavens, and also three times brought down fire. How glorious you were, O Elijah, in your wondrous deeds! And who has the right to boast which you have? You who were taken up by a whirlwind of fire, in a chariot with horses of fire; you who are ready at the appointed time, it is written, to calm the wrath of God before it breaks out in fury, to turn the heart of the father to the son, and to restore the tribes of Jacob. Blessed are those who saw you, and those who have been adorned in love; for we also shall surely live.
 

Meditation

God gives signs to show what he is about to do. John the Baptist is one such sign, who pointed to Jesus and prepared the way for his coming. John fulfilled the essential task of all the prophets: to be fingers pointing to Jesus Christ. John is the last and greatest prophet of the old kingdom, the old covenant. The Jews expected that when the Messiah would come, Elijah would appear to announce his presence. John fills the role of Elijah and prepares the way for the coming of Jesus Christ by preaching a baptism of repentance and renewal.

As watchful servants, we, too must prepare for the Lord's coming again by turning away from sin and from everything that would keep us from pursuing his will. Are you eager to do God's will and are you prepared to meet the Lord Jesus when he returns in glory?

"Lord Jesus, stir my zeal for your righteousness and for your kingdom. Free me from complacency and from compromising with the ways of sin and worldliness that I may be wholeheartedly devoted to you and to your kingdom."
 

Psalm 80:2-3,15-19

Stir up your might, and come to save us!
Restore us, O God; let your face shine, that we may
     be saved!
the stock which your right hand planted.
     They have burned it with fire, they have cut it
     down; may they perish at the rebuke of your
     countenance!
But let your hand be upon the man of your right
     hand, the son of man whom you have made
     strong for yourself!
Then we will never turn back from you; give us life,
     and we will call on your name!
Restore us, O LORD God of hosts! let your face
     shine, that we may be saved!

 

Daily Quote from the Early Church Fathers

"They did not know this from the Scriptures, but the scribes used to tell them, and this saying was reported among the ignorant crowd, as also about Christ. Therefore the Samaritan woman also said, 'The Messiah is coming; when he comes, he will show us all things' (John 4:25). And they themselves asked John, 'Are you Elijah or the prophet?' (John 1:21). For this opinion was strong, as I said, both the one about Christ and the one about Elijah, but they did not interpret it as it should have been. For the Scriptures speak of two comings of Christ, both this one that has taken place and the future one. Paul spoke of these when he said, 'For the grace of God has appeared for the salvation of men, training us to renounce irreligion and worldly passions, and to live sober, upright and godly lives in this world' (Titus 2:11-12).

"Behold the first advent, and listen to how he declares the coming advent: 'Awaiting our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ' (Titus 2:13). The prophets also mention both advents; of the one that is second they say that Elijah will be the forerunner; John was forerunner of the first, John whom Christ also called by the name Elijah, not because he was Elijah but because he was fulfilling Elijah's ministry. For just as Elijah will be the forerunner of the second advent, so John was of the first. But the scribes, confusing these things and perverting the people, mentioned that coming alone, the second one, to the people, and said, 'If this is the Christ, Elijah ought to have come first.' That is why the disciples also say, 'Then why do the scribes say that first Elijah must come?'" (John Chrysostom, 347-407 A.D., excerpt from The Gospel of Matthew, Homily 57.1)

The Power of Prayer

First Prayer

O Great St. Joseph of Cupertino who while on earth did obtain from God the grace to be asked at your examination only the questions you knew, obtain for me a like favor in the examinations for which I am now preparing. In return I promise to make you known and cause you to be invoked.
Through Christ our Lord.
St. Joseph of Cupertino, Pray for us.
Amen. 

Second Prayer

O St. Joseph of Cupertino who by your prayer obtained from God to be asked at your examination, the only preposition you knew. Grant that I may like you succeed in the (here mention the name of Examination eg. History paper I ) examination. In return I promise to make you known and cause you to be invoked.
O St. Joseph of Cupertino pray for me
O Holy Ghost enlighten me
Our Lady of Good Studies pray for me
Sacred Head of Jesus, Seat of divine wisdom, enlighten me. 

St. Joseph of Cupertino is the patron Saint of students taking test or test takers and also pilots or people who fly alot and that can be travelers too. I can't emphasize how powerful this prayer is.

God bless you,

Pal Ronnie

By All Means Try Not to be Lonely

Although loneliness is a universal human emotion, it is deeply individual and complex, making it more than just fleeting feelings of sadness or isolation. This complexity often renders treatment challenging. Recent research highlights the profound effects of loneliness on health, underlining its significance as an "invisible epidemic."

In a study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (Nov. 23 issue), researchers, including University of Chicago psychologist and loneliness expert John Cacioppo, revealed that loneliness triggers cellular changes that can lead to illness. Building on prior studies, the research explored how chronic stress associated with loneliness disrupts the body's natural fight-or-flight response, leading to changes in white blood cell production. While white blood cells are critical for fighting infection, an overactive inflammatory response—caused by loneliness—can result in harm if left unchecked.

This phenomenon, known as Conserved Transcriptional Response to Adversity (CTRA), weakens antiviral defenses and exacerbates inflammation, leaving individuals more susceptible to infections, chronic diseases, and other health issues such as heart disease, stroke, cognitive decline, and even premature aging. According to Cacioppo, loneliness alters cellular processes, which can accelerate aging and impact overall health.

 Loneliness vs. Being Alone  

It’s important to distinguish between loneliness and solitude. Loneliness isn’t about being physically alone; it’s the *perception* of being disconnected, even in the presence of others or with a vast network of online "friends." If you enjoy solitude, your body likely isn’t experiencing the harmful effects of CTRA. However, since most people face periods of loneliness at some point in their lives, it’s essential to develop strategies to combat it.

Tips to Overcome Loneliness  

Take the Initiative

   Reaching out to others may feel overwhelming, but cultivating connections can significantly improve your mood and well-being. Even a simple "hello" can be a step toward breaking isolation.

Find or Create Common Ground

   Shared experiences can foster meaningful connections. Engaging in others' interests or discovering mutual passions can help reduce feelings of isolation.

Focus on Others

   Helping others can shift your attention away from loneliness and foster a sense of belonging. Small acts of kindness—like smiling or offering a hug—can create meaningful bonds.

Pursue a Hobby

   Filling your time with fulfilling activities helps counter loneliness. Whether it’s learning a new skill or joining a group, staying busy can improve happiness and well-being.

Commit to Social Plans

   Resist the urge to cancel plans. Attending social events or sticking to regular meetups can provide opportunities to build relationships and feel connected.

Write in a Journal

   Writing is a therapeutic outlet that can help organize thoughts and process emotions. Journaling offers a safe space to explore feelings, including loneliness, while promoting self-awareness.

While loneliness is a challenging state, actively engaging in strategies like these can foster connections, improve mental health, and mitigate its harmful effects on the body.

Uncle Sam Vs. Pfizer: The $160 Billion Battle Over Taxes, Consolidation - Money and Markets - Financial Advice | Financial Investment Newsletter — Money and Markets - Financial Advice | Financial Investment Newsletter

Uncle Sam Vs. Pfizer: The $160 Billion Battle Over Taxes, Consolidation - Money and Markets - Financial Advice | Financial Investment Newsletter — Money and Markets - Financial Advice | Financial Investment Newsletter

We Are All Slaves

I don't like to use the word slave- the idea that we aren't free makes me panic. We all deserve freedom. However, I think it would be the best term to describe the message I intend to carry to you all. If you think about it, ain't we all slaves and prisoners to the very things we do in order to get by with life? For instance, we go to work we hate by all accounts, live in houses we don't like, drive cars we don't want to, eat what we don't want to eat and, be around people we can seldom do a thing with etc and yet we have to do all these because of our short term needs and goals. Statistically over 80% of people go to work they hate and yet they would stay around and hope for retirement.
I just want to leave it here and let you think about it.

Thank you and feel free to post your comments.

Sincerely,

Pal Ron

Happy Sunday

Happy Sunday

I hope you my readers have all been doing well. I have still have a great and productive summer going thus far. It has been so great and busy so to speak such that I seldom find the time to reach out to all of you. But I just wanted to let you all know that I am sound and well and is keeping each and everyone of you in my thoughts and prayers and hope you all do the same.

Stay blessed and tuned.

Pal Ron

Quick Shot of Current Affairs By the Skimm!!!

QUOTE OF THE DAY “This book is dedicated to those readers who asked...and asked...and asked...and asked for this” – “Fifty Shades of Grey” author EL James on her new book. Stock up on rope and duct tape again — Christian Grey is back. SKIMM THIS

THINGS ON THE SUPREMES' PLAYLIST

ABERCROMBIE THE STORY Yesterday, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of a Muslim woman who was turned down for a job at Abercrombie & Fitch because she wore a head scarf.  EXPLAIN. In ’08, Samantha Elauf found out she’d been rejected for a sales job at Abercrombie because her head scarf, which Muslim women wear for religious reasons, went against the store’s “look policy.” Hairless men in swimsuits were welcome. Head scarves were not. To this Elauf said, ‘Hi, discrimination,’ and sued. Abercrombie said it didn’t reject her because she was Muslim, but because wearing anything on the head wasn’t allowed in the dress code at the time. Yesterday, the Supremes sided with Elauf. theSKIMM US law requires companies to accommodate religious practices of employees and job applicants, as long as it’s not too big of a burden on the business. Yesterday’s ruling draws a big red line under that. SKIMM THIS

FACEBOOK THE STORY  Remember that time you de-friended your high school classmate who posts scary status updates on Facebook? Yesterday, the Supremes said those rants might be OK.  COME AGAIN?  This case is about what you can and can’t post. The Court ruled in favor of a guy who was convicted of posting things his then-wife felt threatened by. He says he was just being emo, and meant no real harm. The Justices agreed, saying it’s not enough to convict someone based on a perceived threat.  theSKIMM  The Supremes, who wrestle with the everything from civil rights issues to gay marriage, now have to decode social media messages. And this verdict is a ‘like’ for free speech.  SKIMM THIS

SKIMM YOUR CANDIDATE: SEN. LINDSEY GRAHAM (R-SC), REPUBLICAN Yesterday, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) showed up to the GOP presidential pregame. ‘Get to know your candidate’ with a Guest Skimm from him. Note: Opinions are of the candidate, not the Skimm. HOMETOWN: Central, SC. FUN FACT: I drive a 2005 Crown Victoria with more than 250,000 miles on it. TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF. I'm a native of South Carolina where my parents ran a bar, a liquor store and a poolroom. I was the first person in my family to go to college. I'm retired from the Air Force after 33 years of service. Before being elected to the US Senate, I was elected to the US House of Representatives. SO, WHY SHOULD AMERICA HIRE YOU? I've never been more worried about our nation and the threats we face at home and abroad. If I'm president, I promise America that I will strengthen our nation's economy and security to keep the war against Radical Islam over there so that it doesn't come here again. WHO SHOULD WE CALL FOR A REFERENCE? The person who knows me best is my little sister Darline. WHERE DO YOU STAND ON THE FOLLOWING… THE ECONOMY. I intend to protect programs like Social Security and Medicare so they're around when you and future generations need them. [But] our economy will not thrive and create the jobs we need until we take serious steps to solve these two monumental issues - entitlement reform and leaving future generations with mountains of debt. HEALTH CARE. When my parents died, the medical bills wiped us out because we were underinsured. I don't need a lecture from anyone about health care and why we need to make it more affordable and accessible. But the Affordable Care Act is not the answer. EDUCATION AND STUDENT LOANS. I was the first in my family to attend college and I can tell you from experience that education opened doors that I could only have dreamed of. Preserving student loan programs is very important to me. WOULD YOU CHANGE ANYTHING ABOUT HOW THE US IS HANDLING THIS WHOLE ISIS THING? Absolutely. The rise of ISIS can be traced directly to three failures of Obama’s presidency: his wholesale withdrawal from Iraq, his refusal to act decisively in Syria, and his lack of follow through in Libya. RIGHT TO CHOOSE. YES OR NO? I'm pro-life. There are seven countries that allow abortions five months into a pregnancy and we're one of them. The House recently passed the pain capable bill that makes on-demand abortions at 20-weeks illegal because the child can feel pain. I'm going to bring this legislation before the Senate. GAY MARRIAGE. YES OR NO? I believe marriage is between a man and woman. There will be a court decision in the coming months and, from a legal standpoint, I'll support the court's decision. HOW MANY TIMES DO YOU HIT SNOOZE IN THE AM? I'm much more of a night owl. HOW DO YOU TAKE YOUR COFFEE? Coke Zero. SKIMM THIS  You might remember Graham from being all over cable news during the Clinton impeachment trial. Or you might remember him as the one who’s never sent an email. He has a history of being someone who can work with both sides of the aisle. On the campaign trail, he’ll be hitting President Obama’s legacy hard, especially on his foreign policy record.

REPEAT AFTER ME...

WHAT PEOPLE ARE WATCHING... China’s Yangtze River. Yesterday, a ship with more than 450 people on board capsized in a storm on the river. This morning, the bottom of the ship was still floating on the surface, and rescuers were trying to cut through it. They were reportedly able to talk to people still inside. Many of the missing passengers are elderly Chinese tourists. China’s state TV says that five people were killed, and about 15 have been rescued — including the ship’s captain and engineer. They’re now in custody.

WHAT TO SAY TO YOUR FRIEND WHO WANTS ANOTHER “PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN” MOVIE… There’s one less pirate now. British actor Michael Enright, who you might recognize as the guy standing next to Captain Jack Sparrow, has reportedly traded in his parrot for a uniform with the Kurdish People’s Protection Unit in Syria. That’s one of the groups that’s fighting against ISIS.  Enright said that graphic videos of journalist beheadings made him want to join the fight. The 51-year-old has since changed his name from Deckhand #5 to Mustafa Michael Ali. SKIMM THIS

WHAT TO SAY WHEN YOU’RE HAVING A BAD HAIR DAY... Caitlyn Jenner’s not. We all knew that Bruce Jenner was transitioning, and now we know what that looks like, thanks to a Vanity Fair cover story. Not only does Jenner identify as a woman, but she’s a hot one…who doesn’t spell her name with a K. Caitlyn pretty much broke the Internet yesterday — her new Twitter account even broke President Obama’s record for the time it took to get one million followers. Work it.  SKIMM THIS

WHAT TO SAY TO YOUR CO-WORKER WHO IS ALWAYS THE OFFICE DJ... Apple’s got something new for you. The Fruit is expected to announce a new streaming service next week at its yearly developers’ conference. It’ll reportedly offer unlimited streaming for $10 a month. Guess who else offers unlimited streaming for $10 a month? Spotify. Not a coincidence. With more than 15 million paying subscribers, Spotify’s the biggest thing in music since iTunes. Apple’s apparently ready to take back the buzz – even if it means losing business from people who still buy and download songs. Yes, they exist.  But taking on Spotify is no song and dance. Earlier this year, Jay-Z launched Tidal – an artist-owned streaming service aimed at giving musicians a bigger cut of the profits than services like Spotify. Now, it’s one of his 99 problems. SKIMM THIS

WHAT TO SAY WHEN YOUR FIANCE WANTS TO GO ON A SAFARI HONEYMOON… Lock the windows, please.   SKIMM THIS

THING TO KNOW Pont des Arts: That bridge with all the locks that everyone takes pictures of in Paris. Turns out eternal love is heavy. The locks are being taken down because of fears the bridge will collapse under all that weight, and all those couples taking selfies. Courtesy: The Skimm News Network

A quick shot courtesy NYT

View in BrowserAdd nytdirect@nytimes.comto your address book. Monday, June 1, 2015 Enjoy this newsletter? The NYT Now app for iPhone is now completely free. It’s the fastest way to catch up with the news throughout the day. Download now. The government's authority to collect bulk phone records expired. Justin Lane/European Pressphoto Agency Your Monday Briefing By ADEEL HASSAN Good morning. Here’s what you need to know: • Parts of the Patriot Act expire. Congress will most likely approve a bill to reauthorize the government’s authorityto sweep up bulk phone data in a final round of votes this week. That authority expired at 12:01 this morning in a political collision between post-9/11 terrorism policies and privacy rights. • A dozen candidates and counting. Senator Lindsey Grahamof South Carolina today becomes the ninth Republican to enter the race for the White House. Former Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley, a Democrat, began his presidential bid in Baltimore and visited Iowa and New Hampshire. And overflow crowds at SenatorBernie Sanders’s first swing through Iowawere the first evidence that Hillary Rodham Clinton could face a credible challenge in the Iowa presidential caucuses. • No relief in India. Temperatures above 110 Fahrenheit continue in parts of India today as thedeath toll from a heat wave approaches 2,200. Around the world, May was anextreme weather month. • U.S. citizens held in Yemen. Several American citizens are being detainedby the Houthis, a Shiite rebel group that controls the capital and parts of the country. Warplanes from a Saudi-led coalitionare pounding Houthi militia positionsacross the country today, according to residents there. • Baltimore violence. Three fatal shootings in Baltimoreon Sunday made May the most violent month there in more than 40 years, with 43 homicides. • At the White House. President Obama hosts King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima of the Netherlands and, later, a discussion with 75 young Southeast Asian leaders in a State Department program. • Right to carry. The governor of Texas is likely to sign legislation to allow licensed residents to carry concealed handguns in most state university buildings. MARKETS • Intel is close to clinching a takeover of fellow chipmaker Alterafor more than $15 billion, the latest sign of consolidation in the semiconductor industry. • Humana, one of the country’s largest health insurers, is weighing a potential sale of itself after having been approached by several competitors. • Wall Street stock futures are marginally higher. European indexes are mixed, and Asia ended mostly higher. OVER THE WEEKEND • Joseph R. Biden III, known as Beau, 46, the eldest son of Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr., died of brain cancer. • Secretary of State John Kerry cut short his trip to Europe after breaking a leg while cyclingin France. • Syrian Army airstrikes killed at least 70 people, most of them civilians, and wounded scores. • A Chinese admiral said the country could set up an air defense zoneabove disputed areas of the South China Sea. • An analysis by The Washington Post concluded that the rate of fatal police shootings nationwide this year is more than twicethe rate tallied by the government over the past decade. • Nepalese children returned to schools, many of which are temporary, for the first time since the earthquake there five weeks ago. • The Chicago Blackhawks reached the Stanley Cup Finalfor the third time in six seasons. They’ll play the Tampa Bay Lightningon Wednesday. • The Spanish bicycle racer Alberto Contadorclinched his second Giro d’Italia title. • A 92-year-old cancer survivor, Harriette Thompson of Charlotte, N.C., became the oldest woman to finish a marathon. • The disaster thriller “San Andreas” won at the weekend movie box office. • Catching up on TV: Episode recaps for “Game of Thrones,” “Veep” and “Silicon Valley.” NOTEWORTHY • Can we dunk them in milk? Dunkin’ Donuts starts selling Chips Ahoy doughnutsfilled with cookie dough-flavored buttercream today, targeting afternoon snackers. • An all-star day. Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer and Andy Murray have fourth-round matches at the French Opentoday. Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova are also playing (5 a.m.-1 p.m. Eastern, ESPN2; 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m., Tennis Channel). • On TV. The comedian Tracy Morganis on the “Today” show on NBC (7 a.m. Eastern). It’s his first TV appearance since being injured in a car crash last June. “American Genius,” an eight-part series on world-changing innovations, begins with two episodes (9 p.m. Eastern, National Geographic Channel). And “The Whispers,” a series about a paranormal force that manipulates children into strange behavior, debuts (10 p.m. Eastern, ABC). Steven Spielberg is co-executive producer. BACK STORY People are hitting airports for the start of what is forecast to be a record travel season. While you’re scrambling to send your last surreptitious text messages or beginning to leaf through your magazines, you may miss a curious reassurance in the mandatory safety briefing: If the oxygen masks are deployed, air will flow through the mask, but the bag may not inflate. What’s up with that? Really, those plastic bags dropping down from over your head are not actually supposed to inflate. The flow of oxygen is meant to supply a normal breathing volume. Only if you stopped breathing, or breathed very little, would the gas have a chance to stay in the bag long enough to inflate it. Happy trails. Andrea Kannapell and Victoria Shannon contributed reporting. Your Morning Briefing is published weekdays at 6 a.m. Eastern and updated on the web all morning. What would you like to see here? Contact us at briefing@nytimes.com. Want to get the briefing by email? Here’s the sign-up. ADVERTISEMENT FOLLOW NYTNOW @NYTNOW NYT Now app for iPhone Now the news keeps up with you AVAILABLE ON THE APP STORE Get more NYTimes.com newsletters »| Sign Up for the Morning Briefing newsletter » ABOUT THIS EMAIL You received this message because you signed up for NYTimes.com's NYT Now newsletter. As a member of the TRUSTe privacy program, we are committed to protecting your privacy. Unsubscribe| Manage Subscriptions| Change Your Email| Privacy Policy| Contact| Advertise Copyright 2015 The New York Times Company 620 Eighth Avenue New York, NY 10018