Lord, because Thou wast patient in Thy lifetime, in this chiefly fulfilling the commandment of Thy Father, it is fitting that I, a wretched sinner, should, according to Thy will, take all with patience; and as long as Thou pleasest support the burden of this corruptible life, in order to my salvation. For though this present life be burthensome, yet it is now become, through Thy grace, very meritorious; and by the help of Thy example and the footsteps of Thy saints, more supportable to the weak, and more lightsome.
-Bk. III, ch. xviii.
_______________
I was once working in the laundry opposite a Sister who was washing handkerchiefs, and who continually splashed me with dirty water. My first impulse was to step back and wipe my face, so that she might take the hint and be more careful; but I immediately realized how foolish it would be to throw away the treasures I was being offered, and so I concealed my annoyance. Instead of stepping aside, I made up my mind to welcome all the dirty water that came my way, so that by the end of half an hour I felt quite a taste for this novel shower-bath, and was determined to come back again to this corner where so many riches were freely given away. So you see, Mother, I am a very little soul who can only offer very little things to God, and even so, I often neglect to make the little sacrifices that bring such peace to the soul. However, I do not lose heart, but cheerfully endure a little less peace of mind, determined to be more watchful another time.
-The Story of a Soul (L'Histoire d'une Âme)
__________________
For more information, see this post.
Adapted from Just For Today(©1943 Burns & Oates)
Nihil Obstat: Reginaldus Phillips, S.T.L.,Censor deputatus
Imprimatur: Edwardus Myers, Vic. Cap.
Saturday, April 12, 2008
Meditation for April 13, Suffering
The Italian painter, Guido Reni, more commonly known as "the guide," pretended that he was able to portray Sorrow in more than three hundred ways, although it is affirmed that he did not boast of the accomplishment.
Providence is more clever than Guido Reni; it can give thousands and thousands of variations of the same sorrow, according to the infinite diversity of souls. I can expect suffering, and more than one kind of suffering. To what extent am I prepared to accept it, to profit by it, to make use of it to advance in virtue, to benefit souls, and to give greater glory to God?
I am forced to admit that I do not know how to suffer, that I often suffer reluctantly, and complain easily. St. Margaret Mary resolved to keep all her little sufferings to herself; except when her sickness was such that it was necessary to tell the infirmarian, she was happy to suffer silently headaches and slight indispositions.
Am I not a bit too quick in seeking remedies? Of course, one must be fit for one's work, and it is better to take an aspirin than have to be replaced in the classroom or office. Common sense is needed, courage is not a synonym for imprudence or lack of simplicity. Don't try, moreover, to play the heroine; acknowledge in all simplicity that you are of little account in the face of suffering.
Everything is transfigured by a good intention; a headache offered with love may save my soul.
_________________
Adapted from Meditations for Religious
by Father Raoul Plus, S.J. (© 1939, Frederick Pustet Co.)
Providence is more clever than Guido Reni; it can give thousands and thousands of variations of the same sorrow, according to the infinite diversity of souls. I can expect suffering, and more than one kind of suffering. To what extent am I prepared to accept it, to profit by it, to make use of it to advance in virtue, to benefit souls, and to give greater glory to God?
I am forced to admit that I do not know how to suffer, that I often suffer reluctantly, and complain easily. St. Margaret Mary resolved to keep all her little sufferings to herself; except when her sickness was such that it was necessary to tell the infirmarian, she was happy to suffer silently headaches and slight indispositions.
Am I not a bit too quick in seeking remedies? Of course, one must be fit for one's work, and it is better to take an aspirin than have to be replaced in the classroom or office. Common sense is needed, courage is not a synonym for imprudence or lack of simplicity. Don't try, moreover, to play the heroine; acknowledge in all simplicity that you are of little account in the face of suffering.
Everything is transfigured by a good intention; a headache offered with love may save my soul.
_________________
Adapted from Meditations for Religious
by Father Raoul Plus, S.J. (© 1939, Frederick Pustet Co.)
Gospel for Saturday, 3rd Week of Easter
From: John 6:60-69
The Disciples' Reaction
[60] Many of His (Jesus') disciples, when they heard of it, said, "This is a hard saying; who can listen to it?" [61] But Jesus, knowing in Himself that His disciples murmured at it, said to them, "Do you take offense at this? [62] Then what if you were to see the Son of Man ascending where He was before? [63] It is the Spirit that gives life, the flesh is of no avail; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. [64] But there are some of you that do not believe." For Jesus knew from the first who those were that did not believe, and who it was that should betray Him. [65] And He said, "This is why I told you that no one can come to Me unless it is granted him by the Father."
[66] After this many of the disciples drew back and no longer went with Him. [67] Jesus said to the Twelve, "Will you also go away?" [68] Simon Peter answered Him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life; [69] and we have believed, and have come to know, that You are the Holy One of God."
_______________________
Commentary:
60-62. Many of His listeners find the Eucharistic mystery completely incomprehensible. Jesus Christ requires His disciples to accept His words because it is He who has spoken them. That is what the supernatural act of faith involves--that act "whereby, inspired and assisted by the grace of God, we believe that the things which He has revealed are true; not because of the intrinsic truth of the things, viewed by the natural light of reason, but because of the authority of God Himself who reveals them, and who can neither be deceived nor deceive" (Vatican I, "Dei Filius", Chapter 3).
As on other occasions, Jesus speaks about future events to help His disciples believe: "I have told you before it takes place, so that when it does take place, you may believe" (John 14:29).
63. Jesus says that we cannot accept this mystery if we think of it in too human a way, in other words, by just seeking to indulge our senses or having too earthbound a view of things. Only someone who listens to His words and receives them as God's revelation, which is "spirit and life", is in a position to accept them.
66. The promise of the Eucharist, which caused arguments (verse 52) among Christ's hearers at Capernaum and scandalized some of them (verse 61), led many people to give up following Him. Jesus had outlined a wonderful and salvific truth, but those disciples closed themselves to divine grace; they were not ready to accept anything which went beyond their very limited horizons. The mystery of the Eucharist does call for a special act of faith. St. John Chrysostom therefore advised Christians: "Let us in everything believe God, and gainsay Him in nothing, though what it said be contrary to our thoughts and senses. [...] Let us act likewise in respect to the [Eucharistic] mysteries, not looking at the things set before us, but keeping in mind His words. For His words cannot deceive" (St. John Chrysostom, "Hom. on St. Matthew", 82).
67-71. This passage is similar to that at Capernaum where Peter again, in the name of the Twelve, takes the initiative in expressing his faith in Jesus as Messiah (cf. Matthew 16:13-20; Mark 8:27-30). Other people present may have been unbelieving, but the Apostles are not scandalized by our Lord's words: they say that they have already a deep-rooted confidence in Him; they do not want to leave Him. What St. Peter says (verse 68) is not just a statement of human solidarity but an _expression of genuine supernatural faith--as yet imperfect--which is the result of the influence of divine grace on his soul (cf. Matthew 16:17).
Although the Twelve stay with Him at this point, Judas will later betray the Master. Jesus' foreknowledge of this future infidelity throws a shadow over His joy at the loyalty of the Twelve. We Christians should be humble enough to realize that we are capable of betraying our Lord if we give up using the means He has left us to cleave to Him. St. Peter's words (verse 68) are a beautiful aspiration we can use whenever we feel tempted.
68. Simon Peter expresses the feelings of the Apostles who, through staying loyal to Jesus, are getting to know Him much better and becoming more closely involved with Him: "Seek Jesus; endeavoring to acquire a deep personal faith that will inform and direct your whole life. But, above all, let it be your commitment and your program to love Jesus, with a sincere, authentic and personal love. He must be your friend and your support along the path of life. He alone has words of eternal life" ([Pope] John Paul II, "Address to Students in Guadalajara", 30 January 1979).
69. "The Holy One of God": this is what the original text must have said, according to most of the Greek codexes and the most important early translations. "The Holy One" is one of the expressions which designate the Messiah (cf. Mark 1:24; Luke 1:35; 4:34; Acts 2:27; Psalm 16:10), or God Himself (cf. Isaiah 6:3; 43:15; 1 Peter 1:15; 1 John 2:20; etc.). The rendering "the Christ, the Son of God" found in some translations, including the Vulgate, is supported by less important Greek manuscripts, and would seem to be an explanation of the messianic significance of the original phrase.
___________________________
Source: "The Navarre Bible: Text and Commentaries". Biblical text taken from the Revised Standard Version and New Vulgate. Commentaries made by members of the Faculty of Theology of the University of Navarre, Spain. Published by Four Courts Press, Kill Lane, Blackrock, Co. Dublin, Ireland. Reprinted with permission from Four Courts Press and Scepter Publishers, the U.S. publisher.
The Disciples' Reaction
[60] Many of His (Jesus') disciples, when they heard of it, said, "This is a hard saying; who can listen to it?" [61] But Jesus, knowing in Himself that His disciples murmured at it, said to them, "Do you take offense at this? [62] Then what if you were to see the Son of Man ascending where He was before? [63] It is the Spirit that gives life, the flesh is of no avail; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. [64] But there are some of you that do not believe." For Jesus knew from the first who those were that did not believe, and who it was that should betray Him. [65] And He said, "This is why I told you that no one can come to Me unless it is granted him by the Father."
[66] After this many of the disciples drew back and no longer went with Him. [67] Jesus said to the Twelve, "Will you also go away?" [68] Simon Peter answered Him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life; [69] and we have believed, and have come to know, that You are the Holy One of God."
_______________________
Commentary:
60-62. Many of His listeners find the Eucharistic mystery completely incomprehensible. Jesus Christ requires His disciples to accept His words because it is He who has spoken them. That is what the supernatural act of faith involves--that act "whereby, inspired and assisted by the grace of God, we believe that the things which He has revealed are true; not because of the intrinsic truth of the things, viewed by the natural light of reason, but because of the authority of God Himself who reveals them, and who can neither be deceived nor deceive" (Vatican I, "Dei Filius", Chapter 3).
As on other occasions, Jesus speaks about future events to help His disciples believe: "I have told you before it takes place, so that when it does take place, you may believe" (John 14:29).
63. Jesus says that we cannot accept this mystery if we think of it in too human a way, in other words, by just seeking to indulge our senses or having too earthbound a view of things. Only someone who listens to His words and receives them as God's revelation, which is "spirit and life", is in a position to accept them.
66. The promise of the Eucharist, which caused arguments (verse 52) among Christ's hearers at Capernaum and scandalized some of them (verse 61), led many people to give up following Him. Jesus had outlined a wonderful and salvific truth, but those disciples closed themselves to divine grace; they were not ready to accept anything which went beyond their very limited horizons. The mystery of the Eucharist does call for a special act of faith. St. John Chrysostom therefore advised Christians: "Let us in everything believe God, and gainsay Him in nothing, though what it said be contrary to our thoughts and senses. [...] Let us act likewise in respect to the [Eucharistic] mysteries, not looking at the things set before us, but keeping in mind His words. For His words cannot deceive" (St. John Chrysostom, "Hom. on St. Matthew", 82).
67-71. This passage is similar to that at Capernaum where Peter again, in the name of the Twelve, takes the initiative in expressing his faith in Jesus as Messiah (cf. Matthew 16:13-20; Mark 8:27-30). Other people present may have been unbelieving, but the Apostles are not scandalized by our Lord's words: they say that they have already a deep-rooted confidence in Him; they do not want to leave Him. What St. Peter says (verse 68) is not just a statement of human solidarity but an _expression of genuine supernatural faith--as yet imperfect--which is the result of the influence of divine grace on his soul (cf. Matthew 16:17).
Although the Twelve stay with Him at this point, Judas will later betray the Master. Jesus' foreknowledge of this future infidelity throws a shadow over His joy at the loyalty of the Twelve. We Christians should be humble enough to realize that we are capable of betraying our Lord if we give up using the means He has left us to cleave to Him. St. Peter's words (verse 68) are a beautiful aspiration we can use whenever we feel tempted.
68. Simon Peter expresses the feelings of the Apostles who, through staying loyal to Jesus, are getting to know Him much better and becoming more closely involved with Him: "Seek Jesus; endeavoring to acquire a deep personal faith that will inform and direct your whole life. But, above all, let it be your commitment and your program to love Jesus, with a sincere, authentic and personal love. He must be your friend and your support along the path of life. He alone has words of eternal life" ([Pope] John Paul II, "Address to Students in Guadalajara", 30 January 1979).
69. "The Holy One of God": this is what the original text must have said, according to most of the Greek codexes and the most important early translations. "The Holy One" is one of the expressions which designate the Messiah (cf. Mark 1:24; Luke 1:35; 4:34; Acts 2:27; Psalm 16:10), or God Himself (cf. Isaiah 6:3; 43:15; 1 Peter 1:15; 1 John 2:20; etc.). The rendering "the Christ, the Son of God" found in some translations, including the Vulgate, is supported by less important Greek manuscripts, and would seem to be an explanation of the messianic significance of the original phrase.
___________________________
Source: "The Navarre Bible: Text and Commentaries". Biblical text taken from the Revised Standard Version and New Vulgate. Commentaries made by members of the Faculty of Theology of the University of Navarre, Spain. Published by Four Courts Press, Kill Lane, Blackrock, Co. Dublin, Ireland. Reprinted with permission from Four Courts Press and Scepter Publishers, the U.S. publisher.
Friday, April 11, 2008
Just for Today, April 12
Know that the old enemy strives by all means to hinder thy desire after good, and to divert thee from every devout exercise; namely, from the veneration of the saints; from the pious meditation of My Passion; from the profitable remembrance of thy sins; from keeping a guard upon thy own heart; and from a firm purpose of advancing in virtue.
He suggests to thee many evil thoughts, that he may weary thee out and frighten thee; that he may withdraw thee from prayer and the reading of devout books. He is displeased with humble confession; and if he could, he would cause thee to let alone communion.
-Bk. III, ch. vi.
_____________
You grieved Our Lord by not going to Holy Communion, and you distressed me. How astute the devil must be to deceive a soul in this way! He has achieved the very thing at which he was aiming. He knows that a soul that seeks God whole-heartedly cannot be drawn into sin, so he tries to make her believe that she has sinned. But even this does not satisfy him, he has something else in view...he wants to deprive Jesus of another tabernacle. As he himself cannot force an entrance into it, then he is determined that it shall remain empty. Oh! to what a sorry plight that soul is reduced! The devil has won by withdrawing a soul from Holy Communion, and Jesus weeps!
-Letters
__________________
For more information, see this post.
Adapted from Just For Today(©1943 Burns & Oates)
Nihil Obstat: Reginaldus Phillips, S.T.L.,Censor deputatus
Imprimatur: Edwardus Myers, Vic. Cap.
He suggests to thee many evil thoughts, that he may weary thee out and frighten thee; that he may withdraw thee from prayer and the reading of devout books. He is displeased with humble confession; and if he could, he would cause thee to let alone communion.
-Bk. III, ch. vi.
_____________
You grieved Our Lord by not going to Holy Communion, and you distressed me. How astute the devil must be to deceive a soul in this way! He has achieved the very thing at which he was aiming. He knows that a soul that seeks God whole-heartedly cannot be drawn into sin, so he tries to make her believe that she has sinned. But even this does not satisfy him, he has something else in view...he wants to deprive Jesus of another tabernacle. As he himself cannot force an entrance into it, then he is determined that it shall remain empty. Oh! to what a sorry plight that soul is reduced! The devil has won by withdrawing a soul from Holy Communion, and Jesus weeps!
-Letters
__________________
For more information, see this post.
Adapted from Just For Today(©1943 Burns & Oates)
Nihil Obstat: Reginaldus Phillips, S.T.L.,Censor deputatus
Imprimatur: Edwardus Myers, Vic. Cap.
Thoughts and Counsels - April 12
When you do a good action, have the intention of first pleasing God, and then of giving good example to your neighbor.
-St. Alphonsus
________________________
From Mary, Help of Christians
Part VI, Thoughts and Counsels of the Saints for Every Day of the Year
Compiled by Fr. Bonaventure Hammer, OFM (© 1909, Benziger Brothers)
-St. Alphonsus
________________________
From Mary, Help of Christians
Part VI, Thoughts and Counsels of the Saints for Every Day of the Year
Compiled by Fr. Bonaventure Hammer, OFM (© 1909, Benziger Brothers)
Meditation for April 12, On Asking for Crosses
Generosity is not temerity. Let us be ready to accept all that God sends us, but let us not be too quick to encroach upon Divine Providence in asking for ourselves a lot of supplementary suffering. In not a few cases this would be imprudent, in fact, it would be more feasible to let God direct all to His greater glory.
The blessed Carmelite, Mother Acarie, gave this advice to a religious who had asked God for her Purgatory on earth, "Take care; how do we know that we will have sufficient patience to endure all? That must be left to the disposition of God."
There may be some particular cases when certain souls might do well to ask for suffering but they require exceptional prudence and careful guidance. It will be enough for us to take the crosses of life as they come. There is excellent common sense in the words Rene Bazin puts on the lips of a sailor's wife whose daughter wished martyrdom, "You wish martyrdom, accept life as it is, that will be sufficient."
Accept life, not only for a few years, but for a lifetime, even if it is a life without exceptional crosses, life itself is a heavy cross. Accept it, accept it generously, accept in joyfully, it is a most beautiful offering.
Adapted from Meditations for Religious
by Father Raoul Plus, S.J. (© 1939, Frederick Pustet Co.)
The blessed Carmelite, Mother Acarie, gave this advice to a religious who had asked God for her Purgatory on earth, "Take care; how do we know that we will have sufficient patience to endure all? That must be left to the disposition of God."
There may be some particular cases when certain souls might do well to ask for suffering but they require exceptional prudence and careful guidance. It will be enough for us to take the crosses of life as they come. There is excellent common sense in the words Rene Bazin puts on the lips of a sailor's wife whose daughter wished martyrdom, "You wish martyrdom, accept life as it is, that will be sufficient."
Accept life, not only for a few years, but for a lifetime, even if it is a life without exceptional crosses, life itself is a heavy cross. Accept it, accept it generously, accept in joyfully, it is a most beautiful offering.
"Jesus crucified, I offer myself now for all the crosses You wish to send me. Arrange everything for Your greater glory, I accept it all. Amen."_________________
Adapted from Meditations for Religious
by Father Raoul Plus, S.J. (© 1939, Frederick Pustet Co.)
Fr Thomas P. Doyle, OP, Barred from Offering Legal Representation in St Louis
From the St Louis Review:
As the chief shepherd of the Church in the Archdiocese of St. Louis, I have the duty and moral obligation to uphold the teachings and practices of the Catholic Faith. Those teachings include the obligation of a bishop to safeguard the legal processes under which the Church operates. The decree of extra-judicial Adjudication that is printed in this week’s edition of the Review is one of many steps I have been obliged to take in the matter surrounding the situation involving the board of St. Stanislaus Kostka Corporation. Upon consideration of the facts and circumstances, it is my judgment that Father Thomas P. Doyle, OP, a priest and canon lawyer, has failed to represent two members of the St. Stanislaus Kostka Corporation board properly or effectively in connection with intra-Church legal matters.Source.
Canon law requires a process by which to address issues of internal Church discipline, faith, and Church organization, which are involved with ecclesiastical rule, custom and law. As part of that process, I have issued the Decree, under which Father Doyle is obliged to repay any money he may have received from the two board members. Additionally, I am informing Father Doyle that, with the decree, he will not be allowed to represent anyone in any Church legal proceedings in the Archdiocese of St. Louis.
The archdiocese has offered in the past, and continues to offer canonical help to all board members to ensure their fair representation and due process. The Catholic Church holds dearly the idea of justice.
Please continue to pray for all those involved.
Archbishop Raymond L. Burke
Cute...
In anticipation of the Holy Father's visit to the U.S., some are bringing to the fore numerous heretics and schismatics - demonstrating what lunacy exists among some so-called Catholics in the USA. Today's feature: Bridget Mary Meehan, (Warning, scary picture below):
Does the above statement not indicate that she truly does not believe in the Real Presence? What a deluded and confused soul!
And their (RCWP) hope and prayer is that the Church will canonize these clowns after altering the sacrament of Holy Orders.....Keep dreaming and praying, sister!
As Pope Benedict prepares to travel to the United States [arriving April 15th], he continues to uphold the church's long-standing tradition of not ordaining women as priests. Since July 2006, more than U.S. 20 women with the organization "Roman Catholic Womenpriests" have considered themselves ordained without church approval. VOA's Jeff Swicord reports on one woman in Sarasota, Florida, who says it is time for the church to openly accept women into the priesthood.Right, some "mass"....imposters playing "make-believe"....Bridget Mary Meehan is one of 24 Roman Catholic women in the United States conducting mass in defiance of church doctrine....
Meehan advertises her mass in the local newspaper in the southern coastal community of Sarasota, Florida. Her home serves as her church...."Christa?" What's that? And how about this: "It means breaking the bread and sharing the wine in the memory of Jesus as a Pascal meal."
[Meehan says,] "A priest is suppose to be in personi Christa," she says. "That does not mean taking on male identity. It means breaking the bread and sharing the wine in the memory of Jesus as a Pascal meal."
Does the above statement not indicate that she truly does not believe in the Real Presence? What a deluded and confused soul!
Meehan has conducted mass since 2006. The local archdiocese has protested her actions, but the Vatican has not sanctioned or excommunicated her. Two women in St. Louis, Missouri have been excommunicated.She's conducted something, but it certainly has not been a mass...a bread and wine party, maybe...
"I think it is very wise of the Vatican right now to take a wait and see attitude, watch the movement of the spirit in the Roman Catholic Womenpriests [RCWP] rather than condemning us,” Meehan said. “Because, one day they just might have to undo their condemnation and canonize a few of the women in the movement. At least that is our hope and our prayer."A "wait and see" attitude - Oh, please! so that we can watch the demonic spirits of the RCWP movement?
And their (RCWP) hope and prayer is that the Church will canonize these clowns after altering the sacrament of Holy Orders.....Keep dreaming and praying, sister!
Lawmaker Whines that Catholic School Snubbed Him
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — An Illinois state legislator says his former Catholic high school invited him to join the school's "Hall of Honor" in recognition of his political career — then yanked back that invitation after deciding his voting record wasn't in line with the church's positions on abortion.He apparently supported embryonic stem cell research although the Post Dispatch merely refers to stem cell research, leaving out the important descriptive term "embryonic."
"The school called me (this week) and informed me … that they had serious concerns about my voting record," said state Rep. Kurt Granberg, D-Carlyle, describing the conversation in which, he said, he was effectively un-inducted from the school's Hall of Honor, shortly after being invited into it.
"I said, 'Why is that?'" Granberg said. "They said they were very concerned I wasn't 'pro-life enough.'"
The Post then proceeds to recount numerous instances with Archbishop Burke and his praiseworthy defense of Church teaching.
As for Granberg, he said he isn't angry about Mater Dei's snub but is concerned about the message it sends regarding the separation of church and state.That small vocal minority - acting in accord with the natural moral law and the teachings of the Church? How dare they?, he seems to ask....Kudos to the school for it decision!
"I have a great deal of respect for the school and the teachers and the students … (but) I am concerned that a small vocal minority is making personal judgments … in terms of morality," said Granberg.
It's a shame that professed Catholics could be so ignorant to claim that there is a church/state separation issue, let alone vocalize that a "small minority" is making judgements regarding morality. Church teaching is very clear on these matters. One who chooses to ignore the natural moral law and Church teaching should not be surprised if others decide not to extend particular honors to him.
The Pseudo-Prayer (Diogenes)
No doubt many have already seen the "prayer" to be offered by the Pope at Ground Zero...
...By the dispensation of an inscrutable providence, the prayers specific to the occasion are of local manufacture, composed in the style favored by the USCCB...More enlightening insights here...
Let's examine it posture by posture:O God of love, compassion, and healing, look on us, people of many different faiths and traditions, who gather today at this site, the scene of incredible violence and pain."People of many faiths and traditions." Does God need to be told this? Is He to be wooed by the consideration that the "us" includes those who deny His existence or benevolence? Does it make sense to call God's attention to "incredible" (= not believable) violence?....
Gospel for Friday, 3rd Week of Easter
Optional Memorial of St. Stanislaus, bishop & martyrOld Calendar: St. Leo I, pope and doctor
From: John 6:52-59
The Discourse on the Bread of Life (Continuation)
(Jesus said to the Jews,) [52] The Jews disputed among themselves, saying, "How can this Man give us His flesh to eat?" [53] So Jesus said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you; [54] he who eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day. [55] For My flesh is food indeed, and My blood is drink indeed. [56] He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him. [57] As the living Father sent Me, and I live because of the Father, so he who eats Me will live because of Me. [58] This is the bread which came from Heaven, not such as the fathers ate and died; he who eats this bread will live for ever." This He said in the synagogue, as He taught in Capernaum.
______________________
Commentary:
49-51. The manna during the Exodus was a figure of this bread--Christ Himself--which nourishes Christians on their pilgrimage through this world. Communion is the wonderful banquet at which Christ gives Himself to us: "the bread which I shall give for the life of the world is My flesh". These words promise the manifestation of the Eucharist at the Last Supper: "This is My body which is for you" (1 Corinthians 11:24). The words "for the life of the world" and "for you" refer to the redemptive value of the sacrifice of Christ on the cross. In some sacrifices of the Old Testament, which were a figure of the sacrifice of Christ, part of the animal offered up was later used for food, signifying participation in the sacred rite (cf. Exodus 11:3-4). So, by receiving Holy Communion, we are sharing in the sacrifice of Christ: which is why the Church sings in the Liturgy of the Hours on the Feast of Corpus Christi: "O sacred feast in which we partake of Christ: His sufferings are remembered, our minds are filled with His grace and we receive a pledge of the glory that is to be ours" ("Magnificat Antiphon", Evening Prayer II).
52. Christ's hearers understand perfectly well that He means exactly what He says; but they cannot believe that what He says could be true; if they had understood Him in a metaphorical, figurative or symbolic sense there would be no reason for them to be surprised and nothing to cause an argument. Later, Jesus reaffirms what He has said--confirming what they have understood Him to say (cf. verses 54-56).
53. Once again Jesus stresses very forcefully that it is necessary to receive Him in the Blessed Eucharist in order to share in divine life and develop the life of grace received in Baptism. No parent is content to bring children into the world: they have to be nourished and looked after to enable them to reach maturity. "We receive Jesus Christ in Holy Communion to nourish our souls and to give us an increase of grace and the gift of eternal life" ("St. Pius X Catechism", 289).
54. Jesus clearly states that His body and blood are a pledge of eternal life and a guarantee of the resurrection of the body. St. Thomas Aquinas gives this explanation: "The Word gives life to our souls, but the Word made flesh nourishes our bodies. In this Sacrament is contained the Word not only in His divinity but also in His humanity; therefore, it is the cause not only of the glorification of our souls but also of that of our bodies" ("Commentary on St. John, in loc.").
Our Lord uses a stronger word than just "eating" (the original verb could be translated as "chewing") which shows that Communion is a real meal. There is no room for saying that He was speaking only symbolically, which would mean that Communion was only a metaphor and not really eating and drinking the Body and Blood of Christ.
"All these invitations, promises and threats sprang from the great desire which (Jesus) had of giving us Himself in the holy Sacrament of the altar. But why should Jesus so ardently desire us to receive Him in Holy Communion? It is because love always sighs for, and tends to a union with, the object beloved. True friends wish to be united in such a manner as to become only one. The love of God for us being immense, He destined us to possess Him not only in Heaven, but also here below, by the most intimate union, under the appearance of bread in the Eucharist. It is true we do not see Him; but He beholds us, and is really present; yes, He is present in order that we may possess Him and He conceals Himself, that we may desire Him, and until we reach our true homeland Jesus Christ wishes in this way to be entirely ours, and to be perfectly united to us" (St. Alphonsus Liguori, "The Love of Our Lord Jesus Christ Reduced to Practice", Chapter 2).
55. In the same way as bodily food is necessary for life on earth, Holy Communion is necessary for maintaining the life of the soul, which is why the Church exhorts us to receive this Sacrament frequently: "Every day, as is desirable, and in the greatest possible numbers, the faithful must take an active part in the sacrifice of the Mass, avail themselves of the pure, holy refreshment of Holy Communion and make a suitable thanksgiving in return for this great gift of Christ the Lord. Here are the words they should keep in mind: `Jesus Christ and the Church desire all Christ's faithful to approach the sacred banquet every day. The basis of this desire is that they should be united to God by the sacrament and draw strength from it to restrain lust, to wash away the slight faults of daily occurrence and to take precautions against the more serious sins to which human frailty is liable' (Decree of the S.C. of the Council, 20 December 1905)" ([Pope] Paul VI, "Mysterium Fidei").
"The Savior has instituted the most august sacrament of the Eucharist, which truly contains His flesh and His blood, so that he who eats this bread may live forever; whosoever, therefore, makes use of it often with devotion so strengthens the health and the life of his soul, that it is almost impossible for him to be poisoned by any kind of evil affection. We cannot be nourished with this flesh of life, and live with the affections of death. [...]. Christians who are damned will be unable to make any reply when the just Judge shows them how much they are to blame for dying spiritually, since it was so easy for them to maintain themselves in life and in health by eating His Body which He had left them for this purpose. Unhappy souls, He will say, why did you die, seeing that you had at your command the fruit and the food of life?" (St. Francis de Sales, "Introduction to the Devout Life", II, 20, 1).
56. The most important effect of the Blessed Eucharist is intimate union with Jesus Christ. The very word "communion" suggests sharing in the life of our Lord and becoming one with Him; if our union with Jesus is promoted by all the sacraments through the grace which they give us, this happens more intensely in the Eucharist, for in it we receive not only grace but the very Author of grace: "Really sharing in the body of the Lord in the breaking of the eucharistic bread, we are taken up into communion with Him and with one another. `Because the bread is one, we, though many, are one body, all of us who partake of the one bread' (1 Corinthians 10:17)" (Vatican II, "Lumen Gentium", 7). Precisely because the Eucharist is the sacrament which best signifies and effects our union with Christ, it is there that the whole Church manifests and effects its unity: Jesus Christ "instituted in His Church the wonderful sacrament of the Eucharist, by which the unity of the Church is both signified and brought about" (Vatican II, "Unitatis Redintegratio", 2).
57. In Christ, the Incarnate Word sent to mankind, "the whole fullness of deity, dwells bodily (Colossians 2:9) through the ineffable union of His human nature and His divine nature in the Person of the Word. By receiving in this sacrament the body and blood of Christ indissolubly united to His divinity, we share in the divine life of the second Person of the Blessed Trinity. We will never be able to appreciate enough the intimacy with God Himself--Father, Son and Holy Spirit--that we are offered in the eucharistic banquet.
"We can therefore do nothing more agreeable to Jesus Christ than to go to Communion with the dispositions suitable to so great an action, since we are then united to Jesus Christ, according to the desire of this all-loving God. I have said with `suitable' and not `worthy' disposition, for who could communicate if it was necessary to be worthy of so great a Savior? No one but a God would be worthy to receive a God. But by this word suitable, or convenient, I mean such a disposition as becomes a miserable creature, who is clothed with the unhappy flesh of Adam. Ordinarily speaking, it is sufficient that we communicate in a state of grace and with an anxious desire of advancing in the love of Jesus Christ" (St. Alphonsus Liguori, "The Love of Our Lord Jesus Christ Reduced to Practice", Chapter 2).
58. For the third time (cf. 6:31-32 and 6:49) Jesus compares the true bread of life, His own body, with the manna God used to feed the Israelites every day during their forty years in the wilderness--thereby, inviting us to nourish our soul frequently with the food of His body.
"`Going to Communion every day for so many years! Anybody else would be a saint by now, you told me, and I...I'm always the same!' Son, I replied, keep up your daily Communion, and think: what would I be if I had not gone'" ([St] J. Escriva, "The Way", 534).
_______________________
Source: "The Navarre Bible: Text and Commentaries". Biblical text taken from the Revised Standard Version and New Vulgate. Commentaries made by members of the Faculty of Theology of the University of Navarre, Spain. Published by Four Courts Press, Kill Lane, Blackrock, Co. Dublin, Ireland. Reprinted with permission from Four Courts Press and Scepter Publishers, the U.S. publisher.
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Just for Today, April 11
Well mayest thou be ashamed, if thou hast looked upon the life of Jesus Christ, that thou hast not yet studied to conform thyself more to His pattern, although thou hast been long in the way of God.
A religious man who exercises himself seriously and devoutly in the most holy life and passion of Our Lord, shall find there abundantly all things profitable and necessary for him; nor need he seek any better model than that of Jesus. Oh, if our crucified Jesus did but come into our heart, how quickly and sufficiently learned should we be!
-Bk. I, Ch. xxv:.
__________________
After her hemorrhage from the lungs in the early hours of Good Friday, she was able to persuade the Prioress that no harm would come of it, so that the latter, blind to the gravity of her condition; allowed her to perform all the penances prescribed by the Rule for that day. In the afternoon, a novice saw her cleaning windows, and noticed that she was deadly pale, and seemed exhausted in spite of her energy. The novice, who loved her, begged with tears to be allowed to ask for some restorative for her. But her young mistress strictly forbade it, saying that she ought to endure a little fatigue on the day on which Jesus had suffered for her.
It was only in May, 1897, that her sisters learned of the accident, and when Sœur Agnes de Jesus reproached her gently for having concealed it from them: "My little Mother," she said, "you can thank God that you never knew! If you had known of my condition, you would have been deeply grieved at seeing that no care was taken of me."
-The Story of a Soul (L'Histoire d'une Âme)
__________________
For more information, see this post.
Adapted from Just For Today(©1943 Burns & Oates)
Nihil Obstat: Reginaldus Phillips, S.T.L.,Censor deputatus
Imprimatur: Edwardus Myers, Vic. Cap.
A religious man who exercises himself seriously and devoutly in the most holy life and passion of Our Lord, shall find there abundantly all things profitable and necessary for him; nor need he seek any better model than that of Jesus. Oh, if our crucified Jesus did but come into our heart, how quickly and sufficiently learned should we be!
-Bk. I, Ch. xxv:.
__________________
After her hemorrhage from the lungs in the early hours of Good Friday, she was able to persuade the Prioress that no harm would come of it, so that the latter, blind to the gravity of her condition; allowed her to perform all the penances prescribed by the Rule for that day. In the afternoon, a novice saw her cleaning windows, and noticed that she was deadly pale, and seemed exhausted in spite of her energy. The novice, who loved her, begged with tears to be allowed to ask for some restorative for her. But her young mistress strictly forbade it, saying that she ought to endure a little fatigue on the day on which Jesus had suffered for her.
It was only in May, 1897, that her sisters learned of the accident, and when Sœur Agnes de Jesus reproached her gently for having concealed it from them: "My little Mother," she said, "you can thank God that you never knew! If you had known of my condition, you would have been deeply grieved at seeing that no care was taken of me."
-The Story of a Soul (L'Histoire d'une Âme)
__________________
For more information, see this post.
Adapted from Just For Today(©1943 Burns & Oates)
Nihil Obstat: Reginaldus Phillips, S.T.L.,Censor deputatus
Imprimatur: Edwardus Myers, Vic. Cap.
Thoughts and Counsels - April 11
A soul which does not practise the exercise of prayer is very like a paralyzed body which, though possessing feet and hands, makes no use of them.
-St. Alphonsus
________________________
From Mary, Help of Christians
Part VI, Thoughts and Counsels of the Saints for Every Day of the Year
Compiled by Fr. Bonaventure Hammer, OFM (© 1909, Benziger Brothers)
-St. Alphonsus
________________________
From Mary, Help of Christians
Part VI, Thoughts and Counsels of the Saints for Every Day of the Year
Compiled by Fr. Bonaventure Hammer, OFM (© 1909, Benziger Brothers)
Meditation for April 11, Inexcusable
Our Lord is ingenious in palliating faults. From the cross He excuses His executioners, They know not what they do. To the Apostles, slow in believing, He says: You cannot bear them now. (John 16:12.)
He is austere toward those whom He has called, to whom He has spoken, who have heard His voice--and who have forsaken Him. Those He calls inexcusable. At the Last Supper, speaking of the people of Palestine among whom He had lived and whom He had taught, he said, If I had not come, and spoken to them, they would not have sin; but now they have no excuse for their sin. (John 15:22.)
And I? What must my responsibility be?
Countless times, perhaps, I have resisted, I have turned a deaf ear, I have preferred not to see, I have refused to follow.
Inexcusable!
For others there may be an excuse; for me there is none. Perhaps Our Lord is loved and served generously in the world. There a moderate service suffices....What a delusion! The world forgets the Good Master, forsakes Him, refuses to serve Him or serves Him badly....And I! My service is no better than that of the world.
Inexcusable!
I have read, Of him that hath much, much shall be required.
_________________
Adapted from Meditations for Religious
by Father Raoul Plus, S.J. (© 1939, Frederick Pustet Co.)
He is austere toward those whom He has called, to whom He has spoken, who have heard His voice--and who have forsaken Him. Those He calls inexcusable. At the Last Supper, speaking of the people of Palestine among whom He had lived and whom He had taught, he said, If I had not come, and spoken to them, they would not have sin; but now they have no excuse for their sin. (John 15:22.)
And I? What must my responsibility be?
Countless times, perhaps, I have resisted, I have turned a deaf ear, I have preferred not to see, I have refused to follow.
Inexcusable!
For others there may be an excuse; for me there is none. Perhaps Our Lord is loved and served generously in the world. There a moderate service suffices....What a delusion! The world forgets the Good Master, forsakes Him, refuses to serve Him or serves Him badly....And I! My service is no better than that of the world.
Inexcusable!
I have read, Of him that hath much, much shall be required.
_________________
Adapted from Meditations for Religious
by Father Raoul Plus, S.J. (© 1939, Frederick Pustet Co.)
McDonald's Covers Its Support for Homosexual Agenda?
April 9, 2008 (LifeSiteNews.com) - Last week LifeSiteNews.com reported that the McDonalds restaurant chain had put an executive on the board of the U.S. homosexual chamber of commerce. McDonald's is now attempting to obscure the issue of their support for the homosexual agenda in an e-mail they are sending to those who contact them about the matter.Continued here...
The first point McDonald's makes is, "At McDonald's, we treat all our employees and customers with dignity and respect regardless of their ethnicity, religious beliefs, sexual orientation or any other differentiating factor."
While this may be true, it has nothing to do with the world's largest fast food chain collaborating with an organization that seeks to "advance the ideas and causes of the LGBT business community" (from the National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce website), and lobbies the U.S. Congress to enact laws that could be used to repress freedom of expression and religious freedom, and undermine the traditional meaning of marriage....
Bye, bye, Big Mac...No more 'food' from you!
Finland Pressures Nicaragua to Legalize Abortion
No legalized abortion? Then no financial aid money from the government of Finland...
Nicaraguans would do well to reject any blood money such as that offered by the pagan heathens from Finland. People like Väyrynen are nothing more than advocates and promoters of murder. Is abortion/infanticide not a crime against humanity, the senseless slaughter of millions of our most precious innocent little ones? These people are criminals, pure and simple - Worse than the average extortionist!
During his recent visit to Nicaragua to "evaluate" the state of the country, the Finnish minister of Exterior Cooperation and Trade, Paavo Väyrynen, made his desire clear: legalize abortion.Basic human rights? These sick pro-aborts have no concept of "basic human rights!"
"We are aware of the legislation that you have in Nicaragua to restrict abortion," he told the Managuan daily El Nuevo Diario on April 2. "When your Minister of Exterior Relations visited us, we talked to him about the laws that are typical of all countries regarding therapeutic abortion, and how they are a basic human right of the woman, and important for the health of pregnant women and children."
Nicaraguans would do well to reject any blood money such as that offered by the pagan heathens from Finland. People like Väyrynen are nothing more than advocates and promoters of murder. Is abortion/infanticide not a crime against humanity, the senseless slaughter of millions of our most precious innocent little ones? These people are criminals, pure and simple - Worse than the average extortionist!
What's next? a separate world, solar system, universe...?
A special graveyard has been opened for Danish homosexuals in Copenhagen where the organisation Rainbow has reserved 36 places for funeral urns, reports said....And why not? He lives in his own little fantasy world where reality and truth are ignored...and what kind of 'priest' is he?
Ivan Larsen said he and his partner, Ove Carlsen, felt they wanted to be close also after death, and co-founded Rainbow a year ago that offers its members a funeral urn site for 2,500 Danish kroner ($A567.69).
"We have our own places where we can meet and have fun, gay bars and such. That is why we wanted our own graveyard," Larsen, a priest, told public broadcaster DR....
What's next? Separate cemeteries for heterosexuals? NAMBLA members? Whites?
SF Archbishop to honor backer of Planned Parenthood and embryonic stem cell research
San Francisco’s Archbishop George Niederauer tomorrow night will honor a “philanthropist” who, in recent years, has opposed parental notification for underage girls before they have an abortion and supported public funding for embryonic stem cell research. Niederauer will present George M. Marcus with Catholic Charities CYO’s Loaves and Fishes Award at a dinner and “gala” to be held at the Westin St. Francis Hotel in San Francisco....[continued]
Gospel for Thursday, 3rd Week of Easter
From: John 6:44-51
The Discourse on the Bread of Life (Continuation)
(Jesus said to the Jews,) [44] "No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up on the last day. [45] It is written in the prophets, `And they shall all be taught by God.' Every one who has heard and learned from the Father comes to Me. [46] Not that any one has seen the Father except Him who is from God; He has seen the Father. [47] Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes has eternal life. [48] I am the bread of life. [49] Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. [50] This is the bread which comes down from Heaven, that a man may eat of it and not die. [51] I am the living bread which came down from Heaven; if any one eats of this bread, he will live for ever; and the bread which I shall give for the life of the world is My flesh."
_______________________
Commentary:
44-45. Seeking Jesus until one finds Him is a free gift which no one can obtain through his own efforts, although everyone should try to be well disposed to receiving it. The Magisterium of the Church has recalled this teaching in Vatican II: "Before this faith can be exercised, man must have the grace of God to move and assist him; he must have the interior help of the Holy Spirit, who moves the heart and converts it to God, who opens the eyes of the mind and makes it easy for all to accept and believe the truth" ("Dei Verbum", 5).
When Jesus says, "They shall all be taught by God", He is invoking Isaiah 54:13 and Jeremiah 31:33ff, where the prophets refer to the future Covenant which God will establish with His people when the Messiah comes, the Covenant which will be sealed forever with the blood of the Messiah and which God will write on their hearts (cf. Isaiah 53:10-12; Jeremiah 31:31-34).
The last sentence of verse 45 refers to God's Revelation through the prophets and especially through Jesus Christ.
46. Men can know God the Father only through Jesus Christ, because only He has seen the Father, whom He has come to reveal to us. In his prologue St. John already said: "No one has ever seen God; the only Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has made Him known" (John 1:18). Later on Jesus will say to Philip at the Last Supper: "He who has seen Me has seen the Father" (John 14:9), for Christ is the Way, the Truth and the Life, and no one goes to the Father except through Him (cf. John 14:6).
In other words, in Christ God's revelation to men reaches its climax: "For He sent His Son, the eternal Word who enlightens all men, to dwell among men and to tell them about the inner life of God (cf. John 1:1-18). Hence, Jesus Christ, sent as `a man among men', `utters thewords of God' (John 3:34), and accomplishes the saving work which the Father gave Him to do (cf. John 5:36; 17:4). To see Jesus is to see His Father (cf. John 14:9)" (Vatican II, "Dei Verbum", 4).
48. With this solemn declaration, which He repeats because of His audience's doubts, (cf. John 6:35, 41, 48), Jesus begins the second part of His discourse, in which He explicitly reveals the great mystery of the Blessed Eucharist. Christ's words have such a tremendous realism about them that they cannot be interpreted in a figurative way: if Christ were not really present under the species of bread and wine, this discourse would make absolutely no sense. But if His real presence in the Eucharist is accepted on faith, then His meaning is quite clear and we can see how infinite and tender His love for us is.
This is so great a mystery that it has always acted as a touchstone for Christian faith: it is proclaimed as "the mystery of our faith" immediately after the Consecration of the Mass. Some of our Lord's hearers were scandalized by what He said on this occasion (cf. verses 60-66). Down through history people have tried to dilute the obvious meaning of our Lord's words. In our own day the Magisterium of the Church has explained this teaching in these words" "When Transubstantiation has taken place, there is no doubt that the appearance of the bread and the appearance of the wine take on a new expressiveness and a new purpose since they are no longer common bread and common drink, but rather the sign of something sacred and the sign of spiritual food. But they take on a new expressiveness and a new purpose for the very reason that they contain a new `reality' which we are right to call "ontological". For beneath these appearances there is no longer what was there before but something quite different [...] since on the conversion of the bread and wine's substance, or nature, into the body and blood of Christ, nothing is left of the bread and the wine but the appearances alone. Beneath these appearances Christ is present whole and entire, bodily present too, in His physical `reality', although not in the manner in which bodies are present in place.
For this reason the Fathers have had to issue frequent warnings to the faithful, when they consider this august Sacrament, not to be satisfied with the senses which announce the properties of bread and wine. They should rather assent to the words of Christ: these are of such power that they change, transform, `transelement' the bread and the wine into His body and blood. The reason for this, as the same Fathers say more than once, is that the power which performs this action is the same power of Almighty God that created the whole universe out of nothing at the beginning of time" (Paul VI, "Mysterium Fidei").
49-51. The manna during the Exodus was a figure of this bread--Christ Himself--which nourishes Christians on their pilgrimage through this world. Communion is the wonderful banquet at which Christ gives Himself to us: "the bread which I shall give for the life of the world is My flesh". These words promise the manifestation of the Eucharist at the Last Supper: "This is My body which is for you" (1 Corinthians 11:24). The words "for the life of the world" and "for you" refer to the redemptive value of the sacrifice of Christ on the cross. In some sacrifices of the Old Testament, which were a figure of the sacrifice of Christ, part of the animal offered up was later used for food, signifying participation in the sacred rite (cf. Exodus 11:3-4). So, by receiving Holy Communion, we are sharing in the sacrifice of Christ: which is why the Church sings in the Liturgy of the Hours on the Feast of Corpus Christi: "O sacred feast in which we partake of Christ: His sufferings are remembered, our minds are filled with His grace and we receive a pledge of the glory that is to be ours" ("Magnificat Antiphon", Evening Prayer II).
__________________________
Source: "The Navarre Bible: Text and Commentaries". Biblical text taken from the Revised Standard Version and New Vulgate. Commentaries made by members of the Faculty of Theology of the University of Navarre, Spain. Published by Four Courts Press, Kill Lane, Blackrock, Co. Dublin, Ireland. Reprinted with permission from Four Courts Press and Scepter Publishers, the U.S. publisher.
The Discourse on the Bread of Life (Continuation)
(Jesus said to the Jews,) [44] "No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up on the last day. [45] It is written in the prophets, `And they shall all be taught by God.' Every one who has heard and learned from the Father comes to Me. [46] Not that any one has seen the Father except Him who is from God; He has seen the Father. [47] Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes has eternal life. [48] I am the bread of life. [49] Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. [50] This is the bread which comes down from Heaven, that a man may eat of it and not die. [51] I am the living bread which came down from Heaven; if any one eats of this bread, he will live for ever; and the bread which I shall give for the life of the world is My flesh."
_______________________
Commentary:
44-45. Seeking Jesus until one finds Him is a free gift which no one can obtain through his own efforts, although everyone should try to be well disposed to receiving it. The Magisterium of the Church has recalled this teaching in Vatican II: "Before this faith can be exercised, man must have the grace of God to move and assist him; he must have the interior help of the Holy Spirit, who moves the heart and converts it to God, who opens the eyes of the mind and makes it easy for all to accept and believe the truth" ("Dei Verbum", 5).
When Jesus says, "They shall all be taught by God", He is invoking Isaiah 54:13 and Jeremiah 31:33ff, where the prophets refer to the future Covenant which God will establish with His people when the Messiah comes, the Covenant which will be sealed forever with the blood of the Messiah and which God will write on their hearts (cf. Isaiah 53:10-12; Jeremiah 31:31-34).
The last sentence of verse 45 refers to God's Revelation through the prophets and especially through Jesus Christ.
46. Men can know God the Father only through Jesus Christ, because only He has seen the Father, whom He has come to reveal to us. In his prologue St. John already said: "No one has ever seen God; the only Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has made Him known" (John 1:18). Later on Jesus will say to Philip at the Last Supper: "He who has seen Me has seen the Father" (John 14:9), for Christ is the Way, the Truth and the Life, and no one goes to the Father except through Him (cf. John 14:6).
In other words, in Christ God's revelation to men reaches its climax: "For He sent His Son, the eternal Word who enlightens all men, to dwell among men and to tell them about the inner life of God (cf. John 1:1-18). Hence, Jesus Christ, sent as `a man among men', `utters thewords of God' (John 3:34), and accomplishes the saving work which the Father gave Him to do (cf. John 5:36; 17:4). To see Jesus is to see His Father (cf. John 14:9)" (Vatican II, "Dei Verbum", 4).
48. With this solemn declaration, which He repeats because of His audience's doubts, (cf. John 6:35, 41, 48), Jesus begins the second part of His discourse, in which He explicitly reveals the great mystery of the Blessed Eucharist. Christ's words have such a tremendous realism about them that they cannot be interpreted in a figurative way: if Christ were not really present under the species of bread and wine, this discourse would make absolutely no sense. But if His real presence in the Eucharist is accepted on faith, then His meaning is quite clear and we can see how infinite and tender His love for us is.
This is so great a mystery that it has always acted as a touchstone for Christian faith: it is proclaimed as "the mystery of our faith" immediately after the Consecration of the Mass. Some of our Lord's hearers were scandalized by what He said on this occasion (cf. verses 60-66). Down through history people have tried to dilute the obvious meaning of our Lord's words. In our own day the Magisterium of the Church has explained this teaching in these words" "When Transubstantiation has taken place, there is no doubt that the appearance of the bread and the appearance of the wine take on a new expressiveness and a new purpose since they are no longer common bread and common drink, but rather the sign of something sacred and the sign of spiritual food. But they take on a new expressiveness and a new purpose for the very reason that they contain a new `reality' which we are right to call "ontological". For beneath these appearances there is no longer what was there before but something quite different [...] since on the conversion of the bread and wine's substance, or nature, into the body and blood of Christ, nothing is left of the bread and the wine but the appearances alone. Beneath these appearances Christ is present whole and entire, bodily present too, in His physical `reality', although not in the manner in which bodies are present in place.
For this reason the Fathers have had to issue frequent warnings to the faithful, when they consider this august Sacrament, not to be satisfied with the senses which announce the properties of bread and wine. They should rather assent to the words of Christ: these are of such power that they change, transform, `transelement' the bread and the wine into His body and blood. The reason for this, as the same Fathers say more than once, is that the power which performs this action is the same power of Almighty God that created the whole universe out of nothing at the beginning of time" (Paul VI, "Mysterium Fidei").
49-51. The manna during the Exodus was a figure of this bread--Christ Himself--which nourishes Christians on their pilgrimage through this world. Communion is the wonderful banquet at which Christ gives Himself to us: "the bread which I shall give for the life of the world is My flesh". These words promise the manifestation of the Eucharist at the Last Supper: "This is My body which is for you" (1 Corinthians 11:24). The words "for the life of the world" and "for you" refer to the redemptive value of the sacrifice of Christ on the cross. In some sacrifices of the Old Testament, which were a figure of the sacrifice of Christ, part of the animal offered up was later used for food, signifying participation in the sacred rite (cf. Exodus 11:3-4). So, by receiving Holy Communion, we are sharing in the sacrifice of Christ: which is why the Church sings in the Liturgy of the Hours on the Feast of Corpus Christi: "O sacred feast in which we partake of Christ: His sufferings are remembered, our minds are filled with His grace and we receive a pledge of the glory that is to be ours" ("Magnificat Antiphon", Evening Prayer II).
__________________________
Source: "The Navarre Bible: Text and Commentaries". Biblical text taken from the Revised Standard Version and New Vulgate. Commentaries made by members of the Faculty of Theology of the University of Navarre, Spain. Published by Four Courts Press, Kill Lane, Blackrock, Co. Dublin, Ireland. Reprinted with permission from Four Courts Press and Scepter Publishers, the U.S. publisher.
Wednesday, April 09, 2008
Just for Today, April 10
If thou wilt be delighted in truth, and receive more abundant consolation from Me, behold, in the contempt of all worldly things and in the renouncing of all those mean pleasures thou shalt be blessed, and an exceeding great comfort be derived to thy soul. And the more thou withdrawest thyself from all comfort in things created, the more sweet and the more powerful consolations thou wilt find in Me.
But thou shalt not at first attain to these without some sorrow, and labour in the conflict. The old custom will stand in thy way, but by a better custom it shall be overcome. The flesh will complain, but by the fervour of the spirit it shall be kept under.
-Bk. III, ch. xii.
_________________
I remember that I suffered such violent temptations as a postulant to indulge myself and enjoy a few drops of happiness, that I had to hurry past your cell, and to cling on to the banisters to prevent myself from retracing my steps. There would come into my mind all sorts of permissions that I could ask, a hundred arid one pretexts fot giving way to Nature. Now happy I am now that in the beginning of my religious life I mortified myself on that point!
-The Story of a Soul (L'Histoire d'une Âme)
__________________
For more information, see this post.
Adapted from Just For Today(©1943 Burns & Oates)
Nihil Obstat: Reginaldus Phillips, S.T.L.,Censor deputatus
Imprimatur: Edwardus Myers, Vic. Cap.
But thou shalt not at first attain to these without some sorrow, and labour in the conflict. The old custom will stand in thy way, but by a better custom it shall be overcome. The flesh will complain, but by the fervour of the spirit it shall be kept under.
-Bk. III, ch. xii.
_________________
I remember that I suffered such violent temptations as a postulant to indulge myself and enjoy a few drops of happiness, that I had to hurry past your cell, and to cling on to the banisters to prevent myself from retracing my steps. There would come into my mind all sorts of permissions that I could ask, a hundred arid one pretexts fot giving way to Nature. Now happy I am now that in the beginning of my religious life I mortified myself on that point!
-The Story of a Soul (L'Histoire d'une Âme)
__________________
For more information, see this post.
Adapted from Just For Today(©1943 Burns & Oates)
Nihil Obstat: Reginaldus Phillips, S.T.L.,Censor deputatus
Imprimatur: Edwardus Myers, Vic. Cap.
Meditation for April 10, Your Will Be Done
To accept what God wills is the great secret of the saints. When God's will harmonizes with ours, submission is easy. But if what God wants overthrows our plans, contradicts our desires, destroys our expectations, wounds our heart, oh, how difficult submission proves to be!
In these trying moments, look back and contemplate Jesus in Gethsemane; see Him struggle with His Father, trying to reduce the price of Redemption, daring to ask that the divine will of the Father, for the fulfillment of which He had become incarnate, be now modified in proportion to the weakness of His human strength.
Recall the cry from His feverish lips and burning heart: "Father, Father, take this chalice from me. You see clearly that I cannot...."
Then hear His consent to the bloody plan: Nevertheless, Father, not my will but Thine be done.
The all-important thing is that I abandon myself to God when all things abandon me. That very thing is so seldom done.
Common sense, however, demands it. If I believe God to be all that He really is, why do I not abandon myself completely to His Wisdom and to His Love? As someone has said, "I have only to fear fearing too much, my only fear should be to fail in submission to God."
That is common sense; that is virtue. Have I given myself to a merciless Master or to a Good Master? I must believe in His love and mercy. I must hope against hope. The more I believe myself to be forsaken, the more I will surrender myself to God.
_________________
Adapted from Meditations for Religious
by Father Raoul Plus, S.J. (© 1939, Frederick Pustet Co.)
In these trying moments, look back and contemplate Jesus in Gethsemane; see Him struggle with His Father, trying to reduce the price of Redemption, daring to ask that the divine will of the Father, for the fulfillment of which He had become incarnate, be now modified in proportion to the weakness of His human strength.
Recall the cry from His feverish lips and burning heart: "Father, Father, take this chalice from me. You see clearly that I cannot...."
Then hear His consent to the bloody plan: Nevertheless, Father, not my will but Thine be done.
The all-important thing is that I abandon myself to God when all things abandon me. That very thing is so seldom done.
Common sense, however, demands it. If I believe God to be all that He really is, why do I not abandon myself completely to His Wisdom and to His Love? As someone has said, "I have only to fear fearing too much, my only fear should be to fail in submission to God."
That is common sense; that is virtue. Have I given myself to a merciless Master or to a Good Master? I must believe in His love and mercy. I must hope against hope. The more I believe myself to be forsaken, the more I will surrender myself to God.
_________________
Adapted from Meditations for Religious
by Father Raoul Plus, S.J. (© 1939, Frederick Pustet Co.)
St Stanislaus Church Promotes 'Lay Synod' of Dissent
...And the soon-to-be-laicized pastor, Marek Bozek, is a conference presenter.
From one of the St Stanislaus Web Pages:
From one of the St Stanislaus Web Pages:
May 3 - Lay Synod of Saint LouisHow fitting...it seems that once one chooses to imbibe the poison of dissent, one becomes so addicted to rebellion that anything and everything opposed to the Church becomes something to be embraced and exalted.
Catholic Action Network will hold a Lay Synod entitled “A Time for Courage” on Saturday, May 3 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Eden Seminary (475 East Lockwood Avenue in Webster Groves). The cost is on a sliding scale basis of $25-$50 (lunch included).
Catholics from throughout the St. Louis area are invited to come and discuss our Church and challenges it faces today. A look at the history of the church and the ways in which leadership of the church has developed will be presented. In this light, the vital leadership role of the laity will be recognized.
Lena Woltering will be giving the keynote address. Our Pastor, Fr. Marek, will be one of the presenters and facilitators. Please RSVP by April 27th by e-mailing can@catholicactionnetwork.org. For more information please visit the website at www.catholicactionnetwork.org The time has come for all of us to be responsible members of the Catholic Church!
Tidbits from St Cronan's Parish bulletins:
Fromn the March 30th issue, we read:
We also read in the Pastor's Peace by Sr. Louis Lears (or in this case, the 'co-pastor's peace') the following comments:
So where are we going with Sister Lears' commentary?
Some might find it odd that this reflection comes two weeks after a Communal Letter of Support for our sister Louise was made available Palm Sunday weekend for review and signatures.
Perhaps this was a letter to be sent to Archbishop Burke to demonstrate how much support the good 'sister' has from the St Cronan parish family - as if that has any bearing on her open support for women priests...Sad.
Fromn the March 30th issue, we read:
Parishioners’ Politics A small study by the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life found huge differences in the types of political messages being emphasized from one parish to another, which may come as no surprise to anyone. But whichever subjects their priests address, said author Gregory Smith, people clearly are being influenced in their political thinking by what they hear from the pulpit and read in their parish bulletins. For instance, parishioners were more likely to have strict standards “for what it takes to be a ‘true Catholic” if they were in parishes where the priest regularly emphasized abortion and stem-cell research but rarely brought up messages such as poverty or the environment. In addition, there was a very close match between the information conveyed in the bulletins and the response from priests about what they said they emphasized.It is not surprising to see a subtle attempt (by quoting others) to blur that which is always and everywhere evil - abortion and ESCR, with works of mercy and stewardship that we also need to do - caring for the poor and protecting God's creation from deliberate misuse and abuse. A 'true Catholic' would necessarily be able to make the distinctions where others, perhaps nominally Catholic cannot or will not, in a manner of looking at these things as "either/or" rather than "both/and"....
We also read in the Pastor's Peace by Sr. Louis Lears (or in this case, the 'co-pastor's peace') the following comments:
...only the women remained with Jesus at the foot of the cross....St John wasn't there?
...everything had changed. Jesus had risen from the dead, appeared to his followers and breathed the Spirit on them. Note that this change, both in the individual disciples and in the faith community, didn’t start with guidelines from a catechism or dogmas pronounced by church leaders....Are we to understand from this that a 'true Catholic' doesn't need dogmas pronounced by the hierarchy or to be reminded to read or study a catechism?
...What came first for the early followers and what still comes first for us, is our relationship with the Risen Christ, who returned to give us his abiding, guiding, and strengthening Spirit. That is the foundation of our faith.Our relationship with Jesus, our Saviour, can be in accord with His will for us or it can be a relationship opposed to His will. He did, in fact, leave His chosen Apostles and His Church to teach us what He taught them - to faithfully hand on to us what He handed on to them...If one rejects that, his 'relationship' with the Lord is not in accord with right reason or a true, humble faith. One can, indeed, reject His graces and blessings - we witness that daily.
So where are we going with Sister Lears' commentary?
Like those first disciples, we need the peace that Jesus offers. We need the Spirit and her breath of new life if we are to do what Jesus sends us to do. [my emphasis]We need the Spirit and HER breath of new life....Profound - no wonder she considers herself co-pastor...What insights into scripture...It's odd that our Lord did not speak of the Paraclete in this manner...but then, He did not ordain women as bishopresses or priestesses either...evidently an oversight on His part, yes?
Some might find it odd that this reflection comes two weeks after a Communal Letter of Support for our sister Louise was made available Palm Sunday weekend for review and signatures.
Perhaps this was a letter to be sent to Archbishop Burke to demonstrate how much support the good 'sister' has from the St Cronan parish family - as if that has any bearing on her open support for women priests...Sad.
Catholic website drawing thousands back to faith
Phoenix, Apr 7, 2008 / 10:28 am (CNA).- In less than three weeks, 3,000 Catholics returned to the Church in the Diocese of Phoenix due to the effort of a new lay apostolate, CatholicsComeHome.org. The program consists of a website and commercials aired on local television that effectively portray the truth and goodness of the Catholic Church.
In an interview with CNA, Catholics Come Home, Inc. founder and president, Tom Peterson explained that the ads are designed to take people to the website, CatholicsComeHome.org, where they can find answers to questions about Church teachings, and also to put them into contact with their local parish to be led home, back to the Catholic Church....
World Mercy Congress 'Catches Fire'
A Report from Inside the Vatican
We post the following article and text for the consideration of our readers, but we note that this is the theological interpretation of one Russian Orthodox Bishop drawing on the writings of one theologian from the 600s. We post this material, therefore, not so much to highlight the teachings of that theologian on heaven and hell, although those teachings are expressed with eloquence and poetic power, but rather to offer a window onto the mind of the Russian Orthodox Bishop who is studying and interpreting the writings of that 7th century theologian. The Russian Orthodox Bishop is Hilarion Alfeyev, who is the head of the theological delegation of the Russian Orthodox Church which is carrying forward a theological dialogue between the Catholic Church and the various Orthodox churches. Bishop Alfeyev is also a composer, and Inside the Vatican worked together with him to bring concerts of his music performed by Russian musicians to Rome in March 2007 and to Washington, New York and Boston in December 2007. We have engaged in these initiatives in an effort to assist the process of theological dialogue in the hope of restoring church unity, if it be the will of God.Read the report here.
- the Editor
Missouri Senate Action Alert
From Missouri Right to Life:
ACTION ALERT - PLEASE CALL YOUR STATE SENATOR
The last week of March the Missouri House approved HCS HB 2007 with language that appropriates money to the Life Science Research Board for both animal and human research and that funds the salary for the executive director of the Missouri Technology Corporation. Missouri Right to Life objected to HCS HB 2007 based on Amendment 2 restrictions and our inability to prevent this money from going for life-destroying research.
We supported two amendments to zero out the objectionable appropriations. We also suggested that the Department of Agriculture could be the venue through which funding for plant and animal science research could be funded and not fall under the restrictions of Amendment 2.
Both the amendments were defeated and funding for life-destroying research is still in our state budget in HCS HB 2007.
The Missouri Senate Appropriations Committee has begun work on the state budget as of Tuesday, April 1st.
Please call your State Senator and ask them to support the two amendments provided in MRL's memorandum to all the members of the Missouri Senate dated March 31 (see link below).
Also, please call all the members of the Senate Appropriations Committee and ask them to add to the bill the two amendments that they received in MRL's memorandum. Members of the Senate Appropriations Committee are:
Chairman, Senator Gary Nodler (R)
573-751-2306
Vice-Chairman, Senator Rob Mayer (R)
573-751-3859
Senator Norma Champion (R)
573-751-2583
Senator Chuck Purgason (R)
573-751-1882
Senator Luann Ridgeway (R)
573-751-2547
Senator Scott Rupp (R)
573-751-1282
Senator Frank Barnitz (D)
573-751-2108
Senator Joan Bray (D)
573-751-2514
Senator Tim Green (D)
573-751-2420
Senator Yvonne Wilson (D)
573-751-9758
For more information on this, please read the memorandum distributed to the Missouri Senate on Monday, March 31st after the House voted to advance HCS HB 2007. The memo can be found on-line [here].
Thank you!
Pam Fichter, President
Looking for a "flock"?
A recent posting at the non-Catholic Action Network site again promotes the excommunicated "priestesses" Rose Hudson and Elsie McGrath:
April 13th Mass at the Therese of Divine Peace Inclusive CommunityHere is the flyer for this event...my guess is that numbers have dwindled dramatically since the "ordination"...One wonders if they are still searching for others to follow them as they continue their journey away from our Lord?
Celebrating the Gift of Women's Leadership in the Church
The Therese Community will be joining WOC (Women's Ordination Conference) and communities throughout the country who are gathering together during the Pope's visit to the United States(which is on the Pope's Birthday) and we are giving the gift of women's leadership to the Church.
5:00 pm at the Hope Chapel at First Unitarian Church of St. Louis, 5007 Waterman.
Gospel for Wednesday, 3rd Week of Easter
From: John 6:35-40
The Discourse on the Bread of Life (Continuation)
[35] Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me shall not hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst. [36] But I said to you that you have seen Me and yet do not believe. [37] All that the Father gives Me will come to Me; and him who comes to Me I will not cast out. [38] For I have come down from Heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me; [39] and this is thewill of Him who sent Me, that I should lose nothing of all that He has given Me, but raise it up on the last day. [40] For this is the will of My Father, that every one who sees the Son and believes in Him should have eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day."
____________________
Commentary:
35. Going to Jesus means believing in Him, for it is through faith that we approach our Lord. Jesus uses the metaphor of food and drink to show that He is the one who really meets all man's noblest aspirations: "How beautiful is our Catholic faith! It provides a solution for all our anxieties, calms our minds and fills our hearts with hope" ([St] J. Escriva, "The Way", 582).
37-40. Jesus clearly reveals that He is the one sent by the Father. This is something St. John the Baptist proclaimed earlier on (Jn 3:33-36), and Jesus Himself stated it in His dialogue with Nicodemus (Jn 3:17-21) and announced publicly to the Jews in Jerusalem (Jn 5:20-30). Since Jesus is the one sent by the Father, the bread of life come down from Heaven to give life to the world, everyone who believes in Him has eternal life, for it is God's will that everyone should be saved through Jesus Christ. These words of Jesus contain three mysteries: 1) that of faith in Jesus Christ, which means "going to Jesus", accepting His miracles (signs) and His words; 2) the mystery of the resurrection of believers, something which begins in this life through faith and becomes fully true in Heaven; 3) the mystery of predestination, the will of our Father in Heaven that all men be saved. These solemn words of our Lord fill the believer with hope.
St. Augustine, commenting on vv. 37 and 38, praises the humility of Jesus, the perfect model for the humility of the Christian: Jesus chose not to do His own will but that of the Father who sent Him: "Humbly am I come, to teach humility am I come, as the master of humility am I come; he who comes to Me is incorporated in Me; he who comes to Me, becomes humble; he who cleaves to Me will be humble, for he does not his will but God's" ("In Ioann. Evang.", 25, 15 and 16).
___________________________
Source: "The Navarre Bible: Text and Commentaries". Biblical text taken from the Revised Standard Version and New Vulgate. Commentaries made by members of the Faculty of Theology of the University of Navarre, Spain. Published by Four Courts Press, Kill Lane, Blackrock, Co. Dublin, Ireland. Reprinted with permission from Four Courts Press and Scepter Publishers, the U.S. publisher.
The Discourse on the Bread of Life (Continuation)
[35] Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me shall not hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst. [36] But I said to you that you have seen Me and yet do not believe. [37] All that the Father gives Me will come to Me; and him who comes to Me I will not cast out. [38] For I have come down from Heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me; [39] and this is thewill of Him who sent Me, that I should lose nothing of all that He has given Me, but raise it up on the last day. [40] For this is the will of My Father, that every one who sees the Son and believes in Him should have eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day."
____________________
Commentary:
35. Going to Jesus means believing in Him, for it is through faith that we approach our Lord. Jesus uses the metaphor of food and drink to show that He is the one who really meets all man's noblest aspirations: "How beautiful is our Catholic faith! It provides a solution for all our anxieties, calms our minds and fills our hearts with hope" ([St] J. Escriva, "The Way", 582).
37-40. Jesus clearly reveals that He is the one sent by the Father. This is something St. John the Baptist proclaimed earlier on (Jn 3:33-36), and Jesus Himself stated it in His dialogue with Nicodemus (Jn 3:17-21) and announced publicly to the Jews in Jerusalem (Jn 5:20-30). Since Jesus is the one sent by the Father, the bread of life come down from Heaven to give life to the world, everyone who believes in Him has eternal life, for it is God's will that everyone should be saved through Jesus Christ. These words of Jesus contain three mysteries: 1) that of faith in Jesus Christ, which means "going to Jesus", accepting His miracles (signs) and His words; 2) the mystery of the resurrection of believers, something which begins in this life through faith and becomes fully true in Heaven; 3) the mystery of predestination, the will of our Father in Heaven that all men be saved. These solemn words of our Lord fill the believer with hope.
St. Augustine, commenting on vv. 37 and 38, praises the humility of Jesus, the perfect model for the humility of the Christian: Jesus chose not to do His own will but that of the Father who sent Him: "Humbly am I come, to teach humility am I come, as the master of humility am I come; he who comes to Me is incorporated in Me; he who comes to Me, becomes humble; he who cleaves to Me will be humble, for he does not his will but God's" ("In Ioann. Evang.", 25, 15 and 16).
___________________________
Source: "The Navarre Bible: Text and Commentaries". Biblical text taken from the Revised Standard Version and New Vulgate. Commentaries made by members of the Faculty of Theology of the University of Navarre, Spain. Published by Four Courts Press, Kill Lane, Blackrock, Co. Dublin, Ireland. Reprinted with permission from Four Courts Press and Scepter Publishers, the U.S. publisher.
Tuesday, April 08, 2008
Just for Today, April 9
If thou givest thyself to fervour, thou shalt find great peace; and the grace of God and love of virtue will make thee feel less labour. A fervent and diligent man is ready for all things.
- Bk. I, ch. xxv.
_______________
She was so fervent in her observance that she never forgot the least injunction of the Prioress, or negiected any of the small regulations which make religious life so meritorious. One of the older nuns, who had noticed her remarkable fidelity on this point considered her already a saint.
-The Story of a Soul (L'Histoire d'une Âme)
__________________
For more information, see this post.
Adapted from Just For Today(©1943 Burns & Oates)
Nihil Obstat: Reginaldus Phillips, S.T.L.,Censor deputatus
Imprimatur: Edwardus Myers, Vic. Cap.
- Bk. I, ch. xxv.
_______________
She was so fervent in her observance that she never forgot the least injunction of the Prioress, or negiected any of the small regulations which make religious life so meritorious. One of the older nuns, who had noticed her remarkable fidelity on this point considered her already a saint.
-The Story of a Soul (L'Histoire d'une Âme)
__________________
For more information, see this post.
Adapted from Just For Today(©1943 Burns & Oates)
Nihil Obstat: Reginaldus Phillips, S.T.L.,Censor deputatus
Imprimatur: Edwardus Myers, Vic. Cap.
Thoughts and Counsels - April 9
He who does not overcome his predominant passion is in great danger of being lost. He who does overcome it will easily conquer all the rest.
- St. Alphonsus
________________________
From Mary, Help of Christians
Part VI, Thoughts and Counsels of the Saints for Every Day of the Year
Compiled by Fr. Bonaventure Hammer, OFM (© 1909, Benziger Brothers)
- St. Alphonsus
________________________
From Mary, Help of Christians
Part VI, Thoughts and Counsels of the Saints for Every Day of the Year
Compiled by Fr. Bonaventure Hammer, OFM (© 1909, Benziger Brothers)
Meditation for April 9, One Hour with Me
One hour with Me.
"Lord, that is much."
"Yes, I know, everything I ask of you is always too much."
"It is not that, but I am sleepy."
"No doubt. I am not angry with you, but I was deceived. I thought that, in spite of your sleep, you would out of love pass one moment with me. I have been mistaken; I have asked too much. I am used to you; I ought to know you. Yet I am disappointed;
I expected more of you than you can do. It is not your fault."
"Ah! now you understand me, O Lord."
"Yes, it must be so. I am motivated by love and love does not reason. Such is the folly of the cross. I like the arguments of love but they are too much for you. Continue to sleep; it is more reasonable. Judas and his band came in the night to arrest the Son of God. Judas received thirty pieces of silver. When one's salary is affected, the work must be done. That is reasonable."
Don't ridicule me, good Master. I do love You, but alas, not as much as I should. Take me back once more! How miserable I am! How weak! Not only physically weak, but morally weak! Wretchedly weak!
"Love and all will be well."
_________________
Adapted from Meditations for Religious
by Father Raoul Plus, S.J. (© 1939, Frederick Pustet Co.)
"Lord, that is much."
"Yes, I know, everything I ask of you is always too much."
"It is not that, but I am sleepy."
"No doubt. I am not angry with you, but I was deceived. I thought that, in spite of your sleep, you would out of love pass one moment with me. I have been mistaken; I have asked too much. I am used to you; I ought to know you. Yet I am disappointed;
I expected more of you than you can do. It is not your fault."
"Ah! now you understand me, O Lord."
"Yes, it must be so. I am motivated by love and love does not reason. Such is the folly of the cross. I like the arguments of love but they are too much for you. Continue to sleep; it is more reasonable. Judas and his band came in the night to arrest the Son of God. Judas received thirty pieces of silver. When one's salary is affected, the work must be done. That is reasonable."
Don't ridicule me, good Master. I do love You, but alas, not as much as I should. Take me back once more! How miserable I am! How weak! Not only physically weak, but morally weak! Wretchedly weak!
"Love and all will be well."
_________________
Adapted from Meditations for Religious
by Father Raoul Plus, S.J. (© 1939, Frederick Pustet Co.)
Message of the Holy Father to the Catholics and People of the United States
Dear Brothers and Sisters in the United States of America,
The grace and peace of God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ be with all of you! In just a few days from now, I shall begin my apostolic visit to your beloved country. Before setting off, I would like to offer you a heartfelt greeting and an invitation to prayer. As you know, I shall only be able to visit two cities: Washington and New York. The intention behind my visit, though, is to reach out spiritually to all Catholics in the United States. At the same time, I earnestly hope that my presence among you will be seen as a fraternal gesture towards every ecclesial community, and a sign of friendship for members of other religious traditions and all men and women of good will. The risen Lord entrusted the Apostles and the Church with his Gospel of love and peace, and his intention in doing so was that the message should be passed on to all peoples.
At this point I should like to add some words of thanks, because I am conscious that many people have been working hard for a long time, both in Church circles and in the public services, to prepare for my journey. I am especially grateful to all who have been praying for the success of the visit, since prayer is the most important element of all. Dear friends, I say this because I am convinced that without the power of prayer, without that intimate union with the Lord, our human endeavours would achieve very little. Indeed this is what our faith teaches us. It is God who saves us, he saves the world, and all of history. He is the Shepherd of his people. I am coming, sent by Jesus Christ, to bring you his word of life.
Together with your Bishops, I have chosen as the theme of my journey three simple but essential words: "Christ our hope". Following in the footsteps of my venerable predecessors, Paul VI and John Paul II, I shall come to United States of America as Pope for the first time, to proclaim this great truth: Jesus Christ is hope for men and women of every language, race, culture and social condition. Yes, Christ is the face of God present among us. Through him, our lives reach fullness, and together, both as individuals and peoples, we can become a family united by fraternal love, according to the eternal plan of God the Father. I know how deeply rooted this Gospel message is in your country. I am coming to share it with you, in a series of celebrations and gatherings. I shall also bring the message of Christian hope to the great Assembly of the United Nations, to the representatives of all the peoples of the world. Indeed, the world has greater need of hope than ever: hope for peace, for justice, and for freedom, but this hope can never be fulfilled without obedience to the law of God, which Christ brought to fulfilment in the commandment to love one another. Do to others as you would have them do to you, and avoid doing what you would not want them to do. This "golden rule" is given in the Bible, but it is valid for all people, including non-believers. It is the law written on the human heart; on this we can all agree, so that when we come to address other matters we can do so in a positive and constructive manner for the entire human community.
Dirijo un cordial saludo a los católicos de lengua española y les manifiesto mi cercanía espiritual, en particular a los jóvenes, a los enfermos, a los ancianos y a los que pasan por dificultades o se sienten más necesitados. Les expreso mi vivo deseo de poder estar pronto con Ustedes en esa querida Nación. Mientras tanto, les aliento a orar intensamente por los frutos pastorales de mi inminente Viaje Apostólico y a mantener en alto la llama de la esperanza en Cristo Resucitado.
Dear brothers and sisters, dear friends in the United States, I am very much looking forward to being with you. I want you to know that, even if my itinerary is short, with just a few engagements, my heart is close to all of you, especially to the sick, the weak, and the lonely. I thank you once again for your prayerful support of my mission. I reach out to every one of you with affection, and I invoke upon you the maternal protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Que la Virgen María les acompañe y proteja. Que Dios les bendiga.
May God bless you all.
Abandon your beliefs and submit to your masters
Pharmacist loses appeal in birth control pill caseAn "ethics" class? - one can only imagine what sort of "ethics" would be proposed for his "re-educational process" by which the state demands that he reliquish his conscience and beliefs to the will of the state. State sponsored tyranny - May God help us!
Former Barron resident Neil T. Noesen lost a court battle last week to clear sanctions against him in a 2002 case where he declined to fill a birth control prescription because of his religious beliefs.
Noesen was disciplined by Wisconsin's Pharmacy Examining Board for his actions, and he was required to attend ethics classes in order to keep his professional license....
New Orleans Parishes Brace for Major Changes
Archbishop Alfred Hughes on Saturday began asking Catholics across metropolitan New Orleans, including those far from the flood zone, to prepare for a reorganization of Catholic life befitting a deeply damaged regional church.It's happening all over - it's like a spreading plague, a virulent disease in which there are no longer enough people alive to support the parishes. Once vibrant, packed parish churches are mere shells of their earlier history. Fewer priests, fewer religious, fewer children.
In a letter being read from nearly 140 pulpits at weekend Masses, Hughes characterized the 215-year-old Archdiocese of New Orleans, the second-oldest archdiocese in the country, as a "missionary diocese" after Hurricane Katrina. He said "all sectors will share in some of the sacrifices involved" in a massive restructuring plan to be unveiled Wednesday.
Such is a result of the poisonous fruits of our "free and liberated society" with its obsessed and destructive contraceptive and abortive mentality. No children - no priests, no religious, no future! When about 1/3 of our unborn children are willfully murdered for sheer convenience and selfish indulgences, can we truly expect to reap anything other than pain, agony, and death?
Of course, some of these New Orleans parishes were damaged during Katrina and have suffered as a result of that devastation.
The regional church must chart a course through a post-Katrina landscape, with 20 percent of the region's 491,000 Catholics still gone, some neighborhoods thinly populated, others growing with transplanted Catholics and $120 million in uninsured flood losses to churches, schools and other buildings.It's really sad to hear about this.
Moreover, archdiocesan officials said the church now must come to grips with a steadily dwindling corps of priests, which means parishes far from the flood zone may be affected as well. Church officials said they expect during the next five years to lose 18 priests from a corps of 136, including a handful of new ordinations.
Gospel for Tuesday, 3rd Week of Easter
From: John 6:30-35
The Discourse on the Bread of Life (Continuation)
[30] So they said to Him (Jesus), "Then what sign do You do, that we may see, and believe You? What work do You perform? [31] Our fathers ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, `He gave them bread from Heaven to eat.'" [32] Jesus then said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from Heaven; My Father gives you the true bread from Heaven. [33] For the bread of God is that which comes down from Heaven, and gives life to the world." [34] They said to Him, "Lord, give us this bread always."
[35] Jesus said them, "I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me shall
not hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst."
_______________________
Commentary:
28-34. This dialogue between Jesus and His hearers is reminiscent of the episode of the Samaritan woman (cf. John 4:11-15). On that occasion Jesus was speaking about water springing up to eternal life; here, He speaks of bread coming down from Heaven to give to the world. There, the woman was asking Jesus if He was greater than Jacob; here the people want to know if He can compare with Moses (cf. Exodus 16:13). "The Lord spoke of Himself in a way that made Him seem superior to Moses, for Moses never dared to say that he would give food which would never perish but would endure to eternal life. Jesus promises much more than Moses. Moses promised a kingdom, and a land flowing with milk and honey, good health and other temporal blessings [...], plenty for the belly, but food which perishes; whereas Christ promised food which never perishes but which endures forever" (St. Augustine, "In Ioann. Evang.", 25:12).
These people know that the manna--food which the Jews collected every day during the journey through the wilderness (cf. Exodus 16:13ff)-- symbolized messianic blessings; which was why they asked our Lord for a dramatic sign like the manna. But there was no way they could suspect that the manna was a figure of a great supernatural messianic gift which Christ was bringing to mankind--the Blessed Eucharist. In this dialogue and in the first part of the discourse (verses 35-47), the main thing Jesus is trying to do is bring them to make an act of faith in Him, so that He can then openly reveal to them the mystery of the Blessed Eucharist--that He is the bread "which comes down from Heaven, and gives life to the world" (verse 33). Also, St. Paul explains that the manna and the other marvels which happened in the wilderness were a clear prefiguring of Jesus Christ (cf. 1 Corinthians 10:3-4).
The disbelieving attitude of these Jews prevented them from accepting what Jesus revealed. To accept the mystery of the Eucharist, faith is required, as [Pope] Paul VI stressed: "In the first place we want to remind you that the Eucharist is a very great mystery; strictly speaking, to use the words of sacred liturgy, it is `the mystery of faith'. This is something well known to you but it is essential to the purpose of rejecting any poisonous rationalism. Many martyrs have witnessed to it with their blood. Distinguished Fathers and Doctors of the Church in unbroken succession have taught and professed it. [...] We must, therefore, approach this mystery, above all, with humble reverence, not following human arguments, which ought to be hushed, but in steadfast adherence to divine revelation" ("Mysterium Fidei").
35. Going to Jesus means believing in Him, for it is through faith that we approach our Lord. Jesus uses the metaphor of food and drink to show that He is the one who really meets all man's noblest aspirations: "How beautiful is our Catholic faith! It provides a solution for all our anxieties, calms our minds and fills our hearts with hope" ([St] J. Escriva, "The Way", 582).
_________________________
Source: "The Navarre Bible: Text and Commentaries". Biblical text taken from the Revised Standard Version and New Vulgate. Commentaries made by members of the Faculty of Theology of the University of Navarre, Spain. Published by Four Courts Press, Kill Lane, Blackrock, Co. Dublin, Ireland. Reprinted with permission from Four Courts Press and Scepter Publishers, the U.S. publisher.
The Discourse on the Bread of Life (Continuation)
[30] So they said to Him (Jesus), "Then what sign do You do, that we may see, and believe You? What work do You perform? [31] Our fathers ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, `He gave them bread from Heaven to eat.'" [32] Jesus then said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from Heaven; My Father gives you the true bread from Heaven. [33] For the bread of God is that which comes down from Heaven, and gives life to the world." [34] They said to Him, "Lord, give us this bread always."
[35] Jesus said them, "I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me shall
not hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst."
_______________________
Commentary:
28-34. This dialogue between Jesus and His hearers is reminiscent of the episode of the Samaritan woman (cf. John 4:11-15). On that occasion Jesus was speaking about water springing up to eternal life; here, He speaks of bread coming down from Heaven to give to the world. There, the woman was asking Jesus if He was greater than Jacob; here the people want to know if He can compare with Moses (cf. Exodus 16:13). "The Lord spoke of Himself in a way that made Him seem superior to Moses, for Moses never dared to say that he would give food which would never perish but would endure to eternal life. Jesus promises much more than Moses. Moses promised a kingdom, and a land flowing with milk and honey, good health and other temporal blessings [...], plenty for the belly, but food which perishes; whereas Christ promised food which never perishes but which endures forever" (St. Augustine, "In Ioann. Evang.", 25:12).
These people know that the manna--food which the Jews collected every day during the journey through the wilderness (cf. Exodus 16:13ff)-- symbolized messianic blessings; which was why they asked our Lord for a dramatic sign like the manna. But there was no way they could suspect that the manna was a figure of a great supernatural messianic gift which Christ was bringing to mankind--the Blessed Eucharist. In this dialogue and in the first part of the discourse (verses 35-47), the main thing Jesus is trying to do is bring them to make an act of faith in Him, so that He can then openly reveal to them the mystery of the Blessed Eucharist--that He is the bread "which comes down from Heaven, and gives life to the world" (verse 33). Also, St. Paul explains that the manna and the other marvels which happened in the wilderness were a clear prefiguring of Jesus Christ (cf. 1 Corinthians 10:3-4).
The disbelieving attitude of these Jews prevented them from accepting what Jesus revealed. To accept the mystery of the Eucharist, faith is required, as [Pope] Paul VI stressed: "In the first place we want to remind you that the Eucharist is a very great mystery; strictly speaking, to use the words of sacred liturgy, it is `the mystery of faith'. This is something well known to you but it is essential to the purpose of rejecting any poisonous rationalism. Many martyrs have witnessed to it with their blood. Distinguished Fathers and Doctors of the Church in unbroken succession have taught and professed it. [...] We must, therefore, approach this mystery, above all, with humble reverence, not following human arguments, which ought to be hushed, but in steadfast adherence to divine revelation" ("Mysterium Fidei").
35. Going to Jesus means believing in Him, for it is through faith that we approach our Lord. Jesus uses the metaphor of food and drink to show that He is the one who really meets all man's noblest aspirations: "How beautiful is our Catholic faith! It provides a solution for all our anxieties, calms our minds and fills our hearts with hope" ([St] J. Escriva, "The Way", 582).
_________________________
Source: "The Navarre Bible: Text and Commentaries". Biblical text taken from the Revised Standard Version and New Vulgate. Commentaries made by members of the Faculty of Theology of the University of Navarre, Spain. Published by Four Courts Press, Kill Lane, Blackrock, Co. Dublin, Ireland. Reprinted with permission from Four Courts Press and Scepter Publishers, the U.S. publisher.
Monday, April 07, 2008
Just for Today, April 8
What dost Thou chiefly require of a guilty and wretched sinner, but that he heartily repent, and humble himself for his sins. In true contrition and humility of heart is brought forth hope of forgiveness: a troubled conscience is reconciled; grace that was lost is recovered; a man is secured from the wrath to come, and God meets the penitent soul in the holy kiss of peace.
Humble contrition for sins is an acceptable sacrifice to Thee, O Lord, of far sweeter odour in Thy sight than the burning of frankincense. This is also that pleasing ointment which Thou wouldst have to be poured upon Thy sacred feet, for a contrite and humbled heart, O God, thou wilt not despise (Ps. 1). Here is a sure place of refuge from the face of the wrath of the enemy. Here whatever has been elsewhere contracted of uncleanness is amended and washed away.
-Bk. III, ch. lii.
___________________
I had displeased her, and when I went to beg pardon she seemed much moved: "If only," she said, "you knew what I feel! I can understand now with what love Jesus receives us when we ask pardon for a fault. If I, a poor creature, could feel such tender affection when you came to me, what then must be God's attitude towards the repentant sinner: He will blot out the memory of our sins, even more swiftly than I forget the fault you committed, and He will love us more after our fall than before."
-Conseils et Souvenirs.
__________________
For more information, see this post.
Adapted from Just For Today(©1943 Burns & Oates)
Nihil Obstat: Reginaldus Phillips, S.T.L.,Censor deputatus
Imprimatur: Edwardus Myers, Vic. Cap.
Humble contrition for sins is an acceptable sacrifice to Thee, O Lord, of far sweeter odour in Thy sight than the burning of frankincense. This is also that pleasing ointment which Thou wouldst have to be poured upon Thy sacred feet, for a contrite and humbled heart, O God, thou wilt not despise (Ps. 1). Here is a sure place of refuge from the face of the wrath of the enemy. Here whatever has been elsewhere contracted of uncleanness is amended and washed away.
-Bk. III, ch. lii.
___________________
I had displeased her, and when I went to beg pardon she seemed much moved: "If only," she said, "you knew what I feel! I can understand now with what love Jesus receives us when we ask pardon for a fault. If I, a poor creature, could feel such tender affection when you came to me, what then must be God's attitude towards the repentant sinner: He will blot out the memory of our sins, even more swiftly than I forget the fault you committed, and He will love us more after our fall than before."
-Conseils et Souvenirs.
__________________
For more information, see this post.
Adapted from Just For Today(©1943 Burns & Oates)
Nihil Obstat: Reginaldus Phillips, S.T.L.,Censor deputatus
Imprimatur: Edwardus Myers, Vic. Cap.
Thoughts and Counsels - April 8
Be careful and do not lightly condemn the actions of others. We must consider the intention of our neighbor, which is often good and pure, although the act itself seems b1ameworthy.
-St. Ignatius
________________________
From Mary, Help of Christians
Part VI, Thoughts and Counsels of the Saints for Every Day of the Year
Compiled by Fr. Bonaventure Hammer, OFM (© 1909, Benziger Brothers)
-St. Ignatius
________________________
From Mary, Help of Christians
Part VI, Thoughts and Counsels of the Saints for Every Day of the Year
Compiled by Fr. Bonaventure Hammer, OFM (© 1909, Benziger Brothers)
Meditation for April 8, Redeeming Heroism
There is nothing more contradictory, one might even say more repellant, than a religious voluntarily and habitually negligent. As religious we are obliged to strive after Christian perfection according to the spirit of our institute. Yet we may choose deliberately to cease all efforts after perfection and saunter along carelessly in a life full of wilful mediocrities.
Even as Christians we ought to shun as a plague an ordinary life, for by our very baptism we are vowed to communicate the sursum of Jesus to our associates.
We can be true, sincere Christians only by the absolute and unreserved gift of self to God and neighbor in imitation of Christ's own immolation from Bethlehem to Calvary.
Genuine faith in Christ the Redeemer results inevitably in an intimate and personal participation in this redeeming heroism of Christ. This heroism then becomes the directing and dominating force in our life.
The true Christian soul has always borne the mark of heroism. Without it a Christian life would not be completely Christian.
And that is a Christian life, a simple Christian life, a full, loyal Christian life! What then can be expected of the religious life!
Does my religious life bear the mark of heroism?
Adapted from Meditations for Religious
by Father Raoul Plus, S.J. (© 1939, Frederick Pustet Co.)
Even as Christians we ought to shun as a plague an ordinary life, for by our very baptism we are vowed to communicate the sursum of Jesus to our associates.
We can be true, sincere Christians only by the absolute and unreserved gift of self to God and neighbor in imitation of Christ's own immolation from Bethlehem to Calvary.
Genuine faith in Christ the Redeemer results inevitably in an intimate and personal participation in this redeeming heroism of Christ. This heroism then becomes the directing and dominating force in our life.
The true Christian soul has always borne the mark of heroism. Without it a Christian life would not be completely Christian.
And that is a Christian life, a simple Christian life, a full, loyal Christian life! What then can be expected of the religious life!
Does my religious life bear the mark of heroism?
"Forgive my lack of heroism in Your service, O Heroic Redeemer! In face of all that You are, how I blush that I am so deficient. In view of what the Gospel demands of all, I am ashamed when I realize that my own convenience has been the measure of my virtue in the past. Make me brave in trials, generous in keeping my Rule and not too unworthy of my holy vows."_________________
Adapted from Meditations for Religious
by Father Raoul Plus, S.J. (© 1939, Frederick Pustet Co.)
Dr. Peter Kreeft: "We are living in a spiritual Hiroshima"
From CatholicCitizens.org - Notes By Joe Wemhoff -The Annual Parish Respect Life Coordinator Conference, Archdiocese of Chicago
Much more can be found in this enlightening report here.
Dr. Peter Kreeft (pronounced "kreft") is a professor of philosophy at Boston College. He is an orthodox Roman Catholic, who has written over 45 books, and who contributes regularly to various Christian publications. Dr. Kreeft is one of the most eloquent voices for the Faith in America. This summary of Dr. Kreeft's remarks was prepared on March 9, 2008, by Joseph A. Wemhoff, from memory and from extensive notes taken during the talk. Dr. Kreeft has his own website at www.peterkreeft.com.So what do we do? Dr Kreeft reminds us of what the Church has always taught: Prayer, the sacrament of confession, and the Holy Eucharist....
[...]
The term "Culture War" is simply a euphemism for the conflict between Christ and the Antichrist, with the stakes being the fate of the universe.
Sadly, today, the Antichrist controls all of the formal and informal means of education and information in America, including the media, news reporting, publishing, music, movies (Hollywood), etc. Today, pornography generates more revenue in America than any other industry except gambling.
...The Christian religion is now in decline, and the Antichrist is now winning...Most people today "feel;" they no longer "think."
We are living in a "spiritual Hiroshima." The Catholic Church is full of psychobabble. Our bishops have all the courage and behavior of rabbits. Since Vatican II, three-quarters of our nuns are gone. Sunday Mass attendance has declined from 75% to 25%. Belief in the Real Presence has dropped from nearly 100% to about 30%. The Catholic Church has lost the power to arrest the decline of our culture.
Properly said, ours is not a "Culture of Death," but a "Culture of Murder." There is the murder of marriage (divorce). There is the murder of the unborn (abortion). There is the murder of reason by militant feminists and by militant homosexuals. The cloning of humans promises to turn the "I am" of God into the "it is" of humanism. Science is promising eternal life by working to eliminate from humankind the "age and die" gene, which supposedly is not found in non-sexual species and in cancer cells....
Much more can be found in this enlightening report here.
Fresno bishop issues pastoral message about Limbo
"Babies That Die Without Baptism” is the subject of Fresno Bishop John Steinbock’s pastoral message for April. Referencing the millions of unborn children who “are killed by abortion” as well as the estimated “one in five pregnancies [that] end in a miscarriage,” Bishop Steinbock says that “older Catholics remember from the days of their catechism that baptism is necessary for salvation, and that Limbo was a place where unbaptized children would go after death.” However, Steinbock says, “many Catholics may not realize it but Limbo was just a theological opinion, and was never part of the official teaching of the Church.”
Steinbock cites the conclusions of the International Theological Commission’s Vatican-initiated study, The Hope of Salvation for Infants Who Die without Being Baptized, which, last April, concluded: “There are theological and liturgical reasons to hope that infants who die without baptism may be saved and brought into eternal happiness, even if there is not an explicit teaching on this question found in Revelation....”
[snip]
Steinbock concludes his letter, saying God “can give the grace of Baptism to someone who is unable to receive it. Catholic parents should do everything possible to ensure that their children are baptized as soon as possible after birth, but if an unborn child or young child dies without baptism, parents should find comfort from the teaching of the Church, entrusting with hope their unbaptized children to the merciful love of our God.”
Global Village?
Someone sent this to me some time ago. Do I realize how fortunate I am? Am I doing all that I can to help those in need? It's another perspective on seeing the world in which we live.
If you could fit the entire population of the world into a village consisting of 100 people, maintaining the proportions of all the people living on Earth, that village would consist of:
57 Asians
21 Europeans
14 Americans (North, Central and South)
8 Africans
There would be:
52 women and 48 men
30 Caucasians and 70 non-Caucasians
30 Christians and 70 non-Christians
89 heterosexuals and
11 homosexuals
Six people would possess 59% of the wealth and they would all come from the USA.
80 would live in poverty
70 would be illiterate
50 would suffer from hunger and malnutrition
1 would be dying
1 would be being born
1 would own a computer
1 (yes, only one) would have a university degree
If you woke up this morning in good health, you have more luck than one million people, who won’t live through the week.
If you have never experienced the horror of war, the solitude of prison, the pain of torture, were not close to death from starvation, then you are better off than 500 million people.
If you can go to your place of worship without fear that someone will assault or kill you, then you are luckier than 3 billion people.
If you have a full fridge, clothes on your back, a roof over your head and a place to sleep, you are wealthier than 75% of the world’s population.
If you currently have money in the bank, in your wallet and a few coins in your purse, you are one of 8 of the privileged few amongst the 100 people in the world.
Inside the Vatican Magazine - Welcome Benedict
This is the text of the editorial for the April 2008 "Special Issue" of Inside the Vatican previewing the Pope's upcoming April 15-20 trip to America.- by Robert Moynihan
Continued here.
Pope Benedict XVI’s visit to the United States on April 15 has generated great excitement among Americans from the moment it was first announced. Interest in the trip now matches or in some respects surpasses the astonishingly successful visits of John Paul II....
Sure wish I could make it to see the Holy Father...