Behold, all things are Thine which I have, and with which I serve Thee. Thou hast beyond all hope shown mercy to Thy servant; and beyond all my desert bestowed Thy grace and friendship on me. Unspeakable, indeed, is the sweetness of Thy contemplation, which Thou bestowest on those that love Thee.
-Bk. III, ch. x.
______________
Not for them only do I pray, but for them also who through their word shall believe in me. Rather, I will that where I am, they also whom thou hast given me may be with me...that the world may know that thou hast loved them, as thou hast also loved me (John xvii, 20, 23).
I wish to repeat these words after Thee before I die. It may be presumption, but Thou hast encouraged me to be daring. As the father of the prodigal said to his elder son: All I have is thine (Luke xv, 31), so Thy words belong to me, and I am free to use them to draw down blessings upon the souls that I call mine.
O my God, my one desire, the only glory I seek is to love Thee alone. Thy love went before me in childhood, it has grown with me, and now it is become so great that I cannot fathom its depths.
-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, October 18, 2008
Thoughts of St Augustine for October 19
WHEN following the way of Christ do not promise yourself the prosperities of this life. He walked hard ways, but made large promises. Follow.
_________________________
Click here for more information.
From Thoughts of St Augustine for Every Day
by Kathleen Mary Balfe (© 1926)
Nihil Obstat: Georgius D. Smith, S.T.D
Imprimatur: Edm. Can. Surmont
_________________________
Click here for more information.
From Thoughts of St Augustine for Every Day
by Kathleen Mary Balfe (© 1926)
Nihil Obstat: Georgius D. Smith, S.T.D
Imprimatur: Edm. Can. Surmont
Thoughts from St Alphonsus for Every Day-October 19
GOD does indeed wish to give us eternal life, and all graces to attain it; but he wishes also that we should never omit to ask for them, even to the extent of being troublesome.
_________________
From Thoughts from St Alphonsus for Every Day
Compiled by Rev. C. McNeiry, C.SS.R.
Imprimatur: Joseph Hull, C.SS.R., Prov. Angl. Sup.
Nihil Obstat: Innocentlus Apap, O.P., S.T.M., Censor Deptutatus.
Imprimatur: Edm. Can. Surmont, Vicarius Generalis.
Westmonasterii, Die 9a Junii, 1927.
First published 1927
_________________
From Thoughts from St Alphonsus for Every Day
Compiled by Rev. C. McNeiry, C.SS.R.
Imprimatur: Joseph Hull, C.SS.R., Prov. Angl. Sup.
Nihil Obstat: Innocentlus Apap, O.P., S.T.M., Censor Deptutatus.
Imprimatur: Edm. Can. Surmont, Vicarius Generalis.
Westmonasterii, Die 9a Junii, 1927.
First published 1927
Traditional Marriage Caravan, Support & Opposition - Part 1
During the month of September, 2008, the American TFP sent a "caravan" of dedicated volunteers to visit cities and universities across California, distributing fliers in support of traditional marriage.
The TFP volunteers held signs saying "Honk for Traditional Marriage". The countless honks throughout the video are from people expressing their support.
Here is a sample of both positive and negative reactions from passers-by to the campaign. Those who were against it frequently used profanity and even physical intimidation to try and silence the TFP volunteers.
Support God's Plan for Marriage. 1 Man and 1 Woman.
www.tfp.org
HT to Mark S for the link.
The TFP volunteers held signs saying "Honk for Traditional Marriage". The countless honks throughout the video are from people expressing their support.
Here is a sample of both positive and negative reactions from passers-by to the campaign. Those who were against it frequently used profanity and even physical intimidation to try and silence the TFP volunteers.
Support God's Plan for Marriage. 1 Man and 1 Woman.
www.tfp.org
HT to Mark S for the link.
Gospel for the 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time
From: Matthew 22:15-21
On Tribute to Caesar
[15] Then the Pharisees went and took counsel how to entangle him in his talk. [16] And they sent their disciples to him, along with the Herodians, saying, "Teacher, we know that you are true, and teach the way of God truthfully, and care for no man; for you do not regard the position of men. [17] Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?" [18] But Jesus, aware of their malice, said, "Why put me to the test, you hypocrites? [19] Show me the money for the tax." And they brought him a coin. [20] And Jesus said to them, "Whose likeness and inscription is this?" [21] They said, "Caesar's." Then he said to them, "Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's."
_____________
Commentary:
15-21. The Pharisees and Herodians join forces to plot against Jesus. The Herodians were supporters of the regime of Herod and his dynasty. They were quite well disposed to Roman rule and, as far as religious matters were concerned, they held the same kind of materialistic ideas as the Sadducees. The Pharisees were zealous keepers of the Law; they were anti-Roman and regarded the Herodians as usurpers. It is difficult to imagine any two groups more at odds with each other: their amazing
pact shows how much they hated Jesus.
Had Jesus replied that it was lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, the Pharisees could have discredited him in the eyes of the people, who were very nationalistic; if he said it was unlawful, the Herodians would have been able to denounce him to the Roman authorities.
Our Lord's answer is at once so profound that they fail to grasp its meaning, and it is also faithful to his preaching about the Kingdom of God: give Caesar what is his due, but no more, because God must assuredly be given what he has a right to (the other side of the question, which they omitted to put). God and Caesar are on two quite different levels, because for an Israelite God transcends all human
categories. What has Caesar a right to receive? Taxes, which are necessary for legitimate state expenses. What must God be given? Obviously, obedience to all his commandments--which implies personal love and commitment. Jesus' reply goes beyond the human horizons of these tempters, far beyond the simple yes or no they wanted to draw out of him.
The teaching of Jesus transcends any kind of political approach, and if the faithful, using the freedom that is theirs, chose one particular method of solving temporal questions, they "ought to remember that in those cases no one is permitted to identify the authority of the Churchexclusively with his own opinion" (Vatican II, "Gaudium Et Spes", 43).
Jesus' words show that he recognized civil authority and its rights, but he made it quite clear that the superior rights of God must be respected (cf. Vatican II, "Dignitatis Humanae", 11 ), and pointed out that it is part of God's will that we faithfully fulfill our civic duties (cf. Rom 13:1-7).
___________________________
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.
On Tribute to Caesar
[15] Then the Pharisees went and took counsel how to entangle him in his talk. [16] And they sent their disciples to him, along with the Herodians, saying, "Teacher, we know that you are true, and teach the way of God truthfully, and care for no man; for you do not regard the position of men. [17] Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?" [18] But Jesus, aware of their malice, said, "Why put me to the test, you hypocrites? [19] Show me the money for the tax." And they brought him a coin. [20] And Jesus said to them, "Whose likeness and inscription is this?" [21] They said, "Caesar's." Then he said to them, "Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's."
_____________
Commentary:
15-21. The Pharisees and Herodians join forces to plot against Jesus. The Herodians were supporters of the regime of Herod and his dynasty. They were quite well disposed to Roman rule and, as far as religious matters were concerned, they held the same kind of materialistic ideas as the Sadducees. The Pharisees were zealous keepers of the Law; they were anti-Roman and regarded the Herodians as usurpers. It is difficult to imagine any two groups more at odds with each other: their amazing
pact shows how much they hated Jesus.
Had Jesus replied that it was lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, the Pharisees could have discredited him in the eyes of the people, who were very nationalistic; if he said it was unlawful, the Herodians would have been able to denounce him to the Roman authorities.
Our Lord's answer is at once so profound that they fail to grasp its meaning, and it is also faithful to his preaching about the Kingdom of God: give Caesar what is his due, but no more, because God must assuredly be given what he has a right to (the other side of the question, which they omitted to put). God and Caesar are on two quite different levels, because for an Israelite God transcends all human
categories. What has Caesar a right to receive? Taxes, which are necessary for legitimate state expenses. What must God be given? Obviously, obedience to all his commandments--which implies personal love and commitment. Jesus' reply goes beyond the human horizons of these tempters, far beyond the simple yes or no they wanted to draw out of him.
The teaching of Jesus transcends any kind of political approach, and if the faithful, using the freedom that is theirs, chose one particular method of solving temporal questions, they "ought to remember that in those cases no one is permitted to identify the authority of the Churchexclusively with his own opinion" (Vatican II, "Gaudium Et Spes", 43).
Jesus' words show that he recognized civil authority and its rights, but he made it quite clear that the superior rights of God must be respected (cf. Vatican II, "Dignitatis Humanae", 11 ), and pointed out that it is part of God's will that we faithfully fulfill our civic duties (cf. Rom 13:1-7).
___________________________
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.
2nd Reading, 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time
From: 1 Thessalonians 1:1-5b
Greetings
[1] Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace.
Thanksgiving for the Thessalonians' Fidelity
[2] We give thanks to God always for you all, constantly mentioning you in our prayers, [3] remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. [4] For we know brethren beloved by God, that he has chosen you; [5] for our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction.
_____________
Commentary:
1. The heading is in keeping with the style of the period: it identifies the writer and the addressees and contains a greeting. The names of Silvanus and Timothy, co-workers of St Paul, appears alongside his own. The heading is affectionate in tone but it is not the kind of opening typical of a simple family letter. This is an official letter, which is why two witnesses vouch for its content (in line with legal requirements: cf. Deut 17:6).
As in certain other letters (cf. 2 Thess, Phil, Philem), St Paul does not describe himself as an Apostle; the mention of his name is enough to convey his authority. Silvanus is the same person as Silas whom Acts describes as "prophet" and one of the "leading men among the brethren" in Jerusalem (cf. Acts 15 :22, 32); here the Latin transcription of his name is used. He had worked alongside St Paul in the evangelization of Thessalonica, so he would have been well known to the believers in that city (cf. Acts 17:4). Timothy was son of Gentile father and a Jewish mother (his mother was a Christian convert); Paul gave him instruction in the faith when he passed through Lystra during his second missionary journey, and ever since then he had always been a faithful helper of the Apostle. When St Paul was writing this letter, Timothy had just arrived in Corinth from Thessalonica with good reports of the spiritual health of that church (cf. 1 Thess 3:6).
The letter is addressed to "the church of the Thessalonians". The Greek word "ekklesia", meaning "assembly, gathering of the people", was used from the apostolic age onwards to describe the Church, the new people of God. St Thomas Aquinas used this verse for his definition of the Church as "the assembly of the faithful brought together in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ, through faith in the Trinity and in the divinity and humanity of Christ" ("Commentary on 1 Thess, ad loc."). "All those, who in faith look toward Jesus, the author of salvation and the principle of unity and peace, God had gathered together and established as the Church, that it may be for each and everyone the visible sacrament of this saving unity" (Vatican II, Lumen Gentium, 9).
"Grace to you and peace": a favorite greeting of St Paul's, expressing the wish that they will attain the fullness of heavenly good things. See the note on Rom 1:7).
3. The spiritual life of the Christian is based on the practice of the theological virtues, for "faith encourages men to do good, charity to bear pain and effort, and hope to resist patiently" (Severian of Gabala, "Commentary on 1 Thess, ad loc.").
Faith needs to be reflected in one's conduct, for "faith apart from works is dead" (Jas 2:26). As St John Chrysostom teaches, "belief and faith are proved by works -not by simply saying that one believes, but by real actions, which are kept up, and by a heart burning with love" ("Hom. on I Thess, ad loc.").
The service of others for God's sake is a proof of charity. A person who practices this virtue always rises to the occasion and does not try to dodge sacrifice or effort.
Hope is a virtue which "enables one to endure adversity" (St Thomas, "Commentary on 1 Thess, ad loc."). St Paul encourages us to rejoice in hope and be patient in tribulation (cf. Rom 12:12), for hope fills the soul with joy and gives it the strength to bear every difficulty for love of God.
4. All men are "beloved by God" and, as St Thomas points out, this is the case "not just in the ordinary sense of having received natural existence from him, but particularly because he has called them to eternal good things" ("Commentary on I Thess, ad loc."). Man's last end is happiness, and happiness cannot be found (other than in a relative sense) in wealth, honors, health or sensual satisfaction; it can only be found in knowing and loving God. By raising man to the supernatural order, God gave him a supernatural goal or end, which consists in "seeing God himself, triune and one, as he is, clearly" (Council of Florence, "Laetentur Coeli").
Deprived as he was of sanctifying grace on account of original sin and his personal sins, man was unable to attain any end exceeding his natural powers. But God loved us so much that he deigned to enable us "to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. He has delivered us from the dominion of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son" (Col 1:12-13). Therefore, those who have been given the preaching of the Gospel and the fruits of Redemption through Baptism and the other sacraments are the object of a special divine "choice". This "choice" or election is not the same as "salvation"; it is an initiative on God's part prior to the attainment of salvation. To be saved one must second this action of God by responding freely to grace.
5. St Paul reminds them that what he preached was the "gospel" foretold by the prophets (cf. Is 40:9; 52:7; 60:6; 61:1) and fulfilled by the Incarnation of the Word and by his work of salvation. The Apostle was pressed into service by the Holy Spirit to forward his work of sanctification. The Thessalonians were not won over by mere human words but by the "power" of God, who made those words effective. The term "power" refers not only to miraculous actions but also to the Holy Spirit moving the souls of those who heard Paul's preaching.
It is true that this activity, like all actions of God outside himself, is something done by all three Persons of the Blessed Trinity; but in the language of Scripture and of the Church it is customary "to attribute to the Father those works of the Divinity in which power excels; to attribute to the Son, those in which wisdom excels; and to the Holy Spirit, those in which love excels" (Leo XIII, "Divinum Illud Munus", 5).
In the early years of the Church the proclamation of the Gospel was often marked by special graces of the Holy Spirit, such as prophecy, miracles, or the gift of tongues (cf. Acts 2:8). This profusion of gifts made it clear that the messianic era had begun (cf. Acts 2:16), for it meant the fulfillment of the ancient prophecies: "I will pour out my spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions. Even upon the menservants and maidservants in those days, I will pour out my spirit" (Joel 3:1-3).
"In power and in the Holy Spirit": in line with the divine plan of salvation, the time of the Old Testament, which prepared the way for the coming of the Messiah, has reached its end, and a new era has begun, the Christian era, the key feature of which is the activity of the Spirit of God: "It must be said that the Holy Spirit is the principal agent of evangelization: it is he who impels each individual to proclaim the Gospel, and it is he who in the depths of consciences causes the word of salvation to be accepted and understood" (Paul VI, "Evangelii Nuntiandi", 75).
___________________________
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.
Greetings
[1] Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace.
Thanksgiving for the Thessalonians' Fidelity
[2] We give thanks to God always for you all, constantly mentioning you in our prayers, [3] remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. [4] For we know brethren beloved by God, that he has chosen you; [5] for our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction.
_____________
Commentary:
1. The heading is in keeping with the style of the period: it identifies the writer and the addressees and contains a greeting. The names of Silvanus and Timothy, co-workers of St Paul, appears alongside his own. The heading is affectionate in tone but it is not the kind of opening typical of a simple family letter. This is an official letter, which is why two witnesses vouch for its content (in line with legal requirements: cf. Deut 17:6).
As in certain other letters (cf. 2 Thess, Phil, Philem), St Paul does not describe himself as an Apostle; the mention of his name is enough to convey his authority. Silvanus is the same person as Silas whom Acts describes as "prophet" and one of the "leading men among the brethren" in Jerusalem (cf. Acts 15 :22, 32); here the Latin transcription of his name is used. He had worked alongside St Paul in the evangelization of Thessalonica, so he would have been well known to the believers in that city (cf. Acts 17:4). Timothy was son of Gentile father and a Jewish mother (his mother was a Christian convert); Paul gave him instruction in the faith when he passed through Lystra during his second missionary journey, and ever since then he had always been a faithful helper of the Apostle. When St Paul was writing this letter, Timothy had just arrived in Corinth from Thessalonica with good reports of the spiritual health of that church (cf. 1 Thess 3:6).
The letter is addressed to "the church of the Thessalonians". The Greek word "ekklesia", meaning "assembly, gathering of the people", was used from the apostolic age onwards to describe the Church, the new people of God. St Thomas Aquinas used this verse for his definition of the Church as "the assembly of the faithful brought together in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ, through faith in the Trinity and in the divinity and humanity of Christ" ("Commentary on 1 Thess, ad loc."). "All those, who in faith look toward Jesus, the author of salvation and the principle of unity and peace, God had gathered together and established as the Church, that it may be for each and everyone the visible sacrament of this saving unity" (Vatican II, Lumen Gentium, 9).
"Grace to you and peace": a favorite greeting of St Paul's, expressing the wish that they will attain the fullness of heavenly good things. See the note on Rom 1:7).
3. The spiritual life of the Christian is based on the practice of the theological virtues, for "faith encourages men to do good, charity to bear pain and effort, and hope to resist patiently" (Severian of Gabala, "Commentary on 1 Thess, ad loc.").
Faith needs to be reflected in one's conduct, for "faith apart from works is dead" (Jas 2:26). As St John Chrysostom teaches, "belief and faith are proved by works -not by simply saying that one believes, but by real actions, which are kept up, and by a heart burning with love" ("Hom. on I Thess, ad loc.").
The service of others for God's sake is a proof of charity. A person who practices this virtue always rises to the occasion and does not try to dodge sacrifice or effort.
Hope is a virtue which "enables one to endure adversity" (St Thomas, "Commentary on 1 Thess, ad loc."). St Paul encourages us to rejoice in hope and be patient in tribulation (cf. Rom 12:12), for hope fills the soul with joy and gives it the strength to bear every difficulty for love of God.
4. All men are "beloved by God" and, as St Thomas points out, this is the case "not just in the ordinary sense of having received natural existence from him, but particularly because he has called them to eternal good things" ("Commentary on I Thess, ad loc."). Man's last end is happiness, and happiness cannot be found (other than in a relative sense) in wealth, honors, health or sensual satisfaction; it can only be found in knowing and loving God. By raising man to the supernatural order, God gave him a supernatural goal or end, which consists in "seeing God himself, triune and one, as he is, clearly" (Council of Florence, "Laetentur Coeli").
Deprived as he was of sanctifying grace on account of original sin and his personal sins, man was unable to attain any end exceeding his natural powers. But God loved us so much that he deigned to enable us "to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. He has delivered us from the dominion of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son" (Col 1:12-13). Therefore, those who have been given the preaching of the Gospel and the fruits of Redemption through Baptism and the other sacraments are the object of a special divine "choice". This "choice" or election is not the same as "salvation"; it is an initiative on God's part prior to the attainment of salvation. To be saved one must second this action of God by responding freely to grace.
5. St Paul reminds them that what he preached was the "gospel" foretold by the prophets (cf. Is 40:9; 52:7; 60:6; 61:1) and fulfilled by the Incarnation of the Word and by his work of salvation. The Apostle was pressed into service by the Holy Spirit to forward his work of sanctification. The Thessalonians were not won over by mere human words but by the "power" of God, who made those words effective. The term "power" refers not only to miraculous actions but also to the Holy Spirit moving the souls of those who heard Paul's preaching.
It is true that this activity, like all actions of God outside himself, is something done by all three Persons of the Blessed Trinity; but in the language of Scripture and of the Church it is customary "to attribute to the Father those works of the Divinity in which power excels; to attribute to the Son, those in which wisdom excels; and to the Holy Spirit, those in which love excels" (Leo XIII, "Divinum Illud Munus", 5).
In the early years of the Church the proclamation of the Gospel was often marked by special graces of the Holy Spirit, such as prophecy, miracles, or the gift of tongues (cf. Acts 2:8). This profusion of gifts made it clear that the messianic era had begun (cf. Acts 2:16), for it meant the fulfillment of the ancient prophecies: "I will pour out my spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions. Even upon the menservants and maidservants in those days, I will pour out my spirit" (Joel 3:1-3).
"In power and in the Holy Spirit": in line with the divine plan of salvation, the time of the Old Testament, which prepared the way for the coming of the Messiah, has reached its end, and a new era has begun, the Christian era, the key feature of which is the activity of the Spirit of God: "It must be said that the Holy Spirit is the principal agent of evangelization: it is he who impels each individual to proclaim the Gospel, and it is he who in the depths of consciences causes the word of salvation to be accepted and understood" (Paul VI, "Evangelii Nuntiandi", 75).
___________________________
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.
1st Reading, 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time
From: Isaiah 45:1, 4-6
Cyrus’ mission
[1] Thus says the Lord to his anointed, to Cyrus,
whose right hand I have grasped,
to subdue nations before him
and ungird the loins of kings,
to open doors before him
that gates may not be closed:
[4] For the sake of my servant Jacob,
and Israel my chosen,
I call you by your name.
I surname you, though you do not know me.
[5] I am the Lord, and there is no other,
besides me there is no God;
I gird you, though you do not know me,
[6] that men may know, from the rising of the sun
and from the west, that there is none besides me;
I am the Lord, and there is no other.
_______________
Commentary:
45:1-13. This poetic statement is a message designed to raise the spirits of the exiles by announcing the sending of a liberator. Cyrus of Persia, whom God will use to implement his plans of salvation for Israel. The formal, very considered, mention of Cyrus, a foreign king, reveals the universal scope of God’s salvific plans -- which did not at all fit in with the people’s own exclusive, nationalistic mentality. The prophecy can be read as an investiture oracle that maybe never reached the ears of Cyrus yet filled the exiles with hope. St Thomas comments: “Having raised the hope of the people in the divine promises (chaps. 40-44), he lists and details the promises in order to console them: first he promises freedom from all ills (chaps. 45-55), and then the restoration of all goods (chaps. 56-66)” (Expositio super Isaiam, 59).
Cyrus was a foreign king who did not know the God of the chosen people, and yet, surprisingly, has been given the title of “anointed”, a title reserved to the kings of Israel. Moreover, the oracle says that the mission and conquest of this Persian king are attributable to special divine providence: God has chosen this man to deliver Israel from oppression by other nations (vv. 1-5). This message must have truly amazed those who heard the oracle. Even many centuries later it makes us realize that Gods plans can involve historical events that at first sight can seem disconcerting or at odds with those plans.
The expression “ungird the loins of kings” means disarming them, for the sword was slung from the belt.
45:6-7. ‘When these verses were written they may have been designed to counter dualism (very prevalent among the Persians and their neighbours), which held that two counterposed principles existed -- good and evil; hence the emphasis on the fact that the Lord is the only God, the creator of all things, of light and of darkness. That would explain why God is described as the maker of “weal” and “woe”, whereas because God is infinite goodness he cannot properly be called the author of evil. However, because Christian readers could find the statement (in v. 2 disconcerting, exegetes have commented on it. Origen, quite early on, gave this explanation: “Evil, in the absolute sense of the word, was not created by God [...].
If we speak of evil in a loose sense, meaning physical and natural evils, then we can say that God created it in order to convert men by their suffering. What is strange about this teaching? We refer to the punishments meted out by parents and teachers, and even the prescriptions and operations carried out by doctors and surgeons, as evils and sufferings, without blaming or condemning them. And that is how we should read the verse: I form light and create darkness. I make weal and woe (Is 45:7)” (Contra Celsum, 6, 55-56). And St Gregory the Great comments: “I make weal and woe: the peace of God is offered to us precisely in the moment when created things, which are good in themselves, though not always desired or sought with rectitude of heart, become the source of suffering and disgrace. Our union with God is broken by sin; it is fitting, therefore, that we return to him along the path of suffering. When any created thing, which is good in itself, causes us to suffer, it is an instrument for our conversion, so that we will return humbly to the source of peace” (Moralia in Job, 3, 9, 15).
___________________________
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.
Cyrus’ mission
[1] Thus says the Lord to his anointed, to Cyrus,
whose right hand I have grasped,
to subdue nations before him
and ungird the loins of kings,
to open doors before him
that gates may not be closed:
[4] For the sake of my servant Jacob,
and Israel my chosen,
I call you by your name.
I surname you, though you do not know me.
[5] I am the Lord, and there is no other,
besides me there is no God;
I gird you, though you do not know me,
[6] that men may know, from the rising of the sun
and from the west, that there is none besides me;
I am the Lord, and there is no other.
_______________
Commentary:
45:1-13. This poetic statement is a message designed to raise the spirits of the exiles by announcing the sending of a liberator. Cyrus of Persia, whom God will use to implement his plans of salvation for Israel. The formal, very considered, mention of Cyrus, a foreign king, reveals the universal scope of God’s salvific plans -- which did not at all fit in with the people’s own exclusive, nationalistic mentality. The prophecy can be read as an investiture oracle that maybe never reached the ears of Cyrus yet filled the exiles with hope. St Thomas comments: “Having raised the hope of the people in the divine promises (chaps. 40-44), he lists and details the promises in order to console them: first he promises freedom from all ills (chaps. 45-55), and then the restoration of all goods (chaps. 56-66)” (Expositio super Isaiam, 59).
Cyrus was a foreign king who did not know the God of the chosen people, and yet, surprisingly, has been given the title of “anointed”, a title reserved to the kings of Israel. Moreover, the oracle says that the mission and conquest of this Persian king are attributable to special divine providence: God has chosen this man to deliver Israel from oppression by other nations (vv. 1-5). This message must have truly amazed those who heard the oracle. Even many centuries later it makes us realize that Gods plans can involve historical events that at first sight can seem disconcerting or at odds with those plans.
The expression “ungird the loins of kings” means disarming them, for the sword was slung from the belt.
45:6-7. ‘When these verses were written they may have been designed to counter dualism (very prevalent among the Persians and their neighbours), which held that two counterposed principles existed -- good and evil; hence the emphasis on the fact that the Lord is the only God, the creator of all things, of light and of darkness. That would explain why God is described as the maker of “weal” and “woe”, whereas because God is infinite goodness he cannot properly be called the author of evil. However, because Christian readers could find the statement (in v. 2 disconcerting, exegetes have commented on it. Origen, quite early on, gave this explanation: “Evil, in the absolute sense of the word, was not created by God [...].
If we speak of evil in a loose sense, meaning physical and natural evils, then we can say that God created it in order to convert men by their suffering. What is strange about this teaching? We refer to the punishments meted out by parents and teachers, and even the prescriptions and operations carried out by doctors and surgeons, as evils and sufferings, without blaming or condemning them. And that is how we should read the verse: I form light and create darkness. I make weal and woe (Is 45:7)” (Contra Celsum, 6, 55-56). And St Gregory the Great comments: “I make weal and woe: the peace of God is offered to us precisely in the moment when created things, which are good in themselves, though not always desired or sought with rectitude of heart, become the source of suffering and disgrace. Our union with God is broken by sin; it is fitting, therefore, that we return to him along the path of suffering. When any created thing, which is good in itself, causes us to suffer, it is an instrument for our conversion, so that we will return humbly to the source of peace” (Moralia in Job, 3, 9, 15).
___________________________
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.
B. Hussein Obama Vows to 'Change the World'...
Source: the UK Telegraph....as he urged his "followers" to guard against complacency.
The supremely confident demeanour and exalted rhetoric of the Democratic nominee at a New Hampshire event betrayed that he is a man convinced he is poised to make history....
"[McCain's] lost because the Messiah has spoken and we're going to change the world. That's all people want to hear after eight years of Bush. Obama thinks he's won. Everyone here thinks he's won," [said Deborah Barnhart, 48, who runs a landscaping business.]
For an astute commentary on how Barry Soetoro/B. Hussein Obama plans to change the world (after he approves the Freedom of Choice Act [FOCA], read this.
And Abortion & Infanticide Are Not Even Mentioned...
Obama's Nexus Of Support: "Black Power Anti-White Racists, Jew-Haters, Revolutionary Marxists, Unrepentant Former Terrorists And Chicago Mobsters"
British political observer Melanie Phillips writing in the UK's Spectator cannot believe what's going on in the United States:You have to pinch yourself –As she sees it: Pinch yourself
a Marxisant* radical who all his life:
* has been mentored by,
* sat at the feet of,
* worshipped with,
* befriended,
* endorsed the philosophy of,
* funded and been in turn funded,
* politically promoted and
* supported by a nexus comprising:* black power anti-white racists,is on the verge of becoming President of the United States. And apparently it’s considered impolite to say so.
* Jew-haters,
* revolutionary Marxists,
* unrepentant former terrorists and
* Chicago mobsters,
News Updates, 10/18
Pro-Life Movie Star Eduardo Verastegui Backs John McCain Over Abortion
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- Eduardo Verastegui, the Hispanic heartthrob and star of the movie Bella, that resonated with millions of pro-life Americans last year, has endorsed John McCain.
Well-known Catholic pro-life advocate dies
Each day for decades, Doc Hite walked, stood, sat and eventually slumped outside a Portland abortion clinic, urging adoption over abortion. His mission was persistent testimony to what he considered a slaughter of innocents. Hite, a member of Holy Rosary Parish, kept up his protest until he was 100.
Douglas Kmiec Exposed: "Catholic" Obama Backer Takes Pro-Abortion PositionWashington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- Pepperdine University law professor Douglas Kmiec has been heralded as a leading pro-life Catholic scholar who happens to support Barack Obama.
Missouri Choose Life License Plate Gets Federal Appeals Court Hearing
Jefferson City, MO (LifeNews.com) -- A federal appeals court held a hearing on Thursday on the constitutionality of Choose Life license plates in Missouri.
Issues & Politics
BREAKING: Obama Land Deal with Rezko and Mutual Bank Subject of New Court Complaint
More Lies? Barack Hussein Obama’s review of William Ayers' book
On December 21, 1997, Barack Obama wrote a short review of William Ayers’ book A Kind and Just Parent: The Children of Juvenile Court, which had recently been published by Beacon Press. Here’s a photo of how the review appeared in the Chicago Tribune...
And GatewayPundit has this:
Obama & Ayers Shared Chicago Office For THREE Years... And Maoist Hardliner Mike Klonsky Worked There Too ...
Bachmann says Obama 'may' be anti-American
MINNEAPOLIS -- Minnesota Republican Rep. Michele Bachmann said in a TV interview Friday that she's concerned Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama "may have anti-American views." {YouTube Video here]
Obama Team Suggests Voter Fraud Probe a McCain/Bush Effort
The presidential campaign of Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) asked the Justice Department on Friday to allow an existing special prosecutor to probe the possible collaboration between the Bush administration and the presidential campaign of Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) in generating what Obama aides charge are spurious allegations and investigations of voter fraud.
Tancredo tells governor Denver violates immigration law
Congressman Tom Tancredo called on Gov. Bill Ritter today to cut state funding to the city of Denver, saying Denver has created a "sanctuary city" by failing to enforce the state's immigration laws, saying ther is "abundant evidence that Denver has failed to implement Colorado's 2006 anti-sanctuary city law."
Obama's Past Socialist Activism While In Chicago
While Sen. Barack Obama's association with Weathermen co-founder William Ayers has gained publicity on the campaign trail, his active participation in socialist organizations during his days as a local Chicago politician are less well-known: one of which is the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA)-affiliated New Party, an American affiliate of the Socialist International, which includes Nicaragua's Sandinsta Party.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) says Democrats will expand their majority to 250 seats in the House next year and might have gone further if the party had more money.
McCain Promises No Compromise on Supreme Court, Will Visit ANWR
Would continue to nominate strict constructionist judges if any of his Supreme Court nominations were defeated by a hostile Senate
28 Out of 92 Cast Votes in NM Democratic Primary Appear Fake
The Magic of ACORN
ACORN Magazine Article on Obama Magically Reappears
Obama among his favorite nuts. (photo: Social Policy magazine)
* * * * * It appears ACORN has decided there is no point in continuing to hide an article that links Senator Barack Obama to it in the early 1990s because it’s out there in cyberspace already. After locking “Case Study: Chicago-The Barack Obama Campaign” (Social Policy magazine, Winter 2003-Spring 2004) when ACORN began getting pummeled by bad press, suddenly the article is available again. (registration required for access) Social Policy magazine is run by ACORN affiliate, the Institute for Social Justice....
Gadhafi: Obama a Muslim, Studied in Islamic Schools
JERUSALEM – Sen. Barack Obama is a Muslim of Kenyan origins who studied in Islamic schools and whose campaign may have been financed by people in the Islamic and African worlds, Libyan leader Muammar Gadhafi said during a recent televised national rally.
Obama's Terrorist Friend Ayers Disinvited from University of Nebraska-Lincoln
LINCOLN, Neb. - Safety concerns have forced University of Nebraska-Lincoln officials to cancel plans for William Ayers to speak on campus. Ayers, who founded a [TERRORIST] group in the late 1960s that claimed responsibility for bombing several government buildings, was to speak Nov. 15.
Evidence Mounts: Ayers Co-Wrote Obama's Dreams
Evidence continues to mount that Barack Obama had substantial help from Bill Ayers in the creation of his 1995 book, Dreams From My Father, a book that Time Magazine has called "the best-written memoir ever produced by an American politician." The evidence falls into five general categories...
{Ayers was just a guy in the neighborhood]
The Barack Backlash
As Americans render what Catholics call temporal judgment on George Bush, are they aware of the radical course correction they are about to make? This center-right country is about to vastly strengthen a liberal Congress whose approval rating is 10 percent and implant in Washington a regime further to the left than any in U.S. history...
George Voinovich calls Barack Obama a 'socialist'
Sen. George Voinovich, what do you really think of Barack Obama, the Democratic candidate for president?
"He is left of Teddy Kennedy. With all due respect, the man is a socialist."
Ohio's senior senator, a Republican, made his comments Thursday to a reporter for The Daily Sentinel in Pomeroy, Ohio.
Obama's NH event scraps National Anthem, Pledge of Allegiance
Zach Bencal, who sings the anthem for a number of school events and is actively involved in local community theatre, had been contacted by the Obama campaign to sing the anthem. He agreed to do so, then was told later in the evening the anthem had been scratched from the program. Bencal said he was told by the campaign the decision was a simple programming change to make room for another speaker.
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- Eduardo Verastegui, the Hispanic heartthrob and star of the movie Bella, that resonated with millions of pro-life Americans last year, has endorsed John McCain.
Well-known Catholic pro-life advocate dies
Each day for decades, Doc Hite walked, stood, sat and eventually slumped outside a Portland abortion clinic, urging adoption over abortion. His mission was persistent testimony to what he considered a slaughter of innocents. Hite, a member of Holy Rosary Parish, kept up his protest until he was 100.
Douglas Kmiec Exposed: "Catholic" Obama Backer Takes Pro-Abortion PositionWashington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- Pepperdine University law professor Douglas Kmiec has been heralded as a leading pro-life Catholic scholar who happens to support Barack Obama.
Missouri Choose Life License Plate Gets Federal Appeals Court Hearing
Jefferson City, MO (LifeNews.com) -- A federal appeals court held a hearing on Thursday on the constitutionality of Choose Life license plates in Missouri.
Issues & Politics
BREAKING: Obama Land Deal with Rezko and Mutual Bank Subject of New Court Complaint
More Lies? Barack Hussein Obama’s review of William Ayers' book On December 21, 1997, Barack Obama wrote a short review of William Ayers’ book A Kind and Just Parent: The Children of Juvenile Court, which had recently been published by Beacon Press. Here’s a photo of how the review appeared in the Chicago Tribune...
And GatewayPundit has this:
Obama & Ayers Shared Chicago Office For THREE Years... And Maoist Hardliner Mike Klonsky Worked There Too ...
Bachmann says Obama 'may' be anti-American
MINNEAPOLIS -- Minnesota Republican Rep. Michele Bachmann said in a TV interview Friday that she's concerned Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama "may have anti-American views." {YouTube Video here]
Obama Team Suggests Voter Fraud Probe a McCain/Bush Effort
The presidential campaign of Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) asked the Justice Department on Friday to allow an existing special prosecutor to probe the possible collaboration between the Bush administration and the presidential campaign of Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) in generating what Obama aides charge are spurious allegations and investigations of voter fraud.
Tancredo tells governor Denver violates immigration law
Congressman Tom Tancredo called on Gov. Bill Ritter today to cut state funding to the city of Denver, saying Denver has created a "sanctuary city" by failing to enforce the state's immigration laws, saying ther is "abundant evidence that Denver has failed to implement Colorado's 2006 anti-sanctuary city law."
Obama's Past Socialist Activism While In Chicago While Sen. Barack Obama's association with Weathermen co-founder William Ayers has gained publicity on the campaign trail, his active participation in socialist organizations during his days as a local Chicago politician are less well-known: one of which is the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA)-affiliated New Party, an American affiliate of the Socialist International, which includes Nicaragua's Sandinsta Party.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) says Democrats will expand their majority to 250 seats in the House next year and might have gone further if the party had more money.
McCain Promises No Compromise on Supreme Court, Will Visit ANWR
Would continue to nominate strict constructionist judges if any of his Supreme Court nominations were defeated by a hostile Senate
28 Out of 92 Cast Votes in NM Democratic Primary Appear Fake The Magic of ACORN
ACORN Magazine Article on Obama Magically Reappears
* * * * *
Gadhafi: Obama a Muslim, Studied in Islamic Schools
JERUSALEM – Sen. Barack Obama is a Muslim of Kenyan origins who studied in Islamic schools and whose campaign may have been financed by people in the Islamic and African worlds, Libyan leader Muammar Gadhafi said during a recent televised national rally.
Obama's Terrorist Friend Ayers Disinvited from University of Nebraska-Lincoln
LINCOLN, Neb. - Safety concerns have forced University of Nebraska-Lincoln officials to cancel plans for William Ayers to speak on campus. Ayers, who founded a [TERRORIST] group in the late 1960s that claimed responsibility for bombing several government buildings, was to speak Nov. 15.
Evidence Mounts: Ayers Co-Wrote Obama's Dreams
Evidence continues to mount that Barack Obama had substantial help from Bill Ayers in the creation of his 1995 book, Dreams From My Father, a book that Time Magazine has called "the best-written memoir ever produced by an American politician." The evidence falls into five general categories...
{Ayers was just a guy in the neighborhood]
The Barack Backlash
As Americans render what Catholics call temporal judgment on George Bush, are they aware of the radical course correction they are about to make? This center-right country is about to vastly strengthen a liberal Congress whose approval rating is 10 percent and implant in Washington a regime further to the left than any in U.S. history...
George Voinovich calls Barack Obama a 'socialist'
Sen. George Voinovich, what do you really think of Barack Obama, the Democratic candidate for president?
"He is left of Teddy Kennedy. With all due respect, the man is a socialist."
Ohio's senior senator, a Republican, made his comments Thursday to a reporter for The Daily Sentinel in Pomeroy, Ohio.
Obama's NH event scraps National Anthem, Pledge of Allegiance
Zach Bencal, who sings the anthem for a number of school events and is actively involved in local community theatre, had been contacted by the Obama campaign to sing the anthem. He agreed to do so, then was told later in the evening the anthem had been scratched from the program. Bencal said he was told by the campaign the decision was a simple programming change to make room for another speaker.
Friday, October 17, 2008
Gospel for Oct 18, Feast: St. Luke, Evangelist
From: Luke 10:1-9
The Mission of the Seventy Disciples
[1] After this the Lord appointed seventy others, and sent them on ahead of Him, two by two, into every town and place where He Himself was about to come. [2] And He said to them, "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; pray therefore the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest. [3] Go your way; behold, I send you out as lambs in the midst of wolves. [4] Carry no purse, no bag, no sandals; and salute no one on the road. [5] Whatever house you enter, first say, `Peace be to this house!' [6] And if a son of peace is there, your peace shall rest upon him; but if not, it shall return to you. [7] And remain in the same house, eating and drinking what they provide, for the laborer deserves his wages; do not go from house to house. [8] Whenever you enter a town and they receive you, eat what is set before you; [9] heal the sick in it and say to them, "The Kingdom of God has come near to you.'"
____________________________
Commentary:
1-12. Those who followed our Lord and received a calling from Him (cf. Luke 9:57-62) included many other disciples in addition to the Twelve (cf. Mark 2:15). We do not know who most of them were; but undoubtedly some of them were with Him all along, from when Jesus was baptized by John up to the time of His ascension--for example, Joseph called Barrabas, and Matthias (cf. Acts 1:21-26). We can also include Cleopas and his companion, whom the risen Christ appeared to on the road to Emmaus (cf. Luke 24:13-35).
From among these disciples, our Lord chooses seventy-two for a special assignment. Of them, as of the Apostles (cf. Luke 9:1-5), He demands total detachment and complete abandonment to divine providence.
From Baptism onwards every Christian is called by Christ to perform a mission. Therefore, the Church, in our Lord's name, "makes to all the laity an earnest appeal in the Lord to give a willing, noble and enthusiastic response to the voice of Christ, who at this hour is summoning them more pressingly, and to the urging of the Holy Spirit. The younger generation should feel this call to be addressed in a special way to themselves; they should welcome it eagerly and generously. It is the Lord Himself, by this Council, who is once more inviting all the laity to unite themselves to Him ever more intimately, to consider His interests as their own (cf. Philippians 2:5), and to join in His mission as Savior. It is the Lord who is again sending them into every town and every place where He Himself is to come (cf. Luke 10:1). He sends them on the Church's apostolate, an apostolate that is one yet has different forms and methods, an apostolate that must all the time be adapting itself to the needs of the moment; He sends them on an apostolate where they are to show themselves His cooperators, doing their full share continually in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord their labor cannot be lost (cf. 1 Corinthians 15:58)" (Vatican II, "Apostolicam Actuositatem", 33).
3-4. Christ wants to instill apostolic daring into His disciples; this is why He says, "I send you out", which leads St. John Chrysostom to comment: "This suffices to give us encouragement, to give us confidence and to ensure that we are not afraid of our assailants" ("Hom. on St. Matthew", 33). The Apostles' and disciples' boldness stemmed from their firm conviction that they were on a God-given mission: they acted, as Peter the Apostle confidently explained to the Sanhedrin, in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, "for there is no other name under heaven by which we must be saved" (Acts 4:12).
"And the Lord goes on," St. Gregory the Great adds, "Carry no purse, no bag, no sandals; and salute no one on the road.' Such should be the confidence the preacher places in God that even if he is not provided with the necessities of life, he is convinced that they will come his way. This will ensure that worry about providing temporal things for himself does not distract him from providing others with eternal things" ("In Evangelia Homiliae", 17). Apostolate calls for generous self-surrender which leads to detachment; therefore, Peter, following our Lord's commandment, when the beggar at the Beautiful Gate asked him for alms (Acts 3:2-3), said, "I have no silver or gold" ("ibid.", 3:6), "not so as to glory in his poverty", St. Ambrose points out, "but to obey the Lord's command. It is as if he were saying, `You see in me a disciple of Christ, and you ask me for gold? He gave us something much more valuable than gold, the power to act in His name. I do not have what Christ did not give me, but I do have what He did give me: In the name of Jesus Christ, arise and walk' (cf. Acts 3:6)" ("Expositio Evangelii Sec. Lucam, in loc".). Apostolate, therefore, demands detachment from material things and it also requires us to be always available, for there is an urgency about apostolic work.
"And salute no one on the road": "How can it be", St. Ambrose asks himself, "that the Lord wishes to get rid of a custom so full of kindness? Notice, however, that He does not just say, `Do not salute anyone', but adds, `on the road.' And there is a reason for this.
"He also commanded Elisha not to salute anyone he met, when He sent him to lay his staff on the body of the dead child (2 Kings 4:29): He gave him this order so as to get him to do this task without delay and effect the raising of the child, and not waste time by stopping to talk to any passer-by he met. Therefore, there is no question of omitting good manners to greet others; it is a matter of removing a possible obstacle in the way of service; when God commands, human considerations should be set aside, at least for the time being. To greet a person is a good thing, but it is better to carry out a divine instruction which could easily be frustrated by a delay ("ibid.").
6. Everyone is "a son of peace" who is disposed to accept the teaching of the Gospel which brings with it God's peace. Our Lord's recommendation to His disciples to proclaim peace should be a constant feature of all the apostolic action of Christians: "Christian apostolate is not a political program or a cultural alternative. It implies the spreading of good, `infecting' others with a desire to love, sowing peace and joy" ([St] J. Escriva, "Christ Is Passing By", 124).
Feeling peace in our soul and in our surroundings is an unmistakable sign that God is with us, and a fruit of the Holy Spirit (cf. Galatians 5:22): "Get rid of these scruples that deprive you of peace. What takes away your peace of soul cannot come from God. When God comes to you, you will feel the truth of those greetings: My peace I give to you..., peace I leave you..., peace be with you..., and you will feel it even in the midst of troubles" ([St] J. Escriva, "The Way", 258).
7. Our Lord clearly considered poverty and detachment a key feature in an apostle. But He was aware of His disciples' material needs and therefore stated the principle that apostolic ministry deserves its recompense. Vatican II reminds us that we all have an obligation to contribute to the sustenance of those who generously devote themselves to the service of the Church: "Completely devoted as they are to the service of God in the fulfillment of the office entrusted to them, priests are entitled to receive a just remuneration. For `the laborer deserves his wages' (Luke 10:7), and `the Lord commanded that they who proclaim the Gospel should get their living by the Gospel' (1 Corinthians 9:14). For this reason, insofar as provision is not made from some other source for the just remuneration of priests, the faithful are bound by a real obligation of seeing to it that the necessary provision for a decent and fitting livelihood for the priests are available" (Vatican II, "Presbyterorum Ordinis", 20).
___________________________
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 Mission of the Seventy Disciples
[1] After this the Lord appointed seventy others, and sent them on ahead of Him, two by two, into every town and place where He Himself was about to come. [2] And He said to them, "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; pray therefore the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest. [3] Go your way; behold, I send you out as lambs in the midst of wolves. [4] Carry no purse, no bag, no sandals; and salute no one on the road. [5] Whatever house you enter, first say, `Peace be to this house!' [6] And if a son of peace is there, your peace shall rest upon him; but if not, it shall return to you. [7] And remain in the same house, eating and drinking what they provide, for the laborer deserves his wages; do not go from house to house. [8] Whenever you enter a town and they receive you, eat what is set before you; [9] heal the sick in it and say to them, "The Kingdom of God has come near to you.'"
____________________________
Commentary:
1-12. Those who followed our Lord and received a calling from Him (cf. Luke 9:57-62) included many other disciples in addition to the Twelve (cf. Mark 2:15). We do not know who most of them were; but undoubtedly some of them were with Him all along, from when Jesus was baptized by John up to the time of His ascension--for example, Joseph called Barrabas, and Matthias (cf. Acts 1:21-26). We can also include Cleopas and his companion, whom the risen Christ appeared to on the road to Emmaus (cf. Luke 24:13-35).
From among these disciples, our Lord chooses seventy-two for a special assignment. Of them, as of the Apostles (cf. Luke 9:1-5), He demands total detachment and complete abandonment to divine providence.
From Baptism onwards every Christian is called by Christ to perform a mission. Therefore, the Church, in our Lord's name, "makes to all the laity an earnest appeal in the Lord to give a willing, noble and enthusiastic response to the voice of Christ, who at this hour is summoning them more pressingly, and to the urging of the Holy Spirit. The younger generation should feel this call to be addressed in a special way to themselves; they should welcome it eagerly and generously. It is the Lord Himself, by this Council, who is once more inviting all the laity to unite themselves to Him ever more intimately, to consider His interests as their own (cf. Philippians 2:5), and to join in His mission as Savior. It is the Lord who is again sending them into every town and every place where He Himself is to come (cf. Luke 10:1). He sends them on the Church's apostolate, an apostolate that is one yet has different forms and methods, an apostolate that must all the time be adapting itself to the needs of the moment; He sends them on an apostolate where they are to show themselves His cooperators, doing their full share continually in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord their labor cannot be lost (cf. 1 Corinthians 15:58)" (Vatican II, "Apostolicam Actuositatem", 33).
3-4. Christ wants to instill apostolic daring into His disciples; this is why He says, "I send you out", which leads St. John Chrysostom to comment: "This suffices to give us encouragement, to give us confidence and to ensure that we are not afraid of our assailants" ("Hom. on St. Matthew", 33). The Apostles' and disciples' boldness stemmed from their firm conviction that they were on a God-given mission: they acted, as Peter the Apostle confidently explained to the Sanhedrin, in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, "for there is no other name under heaven by which we must be saved" (Acts 4:12).
"And the Lord goes on," St. Gregory the Great adds, "Carry no purse, no bag, no sandals; and salute no one on the road.' Such should be the confidence the preacher places in God that even if he is not provided with the necessities of life, he is convinced that they will come his way. This will ensure that worry about providing temporal things for himself does not distract him from providing others with eternal things" ("In Evangelia Homiliae", 17). Apostolate calls for generous self-surrender which leads to detachment; therefore, Peter, following our Lord's commandment, when the beggar at the Beautiful Gate asked him for alms (Acts 3:2-3), said, "I have no silver or gold" ("ibid.", 3:6), "not so as to glory in his poverty", St. Ambrose points out, "but to obey the Lord's command. It is as if he were saying, `You see in me a disciple of Christ, and you ask me for gold? He gave us something much more valuable than gold, the power to act in His name. I do not have what Christ did not give me, but I do have what He did give me: In the name of Jesus Christ, arise and walk' (cf. Acts 3:6)" ("Expositio Evangelii Sec. Lucam, in loc".). Apostolate, therefore, demands detachment from material things and it also requires us to be always available, for there is an urgency about apostolic work.
"And salute no one on the road": "How can it be", St. Ambrose asks himself, "that the Lord wishes to get rid of a custom so full of kindness? Notice, however, that He does not just say, `Do not salute anyone', but adds, `on the road.' And there is a reason for this.
"He also commanded Elisha not to salute anyone he met, when He sent him to lay his staff on the body of the dead child (2 Kings 4:29): He gave him this order so as to get him to do this task without delay and effect the raising of the child, and not waste time by stopping to talk to any passer-by he met. Therefore, there is no question of omitting good manners to greet others; it is a matter of removing a possible obstacle in the way of service; when God commands, human considerations should be set aside, at least for the time being. To greet a person is a good thing, but it is better to carry out a divine instruction which could easily be frustrated by a delay ("ibid.").
6. Everyone is "a son of peace" who is disposed to accept the teaching of the Gospel which brings with it God's peace. Our Lord's recommendation to His disciples to proclaim peace should be a constant feature of all the apostolic action of Christians: "Christian apostolate is not a political program or a cultural alternative. It implies the spreading of good, `infecting' others with a desire to love, sowing peace and joy" ([St] J. Escriva, "Christ Is Passing By", 124).
Feeling peace in our soul and in our surroundings is an unmistakable sign that God is with us, and a fruit of the Holy Spirit (cf. Galatians 5:22): "Get rid of these scruples that deprive you of peace. What takes away your peace of soul cannot come from God. When God comes to you, you will feel the truth of those greetings: My peace I give to you..., peace I leave you..., peace be with you..., and you will feel it even in the midst of troubles" ([St] J. Escriva, "The Way", 258).
7. Our Lord clearly considered poverty and detachment a key feature in an apostle. But He was aware of His disciples' material needs and therefore stated the principle that apostolic ministry deserves its recompense. Vatican II reminds us that we all have an obligation to contribute to the sustenance of those who generously devote themselves to the service of the Church: "Completely devoted as they are to the service of God in the fulfillment of the office entrusted to them, priests are entitled to receive a just remuneration. For `the laborer deserves his wages' (Luke 10:7), and `the Lord commanded that they who proclaim the Gospel should get their living by the Gospel' (1 Corinthians 9:14). For this reason, insofar as provision is not made from some other source for the just remuneration of priests, the faithful are bound by a real obligation of seeing to it that the necessary provision for a decent and fitting livelihood for the priests are available" (Vatican II, "Presbyterorum Ordinis", 20).
___________________________
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.
On Guiding the Barque of St. Peter through the Dangers of the Presidential Election
The following essay was provided to Matt C. Abbott, upon his request, by Father Robert Markovitch, M.D., a Catholic priest of the Eastern rite.
An excellent essay that every Catholic should read. I'm printing it to mail to those without a computer and emailing it to others.
HT to ANON for the link.
Having trouble sorting through the issues important to Catholics in the upcoming elections? A good and wise sense of history will help one see clearly.
We Catholics belong to a society, the Catholic Church, in which the fullness of the Church founded by Christ abides in a stable manner. However, we Catholics do have problems at the local level. If you want to know what these problems are, look to the beginning of the Catholic Church in this American democracy and notice what was new and interesting at that time. The stage was set for these new challenges when Catholicism first arrived in the New World.
As we travel through history, it should become apparent that our beloved Catholic Church is in a battle with a competitor and is in danger of becoming the victim of identity theft. When the danger is apparent, who will step forward to defend our Church?
[...]
Catholics in America have suffered grave wounds to identity and mission over the past two centuries. Yet, the greatest danger is the surrender of our consciences. The biggest issue of conscience is the right to life of the most vulnerable of the human family: the unborn, the handicapped newborns, and the frail elderly....
An excellent essay that every Catholic should read. I'm printing it to mail to those without a computer and emailing it to others.
HT to ANON for the link.
Little Murders
Denouncing Obama on Abortion & Rebuking Kmiec and other Pseudo-Catholics for Misleading Catholics
by Charles J. ChaputYou can read a condensed and adapted version of an address Archbishop Charles Chaput delivered at an ENDOW ("Educating on the Nature and Dignity of Women") dinner, October 17, here.
Oct 18, 2008
In an address delivered on October 17, Archbishop Charles J. Chaput stated that "Prof. Douglas Kmiec has a strong record of service to the Church and the nation in his past. But I think his activism for Senator Barack Obama, and the work of Democratic-friendly groups like Catholics United and Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good, have done a disservice to the Church, confused the natural priorities of Catholic social teaching, undermined the progress pro-lifers have made, and provided an excuse for some Catholics to abandon the abortion issue instead of fighting within their parties and at the ballot box to protect the unborn."
Just for Today, October 18
They that love Jesus for Jesus' sake, and not for any comfort of their own, bless Him no less in tribulation and anguish of heart, than in the greatest consolation.
-Bk. II, ch. xi.
_____________
We had prayed fervently to obtain some relief for her, but our petition was not granted. She was able to say: "In spite of my feelings at first, I assured my Heavenly Father and all the Saints that I loved them more than ever."
-Novissima Verba.
__________________
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. II, ch. xi.
_____________
We had prayed fervently to obtain some relief for her, but our petition was not granted. She was able to say: "In spite of my feelings at first, I assured my Heavenly Father and all the Saints that I loved them more than ever."
-Novissima Verba.
__________________
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 of St Augustine for October 18
PEACE shall be thy gold, peace thy silver, peace thy estates, thy God shall be thy peace. Thy God shall be thy whole.
_________________________
Click here for more information.
From Thoughts of St Augustine for Every Day
by Kathleen Mary Balfe (© 1926)
Nihil Obstat: Georgius D. Smith, S.T.D
Imprimatur: Edm. Can. Surmont
_________________________
Click here for more information.
From Thoughts of St Augustine for Every Day
by Kathleen Mary Balfe (© 1926)
Nihil Obstat: Georgius D. Smith, S.T.D
Imprimatur: Edm. Can. Surmont
Thoughts from St Alphonsus for Every Day-October 18
ANSWER with meekness when anyone says or does anything to injure you; and thus you will win him. Moreover, when you feel yourself annoyed, it is well to be silent till you are composed, otherwise you will commit many faults without perceiving them.
_________________
From Thoughts from St Alphonsus for Every Day
Compiled by Rev. C. McNeiry, C.SS.R.
Imprimatur: Joseph Hull, C.SS.R., Prov. Angl. Sup.
Nihil Obstat: Innocentlus Apap, O.P., S.T.M., Censor Deptutatus.
Imprimatur: Edm. Can. Surmont, Vicarius Generalis.
Westmonasterii, Die 9a Junii, 1927.
First published 1927
_________________
From Thoughts from St Alphonsus for Every Day
Compiled by Rev. C. McNeiry, C.SS.R.
Imprimatur: Joseph Hull, C.SS.R., Prov. Angl. Sup.
Nihil Obstat: Innocentlus Apap, O.P., S.T.M., Censor Deptutatus.
Imprimatur: Edm. Can. Surmont, Vicarius Generalis.
Westmonasterii, Die 9a Junii, 1927.
First published 1927
St. Ignatius of Antioch and the Early Church
Sometime around the year 107 A.D., a short, sharp persecution of the Church of Christ resulted in the arrest of the bishop of Antioch in Syria. His name was Ignatius. According to one of the harsh penal practices of the Roman Empire of the day, the good bishop was condemned to be delivered up to wild beasts in the arena in the capital city. The insatiable public appetite for bloody spectacles meant a chronically short supply of victims; prisoners were thus sent off to Rome to help fill the need.Continued at Insight Scoop here
So the second bishop of Antioch was sent to Rome as a condemned prisoner. According to Church historian Eusebius (ca. 260-ca. 340), Ignatius had been bishop in Antioch for nearly forty years at the time of his arrest. This means that he had been bishop there while some of the original apostles were almost certainly still alive and preaching....
No Respect for Life, & No Respect for Others
Joe doesn't say that he makes $250K/year. He tells B. Hussein Obama that he wants to buy a business that would make $250K-$280K/year.
Later on the campaign trail, "The One" mocks Joe and plumbers (and the middle class)!
He and his followers laugh at those concerned about achieving the American Dream in the face of higher taxes.
Evidently, "The One" is clueless about small business and prefers to ridicule those of us who work for a living and are concerned about his desire to spread what little worth we have around to those disinclined to work for the American Dream. More of the entitlement mentality, more socialism. And he seems to harbor a deep vehemence toward those who would dare to question him or speak out against him. What a loser! The working middle class are beneath this man. What contempt he displays, not only to Joe the plumber, but to all of us.
As I said before, one cannot possibly have any respect for the dignity of others when he has nothing but disdain and hatred for the most innocent and defenseless unborn or born alive children.
It's a shame that so many are mesmerized by his words. Perhaps their eyes will be opened to just how repulsive this charlatan is before they cast their votes?
Duluth Bishop Appointed Coadjutor Bishop of Cincinnati
VATICAN CITY, 17 OCT 2008 (VIS) - The Holy Father appointed:
- Bishop Dennis M. Schnurr of Duluth, U.S.A., as coadjutor archbishop of Cincinnati (area 22,118, population 2,964,909, Catholics 500,000, priests 501, permanent deacons 149, religious 1,370), U.S.A. The archbishop-elect was born in Sheldon, U.S.A. in 1948 he was ordained a priest in 1974 and consecrated a bishop in 2001.
Source.
- Bishop Dennis M. Schnurr of Duluth, U.S.A., as coadjutor archbishop of Cincinnati (area 22,118, population 2,964,909, Catholics 500,000, priests 501, permanent deacons 149, religious 1,370), U.S.A. The archbishop-elect was born in Sheldon, U.S.A. in 1948 he was ordained a priest in 1974 and consecrated a bishop in 2001.
Source.
News Updates, 10/17
NCR-U.S. bishops damaging rich Catholic faith tradition
Dissenting, confused theologian says single issue endorsements hurt church when bishops tell Catholics that abortion trumps all other moral issues and lash out against the Democratic Party
[More ignorance from a woman who claims to be a Catholic theologian. Bishop Robert Finn answered this naive argumentation here.]
Camden Bishop: Right to Life of Unborn Must be "First Concern" in Public Square
"Simply put, our concern for the dignity of the human person already born is rendered moot if we do not place first concern on the right of that person to be born."
Most extreme pro-abort presidential candidate ever?
Princeton prof warns: Obama is worst of all senators
Candidates spar over abortion rights
Issue has been largely overshadowed by financial crisis
Over 1,300 more Iraqi Christians flee Mosul
After upsurge of violence against them by Muslim extremists
Gay calendar challenges Spain's Catholic Church
Men embracing on church altar wearing only dog collars
Britain: man found not guilty of murdering wife
Man smothered her with plastic bags, called it 'mercy'
Anglican head: Greed behind financial crisis
'Not specific to any one nation' or 'any one religion'
Muslim prayer leads to work disputes
Employers: we can't accommodate strictly scheduled prayers
Priest scolded for allowing Maher to film in church
Anti-Catholic comedian produces scornful 'Religulous' movie
"Principal Architect" of the Culture of Death Tony Blair to Speak at Catholic Youth Conference in Rome
When Blair stepped down as Prime Minister, John Smeaton of SPUC wrote, "In general, there is virtually no area of pro-life or pro-family ethical concern which has not been made worse by the Blair government
Judge rips ex-priest for tenth sex crime
Sentenced to 16 to 24 months in prison for molestation
Issues & Politics
Obama Voted 'Present' on Mortgage Reform [Another Obama Lie]
In each of the first two presidential debates, Barack Obama claimed that "Republican deregulation" is responsible for the financial crisis. Most viewers probably accepted this idea, especially because Republicans generally do favor deregulation. But one essential fact was missing from the senator's narrative: While there has been significant deregulation in the U.S. economy during the last 30 years, none of it has occurred in the financial sector
High court approves voter fraud in Ohio voting dispute
SCOTUS granting Brunner's request because it appears that the law does not allow private entities, like the Ohio GOP, to file suit to enforce the provision of the law at issue.
On Thurday, Obama mocked "Joe the Plumber" [YouTube Video]
Crowd laughs at Obama's elitist sneering of the working middle class; Obamabots prefer policy of "Trickle up poverty"
Sarah Palin's National Security Credentials
Better credentials than Obama? Higher security clearance than either Obama or Biden? Probably.
Senate Intelligence Official: Obama Would Endanger Us
If Barack Obama wins the presidency, he will endanger the country by making us more vulnerable to terrorist attacks, the vice chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence tells Newsmax. Obama “would so weaken our security forces that I personally believe that we would be in much greater danger of terrorist attacks in the United States and abroad,” says Sen. Kit Bond, R-Mo
(10/16) Republican Jewish Coalition Hits Obama on Jeremiah Wright In Ad[PDF]
Obama Campaign Withdraws From Two Jewish Debates
Sarkozy: “Arabic Is the Language of the Future” The French government is strongly advocating the teaching of Arabic language and civilization in French schools. [Say "Au revoir!" to France as we knew it]
ACORN calling Obama a liar
10/16-ACORN organizers this morning said that Sen. Barack Obama, as a local elected official in Chicago, participated in two training sessions for 50 volunteer leaders.
Out of Control Heckler & Obama Supporter Arrested at Palin Rally in NC Thursday
Towards the end of the Palin rally at Elon Univeristy, a sophomore named
Andy Milne, was arrested for disorderly conduct for heckling. Palin even
made a reference to his outburst.
Obama to Declare Carbon Dioxide Dangerous Pollutant
Barack Hussein Obama will classify carbon dioxide as a dangerous pollutant that can be regulated should he win the presidential election on Nov. 4.
[Should he do us a favor and hold his breath?]
Analysis Shows ACORN Received at Least $31 Million in Federal Funding
Washington, Oct 16 - House Republican Leader John Boehner (R-OH) today released an analysis showing that the left-wing group ACORN, currently under investigation by the FBI for a “coordinated national scam” of voter registration fraud according to the Associated Press, has received at least $31 million in federal funding from various federal agencies since 1998.
Dick and Dan the Plumbers back Joe's tax claims[w/video]-WTVH (Syracuse)
Dan Franklin is a plumber for Lafrance Plumbing in Syracuse. He's been following the presidential race very closely. He laughs when "Joe the Plumber" is mentioned, but says he has a great point. Lafrance Plumbing makes more than $250,000 a year, and would have to pay higher taxes if Senator Barack Obama is elected, and implements his tax plan. For Lafrance, lowering profits, is not an option.
Mentally Challenged Man Forced to Vote for Obama (Albany, NY)
Apparently, this man who lives in a group home for the mentally challenged was taken by aides to an early voting precinct. When asked who he wanted to vote for, he said "McCain." The aide took his ballot, and said, No, should should vote for Obama. His parents are upset about this.
Recordings and information leading to recent API story on Michelle Obama’s telephone call is now being cleared for release
For real or a hoax? We'll see...maybe.
Dissenting, confused theologian says single issue endorsements hurt church when bishops tell Catholics that abortion trumps all other moral issues and lash out against the Democratic Party
[More ignorance from a woman who claims to be a Catholic theologian. Bishop Robert Finn answered this naive argumentation here.]
Camden Bishop: Right to Life of Unborn Must be "First Concern" in Public Square
"Simply put, our concern for the dignity of the human person already born is rendered moot if we do not place first concern on the right of that person to be born."
Most extreme pro-abort presidential candidate ever?
Princeton prof warns: Obama is worst of all senators
Candidates spar over abortion rights
Issue has been largely overshadowed by financial crisis
Over 1,300 more Iraqi Christians flee Mosul
After upsurge of violence against them by Muslim extremists
Gay calendar challenges Spain's Catholic Church
Men embracing on church altar wearing only dog collars
Britain: man found not guilty of murdering wife
Man smothered her with plastic bags, called it 'mercy'
Anglican head: Greed behind financial crisis
'Not specific to any one nation' or 'any one religion'
Muslim prayer leads to work disputes
Employers: we can't accommodate strictly scheduled prayers
Priest scolded for allowing Maher to film in church
Anti-Catholic comedian produces scornful 'Religulous' movie
"Principal Architect" of the Culture of Death Tony Blair to Speak at Catholic Youth Conference in Rome
When Blair stepped down as Prime Minister, John Smeaton of SPUC wrote, "In general, there is virtually no area of pro-life or pro-family ethical concern which has not been made worse by the Blair government
Judge rips ex-priest for tenth sex crime
Sentenced to 16 to 24 months in prison for molestation
Issues & Politics
Obama Voted 'Present' on Mortgage Reform [Another Obama Lie]
In each of the first two presidential debates, Barack Obama claimed that "Republican deregulation" is responsible for the financial crisis. Most viewers probably accepted this idea, especially because Republicans generally do favor deregulation. But one essential fact was missing from the senator's narrative: While there has been significant deregulation in the U.S. economy during the last 30 years, none of it has occurred in the financial sector
High court approves voter fraud in Ohio voting dispute
SCOTUS granting Brunner's request because it appears that the law does not allow private entities, like the Ohio GOP, to file suit to enforce the provision of the law at issue.
On Thurday, Obama mocked "Joe the Plumber" [YouTube Video]
Crowd laughs at Obama's elitist sneering of the working middle class; Obamabots prefer policy of "Trickle up poverty"
Sarah Palin's National Security Credentials
Better credentials than Obama? Higher security clearance than either Obama or Biden? Probably.
Senate Intelligence Official: Obama Would Endanger Us
If Barack Obama wins the presidency, he will endanger the country by making us more vulnerable to terrorist attacks, the vice chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence tells Newsmax. Obama “would so weaken our security forces that I personally believe that we would be in much greater danger of terrorist attacks in the United States and abroad,” says Sen. Kit Bond, R-Mo
(10/16) Republican Jewish Coalition Hits Obama on Jeremiah Wright In Ad[PDF]
Sen. Barack Obama has surrounded himself with individuals whose anti-Israel views are so dangerous, naïve and reckless that it raises serious questions about his judgement. Obama’s top military advisor McPeak told a newspaper that he believes Jews in Miami and New York are the obstacles to peace in the Middle East.And because of this ad,
Obama Campaign Withdraws From Two Jewish Debates
Sarkozy: “Arabic Is the Language of the Future” The French government is strongly advocating the teaching of Arabic language and civilization in French schools. [Say "Au revoir!" to France as we knew it]
ACORN calling Obama a liar
10/16-ACORN organizers this morning said that Sen. Barack Obama, as a local elected official in Chicago, participated in two training sessions for 50 volunteer leaders.
Out of Control Heckler & Obama Supporter Arrested at Palin Rally in NC Thursday
Towards the end of the Palin rally at Elon Univeristy, a sophomore named
Andy Milne, was arrested for disorderly conduct for heckling. Palin even
made a reference to his outburst.
Obama to Declare Carbon Dioxide Dangerous Pollutant
Barack Hussein Obama will classify carbon dioxide as a dangerous pollutant that can be regulated should he win the presidential election on Nov. 4.
[Should he do us a favor and hold his breath?]
Analysis Shows ACORN Received at Least $31 Million in Federal Funding
Washington, Oct 16 - House Republican Leader John Boehner (R-OH) today released an analysis showing that the left-wing group ACORN, currently under investigation by the FBI for a “coordinated national scam” of voter registration fraud according to the Associated Press, has received at least $31 million in federal funding from various federal agencies since 1998.
Dick and Dan the Plumbers back Joe's tax claims[w/video]-WTVH (Syracuse)
Dan Franklin is a plumber for Lafrance Plumbing in Syracuse. He's been following the presidential race very closely. He laughs when "Joe the Plumber" is mentioned, but says he has a great point. Lafrance Plumbing makes more than $250,000 a year, and would have to pay higher taxes if Senator Barack Obama is elected, and implements his tax plan. For Lafrance, lowering profits, is not an option.
Mentally Challenged Man Forced to Vote for Obama (Albany, NY)
Apparently, this man who lives in a group home for the mentally challenged was taken by aides to an early voting precinct. When asked who he wanted to vote for, he said "McCain." The aide took his ballot, and said, No, should should vote for Obama. His parents are upset about this.
Recordings and information leading to recent API story on Michelle Obama’s telephone call is now being cleared for release
For real or a hoax? We'll see...maybe.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Gospel for Oct 17, Memorial: St Ignatius of Antioch, Bishop and Martyr
Old Calendar: St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, virgin
From: Luke 12:1-7
Various Teachings of Jesus
[1] In the meantime, when so many thousands of the multitude had gathered together that they trod upon one another, He (Jesus) began to say to His disciples first, "Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. [2] Nothing is covered up that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. [3] Whatever you have said in the dark shall be heard in the light, and what you have whispered in private rooms shall be proclaimed upon the housetops."
[4] "I tell you, My friends, do not fear those who kill the body, and after that, have no more that they can do. [5] But I will warn you whom to fear: fear Him who, after He has killed, has power to cast into Hell; yes, I tell you, fear Him! [6] Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten before God. [7] Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows."
_______________________
Commentary:
3. Most Palestinian houses had a roof in the form of a terrace. There people would meet to chat and while away the time in the hottest part of the day. Jesus points out to His disciples that just as in these get-togethers things said in private became matters of discussion, so too, despite the Pharisees' and scribes' efforts to hide their vices and defects under the veil of hypocrisy, they would become a matter of common knowledge.
6-7. Nothing--not even the most insignificant thing--escapes God, His Providence and the judgment He will mete out. For this same reason no one should fear that any suffering or persecution he experiences in following Christ will remain unrewarded in eternity.
The teaching about fear, contained in verse 5, is filled out in verses 6 and 7, where Jesus tells us that God is a good Father who watches over every one of us--much more than He does over these little ones (whom He also remembers). Therefore, our fear of God should not be servile (based on fear of punishment); it should be a filial fear (the fear of someone who does not want to displease his father), a fear nourished by trust in Divine Providence.
___________________________
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.
From: Luke 12:1-7
Various Teachings of Jesus
[1] In the meantime, when so many thousands of the multitude had gathered together that they trod upon one another, He (Jesus) began to say to His disciples first, "Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. [2] Nothing is covered up that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. [3] Whatever you have said in the dark shall be heard in the light, and what you have whispered in private rooms shall be proclaimed upon the housetops."
[4] "I tell you, My friends, do not fear those who kill the body, and after that, have no more that they can do. [5] But I will warn you whom to fear: fear Him who, after He has killed, has power to cast into Hell; yes, I tell you, fear Him! [6] Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten before God. [7] Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows."
_______________________
Commentary:
3. Most Palestinian houses had a roof in the form of a terrace. There people would meet to chat and while away the time in the hottest part of the day. Jesus points out to His disciples that just as in these get-togethers things said in private became matters of discussion, so too, despite the Pharisees' and scribes' efforts to hide their vices and defects under the veil of hypocrisy, they would become a matter of common knowledge.
6-7. Nothing--not even the most insignificant thing--escapes God, His Providence and the judgment He will mete out. For this same reason no one should fear that any suffering or persecution he experiences in following Christ will remain unrewarded in eternity.
The teaching about fear, contained in verse 5, is filled out in verses 6 and 7, where Jesus tells us that God is a good Father who watches over every one of us--much more than He does over these little ones (whom He also remembers). Therefore, our fear of God should not be servile (based on fear of punishment); it should be a filial fear (the fear of someone who does not want to displease his father), a fear nourished by trust in Divine Providence.
___________________________
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.
Bishop Finn: Can a Catholic Vote in Support of Abortion?
Following are excepts of is Bishop Finn's column in the upcoming issue of The Catholic Key:
When a candidate supports ready access to abortion on demand, they are inviting Catholics to put aside their conscience on this life and death issue. Such a candidate is inviting conscientious Catholics to look elsewhere for moral leadership....
When a candidate regards the unborn child as unworthy of the defense of law, then he or she asks us to join them in ignoring the lessons of history by which African Americans in this country were once regarded as non-persons; or the Jews of Europe were once marked for genocide or racial purification. Had we known, would we have supported the “choice” to enslave or destroy these brothers and sisters of ours? Can a candidate expect us as Catholics to ignore the classification of the unborn as non-persons? Will he or she expect us to look aside while these babies are quietly exterminated at a rate of 4000 per day? This is precisely what they are asking us to do.
Some groups calling themselves “Catholic” have suggested that generous programs for the poor will reduce abortions more than the repeal of Roe v. Wade. But a candidate who pledges that he or she will seek to immediately ratify the Freedom of Choice Act (FOCA), signals to voters that the reduction of abortions is not a goal...They want us to deny our conscience and ignore their callous disregard for the most vulnerable human life.
If the candidate has addressed their legislative assembly, urging opposition to the Born-Alive Infant Protection Act, then it must be concluded that this candidate wishes Catholic voters to be complicit in infanticide....
Our country is at the edge of the precipice concerning the protection of the life and dignity of the human person. A significant new attack on innocent human life will likely send us into a moral freefall that would rival any financial decline....
A candidate who asks us to add our weight to such a destructive momentum in our society, asks us to be participants in their own gravely immoral act.... - for the sake of our eternal salvation: This we should never do.
Just for Today, October 17
Lord, in the sincerity of my heart, I offer myself to Thee this day, to be Thy servant evermore, to serve Thee, and to become a sacrifice of perpetual praise to Thee.
Receive me with this sacred oblation of Thy precious Body, which I offer to Thee this day, in the presence of Thy angels invisibly standing by, that it may be for mine and all the people's salvation.
-Bk. IV, ch. ix:
____________
Oor Lord's love for us is so incomprehensible, so delicate, that He will do nothing without us; He wishes us to share with Him in the salvation of souls. The Creator of the universe waits for the prayer, the self-immolation of one poor little soul to save a multitude of others, redeemed, as she was, by the Precious Blood.
-Esprit de Saint Therese.
__________________
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.
Receive me with this sacred oblation of Thy precious Body, which I offer to Thee this day, in the presence of Thy angels invisibly standing by, that it may be for mine and all the people's salvation.
-Bk. IV, ch. ix:
____________
Oor Lord's love for us is so incomprehensible, so delicate, that He will do nothing without us; He wishes us to share with Him in the salvation of souls. The Creator of the universe waits for the prayer, the self-immolation of one poor little soul to save a multitude of others, redeemed, as she was, by the Precious Blood.
-Esprit de Saint Therese.
__________________
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 of St Augustine for October 17
You prefer rather to go after Christ promising what you do not see than listen to the ungodly critic rebuking you for having believed what as yet you see not.
_________________________
Click here for more information.
From Thoughts of St Augustine for Every Day
by Kathleen Mary Balfe (© 1926)
Nihil Obstat: Georgius D. Smith, S.T.D
Imprimatur: Edm. Can. Surmont
_________________________
Click here for more information.
From Thoughts of St Augustine for Every Day
by Kathleen Mary Balfe (© 1926)
Nihil Obstat: Georgius D. Smith, S.T.D
Imprimatur: Edm. Can. Surmont
Thoughts from St Alphonsus for Every Day-October 17
WHEN devotion towards Mary begins in a soul, it produces the same effect that the birth of this most holy Virgin produced in the world. It puts an end to the night of sin, and leads the soul into the path of virtue.
_________________
From Thoughts from St Alphonsus for Every Day
Compiled by Rev. C. McNeiry, C.SS.R.
Imprimatur: Joseph Hull, C.SS.R., Prov. Angl. Sup.
Nihil Obstat: Innocentlus Apap, O.P., S.T.M., Censor Deptutatus.
Imprimatur: Edm. Can. Surmont, Vicarius Generalis.
Westmonasterii, Die 9a Junii, 1927.
First published 1927
_________________
From Thoughts from St Alphonsus for Every Day
Compiled by Rev. C. McNeiry, C.SS.R.
Imprimatur: Joseph Hull, C.SS.R., Prov. Angl. Sup.
Nihil Obstat: Innocentlus Apap, O.P., S.T.M., Censor Deptutatus.
Imprimatur: Edm. Can. Surmont, Vicarius Generalis.
Westmonasterii, Die 9a Junii, 1927.
First published 1927
I am a Catholic and I am anti-slavery....
...I deplore slavery and have been an active part of the abolitionist movement. But this November of the year of Our Lord 1860 I am voting for Stephen A. Douglas.At the Curt Jester you can see this excellent parody of Doug Kmiec, an alleged Catholic who backs B. Hussein Obama, a known pro-death politician committed to furthering the culture of death in the US.
Now I know my announcement will befuddle many Catholics who think that Abraham Lincoln is the only possible choice if you are truly as anti-slavery as I say I am.
Some of my friends ask me how can I possibly support Senator Douglas when he was largely responsible for the Compromise of 1850 and supported the Dred Scott Supreme Court decision of 1857?...
...Do we really want to legislate morality? Now as a Catholic I personally believe that slavery is wrong, but lawmakers need to represent the people...
Catholics should not be single issue voters and let slavery dominate the discussion. Human dignity and the acceptance of the government of human rights is just one issue of many. What about economic and other social justice issues?...
News Update, 10/16
[Bumped to the top]
Two more St. Louis excommunications
Two new members of the lay board of the former St. Stanislaus parish in St. Louis have incurred automatic excommunications for the sin of schism, archdiocesan administrator Bishop Robert Hermann has announced....
Possible HIV Exposure At Normandy High School
(KTVI - myFOXstl.com) -- Several students at Normandy Senior High School may have been exposed to the potentially deadly HIV virus.
Prudential judgment?
Poll shows Obama leading McCain among Catholics
“Not worthy to receive this sacred mystery”
Mexican cardinal says abortion promoters outside the Church, should not receive Holy Communion
The Art of Reading the Scriptures. A Lesson for Today's Illiterates [Chiesa]
It is the liturgy that must again shape the reading and understanding of the Bible. Just as in medieval monasticism, creator of modern civilization. Timothy Verdon explains why, at a synod that has reached the halfway point
Aide: John Paul was wounded in 1982 stabbing
Cardinal Dziwisz recounts attack by crazed priest
Baltimore archbishop orders seer to halt messages
Says supporting her is 'great disservice to the Church'
Catholic gals march in Rome for female priestette-hood
Group denounced Church's ban as 'sexist and unjust'
Warring monks may destroy Holy Sepulchre
Roof judged to be in 'emergency state' of degeneration
Another Indian church falls victim to arson attack
Campaign of violence launched by Hindus continues
Holy row over India's first woman saint
Mother Teresa supporters getting impatient with wait
Priest: 'Nobody can tell me to shut up'
Protector of migrant families battles the feds
Vatican: 'Oils of gladness' ain't oils
Liturgical watchdogs take South African bishops to task
Church isn't 'human association,' Pope clarifies
Benedict continues catechesis on Saint Paul
Survey: 63% of practicing Catholics support legal recognition of homosexual unions
63% of practicing Catholics and 68% of all Catholics support the legal recognition of homosexual unions, according to a survey published by the Knights of Columbus. 25% of practicing Catholics (and 32% of all Catholics) support same-sex marriage, while an additional 38% of practicing Catholics (and 36% of all Catholics) support same-sex civil unions....
After Targeting Joe the Plumber, Obamabots Pledge To Expose Scandals of Guy in Rockwell's 'Four Freedoms' Painting
Thank God we live in a free country, where you can speak your mind on public issues, without fear that those who disagree will respond by exposing anything you've ever done that you regret or that could embarrass your family.
Oh, wait, never mind. We have to know, according to some, about Joe the Plumber's tax lien, and how he doesn't have a license - which, if the smear artists bothered to check the law, he only needs for commercial work, not residential work.
Ohio Files Appeal to Supreme Court on Voter Registration Data
Ohio's Attorney General filed an emergency appeal to the U. S. Supreme Court late Wednesday night seeking to block a lower court decision that could cost many thousands of Ohio voters a chance to cast a regular ballot on Nov. 4.
[SOS Brunner demands that the 200,000 votes be cast, even if the voters cannot prove that they are citizens of Ohio]
Kenyan insiders say Obama was part of takeover strategy!
NEW YORK – Former members of Kenyan opposition leader Raila Odinga's Orange Democratic Movement party have told WND when Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama visited Kenya on a "fact-finding" trip in 2006, he was carrying out part of a secret election strategy that also included exploiting divisive tribal tensions and ultimately taking advantage of rioting that left 1,000 dead.
MSM smearing of Joe the Plumber has begun - here and here
Socialists afraid of free speech, smear those who speak out against them
Car Dealers Suggest Obama Didn't Know What He Was Talking About
Spokesman suggests Obama better get his facts straight, car loans are availabl [Fact: Obama is a liar and a fraud]
Secret Service says "Kill him" allegation unfounded
SCRANTON – The agent in charge of the Secret Service field office in Scranton said allegations that someone yelled “kill him” when presidential hopeful Barack Obama’s name was mentioned during Tuesday’s Sarah Palin rally are unfounded....
Obama Contributors Emerged from Staff and Boards of Annenberg Grantees
Since the start of his political career, Obama has received a total of $331,528 in campaign contributions from people who served as staff and board members of non-profit groups that received grants from the Chicago Annenberg Challenge (CAC). {which he chaired]
On Catholics, abortion and Obama
... should an Obama administration reintroduce large-scale federal funding of abortion, the bishops will have to confront a grave moral question they have managed to avoid for decades, thanks to the Hyde amendment: does the payment of federal taxes that go to support abortion constitute a form of moral complicity in an "intrinsic evil"? And if so, what should the conscientious Catholic citizen do?"
On Bill Ayers and small 'c' communists
Bill Ayers said in 1995 that he was just a "small ‘c' communist." He said it with a little laugh. And most of us aren't even shocked. We've heard words like that before. But we should feel shivers running up our spines. I know goofy liberals who moan about all the good intentions demonstrated by Karl Marx, Lenin, and Trotsky. They're all Obama voters, for some reason. They are the same kinds of people who think Jesus was a communist, and that George W. Bush is Hitler....
The Joe The Plumber Debate: McCain Scores and "Senator Government" Stumbles
Thank you, Joe W., America's plumber, wherever you are....McCain scored big with the Joe the plumber exchanges, and with the campaign tactics exchange. Obama looked angry and stumbled repeatedly as he tried to cope with what he really told Joe the plumber...
Television advertisement for the "Our Country Deserves Better" committee. [YouTube]
Senator Barack Obama seems to have different values than most Americans. He has associated himself, and received the support of, individuals and organizations that are decidedly anti-American
House Democrats contemplate abolishing 401(k) tax breaks
They want your money so they can "Spread your Wealth"
Two more St. Louis excommunications
Two new members of the lay board of the former St. Stanislaus parish in St. Louis have incurred automatic excommunications for the sin of schism, archdiocesan administrator Bishop Robert Hermann has announced....
Possible HIV Exposure At Normandy High School
(KTVI - myFOXstl.com) -- Several students at Normandy Senior High School may have been exposed to the potentially deadly HIV virus.
Prudential judgment?
Poll shows Obama leading McCain among Catholics
“Not worthy to receive this sacred mystery”
Mexican cardinal says abortion promoters outside the Church, should not receive Holy Communion
The Art of Reading the Scriptures. A Lesson for Today's Illiterates [Chiesa]
It is the liturgy that must again shape the reading and understanding of the Bible. Just as in medieval monasticism, creator of modern civilization. Timothy Verdon explains why, at a synod that has reached the halfway point
Aide: John Paul was wounded in 1982 stabbing
Cardinal Dziwisz recounts attack by crazed priest
Baltimore archbishop orders seer to halt messages
Says supporting her is 'great disservice to the Church'
Catholic gals march in Rome for female priestette-hood
Group denounced Church's ban as 'sexist and unjust'
Warring monks may destroy Holy Sepulchre
Roof judged to be in 'emergency state' of degeneration
Another Indian church falls victim to arson attack
Campaign of violence launched by Hindus continues
Holy row over India's first woman saint
Mother Teresa supporters getting impatient with wait
Priest: 'Nobody can tell me to shut up'
Protector of migrant families battles the feds
Vatican: 'Oils of gladness' ain't oils
Liturgical watchdogs take South African bishops to task
Church isn't 'human association,' Pope clarifies
Benedict continues catechesis on Saint Paul
Survey: 63% of practicing Catholics support legal recognition of homosexual unions
63% of practicing Catholics and 68% of all Catholics support the legal recognition of homosexual unions, according to a survey published by the Knights of Columbus. 25% of practicing Catholics (and 32% of all Catholics) support same-sex marriage, while an additional 38% of practicing Catholics (and 36% of all Catholics) support same-sex civil unions....
Issues & Politics
After Targeting Joe the Plumber, Obamabots Pledge To Expose Scandals of Guy in Rockwell's 'Four Freedoms' PaintingThank God we live in a free country, where you can speak your mind on public issues, without fear that those who disagree will respond by exposing anything you've ever done that you regret or that could embarrass your family.
Oh, wait, never mind. We have to know, according to some, about Joe the Plumber's tax lien, and how he doesn't have a license - which, if the smear artists bothered to check the law, he only needs for commercial work, not residential work.
Ohio Files Appeal to Supreme Court on Voter Registration Data
Ohio's Attorney General filed an emergency appeal to the U. S. Supreme Court late Wednesday night seeking to block a lower court decision that could cost many thousands of Ohio voters a chance to cast a regular ballot on Nov. 4.
[SOS Brunner demands that the 200,000 votes be cast, even if the voters cannot prove that they are citizens of Ohio]
Kenyan insiders say Obama was part of takeover strategy!
NEW YORK – Former members of Kenyan opposition leader Raila Odinga's Orange Democratic Movement party have told WND when Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama visited Kenya on a "fact-finding" trip in 2006, he was carrying out part of a secret election strategy that also included exploiting divisive tribal tensions and ultimately taking advantage of rioting that left 1,000 dead.
MSM smearing of Joe the Plumber has begun - here and here
Socialists afraid of free speech, smear those who speak out against them
Car Dealers Suggest Obama Didn't Know What He Was Talking About
Spokesman suggests Obama better get his facts straight, car loans are availabl [Fact: Obama is a liar and a fraud]
Secret Service says "Kill him" allegation unfounded
SCRANTON – The agent in charge of the Secret Service field office in Scranton said allegations that someone yelled “kill him” when presidential hopeful Barack Obama’s name was mentioned during Tuesday’s Sarah Palin rally are unfounded....
Obama Contributors Emerged from Staff and Boards of Annenberg Grantees
Since the start of his political career, Obama has received a total of $331,528 in campaign contributions from people who served as staff and board members of non-profit groups that received grants from the Chicago Annenberg Challenge (CAC). {which he chaired]
On Catholics, abortion and Obama... should an Obama administration reintroduce large-scale federal funding of abortion, the bishops will have to confront a grave moral question they have managed to avoid for decades, thanks to the Hyde amendment: does the payment of federal taxes that go to support abortion constitute a form of moral complicity in an "intrinsic evil"? And if so, what should the conscientious Catholic citizen do?"
On Bill Ayers and small 'c' communists
Bill Ayers said in 1995 that he was just a "small ‘c' communist." He said it with a little laugh. And most of us aren't even shocked. We've heard words like that before. But we should feel shivers running up our spines. I know goofy liberals who moan about all the good intentions demonstrated by Karl Marx, Lenin, and Trotsky. They're all Obama voters, for some reason. They are the same kinds of people who think Jesus was a communist, and that George W. Bush is Hitler....
The Joe The Plumber Debate: McCain Scores and "Senator Government" Stumbles
Thank you, Joe W., America's plumber, wherever you are....McCain scored big with the Joe the plumber exchanges, and with the campaign tactics exchange. Obama looked angry and stumbled repeatedly as he tried to cope with what he really told Joe the plumber...
Television advertisement for the "Our Country Deserves Better" committee. [YouTube]
Senator Barack Obama seems to have different values than most Americans. He has associated himself, and received the support of, individuals and organizations that are decidedly anti-American
House Democrats contemplate abolishing 401(k) tax breaks
They want your money so they can "Spread your Wealth"
Joe Biden’s Church Troubles
Senator Biden is one of American Life League's "Deadly Dozen." Much has beeen said about Senator Biden’s position and many bishops and others have not hesitated to speak out. Lest we forget, it is a biological fact that life begins at conception.
B. Hussein Obama - Socialist, New Party "Robin Hood"
Says he WILL tax small business!!!
WASHINGTON - You won't find it in his campaign ads, but Barack Obama let slip his plans to become a modern-day Robin Hood in the White House, confiscating money from the rich to give to the poor....
"It's clear that his main goal is redistribution of wealth, not growth," said Andy Roth with the anti-tax group Club for Growth. "He's perfectly happy to destroy wealth as long as he can redistribute it."
Obama has been meticulous, Roth said, to conceal the "socialistic" nature of his tax plans. "But every once in a while, he lets it slip," he said....
Nurse Who Exposed Infanticide-Based Abortions: Obama Lied During Debate
We are all disgusted....Tomorrow will bring nothing but praise and adulation for the "anointed one" from the media and those who suffer from delusions. How is it that this man who seeks the highest office of the most powerful nation on earth can spew forth lie after lie after lie and be applauded for his eloquence while the lack of substance is ignored?Chicago, IL (LifeNews.com) -- The Chicago-area nurse who exposed the practice of life-birth abortions that led to he bill Barack Obama repeatedly opposed in the Illinois legislature says Obama lied about his record during the final presidential debate. Jill Stanek says Obama again misrepresented his position and record before the American people....
Obama...defended his votes against the anti-infanticide bill by claiming "there was already a law on the books in Illinois that required providing lifesaving treatment.”
Stanek also called that a “lie” saying “Illinois abortion law to this day only protects abortion survivors their abortionist deems fit to live....
“I'm beyond disgusted that Obama continues to repeat the same lies without the mainstream media investigating and denouncing him. We'll see what tomorrow brings,” Stanek concluded.
And since when do we, as a nation, refuse to look at a presidential candidate who has a past which is off-limits to serious scrutiny?
Obama Most Extreme Pro-Death Candidate for US Presidency, Ever
Barack Obama is the most extreme pro-abortion candidate ever to seek the office of President of the United States. He is the most extreme pro-abortion member of the United States Senate. Indeed, he is the most extreme pro-abortion legislator ever to serve in either house of the United States Congress.He has no problem with Partial Birth Abortion which is nothing less than Infant Murder. He supports the genocide of millions of innocent, defenseless babies and thinks he is 'qualified' to lead a country which used to extol the God-given rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
Yet there are Catholics and Evangelicals-even self-identified pro-life Catholics and Evangelicals - who aggressively promote Obama's candidacy and even declare him the preferred candidate from the pro-life point of view.
What is going on here?
... Obama, unlike even many "pro-choice" legislators, opposed the ban on partial-birth abortions when he served in the Illinois legislature and condemned the Supreme Court decision that upheld legislation banning this heinous practice. He has referred to a baby conceived inadvertently by a young woman as a "punishment" that she should not endure
Robert George lays out fact after fact from the public records demonstrating the extremist view of B. Hussein Obama. His positions clearly indicate that Obama is not only a "death peddler," he wishes to surpass all of the previous tyrants throughout history!
Even with the facts laid out before them, some Obama koolaid drinking supporters insist that he is the better candidate from the pro-life point of view.
The way to save lots of unborn babies, they say, is to vote for the pro-abortion-oops! ''pro-choice''-candidate. They tell us not to worry that Obama opposes the Hyde Amendment, the Mexico City Policy (against funding abortion abroad), parental consent and notification laws, conscience protections, and the funding of alternatives to embryo-destructive research. They ask us to look past his support for Roe v. Wade, the Freedom of Choice Act, partial-birth abortion, and human cloning and embryo-killing. An Obama presidency, they insist, means less killing of the unborn.Because of his upbringing in communism, marxism, in racism and bigotry, and in hatred for self and for others, B. Hussein Obama himself is delusional, and his disorder and immaturity is manifested everytime he comes face-to-face with reality.
This is delusional.
What kind of America do we want our beloved nation to be?Anyone who believes that "Senator Government" will protect this nation or their interests is a fool. One who desires to lead a nation to prosperity and security cannot do so if he starts outs from morally bankrupt positions of evil. From these positions he will only succeed, not only in the murder of more and more defenseless children, but also in destroying what is left of our nation and its soul.
Barack Obama's America is one in which being human just isn't enough to warrant care and protection.
It is an America where the unborn may legitimately be killed without legal restriction, even by the grisly practice of partial-birth abortion.
It is an America where a baby who survives abortion is not even entitled to comfort care as she dies on a stainless steel table or in a soiled linen bin.
It is a nation in which some members of the human family are regarded as inferior and others superior in fundamental dignity and rights.
In Obama's America, public policy would make a mockery of the great constitutional principle of the equal protection of the law.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Time for a Novena for our Country?
When? October 26 thru November 3.
I attended the funeral of one of my few remaining uncles today and was engaged in conversation with some older "Catholic" relatives (70s, 80's). Some had indicated that they had voted early for B. Hussein Obama. Why? Solely, because they are members of the Democratic Party (the party of death), yet they know nothing about him other than what they hear from the Obama media. I asked if they understood his position regarding infanticide, support for PBA, and "Choice to kill the unborn" and they admitted that they did not. The media propaganda succeeded....
As the election draws near we know that we need God’s help more than ever.
From the Diary of St. Faustina, a particular paragraph stands out out that may help us in our battle. It reads:
We are praying for a win for LIFE, and some are praying for deliverance from a very possible grave time of evil and punishment for us and our country.
Some have suggested that, if possible, we might offer nine consecutive Holy Communions along with the Divine Mercy Novena beginning on October 26th, ending on November 3rd, the day before the election.
Some may desire to compliment this by fasting and sacrificing as well, (except Sunday).
And we might spend as much time as possible before the Most Blessed Sacrament.
Offer all of this to the Eternal Father, uniting it with Jesus, through the hands of Our Lady of Guadalupe, who is the Mother of the Americas.
As you well know, we are entering very serious and troubling waters. We are in need of Divine Intervention.
If you pray the rosary daily, please continue to do so. If not, please consider doing so. In addition, please pray either the Prayer for the Church and for the Civil Authorities or the Prayer for the Election.
Suggest this to friends, family and even priests-maybe they could also help!
Please God, have mercy on us, forgive us our many, many sins and bless our nation!
Thanks to SS & HB for the suggestion.
I attended the funeral of one of my few remaining uncles today and was engaged in conversation with some older "Catholic" relatives (70s, 80's). Some had indicated that they had voted early for B. Hussein Obama. Why? Solely, because they are members of the Democratic Party (the party of death), yet they know nothing about him other than what they hear from the Obama media. I asked if they understood his position regarding infanticide, support for PBA, and "Choice to kill the unborn" and they admitted that they did not. The media propaganda succeeded....
As the election draws near we know that we need God’s help more than ever.
From the Diary of St. Faustina, a particular paragraph stands out out that may help us in our battle. It reads:
August 22. This morning Saint Barbara, Virgin, visited me and recommended that I offer Holy Communion for nine days on behalf of my country and thus appease God’s anger. (1251)Our country is in much need of conversion.
We are praying for a win for LIFE, and some are praying for deliverance from a very possible grave time of evil and punishment for us and our country.
Some have suggested that, if possible, we might offer nine consecutive Holy Communions along with the Divine Mercy Novena beginning on October 26th, ending on November 3rd, the day before the election.
Some may desire to compliment this by fasting and sacrificing as well, (except Sunday).
And we might spend as much time as possible before the Most Blessed Sacrament.
Offer all of this to the Eternal Father, uniting it with Jesus, through the hands of Our Lady of Guadalupe, who is the Mother of the Americas.
As you well know, we are entering very serious and troubling waters. We are in need of Divine Intervention.
If you pray the rosary daily, please continue to do so. If not, please consider doing so. In addition, please pray either the Prayer for the Church and for the Civil Authorities or the Prayer for the Election.
Suggest this to friends, family and even priests-maybe they could also help!
Please God, have mercy on us, forgive us our many, many sins and bless our nation!
Thanks to SS & HB for the suggestion.
Alienation from Self and from God
...Given a soul alienated from self, lawlessness follows.
A soul with a fight inside itself will soon have a fight outside itself with others.
Once a man ceases to be of service to his neighbor, he begins to be a burden to him; it is only a step from refusing to live with others to refusing to live for others.
When Adam sinned, he accused Eve, and when Cain murdered Abel, he asked the antisocial question, "Am I my brother's keeper?" (Gen. 4:9). When Peter sinned, he went out alone and wept bitterly. Babel's sin of pride ended in a confusion of tongues which made it impossible to maintain fellowship.
Our personal self-hatred always becomes hatred of neighbor.
Perhaps this is one of the reasons for the basic appeal of Communism, with its philosophy of class struggle: Communism has a special affinity for souls that already have a struggle going on inside of themselves.
Associated with this inner conflict is a tendency to become hypercritical: unhappy souls almost always blame everyone but themselves for their miseries. Shut up within themselves, they are necessarily shut off from all others except to criticize them.
Since the essence of sin is opposition to God's will, it follows that the sin of one individual is bound to oppose any other individual whose will is in harmony with God's will.
This resulting estrangement from one's fellow man is intensified when one begins to live solely for this world; then the possessions of the neighbor are regarded as something unjustly taken from oneself.
Once the material becomes the goal of life, a society of conflicts is born. As Shelley said: "The accumulations of the materials of external life exceed the quantity of power of assimilating then to the internal laws of our nature."
Matters divides, as spirit unites. Divide an apple into four parts, and it is always possible to quarrel as to who has the biggest part; but if four men learn a prayer, no one man deprives the other of possessing it--the prayer becomes the basis of their unity.
When the goal of civilization consists, not in union with the Heavenly Father, but in the acquisition of material things, there is an increase in the potentialities of envy, greed, and war. Divided men then seek a dictator to bring them together, not in the unity of love, but in the false unity of the three P's--Power, Police, and Politics.
ESTRANGEMENT FROM GOD. Alienation from self and from one's fellow men has its roots in separation from God. Once the hub of the wheel, which is God, is lost, the spokes, which are men, fall apart.
God seems very far away from the modern man: this is due, to a great extent, to his own Godless behavior. Goodness always appears as a reproach to those who are not living right, and this reproach on the part of the sinner expresses itself in hatred and persecution.
There is rarely a disrupted, frustrated soul, critical and envious of his neighbor, who is not at the same time an antireligious man.
The organized atheism of the present hour is thus a projection of self-hatred; no man hates God without first hating himself.
Persecution of religion is a sign of the indefensibility of the antireligious or atheistic attitude, for by the violence of hate it hopes to escape the irrationality of Godlessness.
The final form of this hatred of religion is a wish to defy God and to maintain one's own evil in the face of His Goodness and Power. Revolting against the whole of existence, such a soul thinks that it has disproved it; it begins to admire its own torment as a protest against life.
Such a soul will not hear about religion, lest the comfort become a condemnation of its own arrogance; it defies it instead. Never able to make sense of its own life, it universalizes its own inner discord and sees the world as a kind of chaos in the face of which it develops the philosophy of "living dangerously."
"He functions as a distracted atom in a growing chaos made poor by his wealth, made empty by his fullness, reduced to monotony by his very opportunities for variety."...
###
Excerpt of Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen's Peace of Soul, copyright 1949, Nihil obstat: Rt. Rev. John M.A. Fearns, S.T.D., Censor Librorum; Imprimatur: Francis Cardinal Spellman, Archbishop of New York, Page 9-11
HT to DM for the suggestion who thought it timely, in light of the post We Will Attack you from Within.
A soul with a fight inside itself will soon have a fight outside itself with others.
Once a man ceases to be of service to his neighbor, he begins to be a burden to him; it is only a step from refusing to live with others to refusing to live for others.
When Adam sinned, he accused Eve, and when Cain murdered Abel, he asked the antisocial question, "Am I my brother's keeper?" (Gen. 4:9). When Peter sinned, he went out alone and wept bitterly. Babel's sin of pride ended in a confusion of tongues which made it impossible to maintain fellowship.
Our personal self-hatred always becomes hatred of neighbor.
Perhaps this is one of the reasons for the basic appeal of Communism, with its philosophy of class struggle: Communism has a special affinity for souls that already have a struggle going on inside of themselves.
Associated with this inner conflict is a tendency to become hypercritical: unhappy souls almost always blame everyone but themselves for their miseries. Shut up within themselves, they are necessarily shut off from all others except to criticize them.
Since the essence of sin is opposition to God's will, it follows that the sin of one individual is bound to oppose any other individual whose will is in harmony with God's will.
This resulting estrangement from one's fellow man is intensified when one begins to live solely for this world; then the possessions of the neighbor are regarded as something unjustly taken from oneself.
Once the material becomes the goal of life, a society of conflicts is born. As Shelley said: "The accumulations of the materials of external life exceed the quantity of power of assimilating then to the internal laws of our nature."
Matters divides, as spirit unites. Divide an apple into four parts, and it is always possible to quarrel as to who has the biggest part; but if four men learn a prayer, no one man deprives the other of possessing it--the prayer becomes the basis of their unity.
When the goal of civilization consists, not in union with the Heavenly Father, but in the acquisition of material things, there is an increase in the potentialities of envy, greed, and war. Divided men then seek a dictator to bring them together, not in the unity of love, but in the false unity of the three P's--Power, Police, and Politics.
ESTRANGEMENT FROM GOD. Alienation from self and from one's fellow men has its roots in separation from God. Once the hub of the wheel, which is God, is lost, the spokes, which are men, fall apart.
God seems very far away from the modern man: this is due, to a great extent, to his own Godless behavior. Goodness always appears as a reproach to those who are not living right, and this reproach on the part of the sinner expresses itself in hatred and persecution.
There is rarely a disrupted, frustrated soul, critical and envious of his neighbor, who is not at the same time an antireligious man.
The organized atheism of the present hour is thus a projection of self-hatred; no man hates God without first hating himself.
Persecution of religion is a sign of the indefensibility of the antireligious or atheistic attitude, for by the violence of hate it hopes to escape the irrationality of Godlessness.
The final form of this hatred of religion is a wish to defy God and to maintain one's own evil in the face of His Goodness and Power. Revolting against the whole of existence, such a soul thinks that it has disproved it; it begins to admire its own torment as a protest against life.
Such a soul will not hear about religion, lest the comfort become a condemnation of its own arrogance; it defies it instead. Never able to make sense of its own life, it universalizes its own inner discord and sees the world as a kind of chaos in the face of which it develops the philosophy of "living dangerously."
"He functions as a distracted atom in a growing chaos made poor by his wealth, made empty by his fullness, reduced to monotony by his very opportunities for variety."...
###
Excerpt of Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen's Peace of Soul, copyright 1949, Nihil obstat: Rt. Rev. John M.A. Fearns, S.T.D., Censor Librorum; Imprimatur: Francis Cardinal Spellman, Archbishop of New York, Page 9-11
HT to DM for the suggestion who thought it timely, in light of the post We Will Attack you from Within.