If thou seek thy comfort and thy gain in others, thou wilt often meet with loss. If in all things thou seek Jesus, doubtless thou wilt find Jesus; but if thou seek thyself, thou wilt indeed find thyself, but to thine own ruin.
-Bk. II, ch. vii.
Grace loves even her enemies.
-Bk. III, ch. liv.
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Our Lord explains His new commandment clearly in the Gospel. We read in St. Matthew: You have heard that it hath been said: thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thy enemy. But I say to you, Love your enemies, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them that persecute and calumniate you (Matt. v. 43, 44).
We do not find enemies, needless to say, at Carmel, but there are natural attractions; we feel drawn to one Sister, whereas we would go out of our way to avoid meeting another. But Our Lord teaches me that it is this very one that I should love and pray for, even though her manner shows that she dislikes me. If you love them that love you, what thanks are to you? for sinners also love those that love them (Luke vi, 32).
It is not enough to love, we must prove our love. We take delight in pleasing a friend, but this is not charity; even sinners do as much.
-The Story of a Soul (L'Histoire d'une Âme).
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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 25, 2008
Thoughts of St Augustine for October 26
LET us not, because human affairs seem to be in disorder, fancy that there is no governance of human affairs. For all men are ordered in their proper places; but to every man it seems as though they have no order. Do thou only look to what thou wouldst wish to be, for as thou shalt wish to be, the Master knoweth where to place thee.
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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
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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 26
IF the soul does not subdue the body, the flesh will conquer the spirit. To maintain his seat on a furious steed, and to escape danger, the horseman must hold a tight rein; and to avoid the corruption of the flesh, we must keep the body in perpetual restraint.
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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
Gospel for the 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time
From: Matthew 22:34-40
The Greatest Commandment of All
[34] But when the Pharisees heard that He (Jesus) had silenced the Sadducees, they came together. [35] And one of them, a lawyer, asked Him a question, to test Him. [36] "Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the law?" [37] And He said to him, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. [38] This is the great and first commandment. [39] And a second is like it, You shall love your neighbor as yourself. [40] On these two commandments depend all the law and the prophets."
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Commentary:
34-40. In reply to the question, our Lord points out that the whole law can be condensed into two commandments: the first and more important consists in unconditional love of God; the second is a consequence and result of the first, because when man is loved, St. Thomas says, God is loved, for man is the image of God (cf. "Commentary on St. Matthew", 22:4).
A person who genuinely loves God also loves his fellows because he realizes that they are his brothers and sisters, children of the same Father, redeemed by the same blood of our Lord Jesus Christ: "this commandment we have from Him, that he who loves God should love his brother also" (1 John 4:21). However, if we love man for man's sake without reference to God, this love will become an obstacle in the way of keeping the first commandment, and then it is no longer genuine love of our neighbor. But love of our neighbor for God's sake is clear proof that we love God: "If anyone says, `I love God', but hates his brother, he is a liar" (1 John 4:20).
"You shall love your neighbor as yourself": here our Lord establishes as the guideline for our love of neighbor the love each of us has for himself; both love of others and love of self are based on love of God. Hence, in some cases it can happen that God requires us to put our neighbor's need before our own; in others, not: it depends on what value, in the light of God's love, needs to be put on the spiritual and material factors involved.
Obviously spiritual goods take absolute precedence over material ones, even over life itself. Therefore, spiritual goods, be they our own or our neighbor's, must be the first to be safeguarded. If the spiritual good in question is the supreme one of the salvation of the soul, no one is justified in putting his own soul into certain danger of being condemned in order to save another, because given human freedom we can never be absolutely sure what personal choice another person may make: this is the situation in the parable (cf. Matthew 25:1-13), where the wise virgins refuse to give oil to the foolish ones; similarly St. Paul says that he would wish himself to be rejected if that could save his brothers (cf. Romans 9:3)--an unreal theoretical situation. However, what is quite clear is that we have to do all we can to save our brothers, conscious that, if someone helps to bring a sinner back to the Way, he will save himself from eternal death and cover a multitude of his own sins (James 5:20). From all this we can deduce that self-love of the right kind, based on God's love for man, necessarily involves forgetting oneself in order to love God and our neighbor for God.
37-38. The commandment of love is the most important commandment because by obeying it man attains his own perfection (cf. Colossians 3:14). "The more a soul loves," St. John of the Cross writes, "the more perfect is it in that which it loves; therefore this soul that is now perfect is wholly love, if it may thus be expressed, and all its actions are love and it employs all its faculties and possessions in loving, giving all that it has, like the wise merchant, for this treasure of love which it has found hidden in God [...]. For, even as the bee extracts from all plants the honey that is in them, and has no use for them for aught else save for that purpose, even so the soul with great facility extracts the sweetness of love that is in all the things that pass through it; it loves God in each of them, whether pleasant or unpleasant; and being, as it is, informed and protected by love, it has neither feeling nor taste nor knowledge of such things, for, as we have said, the soul knows naught but love, and its pleasure in all things and occupations is ever, as we have said, the delight of the love of God" ("Spiritual Canticle", Stanza 27, 8).
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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 Greatest Commandment of All
[34] But when the Pharisees heard that He (Jesus) had silenced the Sadducees, they came together. [35] And one of them, a lawyer, asked Him a question, to test Him. [36] "Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the law?" [37] And He said to him, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. [38] This is the great and first commandment. [39] And a second is like it, You shall love your neighbor as yourself. [40] On these two commandments depend all the law and the prophets."
_________________
Commentary:
34-40. In reply to the question, our Lord points out that the whole law can be condensed into two commandments: the first and more important consists in unconditional love of God; the second is a consequence and result of the first, because when man is loved, St. Thomas says, God is loved, for man is the image of God (cf. "Commentary on St. Matthew", 22:4).
A person who genuinely loves God also loves his fellows because he realizes that they are his brothers and sisters, children of the same Father, redeemed by the same blood of our Lord Jesus Christ: "this commandment we have from Him, that he who loves God should love his brother also" (1 John 4:21). However, if we love man for man's sake without reference to God, this love will become an obstacle in the way of keeping the first commandment, and then it is no longer genuine love of our neighbor. But love of our neighbor for God's sake is clear proof that we love God: "If anyone says, `I love God', but hates his brother, he is a liar" (1 John 4:20).
"You shall love your neighbor as yourself": here our Lord establishes as the guideline for our love of neighbor the love each of us has for himself; both love of others and love of self are based on love of God. Hence, in some cases it can happen that God requires us to put our neighbor's need before our own; in others, not: it depends on what value, in the light of God's love, needs to be put on the spiritual and material factors involved.
Obviously spiritual goods take absolute precedence over material ones, even over life itself. Therefore, spiritual goods, be they our own or our neighbor's, must be the first to be safeguarded. If the spiritual good in question is the supreme one of the salvation of the soul, no one is justified in putting his own soul into certain danger of being condemned in order to save another, because given human freedom we can never be absolutely sure what personal choice another person may make: this is the situation in the parable (cf. Matthew 25:1-13), where the wise virgins refuse to give oil to the foolish ones; similarly St. Paul says that he would wish himself to be rejected if that could save his brothers (cf. Romans 9:3)--an unreal theoretical situation. However, what is quite clear is that we have to do all we can to save our brothers, conscious that, if someone helps to bring a sinner back to the Way, he will save himself from eternal death and cover a multitude of his own sins (James 5:20). From all this we can deduce that self-love of the right kind, based on God's love for man, necessarily involves forgetting oneself in order to love God and our neighbor for God.
37-38. The commandment of love is the most important commandment because by obeying it man attains his own perfection (cf. Colossians 3:14). "The more a soul loves," St. John of the Cross writes, "the more perfect is it in that which it loves; therefore this soul that is now perfect is wholly love, if it may thus be expressed, and all its actions are love and it employs all its faculties and possessions in loving, giving all that it has, like the wise merchant, for this treasure of love which it has found hidden in God [...]. For, even as the bee extracts from all plants the honey that is in them, and has no use for them for aught else save for that purpose, even so the soul with great facility extracts the sweetness of love that is in all the things that pass through it; it loves God in each of them, whether pleasant or unpleasant; and being, as it is, informed and protected by love, it has neither feeling nor taste nor knowledge of such things, for, as we have said, the soul knows naught but love, and its pleasure in all things and occupations is ever, as we have said, the delight of the love of God" ("Spiritual Canticle", Stanza 27, 8).
___________________________
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, 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time
From: 1 Thessalonians 1:5-10
Thanksgiving for the Thessalonians' Fidelity
[5] For our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction. You know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake. [6] And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with joy inspired by the Holy Spirit; [7] so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia. [8] For not only has the word of the Lord sounded forth from you in Macedonia and Achaia, but your faith in God has gone forth everywhere, so that we need not say anything. [9] For they themselves report concerning us what a welcome we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols, to serve a living and true God, [10] and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.
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Commentary:
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).
6. St Paul rejoices at the effect God has had on the Thessalonians. It is true that Christ is "the" model to be imitated, but the Apostle's own example played its part in leading them to Christ (cf. 1 Cor 11:1). "To follow Christ: that is the secret. We must accompany him so closely that we come to live with him, as the first Twelve did; so closely, that we become identified with him. Soon we will be able to say, provided we have not put obstacles in the way of grace, that we have put on, have clothed ourselves with, our Lord Jesus Christ (cf. Rom 13:14). Our Lord is then reflected in our behavior, as in a mirror. If the mirror is as it ought to be, it will capture our Savior's most lovable face without distorting it or making a caricature of it; and then other people will have an opportunity of admiring him and following him" (St. J. Escriva, "Friends of God", 299).
"Joy", which is one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit (cf. Gal 5:22-23), is linked to unconditional acceptance of the word of God, and helps a person to overcome any obstacle he or she may meet on his way (cf. Acts 5:41). "One can be joyful despite lashes and blows, when these are accepted in the cause of Christ", St John Chrysostom comments. "A feature of the joy of the Holy Spirit is that it causes an uncontainable happiness to grow even out of affliction and sorrow [...]. In the natural course of events afflictions do not produce joy: joy is the privilege of those who accept sufferings for Jesus Christ's sake; it is one of the good things bestowed by the Holy Spirit" ("Hom. on 1 Thess, ad loc.").
7-8. Thessalonica was an important center of trade and a hub of communications for all Greece. The Christians in the city included a number of important people and even some women of the aristocracy (cf. Acts 17:4). The social standing of the converts and the prestige of the city partly explain the rapid spread of Christian teaching throughout the region.
What the Apostle says here only goes to show that when the Christian life is given full rein it spreads far and wide. This should give us every encouragement "always to act in public in accordance with our holy faith" (St. J. Escriva, "Furrow", 46).
9. We can see how happy the Apostle is to learn that the work of evangelization has borne fruit of conversion to God--which is the whole purpose of Gospel preaching. "For the Church, evangelization means bringing the Good News into all the strata of humanity, and through its influence transforming humanity from within and making it new" (Paul VI, "Evangelii Nuntiandi", 18).
It is moving to see the way good news spread among the early Christian communities. Obviously anecdotes about the apostolate would go from church to church; this gave them an occasion to praise God while at the same time providing encouragement to stay true to Christ and to spread the Gospel.
10. The Christian message has this feature which differentiates it from Judaism-hope in Christ and expectation of Christ. Two central points of Christian teaching emerge from this verse: Jesus Christ is the Son of God, who rose from the dead, and he will come again to judge all. St John Chrysostom observes that "in a single text St Paul brings together a number of different mysteries concerning Jesus Christ--his glorious resurrection, his victorious ascension, his future coming, the judgment, the reward promised to the righteous, and the punishment reserved for evildoers" ("Hom. on 1 Thess, ad loc.").
This verse probably contains a form of words used in oral preaching, and perhaps a profession of faith belonging to early Christian liturgy.
"To wait for his son (to come) from heaven": that Jesus Christ will come again is a truth of faith professed in the Creed: "He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead." Christ will be the Judge of all mankind. Everyone will be personally judged by God twice: "The first judgment takes place when each one of us departs this life; for then he is instantly placed before the judgment-seat of God, where all that he has ever done or spoken or thought during life shall be subjected to the most rigid scrutiny. This is called the particular judgment. The second occurs when on the same day and in the same place all men shall stand together before the tribunal of their Judge, that in the presence and hearing of all human beings of all time each may know his final doom and sentence [...]. This is called the general judgment" ("St Pius V Catechism", I, 8, 3).
The "wrath to come" is a metaphor referring to the just punishment of sinners. Our Lord Jesus Christ will exempt from it those who have consistently tried to live in the state of grace and fellowship with God. St Teresa of Avila warns that "it will be a great thing at the hour of death to know that we are going to be judged by him whom we have loved above all things. We can approach this trial with confidence. It will not be like going into a strange land but into our own land, for it is the land that belongs to him whom we love so much and who loves us" ("Way of Perfection", 70, 3).
___________________________
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.
Thanksgiving for the Thessalonians' Fidelity
[5] For our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction. You know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake. [6] And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with joy inspired by the Holy Spirit; [7] so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia. [8] For not only has the word of the Lord sounded forth from you in Macedonia and Achaia, but your faith in God has gone forth everywhere, so that we need not say anything. [9] For they themselves report concerning us what a welcome we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols, to serve a living and true God, [10] and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.
________________
Commentary:
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).
6. St Paul rejoices at the effect God has had on the Thessalonians. It is true that Christ is "the" model to be imitated, but the Apostle's own example played its part in leading them to Christ (cf. 1 Cor 11:1). "To follow Christ: that is the secret. We must accompany him so closely that we come to live with him, as the first Twelve did; so closely, that we become identified with him. Soon we will be able to say, provided we have not put obstacles in the way of grace, that we have put on, have clothed ourselves with, our Lord Jesus Christ (cf. Rom 13:14). Our Lord is then reflected in our behavior, as in a mirror. If the mirror is as it ought to be, it will capture our Savior's most lovable face without distorting it or making a caricature of it; and then other people will have an opportunity of admiring him and following him" (St. J. Escriva, "Friends of God", 299).
"Joy", which is one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit (cf. Gal 5:22-23), is linked to unconditional acceptance of the word of God, and helps a person to overcome any obstacle he or she may meet on his way (cf. Acts 5:41). "One can be joyful despite lashes and blows, when these are accepted in the cause of Christ", St John Chrysostom comments. "A feature of the joy of the Holy Spirit is that it causes an uncontainable happiness to grow even out of affliction and sorrow [...]. In the natural course of events afflictions do not produce joy: joy is the privilege of those who accept sufferings for Jesus Christ's sake; it is one of the good things bestowed by the Holy Spirit" ("Hom. on 1 Thess, ad loc.").
7-8. Thessalonica was an important center of trade and a hub of communications for all Greece. The Christians in the city included a number of important people and even some women of the aristocracy (cf. Acts 17:4). The social standing of the converts and the prestige of the city partly explain the rapid spread of Christian teaching throughout the region.
What the Apostle says here only goes to show that when the Christian life is given full rein it spreads far and wide. This should give us every encouragement "always to act in public in accordance with our holy faith" (St. J. Escriva, "Furrow", 46).
9. We can see how happy the Apostle is to learn that the work of evangelization has borne fruit of conversion to God--which is the whole purpose of Gospel preaching. "For the Church, evangelization means bringing the Good News into all the strata of humanity, and through its influence transforming humanity from within and making it new" (Paul VI, "Evangelii Nuntiandi", 18).
It is moving to see the way good news spread among the early Christian communities. Obviously anecdotes about the apostolate would go from church to church; this gave them an occasion to praise God while at the same time providing encouragement to stay true to Christ and to spread the Gospel.
10. The Christian message has this feature which differentiates it from Judaism-hope in Christ and expectation of Christ. Two central points of Christian teaching emerge from this verse: Jesus Christ is the Son of God, who rose from the dead, and he will come again to judge all. St John Chrysostom observes that "in a single text St Paul brings together a number of different mysteries concerning Jesus Christ--his glorious resurrection, his victorious ascension, his future coming, the judgment, the reward promised to the righteous, and the punishment reserved for evildoers" ("Hom. on 1 Thess, ad loc.").
This verse probably contains a form of words used in oral preaching, and perhaps a profession of faith belonging to early Christian liturgy.
"To wait for his son (to come) from heaven": that Jesus Christ will come again is a truth of faith professed in the Creed: "He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead." Christ will be the Judge of all mankind. Everyone will be personally judged by God twice: "The first judgment takes place when each one of us departs this life; for then he is instantly placed before the judgment-seat of God, where all that he has ever done or spoken or thought during life shall be subjected to the most rigid scrutiny. This is called the particular judgment. The second occurs when on the same day and in the same place all men shall stand together before the tribunal of their Judge, that in the presence and hearing of all human beings of all time each may know his final doom and sentence [...]. This is called the general judgment" ("St Pius V Catechism", I, 8, 3).
The "wrath to come" is a metaphor referring to the just punishment of sinners. Our Lord Jesus Christ will exempt from it those who have consistently tried to live in the state of grace and fellowship with God. St Teresa of Avila warns that "it will be a great thing at the hour of death to know that we are going to be judged by him whom we have loved above all things. We can approach this trial with confidence. It will not be like going into a strange land but into our own land, for it is the land that belongs to him whom we love so much and who loves us" ("Way of Perfection", 70, 3).
___________________________
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, 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time
From: Exodus 22:20-26
Social Laws
[20] "Whoever sacrifices to any god, save to the Lord only shall he utterly destroyed. [21] "You shall not wrong a stranger or oppress him, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt. [22] You shall not afflict any widow or orphan. [23] If you do afflict them, and they cry out to me, I will surely hear their cry; and my wrath will burn, and I will kill you with the sword, and your wives shall become widows and your children fatherless.
[25] "If you lend money to any of my people with you who are poor, you shall not be to him as a creditor, and you shall not exact interest from him. [26] If ever you take your neighbor's garment in pledge, you shall restore it to him before the sun goes down."
__________________
Commentary:
22:18-31. This passage contains a number of laws on social matters, in no particular order; some are apodictic, some religious, others are work-associated--but all deal with serious offenses.
Sorcery, which only women used to engage in (v. 18) was punished by death cf. Lev 20:6, 27; Deut 18:10-14), being a form of idolatry (cf. "Catechism of the Catholic Church", 2117). It was also forbidden by Assyrian laws and by the Code of Hammurabi.
Bestiality (v. 19) was a perversion more often found in pastoral and nomadic life (cf. Lev 18:23-25); it too was punishable by death.
Sacrificing to false gods was a temptation ever present to Israelites because they were surrounded by wealthy and powerful, but polytheistic, nations such as Egypt, Babylonia, Assyria and, especially, Canaan; "...shall be utterly destroyed" (v. 20) or "shall be put under the ban" or "shall be anathema".
Strangers who (due to war, disease or famine) found themselves forced to leave their country, widows without a family to support them, and orphans were typical marginalized or poor people in that tribal society. In its laws (e.g. Deut 10:17-18; 24:17) and in its prophetic message (e.g. Is 1:17; Jer 7:6), the Bible constantly speaks out on behalf of people most in need (cf. Jas 1:27). The oppression of the weak and of those on the margin of society is one of the sins that cry out to heaven (cf. "Catechism of the Catholic Church", 1867).
Blasphemy against God (v. 28) was punishable by death (cf. Lev 24:15); blasphemy against the person on supreme authority in the nation was no less serious, because he was God's representative. In the time of St Paul this text was applied to offenses against the high priest (cf. Acts 23:5).
On the law covering the first-born, cf. the note on 13:12. First-born sons had to be redeemed by means of an offering. Therefore the very bald rule given in v. 29 needs to be interpreted in the light of others which describe how first-born sons were to be consecrated--for the sacrifice of human beings was never countenanced in Israel.
___________________________
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.
Social Laws
[20] "Whoever sacrifices to any god, save to the Lord only shall he utterly destroyed. [21] "You shall not wrong a stranger or oppress him, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt. [22] You shall not afflict any widow or orphan. [23] If you do afflict them, and they cry out to me, I will surely hear their cry; and my wrath will burn, and I will kill you with the sword, and your wives shall become widows and your children fatherless.
[25] "If you lend money to any of my people with you who are poor, you shall not be to him as a creditor, and you shall not exact interest from him. [26] If ever you take your neighbor's garment in pledge, you shall restore it to him before the sun goes down."
__________________
Commentary:
22:18-31. This passage contains a number of laws on social matters, in no particular order; some are apodictic, some religious, others are work-associated--but all deal with serious offenses.
Sorcery, which only women used to engage in (v. 18) was punished by death cf. Lev 20:6, 27; Deut 18:10-14), being a form of idolatry (cf. "Catechism of the Catholic Church", 2117). It was also forbidden by Assyrian laws and by the Code of Hammurabi.
Bestiality (v. 19) was a perversion more often found in pastoral and nomadic life (cf. Lev 18:23-25); it too was punishable by death.
Sacrificing to false gods was a temptation ever present to Israelites because they were surrounded by wealthy and powerful, but polytheistic, nations such as Egypt, Babylonia, Assyria and, especially, Canaan; "...shall be utterly destroyed" (v. 20) or "shall be put under the ban" or "shall be anathema".
Strangers who (due to war, disease or famine) found themselves forced to leave their country, widows without a family to support them, and orphans were typical marginalized or poor people in that tribal society. In its laws (e.g. Deut 10:17-18; 24:17) and in its prophetic message (e.g. Is 1:17; Jer 7:6), the Bible constantly speaks out on behalf of people most in need (cf. Jas 1:27). The oppression of the weak and of those on the margin of society is one of the sins that cry out to heaven (cf. "Catechism of the Catholic Church", 1867).
Blasphemy against God (v. 28) was punishable by death (cf. Lev 24:15); blasphemy against the person on supreme authority in the nation was no less serious, because he was God's representative. In the time of St Paul this text was applied to offenses against the high priest (cf. Acts 23:5).
On the law covering the first-born, cf. the note on 13:12. First-born sons had to be redeemed by means of an offering. Therefore the very bald rule given in v. 29 needs to be interpreted in the light of others which describe how first-born sons were to be consecrated--for the sacrifice of human beings was never countenanced in Israel.
___________________________
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.
Comrades Obama, Ayers Promote Communism/Socialism (Red Stars everywhere?)
[Source]
The five-pointed red star, a pentagram without the inner pentagon, is a symbol of communism as well as broader socialism in general.
It is sometimes understood to represent the five fingers of the worker's hand, as well as the five continents.
A lesser known suggestion is that the five points on the star were intended to represent the five social groups that would lead Russia to communism:the youth,
the military,
the industrial labourers,
the agricultural workers or peasantry, and
the intelligentsia.
Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels used the red star as a symbol. It was also one of the emblems, symbols, and signals representing the Soviet Union under the rule and guidance of the Communist Party, along with the hammer and sickle.
The star has since become a symbol representing socialism of all varieties.
And today who is promoting this overthrow of America by implementing socialist/communist policies?
On Friday night, Bill O'Reilly showed a clip with Jesse Watters trying to interview the domestic terrorist Billy Ayers. The YouTube video clip of the BOR segment is here.
Here are a couple of screen captures from the segment.
Take special notice of Ayers' shirt:
Coincidence? Hardly...And ask yourself, "Just who/what does he support"? We know that Ayers went to Venezuela to visit with Chavez on "education reform" - otherwise known as indoctrination and brainwashing of children with socialistic ideology.
And we also know that Obama was a member of the "New Party" in the 1990's - a socialist/communist party.
Are these mere coincidences? I believe this is a overt action to demonstrate Barck Hussein Obama's socialist/communist ideology - and many, it seems, are too blind to see or too apathetic to care, despite the numerous articles, facts, and proofs [as posted here in the news clips] that have demonstrated Obama's embracing of communist philosophy.
It should come as no surprise, then, that he views genocidal abortion and infanticide (the murder of those born alive) as a right - indeed, a duty!
With little more than a week to go before the election, and with fraudulent registrations and early voting taking place all over the country, all true Americans need to mobilize to stop these vermin and cockroaches [HT Mark Levin] from taking over our country.
Obama's Credit Card Fraud Continues....
Share Post PrintOctober 23, 2008 Posted by John at 9:22 PMSource.
We noted here and elsewhere the astonishing degree of fraud that has fueled Barack Obama's record fundraising. The ultimate instance of Obama-fraud was achieved by a reader of The Corner:So I went to the Obama website this afternoon and clicked on the "Donate" button.Everyone knows that Barack Obama has created the biggest money-machine of any politician in American history. But it is becoming increasingly evident that Obama's money-machine is largely fraudulent and therefore criminal. One can imagine a world in which newspaper reporters think it's a serious matter when a Presidential candidate tries to buy an election with illegal and fraudulent contributions. That, of course, is not the world that we live in.
I used my real MasterCard number (but was not asked for the 3 digit security code).
Used the following information and it was accepted...
First name: Fake
Last Name: Donor
Address: 1 Dollar To Prove A Point
City: Fraudulent
State: AL
Zip / Post: 33333
Email Address: allmyinfoismadeup@mediabias.com
Phone Number: 2125551212
Employer: Mainstream Media
Occupation: Being in the Tank
And incredibly, my $5 donation was ACCEPTED!!!
I then went to the McCain site and used the exact same information (and WAS asked for the 3 digit security code for my MasterCard). There, my contribution was rejected with the following message: "Your transaction was not approved for the following reason(s): Invalid data", and then: "We have found errors in the information that you have submitted. Please review the information below and try again."
I have screen shots and printouts of all of this as well.
Please tell me what I can do with this information? Is this a violation of FEC law by the Obama Campaign? How do we publicize this???
Atlas Shrugs has a whole post full of interesting info about Obama's fraudulent campaign "donations".
News Updates, 10/25
Role of canon law is 'to create order' in church, Nevada bishop says
50 Bishops Say Abortion Most Important Issue in U.S. Election
Over a quarter of America's bishops have published articles, issued statements or given interviews where they have declared that the most important issue for voters in their choice of a new president is the candidate’s stance on abortion
Cardinal Rigali: Abortion is the “Transcending Issue of Our Day.”
Like those Catholics who risked their lives to end the atrocities of slavery and the holocaust, today’s Catholics, he adjures, must be willing to respond “with the same generosity of body and heart, and the same courage” to put an end to abortion
Apple, Google Both Come Out Corporately Against Traditional Marriage Ballot Measure
Issues & Politics
_______________
Lawsuit Against Obama Dismissed from Philadelphia Federal Court
The order came down at approximately 6:15 p.m. on Friday. Philip Berg's lawsuit challenging Illinois Sen. Barack Obama's constitutional eligibility to serve as president of the United States had been dismissed by the Hon. R. Barclay Surrick on grounds that the Philadelphia attorney and former Deputy Attorney General for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania lacked standing.
[American citizens have no right to question the "qualifications" of dictators and tyrants]
In Ohio, Suit Challenges Obama's Birth Place
David M. Neal of Turtlecreek Township plunked down a $200 fee to file a lawsuit Friday in Warren Common Pleas Court in Lebanon. The suit seeks to force state and federal officials to take more steps to settle, once and for all, the question of Obama’s legitimacy as a potential president.
Newsmax Covering Birth Certificate Story on Front Page
Obama Refuses to Answer Birth Certificate Lawsuit
Barbara West Interviews Joe Biden
Must See Video; Biden Shocked, Asked if Obama Plan is Marxism
50 Bishops Say Abortion Most Important Issue in U.S. Election
Over a quarter of America's bishops have published articles, issued statements or given interviews where they have declared that the most important issue for voters in their choice of a new president is the candidate’s stance on abortion
Cardinal Rigali: Abortion is the “Transcending Issue of Our Day.”
Like those Catholics who risked their lives to end the atrocities of slavery and the holocaust, today’s Catholics, he adjures, must be willing to respond “with the same generosity of body and heart, and the same courage” to put an end to abortion
Apple, Google Both Come Out Corporately Against Traditional Marriage Ballot Measure
Issues & Politics
_______________
Lawsuit Against Obama Dismissed from Philadelphia Federal Court The order came down at approximately 6:15 p.m. on Friday. Philip Berg's lawsuit challenging Illinois Sen. Barack Obama's constitutional eligibility to serve as president of the United States had been dismissed by the Hon. R. Barclay Surrick on grounds that the Philadelphia attorney and former Deputy Attorney General for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania lacked standing.
[American citizens have no right to question the "qualifications" of dictators and tyrants]
In Ohio, Suit Challenges Obama's Birth Place
David M. Neal of Turtlecreek Township plunked down a $200 fee to file a lawsuit Friday in Warren Common Pleas Court in Lebanon. The suit seeks to force state and federal officials to take more steps to settle, once and for all, the question of Obama’s legitimacy as a potential president.
Newsmax Covering Birth Certificate Story on Front Page
Obama Refuses to Answer Birth Certificate Lawsuit
Barbara West Interviews Joe Biden
Must See Video; Biden Shocked, Asked if Obama Plan is Marxism
Friday, October 24, 2008
Gospel for Saturday, 29th Week In Ordinary Time
Old Calendar: Sts. Chrysanthus and Daria, martyrs; Sts. Crispin and Crispinian (RM)
From: Luke 13:1-9
The Need for Repentance
[1] There were some present at that very time who told him of the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. [2] And he answered them, "Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered thus? [3] I tell you, No; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish. [4] 0r those eighteen upon whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them, do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others who dwelt in Jerusalem? [5] I tell you, No; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish."
Parable of the Barren Fig Tree
[6] And he told this parable: "A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came seeking fruit on it and found none. [7] And he said to the vinedresser, 'Lo, these three years I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and I find none. Cut it down; why should it use up the ground?' [8] And he answered him, 'Let it alone, sir, this year also, till I dig about it and put on manure. [9] And if it bears fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.'"
_______________________
Commentary:
1-5. Our Lord used current events in his teaching. The Galileans referred to here may be the same as mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles (5:37). The episode was fairly typical of the times Jesus lived in, with Pilate sternly suppressing any sign of civil unrest. We do not know anything about the accident at Siloam other than what the Gospel tells us.
The fact that these people died in this way does not mean that they were worse than others, for God does not always punish sinners in this life (cf. Jn 9:3). All of us are sinners, meriting a much worse punishment than temporal misfortune: we merit eternal punishment; but Christ has come to atone for our sins, he has opened the gates of heaven. We must repent of our sins; otherwise God will not free us from the punishment we deserve. "When you meet with suffering, the Cross, your thought should be: what is this compared with what I deserve?" ([St] J. Escriva, "The Way", 690)
3. "He tells us that, without Holy Baptism, no one will enter the Kingdom of heaven (cf. Jn 3:5); and, elsewhere, that if we do not repent we will all perish (Lk 13:3). This is all easily understood. Ever since man sinned, all his senses rebel against reason; therefore, if we want the flesh to be controlled by the spirit and by reason, it must be mortified; if we do not want the body to be at war with the soul, it and all our senses need to be chastened; if we desire to go to God, the soul with all its faculties needs to be mortified" (St John Mary Vianney, "Selected Sermons", Ash Wednesday).
6-9. Our Lord stresses that we need to produce plenty of fruit (cf. Lk 8:11-15) in keeping with the graces we have received (cf. Lk 12:48). But he also tells us that God waits patiently for this fruit to appear; he does not want the death of the sinner; he wants him to be converted and to live (Ezek 33:11) and, as St Peter teaches, he is "forbearing towards you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance" (2 Pet 3:9). But God's clemency should not lead us to neglect our duties and become lazy and, comfort-seeking, living sterile lives. He is merciful, but he is also just and he will punish failure to respond to his grace.
"There is one case that we should be especially sorry about--that of Christians who could do more and don't; Christians who could live all the consequences of their vocation as children of God, but refuse to do so through lack of generosity. We are partly to blame, for the grace of faith has not been given us to hide but to share with others (cf. Mt 5:15f). we cannot forget that the happiness of these people, in this life and in the next, is at stake. The Christian life is a divine wonder with immediate promises of satisfaction and serenity--but on condition that we know how to recognize the gift of God (cf. Jn 4:10) and be generous, not counting the cost" ([St] J. Escriva, "Christ Is Passing By", 147).
___________________________
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 13:1-9
The Need for Repentance
[1] There were some present at that very time who told him of the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. [2] And he answered them, "Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered thus? [3] I tell you, No; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish. [4] 0r those eighteen upon whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them, do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others who dwelt in Jerusalem? [5] I tell you, No; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish."
Parable of the Barren Fig Tree
[6] And he told this parable: "A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came seeking fruit on it and found none. [7] And he said to the vinedresser, 'Lo, these three years I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and I find none. Cut it down; why should it use up the ground?' [8] And he answered him, 'Let it alone, sir, this year also, till I dig about it and put on manure. [9] And if it bears fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.'"
_______________________
Commentary:
1-5. Our Lord used current events in his teaching. The Galileans referred to here may be the same as mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles (5:37). The episode was fairly typical of the times Jesus lived in, with Pilate sternly suppressing any sign of civil unrest. We do not know anything about the accident at Siloam other than what the Gospel tells us.
The fact that these people died in this way does not mean that they were worse than others, for God does not always punish sinners in this life (cf. Jn 9:3). All of us are sinners, meriting a much worse punishment than temporal misfortune: we merit eternal punishment; but Christ has come to atone for our sins, he has opened the gates of heaven. We must repent of our sins; otherwise God will not free us from the punishment we deserve. "When you meet with suffering, the Cross, your thought should be: what is this compared with what I deserve?" ([St] J. Escriva, "The Way", 690)
3. "He tells us that, without Holy Baptism, no one will enter the Kingdom of heaven (cf. Jn 3:5); and, elsewhere, that if we do not repent we will all perish (Lk 13:3). This is all easily understood. Ever since man sinned, all his senses rebel against reason; therefore, if we want the flesh to be controlled by the spirit and by reason, it must be mortified; if we do not want the body to be at war with the soul, it and all our senses need to be chastened; if we desire to go to God, the soul with all its faculties needs to be mortified" (St John Mary Vianney, "Selected Sermons", Ash Wednesday).
6-9. Our Lord stresses that we need to produce plenty of fruit (cf. Lk 8:11-15) in keeping with the graces we have received (cf. Lk 12:48). But he also tells us that God waits patiently for this fruit to appear; he does not want the death of the sinner; he wants him to be converted and to live (Ezek 33:11) and, as St Peter teaches, he is "forbearing towards you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance" (2 Pet 3:9). But God's clemency should not lead us to neglect our duties and become lazy and, comfort-seeking, living sterile lives. He is merciful, but he is also just and he will punish failure to respond to his grace.
"There is one case that we should be especially sorry about--that of Christians who could do more and don't; Christians who could live all the consequences of their vocation as children of God, but refuse to do so through lack of generosity. We are partly to blame, for the grace of faith has not been given us to hide but to share with others (cf. Mt 5:15f). we cannot forget that the happiness of these people, in this life and in the next, is at stake. The Christian life is a divine wonder with immediate promises of satisfaction and serenity--but on condition that we know how to recognize the gift of God (cf. Jn 4:10) and be generous, not counting the cost" ([St] J. Escriva, "Christ Is Passing By", 147).
___________________________
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.
U.S. Catholic Bishop Rene H. Gracida Releases Radio Ad Stating no Catholic can Vote for Barack Obama in Good Conscience
MEDIA ADVISORY, October 24 /Christian Newswire/ -- Today - perhaps in an eleventh hour answer to prayer for the unborn - Bishop Rene H. Gracida has released a stunning radio ad concerning Catholics voting for Barack Obama. His ad is recorded in English and Spanish. Bishop Gracida boldly states:"This is Bishop Rene H. Gracida, reminding all Catholics that they must vote in this election with an informed conscience. A Catholic cannot be said to have voted in this election with a good conscience if they have voted for a pro-abortion candidate. Barack Hussein Obama is a pro-abortion candidate."The commercial can be heard in English and Spanish at www.randallterry.com.
Bishop Gracida has offered this radio spot without charge for all who want to use it. All faithful Catholics are invited to download the mp3 file, and place this ad on their local radio station(s).
They must simply contact their local radio station(s), and pay for the ad as an "independent expenditure." The station can download the audio file to play on the radio. The mp3 file is also available at www.randallterry.com.
Moreover, permission is granted for the ad to be downloaded, sent as a file, or posted on any web site in America. If this ad receives the airplay it deserves, it could sink Obama's campaign by jolting Catholic voters back to their senses and moorings.
Over 50% of Catholic voters have been seduced into ethical quicksand by errant Catholics who are partisan supporters of Obama and have betrayed the lives of innocent unborn children.
Contact: Randall Terry. 904 687 9804
Just for Today, October 25
When thou shalt arrive thus far, that tribulation becomes sweet and savoury to thee for the love of Christ; then think that it is well with thee, for thou hast found a paradise upon earth.
-Bk. II, ch. xii.
_______________
Long ago suffering became a paradise on earth for me, and I cannot imagine how I shall become acclimatized in a land where all is happiness without a trace of sorrow. Our Lord will have to transform my soul, otherwise it will not be able to bear eternal bliss.
-Espirit de Sainte 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.
-Bk. II, ch. xii.
_______________
Long ago suffering became a paradise on earth for me, and I cannot imagine how I shall become acclimatized in a land where all is happiness without a trace of sorrow. Our Lord will have to transform my soul, otherwise it will not be able to bear eternal bliss.
-Espirit de Sainte 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 25
IF he were not man there would be no deliverance for man. Man drew nigh, and the heart is deep, that is the heart is secret, exposing to human looks the Man, keeping hidden within him the God, hiding the form of God, in which he is equal to the Father, and offering the form of a servant, in which he is less than the Father.
_________________________
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 25
CHILDREN readily give anything that is asked of them. Jesus came into the world a child, in order to show himself ready and willing to give us all good things. If we wish for pardon and salvation, he is come to pardon and save us.
_________________
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
Weigel launches another Newsweek salvo at Catholic Obama supporters
Washington DC, Oct 24, 2008 / 07:09 am (CNA).- The discussion over Catholic support for Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama continued this past week as professors Nick Cafardi, Cathy Kaveny, and Doug Kmiec—all Obama backers—debated the topic with political commentator George Weigel in the pages of Newsweek. Obama’s Catholic supporters argued that Obama would serve the pro-life cause in other aspects, while Weigel charged that such arguments ignore or minimize Obama’s vigorous support for abortion rights.
[...]
Weigel responded ... suggesting the professors’ criticism of what they called the “elegant theorizing” of pro-life Republicans avoided the real argument....
Calling most Catholic politicians “woefully ill-informed” about the logic of Catholic teaching on life issues, he said this “enormous failure” of pastors and bishops is compounded when prominent Catholic intellectuals “fail to make clear” that their preferred pro-abortion rights candidate’s record on such issues is “reprehensible.”
Traitors among the Knights? Where is the Leadership?
There is something just revolting and sickening about this:
I am truly ashamed that these so-called Catholic Knights would support any person whose life has been committed to promoting abortion and the culture of death. What kind of mental sickness has infected Catholics and the general population?
What do these so-called Catholics think? Or can they? Do they even consider or think about those children who are murdered by dismemberment, suction, chemical poisons, etc? Do they ever consider the evil of politicians who promote this barbarism?
What kind of people are these knights? God helps us!
These men should, at least, have the courage to resign from the Knights of Columbus, but I suspect they are as delusional as all of the other imposters who claim to be Catholic but are far from it - such as priestettes, Bozeks, Milingos, and every other heretic, schismatic and apostate...They claim to be "Catholic," BUT....
I am truly ashamed that these so-called Catholic Knights would support any person whose life has been committed to promoting abortion and the culture of death. What kind of mental sickness has infected Catholics and the general population?
What do these so-called Catholics think? Or can they? Do they even consider or think about those children who are murdered by dismemberment, suction, chemical poisons, etc? Do they ever consider the evil of politicians who promote this barbarism?
What kind of people are these knights? God helps us!
These men should, at least, have the courage to resign from the Knights of Columbus, but I suspect they are as delusional as all of the other imposters who claim to be Catholic but are far from it - such as priestettes, Bozeks, Milingos, and every other heretic, schismatic and apostate...They claim to be "Catholic," BUT....
Bishop Robert Hermann: We are living in destiny-changing times!
We are living in destiny-changing times! Our own personal destiny and the destiny of our nation are at stake! We are living in a time of widespread abortion and infanticide.Source.
This coming election may very well be the most important election for the cause of life or death.
If you are over 35 years of age, consider yourself lucky to be alive because up until you were born it was illegal in this country to kill children. If you are under 35, consider yourself lucky that you are one of the gifted survivors. More than 47 million of your generation were not so lucky and were killed.
In a letter to his people, Bishop Robert Finn of Kansas City-St. Joseph wrote: "Our Catholic moral principles teach that a candidate’s promise of economic prosperity is insufficient to justify their constant support of abortion laws, including partial-birth abortion and infanticide for born-alive infants. Promotion of the Freedom of Choice Act is a pledge to eliminate every single limit on abortions achieved over the last 35 years. The real freedom that is ours in Jesus Christ compels us, not to take life, but to defend it."
Together with the other bishops of Missouri, I am asking all the faithful of the Archdiocese of St. Louis to make next week a special week of prayer for the protection of human life. I am asking every parish to offer one holy hour of adoration on one day this following week for the cause of life and human dignity, and I am encouraging all parishioners to attend, if at all possible. If you can’t attend, make a good Confession or ask others to join you in praying the Rosary.
I am also encouraging every family to say the daily Rosary for this same intention. When Christian Europe was threatened by overwhelming odds in 1571, prayer to Our Lady of the Rosary brought about a tremendous victory.
If they could do it then, we can do this today. With God’s help we can make these kinds of choices. This is our calling. We are to be a people of hope. Let us ask Our Lady of Guadalupe to intercede for us.
Government Socialism & Family Control
From Rerum Novarum, Pope Leo XIII:
The contention, then, that the civil government should at its option intrude into and exercise intimate control over the family and the household is a great and pernicious error.
Paternal authority can be neither abolished nor absorbed by the State; for it has the same source as human life itself. "The child belongs to the father," and is, as it were, the continuation of the father's personality; and speaking strictly, the child takes its place in civil society, not of its own right, but in its quality as member of the family in which it is born. And for the very reason that "the child belongs to the father" it is, as St. Thomas Aquinas says, "before it attains the use of free will, under the power and the charge of its parents."(4)
The socialists, therefore, in setting aside the parent and setting up a State supervision, act against natural justice, and destroy the structure of the home.
And in addition to injustice, it is only too evident what an upset and disturbance there would be in all classes, and to how intolerable and hateful a slavery citizens would be subjected.
The door would be thrown open to envy, to mutual invective, and to discord; the sources of wealth themselves would run dry, for no one would have any interest in exerting his talents or his industry; and that ideal equality about which they entertain pleasant dreams would be in reality the levelling down of all to a like condition of misery and degradation.
Hence, it is clear that the main tenet of socialism, community of goods, must be utterly rejected,
The contention, then, that the civil government should at its option intrude into and exercise intimate control over the family and the household is a great and pernicious error.
Paternal authority can be neither abolished nor absorbed by the State; for it has the same source as human life itself. "The child belongs to the father," and is, as it were, the continuation of the father's personality; and speaking strictly, the child takes its place in civil society, not of its own right, but in its quality as member of the family in which it is born. And for the very reason that "the child belongs to the father" it is, as St. Thomas Aquinas says, "before it attains the use of free will, under the power and the charge of its parents."(4)
The socialists, therefore, in setting aside the parent and setting up a State supervision, act against natural justice, and destroy the structure of the home.
And in addition to injustice, it is only too evident what an upset and disturbance there would be in all classes, and to how intolerable and hateful a slavery citizens would be subjected.
The door would be thrown open to envy, to mutual invective, and to discord; the sources of wealth themselves would run dry, for no one would have any interest in exerting his talents or his industry; and that ideal equality about which they entertain pleasant dreams would be in reality the levelling down of all to a like condition of misery and degradation.
Hence, it is clear that the main tenet of socialism, community of goods, must be utterly rejected,
since it only injures those whom it would seem meant to benefit,
is directly contrary to the natural rights of mankind, and
would introduce confusion and disorder into the commonweal.
News Updates, 10/24
San Diego bishop erects Latin Mass parish, anyone in diocese may join
St. Anne Church becomes a “personal parish” with FSSP priest
Chicago ABC TV Station Bans Pro-life Ad
An organization called Caring Outreach bought time to run a commercial called "85 Days," depicting a baby's growth through the first few months of life in the womb. Spokeswoman Jean Synovic tells OneNewsNow that television station WLS rejected the ad.
John McCain's Pro-Life Abortion Record Gets Buried With Focus on Obama
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- With the intense focus on the extreme pro-abortion positions of Barack Obama, there has been little reference during the weeks leading up to the presidential elections of John McCain's pro-life record on abortion. McCain isn't as outspoken as past presidential candidates, but his record speaks volume
Bishop stresses abortion view at political forum
[More details of Diocese of Scranton Bishop Joseph F. Martino unexpected arrival at a presidential election forum at St. John’s Roman Catholic Church on Sunday.]
MA Parents Warn Floridians of Effects of Same-Sex “Marriage” on Public Education [LifeSiteNews.com]
When the MA couple contacted school officials to complain about homosexual "marriage" being forced on young children in school, they were told they had no right to control the curriculum, no right to be notified when gay marriage might be taught in school, and no right to pull their child from class
Vatican fumes at Israeli minister's remarks
'Israel's interference in the matter of Pius XII must stop'
Pope suspends Indian bishop who adopted woman
Vatican inquiry ordered to probe odd controversy
Anti-American Watchdog group asks IRS to investigate bishop
Objects to column denouncing Obama's abortion stance
Pope meets privately with U.S. bishops' officials
Cardinal George will not discuss any details
Man killed ten women as 'offerings to Satan'
Mexican man extradited from Texas to stand trial
Atheists plan anti-god ad campaign on buses
Nonbelievers fighting 'preferential treatment' in UK
UK lawmakers back animal-human embryo research
Despite opposition from religious and pro-life groups
Town's parade draws fire for dropping 'Christmas'
Famed fireworks company protests secularization
Real-life Northern Irish priests become pop stars
'Spine-tingling harmonies applied to spiritual songs'
Issues & Politics
__________________
Estate Tax Takes Shape In Campaign Talk
(McCain cut tax to 15%, Obama increase tax to 45%)
Police: Campaign Volunteer Lied, Injured Self
Ashley Todd, 20, is now facing charges for filing a false report to police
Obama-Led Foundation Funded a Group Led by Former Chair of 'Communist Party (Marxist-Leninist)'
(CNSNews.com) – A foundation chaired by Barack Obama that was designed to improve Chicago public schools gave hundreds of thousands of dollars to the Small Schools Workshop, an organization led by former Weatherman Bill Ayers and by Michael Klonsky, a former chairman of both Students for a Democratic Society and, according to The Washington Post and New York Times, a group called the “Communist Party (Marxist-Leninist).”
Poll: Voters Against Obama 'Wealth Redistribution' Plan (CNBC)
By a more than two-to-one margin, undecided voters disagree with such efforts to redistribute wealth. In total, 57 percent of undecided voters said they disagreed, while only 24 percent said they agreed (19 percent are not sure).
OK...the internet rumors about the birth certificate: let’s end the rumors and the viral nature of them!
Since the emails just won’t stop…and since it really is a topic that should be put to rest and can be done with such ease, I now think Senator Obama should release his birth certificate but I also think, to be fair, so should the other 3….yes, all 4...
[McCain has already produced his...]
FLASH! CRC’s 2 Major Exposes of ACORN Coming Today!
Turning the Page from Campaign Finance Fraud...[Andy McCarthy]
What is the deal with Obama's birth certificate and citizenship status?
Why is Bill Ayers a respectable member of the upper middle class and Sarah Palin contemptible?
House Democrats Contemplate Abolishing 401(k) Tax Breaks
Powerful House Democrats are eyeing proposals to overhaul the nation’s $3 trillion 401(k) system, including the elimination of most of the $80 billion in annual tax breaks that 401(k) investors receive.
An Examination of Obama’s Use of Hidden Hypnosis Techniques in His Speeches [PDF]
This document contains over 60 pages of evidence and analysis proving Barack Obama’s use of a little-known and highly deceptive and manipulative form of “hack” hypnosis on millions of unaware Americans, and reveals what only a few psychologists and hypnosis/NLP experts know...
Ayers' Weathermen planned "re-education", genocide [YouTube]
William Ayers and the Weather Underground supported a Stalinist "purge" of up to 25 Million Americans who refused to be "re-educated" in marxism. They also supported handing our nation over to the Russians, Chinese, and Cubans. And Ayers' influence on Obama is yet to be fully revealed...Who's willing to take that chance?
Media Ignores Fact that Obama Was Confirmed Member of Socialist “New Party"
What should be front page news informing and warning Americans is going entirely unnoticed by the MSM. It couldn’t be any more obvious the media are in the tank for Obama.
Obama's Stealth Socialism
Election '08 (Posted 7/28/2008): Before friendly audiences, Barack Obama speaks passionately about something called "economic justice." He uses the term obliquely, though, speaking in code — socialist code.
During his NAACP speech earlier this month, Sen. Obama repeated the term at least four times. "I've been working my entire adult life to help build an America where economic justice is being served," he said...
"Economic justice" simply means punishing the successful and redistributing their wealth by government fiat. It's a euphemism for socialism.
Ayers’ Role in Obama’s “Dreams” Poised To Break Out
Did Obama change his tax plan just days before the election? (CNN)
Speaking at a campaign event Wednesday, October 22, in Cincinnati, Ohio, Republican presidential candidate Sen. John McCain criticized the tax plan of his Democratic opponent, Sen. Barack Obama. "And by the way, this week we learned that Senator Obama is concerned that his plan is seen as welfare so he just added a work requirement," McCain said. "Thirteen days to go in the election and he changed his tax plan..."
Obama in 1995-Bizarre, Race Baiting Interview Found! Says whites don't want to help black kids[YouTube]
Obama uses children as excuse for confiscating wealth. Obama and Ayers have demonstrated how they use money for inner city schools. It's used to indoctrinate the kids to communism, make them a permanent victim class, and alienate them to American values. [Full interview]
Ayers Republished His Revolutionary Manifesto in 2006
Ayers actually republished this book dedicated to Robert F. Kennedy’s assassin Sirhan Sirhan ... in 2006
[Leftists support a terrorist who dedicated a book to a Kennedy assassin? How insane is this?]
St. Anne Church becomes a “personal parish” with FSSP priest
Chicago ABC TV Station Bans Pro-life Ad
An organization called Caring Outreach bought time to run a commercial called "85 Days," depicting a baby's growth through the first few months of life in the womb. Spokeswoman Jean Synovic tells OneNewsNow that television station WLS rejected the ad.
John McCain's Pro-Life Abortion Record Gets Buried With Focus on Obama
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- With the intense focus on the extreme pro-abortion positions of Barack Obama, there has been little reference during the weeks leading up to the presidential elections of John McCain's pro-life record on abortion. McCain isn't as outspoken as past presidential candidates, but his record speaks volume
Bishop stresses abortion view at political forum
[More details of Diocese of Scranton Bishop Joseph F. Martino unexpected arrival at a presidential election forum at St. John’s Roman Catholic Church on Sunday.]
MA Parents Warn Floridians of Effects of Same-Sex “Marriage” on Public Education [LifeSiteNews.com]
When the MA couple contacted school officials to complain about homosexual "marriage" being forced on young children in school, they were told they had no right to control the curriculum, no right to be notified when gay marriage might be taught in school, and no right to pull their child from class
Vatican fumes at Israeli minister's remarks
'Israel's interference in the matter of Pius XII must stop'
Pope suspends Indian bishop who adopted woman
Vatican inquiry ordered to probe odd controversy
Anti-American Watchdog group asks IRS to investigate bishop
Objects to column denouncing Obama's abortion stance
Pope meets privately with U.S. bishops' officials
Cardinal George will not discuss any details
Man killed ten women as 'offerings to Satan'
Mexican man extradited from Texas to stand trial
Atheists plan anti-god ad campaign on buses
Nonbelievers fighting 'preferential treatment' in UK
UK lawmakers back animal-human embryo research
Despite opposition from religious and pro-life groups
Town's parade draws fire for dropping 'Christmas'
Famed fireworks company protests secularization
Real-life Northern Irish priests become pop stars
'Spine-tingling harmonies applied to spiritual songs'
Issues & Politics
__________________
Estate Tax Takes Shape In Campaign Talk
(McCain cut tax to 15%, Obama increase tax to 45%)
Police: Campaign Volunteer Lied, Injured Self
Ashley Todd, 20, is now facing charges for filing a false report to police
Obama-Led Foundation Funded a Group Led by Former Chair of 'Communist Party (Marxist-Leninist)'
(CNSNews.com) – A foundation chaired by Barack Obama that was designed to improve Chicago public schools gave hundreds of thousands of dollars to the Small Schools Workshop, an organization led by former Weatherman Bill Ayers and by Michael Klonsky, a former chairman of both Students for a Democratic Society and, according to The Washington Post and New York Times, a group called the “Communist Party (Marxist-Leninist).”
Poll: Voters Against Obama 'Wealth Redistribution' Plan (CNBC)
By a more than two-to-one margin, undecided voters disagree with such efforts to redistribute wealth. In total, 57 percent of undecided voters said they disagreed, while only 24 percent said they agreed (19 percent are not sure).
OK...the internet rumors about the birth certificate: let’s end the rumors and the viral nature of them!
Since the emails just won’t stop…and since it really is a topic that should be put to rest and can be done with such ease, I now think Senator Obama should release his birth certificate but I also think, to be fair, so should the other 3….yes, all 4...
[McCain has already produced his...]
FLASH! CRC’s 2 Major Exposes of ACORN Coming Today!
Turning the Page from Campaign Finance Fraud...[Andy McCarthy]
What is the deal with Obama's birth certificate and citizenship status?
Why is Bill Ayers a respectable member of the upper middle class and Sarah Palin contemptible?
House Democrats Contemplate Abolishing 401(k) Tax Breaks
Powerful House Democrats are eyeing proposals to overhaul the nation’s $3 trillion 401(k) system, including the elimination of most of the $80 billion in annual tax breaks that 401(k) investors receive.
An Examination of Obama’s Use of Hidden Hypnosis Techniques in His Speeches [PDF]
This document contains over 60 pages of evidence and analysis proving Barack Obama’s use of a little-known and highly deceptive and manipulative form of “hack” hypnosis on millions of unaware Americans, and reveals what only a few psychologists and hypnosis/NLP experts know...
Ayers' Weathermen planned "re-education", genocide [YouTube]
William Ayers and the Weather Underground supported a Stalinist "purge" of up to 25 Million Americans who refused to be "re-educated" in marxism. They also supported handing our nation over to the Russians, Chinese, and Cubans. And Ayers' influence on Obama is yet to be fully revealed...Who's willing to take that chance?
Media Ignores Fact that Obama Was Confirmed Member of Socialist “New Party"
What should be front page news informing and warning Americans is going entirely unnoticed by the MSM. It couldn’t be any more obvious the media are in the tank for Obama.
Obama's Stealth Socialism
Election '08 (Posted 7/28/2008): Before friendly audiences, Barack Obama speaks passionately about something called "economic justice." He uses the term obliquely, though, speaking in code — socialist code.
During his NAACP speech earlier this month, Sen. Obama repeated the term at least four times. "I've been working my entire adult life to help build an America where economic justice is being served," he said...
"Economic justice" simply means punishing the successful and redistributing their wealth by government fiat. It's a euphemism for socialism.
Ayers’ Role in Obama’s “Dreams” Poised To Break Out
Did Obama change his tax plan just days before the election? (CNN)
Speaking at a campaign event Wednesday, October 22, in Cincinnati, Ohio, Republican presidential candidate Sen. John McCain criticized the tax plan of his Democratic opponent, Sen. Barack Obama. "And by the way, this week we learned that Senator Obama is concerned that his plan is seen as welfare so he just added a work requirement," McCain said. "Thirteen days to go in the election and he changed his tax plan..."
Obama in 1995-Bizarre, Race Baiting Interview Found! Says whites don't want to help black kids[YouTube]
Obama uses children as excuse for confiscating wealth. Obama and Ayers have demonstrated how they use money for inner city schools. It's used to indoctrinate the kids to communism, make them a permanent victim class, and alienate them to American values. [Full interview]
Ayers Republished His Revolutionary Manifesto in 2006
Ayers actually republished this book dedicated to Robert F. Kennedy’s assassin Sirhan Sirhan ... in 2006
[Leftists support a terrorist who dedicated a book to a Kennedy assassin? How insane is this?]
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Gospel for Friday, 29th Week in Ordinary Time
Optional Memorial of St. Anthony Claret, bishop
Old Calendar: St. Raphael the Archangel
From: Luke 12:54-59
The Coming of Christ
[54] He (Jesus) also said to the multitudes, "When you see a cloud rising in the west, you say at once, `A shower is coming'; and so it happens. [55] And when you see the south wind blowing, you say, `There will be scorching heat'; and it happens. [56] You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearances of earth and sky; but why do you not know how to interpret the present time?"
[57] "And why do you not judge for yourselves what is right? [58] As you go with your accuser before the magistrate, make an effort to settle with him on the way, lest he drag you to the judge, and the judge hand you over to the officer, and the officer put you in prison. [59] I tell you, you will never get out till you have paid the very last copper."
_________________________
Commentary:
56. Jesus' listeners knew from experience how to forecast the weather. However, although they knew the signs of the Messiah's coming announced by the prophets, and were hearing His preaching and witnessing His miracles, they did not want to draw the logical conclusion; they lacked the necessary good will and upright intention, and they just closed their eyes to the light of the Gospel (cf. Romans 1:18ff).
This attitude is also found to be very widespread in our own time, in forms of certain kinds of atheism denounced by the Second Vatican Council: "Those who willfully try to drive God from their heart and to avoid all questions about religion, not following the biddings of their conscience, are not free from blame" ("Gaudium Et Spes", 19).
___________________________
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.
Old Calendar: St. Raphael the Archangel
From: Luke 12:54-59
The Coming of Christ
[54] He (Jesus) also said to the multitudes, "When you see a cloud rising in the west, you say at once, `A shower is coming'; and so it happens. [55] And when you see the south wind blowing, you say, `There will be scorching heat'; and it happens. [56] You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearances of earth and sky; but why do you not know how to interpret the present time?"
[57] "And why do you not judge for yourselves what is right? [58] As you go with your accuser before the magistrate, make an effort to settle with him on the way, lest he drag you to the judge, and the judge hand you over to the officer, and the officer put you in prison. [59] I tell you, you will never get out till you have paid the very last copper."
_________________________
Commentary:
56. Jesus' listeners knew from experience how to forecast the weather. However, although they knew the signs of the Messiah's coming announced by the prophets, and were hearing His preaching and witnessing His miracles, they did not want to draw the logical conclusion; they lacked the necessary good will and upright intention, and they just closed their eyes to the light of the Gospel (cf. Romans 1:18ff).
This attitude is also found to be very widespread in our own time, in forms of certain kinds of atheism denounced by the Second Vatican Council: "Those who willfully try to drive God from their heart and to avoid all questions about religion, not following the biddings of their conscience, are not free from blame" ("Gaudium Et Spes", 19).
___________________________
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.
Just for Today, October 24
The better thou disposest thyself for suffering, the more wisely dost thou act, and the more dost thou merit; and thou wilt bear it more easily, thy mind being well prepared for it, and accustomed to it.
-Bk. III, ch. xix.
_______________
How sweetly doth mine own soul echo,
Jesu, those brave words of Thine
Full of longing for Thy Passion,
All on fire with love divine!
-Poems.
__________________
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. III, ch. xix.
_______________
How sweetly doth mine own soul echo,
Jesu, those brave words of Thine
Full of longing for Thy Passion,
All on fire with love divine!
-Poems.
__________________
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 24
To this our common stock we each in our small measure contribute our share; and in proportion to the size of our estate of strength we pay up what I may call our assessment of sufferings.
_________________________
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 24
HUMILIATION is the touchstone of sanctity. You will acquire more merit by meekly receiving an affront than by fasting ten days on bread and water.
_________________
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
Excerpts from Pope Pius XI's Quadragesimo Anno
COMMUNISM
Communism teaches and seeks two objectives: Unrelenting class warfare and absolute extermination of private ownership.
Not secretly or by hidden methods does it do this, but publicly, openly, and by employing every and all means, even the most violent.
To achieve these objectives there is nothing which it does not dare, nothing for which it has respect or reverence; and when it has come to power, it is incredible and portentlike in its cruelty and inhumanity.
The horrible slaughter and destruction through which it has laid waste vast regions of eastern Europe and Asia are the evidence; how much an enemy and how openly hostile it is to Holy Church and to God Himself is, alas, too well proved by facts and fully known to all.
Although We, therefore, deem it superfluous to warn upright and faithful children of the Church regarding the impious and iniquitous character of Communism, yet We cannot without deep sorrow contemplate the heedlessness of those who apparently make light of these impending dangers, and with sluggish inertia allow the widespread propagation of doctrine which seeks by violence and slaughter to destroy society altogether.
All the more gravely to be condemned is the folly of those who neglect to remove or change the conditions that inflame the minds of peoples, and pave the way for the overthrow and destruction of society.
THE MANY MASKS OF SOCIALISM
Religious socialism, Christian socialism, are contradictory terms; no one can be at the same time a good Catholic and a true socialist.
It belongs to Our Pastoral Office to warn these persons of the grave and imminent evil: let all remember that Liberalism is the father of this Socialism that is pervading morality and culture and that Bolshevism will be its heir.
We have also summoned Communism and Socialism again to judgment and have found all their forms, even the most modified, to wander far from the precepts of the Gospel.
Whether considered as a doctrine, or an historical fact, or a movement, Socialism, if it remains truly Socialism, even after it has yielded to truth and justice on the points which we have mentioned, cannot be reconciled with the teachings of the Catholic Church because its concept of society itself is utterly foreign to Christian truth
Because of the fact that goods are produced more efficiently by a suitable division of labor than by the scattered efforts of individuals, socialists infer that economic activity, only the material ends of which enter into their thinking, ought of necessity to be carried on socially.
Because of this necessity, they hold that men are obliged, with respect to the producing of goods, to surrender and subject themselves entirely to society. Indeed, possession of the greatest possible supply of things that serve the advantages of this life is considered of such great importance that the higher goods of man, liberty not excepted, must take a secondary place and even be sacrificed to the demands of the most efficient production of goods.
This damage to human dignity, undergone in the "socialized" process of production, will be easily offset, they say, by the abundance of socially produced goods which will pour out in profusion to individuals to be used freely at their pleasure for comforts and cultural development.
Society, therefore, as Socialism conceives it, can on the one hand neither exist nor be thought of without an obviously excessive use of force; on the other hand, it fosters a liberty no less false, since there is no place in it for true social authority, which rests not on temporal and material advantages but descends from God alone, the Creator and last end of all things.
And therefore, to the harassed workers there have come "intellectuals," as they are called, setting up in opposition to a fictitious law the equally fictitious moral principle that all products and profits, save only enough to repair and renew capital, belong by very right to the workers.
This error, much more specious than that of certain of the Socialists who hold that whatever serves to produce goods ought to be transferred to the State, or, as they say "socialized," is consequently all the more dangerous and the more apt to deceive the unwary.
Socialism, on the other hand, wholly ignoring and indifferent to this sublime end of both man and society, affirms that human association has been instituted for the sake of material advantage alone.
Such just demands and desire have nothing in them now which is inconsistent with Christian truth, and much less are they special to Socialism. Those who work solely toward such ends have, therefore, no reason to become socialists.
Yet let no one think that all the socialist groups or factions that are not communist have, without exception, recovered their senses to this extent either in fact or in name.
For the most part they do not reject the class struggle or the abolition of ownership, but only in some degree modify them.
Now if these false principles are modified and to some extent erased from the program, the question arises, or rather is raised without warrant by some, whether the principles of Christian truth cannot perhaps be also modified to some degree and be tempered so as to meet Socialism half-way and, as it were, by a middle course, come to agreement with it.
There are some allured by the foolish hope that socialists in this way will be drawn to us. A vain hope!
Those who want to be apostles among socialists ought to profess Christian truth whole and entire, openly and sincerely, and not connive at error in any way.
If they truly wish to be heralds of the Gospel, let them above all strive to show to socialists that socialist claims, so far as they are just, are far more strongly supported by the principles of Christian faith and much more effectively promoted through the power of Christian charity.
For they are greatly in error who do not hesitate to spread the principle that labor is worth and must be paid as much as its products are worth, and that consequently the one who hires out his labor has the right to demand all that is produced through his labor....
Communism teaches and seeks two objectives: Unrelenting class warfare and absolute extermination of private ownership.
Not secretly or by hidden methods does it do this, but publicly, openly, and by employing every and all means, even the most violent.
To achieve these objectives there is nothing which it does not dare, nothing for which it has respect or reverence; and when it has come to power, it is incredible and portentlike in its cruelty and inhumanity.
The horrible slaughter and destruction through which it has laid waste vast regions of eastern Europe and Asia are the evidence; how much an enemy and how openly hostile it is to Holy Church and to God Himself is, alas, too well proved by facts and fully known to all.
Although We, therefore, deem it superfluous to warn upright and faithful children of the Church regarding the impious and iniquitous character of Communism, yet We cannot without deep sorrow contemplate the heedlessness of those who apparently make light of these impending dangers, and with sluggish inertia allow the widespread propagation of doctrine which seeks by violence and slaughter to destroy society altogether.
All the more gravely to be condemned is the folly of those who neglect to remove or change the conditions that inflame the minds of peoples, and pave the way for the overthrow and destruction of society.
THE MANY MASKS OF SOCIALISM
Religious socialism, Christian socialism, are contradictory terms; no one can be at the same time a good Catholic and a true socialist.
It belongs to Our Pastoral Office to warn these persons of the grave and imminent evil: let all remember that Liberalism is the father of this Socialism that is pervading morality and culture and that Bolshevism will be its heir.
We have also summoned Communism and Socialism again to judgment and have found all their forms, even the most modified, to wander far from the precepts of the Gospel.
Whether considered as a doctrine, or an historical fact, or a movement, Socialism, if it remains truly Socialism, even after it has yielded to truth and justice on the points which we have mentioned, cannot be reconciled with the teachings of the Catholic Church because its concept of society itself is utterly foreign to Christian truth
Because of the fact that goods are produced more efficiently by a suitable division of labor than by the scattered efforts of individuals, socialists infer that economic activity, only the material ends of which enter into their thinking, ought of necessity to be carried on socially.
Because of this necessity, they hold that men are obliged, with respect to the producing of goods, to surrender and subject themselves entirely to society. Indeed, possession of the greatest possible supply of things that serve the advantages of this life is considered of such great importance that the higher goods of man, liberty not excepted, must take a secondary place and even be sacrificed to the demands of the most efficient production of goods.
This damage to human dignity, undergone in the "socialized" process of production, will be easily offset, they say, by the abundance of socially produced goods which will pour out in profusion to individuals to be used freely at their pleasure for comforts and cultural development.
Society, therefore, as Socialism conceives it, can on the one hand neither exist nor be thought of without an obviously excessive use of force; on the other hand, it fosters a liberty no less false, since there is no place in it for true social authority, which rests not on temporal and material advantages but descends from God alone, the Creator and last end of all things.
And therefore, to the harassed workers there have come "intellectuals," as they are called, setting up in opposition to a fictitious law the equally fictitious moral principle that all products and profits, save only enough to repair and renew capital, belong by very right to the workers.
This error, much more specious than that of certain of the Socialists who hold that whatever serves to produce goods ought to be transferred to the State, or, as they say "socialized," is consequently all the more dangerous and the more apt to deceive the unwary.
Socialism, on the other hand, wholly ignoring and indifferent to this sublime end of both man and society, affirms that human association has been instituted for the sake of material advantage alone.
Such just demands and desire have nothing in them now which is inconsistent with Christian truth, and much less are they special to Socialism. Those who work solely toward such ends have, therefore, no reason to become socialists.
Yet let no one think that all the socialist groups or factions that are not communist have, without exception, recovered their senses to this extent either in fact or in name.
For the most part they do not reject the class struggle or the abolition of ownership, but only in some degree modify them.
Now if these false principles are modified and to some extent erased from the program, the question arises, or rather is raised without warrant by some, whether the principles of Christian truth cannot perhaps be also modified to some degree and be tempered so as to meet Socialism half-way and, as it were, by a middle course, come to agreement with it.
There are some allured by the foolish hope that socialists in this way will be drawn to us. A vain hope!
Those who want to be apostles among socialists ought to profess Christian truth whole and entire, openly and sincerely, and not connive at error in any way.
If they truly wish to be heralds of the Gospel, let them above all strive to show to socialists that socialist claims, so far as they are just, are far more strongly supported by the principles of Christian faith and much more effectively promoted through the power of Christian charity.
For they are greatly in error who do not hesitate to spread the principle that labor is worth and must be paid as much as its products are worth, and that consequently the one who hires out his labor has the right to demand all that is produced through his labor....
News Updates, 10/23
Group asks IRS to investigate Catholic bishop
WASHINGTON — A church-state watchdog group has asked the Internal Revenue Service to investigate whether the Roman Catholic bishop of Paterson, N.J., violated tax laws by denouncing Democratic presidential nominee Sen. Barack Obama.
In a letter sent to the IRS on Wednesday (Oct. 22), Americans United for Separation of Church and State accused Paterson Bishop Arthur Serratelli of illegal partisanship for lambasting Obama's support of abortion rights...
[When will someone investigate pro-infanticide Barry Soetoro/Obama and his funding from radical Islamofascists?]
"Coming Out Day" for 5 year olds?
Mother of Hayward kindergarten student stunned to learn daughter being taught about homosexuality at such a tender age
“Vandals and city hall”
Proposition 8 backers in Chino Hills targeted by hoodlums, municipal governmen
Philadelphia Catholic legal award goes to Senator Casey; protest outside cathedral
10/22 Philadelphia’s St. Thomas More Society presented its annual award on Monday to Sen. Robert Casey, Jr. of Pennyslvania....
Britain’s “Macabre” Embryo and Cloning Bill Passes in the Commons with Massive Majority
The Society for the Protection of Unborn Children (SPUC) condemned the vote, saying, “Future generations would regard the bill as devaluing human life."
Bishops: Catholics “Morally Obliged” to Oppose Roe v. Wade
"Roe v. Wade is a clear case of an 'intrinsically unjust law' we are morally obliged to oppose. Reversing it is not a mere political tactic, but a moral imperative."
Pope speaks on Jesus, crucified and risen: the central focus of St. Paul's epistles
Vatican, Oct 22 2008 (CWN) - At his weekly public audience on October 22, Pope Benedict XVI spoke about the ways in which St. Paul, in his epistles, constantly called attention to "the central role of the risen Christ in the mystery of salvation." Speaking to about 17,000 ...
Brazilian priests' group works for pro-abortion mayoral candidate
10/22 A group of Brazilian priests styling themselves as the Catholics' Forum for Justice is working actively to promote the candidacy of a ...
Australian doctor: Most donors still alive when organs are removed
LIFESITENEWS.COM — A prominent Melbourne doctor has written that, contrary to popular belief, most organ donations take place before the donor is actually dead...
Issues & Politics
Woman [McCain supporter] Attacked At ATM, Assailant Carves Letter ["B"] Into Her Face
[Obama told his supporters to “GET IN THEIR FACES” - sounds like his followers are obeying!]
Communists for Obama: Stalinist tactics used to silence critics
WES VERNON, RA ANALYST — "Our time has come...I can see a role for the Communist Party USA in the next period." Those words from Libero Della Piana, an operative speaking at the headquarters of the Communist Party USA and eagerly anticipating an Obama presidency...
'Change' can lead to catastrophe
THOMAS SOWELL — Telling a friend that the love of his life is a phony and dangerous is not likely to get him to change his mind. But it may cost you a friend. It is much the same story with true believers in Barack Obama. They have made up their minds and not only don't want to be confused by the facts, they resent being told the facts...
Media attacks miss the point
The issue never was Joe the plumber -- it's what Obama said to him
AUGUSTA CHRONICLE — Joe the plumber isn't running for anything. He hasn't been elected or appointed to anything. All he did was ask presidential candidate Barack Obama a simple question: If I buy this plumbing company, will you tax me more?...
Secret of Obama tax plan revealed?
Explanation came from a young man calling from an Obama phone bank...
For pro-Israel Jews, McCain is the one
(JTA) — As a patriotic Jewish American, I care deeply about Israel’s well-being and security as well as that of our own country...I realize that for many Jewish Americans, Israel’s and America’s safety and security appear to be a lower priority than certain social issues, such as preserving abortion rights...If one believes we live in a very dangerous world with unprecedented challenges, the choice for voters should be easy.
'Imagine' - New NRA Spot
The National Rifle Association has a new :30 ad airing titled "Imagine." It will run in Colorado, Florida, Minnesota, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Wisconsin.
Hillary Clinton made sure we all became familiar with Obama's contention that working people are just bitter and cling to their guns and God. In a different year, this ad might have more impact.
Nonetheless, it's smart of any organization, and in this case the NRA, taking a candidate to task over their record. Especially when so many voters are likely unaware of Obama's past.
Obama Was Openly MARXIST (New Party Member) as Recently as 1996 [PHOTOGRAPHIC EVIDENCE]
There are scans from New Party News Spring 1996 which prove prove that Barack Hussein Obama was a member of the MARXIST Illinois "New Party" and was endorsed by them in his 1996 Illinois State Senate race.
William Ayers' forgotten communist manifesto: Prairie Fire
William Ayers is a communist. But don't take my word for it. He said so himself...And not some nicey-nice peace-and-love kind of communist. Through his group the Weather Underground, Ayers was planning to "seize power" in a violent communist takeover of the United States:
Larijani: Iran prefers Obama
Iranian parliament Speaker Ali Larijani said Wednesday that Iran would prefer Democrat Barack Obama in the White House next year.
Al-Jazeera for Obama
Arab propaganda channel Al-Jazeera’s intervention in the U.S. presidential contest is also extremely significant. Al-Jazeera, a mouthpiece for enemies of the United States, aired a Moammar Gadhafi speech praising Obama and followed with a story depicting supporters of Sarah Palin as white racist Christians.
3,000 "Educators" sign statement in support of Ayers
Over 3,000 educators nationwide, including six Brown professors, have signed a statement supporting the man Republican presidential nominee Sen. John McCain called a "washed-up terrorist" at the third presidential debate last Wednesday.
[...Spooky...Are they teaching your children to embrace marxist ideology? These 3,000 comrades must stick together. Check the list here.]
Michelle Obama is fair game
There is also her creepily authoritarian vision of life under an Obama administration. From a speech in California: "Barack Obama will require you to work. He is going to demand that you shed your cynicism. That you put down your divisions. That you come out of your isolation, that you move out of your comfort zone . . . Barack will never allow you to go back to your lives as usual - uninvolved, uninformed."
[The wife of the world leader wannabe gives us hints of Utopia]
Barack Obama: The Most Secretive Democrat in History
Sen. Barack Obama’s campaign says his campaign will bring a new level of honesty and transparency to the White House...But when it comes to offering the public documents about his own public and private activities, Obama’s record for openness gets an "F" grade.
My Mother's Birth Certificate - And Obama's
Four years ago, when I had just about completed the lengthy legal and financial vetting process required by the U.S. government to place my then-92-year-old-mother in a nursing home, I was asked to produce her birth certificate as “proof” of her citizenship. While she was born in America, had voted in every election for untold decades, and paid her taxes religiously, that wasn’t good enough to qualify my elderly mother –deaf, legally blind, and confined to a wheelchair – to be admitted to the facility I had chosen for her near my home.
[But the Messiah can't produce his - maybe he always was, is, and will be?]
ACORN Lawyer Admits Group Too Close to Project Vote, might have Violated Federal Law
Islamic group calls on NMGOP to repudiate remarks made by Marcia Stirman
[Oh no!!! She called him a "Muslim socialist"...What should he be called? The Messiah? The Savior?]
"Spreading The Wealth: - Time To Start Practicing This Concept In Everyday Actions
WASHINGTON — A church-state watchdog group has asked the Internal Revenue Service to investigate whether the Roman Catholic bishop of Paterson, N.J., violated tax laws by denouncing Democratic presidential nominee Sen. Barack Obama.
In a letter sent to the IRS on Wednesday (Oct. 22), Americans United for Separation of Church and State accused Paterson Bishop Arthur Serratelli of illegal partisanship for lambasting Obama's support of abortion rights...
[When will someone investigate pro-infanticide Barry Soetoro/Obama and his funding from radical Islamofascists?]
"Coming Out Day" for 5 year olds?
Mother of Hayward kindergarten student stunned to learn daughter being taught about homosexuality at such a tender age
“Vandals and city hall”
Proposition 8 backers in Chino Hills targeted by hoodlums, municipal governmen
Philadelphia Catholic legal award goes to Senator Casey; protest outside cathedral
10/22 Philadelphia’s St. Thomas More Society presented its annual award on Monday to Sen. Robert Casey, Jr. of Pennyslvania....
Britain’s “Macabre” Embryo and Cloning Bill Passes in the Commons with Massive Majority
The Society for the Protection of Unborn Children (SPUC) condemned the vote, saying, “Future generations would regard the bill as devaluing human life."
Bishops: Catholics “Morally Obliged” to Oppose Roe v. Wade
"Roe v. Wade is a clear case of an 'intrinsically unjust law' we are morally obliged to oppose. Reversing it is not a mere political tactic, but a moral imperative."
Pope speaks on Jesus, crucified and risen: the central focus of St. Paul's epistles
Vatican, Oct 22 2008 (CWN) - At his weekly public audience on October 22, Pope Benedict XVI spoke about the ways in which St. Paul, in his epistles, constantly called attention to "the central role of the risen Christ in the mystery of salvation." Speaking to about 17,000 ...
Brazilian priests' group works for pro-abortion mayoral candidate
10/22 A group of Brazilian priests styling themselves as the Catholics' Forum for Justice is working actively to promote the candidacy of a ...
Australian doctor: Most donors still alive when organs are removed
LIFESITENEWS.COM — A prominent Melbourne doctor has written that, contrary to popular belief, most organ donations take place before the donor is actually dead...
Issues & Politics
Woman [McCain supporter] Attacked At ATM, Assailant Carves Letter ["B"] Into Her Face
[Obama told his supporters to “GET IN THEIR FACES” - sounds like his followers are obeying!]
Communists for Obama: Stalinist tactics used to silence criticsWES VERNON, RA ANALYST — "Our time has come...I can see a role for the Communist Party USA in the next period." Those words from Libero Della Piana, an operative speaking at the headquarters of the Communist Party USA and eagerly anticipating an Obama presidency...
'Change' can lead to catastrophe
THOMAS SOWELL — Telling a friend that the love of his life is a phony and dangerous is not likely to get him to change his mind. But it may cost you a friend. It is much the same story with true believers in Barack Obama. They have made up their minds and not only don't want to be confused by the facts, they resent being told the facts...
Media attacks miss the point
The issue never was Joe the plumber -- it's what Obama said to him
AUGUSTA CHRONICLE — Joe the plumber isn't running for anything. He hasn't been elected or appointed to anything. All he did was ask presidential candidate Barack Obama a simple question: If I buy this plumbing company, will you tax me more?...
Secret of Obama tax plan revealed?
Explanation came from a young man calling from an Obama phone bank...
For pro-Israel Jews, McCain is the one
(JTA) — As a patriotic Jewish American, I care deeply about Israel’s well-being and security as well as that of our own country...I realize that for many Jewish Americans, Israel’s and America’s safety and security appear to be a lower priority than certain social issues, such as preserving abortion rights...If one believes we live in a very dangerous world with unprecedented challenges, the choice for voters should be easy.
'Imagine' - New NRA Spot
The National Rifle Association has a new :30 ad airing titled "Imagine." It will run in Colorado, Florida, Minnesota, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Wisconsin.
Hillary Clinton made sure we all became familiar with Obama's contention that working people are just bitter and cling to their guns and God. In a different year, this ad might have more impact.
Nonetheless, it's smart of any organization, and in this case the NRA, taking a candidate to task over their record. Especially when so many voters are likely unaware of Obama's past.
Obama Was Openly MARXIST (New Party Member) as Recently as 1996 [PHOTOGRAPHIC EVIDENCE]There are scans from New Party News Spring 1996 which prove prove that Barack Hussein Obama was a member of the MARXIST Illinois "New Party" and was endorsed by them in his 1996 Illinois State Senate race.
William Ayers' forgotten communist manifesto: Prairie Fire
William Ayers is a communist. But don't take my word for it. He said so himself...And not some nicey-nice peace-and-love kind of communist. Through his group the Weather Underground, Ayers was planning to "seize power" in a violent communist takeover of the United States:
May 9, 1974[Is this Obama's ideology, as well? He did, after all, have many socialist/communist mentors.]
Sisters and brothers,
Here is PRAIRIE FIRE, our political ideology - a strategy for anti-imperialism and revolution inside the imperial US....
Our job is to tap the discontent seething in many sectors of the population, to find allies everywhere people are hungry or angry, to mobilize poor and working people against imperialism...
We have an urgent responsibility: to destroy imperialism from within in order to help free the world and ourselves from its grasp...
Our final goal is the destruction of imperialism, the seizure of power, and the creation of socialism. Our strategy for this stage of the struggle is to organize the oppressed people of the imperial nation itself to join with the colonies in the attack on imperialism. This process of attacking and weakening imperialism involves the defeat of all kinds of national chauvinism and arrogance; this is a precondition to our fight for socialism...
Socialism [Bill Ayers definition]] is the total opposite of capitalism/imperialism. It is the rejection of empire and white supremacy. Socialism is the violent overthrow of the bourgeoisie, the establishment of the dictatorship of the proletariat, and the eradication of the social system based on profit. Socialism means control of the productive forces for the good of the whole community instead of the few who live on hilltops and in mansions. Socialism means priorities based on human need instead of corporate greed. Socialism creates the conditions for a decent and creative quality of life for all...
Larijani: Iran prefers Obama
Iranian parliament Speaker Ali Larijani said Wednesday that Iran would prefer Democrat Barack Obama in the White House next year.
Al-Jazeera for Obama
Arab propaganda channel Al-Jazeera’s intervention in the U.S. presidential contest is also extremely significant. Al-Jazeera, a mouthpiece for enemies of the United States, aired a Moammar Gadhafi speech praising Obama and followed with a story depicting supporters of Sarah Palin as white racist Christians.
3,000 "Educators" sign statement in support of Ayers
Over 3,000 educators nationwide, including six Brown professors, have signed a statement supporting the man Republican presidential nominee Sen. John McCain called a "washed-up terrorist" at the third presidential debate last Wednesday.
[...Spooky...Are they teaching your children to embrace marxist ideology? These 3,000 comrades must stick together. Check the list here.]
Michelle Obama is fair game
There is also her creepily authoritarian vision of life under an Obama administration. From a speech in California: "Barack Obama will require you to work. He is going to demand that you shed your cynicism. That you put down your divisions. That you come out of your isolation, that you move out of your comfort zone . . . Barack will never allow you to go back to your lives as usual - uninvolved, uninformed."
[The wife of the world leader wannabe gives us hints of Utopia]
Barack Obama: The Most Secretive Democrat in History
Sen. Barack Obama’s campaign says his campaign will bring a new level of honesty and transparency to the White House...But when it comes to offering the public documents about his own public and private activities, Obama’s record for openness gets an "F" grade.
My Mother's Birth Certificate - And Obama's
Four years ago, when I had just about completed the lengthy legal and financial vetting process required by the U.S. government to place my then-92-year-old-mother in a nursing home, I was asked to produce her birth certificate as “proof” of her citizenship. While she was born in America, had voted in every election for untold decades, and paid her taxes religiously, that wasn’t good enough to qualify my elderly mother –deaf, legally blind, and confined to a wheelchair – to be admitted to the facility I had chosen for her near my home.
[But the Messiah can't produce his - maybe he always was, is, and will be?]
ACORN Lawyer Admits Group Too Close to Project Vote, might have Violated Federal Law
Islamic group calls on NMGOP to repudiate remarks made by Marcia Stirman
[Oh no!!! She called him a "Muslim socialist"...What should he be called? The Messiah? The Savior?]
"Spreading The Wealth: - Time To Start Practicing This Concept In Everyday Actions
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Gospel for Thursday, 29th Week in Ordinary Time
Optional Memorial of St. John of Capistrano, priest
Old Calendar: St. Anthony Mary Claret
From: Luke 12:49-53
Jesus the Cause of Dissension
(Jesus said to His disciples,) [49] "I came to cast fire upon the earth; and would that it were already kindled! [50] I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how I am constrained until it is accomplished! [51] Do you think that I have come to give peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division; [52] for henceforth in one house there will be five divided, three against two and two against three; [53] they will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against her mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law."
__________________
Commentary:
49-50. In the Bible, fire is often used to describe God's burning love for men. This divine love finds its highest __expression in the Son of God become man: "God so loved the world that He gave His only Son" (John 3:16). Jesus voluntarily gave up His life out of love for us, and "greater love has no man than this, that a man lays down his life for his friends" (John 15:13).
In these words reported by St. Luke, Jesus Christ reveals His abounding desire to give His life for love of us. He calls His death a baptism, because from it He will arise victorious never to die again. Our Baptism is a submersion in Christ's death, in which we die to sin and are reborn to the new life of grace: "We were buried therefore with Him by baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life" (Romans 6:4).
Through this new life, we Christians should become set on fire in the same way as Jesus set His disciples on fire: "With the amazing naturalness of the things of God, the contemplative soul is filled with apostolic zeal. `My heart became hot within me, a fire blazed forth from my thoughts' (Psalm 38:4). What could this fire be if not the fire that Christ talks about: `I came to cast fire upon the earth, and would that it were already kindled' (Luke 12:49). An apostolic fire that acquires its strength in prayer: there is no better way than this to carry on, throughout the whole world, the battle of peace to which every Christian is called to fill up what is lacking in the sufferings of Christ (cf. Colossians 1:24)" ([St] J. Escriva, "Christ Is Passing By", 120).
51-53. God has come into the world with a message of peace (cf. Luke 2:14) and reconciliation (cf. Romans 5:11). By resisting, through sin, the redeeming work of Christ, we become His opponents. Injustice and error lead to division and war. "Insofar as men are sinners, the threat of war hangs over them and will so continue until the coming of Christ; but insofar as they can vanquish sin by coming together in charity, violence itself will be vanquished" (Vatican II, "Gaudium Et Spes", 78).
During His own life on earth, Christ was a sign of contradiction (cf. Luke 2:34). Our Lord is forewarning His disciples about the contention and division which will accompany the spread of the Gospel (cf. Luke 6:20-23; Matthew 10:24).
___________________________
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.
Old Calendar: St. Anthony Mary Claret
From: Luke 12:49-53
Jesus the Cause of Dissension
(Jesus said to His disciples,) [49] "I came to cast fire upon the earth; and would that it were already kindled! [50] I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how I am constrained until it is accomplished! [51] Do you think that I have come to give peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division; [52] for henceforth in one house there will be five divided, three against two and two against three; [53] they will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against her mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law."
__________________
Commentary:
49-50. In the Bible, fire is often used to describe God's burning love for men. This divine love finds its highest __expression in the Son of God become man: "God so loved the world that He gave His only Son" (John 3:16). Jesus voluntarily gave up His life out of love for us, and "greater love has no man than this, that a man lays down his life for his friends" (John 15:13).
In these words reported by St. Luke, Jesus Christ reveals His abounding desire to give His life for love of us. He calls His death a baptism, because from it He will arise victorious never to die again. Our Baptism is a submersion in Christ's death, in which we die to sin and are reborn to the new life of grace: "We were buried therefore with Him by baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life" (Romans 6:4).
Through this new life, we Christians should become set on fire in the same way as Jesus set His disciples on fire: "With the amazing naturalness of the things of God, the contemplative soul is filled with apostolic zeal. `My heart became hot within me, a fire blazed forth from my thoughts' (Psalm 38:4). What could this fire be if not the fire that Christ talks about: `I came to cast fire upon the earth, and would that it were already kindled' (Luke 12:49). An apostolic fire that acquires its strength in prayer: there is no better way than this to carry on, throughout the whole world, the battle of peace to which every Christian is called to fill up what is lacking in the sufferings of Christ (cf. Colossians 1:24)" ([St] J. Escriva, "Christ Is Passing By", 120).
51-53. God has come into the world with a message of peace (cf. Luke 2:14) and reconciliation (cf. Romans 5:11). By resisting, through sin, the redeeming work of Christ, we become His opponents. Injustice and error lead to division and war. "Insofar as men are sinners, the threat of war hangs over them and will so continue until the coming of Christ; but insofar as they can vanquish sin by coming together in charity, violence itself will be vanquished" (Vatican II, "Gaudium Et Spes", 78).
During His own life on earth, Christ was a sign of contradiction (cf. Luke 2:34). Our Lord is forewarning His disciples about the contention and division which will accompany the spread of the Gospel (cf. Luke 6:20-23; Matthew 10:24).
___________________________
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.
Just for Today, October 23
If thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments (Matt. xix, 17).
Son, now thou knowest these things, and hast read them all, happy shalt thou be if thou fulfil them. He that hath my commandments and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me, and I will love him, and I will manifest myself unto him (John xiv, 21), and I will make him sit with me in the kingdom of my Father (Apoc. iii, 21).
Lord Jesus, as Thou hast said and hast promised, so may it be indeed; and may it be my lot to merit it.
-Bk. III, ch. 1vi.
____________
Soeur Marie du Sacre-Coeur said to her: "What a happy thing it is to die when one has spent one's life in loving!"
"Yes, but to enjoy this happiness one must also have practised fraternal charity."
-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.
Son, now thou knowest these things, and hast read them all, happy shalt thou be if thou fulfil them. He that hath my commandments and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me, and I will love him, and I will manifest myself unto him (John xiv, 21), and I will make him sit with me in the kingdom of my Father (Apoc. iii, 21).
Lord Jesus, as Thou hast said and hast promised, so may it be indeed; and may it be my lot to merit it.
-Bk. III, ch. 1vi.
____________
Soeur Marie du Sacre-Coeur said to her: "What a happy thing it is to die when one has spent one's life in loving!"
"Yes, but to enjoy this happiness one must also have practised fraternal charity."
-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 23
WE beseech all of you who are in the Church to be on your guard and do not insult those who are not within, "for God is able to engraft them again" (Rom. xi. 23).
_________________________
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 23
ASK so many of the rich of the world, so many princes and emperors who are now in eternity, what they possess of all the pomps and delights and grandeur which they enjoyed in this life. They will answer: " Nothing, nothing."
_________________
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
Fr: John Corapi: A Call for a Rosary Novena for the Elections
... Today we have a similar spiritual battle in progress—a battle between the forces of good and evil, light and darkness, truth and lies, life and death. If we do not soon stop the genocide of abortion in the United States, we shall run the course of all those that prove by their actions that they are enemies of God—total collapse, economic, social, and national. The moral demise of a nation results in the ultimate demise of a nation....
No other issue, not all other issues taken together, can constitute a proportionate reason for voting for candidates that intend to preserve and defend this holocaust of innocent human life that is abortion.
I strongly urge every one of you to make a Novena and pray the Rosary to Our Lady of Victory between October 27th and Election Day, November 4th....
Bishop Robert Hermann's Homily on Pro-life Sunday
Judgment Day is on its way. We cannot stop it. We don’t know when it will come, but just as surely as the sun rises daily, the Son of Man will come when we least expect.Continued here...
Judgment Day is on its way. For many, this coming election may very well be judgment day, for this election will measure us.
In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus tells us in 10:32-33: "Everyone who acknowledges Me before others, I will acknowledge before My heavenly Father. But whoever denies Me before others, I will deny before my heavenly Father."
Judgment Day is on its way. When my time comes, I will be measured by my Savior for the decisions I have made. I will either be acknowledged by Jesus or denied by Him in the presence of our heavenly Father.
The question I need to ask myself is this: What kind of witness will I give to Him when I go into the voting booth this election day?
The decision I make in the voting booth will reflect my value system. If I value the good of the economy and my current lifestyle more than I do the right to life itself, then I am in trouble.
Pope John Paul II, in his post-synodal apostolic exhortation Christifideles laici tells us:"Above all, the common outcry, which is justly made on behalf of human rights — for example, the right to health, to home, to work, to family, to culture — is false and illusory if the right to life, the most basic and fundamental right and the condition for all other personal rights, is not defended with maximum determination."The right of our children to be protected from destruction is greater than my right to a thriving economy.
I am living proof of this, since I am here because my parents believed this priority and lived it.
My desire for a good economy cannot justify my voting to remove all current restrictions on abortion.
My desire to end the war in Iraq cannot justify my voting to remove all current restrictions on abortion....