From: Mark 1:40-45
The Curing of a Leper
[40] And a leper came to Him (Jesus), beseeching Him, and kneeling said to Him, "If You will, You can make me clean." [41] Moved with pity, He stretched out His hand and touched him, and said to him, "I will; be clean." [42] And immediately the leprosy left him, and he was made clean. [43] And He sternly charged him, and sent him away at once, [44] and said to him, "See that you say nothing to anyone; but go, show yourself to the priest, and offer for your cleansing what Moses commanded, for a proof to the people." [45] But he went out and began to talk freely about it, and spread the news, so that Jesus could no longer openly enter a town, but was out in the country; and people came to Him from every quarter.
__________________________
Commentary:
40-44. Leprosy was seen as a punishment from God (cf. Numbers 12:10-15). The disappearance of the disease was regarded as one of the blessings of the messianic times (Isaiah 35:8; cf. Matthew 11:5; Luke 7:22). Because leprosy was contagious, the Law declared that lepers were impure and that they transmitted impurity to those who touched them and to places they entered. Therefore, they had to live apart (Numbers 5:2; 12:14ff) and to show that they were lepers by certain external signs. On the rite of purification, see the note on Matthew 8:4.
[The note on Matthew 8:4 states:
4. According to the Law of Moses (Leviticus 14), if a leper is cured of his disease, he should present himself to a priest, who will register the cure and give him a certificate which he needs to be reintegrated into the civil and religious life of Israel. Leviticus also prescribes the purifications and sacrifice he should offer. Jesus' instruction to the leper is, then, in keeping with the normal way of fulfilling what the laws laid down.]
The passage shows us the faithful and confident prayer of a man needing Jesus' help and begging Him for it, confident that, if Our Lord wishes, He can free him from the disease (cf. Matthew 8:2). "This man prostrated himself on the ground, as a sign of humility and shame, to teach each of us to be ashamed of the stains of his life. But shame should not prevent us from confessing: the leper showed his wound and begged for healing. If You will, he says, You can make me clean; that is, he recognized that the Lord had the power to cure him" (St. Bede, "In Marci Evangelium Expositio, in loc.").
On the discretion and prudence Jesus required regarding His person, see the note on Mark 1:34 and Matthew 9:30.
[The note on Mark 1:34 states:
34. Demons possess a supernatural type of knowledge and therefore they recognize Jesus as the Messiah (Mark 1:24). Through the people they possess they are able to publish this fact. But Our Lord, using His divine powers, orders them to be silent. On other occasions He also silences His disciples (Mark 8:30; 9:9), and He instructs people whom He has cured not to talk about their cure (Mark 1:4; 5:43; 7:36; 8:26). He may have acted in this way to educate the people away from a too human and political idea of the Messiah (Matthew 9:30). Therefore, He first awakens their interest by performing miracles and gradually, through His preaching, gives them a clearer understanding of the kind of Messiah He is.
Some Fathers of the Church point out that Jesus does not want to accept, in support of the truth, the testimony of him who is the father of lies.]
[The note on Matthew 9:30 states:
30. Why did our Lord not want them to publicize the miracle? Because His plan was to gradually manifest Himself as the Messiah, the Son of God. He did not want to anticipate events which would occur in their own good time; nor did He want the crowd to start hailing Him as Messiah King, because their notion of messiah was nationalistic, not a spiritual one. However, the crowd did in fact proclaim Him when he worked the miracles of the loaves and the fish (John 6:14-15): "When the people saw the sign which He had done, they said, `This is indeed the prophet who is to come into the world!' Perceiving then that they were about to come and take Him by force to make Him king, Jesus withdrew again to the hills by Himself."]
___________________________
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.
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Shutting Detroit Down-by John Rich
Having been out of work since last August, I can appreciate this...America has been sold out and the Constitution is being shredded every day. The moral fabric of our country seems to have been overtaken by decadence, hedonism, cheating, lying and greed. I'm not much of a CW fan (Bluegrass-yes) but there are some that I enjoy.
From what I understand, John Rich was supposed to have been in Detroit for a concert for 2 days. An acquaintance says that
Anyway the song and video.
"My daddy taught me in this country everyone's the same.
You work hard for your dollar and you never pass the blame,
When it don't go your way.
Now I see all these big shots whining on my evening news,
About how their losing billions and it's up to me and you
To come running to the rescue.
Well pardon me if I don't shed a tear.
There selling make believe and we don't buy that here...."
Keep praying for our Lord's mercy and forgiveness. Hardworking families are being "conscripted" to bear the load for criminals, thieves, and politicians who have been bought and paid for to advance what seems to be a socialist takeover of the USA.
From what I understand, John Rich was supposed to have been in Detroit for a concert for 2 days. An acquaintance says that
He was so freaked out by what he saw, he stayed for 4 days. One night in his hotel, in 30 minutes he hammered this out.We've just witnessed the largest generational theft in our history with the passage of the Obama/Pelosi/Reid Pork package.
For the 4 days he was here, he was a guest in-studio at WYCD and all he could talk about was how America was being destroyed - and the hard working people who made this country had a noose around their neck and the government was putting it there by forcing everyone to bailout all these [criminals who caused the mess].....and he called it what it is: FRAUD!
He said those people who are responsible for the destruction of America's strength, its ability to produce something that everyone wanted, it's hard-working people - are now the very people that those hard-working people are being forced to bailout - he said, 'Why should hard-working Americans bailout these criminals?!'
Anyway the song and video.
"My daddy taught me in this country everyone's the same.
You work hard for your dollar and you never pass the blame,
When it don't go your way.
Now I see all these big shots whining on my evening news,
About how their losing billions and it's up to me and you
To come running to the rescue.
Well pardon me if I don't shed a tear.
There selling make believe and we don't buy that here...."
Keep praying for our Lord's mercy and forgiveness. Hardworking families are being "conscripted" to bear the load for criminals, thieves, and politicians who have been bought and paid for to advance what seems to be a socialist takeover of the USA.
Principles and Practices - February 15
The Great Cure
Work and prayer are the infallible aids to self-education: pray and work, that is the golden precept that must be used as a warcry against all evil spirits. Work strengthens body and soul and keeps them youthful. But it must be regulated and directed to God by prayer; it must not fetter the immortal soul with the chains of slavery, but must be offered to God as a free sacrifice, that will find its reward not here below, but in heaven and in all eternity.
-Von Oer Bothmer.
_________________
From Principles and Practices
Compiled by Rev. J. Hogan of The Catholic Missionary Society
Published by Burns Oates & Washbourne Ltd., Publishers To The Holy See
Nihil Obstat; Eduardus J. Mahoney, S.T.D. Censor deputatus.
Imprimatur; Edm. Can. Surmont, Vicarius generalis.
First printed in 1930
Work and prayer are the infallible aids to self-education: pray and work, that is the golden precept that must be used as a warcry against all evil spirits. Work strengthens body and soul and keeps them youthful. But it must be regulated and directed to God by prayer; it must not fetter the immortal soul with the chains of slavery, but must be offered to God as a free sacrifice, that will find its reward not here below, but in heaven and in all eternity.
-Von Oer Bothmer.
_________________
From Principles and Practices
Compiled by Rev. J. Hogan of The Catholic Missionary Society
Published by Burns Oates & Washbourne Ltd., Publishers To The Holy See
Nihil Obstat; Eduardus J. Mahoney, S.T.D. Censor deputatus.
Imprimatur; Edm. Can. Surmont, Vicarius generalis.
First printed in 1930
Thoughts of St Augustine for February 15
AND higher yet we ascended, by more interiorly conceiving and discoursing of thee, and admiring thy works.
_________________________
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-ebruary 15
IT appeared a calamity to King Manasses to be deprived of his kingdom, and to be made a slave of the prince of the Assyrians. But these misfortunes were blessings, for after his downfall he returned to God, and did penance for the wickedness of his life.
_________________
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
Friday, February 13, 2009
Principles and Practices - February 14
Let Your Light Shine
You who enjoy the inestimable blessing of the true Faith, should not forget that it is a duty to do what lies in you to extend these advantages to others who as yet are strangers to the Truth, or who, having embraced it, have fallen from it, or who walk unworthy of their high calling. This work is not left entirely to priests.
You also must do your share as far as you are able. To this end all must employ the power of prayer, and the influence of a good example which, at times, is more efficacious than the most eloquent sermon. Some can do more. The spread of Catholic literature is a very powerful means. Kind, encouraging words, spoken at seasonable times, will also go a long way.
-Fiege.
_________________
From Principles and Practices
Compiled by Rev. J. Hogan of The Catholic Missionary Society
Published by Burns Oates & Washbourne Ltd., Publishers To The Holy See
Nihil Obstat; Eduardus J. Mahoney, S.T.D. Censor deputatus.
Imprimatur; Edm. Can. Surmont, Vicarius generalis.
First printed in 1930
You who enjoy the inestimable blessing of the true Faith, should not forget that it is a duty to do what lies in you to extend these advantages to others who as yet are strangers to the Truth, or who, having embraced it, have fallen from it, or who walk unworthy of their high calling. This work is not left entirely to priests.
You also must do your share as far as you are able. To this end all must employ the power of prayer, and the influence of a good example which, at times, is more efficacious than the most eloquent sermon. Some can do more. The spread of Catholic literature is a very powerful means. Kind, encouraging words, spoken at seasonable times, will also go a long way.
-Fiege.
_________________
From Principles and Practices
Compiled by Rev. J. Hogan of The Catholic Missionary Society
Published by Burns Oates & Washbourne Ltd., Publishers To The Holy See
Nihil Obstat; Eduardus J. Mahoney, S.T.D. Censor deputatus.
Imprimatur; Edm. Can. Surmont, Vicarius generalis.
First printed in 1930
Thoughts of St Augustine for February 14
AND when our discourse was drawn to such a point, as that the greatest delight of flesh and blood, in the brightest of material light, did seem not only unworthy to be compared but even so much as to be remembered in respect of that sweetness of life eternal, we raising ourselves towards that Selfsame with the most ardent affections of our mind, made a kind of progress by degrees over all things corporeal, and this vault of heaven itself from whence the sun and moon and stars do shine upon the earth.
_________________________
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-February 14
MANY things appear to us to be misfortunes, and we call them misfortunes. But if we understood the end for which God sends them we should see that they are graces. We suffer from dizziness; and we know not that it is our giddy head which makes things appear to us different from what they are in reality.
_________________
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
Pope has chosen Archbishop Timothy Dolan for New York
Rome, Italy, Feb 13, 2009 / 02:30 pm (CNA).- The eagerly anticipated appointment of the new Archbishop of New York appears to be just around the corner. The well-connected Italian journalist Paolo Rodari, who writes for Il Reformista, is reporting that Archbishop Timothy Dolan of Milwaukee will soon be announced as the new head of the most important U.S. diocese....
News Updates, 2/13
Legion: Fr. Maciel may have had 'accomplices'
'Spirit' of founder invoked by current head of order
Crucifixes return to classrooms at Boston College
Some protest, some applaud, and some don't notice
Pope tells Jews Holocaust denial unacceptable
Also confirms that he plans to visit Israel in May
Portuguese bishops to fight same-sex marriage
Socialists propose to recognize homosexual unions
Australian bishop at odds with Pope, Church
Claims he's subject of 'Vatican investigation'
Mother Teresa adviser gets 25 years in prison
78-year-old defrocked priest charged with molestation
Religious order, diocese are victims of Madoff
Redemptorists lost untold amount in Ponzi scheme
Vatican: Darwin theory compatible with Christianity
Works of Augustine and Aquinas cited as evidence
Priest abuse secrets to be made public
Diocese will release files as part of settlement
'Spirit' of founder invoked by current head of order
Crucifixes return to classrooms at Boston College
Some protest, some applaud, and some don't notice
Pope tells Jews Holocaust denial unacceptable
Also confirms that he plans to visit Israel in May
Portuguese bishops to fight same-sex marriage
Socialists propose to recognize homosexual unions
Australian bishop at odds with Pope, Church
Claims he's subject of 'Vatican investigation'
Mother Teresa adviser gets 25 years in prison
78-year-old defrocked priest charged with molestation
Religious order, diocese are victims of Madoff
Redemptorists lost untold amount in Ponzi scheme
Vatican: Darwin theory compatible with Christianity
Works of Augustine and Aquinas cited as evidence
Priest abuse secrets to be made public
Diocese will release files as part of settlement
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Gospel for Friday, 5th Week in Ordinary Time
From: Mark 7:31-37
The Curing of a Deaf Man
[31] Then He (Jesus) returned from the region of Tyre, and went through Sidon to the Sea of Galilee, through the region of the Decapolis. [32]And they brought Him a man who was deaf and had an impediment in his speech; and they besought Him to lay His hand upon him. [33] And taking him aside from the multitude privately, He put His fingers into his ears, and He spat and touched his tongue; [34] and looking up to Heaven, He sighed and said to him, "Ephphatha," that is, "Be opened." [35] And his ears were opened, his tongue was released, and he spoke plainly. [36] And He charged them to tell no one; but the more He charged them, the more zealously they proclaimed it. [37] And they were astonished beyond measure, saying, "He has done all things well; He even makes the deaf hear and the dumb speak."
_____________________
Commentary:
32-33. Sacred Scripture quite often shows the laying on of hands as a gesture indicating the transfer of power or blessing (cf. Genesis 48:14ff; 2 Kings 5:11; Luke 13:13). Everyone knows that saliva can help heal minor cuts. In the language of Revelation fingers symbolized powerful Divine action (cf. Exodus 8:19; Psalm 8:4; Luke 11:20). So Jesus uses signs which suit in some way the effect He wants to achieve, though we can see from the text that the effect--the instantaneous cure of the deaf and dumb man--far exceeds the sign used.
In the miracle of the deaf and dumb man we can see a symbol of the way God acts on souls: for us to believe, God must first open our heart so we can listen to His word. Then, like the Apostles, we too can proclaim the "magnalia Dei", the mighty works of God (cf. Acts 2:11). In the Church's liturgy (cf. the hymn "Veni Creator") the Holy Spirit is compared to the finger of the right hand of God the Father ("Digitus paternae dexterae"). The Consoler produces in our souls, in the supernatural order, effects comparable to those which Christ produces in the body of the deaf and dumb man.
______________________
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 Curing of a Deaf Man
[31] Then He (Jesus) returned from the region of Tyre, and went through Sidon to the Sea of Galilee, through the region of the Decapolis. [32]And they brought Him a man who was deaf and had an impediment in his speech; and they besought Him to lay His hand upon him. [33] And taking him aside from the multitude privately, He put His fingers into his ears, and He spat and touched his tongue; [34] and looking up to Heaven, He sighed and said to him, "Ephphatha," that is, "Be opened." [35] And his ears were opened, his tongue was released, and he spoke plainly. [36] And He charged them to tell no one; but the more He charged them, the more zealously they proclaimed it. [37] And they were astonished beyond measure, saying, "He has done all things well; He even makes the deaf hear and the dumb speak."
_____________________
Commentary:
32-33. Sacred Scripture quite often shows the laying on of hands as a gesture indicating the transfer of power or blessing (cf. Genesis 48:14ff; 2 Kings 5:11; Luke 13:13). Everyone knows that saliva can help heal minor cuts. In the language of Revelation fingers symbolized powerful Divine action (cf. Exodus 8:19; Psalm 8:4; Luke 11:20). So Jesus uses signs which suit in some way the effect He wants to achieve, though we can see from the text that the effect--the instantaneous cure of the deaf and dumb man--far exceeds the sign used.
In the miracle of the deaf and dumb man we can see a symbol of the way God acts on souls: for us to believe, God must first open our heart so we can listen to His word. Then, like the Apostles, we too can proclaim the "magnalia Dei", the mighty works of God (cf. Acts 2:11). In the Church's liturgy (cf. the hymn "Veni Creator") the Holy Spirit is compared to the finger of the right hand of God the Father ("Digitus paternae dexterae"). The Consoler produces in our souls, in the supernatural order, effects comparable to those which Christ produces in the body of the deaf and dumb man.
______________________
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.
Principles and Practices - February 13
Mortification and Prayer
That mortification is a necessary preparation for prayer is a truth that all masters of the spiritual life teach us. They say that as we
cannot write upon a skin of parchment if it be not well shaved, and all the flesh taken off, so if the evil inclinations of the flesh be not all rooted out of us, we have not the necessary preparation for Our Lord to write and imprint upon our hearts the characters of His grace and wisdom.
-Rodriguez.
_________________
From Principles and Practices
Compiled by Rev. J. Hogan of The Catholic Missionary Society
Published by Burns Oates & Washbourne Ltd., Publishers To The Holy See
Nihil Obstat; Eduardus J. Mahoney, S.T.D. Censor deputatus.
Imprimatur; Edm. Can. Surmont, Vicarius generalis.
First printed in 1930
That mortification is a necessary preparation for prayer is a truth that all masters of the spiritual life teach us. They say that as we
cannot write upon a skin of parchment if it be not well shaved, and all the flesh taken off, so if the evil inclinations of the flesh be not all rooted out of us, we have not the necessary preparation for Our Lord to write and imprint upon our hearts the characters of His grace and wisdom.
-Rodriguez.
_________________
From Principles and Practices
Compiled by Rev. J. Hogan of The Catholic Missionary Society
Published by Burns Oates & Washbourne Ltd., Publishers To The Holy See
Nihil Obstat; Eduardus J. Mahoney, S.T.D. Censor deputatus.
Imprimatur; Edm. Can. Surmont, Vicarius generalis.
First printed in 1930
Thoughts of St Augustine for February 13
THERE did we confer alone, with much dear tenderness, and, forgetting those things which are behind, we reached forth unto those things which are before, we did enquire between ourselves of thee, who art the ever-present Truth, of what kind should be that eternal life of the Saints in heaven, which the eye hath not seen, nor the ear heard, nor hath it entered into the heart of man.
_________________________
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-February 13
IT is certain that God wills the salvation of all men, but he will not save us by force. He has placed before each of us life and death; whichsoever we choose will be given 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
News Updates, 2/12
“Disregard for mandatory reporting laws”
UCLA student’s latest undercover investigation reveals more “illicit behavior at Planned Parenthood clinics”
SSPX head calls on Williamson to correct 'nonsense'Bishop Fellay can't understand confrere's comments
Jewish leaders set to meet with Pope
First face-to-face talks since Williamson furor
Bishop says SSPX can't accept Church reforms
Breakaway trads reiterate problems with Vatican II
French group will charge Bishop Williamson
...with 'contesting crimes against humanity'
[Puhleeeze...Figures, the French]
Vatican advisers blamed for Pope's woes
'Woefully outdated notion of public relations...'
Bishop lashes out at adults suing his diocese
Says victims, attorneys acting on financial incentive
Diocese may be taxed for closed churches
Schools and municipalities are testing ambiguous law
Anglicans debate allowing women bishops
Governing body seeks to bridge stubborn differences
Chinese bishops compromising with government
Olympics have not led to greater freedom for Church
-------------
Politics & Other
Obama's Citizenship: Writ of mandate filed in Obama eligibility case; Gary Kreep, Esq.
This is First Amended Petition for Writ of Mandate for our Obama eligibility Project...
PORKULUS, Stimulus Jobs Have to be Shared with Illegal Aliens--And Banks Can Replace U.S. Workers
'This is the worst recession for over 100 years'
Britain is facing its worst financial crisis for more than a century, surpassing even the Great Depression of the 1930s, one of Gordon Brown's most senior ministers and confidants has admitted.
Stress Test: Almost 100 Regulators at Citigroup
Awaiting "leaks"...
800 Billion Reasons To Be Worried
The Senate stimulus bill should only stimulate taxpayer anger
B. Hussein Obama and "TurboTax" Tim Geithner rob Main Street of $3 trillion
"The sparkle has gone from his eyes already," an American acquaintance said to me yesterday, referring to Barack Obama. "He doesn't know what to do." Obama's performance at his press conference confirmed that impression, with the rhetoric of the campaign trail, fluent and banal as piped musak, replaced with long hesitations not just between sentences, but between clauses. This was an auto-cue junkie suffering cold turkey...
Goodbye, America! It Was Fun While It Lasted
It's bad enough when illiterate jurors issue damages awards in the billions of dollars because they don't grasp the difference between a million and a billion. Now it turns out the Democrats don't know the difference between a million and a trillion...
UCLA student’s latest undercover investigation reveals more “illicit behavior at Planned Parenthood clinics”
SSPX head calls on Williamson to correct 'nonsense'Bishop Fellay can't understand confrere's comments
Jewish leaders set to meet with Pope
First face-to-face talks since Williamson furor
Bishop says SSPX can't accept Church reforms
Breakaway trads reiterate problems with Vatican II
French group will charge Bishop Williamson
...with 'contesting crimes against humanity'
[Puhleeeze...Figures, the French]
Vatican advisers blamed for Pope's woes
'Woefully outdated notion of public relations...'
Bishop lashes out at adults suing his diocese
Says victims, attorneys acting on financial incentive
Diocese may be taxed for closed churches
Schools and municipalities are testing ambiguous law
Anglicans debate allowing women bishops
Governing body seeks to bridge stubborn differences
Chinese bishops compromising with government
Olympics have not led to greater freedom for Church
-------------
Politics & Other
Obama's Citizenship: Writ of mandate filed in Obama eligibility case; Gary Kreep, Esq.
This is First Amended Petition for Writ of Mandate for our Obama eligibility Project...
PORKULUS, Stimulus Jobs Have to be Shared with Illegal Aliens--And Banks Can Replace U.S. Workers
'This is the worst recession for over 100 years'
Britain is facing its worst financial crisis for more than a century, surpassing even the Great Depression of the 1930s, one of Gordon Brown's most senior ministers and confidants has admitted.
Stress Test: Almost 100 Regulators at Citigroup
Awaiting "leaks"...
800 Billion Reasons To Be Worried
The Senate stimulus bill should only stimulate taxpayer anger
B. Hussein Obama and "TurboTax" Tim Geithner rob Main Street of $3 trillion
"The sparkle has gone from his eyes already," an American acquaintance said to me yesterday, referring to Barack Obama. "He doesn't know what to do." Obama's performance at his press conference confirmed that impression, with the rhetoric of the campaign trail, fluent and banal as piped musak, replaced with long hesitations not just between sentences, but between clauses. This was an auto-cue junkie suffering cold turkey...
Goodbye, America! It Was Fun While It Lasted
It's bad enough when illiterate jurors issue damages awards in the billions of dollars because they don't grasp the difference between a million and a billion. Now it turns out the Democrats don't know the difference between a million and a trillion...
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Gospel for Thursday, 5th Week in Ordinary Time
From: Mark 7:24-30
The Curing of the Syrophoenician Woman
[24] And from there he (Jesus) arose and went away to the region of Tyre and Sidon. And he entered a house, and would not have any one know it; yet he could not be hid. [25] But immediately a woman, whose little daughter was possessed by an unclean spirit, heard of him, and came and fell down at his feet. [26] Now the woman was a Greek, a Syrophoenician by birth. And she begged him to cast the demon out of her daughter. [27] And he said to her, "Let the children first be fed, for it is not right to take the children's bread and throw it to the dogs." [28] But she answered him, "Yes, Lord; yet even the dogs under the table eat the children's crumbs." [29] And he said to her, "For this saying you may go your way; the demon has left your daughter." [30] And she went home, and found the child lying in bed, and the demon gone.
______________________
Commentary:
24. The region of Tyre and Sidon is nowadays the southern part of Lebanon--Phoenicia in ancient times. The distance from the lake of Gennesaret to the frontier of Tyre and Sidon is not more than 50 kms (30 miles). Jesus withdrew from Palestine to avoid persecution by the Jewish authorities and to give the Apostles more intensive training.
27. Our Lord actually uses the diminutive--"little dogs" to refer to the Gentiles--thereby softening a scornful _expression which Jews used. On the episode of the Canaanite woman cf. notes on parallel passages, Mt 15:21-28.
[The notes on Mt 15:21-28 states:
21-22. Tyre and Sidon were Phoenician cities on the Mediterranean coast, in present-day Lebanon. They were never part of Galilee but they were near its northeastern border. In Jesus' time they were outside the territory of Herod Antipas. Jesus withdrew to this area to escape persecution from Herod and from the Jewish authorities and to concentrate on training His Apostles.
Most of the inhabitants of the district of Tyre and Sidon were pagans. St. Matthew calls this woman a "Canaanite"; according to Genesis (10:15), this district was one of the first to be settled by the Canaanites; St. Mark describes the woman as a "Syrophoenician" (Mark 7:26). Both Gospels point out that she is a pagan, which means that her faith in our Lord is more remarkable; the same applies in the case of the centurion (Matthew 8:5-13).
The Canaanite woman's prayer is quite perfect: she recognizes Jesus as the Messiah (the Son of David)--which contrasts with the unbelief of the Jews; she expresses her need in clear, simple words; she persists, undismayed by obstacles; and she expresses her request in all humility: "Have mercy on me." Our prayer should have the same qualities of faith, trust, perseverance and humility.
24. What Jesus says here does not take from the universal reference of His teaching (cf. Matthew 28:19-20; Mark 16:15-16). Our Lord came to bring His Gospel to the whole world, but He Himself addressed only the Jews; later on He will charge His Apostles to preach the Gospel to pagans. St. Paul, in his missionary journeys, also adopted the policy of preaching in the first instance to the Jews (Acts 13:46).
25-28. This dialogue between Jesus and the woman is especially beautiful. By appearing to be harsh He so strengthens the woman's faith that she deserves exceptional praise: "Great is your faith!" Our own conversation with Christ should be like that: "Persevere in prayer. Persevere, even when your efforts seem barren. Prayer is always fruitful" ([St] J. Escriva, "The Way", 101).]
___________________________
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 Curing of the Syrophoenician Woman
[24] And from there he (Jesus) arose and went away to the region of Tyre and Sidon. And he entered a house, and would not have any one know it; yet he could not be hid. [25] But immediately a woman, whose little daughter was possessed by an unclean spirit, heard of him, and came and fell down at his feet. [26] Now the woman was a Greek, a Syrophoenician by birth. And she begged him to cast the demon out of her daughter. [27] And he said to her, "Let the children first be fed, for it is not right to take the children's bread and throw it to the dogs." [28] But she answered him, "Yes, Lord; yet even the dogs under the table eat the children's crumbs." [29] And he said to her, "For this saying you may go your way; the demon has left your daughter." [30] And she went home, and found the child lying in bed, and the demon gone.
______________________
Commentary:
24. The region of Tyre and Sidon is nowadays the southern part of Lebanon--Phoenicia in ancient times. The distance from the lake of Gennesaret to the frontier of Tyre and Sidon is not more than 50 kms (30 miles). Jesus withdrew from Palestine to avoid persecution by the Jewish authorities and to give the Apostles more intensive training.
27. Our Lord actually uses the diminutive--"little dogs" to refer to the Gentiles--thereby softening a scornful _expression which Jews used. On the episode of the Canaanite woman cf. notes on parallel passages, Mt 15:21-28.
[The notes on Mt 15:21-28 states:
21-22. Tyre and Sidon were Phoenician cities on the Mediterranean coast, in present-day Lebanon. They were never part of Galilee but they were near its northeastern border. In Jesus' time they were outside the territory of Herod Antipas. Jesus withdrew to this area to escape persecution from Herod and from the Jewish authorities and to concentrate on training His Apostles.
Most of the inhabitants of the district of Tyre and Sidon were pagans. St. Matthew calls this woman a "Canaanite"; according to Genesis (10:15), this district was one of the first to be settled by the Canaanites; St. Mark describes the woman as a "Syrophoenician" (Mark 7:26). Both Gospels point out that she is a pagan, which means that her faith in our Lord is more remarkable; the same applies in the case of the centurion (Matthew 8:5-13).
The Canaanite woman's prayer is quite perfect: she recognizes Jesus as the Messiah (the Son of David)--which contrasts with the unbelief of the Jews; she expresses her need in clear, simple words; she persists, undismayed by obstacles; and she expresses her request in all humility: "Have mercy on me." Our prayer should have the same qualities of faith, trust, perseverance and humility.
24. What Jesus says here does not take from the universal reference of His teaching (cf. Matthew 28:19-20; Mark 16:15-16). Our Lord came to bring His Gospel to the whole world, but He Himself addressed only the Jews; later on He will charge His Apostles to preach the Gospel to pagans. St. Paul, in his missionary journeys, also adopted the policy of preaching in the first instance to the Jews (Acts 13:46).
25-28. This dialogue between Jesus and the woman is especially beautiful. By appearing to be harsh He so strengthens the woman's faith that she deserves exceptional praise: "Great is your faith!" Our own conversation with Christ should be like that: "Persevere in prayer. Persevere, even when your efforts seem barren. Prayer is always fruitful" ([St] J. Escriva, "The Way", 101).]
___________________________
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.
Principles and Practices - February 12
Do You Want Perfection?
If you aspire to such a pitch of perfection, you must daily do violence to yourself, by courageously attacking and destroying all
your evil desires and affections. In great matters as well as in small, it is necessary, then, that you prepare yourself in readiness for this conflict, for he only will be crowned who was brave in the battle.
-The Spiritual Combat.
_________________
From Principles and Practices
Compiled by Rev. J. Hogan of The Catholic Missionary Society
Published by Burns Oates & Washbourne Ltd., Publishers To The Holy See
Nihil Obstat; Eduardus J. Mahoney, S.T.D. Censor deputatus.
Imprimatur; Edm. Can. Surmont, Vicarius generalis.
First printed in 1930
If you aspire to such a pitch of perfection, you must daily do violence to yourself, by courageously attacking and destroying all
your evil desires and affections. In great matters as well as in small, it is necessary, then, that you prepare yourself in readiness for this conflict, for he only will be crowned who was brave in the battle.
-The Spiritual Combat.
_________________
From Principles and Practices
Compiled by Rev. J. Hogan of The Catholic Missionary Society
Published by Burns Oates & Washbourne Ltd., Publishers To The Holy See
Nihil Obstat; Eduardus J. Mahoney, S.T.D. Censor deputatus.
Imprimatur; Edm. Can. Surmont, Vicarius generalis.
First printed in 1930
Thoughts of St Augustine for February 12
BUT the day approaching when she was to depart out of this life - it happened - that she and I alone were standing leaning in a certain window which had a prospect upon the garden of the house where we then lay at Ostia upon the Tiber.
_________________________
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-February 12
How beautiful a sight it was to behold our sweet Redeemer on the day when, fatigued by his journey, he sat down, all engaging and loving, beside the well to await the Samaritan woman, that he might convert and save her. It is precisely thus that this same Lord dwells with us all day long, having come down from heaven upon our altars.
_________________
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
Heretic & Schimatic Bozek Causes More Problems at St Stanislaus
Since last spring, the Rev. Marek Bozek, pastor of St. Stanislaus Kostka Church, has been telling his lay board, his congregation and reporters that his interest in aligning himself with bishops outside the Roman Catholic Church was merely research for a hypothetical future in which the pope strips him of his priesthood.Leading his followers over a cliff...
But according to documents obtained by the Post-Dispatch, Bozek a year ago requested — and was granted — priesthood in two Catholic organizations independent from the Vatican.
Bozek was incardinated into the Married Priests Now! Catholic Prelature on Feb. 28, 2008.Remember Archbishop Emmanuel Milingo?
Board members also were alarmed after Bozek participated in the secret ordination of a Married Priests Now! priest from Michigan at St. Stanislaus that same month....Keep waiting, fruitcake...ain't gonna happen...You're lost and you need to repent. Your affiliation with Satan and your leading others in revolt against Christ and His Church will result in your eternal damnation! Save yourself and those whom you have intentionally misled!
In an interview Tuesday, Bozek said he told all six board members "in February or March" that he had been granted faculties by the two organizations....
"No one has an ambition to create a new denomination," Bozek said at the time. "My vision is to be Roman Catholic and wait for the regime to collapse."
News Updates, 2,11
Legion priests makes apology to Maciel victims
Following the recognition of Mexican founder's misdeeds
Italian PM accuses president of murder complicity
Berlusconi spearheaded effort to save Eluana Englaro
Archaeologists search for unbaptized babies' grave
Did Irish act on 'mistaken theology' 100 years ago?
Pro-abort Catholic gov possible pick for HHS
Kathleen Sebelius has faced significant criticism
Pope to visit Holocaust site in Mideast trip
Attempt to calm recent tensions between Jews, Catholics
Thousands flock to 'Lourdes of the East'
Praying for life, against euthanasia, in Tamil Nadu
Italian pols vow to clarify right-to-die law
...after feeding tube is removed from Eluana Englaro
Orissa Christians denied voting rights
Political discrimination in the wake of pogroms
-----------------
Other News
Guest warns against Big Brother, Real ID (also HCR 13 reclaims Missouri sovereignty}
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — The leader of a movement against national driver’s licenses promoted legislation Tuesday that would prompt a showdown between the states and the federal government....“We do not need Big Brother watching us and knowing where we are,” Mr. Guest said...Also Tuesday, Mr. Guest proposed a resolution (HCR 13) that reclaims Missouri’s sovereignty under the U.S. Constitution’s Tenth Amendment, arguing that the national government issues too many federal mandates....
Obama Administration Deliberately Sabotages U.S. Economy
Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar’s Statement on Offshore Energy Strategy
Passing FOCA by Stealth
As you may have heard, Congress has not yet introduced the Freedom of Choice Act (FOCA). That's because the pro-abortion forces have heard your voice. Planned Parenhood President Cecile Richards told the Wall Street Journal:...
Why Chairman Obama’s Tarp2 will fail to rescue the banks
Has Barack Obama’s presidency already failed? In normal times, this would be a ludicrous question. But these are not normal times. They are times of great danger. Today, the new US administration can disown responsibility for its inheritance; tomorrow, it will own it. Today, it can offer solutions; tomorrow it will have become the problem. Today, it is in control of events; tomorrow, events will take control of it....
U.S. Constitution to Feds: "Hands Off Religion" - Alan Keyes
In writing about Obama's pietism I pointed out that "The self-worshiping American power elite that Obama represents has promoted a false understanding of the proper relationship between piety and politics based on the shibboleth of separation." Why do I call the assertion that the U.S. Constitution requires separation of Church and state false? The phrase "separation of church and state" occurs nowhere in the Constitution of the United States....
Following the recognition of Mexican founder's misdeeds
Italian PM accuses president of murder complicity
Berlusconi spearheaded effort to save Eluana Englaro
Archaeologists search for unbaptized babies' grave
Did Irish act on 'mistaken theology' 100 years ago?
Pro-abort Catholic gov possible pick for HHS
Kathleen Sebelius has faced significant criticism
Pope to visit Holocaust site in Mideast trip
Attempt to calm recent tensions between Jews, Catholics
Thousands flock to 'Lourdes of the East'
Praying for life, against euthanasia, in Tamil Nadu
Italian pols vow to clarify right-to-die law
...after feeding tube is removed from Eluana Englaro
Orissa Christians denied voting rights
Political discrimination in the wake of pogroms
-----------------
Other News
Guest warns against Big Brother, Real ID (also HCR 13 reclaims Missouri sovereignty}
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — The leader of a movement against national driver’s licenses promoted legislation Tuesday that would prompt a showdown between the states and the federal government....“We do not need Big Brother watching us and knowing where we are,” Mr. Guest said...Also Tuesday, Mr. Guest proposed a resolution (HCR 13) that reclaims Missouri’s sovereignty under the U.S. Constitution’s Tenth Amendment, arguing that the national government issues too many federal mandates....
Obama Administration Deliberately Sabotages U.S. Economy
Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar’s Statement on Offshore Energy Strategy
Passing FOCA by Stealth
As you may have heard, Congress has not yet introduced the Freedom of Choice Act (FOCA). That's because the pro-abortion forces have heard your voice. Planned Parenhood President Cecile Richards told the Wall Street Journal:...
Why Chairman Obama’s Tarp2 will fail to rescue the banks
Has Barack Obama’s presidency already failed? In normal times, this would be a ludicrous question. But these are not normal times. They are times of great danger. Today, the new US administration can disown responsibility for its inheritance; tomorrow, it will own it. Today, it can offer solutions; tomorrow it will have become the problem. Today, it is in control of events; tomorrow, events will take control of it....
U.S. Constitution to Feds: "Hands Off Religion" - Alan Keyes
In writing about Obama's pietism I pointed out that "The self-worshiping American power elite that Obama represents has promoted a false understanding of the proper relationship between piety and politics based on the shibboleth of separation." Why do I call the assertion that the U.S. Constitution requires separation of Church and state false? The phrase "separation of church and state" occurs nowhere in the Constitution of the United States....
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Gospel for Wednesday, 5th Week in Ordinary Time
From: Mark 7:14-23
What Defiles a Man
[14] And He (Jesus) called the people to meet Him, and said to them, "Hear Me, all of you, and understand: [15] there is nothing outside a man which by going into him can defile him; but the things that come out of a man are what defile him." [17] And when He had entered the house, and left the people, His disciples asked Him about the parable. [18] And He said to them, "Then are you also without understanding? Do you not see that whatever goes into a man from outside cannot defile him, [19] since it enters, not his heart but his stomach, and so passes on?" (Thus He declared all foods clean.) [20] And He said, "What comes out of a man is what defiles a man. [21] For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, fornication, theft, murder, adultery, [22] coveting, wickedness, deceit, licentiousness, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. [23] All these evil things come from within, and they defile a man.
_______________________
Commentary:
15. Some important codexes add here: "If any man has ears to hear, let him hear," which would form verse 16.
18-19. We know from Tradition that St. Mark was the interpreter of St. Peter and that, in writing his Gospel under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, he gathered up the Roman catechesis of the head of the Apostles.
The vision which St. Peter had in Joppa (Acts 10:10-16) showed him the full depth of what Jesus teaches here about food. When he returns to Jerusalem, St. Peter himself tells us this in his report on the conversion of Cornelius: "I remembered the word of the Lord" (Acts 11:16). The now non-obligatory character of such prescriptions laid down by God in the Old Testament (cf. Leviticus 11) would have been something St. Peter included in his preaching. For interpretation of this text cf. also note on Matthew 15:10-20.
[Note on Matthew 15:10-20 states:
10-20. Our Lord proclaims the true meaning of moral precepts and makes it clear that man has to answer to God for his actions. The scribes' mistake consisted in concentrating on externals and not giving pride of place to interior purity of heart. For example they saw prayer in terms of exact recital of fixed forms of words rather than as a raising of the soul to God (cf. Matthew 6:5-6). The same thing happened in the case of dietary regulations.
Jesus avails Himself of the particular cases dealt with in this passage to teach us where to find the true center of moral action: it lies in man's personal decision, good or evil, a decision which is shaped in his heart and which then is expressed in the form of action. For example, the sins which our Lord lists are sins committed in the human heart prior to being acted out. In the Sermon on the Mount He already said this: "Every one who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart" (Matthew 5:28).]
20-23. "In order to help us understand divine things, Scripture uses the _expression `heart' in its full meaning, as the summary and source, _expression and ultimate basis, of one's thoughts, words and actions" ([St] J. Escriva, "Christ Is Passing By", 164).
The goodness or malice, the moral quality, of our actions does not depend on their spontaneous, instinctive character. The Lord Himself tells us that sinful actions can come from the human heart.
We can understand how this can happen if we realize that, after original sin, man "was changed for the worse" in both body and soul and was, therefore, prone to evil (cf. Council of Trent, "De Peccato Originali"). Our Lord here restores morality in all its purity and intensity.
___________________________
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.
What Defiles a Man
[14] And He (Jesus) called the people to meet Him, and said to them, "Hear Me, all of you, and understand: [15] there is nothing outside a man which by going into him can defile him; but the things that come out of a man are what defile him." [17] And when He had entered the house, and left the people, His disciples asked Him about the parable. [18] And He said to them, "Then are you also without understanding? Do you not see that whatever goes into a man from outside cannot defile him, [19] since it enters, not his heart but his stomach, and so passes on?" (Thus He declared all foods clean.) [20] And He said, "What comes out of a man is what defiles a man. [21] For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, fornication, theft, murder, adultery, [22] coveting, wickedness, deceit, licentiousness, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. [23] All these evil things come from within, and they defile a man.
_______________________
Commentary:
15. Some important codexes add here: "If any man has ears to hear, let him hear," which would form verse 16.
18-19. We know from Tradition that St. Mark was the interpreter of St. Peter and that, in writing his Gospel under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, he gathered up the Roman catechesis of the head of the Apostles.
The vision which St. Peter had in Joppa (Acts 10:10-16) showed him the full depth of what Jesus teaches here about food. When he returns to Jerusalem, St. Peter himself tells us this in his report on the conversion of Cornelius: "I remembered the word of the Lord" (Acts 11:16). The now non-obligatory character of such prescriptions laid down by God in the Old Testament (cf. Leviticus 11) would have been something St. Peter included in his preaching. For interpretation of this text cf. also note on Matthew 15:10-20.
[Note on Matthew 15:10-20 states:
10-20. Our Lord proclaims the true meaning of moral precepts and makes it clear that man has to answer to God for his actions. The scribes' mistake consisted in concentrating on externals and not giving pride of place to interior purity of heart. For example they saw prayer in terms of exact recital of fixed forms of words rather than as a raising of the soul to God (cf. Matthew 6:5-6). The same thing happened in the case of dietary regulations.
Jesus avails Himself of the particular cases dealt with in this passage to teach us where to find the true center of moral action: it lies in man's personal decision, good or evil, a decision which is shaped in his heart and which then is expressed in the form of action. For example, the sins which our Lord lists are sins committed in the human heart prior to being acted out. In the Sermon on the Mount He already said this: "Every one who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart" (Matthew 5:28).]
20-23. "In order to help us understand divine things, Scripture uses the _expression `heart' in its full meaning, as the summary and source, _expression and ultimate basis, of one's thoughts, words and actions" ([St] J. Escriva, "Christ Is Passing By", 164).
The goodness or malice, the moral quality, of our actions does not depend on their spontaneous, instinctive character. The Lord Himself tells us that sinful actions can come from the human heart.
We can understand how this can happen if we realize that, after original sin, man "was changed for the worse" in both body and soul and was, therefore, prone to evil (cf. Council of Trent, "De Peccato Originali"). Our Lord here restores morality in all its purity and intensity.
___________________________
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.
Principles and Practices - February 11
The Soul Needs Direction
When choosing a director, be careful to select one who has the necessary qualifications. He should be not only virtuous, but prudent, charitable, and learned. St. Francis de Sales gives the following opinion on the subject:
_________________
From Principles and Practices
Compiled by Rev. J. Hogan of The Catholic Missionary Society
Published by Burns Oates & Washbourne Ltd., Publishers To The Holy See
Nihil Obstat; Eduardus J. Mahoney, S.T.D. Censor deputatus.
Imprimatur; Edm. Can. Surmont, Vicarius generalis.
First printed in 1930
When choosing a director, be careful to select one who has the necessary qualifications. He should be not only virtuous, but prudent, charitable, and learned. St. Francis de Sales gives the following opinion on the subject:
'"Go," said Tobias to his son, when about to send him into a strange country, "go seek some wise man to conduct you." I say the same to you, Philothea. If you sincerely desire to enter upon the way of devotion, seek a good guide to direct you therein. This advice is of the utmost importance and necessity. Whatever one may do, says the devout Avila, he can never be certain of fulfilling God's will unless he practise that humble obedience which the saints so strongly recommended and to which they so faithfully adhere. And the Scriptures tell us: "A faithful friend is a strong defence: and he that hath found him hath found a treasure:...a faithful friend is the medicine of life and immortality: and they that fear the Lord shall find one."'-Quadrupani.
_________________
From Principles and Practices
Compiled by Rev. J. Hogan of The Catholic Missionary Society
Published by Burns Oates & Washbourne Ltd., Publishers To The Holy See
Nihil Obstat; Eduardus J. Mahoney, S.T.D. Censor deputatus.
Imprimatur; Edm. Can. Surmont, Vicarius generalis.
First printed in 1930
Thoughts of St Augustine for February 11
BUT when we were come to Ostia at the mouth of the Tiber my mother departed out of this life. Many things herein do I omit, because I hasten much.
_________________________
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-February 11
RENEW each day the resolution that you have taken of advancing in perfection. Do not lose courage in whatever state of tepidity you may find yourself.
_________________
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
News Updates, 2/10
Are you old or sick? In the New Socialist States of Amerika 'ruled' by narcisstistic control freaks, it will be your "Patriotic" duty to die for the good of the State...Details below...
Missouri Bill Introduced for Ultrasound, Better Informed Consent Before Abortion
Missouri legislators have introduced new legislation that would require an ultrasound and better informed consent prior to a woman having an abortion. Similar bills in other states have proven effective in lowering the number of abortions and Missouri lawmakers wants to reduce its numbers further.
George Weigel: Vatican tried to save the Legion
Fr. Maciel lived life of sexual and financial scandal
If Maciel was a sociopath, what of his charism?
If caught, Legion founder would have been defrocked
Bishop Williamson fired from SSPX seminary
Vatican: Pope was unaware of prelate's holocaust views
Vandal defaces university pro-life display
Unidentified student expelled from College Democrats
Mount St. Mary's in Md. on gunshot alert
Students warned to stay indoors a second time
Priest charged in $300,000 embezzlement
Allegedly used parish cash to fuel gambling habit
Cardinal calls on Anglicans to work with Catholics
Christianity must not be marginalized in public life
Right-to-die case splits Italy
Comatose woman at center of dispute died in clinic
---------------
Other Issues
PORKULUS includes medical care RATIONING for Senior Citizens
[A] new bureaucracy, the National Coordinator of Health Information Technology, will monitor treatments to make sure your doctor is doing what the federal government deems appropriate and cost effective. The goal is to reduce costs and “guide” your doctor’s decisions....
[As if the Feds even had a clue what appropriate is.
Euthanasia Coming as "Medical Care" from Fraud (and Spawn of Satan) Barry, the Inept Usurper - he wants to see both the old and the unborn destroyed. What a traitorous, sick excuse for a human being! God, please help me pray for this man!]
Oh, and BTW, Kiss your country Good-Bye!
Missouri Bill Introduced for Ultrasound, Better Informed Consent Before Abortion
Missouri legislators have introduced new legislation that would require an ultrasound and better informed consent prior to a woman having an abortion. Similar bills in other states have proven effective in lowering the number of abortions and Missouri lawmakers wants to reduce its numbers further.
George Weigel: Vatican tried to save the Legion
Fr. Maciel lived life of sexual and financial scandal
If Maciel was a sociopath, what of his charism?
If caught, Legion founder would have been defrocked
Bishop Williamson fired from SSPX seminary
Vatican: Pope was unaware of prelate's holocaust views
Vandal defaces university pro-life display
Unidentified student expelled from College Democrats
Mount St. Mary's in Md. on gunshot alert
Students warned to stay indoors a second time
Priest charged in $300,000 embezzlement
Allegedly used parish cash to fuel gambling habit
Cardinal calls on Anglicans to work with Catholics
Christianity must not be marginalized in public life
Right-to-die case splits Italy
Comatose woman at center of dispute died in clinic
---------------
Other Issues
PORKULUS includes medical care RATIONING for Senior Citizens
[A] new bureaucracy, the National Coordinator of Health Information Technology, will monitor treatments to make sure your doctor is doing what the federal government deems appropriate and cost effective. The goal is to reduce costs and “guide” your doctor’s decisions....
[As if the Feds even had a clue what appropriate is.
Euthanasia Coming as "Medical Care" from Fraud (and Spawn of Satan) Barry, the Inept Usurper - he wants to see both the old and the unborn destroyed. What a traitorous, sick excuse for a human being! God, please help me pray for this man!]
Oh, and BTW, Kiss your country Good-Bye!
Monday, February 09, 2009
Gospel for Tuesday, 5th Week in Ordinary Time
From: Mark 7:1-13
The Tradition of the Elders
[1] Now when the Pharisees gathered together to Him (Jesus), with some of the scribes, who had come from Jerusalem, [2] they saw that some of His disciples ate with hands defiled, that is, unwashed. [3] (For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, do not eat unless they wash their hands, observing the tradition of the elders; [4] and when they come from the market place, they do not eat unless they purify themselves; and there are many other traditions which they observe, the washing of cups and pots and vessels of bronze.) [5] And the Pharisees and the scribes asked Him, "Why do Your disciples not live according to the tradition of the elders, but eat with hands defiled?" [6] And He said to them, "Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written, `This people honors Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me; [7] in vain do they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the precepts of men.' [8] You leave the commandment of God, and hold fast the tradition of men. [9] And He said to them, "You have a fine way of rejecting the commandment of God, in order to keep your tradition! [10] For Moses said, "Honor your father and your mother'; and `He who speaks evil of father or mother, let him surely die'; [11] but you say, `If a man tells his father or his mother, What you would have gained from me is Corban' (that is, given to God)--[12] then you no longer permit him to do anything for his father or mother, [13] thus making void the word of God through your tradition which you hand on. And many such things you do."
_________________________
Commentary:
1-2. Hands were washed not for reasons of hygiene or good manners but because the custom had religious significance: it was a rite of purification. In Exodus 30:17ff the Law of God laid down how priests should wash before offering sacrifice. Jewish tradition had extended this to all Jews before every meal, in an effort to give meals a religious significance, which was reflected in the blessings which marked the start of meals. Ritual purification was a symbol of the moral purity a person should have when approaching God (Psalm 24:3ff; 51:4 and 9); but the Pharisees had focused on the mere external rite. Therefore Jesus restores the genuine meaning of these precepts of the Law, whose purpose is to teach the right way to render homage to God (cf. John 4:24).
3-5. We can see clearly from this text that very many of those to whom St. Mark's Gospel was first addressed were Christians who had been pagans and were unfamiliar with Jewish customs. The Evangelist explains these customs in some detail, to help them realize the significance of the events and teachings reported in the Gospel story.
Similarly, Sacred Scripture needs to be preached and taught in a way which puts it within reach of its hearers. This is why Vatican II teaches that "it is for the bishops suitable to instruct the faithful [...] by giving them translations of the sacred texts which are equipped with necessary and really adequate explanations. Thus the children of the Church can familiarize themselves safely and profitably with the Sacred Scriptures, and become steeped in their spirit" ("Dei Verbum", 25).
11-13. For an explanation of this text cf. note on Mt. 15:5-6. Jesus Christ, who is the authentic interpreter of the Law, because as God He is its author, explains the scope of the fourth commandment and points out the mistakes made by the Jewish casuistry. There were many other occasions when He corrected mistaken interpretations offered by the Jewish teachers: for example, when He recalls that phrase of the Old Testament, "Go and learn what this means, I desire mercy, and not sacrifice" (Hosea 6:6, 1 Samuel 15:22; Sirach 35:4) in Matthew 9:13.
[The note on Matthew 15:5-6 states:
5-6. Over the years teachers of the Law (scribes) and priests of the temple had distorted the true meaning of the fourth commandment. In Jesus' time, they were saying that people who contributed to the temple in cash or in kind were absolved from supporting their parents: it would be sacrilegious for parents to lay claim to this "corban" (offerings for the altar). People educated in this kind of thinking felt that they were keeping the fourth commandment--in fact, fulfilling it in the best way possible--and they were praised for their piety by the religious leaders of the nation. But what in fact it meant was that, under the cloak of piety, they were leaving elderly parents to fend for themselves. Jesus, who is Messiah and God, is the one who can correctly interpret the Law. Here He explains the proper scope of the fourth commandment, exposing the error of Jewish practice at the time.
For Christians, therefore, the fourth commandment includes affectionate help of parents if they are old or needy, even if one has other family, social or religious obligations to attend to. Children should check regularly on whether they are looking after their parents properly.]
___________________________
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 Tradition of the Elders
[1] Now when the Pharisees gathered together to Him (Jesus), with some of the scribes, who had come from Jerusalem, [2] they saw that some of His disciples ate with hands defiled, that is, unwashed. [3] (For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, do not eat unless they wash their hands, observing the tradition of the elders; [4] and when they come from the market place, they do not eat unless they purify themselves; and there are many other traditions which they observe, the washing of cups and pots and vessels of bronze.) [5] And the Pharisees and the scribes asked Him, "Why do Your disciples not live according to the tradition of the elders, but eat with hands defiled?" [6] And He said to them, "Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written, `This people honors Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me; [7] in vain do they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the precepts of men.' [8] You leave the commandment of God, and hold fast the tradition of men. [9] And He said to them, "You have a fine way of rejecting the commandment of God, in order to keep your tradition! [10] For Moses said, "Honor your father and your mother'; and `He who speaks evil of father or mother, let him surely die'; [11] but you say, `If a man tells his father or his mother, What you would have gained from me is Corban' (that is, given to God)--[12] then you no longer permit him to do anything for his father or mother, [13] thus making void the word of God through your tradition which you hand on. And many such things you do."
_________________________
Commentary:
1-2. Hands were washed not for reasons of hygiene or good manners but because the custom had religious significance: it was a rite of purification. In Exodus 30:17ff the Law of God laid down how priests should wash before offering sacrifice. Jewish tradition had extended this to all Jews before every meal, in an effort to give meals a religious significance, which was reflected in the blessings which marked the start of meals. Ritual purification was a symbol of the moral purity a person should have when approaching God (Psalm 24:3ff; 51:4 and 9); but the Pharisees had focused on the mere external rite. Therefore Jesus restores the genuine meaning of these precepts of the Law, whose purpose is to teach the right way to render homage to God (cf. John 4:24).
3-5. We can see clearly from this text that very many of those to whom St. Mark's Gospel was first addressed were Christians who had been pagans and were unfamiliar with Jewish customs. The Evangelist explains these customs in some detail, to help them realize the significance of the events and teachings reported in the Gospel story.
Similarly, Sacred Scripture needs to be preached and taught in a way which puts it within reach of its hearers. This is why Vatican II teaches that "it is for the bishops suitable to instruct the faithful [...] by giving them translations of the sacred texts which are equipped with necessary and really adequate explanations. Thus the children of the Church can familiarize themselves safely and profitably with the Sacred Scriptures, and become steeped in their spirit" ("Dei Verbum", 25).
11-13. For an explanation of this text cf. note on Mt. 15:5-6. Jesus Christ, who is the authentic interpreter of the Law, because as God He is its author, explains the scope of the fourth commandment and points out the mistakes made by the Jewish casuistry. There were many other occasions when He corrected mistaken interpretations offered by the Jewish teachers: for example, when He recalls that phrase of the Old Testament, "Go and learn what this means, I desire mercy, and not sacrifice" (Hosea 6:6, 1 Samuel 15:22; Sirach 35:4) in Matthew 9:13.
[The note on Matthew 15:5-6 states:
5-6. Over the years teachers of the Law (scribes) and priests of the temple had distorted the true meaning of the fourth commandment. In Jesus' time, they were saying that people who contributed to the temple in cash or in kind were absolved from supporting their parents: it would be sacrilegious for parents to lay claim to this "corban" (offerings for the altar). People educated in this kind of thinking felt that they were keeping the fourth commandment--in fact, fulfilling it in the best way possible--and they were praised for their piety by the religious leaders of the nation. But what in fact it meant was that, under the cloak of piety, they were leaving elderly parents to fend for themselves. Jesus, who is Messiah and God, is the one who can correctly interpret the Law. Here He explains the proper scope of the fourth commandment, exposing the error of Jewish practice at the time.
For Christians, therefore, the fourth commandment includes affectionate help of parents if they are old or needy, even if one has other family, social or religious obligations to attend to. Children should check regularly on whether they are looking after their parents properly.]
___________________________
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.
Principles and Practices - February 10
Worry Weakens
Do all you can to overcome a difficulty. When you have done your best, dismiss the matter from your mind. Worry about it no more. It is out of your hands. Worry serves only to diminish the strength for endurance.
-A Catholic Priest.
_________________
From Principles and Practices
Compiled by Rev. J. Hogan of The Catholic Missionary Society
Published by Burns Oates & Washbourne Ltd., Publishers To The Holy See
Nihil Obstat; Eduardus J. Mahoney, S.T.D. Censor deputatus.
Imprimatur; Edm. Can. Surmont, Vicarius generalis.
First printed in 1930
Do all you can to overcome a difficulty. When you have done your best, dismiss the matter from your mind. Worry about it no more. It is out of your hands. Worry serves only to diminish the strength for endurance.
-A Catholic Priest.
_________________
From Principles and Practices
Compiled by Rev. J. Hogan of The Catholic Missionary Society
Published by Burns Oates & Washbourne Ltd., Publishers To The Holy See
Nihil Obstat; Eduardus J. Mahoney, S.T.D. Censor deputatus.
Imprimatur; Edm. Can. Surmont, Vicarius generalis.
First printed in 1930
Thoughts of St Augustine for February 10
AND thou, O Lord, art admirably the selfsame who art, subject to no change and in thee is rest, forgetting all kind of labour; since there is no other beside thee, nor are we to labour after attaining other things which are not thou, but it is thou, O Lord, thou only that makest me to dwell in hope.
_________________________
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-February 10
EVERY morning on rising offer yourself to God to suffer in peace, and to accept from his hands all the crosses that will befall you that day, embracing also in peace all contradictions.
_________________
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
News Updates, 2/9
Delusional Women Priestettes Want Excommunication Lifted
Sudbury's Marie Evans Bouclin is among a group of Canadian women calling upon Pope Benedict XVI to lift the decree of automatic excommunication issued last year against Roman Catholic Womenpriests....
[Yeah, right - maybe they should step away from the bong?]
Pope wants personal prelature for ex-Anglicans
Benedict's plan could lead to a 'flood of converts'
Israel blocks relief ship headed to Gaza
Bishop Capucci of Cesarea among those expelled
Bishop Martino rebukes senator over abortion vote
Tells Casey he's contradicting his pro-life claim
Cardinal Bertone chides Spain on life issues
Denounces gov't stance on abortion, same-sex marriage
Fewer Catholic colleges performing V-Monologues
In 'steady decline' now after years of protest
Italian PM under fire over right-to-die case
Berlesconi sought to block the 'mercy killing'
NYC mayor, bishop propose plan to save schools
Charter school status may be 11th-hour lifeline
Australian priest fired over Vatican feud
Parish accused of performing unorthodox Masses
Papal visit to Holy Land 'to go ahead'
Despite row over reinstatement of Holocaust-denying bishop
---- Other News ----
U.S. Taxpayers Risk $9.7 Trillion on Bailout Programs
The stimulus package the U.S. Congress is completing would raise the government’s commitment to solving the financial crisis to $9.7 trillion, enough to pay off more than 90 percent of the nation’s home mortgages.
General Motors to Invest $1 Billion in Brazil Operations
Money to Come from U.S. Rescue Program
Sudbury's Marie Evans Bouclin is among a group of Canadian women calling upon Pope Benedict XVI to lift the decree of automatic excommunication issued last year against Roman Catholic Womenpriests....
[Yeah, right - maybe they should step away from the bong?]
Pope wants personal prelature for ex-Anglicans
Benedict's plan could lead to a 'flood of converts'
Israel blocks relief ship headed to Gaza
Bishop Capucci of Cesarea among those expelled
Bishop Martino rebukes senator over abortion vote
Tells Casey he's contradicting his pro-life claim
Cardinal Bertone chides Spain on life issues
Denounces gov't stance on abortion, same-sex marriage
Fewer Catholic colleges performing V-Monologues
In 'steady decline' now after years of protest
Italian PM under fire over right-to-die case
Berlesconi sought to block the 'mercy killing'
NYC mayor, bishop propose plan to save schools
Charter school status may be 11th-hour lifeline
Australian priest fired over Vatican feud
Parish accused of performing unorthodox Masses
Papal visit to Holy Land 'to go ahead'
Despite row over reinstatement of Holocaust-denying bishop
---- Other News ----
U.S. Taxpayers Risk $9.7 Trillion on Bailout Programs
The stimulus package the U.S. Congress is completing would raise the government’s commitment to solving the financial crisis to $9.7 trillion, enough to pay off more than 90 percent of the nation’s home mortgages.
General Motors to Invest $1 Billion in Brazil Operations
Money to Come from U.S. Rescue Program
Sunday, February 08, 2009
Gospel for Monday, 5th Week in Ordinary Time
From: Mark 6:53-56
Cures at Gennesaret
[53] And when they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret, and moored to the shore. [54] And when they got out of the boat, immediately the people recognized Him (Jesus), [55] and ran about the whole neighborhood and began to bring sick people on their pallets to any place where they heard He was. [56] And wherever He came in, in villages, cities, or country, they laid the sick in the market places, and besought Him that they might touch even the fringe of His garment; and as many as touched it were made well.
________________
Commentary:
There is no commentary in the Navarre Bible for this part of the Gospel.
I have included the noted from A Catholic Commentary on Holy Scripture, published by Thomas Nelson & Sons, 1953:
53. The plain at the north-west of the Lake was called Gennesar. It was renown for its fertility.
55-56. Once more we see the unbounded enthusiasm of the crowd as they bring their sick to be healed by Christ.
___________________________
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.
Cures at Gennesaret
[53] And when they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret, and moored to the shore. [54] And when they got out of the boat, immediately the people recognized Him (Jesus), [55] and ran about the whole neighborhood and began to bring sick people on their pallets to any place where they heard He was. [56] And wherever He came in, in villages, cities, or country, they laid the sick in the market places, and besought Him that they might touch even the fringe of His garment; and as many as touched it were made well.
________________
Commentary:
There is no commentary in the Navarre Bible for this part of the Gospel.
I have included the noted from A Catholic Commentary on Holy Scripture, published by Thomas Nelson & Sons, 1953:
53. The plain at the north-west of the Lake was called Gennesar. It was renown for its fertility.
55-56. Once more we see the unbounded enthusiasm of the crowd as they bring their sick to be healed by Christ.
___________________________
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.
Principles and Practices - February 9
Cultivate A Clear Conscience
Let us watch and pray particularly that we may have a conscience, not morbid .indeed, but really awake. Above all, let us cultivate communion with God; a hundred 'cases of conscience' will solve themselves if we live near Him.
-Moule.
_________________
From Principles and Practices
Compiled by Rev. J. Hogan of The Catholic Missionary Society
Published by Burns Oates & Washbourne Ltd., Publishers To The Holy See
Nihil Obstat; Eduardus J. Mahoney, S.T.D. Censor deputatus.
Imprimatur; Edm. Can. Surmont, Vicarius generalis.
First printed in 1930
Let us watch and pray particularly that we may have a conscience, not morbid .indeed, but really awake. Above all, let us cultivate communion with God; a hundred 'cases of conscience' will solve themselves if we live near Him.
-Moule.
_________________
From Principles and Practices
Compiled by Rev. J. Hogan of The Catholic Missionary Society
Published by Burns Oates & Washbourne Ltd., Publishers To The Holy See
Nihil Obstat; Eduardus J. Mahoney, S.T.D. Censor deputatus.
Imprimatur; Edm. Can. Surmont, Vicarius generalis.
First printed in 1930
Thoughts of St Augustine for February 9
BUT where had that Freewill of mine remained for so long a time and from what deep and hidden corner was it called forth, in that moment when I did submit my neck to thy easy yoke and my shoulders to thy light burden, O Christ Jesus, my helper and my Redeemer.
_________________________
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-February 9
To suffer or to die, my soul
For if thou canst not gain
The battle to be fought on earth,
In heaven thou canst not reign.
_________________
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
For if thou canst not gain
The battle to be fought on earth,
In heaven thou canst not reign.
_________________
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
This is sick, like all of the Usurper's actions
Pro-abortion governor near top for health postIt's time to start excommunicating so-called "Catholic" politicians whose actions and words publicly ridicule and rebuke the authority of the Church, the natural law and the basic understanding of right and wrong. They have chosen to side with the father of lies in a public manner - it's well past time to administer the medicinal balm of excommunication so that they might repent of their deadly sins while they still have an opportunity for forgiveness and eternal salvation.
WASHINGTON - Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius was near the top of President Barack Obama's list of candidates to head the Health and Human Services Department, a senior administration official said Saturday....
King Zero only picks those in league with his mentor and leader, Satan...What a pathetic, narcissistic, lying degenerate reprobate he is - still, he is in need of major prayers.
More here.