Pope Benedict XVI one year ago ago called an American, Archbishop Raymond Burke, to head the Apostolic Signatura, the office which oversees the correct administration of justice in the Church. Here, after one year at his post, Burke discusses his work in Rome, but also the controversial shrine to Our Lady of Guadalupe he established in Wisconsin, and President Obama's speech at Notre Dame...This wonderful interview can be read at Inside the Vatican here. Enjoy!
Editor's note: Archbishop Raymond Burke, Prefect of the Apostolic Signatura, recently invited Andrew Rabel, Australian ITV correspondent, to a friendly lunch nearby his offices at the Palazzo della Cancelleria (photo). Never to be outdone, Andrew always carries his dictaphone with him. So the former archbishop of St Louis, with his typical graciousness, consented to an interview, despite the noise in the crowded restaurant. It is the second interview ITV has conducted with His Excellency in less than a year.
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Archbishop Raymond Burke, The Overseer of Justice
From Inside the Vatican by Andrew Rabel, reporting from Rome:
Gospel for the Solemnity of The Body and Blood of Christ
From: Mark 14:12-16, 22-26
The Last Supper
[12] And on the first day of Unleavened Bread, when they sacrificed the passover lamb, his disciples said to him (Jesus), "Where will you have us go and prepare for you to eat the passover?" [13] And he sent two of his disciples, and said to them, "Go into the city, and a man carrying a jar of water will meet you; follow him, [14] and wherever he enters, say to the householder, 'The Teacher says, where is my guest room, where I am to eat the passover with my disciples?' [15] And he will show you a large upper room furnished and ready; there prepare for us." [16] And the disciples set out and went to the city, and found it as he had told them; and they prepared the passover.
The Institution of the Eucharist
[22] And as they were eating, he took bread, and blessed, and broke it, and gave it to them, and said, "Take; this is my body." [23] And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, and they all drank of it. [24] And he said to them, "This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many. [25] Truly, I say to you, I shall not drink again of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God."
The Disciples Will Abandon Jesus
[26] And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of
Olives.
_________________________
Commentary:
12-16. At first sight our Lord's behavior described here seems quite out of character. However, if we think about it, it is quite consistent: probably Jesus wanted to avoid Judas knowing in advance the exact place where the Supper will be held, to prevent him notifying the Sanhedrin. And so God's plans for that memorable night of Holy Thursday were fulfilled: Judas was unable to advise the Sanhedrin where they could find Jesus until after the celebration of the passover meal (during which Judas left the Cenacle): cf. Jn 13:30.
St Mark describes in more detail than the other evangelists the place where the meal took place: he says it was a large, well-appointed room--a dignified place. There is an ancient Christian tradition that the house of the Cenacle was owned by Mary the mother of St Mark, to whom, it seems, the Garden of Olives also belonged.
22. The word "this" does not refer to the act of breaking the bread but to the "thing" which Jesus gives his disciples, that is, something which looked like bread and which was no longer bread but the body of Christ. "This is my body. That is to say, what I am giving you now and what you are taking is my body. For the bread is not only a symbol of the body of Christ; it becomes his very body, as the Lord has said: the bread which I shall give for the life of the world is my flesh. Therefore, the Lord conserves the appearances of bread and wine but changes the bread and wine into the reality of his flesh and his blood" (Theophylact, "Enarratio in Evangelium Marci, in loc."). Therefore, any interpretation in the direction of symbolism or metaphor does not fit the meaning of the text. The same applies to the "This is my blood" (v. 24). on the realism of these expressions, cf. first part of note on Mt 26:26-29.
24. The words of consecration of the chalice clearly show that the Eucharist is a sacrifice: the blood of Christ is poured out, sealing the new and definitive Covenant of God with men. This Covenant remains sealed forever by the sacrifice of Christ on the cross, in which Jesus is both Priest and Victim. The Church has defined this truth in these words: "If anyone says that in the Mass a true and proper sacrifice is not offered to God, or that to be offered is nothing else but that Christ is given us to eat, let him be anathema" (Council of Trent, "De S. Missae sacrificio", chap. 1, can. 1).
These words pronounced over the chalice must have been very revealing for the Apostles, because they show that the sacrifices of the Old Covenant were in fact a preparation for and anticipation of Christ's sacrifice. The Apostles were able to grasp that the Covenant of Sinai and the various sacrifices of the temple were merely an imperfect pre-figurement of the definitive sacrifice and definitive Covenant, which would take place on the cross and which they were anticipating in this Supper.
A clear explanation of the sacrificial character of the Eucharist can be found in the inspired text in chapters 8 and 9 of the Letter to the Hebrews. Similarly, the best preparation for understanding the real presence and the Eucharist as food for the soul is a reading of chapter 6 of the Gospel of St John.
In the Last Supper, then, Christ already offered himself voluntarily to his Father as a victim to be sacrificed. The Supper and the Mass constitute with the Cross one and the same unique and perfect sacrifice, for in all these cases the victim offered is the same--Christ; and the priest is the same--Christ. The only difference is that the Supper, which takes place prior to the Cross, anticipates the Lord's Death in an unbloody way and offers a victim soon to be immolated whereas the Mass offers, also in an unbloody manner, the victim already immolated on the cross, a victim who exists forever in heaven.
25. After instituting the Holy Eucharist, our Lord extends the Last Supper in intimate conversation with his disciples, speaking to them once more about his imminent death (cf. Jn, chap. 13-17). His farewell saddens the Apostles, but he promises that the day will come when he will meet with them again, when the Kingdom of God will have come in all its fullness: he is referring to the beatific life in heaven, so often compared to a banquet. Then there will be no need of earthly food or drink; instead there will be a new wine (cf. Is 25:6). Definitively, after the Resurrection, the Apostles and all the saints will be able to share the delight of being with Jesus.
The fact that St Mark brings in these words after the institution of the Eucharist indicates in some way that the Eucharist is an anticipation here on earth of possession of God in eternal blessedness, where God will be everything to everyone (cf. 1 Cor 15:28). "At the Last Supper," Vatican II teaches, "on the night he was betrayed, our Savior instituted the eucharistic sacrifice of his body and blood. This he did in order to perpetuate the sacrifice of the Cross throughout the ages until he should come again, and so to entrust to his beloved Spouse, the Church, a memorial of his death and resurrection: a sacrament of love, a sign of unity, a bond of charity, a paschal banquet in which Christ is consumed, the mind is filled with grace, and a pledge of future glory is given to us" ("Sacrosanctum Concilium", 47).
26. "When they had sung a hymn": it was a custom at the passover meal to recite prayers, called "Hallel", which included Psalms 113 to 118; the last part was recited at the end of the meal.
___________________________
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 Last Supper
[12] And on the first day of Unleavened Bread, when they sacrificed the passover lamb, his disciples said to him (Jesus), "Where will you have us go and prepare for you to eat the passover?" [13] And he sent two of his disciples, and said to them, "Go into the city, and a man carrying a jar of water will meet you; follow him, [14] and wherever he enters, say to the householder, 'The Teacher says, where is my guest room, where I am to eat the passover with my disciples?' [15] And he will show you a large upper room furnished and ready; there prepare for us." [16] And the disciples set out and went to the city, and found it as he had told them; and they prepared the passover.
The Institution of the Eucharist
[22] And as they were eating, he took bread, and blessed, and broke it, and gave it to them, and said, "Take; this is my body." [23] And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, and they all drank of it. [24] And he said to them, "This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many. [25] Truly, I say to you, I shall not drink again of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God."
The Disciples Will Abandon Jesus
[26] And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of
Olives.
_________________________
Commentary:
12-16. At first sight our Lord's behavior described here seems quite out of character. However, if we think about it, it is quite consistent: probably Jesus wanted to avoid Judas knowing in advance the exact place where the Supper will be held, to prevent him notifying the Sanhedrin. And so God's plans for that memorable night of Holy Thursday were fulfilled: Judas was unable to advise the Sanhedrin where they could find Jesus until after the celebration of the passover meal (during which Judas left the Cenacle): cf. Jn 13:30.
St Mark describes in more detail than the other evangelists the place where the meal took place: he says it was a large, well-appointed room--a dignified place. There is an ancient Christian tradition that the house of the Cenacle was owned by Mary the mother of St Mark, to whom, it seems, the Garden of Olives also belonged.
22. The word "this" does not refer to the act of breaking the bread but to the "thing" which Jesus gives his disciples, that is, something which looked like bread and which was no longer bread but the body of Christ. "This is my body. That is to say, what I am giving you now and what you are taking is my body. For the bread is not only a symbol of the body of Christ; it becomes his very body, as the Lord has said: the bread which I shall give for the life of the world is my flesh. Therefore, the Lord conserves the appearances of bread and wine but changes the bread and wine into the reality of his flesh and his blood" (Theophylact, "Enarratio in Evangelium Marci, in loc."). Therefore, any interpretation in the direction of symbolism or metaphor does not fit the meaning of the text. The same applies to the "This is my blood" (v. 24). on the realism of these expressions, cf. first part of note on Mt 26:26-29.
24. The words of consecration of the chalice clearly show that the Eucharist is a sacrifice: the blood of Christ is poured out, sealing the new and definitive Covenant of God with men. This Covenant remains sealed forever by the sacrifice of Christ on the cross, in which Jesus is both Priest and Victim. The Church has defined this truth in these words: "If anyone says that in the Mass a true and proper sacrifice is not offered to God, or that to be offered is nothing else but that Christ is given us to eat, let him be anathema" (Council of Trent, "De S. Missae sacrificio", chap. 1, can. 1).
These words pronounced over the chalice must have been very revealing for the Apostles, because they show that the sacrifices of the Old Covenant were in fact a preparation for and anticipation of Christ's sacrifice. The Apostles were able to grasp that the Covenant of Sinai and the various sacrifices of the temple were merely an imperfect pre-figurement of the definitive sacrifice and definitive Covenant, which would take place on the cross and which they were anticipating in this Supper.
A clear explanation of the sacrificial character of the Eucharist can be found in the inspired text in chapters 8 and 9 of the Letter to the Hebrews. Similarly, the best preparation for understanding the real presence and the Eucharist as food for the soul is a reading of chapter 6 of the Gospel of St John.
In the Last Supper, then, Christ already offered himself voluntarily to his Father as a victim to be sacrificed. The Supper and the Mass constitute with the Cross one and the same unique and perfect sacrifice, for in all these cases the victim offered is the same--Christ; and the priest is the same--Christ. The only difference is that the Supper, which takes place prior to the Cross, anticipates the Lord's Death in an unbloody way and offers a victim soon to be immolated whereas the Mass offers, also in an unbloody manner, the victim already immolated on the cross, a victim who exists forever in heaven.
25. After instituting the Holy Eucharist, our Lord extends the Last Supper in intimate conversation with his disciples, speaking to them once more about his imminent death (cf. Jn, chap. 13-17). His farewell saddens the Apostles, but he promises that the day will come when he will meet with them again, when the Kingdom of God will have come in all its fullness: he is referring to the beatific life in heaven, so often compared to a banquet. Then there will be no need of earthly food or drink; instead there will be a new wine (cf. Is 25:6). Definitively, after the Resurrection, the Apostles and all the saints will be able to share the delight of being with Jesus.
The fact that St Mark brings in these words after the institution of the Eucharist indicates in some way that the Eucharist is an anticipation here on earth of possession of God in eternal blessedness, where God will be everything to everyone (cf. 1 Cor 15:28). "At the Last Supper," Vatican II teaches, "on the night he was betrayed, our Savior instituted the eucharistic sacrifice of his body and blood. This he did in order to perpetuate the sacrifice of the Cross throughout the ages until he should come again, and so to entrust to his beloved Spouse, the Church, a memorial of his death and resurrection: a sacrament of love, a sign of unity, a bond of charity, a paschal banquet in which Christ is consumed, the mind is filled with grace, and a pledge of future glory is given to us" ("Sacrosanctum Concilium", 47).
26. "When they had sung a hymn": it was a custom at the passover meal to recite prayers, called "Hallel", which included Psalms 113 to 118; the last part was recited at the end of the meal.
___________________________
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 - June 14
Through Faults To Virtue
Self-knowledge is clearly necessary for anyone who seeks to have union with the Supreme Light and uncreated Truth, and this the Divine Mercy teaches to the proud and to the presumptuous commonly through their falls; suffering them to fall into some sin, which they thought there was no chance of their doing, so that, gaining in this experimental way of self-knowledge, they may learn to distrust themselves in every respect.
-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
Self-knowledge is clearly necessary for anyone who seeks to have union with the Supreme Light and uncreated Truth, and this the Divine Mercy teaches to the proud and to the presumptuous commonly through their falls; suffering them to fall into some sin, which they thought there was no chance of their doing, so that, gaining in this experimental way of self-knowledge, they may learn to distrust themselves in every respect.
-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 June 14
WHAT means it then, that to good shepherds thou dost set forth One only shepherd, but that in the one shepherd Thou teachest unity?... Hear then this unity more forcibly set forth: Other sheep, saith he, I have which are not of this Fold...but nevertheless they shall not be outside of this fold, for them also I must bring, that there may be one Fold and one Shepherd.
_________________________
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-June 14
I FEEL myself bound, at least, out of gratitude to my Jesus in the Holy Sacrament, to declare that through means of this devotion of visiting the Most Blessed Sacrament, which I practised, though with so much tepidity and in so imperfect a manner, I abandoned the world, in which, unfortunately, I lived until I was six and twenty years of age.
_________________
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, 6/13-14
Zambia: Vatican Excommunicates Priest Over Milingo Ties
Lusaka — The Vatican has excommunicated Father Luciano Mbewe from the Catholic Church for openly congregating with excommunicated former archbishop of Lusaka, Emmanuel Milingo and members of his 'Married Priests Now' movement and another church.
U.K. Preacher Threatened for Anti-Gay Remarks
British street preacher Andy Robertson says all he wants from his community in eastern England is the freedom to disagree. Police have threatened to arrest the U.K. preacher for allegedly making homophobic statements.
Pakistan: Muslims tell Christians to convert to Islam, pay the jizya, or die
The woman said two masked men arrived on a motorbike without number plates. "We know that you and those at the recording studio are Christians. We warn you to leave this area, embrace Islam, pay 1,500,000 rupees (US$18,750) or be ready to die in a suicide bomb attack. Inform your neighbors as well," she quoted the men as saying. Christians have received similar threats in various parts of the country as fighting between government troops and the Taliban militants continues to rage in the country's northwest.
Sacred Heart Cathedral, several Catholic schools in Lahore and various pastors have received threatening notes telling them to convert to Islam.
=========
Other Issues
=========
Grocery stores taking "junk" silver in SoCal? (YouTube)
"Junk" silver being weighed at spot to pay for groceries, in this example, store owner computes silver at .37cents/gram. So $20.00 worth of groceries sells for a few dollars of pre-64 silver US coins!
WSJ: Imagine Breaking up the US - Divided We Stand
What would California look like broken in three? Or a Republic of New England? With the federal government reaching for ever more power, redrawing the map is enticing, says Paul Starobin...
A.I.G. Balks at Claims From Jet Ditching in Hudson
For the first couple of days after his flight ditched into the Hudson River, Paul Jorgenson was just glad to be alive. But then he started to need his laptop, his wallet, his car keys -- all the essentials he had stowed under his seat and left behind in the sinking plane. A pleasant woman at US Airways told him not to worry; he would be made whole for his losses. But then the matter shifted to US Airways' insurer, the American International Group, operating under government stewardship since its bailout last fall. "Everything went downhill," said Mr. Jorgenson...
Privacy may be a victim in cyberdefense plan
King Obama's vow to protect civil liberties may be difficult to put into practice
[Promises, promises, promises! How's that hope & change going?]
Six Flags files for bankruptcy protection
Amusement-park operator Six Flags Inc. filed for bankruptcy protection on Saturday and is seeking an expedited approval from the court of its pre-negotiated reorganization plan.
Lusaka — The Vatican has excommunicated Father Luciano Mbewe from the Catholic Church for openly congregating with excommunicated former archbishop of Lusaka, Emmanuel Milingo and members of his 'Married Priests Now' movement and another church.
U.K. Preacher Threatened for Anti-Gay Remarks
British street preacher Andy Robertson says all he wants from his community in eastern England is the freedom to disagree. Police have threatened to arrest the U.K. preacher for allegedly making homophobic statements.
Pakistan: Muslims tell Christians to convert to Islam, pay the jizya, or die
The woman said two masked men arrived on a motorbike without number plates. "We know that you and those at the recording studio are Christians. We warn you to leave this area, embrace Islam, pay 1,500,000 rupees (US$18,750) or be ready to die in a suicide bomb attack. Inform your neighbors as well," she quoted the men as saying. Christians have received similar threats in various parts of the country as fighting between government troops and the Taliban militants continues to rage in the country's northwest.
Sacred Heart Cathedral, several Catholic schools in Lahore and various pastors have received threatening notes telling them to convert to Islam.
=========
Other Issues
=========
Grocery stores taking "junk" silver in SoCal? (YouTube)
"Junk" silver being weighed at spot to pay for groceries, in this example, store owner computes silver at .37cents/gram. So $20.00 worth of groceries sells for a few dollars of pre-64 silver US coins!
WSJ: Imagine Breaking up the US - Divided We Stand
What would California look like broken in three? Or a Republic of New England? With the federal government reaching for ever more power, redrawing the map is enticing, says Paul Starobin...
A.I.G. Balks at Claims From Jet Ditching in Hudson
For the first couple of days after his flight ditched into the Hudson River, Paul Jorgenson was just glad to be alive. But then he started to need his laptop, his wallet, his car keys -- all the essentials he had stowed under his seat and left behind in the sinking plane. A pleasant woman at US Airways told him not to worry; he would be made whole for his losses. But then the matter shifted to US Airways' insurer, the American International Group, operating under government stewardship since its bailout last fall. "Everything went downhill," said Mr. Jorgenson...
Privacy may be a victim in cyberdefense plan
King Obama's vow to protect civil liberties may be difficult to put into practice
[Promises, promises, promises! How's that hope & change going?]
Six Flags files for bankruptcy protection
Amusement-park operator Six Flags Inc. filed for bankruptcy protection on Saturday and is seeking an expedited approval from the court of its pre-negotiated reorganization plan.
Friday, June 12, 2009
Gospel for June 13, Memorial: St Anthony of Padua, Priest and Doctor
Saturday, 10th Week in Ordinary Time
From: Matthew 5:33-37
Jesus and His Teaching, the Fulfillment of the Law (Continuation)
(Jesus said to His disciples,) [33] "Again you have heard that it was said to the men of old, `You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform to the Lord what you have sworn.' [34] But I say to you, Do not swear at all, either by Heaven, for it is the throne of God, [35] or by the earth, for it is His footstool, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. [36] And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. [37] Let what you say be simply, `Yes' or `No'; anything more than this comes from evil."
_______________________
Commentary:
33-37. The Law of Moses absolutely prohibited perjury or violation of oaths (Exodus 20:7; Numbers 30:3; Deuteronomy 23:22). In Christ's time, the making of sworn statements was so frequent and the casuistry surrounding them so intricate that the practice was being grossly abused. Some rabbinical documents of the time show that oaths were taken for quite unimportant reasons. Parallel to this abuse of oath-taking there arose no less ridiculous abuses to justify non-fulfillment of oaths. All this meant great disrespect for the name of God. However, we do know from Sacred Scripture that oath-taking is lawful and good in certain circumstances: "If you swear, `As the Lord lives', in truth, in justice, and in uprightness, then nations shall bless themselves in Him, and in Him shall they glory (Jeremiah 4:2).
Jesus here lays down the criterion which His disciples must apply in this connection. It is based on re-establishing, among married people, mutual trust, nobility and sincerity. The devil is "the father of lies" (John 8:44). Therefore, Christ's Church must teach that human relationships cannot be based on deceit and insincerity. God is truth, and the children of the Kingdom must, therefore, base mutual relationships on truth. Jesus concludes by praising sincerity. Throughout His teaching He identifies hypocrisy as one of the main vices to be combatted (cf., e.g., Matthew 23:13-32), and sincerity as one of the finest virtues (cf. John 1:47).
___________________________
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: Matthew 5:33-37
Jesus and His Teaching, the Fulfillment of the Law (Continuation)
(Jesus said to His disciples,) [33] "Again you have heard that it was said to the men of old, `You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform to the Lord what you have sworn.' [34] But I say to you, Do not swear at all, either by Heaven, for it is the throne of God, [35] or by the earth, for it is His footstool, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. [36] And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. [37] Let what you say be simply, `Yes' or `No'; anything more than this comes from evil."
_______________________
Commentary:
33-37. The Law of Moses absolutely prohibited perjury or violation of oaths (Exodus 20:7; Numbers 30:3; Deuteronomy 23:22). In Christ's time, the making of sworn statements was so frequent and the casuistry surrounding them so intricate that the practice was being grossly abused. Some rabbinical documents of the time show that oaths were taken for quite unimportant reasons. Parallel to this abuse of oath-taking there arose no less ridiculous abuses to justify non-fulfillment of oaths. All this meant great disrespect for the name of God. However, we do know from Sacred Scripture that oath-taking is lawful and good in certain circumstances: "If you swear, `As the Lord lives', in truth, in justice, and in uprightness, then nations shall bless themselves in Him, and in Him shall they glory (Jeremiah 4:2).
Jesus here lays down the criterion which His disciples must apply in this connection. It is based on re-establishing, among married people, mutual trust, nobility and sincerity. The devil is "the father of lies" (John 8:44). Therefore, Christ's Church must teach that human relationships cannot be based on deceit and insincerity. God is truth, and the children of the Kingdom must, therefore, base mutual relationships on truth. Jesus concludes by praising sincerity. Throughout His teaching He identifies hypocrisy as one of the main vices to be combatted (cf., e.g., Matthew 23:13-32), and sincerity as one of the finest virtues (cf. John 1:47).
___________________________
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 - June 13
Good From Evil
Even the sinful world can make us think of God. What is sin but an act against God?
Sin should shock and shame simply because God is offended. The sight of sin should turn us to God. Indifference to God should make us zealous for God. Forgetfulness of God should compel us to remember Him. Everything which leaves God out should induce us to bring Him in. So the wretched world which struggles to gain its goal without God can be used to stimulate us to work for His objects and with His ways. If we are hurt when people injure us we should be pained when people ignore God. We ought not to take insults to God lying down. Every violation of God's law makes us realize the presence of God if we remember the meaning of sin.
-Anon.
_________________
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
Even the sinful world can make us think of God. What is sin but an act against God?
Sin should shock and shame simply because God is offended. The sight of sin should turn us to God. Indifference to God should make us zealous for God. Forgetfulness of God should compel us to remember Him. Everything which leaves God out should induce us to bring Him in. So the wretched world which struggles to gain its goal without God can be used to stimulate us to work for His objects and with His ways. If we are hurt when people injure us we should be pained when people ignore God. We ought not to take insults to God lying down. Every violation of God's law makes us realize the presence of God if we remember the meaning of sin.
-Anon.
_________________
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 June 13
LET the stain of thine heart appear in thy confession and thou shalt belong to Christ's flock. For the confession of sins invites the physician's healing.
_________________________
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-June 13
BE assured that the time you spend with devotion before the Blessed Sacrament will be the most profitable to you in life, and the source of your greatest consolation at death and in eternity.
_________________
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
Thursday, June 11, 2009
News Updates, 6/12
Massachusetts Cardinal: No abortions at Catholic hospitals
Caritas Christi Health Care, which operates six hospitals in Massachusetts, will neither perform abortions nor make referrals to other health care providers for patients seeking abortions, Cardinal Sean O'Malley said. O'Malley issued the statement after Catholic and anti-abortion activists criticized the decision by Caritas Christi, which is affiliated with the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Boston, to enter into a partnership with a secular health care company...
Ranjith Packs His Bags? (Robert Moynihan)
Pope Benedict XVI has decided to send one of the staunchest supporters of his liturgical reform in the Roman Curia away from the Eternal City. Why? — The Pope has decided that Archbishop Malcolm Ranjith (photo), the Secretary of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Sacraments and one of the strongest supporters of Benedict's liturgical reform, will be transferred this summer to Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka (his native country), where he will become archbishop, reliable Vatican sources confirmed today. The decision will be announced publicly in the next few days, the sources said...
The Basement of the Culture of Death
With a pro-abortion president in the White House, new sub-groups in the broader "culture of death" are coming into view. One of them is dark, indeed. Take two recent events: Dr. George Tiller is compared to Martin Luther King, Jr. The president of Catholics for Choice attacks a political appointee, Alexia Kelley, who defended Obama's abortion record before the nation's Catholic voters. As head of Catholics in Alliance with the Common Good, Alexia Kelley was second only to Doug Kmiec in making Obama's record on abortion palatable to [confused or dissident] Catholics...
A new religion masquerading as Christianity, Part 1
Recently the Barna Research Group released a study on the religious practices of liberals and Christians. According to the report: "The research...discovered that liberals are more likely than conservatives to develop their own set of religious beliefs rather than adopt those proposed by a church or other entity. A greater percentage of liberals also indicated they are very open to accepting different moral views than those they presently possess."
Clinic gave free abortions in honor of Tiller
Abortionist was shot and killed by extremist gunman
Nebraska doc wants to take over for Tiller
Says he will perform third-term abortions in Kansas
Illinois court: Priest may not sue accusers
Two brothers say Chicago cleric molested them
[Separation of Church & State?]
Bishop: Romance not found between priest, killer
Murderer claimed he killed lover after late-night quarrel
Anglican bishop to priests: drop comedy routine
Quit quashing focus on God with 'half-baked comic lines'
Wanda: Pope wanted me to publish correspondence
Lublin bishop blasts 87-year-old woman for 'narcissism'
Rev. Wright: Them Jews keeping me away from Obama
'He'll talk to me in five years when he's a lame duck'
Teacher accused of displaying Bible in class
Sues school district for religious harassment
Christian leader: evangelicals have lost their way
Author pans silly trends, 'Jesus is my boyfriend' music
=========
Other Issues
=========
Maryland Teen Beaten to Death by Gang Members
A Maryland teen was beaten to death by a pack of heathens. The video is from ABC. Did you hear about it? Was it a hate crime? Oops! That's not politically correct question to ask...
[Where's Al Sharpton or Jesse Jackson???]
House Health-Care Bill to Include $600 Billion in Tax Increases
Health-care overhaul legislation being drafted by House Democrats will include $600 billion in tax increases and $400 billion in cuts to Medicare and Medicaid, Ways and Means Committee Chairman Charles Rangel said...
[Secede, revolt, both??? These clowns and cheats deserve prison, at best!]
Chavez: Gov't may shutter critical TV channel
CARACAS, Venezuela – President Hugo Chavez threatened to close down an opposition-sided news network, saying the defiant Globovision channel's days on the airwaves will be numbered if its directors don't stand down...
Texas AG says GM contracts break state law
Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott says General Motors is trying to force car dealers into contracts that violate Texas law. Abbott filed an objection Friday in GM's pending bankruptcy case in federal court in New York...
[Don'cha know, King Obama trumps state law - and, it seems, Federal law.]
Obama ousts AmeriCorps' IG who investigated friend
[Chairman] Obama says he has lost confidence in the inspector general who investigates AmeriCorps and other national service programs and has told Congress he is removing him from the position...
Hartford Gets $3.4 Billion in TARP Funds
Hartford Financial Services Group Inc (HIG.N) said on Friday it will take $3.4 billion of federal bailout money and plans to sell as much as $750 million of common stock.
A better-dressed Soviet-style communism
...People who not long ago shunned and even ridiculed people like me for clearly speaking out about this intention are now decrying the surrender to socialism and accepting descriptive terms like "neo-communist" that suggest the Obama faction's ultimate goal: the establishment of a better-dressed, more astutely implemented version of Soviet-style communism in the United States...
Obama proposal “would have devastating impact on health care access”
At Sacramento press conference, healthcare professionals plead with president not to revoke conscience protection regulation
Obama Care: We Cannot Afford It
...Do you think we can afford it? We ran a $189.7 billion deficit this last month folks. Annualized this is a staggering $2.276 trillion dollars - for one year. That's the difference between tax receipts and spending. $2.276 trillion dollars. We cannot keep doing this. Our lenders (the Chinese, Saudis and others) will not permit us to keep doing this. If we don't stop this stupidity, here and now, interest rates will start to move dramatically higher...
[And the consequences of that are even high unemployment, house values falling yet again, and much more!!!]
IRS Weighs Rules for Taxing Private Use of Work Cellphones
The IRS is weighing a proposal to deem one-quarter of employees' use of work cellphones as personal use and therefore subject to tax as a fringe benefit...
[More "Change" you can believe in! Next in line for taxation as benefits: company provide PC, airconditioning, water & coffee, access to company provided restrooms, etc. Time for a real "tea party" yet? Sounds like it's well past time to abolish the IRS, the 16th & 17th amendments...for a start.]
Japan’s Trust in U.S. Treasuries Is ‘Unshakable’
Japanese Finance Minister Kaoru Yosano said his government is confident about the outlook for U.S. Treasuries, signaling the second-biggest foreign holder of the securities will keep buying them...
[The Titanic is unsinkable!]
Majority now cosponsors Ron Paul's Fed audit
Less than 24 hours after WND reported a proposal from U.S. Rep. Ron Paul, R-Texas, to audit the Federal Reserve was approaching majority support in the U.S. House, he is confirming the plan has reached that "crucial benchmark."
Inconvenient truths: Holocaust Museum shooter (a LIBERAL)hated Fox News, Murdoch
I noted yesterday and this morning that Holocaust Museum nutball was an equal-opportunity hater. He railed against Fox News and Rupert Murdoch. And now this:...
GOP: bankruptcy key to unwinding mega-institutions
Regulators should rely on the bankruptcy process to unwind large systemically significant financial institutions rather than allowing government bailout dollars to help resolve insolvent mega-banks, according to a broad regulatory reform proposal introduced by House Republican lawmakers on Thursday...
Caritas Christi Health Care, which operates six hospitals in Massachusetts, will neither perform abortions nor make referrals to other health care providers for patients seeking abortions, Cardinal Sean O'Malley said. O'Malley issued the statement after Catholic and anti-abortion activists criticized the decision by Caritas Christi, which is affiliated with the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Boston, to enter into a partnership with a secular health care company...
Ranjith Packs His Bags? (Robert Moynihan)
Pope Benedict XVI has decided to send one of the staunchest supporters of his liturgical reform in the Roman Curia away from the Eternal City. Why? — The Pope has decided that Archbishop Malcolm Ranjith (photo), the Secretary of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Sacraments and one of the strongest supporters of Benedict's liturgical reform, will be transferred this summer to Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka (his native country), where he will become archbishop, reliable Vatican sources confirmed today. The decision will be announced publicly in the next few days, the sources said...
The Basement of the Culture of Death
With a pro-abortion president in the White House, new sub-groups in the broader "culture of death" are coming into view. One of them is dark, indeed. Take two recent events: Dr. George Tiller is compared to Martin Luther King, Jr. The president of Catholics for Choice attacks a political appointee, Alexia Kelley, who defended Obama's abortion record before the nation's Catholic voters. As head of Catholics in Alliance with the Common Good, Alexia Kelley was second only to Doug Kmiec in making Obama's record on abortion palatable to [confused or dissident] Catholics...
A new religion masquerading as Christianity, Part 1
Recently the Barna Research Group released a study on the religious practices of liberals and Christians. According to the report: "The research...discovered that liberals are more likely than conservatives to develop their own set of religious beliefs rather than adopt those proposed by a church or other entity. A greater percentage of liberals also indicated they are very open to accepting different moral views than those they presently possess."
Clinic gave free abortions in honor of Tiller
Abortionist was shot and killed by extremist gunman
Nebraska doc wants to take over for Tiller
Says he will perform third-term abortions in Kansas
Illinois court: Priest may not sue accusers
Two brothers say Chicago cleric molested them
[Separation of Church & State?]
Bishop: Romance not found between priest, killer
Murderer claimed he killed lover after late-night quarrel
Anglican bishop to priests: drop comedy routine
Quit quashing focus on God with 'half-baked comic lines'
Wanda: Pope wanted me to publish correspondence
Lublin bishop blasts 87-year-old woman for 'narcissism'
Rev. Wright: Them Jews keeping me away from Obama
'He'll talk to me in five years when he's a lame duck'
Teacher accused of displaying Bible in class
Sues school district for religious harassment
Christian leader: evangelicals have lost their way
Author pans silly trends, 'Jesus is my boyfriend' music
=========
Other Issues
=========
Maryland Teen Beaten to Death by Gang Members
A Maryland teen was beaten to death by a pack of heathens. The video is from ABC. Did you hear about it? Was it a hate crime? Oops! That's not politically correct question to ask...
[Where's Al Sharpton or Jesse Jackson???]
House Health-Care Bill to Include $600 Billion in Tax Increases
Health-care overhaul legislation being drafted by House Democrats will include $600 billion in tax increases and $400 billion in cuts to Medicare and Medicaid, Ways and Means Committee Chairman Charles Rangel said...
[Secede, revolt, both??? These clowns and cheats deserve prison, at best!]
Chavez: Gov't may shutter critical TV channel
CARACAS, Venezuela – President Hugo Chavez threatened to close down an opposition-sided news network, saying the defiant Globovision channel's days on the airwaves will be numbered if its directors don't stand down...
Texas AG says GM contracts break state law
Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott says General Motors is trying to force car dealers into contracts that violate Texas law. Abbott filed an objection Friday in GM's pending bankruptcy case in federal court in New York...
[Don'cha know, King Obama trumps state law - and, it seems, Federal law.]
Obama ousts AmeriCorps' IG who investigated friend
[Chairman] Obama says he has lost confidence in the inspector general who investigates AmeriCorps and other national service programs and has told Congress he is removing him from the position...
Hartford Gets $3.4 Billion in TARP Funds
Hartford Financial Services Group Inc (HIG.N) said on Friday it will take $3.4 billion of federal bailout money and plans to sell as much as $750 million of common stock.
A better-dressed Soviet-style communism
...People who not long ago shunned and even ridiculed people like me for clearly speaking out about this intention are now decrying the surrender to socialism and accepting descriptive terms like "neo-communist" that suggest the Obama faction's ultimate goal: the establishment of a better-dressed, more astutely implemented version of Soviet-style communism in the United States...
Obama proposal “would have devastating impact on health care access”
At Sacramento press conference, healthcare professionals plead with president not to revoke conscience protection regulation
Obama Care: We Cannot Afford It
...Do you think we can afford it? We ran a $189.7 billion deficit this last month folks. Annualized this is a staggering $2.276 trillion dollars - for one year. That's the difference between tax receipts and spending. $2.276 trillion dollars. We cannot keep doing this. Our lenders (the Chinese, Saudis and others) will not permit us to keep doing this. If we don't stop this stupidity, here and now, interest rates will start to move dramatically higher...
[And the consequences of that are even high unemployment, house values falling yet again, and much more!!!]
IRS Weighs Rules for Taxing Private Use of Work Cellphones
The IRS is weighing a proposal to deem one-quarter of employees' use of work cellphones as personal use and therefore subject to tax as a fringe benefit...
[More "Change" you can believe in! Next in line for taxation as benefits: company provide PC, airconditioning, water & coffee, access to company provided restrooms, etc. Time for a real "tea party" yet? Sounds like it's well past time to abolish the IRS, the 16th & 17th amendments...for a start.]
Japan’s Trust in U.S. Treasuries Is ‘Unshakable’
Japanese Finance Minister Kaoru Yosano said his government is confident about the outlook for U.S. Treasuries, signaling the second-biggest foreign holder of the securities will keep buying them...
[The Titanic is unsinkable!]
Majority now cosponsors Ron Paul's Fed audit
Less than 24 hours after WND reported a proposal from U.S. Rep. Ron Paul, R-Texas, to audit the Federal Reserve was approaching majority support in the U.S. House, he is confirming the plan has reached that "crucial benchmark."
Inconvenient truths: Holocaust Museum shooter (a LIBERAL)hated Fox News, Murdoch
I noted yesterday and this morning that Holocaust Museum nutball was an equal-opportunity hater. He railed against Fox News and Rupert Murdoch. And now this:...
GOP: bankruptcy key to unwinding mega-institutions
Regulators should rely on the bankruptcy process to unwind large systemically significant financial institutions rather than allowing government bailout dollars to help resolve insolvent mega-banks, according to a broad regulatory reform proposal introduced by House Republican lawmakers on Thursday...
Gospel for Friday, 10th Week in Ordinary Time
From: Matthew 5:27-32
Jesus and His Teaching, the Fulfillment of the Law (Continuation)
[Jesus said to His disciples:) [27] "You have heard that it was said, `You shall not commit adultery.' [28] But I say to you that every one who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. [29] If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and throw it away; it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell. [30] And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away; it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body go into hell.
[31] "It was also said, `Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.' [32] But I say to you that every one who divorces his wife, except on the ground of unchastity, makes her an adulteress; and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery."
______________________
Commentary:
27-30. This refers to a sinful glance at any woman, be she married or not. Our Lord fills out the precepts of the Old Law, where only adultery and the coveting of one's neighbor's wife were considered sinful.
"Lustfully": feeling is one thing, consenting another. Consent presupposes that one realizes the evil of these actions (looking, imagining, having impure thoughts) and freely engages in them.
Prohibition of vices always implies a positive aspect--the contrary virtue. Holy purity, like every other virtue, is something eminently positive; it derives from the First Commandment and is also directed to it: "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind" (Matthew 22:37). "Purity is a consequence of the love that prompts us to commit to Christ our soul and body, our faculties and senses. It is not something negative; it is a joyful affirmation" ([St] J. Escriva, "Christ Is Passing By", 5). This virtue demands that we use all the resources available to us, to the point of heroism if necessary.
"Right eye", "right hand", refers to whatever we value most. Our Lord lays it on the line and it not exaggerating. He obviously does not mean that we should physically mutilate ourselves, but that we should fight hard without making any concessions, being ready to sacrifice anything which clearly could put us in the way of offending God. Jesus' graphic words particularly warn us about one of the most common occasions of sin, reminding us of how careful we need to be guarding our sight. King David, by indulging his curiosity, went on to commit adultery and crime. He later wept over his sins and led a holy life in the presence of God (cf. 2 Samuel 11 and 12).
"The eyes! Through them many iniquities enter the soul. So many experiences like David's!--If you guard your sight you will have assured the guard of your heart: ([St] J. Escriva, "The Way", 183).
Among the ascetical methods of protecting the virtue of holy purity are: frequent Confession and Communion; devotion to our Lady; a spirit of prayer and mortification; guarding of the senses; flight from occasions of sin; and striving to avoid idleness by always being engaged in doing useful things. There are two further means which are particularly relevant today: "Decorum and modesty are younger brothers of purity" ([St] J. Escriva, "The Way", 128). Decorum and modesty are a sign of good taste, of respect for others and of human and Christian dignity. To act in accord with this teaching of our Lord, the Christian has to row against the current in a paganized environment and bring his influence for good to bear on it.
"There is need for a crusade of manliness and purity to counteract and undo the savage work of those who think that man is a beast. And that crusade is a matter for you" ([St] J. Escriva, "The Way", 121).
31-32. The Law of Moses (Deuteronomy 24:1), which was laid down in ancient times, had tolerated divorce due to the hardness of heart of the early Hebrews. But it had not specified clearly the grounds on which divorce might be obtained. The rabbis worked out different sorts of interpretations, depending on which school they belonged to--solutions ranging from very lax to quite rigid. In all cases, only husband could repudiate wife, not vice-versa. A woman's inferior position was eased somewhat by the device of a written document whereby the husband freed the repudiated woman to marry again if she wished. Against these rabbinical interpretations, Jesus re-establishes the original indissolubility of marriage as God instituted it (Genesis 1:27; 2:24; cf. Matthew 19:4-6; Ephesians 1:31; 1 Corinthians 7:10).
[The RSVCE carries a note which reads: "unchastity": The Greek word used here appears to refer to marriages which were not legally marriages, because they were within the forbidden degrees of consanguinity (Leviticus 18:6-16) or contracted with a Gentile. The phrase "except on the ground of unchastity" does not occur in the parallel passage in Luke 16:18. See also Matthew 19:9 (Mark 10:11-12), and especially 1 Corinthians 7:10-11, which shows that the prohibition is unconditional.] The phrase, "except on the ground of unchastity", should not be taken as indicating an exception to the principle of absolute indissolubility of marriage which Jesus has just re-established. It is almost certain that the phrase refers to unions accepted as marriage among some pagan people, but prohibited as incestuous in the Mosaic Law (cf. Leviticus 18) and in rabbinical tradition. The reference, then, is to unions radically invalid because of some impediment. When persons in this position were converted to the True Faith, it was not that their union could be dissolved; it was declared that they had never in fact been joined in true marriage. Therefore, this phrase does not do against the indissolubility of marriage, but rather reaffirms it.
On the basis of Jesus' teaching and guided by the Holy Spirit, the Church has ruled that in the specially grave case of adultery it is permissible for a married couple to separate, but without the marriage bond being dissolved; therefore, neither party may contract a new marriage.
The indissolubility of marriage was unhesitatingly taught by the Church from the very beginning; she demanded practical and legal recognition of this doctrine, expounded with full authority by Jesus (Matthew 19:3-9; Mark 10:1-12; Luke 16:18) and by the Apostles (1 Corinthians 6:16; 7:10-11; 39; Romans 7:2-3; Ephesians 5:31f). Here, for example, are just a few texts from the Magisterium on this subject:
"Three blessings are ascribed to matrimony [...]. The third is the indissolubility of matrimony--indissoluble because it signifies the indivisible union of Christ with the Church. Although a separation from bed may be permitted by reason of marital infidelity, nevertheless it is not permitted to contract another matrimony since the bond of a marriage lawfully contracted is perpetual" (Council of Florence, "Pro Armeniis").
___________________________
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.
Jesus and His Teaching, the Fulfillment of the Law (Continuation)
[Jesus said to His disciples:) [27] "You have heard that it was said, `You shall not commit adultery.' [28] But I say to you that every one who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. [29] If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and throw it away; it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell. [30] And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away; it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body go into hell.
[31] "It was also said, `Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.' [32] But I say to you that every one who divorces his wife, except on the ground of unchastity, makes her an adulteress; and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery."
______________________
Commentary:
27-30. This refers to a sinful glance at any woman, be she married or not. Our Lord fills out the precepts of the Old Law, where only adultery and the coveting of one's neighbor's wife were considered sinful.
"Lustfully": feeling is one thing, consenting another. Consent presupposes that one realizes the evil of these actions (looking, imagining, having impure thoughts) and freely engages in them.
Prohibition of vices always implies a positive aspect--the contrary virtue. Holy purity, like every other virtue, is something eminently positive; it derives from the First Commandment and is also directed to it: "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind" (Matthew 22:37). "Purity is a consequence of the love that prompts us to commit to Christ our soul and body, our faculties and senses. It is not something negative; it is a joyful affirmation" ([St] J. Escriva, "Christ Is Passing By", 5). This virtue demands that we use all the resources available to us, to the point of heroism if necessary.
"Right eye", "right hand", refers to whatever we value most. Our Lord lays it on the line and it not exaggerating. He obviously does not mean that we should physically mutilate ourselves, but that we should fight hard without making any concessions, being ready to sacrifice anything which clearly could put us in the way of offending God. Jesus' graphic words particularly warn us about one of the most common occasions of sin, reminding us of how careful we need to be guarding our sight. King David, by indulging his curiosity, went on to commit adultery and crime. He later wept over his sins and led a holy life in the presence of God (cf. 2 Samuel 11 and 12).
"The eyes! Through them many iniquities enter the soul. So many experiences like David's!--If you guard your sight you will have assured the guard of your heart: ([St] J. Escriva, "The Way", 183).
Among the ascetical methods of protecting the virtue of holy purity are: frequent Confession and Communion; devotion to our Lady; a spirit of prayer and mortification; guarding of the senses; flight from occasions of sin; and striving to avoid idleness by always being engaged in doing useful things. There are two further means which are particularly relevant today: "Decorum and modesty are younger brothers of purity" ([St] J. Escriva, "The Way", 128). Decorum and modesty are a sign of good taste, of respect for others and of human and Christian dignity. To act in accord with this teaching of our Lord, the Christian has to row against the current in a paganized environment and bring his influence for good to bear on it.
"There is need for a crusade of manliness and purity to counteract and undo the savage work of those who think that man is a beast. And that crusade is a matter for you" ([St] J. Escriva, "The Way", 121).
31-32. The Law of Moses (Deuteronomy 24:1), which was laid down in ancient times, had tolerated divorce due to the hardness of heart of the early Hebrews. But it had not specified clearly the grounds on which divorce might be obtained. The rabbis worked out different sorts of interpretations, depending on which school they belonged to--solutions ranging from very lax to quite rigid. In all cases, only husband could repudiate wife, not vice-versa. A woman's inferior position was eased somewhat by the device of a written document whereby the husband freed the repudiated woman to marry again if she wished. Against these rabbinical interpretations, Jesus re-establishes the original indissolubility of marriage as God instituted it (Genesis 1:27; 2:24; cf. Matthew 19:4-6; Ephesians 1:31; 1 Corinthians 7:10).
[The RSVCE carries a note which reads: "unchastity": The Greek word used here appears to refer to marriages which were not legally marriages, because they were within the forbidden degrees of consanguinity (Leviticus 18:6-16) or contracted with a Gentile. The phrase "except on the ground of unchastity" does not occur in the parallel passage in Luke 16:18. See also Matthew 19:9 (Mark 10:11-12), and especially 1 Corinthians 7:10-11, which shows that the prohibition is unconditional.] The phrase, "except on the ground of unchastity", should not be taken as indicating an exception to the principle of absolute indissolubility of marriage which Jesus has just re-established. It is almost certain that the phrase refers to unions accepted as marriage among some pagan people, but prohibited as incestuous in the Mosaic Law (cf. Leviticus 18) and in rabbinical tradition. The reference, then, is to unions radically invalid because of some impediment. When persons in this position were converted to the True Faith, it was not that their union could be dissolved; it was declared that they had never in fact been joined in true marriage. Therefore, this phrase does not do against the indissolubility of marriage, but rather reaffirms it.
On the basis of Jesus' teaching and guided by the Holy Spirit, the Church has ruled that in the specially grave case of adultery it is permissible for a married couple to separate, but without the marriage bond being dissolved; therefore, neither party may contract a new marriage.
The indissolubility of marriage was unhesitatingly taught by the Church from the very beginning; she demanded practical and legal recognition of this doctrine, expounded with full authority by Jesus (Matthew 19:3-9; Mark 10:1-12; Luke 16:18) and by the Apostles (1 Corinthians 6:16; 7:10-11; 39; Romans 7:2-3; Ephesians 5:31f). Here, for example, are just a few texts from the Magisterium on this subject:
"Three blessings are ascribed to matrimony [...]. The third is the indissolubility of matrimony--indissoluble because it signifies the indivisible union of Christ with the Church. Although a separation from bed may be permitted by reason of marital infidelity, nevertheless it is not permitted to contract another matrimony since the bond of a marriage lawfully contracted is perpetual" (Council of Florence, "Pro Armeniis").
___________________________
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 - June 12
No Half Measures
Your heart must be filled either by God or by the world. If it be the world you will be insensibly drawn backward till you may find yourself in the abyss. But if it be filled by God Be will not allow you to remain in a state of cowardly tepidity. Your conscience will press you forward. Recollection will become a joy to you; and the things which have hitherto been a delight to you will seem vain and foolish. You will fed within you a power before which all else must gradually yield. In a word, you will perforce belong entirely to God.
-Fenelon.
_________________
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
Your heart must be filled either by God or by the world. If it be the world you will be insensibly drawn backward till you may find yourself in the abyss. But if it be filled by God Be will not allow you to remain in a state of cowardly tepidity. Your conscience will press you forward. Recollection will become a joy to you; and the things which have hitherto been a delight to you will seem vain and foolish. You will fed within you a power before which all else must gradually yield. In a word, you will perforce belong entirely to God.
-Fenelon.
_________________
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 June 12
WHO is he that entereth in by Christ? Who is he? He who imitateth the Passion of Christ, who acknowledgeth the humility of Christ, that whereas God was made man for us, man may acknowledge himself to be, not God, but man. For who so wisheth to appear God, when he is man, doth not imitate him who, being God, was made 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-June 12
WHEN you ask of God any grace during Mass, Jesus (whose prayers are more efficacious than the prayers of all who are in heaven) prays for you, and offers in your behalf the merits of his Passion.
_________________
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
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
News Updates, 6/11
Installation of Archbishop-elect Carlson {St Louis Review]This page contains the latest images from Installation-related events, the latest news stories leading up to the Installation, and the Archdiocesan Twitter feed. During the Mass, this page will be the most up-to-date source of information and pictures from the Installation...
Archbishop Vigneron calls for opposition to Obama abortion stand
Archbishop Vigneron, the next Archbishop of Detroit, has expressed disappointment with Obama’s position on abortion and has called for forceful opposition and coalition-building to counter it...
Vietnamese government secretly destroys Catholic monastery
The Vietnamese government has renewed its seizures of Catholic Church properties in the country, demolishing several monasteries to build hotels and tourist resorts. The move has generated fears that the government has adopted a new and “harsh” approach to Catholics.
ND Prez Jenkins Has "No Interest" in Asking for Leniency for ND Protesters Despite Calls for “Dialogue”
The president of the University of Notre Dame has "no interest" in interfering with the fates of over 80 peaceful pro-life protesters arrested on campus while protesting [Chairman] Obama's May 17 commencement speech, says the pro-lifers' attorney. One of the arrestees, Lambs of Christ founder Fr. Norman Weslin, issued a statement Monday calling on University president Fr. John Jenkins to heed the arrested group's requests to meet, which Weslin says Fr. Jenkins has ignored...
School says it can't separate faith from ethics course]
The principal of a private Catholic high school testified Monday that it is unreasonable to expect the school to teach Quebec's new ethics and religious culture program without allowing teachers to talk about how the content relates to their religious faith...
Holocaust Museum Shooter: Christian hating Socialist
A review of his lengthy associations reveals Von Brunn hardly fits the stereotype of a Religious Right, GOP precinct captain. He denounced the Christian faith as a dastardly Jewish conspiracy, a “HOAX” invented by the Apostle Paul to “DESTROY ROMAN CULTURE” from within by undermining its pagan virility. (All screaming capitalization and grammatical errors in this piece appear in the original.) Like others on the racist fringe, the shooter proclaimed clearly: “SOCIALISM, represents the future of the West.”
[Of course, the government-led media were feeding the sheeple reports that this deranged lunatic was a "right wing" conservative. Authentic journalism is absent the MSM.]
Thousands march in Dublin for child abuse victims
Irish bishops apologised anew for the 'heinous crimes'
Guilty plea to targeting Catholics in Ponzi scheme
NY businessman admitted to mail fraud and tax evasion
Archbishop Vigneron to lead Catholic University
Detroit leader studied philosophy there 20 years ago
Former priest to be extradited from LA to UK
Suspected of abusing altar boys, man denies claims
St. Louis region gets new Catholic archbishop
Robert Carlson replaces Archbishop Raymond Burke
Poland Catholics oppose Madonna's concert
Urging Polish gov't and organizers to cancel pop diva
Religious right group likens S.F. supes to Nazis
City denounced Vatican order over same-sex adoptions
Judge halts demolition of Texas Catholic church
Last parish on peninsula was hit hard by hurricane
NC priest quits amid child porn scandal
Faces obstruction charge for deleting images
=========
Other Issues
=========
Dictator Obama Administration: Rein in pay in US private sector
Obama administration: Executive pay needs curbs, better management, across US private sector...
[Fascist government thugs!]
Video, Rep. Michelle Bachmann: Obama Is Running A "Gangster" Government
Video of Congress discussing the bailout & a few GM dealers getting special treatment...
WHO Raises Swine Flu Pandemic Alert To Level 6
The World Health Organization has informed its member nations that it is declaring a swine flu pandemic, the Associated Press reported Thursday.
Todd Palin Calls Out David Letterman, Again
Todd Palin: "Nice attempt by Letterman to draw the heat away from himself; however, Willow was the only one at the Yankees game and the only Palin child included in the photo opportunities with the Giulianis, as was obvious. Regardless of which Palin daughter it was, Bristol, Willow or Piper, these sexually-perverted comments are outside the acceptance of mainstream America."
[Who watches his pathetic show? I suspect he is really spiritually sick.]
Hal Turner Arrested Again
While the Federal Government engages in criminal actions in violation of the Constitution, freedom of speech is atacked again...
[Note, I'm not a listener or advocate of his, but this assault on our rights appears to be gathering steam. Who will be next???]
Mortgage Rates Surge Higher
Mortgage rates soared this week, with the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate rising to 5.95 percent...
Budget Deficit Triples in May
The U.S. federal budget deficit widened to $189.7 billion in May on further spending for bailouts and stimulus programs, bringing the cumulative deficit so far this year to nearly $1 trillion...
[Rally on!!!]
China’s Exports Fall 26.4% After Global Demand Dries Up
China’s exports fell by a record as the global recession cut demand for goods produced by the world’s third-largest economy.
Swine Flu Explodes In Latin America
The media has moved on, but the swine flu (H1N1) story isn't over yet. Inka Cola provides an update from South America, where things are deteriorating rapidly...
California near "meltdown" as revenues fall: official
Elderly gunman kills guard at Holocaust Museum
=======
For your enjoyment: The Bailout Game
Gospel for June 11, Memorial: St Barnabas, Apostle
Thursday, 10th Week in Ordinary Time
From: Matthew 5:20-26
Jesus and His Teaching, the Fulfillment of the Law (Continuation)
(Jesus said to His disciples,) [20] "For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven.
[21] "You have heard that it was said to the men of old, `You shall not kill; and whoever kills shall be liable to judgment.' [22] But I say to you that every one who is angry with his brother shall be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother shall be liable to the council, and whoever says, `You fool!' shall be liable to the hell of fire. [23] So if you are offering your gift at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, [24] leave your gift there before the altar and go; first to be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. [25] Make friends quickly with your accuser, while you are going with him to court, lest your accuser hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you be put in prison; [26] truly, I say to you, you will never get out till you have paid the last penny.
_________________________
Commentary:
20. "Righteousness": see the note on Matthew 5:6 (see below). This verse clarifies the meaning of the preceding verses. The scribes and Pharisees had distorted the spirit of the Law, putting the whole emphasis on its external, ritual observance. For them exact and hyper-detailed but external fulfillment of the precepts of the Law was a guarantee of a person's salvation: "If I fulfill this I am righteous, I am holy and God is duty bound to save me." For someone with this approach to sanctification it is really not God who saves: man saves himself through external works of the Law. That this approach is quite mistaken is obvious from what Christ says here; in effect what He is saying is: to enter the Kingdom of God the notion of righteousness or salvation developed by the scribes and Pharisees must be rejected. In other words, justification or sanctification is a grace from God; man's role is one of cooperating with that grace by being faithful to it. Elsewhere Jesus gives the same teaching in an even clearer way (cf. Luke 18:9-14, the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector). It was also the origin of one of St. Paul's great battles with the "Judaizers" (see Galatians 3 and Romans 2-5).
21. Verses 21-26 gives us a concrete example of the way that Jesus Christ brought the Law of Moses to its fulfillment, by explaining the deeper meaning of the commandments of that Law.
22. By speaking in the first person ("but I say to you") Jesus shows that His authority is above that of Moses and the prophets; that is to say, He has divine authority. No mere man could claim such authority.
"Insults": practically all translations of this passage transcribe the original Aramaic word, "raca" (cf. RSV note below). It is not an easy word to translate. It means "foolish, stupid, crazy". The Jews used it to indicate utter contempt; often, instead of verbal abuse they would show their feelings by spitting on the ground.
"Fool" translates an ever stronger term of abuse than "raca"--implying that a person has lost all moral and religious sense, to the point of apostasy.
In this passage our Lord points to three faults which we commit against charity, moving from internal irritation to showing total contempt. St. Augustine comments that three degrees of faults and punishments are to be noted. The first is the fault of feeling angry; to this corresponds the punishment of "judgment". The second is that of passing an insulting remark, which merits the punishment of "the council". The third arises when anger quite blinds us: this is punished by "the hell of fire" (cf. "De Serm. Dom. in Monte", II, 9).
"The hell of fire": literally, "Gehenna of fire", meaning, in the Jewish language of the time, eternal punishment.
This shows the gravity of external sins against charity--gossip, backbiting, calumny, etc. However, we should remember that these sins stem from the heart; our Lord focuses our attention, first, on internal sins--resentment, hatred, etc.--to make us realize that that is where the root lies and that it is important to nip anger in the bud.
23-24. Here our Lord deals with certain Jewish practices of His time, and in doing so gives us perennial moral teaching of the highest order. Christians, of course, do not follow these Jewish ritual practices; to keep our Lord's commandment we have ways and means given us by Christ Himself. Specifically, in the New and definitive Covenant founded by Christ, being reconciled involves going to the Sacrament of Penance. In this Sacrament the faithful "obtain pardon from God's mercy for the offense committed against Him, and are, at the same time, reconciled with the Church which they have wounded by their sins" ("Lumen Gentium", 11).
In the New Testament, the greatest of all offerings is the Eucharist. Although one has a duty to go to Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation, an essential condition before receiving Holy Communion is that one be in the state of grace.
It is not our Lord's intention here to give love of neighbor priority over love of God. There is an order of charity: "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your strength. This is the great and first commandment" (Matthew 22:37-38). Love of one's neighbor, which is the second commandment in order of importance (cf. Matthew 22:39), derives its meaning from the first. Brotherhood without parenthood is inconceivable. An offense against charity is, above all, an offense against God.
[Note on Matthew 5:6 states:
6. The notion of righteousness (or justice) in Holy Scripture is an essentially religious one (cf. notes on Matthew 1:19 and 3:15; Romans 1:17; 1:18-32; 3:21-22 and 24). A righteous person is one who sincerely strives to do the Will of God, which is discovered in the commandments, in one's duties of state in life and through one's life of prayer. Thus, righteousness, in the language of the Bible, is the same as what nowadays is usually called "holiness" (1 John 2:29; 3:7-10; Revelations 22:11; Genesis 15:6; Deuteronomy 9:4).]
___________________________
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: Matthew 5:20-26
Jesus and His Teaching, the Fulfillment of the Law (Continuation)
(Jesus said to His disciples,) [20] "For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven.
[21] "You have heard that it was said to the men of old, `You shall not kill; and whoever kills shall be liable to judgment.' [22] But I say to you that every one who is angry with his brother shall be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother shall be liable to the council, and whoever says, `You fool!' shall be liable to the hell of fire. [23] So if you are offering your gift at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, [24] leave your gift there before the altar and go; first to be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. [25] Make friends quickly with your accuser, while you are going with him to court, lest your accuser hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you be put in prison; [26] truly, I say to you, you will never get out till you have paid the last penny.
_________________________
Commentary:
20. "Righteousness": see the note on Matthew 5:6 (see below). This verse clarifies the meaning of the preceding verses. The scribes and Pharisees had distorted the spirit of the Law, putting the whole emphasis on its external, ritual observance. For them exact and hyper-detailed but external fulfillment of the precepts of the Law was a guarantee of a person's salvation: "If I fulfill this I am righteous, I am holy and God is duty bound to save me." For someone with this approach to sanctification it is really not God who saves: man saves himself through external works of the Law. That this approach is quite mistaken is obvious from what Christ says here; in effect what He is saying is: to enter the Kingdom of God the notion of righteousness or salvation developed by the scribes and Pharisees must be rejected. In other words, justification or sanctification is a grace from God; man's role is one of cooperating with that grace by being faithful to it. Elsewhere Jesus gives the same teaching in an even clearer way (cf. Luke 18:9-14, the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector). It was also the origin of one of St. Paul's great battles with the "Judaizers" (see Galatians 3 and Romans 2-5).
21. Verses 21-26 gives us a concrete example of the way that Jesus Christ brought the Law of Moses to its fulfillment, by explaining the deeper meaning of the commandments of that Law.
22. By speaking in the first person ("but I say to you") Jesus shows that His authority is above that of Moses and the prophets; that is to say, He has divine authority. No mere man could claim such authority.
"Insults": practically all translations of this passage transcribe the original Aramaic word, "raca" (cf. RSV note below). It is not an easy word to translate. It means "foolish, stupid, crazy". The Jews used it to indicate utter contempt; often, instead of verbal abuse they would show their feelings by spitting on the ground.
"Fool" translates an ever stronger term of abuse than "raca"--implying that a person has lost all moral and religious sense, to the point of apostasy.
In this passage our Lord points to three faults which we commit against charity, moving from internal irritation to showing total contempt. St. Augustine comments that three degrees of faults and punishments are to be noted. The first is the fault of feeling angry; to this corresponds the punishment of "judgment". The second is that of passing an insulting remark, which merits the punishment of "the council". The third arises when anger quite blinds us: this is punished by "the hell of fire" (cf. "De Serm. Dom. in Monte", II, 9).
"The hell of fire": literally, "Gehenna of fire", meaning, in the Jewish language of the time, eternal punishment.
This shows the gravity of external sins against charity--gossip, backbiting, calumny, etc. However, we should remember that these sins stem from the heart; our Lord focuses our attention, first, on internal sins--resentment, hatred, etc.--to make us realize that that is where the root lies and that it is important to nip anger in the bud.
23-24. Here our Lord deals with certain Jewish practices of His time, and in doing so gives us perennial moral teaching of the highest order. Christians, of course, do not follow these Jewish ritual practices; to keep our Lord's commandment we have ways and means given us by Christ Himself. Specifically, in the New and definitive Covenant founded by Christ, being reconciled involves going to the Sacrament of Penance. In this Sacrament the faithful "obtain pardon from God's mercy for the offense committed against Him, and are, at the same time, reconciled with the Church which they have wounded by their sins" ("Lumen Gentium", 11).
In the New Testament, the greatest of all offerings is the Eucharist. Although one has a duty to go to Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation, an essential condition before receiving Holy Communion is that one be in the state of grace.
It is not our Lord's intention here to give love of neighbor priority over love of God. There is an order of charity: "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your strength. This is the great and first commandment" (Matthew 22:37-38). Love of one's neighbor, which is the second commandment in order of importance (cf. Matthew 22:39), derives its meaning from the first. Brotherhood without parenthood is inconceivable. An offense against charity is, above all, an offense against God.
[Note on Matthew 5:6 states:
6. The notion of righteousness (or justice) in Holy Scripture is an essentially religious one (cf. notes on Matthew 1:19 and 3:15; Romans 1:17; 1:18-32; 3:21-22 and 24). A righteous person is one who sincerely strives to do the Will of God, which is discovered in the commandments, in one's duties of state in life and through one's life of prayer. Thus, righteousness, in the language of the Bible, is the same as what nowadays is usually called "holiness" (1 John 2:29; 3:7-10; Revelations 22:11; Genesis 15:6; Deuteronomy 9:4).]
___________________________
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 - June 11
What Does It Matter
Any kind of death is wdcome to me that procures me the Kingdom of Heaven, and introduces me into the company of the Blessed.
-St. Leo.
_________________
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
Any kind of death is wdcome to me that procures me the Kingdom of Heaven, and introduces me into the company of the Blessed.
-St. Leo.
_________________
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 June 11
BUT wonderful it is, that when Christ crucified is preached, two hear: one despiseth, the other ascendeth. Let him that despiseth impute it to himself; let not him that ascendeth arrogate it to himself. For he hath heard from the true Master. No man cometh unto me except it were given unto him of my 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-June 11
HAD you been present on Calvary, with what devotion and tenderness would you have assisted at that great sacrifice! Enliven your faith, then, and consider that the same action is performed on the altar, and that the same sacrifice is offered not only by the priest, but by all who attend Mass.
_________________
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
Installation of Archbishop-elect Robert J. Carlson
Archbishop-elect Robert J. Carlson will be installed by Justin Cardinal Rigali, Archbishop of Philadelphia and former Archbishop of St. Louis, as the 10th Bishop and 9th Archbishop of St. Louis. At the time of the Installation, he will assume the responsibilities of the Archbishop of St. Louis.Follow the Installation Mass Events:
Watch the Mass of Installation online (starting around 1:30 p.m.), or on EWTN or CatholicTV. (Download the Installation Mass program [9 MB]).
View pictures and news relating to the Installation (from the St. Louis Review).
Follow the Archdiocese on Twitter for up-to-the-minute postings and news.
The Installation Mass will be held on Wednesday, June 10, at 2:00 p.m., at the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis. For those not able to attend, the Mass will be streamed live on archstl.org, starting at around 1:30 p.m.
======================
EWTN Live coverage starts at 2:00pm Central (3 hours)
###
From the Archdiocesan web site
Tuesday, June 09, 2009
News Updates, 6/10
Anglican-Catholic Dialogue Examines Contraception
Debt relief and contraception were the two topics of the latest session of the Anglican-Roman Catholic Dialogue in the United States (ARC-USA). Theresa Notare, assistant director of the Natural Family Planning Program at the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, presented a paper entitled “The Moral Regulation of Birth: Roman Catholic Teaching on Conjugal Love and Responsible Parenthood.”
Relics of St. John Bosco will travel to five continents
Celebrations for the bicentennial of the birth of St. John Bosco, the founder of the Salesian order and champion of underprivileged children, are underway with a five-continent "pilgrimage" of his relics.
Archdiocese reviewing Catholic network's alleged role in providing abortions
Further information about the Celticare medical program created in a Catholic health care network’s partnership with a secular company has renewed charges that the Catholic network will be complicit in the provision of abortions. The Archdiocese of Boston told CNA it is reviewing the matter.
Episcopal bishop in Father Cutie saga has history of making waves
The first Hispanic to lead the Episcopal Diocese of Southeast Florida, the Right Rev. Leo Frade has campaigned for gay rights, expanded church missions to the Caribbean and the Americas and, as his courtship of Cutié shows, is intent on recruiting Hispanics to the Episcopal fold...
“In no way intended to impinge upon any students’ rights”
UCLA does about-face, will allow student to mention Jesus in graduation speech
Catholic Answers sues IRS, alleging 'intimidation'
Apologetics org was fined at behest of Frances Kisling
Feds find stolen papal documents in Chicago home
Secret treasure-trove included 3500 ancient artifacts
Brazil bishop hints at suit against Vatican official
Contends prelate's statements on abortion case in error
Montreal Catholic school in court over religion
Wants exemption from province's 'normative pluralism'
Church: beware prayer groups promising miracles
Bishops warn of religious division in Indian state
Con man scams U of Dallas parish for $128,000
Priest wired funds to fake parishioner in New York
Tiller's abortion facility to close forever
Family turning instead to 'private charitable activities'
Same-sex family kids 7 times more likely to be gay
Report shows researchers concealing information
=========
Other Issues
=========
WHO Calls Emergency Committee Meeting On Swine Flu For Thursday
The World Health Organization is convening an emergency committee meeting Thursday to discuss swine flu, a spokeswoman said Wednesday. The meeting follows Director-General Margaret Chan's consultation with several of the countries most affected by the virus, also known as (A)H1N1.
[No link, Dow Jones Newswire report]
Fed Would Be Shut Down If It Were Audited, Expert Says
The Federal Reserve's balance sheet is so out of whack that the central bank would be shut down if subjected to a conventional audit, Jim Grant, editor of Grant's Interest Rate Observer, told CNBC.
New GM Chairman declares: 'I don't know anything about cars'
Goldman’s Blankfein Calls Current Recovery ’Shallow’Goldman Sachs Group Inc. Chief Executive Officer Lloyd Blankfein called the current global recovery “shallow.” Blankfein said the recession is likely to be long and protracted. Blankfein was making the comments at the International Organization of Securities Commissions conference in Tel Aviv today.
Terror Names Linked To Doomed Flight AF 447
Two passengers with names linked to Islamic terrorism were on the Air France flight which crashed with the loss of 228 lives, it has emerged.
Russia May Swap U.S. Treasuries for International Monetary Fund bonds
Japan Machine Orders, Producer Prices Fall as Firms Cut Costs
Orders for Japanese machinery fell to a 22-year low and producer prices tumbled the most since 1987 as dwindling profits forced companies to cut costs amid the worst postwar recession.
$4,500 ‘Cash for Clunkers’ Car-Sale Plan Approved by House
The U.S. House approved legislation that would give consumers as much as $4,500 to buy new, fuel- efficient vehicles under a “cash-for-clunkers” proposal aimed at boosting auto sales.
[In addition to paying for others' mortgages, you can also help subsidize their NEW CARS]
Debt relief and contraception were the two topics of the latest session of the Anglican-Roman Catholic Dialogue in the United States (ARC-USA). Theresa Notare, assistant director of the Natural Family Planning Program at the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, presented a paper entitled “The Moral Regulation of Birth: Roman Catholic Teaching on Conjugal Love and Responsible Parenthood.”
Relics of St. John Bosco will travel to five continents
Celebrations for the bicentennial of the birth of St. John Bosco, the founder of the Salesian order and champion of underprivileged children, are underway with a five-continent "pilgrimage" of his relics.
Archdiocese reviewing Catholic network's alleged role in providing abortions
Further information about the Celticare medical program created in a Catholic health care network’s partnership with a secular company has renewed charges that the Catholic network will be complicit in the provision of abortions. The Archdiocese of Boston told CNA it is reviewing the matter.
Episcopal bishop in Father Cutie saga has history of making waves
The first Hispanic to lead the Episcopal Diocese of Southeast Florida, the Right Rev. Leo Frade has campaigned for gay rights, expanded church missions to the Caribbean and the Americas and, as his courtship of Cutié shows, is intent on recruiting Hispanics to the Episcopal fold...
“In no way intended to impinge upon any students’ rights”
UCLA does about-face, will allow student to mention Jesus in graduation speech
Catholic Answers sues IRS, alleging 'intimidation'
Apologetics org was fined at behest of Frances Kisling
Feds find stolen papal documents in Chicago home
Secret treasure-trove included 3500 ancient artifacts
Brazil bishop hints at suit against Vatican official
Contends prelate's statements on abortion case in error
Montreal Catholic school in court over religion
Wants exemption from province's 'normative pluralism'
Church: beware prayer groups promising miracles
Bishops warn of religious division in Indian state
Con man scams U of Dallas parish for $128,000
Priest wired funds to fake parishioner in New York
Tiller's abortion facility to close forever
Family turning instead to 'private charitable activities'
Same-sex family kids 7 times more likely to be gay
Report shows researchers concealing information
=========
Other Issues
=========
WHO Calls Emergency Committee Meeting On Swine Flu For Thursday
The World Health Organization is convening an emergency committee meeting Thursday to discuss swine flu, a spokeswoman said Wednesday. The meeting follows Director-General Margaret Chan's consultation with several of the countries most affected by the virus, also known as (A)H1N1.
[No link, Dow Jones Newswire report]
Fed Would Be Shut Down If It Were Audited, Expert Says
The Federal Reserve's balance sheet is so out of whack that the central bank would be shut down if subjected to a conventional audit, Jim Grant, editor of Grant's Interest Rate Observer, told CNBC.
New GM Chairman declares: 'I don't know anything about cars'
Goldman’s Blankfein Calls Current Recovery ’Shallow’Goldman Sachs Group Inc. Chief Executive Officer Lloyd Blankfein called the current global recovery “shallow.” Blankfein said the recession is likely to be long and protracted. Blankfein was making the comments at the International Organization of Securities Commissions conference in Tel Aviv today.
Terror Names Linked To Doomed Flight AF 447
Two passengers with names linked to Islamic terrorism were on the Air France flight which crashed with the loss of 228 lives, it has emerged.
Russia May Swap U.S. Treasuries for International Monetary Fund bonds
Japan Machine Orders, Producer Prices Fall as Firms Cut Costs
Orders for Japanese machinery fell to a 22-year low and producer prices tumbled the most since 1987 as dwindling profits forced companies to cut costs amid the worst postwar recession.
$4,500 ‘Cash for Clunkers’ Car-Sale Plan Approved by House
The U.S. House approved legislation that would give consumers as much as $4,500 to buy new, fuel- efficient vehicles under a “cash-for-clunkers” proposal aimed at boosting auto sales.
[In addition to paying for others' mortgages, you can also help subsidize their NEW CARS]
Gospel for Wednesday, 10th Week in Ordinary Time
From: Matthew 5:17-19
Jesus and His Teaching, the Fulfillment of the Law
(Jesus said to His disciples,) [17] "Think not that I have come to abolish the law and the prophets; I have come not to abolish them but to fulfill them. [18] For truly I say to you, till Heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the law until all is accomplished. [19] Whoever then relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches men so, shall be called least in the Kingdom of Heaven; but he who does them and teaches them shall be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven."
____________________
Commentary:
17-19. In this passage Jesus stresses the perennial value of the Old Testament. It is the word of God; because it has a divine authority it deserves total respect. The Old Law enjoined precepts of a moral, legal and liturgical type. Its moral precepts still hold good in the New Testament because they are for the most part specific divine-positive promulgations of the natural law. However, our Lord gives them greater weight and meaning. But the legal and liturgical precepts of the Old Law were laid down by God for a specific stage in salvation history, that is, up to the coming of Christ; Christians are not obliged to observe them (cf. "Summa Theologiae", I-II, q. 108, a. 3 ad 3).
The law promulgated through Moses and explained by the prophets was God's gift to His people, a kind of anticipation of the definitive Law which the Christ or Messiah would lay down. Thus, as the Council of Trent defined, Jesus not only "was given to men as a redeemer in whom they are to trust, but also as a lawgiver whom they are to obey" ("De Iustificatione", can. 21).
___________________________
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.
Jesus and His Teaching, the Fulfillment of the Law
(Jesus said to His disciples,) [17] "Think not that I have come to abolish the law and the prophets; I have come not to abolish them but to fulfill them. [18] For truly I say to you, till Heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the law until all is accomplished. [19] Whoever then relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches men so, shall be called least in the Kingdom of Heaven; but he who does them and teaches them shall be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven."
____________________
Commentary:
17-19. In this passage Jesus stresses the perennial value of the Old Testament. It is the word of God; because it has a divine authority it deserves total respect. The Old Law enjoined precepts of a moral, legal and liturgical type. Its moral precepts still hold good in the New Testament because they are for the most part specific divine-positive promulgations of the natural law. However, our Lord gives them greater weight and meaning. But the legal and liturgical precepts of the Old Law were laid down by God for a specific stage in salvation history, that is, up to the coming of Christ; Christians are not obliged to observe them (cf. "Summa Theologiae", I-II, q. 108, a. 3 ad 3).
The law promulgated through Moses and explained by the prophets was God's gift to His people, a kind of anticipation of the definitive Law which the Christ or Messiah would lay down. Thus, as the Council of Trent defined, Jesus not only "was given to men as a redeemer in whom they are to trust, but also as a lawgiver whom they are to obey" ("De Iustificatione", can. 21).
___________________________
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 - June 10
Listen and Follow
Prayer calms the soul as nothing else can, more especially if during the day you help the grace of God by trying to keep your heart united with God who is dwelling within your very soul. At all costs you must conquer and keep your peace of mind (after all in a few years what will it matter to any of us whether we have gained success. or not ?), otherwise good-bye to holiness.
-Doyle, S.J.
_________________
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
Prayer calms the soul as nothing else can, more especially if during the day you help the grace of God by trying to keep your heart united with God who is dwelling within your very soul. At all costs you must conquer and keep your peace of mind (after all in a few years what will it matter to any of us whether we have gained success. or not ?), otherwise good-bye to holiness.
-Doyle, S.J.
_________________
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 June 10
WE have begun to be some great thing; let no man despise himself; we were once nothing, but we are something. We have said unto the Lord, Remember that we are dust, but out of the dust he made man, and to dust he gave life, and in Christ our Lord hath he already brought this same dust to heaven.
_________________________
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-June 10
O BREAD of Heaven, beneath this veil
Thou dost my very God conceal:
My Jesus, dearest treasure, hail;
I love thee, and adoring kneel;
Each loving soul by thee is fed
With thy own self in form of bread.
_________________
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
Thou dost my very God conceal:
My Jesus, dearest treasure, hail;
I love thee, and adoring kneel;
Each loving soul by thee is fed
With thy own self in form of bread.
_________________
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
Monday, June 08, 2009
News Updates, 6/9
Pope 'very distressed' by Irish abuse report
Pope Benedict concerned over institutionalization of problem
Stacked deck?
Will San Francisco archdiocese get fair hearing on appeal of huge tax bill over internal property transfers?
Archbishop seeks basilica status for Little Italy's St. Patrick's Old Cathedral
The city's new archbishop gave the city's oldest Catholic cathedral a surprise gift for its 200th birthday. Archbishop Timothy Dolan will ask the Pope to bestow the title of basilica on Little Italy's St. Patrick's Old Cathedral, which began its bicentennial celebration on Sunday.
New Orleans Catholics keep vigil at closed parishes
Five months after some of them were forcibly evicted
Israel rescinds order to freeze Church funds
Taxman planned to use Holy Land money for alleged taxes
NYC abortuaries can now press harassment charges
Pro-life activists fear being target of clinic workers
Vatican paper highlights agreement with U.S. bishops on life issues
The Vatican newspaper has again emphasized that when it comes to the Obama administration and pro-life issues, the Vatican and the U.S. bishops are in full agreement and that no compromise is possible on the right to life...
Catholic mother upset over foster care placement
Ten-year old son placed in home with homosexual men
SSPX priests face excommunication in Germany
Trads plan to ordain without permission from Vatican
Fellay received in the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith last Friday
The Spanish religious website Religión en Libertad reports: 'Bishop Bernard Fellay received on Friday at [Congregation for the] Doctrine of the Faith...'
Naked vandal trashes Seattle church
Man high on PCP spattered HIV-positive blood inside
Woman killed in exorcism 'acted like lion'
New Zealander was speaking in 'puzzles'
Virgin Mary statue damaged by vandals
'666' was written across the statue's forehead
=========
Other Issues
=========
High court won't block Chrysler sale
The Supreme Court has cleared the way for Chrysler's sale to Fiat, turning down a last-ditch bid by opponents of the deal
[CONFIRMED-Amerika is now a country ruled by a thieving, corrupt, federal oligarchy...the rule of law is out, Chairman MaObama is dictator.]
Machine Tool Orders Down 70% YTD
"This total, as reported by companies participating in the USMTC program, was down 41.5% from March and down 77.7% from the total of $435.34 million reported for April 2008. With a year-to-date total of $497.40 million, 2009 is down 70.7% compared with 2008."
WHO chief: flu pandemic appears to be happening
The head of the World Health Organization says the swine flu outbreak appears to have reached pandemic proportions. WHO Director-General Margaret Chan says "on the surface of it" she believes a pandemic has been reached...
[Got yout Tamiflu or Relenza yet???]
Wall Street Journal calls job numbers phoney
"Now, something's wrong when the president invokes a formula that makes it impossible for him to be wrong and it goes largely unchallenged. It's true that almost any government spending will create some jobs and save others. But as Milton Friedman once pointed out, that doesn't tell you much: The government, after all, can create jobs by hiring people to dig holes and fill them in."
Obama's Stubborn Cover up Leads to Civil Rights Violations (Alan Keyes)
The tragic irony intensifies. Barack Obama's election supposedly represented an historic breakthrough in the struggle for justice and human rights in America. The success of that struggle depended on respect for the principles of the American Declaration of Independence, the Constitutional sovereignty of the American people, and Constitutionally secured civil rights of all individuals in the United States. Yet every day brings reports of some new travesty signaling hostility to those principles, the abandonment of the Constitution, and the end of respect for those rights...
Kneecapping FedEx - Democrats carry freight for Teamsters and UPS
FedEx Express is learning what could be the Democrats' economic motto -- "Never Let Success Go Unpunished."
Obama Tells American Businesses to Drop Dead
I’ve finally figured out the Obama economic strategy. President Barack Obama and his team have been having so much fun wielding dictatorial power while rescuing “failed” firms, that they have developed a scheme to gain the same power over every business. The plan is to enact policies that are so anticompetitive that every firm needs a bailout.
The Obama Numbers Are Pure Fiction
The Media Fall for Phony 'Jobs' Claims
China airs fears on US debt, dollar
Senior Chinese leaders have privately voiced fear over the soaring US budget deficit and are increasingly looking to diversify from the dollar, a Republican congressman said.
Will OIA help out feds in the event of a pandemic?
Even as the swine-flu scare fades, Orlando International Airport and the rest of America's major airports are bracing for a potential disaster: a pandemic that requires them to quarantine international flights....
Ten Things You Must Do
...This is one of those times, and it compels me to publish a list of "10 things you must do now" - that is, if you have your eye on the ball. The last week's wild gyrations in the bond market have made clear that Bernanke and his "pals" are quickly losing control of the bond curve....
Asian Stocks Fall on Valuation Concerns
Most Asian stocks fell as concern a three-month rally had overvalued earnings prospects overshadowed comments from Nobel Prize-winning economist Paul Krugman that the U.S. recession may end this year.
2nd major billboard provider rejects eligibility campaign
Lamar Outdoor, one of the largest providers of billboard space in America, has become the second major company to reject an advertising campaign raising questions about Barack Obama's constitutional eligibility for office.
=========
US Justice Foundation Petition to Demand PROOF of Obama Citizenship
...Now is the time to petition Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-OH) to DEMAND -- from the floor of the Senate and the House -- that Barack Obama be removed from office unless he releases his original birth certificate, proving once and for all whether he is a natural born citizen -- and constitutionally eligible to be President -- or a foreign-born usurper.
Pope Benedict concerned over institutionalization of problem
Stacked deck?
Will San Francisco archdiocese get fair hearing on appeal of huge tax bill over internal property transfers?
Archbishop seeks basilica status for Little Italy's St. Patrick's Old Cathedral
The city's new archbishop gave the city's oldest Catholic cathedral a surprise gift for its 200th birthday. Archbishop Timothy Dolan will ask the Pope to bestow the title of basilica on Little Italy's St. Patrick's Old Cathedral, which began its bicentennial celebration on Sunday.
New Orleans Catholics keep vigil at closed parishes
Five months after some of them were forcibly evicted
Israel rescinds order to freeze Church funds
Taxman planned to use Holy Land money for alleged taxes
NYC abortuaries can now press harassment charges
Pro-life activists fear being target of clinic workers
Vatican paper highlights agreement with U.S. bishops on life issues
The Vatican newspaper has again emphasized that when it comes to the Obama administration and pro-life issues, the Vatican and the U.S. bishops are in full agreement and that no compromise is possible on the right to life...
Catholic mother upset over foster care placement
Ten-year old son placed in home with homosexual men
SSPX priests face excommunication in Germany
Trads plan to ordain without permission from Vatican
Fellay received in the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith last Friday
The Spanish religious website Religión en Libertad reports: 'Bishop Bernard Fellay received on Friday at [Congregation for the] Doctrine of the Faith...'
Naked vandal trashes Seattle church
Man high on PCP spattered HIV-positive blood inside
Woman killed in exorcism 'acted like lion'
New Zealander was speaking in 'puzzles'
Virgin Mary statue damaged by vandals
'666' was written across the statue's forehead
=========
Other Issues
=========
High court won't block Chrysler sale
The Supreme Court has cleared the way for Chrysler's sale to Fiat, turning down a last-ditch bid by opponents of the deal
[CONFIRMED-Amerika is now a country ruled by a thieving, corrupt, federal oligarchy...the rule of law is out, Chairman MaObama is dictator.]
Machine Tool Orders Down 70% YTD
"This total, as reported by companies participating in the USMTC program, was down 41.5% from March and down 77.7% from the total of $435.34 million reported for April 2008. With a year-to-date total of $497.40 million, 2009 is down 70.7% compared with 2008."
WHO chief: flu pandemic appears to be happening
The head of the World Health Organization says the swine flu outbreak appears to have reached pandemic proportions. WHO Director-General Margaret Chan says "on the surface of it" she believes a pandemic has been reached...
[Got yout Tamiflu or Relenza yet???]
Wall Street Journal calls job numbers phoney
"Now, something's wrong when the president invokes a formula that makes it impossible for him to be wrong and it goes largely unchallenged. It's true that almost any government spending will create some jobs and save others. But as Milton Friedman once pointed out, that doesn't tell you much: The government, after all, can create jobs by hiring people to dig holes and fill them in."
Obama's Stubborn Cover up Leads to Civil Rights Violations (Alan Keyes)
The tragic irony intensifies. Barack Obama's election supposedly represented an historic breakthrough in the struggle for justice and human rights in America. The success of that struggle depended on respect for the principles of the American Declaration of Independence, the Constitutional sovereignty of the American people, and Constitutionally secured civil rights of all individuals in the United States. Yet every day brings reports of some new travesty signaling hostility to those principles, the abandonment of the Constitution, and the end of respect for those rights...
Kneecapping FedEx - Democrats carry freight for Teamsters and UPS
FedEx Express is learning what could be the Democrats' economic motto -- "Never Let Success Go Unpunished."
Obama Tells American Businesses to Drop Dead
I’ve finally figured out the Obama economic strategy. President Barack Obama and his team have been having so much fun wielding dictatorial power while rescuing “failed” firms, that they have developed a scheme to gain the same power over every business. The plan is to enact policies that are so anticompetitive that every firm needs a bailout.
The Obama Numbers Are Pure Fiction
The Media Fall for Phony 'Jobs' Claims
China airs fears on US debt, dollar
Senior Chinese leaders have privately voiced fear over the soaring US budget deficit and are increasingly looking to diversify from the dollar, a Republican congressman said.
Will OIA help out feds in the event of a pandemic?
Even as the swine-flu scare fades, Orlando International Airport and the rest of America's major airports are bracing for a potential disaster: a pandemic that requires them to quarantine international flights....
Ten Things You Must Do
...This is one of those times, and it compels me to publish a list of "10 things you must do now" - that is, if you have your eye on the ball. The last week's wild gyrations in the bond market have made clear that Bernanke and his "pals" are quickly losing control of the bond curve....
Asian Stocks Fall on Valuation Concerns
Most Asian stocks fell as concern a three-month rally had overvalued earnings prospects overshadowed comments from Nobel Prize-winning economist Paul Krugman that the U.S. recession may end this year.
2nd major billboard provider rejects eligibility campaign
Lamar Outdoor, one of the largest providers of billboard space in America, has become the second major company to reject an advertising campaign raising questions about Barack Obama's constitutional eligibility for office.
=========
US Justice Foundation Petition to Demand PROOF of Obama Citizenship
...Now is the time to petition Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-OH) to DEMAND -- from the floor of the Senate and the House -- that Barack Obama be removed from office unless he releases his original birth certificate, proving once and for all whether he is a natural born citizen -- and constitutionally eligible to be President -- or a foreign-born usurper.
Gospel for Tuesday, 10th Week in Ordinary Time
Optional Memorial: St Ephrem, Deacon and Doctor
From: Matthew 5:13-16
Salt of the Earth and Light of the World
(Jesus said to the multitude:) [13] "You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trodden under foot by men.
[14] "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hid. [15] Nor do men light a lamp and put it under a bushel, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. [16] Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in Heaven."
_____________________
Commentary:
13-16. These verses are a calling to that apostolate which is part and parcel of being a Christian. Every Christian has to strive for personal sanctification, but he also has to seek the sanctification of others. Jesus teaches us this, using the very expressive simile of salt and light. Salt preserves food from corruption; it also brings out its flavor and makes it more pleasant; and it disappears into the food; the Christian should do the same among the people around him.
"You are salt, apostolic soul. `Bonum est sal': salt is a useful thing', we read in the holy Gospel; `si autem sal evanuerit': but if the salt loses its taste', it is good for nothing, neither for the land nor for the manure heap; it is thrown out as useless. You are salt, apostolic soul. But if you lose your taste..." ([St] J. Escriva, "The Way", 921).
Good works are the fruit of charity, which consists in loving others as God loves us (cf. John 15:12). "I see now", St. Therese of Lisieux writes, "that true charity consists in bearing with the faults of those about us, never being surprised at their weaknesses, but edified at the least sign of virtue. I see above all that charity must not remain hidden in the bottom of our hearts: `nor do men light a lamp and put it under a bushel, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house.' It seems to me that this lamp is the symbol of charity; it must shine out not only to cheer those we love best but all in the house" ("The Autobiography of a Saint", Chapter 9).
Apostolate is one of the clearest expressions of charity. The Second Vatican Council emphasized the Christian's duty to be apostolic. Baptism and Confirmation confer this duty, which is also a right (cf. "Lumen Gentium", 33), so much so that, because the Christian is part of the mystical body, "a member who does not work at the growth of the body to the extent of his possibilities must be considered useless both to the Church and to himself" ("Apostolicam Actuositatem", 2). "Laymen have countless opportunities for exercising the apostolate of evangelization and sanctification. The very witness of a Christian life, and good works done in a supernatural spirit, are effective in drawing men to the faith and to God; and that is what the Lord has said: "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in Heaven" ("Apostolicam Actuositatem", 6).
"The Church must be present to these groups [those who do not even believe in God] through those of its members who live among them or have been sent to them. All Christians by the example of their lives and witness of their word, wherever they live, have an obligation to manifest the new man which they put on in Baptism, and to reveal the power of the Holy Spirit by whom they were strengthened at Confirmation, so that others, seeing their good works, might glorify the Father and more perfectly perceive the true meaning of human life and the universal solidarity of mankind" ("Ad Gentes", 11; cf. 36).
___________________________
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: Matthew 5:13-16
Salt of the Earth and Light of the World
(Jesus said to the multitude:) [13] "You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trodden under foot by men.
[14] "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hid. [15] Nor do men light a lamp and put it under a bushel, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. [16] Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in Heaven."
_____________________
Commentary:
13-16. These verses are a calling to that apostolate which is part and parcel of being a Christian. Every Christian has to strive for personal sanctification, but he also has to seek the sanctification of others. Jesus teaches us this, using the very expressive simile of salt and light. Salt preserves food from corruption; it also brings out its flavor and makes it more pleasant; and it disappears into the food; the Christian should do the same among the people around him.
"You are salt, apostolic soul. `Bonum est sal': salt is a useful thing', we read in the holy Gospel; `si autem sal evanuerit': but if the salt loses its taste', it is good for nothing, neither for the land nor for the manure heap; it is thrown out as useless. You are salt, apostolic soul. But if you lose your taste..." ([St] J. Escriva, "The Way", 921).
Good works are the fruit of charity, which consists in loving others as God loves us (cf. John 15:12). "I see now", St. Therese of Lisieux writes, "that true charity consists in bearing with the faults of those about us, never being surprised at their weaknesses, but edified at the least sign of virtue. I see above all that charity must not remain hidden in the bottom of our hearts: `nor do men light a lamp and put it under a bushel, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house.' It seems to me that this lamp is the symbol of charity; it must shine out not only to cheer those we love best but all in the house" ("The Autobiography of a Saint", Chapter 9).
Apostolate is one of the clearest expressions of charity. The Second Vatican Council emphasized the Christian's duty to be apostolic. Baptism and Confirmation confer this duty, which is also a right (cf. "Lumen Gentium", 33), so much so that, because the Christian is part of the mystical body, "a member who does not work at the growth of the body to the extent of his possibilities must be considered useless both to the Church and to himself" ("Apostolicam Actuositatem", 2). "Laymen have countless opportunities for exercising the apostolate of evangelization and sanctification. The very witness of a Christian life, and good works done in a supernatural spirit, are effective in drawing men to the faith and to God; and that is what the Lord has said: "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in Heaven" ("Apostolicam Actuositatem", 6).
"The Church must be present to these groups [those who do not even believe in God] through those of its members who live among them or have been sent to them. All Christians by the example of their lives and witness of their word, wherever they live, have an obligation to manifest the new man which they put on in Baptism, and to reveal the power of the Holy Spirit by whom they were strengthened at Confirmation, so that others, seeing their good works, might glorify the Father and more perfectly perceive the true meaning of human life and the universal solidarity of mankind" ("Ad Gentes", 11; cf. 36).
___________________________
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 - June 9
Ask God for Zeal
O my Sovereign Good, in the midst of the overwhelming sweetness and interior consolations which the soul enjoys with Thee, she is sorrowful when she thinks of the great multitude of those who reject these heavenly joys, and of the number of unhappy souls who will lose them for ever. She seeks, then, by every means, to increase the number of Thy friends, and willingly sacrifices her repose to the hope of enkindling in others a desire for the happiness which she enjoys.
-The Spirit of St. Theresa.
_________________
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
O my Sovereign Good, in the midst of the overwhelming sweetness and interior consolations which the soul enjoys with Thee, she is sorrowful when she thinks of the great multitude of those who reject these heavenly joys, and of the number of unhappy souls who will lose them for ever. She seeks, then, by every means, to increase the number of Thy friends, and willingly sacrifices her repose to the hope of enkindling in others a desire for the happiness which she enjoys.
-The Spirit of St. Theresa.
_________________
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 June 9
BUT you will say, "I am wicked, and perhaps it will not accept me." By giving thyself to it thou wilt be good. The giving thyself to this faith and promise, this is to be good.
_________________________
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-June 9
THERE is no prayer more agreeable to God, or more profitable to the soul, than that which is made during the thanksgiving after Communion. We should set great value on the time after Communion, imagining that we hear from the lips of Jesus Christ himself the words he addressed to his disciples: But me you have not always with you.
_________________
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
Sunday, June 07, 2009
News Updates, 6/7-8
Tough issues for new bishop
Robert Carlson dealt with family and professional issues
Gender test spurs abortion fears
A new test to reveal the gender of a fetus in early pregnancy has sparked a row over whether it will lead to sex-selection abortions.
2 Nuns Hit Outside Church; 1 killed
Sister Elaine Lamm, a longtime Cardinals fan, was returning from the game Friday night when she was struck by a car and killed in O'Fallon, Mo
Socioeconomic encyclical due out later this month
'Caritas in Veritate' to address market collapse
Pope meets with Irish bishops after abuse report
Benedict expressed his solidarity with the victims
Vatican bans Australian rebel priest
Cleric says Church is corrupt, irrelevant, ruthless
Report: Spain plans ban on religious symbols
...in military barracks, hospitals, jails, public schools
Vatican paper steps back on praise for Obama
Denies a conflict with US bishops over coverage
L'Osservatore Obama?
At the very least you'd think the Vatican's unofficial newspaper (but whose views are taken as gospel about the Pope's) would not fall for the same-old, same-old stuff that MSM's are in the United States-and be fawningly infatuated with Barack Obama. Especially since about 80 U.S. bishops found the guts to stand up to him on abortion...
Miami nun arrested in police confrontation
Missionaries of Charity sister intervened for homeless man
Brooklyn bishop opposes statute of limitations bill
Warns that his diocese and others will go bankrupt
'Frankenfood' receives the Vatican's blessing
Genetically modified crops heartily endorsed at conference
Eight habits of highly effective bishops
Foster vocations, strengthen Catholic family...
"Tail-between-the-legs cowering”
Catholic Answers sues IRS over alleged attempts to silence churches, non-profits on moral issues
“Not an illegal word”
UCLA won’t let student use name of Jesus in graduation speech
=========
Other Issues
=========
Ginsburg temporarily blocks Chrysler deal
Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg put a temporary hold Monday on the deal to sell Chrysler to save it from collapse. Her order, however, simply gives her or the full Court more time to ponder whether to postpone the sale further, or allow it to go forward...
Obama lawyer: Chrysler-Fiat must be allowed
U.S. solicitor general asks Supreme Court to ignore appeal of Chrysler bankruptcy made by Indiana pension fund...[U.S. Solicitor General Elena Kagan] said the losses to the Indiana funds "cannot outweigh" the potential broader problems a collapse of Chrysler would present.
[Doublespeak meaning: 'It's time to dispense with the "Rule of Law"']
Chairman MaObama Claims TARP Issue Is Out Of Supreme Court's Authority
The Obama Administration argued Monday that no court, including the Supreme Court, has the authority to hear a challenge by Indiana benefit plans to the role the U.S. Treasury played in the Chrysler rescue, including the use of “bailout” (TARP) funds. The Indiana debt holders, U.S. Solicitor General Elena Kagan wrote, simply have no right to raise that issue, thus putting it out of the reach of the courts...
North Korea sentences 2 US journalists to 12 years jail
American Legion Critical of Obama for Apologizing to Muslim World for U.S. Actions in Aftermath of 9/11
The nation’s largest veterans’ organization, the American Legion, criticized President Obama for apologizing for to the Muslim world for U.S. behavior in the in aftermath of the 9/11 attacks during his address from Cairo last week.
First Quarter Credit Card Delinquency Rate Jumps 11 percent
Rate of missed payments for bank-issued credit cards up 11 percent in 1st qtr, TransUnion says
Democrats Weigh Health Mandate as Obama Urges Taxing Wealthy
Chairman MaObama wants Congress to consider taxing the wealthy instead of workers to pay for a health-care overhaul, as House Democrats discuss a plan to require health insurance for most Americans...
The Economy Is Still at the Brink
The storm is not over, not by a long shot. Huge structural flaws remain in the architecture of our financial system, and many of the fixes that the [Obongo] administration has proposed will do little to address them and may make them worse...
Chairman MaObama promises more than 600,000 stimulus jobs
Cabinet questions spending and job creation
Obama's fiery former pastor visits S.F. church
Obama's former pastor gave the sermon at one of San Francisco's oldest Baptist churches Sunday and gave local parishioners a taste of the controversial oratory style that created such a stir during the presidential campaign - ultimately prompting Obama to resign his membership at the Rev. Jeremiah Wright's Chicago church
Asheville man charged in alleged Liberty Dollar fraud scheme
Federal authorities arrested an Asheville man in what they said was a scheme to undermine the U.S. currency system and defraud consumers with so-called Liberty Dollars....
[Bogus charge by the bogus Feds...The thieves at the Treasury don't like "competition" for worthless fiat money. Then one must question why "Gift Certificates/Cards," etc are not illegal? At least the Liberty Dollar is silver...What a country!]
=========
US Justice Foundation Petition to Demand PROOF of Obama Citizenship
...Now is the time to petition Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-OH) to DEMAND -- from the floor of the Senate and the House -- that Barack Obama be removed from office unless he releases his original birth certificate, proving once and for all whether he is a natural born citizen -- and constitutionally eligible to be President -- or a foreign-born usurper.
Robert Carlson dealt with family and professional issues
Gender test spurs abortion fears
A new test to reveal the gender of a fetus in early pregnancy has sparked a row over whether it will lead to sex-selection abortions.
2 Nuns Hit Outside Church; 1 killed
Sister Elaine Lamm, a longtime Cardinals fan, was returning from the game Friday night when she was struck by a car and killed in O'Fallon, Mo
Socioeconomic encyclical due out later this month
'Caritas in Veritate' to address market collapse
Pope meets with Irish bishops after abuse report
Benedict expressed his solidarity with the victims
Vatican bans Australian rebel priest
Cleric says Church is corrupt, irrelevant, ruthless
Report: Spain plans ban on religious symbols
...in military barracks, hospitals, jails, public schools
Vatican paper steps back on praise for Obama
Denies a conflict with US bishops over coverage
L'Osservatore Obama?
At the very least you'd think the Vatican's unofficial newspaper (but whose views are taken as gospel about the Pope's) would not fall for the same-old, same-old stuff that MSM's are in the United States-and be fawningly infatuated with Barack Obama. Especially since about 80 U.S. bishops found the guts to stand up to him on abortion...
Miami nun arrested in police confrontation
Missionaries of Charity sister intervened for homeless man
Brooklyn bishop opposes statute of limitations bill
Warns that his diocese and others will go bankrupt
'Frankenfood' receives the Vatican's blessing
Genetically modified crops heartily endorsed at conference
Eight habits of highly effective bishops
Foster vocations, strengthen Catholic family...
"Tail-between-the-legs cowering”
Catholic Answers sues IRS over alleged attempts to silence churches, non-profits on moral issues
“Not an illegal word”
UCLA won’t let student use name of Jesus in graduation speech
=========
Other Issues
=========
Ginsburg temporarily blocks Chrysler deal
Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg put a temporary hold Monday on the deal to sell Chrysler to save it from collapse. Her order, however, simply gives her or the full Court more time to ponder whether to postpone the sale further, or allow it to go forward...
Obama lawyer: Chrysler-Fiat must be allowed
U.S. solicitor general asks Supreme Court to ignore appeal of Chrysler bankruptcy made by Indiana pension fund...[U.S. Solicitor General Elena Kagan] said the losses to the Indiana funds "cannot outweigh" the potential broader problems a collapse of Chrysler would present.
[Doublespeak meaning: 'It's time to dispense with the "Rule of Law"']
Chairman MaObama Claims TARP Issue Is Out Of Supreme Court's Authority
The Obama Administration argued Monday that no court, including the Supreme Court, has the authority to hear a challenge by Indiana benefit plans to the role the U.S. Treasury played in the Chrysler rescue, including the use of “bailout” (TARP) funds. The Indiana debt holders, U.S. Solicitor General Elena Kagan wrote, simply have no right to raise that issue, thus putting it out of the reach of the courts...
North Korea sentences 2 US journalists to 12 years jail
American Legion Critical of Obama for Apologizing to Muslim World for U.S. Actions in Aftermath of 9/11
The nation’s largest veterans’ organization, the American Legion, criticized President Obama for apologizing for to the Muslim world for U.S. behavior in the in aftermath of the 9/11 attacks during his address from Cairo last week.
First Quarter Credit Card Delinquency Rate Jumps 11 percent
Rate of missed payments for bank-issued credit cards up 11 percent in 1st qtr, TransUnion says
Democrats Weigh Health Mandate as Obama Urges Taxing Wealthy
Chairman MaObama wants Congress to consider taxing the wealthy instead of workers to pay for a health-care overhaul, as House Democrats discuss a plan to require health insurance for most Americans...
The Economy Is Still at the Brink
The storm is not over, not by a long shot. Huge structural flaws remain in the architecture of our financial system, and many of the fixes that the [Obongo] administration has proposed will do little to address them and may make them worse...
Chairman MaObama promises more than 600,000 stimulus jobs
Cabinet questions spending and job creation
Obama's fiery former pastor visits S.F. church
Obama's former pastor gave the sermon at one of San Francisco's oldest Baptist churches Sunday and gave local parishioners a taste of the controversial oratory style that created such a stir during the presidential campaign - ultimately prompting Obama to resign his membership at the Rev. Jeremiah Wright's Chicago church
Asheville man charged in alleged Liberty Dollar fraud scheme
Federal authorities arrested an Asheville man in what they said was a scheme to undermine the U.S. currency system and defraud consumers with so-called Liberty Dollars....
[Bogus charge by the bogus Feds...The thieves at the Treasury don't like "competition" for worthless fiat money. Then one must question why "Gift Certificates/Cards," etc are not illegal? At least the Liberty Dollar is silver...What a country!]
=========
US Justice Foundation Petition to Demand PROOF of Obama Citizenship
...Now is the time to petition Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-OH) to DEMAND -- from the floor of the Senate and the House -- that Barack Obama be removed from office unless he releases his original birth certificate, proving once and for all whether he is a natural born citizen -- and constitutionally eligible to be President -- or a foreign-born usurper.
Gospel for Monday, 10th Week in Ordinary Time
From: Matthew 5:1-12
The Beatitudes
[1] Seeing the crowds, He (Jesus) went up on the mountain, and when He sat down His disciples came to Him. [2] And He opened His mouth and taught them, saying: [3] "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven. [4] Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. [5] Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. [6] Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. [7] Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. [8] Blessed are the pure of heart, for they shall see God. [9] Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God. [10] Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven. [11] Blessed are you when men revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on My account. [12] Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in Heaven, for so men persecute the prophets who were before you."
_____________________
Commentary:
1. The Discourse, or Sermon, on the Mount takes up three full chapters of St. Matthew's Gospel--Chapters 5-7. It is the first of the five great discourses of Jesus which appear in this Gospel and it contains a considerable amount of our Lord's teaching.
It is difficult to reduce this discourse to one single theme, but the various teachings it contains could be said to deal with these five points: 1) the attitude a person must have for entering the Kingdom ofHeaven (the Beatitudes, the salt of the earth, the light of the world, Jesus and His teaching, the fullness of the Law); 2) uprightness of intention in religious practice (here the "Our Father" would be included); 3) trust in God's fatherly providence; 4) how God's children should behave towards one another (not judging one's neighbor, respect for holy things, the effectiveness of prayer, and the golden rule of charity); 5) the conditions for entering the Kingdom (the narrow gate, false prophets and building on rock).
"He taught them": this refers both to the disciples and to the multitude, as can be seen at the end of the Sermon (Matthew 7:28).
2. The Beatitudes (5:3-12) form, as it were, the gateway to the Sermon on the Mount. In order to understand the Beatitudes properly, we should bear in mind that they do not promise salvation only to the particular kinds of people listed here: they cover everyone whose religious dispositions and moral conduct meet the demands which Jesus lays down. In other words, the poor in spirit, the meek, those who mourn, those who hunger and thirst after righteousness, the merciful, the pure in heart, the peacemakers and those who suffer persecution in their search for holiness--these are not different people or kinds of people but different demands made on everyone who wants to be a disciple of Christ.
Similarly, salvation is not being promised to different groups in society but to everyone, no matter what his or her position in life, who strives to follow the spirit and to meet the demands contained in the Beatitudes.
All the Beatitudes have an eschatological meaning, that is, they promise us definitive salvation not in this world, but in the next. But the spirit of the Beatitudes does give us, in this life, peace in the midst of tribulation. The Beatitudes imply a completely new approach, quite at odds with the usual way man evaluates things: they rule out any kind of pharisaical religiosity, which regards earthly happiness as a blessing from God and a reward for good behavior, and unhappiness and misfortune as a form of punishment. In all ages the Beatitudes put spiritual goods on a much higher plane than material possessions. The healthy and the sick, the powerful and the weak, the rich and the poor--all are called, independently of their circumstances, to the deep happiness that is experienced by those who live up to the Beatitudes which Jesus teaches.
The Beatitudes do not, of course, contain the entire teaching of the Gospel, but they do contain, in embryo, the whole program of Christian perfection.
3. This text outlines the connection between poverty and the soul. This religious concept of poverty was deeply rooted in the Old Testament (cf., e.g., Zephaniah 2:3ff). It was more to do with a religious attitude of neediness and of humility towards God than with material poverty: that person is poor who has recourse to God without relying on his own merits and who trusts in God's mercy to be saved. This religious attitude of poverty is closely related to what is called "spiritual childhood". A Christian sees himself as a little child in the presence of God, a child who owns nothing: everything he has comes from God and belongs to God. Certainly, spiritual poverty, that is, Christian poverty, means one must be detached from material things and practice austerity in using them. God asks certain people--religious--to be legally detached from ownership and thereby bear witness to others of the transitoriness of earthly things.
4. "Those who mourn": here our Lord is saying that those are blessed who suffer from any kind of affliction--particularly those who are genuinely sorry for they sins, or are pained by the offenses which others offer God, and who bear their suffering with love and in a spirit of atonement.
"You are crying? Don't be ashamed of it. Yes, cry: men also cry like you, when they are alone and before God. Each night, says King David, I soak my bed with tears. With those tears, those burning manly tears, you can purify your past and supernaturalize your present life" ([St] J. Escriva, "The Way", 216).
The Spirit of God will console with peace and joy, even in this life, those who weep for their sins, and later will give them a share in the fullness of happiness and glory in Heaven: these are the blessed.
5. "The meek": those who patiently suffer unjust persecution; those who remain serene, humble and steadfast in adversity, and do not give way to resentment or discouragement. The virtue of meekness is very necessary in the Christian life. Usually irritableness, which is very common, stems from a lack of humility and interior peace.
"The earth": this is usually understood as meaning our Heavenly Fatherland.
6. The notion of righteousness (or justice) in Holy Scripture is an essentially religious one (cf. notes on Matthew 1:19 and 3:15; Romans 1:17; 1:18-32; 3:21-22 and 24). A righteous person is one who sincerely strives to do the Will of God, which is discovered in the commandments, in one's duties of state in life (social, professional and family responsibilities) and through one's life of prayer. Thus, righteousness, in the language of the Bible, is the same as whatnowadays is usually called "holiness" (1 John 2:29; 3:7-10; Revelation 22:11; Genesis 15:6; Deuteronomy 9:4).
As St. Jerome comments ("Comm. on Matthew", 5, 6), in the fourth Beatitude our Lord is asking us not simply to have a vague desire for righteousness: we should hunger and thirst for it, that is, we should love and strive earnestly to seek what makes a man righteous in God's eyes. A person who genuinely wants to attain Christian holiness should love the means which the Church, the universal vehicle of salvation, offers all men and teaches them to use--frequent use of the Sacraments, an intimate relationship with God in prayer, a valiant effort to meet one's social, professional and family responsibilities.
7. Mercy is not a just a matter of giving alms to the poor but also of being understanding towards other people's defects, overlooking them, helping them cope with them and loving them despite whatever defects they may have. Being merciful also means rejoicing and suffering with other people.
8. Christ teaches us that the source of the quality of human acts lies in the heart, that is, in a man's soul, in the depths of his spirit. "When we speak of a person's heart, we refer not just to his sentiments, but to the whole person in his loving dealings with others. In order to help us understand divine things, Scripture uses the __expression `heart' in its full human meaning, as the summary and source, __expression and ultimate basis, of one's thoughts, words and actions. A man is worth what his heart is worth" ([St] J. Escriva, "Christ Is Passing By", 164).
Cleanness of heart is a gift of God, which expresses itself in a capacity to love, in having an upright and pure attitude to everything noble. As St. Paul says, "whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things" (Philippians 4:8). Helped by God's grace, a Christian should constantly strive to cleanse his heart and acquire this purity, whose reward is the vision of God.
9. The translation "peacemakers" well convey the active meaning of the original text--those who foster peace, in themselves and in others and, as a basis for that, try to be reconciled and to reconcile others with God. Being at peace with God is the cause and effect of every kind of peace. Any peace on earth not based on this divine peace would be vain and misleading.
"They shall be called sons of God": this is an Hebraicism often found in Sacred Scripture; it is the same as saying "they will be sons of God". St. John's first letter (3:1) provides a correct exegesis of this Beatitude: "See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are".
10. What this Beatitude means, then, is: blessed are those who are persecuted because they are holy, or because they are striving to be holy, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.
Thus, blessed is he who suffers persecution for being true to Jesus Christ and who does so not only patiently but joyfully. Circumstances arise in a Christian's life that call for heroism--where no compromise is admissible: either one stays true to Jesus Christ whatever the cost in terms of reputation, life or possessions, or one denies Him. St. Bernard ("Sermon on the Feast of All Saints") says that the eighth Beatitude is as it were the prerogative of Christian martyrs. Every Christian who is faithful to Jesus' teaching is in fact a "martyr" (a witness) who reflects or acts according with this Beatitude, even if he does not undergo physical death.
11-12. The Beatitudes are the conditions Jesus lays down for entering the Kingdom of Heaven. This verse, in a way summing up the preceding ones, is an invitation to everyone to put this teaching into practice. The Christian life, then, is no easy matter, but it is worthwhile, given the reward that Jesus promises.
___________________________
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 Beatitudes
[1] Seeing the crowds, He (Jesus) went up on the mountain, and when He sat down His disciples came to Him. [2] And He opened His mouth and taught them, saying: [3] "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven. [4] Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. [5] Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. [6] Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. [7] Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. [8] Blessed are the pure of heart, for they shall see God. [9] Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God. [10] Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven. [11] Blessed are you when men revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on My account. [12] Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in Heaven, for so men persecute the prophets who were before you."
_____________________
Commentary:
1. The Discourse, or Sermon, on the Mount takes up three full chapters of St. Matthew's Gospel--Chapters 5-7. It is the first of the five great discourses of Jesus which appear in this Gospel and it contains a considerable amount of our Lord's teaching.
It is difficult to reduce this discourse to one single theme, but the various teachings it contains could be said to deal with these five points: 1) the attitude a person must have for entering the Kingdom ofHeaven (the Beatitudes, the salt of the earth, the light of the world, Jesus and His teaching, the fullness of the Law); 2) uprightness of intention in religious practice (here the "Our Father" would be included); 3) trust in God's fatherly providence; 4) how God's children should behave towards one another (not judging one's neighbor, respect for holy things, the effectiveness of prayer, and the golden rule of charity); 5) the conditions for entering the Kingdom (the narrow gate, false prophets and building on rock).
"He taught them": this refers both to the disciples and to the multitude, as can be seen at the end of the Sermon (Matthew 7:28).
2. The Beatitudes (5:3-12) form, as it were, the gateway to the Sermon on the Mount. In order to understand the Beatitudes properly, we should bear in mind that they do not promise salvation only to the particular kinds of people listed here: they cover everyone whose religious dispositions and moral conduct meet the demands which Jesus lays down. In other words, the poor in spirit, the meek, those who mourn, those who hunger and thirst after righteousness, the merciful, the pure in heart, the peacemakers and those who suffer persecution in their search for holiness--these are not different people or kinds of people but different demands made on everyone who wants to be a disciple of Christ.
Similarly, salvation is not being promised to different groups in society but to everyone, no matter what his or her position in life, who strives to follow the spirit and to meet the demands contained in the Beatitudes.
All the Beatitudes have an eschatological meaning, that is, they promise us definitive salvation not in this world, but in the next. But the spirit of the Beatitudes does give us, in this life, peace in the midst of tribulation. The Beatitudes imply a completely new approach, quite at odds with the usual way man evaluates things: they rule out any kind of pharisaical religiosity, which regards earthly happiness as a blessing from God and a reward for good behavior, and unhappiness and misfortune as a form of punishment. In all ages the Beatitudes put spiritual goods on a much higher plane than material possessions. The healthy and the sick, the powerful and the weak, the rich and the poor--all are called, independently of their circumstances, to the deep happiness that is experienced by those who live up to the Beatitudes which Jesus teaches.
The Beatitudes do not, of course, contain the entire teaching of the Gospel, but they do contain, in embryo, the whole program of Christian perfection.
3. This text outlines the connection between poverty and the soul. This religious concept of poverty was deeply rooted in the Old Testament (cf., e.g., Zephaniah 2:3ff). It was more to do with a religious attitude of neediness and of humility towards God than with material poverty: that person is poor who has recourse to God without relying on his own merits and who trusts in God's mercy to be saved. This religious attitude of poverty is closely related to what is called "spiritual childhood". A Christian sees himself as a little child in the presence of God, a child who owns nothing: everything he has comes from God and belongs to God. Certainly, spiritual poverty, that is, Christian poverty, means one must be detached from material things and practice austerity in using them. God asks certain people--religious--to be legally detached from ownership and thereby bear witness to others of the transitoriness of earthly things.
4. "Those who mourn": here our Lord is saying that those are blessed who suffer from any kind of affliction--particularly those who are genuinely sorry for they sins, or are pained by the offenses which others offer God, and who bear their suffering with love and in a spirit of atonement.
"You are crying? Don't be ashamed of it. Yes, cry: men also cry like you, when they are alone and before God. Each night, says King David, I soak my bed with tears. With those tears, those burning manly tears, you can purify your past and supernaturalize your present life" ([St] J. Escriva, "The Way", 216).
The Spirit of God will console with peace and joy, even in this life, those who weep for their sins, and later will give them a share in the fullness of happiness and glory in Heaven: these are the blessed.
5. "The meek": those who patiently suffer unjust persecution; those who remain serene, humble and steadfast in adversity, and do not give way to resentment or discouragement. The virtue of meekness is very necessary in the Christian life. Usually irritableness, which is very common, stems from a lack of humility and interior peace.
"The earth": this is usually understood as meaning our Heavenly Fatherland.
6. The notion of righteousness (or justice) in Holy Scripture is an essentially religious one (cf. notes on Matthew 1:19 and 3:15; Romans 1:17; 1:18-32; 3:21-22 and 24). A righteous person is one who sincerely strives to do the Will of God, which is discovered in the commandments, in one's duties of state in life (social, professional and family responsibilities) and through one's life of prayer. Thus, righteousness, in the language of the Bible, is the same as whatnowadays is usually called "holiness" (1 John 2:29; 3:7-10; Revelation 22:11; Genesis 15:6; Deuteronomy 9:4).
As St. Jerome comments ("Comm. on Matthew", 5, 6), in the fourth Beatitude our Lord is asking us not simply to have a vague desire for righteousness: we should hunger and thirst for it, that is, we should love and strive earnestly to seek what makes a man righteous in God's eyes. A person who genuinely wants to attain Christian holiness should love the means which the Church, the universal vehicle of salvation, offers all men and teaches them to use--frequent use of the Sacraments, an intimate relationship with God in prayer, a valiant effort to meet one's social, professional and family responsibilities.
7. Mercy is not a just a matter of giving alms to the poor but also of being understanding towards other people's defects, overlooking them, helping them cope with them and loving them despite whatever defects they may have. Being merciful also means rejoicing and suffering with other people.
8. Christ teaches us that the source of the quality of human acts lies in the heart, that is, in a man's soul, in the depths of his spirit. "When we speak of a person's heart, we refer not just to his sentiments, but to the whole person in his loving dealings with others. In order to help us understand divine things, Scripture uses the __expression `heart' in its full human meaning, as the summary and source, __expression and ultimate basis, of one's thoughts, words and actions. A man is worth what his heart is worth" ([St] J. Escriva, "Christ Is Passing By", 164).
Cleanness of heart is a gift of God, which expresses itself in a capacity to love, in having an upright and pure attitude to everything noble. As St. Paul says, "whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things" (Philippians 4:8). Helped by God's grace, a Christian should constantly strive to cleanse his heart and acquire this purity, whose reward is the vision of God.
9. The translation "peacemakers" well convey the active meaning of the original text--those who foster peace, in themselves and in others and, as a basis for that, try to be reconciled and to reconcile others with God. Being at peace with God is the cause and effect of every kind of peace. Any peace on earth not based on this divine peace would be vain and misleading.
"They shall be called sons of God": this is an Hebraicism often found in Sacred Scripture; it is the same as saying "they will be sons of God". St. John's first letter (3:1) provides a correct exegesis of this Beatitude: "See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are".
10. What this Beatitude means, then, is: blessed are those who are persecuted because they are holy, or because they are striving to be holy, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.
Thus, blessed is he who suffers persecution for being true to Jesus Christ and who does so not only patiently but joyfully. Circumstances arise in a Christian's life that call for heroism--where no compromise is admissible: either one stays true to Jesus Christ whatever the cost in terms of reputation, life or possessions, or one denies Him. St. Bernard ("Sermon on the Feast of All Saints") says that the eighth Beatitude is as it were the prerogative of Christian martyrs. Every Christian who is faithful to Jesus' teaching is in fact a "martyr" (a witness) who reflects or acts according with this Beatitude, even if he does not undergo physical death.
11-12. The Beatitudes are the conditions Jesus lays down for entering the Kingdom of Heaven. This verse, in a way summing up the preceding ones, is an invitation to everyone to put this teaching into practice. The Christian life, then, is no easy matter, but it is worthwhile, given the reward that Jesus promises.
___________________________
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.