Saturday, June 27, 2009

Gospel for the 13th Sunday in Ordinary Time

From: Mark 5:21-43

Jairus' Daughter is Restored to Life.
The Curing of the Woman With a Hemorrhage


[21] And when Jesus had crossed again in the boat to the other side, a great crowd gathered about Him; and He was beside the sea. [22] Then came one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name, and seeing Him, he fell at His feet, [23] and besought Him, saying, "My little daughter is at the point of death. Come and lay Your hands on her, so that she may be made well, and live." [24] And He went with him.

And a great crowd followed Him and thronged about Him. [25] And there was a woman who had a flow of blood for twelve years, [26] and who had suffered much under many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was no better but rather grew worse. [27] She had heard the reports about Jesus, and came up behind Him in the crowd and touched His garment. [28] For she said, "If I touch even His garments, I shall be made well." [29] And immediately the hemorrhage ceased; and she felt in her body that she was healed of her disease. [30] And Jesus, perceiving in Himself that power had gone forth from Him, immediately turned about in the crowd, and said, "Who touched My garments?" [31] And His disciples said to Him, "You see the crowd pressing around You, and yet You say, `Who touched Me?'" [32] And He looked around to see who had done it. [33] But the woman, knowing what had been done to her, came in fear and trembling and fell down before Him, and told Him the whole truth. [34] and He said to her, "Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease."

[35] While He was speaking, there came from the ruler's house some who said, "Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Teacher any further?" [36] But ignoring what they said, Jesus said to the ruler of the synagogue, "Do not fear, only believe." [37] And He allowed no one to follow Him except Peter and James and John the brother of James. [38] When they came to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, He saw a tumult, and people weeping and wailing loudly. [39] And when He had entered, He said to them, "Why do you make a tumult and weep? The child is not dead but sleeping." [40] And they laughed at Him. But He put them all outside, and took the child's father and mother and those who were with Him, and went in where the child was. [41] Taking her by the hand He said to her, "Talitha cumi"; which means, "Little girl, I say to you arise." [42] And immediately the girl got up and walked; for she was twelve years old. And immediately they were overcome with amazement. [43] And He strictly charged them that no one should know this, and told them to give her something to eat.
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Commentary:
21-43. Both Jairus and the woman with the flow of blood give us an example of faith in Christ's omnipotence, for only a miracle can cure Jairus' daughter, who is on her death-bed, and heal this lady, who has done everything humanly possible to get better. Similarly, the Christian should always expect God to help him overcome the obstacles in the way of his sanctification. Normally, God's help comes to us in an unspectacular way, but we should not doubt that, if it is necessary for our salvation, God will again work miracles. However, we should bear in mind that what the Lord expects of us is that we should every day fulfill His will.

22. At the head of each synagogue was the archisynagogist, whose function it was to organize the meetings of the synagogue on Sabbaths and holy days, to lead the prayer and hymns and to indicate who should explain the Sacred Scripture. He was assisted in his task by a council and also had an aide who looked after the material side of things.

25. This woman suffered from an illness which implied legal impurity (Leviticus 14:25ff). Medical attention had failed to cure her; on the contrary, as the Gospel puts it so realistically, she was worse than ever. In addition to her physical suffering--which had gone on for twelve years--she suffered the shame of feeling unclean according to the Law. The Jews not only regarded a woman in this position as being impure: everything she touched became unclean as well. Therefore, in order not to be noticed by the people, the woman came up to Jesus from behind and, out of delicacy, touched only His garment. Her faith is enriched by her __expression of humility: she is conscious of being unworthy to touch our Lord. "She touched the hem of His garment, she approached Him in a spirit of faith, she believed, and she realized that she was cured [...]. So we too, if we wish to be saved, should reach out in faith to touch the garment of Christ" (St. Ambrose, "Expositio Evangelii Sec. Lucam", VI, 56 and 58).

30. In all that crowd pressing around Him only this woman actually touched Jesus--and she touched Him not only with her hand but with the faith she bore in her heart. St. Augustine comments: "She touches Him, the people crowd Him. Is her touching not a sign of her belief?" ("In Ioann. Evang.", 26, 3). We need contact with Jesus. We have been given no other means under Heaven by which to be saved (cf. Acts 4:12). When we receive Jesus in the Holy Eucharist, we obtain this physical contact through the sacramental species. We too need to enliven our faith if these encounters with our Lord are to redound to our salvation (cf. Matthew 13:58).

37. Jesus did not want more than these three Apostles to be present: three was the number of witnesses laid down by the Law (Deuteronomy 19:15). "For Jesus, being humble, never acted in an ostentatious way (Theophilactus, "Enarratio In Evangelium Marci, in loc."). Besides these were the three disciples closest to Jesus: later, only they will be with Him at the Transfiguration (cf. 9:2) and at His agony in the Garden of Gethsemane (cf. 14:33).

39. Jesus' words are in contrast with those of the ruler's servants; they say: "Your daughter is dead"; whereas He says: "She is not dead but sleeping". "To men's eyes she was dead, she could not be awoken; in God's eyes she was sleeping, for her soul was alive and was subject to God's power, and her body was resting, awaiting the Resurrection. Hence the custom which arose among Christians of referring to the dead, whom we know will rise again, as those who are asleep" (St. Bede, "In Marci Evangelium Expositio, in loc."). What Jesus says shows us that, for God, death is only a kind of sleep, for He can awaken anyone from the dead whenever He wishes. The same happens with the death and resurrection of Lazarus. Jesus says: "Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I go to awaken him out of sleep." And, when the disciples think that it is ordinary sleep He is referring to, our Lord tells them plainly: "Lazarus is dead" (cf. John 11:11ff).

40-42. Like all the Gospel miracles the raising of the daughter of Jairus demonstrates Christ's divinity. Only God can work miracles; sometimes He does them in a direct way, sometimes by using created things as a medium. The exclusively divine character of miracles--especially the miracle of raising the dead--is noticed in the Old Testament: "The Lord wills and brings to life; He brings down to Sheol and raises up" (1 Samuel 2:6), because He has "power over life and death" (Wisdom 16:13). And also in the Old Testament God uses men to raise the dead to life: the prophet Elijah revives the son of the widow of Sarepta by "crying to the Lord" (cf. 1 Kings 17:21), and Elisha prevails on Him to raise the son of the Shunammite (2 Kings 4:33).

In the same way, in the New Testament the Apostles do not act by their own power but by that of Jesus to whom they first offer fervent prayer: Peter restores to life a Christian woman of Joppa named Tabitha (Acts 9:36ff); and Paul, in Troas, brings Eutychus back to life after he falls from a high window (Acts 20:7ff). Jesus does not refer to any superior power; His authority is sovereign: all He has to do is give the order and the daughter of Jairus is brought back to life; this shows that He is God.
___________________________
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 28

The Great Protection

What a good and blessed tradition is repre­sented by the frequent involuntary lifting up of the heart to God, among the multitudes of our Christian people! And how this should be cherished by those who truly understand what God is to us all. How true it is that God has not 'left Himself without testimony' (Acts xiv, 16) - not merely making Himself known by the marvels of Creation, but being present and felt in the spirit and heart of every man. Oh, let us never so degrade and blind our immortal souls as to lose the sense and presence of God!

-Hedley.
_________________
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 28

I AM held, in short, by the very name of Catholic which this Church alone, amongst so many heresies, has obtained.
_________________________
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 28

IN reality, does not all our inquietude arise from this cause - that things do not happen according to our wishes, and that we resist the divine will?
_________________
From Thoughts from St Alphonsus for Every Day
Compiled by Rev. C. McNeiry, C.SS.R.
Imprimatur: Joseph Hull, C.SS.R., Prov. Angl. Sup.
Nihil Obstat: Innocentlus Apap, O.P., S.T.M., Censor Deptutatus.
Imprimatur: Edm. Can. Surmont, Vicarius Generalis.
Westmonasterii, Die 9a Junii, 1927.
First published 1927

Friday, June 26, 2009

News Updates, 6/27-28

Boston Cardinal O'Malley Withdraws Caritas Christi From Potential Abortion Scandal
The following is a statement from American Life League president Judie Brown regarding Boston Cardinal Sean O'Malley's announcement that archdiocese-affiliated Caritas Christi Healthcare has withdrawn ownership of CeltiCare Health Plan. The announcement comes only two days after A.L.L. announced it would launch an investigation into the scandal...

Editorial: Archbishop Weisgerber is Wrong - Vatican Stopped its Donation to UNICEF in 1996Seeking to justify the giving of Catholic monies to groups that do not follow church teaching on abortion and contraception, Archbishop James Weisgerber recently used as an example the Vatican's yearly contribution to UNICEF. Ironically, however, the Winnipeg archbishop, who is currently the head of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB), only managed to disprove his own point, since the Vatican actually halted its yearly donation to UNICEF in 1996, precisely because the organization was found to be promoting abortion and contraception...

The New Catholic Manliness
The Catholic Church makes men...Of such she may also someday make soldiers. — Hilaire Belloc
It is a source of no small irony that, even as radical feminists within and without the Church have railed for two generations against patriarchy and phallocentrism, it can be quite plausibly said that the post-conciliar Church in this country has, for all intents and purposes, been run by women...

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Other News
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HOUSE PASSES 'GLOBAL WARMING' LEGISLATION
'BILL OF THE CENTURY' VOTED ON UNREAD
[Another piece of treasonous legislation passed WITHOUT being read!!! It's time for gallows - these criminals are not done stealing from the citizens of the several STATES]

300 pages added to ‘Climate Bill’ at 3:09AM – Rep John Boehner tells it like it is


House Democrats didnt want the American people to understand the true impact of Speaker Pelosi's 1,500-page national energy tax.

So House Republican Leader John Boehner took to the House floor and read portions of it to the American people, explaining how it
would to raise electricity prices, increase gasoline prices, and ship American jobs overseas
to countries like China and India.

House Democrats didnt much like it either, and they tried to shut him down.

But Boehner asked Chairman Henry Waxman (D-CA) and other Democrats: Dont you think the American people expect us to understand whats in the bill before we vote on it?
[Costs go sky high and jobs are lost. Got rope?]

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"When plunder becomes a way of life for a group of men living together in society, they create for themselves, in the course of time, a legal system that authorizes it and a moral code that glorifies it."
- Fred Bastiat

Gospel for Saturday, 12th Week in Ordinary Time

Optional Memorial: St Cyril of Alexandria, Bishop and Doctor
Optional Memorial: Our Lady's Saturday


From: Matthew 8:5-17

The Centurion's Faith
[5] As He (Jesus) entered Capernaum, a centurion came forward to Him, beseeching Him [6] and saying, "Lord, my servant is lying paralyzed at home, in terrible distress." [7] And He said to him, "I will come and heal him." [8] But the centurion answered Him, "Lord, I am not worthy to have You come under my roof; but only say the word, and my servant will be healed. [9] For I am a man under authority, with soldiers under me; and I say to one, `Go,' and he goes, and to another, `Come,' and he comes, and to my slave, `Do this,' and he does it." [10] When Jesus heard him, He marvelled, and said to those who followed Him, "Truly, I say to you, not even in Israel have I found such faith. [11] I tell you, many will come from east and west and sit at table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the Kingdom of Heaven, [12] while the sons of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness; there men will weep and gnash their teeth." [13] And to the centurion Jesus said, "Go; be it done for you as you have believed." And the servant was healed at that very moment.

A Number of Cures
[14] And when Jesus entered Peter's house, He saw his mother-in-law lying sick with fever; [15] He touched her hand, and the fever left her, and she rose and served Him. [16] That evening they brought to Him many who were possessed with demons; and He cast out the spirits with a word, and healed all who were sick. [17] This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah, "He took our infirmities and bore our diseases."
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Commentary:
5-11. "Centurion": an officer of the Roman army in control of one hundred men. This man's faith is still an example to us. At the solemn moment when a Christian is about to receive Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, the Church's liturgy places on his lips and in his heart these words of the centurion, to enliven his faith: Lord, I am not worthy...".

The Jews of this time regarded any Jew who entered a Gentile's house as contracting legal impurity (cf. John 19:28; Acts 11:2-3). This centurion has the deference not to place Jesus in an embarrassing position in the eyes of His fellow Israelites. He shows that he is convinced that Jesus has the power over disease and illness; he suggests that if Jesus just says the word, He will do what is needed without having actually to visit the house; he is reasoning, in a simple, logical way, on the basis of his own professional experience. Jesus avails of this meeting with a Gentile believer to make a solemn prophecy to the effect that His Gospel is addressed to the world at large; all men, of every nation and race, of every age and condition, are called to follow Christ.

14-15. After his body--or soul--is healed, everyone is called to "rise up" from his previous position, to serve Jesus Christ. No laments, no delays; instead one should make oneself immediately available to the Lord.

16-17. The expulsion of evil spirits is one of the main signs of the establishment of the Kingdom of God (cf. Matthew 12:8). Similarly, the healing of diseases, which ultimately are the result of sin, is one of the signs of the "works of the Messiah" proclaimed by the prophets (cf. Isaiah 29:18; 35:5-6).
___________________________
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 27

The Standpoint of Death

All must come to an end; and if when you die your soul is lost, all else is lost for you. 'Consider thyself as already dead,' says St. Lawrence Justinian, 'knowing that thou must necessarily die.'

If you were already dead, what would you not desire to have done? Now that you are alive, reflect that one day you must die. St. Bonaventure says 'that to guide the vessel well, the pilot must place himself at the helm; thus, to lead a good life, a man must always imagine himself in death.'

-St. Alphonsus.
_________________
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 27

NOT to speak of this wisdom of hers....I am held by the one faith of peoples and nations. I am held by the Authority nourished on miracles, fostered by hope, increased by charity, strengthened by age.
_________________________
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 27

BUT whoever desires the crown of paradise must needs combat and suffer: If we suffer, we shall also reign. We cannot get a reward without merit; and no merit is to be had without patience.
_________________
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 25, 2009

News Updates, 6/26

Pro-Life Group Wants Justice Department to Investigate Death Threats, Gets Refusal
A pro-life group is asking the Justice Department to review several death threats it has received in the wake of the shooting of late-term abortion practitioner George Tiller. However, Operation Rescue officials say the Obama administration has not responded...

Dr Edward Peters: The insordescence of Abp. Milingo demands response
Insordescence. It's not a likable word. It's not a likable thing. But Abp. Milingo is insordescent. And he needs to be dealt with.

Pope to Pelosi: Catholics cannot back abortion
'Work in cooperation with all men of goodwill...'

Irish Catholic orders to tell gov't of wealth soon
Next step in making them pay more to thousands of victims

Paraguayan president accused of sexual assault
Ex-bishop allegedly assaulted former housekeeper

Bishops clarify 2002 Catholic-Jewish document
'Ambiguities' continuing to cause confusion
[Really????? Who woulda thought that? How about the truth?]

Polish Catholic survivors recall day Auschwitz began
Holocaust memorials typically disregard Christian victims

St. Therese's astronaut visits the Vatican
American put relics in orbit around the earth

PETA: Pro-lifers 'loathsome' and 'hypocritical'
Animal rights group undecided on killing of unborn babies

Archbishop Milingo slaps Catholics in the face
Schismatic ordained new bishop to anti-celibacy sect

Six priests held prisoner in Sri Lanka refugee camps
Clerics are being kept in solitary confinement

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Other Issues
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China Calls for World Currency

Climate bill would be 'biggest tax in American history'
The Cap and Tax Fiction
Democrats off-loading economics to pass climate change bill

Waxman-Markey Global Warming Bill: How bad will it be for where you live?
It has become quite clear over the past several months that placing a cap on carbon emission--via rationing, taxing, and eliminating consumer choice--will have major implications for American families and the economy....

Japan to order Citi to suspend some operations
Japanese financial regulators are set to sanction Citigroup Inc. , demanding it suspend some of its business due to overly lax money laundering controls, reports said Friday. Tokyo-traded shares of Citi were down 3.6% following reports....
[Another criminal enterprise in parnership with .gov]

Qantas cancels 15 Dreamliner orders
Qantas Airways has reached an agreement with Boeing Co. to defer the delivery of 15 Boeing 787 Dreamliners by four years and to cancel orders for 15 additional 787s planned for delivery in 2014...




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"If the American people ever allow private banks to control the issue of their money, first by inflation and then by deflation, the banks and corporations... will deprive the people of their property until their children will wake up homeless on the continent their fathers conquered."
-Thomas Jefferson, 1802

Gospel for Friday, 12th Week in Ordinary Time

From: Matthew 8:1-4

The Curing of a Leper
[1] When He (Jesus) came down from the mountain, great crowds followed Him; [2] and behold, a leper came to Him and knelt before Him, saying, "Lord, if You will, You can make me clean." [3] And He stretched out His hand and touched him, saying, "I will; be clean." And immediately his leprosy was cleansed. [4] And Jesus said to him, "See that you say nothing to anyone; but go, show yourself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, for a proof to the people.
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Commentary:
Chapters 8 and 9 of St. Matthew deal with a series of miracles worked by our Lord. The first Christians had vivid experience of the fact that the glorified Jesus was still present in His Church, confirming its teaching by signs, by miracles (Mark 16:20; Acts 14:3).

And so, St. Matthew, after giving the nucleus of Jesus' public teaching in the Sermon on the Mount (Chapters 5-7), goes on now to gather a number of miracles to support our Lord's words. Some commentators call this section--Chapters 8 and 9--"the works of the Messiah", paralleling what they called "the words of the Messiah" (the Discourse on the Mount). In Chapters 5-7 we see Jesus as the supreme lawgiver and master who teaches with divine authority, a unique authority superior to that held by Moses and the prophets. Now, in Chapters 8 and 9, He is shown as endowed with divine authority over disease, death, the elements and evil spirits. These miracles worked by Jesus Christ accredit the divine authority of His teaching.

1. The Gospel draws attention, for the third time, to the huge crowds that flocked to Jesus: literally, "many multitudes followed Him". This shows the popularity He had achieved: He was so popular that the Sanhedrin (the great council of the Jewish nation) dared not arrest Him for fear of what the people would do (cf. Matthew 21:46; 26:5; Mark 14:2). Later on, they would accuse Him before Pilate of stirring up the whole country from Judea to Galilee. And we will see Herod Antipas' eagerness to meet Jesus, of whom he has heard so much (cf. Matthew 14:1). In contrast to this huge popularity, we find the elders opposing Him and deceiving the people into calling for Jesus' execution (cf. Matthew 27:20-22).

2. The Fathers have taken the following meaning from this cure: leprosy is a vivid image of sin: it is ugly, disgusting, very contagious and difficult to cure. We are all sinners and we are all in need of God's forgiveness and grace (cf. Romans 3:23-24). The leper in the Gospel knelt down before Jesus, in all humility and trust, begging to be made clean. If we have recourse to our Savior with that kind of faith, we can be sure than He will cure the wretchedness of our souls. We should often address Christ with this short prayer, borrowed from the leper: "Lord, if You will, You can make me clean."

4. According to the Law of Moses (Leviticus 14), if a leper is cured of his disease, he should present himself to a priest, who will register the cure and give him a certificate which he needs to be reintegrated into the civil and religious life of Israel. Leviticus also prescribes the purifications and sacrifice he should offer. Jesus' instruction to the leper is, then, in keeping with the normal way of fulfilling what the laws laid down.
___________________________
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.

'Ark of the Covenant' Announcement Tomorrow...

...Friday June 26th at 2p.m Italian time
Holy Ark Announcement Due on Friday
by Hillel Fendel

(IsraelNN.com) Ethiopian church leader says Friday, June 26, marks the right time to unveil the Biblical Ark of the Covenant, which he says has been hidden in his church for centuries.

Paulous said he would make the full announcement this Friday, June 26, 2 PM local time (3 PM Israel time, 8 AM New York time) at a press conference in Rome.

The claim that the Biblical Holy Ark has been kept at the Church, in the city of Axum, is an old one, but this is the first time that the Church plans to actually reveal the actual container, or news of it. It is not known whether the Church claims that the actual Tablets of the Law are inside it....
More here.

Principles and Practices - June 26

The Security of the Saved

Their security will be an incessant all-per­vading blissful thought, which will act as a refreshing fragrance amid the joys of heaven. To have and to hold whatever they possess, in absolute permanency of tenure, without even a passing shadow of uncertainty, is a characteristic of the estate of the Blessed. In them the most intense activity and ceaseless energy is combined with complete tranquillity and inward peace.

-Arendzen.
_________________
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 26

Now there are many things to hold me to the Catholic Church, not to speak of her most genuine wisdom, which few spiritual men arrive at understanding in this life, even in a small degree....The great majority are held most firmly not by a great under­standing, but by simplicity of faith.
_________________________
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 26

THE business of eternal salvation is for us the most important of all affairs. St Philip Neri, conversing one day in Rome with Francis Zazzera, a young man of talent, who was attached to the world, said to him: "You will be a prelate, later on, perhaps a cardinal, and perhaps even Pope. But what must follow? Go," said the Saint, "and meditate on these last words." Francis went home, and after reflecting on the words, "What must follow?" he left the world and began to attend only to God.
_________________
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, 6/25

The Good News about Our Bishops
For those who may be lamenting the seeming resurgence of the Catholic Left in the Age of Obama, I would like to point out some good news: This year's spate of bishops' assignments have been quite heartening. Since the beginning of 2009, there have been ten appointments announced by the Vatican. All of them should be encouraging to those who grumble about the "bishops this" and the "bishops that."...

Pope Benedict wishes to engage the new chief U.S. Community Organizer
Vatican says Holy Father 'available' for Obama visit on July 10

Report: Obama to meet with Pope next month
Set to talk about shared belief in dignity of all people

Group to publish American clerical abuse report
BishopAccountability.org taking cues from Irish report

Probe clears Canadian agency of funding abortion
Bishops set to release findings of investigation

Nun raped by Hindu extremists recognizes assailant
Catholic among first victims of anti-Christian pogrom

Vandals destroy statues at Florida parish
Damages estimated in excess of $50,000

Remains of John Paul II may be taken to Poland
Papal relics would visit every big city in Poland

Therese relic nicked from Toronto church
Thief may have pretended to be praying at shrine

Church creates stir with gay exorcism video
Homosexual rights activists say 16-year-old 'abused'

Nixon supported abortion for mixed-race babies
Late president remained silent on 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling

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Other Issues
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China Should Buy Gold to Hedge Dollar Fall: Researcher
China should buy more gold because the U.S. dollar is poised for a fall and the metal is needed to support the greater international role envisaged for the yuan, a senior researcher with the ruling Communist Party said on Thursday.

AZ Passes Bill To Protect Health Care Rights
The Health Care Freedom Act will ensure Arizona residents may pay directly for any legal health services and choose not to participate in a government or privately run health care system.
[Send this to your state reps - if they want to play footsies with the Feds, then it's time to send time to remove them from office and send the weasels home !!!]

California set to issue IOUs as fiscal crisis continues

ABC ObamaCare Special Turns Into Presidential Filibuster
[Who would have thought that!?]

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Gospel for Thursday, 12th Week in Ordinary Time

From: Matthew 7:21-29

Doing the Will of God

(Jesus said to His disciples,) [21] "Not every one who says to Me, `Lord, Lord,' shall enter the Kingdom of Heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in Heaven. [22] On that day many will say to Me, `Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and cast out demons in Your name, and do many mighty works in Your name?' [23] And then I will declare to them, `I never knew you; depart from Me, you evildoers.'

Building on Rock

[24] "Every one then who hears these words of Mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house upon the rock; [25] and the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat upon that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. [26] And every one who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house upon the sand; [27] and the rain fell, and the floods came, and winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell; and great was the fall of it."

[28] And when Jesus finished these sayings, the crowds were astonished at His teaching, [29] for He taught them as one who had authority, and not as their scribes.
________________
Commentary:
21-23. To be genuine, prayer must be accompanied by a persevering effort to do God's will. Similarly, in order to do His will it is not enough to speak about the things of God: there must consistency between what one preaches--what one says--and what one does: "The Kingdom of God does not consist in talk but in power" (1 Corinthians 4:20); "Be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves" (James 1:22).

Christians, "holding loyally to the Gospel, enriched by its resources, and joining forces with all who love and practice justice, have shouldered a weighty task on earth and they must render an account of it to Him who will judge all men on the last day. Not every one who says, `Lord, Lord' will enter the Kingdom of Heaven, but those who do the will of the Father, and who manfully put their hands to the work" (Vatican II, "Gaudium Et Spes", 93).

To enter the Kingdom of Heaven, to be holy, it is not enough, then, to speak eloquently about holiness. One has to practice what one preaches, to produce fruit which accords with one's words. Fray Luis de Leon puts it very graphically: "Notice that to be a good Christian it is not enough just to pray and fast and hear Mass; God must find you faithful, like another Job or Abraham, in times of tribulation" ("Guide for Sinners", Book 1, Part 2, Chapter 21).

Even if a person exercises an ecclesiastical ministry that does not assure his holiness; he needs to practice the virtues he preaches. Besides, we know from experience that any Christian (clerical, religious or lay) who does not strive to act in accordance with the demands of the faith he professes, begins to weaken in his faith and eventually parts company also with the teaching of the Church. Anyone who does not live in accordance with what he says, ends up saying things which are contrary to faith.

The authority with which Jesus speaks in these verses reveals Him as sovereign Judge of the living and the dead. No Old Testament prophet ever spoke with His authority.

22. "That day": a technical formula in biblical language meaning the day of the Judgment of the Lord or the Last Judgment.

23. This passage refers to the Judgment where Jesus will be the Judge. The sacred text uses a verb which means the public proclamation of a truth. Since in this case Jesus Christ is the Judge who makes the declaration, it takes the form of a judicial sentence.

24-27. These verses constitute the positive side of the previous passage. A person who tries to put Christ's teaching into practice, even if he experiences personal difficulties or lives during times of upheaval in the life of the Church or is surrounded by error, will stay firm in the faith, like the wise man who builds his house on rock.

Also, if we are to stay strong in times of difficulty, we need, when things are calm and peaceful, to accept little contradictions with a good grace, to be very refined in our relationship with God and with others, and to perform the duties of our state in life in a spirit of loyalty and abnegation. By acting in this way we are laying down a good foundation, maintaining the edifice of our spiritual life and repairing any cracks which make their appearance.

28-29. Jesus' listeners could clearly see the radical difference between the style of teaching of the scribes and Pharisees, and the conviction and confidence with which Jesus spoke. There is nothing tentative about His words; they leave no room for doubt.
___________________________
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 25

orsake the World

If you wish devotion to be born in your heart, the love of God to grow, together with the desire for Divine things, cleanse your soul from every desire and self-seeking so that nothing of the kind remains with you. Live in this world as if God and your soul only were in it; that your heart may be a captive to no earthly thing.

-St. John of the Cross.
_________________
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 25

LET each one, then, my brethren, look into himself within, weigh himself, prove himself in all his actions, his good works, what he does witb Charity, not looking for temporal retribution, but the promise of God, the Face of God.
_________________________
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 25

A TEAR of repentance, one heart-felt act of contrition, is enough to appease the Infant Jesus. He has put off his majesty and appears as a child to inspire us with more courage to approach his feet.
_________________
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

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

News Updates. 6/24

Philadelphia abuse suit targets Catholic order
Nephew to Cardinal O'Connor says he was molested

Catholic nurse resigns over hospital crucifix ban
Woman disciplined for refusing to remove gold necklace
[A burqa, however, would have been fine for the mental midgets who suffer from the "Napoleon complex." The time for rebellion draws closer with each passing day!]

Canon lawyer comments on SSPX ordinations
Priests 'have taken the priesthood of Christ illegally'
[From our good friend Dr Edward Peters!]

Vatican sends investigator for Kapaun sainthood
20-year-old 'miraculously' survived severe head injury

Catholic Charities to pay $30,000 in bias case
71-year-old man was fired in age-discrimination claim

Replica of letter on Henry VIII divorce unveiled
1530 parchment sent by England's House of Lords

Life support removed in Korea's first mercy killing
Woman had been comatose since for fifteen months

Many Guatemala Catholics turning to Evangelical sects
Groups winning converts with offers of money, other goods
[One of the "fruits" of the "exemplary" job of teachiing the faith (sarcasm) - had those responsible for this scandal spent more time imparting the faith rather than some "feel good" handholding, tie-dyed, flowery hippie garbage, we might actuaully have authentic Catholics among our brothers & sisters, Instead, like here at home, we have apostates and heretics!!! ]

Chile bars distribution of morning-after pill
Bishop emphasizes Church's stance on abortifacients
[A country with courage? What rational person would condemn to death an innocent defenseless unbaorn baby? No "rational person could! That leaves us with the rest who have no qualms with the wanton murder of the innocent!]

=========
Other Issues
========


Secret shots given to US Soldiers

Ron Paul: Obama’s ‘goal’ is economic collapse
Listen to the audio here: http://rawstory.com/08/news/2009/06/23/r....


----------
War is peace
Freedom is slavery
Ignorance is strength

-1984

Gospel for June 24, Solemnity: The Nativity of St. John the Baptist

From: Luke 1:57-66, 80

The Birth and Circumcision of John the Baptist

[57] Now the time came for Elizabeth to be delivered, and she gave birth to a son. [58] And her neighbors and kinsfolk heard that the Lord had shown great mercy to her, and they rejoiced with her. [59] And on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child; and they would have named him Zechariah after his father, [60] but his mother said, "Not so; he shall be called John." [61] And they said to her, "None of your kindred is called by this name." [62] And they made signs to his father, inquiring what he would have him called. [63] And he asked for a writing tablet, and wrote, "His name is John." And they all marvelled. [64] And immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, and he spoke, blessing God. [65] And fear came on all their neighbors. And all these things were talked about through all the hill country of Judea; [66] and all who heard them laid them up in their hearts, saying "What then will this child be?" For the hand of the Lord was with him.

[80] And the child grew and became strong in spirit, and he was in the wilderness till the day of his manifestation to Israel.
_______________________
Commentary:
59. Circumcision was a rite established by God under the Old Covenant to mark out those who belonged to His chosen people: He commanded Abraham to institute circumcision as a sign of the Covenant He had made with him and all his descendants (cf. Genesis 17:10-14), prescribing that it should be done on the eighth day after birth. The rite was performed either at home or in the synagogue, and, in addition to the actual circumcision, the ceremony included prayers and the naming of the child.

With the institution of Christian Baptism the commandment to circumcise ceased to apply. At the Council of Jerusalem (cf. Acts 15:1ff), the Apostles definitely declared that those entering the Church had no need to be circumcised.

St. Paul's explicit teaching on the irrelevance of circumcision in the context of the New Alliance established by Christ is to be found in Galatians 5:2ff; 6:12ff; and Colossians 2:11ff.

60-63. By naming the child John, Zechariah complies with the instructions God sent him through the angel (Luke 1:13).

64. This miraculous event fulfills the prophecy the angel Gabriel made to Zechariah when he announced the conception and birth of the Baptist (Luke 1:19-20). St. Ambrose observes: `With good reason was his tongue loosed, because faith untied what had been tied by disbelief" ("Expositio Evangelii Sec. Lucam. in loc.").

Zechariah's is a case similar to that of St. Thomas, who was reluctant to believe in the resurrection of our Lord, and who believed only when Jesus gave him clear proof (cf. John 20:24-29). For these two men God worked a miracle and won their belief; but normally He requires us to have faith and to obey Him without His working any new miracles. This was why He upbraided Zechariah and punished him, and why He reproached Thomas: "Have you believed because you have seen Me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe" (John 20:29).

80. "Wilderness": this must surely refer to the "Judean wilderness" which stretches from the northwestern shores of the Dead Sea to the hill country of Judea. It is not a sand desert but rather a barren steppe with bushes and basic vegetation which suit bees and grasshoppers or wild locusts. It contains many caves which can provide shelter.
___________________________
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 24

No Rest But in God

In the great deluge of this life, wherein we are tossed with storms round about us; and where there is no secure casting of anchor; there is nowhere any secure quietness, but everywhere wars and strife. Therefore doth this soul of mine, which comes all weary from travelling upon a long and laborious way, lie languishing and torn in sunder, by these vanities which it passed by; and it doth hunger and thirst extremely; and I have nothing to set before it. Thou, O my God, who art rich in all things, give good to him who is so weary; and stitch him together who is so torn.

-St. Augustine.
_________________
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 24

So truly as meek and gentle ye will not only love his consolations, but as good children will also endure his scourges; that since ye hope for that ye see not, ye may with patience wait for it. So act, so walk ye. For so ye walk in Christ who said I am the Way.
_________________________
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 24

EVEN the sinner can call God his Father, if he prays to him to receive him anew as a son, after the example of the Prodigal Son, who called him Father (Father, I have sinned), even though he had not as yet been pardoned.
_________________
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, 6/23

Dr Edward Peters:Three points on the recent SSPX ordinations
I thought lifting the SSPX excommunications was meant to bring them closer to Catholic unity; instead, it seems to confirm their drifting more distant...

The Fourth Sacrament under Restoration. On the Job, the Curé of Ars and Padre Pio [Chiesa]
Endless streams of penitents stood in line at their confessionals. And Benedict XVI is proposing them as models in order to revitalize the sacrament of forgiveness. Surprisingly, Cardinal Martini also agrees with the pope. And he even wants a council for this purpose

“No business interfering in what religious groups say”
Federal judge rules Contra Costa County library can’t ban meetings by Christian group
[Whoa! Is this judge looking to be overturned? After all, these are "Christians"]

Bishop Fellay explains why SSPX to ordain priests
'For us it is a question of life, just as breathing is'

Italian bishops urge Berlusconi to respond
Allegation: escorts paid to attend president's parties

Church fights Spain's abortion law reforms
Bishops call on Catholic legislators to vote down bill

Abortion opponents return to Tiller clinic
Memorial for unborn held after counter-demonstrators leave

Labor unions, Catholic hospitals to end conflict
Accord seeks to apply Church teachings on labor rights

Blogger arraigned on Conn. lawmaker-threat charge
Accused was angry over controversial anti-Catholic proposal

Cardinal: Catholics humbled by Anglican converts
'Rome is home and a place of abiding in our pilgrimage'

Bishop confronts Catholic pol on gay marriage
'He is contradicting some basic moral teachings...'

Vatican slams priest's comments on wartime Pope
Says pressure from Jews not delaying beatification

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Other Issues
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Ed McMahon Dies in LA at 86
[No link - Please pray for him and all those who will die today!]

IG Fired by Obama Wants Congressional Hearing on His Case
(CNSNews.com) – The ousted inspector general who reported that his office found misuse of AmeriCorps funds granted to a charity run by a political ally of President Barack Obama sees an assault on the institution of government watchdogs, noting that besides himself, the inspectors general in both the Treasury Department and the International Trade Commission (ITC) have faced reported hurdles in doing their jobs....
[A SPECIAL PROSECUTOR would be much better - with free rein to investigate ALL of the corruption that's permeated the White House courtesy of the Obongo dictatorship]

Five More Myths the Left Has Created About Itself
Liberals care about the poor: Almost every program the Left supports to "help" the poor in this country is surreptitiously designed to de-motivate them and keep them dependent on the government...
[I grow less and less patient every day with punks, thugs, liars, cheats, child molesters, and other reprobates and criminals - especially if they are in government!]

Bailout watchdog: Who's the boss?
Treasury questions who supervises the inspector general who oversees $700 bailout. Justice Department will referee.

GOLDMAN SACHS to make record bonus payout; Spectacular first half of '09

Sarkozy says burqas are 'not welcome' in France

PepsiCo sponsors four more gay pride parades
[I quit buying its products and lend ing aid and comfort to this corporate enemy of humanity some time ago. If EVERYONE who claims to be Pro-Life and Pro-Family boycotted companies promoting this sick sexual perversion, we might see an end to blatant endorsements of dangerous, perverted, and deadly sexual deviance...Until then, I pray that such companies come to embrace the NATURAL MORAL LAW.]

Perez Hilton bloodied after punched by Black Eyed Peas manager
[This was good for a few chuckles! - the openly homosexual twit was running his mouth again it seems...Another fine example of perverted sexual deviance leading one to moral degeneracy and mental dullness.]

Blogger arraigned on Conn. lawmaker-threat charge

Monday, June 22, 2009

Gospel for Tuesday, 12th Week in Ordinary Time

From: Matthew 7:6, 12-14

Respect for Holy Things
(Jesus said to His disciples,) [6] "Do not give dogs what is holy; and do not throw your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under foot and turn to attack you.

The Golden Rule
[12] "So whatever you wish that men would do to you, do so to them; for this is the law and the prophets.

The Narrow Gate
[13] "Enter by the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is easy, that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. [14] For the gate is narrow and the way is hard, that leads to life, and those who find it are few."
________________________
Commentary:
6. Jesus uses a popular saying to teach prudent discernment in the preaching of the word of God and distribution of the means of sanctification. The Church has always heeded this warning, particularly in the sense of respect with which it administers the Sacraments--especially the Holy Eucharist. Filial confidence does not exempt us from the sincere and profound respect which should imbue our relations with God and with holy things.

12. This "golden rule" gives a guideline to realize our obligations towards and the love we should have for others. However, if we interpreted it superficially it would become a selfish rule; it obviously does not mean "do utdes" ("I give you something so that you will give me something") but that we should do good to others unconditionally: we are clever enough not to put limits on how much we love ourselves. This rule of conduct will be completed by Jesus' "new commandment" (John 13:34), where He teaches us to love others as He Himself loved us.

13-14. "Enter": in St. Matthew's Gospel this verb often has as its object the "Kingdom of Heaven" or equivalent expressions (life, the marriage feast, the joy of the Lord, etc.). We can interpret "enter" as an imperious invitation.

The way of sin is momentarily pleasant and calls for no effort, but it leads to eternal perdition. Following the way of a generous and sincere Christian life is very demanding--here Jesus speaks of a narrow gate and a hard way--but it leads to Life, to eternal salvation.

The Christian way involves carrying the cross. "For if a man resolve to submit himself to carrying this cross--that is to say, if he resolve to desire in truth to meet trials and to bear them in all things for God's sake, he will find in them all great relief and sweetness wherewith he may travel upon this road, detached from all things and desiring nothing. Yet, if he desires to possess anything--whether it comes from God or from any other source--with any feeling of attachment, he has not stripped and denied himself in all things; and thus he will be unable to walk along this narrow path or climb upward by it" (St. John of the Cross, "Ascent of Mount Carmel", book 2, chapter 7, 7).
___________________________
Source: "The Navarre Bible: Text and Commentaries". Biblical text taken from the Revised Standard Version and New Vulgate. Commentaries made by members of the Faculty of Theology of the University of Navarre, Spain. Published by Four Courts Press, Kill Lane, Blackrock, Co. Dublin, Ireland. Reprinted with permission from Four Courts Press and Scepter Publishers, the U.S. publisher.

Principles and Practices - June 23

Remove the Obstacles

A great and abiding end is enthroned like a deity on an altar of sacrifice. Bring no victims to that altar and that end will never
fall within your grasp. You desire, but you will pay no price for what you desire. You refuse to deny yourself. You are eaten up with disorderly affections. You will never do anything great at that rate either for this world or the next. And to do nothing great for the world to come may readily prove to be to lose heaven and damn your soul.

-Rickaby, 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 23

HE then, the High One, by whom all things were made, being delivered up, by reason of the form of a servant, delivered up to the reproach of men, and the despising of the people, to contumely, to scourging, to the death of the Cross, hath taught us by the example of his Passion with how great patience we should walk in him, and hath assured us by the example of his Resurrection what we ought in patience to hope from him.
_________________________
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 23

To you who have sinned, I say, that you ought to be ashamed to have offended so great and so good a God. But you have no reason to be ashamed of confessing the sins which you have committed. Was it shame­ful in St Mary Magdalen to acknowledge publicly at the feet of Jesus Christ that she was a sinner? By her confession she became a Saint.
_________________
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 21, 2009

News Updates, 6/22

“Leading Catholic universities have lost their way”
Group representing Catholic schools wants U.S. bishops to change policy barring “those who act in defiance of our fundamental moral principles” from honors, speaking on campus

SSPX defies Vatican, ordains 13 priests in US
Holy See says ordinations by group won't be legitimate

Catholics told to snub rebel priests in Kenya
Suspended clerics have formed own religious order

UK docs: Ban 'sexy' abortion clinic ads
TV, radio commercials promoting promiscuity among youth

Chaplain dies 5 years after being wounded in Iraq
Minnesota priest was injured by roadside bomb

Paramedics paid extra to go on 'gay pride' march
Ambulance staff offered overtime regardless of sexuality

Liturgy translation votes fall short of two-thirds
US bishops to decide fate through mail-in balloting

Pope Benedict upset with Austrian bishops
They have allowed rebellions and abuses to run free

Christian Brothers 'seek forgiveness' over abuse
In wake of Ryan Report on clergy abuse in Ireland

Madonna's Assumption show in Poland irks Catholics
'People are voicing dissatisfaction, and protesting'

Israeli envoy to Vatican sees goal as harmony
Sees Pope Benedict's visit to Holy Land as a success

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Other Issues
=========


Facebook accused of massive click fraud


“Adapting to a New World Order.”
Canadian Conference [PDF file]

FTC To Go After Bloggers That Make False Claims

Gospel for Monday, 12th Week in Ordinary Time

Optional Memorial: St Paulinus of Nola, Bishop
Optional Memorial: St John Fisher, Bishop, and St Thomas More, Martyrs


From: Matthew 7:1-5

Various Precepts: Do Not Judge
(Jesus said to His disciples,) [1] "Judge not, that you be not judged. [2] For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and the measure you give will be the measure you get. [3] Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? [4] Or how can you say to your brother, `Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when there is the log in your own eye? [5] You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye."
__________________________
Commentary:
1. Jesus is condemning any rash judgments we make maliciously or carelessly about our brothers' behavior or feelings or motives. "Think badly and you will not be far wrong" is completely at odds with Jesus' teaching.

In speaking of Christian charity St. Paul lists its main features: "Love is patient and kind [...]. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things" (1 Corinthians 13:4, 5, 7). Therefore, "Never think badly of anyone, not even if the words or conduct of the person in question give you good grounds for doing so" ([St] J. Escriva, "The Way", 442).

"Let us be slow to judge.--Each one sees things from his own point of view, as his mind, with all its limitations, tells him, and through eyes that are often dimmed and clouded by passion" ("ibid"., 451).

1-2. As elsewhere, the verbs in the passive voice ("you will be judged", "the measure you will be given") have God as their subject, even though He is not explicitly mentioned: "Do not judge OTHERS, that you be not judged BY GOD". Clearly the judgment referred to here is always a condemnatory judgment; therefore, if we do not want to be condemned by God, we should never condemn our neighbor. "God measures out according as we measure out and forgives as we forgive, and comes to our rescue with the same tenderness as He sees us having towards others" (Fray Luis de Leon, "Exposicion Del Libro De Job", chapter 29).

3-5. A person whose sight is distorted sees things as deformed, even though in fact they are not deformed. St. Augustine gives this advice: "Try to acquire those virtues which you think your brothers lack, and you will no longer see their defects, because you will not have them yourselves" ("Enarrationes In Psalmos", 30, 2, 7). In this connection, the saying, "A thief thinks that everyone else is a thief" is in line with this teaching of Jesus.

Besides: "To criticize, to destroy, is not difficult; any unskilled laborer knows how to drive his pick into the noble and finely-hewn stone of a cathedral. To construct: that is what requires the skill of a master" ([St] J. Escriva, "The Way", 456).
___________________________
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 22

God Knows All

A man who bears in mind that God is every­where present beholding his every action, will hardly ever sin, conscious as he is of having at every moment a companion of infinite dignity, authority, justice, and sanctity.

-Antonio Rosmini.
_________________
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 22

IF it is born it grows in secrecy, by growing it will be perfected, once perfected it will abide. For when it is perfected it doth not decline into old age, and from old age will come to death; to this end will it be per­fected, that it may abide for ever. For see what follows: we cry Abba Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness to our spirit that we are the children of God.
_________________________
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 22

THERE is a shame that bringeth sin, and there is a shame that bringeth glory and peace. There are two kinds of shame: one which leads souls to sin, and that is the shame which makes them conceal their sins at confession; the other is the confusion which a Christian feels in confessing his sins; and this con­fusion obtains for him the grace of God in this life, and the glory of heaven in the next.
_________________
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