From: Mark 12:38-44
Jesus Censures the Scribes
[38] And in His (Jesus') teaching He said, "Beware of the scribes, who like to go about in long robes, and to have salutations in the market places [39] and the best seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at feasts, [40] who devour widow's houses and for a pretense make long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation."
The Widow's Mite
[41] And He sat down opposite the treasury, and watched the multitude putting money into the treasury. Many rich people put in large sums. [42] And a poor widow came, and put in two copper coins, which make a penny. [43] And He called His disciples to Him, and said to them, "Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the treasury. [44] For they all contributed out of their abundance; but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, her whole living."
_________________________
Commentary:
38-40. Our Lord reproves disordered desire for human honors: "We should notice that salutations in the marketplace are not forbidden, nor people taking the best seats if that befits their position; rather, the faithful are warned to avoid, as they would evil men, those who set too much store by such honors" (St. Bede, "In Marci Evangelium Expositio, in loc."). See also notes on Matthew 23:2-3, 5, 11 and 14.
41-44. Our Lord uses this little event to teach us the importance of things which apparently are insignificant. He puts it somewhat paradoxically; the poor widow has contributed more than all the rich. In God's sight the value of such an action lies more in upright intention and generosity of spirit than in the quantity one gives. "Didn't you see the light in Jesus' eyes as the poor widow left her little alms in the temple? Give Him what you can: the merit is not in whether it is big or small, but in the intention with which you give it" ([St] J. Escriva, "The Way", 829).
By the same token, our actions are pleasing to God even if they are not as perfect as we would like. St. Francis de Sales comments: "Now as among the treasures of the temple, the poor widow's mite was much esteemed, so the least little good works, even though performed somewhat coldly and not according to the whole extent of the charity which is in us, are agreeable to God, and esteemed by Him; so that though of themselves they cannot cause and increase in the existing love [...] yet Divine Providence, counting on them and, out of His goodness, valuing them, forthwith rewards them with increase in charity for the present, and assigns to them a greater Heavenly glory for the future" (St. Francis de Sales, "Treatise on the Love of God", Book 3, Chapter 2).
___________________________
Source: "The Navarre Bible: Text and Commentaries". Biblical text taken from the Revised Standard Version and New Vulgate. Commentaries made by members of the Faculty of Theology of the University of Navarre, Spain. Published by Four Courts Press, Kill Lane, Blackrock, Co. Dublin, Ireland. Reprinted with permission from Four Courts Press and Scepter Publishers, the U.S. publisher.
Saturday, November 07, 2009
Principles and Practices - November 8
Never Mind Feelings
You seem to be a little upset at not being able to feel more that you really love Our Lord. The mere longing desire to do so is a certain proof that love, and much of it, exists in your heart.
But you can test your love infallibly and find out how much you have by asking yourself this question: What am I willing to suffer for Him?
It is the test of St. Francis de Sales:
_________________
From Principles and Practices
Compiled by Rev. J. Hogan of The Catholic Missionary Society
Published by Burns Oates & Washbourne Ltd., Publishers To The Holy See
Nihil Obstat; Eduardus J. Mahoney, S.T.D. Censor deputatus.
Imprimatur; Edm. Can. Surmont, Vicarius generalis.
First printed in 1930
You seem to be a little upset at not being able to feel more that you really love Our Lord. The mere longing desire to do so is a certain proof that love, and much of it, exists in your heart.
But you can test your love infallibly and find out how much you have by asking yourself this question: What am I willing to suffer for Him?
It is the test of St. Francis de Sales:
'Willingness to suffer is a certain proof of love.'This question I will al1swer for you. Though naturally you dread and shrink from pain and humiliation, I am certain that there is no humiliation or suffering which you would refuse to accept if God asked you to bear it. That being so, you can say to Our Lord with all the confidence of Peter who seemed to doubt his own heart:
Lord, Thou knowest that I love Thee with all my heart and soul and strength, for I would gladly lay down my life for Thee.-W. 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
Patience - November 7
Patience
Thoughts on the Patient Endurance of Sorrows and Sufferings
THE WAY OF THE CROSS
The Way of the Cross is a striking image of our life. We are all journeying toward a more or less distant Calvary; at the first Station of this journey we are all condemned to death; at the last we are laid in the sepulcher.
Between these two, what trials, what sufferings, what struggles, and, alas, what falls! These are the intermediate Stations of our journey, and the sorrowful Stations of Our Lord teach how we should bear ourselves in ours, that is, how we should obey, rise again when we have fallen; endure, and be silent.
His silence speaks to us, His sufferings teach us, His patience satisfies for us. His charity wins us.
A fervent Christian will find in each Station a lesson and encouragement for every situation of his soul. Happpy souls, who love the Way of the Cross!
_____________
Compiled and Edited by Rev. F. X. Lasance
Author of "My Prayerbook," etc.
Published by Benziger Brothers
Printers to the Holy Apostolic See
1937
Thoughts on the Patient Endurance of Sorrows and Sufferings
THE WAY OF THE CROSS
The Way of the Cross is a striking image of our life. We are all journeying toward a more or less distant Calvary; at the first Station of this journey we are all condemned to death; at the last we are laid in the sepulcher.
Between these two, what trials, what sufferings, what struggles, and, alas, what falls! These are the intermediate Stations of our journey, and the sorrowful Stations of Our Lord teach how we should bear ourselves in ours, that is, how we should obey, rise again when we have fallen; endure, and be silent.
His silence speaks to us, His sufferings teach us, His patience satisfies for us. His charity wins us.
A fervent Christian will find in each Station a lesson and encouragement for every situation of his soul. Happpy souls, who love the Way of the Cross!
_____________
Compiled and Edited by Rev. F. X. Lasance
Author of "My Prayerbook," etc.
Published by Benziger Brothers
Printers to the Holy Apostolic See
1937
Friday, November 06, 2009
Gospel for Saturday, 31st Week in Ordinary Time
From: Luke 16:9-15
The Unjust Steward (Continuation)
(Jesus said to His disciples,) [9] "And I tell you, make friends for yourselves by means of unrighteous mammon, so that when it fails they may receive you into the eternal habitations.
[10] "He who is faithful in a very little is faithful also in much; and he who is dishonest in a very little is dishonest also in much. [11] If then you have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will entrust to you the true riches? [12] And if you had not been faithful in that which is another's, who will give you that which is your own? [13] No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon."
[14] The Pharisees, who were lovers of money, heard all this, and they scoffed at Him. [15] But He said to them, "You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts; for what is exalted among men is an abomination in the sight of God."
_______________________
Commentary:
9-11. "Unrighteous mammon" means temporal good which have been obtained in some unjust, unrighteous way. However, God is very merciful: even this unjust wealth can enable a person to practice virtue by making restitution, by paying for the damage done and then by striving to help his neighbor by giving alms, by creating work opportunities, etc. This was the case with Zacchaeus, the chief tax collector, who undertook to restore fourfold anything he had unjustly taken, and also to give half his wealth to the poor. On hearing that, our Lord specifically declared that salvation had that day come to that house (cf. Luke 19:1-10).
Our Lord speaks out about faithfulness in very little things, referring to riches--which really are insignificant compared with spiritual wealth. If a person is faithful and generous and is detached in the use he makes of these temporal riches, he will, at the end of his life, receive the rewards of eternal life, which is the greatest treasure of all, and a permanent one. Besides, by its very nature human life is a fabric of little things: anyone who fails to give them their importance will never be able to achieve great things. "Everything in which we poor men have a part--even holiness--is a fabric of small trifles which, depending upon one's intention, can form a magnificent tapestry of heroism or of degradation, of virtues or of sins.
"The epic legends always relate extraordinary adventures, but never fail to mix them with homely details about the hero. May you always attach great importance to the little things. This is the way!" ([St] J. Escriva, "The Way", 826).
The parable of the unjust steward is a symbol of man's life. Everything we have is a gift from God, and we are His stewards or managers, who sooner or later will have to render an account to Him.
12. "That which is another's" refers to temporal things, which are essentially impermanent. "That which is your own" refers to goods of the spirit, values which endure, which are things we really do possess because they will go with us into eternal life. In other words: how can we be given Heaven if we have proved unfaithful, irresponsible, during our life on earth?
13-14. In the culture of that time "service" involved such commitment to one's master that a servant could not take on any other work or serve any other master.
Our service to God, our sanctification, requires us to direct all our actions towards Him. A Christian does not divide up his time, allocating some of it to God and some of it to worldly affairs: everything he does should become a type of service to God and neighbor--by doing things with upright motivation, and being just and charitable.
The Pharisees jeered at what Jesus was saying, in order to justify their own attachment to material things; sometimes people make fun of total commitment to God and detachment from material things because they themselves are not ready to practice virtue; they cannot even imagine other people really having this generosity: they think they must have ulterior motives. See also the note on Matthew 6:24.
[The note on Matthew 6:24 states:
24. Man's ultimate goal is God; to attain this goal he should commit himself entirely. But in fact some people do not have God as their ultimate goal, and instead choose wealth of some kind--in which case wealth becomes their god. Man cannot have two absolute and contrary goals.]
15. "Abomination": the original Greek work means worship of idols, and, by derivation, the horror this provoked in a true worshipper of God. So the __expression conveys God's disgust with the attitude of the Pharisees who, by wanting to be exalted, are putting themselves, like idols, in the place of 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.
The Unjust Steward (Continuation)
(Jesus said to His disciples,) [9] "And I tell you, make friends for yourselves by means of unrighteous mammon, so that when it fails they may receive you into the eternal habitations.
[10] "He who is faithful in a very little is faithful also in much; and he who is dishonest in a very little is dishonest also in much. [11] If then you have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will entrust to you the true riches? [12] And if you had not been faithful in that which is another's, who will give you that which is your own? [13] No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon."
[14] The Pharisees, who were lovers of money, heard all this, and they scoffed at Him. [15] But He said to them, "You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts; for what is exalted among men is an abomination in the sight of God."
_______________________
Commentary:
9-11. "Unrighteous mammon" means temporal good which have been obtained in some unjust, unrighteous way. However, God is very merciful: even this unjust wealth can enable a person to practice virtue by making restitution, by paying for the damage done and then by striving to help his neighbor by giving alms, by creating work opportunities, etc. This was the case with Zacchaeus, the chief tax collector, who undertook to restore fourfold anything he had unjustly taken, and also to give half his wealth to the poor. On hearing that, our Lord specifically declared that salvation had that day come to that house (cf. Luke 19:1-10).
Our Lord speaks out about faithfulness in very little things, referring to riches--which really are insignificant compared with spiritual wealth. If a person is faithful and generous and is detached in the use he makes of these temporal riches, he will, at the end of his life, receive the rewards of eternal life, which is the greatest treasure of all, and a permanent one. Besides, by its very nature human life is a fabric of little things: anyone who fails to give them their importance will never be able to achieve great things. "Everything in which we poor men have a part--even holiness--is a fabric of small trifles which, depending upon one's intention, can form a magnificent tapestry of heroism or of degradation, of virtues or of sins.
"The epic legends always relate extraordinary adventures, but never fail to mix them with homely details about the hero. May you always attach great importance to the little things. This is the way!" ([St] J. Escriva, "The Way", 826).
The parable of the unjust steward is a symbol of man's life. Everything we have is a gift from God, and we are His stewards or managers, who sooner or later will have to render an account to Him.
12. "That which is another's" refers to temporal things, which are essentially impermanent. "That which is your own" refers to goods of the spirit, values which endure, which are things we really do possess because they will go with us into eternal life. In other words: how can we be given Heaven if we have proved unfaithful, irresponsible, during our life on earth?
13-14. In the culture of that time "service" involved such commitment to one's master that a servant could not take on any other work or serve any other master.
Our service to God, our sanctification, requires us to direct all our actions towards Him. A Christian does not divide up his time, allocating some of it to God and some of it to worldly affairs: everything he does should become a type of service to God and neighbor--by doing things with upright motivation, and being just and charitable.
The Pharisees jeered at what Jesus was saying, in order to justify their own attachment to material things; sometimes people make fun of total commitment to God and detachment from material things because they themselves are not ready to practice virtue; they cannot even imagine other people really having this generosity: they think they must have ulterior motives. See also the note on Matthew 6:24.
[The note on Matthew 6:24 states:
24. Man's ultimate goal is God; to attain this goal he should commit himself entirely. But in fact some people do not have God as their ultimate goal, and instead choose wealth of some kind--in which case wealth becomes their god. Man cannot have two absolute and contrary goals.]
15. "Abomination": the original Greek work means worship of idols, and, by derivation, the horror this provoked in a true worshipper of God. So the __expression conveys God's disgust with the attitude of the Pharisees who, by wanting to be exalted, are putting themselves, like idols, in the place of 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 - November 7
The Devil Triumphant
When by presumption, or negligence, or weakness, we have opened our hearts to the devil, what takes place?
He enters in and dwells there, says Our Lord, and the last state of that man is made worse than the first. Why is this?
Because, by repeated sin, the horror of it diminishes, the withdrawal of so much grace weakens the soul, and light and faith are darkened, bad habits are formed, and become, as S. Austin said, speaking from experience, a second nature - Fit habitus peccandi, et habitus fit altera natura. It is the greatest misery that can befall us.
-A Father of the Society Jesus.
_________________
From Principles and Practices
Compiled by Rev. J. Hogan of The Catholic Missionary Society
Published by Burns Oates & Washbourne Ltd., Publishers To The Holy See
Nihil Obstat; Eduardus J. Mahoney, S.T.D. Censor deputatus.
Imprimatur; Edm. Can. Surmont, Vicarius generalis.
First printed in 1930
When by presumption, or negligence, or weakness, we have opened our hearts to the devil, what takes place?
He enters in and dwells there, says Our Lord, and the last state of that man is made worse than the first. Why is this?
Because, by repeated sin, the horror of it diminishes, the withdrawal of so much grace weakens the soul, and light and faith are darkened, bad habits are formed, and become, as S. Austin said, speaking from experience, a second nature - Fit habitus peccandi, et habitus fit altera natura. It is the greatest misery that can befall us.
-A Father of the Society Jesus.
_________________
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
Patience - November 6
Patience
Thoughts on the Patient Endurance of Sorrows and Sufferings
PATIENCE UNDER OUR BODILY SUFFERINGS
It was not really Pilate who condemned Jesus to death, says St. Bernard, it was His love for us. He had been longing all His life through for that moment when He was to carry out His Father's will and redeem the world by dying for us. He knew that the divine mandate had gone forth that without shedding of blood there would be no remission. The voice of Pilate, sentencing Him to death, was but the expression of His own love for sinners, and of His joyful acceptance of the cross for their sake. O Jesus, may I love Thee in return for such love for me!
The cross has been prepared beforehand, and, as soon as the sentence has been passed, they bring it forward to be laid upon the shoulders ~f their Victim. Jesus takes the cross and kisses the instrument of His agony as a welcome friend. He did this, not merely because He loved us and therfore loved the cross, but to teach us to love our crosses, to accept them as gifts from God. How can we dislike them when they make us like to Jesus, and must be borne after Him if we are ever to share His joy in heaven.
On the shoulder of Jesus was a large, open Kound, scarcely covered by the garments thrown upon Him. The weight of the cross rested on this wound, causing Him the most exquisite agony. It was by this that He was earning for us patience under our bodily sufferings. However keen, they are nothing to what the Son of God endured on His road to Calvary. Jesus, grant me patience under my sufferings!
_______________
Compiled and Edited by
Rev. F. X. Lasance
Author of "My Prayerbook," etc.
Benziger Brothers
Printers to the Holy Apostolic See
1937
Thoughts on the Patient Endurance of Sorrows and Sufferings
PATIENCE UNDER OUR BODILY SUFFERINGS
It was not really Pilate who condemned Jesus to death, says St. Bernard, it was His love for us. He had been longing all His life through for that moment when He was to carry out His Father's will and redeem the world by dying for us. He knew that the divine mandate had gone forth that without shedding of blood there would be no remission. The voice of Pilate, sentencing Him to death, was but the expression of His own love for sinners, and of His joyful acceptance of the cross for their sake. O Jesus, may I love Thee in return for such love for me!
The cross has been prepared beforehand, and, as soon as the sentence has been passed, they bring it forward to be laid upon the shoulders ~f their Victim. Jesus takes the cross and kisses the instrument of His agony as a welcome friend. He did this, not merely because He loved us and therfore loved the cross, but to teach us to love our crosses, to accept them as gifts from God. How can we dislike them when they make us like to Jesus, and must be borne after Him if we are ever to share His joy in heaven.
On the shoulder of Jesus was a large, open Kound, scarcely covered by the garments thrown upon Him. The weight of the cross rested on this wound, causing Him the most exquisite agony. It was by this that He was earning for us patience under our bodily sufferings. However keen, they are nothing to what the Son of God endured on His road to Calvary. Jesus, grant me patience under my sufferings!
_______________
Compiled and Edited by
Rev. F. X. Lasance
Author of "My Prayerbook," etc.
Benziger Brothers
Printers to the Holy Apostolic See
1937
Thursday, November 05, 2009
News Updates, 11/6
Pope's offer accepted by Anglican province
Traditional Anglican Communion in UK says yes to Rome
Arrest made in slaying of New Mexico nun
'No further details will be released at this time'
Judge denies order in Catholic diocese case
Settlement negotiations failed with dozen victims
Bishop Tobin challenges lawmakers over abortion
...while stressing Church's support for health-care reform
Planned Parenthood's abortion quotas exposed
Ex-director: We'd have client goal every month
255 artists to meet Pope to revive relations
November 21 meeting to be held at the Sistine Chapel
Holy See: John Paul II beatification not imminent
Vatican press office denies report by Italian daily
Slain NJ priest tried to summon help through 911
Murderer answered dispatcher's redialed phone call
Gay activist leaders blame Obama for loss in Maine
President didn't speak out forcefully in defense of law
=========
Other
=========
Army: Suspect [Muslim terrorist nut job] said `Allahu Akbar!' before shooting
FORT HOOD, Texas – The base commander at Fort Hood says soldiers who witnessed a shooting rampage that left 13 people dead reported that the gunman shouted "Allahu Akbar!" before opening fire at the Texas post....
[Murders by another 'Religion of Peace' follower!]
Unemployment Hits 10.2%!!!
The unemployment rate rose from 9.8 to 10.2 percent in October, and nonfarm payroll employment continued to decline (-190,000), the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. The largest job losses over the month were in construction, manufacturing, and retail trade....
[Rally on!!! More greenshoots!!!]
Goldman Sucks, FED, and Citi Get Preferential H1N1 Vaccines???
A discussion is on fire over at Naked Capitalism. The subject? The apparent fact that Goldman Saks and Citi Bank got allotments of the H1N1 vaccine for their execs, before some hospitals and clinics in New York can get their vaccines...
[This country is overrun with criminals, liars, and thugs...American Revolution II around the corner?]
Traditional Anglican Communion in UK says yes to Rome
Arrest made in slaying of New Mexico nun
'No further details will be released at this time'
Judge denies order in Catholic diocese case
Settlement negotiations failed with dozen victims
Bishop Tobin challenges lawmakers over abortion
...while stressing Church's support for health-care reform
Planned Parenthood's abortion quotas exposed
Ex-director: We'd have client goal every month
255 artists to meet Pope to revive relations
November 21 meeting to be held at the Sistine Chapel
Holy See: John Paul II beatification not imminent
Vatican press office denies report by Italian daily
Slain NJ priest tried to summon help through 911
Murderer answered dispatcher's redialed phone call
Gay activist leaders blame Obama for loss in Maine
President didn't speak out forcefully in defense of law
=========
Other
=========
Army: Suspect [Muslim terrorist nut job] said `Allahu Akbar!' before shooting
FORT HOOD, Texas – The base commander at Fort Hood says soldiers who witnessed a shooting rampage that left 13 people dead reported that the gunman shouted "Allahu Akbar!" before opening fire at the Texas post....
[Murders by another 'Religion of Peace' follower!]
Unemployment Hits 10.2%!!!
The unemployment rate rose from 9.8 to 10.2 percent in October, and nonfarm payroll employment continued to decline (-190,000), the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. The largest job losses over the month were in construction, manufacturing, and retail trade....
[Rally on!!! More greenshoots!!!]
Goldman Sucks, FED, and Citi Get Preferential H1N1 Vaccines???
A discussion is on fire over at Naked Capitalism. The subject? The apparent fact that Goldman Saks and Citi Bank got allotments of the H1N1 vaccine for their execs, before some hospitals and clinics in New York can get their vaccines...
[This country is overrun with criminals, liars, and thugs...American Revolution II around the corner?]
Gospel for Friday, 31st Week in Ordinary Time
From: Luke 16:1-8
The Unjust Steward
[1] He (Jesus) also said to the disciples, "There was a rich man who had a steward, and charges were brought to him that this man was wasting his goods. [2] And he called him and said to him, 'What is this that I hear from you? Turn in the account of your stewardship, for you can no longer be steward.' [3] And the steward said to himself, 'What shall I do, since my master is taking the stewardship away from me? I am not strong enough to dig, and I am ashamed to beg. [4] I have decided what to do, so that people may receive me into their houses when I am put out of the stewardship.' [5] So, summoning his master's debtors one by one, he said to the first, 'How much do you owe my master?' [6] He said, 'A hundred measures of oil.' And he said to him, 'Take your bill, and sit down quickly and write fifty.' [7] Then he said to another, 'And how much do you owe?' He said, 'A hundred measures of wheat.' He said to him, 'Take your bill, and write eighty.' [8] The master commended the dishonest steward for his prudence; for the sons of this world are wiser in their own generation that the sons of light.
________________
Commentary:
1-8. The unfaithful steward manages to avoid falling on hard times. Of course, our Lord presumes that we realize the immorality of the man's behavior. What he emphasizes and praises, however, is his shrewdness and effort: he tries to derive maximum material advantages from his former position as steward. In saving our soul and spreading the Kingdom of God, our Lord wants us to apply at least the same ingenuity and effort as people put into their worldly affairs or their attempts to attain some human ideal. The fact that we can count on God's grace does not in any way exempt us from the need to employ all available legitimate human resources even if that means strenuous effort and heroic sacrifice.
"What zeal people put into their earthly affairs: dreaming of honors, striving for riches, bent on sensuality. Men and women, rich and poor, old and middle-aged and young and even children: all of them the same. When you and I put the same zeal into the affairs of our souls, we will have a living and operative faith: and there will be no obstacle that we cannot overcome in our apostolic undertakings" ([St] J. Escriva, "The Way", 317).
___________________________
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 Unjust Steward
[1] He (Jesus) also said to the disciples, "There was a rich man who had a steward, and charges were brought to him that this man was wasting his goods. [2] And he called him and said to him, 'What is this that I hear from you? Turn in the account of your stewardship, for you can no longer be steward.' [3] And the steward said to himself, 'What shall I do, since my master is taking the stewardship away from me? I am not strong enough to dig, and I am ashamed to beg. [4] I have decided what to do, so that people may receive me into their houses when I am put out of the stewardship.' [5] So, summoning his master's debtors one by one, he said to the first, 'How much do you owe my master?' [6] He said, 'A hundred measures of oil.' And he said to him, 'Take your bill, and sit down quickly and write fifty.' [7] Then he said to another, 'And how much do you owe?' He said, 'A hundred measures of wheat.' He said to him, 'Take your bill, and write eighty.' [8] The master commended the dishonest steward for his prudence; for the sons of this world are wiser in their own generation that the sons of light.
________________
Commentary:
1-8. The unfaithful steward manages to avoid falling on hard times. Of course, our Lord presumes that we realize the immorality of the man's behavior. What he emphasizes and praises, however, is his shrewdness and effort: he tries to derive maximum material advantages from his former position as steward. In saving our soul and spreading the Kingdom of God, our Lord wants us to apply at least the same ingenuity and effort as people put into their worldly affairs or their attempts to attain some human ideal. The fact that we can count on God's grace does not in any way exempt us from the need to employ all available legitimate human resources even if that means strenuous effort and heroic sacrifice.
"What zeal people put into their earthly affairs: dreaming of honors, striving for riches, bent on sensuality. Men and women, rich and poor, old and middle-aged and young and even children: all of them the same. When you and I put the same zeal into the affairs of our souls, we will have a living and operative faith: and there will be no obstacle that we cannot overcome in our apostolic undertakings" ([St] J. Escriva, "The Way", 317).
___________________________
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 - November 6
The Value of Silence
Do you wish to be a man of prayer, to converse familiarly with God, to be free from bad thoughts, and to be always in a disposition to receive Divine inspirations? Take care to live in recollection and silence. A great noise hinders us from hearing what is said to us; in like manner, much business and idle talk permit us not to listen to these inspirations, nor to conceive in our hearts what they would urge us to. When God wishes to converse with a soul, He desires to be alone with her. 'I will allure her, and will lead her into the wilderness, and I will speak to her heart.' (Osee ii, 14.)
-Rodrignez.
_________________
From Principles and Practices
Compiled by Rev. J. Hogan of The Catholic Missionary Society
Published by Burns Oates & Washbourne Ltd., Publishers To The Holy See
Nihil Obstat; Eduardus J. Mahoney, S.T.D. Censor deputatus.
Imprimatur; Edm. Can. Surmont, Vicarius generalis.
First printed in 1930
Do you wish to be a man of prayer, to converse familiarly with God, to be free from bad thoughts, and to be always in a disposition to receive Divine inspirations? Take care to live in recollection and silence. A great noise hinders us from hearing what is said to us; in like manner, much business and idle talk permit us not to listen to these inspirations, nor to conceive in our hearts what they would urge us to. When God wishes to converse with a soul, He desires to be alone with her. 'I will allure her, and will lead her into the wilderness, and I will speak to her heart.' (Osee ii, 14.)
-Rodrignez.
_________________
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
Patience - November 5
Patience
Thoughts on the Patient Endurance of Sorrows and Sufferings
WHY WE SUFFER
"Star from star in glory differs." It may be that we
To bright glory are predestined in a high degree.
Some Saints by heroic virtues, glory did acquire
As to far surpass in splendor the Angelic Choirs.
Lucifer's lost place in Heaven, doth Saint Francis hold;
Or, at least, a saintly Brother this to him foretold.
Well we know, the Queen of Angels ranks all else above,
Nor can any love e'er rival her sweet Mother love.
Left to our initiative we might ne'er attain
That most wondrous place in Heaven, God would have us gain.
So He sends us trials, crosses. 'Twas His portion here;
Portion too, of His Blest Mother, whom He loved so dear.
Some great saints have longed for sufferings, to resemble Him
Whose grand life was one great suffering for the love of them.
And if Jesus had not suffered, could we ever see
His Five Wounds in radiant splendor through eternity?
May these Wounds through life e'er help us suffer patiently
And one day with Him inherit Crown of Victory.
E'en from sin, the greatest evil, He's drawn wondrous good,
Shown His boundless love by suffering; gives Himself as Food;
Adds rare jewels to our coronet, gives eternal bliss
For each moment of our sufferings sanctified by His.
Sufferings with our Lord's united, are the coins that buy
Glory, wealth, unheard-of treasures in His Courts on High.
-Rose Desmond O'Reilly, Kingsbridge, Ont.
In such a world, so thorny, and where none
Finds happiness unblighted, or, if found,
Without some thistly sorrow at his side,
It seems the part of wisdom, and no sin
Against the law of love, to measure lots
With less distinguished than ourselves, that thus
We may with patience bear our moderate ills,
And sympathize with others suffering more.
-Cowper.
_________
Compiled and Edited by
Rev. F. X. Lasance
Author of "My Prayerbook," etc.
Benziger Brothers
Printers to the Holy Apostolic See
1937
Thoughts on the Patient Endurance of Sorrows and Sufferings
WHY WE SUFFER
"Star from star in glory differs." It may be that we
To bright glory are predestined in a high degree.
Some Saints by heroic virtues, glory did acquire
As to far surpass in splendor the Angelic Choirs.
Lucifer's lost place in Heaven, doth Saint Francis hold;
Or, at least, a saintly Brother this to him foretold.
Well we know, the Queen of Angels ranks all else above,
Nor can any love e'er rival her sweet Mother love.
Left to our initiative we might ne'er attain
That most wondrous place in Heaven, God would have us gain.
So He sends us trials, crosses. 'Twas His portion here;
Portion too, of His Blest Mother, whom He loved so dear.
Some great saints have longed for sufferings, to resemble Him
Whose grand life was one great suffering for the love of them.
And if Jesus had not suffered, could we ever see
His Five Wounds in radiant splendor through eternity?
May these Wounds through life e'er help us suffer patiently
And one day with Him inherit Crown of Victory.
E'en from sin, the greatest evil, He's drawn wondrous good,
Shown His boundless love by suffering; gives Himself as Food;
Adds rare jewels to our coronet, gives eternal bliss
For each moment of our sufferings sanctified by His.
Sufferings with our Lord's united, are the coins that buy
Glory, wealth, unheard-of treasures in His Courts on High.
-Rose Desmond O'Reilly, Kingsbridge, Ont.
In such a world, so thorny, and where none
Finds happiness unblighted, or, if found,
Without some thistly sorrow at his side,
It seems the part of wisdom, and no sin
Against the law of love, to measure lots
With less distinguished than ourselves, that thus
We may with patience bear our moderate ills,
And sympathize with others suffering more.
-Cowper.
_________
Compiled and Edited by
Rev. F. X. Lasance
Author of "My Prayerbook," etc.
Benziger Brothers
Printers to the Holy Apostolic See
1937
Wednesday, November 04, 2009
News Updates, 11/5
Denver bishop: Catholics must demand delivery from Obama on health care promises
Stressing that “there is very little time to act,” Bishop James Conley, the Auxiliary Bishop of Denver, told CNA in an exclusive interview on Monday that now is the time for President Obama to prove his critics wrong and show them that he really meant it when he said abortions would not be funded in the health care reform bill...
[What is wrong with these bishops? Obozo is a lying, malignant narcissist who has always embraced the murder of the unborn...These people need to wake up and smell the coffee! The only thing I demand from this demonic communist is his resignation!]
United Nations Report Pushes for Right to Sex Change Operations
A week after nations criticized a United Nations (UN) special rapporteur for exceeding his mandate in order to push a redefinition of the term "gender" and a controversial "gay rights" document known as the Yogyakarta Principles, a second special report – this time on health – is sparking similar concern. Presented to the UN General Assembly late last month, "The Right of Everyone to the Enjoyment of the Highest Attainable Standard of Physical and Mental Health" by special rapporteur Anand Grover references not only the Yogyakarta Principles, but also a hotly-disputed "General Recommendation" by the Committee monitoring compliance with the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights...
Italy PM: Crucifix ruling denies Europe's roots
'This is not acceptable for us Italians'
Maine voters reject same-sex marriage
Overturning a marriage equality law passed in May
Nun 'reprimanded' for abortion rights activism
Dominican sister escorts women into abortion clinics
Pope calls on Iran to allow Christian worship
Says Catholics need 'the essential conditions' to survive
Vatican newspaper denounces Swiss theologian
Says Hans Kung published many lies and inaccuracies
Ohio Catholic priests to meet on marriage issues
Confab to address divorce rates cohabitation, same-sex
Pope speaks on proper role of theological debate
Informed by faith and guided by the magisterium
Pope to meet Anglican Archbishop of Canterbury
Benedict XVI remains committed to ecumenical dialogue
[With an apostate?]
Opus Dei founder is focus of new movie
'There Be Dragons' set during the Spanish Civil War
==========
Other
==========
CBO Confirms GOP Plan Will Lower Health Care Premiums, Lower Deficit Without Tax Hikes
House Republican Leader John Boehner (R-OH) issued the following statement after the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) confirmed in a letter tonight that the Republican health care plan will lower health care premiums by up to 10 percent and reduce the deficit by $68 billion over 10 years without imposing tax increases on families and small businesses...
"V" - A First Look
Stressing that “there is very little time to act,” Bishop James Conley, the Auxiliary Bishop of Denver, told CNA in an exclusive interview on Monday that now is the time for President Obama to prove his critics wrong and show them that he really meant it when he said abortions would not be funded in the health care reform bill...
[What is wrong with these bishops? Obozo is a lying, malignant narcissist who has always embraced the murder of the unborn...These people need to wake up and smell the coffee! The only thing I demand from this demonic communist is his resignation!]
United Nations Report Pushes for Right to Sex Change Operations
A week after nations criticized a United Nations (UN) special rapporteur for exceeding his mandate in order to push a redefinition of the term "gender" and a controversial "gay rights" document known as the Yogyakarta Principles, a second special report – this time on health – is sparking similar concern. Presented to the UN General Assembly late last month, "The Right of Everyone to the Enjoyment of the Highest Attainable Standard of Physical and Mental Health" by special rapporteur Anand Grover references not only the Yogyakarta Principles, but also a hotly-disputed "General Recommendation" by the Committee monitoring compliance with the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights...
Italy PM: Crucifix ruling denies Europe's roots
'This is not acceptable for us Italians'
Maine voters reject same-sex marriage
Overturning a marriage equality law passed in May
Nun 'reprimanded' for abortion rights activism
Dominican sister escorts women into abortion clinics
Pope calls on Iran to allow Christian worship
Says Catholics need 'the essential conditions' to survive
Vatican newspaper denounces Swiss theologian
Says Hans Kung published many lies and inaccuracies
Ohio Catholic priests to meet on marriage issues
Confab to address divorce rates cohabitation, same-sex
Pope speaks on proper role of theological debate
Informed by faith and guided by the magisterium
Pope to meet Anglican Archbishop of Canterbury
Benedict XVI remains committed to ecumenical dialogue
[With an apostate?]
Opus Dei founder is focus of new movie
'There Be Dragons' set during the Spanish Civil War
==========
Other
==========
CBO Confirms GOP Plan Will Lower Health Care Premiums, Lower Deficit Without Tax Hikes
House Republican Leader John Boehner (R-OH) issued the following statement after the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) confirmed in a letter tonight that the Republican health care plan will lower health care premiums by up to 10 percent and reduce the deficit by $68 billion over 10 years without imposing tax increases on families and small businesses...
"V" - A First Look
Gospel for Thursday, 31st Week in Ordinary Time
From: Luke 15:1-10
Parable's of God's Mercy
[1] Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear Him (Jesus). [2] And the Pharisees and the scribes murmured, saying, "This man receives sinners and eats with them."
The Lost Sheep
[3] So He told them this parable: [4] "What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost, until he finds it? [5] And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. [6] And when he comes home he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, `Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost.' [7] Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in Heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.
The Lost Coin
[8] "Or what woman, having ten silver coins, if she lost one coin, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and seek diligently until she finds it? [9] And when she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, `Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin which I has lost.' [10] Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents.
________________________
Commentary:
1-32. Jesus' actions manifest God's mercy: He receives sinners in order to convert them. The scribes and Pharisees, who despised sinners, just cannot understand why Jesus acts like this; they grumble about Him; and Jesus uses the opportunity to tell these Mercy parables. "The Gospel writer who particularly treats of these themes in Christ's teaching is Luke, whose Gospel has earned the title of `the Gospel of mercy'" (John Paul II, "Dives In Misericordia", 3).
In this chapter St. Luke reports three of these parables in which Jesus describes the infinite, fatherly mercy of God and His joy at the conversion of the sinner.
The Gospel teaches that no one is excluded from forgiveness and that sinners can become beloved children of God if they repent and are converted. So much does God desire the conversion of sinners that each of these parables ends with a refrain, as it were, telling of the great joy in Heaven over sinner who repents.
1-2. This is not the first time that publicans and sinners approach Jesus (cf. Matthew 9:10). They are attracted by the directness of the Lord's preaching and by His call to self-giving and love. The Pharisees in general were jealous of His influence over the people (cf. Matthew 26:2-5; John 11:47) a jealousy which can also beset Christians; a severity of outlook which does not accept that, no matter how great his sins may have been, a sinner can change and become a saint; a blindness which prevents a person from recognizing and rejoicing over the good done by others. Our Lord criticized this attitude when He replied to His disciples' complaints about others casting out devils in His name: "Do not forbid him; for no one who does a mighty work in My name will be able soon after to speak evil of Me" (Mark 9:39). And St. Paul rejoiced that others proclaimed Christ and even overlooked the fact they did so out of self-interest, provided Christ was preached (cf. Philippians 1:17-18).
5-6. Christian tradition, on the basis of this and other Gospel passages (cf. John 10:11), applies this parable to Christ, the Good Shepherd, who misses and then seeks out the lost sheep: the Word, by becoming man, seeks out mankind, which has strayed through sinning. Here is St. Gregory the Great's commentary: "He put the sheep on His shoulders because, on taking on human nature, He burdened Himself with our sins" ("In Evangelia Homiliae", II, 14).
The Second Vatican Council applies these verses of St. Luke to the way priests should approach their pastoral work: "They should be mindful that by their daily conduct and solicitude they display the reality of a truly priestly and pastoral ministry both to believers and unbelievers alike, to Catholics and non-Catholics; that they are bound to bear witness before all men of the truth and of the life, and as good shepherds seek after those too who, whilst having been baptized in the Catholic Church, have given up the practice of the Sacraments, or even fallen away from the faith" ("Lumen Gentium", 28). However, every member of the faithful should show this same kind of concern--expressed in a fraternal way--towards his brothers and sisters, towards everyone on the road to sanctification and salvation.
7. This does not mean that our Lord does not value the perseverance of the just: He is simply emphasizing the joy of God and the saints over the conversion of a sinner. This is clearly a call to repentance, to never doubt God's readiness to forgive. "Another fall, and what a fall!... Must you give up hope? No. Humble yourself and, through Mary, your Mother, have recourse to the merciful Love of Jesus. A "miserere", and lift up your heart! And now begin again" ([St] J. Escriva, "The Way", 711).
8. This silver coin was a "drachma", of about the same value as a denarius, that is, approximately a day's wage for an agricultural worker (cf. Matthew 20:2).
___________________________
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.
Parable's of God's Mercy
[1] Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear Him (Jesus). [2] And the Pharisees and the scribes murmured, saying, "This man receives sinners and eats with them."
The Lost Sheep
[3] So He told them this parable: [4] "What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost, until he finds it? [5] And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. [6] And when he comes home he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, `Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost.' [7] Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in Heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.
The Lost Coin
[8] "Or what woman, having ten silver coins, if she lost one coin, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and seek diligently until she finds it? [9] And when she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, `Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin which I has lost.' [10] Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents.
________________________
Commentary:
1-32. Jesus' actions manifest God's mercy: He receives sinners in order to convert them. The scribes and Pharisees, who despised sinners, just cannot understand why Jesus acts like this; they grumble about Him; and Jesus uses the opportunity to tell these Mercy parables. "The Gospel writer who particularly treats of these themes in Christ's teaching is Luke, whose Gospel has earned the title of `the Gospel of mercy'" (John Paul II, "Dives In Misericordia", 3).
In this chapter St. Luke reports three of these parables in which Jesus describes the infinite, fatherly mercy of God and His joy at the conversion of the sinner.
The Gospel teaches that no one is excluded from forgiveness and that sinners can become beloved children of God if they repent and are converted. So much does God desire the conversion of sinners that each of these parables ends with a refrain, as it were, telling of the great joy in Heaven over sinner who repents.
1-2. This is not the first time that publicans and sinners approach Jesus (cf. Matthew 9:10). They are attracted by the directness of the Lord's preaching and by His call to self-giving and love. The Pharisees in general were jealous of His influence over the people (cf. Matthew 26:2-5; John 11:47) a jealousy which can also beset Christians; a severity of outlook which does not accept that, no matter how great his sins may have been, a sinner can change and become a saint; a blindness which prevents a person from recognizing and rejoicing over the good done by others. Our Lord criticized this attitude when He replied to His disciples' complaints about others casting out devils in His name: "Do not forbid him; for no one who does a mighty work in My name will be able soon after to speak evil of Me" (Mark 9:39). And St. Paul rejoiced that others proclaimed Christ and even overlooked the fact they did so out of self-interest, provided Christ was preached (cf. Philippians 1:17-18).
5-6. Christian tradition, on the basis of this and other Gospel passages (cf. John 10:11), applies this parable to Christ, the Good Shepherd, who misses and then seeks out the lost sheep: the Word, by becoming man, seeks out mankind, which has strayed through sinning. Here is St. Gregory the Great's commentary: "He put the sheep on His shoulders because, on taking on human nature, He burdened Himself with our sins" ("In Evangelia Homiliae", II, 14).
The Second Vatican Council applies these verses of St. Luke to the way priests should approach their pastoral work: "They should be mindful that by their daily conduct and solicitude they display the reality of a truly priestly and pastoral ministry both to believers and unbelievers alike, to Catholics and non-Catholics; that they are bound to bear witness before all men of the truth and of the life, and as good shepherds seek after those too who, whilst having been baptized in the Catholic Church, have given up the practice of the Sacraments, or even fallen away from the faith" ("Lumen Gentium", 28). However, every member of the faithful should show this same kind of concern--expressed in a fraternal way--towards his brothers and sisters, towards everyone on the road to sanctification and salvation.
7. This does not mean that our Lord does not value the perseverance of the just: He is simply emphasizing the joy of God and the saints over the conversion of a sinner. This is clearly a call to repentance, to never doubt God's readiness to forgive. "Another fall, and what a fall!... Must you give up hope? No. Humble yourself and, through Mary, your Mother, have recourse to the merciful Love of Jesus. A "miserere", and lift up your heart! And now begin again" ([St] J. Escriva, "The Way", 711).
8. This silver coin was a "drachma", of about the same value as a denarius, that is, approximately a day's wage for an agricultural worker (cf. Matthew 20:2).
___________________________
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 - November 5
The Meaning of Goodness
Goodness is not a negative but an intensely positive thing. It is energetic, active, strong. The very word virtue implies effort. Effort of the most constant and strenuous kind. There are no such things as negative virtues. The powers of our mind and body were not given us that we might simply keep them from mischief and hold them in check so that they should not harm ourselves or others. They were given us for action. The tongue to speak, the eye to look, the hand to work, the heart to love, the mind to think, the will to choose.
Everything about us speaks of an output of power. Life is to flow forth through mind and body. The body is the machinery through which the inner force is to express itself. The most mortified life is not a passive life. It is rather one in which the whole nature has been brought under the control of the will, and the will under obedience to God. It is the life of one who has died to sin that he might live to righteousness. It is the Resurrection life, a life in which all our powers are used for the very highest purposes.
-Maturin.
_________________
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
Goodness is not a negative but an intensely positive thing. It is energetic, active, strong. The very word virtue implies effort. Effort of the most constant and strenuous kind. There are no such things as negative virtues. The powers of our mind and body were not given us that we might simply keep them from mischief and hold them in check so that they should not harm ourselves or others. They were given us for action. The tongue to speak, the eye to look, the hand to work, the heart to love, the mind to think, the will to choose.
Everything about us speaks of an output of power. Life is to flow forth through mind and body. The body is the machinery through which the inner force is to express itself. The most mortified life is not a passive life. It is rather one in which the whole nature has been brought under the control of the will, and the will under obedience to God. It is the life of one who has died to sin that he might live to righteousness. It is the Resurrection life, a life in which all our powers are used for the very highest purposes.
-Maturin.
_________________
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
Patience - November 4
Patience
Thoughts on the Patient Endurance of Sorrows and Sufferings
Patient Followers of the Patient Son of God
As the Lord of men, Jesus Christ became their teacher, and He exhorts us to take up our daily cross, and to follow Him with patience.
Severe to Himself, He is gentle, mild, and forbearing to all others. His meekness is the beautiful flower, His peacefulness the sweet fruit of His patience. His doctrine is doubted and disputed; He is charged with being an impostor; He is called a blasphemer; His wonderful works are ascribed to the devil; His adversaries gnash their teeth, burn with rage, and are prepared to stone Him. Yet His equanimity is unmoved, His meek demeanor is not altered, the calmness of His peace undergoes no change. Resting on His union with His Father, the ground of His invincible strength, His divine fortitude is tried at every point, and at every point His patience is invincible.
We profess to be the patient followers of the patient Son of God. Do we understand how deep that patience goes which rests the humanity of Christ upon the firm foundation of His divinity, and gives to His human will the strength to hold to the will of His Father, unmoved and undisturbed in its peace and self-possession by all that men can say or do against Him? Do we understand the profundity of that patience which refrains from every egotistical self-assertion, however grossly He is misjudged, however ignominiously He is insulted? He only glorifies His heavenly Father, declares His unity with His Father, and equally declares that He can do nothing without His Father. Yet He calls upon us to be the imitators of His patience, to rest for strength on Him; to take up our daily cross and follow Him; to refrain from our selfish egotism; and in patience to possess our souls.
As the patient sufferings of Our Lord were the cause of His glory, the like patience in sufferings will bring us to His glory.
That perfection of life consists in doing our ordinary actions well, is one of the wisest maxims of the saints. Those duties make up the chief sum of our lives during the time allotted to us in this world. As we owe our life and time to God, the good Christian has duties at all hours.
The perfection of our ordinary actions depends on high motives, good will, and cheerful patience. High motives give them their value before God; good will makes them vigorous; cheerful patience makes them orderly, peaceful, effective, and pleasant. Hence, the poor man who goes to his daily toils with good will and cheerful patience for the love of God, is a much nobler person in the sight of God than the man who, from mere human motives, shines with splendid actions in the sight of the world.
Whatever we do is perfect in proportion to the self-possession with which we do it; and that self-possession is proportioned to patience. Nothing, however, trifling, can be done well without good judgment. There are fifty ways of doing anything, but only one perfect way. Nature is always inclined to hurry, to run before judgment, but grace is deliberate. To work fruitfully is to work with a patient will; fretful haste damages both the work and the workman.
They who are patient with obstacles will be patient when the work runs smoothly.
There are few greater proofs of a well-disciplined interior than to be able to break off at any time with cheerfulness from one duty and to turn with equal cheerfulness to another, however unexpected the interruption may be. It is an effect of that detachment of will that comes of patient charity.
-Archbishop Ullathorne.
Every sorrowful trial bears some resemblance to the most excellent passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ, and when it is endured with patience, it makes him who endures it a more perfect partaker of the passion of His Lord and Saviour.
What we now suffer, God has from eternity foreseen, and has ordained that we should suffer in this way, and not in any other way.
Nothing more valuable can befall a man than tribulation, when it is endured with patience for the love of God, because there is no more certain sign of the divine election. But this should be understood quite as much of internal as of external trials.
It is the chain of patient sufferings that forms the rings with which Christ espouses a soul to Himself.
-Blosius.
We know that to them that love God all things work together unto good.
-Romans viii. 28.
He that is patient is governed with much wisdom: but he that is impatient exalteth his folly.
-Proverbs xiv. 29.
_____________
Compiled and Edited by
Rev. F. X. Lasance
Author of "My Prayerbook," etc.
Benziger Brothers
Printers to the Holy Apo;tolic See
1937
Thoughts on the Patient Endurance of Sorrows and Sufferings
Patient Followers of the Patient Son of God
As the Lord of men, Jesus Christ became their teacher, and He exhorts us to take up our daily cross, and to follow Him with patience.
Severe to Himself, He is gentle, mild, and forbearing to all others. His meekness is the beautiful flower, His peacefulness the sweet fruit of His patience. His doctrine is doubted and disputed; He is charged with being an impostor; He is called a blasphemer; His wonderful works are ascribed to the devil; His adversaries gnash their teeth, burn with rage, and are prepared to stone Him. Yet His equanimity is unmoved, His meek demeanor is not altered, the calmness of His peace undergoes no change. Resting on His union with His Father, the ground of His invincible strength, His divine fortitude is tried at every point, and at every point His patience is invincible.
We profess to be the patient followers of the patient Son of God. Do we understand how deep that patience goes which rests the humanity of Christ upon the firm foundation of His divinity, and gives to His human will the strength to hold to the will of His Father, unmoved and undisturbed in its peace and self-possession by all that men can say or do against Him? Do we understand the profundity of that patience which refrains from every egotistical self-assertion, however grossly He is misjudged, however ignominiously He is insulted? He only glorifies His heavenly Father, declares His unity with His Father, and equally declares that He can do nothing without His Father. Yet He calls upon us to be the imitators of His patience, to rest for strength on Him; to take up our daily cross and follow Him; to refrain from our selfish egotism; and in patience to possess our souls.
As the patient sufferings of Our Lord were the cause of His glory, the like patience in sufferings will bring us to His glory.
That perfection of life consists in doing our ordinary actions well, is one of the wisest maxims of the saints. Those duties make up the chief sum of our lives during the time allotted to us in this world. As we owe our life and time to God, the good Christian has duties at all hours.
The perfection of our ordinary actions depends on high motives, good will, and cheerful patience. High motives give them their value before God; good will makes them vigorous; cheerful patience makes them orderly, peaceful, effective, and pleasant. Hence, the poor man who goes to his daily toils with good will and cheerful patience for the love of God, is a much nobler person in the sight of God than the man who, from mere human motives, shines with splendid actions in the sight of the world.
Whatever we do is perfect in proportion to the self-possession with which we do it; and that self-possession is proportioned to patience. Nothing, however, trifling, can be done well without good judgment. There are fifty ways of doing anything, but only one perfect way. Nature is always inclined to hurry, to run before judgment, but grace is deliberate. To work fruitfully is to work with a patient will; fretful haste damages both the work and the workman.
They who are patient with obstacles will be patient when the work runs smoothly.
There are few greater proofs of a well-disciplined interior than to be able to break off at any time with cheerfulness from one duty and to turn with equal cheerfulness to another, however unexpected the interruption may be. It is an effect of that detachment of will that comes of patient charity.
-Archbishop Ullathorne.
Every sorrowful trial bears some resemblance to the most excellent passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ, and when it is endured with patience, it makes him who endures it a more perfect partaker of the passion of His Lord and Saviour.
What we now suffer, God has from eternity foreseen, and has ordained that we should suffer in this way, and not in any other way.
Nothing more valuable can befall a man than tribulation, when it is endured with patience for the love of God, because there is no more certain sign of the divine election. But this should be understood quite as much of internal as of external trials.
It is the chain of patient sufferings that forms the rings with which Christ espouses a soul to Himself.
-Blosius.
We know that to them that love God all things work together unto good.
-Romans viii. 28.
He that is patient is governed with much wisdom: but he that is impatient exalteth his folly.
-Proverbs xiv. 29.
_____________
Compiled and Edited by
Rev. F. X. Lasance
Author of "My Prayerbook," etc.
Benziger Brothers
Printers to the Holy Apo;tolic See
1937
Dr Edward Peters: Memo to press secretaries for prelates: Don't assume, Ask.
Dr Peters writes:
I'd like to see us someday reach the point where arch/diocesan staffers learn to avoid speculating (at least in public) on canonical matters. These well-intentioned people rarely know anything about canon law, yet they frequently say things that muddy the waters for the rest of us, or are simply wrong. The recent comments on the Donna Quinn case made by Collen Dolan, press secretary to Chicago's Cdl. George, are a good example.Read why here.
Tuesday, November 03, 2009
News Updates, 11/4
FBI investigates nun's murder in New Mexico
Blessed Sacrament sister killed on Navajo reservation
Planned Parenthood director leaves abortion life
Woman has change of heart after watching an ultrasound
Vatican seeks to clarify review of US sisters
Nuns still crying foul over perceived 'crackdown'
Italians outraged as EU rules against crucifixes
Court says schoolroom display offense against secularity
Spokane diocese gets more abuse reports
21 new accusations by adults about childhood issues
Gathering at Knock 'anything but holy'
'Our basilica was left in a terrible state afterwards'
Pope to visit Jesus' burial cloth in Turin
Shroud will be on public display during 2010
Church bell-ringing ends with bishop's conviction
Charged with 'disturbing the peace' after complaints
Victim of Stalinist church persecutions beatified
Hungarian Bishop Zoltan Meszlenyi recognized as martyr
===========
Other
===========
Obamacare is worse than terrorism
Three cheers for Rep. Virginia Foxx, R-N.C. In a blistering critique of the socialized health-care bill expected to be passed by the House this Friday, she said: "I believe we have more to fear from the potential of that bill than we do from any terrorist right now in any country." ...
ADP Employment Report
Nonfarm private employment decreased 203,000 from September to October 2009 on a seasonally adjusted basis, according to the ADP National Employment Report®.
Where does this end?
CALLING ALL PATRIOTS: The "Telephone Tea Party" Launches NOW!
Patriots, Today is day one of the two day "Telephone Tea Party." Let's storm congress by phone by calling your Senators and Representative at (202) 224-3121 and telling them to "Kill the Pelosi/Reid/Obamacare Bill." Let's bury congress with calls and bury the bill once and for all. CALL NOW, CALL EARLY, CALL OFTEN. We have bought millions of banner ads today and tomorrow on Drudge, Red State, and Hotair to advertise this rebellion. Rise up, call NOW!
Blessed Sacrament sister killed on Navajo reservation
Planned Parenthood director leaves abortion life
Woman has change of heart after watching an ultrasound
Vatican seeks to clarify review of US sisters
Nuns still crying foul over perceived 'crackdown'
Italians outraged as EU rules against crucifixes
Court says schoolroom display offense against secularity
Spokane diocese gets more abuse reports
21 new accusations by adults about childhood issues
Gathering at Knock 'anything but holy'
'Our basilica was left in a terrible state afterwards'
Pope to visit Jesus' burial cloth in Turin
Shroud will be on public display during 2010
Church bell-ringing ends with bishop's conviction
Charged with 'disturbing the peace' after complaints
Victim of Stalinist church persecutions beatified
Hungarian Bishop Zoltan Meszlenyi recognized as martyr
===========
Other
===========
Obamacare is worse than terrorism
Three cheers for Rep. Virginia Foxx, R-N.C. In a blistering critique of the socialized health-care bill expected to be passed by the House this Friday, she said: "I believe we have more to fear from the potential of that bill than we do from any terrorist right now in any country." ...
ADP Employment Report
Nonfarm private employment decreased 203,000 from September to October 2009 on a seasonally adjusted basis, according to the ADP National Employment Report®.
Where does this end?
CALLING ALL PATRIOTS: The "Telephone Tea Party" Launches NOW!
Patriots, Today is day one of the two day "Telephone Tea Party." Let's storm congress by phone by calling your Senators and Representative at (202) 224-3121 and telling them to "Kill the Pelosi/Reid/Obamacare Bill." Let's bury congress with calls and bury the bill once and for all. CALL NOW, CALL EARLY, CALL OFTEN. We have bought millions of banner ads today and tomorrow on Drudge, Red State, and Hotair to advertise this rebellion. Rise up, call NOW!
Gospel for Nov 4, Memorial: St Charles Borromeo, Bishop
Wednesday, 31st Week in Ordinary Time
From: Luke 14:25-33
Conditions For Following Jesus
[25] Now great multitudes accompanied Him (Jesus); and He turned and said to them, [26] "If any one comes to Me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be My disciple. [27] Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after Me, cannot be My disciple. [28] For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? [29] Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, [30] saying, `This man began to build, and was not able to finish.' [31] Or what king, going to encounter another king in a war, will not sit down first and take counsel whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? [32] And if not, while the other is yet a great way off, he sends an embassy and asks terms of peace. [33] So therefore, whoever of you does not renounce all that he has cannot be My disciple."
_________________________
Commentary:
26. These words of our Lord should not disconcert us. Love for God and for Jesus should have pride of place in our lives and we should keep away from anything which obstructs this love: "In this world let us love everyone," St. Gregory the Great comments, "even though he be our enemy; but let us hate him who opposes us on our way to God, though he be our relative [...]. We should then, love, our neighbor; we should have charity towards all--towards relative and towards strangers--but without separating ourselves from the love of God out of love for them" ("In Evangelia Homiliae", 37, 3). In the last analysis, it is a matter of keeping the proper hierarchy of charity: God must take priority over everything.
This verse must be understood, therefore, in the context of all of our Lord's teachings (cf. Luke 6:27-35). These are "hard words. True, `hate' does not exactly express what Jesus meant. Yet He did put it very strongly, because He doesn't just mean `love less,' as some people interpret it in an attempt to tone down the sentence. The force behind these vigorous words does not lie in their implying a negative or pitiless attitude, for the Jesus who is speaking here is none other than that Jesus who commands us to love others as we love ourselves and who gives up His life for mankind. These words indicate simply that we cannot be half-hearted when it comes to loving God. Christ's words could be translated as `love more, love better', in the sense that a selfish or partial love is not enough: we have to love others with the love of God" ([St] J. Escriva, "Christ Is Passing By", 97). See the notes on Matthew 10:34-37; Luke 2:49.
As the Second Vatican Council explains, Christians "strive to please God rather than men, always ready to abandon everything for Christ" (Vatican II, "Apostolicam Actuositatem, 4).
27. Christ "by suffering for us not only gave us an example so that we might follow in His footsteps, but He also opened up a way. If we follow that way, life and death becomes holy and acquire a new meaning" (Vatican II, "Gaudium Et Spes", 22).
The way the Christian follows is that of imitating Christ. We can follow Him only if we help Him bear His cross. We all have experience of suffering, and suffering leads to unhappiness unless it is accepted with a Christian outlook. The Cross is not a tragedy: it is God's way of teaching us that through sin we can be sanctified, becoming one with Christ and winning Heaven as a reward. This is why it is so Christian to love pain: "Let us bless pain. Love pain. Sanctify pain....Glorify pain!" ([St] J. Escriva, "The Way", 208).
28-35. Our Lord uses different examples to show that if mere human prudence means that a person should try to work out in advance the risks he may run, with all the more reason should a Christian embrace the cross voluntarily and generously, because there is no other way he can follow Jesus Christ. "`Quia hic homo coepit aedificare et non potuit consummare! He started to build and was unable to finish!' A sad commentary which, if you don't want, need be made about you: for you possess everything necessary to crown the edifice of your sanctification--the grace of God and your own will." ([St] J. Escriva, "The Way", 324).
33. Earlier our Lord spoke about "hating" one's parents and one's very life; now He equally vigorously requires us to be completely detached from possessions. This verse is a direct application of the two foregoing parables: just as a king is imprudent if he goes to war with an inadequate army, so anyone is foolish who thinks he can follow our Lord without renouncing all his possessions. This renunciation should really bite: our heart has to be unencumbered by anything material if we are able to follow in our Lord's footsteps. The reason is, as He tells us later on, that it is impossible to "serve God and Mammon" (Luke 16:13). Not infrequently our Lord asks a person to practice total, voluntary poverty; and He asks everyone to practice genuine detachment and generosity in the use of material things. If a Christian has to be ready to give up even life itself, with all the more reason should he renounce possessions: If you are a man of God, you will seek to despise riches as intensely as men of the world seek to possess them" ([St] J. Escriva, "The Way", 633). See the note on Luke 12:33-34.
Besides, for a soul to become filled with God it must first be emptied of everything that could be an obstacle to God's indwelling: "The doctrine that the Son of God came to teach was contempt for all things in order to receive as a reward the Spirit of God in himself. For, as long as the soul does not reject all things, it has no capacity to receive the Spirit of God in pure transformation" (St. John of the Cross, "Ascent of Mount Carmel", Book 1, Chapter 5, 2).
___________________________
Source: "The Navarre Bible: Text and Commentaries". Biblical text taken from the Revised Standard Version and New Vulgate. Commentaries made by members of the Faculty of Theology of the University of Navarre, Spain. Published by Four Courts Press, Kill Lane, Blackrock, Co. Dublin, Ireland. Reprinted with permission from Four Courts Press and Scepter Publishers, the U.S. publisher.
From: Luke 14:25-33
Conditions For Following Jesus
[25] Now great multitudes accompanied Him (Jesus); and He turned and said to them, [26] "If any one comes to Me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be My disciple. [27] Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after Me, cannot be My disciple. [28] For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? [29] Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, [30] saying, `This man began to build, and was not able to finish.' [31] Or what king, going to encounter another king in a war, will not sit down first and take counsel whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? [32] And if not, while the other is yet a great way off, he sends an embassy and asks terms of peace. [33] So therefore, whoever of you does not renounce all that he has cannot be My disciple."
_________________________
Commentary:
26. These words of our Lord should not disconcert us. Love for God and for Jesus should have pride of place in our lives and we should keep away from anything which obstructs this love: "In this world let us love everyone," St. Gregory the Great comments, "even though he be our enemy; but let us hate him who opposes us on our way to God, though he be our relative [...]. We should then, love, our neighbor; we should have charity towards all--towards relative and towards strangers--but without separating ourselves from the love of God out of love for them" ("In Evangelia Homiliae", 37, 3). In the last analysis, it is a matter of keeping the proper hierarchy of charity: God must take priority over everything.
This verse must be understood, therefore, in the context of all of our Lord's teachings (cf. Luke 6:27-35). These are "hard words. True, `hate' does not exactly express what Jesus meant. Yet He did put it very strongly, because He doesn't just mean `love less,' as some people interpret it in an attempt to tone down the sentence. The force behind these vigorous words does not lie in their implying a negative or pitiless attitude, for the Jesus who is speaking here is none other than that Jesus who commands us to love others as we love ourselves and who gives up His life for mankind. These words indicate simply that we cannot be half-hearted when it comes to loving God. Christ's words could be translated as `love more, love better', in the sense that a selfish or partial love is not enough: we have to love others with the love of God" ([St] J. Escriva, "Christ Is Passing By", 97). See the notes on Matthew 10:34-37; Luke 2:49.
As the Second Vatican Council explains, Christians "strive to please God rather than men, always ready to abandon everything for Christ" (Vatican II, "Apostolicam Actuositatem, 4).
27. Christ "by suffering for us not only gave us an example so that we might follow in His footsteps, but He also opened up a way. If we follow that way, life and death becomes holy and acquire a new meaning" (Vatican II, "Gaudium Et Spes", 22).
The way the Christian follows is that of imitating Christ. We can follow Him only if we help Him bear His cross. We all have experience of suffering, and suffering leads to unhappiness unless it is accepted with a Christian outlook. The Cross is not a tragedy: it is God's way of teaching us that through sin we can be sanctified, becoming one with Christ and winning Heaven as a reward. This is why it is so Christian to love pain: "Let us bless pain. Love pain. Sanctify pain....Glorify pain!" ([St] J. Escriva, "The Way", 208).
28-35. Our Lord uses different examples to show that if mere human prudence means that a person should try to work out in advance the risks he may run, with all the more reason should a Christian embrace the cross voluntarily and generously, because there is no other way he can follow Jesus Christ. "`Quia hic homo coepit aedificare et non potuit consummare! He started to build and was unable to finish!' A sad commentary which, if you don't want, need be made about you: for you possess everything necessary to crown the edifice of your sanctification--the grace of God and your own will." ([St] J. Escriva, "The Way", 324).
33. Earlier our Lord spoke about "hating" one's parents and one's very life; now He equally vigorously requires us to be completely detached from possessions. This verse is a direct application of the two foregoing parables: just as a king is imprudent if he goes to war with an inadequate army, so anyone is foolish who thinks he can follow our Lord without renouncing all his possessions. This renunciation should really bite: our heart has to be unencumbered by anything material if we are able to follow in our Lord's footsteps. The reason is, as He tells us later on, that it is impossible to "serve God and Mammon" (Luke 16:13). Not infrequently our Lord asks a person to practice total, voluntary poverty; and He asks everyone to practice genuine detachment and generosity in the use of material things. If a Christian has to be ready to give up even life itself, with all the more reason should he renounce possessions: If you are a man of God, you will seek to despise riches as intensely as men of the world seek to possess them" ([St] J. Escriva, "The Way", 633). See the note on Luke 12:33-34.
Besides, for a soul to become filled with God it must first be emptied of everything that could be an obstacle to God's indwelling: "The doctrine that the Son of God came to teach was contempt for all things in order to receive as a reward the Spirit of God in himself. For, as long as the soul does not reject all things, it has no capacity to receive the Spirit of God in pure transformation" (St. John of the Cross, "Ascent of Mount Carmel", Book 1, Chapter 5, 2).
___________________________
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 - November 4
I Love Thee, Lord
Give me, O Lord, Thyself; grant Thyself to me! For Thee do I love, and if my love be but weak, then would I love thee more. For I cannot measure it so as to know how much my love falls short of that love which shall make my life run to Thy embraces nor ever turn away from Thee till I be hid in the hiding-place of Thy countenance. This only do I know: that it fares ill with me when away from Thee; and this not merely externally, but within me; for all abundance which is not my God is but penury for me!
-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
Give me, O Lord, Thyself; grant Thyself to me! For Thee do I love, and if my love be but weak, then would I love thee more. For I cannot measure it so as to know how much my love falls short of that love which shall make my life run to Thy embraces nor ever turn away from Thee till I be hid in the hiding-place of Thy countenance. This only do I know: that it fares ill with me when away from Thee; and this not merely externally, but within me; for all abundance which is not my God is but penury for me!
-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
Patience - November 3
Patience
Thoughts on the Patient Endurance of Sorrows and Sufferings
The Reward Attached to Patient Endurance
Under the term "persecution" are comprehended all kinds of injuries, afflictions and inconveniences, in relation to fortune, honor, or life. These are caused by the devil or his ministers; sometimes, also, by mistake (God so permitting), by the just themselves. They are suffered for justice' sake when they are borne with patience and accompanied with the exercise of virtue, and in compliance with our duty toward God and men. They ought not to be suffered with patience only, but with joy at the greatness of the reward; therefore, St. Peter says, "Let none of you suffer as a murderer, or a thief, or a railer, or a coveter of other men's things; but, if as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name" (I Pet. iv. 15).
Christ suffered all kinds of injuries and inconveniences in His honor, in His goods, and in His person, for a cause which on His part was perfectly just. He suffered in consequence of His publishing His divine law and endeavoring to bring men back again from vice and folly, into the way of their eternal salvation. Therefore, "Look and make it according to the pattern" (Ex. xxv. 40).
Our Lord was closely watched by His enemies, who laid snares for Him and tried to catch Him in His speech. He was charged with blasphemy, with having a devil, with working miracles by the help of the devil, and finally sworn to death by false witnesses. Moreover, all the pain and shame of His Passion was foreseen by Him in detail from the very beginning. "Our Lord Jesus Christ Himself was not for one hour of His life without the anguish of His Passion....The whole life of Christ was a cross and a martyrdom" (Thomas a Kempis).
The reward attached to suffering for justice' sake, is no less than "the kingdom of heaven." When you suffer, be patient; "rejoice and be exceeding glad, because your reward is very great in heaven."
"Amen, amen, I say to you, that you shall lament and weep, but the world shall rejoice; and you shall be made sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy...and your joy no man shall take from you."
-John xvi. 20, 22.
Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer. Be thou faithful unto death and I will giye thee the crown of life.
-Apoc. ii. 10.
Meditate on the words of St. Paul: "The sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory to come that shall be revealed in us."
-Rom. viii. 18.
Fruits of grace here and of glory hereafter proceed from suffering for Christ's sake and for His justice. Sufferings of this kind give the soul a relish for the cross and an ardent love for her crucified Saviour. They teach her humility, meekness, patience, conformity to the will of God, besides affording her the happy opportunity of discharging the debt of punishment due for former sins by offering up to God and bearing in a Christian manner these present afflictions.
But, the principal fruits of these sufferings are reserved to be gathered in another life - according to the Apostle (Rom. viii. 17): "If we suffer with Christ, we shall be glorified with Him."
And, again (II Cor. iv. 17), "Our present tribulation, which is momentary and light, worketh for us above measure exceedingly an eternal weight of glory." Oh, look forward, my soul into this immense eternity and contemplate the infinite rewards that are there laid up to recompense our little sufferings here; and learn to be glad and rejoice in the experience of these small temporal afflictions; because they put thee in the true way to joys that shall never end: and the greater thy sufferings are here, the greater shall be these joys hereafter.
________________
Compiled and Edited by
Rev. F. X. Lasance
Author of "My Prayerbook," etc.
Benziger Brothers
Printers to the Holy Apostolic See
1937
Thoughts on the Patient Endurance of Sorrows and Sufferings
The Reward Attached to Patient Endurance
Blessed are they that suffer persecution for justice' sake; for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye when they shall revile you and persecute you and speak all that is evil against you, untruly, for My sake: Be glad and rejoice, for your reward is very great in heaven. -Matt. x, 11, 12.Blessed are they that suffer persecution.
Under the term "persecution" are comprehended all kinds of injuries, afflictions and inconveniences, in relation to fortune, honor, or life. These are caused by the devil or his ministers; sometimes, also, by mistake (God so permitting), by the just themselves. They are suffered for justice' sake when they are borne with patience and accompanied with the exercise of virtue, and in compliance with our duty toward God and men. They ought not to be suffered with patience only, but with joy at the greatness of the reward; therefore, St. Peter says, "Let none of you suffer as a murderer, or a thief, or a railer, or a coveter of other men's things; but, if as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name" (I Pet. iv. 15).
Christ suffered all kinds of injuries and inconveniences in His honor, in His goods, and in His person, for a cause which on His part was perfectly just. He suffered in consequence of His publishing His divine law and endeavoring to bring men back again from vice and folly, into the way of their eternal salvation. Therefore, "Look and make it according to the pattern" (Ex. xxv. 40).
Our Lord was closely watched by His enemies, who laid snares for Him and tried to catch Him in His speech. He was charged with blasphemy, with having a devil, with working miracles by the help of the devil, and finally sworn to death by false witnesses. Moreover, all the pain and shame of His Passion was foreseen by Him in detail from the very beginning. "Our Lord Jesus Christ Himself was not for one hour of His life without the anguish of His Passion....The whole life of Christ was a cross and a martyrdom" (Thomas a Kempis).
The reward attached to suffering for justice' sake, is no less than "the kingdom of heaven." When you suffer, be patient; "rejoice and be exceeding glad, because your reward is very great in heaven."
"Amen, amen, I say to you, that you shall lament and weep, but the world shall rejoice; and you shall be made sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy...and your joy no man shall take from you."
-John xvi. 20, 22.
Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer. Be thou faithful unto death and I will giye thee the crown of life.
-Apoc. ii. 10.
Meditate on the words of St. Paul: "The sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory to come that shall be revealed in us."
-Rom. viii. 18.
Fruits of grace here and of glory hereafter proceed from suffering for Christ's sake and for His justice. Sufferings of this kind give the soul a relish for the cross and an ardent love for her crucified Saviour. They teach her humility, meekness, patience, conformity to the will of God, besides affording her the happy opportunity of discharging the debt of punishment due for former sins by offering up to God and bearing in a Christian manner these present afflictions.
But, the principal fruits of these sufferings are reserved to be gathered in another life - according to the Apostle (Rom. viii. 17): "If we suffer with Christ, we shall be glorified with Him."
And, again (II Cor. iv. 17), "Our present tribulation, which is momentary and light, worketh for us above measure exceedingly an eternal weight of glory." Oh, look forward, my soul into this immense eternity and contemplate the infinite rewards that are there laid up to recompense our little sufferings here; and learn to be glad and rejoice in the experience of these small temporal afflictions; because they put thee in the true way to joys that shall never end: and the greater thy sufferings are here, the greater shall be these joys hereafter.
________________
Compiled and Edited by
Rev. F. X. Lasance
Author of "My Prayerbook," etc.
Benziger Brothers
Printers to the Holy Apostolic See
1937
Special Report/Call to Action: Act Now to Prevent Funding of Abortion in Health Reform Bill
It all comes down “The Rule.” That’s what I learned Tuesday night during the nationwide webcast hosted by Stop the Abortion Mandate.com. The vote expected this week in Congress is historically critical – and it’s not the vote you might think.Continued here.
Let me say this as bluntly as I can: The time is NOW. This very minute! If you have not made calls to your Senators and Representatives, if you have not sent e-mails and faxes, this moment in history is calling out to you for action. Do it now....
Archbishop Dolan gives the Times holy hell: Hits 'anti-church' op-ed
New York Archbishop Timothy Dolan has condemned The New York Times -- blasting the Gray Lady and its columnist Maureen Dowd for what he says are examples of unfair, prejudicial and just downright mean anti-Catholicism.More here.
Dolan used his blog last Thursday on the Archdiocese of New York's Web site to rail against the Times a day after the paper refused to print his critique as an op-ed piece....
News Updates, 11/3
Dr Edward Peters' brief note on the "non-note" regarding celibacy for incoming married Anglican ministers seeking Catholic orders, here.
Neocutis deceptive about aborted fetal material in skin products
(Tennessee) In response to Children of God for Life’s press release October 27, Aborted fetal material used in anti-wrinkle cream, (See www.cogforlife.org/neocutis.htm ) thousands of angry consumers have begun taking action. Many have called or written to Neocutis to complain and unfortunately, they are receiving jaded, if not patently false responses from the company President, Mark Lemcko...
Catholic Bishops Launch National Campaign
To Defeat Pro-Abortion Health Care
Critics blast media over Vatican-Halloween story
No, the Pope did not condemn trick-or-treating
Bolivian bishops: Leave skulls alone
Asking faithful to set aside growing trend
Planned Parenthood Director Quits
After Watching Abortion Ultrasound
Filipino exorcist: Hair on my arms stood on end
There was a moaning 'coming from the refrigerator
Court won't stop release of Church documents
Connecticut diocese continues fight, appeals again
Pro-gay marriage Catholics hold protest
Group holds vigil outside Diocese of Portland's Cathedral
[What on God's green earth is a "Pro-gay marriage Catholic"??? Sounds more like an apostate or an ardent follower of the Satan? But a Catholic? Hardly!]
Row brewing with Church over visionary claims
Witness say sun 'danced in the sky' at Knock, Ireland
Six thousand call for N Ireland abuse inquiry
Torment suffered by hundreds of children at issue
John Paul II 'to be beatified within months'?
Reports from Italy say Pope on the path to sainthood
Vietnam monastery coverted into public square
Bishop condemns aggressive demolition by government
Neocutis deceptive about aborted fetal material in skin products
(Tennessee) In response to Children of God for Life’s press release October 27, Aborted fetal material used in anti-wrinkle cream, (See www.cogforlife.org/neocutis.htm ) thousands of angry consumers have begun taking action. Many have called or written to Neocutis to complain and unfortunately, they are receiving jaded, if not patently false responses from the company President, Mark Lemcko...
Catholic Bishops Launch National Campaign
To Defeat Pro-Abortion Health Care
Critics blast media over Vatican-Halloween story
No, the Pope did not condemn trick-or-treating
Bolivian bishops: Leave skulls alone
Asking faithful to set aside growing trend
Planned Parenthood Director Quits
After Watching Abortion Ultrasound
Filipino exorcist: Hair on my arms stood on end
There was a moaning 'coming from the refrigerator
Court won't stop release of Church documents
Connecticut diocese continues fight, appeals again
Pro-gay marriage Catholics hold protest
Group holds vigil outside Diocese of Portland's Cathedral
[What on God's green earth is a "Pro-gay marriage Catholic"??? Sounds more like an apostate or an ardent follower of the Satan? But a Catholic? Hardly!]
Row brewing with Church over visionary claims
Witness say sun 'danced in the sky' at Knock, Ireland
Six thousand call for N Ireland abuse inquiry
Torment suffered by hundreds of children at issue
John Paul II 'to be beatified within months'?
Reports from Italy say Pope on the path to sainthood
Vietnam monastery coverted into public square
Bishop condemns aggressive demolition by government
Monday, November 02, 2009
Gospel for Tuesday, 31st Week in Ordinary Time
From: Luke 14:15-24
Parable of the Invited Guests
[15] When one of those who sat at table with Him (Jesus) heard this, he said to Him, "Blessed is he who shall eat bread in the Kingdom of God!" [16] But He said to him, "A man once gave a great banquet, and invited many; [17] and at the time for the banquet he sent his servant to say to those who had been invited, `Come; for all is now ready.' [18] But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said to him, `I have bought a field, and I must go out and see it; I pray you, have me excused.' [19] And another said, `I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to examine them; I pray you, have me excused.' [20] And another said, `I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.' [21] So the servant came and reported this to his master. Then the householder in anger said to his servant, `Go out quickly to the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in the poor and maimed and blind and lame.' [22] And the servant said, `Sir, what you commanded has been done, and still there is room.' [23] And the master said to the servant, `Go out to the highways and hedges, and compel people to come in, that my house may be filled. [24] For I tell you, none of those who were invited shall taste my banquet.'"
_____________________
Commentary:
15. In biblical language the _expression "to eat bread in the Kingdom of God" means sharing in eternal beatitude, of which this great banquet is a symbol (cf. Isaiah 25:6; Matthew 22:1-4).
16-24. If God invites someone to know Him in faith, he should sacrifice any human interest which gets in the way of replying to God's call, no matter how lawful and noble it be. The objections we tend to put for- ward, the duties we appeal to, are really just excuses. This is why the ungrateful invitees are blameworthy.
"Compel people to come in": it is not a matter of forcing anyone's freedom -- God does not want us to love Him under duress--but of helping a person to make right decisions, to shrug off any human respect, to avoid occasions of sin, to do what he can to discover the truth.... A person is "compelled to come in" through prayer, the example of a Christian life, friendship-- in a word, apostolate. "If in order to save an earthly life it is praiseworthy to use force to stop a man from committing suicide, are we not to be allowed use of the same force--holy coercion -- to save the Life (with a capital) of many who are stupidly bent on killing their souls?" ([St] J. Escriva, "The Way", 399)
___________________________
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.
Parable of the Invited Guests
[15] When one of those who sat at table with Him (Jesus) heard this, he said to Him, "Blessed is he who shall eat bread in the Kingdom of God!" [16] But He said to him, "A man once gave a great banquet, and invited many; [17] and at the time for the banquet he sent his servant to say to those who had been invited, `Come; for all is now ready.' [18] But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said to him, `I have bought a field, and I must go out and see it; I pray you, have me excused.' [19] And another said, `I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to examine them; I pray you, have me excused.' [20] And another said, `I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.' [21] So the servant came and reported this to his master. Then the householder in anger said to his servant, `Go out quickly to the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in the poor and maimed and blind and lame.' [22] And the servant said, `Sir, what you commanded has been done, and still there is room.' [23] And the master said to the servant, `Go out to the highways and hedges, and compel people to come in, that my house may be filled. [24] For I tell you, none of those who were invited shall taste my banquet.'"
_____________________
Commentary:
15. In biblical language the _expression "to eat bread in the Kingdom of God" means sharing in eternal beatitude, of which this great banquet is a symbol (cf. Isaiah 25:6; Matthew 22:1-4).
16-24. If God invites someone to know Him in faith, he should sacrifice any human interest which gets in the way of replying to God's call, no matter how lawful and noble it be. The objections we tend to put for- ward, the duties we appeal to, are really just excuses. This is why the ungrateful invitees are blameworthy.
"Compel people to come in": it is not a matter of forcing anyone's freedom -- God does not want us to love Him under duress--but of helping a person to make right decisions, to shrug off any human respect, to avoid occasions of sin, to do what he can to discover the truth.... A person is "compelled to come in" through prayer, the example of a Christian life, friendship-- in a word, apostolate. "If in order to save an earthly life it is praiseworthy to use force to stop a man from committing suicide, are we not to be allowed use of the same force--holy coercion -- to save the Life (with a capital) of many who are stupidly bent on killing their souls?" ([St] J. Escriva, "The Way", 399)
___________________________
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 - November 3
The Folly of Human Respect
God has established in your breast the sacred tribunal of conscience, by whose dictates you are bound to decide. But in yielding to human respect, you act the part of a temporizing judge like Pilate, who pronounced sentence, not in accordance with the evidence before him, but in obedience to the clamours of the multitude. You sacrifice principle to expediency, you subordinate the voice of God to the voice of man, you surrender your Christian liberty and manly independence, and you become the slave of a fellow-creature. You are guilty of treason to your conscience, and that is the basest kind of treason.
-Cardinal Gibbons.
_________________
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
God has established in your breast the sacred tribunal of conscience, by whose dictates you are bound to decide. But in yielding to human respect, you act the part of a temporizing judge like Pilate, who pronounced sentence, not in accordance with the evidence before him, but in obedience to the clamours of the multitude. You sacrifice principle to expediency, you subordinate the voice of God to the voice of man, you surrender your Christian liberty and manly independence, and you become the slave of a fellow-creature. You are guilty of treason to your conscience, and that is the basest kind of treason.
-Cardinal Gibbons.
_________________
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
Patience - November 2
Patience - Thoughts on the Patient Endurance of Sorrows and Sufferings
Exhortation to Patience in Holy Writ
In your patience you shall possess your souls.
-Luke xxi, 19.
The patient man is better than the valiant: and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh cities.
-Prov. xvi, 32.
Wait on God with patience: join thyself to God, and endure, that thy life may be increased in the latter end.
Take all that shall be brought upon thee: and in thy sorrow endure, and in thy humiliation keep patience. For gold and silver are tried in the fire, but acceptable men in the furnace of humiliation.
-Ecclus. ii, 3-5.
Take, my brethren, for an example of suffering evil, of labor and patience, the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.
Behold, we account them blessed who have endured. You have heard of the patience of Job, and you have seen the end of the Lord, that the Lord is merciful, and compassionate.
-St. James, v, 10-11.
The learning of a man is known by patience, and his glory is to pass over wrongs.
-Prov. xix, 11.
We beseech you, brethren, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient towards all men.
-1 Thess., v, 14.
The servant of God must not wrangle, but be mild towards all men, apt to teach, patient.
-2 Tim. ii, 24.
For unto this are you called: because Christ also suffered for us leaving you an example, that you should follow His steps.
-1 Peter ii, 21.
Our Lord and Saviour has made the carrying of the cross the test of discipleship. He calls upon all to follow Him in the way of the cross:
"Whosoever doth not carry his cross and come after Me, cannot be My disciple" (Luke xiv, 27).
"He that taketh not up his cross, and followeth Me is not worthy of Me."
-Matt. x, 38.
"Take up my yoke upon you, and learn of Me, because I am meek and humble of heart."
-Matt. xi, 29.
________________
Compiled and Edited by Rev. F. X. Lasance
Author of "My Prayerbook," etc.
Benziger Brothers
Printers to the Holy Apostolic See
1937
Exhortation to Patience in Holy Writ
In your patience you shall possess your souls.
-Luke xxi, 19.
The patient man is better than the valiant: and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh cities.
-Prov. xvi, 32.
Wait on God with patience: join thyself to God, and endure, that thy life may be increased in the latter end.
Take all that shall be brought upon thee: and in thy sorrow endure, and in thy humiliation keep patience. For gold and silver are tried in the fire, but acceptable men in the furnace of humiliation.
-Ecclus. ii, 3-5.
Take, my brethren, for an example of suffering evil, of labor and patience, the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.
Behold, we account them blessed who have endured. You have heard of the patience of Job, and you have seen the end of the Lord, that the Lord is merciful, and compassionate.
-St. James, v, 10-11.
The learning of a man is known by patience, and his glory is to pass over wrongs.
-Prov. xix, 11.
We beseech you, brethren, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient towards all men.
-1 Thess., v, 14.
The servant of God must not wrangle, but be mild towards all men, apt to teach, patient.
-2 Tim. ii, 24.
For unto this are you called: because Christ also suffered for us leaving you an example, that you should follow His steps.
-1 Peter ii, 21.
Our Lord and Saviour has made the carrying of the cross the test of discipleship. He calls upon all to follow Him in the way of the cross:
"Whosoever doth not carry his cross and come after Me, cannot be My disciple" (Luke xiv, 27).
"He that taketh not up his cross, and followeth Me is not worthy of Me."
-Matt. x, 38.
"Take up my yoke upon you, and learn of Me, because I am meek and humble of heart."
-Matt. xi, 29.
________________
Compiled and Edited by Rev. F. X. Lasance
Author of "My Prayerbook," etc.
Benziger Brothers
Printers to the Holy Apostolic See
1937
Sunday, November 01, 2009
Gospel for Nov 2, Commemoration: All the Faithful Departed (All Souls)
From: John 6:37-40
The Discourse on the Bread of Life (Continuation)
[37] All that the Father gives Me will come to Me; and him who comes to Me I will not cast out. [38] For I have come down from Heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me; [39] and this is the will of Him who sent Me, that I should lose nothing of all that He has given Me, but raise it up on the last day. [40] For this is the will of My Father, that every one who sees the Son and believes in Him should have eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day."
______________________
Commentary:
37-40. Jesus clearly reveals that He is the one sent by the Father. This is something St. John the Baptist proclaimed earlier on (Jn 3:33-36), and Jesus Himself stated it in His dialogue with Nicodemus (Jn 3:17-21) and announced publicly to the Jews in Jerusalem (Jn 5:20-30). Since Jesus is the one sent by the Father, the bread of life come down from Heaven to give life to the world, everyone who believes in Him has eternal life, for it is God's will that everyone should be saved through Jesus Christ. These words of Jesus contain three mysteries: 1) that of faith in Jesus Christ, which means "going to Jesus", accepting His miracles (signs) and His words; 2) the mystery of the resurrection of believers, something which begins in this life through faith and becomes fully true in Heaven; 3) the mystery of predestination, the will of our Father in Heaven that all men be saved. These solemn words of our Lord fill the believer with hope.
St. Augustine, commenting on vv. 37 and 38, praises the humility of Jesus, the perfect model for the humility of the Christian: Jesus chose not to do His own will but that of the Father who sent Him: "Humbly am I come, to teach humility am I come, as the master of humility am I come; he who comes to Me is incorporated in Me; he who comes to Me, becomes humble; he who cleaves to Me will be humble, for he does not his will but God's" ("In Ioann. Evang.", 25, 15 and 16).
___________________________
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 Discourse on the Bread of Life (Continuation)
[37] All that the Father gives Me will come to Me; and him who comes to Me I will not cast out. [38] For I have come down from Heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me; [39] and this is the will of Him who sent Me, that I should lose nothing of all that He has given Me, but raise it up on the last day. [40] For this is the will of My Father, that every one who sees the Son and believes in Him should have eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day."
______________________
Commentary:
37-40. Jesus clearly reveals that He is the one sent by the Father. This is something St. John the Baptist proclaimed earlier on (Jn 3:33-36), and Jesus Himself stated it in His dialogue with Nicodemus (Jn 3:17-21) and announced publicly to the Jews in Jerusalem (Jn 5:20-30). Since Jesus is the one sent by the Father, the bread of life come down from Heaven to give life to the world, everyone who believes in Him has eternal life, for it is God's will that everyone should be saved through Jesus Christ. These words of Jesus contain three mysteries: 1) that of faith in Jesus Christ, which means "going to Jesus", accepting His miracles (signs) and His words; 2) the mystery of the resurrection of believers, something which begins in this life through faith and becomes fully true in Heaven; 3) the mystery of predestination, the will of our Father in Heaven that all men be saved. These solemn words of our Lord fill the believer with hope.
St. Augustine, commenting on vv. 37 and 38, praises the humility of Jesus, the perfect model for the humility of the Christian: Jesus chose not to do His own will but that of the Father who sent Him: "Humbly am I come, to teach humility am I come, as the master of humility am I come; he who comes to Me is incorporated in Me; he who comes to Me, becomes humble; he who cleaves to Me will be humble, for he does not his will but God's" ("In Ioann. Evang.", 25, 15 and 16).
___________________________
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 - November 2
Jesus and the Father Are One
By Jesus the believer is also united with the Father, for the Father comes with Jesus to abide in the soul of the just who keeps God's commandments by love.
_________________
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
By Jesus the believer is also united with the Father, for the Father comes with Jesus to abide in the soul of the just who keeps God's commandments by love.
'He that hath my commandments and keepeth them; he it is that loveth Me. And he that loveth Me shall be loved of My Father: and I will love him and manifest Myself to him....If anyone love Me, he will keep My word. And My Father will love him: and We will come to him and will make our abode with him.'-P. Pourrat.
_________________
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
Third St. Louis area Roman Catholic Womanpriest To Be "Ordained" Today
A 'Press Release' was recently issued by the delusional women who hopelessly claim to have been ordained as "priests" in the Roman Catholic Church. Apparently, a third woman, Marybeth McBryan, of St. Louis, is to join the ranks of the heretics and schismatics!
The 'Press Release' as received on Saturday:
The 'Press Release' as received on Saturday:
Deacon Marybeth McBryan, of St. Louis, will be ordained a priest on November 1, 2009, All Saints Day. The celebration will be in her home community of Therese of Divine Peace, with Bishop Joan Clark Houk officiating.Fortunately, I will be unable to attend this scandalous charade - once you've seen one you've seen 'em all...Pray for their conversion!
Marybeth has been heavily involved in parish ministries in the Archdiocese of St. Louis for nearly 30 years. A mother and grandmother, she is a former teacher in both parochial and public schools, and has also served on the Board of Education of the St. Louis Public Schools. Marybeth has a Master’s in education with secondary degrees in administration and counseling, and has accrued 40+ hours in theology, liturgy and religious education. She is currently a part of the music ministry and serves as deacon at Therese of Divine Peace, and will continue on the ministerial staff there following her ordination as priest.
Roman Catholic Womenpriests continue to validly ordain women and marginalized men to the Roman Catholic priesthood in an effort to bring reform and renewal into an unjust hierarchical structure that is increasingly misogynous and misoneist. Rather than looking backward and inward, Roman Catholic Womenpriests continue to look forward and outward in the spirit of Vatican II. We are here. We are ministering. We are growing. We are not going away.
The ordination is at 5 p.m. on Sunday, November 1, 2009, with the Therese of Divine Peace Inclusive Community. The Therese community meets at First Unitarian Universalist Church of St. Louis, 5007 Waterman Blvd. The ordination will take place in the sanctuary, and a light reception will follow in the Fellowship Hall.
Therese of Divine Peace Inclusive Community celebrates together every Sunday at 5 p.m. Regular services take place in Hope Chapel, at the rear of the First Unitarian complex. Our liturgy has continued without interruption since December 1, 2007, because we strive to imitate Jesus, who always and everywhere made clear to everyone that ALL ARE WELCOME.
Further information is available at www.thereseofdivinepeace.org.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)