Below is an update I received on the upcoming protests...
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Vatican Urges Worldwide Boycott and Protest of The Da Vinci Code Film
You’re invited to join in prayer and reparation in union with 1,000 Peaceful Protests nationwide at the theater of your choice:
Chase Park Plaza Cinema
212 N. Kingshighway
St. Louis, MO
Friday May 19th at 6PM
Saturday May 20th at 6PM
Sunday May 21st at 6PM
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Mid Rivers 14 Cine
1220 Mid Rivers Mall
St. Peters, MO
Friday May 19th at 6:30PM
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Edwardsville Showplace 12
6633 Center Grove Rd.
Edwardsville, IL
Friday May 26th at 6PM
Saturday May 27th at 6PM
Sunday May 28th at 6PM
_____________________
Des Peres 14 Cinema Cinema 1 Plus
12701 Manchester Rd.
Des Peres, MO
Friday May 19th at 6PM
Saturday May 20th at 6PM
Sunday May 21st at 6PM
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at Burger Park across from the theater
1900 Phoenix Center Dr.
Washington, MO
Friday May 19th at 6PM
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The Esquire Theater
6706 Clayton Rd.
St. Louis, MO
Friday May 19th at 7PM
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Rome, 4/28/06 – Archbishop Angelo Amato, secretary to Vatican’s Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, very close to Pope Benedict XVI, urged Catholics around the world to boycott and organize protests against The Da Vinci Code Film. * According to the book ‘Jesus’ and ‘Mary Magdalene’ had sexual relations and a child, and the Catholic Church supposedly hid this ‘secret’ for the last 2,000 years! To attack the purity and divinity of Our Lord is a blasphemy we reject with all our souls! * Reuters and other news reports.
“Everyone therefore that shall confess me before men; I will also confess him before my Father in Heaven. But he that shall deny me before men, I will also deny him before my Father who is in Heaven.” (Matthew 10:32-33)
As Catholics, this rally of reparation is a peaceful and lawful fulfillment of our filial duty to defend the honor of Our Lord. Comfort Our Lord on any or all dates in the protest schedule above. Show your rejection of this blasphemy and your love for Our Lord by joining us in these legal and peaceful prayer vigils.
Call: Mark Serafino (573) 459-5531 Madeleine Jordan (314) 918-8950
John Horvat (717) 309-7147 Anne Zivnuska (314)-997-3307
The American Society for the defense of Tradtion, Family and Property – TFP P.O. Box 251 – Spring Grove, PA 17362 - 1-866-661-0272
Wednesday, May 10, 2006
A Lesson Apparently Not Learned
Church of England Child Protection Adviser Suggests Counselling Rather than Jail for Pedophiles
[Janet Hind, National child protection adviser to the Church's Archbishop's Council] argued that "One shouldn't necessarily think that because somebody hasn't gone to prison that isn't the safe option, because obviously offenders come out of prison and, if they haven't had proper treatment, they're not going to be as safe as if they have had a good treatment programme under continuing supervision, with an eye kept on exactly what they're doing and what their thoughts are," according to a report in The Observer.Safe due to the counseling and rehabilitation? When and where have we heard this before?
Mental Prayer for May 10 - Take and Receive
Mental Prayer Meditation Helps
Presence of God.
I Speak to God: My Lord and my God, for the past five days I've been praying over your love for all men, for me, your goodness to all of us, to me in particular. I've found you present in this world full of gifts you've given me; I've seen you working in them for me; I've seen that all their goodness and beauty is just a hint of what you are like. Well, how am I going to repay you for all this? What would any person with an ounce of gratitude give? Lord, I offer you myself. I make this offering in the form of a fine old prayer; that prayer will be the matter of my mental prayer today and tomorrow.
Take, O Lord, and receive: This isn't just one of those "if-you-wish" offerings. I urge you to take my gift, Lord. (Am I actually prepared to give what I offer? To go all the way?)
All my liberty: I choose to do what you want me to do, Lord; to go where you lead me. It may cost me something, maybe more than I realize now. (Why should I be afraid? Isn't Christ my leader? Would He ever lead me the wrong way?)
My memory, my understanding, my whole will: Here, my God, take the best things of his own that a person has to give. I'll use my intelligence to work for you, to bring the world to you; I'll study hard, to make my mind a sharp, efficient tool for you; I won't waste my brains on unworthy thoughts and memories; I'll use my will to choose what's really good for myself and my world, what will give glory and joy to Christ. I'll never will what would displease you, God; that would be taking back this offering.
You have given me all that I have: I can't call anything my own. My particular talents, the comfort and love and security all around me, the strength and health of my body, my immortal soul - you gave them all to me. In giving them back to you, I'm only returning what has come from you in the first place.
I restore it all to you and surrender it that you may dispose of it according to your will. Give me only your love and your grace, and I am rich enough and I desire nothing more.
___________________
Adapted from Mental Prayer, Challenge to the Lay Apostle
by The Queen's Work,(© 1958)
Presence of God.
I Speak to God: My Lord and my God, for the past five days I've been praying over your love for all men, for me, your goodness to all of us, to me in particular. I've found you present in this world full of gifts you've given me; I've seen you working in them for me; I've seen that all their goodness and beauty is just a hint of what you are like. Well, how am I going to repay you for all this? What would any person with an ounce of gratitude give? Lord, I offer you myself. I make this offering in the form of a fine old prayer; that prayer will be the matter of my mental prayer today and tomorrow.
Take, O Lord, and receive: This isn't just one of those "if-you-wish" offerings. I urge you to take my gift, Lord. (Am I actually prepared to give what I offer? To go all the way?)
All my liberty: I choose to do what you want me to do, Lord; to go where you lead me. It may cost me something, maybe more than I realize now. (Why should I be afraid? Isn't Christ my leader? Would He ever lead me the wrong way?)
My memory, my understanding, my whole will: Here, my God, take the best things of his own that a person has to give. I'll use my intelligence to work for you, to bring the world to you; I'll study hard, to make my mind a sharp, efficient tool for you; I won't waste my brains on unworthy thoughts and memories; I'll use my will to choose what's really good for myself and my world, what will give glory and joy to Christ. I'll never will what would displease you, God; that would be taking back this offering.
You have given me all that I have: I can't call anything my own. My particular talents, the comfort and love and security all around me, the strength and health of my body, my immortal soul - you gave them all to me. In giving them back to you, I'm only returning what has come from you in the first place.
I restore it all to you and surrender it that you may dispose of it according to your will. Give me only your love and your grace, and I am rich enough and I desire nothing more.
___________________
Adapted from Mental Prayer, Challenge to the Lay Apostle
by The Queen's Work,(© 1958)
Swedish Study Author Confirms - AP Misrepresents Report on Homosexuality
STOCKHOLM, May 10, 2006 (LifeSiteNews.com) - A US researcher has called to task the Associated Press for misrepresenting a scientific report on homosexuality. On Tuesday, May 9, the AP ran a story saying that a group of Swedish researchers had evidence showing that the brains of lesbians "react differently to sex hormones than those of heterosexual women".
. . .
Dr. Warren Throckmorton, a researcher and Professor of Psychology at Grove City College, found AP's assertions suspect. He wrote to Dr. Ivanka Savic, the leader of the Swedish team at the Stockholm Brain Institute, who confirmed his suspicions. She wrote that AP's conclusion is "incorrect and not stated in the (research) paper." In fact, Dr. Savic confirms that in her team's paper, she specified learning as a possible answer to the cause of homosexual inclinations.
The Anti-Liturgical Heresy
By Dom Prosper Gueranger, O.S.B., Abbot of Solesmes
I'm going to have to read this entire work written in 1840. The excerpts, however, are chilling. Dom Prosper Gueranger appears to have been prophetic:
I'm going to have to read this entire work written in 1840. The excerpts, however, are chilling. Dom Prosper Gueranger appears to have been prophetic:
Dom Prosper-Louis-Pascal Gueranger, founder of the Benedictine Congregation of France and first abbot of Solesmes after the French revolution, wrote in 1840 his Liturgical Institutions in order to restore among the clergy the knowledge and the love for the Roman Liturgy.Much more here...
1. The first characteristic of the anti-liturgical heresy is HATRED OF TRADITION AS FOUND IN THE FORMULAS USED IN DIVINE WORSHIP. One cannot fail to note this special characteristic in all heretics, from Vigilantus to Calvin, and the reason for it is easy to explain.
Every sectarian who wishes to introduce a new doctrine finds himself, unfailingly, face to face with the Liturgy, which is Tradition at its strongest and best, and he cannot rest until he has silenced this voice, until he has torn up these pages which recall the faith of past centuries.
2. This, as matter of fact, is the second principle of the anti-liturgical sect: TO SUBSTITUTE FOR THE FORMULAS OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL TEACHINGS READINGS FROM THE HOLY SCRIPTURE.
In every age, and under all forms of sectarianism, it will be the same: No ecclesiastical formulas, only Holy Scripture, but interpreted, selected, presented by the person or persons who are seeking to profit from innovation.
3. The third principle of the heretics concerning the reform of the Liturgy is, having eliminated the ecclesiastical formulas and proclaimed the absolute necessity of making use only of the words of Scripture in divine worship and having seen that Holy Scripture does not always yield itself to all their purposes as they would like, their third principle, we say, is to fabricate and introduce various formulas, filled with perfidy, by which the people are more surely ensnared in error, and thus the whole structure of the impious reform will become consolidated for the coming centuries.
4. ...all the sectarians without exceptions begin with THE VINDICATION OF THE RIGHTS OF ANTIQUITY. They want to cut Christianity off from all that the errors and passions of man have mixed in; from whatever is “false” and “unworthy of God”. ALL THEY WANT IS THE PRIMITIVE, AND THEY PRETEND TO GO BACK TO THE CRADLE OF CHRISTIAN INSTITUTIONS.
To this end, they prune, they efface, they cut away; everything falls under their blows, and while one is waiting to see the original purity of the divine cult reappear, one finds himself encumbered with new formulas dating only from the night before, and which are incontestably human, since the one who created them is still alive.
5. Since the liturgical reform is being undertaken by the sectarians with the same goal as the reform of dogma, of which it is the consequence, it follows that as Protestants separated from unity in order to believe less, they found themselves led to cut away in the Liturgy ALL THE CEREMONIES, ALL THE FORMULAS WHICH EXPRESS MYSTERIES.
Thus, no more Sacraments, except Baptism, preparing the way for Socialism, which freed its followers even from Baptism. No more sacramentals, blessings, images, relics of Saints, processions, pilgrimages, etc. No more altar, only a table, no more sacrifice as in every religion, but only a meal. No more church but only a temple, as with the Greeks and Romans. No more religious architecture, since there is no more mystery. No more Christian paintings and sculpture, since there is no more sensible religion. Finally no more poetry in a cult which is no longer impregnated by love or faith.
. . .
8. Since the liturgical reform had for one of its principal aims the abolition of actions and formulas of mystical signification, it is a logical consequence that its authors had to vindicate the use of the vernacular in divine worship.
This is in the eyes of sectarians a most important item. Cult is no secret matter. The people, they say, must understand what they sing. Hatred for the Latin language is inborn in the hearts of all the enemies of Rome. They recognize it as the bond among Catholics throughout the universe, as the arsenal of orthodoxy against all the subtleties of the sectarian spirit. ( . . .)
Bishops to Vote on Mass Translation
From the current issue of Adoremus:
ICEL Texts for Order of Mass, Amendments, Adaptations to be Considered at June MeetingThis will be very interesting...
by Helen Hull Hitchcock
This June, at the meeting of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops in Los Angeles, the bishops will vote on the first English translations of the new Roman Missal, released four years ago -- the third “typical edition” of the Missal since the Second Vatican Council.
There are two “Liturgy action items”:
1)Voting on the English translation of the Order of Mass, preceded by voting on proposed amendments to this text; and
2) A list of adaptations, proposed by the Bishops’ Committee on the Liturgy as additions to the Missal for the United States.
Karl Keating on Liturgical Dance....
...Or as known at The Curt Jester , "Leotardation", or as renamed by some local St. Louis parishes and others..."Danced Prayer".
On the Karl's E-Letter:
The document Dance In The Liturgy contains the explanation. In summary, it states:
On the Karl's E-Letter:
FRED AND GINGER, CALL YOUR OFFICEHere are some shots:
Dear Friend of Catholic Answers:
...If you have thirteen free minutes, watch this video:
LA-REC Liturgical Dance Video
It [the video] was taken April 2 at the concluding Mass of the Los Angeles Religious Education Congress. The chief celebrant was Roger Cardinal Mahony. Total attendance at the Congress was 42,000, with 19,000 attending the final day's liturgies."Liturgical" Dance (Leotardation, Danced Prayer) is not allowed in the Mass whatsoever. What does the Church say about this?
The document Dance In The Liturgy contains the explanation. In summary, it states:
"[In western culture] dancing is tied with love, with diversion, with profaneness, with unbridling of the senses: such dancing, in general, is not pure."The Bishops also have expressly prohibited any and all forms of dancing in the Liturgy and this directive has NOT been changed. From the NATIONAL CONFERENCE OF CATHOLIC BISHOPS (BISHOPS' COMMITTEE on the LITURGY) NEWSLETTER. April/May 1982:
"For that reason it cannot be introduced into liturgical celebrations of any kind whatever: that would be to inject into the liturgy one of the most desacralized and desacralizing elements; and so it would be equivalent to creating an atmosphere of profaneness which would easily recall to those present and to the participants in the celebration worldly places and situations."
"FROM THESE DIRECTIVES, from the NATIONAL CONFERENCE of CATHOLIC BISHOPS, all dancing, (ballet, children's gesture as dancing, the clown liturgy) are not permitted to be 'introduced into liturgical celebrations of any kind whatever.'"Karl quotes from Cardinal Ratzinger's "Spirit of the Liturgy":
"Dancing is not a form of expression for the Christian liturgy. In about the third century, there was an attempt by certain Gnostic-Docetic circles to introduce it into the liturgy. ... The cultic dances of the different religions have different purposes--incantation, imitative magic, mystical ecstasy--none of which is compatible with the essential purpose of the liturgy. ...Those from Gnostic-Docetic circles tried to introduce it, eh? Don't we have the similar "Gnostics" today atempting and doing the same thing? Yeah, I thought so...
"It is totally absurd to try to make the liturgy 'attractive' by introducing dancing pantomimes (wherever possible performed by professional dance troupes), which frequently (and rightly, from the professionals' point of view) end with applause. Whenever applause breaks out in the liturgy because of some human achievement, it is a sure sign that the essence of liturgy has totally disappeared and been replaced by a kind of religious entertainment. ...
"I myself have experienced the replacing of the penitential rite by a dance performance, which, needless to say, received a round of applause. Could there be anything further removed from true penitence? ...
"None of the Christian rites includes dancing. What people call dancing in the Ethiopian rite or the Zairean form of the Roman liturgy is in fact a rhythmically ordered procession, very much in keeping with the dignity of the occasion."
Apostolic Succession: Spiritual & Historical Tie to Jesus Christ
VATICAN CITY, MAY 10, 2006 (VIS) - Apostolic succession was the subject of Benedict XVI's catechesis at this morning's general audience, held in St. Peter's Square in the presence of 50,000 people.
"The Church, which came into being at Jesus' will and around Him, continues her journey through history," said the Pope. "The Twelve ... involved others in the functions with which they themselves were entrusted, so that those others could continue the ministry. ... Just as at the beginning of the apostolic condition there is a call and an invitation from the Risen One, so the call and invitation of others, ... from those who are already within the apostolic ministry, will be the way by which the ministry of the 'episcope' is passed on."
"In this way," the Holy Father continued, "the succession of the episcopal function is ... a guarantee of the endurance of apostolic tradition...
Opus Dei's "Open Letter to Sony"
The Information Office of Opus Dei in Japan sent an open letter to the shareholders, directors and employees of Sony Corporation, which is producing "The Da Vinci Code" film. An English translation of the Japanese original is here.
In a related story, Director Ron Howard has rejected demands by Opus Dei to attach a disclaimer to his would-be blockbuster labeling the film as a work of fiction.
In a related story, Director Ron Howard has rejected demands by Opus Dei to attach a disclaimer to his would-be blockbuster labeling the film as a work of fiction.
Allah Takes Over Catholic Church
The Belgian Bishops have opened their churches to illegal immigrants in order to pressurize the Belgian authorities to allow the immigrants to stay in the country.Without looking it up in more detail, I seem to recall that a church is reserved for "sacred use"...Any profanation would require that a church be reblessed or reconsecrated...
Most of the immigrant squatters in the churches are Muslims. They display banners in the church showing the name of Allah (picture taken in the church of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour, Brussels).
The Muslim squatters hold Islamic prayer services in the church. The altar has been moved and the statue of Our Lady covered by a cloth to hide her from the eyes of the Muslim believers.
The Altar
THE ALTAR
"And Noe built an altar unto the Lord: and taking of all cattle and fowls that were clean, oHered holocausts upon the altar." Genesis, 8:20
One of the bloodiest battles of World War One was fought at Verdun. The Germans were threatening to over run France. A stand was made at Verdun, as the French shouted: "They shall not pass." For several months Verdun took a shelling and battering that left practically every building in ruins. At last the Germans retreated.
A war correspondent made his way into the shambles. Not one building was left untouched. A French guard took him to the cathedral on the hill. The roof was shot away. The windows were shattered. The walls were full of holes. A giant shell was imbedded in the floor. Practically everything was demolished in the great temple of God except - except the altar. On its four beautifully polished pillars it stood unmarred in the midst of the rubble. The sight of that altar aroused in the newsman the thought that religion and its altar will always remain.
Yes, the altar of God will always remain. Something so enduring deserves our attention. In the beginning of the human race we read that Abel, the son of Adam and Eve, offered gifts to God. We read that Noe built an altar unto the Lord. All through the Old Testament we read of altars and sacrifices.
The New Testament emphasizes their importance, especially when the Son of God changed bread and wine into His very Body and Blood. The altar on which St. Peter is said to have offered Mass is still preserved in St. John Lateran in Rome. Upon it only the Holy Father is privileged to say Mass. Nevertheless, that same sacrifice is offered here upon our altar.
How we love our altars! How we love to reverence and honor them, to adorn and decorate them. For these reasons Mother Church has several regulations regarding the place of sacrifice, rules which will be enlightening and inspiring to us. We are here speaking of the altar table. [Note: These regulations existed prior to Vatican Council II]
1. It must be a single stone, a figure of Christ, "the cornerstone," the Founder of our religion, the center and foundation of all our spiritual life.
2. The altar must be consecrated in this solemn way. After a number of prayers and ceremonies the bishop blesses salt, ashes, and wine, and mixes them with holy water. These elements represent the human and divine natures of Christ and also the mortal body and the immortal soul of man.
With this mixture the bishop makes five crosses on the altar stone, one in the middle, the others on the four corners, at spots where there are five crosses dug into the stone. They are the five wounds of Christ from which flow all graces.
3. In the stone must be inclosed the relics of two martyrs. Why? Mainly because the first Christians erected altars on the tombs of the martyrs, as we still can see in the catacombs. In each altar-stone there is an opening where these relics are placed. This is sealed. Above this spot the priest bends several times during Mass to kiss the relics of the martyrs. This shows the relation between the death of Christ for all of us, the death of the martyrs for love of Christ and the Holy Sacrifice being offered up this very hour on this very altar.
4. Another requirement is that the altar be on an elevated place, and, if possible, facing the east. The word altar is from the Latin, "altus," which means high. It must be high in order to raise our heads and eyes and hearts towards heaven. The altar faces the east because it represents Christ, the Sun of Justice, the true Sun of our life.
(Right here I would like to say a word of gratitude to those of you who have helped to make this church a fitting setting for the altar of God. Your generous sacrifices have made this temple possible. God will reward you.)
Yes, the altar must be a single stone; it must be consecrated, set aside for a spiritual use only; it must contain the relics of two martyrs; it must be high; it must face the east. The altar is something stable and sublime in a changing and drab world.
It will survive all the storms of the world. Today men are looking for security.
Things are changing and changeable. Everything passes, even the things we love and treasure. Everyone is looking for something that endures, something that lasts, something to hold to, something to look up to, something that has survived the centuries, something that will survive the years to come.
Here is the very thing the world is looking for. Here is something lasting and enduring, something unchanging and unchangeable - the altar.
As you look up during this Mass think of the rich meanings and the careful regulations of Mother Church regarding the altar upon which the Son of God will be offered in sacrifice. Look up as the Sun of Justice rises above the head of the priest. Look up and thank God for this place of security in a world of change and worry.
Indeed, just as that newsman found the altar still intact, still standing in the shattered cathedral of Verdun, so men of all time will find the Catholic altar surviving all the battles and turmoil of time. Amen.
_________________________
Adapted from Talks on the Mass
by Fr. Arthur Tonne, OFM (© 1950)
"And Noe built an altar unto the Lord: and taking of all cattle and fowls that were clean, oHered holocausts upon the altar." Genesis, 8:20
One of the bloodiest battles of World War One was fought at Verdun. The Germans were threatening to over run France. A stand was made at Verdun, as the French shouted: "They shall not pass." For several months Verdun took a shelling and battering that left practically every building in ruins. At last the Germans retreated.
A war correspondent made his way into the shambles. Not one building was left untouched. A French guard took him to the cathedral on the hill. The roof was shot away. The windows were shattered. The walls were full of holes. A giant shell was imbedded in the floor. Practically everything was demolished in the great temple of God except - except the altar. On its four beautifully polished pillars it stood unmarred in the midst of the rubble. The sight of that altar aroused in the newsman the thought that religion and its altar will always remain.
Yes, the altar of God will always remain. Something so enduring deserves our attention. In the beginning of the human race we read that Abel, the son of Adam and Eve, offered gifts to God. We read that Noe built an altar unto the Lord. All through the Old Testament we read of altars and sacrifices.
The New Testament emphasizes their importance, especially when the Son of God changed bread and wine into His very Body and Blood. The altar on which St. Peter is said to have offered Mass is still preserved in St. John Lateran in Rome. Upon it only the Holy Father is privileged to say Mass. Nevertheless, that same sacrifice is offered here upon our altar.
How we love our altars! How we love to reverence and honor them, to adorn and decorate them. For these reasons Mother Church has several regulations regarding the place of sacrifice, rules which will be enlightening and inspiring to us. We are here speaking of the altar table. [Note: These regulations existed prior to Vatican Council II]
1. It must be a single stone, a figure of Christ, "the cornerstone," the Founder of our religion, the center and foundation of all our spiritual life.
2. The altar must be consecrated in this solemn way. After a number of prayers and ceremonies the bishop blesses salt, ashes, and wine, and mixes them with holy water. These elements represent the human and divine natures of Christ and also the mortal body and the immortal soul of man.
With this mixture the bishop makes five crosses on the altar stone, one in the middle, the others on the four corners, at spots where there are five crosses dug into the stone. They are the five wounds of Christ from which flow all graces.
3. In the stone must be inclosed the relics of two martyrs. Why? Mainly because the first Christians erected altars on the tombs of the martyrs, as we still can see in the catacombs. In each altar-stone there is an opening where these relics are placed. This is sealed. Above this spot the priest bends several times during Mass to kiss the relics of the martyrs. This shows the relation between the death of Christ for all of us, the death of the martyrs for love of Christ and the Holy Sacrifice being offered up this very hour on this very altar.
4. Another requirement is that the altar be on an elevated place, and, if possible, facing the east. The word altar is from the Latin, "altus," which means high. It must be high in order to raise our heads and eyes and hearts towards heaven. The altar faces the east because it represents Christ, the Sun of Justice, the true Sun of our life.
(Right here I would like to say a word of gratitude to those of you who have helped to make this church a fitting setting for the altar of God. Your generous sacrifices have made this temple possible. God will reward you.)
Yes, the altar must be a single stone; it must be consecrated, set aside for a spiritual use only; it must contain the relics of two martyrs; it must be high; it must face the east. The altar is something stable and sublime in a changing and drab world.
It will survive all the storms of the world. Today men are looking for security.
Things are changing and changeable. Everything passes, even the things we love and treasure. Everyone is looking for something that endures, something that lasts, something to hold to, something to look up to, something that has survived the centuries, something that will survive the years to come.
Here is the very thing the world is looking for. Here is something lasting and enduring, something unchanging and unchangeable - the altar.
As you look up during this Mass think of the rich meanings and the careful regulations of Mother Church regarding the altar upon which the Son of God will be offered in sacrifice. Look up as the Sun of Justice rises above the head of the priest. Look up and thank God for this place of security in a world of change and worry.
Indeed, just as that newsman found the altar still intact, still standing in the shattered cathedral of Verdun, so men of all time will find the Catholic altar surviving all the battles and turmoil of time. Amen.
_________________________
Adapted from Talks on the Mass
by Fr. Arthur Tonne, OFM (© 1950)
4th Week of Easter - The Light in the Window
"Your sorrow shall be turned into joy." St. John, 16:20.
This is the story about a boy who was born in a log cabin, who grew up to be president of the United States. No, it was not Abraham Lincoln.
This boy's first name was James. He had a hard time getting an education. There were very few books in his log cabin home. These he read and read again until he almost knew them by heart. His mother was poor, so he chopped wood, plowed fields, drove mules, and worked in a lumber mill to help support his mother.
Finally he made enough to go to college, where he studied hard. When he was not studying he was working; he had to. Another boy in his class was also a good student, so good that he almost beat James. Late one night after Jim had finished studying and was about to go to bed, he saw a light in a window across the street.
"Ah," he said to himself, "my friend is still studying. If he can study this late, so will I. I better put in another hour at my books."
And he did, not just that night, but every night. As a result he graduated with high honors from Williams College. After graduation he set out to make his way in the world. Step by step he advanced, until in 1880 he was elected the twentieth president of the United States. Can anyone of you tell me his name?
Yes, it was James Arthur Garfield. Just twenty-five years before he moved into the White House he had seen that light in the window of his rival, and had decided to study just a little bit more. That is what made the big difference between President Garfield and the other young men of his time. He worked just a little harder than they did.
That is the way all great things are done. Great things are done by those who work just a little harder than others. Read the lives of all the wonderful men and women of our country. All of them put extra time and effort to their work.
1. Look at the two greatest Americans - Washington and Lincoln. When they were boys and young men they worked hard, they studied hard. They wasted no time, especially in school. They did not wait for any bell to ring or whistle to blow. They worked until their job was finished.
2. Look at our wonderful doctors. For years they study hard to help people get well and stay well. They learn all they can about the body and about medicine. The more a doctor knows, the better he will be. It is the same with a lawyer and a teacher.
3. The next time you go to a big store or factory look at the boss. You may think he has an easy job. Don't fool yourself. He often works harder than anybody else. Before he became boss he worked day and night to do the job better than anybody else.
4. You boys wish you could be a Johny Lujack and shoot passes for Notre Dame. You wish you could hit home runs like Ted Williams or Joe DiMaggio. Some of you would like to be a great musician or singer. It's fine to wish those things, but wishing alone will not get you there. You have to work and work hard to be a star in anything. You have to practice day after day for long hours. You have to cut out smoking and drinking, get to bed early, and eat things that are good for you, not just what you like.
You never see a great athlete stuffing himself with candy and cake; you see them eating things that will build muscles and a strong body. Anybody who wants to be extra good at anything, has to study and work extra hard. He has to see the 'light in the window'; he has to study and practice more than others.
5. This is especially true of the saints. We might say that the saints are star Catholics, champion Catholics. How did they become stars and champions for God? By praying a little more than other people; by receiving Holy Communion a little more often than others received; by doing more acts of charity; by studying their catechism more than others; by working extra hard to be saints.
Jesus tells us: "Your sorrow shall be turned into joy." When a boy or girl wants to be a great doctor or lawyer or writer or singer or actress or athlete or saint, that boy or girl has to work and study more than others. If you want to be president, you have to study like young James Garfield.
I hope that many of you want to be something, want to make something of yourself. Especially I hope that all of you want to become saints, that is, star and champion Catholics. Work at it. We need more Catholic doctors and lawyers and writers and great men and.women. How about it?
Now is the time, when you are in school, to start doing great things for God and for other men and women. Everything you learn will help you. Learn it well. Learn all you can. Study hard. Study extra hard.
It will be difficult, we all know. But after the work will come great success. After the sorrow of studying hard will come the joy of doing wonderful things - for God and the people of God. Amen.
_________________________
Adapted from Talks for Children
by Fr. Arthur Tonne, OFM (© 1948)
This is the story about a boy who was born in a log cabin, who grew up to be president of the United States. No, it was not Abraham Lincoln.
This boy's first name was James. He had a hard time getting an education. There were very few books in his log cabin home. These he read and read again until he almost knew them by heart. His mother was poor, so he chopped wood, plowed fields, drove mules, and worked in a lumber mill to help support his mother.
Finally he made enough to go to college, where he studied hard. When he was not studying he was working; he had to. Another boy in his class was also a good student, so good that he almost beat James. Late one night after Jim had finished studying and was about to go to bed, he saw a light in a window across the street.
"Ah," he said to himself, "my friend is still studying. If he can study this late, so will I. I better put in another hour at my books."
And he did, not just that night, but every night. As a result he graduated with high honors from Williams College. After graduation he set out to make his way in the world. Step by step he advanced, until in 1880 he was elected the twentieth president of the United States. Can anyone of you tell me his name?
Yes, it was James Arthur Garfield. Just twenty-five years before he moved into the White House he had seen that light in the window of his rival, and had decided to study just a little bit more. That is what made the big difference between President Garfield and the other young men of his time. He worked just a little harder than they did.
That is the way all great things are done. Great things are done by those who work just a little harder than others. Read the lives of all the wonderful men and women of our country. All of them put extra time and effort to their work.
1. Look at the two greatest Americans - Washington and Lincoln. When they were boys and young men they worked hard, they studied hard. They wasted no time, especially in school. They did not wait for any bell to ring or whistle to blow. They worked until their job was finished.
2. Look at our wonderful doctors. For years they study hard to help people get well and stay well. They learn all they can about the body and about medicine. The more a doctor knows, the better he will be. It is the same with a lawyer and a teacher.
3. The next time you go to a big store or factory look at the boss. You may think he has an easy job. Don't fool yourself. He often works harder than anybody else. Before he became boss he worked day and night to do the job better than anybody else.
4. You boys wish you could be a Johny Lujack and shoot passes for Notre Dame. You wish you could hit home runs like Ted Williams or Joe DiMaggio. Some of you would like to be a great musician or singer. It's fine to wish those things, but wishing alone will not get you there. You have to work and work hard to be a star in anything. You have to practice day after day for long hours. You have to cut out smoking and drinking, get to bed early, and eat things that are good for you, not just what you like.
You never see a great athlete stuffing himself with candy and cake; you see them eating things that will build muscles and a strong body. Anybody who wants to be extra good at anything, has to study and work extra hard. He has to see the 'light in the window'; he has to study and practice more than others.
5. This is especially true of the saints. We might say that the saints are star Catholics, champion Catholics. How did they become stars and champions for God? By praying a little more than other people; by receiving Holy Communion a little more often than others received; by doing more acts of charity; by studying their catechism more than others; by working extra hard to be saints.
Jesus tells us: "Your sorrow shall be turned into joy." When a boy or girl wants to be a great doctor or lawyer or writer or singer or actress or athlete or saint, that boy or girl has to work and study more than others. If you want to be president, you have to study like young James Garfield.
I hope that many of you want to be something, want to make something of yourself. Especially I hope that all of you want to become saints, that is, star and champion Catholics. Work at it. We need more Catholic doctors and lawyers and writers and great men and.women. How about it?
Now is the time, when you are in school, to start doing great things for God and for other men and women. Everything you learn will help you. Learn it well. Learn all you can. Study hard. Study extra hard.
It will be difficult, we all know. But after the work will come great success. After the sorrow of studying hard will come the joy of doing wonderful things - for God and the people of God. Amen.
_________________________
Adapted from Talks for Children
by Fr. Arthur Tonne, OFM (© 1948)
Gospel for Wednesday, 4th Week of Easter
From: John 12:44-50
The Unbelief of the Jews
[44] And Jesus cried out and said, "He who believes in Me, believes not in Me, but in Him who sent Me. [45] And he who sees Me sees Him who sent Me. [46] I have come as light into the world, that whoever believes in Me may not remain in darkness. [47] If any one hears My sayings and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world. [48] He who rejects Me and does not receive My sayings has a judge; the word that I have spoken will be His judge on the last day. [49] For I have not spoken on My own authority; the Father who sent Me has Himself given Me commandment what to say and what to speak. [50] And I know that His commandment is eternal life. What I say, therefore, I say as the Father has bidden Me."
______________________
Commentary:
44-50. With these verses St. John brings to an end his account of our Lord's public ministry. He brings together certain fundamental themes developed in previous chapters--the need for faith in Christ (verse 44); the Father and the Son are one yet distinct (cf. 45); Jesus is Light and Life of the world (verses 46, 50); men will be judged in accordance with whether they accept or reject the Son of God (verses 47-49). The chapters which follow contain Jesus' teaching to His Apostles at the Last Supper, and the accounts of the Passion and Resurrection.
45. Christ, the Word Incarnate, is one with the Father (cf. John 10:30); "He reflects the glory of God" (Hebrews 1:3); "He is the image of the invisible God" (Colossians 1:15). In John 14:9 Jesus expresses Himself in almost the same words: "He who has seen Me has seen the Father". At the same time as He speaks of His oneness with the Father, we are clearly shown the distinction of persons--the Father who sends, and the Son who is sent.
In Christ's holy human nature His divinity is, as it were, hidden, that divinity which He possesses with the Father in the unity of the Holy Spirit (cf. John 14:7-11). In theology "circumincession" is the word usually used for the fact that, by virtue of the unity among the three Persons of the Blessed Trinity, "the Father is wholly in the Son and wholly in the Holy Spirit; the Son wholly in the Father and wholly in the Holy Spirit; the Holy Spirit wholly in the Father and wholly in the Son" (Council of Florence, "Decree Pro Jacobitis, Dz-Sch", 1331).
47. Christ has come to save the world by offering Himself in sacrifice for our sins and bringing us supernatural life (cf. John 3:17). But He has also been made Judge of the living and the dead (cf. Acts 10:42): He passes sentence at the Particular Judgment which happens immediately after death, and at the end of the world, at His Second Coming or Parousia, at the universal judgment (cf. John 5:22; 8:15-16).
___________________________
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 Unbelief of the Jews
[44] And Jesus cried out and said, "He who believes in Me, believes not in Me, but in Him who sent Me. [45] And he who sees Me sees Him who sent Me. [46] I have come as light into the world, that whoever believes in Me may not remain in darkness. [47] If any one hears My sayings and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world. [48] He who rejects Me and does not receive My sayings has a judge; the word that I have spoken will be His judge on the last day. [49] For I have not spoken on My own authority; the Father who sent Me has Himself given Me commandment what to say and what to speak. [50] And I know that His commandment is eternal life. What I say, therefore, I say as the Father has bidden Me."
______________________
Commentary:
44-50. With these verses St. John brings to an end his account of our Lord's public ministry. He brings together certain fundamental themes developed in previous chapters--the need for faith in Christ (verse 44); the Father and the Son are one yet distinct (cf. 45); Jesus is Light and Life of the world (verses 46, 50); men will be judged in accordance with whether they accept or reject the Son of God (verses 47-49). The chapters which follow contain Jesus' teaching to His Apostles at the Last Supper, and the accounts of the Passion and Resurrection.
45. Christ, the Word Incarnate, is one with the Father (cf. John 10:30); "He reflects the glory of God" (Hebrews 1:3); "He is the image of the invisible God" (Colossians 1:15). In John 14:9 Jesus expresses Himself in almost the same words: "He who has seen Me has seen the Father". At the same time as He speaks of His oneness with the Father, we are clearly shown the distinction of persons--the Father who sends, and the Son who is sent.
In Christ's holy human nature His divinity is, as it were, hidden, that divinity which He possesses with the Father in the unity of the Holy Spirit (cf. John 14:7-11). In theology "circumincession" is the word usually used for the fact that, by virtue of the unity among the three Persons of the Blessed Trinity, "the Father is wholly in the Son and wholly in the Holy Spirit; the Son wholly in the Father and wholly in the Holy Spirit; the Holy Spirit wholly in the Father and wholly in the Son" (Council of Florence, "Decree Pro Jacobitis, Dz-Sch", 1331).
47. Christ has come to save the world by offering Himself in sacrifice for our sins and bringing us supernatural life (cf. John 3:17). But He has also been made Judge of the living and the dead (cf. Acts 10:42): He passes sentence at the Particular Judgment which happens immediately after death, and at the end of the world, at His Second Coming or Parousia, at the universal judgment (cf. John 5:22; 8:15-16).
___________________________
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.
Tuesday, May 09, 2006
Holy See OKs Revised Norms in Sex-Abuse Cases
U.S. Bishops Get a Decree Signed by Cardinal Re
WASHINGTON, D.C., MAY 9, 2006 (Zenit.org).- The Congregation for Bishops has granted its "recognition," its permission to implement, to the U.S. bishops' revised norms on dealing with clerical sex-abuse allegation.
The Vatican dicastery gave its permission for the "Essential Norms for Diocesan/Eparchial Policies Dealing with Allegations of Sexual Abuse of Minors by Priests or Deacons," adopted by the bishops' conference last June.
The decree of the congregation, signed by its prefect, Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, grants the "recognitio" indefinitely.
4th Week of Easter - How to Hear Mass
"A little while and you shall not see me, and again a little while and you shall see me." St. John, 16:17.
One Sunday morning about two hundred years ago a missionary among the Seminole Indians of Florida was about to begin Mass. A horde of hostile Indians swooped down on the tiny church with the intention of putting the entire congregation to death. The priest asked the leader to allow them to finish the service. Reluctantly the chief consented.
The Mass went on, with priest and people praying as they never prayed before. As the Holy Sacrifice ended the helpless little group was put to death.
How that priest must have offered that Mass. How those people must have followed every prayer and ceremony. How closely they must have united themselves with the crucified Christ. It was their last Mass.
Suppose you knew that this was your last Mass. Suppose you knew that after this Mass you would die or be killed. How devoutly, how attentively, how thoughtfully you would spend the next half hour.
This might seem an extreme suggestion. But if it helps our attention and devotion it will be worth while. Of some it can be said today, of all it will be said some day: "A little while and you shall not see me, and again a little while and you shall see me." Mass lasts but a little while; in Mass we see God. After Mass we will not see God again until our next Mass. May our joy at Mass be the joy of which our Lord speaks today: "I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no one shall take from you." St. John, 16:22.
That joy will be ours if we attend Mass thoughtfully. The best method of attending Mass is with missal in hand, that is, with a book which gives you the prayers which the priest is saying at the altar. An intelligent Catholic knows what is being said and what is being done. In his missal he follows the ceremonies and repeats the prayers which have come down to us from saint and scholar and from the Apostles themselves.
Another method is to unite yourself with Christ, the Chief Priest. Offer Mass for the desires of His Sacred Heart. Just as the priest has a special intention for each Mass, so you should have some special desire or intention each time you attend. Make that intention thoughtfully and clearly. Offer this very Mass for something definite - your family, your friends, the conversion of the world, universal peace. There are thousands of possible intentions.
Another method is to offer Mass for the four purposes of sacrifice, namely, to adore God, to thank God, to ask favors of God, and to beg God's pardon. To adore God means to tell Him in thought, word and action that He is above everyone and above everything. He is supreme. The Mass does that. To thank God means to express your gratitude for His countless blessings of soul and body, especially for the Eucharist. As Mass is the best time to adore and thank God, it is also the best time to ask for favors and to beg for pardon. We offer God the Gift most pleasing to Him, His own Divine Son, asking Him for material and spiritual blessings, and begging His pardon for failing to use His gifts properly in the past.
Others find it inspiring to recall the rich and thrilling meaning of every action performed by the priest. To understand the ceremonies of the Mass requires some study, but such a study will be a labor of love to one who wants to get the most out of the Holy Sacrifice.
Some attend Mass with the thought of Calvary in mind. They picture themselves at the foot of the cross. They hear His dying words, they catch His dying breath. The Mass is Calvary re-presented.
Most prayer-books offer several methods of attending Mass. Find the method best suited to your talents and training. I repeat: The best way is with your missal, but I do not condemn those who have their favorite prayers and devotions. Let Grandma lisp her loving prayers, even though they are not literally the same as those said at the altar.
I even hold a brief for the Catholic who prays his rosary during Mass, if he prays it with thought. The Creed is a part of Mass. The Our Father is a part of Mass. The Hail Mary recalls Christ's coming: He comes in the Mass. The Glory Be pays tribute to the Trinity, present in a special way during the Holy Sacrifice. The mysteries, glad, sad, and glorious, call back scenes which are of the essence of Mass.
But I do insist that without a prayer-book or rosary it is almost impossible to keep one's mind upon the Mass. I urge you all, I beg you all to be intelligent, thoughtful, mentally alert during Holy Mass. Hear every Mass, as if it were your last. Serious as that may seem, it will bring you the joy Christ promises. Amen.
_________________________
Adapted from Talks on the Mass
by Fr. Arthur Tonne, OFM (© 1950)
One Sunday morning about two hundred years ago a missionary among the Seminole Indians of Florida was about to begin Mass. A horde of hostile Indians swooped down on the tiny church with the intention of putting the entire congregation to death. The priest asked the leader to allow them to finish the service. Reluctantly the chief consented.
The Mass went on, with priest and people praying as they never prayed before. As the Holy Sacrifice ended the helpless little group was put to death.
How that priest must have offered that Mass. How those people must have followed every prayer and ceremony. How closely they must have united themselves with the crucified Christ. It was their last Mass.
Suppose you knew that this was your last Mass. Suppose you knew that after this Mass you would die or be killed. How devoutly, how attentively, how thoughtfully you would spend the next half hour.
This might seem an extreme suggestion. But if it helps our attention and devotion it will be worth while. Of some it can be said today, of all it will be said some day: "A little while and you shall not see me, and again a little while and you shall see me." Mass lasts but a little while; in Mass we see God. After Mass we will not see God again until our next Mass. May our joy at Mass be the joy of which our Lord speaks today: "I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no one shall take from you." St. John, 16:22.
That joy will be ours if we attend Mass thoughtfully. The best method of attending Mass is with missal in hand, that is, with a book which gives you the prayers which the priest is saying at the altar. An intelligent Catholic knows what is being said and what is being done. In his missal he follows the ceremonies and repeats the prayers which have come down to us from saint and scholar and from the Apostles themselves.
Another method is to unite yourself with Christ, the Chief Priest. Offer Mass for the desires of His Sacred Heart. Just as the priest has a special intention for each Mass, so you should have some special desire or intention each time you attend. Make that intention thoughtfully and clearly. Offer this very Mass for something definite - your family, your friends, the conversion of the world, universal peace. There are thousands of possible intentions.
Another method is to offer Mass for the four purposes of sacrifice, namely, to adore God, to thank God, to ask favors of God, and to beg God's pardon. To adore God means to tell Him in thought, word and action that He is above everyone and above everything. He is supreme. The Mass does that. To thank God means to express your gratitude for His countless blessings of soul and body, especially for the Eucharist. As Mass is the best time to adore and thank God, it is also the best time to ask for favors and to beg for pardon. We offer God the Gift most pleasing to Him, His own Divine Son, asking Him for material and spiritual blessings, and begging His pardon for failing to use His gifts properly in the past.
Others find it inspiring to recall the rich and thrilling meaning of every action performed by the priest. To understand the ceremonies of the Mass requires some study, but such a study will be a labor of love to one who wants to get the most out of the Holy Sacrifice.
Some attend Mass with the thought of Calvary in mind. They picture themselves at the foot of the cross. They hear His dying words, they catch His dying breath. The Mass is Calvary re-presented.
Most prayer-books offer several methods of attending Mass. Find the method best suited to your talents and training. I repeat: The best way is with your missal, but I do not condemn those who have their favorite prayers and devotions. Let Grandma lisp her loving prayers, even though they are not literally the same as those said at the altar.
I even hold a brief for the Catholic who prays his rosary during Mass, if he prays it with thought. The Creed is a part of Mass. The Our Father is a part of Mass. The Hail Mary recalls Christ's coming: He comes in the Mass. The Glory Be pays tribute to the Trinity, present in a special way during the Holy Sacrifice. The mysteries, glad, sad, and glorious, call back scenes which are of the essence of Mass.
But I do insist that without a prayer-book or rosary it is almost impossible to keep one's mind upon the Mass. I urge you all, I beg you all to be intelligent, thoughtful, mentally alert during Holy Mass. Hear every Mass, as if it were your last. Serious as that may seem, it will bring you the joy Christ promises. Amen.
_________________________
Adapted from Talks on the Mass
by Fr. Arthur Tonne, OFM (© 1950)
Bishop Finn Restores Catholicism in Kansas City
So much so, in fact, that the National Catholic Distorter cries foul...Those who favor heterdoxy are beside themselves that a bishop would actually perform his duties to teach, govern and sanctify. Why are NCR and others upset? The first week of his appointment, he:
But this is not all. NCR then lists the new bishop’s "priorities", as they see them:
It gets even better, though:
The NCR article is quite entertaining...it demonstrates that some bishops have the courage to do what is right, to do their jobs, to be successors of the Apostles, and true followers of Christ. That which is detrimental to souls should be banished, that which does not serve the mission of the Church, salvation of souls, should be eliminated.
While the article attempts to foster suspicion or worse on Bishop Robert Finn, I think faithful Catholics can read this and rejoice that those who embrace heterdoxy are justifiably worried and concerned about their future and their agenda to form a church in their image, to their desires, and some bishops are not going to permit them that luxury any longer.
We need to continue to pray for our faithful and courageous bishops. Let them know that we support them in their difficult positions of bringing back the Faith to areas where it has all but disappeared.
The NCR article is here.
Dismissed the chancellor, a layman with 21 years of experience in the diocese, and the vice chancellor, a religious woman stationed in the diocese for nearly 40 years and the chief of pastoral planning for the diocese since 1990, and replaced them with a priest chancellor.There's probably a good reason for this although NCR neglects to provide more details.
Cancelled the diocese’s nationally renowned lay formation programs and a master’s degree program in pastoral ministry."Nationally Renowned"? This needs to be checked out...If it was orthodox, surely he would not have cancelled it.
Cut in half the budget of the Center for Pastoral Life and Ministry, effectively forcing the almost immediate resignation of half the seven-member team.What was this group doing? Again, NCR leaves us in the dark.
Within 10 months all seven would be gone and the center shuttered.
Ordered a “zero-based study” of adult catechesis in the diocese and appointed as vice chancellor to oversee adult catechesis, lay formation and the catechesis study a layman with no formal training in theology or religious studies.As if NCR is even capable judging who is better able to oversee authentic catechesis? That's a stretch...
Ordered the editor of the diocesan newspaper to immediately cease publishing columns by Notre Dame theologian Fr. Richard McBrien.And the problem with this is what...One of NCR's favorite proponents of heresy is denied the opportunity to infect the faithful with his flawed and dangerous theological opinions?
Announced that he would review all front page stories, opinion pieces, columns and editorials before publication.As any good and faithful bishop should do unless he has delegated that to someone whose fidelity to the teachings of Christ and His Church is beyond reproach.
But this is not all. NCR then lists the new bishop’s "priorities", as they see them:
The budget of the Office of Peace and Justice was cut in half. One of two full-time staff positions was eliminated, and the other may be reduced.And the problem with this is what? NCR doesn't tell us.
Support of the Diocesan Bolivian Mission, a relationship established with the La Paz archdiocese in 1963, was cut from $50,000 annually to $10,000 annually. Fr. Michael Gillgannon, the diocesan priest missioned to Bolivia since 1974, learned of the cut while home on leave in April.It's so nice of NCR to be able to second guess the bishop. Perhaps this was a waste of funds with few, if any, results to ustify the expenditure? Again, we are left wanting actual facts.
The Vocation Office went from a part-time priest vocation director to a full-time priest vocation director with a part-time priest assistant and additional support from the head of the newly established Office for Consecrated Life.And this is a bad thing? People want to complain about a lack of priests but then they want nothing to be done about it save for doing away with celibacy and having women "priests"...What a pathetic bunch!
A separate Respect Life Office was established to handle pro-life issues and battle stem-cell research.This, too, is a great step to help the uncatechized Catholics learn what their obligations are.
The diocesan-sponsored master’s program, administered for eight years by the Aquinas Institute of Theology, a Dominican school affiliated with Jesuit-run St. Louis University, was transferred to the Institute for Pastoral Theology at Florida-based Ave Maria University. Ave Maria is being developed by former Domino’s Pizza magnate Thomas Monaghan, who has funded a host of conservative Catholic efforts.As if Aquinas could hold a candle to Ave Maria...This is probably one of the best things Bishop Finn could have done. At least one can be assured that heterdoxy will not be tolerated or taught by Ave Maria professors, something sorely lacking, it seems, with Aquinas.
Finn upgraded a Latin Mass community, which has been meeting in a city parish, to a parish in its own right and appointed himself pastor. ( See accompanying story.) Later, he asked the parish that the Latin Mass community will be leaving to donate $250,000 of the estimated $1.5 million the Latin group needs to renovate the old church Finn gave them.OH NO!!!! Not the Latin Mass!!! Actually, it's encouraging to see a bishop celebrate the Tridentine Mass. What a blessing the faithful of Kansas City have received with the appointment of Bishop Finn.
In the July 22, 2005, issue of the diocesan newspaper, The Catholic Key, Finn explained his actions at the center in terms of mission and money.Quite to the point...It's a shame that more don't understand this and believe they are "called" to a "vocation" of running the diocese with their own personal agendas, which are sometimes far removed from being authentically Catholic.
“We have to understand where the power of the laity is,” [Finn] said. “It’s in the family, the workplace, the marketplace. That’s where [the transformation of society] has to happen.
It gets even better, though:
In May 2004, Finn, while still coadjutor, called [the editor of the diocese newspaper, Albert] de Zutter into his office to complain about a column by Notre Dame theologian Fr. Richard McBrien. He had called bishops who wanted to bar politicians from Communion “a tiny number of extremist U.S. bishops” and “zealous, but theologically unsophisticated.” He included Archbishop Raymond Burke of St. Louis, Finn’s former boss.I don't understand how any Catholic could ever read, much less support, a man such as McBrien. Kudos to Bishop Finn again.
De Zutter recalls: “Finn became quite incensed.” Finn said McBrien’s columns were “generally offensive,” the comments about Burke “hurtful,” and he wanted the columns stopped. But the paper continued to run McBrien’s columns while Boland remained bishop. Once in charge, Finn declared that “McBrien would never again appear in the paper,” de Zutter said.
The NCR article is quite entertaining...it demonstrates that some bishops have the courage to do what is right, to do their jobs, to be successors of the Apostles, and true followers of Christ. That which is detrimental to souls should be banished, that which does not serve the mission of the Church, salvation of souls, should be eliminated.
While the article attempts to foster suspicion or worse on Bishop Robert Finn, I think faithful Catholics can read this and rejoice that those who embrace heterdoxy are justifiably worried and concerned about their future and their agenda to form a church in their image, to their desires, and some bishops are not going to permit them that luxury any longer.
We need to continue to pray for our faithful and courageous bishops. Let them know that we support them in their difficult positions of bringing back the Faith to areas where it has all but disappeared.
The NCR article is here.
Gospel for Tuesday, 4th Week of Easter
From: John 10:22-30
Jesus and the Father are One
[22] It was the feast of the Dedication at Jerusalem; [23] it was winter, and Jesus was walking in the temple, in the portico of Solomon. [24] So the Jews gathered round Him and said to Him, "How long will You keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly." [25] Jesus answered them, "I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in My Father's name, they bear witness to Me; [26] but you do not believe, because you do not belong to My sheep. [27] My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; [28] and I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish, and no one shall snatch them out of My hand. [29] My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand. [30] I and the Father are one."
__________________________
Commentary:
22. This feast commemorates an episode in Jewish history (cf. 1 Maccabees 4:36-59; 2 Maccabees 1-2:19; 10:1-8) when Judas Maccabeus, in the year 165 B.C., after liberating Jerusalem from the control of the Seleucid kings of Syria, cleansed the temple of the profanations of Antiochus Epiphanes (1 Maccabees 1:54). From then onwards, on the twenty-fifth day of the month of Kislev (November-December) and throughout the following week, all Judea celebrated the anniversary of the dedication of the new altar. It was also known as the "Festival of Lights" because it was customary to light lamps, a symbol of the Law, and put them in the windows of the houses (cf. 2 Maccabees 1:18).
24-25. When these Jews ask Jesus if He is the Messiah, "they speak in this way", St. Augustine comments, "not because they desire truth, but to prepare the way for calumny" ("In Ioann. Evang.", 48, 3). We have already seen Jesus reveal, by His words and deeds, that He is the Only Son of God (5:19ff; 7:16ff; 8:25ff). In view of their good dispositions, He explicitly told the Samaritan woman (4:26) and the man born blind (9:37) that He was the Messiah and Savior. Now He reproaches His listeners for refusing to recognize the works He does in His Father's name (cf. 5:36; 10:38). On other occasions He referred to works as a way to distinguish true prophets from false ones: "You will know them by their fruits" (Matthew 7:16; cf. Matthew 12:33).
26-29. Certainly faith and eternal life cannot be merited by man's own efforts: they are a gift of God. But the Lord does not deny anyone grace to believe and be saved, because He `wishes all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the Truth" (1 Timothy 2:4). If someone tries to avoid receiving the gift of faith, his unbelief is blameworthy. On this point St. Thomas Aquinas teaches: "I can see, thanks to the light of the sun; but if I close my eyes, I cannot see: this is no fault of the sun, it is my own fault, because by closing my eyes, I prevent the sunlight from reaching me" ("Commentary on St. John, ad loc.").
But those who do not oppose divine grace do come to believe in Jesus. They are known to and loved by Him, enter under His protection and remain faithful with the help of His grace, which is a pledge of the eternal life which the Good Shepherd will eventually give them. It is true that in this world they will have to strive and in the course of striving they will sustain wounds; but if they stay united to the Good Shepherd nothing and no one will snatch Christ's sheep from Him, because our Father, God, is stronger than the Evil One. Our hope that God will grant us final perseverance is not based on our strength but on God's mercy: this hope should always motivate us to strive to respond to grace and to be more faithful to the demands of our faith.
30. Jesus reveals that He and the Father are one in substance. Earlier He proclaimed that God was His Father, "making Himself equal with God"--which is why a number of times the Jewish authorities think of putting Him to death (cf. 5:18; 8:59). Now He speaks about the mystery of God, which is something we can know about only through Revelation. Later on He will reveal more about this mystery, particularly at the Last Supper (14:10; 17:21-22). It is something the evangelist reflects on at the very beginning of the Gospel, in the prologue (cf. John 1:1 and note).
"Listen to the Son Himself", St. Augustine invites us. "`I and the Father are one.' He did not say, `I am the Father' or `I and the Father are one [Person].' But when He says, `I and the Father are one,' notice the two words `[we are]' and `one'...For if they are one, then they are not diverse; if `[we] are', then there is both a Father and a Son" ("In Ioann. Evang.", 36, 9). Jesus reveals that He is one in substance with the Father as far as divine essence or nature is concerned, but He also reveals that the Father and the Son are distinct Persons: "We believe then in the Father who eternally begets the Son; in the Son, the Word of God, who is eternally begotten; in the Holy Spirit, the uncreated Person who proceeds from the Father and the Son as their eternal Love. Thus in the three divine Persons, "coaeternae sibi et coaequales", the life and beatitude of God perfectly One superabound and are consummated in the supreme excellence and glory proper to uncreated Being, and always `there should be venerated Unity in the Trinity and Trinity in the Unity'" ([Pope] Paul VI, "Creed of the People of God," 10).
___________________________
Source: "The Navarre Bible: Text and Commentaries". Biblical text taken from the Revised Standard Version and New Vulgate. Commentaries made by members of the Faculty of Theology of the University of Navarre, Spain. Published by Four Courts Press, Kill Lane, Blackrock, Co. Dublin, Ireland. Reprinted with permission from Four Courts Press and Scepter Publishers, the U.S. publisher.
Jesus and the Father are One
[22] It was the feast of the Dedication at Jerusalem; [23] it was winter, and Jesus was walking in the temple, in the portico of Solomon. [24] So the Jews gathered round Him and said to Him, "How long will You keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly." [25] Jesus answered them, "I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in My Father's name, they bear witness to Me; [26] but you do not believe, because you do not belong to My sheep. [27] My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; [28] and I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish, and no one shall snatch them out of My hand. [29] My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand. [30] I and the Father are one."
__________________________
Commentary:
22. This feast commemorates an episode in Jewish history (cf. 1 Maccabees 4:36-59; 2 Maccabees 1-2:19; 10:1-8) when Judas Maccabeus, in the year 165 B.C., after liberating Jerusalem from the control of the Seleucid kings of Syria, cleansed the temple of the profanations of Antiochus Epiphanes (1 Maccabees 1:54). From then onwards, on the twenty-fifth day of the month of Kislev (November-December) and throughout the following week, all Judea celebrated the anniversary of the dedication of the new altar. It was also known as the "Festival of Lights" because it was customary to light lamps, a symbol of the Law, and put them in the windows of the houses (cf. 2 Maccabees 1:18).
24-25. When these Jews ask Jesus if He is the Messiah, "they speak in this way", St. Augustine comments, "not because they desire truth, but to prepare the way for calumny" ("In Ioann. Evang.", 48, 3). We have already seen Jesus reveal, by His words and deeds, that He is the Only Son of God (5:19ff; 7:16ff; 8:25ff). In view of their good dispositions, He explicitly told the Samaritan woman (4:26) and the man born blind (9:37) that He was the Messiah and Savior. Now He reproaches His listeners for refusing to recognize the works He does in His Father's name (cf. 5:36; 10:38). On other occasions He referred to works as a way to distinguish true prophets from false ones: "You will know them by their fruits" (Matthew 7:16; cf. Matthew 12:33).
26-29. Certainly faith and eternal life cannot be merited by man's own efforts: they are a gift of God. But the Lord does not deny anyone grace to believe and be saved, because He `wishes all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the Truth" (1 Timothy 2:4). If someone tries to avoid receiving the gift of faith, his unbelief is blameworthy. On this point St. Thomas Aquinas teaches: "I can see, thanks to the light of the sun; but if I close my eyes, I cannot see: this is no fault of the sun, it is my own fault, because by closing my eyes, I prevent the sunlight from reaching me" ("Commentary on St. John, ad loc.").
But those who do not oppose divine grace do come to believe in Jesus. They are known to and loved by Him, enter under His protection and remain faithful with the help of His grace, which is a pledge of the eternal life which the Good Shepherd will eventually give them. It is true that in this world they will have to strive and in the course of striving they will sustain wounds; but if they stay united to the Good Shepherd nothing and no one will snatch Christ's sheep from Him, because our Father, God, is stronger than the Evil One. Our hope that God will grant us final perseverance is not based on our strength but on God's mercy: this hope should always motivate us to strive to respond to grace and to be more faithful to the demands of our faith.
30. Jesus reveals that He and the Father are one in substance. Earlier He proclaimed that God was His Father, "making Himself equal with God"--which is why a number of times the Jewish authorities think of putting Him to death (cf. 5:18; 8:59). Now He speaks about the mystery of God, which is something we can know about only through Revelation. Later on He will reveal more about this mystery, particularly at the Last Supper (14:10; 17:21-22). It is something the evangelist reflects on at the very beginning of the Gospel, in the prologue (cf. John 1:1 and note).
"Listen to the Son Himself", St. Augustine invites us. "`I and the Father are one.' He did not say, `I am the Father' or `I and the Father are one [Person].' But when He says, `I and the Father are one,' notice the two words `[we are]' and `one'...For if they are one, then they are not diverse; if `[we] are', then there is both a Father and a Son" ("In Ioann. Evang.", 36, 9). Jesus reveals that He is one in substance with the Father as far as divine essence or nature is concerned, but He also reveals that the Father and the Son are distinct Persons: "We believe then in the Father who eternally begets the Son; in the Son, the Word of God, who is eternally begotten; in the Holy Spirit, the uncreated Person who proceeds from the Father and the Son as their eternal Love. Thus in the three divine Persons, "coaeternae sibi et coaequales", the life and beatitude of God perfectly One superabound and are consummated in the supreme excellence and glory proper to uncreated Being, and always `there should be venerated Unity in the Trinity and Trinity in the Unity'" ([Pope] Paul VI, "Creed of the People of God," 10).
___________________________
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.
Monday, May 08, 2006
Narnia White Witch Claims Lewis' Books 'Anti-Religious'
...the actress who played the White Witch in the Chronicles of Narnia has suggested that C.S. Lewis' famous book The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe is "anti-religious."
Speaking at the 49th San Francisco International Film Festival which concluded last week, Tilda Swinton, the Scottish actress who played the white witch described herself as a "red witch" alluding to her membership in the British Communist Party.
A Short Interview with Marek Bozek...
On Sunday evening, KTVI Fox 2 News aired a short clip of an interview it conducted with Marek Bozek, the excommunicated priest who was hired by the Board of Directors of Stanislaus Church...The parish has been suppressed, yet the excommunicated priest continues to practice as a priest even though he has no faculties to do so and some of the sacraments are invalid-yet, many "Catholics" don't seem to care.
The interview stems from an apparent recent meeting that Bozek had with Archbishop Burke. Details are sketchy since the clip was quite short...It seems as if KTVI was looking for some filler material for its broadcast.
The interview stems from an apparent recent meeting that Bozek had with Archbishop Burke. Details are sketchy since the clip was quite short...It seems as if KTVI was looking for some filler material for its broadcast.
Bozek: I went there to beg him and I begged him on my knees. I knelt down in front of him, I begged him [inaudible] to help me to help his parish.The man doesn't even know what obedience is, I'm afraid...Don't forget to pray for his conversion and the conversion of those he is leading astray.
Reporter: What did he say?
Bozek: He said, Well you didn't, you didn't...you know what to do, you need to be obedient...I said, Bishop, I agree I have to be obedient BUT our first obedience goes to Jesus Christ.
4rd Week of Easter - The Appearances of Christ
"A little while and you shaIl not see me, and again a little while and you shall see me." St. John, 16:17.
"The third day he rose again from the dead." Creed.
Among the early Christian martyrs we read of the virgin St. Margaret, a woman of striking beauty and sterling virtue. She resisted the lustful advances of the Prefect Olybrius, who had her brought to his court for questioning. Bravely she admitted she was a Christian; proudly she confessed that she was a follower of Christ. The impatient and angry prefect cried out: "What nonsense is greater than to hold divine a man who was crucified?"
"How do you know that Christ was crucified?" the fearless virgin asked
him.
He answered: "Why, your own records teach it."
"Well, then," responded Margaret, "the same books which tell us of Christ's sufferings and death, also tell us of His resurrection and glory. How is it that you believe the one and deny the other? We do not believe Jesus is God because He suffered and died. But - we believe He is God because He rose from the grave; by His own power He came back from the dead. That is the reason we rejoice; that is the reason we sing 'Alleluia.' And that is the reason we give our lives for His teaching."
And give her life she did - for her faith.
The Bible tells us that Christ died and was buried. No less clearly the Bible relates that He rose from the grave. If you believe Christ died, you must believe Christ rose. Scripture makes that certain. The fact that Christ appeared to various individuals and groups is further proof that He rose. We would like to emphasize that fact today.
The Gospels tell of eleven appearances to different persons, under different circumstances. Jesus appeared to Mary Magdalen; to the pious women; to St. Peter; to the two disciples on the way to Emmaus; to the apostles when St. Thomas was absent; to the apostles when St. Thomas was present; to five apostles and two disciples at Tiberias; to eleven apostles in Galilee; to more than fifty brethren; to James; and finally to the eleven in Jerusalem. Reading of these appearances, how can anyone doubt that He really rose?
Although the Bible says nothing of it, Christian tradition has always taught that our Lord appeared first to His Blessed Mother, as any loving son would. Remember, Jesus did many things which are not written in the Bible. "There are many other things that Jesus did; but if everyone of these should be written, not even the world itself, I think, could hold the books that would have to be written." St. John, 21:25. But the Bible does tell us clearly of the following appearances.
On Easter morning our Lord showed Himself to Mary Magdalen, asking her: "Woman, why art thou weeping? Whom dost thou seek?" St. John, 20:15. She thought it was the gardener and asked Him where they had laid the body. Jesus simply said: "Mary!" Turning to Him, she answered: "Rabboni!" Rabboni means master. And she who had once wept at His feet, hurried to tell the disciples: "I have seen the Lord, and these things he said to me." St. John, 20:16-18.
With one word: "Hail!" Jesus greeted the pious women who "departed quickly from the tomb in fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples." "And they came up and embraced his feet and worshipped him." Then Jesus said to them "Do not be afraid; go, take word to my brethren that they set out for Galilee; there they shall see me." St. Matthew, 28:8-10.
The evening of that same day Jesus walked and talked and ate with the two disciples going to Emmaus (St. Luke, 24:13). When they returned to Jerusalem they heard that our Lord had appeared to Simon Peter (St. Luke. 24:34).
Most impressive, however, was the appearance of our Lord to the eleven aposles. Let St. Luke tell it: "Now while they were talking of these things, Jesus stood in their midst, and said to them, 'Peace to you! It is I, do not be afraid.' But they were startled and panic-stricken, and thought that they saw a spirit. "And he said to them, 'Why are you disturbed, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? See my hands and feet, that it is I myself. Feed me and see; for a spirit does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.' And having said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. But as they still disbelieved and marvelled for joy, he said, 'Have you anything here to eat?' And they offered him a piece of broiled fish and a honeycomb. And when he had eaten in their presence, he took what remained and gave it to them." St. Luke, 24:36-43. Did you ever see a ghost eat fish and honey?
On another occasion Christ stood before five hundred people at one time. Could five hundred pairs of eyes be fooled by hallucinations at the same time?
Vividly we remember the story of St. Thomas, the doubter, which we have read recently. The first time our Lord came into the upper room, St. Thomas was not with the apostles, who told him that they had seen the Lord. He declared he would not believe unless he could put his fingers into the print of the nails - and his hand into Christ's side. Eight days later our Lord appeared again. This time St. Thomas was with them. Seeing, he believed and exclaimed: "My Lord and my God." St. John, 20:19-26.
Our Lord must have been thinking of these different appearances when He tells us today: "A little while and you shall not see me, and again a little while and you shall see me." And no doubt St. John meant these appearances also when he tells us: "These things are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in his name." St. John, 20:30, 31. Amen.
__________________________
Adapted from Talks on the Creed
by Fr. Arthur Tonne, OFM (© 1946)
"The third day he rose again from the dead." Creed.
Among the early Christian martyrs we read of the virgin St. Margaret, a woman of striking beauty and sterling virtue. She resisted the lustful advances of the Prefect Olybrius, who had her brought to his court for questioning. Bravely she admitted she was a Christian; proudly she confessed that she was a follower of Christ. The impatient and angry prefect cried out: "What nonsense is greater than to hold divine a man who was crucified?"
"How do you know that Christ was crucified?" the fearless virgin asked
him.
He answered: "Why, your own records teach it."
"Well, then," responded Margaret, "the same books which tell us of Christ's sufferings and death, also tell us of His resurrection and glory. How is it that you believe the one and deny the other? We do not believe Jesus is God because He suffered and died. But - we believe He is God because He rose from the grave; by His own power He came back from the dead. That is the reason we rejoice; that is the reason we sing 'Alleluia.' And that is the reason we give our lives for His teaching."
And give her life she did - for her faith.
The Bible tells us that Christ died and was buried. No less clearly the Bible relates that He rose from the grave. If you believe Christ died, you must believe Christ rose. Scripture makes that certain. The fact that Christ appeared to various individuals and groups is further proof that He rose. We would like to emphasize that fact today.
The Gospels tell of eleven appearances to different persons, under different circumstances. Jesus appeared to Mary Magdalen; to the pious women; to St. Peter; to the two disciples on the way to Emmaus; to the apostles when St. Thomas was absent; to the apostles when St. Thomas was present; to five apostles and two disciples at Tiberias; to eleven apostles in Galilee; to more than fifty brethren; to James; and finally to the eleven in Jerusalem. Reading of these appearances, how can anyone doubt that He really rose?
Although the Bible says nothing of it, Christian tradition has always taught that our Lord appeared first to His Blessed Mother, as any loving son would. Remember, Jesus did many things which are not written in the Bible. "There are many other things that Jesus did; but if everyone of these should be written, not even the world itself, I think, could hold the books that would have to be written." St. John, 21:25. But the Bible does tell us clearly of the following appearances.
On Easter morning our Lord showed Himself to Mary Magdalen, asking her: "Woman, why art thou weeping? Whom dost thou seek?" St. John, 20:15. She thought it was the gardener and asked Him where they had laid the body. Jesus simply said: "Mary!" Turning to Him, she answered: "Rabboni!" Rabboni means master. And she who had once wept at His feet, hurried to tell the disciples: "I have seen the Lord, and these things he said to me." St. John, 20:16-18.
With one word: "Hail!" Jesus greeted the pious women who "departed quickly from the tomb in fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples." "And they came up and embraced his feet and worshipped him." Then Jesus said to them "Do not be afraid; go, take word to my brethren that they set out for Galilee; there they shall see me." St. Matthew, 28:8-10.
The evening of that same day Jesus walked and talked and ate with the two disciples going to Emmaus (St. Luke, 24:13). When they returned to Jerusalem they heard that our Lord had appeared to Simon Peter (St. Luke. 24:34).
Most impressive, however, was the appearance of our Lord to the eleven aposles. Let St. Luke tell it: "Now while they were talking of these things, Jesus stood in their midst, and said to them, 'Peace to you! It is I, do not be afraid.' But they were startled and panic-stricken, and thought that they saw a spirit. "And he said to them, 'Why are you disturbed, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? See my hands and feet, that it is I myself. Feed me and see; for a spirit does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.' And having said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. But as they still disbelieved and marvelled for joy, he said, 'Have you anything here to eat?' And they offered him a piece of broiled fish and a honeycomb. And when he had eaten in their presence, he took what remained and gave it to them." St. Luke, 24:36-43. Did you ever see a ghost eat fish and honey?
On another occasion Christ stood before five hundred people at one time. Could five hundred pairs of eyes be fooled by hallucinations at the same time?
Vividly we remember the story of St. Thomas, the doubter, which we have read recently. The first time our Lord came into the upper room, St. Thomas was not with the apostles, who told him that they had seen the Lord. He declared he would not believe unless he could put his fingers into the print of the nails - and his hand into Christ's side. Eight days later our Lord appeared again. This time St. Thomas was with them. Seeing, he believed and exclaimed: "My Lord and my God." St. John, 20:19-26.
Our Lord must have been thinking of these different appearances when He tells us today: "A little while and you shall not see me, and again a little while and you shall see me." And no doubt St. John meant these appearances also when he tells us: "These things are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in his name." St. John, 20:30, 31. Amen.
__________________________
Adapted from Talks on the Creed
by Fr. Arthur Tonne, OFM (© 1946)
4th Week of Easter - Government and the Governed
"And you therefore have sorrow now; but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no one shall take from you." St. John, 16:22.
At the beginning of the American Revolution George Washington was appointed commander-in-chief of the American Army. He discovered that the English troops were shut up in the city of Boston. Americans surrounded the town. The English had little food.
Washington sent a letter to Congress suggesting that Boston be bombarded. As the message was read a tense silence fell over the assembly. Everyone knew that the presiding officer, John Hancock, had considerable real estate in the beleaguered town, most of which he would lose if the city were shelled.
Hancock arose and addressed the assembly:
1. Every man in public office from the president down to the last town marshal has the duty of devoting himself to the public welfare.
Patriotism demands sacrifice and sacrifice makes us sad, but that sacrifice will preserve our glorious nation.
The Catholic Church insists upon these duties of the government and the governed.
Thank God, the history of our country has borne witness that Catholics have always been loyal. Any charge of disloyalty flung at our Church is a filthy, disgusting lie.
We Catholics form about one sixth of the population, yet during the last war [WWII} 30% of the Army, 40% of the Navy, and 50% of the Marines were Catholic. There are a hundred more proofs of our loyalty.
Today we will resolve to give the government our whole-hearted support: we will put our country's interests first; we will obey the laws; we will respect public officials; we will pay our taxes; we will vote conscientiously; above all we will pray that God may guide our leaders along the paths of peace and prosperity. When did you ever pray for our government officials? Do less talking about and more praying for our leaders.
As one hero of World War Two, Naval Commander John J. Shea, wrote to his little son:
"Be a good Catholic, and you can't help being a good American." Amen.
_________________________
Adapted from Talks on the Commandments
by Fr. Arthur Tonne, OFM (© 1948)
At the beginning of the American Revolution George Washington was appointed commander-in-chief of the American Army. He discovered that the English troops were shut up in the city of Boston. Americans surrounded the town. The English had little food.
Washington sent a letter to Congress suggesting that Boston be bombarded. As the message was read a tense silence fell over the assembly. Everyone knew that the presiding officer, John Hancock, had considerable real estate in the beleaguered town, most of which he would lose if the city were shelled.
Hancock arose and addressed the assembly:
"It is true that nearly all my property in the world is in houses and other buildings in the town of Boston; but if driving out the British Army and the liberties of our country require its being burned to ashes, issue the order for that purpose immediately."Those were the sentiments of a true statesman and a true citizen. He was willing to lose his personal property for the good of his country. That should be the sentiment of every true American. The Fourth Commandment imposes duties upon the government and upon the citizenry. We need to know those duties.
1. Every man in public office from the president down to the last town marshal has the duty of devoting himself to the public welfare.
A. He must protect the rights of every citizen:2. Citizens also have duties to those who rule them.1. By framing and enforcing laws that safeguard life, property, freedom, station in life, and the dignity of human beings.B. The Government has the duty to promote the material prosperity and greatness of the country.
2. By administering justice through the courts.
3. By granting full liberty to the Church in her work of saving souls. The Church is supreme in her sphere; the State is supreme in its sphere. Each must help the other.1. State officials must use their power for the general welfare, and not for any individual or group of individuals.John Hancock is a sterling example of a true public servant. He was willing to lose his property for the general good. He was willing to sacrifice his possessions for the sake of his country. Would that we had more John Hancocks in public office.
2. Prudence and justice should guide the appointment of honest, intelligent men to public office.
A. Their first duty is to love their country.Jesus tells us that we shall have sorrow, but that He will see us again, and our hearts shall rejoice, and our joy no man shall take from us. Yes, there is a certain difficulty, a sorrow, in serving our country, whether as officials or as citizens, but it is a worthwhile sorrow, one that makes for the good of our country.1. True patriotism consists in prefering the interests of the nation to private interests. Every citizen is bound to work for the good of all, for public health, education, social justice, and above all for sound morality.B. The people have the duty to respect and support those who hold public office.
2. False patriotism puts the state above everything else, at the expense of human freedom, human rights and the rights of other nations. Always remember: The State exists for man, not man for the State. "Man for the State" was the cry of Hitler. "Man for the State" was the program of Stalin. The State for man is the American way.1. We are bound to obey their lawful commands.C. Every citizen is bound to assist in good government.
2. We are bound to obey all laws made by public authority.
3. We are bound to respect public officials. The power God gave us to govern ourselves we entrust to public officials. Our democratic system allows free criticism of those in office. But that criticism must be fair and truthful and just, and always offered with respect.1. By paying taxes.
2. By voting faithfully and conscientiously. Here there is a moral obligation to vote if there is danger of the election of one who would do grave public harm. This was the situation in Italy on April 18, 1948. The Holy Father called upon all Catholics to vote because there was danger that if they did not cast their ballot, the forces of evil in the form of Communism would destroy the State.
3. Lastly, every citizen has the duty to pray for public officers, especially in times of stress and peril. Instead of talking politics do some praying for our leaders.
Patriotism demands sacrifice and sacrifice makes us sad, but that sacrifice will preserve our glorious nation.
The Catholic Church insists upon these duties of the government and the governed.
Thank God, the history of our country has borne witness that Catholics have always been loyal. Any charge of disloyalty flung at our Church is a filthy, disgusting lie.
We Catholics form about one sixth of the population, yet during the last war [WWII} 30% of the Army, 40% of the Navy, and 50% of the Marines were Catholic. There are a hundred more proofs of our loyalty.
Today we will resolve to give the government our whole-hearted support: we will put our country's interests first; we will obey the laws; we will respect public officials; we will pay our taxes; we will vote conscientiously; above all we will pray that God may guide our leaders along the paths of peace and prosperity. When did you ever pray for our government officials? Do less talking about and more praying for our leaders.
As one hero of World War Two, Naval Commander John J. Shea, wrote to his little son:
"Be a good Catholic, and you can't help being a good American." Amen.
_________________________
Adapted from Talks on the Commandments
by Fr. Arthur Tonne, OFM (© 1948)
Sell Out in Europe? In more ways than one...
Of course, one will not find this article sympathetic to Christianity, much less to Catholicism...
In recent weeks, the Vatican has made attack after attack on the upcoming movie version of The Da Vinci Code opening May 12, but that's not stopping filmgoers in predominantly Catholic countries from rushing out to buy tickets. I'm told that the forthcoming showings of Da Vinci Code are already sold out, or almost sold out, in Italy, Spain and Mexico based on advance ticket sales. The latest Vatican salvo was reported today: in an anti-Da Vinci Code documentary, Cardinal Francis Arinze, a Nigerian who was considered a candidate for pope last year, says Christians should respond to the book and film with legal action because both offend Christ and the Church. Arinze's appeal comes after another high Vatican official called for a boycott of the film. The Vatican's position is that because other religions would never stand for offences against their beliefs, Christians should get tough. Meanwhile, all these attacks are simply generating even more publicity for the already well-hyped film. Perhaps Sony, the producer of the movie, has the Vatican on PR retainer?
Federal Court of Appeals Tosses Same-Sex Marriage Case
SAN FRANCISCO, May 8, 2006 (LifeSiteNews.com) - On Friday in Smelt v. Orange County, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals dismissed a challenge brought by same-sex marriage advocates. Liberty Counsel defended the case on behalf of Campaign for California Families, which was granted defendant-intervenor status.
...
Today's decision by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals dismissed the suit. The Court abstained from ruling on the state law claims because the state law challenge is currently pending in the California state courts. The Court noted that marriage has always been of paramount importance to the state and the state has always regulated the institution. The Court therefore said it must give deference to the state.
USCCB Spring Meeting Agenda
The agenda [for the June 15-17 meeting] will include discussion and vote on:
to banalizing and impoverishing the translations.
The bishops will also hear reports on:
Source.
extending the annual appeal for the Retirement Fund for Religious beyond 2007,This could be quite good...Those who have watched this in the past know how "fired up" BCL Chairman, Bishop Donald Trautman gets...He is so dedicated...
adaptations of the Order of Mass,
liturgical translations by the International Committee on English in the Liturgy, and
a request by the Stewardship Committee to begin drafting a document entitled Stewardship and Teenagers.
to banalizing and impoverishing the translations.
The bishops will also hear reports on:
the work of Priorities and Plans on Catholic Relief Services, on their Hurricane Task Force,GREAT!!!! A report by the "Task Force"! Oh, the wailing and the gnashing of teeth! (Sorry, just dreaming!)
on a new DVD by the Committee on Vocations, “Fishers of Men,”
and a report by the Task Force on Catholic Bishops and Politicians.
Source.
Nuns, DirectTV and Pay-per-View Movies
The first hint of a problem came in mid-February of this year when the January bill arrived. The nuns were being charged for Pay-Per-View movies, a service they had rarely used. What's more, the movies were not the sort the nuns would have watched, anyway. There were titles such as "Naked Desires" and "Naughty Newlyweds" and "Porn Star Blind Date."Huh??? How does that work? I thought the receivers could be password protected to avoid this kind of thing...Was a neighbor firing his remote in the direction of the Sisters' TV? Strange....
...
The customer representative suggested that somebody might be tapping into the nuns' service. Apparently, this can be done by remote control.
The link is here. And they got rid of the devil's black box...
Archdiocese of St Louis - Annual Catholic Appeal...
...has goal of $11 million
The 2006 Annual Catholic Appeal is scheduled through today at parishes in St. Charles and Lincoln counties.
St. Louis Archbishop Raymond L. Burke announced a fundraising goal of $11.25 million. Funds raised from the appeal will be designated to support various social service programs and Catholic education. Pledges may be made online at archstl.org or at weekend Masses at Catholic churches.
The 2006 Annual Catholic Appeal is scheduled through today at parishes in St. Charles and Lincoln counties.
St. Louis Archbishop Raymond L. Burke announced a fundraising goal of $11.25 million. Funds raised from the appeal will be designated to support various social service programs and Catholic education. Pledges may be made online at archstl.org or at weekend Masses at Catholic churches.
Links Fr. Altier Homilies...from a Buried Comment
So let's all of us continue to gather and pray, for prayer is truly needed all around the world. Without prayer, there cannot be peace or conversion and lets encourage others to prayer groups so more come to know Jesus in a deeper way. Pray the Rosary and meditate on the mysteries each new day. Pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy for souls, for many, many are suffering due to lack of prayer.
Here is a linkable archive list to Fr. Altier’s Homilies
2006 Homilies by Father Robert Altier
2005 Homilies by Father Robert Altier
2004 Homilies by Father Robert Altier
St Louis Planned Parenthood Upset over Sex-Ed Bill
Sex-ed bill is attempt to pacify hard-linersInformation on HB1075 can be found here.
Parents want their teens to be healthy and safe. Missouri's sex education law contains a common-sense approach to keeping teens healthy and safe. The law sets requirements if school districts offer sex education, including an abstinence-based, medically accurate curriculum that includes information on success and failure rates of contraception, to assist students in preventing pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections. Planned Parenthood was proud to help enact this law in 1999 with the help of leaders who have opposing views on reproductive rights. Times have changed in Jefferson City.
Supporters of House Bill 1075 oppose responsible sex education; they believe "abstinence-only" is the only answer, even though study after study has proven it to be ineffective and harmful.
This year's fight is about Gov. Matt Blunt's wrong priorities and a political promise to conservative hard-liners. Mr. Blunt made a promise to ban Planned Parenthood from schools to members of a church in Springfield, days after Missouri Right to Life threatened to pull its support of him because of his position on stem-cell research.
Sexual health and personal responsibility begin with education. Education starts at home and should be reinforced in schools and by trusted and knowledgeable adults. Parents agree, as shown in polls for decades.
All of Planned Parenthood's programs encourage abstinence, promote parent-child communication, are medically accurate and age-appropriate and give teens information to make responsible and informed choices and be safe in their lives and relationships.
Banning Planned Parenthood from public schools is election-year political pandering. It would eliminate the best, and often only, sex-education programs, information and trained educators available to students and parents. More than 90 percent of Planned Parenthood's medical services promote prevention. Planned Parenthood is committed to putting prevention first. Missouri's elected officials should do the same. The Legislature should enact legislation that focuses on the only proven ways to reduce unintended pregnancy and abortion: access to information and contraception. Missourians should see attacks on access to information, education and family planning for what they are: attempts to satisfy special interests who have the wrong priorities for Missouri. The Senate should put prevention first and defeat this bill.
Paula M. Gianino | St. Louis
President and CEO, Planned Parenthood of the St. Louis Region
And who would not want Planned Parenthood teaching their children about sex...? This bill deserves every Missourians support...hopefully, the baby murderers at Planned Infanticide will take the hint and leave the state....
Missouri Stem Cell Initiative Headed for Ballot
Almost double the number of required signatures was turned in [last] Monday by a group seeking to put a measure on the November ballot asking voters to amend the state constitution to protect stem cell research in Missouri.The Missouri Coalition for Life-Destructive Research has sold the public a LIE...And as this group is spawned from the evil one himself, it continus its lies so it can engage in reaping profits from selling a false hope and it can engage in the murder of innocent human life...What a judgment day these charlatans have in store...
The Missouri Coalition for Lifesaving Cures submitted 288,991 signatures of registered voters to the Secretary of State.
Supporters say the abundance reflects the measure's popularity.
Opponents argue that it merely shows you can hire companies to gather signatures to put just about anything you want on the ballot.
Article here.
Pope Is Asking China for Freedom, Not Forgiveness
The Chinese authorities have begin ordaining illegitimate bishops again. But this time the Vatican is responding firmly. It is the new course inaugurated by Benedict XVI.
by Sandro Magister
by Sandro Magister
Steeple is pulling away from 'Cathedral of the South Side'
The old St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church, with its renowned 300-foot steeple, has long been called the "Cathedral of the South Side" in recognition of its prominence on Gravois Avenue at Ohio Avenue.But this costs several hundred thousand dollars...Continued...
The steeple at the neo-Gothic church is slowly twisting and pulling away from the rest of the building. Years of rain, ice and snow have gradually eroded the steeple's foundation.
In July, St. Francis de Sales became an oratory, or site for traditional Latin Masses, for the St. Louis Archdiocese. [Fr. Karl] Lenhardt was assigned to the church as a sovereign priest of the Institute of Christ the King, which focuses on keeping alive the Latin Rite traditions in the Roman Catholic Church.
...the steeple can be stabilized by drilling a new, deeper foundation for the structure well down into bedrock.
Gospel for Monday, 4th Week of Easter
From: John 10:1-10
The Good Shepherd
(Jesus said to the Pharisees,) [1] "Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber; [2] but he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. [3] To him the gatekeeper opens; the sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. [4] When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. [5] A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers." [6] This figure Jesus used with them, but they did not understand what He was saying to them.
[7] So Jesus again said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. [8] All who came before Me are thieves and robbers; but the sheep did not heed them. [9] I am the door; if any one enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. [10] The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly."
___________________________
Commentary:
1-18. The image of the Good Shepherd recalls a favorite theme of Old Testament prophetic literature: the chosen people is the flock, and Yahweh is their shepherd (cf. Psalm 23). Kings and priests are also described as shepherds or pastors. Jeremiah inveighs against those pastors who had let their sheep go astray and in God's name promises new pastors who will graze their flocks properly so that they will never again be harassed or anxious (cf. 23:1-6; also 2:8; 3:15; 10:21; Isaiah 40:1-11). Ezekiel reproaches pastors for their misdeeds and sloth, their greed and neglect of their responsibility: Yahweh will take the flock away from them and He Himself will look after their sheep: indeed, a unique shepherd will appear, descended from David, who will graze them and protect them (Ezekiel 34). Jesus presents Himself as this shepherd who looks after His sheep, seeks out the strays, cures the crippled and carries the weak on His shoulders (cf. Matthew 18:12-14; Luke 15:4-7), thereby fulfilling the ancient prophecies.
From earliest times, Christian art found its inspiration in this touching image of the Good Shepherd, thereby leaving us a representation of Christ's love for each of us.
In addition to the title of Good Shepherd, Christ applies to Himself the image of the door into the sheepfold of the Church. "The Church," Vatican II teaches, "is a sheepfold, the sole and necessary gateway to which is Christ (cf. John 10:1-10). It is also a flock, of which God foretold that He Himself would be the shepherd (cf. Isaiah 40:11; Ezekiel 34:11ff.), and whose sheep, although watched over by human shepherds, are nevertheless at all times led and brought to pasture by Christ Himself, the Good Shepherd and Prince of shepherds (cf. John 10:11; 1 Peter 5:4), who gave His life for His sheep (cf. John 10:11-15)" ("Lumen Gentium", 6).
1-2. The flock can be harmed in a subtle, hidden way, or in a blatant way through abuse of authority. The history of the Church shows that its enemies have used both methods: sometimes they enter the flock in a secretive way to harm it from within; sometimes they attack it from outside, openly and violently. "Who is the good shepherd? `He who enters by the door' of faithfulness to the Church's doctrine and does not act like the hireling `who sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees'; whereupon `the wolf snatches them and scatters them'" ([St] J. Escriva, "Christ Is Passing By", 34).
3-5. In those times it was usual at nightfall to bring a number of flocks together into one sheepfold, where they would be kept for the night with someone acting as look-out. Then at dawn the shepherds would come back and open the sheepfold and each would call his sheep which would gather round and follow him out of the pen (they were used to his voice because he used to call them to prevent them from going astray) and he would then lead them to pasture. Our Lord uses this image--one very familiar to His listeners--to teach them a divine truth: since there are strange voices around, we need to know the voice of Christ--which is continually addressing us through the Magisterium of the Church--and to follow it, if we are to get the nourishment our soul needs. "Christ has given His Church sureness in doctrine and a fountain of grace in the Sacraments. He has arranged things so that there will always be people to guide and lead us, to remind us constantly of our way. There is an infinite treasure of knowledge available to us: the word of God kept safe by the Church, the grace of Christ administered in the Sacraments and also the witness and example of those who live by our side and have known how to build with their good lives a road of faithfulness to God" ([St] J. Escriva, "Christ Is Passing By", 34).
6. Christ develops and interprets the image of the shepherd and the flock, to ensure that everyone who is well-disposed can understand His meaning. But the Jews fail to understand--as happened also when He promised the Eucharist (John 6:41-43) and spoke of the "living water" (John 7:40-43), or when He raised Lazarus from the dead (John 11:45-46).
7. After describing His future Church through the image of the flock, Christ extends the simile and calls Himself the "door of the sheep". The shepherds and the sheep enter the sheepfold: both must enter through the door, which is Christ. "I", St. Augustine preached, "seeking to enter in among you, that is, into your heart, preach Christ: if I were to preach other than that, I should be trying to enter by some other way. Through Christ I enter in, not to your houses but to your hearts. Through Him I enter and you have willingly heard me speak of Him. Why? Because you are Christ's sheep and you have been purchased with Christ's blood" ("In Ioann. Evang." 47, 2-3).
8. The severe reproach Jesus levels against those who came before Him does not apply to Moses or the prophets (cf. John 5:39, 45; 8:56; 12:41), nor to the Baptist (cf. John 5:33), for they proclaimed the future Messiah and prepared the way for Him. He is referring to the false prophets and deceivers of the people, among them some teachers of the Law--blind men and blind guides (cf. Matthew 23:16-24) who block the people's way to Christ, as happened just a little before when the man born blind was cured (cf. John 9).
________________________
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 Good Shepherd
(Jesus said to the Pharisees,) [1] "Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber; [2] but he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. [3] To him the gatekeeper opens; the sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. [4] When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. [5] A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers." [6] This figure Jesus used with them, but they did not understand what He was saying to them.
[7] So Jesus again said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. [8] All who came before Me are thieves and robbers; but the sheep did not heed them. [9] I am the door; if any one enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. [10] The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly."
___________________________
Commentary:
1-18. The image of the Good Shepherd recalls a favorite theme of Old Testament prophetic literature: the chosen people is the flock, and Yahweh is their shepherd (cf. Psalm 23). Kings and priests are also described as shepherds or pastors. Jeremiah inveighs against those pastors who had let their sheep go astray and in God's name promises new pastors who will graze their flocks properly so that they will never again be harassed or anxious (cf. 23:1-6; also 2:8; 3:15; 10:21; Isaiah 40:1-11). Ezekiel reproaches pastors for their misdeeds and sloth, their greed and neglect of their responsibility: Yahweh will take the flock away from them and He Himself will look after their sheep: indeed, a unique shepherd will appear, descended from David, who will graze them and protect them (Ezekiel 34). Jesus presents Himself as this shepherd who looks after His sheep, seeks out the strays, cures the crippled and carries the weak on His shoulders (cf. Matthew 18:12-14; Luke 15:4-7), thereby fulfilling the ancient prophecies.
From earliest times, Christian art found its inspiration in this touching image of the Good Shepherd, thereby leaving us a representation of Christ's love for each of us.
In addition to the title of Good Shepherd, Christ applies to Himself the image of the door into the sheepfold of the Church. "The Church," Vatican II teaches, "is a sheepfold, the sole and necessary gateway to which is Christ (cf. John 10:1-10). It is also a flock, of which God foretold that He Himself would be the shepherd (cf. Isaiah 40:11; Ezekiel 34:11ff.), and whose sheep, although watched over by human shepherds, are nevertheless at all times led and brought to pasture by Christ Himself, the Good Shepherd and Prince of shepherds (cf. John 10:11; 1 Peter 5:4), who gave His life for His sheep (cf. John 10:11-15)" ("Lumen Gentium", 6).
1-2. The flock can be harmed in a subtle, hidden way, or in a blatant way through abuse of authority. The history of the Church shows that its enemies have used both methods: sometimes they enter the flock in a secretive way to harm it from within; sometimes they attack it from outside, openly and violently. "Who is the good shepherd? `He who enters by the door' of faithfulness to the Church's doctrine and does not act like the hireling `who sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees'; whereupon `the wolf snatches them and scatters them'" ([St] J. Escriva, "Christ Is Passing By", 34).
3-5. In those times it was usual at nightfall to bring a number of flocks together into one sheepfold, where they would be kept for the night with someone acting as look-out. Then at dawn the shepherds would come back and open the sheepfold and each would call his sheep which would gather round and follow him out of the pen (they were used to his voice because he used to call them to prevent them from going astray) and he would then lead them to pasture. Our Lord uses this image--one very familiar to His listeners--to teach them a divine truth: since there are strange voices around, we need to know the voice of Christ--which is continually addressing us through the Magisterium of the Church--and to follow it, if we are to get the nourishment our soul needs. "Christ has given His Church sureness in doctrine and a fountain of grace in the Sacraments. He has arranged things so that there will always be people to guide and lead us, to remind us constantly of our way. There is an infinite treasure of knowledge available to us: the word of God kept safe by the Church, the grace of Christ administered in the Sacraments and also the witness and example of those who live by our side and have known how to build with their good lives a road of faithfulness to God" ([St] J. Escriva, "Christ Is Passing By", 34).
6. Christ develops and interprets the image of the shepherd and the flock, to ensure that everyone who is well-disposed can understand His meaning. But the Jews fail to understand--as happened also when He promised the Eucharist (John 6:41-43) and spoke of the "living water" (John 7:40-43), or when He raised Lazarus from the dead (John 11:45-46).
7. After describing His future Church through the image of the flock, Christ extends the simile and calls Himself the "door of the sheep". The shepherds and the sheep enter the sheepfold: both must enter through the door, which is Christ. "I", St. Augustine preached, "seeking to enter in among you, that is, into your heart, preach Christ: if I were to preach other than that, I should be trying to enter by some other way. Through Christ I enter in, not to your houses but to your hearts. Through Him I enter and you have willingly heard me speak of Him. Why? Because you are Christ's sheep and you have been purchased with Christ's blood" ("In Ioann. Evang." 47, 2-3).
8. The severe reproach Jesus levels against those who came before Him does not apply to Moses or the prophets (cf. John 5:39, 45; 8:56; 12:41), nor to the Baptist (cf. John 5:33), for they proclaimed the future Messiah and prepared the way for Him. He is referring to the false prophets and deceivers of the people, among them some teachers of the Law--blind men and blind guides (cf. Matthew 23:16-24) who block the people's way to Christ, as happened just a little before when the man born blind was cured (cf. John 9).
________________________
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.
Sunday, May 07, 2006
4th Week of Easter - Temperance
"Your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no one shall take from you." St. John, 16:22.
Riding on a train into Chicago during World War II, I fell into conversation with a soldier. Among other things, he expressed himself very strongly about drinking to excess. His experience was the reason for his stand. This is what he told me:
On his way home for a furlough, he indulged too freely with several companions on the train. He had wired his fiancee to meet him at the Union Station in Chicago. By the time he reached his home town, he was definitely drunk. As the train pulled in, he hoped and prayed that something, anything might keep her from being at the station. He did not want her to see him in that condition. But there she was, waiting at the gate as he came staggering along the platform. When she saw his condition, she called a cab, pushed him into it, told the driver his address, slammed the door, and stalked off.
Every day of his furlough the young man tried to get in touch with his intended. But it was in vain. Finally she relented to the extent of writing him a letter, and also giving him another chance. In that letter she wrote: "Bill, I would much rather receive one of those terrible telegrams from the War Department saying: 'Missing in action,' or even 'Killed in action,' than ever to see you again in the state you were in at the station."
The soldier managed a grim smile as he told me: "Father, you can bet I have never drunk to excess since that. She is too precious to lose for just a couple of drinks."
Intemperance will cause the loss of many other precious things, too, including the loss of sanctifying grace, the life of the soul. That is why temperance is so important.
Temperance is that cardinal and key virtue which enables us to control the things that are agreeable to the senses, in line with right reason and the laws of God. Right at the start let me emphasize that temperance means much more than moderation in the use of intoxicating drink. It means moderation in everything. We want to think about it this week.
1. Temperance gives us a firm grip on our natural appetites:
4. Intemperance undermines character and robs man of his human dignity. It steals his self-respect, and the respect of others. It makes him like a mere animal, rather than a human being. Yes, and it loses many of the most precious things in life, just as the young soldier almost lost the girl of his choice, because he was intemperate in drinking.
Temperance and everything it entails is not easy. But Christ promises us that the sorrow we experience in doing His will, some day shall be turned into joy.
Be temperate, be moderate, control the demands of the senses, and "your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no one shall take from you." Amen.
__________________
Adapted from Prayers, Precepts and Virtues
by Fr. Arthur Tonne, OFM (©1949)
Riding on a train into Chicago during World War II, I fell into conversation with a soldier. Among other things, he expressed himself very strongly about drinking to excess. His experience was the reason for his stand. This is what he told me:
On his way home for a furlough, he indulged too freely with several companions on the train. He had wired his fiancee to meet him at the Union Station in Chicago. By the time he reached his home town, he was definitely drunk. As the train pulled in, he hoped and prayed that something, anything might keep her from being at the station. He did not want her to see him in that condition. But there she was, waiting at the gate as he came staggering along the platform. When she saw his condition, she called a cab, pushed him into it, told the driver his address, slammed the door, and stalked off.
Every day of his furlough the young man tried to get in touch with his intended. But it was in vain. Finally she relented to the extent of writing him a letter, and also giving him another chance. In that letter she wrote: "Bill, I would much rather receive one of those terrible telegrams from the War Department saying: 'Missing in action,' or even 'Killed in action,' than ever to see you again in the state you were in at the station."
The soldier managed a grim smile as he told me: "Father, you can bet I have never drunk to excess since that. She is too precious to lose for just a couple of drinks."
Intemperance will cause the loss of many other precious things, too, including the loss of sanctifying grace, the life of the soul. That is why temperance is so important.
Temperance is that cardinal and key virtue which enables us to control the things that are agreeable to the senses, in line with right reason and the laws of God. Right at the start let me emphasize that temperance means much more than moderation in the use of intoxicating drink. It means moderation in everything. We want to think about it this week.
1. Temperance gives us a firm grip on our natural appetites:
A. If we do not master our desires and appetites, they will master us. The spiritual part of man must always be in control of the mere animal in us. Body and soul should work together, but if there is a conflict, if the demands of the body threaten to get out of control, that is, if they threaten to offend the laws of reason and the laws of God, then the soul must assert itself and take the reins firmly in hand.2. Temperance has many close relatives among the virtues, many powers which help temperance, and some that result from it:
B. All our natural appetites are good in themselves. God planted them in us. They are important and necessary in maintaining life and health. But, let those inborn desires run wild, and they ruin not only the soul, but even the body itself.
There is, for example, the natural desire for drink, even for intoxicating drink, which can have a useful purpose in promoting health and social life. But when that desire for drink gets out of control, it brings the drinker to the sad state of the young soldier of my story, who almost lost his beloved because of intemperance.
A. Clemency is the ability to keep punishment within reason. It is intemperate to inflict a punishment all out of proportion to the fault committed.3. But we must always be moderate in our moderation, temperate in our temperance. It is wrong to reject all bodily pleasure, especially the pleasure necessary for life, like eating and exercise. So, too, excessive and unadvised penance is not virtue; it can be sinful. Always consult your confessor about extreme penances.
B. Sobriety moderates the natural appetites like eating and drinking. It also moderates the acquired appetites, like smoking and chewing gum. Once in a while one notices a thoughtless Catholic chewing her cud in church. That is intemperate as well as disrespectful.
C. Abstinence or self-denial is the practice of denying partially or entirely certain appetites for the sake of the soul. Total abstinence from intoxicating liquor is one of the means, and for many the only means, of avoiding drunkenness.
D. Chastity denies or regulates the sexual instinct, according as one leads a virginal, married or widowed life. Excess in the use of sex is a particularly sinful and harmful form of intemperance.
E. Modesty means the regulating and checking of all the external things that might awaken a desire for unchaste or unlawful pleasure in ourselves or others. It means avoiding any style of dress, manner of speech or conduct, that might arouse impure desires.
F. There is even a temperance in learning, with regard to an over-eager desire for the knowledge that puffeth up.
G. Humility regulates and controls a man's estimation of himself. He bases his value on actual fact.
H. Mortification helps temperance by performing acts that are painful to help keep our appetites within the bounds of reason. Denying yourself something lawful is a big help towards avoiding the unlawful.
4. Intemperance undermines character and robs man of his human dignity. It steals his self-respect, and the respect of others. It makes him like a mere animal, rather than a human being. Yes, and it loses many of the most precious things in life, just as the young soldier almost lost the girl of his choice, because he was intemperate in drinking.
Temperance and everything it entails is not easy. But Christ promises us that the sorrow we experience in doing His will, some day shall be turned into joy.
Be temperate, be moderate, control the demands of the senses, and "your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no one shall take from you." Amen.
__________________
Adapted from Prayers, Precepts and Virtues
by Fr. Arthur Tonne, OFM (©1949)
Gospel for the 4th Sunday of Easter
From: John 10:11-18
The Good Shepherd (Continuation)
(Jesus said to the Pharisees,) [11] "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. [12] He who is a hireling and not a shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. [13] He flees because he is a hireling and cares nothing for the sheep. [14] I am the good shepherd; I know my own and my own know me, [15] as the Father knows Me and I know the Father; and I lay down My life for My sheep. [16] And I have other sheep that are not of this fold; I must bring them also, and they will heed My voice. So there shall be one flock, one shepherd. [17] For this reason the Father loves Me, because I lay down My life, that I may take it again. [18] No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of My own accord. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again; this charge I have received from My Father."
___________________________
Commentary:
11-15. "The good shepherd lays down his life for his sheep": "Here", says St. John Chrysostom, "He is speaking of His passion, making it clear this would take place for the salvation of the world and that He would go to it freely and willingly" ("Hom. on St. John", 59, 3). Our Lord spoke further about giving abundant pasture; now He speaks about giving His very life: "He did what He said He would do", St. Gregory comments; "He gave His life for His sheep, and He gave His body and blood in the Sacrament to nourish with His flesh the sheep He had redeemed" ("In Evangelia Homilae", 14, "ad loc."). Hired men, on the other hand, run away if there is any danger, leaving the flock at risk. "Who is the hireling? He who sees the wolf coming and flees. The man who seeks his own glory, not the glory of Christ; the man who does not dare reprove sinners. You are the hireling; you have seen the wolf coming and have fled [...] because you held your peace; and you held your peace, because you were afraid" (St. Augustine, "In Ioann Evang.", 46, 8).
"Let them remember that their priestly ministry [...] is--in a special way--'ordered' to the great solicitude of the Good Shepherd, solicitude for the salvation of every human being. And this we must all remember: that it is not lawful for any one of us to deserve the name of 'hireling', that is to say, the name of one 'to whom the sheep do not belong', one who, 'since he is not the shepherd and the sheep do not belong to him, abandons the sheep and runs away as soon as he sees the wolf coming, and then the wolf attacks and scatters the sheep; this is because he is only a hired man and has no concern for the sheep.' The solicitude of every good shepherd is that all people 'may have life and have it to the full', so that none of them may be lost but should have eternal life. Let us endeavor to make this solicitude penetrate deeply into our souls; let us strive to live it. May it characterize our personality, and be at the foundation of our priestly identity" ([Pope] John Paul II, "Letter to Priests", 8 April 1979).
The Good Shepherd knows each of His sheep and calls it by name. This touching simile seems to be an exhortation to future pastors of the Church, as St. Peter will later on explain: "Tend the flock that is your charge, not for shameful gain but eagerly, not as domineering over those in your charge but being examples to the flock" (1 Peter 5:2).
"The holiness of Christ's Spouse has always been shown--as it can be seen today--by the abundance of good shepherds. But our Christian faith, which teaches us to be simple, does not bid us to be simple-minded. There are hirelings who keep silent, and there are hirelings who speak with words which are not those of Christ. That is why, if the Lord allows us to be left in the dark even in little things, if we feel that our faith is not firm, we should go to the good shepherd. He enters by the door as of right. He gives his life for others and wants to be in word and behavior a soul in love. He may be a sinner too, but he trusts always in Christ's forgiveness and mercy" ([St] J. Escriva, "Christ Is Passing By", 34).
16. "One flock, one shepherd": Christ's mission extends to everyone even though His own preaching is addressed, in the first instance, to the sheep of the house of Israel, as He Himself revealed to the Canaanite woman (cf. Matthew 15:24), and even though He sent the Apostles on their first mission (cf. Matthew 10:6) to preach to the people of Israel. Now, however, foreseeing the fruits of His redemptive death (verse 15), He reveals that these will be applied to "other sheep, that are not of this fold", that is, Israel, and, after the Resurrection, He does send the Apostles to all nations (cf. Matthew 28:19), to preach the Gospel to all creation (cf. Matthew 16:15), beginning in Jerusalem and extending to all Judea, Samaria and the ends of the earth (cf. Acts 1:8). This fulfills the ancient promises about the rule of the Messiah covering the whole world (cf. Psalm 2:7; Isaiah 2:2-6; 66:17-19). The universal scope of salvation caused St. Paul to exclaim: "Remember that at one time you...were...separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near in the blood of Christ" (Ephesians 2:11-13; cf. Galatians 3:27-28; Romans 3:22).
The unity of the Church is to be found under one visible head, for "it was to the Apostolic College alone, of which Peter is the head, that we believe that our Lord entrusted all the blessings of the New Covenant, in order to establish on earth the one body of Christ into which all those should be fully incorporated who belong in any way to the people of God" (Vatican II, "Unitatis Redintegratio", 3). It is a Catholic's constant yearning that everyone should come to the true Church, "God's one flock, which like a standard lifted high for the nations to see, ministers the Gospel of peace to all mankind, as it makes it pilgrim way in hope towards its goal, the fatherland above" ("ibid.", 2).
17-18. Jesus shows that of His own free will He will give Himself up to death for the sake of the flock (cf. John 6:51). Having been given supreme authority, Christ is free to offer Himself as a sacrifice of expiation, and He voluntarily accepts His Father's commandment, in an act of perfect obedience. "We will never fully understand Jesus' freedom. It is immense, infinite, as is His love. But the priceless treasure of His generous holocaust should move us to ask, 'Why, Lord, have you granted me this privilege which I can use to follow in Your footsteps, but also to offend You?' Thus we come to appreciate that freedom is used properly when it is directed towards the good; and that it is misused when men are forgetful and turn away from the Love of loves" ([St] J. Escriva, "Friends of God", 26).
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Source: "The Navarre Bible: Text and Commentaries". Biblical text taken from the Revised Standard Version and New Vulgate. Commentaries made by members of the Faculty of Theology of the University of Navarre, Spain. Published by Four Courts Press, Kill Lane, Blackrock, Co. Dublin, Ireland. Reprinted with permission from Four Courts Press and Scepter Publishers, the U.S. publisher.
The Good Shepherd (Continuation)
(Jesus said to the Pharisees,) [11] "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. [12] He who is a hireling and not a shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. [13] He flees because he is a hireling and cares nothing for the sheep. [14] I am the good shepherd; I know my own and my own know me, [15] as the Father knows Me and I know the Father; and I lay down My life for My sheep. [16] And I have other sheep that are not of this fold; I must bring them also, and they will heed My voice. So there shall be one flock, one shepherd. [17] For this reason the Father loves Me, because I lay down My life, that I may take it again. [18] No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of My own accord. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again; this charge I have received from My Father."
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Commentary:
11-15. "The good shepherd lays down his life for his sheep": "Here", says St. John Chrysostom, "He is speaking of His passion, making it clear this would take place for the salvation of the world and that He would go to it freely and willingly" ("Hom. on St. John", 59, 3). Our Lord spoke further about giving abundant pasture; now He speaks about giving His very life: "He did what He said He would do", St. Gregory comments; "He gave His life for His sheep, and He gave His body and blood in the Sacrament to nourish with His flesh the sheep He had redeemed" ("In Evangelia Homilae", 14, "ad loc."). Hired men, on the other hand, run away if there is any danger, leaving the flock at risk. "Who is the hireling? He who sees the wolf coming and flees. The man who seeks his own glory, not the glory of Christ; the man who does not dare reprove sinners. You are the hireling; you have seen the wolf coming and have fled [...] because you held your peace; and you held your peace, because you were afraid" (St. Augustine, "In Ioann Evang.", 46, 8).
"Let them remember that their priestly ministry [...] is--in a special way--'ordered' to the great solicitude of the Good Shepherd, solicitude for the salvation of every human being. And this we must all remember: that it is not lawful for any one of us to deserve the name of 'hireling', that is to say, the name of one 'to whom the sheep do not belong', one who, 'since he is not the shepherd and the sheep do not belong to him, abandons the sheep and runs away as soon as he sees the wolf coming, and then the wolf attacks and scatters the sheep; this is because he is only a hired man and has no concern for the sheep.' The solicitude of every good shepherd is that all people 'may have life and have it to the full', so that none of them may be lost but should have eternal life. Let us endeavor to make this solicitude penetrate deeply into our souls; let us strive to live it. May it characterize our personality, and be at the foundation of our priestly identity" ([Pope] John Paul II, "Letter to Priests", 8 April 1979).
The Good Shepherd knows each of His sheep and calls it by name. This touching simile seems to be an exhortation to future pastors of the Church, as St. Peter will later on explain: "Tend the flock that is your charge, not for shameful gain but eagerly, not as domineering over those in your charge but being examples to the flock" (1 Peter 5:2).
"The holiness of Christ's Spouse has always been shown--as it can be seen today--by the abundance of good shepherds. But our Christian faith, which teaches us to be simple, does not bid us to be simple-minded. There are hirelings who keep silent, and there are hirelings who speak with words which are not those of Christ. That is why, if the Lord allows us to be left in the dark even in little things, if we feel that our faith is not firm, we should go to the good shepherd. He enters by the door as of right. He gives his life for others and wants to be in word and behavior a soul in love. He may be a sinner too, but he trusts always in Christ's forgiveness and mercy" ([St] J. Escriva, "Christ Is Passing By", 34).
16. "One flock, one shepherd": Christ's mission extends to everyone even though His own preaching is addressed, in the first instance, to the sheep of the house of Israel, as He Himself revealed to the Canaanite woman (cf. Matthew 15:24), and even though He sent the Apostles on their first mission (cf. Matthew 10:6) to preach to the people of Israel. Now, however, foreseeing the fruits of His redemptive death (verse 15), He reveals that these will be applied to "other sheep, that are not of this fold", that is, Israel, and, after the Resurrection, He does send the Apostles to all nations (cf. Matthew 28:19), to preach the Gospel to all creation (cf. Matthew 16:15), beginning in Jerusalem and extending to all Judea, Samaria and the ends of the earth (cf. Acts 1:8). This fulfills the ancient promises about the rule of the Messiah covering the whole world (cf. Psalm 2:7; Isaiah 2:2-6; 66:17-19). The universal scope of salvation caused St. Paul to exclaim: "Remember that at one time you...were...separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near in the blood of Christ" (Ephesians 2:11-13; cf. Galatians 3:27-28; Romans 3:22).
The unity of the Church is to be found under one visible head, for "it was to the Apostolic College alone, of which Peter is the head, that we believe that our Lord entrusted all the blessings of the New Covenant, in order to establish on earth the one body of Christ into which all those should be fully incorporated who belong in any way to the people of God" (Vatican II, "Unitatis Redintegratio", 3). It is a Catholic's constant yearning that everyone should come to the true Church, "God's one flock, which like a standard lifted high for the nations to see, ministers the Gospel of peace to all mankind, as it makes it pilgrim way in hope towards its goal, the fatherland above" ("ibid.", 2).
17-18. Jesus shows that of His own free will He will give Himself up to death for the sake of the flock (cf. John 6:51). Having been given supreme authority, Christ is free to offer Himself as a sacrifice of expiation, and He voluntarily accepts His Father's commandment, in an act of perfect obedience. "We will never fully understand Jesus' freedom. It is immense, infinite, as is His love. But the priceless treasure of His generous holocaust should move us to ask, 'Why, Lord, have you granted me this privilege which I can use to follow in Your footsteps, but also to offend You?' Thus we come to appreciate that freedom is used properly when it is directed towards the good; and that it is misused when men are forgetful and turn away from the Love of loves" ([St] J. Escriva, "Friends of God", 26).
_________________________
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.
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