Tolerance? What is Tolerance?

Archbishop Alfred Hughes or the Archdiocese of New Orleans offers a perspective worth reading:

Tolerance is a “new” virtue in the history of civilization. Neither Plato nor Aristotle named it in Greek moral thought. Seneca failed to include it when he summarized the Roman treatment of virtue. One would search in vain to find the virtue of tolerance in Sacred Scripture or in the rich Christian tradition through most of the centuries.
. . .
It was the 18th century Enlightenment that introduced tolerance as a virtue. Thus Locke, Voltaire and Lessing promoted tolerance as the virtue to move people beyond the religious conflicts that had troubled Europe in the wake of the Reformation.

These philosophers were convinced that the aggressive promotion of religious doctrines was the cause of the endless conflicts. Interestingly, they were convinced that it was possible to realize a consensus on moral truths to form the basis for society and public policy. This understanding undergirded the development of the founding documents of our country.

There can be a particular problem when tolerance is applied to religion. It works in countries that have an established religion. It is desirable that Christian countries be tolerant of Jews; the Jewish state of Muslims; Muslim states of Christians and Jews. But the tolerance of religion in a country such as our own that has no established religion can imply that religion is an evil which must be allowed to exist. Then, we can find ourselves urged in the name of tolerance to accept a permissive society which grants to immoral behavior the same status as moral virtue. This opens the door to moral relativism and the acceptance of all diversity, constructive or destructive, as a positive value.
(my emphasis)

Gregorian Chant Brings Tradition Back to Church

The nuns at the Abbey of Regina Laudis in Bethlehem, Conn., are devoted to Gregorian chant, chanting seven times a day. Some even interrupt their sleep to chant at 2 a.m. Singing here are, from left, Sister Emmanuelle Hutchinson, Rev. Mother Jadwiga Makarewicz, Rev. Mother Cecilia Schullo, Rev. Mother Lucia Kuppens and Rev. Mother Noella Marcellino. The Hartford Courant photo by Rick Hartford

Duluth Diocese Uninvites Sr. Prejean as Keynote Speaker

Diocese cancels nun's Duluth talk because of anti-Bush newspaper ad
RELIGION: The author of "Dead Man Walking" was scheduled to speak at an October Catholic fundraiser, which is now canceled.

Is it not odd that she would have even been invited as a speaker in the first place?...Therein lies a story, I'm certain. Since this was a Diocese Education dinner, could not a more suitable individual have been selected, maybe someone committed to Catholic education?

Stem Cell Research: A Lesson for Our Time

From CatholicCulture, Dr. Jeffrey Mirus has posted an insightful commentary on the stem cell issue:

The most hotly debated bioethical issue for the past five years has been the acquisition of stem cells. These cells can transform into a wide variety of human cell types, and so can be used to cure disease. For this reason, a large sector of the medical research community has insisted on the need to harvest stem cells from human embryos. Others have insisted that growing embryos for this purpose is both immoral and inhuman.

Gospel for Wednesday, 20th Week in Ordinary Time

From: Matthew 20:1-16

The Parable of the Laborers in the Vineyard

[1] "For the Kingdom of Heaven is like a householder who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. [2] After agreeing with the laborers for a denarius a day, he sent them into his vineyard. [3] And going out about the third hour he saw others standing idle in the market place; [4] and to them he said, `You go into the vineyard too, and whatever is right I will give you.' So they went. [5] Going out again about the sixth hour and the ninth hour, he did the same. [6] And about the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing; and he said to them, `Why do you stand here idle all day?' [7] They said to him, `Because no one has hired us.' He said to them, `You go into the vineyard too.' [8] And when evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his steward, `Call the laborers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last, up to the first.' [9] And when those hired about the eleventh hour came, each of them received a denarius. [10] Now when the first came, they thought they would receive more; but each of them also received a denarius. [11] And on receiving it they grumbled at the householder, [12] saying, `These last worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat.' [13] But he replied to one of them, `Friend, I am doing you no wrong; did you not agree with me for a denarius? [14] Take what belongs to you, and go; I choose to give to this last as I give to you. [15] Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or do you begrudge my generosity? [16] So the last will be first, and the first last."
______________________________

Commentary:

1-16. This parable is addressed to the Jewish people, whom God called at an early hour, centuries ago. Now the Gentiles are also being called--with an equal right to form part of the new people of God, the Church. In both cases it is a matter of a gratuitous, unmerited, invitation; therefore, those who were the "first" to receive the call have no grounds for complaining when God calls the "last" and gives them the same reward--membership of His people. At first sight the laborers of the first hour seem to have a genuine grievance--because they do not realize that to have a job in the Lord's vineyard is a divine gift. Jesus leaves us in no doubt that although He calls us to follow different ways, all receive the same reward--Heaven.

2. "Denarius": a silver coin bearing an image of Caesar Augustus (Matthew 22:19-21).

3. The Jewish method of calculating time was different from ours. They divided the whole day into eight parts, four night parts (called "watches") and four day parts (called "hours")--the first, third, sixth and ninth hour.

The first hour began at sunrise and ended around nine o'clock; the third ran to twelve noon; the sixth to three in the afternoon; and the ninth from three to sunset. This meant that the first and ninth hours varied in length, decreasing in autumn and winter and increasing in spring and summer and the reverse happening with the first and fourth watches.

Sometimes intermediate hours were counted--as for example in verse 6 which refers to the eleventh hour, the short period just before sunset, the end of the working day.

16. The Vulgate, other translations and a good many Greek codexes add: "For many are called, but few are chosen" (cf. Matthew 22:14).
___________________________
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.

Mental Prayer for August 23 - Jewish Leaders Plot Christ's Death

Mental Prayer Meditation Helps

Presence of God.

Grace I Ask: Lord Jesus Christ, show me what it means in my life to plot your death.

Mental Picture: A dark quiet night. I stand in the shadows next to the door of a large stone house, a small light in one room. I hear men coming. Hurrying, one by one they slip past me into the house. I follow them into the room. Caiphas­ - evil Caiphas and his cronies, the Scribes and Pharisees - they are whispering. I strain to hear. "One man should die... ruining our life... he must go... get rid of him... better off without him.." What is this? They want to kill whom? I hear: "Christ!" They will kill Christ!

My Personal Application: Do I try to get Christ out of my life? Is He in the way? I know I can kill His life in me by mortal sin. I don't want to go that far. But do I act as if there is some part of my life where He doesn't fit in? Is He taking all the fun out of my social life? Do I get rid of Him from that part of my life? How does He fit into my conversations? Do I throw Him out of that part of my life ?

I Speak to Christ: O Christ Jesus, my Lord, show me myself. Am I trying to get rid of you? There is something wrong with my life if you seem to spoil it for me. Show me how I am wrong. Lord, I don't want to be a Caiphas... or a petty Scribe... or a Pharisee. I know you fit into my life. You make my life a real life. But it's so easy to forget you. Help me to remember.

Thought for Today: "In Him we live and move and have our being."
___________________
Adapted from Mental Prayer, Challenge to the Lay Apostle
by The Queen's Work,(© 1958)

Lebanon and Clashes of Civilization: How to Recognize the Enemy

More Gospel and less diplomacy: this is the new course set by Benedict XVI. But geopolitics also has its reasons. The theses of Vittorio E. Parsi, Giulio Andreotti, and the Jesuit scholar of Islam Samir K. Samir. Plus a comprehensive analysis by Pietro De Marco.
by Sandro Magister

Gospel for Tuesday, 20th Week in Ordinary Time

From: Matthew 19:23-30

Christian Poverty and Renunciation

[23] Jesus said to His disciples, "Truly, I say to you, it will be hard for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. [24] Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of God." [25] When the disciples heard this they were greatly astonished, saying, "Who then can be saved?" [26] But Jesus looked at them and said to them, "With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." [27] Then Peter said in reply, "Lo, we have left everything and followed You. What then shall we have?" [28] Jesus said to them, "Truly, I say to you, in the new world, when the Son of Man shall sit on His glorious throne, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. [29] And every one who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for My name's sake, will receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life. [30] But many that are first will be last, and the last first."
_____________________________

Commentary:

24-26. By drawing this comparison Jesus shows that it is simply not possible for people who put their hearts on worldly things to obtain a share in the Kingdom of God.

"With God all things are possible": that is, with God's grace man can be brave and generous enough to use wealth to promote the service of God and man. This is why St. Matthew, in Chapter 5, specifies that the poor "in spirit" are blessed (Matthew 5:3).

28. "In the new world", in the "regeneration": a reference to the renewal of all things which will take place when Jesus Christ comes to judge the living and the dead. The resurrection of the body will be an integral part of this renewal.

The ancient people of God, Israel, was made up of twelve tribes. The new people of God, the Church, to which all men are called, is founded by Jesus Christ on the Twelve Apostles under the primacy of Peter.

29. These graphic remarks should not be explained away. They mean that love for Jesus Christ and His Gospel should come before everything else. What our Lord says here should not be interpreted as conflicting with the will of God Himself, the creator and sanctifier of family bonds.
___________________________
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.

Mental Prayer for August 22-Christ Weeps Over Jerusalem

Mental Prayer Meditation Helps

Presence of God.

Grace I Ask: Most kind Savior, teach me the lesson of gratitude to you for your goodness to me.

Mental Picture (cf.Luke 19:29-44): The first Palm Sunday... the triumphant procession... the people singing Hosannas to Christ... coming down the slopes of Mount Olive to Magnificent Jerusalem and the gleaming temple spread below them... and Christ stops, stops to weep... because of Jerusalem's ingratitude. He had done so much for her, for the Jews, and in return... ingratitude. "He came unto His own, and His own received Him not." "What more could He have done?"

My Personal Application: It's fun to help others, when they appreciate it. But when they don't... well, I can feel bad, even angry, can't I? Even for little things, I expect a "thank you" or at least a smile. But have I considered this? - Christ gave me, not a little thing, but His very life. And when He looked ahead and saw how I would fail so often to thank Him - how I would at times even reject Him by sin - He wept.

I Speak to God: Dear Lord, forgive me for my ingratitude. It's so easy to forget you, so easy to put off Mass and Communion, to skip prayers. Help me to think of you and pray to you. Grant that I may never cause you to weep over me.

Thought for Today: "He came unto His own, and His own received Him not."
___________________
Adapted from Mental Prayer, Challenge to the Lay Apostle
by The Queen's Work,(© 1958)

August 28 - RALLY, Christians Against Human Cloning

GUEST SPEAKERS
Dr. Alan Keyes
Dr. Rick Scarborough

7:00 P.M.
Life Christian Church
13001 Gravois Rd.
St. Louis, MO

Endorsed by: Missouri State Host Committee: (Partial Listing)
Archbishop Raymond Leo Burke – Archdiocese of St. Louis;
Bishop Robert W. Finn – Diocese of Kansas City – St. Joseph;
Dr. David Clippard – Exec. Dir. - Missouri Baptist Convention;
Rev. Gary Fry – Exec, Dir. - MO State Free Will Baptist Association;
Dr. John Marshall – Exec. Pastor - Second Baptist Church of Springfield;
Kay Meyer – President of Family Shield Ministries, Inc.;
Dick Bott – Bott Radio Network;
Phyllis Schlafly – President of Eagle Forum;
Dave and Joyce Meyer – Joyce Meyer Ministries;
Dr. Monte Shinkle – Concord Baptist Church;
Archbishop Irl Gladfelter – The Evangelical Community Church - Lutheran

PDF Flyer from the Archdiocesan web site is here.

Bush Approves Over the Counter Early Abortion Pill

Pro-Life leaders are strongly urging Americans to immediately contact President Bush to reverse his shocking approval today of over the counter early abortion pills.

A press release by Human Life International underscored the seriousness of the move as it was titled, "President Bush Files for Divorce with Catholic Base." Rev. Thomas J. Euteneuer, president of Human Life International commented, "President Bush's implied support for the abortion-causing drug Plan B is completely inconsistent with his recent veto of the embryonic stem cell research (ESCR) funding bill. What the president apparently fails to realize is that Plan B kills the same innocent unborn children that the ESCR process does."

The approval of this drug is logically inconsistent with a respect for human life. It is a horrible decision with deadly consequences...

Concerned Women for America (CWA) blasted the decision noting that it is ludicrous to allow Plan B without medical supervision when a low-dose of the same drug (birth control pills) requires medical oversight to protect women from serious health complications.

The Renovation of St. Patrick’s in Kansas City

Loving hands revive Old St. Patrick’s
A broken organ, missing altar and an antiquated heating system are challenges of restoration.
. . .
The Roman Catholic diocese had shuttered the church by 1959, after which it was used only occasionally. Now the building, thought to be the oldest church in the city limits of Kansas City, is on track to reopen next year.

The sanctuary will again hear the solemn and majestic tones of the Latin Mass, which is the focus of a group of worshippers that currently meets at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church, 2552 Gillham Road. Earlier this year, about 90 families took on the renovation of Old St. Patrick’s Church for a permanent home. It’s now Old St. Patrick Roman Catholic Oratory.
. . .
The group at Our Lady of Sorrows has been meeting there since 1989. Another group meets in Kansas City, Kan., at Blessed Sacrament Church — the St. Philippine Duchesne Latin Mass Community. Old St. Patrick’s was designated for the Latin Mass community at Sorrows by Bishop Robert W. Finn in 2005. An oratory has no geographical boundaries as a parish does.

This is wonderful news!!! Bishop Finn has brought the Institute of Christ the King to the diocese as Archbishop Burke has done here.



The web site for Old St Patrick Oratory is here.

If it walks and talks like a DUCK....

...It might just be one - a Dissenting UnCatholic Klub (DUCK), or just another dissenting "Catholic" organization along the lines of CTA, VOTF, ARCC, CFFC, and on and on...

WELCOME TO TAKEBACKOURCHURCH.ORG

Let's cut right to the chase. Everyone talks about the weather in the U.S. Catholic Church but no one does anything about it. We propose to do something about not only the weather, but the climate as well -- with your help. In fact, without your help, and the help of a million others like you, we won't be able to demand the action necessary to create the Church we need. If you've been following the horror stories for the past four years, you know it isn't only the spectacle of sex abuse by a relatively few American priests that makes us ashamed of our Church. It is the systematic cover up of that abuse by most of the nation's bishops. read more »

Yet another group arises from the dungheap of dissension. And, of course, there is nothing new with this one either. It espouses the same, tired complaints: the Church is too authoritarian and has failed to fully implement the reforms of Vatican II and because of this, the faithful must change the Church - fashioning it into an idol, shaped upon the whims and desires of the chosen elite - those to whom a 'spirit' has bestowed the heretofore unknown knowledge of 'authentic reform' - those whose numbers are dwindling, having been unable to persuade younger Catholics to join in their lost cause against the Church.

Here is some of what the group has to say:

We want to push for new laws in the American Church that will make us all accountable to one another, grounding our stand in scripture and the traditions of the primitive Church.

How primitive do they want to be? While it may not be precisely addressing this issue, let us recall what Pope Pius XII said in Mediator Dei nearly 60 years ago, and from this, we may obtain an insight, at least in principle, of the errors of abandoning the growth and development of the Church for a more primitive one from an earlier time:

63. Clearly no sincere Catholic can refuse to accept the formulation of Christian doctrine more recently elaborated and proclaimed as dogmas by the Church, under the inspiration and guidance of the Holy Spirit with abundant fruit for souls, because it pleases him to hark back to the old formulas. No more can any Catholic in his right senses repudiate existing legislation of the Church to revert to prescriptions based on the earliest sources of canon law. Just as obviously unwise and mistaken is the zeal of one who in matters liturgical would go back to the rites and usage of antiquity, discarding the new patterns introduced by disposition of divine Providence to meet the changes of circumstances and situation.

64. This way of acting bids fair to revive the exaggerated and senseless antiquarianism to which the illegal Council of Pistoia gave rise. It likewise attempts to reinstate a series of errors which were responsible for the calling of that meeting as well as for those resulting from it, with grievous harm to souls, and which the Church, the ever watchful guardian of the "deposit of faith" committed to her charge by her divine Founder, had every right and reason to condemn.[53] For perverse designs and ventures of this sort tend to paralyze and weaken that process of sanctification by which the sacred liturgy directs the sons of adoption to their Heavenly Father of their souls' salvation.

65. In every measure taken, then, let proper contact with the ecclesiastical hierarchy be maintained. Let no one arrogate to himself the right to make regulations and impose them on others at will. Only the Sovereign Pontiff, as the successor of Saint Peter, charged by the divine Redeemer with the feeding of His entire flock,[54] and with him, in obedience to the Apostolic See, the bishops "whom the Holy Ghost has placed . . . to rule the Church of God,"[55] have the right and the duty to govern the Christian people. Consequently, Venerable Brethren, whenever you assert your authority - even on occasion with wholesome severity - you are not merely acquitting yourselves of your duty; you are defending the very will of the Founder of the Church.

(All emphasis mine)

And we read this:

...we must elect our own bishops. And retain the power to un-elect them if they fail to serve us. We don't do that by trying to change the thinking of a pope. Not right away, not unless we think we can persuade a man of power to simply give it up.
. . .
Some say we can revolt, following the example of America's Founding Fathers. But we say it's not necessary to go into formal or practical schism. [Note: material schism seems to be sufficient.]

We just have to persuade the bishops (never underestimate the power of public opinion) to inculturate the Gospel in the United States, creating a modern autochthonous American Church...Autochthonous (pronounced aw-TOCK-thun-us) doesn't mean autonomous. It means homegrown.
. . .
We will write a Declaration of Autochthony, one that will challenge our priest-people and our people-people to work out a constitution for the American Church that carefully puts aside the Rome-based secretive, half-vast, culturally-conditioned, legalisms codified in canon law in return for the kind of servant Church envisioned at Vatican II.

Not schismatic? Could have fooled me...

Just another "Klub" doomed to unhappiness and extinction...

The Thrill is Gone...

Besides the possibility of being adopted as an apt recessional song (oops, I mean as the "sending forth" song), one might wonder what else the dwindling numbers portend. I mean, it wasn't exactly standing room only:

August 20, 2006 - A Philadelphia woman presided over mass again Sunday in defiance of the Catholic Church. She is facing excommunication by the Catholic Church, and Cardinal Rigali has released a statement in regards to DiFranco's actions.
...
About 35 people attended Sunday's service held at the Old Catholic Church of the Beatitudes in Lansdowne. They came for a variety of reasons from a variety of places, but all said they support Eileen DiFranco and the ordination of women priests.

Perhaps the novelty is wearing off - yet not even one month has gone by since her "ordination" to the "priestesshood" and it appears there is very little interest in following the call of her voice...

Remaining defiant, DiFranco, who expects to be formally excommunicated, says "that word is man made".

She believes it never would have come from the mouth of Jesus.

I wonder what she thinks Jesus means when he says, "Depart from me, you cursed, into everlasting fire which was prepared for the devil and his angels." (see Matt 25:41)? Didn't Jesus go beyond "excommunication" here? At least, with excommunication, there is a possibility of conversion and repentance.

What we witness is another example in a long string of failed catechesis, hardened hearts, or plain ignorance of what it means to be Catholic...



A video link is here.

Reactions to Bishop Doran's Column...

Bishop Thomas Doran's column, with some excerpts posted here, has generated numerous comments - most of them, it seems, are favorable. But as we know, when one is confronted with the truth, one may not like it...

F. Patrick LaSalle, a Rock­ford Catholic and member of Voice of the Faithful, a group organized to speak out against sexual abuse by the clergy, said he disagrees with Doran’s effort “to classify an entire political party.”

A majority of Americans, LaSalle added, “feels more comfortable in the party they believe protects the disadvantaged, supports minorities, the elderly and the young, fosters equal rights for all, protests unjust wars and represents the thinking of middle-class America.”

Thankfully, the Holy Father did not see it wise to appoint LaSalle as bishop. We can ask, though, what party does has a better record of "protectong the elderly and the young", of "fostering equal rights for all"? The party of death - whose support for unlimited abortion knows no bounds - even that of supporting the murder of a nearly delivered baby; whose support and advocacy of the homosexual agenda is helping to destroy the family as the main unit of society?

Toni Murray of Roscoe, an advocate of abortion rights, disagreed with Doran’s condemnation of “therapeutic abortion.” Murray said that term refers to “abortion required to save the mother, or if there are devastating problems with the fetus. In that case, it is up to those involved, not the government nor the church.”

Toni Murray fails to understand that laws of society are to be a reflection of the natural moral law, of the laws of God. The deliberate killing of the innocent unborn, regardless of the reason, is demonically evil and Bishop Doran speaks the truth, that same truth which the Church has affirmed for two millenia. Only those whose consciences are not properly formed could disagree with Bishop Doran's comments.

Celebrate LIFE in the City

A St Louis Pro-Life Event worth noting:

All are invited to "Celebrate LIFE in the CITY" with the Young Friends for Life!

Young Friends for Life, recently convened by the Respect Life Apostolate of the Archdiocese of St. Louis, strives to enhance the participation of St. Louis' young professional community in promoting the dignity of human life from its earliest stages to natural death.

The first project is to host "Celebrate LIFE in the CITY" on Thursday, September 7, at the CITY Museum.

The goal of the event is to raise awareness about Constitutional Amendment 2, a proposed amendment to the Missouri state constitution that would protect embryonic stem cell research and human cloning.

All of the proceeds from the evening will benefit a media campaign to educate Missourians about the proposed pro-cloning amendment. Guests will have the opportunity to explore the City Museum while enjoying complimentary drinks and appetizers.

Join us as we "Celebrate LIFE in the CITY" on Thursday, September 7, 7-10 p.m. Tickets are $35 in advance. For more information or to order tickets, visit YoungFriendsForLife.org or call (314) 792-7556.

Gospel for Aug 21, Memorial: St. Pius X, Pope

From: Matthew 19:16-22

The Rich Young Man

[16] And behold, one man came up to Him (Jesus), saying, "Teacher, what good deed must I do, to have eternal life?" [17] And He said to him, "Why do you ask Me about what is good? One there is who is good. If you would enter life, keep the commandments." [18] He said to Him, "Which?" And Jesus said, "You shall not kill, You shall not commit adultery, You shall not steal, You shall not bear false witness, [19] Honor your father and mother, and, You shall love your neighbor as yourself." [20] The young man said to Him, "All these I have observed; what do I still lack?" [21] Jesus said to him, "If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in Heaven; and come, follow Me." [22] When the young man heard this he went away sorrowful; for he had great possessions.
______________________

Commentary:

17. The Vulgate and other translations, supported by a good many Greek codexes, fill this verse out by saying, "One alone is good, God."

20-22. "What do I still lack?" The young man kept the commandments that were necessary for salvation. But there is more. This is why our Lord replies, "if you would be perfect..." that is to say, if you want to acquire what is still lacking to you. Jesus is giving him an additional calling, "Come, follow Me": He is showing that He wants him to follow Him more closely, and therefore He requires, as He does others (cf. Matthew 4:19-22), to give up anything that might hinder his full dedication to the Kingdom of God.

The scene ends rather pathetically: the young man goes away sad. His attachment to his property prevails over Jesus' affectionate invitation. Here is sadness of the kind that stems from cowardice, from failure to respond to God's calling with personal commitment.

In reporting this episode, the evangelists are actually giving us a case-study which describes a situation and formulates a law, a case-study of specific divine vocation to devote oneself to God's service and the service of all men.

This young man has become a symbol of the kind of Christian whose mediocrity and shortsightedness prevent him from turning his life into a generous, fruitful self-giving to the service of God and neighbor.

What would this young man have become, had be been generous enough to respond to God's call? A great apostle, surely.
___________________________
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.

Mental Prayer for August 21-Recalling the Transfiguration

Mental Prayer Meditation Helps

Presence of God.

Grace I Ask: That I may come to realize that Christ is my God, who can do all things, who can fill me with tremendous peace and happiness at any time.

Mental Picture (cf. Matt. 17:1-8): A soft, sum­mer afternoon...Galilee...a high mountain top...Christ praying...Peter, James, and John sleep­ing...then awakening. There is a dazzling white light... Christ shines like the sun... His garments are white as snow! The three Apostles are filled with tremendous joy, deep peace, complete hap­piness. Peter cries out, "Lord, it is good to be here." Suddenly a brilliant cloud covers Christ; the Apostles fall to the ground, covering their eyes. A voice is heard saying: "This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased. Listen to Him." Then silence. The Apostles look up and see only Jesus.

My Personal Application: It is hard being a Christian day after day, year after year. Christ, our King, never said it would be otherwise. "Whoever desires to come with me must share my labors," but He continued, "that he likewise might share my glory." Here He gives the Apostles and ourselves a glimpse of what His glory is. But do we always have to wait till judgment day for relief from the dullness of life? He has also said, "Come to me all you who labor and are burdened, and I will refresh you." He can give me more peace and joy in one minute than I can find in a lifetime.

I Speak to Christ: Christ, my Lord and my God, let me find my happiness by keeping close to you. Give me a taste of your peace and joy here, as a slight reminder of the overwhelming joy that you have prepared for me later.

Thought for Today: "Lord, it is good to be here."
___________________
Adapted from Mental Prayer, Challenge to the Lay Apostle
by The Queen's Work,(© 1958)

“Virgin": It’s not a Dirty Word

From The American TFP:

In our hypersexual culture, everything invites our youth to promiscuity. And yet it is one of our American paradoxes that, in the midst of this atmosphere, there is a growing movement at universities, high schools and colleges that call for young men and women to remain chaste before marriage. Norman Fulkerson looks at this movement in his article, “Virgin: It’s not a Dirty Word.”

Click here for more.

Gospel for the 20th Sunday in Ordinary Time

From: John 6:51-58

The Discourse on the Bread of Life (Continuation)

(Jesus said to the Jews,) [51] "I am the living bread which came downfrom Heaven; if any one eats of this bread, he will live for ever; and the bread which I shall give for the life of the world is My flesh." [52] The Jews disputed among themselves, saying, "How can this Man give us His flesh to eat?" [53] So Jesus said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you; [54] he who eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day. [55] For My flesh is food indeed, and My blood is drink indeed. [56] He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him. [57] As the living Father sent Me, and I live because of the Father, so he who eats Me will live because of Me. [58] This is the bread which came from Heaven, not such as the fathers ate and died; he who eats this bread will live for ever."
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Commentary:

49-51. The manna during the Exodus was a figure of this bread--Christ Himself--which nourishes Christians on their pilgrimage through this world. Communion is the wonderful banquet at which Christ gives Himself to us: "the bread which I shall give for the life of the world is My flesh". These words promise the manifestation of the Eucharist at the Last Supper: "This is My body which is for you" (1 Corinthians 11:24). The words "for the life of the world" and "for you" refer to the redemptive value of the sacrifice of Christ on the cross. In some sacrifices of the Old Testament, which were a figure of the sacrifice of Christ, part of the animal offered up was later used for food, signifying participation in the sacred rite (cf. Exodus 11:3-4). So, by receiving Holy Communion, we are sharing in the sacrifice of Christ: which is why the Church sings in the Liturgy of the Hours on the Feast of Corpus Christi: "O sacred feast in which we partake of Christ: His sufferings are remembered, our minds are filled with His grace and we receive a pledge of the glory that is to be ours" ("Magnificat Antiphon", Evening Prayer II).

52. Christ's hearers understand perfectly well that He means exactly what He says; but they cannot believe that what He says could be true; if they had understood Him in a metaphorical, figurative or symbolic sense there would be no reason for them to be surprised and nothing to cause an argument. Later, Jesus reaffirms what He has said--confirming what they have understood Him to say (cf. verses 54-56).

53. Once again Jesus stresses very forcefully that it is necessary to receive Him in the Blessed Eucharist in order to share in divine life and develop the life of grace received in Baptism. No parent is content to bring children into the world: they have to be nourished and looked after to enable them to reach maturity. "We receive Jesus Christ in Holy Communion to nourish our souls and to give us an increase of grace and the gift of eternal life" ("St. Pius X Catechism", 289).

54. Jesus clearly states that His body and blood are a pledge of eternal life and a guarantee of the resurrection of the body. St. Thomas Aquinas gives this explanation: "The Word gives life to our souls, but the Word made flesh nourishes our bodies. In this Sacrament is contained the Word not only in His divinity but also in His humanity; therefore, it is the cause not only of the glorification of our souls but also of that of our bodies" ("Commentary on St. John, in loc.").

Our Lord uses a stronger word than just "eating" (the original verb could be translated as "chewing") which shows that Communion is a real meal. There is no room for saying that He was speaking only symbolically, which would mean that Communion was only a metaphor and not really eating and drinking the Body and Blood of Christ.

"All these invitations, promises and threats sprang from the great desire which (Jesus) had of giving us Himself in the holy Sacrament of the altar. But why should Jesus so ardently desire us to receive Him in Holy Communion? It is because love always sighs for, and tends to a union with, the object beloved. True friends wish to be united in such a manner as to become only one. The love of God for us being immense, He destined us to possess Him not only in Heaven, but also here below, by the most intimate union, under the appearance of bread in the Eucharist. It is true we do not see Him; but He beholds us, and is really present; yes, He is present in order that we may possess Him and He conceals Himself, that we may desire Him, and until we reach our true homeland Jesus Christ wishes in this way to be entirely ours, and to be perfectly united to us" (St. Alphonsus Liguori, "The Love of Our Lord Jesus Christ Reduced to Practice", Chapter 2).

55. In the same way as bodily food is necessary for life on earth, Holy Communion is necessary for maintaining the life of the soul, which is why the Church exhorts us to receive this Sacrament frequently: "Every day, as is desirable, and in the greatest possible numbers, the faithful must take an active part in the sacrifice of the Mass, avail themselves of the pure, holy refreshment of Holy Communion and make a suitable thanksgiving in return for this great gift of Christ the Lord. Here are the words they should keep in mind: `Jesus Christ and the Church desire all Christ's faithful to approach the sacred banquet every day. The basis of this desire is that they should be united to God by the sacrament and draw strength from it to restrain lust, to wash away the slight faults of daily occurrence and to take precautions against the more serious sins to which human frailty is liable' (Decree of the S.C. of the Council, 20 December 1905)" ([Pope] Paul VI, "Mysterium Fidei").

"The Savior has instituted the most august sacrament of the Eucharist, which truly contains His flesh and His blood, so that he who eats this bread may live forever; whosoever, therefore, makes use of it often with devotion so strengthens the health and the life of his soul, that it is almost impossible for him to be poisoned by any kind of evil affection. We cannot be nourished with this flesh of life, and live with the affections of death. [...]. Christians who are damned will be unable to make any reply when the just Judge shows them how much they are to blame for dying spiritually, since it was so easy for them to maintain themselves in life and in health by eating His Body which He had left them for this purpose. Unhappy souls, He will say, why did you die, seeing that you had at your command the fruit and the food of life?" (St. Francis de Sales, "Introduction to the Devout Life", II, 20, 1).

56. The most important effect of the Blessed Eucharist is intimate union with Jesus Christ. The very word "communion" suggests sharing in the life of our Lord and becoming one with Him; if our union with Jesus is promoted by all the sacraments through the grace which they give us, this happens more intensely in the Eucharist, for in it we receive not only grace but the very Author of grace: "Really sharing in the body of the Lord in the breaking of the eucharistic bread, we are taken up into communion with Him and with one another. `Because the bread is one, we, though many, are one body, all of us who partake of the one bread' (1 Corinthians 10:17)" (Vatican II, "Lumen Gentium", 7). Precisely because the Eucharist is the sacrament which best signifies and effects our union with Christ, it is there that the whole Church manifests and effects its unity: Jesus Christ "instituted in His Church the wonderful sacrament of the Eucharist, by which the unity of the Church is both signified and brought about" (Vatican II, "Unitatis Reditegratio", 2).

57. In Christ, the Incarnate Word sent to mankind, "the whole fullness of deity, dwells bodily (Colossians 2:9) through the ineffable union of His human nature and His divine nature in the Person of the Word. By receiving in this sacrament the body and blood of Christ indissolubly united to His divinity, we share in the divine life of the second Person of the Blessed Trinity. We will never be able to appreciate enough the intimacy with God Himself--Father, Son and Holy Spirit--that we are offered in the eucharistic banquet.

"We can therefore do nothing more agreeable to Jesus Christ than to go to Communion with the dispositions suitable to so great an action, since we are then united to Jesus Christ, according to the desire of this all-loving God. I have said with `suitable' and not `worthy' disposition, for who could communicate if it was necessary to be worthy of so great a Savior? No one but a God would be worthy to receive a God. But by this word suitable, or convenient, I mean such a disposition as becomes a miserable creature, who is clothed with the unhappy flesh of Adam. Ordinarily speaking, it is sufficient that we communicate in a state of grace and with an anxious desire of advancing in the love of Jesus Christ" (St. Alphonsus Liguori, "The Love of Our Lord Jesus Christ Reduced to Practice", Chapter 2).

58. For the third time (cf. 6:31-32 and 6:49) Jesus compares the true bread of life, His own body, with the manna God used to feed the Israelites every day during their forty years in the wilderness--thereby, inviting us to nourish our soul frequently with the food of His body.

"`Going to Communion every day for so many years! Anybody else would be a saint by now, you told me, and I...I'm always the same!' Son, I replied, keep up your daily Communion, and think: what would I be if I had not gone'" ([St] J. Escriva, "The Way", 534).
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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.