It is most disconcerting after a few years in religion, to discover what pettiness exists in the religious life of some communities. We expected to find only nobility of soul, intense love of renunciation, joyful endurance in trial, faultless fraternal charity, a thirst for God so ardent that it absorbs every mean feeling...hence what surprise and what sorrow to discover more often than we ought, all sorts of pettiness without any graciousness, little meannesses, little envies, little disagreements, little infidelities.
Long experience is not necessary to confirm the fact that we are perhaps leading contributors to this chaplet of pettiness with beads both large and small.
We had imagined religious life a Paradise, and how far it is from heaven. It is not hell - at least - at least, God grant that it may not be! - and no one is a demon; but we might be strongly tempted to believe, at least some days, that it is surely purgatory.
First of all, we must not be surprised. However firm may be the desire for perfection, it remains, that as long as we are on this earth, we keep our poor human nature subject as it is to much misery.
We must have a better understanding of God's plans. We are more often tried by our friends than by our enemies. God so designs it that we may suffer because of those with whom we live, without their suspecting it and without their committing the least
fault. There is absolutely no malice and no ill will, only weakness, misunderstanding, and forgetfulness. It is the triumph of God that each one is mortified by the other without any offense to God.
_________________
Adapted from Meditations for Religious
by Father Raoul Plus, S.J. (© 1939, Frederick Pustet Co.)
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Will I ever awake from this nightmare?
The legal status of "personhood" is denied by the irrational for unborn babies so that they can be murdered at will for the sake of convenience or body parts, yet...
European Court agrees to hear chimp's plea for human rights...
European Court agrees to hear chimp's plea for human rights...
Pope considering limits on concelebration?
Atheists Push Own Holidays
Haven't they been doing this for years?
Reason...so necessary but in such short supply.
...The Institute for Humanist Studies, an Albany, N.Y.-based nonprofit, is calling attention to its calendar of atheist holidays on its Web site, www.secular seasons.org. The group wants nonbelievers (or at least people who don't celebrate religious holidays) to have a handy reference guide of the calendar of holidays honoring free-thinkers, banned books and nature, among other themes.Festivus, Darwin Day, the solstices, National Day of Reason in May, and so many more....
Matt Cherry, executive director of the Institute for Humanist Studies, said his group is trying to expand options and alternatives for secular holidays. He said he hopes even people affiliated with a particular religion will consider the options.
"Some religious holidays are about culture and tradition, not theology," he says. "Even people who go to church only on Christmas or to synagogue on the High Holidays do so out of cultural heritage, not because they believe the religious doctrines associated with it...."
"This year, there will be almost 1,000 events for Darwin Day around the world," he said.That's almost "3 holidays" everyday. Let's party!!!
Reason...so necessary but in such short supply.
Minneapolis-"Union Blessing" for St. Stephen Staff Member Tonight
ALL ARE WELCOME!!!
From the May 11 St. Stephen Catholic Church bulletin:
http://www.ststephenscommunity.org/Library/upload/May%2011%20bulletin.pdf
*** Updated ***
Please remember to pray for the new priest assigned to this parish - his difficulties, no doubt, are many. (Thanks, Roamin' Roman)
HT to PC for the original link!
From the May 11 St. Stephen Catholic Church bulletin:
http://www.ststephenscommunity.org/Library/upload/May%2011%20bulletin.pdf
You are most warmly invited…"Gaychurch" and others list this parish as one of the most "gay friendly" in Minneapolis...
On May 24, 2007 we exchanged marriage vows at Bethany Covenant Village, the skilled nursing facility and new home of Florence Deaner, mother of Mary. As we near our first anniversary it would be our pleasure if you would join us as we seek the Church's blessing of our union. Thursday, May 22, 7:30 p.m., Church of St. Stephen, Dessert Reception to follow in the Church Basement.
Please reply by Friday, May 16, 612-789-4069. If possible, bring any spring flowers that are blooming in your yard to decorate the Church space. There are plenty of vases that can be filled! Thank you.
Mary Deaner and Ehud Snir.
ALL ARE WELCOME!!!
*** Updated ***
Please remember to pray for the new priest assigned to this parish - his difficulties, no doubt, are many. (Thanks, Roamin' Roman)
HT to PC for the original link!
Royal College Warns Abortions Can Lead to Mental Illness
Simple common sense should have informed the supporters of eugenics and infanticide this, but common sense is too troublesome when an agenda of evil must be carried out.
Women may be at risk of mental health breakdowns if they have abortions, a medical royal college has warned. The Royal College of Psychiatrists says women should not be allowed to have an abortion until they are counselled on the possible risk to their mental health.Consensus? A consensus of whom? Abortionists and others who make money killing the innocent?
This overturns the consensus that has stood for decades that the risk to mental health of continuing with an unwanted pregnancy outweighs the risks of living with the possible regrets of having an abortion.
More than 90% of the 200,000 terminations in Britain every year are believed to be carried out because doctors believe that continuing with the pregnancy would cause greater mental strainThey're all suffering "mental strain" - and this includes these so-called doctors.
Several studies, including research published in the Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry in 2006, concluded that abortion in young women might be associated with risks of mental health problems.Shhhsssshhh! We can't let the facts get in the way of "choice" - the 'sacrament' of abortion is too important to let the truth be known. After all, where would the high priests/priestesses of the abortion industry get their children to continue their human sacrifices to Moloch? Cloning?
Dr Peter Saunders, general secretary of the Christian Medical Fellowship, said: “How can a doctor now justify an abortion [on mental health grounds] if psychiatrists are questioning whether there is any clear evidence that continuing with the pregnancy leads to mental health problems.”Answer: Money, greed,...and a perverted 'love' of evil...
Boston Archdiocese agrees to give up control of hospital system
BOSTON - The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Boston has agreed to give up control of its financially struggling chain of six eastern Massachusetts hospitals, but will still retain authority over moral and ethical issues, Attorney General Martha Coakley said Tuesday.
An independent board of governors will manage financial, strategic and operational affairs under changes proposed by church officials, Coakley said.
The archdiocese, however, will retain the right to reject any action proposed by the board and which may require its approval — provided that church officials file an advance written notice to the office of the state’s chief law enforcement official, Coakley said....
Fr. Frank Pavone Calls for Unified Action on Elections!
An email update:
Below is my column in English and Spanish. Before you read them, please note this important announcement.The column, Through the Church, can be read here.
Between now and Election Day 2008, I am going to host a series of conference calls with interested pro-life people from around the country who want to do something about the elections. You will have an opportunity to sign up to participate, and I will send you all the necessary instructions.
The “something” we ultimately have to do, of course, is to keep out of office the abortion proponents, and put into office those who will not stand in our way as we go about the business of ending abortion. We are not looking for political saviors. We are simply looking to put into office public servants who can tell the difference between serving the public and killing the public.
We do not expect them to do our work for us. We just want to make sure they’re not going to stand in our way.
At www.PoliticalResponsibility.org, you'll see more information about the coordinated action we will ask people to take nationwide, and a form where you can sign up to get involved.
Let me also provide you with the upcoming schedules for our own TV shows and Radio programming:
Hear us on EWTN radio on Catholic Connection with Teresa Tomeo. I am her guest every Wednesday at 9:30am ET and Janet Morana is her guest every Friday at 9:10am ET. For radio station information and to listen to the live show on the internet, go to www.avemariaradio.net
I will host an hour long pro-life radio show on Radio Maria, Thursday, May 22, from 2-3pm Eastern Time. For station information or to listen online go to www.radiomaria.us. You can call in with your questions for the live show at (866) 333-6279 or you can email your questions to questions@priestsforlife.org.
Defending Life: Watch on EWTN every Friday at 10pm ET and Saturday at 2:30am ET. Listen on EWTN radio every Friday at 1am ET, Saturday at 6:30pm ET and Sunday at 5am ET.
May 23-24: The Embryonic Moment
May 31: Elections, Churches and the Law (Defending Life will be preempted on May 30)
Gospel of Life: Watch on the Angel One channel 101 on Sky Angel IPTV or Angle One channel 262 on the Dish Network: Monday at 8:00am, Wednesday at 11:30pm and Thursday at 8:30am. Watch on Catholic Familyland: Sunday at 1am, Monday at 9am, Wednesday at 3:30am and Thursday at 11:30pm (All Times Eastern). Listen to Gospel of Life episodes on the web at www.gospeloflife.com/tv
Week of May 19: Youth Defending Life. Guest: Karen Garnett of the Catholic Pro-Life Committee
Week of May 26: The A.C.O.G Bluff (American College of OBGYN's). Guest: Mark Crutcher of Life Dynamics
Life on the Line radio program. Go to www.lifeontheline.com/listen/index.htm for stations and airing times.
May 24-25: Facing Hard Truths. In the first of a five-part series Fr. Pavone talks with Psychiatrist Dr. Philip Ney about the first step on the road to recovery from Abortion Guilt.
May 31-June 1: Abortion is Not Medicine. In the second of a five-part series Fr. Pavone talks with Psychiatrist Dr. Philip Ney about the lack of medical benefit found in abortion and the harmful secrets it creates.
Please tune in and spread the word! In fact, you can help us – and your whole parish -- by asking your pastor to place in the parish bulletin an announcement about our TV shows. Thanks in advance!
Blessings and prayers,
Fr. Frank Pavone, M.E.V.
National Director, Priests for Life
The 'Generosity' of the United Nations
Bangkok - The United Nations will send nearly a quarter of a million condoms into cyclone-hit Myanmar to help needy survivors with no access to contraceptives, a UN official says.Maybe the condomns are edible? What a worthless organiztion!
So far, the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) said it had sent 72 800 condoms to survivors struggling to maintain their family planning after the storm hit in early May.
A total of 218 400 condoms would be delivered, UNFPA aid advisor Chaiyos Kunanusont said.
"We don't want regular use of contraception disrupted. An emergency usually damages the health system, so people don't have access to condoms and contraceptives," said Chaiyos...
Michelle Obama Penned Letter Defending Partial-Birth Abortions in 2004
What sick, demented people...
...in February 2004, Michelle Obama penned a fundraising letter to help her husband Barack [Hussein] raise funds for his Illinois-based Senate seat.Death peddlers, all! I wonder how she and Margaret Sanger would have gotten along?
The letter contends the federal ban on partial-birth abortions "is clearly unconstitutional" and "a flawed law."
Though the three-day-long partial-birth abortion procedure involves the partial birth of a baby during the middle trimester of pregnancy and the jamming of scissors into the back of her head to kill her, Obama's wife describes it as "legitimate" medicine....
In closing, Obama told prospective donors that they could "count on" Barack to "keep the Bush team from appointing the Supreme Court justice that will vote against Roe v. Wade."
Catholic school sued over English-only policy....
Not mentioned is whether these agitators are illegals or if the children are "anchor babies."
One might also wonder that if the kids are bi-lingual U.S. citizens, what problem is there with requiring them to speak English? Emotional suffering? God help us!
Maybe the policy should be changed - to Latin only?
Wichita, May 21, 2008 / 06:14 pm (CNA).- A Catholic school in Wichita is being sued by four Hispanic families over a policy that requires students to speak English in school at all times."Anchor babies"??? One might wonder who's paying the tuition for these students. Perhaps a Mexican school would serve their needs better?
The Associated Press reports that the lawsuit filed against St. Anne’s Catholic School on Monday seeks to end the policy and to secure an order barring similar policies at other diocesan schools. The suit also seeks to allow the return of one student who was allegedly kicked out for refusing to sign the “English only” pledge. It asks for court costs and unspecified damages for discrimination and emotional suffering.
Parents Mike and Clara Silva, Maria and Fermin Fernandez, Guadalupe Cruz-Tello and Alma Contreras filed the lawsuit on behalf of themselves and their minor children. The lawsuit names as defendants St. Anne Catholic School, Principal Margaret Nugent, St. Anne Catholic Parish, and the Catholic Diocese of Wichita.
The diocese said the school instituted the policy in response to four students who were using Spanish to bully others and to put down teachers and administrators. The majority of the school’s 243 students are white, while 75 students are Hispanic, 27 are Asian, and two are black.
According to court documents, the students named in the lawsuit are bilingual U.S. citizens with no disciplinary record....
One might also wonder that if the kids are bi-lingual U.S. citizens, what problem is there with requiring them to speak English? Emotional suffering? God help us!
Maybe the policy should be changed - to Latin only?
Gospel for Thursday, 7th Week in Ordinary Time
Optional Memorial of Saint Rita of Cascia, religious
Old Calendar: Corpus Christi
From: Mark 9:41-50
Scandal
[41] "For truly, I say to you, whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you bear the name of Christ will by no means lose his reward.
[42] "Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin it would be better for him if a great millstone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea. [43] And if your hand causes you to sin cut it off; it is better for you to enter life maimed than with two hands to go to hell, to the unquenchable fire. [45] And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life lame than with two feet to be thrown into hell. [47] And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out; it is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into hell, [48] where their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched. [49] For every one will be salted with fire. [50] Salt is good; but if the salt has lost its saltiness, how will you season it? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another."
____________________
Commentary:
41. The value and merit of good works lies mainly in the love of God with which they are done: "A little act, done for love, is worth so much" (J. Escriva, "The Way", 814). God regards in a special way acts of service to others, however small: "Do you see that glass of water or that piece of bread which a holy soul gives to a poor person for God's sake; it is a small matter, God knows, and in human judgment hardly worthy of consideration: God, notwithstanding, recompenses it, and forthwith gives for it some increase of charity" (St Francis de Sales, "Treatise on the Love of God", book 2, chap. 2).
42. "Scandal is anything said, done or omitted which leads another to commit sin" ("St Pius X Catechism", 417). Scandal is called, and is, diabolical when the aim of the scandal-giver is to provoke his neighbor to sin, understanding sin as offense against God. Since sin is the greatest of all evils, it is easy to understand why scandal is so serious and, therefore, why Christ condemns it so roundly. Causing scandal to children is especially serious, because they are so less able to defend themselves against evil. What Christ says applies to everyone, but especially to parents and teachers, who are responsible before God for the souls of the young.
43. "Hell", literally "Gehenna" or "Ge-hinnom", was a little valley south of Jerusalem, outside the walls and below the city. For centuries it was used as the city dump. Usually garbage was burned to avoid it being a focus of infection. Gehenna was, proverbially, an unclean and unhealthy place: our Lord used this to explain in a graphic way the unquenchable fire of hell.
43-48. After teaching the obligation everyone has to avoid giving scandal to others, Jesus now gives the basis of Christian moral teaching on the subject of "occasions of sin"--situations liable to lead to sin. He is very explicit: a person is obliged to avoid proximate occasions of sin, just as he is obliged to avoid sin itself; as God already put it in the Old Testament: "Whoever lives in dangerwill perish by it" (Sir 3:26-27). The eternal good of our soul is more important than any temporal good. Therefore, anything that places us in proximate danger of committing sin should be cut off and thrown away. By putting things in this way our Lord makes sure we recognize the seriousness of this obligation.
The Fathers see, in these references to hands and eyes and so forth, people who are persistent in evil and ever-ready to entice others to evil behavior and erroneous beliefs. These are the people we should distance ourselves from, so as to enter life, rather than accompany them to hell (St Augustine, "De Consensu Evangelistarum", IV, 16; St John Chrysostom, "Hom. on St Matthew", 60).
44. "Where their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched": these words constituting v. 44 are not in the better manuscripts. They are taken from Isaiah 66:24 and are repeated as a kind of refrain in vv. 46 (omitted for the same reason as v. 44) and 48. Our Lord uses them to refer to the torments of hell. Often "the worm that does not die" is explained as the eternal remorse felt by those in hell; and the "fire which is not quenched," as their physical pain. The Fathers also say that both things may possibly refer to physical torments. In any case, the punishment in question is terrible and unending.
49-50. "Every one will be salted with fire." St Bede comments on these words: "Everyone will be salted with fire, says Jesus, because spiritual wisdom must purify all the elect of any kind of corruption through carnal desire. Or he may be speaking of the fire of tribulation, which exercises the patience of the faithful to enable them to reach perfection" (St Bede, "In Marci Evangelium expositio, in loc.").
Some codexes add: "and every sacrifice will be salted with salt". This phrase in Leviticus (2:12), prescribed that all sacrificial offerings should be seasoned with salt to prevent corruption. This prescription of the Old Testament is used here to teach Christians to offer themselves as pleasing victims, impregnated with the spirit of the Gospel, symbolized by salt. Our Lord's address, which arises out of a dispute over who is the greatest, ends with a lesson about fraternal peace and charity. On salt which has lost its taste cf. note on Mt 5:13.
___________________________
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.
Old Calendar: Corpus Christi
From: Mark 9:41-50
Scandal
[41] "For truly, I say to you, whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you bear the name of Christ will by no means lose his reward.
[42] "Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin it would be better for him if a great millstone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea. [43] And if your hand causes you to sin cut it off; it is better for you to enter life maimed than with two hands to go to hell, to the unquenchable fire. [45] And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life lame than with two feet to be thrown into hell. [47] And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out; it is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into hell, [48] where their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched. [49] For every one will be salted with fire. [50] Salt is good; but if the salt has lost its saltiness, how will you season it? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another."
____________________
Commentary:
41. The value and merit of good works lies mainly in the love of God with which they are done: "A little act, done for love, is worth so much" (J. Escriva, "The Way", 814). God regards in a special way acts of service to others, however small: "Do you see that glass of water or that piece of bread which a holy soul gives to a poor person for God's sake; it is a small matter, God knows, and in human judgment hardly worthy of consideration: God, notwithstanding, recompenses it, and forthwith gives for it some increase of charity" (St Francis de Sales, "Treatise on the Love of God", book 2, chap. 2).
42. "Scandal is anything said, done or omitted which leads another to commit sin" ("St Pius X Catechism", 417). Scandal is called, and is, diabolical when the aim of the scandal-giver is to provoke his neighbor to sin, understanding sin as offense against God. Since sin is the greatest of all evils, it is easy to understand why scandal is so serious and, therefore, why Christ condemns it so roundly. Causing scandal to children is especially serious, because they are so less able to defend themselves against evil. What Christ says applies to everyone, but especially to parents and teachers, who are responsible before God for the souls of the young.
43. "Hell", literally "Gehenna" or "Ge-hinnom", was a little valley south of Jerusalem, outside the walls and below the city. For centuries it was used as the city dump. Usually garbage was burned to avoid it being a focus of infection. Gehenna was, proverbially, an unclean and unhealthy place: our Lord used this to explain in a graphic way the unquenchable fire of hell.
43-48. After teaching the obligation everyone has to avoid giving scandal to others, Jesus now gives the basis of Christian moral teaching on the subject of "occasions of sin"--situations liable to lead to sin. He is very explicit: a person is obliged to avoid proximate occasions of sin, just as he is obliged to avoid sin itself; as God already put it in the Old Testament: "Whoever lives in dangerwill perish by it" (Sir 3:26-27). The eternal good of our soul is more important than any temporal good. Therefore, anything that places us in proximate danger of committing sin should be cut off and thrown away. By putting things in this way our Lord makes sure we recognize the seriousness of this obligation.
The Fathers see, in these references to hands and eyes and so forth, people who are persistent in evil and ever-ready to entice others to evil behavior and erroneous beliefs. These are the people we should distance ourselves from, so as to enter life, rather than accompany them to hell (St Augustine, "De Consensu Evangelistarum", IV, 16; St John Chrysostom, "Hom. on St Matthew", 60).
44. "Where their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched": these words constituting v. 44 are not in the better manuscripts. They are taken from Isaiah 66:24 and are repeated as a kind of refrain in vv. 46 (omitted for the same reason as v. 44) and 48. Our Lord uses them to refer to the torments of hell. Often "the worm that does not die" is explained as the eternal remorse felt by those in hell; and the "fire which is not quenched," as their physical pain. The Fathers also say that both things may possibly refer to physical torments. In any case, the punishment in question is terrible and unending.
49-50. "Every one will be salted with fire." St Bede comments on these words: "Everyone will be salted with fire, says Jesus, because spiritual wisdom must purify all the elect of any kind of corruption through carnal desire. Or he may be speaking of the fire of tribulation, which exercises the patience of the faithful to enable them to reach perfection" (St Bede, "In Marci Evangelium expositio, in loc.").
Some codexes add: "and every sacrifice will be salted with salt". This phrase in Leviticus (2:12), prescribed that all sacrificial offerings should be seasoned with salt to prevent corruption. This prescription of the Old Testament is used here to teach Christians to offer themselves as pleasing victims, impregnated with the spirit of the Gospel, symbolized by salt. Our Lord's address, which arises out of a dispute over who is the greatest, ends with a lesson about fraternal peace and charity. On salt which has lost its taste cf. note on Mt 5:13.
___________________________
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.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Just for Today, May 22
It is a great honour, a great glory, to serve Thee and to despise all things for Thee. For they who willingly subject themselves to Thy most holy service shall have a great grace. They shall find the most sweet consolations of the Holy Ghost who for the love of Thee have cast away all carnal delights.
O service worthy to be embraced and always to be wished for, which leads to the Supreme Good, and procures a joy that will never end!
-Bk. III, ch. x.
_____________
If in the midst of our earthly combat and suffering the thought that God has called us out of the world gives us such joy; what will it not be in Heaven, where in eternal glory and endless rest, we shall see what an immense grace we received when we were chosen to dwell in God's house, the very gate of Heaven.
-The Story of a Soul (L'Histoire d'une Âme)
__________________
For more information, see this post.
Adapted from Just For Today(©1943 Burns & Oates)
Nihil Obstat: Reginaldus Phillips, S.T.L.,Censor deputatus
Imprimatur: Edwardus Myers, Vic. Cap.
O service worthy to be embraced and always to be wished for, which leads to the Supreme Good, and procures a joy that will never end!
-Bk. III, ch. x.
_____________
If in the midst of our earthly combat and suffering the thought that God has called us out of the world gives us such joy; what will it not be in Heaven, where in eternal glory and endless rest, we shall see what an immense grace we received when we were chosen to dwell in God's house, the very gate of Heaven.
-The Story of a Soul (L'Histoire d'une Âme)
__________________
For more information, see this post.
Adapted from Just For Today(©1943 Burns & Oates)
Nihil Obstat: Reginaldus Phillips, S.T.L.,Censor deputatus
Imprimatur: Edwardus Myers, Vic. Cap.
Thoughts and Counsels - May 22
May the two names so sweet and so powerful, of Jesus and Mary, be always in our hearts and on our lips!
-St. Alphonsus.
________________________
From Mary, Help of Christians
Part VI, Thoughts and Counsels of the Saints for Every Day of the Year
Compiled by Fr. Bonaventure Hammer, OFM (© 1909, Benziger Brothers)
-St. Alphonsus.
________________________
From Mary, Help of Christians
Part VI, Thoughts and Counsels of the Saints for Every Day of the Year
Compiled by Fr. Bonaventure Hammer, OFM (© 1909, Benziger Brothers)
Meditation for May 22, Joy in the Truth
A writer who was far from the truth but who was tormented by a desire to possess it, put these words on the lips of two of his characters to express the state of his soul:
"Speak to me, tell me what is on your mind. What do you need?"
The other lowered his eyes and answered: "What I need you cannot give me."
"What is it then?"
"Peace, joy, an immortal soul and God."
What a torment it must be to be perpetually groping in the dark, reaching toward a ray of hope which continually evades the grasp; to be shut in an opaque enclosure with no means of escape, to be as a caged squirrel at bay turning with ever increasing swiftness without finding a means of escape.
To know, to possess the truth, not to wander perpetually without the faintest idea of where one is going, but on the contrary to expand in the light; not an inert, cold light, but an ardent, comforting light, warm because it is living; because it is not a mere abstraction but a Person, He even who said: I am the Light, and of whom it can be said, Deus est caritas, God is charity; He is perfect Love, infinite Love.
Adapted from Meditations for Religious
by Father Raoul Plus, S.J. (© 1939, Frederick Pustet Co.)
"Speak to me, tell me what is on your mind. What do you need?"
The other lowered his eyes and answered: "What I need you cannot give me."
"What is it then?"
"Peace, joy, an immortal soul and God."
What a torment it must be to be perpetually groping in the dark, reaching toward a ray of hope which continually evades the grasp; to be shut in an opaque enclosure with no means of escape, to be as a caged squirrel at bay turning with ever increasing swiftness without finding a means of escape.
To know, to possess the truth, not to wander perpetually without the faintest idea of where one is going, but on the contrary to expand in the light; not an inert, cold light, but an ardent, comforting light, warm because it is living; because it is not a mere abstraction but a Person, He even who said: I am the Light, and of whom it can be said, Deus est caritas, God is charity; He is perfect Love, infinite Love.
"O God, I thank You for having been until this time the sunshine of my life. It is like the gift of sight. I have enjoyed it without remembering to thank You for it. In the future I want to be more attentive, and even more exultant in my joy; I wish to sing Your infinite Goodness - this is true joy."_________________
Adapted from Meditations for Religious
by Father Raoul Plus, S.J. (© 1939, Frederick Pustet Co.)
Pope to Visit Tomb of Australia's Saint-In-Waiting
SYDNEY, May 20, 2008 -- Pope to Visit Tomb of Blessed Mary MacKillop
by Andrew Rabel
It was confirmed today that Pope Benedict XVI will pray at the tomb of Bl Mary MacKillop (1842-1909), when he visits Sydney in July for World Youth Day celebrations.
Mary MacKillop was a 19th century nun who was a pioneer of Australia's Catholic school system. Her misunderstandings with Catholic bishops of the time led to her excommunication (which was soon lifted) and later on banishment from the city of Adelaide, among other things.
This never stopped the Melbourne born religious and social worker, from her tireless work in the order she co-founded, the Sisters of St Joseph on behalf of poor and abandoned children......
Bishop Vigneron calls on the faithful to stand in defense of marriage
The California Supreme Court’s decision last Thursday legalizing homosexual marriage “is a profoundly significant matter,” inviting “pastoral support and guidance,” wrote Bishop Allen Vigneron in a pastoral message “to the Faithful of the Oakland Diocese.” Bishop Vigneron asked his priests to read the message at Masses last weekend.
Vigneron said his “relatively brief” message could not address “all that needs to be said in a full discussion of this question;” but, it would “offer some strategic points that give us a sense of our situation....”
Reports On Cara, Pew Research Part Of June Bishops’ Meeting
WASHINGTON—Reports on research on the Catholic Church from the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (CARA) and the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life will be presented at the June meeting of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops in Orlando, Florida....This is the week following Gay Days in Orlando...
[snip]
The bishops’ spring meeting will be June 12-14 at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress in Orlando, Florida....
Isn't the Pew study the one that shows how many "Catholics" disagree with Church teaching and discipline?
We hope that the light bulbs will go off and most will see the devastation wrought by 40 years of failing to uphold the teachings of the Church...Wishful thinking?
Gospel for Wednesday, 7th Week in Ordinary Time
Optional Memorial of St. Christopher Magallanes, priest and martyr, and his companions, martyrs; Optional Memorial of St. Eugene de Mazenod, bishop (Canada)
From: Mark 9:38-40
Being the Servant of All
[38] John said to Him (Jesus), "Teacher, we saw a man casting out demons in Your name, and we forbade him, because he was not following us." [39] But Jesus said, "Do not forbid him; for no one who does a mighty work in My name will be able soon after to speak evil of Me. [40] For he that is not against us is for us."
_____________
Commentary:
38-40. Our Lord warns the Apostles, and through them all Christians, against exclusivism in the apostolate--the notion that "good is not good unless I am the one who does it." We must assimilate this teaching of Christ's: good is good, even if it is not I who do it. Cf. note on Luke 9:49-50.
[The note on Luke 9:49-50 states:
49-50. Our Lord corrects the exclusivist and intolerant attitude of the Apostles. St Paul later learned this lesson, as we can see from what he wrote during his imprisonment in Rome: "Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will [...]. What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed; and in that I rejoice" (Philippians 1:15, 18). "Rejoice, when you see others working in good apostolic activities. And ask God to grant them abundant grace and that they may respond to that grace. Then, you, on your way: convince yourself that it's the only way for you" (St J. Escriva, "The Way", 965).]
___________________________
Source: "The Navarre Bible: Text and Commentaries". Biblical text taken from the Revised Standard Version and New Vulgate. Commentaries made by members of the Faculty of Theology of the University of Navarre, Spain. Published by Four Courts Press, Kill Lane, Blackrock, Co. Dublin, Ireland. Reprinted with permission from Four Courts Press and Scepter Publishers, the U.S. publisher.
From: Mark 9:38-40
Being the Servant of All
[38] John said to Him (Jesus), "Teacher, we saw a man casting out demons in Your name, and we forbade him, because he was not following us." [39] But Jesus said, "Do not forbid him; for no one who does a mighty work in My name will be able soon after to speak evil of Me. [40] For he that is not against us is for us."
_____________
Commentary:
38-40. Our Lord warns the Apostles, and through them all Christians, against exclusivism in the apostolate--the notion that "good is not good unless I am the one who does it." We must assimilate this teaching of Christ's: good is good, even if it is not I who do it. Cf. note on Luke 9:49-50.
[The note on Luke 9:49-50 states:
49-50. Our Lord corrects the exclusivist and intolerant attitude of the Apostles. St Paul later learned this lesson, as we can see from what he wrote during his imprisonment in Rome: "Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will [...]. What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed; and in that I rejoice" (Philippians 1:15, 18). "Rejoice, when you see others working in good apostolic activities. And ask God to grant them abundant grace and that they may respond to that grace. Then, you, on your way: convince yourself that it's the only way for you" (St J. Escriva, "The Way", 965).]
___________________________
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 20, 2008
Just for Today, May 21
Take courage then, and be brave, both in doing and in suffering things repugnant to nature. Thou must put on the new man, and be changed into another man. Thou must oftentimes do that which is against thy inclination, and let alone that which thou art inclined to do.
But consider, son, the fruit of these labours, how quickly they will end, and their exceeding great reward, and thou wilt not be troubled at them, but strongly comforted in thy suffering.
-Bk. III, ch. xlix.
_________________
If my life were to be prolonged, I would prefer the office of infirmarian to any other. I would not ask for it, but if it were given to me as an obedience, I should consider myself very privileged. I would do my work lovingly, remembering Our Lord's words: I was sick and you visited me (Matt. xxv, 36). The sound of the infirmary bell should be like heavenly music in your ears. You ought to make a point of passing beneath the infirmary windows, so that the sick may be able to call you and ask some service, as though you were a little slave that everyone had the right to command. If you could but see the Angels watching from Heaven our combat on earth, ready to crown us at the end! If we profess to be little martyrs, we must earn our palm. God does not despise these struggles, all the more meritorious for being hidden: The patient man is better than the valiant: and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh cities (Prov. xvi, 32).
By the little acts of charity we perform in secret, we convert souls in distant lands, we help the missionaries and obtain abundant alms for them, thus building both spiritual and material tabernacles for Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament.
-The Story of a Soul (L'Histoire d'une Âme)
__________________
For more information, see this post.
Adapted from Just For Today(©1943 Burns & Oates)
Nihil Obstat: Reginaldus Phillips, S.T.L.,Censor deputatus
Imprimatur: Edwardus Myers, Vic. Cap.
But consider, son, the fruit of these labours, how quickly they will end, and their exceeding great reward, and thou wilt not be troubled at them, but strongly comforted in thy suffering.
-Bk. III, ch. xlix.
_________________
If my life were to be prolonged, I would prefer the office of infirmarian to any other. I would not ask for it, but if it were given to me as an obedience, I should consider myself very privileged. I would do my work lovingly, remembering Our Lord's words: I was sick and you visited me (Matt. xxv, 36). The sound of the infirmary bell should be like heavenly music in your ears. You ought to make a point of passing beneath the infirmary windows, so that the sick may be able to call you and ask some service, as though you were a little slave that everyone had the right to command. If you could but see the Angels watching from Heaven our combat on earth, ready to crown us at the end! If we profess to be little martyrs, we must earn our palm. God does not despise these struggles, all the more meritorious for being hidden: The patient man is better than the valiant: and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh cities (Prov. xvi, 32).
By the little acts of charity we perform in secret, we convert souls in distant lands, we help the missionaries and obtain abundant alms for them, thus building both spiritual and material tabernacles for Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament.
-The Story of a Soul (L'Histoire d'une Âme)
__________________
For more information, see this post.
Adapted from Just For Today(©1943 Burns & Oates)
Nihil Obstat: Reginaldus Phillips, S.T.L.,Censor deputatus
Imprimatur: Edwardus Myers, Vic. Cap.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)