From: Matthew 24:42-51
Vigilance. The Faithful Servant
(Jesus said to his disciples,) [42] "Watch therefore, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. [43] But know this, that if the householder had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have watched and would not have let his house be broken into. [44] Therefore you also must be ready; for the Son of man is coming at an hour you do not expect.
[45] "Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom his master has set over his household, to give them their food at the proper time? [46] Blessed is that servant whom his master when he comes will find so doing. [47] Truly, I say to you, he will set him over all his possessions. [48] But if that wicked servant says to himself, 'My master is delayed,' [49] and begins to beat his fellow servants, and eats and drinks with the drunken, [50] the master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know, [51] and will punish him, and put him with the hypocrites; there men will weep and gnash their teeth."
___________________________
Commentary:
42. Jesus himself draws from this revelation about the future the practical moral that a Christian needs to be on the watch, living each day as if it were his last.
The important thing is not to be speculating about when these events will happen and what form they will take, but to live in such a way that they find us in the state of grace.
51. "And will punish him [or, cut him in pieces]": this can be understood as a metaphor for "will cast him away". "Weeping and gnashing of teeth": the pains of hell.
___________________________
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, August 26, 2009
Miraculous Rose Novena to Saint Therese
This gem comes from one of my favorites, America Needs Fatima:
Go here. Read The Little Known Saint Therese.
Since 1948, people who prayed the miraculous rose novena to Saint Therese have received amazing graces, blessings and favors...
...and yes, even roses, real-life beautiful roses as a sign from Saint Therese that their prayer has been answered.
You too can receive these graces.
The Miraculous Rose Novena to Saint Therese. (FREE download.)
You have heard of the Little Way of Saint Thérèse, right?
Maybe you have even read The Story of a Soul or other works of this great saint.
But you've probably not read about Saint Thérèse's fiery side. What you would call her "Saint Joan of Arc" side. So you should really like this article.
Principles and Practices - August 27
No Selfish Moping
Are you weary of the fight already and willing to give in to the enemy? Never mind, come back, begin again, Jesus wants you. There are millions of pagans to be saved, a hundred thousand dying sinners every day to be rescued. For shame, to sit down and cry over your own self and troubles while so many others need your aid.
Ask your holy patron to help you. Don't lose heart. I think I can understand better than many what you suffer. I am not angry with you - why should I be when I know how sorely you are tempted and the rage of the devil against you? But I certainly shall be angry if you play the coward and admit that you are beaten.
-W. Doyle, S.J.
_________________
From Principles and Practices
Compiled by Rev. J. Hogan of The Catholic Missionary Society
Published by Burns Oates & Washbourne Ltd., Publishers To The Holy See
Nihil Obstat; Eduardus J. Mahoney, S.T.D. Censor deputatus.
Imprimatur; Edm. Can. Surmont, Vicarius generalis.
First printed in 1930
Are you weary of the fight already and willing to give in to the enemy? Never mind, come back, begin again, Jesus wants you. There are millions of pagans to be saved, a hundred thousand dying sinners every day to be rescued. For shame, to sit down and cry over your own self and troubles while so many others need your aid.
Ask your holy patron to help you. Don't lose heart. I think I can understand better than many what you suffer. I am not angry with you - why should I be when I know how sorely you are tempted and the rage of the devil against you? But I certainly shall be angry if you play the coward and admit that you are beaten.
-W. Doyle, S.J.
_________________
From Principles and Practices
Compiled by Rev. J. Hogan of The Catholic Missionary Society
Published by Burns Oates & Washbourne Ltd., Publishers To The Holy See
Nihil Obstat; Eduardus J. Mahoney, S.T.D. Censor deputatus.
Imprimatur; Edm. Can. Surmont, Vicarius generalis.
First printed in 1930
Thoughts of St Augustine for August 27
For neither would almighty God, as even heathens confess, "Ruler Supreme of things" being as he is supremely good, in any way suffer any evil to be in his works; were he not almighty and good even to this, out of any evil to work what is good.
_________________________
Click here for more information.
From Thoughts of St Augustine for Every Day
by Kathleen Mary Balfe (© 1926)
Nihil Obstat: Georgius D. Smith, S.T.D
Imprimatur: Edm. Can. Surmont
_________________________
Click here for more information.
From Thoughts of St Augustine for Every Day
by Kathleen Mary Balfe (© 1926)
Nihil Obstat: Georgius D. Smith, S.T.D
Imprimatur: Edm. Can. Surmont
Thoughts from St Alphonsus for Every Day-August 27
True charity consists in doing good to those who do us evil, and in thus gaining their good will.
_________________
From Thoughts from St Alphonsus for Every Day
Compiled by Rev. C. McNeiry, C.SS.R.
Imprimatur: Joseph Hull, C.SS.R., Prov. Angl. Sup.
Nihil Obstat: Innocentlus Apap, O.P., S.T.M., Censor Deptutatus.
Imprimatur: Edm. Can. Surmont, Vicarius Generalis.
Westmonasterii, Die 9a Junii, 1927.
First published 1927
_________________
From Thoughts from St Alphonsus for Every Day
Compiled by Rev. C. McNeiry, C.SS.R.
Imprimatur: Joseph Hull, C.SS.R., Prov. Angl. Sup.
Nihil Obstat: Innocentlus Apap, O.P., S.T.M., Censor Deptutatus.
Imprimatur: Edm. Can. Surmont, Vicarius Generalis.
Westmonasterii, Die 9a Junii, 1927.
First published 1927
News Updates, 8/26
Cardinal Mahony Calls Kennedy A Champion Of The Powerless
Cardinal Roger Mahony issued a statement today calling the late Sen. Edward M. Kennedy (D-Mass.) a champion of "the voiceless, the powerless and the most needy of our citizens."
[A champion of the powerless - as in furthering the slaughter of the innocent, "voiceless" and "powerless" unborn? Mahony is one sick slug!]
Adoption Ads Pulled From S/M Webpage
SF’s Human Services Agency Acts After CalCatholic Story
Vatican denies liturgical reforms being formalized
'So far there are no institutional proposals for amendment'
Vatican economist: Put ethics into business
Says capitalism without ethical grounding doesn't work
Christians targeted by hackers on Facebook
4chan group posting obscene and racists comments
Thomas Aquinas relies on classics, Catholic identity
California college attracting national attention
Bishop D'Arcy explains decision to boycott Obama
Says he doesn't see any evidence of abortion 'dialogue'
Catholic Church sees influx of foreign-born priests
Symbolism, ritual all important to this generation
Rise in priests 'not due to recession'
Highest number of Irish seminarians in a decade
Survivors of extreme situations credit 'third man'
Author explains phenomenon of ghostly companions
Wheelchair-bound woman healed after Lourdes visit
'I have been walking, doing everything normally'
=========
Other Issues
=========
Breaking News: Senator Edward “Ted” Kennedy Has Died (Deacon Keith Fournier)
He came to be known as a stalwart proponent of what is currently being called a “liberal” or even “progressive” social agenda. However his change of position on the fundamental human right, the right to life, like others now identified with those labels including Rev. Jesse Jackson, changed entirely. In fact, with Kennedy's change the entire content of the meaning of those political labels seems to have changed. Senator Kennedy began his political career as a strong defender of the rights of children in the womb. For example, in 1971, Senator Kennedy described his then strongly Pro-Life position in these words...
An honest obituary of “Sir” Ted Kennedy you’ll never see in print
Senator Ted Kennedy has lost his battle to live. As a Christian I hope God has mercy on him. He suffered from a ghastly cancerous brain tumor that has apparently taken his life. Obviously Kennedy will be canonized by acclamation in the media today and for days to come. The British Crown has already given him an honorary knighthood making him “Sir Edward” but genuine Americans know better.
[May God have mercy on this man who was an heretic and leading member of the culture of death]
Doctors ready to 'just say no' (Majority won't accept new patients under government plan)
My fellow physicians and I share one interesting thing in common with professionals in the federal government: We all take an oath relating to our jobs. A physician pledges to "apply, for the benefit of the sick, all measures [that] are required, avoiding those twin traps of overtreatment and therapeutic nihilism." We also pledge to "remember that [we] do not treat a fever chart, a cancerous growth, but a sick human being, whose illness may affect the person's family and economic stability."
Dem Headquarters Vandalized By SEIU Activist!!... Dems Blamed GOP
The Colorado Democratic Headquarters in Denver was vandalized and eleven windows at the headquarters on Santa Fe Drive were shattered in a vandalism spree.
Cardinal Roger Mahony issued a statement today calling the late Sen. Edward M. Kennedy (D-Mass.) a champion of "the voiceless, the powerless and the most needy of our citizens."
[A champion of the powerless - as in furthering the slaughter of the innocent, "voiceless" and "powerless" unborn? Mahony is one sick slug!]
Adoption Ads Pulled From S/M Webpage
SF’s Human Services Agency Acts After CalCatholic Story
Vatican denies liturgical reforms being formalized
'So far there are no institutional proposals for amendment'
Vatican economist: Put ethics into business
Says capitalism without ethical grounding doesn't work
Christians targeted by hackers on Facebook
4chan group posting obscene and racists comments
Thomas Aquinas relies on classics, Catholic identity
California college attracting national attention
Bishop D'Arcy explains decision to boycott Obama
Says he doesn't see any evidence of abortion 'dialogue'
Catholic Church sees influx of foreign-born priests
Symbolism, ritual all important to this generation
Rise in priests 'not due to recession'
Highest number of Irish seminarians in a decade
Survivors of extreme situations credit 'third man'
Author explains phenomenon of ghostly companions
Wheelchair-bound woman healed after Lourdes visit
'I have been walking, doing everything normally'
=========
Other Issues
=========
Breaking News: Senator Edward “Ted” Kennedy Has Died (Deacon Keith Fournier)
He came to be known as a stalwart proponent of what is currently being called a “liberal” or even “progressive” social agenda. However his change of position on the fundamental human right, the right to life, like others now identified with those labels including Rev. Jesse Jackson, changed entirely. In fact, with Kennedy's change the entire content of the meaning of those political labels seems to have changed. Senator Kennedy began his political career as a strong defender of the rights of children in the womb. For example, in 1971, Senator Kennedy described his then strongly Pro-Life position in these words...
An honest obituary of “Sir” Ted Kennedy you’ll never see in printSenator Ted Kennedy has lost his battle to live. As a Christian I hope God has mercy on him. He suffered from a ghastly cancerous brain tumor that has apparently taken his life. Obviously Kennedy will be canonized by acclamation in the media today and for days to come. The British Crown has already given him an honorary knighthood making him “Sir Edward” but genuine Americans know better.
[May God have mercy on this man who was an heretic and leading member of the culture of death]
Doctors ready to 'just say no' (Majority won't accept new patients under government plan)
My fellow physicians and I share one interesting thing in common with professionals in the federal government: We all take an oath relating to our jobs. A physician pledges to "apply, for the benefit of the sick, all measures [that] are required, avoiding those twin traps of overtreatment and therapeutic nihilism." We also pledge to "remember that [we] do not treat a fever chart, a cancerous growth, but a sick human being, whose illness may affect the person's family and economic stability."
Dem Headquarters Vandalized By SEIU Activist!!... Dems Blamed GOP
The Colorado Democratic Headquarters in Denver was vandalized and eleven windows at the headquarters on Santa Fe Drive were shattered in a vandalism spree.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Gospel for Wednesday, 21st Week in Ordinary Time
From: Matthew 23:27-32
Jesus Indicts the Scribes and Pharisees (Continuation)
(Jesus said to the scribes and Pharisees,) [27] "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for you are like white-washed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but within they are full of dead men's bones and all uncleanness. [28] So you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but within you are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.
[29] "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for you build the tombs of the prophets and adorn the monuments of the righteous, [30] saying, `If we had lived in the days of our fathers, we would not have taken part with them in shedding the blood of the prophets.' [31] Thus you witness against yourselves, that you are sons of those who murdered the prophets. [32] Fill up, then, the measure of your fathers."
______________
Commentary:
27-28. The Jews used to whitewash tombs annually, shortly before the feast of the Passover. The whitewash made the tombs more visible and helped to avoid people brushing against them, which would have meant incurring legal uncleanness for seven days (Numbers 19:16; Luke 11:44).
In the sunlight, these tombs sparkled radiantly white, but inside they held corruption.
29-32. Our Lord shows them that they are cut off from the same cloth as their ancestors--not because they erect mausoleums in honor of prophets and just men but because they are guilty of the same sin as those who killed the prophets. Hence their hypocrisy, which makes them even worse than their fathers. With pained irony Jesus tells them that they are compounding the sins of their ancestors.
Clearly this is referring to His passion and death: if the ancients killed the prophets, by causing Him to suffer and die our Lord's contemporaries will still be more cruel.
___________________________
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 Indicts the Scribes and Pharisees (Continuation)
(Jesus said to the scribes and Pharisees,) [27] "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for you are like white-washed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but within they are full of dead men's bones and all uncleanness. [28] So you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but within you are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.
[29] "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for you build the tombs of the prophets and adorn the monuments of the righteous, [30] saying, `If we had lived in the days of our fathers, we would not have taken part with them in shedding the blood of the prophets.' [31] Thus you witness against yourselves, that you are sons of those who murdered the prophets. [32] Fill up, then, the measure of your fathers."
______________
Commentary:
27-28. The Jews used to whitewash tombs annually, shortly before the feast of the Passover. The whitewash made the tombs more visible and helped to avoid people brushing against them, which would have meant incurring legal uncleanness for seven days (Numbers 19:16; Luke 11:44).
In the sunlight, these tombs sparkled radiantly white, but inside they held corruption.
29-32. Our Lord shows them that they are cut off from the same cloth as their ancestors--not because they erect mausoleums in honor of prophets and just men but because they are guilty of the same sin as those who killed the prophets. Hence their hypocrisy, which makes them even worse than their fathers. With pained irony Jesus tells them that they are compounding the sins of their ancestors.
Clearly this is referring to His passion and death: if the ancients killed the prophets, by causing Him to suffer and die our Lord's contemporaries will still be more cruel.
___________________________
Source: "The Navarre Bible: Text and Commentaries". Biblical text taken from the Revised Standard Version and New Vulgate. Commentaries made by members of the Faculty of Theology of the University of Navarre, Spain. Published by Four Courts Press, Kill Lane, Blackrock, Co. Dublin, Ireland. Reprinted with permission from Four Courts Press and Scepter Publishers, the U.S. publisher.
Principles and Practices - August 26
The Spirit of Penance
We are all bound to do penance; none of us has a right to dispense himself from it, for none of us is without sin or without great need of expiation. For a soul, however, that is called to walk in the way of Christ's counsels, penance and prayer are the most important works, the most efficacious means of salvation for the soul herself and for others, the most useful instruments in the task of reparation to which chosen souls are called.
-Elizabeth Leseur.
_________________
From Principles and Practices
Compiled by Rev. J. Hogan of The Catholic Missionary Society
Published by Burns Oates & Washbourne Ltd., Publishers To The Holy See
Nihil Obstat; Eduardus J. Mahoney, S.T.D. Censor deputatus.
Imprimatur; Edm. Can. Surmont, Vicarius generalis.
First printed in 1930
We are all bound to do penance; none of us has a right to dispense himself from it, for none of us is without sin or without great need of expiation. For a soul, however, that is called to walk in the way of Christ's counsels, penance and prayer are the most important works, the most efficacious means of salvation for the soul herself and for others, the most useful instruments in the task of reparation to which chosen souls are called.
-Elizabeth Leseur.
_________________
From Principles and Practices
Compiled by Rev. J. Hogan of The Catholic Missionary Society
Published by Burns Oates & Washbourne Ltd., Publishers To The Holy See
Nihil Obstat; Eduardus J. Mahoney, S.T.D. Censor deputatus.
Imprimatur; Edm. Can. Surmont, Vicarius generalis.
First printed in 1930
Thoughts of St Augustine for August 26
Even that which is called evil, being rightly set out in its own place, commends more strikingly things that are good, so as that they are more pleasing and more praiseworthy through comparison with things that are evil.
_________________________
Click here for more information.
From Thoughts of St Augustine for Every Day
by Kathleen Mary Balfe (© 1926)
Nihil Obstat: Georgius D. Smith, S.T.D
Imprimatur: Edm. Can. Surmont
_________________________
Click here for more information.
From Thoughts of St Augustine for Every Day
by Kathleen Mary Balfe (© 1926)
Nihil Obstat: Georgius D. Smith, S.T.D
Imprimatur: Edm. Can. Surmont
Thoughts from St Alphonsus for Every Day-August 26
The proud never enjoy peace, because they never receive the respect or attention which a vain opinion of their own greatness makes them regard as their due. When loaded with honours they are not content.
_________________
From Thoughts from St Alphonsus for Every Day
Compiled by Rev. C. McNeiry, C.SS.R.
Imprimatur: Joseph Hull, C.SS.R., Prov. Angl. Sup.
Nihil Obstat: Innocentlus Apap, O.P., S.T.M., Censor Deptutatus.
Imprimatur: Edm. Can. Surmont, Vicarius Generalis.
Westmonasterii, Die 9a Junii, 1927.
First published 1927
_________________
From Thoughts from St Alphonsus for Every Day
Compiled by Rev. C. McNeiry, C.SS.R.
Imprimatur: Joseph Hull, C.SS.R., Prov. Angl. Sup.
Nihil Obstat: Innocentlus Apap, O.P., S.T.M., Censor Deptutatus.
Imprimatur: Edm. Can. Surmont, Vicarius Generalis.
Westmonasterii, Die 9a Junii, 1927.
First published 1927
News Updates, 8/25
Artificial life to be created 'within months'?
Genome experts claim vital scientific breakthrough
WSJ: VA pushes vets to consider death as an alternative to treatment
The ObamaCare bill may not contain “death panels,” but even Charles Lane and Eugene Robinson at the Washington Post wonder why the bill incentivizes end-of-life consultations with the elderly and ill as part of its cost-containment strategy. Maybe Lane and Robinson should take a look at the VA, where the Obama administration and former General Eric Shinseki have reinstated a program called “Your Life, Your Choices.”
Jury convicts killer of Jesuit priest in Moscow
Murderer found 'not guilty' of slaying second Jesuit
Pope: Following Jesus means bucking trends
Benedict urges faithful to move beyond scandal
Former Irish priest hits out at clergy sex abuse
Calls on Church to halt recruitment to the priesthood
Irish cardinal criticizes same-sex bill
Explains why it's an attack on freedom of religion
Cardinal hopes for 'new beginning' after violence
Says India needs to restore multi-cultural tradition
Priest takes Church to task for not ordaining gals
Maryknoller won't recant despite excommunication
[Just another demented heretic to be avoided ...]
Catholic women stage hunger strike in Florida
Parishioners protest transfer of two priests
Vatican deplores indifference to migrants
Malta foreign minister objects to accusations after deaths
=========
Other Issues
=========
JUDGE: Federal Reserve Must Release Reports on Emergency Loans
Obama: 'We are God's Partners in Matters of Life and Death'
A sudden shift towards religiously-charged rhetoric in {R}esident Obama's stumping for health care reform continued yesterday in a telephone conference, in which the president said that "we are God's partners in matters of life and death." Obama told the virtual gathering of Jewish rabbis - as many as 1000, according to the Washington Jewish Week news service - that he was "going to need your help in accomplishing necessary reform."
["Well, at least Obama is now considering God as his equal,” Fred Thompson...Obama's "god" is his father, Satan!]
Kunstler - Crisis Called Off
Whew, what a relief! Everybody from Ben Bernanke and a Who's Who of banking poobahs schmoozing it up in the heady vapors of Jackson Hole, Wyoming, to the dull scribes at The New York Times, toiling in their MC Escher hall of mirrors, to poor dim James Surowiecki over at The New Yorker, to - wonder of wonders! - the Green Shoots claque at the cable networks, to the assorted quants, grinds, nerds, pimps, factotums, catamites, and cretins in every office from the Bureau of Labor Statistics to the International Monetary Fund - every man-Jack and woman-Jill around the levers of power and opinion weighed in last week with glad tidings that the world's capital finance system survived what turned out to be a mere protracted bout of heartburn and has been reborn as the Miracle Bull economy. Our worries over. If you believe their [BS]. Which I don't...
VIDEO: Rep. Maxine Waters: Senators That Oppose Public Option Are "Neanderthals"
CNN: The longtime congresswoman, whose district includes much of Los Angeles, also described some senators who are opposed to the health care reform bill as "Neanderthals."
[Poor Maxine...another demented and deranged individual doing irreparable damage o the country - The Public Option, so stupid even a caveman can see right through it...]
Genome experts claim vital scientific breakthrough
WSJ: VA pushes vets to consider death as an alternative to treatment
The ObamaCare bill may not contain “death panels,” but even Charles Lane and Eugene Robinson at the Washington Post wonder why the bill incentivizes end-of-life consultations with the elderly and ill as part of its cost-containment strategy. Maybe Lane and Robinson should take a look at the VA, where the Obama administration and former General Eric Shinseki have reinstated a program called “Your Life, Your Choices.”
Jury convicts killer of Jesuit priest in Moscow
Murderer found 'not guilty' of slaying second Jesuit
Pope: Following Jesus means bucking trends
Benedict urges faithful to move beyond scandal
Former Irish priest hits out at clergy sex abuse
Calls on Church to halt recruitment to the priesthood
Irish cardinal criticizes same-sex bill
Explains why it's an attack on freedom of religion
Cardinal hopes for 'new beginning' after violence
Says India needs to restore multi-cultural tradition
Priest takes Church to task for not ordaining gals
Maryknoller won't recant despite excommunication
[Just another demented heretic to be avoided ...]
Catholic women stage hunger strike in Florida
Parishioners protest transfer of two priests
Vatican deplores indifference to migrants
Malta foreign minister objects to accusations after deaths
=========
Other Issues
=========
JUDGE: Federal Reserve Must Release Reports on Emergency Loans
Obama: 'We are God's Partners in Matters of Life and Death'
A sudden shift towards religiously-charged rhetoric in {R}esident Obama's stumping for health care reform continued yesterday in a telephone conference, in which the president said that "we are God's partners in matters of life and death." Obama told the virtual gathering of Jewish rabbis - as many as 1000, according to the Washington Jewish Week news service - that he was "going to need your help in accomplishing necessary reform."
["Well, at least Obama is now considering God as his equal,” Fred Thompson...Obama's "god" is his father, Satan!]
Kunstler - Crisis Called Off
Whew, what a relief! Everybody from Ben Bernanke and a Who's Who of banking poobahs schmoozing it up in the heady vapors of Jackson Hole, Wyoming, to the dull scribes at The New York Times, toiling in their MC Escher hall of mirrors, to poor dim James Surowiecki over at The New Yorker, to - wonder of wonders! - the Green Shoots claque at the cable networks, to the assorted quants, grinds, nerds, pimps, factotums, catamites, and cretins in every office from the Bureau of Labor Statistics to the International Monetary Fund - every man-Jack and woman-Jill around the levers of power and opinion weighed in last week with glad tidings that the world's capital finance system survived what turned out to be a mere protracted bout of heartburn and has been reborn as the Miracle Bull economy. Our worries over. If you believe their [BS]. Which I don't...
VIDEO: Rep. Maxine Waters: Senators That Oppose Public Option Are "Neanderthals"
CNN: The longtime congresswoman, whose district includes much of Los Angeles, also described some senators who are opposed to the health care reform bill as "Neanderthals."
[Poor Maxine...another demented and deranged individual doing irreparable damage o the country - The Public Option, so stupid even a caveman can see right through it...]
Monday, August 24, 2009
Gospel for Tuesday, 21st Week in Ordinary Time
Optional Memorial: St Louis
Optional Memorial: St Jospeph Calasanz, Priest
From: Matthew 23:23-26
Jesus Indicts the Scribes and Pharisees
(Jesus said to the scribes and Pharisees,) [23] "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for you tithe mint and dill and cummin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law, justice and mercy and faith; these you ought to have done, without neglecting the others. [24] You blind guides, straining out a gnat and swallowing a camel!
[25] "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for you cleanse the outside of the cup and of the plate, but inside they are full ofextortion and rapacity." [26] You blind Pharisee! first cleanse the inside of the cup and of the plate, that the outside also may be clean."
________________________
Commentary:
23. Mint, dill (aniseed) and cummin were herbs the Jews used in cooking or to perfume rooms. They were such insignificant items that they were not covered by the Mosaic precept on paying tithes (Leviticus 27:30-33; Deuteronomy 14:22ff); the precept did not apply to domestic animals and the more common agricultural products such as wheat, wine and olive oil. However, the Pharisees, being so intent on showing their scrupulous observance of the Law, paid tithes even of these herbs. Our Lord does not despise or reject the Law; He is simply telling people to get their priorities right: there is no point in attending to secondary details if one is neglecting what is really basic and important--justice, mercy and faith.
24. The Pharisees were so scrupulous about not swallowing any insect which the Law declared to be unclean that they went as far as to filter drinks through a linen cloth. Our Lord criticizes them for being so inconsistent--straining mosquitos, being so scrupulous about little things, yet quite happily "swallowing a camel", committing serious sins.
25-26. After reproaching the Pharisees for their hypocrisy in religious practice, our Lord now goes on to indict their twofacedness in matters of morality. The Jews used to perform elaborate washings of plates, cups and other tableware, in line with the regulations on legal cleansing (cf. Mark 7:1-4).
The example He chooses suggests a deeper level of meaning--concern for that moral purity which should characterize man's interior life. What is of prime importance is cleanliness of heart, an upright intention, consistency between what one says and what one does, etc.
___________________________
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.
Optional Memorial: St Jospeph Calasanz, Priest
From: Matthew 23:23-26
Jesus Indicts the Scribes and Pharisees
(Jesus said to the scribes and Pharisees,) [23] "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for you tithe mint and dill and cummin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law, justice and mercy and faith; these you ought to have done, without neglecting the others. [24] You blind guides, straining out a gnat and swallowing a camel!
[25] "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for you cleanse the outside of the cup and of the plate, but inside they are full ofextortion and rapacity." [26] You blind Pharisee! first cleanse the inside of the cup and of the plate, that the outside also may be clean."
________________________
Commentary:
23. Mint, dill (aniseed) and cummin were herbs the Jews used in cooking or to perfume rooms. They were such insignificant items that they were not covered by the Mosaic precept on paying tithes (Leviticus 27:30-33; Deuteronomy 14:22ff); the precept did not apply to domestic animals and the more common agricultural products such as wheat, wine and olive oil. However, the Pharisees, being so intent on showing their scrupulous observance of the Law, paid tithes even of these herbs. Our Lord does not despise or reject the Law; He is simply telling people to get their priorities right: there is no point in attending to secondary details if one is neglecting what is really basic and important--justice, mercy and faith.
24. The Pharisees were so scrupulous about not swallowing any insect which the Law declared to be unclean that they went as far as to filter drinks through a linen cloth. Our Lord criticizes them for being so inconsistent--straining mosquitos, being so scrupulous about little things, yet quite happily "swallowing a camel", committing serious sins.
25-26. After reproaching the Pharisees for their hypocrisy in religious practice, our Lord now goes on to indict their twofacedness in matters of morality. The Jews used to perform elaborate washings of plates, cups and other tableware, in line with the regulations on legal cleansing (cf. Mark 7:1-4).
The example He chooses suggests a deeper level of meaning--concern for that moral purity which should characterize man's interior life. What is of prime importance is cleanliness of heart, an upright intention, consistency between what one says and what one does, etc.
___________________________
Source: "The Navarre Bible: Text and Commentaries". Biblical text taken from the Revised Standard Version and New Vulgate. Commentaries made by members of the Faculty of Theology of the University of Navarre, Spain. Published by Four Courts Press, Kill Lane, Blackrock, Co. Dublin, Ireland. Reprinted with permission from Four Courts Press and Scepter Publishers, the U.S. publisher.
Principles and Practices - August 25
Have Patience in Aridity
There is the case of interior aridity, when it seems to a soul that all its knowledge and prudence have been taken from it. It is no longer conscious of God, of His grace and consolation, and of the things it knew before. All has been taken from it and hidden, so that it no longer knows which way to turn. This trial, although so painful, is extremely useful in order to convince the soul of its nothingness and of its deep need of God's help and inspiration.
-Msgr. Albert Farges.
_________________
From Principles and Practices
Compiled by Rev. J. Hogan of The Catholic Missionary Society
Published by Burns Oates & Washbourne Ltd., Publishers To The Holy See
Nihil Obstat; Eduardus J. Mahoney, S.T.D. Censor deputatus.
Imprimatur; Edm. Can. Surmont, Vicarius generalis.
First printed in 1930
There is the case of interior aridity, when it seems to a soul that all its knowledge and prudence have been taken from it. It is no longer conscious of God, of His grace and consolation, and of the things it knew before. All has been taken from it and hidden, so that it no longer knows which way to turn. This trial, although so painful, is extremely useful in order to convince the soul of its nothingness and of its deep need of God's help and inspiration.
-Msgr. Albert Farges.
_________________
From Principles and Practices
Compiled by Rev. J. Hogan of The Catholic Missionary Society
Published by Burns Oates & Washbourne Ltd., Publishers To The Holy See
Nihil Obstat; Eduardus J. Mahoney, S.T.D. Censor deputatus.
Imprimatur; Edm. Can. Surmont, Vicarius generalis.
First printed in 1930
Thoughts of St Augustine for August 25
It is enough for the Christian to believe that the cause of created things, whether heavenly or earthly, whether visible or invisible, is none other than the goodness of his Creator, who is God, One and True.
_________________________
Click here for more information.
From Thoughts of St Augustine for Every Day
by Kathleen Mary Balfe (© 1926)
Nihil Obstat: Georgius D. Smith, S.T.D
Imprimatur: Edm. Can. Surmont
_________________________
Click here for more information.
From Thoughts of St Augustine for Every Day
by Kathleen Mary Balfe (© 1926)
Nihil Obstat: Georgius D. Smith, S.T.D
Imprimatur: Edm. Can. Surmont
Thoughts from St Alphonsus for Every Day-August 25
As a sportsman keeps in reserve the best arrow for the last shot, in order to secure his prey, so did God among all his gifts keep Jesus in reserve till the fulness of time should come, and then he sent him as a dart, to wound with love the hearts of men.
_________________
From Thoughts from St Alphonsus for Every Day
Compiled by Rev. C. McNeiry, C.SS.R.
Imprimatur: Joseph Hull, C.SS.R., Prov. Angl. Sup.
Nihil Obstat: Innocentlus Apap, O.P., S.T.M., Censor Deptutatus.
Imprimatur: Edm. Can. Surmont, Vicarius Generalis.
Westmonasterii, Die 9a Junii, 1927.
First published 1927
_________________
From Thoughts from St Alphonsus for Every Day
Compiled by Rev. C. McNeiry, C.SS.R.
Imprimatur: Joseph Hull, C.SS.R., Prov. Angl. Sup.
Nihil Obstat: Innocentlus Apap, O.P., S.T.M., Censor Deptutatus.
Imprimatur: Edm. Can. Surmont, Vicarius Generalis.
Westmonasterii, Die 9a Junii, 1927.
First published 1927
Sunday, August 23, 2009
News Updates, 8/24
New nuns grateful to be in Elysburg [PA]
A rare look into the life of the new group of Discalced Carmelite nuns reveals a simple existence and an extreme devotion to prayer. The new set of nuns has moved from Nebraska to inhabit the Elysburg Monastery, which had been home to a revered group of Carmelite nuns who moved to Danville in January 2008...On Monday, after the Opening Solemn Mass and Blessing of the Monastery at 10 a.m., the nuns will return to solitude and will no longer be seen by members of the public...
Accept challenge of Jesus' hard teachings, Pope Benedict urges
Before Sunday’s Angelus prayer with pilgrims in the courtyard of Castel Gandolfo, Pope Benedict XVI spoke about today’s Gospel, in which Jesus' teaching about his presence in the Eucharist is met with resistance from the Jews and his own disciples. Followers of Christ must respond to his challenging teachings with lifelong commitment instead of trying to adapt his teachings to the fashions of the times, the Pope said...
Kissling slams bishops on healthcare
Writing in Salon, Frances Kissling criticizes the United States bishops for “not working hard enough on behalf of the most important and desperately needed healthcare reform-- the public option … the bishops are squandering every ounce of moral capital they have, not on the public option, but on ensuring that in any reform bill not one penny of federal funds is used for abortion.” The rabidly pro-abortion Kissling, now a visiting scholar at the Center for Bioethics at the University of Pennsylvania, is the former president of Catholics for a Free Choice [AKA Heretics for Infanticide]
Are We Living in the Last Days? (Carl Olson)
There has been a surge in interest in topics such as Bible prophecy and the Rapture in the last few years, largely due to the surprising success of the Left Behind series written by two devout Protestants...
Evangelical Lutherans abandon Bible teaching on homosexuality
Even though the Rev. Mark Chavez believes the leaders of his church made a decision in direct contradiction of the Bible by lifting a ban on sexually active, monogamous gays and lesbians as clergy, he said he's staying with the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America.
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Succumbs to Heresy
What happened is that representatives of the ECLA succumbed to heresy. Oh, I can hear it now, “how dare he say such a thing?” Because… it is true, and there is nothing compassionate about failing to help fellow Christians to reject error. Christians abandoning the clear teaching of the Sacred Scriptures and the unbroken Christian Tradition is not a new phenomenon in the 2000 year history of the Christian Church. What is new is the massive support that such a sad turn of events receives from this kind of media report....
[They merely added yet another heresy to those which they already embrace. It's rather easy, after accepting one heresy, to continue to embrace even more for the intellect has been blinded and the soul darkened...]
Jesuit Fr. Thomas Reese Comes to San Francisco
What Most Holy Redeemer Parish Has Come to Mean
US Jews protest Catholic document on salvation
Rabbis say relationship with Catholic leaders is at risk
Priest convicted of $1M theft dies in prison
Conn. cleric used church money for lavish lifestyle
Wis. bishops protest Catholic contraceptives demand
State mandate compels faithful to act against conscience
Spanish bishops: Don't kiss pilgrimage statue
Warning issued due to concern over swine flu contagion
Pope says hand 'a bit lazy' after plaster removed
Pin inserted in pontiff's wrist to keep bones in place
Man steals Virgin Mary painting to pay for abortion
Felon convicted of raping teen, first-degree sexual assault
Iraqi bishops express concern after blasts
'With these acts of violence, we are losing everything'
US bishops launch website on new Mass translation
'"In the years since Vatican II we have learned a lot'
Singapore PM warns religion threatens stability
'Most dangerous fault line is race and religion'
=========
Other Issues
=========
Latest Report to Obama (pdf)
on preps for swine flu, dated Aug 7th but released to the public today.
Scientists: swine flu may infect 30-50% of population. 30k-90k deaths, mostly young adults
Existing Home Sales Far Worse Than Advertised
The latest housing consensus as sung in three part harmony amongst the media and green shoots crowd. Their song goes something like this:
1) The worst of the housing trouble is now behind us;
2) Only recently, Housing was “Getting worse more slowly;”
3) That has transitioned to “Housing is getting better.”
I don’t believe it. IMO, all 3 are misleading or outright wrong. This post explains why...
Manufacturing Jobs Drop To Lowest Level Since 1941,
Below 9% of Workforce for the First Time.
Are you doing business with anti-gun companies?
Are gun owners unwittingly patronizing businesses that support infringements on their right to keep and bear arms?
Colonial Bank Failure Highlights the Problem
The bankruptcy of Colonial Bank (CNB) was the largest bank-bankruptcy in the U.S. since several large, U.S. financial institutions collapsed last year – with the most recent being Washington Mutual, last fall. However, there is one huge difference between the mega-bankruptcies of last year and the collapse of Colonial Bank a week ago...
Obama marks beginning of Muslim holy month
[Chairman] Obama is continuing his outreach [celebrating his Mohammedan roots?] to the Muslim world in a video message marking the start of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan...Obama says the rituals of Ramadan are a reminder of the principles Muslims and Christians have in common. He says those principles include advancing justice, progress, tolerance and the dignity of all human beings.
[EXCEPT the unborn, elderly, and sick (take a pain pill) - don't forget that this repugnant spawn of satan would not acknowledge the National Day of Prayer, yet he does this!]
Mercury Marine union in Wis. rejects concessions (8000 jobs lost) Mercury Marine moving to OK
FOND DU LAC, Wis. – Union workers at Mercury Marine put their jobs at risk Sunday when they rejected a package of wage and benefit concessions the boat engine maker said it needed or it would move their work to a nonunion plant in Oklahoma. Union leaders did not immediately release Sunday's tally but said the vote was "overwhelming" to reject what the company called its final offer.
Town Hall Meeting with U.S. Congressman Brian Baird
I, David William Hedrick, a member of the silent majority, decided that I was not going to be silent anymore. So, I let U.S. Congressman Brian Baird have it. I was one questioner out of 38, that was called at random from an audience that started at 3,000 earlier in the evening. Not expecting to be called on, I quickly scratched what I wanted to say on a borrowed piece of paper and with a pen that I borrowed from someone else in the audience minutes before I spoke. So much for the planned talking points of the right wing conspiracy.
White House Reveals Identity of Firm That Sent Unsolicited E-Mails on Health Reform
The White House hired a private communications company based in Minnesota to distribute mass e-mails, helping to shed light on how some recipients received e-mails in support of President Obama's health care plan without signing up for them, FOX News has learned...
[The "buck" gets passed in the Usurper's administration]
A rare look into the life of the new group of Discalced Carmelite nuns reveals a simple existence and an extreme devotion to prayer. The new set of nuns has moved from Nebraska to inhabit the Elysburg Monastery, which had been home to a revered group of Carmelite nuns who moved to Danville in January 2008...On Monday, after the Opening Solemn Mass and Blessing of the Monastery at 10 a.m., the nuns will return to solitude and will no longer be seen by members of the public...
Accept challenge of Jesus' hard teachings, Pope Benedict urges
Before Sunday’s Angelus prayer with pilgrims in the courtyard of Castel Gandolfo, Pope Benedict XVI spoke about today’s Gospel, in which Jesus' teaching about his presence in the Eucharist is met with resistance from the Jews and his own disciples. Followers of Christ must respond to his challenging teachings with lifelong commitment instead of trying to adapt his teachings to the fashions of the times, the Pope said...
Kissling slams bishops on healthcare
Writing in Salon, Frances Kissling criticizes the United States bishops for “not working hard enough on behalf of the most important and desperately needed healthcare reform-- the public option … the bishops are squandering every ounce of moral capital they have, not on the public option, but on ensuring that in any reform bill not one penny of federal funds is used for abortion.” The rabidly pro-abortion Kissling, now a visiting scholar at the Center for Bioethics at the University of Pennsylvania, is the former president of Catholics for a Free Choice [AKA Heretics for Infanticide]
Are We Living in the Last Days? (Carl Olson)
There has been a surge in interest in topics such as Bible prophecy and the Rapture in the last few years, largely due to the surprising success of the Left Behind series written by two devout Protestants...
Evangelical Lutherans abandon Bible teaching on homosexuality
Even though the Rev. Mark Chavez believes the leaders of his church made a decision in direct contradiction of the Bible by lifting a ban on sexually active, monogamous gays and lesbians as clergy, he said he's staying with the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America.
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Succumbs to Heresy
What happened is that representatives of the ECLA succumbed to heresy. Oh, I can hear it now, “how dare he say such a thing?” Because… it is true, and there is nothing compassionate about failing to help fellow Christians to reject error. Christians abandoning the clear teaching of the Sacred Scriptures and the unbroken Christian Tradition is not a new phenomenon in the 2000 year history of the Christian Church. What is new is the massive support that such a sad turn of events receives from this kind of media report....
[They merely added yet another heresy to those which they already embrace. It's rather easy, after accepting one heresy, to continue to embrace even more for the intellect has been blinded and the soul darkened...]
Jesuit Fr. Thomas Reese Comes to San Francisco
What Most Holy Redeemer Parish Has Come to Mean
US Jews protest Catholic document on salvation
Rabbis say relationship with Catholic leaders is at risk
Priest convicted of $1M theft dies in prison
Conn. cleric used church money for lavish lifestyle
Wis. bishops protest Catholic contraceptives demand
State mandate compels faithful to act against conscience
Spanish bishops: Don't kiss pilgrimage statue
Warning issued due to concern over swine flu contagion
Pope says hand 'a bit lazy' after plaster removed
Pin inserted in pontiff's wrist to keep bones in place
Man steals Virgin Mary painting to pay for abortion
Felon convicted of raping teen, first-degree sexual assault
Iraqi bishops express concern after blasts
'With these acts of violence, we are losing everything'
US bishops launch website on new Mass translation
'"In the years since Vatican II we have learned a lot'
Singapore PM warns religion threatens stability
'Most dangerous fault line is race and religion'
=========
Other Issues
=========
Latest Report to Obama (pdf)
on preps for swine flu, dated Aug 7th but released to the public today.
Scientists: swine flu may infect 30-50% of population. 30k-90k deaths, mostly young adults
Existing Home Sales Far Worse Than Advertised
The latest housing consensus as sung in three part harmony amongst the media and green shoots crowd. Their song goes something like this:
1) The worst of the housing trouble is now behind us;
2) Only recently, Housing was “Getting worse more slowly;”
3) That has transitioned to “Housing is getting better.”
I don’t believe it. IMO, all 3 are misleading or outright wrong. This post explains why...
Manufacturing Jobs Drop To Lowest Level Since 1941,
Below 9% of Workforce for the First Time.
Are you doing business with anti-gun companies?
Are gun owners unwittingly patronizing businesses that support infringements on their right to keep and bear arms?
Colonial Bank Failure Highlights the Problem
The bankruptcy of Colonial Bank (CNB) was the largest bank-bankruptcy in the U.S. since several large, U.S. financial institutions collapsed last year – with the most recent being Washington Mutual, last fall. However, there is one huge difference between the mega-bankruptcies of last year and the collapse of Colonial Bank a week ago...
Obama marks beginning of Muslim holy month
[Chairman] Obama is continuing his outreach [celebrating his Mohammedan roots?] to the Muslim world in a video message marking the start of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan...Obama says the rituals of Ramadan are a reminder of the principles Muslims and Christians have in common. He says those principles include advancing justice, progress, tolerance and the dignity of all human beings.
[EXCEPT the unborn, elderly, and sick (take a pain pill) - don't forget that this repugnant spawn of satan would not acknowledge the National Day of Prayer, yet he does this!]
Mercury Marine union in Wis. rejects concessions (8000 jobs lost) Mercury Marine moving to OK
FOND DU LAC, Wis. – Union workers at Mercury Marine put their jobs at risk Sunday when they rejected a package of wage and benefit concessions the boat engine maker said it needed or it would move their work to a nonunion plant in Oklahoma. Union leaders did not immediately release Sunday's tally but said the vote was "overwhelming" to reject what the company called its final offer.
Town Hall Meeting with U.S. Congressman Brian Baird
I, David William Hedrick, a member of the silent majority, decided that I was not going to be silent anymore. So, I let U.S. Congressman Brian Baird have it. I was one questioner out of 38, that was called at random from an audience that started at 3,000 earlier in the evening. Not expecting to be called on, I quickly scratched what I wanted to say on a borrowed piece of paper and with a pen that I borrowed from someone else in the audience minutes before I spoke. So much for the planned talking points of the right wing conspiracy.
White House Reveals Identity of Firm That Sent Unsolicited E-Mails on Health Reform
The White House hired a private communications company based in Minnesota to distribute mass e-mails, helping to shed light on how some recipients received e-mails in support of President Obama's health care plan without signing up for them, FOX News has learned...
[The "buck" gets passed in the Usurper's administration]
Gospel for August 24, Feast: St. Bartholomew, Apostle
From: John 1:45-51
The Calling of the First Disciples (Continuation)
[45] Philip found Nathaniel, and said to him, "We have found Him of whom Moses in the law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph." [46]Nathaniel said to him, "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?" Philip said to him, "Come and see." [47] Jesus saw Nathaniel coming to Him, and said to him, "Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!" [48] Nathaniel said to Him, "How do you know me?" Jesus answered him, "Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you." [49] Nathaniel answered Him, "Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel! [50] Jesus answered him, "Because I said to you, I saw you under the fig tree, do you believe? You shall see greater things than these." [51] And He said to him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see Heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man."
_______________________
Commentary:
45-51. The Apostle Philip is so moved that he cannot but tell his friend Nathanael (Bartholomew) about his wonderful discovery (verse 45). "Nathanael had heard from Scripture that Jesus must come from Bethlehem, from the people of David. This belief prevailed among the Jews and also the prophet had proclaimed it of old, saying: `But you, O Bethlehem, who are little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler of Israel' (Micah 5:2). Therefore, when he heard that He was from Nazareth, he was troubled and in doubt, since he found that the announcement of Philip was not in agreement with the words of the prophecy" (St. John Chrysostom, "Hom. on St. John", 20, 1).
A Christian may find that, in trying to communicate his faith to others, they raise difficulties. What should he do? What Philip did--not trust his own explanation, but invite them to approach Jesus personally: "Come and see" (verse 46). In other words, a Christian should bring his fellow-men, his brothers into Jesus' presence through the means of grace which He has given them and which the Church ministers--frequent reception of the sacraments, and devout Christian practices.
Nathanael, a sincere person (verse 47), goes along with Philip to see Jesus; he makes personal contact with our Lord (verse 48), and the outcome is that he receives faith (the result of his ready reception of grace, which reaches him through Christ's human nature: verse 49).
As far as we can deduce from the Gospels, Nathanael is the first Apostle to make an explicit confession of faith in Jesus as Messiah and as Son of God. Later on St. Peter, in a more formal way, will recognize our Lord's divinity (cf. Matthew 16:16). Here (verse 51) Jesus evokes a text from Daniel (7:13) to confirm and give deeper meaning to the words spoken by His new disciple.
___________________________
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 Calling of the First Disciples (Continuation)
[45] Philip found Nathaniel, and said to him, "We have found Him of whom Moses in the law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph." [46]Nathaniel said to him, "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?" Philip said to him, "Come and see." [47] Jesus saw Nathaniel coming to Him, and said to him, "Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!" [48] Nathaniel said to Him, "How do you know me?" Jesus answered him, "Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you." [49] Nathaniel answered Him, "Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel! [50] Jesus answered him, "Because I said to you, I saw you under the fig tree, do you believe? You shall see greater things than these." [51] And He said to him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see Heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man."
_______________________
Commentary:
45-51. The Apostle Philip is so moved that he cannot but tell his friend Nathanael (Bartholomew) about his wonderful discovery (verse 45). "Nathanael had heard from Scripture that Jesus must come from Bethlehem, from the people of David. This belief prevailed among the Jews and also the prophet had proclaimed it of old, saying: `But you, O Bethlehem, who are little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler of Israel' (Micah 5:2). Therefore, when he heard that He was from Nazareth, he was troubled and in doubt, since he found that the announcement of Philip was not in agreement with the words of the prophecy" (St. John Chrysostom, "Hom. on St. John", 20, 1).
A Christian may find that, in trying to communicate his faith to others, they raise difficulties. What should he do? What Philip did--not trust his own explanation, but invite them to approach Jesus personally: "Come and see" (verse 46). In other words, a Christian should bring his fellow-men, his brothers into Jesus' presence through the means of grace which He has given them and which the Church ministers--frequent reception of the sacraments, and devout Christian practices.
Nathanael, a sincere person (verse 47), goes along with Philip to see Jesus; he makes personal contact with our Lord (verse 48), and the outcome is that he receives faith (the result of his ready reception of grace, which reaches him through Christ's human nature: verse 49).
As far as we can deduce from the Gospels, Nathanael is the first Apostle to make an explicit confession of faith in Jesus as Messiah and as Son of God. Later on St. Peter, in a more formal way, will recognize our Lord's divinity (cf. Matthew 16:16). Here (verse 51) Jesus evokes a text from Daniel (7:13) to confirm and give deeper meaning to the words spoken by His new disciple.
___________________________
Source: "The Navarre Bible: Text and Commentaries". Biblical text taken from the Revised Standard Version and New Vulgate. Commentaries made by members of the Faculty of Theology of the University of Navarre, Spain. Published by Four Courts Press, Kill Lane, Blackrock, Co. Dublin, Ireland. Reprinted with permission from Four Courts Press and Scepter Publishers, the U.S. publisher.
Principles and Practices - August 24
Only In God
When our spirits shall be so united with that infinite love that we have but one and the self-same desire, love, and will with God, our hearts will find their true centre and repose and their perfect contentment. For the perfection of our soul consists in this, that being created by God capable of so great a good, it can never be content or satisfied but in the enjoyment of its God, its Lord, supreme good.
-Fr. Constantine Barbanson.
_________________
From Principles and Practices
Compiled by Rev. J. Hogan of The Catholic Missionary Society
Published by Burns Oates & Washbourne Ltd., Publishers To The Holy See
Nihil Obstat; Eduardus J. Mahoney, S.T.D. Censor deputatus.
Imprimatur; Edm. Can. Surmont, Vicarius generalis.
First printed in 1930
When our spirits shall be so united with that infinite love that we have but one and the self-same desire, love, and will with God, our hearts will find their true centre and repose and their perfect contentment. For the perfection of our soul consists in this, that being created by God capable of so great a good, it can never be content or satisfied but in the enjoyment of its God, its Lord, supreme good.
-Fr. Constantine Barbanson.
_________________
From Principles and Practices
Compiled by Rev. J. Hogan of The Catholic Missionary Society
Published by Burns Oates & Washbourne Ltd., Publishers To The Holy See
Nihil Obstat; Eduardus J. Mahoney, S.T.D. Censor deputatus.
Imprimatur; Edm. Can. Surmont, Vicarius generalis.
First printed in 1930
Thoughts of St Augustine for August 24
But when the mind hath been imbued with the beginning of faith, which worketh by love, it goes on by living well to arrive at sight also wherein is unspeakable beauty known to holy and perfect hearts, the full vision of which is the highest happiness.
_________________________
Click here for more information.
From Thoughts of St Augustine for Every Day
by Kathleen Mary Balfe (© 1926)
Nihil Obstat: Georgius D. Smith, S.T.D
Imprimatur: Edm. Can. Surmont
_________________________
Click here for more information.
From Thoughts of St Augustine for Every Day
by Kathleen Mary Balfe (© 1926)
Nihil Obstat: Georgius D. Smith, S.T.D
Imprimatur: Edm. Can. Surmont
Thoughts from St Alphonsus for Every Day-August 24
The eternal truths are all spiritual things that are seen, not with the eyes of the body, but with the eyes of the mind - that is, by reflection and consideration.
_________________
From Thoughts from St Alphonsus for Every Day
Compiled by Rev. C. McNeiry, C.SS.R.
Imprimatur: Joseph Hull, C.SS.R., Prov. Angl. Sup.
Nihil Obstat: Innocentlus Apap, O.P., S.T.M., Censor Deptutatus.
Imprimatur: Edm. Can. Surmont, Vicarius Generalis.
Westmonasterii, Die 9a Junii, 1927.
First published 1927
_________________
From Thoughts from St Alphonsus for Every Day
Compiled by Rev. C. McNeiry, C.SS.R.
Imprimatur: Joseph Hull, C.SS.R., Prov. Angl. Sup.
Nihil Obstat: Innocentlus Apap, O.P., S.T.M., Censor Deptutatus.
Imprimatur: Edm. Can. Surmont, Vicarius Generalis.
Westmonasterii, Die 9a Junii, 1927.
First published 1927
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