"The good shepherd lays down his life for his sheep." St. John, 10:11.
A Boy Scout toid me this story. He was an American boy who was chosen to go to a big Boy Scout jamboree at Toronto, Canada. A jamboree is a gathering of Scouts from different countries. The Scouts show what they can do: tie knots; cook a meal outside; tell one tree from another; help the sick and injured until the doctor comes. Boy Scouts learn many interesting things in a way that is a lot of fun.
They also play games. My story is about a game they played at Toronto. There were hundreds and hundreds of Scouts in a big field. They were blindfolded; just as in blind-man's buff. The Scoutmaster was up on a little hill. He blew his whistle and the blind-folded boys started to find him. It was great fun. Some boys followed the sound of the whistle and walked right up to the Scoutmaster; others started in the right direction, but went crooked and bumped into trees and fences and into other Scouts. Some started toward the man with the whistle but they stopped before they got there.
Finally all had gathered around the Scoutmaster except one little fellow who was having an awfully hard time. He walked around and round and bumped into almost everything. The Scoutmaster was a kind man, so he blew his whistle again ahd again for the little Scout, who finally found his way to the top of the hill.
The Gospel of St John we read a earlier reminds me of that story. Jesus calls Himself the Good Shepherd. A shepherd is one who takes care of the sheep. Jesus takes care of His sheep - the men and women, boys and girls who follow Christ. They are His sheep. Jesus knows everyone of them by name. And they know Jesus Christ loves His sheep, loves them so much that He died for them and would die again for them.
When Jesus calls, His true sheep come flocking to Him, the way those Scouts came to the Scoutmaster when he whistled. Some come straight to Jesus; others stumble and bump around before they arrive; some, like the little Scout of our story, almost get lost, but Jesus keeps on calling until the little sheep comes to Him.
Before our Lord returned to heaven He told His apostles and the bishops and priests of the Catholic Church to be good shepherds, to take care of Christ's sheep. Your priest is a good shepherd, at least he surely wants to be.
What does a shepherd do for his sheep? He knows his sheep; he feeds them; he protects them; he leads them. That is what I try to do for you. I am a lucky shepherd because I have such fine sheep - you boys and girls.
1. My first job is to know everyone of you, your name and your family and what games you like to play and even how you play them. I try to know your good points; and also - much as I don't like it - your bad points. Especially I like to know how much you love Jesus, who is the Big Shepherd of us all.
On the other hand, you children should try to know your shepherd, your priest. Once in a while we find a boy or girl who shies away from the priest. Oh, they are not afraid, but they think perhaps the priest doesn't care for little him or little her. Yes, I do. I love the poorest and the smallest and the weakest of you, because Jesus wants me to love each one of you. Why, I can't help loving each one of you. You are such good sheep. And when you grow up do the same thing - stay close to the priest.
2. As your shepherd I try to feed you. No, no, I don't cook oatmeal and fry hamburgers for you, but I do try to feed you the wonderful truths which Jesus told me to tell you. I try to teach you all about Jesus.
Best of all, I feed you boys and girls with Holy Communion, Jesus Himself. Oh, how I love to do that. How I love to carry Jesus from the altar here down to you at the Communion rail and put Jesus on your tongue so that He can go into your loving heart. The more often you come to Communion, the more often I can feed you, and the stronger and better a sheep you will be.
A shepherd protects the sheep; a priest protects the children. I don't fight off any bears or wolves, although I would be willing to do that for everyone of you. But I protect you from bad books and bad movies and bad companions; these are worse than wolves and bears.
I also try to lead you. I try to lead you to Holy Communion. I try to lead you to places where there is a lot of fun but no sin. I try to lead you closer and closer to Jesus here in the tabernacle.
Remember the story about the Scouts and how they came when the Scoutmaster whistled. A Scoutmaster is something like a good shepherd. A priest is like that, too.
When you hear my voice, when you hear the voice of any priest, try to follow it. Follow the voice of the priest, who is your shepherd, and you will never go wrong, you will never go hungry, you will never be harmed, you will never get lost. Follow your shepherd and you will be safe with Jesus. Amen.
_________________________
Adapted from Talks for Children
by Fr. Arthur Tonne, OFM (© 1948)
Tuesday, May 02, 2006
From the Comment Box: More on Condoms and Aids
On April 27, one of our dear friends stated, in part, in response to this post:
And back to the issue at hand: This is to say nothing of the fact that use of condoms, indeed any form of artificial contraception, results not in a loving, unitive act open to procreation but in an act of mutual masterbation, which is also gravely sinful.
...In other words, the Vatican has an opportunity to be dead wrong --- again --- or display the common sense shown by Jesus while walking among the people. Nothing more. Nothing less. In the final analysis.Which got me to thinking (kind of) and responding:
Dead Wrong? On matters of Faith and Morals? If this is one's position, then he has abandoned the Catholic faith, he has has rejected a fundamental tenet of the faith, and he has ceased to be Catholic.Those who happen to be in irregular marriages, who wish to follow Christ and His Church, and who wish to receive Holy Communion while they make efforts to regularize their marriage live as "brother and sister", forego sexual relations until such time as they become united in Holy Matrimony. This effort is undertaken with the graces God provides in order that they may live according to His plan. We can see that it is entirely possible.
Your position is the same as that of a number of heretics, schismatics, and apostates of previous generations. Nothing more, nothing less.
The Church's teaching on the grave immorality of contraception goes back to the time of the Apostles and has been affirmed throughout the Church's history...It can never change. It must be remembered that one may NEVER do evil in order that good may result...NEVER!
Pope Pius XI, in Casti Connubii, stated:But no reason, however grave, may be put forward by which anything intrinsically against nature may become conformable to nature and morally good. Since, therefore, the conjugal act is destined primarily by nature for the begetting of children, those who in exercising it, deliberately frustrating its natural power and purpose, sin against nature and commit a deed which is disgraceful and intrinsically vicious ... any use whatsoever of matrimony exercised in such a way that the act is deliberately frustrated in its natural power to generate life is an offense against the law of God and of nature, and those who indulge in such are branded with the guilt of a grave sin. (Section 4, Paragraph 4).Pope Pius XII stated, as recorded in Acta Apostilicae Sedis, XLIII (1951), page 843:...no 'indication' or need can convert an act which is intrinsically immoral into a moral and lawful one ... This precept is in force today, as it was in the past, and so it will be in the future also, and always, because it is not a simple human whim, but the expression of a natural and divine law.In certain situations, then, a couple should consider complete abstinence. Those who think this is unnatural, may be unaware of the grace God provides for those who are plagued by such circumstances.
A similar situation may be deemed to exist in cases where bringing a pregnancy to term can result in grave or deadly consequences for the wife. Pope Pius XII, in an address he gave to the Catholic Union of Midwives in 1951, stated:
"There are serious motives, such as those arising from what are termed medical, eugenic, economic and social 'indications,' that can exempt for a long time, perhaps even the whole duration of the marriage, from the positive and obligatory carrying out of the act."
And back to the issue at hand: This is to say nothing of the fact that use of condoms, indeed any form of artificial contraception, results not in a loving, unitive act open to procreation but in an act of mutual masterbation, which is also gravely sinful.
"Human Embryo in the Pre-Implantation Phase"
Communiqué From Pontifical Academy for Life
The complete article is here.
As I read this report I was reminded of "Joe", a self professed "progressive/liberal" Catholic who has been so vocal in his comments in the recent past about "when life really begins"...Perhaps, he and others, most especially those promoting the gravely immoral embryonic stem cell research initiative, will find some edifying clarifications in the article, such as this gem:
VATICAN CITY, MAY 1, 2006 (Zenit.org).- The 12th General Assembly of the Pontifical Academy for Life issued this final communiqué March 23 after the international congress on "The Human Embryo in the Pre-Implantation Phase."
Human life begins at conceptionand this:
2. Consequently, in light of the most recent discoveries of embryology, it is possible to establish certain universally recognized points:
a) The moment the sperm penetrates the oocyte is when the existence of a new "human being" begins. Fertilization induces a whole series of consecutive events and transforms the egg cell into a "zygote." In the human species, the nucleus of the spermatozoid (contained in the head) and a centriole (which will play a determining role in the formation of the mitotic fusus in the act of the first cellular division) enter the oocyte; the plasmatic membrane remains on the outside. The male nucleus undergoes profound biochemical and structural changes that depend on the ovular cytoplasm in preparation for the role that the male genome will immediately begin to play. Here we are witnessing the decondensation of the chromatin (induced by factors synthesized in the final phases of ovogenesis) that makes transcription of the paternal genes possible...
Is the embryo already a person?As I said, this article is quite interesting and may be a means of enlightenment for those who may have questions regarding this subject...
It can be concluded from this data that the human embryo in the phase of pre-implantation is already: a) a being of the human species; b) an individual being; c) a being that possesses in itself the finality to develop as a human person together with the intrinsic capacity to achieve such development.
From all this may one conclude that the human embryo in the pre-implantation stage is really already a "person"? It is obvious that since this is a philosophical interpretation, the answer to this question cannot be of a "definite kind," but must remain open, in any case, to further considerations.
Yet, on the precise basis of the available biological data, we maintain that there is no significant reason to deny that the embryo is already a person in this phase.
The complete article is here.
Gospel for May 2, Memorial: St. Athanasius, Bishop & Doctor of the Church
From: John 6:30-35
The Discourse on the Bread of Life (Continuation)
[30] So they said to Him (Jesus), "Then what sign do You do, that we may see, and believe You? What work do You perform? [31] Our fathers ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, `He gave them bread from Heaven to eat.'" [32] Jesus then said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from Heaven; My Father gives you the true bread from Heaven. [33] For the bread of God is that which comes down from Heaven, and gives life to the world." [34] They said to Him, "Lord, give us this bread always."
[35] Jesus said them, "I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me shall
not hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst."
_______________________
Commentary:
28-34. This dialogue between Jesus and His hearers is reminiscent of the episode of the Samaritan woman (cf. John 4:11-15). On that occasion Jesus was speaking about water springing up to eternal life; here, He speaks of bread coming down from Heaven to give to the world. There, the woman was asking Jesus if He was greater than Jacob; here the people want to know if He can compare with Moses (cf. Exodus 16:13). "The Lord spoke of Himself in a way that made Him seem superior to Moses, for Moses never dared to say that he would give food which would never perish but would endure to eternal life. Jesus promises much more than Moses. Moses promised a kingdom, and a land flowing with milk and honey, good health and other temporal blessings [...], plenty for the belly, but food which perishes; whereas Christ promised food which never perishes but which endures forever" (St. Augustine, "In Ioann. Evang.", 25:12).
These people know that the manna--food which the Jews collected every day during the journey through the wilderness (cf. Exodus 16:13ff)-- symbolized messianic blessings; which was why they asked our Lord for a dramatic sign like the manna. But there was no way they could suspect that the manna was a figure of a great supernatural messianic gift which Christ was bringing to mankind--the Blessed Eucharist. In this dialogue and in the first part of the discourse (verses 35-47), the main thing Jesus is trying to do is bring them to make an act of faith in Him, so that He can then openly reveal to them the mystery of the Blessed Eucharist--that He is the bread "which comes down from Heaven, and gives life to the world" (verse 33). Also, St. Paul explains that the manna and the other marvels which happened in the wilderness were a clear prefiguring of Jesus Christ (cf. 1 Corinthians 10:3-4).
The disbelieving attitude of these Jews prevented them from accepting what Jesus revealed. To accept the mystery of the Eucharist, faith is required, as [Pope] Paul VI stressed: "In the first place we want to remind you that the Eucharist is a very great mystery; strictly speaking, to use the words of sacred liturgy, it is `the mystery of faith'. This is something well known to you but it is essential to the purpose of rejecting any poisonous rationalism. Many martyrs have witnessed to it with their blood. Distinguished Fathers and Doctors of the Church in unbroken succession have taught and professed it. [...] We must, therefore, approach this mystery, above all, with humble reverence, not following human arguments, which ought to be hushed, but in steadfast adherence to divine revelation" ("Mysterium Fidei").
35. Going to Jesus means believing in Him, for it is through faith that we approach our Lord. Jesus uses the metaphor of food and drink to show that He is the one who really meets all man's noblest aspirations: "How beautiful is our Catholic faith! It provides a solution for all our anxieties, calms our minds and fills our hearts with hope" ([St] J. Escriva, "The Way", 582).
_________________________
Source: "The Navarre Bible: Text and Commentaries". Biblical text taken from the Revised Standard Version and New Vulgate. Commentaries made by members of the Faculty of Theology of the University of Navarre, Spain. Published by Four Courts Press, Kill Lane, Blackrock, Co. Dublin, Ireland. Reprinted with permission from Four Courts Press and Scepter Publishers, the U.S. publisher.
The Discourse on the Bread of Life (Continuation)
[30] So they said to Him (Jesus), "Then what sign do You do, that we may see, and believe You? What work do You perform? [31] Our fathers ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, `He gave them bread from Heaven to eat.'" [32] Jesus then said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from Heaven; My Father gives you the true bread from Heaven. [33] For the bread of God is that which comes down from Heaven, and gives life to the world." [34] They said to Him, "Lord, give us this bread always."
[35] Jesus said them, "I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me shall
not hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst."
_______________________
Commentary:
28-34. This dialogue between Jesus and His hearers is reminiscent of the episode of the Samaritan woman (cf. John 4:11-15). On that occasion Jesus was speaking about water springing up to eternal life; here, He speaks of bread coming down from Heaven to give to the world. There, the woman was asking Jesus if He was greater than Jacob; here the people want to know if He can compare with Moses (cf. Exodus 16:13). "The Lord spoke of Himself in a way that made Him seem superior to Moses, for Moses never dared to say that he would give food which would never perish but would endure to eternal life. Jesus promises much more than Moses. Moses promised a kingdom, and a land flowing with milk and honey, good health and other temporal blessings [...], plenty for the belly, but food which perishes; whereas Christ promised food which never perishes but which endures forever" (St. Augustine, "In Ioann. Evang.", 25:12).
These people know that the manna--food which the Jews collected every day during the journey through the wilderness (cf. Exodus 16:13ff)-- symbolized messianic blessings; which was why they asked our Lord for a dramatic sign like the manna. But there was no way they could suspect that the manna was a figure of a great supernatural messianic gift which Christ was bringing to mankind--the Blessed Eucharist. In this dialogue and in the first part of the discourse (verses 35-47), the main thing Jesus is trying to do is bring them to make an act of faith in Him, so that He can then openly reveal to them the mystery of the Blessed Eucharist--that He is the bread "which comes down from Heaven, and gives life to the world" (verse 33). Also, St. Paul explains that the manna and the other marvels which happened in the wilderness were a clear prefiguring of Jesus Christ (cf. 1 Corinthians 10:3-4).
The disbelieving attitude of these Jews prevented them from accepting what Jesus revealed. To accept the mystery of the Eucharist, faith is required, as [Pope] Paul VI stressed: "In the first place we want to remind you that the Eucharist is a very great mystery; strictly speaking, to use the words of sacred liturgy, it is `the mystery of faith'. This is something well known to you but it is essential to the purpose of rejecting any poisonous rationalism. Many martyrs have witnessed to it with their blood. Distinguished Fathers and Doctors of the Church in unbroken succession have taught and professed it. [...] We must, therefore, approach this mystery, above all, with humble reverence, not following human arguments, which ought to be hushed, but in steadfast adherence to divine revelation" ("Mysterium Fidei").
35. Going to Jesus means believing in Him, for it is through faith that we approach our Lord. Jesus uses the metaphor of food and drink to show that He is the one who really meets all man's noblest aspirations: "How beautiful is our Catholic faith! It provides a solution for all our anxieties, calms our minds and fills our hearts with hope" ([St] J. Escriva, "The Way", 582).
_________________________
Source: "The Navarre Bible: Text and Commentaries". Biblical text taken from the Revised Standard Version and New Vulgate. Commentaries made by members of the Faculty of Theology of the University of Navarre, Spain. Published by Four Courts Press, Kill Lane, Blackrock, Co. Dublin, Ireland. Reprinted with permission from Four Courts Press and Scepter Publishers, the U.S. publisher.
Monday, May 01, 2006
What has happened to May Altars?
May Altar - Mother at Home
"The Queen stood on Thy right hand in gilded clothing, surrounded with variety." Psalm 44:1.
Some years ago I gave a mission in a parish where this beautiful custom prevailed: Whenever a member of the Young Ladies' Sodality was to say "I do," she received from her sister sodalists a beautiful 18-inch statue of our Blessed Mother. During the wedding Mass it rested on Mary's altar, was blessed and presented to the beaming bride. What happened to those statues? In fancy I went to the homes of those sodalist wives to find out.
Let me tell you what I saw. One bride made the most of her image of Mary. She enshrined it in a place of honor, made it the companion, model, and inspiration of her life. Mary's shrine was the spiritual fire-place of her home. Housework, recreation and family problems were presented to her. When you entered this modern Nazareth you saw not only the statue, but you felt the spirit of Mary shining in the lives of that young couple.
Another bride had accepted her statue with the usual smiles and thanks, and had proudly showed it among her wedding gifts. She placed Mary's image on a dark closet shelf with the half-hearted intention of someday putting Our Lady in a place of prominence. That day never came. Meanwhile the bride forgot, forgot what she had heard and resolved about making Mary the model of her marriage, forgot that this heavenly Mother can and does help earthly mothers, forgot that the very virtues needed most in a home are qualities which the Blessed Virgin shows forth and helps us develop. Which of these two was the happier home? Which was the more blessed?
By the same standard - which is the happier home - the one where a May altar is kept, or the house that never shows special devotion to Mary? The age-old, loving, and expressive practice of putting our Blessed Mother in a place of prominence is one every family should adopt, especially as we approach her month of May. What blessings it brings to those under that roof! What encouragement and inspiration! What true understanding and depthless love it enkindles!
A May altar need not be elaborate or expensive. Naturally, the more impressive, the better. Not even a statue is necessary. I have seen a holy card 2~ by 3 inches doing service as the center of this monfh's family devotion. Fresh or imitation flowers might be placed before and around it. A vigil light or candle helps to center attention. I have even seen a childish fistful of dandelions stuffed into a cheese glass, and offered as a tribute to the Mother of us all. Who would say that Mother was not pleased?
We find May altars everywhere. Your parish church comes first. In smaller congregations some of you might offer your services and your means to keep flowers and candles before the shrine of Mary. Your pastor and your parish will be pleased to have someone perform this sweet service.
I have seen May altars in classrooms and hallways, in hospital rooms and corridors, in old folks' homes and orphanages, in work-shops, boilerrooms and offices. I have seen them in the laundries of sisters' convents where the soapy steam from wash tubs billows like clouds about our Blessed Mother.
Most fittingly I have seen these bowers for the Blessed One in tiny apartments and trailer homes. I have seen them nailed to the corner of the children's play pen. I have even seen our Blessed Mother enshrined behind the bars of a city jail. You will find her everywhere; yet, you will not find her everywhere.
You will find her statue or picture in almost every type of place, but there are all too many spots where she should be and you find her not. I hope your home is not Mary-less.
Yes, there is sweetness and idealism and even a sort of sentimentality associated with such tribute to Mary, but it stands the wear and tear of rough and rugged daily life. It helps you live that life more fully.
Make your May altar the center of your home. A short, fervent family prayer offered beneath her smile will bring down blessings on parents and children. Night prayer takes on more interest when said before her statue. Vary those prayers. Give them the spice of variety. The Psalmist sang that the Queen is surrounded with variety. That may be a variety of decorations or flowers or prayers or devotions.
And why not an occasional song? If the family can remember only one verse of the many beautiful songs to her, then sing that one verse two or three times. Song welds hearts. Song cheers home. Song lightens the load. And song pleases Mary.
Mary in your home will help in your work and give an edge to your play. Find a better housewife than the one who cleans and cooks with the thought of the perfect housewife in mind. Find better children than those whose roof covers a resemblance of our Redeemer's Mother.
Play forms a large part of family life. Offer your pastime to her; ask her approval. Nod to her statue as you go out, and you will more likely stay away from things that embarrass her. Breathe a Hail Mary standing or kneeling before you leave, and you will enjoy the evening in a way she will approve. Be at home with your Mother. Have Mother home with you. Enshrine her there.
But the best of all May altars is built in your heart. There raise a soul shrine to Mary. Here is her month. Here is her picture. Here is her statue. Here are her flowers. Here are her lights. Here are her prayers. Here are her songs. Here is her heart. Here is her life. Now go ahead and make of them your May altar. Amen.
__________________
Adapted from Occasional Talks
by Fr. Arthur Tonne, OFM (©1949)
"The Queen stood on Thy right hand in gilded clothing, surrounded with variety." Psalm 44:1.
Some years ago I gave a mission in a parish where this beautiful custom prevailed: Whenever a member of the Young Ladies' Sodality was to say "I do," she received from her sister sodalists a beautiful 18-inch statue of our Blessed Mother. During the wedding Mass it rested on Mary's altar, was blessed and presented to the beaming bride. What happened to those statues? In fancy I went to the homes of those sodalist wives to find out.
Let me tell you what I saw. One bride made the most of her image of Mary. She enshrined it in a place of honor, made it the companion, model, and inspiration of her life. Mary's shrine was the spiritual fire-place of her home. Housework, recreation and family problems were presented to her. When you entered this modern Nazareth you saw not only the statue, but you felt the spirit of Mary shining in the lives of that young couple.
Another bride had accepted her statue with the usual smiles and thanks, and had proudly showed it among her wedding gifts. She placed Mary's image on a dark closet shelf with the half-hearted intention of someday putting Our Lady in a place of prominence. That day never came. Meanwhile the bride forgot, forgot what she had heard and resolved about making Mary the model of her marriage, forgot that this heavenly Mother can and does help earthly mothers, forgot that the very virtues needed most in a home are qualities which the Blessed Virgin shows forth and helps us develop. Which of these two was the happier home? Which was the more blessed?
By the same standard - which is the happier home - the one where a May altar is kept, or the house that never shows special devotion to Mary? The age-old, loving, and expressive practice of putting our Blessed Mother in a place of prominence is one every family should adopt, especially as we approach her month of May. What blessings it brings to those under that roof! What encouragement and inspiration! What true understanding and depthless love it enkindles!
A May altar need not be elaborate or expensive. Naturally, the more impressive, the better. Not even a statue is necessary. I have seen a holy card 2~ by 3 inches doing service as the center of this monfh's family devotion. Fresh or imitation flowers might be placed before and around it. A vigil light or candle helps to center attention. I have even seen a childish fistful of dandelions stuffed into a cheese glass, and offered as a tribute to the Mother of us all. Who would say that Mother was not pleased?
We find May altars everywhere. Your parish church comes first. In smaller congregations some of you might offer your services and your means to keep flowers and candles before the shrine of Mary. Your pastor and your parish will be pleased to have someone perform this sweet service.
I have seen May altars in classrooms and hallways, in hospital rooms and corridors, in old folks' homes and orphanages, in work-shops, boilerrooms and offices. I have seen them in the laundries of sisters' convents where the soapy steam from wash tubs billows like clouds about our Blessed Mother.
Most fittingly I have seen these bowers for the Blessed One in tiny apartments and trailer homes. I have seen them nailed to the corner of the children's play pen. I have even seen our Blessed Mother enshrined behind the bars of a city jail. You will find her everywhere; yet, you will not find her everywhere.
You will find her statue or picture in almost every type of place, but there are all too many spots where she should be and you find her not. I hope your home is not Mary-less.
Yes, there is sweetness and idealism and even a sort of sentimentality associated with such tribute to Mary, but it stands the wear and tear of rough and rugged daily life. It helps you live that life more fully.
Make your May altar the center of your home. A short, fervent family prayer offered beneath her smile will bring down blessings on parents and children. Night prayer takes on more interest when said before her statue. Vary those prayers. Give them the spice of variety. The Psalmist sang that the Queen is surrounded with variety. That may be a variety of decorations or flowers or prayers or devotions.
And why not an occasional song? If the family can remember only one verse of the many beautiful songs to her, then sing that one verse two or three times. Song welds hearts. Song cheers home. Song lightens the load. And song pleases Mary.
Mary in your home will help in your work and give an edge to your play. Find a better housewife than the one who cleans and cooks with the thought of the perfect housewife in mind. Find better children than those whose roof covers a resemblance of our Redeemer's Mother.
Play forms a large part of family life. Offer your pastime to her; ask her approval. Nod to her statue as you go out, and you will more likely stay away from things that embarrass her. Breathe a Hail Mary standing or kneeling before you leave, and you will enjoy the evening in a way she will approve. Be at home with your Mother. Have Mother home with you. Enshrine her there.
But the best of all May altars is built in your heart. There raise a soul shrine to Mary. Here is her month. Here is her picture. Here is her statue. Here are her flowers. Here are her lights. Here are her prayers. Here are her songs. Here is her heart. Here is her life. Now go ahead and make of them your May altar. Amen.
__________________
Adapted from Occasional Talks
by Fr. Arthur Tonne, OFM (©1949)
3rd Week of Lent - Justice
"The good shepherd lays down his life for his sheep." St. John, 10 :11.
Well known to most Americans and especially to us Catholics is the name and person of Clare Boothe Luce. Brilliant playwright, capable congresswoman, interesting speaker, she became one of us by joining the Catholic Church. The story is told that some years ago she attended a dinner party, wearing an immaculate white evening gown. Everything proceeded properly, until the man seated next to her accidentally spilled some gravy on her snow-white dress.
"Oh, I'm so sorry," he muttered.
"It's nothing," whispered Mrs. Luce graciously. She was willing to forget the incident.
Her dinner companion, however, was so sorry that he could not forget his clumsiness. Again and again he apologized. Again and again Clare Boothe Luce forgave him, assuring him that it was quite all right. But he would not rest. And when, for the tenth time, he begged forgiveness, Mrs. Luce snatched up a bottle of ketchup and splattered some of its contents over his shirt front, saying soothingly:
"There, does that make you feel any better?"
Perhaps this was the only way to make the offending dinner guest feel that justice had been done. No doubt his apologies ceased. It was a humorous and dramatic cure; something unusual, something startling. It brings out the desire in us all, and the absolute necessity, of rendering justice - justice, one of the four cardinal virtues.
Justice is that virtue which inclines the will to render to everyone his due. It leads us to give everyone what is due him, as far as conduct and property are concerned.
1. Remember that there are different kinds of justice:
We know that even spilling gravy on another's dress through carelessness is against justice. No doubt the offending gentleman in our story felt much better, even though quite surprised, when Clare Boothe Luce dumped the ketchup on his vest - to make things even. Justice is one of our most important obligations and often the most difficult. Don't be too sure that you are not violating justice in some way or other. Ask God to help you be just in every way, especially to Him. Amen.
__________________
Adapted from Prayers, Precepts and Virtues
by Fr. Arthur Tonne, OFM (©1949)
Well known to most Americans and especially to us Catholics is the name and person of Clare Boothe Luce. Brilliant playwright, capable congresswoman, interesting speaker, she became one of us by joining the Catholic Church. The story is told that some years ago she attended a dinner party, wearing an immaculate white evening gown. Everything proceeded properly, until the man seated next to her accidentally spilled some gravy on her snow-white dress.
"Oh, I'm so sorry," he muttered.
"It's nothing," whispered Mrs. Luce graciously. She was willing to forget the incident.
Her dinner companion, however, was so sorry that he could not forget his clumsiness. Again and again he apologized. Again and again Clare Boothe Luce forgave him, assuring him that it was quite all right. But he would not rest. And when, for the tenth time, he begged forgiveness, Mrs. Luce snatched up a bottle of ketchup and splattered some of its contents over his shirt front, saying soothingly:
"There, does that make you feel any better?"
Perhaps this was the only way to make the offending dinner guest feel that justice had been done. No doubt his apologies ceased. It was a humorous and dramatic cure; something unusual, something startling. It brings out the desire in us all, and the absolute necessity, of rendering justice - justice, one of the four cardinal virtues.
Justice is that virtue which inclines the will to render to everyone his due. It leads us to give everyone what is due him, as far as conduct and property are concerned.
1. Remember that there are different kinds of justice:
A. Legal justice demands that citizens give to the state what is due to it; for example, paying taxes, obeying the laws, and voting for the best candidate.2. Justice must be rendered:
B. Distributive justice requires that rulers or statesmen see that honors and offices are meted out impartially. All too often this form of justice is violated; political color and not personal ability is the deciding factor in choosing people for public office.
C. Vindictive justice is exercised by the state. It imposes punishments suitable to a certain crime or offense. Its purpose is to correct and to prevent crime, not to avenge it.
D. Commutative justice regulates relations between man and man, between what is due and what is received. Many everyday happenings come in this category, like paying your bus fare, or fulfilling the conditions of any other contract.
A. First, to God. Exterior and interior worship fulfills this obligation. Prayer and penance are a part of it. All too often we meet the modern man who boasts that he never cheats his neighbor, he pays his bills, and gives to charity, but - and this is most important - he never pays any attention to God. He does not fulfil his first duty of justice to God.3. Justice requires us to respect the rights of others. Man's principal rights, as mentioned in the Declaration of Independence, are the rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
B. Justice must be given our neighbor: we must love, reverence and obey our parents; we must be kind, generous, and respectful to our inferiors and those in our charge; we must be tolerant, truthful, friendly and sympathetic to our equals.
C. We must be just to ourselves by trying to save our souls, by taking care of our health, by performing useful work, and by maintaining our personal honor.
A. Men have immortal souls and freedom of the will. Hence, they have the right so to live that they may gain heaven. This broad and rockbottom right includes many branches: freedom of conscience, the right to property, to a good name, to family freedom, and the right to a living wage.4. Sins against justice arise from failure or refusal to render what is due to others.
B. Justice demands that we protect these rights for ourselves and for others. God has given us these rights. The state merely protects them.
A. Directly against justice are:In a sense, each one of us is the "good shepherd" of our neighbor's rights. Each one of us is bound to know his neighbor's rights, and is bound to respect them.i. Violations of another's fundamental rights, like slavery, under paying workers, and religious bigotry.B. There are also sins against the virtues related to justice:
ii. Violating the laws of the state, and putting private advantage above public welfare.
iii. Favoring individuals or groups, and making unjust exceptions, as with draft exemption.i. Irreligion is injustice to God who has a right to our worship and attention.
ii. Neglecting duties to one's country.
iii. Disrespect, disobedience, and failure to offer help to parents and superiors.
iv. Breaking promises, lying, cruelty.
v. Greed, wastefulness, indifference to the poor, unkindness, impoliteness, and even grouchiness. Should we not all examine ourselves on these points?
We know that even spilling gravy on another's dress through carelessness is against justice. No doubt the offending gentleman in our story felt much better, even though quite surprised, when Clare Boothe Luce dumped the ketchup on his vest - to make things even. Justice is one of our most important obligations and often the most difficult. Don't be too sure that you are not violating justice in some way or other. Ask God to help you be just in every way, especially to Him. Amen.
__________________
Adapted from Prayers, Precepts and Virtues
by Fr. Arthur Tonne, OFM (©1949)
3rd Week of Easter - Duties of Pastors
"I am the good shepherd, and I know mine and mine know me." St. John, 10:14.
Some may recall the terrible tragedy of Texas City, Texas, in April of 1947. A series of terrific explosions killed hundreds, wounded thousands, and left the town a shambles.
As in every tragedy, there were bright lights of heroism in the blast and fire of Texas City. Among the heroes was a 38-year old priest, the Rev. William Roach, who gave his life April 16, 1947, in trying to reach those injured in the first blast and administer the last sacraments.
Disregarding the warning of watchmen, the priest made his way to the docks where the injured were lying. He was fatally injured in the second explosion. His parked car was found fifty feet from the water. He died several hours later in a hospital.
This incident highlights one of the serious duties of priests, namely, to give the last sacraments to the dying, even in danger of death. It also leads me to discuss the other duties of the parish priest. Usually we tell you good people what you are supposed to do. Today I want to tell you what we priests must do. It is part of our discussion of the Fourth Commandment. Honor and reverence are due to priests because of their high calling, and because of their serious responsibilities. Truly your priest is a good shepherd.
We should mention first the duties of the chief priest of the diocese, the bishop. He has the grave obligation of attending to the instruction of his entire flock. He must say Mass for the people of his diocese, make a diocesan report, confirm and ordain worthy candidates, visit the parishes, and make a periodic visit and report to Rome.
The parish priest must reside in his parish, and, when absent, make provision for sick calls and other spiritual needs of his flock.
He must preach the word of God on Sundays and holy days. Accordingly, you understand we must preach, even if we did not want to. This is a serious responsibility because most of our people read or hear nothing about religion from one Sunday to the next.
The parish priest must give catechism instruction to old and young, especially to the children, and to those who inquire about the Church, or who wish to become members of the Church. Many hours of explanation are needed to prepare a convert to the true fold.
Another important work or the priest is offering Mass for the people of his parish. On every Sunday of the year and on 35 other days, your pastor offers his Mass solely and entirely for you members of the parish. Too many are not familiar with this blessing which the priest brings to his people. Think of it, 87 times a year at least your pastor offers up the eternal sacrifice just for you.
He is also bound to administer the sacraments, especially Baptism, Confession and Extreme Unction [Anointing of the Sick] to those who are in grave spiritual need. Since he has the obligation to give these sacraments, he is also bound to remind people that they need them. When parents needlessly postpone the Baptism of a child, the pastor must remind them of their obligation. The same holds for Confession and Extreme Unction [Anointing of the Sick].
His duty is so serious with regard to the last sacraments that, if there is danger that the sick or injured person may be eternally lost without those sacraments, the priest must give them even at the risk of his life. That is exactly what the heroic priest did at Texas City. He no doubt felt that some of the injured would be eternally lost if they did not receive Extreme Unction [Anointing of the Sick]. He gave his life to help them.
There is your shepherd laying down his life for his sheep. Don't make his duty more difficult by careless postponement of your spiritual duties.
A priest must also know his flock. "I know mine and mine know me." He must visit the sick and dying, correct abuses and see that church functions are carried out. The parish school takes a great deal of a pastor's time and attention.
The parish priest is responsible for the property of the parish, the buildings, the equipment and their upkeep. Repair, painting, and decoration are unending, to say nothing of the planning and construction of new buildings.
A further tedious duty of the parish priest is to keep records and make reports. He must record every Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation, wedding and funeral. For every marriage he must fill out questionnaires and often carry on a heavy correspondence. Regularly he must report to the bishop on the spiritual, physical and financial condition of his parish.
Another serious duty is to those outside the fold. "Other sheep I have that are not of this fold. Them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice, and there shall be one fold and one shepherd." Your priest is responsible for every soul, non-Catholic as well as Catholic, within the limits of his parish.
Occasionally one hears the ignorant remark: "Priests have nothing to do."
What a stupid statement!
Those who make such silly remarks betray their ignorance of the life and work of the priest. Just his ordinary, routine duties take several hours a day, to say nothing of the many calls upon the time and energy and advice of the shepherd of souls in the average Catholic parish.
This talk is not in praise of the priesthood, nor is it an attempt to secure sympathy for those who serve your spiritual needs. My intention is simply to tell you the spiritual duties of your shepherd, your priest.
He does want to be a good shepherd. He wants to give his time and his talent and his training and his energies to the salvation of your soul. He wants to give all, even life itself, to serve you.
Pray that your priest may fulfill his heavenly duties to the best of his ability. And pray that all the sheep may follow his guidance. Amen,
_________________________
Adapted from Talks on the Commandments
by Fr. Arthur Tonne, OFM (© 1948)
Some may recall the terrible tragedy of Texas City, Texas, in April of 1947. A series of terrific explosions killed hundreds, wounded thousands, and left the town a shambles.
As in every tragedy, there were bright lights of heroism in the blast and fire of Texas City. Among the heroes was a 38-year old priest, the Rev. William Roach, who gave his life April 16, 1947, in trying to reach those injured in the first blast and administer the last sacraments.
Disregarding the warning of watchmen, the priest made his way to the docks where the injured were lying. He was fatally injured in the second explosion. His parked car was found fifty feet from the water. He died several hours later in a hospital.
This incident highlights one of the serious duties of priests, namely, to give the last sacraments to the dying, even in danger of death. It also leads me to discuss the other duties of the parish priest. Usually we tell you good people what you are supposed to do. Today I want to tell you what we priests must do. It is part of our discussion of the Fourth Commandment. Honor and reverence are due to priests because of their high calling, and because of their serious responsibilities. Truly your priest is a good shepherd.
We should mention first the duties of the chief priest of the diocese, the bishop. He has the grave obligation of attending to the instruction of his entire flock. He must say Mass for the people of his diocese, make a diocesan report, confirm and ordain worthy candidates, visit the parishes, and make a periodic visit and report to Rome.
The parish priest must reside in his parish, and, when absent, make provision for sick calls and other spiritual needs of his flock.
He must preach the word of God on Sundays and holy days. Accordingly, you understand we must preach, even if we did not want to. This is a serious responsibility because most of our people read or hear nothing about religion from one Sunday to the next.
The parish priest must give catechism instruction to old and young, especially to the children, and to those who inquire about the Church, or who wish to become members of the Church. Many hours of explanation are needed to prepare a convert to the true fold.
Another important work or the priest is offering Mass for the people of his parish. On every Sunday of the year and on 35 other days, your pastor offers his Mass solely and entirely for you members of the parish. Too many are not familiar with this blessing which the priest brings to his people. Think of it, 87 times a year at least your pastor offers up the eternal sacrifice just for you.
He is also bound to administer the sacraments, especially Baptism, Confession and Extreme Unction [Anointing of the Sick] to those who are in grave spiritual need. Since he has the obligation to give these sacraments, he is also bound to remind people that they need them. When parents needlessly postpone the Baptism of a child, the pastor must remind them of their obligation. The same holds for Confession and Extreme Unction [Anointing of the Sick].
His duty is so serious with regard to the last sacraments that, if there is danger that the sick or injured person may be eternally lost without those sacraments, the priest must give them even at the risk of his life. That is exactly what the heroic priest did at Texas City. He no doubt felt that some of the injured would be eternally lost if they did not receive Extreme Unction [Anointing of the Sick]. He gave his life to help them.
There is your shepherd laying down his life for his sheep. Don't make his duty more difficult by careless postponement of your spiritual duties.
A priest must also know his flock. "I know mine and mine know me." He must visit the sick and dying, correct abuses and see that church functions are carried out. The parish school takes a great deal of a pastor's time and attention.
The parish priest is responsible for the property of the parish, the buildings, the equipment and their upkeep. Repair, painting, and decoration are unending, to say nothing of the planning and construction of new buildings.
A further tedious duty of the parish priest is to keep records and make reports. He must record every Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation, wedding and funeral. For every marriage he must fill out questionnaires and often carry on a heavy correspondence. Regularly he must report to the bishop on the spiritual, physical and financial condition of his parish.
Another serious duty is to those outside the fold. "Other sheep I have that are not of this fold. Them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice, and there shall be one fold and one shepherd." Your priest is responsible for every soul, non-Catholic as well as Catholic, within the limits of his parish.
Occasionally one hears the ignorant remark: "Priests have nothing to do."
What a stupid statement!
Those who make such silly remarks betray their ignorance of the life and work of the priest. Just his ordinary, routine duties take several hours a day, to say nothing of the many calls upon the time and energy and advice of the shepherd of souls in the average Catholic parish.
This talk is not in praise of the priesthood, nor is it an attempt to secure sympathy for those who serve your spiritual needs. My intention is simply to tell you the spiritual duties of your shepherd, your priest.
He does want to be a good shepherd. He wants to give his time and his talent and his training and his energies to the salvation of your soul. He wants to give all, even life itself, to serve you.
Pray that your priest may fulfill his heavenly duties to the best of his ability. And pray that all the sheep may follow his guidance. Amen,
_________________________
Adapted from Talks on the Commandments
by Fr. Arthur Tonne, OFM (© 1948)
The "Popes" of the UK Speak...
U.K. Priests: Condoms 'Acceptable' in AIDS Fight
Here's a classic...(How many times have you heard something like this from a priest or nun or parish catechist?):
Objectively, these priests' souls are in grave peril. Priests such as these (and, for that matter, professed Catholics who hold similar heretical opinions), besides being rebuked, desperately need prayers of the faithful so that they might accept God's graces, have a coversion of heart and conform their wills to the will of Christ.
Some two-thirds of Britain's Roman Catholic priests think use of condoms could be acceptable as a means to fight AIDS, a new poll shows.I surprised the percentage isn't higher.
...
Moreover, a minority of 43 percent said they believe it's time for the Catholic Church as an institution to "rethink" its negative position on contraception.
Here's a classic...(How many times have you heard something like this from a priest or nun or parish catechist?):
One parish priest told the Telegraph, "There's a difference between the official doctrine and what happens on a pastoral level. On a pastoral level, we can turn a blind eye to certain things and treat each individual case on its merits. It depends on each person's own principles. I would like the whole matter [of contraception] to be reviewed, but it's a very delicate issue."If there's a difference, and there should not be - it may be due to 1)poisoned theological training, 2) weakness combined with fear of proclaiming the truth, 3) indifference for the eternal welfare of souls, 4) abandonment of one's vows, promises, faith, and ultimately the abandonment of our Lord.
Objectively, these priests' souls are in grave peril. Priests such as these (and, for that matter, professed Catholics who hold similar heretical opinions), besides being rebuked, desperately need prayers of the faithful so that they might accept God's graces, have a coversion of heart and conform their wills to the will of Christ.
May 13-14, EWTN 25th Anniversary Family Celebration in St. Louis
When: Saturday, May 13 and Sunday, May 14, 2006
Where: St. Charles Family Arena, St. Louis, Missouri
Join EWTN in St. Louis for the fourth of several celebrations of the Network's twenty-fifth anniversary.
You'll have the opportunity to meet some of your favorite EWTN program hosts, hear talks from renowned guest speakers, attend a special taping of the EWTN LIVE show with Father Mitch Pacwa, S.J. and much more!
Sunday's program will feature an address by Mother Assumpta Long and St. Louis Archbishop Raymond L. Burke will be the Celebrant and Homilist for a Solemn Mass of Thanksgiving.
Event SCHEDULE
• St. Louis, Missouri TRAVEL INFORMATION
• Event Information DOWNLOAD/PRINT (PDF)
• Event Flyer DOWNLOAD/PRINT (PDF)
Jesus Defiled in Student Newspaper
William Donohue, president of the Catholic League, wrote a letter today to every member of the Oregon legislature, the governor, the state’s three Catholic bishops, the president of the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, and the chancellor of the Oregon University System. The subject was an attack on Christianity that was published in a student newspaper at the University of Oregon. Here are his remarks:
You'll have to read more at the Catholic League...It's so vile, so demonic...Of course they don't have the guts to do something similar with Mohammed...
Addicted to Liturgical Abuses? Here's Help!
More, courtesy of The Curt Jester here.
Over the last century many support groups have arisen for substance abuse, alcohol abuse, and other addictions. But until now one much needed organization was missing. What about liturgiholics who abuse the liturgy? People drunk on power to change the liturgy in their parishes to their own visions divorced from liturgical history have had nowhere to turn to. That is until now.
Lexington Parents fight back with federal lawsuit
On Thursday, April 27, Lexington parents David Parker and his wife, along with Rob and Robin Wirthlin, filed a major federal civil rights lawsuit in United States District Court in Boston...The suit is seeking, among other things, injunctive relief, compensatory damages, punitive damages, exemplary damages, and attorney's fees.
...
Exactly one year ago David Parker was arrested and spent the night in jail when he insisted that school officials notify him before they discuss homosexuality with his 6-year-old son. Lexington school officials had arrogantly refused. Instead of working with him, they charged him with criminal trespassing when he merely demanded to be notified. (Details)
A few weeks ago, Lexington school officials defended the actions of a teacher who read a "modern" fairy tale of homosexual romance and "marriage" to second-graders. The teacher and principal told parents Rob and Robin Wirthlin that they could not remove their son from such this, nor could they get notice either before or after it happened. And that it might happen again. (Details)
Another reason to send children to a good Catholic school or Homeschool them.
HT to Darla for the Link
www.GodsPreciousGifts.com
www.FeministsAnonymous.com
First Friday Mass - Fr Eugene Morris, Homilist
This week's guest homilist will be Father Eugene Morris of Kenrick Seminary and Covenant Network/WRYT/WOLG/KHOJ Radio.
Solemn High Mass to the Sacred Heart at 7:00 followed by Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament.
St. Francis de Sales Oratory - South St. Louis - Gravois & Ohio Ave.
HT to Marc P
Solemn High Mass to the Sacred Heart at 7:00 followed by Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament.
St. Francis de Sales Oratory - South St. Louis - Gravois & Ohio Ave.
HT to Marc P
May 1 - Saint Joseph the Worker
Pope John Paul II, in his Angelus Message on March 17, 2002, stressed that Saint Joseph is a model of fatherhood in the following excerpts:More...
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
The day after tomorrow, 19 March, we will celebrate the solemnity of Saint Joseph, spouse of the Virgin Mary and patron of the universal Church. The extreme discretion with which Joseph carried out the role entrusted to him by God highlights his faith even more, which consisted in always listening to the Lord, seeking to understand his will and to obey it with his whole heart and strength. This is why the Gospel describes him as a "just" man (Mt 1,19). In fact, the just man is the person who prays, lives by faith, and seeks to do good in every concrete circumstance of life.
Gospel for Monday, 3rd Week of Easter
From: John 6:22-29
The People Look for Jesus
[22] On the next day the people who remained on the other side of the sea saw that there had been only one boat there, and that Jesus had not entered the boat with His disciples, but that His disciples had gone away alone. [23] However, boats from Tiberias came near the place where they ate the bread after the Lord had given thanks. [24] So when the people saw that Jesus was not there, nor His disciples, they themselves got into the boats and went to Capernaum, seeking Jesus.
The Discourse on the Bread of Life
[25] When they found Him on the other side of the sea, they said to Him, "Rabbi, when did You come here?" [26] Jesus answered them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, you seek Me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves. [27] Do not labor for the food which perishes, but the food which endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you; for on Him has God the Father set His seal." [28] Then they said to Him, "What must we do, to be doing the works of God?" [29] Jesus answered them, "This is the work of God, that you believe in Him He has sent."
_______________________
Commentary:
26. Our Lord begins by pointing out that their attitudes are wrong: if they have the right attitude they will be able to understand His teaching in the eucharistic discourse. "You seek me", St. Augustine comments, "for the flesh, not for the spirit. How many seek Jesus for no other purpose than that He may do them good in this present life! [...] Scarcely ever is Jesus sought for Jesus' sake" ("In Ioann. Evang.", 25, 10).
This verse marks the beginning of the discourse on the bread of life which goes up to verse 59. It opens with an introduction in the form of a dialogue between Jesus and the Jews (verses 26-34), in which our Lord reveals Himself as the bringer of the messianic gifts. Then comes the first part of the discourse (verses 35-47), in which Jesus presents Himself as the Bread of Life, in the sense that faith in Him is food for eternal life. In the second part (verses 48-59) Christ reveals the mystery of the Eucharist: He is the Bread of Life who gives Himself sacramentally as genuine food.
27. Bodily food helps keep us alive in this world; spiritual food sustains and develops supernatural life, which will last forever in Heaven. This food, which only God can give us, consists mainly in the gift of faith and sanctifying grace. Through God's infinite love we are given, in the Blessed Eucharist, the very author of these gifts, Jesus Christ, as nourishment for our souls.
"On Him has God the Father set His seal": our Lord here refers to the authority by virtue of which He can give men the gifts He has referred to: for, being God and man, Jesus' human nature is the instrument by means of which the Second Person of the Blessed Trinity acts. St. Thomas Aquinas comments on this sentence as follows: "What the Son of Man will give He possesses through His superiority over all other men in His singular and outstanding fullness of grace. ...When a seal is impressed on wax, the wax receives the complete form of the seal. So it is that the Son received the entire form of the Father. This occurred in two ways; eternally (eternal generation), which is not referred to here because the seal and the sealed are different in nature from one another; what is referred to here is the other manner, that is, the mystery of the Incarnation, whereby God the Father impressed on human nature the Word, who is the reflection and the very stamp of God's nature, as Hebrews 1:3 says" ("Commentary on St. John, in loc.").
______________________
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 People Look for Jesus
[22] On the next day the people who remained on the other side of the sea saw that there had been only one boat there, and that Jesus had not entered the boat with His disciples, but that His disciples had gone away alone. [23] However, boats from Tiberias came near the place where they ate the bread after the Lord had given thanks. [24] So when the people saw that Jesus was not there, nor His disciples, they themselves got into the boats and went to Capernaum, seeking Jesus.
The Discourse on the Bread of Life
[25] When they found Him on the other side of the sea, they said to Him, "Rabbi, when did You come here?" [26] Jesus answered them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, you seek Me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves. [27] Do not labor for the food which perishes, but the food which endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you; for on Him has God the Father set His seal." [28] Then they said to Him, "What must we do, to be doing the works of God?" [29] Jesus answered them, "This is the work of God, that you believe in Him He has sent."
_______________________
Commentary:
26. Our Lord begins by pointing out that their attitudes are wrong: if they have the right attitude they will be able to understand His teaching in the eucharistic discourse. "You seek me", St. Augustine comments, "for the flesh, not for the spirit. How many seek Jesus for no other purpose than that He may do them good in this present life! [...] Scarcely ever is Jesus sought for Jesus' sake" ("In Ioann. Evang.", 25, 10).
This verse marks the beginning of the discourse on the bread of life which goes up to verse 59. It opens with an introduction in the form of a dialogue between Jesus and the Jews (verses 26-34), in which our Lord reveals Himself as the bringer of the messianic gifts. Then comes the first part of the discourse (verses 35-47), in which Jesus presents Himself as the Bread of Life, in the sense that faith in Him is food for eternal life. In the second part (verses 48-59) Christ reveals the mystery of the Eucharist: He is the Bread of Life who gives Himself sacramentally as genuine food.
27. Bodily food helps keep us alive in this world; spiritual food sustains and develops supernatural life, which will last forever in Heaven. This food, which only God can give us, consists mainly in the gift of faith and sanctifying grace. Through God's infinite love we are given, in the Blessed Eucharist, the very author of these gifts, Jesus Christ, as nourishment for our souls.
"On Him has God the Father set His seal": our Lord here refers to the authority by virtue of which He can give men the gifts He has referred to: for, being God and man, Jesus' human nature is the instrument by means of which the Second Person of the Blessed Trinity acts. St. Thomas Aquinas comments on this sentence as follows: "What the Son of Man will give He possesses through His superiority over all other men in His singular and outstanding fullness of grace. ...When a seal is impressed on wax, the wax receives the complete form of the seal. So it is that the Son received the entire form of the Father. This occurred in two ways; eternally (eternal generation), which is not referred to here because the seal and the sealed are different in nature from one another; what is referred to here is the other manner, that is, the mystery of the Incarnation, whereby God the Father impressed on human nature the Word, who is the reflection and the very stamp of God's nature, as Hebrews 1:3 says" ("Commentary on St. John, in loc.").
______________________
Source: "The Navarre Bible: Text and Commentaries". Biblical text taken from the Revised Standard Version and New Vulgate. Commentaries made by members of the Faculty of Theology of the University of Navarre, Spain. Published by Four Courts Press, Kill Lane, Blackrock, Co. Dublin, Ireland. Reprinted with permission from Four Courts Press and Scepter Publishers, the U.S. publisher.
Sunday, April 30, 2006
Pope entrusts to Mary world “marked by shadows”
Vatican City (AsiaNews) - At the start of the month of May, dedicated to Mary, Benedict XVI entrusted to her "the needs of the Church and the whole world, especially at this time, when it is marked by not inconsiderable shadows". He was addressing more than 30,000 people who turned up in St Peter’s Square for the recital of the Regina Caeli that, he recalled, will be prayed instead of the Angelus until Pentecost.
The pope reiterated the "truth" of the Resurrection to counter those who, in the past as well as the present, would deny it. "The resurrection of Christ is the central fact of Christianity. It is a fundamental truth to be upheld vigorously at all times, since denying it in various ways, as some have tried to do, and continue to do, or seeking to transform it into a purely spiritual event, is to negate our very faith. ‘If Christ has not been raised, then our proclamation has been in vain and your faith has been in vain.’ (I Cor. 14:15)"
Some saw his words as an indirect reference to the "Da Vinci Code".
American TFP Protests Play About Mary
While the Incarnation is one of the most sublime expression of God’s love for men, it is also the object of the most base blasphemies. The latest addition to this trend is a current off-Broadway play called “Mary, Like a Virgin”which will be running every Thursday until May 11. The American TFP is joining with other Catholics protesting against this outrage.
Catholic faithful will be protesting outside Dillion’s Louge on May 4. The American TFP will be asking its supporters and friends to send a protest email to register their total rejection and outrage.
Gospel for the 3rd Sunday of Easter
From: Luke 24:35-48
[35] Then they (the disciples) told what had happened on the road, and how He (Jesus) was known to them in the breaking of the bread.
Jesus Appears To The Eleven And Their Companions
[36] As they were saying this, Jesus Himself stood among them, and said to them, "Peace to you!" [37] But they were startled and frightened, and supposed that they saw a spirit. [38] And He said to them, "Why are you troubled, and why do questionings rise in your hearts? [39] See My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself; handle Me, and see; for a spirit has not flesh and bones as you see that I have." [40] And when He had said this, He showed them His hands and His feet. [41] And while they still disbelieved for joy, and wondered, He said to them, "Have you anything here to eat?" [42] They gave Him a piece of broiled fish, [43] and He took it and ate before them.
Jesus' Last Instructions And Leave-Taking
[44] Then He said to them, "These are My words which I spoke to you, while I was still with you, that everything written about Me in the law of Moses and the prophets and the psalms must be fulfilled." [45] Then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, [46] and He said to them, "Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, [47] and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. [48] You are witnesses of these things."
_______________________
Commentary:
36-43. This appearance of the risen Jesus is reported by St. Luke and St. John (cf. John 20:19-23). St. John reports the institution of the sacrament of Penance, whereas St. Luke puts the stress on the disciples' difficulty in accepting the miracle of the Resurrection, despite the angels' testimony to the women (cf. Matthew 28:5-7; Mark 16:5-7; Luke 24:4-11) and despite the witness of those who had already seen the risen Lord (cf. Matthew 28:9-10; Mark 16:9-13; Luke 24:13ff; John 20:11-18).
Jesus appears all of a sudden, when the doors are closed (cf. John 20:19), which explains their surprised reaction. St. Ambrose comments that "He penetrated their closed retreat not because His nature was incorporeal, but because He had the quality of a resurrected body" ("Expositio Evangelii Sec. Lucam, in loc".). "Subtility", which is one of the qualities of a glorified body, means that "the body is totally subject to the soul and ever ready to obey its wishes" ("St. Pius V Catechism", I, 12, 13), with the result that it can pass through material obstacles without any difficulty.
This scene showing Christ's condescension to confirm for them the truth of His resurrection has a charm all of its own.
41-43. Although His risen body is incapable of suffering, and therefore has no need of food to nourish it, our Lord confirms His disciples' faith in His resurrection by giving them these two proofs--inviting them to touch Him and eating in their presence. "For myself, I know and believe that our Lord was in the flesh even after the Resurrection. And when He came to Peter and his companions, He said to them, `Here, feel Me and see that I am not a bodiless ghost.' They touched Him and believed, and were convinced that He was flesh and spirit [...]. Moreover, after the Resurrection, He ate and drank with them like a man of flesh and blood, though spiritually one with the Father" (St. Ignatius of Antioch, "Letter to the Christians at Smyrna", III, 1-3).
44-49. St. Matthew stresses that the Old Testament prophecies are fulfilled in Christ, because His immediate audience were Jews, who would accept this as proof that Jesus was indeed the promised Messiah. St. Luke does not usually argue along these lines because He is writing for Gentiles; however, in this epilogue he does report, in a summarized way, Christ's statement to the effect that everything foretold about Him had come true. By doing so He shows the unity of Old and New Testaments and that Jesus is truly the Messiah.
46. From St. Luke's account we have seen how slow the Apostles were to grasp Jesus' prophecy of His death and resurrection (cf. 9:45; 18:34). Now that the prophecy is fulfilled Jesus reminds them that it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead (cf. Acts 2:1-4).
The Cross is a mystery, in our own life as well as in Christ's: "Jesus suffers to carry out the will of the Father. And you, who also want to carry out the most holy Will of God, following the steps of the Master, can you complain if you meet suffering on your way?" ([St] J. Escriva, "The Way", 213).
_____________________
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.
[35] Then they (the disciples) told what had happened on the road, and how He (Jesus) was known to them in the breaking of the bread.
Jesus Appears To The Eleven And Their Companions
[36] As they were saying this, Jesus Himself stood among them, and said to them, "Peace to you!" [37] But they were startled and frightened, and supposed that they saw a spirit. [38] And He said to them, "Why are you troubled, and why do questionings rise in your hearts? [39] See My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself; handle Me, and see; for a spirit has not flesh and bones as you see that I have." [40] And when He had said this, He showed them His hands and His feet. [41] And while they still disbelieved for joy, and wondered, He said to them, "Have you anything here to eat?" [42] They gave Him a piece of broiled fish, [43] and He took it and ate before them.
Jesus' Last Instructions And Leave-Taking
[44] Then He said to them, "These are My words which I spoke to you, while I was still with you, that everything written about Me in the law of Moses and the prophets and the psalms must be fulfilled." [45] Then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, [46] and He said to them, "Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, [47] and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. [48] You are witnesses of these things."
_______________________
Commentary:
36-43. This appearance of the risen Jesus is reported by St. Luke and St. John (cf. John 20:19-23). St. John reports the institution of the sacrament of Penance, whereas St. Luke puts the stress on the disciples' difficulty in accepting the miracle of the Resurrection, despite the angels' testimony to the women (cf. Matthew 28:5-7; Mark 16:5-7; Luke 24:4-11) and despite the witness of those who had already seen the risen Lord (cf. Matthew 28:9-10; Mark 16:9-13; Luke 24:13ff; John 20:11-18).
Jesus appears all of a sudden, when the doors are closed (cf. John 20:19), which explains their surprised reaction. St. Ambrose comments that "He penetrated their closed retreat not because His nature was incorporeal, but because He had the quality of a resurrected body" ("Expositio Evangelii Sec. Lucam, in loc".). "Subtility", which is one of the qualities of a glorified body, means that "the body is totally subject to the soul and ever ready to obey its wishes" ("St. Pius V Catechism", I, 12, 13), with the result that it can pass through material obstacles without any difficulty.
This scene showing Christ's condescension to confirm for them the truth of His resurrection has a charm all of its own.
41-43. Although His risen body is incapable of suffering, and therefore has no need of food to nourish it, our Lord confirms His disciples' faith in His resurrection by giving them these two proofs--inviting them to touch Him and eating in their presence. "For myself, I know and believe that our Lord was in the flesh even after the Resurrection. And when He came to Peter and his companions, He said to them, `Here, feel Me and see that I am not a bodiless ghost.' They touched Him and believed, and were convinced that He was flesh and spirit [...]. Moreover, after the Resurrection, He ate and drank with them like a man of flesh and blood, though spiritually one with the Father" (St. Ignatius of Antioch, "Letter to the Christians at Smyrna", III, 1-3).
44-49. St. Matthew stresses that the Old Testament prophecies are fulfilled in Christ, because His immediate audience were Jews, who would accept this as proof that Jesus was indeed the promised Messiah. St. Luke does not usually argue along these lines because He is writing for Gentiles; however, in this epilogue he does report, in a summarized way, Christ's statement to the effect that everything foretold about Him had come true. By doing so He shows the unity of Old and New Testaments and that Jesus is truly the Messiah.
46. From St. Luke's account we have seen how slow the Apostles were to grasp Jesus' prophecy of His death and resurrection (cf. 9:45; 18:34). Now that the prophecy is fulfilled Jesus reminds them that it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead (cf. Acts 2:1-4).
The Cross is a mystery, in our own life as well as in Christ's: "Jesus suffers to carry out the will of the Father. And you, who also want to carry out the most holy Will of God, following the steps of the Master, can you complain if you meet suffering on your way?" ([St] J. Escriva, "The Way", 213).
_____________________
Source: "The Navarre Bible: Text and Commentaries". Biblical text taken from the Revised Standard Version and New Vulgate. Commentaries made by members of the Faculty of Theology of the University of Navarre, Spain. Published by Four Courts Press, Kill Lane, Blackrock, Co. Dublin, Ireland. Reprinted with permission from Four Courts Press and Scepter Publishers, the U.S. publisher.
Saturday, April 29, 2006
3rd Week of Easter - Fruits of the Resurrection
"I know mine and mine know me." St. John, 11:14.
"The third day he rose again from the dead." Creed.
In World War Two we read with horror of the beastly bombing of cities, the killing and crippling of innocent women and children. With sickening terror we heard of the bombing of London in the never-to-be-forgotten Battle of Britain. Whole blocks of buildings were levelled to the ground. Houses crumbled as if made of match boxes. In many places nothing was left but piles of rubble and debris heaped up beside hellish holes gashed into the earth.
Not long after the smoke and dust cleared away the people noticed flowers growing up the sides of these craters, flowers which they could not recognize or name. Horticulturists or flower experts were called to investigate, but even they could not identify the blossoms.
They searched the records in the Natural History department of the British Museum at South Kensington. They finally found some rare old manuscripts and books which had records pf these species long since died out. There were ninety different kinds. These flowers, or the seeds of these flowers, had been buried for hundreds of years under the streets and buildings of London. The German bombs stirred them up, cultivated them, if you will, and the nitrates in the bombs nourished the strange plants.
In a similar way the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ has produced many fruits, fruits which we would not have shared, were it not for Good Friday and Easter Sunday. The earth shook at the death of Christ, and the earth shook at the resurrection of Christ. We would like to mention a few of the blessings and benefits of those earthquakes.
The first fruit of His rising from the dead is the praising of God's justice. The Almighty had allowed the enemies of Christ to do their worst. He permitted the powers of evil to go to the very limits of injustice. But with Easter day came the hour for justice, to exalt the humble Christ above His enemies, and to punish those who had put Him to death. As St. Paul wrote to the Philippians, 2:8-9: "He humbled himself, becoming obedient unto death, even to the death of the cross. For which cause God also hath exalted him."
Another fruit of Easter is the perfecting of our faith. Without the resurrection our faith is without a foundation. Everything Christ had said and done throughout His life demanded a resurrection as a final, conclusive proof that He was God, and that He had worked His wonders as God. In telling the world about Christ the apostles repeatedly, almost constantly, referred to the resurrection. It gave flesh and bone to their faith.
The resurrection also strengthens our hope. It refreshes our hope of spiritual help; it enlivens our hope of a true reward; it stimulates our hope in our own resurrection. What St. Paul wrote to the Romans, he wrote to us: "If we have been planted together in the likeness of His death, we shall be also in the likeness of His resurrection." Romans, 6:5. The Prince of the Apostles in his first letter (1:3-4), says the same: "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy hath regenerated us unto a lively hope, by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, unto the inheritance incorruptible."
Man lives on hope and in hope, even in material things. Hope is essential in spiritual life. The bells and Alleluias of Easter give grounds to our hope.
Easter serves another purpose: it gives us a model for Christian life; it suggests that we rise from the grave of sin. St. Paul put it very well when he wrote to the Romans, 6:4, 11: "As Christ is risen from the dead. . . so we also may walk in newness of life. . . dead to sin, but alive to God."
Christ coming forth from the grave also proves the true human nature of the Savior. In a talk months ago we saw that some deny to Christ a real human nature. We also learned that He was true man nevertheless. His death and resurrection clinch that proof. He delayed His rising for three days to make that proof all the more powerful.
His rising was not delayed too long, however, as He wanted it to be the crowning proof of His divinity. Jesus, by His absolute power, could have remained in the grave a year or a thousand years. He could have postponed His resurrection until 2006. But the Christians of the last nineteen plus centuries would have been denied this evidence of His divinity.
In rising the third day Jesus fulfilled several prophecies. For us who follow Him that is welcome fruit, because we count on all His words, we bank on them, we depend on them. So far He has kept every promise He made.
Best of all, His rising makes sure our rising. In the words of St. Paul: "We look for the Savior, our Lord Jesus Christ, who will reform the body of our lowness, made like to the body of his glory." Philippians, 3:20, 21.
Indeed, the terror, the upheaval, the bitterness and tears of Holy Week, coming to a climax on Easter morning - all of it was necessary to make these otherwise impossible fruits grow in the garden of God's love for us.
The Good Shepherd laid down His life for us. And the Good Shepherd took up His life for us. Laying it down and taking it up were the sources of much blessing.
May Easter satisfy God's justice! May Easter fire our faith, inspire our hope, and feed our resolve to live a risen life with Christ! Amen.
__________________________
Adapted from Talks on the Creed
by Fr. Arthur Tonne, OFM (© 1946)
"The third day he rose again from the dead." Creed.
In World War Two we read with horror of the beastly bombing of cities, the killing and crippling of innocent women and children. With sickening terror we heard of the bombing of London in the never-to-be-forgotten Battle of Britain. Whole blocks of buildings were levelled to the ground. Houses crumbled as if made of match boxes. In many places nothing was left but piles of rubble and debris heaped up beside hellish holes gashed into the earth.
Not long after the smoke and dust cleared away the people noticed flowers growing up the sides of these craters, flowers which they could not recognize or name. Horticulturists or flower experts were called to investigate, but even they could not identify the blossoms.
They searched the records in the Natural History department of the British Museum at South Kensington. They finally found some rare old manuscripts and books which had records pf these species long since died out. There were ninety different kinds. These flowers, or the seeds of these flowers, had been buried for hundreds of years under the streets and buildings of London. The German bombs stirred them up, cultivated them, if you will, and the nitrates in the bombs nourished the strange plants.
In a similar way the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ has produced many fruits, fruits which we would not have shared, were it not for Good Friday and Easter Sunday. The earth shook at the death of Christ, and the earth shook at the resurrection of Christ. We would like to mention a few of the blessings and benefits of those earthquakes.
The first fruit of His rising from the dead is the praising of God's justice. The Almighty had allowed the enemies of Christ to do their worst. He permitted the powers of evil to go to the very limits of injustice. But with Easter day came the hour for justice, to exalt the humble Christ above His enemies, and to punish those who had put Him to death. As St. Paul wrote to the Philippians, 2:8-9: "He humbled himself, becoming obedient unto death, even to the death of the cross. For which cause God also hath exalted him."
Another fruit of Easter is the perfecting of our faith. Without the resurrection our faith is without a foundation. Everything Christ had said and done throughout His life demanded a resurrection as a final, conclusive proof that He was God, and that He had worked His wonders as God. In telling the world about Christ the apostles repeatedly, almost constantly, referred to the resurrection. It gave flesh and bone to their faith.
The resurrection also strengthens our hope. It refreshes our hope of spiritual help; it enlivens our hope of a true reward; it stimulates our hope in our own resurrection. What St. Paul wrote to the Romans, he wrote to us: "If we have been planted together in the likeness of His death, we shall be also in the likeness of His resurrection." Romans, 6:5. The Prince of the Apostles in his first letter (1:3-4), says the same: "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy hath regenerated us unto a lively hope, by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, unto the inheritance incorruptible."
Man lives on hope and in hope, even in material things. Hope is essential in spiritual life. The bells and Alleluias of Easter give grounds to our hope.
Easter serves another purpose: it gives us a model for Christian life; it suggests that we rise from the grave of sin. St. Paul put it very well when he wrote to the Romans, 6:4, 11: "As Christ is risen from the dead. . . so we also may walk in newness of life. . . dead to sin, but alive to God."
Christ coming forth from the grave also proves the true human nature of the Savior. In a talk months ago we saw that some deny to Christ a real human nature. We also learned that He was true man nevertheless. His death and resurrection clinch that proof. He delayed His rising for three days to make that proof all the more powerful.
His rising was not delayed too long, however, as He wanted it to be the crowning proof of His divinity. Jesus, by His absolute power, could have remained in the grave a year or a thousand years. He could have postponed His resurrection until 2006. But the Christians of the last nineteen plus centuries would have been denied this evidence of His divinity.
In rising the third day Jesus fulfilled several prophecies. For us who follow Him that is welcome fruit, because we count on all His words, we bank on them, we depend on them. So far He has kept every promise He made.
Best of all, His rising makes sure our rising. In the words of St. Paul: "We look for the Savior, our Lord Jesus Christ, who will reform the body of our lowness, made like to the body of his glory." Philippians, 3:20, 21.
Indeed, the terror, the upheaval, the bitterness and tears of Holy Week, coming to a climax on Easter morning - all of it was necessary to make these otherwise impossible fruits grow in the garden of God's love for us.
The Good Shepherd laid down His life for us. And the Good Shepherd took up His life for us. Laying it down and taking it up were the sources of much blessing.
May Easter satisfy God's justice! May Easter fire our faith, inspire our hope, and feed our resolve to live a risen life with Christ! Amen.
__________________________
Adapted from Talks on the Creed
by Fr. Arthur Tonne, OFM (© 1946)
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