1st Reading for the 4th Sunday of Easter

From: Acts 2:14, 36-41

Peter's Address (Continuation)

[14a] But Peter, standing with the Eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them, [36] "Let all the house of Israel therefore know assuredly that God has made Him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified."

The Baptism

[37] Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the Apostles, "Brethren, what shall we do?" [38] And Peter said to them, "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. [39] For the promise is to you and to your children and to all that are far off, every one whom the Lord our God calls to Him." [40] And he testified with many other words and exhorted them, saying, "Save yourselves from this crooked generation." [41] So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.
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Commentary:

14. In his commentaries St. John Chrysostom draws attention to the change worked in Peter by the Holy Spirit: "Listen to him preach and argue so boldly, who shortly before had trembled at the word of a servant girl! This boldness is a significant proof of the resurrection of his Master: Peter preaches to men who mock and laugh at his enthusiasm. [...] Calumny ('they are filled with new wine') does not deter the Apostles; sarcasm does not undermine their courage, for the coming of the Holy Spirit has made new men of them, men who can put up with every kind of human test. When the Holy Spirit enters into hearts He does so to elevate their affections and to change earthly souls, souls of clay, into chosen souls, people of great courage [...]. Look at the harmony that exists among the Apostles. See how they allow Peter to speak on behalf of them all. Peter raises his voice and speaks to the people with full assurance. That is the kind of courage a man has when he is the instrument of the Holy Spirit. [...] Just as a burning coal does not lose heat when it falls on a haystack but instead is enabled to release its heat, so Peter, now that he is in contact with the life-giving Spirit, spreads his inner fire to those around him" ("Hom. on Acts", 4).

36. During His life on earth Jesus had often presented Himself as the Messiah and Son of God. His resurrection and ascension into Heaven reveal Him as such to the people at large.

In Peter's address we can see an outline of the content of the apostolic proclamation ("kerygma"), the content of Christian preaching, the object of faith. This proclamation bears witness to Christ's death and resurrection and subsequent exaltation; it recalls the main points of Jesus' mission, announced by John the Baptist, confirmed by miracles and brought to fulfillment by the appearances of the risen Lord and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit; it declares that the messianic time predicted by the prophets have arrived, and calls all men to conversion, in preparation for the Parousia or second coming of Christ in glory.

37. St. Peter's words were the instrument used by God's grace to move the hearts of his listeners: they are so impressed that they ask in all simplicity what they should do. Peter exhorts them to be converted, to repent (cf. note on 3:19). The "St. Pius V Catechism" explains that in order to receive Baptism adults "need to repent the sins they have committed and their evil past life and to be resolved not to commit sin henceforth [...], for nothing is more opposed to grace and power of Baptism than the outlook and disposition of those who never decide to abjure sin" (II, 2, 4).

38. "Be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ": this does not necessarily mean that this was the form of words the Apostles normally used in the liturgy, rather than [the] Trinitarian formula prescribed by Jesus. In the "Didache" (written around the year 100) it is stated that Baptism should be given in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, but this does not prevent it, in other passages, from referring to "those baptized in the name of the Lord." The expression "baptized in the name of Christ" means, therefore, becoming a member of Christ, becoming a Christian (cf. "Didache", VII, 1; IX, 5).

"Like the men and women who came up to Peter on Pentecost, we too have been baptized. In baptism, our Father God has taken possession of our lives, has made us share in the life of Christ, and has given us the Holy Spirit" ([St] J. Escriva, "Christ Is Passing By", 128). From this point onwards, the Trinity be- gins to act in the soul of the baptized person. "In the same way as transparent bodies, enlightened by the Holy Spirit become spiritual too and lead others to the light of grace. From the Holy Spirit comes knowledge of future events, understanding of mysteries and of hidden truths, an outpouring of gifts, Heavenly citizenship, conversation with angels. From Him comes never-ending joy, perseverance in good, likeness to God and--the most sublime thing imaginable --becoming God" (St. Basil, "On the Holy Spirit", IX, 23).

This divinization which occurs in the baptized person shows how important it is for Christians to cultivate the Holy Spirit who has been infused into their souls, where He dwells as long as He is not driven out by sin. "Love the Third Person of the Blessed Trinity. Listen in the intimacy of your being to the divine motions of encouragement or reproach you receive from Him. Walk through the earth in the light that is poured out in your soul. [...] We can apply to ourselves the question asked by the Apostle: 'Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you?' (1 Corinthians 3:16). And we can understand it as an invitation to deal with God in a more personal and direct manner. For some, unfortunately, the Paraclete is the Great Stranger. He is merely a name that is mentioned, but not Someone--not one of the three Persons in the one God--with whom we can talk and with whose life we can live. No: we have to deal with Him simply and trustingly, as we are taught by the Church in its liturgy. Then we will come to know our Lord better, and at the same time, we will realize more fully the great favor that was granted us when we became Christians. We will see the greatness and truth of this divinization, which is a sharing in God's own life" ([St] J. Escriva, "Christ Is Passing By", 133-134).

39. The "promise" of the Holy Spirit applies to both Jews and Gentiles, but in the first instance it concerns the Jews: it is they to whom God entrusted His oracles; theirs was the privilege to receive the Old Testament and to be preached to directly by Jesus Himself. St. Peter makes it clear that this promise is also made "to all that are far off"--a reference to the Gentiles, as St. Paul explains (cf. Ephesians 2:13-17) and in line with Isaiah's announcement, "Peace, peace to the far and to the near" (Isaiah 57:19). Cf. Acts 22:21.

40. "This crooked generation" is not only that part of the Jewish people who rejected Christ and His teaching, but everyone who is estranged from God (cf. Deuteronomy 32:5; Philippians 2:5).

41. St. Luke here concludes his account of the events of the day of Pentecost and prepares to move on to a new topic. Before he does so he adds a note, as it were, to say that "about three thousand souls" became Christians as a result of Peter's address.

St. Luke often makes reference to the numerical growth of the Church (2:47; 4:4; 5:14; 6:1, 7; 9:31; 11:21, 24; 16:5). Interesting in itself, this growth clearly shows the effectiveness of the Gospel message boldly proclaimed by the Apostles. It proves that if the Gospel is preached with constancy and clarity it can take root in any setting and will always find men and women ready to receive it and put it into practice.

"It is not true that everyone today--in general--is closed or indifferent to what our Christian faith teaches about man's being and destiny. It is not true that men in our time are turned only toward the things of this earth and have forgotten to look up to Heaven. There is no lack of narrow ideologies, it is true, or of persons who maintain them. But in our time we find both great desires and base attitudes, heroism and cowardice, zeal and disenchantment--people who dream of a new world, more just and more human, and others who, discouraged perhaps by the failure of their youthful idealism, take refuge in the selfishness of seeking only their own security or remaining immersed in their errors.

"To all those men and women, wherever they may be, in their more exalted mo- ments of in their crises and defeats, we have to bring the solemn and unequivocal message of St. Peter in the days that followed Pentecost: Jesus is the corner- stone, the Redeemer, the hope of our lives. 'For there is no other name under Heaven given among men by which we must be saved' (Acts 4:12)" ([St] J. Escriva, "Christ Is Passing By", 132).
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Source: "The Navarre Bible: Text and Commentaries". Biblical text taken from the Revised Standard Version and New Vulgate. Commentaries made by members of the Faculty of Theology of the University of Navarre, Spain. Published by Four Courts Press, Kill Lane, Blackrock, Co. Dublin, Ireland. Reprinted with permission from Four Courts Press and Scepter Publishers, the U.S. publisher.

Just for Today, April 13

Lord, because Thou wast patient in Thy lifetime, in this chiefly fulfilling the commandment of Thy Father, it is fitting that I, a wretched sinner, should, according to Thy will, take all with patience; and as long as Thou pleasest support the burden of this corruptible life, in order to my salvation. For though this present life be burthensome, yet it is now become, through Thy grace, very meritorious; and by the help of Thy ex­ample and the footsteps of Thy saints, more supportable to the weak, and more lightsome.
-Bk. III, ch. xviii.
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I was once working in the laundry opposite a Sister who was washing handkerchiefs, and who continually splashed me with dirty water. My first impulse was to step back and wipe my face, so that she might take the hint and be more careful; but I immediately realized how foolish it would be to throw away the treasures I was being offered, and so I concealed my annoyance. Instead of stepping aside, I made up my mind to wel­come all the dirty water that came my way, so that by the end of half an hour I felt quite a taste for this novel shower-bath, and was determined to come back again to this corner where so many riches were freely given away. So you see, Mother, I am a very little soul who can only offer very little things to God, and even so, I often neglect to make the little sacrifices that bring such peace to the soul. However, I do not lose heart, but cheerfully endure a little less peace of mind, deter­mined to be more watchful another time.

-The Story of a Soul (L'Histoire d'une Âme)
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For more information, see this post.
Adapted from Just For Today(©1943 Burns & Oates)
Nihil Obstat: Reginaldus Phillips, S.T.L.,Censor deputatus
Imprimatur: Edwardus Myers, Vic. Cap.

Thoughts and Counsels - April 13

The grace of perseverance is the most impor­tant of all; it crowns all other graces.

-St. Vincent de Paul
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From Mary, Help of Christians
Part VI, Thoughts and Counsels of the Saints for Every Day of the Year
Compiled by Fr. Bonaventure Hammer, OFM (© 1909, Benziger Brothers)

Meditation for April 13, Suffering

The Italian painter, Guido Reni, more commonly known as "the guide," pretended that he was able to portray Sorrow in more than three hundred ways, although it is affirmed that he did not boast of the accomplishment.

Providence is more clever than Guido Reni; it can give thousands and thousands of variations of the same sorrow, according to the infinite diversity of souls. I can expect suffering, and more than one kind of suffering. To what extent am I prepared to accept it, to profit by it, to make use of it to advance in virtue, to benefit souls, and to give greater glory to God?

I am forced to admit that I do not know how to suffer, that I often suffer reluctantly, and complain easily. St. Margaret Mary resolved to keep all her little sufferings to herself; except when her sickness was such that it was necessary to tell the infirmarian, she was happy to suffer silently headaches and slight indispositions.

Am I not a bit too quick in seeking remedies? Of course, one must be fit for one's work, and it is better to take an aspirin than have to be replaced in the classroom or office. Common sense is needed, courage is not a synonym for imprudence or lack of simplicity. Don't try, moreover, to play the heroine; acknowledge in all simplicity that you are of little account in the face of suffering.

Everything is transfigured by a good intention; a headache offered with love may save my soul.
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Adapted from Meditations for Religious
by Father Raoul Plus, S.J. (© 1939, Frederick Pustet Co.)

Gospel for Saturday, 3rd Week of Easter

From: John 6:60-69

The Disciples' Reaction

[60] Many of His (Jesus') disciples, when they heard of it, said, "This is a hard saying; who can listen to it?" [61] But Jesus, knowing in Himself that His disciples murmured at it, said to them, "Do you take offense at this? [62] Then what if you were to see the Son of Man ascending where He was before? [63] It is the Spirit that gives life, the flesh is of no avail; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. [64] But there are some of you that do not believe." For Jesus knew from the first who those were that did not believe, and who it was that should betray Him. [65] And He said, "This is why I told you that no one can come to Me unless it is granted him by the Father."

[66] After this many of the disciples drew back and no longer went with Him. [67] Jesus said to the Twelve, "Will you also go away?" [68] Simon Peter answered Him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life; [69] and we have believed, and have come to know, that You are the Holy One of God."
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Commentary:

60-62. Many of His listeners find the Eucharistic mystery completely incomprehensible. Jesus Christ requires His disciples to accept His words because it is He who has spoken them. That is what the supernatural act of faith involves--that act "whereby, inspired and assisted by the grace of God, we believe that the things which He has revealed are true; not because of the intrinsic truth of the things, viewed by the natural light of reason, but because of the authority of God Himself who reveals them, and who can neither be deceived nor deceive" (Vatican I, "Dei Filius", Chapter 3).

As on other occasions, Jesus speaks about future events to help His disciples believe: "I have told you before it takes place, so that when it does take place, you may believe" (John 14:29).

63. Jesus says that we cannot accept this mystery if we think of it in too human a way, in other words, by just seeking to indulge our senses or having too earthbound a view of things. Only someone who listens to His words and receives them as God's revelation, which is "spirit and life", is in a position to accept them.

66. The promise of the Eucharist, which caused arguments (verse 52) among Christ's hearers at Capernaum and scandalized some of them (verse 61), led many people to give up following Him. Jesus had outlined a wonderful and salvific truth, but those disciples closed themselves to divine grace; they were not ready to accept anything which went beyond their very limited horizons. The mystery of the Eucharist does call for a special act of faith. St. John Chrysostom therefore advised Christians: "Let us in everything believe God, and gainsay Him in nothing, though what it said be contrary to our thoughts and senses. [...] Let us act likewise in respect to the [Eucharistic] mysteries, not looking at the things set before us, but keeping in mind His words. For His words cannot deceive" (St. John Chrysostom, "Hom. on St. Matthew", 82).

67-71. This passage is similar to that at Capernaum where Peter again, in the name of the Twelve, takes the initiative in expressing his faith in Jesus as Messiah (cf. Matthew 16:13-20; Mark 8:27-30). Other people present may have been unbelieving, but the Apostles are not scandalized by our Lord's words: they say that they have already a deep-rooted confidence in Him; they do not want to leave Him. What St. Peter says (verse 68) is not just a statement of human solidarity but an _expression of genuine supernatural faith--as yet imperfect--which is the result of the influence of divine grace on his soul (cf. Matthew 16:17).

Although the Twelve stay with Him at this point, Judas will later betray the Master. Jesus' foreknowledge of this future infidelity throws a shadow over His joy at the loyalty of the Twelve. We Christians should be humble enough to realize that we are capable of betraying our Lord if we give up using the means He has left us to cleave to Him. St. Peter's words (verse 68) are a beautiful aspiration we can use whenever we feel tempted.

68. Simon Peter expresses the feelings of the Apostles who, through staying loyal to Jesus, are getting to know Him much better and becoming more closely involved with Him: "Seek Jesus; endeavoring to acquire a deep personal faith that will inform and direct your whole life. But, above all, let it be your commitment and your program to love Jesus, with a sincere, authentic and personal love. He must be your friend and your support along the path of life. He alone has words of eternal life" ([Pope] John Paul II, "Address to Students in Guadalajara", 30 January 1979).

69. "The Holy One of God": this is what the original text must have said, according to most of the Greek codexes and the most important early translations. "The Holy One" is one of the expressions which designate the Messiah (cf. Mark 1:24; Luke 1:35; 4:34; Acts 2:27; Psalm 16:10), or God Himself (cf. Isaiah 6:3; 43:15; 1 Peter 1:15; 1 John 2:20; etc.). The rendering "the Christ, the Son of God" found in some translations, including the Vulgate, is supported by less important Greek manuscripts, and would seem to be an explanation of the messianic significance of the original phrase.
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Source: "The Navarre Bible: Text and Commentaries". Biblical text taken from the Revised Standard Version and New Vulgate. Commentaries made by members of the Faculty of Theology of the University of Navarre, Spain. Published by Four Courts Press, Kill Lane, Blackrock, Co. Dublin, Ireland. Reprinted with permission from Four Courts Press and Scepter Publishers, the U.S. publisher.

Just for Today, April 12

Know that the old enemy strives by all means to hinder thy desire after good, and to divert thee from every devout exercise; namely, from the veneration of the saints; from the pious meditation of My Passion; from the profitable remembrance of thy sins; from keeping a guard upon thy own heart; and from a firm purpose of advancing in virtue.

He suggests to thee many evil thoughts, that he may weary thee out and frighten thee; that he may with­draw thee from prayer and the reading of devout books. He is displeased with humble confession; and if he could, he would cause thee to let alone communion.
-Bk. III, ch. vi.
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You grieved Our Lord by not going to Holy Com­munion, and you distressed me. How astute the devil must be to deceive a soul in this way! He has achieved the very thing at which he was aiming. He knows that a soul that seeks God whole-heartedly cannot be drawn into sin, so he tries to make her believe that she has sinned. But even this does not satisfy him, he has something else in view...he wants to deprive Jesus of another tabernacle. As he himself cannot force an entrance into it, then he is determined that it shall remain empty. Oh! to what a sorry plight that soul is reduced! The devil has won by withdrawing a soul from Holy Communion, and Jesus weeps!
-Letters
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For more information, see this post.
Adapted from Just For Today(©1943 Burns & Oates)
Nihil Obstat: Reginaldus Phillips, S.T.L.,Censor deputatus
Imprimatur: Edwardus Myers, Vic. Cap.

Thoughts and Counsels - April 12

When you do a good action, have the intention of first pleasing God, and then of giving good example to your neighbor.

-St. Alphonsus
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From Mary, Help of Christians
Part VI, Thoughts and Counsels of the Saints for Every Day of the Year
Compiled by Fr. Bonaventure Hammer, OFM (© 1909, Benziger Brothers)

Meditation for April 12, On Asking for Crosses

Generosity is not temerity. Let us be ready to accept all that God sends us, but let us not be too quick to encroach upon Divine Providence in asking for ourselves a lot of supplementary suffering. In not a few cases this would be imprudent, in fact, it would be more feasible to let God direct all to His greater glory.

The blessed Carmelite, Mother Acarie, gave this advice to a religious who had asked God for her Purgatory on earth, "Take care; how do we know that we will have sufficient patience to endure all? That must be left to the disposition of God."

There may be some particular cases when certain souls might do well to ask for suffering but they require exceptional prudence and careful guidance. It will be enough for us to take the crosses of life as they come. There is excellent common sense in the words Rene Bazin puts on the lips of a sailor's wife whose daughter wished martyrdom, "You wish martyrdom, accept life as it is, that will be sufficient."

Accept life, not only for a few years, but for a lifetime, even if it is a life without exceptional crosses, life itself is a heavy cross. Accept it, accept it generously, accept in joyfully, it is a most beautiful offering.

"Jesus crucified, I offer myself now for all the crosses You wish to send me. Arrange everything for Your greater glory, I accept it all. Amen."

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Adapted from Meditations for Religious
by Father Raoul Plus, S.J. (© 1939, Frederick Pustet Co.)

Fr Thomas P. Doyle, OP, Barred from Offering Legal Representation in St Louis

From the St Louis Review:

As the chief shepherd of the Church in the Archdiocese of St. Louis, I have the duty and moral obligation to uphold the teachings and practices of the Catholic Faith. Those teachings include the obligation of a bishop to safeguard the legal processes under which the Church operates. The decree of extra-judicial Adjudication that is printed in this week’s edition of the Review is one of many steps I have been obliged to take in the matter surrounding the situation involving the board of St. Stanislaus Kostka Corporation. Upon consideration of the facts and circumstances, it is my judgment that Father Thomas P. Doyle, OP, a priest and canon lawyer, has failed to represent two members of the St. Stanislaus Kostka Corporation board properly or effectively in connection with intra-Church legal matters.

Canon law requires a process by which to address issues of internal Church discipline, faith, and Church organization, which are involved with ecclesiastical rule, custom and law. As part of that process, I have issued the Decree, under which Father Doyle is obliged to repay any money he may have received from the two board members. Additionally, I am informing Father Doyle that, with the decree, he will not be allowed to represent anyone in any Church legal proceedings in the Archdiocese of St. Louis.

The archdiocese has offered in the past, and continues to offer canonical help to all board members to ensure their fair representation and due process. The Catholic Church holds dearly the idea of justice.

Please continue to pray for all those involved.

Archbishop Raymond L. Burke

Source.

Cute...

In anticipation of the Holy Father's visit to the U.S., some are bringing to the fore numerous heretics and schismatics - demonstrating what lunacy exists among some so-called Catholics in the USA. Today's feature: Bridget Mary Meehan, (Warning, scary picture below):

As Pope Benedict prepares to travel to the United States [arriving April 15th], he continues to uphold the church's long-standing tradition of not ordaining women as priests. Since July 2006, more than U.S. 20 women with the organization "Roman Catholic Womenpriests" have considered themselves ordained without church approval. VOA's Jeff Swicord reports on one woman in Sarasota, Florida, who says it is time for the church to openly accept women into the priesthood.

Bridget Mary Meehan is one of 24 Roman Catholic women in the United States conducting mass in defiance of church doctrine....

Right, some "mass"....imposters playing "make-believe"....

Meehan advertises her mass in the local newspaper in the southern coastal community of Sarasota, Florida. Her home serves as her church....

[Meehan says,] "A priest is suppose to be in personi Christa," she says. "That does not mean taking on male identity. It means breaking the bread and sharing the wine in the memory of Jesus as a Pascal meal."

"Christa?" What's that? And how about this: "It means breaking the bread and sharing the wine in the memory of Jesus as a Pascal meal."

Does the above statement not indicate that she truly does not believe in the Real Presence? What a deluded and confused soul!

Meehan has conducted mass since 2006. The local archdiocese has protested her actions, but the Vatican has not sanctioned or excommunicated her. Two women in St. Louis, Missouri have been excommunicated.

She's conducted something, but it certainly has not been a mass...a bread and wine party, maybe...

"I think it is very wise of the Vatican right now to take a wait and see attitude, watch the movement of the spirit in the Roman Catholic Womenpriests [RCWP] rather than condemning us,” Meehan said. “Because, one day they just might have to undo their condemnation and canonize a few of the women in the movement. At least that is our hope and our prayer."

A "wait and see" attitude - Oh, please! so that we can watch the demonic spirits of the RCWP movement?

And their (RCWP) hope and prayer is that the Church will canonize these clowns after altering the sacrament of Holy Orders.....Keep dreaming and praying, sister!

Lawmaker Whines that Catholic School Snubbed Him

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — An Illinois state legislator says his former Catholic high school invited him to join the school's "Hall of Honor" in recognition of his political career — then yanked back that invitation after deciding his voting record wasn't in line with the church's positions on abortion.

"The school called me (this week) and informed me … that they had serious concerns about my voting record," said state Rep. Kurt Granberg, D-Carlyle, describing the conversation in which, he said, he was effectively un-inducted from the school's Hall of Honor, shortly after being invited into it.

"I said, 'Why is that?'" Granberg said. "They said they were very concerned I wasn't 'pro-life enough.'"

He apparently supported embryonic stem cell research although the Post Dispatch merely refers to stem cell research, leaving out the important descriptive term "embryonic."

The Post then proceeds to recount numerous instances with Archbishop Burke and his praiseworthy defense of Church teaching.

As for Granberg, he said he isn't angry about Mater Dei's snub but is concerned about the message it sends regarding the separation of church and state.

"I have a great deal of respect for the school and the teachers and the students … (but) I am concerned that a small vocal minority is making personal judgments … in terms of morality," said Granberg.

That small vocal minority - acting in accord with the natural moral law and the teachings of the Church? How dare they?, he seems to ask....Kudos to the school for it decision!

It's a shame that professed Catholics could be so ignorant to claim that there is a church/state separation issue, let alone vocalize that a "small minority" is making judgements regarding morality. Church teaching is very clear on these matters. One who chooses to ignore the natural moral law and Church teaching should not be surprised if others decide not to extend particular honors to him.

The Pseudo-Prayer (Diogenes)

No doubt many have already seen the "prayer" to be offered by the Pope at Ground Zero...

...By the dispensation of an inscrutable providence, the prayers specific to the occasion are of local manufacture, composed in the style favored by the USCCB...

Let's examine it posture by posture:

O God of love, compassion, and healing, look on us, people of many different faiths and traditions, who gather today at this site, the scene of incredible violence and pain.

"People of many faiths and traditions." Does God need to be told this? Is He to be wooed by the consideration that the "us" includes those who deny His existence or benevolence? Does it make sense to call God's attention to "incredible" (= not believable) violence?....

More enlightening insights here...

Gospel for Friday, 3rd Week of Easter

Optional Memorial of St. Stanislaus, bishop & martyr
Old Calendar: St. Leo I, pope and doctor

From: John 6:52-59

The Discourse on the Bread of Life (Continuation)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"`Going to Communion every day for so many years! Anybody else would be a saint by now, you told me, and I...I'm always the same!' Son, I replied, keep up your daily Communion, and think: what would I be if I had not gone'" ([St] J. Escriva, "The Way", 534).
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Source: "The Navarre Bible: Text and Commentaries". Biblical text taken from the Revised Standard Version and New Vulgate. Commentaries made by members of the Faculty of Theology of the University of Navarre, Spain. Published by Four Courts Press, Kill Lane, Blackrock, Co. Dublin, Ireland. Reprinted with permission from Four Courts Press and Scepter Publishers, the U.S. publisher.

Just for Today, April 11

Well mayest thou be ashamed, if thou hast looked upon the life of Jesus Christ, that thou hast not yet studied to conform thyself more to His pattern, al­though thou hast been long in the way of God.

A religious man who exercises himself seriously and devoutly in the most holy life and passion of Our Lord, shall find there abundantly all things profitable and necessary for him; nor need he seek any better model than that of Jesus. Oh, if our crucified Jesus did but come into our heart, how quickly and sufficiently learned should we be!

-Bk. I, Ch. xxv:.
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After her hemorrhage from the lungs in the early hours of Good Friday, she was able to persuade the Prioress that no harm would come of it, so that the latter, blind to the gravity of her condition; allowed her to perform all the penances prescribed by the Rule for that day. In the afternoon, a novice saw her cleaning windows, and noticed that she was deadly pale, and seemed exhausted in spite of her energy. The novice, who loved her, begged with tears to be allowed to ask for some restorative for her. But her young mistress strictly forbade it, saying that she ought to endure a little fatigue on the day on which Jesus had suffered for her.

It was only in May, 1897, that her sisters learned of the accident, and when Sœur Agnes de Jesus re­proached her gently for having concealed it from them: "My little Mother," she said, "you can thank God that you never knew! If you had known of my condition, you would have been deeply grieved at seeing that no care was taken of me."

-The Story of a Soul (L'Histoire d'une Âme)
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For more information, see this post.
Adapted from Just For Today(©1943 Burns & Oates)
Nihil Obstat: Reginaldus Phillips, S.T.L.,Censor deputatus
Imprimatur: Edwardus Myers, Vic. Cap.

Thoughts and Counsels - April 11

A soul which does not practise the exercise of prayer is very like a paralyzed body which, though possessing feet and hands, makes no use of them.

-St. Alphonsus
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From Mary, Help of Christians
Part VI, Thoughts and Counsels of the Saints for Every Day of the Year
Compiled by Fr. Bonaventure Hammer, OFM (© 1909, Benziger Brothers)

Meditation for April 11, Inexcusable

Our Lord is ingenious in palliating faults. From the cross He excuses His executioners, They know not what they do. To the Apostles, slow in believing, He says: You cannot bear them now. (John 16:12.)

He is austere toward those whom He has called, to whom He has spoken, who have heard His voice--and who have forsaken Him. Those He calls inexcusable. At the Last Supper, speaking of the people of Palestine among whom He had lived and whom He had taught, he said, If I had not come, and spoken to them, they would not have sin; but now they have no excuse for their sin. (John 15:22.)

And I? What must my responsibility be?

Countless times, perhaps, I have resisted, I have turned a deaf ear, I have preferred not to see, I have refused to follow.

Inexcusable!

For others there may be an excuse; for me there is none. Perhaps Our Lord is loved and served generously in the world. There a moderate service suffices....What a delusion! The world forgets the Good Master, forsakes Him, refuses to serve Him or serves Him badly....And I! My service is no better than that of the world.

Inexcusable!

I have read, Of him that hath much, much shall be required.
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Adapted from Meditations for Religious
by Father Raoul Plus, S.J. (© 1939, Frederick Pustet Co.)

McDonald's Covers Its Support for Homosexual Agenda?

April 9, 2008 (LifeSiteNews.com) - Last week LifeSiteNews.com reported that the McDonalds restaurant chain had put an executive on the board of the U.S. homosexual chamber of commerce. McDonald's is now attempting to obscure the issue of their support for the homosexual agenda in an e-mail they are sending to those who contact them about the matter.

The first point McDonald's makes is, "At McDonald's, we treat all our employees and customers with dignity and respect regardless of their ethnicity, religious beliefs, sexual orientation or any other differentiating factor."

While this may be true, it has nothing to do with the world's largest fast food chain collaborating with an organization that seeks to "advance the ideas and causes of the LGBT business community" (from the National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce website), and lobbies the U.S. Congress to enact laws that could be used to repress freedom of expression and religious freedom, and undermine the traditional meaning of marriage....

Continued here...

Bye, bye, Big Mac...No more 'food' from you!

Finland Pressures Nicaragua to Legalize Abortion

No legalized abortion? Then no financial aid money from the government of Finland...

During his recent visit to Nicaragua to "evaluate" the state of the country, the Finnish minister of Exterior Cooperation and Trade, Paavo Väyrynen, made his desire clear: legalize abortion.

"We are aware of the legislation that you have in Nicaragua to restrict abortion," he told the Managuan daily El Nuevo Diario on April 2. "When your Minister of Exterior Relations visited us, we talked to him about the laws that are typical of all countries regarding therapeutic abortion, and how they are a basic human right of the woman, and important for the health of pregnant women and children."

Basic human rights? These sick pro-aborts have no concept of "basic human rights!"

Nicaraguans would do well to reject any blood money such as that offered by the pagan heathens from Finland. People like Väyrynen are nothing more than advocates and promoters of murder. Is abortion/infanticide not a crime against humanity, the senseless slaughter of millions of our most precious innocent little ones? These people are criminals, pure and simple - Worse than the average extortionist!

What's next? a separate world, solar system, universe...?

A special graveyard has been opened for Danish homosexuals in Copenhagen where the organisation Rainbow has reserved 36 places for funeral urns, reports said....

Ivan Larsen said he and his partner, Ove Carlsen, felt they wanted to be close also after death, and co-founded Rainbow a year ago that offers its members a funeral urn site for 2,500 Danish kroner ($A567.69).

"We have our own places where we can meet and have fun, gay bars and such. That is why we wanted our own graveyard," Larsen, a priest, told public broadcaster DR....

And why not? He lives in his own little fantasy world where reality and truth are ignored...and what kind of 'priest' is he?

What's next? Separate cemeteries for heterosexuals? NAMBLA members? Whites?

SF Archbishop to honor backer of Planned Parenthood and embryonic stem cell research

San Francisco’s Archbishop George Niederauer tomorrow night will honor a “philanthropist” who, in recent years, has opposed parental notification for underage girls before they have an abortion and supported public funding for embryonic stem cell research. Niederauer will present George M. Marcus with Catholic Charities CYO’s Loaves and Fishes Award at a dinner and “gala” to be held at the Westin St. Francis Hotel in San Francisco....[continued]