"Sentenced to jail for engaging in peaceful free speech”
Judge puts pro-life sidewalk counselor behind bars for counseling women outside Oakland abortion clinic
Two women die in papal rally stampede
As one million Angolans cheered Pope Benedict XVI
Shun witchcraft, Pope tells Angolan Catholics
Many have abandoned the Church for self-styled sects
Obama set to speak at Notre Dame graduation
Is this President's outreach to Catholics?
Uproar in South Bend
News that President Obama will be Notre Dame commencement speaker ignites widespread expressions of outrage
Help Stop the Scandal at Our Lady's University
Take Action NOW - with more than 18,888 other signers in less than 3 days since petition launch!
Pope protesters, supporters clash in France
Condom protest outside Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris
Vatican gears up for boycott of Angels & Demons
Ron Howard film is prequel to The DaVinci Code
Cardinal calls for end to immigration raids
George urges Obama to work toward immigration reform
Pope John Paul II to be beatified next April?
Polish press already reporting that date is scheduled
Luxembourg legalizes euthanasia
After putting limits on Grand Duke's power
Satanic-ritual crimes increasing in Italy
'Antisect police force' has doubled in size this year
=========
Other Issues
=========
Part I: Geithner's Plan "Extremely Dangerous," Economist Galbraith Says
In short, because the plan is yet another massive, ineffective gift to banks and Wall Street. Taxpayers, of course, will take the hit...
EPA: Global Warming Threatens Public Health, Welfare
The Environmental Protection Agency sent a proposal to the White House on Friday finding that global warming is endangering the public's health and welfare, according to several sources, a move that could have far-reaching implications for the nation's economy and environment.
Monday, March 23, 2009
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Gospel for Monday, 4th Week of Lent
John 4:43-54
[43] After two days Jesus departed to Galilee. [44] For Jesus Himself testified that a prophet has no honor in his own country. [45] So when He came to Galilee, the Galileans welcomed Him, having seen all that He had done in Jerusalem at the feast, for they too had gone to the feast.
The Cure of the Royal Official's Son
[46] So He came again to Cana in Galilee, where He had made the water wine. And at Capernaum there was an official whose son was ill. [47]When he heard that Jesus had come from Judea to Galilee, he went and begged Him to come down and heal his son, for he was at the point of death. [48] Jesus therefore said to him, "Unless you see signs and wonders you will not believe." [49] The official said to Him, "Sir, come down before my child dies." [50] Jesus said to him, "Go, your son will live." The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him and went his way. [51] As he was going down, his servants met him and told him that his son was living. [52] So he asked them the hour when he began to mend, and they said to him, "Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him." [53] The father knew that was the hour when Jesus had said to him, "Your son will live"; and he himself believed, and all his household. [54] This was now the second sign that Jesus did when He had come from Judea to Galilee.
_______________
Commentary:
46. St. John is speaking about a royal official, probably in the service of Herod Antipas who, although he was only tetrarch or governor of Galilee (cf. Luke 3:1), was also referred to as king (cf. Mark6:14). The official, therefore, would have been someone of high rank(verse 51), who lived in Capernaum, a town with a customs post. This is why St. Jerome thought he must have been a "palatinus", a palace courtier, as the corresponding Greek word implies.
48. Jesus seems to be addressing not so much the official as the people of Galilee who flock to Him to get Him to perform miracles and work wonders. On another occasion our Lord reproaches the towns of Chorazin, Bethsaida and Capernaum for their disbelief (Matthew11:21-23), because the miracles He worked there would have been enough to move the Phoenician cities of Tyre and Sidon, and even Sodom itself, to do penance. The Galileans in general were more inclined to watch Him perform miracles than listen to His preaching. Later on, after the miracle of the multiplication of the loaves, they will look for Jesus to make Him king--but they are slower to believe when He tells them about the Eucharist (John 6:15, 53, 62). Jesus asks people to have a strong, committed faith which, though it may draw support from miracles, does not require them. Be that as it may, in all ages God continues to work miracles, which help bolster our faith.
"I'm not one for miracles. I have told you that in the Holy Gospel I can find more than enough to confirm my faith.--But I can't help pitying those Christians--pious people, `apostles' many of them--who
smile at the idea of extraordinary ways, of supernatural events. I feel the urge to tell them: Yes, this is still the age of miracles: we too would work them if we had faith!" ([St] J. Escriva, "The Way", 583).
49-50. In spite of Jesus' apparent coldness, the official keeps trying: "Sir, come down before my child dies". Although His faith is imperfect, it did bring him to travel the thirty-three kilometers(twenty miles) between Capernaum and Cana, and despite his important position here he was, begging our Lord for help. Jesus likes the man’s perseverance and humility; he rewards his faith: "`Si habueritis fidem,sicut granum sinapis! If your faith were the size of a mustard seed!...' What promises are contained in this exclamation of the Master!" ([St] J. Escriva, "The Way", 585).
The Fathers compare this miracle with that of the centurion's servant, contrasting the amazing faith of the centurion--from the start--with the initially imperfect faith of this official from Capernaum. St.John Chrysostom comments: "Here was a robust faith [in the case of this official]; therefore, Jesus made him the promise, so that we might learn from this man's devotion; his faith was as yet imperfect, and he did not clearly realize that Jesus could effect the cure at a distance; thus, the Lord, by not agreeing to go down to the man's house, wished us to learn the need to have faith" ("Hom. on St. John", 35).
53. The miracle is so convincing that this man and all his family become believers. All parents should do what they can to bring their household to the faith. As St. Paul says, "If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his own family, he has disowned the faith, and is worse than an unbeliever" (1 Timothy 5:8). Cf. Acts16:14, where we are told that Lydia brought her whole household along with her to be baptized; Acts 18:8 mentions Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue doing the same thing, as does the prison warden (Acts16:33).
___________________________
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.
[43] After two days Jesus departed to Galilee. [44] For Jesus Himself testified that a prophet has no honor in his own country. [45] So when He came to Galilee, the Galileans welcomed Him, having seen all that He had done in Jerusalem at the feast, for they too had gone to the feast.
The Cure of the Royal Official's Son
[46] So He came again to Cana in Galilee, where He had made the water wine. And at Capernaum there was an official whose son was ill. [47]When he heard that Jesus had come from Judea to Galilee, he went and begged Him to come down and heal his son, for he was at the point of death. [48] Jesus therefore said to him, "Unless you see signs and wonders you will not believe." [49] The official said to Him, "Sir, come down before my child dies." [50] Jesus said to him, "Go, your son will live." The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him and went his way. [51] As he was going down, his servants met him and told him that his son was living. [52] So he asked them the hour when he began to mend, and they said to him, "Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him." [53] The father knew that was the hour when Jesus had said to him, "Your son will live"; and he himself believed, and all his household. [54] This was now the second sign that Jesus did when He had come from Judea to Galilee.
_______________
Commentary:
46. St. John is speaking about a royal official, probably in the service of Herod Antipas who, although he was only tetrarch or governor of Galilee (cf. Luke 3:1), was also referred to as king (cf. Mark6:14). The official, therefore, would have been someone of high rank(verse 51), who lived in Capernaum, a town with a customs post. This is why St. Jerome thought he must have been a "palatinus", a palace courtier, as the corresponding Greek word implies.
48. Jesus seems to be addressing not so much the official as the people of Galilee who flock to Him to get Him to perform miracles and work wonders. On another occasion our Lord reproaches the towns of Chorazin, Bethsaida and Capernaum for their disbelief (Matthew11:21-23), because the miracles He worked there would have been enough to move the Phoenician cities of Tyre and Sidon, and even Sodom itself, to do penance. The Galileans in general were more inclined to watch Him perform miracles than listen to His preaching. Later on, after the miracle of the multiplication of the loaves, they will look for Jesus to make Him king--but they are slower to believe when He tells them about the Eucharist (John 6:15, 53, 62). Jesus asks people to have a strong, committed faith which, though it may draw support from miracles, does not require them. Be that as it may, in all ages God continues to work miracles, which help bolster our faith.
"I'm not one for miracles. I have told you that in the Holy Gospel I can find more than enough to confirm my faith.--But I can't help pitying those Christians--pious people, `apostles' many of them--who
smile at the idea of extraordinary ways, of supernatural events. I feel the urge to tell them: Yes, this is still the age of miracles: we too would work them if we had faith!" ([St] J. Escriva, "The Way", 583).
49-50. In spite of Jesus' apparent coldness, the official keeps trying: "Sir, come down before my child dies". Although His faith is imperfect, it did bring him to travel the thirty-three kilometers(twenty miles) between Capernaum and Cana, and despite his important position here he was, begging our Lord for help. Jesus likes the man’s perseverance and humility; he rewards his faith: "`Si habueritis fidem,sicut granum sinapis! If your faith were the size of a mustard seed!...' What promises are contained in this exclamation of the Master!" ([St] J. Escriva, "The Way", 585).
The Fathers compare this miracle with that of the centurion's servant, contrasting the amazing faith of the centurion--from the start--with the initially imperfect faith of this official from Capernaum. St.John Chrysostom comments: "Here was a robust faith [in the case of this official]; therefore, Jesus made him the promise, so that we might learn from this man's devotion; his faith was as yet imperfect, and he did not clearly realize that Jesus could effect the cure at a distance; thus, the Lord, by not agreeing to go down to the man's house, wished us to learn the need to have faith" ("Hom. on St. John", 35).
53. The miracle is so convincing that this man and all his family become believers. All parents should do what they can to bring their household to the faith. As St. Paul says, "If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his own family, he has disowned the faith, and is worse than an unbeliever" (1 Timothy 5:8). Cf. Acts16:14, where we are told that Lydia brought her whole household along with her to be baptized; Acts 18:8 mentions Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue doing the same thing, as does the prison warden (Acts16:33).
___________________________
Source: "The Navarre Bible: Text and Commentaries". Biblical text taken from the Revised Standard Version and New Vulgate. Commentaries made by members of the Faculty of Theology of the University of Navarre, Spain. Published by Four Courts Press, Kill Lane, Blackrock, Co. Dublin, Ireland. Reprinted with permission from Four Courts Press and Scepter Publishers, the U.S. publisher.
Principles and Practices - March 23
Examine and See
True love never rests satisfied with words. It longs to prove itself by deeds, and cannot remain inactive. God's love is no exception to this rule. It manifests itself in ten thousand beautiful ways. It meets us at every turn. It overflows upon us from all sorts of unexpected channels and on all sorts of undreamed occasions.
-Vaughan.
_________________
From Principles and Practices
Compiled by Rev. J. Hogan of The Catholic Missionary Society
Published by Burns Oates & Washbourne Ltd., Publishers To The Holy See
Nihil Obstat; Eduardus J. Mahoney, S.T.D. Censor deputatus.
Imprimatur; Edm. Can. Surmont, Vicarius generalis.
First printed in 1930
True love never rests satisfied with words. It longs to prove itself by deeds, and cannot remain inactive. God's love is no exception to this rule. It manifests itself in ten thousand beautiful ways. It meets us at every turn. It overflows upon us from all sorts of unexpected channels and on all sorts of undreamed occasions.
-Vaughan.
_________________
From Principles and Practices
Compiled by Rev. J. Hogan of The Catholic Missionary Society
Published by Burns Oates & Washbourne Ltd., Publishers To The Holy See
Nihil Obstat; Eduardus J. Mahoney, S.T.D. Censor deputatus.
Imprimatur; Edm. Can. Surmont, Vicarius generalis.
First printed in 1930
Thoughts of St Augustine for March 23
WHO but thou, O our God, didst make for us that firmament of authority over us in the divine scripture?
_________________________
Click here for more information.
From Thoughts of St Augustine for Every Day
by Kathleen Mary Balfe (© 1926)
Nihil Obstat: Georgius D. Smith, S.T.D
Imprimatur: Edm. Can. Surmont
_________________________
Click here for more information.
From Thoughts of St Augustine for Every Day
by Kathleen Mary Balfe (© 1926)
Nihil Obstat: Georgius D. Smith, S.T.D
Imprimatur: Edm. Can. Surmont
Thoughts from St Alphonsus for Every Day-March 23
THE worldly-minded, who love the riches, the honours and the pleasures of earth,refuse to have Jesus Christ for their king; because, as far as this earth is concerned, Jesus was but a king of poverty, shame and sufferings.
_________________
From Thoughts from St Alphonsus for Every Day
Compiled by Rev. C. McNeiry, C.SS.R.
Imprimatur: Joseph Hull, C.SS.R., Prov. Angl. Sup.
Nihil Obstat: Innocentlus Apap, O.P., S.T.M., Censor Deptutatus.
Imprimatur: Edm. Can. Surmont, Vicarius Generalis.
Westmonasterii, Die 9a Junii, 1927.
First published 1927
_________________
From Thoughts from St Alphonsus for Every Day
Compiled by Rev. C. McNeiry, C.SS.R.
Imprimatur: Joseph Hull, C.SS.R., Prov. Angl. Sup.
Nihil Obstat: Innocentlus Apap, O.P., S.T.M., Censor Deptutatus.
Imprimatur: Edm. Can. Surmont, Vicarius Generalis.
Westmonasterii, Die 9a Junii, 1927.
First published 1927
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Principles and Practices - March 22
No Blood From Stones
In our time we have conventional artists of excellence, often exquisite technicians in landscape art or in portrait painting, but we can scarcely expect to reach any great art in these modes. If we were to have a revival of religious feeling accompanied by the profound beliefs of the older times, then once more we might look for supreme artistic achievement. We are paying a high price for our free thinking, as we call it, in religious matters in the exclusion of supreme spiritual motives and a profound religious emotion that it brings with it.
-Walsh.
_________________
From Principles and Practices
Compiled by Rev. J. Hogan of The Catholic Missionary Society
Published by Burns Oates & Washbourne Ltd., Publishers To The Holy See
Nihil Obstat; Eduardus J. Mahoney, S.T.D. Censor deputatus.
Imprimatur; Edm. Can. Surmont, Vicarius generalis.
First printed in 1930
In our time we have conventional artists of excellence, often exquisite technicians in landscape art or in portrait painting, but we can scarcely expect to reach any great art in these modes. If we were to have a revival of religious feeling accompanied by the profound beliefs of the older times, then once more we might look for supreme artistic achievement. We are paying a high price for our free thinking, as we call it, in religious matters in the exclusion of supreme spiritual motives and a profound religious emotion that it brings with it.
-Walsh.
_________________
From Principles and Practices
Compiled by Rev. J. Hogan of The Catholic Missionary Society
Published by Burns Oates & Washbourne Ltd., Publishers To The Holy See
Nihil Obstat; Eduardus J. Mahoney, S.T.D. Censor deputatus.
Imprimatur; Edm. Can. Surmont, Vicarius generalis.
First printed in 1930
Thoughts of St Augustine for March 22
FOR as much as thou only hast being, because thou alone simply art, to whom it is not one thing to live and another thing to live blessedly, seeing thou art thine own blessedness.
_________________________
Click here for more information.
From Thoughts of St Augustine for Every Day
by Kathleen Mary Balfe (© 1926)
Nihil Obstat: Georgius D. Smith, S.T.D
Imprimatur: Edm. Can. Surmont
_________________________
Click here for more information.
From Thoughts of St Augustine for Every Day
by Kathleen Mary Balfe (© 1926)
Nihil Obstat: Georgius D. Smith, S.T.D
Imprimatur: Edm. Can. Surmont
Thoughts from St Alphonsus for Every Day-March 22
THY father and I have sought thee sorrowing. St Joseph was more honoured in this name of father than all the patriarchs, prophets, apostles, and pontiffs; for all these have the name of servants, Joseph alone that of father.
_________________
From Thoughts from St Alphonsus for Every Day
Compiled by Rev. C. McNeiry, C.SS.R.
Imprimatur: Joseph Hull, C.SS.R., Prov. Angl. Sup.
Nihil Obstat: Innocentlus Apap, O.P., S.T.M., Censor Deptutatus.
Imprimatur: Edm. Can. Surmont, Vicarius Generalis.
Westmonasterii, Die 9a Junii, 1927.
First published 1927
_________________
From Thoughts from St Alphonsus for Every Day
Compiled by Rev. C. McNeiry, C.SS.R.
Imprimatur: Joseph Hull, C.SS.R., Prov. Angl. Sup.
Nihil Obstat: Innocentlus Apap, O.P., S.T.M., Censor Deptutatus.
Imprimatur: Edm. Can. Surmont, Vicarius Generalis.
Westmonasterii, Die 9a Junii, 1927.
First published 1927
News Updates, 3/21
Operation Rescue Leader to Pro-Lifers: Ask Gov. Sebelius to Sign Anti-Abortion Law
The leaders of Operation Rescue are calling on pro-lifers to urge Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, the pro-abortion Health and Human Services (HHS) nominee, to support pro-life legislation Kansas legislators passed Tuesday. The bill would require abortion providers to allow women access to ultrasound imagery of their unborn child before undergoing an abortion....
Barney Frank: Antonin Scalia is a ‘Homophobe’
Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass.), chairman of the House Financial Services Committee, said in an interview Friday on 365gay.com that U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia is a “homophobe.”
[The Banking Queen believes his sexual lust, deviancy and perversion is something to be proud of when it's actually gravely immoral and sinful. Scalia evidently believes in God and the natural moral law. Scalia and others who believe in God and abide by His laws are reviled by reprobates like Frank. Sin and vice are violently opposed to morality and virtue.]
Notre Dame University to Give Obama Honorary Degree in Violation of USCCB Policy
White House Secretary Robert Gibbs stated today that Obama will give the commencement address at Notre Dame University this year. The school confirmed the announcement, stating on its website that Obama will also receive an honorary doctor of laws degree at the University's 164th University Commencement Ceremony at 2 p.m. May 17 in the Joyce Center on campus...
[Bishop John D'Arcy needs to step up to the plate and stop this outrage immediately. If ND continues with the scandalous outrage, it needs to be stripped of its claim of Catholicity since this act is an abandonment of all that is Christian!]
Vatican Clamps Down On Killala Latin Mass Move
A high-profile Vatican office has ordered Bishop John Fleming to make provision for the traditional Latin Mass in his Killala diocese. The move, from the powerful 'Ecclesia Dei' Commission comes after the Killala Council of Priests decided that no provision should be made for the celebration of the Mass in the Extraordinary Form....
=========
Other Issues
=========
Barry "Chavez" Soetoro, AKA B. Hussein Obama, Seeks Increase in Oversight of Executive Pay
The Obama administration will call for increased oversight of executive pay at all banks, Wall Street firms and possibly other companies as part of a sweeping plan to overhaul financial regulation, government officials said.
[This clown wants a war, it seems...First, banks receiving bailouts, next all bank execs regardless of bailouts, next all exec pay, middle management tomorrow, and everyone else later. He wants to create a two "class" system making it easier for anointing as KING ZERO]
California February Unemployment Hits 10.5%
February jobless rate in the most populous state far exceeds national 8.1% unemployment rate.
Michigan Unemployment Hits 12.5%
Boeing handing out 900 layoff notices
Boeing is handing out another 900 layoff notices Friday, 700 of those to workers in the Puget Sound area. Spokesman Tim Healy says these are warnings that would take effect May 22. He told KING-TV these are part of the planned 10,000 job cuts Boeing announced early this year...
US Postal Service offering early retirements to 25% of its workforce
The U.S. Postal Service said it will offer early retirement to almost one in four workers, close administrative offices and eliminate more than 3,000 jobs as it grapples with a financial crisis...
Rolling Stone Nails It: "The Big Takeover"
The global economic crisis isn't about money - it's about power. How Wall Street insiders are using the bailout to stage a revolution...
[***Warning*** Coarse language!]
Budget outlook significantly worse than two months ago
U.S. economic and federal budget outlook for the next two years is significantly worse than it was two months ago, the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office said Friday. The latest forecast shows the economy contracting 1.5% this year, with the unemployment rate rising to 9.4% later in the year...
If you roll your own smokes...
Bulk tobacco tax of 23.50 per pound goes into effect April 1st, better stock up now
_________________
"We can't expect the American People to jump from Capitalism to Communism, but we can assist their elected leaders in giving them small doses of Socialism, until they awaken one day to find that they have Communism."
- Nikita Khrushchev, Former Premier of USSR
The leaders of Operation Rescue are calling on pro-lifers to urge Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, the pro-abortion Health and Human Services (HHS) nominee, to support pro-life legislation Kansas legislators passed Tuesday. The bill would require abortion providers to allow women access to ultrasound imagery of their unborn child before undergoing an abortion....
Barney Frank: Antonin Scalia is a ‘Homophobe’
Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass.), chairman of the House Financial Services Committee, said in an interview Friday on 365gay.com that U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia is a “homophobe.”
[The Banking Queen believes his sexual lust, deviancy and perversion is something to be proud of when it's actually gravely immoral and sinful. Scalia evidently believes in God and the natural moral law. Scalia and others who believe in God and abide by His laws are reviled by reprobates like Frank. Sin and vice are violently opposed to morality and virtue.]
Notre Dame University to Give Obama Honorary Degree in Violation of USCCB Policy
White House Secretary Robert Gibbs stated today that Obama will give the commencement address at Notre Dame University this year. The school confirmed the announcement, stating on its website that Obama will also receive an honorary doctor of laws degree at the University's 164th University Commencement Ceremony at 2 p.m. May 17 in the Joyce Center on campus...
[Bishop John D'Arcy needs to step up to the plate and stop this outrage immediately. If ND continues with the scandalous outrage, it needs to be stripped of its claim of Catholicity since this act is an abandonment of all that is Christian!]
Vatican Clamps Down On Killala Latin Mass Move
A high-profile Vatican office has ordered Bishop John Fleming to make provision for the traditional Latin Mass in his Killala diocese. The move, from the powerful 'Ecclesia Dei' Commission comes after the Killala Council of Priests decided that no provision should be made for the celebration of the Mass in the Extraordinary Form....
=========
Other Issues
=========
Barry "Chavez" Soetoro, AKA B. Hussein Obama, Seeks Increase in Oversight of Executive Pay
The Obama administration will call for increased oversight of executive pay at all banks, Wall Street firms and possibly other companies as part of a sweeping plan to overhaul financial regulation, government officials said.
[This clown wants a war, it seems...First, banks receiving bailouts, next all bank execs regardless of bailouts, next all exec pay, middle management tomorrow, and everyone else later. He wants to create a two "class" system making it easier for anointing as KING ZERO]
California February Unemployment Hits 10.5%
February jobless rate in the most populous state far exceeds national 8.1% unemployment rate.
Michigan Unemployment Hits 12.5%
Boeing handing out 900 layoff notices
Boeing is handing out another 900 layoff notices Friday, 700 of those to workers in the Puget Sound area. Spokesman Tim Healy says these are warnings that would take effect May 22. He told KING-TV these are part of the planned 10,000 job cuts Boeing announced early this year...
US Postal Service offering early retirements to 25% of its workforce
The U.S. Postal Service said it will offer early retirement to almost one in four workers, close administrative offices and eliminate more than 3,000 jobs as it grapples with a financial crisis...
Rolling Stone Nails It: "The Big Takeover"
The global economic crisis isn't about money - it's about power. How Wall Street insiders are using the bailout to stage a revolution...
[***Warning*** Coarse language!]
Budget outlook significantly worse than two months ago
U.S. economic and federal budget outlook for the next two years is significantly worse than it was two months ago, the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office said Friday. The latest forecast shows the economy contracting 1.5% this year, with the unemployment rate rising to 9.4% later in the year...
If you roll your own smokes...
Bulk tobacco tax of 23.50 per pound goes into effect April 1st, better stock up now
_________________
"We can't expect the American People to jump from Capitalism to Communism, but we can assist their elected leaders in giving them small doses of Socialism, until they awaken one day to find that they have Communism."
- Nikita Khrushchev, Former Premier of USSR
Friday, March 20, 2009
Gospel for Saturday, 3rd Week of Lent
Luke 18:9-14
Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector
[9] He (Jesus) also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and despised others: [10] "Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. [11] The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, `God, I thank Thee that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. [12] I fast twice a week, I give tithes of all that I get.' [13] But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to Heaven, but beat his breast, saying, `God, be merciful to me a sinner!' [14] I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for every one who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted."
_________________________
Commentary:
9-14. Our Lord here rounds off His teaching on prayer. In addition to being persevering and full of faith, prayer must flow from a humble heart, a heart that repents of its sins: "Cor contritum et humiliatum, Deus, non despicies" (Psalm 51:19); the Lord, who never despises a contrite and humble heart, resists the proud and gives His grace to the humble (cf. Peter 5:5; James 4:6).
The parable presents two opposite types--the Pharisee, who is so meticulous about external fulfillment of the Law; and the tax collector, who in fact is looked on as a public sinner (cf. Luke 19:7). The Pharisee's prayer is not pleasing to God, because his pride causes him to be self-centered and to despise others. He begins by giving thanks to God, but obviously it is not true gratitude, because he boasts about all the good he has done and he fails to recognize his sins; since he regards himself as righteous, he has no need of pardon, he thinks; and he remains in his sinful state; to him also apply these words spoken by our Lord to a group of Pharisees on another occasion: "If you were blind, you would have no guilt; but now that you say, `We see,' your guilt remains" (John 9:41). The Pharisee went down from the temple, therefore, unjustified.
But the tax collector recognizes his personal unworthiness and is sincerely sorry for his sins: he has the necessary dispositions for God to pardon him. His ejaculatory prayer wins God's forgiveness: "It is not without reason that some have said that prayer justifies; for repentant prayer or supplicant repentance, raising up the soul to God and re-uniting it to His goodness, without doubt obtains pardon in virtue of the holy love which gives it this sacred movement. And therefore we ought all to have very many such ejaculatory prayers, said as an act of loving repentance and with a desire of obtaining reconciliation with God, so that by thus laying our tribulation before our Savior, we may pour out our souls before and within His pitiful heart, which will receive them with mercy" (St. Francis de Sales, "Treatise on the Love of God", Book 2, Chapter 20).
___________________________
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.
Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector
[9] He (Jesus) also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and despised others: [10] "Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. [11] The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, `God, I thank Thee that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. [12] I fast twice a week, I give tithes of all that I get.' [13] But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to Heaven, but beat his breast, saying, `God, be merciful to me a sinner!' [14] I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for every one who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted."
_________________________
Commentary:
9-14. Our Lord here rounds off His teaching on prayer. In addition to being persevering and full of faith, prayer must flow from a humble heart, a heart that repents of its sins: "Cor contritum et humiliatum, Deus, non despicies" (Psalm 51:19); the Lord, who never despises a contrite and humble heart, resists the proud and gives His grace to the humble (cf. Peter 5:5; James 4:6).
The parable presents two opposite types--the Pharisee, who is so meticulous about external fulfillment of the Law; and the tax collector, who in fact is looked on as a public sinner (cf. Luke 19:7). The Pharisee's prayer is not pleasing to God, because his pride causes him to be self-centered and to despise others. He begins by giving thanks to God, but obviously it is not true gratitude, because he boasts about all the good he has done and he fails to recognize his sins; since he regards himself as righteous, he has no need of pardon, he thinks; and he remains in his sinful state; to him also apply these words spoken by our Lord to a group of Pharisees on another occasion: "If you were blind, you would have no guilt; but now that you say, `We see,' your guilt remains" (John 9:41). The Pharisee went down from the temple, therefore, unjustified.
But the tax collector recognizes his personal unworthiness and is sincerely sorry for his sins: he has the necessary dispositions for God to pardon him. His ejaculatory prayer wins God's forgiveness: "It is not without reason that some have said that prayer justifies; for repentant prayer or supplicant repentance, raising up the soul to God and re-uniting it to His goodness, without doubt obtains pardon in virtue of the holy love which gives it this sacred movement. And therefore we ought all to have very many such ejaculatory prayers, said as an act of loving repentance and with a desire of obtaining reconciliation with God, so that by thus laying our tribulation before our Savior, we may pour out our souls before and within His pitiful heart, which will receive them with mercy" (St. Francis de Sales, "Treatise on the Love of God", Book 2, Chapter 20).
___________________________
Source: "The Navarre Bible: Text and Commentaries". Biblical text taken from the Revised Standard Version and New Vulgate. Commentaries made by members of the Faculty of Theology of the University of Navarre, Spain. Published by Four Courts Press, Kill Lane, Blackrock, Co. Dublin, Ireland. Reprinted with permission from Four Courts Press and Scepter Publishers, the U.S. publisher.
Principles and Practices - March 21
What Our Lord Wants
How are we to account for Jesus' wi1lingness, nay, anxiety, to be thus received by sinful men? It is because in thus communicating Himself to us, He makes us more like to what He Himself is, and what He desires us to be. The Precious Blood imparts to our souls all heavenly gifts and graces if we receive it as we ought. O Jesus! grant that I may receive Thee frequently, fervently, with complete oblation of my whole self.
-Father Clarke, S.J.
_________________
From Principles and Practices
Compiled by Rev. J. Hogan of The Catholic Missionary Society
Published by Burns Oates & Washbourne Ltd., Publishers To The Holy See
Nihil Obstat; Eduardus J. Mahoney, S.T.D. Censor deputatus.
Imprimatur; Edm. Can. Surmont, Vicarius generalis.
First printed in 1930
How are we to account for Jesus' wi1lingness, nay, anxiety, to be thus received by sinful men? It is because in thus communicating Himself to us, He makes us more like to what He Himself is, and what He desires us to be. The Precious Blood imparts to our souls all heavenly gifts and graces if we receive it as we ought. O Jesus! grant that I may receive Thee frequently, fervently, with complete oblation of my whole self.
-Father Clarke, S.J.
_________________
From Principles and Practices
Compiled by Rev. J. Hogan of The Catholic Missionary Society
Published by Burns Oates & Washbourne Ltd., Publishers To The Holy See
Nihil Obstat; Eduardus J. Mahoney, S.T.D. Censor deputatus.
Imprimatur; Edm. Can. Surmont, Vicarius generalis.
First printed in 1930
Thoughts of St Augustine for March 21
AND all we, who I confess do both see and speak the truth delivered in those words, let us love one another, and together let us love thee our God, the Fountain of Truth, if it be truth and not vanity that we thirst after.
_________________________
Click here for more information.
From Thoughts of St Augustine for Every Day
by Kathleen Mary Balfe (© 1926)
Nihil Obstat: Georgius D. Smith, S.T.D
Imprimatur: Edm. Can. Surmont
_________________________
Click here for more information.
From Thoughts of St Augustine for Every Day
by Kathleen Mary Balfe (© 1926)
Nihil Obstat: Georgius D. Smith, S.T.D
Imprimatur: Edm. Can. Surmont
Thoughts from St Alphonsus for Every Day-march 21
JOSUEESUS excited the admiration of the whole world when he commanded the sun to stop in its course, that he might have time to conquer his enemies, and it obeyed. But what comparison can there be between Josue, whom the sun, an inanimate creature, obeyed, and Joseph, who was obeyed by Jesus Christ, the Son of God?
_________________
From Thoughts from St Alphonsus for Every Day
Compiled by Rev. C. McNeiry, C.SS.R.
Imprimatur: Joseph Hull, C.SS.R., Prov. Angl. Sup.
Nihil Obstat: Innocentlus Apap, O.P., S.T.M., Censor Deptutatus.
Imprimatur: Edm. Can. Surmont, Vicarius Generalis.
Westmonasterii, Die 9a Junii, 1927.
First published 1927
_________________
From Thoughts from St Alphonsus for Every Day
Compiled by Rev. C. McNeiry, C.SS.R.
Imprimatur: Joseph Hull, C.SS.R., Prov. Angl. Sup.
Nihil Obstat: Innocentlus Apap, O.P., S.T.M., Censor Deptutatus.
Imprimatur: Edm. Can. Surmont, Vicarius Generalis.
Westmonasterii, Die 9a Junii, 1927.
First published 1927
News Updates, 3/20
Only about one-third of parishes participated in FOCA campaign
Even with all-out effort by Sacramento bishop and respect life coordinator, most parishes in diocese didn't participate in FOCA postcard campaign
Webster's dictionary redefines 'marriage'
Now includes references to same-sex relationships
[I bet it doesn't use descriptors like "perverted," "deviant," "disordered," or "immoral."]
Vatican press Office tampers with Pope's words
Damian Thompson calls for Father Lombardi's firing
Gay Catholics apoplectic over Pope's comments
Groups lash out at Benedict for Church's stance on condoms
Harvard center: The Pope is right on condoms
Media coverage of papal comments is March madness
Pope's homily in Africa on Feast of St. Joseph
'Do not be afraid to believe, to hope, and to love'
Pennsylvania bishop refuses to meet with Catholic college
Misericordia hosted gay-rights speaker on campus
Teens self-aborting with veterinary medicines
'What kind of world have we created for these girls?'
Hillary Clinton comments killed Coptic Christians
Human rights statement in Egypt leads to persecution
Fresno bishop faces tough questions
Says molester priest in no position to harm children
[Is he behind bars?]
=========
Other Issues
=========
Credit Unions Seized By Federal Regulators
Late Friday Federal Regulators have seized the nations two largest credit unions after regulators discovered the quality of their balance sheets was impaired.
House Passes Mandatory National Service Bill
The House passed a bill yesterday which includes disturbing language indicating young people will be forced to undertake mandatory national service programs as fears about President Barack Obama’s promised “civilian national security force” intensify.
[The tyrant "ruler" is getting his "Obama Youth," ala Hitler's little brownshirts...Next, per her highness queen Pelosi - amnesty for all illegals! The totalitarian freaks need to be deposed!
Not that the Constitution means AYTHING to these domestic enemies of the country but Amendment XIII states:
Section 1. Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction. ]
Federal Deficit Much Worse Than Obama Predicted
Deteriorating economic conditions will cause the federal deficit to soar past $1.8 trillion this year and leave the nation wallowing in a sea of red ink far deeper than the White House had previously estimated, congressional budget analysts said today.
Two U.S. Navy vessels have collided in the Strait of Hormuz
A U.S. submarine and a U.S. amphibious ship collided early today in the Strait of Hormuz, the Fifth Fleet said in a statement. Fifteen sailors were slightly injured...
FDIC Closes Sale of Indymac, Loses $10.7 billion
Even with all-out effort by Sacramento bishop and respect life coordinator, most parishes in diocese didn't participate in FOCA postcard campaign
Webster's dictionary redefines 'marriage'
Now includes references to same-sex relationships
[I bet it doesn't use descriptors like "perverted," "deviant," "disordered," or "immoral."]
Vatican press Office tampers with Pope's words
Damian Thompson calls for Father Lombardi's firing
Gay Catholics apoplectic over Pope's comments
Groups lash out at Benedict for Church's stance on condoms
Harvard center: The Pope is right on condoms
Media coverage of papal comments is March madness
Pope's homily in Africa on Feast of St. Joseph
'Do not be afraid to believe, to hope, and to love'
Pennsylvania bishop refuses to meet with Catholic college
Misericordia hosted gay-rights speaker on campus
Teens self-aborting with veterinary medicines
'What kind of world have we created for these girls?'
Hillary Clinton comments killed Coptic Christians
Human rights statement in Egypt leads to persecution
Fresno bishop faces tough questions
Says molester priest in no position to harm children
[Is he behind bars?]
=========
Other Issues
=========
Credit Unions Seized By Federal Regulators
Late Friday Federal Regulators have seized the nations two largest credit unions after regulators discovered the quality of their balance sheets was impaired.
House Passes Mandatory National Service Bill
The House passed a bill yesterday which includes disturbing language indicating young people will be forced to undertake mandatory national service programs as fears about President Barack Obama’s promised “civilian national security force” intensify.
[The tyrant "ruler" is getting his "Obama Youth," ala Hitler's little brownshirts...Next, per her highness queen Pelosi - amnesty for all illegals! The totalitarian freaks need to be deposed!
Not that the Constitution means AYTHING to these domestic enemies of the country but Amendment XIII states:
Section 1. Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction. ]
Federal Deficit Much Worse Than Obama Predicted
Deteriorating economic conditions will cause the federal deficit to soar past $1.8 trillion this year and leave the nation wallowing in a sea of red ink far deeper than the White House had previously estimated, congressional budget analysts said today.
Two U.S. Navy vessels have collided in the Strait of Hormuz
A U.S. submarine and a U.S. amphibious ship collided early today in the Strait of Hormuz, the Fifth Fleet said in a statement. Fifteen sailors were slightly injured...
FDIC Closes Sale of Indymac, Loses $10.7 billion
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Gospel for Friday, 3rd Week of Lent
From: Mark 12:28-34
The Greatest Commandment of All
[28] One of the scribes came up and heard them disputing with one another, and seeing that He (Jesus) answered them well, asked Him, "Which commandment is the first of all?" [29] Jesus answered, "The first is, `Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one; [30] and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.' [31] The second is this, `You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no other commandment greater than these." [32] And the scribe said to Him, "You are right, Teacher; You have truly said that He is one, and there is no other than He; [33] and to love with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the strength, and to love one's neighbor as oneself, is much more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices." [34] And when Jesus saw that he answered wisely, He said to him, "You are not far from the Kingdom of God." And after that no one dared to ask Him any question.
_________________________
Commentary:
28-34. The doctor of the law who asks Jesus this question is obviously an upright man who is sincerely seeking the truth. He was impressed by Jesus' earlier reply (verses 18-27) and he wants to learn more from Him. His question is to the point and Jesus devotes time to instructing him, though he will soon castigate the scribes, of whom this man is one (cf. Mark 12:38ff).
Jesus sees in this man not just a scribe but a person who is looking for the truth. And His teaching finds its way into the man's heart. The scribe repeats what Jesus says, savoring it, and our Lord offers him an affectionate word which encourages his definitive conversion: "You are not far from the Kingdom of God." This encounter reminds us of His meeting with Nicodemus (cf. John 3:1ff). On the doctrinal content of these two commandments cf. note on Matthew 22:34-40.
[Note on Matthew 22:34-40 states:
In reply to the question, our Lord points out that the whole law can be condensed into two commandments: the first and more important consists in unconditional love of God; the second is a consequence and result of the first, because when man is loved, St. Thomas says, God is loved, for man is the image of God (cf. "Commentary on St. Matthew", 22:4).
A person who genuinely loves God also loves his fellows because he realizes that they are his brothers and sisters, children of the same Father, redeemed by the same blood of our Lord Jesus Christ: "This commandment we have from Him, that he who loves God should love his brother also" (1 John 4:21). However, if we love man for man's sake without reference to God, this love will become an obstacle in the way of keeping the first commandment, and then it is no longer genuine love of our neighbor. But love of our neighbor for God's sake is clear proof that we love God: "If anyone says, `I love God', and hates his brother, he is a liar" (1 John 4:20).
"You shall love your neighbor as yourself": here our Lord establishes as the guideline for our love of neighbor the love each of us has for himself; both love of others and love of self are based on love of God. Hence, in some cases it can happen that God requires us to put our neighbor's need before our own; in others, not: it depends on what value, in light of God's love, needs to be put on the spiritual and material factors involved.
Obviously spiritual goods take absolute precedence over material ones, even over life itself. Therefore, spiritual goods, be they our own or our neighbor's, must be the first to be safeguarded. If the spiritual good in question is the supreme one for the salvation of the soul, no one is justified in putting his own soul into certain danger of being condemned in order to save another, because given human freedom we can never be absolutely sure what personal choice another person may make: this is the situation in the parable (cf. Matthew 25:1-13), where the wise virgins refuse to give oil to the foolish ones; similarly St. Paul says that he would wish himself to be rejected if that could save his brothers (cf. Romans 9:3)--an unreal theoretical situation. However, what is quite clear is that we have to do all we can to save our brothers, conscious that, if someone helps to bring a sinner back to the way, he will save himself from eternal death and cover a multitude of his own sins (James 5:20). From all this we can deduce that self-love of the right kind, based on God's love for man, necessarily involves forgetting oneself in order to love God and our neighbor for God.]
30. This commandment of the Old Law, ratified by Jesus, shows, above all, God's great desire to engage in intimate conversation with man: "would it not have sufficed to publish a permission giving us leave to love Him? [...]. He makes a stronger declaration of His passionate love for us, and commands us to love Him with all our power, lest the consideration of His majesty and our misery, which make so great a distance and inequality between us, or some other pretext, divert us from His love. In this He well shows that He did not leave in us for nothing the natural inclination to love Him, for to the end that it may not be idle, He urges us by His general commandment to employ it, and that this commandment may be effected, there is no living man He has not furnished him abundantly with all means requisite thereto" (St. Francis de Sales, "Treatise on the Love of God", Book 2, Chapter 8).
________________________
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 Greatest Commandment of All
[28] One of the scribes came up and heard them disputing with one another, and seeing that He (Jesus) answered them well, asked Him, "Which commandment is the first of all?" [29] Jesus answered, "The first is, `Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one; [30] and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.' [31] The second is this, `You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no other commandment greater than these." [32] And the scribe said to Him, "You are right, Teacher; You have truly said that He is one, and there is no other than He; [33] and to love with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the strength, and to love one's neighbor as oneself, is much more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices." [34] And when Jesus saw that he answered wisely, He said to him, "You are not far from the Kingdom of God." And after that no one dared to ask Him any question.
_________________________
Commentary:
28-34. The doctor of the law who asks Jesus this question is obviously an upright man who is sincerely seeking the truth. He was impressed by Jesus' earlier reply (verses 18-27) and he wants to learn more from Him. His question is to the point and Jesus devotes time to instructing him, though he will soon castigate the scribes, of whom this man is one (cf. Mark 12:38ff).
Jesus sees in this man not just a scribe but a person who is looking for the truth. And His teaching finds its way into the man's heart. The scribe repeats what Jesus says, savoring it, and our Lord offers him an affectionate word which encourages his definitive conversion: "You are not far from the Kingdom of God." This encounter reminds us of His meeting with Nicodemus (cf. John 3:1ff). On the doctrinal content of these two commandments cf. note on Matthew 22:34-40.
[Note on Matthew 22:34-40 states:
In reply to the question, our Lord points out that the whole law can be condensed into two commandments: the first and more important consists in unconditional love of God; the second is a consequence and result of the first, because when man is loved, St. Thomas says, God is loved, for man is the image of God (cf. "Commentary on St. Matthew", 22:4).
A person who genuinely loves God also loves his fellows because he realizes that they are his brothers and sisters, children of the same Father, redeemed by the same blood of our Lord Jesus Christ: "This commandment we have from Him, that he who loves God should love his brother also" (1 John 4:21). However, if we love man for man's sake without reference to God, this love will become an obstacle in the way of keeping the first commandment, and then it is no longer genuine love of our neighbor. But love of our neighbor for God's sake is clear proof that we love God: "If anyone says, `I love God', and hates his brother, he is a liar" (1 John 4:20).
"You shall love your neighbor as yourself": here our Lord establishes as the guideline for our love of neighbor the love each of us has for himself; both love of others and love of self are based on love of God. Hence, in some cases it can happen that God requires us to put our neighbor's need before our own; in others, not: it depends on what value, in light of God's love, needs to be put on the spiritual and material factors involved.
Obviously spiritual goods take absolute precedence over material ones, even over life itself. Therefore, spiritual goods, be they our own or our neighbor's, must be the first to be safeguarded. If the spiritual good in question is the supreme one for the salvation of the soul, no one is justified in putting his own soul into certain danger of being condemned in order to save another, because given human freedom we can never be absolutely sure what personal choice another person may make: this is the situation in the parable (cf. Matthew 25:1-13), where the wise virgins refuse to give oil to the foolish ones; similarly St. Paul says that he would wish himself to be rejected if that could save his brothers (cf. Romans 9:3)--an unreal theoretical situation. However, what is quite clear is that we have to do all we can to save our brothers, conscious that, if someone helps to bring a sinner back to the way, he will save himself from eternal death and cover a multitude of his own sins (James 5:20). From all this we can deduce that self-love of the right kind, based on God's love for man, necessarily involves forgetting oneself in order to love God and our neighbor for God.]
30. This commandment of the Old Law, ratified by Jesus, shows, above all, God's great desire to engage in intimate conversation with man: "would it not have sufficed to publish a permission giving us leave to love Him? [...]. He makes a stronger declaration of His passionate love for us, and commands us to love Him with all our power, lest the consideration of His majesty and our misery, which make so great a distance and inequality between us, or some other pretext, divert us from His love. In this He well shows that He did not leave in us for nothing the natural inclination to love Him, for to the end that it may not be idle, He urges us by His general commandment to employ it, and that this commandment may be effected, there is no living man He has not furnished him abundantly with all means requisite thereto" (St. Francis de Sales, "Treatise on the Love of God", Book 2, Chapter 8).
________________________
Source: "The Navarre Bible: Text and Commentaries". Biblical text taken from the Revised Standard Version and New Vulgate. Commentaries made by members of the Faculty of Theology of the University of Navarre, Spain. Published by Four Courts Press, Kill Lane, Blackrock, Co. Dublin, Ireland. Reprinted with permission from Four Courts Press and Scepter Publishers, the U.S. publisher.
Principles and Practices - March 20
Our Dependence
To be a creature is to have an existence but not to be independent. God could not create a being, and thrust it away, so that it would be entirely outside of, and away from, God. Every creature is encompassed by the power, wisdom, goodness, and love of Him who first gave it being. The Creator's hand is the creature's home. The creature has primary, essential relations with the Creator.
-J. Teefy, C.S.B.
_________________
From Principles and Practices
Compiled by Rev. J. Hogan of The Catholic Missionary Society
Published by Burns Oates & Washbourne Ltd., Publishers To The Holy See
Nihil Obstat; Eduardus J. Mahoney, S.T.D. Censor deputatus.
Imprimatur; Edm. Can. Surmont, Vicarius generalis.
First printed in 1930
To be a creature is to have an existence but not to be independent. God could not create a being, and thrust it away, so that it would be entirely outside of, and away from, God. Every creature is encompassed by the power, wisdom, goodness, and love of Him who first gave it being. The Creator's hand is the creature's home. The creature has primary, essential relations with the Creator.
-J. Teefy, C.S.B.
_________________
From Principles and Practices
Compiled by Rev. J. Hogan of The Catholic Missionary Society
Published by Burns Oates & Washbourne Ltd., Publishers To The Holy See
Nihil Obstat; Eduardus J. Mahoney, S.T.D. Censor deputatus.
Imprimatur; Edm. Can. Surmont, Vicarius generalis.
First printed in 1930
Thoughts of St Augustine for March 20
BUT if they love it because it is true, it groweth thus to be both theirs and mine, as being common to all who are lovers of the Truth....Seeing therefore that we do not strive about the very light of our Lord, why do we strive about the very thoughts of our neighbour, into which we cannot see clearly as we can into the unchangeable Truth?
_________________________
Click here for more information.
From Thoughts of St Augustine for Every Day
by Kathleen Mary Balfe (© 1926)
Nihil Obstat: Georgius D. Smith, S.T.D
Imprimatur: Edm. Can. Surmont
_________________________
Click here for more information.
From Thoughts of St Augustine for Every Day
by Kathleen Mary Balfe (© 1926)
Nihil Obstat: Georgius D. Smith, S.T.D
Imprimatur: Edm. Can. Surmont
Thoughts from St Alphonsus for Every Day-March 20
IF the two disciples going to Emmaus were inflamed with divine love by the few moments which they spent in company with our Saviour, and by his words, what flames of holy love must we not suppose to have been enkindled in the heart of St Joseph, who for thirty years conversed with Jesus Christ, and listened to his words of eternal life?
_________________
From Thoughts from St Alphonsus for Every Day
Compiled by Rev. C. McNeiry, C.SS.R.
Imprimatur: Joseph Hull, C.SS.R., Prov. Angl. Sup.
Nihil Obstat: Innocentlus Apap, O.P., S.T.M., Censor Deptutatus.
Imprimatur: Edm. Can. Surmont, Vicarius Generalis.
Westmonasterii, Die 9a Junii, 1927.
First published 1927
_________________
From Thoughts from St Alphonsus for Every Day
Compiled by Rev. C. McNeiry, C.SS.R.
Imprimatur: Joseph Hull, C.SS.R., Prov. Angl. Sup.
Nihil Obstat: Innocentlus Apap, O.P., S.T.M., Censor Deptutatus.
Imprimatur: Edm. Can. Surmont, Vicarius Generalis.
Westmonasterii, Die 9a Junii, 1927.
First published 1927
Dr Edward Peters: If Robert McElvaine hasn't violated Canon 1369, who has?
Dr Peters writes:
About a year ago, WaPo made room for Joe "the-bishops-be-damned" Feuerherd's rant against the American episcopate for its articulation of pro-life ethics in politics.
I said then that Feueherd's contempt must not be allowed to go unchecked. The US bishops let the insults pass. But now, Feuerherdian contempt has been taken to a new level by Robert McElvaine.
Read why I believe that McElvaine’s column in the Washington Post has violated Canon 1369, and why I am calling for a canonical penal process to be undertaken against him, here:
News Updates, 3/19
*** MUST READ ***
Thomas More Law Center Sues AIG for Promoting Islam; Responds to Justice Department’s Motion to Dismiss its Lawsuit Challenging AIG Bailout
TMLC responded yesterday to a motion to dismiss its federal lawsuit challenging the AIG bailout. The request to dismiss was filed by the Obama administration’s Department of Justice on behalf of Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner and the Federal Reserve Board. Richard Thompson, President and Chief Counsel of the Thomas More Law Center, commented, “Although widespread public anger has rightfully focused on bonuses AIG paid to top executives using taxpayers’ money, that anger would be at an even higher pitch if the public knew that our tax dollars were being used by AIG to promote Islam and Shariah law, which provides support for terrorist activities aimed at killing Americans and destroying America.”
Hundreds Of Thousands In Canadian Lent Collection Money Funding Pro-Abortion Groups In Mexico
The official international development organization of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops is funding groups in Mexico that are pressuring the Mexican government to legalize abortion, LifeSiteNews has learned. The five pro-abortion groups have received $170,000 in total this year from Development and Peace...
[Development and Peace??? Another leftist group masquerading as Catholic...WHEN will these apostates be purged from the Church?]
Vatican defends Pope's stand on condoms
Criticism mounts after comments in Cameroon
Israel: Pope can wear cross at Western Wall
'In accordance with rules of hospitality and dignity'
Cardinal George faces President Obama
30-minute meeting inside the Oval Office today
US births break record: 40% are out-of-wedlock
Teen birth rate up for the second year in a row
Mahony testifies in Fresno sex abuse trial
LA cardinal subpoenaed by attorneys for two brothers
Pope asks priests to 'smarten up' their dress code
Benedict XVI says Clerics should be more 'recognizable'
African wife-beaters urged to practice 'safe-sox'
Take steps to prevent HIV infection from skin ruptures
Ethiopia: astonishing Christianity on African soil
'Dark and lovely' like the queen of Sheba
African priest warns of rampant curses in society
Says 'evil act' has true negative effects on humanity
==========
Other Issues
==========
Liars & Cheats Trying to cover for more Liars & Cheats
Dodd Blames Obama Administration for Bonus Amendment
[None of these reprobates should have ANY position of governing power - they should all be behind bars, at a minimum.]
Missouri Libertarian Party Condemns Missouri Highway Patrol Training Document as Political Profiling
The Missouri Libertarian Party, the third-largest political party in the state, issued the following statement regarding a “Strategic Report” issued by the Missouri Information Analysis Center (MIAC) on February 22nd, which became known to the public late last week...
[Let's not forget, elitists in Missouri basically say you're a terrorist if:
1. You're a member of the Constitution Party.
2. You're a member of the Libertarian Party.
3. You have a Ron Paul, Bob Barr or Chuck Baldwin bumper sticker displayed on your car.
4. You home-school.
5. You believe in a possible North American Union (NAU)
6. You display a "Don't Tread on Me" flag or an upside-down American flag.]
EU bans use of 'Miss' and 'Mrs' (and sportsmen and statesmen) because it claims they are sexist
Europe wrestles with only the highest priority issues, all of those brave men who fought so hard in the liberation of Europe in World War I and II less than 100 years ago would never believe this.
Out of thin air, Fed to pump another $1 trillion into U.S. economy
US Federal Reserve plans $1.15 trillion injection
The US Federal Reserve is to embark on quantitative easing by buying up longer-term Treasuries for the first time as part of a $1.15 trillion (£808bn) spending spree with the aim of reviving the American economy out of recession....
[This act may well precipitate the destruction of Social Security, Medicare, half the military budget and half of all other government programs - in effect, the destruction of the country.]
Taxpayers Gather To Protest Spending, Taxes, Growing Debt
Thomas More Law Center Sues AIG for Promoting Islam; Responds to Justice Department’s Motion to Dismiss its Lawsuit Challenging AIG Bailout
TMLC responded yesterday to a motion to dismiss its federal lawsuit challenging the AIG bailout. The request to dismiss was filed by the Obama administration’s Department of Justice on behalf of Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner and the Federal Reserve Board. Richard Thompson, President and Chief Counsel of the Thomas More Law Center, commented, “Although widespread public anger has rightfully focused on bonuses AIG paid to top executives using taxpayers’ money, that anger would be at an even higher pitch if the public knew that our tax dollars were being used by AIG to promote Islam and Shariah law, which provides support for terrorist activities aimed at killing Americans and destroying America.”
Hundreds Of Thousands In Canadian Lent Collection Money Funding Pro-Abortion Groups In Mexico
The official international development organization of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops is funding groups in Mexico that are pressuring the Mexican government to legalize abortion, LifeSiteNews has learned. The five pro-abortion groups have received $170,000 in total this year from Development and Peace...
[Development and Peace??? Another leftist group masquerading as Catholic...WHEN will these apostates be purged from the Church?]
Vatican defends Pope's stand on condoms
Criticism mounts after comments in Cameroon
Israel: Pope can wear cross at Western Wall
'In accordance with rules of hospitality and dignity'
Cardinal George faces President Obama
30-minute meeting inside the Oval Office today
US births break record: 40% are out-of-wedlock
Teen birth rate up for the second year in a row
Mahony testifies in Fresno sex abuse trial
LA cardinal subpoenaed by attorneys for two brothers
Pope asks priests to 'smarten up' their dress code
Benedict XVI says Clerics should be more 'recognizable'
African wife-beaters urged to practice 'safe-sox'
Take steps to prevent HIV infection from skin ruptures
Ethiopia: astonishing Christianity on African soil
'Dark and lovely' like the queen of Sheba
African priest warns of rampant curses in society
Says 'evil act' has true negative effects on humanity
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Other Issues
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Liars & Cheats Trying to cover for more Liars & Cheats
Dodd Blames Obama Administration for Bonus Amendment
[None of these reprobates should have ANY position of governing power - they should all be behind bars, at a minimum.]
Missouri Libertarian Party Condemns Missouri Highway Patrol Training Document as Political Profiling
The Missouri Libertarian Party, the third-largest political party in the state, issued the following statement regarding a “Strategic Report” issued by the Missouri Information Analysis Center (MIAC) on February 22nd, which became known to the public late last week...
[Let's not forget, elitists in Missouri basically say you're a terrorist if:
1. You're a member of the Constitution Party.
2. You're a member of the Libertarian Party.
3. You have a Ron Paul, Bob Barr or Chuck Baldwin bumper sticker displayed on your car.
4. You home-school.
5. You believe in a possible North American Union (NAU)
6. You display a "Don't Tread on Me" flag or an upside-down American flag.]
EU bans use of 'Miss' and 'Mrs' (and sportsmen and statesmen) because it claims they are sexist
Europe wrestles with only the highest priority issues, all of those brave men who fought so hard in the liberation of Europe in World War I and II less than 100 years ago would never believe this.
Out of thin air, Fed to pump another $1 trillion into U.S. economy
US Federal Reserve plans $1.15 trillion injection
The US Federal Reserve is to embark on quantitative easing by buying up longer-term Treasuries for the first time as part of a $1.15 trillion (£808bn) spending spree with the aim of reviving the American economy out of recession....
[This act may well precipitate the destruction of Social Security, Medicare, half the military budget and half of all other government programs - in effect, the destruction of the country.]
Taxpayers Gather To Protest Spending, Taxes, Growing Debt
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