From: Matthew 5:38-42
Jesus and His Teaching, the Fulfillment of the Law (Continuation)
(Jesus said to His disciples,) [38] "You have heard that it was said, `An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.' [39] But I say to you, Do not resist one who is evil. But if any one strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also; [40] and if any one would sue you and take your coat, let him have your cloak as well; [41] and if any one forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. [42] Give to him who begs from you, and do not refuse him who would borrow from you."
_________________________
Commentary:
38-42. Among the Semites, from whom the Israelites stemmed, the law of vengeance ruled. It led to interminable strife, and countless crimes. In the early centuries of the chosen people, the law of retaliation was recognized as an ethical advance, socially and legally: no punishment could exceed the crime, and any punitive retaliation was outlawed. In this way, the honor of the clans and families was satisfied, and endless feuds avoided.
As far as New Testament morality is concerned, Jesus establishes a definitive advance: a sense of forgiveness and absence of pride play an essential role. Every legal framework for combating evil in the world, every reasonable defense of personal rights, should be based on this morality. The three last verses refer to mutual charity among the children of the Kingdom, a charity which presupposes and deeply imbues justice.
___________________________
Source: "The Navarre Bible: Text and Commentaries". Biblical text taken from the Revised Standard Version and New Vulgate. Commentaries made by members of the Faculty of Theology of the University of Navarre, Spain. Published by Four Courts Press, Kill Lane, Blackrock, Co. Dublin, Ireland. Reprinted with permission from Four Courts Press and Scepter Publishers, the U.S. publisher.
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Principles and Practices - June 15
Perfection Through Law
In proportion as we violate any of the laws of our physical, moral, or intellectual nature, we lose some of our freedom of action; in proportion as we know and obey their laws we are free. Perfect health, and vigour of mind and body depend upon conformity to law. And perfect spiritual liberty, the possession of the power of complete spiritual self-expression and action, depends upon perfect conformity to those laws upon which the spiritual life is based and by which it matures.
-Maturin.
_________________
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 proportion as we violate any of the laws of our physical, moral, or intellectual nature, we lose some of our freedom of action; in proportion as we know and obey their laws we are free. Perfect health, and vigour of mind and body depend upon conformity to law. And perfect spiritual liberty, the possession of the power of complete spiritual self-expression and action, depends upon perfect conformity to those laws upon which the spiritual life is based and by which it matures.
-Maturin.
_________________
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 June 15
FOR we, too, have risen with Christ, and we are with Christ our Head now for a while by faith and hope, but our hope will be completed in the last Resurrection of the dead.
_________________________
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-June 15
SOON I hope to see thee,
And enjoy thy love,
Face to face, sweet Jesus,
In thy heaven above.
But on earth an exile
My delight shall be
Ever to be near thee,
Veiled for love of me.
_________________
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
And enjoy thy love,
Face to face, sweet Jesus,
In thy heaven above.
But on earth an exile
My delight shall be
Ever to be near thee,
Veiled for love of me.
_________________
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, June 13, 2009
Archbishop Raymond Burke, The Overseer of Justice
From Inside the Vatican by Andrew Rabel, reporting from Rome:
Pope Benedict XVI one year ago ago called an American, Archbishop Raymond Burke, to head the Apostolic Signatura, the office which oversees the correct administration of justice in the Church. Here, after one year at his post, Burke discusses his work in Rome, but also the controversial shrine to Our Lady of Guadalupe he established in Wisconsin, and President Obama's speech at Notre Dame...This wonderful interview can be read at Inside the Vatican here. Enjoy!
Editor's note: Archbishop Raymond Burke, Prefect of the Apostolic Signatura, recently invited Andrew Rabel, Australian ITV correspondent, to a friendly lunch nearby his offices at the Palazzo della Cancelleria (photo). Never to be outdone, Andrew always carries his dictaphone with him. So the former archbishop of St Louis, with his typical graciousness, consented to an interview, despite the noise in the crowded restaurant. It is the second interview ITV has conducted with His Excellency in less than a year.
Gospel for the Solemnity of The Body and Blood of Christ
From: Mark 14:12-16, 22-26
The Last Supper
[12] And on the first day of Unleavened Bread, when they sacrificed the passover lamb, his disciples said to him (Jesus), "Where will you have us go and prepare for you to eat the passover?" [13] And he sent two of his disciples, and said to them, "Go into the city, and a man carrying a jar of water will meet you; follow him, [14] and wherever he enters, say to the householder, 'The Teacher says, where is my guest room, where I am to eat the passover with my disciples?' [15] And he will show you a large upper room furnished and ready; there prepare for us." [16] And the disciples set out and went to the city, and found it as he had told them; and they prepared the passover.
The Institution of the Eucharist
[22] And as they were eating, he took bread, and blessed, and broke it, and gave it to them, and said, "Take; this is my body." [23] And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, and they all drank of it. [24] And he said to them, "This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many. [25] Truly, I say to you, I shall not drink again of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God."
The Disciples Will Abandon Jesus
[26] And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of
Olives.
_________________________
Commentary:
12-16. At first sight our Lord's behavior described here seems quite out of character. However, if we think about it, it is quite consistent: probably Jesus wanted to avoid Judas knowing in advance the exact place where the Supper will be held, to prevent him notifying the Sanhedrin. And so God's plans for that memorable night of Holy Thursday were fulfilled: Judas was unable to advise the Sanhedrin where they could find Jesus until after the celebration of the passover meal (during which Judas left the Cenacle): cf. Jn 13:30.
St Mark describes in more detail than the other evangelists the place where the meal took place: he says it was a large, well-appointed room--a dignified place. There is an ancient Christian tradition that the house of the Cenacle was owned by Mary the mother of St Mark, to whom, it seems, the Garden of Olives also belonged.
22. The word "this" does not refer to the act of breaking the bread but to the "thing" which Jesus gives his disciples, that is, something which looked like bread and which was no longer bread but the body of Christ. "This is my body. That is to say, what I am giving you now and what you are taking is my body. For the bread is not only a symbol of the body of Christ; it becomes his very body, as the Lord has said: the bread which I shall give for the life of the world is my flesh. Therefore, the Lord conserves the appearances of bread and wine but changes the bread and wine into the reality of his flesh and his blood" (Theophylact, "Enarratio in Evangelium Marci, in loc."). Therefore, any interpretation in the direction of symbolism or metaphor does not fit the meaning of the text. The same applies to the "This is my blood" (v. 24). on the realism of these expressions, cf. first part of note on Mt 26:26-29.
24. The words of consecration of the chalice clearly show that the Eucharist is a sacrifice: the blood of Christ is poured out, sealing the new and definitive Covenant of God with men. This Covenant remains sealed forever by the sacrifice of Christ on the cross, in which Jesus is both Priest and Victim. The Church has defined this truth in these words: "If anyone says that in the Mass a true and proper sacrifice is not offered to God, or that to be offered is nothing else but that Christ is given us to eat, let him be anathema" (Council of Trent, "De S. Missae sacrificio", chap. 1, can. 1).
These words pronounced over the chalice must have been very revealing for the Apostles, because they show that the sacrifices of the Old Covenant were in fact a preparation for and anticipation of Christ's sacrifice. The Apostles were able to grasp that the Covenant of Sinai and the various sacrifices of the temple were merely an imperfect pre-figurement of the definitive sacrifice and definitive Covenant, which would take place on the cross and which they were anticipating in this Supper.
A clear explanation of the sacrificial character of the Eucharist can be found in the inspired text in chapters 8 and 9 of the Letter to the Hebrews. Similarly, the best preparation for understanding the real presence and the Eucharist as food for the soul is a reading of chapter 6 of the Gospel of St John.
In the Last Supper, then, Christ already offered himself voluntarily to his Father as a victim to be sacrificed. The Supper and the Mass constitute with the Cross one and the same unique and perfect sacrifice, for in all these cases the victim offered is the same--Christ; and the priest is the same--Christ. The only difference is that the Supper, which takes place prior to the Cross, anticipates the Lord's Death in an unbloody way and offers a victim soon to be immolated whereas the Mass offers, also in an unbloody manner, the victim already immolated on the cross, a victim who exists forever in heaven.
25. After instituting the Holy Eucharist, our Lord extends the Last Supper in intimate conversation with his disciples, speaking to them once more about his imminent death (cf. Jn, chap. 13-17). His farewell saddens the Apostles, but he promises that the day will come when he will meet with them again, when the Kingdom of God will have come in all its fullness: he is referring to the beatific life in heaven, so often compared to a banquet. Then there will be no need of earthly food or drink; instead there will be a new wine (cf. Is 25:6). Definitively, after the Resurrection, the Apostles and all the saints will be able to share the delight of being with Jesus.
The fact that St Mark brings in these words after the institution of the Eucharist indicates in some way that the Eucharist is an anticipation here on earth of possession of God in eternal blessedness, where God will be everything to everyone (cf. 1 Cor 15:28). "At the Last Supper," Vatican II teaches, "on the night he was betrayed, our Savior instituted the eucharistic sacrifice of his body and blood. This he did in order to perpetuate the sacrifice of the Cross throughout the ages until he should come again, and so to entrust to his beloved Spouse, the Church, a memorial of his death and resurrection: a sacrament of love, a sign of unity, a bond of charity, a paschal banquet in which Christ is consumed, the mind is filled with grace, and a pledge of future glory is given to us" ("Sacrosanctum Concilium", 47).
26. "When they had sung a hymn": it was a custom at the passover meal to recite prayers, called "Hallel", which included Psalms 113 to 118; the last part was recited at the end of the meal.
___________________________
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 Last Supper
[12] And on the first day of Unleavened Bread, when they sacrificed the passover lamb, his disciples said to him (Jesus), "Where will you have us go and prepare for you to eat the passover?" [13] And he sent two of his disciples, and said to them, "Go into the city, and a man carrying a jar of water will meet you; follow him, [14] and wherever he enters, say to the householder, 'The Teacher says, where is my guest room, where I am to eat the passover with my disciples?' [15] And he will show you a large upper room furnished and ready; there prepare for us." [16] And the disciples set out and went to the city, and found it as he had told them; and they prepared the passover.
The Institution of the Eucharist
[22] And as they were eating, he took bread, and blessed, and broke it, and gave it to them, and said, "Take; this is my body." [23] And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, and they all drank of it. [24] And he said to them, "This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many. [25] Truly, I say to you, I shall not drink again of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God."
The Disciples Will Abandon Jesus
[26] And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of
Olives.
_________________________
Commentary:
12-16. At first sight our Lord's behavior described here seems quite out of character. However, if we think about it, it is quite consistent: probably Jesus wanted to avoid Judas knowing in advance the exact place where the Supper will be held, to prevent him notifying the Sanhedrin. And so God's plans for that memorable night of Holy Thursday were fulfilled: Judas was unable to advise the Sanhedrin where they could find Jesus until after the celebration of the passover meal (during which Judas left the Cenacle): cf. Jn 13:30.
St Mark describes in more detail than the other evangelists the place where the meal took place: he says it was a large, well-appointed room--a dignified place. There is an ancient Christian tradition that the house of the Cenacle was owned by Mary the mother of St Mark, to whom, it seems, the Garden of Olives also belonged.
22. The word "this" does not refer to the act of breaking the bread but to the "thing" which Jesus gives his disciples, that is, something which looked like bread and which was no longer bread but the body of Christ. "This is my body. That is to say, what I am giving you now and what you are taking is my body. For the bread is not only a symbol of the body of Christ; it becomes his very body, as the Lord has said: the bread which I shall give for the life of the world is my flesh. Therefore, the Lord conserves the appearances of bread and wine but changes the bread and wine into the reality of his flesh and his blood" (Theophylact, "Enarratio in Evangelium Marci, in loc."). Therefore, any interpretation in the direction of symbolism or metaphor does not fit the meaning of the text. The same applies to the "This is my blood" (v. 24). on the realism of these expressions, cf. first part of note on Mt 26:26-29.
24. The words of consecration of the chalice clearly show that the Eucharist is a sacrifice: the blood of Christ is poured out, sealing the new and definitive Covenant of God with men. This Covenant remains sealed forever by the sacrifice of Christ on the cross, in which Jesus is both Priest and Victim. The Church has defined this truth in these words: "If anyone says that in the Mass a true and proper sacrifice is not offered to God, or that to be offered is nothing else but that Christ is given us to eat, let him be anathema" (Council of Trent, "De S. Missae sacrificio", chap. 1, can. 1).
These words pronounced over the chalice must have been very revealing for the Apostles, because they show that the sacrifices of the Old Covenant were in fact a preparation for and anticipation of Christ's sacrifice. The Apostles were able to grasp that the Covenant of Sinai and the various sacrifices of the temple were merely an imperfect pre-figurement of the definitive sacrifice and definitive Covenant, which would take place on the cross and which they were anticipating in this Supper.
A clear explanation of the sacrificial character of the Eucharist can be found in the inspired text in chapters 8 and 9 of the Letter to the Hebrews. Similarly, the best preparation for understanding the real presence and the Eucharist as food for the soul is a reading of chapter 6 of the Gospel of St John.
In the Last Supper, then, Christ already offered himself voluntarily to his Father as a victim to be sacrificed. The Supper and the Mass constitute with the Cross one and the same unique and perfect sacrifice, for in all these cases the victim offered is the same--Christ; and the priest is the same--Christ. The only difference is that the Supper, which takes place prior to the Cross, anticipates the Lord's Death in an unbloody way and offers a victim soon to be immolated whereas the Mass offers, also in an unbloody manner, the victim already immolated on the cross, a victim who exists forever in heaven.
25. After instituting the Holy Eucharist, our Lord extends the Last Supper in intimate conversation with his disciples, speaking to them once more about his imminent death (cf. Jn, chap. 13-17). His farewell saddens the Apostles, but he promises that the day will come when he will meet with them again, when the Kingdom of God will have come in all its fullness: he is referring to the beatific life in heaven, so often compared to a banquet. Then there will be no need of earthly food or drink; instead there will be a new wine (cf. Is 25:6). Definitively, after the Resurrection, the Apostles and all the saints will be able to share the delight of being with Jesus.
The fact that St Mark brings in these words after the institution of the Eucharist indicates in some way that the Eucharist is an anticipation here on earth of possession of God in eternal blessedness, where God will be everything to everyone (cf. 1 Cor 15:28). "At the Last Supper," Vatican II teaches, "on the night he was betrayed, our Savior instituted the eucharistic sacrifice of his body and blood. This he did in order to perpetuate the sacrifice of the Cross throughout the ages until he should come again, and so to entrust to his beloved Spouse, the Church, a memorial of his death and resurrection: a sacrament of love, a sign of unity, a bond of charity, a paschal banquet in which Christ is consumed, the mind is filled with grace, and a pledge of future glory is given to us" ("Sacrosanctum Concilium", 47).
26. "When they had sung a hymn": it was a custom at the passover meal to recite prayers, called "Hallel", which included Psalms 113 to 118; the last part was recited at the end of the meal.
___________________________
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 - June 14
Through Faults To Virtue
Self-knowledge is clearly necessary for anyone who seeks to have union with the Supreme Light and uncreated Truth, and this the Divine Mercy teaches to the proud and to the presumptuous commonly through their falls; suffering them to fall into some sin, which they thought there was no chance of their doing, so that, gaining in this experimental way of self-knowledge, they may learn to distrust themselves in every respect.
-The Spiritual Combat.
_________________
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
Self-knowledge is clearly necessary for anyone who seeks to have union with the Supreme Light and uncreated Truth, and this the Divine Mercy teaches to the proud and to the presumptuous commonly through their falls; suffering them to fall into some sin, which they thought there was no chance of their doing, so that, gaining in this experimental way of self-knowledge, they may learn to distrust themselves in every respect.
-The Spiritual Combat.
_________________
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 June 14
WHAT means it then, that to good shepherds thou dost set forth One only shepherd, but that in the one shepherd Thou teachest unity?... Hear then this unity more forcibly set forth: Other sheep, saith he, I have which are not of this Fold...but nevertheless they shall not be outside of this fold, for them also I must bring, that there may be one Fold and one Shepherd.
_________________________
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-June 14
I FEEL myself bound, at least, out of gratitude to my Jesus in the Holy Sacrament, to declare that through means of this devotion of visiting the Most Blessed Sacrament, which I practised, though with so much tepidity and in so imperfect a manner, I abandoned the world, in which, unfortunately, I lived until I was six and twenty years of age.
_________________
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, 6/13-14
Zambia: Vatican Excommunicates Priest Over Milingo Ties
Lusaka — The Vatican has excommunicated Father Luciano Mbewe from the Catholic Church for openly congregating with excommunicated former archbishop of Lusaka, Emmanuel Milingo and members of his 'Married Priests Now' movement and another church.
U.K. Preacher Threatened for Anti-Gay Remarks
British street preacher Andy Robertson says all he wants from his community in eastern England is the freedom to disagree. Police have threatened to arrest the U.K. preacher for allegedly making homophobic statements.
Pakistan: Muslims tell Christians to convert to Islam, pay the jizya, or die
The woman said two masked men arrived on a motorbike without number plates. "We know that you and those at the recording studio are Christians. We warn you to leave this area, embrace Islam, pay 1,500,000 rupees (US$18,750) or be ready to die in a suicide bomb attack. Inform your neighbors as well," she quoted the men as saying. Christians have received similar threats in various parts of the country as fighting between government troops and the Taliban militants continues to rage in the country's northwest.
Sacred Heart Cathedral, several Catholic schools in Lahore and various pastors have received threatening notes telling them to convert to Islam.
=========
Other Issues
=========
Grocery stores taking "junk" silver in SoCal? (YouTube)
"Junk" silver being weighed at spot to pay for groceries, in this example, store owner computes silver at .37cents/gram. So $20.00 worth of groceries sells for a few dollars of pre-64 silver US coins!
WSJ: Imagine Breaking up the US - Divided We Stand
What would California look like broken in three? Or a Republic of New England? With the federal government reaching for ever more power, redrawing the map is enticing, says Paul Starobin...
A.I.G. Balks at Claims From Jet Ditching in Hudson
For the first couple of days after his flight ditched into the Hudson River, Paul Jorgenson was just glad to be alive. But then he started to need his laptop, his wallet, his car keys -- all the essentials he had stowed under his seat and left behind in the sinking plane. A pleasant woman at US Airways told him not to worry; he would be made whole for his losses. But then the matter shifted to US Airways' insurer, the American International Group, operating under government stewardship since its bailout last fall. "Everything went downhill," said Mr. Jorgenson...
Privacy may be a victim in cyberdefense plan
King Obama's vow to protect civil liberties may be difficult to put into practice
[Promises, promises, promises! How's that hope & change going?]
Six Flags files for bankruptcy protection
Amusement-park operator Six Flags Inc. filed for bankruptcy protection on Saturday and is seeking an expedited approval from the court of its pre-negotiated reorganization plan.
Lusaka — The Vatican has excommunicated Father Luciano Mbewe from the Catholic Church for openly congregating with excommunicated former archbishop of Lusaka, Emmanuel Milingo and members of his 'Married Priests Now' movement and another church.
U.K. Preacher Threatened for Anti-Gay Remarks
British street preacher Andy Robertson says all he wants from his community in eastern England is the freedom to disagree. Police have threatened to arrest the U.K. preacher for allegedly making homophobic statements.
Pakistan: Muslims tell Christians to convert to Islam, pay the jizya, or die
The woman said two masked men arrived on a motorbike without number plates. "We know that you and those at the recording studio are Christians. We warn you to leave this area, embrace Islam, pay 1,500,000 rupees (US$18,750) or be ready to die in a suicide bomb attack. Inform your neighbors as well," she quoted the men as saying. Christians have received similar threats in various parts of the country as fighting between government troops and the Taliban militants continues to rage in the country's northwest.
Sacred Heart Cathedral, several Catholic schools in Lahore and various pastors have received threatening notes telling them to convert to Islam.
=========
Other Issues
=========
Grocery stores taking "junk" silver in SoCal? (YouTube)
"Junk" silver being weighed at spot to pay for groceries, in this example, store owner computes silver at .37cents/gram. So $20.00 worth of groceries sells for a few dollars of pre-64 silver US coins!
WSJ: Imagine Breaking up the US - Divided We Stand
What would California look like broken in three? Or a Republic of New England? With the federal government reaching for ever more power, redrawing the map is enticing, says Paul Starobin...
A.I.G. Balks at Claims From Jet Ditching in Hudson
For the first couple of days after his flight ditched into the Hudson River, Paul Jorgenson was just glad to be alive. But then he started to need his laptop, his wallet, his car keys -- all the essentials he had stowed under his seat and left behind in the sinking plane. A pleasant woman at US Airways told him not to worry; he would be made whole for his losses. But then the matter shifted to US Airways' insurer, the American International Group, operating under government stewardship since its bailout last fall. "Everything went downhill," said Mr. Jorgenson...
Privacy may be a victim in cyberdefense plan
King Obama's vow to protect civil liberties may be difficult to put into practice
[Promises, promises, promises! How's that hope & change going?]
Six Flags files for bankruptcy protection
Amusement-park operator Six Flags Inc. filed for bankruptcy protection on Saturday and is seeking an expedited approval from the court of its pre-negotiated reorganization plan.
Friday, June 12, 2009
Gospel for June 13, Memorial: St Anthony of Padua, Priest and Doctor
Saturday, 10th Week in Ordinary Time
From: Matthew 5:33-37
Jesus and His Teaching, the Fulfillment of the Law (Continuation)
(Jesus said to His disciples,) [33] "Again you have heard that it was said to the men of old, `You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform to the Lord what you have sworn.' [34] But I say to you, Do not swear at all, either by Heaven, for it is the throne of God, [35] or by the earth, for it is His footstool, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. [36] And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. [37] Let what you say be simply, `Yes' or `No'; anything more than this comes from evil."
_______________________
Commentary:
33-37. The Law of Moses absolutely prohibited perjury or violation of oaths (Exodus 20:7; Numbers 30:3; Deuteronomy 23:22). In Christ's time, the making of sworn statements was so frequent and the casuistry surrounding them so intricate that the practice was being grossly abused. Some rabbinical documents of the time show that oaths were taken for quite unimportant reasons. Parallel to this abuse of oath-taking there arose no less ridiculous abuses to justify non-fulfillment of oaths. All this meant great disrespect for the name of God. However, we do know from Sacred Scripture that oath-taking is lawful and good in certain circumstances: "If you swear, `As the Lord lives', in truth, in justice, and in uprightness, then nations shall bless themselves in Him, and in Him shall they glory (Jeremiah 4:2).
Jesus here lays down the criterion which His disciples must apply in this connection. It is based on re-establishing, among married people, mutual trust, nobility and sincerity. The devil is "the father of lies" (John 8:44). Therefore, Christ's Church must teach that human relationships cannot be based on deceit and insincerity. God is truth, and the children of the Kingdom must, therefore, base mutual relationships on truth. Jesus concludes by praising sincerity. Throughout His teaching He identifies hypocrisy as one of the main vices to be combatted (cf., e.g., Matthew 23:13-32), and sincerity as one of the finest virtues (cf. John 1:47).
___________________________
Source: "The Navarre Bible: Text and Commentaries". Biblical text taken from the Revised Standard Version and New Vulgate. Commentaries made by members of the Faculty of Theology of the University of Navarre, Spain. Published by Four Courts Press, Kill Lane, Blackrock, Co. Dublin, Ireland. Reprinted with permission from Four Courts Press and Scepter Publishers, the U.S. publisher.
From: Matthew 5:33-37
Jesus and His Teaching, the Fulfillment of the Law (Continuation)
(Jesus said to His disciples,) [33] "Again you have heard that it was said to the men of old, `You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform to the Lord what you have sworn.' [34] But I say to you, Do not swear at all, either by Heaven, for it is the throne of God, [35] or by the earth, for it is His footstool, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. [36] And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. [37] Let what you say be simply, `Yes' or `No'; anything more than this comes from evil."
_______________________
Commentary:
33-37. The Law of Moses absolutely prohibited perjury or violation of oaths (Exodus 20:7; Numbers 30:3; Deuteronomy 23:22). In Christ's time, the making of sworn statements was so frequent and the casuistry surrounding them so intricate that the practice was being grossly abused. Some rabbinical documents of the time show that oaths were taken for quite unimportant reasons. Parallel to this abuse of oath-taking there arose no less ridiculous abuses to justify non-fulfillment of oaths. All this meant great disrespect for the name of God. However, we do know from Sacred Scripture that oath-taking is lawful and good in certain circumstances: "If you swear, `As the Lord lives', in truth, in justice, and in uprightness, then nations shall bless themselves in Him, and in Him shall they glory (Jeremiah 4:2).
Jesus here lays down the criterion which His disciples must apply in this connection. It is based on re-establishing, among married people, mutual trust, nobility and sincerity. The devil is "the father of lies" (John 8:44). Therefore, Christ's Church must teach that human relationships cannot be based on deceit and insincerity. God is truth, and the children of the Kingdom must, therefore, base mutual relationships on truth. Jesus concludes by praising sincerity. Throughout His teaching He identifies hypocrisy as one of the main vices to be combatted (cf., e.g., Matthew 23:13-32), and sincerity as one of the finest virtues (cf. John 1:47).
___________________________
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 - June 13
Good From Evil
Even the sinful world can make us think of God. What is sin but an act against God?
Sin should shock and shame simply because God is offended. The sight of sin should turn us to God. Indifference to God should make us zealous for God. Forgetfulness of God should compel us to remember Him. Everything which leaves God out should induce us to bring Him in. So the wretched world which struggles to gain its goal without God can be used to stimulate us to work for His objects and with His ways. If we are hurt when people injure us we should be pained when people ignore God. We ought not to take insults to God lying down. Every violation of God's law makes us realize the presence of God if we remember the meaning of sin.
-Anon.
_________________
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
Even the sinful world can make us think of God. What is sin but an act against God?
Sin should shock and shame simply because God is offended. The sight of sin should turn us to God. Indifference to God should make us zealous for God. Forgetfulness of God should compel us to remember Him. Everything which leaves God out should induce us to bring Him in. So the wretched world which struggles to gain its goal without God can be used to stimulate us to work for His objects and with His ways. If we are hurt when people injure us we should be pained when people ignore God. We ought not to take insults to God lying down. Every violation of God's law makes us realize the presence of God if we remember the meaning of sin.
-Anon.
_________________
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 June 13
LET the stain of thine heart appear in thy confession and thou shalt belong to Christ's flock. For the confession of sins invites the physician's healing.
_________________________
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-June 13
BE assured that the time you spend with devotion before the Blessed Sacrament will be the most profitable to you in life, and the source of your greatest consolation at death and in eternity.
_________________
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
Thursday, June 11, 2009
News Updates, 6/12
Massachusetts Cardinal: No abortions at Catholic hospitals
Caritas Christi Health Care, which operates six hospitals in Massachusetts, will neither perform abortions nor make referrals to other health care providers for patients seeking abortions, Cardinal Sean O'Malley said. O'Malley issued the statement after Catholic and anti-abortion activists criticized the decision by Caritas Christi, which is affiliated with the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Boston, to enter into a partnership with a secular health care company...
Ranjith Packs His Bags? (Robert Moynihan)
Pope Benedict XVI has decided to send one of the staunchest supporters of his liturgical reform in the Roman Curia away from the Eternal City. Why? — The Pope has decided that Archbishop Malcolm Ranjith (photo), the Secretary of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Sacraments and one of the strongest supporters of Benedict's liturgical reform, will be transferred this summer to Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka (his native country), where he will become archbishop, reliable Vatican sources confirmed today. The decision will be announced publicly in the next few days, the sources said...
The Basement of the Culture of Death
With a pro-abortion president in the White House, new sub-groups in the broader "culture of death" are coming into view. One of them is dark, indeed. Take two recent events: Dr. George Tiller is compared to Martin Luther King, Jr. The president of Catholics for Choice attacks a political appointee, Alexia Kelley, who defended Obama's abortion record before the nation's Catholic voters. As head of Catholics in Alliance with the Common Good, Alexia Kelley was second only to Doug Kmiec in making Obama's record on abortion palatable to [confused or dissident] Catholics...
A new religion masquerading as Christianity, Part 1
Recently the Barna Research Group released a study on the religious practices of liberals and Christians. According to the report: "The research...discovered that liberals are more likely than conservatives to develop their own set of religious beliefs rather than adopt those proposed by a church or other entity. A greater percentage of liberals also indicated they are very open to accepting different moral views than those they presently possess."
Clinic gave free abortions in honor of Tiller
Abortionist was shot and killed by extremist gunman
Nebraska doc wants to take over for Tiller
Says he will perform third-term abortions in Kansas
Illinois court: Priest may not sue accusers
Two brothers say Chicago cleric molested them
[Separation of Church & State?]
Bishop: Romance not found between priest, killer
Murderer claimed he killed lover after late-night quarrel
Anglican bishop to priests: drop comedy routine
Quit quashing focus on God with 'half-baked comic lines'
Wanda: Pope wanted me to publish correspondence
Lublin bishop blasts 87-year-old woman for 'narcissism'
Rev. Wright: Them Jews keeping me away from Obama
'He'll talk to me in five years when he's a lame duck'
Teacher accused of displaying Bible in class
Sues school district for religious harassment
Christian leader: evangelicals have lost their way
Author pans silly trends, 'Jesus is my boyfriend' music
=========
Other Issues
=========
Maryland Teen Beaten to Death by Gang Members
A Maryland teen was beaten to death by a pack of heathens. The video is from ABC. Did you hear about it? Was it a hate crime? Oops! That's not politically correct question to ask...
[Where's Al Sharpton or Jesse Jackson???]
House Health-Care Bill to Include $600 Billion in Tax Increases
Health-care overhaul legislation being drafted by House Democrats will include $600 billion in tax increases and $400 billion in cuts to Medicare and Medicaid, Ways and Means Committee Chairman Charles Rangel said...
[Secede, revolt, both??? These clowns and cheats deserve prison, at best!]
Chavez: Gov't may shutter critical TV channel
CARACAS, Venezuela – President Hugo Chavez threatened to close down an opposition-sided news network, saying the defiant Globovision channel's days on the airwaves will be numbered if its directors don't stand down...
Texas AG says GM contracts break state law
Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott says General Motors is trying to force car dealers into contracts that violate Texas law. Abbott filed an objection Friday in GM's pending bankruptcy case in federal court in New York...
[Don'cha know, King Obama trumps state law - and, it seems, Federal law.]
Obama ousts AmeriCorps' IG who investigated friend
[Chairman] Obama says he has lost confidence in the inspector general who investigates AmeriCorps and other national service programs and has told Congress he is removing him from the position...
Hartford Gets $3.4 Billion in TARP Funds
Hartford Financial Services Group Inc (HIG.N) said on Friday it will take $3.4 billion of federal bailout money and plans to sell as much as $750 million of common stock.
A better-dressed Soviet-style communism
...People who not long ago shunned and even ridiculed people like me for clearly speaking out about this intention are now decrying the surrender to socialism and accepting descriptive terms like "neo-communist" that suggest the Obama faction's ultimate goal: the establishment of a better-dressed, more astutely implemented version of Soviet-style communism in the United States...
Obama proposal “would have devastating impact on health care access”
At Sacramento press conference, healthcare professionals plead with president not to revoke conscience protection regulation
Obama Care: We Cannot Afford It
...Do you think we can afford it? We ran a $189.7 billion deficit this last month folks. Annualized this is a staggering $2.276 trillion dollars - for one year. That's the difference between tax receipts and spending. $2.276 trillion dollars. We cannot keep doing this. Our lenders (the Chinese, Saudis and others) will not permit us to keep doing this. If we don't stop this stupidity, here and now, interest rates will start to move dramatically higher...
[And the consequences of that are even high unemployment, house values falling yet again, and much more!!!]
IRS Weighs Rules for Taxing Private Use of Work Cellphones
The IRS is weighing a proposal to deem one-quarter of employees' use of work cellphones as personal use and therefore subject to tax as a fringe benefit...
[More "Change" you can believe in! Next in line for taxation as benefits: company provide PC, airconditioning, water & coffee, access to company provided restrooms, etc. Time for a real "tea party" yet? Sounds like it's well past time to abolish the IRS, the 16th & 17th amendments...for a start.]
Japan’s Trust in U.S. Treasuries Is ‘Unshakable’
Japanese Finance Minister Kaoru Yosano said his government is confident about the outlook for U.S. Treasuries, signaling the second-biggest foreign holder of the securities will keep buying them...
[The Titanic is unsinkable!]
Majority now cosponsors Ron Paul's Fed audit
Less than 24 hours after WND reported a proposal from U.S. Rep. Ron Paul, R-Texas, to audit the Federal Reserve was approaching majority support in the U.S. House, he is confirming the plan has reached that "crucial benchmark."
Inconvenient truths: Holocaust Museum shooter (a LIBERAL)hated Fox News, Murdoch
I noted yesterday and this morning that Holocaust Museum nutball was an equal-opportunity hater. He railed against Fox News and Rupert Murdoch. And now this:...
GOP: bankruptcy key to unwinding mega-institutions
Regulators should rely on the bankruptcy process to unwind large systemically significant financial institutions rather than allowing government bailout dollars to help resolve insolvent mega-banks, according to a broad regulatory reform proposal introduced by House Republican lawmakers on Thursday...
Caritas Christi Health Care, which operates six hospitals in Massachusetts, will neither perform abortions nor make referrals to other health care providers for patients seeking abortions, Cardinal Sean O'Malley said. O'Malley issued the statement after Catholic and anti-abortion activists criticized the decision by Caritas Christi, which is affiliated with the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Boston, to enter into a partnership with a secular health care company...
Ranjith Packs His Bags? (Robert Moynihan)
Pope Benedict XVI has decided to send one of the staunchest supporters of his liturgical reform in the Roman Curia away from the Eternal City. Why? — The Pope has decided that Archbishop Malcolm Ranjith (photo), the Secretary of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Sacraments and one of the strongest supporters of Benedict's liturgical reform, will be transferred this summer to Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka (his native country), where he will become archbishop, reliable Vatican sources confirmed today. The decision will be announced publicly in the next few days, the sources said...
The Basement of the Culture of Death
With a pro-abortion president in the White House, new sub-groups in the broader "culture of death" are coming into view. One of them is dark, indeed. Take two recent events: Dr. George Tiller is compared to Martin Luther King, Jr. The president of Catholics for Choice attacks a political appointee, Alexia Kelley, who defended Obama's abortion record before the nation's Catholic voters. As head of Catholics in Alliance with the Common Good, Alexia Kelley was second only to Doug Kmiec in making Obama's record on abortion palatable to [confused or dissident] Catholics...
A new religion masquerading as Christianity, Part 1
Recently the Barna Research Group released a study on the religious practices of liberals and Christians. According to the report: "The research...discovered that liberals are more likely than conservatives to develop their own set of religious beliefs rather than adopt those proposed by a church or other entity. A greater percentage of liberals also indicated they are very open to accepting different moral views than those they presently possess."
Clinic gave free abortions in honor of Tiller
Abortionist was shot and killed by extremist gunman
Nebraska doc wants to take over for Tiller
Says he will perform third-term abortions in Kansas
Illinois court: Priest may not sue accusers
Two brothers say Chicago cleric molested them
[Separation of Church & State?]
Bishop: Romance not found between priest, killer
Murderer claimed he killed lover after late-night quarrel
Anglican bishop to priests: drop comedy routine
Quit quashing focus on God with 'half-baked comic lines'
Wanda: Pope wanted me to publish correspondence
Lublin bishop blasts 87-year-old woman for 'narcissism'
Rev. Wright: Them Jews keeping me away from Obama
'He'll talk to me in five years when he's a lame duck'
Teacher accused of displaying Bible in class
Sues school district for religious harassment
Christian leader: evangelicals have lost their way
Author pans silly trends, 'Jesus is my boyfriend' music
=========
Other Issues
=========
Maryland Teen Beaten to Death by Gang Members
A Maryland teen was beaten to death by a pack of heathens. The video is from ABC. Did you hear about it? Was it a hate crime? Oops! That's not politically correct question to ask...
[Where's Al Sharpton or Jesse Jackson???]
House Health-Care Bill to Include $600 Billion in Tax Increases
Health-care overhaul legislation being drafted by House Democrats will include $600 billion in tax increases and $400 billion in cuts to Medicare and Medicaid, Ways and Means Committee Chairman Charles Rangel said...
[Secede, revolt, both??? These clowns and cheats deserve prison, at best!]
Chavez: Gov't may shutter critical TV channel
CARACAS, Venezuela – President Hugo Chavez threatened to close down an opposition-sided news network, saying the defiant Globovision channel's days on the airwaves will be numbered if its directors don't stand down...
Texas AG says GM contracts break state law
Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott says General Motors is trying to force car dealers into contracts that violate Texas law. Abbott filed an objection Friday in GM's pending bankruptcy case in federal court in New York...
[Don'cha know, King Obama trumps state law - and, it seems, Federal law.]
Obama ousts AmeriCorps' IG who investigated friend
[Chairman] Obama says he has lost confidence in the inspector general who investigates AmeriCorps and other national service programs and has told Congress he is removing him from the position...
Hartford Gets $3.4 Billion in TARP Funds
Hartford Financial Services Group Inc (HIG.N) said on Friday it will take $3.4 billion of federal bailout money and plans to sell as much as $750 million of common stock.
A better-dressed Soviet-style communism
...People who not long ago shunned and even ridiculed people like me for clearly speaking out about this intention are now decrying the surrender to socialism and accepting descriptive terms like "neo-communist" that suggest the Obama faction's ultimate goal: the establishment of a better-dressed, more astutely implemented version of Soviet-style communism in the United States...
Obama proposal “would have devastating impact on health care access”
At Sacramento press conference, healthcare professionals plead with president not to revoke conscience protection regulation
Obama Care: We Cannot Afford It
...Do you think we can afford it? We ran a $189.7 billion deficit this last month folks. Annualized this is a staggering $2.276 trillion dollars - for one year. That's the difference between tax receipts and spending. $2.276 trillion dollars. We cannot keep doing this. Our lenders (the Chinese, Saudis and others) will not permit us to keep doing this. If we don't stop this stupidity, here and now, interest rates will start to move dramatically higher...
[And the consequences of that are even high unemployment, house values falling yet again, and much more!!!]
IRS Weighs Rules for Taxing Private Use of Work Cellphones
The IRS is weighing a proposal to deem one-quarter of employees' use of work cellphones as personal use and therefore subject to tax as a fringe benefit...
[More "Change" you can believe in! Next in line for taxation as benefits: company provide PC, airconditioning, water & coffee, access to company provided restrooms, etc. Time for a real "tea party" yet? Sounds like it's well past time to abolish the IRS, the 16th & 17th amendments...for a start.]
Japan’s Trust in U.S. Treasuries Is ‘Unshakable’
Japanese Finance Minister Kaoru Yosano said his government is confident about the outlook for U.S. Treasuries, signaling the second-biggest foreign holder of the securities will keep buying them...
[The Titanic is unsinkable!]
Majority now cosponsors Ron Paul's Fed audit
Less than 24 hours after WND reported a proposal from U.S. Rep. Ron Paul, R-Texas, to audit the Federal Reserve was approaching majority support in the U.S. House, he is confirming the plan has reached that "crucial benchmark."
Inconvenient truths: Holocaust Museum shooter (a LIBERAL)hated Fox News, Murdoch
I noted yesterday and this morning that Holocaust Museum nutball was an equal-opportunity hater. He railed against Fox News and Rupert Murdoch. And now this:...
GOP: bankruptcy key to unwinding mega-institutions
Regulators should rely on the bankruptcy process to unwind large systemically significant financial institutions rather than allowing government bailout dollars to help resolve insolvent mega-banks, according to a broad regulatory reform proposal introduced by House Republican lawmakers on Thursday...
Gospel for Friday, 10th Week in Ordinary Time
From: Matthew 5:27-32
Jesus and His Teaching, the Fulfillment of the Law (Continuation)
[Jesus said to His disciples:) [27] "You have heard that it was said, `You shall not commit adultery.' [28] But I say to you that every one who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. [29] If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and throw it away; it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell. [30] And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away; it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body go into hell.
[31] "It was also said, `Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.' [32] But I say to you that every one who divorces his wife, except on the ground of unchastity, makes her an adulteress; and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery."
______________________
Commentary:
27-30. This refers to a sinful glance at any woman, be she married or not. Our Lord fills out the precepts of the Old Law, where only adultery and the coveting of one's neighbor's wife were considered sinful.
"Lustfully": feeling is one thing, consenting another. Consent presupposes that one realizes the evil of these actions (looking, imagining, having impure thoughts) and freely engages in them.
Prohibition of vices always implies a positive aspect--the contrary virtue. Holy purity, like every other virtue, is something eminently positive; it derives from the First Commandment and is also directed to it: "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind" (Matthew 22:37). "Purity is a consequence of the love that prompts us to commit to Christ our soul and body, our faculties and senses. It is not something negative; it is a joyful affirmation" ([St] J. Escriva, "Christ Is Passing By", 5). This virtue demands that we use all the resources available to us, to the point of heroism if necessary.
"Right eye", "right hand", refers to whatever we value most. Our Lord lays it on the line and it not exaggerating. He obviously does not mean that we should physically mutilate ourselves, but that we should fight hard without making any concessions, being ready to sacrifice anything which clearly could put us in the way of offending God. Jesus' graphic words particularly warn us about one of the most common occasions of sin, reminding us of how careful we need to be guarding our sight. King David, by indulging his curiosity, went on to commit adultery and crime. He later wept over his sins and led a holy life in the presence of God (cf. 2 Samuel 11 and 12).
"The eyes! Through them many iniquities enter the soul. So many experiences like David's!--If you guard your sight you will have assured the guard of your heart: ([St] J. Escriva, "The Way", 183).
Among the ascetical methods of protecting the virtue of holy purity are: frequent Confession and Communion; devotion to our Lady; a spirit of prayer and mortification; guarding of the senses; flight from occasions of sin; and striving to avoid idleness by always being engaged in doing useful things. There are two further means which are particularly relevant today: "Decorum and modesty are younger brothers of purity" ([St] J. Escriva, "The Way", 128). Decorum and modesty are a sign of good taste, of respect for others and of human and Christian dignity. To act in accord with this teaching of our Lord, the Christian has to row against the current in a paganized environment and bring his influence for good to bear on it.
"There is need for a crusade of manliness and purity to counteract and undo the savage work of those who think that man is a beast. And that crusade is a matter for you" ([St] J. Escriva, "The Way", 121).
31-32. The Law of Moses (Deuteronomy 24:1), which was laid down in ancient times, had tolerated divorce due to the hardness of heart of the early Hebrews. But it had not specified clearly the grounds on which divorce might be obtained. The rabbis worked out different sorts of interpretations, depending on which school they belonged to--solutions ranging from very lax to quite rigid. In all cases, only husband could repudiate wife, not vice-versa. A woman's inferior position was eased somewhat by the device of a written document whereby the husband freed the repudiated woman to marry again if she wished. Against these rabbinical interpretations, Jesus re-establishes the original indissolubility of marriage as God instituted it (Genesis 1:27; 2:24; cf. Matthew 19:4-6; Ephesians 1:31; 1 Corinthians 7:10).
[The RSVCE carries a note which reads: "unchastity": The Greek word used here appears to refer to marriages which were not legally marriages, because they were within the forbidden degrees of consanguinity (Leviticus 18:6-16) or contracted with a Gentile. The phrase "except on the ground of unchastity" does not occur in the parallel passage in Luke 16:18. See also Matthew 19:9 (Mark 10:11-12), and especially 1 Corinthians 7:10-11, which shows that the prohibition is unconditional.] The phrase, "except on the ground of unchastity", should not be taken as indicating an exception to the principle of absolute indissolubility of marriage which Jesus has just re-established. It is almost certain that the phrase refers to unions accepted as marriage among some pagan people, but prohibited as incestuous in the Mosaic Law (cf. Leviticus 18) and in rabbinical tradition. The reference, then, is to unions radically invalid because of some impediment. When persons in this position were converted to the True Faith, it was not that their union could be dissolved; it was declared that they had never in fact been joined in true marriage. Therefore, this phrase does not do against the indissolubility of marriage, but rather reaffirms it.
On the basis of Jesus' teaching and guided by the Holy Spirit, the Church has ruled that in the specially grave case of adultery it is permissible for a married couple to separate, but without the marriage bond being dissolved; therefore, neither party may contract a new marriage.
The indissolubility of marriage was unhesitatingly taught by the Church from the very beginning; she demanded practical and legal recognition of this doctrine, expounded with full authority by Jesus (Matthew 19:3-9; Mark 10:1-12; Luke 16:18) and by the Apostles (1 Corinthians 6:16; 7:10-11; 39; Romans 7:2-3; Ephesians 5:31f). Here, for example, are just a few texts from the Magisterium on this subject:
"Three blessings are ascribed to matrimony [...]. The third is the indissolubility of matrimony--indissoluble because it signifies the indivisible union of Christ with the Church. Although a separation from bed may be permitted by reason of marital infidelity, nevertheless it is not permitted to contract another matrimony since the bond of a marriage lawfully contracted is perpetual" (Council of Florence, "Pro Armeniis").
___________________________
Source: "The Navarre Bible: Text and Commentaries". Biblical text taken from the Revised Standard Version and New Vulgate. Commentaries made by members of the Faculty of Theology of the University of Navarre, Spain. Published by Four Courts Press, Kill Lane, Blackrock, Co. Dublin, Ireland. Reprinted with permission from Four Courts Press and Scepter Publishers, the U.S. publisher.
Jesus and His Teaching, the Fulfillment of the Law (Continuation)
[Jesus said to His disciples:) [27] "You have heard that it was said, `You shall not commit adultery.' [28] But I say to you that every one who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. [29] If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and throw it away; it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell. [30] And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away; it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body go into hell.
[31] "It was also said, `Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.' [32] But I say to you that every one who divorces his wife, except on the ground of unchastity, makes her an adulteress; and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery."
______________________
Commentary:
27-30. This refers to a sinful glance at any woman, be she married or not. Our Lord fills out the precepts of the Old Law, where only adultery and the coveting of one's neighbor's wife were considered sinful.
"Lustfully": feeling is one thing, consenting another. Consent presupposes that one realizes the evil of these actions (looking, imagining, having impure thoughts) and freely engages in them.
Prohibition of vices always implies a positive aspect--the contrary virtue. Holy purity, like every other virtue, is something eminently positive; it derives from the First Commandment and is also directed to it: "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind" (Matthew 22:37). "Purity is a consequence of the love that prompts us to commit to Christ our soul and body, our faculties and senses. It is not something negative; it is a joyful affirmation" ([St] J. Escriva, "Christ Is Passing By", 5). This virtue demands that we use all the resources available to us, to the point of heroism if necessary.
"Right eye", "right hand", refers to whatever we value most. Our Lord lays it on the line and it not exaggerating. He obviously does not mean that we should physically mutilate ourselves, but that we should fight hard without making any concessions, being ready to sacrifice anything which clearly could put us in the way of offending God. Jesus' graphic words particularly warn us about one of the most common occasions of sin, reminding us of how careful we need to be guarding our sight. King David, by indulging his curiosity, went on to commit adultery and crime. He later wept over his sins and led a holy life in the presence of God (cf. 2 Samuel 11 and 12).
"The eyes! Through them many iniquities enter the soul. So many experiences like David's!--If you guard your sight you will have assured the guard of your heart: ([St] J. Escriva, "The Way", 183).
Among the ascetical methods of protecting the virtue of holy purity are: frequent Confession and Communion; devotion to our Lady; a spirit of prayer and mortification; guarding of the senses; flight from occasions of sin; and striving to avoid idleness by always being engaged in doing useful things. There are two further means which are particularly relevant today: "Decorum and modesty are younger brothers of purity" ([St] J. Escriva, "The Way", 128). Decorum and modesty are a sign of good taste, of respect for others and of human and Christian dignity. To act in accord with this teaching of our Lord, the Christian has to row against the current in a paganized environment and bring his influence for good to bear on it.
"There is need for a crusade of manliness and purity to counteract and undo the savage work of those who think that man is a beast. And that crusade is a matter for you" ([St] J. Escriva, "The Way", 121).
31-32. The Law of Moses (Deuteronomy 24:1), which was laid down in ancient times, had tolerated divorce due to the hardness of heart of the early Hebrews. But it had not specified clearly the grounds on which divorce might be obtained. The rabbis worked out different sorts of interpretations, depending on which school they belonged to--solutions ranging from very lax to quite rigid. In all cases, only husband could repudiate wife, not vice-versa. A woman's inferior position was eased somewhat by the device of a written document whereby the husband freed the repudiated woman to marry again if she wished. Against these rabbinical interpretations, Jesus re-establishes the original indissolubility of marriage as God instituted it (Genesis 1:27; 2:24; cf. Matthew 19:4-6; Ephesians 1:31; 1 Corinthians 7:10).
[The RSVCE carries a note which reads: "unchastity": The Greek word used here appears to refer to marriages which were not legally marriages, because they were within the forbidden degrees of consanguinity (Leviticus 18:6-16) or contracted with a Gentile. The phrase "except on the ground of unchastity" does not occur in the parallel passage in Luke 16:18. See also Matthew 19:9 (Mark 10:11-12), and especially 1 Corinthians 7:10-11, which shows that the prohibition is unconditional.] The phrase, "except on the ground of unchastity", should not be taken as indicating an exception to the principle of absolute indissolubility of marriage which Jesus has just re-established. It is almost certain that the phrase refers to unions accepted as marriage among some pagan people, but prohibited as incestuous in the Mosaic Law (cf. Leviticus 18) and in rabbinical tradition. The reference, then, is to unions radically invalid because of some impediment. When persons in this position were converted to the True Faith, it was not that their union could be dissolved; it was declared that they had never in fact been joined in true marriage. Therefore, this phrase does not do against the indissolubility of marriage, but rather reaffirms it.
On the basis of Jesus' teaching and guided by the Holy Spirit, the Church has ruled that in the specially grave case of adultery it is permissible for a married couple to separate, but without the marriage bond being dissolved; therefore, neither party may contract a new marriage.
The indissolubility of marriage was unhesitatingly taught by the Church from the very beginning; she demanded practical and legal recognition of this doctrine, expounded with full authority by Jesus (Matthew 19:3-9; Mark 10:1-12; Luke 16:18) and by the Apostles (1 Corinthians 6:16; 7:10-11; 39; Romans 7:2-3; Ephesians 5:31f). Here, for example, are just a few texts from the Magisterium on this subject:
"Three blessings are ascribed to matrimony [...]. The third is the indissolubility of matrimony--indissoluble because it signifies the indivisible union of Christ with the Church. Although a separation from bed may be permitted by reason of marital infidelity, nevertheless it is not permitted to contract another matrimony since the bond of a marriage lawfully contracted is perpetual" (Council of Florence, "Pro Armeniis").
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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.
Principles and Practices - June 12
No Half Measures
Your heart must be filled either by God or by the world. If it be the world you will be insensibly drawn backward till you may find yourself in the abyss. But if it be filled by God Be will not allow you to remain in a state of cowardly tepidity. Your conscience will press you forward. Recollection will become a joy to you; and the things which have hitherto been a delight to you will seem vain and foolish. You will fed within you a power before which all else must gradually yield. In a word, you will perforce belong entirely to God.
-Fenelon.
_________________
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
Your heart must be filled either by God or by the world. If it be the world you will be insensibly drawn backward till you may find yourself in the abyss. But if it be filled by God Be will not allow you to remain in a state of cowardly tepidity. Your conscience will press you forward. Recollection will become a joy to you; and the things which have hitherto been a delight to you will seem vain and foolish. You will fed within you a power before which all else must gradually yield. In a word, you will perforce belong entirely to God.
-Fenelon.
_________________
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 June 12
WHO is he that entereth in by Christ? Who is he? He who imitateth the Passion of Christ, who acknowledgeth the humility of Christ, that whereas God was made man for us, man may acknowledge himself to be, not God, but man. For who so wisheth to appear God, when he is man, doth not imitate him who, being God, was made man.
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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-June 12
WHEN you ask of God any grace during Mass, Jesus (whose prayers are more efficacious than the prayers of all who are in heaven) prays for you, and offers in your behalf the merits of his Passion.
_________________
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
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
News Updates, 6/11
Installation of Archbishop-elect Carlson {St Louis Review]This page contains the latest images from Installation-related events, the latest news stories leading up to the Installation, and the Archdiocesan Twitter feed. During the Mass, this page will be the most up-to-date source of information and pictures from the Installation...
Archbishop Vigneron calls for opposition to Obama abortion stand
Archbishop Vigneron, the next Archbishop of Detroit, has expressed disappointment with Obama’s position on abortion and has called for forceful opposition and coalition-building to counter it...
Vietnamese government secretly destroys Catholic monastery
The Vietnamese government has renewed its seizures of Catholic Church properties in the country, demolishing several monasteries to build hotels and tourist resorts. The move has generated fears that the government has adopted a new and “harsh” approach to Catholics.
ND Prez Jenkins Has "No Interest" in Asking for Leniency for ND Protesters Despite Calls for “Dialogue”
The president of the University of Notre Dame has "no interest" in interfering with the fates of over 80 peaceful pro-life protesters arrested on campus while protesting [Chairman] Obama's May 17 commencement speech, says the pro-lifers' attorney. One of the arrestees, Lambs of Christ founder Fr. Norman Weslin, issued a statement Monday calling on University president Fr. John Jenkins to heed the arrested group's requests to meet, which Weslin says Fr. Jenkins has ignored...
School says it can't separate faith from ethics course]
The principal of a private Catholic high school testified Monday that it is unreasonable to expect the school to teach Quebec's new ethics and religious culture program without allowing teachers to talk about how the content relates to their religious faith...
Holocaust Museum Shooter: Christian hating Socialist
A review of his lengthy associations reveals Von Brunn hardly fits the stereotype of a Religious Right, GOP precinct captain. He denounced the Christian faith as a dastardly Jewish conspiracy, a “HOAX” invented by the Apostle Paul to “DESTROY ROMAN CULTURE” from within by undermining its pagan virility. (All screaming capitalization and grammatical errors in this piece appear in the original.) Like others on the racist fringe, the shooter proclaimed clearly: “SOCIALISM, represents the future of the West.”
[Of course, the government-led media were feeding the sheeple reports that this deranged lunatic was a "right wing" conservative. Authentic journalism is absent the MSM.]
Thousands march in Dublin for child abuse victims
Irish bishops apologised anew for the 'heinous crimes'
Guilty plea to targeting Catholics in Ponzi scheme
NY businessman admitted to mail fraud and tax evasion
Archbishop Vigneron to lead Catholic University
Detroit leader studied philosophy there 20 years ago
Former priest to be extradited from LA to UK
Suspected of abusing altar boys, man denies claims
St. Louis region gets new Catholic archbishop
Robert Carlson replaces Archbishop Raymond Burke
Poland Catholics oppose Madonna's concert
Urging Polish gov't and organizers to cancel pop diva
Religious right group likens S.F. supes to Nazis
City denounced Vatican order over same-sex adoptions
Judge halts demolition of Texas Catholic church
Last parish on peninsula was hit hard by hurricane
NC priest quits amid child porn scandal
Faces obstruction charge for deleting images
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Other Issues
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Dictator Obama Administration: Rein in pay in US private sector
Obama administration: Executive pay needs curbs, better management, across US private sector...
[Fascist government thugs!]
Video, Rep. Michelle Bachmann: Obama Is Running A "Gangster" Government
Video of Congress discussing the bailout & a few GM dealers getting special treatment...
WHO Raises Swine Flu Pandemic Alert To Level 6
The World Health Organization has informed its member nations that it is declaring a swine flu pandemic, the Associated Press reported Thursday.
Todd Palin Calls Out David Letterman, Again
Todd Palin: "Nice attempt by Letterman to draw the heat away from himself; however, Willow was the only one at the Yankees game and the only Palin child included in the photo opportunities with the Giulianis, as was obvious. Regardless of which Palin daughter it was, Bristol, Willow or Piper, these sexually-perverted comments are outside the acceptance of mainstream America."
[Who watches his pathetic show? I suspect he is really spiritually sick.]
Hal Turner Arrested Again
While the Federal Government engages in criminal actions in violation of the Constitution, freedom of speech is atacked again...
[Note, I'm not a listener or advocate of his, but this assault on our rights appears to be gathering steam. Who will be next???]
Mortgage Rates Surge Higher
Mortgage rates soared this week, with the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate rising to 5.95 percent...
Budget Deficit Triples in May
The U.S. federal budget deficit widened to $189.7 billion in May on further spending for bailouts and stimulus programs, bringing the cumulative deficit so far this year to nearly $1 trillion...
[Rally on!!!]
China’s Exports Fall 26.4% After Global Demand Dries Up
China’s exports fell by a record as the global recession cut demand for goods produced by the world’s third-largest economy.
Swine Flu Explodes In Latin America
The media has moved on, but the swine flu (H1N1) story isn't over yet. Inka Cola provides an update from South America, where things are deteriorating rapidly...
California near "meltdown" as revenues fall: official
Elderly gunman kills guard at Holocaust Museum
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For your enjoyment: The Bailout Game
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