If thou wert to choose, thou ought to wish rather to suffer adversities for Christ, than to be delighted with many comforts: because thou would thus be more like to Christ, and more conformable to all the saints.
-Bk. II; ch. xii.
___________________
Would you like to know which are my Sundays and feast-days? They are the days on which God sends me the greatest trials.
-Conseils et Souvenirs.
__________________
For more information, see this post.
Adapted from Just For Today(©1943 Burns & Oates)
Nihil Obstat: Reginaldus Phillips, S.T.L.,Censor deputatus
Imprimatur: Edwardus Myers, Vic. Cap.
Saturday, May 17, 2008
Thoughts and Counsels - May 18
Let us offer ourselves without delay and without reserve to Mary, and beg her to offer us herself to God.
-St. Alphonsus.
________________________
From Mary, Help of Christians
Part VI, Thoughts and Counsels of the Saints for Every Day of the Year
Compiled by Fr. Bonaventure Hammer, OFM (© 1909, Benziger Brothers)
-St. Alphonsus.
________________________
From Mary, Help of Christians
Part VI, Thoughts and Counsels of the Saints for Every Day of the Year
Compiled by Fr. Bonaventure Hammer, OFM (© 1909, Benziger Brothers)
Meditation for May 18, The Holy Trinity
The saintly cure, Andre-Hubert, who was founder of the Daughters of the Cross and who was canonized in 1935, had a very special love for that classic doxology, the Gloria Patri. It is said that he recited it three hundred times a day, which means that the invocation crossed his lips about six million times during his life.
The Three Persons of the Holy Trinity were the favorite subject of his contemplation; in fact, he could scarcely imagine anyone's deigning to consider another subject.
One day someone gave him a newspaper. "What a beautiful discovery newspapers are!" he exclaimed. "What power and what rapidity of publicity! But I should wish that they served a better purpose. At the head of each issue I should inscribe the words:
Immensus Pater, Immensus Filius, Immensus Spiritus Sanctus with the words, God is everywhere, God sees all, God hears all.'"
Was it not a similar desire which urged St. Jerome, writing to Pope Damasus, to place at the head of his letter the invocation since become a classic, Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost? The Pope found this prayer so beautiful that he decided to insert it into the breviary at the end of each psalm. Later it was also introduced at the end of each decade of the Rosary.
Do I always give the full significance to this prayer so weighted with meaning?
Is my invocation of the Holy Trinity truly adoration?
Am I animated by an earnest desire to glorify the Three Divine Persons?
I will pay particular attention to this prayer for some time. I will offer to the Holy Trinity only such Glorias as are actually worth the saying.
_________________
Adapted from Meditations for Religious
by Father Raoul Plus, S.J. (© 1939, Frederick Pustet Co.)
The Three Persons of the Holy Trinity were the favorite subject of his contemplation; in fact, he could scarcely imagine anyone's deigning to consider another subject.
One day someone gave him a newspaper. "What a beautiful discovery newspapers are!" he exclaimed. "What power and what rapidity of publicity! But I should wish that they served a better purpose. At the head of each issue I should inscribe the words:
Immensus Pater, Immensus Filius, Immensus Spiritus Sanctus with the words, God is everywhere, God sees all, God hears all.'"
Was it not a similar desire which urged St. Jerome, writing to Pope Damasus, to place at the head of his letter the invocation since become a classic, Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost? The Pope found this prayer so beautiful that he decided to insert it into the breviary at the end of each psalm. Later it was also introduced at the end of each decade of the Rosary.
Do I always give the full significance to this prayer so weighted with meaning?
Is my invocation of the Holy Trinity truly adoration?
Am I animated by an earnest desire to glorify the Three Divine Persons?
I will pay particular attention to this prayer for some time. I will offer to the Holy Trinity only such Glorias as are actually worth the saying.
_________________
Adapted from Meditations for Religious
by Father Raoul Plus, S.J. (© 1939, Frederick Pustet Co.)
Gospel for Saturday, 6th Week in Ordinary Time
Old Calendar: St. Paschal Baylon, confessor
From: Mark 9:2-13
The Transfiguration
[2] And after six days Jesus took with Him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain apart by themselves; and He was transfigured before them, [3] and His garments became glistening, intensely white, as no fuller on earth bleach them. [4] And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses; and they were talking to Jesus. [5] And Peter said to Jesus, "Master, it is well that we are here; let us make three booths, one for You and one for Moses and one for Elijah." [6] For he did not know what to say, for they were exceedingly afraid. [7] And a cloud overshadowed them, and a voice came out of the cloud, "This is My beloved Son; listen to Him." [8] And suddenly looking around they no longer saw any one with them but Jesus only. [9] And as they were coming down the mountain, He charged them to tell no one what they had seen, until the Son of Man should have risen from the dead. [10] So they kept the matter to themselves, questioning what the rising from the dead meant. [11] And they asked Him, "Why do the scribes say that first Elijah must come?" [12] And He said to them, "Elijah does come first to restore all things; and how is it written of the Son of Man, that He should suffer many things and be treated with contempt? [13] But I tell you that Elijah has come, and they did to him whatever they pleased, as it is written of him."
_______________________
Commentary:
2-10. We contemplate in awe this manifestation of the glory of the Son of God to three of His disciples. Ever since the Incarnation, the divinity of our Lord has usually been hidden behind His humanity. But Christ wishes to show, to these favorite disciples, who will later be pillars of the Church, the splendor of His divine glory, in order to encourage them to follow the difficult way that lies ahead, fixing their gaze on the happy goal which is awaiting them at the end. This is why, as St. Thomas comments (cf. "Summa Theologia", III, q. 45, a. 1), it was appropriate for Him to give them an insight into His glory. The fact that the Transfiguration comes immediately after the first announcement of His passion, and His prophetic words about how His followers would also have to carry His cross, shows us that "through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God" (Acts 14:22).
What happened at the Transfiguration? To understand this miraculous event in Christ's life, we must remember that in order to redeem us by His passion and death our Lord freely renounced divine glory and became man, assuming flesh which was capable of suffering and which was not glorious, becoming like us in every way except sin (cf. Hebrew 4:15). In the Transfiguration, Jesus Christ willed that the glory which was His as God and which His soul had from the moment of the Incarnation, should miraculously become present in His body. "We should learn from Jesus' attitude in these trials. During His life on earth He did not even want the glory that belong to Him. Though He had the right to be treated as God, He took the form of a servant, a slave (cf. Philippians 2:6)" ([St] J. Escriva, "Christ Is Passing By", 62). Bearing in mind WHO became man (the divinity of the person and the glory of His soul), it was appropriate for His body to be glorious; given the PURPOSE of His Incarnation, it was not appropriate, usually, for His glory to be evident. Christ shows His glory in the Transfiguration in order to move us to desire the divine glory which will be given us so that, having this hope, we too can understand "that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us" (Romans 8:18).
2. According to Deuteronomy (19:15), to bear witness to anything the evidence of two or three must concur. Perhaps this is why Jesus wanted three Apostles to be present. It should be pointed out that these three Apostles were specially loved by Him; they were with Him also at the raising of the daughter of Jairus (Mark 5:37) and will also be closest to Him during His agony at Gethsemane (Mark 14:33). Cf. note on Matthew 17:1-13.
7. This is how St. Thomas Aquinas explains the meaning of the Transfiguration: "Just as in Baptism, where the mystery of the first regeneration was proclaimed, the operation of the whole Trinity was made manifest, because the Son Incarnate was there, the Holy Spirit appeared under the form of a dove, and the Father made Himself known in the voice; so also in the Transfiguration, which is the sign of the second regeneration [the Resurrection], the whole Trinity appears--the Father in the voice, the Son in the man, the Holy Spirit in the bright cloud; for just as in Baptism He confers innocence, as signified by the simplicity of the dove, so in the Resurrection will He give His elect the clarity of glory and the refreshment from every form of evil, as signified by the bright cloud" ("Summa Theologiae", III, q. 45, 1.4 ad 2). For, really, the Transfiguration was in some way an anticipation not only of Christ's glorification but also of ours. As St. Paul says, "it is the same Spirit Himself bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with Him in order that we may also be glorified with Him" (Romans 8:16-17).
10. That the dead would rise was already revealed in the Old Testament (cf. Daniel 12:2-3; 2 Maccabees 7:9; 12:43) and was believed by pious Jews (cf. John 11:23-25). However, they were unable to understand the profound truth of the death and Resurrection of the Lord: they expected a glorious and triumphant Messiah, despite the prophecy that He would suffer and die (cf. Isaiah 53). Hence the Apostles' oblique approach; they too do not dare to directly question our Lord about His Resurrection.
11-13. The scribes and Pharisees interpret the messianic prophecy in Malachi (3:1-2) as meaning that Elijah will appear in person, dramatically, to be followed by the all-triumphant Messiah, with no shadow of pain or humiliation. Jesus tells them that Elijah has indeed come, in the person of John the Baptist (Matthew 17:13) and has prepared the way of the Messiah, a way of pain and suffering.
Verse 12 is a question which Jesus puts to His disciples, but they should really have asked it themselves, had they realized that Christ's Resurrection presupposed the Messiah's suffering and death. Since they fail to ask it, Jesus does, to teach them that He like Elijah (that is, John the Baptist) must experience suffering before entering His glory.
___________________________
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: Mark 9:2-13
The Transfiguration
[2] And after six days Jesus took with Him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain apart by themselves; and He was transfigured before them, [3] and His garments became glistening, intensely white, as no fuller on earth bleach them. [4] And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses; and they were talking to Jesus. [5] And Peter said to Jesus, "Master, it is well that we are here; let us make three booths, one for You and one for Moses and one for Elijah." [6] For he did not know what to say, for they were exceedingly afraid. [7] And a cloud overshadowed them, and a voice came out of the cloud, "This is My beloved Son; listen to Him." [8] And suddenly looking around they no longer saw any one with them but Jesus only. [9] And as they were coming down the mountain, He charged them to tell no one what they had seen, until the Son of Man should have risen from the dead. [10] So they kept the matter to themselves, questioning what the rising from the dead meant. [11] And they asked Him, "Why do the scribes say that first Elijah must come?" [12] And He said to them, "Elijah does come first to restore all things; and how is it written of the Son of Man, that He should suffer many things and be treated with contempt? [13] But I tell you that Elijah has come, and they did to him whatever they pleased, as it is written of him."
_______________________
Commentary:
2-10. We contemplate in awe this manifestation of the glory of the Son of God to three of His disciples. Ever since the Incarnation, the divinity of our Lord has usually been hidden behind His humanity. But Christ wishes to show, to these favorite disciples, who will later be pillars of the Church, the splendor of His divine glory, in order to encourage them to follow the difficult way that lies ahead, fixing their gaze on the happy goal which is awaiting them at the end. This is why, as St. Thomas comments (cf. "Summa Theologia", III, q. 45, a. 1), it was appropriate for Him to give them an insight into His glory. The fact that the Transfiguration comes immediately after the first announcement of His passion, and His prophetic words about how His followers would also have to carry His cross, shows us that "through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God" (Acts 14:22).
What happened at the Transfiguration? To understand this miraculous event in Christ's life, we must remember that in order to redeem us by His passion and death our Lord freely renounced divine glory and became man, assuming flesh which was capable of suffering and which was not glorious, becoming like us in every way except sin (cf. Hebrew 4:15). In the Transfiguration, Jesus Christ willed that the glory which was His as God and which His soul had from the moment of the Incarnation, should miraculously become present in His body. "We should learn from Jesus' attitude in these trials. During His life on earth He did not even want the glory that belong to Him. Though He had the right to be treated as God, He took the form of a servant, a slave (cf. Philippians 2:6)" ([St] J. Escriva, "Christ Is Passing By", 62). Bearing in mind WHO became man (the divinity of the person and the glory of His soul), it was appropriate for His body to be glorious; given the PURPOSE of His Incarnation, it was not appropriate, usually, for His glory to be evident. Christ shows His glory in the Transfiguration in order to move us to desire the divine glory which will be given us so that, having this hope, we too can understand "that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us" (Romans 8:18).
2. According to Deuteronomy (19:15), to bear witness to anything the evidence of two or three must concur. Perhaps this is why Jesus wanted three Apostles to be present. It should be pointed out that these three Apostles were specially loved by Him; they were with Him also at the raising of the daughter of Jairus (Mark 5:37) and will also be closest to Him during His agony at Gethsemane (Mark 14:33). Cf. note on Matthew 17:1-13.
7. This is how St. Thomas Aquinas explains the meaning of the Transfiguration: "Just as in Baptism, where the mystery of the first regeneration was proclaimed, the operation of the whole Trinity was made manifest, because the Son Incarnate was there, the Holy Spirit appeared under the form of a dove, and the Father made Himself known in the voice; so also in the Transfiguration, which is the sign of the second regeneration [the Resurrection], the whole Trinity appears--the Father in the voice, the Son in the man, the Holy Spirit in the bright cloud; for just as in Baptism He confers innocence, as signified by the simplicity of the dove, so in the Resurrection will He give His elect the clarity of glory and the refreshment from every form of evil, as signified by the bright cloud" ("Summa Theologiae", III, q. 45, 1.4 ad 2). For, really, the Transfiguration was in some way an anticipation not only of Christ's glorification but also of ours. As St. Paul says, "it is the same Spirit Himself bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with Him in order that we may also be glorified with Him" (Romans 8:16-17).
10. That the dead would rise was already revealed in the Old Testament (cf. Daniel 12:2-3; 2 Maccabees 7:9; 12:43) and was believed by pious Jews (cf. John 11:23-25). However, they were unable to understand the profound truth of the death and Resurrection of the Lord: they expected a glorious and triumphant Messiah, despite the prophecy that He would suffer and die (cf. Isaiah 53). Hence the Apostles' oblique approach; they too do not dare to directly question our Lord about His Resurrection.
11-13. The scribes and Pharisees interpret the messianic prophecy in Malachi (3:1-2) as meaning that Elijah will appear in person, dramatically, to be followed by the all-triumphant Messiah, with no shadow of pain or humiliation. Jesus tells them that Elijah has indeed come, in the person of John the Baptist (Matthew 17:13) and has prepared the way of the Messiah, a way of pain and suffering.
Verse 12 is a question which Jesus puts to His disciples, but they should really have asked it themselves, had they realized that Christ's Resurrection presupposed the Messiah's suffering and death. Since they fail to ask it, Jesus does, to teach them that He like Elijah (that is, John the Baptist) must experience suffering before entering His glory.
___________________________
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.
Friday, May 16, 2008
The Sacraments - What Kind of a Theologian Are You?
You know that
Try the Following Quiz on The Sacraments.
Give yourself 10 points for each of the 10 questions Which you answer correctly. If you score 95-100, give yourself a SCL (summa cum laude); 90-95, a MCL (magna cum laude); 85-90, a CL (cum laude); 80-85, a BP (bene probatus); 70-80, a P (probatus); 1>-70, a NP (non probatus).
[Answer each "a, b, c, d" with Yes or No or with the required answer.]
____________________
1. Is it of divine and Catholic faith that
6. Is it of divine and Catholic faith that Baptism cannot be validly administered by
8. Which sacraments may be validly received only once?
9. Is it of divine and Catholic faith that the sacraments can be administered validly only by a person in the state of sanctifying grace?
10. Is it of divine and Catholic faith that
Answers next Monday.
Adapted from The Queen's Work Magazine, February 1946
"all those things are to be believed with divine and Catholic faith which are contained in the written or orally transmitted word of God, and which the Church, either by a solemn judgment or by her ordinary and universal magisterium, proposes for belief as having been divinely revealed." (Vatican Council.)Can you recognize truths which are divine and Catholic faith?
Try the Following Quiz on The Sacraments.
Give yourself 10 points for each of the 10 questions Which you answer correctly. If you score 95-100, give yourself a SCL (summa cum laude); 90-95, a MCL (magna cum laude); 85-90, a CL (cum laude); 80-85, a BP (bene probatus); 70-80, a P (probatus); 1>-70, a NP (non probatus).
[Answer each "a, b, c, d" with Yes or No or with the required answer.]
____________________
1. Is it of divine and Catholic faith that
a) both circumcision and the remedy of nature were sacraments before Christ;2. Is it of divine and Catholic faith that
b) there are seven sacraments of the New Law, no more nor less?
a) all the sacraments were instituted by Christ;3. That Christ immediately instituted all the sacraments is
b) two sacraments were instituted by Christ, the rest by the Church?
a) of divine and Catholic faith;4. Is it of divine and Catholic faith that the sacraments
b) the common opinion of theologians?
a) confer sanctifying grace;5. Which sacraments imprint a spiritual character on the soul?
b) are just conditions for the reception of grace because they increase our faith?
6. Is it of divine and Catholic faith that Baptism cannot be validly administered by
a) a Protestant;7. Is it of divine and Catholic faith that no woman can validly administer any of the sacraments?
b) a Jew;
c) an apostate;
d) an atheist?
8. Which sacraments may be validly received only once?
9. Is it of divine and Catholic faith that the sacraments can be administered validly only by a person in the state of sanctifying grace?
10. Is it of divine and Catholic faith that
a) all the sacraments are equally necessary for salvation;________________________
b) any sacrament is absolutely necessary for salvation, either in actual reception or in desire?
Answers next Monday.
Adapted from The Queen's Work Magazine, February 1946
Just for Today, May 17
O Lord, my God, depart not from me! O my God, have regard to help me; for divers evil thoughts have risen up against me, and great fears, afflicting my soul. How shall I pass without hurt? How shall I break through them.
-Bk. III, ch. xxiii.
_________________
When, tired out by the impenetrable darkness which surrounds it, my soul would take some rest in the thought of eternal life, my torment increases. From the darkness I seem to hear mocking voices which say: You dream of light and of a fair country, of possessing for ever the Creator of these marvels; you hope to emerge some day from the dark mist that surrounds you; go forward then to death, which will not bring what you hope for; but a yet darker night, that of absolute nothingness!
May God forgive me! He knows that I strive to do the works of faith, although I do not feel its presence in my soul. I have made more acts of faith in this one year than in the whole of my life.
-The Story of a Soul (L'Histoire d'une Âme)
__________________
For more information, see this post.
Adapted from Just For Today(©1943 Burns & Oates)
Nihil Obstat: Reginaldus Phillips, S.T.L.,Censor deputatus
Imprimatur: Edwardus Myers, Vic. Cap.
-Bk. III, ch. xxiii.
_________________
When, tired out by the impenetrable darkness which surrounds it, my soul would take some rest in the thought of eternal life, my torment increases. From the darkness I seem to hear mocking voices which say: You dream of light and of a fair country, of possessing for ever the Creator of these marvels; you hope to emerge some day from the dark mist that surrounds you; go forward then to death, which will not bring what you hope for; but a yet darker night, that of absolute nothingness!
May God forgive me! He knows that I strive to do the works of faith, although I do not feel its presence in my soul. I have made more acts of faith in this one year than in the whole of my life.
-The Story of a Soul (L'Histoire d'une Âme)
__________________
For more information, see this post.
Adapted from Just For Today(©1943 Burns & Oates)
Nihil Obstat: Reginaldus Phillips, S.T.L.,Censor deputatus
Imprimatur: Edwardus Myers, Vic. Cap.
Thoughts and Counsels - May 17
To assure our salvation it does not suffice to call ourselves children of Mary, therefore, let us always have the fear of God.
-St. Teresa.
________________________
From Mary, Help of Christians
Part VI, Thoughts and Counsels of the Saints for Every Day of the Year
Compiled by Fr. Bonaventure Hammer, OFM (© 1909, Benziger Brothers)
-St. Teresa.
________________________
From Mary, Help of Christians
Part VI, Thoughts and Counsels of the Saints for Every Day of the Year
Compiled by Fr. Bonaventure Hammer, OFM (© 1909, Benziger Brothers)
Meditation for May 17, Soul Sadness
Sometimes without my knowing why, a sort of sadness pervades my soul.
Is it not permissible to become gloomy when there is a reason? Even then, if I had faith, the true spirit of Christ, and a love of mortification, I would withstand the trial with more valor.
But to let myself be gloomy for no reason at all would be ridiculous. I have other things to do besides feel my pulse or follow the capricious course of imaginary clouds....My duty is awaiting me, souls are being lost! An urgent task invites me, were it only that of radiating in and around me the divine joy of the holy liberty of the children of God!
There is, it is true, a certain charm in coddling feelings of sadness, especially when these are inexpressible and vague. Montaigne has remarked: "I imagine there is something of sweetness and delicacy even in the breast of melancholy."
Religious souls do not find sweetness and delight in sadness. I must have other nourishment. If there is real physical need, I must ask resolutely for what is necessary. If the need be for spiritual or moral courage, I must use all my common sense, all my faith, all my virtue.
Grieve? Whimper?... Absolutely not! I must conquer my sadness and keep my head above the clouds.
_________________
Adapted from Meditations for Religious
by Father Raoul Plus, S.J. (© 1939, Frederick Pustet Co.)
Is it not permissible to become gloomy when there is a reason? Even then, if I had faith, the true spirit of Christ, and a love of mortification, I would withstand the trial with more valor.
But to let myself be gloomy for no reason at all would be ridiculous. I have other things to do besides feel my pulse or follow the capricious course of imaginary clouds....My duty is awaiting me, souls are being lost! An urgent task invites me, were it only that of radiating in and around me the divine joy of the holy liberty of the children of God!
There is, it is true, a certain charm in coddling feelings of sadness, especially when these are inexpressible and vague. Montaigne has remarked: "I imagine there is something of sweetness and delicacy even in the breast of melancholy."
Religious souls do not find sweetness and delight in sadness. I must have other nourishment. If there is real physical need, I must ask resolutely for what is necessary. If the need be for spiritual or moral courage, I must use all my common sense, all my faith, all my virtue.
Grieve? Whimper?... Absolutely not! I must conquer my sadness and keep my head above the clouds.
_________________
Adapted from Meditations for Religious
by Father Raoul Plus, S.J. (© 1939, Frederick Pustet Co.)
Nine Men to be Ordained as Priests for St Louis Archdiocese
Wonderful News!
Archbishop Raymond L. Burke will ordain nine men to the priesthood for the Archdiocese of St. Louis at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 24, at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis, Lindell Boulevard and Newstead Avenue in the Central West End.Please keep all of these men in your prayers.
The Sacrament of Holy Orders will be conferred after the reading of the Gospel of the Mass. An announcement of the new priests’ assignments will be in an upcoming issue of the Review.
The soon-to-be-ordained priests will be Fathers Matthew Barnard, Patrick Driscoll, Brian Hecktor, Michael Houser, Eric Kunz, Edward Nemeth, Kevin Schroeder, James Theby and Noah Waldman....
This is the largest number of men to be ordained priests for the Archdiocese of St. Louis since nine men were ordained in 1987. In addition, another five Kenrick-Glennon seminarians are being ordained in coming weeks for other dioceses.
Paul VI saw liturgical abuse as "smoke of Satan"
Rome, May. 16, 2008 (CWNews.com) - When Pope Paul VI spoke about the "smoke of Satan" entering the Catholic Church, he was referring to liturgical abuses, according to the prelate who served as his master of ceremonies.More at Catholic World News here.
Cardinal Virgilio Noe, the chief Vatican liturgist during the pontificate of Paul VI, spoke candidly about the late Pope's concerns in an interview with the Roman Petrus web site. The Italian prelate-- who was also the Vatican's top liturgist under Pope John Paul I and the early years of the pontificate of John Paul II-- is now retired, and at the age of 86 his health is failing. In his interview with Petrus he concentrated primarily on his years serving Pope Paul VI.
[The full interview has been translated by Father John Zulsdorf on his What Does the Prayer Really Say blog.]
NCR: Obama vs. The Right to Life
It’s important for Americans to know exactly where Barack [Hussein] Obama stands on abortion, because abortion is more than just a "Catholic issue." It's one of the fundamental issues Americans should be most concerned about.And he speaks of "change we can believe in" - how nice. That is, if you happen to survive his support of the extermination of the innocent and helpless...
The United States was founded on the rights to “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness,” and Americans have spent the past two centuries since trying to live up to those founding principles. First came disagreements over the pursuit of happiness — religious and economic liberty. Then, over slavery. Today’s big battle is over the most important right: the right to life.
Obama’s votes and official positions deny the right to life to three categories of human beings: the unborn, the “accidentally” born and, at least in one case, the adult “unfit.” Let’s look at each.
Obama not only opposes the right to life, his opposition is his highest priority. “The first thing I’d do as president is sign the Freedom of Choice Act,” he told Planned Parenthood last July. That would make America more friendly to the abortion industry than any other country in the world....What a genocidal maniac - this clown is a joke! And a dangerous one at that! He and his marxist cohorts have in lot in common - they all support the destruction of families and the U.S.
Pope thanks consecrated virgins for their 'total gift' to Christ
POPE Benedict thanked consecrated women virgins gathering at the Vatican today for their "total gift" to Christ, praising a holy rite that he recognised was difficult for some non-Catholics to understand.These are extraordinary women. When you pray for our priests and religious, please remember them as well.
"(Live your lives) in such a way that you always irradiate the dignity of being the wife of Christ," the pope said in an address to hundreds of consecrated virgins from dozens of countries meeting in Rome....
Dr Edward Peters Asks: Was Prof Douglas Kmiec really denied Communion?
He certainly says he was, by a chaplain irate over Kmiec's endorsement of Obama for president. Now I am as nonplused as the next guy about Kmiec's backing of the unborn's worst enemy … and I was quietly hoping that Kmiec would remain an anomalous singularity. That hope was dashed, however, when Nicholas Cafardi, a prominent lay canonist … lent his name to Obama's Catholic advisor list. Good grief. Oh well, they don't move me: I'd rather watch televised soccer than cast a vote for either Obama or Clinton.Read his response here.
But to deny Kmiec holy Communion for his actions to date?
“Legal jujitsu” - California Supreme Court
“I cannot join the majority’s holding that the California Constitution gives same-sex couples a right to marry. In reaching this decision, I believe, the majority violates the separation of powers, and thereby commits profound error....”
In his dissent, Baxter wrote that he agreed with the court’s majority that “‘from the beginning of California statehood, the legal institution of civil marriage has been understood to refer to a relationship between a man and a woman.’” He noted he also agreed that Proposition 22, the “initiative statute, adopted by popular vote of 61.4 percent and thus immune from unilateral repeal by the Legislature,” invalidates both same-sex marriages “consummated elsewhere” and those “contracted under that name in the state.”
Baxter, however, criticized the majority for relying “heavily on the Legislature’s adoption of progressive civil rights protections for gays and lesbians to find a constitutional right to same-sex marriage. In effect, the majority gives the Legislature indirectly power that body does not directly possess to amend the Constitution and repeal an initiative statute....”
Gospel for Friday, 6th Week in Ordinary Time
From: Mark 8:34-9:1
Christian Renunciation (Continuation)
[34] And He (Jesus) called to Him the multitude with His disciples, and said to them, "If any man would come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me. [35] For whoever would save his life will lose it; and whoever loses his life for My sake and the Gospel's will save it. [36] For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his life? [37] For what can a man give in return for his life? [38] For whoever is ashamed of Me and of My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of Man also be ashamed, when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels".
[1] And He said to them, "Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the Kingdom of God come with power."
___________________________
Commentary:
35. "Life": in the original text and the New Vulgate the word literally means "soul." But here, as in many other cases, "soul" and "life" are equivalent. The word "life" is used, clearly, in a double sense: earthly life and eternal life, the life of man here on earth and man's eternal happiness in Heaven. Death can put an end to earthly life, but it cannot destroy eternal life (cf. Matthew 10:28), the life which can only be given by Him who brings the dead back to life.
Understood in this way, we can grasp the paradoxical meaning of our Lord's phrase: whoever wishes to save his (earthly) life will lose his (eternal) life. But whoever loses his (earthly) life for Me and the Gospel, will save his (eternal) life. What, then, does saving one's (earthly) life mean? It means living this life as if there were non other--letting oneself be controlled by the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the pride of life (cf. 1 John 2:16). And losing one's (earthly) life means mortifying, by continuous ascetical effort, this triple concupiscence--that is, taking up one's cross (verse 34)--and consequently seeking and savoring the things that are God's and not the things of the earth (cf. Colossians 3:1-2).
36-37. Jesus promises eternal life to those who are willing to lose earthly life for His sake. He has given us example: He is the Good Shepherd who lays down His life for His sheep (John 10:15); and He fulfilled in His own case what He said to the Apostles on the night before He died: "Greater love has no man than this that a man lay down his life for his friends" (John 15:13).
38. Each person's eternal destiny will be decided by Christ. He is the Judge who will come to judge the living and the dead (Matthew 16:27). The sentence will depend on how faithful each has been in keeping the Lord's commandments--to love God and to love one's neighbor, for God's sake. On that day Christ will not recognize as His disciple anyone who is ashamed to imitate Jesus' humility and example and follow the precepts of the Gospel for fear of displeasing the world or worldly people: he has failed to confess by his life the faith which he claims to hold. A Christian, then, should never be ashamed of the Gospel (Romans 1:16); he should never let himself be drawn away by the worldliness around him; rather he should exercise a decisive influence on his environment, counting on the help of God's grace. The first Christians changed the ancient pagan world. God's arm has not grown shorter since their time (cf. Isaiah 59:1). Cf. Matthew 10:32-33 and note on same.
1. The coming o the Kingdom of God with power does not seem to refer to the second, glorious coming of Jesus at the end of time (the Parousia); it may, rather, indicate the amazing spread of the Church in the lifetime of the Apostles. Many of those present here will witness this. The growth and spread of the Church in the world can be explained only by the divine power God gives to the mystical body of Christ. The Transfiguration of our Lord, which is recounted in the next passage, is a sign, given to the Apostles, of Jesus' divinity and of the divine powers which He will give His Church.
______________________
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.
Christian Renunciation (Continuation)
[34] And He (Jesus) called to Him the multitude with His disciples, and said to them, "If any man would come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me. [35] For whoever would save his life will lose it; and whoever loses his life for My sake and the Gospel's will save it. [36] For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his life? [37] For what can a man give in return for his life? [38] For whoever is ashamed of Me and of My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of Man also be ashamed, when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels".
[1] And He said to them, "Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the Kingdom of God come with power."
___________________________
Commentary:
35. "Life": in the original text and the New Vulgate the word literally means "soul." But here, as in many other cases, "soul" and "life" are equivalent. The word "life" is used, clearly, in a double sense: earthly life and eternal life, the life of man here on earth and man's eternal happiness in Heaven. Death can put an end to earthly life, but it cannot destroy eternal life (cf. Matthew 10:28), the life which can only be given by Him who brings the dead back to life.
Understood in this way, we can grasp the paradoxical meaning of our Lord's phrase: whoever wishes to save his (earthly) life will lose his (eternal) life. But whoever loses his (earthly) life for Me and the Gospel, will save his (eternal) life. What, then, does saving one's (earthly) life mean? It means living this life as if there were non other--letting oneself be controlled by the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the pride of life (cf. 1 John 2:16). And losing one's (earthly) life means mortifying, by continuous ascetical effort, this triple concupiscence--that is, taking up one's cross (verse 34)--and consequently seeking and savoring the things that are God's and not the things of the earth (cf. Colossians 3:1-2).
36-37. Jesus promises eternal life to those who are willing to lose earthly life for His sake. He has given us example: He is the Good Shepherd who lays down His life for His sheep (John 10:15); and He fulfilled in His own case what He said to the Apostles on the night before He died: "Greater love has no man than this that a man lay down his life for his friends" (John 15:13).
38. Each person's eternal destiny will be decided by Christ. He is the Judge who will come to judge the living and the dead (Matthew 16:27). The sentence will depend on how faithful each has been in keeping the Lord's commandments--to love God and to love one's neighbor, for God's sake. On that day Christ will not recognize as His disciple anyone who is ashamed to imitate Jesus' humility and example and follow the precepts of the Gospel for fear of displeasing the world or worldly people: he has failed to confess by his life the faith which he claims to hold. A Christian, then, should never be ashamed of the Gospel (Romans 1:16); he should never let himself be drawn away by the worldliness around him; rather he should exercise a decisive influence on his environment, counting on the help of God's grace. The first Christians changed the ancient pagan world. God's arm has not grown shorter since their time (cf. Isaiah 59:1). Cf. Matthew 10:32-33 and note on same.
1. The coming o the Kingdom of God with power does not seem to refer to the second, glorious coming of Jesus at the end of time (the Parousia); it may, rather, indicate the amazing spread of the Church in the lifetime of the Apostles. Many of those present here will witness this. The growth and spread of the Church in the world can be explained only by the divine power God gives to the mystical body of Christ. The Transfiguration of our Lord, which is recounted in the next passage, is a sign, given to the Apostles, of Jesus' divinity and of the divine powers which He will give His Church.
______________________
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.
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Just for Today, May 16
Give me fortitude, that I may stand my, ground; patience that I may endure; and constancy that I may persevere. Give me, in lieu of all the comforts of this world, the most delightful unction of Thy Spirit; and instead of carnal love, infuse into me the love of Thy name.
-Bk. III, ch. xxvi.
___________________
Not long after my First Communion I again went into retreat for the Sacrament of Confirmation. I prepared with great care for the coming of the Holy Ghost, and could not understand how anyone could approach this great Sacrament carelessly. As the ceremony was postponed, I had the happiness of remaining longer in retreat. Like the Apostles, I waited full of joy for the coming of the promised Comforter, for the day when I should be a perfect Christian, and bear the cross indelibly imprinted on my forehead.
I was not conscious of the mighty wind of Pentecost, but rather of the gentle air that Elias felt on Mount Horeb. On that day I was given fortitude to' endure suffering, a gift of which I stood in need, for the martyrdom of my soul was soon to begin.
-The Story of a Soul (L'Histoire d'une Âme)
__________________
For more information, see this post.
Adapted from Just For Today(©1943 Burns & Oates)
Nihil Obstat: Reginaldus Phillips, S.T.L.,Censor deputatus
Imprimatur: Edwardus Myers, Vic. Cap.
-Bk. III, ch. xxvi.
___________________
Not long after my First Communion I again went into retreat for the Sacrament of Confirmation. I prepared with great care for the coming of the Holy Ghost, and could not understand how anyone could approach this great Sacrament carelessly. As the ceremony was postponed, I had the happiness of remaining longer in retreat. Like the Apostles, I waited full of joy for the coming of the promised Comforter, for the day when I should be a perfect Christian, and bear the cross indelibly imprinted on my forehead.
I was not conscious of the mighty wind of Pentecost, but rather of the gentle air that Elias felt on Mount Horeb. On that day I was given fortitude to' endure suffering, a gift of which I stood in need, for the martyrdom of my soul was soon to begin.
-The Story of a Soul (L'Histoire d'une Âme)
__________________
For more information, see this post.
Adapted from Just For Today(©1943 Burns & Oates)
Nihil Obstat: Reginaldus Phillips, S.T.L.,Censor deputatus
Imprimatur: Edwardus Myers, Vic. Cap.
Thoughts and Counsels - May 16
Meditation for May 16, Inconstancy
A religious who was somewhat flighty, or as Huysman would have said, whose brain was slightly wind-blown, was boasting that she had been sent successively to all the houses of her Institute and she said with no little pride, "I have visited all the possessions of my Spouse."
In reality, she so quickly became undesirable in one house, that the only means of restoring peace was to send her for the time being to another house.
Sometimes superiors are confronted with other problem cases. Some subjects say they cannot work long at the same task or be contented in the same house. They must have a variety. Jesus remained twenty-nine years at Nazareth; but He was made of different stuff. Some people have to shift about. Again, others imagine they are not succeeding, then half through self love and half through lassitude they ask for something else.
_________________
Adapted from Meditations for Religious
by Father Raoul Plus, S.J. (© 1939, Frederick Pustet Co.)
In reality, she so quickly became undesirable in one house, that the only means of restoring peace was to send her for the time being to another house.
Sometimes superiors are confronted with other problem cases. Some subjects say they cannot work long at the same task or be contented in the same house. They must have a variety. Jesus remained twenty-nine years at Nazareth; but He was made of different stuff. Some people have to shift about. Again, others imagine they are not succeeding, then half through self love and half through lassitude they ask for something else.
"My God, make me understand that I must work out my sanctification where you have put me. If I have a real reason to ask for a change, I may make it known to the right person. But whether it is accepted or refused, let me live in peace and devote myself to the best of my ability to my present duty. I must be ready for all things but rarely ask for anything."I have been received into the Congregation, I who am worth so little. I wish to force myself to give maximum service wherever I am sent. The rest, Lord, I leave to You.
_________________
Adapted from Meditations for Religious
by Father Raoul Plus, S.J. (© 1939, Frederick Pustet Co.)
And following up on infanticide-loving elitists....
We read the following from InsideCatholic:
They are apostates of the faith as well as supporters of infanticide.
When Obama's Catholic supporters attacked Catholic League president Bill Donohue for his criticism of their candidate, they did not mention Obama's support for infanticide.What we will read from so-called Catholics supporting anti-freedom, pro-death candidates is puerile, sophomoric rhetoric which is all too familiar and which has been refuted any number of times in the past. We have so-called Catholics who, frankly, are not Catholic at all, but they make that specious claim and lay the ground work for sowing confusion and scandal among the faithful and the general public.
The question will inevitably arise for the distinguished group of Catholics supporting Obama as to how they can defend his preference for infanticide in cases where a child survives a botched abortion. The fury Obama's Catholics vented toward Donohue will only force them to face that question sooner than they may have expected.
It's clear to me how it will be answered: It won't. Obama's Catholics are already attempting to reframe the abortion issue in their favor. They will do everything they can to divert attention from the fact that their candidate is actually the most extreme pro-abortion advocate ever to be nominated by a political party for president of the United States.
The letter to Donohue reveals the arguments Obama's Catholics will use to evade the question of infanticide:
They are apostates of the faith as well as supporters of infanticide.
And some still don't get it...
Des Moines, IA (LifeNews.com) -- Iowa-based St. Ambrose University, a Catholic college, is under fire from pro-life advocates in the Midwestern state for honoring an abortion advocate. The school awarded what one pro-life group called "one of Iowa’s most notorious abortion activists" with an honorary degree.Ironic, isn't it - “Honorary Doctor of Public Services” - and this, after donating to Planned Parenthood and promoting "a bill allowing for a Medicaid waiver that tripled the abortion businesses' income from tax dollars."
At the St. Ambrose graduation ceremony on Sunday, school officials handed an honorary degree to Margaret (“Maggie”) Tinsman, a former state senator in Iowa from 1989-2006.
Tinsman received an “Honorary Doctor of Public Services” by the St. Ambrose Board of Directors.....
[Continued here]
A "Doctor of Public Services" - how insulting and revolting! I'm no longer surprised by the extent of sheer stupidity of, not only professed Catholics, but of those who claim to be rational human beings.
Gospel for Thursday, 6th Week in Ordinary Time
Optional Memorial of St. Isidore
Old Calendar: St. John Baptist de la Salle, confessor
From: Mark 8:27-33
Peter's Profession of Faith
[27] And Jesus went on with His disciples, to the villages of Caesarea Philippi; and on the way He asked His disciples, "Who do men say that I am?" [28] And they told Him, "John the Baptist; and others say, Elijah; and others one of the prophets." [29] And He asked them, "But who do you say I am?" Peter answered Him, "You are the Christ." [30] And He charged them to tell no one about Him.
Jesus Foretells His Passion and Resurrection. Christian Renunciation
[31] And He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. [32] And He said this plainly. And Peter took Him, and began to rebuke Him. [33] But turning and seeing His disciples, He rebuked Peter, and said, "Get behind Me, Satan! For you are not on the side of God, but of men."
______________________
Commentary:
29. Peter's profession of faith is reported here in a shorter form than in Matthew 16:18-19. Peter seems to go no further than say that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah. Eusebius of Caesarea, in the fourth century, explains the Evangelist's reserve by the fact that he was the interpreter of St. Peter, who omitted from his preaching anything which might appear to be self-praise. The Holy Spirit, when inspiring St. Mark, wanted the Gospel to reflect the preaching of the prince of the Apostles, leaving it to other evangelists to fill out certain important details to do with the episode of the confession of Peter.
The sketchiness of the narrative still show Peter's role quite clearly: he is the first to come forward affirming the messiahship of Jesus. Our Lord's question, "But who do you say that I am?", shows what Jesus is asking the Apostles for--not an opinion, more or less favorable, but firm faith. It is St. Peter who expresses this faith (cf. note on Matthew 16:13-20).
31-33. This is the first occasion when Jesus tells His disciples about the sufferings and death He must undergo. He does it twice more, later on (cf. Mark 9:31 and 10:32). The Apostles are surprised, because they cannot and do not want to understand why the Master should have to suffer and die, much less that He should be so treated "by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes." But Peter, with his usual spontaneity, immediately begins to protest. And Jesus replies to him using the same words as He addressed the devil when he tempted Him (cf. Matthew 4:10); He wants to affirm, once again, that His mission is spiritual, not earthly, and that therefore it cannot be understood by using mere human criteria: it is governed by God's designs, which were that Jesus should redeem us through His passion and death. So too, for a Christian, suffering, united with Christ, is also a means of salvation.
___________________________
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.
Old Calendar: St. John Baptist de la Salle, confessor
From: Mark 8:27-33
Peter's Profession of Faith
[27] And Jesus went on with His disciples, to the villages of Caesarea Philippi; and on the way He asked His disciples, "Who do men say that I am?" [28] And they told Him, "John the Baptist; and others say, Elijah; and others one of the prophets." [29] And He asked them, "But who do you say I am?" Peter answered Him, "You are the Christ." [30] And He charged them to tell no one about Him.
Jesus Foretells His Passion and Resurrection. Christian Renunciation
[31] And He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. [32] And He said this plainly. And Peter took Him, and began to rebuke Him. [33] But turning and seeing His disciples, He rebuked Peter, and said, "Get behind Me, Satan! For you are not on the side of God, but of men."
______________________
Commentary:
29. Peter's profession of faith is reported here in a shorter form than in Matthew 16:18-19. Peter seems to go no further than say that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah. Eusebius of Caesarea, in the fourth century, explains the Evangelist's reserve by the fact that he was the interpreter of St. Peter, who omitted from his preaching anything which might appear to be self-praise. The Holy Spirit, when inspiring St. Mark, wanted the Gospel to reflect the preaching of the prince of the Apostles, leaving it to other evangelists to fill out certain important details to do with the episode of the confession of Peter.
The sketchiness of the narrative still show Peter's role quite clearly: he is the first to come forward affirming the messiahship of Jesus. Our Lord's question, "But who do you say that I am?", shows what Jesus is asking the Apostles for--not an opinion, more or less favorable, but firm faith. It is St. Peter who expresses this faith (cf. note on Matthew 16:13-20).
31-33. This is the first occasion when Jesus tells His disciples about the sufferings and death He must undergo. He does it twice more, later on (cf. Mark 9:31 and 10:32). The Apostles are surprised, because they cannot and do not want to understand why the Master should have to suffer and die, much less that He should be so treated "by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes." But Peter, with his usual spontaneity, immediately begins to protest. And Jesus replies to him using the same words as He addressed the devil when he tempted Him (cf. Matthew 4:10); He wants to affirm, once again, that His mission is spiritual, not earthly, and that therefore it cannot be understood by using mere human criteria: it is governed by God's designs, which were that Jesus should redeem us through His passion and death. So too, for a Christian, suffering, united with Christ, is also a means of salvation.
___________________________
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.
Cult leader arrested on sex charges in northeast N.M
The Associated Press headline says:
Church leader arrested on sex charges in northeast N.M
It seems obvious to me that the "Church" part to elicit a particular response such as mine, "Not again, Lord!"
But alas, we read that this is not a church but some looney farm:
And his daughter-in-law? Sounds like the guy is a real winner - a real "cult" leader. I didn't see any reference to a "wife" - hmmmm?
Church leader arrested on sex charges in northeast N.M
It seems obvious to me that the "Church" part to elicit a particular response such as mine, "Not again, Lord!"
But alas, we read that this is not a church but some looney farm:
The leader of an apocalyptic sect in northeastern New Mexico was arrested Tuesday and charged with felony sex crimes against children. State police arrested Wayne Bent, 66, on three counts of criminal sexual contact of a minor and three counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor....Must be that fresh mountain air...Last time I was out that way, I think that I felt a little messianic, but it never got this bad:
Bent, who goes by the name of Michael Travesser and claims to be the Messiah, is the leader of The Lord Our Righteousness Church, whose members moved in 2000 to a remote, former ranch near the Colorado line that they call Strong City.... [my emphasis]
Wayne Bent has acknowledged having sex with followers — including his daughter-in-law — and lying naked with virgins. He said the virgins asked for sex, but he refused.Lying naked with virgins? What will power!
And his daughter-in-law? Sounds like the guy is a real winner - a real "cult" leader. I didn't see any reference to a "wife" - hmmmm?
SD Catholic college cancels pro-abort speaker for commencement
Aberdeen, SD, May 14, 2008 / 01:08 am (CNA).- Presentation College in Aberdeen, South Dakota has withdrawn an invitation to a commencement speaker because of her views on legalized abortion.One wonders why she would have been chosen in the first place...?
State Senator Nancy Turbak-Berry was scheduled to deliver the commencement address at the college on Saturday. According to the Associated Press, she said she was told on Friday that she could not speak there because of her views on abortion....
How's this for spin:
“I was told I was not welcome to speak because I do not share the Catholic Church’s position on the proper role of government in decisions about reproduction,” Turbak-Berry said.The statement indicates a remarkable cluelessness, or willful ignorance, or it's an outright lie about the role of government. Was the government 'wrong' all of those years when abortion was illegal? Why was it wrong then but right now? Could it be that today's legislators and judges have become so much more knowledgable than their predessors?
Patrick J. Reilly, President of the Cardinal Newman Society, praised the decision, saying in a press release, “Presentation College has honored its Catholic identity and has demonstrated respect for the dignity of human life by reversing its selection of a vocal abortion advocate for public honor....."Indeed, it is a sign of hope to see these things happen!
NARAL Pro-Choice America backs Obama
But, but, but...I thought he was doing the work of the Lord?
Alas, just as I suspected, his "lord" is not the Lord of lords and the King of Kings. So it must be someone (or something) else...Moloch? Satan?
All true Christians are repulsed by the infanticide at the altar of evil which is promoted and supported by these culture of death advocates.
Snubbing Hillary Clinton, the baby killing advocacy group stated:
God help us all - Marxist, baby-killing, perversion loving, family hating imbeciles are looking to destroy the country. If it be God's will, may our prayers and sacrifices help avert the impending catastrophe coming our way for refusing to repent and amend our ways.
Alas, just as I suspected, his "lord" is not the Lord of lords and the King of Kings. So it must be someone (or something) else...Moloch? Satan?
All true Christians are repulsed by the infanticide at the altar of evil which is promoted and supported by these culture of death advocates.
Snubbing Hillary Clinton, the baby killing advocacy group stated:
"Pro-choice Americans have been fortunate to have two strong pro-choice candidates in Senator Obama and Senator Clinton, both of whom have inspired millions of new voters to participate in this historic presidential race," NARAL president Nancy Keenan said in a statement. "Today, we are proud to put our organization's grass-roots and political support behind the pro-choice candidate whom we believe will secure the Democratic nomination and advance to the general election. That candidate is Senator Obama.""...because he's doing our lord's (Satan's) work..."
God help us all - Marxist, baby-killing, perversion loving, family hating imbeciles are looking to destroy the country. If it be God's will, may our prayers and sacrifices help avert the impending catastrophe coming our way for refusing to repent and amend our ways.
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Just for Today, May 15
It is good that we sometimes suffer contradictions, and that men have an evil or imperfect opinion of us, even when we do or intend well. These things are often helps to humility, and defend us from vainglory. For then we better run to God, our inward witness, when outwardly we are despised by men, and little credit is given to us.
- Bk. I, ch. xii.
_____________
One year the relations of the nuns and the workmen of the monastery had sent flowers for the Prioress' feast. As St Teresa was arranging them, a laysister remarked irritably: "I suppose these large bouquets were given by your family, so those of the poor must be put in the background!"
The holy Carmelite smiled gently, and placed the humble bunches of flowers in the front row, although the effect was thereby spoilt. The Sister was so edified by her virtue that she went to the Prioess and accused herself of the fault, praising the Saint's patience and humility.
-The Story of a Soul (L'Histoire d'une Âme)
__________________
For more information, see this post.
Adapted from Just For Today(©1943 Burns & Oates)
Nihil Obstat: Reginaldus Phillips, S.T.L.,Censor deputatus
Imprimatur: Edwardus Myers, Vic. Cap.
- Bk. I, ch. xii.
_____________
One year the relations of the nuns and the workmen of the monastery had sent flowers for the Prioress' feast. As St Teresa was arranging them, a laysister remarked irritably: "I suppose these large bouquets were given by your family, so those of the poor must be put in the background!"
The holy Carmelite smiled gently, and placed the humble bunches of flowers in the front row, although the effect was thereby spoilt. The Sister was so edified by her virtue that she went to the Prioess and accused herself of the fault, praising the Saint's patience and humility.
-The Story of a Soul (L'Histoire d'une Âme)
__________________
For more information, see this post.
Adapted from Just For Today(©1943 Burns & Oates)
Nihil Obstat: Reginaldus Phillips, S.T.L.,Censor deputatus
Imprimatur: Edwardus Myers, Vic. Cap.
Thoughts and Counsels - May 15
Mary being in heaven nearer to God and more united to Him, knows our miseries better, compassionates them more, and can more efficaciously assist us.
-St. Alphonsus.
________________________
From Mary, Help of Christians
Part VI, Thoughts and Counsels of the Saints for Every Day of the Year
Compiled by Fr. Bonaventure Hammer, OFM (© 1909, Benziger Brothers)
-St. Alphonsus.
________________________
From Mary, Help of Christians
Part VI, Thoughts and Counsels of the Saints for Every Day of the Year
Compiled by Fr. Bonaventure Hammer, OFM (© 1909, Benziger Brothers)
Meditation for May 15, On Accepting Corrections
If the Blessed Virgin appeared to me to tell me of my faults, with what joy would I accept the correction and what strength her maternal charity and kindly service would give me.
Why not accept with as much faith and love the corrections I deserve or that others think they should make?
Of course the Blessed Virgin does not appear to me, but if I had more faith I would be able to see in my superior the person appointed by God to make known His designs to me.
What peace would then be mine! What gratitude I ought to show to the representatives of divine authority who have the charity to correct me.
To inform someone of her faults is a very difficult task, and often those who are charged with it hesitate to do so at the risk of either failing in their duty, or of procrastinating in its discharge, thus allowing bad example to grow in the community.
They would be willing to speak. but they foresee the welcome they will receive. They wait, they are silent, they put off the correction. As a result, the evil spreads, the defect grows, the existing disorder is aggravated - and the duty of correction becomes more difficult each day.
Adapted from Meditations for Religious
by Father Raoul Plus, S.J. (© 1939, Frederick Pustet Co.)
Why not accept with as much faith and love the corrections I deserve or that others think they should make?
Of course the Blessed Virgin does not appear to me, but if I had more faith I would be able to see in my superior the person appointed by God to make known His designs to me.
What peace would then be mine! What gratitude I ought to show to the representatives of divine authority who have the charity to correct me.
To inform someone of her faults is a very difficult task, and often those who are charged with it hesitate to do so at the risk of either failing in their duty, or of procrastinating in its discharge, thus allowing bad example to grow in the community.
They would be willing to speak. but they foresee the welcome they will receive. They wait, they are silent, they put off the correction. As a result, the evil spreads, the defect grows, the existing disorder is aggravated - and the duty of correction becomes more difficult each day.
"Lord, make me affable in welcoming every reprimand, however painful, or undeserved it may be. Never permit me to increase the burden of my superiors. Incline me not only to accept correction willingly, but to ask for it."_________________
Adapted from Meditations for Religious
by Father Raoul Plus, S.J. (© 1939, Frederick Pustet Co.)
Doin' the Lord's Work?
This is scary...I just wonder who his "Lord" really is?In Kentucky, [B. Hussein Obama] is making a direct appeal to Evangelicals with flyers that mention his conversion experience and they highlight a big old cross. Remember Mike Huckabee’s supposed subliminal cross in his Christmas campaign ad? Well, Obama campaign ditches the subliminal and goes for the in your face cross. Look at the flyer here....
Pilgrims sing the praises of Latin
The Tridentine Mass is being revived by young Catholics while walking to Chartres CathedralA friend sent me some of his pictures a few years back from one of the pilgrimages he took to the Chartres Cathedral. From what I could tell, the Cathedral is beautiful and displays the love and reverence previous generations had toward Our Lord and His Church. What a joy it must be for those who are blessed to be able to make this pilgrimage.
Religion may well be in decline among European youth but it is by no means dead. This weekend about 6,000 young Catholics will set off on a 75-mile walk from Paris to Chartres Cathedral — and as they walk they will all be praying and singing in Latin....
This weekend’s annual three-day pilgrimage through northern France, which is in its 26th year, illustrates the appeal that the Tridentine Mass has for some young Catholics disenchanted with what they say is the lack of mystery, beauty and sacredness in the revised Mass....
The pilgrims follow part of one of the ancient routes to the shrine of Santiago de Compostela in Spain. They walk in small groups. Some sing the rosary in Latin; others make their confession to one of the traditionalist priests who accompany them. On Saturday and Sunday nights they camp in fields.
About 90 per cent of those making the pilgrimage are between 19 and 25.....“You don’t meet many young practising Catholics nowadays, so it’s a great opportunity to encourage each other. When I come back, I feel, yes, it is possible to live out your faith in the modern world..."
Obedience to Church "Requires Preaching About the Moral Evil of Contraception"
BARRYS BAY, May 13, 2008 (LifeSiteNews.com) - The Archbishop of the Canadian capital city of Ottawa addressed the convocation of Our Lady Seat of Wisdom Academy in Barrys Bay Ontario last week, leaving attendees awestruck. The speech focused on Pope Paul VI's encyclical Humanae Vitae. Faithful Catholics leaving the event told LifeSiteNews.com "I've been waiting 35 years to hear that from a Canadian bishop."Humanae Vitae was one of the most prophetic and important documents in the Church during our lifetime, coming shortly after Vatican Council II, yet so many behave as if it never happened, and thus, everyone suffers because of open rebellion to this immutable teaching of the Church.
Archbishop Terrence Prendergast described for the graduates and their families the tumultuous times of the 60's when Humanae Vitae was published (July 25, 1968). He recalled that many expected a "green light" on contraception from the Vatican and were "thunderstruck" when the encyclical was published....
Vatican: It's OK to believe in aliens
Surely everyone has seen this story already from yesterday....
VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - The Vatican's chief astronomer says there is no conflict between believing in God and in the possibility of "extraterrestrial brothers" perhaps more evolved than humans.
"In my opinion this possibility (of life on other planets) exists," said Rev. Jose Gabriel Funes, a 45-year-old Jesuit priest who is head of the Vatican Observatory and a scientific adviser to Pope Benedict....
In the interview headlined "The extraterrestrial is my brother," he said he saw no conflict between belief in such beings and faith in God....
McDonald’s "clarifies" membership in the NGLCC
McDonald's is still trying to distort their support for the homosexual agenda by twisting words. While McDonald's says it is not a member of the National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce, the NGLCC website proudly lists them as a "Corporate Partner and Organizational Ally." In a telephone call from McDonald’s Vice-President Jack Daly, on May 2, he confirmed to AFA that it gave $20,000 to the NGLCC.Source of this notice was an American Family Association email...
In addition, Daly told AFA that Richard Ellis, vice president of communications for McDonald’s, is a "gay man" and personally approved the $20,000 donation to the NGLCC. Mr. Daly also claimed that Richard Ellis was elected to the NGLCC board as a private citizen and not a representative of McDonald’s. Yet, Richard Ellis is listed on the NGLCC website as Vice President of Communications, McDonald’s USA.
So dedicated to promoting gay activities on public streets, McDonald's sponsored the 2007 San Francisco Gay Pride parade with a television commercial. In the ad, McDonald’s brags that it is “a company that actively demonstrates its commitment to the gay and lesbian community.”
Gospel for May 14, Feast: St. Matthias, Apostle
Old Calendar: St. Boniface, martyr
From: John 15:9-17
The Vine and the Branches (Continuation)
(Jesus said to His disciples,) [9] "As the Father has loved Me, so have I loved you; abide in My love. [10] If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love. [11] These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.
The Law of Love
[12] "This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. [13] Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. [14] You are My friends if you do what I command you. [15] No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from My Father I have made known to you. [16] You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide; so that whatever you ask the Father in My name, He may give it to you. [17] This I command you, to love one another."
________________
Commentary:
9-11. Christ's love for Christians is a reflection of the love the Three Divine Persons have for one another and for all men: "We love, because He first loved us" (1 John 4:19).
The certainty that God loves us is the source of Christian joy (verse 11), but it is also something which calls for a fruitful response on our part, which should take the form of a fervent desire to do God's will in everything, that is, to keep His commandments, in imitation of Jesus Christ, who did the will of His Father (cf. John 4:34).
12-15. Jesus insists on the "new commandment", which He Himself keeps by giving His life for us. See note on John 13:34-35.
Christ's friendship with the Christian, which our Lord expresses in a very special way in this passage, is something very evident in [St] Monsignor Escriva de Balaguer's preaching: "The life of the Christian who decides to behave in accordance with the greatness of his vocation is so to speak a prolonged echo of those words of our Lord, `No longer do I call you My servants; a servant is one who does not understand what his master is about, whereas I have made known to you all that My Father has told Me; and so I have called you My friends' (John 15:15). When we decide to be docile and follow the will of God, hitherto unimagined horizons open up before us.... `There is nothing better than to recognize that Love has made us slaves of God. From the moment we recognize this we cease being slaves and become friends, sons' ([St] J. Escriva, "Friends of God", 35).
"Sons of God, FRIENDS OF GOD.... Jesus is truly God and truly Man, He is our Brother and our Friend. If we make the effort to get to know Him well `we will share in the joy of being God's friends' ["ibid.", 300]. If we do all we can to keep Him company, from Bethlehem to Calvary, sharing His joys and sufferings, we will become worthy of entering into loving conversation with Him. As the Liturgy of the Hours sings, "calicem Domini biberunt, et amici Dei facti sunt" (they drank the chalice of the Lord and so became friends of God).
"Being His children and His friends are two inseparable realities for those who love God. We go to Him as children, carrying on a trusting dialogue that should fill the whole of our lives; and we go to Him as friends.... In the same way our divine sonship urges us to translate the overflow of our interior life into apostolic activity, just as our friendship with God leads us to place ourselves at `the service of all men. We are called to use the gifts God has given us as instruments to help others discover Christ' ["ibid.", 258]" (Monsignor A. del Portillo in his preface to [St] J. Escriva's, "Friends of God").
16. There are three ideas contained in these words of our Lord. One, that the calling which the Apostles received and which every Christian also receives does not originate in the individual's good desires but in Christ's free choice. It was not the Apostles who chose the Lord as Master, in the way someone would go about choosing a rabbi; it was Christ who chose them. The second idea is that the Apostles' mission and the mission of every Christian is to follow Christ, to seek
holiness and to contribute to the spread of the Gospel. The third teaching refers to the effectiveness of prayer done in the name of Christ; which is why the Church usually ends the prayers of the liturgy with the invocation "Through Jesus Christ our Lord...".
The three ideas are all interconnected: prayer is necessary if the Christian life is to prove fruitful, for it is God who gives the growth (cf. 1 Corinthians 3:7); and the obligation to seek holiness and to be apostolic derives from the fact that it is Christ Himself who has given us this mission. "Bear in mind, son, that you are not just a soul who has joined other souls in order to do a good thing.
"That is a lot, but it's still little. You are the Apostle who is carrying out an imperative command from Christ" ([St] J. Escriva, "The Way", 942).
__________________________
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: John 15:9-17
The Vine and the Branches (Continuation)
(Jesus said to His disciples,) [9] "As the Father has loved Me, so have I loved you; abide in My love. [10] If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love. [11] These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.
The Law of Love
[12] "This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. [13] Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. [14] You are My friends if you do what I command you. [15] No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from My Father I have made known to you. [16] You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide; so that whatever you ask the Father in My name, He may give it to you. [17] This I command you, to love one another."
________________
Commentary:
9-11. Christ's love for Christians is a reflection of the love the Three Divine Persons have for one another and for all men: "We love, because He first loved us" (1 John 4:19).
The certainty that God loves us is the source of Christian joy (verse 11), but it is also something which calls for a fruitful response on our part, which should take the form of a fervent desire to do God's will in everything, that is, to keep His commandments, in imitation of Jesus Christ, who did the will of His Father (cf. John 4:34).
12-15. Jesus insists on the "new commandment", which He Himself keeps by giving His life for us. See note on John 13:34-35.
Christ's friendship with the Christian, which our Lord expresses in a very special way in this passage, is something very evident in [St] Monsignor Escriva de Balaguer's preaching: "The life of the Christian who decides to behave in accordance with the greatness of his vocation is so to speak a prolonged echo of those words of our Lord, `No longer do I call you My servants; a servant is one who does not understand what his master is about, whereas I have made known to you all that My Father has told Me; and so I have called you My friends' (John 15:15). When we decide to be docile and follow the will of God, hitherto unimagined horizons open up before us.... `There is nothing better than to recognize that Love has made us slaves of God. From the moment we recognize this we cease being slaves and become friends, sons' ([St] J. Escriva, "Friends of God", 35).
"Sons of God, FRIENDS OF GOD.... Jesus is truly God and truly Man, He is our Brother and our Friend. If we make the effort to get to know Him well `we will share in the joy of being God's friends' ["ibid.", 300]. If we do all we can to keep Him company, from Bethlehem to Calvary, sharing His joys and sufferings, we will become worthy of entering into loving conversation with Him. As the Liturgy of the Hours sings, "calicem Domini biberunt, et amici Dei facti sunt" (they drank the chalice of the Lord and so became friends of God).
"Being His children and His friends are two inseparable realities for those who love God. We go to Him as children, carrying on a trusting dialogue that should fill the whole of our lives; and we go to Him as friends.... In the same way our divine sonship urges us to translate the overflow of our interior life into apostolic activity, just as our friendship with God leads us to place ourselves at `the service of all men. We are called to use the gifts God has given us as instruments to help others discover Christ' ["ibid.", 258]" (Monsignor A. del Portillo in his preface to [St] J. Escriva's, "Friends of God").
16. There are three ideas contained in these words of our Lord. One, that the calling which the Apostles received and which every Christian also receives does not originate in the individual's good desires but in Christ's free choice. It was not the Apostles who chose the Lord as Master, in the way someone would go about choosing a rabbi; it was Christ who chose them. The second idea is that the Apostles' mission and the mission of every Christian is to follow Christ, to seek
holiness and to contribute to the spread of the Gospel. The third teaching refers to the effectiveness of prayer done in the name of Christ; which is why the Church usually ends the prayers of the liturgy with the invocation "Through Jesus Christ our Lord...".
The three ideas are all interconnected: prayer is necessary if the Christian life is to prove fruitful, for it is God who gives the growth (cf. 1 Corinthians 3:7); and the obligation to seek holiness and to be apostolic derives from the fact that it is Christ Himself who has given us this mission. "Bear in mind, son, that you are not just a soul who has joined other souls in order to do a good thing.
"That is a lot, but it's still little. You are the Apostle who is carrying out an imperative command from Christ" ([St] J. Escriva, "The Way", 942).
__________________________
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.
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Just for Today, May 14
Be therefore always prepared, and live in such a manner that death may never find thee unprovided.
-Bk. I, ch. xxiii.
_______________
If you were told that you were to die immediately, this very instant, would you be afraid?
"Not in the least. I would be overjoyed to leave this world."
-Novissima Verba
__________________
For more information, see this post.
Adapted from Just For Today(©1943 Burns & Oates)
Nihil Obstat: Reginaldus Phillips, S.T.L.,Censor deputatus
Imprimatur: Edwardus Myers, Vic. Cap.
-Bk. I, ch. xxiii.
_______________
If you were told that you were to die immediately, this very instant, would you be afraid?
"Not in the least. I would be overjoyed to leave this world."
-Novissima Verba
__________________
For more information, see this post.
Adapted from Just For Today(©1943 Burns & Oates)
Nihil Obstat: Reginaldus Phillips, S.T.L.,Censor deputatus
Imprimatur: Edwardus Myers, Vic. Cap.
Thoughts and Counsels - May 14
Mary having always lived wholly detached from earthly things and united with God, death, which unitrd her more closely to Him, was extremely sweet and agreeable to her.
-St. Alphonsus.
________________________
From Mary, Help of Christians
Part VI, Thoughts and Counsels of the Saints for Every Day of the Year
Compiled by Fr. Bonaventure Hammer, OFM (© 1909, Benziger Brothers)
-St. Alphonsus.
________________________
From Mary, Help of Christians
Part VI, Thoughts and Counsels of the Saints for Every Day of the Year
Compiled by Fr. Bonaventure Hammer, OFM (© 1909, Benziger Brothers)
Meditation for May 14, Natural Eagerness
To be active by nature is a blessing.
He, however, who expends his activity with a view solely to self improvement, manifesting little or no concern for the glory of God, understands activity in a wrong sense. He makes rapid progress in his work but it is all done to satisfy vanity, to win a smile and a desired office. His motives are purely human. "What cannot a well-fed thriving self love do?" asks Father Faber. And he completes his thought: "How few among us have any other merit than that which we attain through our merely natural activity."
We do not exactly neglect the Good Intention, it is understood, or at least implied, that we work for God, but we allow ourselves to be carried away by the excess of our zeal, or an inordinate craving for activity which is no longer zeal but an insatiable thirst for external interests and occupations. A certain essayist thought the most malicious trick that could be played on his contemporaries would be to make a daily hour of meditation obligatory for them. This would certainly be a mortification for people of the world, and many a religious would suffer martyrdom if she were driven to a more contemplative life.
"The saints," Father Faber said, "do not do a great many things." The lives of the saints as they are written give us a false impression. We would say that they are all activity. We get no idea of their silence, so that we receive the impression that each chapter is a pyramid of accumulated deeds. We must remember that thirty years of life makes thirty times twelve months, and each day of these months some of these saints meditated for five or seven hours. Perfection is not in the quantity but in the quality of the deeds. We must not exaggerate but rather bear in mind that "The saints were men who did less than others, but who accomplished what they had to do a thousand times better than others. "
_________________
Adapted from Meditations for Religious
by Father Raoul Plus, S.J. (© 1939, Frederick Pustet Co.)
He, however, who expends his activity with a view solely to self improvement, manifesting little or no concern for the glory of God, understands activity in a wrong sense. He makes rapid progress in his work but it is all done to satisfy vanity, to win a smile and a desired office. His motives are purely human. "What cannot a well-fed thriving self love do?" asks Father Faber. And he completes his thought: "How few among us have any other merit than that which we attain through our merely natural activity."
We do not exactly neglect the Good Intention, it is understood, or at least implied, that we work for God, but we allow ourselves to be carried away by the excess of our zeal, or an inordinate craving for activity which is no longer zeal but an insatiable thirst for external interests and occupations. A certain essayist thought the most malicious trick that could be played on his contemporaries would be to make a daily hour of meditation obligatory for them. This would certainly be a mortification for people of the world, and many a religious would suffer martyrdom if she were driven to a more contemplative life.
"The saints," Father Faber said, "do not do a great many things." The lives of the saints as they are written give us a false impression. We would say that they are all activity. We get no idea of their silence, so that we receive the impression that each chapter is a pyramid of accumulated deeds. We must remember that thirty years of life makes thirty times twelve months, and each day of these months some of these saints meditated for five or seven hours. Perfection is not in the quantity but in the quality of the deeds. We must not exaggerate but rather bear in mind that "The saints were men who did less than others, but who accomplished what they had to do a thousand times better than others. "
_________________
Adapted from Meditations for Religious
by Father Raoul Plus, S.J. (© 1939, Frederick Pustet Co.)
Answers-What's Your Moral I.Q.? 5/12/08
The 7th & 10th Commandments
Questions can be viewed here.
_____________
1. John must return the jacket to the rightful owner or in certain circumstances to Tom who in turn has the obligation of returning the jacket to Harry.
2. Bill commits a mortal sin, but he is not bound to make restitution because he did not destroy anything.
3. No, Tom may not because he has an unfair advantage. However, if Tom informs Ed of his certainty, and Ed still wants to make the bet, he may go ahead.
4. Charley may not keep the money because his opponent is unaware of his skill and there is not an equality of risk involved in the game.
5. Steve does wrong because a broker has no right over his client's money.
6. Yes, he is bound in justice to pay his debt.
7. Objectively Mary commits a mortal sin because she intends to steal a great deal of money from her roommate.
8. Jane is bound to make restitution as far as she is able.
9. Yes, it is all right to make such a bet, because it is an incentive to keep Jack from using vile language.
10. Ten dollars.
_________________________
Adapted from The Queen's Work Magazine, May 1946
Questions can be viewed here.
_____________
1. John must return the jacket to the rightful owner or in certain circumstances to Tom who in turn has the obligation of returning the jacket to Harry.
2. Bill commits a mortal sin, but he is not bound to make restitution because he did not destroy anything.
3. No, Tom may not because he has an unfair advantage. However, if Tom informs Ed of his certainty, and Ed still wants to make the bet, he may go ahead.
4. Charley may not keep the money because his opponent is unaware of his skill and there is not an equality of risk involved in the game.
5. Steve does wrong because a broker has no right over his client's money.
6. Yes, he is bound in justice to pay his debt.
7. Objectively Mary commits a mortal sin because she intends to steal a great deal of money from her roommate.
8. Jane is bound to make restitution as far as she is able.
9. Yes, it is all right to make such a bet, because it is an incentive to keep Jack from using vile language.
10. Ten dollars.
_________________________
Adapted from The Queen's Work Magazine, May 1946
Self-proclaimed bishop, nun kept deceased body
MILWAUKEE - Milwaukee Archdiocese Archbishop Timothy Dolan spoke about the dangers of cults on Sunday, after news broke of a self-proclaimed bishop and nun allegedly keeping a deceased 90-year-old woman's body in their house and cashing her Social Security checks....And it seems there a superabundance of them these days.
Alan Bushey and Tammy Lewis allegedly kept the body of a 90-year-old woman sitting on the toilet for two months, claiming God would bring her back to life....
Bushey calls himself a bishop, and Tammy Lewis calls herself "Sister Mary Burnadette." But their so-called Catholic church isn't recognized by Rome.
"Periodically throughout the church you'll get these crackpots who claim to be bishops or claim to be priests or even claim to be part of the church, and they're not, of course," Dolan said....
Genetically modified human embryo stirs criticism
NEW YORK (AP) - News that scientists have for the first time genetically altered a human embryo is drawing fire from some watchdog groups that say it's a step toward creating "designer babies."The "work was focused on stem cells." And this defective rationalization is supposed to excuse his ghoulish work? And then he sinks even further into his cesspool of warped reasoning by claiming that he used "an abnormal embryo that could never have developed into a baby anyway."
But an author of the study says the work was focused on stem cells. He notes that the researchers used an abnormal embryo that could never have developed into a baby anyway.
What naturally flows from his excuse? Let me re-phrase it for future use:
"It was embryo with brown eye genes that could never have developed into the baby we desired," or
"It was an embryo that would have developed into a baby who could have been born blind," or
"It was a embryo that was destined to suffer [name your disease] if it had been born anyway."
"None of us wants to make designer babies," said Dr. Zev Rosenwaks, director of the Center for Reproductive Medicine and Infertility at NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center.I'd be curious to know where the emphasis was in this quote. Could it be:
"None of us wants to make designer babies," [we have to] or
"None of us wants to make designer babies," [only better babies] or
"None of us wants to make designer babies" [only new types of creatures].
Marcy Darnovsky, associate executive director of the Center for Genetics and Society, said the Cornell scientists were developing techniques that others might use to make genetically modified people, "and they're doing it without any kind of public debate."And why is there no debate?
What a frightening phrase - "genetically modified people." Images of both Frankenstein and "Soylent Green" come to mind. And human life is deliberately destroyed in the process.
More Seeing that "The Pill Kills"
Birth Control Pill Protest Prepared for 43rd Anniversary of Pill's US DecriminalizationSource - LifeSite News
By Michael Baggot
STAFFORD, VA, May 13, 2008 (LifeSiteNews.com) - Major pro-life organizations American Life League, Pro-Life Wisconsin, and Pharmacists for Life International, are joining forces to protest the birth control pill on the 43rd anniversary of the landmark [1965] Griswold vs. Connecticut Supreme Court decision that decriminalized the pill's use.
The pro-life organizations are encouraging local groups to peacefully gather in protest in front of facilitates selling the birth control pill for the "Protest the Pill Day '08: The Pill Kills Babies" on Saturday June 7....
The newly launched ThePillKills.com website provides readers with educational information about the harmful effects of the pill that has become widespread since the 1965 decision....
The generally given figures of 40-50 million abortions in this country do not account for the total number of aborted children. Some, such as the late Fr John Hardon, have suggested the figure could be upwards of 200 million if we count the children killed because of the effects of "the Pill." And we consider ourselves a civilzed nation.
Saint Pius X, a Backward Pope? No, an Unprecedented Cyclone of Reform
Continued here.A 1300-page study treatise written by a great scholar overturns judgments of the antimodernist pope. The new Code of Canon Law he created had tremendous effects. It reinforced more than ever the public role and freedom of the Church with respect to the world.
by Sandro Magister
ROMA, May 13, 2008 – Vatican Council II was not the only pivotal moment in the history of the Catholic Church in the 20th century. Another important transformation took place half a century earlier, with the pontificate of Saint Pius X.....
Pius X is remembered for his tenacious battle against "modernist" Catholics. His current profile is that of a pope of reversion and of anathemas. Not so. New studies are reinterpreting this pontificate in a different light, much more forward-thinking and innovative....
Los Angeles archdiocese, Salesians quibble over money
“$74 million short”
Sexual-abuse case goes to trial while Los Angeles archdiocese, Salesians quibble over money
Opening arguments were scheduled to begin today in Los Angeles Superior Court in the trial of a lawsuit alleging that the Salesian religious order knowingly transferred one of its members who had been accused of sexual abuse to St. John Bosco High School in Bellflower, where he allegedly molested other children.
After the case was filed on Jan. 22, lawyers for the Salesian Society appeared before the state Supreme Court, arguing that the $660 million global settlement the Los Angeles archdiocese had reached with victims of sexual molestation last year allowed the archdiocese the unconstitutional power to scuttle the Society’s attempts to resolve the cases against it. Last year, the Salesians refused to join the global settlement....
Gospel for Tuesday, 6th Week in Ordinary Time
Optional Memorial of Our Lady of Fatima
Old Calendar: St. Robert Bellarmine, bishop and doctor
From: Mark 8:14-21
The Leaven of the Pharisees (Continuation)
[14] Now they had forgotten to bring bread; and they had only one loaf with them in the boat. [15] And He (Jesus) cautioned them, saying, "Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod." [16] And they discussed it with one another, saying, "We have no bread." [17] And being aware of it, Jesus said to them, "Why do you discuss the fact that you have no bread? Do you not yet perceive or understand? Are your hearts hardened? [18] Having eyes do you not see, and having ears do you not hear? And do you not remember? [19] When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you take up?" They said to Him, "Twelve." [20] And the seven for the four thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you take up?" And they said to Him, "Seven." [21] And He said to them, "Do you not yet understand?"
________________________
Commentary:
15-16. In another Gospel passage--Luke 13:20-21 and Matthew 31:33--Jesus uses the simile of the leaven to show the vitality of His teaching. Here "leaven" is used in the sense of bad disposition. In the making of bread, leaven is what causes the dough to rise; the Pharisees' hypocrisy and Herod's dissolute life, stemming from their personal ambition, were the "leaven" which was poisoning from within the "dough" of Israel and which would eventually corrupt it. Jesus seeks to warn His disciples about these dangers, and to have them understand that if they are to take in His doctrine they need a pure and simple heart.
But the disciples fail to understand: "They weren't educated; they weren't very bright, if we judge from their reaction to supernatural things. Finding even the most elementary examples and comparisons beyond their reach, they would turn to the Master and ask: `Explain the parable to us.' When Jesus uses the image of the `leaven' of the Pharisees, they think that He's reproaching them for not having purchased bread....These were the disciples called by our Lord. Such stuff is what Christ chose. And they remain just like that until they are filled with the Holy Spirit and thus become pillars of the Church. They are ordinary people, full of defects and shortcomings, more eager to say than to do. Nevertheless, Jesus calls them to be fishers of men, co-redeemers, dispensers of the grace of God" ([St] J. Escriva, "Christ Is Passing By", 2). The same thing can happen to us. Although we may not be very gifted, the Lord calls us, and love of God and docility to His words will cause to grow in our souls unsuspected fruit of holiness and supernatural effectiveness.
___________________________
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.
Old Calendar: St. Robert Bellarmine, bishop and doctor
From: Mark 8:14-21
The Leaven of the Pharisees (Continuation)
[14] Now they had forgotten to bring bread; and they had only one loaf with them in the boat. [15] And He (Jesus) cautioned them, saying, "Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod." [16] And they discussed it with one another, saying, "We have no bread." [17] And being aware of it, Jesus said to them, "Why do you discuss the fact that you have no bread? Do you not yet perceive or understand? Are your hearts hardened? [18] Having eyes do you not see, and having ears do you not hear? And do you not remember? [19] When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you take up?" They said to Him, "Twelve." [20] And the seven for the four thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you take up?" And they said to Him, "Seven." [21] And He said to them, "Do you not yet understand?"
________________________
Commentary:
15-16. In another Gospel passage--Luke 13:20-21 and Matthew 31:33--Jesus uses the simile of the leaven to show the vitality of His teaching. Here "leaven" is used in the sense of bad disposition. In the making of bread, leaven is what causes the dough to rise; the Pharisees' hypocrisy and Herod's dissolute life, stemming from their personal ambition, were the "leaven" which was poisoning from within the "dough" of Israel and which would eventually corrupt it. Jesus seeks to warn His disciples about these dangers, and to have them understand that if they are to take in His doctrine they need a pure and simple heart.
But the disciples fail to understand: "They weren't educated; they weren't very bright, if we judge from their reaction to supernatural things. Finding even the most elementary examples and comparisons beyond their reach, they would turn to the Master and ask: `Explain the parable to us.' When Jesus uses the image of the `leaven' of the Pharisees, they think that He's reproaching them for not having purchased bread....These were the disciples called by our Lord. Such stuff is what Christ chose. And they remain just like that until they are filled with the Holy Spirit and thus become pillars of the Church. They are ordinary people, full of defects and shortcomings, more eager to say than to do. Nevertheless, Jesus calls them to be fishers of men, co-redeemers, dispensers of the grace of God" ([St] J. Escriva, "Christ Is Passing By", 2). The same thing can happen to us. Although we may not be very gifted, the Lord calls us, and love of God and docility to His words will cause to grow in our souls unsuspected fruit of holiness and supernatural effectiveness.
___________________________
Source: "The Navarre Bible: Text and Commentaries". Biblical text taken from the Revised Standard Version and New Vulgate. Commentaries made by members of the Faculty of Theology of the University of Navarre, Spain. Published by Four Courts Press, Kill Lane, Blackrock, Co. Dublin, Ireland. Reprinted with permission from Four Courts Press and Scepter Publishers, the U.S. publisher.
Monday, May 12, 2008
Just for Today, May 13
Hence it comes to pass that all things avail thee little, till thou take notice that I am He who delivers those that trust in Me. Nor is there out of Me any powerful help, nor profitable counsel, nor lasting remedy.
But now, having recovered spirits after the storm, grow thou strong again in the light of My tender mercies: for I am at hand to repair all, not only to the full, but even with abundance and above measure.
-Bk. III, ch. xxx.
______________
Finding no help upon earth, in my extremity I turned to my Heavenly Mother, beseeching her to have pity on me. Suddenly the statue came to life; Our Lady became so beautiful that no words could describe her unearthly beauty. Her gentle look was full of tender love, but it was her exquisite smile that moved me to the depths of my heart and made all my woes disappear, whilst two big tears rolled down my cheeks. They were tears of joy.
"Our Lady came towards me and smiled, I said to myself; but I will tell no one of this, or my joy will disappear." Then my eyes fell upon Marie, whom I recognized. She was evidently deeply moved, and seemed to have guessed the great favour I had been granted. I owed Our Lady's smile to her touching prayer. Seeing my eyes fixed on the statue, she had said to herself: Teresa is cured!
Yes, the little flower was coming back to life, warmed by a ray of her divine Sun, who had delivered her from a cruel enemy. The winter is now past, the rain is over and gone (Cant. ii, II). Our Lady's flower grew so strong and hardy that five years later she was blooming on the fertile heights of Carmel.
-The Story of a Soul (L'Histoire d'une Âme)
__________________
For more information, see this post.
Adapted from Just For Today(©1943 Burns & Oates)
Nihil Obstat: Reginaldus Phillips, S.T.L.,Censor deputatus
Imprimatur: Edwardus Myers, Vic. Cap.
But now, having recovered spirits after the storm, grow thou strong again in the light of My tender mercies: for I am at hand to repair all, not only to the full, but even with abundance and above measure.
-Bk. III, ch. xxx.
______________
Finding no help upon earth, in my extremity I turned to my Heavenly Mother, beseeching her to have pity on me. Suddenly the statue came to life; Our Lady became so beautiful that no words could describe her unearthly beauty. Her gentle look was full of tender love, but it was her exquisite smile that moved me to the depths of my heart and made all my woes disappear, whilst two big tears rolled down my cheeks. They were tears of joy.
"Our Lady came towards me and smiled, I said to myself; but I will tell no one of this, or my joy will disappear." Then my eyes fell upon Marie, whom I recognized. She was evidently deeply moved, and seemed to have guessed the great favour I had been granted. I owed Our Lady's smile to her touching prayer. Seeing my eyes fixed on the statue, she had said to herself: Teresa is cured!
Yes, the little flower was coming back to life, warmed by a ray of her divine Sun, who had delivered her from a cruel enemy. The winter is now past, the rain is over and gone (Cant. ii, II). Our Lady's flower grew so strong and hardy that five years later she was blooming on the fertile heights of Carmel.
-The Story of a Soul (L'Histoire d'une Âme)
__________________
For more information, see this post.
Adapted from Just For Today(©1943 Burns & Oates)
Nihil Obstat: Reginaldus Phillips, S.T.L.,Censor deputatus
Imprimatur: Edwardus Myers, Vic. Cap.
Thoughts and Counsels - May 13
Meditation for May 13, Divine Joy
The conduct of the Apostles after the Ascension was rather unusual but strikingly eloquent; once they were convinced that Jesus had left them, left them definitely, they returned to Jerusalem, as the Gospel notes full of joy.
One would think that since their Good Master had disappeared forever, sadness rather than joy would overcome them.
No! they were experiencing what Our Lord had disclosed to them, what He had promised to them particularly at the Last Supper - the knowledge that joy, not earthly joy, but divine joy would accompany them in all their trials and sacrifices.
How often I have felt this joy of the Lord, especially after some little act of fidelity, and have I not experienced that this profound joy is possible, yes, that it even goes hand in hand with very real sufferings, and such as are serious and keenly felt.
May You be praised, O Jesus, for having brought joy into this valley of tears, the joy of the children of God, the joy the angels sang over Your cradle, the joy which Your Gospel reflects and teaches, this joy which in the land of glory will change into eternal beatitude.
An author describes in one of his dramas, a teacher who although her work is very difficult keeps in the midst of her tribulations a joy which nothing can change. In the evening after a particularly laborious day, she always said, "Although I am tired, exhausted, I feel so happy today." One does not necessarily lose his happiness because of exhaustion.
Joy in spite of all and above all, that is the characteristic of those to whom Jesus is everything.
_________________
Adapted from Meditations for Religious
by Father Raoul Plus, S.J. (© 1939, Frederick Pustet Co.)
One would think that since their Good Master had disappeared forever, sadness rather than joy would overcome them.
No! they were experiencing what Our Lord had disclosed to them, what He had promised to them particularly at the Last Supper - the knowledge that joy, not earthly joy, but divine joy would accompany them in all their trials and sacrifices.
How often I have felt this joy of the Lord, especially after some little act of fidelity, and have I not experienced that this profound joy is possible, yes, that it even goes hand in hand with very real sufferings, and such as are serious and keenly felt.
May You be praised, O Jesus, for having brought joy into this valley of tears, the joy of the children of God, the joy the angels sang over Your cradle, the joy which Your Gospel reflects and teaches, this joy which in the land of glory will change into eternal beatitude.
An author describes in one of his dramas, a teacher who although her work is very difficult keeps in the midst of her tribulations a joy which nothing can change. In the evening after a particularly laborious day, she always said, "Although I am tired, exhausted, I feel so happy today." One does not necessarily lose his happiness because of exhaustion.
Joy in spite of all and above all, that is the characteristic of those to whom Jesus is everything.
_________________
Adapted from Meditations for Religious
by Father Raoul Plus, S.J. (© 1939, Frederick Pustet Co.)
What's Your Moral IQ? The 7th & 10th Commandments
Allow ten points for each question. One hundred per cent means that you are a moral theologian; 90, you know the law; 80, you are about average; 70, you'd better join a study club.
___________________
1. John in good faith receives a jacket from Tom who has stolen it from Harry. John finds out that the jacket was stolen. May John keep the jacket?
2. Bill, an arsonist, intending to burn the adjoining house, sets fire to a pile of rubbish. The fire goes out without causing any damage. Does Bill commit a sin and is he bound to make restitution?
3. May Tom, who knows that Jerry has already flunked his examination, make a bet with Ed, who does not know this, that Jerry wil1 flunk his examination?
4. Charley, a card shark, plays John, who does not know how extraordinarily clever his opponent is, for high stakes and wins. May Charley keep the money which he has won from John?
5. Steve, a broker, plays the stock market with his client's money. Has he any right to do this?
6. Bill plays the stock market and loses. Is he bound to pay his debt?
7. Mary intends to steal a hundred dollars from her roommate but only a few dollars at a time so that she will not commit a mortal sin. Does she commit a mortal sin, objectively?
8. Jane deliberately drops a lighted cigarette on the carpet in her hotel room and watches it burn. Looking at the damaged spot with a smile, she remarks: "The manager would not bother me about so small a thing as that." Is she bound to make restitution?
9. Bob bets Jack a Rosary that Jack will use vile language before the day is over. Is it all right to make such a bet?
10. Joe steals ten dollars from Tom, gambles with it and wins a hundred dollars. How much money must he restore to Tom?
_________________________
Answers tomorrow...6:00pm
Adapted from The Queen's Work Magazine, May 1946
___________________
1. John in good faith receives a jacket from Tom who has stolen it from Harry. John finds out that the jacket was stolen. May John keep the jacket?
2. Bill, an arsonist, intending to burn the adjoining house, sets fire to a pile of rubbish. The fire goes out without causing any damage. Does Bill commit a sin and is he bound to make restitution?
3. May Tom, who knows that Jerry has already flunked his examination, make a bet with Ed, who does not know this, that Jerry wil1 flunk his examination?
4. Charley, a card shark, plays John, who does not know how extraordinarily clever his opponent is, for high stakes and wins. May Charley keep the money which he has won from John?
5. Steve, a broker, plays the stock market with his client's money. Has he any right to do this?
6. Bill plays the stock market and loses. Is he bound to pay his debt?
7. Mary intends to steal a hundred dollars from her roommate but only a few dollars at a time so that she will not commit a mortal sin. Does she commit a mortal sin, objectively?
8. Jane deliberately drops a lighted cigarette on the carpet in her hotel room and watches it burn. Looking at the damaged spot with a smile, she remarks: "The manager would not bother me about so small a thing as that." Is she bound to make restitution?
9. Bob bets Jack a Rosary that Jack will use vile language before the day is over. Is it all right to make such a bet?
10. Joe steals ten dollars from Tom, gambles with it and wins a hundred dollars. How much money must he restore to Tom?
_________________________
Answers tomorrow...6:00pm
Adapted from The Queen's Work Magazine, May 1946
Famous author slams “adult” Catholics who say they don’t need Mary
(CNA).- Vitorrio Messori, the most popular Italian Catholic writer has slammed so-called “adult” Catholics who want to minimize the role of the Virgin Mary, just days before the presentation of his new book “Hypothesis About Mary” in Spain....Interesting article, especially considering that the May of May is for honoring the Blessing Virgin.
According to Messori, the fact that certain Catholics “are ashamed” of Mary is due “above all to a Protestant influence on Catholicism. Reformation theology has always been convinced that what is given to the Mother of God is taken away from the Son. In reality, the truth is the opposite: wherever Mary is eclipsed, Jesus disappears as well, either before or after. As almost five centuries of experience shows, the faith has been preserved much better between Catholics and Orthodox, who give Mary the role that is hers. The fact is that this Woman is the guarantor of the truth of the Incarnation: it is her flesh, it is her uterus that guarantees that God has truly been made man....”
Strange Appointments?
Barb Kralis writes:
CCI notes:
Why would Dallas Bishop Kevin Farrell appoint known members of homosexual priest network 'St. Sebastian's Angels' as Pastor of St. Michael's in McKinney, Texas?Shameful...Who could not be shocked by the vile and perverted behavior of these priests?
My Dallas Bishop, Kevin Farrell, has appointed a new pastor for the beautiful large parish in McKinney, TX named St. Michael's Catholic Church. St. Michael's parishioners, and they number thousands of families, recently completed construction of a beautiful Traditional looking gothic church.
[...]
The new pastor, appointed this month by the Dallas bishop, is one of 'The Boys' photographed on the well-known [now closed down] sodomite priest website called 'St. Sebastian's Angels.'
CCI notes:
When US Catholic Bishops continue to promote known homosexual priests to positions of authority, it begs the question, are they at all serious about removing deviates and pedophiles from their ranks? As long as Bishops like Farrell and actively homosexual 'priests' like Mallinson can operate with impunity within the Church, there is simply no hope that tragedy of sexual abuse by priests will ever end. CCI encourages members to PRAY for the Catholic Church and ask for the intercession of the Saints. With all due respect to Barb Kralis, letters to the bishop, to the Vatican Nuncio in Washington, and/or appeals to the Vatican in matters of sexually deviant priests have repeatedly proven to be waste of time and effort.
More on Archbishop Naumann's Admonition to Kansas Governor Sebelius
Gospel for Monday, 6th Week in Ordinary Time
Optional Memorial of Sts. Nereus and Achilleus, martyrs;
Optional Memorial of St. Pancras, martyr
Old Calendar: Saints Nereus, Achilleus, Domitilla and Pancras
From: Mark 8:11-13
The Leaven of the Pharisees
[11] The Pharisees came and began to argue with Him (Jesus), seeking from Him a sign from Heaven, to test Him. [12] And He sighed deeply in His spirit, and said, "Why does this generation seek a sign? Truly, I say to you, no sign shall be given to this generation." [13] And He left them, and getting into the boat again He departed to the other side.
______________________
Commentary:
11-12. Jesus expresses the deep sadness He feels at the hardheartedness of the Pharisees: they remain blind and unbelieving despite the light shining around them and the wonderful things Christ is doing. If someone rejects the miracles God has offered him, it is useless for him to demand new signs, because he asks for them not because he is sincerely seeking the truth but out of ill will: he is trying to tempt God (cf. Luke 16:27-31). Requiring new miracles before one will believe, not accepting those already performed in the history of salvation, amounts to asking God to account for Himself before a human tribunal (cf. Romans 2:1-11). Unfortunately, many people do act like this. But God can only be found if we have an open and humble attitude to Him. "I have no need of miracles: there are more than enough for me in the Gospel. But I do need to see you fulfilling your duty and responding to grace" ([St] J. Escriva, "The Way", 362).
12. The generation to which Jesus refers does not include all the people of His time, but only the Pharisees and their followers (cf. Mark 8:38; 9:19; Matthew 11:16), who do not want to see in Jesus' miracles the sign and guarantee of His messianic mission and dignity: they even attribute His miracles to Satan (Matthew 12:28).
If they do not accept the signs offered to them, they will be given no other sign of the spectacular kind they seek, for the Kingdom of God does not come noisily (Luke 17:20-21) and even if it did they in their twisted way would manage to misinterpret the event (Luke 16:31). According to Matthew 12:38-42 and Luke 11:29-32, they are offered yet another sign--the miracle of Jonah, the sign of the death and resurrection of Christ; but not even this remarkable proof will lead the Pharisees to shed their pride.
___________________________
Source: "The Navarre Bible: Text and Commentaries". Biblical text taken from the Revised Standard Version and New Vulgate. Commentaries made by members of the Faculty of Theology of the University of Navarre, Spain. Published by Four Courts Press, Kill Lane, Blackrock, Co. Dublin, Ireland. Reprinted with permission from Four Courts Press and Scepter Publishers, the U.S. publisher.
Optional Memorial of St. Pancras, martyr
Old Calendar: Saints Nereus, Achilleus, Domitilla and Pancras
From: Mark 8:11-13
The Leaven of the Pharisees
[11] The Pharisees came and began to argue with Him (Jesus), seeking from Him a sign from Heaven, to test Him. [12] And He sighed deeply in His spirit, and said, "Why does this generation seek a sign? Truly, I say to you, no sign shall be given to this generation." [13] And He left them, and getting into the boat again He departed to the other side.
______________________
Commentary:
11-12. Jesus expresses the deep sadness He feels at the hardheartedness of the Pharisees: they remain blind and unbelieving despite the light shining around them and the wonderful things Christ is doing. If someone rejects the miracles God has offered him, it is useless for him to demand new signs, because he asks for them not because he is sincerely seeking the truth but out of ill will: he is trying to tempt God (cf. Luke 16:27-31). Requiring new miracles before one will believe, not accepting those already performed in the history of salvation, amounts to asking God to account for Himself before a human tribunal (cf. Romans 2:1-11). Unfortunately, many people do act like this. But God can only be found if we have an open and humble attitude to Him. "I have no need of miracles: there are more than enough for me in the Gospel. But I do need to see you fulfilling your duty and responding to grace" ([St] J. Escriva, "The Way", 362).
12. The generation to which Jesus refers does not include all the people of His time, but only the Pharisees and their followers (cf. Mark 8:38; 9:19; Matthew 11:16), who do not want to see in Jesus' miracles the sign and guarantee of His messianic mission and dignity: they even attribute His miracles to Satan (Matthew 12:28).
If they do not accept the signs offered to them, they will be given no other sign of the spectacular kind they seek, for the Kingdom of God does not come noisily (Luke 17:20-21) and even if it did they in their twisted way would manage to misinterpret the event (Luke 16:31). According to Matthew 12:38-42 and Luke 11:29-32, they are offered yet another sign--the miracle of Jonah, the sign of the death and resurrection of Christ; but not even this remarkable proof will lead the Pharisees to shed their pride.
___________________________
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, May 11, 2008
Just for Today, May 12
Thou oughtest often to have recourse to the Fountain of grace and of divine mercy; to the Fountain of all goodness and purity; that thou mayest be healed of thy passions and vices, and be made more strong and vigilant against all the temptations and deceits of the devil. The enemy, knowing the very great advantage and remedy which is in the Holy Communion, strives by all means and occasions, as much as he is able, to withdraw and hinder faithful and devout persons from it. For when some are preparing themselves for the sacred Communion, they suffer the greatest assaults of Satan. This wicked spirit, as it is written in Job, cometh amongst the sons of God, to trouble them with his accustomed malice, or to make them over-fearful and perplexed, so that he may diminish their devotion, or by his assaults, take away their faith, if, perchance, they may altogether forbear the Communion, or at least approach it with tepidity.
But there is no regard to be had to his wiles and suggestions, be they never so filthy and abominable; but all his attempts are to be turned back upon his own head. The wretch is to be condemned and scorned, nor is the Holy Communion to be omitted for his assaults and the commotions which he causeth.
-Bk. IV, ch. x.
_________________
Remember that Our Lord is there in the tabernacle just for you, for you alone, and that He is consumed with a great longing to come into your heart. Pay no heed to the devil, despise him, and go without fear to receive Jesus, the God of peace and love. .
I can hear you saying: "Teresa does not know in what a miserable state I am, that is why she thinks as she does"...But she does know, she guesses all, and she repeats that you can go without fear to receive your only true Friend. She has also passed through the martyrdom of scruples, but was given the grace to continue going to Holy Communion even when she thought that she had sinned grievously...She saw that it was the only way to drive away the devil; if he sees that he is wasting his time, he leaves us alone.
If, as you tell me, you can only find rest kneeling fuefore the tabernacle, you could not possibly offend Our Lord so grievously as not to be able to receive Him. It is lack of confidence that wounds the Sacred Heart. Pray hard that your best years may not be frittered away in empty fears. We have only the brief moments of this life in which to work for the glory of God; the devil is aware of this, and so tries to make us waste them on useless work. If you want to be cured, the only remedy is frequest, very frequent Communion.
-Letters.
__________________
For more information, see this post.
Adapted from Just For Today(©1943 Burns & Oates)
Nihil Obstat: Reginaldus Phillips, S.T.L.,Censor deputatus
Imprimatur: Edwardus Myers, Vic. Cap.
But there is no regard to be had to his wiles and suggestions, be they never so filthy and abominable; but all his attempts are to be turned back upon his own head. The wretch is to be condemned and scorned, nor is the Holy Communion to be omitted for his assaults and the commotions which he causeth.
-Bk. IV, ch. x.
_________________
Remember that Our Lord is there in the tabernacle just for you, for you alone, and that He is consumed with a great longing to come into your heart. Pay no heed to the devil, despise him, and go without fear to receive Jesus, the God of peace and love. .
I can hear you saying: "Teresa does not know in what a miserable state I am, that is why she thinks as she does"...But she does know, she guesses all, and she repeats that you can go without fear to receive your only true Friend. She has also passed through the martyrdom of scruples, but was given the grace to continue going to Holy Communion even when she thought that she had sinned grievously...She saw that it was the only way to drive away the devil; if he sees that he is wasting his time, he leaves us alone.
If, as you tell me, you can only find rest kneeling fuefore the tabernacle, you could not possibly offend Our Lord so grievously as not to be able to receive Him. It is lack of confidence that wounds the Sacred Heart. Pray hard that your best years may not be frittered away in empty fears. We have only the brief moments of this life in which to work for the glory of God; the devil is aware of this, and so tries to make us waste them on useless work. If you want to be cured, the only remedy is frequest, very frequent Communion.
-Letters.
__________________
For more information, see this post.
Adapted from Just For Today(©1943 Burns & Oates)
Nihil Obstat: Reginaldus Phillips, S.T.L.,Censor deputatus
Imprimatur: Edwardus Myers, Vic. Cap.
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