From: John 1:6-8, 19-28
Prologue (Continuation)
[6] There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. [7] He came for testimony to bear witness to the light, that all might believe through Him. [8] He was not the light, but came to bear witness to the light.
The Witness of John
[19] And this is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, "Who are you?" [20] He confessed, he did not deny, but confessed, "I am not the Christ." [21] And they asked him, "What then? Are you Elijah?" He said, "I am not." "Are you the prophet?" And he answered, "No." [22] They said to him then, "Who are you? Let us have an answer for those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?" [23] He said, "I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, `Make straight the way of the Lord,' as the prophet Isaiah said."
[24] Now they had been sent from the Pharisees. [25] They asked him, "Then why are you baptizing, if you are neither the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the prophet?" [26] John answered, "I baptize with water; but among you stands One whom you do not know, [27] even He who comes after me, the thong of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie." [28] This took place in Bethany beyond the Jordan, where John was baptizing.
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Commentary:
6-8. After considering the divinity of the Lord, the text moves on to deal with His incarnation, and begins by speaking of John the Baptist, who makes his appearance at a precise point in history to bear direct witness before man to Jesus Christ (Jn 1:15, 19-36; 3:22ff). As St Augustine comments: "For as much as He [the Word Incarnate] was man and His Godhead was concealed there was sent before Him a great man, through whose testimony He might be found to be more than man" ("In Joann. Evang.", 2, 5).
All of the Old Testament was a preparation for the coming of Christ. Thus, the patriarchs and prophets announced, in different ways, the salvation the Messiah would bring. But John the Baptist, the greatest of those born of woman (cf. Mt 11: 11), was actually able to point out the Messiah himself; his testimony marked the culmination of all the previous prophecies.
So important is John the Baptist's mission to bear witness to Jesus Christ that the Synoptic Gospels start their account of the public ministry with John's testimony. The discourses of St Peter and St Paul recorded in the Acts of the Apostles also refer to this testimony (Acts 1:22; 10:37; 12:24). The Fourth Gospel mentions it as many as seven times (1:6, 15, 19, 29, 35; 3:27; 5:33). We know, of course, that St John the Apostle was a disciple of the Baptist before becoming a disciple of Jesus, and that it was precisely the Baptist who showed him the way to Christ (cf. 1 :37ff).
The New Testament, then, shows us the importance of the Baptist's mission, as also his own awareness that he is merely the immediate Precursor of the Messiah, whose sandals he is unworthy to untie (cf. Mk 1:7): the Baptist stresses his role as witness to Christ and his mission as preparer of the way for the Messiah (cf. Lk 1:15-17; Mt 3:3-12). John the Baptist's testimony is undiminished by time: he invites people in every generation to have faith in Jesus, the true Light.
19-34. This passage forms a unity, beginning and ending with reference to the Baptist's "testimony": it thereby emphasizes the mission given him by God to bear witness, by his life and preaching, to Jesus as the Messiah and Son of God. The Precursor exhorts people to do penance and he practices the austerity he preaches; he points Jesus out as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world; and he proclaims him boldly in the face of the Jewish authorities. He is an example to us of the fortitude with which we should confess Christ: "All Christians by the example of their lives and the witness of the word, wherever they live, have an obligation to manifest the new man which the put on in Baptism" (Vatican II, "Ad Gentes", 11).
19-24. In this setting of intense expectation of the imminent coming of the Messiah, the Baptist is a personality with enormous prestige, as is shown by the fact that the Jewish authorities send qualified people (priests and Levites from Jerusalem) to ask him if he is the Messiah.
John's great humility should be noted: he is quick to tell his questioners: "I am not the Christ". He sees himself as someone insignificant compared with our Lord: "I am not worthy to untie the thong of His sandal" (verse 27). He places all his prestige at the service of his mission as precursor of the Messiah and, leaving himself completely to one side, he asserts that "He must increase, but I must decrease" (John 3:30).
25-26. "Baptize": this originally meant to submerge in water, to bathe. For the Jews the rite of immersion meant legal purification of those who had contracted some impurity under the Law. Baptism was also used as a rite for the incorporation of Gentile proselytes into the Jewish people. In the Dead Sea Scrolls there is mention of a baptism as a rite of initiation and purification into the Jewish Qumran community, which existed in our Lord's time.
John's baptism laid marked stress on interior conversion. His words of exhortation and the person's humble recognition of his sins prepared people to receive Christ's grace: it was a very efficacious rite of penance, preparing the people for the coming of the Messiah, and it fulfilled the prophecies that spoke precisely of a cleansing by water prior to the coming of the Kingdom of God in the messianic times (cf. Zechariah 13:1; Ezekiel 36:25; 37-23; Jeremiah 4:14). John's baptism, however, had no power to cleanse the soul of sins, as Christian Baptism does (cf. Matthew 3:11; Mark 1:4).
"One whom you do not know": Jesus had not yet publicly revealed Himself as Messiah and Son of God; although some people did know as a man, St. John the Baptist could assert that really they did not know Him.
27. The Baptist declares Christ's importance by comparing himself to a slave undoing the laces of his master's sandals. If we want to approach Christ, whom St. John heralds, we need to imitate the Baptist. As St. Augustine says: "He who imitates the humility of the Precursor will understand these words. [...] John's greatest merit, my brethren, is this act of humility" ("In Ioann. Evang.", 4, 7).
28. This is a reference to the town of Bethany which was situated on the eastern bank of the Jordan, across from Jericho--different from the Bethany where Lazarus and his family lived, near Jerusalem (cf. John 11:18).
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Source: "The Navarre Bible: Text and Commentaries". Biblical text taken from the Revised Standard Version and New Vulgate. Commentaries made by members of the Faculty of Theology of the University of Navarre, Spain. Published by Four Courts Press, Kill Lane, Blackrock, Co. Dublin, Ireland. Reprinted with permission from Four Courts Press and Scepter Publishers, the U.S. publisher.
Saturday, December 13, 2008
Principles and Practices - December 14
THINK OF THE FOUNDATION
'You aspire,' says St. Austin, 'to great things, begin with little ones; you desire to erect a very high building, think first of the foundation of humility. The foundations are always sunk proportionably to the intended weight of the building, and the higher one intends it, the deeper must the foundations be laid.'
-Rodriguez.
_________________
From Principles and Practices
Compiled by Rev. J. Hogan of The Catholic Missionary Society
Published by Burns Oates & Washbourne Ltd., Publishers To The Holy See
Nihil Obstat; Eduardus J. Mahoney, S.T.D. Censor deputatus.
Imprimatur; Edm. Can. Surmont, Vicarius generalis.
First printed in 1930
'You aspire,' says St. Austin, 'to great things, begin with little ones; you desire to erect a very high building, think first of the foundation of humility. The foundations are always sunk proportionably to the intended weight of the building, and the higher one intends it, the deeper must the foundations be laid.'
-Rodriguez.
_________________
From Principles and Practices
Compiled by Rev. J. Hogan of The Catholic Missionary Society
Published by Burns Oates & Washbourne Ltd., Publishers To The Holy See
Nihil Obstat; Eduardus J. Mahoney, S.T.D. Censor deputatus.
Imprimatur; Edm. Can. Surmont, Vicarius generalis.
First printed in 1930
Thoughts of St Augustine for December 14
IN many things the better known the Will of God is to us, the more does our own deficiency appear. The better he is known to us, the more readily do we break out into weeping and tears.
_________________________
Click here for more information.
From Thoughts of St Augustine for Every Day
by Kathleen Mary Balfe (© 1926)
Nihil Obstat: Georgius D. Smith, S.T.D
Imprimatur: Edm. Can. Surmont
_________________________
Click here for more information.
From Thoughts of St Augustine for Every Day
by Kathleen Mary Balfe (© 1926)
Nihil Obstat: Georgius D. Smith, S.T.D
Imprimatur: Edm. Can. Surmont
Thoughts from St Alphonsus for Every Day-December 14
WHILST she held a flower or fruit in her hand, St Mary Magdalen de Pazzi used to feel her heart wounded with divine love, and would say within herself: "Then, my God has thought from eternity of creating this flower and this fruit that I might love him."
_________________
From Thoughts from St Alphonsus for Every Day
Compiled by Rev. C. McNeiry, C.SS.R.
Imprimatur: Joseph Hull, C.SS.R., Prov. Angl. Sup.
Nihil Obstat: Innocentlus Apap, O.P., S.T.M., Censor Deptutatus.
Imprimatur: Edm. Can. Surmont, Vicarius Generalis.
Westmonasterii, Die 9a Junii, 1927.
First published 1927
_________________
From Thoughts from St Alphonsus for Every Day
Compiled by Rev. C. McNeiry, C.SS.R.
Imprimatur: Joseph Hull, C.SS.R., Prov. Angl. Sup.
Nihil Obstat: Innocentlus Apap, O.P., S.T.M., Censor Deptutatus.
Imprimatur: Edm. Can. Surmont, Vicarius Generalis.
Westmonasterii, Die 9a Junii, 1927.
First published 1927
Friday, December 12, 2008
Gospel for Dec 13, Memorial: St Lucy, Virgin and Martyr
Saturday, 2nd Week of Advent
Old Calendar: St Lucy
From: Matthew 17:9a, 10-13
The Transfiguration (Continuation)
[9] And as they were coming down the mountains, [10] (And) the disciples asked Him (Jesus), "Then why do the scribes say that Elijah must come?" [11] He replied, "Elijah does come, and he is to restore all things; [12] but I tell you that Elijah has already come, and they did not know him, but did to him whatever they pleased. So also the Son of Man will suffer at their hands." [13] Then the disciples understood that He was speaking to them of John the Baptist.
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Commentary:
10-13. Malachi 4:5 (3:23 in the Hebrew) speaks of the coming of Elijah the prophet before "the great and terrible day of the Lord", the Judgment Day. When Jesus says that Elijah has already come, He is referring to St. John the Baptist, whose mission it was to prepare the way for the First Coming of the Lord, the same as Elijah will have to do prior to His last coming. The scribes failed to grasp the meaning of the prophecy of Malachi; they thought it referred simply to the coming of the Messiah, the First Coming of Christ.
___________________________
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 Lucy
From: Matthew 17:9a, 10-13
The Transfiguration (Continuation)
[9] And as they were coming down the mountains, [10] (And) the disciples asked Him (Jesus), "Then why do the scribes say that Elijah must come?" [11] He replied, "Elijah does come, and he is to restore all things; [12] but I tell you that Elijah has already come, and they did not know him, but did to him whatever they pleased. So also the Son of Man will suffer at their hands." [13] Then the disciples understood that He was speaking to them of John the Baptist.
______________________
Commentary:
10-13. Malachi 4:5 (3:23 in the Hebrew) speaks of the coming of Elijah the prophet before "the great and terrible day of the Lord", the Judgment Day. When Jesus says that Elijah has already come, He is referring to St. John the Baptist, whose mission it was to prepare the way for the First Coming of the Lord, the same as Elijah will have to do prior to His last coming. The scribes failed to grasp the meaning of the prophecy of Malachi; they thought it referred simply to the coming of the Messiah, the First Coming of Christ.
___________________________
Source: "The Navarre Bible: Text and Commentaries". Biblical text taken from the Revised Standard Version and New Vulgate. Commentaries made by members of the Faculty of Theology of the University of Navarre, Spain. Published by Four Courts Press, Kill Lane, Blackrock, Co. Dublin, Ireland. Reprinted with permission from Four Courts Press and Scepter Publishers, the U.S. publisher.
Principles and Practices - December 13
DEPENDENT ON LOVE
A Christian ought to rejoice, not because of his good works and virtuous life, but because his life and goods are sweet solely for the love of God, and for no other reason whatever. A Christian, if he will make his rejoicing to God in moral goods, must keep in mind that the value of his good works, fasting, alms-giving, penances, and prayers, does not depend upon their number and nature, but on the love which moves him to perform them for God.
-St. John of the Cross.
_________________
From Principles and Practices
Compiled by Rev. J. Hogan of The Catholic Missionary Society
Published by Burns Oates & Washbourne Ltd., Publishers To The Holy See
Nihil Obstat; Eduardus J. Mahoney, S.T.D. Censor deputatus.
Imprimatur; Edm. Can. Surmont, Vicarius generalis.
First printed in 1930
A Christian ought to rejoice, not because of his good works and virtuous life, but because his life and goods are sweet solely for the love of God, and for no other reason whatever. A Christian, if he will make his rejoicing to God in moral goods, must keep in mind that the value of his good works, fasting, alms-giving, penances, and prayers, does not depend upon their number and nature, but on the love which moves him to perform them for God.
-St. John of the Cross.
_________________
From Principles and Practices
Compiled by Rev. J. Hogan of The Catholic Missionary Society
Published by Burns Oates & Washbourne Ltd., Publishers To The Holy See
Nihil Obstat; Eduardus J. Mahoney, S.T.D. Censor deputatus.
Imprimatur; Edm. Can. Surmont, Vicarius generalis.
First printed in 1930
Thoughts of St Augustine for December 13
THOU who showest me another day, thou who teachest me tidings of another light, thou who sheddest over me another joy, thou who whisperest something else into my ears, thou hast made me not desire the day of man.
_________________________
Click here for more information.
From Thoughts of St Augustine for Every Day
by Kathleen Mary Balfe (© 1926)
Nihil Obstat: Georgius D. Smith, S.T.D
Imprimatur: Edm. Can. Surmont
_________________________
Click here for more information.
From Thoughts of St Augustine for Every Day
by Kathleen Mary Balfe (© 1926)
Nihil Obstat: Georgius D. Smith, S.T.D
Imprimatur: Edm. Can. Surmont
Thoughts from St Alphonsus for Every Day-December 13
THE pain that you feel on account of not being able to love God is a proof that you love him; for if you did not love him you would not feel this pain. Those persons who do not love God feel no pain in thinking that they do not love him.
_________________
From Thoughts from St Alphonsus for Every Day
Compiled by Rev. C. McNeiry, C.SS.R.
Imprimatur: Joseph Hull, C.SS.R., Prov. Angl. Sup.
Nihil Obstat: Innocentlus Apap, O.P., S.T.M., Censor Deptutatus.
Imprimatur: Edm. Can. Surmont, Vicarius Generalis.
Westmonasterii, Die 9a Junii, 1927.
First published 1927
_________________
From Thoughts from St Alphonsus for Every Day
Compiled by Rev. C. McNeiry, C.SS.R.
Imprimatur: Joseph Hull, C.SS.R., Prov. Angl. Sup.
Nihil Obstat: Innocentlus Apap, O.P., S.T.M., Censor Deptutatus.
Imprimatur: Edm. Can. Surmont, Vicarius Generalis.
Westmonasterii, Die 9a Junii, 1927.
First published 1927
News Updates, 12/12
Pope Benedict Attacks Population Control Efforts Like UNFPA Backing Abortion
Pope Benedict XVI released his annual peace message on Thursday that touched on a number of political subjects but also went after population control campaigns. He criticized efforts that rely on abortion or try to use reducing the birth rate as a method of economic development...
Catholic hospital allowed abortions for 20 years
'Early induction' procedure used for eugenic purposes
[Utterly disgusting and revolting. An get this - the chief ethicist at this hospital is a professor of Moral and Sacramental Theology at St. Peter's Seminary- a facilitator of abortion and a spawn of the father of lies, along with, it appears, a bishop!]
Luxembourg trims duke's powers over euthanasia
Laws no longer will need to be approved by Grand Duke
Graves at school 'hold secret of decades of abuse'
Orphans flogged and tortured to death by guards there?
Diocesan financial chief sentenced for fraud
Accountant illegally paid himself more than $784,000
Pope Benedict condemns quest for quick profit
Gap between rich and poor is threat to world peace
Libel case against Planned Parenthood upheld
Judge: counts should not be dismissed as matter of law
Maryknoll priest excommunicated by Vatican
for involvement in women's 'ordination' ritual
[It's a sad day when priests think their opinions are more important than doctrinal truths]
Gay band to march in Obama's inaugural parade
'I am honored to invite these talented...individuals'
Robert Bork Says Barack Obama Will Appoint Pro-Abortion Supreme Court Judges
In a new interview, pro-life former Supreme Court nominee Robert Bork says he's certain Barack Obama will appoint judicial activists to the high court. He's also certain that the high court will continue to uphold unlimited abortions because current pro-abortion judges will be replaced with like-minded jurists.
Catholic University of San Francisco's New Student Health Plan Covers Abortion
The University of San Francisco (USF) may be a Catholic educational institution but officials there have crafted a new student health care plan that covers abortions. A leading pro-life group that serves as watchdog for Catholic colleges says its wrong for a health insurance policy to include abortion...
[Is this not typical for a Jesuit university?]
“Natural Born Citizen”: Defined by 14th Amendment Framers and in Treatise Relied on by Justice Scalia
[And Obama is NOT a Natural Born Citizen and, therefore, not eligible to be President (Nor is McCain or Calero)]
Catholic Doctors Aided Lawsuit That Could Legalize Assisted Suicide in Montana
Judicial activism lives. Last Friday a state trial judge in Montana imposed assisted suicide on the entire state against the will of the people. Montana’s criminal law, enacted by elected representatives, penalizes assisted suicide as a crime, and its “Rights of the Terminally Ill Act” expressly states that the people are not authorizing assisted suicide...
Pope Benedict XVI released his annual peace message on Thursday that touched on a number of political subjects but also went after population control campaigns. He criticized efforts that rely on abortion or try to use reducing the birth rate as a method of economic development...
Catholic hospital allowed abortions for 20 years
'Early induction' procedure used for eugenic purposes
[Utterly disgusting and revolting. An get this - the chief ethicist at this hospital is a professor of Moral and Sacramental Theology at St. Peter's Seminary- a facilitator of abortion and a spawn of the father of lies, along with, it appears, a bishop!]
Luxembourg trims duke's powers over euthanasia
Laws no longer will need to be approved by Grand Duke
Graves at school 'hold secret of decades of abuse'
Orphans flogged and tortured to death by guards there?
Diocesan financial chief sentenced for fraud
Accountant illegally paid himself more than $784,000
Pope Benedict condemns quest for quick profit
Gap between rich and poor is threat to world peace
Libel case against Planned Parenthood upheld
Judge: counts should not be dismissed as matter of law
Maryknoll priest excommunicated by Vatican
for involvement in women's 'ordination' ritual
[It's a sad day when priests think their opinions are more important than doctrinal truths]
Gay band to march in Obama's inaugural parade
'I am honored to invite these talented...individuals'
Robert Bork Says Barack Obama Will Appoint Pro-Abortion Supreme Court Judges
In a new interview, pro-life former Supreme Court nominee Robert Bork says he's certain Barack Obama will appoint judicial activists to the high court. He's also certain that the high court will continue to uphold unlimited abortions because current pro-abortion judges will be replaced with like-minded jurists.
Catholic University of San Francisco's New Student Health Plan Covers Abortion
The University of San Francisco (USF) may be a Catholic educational institution but officials there have crafted a new student health care plan that covers abortions. A leading pro-life group that serves as watchdog for Catholic colleges says its wrong for a health insurance policy to include abortion...
[Is this not typical for a Jesuit university?]
“Natural Born Citizen”: Defined by 14th Amendment Framers and in Treatise Relied on by Justice Scalia
[And Obama is NOT a Natural Born Citizen and, therefore, not eligible to be President (Nor is McCain or Calero)]
Catholic Doctors Aided Lawsuit That Could Legalize Assisted Suicide in Montana
Judicial activism lives. Last Friday a state trial judge in Montana imposed assisted suicide on the entire state against the will of the people. Montana’s criminal law, enacted by elected representatives, penalizes assisted suicide as a crime, and its “Rights of the Terminally Ill Act” expressly states that the people are not authorizing assisted suicide...
Election III—Assault on Conscience and Reality
Fr Thomas Euteneuer writes in Spirit & Life:
November 4th was not just a historic date in history because of the election of the nation’s first black president; it also marked a new division that was established in our country between those who have consciences formed in the truth and those who don’t. I have constantly spoken of the need to battle for America’s very soul, but I am seeing that there is more at stake here: we are engaged in a battle to define reality, and the outcome of that battle undoubtedly determines the fate of souls.... (emphasis added)Continued here.
Dr Edward Peters:Is Fr. Bourgeois still a Maryknoll priest? Yes. For now.
Dr Peters writes:
It appears that Fr. Roy Bourgeois has been excommunicated for his role in the "ordination" of a woman, but until Bourgeois or CDF releases the decree, we won't know for sure. Even if Bourgeois is excommunicated, however, he is not thereby either dismissed from the clerical state or expelled from the Maryknoll Society. This is how it should be.Read why here.
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Gospel for December 12, Feast: Our Lady of Guadalupe
Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe
Old Calendar: Our Lady of Guadalupe (Third Class, U.S.)
From: Luke 1:26-38
The Annunciation and Incarnation of the Son of God
[26] In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, [27] to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. [28] And he came to her and said, "Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you!" [29] But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and considered in her mind what sort of greeting this might be. [30] And the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. [31] And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call His name Jesus. [32] He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give to Him the throne of His father David, [33] and He will reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of His Kingdom there will be no end." [34] And Mary said to the angel, "How can this be, since I have no husband?" [35] And the angel said to her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God. [36] And behold, your kinswoman Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. [37] For with God nothing will be impossible." [38] And Mary said, "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be done to me according to your word." And the angel departed from her.
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Commentary:
26-38. Here we contemplate our Lady who was "enriched from the first instant of her conception with the splendor of an entirely unique holiness; [...] the virgin of Nazareth is hailed by the heralding angel, by divine command, as `full of grace' (cf. Luke 1:28), and to the heavenly messenger she replies, `Behold the handmaid of the Lord, be it done unto me according to thy word' (Luke 1:38). Thus the daughter of Adam, Mary, consenting to the word of God, became the Mother of Jesus. Committing herself wholeheartedly to God's saving will and impeded by no sin, she devoted herself totally, as a handmaid of the Lord, to the person and work of her Son, under and with Him, serving the mystery of Redemption, by the grace of Almighty God. Rightly, therefore, the Fathers (of the Church) see Mary not merely as passively engaged by God, but as freely cooperating in the work of man's salvation through faith and obedience" (Vatican II, "Lumen Gentium", 56).
The annunciation to Mary and incarnation of the Word constitute the deepest mystery of the relationship between God and men and the most important event in the history of mankind: God becomes man, and will remain so forever, such is the extent of His goodness and mercy and love for all of us. And yet on the day when the Second Person of the Blessed Trinity assumed frail human nature in the pure womb of the Blessed Virgin, it all happened quietly, without fanfare of any kind.
St. Luke tells the story in a very simple way. We should treasure these words of the Gospel and use them often, for example, practising the Christian custom of saying the Angelus every day and reflecting on the five Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary.
27. God chose to be born of a virgin; centuries earlier He disclosed this through the prophet Isaiah (cf. Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:22-23). God, "before all ages made choice of, and set in her proper place, a mother for His only-begotten Son from whom He, after being made flesh, should be born in the blessed fullness of time: and He continued His persevering regard for her in preference to all other creatures, to such a degree that for her alone He had singular regard" (Pius IX, "Ineffabilis Deus," 2). This privilege granted to our Lady of being a virgin and a mother at the same time is a unique gift of God. This was the work of the Holy Spirit "who at the conception and the birth of the Son so favored the Virgin Mother as to impart fruitfulness to her while preserving inviolate her perpetual virginity" ("St. Pius V Catechism," I, 4, 8). Paul VI reminds us of this truth of faith: "We believe that the Blessed Mary, who ever enjoys the dignity of virginity, was the Mother of the incarnate Word, of our God and Savior Jesus Christ" ("Creed of the People of God", 14).
Although many suggestions have been made as to what the name Mary means, most of the best scholars seem to agree that Mary means "lady". However, no single meaning fully conveys the richness of the name.
28. "Hail, full of grace": literally the Greek text reads "Rejoice!", obviously referring to the unique joy over the news which the angel is about to communicate.
"Full of grace": by this unusual form of greeting the archangel reveals Mary's special dignity and honor. The Fathers and Doctors of the Church "taught that this singular, solemn and unheard-of-greeting showed that all the divine graces reposed in the Mother of God and that she was adorned with all the gifts of the Holy Spirit", which meant that she "was never subject to the curse", that is, was preserved from all sin. These words of the archangel in this text constitute one of the sources which reveal the dogma of Mary's Immaculate Conception (cf. Pius IX, "Ineffabilis Deus"; Paul VI, "Creed of the People of God").
"The Lord is with you!": these words are not simply a greeting ("the Lord be with you") but an affirmation ("the Lord is with you"), and they are closely connected with the Incarnation. St. Augustine comments by putting these words on the archangel's lips: "He is more with you than He is with me: He is in your heart, He takes shape within you, He fills your soul, He is in your womb" ("Sermo De Nativitate Domini", 4).
Some important Greek manuscripts and early translations add at the end of the verse: "Blessed are you among women!", meaning that God will exalt Mary over all women. She is more excellent than Sarah, Hannah, Deborah, Rachel, Judith, etc., for only she has the supreme honor of being chosen to be the Mother of God.
29-30. Our Lady is troubled by the presence of the archangel and by the confusion truly humble people experience when they receive praise.
30. The Annunciation is the moment when our Lady is given to know the vocation which God planned for her from eternity. When the archangel sets her mind at ease by saying, "Do not be afraid, Mary," he is helping her to overcome that initial fear which a person normally experiences when God gives him or her a special calling. The fact that Mary felt this fear does not imply the least trace of imperfection in her: hers is a perfectly natural reaction in the face of the supernatural. Imperfection would arise if one did not overcome this fear or rejected the advice of those in a position to help--as St. Gabriel helped Mary.
31-33. The archangel Gabriel tells the Blessed Virgin Mary that she is to be the Mother of God by reminding her of the words of Isaiah which announced that the Messiah would be born of a virgin, a prophecy which will find its fulfillment in Mary (cf. Matthew 1:22-23; Isaiah 7:14).
He reveals that the Child will be "great": His greatness comes from His being God, a greatness He does not lose when He takes on the lowliness of human nature. He also reveals that Jesus will be the king of the Davidic dynasty sent by God in keeping with His promise of salvation; that His Kingdom will last forever, for His humanity will remain forever joined to His divinity; that "He will be called Son of the Most High", that is that He really will be the Son of the Most High and will be publicly recognized as such, that is, the Child will be the Son of God.
The archangel's announcement evokes the ancient prophecies which foretold these prerogatives. Mary, who was well-versed in Sacred Scripture, clearly realized that she was to be the Mother of God.
34-38. Commenting on this passage John Paul II said: "`Virgo fidelis', the faithful Virgin. What does this faithfulness of Mary mean? What are the dimensions of this faithfulness? The first dimension is called search. Mary was faithful first of all when she began, lovingly, to seek the deep sense of God's plan in her and for the world. `Quomodo fiet?' How shall this be?, she asked the Angel of the Annunciation [...]."
"The second dimension of faithfulness is called reception, acceptance. The `quomodo fiet?' is changed, on Mary's lips, to a `fiat': Let it be done, I am ready, I accept. This is the crucial moment of faithfulness, the moment in which man perceives that he will never completely understand the `how': that there are in God's plan more areas of mystery than of clarity; that is, however he may try, he will never succeed in understanding it completely[...]."
"The third dimension of faithfulness is consistency to live in accordance with what one believes; to adapt one's own life to the object of one's adherence. To accept misunderstanding, persecutions, rather than a break between what one practises and what one believes: this is consistency[...]."
"But all faithfulness must pass the most exacting test, that of duration. Therefore, the fourth dimension of faithfulness is constancy. It is easy to be consistent for a day or two. It is difficult and important to be consistent for one's whole life. It is easy to be consistent in the hour of enthusiasm, it is difficult to be so in the hour of tribulation. And only a consistency that lasts throughout the whole life can be called faithfulness. Mary's `fiat' in the Annunciation finds its fullness in the silent `fiat' that she repeats at the foot of the Cross" ("Homily in Mexico City Cathedral", 26 January 1979).
34. Mary believed in the archangel's words absolutely; she did not doubt as Zechariah had done (cf. 1:18). Her question, "How can this be?", expresses her readiness to obey the will of God even though at first sight it implied a contradiction: on the one hand, she was convinced that God wished her to remain a virgin; on the other, here was God also announcing that she would become a mother. The archangel announces God's mysterious design, and what had seemed impossible, according to the laws of nature, is explained by a unique intervention on the part of God.
Mary's resolution to remain a virgin was certainly something very unusual, not in line with the practice of righteous people under the Old Covenant, for, as St. Augustine explains, "particularly attentive to the propagation and growth of the people of God, through whom the Prince and Savior of the world might be prophesied and be born, the saints were obliged to make use of the good of matrimony" ("De Bono Matrimonii", 9, 9). However, in the Old Testament, there were some who, in keeping with God's plan, did remain celibate--for example, Jeremiah, Elijah, Eliseus and John the Baptist. The Blessed Virgin, who received a very special inspiration of the Holy Spirit to practise virginity, is a first-fruit of the New Testament, which will establish the excellence of virginity over marriage while not taking from the holiness of the married state, which it raises to the level of a sacrament (cf. "Gaudium Et Spes", 48).
35. The "shadow" is a symbol of the presence of God. When Israel was journeying through the wilderness, the glory of God filled the Tabernacle and a cloud covered the Ark of the Covenant (Exodus 40:34-36). And when God gave Moses the tablets of the Law, a cloud covered Mount Sinai (Exodus 24:15-16); and also, at the Transfiguration of Jesus the voice of God the Father was heard coming out of a cloud (Luke 9:35).
At the moment of the Incarnation the power of God envelops our Lady--an __expression of God's omnipotence. The Spirit of God--which, according to the account in Genesis (1:2), moved over the face of the waters, bringing things to life--now comes down on Mary. And the fruit of her womb will be the work of the Holy Spirit. The Virgin Mary, who herself was conceived without any stain of sin (cf. Pius IX, "Ineffabilis Deus") becomes, after the Incarnation, a new tabernacle of God. This is the mystery we recall every day when saying the Angelus.
38. Once she learns of God's plan, our Lady yields to God's will with prompt obedience, unreservedly. She realizes the disproportion between what she is going to become--the Mother of God--and what she is--a woman. However, this is what God wants to happen and for Him nothing is impossible; therefore no one should stand in His way. So Mary, combining humility and obedience, responds perfectly to God's call: "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be done according to your word."
"At the enchantment of this virginal phrase, the Word became flesh" ([St] J. Escriva, "Holy Rosary", first joyful mystery). From the pure body of Mary, God shaped a new body, He created a soul out of nothing, and the Son of God united Himself with this body and soul: prior to this He was only God; now He is still God but also man. Mary is now the Mother of God. This truth is a dogma of faith, first defined by the Council of Ephesus (431). At this point she also begins to be the spiritual Mother of all mankind. What Christ says when He is dying--`Behold, your son..., behold, your mother" (John 19:26-27)--simply promulgates what came about silently at Nazareth. "With her generous `fiat' (Mary) became, through the working of the Spirit, the Mother of God, but also the Mother of the living, and, by receiving into her womb the one Mediator, she became the true Ark of the Covenant and true Temple of God" (Paul VI, "Marialis Cultus", 6).
The Annunciation shows us the Blessed Virgin as perfect model of "purity" (the RSV "I have no husband" is a euphemism); of "humility" ("Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord"); of "candor" and "simplicity" ("How can this be?"); of "obedience" and "lively faith" ("Let it be done to me according to your word"). "Following her example of obedience to God, we can learn to serve delicately without being slavish. In Mary, we don't find the slightest trace of the attitude of the foolish virgins, who obey, but thoughtlessly. Our Lady listens attentively to what God wants, ponders what she doesn't fully understand and asks about what she doesn't know. Then she gives herself completely to doing the divine will: `Behold I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be done to me according to your word'. Isn't that marvellous? The Blessed Virgin, our teacher in all we do, shows us here that obedience to God is not servile, does not bypass our conscience. We should be inwardly moved to discover the `freedom of the children of God' (cf. Romans 8:21)" ([St] J. Escriva, "Christ Is Passing By", 173).
___________________________
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: Our Lady of Guadalupe (Third Class, U.S.)
From: Luke 1:26-38
The Annunciation and Incarnation of the Son of God
[26] In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, [27] to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. [28] And he came to her and said, "Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you!" [29] But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and considered in her mind what sort of greeting this might be. [30] And the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. [31] And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call His name Jesus. [32] He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give to Him the throne of His father David, [33] and He will reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of His Kingdom there will be no end." [34] And Mary said to the angel, "How can this be, since I have no husband?" [35] And the angel said to her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God. [36] And behold, your kinswoman Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. [37] For with God nothing will be impossible." [38] And Mary said, "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be done to me according to your word." And the angel departed from her.
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Commentary:
26-38. Here we contemplate our Lady who was "enriched from the first instant of her conception with the splendor of an entirely unique holiness; [...] the virgin of Nazareth is hailed by the heralding angel, by divine command, as `full of grace' (cf. Luke 1:28), and to the heavenly messenger she replies, `Behold the handmaid of the Lord, be it done unto me according to thy word' (Luke 1:38). Thus the daughter of Adam, Mary, consenting to the word of God, became the Mother of Jesus. Committing herself wholeheartedly to God's saving will and impeded by no sin, she devoted herself totally, as a handmaid of the Lord, to the person and work of her Son, under and with Him, serving the mystery of Redemption, by the grace of Almighty God. Rightly, therefore, the Fathers (of the Church) see Mary not merely as passively engaged by God, but as freely cooperating in the work of man's salvation through faith and obedience" (Vatican II, "Lumen Gentium", 56).
The annunciation to Mary and incarnation of the Word constitute the deepest mystery of the relationship between God and men and the most important event in the history of mankind: God becomes man, and will remain so forever, such is the extent of His goodness and mercy and love for all of us. And yet on the day when the Second Person of the Blessed Trinity assumed frail human nature in the pure womb of the Blessed Virgin, it all happened quietly, without fanfare of any kind.
St. Luke tells the story in a very simple way. We should treasure these words of the Gospel and use them often, for example, practising the Christian custom of saying the Angelus every day and reflecting on the five Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary.
27. God chose to be born of a virgin; centuries earlier He disclosed this through the prophet Isaiah (cf. Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:22-23). God, "before all ages made choice of, and set in her proper place, a mother for His only-begotten Son from whom He, after being made flesh, should be born in the blessed fullness of time: and He continued His persevering regard for her in preference to all other creatures, to such a degree that for her alone He had singular regard" (Pius IX, "Ineffabilis Deus," 2). This privilege granted to our Lady of being a virgin and a mother at the same time is a unique gift of God. This was the work of the Holy Spirit "who at the conception and the birth of the Son so favored the Virgin Mother as to impart fruitfulness to her while preserving inviolate her perpetual virginity" ("St. Pius V Catechism," I, 4, 8). Paul VI reminds us of this truth of faith: "We believe that the Blessed Mary, who ever enjoys the dignity of virginity, was the Mother of the incarnate Word, of our God and Savior Jesus Christ" ("Creed of the People of God", 14).
Although many suggestions have been made as to what the name Mary means, most of the best scholars seem to agree that Mary means "lady". However, no single meaning fully conveys the richness of the name.
28. "Hail, full of grace": literally the Greek text reads "Rejoice!", obviously referring to the unique joy over the news which the angel is about to communicate.
"Full of grace": by this unusual form of greeting the archangel reveals Mary's special dignity and honor. The Fathers and Doctors of the Church "taught that this singular, solemn and unheard-of-greeting showed that all the divine graces reposed in the Mother of God and that she was adorned with all the gifts of the Holy Spirit", which meant that she "was never subject to the curse", that is, was preserved from all sin. These words of the archangel in this text constitute one of the sources which reveal the dogma of Mary's Immaculate Conception (cf. Pius IX, "Ineffabilis Deus"; Paul VI, "Creed of the People of God").
"The Lord is with you!": these words are not simply a greeting ("the Lord be with you") but an affirmation ("the Lord is with you"), and they are closely connected with the Incarnation. St. Augustine comments by putting these words on the archangel's lips: "He is more with you than He is with me: He is in your heart, He takes shape within you, He fills your soul, He is in your womb" ("Sermo De Nativitate Domini", 4).
Some important Greek manuscripts and early translations add at the end of the verse: "Blessed are you among women!", meaning that God will exalt Mary over all women. She is more excellent than Sarah, Hannah, Deborah, Rachel, Judith, etc., for only she has the supreme honor of being chosen to be the Mother of God.
29-30. Our Lady is troubled by the presence of the archangel and by the confusion truly humble people experience when they receive praise.
30. The Annunciation is the moment when our Lady is given to know the vocation which God planned for her from eternity. When the archangel sets her mind at ease by saying, "Do not be afraid, Mary," he is helping her to overcome that initial fear which a person normally experiences when God gives him or her a special calling. The fact that Mary felt this fear does not imply the least trace of imperfection in her: hers is a perfectly natural reaction in the face of the supernatural. Imperfection would arise if one did not overcome this fear or rejected the advice of those in a position to help--as St. Gabriel helped Mary.
31-33. The archangel Gabriel tells the Blessed Virgin Mary that she is to be the Mother of God by reminding her of the words of Isaiah which announced that the Messiah would be born of a virgin, a prophecy which will find its fulfillment in Mary (cf. Matthew 1:22-23; Isaiah 7:14).
He reveals that the Child will be "great": His greatness comes from His being God, a greatness He does not lose when He takes on the lowliness of human nature. He also reveals that Jesus will be the king of the Davidic dynasty sent by God in keeping with His promise of salvation; that His Kingdom will last forever, for His humanity will remain forever joined to His divinity; that "He will be called Son of the Most High", that is that He really will be the Son of the Most High and will be publicly recognized as such, that is, the Child will be the Son of God.
The archangel's announcement evokes the ancient prophecies which foretold these prerogatives. Mary, who was well-versed in Sacred Scripture, clearly realized that she was to be the Mother of God.
34-38. Commenting on this passage John Paul II said: "`Virgo fidelis', the faithful Virgin. What does this faithfulness of Mary mean? What are the dimensions of this faithfulness? The first dimension is called search. Mary was faithful first of all when she began, lovingly, to seek the deep sense of God's plan in her and for the world. `Quomodo fiet?' How shall this be?, she asked the Angel of the Annunciation [...]."
"The second dimension of faithfulness is called reception, acceptance. The `quomodo fiet?' is changed, on Mary's lips, to a `fiat': Let it be done, I am ready, I accept. This is the crucial moment of faithfulness, the moment in which man perceives that he will never completely understand the `how': that there are in God's plan more areas of mystery than of clarity; that is, however he may try, he will never succeed in understanding it completely[...]."
"The third dimension of faithfulness is consistency to live in accordance with what one believes; to adapt one's own life to the object of one's adherence. To accept misunderstanding, persecutions, rather than a break between what one practises and what one believes: this is consistency[...]."
"But all faithfulness must pass the most exacting test, that of duration. Therefore, the fourth dimension of faithfulness is constancy. It is easy to be consistent for a day or two. It is difficult and important to be consistent for one's whole life. It is easy to be consistent in the hour of enthusiasm, it is difficult to be so in the hour of tribulation. And only a consistency that lasts throughout the whole life can be called faithfulness. Mary's `fiat' in the Annunciation finds its fullness in the silent `fiat' that she repeats at the foot of the Cross" ("Homily in Mexico City Cathedral", 26 January 1979).
34. Mary believed in the archangel's words absolutely; she did not doubt as Zechariah had done (cf. 1:18). Her question, "How can this be?", expresses her readiness to obey the will of God even though at first sight it implied a contradiction: on the one hand, she was convinced that God wished her to remain a virgin; on the other, here was God also announcing that she would become a mother. The archangel announces God's mysterious design, and what had seemed impossible, according to the laws of nature, is explained by a unique intervention on the part of God.
Mary's resolution to remain a virgin was certainly something very unusual, not in line with the practice of righteous people under the Old Covenant, for, as St. Augustine explains, "particularly attentive to the propagation and growth of the people of God, through whom the Prince and Savior of the world might be prophesied and be born, the saints were obliged to make use of the good of matrimony" ("De Bono Matrimonii", 9, 9). However, in the Old Testament, there were some who, in keeping with God's plan, did remain celibate--for example, Jeremiah, Elijah, Eliseus and John the Baptist. The Blessed Virgin, who received a very special inspiration of the Holy Spirit to practise virginity, is a first-fruit of the New Testament, which will establish the excellence of virginity over marriage while not taking from the holiness of the married state, which it raises to the level of a sacrament (cf. "Gaudium Et Spes", 48).
35. The "shadow" is a symbol of the presence of God. When Israel was journeying through the wilderness, the glory of God filled the Tabernacle and a cloud covered the Ark of the Covenant (Exodus 40:34-36). And when God gave Moses the tablets of the Law, a cloud covered Mount Sinai (Exodus 24:15-16); and also, at the Transfiguration of Jesus the voice of God the Father was heard coming out of a cloud (Luke 9:35).
At the moment of the Incarnation the power of God envelops our Lady--an __expression of God's omnipotence. The Spirit of God--which, according to the account in Genesis (1:2), moved over the face of the waters, bringing things to life--now comes down on Mary. And the fruit of her womb will be the work of the Holy Spirit. The Virgin Mary, who herself was conceived without any stain of sin (cf. Pius IX, "Ineffabilis Deus") becomes, after the Incarnation, a new tabernacle of God. This is the mystery we recall every day when saying the Angelus.
38. Once she learns of God's plan, our Lady yields to God's will with prompt obedience, unreservedly. She realizes the disproportion between what she is going to become--the Mother of God--and what she is--a woman. However, this is what God wants to happen and for Him nothing is impossible; therefore no one should stand in His way. So Mary, combining humility and obedience, responds perfectly to God's call: "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be done according to your word."
"At the enchantment of this virginal phrase, the Word became flesh" ([St] J. Escriva, "Holy Rosary", first joyful mystery). From the pure body of Mary, God shaped a new body, He created a soul out of nothing, and the Son of God united Himself with this body and soul: prior to this He was only God; now He is still God but also man. Mary is now the Mother of God. This truth is a dogma of faith, first defined by the Council of Ephesus (431). At this point she also begins to be the spiritual Mother of all mankind. What Christ says when He is dying--`Behold, your son..., behold, your mother" (John 19:26-27)--simply promulgates what came about silently at Nazareth. "With her generous `fiat' (Mary) became, through the working of the Spirit, the Mother of God, but also the Mother of the living, and, by receiving into her womb the one Mediator, she became the true Ark of the Covenant and true Temple of God" (Paul VI, "Marialis Cultus", 6).
The Annunciation shows us the Blessed Virgin as perfect model of "purity" (the RSV "I have no husband" is a euphemism); of "humility" ("Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord"); of "candor" and "simplicity" ("How can this be?"); of "obedience" and "lively faith" ("Let it be done to me according to your word"). "Following her example of obedience to God, we can learn to serve delicately without being slavish. In Mary, we don't find the slightest trace of the attitude of the foolish virgins, who obey, but thoughtlessly. Our Lady listens attentively to what God wants, ponders what she doesn't fully understand and asks about what she doesn't know. Then she gives herself completely to doing the divine will: `Behold I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be done to me according to your word'. Isn't that marvellous? The Blessed Virgin, our teacher in all we do, shows us here that obedience to God is not servile, does not bypass our conscience. We should be inwardly moved to discover the `freedom of the children of God' (cf. Romans 8:21)" ([St] J. Escriva, "Christ Is Passing By", 173).
___________________________
Source: "The Navarre Bible: Text and Commentaries". Biblical text taken from the Revised Standard Version and New Vulgate. Commentaries made by members of the Faculty of Theology of the University of Navarre, Spain. Published by Four Courts Press, Kill Lane, Blackrock, Co. Dublin, Ireland. Reprinted with permission from Four Courts Press and Scepter Publishers, the U.S. publisher.
Principles and Practices - December 12
MERCY AND JUSTICE
The mercy of which the Beatitude speaks, and upon which it utters a blessing, is the human counterpart of the mercy of God. It is a mercy penetrated with morality. A mercy aflame with the love of holiness, born of the love of the Holy One. However tender, pitiful, compassionate, toward the sinner, it is instinct with justice and the sense of the hatefulness of sin. It is strong on the side of God and right. It can stoop very low, to the most degraded, the most sin-bespattered, to those whom sin has trodden in the mire, but it stoops with pity to raise them. It sympathizes with the sinner, it never shows a particle of sympathy with sin. It keeps the lustre of its garments unstained while it walks through the haunts of vice and lives in an atmosphere hot and weighted with the fever of sin.
-Fiona McKay.
_________________
From Principles and Practices
Compiled by Rev. J. Hogan of The Catholic Missionary Society
Published by Burns Oates & Washbourne Ltd., Publishers To The Holy See
Nihil Obstat; Eduardus J. Mahoney, S.T.D. Censor deputatus.
Imprimatur; Edm. Can. Surmont, Vicarius generalis.
First printed in 1930
The mercy of which the Beatitude speaks, and upon which it utters a blessing, is the human counterpart of the mercy of God. It is a mercy penetrated with morality. A mercy aflame with the love of holiness, born of the love of the Holy One. However tender, pitiful, compassionate, toward the sinner, it is instinct with justice and the sense of the hatefulness of sin. It is strong on the side of God and right. It can stoop very low, to the most degraded, the most sin-bespattered, to those whom sin has trodden in the mire, but it stoops with pity to raise them. It sympathizes with the sinner, it never shows a particle of sympathy with sin. It keeps the lustre of its garments unstained while it walks through the haunts of vice and lives in an atmosphere hot and weighted with the fever of sin.
-Fiona McKay.
_________________
From Principles and Practices
Compiled by Rev. J. Hogan of The Catholic Missionary Society
Published by Burns Oates & Washbourne Ltd., Publishers To The Holy See
Nihil Obstat; Eduardus J. Mahoney, S.T.D. Censor deputatus.
Imprimatur; Edm. Can. Surmont, Vicarius generalis.
First printed in 1930
Thoughts of St Augustine for December 12
You tell me you have believed in Christ. What has Christ promised you except what he has shown in himself?...Do you wish to follow? Imitate his Passion, expect his promise.
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Click here for more information.
From Thoughts of St Augustine for Every Day
by Kathleen Mary Balfe (© 1926)
Nihil Obstat: Georgius D. Smith, S.T.D
Imprimatur: Edm. Can. Surmont
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Click here for more information.
From Thoughts of St Augustine for Every Day
by Kathleen Mary Balfe (© 1926)
Nihil Obstat: Georgius D. Smith, S.T.D
Imprimatur: Edm. Can. Surmont
Thoughts from St Alphonsus for Every Day-December 12
THE princes of the earth disdain even to look at the rebel who com~s to ask pardon; but God acts not in this manner with us; He will not turn away his face from you, if you return to him.
_________________
From Thoughts from St Alphonsus for Every Day
Compiled by Rev. C. McNeiry, C.SS.R.
Imprimatur: Joseph Hull, C.SS.R., Prov. Angl. Sup.
Nihil Obstat: Innocentlus Apap, O.P., S.T.M., Censor Deptutatus.
Imprimatur: Edm. Can. Surmont, Vicarius Generalis.
Westmonasterii, Die 9a Junii, 1927.
First published 1927
_________________
From Thoughts from St Alphonsus for Every Day
Compiled by Rev. C. McNeiry, C.SS.R.
Imprimatur: Joseph Hull, C.SS.R., Prov. Angl. Sup.
Nihil Obstat: Innocentlus Apap, O.P., S.T.M., Censor Deptutatus.
Imprimatur: Edm. Can. Surmont, Vicarius Generalis.
Westmonasterii, Die 9a Junii, 1927.
First published 1927
December 12-Our Lady of Guadalupe
"Who is she that cometh forth as the morning rising, fair as the moon, bright as the sun?" Canticles, 6:9.
It was early morning, Saturday, December 9, 1531. An old Indian was picking his way along a rocky path through the hills that led to Mexico City. He was one of the many converted by the zealous missionaries of the time. He was on his way to Mass and instruction. His name was Juan Diego.
Suddenly he heard sweet music, so sweet that it seemed of another world. As he looked and listened he beheld a beautiful woman. In the center of a dazzling light in the nearby rocks stood the Blessed Virgin. She smiled sweetly and kindly upon him as the Indian stood there speechless.
"Juan, my son," she directed, "go to Bishop Zumarraga, a Franciscan. Tell him that the Virgin Mary desires a church erected on this spot. Hasten now."
The vision vanished as quickly as it had come. Juan stumbled on his way still stunned by the sight of the beauteou~ Lady. A few hours later he related his story to Bishop Zumarraga, the first bishop of Mexico City, a spiritual leader who loved his people. Patiently the prelate heard the story. But his mind was doubtful, and when Diego had finished his tale, the bishop placed a kindly hand on his shoulder and said:
"Yes, yes, Juan. It is interesting, this story of yours. We shall think it over."
But the next day, Sunday, the bishop again found Juan waiting to tell him of a second appearance. The bishop asked him many questions, trying to find mistakes in his story. He sat back and told Diego:
"Juan, I would like to believe you, but I do not know. I must have some sign, some token from the Blessed Virgin that you are telling the truth."
Juan promised to ask the Blessed Mother for some sign. On his way home Mary appeared again and assured him of a sign. However, Juan stopped to visit a seriously sick uncle, for whom he went to seek a priest.
As he came to the hill where Mary had appeared to him he remembered that he was supposed to come back on Monday. Since he was afraid of her reproaches, he took a different route. But our Blessed Mother appeared to him nevertheless with the question:
"What road is this thou hast taken, my son?"
"My child," Juan answered using this endearing name, "a servant of yours, my uncle, is dangerously sick of a grave and mortal malady."
He then told her that he was on his way to get a priest, that he would come tomorrow without fail. Mary assured him that his uncle's illness hod passed and that he would not die of it. Then Mary told him to go over to the spot on the mountain where she had first appeared to him and gathor some roses. It was not the time for flowers of any kind. It was winter, Besides, roses never grew in that region. Nevertheless Juan obeyed and he did find beautiful roses. He gathered them ino his cloak and hurried to the bishop who was waiting with a group of officials of church and government.
As Juan came into the room the bishop greeted him with these fatherly words:
"Well, my son, what news have you?"
"My father, I have the sign you asked," answered Juan.
"A sign," repeated the bishop, leaning forward, "where is it?"
"Here in my cloak," said Juan and then he told how Mary had directed him to gather roses. He faltered and went on:
"With her own hands Our Lady arranged the flowers; then she told me to cover them with my cloak and bring them to you untouched and unseen. Here, my father, is the sign you asked - the roses of Guadalupe."
Juan opened his cloak. The glorious, fragrant roses fell at the feet of the bishop. No sooner did the prelate and the people with him notice the roses than they noticed something else on the Indian's cloak. There on the coarse cloth was painted a picture, a life-size picture of the Blessed Virgin just as Juan had seen her and described her. That was sign sufficient for the bishop.
A small chapel was built on the spot where Mary had appeared to this poor, simple Indian, a chapel that was repeatedly replaced with a larger and larger building until finally today there is a huge basilica, the center, the heart of a devotion to Our Lady of Guadalupe that has not only swept Mexico but has influenced the entire world.
The picture was closely guarded, but immediately pilgrimages, processions and groups from all over the countryside began to make their way to this shrine. Countless miracles were obtained. Countless conversions were effected.
Pope Benedict XIV decreed that Our Lady of Guadalupe should be Mexico's national patron, and today she is recognized as the Queen of the America's. Pope Pius XII, as Cardinal Pacelli in 1933 crowned the picture painted by Cabrera which had been given to Pope Benedict XIV.
We Americans who have this shrine of Our Mother in our midst, as it were, here upon the American continent, might well repeat the prayer of the Most Rev. John J. Cantwell composed for the coronation of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Los Angeles:
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Adapted from Feasts of Our Lady
by Msgr. Arthur Tonne
It was early morning, Saturday, December 9, 1531. An old Indian was picking his way along a rocky path through the hills that led to Mexico City. He was one of the many converted by the zealous missionaries of the time. He was on his way to Mass and instruction. His name was Juan Diego.
Suddenly he heard sweet music, so sweet that it seemed of another world. As he looked and listened he beheld a beautiful woman. In the center of a dazzling light in the nearby rocks stood the Blessed Virgin. She smiled sweetly and kindly upon him as the Indian stood there speechless.
"Juan, my son," she directed, "go to Bishop Zumarraga, a Franciscan. Tell him that the Virgin Mary desires a church erected on this spot. Hasten now."
The vision vanished as quickly as it had come. Juan stumbled on his way still stunned by the sight of the beauteou~ Lady. A few hours later he related his story to Bishop Zumarraga, the first bishop of Mexico City, a spiritual leader who loved his people. Patiently the prelate heard the story. But his mind was doubtful, and when Diego had finished his tale, the bishop placed a kindly hand on his shoulder and said:
"Yes, yes, Juan. It is interesting, this story of yours. We shall think it over."
But the next day, Sunday, the bishop again found Juan waiting to tell him of a second appearance. The bishop asked him many questions, trying to find mistakes in his story. He sat back and told Diego:
"Juan, I would like to believe you, but I do not know. I must have some sign, some token from the Blessed Virgin that you are telling the truth."
Juan promised to ask the Blessed Mother for some sign. On his way home Mary appeared again and assured him of a sign. However, Juan stopped to visit a seriously sick uncle, for whom he went to seek a priest.
As he came to the hill where Mary had appeared to him he remembered that he was supposed to come back on Monday. Since he was afraid of her reproaches, he took a different route. But our Blessed Mother appeared to him nevertheless with the question:
"What road is this thou hast taken, my son?"
"My child," Juan answered using this endearing name, "a servant of yours, my uncle, is dangerously sick of a grave and mortal malady."
He then told her that he was on his way to get a priest, that he would come tomorrow without fail. Mary assured him that his uncle's illness hod passed and that he would not die of it. Then Mary told him to go over to the spot on the mountain where she had first appeared to him and gathor some roses. It was not the time for flowers of any kind. It was winter, Besides, roses never grew in that region. Nevertheless Juan obeyed and he did find beautiful roses. He gathered them ino his cloak and hurried to the bishop who was waiting with a group of officials of church and government.
As Juan came into the room the bishop greeted him with these fatherly words:
"Well, my son, what news have you?"
"My father, I have the sign you asked," answered Juan.
"A sign," repeated the bishop, leaning forward, "where is it?"
"Here in my cloak," said Juan and then he told how Mary had directed him to gather roses. He faltered and went on:
"With her own hands Our Lady arranged the flowers; then she told me to cover them with my cloak and bring them to you untouched and unseen. Here, my father, is the sign you asked - the roses of Guadalupe."
Juan opened his cloak. The glorious, fragrant roses fell at the feet of the bishop. No sooner did the prelate and the people with him notice the roses than they noticed something else on the Indian's cloak. There on the coarse cloth was painted a picture, a life-size picture of the Blessed Virgin just as Juan had seen her and described her. That was sign sufficient for the bishop.
A small chapel was built on the spot where Mary had appeared to this poor, simple Indian, a chapel that was repeatedly replaced with a larger and larger building until finally today there is a huge basilica, the center, the heart of a devotion to Our Lady of Guadalupe that has not only swept Mexico but has influenced the entire world.
The picture was closely guarded, but immediately pilgrimages, processions and groups from all over the countryside began to make their way to this shrine. Countless miracles were obtained. Countless conversions were effected.
Pope Benedict XIV decreed that Our Lady of Guadalupe should be Mexico's national patron, and today she is recognized as the Queen of the America's. Pope Pius XII, as Cardinal Pacelli in 1933 crowned the picture painted by Cabrera which had been given to Pope Benedict XIV.
We Americans who have this shrine of Our Mother in our midst, as it were, here upon the American continent, might well repeat the prayer of the Most Rev. John J. Cantwell composed for the coronation of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Los Angeles:
"Immaculate Virgin of Guadalupe, heavenly missionary of the New World, thy sweet charm holds the hearts of thy people. Blessed Mother of God, from thy sanctuary of Tepeyac, monument of the love of all America for you, that hast been for centuries the mother and teacher of our people; be also our refuge, our defense, and unto us a pillar of strength. O Most Immaculate Mary, protect and save our republic, our superiors and rulers and all the people of our continent."Many Americans, non-Catholic as well as Catholic, have visited her shrine. The Mexicans in the United States have brought with them from Old Mexico this flaming love for Our Lady of Guadalupe. But she belongs to all of us, especially to all Americans. On her feast tell Mary that you want to belong to her. Amen.
__________________
Adapted from Feasts of Our Lady
by Msgr. Arthur Tonne
News Updates, 12/11
American Maryknoll priest excommunicated for involvement in women's 'ordination'
An American priest has evidently been excommunicated because of his active support for the ordination of women, and his participation in ceremonies simulating ordination. Father Ray Bourgeois received a warning from the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith in December, informing him that if he did not recant his position supporting women's ordination within 30 days he would face excommunication; the Maryknoll priest replied that he would not change his stand. The Maryknoll Society has now confirmed that the Congregation has contacted that its leaders "did receive a confidential communiqué from the Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith, and forwarded the contents of that communiqué to Father Bourgeois." Although the Society refused to discuss the contents of that message, citing confidentiality, a spokesman confirmed to the National Catholic Register that since the 30-day period had passed, it was logical to assume that the sentence of excommunication had been imposed...
And It Was Night. The Real Story of Original Sin
It is one of the most overlooked and rejected dogmas. But for Benedict XVI, it is "overwhelmingly obvious." He has talked about it three times in eight days. Without it, he says, Christian redemption "would lose its foundation"
The Failure of Our Pro-Life Leadership
Pro-life leaders must reconsider the failed "incremental steps only" strategy
We're taking your advice… we're getting out of here”
Pro-lifers save two babies outside San Diego abortion clinic
Bishop to laity: Destroy book by suspended priest
Chapter describes 'secret' Church tribunal proceedings
Human rights are safe only when all are protected, Pope says
The dignity of human beings will only be guaranteed "when all the fundamental rights are recognized, defended, and promoted," Pope Benedict XVI told a Vatican audience on December 11, after a concert celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. These rights, the Holy Father said, "are a universal given, since they form part of the very nature of humanity." They are based upon natural law, which is "inscribed by the Creator in human consciousness," he added...
'Christmas is the pathway to hell'
Muslim lawyer's extraordinary rant at 'evil' celebration
Planned Parenthood Fires Abortion Center Staffer Covering Up Statutory Rape
The Planned Parenthood staff member in Indiana who appears in a recent undercover video covering up an alleged case of statutory rape has been fired...
Rudolph the Reindeer causes stir at school
Parent complains about religious reference in Christmas show
“No Question” of Cancelling Cherie Blair
Angelicum Conference Organiser Adds Fuel to Fire
Pro-Abortion Republican Activist Blames McCain Loss on Pro-Life Advocates
A leading pro-abortion Republican activist is blaming John McCain's loss to pro-abortion presidential candidate Barack Obama on pro-life advocates. Jennifer Blei Stockman, the head of the Republican Majority for Choice, makes the claim in a letter to the New York Times...
[Yes, the pro-life crowd is responsible-the clueless who voted for Hussein, notwithstanding. Stockman needs help.]
Georgetown announces largest gift in its history
Regent Bequeaths $75M to Jesuit university in D.C.
Chilean cardinal: Madonna rouses 'impure thoughts'
Criticized the flamboyant singer at Pinochet memorial
Puerto Rico bishops to shutter six Catholic schools
...in part because of the global financial crisis
Syracuse diocese receives $30 million bequest
Donation is largest single gift to Catholic church
Holy Smoke: Pope appoints 'Little Ratzinger'
...as head of Vatican's liturgy and worship office
Astronomers claim Jesus was born in June
By charting the appearance of the 'Christmas star'
Did Noah's Flood start in the Carmel?
Deluge swept the Land of Israel more than 7,000 years ago
British Authorities Prohibit Newspaper Ad Condemning Homosexual Behavior
Church founder Ian Paisley is defiant, says he will go to jail if necessary
Not seen until today: Smithsonian Honors Racist Planned Parenthood Founder Margaret Sanger — On Your Dime
[Murder-loving, racist-embracing bureaucrats! Pitchforks, tar and feathers will not be enough, I fear]
An American priest has evidently been excommunicated because of his active support for the ordination of women, and his participation in ceremonies simulating ordination. Father Ray Bourgeois received a warning from the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith in December, informing him that if he did not recant his position supporting women's ordination within 30 days he would face excommunication; the Maryknoll priest replied that he would not change his stand. The Maryknoll Society has now confirmed that the Congregation has contacted that its leaders "did receive a confidential communiqué from the Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith, and forwarded the contents of that communiqué to Father Bourgeois." Although the Society refused to discuss the contents of that message, citing confidentiality, a spokesman confirmed to the National Catholic Register that since the 30-day period had passed, it was logical to assume that the sentence of excommunication had been imposed...
And It Was Night. The Real Story of Original Sin
It is one of the most overlooked and rejected dogmas. But for Benedict XVI, it is "overwhelmingly obvious." He has talked about it three times in eight days. Without it, he says, Christian redemption "would lose its foundation"
The Failure of Our Pro-Life Leadership
Pro-life leaders must reconsider the failed "incremental steps only" strategy
We're taking your advice… we're getting out of here”
Pro-lifers save two babies outside San Diego abortion clinic
Bishop to laity: Destroy book by suspended priest
Chapter describes 'secret' Church tribunal proceedings
Human rights are safe only when all are protected, Pope says
The dignity of human beings will only be guaranteed "when all the fundamental rights are recognized, defended, and promoted," Pope Benedict XVI told a Vatican audience on December 11, after a concert celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. These rights, the Holy Father said, "are a universal given, since they form part of the very nature of humanity." They are based upon natural law, which is "inscribed by the Creator in human consciousness," he added...
'Christmas is the pathway to hell'
Muslim lawyer's extraordinary rant at 'evil' celebration
Planned Parenthood Fires Abortion Center Staffer Covering Up Statutory Rape
The Planned Parenthood staff member in Indiana who appears in a recent undercover video covering up an alleged case of statutory rape has been fired...
Rudolph the Reindeer causes stir at school
Parent complains about religious reference in Christmas show
“No Question” of Cancelling Cherie Blair
Angelicum Conference Organiser Adds Fuel to Fire
Pro-Abortion Republican Activist Blames McCain Loss on Pro-Life Advocates
A leading pro-abortion Republican activist is blaming John McCain's loss to pro-abortion presidential candidate Barack Obama on pro-life advocates. Jennifer Blei Stockman, the head of the Republican Majority for Choice, makes the claim in a letter to the New York Times...
[Yes, the pro-life crowd is responsible-the clueless who voted for Hussein, notwithstanding. Stockman needs help.]
Georgetown announces largest gift in its history
Regent Bequeaths $75M to Jesuit university in D.C.
Chilean cardinal: Madonna rouses 'impure thoughts'
Criticized the flamboyant singer at Pinochet memorial
Puerto Rico bishops to shutter six Catholic schools
...in part because of the global financial crisis
Syracuse diocese receives $30 million bequest
Donation is largest single gift to Catholic church
Holy Smoke: Pope appoints 'Little Ratzinger'
...as head of Vatican's liturgy and worship office
Astronomers claim Jesus was born in June
By charting the appearance of the 'Christmas star'
Did Noah's Flood start in the Carmel?
Deluge swept the Land of Israel more than 7,000 years ago
British Authorities Prohibit Newspaper Ad Condemning Homosexual Behavior
Church founder Ian Paisley is defiant, says he will go to jail if necessary
Not seen until today: Smithsonian Honors Racist Planned Parenthood Founder Margaret Sanger — On Your Dime
[Murder-loving, racist-embracing bureaucrats! Pitchforks, tar and feathers will not be enough, I fear]
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Gospel for Thursday, 2nd Week of Advent
Optional Memorial of St. Damasus I, pope
Old Calendar: St. Damasus, pope and confessor
From: Matthew 11:11-15
The Mission of John the Baptist. Jesus' Reply
(Jesus spoke to the crowds,) [11] "Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has risen no one greater than John the Baptist; yet he who is least in the Kingdom of Heaven is greater than he. [12] From the days of John the Baptist until now the Kingdom of Heaven has suffered violence, and men of violence take it by force. [13] For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John; [14] and if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah who is to come. [15] He who has ears to hear, let him hear."
___________________
Commentary:
11. With John the Old Testament is brought to a close and we are on the threshold of the New. The Precursor had the honor of ushering Christ in, making Him known to men. God had assigned him the exalted mission of preparing His contemporaries to hear the Gospel. The Baptist's faithfulness is recognized and proclaimed by Jesus. The praise he received is a reward for his humility: John, realizing what his role was, had said, "He must increase, but I must decrease" (John 3:30).
St. John the Baptist was the greatest in the sense that he had received a mission unique and incomparable in the context of the Old Testament. However, in the Kingdom of Heaven (the New Testament) inaugurated by Christ, the divine gift of grace makes the least of those who faithfully receive it greater than the greatest in the earlier dispensation. Once the work of our redemption is accomplished, God's grace will also be extended to the just of the Old Alliance. Thus, the greatness of John the Baptist, the Precursor and the last of the prophets, will be enhanced by the dignity of being made a son of God.
12. "The Kingdom of Heaven has suffered violence": once John the Baptist announces that the Christ is already come, the powers of Hell redouble their desperate assault, which continues right through the lifetime of the Church (cf. Ephesians 6:12). The situation described here seems to be this: the leaders of the Jewish people, and their blind followers, were waiting for the Kingdom of God the way people wait for a rightful legacy to come their way; but while they rest on the laurels of the rights and rewards they think their race entitles them to, others, the men of violence (literally, attackers) are taking it, as it were, by force, by fighting the enemies of the soul--the world, the flesh and the devil.
"This violence is not directed against others. It is a violence used to fight your own weaknesses and miseries, a fortitude, which prevents you from camouflaging your own infidelities, a boldness to own up to the faith even when the environment is hostile" ([St] J. Escriva, "Christ Is Passing By", 82).
This is the attitude of those who fight their passions and do themselves violence, thereby attaining the Kingdom of Heaven and becoming one with Christ. As Clement of Alexandria puts it: "The Kingdom of Heaven does not belong to those who sleep and who indulge all their desires, but to those who fight against themselves" ("Quis Dives Salvetur", 21).
14. John the Baptist is Elijah, not in person, but by virtue of his mission (cf. Matthew 17:10-13; Mark 9:10-12).
___________________________
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. Damasus, pope and confessor
From: Matthew 11:11-15
The Mission of John the Baptist. Jesus' Reply
(Jesus spoke to the crowds,) [11] "Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has risen no one greater than John the Baptist; yet he who is least in the Kingdom of Heaven is greater than he. [12] From the days of John the Baptist until now the Kingdom of Heaven has suffered violence, and men of violence take it by force. [13] For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John; [14] and if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah who is to come. [15] He who has ears to hear, let him hear."
___________________
Commentary:
11. With John the Old Testament is brought to a close and we are on the threshold of the New. The Precursor had the honor of ushering Christ in, making Him known to men. God had assigned him the exalted mission of preparing His contemporaries to hear the Gospel. The Baptist's faithfulness is recognized and proclaimed by Jesus. The praise he received is a reward for his humility: John, realizing what his role was, had said, "He must increase, but I must decrease" (John 3:30).
St. John the Baptist was the greatest in the sense that he had received a mission unique and incomparable in the context of the Old Testament. However, in the Kingdom of Heaven (the New Testament) inaugurated by Christ, the divine gift of grace makes the least of those who faithfully receive it greater than the greatest in the earlier dispensation. Once the work of our redemption is accomplished, God's grace will also be extended to the just of the Old Alliance. Thus, the greatness of John the Baptist, the Precursor and the last of the prophets, will be enhanced by the dignity of being made a son of God.
12. "The Kingdom of Heaven has suffered violence": once John the Baptist announces that the Christ is already come, the powers of Hell redouble their desperate assault, which continues right through the lifetime of the Church (cf. Ephesians 6:12). The situation described here seems to be this: the leaders of the Jewish people, and their blind followers, were waiting for the Kingdom of God the way people wait for a rightful legacy to come their way; but while they rest on the laurels of the rights and rewards they think their race entitles them to, others, the men of violence (literally, attackers) are taking it, as it were, by force, by fighting the enemies of the soul--the world, the flesh and the devil.
"This violence is not directed against others. It is a violence used to fight your own weaknesses and miseries, a fortitude, which prevents you from camouflaging your own infidelities, a boldness to own up to the faith even when the environment is hostile" ([St] J. Escriva, "Christ Is Passing By", 82).
This is the attitude of those who fight their passions and do themselves violence, thereby attaining the Kingdom of Heaven and becoming one with Christ. As Clement of Alexandria puts it: "The Kingdom of Heaven does not belong to those who sleep and who indulge all their desires, but to those who fight against themselves" ("Quis Dives Salvetur", 21).
14. John the Baptist is Elijah, not in person, but by virtue of his mission (cf. Matthew 17:10-13; Mark 9:10-12).
___________________________
Source: "The Navarre Bible: Text and Commentaries". Biblical text taken from the Revised Standard Version and New Vulgate. Commentaries made by members of the Faculty of Theology of the University of Navarre, Spain. Published by Four Courts Press, Kill Lane, Blackrock, Co. Dublin, Ireland. Reprinted with permission from Four Courts Press and Scepter Publishers, the U.S. publisher.
Principles and Practices - December 11
WHAT MEEKNESS IS
Consider what this meekness is which is entitled to this beatitude. Meekness is a virtue which restrains all anger and passion, suppresses the swellings of the heart under real or imaginary provocations or injuries; stills the tumult of the soul on all these occasions; keeps in all heat or violence of words; and allows no other than that truly Christian revenge of overcoming evil with good. Such was the practice of the Lamb of God, both in life and in death, and of whom it was written:
_________________
From Principles and Practices
Compiled by Rev. J. Hogan of The Catholic Missionary Society
Published by Burns Oates & Washbourne Ltd., Publishers To The Holy See
Nihil Obstat; Eduardus J. Mahoney, S.T.D. Censor deputatus.
Imprimatur; Edm. Can. Surmont, Vicarius generalis.
First printed in 1930
Consider what this meekness is which is entitled to this beatitude. Meekness is a virtue which restrains all anger and passion, suppresses the swellings of the heart under real or imaginary provocations or injuries; stills the tumult of the soul on all these occasions; keeps in all heat or violence of words; and allows no other than that truly Christian revenge of overcoming evil with good. Such was the practice of the Lamb of God, both in life and in death, and of whom it was written:
'He shall not contend nor cry out, neither shall any man hear His voice in the streets. The bruised reed: He shall not break, the smoking flax He shall not extinguish. He shall not be sad nor troublesome.'And
'when He was reviled, He did not revile; when He suffered He threatened not, but delivered Himself to him that judged unjustly.'-Bishop Challoner.
_________________
From Principles and Practices
Compiled by Rev. J. Hogan of The Catholic Missionary Society
Published by Burns Oates & Washbourne Ltd., Publishers To The Holy See
Nihil Obstat; Eduardus J. Mahoney, S.T.D. Censor deputatus.
Imprimatur; Edm. Can. Surmont, Vicarius generalis.
First printed in 1930
Thoughts of St Augustine for December 11
ASK your faith; put your soul in the dock of conscience; vex yourself with the fear of judgement, answer who it is that you have believed, and why you have believed.
_________________________
Click here for more information.
From Thoughts of St Augustine for Every Day
by Kathleen Mary Balfe (© 1926)
Nihil Obstat: Georgius D. Smith, S.T.D
Imprimatur: Edm. Can. Surmont
_________________________
Click here for more information.
From Thoughts of St Augustine for Every Day
by Kathleen Mary Balfe (© 1926)
Nihil Obstat: Georgius D. Smith, S.T.D
Imprimatur: Edm. Can. Surmont
Thoughts from St Alphonsus for Every Day-December 11
THE physician who loves his patient will not allow him to have those things that he sees would do him harm. When men ask God for health or riches, he often refuses them because he loves them, knowing that these things would be to them an occasion of sin, or of growing tepid in the spiritual life.
_________________
From Thoughts from St Alphonsus for Every Day
Compiled by Rev. C. McNeiry, C.SS.R.
Imprimatur: Joseph Hull, C.SS.R., Prov. Angl. Sup.
Nihil Obstat: Innocentlus Apap, O.P., S.T.M., Censor Deptutatus.
Imprimatur: Edm. Can. Surmont, Vicarius Generalis.
Westmonasterii, Die 9a Junii, 1927.
First published 1927
_________________
From Thoughts from St Alphonsus for Every Day
Compiled by Rev. C. McNeiry, C.SS.R.
Imprimatur: Joseph Hull, C.SS.R., Prov. Angl. Sup.
Nihil Obstat: Innocentlus Apap, O.P., S.T.M., Censor Deptutatus.
Imprimatur: Edm. Can. Surmont, Vicarius Generalis.
Westmonasterii, Die 9a Junii, 1927.
First published 1927
News Updates, 12/10
Barack Obama's Blagojevich Scandal Shows Abortion Reduction Promises False
Millions of Americans who may otherwise have voted for his opponent supported Barack Obama because he promised change. Obama was supposed to be the hope of something new and different -- a way to transcend the bitter and divisive partisan politics that swallowed the two previous presidential elections. With the scandal involving Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, we already know the more things change the more they stay the same....
Keyes' lawyers invite public to 'join the fight'
High-profile eligibility lawsuit may succeed where others have failed
"Fifth-columnist homosexual activists”
Fr. John Malloy’s blog takes on Most Holy Redeemer parish -- again
Christmas hijacked with 'gay' Nativity
Manger scene to feature two Josephs, two Marys
“Call in gay”
Group urges homosexuals to stay away from work, boycott businesses in protest of passage of Proposition 8
Spanish cardinal to head liturgy office
Canizares Llovera succeeds Cardinal Francis Arinze
Parents Sue, Say Georgia Clinic Did Secret Abortion on Daughter Without Consent
Victor and Genevieve Patterson may have been able to help their daughter find an alternative to abortion, but they say the Northside Women's Clinic never gave them the chance. They sued the abortion business saying it broke Georgia law by doing an abortion on their daughter without their knowledge or consent...
Calling In 'gay' to work: latest form of protest
Activists organize a 'Day Without a Gay' for Wednesday
Angelicum: Cherie Blair's not pro-abortion
Pontifical university claims ignorance of her reputation
Zimbabwe ex-archbishop silenced by Vatican
Pius Ncube is staunch opponent of Robert Mugabe
Catholic officials launch climate change campaign
Asking United Nations to meet its 'moral obligation'
Homosexual activists protest at Vatican
Say Catholic Church wants to 'exterminate' them
London cardinal criticizes secular intolerance
Says religious belief treated as 'personal eccentricity'
L.A. bishops issue letter reassuring gays
Explains Church's support for Proposition 8
Millions of Americans who may otherwise have voted for his opponent supported Barack Obama because he promised change. Obama was supposed to be the hope of something new and different -- a way to transcend the bitter and divisive partisan politics that swallowed the two previous presidential elections. With the scandal involving Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, we already know the more things change the more they stay the same....
Keyes' lawyers invite public to 'join the fight'
High-profile eligibility lawsuit may succeed where others have failed
"Fifth-columnist homosexual activists”
Fr. John Malloy’s blog takes on Most Holy Redeemer parish -- again
Christmas hijacked with 'gay' Nativity
Manger scene to feature two Josephs, two Marys
“Call in gay”
Group urges homosexuals to stay away from work, boycott businesses in protest of passage of Proposition 8
Spanish cardinal to head liturgy office
Canizares Llovera succeeds Cardinal Francis Arinze
Parents Sue, Say Georgia Clinic Did Secret Abortion on Daughter Without Consent
Victor and Genevieve Patterson may have been able to help their daughter find an alternative to abortion, but they say the Northside Women's Clinic never gave them the chance. They sued the abortion business saying it broke Georgia law by doing an abortion on their daughter without their knowledge or consent...
Calling In 'gay' to work: latest form of protest
Activists organize a 'Day Without a Gay' for Wednesday
Angelicum: Cherie Blair's not pro-abortion
Pontifical university claims ignorance of her reputation
Zimbabwe ex-archbishop silenced by Vatican
Pius Ncube is staunch opponent of Robert Mugabe
Catholic officials launch climate change campaign
Asking United Nations to meet its 'moral obligation'
Homosexual activists protest at Vatican
Say Catholic Church wants to 'exterminate' them
London cardinal criticizes secular intolerance
Says religious belief treated as 'personal eccentricity'
L.A. bishops issue letter reassuring gays
Explains Church's support for Proposition 8
Tuesday, December 09, 2008
Gospel for Wednesday, 2nd Week of Advent
From: Matthew 11:28-30
Jesus Thanks His Father (Continuation)
(At that time Jesus declared,) [28] "Come to Me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. [29] Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me; for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. [30] For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light."
____________
Commentary:
28-30. Our Lord calls everyone to come to Him. We all find things difficult in one way or another. The history of souls bears out the truth of these words of Jesus. Only the Gospel can fully satisfy the thirst for truth and justice which sincere people feel. Only our Lord, our Master--and those to whom He passes on His power--can soothe the sinner by telling him, "Your sins are forgiven" (Matthew 9:2). In this connection Pope Paul VI teaches: "Jesus says now and always, `Come to Me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.' His attitude towards us is one of invitation, knowledge and compassion; indeed, it is one of offering, promise, friendship, goodness, remedy of our ailments; He is our comforter; indeed, our nourishment, our bread, giving us energy and life" ("Homily on Corpus Christi", 13 June 1974).
"Come to Me": the Master is addressing the crowds who are following Him, "harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd" (Matthew 9:36). The Pharisees weighed them down with an endless series of petty regulations (cf. Acts 15:10), yet they brought no peace to their souls. Jesus tells these people, and us, about the kind of burden He imposes: "Any other burden oppresses and crushes you, but Christ's actually takes weight off you. Any other burden weighs down, but Christ's gives you wings. If you take a bird's wings away, you might seem to be taking weight off it, but the more weight you take off, the more you tie it down to the earth. There it is on the ground, and you wanted to relieve it of a weight; give it back the weight of its wings and you will see how it flies" (St. Augustine, "Sermon" 126).
"All you who go about tormented, afflicted and burdened with the burden of your cares and desires, go forth from them, come to Me and I will refresh you and you shall find for your souls the rest which your desires take from you" (St. John of the Cross, "Ascent of Mount Carmel", Book 1, Chapter 7, 4).
___________________________
Source: "The Navarre Bible: Text and Commentaries". Biblical text taken from the Revised Standard Version and New Vulgate. Commentaries made by members of the Faculty of Theology of the University of Navarre, Spain. Published by Four Courts Press, Kill Lane, Blackrock, Co. Dublin, Ireland. Reprinted with permission from Four Courts Press and Scepter Publishers, the U.S. publisher.
Jesus Thanks His Father (Continuation)
(At that time Jesus declared,) [28] "Come to Me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. [29] Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me; for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. [30] For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light."
____________
Commentary:
28-30. Our Lord calls everyone to come to Him. We all find things difficult in one way or another. The history of souls bears out the truth of these words of Jesus. Only the Gospel can fully satisfy the thirst for truth and justice which sincere people feel. Only our Lord, our Master--and those to whom He passes on His power--can soothe the sinner by telling him, "Your sins are forgiven" (Matthew 9:2). In this connection Pope Paul VI teaches: "Jesus says now and always, `Come to Me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.' His attitude towards us is one of invitation, knowledge and compassion; indeed, it is one of offering, promise, friendship, goodness, remedy of our ailments; He is our comforter; indeed, our nourishment, our bread, giving us energy and life" ("Homily on Corpus Christi", 13 June 1974).
"Come to Me": the Master is addressing the crowds who are following Him, "harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd" (Matthew 9:36). The Pharisees weighed them down with an endless series of petty regulations (cf. Acts 15:10), yet they brought no peace to their souls. Jesus tells these people, and us, about the kind of burden He imposes: "Any other burden oppresses and crushes you, but Christ's actually takes weight off you. Any other burden weighs down, but Christ's gives you wings. If you take a bird's wings away, you might seem to be taking weight off it, but the more weight you take off, the more you tie it down to the earth. There it is on the ground, and you wanted to relieve it of a weight; give it back the weight of its wings and you will see how it flies" (St. Augustine, "Sermon" 126).
"All you who go about tormented, afflicted and burdened with the burden of your cares and desires, go forth from them, come to Me and I will refresh you and you shall find for your souls the rest which your desires take from you" (St. John of the Cross, "Ascent of Mount Carmel", Book 1, Chapter 7, 4).
___________________________
Source: "The Navarre Bible: Text and Commentaries". Biblical text taken from the Revised Standard Version and New Vulgate. Commentaries made by members of the Faculty of Theology of the University of Navarre, Spain. Published by Four Courts Press, Kill Lane, Blackrock, Co. Dublin, Ireland. Reprinted with permission from Four Courts Press and Scepter Publishers, the U.S. publisher.
Principles and Practices - December 10
EARNEST HOPE MOVES GOD
That which moves and overcomes God is earnest hope; in order to attain to the union of love, the soul must journey in hope of God alone, for without it nothing will be obtained. A living hope in God makes the soul so courageous and so earnest in the pursuit of the things of everlasting life, that it looks on this world - so indeed it is - as dry, weak, valueless, and dead, in comparison with that it hopes for hereafter. The soul in hope strips itself of all trappings of this world, setting the heart upon nothing, hoping for nothing in it or of it, clad in the vesture of hope of everlasting life.
-St John of the Cross.
_________________
From Principles and Practices
Compiled by Rev. J. Hogan of The Catholic Missionary Society
Published by Burns Oates & Washbourne Ltd., Publishers To The Holy See
Nihil Obstat; Eduardus J. Mahoney, S.T.D. Censor deputatus.
Imprimatur; Edm. Can. Surmont, Vicarius generalis.
First printed in 1930
That which moves and overcomes God is earnest hope; in order to attain to the union of love, the soul must journey in hope of God alone, for without it nothing will be obtained. A living hope in God makes the soul so courageous and so earnest in the pursuit of the things of everlasting life, that it looks on this world - so indeed it is - as dry, weak, valueless, and dead, in comparison with that it hopes for hereafter. The soul in hope strips itself of all trappings of this world, setting the heart upon nothing, hoping for nothing in it or of it, clad in the vesture of hope of everlasting life.
-St John of the Cross.
_________________
From Principles and Practices
Compiled by Rev. J. Hogan of The Catholic Missionary Society
Published by Burns Oates & Washbourne Ltd., Publishers To The Holy See
Nihil Obstat; Eduardus J. Mahoney, S.T.D. Censor deputatus.
Imprimatur; Edm. Can. Surmont, Vicarius generalis.
First printed in 1930
Thoughts of St Augustine for December 10
THOU art in the making, and being in the making thou art in the hands of the Artificer. He takes something off from thee. He corrects something, something he planes smooth, something he cleanses...do thou only take care not to fall from the hands of the Artificer.
_________________________
Click here for more information.
From Thoughts of St Augustine for Every Day
by Kathleen Mary Balfe (© 1926)
Nihil Obstat: Georgius D. Smith, S.T.D
Imprimatur: Edm. Can. Surmont
_________________________
Click here for more information.
From Thoughts of St Augustine for Every Day
by Kathleen Mary Balfe (© 1926)
Nihil Obstat: Georgius D. Smith, S.T.D
Imprimatur: Edm. Can. Surmont
Thoughts from St Alphonsus for Every Day-December 10
Go frequently to Holy Communion. A soul can do nothing that is more pleasing to God than to communicate in a state of grace. Make during the day many spiritual communions, at least three.
_________________
From Thoughts from St Alphonsus for Every Day
Compiled by Rev. C. McNeiry, C.SS.R.
Imprimatur: Joseph Hull, C.SS.R., Prov. Angl. Sup.
Nihil Obstat: Innocentlus Apap, O.P., S.T.M., Censor Deptutatus.
Imprimatur: Edm. Can. Surmont, Vicarius Generalis.
Westmonasterii, Die 9a Junii, 1927.
First published 1927
_________________
From Thoughts from St Alphonsus for Every Day
Compiled by Rev. C. McNeiry, C.SS.R.
Imprimatur: Joseph Hull, C.SS.R., Prov. Angl. Sup.
Nihil Obstat: Innocentlus Apap, O.P., S.T.M., Censor Deptutatus.
Imprimatur: Edm. Can. Surmont, Vicarius Generalis.
Westmonasterii, Die 9a Junii, 1927.
First published 1927
Monday, December 08, 2008
Gospel for Tuesday, 2nd Week in Advent
Optional Memorial: St Juan Diego (Cuauhtlatoatzin), Hermit
From: Matthew 18:12-14
The Lost Sheep
[12] "What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go in search of the one that went astray? [13] And if he finds it, truly, I say to you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that never went astray. [14] So it is not the will of My Father who is in Heaven that one of these little ones should perish."
_________________________
Commentary:
1-35. The teachings of Jesus recorded in chapter 18 of St. Matthew are often called the "discourse on the Church" or "ecclesiastical discourse" because they are a series of instructions on the way in which His Church is to be administered.
The first passage (Matthew 18:1-5), addressed to leaders, that is, the future hierarchy of the Church, warns them against natural tendencies to pride and ambition: even though they have positions of government, they must act with humility. In verses 6-10 Jesus emphasizes the fatherly care which pastors of the Church should have for the "little ones"--a term which covers everyone in need of special care for whatever reason (because they are recent converts, or are not well grounded in Church teaching, or are not yet adults, etc.)... God takes special care of the weak and will punish those who harm them.
Our Lord shows similar concern for those who are experiencing spiritual difficulties. Every effort, even an heroic effort, must be made to seek out the "lost sheep" (verses 12-14). If the Church in general and each Christian in particular should be concerned to spread the Gospel, all the more reason for them to try and see that those who already embraced the faith do not go astray...
Thus, the whole of Chapter 18, the "discourse of the Church", is a survey of the future history of the Church during its earthly stage, and a series of practical rules for conduct for Christians--a kind of complement to the Sermon on the Mount, (Chapters 5-7), which is a "magna carta" for the new Kingdom established by Christ.
12-14. This parable clearly shows our Lord's loving concern for sinners. It expresses in human terms the joy God feels when a wayward child comes back to Him.
Seeing so many souls living away from God, Pope John Paul II comments: "Unfortunately we witness the moral pollution which is devastating humanity, disregarding especially those very little ones about whom Jesus speaks."
"What must we do? We must imitate the Good Shepherd and give ourselves without rest for the salvation of souls. Without forgetting material charity and social justice, we must be convinced that the most sublime charity is spiritual charity, that is, the commitment for the salvation of souls. And souls are saved with prayer and sacrifice. This is the mission of the Church!" ("Homily to the Poor Clares of Albano," 14 August 1979).
As the RSV points out, "other ancient authorities add verse 11, "For the Son of Man came to save the lost"--apparently taken from Luke 19:10.
___________________________
Source: "The Navarre Bible: Text and Commentaries". Biblical text taken from the Revised Standard Version and New Vulgate. Commentaries made by members of the Faculty of Theology of the University of Navarre, Spain. Published by Four Courts Press, Kill Lane, Blackrock, Co. Dublin, Ireland. Reprinted with permission from Four Courts Press and Scepter Publishers, the U.S. publisher.
From: Matthew 18:12-14
The Lost Sheep
[12] "What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go in search of the one that went astray? [13] And if he finds it, truly, I say to you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that never went astray. [14] So it is not the will of My Father who is in Heaven that one of these little ones should perish."
_________________________
Commentary:
1-35. The teachings of Jesus recorded in chapter 18 of St. Matthew are often called the "discourse on the Church" or "ecclesiastical discourse" because they are a series of instructions on the way in which His Church is to be administered.
The first passage (Matthew 18:1-5), addressed to leaders, that is, the future hierarchy of the Church, warns them against natural tendencies to pride and ambition: even though they have positions of government, they must act with humility. In verses 6-10 Jesus emphasizes the fatherly care which pastors of the Church should have for the "little ones"--a term which covers everyone in need of special care for whatever reason (because they are recent converts, or are not well grounded in Church teaching, or are not yet adults, etc.)... God takes special care of the weak and will punish those who harm them.
Our Lord shows similar concern for those who are experiencing spiritual difficulties. Every effort, even an heroic effort, must be made to seek out the "lost sheep" (verses 12-14). If the Church in general and each Christian in particular should be concerned to spread the Gospel, all the more reason for them to try and see that those who already embraced the faith do not go astray...
Thus, the whole of Chapter 18, the "discourse of the Church", is a survey of the future history of the Church during its earthly stage, and a series of practical rules for conduct for Christians--a kind of complement to the Sermon on the Mount, (Chapters 5-7), which is a "magna carta" for the new Kingdom established by Christ.
12-14. This parable clearly shows our Lord's loving concern for sinners. It expresses in human terms the joy God feels when a wayward child comes back to Him.
Seeing so many souls living away from God, Pope John Paul II comments: "Unfortunately we witness the moral pollution which is devastating humanity, disregarding especially those very little ones about whom Jesus speaks."
"What must we do? We must imitate the Good Shepherd and give ourselves without rest for the salvation of souls. Without forgetting material charity and social justice, we must be convinced that the most sublime charity is spiritual charity, that is, the commitment for the salvation of souls. And souls are saved with prayer and sacrifice. This is the mission of the Church!" ("Homily to the Poor Clares of Albano," 14 August 1979).
As the RSV points out, "other ancient authorities add verse 11, "For the Son of Man came to save the lost"--apparently taken from Luke 19:10.
___________________________
Source: "The Navarre Bible: Text and Commentaries". Biblical text taken from the Revised Standard Version and New Vulgate. Commentaries made by members of the Faculty of Theology of the University of Navarre, Spain. Published by Four Courts Press, Kill Lane, Blackrock, Co. Dublin, Ireland. Reprinted with permission from Four Courts Press and Scepter Publishers, the U.S. publisher.
Principles and Practices - December 9
THOUGHTS ON POVERTY
Ask some one of those who pant with an insatiable heart for earthly riches what is his opinion of those who sold all their goods and gave to the poor, and whether they did wisely or no. Doubtless he will reply that they did wisely. Ask him again why he does not himself practice what he approves in others. 'I cannot,' he will reply. Wherefore? Plainly because avarice is the mistress of his heart, and will not permit him; because he is not free; because the things which he seems to possess are not his; nor is he himself his own master.
-St. Bernard.
_________________
From Principles and Practices
Compiled by Rev. J. Hogan of The Catholic Missionary Society
Published by Burns Oates & Washbourne Ltd., Publishers To The Holy See
Nihil Obstat; Eduardus J. Mahoney, S.T.D. Censor deputatus.
Imprimatur; Edm. Can. Surmont, Vicarius generalis.
First printed in 1930
Ask some one of those who pant with an insatiable heart for earthly riches what is his opinion of those who sold all their goods and gave to the poor, and whether they did wisely or no. Doubtless he will reply that they did wisely. Ask him again why he does not himself practice what he approves in others. 'I cannot,' he will reply. Wherefore? Plainly because avarice is the mistress of his heart, and will not permit him; because he is not free; because the things which he seems to possess are not his; nor is he himself his own master.
-St. Bernard.
_________________
From Principles and Practices
Compiled by Rev. J. Hogan of The Catholic Missionary Society
Published by Burns Oates & Washbourne Ltd., Publishers To The Holy See
Nihil Obstat; Eduardus J. Mahoney, S.T.D. Censor deputatus.
Imprimatur; Edm. Can. Surmont, Vicarius generalis.
First printed in 1930
Thoughts of St Augustine for December 9
THIS, then, is the Christian theory. No man does anything well but by the grace of God. What a man does ill, is the doing of the man himself. What he does well, he does with the bounty of God.
_________________________
Click here for more information.
From Thoughts of St Augustine for Every Day
by Kathleen Mary Balfe (© 1926)
Nihil Obstat: Georgius D. Smith, S.T.D
Imprimatur: Edm. Can. Surmont
_________________________
Click here for more information.
From Thoughts of St Augustine for Every Day
by Kathleen Mary Balfe (© 1926)
Nihil Obstat: Georgius D. Smith, S.T.D
Imprimatur: Edm. Can. Surmont
Thoughts from St Alphonsus for Every Day-December 9
Do not speak of yourself, whether it be for good or for evil; to speak in disparagement of ourselves sometimes fosters pride.
_________________
From Thoughts from St Alphonsus for Every Day
Compiled by Rev. C. McNeiry, C.SS.R.
Imprimatur: Joseph Hull, C.SS.R., Prov. Angl. Sup.
Nihil Obstat: Innocentlus Apap, O.P., S.T.M., Censor Deptutatus.
Imprimatur: Edm. Can. Surmont, Vicarius Generalis.
Westmonasterii, Die 9a Junii, 1927.
First published 1927
_________________
From Thoughts from St Alphonsus for Every Day
Compiled by Rev. C. McNeiry, C.SS.R.
Imprimatur: Joseph Hull, C.SS.R., Prov. Angl. Sup.
Nihil Obstat: Innocentlus Apap, O.P., S.T.M., Censor Deptutatus.
Imprimatur: Edm. Can. Surmont, Vicarius Generalis.
Westmonasterii, Die 9a Junii, 1927.
First published 1927
News Updates, 12/8
A Pastoral Message to Homosexual Catholics”
Bishops of Los Angeles, responding to controversy over Church’s support of Proposition 8, issue letter reassuring homosexuals of their place in the Church
Angelicum University Refuses to Believe Cherie Blair’s Pro-abortion and Anti-Family Reputation
LifeSiteNews.com has been informed that the Angelicum since Tuesday has received “over 200 communications” on the issue, but that the university does not intend to cancel her appearance...
[Sickening...still no action...Is anyone in charge anymore?]
Attorney Who Aided Terri Schiavo’s Husband Now Advising Barack Hussein Obama
An attorney who won an award for representing Terri Schiavo’s husband Michael in his efforts to kill his disabled wife is now an advisor to the transition team of incoming president Barack Obama.
[The irony. Putting together a "Justice Dept" team - Yes, Virginia, there is a "Twilight Zone"]
Famed Author Michael O’Brien Addresses First LifeSiteNews Key Supporters Dinner
O'Brien emphasized the spiritual nature of the battle and said pro-life activists should fight with the spirit of a child, like David, a mere boy, who was able to defeat the giant Goliath.
Biden’s Bishop Expands on Decision Not to Deny Communion Over Abortion
[Infecting the minds of Catholic Youth] Bishop W. Francis Malooly has expanded on his previous comments that he will not deny communion to incoming Vice-President Joe Biden because of his pro-abortion position. Malooly says he can do more good by not alienating Biden and other pro-abortion Catholic politicians.
[Another Shepherd Bows to Satan and His Supporters of Infanticide - Malooly would rather follow the lead of weak and compromised 'wolves' who are nothing but imposters of shepherds and who are unable to distinquish between right and wrong. ]
Catholic survivor of Mumbai attack tells story
'...to get through this, it would be Our Lord's doing'
Religious order returns two prestigious awards
Priests protesting Order of Canada award to abortionist
Detroit cardinal: save auto industry
Calls on Washington to provide federal assistance
[Stop the bailouts! Stop the Socialism!]
Two Catholic nuns labeled 'terrorists'
Maryland state trooper infiltrated nonviolent groups
[marxists?]
Milwaukee's Weakland moved abusive priests
Failed to alert parishioners or to notify police
[Who could have imagined this?]
Abuse victims to parishioners: withhold donations
Group calls on dioceses to disclose income, balance sheets
Monks forced to worship in garage after split
Transalpine Redemptorists in row over religious direction
Catholic protesters face court in Vietnam
Charged with destroying property during land dispute
Amsterdam to close many brothels, marijuana cafes
Major effort to drive organized crime away from tourists
[Cancel that vacation?]
Bishops of Los Angeles, responding to controversy over Church’s support of Proposition 8, issue letter reassuring homosexuals of their place in the Church
Angelicum University Refuses to Believe Cherie Blair’s Pro-abortion and Anti-Family Reputation
LifeSiteNews.com has been informed that the Angelicum since Tuesday has received “over 200 communications” on the issue, but that the university does not intend to cancel her appearance...
[Sickening...still no action...Is anyone in charge anymore?]
Attorney Who Aided Terri Schiavo’s Husband Now Advising Barack Hussein Obama
An attorney who won an award for representing Terri Schiavo’s husband Michael in his efforts to kill his disabled wife is now an advisor to the transition team of incoming president Barack Obama.
[The irony. Putting together a "Justice Dept" team - Yes, Virginia, there is a "Twilight Zone"]
Famed Author Michael O’Brien Addresses First LifeSiteNews Key Supporters Dinner
O'Brien emphasized the spiritual nature of the battle and said pro-life activists should fight with the spirit of a child, like David, a mere boy, who was able to defeat the giant Goliath.
Biden’s Bishop Expands on Decision Not to Deny Communion Over Abortion
[Infecting the minds of Catholic Youth] Bishop W. Francis Malooly has expanded on his previous comments that he will not deny communion to incoming Vice-President Joe Biden because of his pro-abortion position. Malooly says he can do more good by not alienating Biden and other pro-abortion Catholic politicians.
[Another Shepherd Bows to Satan and His Supporters of Infanticide - Malooly would rather follow the lead of weak and compromised 'wolves' who are nothing but imposters of shepherds and who are unable to distinquish between right and wrong. ]
Catholic survivor of Mumbai attack tells story
'...to get through this, it would be Our Lord's doing'
Religious order returns two prestigious awards
Priests protesting Order of Canada award to abortionist
Detroit cardinal: save auto industry
Calls on Washington to provide federal assistance
[Stop the bailouts! Stop the Socialism!]
Two Catholic nuns labeled 'terrorists'
Maryland state trooper infiltrated nonviolent groups
[marxists?]
Milwaukee's Weakland moved abusive priests
Failed to alert parishioners or to notify police
[Who could have imagined this?]
Abuse victims to parishioners: withhold donations
Group calls on dioceses to disclose income, balance sheets
Monks forced to worship in garage after split
Transalpine Redemptorists in row over religious direction
Catholic protesters face court in Vietnam
Charged with destroying property during land dispute
Amsterdam to close many brothels, marijuana cafes
Major effort to drive organized crime away from tourists
[Cancel that vacation?]
Reflection on the Immaculate Conception of Mary
Here are some of the previous posts, reflections and meditations on the Immaculate Conception:
The Immaculate Conception (from Feasts of Our Lady)2008
Virtue in Person, The Immaculate Conception 2007
Contemplating the Immaculate Conception, the Grace of God 2007
A Reflection on the Immaculate Conception 2006
The Immaculate Conception-The Lovliest Lady 2006
Three Reasons the Church’s Enemies Hate The Immaculate Conception 2006
Mental Prayer for December 8, Feast of the Immaculate Conception 2006
How are we to understand the Immaculate Conception? 2006
Straight Answers: The Immaculate Conception 2004
The Immaculate Conception (from Feasts of Our Lady)2008
Virtue in Person, The Immaculate Conception 2007
Contemplating the Immaculate Conception, the Grace of God 2007
A Reflection on the Immaculate Conception 2006
The Immaculate Conception-The Lovliest Lady 2006
Three Reasons the Church’s Enemies Hate The Immaculate Conception 2006
Mental Prayer for December 8, Feast of the Immaculate Conception 2006
How are we to understand the Immaculate Conception? 2006
Straight Answers: The Immaculate Conception 2004
Sunday, December 07, 2008
Gospel for December 8, Solemnity: The Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary
From: Luke 1:26-38
The Annunciation and Incarnation of the Son of God
[26] In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, [27] to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. [28] And he came to her and said, "Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you!" [29] But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and considered in her mind what sort of greeting this might be. [30] And the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. [31] And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call His name Jesus. [32] He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give to Him the throne of His father David, [33] and He will reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of His Kingdom there will be no end." [34] And Mary said to the angel, "How can this be, since I have no husband?" [35] And the angel said to her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God. [36] And behold, your kinswoman Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. [37] For with God nothing will be impossible." [38] And Mary said, "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be done to me according to your word." And the angel departed from her.
_______________________
Commentary:
26-38. Here we contemplate our Lady who was "enriched from the first instant of her conception with the splendor of an entirely unique holiness; [...] the virgin of Nazareth is hailed by the heralding angel, by divine command, as `full of grace' (cf. Luke 1:28), and to the heavenly messenger she replies, `Behold the handmaid of the Lord, be it done unto me according to thy word' (Luke 1:38). Thus the daughter of Adam, Mary, consenting to the word of God, became the Mother of Jesus. Committing herself wholeheartedly to God's saving will and impeded by no sin, she devoted herself totally, as a handmaid of the Lord, to the person and work of her Son, under and with Him, serving the mystery of Redemption, by the grace of Almighty God. Rightly, therefore, the Fathers (of the Church) see Mary not merely as passively engaged by God, but as freely cooperating in the work of man's salvation through faith and obedience" (Vatican II, "Lumen Gentium", 56).
The annunciation to Mary and incarnation of the Word constitute the deepest mystery of the relationship between God and men and the most important event in the history of mankind: God becomes man, and will remain so forever, such is the extent of His goodness and mercy and love for all of us. And yet on the day when the Second Person of the Blessed Trinity assumed frail human nature in the pure womb of the Blessed Virgin, it all happened quietly, without fanfare of any kind.
St. Luke tells the story in a very simple way. We should treasure these words of the Gospel and use them often, for example, practising the Christian custom of saying the Angelus every day and reflecting on the five Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary.
27. God chose to be born of a virgin; centuries earlier He disclosed this through the prophet Isaiah (cf. Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:22-23). God, "before all ages made choice of, and set in her proper place, a mother for His only-begotten Son from whom He, after being made flesh, should be born in the blessed fullness of time: and He continued His persevering regard for her in preference to all other creatures, to such a degree that for her alone He had singular regard" (Pius IX, "Ineffabilis Deus," 2). This privilege granted to our Lady of being a virgin and a mother at the same time is a unique gift of God. This was the work of the Holy Spirit "who at the conception and the birth of the Son so favored the Virgin Mother as to impart fruitfulness to her while preserving inviolate her perpetual virginity" ("St. Pius V Catechism," I, 4, 8). Paul VI reminds us of this truth of faith: "We believe that the Blessed Mary, who ever enjoys the dignity of virginity, was the Mother of the incarnate Word, of our God and Savior Jesus Christ" ("Creed of the People of God", 14).
Although many suggestions have been made as to what the name Mary means, most of the best scholars seem to agree that Mary means "lady". However, no single meaning fully conveys the richness of the name.
28. "Hail, full of grace": literally the Greek text reads "Rejoice!", obviously referring to the unique joy over the news which the angel is about to communicate.
"Full of grace": by this unusual form of greeting the archangel reveals Mary's special dignity and honor. The Fathers and Doctors of the Church "taught that this singular, solemn and unheard-of-greeting showed that all the divine graces reposed in the Mother of God and that she was adorned with all the gifts of the Holy Spirit", which meant that she "was never subject to the curse", that is, was preserved from all sin. These words of the archangel in this text constitute one of the sources which reveal the dogma of Mary's Immaculate Conception (cf. Pius IX, "Ineffabilis Deus"; Paul VI, "Creed of the People of God").
"The Lord is with you!": these words are not simply a greeting ("the Lord be with you") but an affirmation ("the Lord is with you"), and they are closely connected with the Incarnation. St. Augustine comments by putting these words on the archangel's lips: "He is more with you than He is with me: He is in your heart, He takes shape within you, He fills your soul, He is in your womb" ("Sermo De Nativitate Domini", 4).
Some important Greek manuscripts and early translations add at the end of the verse: "Blessed are you among women!", meaning that God will exalt Mary over all women. She is more excellent than Sarah, Hannah, Deborah, Rachel, Judith, etc., for only she has the supreme honor of being chosen to be the Mother of God.
29-30. Our Lady is troubled by the presence of the archangel and by the confusion truly humble people experience when they receive praise.
30. The Annunciation is the moment when our Lady is given to know the vocation which God planned for her from eternity. When the archangel sets her mind at ease by saying, "Do not be afraid, Mary," he is helping her to overcome that initial fear which a person normally experiences when God gives him or her a special calling. The fact that Mary felt this fear does not imply the least trace of imperfection in her: hers is a perfectly natural reaction in the face of the supernatural. Imperfection would arise if one did not overcome this fear or rejected the advice of those in a position to help--as St. Gabriel helped Mary.
31-33. The archangel Gabriel tells the Blessed Virgin Mary that she is to be the Mother of God by reminding her of the words of Isaiah which announced that the Messiah would be born of a virgin, a prophecy which will find its fulfillment in Mary (cf. Matthew 1:22-23; Isaiah 7:14).
He reveals that the Child will be "great": His greatness comes from His being God, a greatness He does not lose when He takes on the lowliness of human nature. He also reveals that Jesus will be the king of the Davidic dynasty sent by God in keeping with His promise of salvation; that His Kingdom will last forever, for His humanity will remain forever joined to His divinity; that "He will be called Son of the Most High", that is that He really will be the Son of the Most High and will be publicly recognized as such, that is, the Child will be the Son of God.
The archangel's announcement evokes the ancient prophecies which foretold these prerogatives. Mary, who was well-versed in Sacred Scripture, clearly realized that she was to be the Mother of God.
34-38. Commenting on this passage John Paul II said: "`Virgo fidelis', the faithful Virgin. What does this faithfulness of Mary mean? What are the dimensions of this faithfulness? The first dimension is called search. Mary was faithful first of all when she began, lovingly, to seek the deep sense of God's plan in her and for the world. `Quomodo fiet?' How shall this be?, she asked the Angel of the Annunciation [...]."
"The second dimension of faithfulness is called reception, acceptance. The `quomodo fiet?' is changed, on Mary's lips, to a `fiat': Let it be done, I am ready, I accept. This is the crucial moment of faithfulness, the moment in which man perceives that he will never completely understand the `how': that there are in God's plan more areas of mystery than of clarity; that is, however he may try, he will never succeed in understanding it completely[...]."
"The third dimension of faithfulness is consistency to live in accordance with what one believes; to adapt one's own life to the object of one's adherence. To accept misunderstanding, persecutions, rather than a break between what one practises and what one believes: this is consistency[...]."
"But all faithfulness must pass the most exacting test, that of duration. Therefore, the fourth dimension of faithfulness is constancy. It is easy to be consistent for a day or two. It is difficult and important to be consistent for one's whole life. It is easy to be consistent in the hour of enthusiasm, it is difficult to be so in the hour of tribulation. And only a consistency that lasts throughout the whole life can be called faithfulness. Mary's `fiat' in the Annunciation finds its fullness in the silent `fiat' that she repeats at the foot of the Cross" ("Homily in Mexico City Cathedral", 26 January 1979).
34. Mary believed in the archangel's words absolutely; she did not doubt as Zechariah had done (cf. 1:18). Her question, "How can this be?", expresses her readiness to obey the will of God even though at first sight it implied a contradiction: on the one hand, she was convinced that God wished her to remain a virgin; on the other, here was God also announcing that she would become a mother. The archangel announces God's mysterious design, and what had seemed impossible, according to the laws of nature, is explained by a unique intervention on the part of God.
Mary's resolution to remain a virgin was certainly something very unusual, not in line with the practice of righteous people under the Old Covenant, for, as St. Augustine explains, "particularly attentive to the propagation and growth of the people of God, through whom the Prince and Savior of the world might be prophesied and be born, the saints were obliged to make use of the good of matrimony" ("De Bono Matrimonii", 9, 9). However, in the Old Testament, there were some who, in keeping with God's plan, did remain celibate--for example, Jeremiah, Elijah, Eliseus and John the Baptist. The Blessed Virgin, who received a very special inspiration of the Holy Spirit to practise virginity, is a first-fruit of the New Testament, which will establish the excellence of virginity over marriage while not taking from the holiness of the married state, which it raises to the level of a sacrament (cf. "Gaudium Et Spes", 48).
35. The "shadow" is a symbol of the presence of God. When Israel was journeying through the wilderness, the glory of God filled the Tabernacle and a cloud covered the Ark of the Covenant (Exodus 40:34-36). And when God gave Moses the tablets of the Law, a cloud covered Mount Sinai (Exodus 24:15-16); and also, at the transfiguration of Jesus the voice of God the Father was heard coming out of a cloud (Luke 9:35).
At the moment of the Incarnation the power of God envelops our Lady--an expression of God's omnipotence. The Spirit of God--which, according to the account in Genesis (1:2), moved over the face of the waters, bringing things to life--now comes down on Mary. And the fruit of her womb will be the work of the Holy Spirit. The Virgin Mary, who herself was conceived without any stain of sin (cf. Pius IX, "Ineffabilis Deus") becomes, after the Incarnation, a new tabernacle of God. This is the mystery we recall every day when saying the Angelus.
38. Once she learns of God's plan, our Lady yields to God's will with prompt obedience, unreservedly. She realizes the disproportion between what she is going to become--the Mother of God--and what she is--a woman. However, this is what God wants to happen and for Him nothing is impossible; therefore no one should stand in His way. So Mary, combining humility and obedience, responds perfectly to God's call: "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be done according to your word."
"At the enchantment of this virginal phrase, the Word became flesh" ([St] J. Escriva, "Holy Rosary", first joyful mystery). From the pure body of Mary, God shaped a new body, He created a soul out of nothing, and the Son of God united Himself with this body and soul: prior to this He was only God; now He is still God but also man. Mary is now the Mother of God. This truth is a dogma of faith, first defined by the Council of Ephesus (431). At this point she also begins to be the spiritual Mother of all mankind. What Christ says when He is dying--`Behold, your son..., behold, your mother" (John 19:26-27)--simply promulgates what came about silently at Nazareth. "With her generous `fiat' (Mary) became, through the working of the Spirit, the Mother of God, but also the Mother of the living, and, by receiving into her womb the one Mediator, she became the true Ark of the Covenant and true Temple of God" (Paul VI, "Marialis Cultus", 6).
The Annunciation shows us the Blessed Virgin as perfect model of "purity" (the RSV "I have no husband" is a euphemism); of "humility" ("Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord"); of "candor" and "simplicity" ("How can this be?"); of "obedience" and "lively faith" ("Let it be done to me according to your word"). "Following her example of obedience to God, we can learn to serve delicately without being slavish. In Mary, we don't find the slightest trace of the attitude of the foolish virgins, who obey, but thoughtlessly. Our Lady listens attentively to what God wants, ponders what she doesn't fully understand and asks about what she doesn't know. Then she gives herself completely to doing the divine will: `Behold I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be done to me according to your word'. Isn't that marvellous? The Blessed Virgin, our teacher in all we do, shows us here that obedience to God is not servile, does not bypass our conscience. We should be inwardly moved to discover the `freedom of the children of God' (cf. Romans 8:21)" ([St] J. Escriva, "Christ Is Passing By", 173).
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Source: "The Navarre Bible: Text and Commentaries". Biblical text taken from the Revised Standard Version and New Vulgate. Commentaries made by members of the Faculty of Theology of the University of Navarre, Spain. Published by Four Courts Press, Kill Lane, Blackrock, Co. Dublin, Ireland. Reprinted with permission from Four Courts Press and Scepter Publishers, the U.S. publisher.
The Annunciation and Incarnation of the Son of God
[26] In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, [27] to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. [28] And he came to her and said, "Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you!" [29] But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and considered in her mind what sort of greeting this might be. [30] And the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. [31] And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call His name Jesus. [32] He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give to Him the throne of His father David, [33] and He will reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of His Kingdom there will be no end." [34] And Mary said to the angel, "How can this be, since I have no husband?" [35] And the angel said to her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God. [36] And behold, your kinswoman Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. [37] For with God nothing will be impossible." [38] And Mary said, "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be done to me according to your word." And the angel departed from her.
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Commentary:
26-38. Here we contemplate our Lady who was "enriched from the first instant of her conception with the splendor of an entirely unique holiness; [...] the virgin of Nazareth is hailed by the heralding angel, by divine command, as `full of grace' (cf. Luke 1:28), and to the heavenly messenger she replies, `Behold the handmaid of the Lord, be it done unto me according to thy word' (Luke 1:38). Thus the daughter of Adam, Mary, consenting to the word of God, became the Mother of Jesus. Committing herself wholeheartedly to God's saving will and impeded by no sin, she devoted herself totally, as a handmaid of the Lord, to the person and work of her Son, under and with Him, serving the mystery of Redemption, by the grace of Almighty God. Rightly, therefore, the Fathers (of the Church) see Mary not merely as passively engaged by God, but as freely cooperating in the work of man's salvation through faith and obedience" (Vatican II, "Lumen Gentium", 56).
The annunciation to Mary and incarnation of the Word constitute the deepest mystery of the relationship between God and men and the most important event in the history of mankind: God becomes man, and will remain so forever, such is the extent of His goodness and mercy and love for all of us. And yet on the day when the Second Person of the Blessed Trinity assumed frail human nature in the pure womb of the Blessed Virgin, it all happened quietly, without fanfare of any kind.
St. Luke tells the story in a very simple way. We should treasure these words of the Gospel and use them often, for example, practising the Christian custom of saying the Angelus every day and reflecting on the five Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary.
27. God chose to be born of a virgin; centuries earlier He disclosed this through the prophet Isaiah (cf. Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:22-23). God, "before all ages made choice of, and set in her proper place, a mother for His only-begotten Son from whom He, after being made flesh, should be born in the blessed fullness of time: and He continued His persevering regard for her in preference to all other creatures, to such a degree that for her alone He had singular regard" (Pius IX, "Ineffabilis Deus," 2). This privilege granted to our Lady of being a virgin and a mother at the same time is a unique gift of God. This was the work of the Holy Spirit "who at the conception and the birth of the Son so favored the Virgin Mother as to impart fruitfulness to her while preserving inviolate her perpetual virginity" ("St. Pius V Catechism," I, 4, 8). Paul VI reminds us of this truth of faith: "We believe that the Blessed Mary, who ever enjoys the dignity of virginity, was the Mother of the incarnate Word, of our God and Savior Jesus Christ" ("Creed of the People of God", 14).
Although many suggestions have been made as to what the name Mary means, most of the best scholars seem to agree that Mary means "lady". However, no single meaning fully conveys the richness of the name.
28. "Hail, full of grace": literally the Greek text reads "Rejoice!", obviously referring to the unique joy over the news which the angel is about to communicate.
"Full of grace": by this unusual form of greeting the archangel reveals Mary's special dignity and honor. The Fathers and Doctors of the Church "taught that this singular, solemn and unheard-of-greeting showed that all the divine graces reposed in the Mother of God and that she was adorned with all the gifts of the Holy Spirit", which meant that she "was never subject to the curse", that is, was preserved from all sin. These words of the archangel in this text constitute one of the sources which reveal the dogma of Mary's Immaculate Conception (cf. Pius IX, "Ineffabilis Deus"; Paul VI, "Creed of the People of God").
"The Lord is with you!": these words are not simply a greeting ("the Lord be with you") but an affirmation ("the Lord is with you"), and they are closely connected with the Incarnation. St. Augustine comments by putting these words on the archangel's lips: "He is more with you than He is with me: He is in your heart, He takes shape within you, He fills your soul, He is in your womb" ("Sermo De Nativitate Domini", 4).
Some important Greek manuscripts and early translations add at the end of the verse: "Blessed are you among women!", meaning that God will exalt Mary over all women. She is more excellent than Sarah, Hannah, Deborah, Rachel, Judith, etc., for only she has the supreme honor of being chosen to be the Mother of God.
29-30. Our Lady is troubled by the presence of the archangel and by the confusion truly humble people experience when they receive praise.
30. The Annunciation is the moment when our Lady is given to know the vocation which God planned for her from eternity. When the archangel sets her mind at ease by saying, "Do not be afraid, Mary," he is helping her to overcome that initial fear which a person normally experiences when God gives him or her a special calling. The fact that Mary felt this fear does not imply the least trace of imperfection in her: hers is a perfectly natural reaction in the face of the supernatural. Imperfection would arise if one did not overcome this fear or rejected the advice of those in a position to help--as St. Gabriel helped Mary.
31-33. The archangel Gabriel tells the Blessed Virgin Mary that she is to be the Mother of God by reminding her of the words of Isaiah which announced that the Messiah would be born of a virgin, a prophecy which will find its fulfillment in Mary (cf. Matthew 1:22-23; Isaiah 7:14).
He reveals that the Child will be "great": His greatness comes from His being God, a greatness He does not lose when He takes on the lowliness of human nature. He also reveals that Jesus will be the king of the Davidic dynasty sent by God in keeping with His promise of salvation; that His Kingdom will last forever, for His humanity will remain forever joined to His divinity; that "He will be called Son of the Most High", that is that He really will be the Son of the Most High and will be publicly recognized as such, that is, the Child will be the Son of God.
The archangel's announcement evokes the ancient prophecies which foretold these prerogatives. Mary, who was well-versed in Sacred Scripture, clearly realized that she was to be the Mother of God.
34-38. Commenting on this passage John Paul II said: "`Virgo fidelis', the faithful Virgin. What does this faithfulness of Mary mean? What are the dimensions of this faithfulness? The first dimension is called search. Mary was faithful first of all when she began, lovingly, to seek the deep sense of God's plan in her and for the world. `Quomodo fiet?' How shall this be?, she asked the Angel of the Annunciation [...]."
"The second dimension of faithfulness is called reception, acceptance. The `quomodo fiet?' is changed, on Mary's lips, to a `fiat': Let it be done, I am ready, I accept. This is the crucial moment of faithfulness, the moment in which man perceives that he will never completely understand the `how': that there are in God's plan more areas of mystery than of clarity; that is, however he may try, he will never succeed in understanding it completely[...]."
"The third dimension of faithfulness is consistency to live in accordance with what one believes; to adapt one's own life to the object of one's adherence. To accept misunderstanding, persecutions, rather than a break between what one practises and what one believes: this is consistency[...]."
"But all faithfulness must pass the most exacting test, that of duration. Therefore, the fourth dimension of faithfulness is constancy. It is easy to be consistent for a day or two. It is difficult and important to be consistent for one's whole life. It is easy to be consistent in the hour of enthusiasm, it is difficult to be so in the hour of tribulation. And only a consistency that lasts throughout the whole life can be called faithfulness. Mary's `fiat' in the Annunciation finds its fullness in the silent `fiat' that she repeats at the foot of the Cross" ("Homily in Mexico City Cathedral", 26 January 1979).
34. Mary believed in the archangel's words absolutely; she did not doubt as Zechariah had done (cf. 1:18). Her question, "How can this be?", expresses her readiness to obey the will of God even though at first sight it implied a contradiction: on the one hand, she was convinced that God wished her to remain a virgin; on the other, here was God also announcing that she would become a mother. The archangel announces God's mysterious design, and what had seemed impossible, according to the laws of nature, is explained by a unique intervention on the part of God.
Mary's resolution to remain a virgin was certainly something very unusual, not in line with the practice of righteous people under the Old Covenant, for, as St. Augustine explains, "particularly attentive to the propagation and growth of the people of God, through whom the Prince and Savior of the world might be prophesied and be born, the saints were obliged to make use of the good of matrimony" ("De Bono Matrimonii", 9, 9). However, in the Old Testament, there were some who, in keeping with God's plan, did remain celibate--for example, Jeremiah, Elijah, Eliseus and John the Baptist. The Blessed Virgin, who received a very special inspiration of the Holy Spirit to practise virginity, is a first-fruit of the New Testament, which will establish the excellence of virginity over marriage while not taking from the holiness of the married state, which it raises to the level of a sacrament (cf. "Gaudium Et Spes", 48).
35. The "shadow" is a symbol of the presence of God. When Israel was journeying through the wilderness, the glory of God filled the Tabernacle and a cloud covered the Ark of the Covenant (Exodus 40:34-36). And when God gave Moses the tablets of the Law, a cloud covered Mount Sinai (Exodus 24:15-16); and also, at the transfiguration of Jesus the voice of God the Father was heard coming out of a cloud (Luke 9:35).
At the moment of the Incarnation the power of God envelops our Lady--an expression of God's omnipotence. The Spirit of God--which, according to the account in Genesis (1:2), moved over the face of the waters, bringing things to life--now comes down on Mary. And the fruit of her womb will be the work of the Holy Spirit. The Virgin Mary, who herself was conceived without any stain of sin (cf. Pius IX, "Ineffabilis Deus") becomes, after the Incarnation, a new tabernacle of God. This is the mystery we recall every day when saying the Angelus.
38. Once she learns of God's plan, our Lady yields to God's will with prompt obedience, unreservedly. She realizes the disproportion between what she is going to become--the Mother of God--and what she is--a woman. However, this is what God wants to happen and for Him nothing is impossible; therefore no one should stand in His way. So Mary, combining humility and obedience, responds perfectly to God's call: "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be done according to your word."
"At the enchantment of this virginal phrase, the Word became flesh" ([St] J. Escriva, "Holy Rosary", first joyful mystery). From the pure body of Mary, God shaped a new body, He created a soul out of nothing, and the Son of God united Himself with this body and soul: prior to this He was only God; now He is still God but also man. Mary is now the Mother of God. This truth is a dogma of faith, first defined by the Council of Ephesus (431). At this point she also begins to be the spiritual Mother of all mankind. What Christ says when He is dying--`Behold, your son..., behold, your mother" (John 19:26-27)--simply promulgates what came about silently at Nazareth. "With her generous `fiat' (Mary) became, through the working of the Spirit, the Mother of God, but also the Mother of the living, and, by receiving into her womb the one Mediator, she became the true Ark of the Covenant and true Temple of God" (Paul VI, "Marialis Cultus", 6).
The Annunciation shows us the Blessed Virgin as perfect model of "purity" (the RSV "I have no husband" is a euphemism); of "humility" ("Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord"); of "candor" and "simplicity" ("How can this be?"); of "obedience" and "lively faith" ("Let it be done to me according to your word"). "Following her example of obedience to God, we can learn to serve delicately without being slavish. In Mary, we don't find the slightest trace of the attitude of the foolish virgins, who obey, but thoughtlessly. Our Lady listens attentively to what God wants, ponders what she doesn't fully understand and asks about what she doesn't know. Then she gives herself completely to doing the divine will: `Behold I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be done to me according to your word'. Isn't that marvellous? The Blessed Virgin, our teacher in all we do, shows us here that obedience to God is not servile, does not bypass our conscience. We should be inwardly moved to discover the `freedom of the children of God' (cf. Romans 8:21)" ([St] J. Escriva, "Christ Is Passing By", 173).
___________________________
Source: "The Navarre Bible: Text and Commentaries". Biblical text taken from the Revised Standard Version and New Vulgate. Commentaries made by members of the Faculty of Theology of the University of Navarre, Spain. Published by Four Courts Press, Kill Lane, Blackrock, Co. Dublin, Ireland. Reprinted with permission from Four Courts Press and Scepter Publishers, the U.S. publisher.
Principles and Practices - December 8
THOUGHTS ON PEACE
A lasting peace can only be made on the principles of justice and truth. And a war in the cause of justice is better than a peace patched up at the cost of principle. Peace is not the only thing worth having in life, either in one's own heart or in one's relations with one's own family, or with the world. Indeed, I doubt if anyone ever attained in his own heart that peace of God which passeth all understanding, till he had fought many a battle with himself and brought his rebellious nature under the dominion of conscience.
-Fr. Maturin.
_________________
From Principles and Practices
Compiled by Rev. J. Hogan of The Catholic Missionary Society
Published by Burns Oates & Washbourne Ltd., Publishers To The Holy See
Nihil Obstat; Eduardus J. Mahoney, S.T.D. Censor deputatus.
Imprimatur; Edm. Can. Surmont, Vicarius generalis.
First printed in 1930
A lasting peace can only be made on the principles of justice and truth. And a war in the cause of justice is better than a peace patched up at the cost of principle. Peace is not the only thing worth having in life, either in one's own heart or in one's relations with one's own family, or with the world. Indeed, I doubt if anyone ever attained in his own heart that peace of God which passeth all understanding, till he had fought many a battle with himself and brought his rebellious nature under the dominion of conscience.
-Fr. Maturin.
_________________
From Principles and Practices
Compiled by Rev. J. Hogan of The Catholic Missionary Society
Published by Burns Oates & Washbourne Ltd., Publishers To The Holy See
Nihil Obstat; Eduardus J. Mahoney, S.T.D. Censor deputatus.
Imprimatur; Edm. Can. Surmont, Vicarius generalis.
First printed in 1930
Thoughts of St Augustine for December 8
You say: "I am not long-suffering because I am temporal." But you have it in your power to be so; unite your heart with the eternity of God, and you shall be eternal with him.
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Click here for more information.
From Thoughts of St Augustine for Every Day
by Kathleen Mary Balfe (© 1926)
Nihil Obstat: Georgius D. Smith, S.T.D
Imprimatur: Edm. Can. Surmont
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From Thoughts of St Augustine for Every Day
by Kathleen Mary Balfe (© 1926)
Nihil Obstat: Georgius D. Smith, S.T.D
Imprimatur: Edm. Can. Surmont
Thoughts from St Alphonsus for Every Day-December 8
The Immaculate Conception of Mary
No man can choose his mother; but should such a thing ever be granted to anyone, who is there who, if able to choose a queen, would wish for a slave? Or, if able to choose a friend of God, would he wish for his enemy? If, then, the Son of God alone could choose a mother according to his own heart, we must consider, as a matter of course, that he chose one becoming a God. And as it was becoming that a most pure God should have a mother free from all sin, he created her spotless.
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From Thoughts from St Alphonsus for Every Day
Compiled by Rev. C. McNeiry, C.SS.R.
Imprimatur: Joseph Hull, C.SS.R., Prov. Angl. Sup.
Nihil Obstat: Innocentlus Apap, O.P., S.T.M., Censor Deptutatus.
Imprimatur: Edm. Can. Surmont, Vicarius Generalis.
Westmonasterii, Die 9a Junii, 1927.
First published 1927
No man can choose his mother; but should such a thing ever be granted to anyone, who is there who, if able to choose a queen, would wish for a slave? Or, if able to choose a friend of God, would he wish for his enemy? If, then, the Son of God alone could choose a mother according to his own heart, we must consider, as a matter of course, that he chose one becoming a God. And as it was becoming that a most pure God should have a mother free from all sin, he created her spotless.
_________________
From Thoughts from St Alphonsus for Every Day
Compiled by Rev. C. McNeiry, C.SS.R.
Imprimatur: Joseph Hull, C.SS.R., Prov. Angl. Sup.
Nihil Obstat: Innocentlus Apap, O.P., S.T.M., Censor Deptutatus.
Imprimatur: Edm. Can. Surmont, Vicarius Generalis.
Westmonasterii, Die 9a Junii, 1927.
First published 1927
December 8-The Immaculate Conception
"I will put enmities between thee and the woman, and thy seed and her seed: she will crush thy head, and thou shalt lie in wait for her heel." Genesis, 3:15.
In the early years of the seventeenth century the armies of Sweden threatened to overrun Austria. They won victory after victory. The Austrian Emperor, Ferdinand III, was desperate. In 1629 he decided to make a public appeal for the protection of the Blessed Virgin, toward whom he had a tender devotion.
He ordered the building of a giant column in the city square of Vienna. It was decorated with numerous emblems, all representing some phase of the Immaculate Conception. At each of the four corners of the foundation he directed that angels in armor be placed, treading the dragon under their feet, showing how our Spotless Mother won the victory over original sin and all sin. On the summit of the column stood a statue of the Mother of God, her foot on the head of the satanic serpent. At the base of the imposing pillar were carved the words:
The devout emperor marched in the procession, attended by his son Ferdinand IV, who was king of Bohemia and Hungary, by his daughter Marianna, who was queen of Spain, by representatives of many countries, by all the nobility, by religious communities and by the secular clergy. An immense crowd followed as the pious parade made its way to the foot of the column. There the emperor repeated aloud and with all the fervor of his soul the words inscribed in stone, the words inscribed in their hearts, the words consecrating and dedicating himself and his kingdom and his people to the Immaculate Mother of God.
How pleasing this dedication was to Mary is seen in the sudden and striking assistance she sent to those who honored her Immaculate Conception. Motherlike she hurried to help. A few days after this magnificent demonstration the emperor met the enemy at Eger, close to the invaders' camp. With one blow he stopped the oncoming Swedes and forced them to sign a complete and lasting treaty of peace. His empire was saved.
Austria, or any other nation, never had more invaders than America has today. True, we do have friends. But those who plot our downfall are so great and numerous, so secret and satanic, that every true American must awaken to threatening enemies from within and without. There is no cause for hysteria, but there is need to realize that certain forces, foreign to the spirit of America, are working to wreck our glorious nation.
There was, for instance, a godless government called the Soviet, which openly admitted its purpose to envelop us within its Iron Curtain. Agents of that Red regime were (are) working in all classes and professions and in many departments of our government, to bring about the overthrow of all that we Americans hold sacred.
How long it takes some people to wake up! For decades the Catholic Church has been warning the world about Atheistic Communism. Only when war was waged in helpless Korea did some eyes and minds open.
Knowingly and unknowingly thousands of so-called Americans are working against our government. Our schools are honeycombed with teachers who are against God, the very foundation of our nation.
Another group who profess to believe in God are openly and secretly working against God's Church, the Catholic Church, the most patriotic and powerful force for true Americanism in the land. In college classrooms, in church pulpits, in secret societies, in telephone, back-fence, club, and Internet gossip there is ceaseless sniping at the beliefs and practices of a spiritual organization which stands and fights for every basic principle of the United States.
In this army invading America we see the greedy capitalist and the merciless money-changer who give ground to the charge of capitalist cruelty. Thank God, not all managers and owners are lined up with them. And we see the Marxists and the socialists who wish to rob the working man and his family of the fruits of his hard work.
The invaders include racketeers and fomenters of violence, race hatred and bigotry, printers and peddlers of pornography and impurity, producers and patrons of immoral movies, sellers and buyers and users of artificial birth control, the abortion industry engaged in infanticide with its supporters in government and even, God forbid, in the Church.
We witness evil and insidious forces within government heaping burden upon burden on Americans all while wasting tax dollars on non-essential or questionable government programs. We see the attack coming from those who wish to pervert and destroy the morals of society with the push to legitimize the deadly sins of homosexuality, adultery, contraception, and other sexually perverse acts.
In that army we see Blanshards and Oxnams, so-called converted Catholics and Witnesses of Jehovah, all tearing away at the nation's foundations.
Who can stop such invaders? Who can save our soil from such traitors?
All the policemen in the world, including our FBI and our military can not repulse such attackers.
Like King Ferdinand and the people of Austria, we Americans will appeal to one who has been victorious before, one who has won the greatest victory of all time, the victory over sin.
On December 8 we publicly and lovingly dedicate ourselves again to the Immaculate Virgin and Mother. Ask her help in halting the enemies of the country which chose her as patroness under the title of the Immaculate Conception.
May Mary Immaculate, the victorious Virgin, win another victory for us.
Amen.
__________________
Adapted from Feasts of Our Lady
by Msgr. Arthur Tonne
In the early years of the seventeenth century the armies of Sweden threatened to overrun Austria. They won victory after victory. The Austrian Emperor, Ferdinand III, was desperate. In 1629 he decided to make a public appeal for the protection of the Blessed Virgin, toward whom he had a tender devotion.
He ordered the building of a giant column in the city square of Vienna. It was decorated with numerous emblems, all representing some phase of the Immaculate Conception. At each of the four corners of the foundation he directed that angels in armor be placed, treading the dragon under their feet, showing how our Spotless Mother won the victory over original sin and all sin. On the summit of the column stood a statue of the Mother of God, her foot on the head of the satanic serpent. At the base of the imposing pillar were carved the words:
"TO THE MOST HIGH AND GOOD GOD, LORD OF HEAVEN AND EARTH, FROM WHOM KINGS HOLD THEIR THRONES.Never in the history of the land was there a more solemn celebration than that which marked the dedication of this splendid shaft. It gave triumphant testimony to their love of the Immaculate Conception of Mary.
"TO THE VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOD, CONCEIVED WITHOUT STAIN OF ORIGINAL SIN, BY WHOM PRINCES COMMAND, WHO HAS THIS DAY BEEN CHOSEN BY PARTICULAR DEVOTION AS PATRONESS OF AUSTRIA, THE EMPEROR FERDINAND III ENTRUSTS AND CONSECRATES ALL HIS POSSESSIONS, HIS PERSON, HIS CHILDREN, HIS PEOPLE, HIS ARMIES, HIS DOMAINS; AND IN PERPETUAL MEMORY OF THIS, HIS DEVOTION, HE HAS ERECTED THIS STATUE."
The devout emperor marched in the procession, attended by his son Ferdinand IV, who was king of Bohemia and Hungary, by his daughter Marianna, who was queen of Spain, by representatives of many countries, by all the nobility, by religious communities and by the secular clergy. An immense crowd followed as the pious parade made its way to the foot of the column. There the emperor repeated aloud and with all the fervor of his soul the words inscribed in stone, the words inscribed in their hearts, the words consecrating and dedicating himself and his kingdom and his people to the Immaculate Mother of God.
How pleasing this dedication was to Mary is seen in the sudden and striking assistance she sent to those who honored her Immaculate Conception. Motherlike she hurried to help. A few days after this magnificent demonstration the emperor met the enemy at Eger, close to the invaders' camp. With one blow he stopped the oncoming Swedes and forced them to sign a complete and lasting treaty of peace. His empire was saved.
Austria, or any other nation, never had more invaders than America has today. True, we do have friends. But those who plot our downfall are so great and numerous, so secret and satanic, that every true American must awaken to threatening enemies from within and without. There is no cause for hysteria, but there is need to realize that certain forces, foreign to the spirit of America, are working to wreck our glorious nation.
There was, for instance, a godless government called the Soviet, which openly admitted its purpose to envelop us within its Iron Curtain. Agents of that Red regime were (are) working in all classes and professions and in many departments of our government, to bring about the overthrow of all that we Americans hold sacred.
How long it takes some people to wake up! For decades the Catholic Church has been warning the world about Atheistic Communism. Only when war was waged in helpless Korea did some eyes and minds open.
Knowingly and unknowingly thousands of so-called Americans are working against our government. Our schools are honeycombed with teachers who are against God, the very foundation of our nation.
Another group who profess to believe in God are openly and secretly working against God's Church, the Catholic Church, the most patriotic and powerful force for true Americanism in the land. In college classrooms, in church pulpits, in secret societies, in telephone, back-fence, club, and Internet gossip there is ceaseless sniping at the beliefs and practices of a spiritual organization which stands and fights for every basic principle of the United States.
In this army invading America we see the greedy capitalist and the merciless money-changer who give ground to the charge of capitalist cruelty. Thank God, not all managers and owners are lined up with them. And we see the Marxists and the socialists who wish to rob the working man and his family of the fruits of his hard work.
The invaders include racketeers and fomenters of violence, race hatred and bigotry, printers and peddlers of pornography and impurity, producers and patrons of immoral movies, sellers and buyers and users of artificial birth control, the abortion industry engaged in infanticide with its supporters in government and even, God forbid, in the Church.
We witness evil and insidious forces within government heaping burden upon burden on Americans all while wasting tax dollars on non-essential or questionable government programs. We see the attack coming from those who wish to pervert and destroy the morals of society with the push to legitimize the deadly sins of homosexuality, adultery, contraception, and other sexually perverse acts.
In that army we see Blanshards and Oxnams, so-called converted Catholics and Witnesses of Jehovah, all tearing away at the nation's foundations.
Who can stop such invaders? Who can save our soil from such traitors?
All the policemen in the world, including our FBI and our military can not repulse such attackers.
Like King Ferdinand and the people of Austria, we Americans will appeal to one who has been victorious before, one who has won the greatest victory of all time, the victory over sin.
On December 8 we publicly and lovingly dedicate ourselves again to the Immaculate Virgin and Mother. Ask her help in halting the enemies of the country which chose her as patroness under the title of the Immaculate Conception.
May Mary Immaculate, the victorious Virgin, win another victory for us.
Amen.
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Adapted from Feasts of Our Lady
by Msgr. Arthur Tonne
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