1st Reading
From: Jonah 3:1-5, 10
Jonah Preaches Repentance in Nineveh
[1] Then the word of the LORD came to Jonah the second time, saying, [2] ”Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and proclaim to it the message that I tell you.” [3] So Jonah arose and went to Nineveh, according to the word of the LORD. Now Nineveh was an exceedingly great city, three days’ journey in breadth. [4] Jonah began to go into the city, going a day’s journey. And he cried, “Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown!”
The People of Nineveh Do Penance
[5] And the people of Nineveh believed God; they proclaimed a fast and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them to the least of them.
[10] When God saw what they did, how they turned from their evil way, God repented of the evil which he had said he would do to them; and he did not do it.
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Commentary:
3:1-4:11 The second part of the book has a similar structure to the first--God and Jonah (3:1-3; cf. 1:1-3); Jonah and Gentiles (3:4-10; cf. 1:4-16); Jonah and God (4:1-11; cf. 1:17-2:10). However, the reader is now psychologically prepared for what will happen: Jonah’s preaching will produce the desired result and the Ninevites will be converted. So, the story is geared to the last chapter which poses and solves the question that chapter 3 provokes. The episode described in this second part is therefore a practical illustration of the scope of God’s mercy. It was used as such in the debate with the Gnostics who argued that there was a difference between the good God (the God revealed in the New Testament) and the God revealed in the Old Testament: “See how the stress is laid on the greatest name and quality of God, his Mercy; that is, God is patient with evildoers, and rich in mercy and compassion for those who recognize their faults and repent them, as the Ninevites did. If such a Being as he is so good, you [...] have to admit that he can do no evil for, as Marcion himself once said, a good tree cannot bear bad fruit (Tertullian, "Adversus Marcionem", 2, 24).
3:1-4. God renews his command to Jonah. And this time Jonah obeys. Maybe the vows he promised to fulfill in 2:9 had to do with this--going to preach in Nineveh. Anyway, the success of his mission is assured, because it depends not on Jonah but on the Lord: it would take three days to cross Nineveh (v. 3), but he has only gone one day in his journey and the people convert (cf. 3:5).
3:5-10. The account of the conversion of the Ninevites looks like a straight copy from other biblical passages, particularly from the prophet Jeremiah: Jeremiah is the “prophet to the nations” (Jer 1:5), and Jonah is sent to the archetypal Gentile city. There are many little things in this passage that are reminiscent of Jeremiah: in the book of Jeremiah, Jerusalem is called the “great city”, which is what Nineveh is called here (1:2; 3:2; cf. Jer 22:8-9), and both books have similar turns of phrase such as “let every one turn from his evil way”, “man and beast”, “from the greatest to the least” (3:5, 8; cf. Jer 6:13; 8:10; 36:3,7), etc. This passage is particularly reminiscent of the call for a fast made by Jeremiah in the time of King Jehoiakim; in Jeremiah 36 we are told how the prophet warned of misfortunes to come and proclaimed a fast for conversion (Jer 36:9), but the king refused to listen. Jonah, too, announces the destruction of Nineveh, but it is the Ninevites themselves who proclaim a general fast, as if God were speaking through them. Their own king establishes what the fast will involve, and he issues a decree that sounds just like something a prophet would have said (vv. 7-9; cf. Joel 2:12-14). Furthermore, the king of the Ninevites seems to be quite familiar with biblical teaching, for he is well aware (cf. Jer 36:3, 9) that displays of penance will not automatically stay God’s hand; the king has a genuine change of heart and is ready to submit to God (v. 9), and when God sees that these people are ready to mend their ways he revokes his decision to punish them (v. 10) The episode bears out Jeremiah's teaching about repentance (cf. Jer 18 7-8).
The difference between the Ninevites and the Israelites can be seen in the use that Jesus makes of this passage when he compares his Jewish contemporaries with their ancestors: “The men of Nineveh will arise at the judgment with this generation and condemn it for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and behold something greater than Jonah is here” (Mt 12:41). It is not surprising, then, that in Christian tradition, the Ninevites are referred to as a model of repentance ‘Let us cast our minds backover the history of men, and see how theLord, in one generation after another, granted a time of penance to those who desired to be converted to him. Noah preached salvation, and those who listened to him were saved. Jonah told the Ninevites that their city would be destroyed and they repented of their sins and asked God for forgiveness and were saved by the power of their pleading, even though they were not part of the chosen people” (St Clement of Rome, "Ad Corinthios", 7, 5-7). And another text by a great Father of the Eastern Church says: “Do not dwell on how little time you have, but on the love of the Master. The inhabitants of Nineveh cooled God’s wrath in three days. They did not despair at how little time was left to them; their troubled souls won over the goodness of the Master, and he brought about their salvation” (St John Chrysostom, "De Incomprehensibile Dei Natura", 6).
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2nd Reading
From: 1 Corinthians 7:29-31
The Excellence of Virginity
[29] I mean, brethren, the appointed time has grown very short; from now on, let those who have wives live as though they had none, [30] and those who mourn as though they were not mourning, and those who rejoice as though they were not rejoicing, and those who buy as though they had no goods, [31] and those who deal with the world as though they had no dealings with it. For the form of this world is passing away.
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Commentary:
25-35. The Apostle now explains the excellence of virginity or celibacy (vv. 26ff) for love of God as compared with marriage. The Magisterium of the Church has explicitly spoken on the same lines (cf. Council of Trent, "De Sacrum Matrimonio", can. 10; Pius XII, "Sacra Virginitas", 11).
He begins by saying that he has no commandment from the Lord on thismatter (cf. note on 7:12-16; Mt 19-12) but he for his part recommends celibacy, and his advice carries weight because he is an Apostle chosen by the Lord in his mercy. The reasons why he makes this recommendation reduce to one, basically--the love of God: the unmarried person can dedicate himself or herself to God more fully than a married person can, who has to look after the family and is "divided" (v. 34). "This is the main purpose and primary reason for Christian virginity--to dedicate oneself exclusively to divine things, giving them all one's attention and love, thinking of Him constantly and consecrating oneself to Him completely, body and soul" (Pius XII, "Sacra Virginitas", 5). This exclusive dedication to God will lead to a full and productive life because it enables a person to love others and devote himself or herself to them with great freedom and availability. Also, celibacy has an eschatological dimension: it is a special sign of heavenly delights (cf. Vatican II, "Perfectae Caritatis", 12), and points to the fact that the blessed in heaven live as angels (cf. Mt 22:30).
St Paul's references to marriage should be understood in the context in which he is writing (cf. note on 7:1-9). All he wants to make clear here is that, although celibacy is a higher state, marriage is not something bad: those who marry are not doing anything wrong (v. 28), nor is there any need for married people to live as celibates (vv. 3-5) or to separate (v. 27). However, only someone who acknowledges the great value that marriage has is in a position to appreciate celibacy as a gift of God. "Virginity or celibacy for the sake of the Kingdom of God not only does not contradict the dignity of marriage but presupposes it and confirms it. Marriage and virginity or celibacy are two ways of expressing and living the one mystery of the covenant of God with his people. When marriage is not esteemed, neither can consecrated virginity or celibacy exist; when human sexuality is not regarded as a great value given by the Creator, the renunciation of it for the sake of the Kingdom of heaven loses its meaning" (John Paul II,"Familiaris Consortio", 16)
29-31. In their letters, St Paul and the other Apostles frequently remind us that life is short (cf. Rom 13:11-14; 2 Pet 3:8; 1 Jn 2:15-17), in order to encourage us to make the very best use of our time to serve God, and others for his sake. "When I reflect on this, how well Iunderstand St Paul's exclamation when he writes to the Corinthians, "tempus breve est" (1 Cor 7:29). How short indeed is the time of our passing through this world! For the true Christian these words ring deep down in his heart as a reproach to his lack of generosity, and as a constant invitation to be loyal. Brief indeed is our time for loving, for giving, for making atonement. It would be very wrong, therefore, for us to waste it, or to cast this treasure irresponsibly overboard. We must not squander this period of the world's history which God has entrusted to each one of us" ([St] J. Escriva, "Friends of God", 39).
A Christian, therefore, should always be detached from worldly things, and never let himself become the slave of anything or anyone (cf. 1 Cor 7:23; "Lumen Gentium", 42) but, instead, always have his sights on eternal life. "It is a great help towards this", St Teresa of Avila teaches, "if we keep a very constant care of the vanity of all things, and the rapidity with which they pass away, so that we may withdraw ouraffections from everything and fix them on what will last forever. This may seem to be a poor kind of help but it will have the effect of greatly fortifying the soul. With regard to little things, we must be very careful, as soon as we begin to be fond of them, to think no more about them and to turn our thoughts to God. His majesty will help us to do this" ("Way of Perfection", chap. X).
==============================================
Gospel
From: Mark 1:14-20
Jesus Begins to Preach and Calls His First Disciples
[14] Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, preachingthe gospel of God, and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdomof God is at hand; repent, and believe in the Gospel."
[16] And passing along by the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrewthe brother of Simon casting a net in the sea; for they were fishermen.[17] And Jesus said to them, "Follow me and I will make you becomefishers of men." [18] And immediately they left their nets and followedhim. [19] And going on a little farther, he saw James the son ofZebedee and John his brother, who were in their boat mending the nets.[20] And immediately he called them; and they left their father Zebedeein the boat with the hired servants, and followed him.
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Commentary:
14-15. "The gospel of God": this _expression is found in St Paul (Rom1:1; 2 Cor 11:7; etc.) where it means the same as "the gospel of JesusChrist" (2 Thess 1:8; etc.), thereby implying the divinity of JesusChrist. The imminence of the Kingdom requires a genuine conversion ofman to God (Mt 4:17; Mk 6: 12; etc.). The prophets had already spokenof the need for conversion and for Israel to abandon its evil ways (Jer3:22; Is 30:15; Hos 14:2; etc.).
Both John the Baptist and Jesus and his Apostles insist on the need forconversion, the need to change one's attitude and conduct as aprerequisite for receiving the Kingdom of God. John Paul II underlinesthe importance of conversion for entry into the Kingdom of God:"Therefore, the Church professes and proclaims conversion. Conversionto God always consists in discovering his mercy, that is, indiscovering that love which is patient and kind (cf. 1 Cor 13:4) asonly the Creator and Father can be; the love to which the 'God andFather of our Lord Jesus Christ' (2 Cor 1:3) is faithful to theuttermost consequences in the history of his covenant with man: even tothe Cross and to the death and resurrection of the Son. Conversion toGod is always the fruit of the 'rediscovery' of this Father, who isrich in mercy.
"Authentic knowledge of the God of mercy, the God of tender love, is aconstant and inexhaustible source of conversion, not only as amomentary interior act but also as a permanent attitude, as a state ofmind. Those who come to know God in this way, who 'see' him in thisway, can live only in a state of being continually converted to him.They live, therefore, "in statu conversionis" and it is this state ofconversion which marks out the most profound element of the pilgrimageof every man and woman on earth "in statu viatoris" (John Paul II,"Dives In Misericordia", 13).
16-20. In these verses the evangelist describes how Jesus called someof those who would later form part of the Apostolic College (3:16ff).From the start of his public ministry in Galilee the Messiah seeksco-workers to help him in his mission as Savior and Redeemer. He looksfor them among people used to hard work, people for whom life is astruggle and whose life-style is plain. In human terms they areobviously at a disadvantage vis-a-vis many of those to whom they willpreach; but this in no way prevents their self-surrender from beinggenerous and free. The light lit in their hearts was enough to leadthem to give up everything. A simple invitation to follow the Masterwas enough for them to put themselves completely at his disposal.
It is Jesus who chooses them: he interfered in the lives of theApostles just as he interferes in ours, without seeking our permission:he is our Lord. Cf. note on Mt 4:18-22.
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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, January 24, 2009
Principles and Practices - January 25
Speak and Then Listen
Even though a person has lived very far from God he must not be afraid to approach Him with the familiarity of love. Speak to Him in your prayers about your difficulties, needs, and troubles, and even about the distaste you have to His service. You cannot speak to Him too freely or confidently. He loves the simple and childlike of heart; it is with them that He converses. If you are one of these put aside all ideas of intellectual or elevated thought. Open your heart to Him and tell Him everything. When you have spoken to Him listen to Him for a while.
-Fenelon.
_________________
From Principles and Practices
Compiled by Rev. J. Hogan of The Catholic Missionary Society
Published by Burns Oates & Washbourne Ltd., Publishers To The Holy See
Nihil Obstat; Eduardus J. Mahoney, S.T.D. Censor deputatus.
Imprimatur; Edm. Can. Surmont, Vicarius generalis.
First printed in 1930
Even though a person has lived very far from God he must not be afraid to approach Him with the familiarity of love. Speak to Him in your prayers about your difficulties, needs, and troubles, and even about the distaste you have to His service. You cannot speak to Him too freely or confidently. He loves the simple and childlike of heart; it is with them that He converses. If you are one of these put aside all ideas of intellectual or elevated thought. Open your heart to Him and tell Him everything. When you have spoken to Him listen to Him for a while.
-Fenelon.
_________________
From Principles and Practices
Compiled by Rev. J. Hogan of The Catholic Missionary Society
Published by Burns Oates & Washbourne Ltd., Publishers To The Holy See
Nihil Obstat; Eduardus J. Mahoney, S.T.D. Censor deputatus.
Imprimatur; Edm. Can. Surmont, Vicarius generalis.
First printed in 1930
Thoughts of St Augustine for January 25
WE need not fear that there is no place for us to return to because we fell headlong from it; for whatsoever become of us, that house of ours, which is thine eternity, will stand fast for ever.
_________________________
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-January 25
WHY did Mary, who had so earnestly desired the birth of her Son, and who loved him so much, allow him to lie and suffer on the hard bed of straw, instead of keeping him in her arms? The most pleasing explanation to me is that of St Peter Damian: Jesus wished as soon as he was born to be placed on straw in order to teach us the mortification of our senses.
_________________
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
Vatican decree lifts excommunication of SSPX bishops
Vatican, Jan. 24, 2009 (CWNews.com) - Pope Benedict XVI (bio - news) has lifted the excommunications of the bishops who lead the traditionalist Society of St. Pius X (SSPX).
In a decree dated January 21, and released to the public on January 24, Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re (bio - news), the prefect of the Congregation for Bishops, announces that the excommunications imposed on July 1, 1988-- after the four bishops were ordained by the late Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre in defiance of Vatican orders-- are no longer in effect....
Friday, January 23, 2009
Principles and Practices - January 24
The Only Way
Let intellectual culture continue to advance, let the natural sciences continue to grow in breadth and depth, and the human mind expand as much as it may, it will never go beyond the elevation and the moral culture of Christlanity as it shines resplendent in the Gospels.
-Goethe.
_________________
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
Let intellectual culture continue to advance, let the natural sciences continue to grow in breadth and depth, and the human mind expand as much as it may, it will never go beyond the elevation and the moral culture of Christlanity as it shines resplendent in the Gospels.
-Goethe.
_________________
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 January 24
WHEN thou art our strength, we have strength indeed; but when we rely upon ourselves, our strength is nothing but weakness.
_________________________
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-January 24
IF you were to lose a sum of money, all would not be lost; and though in losing it you lost your entire property, you would still hope to recover it. But if at death you lose your soul, then you will truly have lost all, and can never hope to regain it.
_________________
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
Gospel for Jan 24, Memorial: St Francis de Sales, Bishop and Doctor
Saturday, 2nd Week in Ordinary Time
Optional memorial of Our Lady of Peace
Old Calendar: St. Timothy, bishop and martyr
From: Mark 3:20-21
His Relatives Are Concerned About Jesus
Then He (Jesus) went home; [20] and the crowd came together again, so that they could not even eat. [21] And when His friends heard it, they went out to seize Him, for they said, "He is beside Himself."
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Commentary:
20-21. Some of His relatives, whose outlook was too human, regarded Jesus' total commitment to apostolate as excessive: the only explanation, they thought, was that He was out of His mind. On reading these words of the Gospel, we cannot help being moved, realizing what Jesus did for love of us: people even thought Him mad. Many saints, following Christ's example, have been taken for madmen--but they were mad with love, mad with love for Jesus Christ.
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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.
Optional memorial of Our Lady of Peace
Old Calendar: St. Timothy, bishop and martyr
From: Mark 3:20-21
His Relatives Are Concerned About Jesus
Then He (Jesus) went home; [20] and the crowd came together again, so that they could not even eat. [21] And when His friends heard it, they went out to seize Him, for they said, "He is beside Himself."
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Commentary:
20-21. Some of His relatives, whose outlook was too human, regarded Jesus' total commitment to apostolate as excessive: the only explanation, they thought, was that He was out of His mind. On reading these words of the Gospel, we cannot help being moved, realizing what Jesus did for love of us: people even thought Him mad. Many saints, following Christ's example, have been taken for madmen--but they were mad with love, mad with love for Jesus 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.
News Updates, 1/23
White House promoting 'anti-Christian' policies?
A leading conservative activist says Pres__ent B. Hussein Obama has already signaled, during his first [illegitmate] days in office, that his administration will be the most "extreme, left-wing, and discriminatory" in American history.
Demonic Obama to lift ban on U.S.-funded abortions abroad
Pres__ent Barry Soetoro will sign an executive order today reversing the Mexico City Policy instituted by President Ronald Reagan in 1984....
Obama reaffirms woman's right to abortion
Says country is 'united' on need to kill unwanted kids
[What about "unwanted politicians"???]
Obama throngs replaced by pro-life marchers
Tens of thousands of demonstrators rally in DC
Catholics abandon the unborn in 44th presidency
Obama administration filled with pro-abort zealots
Pope to lift excommunications of SSPX bishops
Benedict XVI attempts to heal a 20-year schism
SSPX bishop denies Jewish holocaust
Williamson: 'There were no gas chambers'
SSPX called 'racist' by Church of Sweden
'It's obvious that this is an extreme right-wing group'
World issues dominate Vatican hopes for Obama
Downplaying differences on moral questions like abortion
Catholic priest admits stealing $370,000
Bilked parishioners to fund trips to Las Vegas
More Christians die in Eritrea detention camp
Gov't has carried out brutal crackdown on all churches
Bishops applaud Obama's anti-torture order
We had pressed for this step to protect human dignity
[Idiotic morons don't even know which end is up]
A leading conservative activist says Pres__ent B. Hussein Obama has already signaled, during his first [illegitmate] days in office, that his administration will be the most "extreme, left-wing, and discriminatory" in American history.
Demonic Obama to lift ban on U.S.-funded abortions abroad
Pres__ent Barry Soetoro will sign an executive order today reversing the Mexico City Policy instituted by President Ronald Reagan in 1984....
Obama reaffirms woman's right to abortion
Says country is 'united' on need to kill unwanted kids
[What about "unwanted politicians"???]
Obama throngs replaced by pro-life marchers
Tens of thousands of demonstrators rally in DC
Catholics abandon the unborn in 44th presidency
Obama administration filled with pro-abort zealots
Pope to lift excommunications of SSPX bishops
Benedict XVI attempts to heal a 20-year schism
SSPX bishop denies Jewish holocaust
Williamson: 'There were no gas chambers'
SSPX called 'racist' by Church of Sweden
'It's obvious that this is an extreme right-wing group'
World issues dominate Vatican hopes for Obama
Downplaying differences on moral questions like abortion
Catholic priest admits stealing $370,000
Bilked parishioners to fund trips to Las Vegas
More Christians die in Eritrea detention camp
Gov't has carried out brutal crackdown on all churches
Bishops applaud Obama's anti-torture order
We had pressed for this step to protect human dignity
[Idiotic morons don't even know which end is up]
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Gospel for Friday, 2nd Week in Ordinary Time
Old Calendar: St. Raymund of Penafort, confessor; St. Emerentiana, virgin and martyr
From: Mark 3:13-19
Jesus Chooses Twelve Apostles
[13] And He (Jesus) went up into the hills, and called to Him those whom He desired; and they came to Him. [14] And He appointed twelve, to be with Him, and to be sent out to preach [15] and have authority to cast out demons; [16] Simon whom He surnamed Peter; [17] James the son of Zebedee and John the brother of James, whom He surnamed Boanerges, that is, sons of thunder; [18] Andrew, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus, and Simon the Cananaean, [19] and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed Him.
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Commentary:
13. "He called to Him those whom He desired": God wants to show us that calling, vocation, is an initiative of God. This is particularly true in the case of the Apostles, which is why Jesus could tell them, later on, that "you did not choose Me, but I chose you" (Jn 15:16). Those who will have power and authority in the Church will not obtain this because first they offer their services and then Jesus accepts their offering: on the contrary, "not through their own initiative and preparation, but rather by virtue of divine grace, would they be called to the apostolate" (St. Bede, "In Marci Evangelium Expositio, in loc.").
14-19. The Twelve chosen by Jesus (cf. 3:14) receive a specific vocation to be "people sent out", which is what the word "apostles" means. Jesus chooses them for a mission which He will give them later (6:6-13) and to enable them to perform this mission He gives them part of His power. The fact that He chooses "twelve" is very significant. This is the same number as the twelve Patriarchs of Israel, and the Apostles represent the new people of God, the Church founded by
Christ. Jesus sought in this way to emphasize the continuity that exists between the Old and New Testaments. The Twelve are the pillars on which Christ builds His Church (cf. Gal 2:9); their mission to make disciples of the Lord (to teach) all nations, sanctifying and governing the believers (Mt 28:16-20; Mk 16:15; Lk 24:45-48; Jn 20:21-23).
14. The Second Vatican Council sees in this text the establishment of the College of the Apostles: "The Lord Jesus, having prayed at length to the Father, called to Himself those whom He willed and appointed twelve to be with Him, whom He might send to preach the Kingdom of God (cf. Mk 3:13-19; Mt 10:1-42). These apostles (cf. Lk 6:13) He constituted in the form of a college or permanent assembly, at the head of which He placed Peter, chosen from amongst them" (cf. Jn 21: 15-17) [...]. "That divine mission, which was committed by Christ to the apostles, is destined to last until the end of the world (cf. Mt 28:20), since the Gospel, which they were charged to hand on, is, for the Church, the principle of all its life for all time. For that very reason the apostles were careful to appoint successors in their hierarchically constituted society." ("Lumen Gentium", 19-20). Therefore, the Pope and the bishops, who succeed to the College of the Twelve, are also called by our Lord to be always with Jesus and to preach the Gospel, aided by priests.
Life in union with Christ and apostolic zeal must be very closely linked together; in other words, effectiveness in apostolate always depends on union with our Lord, on continuous prayer and on sacramental life: "Apostolic zeal is a divine craziness I want you to have. Its symptoms are: hunger to know the Master; constant concern for souls; perseverance that nothing can shake" (St J. Escriva, "The Way", 934).
16. At this point, before the word "Simon" the sentence "He formed the group of the twelve" occurs in many manuscripts (it is similar to the phrase "He appointed twelve" in v. 14) but it is not included in the New Vulgate. The repetition of the same _expression and the article in "the twelve" show the importance of the establishment of the Apostolic College.
___________________________
Source: "The Navarre Bible: Text and Commentaries". Biblical text taken from the Revised Standard Version and New Vulgate. Commentaries made by members of the Faculty of Theology of the University of Navarre, Spain. Published by Four Courts Press, Kill Lane, Blackrock, Co. Dublin, Ireland. Reprinted with permission from Four Courts Press and Scepter Publishers, the U.S. publisher.
From: Mark 3:13-19
Jesus Chooses Twelve Apostles
[13] And He (Jesus) went up into the hills, and called to Him those whom He desired; and they came to Him. [14] And He appointed twelve, to be with Him, and to be sent out to preach [15] and have authority to cast out demons; [16] Simon whom He surnamed Peter; [17] James the son of Zebedee and John the brother of James, whom He surnamed Boanerges, that is, sons of thunder; [18] Andrew, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus, and Simon the Cananaean, [19] and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed Him.
________________________
Commentary:
13. "He called to Him those whom He desired": God wants to show us that calling, vocation, is an initiative of God. This is particularly true in the case of the Apostles, which is why Jesus could tell them, later on, that "you did not choose Me, but I chose you" (Jn 15:16). Those who will have power and authority in the Church will not obtain this because first they offer their services and then Jesus accepts their offering: on the contrary, "not through their own initiative and preparation, but rather by virtue of divine grace, would they be called to the apostolate" (St. Bede, "In Marci Evangelium Expositio, in loc.").
14-19. The Twelve chosen by Jesus (cf. 3:14) receive a specific vocation to be "people sent out", which is what the word "apostles" means. Jesus chooses them for a mission which He will give them later (6:6-13) and to enable them to perform this mission He gives them part of His power. The fact that He chooses "twelve" is very significant. This is the same number as the twelve Patriarchs of Israel, and the Apostles represent the new people of God, the Church founded by
Christ. Jesus sought in this way to emphasize the continuity that exists between the Old and New Testaments. The Twelve are the pillars on which Christ builds His Church (cf. Gal 2:9); their mission to make disciples of the Lord (to teach) all nations, sanctifying and governing the believers (Mt 28:16-20; Mk 16:15; Lk 24:45-48; Jn 20:21-23).
14. The Second Vatican Council sees in this text the establishment of the College of the Apostles: "The Lord Jesus, having prayed at length to the Father, called to Himself those whom He willed and appointed twelve to be with Him, whom He might send to preach the Kingdom of God (cf. Mk 3:13-19; Mt 10:1-42). These apostles (cf. Lk 6:13) He constituted in the form of a college or permanent assembly, at the head of which He placed Peter, chosen from amongst them" (cf. Jn 21: 15-17) [...]. "That divine mission, which was committed by Christ to the apostles, is destined to last until the end of the world (cf. Mt 28:20), since the Gospel, which they were charged to hand on, is, for the Church, the principle of all its life for all time. For that very reason the apostles were careful to appoint successors in their hierarchically constituted society." ("Lumen Gentium", 19-20). Therefore, the Pope and the bishops, who succeed to the College of the Twelve, are also called by our Lord to be always with Jesus and to preach the Gospel, aided by priests.
Life in union with Christ and apostolic zeal must be very closely linked together; in other words, effectiveness in apostolate always depends on union with our Lord, on continuous prayer and on sacramental life: "Apostolic zeal is a divine craziness I want you to have. Its symptoms are: hunger to know the Master; constant concern for souls; perseverance that nothing can shake" (St J. Escriva, "The Way", 934).
16. At this point, before the word "Simon" the sentence "He formed the group of the twelve" occurs in many manuscripts (it is similar to the phrase "He appointed twelve" in v. 14) but it is not included in the New Vulgate. The repetition of the same _expression and the article in "the twelve" show the importance of the establishment of the Apostolic College.
___________________________
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 - January 23
We Must Start With God
The worship of man's spirit - of his mind and will - is of first and paramount importance. Without this, outward religion is empty ana vain. Only, therefore, where there is a true notion of God can there be true worship.
As regards his notion of God, man is not morally free. He may not accept any notion of God except the true one.
He may not fashion a God out of his own wishes and fancy, nor thus make a God of his own - as, alas! too many do nowadays.
God is not made either out of wood or stone or out of mere notions that enter a man's mind. God is a self-existing fact. To this fact man must conform all his ideas and notions of God.
-Brosman.
_________________
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 worship of man's spirit - of his mind and will - is of first and paramount importance. Without this, outward religion is empty ana vain. Only, therefore, where there is a true notion of God can there be true worship.
As regards his notion of God, man is not morally free. He may not accept any notion of God except the true one.
He may not fashion a God out of his own wishes and fancy, nor thus make a God of his own - as, alas! too many do nowadays.
God is not made either out of wood or stone or out of mere notions that enter a man's mind. God is a self-existing fact. To this fact man must conform all his ideas and notions of God.
-Brosman.
_________________
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 January 23
O LORD our God, our hope is in the covering of thy wings, O protect us and support us. Thou shalt carry us whilst we are but little ones, yea, even to our last age shalt thou carry us.
_________________________
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-January 23
GOD often leaves us to be buffeted by the waves, in order to try our fidelity.
It seems that he is deaf to our prayers.
But let us be sure that he really hears us, and strengthens us by his grace to resist all the assaults of our enemies.
_________________
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
It seems that he is deaf to our prayers.
But let us be sure that he really hears us, and strengthens us by his grace to resist all the assaults of our enemies.
_________________
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, 1/22
Demonic Obama Administration Considers Pro-Euthanasia British-Style Health Care
The new administration of pres__ent Barack Obama is still putting up nameplates on walls and staff members are learning how to use their computers. But some watchdogs are concerned that the administration is already full steam ahead with a plan that could lead to assisted suicide, euthanasia and health care rationing.
[We are witnessing a gutless group of criminals attempting an overthrow of the Republic...]
College students show up en masse at March for Life
Washington demonstration marks 36 years of Roe v. Wade
Judge Bork Foresees Ramifications on Religious Freedom with FOCA
Renowned legal scholar and former Judge, Robert H. Bork has compiled the most important writings of his distinguished 50-year career in A Time to Speak: Selected Writings and Argument (ISI Books, December 2008). Judge Bork, Ronald Reagan’s Supreme Court nominee, is concerned that “we are going to have Catholic hospitals that are going to be required as a matter of law to perform abortions.”...The Freedom of Choice Act (FOCA), a controversial abortion bill supported by President Obama, has the nation’s Catholic bishops threatening to shut down its hospitals. FOCA declares that “it is the policy of the United States that every woman has the fundamental right to choose to bear a child; terminate a pregnancy prior to fetal viability; or terminate a pregnancy after viability when necessary to protect her life or her health...We are going to have a real conflict that goes right to the heart of the society,” contends Judge Bork.
The Vatican Muzzles the Jesuit Roger Haight. And Jesus Is Why (Chiesa)
He is charged with obscuring the divinity of Christ, in order to make him more presentable to the world. At the heart of the dispute is the Society of Jesus. And also one of its highly influential members, Cardinal Carlo Maria Martini
New Detroit archbishop criticizes Obama on abortion
Fighting stem cell research also on agenda for Vigneron
March for Life Organizers Invite Pro-Abortion Pres__ent Obama to Pro-Life Event
Organizers of the annual March for Life, the pro-life event that allows hundreds of thousands of pro-life advocates to come together, have decided to invite pro-abortion Pres__ent Barack Obama [Barry Soetoro] to attend...
Pope to Obama: Rediscover US spiritual heritage
Benedict XVI send telegram to new U.S. president
[Barry Soetoro, spawn of satan, should be referred to as "Pres__ent" 0bama - his 'ID' is still missing]
Biden becomes first Catholic VP in U.S. history
JFK holds distinction of being only Catholic U.S. president
[Please...he's either an apostate from the faith or a flaming heretic - but Catholic, he's not]
Last-ditch bids to save 14 Catholic schools
Brooklyn diocese has held 20 meetings with parents
Former leader of Coptic Church in Egypt dies
Cardinal Stephanos II Ghattas almost 89-years-old
Pope Benedict XVI blesses 2 lambs at the Vatican
Wool will be shorn to make shawls for new archbishops
Man suspected of stealing from priests
Given keys to van after posing as valet outside restaurant
Archbishop finds Vatican's seminary report 'positive'
Recommendations include greater involvement of bishops
Pres__ent Obama’s First Lie: “My Fellow Citizens”
Obama began his inaugural address with the salutation, “My fellow citizens.” Anyone who has followed the three-ring circus involving the pres__ent’s birth certificate knows that Obama calling anyone a “fellow citizen” is a damnable lie, unless one hails from a mud hut in Kenya.
[From "Canada Free Press," which does the work the Amerikan media refuses to do]
'Pastoral' papal appointee, Jean Jadot, dead at 99
Archbishop Jean Jadot, as apostolic delegate to the United States, became the hero of progressive post-Vatican II U.S. Catholics. The bishops appointed upon his recommendation were quickly known as (and denounced by conservative American Catholics as) the "Jadot boys."
The new administration of pres__ent Barack Obama is still putting up nameplates on walls and staff members are learning how to use their computers. But some watchdogs are concerned that the administration is already full steam ahead with a plan that could lead to assisted suicide, euthanasia and health care rationing.
[We are witnessing a gutless group of criminals attempting an overthrow of the Republic...]
College students show up en masse at March for Life
Washington demonstration marks 36 years of Roe v. Wade
Judge Bork Foresees Ramifications on Religious Freedom with FOCA
Renowned legal scholar and former Judge, Robert H. Bork has compiled the most important writings of his distinguished 50-year career in A Time to Speak: Selected Writings and Argument (ISI Books, December 2008). Judge Bork, Ronald Reagan’s Supreme Court nominee, is concerned that “we are going to have Catholic hospitals that are going to be required as a matter of law to perform abortions.”...The Freedom of Choice Act (FOCA), a controversial abortion bill supported by President Obama, has the nation’s Catholic bishops threatening to shut down its hospitals. FOCA declares that “it is the policy of the United States that every woman has the fundamental right to choose to bear a child; terminate a pregnancy prior to fetal viability; or terminate a pregnancy after viability when necessary to protect her life or her health...We are going to have a real conflict that goes right to the heart of the society,” contends Judge Bork.
The Vatican Muzzles the Jesuit Roger Haight. And Jesus Is Why (Chiesa)
He is charged with obscuring the divinity of Christ, in order to make him more presentable to the world. At the heart of the dispute is the Society of Jesus. And also one of its highly influential members, Cardinal Carlo Maria Martini
New Detroit archbishop criticizes Obama on abortion
Fighting stem cell research also on agenda for Vigneron
March for Life Organizers Invite Pro-Abortion Pres__ent Obama to Pro-Life Event
Organizers of the annual March for Life, the pro-life event that allows hundreds of thousands of pro-life advocates to come together, have decided to invite pro-abortion Pres__ent Barack Obama [Barry Soetoro] to attend...
Pope to Obama: Rediscover US spiritual heritage
Benedict XVI send telegram to new U.S. president
[Barry Soetoro, spawn of satan, should be referred to as "Pres__ent" 0bama - his 'ID' is still missing]
Biden becomes first Catholic VP in U.S. history
JFK holds distinction of being only Catholic U.S. president
[Please...he's either an apostate from the faith or a flaming heretic - but Catholic, he's not]
Last-ditch bids to save 14 Catholic schools
Brooklyn diocese has held 20 meetings with parents
Former leader of Coptic Church in Egypt dies
Cardinal Stephanos II Ghattas almost 89-years-old
Pope Benedict XVI blesses 2 lambs at the Vatican
Wool will be shorn to make shawls for new archbishops
Man suspected of stealing from priests
Given keys to van after posing as valet outside restaurant
Archbishop finds Vatican's seminary report 'positive'
Recommendations include greater involvement of bishops
Pres__ent Obama’s First Lie: “My Fellow Citizens”
Obama began his inaugural address with the salutation, “My fellow citizens.” Anyone who has followed the three-ring circus involving the pres__ent’s birth certificate knows that Obama calling anyone a “fellow citizen” is a damnable lie, unless one hails from a mud hut in Kenya.
[From "Canada Free Press," which does the work the Amerikan media refuses to do]
'Pastoral' papal appointee, Jean Jadot, dead at 99
Archbishop Jean Jadot, as apostolic delegate to the United States, became the hero of progressive post-Vatican II U.S. Catholics. The bishops appointed upon his recommendation were quickly known as (and denounced by conservative American Catholics as) the "Jadot boys."
Archbishop Burke-Jan 22, Day of Penance for Violations to the Dignity of the Human Person
The following is a letter from Archbishop Burke to Members of the Marian Catechist Apostolate:
22 January 2009—Day of Penance for Violations to the Dignity of the Human Person
Dear Members of the Marian Catechist Apostolate,
Today is the 36th Anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court's infamous decision in the cases Roe v. Wade and Doe v. Bolton, by which the highest court of our nation took away the safeguard of the most fundamental of all rights, the right to life, from the most vulnerable members of the human family, the unborn. Rightly, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has, for some time, designated this day as a Day of Penance for Violations to the Dignity of the Human Person, and of Prayer for the Full Restoration of the Legal Guarantee of the Right to Life. January 22nd is to be observed "as a particular day of penance for violations to the dignity of the human person committed through acts of abortion, and of prayer for the full restoration of the legal guarantee of the right to life" (General Instruction of the Roman Missal, no. 373).
The legacy of the just-mentioned decisions has been an unconscionable decline in the respect for all human life. By now, you are familiar with the latest and most heinous anti-life legislation the people of the United States of America are facing: the Freedom of Choice Act (FOCA). The passage of FOCA would lift all restrictions on procured abortion, force taxpayers to participate in the funding of procured abortions; revoke all informed consent, parental notification and conscience protection laws; and force even Catholic hospitals to perform abortions, which clearly would necessitate the closing of Catholic hospitals. I ask you to pray for the defeat of FOCA and to do all you can to work against its passage, while also working to protect existing pro-life legislation. For more information on how to become involved, please visit the USCCB website at www.usccb.org/prolife.
In a special way, I address you, the members of the Marian Catechist Apostolate, on this Day of Penance. Reflecting on the circumstances in society which give rise to the necessity of a Day of Penance for Violations to the Dignity of the Human Person, I am deeply conscious of the much needed service of the Marian Catechist Apostolate in the renewal of society. I take the occasion of this most sad anniversary for our nation, to encourage you to redouble your efforts to grow in personal holiness and knowledge of the Catholic Faith, that you may always be equipped to share generously and courageously the richness of the Faith with others, for the transformation of society.
I enclose for you a helpful tool for evangelization, a copy of the Marian Catechist Apostolate brochure. The revised brochure introduces the Apostolate and its Founder, the Servant of God Father John A. Hardon, S.J., to those who may not know the Apostolate. It can be used as a resource for those whom you meet who have a sincere desire to grow in holiness and to know the teachings of the Holy Catholic Church. Please contact Mrs. Theresa Knothe, National Coordinator of the Apostolate, if you would like to order more brochures for your apostolic work.
In closing, I invite you to join me at the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in La Crosse, Wisconsin for the Consecration of Marian Catechists to the Sacred Heart of Jesus through the Immaculate Heart of Mary on the weekend of August 7th – 9th of 2009. Please join me today and always in calling upon the intercession of Our Lady of Guadalupe for the transformation of the culture of death into a civilization of divine love and life.
Invoking God's blessing upon you and your home, I am
Yours devotedly in Christ,
(Most Rev.) Raymond L Burke
Archbishop Emeritus of Saint Louis
Prefect, Apostolic Signatura of the Supreme Tribunal
Please prayerfully consider His Excellency's words as we continue to pray for the conversion of those who embrace the hedonistic culture of death and ask Our Lord for His mercy in these trying times. And please remember Archbishop Burke in your prayers.
Source.Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Gospel for Thursday, 2nd Week in Ordinary Time
Optional Memorial of St. Vincent of Saragossa, deacon and martyr;
Old Calendar: Saints Vincent and Anastasius, martyrs
From: Mark 3:7-12
Cures Beside the Sea of Galilee
[7] Jesus withdrew with His disciples to the sea, and a great multitude from Galilee followed; also from Judea [8] and Jerusalem and Idumea and from beyond the Jordan and from about Tyre and Sidon, a great multitude, hearing all that He did, came to Him. [9] And He told His disciples to have a boat ready for Him; [10] for He had healed many, so that all who had diseases pressed upon Him to touch Him. [11] And whenever the unclean spirits beheld Him, they fell down before Him and cried out, "You are the Son of God." [12] And He strictly ordered them not to make Him known.
_____________________
Commentary:
10. During our Lord's public life people were constantly crowding round Him to be cured (cf. Luke 6:19; 8:45; etc). As in the case of many other cures, St. Mark gives us a graphic account of what Jesus did to these people (cf. Mark 1:31, 41; 7:31-37; 8:22-26; John 9:1-7, 11, 15). By working these cures our Lord shows that He is both God and man: He cures by virtue of His divine power and using His human nature. In other words, only in the Word of God become man is the work of our Redemption effected, and the instrument God used to save us was the human nature of Jesus--His Body and Soul--in the unity of the person of the Word (cf. Vatican II, "Sacrosanctum Concilium", 5).
This crowding round Jesus is repeated by Christians of all times: the holy human nature of our Lord is our only route to salvation; it is the essential means we must use to unite ourselves to God. Thus, we can today approach our Lord by means of the sacraments, especially and pre-eminently the Eucharist. And through the sacraments there flows to us, from God, through the human nature of the Word, a strength which cures those who receive the sacraments with faith (cf. St. Thomas Aquinas, "Summa theologiae", III, q. 62, a. 5).
___________________________
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: Saints Vincent and Anastasius, martyrs
From: Mark 3:7-12
Cures Beside the Sea of Galilee
[7] Jesus withdrew with His disciples to the sea, and a great multitude from Galilee followed; also from Judea [8] and Jerusalem and Idumea and from beyond the Jordan and from about Tyre and Sidon, a great multitude, hearing all that He did, came to Him. [9] And He told His disciples to have a boat ready for Him; [10] for He had healed many, so that all who had diseases pressed upon Him to touch Him. [11] And whenever the unclean spirits beheld Him, they fell down before Him and cried out, "You are the Son of God." [12] And He strictly ordered them not to make Him known.
_____________________
Commentary:
10. During our Lord's public life people were constantly crowding round Him to be cured (cf. Luke 6:19; 8:45; etc). As in the case of many other cures, St. Mark gives us a graphic account of what Jesus did to these people (cf. Mark 1:31, 41; 7:31-37; 8:22-26; John 9:1-7, 11, 15). By working these cures our Lord shows that He is both God and man: He cures by virtue of His divine power and using His human nature. In other words, only in the Word of God become man is the work of our Redemption effected, and the instrument God used to save us was the human nature of Jesus--His Body and Soul--in the unity of the person of the Word (cf. Vatican II, "Sacrosanctum Concilium", 5).
This crowding round Jesus is repeated by Christians of all times: the holy human nature of our Lord is our only route to salvation; it is the essential means we must use to unite ourselves to God. Thus, we can today approach our Lord by means of the sacraments, especially and pre-eminently the Eucharist. And through the sacraments there flows to us, from God, through the human nature of the Word, a strength which cures those who receive the sacraments with faith (cf. St. Thomas Aquinas, "Summa theologiae", III, q. 62, a. 5).
___________________________
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 - January 22
The Real Ways
Hold thyself in low esteem, renounce the pleasures of the senses; detach thyself from the vain cares of this world, and thou shalt gain true peace of mind.
-St. Sisoes.
_________________
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
Hold thyself in low esteem, renounce the pleasures of the senses; detach thyself from the vain cares of this world, and thou shalt gain true peace of mind.
-St. Sisoes.
_________________
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 January 22
DESCEND, that you may ascend and may ascend to God. But you are fallen away from him by rising up against him. Tell the soul whom thou lovest such things as these, that they may bewail their sins in the valley of misery, and so thou mayst draw them up with thee to 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-January 22
WHEN disturbances, losses, affronts, or other adverse things happen, have recourse to the Blessed Sacrament, at least in spirit, if you cannot go to church.
_________________
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, 1/21
Tear gas hurled at papal mission in Venezuela
latest in series of attacks against Chavez critics
Pakistani Muslims attack church, torture Christians
Dispute over land acquired by a Catholic of the village
Bolivia's 'Catholic' president worships Mother Earth
Expresses disappointment with leaders of the Church
Ugandan rebels blamed for Congo church attack
Still unclear how many people were killed in the fire
Catholic bishops write Obama on abortion
Prelates urge president to ban destruction of human life
Missing from the inaugural dais: rabbis and priests
Evangelical Protestant monopoly began in 1989
U.S.-Vatican relations mark silver anniversary
Marking 25 years of formal diplomatic relations.
Trial set for Florida priests accused of theft
Pastors stole cash from collection plate for years
Pope accused of 'turning the clock back'
Jewish leaders to boycott joint Christian-Jewish prayers
latest in series of attacks against Chavez critics
Pakistani Muslims attack church, torture Christians
Dispute over land acquired by a Catholic of the village
Bolivia's 'Catholic' president worships Mother Earth
Expresses disappointment with leaders of the Church
Ugandan rebels blamed for Congo church attack
Still unclear how many people were killed in the fire
Catholic bishops write Obama on abortion
Prelates urge president to ban destruction of human life
Missing from the inaugural dais: rabbis and priests
Evangelical Protestant monopoly began in 1989
U.S.-Vatican relations mark silver anniversary
Marking 25 years of formal diplomatic relations.
Trial set for Florida priests accused of theft
Pastors stole cash from collection plate for years
Pope accused of 'turning the clock back'
Jewish leaders to boycott joint Christian-Jewish prayers
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Gospel for Wednesday, 2nd Week in Ordinary Time
From: Mark 3:1-6
The Curing of the Man with a Withered Hand
[1] Again He (Jesus) entered the synagogue, and a man was there who had a withered hand. [2] And they watched Him, to see whether He would heal him on the Sabbath, so that they might accuse Him. [3] And He said to the man who had the withered hand, "Come here." [4] And He said to them, "Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do harm, to save life or to kill?" But they were silent. [5] And He looked around at them with anger, grieved at their hardness of heart, and said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." He stretched it out, and his hand was restored. [6] The Pharisees went out, and immediately held counsel with the Herodians against Him, how to destroy Him.
____________________
Commentary:
5. The evangelists refer a number of times to the way Jesus looks at people (e.g. at the young man: Mark 10:21; at St. Peter: Luke 22:61, etc). This is the only time we are told He showed indignation--provoked by the hypocrisy shown in verse 2.
6. The Pharisees were the spiritual leaders of Judaism; the Herodians were those who supported the regime of Herod, benefiting politically and financially thereby. The two were completely opposed to one another and avoided each other's company, yet they combined forces against Jesus. The Pharisees wanted to see the last of Him because they considered Him a dangerous innovator. The most recent occasion may have been when He pardoned sins (Mark 2:1ff) and interpreted with full authority the law of the Sabbath (Mark 3:2); they also want to get rid of Him because they consider that He lowered their own prestige in the eyes of the people by the way He cured the man with the withered hand. The Herodians, for their part, despised the supernatural and eschatological tone of Christ's message, since they looked forward to a purely political and temporal Messiah.
___________________________
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 Curing of the Man with a Withered Hand
[1] Again He (Jesus) entered the synagogue, and a man was there who had a withered hand. [2] And they watched Him, to see whether He would heal him on the Sabbath, so that they might accuse Him. [3] And He said to the man who had the withered hand, "Come here." [4] And He said to them, "Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do harm, to save life or to kill?" But they were silent. [5] And He looked around at them with anger, grieved at their hardness of heart, and said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." He stretched it out, and his hand was restored. [6] The Pharisees went out, and immediately held counsel with the Herodians against Him, how to destroy Him.
____________________
Commentary:
5. The evangelists refer a number of times to the way Jesus looks at people (e.g. at the young man: Mark 10:21; at St. Peter: Luke 22:61, etc). This is the only time we are told He showed indignation--provoked by the hypocrisy shown in verse 2.
6. The Pharisees were the spiritual leaders of Judaism; the Herodians were those who supported the regime of Herod, benefiting politically and financially thereby. The two were completely opposed to one another and avoided each other's company, yet they combined forces against Jesus. The Pharisees wanted to see the last of Him because they considered Him a dangerous innovator. The most recent occasion may have been when He pardoned sins (Mark 2:1ff) and interpreted with full authority the law of the Sabbath (Mark 3:2); they also want to get rid of Him because they consider that He lowered their own prestige in the eyes of the people by the way He cured the man with the withered hand. The Herodians, for their part, despised the supernatural and eschatological tone of Christ's message, since they looked forward to a purely political and temporal Messiah.
___________________________
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.
Will You Pray for Usurper "President" Obama?
An email from Catholic Culture:
CatholicCulture.org is sponsoring a perpetual (around-the-clock) Rosary for the next 30 days, asking God to bless the new administration with an authentic perception of the Good, which will also lead it to oppose intrinsic evils such as abortion, euthanasia, fetal stem cell research, human cloning and gay marriage.Of course we need to pray for our country and for the conversion of those who are opposed to the good and wish to spread more evil in this country and in the world. Just as we are to continue to pray for the souls of all of the departed, including the death peddlers, tyrants and genocideal maniacs of years past, we pray for those who are still living. We do not pray for their success, for their desires are to promote evil and the culture of death. We pray that their efforts are thwarted at every turn. Should evil be perpetrated despite our prayers, we ask that we might see and recognize the good that God wills to come from that evil.
Why not consider signing up for a time slot? Those outside the United States can help by taking slots that are difficult in our time zones. You'll find the link to the Rosary on our home page, or you can go to it directly here: Obama Rosary.
One of the growing conflicts in American life is that between healthy secularity (which demands separation of Church and state) and radical secularism (a cultural rebellion against God). Late last year, Cardinal Camilo Ruini gave an excellent address on this topic to a conference on "Religious Freedom: The United States and Europe": French vs American Models of Freedom and Religion.
But while we're thinking and praying about political culture, let's not forget the Church or our own families.
The full report on the Apostolic Visitation of American seminaries is now available in our library. Among other things, it serves as an important reminder that all priests and future priests need our prayers.
As for the family, when the World Meeting of Families closed last Sunday, Pope Benedict gave this homily: It Is in the Home Where One Learns to Truly Live. There are a great many definitions of the good life, from the natural ideals of the Greeks to the hedonistic visions of modern America. In just a few paragraphs, Benedict develops a better idea, along with a beautiful prayer....
Principles and Practices - January 21
The First Way
Our Lord said: 'He who seeth Me seeth the Father.' Christ is God, and to think of Christ is to think of God. Learn to picture Our Lord from the scenes of the Gospel.
We think of characters in books who have influenced us for good. The recollection helps. We recall words and acts. We muse upon them. Why not do the same with the words and acts of Our Lord?
To know Our Lord properly must sooner or later make us love Him deeply. When we know and love Him like that we shall want to think of Him frequently. Let us make Our Lord real. Then we shall practise the presence of God.
-Anonymous.
_________________
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
Our Lord said: 'He who seeth Me seeth the Father.' Christ is God, and to think of Christ is to think of God. Learn to picture Our Lord from the scenes of the Gospel.
We think of characters in books who have influenced us for good. The recollection helps. We recall words and acts. We muse upon them. Why not do the same with the words and acts of Our Lord?
To know Our Lord properly must sooner or later make us love Him deeply. When we know and love Him like that we shall want to think of Him frequently. Let us make Our Lord real. Then we shall practise the presence of God.
-Anonymous.
_________________
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 January 21
OUR one true Life descended hither and bore our death and killed this death by the abundance of his own life.
_________________________
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-January 21
How could Our Lord have said that he stands knocking at the heart of us sinners, how exhort us so strongly to return to his arms, how say that he has willed to receive us as his children, if he had not a true wish to save all men?
_________________
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, 1/20
Obama, oaths and the end of constitutional government (by Alan Keyes and John Haskins)
Now steps onto the stage of world history a man apparently quite conscious that the Supreme Law of the United States prevents him from being president of the United States. For why else would anyone hire lawyers and expend millions of dollars to avoid producing a $12.50 birth certificate to show eligibility under the Constitution?
Obama Officials Confirm He Will Fund Foreign Abortions Starting Wednesday
Officials with the incoming [fraudulent] administration of Barack [Hussein] Obama have confirmed that he will indeed overturn a pro-life policy of President Bush on his first day in office. Despite campaigning on the rhetoric of wanting to reduce abortions, Obama will make one of his first actions promoting them globally....
Church blocks plans for atheist bus adverts in Italy
British campaign was set to hit the streets of Genoa
Oldest Catholic U.S. pastor retires at age 97
Monsignor served same parish for over fifty years
Pope: Traditional marriage is key to family
Benedict XVI addresses Mexico City conference by video
Beijing to rebuild religious buildings for worship
Municipal government plans to restore 12 churches
Pope Benedict XVI to get own YouTube channel
Initiative will involve Google, Vatican TV and radio
Vatican: Jewish prayer complaints excessive
Italian rabbis pulled out of Church celebration
More gender-bending chemicals polluting rivers
Chemicals that is changing male fish into females
Stroke victims to be treated by aborted baby cells
British scientists given permission to inject into brain
Devil worship a threat to Muslim youth?
Researchers find trend to follow 'deviationist teachings'
Now steps onto the stage of world history a man apparently quite conscious that the Supreme Law of the United States prevents him from being president of the United States. For why else would anyone hire lawyers and expend millions of dollars to avoid producing a $12.50 birth certificate to show eligibility under the Constitution?
Obama Officials Confirm He Will Fund Foreign Abortions Starting Wednesday
Officials with the incoming [fraudulent] administration of Barack [Hussein] Obama have confirmed that he will indeed overturn a pro-life policy of President Bush on his first day in office. Despite campaigning on the rhetoric of wanting to reduce abortions, Obama will make one of his first actions promoting them globally....
Church blocks plans for atheist bus adverts in Italy
British campaign was set to hit the streets of Genoa
Oldest Catholic U.S. pastor retires at age 97
Monsignor served same parish for over fifty years
Pope: Traditional marriage is key to family
Benedict XVI addresses Mexico City conference by video
Beijing to rebuild religious buildings for worship
Municipal government plans to restore 12 churches
Pope Benedict XVI to get own YouTube channel
Initiative will involve Google, Vatican TV and radio
Vatican: Jewish prayer complaints excessive
Italian rabbis pulled out of Church celebration
More gender-bending chemicals polluting rivers
Chemicals that is changing male fish into females
Stroke victims to be treated by aborted baby cells
British scientists given permission to inject into brain
Devil worship a threat to Muslim youth?
Researchers find trend to follow 'deviationist teachings'
Monday, January 19, 2009
Jan 20, 2009-Death of the Constitution?
There will be clowns, morons, idiots, mental defectives and untold other ignorant rubes celebrating an impostor who will attempt to usurp powers to which he has no rights having fought several efforts at a cost of hundreds of thousands of dollars to gain proof of his eligibility to be President under Article 2, Section 1, of the US Constition.If a Supreme Court Justice swears in this fraudulent Barry Sotero, AKA B. Hussein Obama, we can kiss our Constitution goodbye, because that simple act well be the end of the Constitutional Republic, abrogated to allow an affirmative action liar and thug to ascend to the presidency in order to perpetuate political correctness and avoid 'riots' by ignoramuses.
This deceit has been perpetrated by the Democratic party which is now the party of death, the party of Satan and his minions. They have empowered themselves by the offering of human sacrifices for over 3 decades at the altar of the evil one. They have emboldened genocidal maniacs to slaughter millions upon millions of the innocent unborn and they have succeeded in bringing to power a pathetic excuse of a man who is so wicked and evil that he wishes to protect and further even more infanticide.Thankfully, even ConstitutionWatch.org has finally addressed the "Obama Eligibility Issue" and the Constitutional Crisis which looms before us here.
Is this nation being punished for its crimes against God and against humanity? Some believe this is so. How long will it be before the deception of so many of American citizens is exposed and the fraud and all of his accomplices are led away in handcuffs? May God have mercy on this country for its complete and utter rejection of all that is good and true.
I pray for my children and grandchildren that they might be spared the well deserved punishment and justice this nation might endure for its sins. I pray that someday this nation might be blessed with true patriots and righteous men and women who are not afraid to defend life and liberty and our Constitution - a wonderful gift from God - for our well-being and survival as a nation, one nation under God. May God have mercy on us all.
To get up to speed on the looming crisis, check out ConstitutionWatch.org here.
Gospel for Tuesday, 2nd Week in Ordinary Time
Optional Memorials of St. Fabian, pope and martyr; St. Sebastian, martyr
Old Calendar: Saints Fabian and Sebastian
From: Mark 2:23-28
The Law of the Sabbath
[23] One Sabbath He (Jesus) was going through the grainfields; and as they made their way His disciples began to pluck ears of grain. [24] And the Pharisees said to Him, "Look, why are they doing what is not lawful on the Sabbath?" [25] And He said to them, "Have you never read what David did, when he was in need and hungry, he and those whowere with him: [26] how he entered the house of God, when Abiathar was high priest, and ate the bread of the Presence, which it is not lawful for any but the priests to eat, and also gave it to those who were with him?" [27] And He said to them, "The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath; [28] so the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath."
______________________
Commentary:
24. Cf. note on Matthew 12:2. [Note on Matthew 12:2 states: "The Sabbath": this was the day the Jews set aside for worshipping God. God Himself, the originator of the Sabbath (Genesis 2:3), ordered the Jewish people to avoid certain kinds of work on this day (Exodus 20:8-11; 21:13; Deuteronomy 5:14) to leave them free to give more time to God. As time went by, the rabbis complicated this Divine precept: by Jesus' time they had extended to 39 the list of kinds of forbidden work.
The Pharisees accuse Jesus' disciples of breaking the Sabbath. In the casuistry of the scribes and the Pharisees, plucking ears of corn was the same as harvesting, and crushing them was the same as milling--types of agricultural work forbidden on the Sabbath.]
26-27. The bread of the Presence consisted of twelve loaves or cakes placed each morning on the table in the sanctuary, as homage to the Lord from the twelve tribes of Israel (cf. Leviticus 24:5-9). The loaves withdrawn to make room for the fresh ones were reserved to the priests.
Abiathar's action anticipates what Christ teaches here. Already in the Old Testament God had established a hierarchy in the precepts of the Law so that the lesser ones yielded to the main ones.
This explains why a ceremonial precept (such as the one we are discussing) should yield before a precept of the natural law. Similarly, the commandment to keep the Sabbath does not come before the duty to seek basic subsistence. Vatican II uses this passage of the Gospel to underline the value of the human person over and above economic and social development: "The social order and its development must constantly yield to the good of the person, since the order of things must be subordinate to the order of persons and not the other way around, as the Lord suggested when He said that the Sabbath was made for man and not man for the Sabbath. The social order requires constant improvement: it must be founded on truth, built on justice, and enlivened by love" ("Gaudium Et Spes", 26).
Finally in this passage Christ teaches God's purpose in instituting the Sabbath: God established it for man's good, to help him rest and devote himself to Divine worship in joy and peace. The Pharisees, through their interpretation of the Law, had turned this day into a source of anguish and scruple due to all the various prescriptions and prohibitions they introduced.
By proclaiming Himself `Lord of the Sabbath', Jesus affirms His divinity and His universal authority. Because He is Lord He has the power to establish other laws, as Yahweh had in the Old Testament.
28. The Sabbath had been established not only for man's rest but also to give glory to God: that is the correct meaning of the _expression "the Sabbath was made for man." Jesus has every right to say He is Lord of the Sabbath, because He is God. Christ restores to the weekly day of rest its full, religious meaning: it is not just a matter of fulfilling a number of legal precepts or of concern for physical well-being: the Sabbath belongs to God; it is one way, suited to human nature, of rendering glory and honor to the Almighty. The Church, from the time of the Apostles onwards, transferred the observance of this precept to the following day, Sunday--the Lord's Day--in celebration of the resurrection of Christ.
"Son of Man": the origin of the messianic meaning of this _expression is to be found particularly in the prophecy of Daniel 7:13ff, where Daniel, in a prophetic vision, contemplates `one like the Son of Man' coming down on the clouds of Heaven, who even goes right up to God's throne and is given dominion and glory and royal power over all peoples and nations. This _expression appears 69 times in the Synoptic Gospels; Jesus prefers it to other ways of describing the Messiah--such as Son of David, Messiah, etc.--thereby avoiding the nationalistic overtones those expressions had in Jewish minds at the time (cf. "Introduction to the Gospel according to St. Mark", p. 62 above).
___________________________
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: Saints Fabian and Sebastian
From: Mark 2:23-28
The Law of the Sabbath
[23] One Sabbath He (Jesus) was going through the grainfields; and as they made their way His disciples began to pluck ears of grain. [24] And the Pharisees said to Him, "Look, why are they doing what is not lawful on the Sabbath?" [25] And He said to them, "Have you never read what David did, when he was in need and hungry, he and those whowere with him: [26] how he entered the house of God, when Abiathar was high priest, and ate the bread of the Presence, which it is not lawful for any but the priests to eat, and also gave it to those who were with him?" [27] And He said to them, "The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath; [28] so the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath."
______________________
Commentary:
24. Cf. note on Matthew 12:2. [Note on Matthew 12:2 states: "The Sabbath": this was the day the Jews set aside for worshipping God. God Himself, the originator of the Sabbath (Genesis 2:3), ordered the Jewish people to avoid certain kinds of work on this day (Exodus 20:8-11; 21:13; Deuteronomy 5:14) to leave them free to give more time to God. As time went by, the rabbis complicated this Divine precept: by Jesus' time they had extended to 39 the list of kinds of forbidden work.
The Pharisees accuse Jesus' disciples of breaking the Sabbath. In the casuistry of the scribes and the Pharisees, plucking ears of corn was the same as harvesting, and crushing them was the same as milling--types of agricultural work forbidden on the Sabbath.]
26-27. The bread of the Presence consisted of twelve loaves or cakes placed each morning on the table in the sanctuary, as homage to the Lord from the twelve tribes of Israel (cf. Leviticus 24:5-9). The loaves withdrawn to make room for the fresh ones were reserved to the priests.
Abiathar's action anticipates what Christ teaches here. Already in the Old Testament God had established a hierarchy in the precepts of the Law so that the lesser ones yielded to the main ones.
This explains why a ceremonial precept (such as the one we are discussing) should yield before a precept of the natural law. Similarly, the commandment to keep the Sabbath does not come before the duty to seek basic subsistence. Vatican II uses this passage of the Gospel to underline the value of the human person over and above economic and social development: "The social order and its development must constantly yield to the good of the person, since the order of things must be subordinate to the order of persons and not the other way around, as the Lord suggested when He said that the Sabbath was made for man and not man for the Sabbath. The social order requires constant improvement: it must be founded on truth, built on justice, and enlivened by love" ("Gaudium Et Spes", 26).
Finally in this passage Christ teaches God's purpose in instituting the Sabbath: God established it for man's good, to help him rest and devote himself to Divine worship in joy and peace. The Pharisees, through their interpretation of the Law, had turned this day into a source of anguish and scruple due to all the various prescriptions and prohibitions they introduced.
By proclaiming Himself `Lord of the Sabbath', Jesus affirms His divinity and His universal authority. Because He is Lord He has the power to establish other laws, as Yahweh had in the Old Testament.
28. The Sabbath had been established not only for man's rest but also to give glory to God: that is the correct meaning of the _expression "the Sabbath was made for man." Jesus has every right to say He is Lord of the Sabbath, because He is God. Christ restores to the weekly day of rest its full, religious meaning: it is not just a matter of fulfilling a number of legal precepts or of concern for physical well-being: the Sabbath belongs to God; it is one way, suited to human nature, of rendering glory and honor to the Almighty. The Church, from the time of the Apostles onwards, transferred the observance of this precept to the following day, Sunday--the Lord's Day--in celebration of the resurrection of Christ.
"Son of Man": the origin of the messianic meaning of this _expression is to be found particularly in the prophecy of Daniel 7:13ff, where Daniel, in a prophetic vision, contemplates `one like the Son of Man' coming down on the clouds of Heaven, who even goes right up to God's throne and is given dominion and glory and royal power over all peoples and nations. This _expression appears 69 times in the Synoptic Gospels; Jesus prefers it to other ways of describing the Messiah--such as Son of David, Messiah, etc.--thereby avoiding the nationalistic overtones those expressions had in Jewish minds at the time (cf. "Introduction to the Gospel according to St. Mark", p. 62 above).
___________________________
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 - January 20
The Unchanging Friend
What a wonderful privilege it is to have Jesus for our Friend, to know that He is ready and anxious to help us in all our sorrows and pains, even should they come from the result of sin committed by us. He loves us, and He is our God, our Refuge and our Hope. Why should we be sad when we know that, no matter what our crosses are, nor how friendless and lonely we may be, Jesus still stands beside us - a Friend to the very 1ast.
-Knoff.
_________________
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
What a wonderful privilege it is to have Jesus for our Friend, to know that He is ready and anxious to help us in all our sorrows and pains, even should they come from the result of sin committed by us. He loves us, and He is our God, our Refuge and our Hope. Why should we be sad when we know that, no matter what our crosses are, nor how friendless and lonely we may be, Jesus still stands beside us - a Friend to the very 1ast.
-Knoff.
_________________
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 January 20
THERE is no rest where you are seeking it. Seek still that which you seek, but seek it not there where you seek it - you seek for a happy life in the very region of death.
_________________________
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-January 20
Do not say or do anything displeasing to anyone, except it be necessary in order to please God rather than men. If sometimes you are wanting in charity towards anyone, ask his pardon, or at least speak kindly 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
News Updates, 1/19
Obama Wrongly Claims Embryonic Stem Cell Research Will Cure Alzheimer'sOver the weekend, incoming president Barack Obama talked about how he'll make Congress overturn President Bush's stem cell research policy. In his comments, Obama wrongly indicated embryonic stem cell research can cure Alzheimer's even though scientists say that's not the case.
[A lying tool of Satan's...pure and simple]
Vatican: Seminary dissenters should be fired
'Lack of harmony' in education due to unfaithful profs
‘General confessions’ no substitute for traditional sacrament, says Vatican symposium
“If the rite of Penance were observed and taught instead, the faithful would not be misguided”
Obama prayer speaker linked to Hamas?
Heads Islamic group named in terrorism-fundraising trial
For Catholic schools, crisis and catharsis
Diocese of Brooklyn proposes closing 14 more schools
Albany diocese: 33 more parishes to close
Decision comes following 600 meetings over two years
Joseph Biden worships at church JFK attended
Congregation asked to pray for his 'wisdom and integrity'
[Apparently they forgot to pray for his conversion]
“We will appeal this verdict”
Pro-life pastor found guilty of violating Oakland’s abortion clinic ‘bubble law,’ faces imprisonment and hefty fines
State to take over Catholic College of Santa Fe
Plans lamented by the Cardinal Newman Society
Democratic gains spur abortion foes into action
Many fear Obama will remove current abortion restrictions
Christians becoming social pariahs in Britain
'You can't express views that were common currency'
Iranian Catholics: strong in the Faith
...'in a land with a very ancient Christian presence'
[A lying tool of Satan's...pure and simple]
Vatican: Seminary dissenters should be fired
'Lack of harmony' in education due to unfaithful profs
‘General confessions’ no substitute for traditional sacrament, says Vatican symposium
“If the rite of Penance were observed and taught instead, the faithful would not be misguided”
Obama prayer speaker linked to Hamas?
Heads Islamic group named in terrorism-fundraising trial
For Catholic schools, crisis and catharsis
Diocese of Brooklyn proposes closing 14 more schools
Albany diocese: 33 more parishes to close
Decision comes following 600 meetings over two years
Joseph Biden worships at church JFK attended
Congregation asked to pray for his 'wisdom and integrity'
[Apparently they forgot to pray for his conversion]
“We will appeal this verdict”
Pro-life pastor found guilty of violating Oakland’s abortion clinic ‘bubble law,’ faces imprisonment and hefty fines
State to take over Catholic College of Santa Fe
Plans lamented by the Cardinal Newman Society
Democratic gains spur abortion foes into action
Many fear Obama will remove current abortion restrictions
Christians becoming social pariahs in Britain
'You can't express views that were common currency'
Iranian Catholics: strong in the Faith
...'in a land with a very ancient Christian presence'
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Gospel for Monday, 2nd Week in Ordinary Time
From: Mark 2:18-22
A Discussion on Fasting
[18] Now John's disciples and the Pharisees were fasting; and people came and said to Him (Jesus): "Why do John's disciples and the disciples of the Pharisees fast, but Your disciples do not fast?" [19] And Jesus said to them, "Can the wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them? As long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast. [20] The days will come, when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast in that day. [21] No one sews a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment; if he does, the patch tears away from it, the new from the old, and a worse tear is made. [22] And no one puts new wine into old wineskins; if he does, the wine will burst the skins, and the wine is lost, and so are the skins; but new wine is for fresh skins."
______________________
Commentary:
18-22. Using a particular case, Christ's reply tells about the connection between the Old and New Testaments. In the Old Testamentthe Bridegroom has not yet arrived; in the New Testament He is present, in the person of Christ. With Him began the Messianic Times, a new era distinct from the previous one. The Jewish fasts, therefore, together with their system of religious observances, must be seen as a way of preparing the people for the coming of the Messiah. Christ shows the difference between the spirit He has brought and that of the Judaism of His time.
This new spirit will not be something extra, added on to the old; it will bring to life the perennial teachings contained in the older Revelation. The newness of the Gospel--just like new wine--cannot fit within the molds of the Old Law.
But this passage says more: to receive Christ's new teaching people must inwardly renew themselves and throw off the straight-jacket of old routines.
19-20. Jesus describes Himself as the Bridegroom (cf. also Luke 12:35; Matthew 25:1-13; John 3:29), thereby fulfilling what the Prophets had said about the relationship between God and His people (cf. Hosea 2:18-22; Isaiah 54:5ff). The Apostles are the guests at the wedding, invited to share in the wedding feast with the Bridegroom, in the joy of the Kingdom of Heaven (cf. Matthew 22:1-14).
In verse 20 Jesus announces that the Bridegroom will be taken away from them: this is the first reference He makes to His passion and death (cf. Mark 8:31; John 2:19; 3:14). The vision of joy and sorrow we see here epitomizes our human condition during our sojourn on earth.
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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.
A Discussion on Fasting
[18] Now John's disciples and the Pharisees were fasting; and people came and said to Him (Jesus): "Why do John's disciples and the disciples of the Pharisees fast, but Your disciples do not fast?" [19] And Jesus said to them, "Can the wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them? As long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast. [20] The days will come, when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast in that day. [21] No one sews a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment; if he does, the patch tears away from it, the new from the old, and a worse tear is made. [22] And no one puts new wine into old wineskins; if he does, the wine will burst the skins, and the wine is lost, and so are the skins; but new wine is for fresh skins."
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Commentary:
18-22. Using a particular case, Christ's reply tells about the connection between the Old and New Testaments. In the Old Testamentthe Bridegroom has not yet arrived; in the New Testament He is present, in the person of Christ. With Him began the Messianic Times, a new era distinct from the previous one. The Jewish fasts, therefore, together with their system of religious observances, must be seen as a way of preparing the people for the coming of the Messiah. Christ shows the difference between the spirit He has brought and that of the Judaism of His time.
This new spirit will not be something extra, added on to the old; it will bring to life the perennial teachings contained in the older Revelation. The newness of the Gospel--just like new wine--cannot fit within the molds of the Old Law.
But this passage says more: to receive Christ's new teaching people must inwardly renew themselves and throw off the straight-jacket of old routines.
19-20. Jesus describes Himself as the Bridegroom (cf. also Luke 12:35; Matthew 25:1-13; John 3:29), thereby fulfilling what the Prophets had said about the relationship between God and His people (cf. Hosea 2:18-22; Isaiah 54:5ff). The Apostles are the guests at the wedding, invited to share in the wedding feast with the Bridegroom, in the joy of the Kingdom of Heaven (cf. Matthew 22:1-14).
In verse 20 Jesus announces that the Bridegroom will be taken away from them: this is the first reference He makes to His passion and death (cf. Mark 8:31; John 2:19; 3:14). The vision of joy and sorrow we see here epitomizes our human condition during our sojourn on earth.
___________________________
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 - January 19
How God Helps
Remember that no penitent soul can perish. And no soul that loves God can be lost. Let us read the traces of God's loving Hand in all our ways - the events, the changes, the chances of this troubled life. It is God that dispenses all. Any suffering in this world, rather than to perish in the world to come. Any shame now rather than the shame before Christ at His coming with the holy angels.
-Cardinal Mannng.
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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
Remember that no penitent soul can perish. And no soul that loves God can be lost. Let us read the traces of God's loving Hand in all our ways - the events, the changes, the chances of this troubled life. It is God that dispenses all. Any suffering in this world, rather than to perish in the world to come. Any shame now rather than the shame before Christ at His coming with the holy angels.
-Cardinal Mannng.
_________________
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 January 19
RETURN, O ye sinners into your own heart and be united unto him that made you; stand with him and you shall stand fast; repose in him and you shall be truly at rest.
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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-January 19
THE Lord promises that if sinners repent, he will even forget their sins, as if they had never offended him. If the wicked do penance...living he shall live...I will not remember all his iniquities that he hath done.
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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
_________________
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
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