Keep
your eyes open!...
January 28, 2011
THE TRIB TIMES WILL
RETURN NEXT WEEK, GOD WILLING (James 4:15).
(Titus 1:7-9) For
a bishop must be without crime, as the steward of God: not proud, not
subject to anger, nor given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy
lucre: But given to hospitality, gentle, sober, just, holy, continent:
Embracing that faithful word which is according to doctrine, that he
may be able to exhort in sound doctrine and to convince the gainsayers.
RECENT RON SMITH REPORTS
Praying the Rosary
Lamb of God and When Mass Started to be Celebrated
Prayer request from Ron: Hello
friends. I have been diabetic for about 15 years; on insulin about 5
years. Since August I have had 3 insulin reactions wherein the Rescue
Squad was called to revive & stabalize me. I am not 'frightened' by
my condition and I believe I do all that is possible to control my
condition; always 'tweaking' my insulin under doctor's advise, etc. For
those of you who know what an A1C test is, mine are always very good.
Anyway, I had an 'attack' last night. After praying on this I felt the
Holy Spirit prompting me to use the St. Raphael Prayer & healing
oil daily until the Lord prompts me to stop. Along with this devotion I
felt I should 'storm heaven' through my aquaintances to intercede for
me. So, if you feel called to pray for me or to do some other spiritual
work, please do so. Please thank the Lord for the Rescue Squad people
too - they are just great! As in all things, let God's Will be done -
not mine! From: Ron Smith, Chardon, Ohio
Note from Ron: To receive my Catholic Q&A reports please contact me with your correct email address.
CATHOLIC KEY: World needs apostles to spread truth of Jesus, bishop tells teens
FROM THE MAILBAG
REFLECTION by Father Ted – January 26, 2011 – Tamale, Ghana
My dearest Lord Jesus, on this memorial of the two apostles of Saint
Paul, namely Saint Timothy and Saint Titus, You remind me, and many
others, of how important it is for our spiritual leaders to allow the
Father, even to beg the Father to help them to become courageous so
that they will refute falsehoods, correct errors and call to obedience
all the members of Your family who belong not only to Your Catholic
Church but also to all Christians so that we will be able to experience
and to enjoy the blessings that You, the Father, Your Holy Spirit and
our brothers and sisters who are with You in Heaven, our true home.
Thank God, our Holy Father, and other shepherds are following the
example of not only Saint Paul, but also of Saints Timothy and Titus.
They have been stirring up within themselves the fire of love that was
given to them when they were ordained as bishops of Your Church.
We, Your children, their brothers and sisters need their example, their
help, their leadership so that our world – created by You, might
experience Your peace and Your love.
We lack that peace which You, the Prince of Peace, and Your Mother, the Queen of Peace desire to offer to us from the Father.
We have lacked the direction that You want us to have from our elders.
Lord Jesus, through the intercession of Saint Paul, Saint Timothy and
Saint Titus, stir up the fire of Divine Love not only within our
spiritual leaders but also within us.
Help all of us to see more clearly how we have failed to respond to our vocation to become saints today.
Help all of us to recognize that we must fight the good fight – against
Lucifer and his disciples who has been instructing us in his lies.
We – who are citizens of the United State – are members of a country, “a nation under God”.
We are meant to accept all of Your teachings if we are to remain “a nation under God”.
We are to live by all of Your teachings to enjoy being “a nation under God”.
The state of our union is not good now. Because we have rejected to a
high degree Your truths. We have become a nation that promotes “the
culture of death”. We have become a nation that rejects the sacredness
of marriage as You ordained it and the holiness of sex. We have not
honored You and Your Father and Your Holy Spirit by keeping Your
Commandments In short, we have not loved You and we have not loved one
another as You and our brothers and sisters of all nations deserve.
Help us Lord Jesus, through the intercession of Saints Timothy and
Titus, through the intercession of Saint Paul and the Blessed Virgin
Mary, our Mother, to do Your Will each day – to become saints ourselves
and to enable others to become saints as well.
Help also our civic leaders to accept the sacredness of all life – from
conception to death. Help them to accept their purpose in life and to
use their gifts to honor God and to promote true peace in the world.
May Your Will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Ladder
of Divine Ascent excerpt: Step 27- "On holy stillness of body and soul"
56. He who has experienced the good which comes
from prayer will shun crowds like a wild ass; for what, if not prayer,
makes him like a wild ass and free from all association with people?
January 27, 2011
(Mat 22:37-40) Jesus
said to him: Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with thy whole heart and
with thy whole soul and with thy whole mind. This is the greatest and
the first commandment. And the second is like to this: Thou shalt love
thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments dependeth the whole
law and the prophets.
FROM THE MAILBAG: The Priority of the Objectively Important Over the Subjectively Satisfying By Jim J. McCrea
Often an argument is put forth that if God were all good He would want
His creatures to be perfectly happy, and if He were all powerful He
would be able to do what He wanted; because there is suffering in the
world and a lack of perfect happiness, God is either not all powerful,
not all good, or both.
That reasoning seems logical; however, it is predicated upon an idea of God that is radically impoverished.
The assumption is, that an all loving and all good God would desire to
give us *subjective* goods - such as pleasure, happiness, joy, peace,
and fulfillment, and that is it - that a good God would merely wish to
facilitate the *subjectively satisfying* for us.
However, God wills us to abide in *objective* goodness - that is, to
adhere to the *objectively important* (what is important in itself).
The objectively important in its fullness and perfection is true love.
The true definition of love is willing the good of the other for the
sake of the other and not for what one can get out of it - that is, to
will things such as reverence, truth, justice, faithfulness, charity,
kindness, and mercy towards other persons; and to give honor, glory,
and satisfaction for sins to God. The first and second commandments are
to love God and to love neighbor as oneself (Matt. 22:34-40).
That is the problem. Since we do not properly will the objective good,
or what is good in itself before any personal advantage can be gained -
because there is selfishness in all of us to varying degrees -
suffering exists in the world.
Even suffering due to things beyond our control and due to factors that
may appear to be nobody's fault, such as disease, natural disaster, and
accident are due to disharmonies within ourselves, with each other,
with the physical world, and with God. Those disharmonies are due to
Original Sin (both the original sin of Lucifer and the original sin of
Adam).
All humans have what is known as "concupiscence," which is a tendency
to sin within us which was inherited from our First Parents, because of
their Fall in the Garden, and which is exacerbated by our personal sins.
Many of the problems that we have today in society, stem from the fact
that with many people the subjectively satisfying is sought while the
objectively important is ignored. For example, many marriages break
down because one of the spouses is not "happy" or is "no longer in
love." He or she forgets that love is primarily a decision to will the
good of the other and is not primarily a feeling (that is not to say
that there are not legitimate reasons to separate from a spouse, such
as a situation of abuse. This refers to those who selfishly base their
decision on a calculus of "happiness," thus trampling underfoot their
sacred obligations).
Today we live in a culture of death because much law, court decision,
public policy, and popular culture facilitate the subjectively
satisfying while ignoring the objectively important. In Western
society, many "rights" are based on that. In the sexual sphere this is
done by the social acceptance of pre-marital sex, the legal sale of
contraceptives, legal abortion, homosexual "marriage," legal
pornography, and no-fault divorce (in the past Western society shunned
or outlawed those things for the greater good). In the economic sphere
this is done by employers extracting the benefit of work from employees
but not giving them a just wage in return, workers taking a salary and
not putting in an honest day's work, and in dealers who work the
financial or stock markets so that they reap a profit but do not
produce any real value in return.
A Culture of Life and a Civilization of Love would be a true Christian
society. It would disallow the above evils and promote the true good of
the human person, and put in place legal and societal structures based
upon true justice. That would bring true peace, tranquility, happiness,
and prosperity to society. Such a civilization would facilitate the
objectively important through law and social custom.
With the individual life, it is a principle that the subjectively
satisfying must never be sought for its own sake, but that it must only
be the consequent of the objectively important.
For example, sexual pleasure is the proper consequent of the objective
goods of the union of spouses in one flesh and the begetting of
children. The pleasure of eating is the proper consequent of the
objective good of nutrition. That is why things such as artificial
contraception and fornication are wrong, and why vomiting just for the
pleasure of eating more food is wrong. For then, subjective pleasure is
being extracted while discarding the objective good it should be based
upon.
Even recreation and entertainment are not to be sought as a mere means
to pleasure, but should be engaged in so that one can be refreshed and
better do one's duty in life. For the perfect man or woman, that is the
strict rule by which recreation and entertainment are governed. For him
or her, the objectively important is the sole rule of action and the
subjectively satisfying takes care of itself.
Sometimes it is asked that if heaven is perfect happiness, then why do
we not wish to die now so as to enjoy that happiness now; or if
heaven's happiness is the point of existing, why are we not allowed to
kill ourselves so that we can get there immediately.
The answer to that is that the purpose of this life is to build within
us and perfect within us an orientation towards the objectively
important . Only when that process is completed, which is done in the
time that God allots us on earth, can we enjoy perfect and eternally
stable happiness in heaven (reward is to be the expectation and not the
motive for our actions).
Heaven is not God spoon feeding us happiness, but the happiness of
heaven flows from the objectively important which is first. This
orientation to the objectively important is to be constructed in our
time on earth. The objectively important in its perfection, in heaven,
is the perfect love of God, the angels, and the blessed, without a
shadow of self-interest. Only with this perfectly pure disinterested
love in heaven can we enjoy a happiness which is perfectly pure and
eternal.
The paradox is, when there is still self interest in our motivations,
happiness for us cannot be perfectly pure and eternally stable, but
contains within it some dissatisfaction and the seeds of its
dissolution. That is why in this life, where we are imperfect, the dark
night of the soul usually follows a period of emotional prosperity. God
uses the suffering that comes out of that imperfection to further
purify us. Enjoying perfect and eternally stable happiness in heaven is
the reason why Jesus said that we must be made perfect as our heavenly
Father is perfect (Matt. 5:48).
Jesus said that, not to burden us with an impossible ideal, but because
of His perfect love for us. We must trust that He can provide what is
beyond our own power to give ourselves. That is embodied in the
theological virtue of hope.
LINKS TO OTHER ARTICLES BY JIM McCREA
Pope John Paul II and the Radiation of the Supernatural
The Transcendental Properties of Being
Answering the Atheists
Ladder
of Divine Ascent excerpt: Step 27- "On holy stillness of body and soul"
54. Those who are thoroughly versed in secular
philosophy are indeed rare; but I affirm that those who have a divine knowledge
of the philosophy of true stillness are still more rare.
January 26, 2011
(1Pe 5:8-9) Be sober and watch:
because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, goeth about
seeking whom he may devour. Whom resist ye, strong in faith: knowing
that the same affliction befalls, your brethren who are in the world.
HEADLINE: Chicago exorcist: The ‘evil one’ is very real
As the official exorcist for the Archdiocese of Chicago, it's the Rev.
Jeffrey Grob's job to expel demons from those cursed by the devil. But
when it comes to demonic possession, Grob is the first to admit he's a
skeptic.
When he receives the call — "Father, I am possessed by the devil" — he
doesn't drop everything, grab a black bag and run to the victim to say
some prayers.
"If only it was that easy," said the 49-year-old Wisconsin native, who
spoke Friday to a crowd of more than 100 people at a Catholic Citizens
of Illinois forum titled "The Consummate Deceiver: The Devil in the
Modern World."
Instead, he approaches with caution. According to the Roman Catholic
Church, exorcism is a rite performed only by a select number of priests
to drive out evil spirits that, on rare occasions, can infiltrate human
beings.
"The church is very slow in the process for the integrity of the rite,"
said Grob, who has been the archdiocese's exorcist since 2006 and
serves as pastor of St. Celestine Church in Elmwood Park. (For six
years, he also served as associate pastor of Saints Faith, Hope and
Charity Parish in Winnetka.) "The Church is trying to avoid the
sensational approach to things. What's the proof? Is this genuine?"
First and foremost, when a person claims to be possessed, Grob said he
presumes there is a "natural, organic explanation." More often than
not, those requesting his service do not actually need an exorcist.
"I am far more busy than I should be in the sense that I talk to far
more people than I need to," Grob said. "The vast majority, they need
to see their parish priest, they need to see a spiritual director or
they need to go to confession.
"One good sacramental confession is more powerful than 100 exorcisms."
MORE: Saratoga pastor inspiration behind 'The Rite'
QUOTE:
Msgr. John Esseff, exorcist for over 50 years: "The ordinary activity
of Satan is temptation. That is his M.O. (mode of operation). In the
last two petitions of the 'Our Father,' Jesus teaches us to pray, 'lead
us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.' It refers to Satan
himself and his activity."
OPINION EXCERPT:
Unfortunately, as the poet Charles Baudelaire once wrote: "the greatest
trick the devil ever pulled was convincing mankind he didn't exist." In
fact, for a time, due to the influence of liberation theology and the
attempt by some members of the Church to keep up with modernity or
science, a mistaken belief spread that the devil does not exist. Or is
a mere presence. Or that the world is the actual hell. All are
incorrect.
There is a devil, not a mere presence, but one with a distinct
identity, personality, and agenda. And the agenda is simple: to hurt
you, put you in despair, separate you from God, and join the devil in
hell. And there is a hell, an actual place where damned souls are
condemned to spend eternity. These are articles of faith for Catholics.
Simply put: if you don't believe the devil exists you don't believe in
the Gospels. As taught to us in the Catechism of the Catholic Church
(No. 391): "The devil and the other demons were indeed created
naturally good by God, but they became evil by their own doing." Or, as
wryly put by Keanu Reeves in Constantine: "You should [believe in the
devil]. He believes in you."
The devil, being a mere creation of God, is inferior to God. The
devil's powers and knowledge are limited, only God's is limitless. The
devil cannot read minds or perform miracles. And the devil can only do
something to the extent allowed him by God. Now why God allows the
devil to do what he does on mankind is a mystery. We believe, however,
that it's all ultimately for our own good. Because God is good. We just
need to keep the faith (Catechism No. 395).
MUST READ: Incorruptible — Why the Devil Uses Abortion to Eliminate Down Syndrome
Ladder
of Divine Ascent excerpt: Step 27- "On holy stillness of body and soul"
53. He who wishes to present his mind pure to God,
and is agitated by cares, is like a man who has tied his legs tightly together
and then expects to walk briskly.
January 25, 2011
(John 17:19-22) And
for them do I sanctify myself, that they also may be sanctified in
truth. And not for them only do I pray, but for them also who through
their word shall believe in me. That they all may be one, as thou,
Father, in me, and I in thee; that they also may be one in us: that the
world may believe that thou hast sent me. And the glory which thou hast
given me, I have given to them: that, they may be one, as we also are
one.
HEADLINE: Pope calls for renewed efforts at Christian unity
Pope Benedict XVI says the faithful must work with more passion for Christian unity.
The head of the Roman Catholic church made the call for renewed efforts
during a solemn ceremony Tuesday evening in a Rome basilica attended by
representatives of other Christian churches and communities.
Benedict has praised progress made so far to bridge differences, but
says Jesus wanted Christians to be united and that more "passion" is
needed in efforts to achieve that unity.
In his homily in St. Paul Outside the Walls Basilica, the pope
suggests that "serious and rigorous" dialogue to appreciate common
theological and spiritual heritage among Christians is important in
working toward unity.
RECENT NEWS: Seven Anglican vicars and 300 parishioners from six churches convert to Catholicism
ICN: Glasgow Archbishop Conti issues letter on Christian Unity
COMMENTARY:
"This is the week of prayer for Christian unity: diversity in style
there is absolute room for, and these converts will almost certainly
enrich the culture and life of the Catholic Church in England with
their liturgy; but attempts at unity must not – cannot – ever be at the
expense of compromising on revealed truth."
EDITORIAL: Don't forget the Holy Land's indigenous Christian population
RELATED
Praying for unity in Belarus
Oriental Orthodox Churches in the Vatican
A tree with many branches
Ladder
of Divine Ascent excerpt: Step 27- "On holy stillness of body and soul"
52. He who has really attained to stillness does
not give a thought to his flesh; for He who has promised will not prove
false.
January 20, 2011
(Luk 1:46-49) And
Mary said: My soul doth magnify the Lord. And my spirit hath rejoiced
in God my Saviour. Because he hath regarded the humility of his
handmaid: for behold from henceforth all generations shall call me
blessed. Because he that is mighty hath done great things to me: and
holy is his name.
CATHOLIC DEVOTIONS:
We must understand that medals, scapulars, holy water and any other
type of sacramentals are not amulets for our protection. They are
consecrated objects that indeed help when the wearer has faith and
tries to live a life of virtue.
AMONG MARY'S GIFTS: THE GREEN SCAPULAR by Robert A. Macdonald, C.Ss.R.
"Let me tell you the story of how I discovered the Green Scapular. This
is my only way of trying to spread a true and tender love of Her
Immaculate Heart and of paying my debt to Her. Some years ago, before
penicillin was in use, I was lying in a hospital very ill with
pneumonia. I began to hemorrhage and the doctors decided to operate as
a last resource. Then a little nun came into my room.
"Father, have you great
faith in the Mother of God, especially in Her Immaculate Heart? If so,
you can be cured."
"How, Sister?"
"Through the Green Scapular."
"What is that?"
"Four years ago, Father, I was
operated on for cancer. I was so filled with it, that they just closed
me up and sent me away to die. Then I prayed to Our Lady of the Green
Scapular; grew tired of waiting to die and came back to work. I am
cured, Father. Do you want me to give you a Scapular?"
"Please, Sister."
With that she put one over my
head. A feeling of tremendous confidence poured into me and the
bleeding stopped. Two days later, in the X-ray room, they asked me when
the hemorrhage had ceased. When I replied that it was a matter of a
couple of days, they expressed great surprise.
"You have a wound that is six
months healed and there is no other mark." Today even the scars are
gone. No wonder I speak of an unpayable debt to Her Immaculate Heart.
Since then I have done everything possible to foster this devotion. To
my great joy and amazement, those to whom I have spoken of the Green
Scapular have become more zealous than I. Never have I seen the equal
of the faith and confidence of these new apostles of Mary.
During May, I asked the rector of
St. Patrick's, Toronto, for permission to speak of it at the Wednesday
devotions. I had a thousand Green Scapulars on hand, but no one thought
that more than thirty would be asked for. The thousand were gone the
first morning. The room where we distributed them was so jammed that I
feared someone would be injured. The rest of the day I was besieged on
all sides for more. Foolishly, I showed the one I had for myself and it
was quickly snatched from my hand."
HISTORY OF THE DEVOTION: http://www.olrl.org/pray/greenscapular.shtml
FROM THE MAILBAG
VIA Loretta: For those
who are praying for conversion of someone, or protection ~ if you are
interested go to the Apostolate of the Green Scapular Brochure and
Scapulars. They are free with only a request for a small donation so
they can continue the work of mailing and bringing healing of lives for
the Glory of Jesus Christ. I was happy with the envelope that arrived
with 14 very small scapulars and the instructions to write names of
those you wish to remember on the little scapulars, and say the prayers
enclosed. They also recommended placing one scapular in each of the
four corners of your home. The included a prayer for the home and
people who resided therein and all those who would enter. It is a very
sweet ministry, and does not necessitate that you wear the green
scapular any more for it does not have a green cord, and are the size
of a square quarter.
I think you would be pleased with this Apostlate of the Green Scapular and perhaps recommend it to others as I have done.
Address: Apostolate of the Green Scapular
7710-T Cherry Park Dr. #417 Houston, Texas 77095
Ladder
of Divine Ascent excerpt: Step 27- "On holy stillness of body and soul"
50. When you go forth, guard what you have gathered.
When the cage is opened, the birds fly out. And then we shall find
no further profit in stillness.
January 19, 2011
(Psa 82:3-4) Judge
for the needy and fatherless: do justice to the humble and the poor.
Rescue the poor; and deliver the needy out of the hand of the sinner.
POPE JOHN PAUL II
(1995): "Many Christians from all Communities, by reason of their
faith, are jointly involved in bold projects aimed at changing the
world by inculcating respect for the rights and needs of everyone,
especially the poor, the lowly, and the defenseless … Christians who
once acted independently are now engaged together in the service of
this cause, so that God's mercy may triumph"
FAITH IN ACTION: Twin boys saved from abortion inspire mother to help others
FAMILY RESEARCH COUNCIL BLOG: Pope John Paul II and Roe v. Wade
Last Friday the world heard the news that the Catholic Church will
beatify Pope John Paul II later this year, which is one step closer to
the Church formally recognizing that he rests in Heaven. I suspect that
many of my Evangelical friends are well ahead of the Catholic Church in
knowing that he is there, in the great cloud of witnesses, adoring his
Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Before beatification the Catholic Church confirms that a miracle has
occurred due to the intercession of the deceased. In Pope John Paul’s
case, it is the miraculous cure of a French nun, Sister Marie
Simon-Pierre, who had suffered from Parkinson’s disease. This little
nun says John Paul was and is an inspiration because of his defense of
the unborn child. “John Paul II did everything he could for life, to
defend life,” she said. “He was very close to the smallest and weakest.
How many times did we see him approach a handicapped person, a sick
person?”
It is hard for me to approach another anniversary of Roe v. Wade
without thinking of this great man who once said that “a nation that
kills its own children is a nation without hope.” His very life was a
witness to the sanctity of all human life. John Paul survived an
assassination attempt and immediately forgave his assassin. He survived
the two greatest threats to life and freedom of the 20th century, Nazi
Germany and Communist Totalitarianism, and of that bloody century,
said: “The cemetery of the victims of human cruelty in our century is
extended to include yet another vast cemetery, that of the unborn.”
He dedicated an entire encyclical to abortion and euthanasia, and in
the magnificent “Gospel of Life” he minced no words: “No human law can
claim to legitimize” abortion, he said. We have a “grave and clear
obligation to oppose” such laws, even through “conscientious
objection.”
Another spiritual leader on her way to saintly recognition, Mother
Teresa, was his comrade-in-arms on this issue and equally blunt:
“America needs no words from me to see how your decision in Roe v. Wade
has deformed a great nation. The so-called right to abortion has pitted
mothers against their children and women against men. It has portrayed
the greatest of gifts — a child — as a competitor, an intrusion, and an
inconvenience.”
Imagine the homecoming for these two giants for life: a choir of little ones, in the millions.
EXCERPT VIA FATHER CORAPI:
The front line and primary battle is going to be the fight for life:
The dignity of every human life from the moment of conception to the
last moment of natural life. If we lose that one, every other battle
space will be compromised. If the government succeeds in establishing
abortion as an inalienable "right", then the elderly and sick will be
next. It will then be a short and slippery step to the government
deciding who lives and dies regardless of their inherent human dignity.
If you don't already pray the Rosary every day, please start at once.
The prayer of the holy Rosary is the prayer of the holy Gospel, and
that means it is the prayer of the Good News Who is Jesus Christ, the
LIFE of the world. Many saints will be forged in the crucible of the
coming years. Make sure you are among them.
Ladder
of Divine Ascent excerpt: Step 27- "On holy stillness of body and soul"
27. The monk is one who flees all men, though without
hatred, just as another hastens to them, though without enthusiasm; he
does not wish to be hindered from partaking of the sweetness of God.
January 18, 2011
(Heb 3:12-14) Take
heed, brethren, lest perhaps there be in any of you an evil heart of
unbelief, to depart from the living God. But exhort one another every
day, whilst it is called to day, that none of you be hardened through
the deceitfulness of sin. For we are made partakers of Christ: yet so,
if we hold the beginning of his substance firm unto the end.
FROM THE DESK OF FATHER JACK: Saints: A Sinners Guide, or: Ten Most Important Facts about Repentance
FROM THE MAILBAG
REFLECTION by Father Ted – January 13, 2011
My Lord Jesus Christ, in the first reading for this morning’s Mass Your
Holy Spirit exhorted us “would that today you would hear the voice of
the Lord” and “harden not your hearts.” You simply tell us through Your
Holy Spirit how much You want to teach us what is most important for us
in our lives.
You want us to accept what You teach and to do what You ask of us every day.
And why?
Because You want to bless us – every single day.
You have been striving to teach each one of us that You created us
because You want us to know You, to love You, to serve You on earth so
that we can be with You in heaven forever.
How often You strive to guide us and to correct us.
And what do we do?
We often ignore You and Your ways.
We allow ourselves to become deceived by the evil one who strives to
con us into not listening to You and not following Your directions to
true happiness.
Many years ago he conned me and many of my companions into diminishing
our time for prayer. He simply told us that our work was our prayer.
We believed him. And as a result we cut back our time for prayer by not praying the Divine Office.
We still offered Mass daily. We still prayed the Rosary daily – at least many did.
But prayer was not our top priority.
The evil one had deceived us.
As a result we lost the ability to recognize truth. We lost the desire to teach the truth.
Moreover we lost the ability to resist many temptations. The less
difficult ones we were able to overcome. But many of us succumbed to
the major temptations. And we did not know why.
Now I do. For when we fail to maintain a close and intimate
relationship with You, we lack the spiritual strength and the stamina
to resist his temptations. We sin.
Lord, help us to recognize how important our prayer life is. Help us
not to harden our hearts – so we can become the holy ones who do Your
Will. Help us to bring Your peace to Your world. Help us to sanctify
Your earth.
Ladder
of Divine Ascent excerpt: Step 27- "On holy stillness of body and soul"
25. He who discourses subtlely and discerningly
on stillness stirs up the demons against himself, for there is no one else
who can so expose their indecencies.
January 14, 2011
THE TRIB TIMES WILL
RETURN NEXT WEEK, GOD WILLING (James 4:15).
(1Pe 3:15-16) But
sanctify the Lord Christ in your hearts, being ready always to satisfy
every one that asketh you a reason of that hope which is in you. But
with modesty and fear, having a good conscience: that whereas they
speak evil of you, they may be ashamed who falsely accuse your good
conversation in Christ.
RECENT RON SMITH REPORTS
Catechising Children
Postures at Mass
Eastern Rite Rules for Confession and Anointing of the Sick
Birth Control and Excommunication
Tradition
Holy Mass Rubrics
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REVIEW: The Catholic Church's Stance on Cremation
I usually listen to National Public Radio when driving in the car. A
couple of weeks ago Terry Gross, the host of “Fresh Air,” was
interviewing Carlos Eire Riggs, a professor of history and religious
studies at Yale University. Discussing his concept of eternity and his
belief that something awaits him after this life, he mentioned that his
final hope is to have a Catholic funeral Mass followed by cremation.
Terry Gross reacted by saying that she didn’t know the Catholic Church
allows cremation, to which Professor Riggs responded that the church
changes many things, but the media usually doesn’t notice.
The last part of his statement addresses one of the reasons for this
monthly “Misperceptions” column written by members of the pastoral team
of Holy Cross Parish. The Catholic Church does on occasion revise some
of its teachings, often in response to new circumstances in our rapidly
changing world, as well as deepening theological understandings of its
beliefs.
Some teachings do not change: the fundamental beliefs found in the
Apostles and Nicene creeds, for example. The church’s understanding and
presentation of its beliefs, however, are ever evolving. The early
Christian beliefs in the body as the temple of the Holy Spirit
(1Corinthians 6:19-20) and in the resurrection of the body
(1Corinthians 15:35-58) engendered a strong respect for the human body.
In the early church, cremation was seen as a rejection of the doctrine
of the Resurrection. In 1963, the Catholic Church ended its ban on
cremation, provided that the reason for choosing cremation was not
contrary to Christian beliefs. In this change, the body was still to be
present for the Mass of Christian Burial (the actual name for a
Catholic funeral Mass), with cremation to follow. The 1997 revision of
the Order of Christian Funerals, however, allowed the cremated remains
to be included as part of the funeral rite in the church. This change
was made out of a pastoral sensitivity for the increasing number of
people choosing to cremate the body of a loved one immediately after
death yet still seeking a Catholic funeral.
The church still strongly recommends the traditional burial of the
dead. The earlier 1989 revised Order of Christian funerals states,
“Since in Baptism the body was marked with the seal of the Trinity and
became the temple of the Holy Spirit, Christians respect and honor the
bodies of the dead and the places where they rest…” This is emphasized
in the Mass of Christian Burial by the sprinkling of the casket with
holy water and its draping with the white pall.
If the funeral liturgy is to be celebrated with the cremated remains,
they are contained in a “worthy vessel” and placed on a table where the
casket normally would reside. The paschal candle (a symbol of Christ’s
resurrection) is placed, as usual, in that location. Scripture readings
chosen by the family should not make any reference to the body.
After the funeral rite, a very important issue is the disposition of
the cremated remains, which should be buried in the ground or entombed
in a columbarium (a cemetery vault designed for urns). The remains
should be respected in the same manner, as would the body of a
deceased. They should not be put on display or kept in the home of the
family, nor scattered in the wind. The church expects a more reverent
disposition of the earthly remains of the deceased.
The church seeks to minister to the needs of those grieving the loss of
a loved one, while also expecting them to respect the teachings and
rituals of the church to which they turn to celebrate the life of their
loved one.
In response to changing times and practices, the Catholic Church has
adapted its funeral rituals to meet the needs of the growing number of
people who have their loved ones cremated. It also reminds them of the
respect due the earthly remains. As one of the funeral prayers reminds
us, “Lord, for your faithful people, life is changed, not ended. When
the body of our earthly dwelling lies in death, we gain an everlasting
dwelling place in heaven.”
Ladder
of Divine Ascent excerpt: Step 27- "On holy stillness of body and soul"
23. When the watchman grows weary, he stands up
and prays; and then he sits down again and courageously takes up his former
task.
January 13, 2011
(Pro 19:17) He that hath mercy on the poor, lendeth to the Lord: and he will repay him.
HEADLINE: Salesian Missions Launches ProgressInHaiti.org to Inform Public of Progress in Haiti One Year After Earthquake
A year after the earthquake damaged nearly all of its schools and
buildings in the Port-au-Prince area, Salesian Missions has launched a
news site that focuses on “progress,” while so much media attention is
being paid on the opposite.
The purpose of ProgressInHaiti.org
is to provide information and insight about programs and progress in
Haiti related to Salesian efforts as well as that of partner
organizations and overall issues in the poor, earthquake ravaged
country.
Stories include “Reading, Writing and Rebuilding a Country: Training Tomorrow's Leaders in Haiti”
– about schools in operation despite of the fact that its buildings
were destroyed and some things are in short supply. The school has
found ways to turn the circumstances into learning opportunities.
Children are returning to classrooms in temporary shelters built by
Salesian Missions' own vocational students. Children are returning to
classrooms in temporary shelters built by the school's own vocational
students.
In the aftermath of Haiti's earthquake, Salesian Missions provided
disaster relief to victims—many of them their own students and
teachers. Early efforts focused on the basic human needs of food,
water, medical supplies, survival kits and tents for shelter. Thousands
of refugees were housed within the confines of those facilities which
were not destroyed, and thousands more were provided meals.
The Salesian Missions Office for International Programs, located in
New Rochelle, NY, was assigned the task of coordinating relief efforts
immediately after the earthquake. Donations are still desperately
needed and can be made directly from ProgressInHaiti.org.
In the following months, 59 containers of relief supplies—including
food, water, clothing, medical supplies, computers, personal hygiene
supplies, water purification plants, water purification tablets, 1,600
schools in a box, 10 industrial generators, and forklifts—were shipped,
as well as two school buses and nearly 2,000 tents. To ensure the most
effective use of supplies, Salesian Missions evaluates the situation at
each of its sites to match needs with available resources.
RELATED: Catholic Relief Services still hopeful for Haitian rebuilding efforts
VIA THE VATICAN: Pope Dispatches Envoy To Haiti
As Haiti and the world get ready to
mark the first anniversary of the devastating earthquake that killed at
least 230,000 Haitians last January 12th, the Pope has dispatched an
envoy to the troubled Caribbean nation.
The Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI,
sent Cardinal Robet Sarah as his special envoy to Haiti to mark the
first anniversary of the earthquake that also left over one million
displaced.
The Pontif also dedicated a
`special thought` to the Haitian people, in keeping with the
anniversary on Wednesday, January 12th. He said that Cardinal Sarah
will `express my constant proximity and that of the entire (Roman
Catholic) church` to the local population.
REVIEW: A year later, Haiti celebrates life, mourns its dead
Ladder
of Divine Ascent excerpt: Step 27- "On holy stillness of body and soul"
22. Take up your seat on a high place and watch,
if only you know how, and then you will see in what manner, when, whence,
how many and what kind of thieves come to enter and steal your clusters
of grapes.
January 12, 2011
(Rom 6:12-13) Let
not sin therefore reign in your mortal bodies, to make you obey their
passions. Do not yield your members to sin as instruments of
wickedness, but yield yourselves to God as men who have been brought
from death to life, and your members to God as instruments of
righteousness.
VIA BHA: THE CUNNING DEVICES USED BY THE DEVIL TO DESTROY COMPLETELY THOSE HE HAS ALREADY DRAWN INTO SIN
When the devil has enmeshed the soul in sin, he uses every means at his
disposal to distract its attention from anything that would enable it
to recognize the terrible condition into which it has fallen.
The devil is not content to stifle every inspiration from Heaven, and
to suggest evil thoughts in their place. He endeavors to plunge it into
new faults, either of the same or a more vicious nature by supplying
dangerous opportunities to sin.
Thus the soul, deprived of Heavenly guidance, heaps sin upon sin, and
hardens itself in its evil ways. Floundering in the mire, it rushes
from darkness to darkness, from one pit to another, always moving
farther from the path of salvation and multiplying sin upon sin, unless
strengthened by an extraordinary grace from Heaven.
The most efficacious remedy against this evil is the willing reception
of the Divine helps that will draw the soul from darkness to light,
from vice to virtue. Let the soul cry out: "Lord, help me! Hasten to my
relief! Do not leave me any longer in the darkness of sin and death!"
Similar ejaculations should be frequently repeated.
If it is possible, one should immediately seek the advice of his
confessor against the assaults of the enemy. If this is impossible, one
should kneel before a crucifix, or beseech the Queen of Heaven for
compassion and assistance.
Victory depends entirely on the diligent effort that is expended.
VICTIMS OF SPIRITUAL WARFARE IN THIS WEEKS HEADLINES
Delaware Diocese Offering $74 Million to Abuse Victims to Exit Bankruptcy
Milwaukee Archdiocese files for bankruptcy protection
Maltese Catholic church to set up tribunal into child sex abuse after victims write to Vatican
'De-baptism' in Belgium in wake of child abuse scandal
RELATED COMMENTARIES
CATHOLIC ONLINE: Penance, Purification and Purity: Dealing with the Sin Within the Church
FIRST THINGS: The Priesthood and Justice
CALIFORNIA CATHOLIC DAILY: Prospect of a lucrative pay-off
ARCHBISHOP CHAPUT: Statement on Father Mel Thompson's restoration to priestly service and retirement
Ladder
of Divine Ascent excerpt: Step 27- "On holy stillness of body and soul"
21. Those whose mind has learned true prayer converse
with the Lord face to face, as if speaking into the ear of the emperor.
Those who make vocal prayer fall down before Him as if int he presence
of the who senate. But those who live in the world petition the emperor
amidst the clamour of all the crowds.
January 11, 2011
(Rev 12:12-13) Rejoice
then, O heaven and you that dwell therein! But woe to you, O earth and
sea, for the devil has come down to you in great wrath, because he
knows that his time is short!" And when the dragon saw that he had been
thrown down to the earth, he pursued the woman who had borne the male
child.
OPEN DOORS REPORT:
Open Doors, an organization supporting persecuted Christian churches,
asserts 100 million Christians worldwide are targeted for their faith.
It found that eight of the top 10 countries that are the most dangerous
for Christians to practice their religion are nations with Islamic
majorities, including Iran, Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia, Somalia and
Yemen. Topping the list was communist North Korea.
New on this year's Open Doors list
is Iraq, to the shame of that nation's new leadership and of its
biggest backer, the United States. More than half of Iraq's Christian
population, numbering 800,000 to 1.4 million before the 2003 U.S.
invasion, have fled the country, according to the New York Times.
COMMENTARIES
The Greatest Story Never Told
Mark Seddon: We may be witnessing a new age of Christian persecution
Christine M. Flowers: Christians in the crosshairs
PERSONAL TESTIMONY: A Knock at the door, A lesson for America
EXCERPT: POPE BENEDICT XVI "STATE OF THE WORLD" ADDRESS
As a new year begins, our own hearts and the entire world continue to
echo the joyful message proclaimed twenty centuries ago in the night of
Bethlehem, a night which symbolizes humanity’s deep need for light,
love and peace. To the men and women of that time, as to those of our
own day, the heavenly hosts brought the good news of the coming of the
Saviour: “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light;
those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shined”
(Is 9:1). The mystery of the Son of God who became the son of man truly
surpasses all human expectations. In its absolute gratuitousness this
saving event is the authentic and full response to the deep desire of
every heart. The truth, goodness, happiness and abundant life which
each man and woman consciously or unconsciously seeks are given to us
by God. In longing for these gifts, each person is seeking his Creator,
for “God alone responds to the yearning present in the heart of every
man and woman” (Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation Verbum Domini, 23).
Humanity throughout history, in its beliefs and rituals, demonstrates a
constant search for God and “these forms of religious expression are so
universal that one may well call man a religious being” (Catechism of
the Catholic Church, 28). The religious dimension is an undeniable and
irrepressible feature of man’s being and acting, the measure of the
fulfilment of his destiny and of the building up of the community to
which he belongs. Consequently, when the individual himself or those
around him neglect or deny this fundamental dimension, imbalances and
conflicts arise at all levels, both personal and interpersonal.
Ladies and Gentlemen, on this solemn occasion, allow me to state
clearly several principles which inspire the Holy See, together with
the whole Catholic Church, in its activity within the intergovernmental
International Organizations for the promotion of full respect for the
religious freedom of all. First, the conviction that one cannot create
a sort of scale of degrees of religious intolerance. Unfortunately,
such an attitude is frequently found, and it is precisely acts of
discrimination against Christians which are considered less grave and
less worthy of attention on the part of governments and public opinion.
At the same time, there is a need to reject the dangerous notion of a
conflict between the right to religious freedom and other human rights,
thus disregarding or denying the central role of respect for religious
freedom in the defence and protection of fundamental human dignity.
Even less justifiable are attempts to counter the right of religious
freedom with other alleged new rights which, while actively promoted by
certain sectors of society and inserted in national legislation or in
international directives, are nonetheless merely the expression of
selfish desires lacking a foundation in authentic human nature.
Finally, it seems unnecessary to point out that an abstract
proclamation of religious freedom is insufficient: this fundamental
rule of social life must find application and respect at every level
and in all areas; otherwise, despite correct affirmations of principle,
there is a risk that deep injustice will be done to citizens wishing to
profess and freely practise their faith.
Ladder
of Divine Ascent excerpt: Step 27- "On holy stillness of body and soul"
20. Do not fear the noises of prankish demons,
for mourning does not know cowardice and is not scared by them.
January 6, 2011
THE TRIB TIMES WILL
RETURN NEXT WEEK, GOD WILLING (James 4:15).
(Mat 2:10-11) And
seeing the star they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. And entering
into the house, they found the child with Mary his mother, and falling
down they adored him: and opening their treasures, they offered him
gifts; gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
ON EPIPHANY
Human Life International e-Column: Epiphany
Catholic Online: The Happy Priest on the Feast of the Epiphany and Man's Search for God
EXCERPT HOMILY ST. LEO THE GREAT: Epiphany - the Star invites all Nations to Find Christ
The loving providence of God determined that in the last days he would
aid the world, set on its course to destruction. He decreed that all
nations should be saved in Christ.
A promise had been made to the holy patriarch Abraham in regard to
these nations. He was to have a countless progeny, born not from his
body but from the seed of faith. His descendants are therefore compared
with the array of the stars. The father of all nations was to hope not
in an earthly progeny but in a progeny from above.
Let the full number of the nations now take their place in the family
of the patriarchs. Let the children of the promise now receive the
blessing in the seed of Abraham, the blessing renounced by the children
of his flesh. In the persons of the Magi let all people adore the
Creator of the universe; let God be known, not in Judaea only, but in
the whole world, so that his name may be great in all Israel.
Dear friends, now that we have received instruction in this revelation
of God’s grace, let us celebrate with spiritual joy the day of our
first harvesting, of the first calling of the Gentiles. Let us give
thanks to the merciful God, who has made us worthy, in the words of the
Apostle, to share the position of the saints in light, who has rescued
us from the power of darkness, and brought us into the kingdom of his
beloved Son. As Isaiah prophesied: the people of the Gentiles, who sat
in darkness, have seen a great light, and for those who dwelt in the
region of the shadow of death a light has dawned. He spoke of them to
the Lord: The Gentiles, who do not know you, will invoke you, and the
peoples, who knew you not, will take refuge in you.
This is the day that Abraham saw, and rejoiced to see, when he knew
that the sons born of his faith would be blessed in his seed, that is,
in Christ. Believing that he would be the father of the nations, he
looked into the future, giving glory to God, in full awareness that God
is able to do what he has promised.
This is the day that David prophesied in the psalms, when he said: All
the nations that you have brought into being will come and fall down in
adoration in your presence, Lord, and glorify your name. Again, the
Lord has made known his salvation; in the sight of the nations he has
revealed his justice.
This came to be fulfilled, as we know, from the time when the star
beckoned the three wise men out of their distant country and led them
to recognise and adore the King of heaven and earth. The obedience of
the star calls us to imitate its humble service: to be servants, as
best we can, of the grace that invites all men to find Christ.
Dear friends, you must have the same zeal to be of help to one another;
then, in the kingdom of God, to which faith and good works are the way,
you will shine as children of the light: through our Lord Jesus Christ,
who lives and reigns with God the Father and the Holy Spirit for ever
and ever. Amen.
Ladder
of Divine Ascent excerpt: Step 27- "On holy stillness of body and soul"
19. The patience of the sailor is tested in the
midday heat or when he is becalmed; and the lack of necessitities tries
the perseverance of the monk. When the one grows discouraged, he swims
in the water; and when the other becomes despondent, he mixes with crowds.
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