Saturday, June 2, 2007
The Blessed Trinity
"BLESSED be the Holy Trinity, and the undivided Unity:
we will give glory to Him, because He hath shown His mercy to us.
O Lord, our Lord, how wonderful is Thy name in all the earth!"
Tob 12:6, Ps 8:2
we will give glory to Him, because He hath shown His mercy to us.
O Lord, our Lord, how wonderful is Thy name in all the earth!"
Tob 12:6, Ps 8:2
We have celebrated the arrival of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost last Sunday. Today, Holy Mother Church celebrates the Feast of the Holy Trinity. The Trinity is the fundamental dogma of our Faith.
"This time is well chosen," says St. Rupert, "for, immediately after the descent of this Divine Spirit, began the preaching and belief and Baptism and confession in the Name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit."
At today's vigil Mass- which I served- at St. Joseph's, PM, Father Rector Michael Teo gave an illustrous homily on the the "Godhead" (Fr. Teo likes to refer to the Trinity as the Godhead three-in-one).
The Father, Son & Holy Sprit is the Trinity. To the non-believer, the concept of the Trinity may be polytheistic.
The word "trinity" is a term used to denote the Christian doctrine that God exists as a unity of three distinct persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The Trinity is NOT POLYTHEISTIC. The Trinity is a strict monotheism; there exists in all the universe a single being known as God who is self-existent and unchangeable (Isaiah 43:10; 44:6,8). Therefore, it is important to note that the doctrine of the trinity is not polytheistic as some of its critics proclaim. Trinitarianism is MONOTHEISTIC by definition and those who claim it is polytheistic may demonstrate a lack of understanding of what it really is.
The Trinity:
- God is three persons
- Each person is divine
- There is only one God
Each- Father, Son, or Holy Spirit- is fully divine in nature, but each is not the totality of the Trinity. In other words, the Father is not the same person as the Son who is not the same person as the Holy Spirit who is not the same person as the Father. Each is divine, yet there are not three gods, but one God.
We can refer to the three different 'entities' of the Trinity as either: Person or Subsistence. The word "subsistence" means something that has a real existence. The word "person" denotes individuality and self awareness. (The latter has become a more common term to describe the Trinity.)
The Doctrine on the Trinity is difficult to grasp as the Trinity is a mystery that cannot be fathomed by the human intellect. The fact that it is a mystery is an argument for its truth.
Sacred Scripture is the self revelation of an infinite God. Therefore, we are bound to encounter concepts which are difficult to understand; especially when dealing with an incomprehensible God who exists in all places at all times.
"The Trinity cannot be understood by the human intellect, it is not a mathematical problem, even if it were, we could not solve it mathematically. The Trinity is a mystery. St. Thomas, one of the great Doctors of the Church tells us that 'we cannot walk around the mystery, we need to enter the mystery- enter into a relationship with God.' " Rev. Fr. Michael Teo, in his homily today.
Oremus:
O ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, Who has enabled Thy servants, in confessiong the true Faith, to acknowledge the glory of the eternal Trinity, and in the power of Majesty to adore Its Unity: we beseech Thee, that be steadfastness in the same Faith, we ever be defended against all adversity. Through our Lord. Amen.
In the Holy Trinity,
J-PDM
The Most Holy Trinity 2007
Labels: Apologetics, Catholic Belief, Quote, Spirituality, Trinity
Friday, March 2, 2007
Apologia Against Those Who Decry Holy Images
(By St. John of Damascus, via Medieval Sourcebook; thanks to Karen)
St. John the Climacus, St. John of Damascus, St. ArseniusAn Excerpt:
We proclaim Him also by our senses on all sides, and we sanctify the noblest sense, which is that of sight. The image is a memorial, just what words are to a listening ear. What a book is to the literate, that an image is to the illiterate. The image speaks to the sight as words to the ear; it brings us understanding. Hence God ordered the ark to be made of imperishable wood, and to be gilded outside and in, and the tablets to be put in it, and the staff and the golden urn containing the manna, for a remembrance of the past and a type of the future. Who can say these were not images and far-sounding heralds? And they did not hang on the walls of the tabernacle; but in sight of all the people who looked towards them, they were brought forward for the worship and adoration of God, who made use of them. It is evident that they were not worshipped for themselves, but that the people were led through them to remember past signs, and to worship the God of wonders. They were images to serve as recollections, not divine, but leading to divine things by divine power.
Read the full Apologia.
Labels: Apologetics, Catholic Belief, Icons, Links, Saints
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Links
Andrew from Unam Sanctam has an interesting post on the 'missing' Motu Proprio: Where's the Motu Proprio. For Apologists out there, read: The Catholic Church is a Cult.
Lastly, Mark from Deus Caritas Est discusses the difference between true- Christian- martyrdom and the Islamic martyrdom in: Do you see the difference?
Have a blessed week ahead and don't forget to get your candles ready for this Friday's- Presentation of the Lord- blessing.
Labels: Apologetics, Catholic Belief, Links
Monday, January 22, 2007
Let Them Be One...
(via A Catholic Life)
From January 18 - January 25, 2007, we celebrate the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, of which I have already posted a prayer. However, I feel that instruction is needed for the faithful during this week.
It would be extremely easy to fall into error this week seeking for unity. For we as Catholics follow the complete Truth of Jesus Christ revealed over the past 2,000 years. And that is what we will always believe. We shall not disregard a single teaching of the Church for "unity". Unity does not mean that all of the separated Christians should come together and make compromises until a new Creed is made. This is heresy! We will not compromise one single article of doctrine, or one single dogma, or one single practice of our faith. For that is a common misconception of what this Week of Christian Unity is about. This week of Christian Unity is about praying for fellow non-Catholics to repent for their sins and enter into the Catholic Church - completely obedient to the Magesterium and all honored Traditions of the Faith. Yes, it is a sin to refuse to believe a single dogma of the Church. And, it may compromise one's soul if that person refuses to believe even one part of the Faith taught by Christ and revealed through the years by the Holy Catholic Church. Again, anyone who will disregard a dogma or teaching of the Holy Church in the name of ecumenism will surely answer to Almighty God.
The Church is our Mother and lead by the Successor of Saint Peter - the Pope. I have already posted a summary of some of the Church's teachings in my post on the Prayer for Unity. And, since we still hold the True Faith, it is our obligation to pray for non-Catholics to see their errors and enter the Church. In truth, interdenominational activity has been condemned through the years by the Church. I have not and will not attend a single Protestant service, and I hope and pray all Catholics will do the same. This is not because I view myself superior. After all, Jesus ate with the sinners and was criticized for it. But, it is a scandelous activity to attend a Protestant service. Not only do Protestants not have the authentic Sacraments like the Eucharist, Confession, Last Rites, Holy Orders, etc., they believe heresy. The very word "Protestant" implies they are "protesting". And what are they protesting against? They protest against the Catholic Church, which is the Sacrament of salvation for the whole world! For this reason, it is wrong for any Catholic to attend a non-Catholic religious service.
Pope Pius XI condemend the "ecumenical movement" in Mortalium Animos:
"...it will be opportune to expound and to reject a certain false opinion which lies at the root of this question and of that complex movement by which non-Catholics seek to bring about the union of Christian Churches. Those who favor this view constantly quote the words of Christ, "That they may be one (Ut unum sint)... And there shall be one fold and one shepherd" (John xvii. 21, x. 16), in the sense that Christ thereby merely expressed a desire or a prayer which as yet has not been granted. For they hold that the unity of faith and government which is a note of the one true Church of Christ has up to the present time hardly ever existed, and does not exist today. They consider that this unity is indeed to be desired and may even, by cooperation and good will, be actually attained, but that meanwhile it must be regarded as a mere ideal. The Church, they say, is of its nature divided into sections, composed of several churches or distinct communities which still remain separate, and although holding in common some articles of doctrine, nevertheless differ concerning the remainder; that all these enjoy the same rights; and that the Church remained one and undivided at the most only from the Apostolic age until the first Ecumenical Councils. Hence, they say, controversies and long-standing differences, which today still keep asunder the members of the Christian family, must be entirely set aside, and from the residue of doctrines a common form of faith drawn up and proposed for belief, in the profession of which all may not only know but also feel themselves to be brethren. If the various Churches or communities were united in some kind of universal federation, they would then be in a position to oppose resolutely and successfully the progress of irreligion.
"Such, Venerable Brethren, is the common contention. There are indeed some who recognize and affirm that Protestantism has with inconsiderate zeal rejected certain articles of faith and external ceremonies which are in fact useful and attractive, and which the Roman Church still retains. But they immediately go on to say that the Roman Church, too, has erred, and corrupted the primitive religion by adding to it and proposing for belief doctrines not only alien to the Gospel but contrary to its spirit. Chief among these they count that of the primacy of jurisdiction granted to Peter and to his successors in the See of Rome. There are actually some, though few, who grant to the Roman Pontiff a primacy of honor and even a certain power or jurisdiction; this, however, they consider to arise not from the divine law but merely from the consent of the faithful. Others, again, even go so far as to desire the Pontiff himself to preside over their mixed assemblies. For the rest, while you may hear many non-Catholics loudly preaching brotherly communion in Jesus Christ, yet not one will you find to whom it even occurs with devout submission to obey the Vicar of Jesus Christ in his capacity of teacher or ruler. Meanwhile they assert their readiness to treat with the Church of Rome, but on equal terms, as equals with an equal. But even if they could so treat, there seems little doubt that they would do so only on condition that no pact into which they might enter should compel them to retract those opinions which still keep them outside the one fold of Christ.
"This being so, it is clear that the Apostolic See can by no means take part in these assemblies. nor is it in any way lawful for Catholics to give to such enterprises their encouragement or support. If they did so, they would be giving countenance to a false Christianity quite alien to the one Church of Christ. Shall we commit the iniquity of suffering the truth, the truth revealed by God, to be made a subject for compromise? For it is indeed a question of defending revealed truth. Jesus Christ sent His Apostles into the whole world to declare the faith of the Gospel to every nation, and, to save them from error, He willed that the Holy Ghost should first teach them all truth. Has this doctrine, then, disappeared, or at any time been obscured, in the Church of which God Himself is the ruler and guardian? Our Redeemer plainly said that His Gospel was intended not only for the apostolic age but for all time. Can the object of faith, then, have become in the process of time so dim and uncertain that today we must tolerate contradictory opinions? If this were so, then we should have to admit that the coming of the Holy Ghost upon the Apostles, the perpetual indwelling of the same Spirit in the Church, nay, the very preaching of Jesus Christ, have centuries ago lost their efficacy and value. To affirm this would be blasphemy.
Now, please realize I don't want violence or discord to result from my opinions or this mentioned statement. But, we must not compromise our beliefs. We must pray for and love non-Catholics, especially Protestants, but we can't compromise our beliefs one ounce. That is why we must pray, pray, and pray for non-Catholics to see their errors and return to the Flock of Christ so that there will exist one Flock and one Shepherd. We must pray for schismatics, heretics, and pagans to all repent and enter the Church of Christ. As St. Pius X wrote, "There is only one divine faith which is the beginning of salvation for mankind and the basis of all justification, the faith by which the just person lives and without which it is impossible to please God and to come to the community of His children. There is only one true, holy, Catholic church, which is the Apostolic Roman Church." (Singulari Quidem, Encyclical of Pope Pius IX)
If you are non-Catholic and would like more information than posted on this website, I suggest you visit One Bread Lay Apostolate, which provides free information for non-Catholics. For an indepth look at numerous issues with the Church, check out the Catholic Defense Directory too. For some articles on Catholic beliefs that I have written, see Living a Catholic Life.
I will conclude with these words from part of the document "Notification relative to the book of Jacques Dupuis, Toward a Christian Theology of Religious Pluralism" from the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, when Cardinal Ratzinger was in charge of it. This document was read by Pope John Paul II at the audience of January 19, 2001:
I. On the sole and universal salvific mediation of Jesus Christ.
1. It must be firmly believed that Jesus Christ, the Son of God made man, crucified and risen, is the sole and universal mediator of salvation for all humanity.
2. It must be firmly believed that Jesus of Nazareth, Son of Man and only Savior of the world, is the Son and Word of the Father. For the unity of the divine plan of salvation centered in Jesus Christ, it must also be held that the salvific action of the Word is accomplished in and through Jesus Christ, the Incarnate Son of the Father, as mediator of salvation for all humanity. It is therefore contrary to the Catholic faith not only to posit a separation between the Word and Jesus, or between the Word's salvific activity and that of Jesus, but also to maintain that there is a salvific activity of the Word as such in his divinity, independent of the humanity of the Incarnate Word.
II. On the unicity and completeness of revelation of Jesus Christ.
3. It must be firmly believed that Jesus Christ is the mediator and fulfillment and the completeness of revelation. It is therefore contrary to the Catholic faith to maintain that revelation in Jesus Christ (or the revelation of Jesus Christ) is limited, incomplete or imperfect. Moreover, although full knowledge of divine revelation will be had only on the day of the Lord's coming in glory, the historical revelation of Jesus Christ offers everything necessary for man's salvation and has no need of completion by other religions.
4. It is consistent with Catholic doctrine to hold that the seeds of truth and goodness that exist in other religions are a certain participation in truths contained in the revelation of or in Jesus Christ. However, it is erroneous to hold that such elements of truth and goodness, or some of them, do not derive ultimately from the source-mediation of Jesus Christ.
5. The Church's faith teaches that the Holy Spirit, working after the resurrection of Jesus Christ, is always the Spirit of Christ sent by the Father, who works in a salvific way in Christians as well as non-Christians. It is therefore contrary to the Catholic faith to hold that the salvific action of the Holy Spirit extends beyond the one universal salvific economy of the Incarnate Word.
IV. On the orientation of all human beings to the Church.
6.It must be firmly believed that the Church is sign and instrument of salvation for all people. It is contrary to the Catholic faith to consider the different religions of the world as ways of salvation complementary to the Church.7. According to Catholic doctrine, the followers of other religions are oriented to the Church and are all called to become part of her.
V. On the value and salvific function of the religious traditions.
8. In accordance with Catholic doctrine, it must be held that "whatever the Spirit brings about in human hearts and in the history of peoples, in cultures and religions, serves as a preparation for the Gospel" (cf. Dogmatic Constitution Lumen Gentium, 16). It is therefore legitimate to maintain that the Holy Spirit accomplishes salvation in non-Christians also through those elements of truth and goodness present in the various religions; however to hold that these religions, considered as such, are ways of salvation, has no foundation in Catholic theology, also because they contain omissions, insufficiencies and errors regarding fundamental truths about God, man and the world.
Furthermore, the fact that elements of truth and goodness present in the various world religions may prepare peoples and cultures to receive the saving event of Jesus Christ does not imply that the sacred texts of these religions can be considered as complementary to the Old Testament, which is the immediate preparation for the Christ event.
(This document's commentry can be found here)
Let us pray and work towards unity - that all people will be members of the one, true Church that Jesus Christ established for the salvation of the world - the Catholic Church. Again, I ask for prayers for all people in RCIA. Please read the prayer of Jesus for Christian Unity from The Gospel of John, Chapter 17.
(For more Catholic Apologetics, refer to the sidebar- Defend TRUE Religion)
Labels: Apologetics, Catholic Belief, Eucmenism, Holy Father
Tuesday, January 2, 2007
Avoid the Neocatechumenal Way
(via A Catholic Life)
After reading up about the Neocatechumenal Way today, I feel obligated to write about my strong disapproval for the organization. As Wikipedia states, "The Neocatechumenal Way or Neocatechumenate is a "Post Baptismal Catechumenate" i.e. a Christian initiation process within the Roman Catholic Church that is dedicated to adult faith formation." However, there are numerous actions that would typically be considered liturgical abuses that take part during the liturgy of the Neocatechumenal Way. I found a plethora of information on the doctrinal errors of the Neocatechumenal Way from the faithful magazine "Christian Order," specifically a 1995 article. Here are some information from that magazine relating to the doctrinal errors of Neocatechumenal Way:
- "SIN: man cannot avoid committing it, in the same way as he can neither accomplish good nor acquire merits for himself"
- "REDEMPTION: Jesus has not brought this about by liberating man from his faults and reconciling him with God"
- "THE MASS is not a 'sacrifice': the Church, at the altar, does not offer to God any Victim.
The Neocatechumenal Way does not refer to the Altar as anything more than a "table"! I found a comment concerning liturgical abuses because of the Neocatechumenal Way on EWTN's Catholic Q&A. Here is the part describing the abuses: "This group engages in various practices within their special liturgy that are regularly considered abuses, such as standing at the Consecration, decorating the Altar with flowers, dancing around the Altar, or 'Table' as they call it, after Mass, accompanying the chanting of the Eucharistic Prayer with guitars, to name a few." I found a picture of a Baptism done by a priest of the Way via Yahoo Images. It is done very differently than in a typical parish. Also, notice the flowers on the altar, which should not be there.
Thankfully Pope Benedict XVI has required certain changes as dictated by a December 2005 letter. Let us hope and pray for this community to stop participating in liturgical abuses and amend their liturgy to reflect that of the Catholic Church. The New Liturgical Movment commented on this.
If anyone reading this has had experience with this group, I would especially like to hear your opinions. I have not heard of them before, so I would like to hear others' opinions on the Neocatechumenal Way.
Further Information:
Comments: I strongly agree with A Catholic Life on this. He rightly points out the incompatible differences between the Neoatechumenal Way and mainstream Catholicism. (In Singapore, the Neocatechumenal Way hold services in the Church of St. Bernadette, Zion Road.)
Labels: Apologetics, Liturgy
Saturday, December 16, 2006
When doing apologetics... ...
"... ... the first thing we need to remember is that when aberrant histories are presented to us, the burden of proof IS NOT for us to “disprove” the errant histories. The burden of proof is on them to prove their theory," Hermit, Bro. Ignatius Mary.
"Nice theory, prove it!"
Our first Pope, St. Peter tells us always to defend the true religion:
"But even if you should suffer because of righteousness, blessed are you. Do not be afraid or terrified with fear of them, but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts. Always be ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks you for a reason for your hope, but do it with gentleness and reverence, keeping your conscience clear, so that, when you are maligned, those who defame your good conduct in Christ may themselves be put to shame." (1 Peter 3:14-16)
"Nice theory, prove it!"
Our first Pope, St. Peter tells us always to defend the true religion:
"But even if you should suffer because of righteousness, blessed are you. Do not be afraid or terrified with fear of them, but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts. Always be ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks you for a reason for your hope, but do it with gentleness and reverence, keeping your conscience clear, so that, when you are maligned, those who defame your good conduct in Christ may themselves be put to shame." (1 Peter 3:14-16)
Labels: Apologetics, Quote
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