Saturday, March 29, 2008
"As Bishop I Cannot Be Silent"
The auxiliary bishop of Karaganda in Kazakhstan has spoken with Gloria.TV about his new book "Dominus est" in which he sharply criticises the practice of communion in the hand.
Labels: Bishops, Catholic Belief, Communion, Litugical Abuse, Traditionalism, Video
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
The Gospel of Hope
In a special way priests are called by virtue of their ministry to celebrate, teach and serve the Gospel of hope. Through the Sacrament of Orders which configures them to Christ the Head and Shepherd, Bishops and priests must conform their whole life and all their activity to Jesus. By the preaching of the word, the celebration of the sacraments and their leadership of the Christian community, they make present the mystery of Christ, and in the exercise of their ministry they are called to prolong the presence of Christ, the One High Priest, embodying his way of life and making him visible in the midst of the flock entrusted to their care.
As men who are in the world yet not of the world (cf. Jn 17:15-16), priests are called in Europe's present cultural and spiritual situation to be a sign of contradiction and of hope for a society suffering from horizontalism and in need of openness to the Transcendent.
In this context priestly celibacy also stands out as the sign of hope put totally in the Lord. Celibacy is not merely an ecclesiastical discipline imposed by authority; rather it is first and foremost a grace, a priceless gift of God for his Church, a prophetic value for the contemporary world, a source of intense spiritual life and pastoral fruitfulness, a witness to the eschatological Kingdom, a sign of God's love for this world, as well as a sign of the priest's undivided love for God and for his people. Lived in response to God's gift and as a mastery of the temptations of a hedonistic society, it not only leads to the human fulfilment of those who are called to embrace it, but proves to be a source of growth for others as well.
Celibacy is esteemed in the whole Church as fitting for the priesthood, obligatory in the Latin Church and deeply respected by the Eastern Churches. In the present cultural context, it stands out as an eloquent sign which needs to be cherished as a precious good for the Church. A revision of the present discipline in this regard would not help to resolve the crisis of vocations to the priesthood being felt in many parts of Europe. A commitment to the service of the Gospel of hope also demands that the Church make every effort to propose celibacy in its full biblical, theological and spiritual richness.
Labels: Catholic Belief, Celibacy, Holy Father, Priesthood
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Cf. The Apoc. of St. John 11:19, 12:1-6,10
Today we celebrate Mary's sacred body being lifted into the celestial paradise. Because of her sinless nature, God did not permit her body to corrupt, instead, he commanded His angels to carry her- body and soul united- into Heaven. The Blessed Virgin was met by her Son, Jesus as well as the entire court of Heaven; in their song of triumph.
Because Mary is associated in all the mysteries of our Redemption, she has been placed at the right hand of her son where she may dispose of the treasures of eternal life by a unique title- Mother of God.
Dear brothers and sisters, no amount of exterior work that we do can be as pleasing to God or as useful to the Church and souls as that of loving contemplation, in which we allow God to work in and and through us as He pleases. Mary is the perfect example of this. It was for this very reason that God created her; "Mary has chosen the better part which shall not be taken away from her". Have we learnt this important principal from our Lady?
Mary had the ability to see the Divinity of Jesus in His humanity. No one else had known the inner life of Jesus than she did. If we stay devoted to her, she WILL obtain for us this grace of the knowledge of God and of Jesus.
We must remember that the heart of our Mother is a marvel of mercy. When we fear to go to God beacuse of our sins and unworthiness, we can always go to Mary, because God has entrusted to her the realm of mercy.
Let us continue to ask our Blessed Mother to increase in us a tender and filial love towards God, a love filled with adoration for God and zeal for evangelization. Amen.
Labels: Assumption, Catholic Belief, Mary, Saints
Saturday, July 14, 2007
One, Holy, Catholic, & Apostolic Church
RESPONSES TO SOME QUESTIONS REGARDING CERTAIN ASPECTS
OF THE DOCTRINE ON THE CHURCH
INTRODUCTION
The Second Vatican Council, with its Dogmatic Constitution Lumen gentium, and its Decrees on Ecumenism (Unitatis redintegratio) and the Oriental Churches (Orientalium Ecclesiarum), has contributed in a decisive way to the renewal of Catholic ecclesiology. The Supreme Pontiffs have also contributed to this renewal by offering their own insights and orientations for praxis: Paul VI in his Encyclical Letter Ecclesiam suam (1964) and John Paul II in his Encyclical Letter Ut unum sint (1995).
The consequent duty of theologians to expound with greater clarity the diverse aspects of ecclesiology has resulted in a flowering of writing in this field. In fact it has become evident that this theme is a most fruitful one which, however, has also at times required clarification by way of precise definition and correction, for instance in the declaration Mysterium Ecclesiae (1973), the Letter addressed to the Bishops of the Catholic Church Communionis notio (1992), and the declaration Dominus Iesus (2000), all published by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.
The vastness of the subject matter and the novelty of many of the themes involved continue to provoke theological reflection. Among the many new contributions to the field, some are not immune from erroneous interpretation which in turn give rise to confusion and doubt. A number of these interpretations have been referred to the attention of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. Given the universality of Catholic doctrine on the Church, the Congregation wishes to respond to these questions by clarifying the authentic meaning of some ecclesiological expressions used by the magisterium which are open to misunderstanding in the theological debate.
RESPONSES TO THE QUESTIONS
FIRST QUESTION
Did the Second Vatican Council change the Catholic doctrine on the Church?
RESPONSE
The Second Vatican Council neither changed nor intended to change this doctrine, rather it developed, deepened and more fully explained it.
This was exactly what John XXIII said at the beginning of the Council.[1] Paul VI affirmed it[2] and commented in the act of promulgating the Constitution Lumen gentium: “There is no better comment to make than to say that this promulgation really changes nothing of the traditional doctrine. What Christ willed, we also will. What was, still is. What the Church has taught down through the centuries, we also teach. In simple terms that which was assumed, is now explicit; that which was uncertain, is now clarified; that which was meditated upon, discussed and sometimes argued over, is now put together in one clear formulation”.[3] The Bishops repeatedly expressed and fulfilled this intention.[4]
SECOND QUESTION
What is the meaning of the affirmation that the Church of Christ subsists in the Catholic Church?
RESPONSE
Christ “established here on earth” only one Church and instituted it as a “visible and spiritual community”[5], that from its beginning and throughout the centuries has always existed and will always exist, and in which alone are found all the elements that Christ himself instituted.[6] “This one Church of Christ, which we confess in the Creed as one, holy, catholic and apostolic […]. This Church, constituted and organised in this world as a society, subsists in the Catholic Church, governed by the successor of Peter and the Bishops in communion with him”.[7]
In number 8 of the Dogmatic Constitution Lumen gentium ‘subsistence’ means this perduring, historical continuity and the permanence of all the elements instituted by Christ in the Catholic Church[8], in which the Church of Christ is concretely found on this earth.
It is possible, according to Catholic doctrine, to affirm correctly that the Church of Christ is present and operative in the churches and ecclesial Communities not yet fully in communion with the Catholic Church, on account of the elements of sanctification and truth that are present in them.[9] Nevertheless, the word “subsists” can only be attributed to the Catholic Church alone precisely because it refers to the mark of unity that we profess in the symbols of the faith (I believe... in the “one” Church); and this “one” Church subsists in the Catholic Church.[10]
THIRD QUESTION
Why was the expression “subsists in” adopted instead of the simple word “is”?
RESPONSE
The use of this expression, which indicates the full identity of the Church of Christ with the Catholic Church, does not change the doctrine on the Church. Rather, it comes from and brings out more clearly the fact that there are “numerous elements of sanctification and of truth” which are found outside her structure, but which “as gifts properly belonging to the Church of Christ, impel towards Catholic Unity”.[11]
“It follows that these separated churches and Communities, though we believe they suffer from defects, are deprived neither of significance nor importance in the mystery of salvation. In fact the Spirit of Christ has not refrained from using them as instruments of salvation, whose value derives from that fullness of grace and of truth which has been entrusted to the Catholic Church”[12].
FOURTH QUESTION
Why does the Second Vatican Council use the term “Church” in reference to the oriental Churches separated from full communion with the Catholic Church?
RESPONSE
The Council wanted to adopt the traditional use of the term. “Because these Churches, although separated, have true sacraments and above all – because of the apostolic succession – the priesthood and the Eucharist, by means of which they remain linked to us by very close bonds”[13], they merit the title of “particular or local Churches”[14], and are called sister Churches of the particular Catholic Churches.[15]
“It is through the celebration of the Eucharist of the Lord in each of these Churches that the Church of God is built up and grows in stature”.[16] However, since communion with the Catholic Church, the visible head of which is the Bishop of Rome and the Successor of Peter, is not some external complement to a particular Church but rather one of its internal constitutive principles, these venerable Christian communities lack something in their condition as particular churches.[17]
On the other hand, because of the division between Christians, the fullness of universality, which is proper to the Church governed by the Successor of Peter and the Bishops in communion with him, is not fully realised in history.[18]
FIFTH QUESTION
Why do the texts of the Council and those of the Magisterium since the Council not use the title of “Church” with regard to those Christian Communities born out of the Reformation of the sixteenth century?
RESPONSE
According to Catholic doctrine, these Communities do not enjoy apostolic succession in the sacrament of Orders, and are, therefore, deprived of a constitutive element of the Church. These ecclesial Communities which, specifically because of the absence of the sacramental priesthood, have not preserved the genuine and integral substance of the Eucharistic Mystery[19] cannot, according to Catholic doctrine, be called “Churches” in the proper sense[20].
The Supreme Pontiff Benedict XVI, at the Audience granted to the undersigned Cardinal Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, ratified and confirmed these Responses, adopted in the Plenary Session of the Congregation, and ordered their publication.
Rome, from the Offices of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, June 29, 2007, the Solemnity of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul.
William Cardinal Levada
Prefect
Angelo Amato, S.D.B.
Labels: Catholic Belief, Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, Holy Father, Protestants, Reply, Second Vatican Council, Vatican
Sunday, July 8, 2007
Conversion’s storm – Evangelical returns to the faith after not be able to explain why he wasn’t a Catholic
Emphasis in red completely mine
NORTH HAVEN, Conn. (National Catholic Register) – Until a few weeks ago, Francis Beckwith served as president of the Evangelical Theological Society (ETS), an association of 4,300 Protestant theologians. That was until he made the announcement on the Right Reason blog of his return to the Catholic faith of his youth.
Beckwith returned to the church after 32 years as an evangelical. The online “storm” that followed led Beckwith to resign as president of the prestigious society.
He serves as associate professor of church-state studies at Baylor University. He spoke recently to National Catholic Register from his home in Waco, Texas.
National Catholic Register: It’s been a while now since your announcement. Can you believe your reversion is still generating so much online discussion?
No, it’s beyond remarkable. Prior to my announcement, our blog averaged 1,500 hits per day. The weekend after my announcement, it hit 20,000. We’re still getting between 5,000 and 7,000 per day.
National Catholic Register: You were born into a Catholic family. When did you leave the Catholic Church?
I was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., in 1960. My mother, Elizabeth, also born in Brooklyn, is Italian-American. My father, Harold Beckwith, was born in Connecticut. I’m the eldest of their four children. In the mid-1960s we moved to Las Vegas, Nev., where my father worked as an accountant and internal auditor at a number of hotels. In the late 1970s, both he and mother founded Sweets of Las Vegas, a candy business that had two retail stores in the area.
I didn’t realize it at the time, but I was part of the first generation of Catholics who would have no memory of the church prior to Vatican II. This also meant that I grew up, and attended Catholic schools, during a time in which well-meaning Catholic leaders were testing all sorts of innovations in the church, many of which were deleterious to the proper formation of young people.
On the other hand, there were some very important renewal movements in the church at the time.
The Catholic Charismatic Movement had a profound impact on me.
During my middle school years, while attending Maranatha House, a Jesus People church in downtown Vegas, I also frequented a Catholic Charismatic Bible study. Some of the folks at that Bible study were instrumental in bringing to my parents’ parish three Dominican priests who offered a week-long evening seminar on the Bible and the Christian life. I attended that seminar and was very much taken by the Dominicans’ erudition and deep spirituality, and the love of Jesus that was evident in the way they conducted themselves.
But I was also impressed with the personal warmth and commitment to scripture that I found among charismatic Protestants with whom I had interacted at Maranatha House.
Looking back, and knowing what I know now, I believe that the church’s weakness was presenting the renewal movements as something new and not part of the church’s theological traditions.
For someone like me, who was interested in both the spiritual and intellectual grounding of the Christian faith, I didn’t need the “folk Mass” with cute nuns and hip priests playing “Kumbaya” with guitars, tambourines and harmonicas. And it was all badly done.
After all, we listened to the Byrds, Neil Young and Bob Dylan, and we knew the church just couldn’t compete with them.
But that’s what the church offered to the young people of my day: lousy pop music and a gutted Mass. If they were trying to make Catholicism unattractive to young and inquisitive Catholics, they were succeeding.
What I needed, and what many of us desired, were intelligent and winsome ambassadors for Christ who knew the intellectual basis for the Catholic faith, respected and understood the solemnity and theological truths behind the liturgy, and could explain the renewal movements in light of these.
National Catholic Register: You spent 32 years in the evangelical world. What could Catholics learn from evangelicals?
I learned plenty, and for that reason I do not believe I ceased to be an evangelical when I returned to the church. What I ceased to be was a Protestant. For I believe, as Pope Benedict has preached, that the church itself needs to nurture within it an evangelical spirit. There are, as we know, too many Catholics whose faith needs to be renewed and emboldened.
There is much that I learned as a Protestant evangelical that has left an indelible mark on me and formed the person I am today. For that reason, it accompanies me back to the church.
For instance, because Protestant evangelicals accept much of the great tradition that Catholics take for granted – such as the Catholic creeds and the inspiration of scripture – but without recourse to the church’s authority, they have produced important and significant works in systematic theology and philosophical theology.
Catholics would do well to plumb these works, since in them Protestant evangelicals often provide the biblical and philosophical scaffolding that influenced the church fathers that developed the Catholic creeds as well as the church’s understanding of the Bible as God’s word.
But these evangelicals do so by using contemporary language and addressing contemporary concerns. This will help Catholics understand the reasoning behind the classical doctrines.
In terms of expository preaching, as well as teaching the laity, Protestant evangelicals are without peers in the Christian world.
For instance, it is not unusual for evangelical churches to host major conferences on theological issues in which leading scholars address lay audiences in order to equip them to share their faith with their neighbors, friends, etc. Works by evangelical philosophers and theologians such as [J.P.] Moreland, [Paul] Copan, and William Lane Craig, should be in the library of any serious Catholic who wants to be equipped to respond to contemporary challenges to the Christian faith......
......National Catholic Register: What can evangelicals and Catholics learn from one another?
As I have already noted, I believe that Catholics can learn from evangelical Protestants how to preach, teach and offer support for doctrines and beliefs that Catholics often just leave to authority.
Evangelicals can learn from Catholics that Christianity is a historical faith that did not vanish from the earth between the second and 16th centuries. That is what I mean by “learning from the great tradition.”
Much of what evangelicals think of as the odd beliefs of Catholics have their roots deep in Christian history. This, of course, may not convince a Protestant that these views are correct.
But what it will do is help the Protestant to appreciate that the very same Christians that deliberated over the content of the biblical canon also believed in the Real Presence, purgatory, intercession of the saints and indulgences.
If these Christians, who knew the Bible far better than us, did not think these practices and beliefs “unbiblical,” one should not be so quick to dismiss these practices and beliefs simply because they are outside of one’s Protestant experience.
On the other hand, the fact that many Catholic parishes do not offer the expository preaching and theological teaching to their members found in the best Protestant churches should force Catholics to critically reflect on whether they are adequately evangelizing and equipping their own people to enter a world hostile to the Christian worldview.
We have much to learn from each other.
(Read the entire article here.)
Labels: Catholic Belief, Liturgy, Protestants, Second Vatican Council, Testimonials
Thursday, July 5, 2007
Initium Sancti Evangelii Secundum N.
We make these three crosses as a declaration never to be ashamed of the word of God, that we are ready to confess it by the word of mouth, and that we love it with all our heart.
We should always keep the word of God in our hearts, as well on our lips,
since it is important to not only know the Gospel but also to live it.
Labels: Catholic Belief, Gospel, Liturgy, LiturgyPlus
Friday, June 29, 2007
SS. Peter and Paul, Apostles
PETER THE APOSTLE AND PAUL THE TEACHEROF THE NATIONS TAUGHT US YOUR LAW, LORD.
Intrioit: These men, conquering all human frailty, shed their blood and helped the Church to grow. By sharing the cup of the Lord's suffering, they became the friends of God.
Today, the Universal Church commerates Saint Peter and Saint Paul, the princes of the apostles, from whom we dervie our Christian faith. In the Gospel reading (St. Matthew 16:13-19), we will learn how Jesus prepared the fervent Apostle, St. Peter, for the supreme office of the Papacy.
It may be interesting to note that traditionally, this feast was almost entirely devoted to St. Peter, Bishop of Rome, rather than St. Paul, the great apostle of the Gentiles who was more specially honoured on June 30. Today both the Saints receive the same devotion and commemoration. This makes sense as the theme for the Mass recalls the same effect of the Lord's presence in their lives; the Lord always stood by them giving them power so that through them the whole message might be proclaimed for all the world to hear.
This feast marks the day of translation of their relics.
St. Peter
St. Peter preaced the Gospel in Judea after the descent of the Holy Spirit and was cast into prison by Herod Agrippa. Miraculously, an angel delivered him, enabling him to establish his first see at Antioch, and then finally Rome. St. Peter exercised the Supreme Authority vested in him by Christ for twenty-five years before being arrested. He received the crown of martyrdom in 65.
St. Paul
St. Paul was once known as Saul of Tarsus. Saul was a great persecutor of the Christians and wrecked havoc in the Early Church. After a miraculous encounted with God, Saul begain his three great Apostolic Voyages and wrote his Epistles (Paul is the author of many of the Epistles found in the vault of Sacred Scripture). Arriving in Rome after two years of captivity in Caesarea, he travelled to that part of the Church situated beyond Italy before being beheaded in 65.
Let us thank our Heavenly Father for SS. Peter and Paul:
O God who hast made this day holy by the martyrdom of Thine Apsotles Peter and Paul: grant that Thy Church may in all things follow the precepts of those through whom she received the beginnings of the Faith. Keep us true to their teaching so that we may be enabled to share their joy in following the Lord to the unfading inheritance reserved for us in heaven. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.
SS. Peter and Paul, pray for us!
Labels: Apostles, Catholic Belief, Early Church, Martyr, Prayer, Quote, Saints
Thursday, June 28, 2007
Rectifications: Mission Statement
'Apostolic Tradition' is part of the Deposit of Faith or 'Divine Tradition'.
Specifically, Divine Tradition is formed by the summation of Dominical Tradition and Apostolic Tradition. In short, Dominical Tradition consists of that which was given directly by Our Lord while on earth, while Apostolic Tradition consists of that which the apostles passed on under the inspiration of the Holy Ghost. Prime examples of which are the Magisterium of the Church and the sacraments, since they were established by Jesus Christ and passed on and will be passed on until the end of time.
A new addition would be 'Ecclesiastical Tradition'. Ecclesiastical Tradition forms the heritage and patrimony of the work of previous generations graciously passed on by the Church to subsequent generations for their benefit.
The statement has been rectified to "...through: Fidelity to Divine & Ecclesiastical Traditions...".
References:
- Christian Pesch, Praelectiones Dogmaticae (Herder & Co., Friburgus, 1924), vol. I, p. 397f.
- Vatican I, Pastor Aeternus, ch. 2 (Denz. 1825/3058).
- Distinctions with Philosophical Differences by Fr. Chad Ripperger FSSP, The Latin Mass Magazine, Spring 2001
Labels: Announcements, Blog Administration, Catholic Belief, Miscellaneous, Mission Statement, Thoughts
St. Irenaeus, Bishop, Martyr
IRENAEUS, IN KEEPING WITH HIS NAME, WAS A MAN OF PEACE; HE FOUGHT STRENUOUSLY FOR THE PEACE OF THE CHURCH
Today, the Universal Church commerates St. Irenaeus, bishop and martyr. St. Irenaeus was born at Smyrna about 130 to Grecian Christian parents who were probably from Lesser Asia. His parents placed him under the care of St. Polycarp (the bishop of Smyrna at that time), whom St. Irenaeus became a disciple of. He was well educated and probably knew and was influenced by men who knew the apostles; especially St. Polycarp, who had been a pupil of St. John.
St. Irenaeus became a priest at Lyons, France by the year 177, during the time of persecution there. A powerful defender of the faith against the heresies of the Gnostics, he was soon made bishop of Lyons after his predecessor, St. Pothinus, was martyred.
As bishop he carried on a great and fruitful work: converting all Lyons to Christianity and devoting particular attention to trying to reconcile the numerous sects which menaced the existence of the church. His five-book treatise against the heresy of Gnosticism in Gaul conveys the apostolic tradition in it and is a powerful testimony to the primacy of the Pope.
St. Irenaeus suffered martyrdom about the year 202, under the Emperor Severus, at Lyons.
Let us thank our Heavenly Father for St. Irenaeus:
O God who didst enable the blessed Irenaeus, Thy Martyr and Bishop, to overcome heresies by the truth of doctrine (II Tim. 3:14-17, 4:1-5) and happily to establish peace in the Church: we beseech Thee, give to Thy people constancy in holy religion, and grant us Thy peace in our time. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.
St. Irenaeus, pray for us!
Labels: Bishops, Catholic Belief, Early Church, Martyr, Prayer, Quote, Saints
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
The practice of Eucharistic Adoration
With the Synod Assembly, therefore, I heartily recommend to the Church's pastors and to the People of God the practice of Eucharistic Adoration, both individually and in community. (194) Great benefit would ensue from a suitable catechesis explaining the importance of this act of worship, which enables the faithful to experience the liturgical celebration more fully and more fruitfully. Wherever possible, it would be appropriate, especially in densely populated areas, to set aside specific churches or oratories for perpetual adoration. I also recommend that, in their catechetical training, and especially in their preparation for First Holy Communion, children be taught the meaning and the beauty of spending time with Jesus, and helped to cultivate a sense of awe before his presence in the Eucharist.
Here I would like to express appreciation and support for all those Institutes of Consecrated Life whose members dedicate a significant amount of time to eucharistic adoration. In this way they give us an example of lives shaped by the Lord's real presence. I would also like to encourage those associations of the faithful and confraternities specifically devoted to eucharistic adoration; they serve as a leaven of contemplation for the whole Church and a summons to individuals and communities to place Christ at the centre of their lives.
Forms of eucharistic devotion
68. The personal relationship which the individual believer establishes with Jesus present in the Eucharist constantly points beyond itself to the whole communion of the Church and nourishes a fuller sense of membership in the Body of Christ. For this reason, besides encouraging individual believers to make time for personal prayer before the Sacrament of the Altar, I feel obliged to urge parishes and other church groups to set aside times for collective adoration. Naturally, already existing forms of eucharistic piety retain their full value. I am thinking, for example, of processions with the Blessed Sacrament, especially the traditional procession on the Solemnity of Corpus Christi, the Forty Hours devotion, local, national and international Eucharistic Congresses, and other similar initiatives. If suitably updated and adapted to local circumstances, these forms of devotion are still worthy of being practised today. (195
Labels: Adoration, Adoration/Holy Hour, Altar, Catechesis, Catholic Belief, Corpus Christi, Devotion/Devotionals, Eucharist, Holy Father, Sacramentum Caritatis
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
History of the Mass
"Using compelling images and dynamic 3... Using compelling images and dynamic 3D animation, this video gives a brief history of the Mass including the revisions of Vatican II. In addition, the video gives a synopsis of the Liturgical Cycle. All the images presented are from our image library which can be found at www.AgnusImages.com," AgnusImages.
Labels: Catholic Belief, Eucharist, Liturgy, Video
Eucharistic Miracle in France?
"On November 7, 1999 a solemn Mass was held in the minor Basilica of Lourdes. The Archbishop of Lyon at the time, the late Cardinal Billé, was the celebrant and concelebrating with him were the archbishop of France, Cardinal Jean-Marie Lustiger, a number of French bishops, a number of priests and all the superiors of Trappist monasteries worldwide. The ceremony was broadcast live on French television.
On the altar were two hosts to be consecrated, much larger than those used by Italian priests, as is customary in France. At the beginning of the Mass, the two hosts appear in the film to be stacked one above the other, so that one cannot tell that their are two instead of one: they are resting on the paten, a type of tray, and are perfectly matched up. The film shows various camera angles showing them in this position and there is no doubt that the two hosts are physically stacked one atop the other and resting on the paten. At the moment of the "epiclesis", that is, when the priest extends his hands and invokes the Holy Spirit, the phenomenon is evident.
One sees the upper host detach from the lower one and levitate. The motion is impressive: the host is raised as though underneath it a force is released and it oscillates three or four times in the air before assuming a fixed position, horizontal, suspended about a centimeter, and remains in this position until the end of the Canon.
The video shows various moments of the ceremony during which the concelebrants move around and it is thus possible to see, between the levitating host and the host resting on the paten, the colors of the vestments of the celebrants," Mdebrus.
Labels: Catholic Belief, Eucharist, Liturgy, Miracle
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
Vocation Testimony
Labels: Catholic Belief, Links, Testimonials, Video, Vocation, Vocations
Saturday, June 9, 2007
The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ
"Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of man and drink his blood, you have no life in you; he who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. For my flesh is food indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him.” John 6: 53-55 This Sunday, Catholics celebrate Corpus Christi or the Body Christ. On this day we celebrate the one, true, and eternal gift of Christ to man- His Most precious Body.
"Man should tremble, the earth should quake, all Heaven should be deeply moved when the Son of God appears on the Altar in the hands of the priest," says St. Francis of Assisi. How many times do we take the Eucharist for granted by making unworthy communions? How many times have we forgotten Christ's presence in the Tabernacle by not genuflecting, not refraining from dressing inappropriately, etc...? "Yesterday," says St. Gemma Galgani, "on approaching the Most Blessed Sacrament, I felt myself burning and I had to withdraw. I am astounded that so many who receive Jesus are not reduced to ashes." Thus we must remember that we cannot presume to come to the Lord's table to receive Him... it is only by His grace that we are able to gather together to share in the Sacred Meal.
Jesus shows His greatest love by allowing His sacrifice to be perpetuated daily throughout all the Altars in the world. Just imagine, the Son of the Most High God is made present- in flesh- each day, at any given moment throughout the world! This great love was what made St. Padre Pio proclaim, "It would be easier for the world to exist without the sun than without the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass." St. John Vianney tells of the marvelous love of Jesus in the Eucharist: "The man who receives Holy Communion loses himself in God like a drop of water in the ocean; it is impossible to seperate them anymore... In these vast depths of love, there's enough to lose yourself for all eternity."
There are three elements to the instituition of this feast: - Instituted on account of the greatness of the divine mystery;
- the unbelief of those who denied the truth of this mystery;
- and the revelation made to some pious persons
Pope Urban IV, who established this feast explains, "although we daily, in the holy Sacrifice of the Mass; renew the memory of this holy Sacrament, we believe that we must, besides, solemnly commemorate it every year, to put the unbelievers to shame; and because vie have been informed that God has revealed to some pious persons that this festival should be celebrated in the whole Church, we direct that on the first Thursday after the octave of Pentecost the faithful shall assemble in church, join with the priests in singing the word of God."
The above mentioned revelations were made by our Lord to a nun at Liege, named Sr. Juliana, and to her devout friends Eve and Isabella.
Rev. Fr. Leonard Goffine explains that the grand processions held on Corpus Christi "as a public profession of our holy faith that Christ is really, truly and substantially present in this Blessed Sacrament; for a public reparation of all the injuries, irreverence, and offences, which have been and are committed by impious men against Christ in this Blessed Sacrament; for the solemn veneration and adoration due to the Son of God in this Sacrament; in thanksgiving for its institution; and for all the graces and advantages received therefrom; and finally, to draw down the divine blessing upon the people and the country."
There are 'two liftings' in this world, one was the lifting of the wood of the cross where Jesus showed the depth of His love for us, the other lifting in in the monstrance, we we show the depth of our love for Jesus. St. Alphonsus Liguori teaches us that "of all devotions, that of adoring Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament is the greatest after the sacraments, the one dearest to God and the one most helpful to us."
Never be ashamed to kneel intimatley before the Lord in the Blessed Sacrament to offer Him praise and thanksgiving and "remember that he has been waiting for you for twenty centuries" (St. Josemaria Escriva). For each time you humble yourself to adore God under the appearance of bread, the head of satan will be crushed!
Never forget that Jesus loves you! The Divine Lover of souls "would rise again to be our perpetual Host of propitiation, the Host of our Communion, the Host of our Adoration," (St. Peter Julian Eymard) so that we may be brought to His feet.
In Corpus et Sanguinis Christi,
J-PDM
Corpus Christi 2007
Acknowledgements/References:
1962 Roman Missal by Angelus Press
Rev. Fr. Leonard Goffine's Church Year
Quotes from Children of Mary
A Solemn Reflection on the Body and Blood of Christ:
Labels: Catholic Belief, Corpus Christi, Eucharist, Liturgy
Tuesday, June 5, 2007
The Sacred Heart of Jesus
Quia Rex Sum Ego
This month is dedicated to the Sacred Heart of our Lord Jesus Christ. The Solemnity of the Sacred Heart falls on the Friday after the Second Sunday after Pentecost. This year, the celebration of the Sacred Heart will take place on 15th June.
The Feast of the Sacred Heart was established in order that the faithful might honor with more devotion and zeal, under the symbol of the Sacred Heart, the love of Jesus Christ, which induced Him not only to suffer and to die for the redemption of mankind, but also to institute the Sacrament of His Body and Blood in commeration of His death.
"Behold this Heart which has loved men so much, and yet men do not want to love Me in return. Through you My divine Heart wishes to spread its love everywhere on earth," Jesus to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque.
Devotion to the Sacred Heart was made public by the holy Margaret Mary Alacoque of the Order of the Visitation. In the year 1690, during the Octave of Corpus Christi, our Blessed Lord appeared to His devoted handmaid, disclosing His heart to her saying, "Behold this Heart, which, notwithstanding the burning love for man with which it is consumed and exhausted, meets with no other return from the generality of Christians than sacrilege, contempt, indifference, and ingratitude. My desire is that you should make reparation to my heart for this ingratitude, and induce others also to make reparation."
In several subsequent apparitions our divine Lord repeated this injunction, and made the most unbounded promises in favor' of all who would apply themselves to this office of reparation to His Sacred Heart. The following are some of His promises;
- I will give them all the graces necessary for their state of life.
- I will establish peace in their families.
- I will console them in all their pains and trials.
- I will be their assured refuge in life, and especially in death.
- I will shed abundant blessings upon all their undertakings.
- Sinners shall find in my Heart an infinite ocean of mercy.
- Lukewarm souls will be rendered fervent.
- Fervent souls shall rise rapidly to greater perfection.
- I will bless those houses where the image of my heart shall be exposed and honored.
- I will give to priests the gift of moving the hardest hearts.
- Persons who propagate this devotion,. shall have their names inscribed on my heart, never to be effaced from it.
"The Lord retained until these late centuries the devotion to His Sacred Heart, as a last effort of His divine love," St. Gertrude
The venerable P. Simon Gourdan tells us that it is,
- The most sacred devotion, for by it man venerates the holiest sentiments and emotions of the Heart of Jesus, by which He has sanctified the Church, glorified His Heavenly Father, and presented Himself to us as the perfect model of the most exalted sanctity.
- The oldest devotion of the holy Church, which, instructed by the great St. Paul, has at all times recognized the munificence of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
- The most approved devotion, for the holy Scriptures everywhere exhort us to renew our heart by changing our lives, rendering them contrite by true penance, inflaming them with the fire of divine love, and adorning them by the exercise of all virtue. Therefore a new heart is promised on which to remodel our Heart. That Heart can be no other than the Heart of Jesus, which is given us as an example of all virtue, and which we must imitate if we wish to be saved.
- The most perfect devotion, for it is the: source of all other devotions; the Heart of Jesus is that inexhaustible treasury from which the Mother of God and all the saints have drawn their graces, their life, their virtues, and all spiritual blessings. Filled from this treasury, other servants of God have instituted different devotions.
- The most useful devotion, for in it we have the Fountain of Life itself before our eyes, from which we can draw directly, and increase in all virtue by adoring this divine Heart, meditating on its holy desires, and seeking to imitate it.
- The devotion most pleasing to Christ, for by it we honor God, as Christ requires, in spirit and in truth, because we adore the interior power of God, seeking to please His heart.
- Finally; the most necessary devotion, for its object is that we become intimately connected as members with Jesus, our Head, that we live by and according to His spirit, and have only one heart and soul with Christ.
Gospel of St. John 29. 31-35
At that time, The Jews, that the bodies might not remain upon the cross on the sabbath-day, besought Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away. The soldiers, therefore, came, and they broke the legs of the first, and of the other that was crucified with him. But after they were come to Jesus, when they saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. But one of the soldiers with a spear opened his side, and immediately there came out blood and water. And he that saw it hath given testimony: and his testimony is true.
St. Augustine says: "The Evangelist is very careful in his expression; he does not say, the soldiers pierced or wounded His side, but he o p e n e d it, as if to open for us the door of life, from which flow the Sacraments of the Church, without which there can be no access to the true life."
"Let us remember that the Heart of Jesus has called us not only for our own sanctification, but also for that of other souls. He wants to be helped in the salvation of souls," St. Padre Pio.
Consecration to the Sacred Heart
O Sacred Heart of Jesus, to Thee I consecrate and offer up my person and my life, my actions, trials, and sufferings, that my entire being may henceforth only be employed in loving, honoring and glorifying Thee. This is my irrevocable will, to belong entirely to Thee, and to do all for Thy love, renouncing with my whole heart all that can displease Thee.
I take Thee, O Sacred Heart, for the sole object of my love, the protection of my life, the pledge of my salvation, the remedy of my frailty and insconstancy, the reparation for all the defects of my life, and my secure refuge at the hour of my death. Be Thou, O Most Merciful Heart, my justification before God Thy Father, and screen me from His anger which I have so justly merited. I fear all from my own weakness and malice, but placing my entire confidence in Thee, O Heart of Love, I hope all from Thine infinite Goodness. Annihilate in me all that can displease or resist Thee. Imprint Thy pure love so deeply in my heart that I may never forget Thee or be separated from Thee.
I beseech Thee, through Thine infinite Goodness, grant that my name be engraved upon Thy Heart, for in this I place all my happiness and all my glory, to live and to die as one of Thy devoted servants. Amen.
Documents on the Sacred Heart:
- Annum sacrum (1889) - Pope Leo XIII
- Caritate Christi Compulsi (On The Sacred Heart) - Pope Pius XI
- Miserentissimus Redemptor (On Reparation To The Sacred Heart) - Pope Pius XI
- Haurietis aquas - Pope Pius XII
- Message on the centenary of the consecration of mankind to the Sacred Heart of Jesus (1999) - Pope John Paul ll
Dear readers let us unite our hearts with that of Jesus as we pray: Dear Lord, may the precious rays of water and blood that flowed from your pierced side indue us to pray more fervently and humbly, that we may be induced to discover the treasures of Your heart. Holy Spirit, infuse into our souls the great gift of true compassion for the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. Blessed Mother pray for us and with us as we make this devout homage of affection to the Most Sacred Heart of your Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, that we may fulfill our duty of worthy satisfaction. Amen. St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, pray for us.
Acknowledgements/References:
Rev. Fr. Leonard Goffine
1962 Roman Catholic Daily Missal, Angelus Press
A Catholic Life
Miracle of the Rosary Mission
Labels: Catholic Belief, Official Documents, Prayer, Quotes, Sacred Heart of Jesus, Saints
Sunday, June 3, 2007
Chastity, Purity and Our Lady
Extracted version. For full post, click here. Emphasis completely mine.
......this is the time of grace, this is the time for our souls. It is true, this is a time that we must rise to prayer and pray for our nation. For the first time in a long time I realized how much prayer we must do for our friends and for those who we don't even know. In every Marian Apparition, our Lady has asked for a conversion of heart, for increase in prayer and sacrifice for souls, and this is the time my dear friends.
Teenagers today are having pre-marital sex, using contraceptives and committing other serious sins. Chastity is something that is frowned upon and something that people don't think is attainable in life any more. Our world has been immoralized, because my dear friends, it is true, Chastity is attainable, people are living Chastity; people realize that male and female relationships are meant for procreation not to be against conception. Yes, it is possible to live without viewing pornography and committing sins of the flesh, but yet many people don't live in Chastity, they do commit these sins that are both mortal and serious sins. With prayer and perseverance though one can live a pure lifestyle; it is not impossible.
Let us recall the words of Our Lady of Fatima who said, "More souls go to hell because of sins of the flesh than for any other reason."
These sins are real and people commit them and they do not know what they are doing can endanger their souls, their future happiness with God in Heaven. These are the words of Our Lady at Fatima who appeared in the early 1900's. Today we live in a culture of death, a culture in which sins of the flesh are a lifestyle. Thus we must realize that this is a time for prayer, for prayer for society that they can return back to God.
The Blessed Mother has also appeared here in the United States to a religious sister named Sister Mary Ephrem, and the very first words of Our Lady of America on September 26, 1956 was I am Our Lady of America. I desire that my children honor me, especially by the purity of their lives. Sister Mary Ephrem also said that she was suffering a great deal for she was inconsolable at the thought of her own ingratitude and of the crimes which sinners commit against God.
Our Lady of America encourages us to live lives of purity and in doing so we honor her (the Blessed Mother.) This is the time, more than ever, that we need to pray for our brothers and sisters in society, who do not know God, who do not know the truth or maybe know God but yet choose to sin, we must pray for them daily, that they can know God and to turn away from sin and be faithful to the Gospel.
We must constantly recall the words of Our Blessed Mother that more souls go to Hell because of sins of the flesh. We must be reconciled to God and be ready for the worst, to die tomorrow. We may not accept death easily but we must have peace within our souls, a total conversion, so that we may be with God one day. We do not know the time or the hour in which we leave this earth, likewise then we should always be in God's saving grace.
It is necessary that if we do sin, commit serious sin, that we turn our lives around. Go to confession and ask God to keep you from that sin. Life is tough, we are faced with many temptations, and the devil wants our souls, but we must overcome these sins to be faithful to the Church's teaching which brings us closer to Christ and His mother. We should strive to be like St. Maria Goretti who would rather die than commit a mortal sin.
"Faith begets miracles, the small and the great. Through faith, love and prayer, we can achieve anything.Those people who say that it is impossible to live wholesome, chaste lives cheat themselves and others out of too much." Beez, Commenter on Edward's post.
Also Read:
Labels: Catholic Belief, Confession, Fatima, Mary, Saints, Sex, Sin
Saturday, June 2, 2007
The Blessed Trinity
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, June 1, 2007
St. Justin, Martyr
This great saint was converted from pagan philosophy to Christianity after finding the Christian faith to be "the one certain and profitable philosophy." He St. Justin became one of the most important Christian writers of the second century and was an illustrious opponent of pagan philosophers.
He is most celebrated for the two Apologies (Defences of the Christian faith) which he was courageous enough to address in sucession to the persecuting emperors, Antoninus and Marcus Aurelius. One of them contains a description of the rites of baptism and the ceremonies of Mass, thus constituting the most valuable evidence that we possess on the Roman liturgy of his day.
St. Justin on the Mass,
"And on the day called Sunday, all who live in cities or in the country gather together to one place. And the memoirs of the Apostles or the writings of the Prophets are read, as long as time permits. Then, when the reader has ceased, the priest verbally instructs us and exhorts us to imitate these good things. Then we all rise together and pray. And, as we said before, when our prayer is ended, bread and wine and water are brought. Then, the priest in like manner offers prayers and thanksgivings, according to his ability. And the people assent, saying 'Amen.' Then, the Eucharist, is distributed to everyone, and everyone participates in that over which thanks has been given. And a portion of it is sent by the deacons to those who are absent." St. Justin Martyr ("First Apology," c. 160 A.D.)
Let us thank our Heavenly Father for St. Justin:
O God, Who through the foolishness of the cross didst teach the blessed Martyr Justin the surpassing knowledge of Jesus Christ: enable us by his intercession to put away all deceits of error and obtain steadfastness of faith. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.
St. Justin, pray for us!
Acknowledgements:
Labels: Catholic Belief, Early Church, Martyr, Prayer, Quote, Saints
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
The Pre-Conciliar Church: Dull?
What is our identity as latin-rite Roman Catholic?
Now, the Oxford Wordpower dictionary defines the word 'dull' as "not interesting or exciting; boring" How could the Church have been dull?
Our forefathers never asked themselves, "Why am I Catholic?" Why? Becasue, the Church before the Second Vatican Council tended to identify Catholicism and Roman Catholicism. Those who were raised before the council were given a strong sense of identity. Holy Mother Church in her wisdom nutured and sustained her flock with maternal affection. Catholicism was more than a religion, it was an entire system of thinking, behaving, and even feeling. You could leave the Church but you'd not be able to change the way you ha been taught to view the world, God and even religion.
Today, many young Catholics do not have nearly the sense of identity their parents did. Ask the youth in your parish and they wouldn't be able to tell you the difference between their Church and the ones their Protestant friends go to. Thus, the question, "Why am I Catholic" will inevitably return during their adulthood. Many will face dilemas; some may question the authority, others may leave the Church, et cetera...
Ask any Catholic what the Mass is, many will tell you that it is just a celebration. Indeed it is, however, isn't it more than a celebration? The Mass is also a sacrifice. When the sacrificial nature of the Mass is taken away, we'd be like any other (liturgical) protestant church. Though in principle today's Catholics have greater access to the inner meaning of the Mass, do we understand the spiritual benefits that can be obtained behind it?
Where has the Catholic- or rather 'latin rite Roman Catholic'- identity gone to?
Surely, there must have been something interesting or exciting that gave rise to such a strong sense of Catholic identity...
Was it the (Latin) Tridentine Masses? Maybe, but I think no one should wish to return to the days when many priests seemed to rush through a mumbled Mass as quickly as possible (I'm thinking of Low Masses here), the congregation indeed present mainly as spectators.
Was is something else? Could it have been the fact that the pre-concilar view of the Church focused more on the importance of a universal rite of Mass and eccelesial tradition rather than on local churches, on other rites and other ecclesial traditions (Eastern Catholic Churches)?
Frankly I do not have an answer as to whether or not the pre-conciliar Church was dull or exciting.
But, judging a tree by it's fruits, it coundn't have been dull: Just count the number of ordinary Catholics who became saints, the large number of priestly and religious vocations, the strong weekly Mass attendance, the long confession lines, the unchanging Latin Mass and Sacraments, the statues of saints and our Blessed Mother, clerical clothing and religious dress, ridgid adherence to Church's laws, unswerving obedience to the Pope, et cetera... The is evidence that there must have been something 'exciting' that kept the Church alive and robust.
Then again, Christ's guarantee that the gates of hell will not prevail against his Church does not, as has often been pointed out, mean that the Church necessarily flourishes in ways which can be discerned with the human eye.
The answer will be left open. Let me know what you think. Do read 'Notes of the True Church: Extra Ecclesiam Nulla Salus', a possible significant contribution to Catholic identity.
I apologise for the parts in which I rant.
Perhaps there is a need for a Thrid Vatican Council?
"Conservative Catholic ask why the Chruch is giving up so much so fast,
liberal Catholics ask why the Church is not changing faster" Joseph Martos
Deo Juvante
Feast of the Ascension of the Lord 2007
Acknowledgements/Bibliography:
Rev. Fr. Richard Rohr, Joseph Martos, James Hitchcock
Labels: Catholic Belief, Second Vatican Council, Thoughts, Traditionalism
Friday, April 27, 2007
Truth and Tolerance
All of us know that suicide is the number one cause of death among gay-identified youth. Some researchers report that as many as a third of all gay-identified youth has attempted to take their life. Why are gay-identified teens taking (or contemplating) taking their life? The answer is simple. Bigotry.
"Love one another as I have love you"
We should work as hard as anyone to put an end to bigotry. As Christians we need to love homosexuals. Though we definately do not condone homosexual behavior, we need to be encouraged to get out of our comfort zones and love the person behind the issue and to walk alongside those who are on the long, hard road to freedom.
No one can discount the truth that there is freedom from homosexuality in Christ! Scientific and social research have shown that same-sex attraction is not genetic. Therefore, it does not have to dictate the course of one’s life.
Many gay-identified Catholics have left the Church (altogether) because they feel that both God and Church has disowned them due to their orientation. This is not true. They leave because of the comments and remarks of certain members of the congregation that makes them feel left out and disowned.
Such attitudes must change!
As representatives of Christ, it is our duty to stand up for those who are hated and judged. This does not involve condoning sin, as Jesus demonstrated by saying to the woman caught in adultery, “Neither do I condemn you. Go now and leave your life of sin.” (St. John 8:11). But first, He chased away those who accused her in their self-righteousness. We can change lives with the grace Jesus exemplified.
We don’t do this by redefining marriage, we do it by being a friend to the lonely and sticking up for the bullied. We don’t silence the truth, but speak the truth even when lies are more popular. We don’t do this by offering false hope in sexual permissiveness; we do it by sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ and facilitating the healing that is not only possible, but promised.
The most important thing is not to condemn!
It's hard to understand why someone we care about would live a lifestyle you don't agree with, but the best thing we can do when we have a friend who's struggling with sexual sin is PRAY! Continue to care. We need to remember we don't have to agree with him/her to love him/her with God's love. The Bible reminds us in Romans 3:23 that, "All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God."All. As in you, and I too.
As Catholic Christians, it's our responsibility to share the truth in love. We're called to be ambassadors for Christ- not lawyers. We shouldn't feel as though we have to argue with someone until we're blue in the face, rather, we should simply let our lives be the example of Christ. Only then, everything we say or do will prove our faith and radiate God's love to anyone in need.
In society today, there are forces trying to disintegrate the meaning of family and indoctrinate younger and younger schoolchildren with sexual confusion. We offer this and all other intentions to our Blessed Mother- Virgin Most Pure- trusting in her maternal intercession. Hail Mary full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst women and blessed is the fruit of your womb Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
Labels: Catholic Belief, Homosexuality, Reply, Thoughts
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