Liz Kearns +JMJ+

BIG MOUTH (reflection)

2011-09-04T10:00:00.000-07:00

"If your brother should commit some wrong against you, go and point out his fault, but keep it between the two of you." –Matthew 18:15

Go to Confession as soon as possible. You must admit you have sinned and receive God's forgiveness.
Pray for the strength not to sin again, and ask the Lord to turn your forgiven sins to the good (Rm 8:28).
Apologize to the person with whom you spoke.
If the person you talked about is aware of your sin, you must apologize and seek forgiveness.
Make reparation. Ask the Lord what He would have you do to repair the damage you've done.
Proceed with the three steps of reconciliation of Matthew 18:15ff.

The above reflection is from One Bread, One Body, (click HERE)

NOTE - Emphasis. Comment.

SCRIPTURE - From today's Gospel:

A Brother Who Sins.
15 “If your brother sins [against you], go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have won over your brother.

16 If he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, so that ‘every fact may be established on the testimony of two or three witnesses.’

17 If he refuses to listen to them, tell the church. If he refuses to listen even to the church, then treat him as you would a Gentile or a tax collector.

In this Gospel the rules / guidelines are clearly laid out for us to follow when someone sins against us.

The most important step for us to remember to do *before* going to the brother who has sinned against us, is to put on the heart of Christ. Not of this world that tells us to live "I'm right and you're wrong." Simply put on the heart of Christ and go to the one who has sinned against you. Speak to them in truth, but also with a heart that is willing to forgive.

Step 1: “If your brother sins [against you], go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have won over your brother.
This step isn't easy...in part because it asks of us to put on the heart and mind of Christ *before* we go to the one who has sinned against us. Difficult, yes. Impossible, no.

*Now* we're ready for Step 1.
Taking the steps to meet with (or at least talk with) the one who has sinned against us. Difficult, yes. But then again, *these* are clearly the steps our Lord has given us to take when we are wronged. Step 1 then has two possible outcomes...

Optional outcome #1 -
If he listens to you, you have won over your brother.
Whew. Great. Reconciliation. Good job, *both* of you.

Optional outcome #2 -
If he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, so that 'every fact may be established on the testimony of two or three witnesses.'
WOW. You mean now I must attempt to get an understanding between us after this brother has wronged me AND not listened when I tried talking alone. Now, Lord, you want me to continue seeking reconciliation?
And what steps am I to follow?
A. Put back on the heart & mind of Christ (if you lost it after Step 1 failed).
B. Get one or two to go along with me to attempt (for the 2nd time) with this brother who sinned against me AND didn't listen the first time I tried.

Again, this is clearly what the Lord asks of us when we are wronged. Difficult steps of dying to self, but obviously these steps are what the Lord is asking of us.

Step 2 has two possible outcomes:
Not repeated in Scripture but understood:

Optional Outcome #1:
If he listens to you, you have won over your brother.

Optional Outcome #2:
If he refuses to listen even to the church, then treat him as you would a Gentile or a tax collector.

WOW. This sounds so harsh. And so 'politically incorrect' -- yet this is what Christ is clearly telling us. There are times where you must cut your ties to the brother who has sinned against you. This does *not* mean you hate this brother...No. You continue to pray for him. But you do not keep putting yourself in 'harms way' for this person to continue sinning against you.

Now, though, let's take a closer look at gossip and slander that often happen when one sins against another.

However, many times we sin by telling someone about the problem before we should. Our conversation sometimes even deteriorates into gossip and slander. These sins are major catastrophes even if the other person doesn't know it.

Gossip and slander are MAJOR CATASTROPHES. WOW.

Since there is obviously confusion on what exactly gossip is let's begin with the definition:

{definition 1}
c : a person who habitually reveals personal or sensational facts about others

a : rumor or report of an intimate nature

b : a chatty talk

{definition 2}
1. casual and idle chat to have a gossip with a friend

2. a conversation involving malicious chatter or rumours about other people a gossip about the neighbours

3. Also called gossipmonger a person who habitually talks about others, esp maliciously

It seems to me that there are a few reasons that gossip ends up being sinful.

Chatty talk about another (unnecessary)

Sensationalized talk about another

Malicious talk about another

I have encountered people who just do not understand that "even when stating the truth" IS GOSSIP. True.

Even among spouses, chatty/unnecessary talk can be sinful...
Even if the discussion is of a 'truthful' nature.

Is it necessary?

Is there malice in your heart?

Are you sensationalizing?

Gossip, today, is practically unrecognizable. Why? Because people talk...unceasingly.
{disclaimer}
And yes, this is coming from ME, who can keep up with the best talkers in the world {big grin}. I even cheered when I first heard our much-loved friend, Andres, say about himself, "Talking is my sport" Why? Because for the first time I then had a sport! HA HA.

People talk unceasingly. Talk shows abound, and to make matters worse people *thrive* on the endless talk. Talk about harmless things, i.e., recipes, cooking, decorating, etc. Harmless, but unceasing. Talk, talk, talk.

What's the problem with the unceasing talk?
No silence. No quiet. No slowing down to spend time with the Lord. Often, people talk & talk & talk to avoid spending time in silence, alone with themselves, and alone with the Lord. If you are unhappy with yourself it is too difficult to spend time in silence. Therefore, you talk unceasingly.

And as my mom taught me, I try to teach my children... If a friend is gossiping *to* you, you can pretty much count that they will gossip *about* you as well.

Also considering the unceasing talk on TV & radio. What's the problem? Let's take for instance the ones that pride themselves on 'airing dirty laundry'. These shows not only talk non-stop, but due to their very nature, they tend to make a society that is addicted to gossip, and even worse is that they become somewhat *immune* to 'dirty laundry'.

People are addicted to this. They can't seem to live without their talk shows. Why could this be a bad thing?

They are being fed constant *chatter* (even if it is true).
They are listening to *sensationalized* talk (even if it is in part true).
They are listening to chatter with *malice* or an *agenda*.
ALL OF THESE EQUAL GOSSIP. When people consistently listen to the 'dirty laundry' of others, they become somewhat immune to gossip, sensationalism, slander, idle chat, etc.

Why would we want to add gossip to our lives by listening to it?

What's the problem with gossip?
Let's go back to the problem when someone sins against us. And *gossip* enters the picture before (during or after) we follow the steps outlined in Scripture.
However, many times we sin by telling someone about the problem before we should. Our conversation sometimes even deteriorates into gossip and slander. These sins are major catastrophes even if the other person doesn't know it.

Gossip and slander are major catastrophes! But they are practically unrecognizable in our society today because people talk constantly about others. And they don't see that they are sinning. We need to look carefully and with *Holy Glasses* (eyes of Christ) and carefully look at our talk. Ask ourselves...Is it useless chatter? Am I sensationalizing? Is there malice in my heart?

So back to the original reflection and the connection to *gossip*

"If your brother should commit some wrong against you, go and point out his fault, but keep it between the two of you." –Matthew 18:15 (NOTE 'keep it between the two of you.)

If we have been wronged, it's absolutely essential to keep it to ourselves. Only after having talked to the other person are we free to bring someone else into the situation or refer it to the Church (Mt 18:16-17). However, many times we sin by telling someone about the problem before we should. Again, we're a society that's fed "talk, talk, talk" just like the talk shows, go and seek out if you are right or wrong. Our conversation sometimes even deteriorates into gossip and slander. Telling the truth, yes, can be gossip and slander. The Word of God clearly tells us to keep the matter between the two of you. These sins are major catastrophes even if the other person doesn't know it. God's word calls us to try to reconcile with the one who has sinned against us. If this person is open and docile to Christ, they then become aware of their sinfulness -- not so you can gloat -- but so that they can find sorrow and be reconciled to Christ (and to you). After we have ruined the Lord's process of reconciliation through sinful conversation and/or gossip, what do we do? Great advice below!

Go to Confession as soon as possible. You must admit you have sinned and receive God's forgiveness.
Pray for the strength not to sin again, and ask the Lord to turn your forgiven sins to the good (Rm 8:28).
Apologize to the person with whom you spoke.
If the person you talked about is aware of your sin, you must apologize and seek forgiveness.
Make reparation. Ask the Lord what He would have you do to repair the damage you've done.
Proceed with the three steps of reconciliation of Matthew 18:15ff.

Matthew 18:15 -17
“If your brother sins [against you], go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have won over your brother. 16 If he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, so that ‘every fact may be established on the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ 17 If he refuses to listen to them, tell the church. If he refuses to listen even to the church, then treat him as you would a Gentile or a tax collector.

NOTE - Emphasis. Comment.

Opinions...

2011-08-09T08:38:00.000-07:00

Other Virtues
Never give your opinion if you are not asked for it, even if you think that your view is the best.

– St. Josemaria Escriva, The Way, #674

Generosity ... Almsgiving

2011-07-31T12:32:00.000-07:00

Generosity
It is sad to see what some people understand by almsgiving: a few pennies or some old clothes. They seem not to have read the Gospel.

Don't be over-cautious: help people to acquire sufficient faith and fortitude to be ready to deny themselves generously, in this life, what they need.

To those who lag behind, explain that it is neither very noble nor very agreeable, even from an earthly point of view, to wait for the last moment, when they will be obliged to take nothing with them.

– St. Josemaria Escriva, Furrow, #26

{Liz}
As I read the above reflection, I thought of the many ways of almsgiving. We are all created unique by God, therefore, our call to giving will also be unique. The question is, are we denying ourselves generously for others? For God's kingdom?

Let us not wait to the last moment when we will be obliged to take *nothing* with us.

Almsgiving is the duty of all...

Some are called to give money...

Some are called to give money by sponsoring children or aged adults that desperately need help to survive...
(One of my favorite organizations is CFCA - website HERE )

Some are called to give their time and talents in missionary life...

Mother Teresa, Blessed Teresa of Calcutta, continues to be a great example of giving of self because of Christ's call to give our all, no matter the cost of self-denial, to those in need.

God asks us all to deny ourselves for the sake of His kingdom...

How is He calling you to be generous to others?

Great teaching...

2011-03-26T10:19:00.000-07:00

EXCELLENT HOMILY HERE!

Prayer

2011-03-26T08:12:00.000-07:00

For those who use their intelligence and their study as a weapon, the Rosary is most effective. Because that apparently monotonous way of beseeching Our Lady as children do their Mother, can destroy every seed of vainglory and pride.

– St. Josemaria Escriva, Furrow, #474

Charity

2010-12-31T18:54:00.000-08:00

Never speak badly of your brother, not even when you have plenty of reasons. Go first to the Tabernacle, and then go to the priest your father, and tell him also what is worrying you.

And no one else.

– St. Josemaria Escriva, The Way, #444

Catholic Catechism #2548

2010-12-30T10:39:00.000-08:00

Life in Christ: Catechism #2548

Desire for true happiness frees man from his immoderate attachment to the goods of this world so that he can find his fulfillment in the vision and beatitude of God. "The promise [of seeing God] surpasses all beatitude...In Scripture, to see is to possess...Whoever sees God has obtained all the goods of which he can conceive."

Reflection from St. Augustine

2010-12-30T10:38:00.000-08:00

We ought to be persuaded that what God refuses to our prayer, He grants to our salvation.

– St. Augustine

Reflection: Poverty, true poverty

2010-12-30T10:26:00.000-08:00

Rather than in not having, true poverty consists in being detached, in voluntarily renouncing one's dominion over things.

That is why there are poor who are really rich. And vice-versa.

– St. Josemaria Escriva, The Way, #632

You Can! {follow Jesus}

2010-12-20T10:06:00.000-08:00

One Minute Meditations

You Can!
When Our Lord called the first Apostles they were busy mending their broken nets by the side of an old boat. Our Lord told them to follow him and statim – immediately – they left everything – relictis omnibus – everything! And followed him.

Sometimes, though we wish to imitate them, we find we don't manage to leave everything, and there remains some attachment in our heart, something wrong in our life which we're not willing to break with and offer it up to God.

Won't you examine your heart in depth? Nothing should remain there except what is his. If not, we aren't really loving him, neither you nor I.

– St. Josemaria Escriva, The Forge, #356

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

As we approach Christmas Day, the birth of our Savior, let us spend some time reflecting on this *important* meditation -- Jesus is calling each of us, just as he did these *imperfect* fishermen...will we love him enough to leave everything and follow him *completely* as the fishermen did?

May we all ask the Holy Spirit to open our eyes and our hearts to see any and all attachments that we have *not* been willing to break and may the Holy Spirit change our hearts to docile and radically changed hearts that will follow Jesus NO MATTER THE COST as the fishermen did...they left *everything* behind to completely follow Jesus.

What is in our lives that Jesus asks us to *leave* behind (things we do that should not be actions of a Christian, Matthew 4:19-20, 22). We should seek to be "He whose hands are sinless, whose heart is clean, who desires not what is vain."

What is in our lives that Jesus asks us to *change* (i.e., love those who persecute us, Romans 12:14).

The two great commandments that contain the whole law of God are:

1. Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with thy whole heart, and with thy whole soul, and with thy whole mind, and with thy whole strength;

2. Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.

As we approach Christmas, let us renew our commitment to follow our Lord and Savior Jesus with all that we are. Let us be *completely* transformed and give our *all* by living lives fully committed to pleasing Jesus Christ in all we think, do, and say...and trust that he knows we are imperfect but that we are honestly trying our very best to love & serve him in all we do.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Oddly enough, just as I posted the above meditation, I read another (below). Although from a different perspective, I feel the advice is important. Let us be like the fishermen above, not the description below...whatever is in us from below, let us ask the Lord to change so we may better follow him.

One Minute Meditations

Other Virtues
I see you, christian gentleman – that is what you say you are – kissing an image, mumbling a vocal prayer, crying out against those who attack the Church of God..., and even frequenting the holy Sacraments.

But I don't see you making any sacrifice, or avoiding certain conversations of a 'worldly' nature (I could with justice use another term), or being generous towards those in need or towards that Church of Christ, or putting up with a failing in one of your brothers, or checking your pride for the sake of the common good, or getting rid of your tight cloak of selfishness, or... so many things more!

I see you... I don't see you... And yet you say that you are a christian gentleman? What a poor idea you have of Christ!

– St. Josemaria Escriva, The Way, #683

Fishers of Men

2010-11-26T08:02:00.000-08:00

Christ expects a lot from your work. But you will have to look for souls, as the Good Shepherd went after the hundredth sheep: without waiting to be called. Then make use of your friends to do good to others. Tell each one of them that nobody can feel at ease with a spiritual life which, after filling him, does not overflow with apostolic zeal. {emphasis added}.

– St. Josemaria Escriva, Furrow, #223

Short description of our Catholic Faith

2010-11-06T08:24:00.000-07:00

{This is a repost from Insight Scoop, link follows article}

My favorite paragraph from the Catechism

I rarely go a day without reading or referring to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, which has been one of my favorite books since I first read it in late 1995. And of the many wonderful passages and quotations contained therein, my favorite paragaph remains the opening paragraph, which I think expresses the essential core of the Christian Faith as well as anything I've ever read of similar length outside of Scripture:

God, infinitely perfect and blessed in himself, in a plan of sheer goodness freely created man to make him share in his own blessed life. For this reason, at every time and in every place, God draws close to man. He calls man to seek him, to know him, to love him with all his strength. He calls together all men, scattered and divided by sin, into the unity of his family, the Church. To accomplish this, when the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son as Redeemer and Saviour. In his Son and through him, he invites men to become, in the Holy Spirit, his adopted children and thus heirs of his blessed life.

Many years ago (in 1998, if I remember correctly), not long after I entered the Church, I wrote a short piece about this paragraph; here it is, from deep in the vaults:

"Sola Gratia, Sola Christo" by Carl E. Olson

If asked to provide one paragraph explaining what the Catholic Faith is about, it would be hard to do better than the opening paragraph of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. It offers a concise summary of what Catholics believe and lays the groundwork for the more involved details and nuances of the Faith. Here, broken into six phrases––each followed by brief commentary––is the first paragraph of the Catechism:

God, infinitely perfect and blessed in himself,

There is but one God and he is complete and holy in and of himself. Jews, Muslims and Christians believe that God is One; all other major religions are pantheistic (everything is God), polytheistic (there are many gods), or atheistic (there is no God). Monotheists also believe that God is Other and He needs no other. Christians believe that God is Trinity: one nature and three persons, the greatest mystery of the Christian Faith. Modern man often tries to bring God to his level, seeking to stuff him into a box the size of our limited conceptions or disordered desires. Such attempts are futile, but the most amazing fact is that God, who we so often ignore and try to minimize, loves us and desires a relationship with us.

in a plan of sheer goodness freely created man to make him share in his own blessed life.

This should be startling––shocking––to us. God created us out of the overflow of his Divine Love, that eternal and blinding exchange of self-giving between the three Persons of the Trinity. Creation is the expression of God’s nature (love) and the evidence of God’s goodness. All that is, is good. Evil is not a thing, but the absence of a good. That is why Catholics, more than some other Christians, revel in the beauty and wonder of creation. But while creation provides evidence of God’s existence, it does not emphatically prove it, for the Lover does not force himself on the beloved, but beckons us, always respecting our free will.

For this reason, at every time and in every place, God draws close to man. He calls man to seek him, to know him, to love him with all his strength.

God is a Lover; he is the one who initiates the relationship. He calls, he asks, he offers––but he never forces himself on us. The heart of love is freely deciding to give of oneself, as Jesus Christ states in all four Gospels: “For whoever wishes to save his life shall lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake shall find it.”

He calls together all men, scattered and divided by sin, into the unity of his family, the Church.

There are many important truths implicit in this sentence. Mankind was originally a single family, with a common father named Adam. When Adam sinned, all of mankind fell with him from a life-giving relationship with God. At the Tower of Babel humanity attempted to reach God by their natural, futile efforts; God “confused their language” and scattered them throughout the earth. But God already had a plan for man’s salvation, involving a newly unified family bound together by supernatural life. This family is the Church, the Mystical Body of Jesus Christ, which is the “household of God” and “the pillar and support of truth” (1 Timothy 3:15).

To accomplish this, when the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son as Redeemer and Savior.

This is the second great mystery of the Christian Faith: the Incarnation. The Second Person of the Trinity, the Divine Word, became man and entered into time and space. As T.S. Eliot wrote, the Incarnation was “[a] moment in time but time was made through that moment: for without the meaning there is not time, and that moment of time gave the meaning.” Jesus Christ is “the center of the universe and of history” stated Pope John Paul II in Redemptor Hominis (Redeemer of Man), and so Christ should be the center of our lives––he is the exclusive Redeemer and Savior of humanity.

In his Son and through him, he invites men to become, in the Holy Spirit, his adopted children and thus heirs of his blessed life.

Christ is also the sole mediator between God and man. Through the sacrament of baptism, by water and the power of the Holy Spirit, we are “born again” (Jn. 3), made “partakers of the divine nature” (2 Pet. 1:4) and become true children of God (1 Jn. 3:1). By grace we become sons in the One who is Son by nature, the same one who guides us through his Church and nourishes us with his Body and Blood in the Eucharist.

The Catholic Faith is sola gratia, sola Christo: grace alone, Christ alone. Amen.

Link to original article HERE.

Reflections from the saints ...St. Charles Borromeo

2010-11-04T14:04:00.001-07:00

If we wish to make any progress in the service of God we must begin every day of our life with new eagerness. We must keep ourselves in the presence of God as much as possible and have no other view or end in all our actions but the divine honor.

– St. Charles Borromeo

Vicar of Christ

2010-11-04T14:00:00.000-07:00

Your deepest love, your greatest esteem, your most heartfelt veneration, your most complete obedience and your warmest affection have also to be shown towards the Vicar of Christ on earth, towards the Pope.

We Catholics should consider that after God and the most Holy Virgin, our Mother, the Holy Father comes next in the hierarchy of love and authority.

– St. Josemaria Escriva, The Forge, #135

{Liz here}
Oh how much this reflection fits my spirituality!

Being a convert to Catholicism, I find myself frustrated with the Catholics who boastfully *disagree* with teachings of Holy Mother Church, or are *free* with their opinions of *what* the Church should change (i.e., ordination of women, contraception, and abortion just to name a few in my own personal experiences).

I know as Catholics and since we're *human* that God created each of us unique we will have varying *opinions*...I can deal with that!! When I find myself frustrated, is when their opinion of Catholicism that is NOT IN LINE WITH THE POPE & TEACHING OF THE CHURCH. I get frustrated when those with opinions opposed to *mine* (actually the correct word would be HOLY MOTHER CHURCH), and those people go to extremes to attempt to *help me understand* or to clarify for me. That's fine if their intent is truly for GOOD. Does an opinion or advice coming from truly *good* intent feel a certain way when received? I wonder. I know sometimes, often, after receiving opinions or advice from those who see Catholicism differently than I do, I have a very uncomfortable feeling inside of me. When I compare that feeling to the advice I've received lovingly, I can't help but think that truly loving advice does feel different.

Or are we just so free with our own advice and opinions that we don't discern enough when to share them? I am positive I have shared an opinion or maybe 10,000 opinions that I should not have...

I guess I sorta got off track here...My point after reading & agreeing with this beautiful reflection regarding loving, esteeming, and being completely obedient to the Vicar of Christ on earth was meant to say, "AMEN! I COMPLETELY AGREE, ST. JOSEMARIA ESCRIVA. THANK YOU FOR THIS GIFT OF A REMINDER IN MY LIFE THAT AS LONG AS I MAKE SURE THAT *I* STAY IN LINE WITH HOLY MOTHER CHURCH THEN I AM TAKING CARE OF MY FIRST RESPONSIBILITY. WITHOUT TAKING CARE OF ME FIRST, I CANNOT BE A GOOD WITNESS OR EXAMPLE TO MY FAMILY OR ANYONE ELSE...SO I WILL KEEP WORKING ON ME & STAYING OBEDIENT TO MY CATHOLIC FAITH THAT I LOVE AND APPRECIATE SO VERY, VERY MUCH!!!"

Reflection: Struggle...Christianity vs. It's all about ME

2010-10-25T19:17:00.000-07:00

Struggle
If you are fatuous, if all you can think of is your own personal comfort, if you centre everyone else and even the world itself on yourself, then you have no right to call yourself a Christian or to consider yourself a disciple of Christ. He set the level of what can be demanded of us when he offered, for each of us: et animam suam – his own soul, his whole life.

– St. Josemaria Escriva, The Forge, #141

Catechism #2467 - TRUTH

2010-10-24T16:03:00.000-07:00

Life in Christ: Catechism #2467

Man tends by nature toward the truth. He is obliged to honor and bear witness to it: "It is in accordance with their dignity that all men, because they are persons... are both impelled by their nature and bound by a moral obligation to seek the truth, especially religious truth. They are also bound to adhere to the truth once they come to know it and direct their whole lives in accordance with the demands of truth."

"Man tends by nature toward the truth." Powerful.

"...bound by a moral obligation to seek the truth, especially religious truth." Bound by moral obligation to seek especially religious truth. Guide me in your truth, Lord. I thank you for my Catholic Church that I love so much!

"...also bound to adhere to the truth once they come to know it and direct their whole lives in accordance with the demands of truth." Direct their WHOLE life...lead me, Lord.

Scripture speaking to me...again??

2010-10-24T15:57:00.000-07:00

Ephesians 4:31-32

Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

{Liz here}
God-incidence that this is the scripture for me today??
I love it when God does this!
Today, by the grace of God, a step toward forgiveness was taken...
painful and peaceful...thank you, Lord.

Could it be that you have a mistaken idea of what is proper?

2010-09-29T09:14:00.000-07:00

The Struggle
I will grant that you behave properly... But, allow me to speak sincerely. You must admit that you are doing things in such a leisurely way that, apart from not being entirely happy, you remain very far from holiness.

That is why I ask: Do you really behave properly? Could it be that you have a mistaken idea of what is proper?

– St. Josemaria Escriva, Furrow, #153

If liberals hate the new translation, it must be good

2010-09-25T13:34:00.000-07:00

I admit this has me laughing much more than the dog tired nap joke I just posted.

I found this adorable cartoon & post over at one of my much-loved blogs Catholic Cartoon Blog

I've read some of the reaction to the updated translation that will be put into effect in 2011. I can't help but laugh at the protesting and ugliness on display by those who are against it. Their argument is that they've had this translation for 40 years - why change it? What's funny is that some of these same aging hippies saw no problem with ditching 1900 years of tradition way back in 1969.

Now they're crying because a few words and phrases are changed? It's almost as if they're saying "Look, we've dumbed this down for 40 years and we're not going to stand for you 'smartening' it up!!!".

You can always judge the efficacy and worthiness of something by the reaction of liberals. If they love it, it can't be good, and if they hate it, it's GOT to be good.

As I see it, the new translation is a good start. They need to keep working.

Just for laughs, read some of the back and forth on the National Catholic Distorter site: http://ncronline.org/news/faith-parish/pope-receives-english-translation-roman-missal

(Liz again)
Although I am still a "baby" Catholic convert (1992), I admit I have mostly experienced the "traditional Mass" when traveling...AND I ADMIT I LOVE IT!!!!! The new "fluffy" Masses I've experienced remind me much of my Pentecostal services I grew up in...clap, clap, clap, sing, sing, sing, everybody feel good, everybody happy??? ...OKAY YOU GET THE POINT. Not to mention that I am the product of a 60's, James Dean, free love, free sex, free everything relationship (don't get me wrong, I LOVE MY PARENTS DEARLY, they can't help it that they were born in that generation!). Seriously here, I'm fairly certain I could even find a picture of myself wearing an outfit similar to the hippy in the cartoon...picked out by my parents, I'm sure! (laughing). I know for sure I had the headband. If I find the pic, I'll definitely post it & link it here.

Enjoy the chuckle, I sure did. Still chuckling...

And if you don't enjoy the chuckle, there's a fancy-dancy button on your keyboard labeled DELETE. I certainly won't be offended! Remember YOU CHOSE TO VISIT MY SITE, SO BE NICE OR LEAVE (as my cute little blinkie on the right says)!!

Cute joke...

2010-09-25T13:26:00.000-07:00

Thought this cute little joke was worth sharing . . .

Or it could be that thanks to this irritating sore throat & cold that I'm fighting that I am definitely dog tired & closely connected to the topic of NAPS...

especially considering I LOVE NAPS!

LET SLEEPING DOGS LIE

One afternoon, I was in the backyard hanging the laundry when an old, tired-looking dog wandered into the yard. I could tell from his collar and well-fed belly that he had a home. But when I walked into the house, he followed me, sauntered down the hall and fell asleep in a corner. An hour later, he went to the door, and I let him out.

The next day he was back. He resumed his position in the hallway and slept for an hour. This continued for several weeks. Curious, I pinned a note to his collar: "Every afternoon your dog comes to my house for a nap. "

The next day he arrived with a different note pinned to his collar: "He lives in a home with ten children - he's trying to catch up on his sleep."

Reflection on Character . . .

2010-09-25T13:14:00.000-07:00

Character
Faith, cheerfulness, optimism.

But not the idiocy of closing one's eyes to reality.

– St. Josemaria Escriva, The Way, #40

Sorrow and Suffering . . .

2010-09-24T10:04:00.000-07:00

Present sorrow and suffering is the way to glory, the way to the kingdom.

– St. Bernard

He is the Light

2010-09-24T09:23:00.000-07:00

Cheerfulness
Hope does not mean beginning to see the light, but trusting with one's eyes closed that the Lord possesses the light fully, and lives in its clarity. He is the Light.

– St. Josemaria Escriva, Furrow, #91

Do you strive to be recognized on earth or in heaven?

2010-09-17T10:49:00.000-07:00

Today's reflection:

Fruitfulness
Some poor people seem to get annoyed by the good works you are doing, as if a thing ceases to be good when it is not being carried out or organized by themselves.

This lack of understanding cannot be an excuse for you to slacken off in what you are doing. Try to do it even better, right now. When you get no applause on earth, your work will be all the more welcome in Heaven.

– St. Josemaria Escriva, The Forge, #962

As I read today's reflection something hit me...
"When you get no applause on earth, your work will be all the more welcome in Heaven."

"WHEN YOU GET NO APPLAUSE ON EARTH..."

WOW, isn't that contrary
to our "IT'S ALL ABOUT ME" way of life in America?

It's so apparent that our society is focused on ME, ME, ME...

I am human, I am powerful, I am educated, I am the boss, I am in charge...

I am awesome...
Most importantly I DESERVE RECOGNITION
tends to be the thought in our world today, everywhere...
It's all about me...I deserve it! I am awesome!

But the reflection says...
Some poor people seem to get annoyed by the good works you are doing, as if a thing ceases to be good when it is not being carried out or organized by themselves.

This lack of understanding cannot be an excuse for you to slacken off in what you are doing. Try to do it even better, right now. When you get no applause on earth, your work will be all the more welcome in Heaven.

– St. Josemaria Escriva, The Forge, #962

Why do we strive to live good, true, Christian lives?
Why should we strive to KEEP OUR EYES ON JESUS & NOT ON THIS WORLD???
WHY should we want our reward in HEAVEN AND NOT ON EARTH??

Because...

Yes, God loves you enough that he gave His son FOR YOU...FOR EACH OF US.

His love for you is evident, if you only search for it...

Let HIM love you...Letting HIM love you, allows HIM to increase and you to decrease.
(Going against the flow of "It's all about me")

Truly, God's love IS best of all!
Every moment of every day is an opportunity to
KEEP OUR EYES ON JESUS...
LOVE HIM WITH ALL THAT WE ARE...
LET HIM LOVE US...
BRING OTHERS TO HIS LOVE...
DESIRE OUR *REWARD* TO BE IN HEAVEN, NOT THE SELF-PLEASING RECOGNITION & REWARDS OF THIS PASSING WORLD.

Keep your eyes on Jesus. Live your life on this earth so that you may spend an eternity in heaven with God who loves you & created you to spend an eternity with him.

Personal retreat planning & anticipation!!!

2010-08-17T16:22:00.000-07:00

My amazing hubby has insisted that we take a little personal retreat weekend...just for us!
{trust me, he didn't have to do too much arm twisting!}

He mentioned BEACH! Oh yeah, let's go!
He mentioned HORSEBACK RIDING! Oh yeah, let's go. THIS is what I prefer to "hiking" (let the horse do all the work, ha ha).
He mentioned JET BOAT RIDE on the Rogue River! YES, YES, YES...LET'S GO!!

This is the breathtaking Oregon Coast, near Gold Beach, Oregon that our room will overlook! I'll grab a good book, a blankie, and a sweatshirt & enjoy this! Oh, how I do miss living near the ocean...walking along the beach & the crashing waves...memories of our life in San Diego come creeping in.

Beautiful bridge & river!
In Gold Beach, Oregon, the Rogue River meets the Pacific Ocean.

This is going to be us!!! Pat has never been on a horse before (deprived child,
ha ha). Horseback riding is one part of my childhood I truly miss. I will be dreaming of horseback riding on the beach until it happens!
Thank you for this surprise, Pat! You are the best hubby!

Another little excursion we will take during our days on the Oregon Coast, is something we'll both really enjoy (yes, I mean Pat may not really enjoy the horseback riding mentioned above, but he's doing that for me!). We will get to ride a jet boat on the Rogue River for an 80-mile excursion...
and I think these things go fast, too...wooo hooo!A getaway just husband and wife...I am really looking forward to this!
Thanks again, Pat...you really do spoil me!

Assumption Reflection...

2010-08-15T09:23:00.000-07:00

One Bread, One Body is one of my favorite Daily Mass Reflection sources.
Today's reflection on The Solemnity of the Assumption is wonderful.

Prayer: Jesus, send Mary to greet me. At her greeting, may hope spring up inside me (Lk 1:44).

God's gift...The Eucharist

2010-08-15T09:17:00.000-07:00

God in His omnipotence could not give more, in His wisdom He knew not how to give more, in His riches He had not more to give, than the Eucharist. (emphasis added)

– St. Augustine

Fill my heart, my God, my Love...

2010-08-15T09:04:00.000-07:00

Fruitfulness
My Lord Jesus, grant that I may feel your grace and second it in such a way that I empty my heart, so that you, my Friend, my Brother, my King, my God, my Love... may fill it!

Selfishness...

2010-08-14T11:07:00.000-07:00

Wise words for a secular society that focuses on ME, ME, ME...

You Can!
The majority of people who have personal problems "have them" because they selfishly think about themselves.

– St. Josemaria Escriva, The Forge, #310

One Minute Meditations - Conversation

2010-08-14T10:42:00.000-07:00

Purity
That conversation was as dirty as a sewer.

It is not enough to take no part in it. You must show your repugnance for it strongly. (emphasis added)

– St. Josemaria Escriva, Furrow, #840

Friend or foe...doesn't matter God FIRST!

2010-08-09T19:52:00.000-07:00

What a great reminder for me. It's so darn easy to get caught up in the pain of losing a friend or the pain from conflict with anyone friend or foe.

Thanks again, St. Josemaria Escriva for bringing my eyes back to God!

"...I should not like to think that behind this false respect lurked a spirit of comfort or lukewarmness. At this stage, do you still prefer poor human friendship to the friendship of God"

– St. Josemaria Escriva, Furrow, #204

One Minute Meditations - Perseverance

2010-08-08T17:10:00.000-07:00

Perseverance
Unshakable: that is what you must be. If your perseverance is disturbed by other people's weaknesses or by your own, I cannot but form a poor opinion of your ideal.

Make up your mind once and for all.

– St. Josemaria Escriva, The Way, #995

Thank you, Lord, for this wonderful reminder!

Reflections from the Saints - Temptations & Virtues

2010-07-27T10:14:00.000-07:00

Today's reflection:
Do not grieve over the temptations you suffer. When the Lord intends to bestow a particular virtue on us, He often permits us first to be tempted by the opposite vice. Therefore, look upon every temptation as an invitation to grow in a particular virtue and a promise by God that you will be successful, if only you stand fast.

– St. Philip Neri

==============================================================

As I read the above reflection, I thought of virtues as our Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches them. Possibly I thought of them in a much different & deeper way because of the recent Men's Spiritual Adventure "A Retreat In Motion" that my wonderful husband led -- a retreat that focused on one virtue per day, along with one hour of silence to reflect on that particular virtue, then followed up in the evening with sharing. When the men's retreat focused on one virtue per day, I thought to myself, "Do we as Catholics, whose Catechism teaches beautifully the virtues, take time in our own lives to deeply focus & contemplate these virtues in our lives?" Then when I read today's Reflections from the Saints that feeds into my home page, I again found myself pondering daily focus on one virtue (and its counter-temptation/vice).

These two similar & closely timed thoughts led me to an idea...
I'll post one virtue per day for seven days.
Follow along if you please. And, try to take some quiet time to reflect on the daily virtue.

Doing this will give me (and force me) to read the materials myself (which is often how the Lord works with me..."Liz needs to learn/focus on such & such, so I'll assign her to present the material" LOL). I'll be grabbing the materials on virtues from reliable Catholic teaching (we have much better teachers than I can ever dream of being, so why would I attempt to reinvent the wheel??) For my much-loved and respected non-Catholic Christian friends, I think you'll enjoy these days of reflecting on virtue in our lives.

Why do this? As CHRISTIANS we are called to grow in virtue to be more like Christ in all we do. How do we grow in virtue if we have not spent some time learning and deepening our understanding?

Tomorrow will be DAY ONE of VIRTUES.

Before we begin on the daily virtues, let me offer a little deeper understanding of virtue.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church says this:

THE VIRTUES

1803 "Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things."⁶²

A virtue is an habitual and firm disposition to do the good. It allows the person not only to perform good acts, but to give the best of himself. The virtuous person tends toward the good with all his sensory and spiritual powers; he pursues the good and chooses it in concrete actions.

The goal of a virtuous life is to become like God.⁶³

I. THE HUMAN VIRTUES

1804 Human virtues are firm attitudes, stable dispositions, habitual perfections of intellect and will that govern our actions, order our passions, and guide our conduct according to reason and faith. They make possible ease, self-mastery, and joy in leading a morally good life. The virtuous man is he who freely practices the good.

The moral virtues are acquired by human effort. They are the fruit and seed of morally good acts; they dispose all the powers of the human being for communion with divine love.

The cardinal virtues

1805 Four virtues play a pivotal role and accordingly are called "cardinal"; all the others are grouped around them. They are: prudence, justice, fortitude, and temperance. "If anyone loves righteousness, [Wisdom's] labors are virtues; for she teaches temperance and prudence, justice, and courage."⁶⁴ These virtues are praised under other names in many passages of Scripture.

The virtues and grace

1810 Human virtues acquired by education, by deliberate acts and by a perseverance ever-renewed in repeated efforts are purified and elevated by divine grace. With God's help, they forge character and give facility in the practice of the good. The virtuous man is happy to practice them.

1811 It is not easy for man, wounded by sin, to maintain moral balance. Christ's gift of salvation offers us the grace necessary to persevere in the pursuit of the virtues. Everyone should always ask for this grace of light and strength, frequent the sacraments, cooperate with the Holy Spirit, and follow his calls to love what is good and shun evil.

IN BRIEF

1833 Virtue is a habitual and firm disposition to do good.

1834 The human virtues are stable dispositions of the intellect and the will that govern our acts, order our passions, and guide our conduct in accordance with reason and faith. They can be grouped around the four cardinal virtues: prudence, justice, fortitude, and temperance.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Fr. John Hardon on Virtues link (excerpts of text below, EMPHASIS ADDED)

Human excellence thus defined shows itself in two forms:
the habitual subordination of the senses and lower
tendencies to rational rule and principle, and in the
exercise of reason in the search for the contemplation
of truth. The former kind of excellence is described as
moral, the latter is intellectual virtue.


......


St. Thomas defines virtue as "a good habit bearing on
activity," or a good faculty-habit
[ habitus operativus bonus ]. Generic to the concept 
of virtue, then, is the element of habit,
which stands in a special relation to the soul,
whether in the natural order or elevated to the
divine life by grace.

. . . . . .

The soul is the remote principle or source of
all our activities; faculties are the proximate
sources built into the soul by nature;
habits are still more immediate principles added
to the faculties either by personal endeavor or
by supernatural infusion from God.
Consequently the soul helps the man,
faculties help the soul, and habits help the faculties.

Habits reside in the faculties as stable
dispositions or "hard to eradicate" qualities that
dispose the faculties to act in a certain way,
depending on the type of habit. If the habit is acquired
it gives the faculty power to act with ease and facility;
if it is infused, it procures not readiness in
supernatural activity, but the very activity itself.
Natural or acquired habits result from repeated
acts of some one kind; they give not the power to act,
but the power to act readily and with dexterity.
Thus in the natural order, the faculty without the habit
is simple power to act,
the faculty with the habit is power to act with perfection.
Since custom is parent to habit, it is called second nature.
Faculty is like first nature, and habit the second.

Not every habit is a virtue, but only one that
so improves and perfects a rational faculty as
to incline it towards good -- good for the faculty,
for the will and for the whole man in terms of his
ultimate destiny.

There is a broad sense in which we can speak of
the natural dispositions of any of our powers as
innate virtues, but this is a loose rendering and
leads to confusion. More properly the infused
virtues should be contrasted with the acquired habits,
in which the autonomous will of the individual plays
the dominant role. My consistent effort to
concentrate on a given course of action,
repeating the process over a long period of time
and in spite of obstacles, gradually develops
a tendency to perform the action spontaneously
and almost without reflection, yet to a degree of
perfection that someone else without
the virtue cannot duplicate.

Let us Pray for All Fathers

2010-06-18T11:28:00.000-07:00

This weekend we observe Fathers’ Day. We thank God for faithful fathers who, like God himself, give and protect life.
Let’s also pray for fathers who are afraid to be fathers.
Thousands of times a day, children are aborted, not because of a choice of the mother, but because of the choice of a father, who fails to show the faithfulness and willingness to protect the child he has helped conceive.
At other times, fathers tried to stop the abortion. But the law excludes them from the final decision about the abortion.
Men do suffer grief after the abortion of their child. Healing programs are available for these fathers.
Let us pray today for all fathers. When their child is unexpected, may they welcome that child and encourage the child’s mother to say yes to life.

ORIGINAL LINK HERE

One Minute Meditations - Detachment

2010-06-18T11:27:00.001-07:00

Heart
Don't you feel that greater peace and closer union await you when you respond to that extraordinary grace which demands your total detachment?

Struggle for him, to please him: but strengthen your hope.

– St. Josemaria Escriva, The Way, #152

My One Minute Meditation for today . . . LOVE IT!

2010-06-02T16:39:00.000-07:00

Struggle

Your deepest love, your greatest esteem, your most heartfelt veneration, your most complete obedience and your warmest affection have also to be shown towards the Vicar of Christ on earth, towards the Pope.

We Catholics should consider that after God and the most Holy Virgin, our Mother, the Holy Father comes next in the hierarchy of love and authority.

– St. Josemaria Escriva, The Forge, #135

I love my Papa Benedicto XVI!

Spirituan Direction -- How willing are you??

2010-05-31T14:28:00.000-07:00

One Minute Meditations

You Can!
Spiritual direction. You must have that true supernatural sense and holy shamelessness to allow another to poke at your soul and determine how far you are able – and willing – to give glory to God.

– St. Josemaria Escriva, The Forge, #327

Providential Meditation for today . . .One Minute Meditations

2010-05-24T13:23:00.000-07:00

Selection
It is not pride, but fortitude, when you make your authority felt,
cutting out what needs to be cut out,
when the fulfilment of the Holy Will of God demands it.

– St. Josemaria Escriva, The Forge, #884

Thanks Lord...I needed this today. {Lizzy K}

One Minute Meditations - Interior Life

2010-04-18T08:11:00.001-07:00

Work
If you know that study is apostolate, but limit yourself to studying just enough to get by, it is clear that your interior life is going badly.

If you are so careless you will lose the right spirit. Just like the worker in the parable who cunningly hid the talent he had received, you may, if you do not put things right, exclude yourself from God's friendship, and be stuck in the mire of your comfort-seeking calculations.

– St. Josemaria Escriva, Furrow, #525

One Minute Meditations - Character...temptation

2010-04-15T20:39:00.000-07:00

Character
Turn your back on the tempter when he whispers in your ear: 'Why make life difficult for yourself?'

– St. Josemaria Escriva, The Way, #6

LIZ'S QUESTION TO ASK OURSELVES...
Do we turn our backs or do we look for ways to make life less 'difficult'?

Following Christ doesn't mean an easy path, but it does mean a peaceful heart despite rocky paths.

Hold strong to Christ. Do not be lukewarm. Turn your back on the tempter. Grab onto our Mother Mary's hand and ask her to take you to her son. Life is difficult. Choose Christ. Choose virtue. Pray hard.

The tempter wants you to take...
The easy way out.
The less difficult choice.
The 'But I deserve to feel good don't I???' choice.

The tempter KNOWS standing for Christ is going against the flow of the secular world and is often the 'less popular choice, therefore the more difficult...that's why he tempts you with avoiding difficult paths or tempts you with 'feel good' choices that are temporary and fleeting... but as Christians our goal should be the PEACE THAT CHRIST OFFERS. HIS PEACE IS FOREVER.

Being a Christian calls us to turn our back on the tempter as he whispers, "Why make life difficult for yourself?"

My recent ponderings "Has humility been lost in our culture?"

2010-04-13T09:22:00.000-07:00

Somehow since our first trip to San Lucas Toliman, Guatemala, in 2006, I have found myself wondering about humility in the American culture.

I wonder, "In our zeal for women to become educated, career women, have we foregone the great virtue of humility?"

This question appears in various circumstances that draws me into attempting to see this more in a spiritual way (Holy Glasses, if you will)...wondering about what God really asks of us.

Most often this question arises because I am a stay-at-home mom...or in the eyes of the world, "You don't work?" ... Uhm, YES, I do work. I work a lot.

One of the other ponderings I have regarding lost humility in women in America is the need to be equal or even more than equal ('top dog') to others (not just over men, but over everyone). In our quest to become "IMPORTANT" or "OF VALUE" did we lose the importance of HUMILITY?

Do we dislike having people in authority over us?
Does it bother us to reverence another?
Are we willing to humble ourselves to serve others...WITHOUT BEING ASKED?
Must the initials after our name be of higher 'value' than others around us?
Do we dislike using titles of others that acknowledge their importance (i.e., Mr., Mrs. Dr., Father, Deacon, etc.)

Here's the recent reason why I find myself pondering this loss of humility in my opinion, in the culture of American women.

Our deanery recently held the yearly, "Good Friday Stations Walk" where young and old alike gather to walk and pray the Passion. This year the walkers experienced a heightened 'offering of suffering' as it decided to pour buckets of rain!

As I looked through the pictures, a couple caught my attention, and I found myself in tears!
LITERALLY SOBBING!

Do you see what I see?

Here's a close-up...do you see what I see?

Do you see the women...
lovingly holding umbrellas over the two priests?

I was told, not only did they hold the umbrellas over the priests, but to do so sometimes meant walking in the gutters of flowing water from the downpour. TRUE HUMILITY. TRUE REVERENCE.

I know one of these women, and she is educated and a career woman. However, she's not too proud to humble herself by reverencing her SPIRITUAL FATHER. This woman does not struggle with the need to feel 'equal' to him -- obvious by her truly humble actions. By this action, I would also assume she would not have a problem with using his proper title of "Father" before his name.

Yet, many American women I know would struggle with both aspects of this lady's loving humility -- if they were asked to do such a thing as 'lower' themselves.

Not only that, knowing these two priests, I would be safe to guess that they would NEVER EXPECT such treatment. However, they do deserve it. They gave their lives to our Holy Mother Church to be our spiritual fathers.

Have we lost the beautiful virtue of humility? I pray not.

Saint Zita, pray for us!

Just yesterday I had the conversation with my kids about our family rule of calling ADULTS by Mr. or Mrs. so and so. And how many of the adults don't like it (for various reasons). But that begged the question, "How did this happen?" ... "Why do kids insist on addressing adults by their first name, as if they are EQUAL?" When I grew up (hundreds of years ago according to my 13 y.o.) we would NEVER think of addressing a teacher or leader with anything but Mr. or Mrs. Yet, today in preschools you have Little Johnny addressing his teacher by Miss Liz, rather than Mrs. Kearns. WHY? What are we teaching Little Johnny when he is allowed to address adults by their first name? Will he then as a teenager resist ever using a title that acknowledges the fact that he is NOT someone's equal?

Is it a lack of humility?

Saint Joseph, pray for us!

Here's the reflection that brought all of this to mind this morning:

One Minute Meditations

You Can!
True faith shows itself in humility. Dicebat enim intra se – that poor woman said to herself: Si tetigero tantum vestimentum eius, salva ero – if I can but touch the hem of his garment, I shall be healed.

What humility she showed. It was both a result and a sign of her faith.

– St. Josemaria Escriva, The Forge, #324

Actions speak much louder than words...
Mary, Mother of God, intercede for us.

Scripture Verse of the Day - Dishonesty, Gossip

2010-04-13T08:59:00.000-07:00

Proverbs 16:28

A dishonest man spreads strife, and a whisperer separates close friends.

When you speak are you cautious not to gossip about others? Is it gossip if it is true? Can the truth be harmful or slanderous to another?

Do we realize how these 'little' sins add up and the importance of our acknowledging our failures and finding true contrition as well as a strong resolve to watch what we say...at all times.

Here's what the Catechism of the Catholic Church has to say, in part, about the importance of awareness & even confessing these 'little' sins...

1458 Without being strictly necessary, confession of everyday faults (venial sins) is nevertheless strongly recommended by the Church.⁵⁹ Indeed the regular confession of our venial sins helps us form our conscience, fight against evil tendencies, let ourselves be healed by Christ and progress in the life of the Spirit. By receiving more frequently through this sacrament the gift of the Father's mercy, we are spurred to be merciful as he is merciful:⁶⁰

Whoever confesses his sins . . . is already working with God. God indicts your sins; if you also indict them, you are joined with God. Man and sinner are, so to speak, two realities: when you hear "man" - this is what God has made; when you hear "sinner" - this is what man himself has made. Destroy what you have made, so that God may save what he has made. . . . When you begin to abhor what you have made, it is then that your good works are beginning, since you are accusing yourself of your evil works. The beginning of good works is the confession of evil works. You do the truth and come to the light.⁶¹

HERE IS A LINK TO THE CATECHISM PAGE REGARDING CONFESSION & VENIAL SINS (LITTLE SINS)

We must guard our words to be pleasing to the Lord, who is all good and loving -- as we should try our best to be as good as possible and as loving as possible. Let us all see Christ in those around us and build each other up rather than tear down.

Making Eucharistic Adoration priority in our lives . . .

2010-04-13T08:43:00.000-07:00

What a powerful testimony of the importance of Eucharistic Adoration in our lives.

In this reflection today I am reminded of this great and simple necessary part of every Catholic's spiritual life. I especially love the closing sentence, "So, I think it is important to go back to the Eucharist, and give a real place to the Eucharist in our lives and in the lives of our families."

How blessed we truly are to have Jesus -- Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity -- available to adore. At our parish we are so deeply blessed to have Perpetual Adoration. May we all take advantage of this gift from God at every possible opportunity.

One Minute Meditations - Holy Purity

2010-04-03T11:36:00.000-07:00

Holy Purity
Don't try to reason with concupiscence: scorn it.

– St. Josemaria Escriva, The Way, #127

Liz's Note - strange how the Lord works. Between raising teenagers, talking with young adults, and yes, even married couples, I find myself discussing or researching Church teaching on the subject of restraining purely physical temptations. So when I saw St. Josemaria's meditation today, I figure maybe the Lord is using this as an instrument of teaching.

Defining concupiscence a little deeper:
In its widest acceptation, concupiscence is any yearning of the soul for good; in its strict and specific acceptation, a desire of the lower appetite contrary to reason.

But the lower appetite is of itself unrestrained, so as to pursue sensuous gratifications independently of the understanding and without regard to the good of the higher faculties. Hence desires contrary to the real good and order of reason may, and often do, rise in it, previous to the attention of the mind, and once risen, dispose the bodily organs to the pursuit and solicit the will to consent, while they more or less hinder reason from considering their lawfulness or unlawfulness. This is concupiscence in its strict and specific sense. As long, however, as deliberation is not completely impeded, the rational will is able to resist such desires and withhold consent, though it be not capable of crushing the effects they produce in the body, and though its freedom and dominion be to some extent diminished. If, in fact, the will resists, a struggle ensues, the sensuous appetite rebelliously demanding its gratification, reason, on the contrary, clinging to its own spiritual interests and asserting it control.

"The flesh lusteth against the spirit, and the spirit against the flesh."

One Minute Meditations - Humility

2010-04-01T11:20:00.001-07:00

Humility
Self-knowledge leads us by the hand, as it were, to humility.

– St. Josemaria Escriva, The Way, #609

Reflections from the Saints - Temperance

2010-03-30T11:52:00.001-07:00

Control your appetites before they control you.

– St. John Climacus

One Minute Meditations - Prayer

2010-03-27T21:05:00.000-07:00

To Fight Once More
To avoid routine in your vocal prayers try to say them with the same ardour with which a person who has just fallen in love speaks... and as if it were the last chance you had to approach Our Lord.

– St. Josemaria Escriva, The Forge, #432

Reflections from the Saints - "This is My Body"

2010-03-18T15:14:00.000-07:00

Since Christ Himself has said, "This is My Body" who shall dare to doubt that It is His Body?

– St. Cyril of Jerusalem

One Minute Meditations

2010-03-15T19:57:00.000-07:00

Supernatural Life
Silence is the door-keeper of the interior life.

– St. Josemaria Escriva, The Way, #281

Pro-Life blogging for Wannababies Pro-Life Cartoon

2010-03-11T09:04:00.000-08:00

Here is the awesome blog Wannababies Pro-Life Cartoon

Reflections from the Saints - Prayer

2010-03-11T08:40:00.000-08:00

Without Prayer nothing good is done. God's works are done with our hands joined, and on our knees. Even when we run, we must remain spiritually kneeling before Him.

– Bl. Luigi Orione

WOW, this sure makes it clear that WE MUST PRAY...we must not get caught up in "I'm too busy to pray." We cannot give what we do not have, so as Bl. Luigi Orione says, "Without prayer nothing good is done." Are you trying to live your life without praying? Are you on a good path by being in ministry, but still too busy to pray? Are you a parent trying to raise children without taking time to pray for them and for you as a parent? Are you a spouse that tries your best, but your best could be improved by praying? WE MUST PRAY. ALL OF US. TAKE SOME TIME TODAY TO PRAY & LISTEN FOR THE STILL SMALL VOICE OF GOD. Blessings.

A blog you should read!

2010-03-09T10:48:00.001-08:00

A blog you just have to read & I'm guessing you'll then follow along as we do!

Time for Reflections is written by Victor S. E. Moubarak, who also wrote a book that my hubby & I both thoroughly enjoyed, Visions

Enjoy!

Faith

2010-03-09T10:45:00.001-08:00

Faith & Family Live! : How to Protect Your Privacy on Facebook

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Another great article from Faith & Family Live! regarding privacy settings on Facebook (for children and adults).

Enjoy!

Streamline your Facebook experience

2010-03-08T09:33:00.000-08:00

Great article HERE from Faith & Family Live! on how to streamline your Facebook experience.

Enjoy!

Scripture Verse of the Day

2010-03-05T10:24:00.000-08:00

Matthew 5:9

"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God."

Is Obama buying votes? (OneNewsNow.com)

2010-03-05T09:46:00.000-08:00

Is Obama buying votes? (OneNewsNow.com)

Read the article, pray, & make your own decision.

See how Catholic Family Land inspires Clergy

2010-02-27T21:52:00.000-08:00

Make sure to watch for a very handsome Permanent Deacon in this video!

Honestly just watching these videos, my heart overflowed with the love we experienced both times we've attended a Holy Family Fest @ Catholic Family Land... during the week there, in the presence of so many parents and children TRULY doing their very best to live their faith, you are inspired. I was inspired more than ever during both Holy Family Fests we attended.

Visit The Apostolate for Family Consecration for more info.

Youth at Catholic Family Land

2010-02-27T21:43:00.000-08:00

After watching this video showing the youth at Catholic Family Land, I find myself feeling the incredible deep faith, the incredible love of Christ, and trusting that youth really do respond to the true teachings of our awesome Catholic faith.

I would encourage all Catholic families to go to a Holy Family Fest at Catholic Family Land! Parents will be inspired by the teachings they receive AND they will be deeply inspired as they see their children diving more deeply into 'their' own Catholic faith & making friends that have the same strong Catholic values.

Can most parents imagine their children beg for a vacation that each day includes Holy Mass, a rosary, the Divine Mercy Chaplet, adoration, confession, AND Catholic teachings for their age-levels? If your family attends a Holy Family Fest, I would bet that your children would beg to return...ours did and still do! I pray we'll be going back VERY SOON!

For more information go to www.familyland.org

Father Corapi's Health Video, his health & ours . . .

2010-02-27T14:29:00.001-08:00

I had to laugh when I clicked on this video of Father Corapi -- Sometimes God's timing is HILARIOUS to me -- it seems God is using Fr. Corapi to confirm for me the importance of our newest undertaking of eating healthier & losing weight & becoming the healthiest we can possibly be.

For six weeks Pat and I have been eating healthier than we have in years so that we will lose weight and so we can be as healthy as possible -- as God intended for us. This is something we've known, but for one reason or another (frequent illnesses for me) we just did not hit the goal of becoming healthy (and losing the excess weight). I'm still far from my goal, but I'm about 1/3 there, and I find that very encouraging...and yes, I'm looking forward to a shopping spree once I hit my goal.

Enjoy this video, Father Corapi makes so much sense on why we are called to be as healthy as we can possibly be. . .

Free Lenten Audio Download of 40-Day Divine Mercy Readings (courtesy of The Apostolate for Family Consecration)

2010-02-25T16:53:00.000-08:00

CLICK HERE FOR LINK to Divine Mercy blog, downloads, etc.

The Apostolate for Family Consecration website is www.familyland.org

The Apostolate for Family Consecration
Consecrating families to the Holy Family

Dear Members, Cooperators and Friends of the Family Apostolate,

Starting this March 3rd up to Divine Mercy Sunday, join us in a 40-day Lenten "home retreat" with Pope John Paul II and St. Faustina reflecting on the greatest attribute of God, His Mercy. (cf Rich in Mercy, no. 13)

Our Lenten retreat consists of 40 DAILY PODCASTS featuring excerpts from Pope John Paul II's encyclical, "Rich in Mercy", and St. Faustina's writings taken from The Family Apostolate's Drawing Down Divine Mercy Prayer Book. Also included are prayers for the Divine Mercy novena which Our Lord gave to St. Faustina to be prayed from Good Friday until Divine Mercy Sunday.

Follow our Divine Mercy Podcast!

Subscribe to FREE Divine Mercy Podcast

Check out Free Divine Mercy Resources!

You can download these audio podcasts for FREE to your MP3 player or iPod through iTunes. Our members from Belgium, Rob and Isabel Allaert, recorded the readings and it is a beautiful and easy way to meditate every day. Visit and join our online blog and podcast by clicking here and allow us take you on this journey to Divine Mercy Sunday, the 1st Sunday after Easter.

We hope these 40 daily meditations will help you to understand the richness of Divine Mercy and bring you into a deeper union with God through being merciful to others by action, word and prayer, and by forgiving those who have hurt you. As you pray these meditations each day, you will discover different spiritual realities that apply to your life. "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy." (Matt 5:7)

Some of our members have commented that reading along in the Drawing Down Divine Mercy prayer and meditation book while at the same time listening to the readings being read (through the podcast) really helps them to take in the mysteries being taught in a more penetrating and lasting way. If you are interested in getting a copy of the book as well, purchase your copy by clicking here!"

For I desire Mercy and not sacrifice; the knowledge of God, rather than burnt offerings." (Hosea 6:6)

We know you live a busy, hectic life, which is why we made these daily meditations into an easily downloadable podcast and book, so that you can listen to them when it is most convenient for you--like while traveling to and from work, or access them through your email, iphone, or laptop.

We want to make it easy for you to have that necessary time with the Lord each day--the time to learn the Truths of the Faith and to allow these Truths to lead you into meditation which leads you into union with Christ.

Come Holy Spirit, help us to discover God's merciful plan for our lives by being merciful to those you place in our path. Help us to trust in the Merciful Heart of Jesus, through the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Queen and Mother of Mercy, in union with St. Joseph, an instrument of mercy. Amen.

If you are interested in in our complete line of Divine Mercy Resources which include audio and video commentaries by Fr. George Kosicki, CSB for even more insight, click here!

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Our Divine Mercy Sunday Parish Mission Program is a complete multimedia parish presentation on Divine Mercy. The program includes 30 copies of the Drawing Down Divine Mercy prayer and meditation book to help your parish prepare for the Feast of Mercy (can be sold to recoup cost of program). It also includes the accompanying video commentaries on Drawing Down Divine Mercy and the video programs you would need for Divine Mercy Sunday, plus various TV and radio ads and presentations, including the moving story of Rwanda Holocaust survivor Immaculée Ilibagiza (DVD), to help you promote your Divine Mercy program in the parish. Click here for complete list of program components.

2010-02-25T08:43:00.000-08:00

The Heavenly Handbag

February 24th, 2010 by Peggy Bowes

I recently walked into a local store and was enthusiastically greeted by a teenaged employee who admired the bag I was carrying. We chatted for a few minutes, our twenty-five year age difference overcome by our common interest in a woman’s most important accessory. Not surprising really, as the search for the perfect bag begins early in life.

Even a toddler realizes that a purse reflects who she is as she debates which Disney princess should be featured on her starter bag. After all, the right bag says “I’ve arrived! I’m stylish! I’m somebody!” No wonder so many women splurge on designer handbags that cost more than their mortgage payment.

If a handbag reflects who a woman is, then the things she carries inside are tools for her success — a matching wallet filled with credit cards, lipstick in the current color palette, the must-have smart phone, a stack of business cards, perfect designer sunglasses, and keys to a luxury car. Handbag contents are even the subject of celebrity interviews. My favorite fashion magazine asks the cover model, “What’s in your bag?” as if its contents will somehow reveal the secret to her fame and fortune. Gullible readers rush out to purchase the same products, hoping for similar results.

There is one event in a woman’s life that will forever alter her choice of handbags — motherhood. Suddenly the designer label is not as important as the function of the bag. It must be easy to clean, have lots of pockets and compartments, and not fall apart when chewed by teething babies. The contents also reveal a shift away from self. I’ve seen women pull band-aids, bibs, juice boxes, miniature cars, sunscreen, and even portable DVD players out of enormous purses.

Like all earthly treasures, the allure of the perfect handbag fades over time. It gets soiled, the stitches come undone, or it is simply no longer in vogue. It must be cast aside and replaced. Likewise, as a woman matures, she realizes that her words, actions and accomplishments better reflect who she is than her handbag. Its contents, or tools for her success, change as well. They are more practical – a coupon organizer, a pack of tissues, hand sanitizer, and keys to a minivan.

My own handbag and the things I carry in it have gradually changed to reveal the person I have become. I still like to carry a stylish bag, but the contents have evolved to emphasize my inner beauty rather than my outward appearance. My handbag is merely an earthly treasure, but it can carry the tools to help me store up treasures in heaven. In the pocket next to my lipstick is a small container of holy water. A zippered compartment holds a prayer book, an assortment of holy cards and a booklet to examine my conscience before Confession. My rose-scented Rosary is neatly contained in a case with a picture of St. Therese of Lisieux. A Sunday bulletin is stuffed in a side compartment. Even my keychain proclaims my faith with the Sacred Heart Auto League logo and a request to call a priest in the event of an accident.

With these tools at my disposal, I can use those idle moments in my day to direct my focus toward heaven, where I hope to some day shout with joy, “I’ve arrived!”

Peggy Bowes, a devout Catholic, is the author of The Rosary Workout – available soon. She graduated from the US Air Force Academy in 1988 and served nine years as an Air Force pilot and Health and Wellness consultant. After leaving the military to raise a family, Peggy continued her education in the fitness industry by becoming certified as a personal trainer, Lifestyle and Weight Management Consultant and Spinning® instructor. She established a successful and rewarding business in metabolic and athletic performance (VO2) testing, with an emphasis on weight loss counseling. Peggy is also very active in parish life. She has been a lector, CCD teacher, and Little Flowers Girls' Club leader. She also enjoys triathlons, hiking, adventure races, and other sports as she incorporates all the benefits and blessings of The Rosary Workout. Peggy and her husband and two children currently reside in North Carolina.

A Lenten book for me . . . 7 Secrets of the Eucharist

2010-02-24T19:32:00.000-08:00

Tonight Pat will finish reading this book, and I will start reading it tomorrow. Pat said it's a great book! I'm really looking forward to spending some of my Lenten journey focusing on the Eucharist.

My new task . . .

2010-02-24T19:11:00.000-08:00

My new task is reading and implementing as much of this eat-clean program as possible. Sounds, easy, but it surely isn't to me! For now I need to read the book, yes, cover to cover. I am excited about it though.

Thanks to a dear friend who told me about her success with the "Eat-Clean" plan, our family will dive into this in the next few weeks.

Pat & I are really excited about this new phase of our lives -- eating the healthiest we have in years. Our recent weight loss has motivated us to make the life changes necessary to stay healthy as well as thin (I'm definitely not there YET, but am on my way back to my pre-Redding thin-ness, as Mackenzie would say).

I'm really enjoying spending tons of time in the kitchen cooking & preparing foods with my born-chef, Mackenzie! This girl amazes me.

The best part about Pat & I embarking on this healthier eating is that our two youngest are still home and will learn to eat this way, too. "CHILDREN LEARN WHAT THEY LIVE" -- I used to have a poster that said that...now I realize how true that really is!

The Fifth Commandment

2010-02-24T11:30:00.000-08:00

It’s a simple-sounding proposition: “You shall not kill” (Exodus 20:13). And some people, such as pacifists, are absolutists in understanding it to mean that all killing forbidden. But, in fact, that is not what the commandment means. In Hebrew, the Fifth Commandment forbids the taking of innocent human life. Both war and the death penalty have always been permissible (under certain circumstances) throughout Jewish and Christian history. So the command is more accurately rendered, “You shall not murder.”

That small clarification made, it may nonetheless be asked whether the proposition “Murder is bad” really required all the smoke and thunder of Sinai. Everybody knows murder is wrong. So why command something that everybody already knows and accepts?

Because we only know it sporadically, and the same faculty we use for making legitimate distinctions (as in the first paragraph above) can, under the influence of sin, also be used to make excuses for ignoring this basic principle of natural law. Situations arise in which we have to be reminded that what we know to be true and right in happy moments continues to be true and right even when the temptation to murder can be very strong indeed.

Our culture is chockablock with examples of this. We modern westerners wonder how it could be possible the Germans were capable of exterminating 11 million people in their mad zeal for racial hygiene. But the reality is that they gave exactly the same rationales we give for our extermination of four times as many people since 1973 in the US alone: by re-defining the victim so as to exempt ourselves from guilt for violating the commandment. Jews, Poles and Gypsies were re-classified as untermenschen or even “bacteria” (it was all very scientifically worded) and their deaths were treated like the death of cattle—“no innocent human beings were harmed in the making of this Holocaust”. We do the same trick: reclassifying babies as “fetal material” (another tidy scientific-sounding euphemism).

Why do we do labor to justify murder? For the same reason the Nazis did it: because we regard it as a matter of us vs. them self-preservation. They believed anything was justified to preserve the Volk from their own delusional fears of racial impurity. A culture of death is a culture of fear and the Germans whipped themselves into a frenzy of fearful hatred of six million innocent men, women, and children and killed them as enemies of the state and the Volk. We have whipped ourselves into a frenzy of fear of responsibility for our choices and believe anything is justified to preserve ourselves from the burden of raising a “parasite” (as the pro-choice rhetoric so delicately puts it). Ends justify means: the usual excuses.

Another trick we often use to justify the taking of innocent human life is the Minimum Daily Adult Requirement approach to Catholic moral teaching. This involves that notion that the Ten Commandments describe the uppermost limits of human achievement. So, for instance, when a nation is in the grip of war fever (as ours was in 2003), Just War requirements (which are intended to make it extremely difficult to go to war), get treated as a sort of imprimatur and blessing on war instead of that they are: a set of hard-to-satisfy requirements that aim to fill us with very grave doubts about the wisdom of ever taking this horrible step. Rather than seeing Just War requirement as a massive restraint intended to remind us of the gravity of war, we labor to jerry-rig arguments (often very specious ones) to show that Just War requirements are “satisfied” and then, once we have skated past these, we go to war with alacrity and eat popcorn while boasting about the cool “shock and awe” visual effects on the nightly news. Those who are eager to go war are fairly easy to spot: they tend to be itching to fudge the definitions, to claim that Special Circumstances make it okay to ignore this or that particular criterion, and to be quick to make much the same sort of appeals about the need to bring Just War doctrine “up to date” as abortionists do when they talk about “updating” our definitions of “innocent”, “human” and “life.”

In all this, we see a basic itch to find some way to minimize the Fifth Commandment, just this once, because our particular end is so good and noble, or so desperate and urgent, that surely we can cut a few corners and get on with pulling the trigger. The wheedling voice says, “Look. We’ve jumped through (or given serious thought to jumping through, or convinced ourselves that, in our special case we don’t need to jump through) all the hoops Just War doctrine requires. Now can we start killing?”

Put that baldly, we begin to see the truth about the Ten Commandments, and most especially this commandment: they are given in order to reinforce minimal moral requirements in the face of temporary assaults on reason. They show us, not the height of sanctity, but the bottom-most limits of morality and virtue: if you can’t love your neighbor, at least don’t beat his head in with a baseball bat. It’s important to remember that these bottom limits are merely the bottom, not the heights, of what we are called to in Christ. Merely not killing somebody is not exactly a glittering example of the splendor and holiness of Christ’s love, so boasting that we are “good enough” simply because we observe minimal morality is insufficient. We still need a Savior. Indeed, the Savior himself warns us that the commandment against murder is not satisfied merely because we haven’t actually shot the guy who cut us off on the freeway. As Jesus points out in the Sermon on the Mount, if you hate somebody from the heart, you are already guilty of murder, because the heart is where murder is born.

So God is, as George MacDonald says, easy to please, but hard to satisfy. On the one hand, we cannot pat ourselves on the back as saints merely because we keep a tight lid on our hatred and don’t actually throttle our neighbor to death when he has the loud party. On the other hand, under the power of grace, minimal morality is a starting place in those desperate moments when we are really tempted to murder that jerk at work who has abused us for years. And since God is pleased with our faltering efforts as much as with the great deeds of giants like St. Paul, he can turn the widow’s mite of our struggles with anger into a great spiritual fortune for his glory. The main thing for us to remember is that commandments like the one against murder give us a sure floor to stand on and a limit below which we must not go. But to fulfill our destiny in Christ, we must reach for the heavens and beatitude, through the imitation of Christ and not merely by living up to Minimum Daily Adult Requirement morality.

CLICK HERE FOR ARTICLE

God of Bounty!

2010-02-19T09:04:00.001-08:00

God of Bounty!

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One Minute Meditations - Independent Catholic???

2010-02-19T08:48:00.000-08:00

Loyalty

I cannot understand you when you talk about matters of morals and of faith and you tell me that you are an independent Catholic.

From whom are you independent? That false independence is equivalent to leaving the way of Christ.
– St. Josemaria Escriva, Furrow, #357

I pray all Catholics take this to heart and those who have fallen would return COMPLETELY to the truths of our beautiful Catholic faith!

Reflections from the Saints - Shun Luxury

2010-02-19T08:35:00.000-08:00

If you would rise, shun luxury, for luxury lowers and degrades.
– St. John Chrysostom

WOW, doesn't this go against our secular American society...to shun luxury? Definitely something worthwhile to ponder during this truly blessed Lenten Season.

One Minute Meditations - Penance

2010-02-19T08:32:00.000-08:00

Penance

"You won't laugh, Father, will you, if I tell you that, a few days ago, I found myself spontaneously offering the Lord the sacrifice of time it meant for me to mend a broken toy for one of my little children?"

I am not laughing. I am delighted because with that Love, God sets about mending our faults.
– St. Josemaria Escriva, Furrow, #986

Hospital decided it could not meet the Catholic standard | Catholic Sentinel

2010-02-18T16:52:00.000-08:00

I found myself experiencing two opposite emotions with this article 1) very sad that this hospital decided it could not alter its present practices to the degree required for continued identification as “Catholic” and 2) hopeful that this is only the beginning of our bishops taking the difficult road of challenging questionable 'Catholic' institutions to either meet the degree required to be TRULY CATHOLIC or not... Our Bishops are our shepherds, and I applaude Bishop Vasa for this challenging position he has taken!

Remember our bishops do need our prayers, so please keep each and every one of them in prayer.

ORIGINAL ARTICLE HERE

Hospital decided it could not meet the Catholic standard

In the course of the past several weeks I have focused on what it means for individuals and institutions to be Catholic. I have done this, in part, because of a concern about Catholic colleges and hospitals in general but also, in part, because of very specific discussions I have been having with the administration of St. Charles Medical Center, a Catholic health care institution, in Bend. Over the course of the past several years I have struggled with the difficulty of trying to reconcile some practices ongoing at the medical center with clear Church teaching. In January I wrote: “It is not uncommon for faithful Catholics to question the Catholicity of these public institutions especially when they seem to be expressing and holding public views which are, or strongly appear to be, contrary to the clear teachings of the Church. At what point are these institutions no longer ‘in the communion of the Catholic Church on this earth?’” I have come to the very difficult conclusion, after much discussion and discernment, that it is time to acknowledge that which has become very clear to me, namely, that St. Charles is a community hospital and should no longer be identified as a Catholic institution.

A little history: In the 1970s St. Charles became a community nonprofit organization with the Sisters of Saint Joseph of Tipton, Indiana as the Catholic Sponsors. In 1992 an Association of the Christian Faithful was established with the specific goal of “preserving the unique Catholic character of St. Charles.” This was done because the Sisters determined that they could no longer provide Catholic Sponsorship. Most notable among the Sisters was Sister Kathryn Hellmann, who personally oversaw the progress of St. Charles for many years. In 1992, the Sisters transferred control of the hospital to the board of directors and the Sisters were instrumental in helping establish the Association of the Christian Faithful as the vehicle by which the hospital’s Catholic sponsorship could be maintained.

A specific part of the role of the Association of the Christian Faithful was to assure that there was a clear adherence to both Catholic principles and approved Catholic practices at St. Charles. These specific practices, as well as a summary of the principles, are contained in a document published by the Catholic Bishops of the United Sates titled: “Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services” (ERDs). The adopted statutes of the Association of the Christian Faithful, however, did not allow sufficient control over the implementation of the directives at St. Charles and thus the association had no real means of insisting upon adherence to the ERDs. Consequently, the ERDs were viewed as “guidelines” or “suggestions” and compliance with them was understood by the board as both voluntary and optional.

In 2007 the diocese was presented with a report on the level of compliance with the ERDs and that report indicated that there were a couple of areas of grave concern. While the commitment to adhering to Catholic principles was clearly present the same could not be said about adherence to or avoidance of certain immoral medical practices.

I have noted elsewhere that while adherence to the principles in a general way is commendable, that alone does not identify an Institution as Catholic. There must also be an adherence to those practices which are also a part of what it means to be a Catholic institution. Sadly, after having functioned in a particular way for a large number of years the board did not see how it could now align the medical practices of the hospital with the ERDs to a degree that would justify an ongoing sponsorship relationship between the Diocese of Baker and St. Charles.

As bishop, I am responsible for attesting to the full Catholicity of the hospitals in my diocese, a responsibility I take very seriously, and I have reached the conclusion that I can no longer attest to the Catholicity of St. Charles. The board is responsible for the operation of the medical center and for its compliance with the ethical guidelines it deems suitable for St. Charles. The question the board faced was whether it could alter its present practices to the degree required for continued identification as “Catholic.” It was the board’s determination that it could not meet that standard.

I see before me two distressing options. I must either condone all that is being done at St. Charles and its affiliates by continuing a sponsorship relationship or I must recognize that those practices are absolutely contrary to the ERDs and distance myself from them. It would be misleading to the faithful for me to allow St. Charles to be acknowledged as Catholic in name while, at the same time, being morally certain that some significant tenets of the ERDs are no longer being observed there.

This is not a condemnation of St. Charles. It is a sadly acknowledged reality.

I believe the board has acted in good faith over the years because of its understanding that the ERDs were voluntary. The diocese has always presumed full compliance with a proper interpretation of the ERDs until the revelations of the 2007 report.

St. Charles has gradually moved away from adherence to the requirements of the Church without recognizing a major possible consequence of doing so. That consequence is a loss of Catholic sponsorship. Since I see no possibility of St. Charles returning to full compliance with the ERDs and since such full compliance with the ERDs is essential to “Catholic Status,” St. Charles will now be considered solely as a community nonprofit organization, not a Catholic one.

In practical terms there should be very little change in how St. Charles presently functions. One major shift will be the absence of the Blessed Sacrament at the hospital. The chapel will no longer be a Catholic chapel and Mass will no longer be celebrated there. In our secular culture most do not recognize the extreme grace of our Lord’s Real Presence but I suspect his absence from the chapel will be deeply felt.

2010-02-18T14:22:00.000-08:00

THIRTY DAYS PRAYER TO ST. JOSEPH (IN HONOR OF THE 30 YEARS HE SPENT WITH JESUS AND MARY)

St. Joseph's Site, Novenas and Prayers

(Note: This prayer was taken from a leaflet provided by the Josephites and may be said during any 30 days of the year.)

Ever blessed and glorious Joseph, kind and loving father, and helpful friend of all in sorrow! You are the good father and protector of orphans, the defender of the defenseless, the patron of those in need and sorrow.

Look kindly on my request. My sins have drawn down on me the just displeasure of my God, and so I am surrounded with unhappiness. To you, loving guardian of the Family of Nazareth, do I go for help and protection. Listen, then, I beg you, with fatherly concern, to my earnest prayers, and obtain for me the favors I ask.

I ask it by the infinite mercy of the eternal Son of God, which moved Him to take our nature and to be born into this world of sorrow.

I ask it by the weariness and suffering you endured when you found no shelter at the inn of Bethlehem for the Holy Virgin, nor a house where the Son of God could be born. Then, being everywhere refused, you had to allow the Queen of Heaven to give birth to the world's Redeemer in a cave.

I ask it by the loveliness and power of that sacred Name, Jesus, which you conferred on the adorable Infant.

I ask it by the painful torture you felt at the prophecy of holy Simeon, which declared the Child Jesus and His holy Mother future victims of our sins and of their great love for us.

I ask it through your sorrow and pain of soul when the angel declared to you that the life of the Child Jesus was sought by His enemies. From their evil plan, you had to flee with Him and His Blessed Mother to Egypt.

I ask it by all the suffering, weariness, and labors of that long and dangerous journey.

I ask it by all your care to protect the Sacred Child and His Immaculate Mother during your second journey, when you were ordered to return to your own country.

I ask it by your peaceful life in Nazareth where you met with so many joys and sorrows. I ask it by your great distress when the adorable Child was lost to you and His mother for three days.

I ask it by your joy at finding Him in the temple, and by the comfort you found at Nazareth, while living in the company of the Child Jesus.

I ask it by the wonderful submission He showed in His obedience to you.

I ask it by the perfect love and conformity you showed in accepting the Divine order to depart from this life, and from the company of Jesus and Mary.

I ask it by the joy which filled your soul, when the Redeemer of the world, triumphant over death and hell, entered into the possession of His kingdom and led you into it with special honors.

I ask it through Mary's glorious Assumption, and through that endless happiness you have with her in the presence of God. O good father! I beg you, by all your sufferings, sorrows, and joys, to hear me and obtain for me what I ask. (Here name your petitions or think of them.)

Obtain for all those who have asked my prayers everything that is useful to them in the plan of God. Finally, my dear patron and father, be with me and all who are dear to me in our last moments, that we may eternally sing the praises of:

JESUS, MARY AND JOSEPH

"A blameless life,

St. Joseph,

may we lead,

by your kind patronage

from danger freed."

Sacramento bishop urges easing up on tech devices for Lent - Sacramento News - Local and Breaking Sacramento News | Sacramento Bee

2010-02-18T14:06:00.001-08:00

Sacramento bishop urges easing up on tech devices for Lent - Sacramento News - Local and Breaking Sacramento News | Sacramento Bee

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This story is taken from Sacbee / Our Region

Sacramento bishop urges easing up on tech devices for Lent

Published Wednesday, Feb. 17, 2010

Bishop Jaime Soto is the first leader of the Catholic Diocese of Sacramento to use a laptop, browse the Internet on his cell phone and read a book on Kindle. He regularly e-mails his priests and reads religious blogs.

But starting today, the first day of Lent, Soto will begin a 40-day, virtual "fast." The bishop is calling on the area's 900,000 Catholics to join him in cutting back on their online connections.

"The computer, or the iPhone or Facebook, have become addictions for many people," Soto said. "During Lent we should look at everything we do and think: How can we exercise moderation?"

Lent is the season of reflection, repentance and spiritual discipline for Christians. The observance begins today, Ash Wednesday, and ends Easter Sunday.

This year, in addition to reminding Catholics to abstain from meat on Ash Wednesday and all Fridays during Lent, Soto is asking followers to fast from "needless television, video games, Internet use and social entertainment," according to the 2010 Lenten Regulations and Admonitions. He is not seeking a ban – just restraint.

The rules were posted on the diocese's Web site last week.

The Catholic Church has embraced new technologies in recent years, with Pope Benedict XVI welcoming them as "a gift." Last month, the pope urged priests to use digital communication to preach the Gospel. The Vatican has a YouTube channel and a Facebook account. Several bishops blog.

In his two years as the spiritual leader of the diocese, Soto has urged the faithful to use technology. Most parishes have Web sites. Men training for the priesthood in the diocese now blog about their experiences at Santissimo Sacramento – "The Most Holy Sacrament."

"It demystifies the whole seminary process. … Some people are surprised that we blog; they think we live in a cave or something," said Brian Soliven, 29, a seminarian interning at St. Rose of Lima Church in Roseville. "The blog gives people a peek into our lives."

He said technology will play a vital role in his ministry. Nowadays, he said, the first impression most people have of a parish is not when they walk into a church. "Their first impression is the church's Web site."

While encouraging followers to use media to communicate their message, church leaders also have become increasingly aware that technology can be misused. The pope has warned against "obsessive" virtual socializing. For some, it has taken the place of human interaction, said Bishop Soto.

"People should become less plugged into their iPod and more plugged into the people around you," Soto said.

As she walked out of noon Mass at the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament, Gloria Hernandez said she was glad to hear the bishop asking for moderation during Lent.

As the mother of three teenagers who are constantly texting their friends, she said she is not sure how they will react to the bishop's call. "Giving up meat for them is not a problem. It's probably easier than giving up their cell phones."

Soto, who carries a bag full of his latest technological gadgets with him when he travels, understands.

He calls his PDA "indispensable," and he signs onto his computer first thing every morning. But cutting back during Lent will give him time to reflect on how he is using technology to further his ministry and communicate God's message, he said.

"I want to have more time in prayer and not be distracted by what's in my inbox."

A must-read for the beginning of Lent...ENJOY!

2010-02-17T15:50:00.000-08:00

Lent: Why the Christian Must Deny Himself | Brother Austin G. Murphy, O.S.B. | IgnatiusInsight.com

LINK HERE

(NOTE: bold, italics, emphasis added)

We still ask ourselves as Ash Wednesday approaches, "What am I doing for Lent? What am I giving up for Lent?" We can be grateful that the customs of giving up something for Lent and abstaining from meat on Fridays during Lent have survived in our secular society. But, unfortunately, it is doubtful that many practice them with understanding. Many perform them in good faith and with a vague sense of their value, and this is commendable. But if these acts of self-denial were better understood, they could be practiced with greater profit. Otherwise, they run the risk of falling out of use.

A greater understanding of the practice of self-denial would naturally benefit those who customarily exercise it during Lent. Better comprehension of self-denial would also positively affect the way Christians live throughout the year. The importance of self-denial can be seen if we look specifically at fasting and use it as an example of self-denial in general. Indeed, fasting, for those who can practice it, is a crucial part of voluntary self-denial.

But since we live in a consumerist society, where self-indulgence rather than self-denial is the rule, any suggestion to fast will sound strange to many ears. It is bound to arouse the questions: Why is fasting important? Why must a Christian practice it? Using these questions as a framework, we can construct one explanation, among many possible ones, of the importance of self-denial.

To answer the question "Why must the Christian fast?" we should first note that fasting, in itself, is neither good nor bad, but is morally neutral. But fasting is good insofar as it achieves a good end. Its value lies in it being an effective means for attaining greater virtue. And because it is a means for gaining virtue– and every Christian ought to be striving to grow in virtue–there is good reason to fast.

Some people point out that fasting is not the most important thing and, therefore, they do not need to worry about it. Such reasoning displays a misunderstanding of our situation. But, since the excuse is common enough, some comments to refute it are worthwhile.

Doing Small Things Well

First, while it is true that fasting is not the most important thing in the world, this does not make fasting irrelevant or unimportant. There are, certainly, more urgent things to abstain from than food or drink, such as maliciousness, backbiting, grumbling, etc. But a person is mistaken to conclude that he therefore does not need to fast. He should not believe that he can ignore fasting and instead abstain in more important matters. Rather, fasting and avoiding those other vices go hand in hand. Fasting must accompany efforts to abstain in greater matters. For one thing, fasting teaches a person how to abstain in the first place.

Moreover, it is presumptuous for a person to try to practice the greater virtues without first paying attention to the smaller ones. As Our Lord says, "He who is faithful in a very little is faithful also in much" [1] and so can be trusted with greater things. Therefore, if a person wants to be able to abstain in greater matters he must not neglect to abstain in smaller matters, such as through fasting.

Finally, there is a subtle form of pride present in the person who says that because something is not very important, he does not need to do it. Whoever makes such a claim implies that he does only important things. But the average person is rarely called to do very important things. Accordingly, each person is more likely to be judged on how he did the little, everyday things. Even when, rarely, a person is called to do a great work, how often does he fall short? All the more reason, then, for a person to make sure that he at least does the small things well. Furthermore, if he truly loves the Lord, he will gladly do anything–big or small–for him. So, in the end, saying that fasting is not the most important thing is not a good excuse for avoiding it.

What, then, is the reason for fasting? To answer this let us first clarify what fasting entails. It involves more than the occasional fast, such as on Good Friday. To be effective, fasting requires disciplined eating habits all the time. There are certainly days when a person should make a greater effort at abstaining from food and drink. These are what we usually consider days of fasting and they must be practiced regularly. But, still, there are never days when a person is allowed to abandon all restraint. A person must always practice some restraint over his appetites or those periodic days of fasting arc valueless. Always keeping a check on his desires, a person develops good habits, which foster constancy in his interior life. So, in addition to practicing days of fasting on a regular basis, a person should continuously restrain his desires, such as those that incline him to eat too much, to be too concerned with what he eats, or to eat too often. [2]

We might, then speak of the discipline of fasting in order to avoid the impression that fasting is sporadic. The operative principle behind the discipline of fasting is simple: to limit yourself to only what is necessary for your physical and psychological health–no more, no less. St. Augustine puts it concisely when he teaches: "As far as your health allows, keep your bodily appetites in check by fasting and abstinence from food and drink." [3] So, fasting is meant only to keep a person's unnecessary wants in check. A person is not– nor is he permitted–to deny himself what is necessary for his health. The discipline of fasting instead asks a person to check his desires for what is superfluous and not necessary.

Realizing True Well-being

Consequently, fasting should not threaten a person's health. And there is no foundation for believing that fasting is somehow motivated by anti-body sentiments. Fasting actually does good for the body by helping it realize its well-being. The body needs to be in conformity with the spirit and this requires such disciplines as fasting. In this way, the body is like a child. Children would never realize their true well-being if their parents never told them "no," but gave in to every one of their desires. In the same way, if a person never says "no" to his bodily desires, his body will never realize its true well-being. That is, the body needs such discipline to be brought into conformity with the spirit. For otherwise, it cannot share in the spiritual blessings of Christ.

This makes perfect sense when we consider that the human person is not just a soul, but is matter as well. A person’s body, too, is to be renewed in Christ. Fasting is one way that a person brings about a harmony between body and soul, so that being made whole he can be one with Christ.

The Christian belief that the body is intimately united to the soul should also make a person suspicious of the opinion that fasting is merely external. External acts stem from the desires of the heart within, as Our Lord says in the Gospel. [4] So, a person's external acts are linked to his interior desires. The external act of abstaining from food and drink, therefore, clearly affects a person internally. It does not permit his desires within to reach fulfillment. Thus fasting has the ability to keep interior desires in check, which is important for improving a person's interior life.

It is true, of course, that a person should be more vigilant over his interior life than over his external actions. He must be attentive to interior motives, desires, intentions, to make sure that his fasting is affecting his interior life as it ought–and not giving rise to pride, anger, or impatience.

In fact, only by considering the interior self, and how fasting can affect it, does one see the high value of fasting. If someone looks only at the external act of eating, and does not consider the underlying internal desires of the heart, then the value of fasting cannot be seen. For, clearly, there is nothing wrong with the very act of eating. Nor do the enjoyments of food and the pleasures of eating, as such, harm a person. The joys and comforts of eating are good. Like all created goods, they testify to the goodness of God, who made them. Therefore, the enjoyment of eating and drinking manifests the goodness of God. A person ought to see God's goodness in the joys of these things, and give God thanks for them. [5] The enjoyment of food can then actually help lift the mind and heart to God. [6]

But by lifting a person's gaze to God, created goods point beyond themselves, to greater joys. Consequently, he who truly enjoys God's goodness in created things, such as food and drink, will not remain attached to them. Rather, he will go beyond them, readily giving them up, in order to enjoy the higher things, which St. Paul says we must seek. [7]

Seek What Is Better

This might lead some to ask: If the enjoyment of eating does me no harm, and can in fact manifest God's goodness, why sacrifice this joy by fasting? That is, why check my unnecessary desires for what is enjoyable? After all, there is nothing wrong with enjoying food. Why, then, if I enjoy having a snack, or eating fine foods, sacrifice these things? Again, they are not bad or sinful.

The answer is: Because it is better. Having a tasty meal prepared just to my liking is good, but it is better to sacrifice such things. Showing why it is better to fast than to neglect fasting will provide the reason why a Christian is expected to fast.

A Christian must be seeking what is better, and not merely trying to avoid what is bad. This is the only way to live a life of continual conversion, to which we are committed by baptism. The Christian must face decisions with the question: "What is the better thing for me to do?" He must not, when he has a decision to make, approach what he is inclined to do with the justification: "Well, there is nothing wrong with doing it." If that is his approach, then he is not genuinely seeking improvement in his life. Spiritual progress becomes impossible.

Ongoing conversion, to which, again, the Christian must be dedicated, involves going from good to better. This conversion is unreachable for him who in his life refuses to give up the lesser goods in order to attain greater goods. Due to fallen human nature, every person is prone to be complacent. Each of us is reluctant to change his ways. But clearly, if a person has not yet reached perfection, there are certainly greater goods for him to realize. Fasting, in many ways, is simply the choice to give up lesser goods for greater ones, to abstain from the joys of food and drink in order to attain greater joys from God. It seeks for more. If a person ever stops seeking for more, then he has stopped seeking God.

Why is it better to fast than not to fast? Again, we said that the enjoyment of food and drink is good. Enjoying food is not the problem. Fasting does not tell a person not to enjoy eating–I think this is impossible–as much as it says not to seek the enjoyment of eating. A person may take the joys of food as they come, and be grateful for them: but he should not pursue such joys.

True, there are legitimate occasions, such as when entertaining guests, where especially enjoyable foods are procured. But this is done for the sake of hospitality and for lifting up the heart and mind to God in thanksgiving. The joys of food and drink are not sought, consequently, for their own sake but for God's glory. Thus, the person is not really seeking the joys of eating and drinking, as such: he uses them only to pass beyond them to God. Hence, he who uses the joys of eating and drinking rightly will readily give them up. Because fasting is better than not fasting, he will deny himself these joys regularly. "Looking to the reward," [8] moreover, he will not often make the excuse that hospitality, or the "need" to celebrate, requires that he allow himself enjoyable foods. In truth, it is more often the case that self-denial and restraint are called for. [9]

Obstacles To Grace

So, it is not wrong, in itself, to seek tasty, enjoyable food: but still a person should not do so. For when a person seeks the enjoyment of eating, his action is tainted with inclinations to sloth, complacency, and self-love. [10] That is, his motives are mixed. For when he seeks the joys of food, selfish inclinations are at work in his heart along with whatever good motives there might be. Now, if a person only looks at the external act of eating or the objective value of enjoying food, he will not see this. But, if he honestly looks into the heart, he will see that sloth, complacency, and self-love are present in the desire for the joys of eating. Having such mixed motives is simply part of our imperfect condition in this world.

These selfish inclinations in a person's heart, which are present when he seeks the enjoyment of eating, are the sort of things that hinder a person's growth in holiness and virtue. To grow in holiness and virtue every person needs God's help–we know that a person cannot do it on his own. As Christ says, "Apart from me you can do nothing." [11] Hence, the help of God's grace is needed to grow in virtue and to live a life of continual conversion. Yet the presence of these inclinations to sloth, complacency, and self-love get in the way of a person's reception of God's grace. They are obstacles to receiving more grace.

Therefore, the Christian, who is dedicated to conversion, must remove these obstacles from his heart, so that he may receive more grace and become a better follower of Christ. A person should not expect God to force his grace on him without his consent. As we know, God chooses to work with a person's cooperation. And, so, he is obliged to work with God to remove these inclinations from his heart as much as possible.

This is done by fasting. For fasting, by checking a person's desires for what is not necessary, teaches him to seek what is sufficient when he eats. When he fasts, he does not seek the enjoyment of food, but is simply seeking what he needs to eat and drink. And since he is no longer pursuing the joys of food, the self-centered inclinations that accompany this pursuit are not allowed a chance to spring up in his heart. A person gives up things he enjoys because in so doing he denies inclinations such as sloth, complacency, and self-love a chance to be active in his heart.

Purifying The Heart

This is why it is better to fast. Fasting removes these obstacles so that being more receptive to God's grace, a person will grow in holiness and virtue. The self-centered inclinations that accompany pleasure-seeking are not directed towards God–therefore, they do not lead the heart to God but away from him. Their presence in the heart creates a divided heart–a heart, which does not completely look to God for its needs. As St. Augustine teaches, a divided heart is an impure heart. [12]

Purifying the heart, then, will involve denying oneself the pursuits of pleasures in things like food and drink. For thus a person protects his heart from the self-centered inclinations that are bound to coexist with these pursuits.

This provides one answer to the question, "Why must we fast?" (and, by extension, to the question, "Why should one practice self-denial?"). Since, by fasting, a person no longer seeks after the joys of food and drink, the heart is set free to focus more completely on God. By turning away from his concerns for the pleasures of eating, he can turn more wholeheartedly to God. And this, we know is what continual conversion is all about.

By fasting, then, a person turns to God more intently. This is reflected in God's words spoken through the Prophet Joel: "Return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning." [13] Naturally, a person is reluctant to give up through fasting things he enjoys–but by doing so he turns his attention to God and waits for him. He places his trust in him that he will give him the joy he needs–joys "greater than when grain and wine abound." [14] But he has to trust and be willing to persevere through the dry times that will accompany fasting. If he puts his hope in God, however, the Scriptures assure him that he will not be disappointed. [15]

For the sake of his ongoing conversion, then, the Christian must fast. But we might add another, better reason for fasting. Not only does fasting benefit a person's own individual spiritual progress, it also benefits his neighbor.

It is commonly pointed out that fasting can help others by allowing those who fast to increase their almsgiving with the money saved from eating less. But the benefit referred to here is of a different sort. It is due to our being connected with each other through prayer, so that a person's offering of prayer can help others. Now, prayers for others are more effective the more united the person praying is to Christ, since Christ is the source of the benefits gained through prayer. So the more converted a person becomes to the Lord, the more effective his prayers for others: "The prayer of a righteous man has great power in its effects." [16] And since fasting aids a person's continual conversion, it strengthens his prayers so that they benefit others more. In this way, he can help his neighbor through fasting.

Moreover, this service to his neighbor through fasting is an imitation of Christ. He offered himself on the Cross for others. A person too, in union with Christ, offers himself through the sacrifice of fasting. In fasting, he has the opportunity to join Christ in offering himself for the sake of others. Thus, even if a person's heart were pure and always free from selfish inclinations–as was Christ's–he should still fast–as did Christ. Through Christ he has the chance of helping others through voluntary acts of self-denial. Christian love is, indeed, eager for such chances to serve others.

So, in a very real way that is clearly visible to the eyes of faith, the Christian must fast out of love of neighbor. He is commanded by Jesus to live in his love. [17] This love is the love that compels a person "to lay down his life for his friends." [18] That is, it is the love that compels him to sacrifice his own preferences and desires on behalf of others. And this is what each person is invited to do through fasting– to give up things he enjoys for the benefit of others. And, as we are told, "there is no greater love than this." [19]

There are good reasons then, why a person must practice fasting and develop disciplined eating habits. Fasting and, by extension, self-denial are important for a person's continual conversion as well as for others who need our prayers. So, the Christian should regularly ask himself, "What do I really need? What can I do without?" and consider the advantages of denying himself even things that are not necessarily bad.

A better understanding of the virtue of denying oneself would undoubtedly benefit our society, where one is taught only how to say, "yes" to what one wants and desires. The practice of self-denial provides a humble yet profound way of giving oneself to God and others out of love, thus breaking the tendency to self-absorption. For, as we have said, self-denial is necessary for helping bring about ongoing conversion, which is sought out of love of God: and one restrains oneself and sacrifices one's desires out of love of neighbor. Love, then–real liberating, sacrificial love–is behind voluntary self-denial.

This article was originally published in the February 2000 issue of Homiletic & Pastoral Review.

ENDNOTES:

[1] Luke 16:10.

[2] John Cassian Institutes 5.23.

[3] Augustine Rule 3.1.

[4] Luke 6:45.

[5] 1 Tim. 4:3-5.

[6] The theme of the mind ascending from created goods to God, the Ultimate Good, is common among spiritual writers. The spiritual master, Saint John of the Cross, refers to it in The Ascent of Mount Carmel (trans. Kieran Kavanaugh, O.C.D., and Otilio Rodrigues, O.C.D., in The Collected Works of St. John of the Cross [Washington, D.C.: Institute of Carmelite Studies Publication, 1979]) 3.24.3-7,3.26.5-7. For a more recent discussion on the subject, see Dietrich von Hildebrand Transformation in Christ (Garden City, N.Y.: Image Books, 1963) 192-193.

[7] Col. 3:1-2.

[8] Heb. 11:26.

[9] For further insights into this subject, see Saint John of the Cross, op. cit.

[10] See Dietrich von Hildebrand In Defense of Purity (New York: Sheed and Ward Inc., 1935) 150-156.

[11] John 15:5.

[12] Augustine The Lord's Sermon on the Mount 2.11.

[13] Joel 2:12.

[14] Ps 4:8.

[15] Rom. 5:5: Ps 22:5.

[16] Jas. 5:16.

[17] John 15:9.

[18] John 15:13.

[19] Ibid.

EWTN.com - Lent: Path of Conversion and Openness to Divine Love

2010-02-17T15:45:00.000-08:00

EWTN.com - Lent: Path of Conversion and Openness to Divine Love

17-February-2010 -- Vatican Information Service

Lent: Path of Conversion and Openness to Divine Love

VATICAN CITY, 17 FEB 2010 (VIS) - "Today, Ash Wednesday, we begin the Lenten path that lasts forty days and which leads us to the joy of the Lord's Easter", the Pope said at the beginning of his catechesis during today's general audience, celebrated in the Paul VI Audience Hall.

Recalling the formula, "Convert and Believe in the Gospel", the Holy Father affirmed that "conversion means changing the direction of the path of our lives. (.) It is going against the current when the "current" is a superficial, incoherent, and illusory way of life that often drag us down, making us slaves of evil or prisoners of moral mediocrity. Nevertheless, through conversion we tend to the highest measure of Christian life, we trust in the living and personal Gospel who is Jesus Christ. He is the final goal and the profound path of conversion, the path that we are all called to travel in our lives, allowing ourselves to be illuminated with his light and sustained by his strength, which moves our steps".

"'Convert and believe in the Gospel' is not just the beginning of the Christian life, but the accompaniment of all our steps, renewing and penetrating all aspects of our lives. Each day is a moment of favour and grace, (.) even when there is no lack of difficulties, weariness, and missteps, when we are tempted to abandon the path that follows Christ and retreat into ourselves and our selfishness without paying attention to the need to keep ourselves open to the love of God in Christ in order to live the very logic of justice and love".

Benedict XVI emphasized that "faced with the innate fear of our end, and most of all in the context of a culture that tends in many ways to censure reality and the human experience of death, the Lenten liturgy reminds us of, on the one hand, death, inviting us to reality and wisdom, but on the other hand encourages us especially to grasp and live the unexpected newness that the Christian faith reveals in the reality of death itself".

"The human being", he continued, "is dust and to dust it will return, but it is dust that is precious in God's eyes because He created humanity, destining us to immortality. (.) Jesus the Lord also wanted to freely share in human frailty with each person, above all through his death on the cross. But it was precisely this death, full of his love for the Father and for humanity, that was the way of glorious resurrection, the means by which Christ became the source of grace given to all who believe in Him and participate in the same divine life".

The Pope highlighted that the distribution of ashes "is an invitation to spend the time during Lent as a more aware and more intense immersion in the paschal mystery of Christ, in his death and resurrection, through participation in the Eucharist and a life of charity that is born of the Eucharist and which finds its fulfilment in it. "With the distribution of ashes", he concluded, "we renew our commitment to follow Jesus, letting ourselves be transformed by his paschal mystery so that we may conquer evil and do good, so that we can let our 'old selves', tied to sin, die and let the 'new person' be born, transformed by the grace of God".

Sacred Music and Your Parish

2010-02-01T10:19:00.001-08:00

NOTE FROM LIZ: Check out the truth about music in liturgy, directly from Papa Benedicto & Vatican documents. You may be surprised!!

Sacred Music and Your Parish

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Sacred Music and Your Parish

February 1st, 2010 by Trent Beattie Print This Article ·ShareThis

One can walk into nearly any parish today and hear almost any type of music, from Gregorian chant to folk music to heavy metal. While most parishes offer one type of music within a given Mass, some parishes even provide a musical contrast within the same one. I actually attended a funeral Mass in which an electric guitar was used alternately with a harp. Figure that one out if you can.

Unusual combinations aside, isn’t it a good thing to have something different for everyone? The old people can listen to chant, the middle-aged people can listen to folk music, and the young people can listen to heavy metal. Everyone gets to be around their favorite music, which is, after all, a large part of what the Mass is all about: personal preferences and self-expression. Right?

Wrong.

Pope Benedict XVI, then Cardinal Ratzinger, stated in The Spirit of the Liturgy that "Not every kind of music can have a place in Christian worship." Although individuals can be naturally drawn to certain types of music, sacred music–which is meant specifically for the liturgy — is not derived from natural tendencies or preferences. Sacred music, like the rest of the liturgy, is not about mere self-expression; it is about receiving and participating in what has been passed down to us, such as Gregorian chant.

Gregorian chant — named after Pope St. Gregory the Great (590-604) — is sacred music of the highest order. In the Second Vatican Council’s Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, Sacrosanctum Concilium , we are told that

The Church acknowledges Gregorian chant as specially suited to the Roman liturgy: therefore, other things being equal, it should be given pride of place in liturgical services (Art. 116).

Why does Gregorian chant occupy such a central role in the liturgy? Pope St. Pius X (1903-1914) explains in his 1903 instruction Tra le Sollecitudini that

Sacred music should…possess, in the highest degree, the qualities proper to the liturgy, and in particular sanctity and goodness of form, which will spontaneously produce the final quality of universality (No. 2).

The saintly Pontiff goes on to state in the same document that

These qualities [of sanctity, goodness of form, and universality] are to be found, in the highest degree, in Gregorian Chant, which is consequently the Chant proper to the Roman Church, the only chant she has inherited from the ancient Fathers, which she has jealously guarded for centuries in her liturgical codices, which she directly proposes to the faithful as her own, which she prescribes exclusively for some parts of the liturgy… (No.3).

While other types of sacred music (such as polyphony) may be admitted to the liturgy (SC Art 116), Gregorian chant is, according to Pope St. Pius X, "the supreme model for sacred music" (TS No. 3) because of its sanctity, goodness of form, and universality. It has a simplicity, sobriety, and resonance that manifest the beauty of the liturgical action.

The next time you’re at Mass, ask yourself how the music you’re hearing measures up to this supreme model. In many parishes, the goal seems to be the avoidance of this supreme model, rather than the approach toward it. In fact, many Catholics would be surprised to learn that Church authorities have taught anything at all on sacred music, and would probably be even more surprised to learn that specific musical instruments have been named, whether for endorsement or for exclusion.

One of the instruments that has been mentioned is the pipe organ, which can enhance the beauty of Gregorian chant. According to the Council Fathers, the pipe organ "is to be held in high esteem, for it is the traditional musical instrument which adds a wonderful splendor to the Church’s ceremonies and powerfully lifts up man’s mind to God and to higher things." (SC Art. 120). The pipe organ, however, is meant to accompany the singing, not to overpower it.

This "non-overpowering rule" is applicable to any other instruments which might be lawfully admitted into the liturgy, pending the approval of rightful authority (SC Art. 120). It is also pointed out that

This [admittance of other instruments] may be done, however, only on condition that the instruments are suitable, or can be made suitable, for sacred use, accord with the dignity of the temple, and truly contribute to the edification of the faithful (SC Art.120).

Can drums, guitars, and pianos be made suitable for sacred use? Do they accord with the dignity of the temple? Do they contribute to the edification of the faithful? Before these questions are answered, it should be pointed out that while many types of music are inherently good, they are not meant specifically for the Mass. Piano music, for example, can be great entertainment at a social function–but the Mass is not a mere social function, it is the Sacrifice of Our Lord Jesus Christ.

With this in mind, it is interesting to note that Pope St. Pius X actually banned pianos and drums from the Mass, stating that "The employment of the piano is forbidden in church, as is…that of noisy…instruments such as drums…" (TS No. 19). We can be fairly certain that, had guitars made their way into the liturgy by 1903, our Holy Father would have banned them as well.

This is not to say that such music is inherently bad, but that it is not meant specifically for the liturgy. There is a type of music which, although not appropriate for the liturgy and therefore not called "sacred," is used to teach the Faith and is therefore called "religious". Pope Pius XII (1939-1958) said that

We must also hold in honor that music which is not primarily a part of the sacred liturgy, but which by its power and purpose greatly aids religion. This music is therefore rightly called religious music. The Church has possessed such music from the beginning and it has developed happily under the Church’s auspices. As experience shows, it can exercise great and salutary force and power on the souls of the faithful…when it is used…during non-liturgical services and ceremonies… (Musicae Sacrae No. 36)

Although he does not give specific examples, perhaps Silent Night or We Three Kings of Orient Are — sung in the vernacular–would be examples of such songs which, according to the Pope,

… bring pure and chaste joy to young people and adults during times of recreation …They bring pious joy, sweet consolation and spiritual progress to Christian families themselves. Hence these popular religious hymns are of great help to the Catholic apostolate and should be carefully cultivated and promoted (MS No. 37).

We are told that popular religious hymns should be promoted–but not in the liturgy. Everything good has its place, but the Mass is not the place for everything good.

There is no better way to sum it up than with the words of our Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, from his 2007 encyclical Sacramentum Caritatis :

Certainly as far as the liturgy is concerned, we cannot say that one song is as good as another. Generic improvisation or the introduction of musical genres which fail to respect the meaning of the liturgy should be avoided. As an element of the liturgy, song should be well integrated into the overall celebration. Consequently everything–texts, music, execution–ought to correspond to the meaning of the mystery being celebrated, the structure of the rite and the liturgical seasons. Finally, while respecting various styles and different and highly praiseworthy traditions, I desire… that Gregorian chant be suitably esteemed and employed as the chant proper to the Roman liturgy …(No. 42).

We have the clear instructions, now we need more people to read them and carry them out. St. Cecilia, Patroness of Musicians, pray with us that this will happen, for the glory of God and the sanctification of all.

(For more information on sacred music, read Papal Legislation on Sacred Music . Help support Catholic Exchange buy getting Papal Legislation on Sacred Music and The Spirit of the Liturgy from our online store.)

Trent Beattie lives in Seattle, Washington and is the author of a book about scrupulosity, and of a book about Vatican II and the Mass, both forthcoming. He is also the editor of a book of meditations from Saint Alphonsus Liguori, also forthcoming. Two books already in print that include helpful information for the scrupulous are Achieving Peace of Heart by Fr. Narciso Irala and Pardon & Peace by Fr. Alfred Wilson, both from Roman Catholic Books: www.booksforcatholics.com

Life in Christ: Catechism #2116

2010-01-31T21:36:00.000-08:00

All forms of divination are to be rejected: recourse to Satan or demons, conjuring up the dead or other practices falsely supposed to "unveil" the future. Consulting horoscopes, astrology, palm reading, interpretation of omens and lots, the phenomena of clairvoyance, and recourse to mediums all conceal a desire for power over time, history, and, in the last analysis, other human beings, as well as a wish to conciliate hidden powers. They contradict the honor, respect, and loving fear that we owe to God alone.

Life in Christ: Catechism #2486 - Lie

2009-11-12T15:26:00.000-08:00

Life in Christ: Catechism #2486

Since it violates the virtue of truthfulness, a lie does real violence to another. It affects his ability to know, which is a condition of every judgment and decision. It contains the seed of discord and all consequent evils. Lying is destructive of society; it undermines trust among men and tears apart the fabric of social relationships.

Scripture Verse of the Day - 1 Peter 2:11

2009-11-07T11:24:00.000-08:00

Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul.

One Minute Meditation - Struggle

2009-11-07T11:22:00.000-08:00

Struggle
This divine warfare of ours is a marvellous sowing of peace.
- St. Josemaria Escriva, The Forge, #106

Life in Christ: Catechism #2481

2009-11-07T11:21:00.000-08:00

Boasting or bragging is an offense against truth.

So is irony aimed at disparaging someone by maliciously caricaturing some aspect of his behavior.

One Minute Meditations - Sincerity / Secrets

2009-11-04T10:39:00.000-08:00

Anyone who hides a temptation from his director shares a secret with the devil.

He has become a friend of the enemy.

– St. Josemaria Escriva, Furrow, #323

Reflections from the Saints - St. Charles Borromeo

2009-11-04T09:19:00.000-08:00

Life in Christ: Catechism #2478 - Judgment

2009-11-04T09:18:00.000-08:00

Life in Christ: Catechism #2478

To avoid rash judgment, everyone should be careful to interpret insofar as possible his neighbor's thoughts, words, and deeds in a favorable way.

Reflections from the Saints

2009-11-03T19:50:00.001-08:00

Charity may be a very short word, but with its tremendous meaning of pure love, it sums up man's entire relation to God and to his neighbor.
– St. Aelred of Rievaulx

One Minute Meditations - Guidance

2009-11-03T19:49:00.001-08:00

Guidance
Without a plan of life you will never have order.
– St. Josemaria Escriva, The Way, #76

One Minute Meditations - The Tongue (Gossip)

2009-10-19T08:18:00.000-07:00

The Tongue

This is how you should answer a backbiter:

"I shall tell the person concerned"

or "I shall speak to him about it"

St. Josemaria Escriva, Furrow, #916

Reflections from the Saints - Americans

2009-10-03T08:00:00.000-07:00

If the Americans were as expert in spiritual matters as they are in business affairs, all of them would be saints.
– Bl. Francis Xavier Seelos

One Minute Meditation - Prayer, Friends

2009-10-02T10:24:00.000-07:00

Prayer
You seek the company of friends who, with their conversation and affection, with their friendship, make the exile of this world more bearable for you. There is nothing wrong with that, although friends sometimes let you down.

But how is it you don't frequent daily with greater intensity the company, the conversation, of the great Friend, who never lets you down?
- St. Josemaria Escriva, The Way, #88

One Minute Meditations - Study

2009-10-02T09:50:00.000-07:00

Books: don't buy them without advice from a Christian who is learned and prudent. It's so easy to buy something useless or harmful.

How often a man thinks he is carrying a book under his arm, and it turns out to be a load of rubbish!
– St. Josemaria Escriva, The Way, #339

St. Therese, The Little Flower

2009-10-01T08:38:00.000-07:00

But on whom shall our poor heart lavish its love? Who shall be found that is great enough to be the recipient of its treasures? Will a human being know how to comprehend them, and above all will he be able to repay?

There exists but one Being capable of comprehending love; it is Jesus; He alone can give us back infinitely more than we shall ever give to him.
-St. Therese in a Letter to her cousin, Marie Guerin

Reflections from the Saints - St. Therese of Lisieux

2009-10-01T08:19:00.000-07:00

Our Lord needs from us neither great deeds nor profound thoughts. Neither intelligence nor talents. He cherishes simplicity.

- St. Therese of Lisieux

One Minute Meditation - The Apostolate

2009-10-01T08:09:00.000-07:00

All that exterior activity is a waste of time, if you lack Love. It's like sewing with a needle and no thread.

What a pity if in the end you had carried out 'your' apostolate and not 'his' apostolate!

- St. Josemaria Escriva, The Way, #967

One Minute Meditations - Struggle

2009-09-29T19:58:00.001-07:00

Try to be considerate, well-mannered. Don't be boorish!

Try to be polite always, which doesn't mean being affected.
(emphasis added)
– St. Josemaria Escriva, The Forge, #99

One Minute Meditations - Devotions

2009-09-28T13:17:00.000-07:00

Don't omit the visit to the Blessed Sacrament. After your usual vocal prayer, tell Jesus, really present in the Tabernacle, of the cares and worries of your day. And you will receive light and strength for your life as a Christian.
– St. Josemaria Escriva, The Way, #554

Scripture Verse of the Day - Matthew 5:11-12

2009-09-24T10:29:00.001-07:00

Matthew 5:11-12"Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you."

Reflections from the Saints - The Way To The Kingdom

2009-09-24T10:28:00.001-07:00

Present sorrow and suffering is the way to glory, the way to the kingdom.
– St. Bernard

One Minute Meditations - Winning New Apostles

2009-09-24T10:27:00.000-07:00

You have but little love if you are not zealous for the salvation of all souls. You have but poor love if you are not eager to inspire other apostles with your craziness.
– St. Josemaria Escriva, The Way, #796

One Minute Meditations - Pride

2009-09-16T18:05:00.000-07:00

Pride

Why do you always think that everything they say has a hidden meaning?

By being so touchy you are limiting the action of grace all the time.

And do not doubt that grace comes to you
by means of those who fight to match their deeds to Christ's ideal.

– St. Josemaria Escriva, Furrow, #711

One Minute Meditation - PEACE (HILARIOUS timing Lord)

2009-09-16T15:49:00.000-07:00

Peace
Everything may collapse and fail. Events may turn out contrary to what was expected and great adversity may come. But nothing is to be gained by being perturbed. Furthermore, remember the confident prayer of the prophet: "The Lord is our judge, the Lord gives us our laws, the Lord is our king; it is he who will save us."

Say it devoutly every day, so that your behaviour may agree with the designs of Providence, which governs us for our own good.
- St. Josemaria Escriva, Furrow, #855

He Learned Early the Habit of Being True

2009-09-16T09:18:00.000-07:00

1 Tim 3:14-16/Lk 7:31-35

There's an old saying, "No sense, no feeling." Of course, the corollary is true as well: If you're awake and alert, you'll gather a lot of pain. That's a part of Jesus' life experience that he's describing for us in today's gospel, a sad awareness of the fickleness and superficiality of the basically good folks he was trying to touch. He wanted what was best for them, and he knew that far richer inner lives were within their reach, but there was so much resistance in them, and no matter what he did, so many of them found an excuse to ridicule or reject him. Yet, he stayed the course, all the way to the end, all the way to the cross.

In that, he is our model.

Steadfast and constant, despite what folks' reaction might be at the moment,
he carried on,
true to his vocation,
true to his Father,
and true to himself.

It's a stunning example of truthfulness in action and not just in words.

And it's a challenge to every one of us,
who face our own share of ridicule, criticism, and even hateful opposition:
Be true, be true! In the short term it's very hard; in the long term it's the only way.

(emphasis added)
Original article link HERE

Liz's two cents (probably more like $1 today):

What an inspiration this article was to me this morning!

This past week I found myself on my knees, begging to lay down my cross of pain from being unable and tired of criticism and even hateful opposition...the accumulation of the past, what, year or two, finally knocked me to my knees. It was not originally in *surrender* on my knees, but in pure disgust, if I am perfectly honest, PURE HURT & DISGUST!!! I was just sick and tired of being blasted, judged, and gossiped about. FED UP. At the end of my rope...and definitely when I find myself at the end of my rope, I WILL LASH OUT RIGHT BACK AT THE PERSON. I am an imperfect sinful Christian - this I know. I couldn't shake this though, tears kept coming, and on my knees I remained.

But my new focus since our summer family pilgrimage is FOCUSING ON MY FAMILY IS WHERE I CAN GRAB THE MOST GRACE THAT THE LORD HAS FOR ME. So instead of lashing out, I cleaned house!!! Tears continued to flow as I vacuumed, washed dishes, etc., maybe not remaining physically on my knees, but my heart was still on the ground.

"Why am I here NOW, though Lord? This has been going on for SO LONG - it's just part of my life now, isn't it? Isn't this just LIFE in the DARKNESS...in the night of sense? Aren't you just purifying my senses? Haven't I surrendered this over and over again? WHY NOW? I have prayed and prayed for your guidance...and I do believe I heard you loud and clear 'Focus on YOUR VOCATION...PERIOD!' The change has brought me much peace, Lord, and I am thankful. I enjoy the gift of my vocation of wife and mother more than ever, you know that. So why is the pain, anger, and disgust here with me now that I have moved away? I thought I surrendered THIS to you already -- so why am I knocked lower than when I gave this to you earlier? WHY?? I am doing my best to follow your Will. I am trying to be patient. I have refocused. SO WHY NOW WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO ME???"

That was my cry to the Lord earlier in the week. I just wanted to know "why now & what are you doing?" -- strange how God works in my life. I was not enjoying the pain, anger, and disgust (duh). But somehow THIS time was different. I did believe I had already surrendered this to HIM. And I had definitely received much grace & mercy. So why did one or two LITTLE things knock me to my knees?

Maybe because this time there was possibly even a TEENY TINY LITTLE SMIDGEN LESS OF ME and He was filling it? On my knees in a fit of tears I cried out to HIM.

Somehow later that day, I found myself hearing the words of a wise servant, "Sometimes the Lord does not intend to lighten the load, but rather you are asked to continue to carry the heavier cross."

Sounds simple. BUT IT HIT ME RIGHT BETWEEN THE EYES.

I had surrendered.

I will continue to surrender.

And it is by me focusing on my vocation first and foremost that teeny tiny little smidgens will open for him to pour his grace and mercy into my very imperfect self.

Sometimes the grace and mercy come with such pleasant consolations -- and as humans, WE LOVE THOSE!

But oh my, when the grace and mercy come through FIRE in our soul, we want to wiggle out of it.

Maybe I was trying to wiggle out of this one because I thought I was 'done' with this one. Hmmm. Maybe this one will come over and over again? Maybe it will come sometimes through various people & situations? Maybe I will fall to my knees over and over again crying out in pain? I don't know for sure.

What I do know for sure, is that when I surrendered last time, I heard loud and clear:
"UNTIL THE LOG IS *COMPLETELY* OUT OF YOUR EYE,
DON'T EVEN THINK OF LOOKING OUTSIDE.

LOOK AT YOUR IMPERFECT SELF.

LOOK AT YOUR VOCATION & SERVE **ME** BY SERVING THEM (YOUR HUSBAND AND CHILDREN)

KEEP YOUR EYES FOCUSED ON JESUS.

CARRY YOUR CROSS.

GO AHEAD AND FALL TO YOUR KNEES AND CRY -- GRACE AND MERCY ABOUND IN THE DARKNESS.

I WILL NEVER LEAVE YOU OR FORSAKE YOU. *OTHERS* WILL. I WON'T.

KEEP YOUR EYES ON JESUS."

I will try my best to keep my eyes on you, Jesus.

I will fight hard to remain true, knowing that in the short-term it will be hard, but in the long-term, IT IS THE ONLY WAY.

One of my most favorite songs right now is,
"WHATEVER YOU'RE DOING"
and as I poured out my heart in this blog post after reading such an appropriate article,
I realize, the lyrics fit where I am.

WHATEVER YOU'RE DOING (Sanctus Real)
It's time for a healing time to move on
It's time to fix what's been broken too long
Time to make right what has been wrong
It's time to find my way back to where I belong
There's a wave that's crashing over me
All I can do is surrender

(Chorus)
Whatever you're doing inside of me
It feels like chaos, somehow there's peace
It's hard to surrender to what I can't see
but I'm giving in to something heavenly

Time for a milestone
Time to begin again
Reevaluate who I really am
Am I doing everything to follow your will
or just climbing aimlessly over these hills
So show me what it is you want from me
I give everything, I surrender...
To...

(Chorus) Whatever you're doing inside of me
It feels like chaos, somehow there's peace
It's hard to surrender to what I can't see
but I'm giving in to something heavenly

Time to face up
Clean this old house
Time to breathe in and let everything out
That I've wanted to say for so many years
Time to release all my held back tears

Whatever you're doing inside of me
It feels like chaos, but I believe
You're up to something bigger than me
Larger than life, something heavenly

Whatever you're doing inside of me
It feels like chaos, but now I can see
This is something bigger than me
Larger than life, something heavenly
Something heavenly

It's time to face up
Clean this old house
Time to breathe in and let everything out

LISTEN TO IT HERE

...and keep your eyes on Jesus!

One Minute Meditation - Victory

2009-09-16T09:11:00.000-07:00

Victory
Jesus says: "He who hears you hears me."

Do you still think it is your words that convince people? Don't forget either that the Holy Spirit can carry out his plans with the most useless instrument.

-St. Josemaria Escriva, The Forge, #671

Liz Kearns +JMJ+

BIG MOUTH (reflection)

"If your brother should commit some wrong against you, go and point out his fault, but keep it between the two of you." –Matthew 18:15

*NOTE* - Emphasis. Comment.

"If your brother should commit some wrong against you, go and point out his fault, but keep it between the two of you." –Matthew 18:15 (*NOTE* 'keep it between the two of you.)

*NOTE* - Emphasis. Comment.

Opinions...

Generosity ... Almsgiving

Great teaching...

Prayer

Charity

Catholic Catechism #2548

Life in Christ: Catechism #2548

Reflection from St. Augustine

Reflection: Poverty, true poverty

You Can! {follow Jesus}

One Minute Meditations

One Minute Meditations

Fishers of Men

Short description of our Catholic Faith

{This is a repost from Insight Scoop, link follows article}

My favorite paragraph from the Catechism

Reflections from the saints ...St. Charles Borromeo

Vicar of Christ

Reflection: Struggle...Christianity vs. It's all about ME

Catechism #2467 - TRUTH

Life in Christ: Catechism #2467

Scripture speaking to me...again??

Ephesians 4:31-32

Could it be that you have a mistaken idea of what is proper?

If liberals hate the new translation, it must be good

Cute joke...

Reflection on Character . . .

Sorrow and Suffering . . .

He is the Light

Do you strive to be recognized on earth or in heaven?

Personal retreat planning & anticipation!!!

Assumption Reflection...

God's gift...The Eucharist

Fill my heart, my God, my Love...

Selfishness...

One Minute Meditations - Conversation

Friend or foe...doesn't matter God FIRST!

One Minute Meditations - Perseverance

Reflections from the Saints - Temptations & Virtues

Let us Pray for All Fathers

One Minute Meditations - Detachment

My One Minute Meditation for today . . . LOVE IT!

Spirituan Direction -- How willing are you??

One Minute Meditations

Providential Meditation for today . . .One Minute Meditations

One Minute Meditations - Interior Life

One Minute Meditations - Character...temptation

My recent ponderings "Has humility been lost in our culture?"

One Minute Meditations

Scripture Verse of the Day - Dishonesty, Gossip

Proverbs 16:28

Making Eucharistic Adoration priority in our lives . . .

One Minute Meditations - Holy Purity

One Minute Meditations - Humility

Reflections from the Saints - Temperance

One Minute Meditations - Prayer

Reflections from the Saints - "This is My Body"

One Minute Meditations

Pro-Life blogging for Wannababies Pro-Life Cartoon

Reflections from the Saints - Prayer

A blog you should read!

Faith

Streamline your Facebook experience

Scripture Verse of the Day

Matthew 5:9

Is Obama buying votes? (OneNewsNow.com)

See how Catholic Family Land inspires Clergy

Youth at Catholic Family Land

Father Corapi's Health Video, his health & ours . . .

Free Lenten Audio Download of 40-Day Divine Mercy Readings (courtesy of The Apostolate for Family Consecration)

The Heavenly Handbag

A Lenten book for me . . . 7 Secrets of the Eucharist

My new task . . .

The Fifth Commandment

NOTE - Emphasis. Comment.

"If your brother should commit some wrong against you, go and point out his fault, but keep it between the two of you." –Matthew 18:15 (NOTE 'keep it between the two of you.)

NOTE - Emphasis. Comment.