Discernment is a gift which comes with the purification of the imagination and conscience. One must be orthodox for keen discernment.
Many charismatics think that the term "discernment of spirits" has to do with figuring out which demons may be in a situation. NOT SO.
The term "discernment of spirits" is defined by the Church as something more profound and more applicable to daily life than some sort of gift given to exorcists.
Here is the Catholic Encyclopedia, to begin this examination of a definition and my comments are in blue:
"Discernment of spirits" is the term given to the judgment whereby to determine from what spirit the impulses of the soul emanate, and it is easy to understand the importance of this judgment both for self-direction and the direction of others. Now this judgment may be formed in two ways.
Pay attention here, readers.
In the first case the discernment is made by means of an intuitive light which infallibly discovers the quality of the movement; it is then a gift of God, a grace gratis data, vouchsafed mainly for the benefit of our neighbour (1 Corinthians 12:10). This charisma or gift was granted in the early Church and in the course of the lives of the saints as, for example, St. Philip Neri.
This is a gift which has been given to many saints, such as St. Bernard of Clarirvaux and most of the Doctors of the Church. Clearly, St. Catherine of Siena had this gift, to give one example in addition to the one above.
Second, discernment of spirits may be obtained through study and reflection. It is then an acquired human knowledge, more or less perfect, but very useful in the direction of souls. It is procured, always, of course, with the assistance of grace, by the reading of the
Holy Bible, of works on theology and asceticism, of autobiographies, and the correspondence of the most distinguished ascetics.
Many leaders in the Church have such a gift, acquired through these means. One thinks of the Pope Emeritus, Benedict XVI, or Father Pavone, or Cardinal Burke. As all of us are called to perfection, this discernment comes in that process.
The necessity of self-direction and of directing others, when one had charge of souls, produced documents, preserved in spiritual libraries, from the perusal of which one may see that the discernment of spirits is a science that has always flourished in the Church.
Mother General of Tyburn exhibits this gift, as do other persons who have responsibility for souls, who have allowed God to purify them.
I suggest that one stops listening to those who want to look for demons under every rock, instead of studying, praying, and permitting God to purify their imaginations and destroy all their desires which are not of Him.
Detachment brings discernment of spirits-and it is our own spirit where this discernment starts.
Again, the Catholic Encyclopedia:
An excellent lesson is that given by St. Ignatius Loyola in his "Spiritual Exercises". Here we find rules for the discernment of spirits and, being clearly and briefly formulated, these rules indicate a secure course, containing in embryo all that is included in the more extensive treatises of later date. For a complete explanation of them the best commentaries on the "Exercises" of St. Ignatius may be consulted. Of the rules transmitted to us by a saint inspired by Divine light and a learned psychologist taught by personal experience, it will suffice to recall the principal ones.
The world, the flesh and the devil must be discerned.
Ignatius gives two kinds and we must call attention to the fact that in the second category, according to some opinions, he sometimes considers a more delicate discernment of spirits adapted to the extraordinary course of mysticism. Be that as it may, he begins by enunciating this clear principle, that both the good and the evil spirit act upon a soul according to the attitude it assumes toward them. If it pose as their friend, they flatter it; if to resist them, they torment it.
The devil can be part of the spiritual battle of the soul, obviously. But, the loci of good and evil also dwell within ourselves. If we allow God to completely destroy our self-will, then we can begin to discern good from bad, impulse from grace, virtue from vice.
But the evil spirit speaks only to the imagination and the senses, whereas the good spirit acts upon reason and conscience. The evil labours to excite concupiscence, the good to intensify love for God. Of course it may happen that a perfectly well-disposed soul suffers from the attacks of the devil deprived of the sustaining consolations of the good angel; but this is only a temporary trial the passing of which must be awaited in patience and humility. St. Ignatius also teaches us to distinguish the spirits by their mode of action and by the end they seek. Without any preceding cause, that is to say, suddenly, without previous knowledge or sentiment, God alone, by virtue of His sovereign dominion, can flood the soul with light and joy. But if there has been a preceding cause, either the good or the bad angel may be the author of the consolation; this remains to be judged from the consequences. As the good angel's object is the welfare of the soul and the bad angel's its defects or unhappiness, if, in the progress of our thoughts all is well and tends to good there is no occasion for uneasiness; on the contrary, if we perceive any deviation whatsoever towards evil or even a slight unpleasant agitation, there is reason to fear. Such, then, is the substance of these brief rules which are nevertheless so greatly admired by the masters of the spiritual life. Although requiring an authorized explanation, when well understood, they act as a preservative against many illusions
To be continued...
Tuesday, 21 May 2013
A new twist on vocations
Taking with a highly intelligent young person who knows several young women who are considering a religious vocation but cannot choose an order, I discovered an interesting twist on the lack of vocations. This is an idea which came to me months ago, but I did not think of it again until this discussion.
Most of the orders of nuns lack a charism which speaks to the modern world, and especially to young traditional women.
Let me try to explain.
The older orders are stuck in paradigms of service which no longer apply to the modern world.
This does NOT apply to Tyburn, or other enclosed orders, wherein the first charism is Adoration and contemplative prayer. That charism has been with the Church for almost 1,400 years and is extremely valid. The problem, as I experienced, is the need for physical stamina and strength.
Contemplative orders of all types are more necessary than ever.
However, most orders have lost their reason for existing in the world.
Trad girls know the evils of Catholic schools, especially the compromises foisted upon such by governments and heretic leaders. I do not need to explain all the scandals of Catholic schools in Malta (lesbian teaching in a junior girls' school); England (non-Catholic in charge of a high-school RE department); America (where the the curriculum includes heresies of modernism and sex education in many dioceses).
Trad girls do not want compromising orders.
But, what of the real call to a specific charism, besides the contemplative orders? The Dominicans are doing very well here, as the one getting the most vocations wears a full habit and allows for a multiple use of talent in various places, such as evangelization, catechesis, and other parish work. The new paradigms of service are allowed. Mother Teresa of Calcutta's order was a new paradigm and is highly successful in getting vocations.
Not so most orders. Real orders have strong charisms which are needed in the world. The Sisters of Life is an obvious excellent example. as are the various new Dominican groups.
Perhaps it is part of the problem of the lack of sensitivity to the needs of the world and of Catholics in 2013, which are adding to the vocation problem.
Mother General of Tyburn knows that praying for peace in Nigeria and 24/7 Adoration, a response to the requests of bishops there, is a real charism.
Those sisters who are involved in conservative moments, such as Evangelium in Great Britain are responding to the Holy Spirit's call for teaching youth the real stuff of the Catechism and Scripture. Only teaching the "real deal" is a charism from the Holy Spirit. Any order, any, despite the name or pedigree, which is compromising, is not meeting the needs of the Church.
The Holy Spirit must decide the charisms and give these. If people decide, the orders will fail.
I am convinced that contemplation and service encouraging the Latin Mass is the way forward for England.
Does anyone else share this vision? This is a real charism.
God calls, but many do not respond. This blog includes this call to prayer and reparation.
The time for certain charisms which were necessary in the past is long gone.
We do not need more retreat centres which do not include orthodoxy and real sacrifice.
We do not need sisters who are social workers.
The nursing orders will not be able to be Catholic in any national health system, so that charism is gone, except in Third World Countries, where these sisters may actually have more freedom to be Catholic and be nurses or midwives.
The real charisms for 2013 must be extreme, as in the days of Benedict and Catherine of Siena. We need clarity and a remnant.
We need prayers of reparation for many, many sins.
May God send me some companions in this vision of prayer and penance for reparation and the constant Adoration of Christ.
Monday, 20 May 2013
There are still Catholics I meet almost daily...
...who think Obama is a great man. Arrgghh. I cannot get through to these closed minds.
Maybe this article from the superb Life Site News would help these people; some are from African background, some are nuns (not Tyburn, they know and are savvy), some are priests, some are Liberals. I want them to understand the evil of this anti-life president. He was consistently anti-life way back in 2004, when he was a senator in Illinois. Many of us pro-lifers tried to stop his career then.
from http://www.lifenews.com/2011/05/20/file-claims-obamas-father-paid-for-abortion-of-his-half-sibling/
"... President Obama had a half-brother or half-sister who, rather than having the chance to thrive and succeed as he has, ended up in a dumpster in London. The more complex reality for the president to grapple with is that it is not that far of a stretch to assume, given the complexities of his relationship with mother Ann Dunham, that Barack Obama, Sr. might have preferred the same end for our current president,” Heck writes. “Such a scenario, beyond offering a brand new perspective on Obama’s memoir Dreams from my Father, would provide the most pro-abortion president our country has ever known with the same chilling realization that so many of us born after the disastrous Roe decision encounter: had it not been for the strength and resolve of loving, pro-life mothers, we could have been legally slaughtered.”
“This disquieting account about his father allows our current President the chance to put himself where his half-brother or half-sister once was…where he once was…and reconsider his tragic position on life in the womb,” he writes.
He continues: “As I read the heartbreaking details of this story about a soul deprived of its unalienable right to breathe free, I’m taken back to President Obama’s response to Rick Warren at the Saddleback Church presidential forum in the lead-up to the 2008 election. Asked when a baby gets human rights, Obama cowardly surrendered righteousness for convenience and politics, infamously asserting that “answering that question with specificity is above my pay grade.”
“That embarrassing response shouldn’t have been a surprise given that just a few months prior, Barack Obama addressed the issue of sex education on the campaign trail. Speaking specifically about his own daughters, the man who could have been aborted himself proclaimed, “I am going to teach them first of all about values and morals. But if they make a mistake, I don’t want them punished with a baby.” Like father, like son.”
Pope and Merkel Met Today
The private meeting between the Pope and the German Chancellor took place in the Vatican Library with the help of an interpreter and lasted 45 minutes. Straight afterwards, Merkel – who was dressed in a silk blue dress – held a brief 10 minute meeting with Vatican Secretary for Relations with States, Dominique Mamberti. The Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Tarcisio was not present as he is currently in Spain.
First Pledge of a Donation
I am amazed at how quickly someone responded. I have been pledged 1,000 pounds by a reader for the House of Prayer and only need 409,000. A start and thank you, dear reader.
Pray, reflect, act.
Pray, reflect, act.
| Thanks, Wiki, for the bread photo https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bread |
More than the entire population of Malta has been killed since January, 2013
2013 USA Abortion Count
May 20
492,100 unborn children have been killed
#ProLife
Remember Baby Boy A
And people say there is not differences in religions...
This is wicked and graphic, but the story must be told. Lord have mercy on all.
http://www.jihadwatch.org/2013/05/afghanistan-8-year-old-bride-of-mullah-bleeds-to-death-on-her-wedding-night.html
http://www.jihadwatch.org/2013/05/afghanistan-8-year-old-bride-of-mullah-bleeds-to-death-on-her-wedding-night.html
The Face of Christ
Be an icon of the Lord, by imaging Him in the world. The Face of Christ is missing in many places, even in England.
..CAST YOUR BREAD UPON THE WATERS, FOR AFTER MANY DAYS YOU WILL FIND IT AGAIN.
And, this Bread is the Bread of Life...
“There are those who are well mannered, who do everything well, but are unable to bring people to the Church through proclamation and apostolic zeal,” Pope Francis
I am giving more details on the proposed community in Walsingham and asking for prayers and at least three members.
It is to be a lay community, such as a lay association of the faithful.
Group prayer is to be the Gregorian Chant in Latin and from the Monastic Diurnal.
Prayer will be at least three times a day, and eventually, with permission, all day Adoration of the Eucharist. No television, no chasing after the trivia of the world, but a place of serenity and suffering forms part of the tapestry of this community.
The Eucharistic Heart of Jesus is the center of this community, which will live simply and serve several types of people.
Pope Benedict XV instituted the Feast of the Eucharistic Heart of Jesus and here is a section from his letter on this.
The chief reason of this feast is to commemorate the love of Our Lord Jesus Christ in the mystery of the Eucharist. By this means the Church wishes more and more to excite the faithful to approach this sacred mystery with confidence, and to inflame their hearts with that divine charity which consumed the Sacred Heart of Jesus when in His infinite love He instituted the Most Holy Eucharist, wherein the Divine Heart guards and loves them by living with them, as they live and abide in Him. For in the sacrament of the Holy Eucharist He offers and gives Himself to us as victim, companion, nourishment, viaticum, and pledge of our future glory.
Here is a translation of the propers of that feast, which is on the Thursday in the Octave of the Feast of the Sacred Heart from http://vultus.stblogs.org/2010/06/feast-of-the-eucharistic-heart.html from Father Mark.
Introit
SCIENS Jesus quia venit hora ejus ut
transeat ex hoc mundo ad Patrem:
cum dilexisset suos, qui erant in
mundo, in finem dilexit eos. Alleluia,
alleluia. Ps. 97. 1. Cantate Domino
canticum novum: quia mirabilia
fecit. Gloria Patri.
transeat ex hoc mundo ad Patrem:
cum dilexisset suos, qui erant in
mundo, in finem dilexit eos. Alleluia,
alleluia. Ps. 97. 1. Cantate Domino
canticum novum: quia mirabilia
fecit. Gloria Patri.
Jesus, knowing that His hour had come
to pass out of this world to the Father,
having loved His own who were in the world,
loved them to the end (Jn 13:1).
to pass out of this world to the Father,
having loved His own who were in the world,
loved them to the end (Jn 13:1).
Collect
DOMINE Jesu Christe, qui divitias
amoris tui erga homines effundens
Eucharistiæ Sacramentum condidisti:
da nobis, quæsumus; ut amantissimum
Cor tuum diligere, et tanto
Sacramento digne semper uti valeamus:
Qui vivis.
amoris tui erga homines effundens
Eucharistiæ Sacramentum condidisti:
da nobis, quæsumus; ut amantissimum
Cor tuum diligere, et tanto
Sacramento digne semper uti valeamus:
Qui vivis.
Lord Jesus Christ,
Who in pouring out the treasures of Your love for mankind,
instituted the sacrament of the Eucharist,
grant us, we beseech You,
always to cherish Your most loving Heart,
and worthily to avail ourselves of so great a Sacrament.
Who live and reign with God the Father,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, forever and ever.
Who in pouring out the treasures of Your love for mankind,
instituted the sacrament of the Eucharist,
grant us, we beseech You,
always to cherish Your most loving Heart,
and worthily to avail ourselves of so great a Sacrament.
Who live and reign with God the Father,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, forever and ever.
Epistle: Ephesians 3. 8-12, 14-19
Brethren: To me, the least of all the Saints, is given the grace, to preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ: and to enlighten all men, that they may see what is the dispensation of the mystery which hath been hidden from eternity in God, Who created all things: that the manifold wisdom of God may be made known to the principalities and powers in heavenly places through the Church, according to the eternal purpose which He made in Christ Jesus our Lord: in Whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of Him. For this cause I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, of Whom all paternity in Heaven and earth is named, that He would grant you according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened by His Spirit with might unto the inward man, that Christ may dwell by faith in your hearts: that being rooted and grounded in charity, you may be able to comprehend with all the Saints, what is the breadth and length, and height and depth: to know also the charity of Christ which surpasseth all knowledge. That you may be filled unto all the fullness of God.
Gradual
EXSULTA et lauda, habitatio Sion,
quia magnus in medio tui Sanctus
Israel. Notas facite in populis adinventiones
ejus.
quia magnus in medio tui Sanctus
Israel. Notas facite in populis adinventiones
ejus.
Exult and praise, O abode of Sion, for
great is the Holy One of Israel in the midst
of thee. Among the people make known His
works.
great is the Holy One of Israel in the midst
of thee. Among the people make known His
works.
Alleluia
ALLELUIA, alleluia. V. Quid bonum
ejus est, et quid pulchrum ejus, nisi
frumentum electorum, et vinum
germinans virgines. Alleluia.
ejus est, et quid pulchrum ejus, nisi
frumentum electorum, et vinum
germinans virgines. Alleluia.
Alleluia, alleluia. V. What is His good and
what is His beauteous thing, but the wheat of
the elect, and wine bringing forth virgins?
Alleluia.
what is His beauteous thing, but the wheat of
the elect, and wine bringing forth virgins?
Alleluia.
Gospel: Luke 22:15-20
At that time Jesus said to His disciples: With desire I have desired to eat this pasch with you, before I suffer. For I say to you that from this time I will not eat it, till it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God. And having taken the chalice, He gave thanks and said: Take and divide among you. For I say to you that I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, till the kingdom of God come. And taking bread, He gave thanks and brake and gave to them, saying: This is My Body, which is given for you. Do this for a commemoration of Me. In like manner, the chalice also, after He had supped, saying: this is the chalice, the new testament in My Blood, which shall be shed for you.
The house has room for three core people or four and one or two "guests" who want to make a silent retreat. Also, I would hope it would become a centre for the Latin Mass in Walsingham, which only has a Latin Mass once or twice a year.
The entire project is a vision given to me in the convent and discussed with Mother General, who said to proceed with God leading me slowly but surely.
One begins small, very small. The reason why Walsingham is important is that this is the National Shrine of Mary in England.
Pope Leo XIII said that "When England returns to Walsingham, Our Lady will return to England."
to be continued...
Sunday, 19 May 2013
Vocation of the Laity
There are few lay people who understand or even realize that we are all called to have a spousal relationship with Jesus.
The nuns of Tyburn, who adore the Ecuahristic Heart of Jesus, reminded me that all of us are called to this intimacy with Christ. All.
So few of the laity understand this sublime call. It involves the total giving up of one's self to Christ.
I have a challenge. Three to four women are needed for a core group of a community which will adore Christ in the Eucharist. This call is for anyone who wants to live in a community and work towards the conversion of England, do reparation for abortion, the apostasy of the clergy and sins against the Holy Eucharist.
I have seven years experience in a lay community, and the prayers and good wishes of Tyburn. The Tyburn-Walsingham connection is not an accident.
Both are places of suffering, martyrdom, reparation.
Pray, think, reflect, act. Are you interested? Devotion to Our Lady of Walsingham could bring about unity in the fragmented Church here.
The time for courage is now, and the time for good deeds is now. This window will be closed soon, as the world will not tolerate the setting up of free religious oriented groups, either lay or vowed, in the coming future.
Do not put off tomorrow what can be done today.
Just for the heck of it poem
For Number One Son
Strange to watch black ink disappear
from my pens, like small rivulets pouring
out of the hillsides on the dales.
Some pens I have had since 2004,
on a shelf, in a drawer, or holder
in the kitchen long forgotten messages
on sticky notes cluttering the fridge.
We writers love the tools of our craft,
and relate to paper, pens, ink like so
many fine tuned instruments there to help
us sing. One learn which brands are best suited
to one's fingers, but still, like Austen's quill, or
Montblanc writer's edition, one wants one's
own teddy bear pen at midnight, when ideas
creep over the white covers, surround one's
head, demanding attention like hungry cats.
So, as I listen to these children of the night
begging for food and drink, I reach for a
Pilot or Optiflow left over from college days,
wishing I had my old calligraphy points or better
yet, my gold and black of old or a new Aspinal.
Some writers like fine tips, some bold, but none
scratchy or blotting. We are spoiled for choice
with roller balls or mechanical pencils, or gel pens.
Still we write on and on, despite the wrong
size of nib or horrid colour. My son's silver pen lies
in a drawer somewhere, unused by the techy one,
but like me, he wishes he could haunt stationers' shops
and look for that perfect pen. His bamboo kanji pens,
ignored until he has time; when will that be?
We wait for inspiration, and I use yet another school
girl's pen found somewhere in order to answer the
siren's call now--write now. Write now.
These pens on my duvet have crossed several oceans
waited in five countries for me to open the case,
instead of using my computer, which is hundreds
of miles away. The bottles of ink in my luggage
dripped, of course, the red, but I am grateful for
American ziplock baggies. So, I wait for my computer
enduring a few frustrations, and candle-light would make
no difference; I think of Lincoln as a young pioneer, stuffed
into a tiny attic with pencil and paper, like gold dust,
rare in New Salem. I am sure he was more comfortable
in Springfield on the leafy streets, with pens galore, most
likely gifts in leather cases from his aesthetic wife.
In this room by the sea, in a late spring which feels
like winter with no Christmas, to paraphrase another
word-smith, I wonder, what were his pens like and
did he think anyone would read his tales, or poems,
like my 100s lying in boxes, with plays, short stories,
essays, satires, somewhere in Illinois in storage.
Life is too short for all the words leaning against
my brain this twilight, like birds on a wire in the wind;
leaning for warmth and solidity. These birds struggle
to stay, but finally forced to fly away while I pretend
to sleep. Goodbye words, goodnight. Rest by my pens
until later, I am too tired to entertain you tonight,
by playing music to meet your fancy--and yet,
the ink flows like water trickling down the window
in this bleakest of seasons in Kent.
Strange to watch black ink disappear
from my pens, like small rivulets pouring
out of the hillsides on the dales.
Some pens I have had since 2004,
on a shelf, in a drawer, or holder
in the kitchen long forgotten messages
on sticky notes cluttering the fridge.
We writers love the tools of our craft,
and relate to paper, pens, ink like so
many fine tuned instruments there to help
us sing. One learn which brands are best suited
to one's fingers, but still, like Austen's quill, or
Montblanc writer's edition, one wants one's
own teddy bear pen at midnight, when ideas
creep over the white covers, surround one's
head, demanding attention like hungry cats.
So, as I listen to these children of the night
begging for food and drink, I reach for a
Pilot or Optiflow left over from college days,
wishing I had my old calligraphy points or better
yet, my gold and black of old or a new Aspinal.
Some writers like fine tips, some bold, but none
scratchy or blotting. We are spoiled for choice
with roller balls or mechanical pencils, or gel pens.
Still we write on and on, despite the wrong
size of nib or horrid colour. My son's silver pen lies
in a drawer somewhere, unused by the techy one,
but like me, he wishes he could haunt stationers' shops
and look for that perfect pen. His bamboo kanji pens,
ignored until he has time; when will that be?
We wait for inspiration, and I use yet another school
girl's pen found somewhere in order to answer the
siren's call now--write now. Write now.
These pens on my duvet have crossed several oceans
waited in five countries for me to open the case,
instead of using my computer, which is hundreds
of miles away. The bottles of ink in my luggage
dripped, of course, the red, but I am grateful for
American ziplock baggies. So, I wait for my computer
enduring a few frustrations, and candle-light would make
no difference; I think of Lincoln as a young pioneer, stuffed
into a tiny attic with pencil and paper, like gold dust,
rare in New Salem. I am sure he was more comfortable
in Springfield on the leafy streets, with pens galore, most
likely gifts in leather cases from his aesthetic wife.
In this room by the sea, in a late spring which feels
like winter with no Christmas, to paraphrase another
word-smith, I wonder, what were his pens like and
did he think anyone would read his tales, or poems,
like my 100s lying in boxes, with plays, short stories,
essays, satires, somewhere in Illinois in storage.
Life is too short for all the words leaning against
my brain this twilight, like birds on a wire in the wind;
leaning for warmth and solidity. These birds struggle
to stay, but finally forced to fly away while I pretend
to sleep. Goodbye words, goodnight. Rest by my pens
until later, I am too tired to entertain you tonight,
by playing music to meet your fancy--and yet,
the ink flows like water trickling down the window
in this bleakest of seasons in Kent.
There are no safeguards in this bill
Comment by Archbishop Vincent Nichols and Archbishop Peter Smith on Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill
15/05/2013 1:05
"We urge members of the House of Commons to think again about the long-term consequences of the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill in deciding how to vote at the report stage and third reading debates next week (20-21 May).
"Many people within and beyond the faith communities deeply believe that the state should not seek to change the fundamental meaning of marriage. This proposed change in the law is far more profound than first appears. Marriage will become an institution in which openness to children, and with it the responsibility on fathers and mothers to remain together to care for children born into their family, is no longer central to society’s understanding of marriage. It is not too late for Parliament to think again and we urge MPs to do so.
"Furthermore, the Bill as currently drafted poses grave risks to freedom of speech and freedom of religion. If the Bill is to proceed through Parliament we urge members to ensure it is amended so that these fundamental freedoms we all cherish are clearly and demonstrably safeguarded."
"Furthermore, the Bill as currently drafted poses grave risks to freedom of speech and freedom of religion. If the Bill is to proceed through Parliament we urge members to ensure it is amended so that these fundamental freedoms we all cherish are clearly and demonstrably safeguarded."
A short commentary on one of today's reading from Romans 8
People who are interested only in unspiritual things can never be pleasing to God. Your interests, however, are not in the unspiritual, but in the spiritual, since the Spirit of God has made his home in you. In fact, unless you possessed the Spirit of Christ you would not belong to him. Though your body may be dead it is because of sin, but if Christ is in you then your spirit is life itself because you have been justified; and if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, then he who raised Jesus from the dead will give life to your own mortal bodies through his Spirit living in you.
Too many Catholics are interested in unspiritual things. What are unspiritual things? Vacations, accumulation of wealth, hot cars, jewellry, fancy clothes, gourmet food, even family pride. Anything can hold us back and the false gospel of prosperity leads us away from the real life of penance and sacrifice which allows God to purify us so that the gifts can flow out from our souls into the world.
Heresy or any disobedience from the Church's teaching is a serious sin and blocks the gifts of the Holy Spirit. But, we can be raised from the dead, by turning from all sin, not merely mortal sin.
Are we wasting time, instead of praying? Are we gossiping? Are we not focused totally on Christ?
So then, my brothers, there is no necessity for us to obey our unspiritual selves or to live unspiritual lives. If you do live in that way, you are doomed to die; but if by the Spirit you put an end to the misdeeds of the body you will live.
Everyone moved by the Spirit is a son of God. The spirit you received is not the spirit of slaves bringing fear into your lives again; it is the spirit of sons, and it makes us cry out, ‘Abba, Father!’ The Spirit himself and our spirit bear united witness that we are children of God. And if we are children we are heirs as well: heirs of God and coheirs with Christ, sharing his sufferings so as to share his glory.
We do not know what happened to Jairus' daughter after she was raised from the dead. We cannot imagine going to the edges of hades, the first limbo, where the just were waiting for Christ's Harrowing of Hell. We cannot imagine being called back to life by God Himself, the Second Person of the Blessed Trinity. But, she was called out of physical death into a spiritual life, and I am sure, she was never the same.
So too, we are changed. Let us be real builders of the Church in allowing God to purify us so that we live as new creations. God, as we know from the Scriptures, is the God of the living and the dead. Come Holy Spirit and bring us to new life.
Pentecost Lost
From the CCC:
1830 The moral life of Christians is sustained by the gifts of the Holy Spirit. These are permanent dispositions which make man docile in following the promptings of the Holy Spirit.
1831 The seven gifts of the Holy Spirit are wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord. They belong in their fullness to Christ, Son of David.109 They complete and perfect the virtues of those who receive them. They make the faithful docile in readily obeying divine inspirations.
- Let your good spirit lead me on a level path.110For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God . . . If children, then heirs, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ.111
1832 The fruits of the Spirit are perfections that the Holy Spirit forms in us as the first fruits of eternal glory. The tradition of the Church lists twelve of them: "charity, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, generosity, gentleness, faithfulness, modesty, self-control, chastity."112
Let us be honest and face the fact that most of the adolescents who have received these gifts are not exhibiting them. Why?
Several reasons may be delineated.
One, the formation necessary for children after baptism is not occurring in most Catholic families, which is the meaning of my Pentecost Poem below. Formation begins immediately, in the womb and especially after baptism. The cardinal virtues are given at baptism, as are many other gifts. Without early formation, those gifts listed above, which COMPLETE and PERFECT the virtues lie dormant.
Parents have the primary responsibility for the early spiritual formation of their children.
Two, the conveyor belt so-called preparation for Confirmation may include as few as four classes in Great Britain, although usually more in the States, even as many as 24 over a year of prep. Those dioceses here in GB which only demand 4-6 classes cannot expect the Confirmands to be open and ready for the fullness of grace which comes through the sacrament. The deceit of the preparation which does not even demand a break with mortal sin stops all grace from becoming active. Some places still do not have Confession as a requirement for Confirmation prep.
Three, those who are giving the prep may not be living the life of virtues themselves and, therefore, cannot lead those under them to the completion and perfection of baptismal grace. If one has not experienced the flowing of the gifts of the Holy Spirit in one's own life, how can one lead others to the appropriate mind-set and state of the soul to receive Confirmation properly?
Four, too much emphasis is on the receiving of the gifts outside the context of baptism and the fact that Confirmation, being one of the three Sacraments of Initiation, must be understood as a continuum of a life of grace from baptism and nurtured by the Holy Eucharist. This does not seem to be understood by some teachers. Confirmation is here further explained in context from the CCC:
1302 It is evident from its celebration that the effect of the sacrament of Confirmation is the special outpouring of the Holy Spirit as once granted to the apostles on the day of Pentecost.
1303 From this fact, Confirmation brings an increase and deepening of baptismal grace:
- it roots us more deeply in the divine filiation which makes us cry, "Abba! Father!";117
- it unites us more firmly to Christ;
- it increases the gifts of the Holy Spirit in us;
- it renders our bond with the Church more perfect;118
- it gives us a special strength of the Holy Spirit to spread and defend the faith by word and action as true witnesses of Christ, to confess the name of Christ boldly, and never to be ashamed of the Cross:119
- Recall then that you have received the spiritual seal, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of right judgment and courage, the spirit of knowledge and reverence, the spirit of holy fear in God's presence. Guard what you have received. God the Father has marked you with his sign; Christ the Lord has confirmed you and has placed his pledge, the Spirit, in your hearts.120
1305 This "character" perfects the common priesthood of the faithful, received in Baptism, and "the confirmed person receives the power to profess faith in Christ publicly and as it were officially (quasi Ex officio)."122
The signature mode of power should be evident after the reception of the sacrament. Like the inspiration of the Spirit into the world at Creation, the young persons should reflect a newness of life and resolve, as well as creativity. Such words as being born in the spirit or being a soldier of Christ are not poetry, but real. A person is changed ontologically and this major change should be manifested.
Lastly, one must ask if there are obstacles in the person's soul which stop the graces being operative. There is a need for spiritual direction, not merely teaching, in Confirmation prep. Some reasons have already been outlined here as blocks to grace, but there may be more of a personal nature, such as fear, abuse, gross ignorance, or even demonic blocks caused by young people getting involved in the occult. Such blockages need to be addressed. If a change is not seen after the administering of the sacrament, a team must stop and review preparation. Power and peace, as well as the completion and, at least, the beginning of the perfection of the virtues, should be obvious.
If not, something is wrong, and Pentecost is lost.
On Hell
This is an odd topic for Pentecost, but this post is on hell. Why I am writing on hell is partly the mystery of grace One reason is that there are too many people who call themselves full of the Spirit but do not believe in hell.
The CCC notes that "The affirmation of Sacred Scripture and the teachings of the Church on the subject of hell are a call to the responsibility incumbent upon man to make use of his freedom in view of his eternal destiny. They are at the same time an urgent call to conversion: 'Enter by the narrow gate for the gate is wide and the way easy , that leads to destruction, and those who enter it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard, that leads to life, and those who find it are few.'"
Very few, as against the idea of universal salvation-but what does this mean and what does this have to do with Pentecost?
When the apostles left the upper room, they were not only full of the Spirit, but new men, totally dedicated to a new way of life. Did they know what this meant? No, but, like little children being led by the hand, they had to completely leave their old lives and go where God was leading them.
Too many of us want the goodies of Pentecost without the leaving of the old life, and this is a real leaving off of things, people, places. We must be completely detached, even from ourselves.
Only Caleb and Joshua entered the Promised Land, as the others who complained of the difficulties and only wanted the goodies of the new land and not the trials, perished.
Those who lacked courage never entered into the Promised Land, the symbol of heaven.
This is our responsibility, as noted in the CCC. We must allow God to completely convert us, not merely parts of our souls, minds, hearts.
The Calebs and Joshuas of this world enter the narrow gate. They live by Faith, the heritage of Pentecost.
Without Faith, no one is worthy of the grace of Pentecost
Hell is the other side of the coin-the place where the complainers and those who lacked courage go--those who want the fleshpots of Egypt and not willing to enter the Land of Promise.
None of the disciples coming out of the upper room knew where they were going or what they were to do.
But, they knew that the Gospel was about BEING full of the Spirit.
Joshua told his people to choose life, not death.
Choose life. Those of us who are baptized do not have a choice. It has been made.
Pentecost Poem
Part One
One of the Irish nuns in the Heart,
of Jesus, when her white skirt
when down to the lace edges
which dusted the thick green grass,
learned to walk in Tyburn fields
as this was done, by many families
in London, wanting their children
to walk the walk of the martyrs.
Her baby footsteps measured out
the paths of Campion, Southwell,
Sherwin, Ward, all who went before
with sometimes gnarled toes and
bleeding legs. Yet, little Celt cooed
and walked and finally ran about
the tender grasses on the edge of
Marble Arch, her parents savvy
to the ways of the world. Her
formation began young. Her play-
fellows in the sun reaching out for
Faith as they reached out to their
parents of the promise-those who
took vows at the font seriously.
Where are those parents now?
Who is leading the little ones
to learn the Ave and Pater and
the life of goodness, as the little
one with the flowing hair did
long ago? Her soul is assured
salvation and the day of eternal
Pascha rosatum sees her
standing with the golden virgins
at the foot of the Eucharistic Throne.
Part Two
Little Margaret munching on
a clover, not seeing her future
martyrdom within the walls
on the edge of Bainiardus'
land, a tenant of the Abbot
foreshadowing even then
Benedict's Rule but rudely
taken when called Bear's Watering,
taken like the lives of so many
whose blood filled the rills
under toddler Meg's white shoes.
She is now dust in her black habit.
but remembered for her first
steps, the steps of virtue
all made in the place of springs
like Fountains, like Glastonbury
and today memories or even
forgotten by the shopping crowds
and youth jogging over the same
paths. No announcement of fiery
tongues capture their imaginations,
long stuffed with the goo of satan.
Margaret's Pentecost discovered
only by those who stop and listen.
Oswulf's Stone lies in their hearts
because their mothers, their fathers
did not take them to Tyburn to
learn how to walk and so they
run to a different place, away from
Margaret's peace in the land of
the Spirit, where she sings and runs
with the Wind, like horses of heaven.
One of the Irish nuns in the Heart,
of Jesus, when her white skirt
when down to the lace edges
which dusted the thick green grass,
learned to walk in Tyburn fields
as this was done, by many families
in London, wanting their children
to walk the walk of the martyrs.
Her baby footsteps measured out
the paths of Campion, Southwell,
Sherwin, Ward, all who went before
with sometimes gnarled toes and
bleeding legs. Yet, little Celt cooed
and walked and finally ran about
the tender grasses on the edge of
Marble Arch, her parents savvy
to the ways of the world. Her
formation began young. Her play-
fellows in the sun reaching out for
Faith as they reached out to their
parents of the promise-those who
took vows at the font seriously.
Where are those parents now?
Who is leading the little ones
to learn the Ave and Pater and
the life of goodness, as the little
one with the flowing hair did
long ago? Her soul is assured
salvation and the day of eternal
Pascha rosatum sees her
standing with the golden virgins
at the foot of the Eucharistic Throne.
Part Two
Little Margaret munching on
a clover, not seeing her future
martyrdom within the walls
on the edge of Bainiardus'
land, a tenant of the Abbot
foreshadowing even then
Benedict's Rule but rudely
taken when called Bear's Watering,
taken like the lives of so many
whose blood filled the rills
under toddler Meg's white shoes.
She is now dust in her black habit.
but remembered for her first
steps, the steps of virtue
all made in the place of springs
like Fountains, like Glastonbury
and today memories or even
forgotten by the shopping crowds
and youth jogging over the same
paths. No announcement of fiery
tongues capture their imaginations,
long stuffed with the goo of satan.
Margaret's Pentecost discovered
only by those who stop and listen.
Oswulf's Stone lies in their hearts
because their mothers, their fathers
did not take them to Tyburn to
learn how to walk and so they
run to a different place, away from
Margaret's peace in the land of
the Spirit, where she sings and runs
with the Wind, like horses of heaven.
Saturday, 18 May 2013
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