Tuesday, 10 March 2015
Dangerous Situation in Washington
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2015/03/10/biden-blasts-gop-letter-to-iran-on-nuclear-deal-approval-saying-it-offends-me/
These men have been called "traitors". This is vip. And dangerous.
Get real, people.....face the situation. Iran will get nuclear weapons. Does anyone really believe Iran will stop working on nuclear weapons?
http://www.bloombergview.com/articles/2015-03-09/republicans-warn-iran-and-obama-that-deal-won-t-last
These men have been called "traitors". This is vip. And dangerous.
Get real, people.....face the situation. Iran will get nuclear weapons. Does anyone really believe Iran will stop working on nuclear weapons?
http://www.bloombergview.com/articles/2015-03-09/republicans-warn-iran-and-obama-that-deal-won-t-last
A great site and a great talk--"the high standard of ordinary Christian living"
http://voiceofthefamily.info/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Cardinal-Burke-Chester-20150306.pdf
BTW, the Cardinal refers to community in this speech, as in living close to each other. And, the Cardinal refers to perfection. Yeah! He also notes the important of virtue training, much discussed on this blog.
If you don't read anything else today, read this.
BTW, the Cardinal refers to community in this speech, as in living close to each other. And, the Cardinal refers to perfection. Yeah! He also notes the important of virtue training, much discussed on this blog.
If you don't read anything else today, read this.
Thoughts on Today's Reading
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Part of the First Reading in today's NO Mass deals with Azariah's prayer in the furnace.
The lines which struck me are those which I believe will apply to us in the real Catholic Church in the near future. These lines below refer to the fact that the Jews had no way to worship God in both spirit and in physical form. Before the Exile, the Temple had been destroyed and there was, as the passage notes, no prince, no leader, no prophet, no holocaust, no sacrifice, no oblation, no incense, or even a place to do the worship as prescribed by Moses.
In the Babylonian Exile, the Jews had to rely on their own prayers and their own following of the Ten Commandments, as well as avoiding the eating of food and drink offered up to the false gods.
In exile, the onus for keeping the faith of the covenant was on each individual person who was a member of the House of God, the Promised People.
One had to rely on one's own commitment to God, to own keeping faith in the family and in the small, scattered communities of Jews. Daniel, if one remembers, was arrested for praying. Some were arrested for not eating food offered to idols. Some were arrested for not giving into the sins of the court, such as sodomy and pedophilia.
Readers may ask how this applies to them. When the ssm laws go through, one will be persecuted, fined, and even imprisoned in the name of civil rights. Of course, as I have written for years on this blog, sin has no rights.
The prayers of the three young men showed that they had kept faith enough to be thrown into the fiery furnace
This is the lot of those Catholics in the Middle East already, as some adults and children have been burned in cages for being Christians
In American, under this Gramscian government, the ways of suffering will be from more subtle means-the ruin of businesses, schools, colleges, and dioceses, if not individual parishes, which will keep God's laws.
Today's reading is not merely a historical reference to bravery, but a call to prepare one's self for the times to come. The three young men knew they were suffering for the sins of the Jews. They knew that God had a right to judge. There prayer indicates that they were making reparation for the sins of their own people. They asked for mercy, not because they were holy, but because God is merciful.
Notice also the reference to a contrite heart or spirit and to humility. If we do not seek out humility now, God will allow us to suffer things which will bring about this humility. The young men also remembered the promises of God to Moses, calling on God to look at their horrific state of affairs and have mercy on them. Their faith survived because they had studied the Scriptures and prayed. Can we do less?
Notice also the reference to a contrite heart or spirit and to humility. If we do not seek out humility now, God will allow us to suffer things which will bring about this humility. The young men also remembered the promises of God to Moses, calling on God to look at their horrific state of affairs and have mercy on them. Their faith survived because they had studied the Scriptures and prayed. Can we do less?
Daniel 3:25Douay-Rheims
25 Then Azarias standing up prayed in this manner, and opening his mouth in the midst of the fire, he said:
37 For we, O Lord, are diminished more than any nation, and are brought low in all the earth this day for our sins.
38 Neither is there at this time prince, or leader, or prophet, or holocaust, or sacrifice, or oblation, or incense, or place of firstfruits before thee,
39 That we may find thy mercy: nevertheless in a contrite heart and humble spirit let us be accepted.
40 As in holocausts of rams, and bullocks, and as in thousands of fat lambs: so let our sacrifice be made in thy sight this day, that it may please thee: for there is no confusion to them that trust in thee.
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| "Fiery furnace 01". Licensed under Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons - http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Fiery_furnace_01.jpg#mediaviewer/File:Fiery_furnace_01.jpg |
Daniel 3:34-43Douay-Rheims
34 Deliver us not up for ever, we beseech thee, for thy name's sake, and abolish not thy covenant.
35 And take not away thy mercy from us for the sake of Abraham thy beloved, and Isaac thy servant, and Israel thy holy one:
36 To whom thou hast spoken, promising that thou wouldst multiply their seed as the stars of heaven, and as the sand that is on the sea shore.
37 For we, O Lord, are diminished more than any nation, and are brought low in all the earth this day for our sins.
38 Neither is there at this time prince, or leader, or prophet, or holocaust, or sacrifice, or oblation, or incense, or place of firstfruits before thee,
39 That we may find thy mercy: nevertheless in a contrite heart and humble spirit let us be accepted.
40 As in holocausts of rams, and bullocks, and as in thousands of fat lambs: so let our sacrifice be made in thy sight this day, that it may please thee: for there is no confusion to them that trust in thee.
41 And now we follow thee with all our heart, and we fear thee, and seek thy face.
42 Put us not to confusion, but deal. with us according to thy meekness, and according to the multitude of thy mercies.
43 And deliver us according to thy wonderful works, and give glory to thy name, O Lord:
Comment on a Video
Mr. Voris has a disturbing and interesting question on his most recent video on abortion. He asks what the pro-life movement is doing wrong.
Simple, and I do not think he reads my blog, but I think I have an answer.
Abortion will not end until people come back to Christ and His Church. The pro-life movement has provided excellent service to the Church, but the vast majority of American and British Catholics think contraception is not abortion. Most of the contraceptive methods are abortifacients.
Hearts and minds must be changed through evangelization. This means talking with family members, if they are open, about Christ and the one, true, holy, Catholic and apostolic Church.
Many of those getting abortions are well-to-do middle-aged women who do not want their careers interrupted. Some are minority groups which still use abortion as basic contraception.
The anti-child attitudes of most Gen-Xers and younger people who do not want children has seeped into the Catholic souls of those in the pew. I know too many Catholics who choose not to have children.
Until we, the laity, do our job in bringing people to the Truth, this holocaust will continue.
God have mercy on America and Britain.
Simple, and I do not think he reads my blog, but I think I have an answer.
Abortion will not end until people come back to Christ and His Church. The pro-life movement has provided excellent service to the Church, but the vast majority of American and British Catholics think contraception is not abortion. Most of the contraceptive methods are abortifacients.
Hearts and minds must be changed through evangelization. This means talking with family members, if they are open, about Christ and the one, true, holy, Catholic and apostolic Church.
Many of those getting abortions are well-to-do middle-aged women who do not want their careers interrupted. Some are minority groups which still use abortion as basic contraception.
The anti-child attitudes of most Gen-Xers and younger people who do not want children has seeped into the Catholic souls of those in the pew. I know too many Catholics who choose not to have children.
Until we, the laity, do our job in bringing people to the Truth, this holocaust will continue.
God have mercy on America and Britain.
Sigh...the lack of discernment is due to sin
http://www.ncregister.com/daily-news/father-belitz-new-age-exponent-or-faithfully-catholic/
The Catholic Church has condemned Reiki. See my previous posts on this.
This priest is absolutely New Age and deceiving other people.
Why has the priest not been asked to stand down?
The Catholic Church has condemned Reiki. See my previous posts on this.
This priest is absolutely New Age and deceiving other people.
Why has the priest not been asked to stand down?
What is demanded...
We take our gift of faith for granted. So many people in the world die daily without ever becoming Catholic, or even Christian. Billions of people are born, live, and die who do not convert to the one, true Faith.
Thankfully, but tragically through the many martyrs around the world, Catholics are becoming more and more aware of those who do choose and suffer for the Faith.
What is demanded of us is no less than total surrender to God and His Divine Will.
What is demanded of us is that we go out and preach the Gospel, baptizing in the Name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
If we do not live for Christ, we shall not die for Christ. Martyrdom is not automatic. Our daily lives prepare us through the acceptance of suffering and the denial of self.
One more death does not, then, matter, as we have practiced for this all our lives.
What is demanded is the readiness....
As Hamlet said, "The readiness is all."
Thankfully, but tragically through the many martyrs around the world, Catholics are becoming more and more aware of those who do choose and suffer for the Faith.
What is demanded of us is no less than total surrender to God and His Divine Will.
What is demanded of us is that we go out and preach the Gospel, baptizing in the Name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
If we do not live for Christ, we shall not die for Christ. Martyrdom is not automatic. Our daily lives prepare us through the acceptance of suffering and the denial of self.
One more death does not, then, matter, as we have practiced for this all our lives.
What is demanded is the readiness....
As Hamlet said, "The readiness is all."
Getting Off Target
I have mentioned this on this blog regarding apparition chasers, who, instead of reading the encyclicals or the CCC, insist on following unapproved words and visions.
But, this past weekend, it was clear to me that other things can cause a Catholic not to be focused on their spiritual life. When one is focused, one keeps up with daily prayer, daily Scripture reading, going to daily Mass and Adoration, if possible, and working on defeating one's predominant fault.
Remembering that only the perfect see God focuses one. To aim at purgatory reminds me of the errors in shooting practice above.
Aiming at purgatory could be "thumbing". Running away from daily examination of conscience and not going to weekly Confession could be "tightening grip while pulling the trigger" or it could mean, as well, as paying too much attention to conspiracy theories about Rome.
Not dealing with venial sin may be "breaking wrist down or drooping the head."
Procrastinating in the spiritual life and falling into sloth could be "jerking", trying to squeeze into heaven instead of aiming at heaven.
Chasing after apparitions could be "finger not on the trigger correctly." This means too little study of the Faith.
Superstition from spiritual pride, as in Gnosticism, may be called "pushing: anticipating recoil."
Refusing to repent of new age addictions may be called, "heeling: anticipating recoil." This means not following through one's commitment to Church teaching and fudging on some things, like yoga.
And, worst of all, holding onto unorthodox positions, either from the far left or far right of the spectrum, as in liberal Phariseeism or rad-trad Phariseeism, could be called "breaking wrist up."
Focusing requires always looking at the center of the target, life with Christ.
Christ focuses us if we allow Him to train us, correct us, change us.
Too many Catholics are "off target" and they will not find the center of the target without repentance, mortification, very regular attendance at the sacraments, humility.
To be focused is not to let anything get in the way of one's life with Christ, as He ordains it.
Monday, 9 March 2015
Question and Comments from Readers on One Facet of The Retreat Notes
Years ago, I had a discussion with a friend of mine in England. In fact, it was in January of 2012 when we talked about how we were both waking up between 2-5, and sometimes exactly at 4:00 a.m.
For awhile, I got up and prayed, especially if God was bringing someone or something to my mind.
Moving around so much in the past four years has interfered with me responding to this call "to keep vigil with Christ" as Father Xavier called it.
Now, I have met several other people, both men and women, who tell me that are waking up at 4 or so. We all agree, but one who still is not sure, that God is calling us to pray at that time.
One of this group found out that people who are going to commit suicide do so at these times, 2-5.
Another person thought of being in the Garden of Gethsemane. Maybe Christ just wants us to be with Him, as if we were in the Garden, but not falling asleep like the apostles.
I must admit this is very, very hard for me, as I only get about six to seven hours of sleep a night as it is owing to doing so many things. Interrupted sleep can only be called "difficult".
But, if God is waking one up, one must get up and pray.
I cannot do a rosary at that hour, usually, unless I am well-rested, but I can turn my mind towards Christ and pray for those people who do come to my mind at those wee hours of the morning....
To do vigil with Christ means that He is begging us to join Him in His Passion, to do what St. Paul indicates here:
Colossians 1:24Douay-Rheims
24 Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up those things that are wanting of the sufferings of Christ, in my flesh, for his body, which is the church:
Notice how in this translation, St. Paul refers to mortification of the flesh, of the body. There is no doubt that keeping vigil with Christ in the night falls under this category of us suffering for the needs of souls in the present time.
For some, this waking up in the middle of the night could be the "thorn in the flesh", as the interrupting of sleep is painful and makes a day of work much more difficult. The Church finishes the suffering of Christ throughout all time.
But, one always has a choice to respond to given mortifications or not....and as I have said before on this blog, do not waste suffering.
... I write this for C, J, D, E, J, and M.
P.S. If you wake up at three, say the Divine Mercy Chaplet.
P.S. If you wake up at three, say the Divine Mercy Chaplet.
Retreat Postings
For those who do not go online over the weekend, please catch up on the retreat postings.
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| The Cardinal Virtues |
‘My father, if the prophet had asked you to do something difficult, would you not have done it?"
In today's first reading at Mass, from 2 Kings 5:1-15, Naaman, the leper, is told to wash in the River Jordan. He balks at Elisha's suggestion, as he notes that the rivers of his country are cleaner that the Jordan.
But, he is not objecting to the river, but to the simplicity of the manner of healing.
Some people want drama in their lives regarding healing. But, all God usually wants is the regular use of the sacraments and sacramentals in order to bring about healing.
I have been against so-called healing Masses for a very long time. The last time I went to one, I noticed that many of the people praying over others were not obeying the Catholic Church and out of order, not only regarding the laying of hands, but in the use of Protestant prayers with incorrect theological ideas, and with the fact that these people disagreed with some of the teachings of the Catholic Church. Pride and egotism about "my ministry" stops the flow of grace and the life of the virtues. One cannot be holy if one is not orthodox, as noted here many times. Pride and the emotions are behind seeking out such ministries. The humble, quiet ways are usually God's ways.
In fact, demonic influence was coming from some of the people who were praying...and several people with whom I discussed this later found this to be true in their lives.
The most simple way to be healed is to repent of unforgiveness. An examination of conscience reveals hatred and bitterness for the past sins against one. But, how one reacts to these hurts determines healing.
I know, as I have written on this blog, three women and one man, now deceased, who were sexually molested by a priest for years and years. None left the Church. All but one got married and raised their children in the Church. Forgiveness brought healing. Confession brought healing.
The simplicity of the way of Catholic healing has been overshadowed by showy and false ways of release. One of the main points of the retreat this past weekend is that we have the power from baptism and confirmation to become free of demonic influences.
Because of the theological errors and the liturgical aberrations, such as a priest walking around with the monstrance and having people touch it, completely against the true guidelines from the Vatican, and against the propriety of Eucharistic worship, healing Masses must end.
The simple reveals truth, not the dramatic....
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