Take your time reading, especially when you are finished with the Dr. Who specials.
I am praying about giving up movies. The imagination needs to be purified for us to see and hear God. It is too easy to clog up the memory and imagination with someone else's images.
And, when you can, look up the definition of "manic pixie dream girl" and ask yourself if such role models compete with Rose of Lima, Catherine of Siena, Etheldreda, Benedicta of the Cross...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manic_Pixie_Dream_Girl
No offense, but some of the Dr. Who girls would fall into this category.
Saturday, 23 November 2013
Padre Pio Day-Three
"To be worried because something we have done has not turned out in accordance with our pure intention shows a lack of humility. This is a clear sign that the person concerned has not entrusted the success of his action to the divine assistance, but has depended too much on his own strength."
"Do not let yourself be overcome by the fear of not living God and consequently not saving yourself...I know that no soul can worthily love its God. But when this soul does everything possible, and trusts in divine mercy, why should Jesus reject it? ....Therefore, if you have given and consecrated everything to God, why do you fear?"
Padre Pio tells us to ask God for the love we should give back to Him. This is the humility of realizing that we cannot love without His own love, and not out of our own efforts.
"Do not let yourself be overcome by the fear of not living God and consequently not saving yourself...I know that no soul can worthily love its God. But when this soul does everything possible, and trusts in divine mercy, why should Jesus reject it? ....Therefore, if you have given and consecrated everything to God, why do you fear?"
Padre Pio tells us to ask God for the love we should give back to Him. This is the humility of realizing that we cannot love without His own love, and not out of our own efforts.
Padre Pio Day-Two
More from this great saint...."it is our nature made holy by Baptism which, according to the principles of sanctification, must live in 'holiness and righteousness before him all our days.'"
"We Christians are images of God twice over, by nature and by grace. By nature we are given intelligence, memory, and will; by grace we are made holy through our Baptism, which imprints on our souls the beautiful image of God. Yes, sanctifying grace impresses the image of God upon us in such a way that we ourselves become divine by participation...."
"We Christians are images of God twice over, by nature and by grace. By nature we are given intelligence, memory, and will; by grace we are made holy through our Baptism, which imprints on our souls the beautiful image of God. Yes, sanctifying grace impresses the image of God upon us in such a way that we ourselves become divine by participation...."
Losing Religious Freedoms in Great Britain
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Today's (19 November) Court of Appeal decision to uphold a ban on an advertisement which asked Christians to report their experiences of marginalisation in the workplace has been described as an attack on freedom of speech, by Britain’s largest Christian broadcaster.
“But this is not only a bad day for freedom of speech for Christians, it is also a bad day for democracy in general, and a very bad day at the office for the Master of the Rolls,” said Peter Kerridge, CEO of Premier Christian Radio.
London Christian Radio Ltd, and sister organisation Christian Communications Partnership Ltd, objected in 2011 to the Secretary of State for Culture, Media & Sport’s decision to prohibit the advertisement after the Radio Advertising Clearance Centre [RACC] claimed that it had a political objective.
A Judicial Review in March last year upheld the decision but the Christian campaigners were granted leave to appeal.
Declaring the advertisement unlawful, the Master of the Rolls, Lord Dyson, said it was “directed to the political end of making a fairer society by reducing or eliminating the marginalisation of Christians in the workplace”, contrary to broadcasting legislation.
Peter Kerridge said: “This would suggest that any radio advertisement calling for data to inform public debate to help a fairer society would also be banned. But we have to ask ourselves did Parliament really intend a blanket ban on radio adverts for surveys?
LJ Elias, in a strongly dissenting judgement, disagreed with the Master of the Rolls and declared the advertisement to be lawful. He said that any advertisement whose purpose was to facilitate debate was not directed towards a political end and concluded; “If an advertisement does not itself constitute a partial political message, why should it be banned?”
The Meaning of Christ the King-Sheep to The Right and Goats to The Left
Kingship is a foreign ideal to Americans. It is an increasingly banal ideal in Europe. We have lost the historical reference for the Feast of Christ the King in this day and age which idolizes democratic leaders in the cult of personality.
We have lost the ideal of noblesse oblige and the cost of real service to one's nation.
We have lost the ideal of trained leaders, not so-called self-made men and women who may or may not be following natural law philosophy or the Judeo-Christian tradition.
Too many Catholics in America sincerely believe in the separation of Church and State, which is not a teaching of the Catholic Church.
The Church has stated over and over, through encyclicals and other documents, that the State has a sphere of influence, but the Church does as well. In fact, it is the duty of the State to protect the one, true, holy, Catholic and apostolic Church because it was founded by Christ the King.
Any nation which ignores the laws of the King of Heaven and Earth will suffer the consequences of the rebellious angels. If Catholics think they can push the teachings of the Church to the side in the discussions of morality in the public sphere, Christ will not recognize them when He returns. He is King and kings have the right to judge over life and death, reward and punishment.
Matthew 12:29-30
29"Or how can anyone enter the strong man's house and carry off his property, unless he first binds the strong man? And then he will plunder his house. 30"He who is not with Me is against Me; and he who does not gather with Me scatters.
We have lost the ideal of noblesse oblige and the cost of real service to one's nation.
We have lost the ideal of trained leaders, not so-called self-made men and women who may or may not be following natural law philosophy or the Judeo-Christian tradition.
Too many Catholics in America sincerely believe in the separation of Church and State, which is not a teaching of the Catholic Church.
The Church has stated over and over, through encyclicals and other documents, that the State has a sphere of influence, but the Church does as well. In fact, it is the duty of the State to protect the one, true, holy, Catholic and apostolic Church because it was founded by Christ the King.
Any nation which ignores the laws of the King of Heaven and Earth will suffer the consequences of the rebellious angels. If Catholics think they can push the teachings of the Church to the side in the discussions of morality in the public sphere, Christ will not recognize them when He returns. He is King and kings have the right to judge over life and death, reward and punishment.
Matthew 12:29-30
29"Or how can anyone enter the strong man's house and carry off his property, unless he first binds the strong man? And then he will plunder his house. 30"He who is not with Me is against Me; and he who does not gather with Me scatters.
There are several modernist heresies, pushed by the Masons, which want to complete marginalize the Church and religion in the public sphere.
If you are a Catholic who believes in these heresies, you have cut yourself off from the graces of Holy Mother Church.
The first is indifferentism, which claims all religions are the same. Pope Gregory XVI in 1832 defined and condemned this in Mirari Vos - On Liberalism and Religious Indifferentism.
Here is the link to read this important document. I have highlighted this before on this blog.
The second great heresy which undermines the role of the Catholic Church in politics is that of eirenism.
This heresy, sadly, is believed by many Catholics. In Humani Generis, found here at this link, http://www.papalencyclicals.net/Pius12/P12HUMAN.HTM.
In this heresy, a person holds that differences in religions can be overlooked for the sake of a false unity. This is common in the political world, which wants only to follow what is "politically correct" and create a false unity not based on Truth. Some Catholic politicians and even cardinals and bishops are willing to compromise the Truth of the King of All Nations in order to find unity. Of course, one cannot have detente, as it were, with the enemies of Christ and His Church.
A quotation from the encyclical notes that:
Let them strive with every force and effort to further the progress of the sciences which they teach; but let them also be careful not to transgress the limits which We have established for the protection of the truth of Catholic faith and doctrine. With regard to new questions, which modern culture and progress have brought to the foreground, let them engage in most careful research, but with the necessary prudence and caution; finally, let them not think, indulging in a false "irenism," that the dissident and erring can happily be brought back to the bosom of the Church, if the whole truth found in the Church is not sincerely taught to all without corruption or diminution.
The Masons and even some Catholics consistently deny that the Church has a huge role to play in the governing of nations. In fact, without the input and protection of the Church, nations are doomed to perish.
Why?
There is only One Truth and He is a Person.
John 14:6 Douay-Rheims: 6 Jesus saith to him: I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No man cometh to the Father, but by me.
Until nations go back to the philosophy of natural law, and condemn both socialism and communism again, unless nations follow the Revelation of both the Old and New Testaments regarding morals and virtues, unless nations return to the Kingship of Christ, there will be no peace on earth.
We are the people of the Kingdom, but that kingdom is not a false, millennial utopia. It is the Kingdom of God, as taught by the one, holy, Catholic and apostolic Church.
Christ is to be King of our hearts, minds, souls and nations. We can either acknowledge His Kingship or reject it. If one rejects Christ as King, one must accept the consequences.
Matthew 25:12 Douay-Rheims: But he answering said: Amen I say to you, I know you not.
Christ the King will come again and separate the sheep and the goats. Please, please, do not be a goat.
I fear for the Catholic goats. I fear for those who are stubbornly supporting the enemies of the Church. Why cannot they see this?
Open Forum for American Readers
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| http://www.stpeterslist.com |
Do you think Catholics can support Rand Paul?
Who is the most likely candidate for Catholics to support for president?
Comments?
Padre Pio Day-One
As readers know, every once in awhile I need to do a Padre Pio day. Well, today and tomorrow are the days this month. Here are some great quotations from this timely saint. More tomorrow.....
" A soul who trusts in the Lord and place all its hope in him has nothing to fear. The enemy of our salvation is always around us to snatch from our hearts the anchor that is to lead us to salvation, by which I mean trust in God our Father. Let us keep a firm hold on this anchor and not relinquish it for a single moment."
"Hoe in God and expect everything that is good from him. Don't dwell on what the enemy presents to you...stop thinking of it and turn to God. Bend your knee before him and with the greatest humility say this short prayer, 'Have mercy on me a poor weakling.'"
"I am oppressed by the uncertainty of my future, but I cherish the lively hope of seeing my dreams fulfilled because the Lord cannot place thoughts and desires in a person's soul if he does not really intend to fulfill them, to gratify these longings which he alone has caused."
Is this not a good thought, that the real desires of our heart are from God? Thank you, Padre Pio.
Repeat post from the summer.....
Thursday, 1 August 2013
On factions, rumours, quarrels, divisions and schisms
I did not want to post so much today, but this is necessary. The Church is imploding from within. There are so many enemies at the gate, that we must become aware of our sins in causing problems within the Church.
Some problems cannot be avoided and must be directly addressed, such as heresy or schism.
In Corinthians, Paul writes of factions, most likely connected to rumours, quarrels, and other types of slander. Some translations use the term divisions, some factions.
I have noticed this happening more and more. The lack of charity among those who care about the Faith is almost as horrendous as the absence of charity among those who hate it.
Let me define these groupings, ending with schisms, to encourage an examination of conscience.
All these definitions are from the Oxford Dictionary on line.
One, factions. This is usually a political term, and refers to groupings, such as those we see in Egypt-Morsi and non-Morsi followers. those who want a Muslim theocracy, those who want a secular state and so on.
In the Church, factions could be ideologues, like those who have departed from the teachings of the true Church and want to change the Church's teachings on marriage, for example. If these people start acting politically, they become a faction.
Two, rumours. Rumours may be true or false, and involve talking about other people. As you know, I am from the Midwest, where MYOB is the rule for all-Mind Your Own Business. To me, rumour does not have to be false to be undermining a parish or community. Rumours involve gossip, which is a sin
a currently circulating story or report of uncertain or doubtful truth:they were investigating rumours of a massacre
a currently circulating story or report of uncertain or doubtful truth:they were investigating rumours of a massacre
[ mass noun] : rumour has it that he will take a year off
Three, quarrels. Now, there are some people who are confused about quarrels and arguments. That is because in the common language these mean the same thing. But, a quarrel involves anger, and subjectivity, as well as a lack of charity. A rational argument, as we see in Aquinas, or in debates, is an art being lost. This demands objectivity and the belief in objective truth.
Too many arguments, in the classical meaning, become quarrels, as people do not know how to argue points. I taught debate and logic, and when students finally learned to think objectively and avoid the fallacies. they understood the difference between formal argument and quarrels. For example, many Egyptians in the past three weeks have held up signs in Cairo stating they had no quarrel with the American people, but only Obama's policies. Arguments turn into quarrels when facts and objectivity are set aside.
Four-divisions, which are much more serious, and here I take the second definition for my purposes here. Divisions are created when people take sides. Now, sometimes what we believe in and who we are as Catholics create divisions. Christ Himselft said He came to divide, and that is part of the truth of being in the world but not of the world.
Divisions, however, can happen within the Church, and we can see that daily. The reason for divisions could be varied.
2 difference or disagreement between two or more groups, typically producing tension:a growing sense of division between north and southBut, we may cause division just by being good, orthodox Catholics.
Luke 12:49-56
Douay-Rheims
49 I am come to cast fire on the earth; and what will I, but that it be kindled?
50 And I have a baptism wherewith I am to be baptized: and how am I straitened until it be accomplished?
51 Think ye, that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, no; but separation.
52 For there shall be from henceforth five in one house divided: three against two, and two against three.
53 The father shall be divided against the son, and the son against his father, the mother against the daughter, and the daughter against the mother, the mother in law against her daughter in law, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.
54 And he said also to the multitudes: When you see a cloud rising from the west, presently you say: A shower is coming: and so it happeneth:
55 And when ye see the south wind blow, you say: There will be heat: and it cometh to pass.
56 You hypocrites, you know how to discern the face of the heaven and of the earth: but how is it that you do not discern this time?
If we are truly salt to the Earth, we shall cause divisions if we are orthodox. It just happens. It happens in
The last category today, as I could go on to heresies, is schism. Schism means that some people have decided to leave the Church either formally or informally. An individual who chooses disobedience may be in schism by being part of a schismatic group. Some of the Protestants started off in schism but quickly fell into heresy. One's immortal soul is in danger if one follows either a schismatic leader or a heretic.
St. Paul speaks to divisions in 1 Corinthians. Remember, the devil wants disruption. He is not only the Father of Lies, but the Father of Chaos and Confusion. Where there are factions, rumours, quarrels, divisions and schisms, you can be sure he and his minions are active.
10 Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no schisms among you; but that you be perfect in the same mind, and in the same judgment.
11 For it hath been signified unto me, my brethren, of you, by them that are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you.
12 Now this I say, that every one of you saith: I indeed am of Paul; and I am of Apollo; and I am of Cephas; and I of Christ.
13 Is Christ divided? Was Paul then crucified for you? or were you baptized in the name of Paul?
14 I give God thanks, that I baptized none of you but Crispus and Caius;
15 Lest any should say that you were baptized in my name.
16 And I baptized also the household of Stephanus; besides, I know not whether I baptized any other.
17 For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not in wisdom of speech, lest the cross of Christ should be made void.
18 For the word of the cross, to them indeed that perish, is foolishness; but to them that are saved, that is, to us, it is the power of God.
On the sadness of leaving friends
Vocations need to be supported by families, parishes, the existing clergy, bishops. To lose a good man can be a tragedy and undermine morale.
I have spoken to two seminarians in the recent past who have lost good friends in the past year. They were devastated. God bless them.
Pray for our young men in the seminaries. Fast and do penance for vocations. The journey is not easy. Notice in 2 Timothy the love St. Paul has for his fellow workers.
9 Do your best to come to me quickly,
11 Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me in my ministry. 12 I sent Tychicus to Ephesus. 13 When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, and my scrolls, especially the parchments.
19 Greet Priscilla and Aquila and the household of Onesiphorus. 20 Erastus stayed in Corinth, and I left Trophimus sick in Miletus. 21 Do your best to get here before winter. Eubulus greets you, and so do Pudens, Linus, Claudia and all the brothers.
Communities in the Vale of Tears
One of the advantages of living in Europe is that the continent experienced wars and hard times, learning to either live in a community or perish individually. The need for community seems to elude Catholics in America, as they continue to pretend that nothing horrible will happen to them in the future and that individuality is an American ideal to be preserved.
Do we know how to network? Is it possible to do so in your area? Some of the trad readers share with me that they are members of strong communities.
Many young people want community, but do they want to sacrifice the time needed to build such?
Ironically, the Catholic Church has taught a healthy balance between the personal responsibilities of the individual and the need for community life. For awhile, in the 1970s, some of us experienced communities among the laity, but these have faded.
Our parish lives have become less homogeneous and more and more people live far away from their local churches. Masses in one parish with which I am familiar only occur twice a week. Communities which use to go to daily Mass are dwindling from the lack of priests.
However, in my humble opinion, the laity must be responsible for building community. Families form the basis for communities and can gather the elderly who are alone and the singles. Families can even adopt priests and invite them into the homes, creating the link between the base communities and the hierarchy.
I highly recommend that lay people consider base communities now. Remember the Pope Emeritus' famous vision of the Church in the future. Small isolated communities in a sea of unbelief.....but communities.
Pray, think, reflect, act.
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