http://www.theguardian.com/books/2014/may/01/young-atheists-handbook-sent-secondary-schools?CMP=twt_gu
If you have a child in a state school, you are cooperating with evil in Britain.
Thursday, 1 May 2014
Attributes of God Series
Will continue tomorrow...if you cannot wait, just check out St. Thomas Aquinas.
STM
STM
A Sermon from a Teenager
Today, a student of mine gave me a sermon on the Beatitudes by explaining his homework. This is so illuminating, I must share it.
The Beatitudes reveal the Life of Christ, an idea first received from a sermon by Father Chad Ripperger. The student was instructed to apply the Beatitudes to the Life of Christ.. The student's comments are in red. And, as I helped him by adding two or three ideas, my comments are in blue.
Matthew 5:1-12
Douay-Rheims
5 And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain, and when he was set down, his disciples came unto him.
Introduction: God always appears to His People on mountains to show forth His Glory.....
Introduction: God always appears to His People on mountains to show forth His Glory.....
2 And opening his mouth, he taught them, saying:
3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
This refers to Christ, being poor in Bethlehem, being born in a stable, working as a carpenter, and being God, leaving glory to become a Man.
4 Blessed are the meek: for they shall possess the land.
This is Christ, being obedient to God and redeeming the world.
5 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
This is Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane, mourning over our sins and comforted by the angel and Redemption.
6 Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after justice: for they shall have their fill.
This is Christ, who hungered in the desert and was tempted but did not give in and was just.
7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
Christ was merciful on the Cross, forgiving all, so that we can be merciful.
8 Blessed are the clean of heart: for they shall see God.
Christ is all pure and perfect, and is with God and sees God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called children of God.
Christ bought peace through His Passion so that we all are saved in baptism, becoming children of God.
10 Blessed are they that suffer persecution for justice' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Christ was persecuted and like Him, we shall be.
11 Blessed are ye when they shall revile you, and persecute you, and speak all that is evil against you, untruly, for my sake:
Christ in Glory now overcame sin on the Cross and being reviled by men. He was taunted on the Cross.
12 Be glad and rejoice, for your reward is very great in heaven. For so they persecuted the prophets that were before you.
Christ rejoices in heaven in glory with all who follow Him, like Jeremiah and the prophets killed by the people.
Like all teachers, I learn something new everyday, and what a blessing to learn from my student today.
Our Lady of Sorrows, Pray for Us
A friend of mine abroad drew my attention to this shrine. I would love to go to Jerusalem.
A Quotation for My Friends in Great Britain
The Council of Jerusalem's restrictions for Gentiles....
Acts 15:20
Douay-Rheims
20 But that we write unto them, that they refrain themselves from the pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood.
Are there some things prepared for consumption offered to other gods but the One, Triune God?
Just wonderin'.
From Ireland to Iowa and Other Places Today
A fantastic blog story from here to add to the celebration of St. Joseph's Day.
http://vultus.stblogs.org/index.php/2014/04/saint-joseph-and-mother-mectilde/
Mectilde was given the miracle of Adoration in her monastery. I pray for the miracle of Adoration in Walsingham especially for the TLM priests and people.
http://vultus.stblogs.org/index.php/2014/04/saint-joseph-and-mother-mectilde/
Mectilde was given the miracle of Adoration in her monastery. I pray for the miracle of Adoration in Walsingham especially for the TLM priests and people.
Do Not Curse The Darkness-Official Prayer to St. John XXIII
Prayer to St. John XXIII
Dear Pope John,
Your simplicity and meekness carried the scent of God and sparked in people’s hearts the desire for goodness. You spoke often of the beauty of the family gathered around the table to share bread and faith: pray for us that once again true families would live in our homes.
With outstretched hands you sowed hope, and you taught us to listen for God’s footsteps as he prepares a new humanity: help us have a healthy optimism of defeating evil with good.
You loved the world with its light and darkness, and you believed that peace is possible: help us be instruments of peace at home and in our communities.
With paternal gentleness you gave all children a caress: you moved the world and reminded us that hands have been given to us not for striking, but for embracing and drying tears.
Pray for us so that we do not limit ourselves to cursing the darkness but that we bring the light, bringing Jesus everywhere and always praying to Mary. Amen.
Prayer to St. John Paul II-Official
Prayer to St. John Paul II
Oh, St. John Paul, from the window of heaven, grant us your blessing! Bless the church that you loved and served and guided, courageously leading it along the paths of the world in order to bring Jesus to everyone and everyone to Jesus. Bless the young, who were your great passion. Help them dream again, help them look up high again to find the light that illuminates the paths of life here on earth.
May you bless families, bless each family! You warned of Satan’s assault against this precious and indispensable divine spark that God lit on earth. St. John Paul, with your prayer, may you protect the family and every life that blossoms from the family.
Pray for the whole world, which is still marked by tensions, wars and injustice. You tackled war by invoking dialogue and planting the seeds of love: pray for us so that we may be tireless sowers of peace.
Oh St. John Paul, from heaven’s window, where we see you next to Mary, send God’s blessing down upon us all. Amen.
Prophecy Time
I think there are only seven months more of Catholic blog freedoms. Do not ask me why I say this.
Just do....after that, we shall either all be censured or constricted severely.
I give us until January, 2015 for the crunch time.
Just do....after that, we shall either all be censured or constricted severely.
I give us until January, 2015 for the crunch time.
Repost of a popular post
Thursday, 30 January 2014
How small is the remnant? Perfection II:viii
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| The Babylonian Captivity |
The idea of community connects with the idea that a remnant would need support in order to survive.
This is true. But, for a moment, let me write about what a remnant really is.
And, how big is a remnant?
First of all, two New Testament passages refer to the remnant. In the second passage, the "seed" is the remnant.
Second, the remnant is saved by grace, by election, that is chosen by God, and are those who have kept the Ten Commandments and have the testimony of Jesus Christ, which is baptism.
Third, the remnant is those who persevere. And, are purified. Remember, that purification begins with orthodoxy.
Fourth, the remnant is the Church Militant, not the Church Mushy.
Fifth, the remnant has always really been small, contrary to romantic history of the Church.
Sixth, the one, true Faith is the faith of the remnant.
Seventh, the remnant may or may not have the sacraments or priests, therefore, the habit of prayer and holiness must be part of the members' daily lives.
Eighth, the remnant will be separated and not in great groups. Think about this. The remnant will be surrounded by pagans.
Ninth, the remnant will be and is now, responsible for passing down the Faith to the next generation.
Tenth, the remnant will be mostly hidden.
Romans 11:5
Douay-Rheims
5 Even so then at this present time also, there is a remnant saved according to the election of grace.
Douay-Rheims
5 Even so then at this present time also, there is a remnant saved according to the election of grace.
Revelation 12:17
Douay-Rheims
17 And the dragon was angry against the woman: and went to make war with the rest of her seed, who keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.
Some people have been thinking out loud that few as 5,000 people in the future in Europe could be practicing, faithful Catholics. Does this shock you? This is not prophesy, but an idea which is extrapolated from numbers, events, observations. Be Catholic, be part of the remnant.
Douay-Rheims
17 And the dragon was angry against the woman: and went to make war with the rest of her seed, who keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.
Some people have been thinking out loud that few as 5,000 people in the future in Europe could be practicing, faithful Catholics. Does this shock you? This is not prophesy, but an idea which is extrapolated from numbers, events, observations. Be Catholic, be part of the remnant.
"Go Outside and Play!"
When I was little, and all the children in the family were in cantankerous moods, Mother would tell us to go outside and play.
What she needed was a bit of respite from arguing, but what happened is that once outside, we began playing together, finding common ground, and stopping the fighting.
Why? We had to create our own peaceful interactions, not having Mom step in, some of the siblings wanting that manipulation and some just wanting to get on with doing stuff (me).
Going outside meant we were on our own in the backyard and that we had to settle our differences in order to play, which was a command.
We did both. We either dropped the quibbling or we came to compromises, and then we played.
What is wrong with so many communities is that individuals are not willing to go outside and play. They do not want to find common ground.
This lack of understanding or an effort to understand comes from one source-pride.
The one extremely stubborn sibling was the hardest to convince to give up his insistence on his way and to play.
Sometimes he came around and sometimes he pouted. The rest of us hated pouting and saw his inability to join in as him hurting himself instead of enjoying the group.
Sadly, that sibling is still stubborn about things and wants things just his way. He has no friends.
Parishes can become cells of people who only want their own way and who refuse to compromise. Now, one cannot compromise about issues of morality or doctrine, but one can come to understanding about other things.
Pride hides as stubborn and self-righteousness. Pride wants everyone to agree with the holder of pride. Pride refuses to listen.
If there are conflicts in your parishes, try and find common ground. Go outside and play.
But, remember this as well. The Church will be and is fast becoming a remnant. This means that many, many people will not be saved. Do not pretend about some people's resistance to playing, to trying to come to the Truth.
Truth is a Living Person. He comes to all at some time in their lives.
Wednesday, 30 April 2014
Is Britain Christian?
Vatican City, (Zenit.org)
See more
http://www.zenit.org/en/articles/british-pm-and-ex-anglican-leader-debate-whether-uk-is-christian-or-post-christian?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:+zenit/english+(ZENIT+English)
Lord Williams, who retired from leader of the Church of England in 2012, told the Telegraph that widespread worship in Britain was a thing of the past and the UK no longer was a nation of believers. His statements soon were countered by Prime Minister David Cameron, asserting Britain as a “Christian country.”
Earlier this month in article for the Church Times, Cameron said Christians should be more evangelical about Christians making a difference in others’ lives.
Disagreeing with Cameron, 50 public figures wrote a letter asserting the UK was "non-religious" and a "plural" society. They said asserting otherwise would cause "division" and "alienation."
Lord Williams clarified that even if the UK is "post-Christian" that does not mean it’s "non-Christian," as the UK’s "cultural memory is still quite strongly Christian."
The former Anglican leader further explained it’s "post-Christian," in the sense that most of the population are not practicing Christians.
Clarifying what is meant by a "Christian nation," he said such a nation "can sound like a nation of committed believers." He continued, “we are not that, ” but added, "equally, we are not a nation of dedicated secularists."
He said it comes down to defining terms: "A Christian country as a nation of believers? No." However, if you consider a Christian country to be one “in the sense of still being very much saturated by this vision of the world and shaped by it?” He said, “Yes."
Reverend Justin Welby, current archbishop of Canterbury, has supported the prime minister's view of the UK as a Christian country and has written that it’s a "historical fact (perhaps unwelcome to some, but true)" that British culture, law, and ethics were founded on Christian teachings and traditions. (D.C.L.)
License to Kill? Persecution Watch in Britain
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/10794194/Doctors-who-oppose-morning-after-pill-on-conscience-grounds-face-qualifications-bar.html
They class Roman Catholics and others motivated by pro-life beliefs as “ineligible” for important qualifications provided by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) even if they complete the training programme.
It led to accusations that the Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare, a branch of the RCOG, is unfairly discriminating against medical staff who act on grounds of conscience.
My phrase of the day
If you have a choice between dealing or living with either barbarians or civilized men, choose the civilized.
Law and Marriage
http://canonlawblog.wordpress.com/2014/04/17/was-jackie-o-excommunicated/
Interesting, but the good canon lawyer left out one huge possibility; that the marriage was never consummated and was never intended to be.
Many of us thought that Jackie wanted privacy and protection. Ari gave this to her in exchange for a "trophy wife" but, perhaps, not a wife.
Just a possibility which would change the entire argument....
Interesting, but the good canon lawyer left out one huge possibility; that the marriage was never consummated and was never intended to be.
Many of us thought that Jackie wanted privacy and protection. Ari gave this to her in exchange for a "trophy wife" but, perhaps, not a wife.
Just a possibility which would change the entire argument....
Comment on The Deacon
I have supported Deacon Donnelly and his blog for a long time. I, therefore, would like to make some statements from this blog, as there are many people hurt and angry by the recent decision in his diocese.
First of all, the Deacon is not a lay person, he is a clergyman. His main role is not journalism, but administering certain sacraments, helping the priests and bishops, and organizing charitable works. Those are the main duties of any deacon in the Catholic Church.
Second of all, the Deacon is under obedience to his bishop in a manner which does not apply to us lay people. We are free of the hierarchical restrictions, right or wrong, of the Church. Even St. Nicholas spent a few days in prison unjustly, but he obediently waited for God's intervention. Obedience is a higher virtue than preaching. There is no merit in obeying some authority with whom one agrees.
Third, I was uncomfortable with both the censure and with the carrying on of the blog. Any bishop has a right to intervene in clergy activities. Now, if the bishop is in error, a lay person may disagree and carry on, but not the clergyman involved, which means that I considered the carrying on of the blog by others as not in the spirit of obedience. If I were a deacon's wife, I would not have continued the blog. Personal holiness and the holiness of relationship are more important than journalism.
Fourth, blogging is not the main way of spreading the Gospel. We do this in our daily lives, in our parishes, in our homes. The role of the blogger is like that of the journalist. To me, this is primarily the role of the laity, not the clergy. Journalism becomes political, and the clergy are not to be involved in politics, unless that is the charism of a particular order, such as Priests for Life. Blogging is important, otherwise I would not do it, but canonically, I do not have the same relationship with any bishop that a deacon would have. Deacon Donnelly has many ways of serving God and the Church besides blogging. A lay person may easily pick up his blog and do it under a different name, but doing the same good work. There are many talented and bright lay people in England who could do the same thing as the Deacon was doing. Just do it.
Fifth, pray for the bishop. Hatred and rancor do not convert hearts and minds. Love and forgiveness do.
Lastly, unless you are living in the Deacons' diocese, this is not your immediate fight. We must work on our own turf. Those who are in the same diocese as the Deacon may respond to their bishop respectfully on this. However, if those who want to support him can do so properly and with respect, indeed, write to the bishop. Again, the Deacon was ordained for a specific diocese, not for the universal Church. The universal Church is our backyard as laity secondarily, not primarily and the same is even more true for a deacon or priest who has been ordained in and for a diocese. There are some clergy exceptions to this, but those exceptions must have the backing of their bishop. Notice that Michael Voris was obedient even though he did not have to respond is such a way but dropping the name Catholic from his TV network. I realize he did not own the name, and worked for another media group, but change he did.
There are other virtues to develop other than writing and journalism skills. Maybe God is calling the Deacon to a higher holiness through this unfortunate situation. We should pray for all involved.
I shall miss the blog, but I am sure a good lay person can do the same service to the Church in Great Britain.
First of all, the Deacon is not a lay person, he is a clergyman. His main role is not journalism, but administering certain sacraments, helping the priests and bishops, and organizing charitable works. Those are the main duties of any deacon in the Catholic Church.
Second of all, the Deacon is under obedience to his bishop in a manner which does not apply to us lay people. We are free of the hierarchical restrictions, right or wrong, of the Church. Even St. Nicholas spent a few days in prison unjustly, but he obediently waited for God's intervention. Obedience is a higher virtue than preaching. There is no merit in obeying some authority with whom one agrees.
Third, I was uncomfortable with both the censure and with the carrying on of the blog. Any bishop has a right to intervene in clergy activities. Now, if the bishop is in error, a lay person may disagree and carry on, but not the clergyman involved, which means that I considered the carrying on of the blog by others as not in the spirit of obedience. If I were a deacon's wife, I would not have continued the blog. Personal holiness and the holiness of relationship are more important than journalism.
Fourth, blogging is not the main way of spreading the Gospel. We do this in our daily lives, in our parishes, in our homes. The role of the blogger is like that of the journalist. To me, this is primarily the role of the laity, not the clergy. Journalism becomes political, and the clergy are not to be involved in politics, unless that is the charism of a particular order, such as Priests for Life. Blogging is important, otherwise I would not do it, but canonically, I do not have the same relationship with any bishop that a deacon would have. Deacon Donnelly has many ways of serving God and the Church besides blogging. A lay person may easily pick up his blog and do it under a different name, but doing the same good work. There are many talented and bright lay people in England who could do the same thing as the Deacon was doing. Just do it.
Fifth, pray for the bishop. Hatred and rancor do not convert hearts and minds. Love and forgiveness do.
Lastly, unless you are living in the Deacons' diocese, this is not your immediate fight. We must work on our own turf. Those who are in the same diocese as the Deacon may respond to their bishop respectfully on this. However, if those who want to support him can do so properly and with respect, indeed, write to the bishop. Again, the Deacon was ordained for a specific diocese, not for the universal Church. The universal Church is our backyard as laity secondarily, not primarily and the same is even more true for a deacon or priest who has been ordained in and for a diocese. There are some clergy exceptions to this, but those exceptions must have the backing of their bishop. Notice that Michael Voris was obedient even though he did not have to respond is such a way but dropping the name Catholic from his TV network. I realize he did not own the name, and worked for another media group, but change he did.
There are other virtues to develop other than writing and journalism skills. Maybe God is calling the Deacon to a higher holiness through this unfortunate situation. We should pray for all involved.
I shall miss the blog, but I am sure a good lay person can do the same service to the Church in Great Britain.
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