Our Plans and God's Plans

"Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails."
~ Proverbs 19:21

Have you ever heard of someone who spent years of preparation for one vocation only to end up doing something completely different? Perhaps this could be said of you. Quite often we have in our minds what we believe we want to do only to have a course correction. Often the course correction comes through a major crisis that forces us into an area that we would never have considered.

Such was the case for Samuel Morse. Born in 1791, Morse grew up desiring to be an artist, and he eventually became very talented and internationally known. However, it was difficult to make a living as an artist in America during that time. A series of crises further complicated his vocational desire when his wife died; then his mother and father also died soon after. He went to Europe to paint and reflecton his life. On his return trip aboard a ship, he was captivated by discussions at dinner about new experiments in electro magnetism. During that important occasion, Morse made the following comment, "If the presence of electricity can be made visible in any part of the circuit,I see no reason why intelligence may not be transmitted by electricity."

In the face of many difficulties and disappointments, he determinedly perfected a new invention, and, in 1837, applied for a patent that became what we know today as the telegraph. He also created Morse code.It was only later, after many more setbacks and disappointments, tha this projects received funding.

Samuel Morse later commented, "The only gleam of hope, and I cannot underrate it, is from confidence in God. When I look upward it calms any apprehension for the future, and I seem to hear a voice saying: 'If I clothe the lilies of the field, shall I not also clothe you?' Here is my strong confidence, and I will wait patiently for the direction ofProvidence."

Morse went on to create several other inventions and can be recognized today as the father of faxes, modems, e-mail, the internet and other electronic communication. ["Glimpses," Issue #99 (Worcester,Pennsylvania: Christian History Institute, 1998).]

God's plans may not always seem to follow our natural inclination.Perhaps God has you taking a path that may not lead to His ultimate destination for you.

Trust in the Lord, lean not on your own understanding, acknowledge Him in all you do, and He shall direct your path (see Prov. 3:5-6).

How Soon Baptism?

Q: My daughter and son-in-law are expecting their first child next month. Because we live many miles from the godparents, my daughter wants to have the baby given a special blessing by the priest in the hospital and wait some months until Memorial Day weekend to have the Baptism. Is there a rule not allowing this?

A: Canon #867 states that, if an infant is in danger of death, it is to be baptized without any delay. Under ordinary circumstances, states Canon #867, parents are to see to the Baptisms of their infants within the first few weeks: "As soon as possible after birth, even before it, they are to approach the parish priest to ask for the sacrament for their child and to be themselves prepared for it."

The first consideration in determining the time is the welfare of the child, says Father John Huels, O.S.M., in the Pastoral Companion (Franciscan Press).

Also to be taken into account is the health of the mother so that if possible she may be present for the Baptism. There may also be necessary some time to prepare the parents for the sacrament and to plan the ceremony.

Father Huels notes that the phrase "within the first weeks after birth" may be interpreted broadly to allow for special family considerations, for example, to await the return of a family member who lives out of town.

Sts. Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus

The actions of these two influential Jewish leaders give insight into the charismatic power of Jesus and his teachings—and the risks that could be involved in following him.

Joseph was a respected, wealthy civic leader who had become a disciple of Jesus. Following the death of Jesus, Joseph obtained Jesus' body from Pilate, wrapped it in fine linen and buried it. For these reasons Joseph is considered the patron saint of funeral directors and pallbearers. More important is the courage Joseph showed in asking Pilate for Jesus' body. Jesus was a condemned criminal who had been publicly executed. According to some legends, Joseph was punished and imprisoned for such a bold act.

Nicodemus was a Pharisee and, like Joseph, an important first-century Jew. We know from John's Gospel that Nicodemus went to Jesus at night—secretly—to better understand his teachings about the kingdom. Later, Nicodemus spoke up for Jesus at the time of his arrest and assisted in Jesus' burial. We know little else about Nicodemus.

Jesus in Our Lives:

In each of our lives, Jesus comes as the Bread of Life—to be eaten, to be consumed by us. This is how he loves us. Then Jesus comes in our human life as the hungry one, the other, hoping to be fed by the love in our heart, by the service of our hands.

Wiser Than Men:

Children, who play life, discern its true law and relations more clearly than grown men and women, who fail to live it worthily, but who think they are wiser by experience, that is, by failure.

Illness – Faith: People brought the sick and dying to Jesus to be cured. We too should seek Jesus when we are in need. However, we should seek Jesus with a sincere heart that loves Him and not to use Him solely in time of need. What signs in your life show that you love Jesus?

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You cannot have God for your Father if you do not have the Church for your mother.... God is one and Christ is one, and his Church is one; one is the faith, and one is the people cemented together by harmony into the strong unity of a body.

- Saint Cyprian (200 - 258)

Grace

..."Peace be with you!" ~ John 20:19

How would you respond to a group of fellow workers if you were their leader and you poured your life into them, teaching them all you know for three years, only to have them disband and go their own way when troubles came? What would you say to them after you were reunited for the first time? Perhaps you might scold them. Perhaps you might cite each one's offense. At the least, you might shame them for their lack of faithfulness and courage.

After Jesus was crucified and raised from the dead, He appeared to the disciples. His first words to them were, "Peace be with you!" The word grace means "unmerited favor." When someone loves you unconditionally,without regard to your behavior in return, it becomes a powerful force in your life. Such was the case for the disciples when Jesus appeared to them. They could have expected reprimand. Instead, they received unconditional love and acceptance. He was overjoyed to see them. They were equally overjoyed to see Him.

Jesus understood that the disciples needed to fail Him as part of their training. It would be this failure that became their greatest motivation for service. Failure allowed them to experience incredible grace for the very first time. Grace would transform them as human beings.

Have you experienced this grace in your life? Have you extended grace to those who have hurt you? Can you let go of any wrongs that have come through friends or associates? The grace you extend may change their lives-and yours.

Old Testament Saints

Q: I have researched in The Catholic Encyclopedia and Lives of the Saints, but cannot find what I wish to know. Are the holy men and women of the Old Testament, for example, Aaron, Moses, Daniel, David, Abraham, Samuel, Sarah, Rebecca, Ruth, etc., considered saints? Are feast days assigned to them and, if so, what days are they?

A: Some of the Old Testament names you mention can be found in The Book of Saints compiled by the Benedictine monks of St. Augustine’s, Ramsgate, published by Macmillan Company. Some of these names may also be found in lists of Christian names—without any notation of sanctity or a cult. In other dictionaries of the saints, there simply are no listings for these biblical figures.

In The Book of Saints the Ramsgate monks use three different designations: 1) R.M., listed in the Roman Martyrology, 2) A.C., Approved Cult (there is positive evidence the person was venerated as a saint) and 3) P.C., Popular Cult (the person was referred to as a saint by ancient writers).

At the same time, remember there was no formal process of canonization until 993. Earlier than that, people were accepted as saints by common opinion.

The Ramsgate book tells us of the feast days of Abraham (October 9), David (December 29), Moses (September 9) and Samuel (August 20), which are to be found listed in the Roman Martyrology. The Greeks celebrate a feast of David and all the ancestors of Jesus on December 19. Adam and Eve, December 24, are listed as having an approved cult.

Please remember this book of saints was published before the 1969 revision of the calendar and the revision of the Martyrology still under way.

Total Surrender:

We will be the happiest people in the world if we belong to God, if we place ourselves at his disposal, if we let him use us as he pleases. To be this happy, we must belong to Jesus fully without reservation. He alone is worthy of our love and our total surrender.

Speaking Up:

First, they came for the terrorists, and I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a terrorist.Then they came for the foreigners, and I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a foreigner.Then they came for the Arab-Americans, and I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t Arab-American.Then they came for the radical dissenters, and I didn’t speak up because I was just an ordinary citizen.Then they came for me, by which time there was no one left to speak up for me.

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Take good care for the aged, for in them you are caring for Christ Himself.

- Blessed Jeanne Jugan (1792-1882)

What is Life????

Life isn't about keeping score.
It's not about how many friends you have
Or how accepted you are.
Not about if you have plans this weekend or if you're alone.

It isn't about who you're dating,
who you used to date,
how many people you've dated,
or if you haven't been with anyone at all.

It isn't about who you have kissed,
It's not about sex.
It isn't about who your family is or how much money they have
Or what kind of car you drive.
Or where you are sent to school.

It's not about how beautiful or ugly you are.
Or what clothes you wear, what shoes you have on,
or what kind of music you listen to.

It's not about if your hair is blonde, red, black, or brown
Or if your skin is too light or too dark.
Not about what grades you get, how smart you are,
how smart everybody else thinks you are,
or how smart standardized tests say you are.

It's not about what clubs you're in or how good you are at "your" sport.
It's not about representing your whole being on a piece of paper and seeing who will "accept the written you."

LIFE JUST ISN'T.

But life is about who you love and who you hurt.

It's about who you make happy or unhappy purposefully.

It's about keeping or betraying trust.

It's about friendship, used as a sanctity or a weapon.

It's about what you say and mean, maybe hurtful, maybe heartening.About starting rumors and contributing to petty gossip.

It's about who you've ignored with full control and intention.

It's about jealousy, fear, ignorance, and revenge.

It's about carrying inner hate and love, letting it grow, and spreading it.

But most of all, it's about using your life to touch or poison other people's hearts in such a way that could have never occurred alone.

Only you choose the way those hearts are affected, and those choices are what life's all about.

A Real Friend

A Friend will stand by you even when you are wrong...

A simple friend identifies himself when he calls.
A real friend doesn't have to.

A simple friend opens a conversation with a full news bulletin on his life.
A real friend says, "What's new with you?"

A simple friend thinks the problems you whine about are recent.
A real friend says, "You've been whining about the same thing for 14 years. Get off your duff and do something about it."

A simple friend has never seen you cry.
A real friend has shoulders soggy from your tears.

A simple friend doesn't know your parents' first names.
A real friend has their phone numbers in his address book.

A simple friend brings a bottle of wine to your party.
A real friend comes early to help you cook and stays late to help you clean.

A simple friend hates it when you call after he has gone to bed.
A real friend asks you why you took so long to call.

A simple friend seeks to talk with you about your problems.
A real friend seeks to help you with your problems.

A simple friend wonders about your romantic history.
A real friend could blackmail you with it.

A simple friend, when visiting, acts like a guest.
A real friend opens your refrigerator and helps himself.

A simple friend thinks the friendship is over when you have an argument.
A real friend knows that it's not a friendship until after you've had a fight.

A simple friend expects you to always be there for them.
A real friend expects to always be there for you!

If God knows I'm sorry for my sins, why confess to a priest?

The most important thing that happens in the Sacrament of Reconciliation is what Jesus does. While the examination of conscience, sorrow for sin, telling the sins to the priest and acts of satisfaction are all important elements on our part: Going through these steps helps us find forgiveness. The key to understanding the sacrament today, though, is to focus on God's part. The Sacrament celebrates God's gift of reconciliation and peace.

Click here to read a full article on this topic.

Beheading of John the Baptist

The drunken oath of a king with a shallow sense of honor, a seductive dance and the hateful heart of a queen combined to bring about the martyrdom of John the Baptist. The greatest of prophets suffered the fate of so many Old Testament prophets before him: rejection and martyrdom. The “voice crying in the desert” did not hesitate to accuse the guilty, did not hesitate to speak the truth. But why? What possesses a man that he would give up his very life?

This great religious reformer was sent by God to prepare the people for the Messiah. His vocation was one of selfless giving. The only power that he claimed was the Spirit of Yahweh. “I am baptizing you with water, for repentance, but the one who is coming after me is mightier than I. I am not worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire” (Matthew 3:11).

Scripture tells us that many people followed John looking to him for hope, perhaps in anticipation of some great messianic power. John never allowed himself the false honor of receiving these people for his own glory. He knew his calling was one of preparation. When the time came, he led his disciples to Jesus: “The next day John was there again with two of his disciples, and as he watched Jesus walk by, he said, ‘Behold, the Lamb of God.’ The two disciples heard what he said and followed Jesus” (John 1:35-37).

It is John the Baptist who has pointed the way to Christ. John’s life and death were a giving over of self for God and other people. His simple style of life was one of complete detachment from earthly possessions. His heart was centered on God and the call that he heard from the Spirit of God speaking to his heart. Confident of God’s grace, he had the courage to speak words of condemnation or repentance, of salvation.

Comment:

Each of us has a calling to which we must listen. No one will ever repeat the mission of John, and yet all of us are called to that very mission. It is the role of the Christian to witness to Jesus. Whatever our position in this world, we are called to be disciples of Christ. By our words and deeds others should realize that we live in the joy of knowing that Jesus is Lord. We do not have to depend upon our own limited resources, but can draw strength from the vastness of Christ’s saving grace.

Quote:

“So they came to John and said to him, ‘Rabbi, the one who was with you across the Jordan, to whom you testified, here he is baptizing and everyone is coming to him.’ John answered and said, ‘No one can receive anything except what has been given him from heaven. You yourselves can testify that I said [that] I am not the Messiah, but that I was sent before him. The one who has the bride is the bridegroom; the best man, who stands and listens for him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom’s voice. So this joy of mine has been made complete. He must increase; I must decrease’” (John 3:26–30).

Longing for God:

Every human being has a longing for God. Christians go one step further—not only do we long for God but we have the treasure of his presence always with us.

Death – Faith:

Many have died for their faith rather than to denounce Jesus as the Saviour of all humankind. To lose our faith in Jesus is to lose the deepest meaning of life and why we ought to love others selflessly. Can you imagine what our lives would be like without our faith in Jesus?

Breaking the Spell:

Without being forgiven, released from the consequences of what we have done, our capacity to act would, as it were, be confined to a single deed from which we could never recover; we would remain the victims of its consequences forever, not unlike the sorcerer's apprentice who lacked the magic formula to break the spell.

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To endure temporal agonies for the sake of the truth was not a heavy burden for such men as John; rather is was easily borne and even desirable, for he knew eternal joy would be his reward.... Hence the apostle Paul rightly says: "You have been granted the privilege not only to believe in Christ but also to suffer for his sake." He tells us why it is Christ's gift that his chosen ones should suffer for him: "The sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed in us.

- Saint Bede the Venerable (Homily of the death of St. John the Baptist)

22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time (A)

Jer 20:7-9
Ps 63:2, 3-4, 5-6, 8-9
Rm 12:1-2
Mt 16:21-27

Hello, I’m Franciscan Father Greg Friedman, with the “Sunday Soundbite” for the Twenty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time.

A Franciscan story tells how St. Francis was about to send some of his brothers to preach in a hostile, pagan land. Everyone expected them to suffer martyrdom, and so those who weren’t going crowded around the missionaries, secretly hoping to boast later how they had met such saintly martyrs.

One timid friar in line was horrified when one of the missionaries told him, “So Brother Jordan, you, too, will come with us?” The young friar recoiled in shock, but then thought, “What if it’s the inspiration of the Holy Spirit that I go?” He took his dilemma to Francis himself, who advised him to follow his heart. Brother Jordan did accompany the missionaries, and survived to chronicle their exploits.

We may smile at the tale of the timid friar afraid to face martyrdom. But what would your reaction be? In today’s liturgy, the prophet Jeremiah, along with Saints Paul and Peter, are featured in Scriptural passages that evoke their own struggle with the possibility of martyrdom. What were their fears, their dilemmas, their response, in the face of God’s call?

The challenge of the Gospel for us rarely comes so directly. But it remains real. Day-to-day, there’s a lot we cling to. We want to save face, keep from rocking the boat, avoid the embarrassment of taking an unpopular stand. But at what cost?

Scripture:

•But then it becomes like fire burning in my heart, imprisoned in my bones; I grow weary holding it in, I cannot endure it. (Jeremiah 20:9b)

•…for your kindness is a greater good than life… (Psalm 63:4a)

•Do not conform yourselves to this age but be transformed by the renewal of your mind… (Romans 12:2)

•You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do. (Matthew 16:23b)•Or what can one give in exchange for his life? (Matthew 16:26b)

Reflection:

•How is God’s wisdom not human wisdom?

•How do you let God find you and instill God’s wisdom?

Man’s last and highest parting occurs when for God’s sake he takes leave of God. St. Paul takes leave of God for God’s sake and gave up all that he might get from God, as well as all he might give—together with every idea of God.

In parting with these, he parted with God for God’s sake and God remained to him as God is in his own nature—not as he is conceived by anyone to be—nor yet as something to be achieved, but more as an is-ness, as God really is.

Then he neither gave to God nor received anything from him, for he and God were a unit, that is pure unity. Thus one becomes that real person for whom there can be no suffering, any more than the divine essence can suffer.

St. Augustine (354-430)

A Christian at 33, a priest at 36, a bishop at 41: many people are familiar with the biographical sketch of Augustine of Hippo, sinner turned saint. But really to get to know the man is a rewarding experience.

There quickly surfaces the intensity with which he lived his life, whether his path led away from or toward God. The tears of his mother, the instructions of Ambrose and, most of all, God himself speaking to him in the Scriptures redirected Augustine’s love of life to a life of love.
Having been so deeply immersed in creature-pride of life in his early days and having drunk deeply of its bitter dregs, it is not surprising that Augustine should have turned, with a holy fierceness, against the many demon-thrusts rampant in his day. His times were truly decadent—politically, socially, morally. He was both feared and loved, like the Master. The perennial criticism leveled against him: a fundamental rigorism.

In his day, he providentially fulfilled the office of prophet. Like Jeremiah and other greats, he was hard-pressed but could not keep quiet. “I say to myself, I will not mention him,/I will speak in his name no more./But then it becomes like fire burning in my heart,/imprisoned in my bones;/I grow weary holding it in,/I cannot endure it” (Jeremiah 20:9).

Comment:

Augustine is still acclaimed and condemned in our day. He is a prophet for today, trumpeting the need to scrap escapisms and stand face-to-face with personal responsibility and dignity.

Quote:

“Too late have I loved you, O Beauty of ancient days, yet ever new! Too late I loved you! And behold, you were within, and I abroad, and there I searched for you; I was deformed, plunging amid those fair forms, which you had made. You were with me, but I was not with you. Things held me far from you—things which, if they were not in you, were not at all. You called, and shouted, and burst my deafness. You flashed and shone, and scattered my blindness. You breathed odors and I drew in breath—and I pant for you. I tasted, and I hunger and thirst. You touched me, and I burned for your peace” (St. Augustine, Confessions).

Confession:

Spiritual life begins with a good and sincere confession. Why confession? It is necessary for us to be free. If we are hiding or controlled by sin, we cannot be free. Sin…destroys life. Confession is as important to Jesus as it is to us.

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Conquer yourself and the world lies at your feet.

- St. Augustine of Hippo (354-430)

St. Monica (322-387)

"God of mercy, comfort of those in sorrow, the tears of St. Monica moved you to convert her son, St. Augustine, to the faith of Christ. By their prayers, help us to turn from our sins and to find your loving forgiveness."

The circumstances of St. Monica’s life could have made her a nagging wife, a bitter daughter-in-law and a despairing parent, yet she did not give way to any of these temptations. Although she was a Christian, her parents gave her in marriage to a pagan, Patricius, who lived in her hometown of Tagaste in North Africa.

Patricius had some redeeming features, but he had a violent temper and was licentious. Monica also had to bear with a cantankerous mother-in-law who lived in her home. Patricius criticized his wife because of her charity and piety, but always respected her. Monica’s prayers and example finally won her husband and mother-in-law to Christianity. Her husband died in 371, one year after his Baptism.

Monica had at least three children who survived infancy. The oldest, Augustine, is the most famous. At the time of his father’s death, Augustine was 17 and a rhetoric student in Carthage. Monica was distressed to learn that her son had accepted the Manichean heresy and was living an immoral life. For a while, she refused to let him eat or sleep in her house. Then one night she had a vision that assured her Augustine would return to the faith. From that time on she stayed close to her son, praying and fasting for him. In fact, she often stayed much closer than Augustine wanted.

When he was 29, Augustine decided to go to Rome to teach rhetoric. Monica was determined to go along. One night he told his mother that he was going to the dock to say goodbye to a friend. Instead, he set sail for Rome. Monica was heartbroken when she learned of Augustine’s trick, but she still followed him. She arrived in Rome only to find that he had left for Milan. Although travel was difficult, Monica pursued him to Milan.

In Milan Augustine came under the influence of the bishop, St. Ambrose, who also became Monica’s spiritual director. She accepted his advice in everything and had the humility to give up some practices that had become second nature to her (see Quote, below). Monica became a leader of the devout women in Milan as she had been in Tagaste.

She continued her prayers for Augustine during his years of instruction. At Easter, 387, St. Ambrose baptized Augustine and several of his friends. Soon after, his party left for Africa. Although no one else was aware of it, Monica knew her life was near the end. She told Augustine, “Son, nothing in this world now affords me delight. I do not know what there is now left for me to do or why I am still here, all my hopes in this world being now fulfilled.” She became ill shortly after and suffered severely for nine days before her death.

Almost all we know about St. Monica is in the writings of St. Augustine, especially his Confessions.

Comment:

Today, with Internet searches, e-mail shopping and instant credit, we have little patience for things that take time. Likewise, we want instant answers to our prayers. Monica is a model of patience. Her long years of prayer, coupled with a strong, well-disciplined character, finally led to the conversion of her hot-tempered husband, her cantankerous mother-in-law and her brilliant but wayward son, Augustine.

Quote:

When Monica moved from North Africa to Milan, she found religious practices new to her and also that some of her former customs, such as a Saturday fast, were not common there. She asked St. Ambrose which customs she should follow. His classic reply was: “When I am here, I do not fast on Saturday, but I fast when I am in Rome; do the same and always follow the custom and discipline of the Church as it is observed in the particular locality in which you find yourself.”

Why is this Church called "catholic?"

The original meaning of the word catholic is "universal." The Church was first called catholic in ancient times after the entire Roman Empire had been converted to Christianity.

The Catholic Church still has a worldwide faith, and the Church's vision is still universal. The Catholic Church is also a multicultural Church. It is not just European and American but also Latino and African and Asian. People of every race and culture embrace the Catholic faith and are embraced by the universal Church.

Because the Church is universal, it calls us to a universal vision. As the world gets smaller every year, we need to regard everyone in it as our neighbor.

Click here to read a full article on this topic.

Son, nothing in this world now affords me delight. I do not know what there is now for me to do or why I am still here, all my hopes in this world being now fulfilled.

- St. Monica, on the conversion of St. Augustine

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Solidarity:

Help us to see good in others, God of Solidarity, as we work to create a world where all people respect one another. Let us dream, work and pray together. Amen.

Faith

A young man who had been raised as an atheist was
training to be an Olympic diver.

The only religious influence in his life came from
his outspoken Christian friend.

The young diver never really paid much
attention to his friend's witnessing, but he heard it often.

One night the diver went to the indoor pool
at the college he attended.

The lights were all off, but as the pool had big
skylights and the moon was bright,
there was plenty of light to practice by.

The young man climbed up to the
highest diving board and as he turned his back to
the pool on the edge of the board and extended
his arms out, he saw his shadow on the wall.

The shadow of his body was in the
shape of a cross.

Instead of diving, he knelt down
and finally invited Jesus into his heart.

As the young man stood, a maintenance man
walked in and turned the lights on.

The pool had been drained for repairs.

~author unknown~

I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me. Phil 4:13

Kids letters to God.....a light hearted moment

Dear God,

Did you mean for the giraffe to look like that or was it an accident?

Norma

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Dear God,

Instead of letting people die and having to make new ones, why don't you just keep the ones you have now?

Jane

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Dear God,

Who draws the lines around the countries?

Nan

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Dear God,

I went to this wedding and they kissed right in church. Is that okay?

Neil

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Dear God,

Thank you for my baby brother, but what I prayed for was a puppy.

Joyce

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Dear God,

It rained for our whole vacation and is my father mad! He said some things about you that people are not supposed to say, but I hope you will not hurt him anyway.

Your friend (but I am not going to tell you who I am)

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Dear God,

Please send me a pony. I never asked for anything before. You can look it up.

Bruce

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Dear God,

I want to be just like my daddy when I get big, but not with so much hair all over.

Sam

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Dear God,

I think about you sometimes, even when I'm not praying.

Elliott

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Dear God,

bet it is very hard for you to love all the people in the world. There are only four people in our family and I can never do it.

Nan

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Dear God,

Of all the people who worked for you, I like Noah and David the best.

Rob

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Dear God,

My brothers told me about being born, but it doesn't sound right. They are just kidding, aren't they?

Marsha

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Dear God,

If you watch me in church Sunday, I'll show you my new shoes.

Mickey

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Dear God,

We read Thomas Edison made light. But in Sunday school, we learned that you did it. So I bet he stole your idea.

Sincerely,Donna

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Dear God,

I do not think anybody could be a better God. Well, I just want you to know that I am not just saying this because you are God already.

Charles

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Dear God,

I didn't think orange went with purple until I saw the sunset you made on Tuesday. That was cool!

Eugene

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Dear God,

Maybe Cain and Abel would not kill each other so much if they had their own rooms. It works with my brother.

Larry

Prayers cannot be answered until they are prayed

Life without purpose is barren indeed
There can't be a harvest unless we plant seed.
There can't be attainment unless there is a goal,
And man's but a robot unless there's a soul.
If we send no ships out, no ships will come in,
And unless there's a contest, nobody will win.
For games can't be won unless they are played,
And prayers can't be answered unless they are prayed.

So whatever is wrong with your life today,
You'll find a solution if you kneel down and pray;
Not just for honours and prestige and wealth,
But pray for a purpose to make life worth living,
And pray for the Joy of unselfish giving.
For great is your gladness and rich your reward,
When you make your life's purpose the choice of the LORD.

3 Things

Three things in life that, once gone, never come back -

Time
Words
Opportunity

Three things in life that may never be lost -

Peace
Hope
Honesty

Three things in life that are most valuable -

Love
Self-confidence
Friends

Three things in life that are never certain -

Dreams
Success
Fortune

Three things that make a man/woman -

Hard work
Sincerity
Commitment

Three things in life that can destroy a man/woman -

Alcohol
Pride
Anger

Three things that are truly constant -

Father
Son
Holy Ghost

I ask the Lord to bless you, as I pray for you today; to guide you and protect you, as you go along your way.His love is always with you, His promises are true. And when you give Him all your cares, you know He'll see you through.

Show Kindness:

With the breath of your spirit emboldening us, O God, we believe that we can learn to show kindness for your people even when we do not feel kind. Send us with strength. Free us from fear of hurt and let the spirit’s breath touch all with hope. Nourish us with foods to walk the path of kindness. Amen.

Impractical, Immoral:

Violence as a way of achieving justice is both impractical and immoral. It is impractical because it is a descending spiral ending in destruction for all. The old law of an eye for an eye leaves everybody blind. It is immoral because it seeks to humiliate the opponent rather than win his understanding; it seeks to annihilate rather than to convert.

Violence is immoral because it thrives on hatred rather than love. It destroys community and makes brotherhood impossible. It leaves society in monologue rather than dialogue. Violence ends by defeating itself. It creates bitterness in the survivors and brutality in the destroyers.

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The way to Heaven is straight and narrow: they who wish to arrive at that place of bliss by walking in the paths of pleasure shall be disappointed; and therefore few reach it, because few are willing to use violence to themselves in resisting temptations.

- St Alphonsus de Liguori

Strength and Courage

It takes strength to be firm.
It takes courage to be gentle.

It takes strength to stand guard.
It takes courage to let down your guard.

It takes strength to conquer.
It takes courage to surrender.

It takes strength to be certain.
It takes courage to have doubt.

It takes strength to fit in.
It takes courage to stand out.

It takes strength to feel a friend’s pain.
It takes courage to feel your own pain.

It takes strength to hide your own pains.
It takes courage to show them.

It takes strength to endure abuse.
It takes courage to stop it.

It takes strength to stand alone.
It takes courage to lean on another.

It takes strength to love.
It takes courage to be loved.

It takes strength to survive.
It takes courage to live.

-Author Unknown-

A Scorpion Moment

There was this Hindu who saw a scorpion floundering around in the water. He decided to save it by stretching out his finger, but the scorpion stung him. The man still tried to get the scorpion out of the water, but the scorpion stung him again.

A man nearby told him to stop saving the scorpion that kept stinging him. But the Hindu said: "It is the nature of the scorpion to sting. It is my nature to love. Why should I give up my nature to love just because it is the nature of the scorpion to sting?"

Don't give up loving.
Don't give up your goodness.
Even if people around you sting.

Is being gay a sin?

No. Since in most cases homosexuality is discerned or discovered, and not freely chosen, the Catholic Church teaches that it is not automatically a sin. The Church is fairly accepting toward homosexual persons who discover their desires and inclinations toward same-sex sexual activity.

Yet the Church has consistently taught that to act on these inclinations by engaging in homosexual genital acts is always morally wrong. Why so? Here the Church attempts to be true to the core premises of our Catholic sexual-ethics tradition, while at the same time fostering basic human respect, justice and pastoral care toward gay and lesbian persons. There's no quick answer here. We encourage you to follow the link below to a more complete article on Catholic teaching regarding homosexuality.

Click here to read a full article on this topic.

Peace and Peacemakers:

Fill us, O God, with peace and teach us to be peacemakers in the world. May we plant the seeds of peace and nourish their growth by the way we live with others. We trust that your peace will fill us to overflowing and will allow us to create a new world.

A Great Thing?

You don’t believe my words now, but you’ll come to it yourself... Suffering is a great thing.

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Be kindhearted to the poor, the unfortunate and the afflicted. Give them as much help and consolation as you can. Thank God for all the benefits he has bestowed upon you, that you may be worthy to receive greater. Always side with the poor rather than with the rich, until you are certain of the truth.

- King Saint Louis IX (1214-1270)

The Optimist

There is a story of identical twins. One was a hope-filled optimist. "Everything is coming up roses!" he would say. The other twin was a sad and hopeless pessimist. He thought that Murphy, as in Murphy's Law, was an optimist. The worried parents of the boys brought them to the local psychologist.

He suggested to the parents a plan to balance the twins" personalities. "On their next birthday, put them in separate rooms to open their gifts. Give the pessimist the best toys you can afford, and give the optimist a box of manure." The parents followed these instructions and carefully observed the results.

When they peeked in on the pessimist, they heard him audibly complaining, "I don't like the color of this computer . . I'll bet this calculator will break . . . I don't like the game . . . I know someone who's got a bigger toy car than this . . ."

Tiptoeing across the corridor, the parents peeked in and saw their little optimist gleefully throwing the manure up in the air. He was giggling. "You can't fool me! Where there's this much manure, there's gotta be a pony!"

Around the corner

Around the corner I have a friend
In this great city that has no end,
Yet the days go by and weeks rush on,
And before I know it, a year is gone

And I never see my old friends face,
For life is a swift and terrible race,
She knows I like her just as well
As in the days when I rang her bell,

And she rang mine.
We were younger then,
And now we are busy, tired men.
Tired of playing a foolish game,
Tired of trying to make a name.
"Tomorrow" I say "I will call on Jane"
"Just to show that I'm thinking of her"

But tomorrow comes and tomorrow goes,
And distance between us grows and grows.
Around the corner - yet miles away,
"Here's a telegram sir-"
"Jane died today."
And that's what we get and deserve in the end.
Around the corner, a vanished friend.

If you love someone, tell them
.Remember always to say "what you mean".
Never be afraid to express yourself.
Take this opportunity to tell someone what they mean to you.
Seize the day and have no regrets.

Most importantly, stay close to your friends and family,
They have helped to make you the person you are today,
What it's all about anyway.
Pass this along to your friends.
Let it make a difference in your day.

Hang in there

Nicolo Paganini was a well-known and gifted nineteenth century violinist. He was also well known as a great showman with a quick sense of humor. His most memorable concert was in Italy with a full orchestra. He was performing before a packed house and his technique was incredible, his tone was fantastic, and his audience dearly loved him. Toward the end of his concert, Paganini was astounding his audience with an unbelievable composition when suddenly one string on his violin snapped and hung limply from his instrument. Paganini frowned briefly, shook his head, and continued to play, improvising beautifully.

Then to everyone's surprise, a second string broke. And shortly thereafter, a third. Almost like a slapstick comedy, Paganini stood there with three strings dangling from his Stradivarius. But instead of leaving the stage, Paganini stood his ground and calmly completed the difficult number on the one remaining string.

- Author unknown -

Who Washes the Feet?

Q: In our parish, a young priest insists that a staff person must assist with the washing of the feet of parishioners on Holy Thursday. My research indicates that the priest has always represented Christ, who did not ask the servants to assist him in washing the apostles’ feet, nor did he tell Peter to help him so he could get the job done faster.

My feeling is that, if he wants to have staff help, he should first wash the feet of two or three of the staff, then have them go out to wash the feet of others. Am I right or is there a new interpretation of this Holy Thursday action?

A: You are correct in that the washing of feet in the Mass of Holy Thursday reminds us of the service Jesus did for his disciples on the first Holy Thursday (at the Last Supper). It has a long and varied history in the ceremonies of the Church and was part of an early baptismal rite. '

It was also an act performed by monastics in service of the poor and each other. The Council of Toledo in 694 required the washing of feet on Holy Thursday, directing that every bishop and priest was to wash the feet of his subjects. In the Missal of Pius V (1570) the washing of feet was placed at the end of the Holy Thursday Mass.

Our present Sacramentary puts the washing of feet after the Gospel telling how Jesus washed the feet of the apostles (John 13:1-15) and the homily.

The rubric in the Sacramentary states that those who have been chosen for footwashing are led by the ministers to chairs prepared in a suitable place. Then the priest goes to each and with the help of the ministers pours water over each one’s feet and dries them.

In other words, the priest performs the washing of the feet with the assistance of other ministers. That does not seem unreasonable if there is a basin and towels as well as a pitcher of water to handle. The deacon and servers are at the altar to assist the celebrant.

The rubric does not envision several people going around washing feet apart from the priest.

St. Bartholomew

In the New Testament, Bartholomew is mentioned only in the lists of the apostles. Some scholars identify him with Nathanael, a man of Cana in Galilee who was summoned to Jesus by Philip. Jesus paid him a great compliment: “Here is a true Israelite. There is no duplicity in him” (John 1:47b). When Nathanael asked how Jesus knew him, Jesus said, “I saw you under the fig tree” (John 1:48b). Whatever amazing revelation this involved, it brought Nathanael to exclaim, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel” (John 1:49b). But Jesus countered with, “Do you believe because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than this” (John 1:50b).

Nathanael did see greater things. He was one of those to whom Jesus appeared on the shore of the Sea of Tiberias after his resurrection (see John 21:1-14). They had been fishing all night without success. In the morning, they saw someone standing on the shore though no one knew it was Jesus. He told them to cast their net again, and they made so great a catch that they could not haul the net in. Then John cried out to Peter, “It is the Lord.”

When they brought the boat to shore, they found a fire burning, with some fish laid on it and some bread. Jesus asked them to bring some of the fish they had caught, and invited them to come and eat their meal. John relates that although they knew it was Jesus, none of the apostles presumed to inquire who he was. This, John notes, was the third time Jesus appeared to the apostles.

Comment:

Bartholomew or Nathanael? We are confronted again with the fact that we know almost nothing about most of the apostles. Yet the unknown ones were also foundation stones, the 12 pillars of the new Israel whose 12 tribes now encompass the whole earth. Their personalities were secondary (without thereby being demeaned) to their great office of bearing tradition from their firsthand experience, speaking in the name of Jesus, putting the Word made flesh into human words for the enlightenment of the world. Their holiness was not an introverted contemplation of their status before God. It was a gift that they had to share with others. The Good News was that all are called to the holiness of being Christ’s members, by the gracious gift of God.

The simple fact is that humanity is totally meaningless unless God is its total concern. Then humanity, made holy with God’s own holiness, becomes the most precious creation of God.

Quote:

“Like Christ himself, the apostles were unceasingly bent upon bearing witness to the truth of God. They showed special courage in speaking ‘the word of God with boldness’ (Acts 4:31) before the people and their rulers. With a firm faith they held that the gospel is indeed the power of God unto salvation for all who believe.... They followed the example of the gentleness and respectfulness of Christ” (Declaration on Religious Freedom, 11).

Wondrous Creation:

How beautiful and wondrous is your creation, Creator God. How marvelous are your works! Pour the fullness of your creative energy into us as we gather to reflect and pray about the grandeur of your work.

Pie in the Sky:

Long-haired preachers come out every night,Try to tell you what's wrong and what's right;But when asked how 'bout something to eat They will answer with voices so sweet:You will eat, bye and bye,In that glorious land above the sky;Work and pray, live on hay,You'll get pie in the sky when you die.

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The Church herself is a field, within which seeds and weeds, the good and the wicked, grow together, a place where there is room to grow, to be converted and above all to imitate God's patience. The wicked exist in this world either to be converted or that through them the good may exercise patience.

- St. Augustine

Lessons on failure

Lord, are you trying to tell me something?

For... Failure does not mean I'm a failure;
It does mean I have not yet succeeded.

Failure does not mean I have accomplished nothing;
It does mean I have learned something.

Failure does not mean I have been a fool;
It does mean I had enough faith to experiment.

Failure does not mean I have disgraced;
It does mean I have dared to try.

Failure does not mean I don't have it;
It does mean I have something to do in a different way.

Failure does not mean I am inferior;
It does mean I am not perfect.

Failure does not mean I have wasted my life;
It does mean that I have an excuse to start over.

Failure does not mean that I should give up;
It does mean that I should try harder.

Failure does not mean that I will never make it;
It does mean that I need more practice.

Failure does not mean that you have abandoned me;
It does mean that you must have a better idea!

Blessed are they

Blessed are they who understand
My faltering steps and palsied hand,

Blessed are they who know my ears today
Must strain to catch the words they say.

Blessed are they who seem that my eyes
Are dim and my wits are slow.

Blessed are they who look away when coffee
Spilled on the table today.

Blessed are they with a cherry smile
Who stop to chat for a little while.

Blessed are they who never say,
"You've told that story twice today."

Blessed are they who know the ways to
Bring back yesterdays.

Blessed are they who make it known
That I'm loved, respected and not alone.

Blessed are they who know I'm at a loss
To find the strength to carry my cross.

Blessed are they who ease the days
On my journey Home in loving ways.

- Author unknown -

How to Reconcile John and Matthew on Jesus' Mission?

Q: We were discussing the Gospel (Matthew 9:36--10:8) read on the 11th Sunday in Ordinary Time last year. Matthew writes about Jesus' missionary discourse. The Twelve Apostles are restricted in their mission when Jesus says, "Do not go into pagan territory or enter a Samaritan town." Later Jesus says, "I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel" (Matthew 15:24). Only after the death and resurrection of Jesus does the mission extend to non-Jews and Samaritans (Matthew 28:19).

But then the question came up about the Samaritan woman at Jacob's well in the Samaritan town of Sychar (John 4:1-42). We are told that Jesus stayed with the Samaritans for two days and through his own spoken word many came to faith. This account strongly reflects the Church's post-resurrection mission to Samaria as described in Acts 8:4-25.

We are left in a dilemma, not knowing how to reconcile these two opposite Gospels by Matthew and John. Would you be so kind as to comment?

A: Start with the realization that each Gospel has its own author, intended audience and purpose. Each author tells Jesus' story from his own viewpoint, selecting and recounting events and sayings in Jesus' life to make his points and convey the lessons he wishes.

Further, the Gospels were written after the death and resurrection of Christ. The evangelist told the story of Jesus in the light of post-resurrection events and faith. He described past events with knowledge and understanding that came from the present or future.

There can hardly be any doubt that Jesus saw his mission during his lifetime as directed to the Jews. As Alexander Jones in The Gospel According to St. Matthew (Sheed and Ward) puts it, "Israel was to be the first beneficiary of the messianic offer, Romans 1:16; so the apostles are not yet to walk the roads leading to non-Jewish districts--neither northwards to pagan Syria nor south to Samaria, mixed in population and di-luted in Yahwism...."

After the Resurrection the mission of Jesus passes from Israel to the whole world. In the passage in John concerning the Samaritan woman, commentators see a kind of "prophetic future." It looks forward to the command of Jesus at the end of Matthew (28:19-20) to make disciples of all nations and the words of Jesus in the Acts of the Apostles at the time of the Ascension, Acts 1:8, "You will be my witnesses to Jerusalem, throughout Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

The same is true of the incident with the Caananite woman in Matthew 15. The personal concern of Jesus is his mission to Israel. Yielding to the woman's plea looks forward to the Church's mission after the crucifixion, says Daniel Harrington, S.J., in The Collegeville Bible Commentary on Matthew.

I think you might compare the incident with the Samaritan woman to other actions of Christ in the Gospels. When his mother comes to him at the wedding feast of Cana pleading the case of the couple who have run out of wine, Jesus pronounces that his hour has not yet come. But, moved by the plea and faith of Mary, he acts.

When he encounters a Samaritan among the 10 lepers, he heals (Luke 17:11-19), even though his mission is to Israel and not to Samaritans. Moved by the faith of a gentile centurion, Jesus heals the man's servant (Matthew 8:5-13) in anticipation of the graces to come through Jesus' death and resurrection.

Center of All:

You are at the center of all that is, O God. You are our breath and our life. You are our hope and love. Send us as servants of all that is and teach us to honor all you have given us. Amen.

The Lake Isle of Innisfree:

I will arise and go now, and go to Innisfree, And a small cabin build there, of clay and wattles made:Nine bean-rows will I have there, a hive for the honeybee, And live alone in the bee-loud glade.

And I shall have some peace there, for peace comes dropping slow, Dropping from the veils of the morning to where the cricket sings; There midnight’s all a glimmer, and noon a purple glow, And evening full of the linnet’s wings.

I will arise and go now, for always night and dayI hear lake water lapping with low sounds by the shore; While I stand on the roadway, or on the pavements grey, I hear it in the deep heart’s core.

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Apart from the cross there is no other ladder by which we may get to heaven.

- St. Rose of Lima (1586-1617

Christian Bautista -- The Way You look at Me....

No one ever saw me like you do
All the things that I could add up to
I never knew just what a smile was worth
But your eyes say everything without a single word

Coz there's something in the way you look at me
It's as if my heart knows you're the missing piece
You make me believe that there's notheing in this world I can't be
I'd never know what you see
But there's something in the way you look at me

If I could freeze the moment in my mind
Be the second that you touch your lips to mine
I'd like to stop the clock make time stand still
Coz baby this is just the way I always wanna feel

Coz there's something in the way you look at me
It's as if my heart knows you're the missing piece
You make me believe that there's notheing in this world I can't be
I'd never know what you see
But there's something in the way you look at me

I don't know how or why
I feel different in your eyes
All I know is that it happens everytime

Coz there's something in the way you look at me
It's as if my heart knows you're the missing piece
You make me believe that there's nothing in this world I can't be
I'd never know what you see
But there's something in the way you look at me

The way you look at me

Queenship of Mary

Pius XII established this feast in 1954. But Mary’s queenship has roots in Scripture. At the Annunciation Gabriel announced that Mary’s Son would receive the throne of David and rule forever. At the Visitation, Elizabeth calls Mary “mother of my Lord.” As in all the mysteries of Mary’s life, Mary is closely associated with Jesus: Her queenship is a share in Jesus’ kingship. We can also recall that in the Old Testament the mother of the king has great influence in court.

In the fourth century St. Ephrem called Mary “Lady” and “Queen” and Church Fathers and Doctors continued to use the title. Hymns of the eleventh to thirteenth centuries address Mary as queen: “Hail, Holy Queen,” “Hail, Queen of Heaven,” “Queen of Heaven.” The Dominican rosary and the Franciscan crown as well as numerous invocations in Mary’s litany celebrate her queenship.

The feast is a logical follow-up to the Assumption and is now celebrated on the octave day of that feast. In his encyclical To the Queen of Heaven, Pius XII points out that Mary deserves the title because she is Mother of God, because she is closely associated as the New Eve with Jesus’ redemptive work, because of her preeminent perfection and because of her intercessory power.

Comment:

As St. Paul suggests in Romans 8:28–30, God has predestined human beings from all eternity to share the image of his Son. All the more was Mary predestined to be the mother of Jesus. As Jesus was to be king of all creation, Mary, in dependence on Jesus, was to be queen. All other titles to queenship derive from this eternal intention of God. As Jesus exercised his kingship on earth by serving his Father and his fellow human beings, so did Mary exercise her queenship. As the glorified Jesus remains with us as our king till the end of time (Matthew 28:20), so does Mary, who was assumed into heaven and crowned queen of heaven and earth.

Quote:

“Let the entire body of the faithful pour forth persevering prayer to the Mother of God and Mother of men. Let them implore that she who aided the beginnings of the Church by her prayers may now, exalted as she is in heaven above all the saints and angels, intercede with her Son in the fellowship of all the saints. May she do so until all the peoples of the human family, whether they are honored with the name of Christian or whether they still do not know their Savior, are happily gathered together in peace and harmony into the one People of God, for the glory of the Most Holy and Undivided Trinity” (Dogmatic Constitution on the Church, 69).

The park bench was deserted as I sat down to read
Beneath the long, straggly branches of an old willow tree.
Disillusioned by life with good reason to frown,
For the world was intent on dragging me down.

And if that weren't enough to ruin my day,
A young boy out of breath approached me, all tired from play.
He stood right before me with his head tilted down
And said with great excitement, "Look what I found!"

In his hand was a flower, and what a pitiful sight,
With its petals all worn - not enough rain, or too little light.
Wanting him to take his dead flower and go off to play,
I faked a smile and then shifted away.

But instead of retreating he sat next to my side
And placed the flower to his nose and declared with overacted
surprise,
"It sure smells pretty and it's beautiful too.
That's why I picked it; here, it's for you."

The weed before me was dying or dead.
Not vibrant of colors: orange, yellow or red.
But I knew I must take it, or he might never leave.
So I reached for the flower, and replied, "Just what I need."

But instead of him placing the flower in my hand,
He held it mid-air without reason or plan.
It was then that I noticed for the first time
That weed-toting boy could not see he was blind.

I heard my voice quiver; tears shone in the sun
As I thanked him for picking the very best one.
"You're welcome," he smiled, and then ran off to play,
Unaware of the impact he'd had on my day.

I sat there and wondered how he managed to see
A self-pitying woman beneath an old willow tree.
How did he know of my self-indulged plight?
Perhaps from his heart, he'd been blessed with true sight.

Through the eyes of a blind child, at last I could see
The problem was not with the world; the problem was me.
And for all of those times I myself had been blind,
I vowed to see the beauty in life, and appreciate every second that's mine.

And then I held that wilted flower up to my nose
And breathed in the fragrance of a beautiful rose
And smiled as I watched that young boy, another weed in hand,
About to change the life of an unsuspecting old man.
(Author Unknown)

Courage:

Wherever we go, O God, we trust you are with us. Wrap a sweater of courage around us. Send us with the strength to overcome all our fears and worries and fill us with a deep sense of Jesus’ courage in facing life and death.

Whoever Has Love:

When someone is driven by love in any way, he or she is driven by Christ. Whoever has love, has the love of God, even if he or she does not confess Christ in words. There is a hidden Christ; he is much too great to be confined by human thought.

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With a heart that is truly a mother's does she approach the problem of our salvation and is solicitous for the whole human race; made Queen of heaven and earth by the Lord, exalted above all choirs of angels and saints, and standing at the right hand of her only Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, she intercedes powerfully for us with a mother's prayers, obtains what she seeks, and cannot be refused.

- Pope Pius IX ("Ad Caeli Reginam: On Proclaiming the Queenship of Mary," 11 October,1954)

Thousands join pope on Youth Day

I find what Pope Benedict XVI says as featured in this article is very meaningful and down to earth...... enjoy.... (click here)

21st Sunday in Ordinary Time (A)

Is 22:19-23
Ps 138:1-2, 2-3, 6, 8
Rm 11:33-36
Mt 16:13-20

Hello, I’m Franciscan Father Greg Friedman, with the “Sunday Soundbite” for the Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time.

In 1995, former Secretary of Defense Robert S. McNamara re-ignited debates over the Vietnam War with his book, In Retrospect. In the book, McNamara revisited his role in the American involvement in Vietnam, and concluded that he and other leaders failed to come to grips with the reality of the situation, both at home and in Vietnam. Whether one agrees with McNamara or not, his book is a fascinating study of political leadership.

Today’s Gospel deals with leadership in the Church. Jesus calls Peter “the rock,” on which Christ will build his Church, and he promises Peter the “keys to the kingdom of heaven.”

This Sunday, I suspect many Catholics will think of the papal transition, which took place after the death of John Paul the Second. That event focused the world’s attention on the papacy, and connects directly with this Gospel story.

Matthew’s account reminds us that the Church, while established in the here-and-now, points to a further reality. Our faith is incarnational—it is rooted in both the human and the divine.

Unfortunately, we often concentrate on the human aspects: The temporal business of the Church sometimes preoccupies all of us, including our leaders. The challenge of God’s Word today is to keep a “heavenly” perspective in our understanding of leadership and service—for all who have that role in the Church.

Scripture:

•…when he opens, no one shall shut (and) when he shuts, no one shall open. (Isaiah 22:22)

•The LORD is exalted, yet the lowly he sees, and the proud he knows from afar. (Psalm 138:6)

•How inscrutable are his judgments and how unsearchable his ways! (Romans 11:33b)

•For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father. (Matthew 16:17)

Reflection:

•Is God revealed or understood?

•Is faith blind or logical?

•Is the basis of faith built on love?

•Is there any way to understand the rationality of love?

There is no greater way in which God can communicate with us than on the level of pure faith. This level does not register directly on our psychic facilities because it is too deep. God is incomprehensible to our facilities. We cannot name Him in a way that is adequate. We cannot know Him with our mind; we can only know him with our love. That is what some mystical writers call unknowing. It is by not knowing Him in the ways that we now know Him, that we do know Him. Visions, locutions or ecstasies are like frosting on a cake. The substance of the journey is pure faith.

St. Pius X (1835-1914)

Pope Pius X is perhaps best remembered for his encouragement of the frequent reception of Holy Communion, especially by children.

The second of 10 children in a poor Italian family, Joseph Sarto became Pius X at 68, one of the twentieth century’s greatest popes.

Ever mindful of his humble origin, he stated, “I was born poor, I lived poor, I will die poor.” He was embarrassed by some of the pomp of the papal court. “Look how they have dressed me up,” he said in tears to an old friend. To another, “It is a penance to be forced to accept all these practices. They lead me around surrounded by soldiers like Jesus when he was seized in Gethsemani.”

Interested in politics, he encouraged Italian Catholics to become more politically involved. One of his first papal acts was to end the supposed right of governments to interfere by veto in papal elections—a practice that reduced the freedom of the conclave which elected him.

In 1905, when France renounced its agreement with the Holy See and threatened confiscation of Church property if governmental control of Church affairs were not granted, Pius X courageously rejected the demand.

While he did not author a famous social encyclical as his predecessor had done, he denounced the ill treatment of the Indians on the plantations of Peru, sent a relief commission to Messina after an earthquake and sheltered refugees at his own expense.

On the eleventh anniversary of his election as pope, Europe was plunged into World War I. Pius had foreseen it, but it killed him. “This is the last affliction the Lord will visit on me. I would gladly give my life to save my poor children from this ghastly scourge.” He died a few weeks after the war began.

Comment:

His humble background was no obstacle in relating to a personal God and to people whom he loved genuinely. He gained his strength, his gentleness and warmth for people from the source of all gifts, the Spirit of Jesus. In contrast, we often feel embarrassed by our backgrounds. Shame makes us prefer to remain aloof from people whom we perceive as superior. If we are in a superior position, on the other hand, we often ignore simpler people. Yet we, too, have to help “restore all things in Christ,” especially the wounded people of God.

Quote:

Describing Pius X, a historian wrote that he was “a man of God who knew the unhappiness of the world and the hardships of life, and in the greatness of his heart wanted to comfort everyone.”

Why Secular?

Q: I have a question about the Secular Franciscans. Why do they use the word secular? That says it’s "not of God." Any answers?

The early lay followers of St. Francis were probably known as the Order of Penance. That title expressed a conversion of life on the part of its members. Like Francis of Assisi, the members of the Order of Penance tried to carry the spirit of the gospel into their daily lives in the midst of their world and society.

Later these lay followers became known as the Secular Third Order of St. Francis. The word third distinguished the order from the First Order of St. Francis consisting of priests and brothers living in community with the three religious vows of poverty, chastity and obedience. It also distinguished the order from the Second Order of St. Francis, known as the Poor Clares, in which religious women lived a cloistered community life with vows of poverty, chastity and obedience. The word secular further distinguished the order from other groups of religious men and women belonging to religious orders observing a rule based on the Rule of St. Francis. When Pope Paul VI revised the lay or secular Rule of the Third Order, the official title became the Secular Franciscan Order.

The accent on secular is to make it clear the order is for people living in the mainstream of life. As Lester Bach, O.F.M., put it in Franciscan Way of Life: A Commentary on the Rule of the Secular Franciscan Order: "The secular Franciscans live in the world, i.e., not joined to or in convents, monasteries or friaries. The ‘place’ of holiness for Secular Franciscans is in the marketplace of the world, in the homes and neighborhoods where they dwell."

The members of the Secular Franciscan Order are to infiltrate society from within. By their presence in its midst, they are to change society for the better. The title does not indicate that God is separate from society or the created world. It rather speaks of the desire of its members to make God ever more present to daily life.