June2018

NewEvangelistsMonthly-June2018

NewEvangelistsMonthly-June2018

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ACelticStyleBlessingintheSpringtimePaucaVerbabyFr.StephenMorris

AnatomyofanAdventisttroll,ortrollfeedingCatholicismandAdventismbyStephenKorsman

Homer,Hegel,HistoryandHopeACatholicCitizeninAmericabyBrianGill

ReflectiononModernRebellionintheChurchIfIMightInterjectbyDavidWanat

JesusAsks:WhyDoYouCallMeGood?HowWouldYouRespond?byVirginiaLieto

WornandWeatheredTheologyisaverbbyElizabethReardon

PaulandtheEphesiansCreoenDios!bySusanStabile

ThrivingintheMidstofSufferingjoyofnine9byMelanieJeanJuneau

LikeJesus,weneedtoseeothersaspeoplefirstGrandinMedia

WaitingforCommunionBewareYonDragons!byFr.ChoriJonathinSeraiah

DividedbyBirthControl?NaahClingingtoOnions

metamorphosisofasoulbyMelissaOvermyer

HolyAnticipationShiftingMyPerspectivebyClaireMcGarry

MakeNOMistakeandNeverForget;MothersareWomenandFemaleistheirGenderCradlingCatholicbyLarryPeterson

BamBamisGoneConvertJournalbyGeorgeM.Sipe

LiturgicalAbusesandMoralCorruptionCatholicLifeInOurTimesbyBirgitJones

BlindTearsTheFrankFriarbyFr.NicholasBlackwell

Grief-thePriceWePayforLoveTonyAgnesibyTonyAgnesi

YouSayYouWantaRevelationTheWaywardCatholicbyPaulRoy

TheNatureofSinOntheRoadtoDamascusbyRobertCollins

St.ErasmusofFormia,PatronSaintofWomeninLabourTheKoalaMombyBonnieWay

SaintJoanofArc:WarriorandFrenchNationalHeroineJeanM.HeimannbyJeanHeimann

HumanaeVitae'sProfoundMessageofResponsibleParenthoodPlotLineandSinkerbyEllenGableHrkach

Man&God-PartTwobyReeseCumming

RebootWithUsStillbyJohnSchroeder

SilenceSlaysSouls-theSoulsofIndividualsandtheSoulsofNationsHarvestingTheFruitsofContemplationbyMichaelSeagriff

RelevantFictionReviews:TheBeginningofLifeCarolynAstfalk,AuthorbyCarolynAstfalk

FraudTheContemplativeCatholicConvertbyRichMaffeo

WhatItMeansToBeParentingFriendlyintheWorkplaceUnderThyRoofbyKirbyHoberg

ComingintotheFullnessoftheSpiritBartimaeus'QuietPlacebyBartimaeusTimeo

DonotacceptanythingasthetruthifitlacksloveLeavenfortheLoafbyEllenKolb

WhydoesGodallowustobetried,tested,andmadetosuffer?IntheBreakingoftheBreadbyFr.GillesSurprenant

TellThatFoxGracetoPaintbySisterMaresaLilley

WhoWasAbraham?TheModernAttackonAbrahambyScottSmith

Eucharist:TheGiftthatKeepsonGivingAMomentFromDeSalesbyFr.RichardDeLillio

MemorialDay-MissingInActionQuietConsecrationbyLeslieKlinger

OfCourse,It'sMurderChrist'sFaithfulWitnessbySusanFox

"We'llbejudgedbyourfidelity,notitsfruits."Boom!PeaceGardenPassagebyRoxaneSalonen

PrayersforUsbukaspaladbyFr.AdrianDanker

LearningtheIns&OutsofPrayerJournalingTheNotbyMaryCooper

TheStoryisNotOverWalkingthePathbyChristianMiraglia

LiguorianSeries1C:St.AlphonsusLiguoriinPreparationforDeath:HowtobeHappyattheMomentofDeathServimusunumDeumbyJulianBarkin

TheFinalQuestion:AreYouPreparedtoAcceptChildrenLovinglyFromGod?MartinFamilyMomentsbyColleenMartin

TheMissionofSaintThorlakGodismercy,Godislove...butGodisalsoJustice.OrdinaryTime

It'sNotAboutYouDeaconAllenTatarabyDeaconAllenTatara

OurLadyofGoodSuccessandtheDivineDesignsTheShieldofFaithbyFrankRega

God'sLoveandHowtoReceiveitbyDavidTorkington

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Forward

NewEvangelistsMonthlyisaninformal,dynamic,crowd-sourced“meta-magazine”showcasingthebestpostsfaithfulCatholicbloggerspublisheachmonth.Hereyouwillfindmanydifferent,butfaithfullyCatholicviewpoints,insightsandperspectives.

ContributingauthorssubmittheirverybestpiecefromthepriormonthbetweensubsequentfirstandsecondSaturdays.Readersarewelcometovisitanytime,evenwhilecontributionsarestillbeingacceptedforanewissue.Backissuesareavailableinthearchive.

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ForthelatesteditionofNewEvangelistsMonthly,orformoreinformationaboutthisNewEvangelizationinitiative,visitusat:

NewEvangelists.org

COPYRIGHTNOTICE:RegardlessofwhereyouenjoyNewEvangelistsMonthly,eitheronlineorinthisformat,notethatcopyrightisexclusivelyretainedbytherespectivecontributingauthors.Ifyouwishtouseorredistributeanyoftheircontent,pleasecontactthemdirectlyforlicensinginformation.

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ACelticStyleBlessingintheSpringtime[atPaucaVerba]

MypaternalgrandparentswereIrishborn,havingcometotheUnitedStatesaround1900.Mygrandmother,Catherine,wasfromapoorfarminGalway,andmygrandfather,John,aCatholicfromBelfast.Noteasy.JohnshodhorsesinManhattanandCatherinewasamaidtoawealthyfamilyonParkAvenue.Shelivedwithusforsometimewhenwewerekids.ThatmakesmesecondgenerationIrish.Icanfeelit.

Thelowtemperatureshereareinthe50'snowandtheparsley,lettuceandspinachseedshavesprouted.Springisfinallywinningoverwinter.Andfromthatplace,I'msendingmyownversionofaGaelicBlessingtoyou-frommygardentoyours.Maybeyouhaveagardenoutback.Ormaybeyouadmireaneighbor'sgarden.OrmaybeyourgardenisyourindoorpottedAfricanVioletsbythewindow.MaybeyourgardenisoneofthosehugecementpotsfilledwithspringflowersyoupassonaManhattanAvenueonthewaytowork.Doesn'tmatter.I'msendingthespringblessingstoyouandyourfamily-yourspouses,yourchildrenandgrandchildren,yoursiblings-mindfulthatsomeofthemmaybehavingahardtimeofit.

Deeppeaceoftheforest'slayeredgreeningtoyou.

Deeppeaceofthebirdsreturningtoyou;

theirnesting,

theirsurround-soundsong.

Deeppeaceofthefawn'sbirthtoyou.

Deeppeaceoftheseedssproutingtoyou;

thewisteriabud-swell,

thelilacscenting.

Deeppeaceofthedayslengtheningtoyou;

itswarming,

itsbrightening.

Deeppeaceofthemorningfogtoyou;itsdewandmist.

Deeppeaceofthefrog'spond-lifetoyou.

Deeppeaceofthebee'sforagingtoyou.

Deeppeaceofthesoil'ssofteningtoyou.

DeeppeaceofMary'sfaith-smiletoyou.

DeeppeaceofChrist'strillium-redwoundstoyou.

Thiscontributionisavailableathttp://paucaverba.blogspot.com/2018/05/a-celtic-style-blessing-

in-springtime.html

Copyrightisretainedbythecontributingauthor(followabovelinkforinfoonthispiece).

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Troll,viaUncyclopedia

Outthereontheinterweb,therearetrolls.Manyofthem.OccasionallyIliketofeedthem.I’dfeedthempork,butthey’reAdventist,sooneofthefewrulestheyhaveistonoteatpork.(Theyonlyhave10rules,whicharetokeepthesabbathonSaturdayandtonoteatpork.Abortionanddishonestyarepermitted)

Thefirstruleoftrollfeedingistoknowthatyouwillnotwinanargumentordebate.Argumentsanddebatesarethingsyouhavewithpeoplewillingtorespondwithintelligentanswers.Notwithtrolls.Butthatdoesn’tmeandon’tfeedthem.Feedingthemgivesyouexamplesoftrollingtosharewithfriendsandneighbours,orinablogpost.Andafollow-upblogpost.

Adventisttrollsareinteresting.TheyhaveallsortsofforumsontheinterwebwheretheyhopetoattractCatholics(andotherChristians,butespeciallyCatholics)andfrustratethem.Andtheyusuallyrunthem,andtheysettherules.NotallAdventistsaretrolls,butAdventisttrollsendupshowinghowmanyAdventiststhinkabouttherestofChristianity(whomtheirprophetesssaidallpraytoSataninsteadofGod).Non-trollAdventistslookattheBiblewithspecial

lensesthatfilteroutanythingcontrarytotheirprophetessEllenWhiteandtheircorebelief,thesabbath.Presentthemwithevidence,andtheyshuttheireyesandthinkaboutsomethingelse.I’veseenthiswithyearsofdiscussingtheBiblewithAdventists.Itjuststandsoutmorestronglywhentheyaretrolls.So,whenreadingthetrollinginthispost,realisethatgettingthroughtothenon-trollscanbejustastough.

Notetonon-Catholicsreadingthis–pleasetrytounderstandourperspective,evenifyoudisagreeonthedoctrinalissuebeingdiscussedtrolled.I’msureyoucanidentifywithtrolls.

AnatomyofanAdventisttroll,ortrollfeeding[atCatholicismandAdventism]Atrollpostedthefollowing:

Catholicswhoisyourmotheradvocate?TheBiblesaysThereisonlyoneadvocate.

Thetroll’sstrategy:trapaCatholicwhoadmitsthattheterm“advocate”canapplytoMary,andthenproclaimthatouronlytrueAdvocateisJesus.

Catholicreply:ExplainstheroleofMary,“MotherofmyLord”,andthefactthat“MotherofmyLord”meantthequeeninancientIsrael(cf1Kings2,especiallyverse19).

Trollresponse:

Aqueen,whosayssheisaqueenorisityouropinion?

ForestTroll

Thetroll’sstrategy:ignoretheevidenceprovided.TrytotraptheCatholic.

Catholicreply:AfurtherexplanationofhowthequeenofIsraelwastheking’smother,andalinktoabookonthetopic.

Trollresponse:

GodisnotMarriedtoMary.

Catholic:flabbergastedatthestupidityofthereply.

Furtherresponsefromthetroll:nothing.Hemoveson,hisjobdone,hisegostroked,histummyfull.

Elsewhereinthesamethread,thehonestyofAdventistsintheforumisdiscussed:

Catholic(me):AdventistshereareconstantlybearingfalsewitnessagainstCatholicsandtheCatholicChurch.It’sajoke.

Trollresponse:

stayontheop

SoIdecidedtoplayhisgamebackathim.Andhedidn’tlikeitatall.

Troll:Whoisyourmotheradvocate?

Me:Whoisyours?

Troll:Christismyadvocate

Me:Asisheours.

Troll:Nowwhoisyourmotheradvocate?

Thetroll’sstrategy:thetrollwantsustodeclareMaryouradvocate.Inhismind,he’sreferringtotheoneprimaryadvocate–Jesus.SoIgavehimthatanswer.Andthenplayedhissillywordgame.

Me:Christisouradvocate.

Troll:Andwho’sisyourmotheradvocate?

Me:Mymother’sadvocateisChristtoo.

Me:Whoisyoursisteradvocate?Andyourcatadvocate?Me:SMH

Troll:Goodbye

Thetroll’sstrategy:Hedidn’tlikethatonebit.Hisowngamewasturnedonhim.So,asheisanadminoftheforum,Iwasblockedforthreedaysaspunishment.Egofixed,tummyfull.

Afewnotes:

Theterm“advocate”simplymeanssomeonewhointervenesonbehalfofsomeoneelse.JesusChristisouronlymediatorbetweenmanandGod–onlyhecanbethatbecauseonlyheisbothManandGod.Inthatuniquesense,JesusChristisouronlymediator,onlyadvocate,onlyintercessor.Onlyhecanbridgethegap.Butwecanallintercedeforeachother.Whichmeanswecanallbeadvocatesforeachother.Andsometimestheword“mediator”getsusedas

anothersynonymthere.It’sjustimportanttorealisethedifference–JesusChrist,andONLYJesusChrist,istheprimarymediator/intercessor/advocate.Wecanparticipateinthat,butinasecondarysense.Seethefollowingimagesshowingdirectionoftheflowofintercession.

First,theprimaryrolethatONLYJesusChristperforms:

Intercession–primary

Second,howwe(andMaryandthesaints)alsoactasintercessors/advocates:

Intercession–secondary

FurtherinformationonthequeenshipofMaryandJesus’solemediatorship:

OneMediatorBetweenGodandMen…CatholicAnswersIsMary’sQueenshipBiblical?…CatholicAnswersQueenMother:ABiblicalTheologyofMary’sQueenship…byEdwardSriandScottHahn,AmazonWhatCatholicsBelieve–Mary,theVirginMotherofGod

FurtherpostsonAdventistdishonesty:

Trollfeeding,part2

Shameonyou–Adventists,dishonesty,andtheCatholicChurchDishonestAdventistsAdventistdesperationonUsenet–Statuesandidols

SpitefulremarksfromDrFrankSteyn,anAdventistpastor/sociologistAnanalysisofanessaybytheAdventistpastor/sociologistDrFrankSteynAdventistdishonestyinthewaytheypresenttheCatholicfaithAdventistChurch:“Biblenottrue”Adventistanti-Catholichatredisaliveandwell

Thiscontributionisavailableathttp://blog.theotokos.co.za/

Copyrightisretainedbythecontributingauthor(followabovelinkforinfoonthispiece).

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Homer,Hegel,HistoryandHope[atACatholicCitizeninAmerica]

Folkswhosawvirtueinunquestioningdevotiontoestablishedvaluesdidn’tlikethe1960s.Noinstitution,customorbeliefseemedsafefromscrutiny.

Eventheideaofprogress—acherishedheirloomfromtheAgeofEnlightenment—waschallenged,disputed,andultimatelyrejected.

Visionsofatechnotopia,whereourgreatestchallengewasdecidinghowtospendourleisuretime,werefading.

Hopesfornuclearpower’sabundantcleanenergyweregivingwaytofearsofanatomicholocaustandreactormeltdowns.Assumingthatpollutiondidn’tkillusfirst.(July28,2017;February17,2017)

PerhapsevenmoredisturbingforsocialLuddites,thenation’syouthseemedill-suitedfortheirassignedroleastorchbearersforliberty,conformityandsuburbanliving.

Earnestarticlesandop-edswarnedthattelevisionwasrottingthemindsof

America’syouth.Andpopularmusicwassubvertingvalueswhichsomanyhelddear:

“…CreaturecomfortgoalsTheyonlynumbmysoulAndmakeithardformetosee….”(“PleasantValleySunday”TheMonkees(1967))

“…IfthemindisbaffledWhentherulesdon’tfitthegame,Whowillanswer?…”(“WhoWillAnswer?”EdAmes(1967))

“…GoaheadandhateyourneighbourGoaheadandcheatafriendDoitinthenameofheavenYoucanjustifyitintheend….”(“OneTinSoldier”DennisLambert,BrianPotter(1969))

Somefeltitwastheendofcivilizationastheyknewit.Ithinktheywereright.1

Americahaschanged.Sohastheworld.Ithinksomechangeswereimprovements.Somearen’tturningoutaswellasI’dhoped.Andmanyaresimplychange:whichhappens,whetherwelikeitornot.

I’mcautiouslyoptimisticaboutourfuture,partlybecauseIknowabitaboutourpast.

TheWallsofTroy

That’spartofTroyVII’sacropolis:what’sleftofitaftertheTrojanWarandLateBronzeAgecollapse.

Untilaroundthe19thcentury,mostfolksthoughttheTrojanWarhadhappenedprettymuchthewayHomerdescribeditintheIliad:thenon-mythicpartsatanyrate.

ThensomeEuropeanscholarstookwhatthey’dbeenlearningaboutancienthistory,andcomparedthattoHomer’saccount.Parts,atleast,didn’tmatchwhattheyexpected.Eithertheireducatedguesseswerewrong,orHomer’sepicpoemwasbasicallyfictional.

Quiteafewdecidedthattheyknewmoreabouthistorythansomeancientchap.SomealsofiguredtheIliad,fictionalornot,wascomposedbysomeotherpoet.

Academicone-upmanship—it’sarealword—followed.Ahumorist’sopinionprobablymadeasmuchsenseasmany:Homerdidn’tcomposetheIliad.ItwassomeotherGreekinHomer’sday—whosenamewasHomer.

There’sstillconsiderabledebateabouthowmuchoftheIliadisstrictlyfactual.EvenThucydidesfiguredHomerhadstretchedthefactsabit,andthat’sanothertopic.

IthinkpoetsofancientGreecewereabitliketoday’sscreenwriters:moreinterestedindramaandspectaclethanaccountant-likeprecision.

Professionalscholarsweren’ttheonlyfolkswhowonderedifTroyreallyexisted:andifitdid,wherewemightfind“theloftygatesofTroy.”

FrankCalvert,anEnglishmanborninMalta,learnedaboutHisarlik,ahillinwhat’snownorthwesternTurkeythatmightconcealTroy’sruins.

FrankandhisbrotherFrederickboughtafarmthatincludedpartofthehill.TheyuncoveredpartofwhatFrankthoughtwasTroy.

AGermanarcheologist,HeinrichSchliemann,metCalvertandthoughttheEnglishmanwasright.Schliemanndugintothehillanduncoveredwhathadbeenacity.Moreexactly,heexcavatedTrojanruinsfromatleasttwoperiods.

Schliemannhadalso,regrettably,obliteratedwhatweareprettysurehadbeensignificantpartsofthecity.Archeologistsaremuchmorecarefulthesedays.AsIkeepsaying,wedolearn.Eventually.

It’sstillnotunanimous,butthesedaysmostacademicsthinkTroywasrealandHisarlikiswherethecityusedtobe.2

TheTrojanWarwasreal,too,andalmostcertainlypartoftheLateBronzeAgeCollapse.Wehaven’thadacatastrophequitelikeitsince.(November3,2017)

“NothingStandsStill”

DescendantsoffolkswhosurvivedtheCollapseeventuallyreturnedandlivedwhereTroyhadbeen.

Butthecityneverfullyrecovered.Partly,Ithink,becausetheriverwhichflowedpastTroykeptcarryingwaterandsedimenttothesea.

Thesite’safewmilesinlandnow.Troy’snaturalharborlongsincefilledinandbecamefarmland.

TheHellespontisstillpartofanimportanttraderoute,buttoday’smajoreast-westcrossingpointisIstanbul.Anotherthreemillenniaorso,andsomeother

placemaybetheregion’smajormetropolis.It’slikethefellowsaid:

“πάνταχωρεῖκαὶοὐδὲνμένει”“Everythingchangesandnothingstandsstill.”(Heraclitus,AsquotedbyPlatoin“Cratylus”)

LearningFromthePast:OrNot

Ourculturesandtechchange.Sodoourjobs,rolesweplayinsociety.Buthumannaturedoesn’tchange.NotthatIcansee.Whetherthat’shopefulornotmaydependonattitude:

“Perhapsthecauseofourcontemporarypessimismisourtendencytoviewhistoryasaturbulentstreamofconflicts—betweenindividualsineconomiclife,betweengroupsinpolitics,betweencreedsinreligion,betweenstatesinwar.…Historyhasbeentoooftenapictureofthebloodystream.Thehistoryofcivilizationisarecordofwhathappenedonthebanks.”(WillDurant,Asquotedin“TheGentlePhilosopher”(2006)byJohnLittleatWillDurantFoundation)

“Thosewhocannotrememberthepastarecondemnedtorepeatit.”(“TheLifeofReason:ThePhasesofHumanProgress,”GeorgeSantayana

(1905-1906))

“Whatexperienceandhistoryteachisthis—thatnationsandgovernmentshaveneverlearnedanythingfromhistory,oracteduponanylessonstheymighthavedrawnfromit.”“LecturesonthePhilosophyofHistory,”GeorgHegel(ca.1830s)Introduction,astranslatedbyH.B.Nisbet(1975))

TheDurantandSantayanaquotesareclosertowhatIthinkthanHegel’s.Iamquitesurethatwe’renotdoomedtoignoranceandfutility.

ButIcanappreciateHegel’sviewpoint.

TheEnlightenmentwasinprogresswhenHegelwasgrowingup.Enlightenmentideals,valuinglibertyandreason,offeredhopeforabetterfuture.(November6,2016)

Asanadult,HegelsawtheFrenchRevolution’sbrightpromiseofEnlightenedandrationalgovernmentproducetheCultofReasonandmassexecutions.

Napoleonsortedthatmessout.HehadbeenamilitarycommanderfortheRevolutionarygovernmentbeforehavinghimselfelectedEmperoroftheFrench.

Meanwhile,Europe’sotherleaderscontinuedhavingtheirsubjectsslaughtereachotherinaseemingly-endlesssuccessionofturfwars.Napoleonfollowedsuit,whichbringsmebacktoHegel.HesawNapoleonjustbeforetheBattleofJena-Auerstedt.

Hegelwasa30-somethinguniversityprofessoratthetime.Napoleonwon,addingtheKingdomofPrussiatotheFrenchEmpire.

Hegel’sbrotherjoinedNapoleon’sarmyandwaskilledahalf-dozenyearslater,whenNapoleonlearnedwhyinvadingRussiaisabadidea.

GermanstatesjoinedothercountriesfortheWaroftheSixthCoalition.OrWarofLiberation,dependingonwho’stellingthestory.

Hegelpublishedthesecondvolumeof“WissenschaftderLogik,”“ScienceofLogic”aroundthattime.

TheWaroftheSixthCoalitionendedin1814.NapoleonwasexiledtoElba,usheringinaneraofpeace—whichlasteduntiltheWaroftheSeventhCoalitionin1815.

Severalwars,epidemicsandacholerapandemiclater,HegelwaslivinginBerlin.Hegotsickanddied.Doctorssaiditwascholera,possiblybecausethediseasehadreachedBerlinbythattime.

AlifetimeimmersedinEurope’sturfwars,epidemicsandpoliticsmightleaveanyoneatriflelessthanoptimisticabouthumanity’scapacityforlearningfrommistakes.

“…TheFuture,FarasHumanEyeCouldSee….”

“…ForIdiptintothefuture,farashumaneyecouldsee,Sawthevisionoftheworld,andallthewonderthatwouldbe…

“…Tillthewar-drumthrobbednolonger,andthebattle-flagswerefurl’dIntheParliamentofman,theFederationoftheworld….”(“LocksleyHall,”Alfred,LordTennyson(1835))

I’mnotsurewhyIthinkTennyson’simagined“Federationoftheworld”isn’tentirelyapoeticpipedream.

I’veknownfolksaroundmyage,withsimilarbackgrounds,andsomewhoaren’t,whoapparentlyfeelthatgovernmentleadersdon’tlearn,orcan’t.Othersseeclimatechange,geneticallymodifiedorganisms,vaccinesortheInternetasadirethreat.

There’sprobablyconsiderableoverlapamongthosegroups.

Ithinkfolkswhofearthatit’stheendofcivilizationasweknowit—areright.

Butunlikemany,Ithinkthat’sagoodthing.PartlybecauseIthinkwemayfinallyhaveseentheendofWesterncivilization’sempire-collapse-rebuildcycle.(April15,2018;February5,2017;July24,2016)

AndpartlybecauseIthinkGoddidn’tbotchhumanity’sdesign.(July23,2017)

“WeShouldWorkTogether”

We’remade“intheimageofGod,”matterandspirit,bodyandsoul.Eachofusisaperson,madefromthestuffofthisworldandfilledwithGod’s’‘breath.’(Genesis1:26–27,2:7;CatechismoftheCatholicChurch,355,357,362–368)

Godgaveusdominionoverthisworld,andletusdecidehowwe’llact.Thefirstofusmadeareallybaddecision.We’vebeendealingwithitsconsequenceseversince.Themesswe’reinisn’tGod’sfault.(Genesis1:26;Catechism,390,396–401)

Ourcircumstanceshavechanged,butnotournature.Westillhave“dominion”—andtheresponsibilitiesthatgowithit.(January21,2018;August20,2017)

Whatwedecidetodoisstilluptous.Weallhavefreewill.Wecandecidethatlovingourneighbor,andseeingeveryoneasaneighbor,makessense.(Matthew5:43–44,22:36–40;Mark12:28–31;Luke6:3110:25–27,29–37;Catechism,1704,1730,1789)

That’snoteasyforme.Buteasyornot,Ithinkit’sagoodidea.Soispassingalongwhatwe’velearned,andsomeofourgoals.

“…Inthissensethefuturebelongstoyouyoungpeople,justasitoncebelongedtothegenerationofthosewhoarenowadults….…Toyoubelongsresponsibilityforwhatwillonedaybecomerealitytogetherwithyourselves,butwhichstillliesinthefuture….”(“DilectiAmici,”St.JohnPaulII(March21,1985))

“…Theanswertothefearwhichdarkenshumanexistenceattheendofthetwentiethcenturyisthecommonefforttobuildthecivilizationoflove,foundedontheuniversalvaluesofpeace,solidarity,justice,andliberty….”(“TotheUnitedNationsOrganization,”St.JohnPaulII(October5,1995))

BuildingacloseapproximationofSt.JohnPaulII’s“civilizationoflove”willtakemanygenerationsofhardwork,andwillingnesstorememberthattruthandlovematter.

“…Forourpart,thedesireforsuchdialogue,whichcanleadtotruththroughlovealone,excludesnoone,thoughanappropriatemeasureofprudencemustundoubtedlybeexercised.Weincludethosewhocultivateoutstandingqualitiesofthehumanspirit,butdonotyetacknowledgetheSourceofthesequalities.WeincludethosewhooppresstheChurchandharassherinmanifoldways.SinceGodtheFatheristheoriginandpurposeofallmen,weareallcalledtobebrothers.Therefore,ifwehavebeensummonedtothesamedestiny,humananddivine,wecanandweshouldworktogetherwithoutviolenceanddeceitinordertobuilduptheworldingenuinepeace.…”(“Gaudiumetspes,”SecondVaticanCouncil,Bl.PaulVI(December7,1965)[emphasismine])

Workingtogethertobuildabetterworld.

Itwon’tbeeasy,butIthinkit’llbeworththeeffort:

1Changehappens,sodoeshowweseeit:

WikipediaMyviews,someofthem

2Troy,Homer,andallthat:

Thiscontributionisavailableathttp://brendans-island.com/catholic-citizen/homer-hegel-history-

and-hope/

Copyrightisretainedbythecontributingauthor(followabovelinkforinfoonthispiece).

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ReflectiononModernRebellionintheChurch[atIfIMightInterject]

FromAnEssayinAidtoaGrammarofAssemt(page240).

Ibelieveitalsoappliesto“cradleCatholic”dissenters.

ThecurrentdissentwithintheChurchtodayisscandalous.CatholicswhowereoncedieharddefendersofthePapacyarenowunderminingthecurrentPope,inventingatheologyofdissentwhilepretendingtobefaithful.Atthesametime,certainCatholicswhorejectedpreviousPopesarenowmisapplyingwhatPopeFrancissaystoportraytheirlong-runningdissentasbeingjustified.

TheonlywayIcanthinktoexplainit:onefactionofCatholicsmerelyhappenedtoagreewithSt.JohnPaulIIandBenedictXVI,andmistookthatagreementforobedience.NowthatwehavePopeFrancis,theydon’tagreeandjustifydisobediencebecausetheyneverlearnedtheobediencetheChurchhasalwaysrequired.AnotherfactionrejectedChurchteachingunderSt.JohnPaulIIand

BenedictXVIandjusthappentoagreewithwhattheythink(inaccurately,inmyview)PopeFrancisissaying.

SomeconfusedconservatismwithCatholicism.Theyassumedthatbecausesometeachingslinedupwiththeirlabels,Churchteachingwas“conservative.”Theypraisedorcondemneditbasedontheirideology.OthersconfusePopeFrancis’Catholicismwithliberalism.BothfactionsdownplayorattackCatholicteachingthatdoesn’tmatchtheirideology.Noneofthemconsiderthepossibilitythatthey’rewrong;thatthey,notthePope,causetheconfusionintheChurchbypushinganideologyandcallingit“Catholic.”

WemustrememberwestillhavethesameChurchwhichteacheswiththesameauthority.DisciplinehaschangedindifferenterasoftheChurchbutitstillrevolvesaroundgatheringpeopleinsotheymightlearnwhattheymustdotobesaved(Acts2:37).Anactthatisintrinsicallyevil(alwayswrong,regardlessofcircumstances)remainswrong.ButhowtheChurchreachesouttothesinnerswhocommittheseactscanchangedependingontheneedsofthetime.

So,bothinsistenceonchangingwhattheChurchcannotchangeandinsistingthattheChurchremainattachedtothediscipline,customs,orpracticesofacertainagearetoreplacethevirtueofobediencewithfollowingtheChurchonlytotheextentthatitsupportswhatweweregoingtodointhefirstplace.That’snotobedience.That’sjustmembershipinagroup.

OneoftheradicalideasofCatholicismisthatJesusChristestablishedaChurchwhichHeintendstoteachwithHisauthority.HemadeclearthatrejectionofthisChurchwasarejectionofHim(Matthew18:17,Luke10:16).Ifthisistrue,thenwemustobeytheChurchwhensheintendstoteach.Ifitisnottrue,thenthereisnorealreasontobeaCatholicinthefirstplace.

Ithinkwe’velostthissensetoday.Wethinkthatwearetheoneswho“know”thetruthandweare“cursed”withaChurchsteepedin“error.”Butweforgetthatinpastages,whenwereallydidhavePopesofdubiouscharacter,thesaintsstillinsistedonobedience,thatwetrustandobeytheChurchevenifitrancountertoourownperception.

FromTheSpiritualExercisesofSt.Ignatius

NotethatSt.IgnatiusdoesnotcreateexceptionsforPopeswedislike.Hedoesnotlimitthisobediencetoexcathedrastatements.HeaffirmsthatwhenthereisaconflictbetweenourselvesandtheChurch,wemustobeytheChurchbecauseofwebelieveGodprotectsandguidesher.Ifwedonotbelievethisthen,again,thereisnoreasontobeaCatholictobeginwith.IfwebelievethatGodcanprotecttheChurchfromaBenedictIX,JohnXII,Liberius,orHonoriusI,whydowebelievethatHestoppedprotectingtheChurchin1958(thebeginningofSt.JohnXXIII’spontificate),1962(thebeginningofVaticanII),1970(theimplementationoftheOrdinaryFormoftheMass),or2013(thebeginningofPopeFrancis’pontificate)?

EitherwetrusttheChurchbecausewetrustGodtoprotecther,orweliewhen

wesaywehavefaithinGod.TheauthorityoftheChurchisnotintheholinessofhermembers(wewouldhavebeendebunkedmillenniaagoifthatwerethecase)butfromGod.Sometimes,thisauthorityoftheChurchshocks—rememberthatmembersoftheChurchwereshockedwhenSt.Peterbaptizedthefirstgentiles(Acts11:1-3)—butwebelievethatteachingisbinding.

Theproblemispeopleconfusethingsthatarenotuniversallybindingwithteaching.WhenthePopehasaprivateconversationorapressconference,thisisnotteaching.WhenaPopepromulgatesalawforVaticanCity(orpreviously,thePapalStates),thisisnotteaching.ButwhenthePopepublishedLaudatoSiandAmorisLætitia,hewasteaching[†].Forexample,heexplicitlyidentifiedtheauthorityofLaudatoSisaying:

Wecannotcallthisan“opinion.”The

CodeofCanonLaw

makesclearthatwhenthePopeteaches,wemustgiveoursubmission—eveniftheteachingisnot

excathedra

.

So,regardlessofthefactiononecomesfrom,thereisnobasisfortherejectingthe

teaching

authorityofthePopeandthereisnobasisfortryingtodenythatateachingisateaching.AcceptingtheauthorityoftheChurchcomesfromputtingfaithinGodprotectingHisChurch.Ifwewon’tdothat,weare

NOT

faithfulCatholics.We’remerelydissentingaboutdifferentthings.

______________________________

[†]ItisdownrightbizarrethatcriticsofPopeFrancisrejectAmorisLætitiabecauseitis“only”anApostolicExhortationandappealtoFamiliarisConsortio—whichisalsoanApostolicExhortation.

Thiscontributionisavailableathttp://www.ifimightinterject.com/2018/05/a-grammar-of-dissent-

reflection-on.html

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Intoday’sGospel,Jesusasks,whydoyoucallmegood(Mark10:18)?IntheGospelreading,wehearthestoryoftherichyoungmanwhoseeksinformationfromJesusaboutwhatisrequiredtoenterHeaven.TherichyoungmanreferstoJesusas“GoodTeacher.”Itisaninteresting,briefexchangebetweentherichyoungmanandJesus.ThereferencetothegoodnessofJesusmighteasilybeoverlooked,whenreadingthepassage,simplybecauseJesusgivesaquickretort.“NooneisgoodbutGodalone”(Mark10:18).Hethenmovesontothegistofthestory,thathasnothingtodowithHisgoodness.Yet,Ifindittobeaveryintriguingquestion.

TherichyoungmanknewofJesus’swork.ThatiswhyheapproachedJesusinthefirstplace.Hemusthavehadsomepersonalexperiencetodrawupon,andforthat,chosetocallJesusgood.Withtwothousandyearsofhistory,thisquestionmightbeeasierforustoanswerinthe21stcentury,ashindsightis20/20.WehavetheluxuryofstudyingdocumentedScripture,filledwithNewTestamentpassagesoozingwithJesus’goodness.Eyewitnesstestimony,asdocumentedwithintheNewTestament,espousesJesus’abilitytoheal,forgiveandlove.WithJesusbeingtheepitomeofvirtue,Heisgood.

Yet,howwouldyourespondtothisquestion,ifJesusstoodbeforeyoutoday?

WhyDoYouCallMeGood?

IcallJesusgood,becauseHeisGod,theSupremeGood.Heissinlessandperfect.AspartoftheBlessedTrinity,Hecreatesonlygoodthings.Hedefinesgoodness.ItisGodwhodetermineswhatismorallyrightandwrong.IfoneweretoreadafewmoreversesfromMark10,wewouldreadJesus’responsetotherichyoungmanastowhatittakestogetintoHeaven.JesusreferstotheTenCommandments,whichisGod’slawforman,outliningwhattodoandnotdo;goodnessversusevil.ItiswithadherencetotheTenCommandments,alongwithplacingourfaithandtrustinGodtoprovide,thatwegainthetreasureofHeaven–theultimategoodness–GodHimself.

Ifyouwouldliketopurchaseanautographedcopyofmybook,AdventuresofFaith,HopeandCharity:FindingPatience,thenclickhere.

Thiscontributionisavailableathttp://virginialieto.com/jesus-asks-why-do-you-call-me-good/

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WornandWeathered[atTheologyisaverb]

Physicallyandmentallyexhausted,andhavingjustnavigatedthroughaharrieddrivehomeIslumpedthroughthedoor.Admittedlythisextrovertedpeoplelovingpersonwasnotinthemoodtobeincommunityfortherestoftheevening.Yet,sincebeingawifeandamothertotalisolationisneveratrueviableoption,Ineededaplanb.UnfortunatelyIhaddetermined,thismasterplanwouldhavetowaitasdinnerwouldnotmakeitself.

AsIworked,however,IbegantoreflectonthedayspriorandjusthowIhadfoundmyselfinthisunpleasantstate.Ihadallowedprojectdeadlines,emailsandunexpectedconversationstowearmycustomarilysweetdispositiondownitsfoundation.Truthfully,IwasbeginningtofeelmuchliketheweatheredstatueofMarythatsatinmybackyardlooked.ThoughclearlyresemblingthebeautifulimageofMary,timeandenvironmenthadchippedherexteriorpaintandweatheredpartsofherrevealingaroughtextureunderneath.Welllovedandremainingafigureofgrace,humilityandfaithfulnessshehadenduredmanyaNewEnglandwinter.Accordingly,sheneededanewcoatofpaintandagrottoagainandIcouldnothelpbutseethatItooneededthesame.

“Forhewillconcealmetherewhentroublescome;hewillhidemeinhis

sanctuary.Hewillplacemeoutofreachonahighrock”Psalm27:5

ThisiswhenIrememberedmyspiritualdirector’sadvice.

It’sok,infactnecessary,foreachoneofustotaketimeawaytogetawayandbewithGod.Scripturally,timeandtimeagainweseeJesusseekthisrespitetopray,connectandrenewwithhisFather.(Mark1:35,Mark14:39,Luke5:16,Matthew14:23,Luke6:12)AndwhileIamcertainheconsideredtheapostlesgoodfriends,perhapshealsoneededthistimetodiscernhowbesttoleadthemgiventheiruniquepersonalities,giftsandlimitations.Whetheritbeadesert,mountaintop,orseasidethedemandsoftheworldarounduscompelustofindthisspaceinthemidstofourdailylife.

We,likeJesus,needthistimetocareforoursoulsothatwecanbegintoloveothersasGodlovesus.Whiletheconversationmightentailagooddealofselfrighteouscomplaining,withoutadoubtIusuallydiscovermomentswhereIhavemissedthemarkthatday.Thingssaidorthoughtoutoffrustrationinsteadofprayerfullyconsidering.InstanceswhereIlackedcompassionorallowedthecircumstancestostealmyjoyandpeace.

Yet,Goddoesnotseekustoremaininastateofdesolationoverthesemisgivingsbutinprayeristheretoguideustolearnanddiscern.HereGodspeaks,aburningflameremindingushowverymuchwearelovedandhispromisetoalwaysbewithus.Lovinglyleadingusfromadarkenedstateofexhaustionandfrustration,toanopennesstoassenttothelifehehasplanned.

“TodayFatherIseektorestinyourembrace.Iofferupallofmyconcerns,irritations,sorrows,hopesandfears.Iknowthatyoucanhandlealloftheseandohsomuchmore.Abrokennessmadebeautifulandwhole.YoulovemeasIam,yetcallmetoanincrediblelifeinYou.ThankyouFather,forthistimetoberecreatedanew.Leadmenowtoserveyouwitharenewedpurposeandaspiritofjoy!”

Peace,

Thiscontributionisavailableathttp://theologyisaverb.com/2018/05/21/worn-and-weathered/

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PaulandtheEphesians[atCreoenDios!]Today’sfirstMassreadingfromActsisonethatneverfailstomoveme.ItispartofPaul’sfarewelladdresstothepeopleofEphesus.

PaulhadbeenlivingamongtheEphesians,teachingtheminpublicandintheirhomes,andclearlydevelopingcloserelationshipsthere.Yet,heisnow“compelledbytheSpirit”togotoJerusalem.AndPaulseemstoknowthisisnoquickvacationfromwhichhewillreturntohisfriend;hetellsthenthattheHolySpirithasbeenwarninghimthatimprisonmentandhardshipsandhislikelydeathawaithiminJerusalem.PaulthusisawarethatheisspeakingtotheEphesiansforthelasttime,knowinghewillneverseethemagain.

PartofwhatmovesmeinthispassageisimagininghowhardIwouldhavefoundittobeinPaul’sposition.IfinditdifficultenoughtosaygoodbyetoclosefriendswhenIknowseveralmonthsmaypassbeforeIseethemagain.Buttosaygoodbyeknowingitisthelasttimeyourfriendswillthrowtheirarmsaroundyouandkissyou(astheEphesiansdidtoPaulaftertheyprayedtogether),letaloneknowingyouareheadedtowardlikelydeath,howhardmustthatbe?

ButtheotherpartofwhatmovesmeisPaul’sabsoluteclarityaboutwhatmatters.“Iconsiderlifeofnoimportancetome,ifonlyImayfinishmycourseandtheministrythatIreceivedfromtheLordJesus,tobearwitnesstotheGospelofGod’sgrace.”

AsIsatwiththepassagethismorning,IhadtoacknowledgethatIdon’talwayshavethatsameclarityofvision.AscommittedasIamtomyministryandlifeinChrist,sometimesIgetalittledistractedandgiveimportancetothingsthatdon’tdeserveit.Sometimesmyanxietiestaketimeandenergyawayfromwhatreallymatters.SoIprayfortheclarityandstrengthevidencedinPaul’swordstodaythatImay“bearwitnesstotheGospelofGod’sgrace”inallIdo.

Thiscontributionisavailableathttp://susanjoan.wordpress.com/2018/05/15/paul-and-the-

ephesians/

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Lifeismessy;lifeishardbecauseweallsufferonourjourneytowardstheheartofGod.

Recently,oneofmydaughters,feelingoverwhelmedbyhercircumstances,wasfeelingsorryforherself.Inthespaceofaweek,shemetthreepeople,allwhoappearedsuccessfulandproblemfreeonthesurface,onlytodiscovereachonewassufferingdeeply.Sheliterallyranintoonewomanwhowasjoggingthroughtheiraffluentneighborhood.Thisfashionable-lookingwoman’shusbandwasbedridden,herfamilyhadbeenforcedtoselltheirhomeandlivewithherelderlyparents,herteenagekidswereactingup,andshewastryingtorunahomedaycaresoshecouldbephysicallyavailabletoherparents,herkidsandhersickhusband.

Wemustoftendrawthecomparisonbetweentimeandeternity.Thisistheremedyofallourtroubles.Howsmallwillthepresentmomentappearwhenweenterthatgreatocean.-St.ElizebethAnnSeton

SufferWithJoy

Peoplecannotavoidpainbutonlychoosehowtogothroughthedifficultieswhichraindownonthem.Itispossibletoliveahardlifeyetbefilledwithjoyandpeace.Iamajoyfulperson,eventhoughbysociety’sstandardsIshouldbemiserablebecauseJesushasfinallymanagedtoshowmehowtobefilledwithjoyasIjourneyintotheheartofGod.

Ifweonlyknewtheprecioustreasurehiddenininfirmities,wewouldreceivethemwiththesamejoywithwhichwereceivethegreatestbenefits,andwewouldbearthemwithoutevercomplainingorshowingsignsofweariness.-St.VincentdePaul

Christiancognitivetherapyisawonderfultooltoshakeusoutofourself-pity.Takeastepback,countallyourblessings,stayfocusedonreceivingGod’slove,pray,andwatchthemountainsyoufacegrowsmaller.WhenIfocusonlyonmyproblems,theygrowlargerandmoredifficult.Ialsodiscoveredmuchofmyanguishisself-inflictedbecauseItrytostealGod’sjobbytryingtosavemyselfandeveryoneelsearoundme.ThelargeweightofdespairliftsoffthemomentIsurrendermypaintoChrist,askingHimtotrulybemysaviorinthenitty-gritty

realityofdailylife.

Hehimselfboreoursinsinhisbodyuponthecross,sothat,freefromsin,wemightliveforrighteousness.Byhiswoundsyouhavebeenhealed.1Peter2:24

WhenIfocusonlyonmyproblems,theygrowlargerandmoredifficult.

SaintPaul

SaintPaulisanexampleofamanwholivedinthejoyoftheLord,eventhoughbytheworld’sstandard’sheshouldhavebeenmiserableandfullofcomplaints.

HewasthemostimportantapostletotheGentiles,well-educated,andfamousforfoundingchurchesallovertheRomanEmpire.InunitywiththeHolySpirit,PauldiscoveredandarticulatedthenewMysticalTheologyoftheChristianlife.HisletterswerereadandrereadbythefirstChristians,theultimatestandardonhowtoliveasaChristian.

Yet,whenhewasover60,hewasnotenjoyingretirementbutinaRomanprison,awaitingatrialwhichcouldresultinhisexecution.Althoughhewasinhisownquarters,hewaschainedtoaRomanguard24hoursadayandsufferedunderunfaircriticismbyjealousChurchleaders.HehadenduredanothertwoyearsconfinedinCaesareaearliernevermindhealmostdiedafterashipwreckonhiswaytoRome.

Despiteallthesehardships,St.PaulwasfilledwithjoybecausehedidnotdemandcomfortbuthadthegracetoliveintheLoveofChristnomatterifhewasrichorpoor,inprisonorfree.HerealizedGodwasusinghiscircumstancestopurifyhim.Godallowedhimtosuffer.

Jesussufferedanddiedtosaveus.OnedayChristwillwipeeverytearwipedfromoureyes(Rev.21:4).However,JesusalsopromisedusthatifwearetrulyHisdisciples,wewillsufferbecauseitistheonlywaytobringusclosertotheheartofGod.

Sufferingteachesyoutolove.-St.GemmaGalgani

connectingwiththeologyisaverbandreconciledtoyou

Publishedbymelaniejeanjuneau

MelanieJeanJuneauservesastheEditorinChiefofCatholicStand.Sheisamotherofninechildrenwhohaseditedherkid'suniversitytermpapersforoveradecade.Sheblogsatjoyofnine9andmotherofnine9.Herwritingishumorousandheartwarming;thoughtfulandthought-provoking.Partofhercallandherwitnessistowritethetruthaboutchildren,family,marriageandthesacrednessoflife.MelanieistheadministratorofACWB,acolumnistatCatholicLane,CatholicStand,Catholic365,CAPC,authorofEchoesoftheDivineandOopsyDaisy,andcoauthorofLoveRebel:ReclaimingMotherhood.Viewallpostsbymelaniejeanjuneau

Thiscontributionisavailableathttp://melaniejeanjuneau.blog/2018/05/29/thriving-in-the-midst-

of-suffering/

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LikeJesus,weneedtoseeothersaspeoplefirst[atGrandinMedia]

TheeighthchapterofJohn’sGospelbeginswithwhatIassumemusthavebeenaprettyordinarydayinthelifeofJesus.Itsaysthat“earlyinthemorninghecameagaintothetemple.Allthepeoplecametohimandhesatdownandbegantoteachthem”(John8:2).

Soundsnice,right?Justanotherrabbiinthetempleteachingthecrowdgatheredaroundhim.Butthispeacefulscenechangesquickly,aswegoontoreadthat“…thescribesandthePhariseesbroughtawomanwhohadbeencaughtinadultery;andmakingherstandbeforeallofthem,theysaidtohim,“Teacher,thiswomanwascaughtintheveryactofcommittingadultery.NowinthelawMosescommandedustostonesuchwomen.Nowwhatdoyousay?”(John8:3-5).

Idon’tknowthatyoucouldfindamoreawkwardsceneanywhereintheGospels.Butthiswomanisthere,hersinshavebeenmadepublic,andshealone–notthemanshe’dbeenwith–isfacingdeathforhersins.

Iagreethatthisisn’tfairandthatthepunishmentisexcessive,butI’vegotadifferentpointtomaketoday.WereadthatthescribesandPhariseesweredoingthisinordertotrapJesus(John8:6):eitherhe’dcallformercyandlethergofree,makinghimalawbreaker,orhe’dhaveherkilled–makinghismessagehypocriticalwhencomparedtohisactions.Ineithercase,theywouldhavesucceededindiscreditingJesusanddiminishinghisinfluenceoverthecrowds.You’lllikelyrecallthatitwasherethatJesusdidsomethingsurprising:callingforanyonewithoutsinto“castthefirststone”(John8:7).Indoingso,hewasabletodiffusethesituationandsavethiswoman’slife.

ThewholesequencehelpsbringtolifeinatangiblewaythemercyofJesus.Buttherealsoseemstobeanother,deeperlessonhereforustolearn.

Putyourselfintheshoesofthiswoman.Throughoutthisstorysheencountersmenwhoarereadyandwillingtouseher.First,there’sthemanwithwhomsheishavinganillicitrelationship.Asmentionedabove,sheandshealonefaces

deathfortheactionstheychosetogether.Idon’tbelievethatloveputsthelifeofone’sbelovedinthissortofdanger.Second,thescribesandPhariseesarenotinterveninginthewoman’slifeforhersake.Althoughtheircareoughttobeforhersoulandherspiritualwell-being,theirsinglepurposeinthisstoryseemstobeinharmingJesus’ministry.Itisn’tastretchtosaythattheydon’tcarewhethershelivesordies.Finally,youhaveacrowdofpeoplewho’vegonetothetemplethatmorninginordertopray,worship,andlearnabouttheirfaith–andtheyarequicklysidetrackedwiththepossibilityofapublicstoning.

Everyoneinvolved–theman,thescribes&Pharisees,andthecrowd–arealltoowillingtousethiswomanfortheirownparticularpurposesduringthisincident.Anditbringstolifesomethingthelate,greatArchbishopFultonSheensaid:“Youmustremembertolovepeopleandusethingsratherthantolovethingsandusepeople.”Thisishardbecauseweliveinaworldthathasahabitofdoingtheopposite,whetherwespeakofcorporationschoosingprofitsoverpeopleorindividualswhouseoneanotherinrelationshipsforavarietyofreasons.

Hereinthe21stcentury,wearefacingamuchmoreinsidiouswayofusingpeople:pornography.

Whilepornographyhasbeenaroundforalongtime,theageoftheInternetandsmartphoneshasmadeitreadilyaccessibletopeople.Whenyouthinkaboutit,we’recurrentlylivinginthemidstofasocialexperiment:Whathappenswhenyouraiseagenerationwithlimitless,unfilteredaccesstopornographiccontent?Peoplecontinuetogetused.

ThewebsiteFightTheNewDrugwritesfromacompletelysecularperspectiveonpornography,likethisarticlepresentingsomeofthemostdisturbingstatisticssurroundingpornographytoday(itstartedoutbeing10statistics,butthey’vesinceupdateditto18).Asidefromthemoneybeingmadeandthesheervolumeofcontentbeingproduced,thestatisticthatbothersmethemostisthattheaverageagesomeonefirstseespornographytodayis10or11yearsold.That’syoungpeopleinGrades5and6,whooftencomeacrossthistypeofcontentthroughnofaultoftheirown.Butit’sshapingthemandteachingthemuseotherslikethecrowds,scribesandPharisees,andthemanalldidtothewomanfromJohn8.

BishopPaulLoverde,theBishopEmeritusofArlington,Texaswrote:

“(Pornography)obscuresanddestroyspeople’sabilitytoseeoneanotherasuniqueandbeautifulexpressionsofGod’screation,insteaddarkeningtheirvision,causingthemtoviewothersasobjectstobeusedandmanipulated.”

Howdoweturnthetideagainstthishabitofusingothers?I’dsuggestitstartsbydoingwhatonlyourLorddidforthewomancaughtinadultery:Hesawthepersonandneitherthebaddecisionsshe’dmadenorthepoliticshisenemiesweretryingtodraghiminto.Weneedtosimilarlyresisttheinsidiousnessofpornographydragusin,aspornographyishighlyaddictive,andchoosetoseeothersaspersonsfirst.

(Needhelpfightingapornographyhabitoraddiction?CheckoutDr.PeterKleponis’PathtoRecovery.)

–MikeLandryisthechaplainforEvergreenCatholicSchools.HeisbasedinSpruceGrove,Alberta.

Thiscontributionisavailableathttp://grandinmedia.ca/like-jesus-need-see-others-people-first/

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WaitingforCommunion[atBewareYonDragons!]

SomeoneatMasstodaydidnotcomeforwardtoreceivecommunion.Howdoyoufeelwhenyouhearthat?Sad?Confused?Happy?Whatthoughtsgothroughyourmindwhenyouseesomethinglikethat?Haveyou

ever

seensomethinglikethat(exceptfornon-Catholics)?Whatwouldyousay(ifanything)tothepersonafterMassifyousawthat?Allofthesequestionsareimportantforyoutoaskyourself,becausetheywillrevealmuchaboutyourunderstandingofHolyCommunion.

Thefirstquestionthatmanyaskinthisregardis,"isn'tthatwrong?aren'tyousupposedtoreceivecommunioneverytimeyougotoMass?"Iwouldreallyliketoknowwherethisideacamefrom.SomewherealongthelinethefaithfulwereencouragedtoreceivecommunionatMassregardlessofwhethertheywereinastateofgraceornot(whichisaninsidiouserror).ThefaithfulareforbiddenfromreceivingHolyCommunioniftheyhaveunconfessed(andthereforeunforgiven)gravesinintheirlives.Whathaveyoubeentaughtinthisregard?

DidyouknowthatmanyoftheSaintsofyearsagoreceivedcommuniononlyonrareoccasions?ThiswasnotbecausetheywerelazyordisrespectfultowardJesus(justtheopposite!);itwasbecausetheywantedtobesurethattheywere"rightlydisposed"beforetheypartookoftheSacrament.Therewassomethingelsegoingonhereaswell;theyrealizedthatthesacrificeoftheMasswasmoreimportantthantheirpersonalreception.Infact,onlythecelebrantisactually

required

toreceiveattheMass,forwhenhereceivesheiscompletingthesacrificeitself(andtheconsecrationisnotconsideredcompleteuntilthepriesthasreceivedbothbodyandblood).

TherecertainlymightbevariousreasonswhysomeonewouldnotreceivecommunionatMass;bothgoodandbad.MaybesomeonedoesnotbelieveintheRealPresenceofChristinthesacramentandwantstoavoid"superstitions"

(someoneoncetoldmethiswashisbelief).MaybesomeonehasjustreturnedtotheChurchafterbeingawayforyearsandwantstogotoconfessionfirst(agreatreason!).Finally,maybesomeoneisnotCatholicandknowsthatheisnotsupposedtoreceivethesacrament(regardlessofwhatsomeGermanBishopswouldsay).Otherthansomethingsimilartothesethreereasons,theprimaryreasonwhyaCatholicwouldabstainfromthereceptionofcommunionintheMassisbecauseheknowsthatheisonlysupposedtoreceivecommunioninastateofgraceandthattoreceiveotherwiseisanothergravesinontopofwhatisalreadythere.

Technicallyspeaking,sincenoneofthefaithfularerequiredtoreceivecommunionmorethanonceayear(yes,youreadthatright),thereisnothingwrongwithattendingMassfaithfullyonSundaysandHolyDaysofObligationandnotreceiveforquiteawhile.BecausetheSacramentprovidesgraceforthelifeoffaithfulness,wewouldnotwantsomeonetoerrsofarinthisdirectionthathewere

avoiding

theSacrament.ThereisstillgracetobereceivedinthebodyandbloodofChrist,butitisbettertobeworkingonyoursinsandabstainthantoignoreyourspiritualconditionandcometocommunioninastateofgravesin.

ItwouldbebettertotakethosefewminutesbeforetheMasstodoahealthyself-examinationandaskyourself"amIrightlypreparedtoreceivecommuniontoday?"(howmanytimeshaveyoudonethat?)thantoassumethatyouarerequiredtoreceivecommunioneverytime.Furthermore,inthiscontext,itisobligatoryfortherestofthefaithfultolookwithhumilityuponsomeonewhostaysinthepewduringthedistributionofcommunion(thereisnocriticismforsomeonewhorespectsthesacramentsomuchthathechoosestowaittoreceiveit).

SowhensomeonedoesnotreceivecommunionatMass,andisdoingitbecauseheorsheisconcernedwithbeingrightbeforeGod,itiscommendable--didyoureadthat?

Commendable!

Itisagoodandgodlything:itsays"I'mnottakingthisforgranted"aswellas"IamconcernedthatIbefullyandrightlypreparedtocometotherail."Infact,

wereeveryoneinasingleparishtoacknowledgethisimportanttruth,thenlessandlesspeoplewouldcometocommunioneveryweek.Inaddition,moreandmorepeoplemayverywellspendmoretimeworkingontheirspiritualstateandlesstimetryingtolookperfectinfrontofeveryoneelse.

Thiscontributionisavailableathttp://bewareyondragons.blogspot.com/2018/05/waiting-for-

communion.html

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DividedbyBirthControl?Naah[atClingingtoOnions]

“Purityisthebeginningofallpassion.”

The50thanniversaryof

HumanaeVitae

iscomingupinJuly,butthe

WallStreetJournal

gotajumponthecommemorativeanalysis.“Catholicshaveoverwhelminglyrejectedthedocument’steaching,”FrancisX.RoccaavowedonSaturday,andtheupshotofthatrejectionwascapturedinhisessay’stitle:“

AChurchStillDividedbyBirthControl

.”RoccaoffersasevidencethePewResearchCenter’s2016U.S.studywhich“foundthatonly13%ofweeklyMass-goingCatholicsthoughtcontraceptionwasmorallywrong.”

Since“weeklyMass-going”isoneofmyowncriteriafordistinguishingbetween“practicing”and“cultural”Catholics,Iwastakenaback.HowcoulditbethatsofewpracticingCatholicsinthiscountryembracethisessentialteachingoftheChurch?

So,Itrackeddownthe

study

–andwhatRoccareportedistrue(ifyoutrustPewResearch–whichIdo).But,asusualwhenitcomestoCatholiccontroversy,there’smoretothestory.Acoupleeasyhyperlinkclickslater,andIcameacross

additionalPewdata

onAmericanCatholicismthatIfoundilluminating.“MostU.S.Catholicsrelyheavilyontheirownconscienceformoralguidance,”goestheheadline,andby“most”thePewfolksmean74%oftheweeklyMasscrowdaswellas73%oftheir“nothighlyreligious”(non-weeklyMass)counterparts–astatisticaldeadheat.

AsthePewsummarynoted,theChurchherselfstrongly

endorses

relianceonourconscienceswhenitcomestomoraldecisions,butthere’sacaveat:WehaveadutytoformourconsciencesproperlythroughongoingrecoursetoSacredScriptureandtheMagisterium(

CCC1785

).ClaireGecewicz,thePewresearcherwhosummarizedtheCenter’sfindings,acknowledgesthis,butthenshegoesontospeculatethatU.S.Catholics“maynotlookdirectlytotheBible,thepopeortheCatholicChurch’steachingswhenmakingdifficultmoralchoices,buttheymaybeguidedbythesesourcesindirectlythroughtheirown‘well-formed’conscience.”

Isitjustme,orisGecewiczdescribingsomethingthatsoundslikecircularreasoning?

Inanycase,IdonotacceptRocca’sassertionthatU.S.Catholicshavedispensedwiththeteachingof

HumanaeVitae

forthesimplereasonthatU.S.Catholicsseemtobe,byandlarge,unfamiliarwithwhatPaulVI’sencyclical

actuallyteaches

–orelse,they’veforgottenwhattheyshould’veheardintheirPre-Canaclasses.IadmitIhavenoPewResearchtobackmeuponthis,andIcouldbetotallyoffbase,butI’llbetyourtypicalweeklyMass-goerwhodismisses

HumanaeVitae

assumesit’sadocumentexclusivelyaboutwhatyou

can’t

do.

Yet,thoseofuswhohavetakenthetroubletoreadtheencyclicalandponderPaulVI’steachingknowthatit’smainlyaboutwhatyou

get

todo–thatis,fullyexperiencemutualself-givinginmaritalintimacyasGoddesignedit,alongwithallitsbenefitsbeyondthebedroom.Conscientiouslyfollowingtheteachingof

HumanaeVitae

doesinvolvesomesacrifice,butit“fostersinhusbandandwifethoughtfulnessandlovingconsiderationforoneanother,”PopePaulexplained,andit“helpsthemtorepelinordinateself-love,whichistheoppositeofcharity”(HV21).Andthat’sjustasampleoftheHolyFather’swisdom.There’splentymorewherethatcamefrom–wejustneedtogetthewordout.

How?Thebestwayistoreallylive

HumanaeVitae.TeachHumanaeVitae.

Andbeunabashedlygratefulfor

HumanaeVitae.

It’strueandbeautifulandasignofhopeinaconfusedandconfusingworld.

_________________________________

Thiscontributionisavailableathttp://clingingtoonions.blogspot.com/2018/05/divided-by-birth-

control-naah.html

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metamorphosisofasoul

Moretoxictothesoulthandeadlypoisonistothebody--isunforgiveness.

Iteatsawayatourverycorecausingillhealth:spiritually,emotionally,psychologicallyandevenphysically.

Howdowegetfreefromthissnare?

Let’sunpackitandseewhatitisatitsveryrootandunmasktheenemyofoursoulwhosetsthedeadlytrapsthatcauseussomuchharm.

Unforgivenesscomesastheresultofanactionthathascausedustotakeoffense.Thisoffencecaneitherhavebeenintentionallyorunintentionallydirectedtowardsus,largeorsmall,itmattersnot,ifwetakeoffencewearetrapped.

Theword“offence”comesfromtheGreekword“skandalon”.

Skandalonisprimarily“atrap-stick,""abentstickonwhichthebaitisfastenedwhichtheanimalstrikesagainstandsospringsthetrap,"hence,itcametodenotea"snare,"oranythingwhichonestrikesagainstinjuriously(itisSeptuagint'swordformoqesh,a"noose"or"snare,""astumbling-block").NETBible

Thefirstlineofdefenceistobecomeawareofwhattheenemyistryingtodo.

Avoidingthetrapaltogetherisbest,refusingtotakeoffenceandseeingall“offence”asrollingoffofyouandfallingontoJesus.Uponthecross,JesustookthesinoftheentireworlduponHimself,solettheinsultfalluponHim.(“Theinsultsofthosewhoinsultyoufalluponme."Romans15:3).ThenaskHimfortheloveHehadfromthecrosstospeakthewordsHespoke:“ForgivethemFather,theyknownotwhattheydo”(Luke23:34).AndthankJesusfortakingthehurtandgivingyoutheloveyouneedtohandlethesituationandevengoonestepfurther...blessthe”offensiveperson.”(“ButtoyouwhohearIsay,loveyourenemies,dogoodtothosewhohateyou,blessthosewhocurseyou,prayforthosewhomistreatyou.”Luke6:27-28).Andseetheresultsofthisbelow.

Ifyoufindyourselfalreadyinthe“offencetrap”,thereisonlyoneanswertospringyouout.

ChoosetoFORGIVE.

Forgivenessisachoice,itisnotafeeling.Itisnotdependantonwhethertheoffenderis“sorry”oreveracknowledgeswhattheyhavedone.Itdoesnotmeanyouneedtore-establisharelationshiporinanywayerase“healthyboundaries.”

No.ItmeansyouarehandingoverthesituationtomoreCapableHands.YouarereleasingthesituationandthepersonwhocausedtheoffenseintotheHandsofJesus.

Thebeautyofthisisthatyouarenotdenyingthatithappened,youaresimplygivingitovertotheJustJudgewhocanhandlethesituationfarmoreastutelythanyoucan.Alongwiththis,youarereleasingthe“fixing”ofthesituationandthepersontotheGreat“IAM”whocanbringpeace,goodness,andevenblessingoutoftheworstwecanhandtoHim.

Tryitandsee.

1.Cupyourhandsandplaceinthemallofthe“offences”,namingthemonebyone.PraytellingJesus,“IreleaseallofthisintoYourmoreCapableHandstowashoverandtoforgive.Iacknowledgethatitistoomuchformyhumanitytodealwithortobear.”Brushoffyourhands.

2.Nowcupyourhandsagainandplaceinthemallthatthese“offences”causedyoutodo.Perhapsyouwithheldforgiveness,retaliated,orrefusedtobelovingtothe“offender”.PraytellingJesus,“IreleaseallofthisintoYourmoreCapableHandstowashoverandtoforgive.IamsorryformypartinthisandIacknowledgethatitistoomuchformyhumanitytohandleortobear.”Brushoffyourhands.(YoumightfeeltheneedtogotoConfession!Ifyoudo…evenmoregracesflow!)

3.Cupyourhandsagainandplaceallthegoodthatyouwouldliketoseecometothe“offender”inthem.Perhapsyouwouldlikethispersontochangetobecomeamorelovingindividual,moregenerousorkind.PraytellingJesus,“IreleasethispersonintoYourmoreCapableHandstowashoverandtoheal(Ileavethe“fixing”toYou.)Iacknowledgethatthisistoomuchformyhumanitytobearandnotmyjob.”Brushoffyourhands.

4.Forthelasttime:cupyourhandsagainandplaceallthatyouwouldliketoseethatisgoodthatcouldtocometoyoufromthisinthem.Perhapsyouwouldliketobecomeamorelovingindividualortobeabletoreactdifferentlytothispersonorinthissituation.PraytellingJesus,“IreleasemyselfintoYourCapableHandstowashoverandtoheal(Ileavethe“fixing”ofevenmyselftoYou.)Iacknowledgethatthisistoomuchformyhumanitytobearandnotmyjob.IaskforthewillandtheabilitytocooperatewithYourgrace.”Brushoffyourhands.

NowthankJesusforhearingyourprayerandbringingpeaceandwholenessasyouchoosedailytoforgive...againandagainandagain.

SPRINGTHETRAP!FORGIVE!AndleaveitallinthemoreCapableHandsofJesus!

“Donotrepayanyoneevilforevil;beconcernedforwhatisnobleinthesightofall.Ifpossible,onyourpart,liveatpeacewithall.Beloved,donotlookforrevengebutleaveroomforthewrath;foritiswritten,‘Vengeanceismine,Iwillrepay,saystheLord.’Rather,‘ifyourenemyishungry,feedhim;ifheisthirsty,givehimsomethingtodrink;forbysodoingyouwillheapburningcoalsuponhishead.’Donotbeconqueredbyevilbutconquerevilwithgood.”Romans12:17-21.

Amen!andAMEN!

Thiscontributionisavailableathttp://www.melissaovermyer.com/single-post/2018/05/23/skandalon

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HolyAnticipation[atShiftingMyPerspective]

Hecalledachildover,placeditintheirmidst,andsaid,“Amen,Isaytoyou,unlessyouturnandbecomelikechildren,youwillnotenterthekingdomofheaven.”Matthew18:2-3

JocelynreceivedherFirstHolyCommunionafewweeksago.AlthoughIdomybesttomakesuremykidsbehaveappropriatelyinchurch,she’sbeenactingouteversince.Butit’snothowyou’dthink.

RightbeforeCommunion,Jocelynstartsbouncingupanddowninherseat,literally.It’sasifshe’sswallowedaMexicanjumpingbeanandcan’tsitstill.Despitebeingasternmominchurch,Ijustcan’tbringmyselftostopher.

Iknowallthatenergyisaresultofhersouldancinginsideher.ShehaswaitedsolongtobeabletoreceivetheEucharist.Foryears,she’swatchedalltheparishionerswalkdowntheaisle,andopentheirhands,mouthsandheartstoreceiveCommunion.Whereas,she’shadtocrossherarmsasasignalthatshewasn’tofageandcouldn’treceiveyet.Wealllookedathercrossedarmsasasweetwaytogetablessing.Ithinkshesawhercrossedarmsasabarrierkeepingherfromcommunionwiththecongregation,andGod.

Nowthat’sallathingofthepast.She’sinthebigleaguesnow;andshe’selated.Sure,partofitisbecomingonewiththecommunityanddoingwhateveryone

elsedoes.MostofitisgettingtoreceivetheEucharistandallitsgraces.Shehasthatchild’sheartthatJesustalkedaboutinMatthew18,andshe’sbeyonddelightedtoreceiveHisgifteachweek.

IthinkGodisjustasdelighted.IthinkthereasonHehadJesustalkabouttheimportanceofhavingachild’sheartisbecauseHehasachild’shearttoo.He’sbeenwaitingforJocelyntoreceiveherFirstHolyCommunionwithfarmoreanticipationthansheeverhad.Andnow,whenHelooksdownonhereachSunday,IthinktheelationHefeelshasHimbouncingupanddownonHisHeavenlythronetoo.

QuestionforReflection:

*DoesmysouldancewithexcitementwhenIreceiveCommunion?

Thiscontributionisavailableathttp://shiftingmyperspective.com/2018/05/31/holy-anticipation/

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MakeNOMistakeandNeverForget;MothersareWomenandFemaleistheirGender[atCradlingCatholic]

AMom&HerSon–BoundForeverbyAuthor

ByLarryPeterson

IfoundmyselfwritingthisforMother’sDaybecausethelegaldefinitionof“gender”hasbecomecontroversial.IbeginwithaquotefromCardinalGiovanniRavasi;PresidentofthePontificalCouncilofCulture:“Theloveofmanandwoman,capableofgeneratinglife,isasignthatpointstoGod.”

Thefollowingcomesfrompersonalexperience.Myyoungestbrother,Johnny,hadjustturnedtwowhenMomdied.Theprevioussixmonthsshehadbeen,forthemostpart,inthehospital.Johnnygrewupwithouteverknowinghismomandherhugsorhervoiceorhercaress.His‘shrink,’toldhimhis“problems”withrelationshipswereduetothefacthehadlosthisMomasababy.Johnnytookhisownlifethreeyearsago.

BobbywassixyearsoldwhenMomdied.Healwayshadanangerinhimthatcouldexposeitselftoperceivedprovocations.Hepassedawaysuddenly,elevenyearsago.Hiskillerwascongestiveheartfailure.Istillthinkhishearthadbeenirreparablybrokenatagesixanditjusttookanotherfortyyearstogiveout.

Dannywasten.Heisstillfine,andweareinfrequentcontact.Iwastheoldest,

andmysisterwassecond.DaddiedafewyearsafterMom,andwetriedtobeamomandadadtoourthreebrothers.Wedidourbest,butwewereinwaterwayoverourheads.Wedidsurviveasafamilybut,asyoucansee,havingnoMomhadprofoundconsequences(thedadpartIwillleaveforanotherday).

Imoveahead16yearstothebirthofmydaughter.Timeswerechanging,andwhenMarycamealong,Iwaspresent,andalldeckedoutinmyscrubsandsterilegloves(Priortothattime,Dadswerenotallowedintothedeliveryroom).

Iwassittingattheendofthedeliveryroomtablewithmyrighthandholdingthetopofmywife’shead.Iwaslookingupintoamirrorwatchingthebirthtakeplace.Andthen,DoctorButlerbegantolifthisarmsandinhishandswasababy.Ourbaby—agirl.

Itseemedthatalmostinstantlythenursewasnexttomehandingme,mydaughter.Herfacewasstillgooey,andhereyeswerewideopen.Shewasnotcryingbutrather,shekeptstaringatme.Hereyeswereasblueastheskyandasbigassaucers.Thatwasmymoment,etchedwithinmymindforever.Amoreprofoundmomentwasontheway.

WithinmomentsbabyMarywasbeingliftedfrommyhandsandtakentoherwaitingMom.Stilllyingonthedeliverytable,Lorettareachedoutforherbaby.ThatwasthemomentIunderstoodthepowerandintrinsicimportanceofamom.Amotherandherchildareforeverboundbyanunbreakablebondthatcanonlybefeltbetweenthem.Ialsobelievethatdynamicissimilartoeverychildthatamomgivesbirthtoo.

Therearemanymomswhohave,becauseofwhatevercircumstanceandoftentimesoutofloveandhumility,giventheirchildupforadoption.Inmyheartofhearts,Idonotbelieveanywoman“happily”givesawayherownchild.Interestingly,theadoptiveparentswillgenerallylovethatchildasifsheorhewastheirveryownandthechildrenwouldassuredlylovethemback.

But,atsomepointintime,thechildrenhaveaneedarisewithinthemselvesto‘find”theirBirthMomand/orBirthDad.Thatisbecauseanunbreakablebondisalwaysthere.Noonecanremoveitortakeitawayorreplaceit.Itiswhatitis.

Forsome,GenderNeutralitymaybethe“feelgood”movementforthepresentmoment.ButitisapremisebuiltonquicksandanddefiesalloftheNaturalLaw.PopeSt.JohnPaulIIsummeditupbest:“Godhasassignedadutytoevery

man,thedignityofeverywoman.”

WithinthosewordsaretheinspirationforbothmenandwomentodefendwhatGodhascreated.

WishingallMoms,bothlivingandpassedon,aHAPPYMOTHER’SDAY

AndpleasesayaprayerforallthosefolkswhocannotrememberwhathavingaMomwaslike.

Thiscontributionisavailableathttp://cradlingcatholic.com/2018/05/12/make-no-mistake-and-

never-forget-mothers-are-women-and-female-is-their-gender/

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BamBamisGone[atConvertJournal]

EightyearsagoIwroteapiececalledFeartheLordinwhichBamBam,ourthen10yearoldshih-tzu,hadastarringrole.AtthattimeIwroteofhimandhissisterPebbles,inpart:

Iimagineonedaythatavisittothevetwillnotendinjustanothertreatforthem.

Todaywasthatday.BamBamdiedpeacefullythisafternoonathisveterinarian’soffice.Iamheartbroken.Itwasreally,reallyhardtotakehimtherebutitwastime.Inthelastyearorsohisqualityoflifehassteadilydeclined.Thedogthatwaswithussincewemovedintoourcurrenthomewhenourdaughterwas8(now26,married,movedaway,pursuingaPh.D.)isgone.Wetreasuredhisyoungerandverymischievouspersonality.Icouldtellsomanystoriesofhisantics!Heplayedanimportantpartinourfamilylife.Oneofhisspecialcontributionswaswhenanyofusweresickinbed–BamBamcouldbecountedontolayquietlywithusfordays.

AsaCatholic,Istruggledwithhisdeathinseveraladditionalways.First,understandingwhoorwhatisbeinglost?AsdearasBamBamhasbeentousandasattachedaswewere,hewasananimal.OneofGod’sveryspecialcreaturestobesure,butnotaperson.Likealllovingpetowners,weinteractedwithhimmanytimeseveryday,tookgoodcareofhimandconsideredhimasamemberofourextendedfamily.Althoughweprojectedontohimhuman-likeattributes,itisimportantformetorememberhedidnothavetherationalitynordignityofaperson.

Thesecondissueiseuthanasia.Forpeople,thisisabsolutelyoutofthequestion.WhenIallowedmyselftoreflectonBamBamlikeaperson(shih-tzuarerelativelysmalldogs,soIoftenreferredtohimandhissisteras“littlepeople”),thethoughtofeuthanizinghimwasrepugnant.Wereheaperson,however,hewould(justlyso)bereceivingagoodamountofend-of-lifemedicalcareatthispoint.Thatisnotappropriateforapet.Itisappropriate,asbestasweareable,totreathimhumanely.Foranimals(unlikepeople)euthanasiasometimesbecomesthemosthumane,mostunselfishoption.

ThethirdissueIreflectonisattachment.TherearemanythingsIamattachedtoonmyearthlypilgrimage,butnonemorethanGod.AfterGodcomesfamily,friends,allotherpeople,thenpetsandallotherthings.MyattachmenttoBamBamwasalrightinitsplace,yettheworldisalittleemptierwithouthim.Likepeople,IhavefoundeverydogIeverhadtobeunique.

Myfourthandfinalissueis“whereishenow”?Heissimplygone.Hehadananimalsoul,notarationalhumansoul.Hedidnotfacejudgmentbecauseheendedhereandcouldnotactuallysin.HewasnotmadeintheimageandlikenessofGod,wasnotbelovedasGod’schildrenare,isnotanheirtotheFather’skingdom,isnotabeneficiaryoftheSon’ssacrifice–soforBamBam,lifeendshere.Ofthefourlastthings,onlydeathmayapply.

MyprayersareofthanksforthegiftofBamBamtous,butnotforhissoul.Thatisgone,alongwithhisplaceinGod’screation.Whilehehasnot“passedon”andisnot“restinginpeace”–heisnotsuffering,willbefondlyrememberedandwillbemissed.AnythingmorethanthatisentrustedtoGod’sprovidence.Goodbyemyveryspecial,four-leggedfriend.

Thiscontributionisavailableathttp://convertjournal.com/2018/05/bambam-is-gone/

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LiturgicalAbusesandMoralCorruption[atCatholicLifeInOurTimes]

TheencroachmentofliturgicalabusesintheChurchisalongdebatedboneofcontentionbetweenvariousmembersoftheBodyofChrist.InadditiontothedivergingthoughtsabouttheordinaryandextraordinaryformsofMass,theSpiritofVaticanIIbroughtadivisiveopportunitylikenoother.Backthen,thelaitycouldnotresearchontheinternetwenowrelyon.QuotesandcompleteVaticantextsataclickofamousewerenotavailable.Thereforeeverythingaltered,everyrenovation,hadacaptiveaudience.Thosewhosoughtcreativityorwatereddownmeaningintheliturgysimplydidwhattheydid.Yearsofrespectforauthoritybuiltalmostautomaticacceptance.Fewpeopleinthepewquestioned.

ThroughBabyBoomerEyes

Thislackofquestioning,however,didnotmeantotalacceptance.Thetimessimplydictatedrespectforthevoiceofauthority.MysixdecadesasaCatholic,however,haveensuredmyplaceinthedebate.Havingbeenapart,albeitayouthfulpart,oftheChurch‘before’,mymemoriessharethehistory.

AtparochialschoolMass,weyoungladiesworebeaniesorlacecapletswithourschooluniforms.Weneverquestionedthesisters,norfoughtthedevotion.ItwasasunderstoodasgenuflectingandkneelingtoreceiveHimonthetongue.AsHiscreations,weowedHimrespect–bothinwardandoutward.DemonstratingrightfulrespecttoOurCreatorreliedonperceptionandacceptance.

AsayoungCatholic,IclearlyrecallmyfirstguitarMass.Tears,painfullyfoughtbackinmythroat,involuntarilywelledupatthetwanginglackofreverenceIperceived.Accustomedtoreverenthymnsplayedonapipeorgan,myentirebeingrevolted.

Asateen,Iheardjeanandsandalwearingpriestsrefrainfromtalkofsinanddamnation.Theyservedupguitaraccompaniedsongsofonlypeaceandloveintheyouthgroupsofthe70’s.Itwasatimeoffeelinggoodandgoingwiththe

flow.

LiturgicalAbusesLeadtoIrreverence

Onecannothelpbutnoticethat,withtheabandonmentoftraditions,anunseemly,casualattitudewasborn.Inearliertimes,thenormwasweeklyconfession.ManyabstainedfromthereceptionofHolyCommunion,fromtimetotime.Unlikethosedays,wenowseeanentitlementattitude.Althoughconfessionsareatanall-timelow,receptionoftheEucharistispracticedbyalmosttheentirecongregationatanygivenMass.OnehastowonderwhatwillresultfromtheSpiritofAmorislaetitia,wheretherequirementstoreceivetheHolyEucharistarebeingdebatedamongbishops–oftenbasedonindividualinterpretation.

Self-described‘babyCatholics’and‘progressive’Catholicshavebuiltquitethesoapboxinresponsetothecallformorereverence.Wheneverayearningfordevoutliturgy,theologicallycorrecthymns,respectfulattire,andadherencetotherubricsarementioned,unflatteringlabelsquicklycomeout.Descriptionsofjudgmental,legalistic,meaniesarebandiedabout.

Weareregaledwithtalesofpoorgirls,withlittlecatechesis,whoareturnedoffbythemean-spiritedmodesty/liturgypolicebecausetheycan’taffordanythingotherthanminiskirtsorbellytees.

Evennow,however,thepursuitofhumilitybeforeourCreatorleadssomeofustoreclaimtheoptionaldevotionofveiling.Thisoftenmisunderstood,voluntarytraditionoffersabeautifulwaytophysicallyproclaimtheKingshipofChrist.Wedoso,notoutofpridebutoutofourinnateneedforreverence–tocapturewhathasbeenlostinasocietyfocusedonself.Yetwe,too,aremetwithdisdain.

Andthoseself-congratulatoryhymnssongsareperfectlyfinebecausetheymakeyou‘feelgood’.Iftheliturgyisn’tfollowedproperlyandsomeoneexpressesdismay,theyarequicklylabeledasPhariseesandaccusedofcaringmoreforstructurethanJesus.Jesus,afterall,isaGod-Manofloveandinclusion.HenevertookappearancesseriouslyorcastigatedthosewhotrivializedHisFather’shouse.Oh,wait!Yes,hedid!Remembertheturningofthetablesinthetempleortheexpectationforweddinggueststowearthepropergarments?

TheHarmofLiturgicalAbuses

Actuallymanyclergy,includingpopes,weighinquiteoftenaboutproperdispositionanddecorum.PopeBenedictXVIfamouslysaidthat“Whereverapplausebreaksoutintheliturgybecauseofsomehumanachievement,itisasuresignthattheessenceofliturgyhastotallydisappearedandbeenreplacedbyakindofreligiousentertainment”.Sincethistypeofentertainmentcannotcompetewithsimilarsecularpursuits,“(s)uchattractionfadesquickly”.and“incorporatingasitincreasinglydoesvariousformsofreligioustitillation”.

Thiswasn’tsomeoffthecuffremarkthatshouldbeviewedlightly.Thepointwasthathewantedthepeopleinthepewstorememberthatworshipisnothorizontal(peopletopeople)butis,infactvertical(peopletoGod).Whenwesingsongsaboutourselvesandhowimportantweare,whenourpriestsad-libtheprayerthatistheSupperoftheLamb–HeavenonEarth–Mass,whenthefaithfulcomedressedforthebeachinsteadoftheweddingfeastoftheLamb–thentheyaremisplacingtheJesusismyfriendideabyforgettingthatJesusisalsotheKing.

“Wedoatleastneedanewliturgicalconsciousness,toberidofthisspiritofarbitraryfabrication.ThingshavegonesofarthatSundayliturgygroupsarecobblingtogethertheliturgyforthemselves....Themostimportantthingtodayisthatweshouldregainrespectfortheliturgyandforthefactthatitisnottobemanipulated.”PopeBenedictXVI

TheMassisnotsomeovervieworblueprintuponwhichmancanbuildhisowncelebration.Itisnotaboutusatall.Massisworship.Itisman,comingtoGod,andstrengtheninghisfaiththroughdivineinstruction.

“Whenyouarestudyingtheology,yourintentionisnottolearnatradebuttounderstandthefaith,andthispresupposes,aswesaidawhileago,usingthewordsofAugustine,thatthefaithistrue,that,inotherwords,itopensthedoortoacorrectunderstandingofyourownlife,oftheworldandofmen.”PopeBenedictXVI

LearningtheLiturgy

InunderstandingthattheDivineLiturgy,theSacrificeofHolyMassisfromGod,wemuststepawayfromourselves.ThroughtheChurchandTradition,theMassisspecificallychoreographedbySomeonemuchgreaterthanwe.Whenwefailtorecognizethisandattempttoremakeitaccordingtohumanpreference,we

denythatitbelongstoGod.ItisinhumilitythatweacquiescetoaHigherPowerbutitisinpridethatwemakeitourown.Thiswrong-headedwayofthinkingthenleadstothedenialofourobligationtoliveaccordingtoHisWill.

“There’snoquestioninmymindthattheabusesinthesacredliturgy,reductionofthesacredliturgytosomekindofhumanactivity,isstrictlycorrelatedwithalotofmoralcorruptionandwithalevityincatechesisthathasbeenshockingandhasleftgenerationsofCatholicsillpreparedtodealwiththechallengesofourtimebyaddressingtheCatholicfaithtothosechallenges.”RaymondCardinalBurke

CardinalRaymondBurke,incommentsasprefectoftheVatican’sApostolicSignatura,furthersharedhisconvictionthatafittingworshipofGodisessentialtothemorallife.Hewentontosaythat“YoucanseeitinthewholegamutofChurchlife”.Thereisevidently“alevityincatechesis”thathasbeen“shocking”andleftgenerationsofCatholicsill-preparedtodealwithtoday’schallenges.

LiturgicalObedienceBegetsGeneralObedience

Ascitizensofanindependentdemocracy-mindedcountry,weAmericanstendtoapplythisformofthinkingtolifeingeneral–andbyapplyingittotheMassinparticular.Itisdifficulttochangeone’sperspectivefromautonomytodependence.Yet,ifwearetoenterHisKingdominEternalLife,ourviewmustchange.Ourdecisionsandthewayweliveourlivesareourown.ThisisthegiftofFreeWill.Inpursuingourpurposeonthisearth,however,weareadmonishedtobeobedienttoOnewhoisgreater.

Itisourchoicebutthatchoicehasaprice–ifwechooseindependence,wewillnothavethedesiredeternaloutcome.Ourchoiceswillliterallymeandeath.Whileearthlyfreedommayappearattractive,itwouldbewisetoconsiderthebenefitsofobedience.EventhesmallestmeasureofitcanbuildintoamightyservicetoGod

“Hethatisfaithfulinthatwhichisleast,isfaithfulalsointhatwhichisgreater:andhethatisunjustinthatwhichislittle,isunjustalsointhat

whichisgreater.”Luke16:10

Thiscontributionisavailableathttp://catholiclifeinourtimes.com/liturgical-abuses-moral-

corruption/

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BlindTears[atTheFrankFriar]

AMomentattheMass

EventhoughIamrecoveringfromsurgery,IcancelebratetheMass.Currently,asIrecover,Iaminour‘retired’community,wherethefriarscelebratetheEucharisttogetherdaily.During,oneoftheseMasses,asIutteredthefirsttwowordsoftheOurFather,myeyesfilledwithtears.Asmyeyestearedup,Ihadastrongfeelingofcompunctioncoupledwithasenseofmyheartrisingwithinme.Inthatmoment,Isensedthesethingswerenotfromme,yetwithinwithmeandimpactingme,helpingmetoseeinawayIcouldnotyetunderstand.Thecompunctioninmyheart,showedmethattheLordhascalledmetoadeeperway,yetIregularlysettlefortheeasierpath.Thiseasierpathwasmakingmeblind,soIdidnothavetoseethedeeperpaththeLordhasofferedme.Inthatmomentofcompunction,whichstoodoutoftime,mylipskeptspeakingtheOurFather,butmyheartsimplywhisperedtoGod‘ThankYou.’Since,thatMasstheLordhaskepttheeyesofmyheartfocusedonthosetwowords‘Our’and‘Father.’

‘Our’

HowoftendoIjustsitwiththeword‘our?’AquestionthatIaskedmyselfthedaysfollowingthatexperienceatMass.Mymindjustbecameamazedbythatlittleword,whichwasfloodingmyheartwithgratitude.TheLordhasallowedustosayawordthatpermitsusto‘posses’God.TheGodofallcreation,whoisinfinitelybeyondus,yetcametous,allowsustousethispossessivewordinrelationshiptoHim.Yet,thisgiftof‘our’isnotatermofisolation,butinclusion.How?Wecanonly‘have’OurFatherincommunity.Remember,Jesusdidnotteachustosay,‘myfather,’butOurFather.Thisword‘our,’makesacommunitypossible.Evenwhentheprayerisutteredinprivatethatwordhintsatthecommunityweareapartof.The‘our’oftheOurFatherrevealstousnotjusttheGod,whoislove,butthelimitlessfamilyHecreatesthroughHispresence.Inaworld,tornintomanypieces,becausepeopleseedifferences,aseitherameansofpoweroverothersoraninequalitythatmustbeeradicated.We,asChristians,utter,intheairoftheSpirit,theprayerJesususedtoformHisBody.Inspeakingthe‘our,’likeJesus,eachheartcanbedirectedtowardsthe

Father,justlikeHisSacredHeart.

‘Father’

‘WhyFather,’wastheotherquestionbroughttomymindafterthatMass.Thiswordfather,tome,seemslikesuchacontentiouswordthesedays,particularlyintheUSA(myhomeland).Itseemstomethatfathershavebeenpushedtothefringesofsociety.Why?Currently,masculinityisbelievedtobetoxicfortheculture.Subsequently,thismovementofmasculinitytothefringeshasofferedmenalicensetodisengageandrelinquishthegiftandresponsibilityoffatherhood.Yes,earthlyfathers,evenbeforethiscultureshift,werenotperfect,asurprisetonoone,Ihope,buttheywereatacceptedbysociety.Now,whetherapersonhadakind,abuses,orabsentfather,onethingthatthistermalwaysprovokes,Ibelieve,isasenseofintimacy.Fathersareanecessaryparttotheequationoflife.Theydonotmerelyprovideasubstanceforlife,buttheygiveitformthroughtheirpresence,whichiswhyfatherhoodwillalwaysbeawordofintimacy.AsIsaiahteachesus“Yet,Lord,youareourfather;wearetheclayandyouourpotter:wearealltheworkofyourhands(Is.64:7).”Unlikethehandsofthepotter,ourearthlyfathersustheirhandstoholdusandbytheirtendertouchbuildthatintimatebondoffatherandchild.ThisgentleandintimatetouchisnotforeigntoourHeavenlyFather.HisgentleandintimatetouchisoffertousthroughHisSon.AsJesustoldus“[…]Iwillmakeitknown,thatthelovewithwhichyouhavelovedmemaybeinthem,andIinthem(John17:26b).”Afather’sloveisnevermeanttobewithheld,weaponized,pushed,orhiddenaway.

Blindness

“HowblinddoImakemyself!”ThisisnotsomuchaquestionIposetomyself,butastatementIspeaktomyheartregularly.Iknowinmyself-inflictedblindness,Igrantmysoulpermissiontobecomelazy.Itellmyselfthingslike‘Ihavedoneenough,’‘Iamowedthis,‘Godunderstands,’and‘Godwillhavemercy.’However,inmyblindness,IcannotnoticethatHismercythatIinvokeflippantly,comesasapurifyingflame,castingthedarknessfrommyeyes,likeitdidforSt.Paul.ThemomentofcompunctionduringthatMass,wasthatgentlefierykissmyeyesneededtoseewhatwasbeingoffered,thatIsowillingtookforgranted.ThedeeppathofintimacyandcommunitythattheFathercreatedformeandcalledmedownisnotapaththatI(oranyone)caneverfullyexhaust

duringthislifeorthehereafter.Itisagift.Giftsaremeanttobeopened,embraced,andcelebrated.Itwasthesegifts,presentinmylife,thatthatmomentofcompunctionopenedtheeyesofmyhearttoo.Asaresult,withthatnew-foundsightmyheartcouldrespondwiththanksgiving.

Inallcircumstancesgivethanks,forthisisthewillofGodforyouinChristJesus.~1stThessalonians5:18

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Grief-thePriceWePayforLove[atTonyAgnesi]

“Griefneverends…butitchanges.It’sapassage,notaplacetostay.Griefisnotasignofweakness,noralackoffaith…itisthepriceoflove.”—Unknown

Everyonewillexperiencegriefintheirlife.Toneverexperiencegriefistohaveneverloved.Yousee,griefisthepricewepayforlove.Themorewelovesomeonethegreaterthegrief.

EvenJesusgrieved.WhenJesusheardofthepassingofhisbestfriendLazarus,eventhoughhewouldraisehimfromthedead,Jesuswept.HelovedhisfriendandgriefwasthepricethatevenOurLordpaidforthatlove.

Griefisconnectedtoloveinaveryspecialway.Thelossofalovedone—aspouse,child,parent,orclosefriend,eventhelossofapetcantriggerthegriefthatisintricatelyconnectedtoourlove.Griefisthelastactoflove.

Blessedaretheywhomourn,fortheywillbecomforted.—(Matthew5:4,NAB)

Thegrievingprocessisajourneyandnotaplace.Itneverendsitjustevolves.Wewillgetthroughthetoughestparts,butgrievingisapassage.Theonlycureforgriefistogrieve.

Whatemergesfromourgriefisanewpersoncapableofhelpingothers.Wecanturnourmiseryintoministryandhelpothersgetthroughtheirtoughesttimes.

Sowhatcanwedotohelpafriendthathassufferedalossandisovercomewith

grief?

1. Nevertellthem,“youwillgetoverit.”Theywon’t.Griefneverends,itjustchanges.

2. LetthemknowthatitisOKtocry.RemembertheshortestverseintheBibleisJohn11:35,“JesusWept.”

3. Understandtheywillbefacingemotionstheyhaveneverfeltbefore.Helpthemtogetovertheinitialshockandsortthroughtheemotionalrollercoasterbybeingpatientwiththem.

4. Depressionisapartofthegriefcycle.Stayintouch,callthemorbetteryetvisitthem.Invitethegrievingpersontolunchordinneranddon’tbeafraidtotalkabouttheirdeceasedlovedone.

Yes,griefisthepricewepayforlove.Ifwedon’tlove,wedon’tgrieve.Itisthatdeeplovethatwillsustainusandthebeautifulmemoriesofourlovedonewillalwaysbewithus.Godblessyouinyourgrief,myfriend.

Thankyouforsharingmystorieswithyourfamilyandfriends.Belowarelinkstoshareonyoursocialmediasites.Yoursharingmystorieshelpstogetthewordout.

GetanautographedcopyofAStoryteller’sGuidetoaGrace-Filledlifeatthenewreducedpriceandfreedomesticshipping.Justclickonthelinkbelow.

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YouSayYouWantaRevelation[atTheWaywardCatholic]

MyapologiestoJohnLennonforusingalinefromoneofhissongsbutIcouldn’thelpit.IhavebeenlookingintotheBookofRevelationoverthelastweekorsoandthislinekeptgoingthroughmyhead.Ihavealwayswonderedaboutthisbookasitseemsprettyscaryuntilyoutakethetimetolookatitmoreclosely.

ThisbookdescribesavisionthatcametotheapostleJohnfromJesusonwhatwasabouttohappen.NowlikeeveryotherbookinthebiblethereisplentyofdisagreementastowhoactuallywrotethebookbutIbeleiveitwasJohn.

Revelation(CatholicCommentaryonSacredScripture)believeitwasJohn.IfyouhaveneverreadRevelationthinkofitasanotherLennonclassic,“LucyintheSkywithDiamonds”withabiblicalbackground.

Thebookisfullofsymbolism.Manypeople,includingmyselfuntilIactuallystudiedit,believethisisaprophecyoftheendoftheworldandwhatisgoingtocome.OthersbelieveitisavisionofthefallofJerusalemandeventuallythefalloftheRomanempire.Andyetanotherschoolofthoughtbelievesitisboth.ThisiswhereIstand.

ForcenturiespeoplehavereadthisbookandhavetriedtofittheworldoftodayintothesignsthatJesusrevealed.Theytrytousethisbook(andothers)topredictwhentheendoftheworldiscoming.Therearetwoproblemswiththeselinesofthought:

AswearetoldinScripture:“Butofthatdayandhournooneknows,not

eventheangelsofheaven,northeSon,buttheFatheronly.”–MT24:36Nomatterhowhardwetrywewon’tbeabletodeterminewhenthisisgoingtohappen.Thisbookwaswrittenalmosttwothousandyearsagoandneedstobeunderstoodusingthesymbolismofthetimes.Jesuswantedthehearersofthesevisionstobeabletounderstandthematthetimehewaswritingthem.

ItwaswrittenatthetimethechurchwasbeingpersecutedbytheRomans,includingbothJudaismandthenewlyformedChristianchurch.Hewaswarningthemaboutthisandwhattheywouldneedtodo.Ifwelookbacktothistime,wecanseethatthesymbolismfitsthetimesandwhathappens.

Butwhatabouttheotherbooksofthebible?ThepropheticbooksoftheOldTestamentarefullofthedeathanddestructiontocome,butwhenyoulookatRevelation,thesymbolstherearealltakenfromthosebooks.ThisleadsmetobelievetheyarealsoforetellingthefallofJerusalemaswell.(Fortunately,therearebunchesofpeoplesmarterthanmewhoalreadyhavefiguredthisout.)

WhatabouttheNewTestament?Jesusseemstodoalotoftalkingabouttheendtimesandwhatwillhappenthen.IshetalkingabouttheworldorjustJerusalem?Mynotsolearnedopinionisboth.Hetalksabouthissecondcomingandthiswouldbetheendtimes.SomeoftheotherthingshetalksaboutrefertoJerusalemandtheRomanEmpire.

WhyamIwritingaboutthis?BecausethereisalessonforallofustolearnfromtheBookofRevelation.Ialwaystalkabout“LivingwiththeEndinMind”andthatisthelessonhere.Thereareonlytwochoiceswecanmakeinourlife.WecanchooseJesusorwecanchooseSatan.Thereisnomiddleground.Wecan’thedgeourbets.Itisoneortheother.OurchoicewilldeterminewherewewillenduponJudgementDay,wherewewillspendtheend.Revelationrevealsthetwochoicesandwhattheywillbelike.Oneisn’tverypleasant.

Makingthischoiceisnoteasyintoday’sworld.Satan’spullisgreaterthanever.Ibelievethisisbecauseheknowshisendisnear.Hewantsasmanyofustogowithhimbeforeheisdestroyed.Weneedtoresisthisadvances.Hecomesafterusinallforms,inallways.Wecan’tshutourselvesofffromallofthis,butweneedtostayalertsoweknowwhatcomesfromJesusandwhatcomesfromSatan.Sometimesthedifferencecanbesubtlewhichiswhyweneedtostayawake.

ThenIsawanewheavenandanewearth;forthefirstheavenandthefirstearthhadpassedaway,andtheseawasnomore.AndIsawtheholycity,newJerusalem,comingdownoutofheavenfromGod,preparedasabrideadornedforherhusband;andIheardagreatvoicefromthethronesaying,“Behold,thedwellingofGodiswithmen.Hewilldwellwiththem,andtheyshallbehispeople,andGodhimselfwillbewiththem;hewillwipeawayeverytearfromtheireyes,anddeathshallbenomore,neithershalltherebemourningnorcryingnorpainanymore,fortheformerthingshavepassedaway.”–RV21:1–4

TothethirstyIwillgivewaterwithoutpricefromthefountainofthewateroflife.Hewhoconquersshallhavethisheritage,andIwillbehisGodandheshallbemyson.Butasforthecowardly,thefaithless,thepolluted,asformurderers,fornicators,sorcerers,idolaters,andallliars,theirlotshallbeinthelakethatburnswithfireandbrimstone,whichistheseconddeath.”–RV21:6–8

TryAmazonMusicUnlimitedFreeTrial

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TheNatureofSin[atOntheRoadtoDamascus]

Iammorethanfiftypoundsoverweight.IhavesufferedwithhighbloodpressureandgoutsinceIwasabouteighteen.Iamalsoatypetwodiabeticandhavethebeginningstagesofneuropathyandvisionproblemsrelatedtothat.Ihaveheartdiseaseandhadaquintuplebypassattheageofforty-five.Myheartwasover90%blocked.Needlesstosay,Iaminpoorshape.Sadly,Iamnotalone.Over40%oftheAmericanpopulationisinthesameboatandthatnumbergrowseveryday.AstheAmericanlifestylespreadsthroughouttheworldsodoourhealthproblems.

Yet,thereishope.Ihavefoundacure.IhavefoundapillthatreverseseverydiseasethatIsufferwith.Ithasbeenmedicallyproventoendobesity,reversediabetesandheartdisease,andevenclearmyblockedarteries.Therearedoctorsscreamingatthetopoftheirlungstryingtogetthenewsout.Peopleinmypredicamenteitherhaven’theard,don’tbelieve,orchoosenottoacceptthecure.MybrotherinthediaconatetoldmeaboutitandIhaveseenthismiracleworkinhislife.I’vedonemyresearch.Iamabeliever.

Whatisthismiraclepillyoumayask?Well,it’snotreallyapill.Itisawholefoods,plantbaseddietthatconcentratesonstarchastheprimaryfuelsource.Whoa,hangonaminute.That’scodeforvegan.Well,yesandno.AWFPBdietdoesqualifyasavegandietbutmanyvegandietsdon’tqualifyasaWFPBdiet.It’sasquare-rectanglesortofthing.

Now,IknowthatIhavelostoverhalfthepeoplereadingthisblog.Thereisjustnowaytheyarewillingtolookatgivingupeatingmeatandoilandfatevenitisthekeytohavingalonghealthylife.Theyareunwillingtolistenevenifitmeanssavingtheirlife.Theywanttheirhamburgersandbaconandsteaksmorethantheywantahealthylife.Thedesireforsomethingpleasurabletodayoutweighslifeinabundancetomorrow.

Andthatisexactlythenatureofsin.Christoffersuslifeinabundanceifwelovehim.Whatistheproofoflove?

“Ifyouloveme,youwillkeepmycommandments.”–John14:15

So,weshowourloveforJesusbyfollowinghisteachings.OnlytheCatholicChurchhasthefullnessoftruth.JesuspassedhisteachingsdowntohisDisciples,whopassedthemontotheirreplacements,continuallythroughtime,untilweendupwiththePopeandtheMagisterium.TheCatholicChurchisthepillarandbulwarkofthetruthtoday(1Timothy3:15).WhenpeopledisagreewiththeCatholicChurchwhenitcomestofaithormoralstheydonotdisagreewiththeChurch,theydisagreewithJesus.

Wesin,thatis,wechoosetodisobeyoneofGod’scommandsforoneoftworeasons:desireorfear.WechoosetodisobeyGodbecausewedesireatemporarypleasurethatwearenotallowedorbecausewefearsomesortofpainorsuffering.Oursocietyisnotonlyphysicallyobesebutwearespirituallyobeseaswell.Oursociety,whichonceclaimedtobepredominantlyChristian,isleavingthemainstreamChristianfaithsforamore“spiritual”,personalrelationshipwithJesus.Ofcoursethatrelationshipismoreliketheoneyouhavewithaneighboryounevertalktoandonlyoccasionallywaveatifyouhappentoseethemtakingouttheirtrash.

PeopleclaimtheyloveJesusyethavenodesiretofollowhiscommandsbecause,well,theyarejusttoorestrictive.IwanttosleepwithanyoneIplease,marrywhomeverIdesireforanyamountoftimeIdeemlongenough,lie,cheat,steal,andkilloffspringIamnotreadytocarefor.Asamatteroffact,Idon’tevenwanttofollowthenaturallawanddefinemygenderformyselfsolelybaseduponwhatmyfeelingsaretoday.Godcreatedthemmanandwomaninhisimage.ManandwomanpushedGodoutofthepictureandrecreatedthemselvesinanimageoftheirchoosing.

Wearephysicallyobesebecausewechooseourdesiretoeatwhatwepleaseoverwhatwearedesignedtoeat.WearespirituallyobesebecausewechoosetosinthroughdesireoverlovingJesus.Bothtypesofobesityleadtodeath.Physicalobesityleadstoapoorlifeandmortaldeath.Spiritualobesityalsoleadstoapoorlifebutendswitheternaldeath.

Forsomeofusittakesaneardeathexperience,likeacloggedheartandaquintuplebypass,towakeusfromourslumbertomakethechangesnecessarytolive.Itisnottoolatetothrowoutthatbaconandpickupanapple.Ifyouarereading,thisitisalsonottoolatetostartactuallylovingJesusandbeginfollowinghiscommands.Goddesiresobediencemorethansacrifice–1Samuel15.Turntohimwithacontriteheartandtakethatfirststeptospiritualfitness.

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St.ErasmusofFormia,PatronSaintofWomeninLabour[atTheKoalaMom]Atfirstglance,St.ErasmusofFormiaisanunlikelypatronsaintofwomeninlabour.HewasanItalianbishopandanearlyChristianmartyr.Hemaynothavegonethroughchildbirthhimself,buthesufferedasimilarpain,whichmakeshimabletoempathizeandintercedeforwomeninlabour.

St.Erasmus’Story

LikemostearlyChristiansaints,littleisknownaboutSt.Erasmus(alsoknownasSt.Elmo).Asonebiographerstates,“ThepioushistoriansoftheearlyChristiantimesstate,asarule,onlywhattheSaintsdidandsufferedforthe

Faith,andhowtheydied.TheydeemedtheMartyrs’gloriouscombatandtheirvictoriousentranceintoHeavenmoreinstructive,andthereforemoreimportant,thanalengthydescriptionoftheirlives.”

ErasmuswasabishopoftheCatholicChurch,likelyinFormiaorAntioch.HelivedduringthereignoftheEmperorDiocletian,whoisnowwell-knownforhisviolenthatredoftheChristiansandhispersistentpersecutionofthem.St.ErasmuswasabletoescapethesepersecutionsforatimebyhidingoutinacaveonMountLebanon.

Aftersevenyearsoflivingasahermit,ErasmuswaseitherdiscoveredbyRomansoldiersorattemptedtoreturntohishomeonhisown.Hewasthensentencedtobetortured.Thelegendssurroundingthesetorturesaresuitablygruesomeandholy;manymiraclesaccompaniedhistortures,preservinghimfromharm.Throughoutallthecruelpain,herefusedtorenouncehisfaithinGod.

PatronSaintofWomeninLabour

Onetorturesaidtohavebeeninflicteduponhimwashavinghothooks

embeddedinhisstomach.Heisusuallypicturedwithahookorwithhisintestinesbeingpulledout.Becauseheenduredtheseagonizingabdominalpains,he’softenaskedtointercedeforwomeninchildbirth,aswellaspeoplewithintestinalailmentsandstomachpain,includingchildrenwithcolic.

HolymartyrErasmus,whodidstwillinglyandbravelybearthetrialsandsufferingsoflife,andbythycharitydidstconsolemanyfellow-sufferers;IimploretheetoremembermeinmyneedsandtointercedeformewithGod.StaunchconfessoroftheFaith,victoriousvanquisherofalltortures,prayJesusformeandaskHimtograntmethegracetoliveanddieintheFaiththroughwhichthoudidstobtainthecrownofglory.Amen.~NovenainhonourofSt.Erasmus,EWTN

St.ErasmusenduredhispainbecauseofhisloveforGod.Hecaninspireusaswomentoendureourpainfortheloveofthebabywe’rebringingintotheworld.HissufferingsbroughtabouttheconversionofmanyaroundhimandstillgivesglorytoGodtoday.Oursufferingsbringthejoyofnewlife,anewlittlepersontoraisetoloveandgivegloryGod.

St.Erasmusdiedaroundtheyear303.HisfeastdayiscelebratedonJune2.

Haveyouinvokedtheintercessionofthispatronsaintofwomeninlabour?

Thiscontributionisavailableathttp://thekoalamom.com/2018/06/st-erasmus-patron-saint-of-women-

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SaintJoanofArc:WarriorandFrenchNationalHeroine[atJeanM.Heimann]

SaintJoanofArc,thecourageouswarriorandFrenchnationalheroine,isthesaintofthedayforMay30th.ShewasborninDomremy,France,1412anddiedinRouen,France,1431.

Attheageof13,JoanbegantohearthevoicesofSaintsMichaeltheArchangel,MargaretofAntioch,andCatherineofAlexandria,tellingherthatshehadbeenchosentofreehercountryfromtheEnglish.Joan’svisionstoldhertofindthetruekingofFranceandhelphimreclaimhisthrone.Sheresistedformorethanthreeyears,butfinallywenttoCharlesVIIandtoldhimofhervisions.

Afterovercomingoppositionfromchurchmenandcourtiers,shewasgivenasmallarmywithwhichsheraisedthesiegeofOrleansonMay8,1429.Carryingabannerthatread“Jesus,Mary”,sheledthetroopsintobattle.

SaintJoanofArcfollowedthefamouscampaignoftheLoireduringwhichtheEnglishweredecisivelybeaten.CharleswasthencrownedatRheims,onJuly17,1429.

WhenshewascapturedbytheBurgundiansduringthedefenseofCompiegne,shewassoldtotheEnglishfor10thousandfrancs.ShewasthenputontrialbyanecclesiasticalcourtconductedbyPierreCauchon,BishopofBeauvais,atooloftheEnglish.Althoughsheastoundedthejudgesbyheranswers,shewascondemnedtodeathasaheretic,andburnedatthestakeonMay30.In1456,hercasewasre-tried,andJoanwasacquitted(23yearstoolate).ShewascanonizedbyPopeBenedictXVin1920.

SaintJoanofArcmanifestedmanyvirtues:shewastrustfulofGod,courageousinbattle,benevolentinvictory,andmercifultowardthosewhobetrayedher.SaintJoanofArcisthepatronessof:France,martyrs,prisoners,peopleridiculedfortheirpiety,rapevictims,soldiers,andtheWomen’sArmyCorps.

SaintQuote

“AboutJesusChristandtheChurch,Isimplyknowthey’rejustonething,andweshouldn’tcomplicatethematter.”—SaintJoanofArc,asrecordedathertrial

PrayertoSaintJoanofArcforHealing

ComposedbyAndreaOefinger

HolySaintJoan,compassionatetothesickandwounded,who,whileonearth,nursedsomanybacktohealth,hearme.

Youwhowishedtoseenooneinjuredorindiscomfort,prayformeandguidemethroughthisdifficulttime.

DaughterofGod,woundedmanytimesinbattle,Ipetitionyouforhealing(herementionyourrequesthere)sothatImaybebetterabletoserveGodinwhatevercapacityHewishes.Intercedeforme.

ItmaynotbeinGod’swillformybodytobehealed,formysufferingsmayhelpanotherormyownsoul.Ifmyrequestisnotgranted,helpmetoremainstrong,andinsteadbehealedemotionallyandspiritually.Amen.

Thiscontributionisavailableathttp://www.jeanmheimann.com/2018/05/saint-joan-of-arc-warrior-

and-french-national-heroine/

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HumanaeVitae'sProfoundMessageofResponsibleParenthood[atPlotLineandSinker]

PhotocourtesyTimBaklinskiatTwoTreesPhotography

Inthisyearofthe50thAnniversaryofHumanaeVitae(PopePaulVI,OnHumanLife),I’dliketoshareourfamily’sexperiencewithhowthisencyclicalshapedourdecisionmakingwithregardtoresponsibleparenthood.

“Responsibleparenthood…hasonefurtheressentialaspectofparamountimportance.ItconcernstheobjectivemoralorderwhichwasestablishedbyGod,andofwhicharightconscienceisthetrueinterpreter.Inaword,theexerciseofresponsibleparenthoodrequiresthathusbandandwife,keepingarightorderofpriorities,recognizetheirowndutiestowardGod,themselves,theirfamiliesandhumansociety.”

Idriftedinandoutofconsciousnessintheambulance.Ididn’thavemuchtimeforretrospectivethoughts,except“PleaseGod,Ican’tdie.Idon’twantmylittleboysgrowingupwithoutamom.”Iwasbleedinginternally,thecomplicationsofectopicpregnancysurgerytwoweeksprevious,andquicklybecomingweakerandweaker.Wakinguplaterintherecoveryroom,Iwasthankfultobealive.

“Youshouldnotbehavinganymorechildren.”Thewordswereharshandatfirst,wetookthemastruth.Iwascapableofhavingmore,butaftertwoectopic

pregnanciesandcomplicationsfromoneofthesurgeries,weweretoldthatwemustlimitourfamilytothreeboys.OneofthedoctorssuggestedthatIbeputonhormonalcontraception.Helateradvisedmetohavemyremainingfallopiantubetied.Thephysicianwasn’ttheonlyonetogivethe‘order’tostophavingchildren.Well-meaningrelativesandfriendsfeltitwastheirdutytotellusthatweshouldnotgetpregnantagain.“Youdon’twanttobeirresponsible,doyou?”

“ItconcernstheobjectivemoralorderwhichwasestablishedbyGod…”

Itbecameevident,aswedialoguedwithboththephysiciansandthewell-meaningrelativesandfriends,thattheywereconcernedonlyaboutmyphysicalhealth.Mostofthemcaredlittle,ifatall,formy/ourspiritualwellbeing.And,initially,inthosefirstfewweeksaftermysurgery,wefeltthatweoughttolistentothe“doctor’sorders.”

However,asthemonthswentby,Ibegantoregainmystrength.WecontinuedusingNFPinthemostconservativeway,oftenaddingoneortwodaystotherulesforextrasecurity.Ayearlater,withheavinessinmyheart,Ithoughtofthefutureandthefactthatwewouldnothaveanymorechildren.IwonderedwhetherGodwascallingustoactivelyseekanotherpregnancy.MyhusbandandIdiscussedit,thenbroughtourconcerntoourspiritualdirector,explainingtohimthatthedoctortoldusthatweshouldnothaveanymorechildren.“JamesandEllie,”hesaid,“thatisadecisiontobemadebetweenthetwoofyouandGod.”HeencouragedustoprayaboutitandhefurtherrecommendedthatwetalktoafaithfulCatholicdoctor.WeknewofaCatholicphysicianthroughaneighboringhomeschoolingcommunity.Herresponseafterreviewingmyfilewasthatwecouldtryformorechildren,butthatIwouldneedtobemonitoredcarefullyinthefirstseveralweekstoconfirmthatitwasn’tanotherectopicpregnancy.

“…arightconscienceisthetrueinterpreter…”

Forthenextseveralmonths,weprayedtogether.Wedeeplydesiredanotherchild,butwedidnotwanttobecarelessorirresponsible.Aftermuchprayeranddiscernment,andweighingalltherisks,wedecidedtoactivelyseekanotherpregnancy.

“…theexerciseofresponsibleparenthoodrequiresthathusbandandwife,keepingarightorderofpriorities…”

Ayearlater,wewerestillnotpregnant.Wefeltatpeacewithourdecisiontoseekanotherpregnancyand,althoughdisappointed,wetrustedthatGodknewwhatHewasdoing.Eventually,westoppedcharting.AnothereightcycleswentbywithnopregnancyandIbegantoselloffmostofmybabyfurniture.Afewweekslater,itdawnedonmethatIhadn’thadaperiodinsixweeks.Thenextmorning,Itookmytemperatureanditwas98.9.After18monthsofsayingnotous,Godwassayingyesandblessinguswithanothereternalsoul.Iwasthrilledthatanothernewlife,thefruitofourlove,hadbegun,andwouldbeshelteredlovinglyinmywomb.

Withtheblessing,however,sooncameextremesuffering.Ibeganhavingdebilitatingmigraineheadaches,andsomedaysIcouldnotgetoutofbed.Worsethanthephysicalpain,however,wastheemotionalsuffering.Doctors,well-meaningfriendsandrelativestoldusthatwewerebeing“irresponsible”and“selfish,”andthatifIwassuffering,“Ihadaskedforit.”

At30weeks,ourunbornbabywassixpoundsandIhadalreadygained50pounds.Thatmightnotseemlikemuch,butwithmyfour-feet-nine-inchframe,itmeantthatIcouldnotdrive(theseathadtobepushedbacksofartoallowformylargestomachthatmyfeetcouldn’treachthepedals)andIcouldnotwalkthelastsixweeksofthepregnancy.

Ourson,Adam,wasborneightweekslateratnearlytenpounds.Thepro-lifeCatholicdoctorwhodeliveredAdambyC-sectiontoldmethatwecouldtryforanotherbabysomeday,butthatthepregnancywouldagainhavetobecloselymonitored.Threeyearslater,ouryoungestson,Paulwasconceivedafteronlyonemonthoftryingandbornjusttwodaysbeforemy40thbirthday.

“…recognizetheirowndutiestowardGod,themselves,theirfamiliesandhumansociety.”

ThewordsofPopePaulVIinHumanaeVitaecourageouslyproclaimthetruthofresponsibleparenthood.ThedecisiontohaveoravoidanotherchildremainsadecisionbetweenthecoupleandGod.Nooneelseoughttomakesuchalife-changingandimportantchoicebecausenooneelsewillhavetoenduretheconsequences(andjoys),norwillanyoneelsehavetostandbeforeGodsomedayandexplaintheiractions.

AlthoughwecouldhaveusedNFPtoavoidpregnancypermanentlyandtolimit

ourfamilytothreesons,wechosetolistentoourhearts,toanswerGod’scalling,andtoseekmorechildren.WhenIconsiderthatourtwoyoungestsons(nowages19and22)mightpossiblynotbeheretoday,myheartbecomesheavy.Bothareunique,talentedandamazinghumanbeingswhohavealreadygivensomuchtoourfamilyandtosociety.IamgratefultoGod–andtoBlessedPopePaulVI–becauseIcan’timagineourfamily—andourworld—withoutthem.

Copyright2018EllenGableHrkach

copyrightHrkach(Adam,left,Paul,right)

copyrightEllenGableHrkach(AdamholdingPaul)

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Man&God-PartTwo

Sorryforthedisappearingactfrommyblog.Therehavebeenacoupleofhealthissueskirmishesoverthepastyear,andtheyhavebeenquitethepreoccupation.I’mgettingbetter,andso,Ihopetoreengagemyreaderswithmycontinuingspiritualvoyage.Ipromiseyouall,thisvoyageisgoingtobecomeonethatshouldtingleandhopefullyilluminatethecoreofyourbeliefsaboutyourmetaphysicalcomposition,aswellasyoureschatologicalfuture.

ThereissomegoodnewsmidstthetrialsIhavefacedrecently.Mycompletedbook,TheRoadtoSpiritualIron,hasbeenpublished,bothinKindleandpaperbackformats.I’mquiteexcitedaboutthewholething,anddohopeyoucheckitout.Thelinkisrighthere.Giveitaread,andtellmewhatyouthink.

So,let’sproceedfrommyearlierpost.

IventuredintoasubjectinGod&Man,PartOne,ofwhatIrefertoastheparticularsofcreation.They’rearoundwhethermanisornot,thoughnotinsuchaprofusionaswithmanstickingacommunalnoseinthecreationprocess.Particulars,asIsaid,aresimplythestock-keepingunitsofallofcreation.Seeit,hearit,smellit,tasteit,touchit;nameitornot,pointatitorpokeit,breatheit,ingestit,beingestedbyit;walkonit,swiminit,flythroughit,wearitorbearit;everythingisaparticular.Thesearethephysicalparticulars.Whatiscommonbetweenthemall,isthecapacityforhumanitytoknowtheyareinonerealityofourexistenceandareofoneuseoranotherinman’squestforcontinuedexistence.Particularscanbemorethansimplysensoryandintelligiblethough.

Particularscanalsobequiteillusionary,virtual,unconscious,formative,andmanifestory;inshort,thingsintheimmaterialrealmthatmakeonedothingsinthematerialrealm.Andthere’sabigimmaterialrealmoutthere.Forthosewhoquestiontheexistenceofanon-sensoryrealityofanotherkind,Isuggestoneconsiderswhatphysicistsandcosmologistsbelieveisareality:darkenergyanddarkmatter.Thisisnottheplaceforfurtherdiscussiononsuchthings,butitissaidthatdarkmattermightwellaccountfor80%ofallmatter,anddarkenergyweighinginatover68%ofallenergyinthecosmos.Interestingbitofnews,andwehaven’tsensedabitofit;orhavewe?Perhapswearegreatlyinfluencedbydarkmatterandenergyinwaysthatquitephysicalandpsychological,and

commontooureverydayrealities.

Ihadpreviouslytalkedabouttheissuesofhumanityasbeingparticulars.There’sevenmoretothatdiscussion.Whataboutplatonicforms,ideologies,perceptions,andconcepts?Andwhatabouthumanity’sindividualandcollectiveconscience?Arenotimmaterialparticularsmoreresponsibleforhowthehumanspeciesbehavesthananysetofphysicalparticularsevercould?Andistherenotacommongoalinallofthis;thathumanitymightonedayachievesomekindandlevelofcomprehensionofallparticulars?Doesthisnotsoundfamiliar?

Therearewholephilosophiesstructuredabouttheparticulars.Onemayconsiderepistemologicalparticularism,forexample:Acommonattributeofhumanthinkinginwhichoneisquitecomfortableinbelievingandactingoutthroughself-evidentknowledgethathasyettohavebeenjustifiedthroughempiricalstudy.Thenwehavehistoricalparticularism,whichsimplyarguestheobvious;thateachsocietyisuniqueasithasbeenformedbyaparticularsetofparticularsthatarecommontothatsociety’senvironment.Whilecomparativegoalsfromothersocietiesarecommonperhaps,thepathsbywhichtoachievesuchacommon,humangoalarediverse.Moralparticularismassertsthatmoralsandethicsarerelativetoanyoneevent,andestablished,institutionalmoralsareirrelevantandimpractical.(Thatwon’tgooverwellwithmostpeople,eventoday.)Ofgreatpopularitytodayistheideaofmulticulturalparticularism:viveladifférenceoverconformity.Andthenthere’sthebaneofthepoliticalright:politicalparticularism.Thisistheold-fashionnotion(currentlyinvogueonceagain)thatifapoliticiancaterstoaspecificinterest,theiropportunitiesforpowerareenhancedandprolonged.

Somanyparticulars…what’sagoodpersontodo?Haveweauthorityovertheparticulars?Perhapssomesymbiosis,orarewetotallycontrolledbythem?Wearecertainlysubjecttothem,forwithoutparticulars,wecouldnotexist.Weare,infact,particularsourselves.Andifthat’sthecase,thenishumanityasubjectoranobjectinthegrandschemeofthings?

It’sobvioustome,atleast,thatthemoreweengagetheparticulars,themorewebecometheobject,andnotthesubject,intherelationship.Religionshavealwaysunderstoodthisoccurrenceasobjectification;ashumanityphysicallyandintellectuallyblossoms,sowithershisspirituality.Toalargedegree,that’swhatreligionsareallabout;thepreservationandadvancementofone’sspirituality.However,themoreoneistheobject,thelesstheyarethesubject.

It’sinterestingtoobservecurrentsociety’sfascinationwithsubjectivityastheyrapidlydissolveintotheobjectivityoftheirtechnologicalenvironment.It’sliketryingtoswimupstream,orevenbetteryet,it’sliketryingtofightagainstariptide.Indesperation,subconsciouslyknowingyouarelosingthebattleforyoursoul,youconsciouslyandimperativelydemandyourindividualsubjectivity.“Well,Imightlosemysoul,buttohellwithyouifyouthinkI’mgoingtolosemyintellect!”

It’salsofascinatingthatthecontemporary,conservativemovementconsiderssubjectivityastheenemytotheabsolutenatureofGodandsociety.That’stwoissuesIwilladdressinfutureposts.Fornow…..

Particulars,forthefirstthree-hundredmillenniumoftheexistenceofhomosapiens,weresimpler.Inthoseearlydays,theparticularsweremoredirectandobservableintheirmanifestationupontheindividualandsocietyatlarge.Then,aroundsixtymillenniabeforethiscentury,ashiftoccurredinthehumanexperience,inwhichtheslow,grindingmachineryofobjectivitybegantoexerciseitsweightuponhumanityinquiteadifferentfashionthanpreviously.Inthiseraofhumanity’sevolution,theinventivemindofhomosapiensbegantomakeaprofoundchangeinhumansocietythroughtoolsandthosethingsbroughtaboutbytools.Humanity’spathofexistenceveeredawayfromotherspeciesatthisjuncture,andthingsproceededonceagaininamoreorlessstablefashionuntilaboutthreemillenniaago.Itishere,wheresomeproposed,likeJulianJaynesofPrincetonUniversity,thathumanityfinally“woke”totherealityoftheirself-consciousminds.Reasonlefttheintuitiverealmofinstinctualreactionandgainedafootholdinthecognitiverealmofaction.Withthisrevelation,humanityenteredintoanewphaseofspeciesevolutionthathasneverbeenexperiencedbeforebyanycreatureoftheearthlykingdom.Ineachofhumanity’sfirstthreephases,theparticularsplayedapivotalroleinpropellinghumanityforwardalongthisnewpath.Theself-conscious,reasoninghumanbeingbegantograspthesignificanceofparticularsinawholenewway,andwiththatalsocamethejudgementofthoseparticularsthataffectedusthemost.Somewerejudgedandelevatedtothestatusofvirtue,whileothersbecamevice.Goodandevilenteredthearenaofhumanthought.

Itisherewherereligiongainedthehighgroundinsocietyforitofferedthemethodologybywhichtoprocuretheparticularsofvirtueandthesuppressionoftheparticularsofvice.Inallofitsformsandatleastforthosereligionsfoundsuccessfultoonedegreeoranother,allreligionsemploytwoconceptsinadesire

tochecktheobjectificationoftheindividual:submersionandasceticism.“Dothis,andonlythis,andallwillgowell”,wouldbetheprescriptionofreligion.Tosomesmalldegreebothconceptshaveworkedinmovinghumanityalongitspathofexistenceinthiscosmos,thoughformostofus,thosemethodologiesareaboutastastyascodliveroil.Religionhasalwaysbeenaboutalove/haterelationship.

Weallunderstandasceticism,butwhatamIreferringtowhenIusethetermsubmersion?There’snothingcomplexaboutit.Eachreligionsetsforthideologiesforthecompositionoftheperfecthumanbeing.ForChristianity,it’stheChrist,Jesus.ToliveinthemannerthatHelived,anddied.Itsfoundationalmoralityforthesoul,andoutsideofthefamilialstructureandreligionitself,moralityislittletaughtasithaslittletodowiththebasicsensoryandgustatorialneedsoftheaveragehumanbeinginitsquestforeverydaysurvival.Thepremisegoesthatifweholdourheadsunderthedogmasofreligionlongenough,we’llsoondevelopthegillsofsainthood.

Now,ifIweretoaskareligiouspersonabouttheefficacyofasceticism,theanswerwouldbearesponding“Itdefinitelyworks!”Though,suchaquickresponsegivesmepause.Doyouunderstandthequestion?“Doesasceticismwork?”“Isasceticismacureforobjectification?”(Isobjectificationadisease?)WhatIamreallyaskingiswhetherasceticism–thedenialofthosethingsdeemedfrivoloustothesoul,asdetailedbyone’sreligionofchoice–hasbeenanaidtohumanity’scollective,evolvingspiritualism,orisitsemployjustatemporalplaceboforthetemporalindividual?Whenoneembracesasceticism,doesitbenefitthecollectivesoulofhumanityinapermanent,absolutemanner,ordoesitspracticesimplyretardwhatisperceivedasspiritualerosion?

“Christianasceticism–atleastassofarasitwasnotinfluencedbydecadentHellenisticphilosophy–hadasitspurposenotthesuppressionorevenextirpationofnaturaldrives,butrathertheircontrolandcompletespiritualization.Itispositive,notnegative,asceticism;aimedfundamentallyataliberationofthehighestpowersofpersonalityfromblockagebytheautomatismofthelowerdrives.”MaxScheler,VomUmsturzderWere.

Inotherwords,yourbasedesireshaveanegativeeffectonyourabilitytoexpressyourselfinacommunalmanner.One’sbasedesiresinhibitcommitmenttothecommunalpurposeandsustenanceofaculture.

ThenotionthatMaxSchelerisproposingaboveisthatChristianasceticismisapositiveforcethatpromotesone’sspiritualidentityandelevatesthespirit-withinanindividualabovethatoftheotherelementsofone’ssoulandtheirbasedesires.Doesit?IsasceticismthevirtuethatChristianityseemstothinkitis?

Humanity’sever-increasingingenuityofapplicationoftheparticularsofGod’screationappearstobebenefitinghumanitysincethebeginningofhomosapiens.Yet,theinfluentialreligionsallseemtoassertthatanecessarycontroloftheparticularswillenhancehumanity’srelationshipwithitsperceivedmetaphysicalgoal;whetherthatbeHeaven,Moksha,Nirvana,orotherperfectedstateofbeing.

Andisitnottruethatthepropermeasureordoseofasceticisminone’slifehasdramaticallychangedoverthepastthreemillennia?Whatwouldanasceticfrom900B.Chavetosayaboutthelifestyleofanasceticinthesetimes?Today’scalltoasceticismsaystoforgotheexcessiveuseofthesmartphone,theinternet,thetelevision,andtheautomobile.But,whataboutthecalltoasceticisminthedaysofJesus?Wasitthesame;stayawayfromsmartphones,theinternet,television,andtheautomobile?Quiteadifferentsetofparticularsthatmanwascalledtoforgo;yes?Needlesstosay,mostoftheindulgentandexcessiveparticularsofJesus’timewouldbeconsideredbasicrightstoday.

Discussingasceticismisabitoftangenttomypurpose,however,itisnecessarytomyhypothesisasoneofmanyissueswillbehandledasIbuildtheargument.ThepracticalpointIammakinghereisthathumanityisevolving,andnotjustphysicallyandintellectually.WhileIbelievethespirit-withinanindividualisabsolute,humanevolutioncanaffecttheefficacyofthespirit-withininguidingapersontowardstheirultimate,spiritualgoal.It’samatterofrevealingandconcealing.

Despitehumanity’sdesiretoseegoodandevilinallthings(particulars),aparticular,createdbyGod,isinherentlygood,whileaparticularcreatedbymanisonlyasgoodasitisofGod’swill;atleastthat’sJudeo-Christianthinking.

Letmerepeatmyhypothesisfromthelastpost:Man&God–PartOne.

TrytoconsiderthepossibilitythatGodcreatedandcontinuestocreateonlygoodthings.Andtrytoimaginethatnogoodthingcanstrayfrombeingagoodthing;fortoseesuchhappenwouldrenderGodaslessthangoodhimself.Now

consider,therefore,thatmankindisthusgoodandhasnotstrayedfromthecoursethatGodsetforthformankindwhencreated.Mankindisevolving;thiswemustacknowledge,formanhaschangedinallwaysphysicallyandintellectuallysincerecordedhistoricalevidencebegan,andtherefore,thisevolutionisofGod’swill.Herecomesthehardpartformany.NowimaginethatwheremanistodayandwheremanwillbetomorrowisalsoinGod’splanandofGod’swill.

IwanttokeepthishypothesisfrontandcenterasIproceedintofutureposts.

GodCallsUsAllIntoHisService–Reese

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Reboot[atWithUsStill]

TherewasatimewhenIfounditprettyamazing–myCiscoLINKSYSWireless-G2.4Ghzbroadbandrouter.Yesterday,ontheeveofPentecost,itofficiallymetthescrapheap.

Wow…wirelessconnectivity!

I’mnotevensurewhenIfirstputthegizmointoservice…ortookitoutofservice.Idoknowthatit’sbeengatheringdustinmybasementforseveralyears,though–andthatearneditaspotamongtheimpressivepileofelectronicswecastoffaspartofourburg’s“environmentallyresponsiblerecyclingevent.”

Thesamepointcouldbemade,Isuppose,aboutseveralotheritemsinmystackofto-be-recycledstuff:TheMacPowerBook170,forinstance.IrecallbeingastonishedtoencounteritsversatilityandusefulnesswhenIfirstpowereditupintheearly1990s.Butatsomepoint,itstoppedpowering-upatall…soittoosecuredanicheinadustycornerofmybasementformanyyears.

…andwow…anentirecomputerinmylap!

Heck,I’mevenoldenoughtorememberwhenthefaxmachinewasmind-blowingtechnology.Andyeah:Hadoneofthosetuckedawaysomewhereinthetrunk-loadIschleppedtothe“recycleevent”yesterday.

Thetimingwasfortuitous.Lessthananhourbefore,yousee,I’dbeengatheredinanupstairsroomwithahandfulofothermenfrommyparish—inourweekly“Sundayscripture”faith-sharinggroup.We’dbeentalkingabouttoday’sreadings—inparticular,thepassagefromPaul’slettertotheGalatianswhereheliststhegiftsoftheHolySpirit:

…thefruitoftheSpiritislove,joy,peace,patience,kindness,generosity,faithfulness,gentleness,self-control.

Oneoftheguysmentionedhowhethoughttheywereprettycool,thosegifts—andbestofall,theywere“free”!There’snolawagainst‘em…sotheydon’tcomeladenwithguiltorsanctionsliketheotherbehaviorsonPaul’slist.AndInotedthat,infact,weallpossessedthem.They’dbeengiventous(insomecases,manyyearsago)whenwe’deachreceivedthesacramentofConfirmation.

Somuchstuff!

Amazingthings,thesegiftsoftheSpirit.Withpowerandefficacyfarbeyondawirelessrouter,orafaxmachine,orevenaPowerBook170.Butitoccurredtome,asIwaitedinlineattherecyclingevent,howweoftenletdustgatheronthesegifts.Howwetendtotuckthemaway,unused,inagloomycornerofourlives.

WhatbetterdaythanPentecost,then,tohaulthemoutintothelight—andfire‘emupforareboot?Whoknows?Wemightevenfindthattheystillwork…andthattheytrulydohavethepowertochangetheworld.

Come,HolySpirit!

Happybirthday,Church!

Letuspausenow…torecallthatweareinthepresenceoftheHoly&MercifulOne.

IHS

Thiscontributionisavailableathttp://withusstill.wordpress.com/2018/05/20/todays-find-reboot/

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SilenceSlaysSouls-theSoulsofIndividualsandtheSoulsofNations[atHarvestingTheFruitsofContemplation]

Sunday’sGospelcommand(Matthew8:16-20)tomakedisciplesofallnationsbaptizingtheminnameoftheFather,theSonandHolySpiritpromptsthisquestion:HaveweCatholicsabandonedourChrist-givenmission?

Foryears,ourChurchhasdownplayedtheimportanceofconversionandthesalvationofallsouls,choosingintheirsteadthepromotionofsocialjusticeandworldlyobjectives.Weactasifthesolutiontotheworld’sproblemsremaininthesecularrealmwheninfactitcanbefoughtanddefeatedonlyonthespiritualplain.

OursilenceinlightofsuchmisguidedeffortsslayssoulsandemboldensSatan.

Wehavelimitedourineffectiveevangelizationefforts(forthemostpart)tojustthosecallingthemselvesCatholic,therebyreinforcingthesecularbeliefthatonereligionisjustasgoodasanother.MostCatholicsdonotknowtheirfaithandfewliveit–becausetheyhaveoftennotbeentaughtit.EventhoughGod’sTruthwillsetasoulfree,wefartooofteninsistonsubstitutingHisfullandcomplete(andnodoubtchallenging)Truthforawatereddown,pastorallycomfortingnon-truth,thatcannevernourishandfosterauthenticspiritualgrowth.

OursilenceinlightofsuchmisguidedeffortsslayssoulsandemboldensSatan.

God’slawandcommandmentsareapplicabletoallhumanbeings,whethertheybeCatholicornotorwhethertheybelieveinasupremebeingornot.God’sTruthisimplantedinthehearts,mindsandsoulsofallwhomHehascreated.Wehumansknowintuitivelywhatisrightandwhatiswrong.WhyhavewenotshoutedthisTruthfromtherooftopsandreflecteditinthewayweliveourlives?

OursilenceinlightofsuchinactionslayssoulsandemboldensSatan.

Noone(relativelyspeaking)comestoChurchonSunday.We,ourbishopsandpriests,forthemostpart,remainsilentabouttheeternalconsequencesforthosesoulswhodonotparticipateinSundayMass.

OursilenceinsuchsituationsslayssoulsandemboldensSatan.

WearetoldthatofthefewCatholicswhocometoSundayMass,upwardstoseventy-fivepercentnolongerbelievethatJesusChristisreallytrulyandsubstantiallypresent,BodyBloodSoulandDivinityintheEucharisthiddenbehindlockedtabernacledoorsandintheSacredHostplacedontheirtongues.

Oursilenceinlightofsuchnon-beliefslayssoulsandemboldensSatan.

WewonderwhysomanyChurcheshavebeenclosedandabandoned.Surely,ifwebelievedthatJesusispresentinourChurcheswewouldactwiththereverencesuchbeliefrequiresandspendtimewithHim.Obviously,ourcatechesisandexamplehavefailedtoteachthatessentialandfundamentalTruth.

OursilenceandpoorexampleslaysoulsandemboldensSatan.

RarelyareourChurchesthesilent,reverent,sacredspacestheywereintendedtobeandwhichourLorddeserves–uniqueplaceswhereonecaninquiet,adore,worshipandspeaktotheGodwholongstobeloved.Yetwedolittleornothingtocorrectthistragicstateofaffairs.

OursilenceinlightofsuchirreverenceslayssoulsandemboldensSatan.

WhenwasthelasttimetheU.S.ConferenceofCatholicBishopsspokewithoneuniform,persistent,fearlessandendlessvoice,notjustcondemningsuchevilsasabortion,contraception,euthanasia,embryonicstemcellresearch,fornicationandactivehomosexuallifestyle,butwithloveandinfraternalcorrection,explainingtoeveryone(notjusttoCatholics)whysuchconductisevilandleadstoeternalpunishment?

OursilenceinlightofsuchfailuresslayssoulsandemboldensSatan.

Howmanymoreliveswillbebrutallyrippedoutofthewombsoftheirmothersbeforewe,ourBishopsandourpriestswillcallthisevilwhatitis–murdernothealthcare,nottherighttochoose,butmurder?IftheharvestingofhumanbodypartsfromabortedhumanbeingsandtheuseoftaxpayerfundstosupportsuchevilwillnotreceivetheuniversalpersistentandunendingcondemnationofallGod-fearingpeople,priestsandbishopsofourChurch,whatwill?

OursilenceinlightofsuchevilslayssoulsandemboldensSatan.

Howdowesavesoulsifwe,ourpriestsandourbishopscreateoracquiesceto

ambiguityinChurchdoctrinewherenonehadheretoforeexisted?Letmeofferafewexamples.

TheChurchhastaughtthatthereareeternalconsequencestothosewhohaverejectedGod’sgraceanddieinthestateofmortalsinunwillingtorepentandseekforgiveness.HowcananyCatholicnowacceptthesuggestionthat“NoonecanbecondemnedforeverbecausethatisnotthelogicoftheGospel?”SuchaconceptappearscontrarytoallthattheChurchhastaught(seeCatechismoftheCatholicChurch(CCC)1033and1035).

OursilenceinlightofsucherrorslayssoulsandemboldensSatan.

IthasalwaysbeenundisputedChurchteachingthatitisamortalsintoreceiveHolyCommunionifyouareadivorcedandremarriedCatholicwhoneversoughtorobtainedannulmentofone’smarriage(CCC1650).Howcanwesupportassertionstothecontrarytoday?

OursilenceinlightofsucherrorslayssoulsandemboldensSatan.

TheChurch’sconstantteachinghasbeenthatasoulinmortalsinreceivesnospiritualbenefitfromreceivingHolyCommunion,butrathereternalcondemnationifsuchconductisleftunconfessed.(CCC1384-1385)Whywouldwe,ourbishopsorpriestsencourageotherstocommitsuchsinfulacts?

OursilenceinlightofsuchconductslayssoulsandemboldensSatan.

IthasbeentheteachingoftheChurchthatweMUSTstrivewithGod’sgracetoovercomeoursinfulbehaviorsandthatwithHisgraceallthingsarepossible,includingabandoninglong-standingsinfulacts.Evenifweareneverfullysuccessfulinovercomingoursinfulbehaviors,weareneverexemptfromtryingtodoso.Howcanwenowteachthatsuchastandardistoohighandthosewhohavebeenunsuccessfulinstrivingtofreethemselvesfromentrenchedsin,arenolongerobligatedtodoso?

OursilenceinlightofsucherroneousteachingslayssoulsandemboldensSatan.

Howcanwehaveareasonablehopethatallsoulswillbesavedorthatatheists(whodienotknowingJesus)areinheaven,orthatGodmakesapersongay,orthatgaysexuality“insomewaybeEucharistic,”that“itcanbeexpressiveofChrist’sself-gift”orthat“itcanbeexpressiveofmutualfidelity,acovenantalrelationshipinwhichtwopeoplebindthemselvestoeachotherforever”orthatitislicitforanon-CatholicspousetoreceiveHolyCommunion?

OursilenceinlightofsuchfalseassertionsslayssoulsandemboldensSatan.

WhowouldeverhadthoughtthattheadministratorsofaCatholicCollegewouldfailtounequivocallysupportawell-respectedtenuredfacultymemberandastudentwhowereattackedforsimplyproclaiminganddefendingtheteachingsoftheirChurchagainstthosewhopromotederrorandsinfulconduct?

OursilenceinlightofsuchfailuresslayssoulsandemboldensSatan.

WereyoushockedthataoncevibrantandfaithfulCatholicnationhasapprovedthekillingofchildrenintheirmother’swombandcelebratedthistragedy

joyfullyandunashamedly?Youshouldn’tbe.Thatiswhathappenswhenweremainsilentanddon’tengageinspiritualcombat.WhentheChurchanditsmembersfailtoteachanddefendtheTruth,Satanoffersacounterfeitsubstitutetruth–onethatleadsonlytohell.

OursilenceslayssoulsandemboldensSatan.

IsitnottimeforwesilentsoulstodefendGod’sTruth,tofulfillourbaptismalobligationtobetheGospeltothosewemeetasMatthewtoldusyesterday,andtomorefullyengageinthespiritualbattleforthesalvationofallsouls?

OrdowewanttoremainsilentandslaysoulsandemboldenSatan?

[IfIhavewrittenanythingthatisuntrueorinconsistentwithChurchteaching,pleaseletmeknow.Idonotwanttobethecauseofanyfurtherconfusion.]

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RelevantFictionReviews:TheBeginningofLife[atCarolynAstfalk,Author]

Becausefictionexcelsatcreatingempathy,booksthatinvolvedeeplypersonal,emotionally-intenseissueshelpreadersconsidersituationsinawholenewlight.Overtheyears,I’vereadmanybooksthattouchonlifeissues–bothatitsbeginningandend.Thesebooksareonesthattouchonabortionandrelatedlifeissues.

Thereviewsmaynotevenmentionabortion,asthesearen’t“message”booksbutrathernovelsthatskillfullyweavelifeissuesintotheplot.Beneaththereviewsareseveralotherbooksthatmeritbeingincluded,butforwhichIdidnotpostareview.(TherewasactuallyatimewhenIdidn’treviewalmosteverythingIread!Ialsohaven’treviewedmyownbook,forobviousreasons.)

Andfinally,therearefourdystopianserieslisted,whichwerealsoincludedintheend-of-lifepost.Ihopeyou’llclickthroughandreadmoreabouttheseexceptionalbooks!

AnyoneButHimbyTheresaLinden

AnyoneButHimisbrimmingwithdeliciousromance,keep-you-guessingmystery,andadoseofhumor.Wonderfullywrittenwithwell-developedcharacters,andasolidplot–allhallmarksofTheresaLinden’sbooks.Withherfirstnovelaimedatthenewadultmarket,Ihopemany,manymorereadersareintroducedtoherwriting.It’sajoytoreadnovelsbothwellwrittenandunderpinnedbytheCatholicfaithandthevaluesCatholicsholddear.[LearnmoreaboutAnyoneButHim.]

ShadowsofHopebyGeorgianaDaniels

ShadowsofHopeisabook-lengthexerciseindramaticironythatkeptmeengrosseduntilallwasrevealed,indramaticfashion.

Fromthefirstpages–orfromthebookdescriptionalone–thereaderknowsthatMarissacounselsKaitlynthroughoutherunplannedpregnancyandthat,unbeknownsttobothwomen,Marissa’shusbandColinisthefather.

Tensionbuildsasvariousconflictsunfoldandlayersofthecharactersarerevealed:infertility,theabsenceofafather,infidelity,insecurity,andmorebringgreatdepthtoMarissa,Kaitlyn,andevenColin.

Thereadergetstoexaminethesituationfromeachofthethreecharacters’pointsofview–closestwithMarissa(1stperson),butalsoKaitlynandColin(3rdperson).

GeorgianaDanielsresistsaneasyresolution,insteaddeliveringatrue-to-lifeexaminationofthesharedheartache,joy,and,eventually,hope,ofthreeimperfectpeopleboundbyanunbornchild.

Fansofwomen’sfictionwillespeciallyenjoythiswell-written,thoughtfulstory.Ilookforwardtoreadingmorefromthisauthor.

DiscoverybyKarinaLumbertFabian

Ifyourmentalpictureofreligioussistersisdour,oldwomenwithwimplehabitsandankle-lengthskirts,thenscrubthatimagebeforeopeningDiscovery.ThesistersintheOrderofOurLadyoftheRescuearepost-modern,bravepioneerswithhabitssuitedtoworkinzerogravity.

ThechallengestotheirpresentmissiononthealiencraftDiscoveryarebestsummedupbySisterRita’sexclamationof“CodistsandWiccansandevangelists,oh,my.”SisterRita,alongwithstalwartpilotSisterThomasand“spacey”butbrilliantSisterAnn,haveallsortsofconflictingintereststocontendwith:thebrainyresearchers,theworking-classrockjacks,and,ohyeah,thatalienship.

Interwovenamongstthecrew’sscientificdiscoveriesaretheirpersonaldiscoveries,broughttolightwithinthedesolatealiencraft.KarinaFabiandoesagoodjobofmanagingwhatcouldbeanunwieldycastofcharacters,tworomances,deviousintrigue,andaguiltyconscience.

Intheend,themostprofounddiscoveryisn’tanalienlifeform,buta

relationshipwithGod,whoseloveknowsnoboundaries,whosemercyoverflows,andwhocallsuseachforauniquepurpose.

JustenoughbreadcrumbsaredroppedtokeepthereaderintriguedbythevariousinterpersonalrelationshipsandcrypticmessagesofSisterAnn,mountingtopage-turningsuspenseinthefinalchapters.

Discoveryisajourneyworthtaking.

UnfailingLovebyJulieLessman

IawaitedIsleofHopeformonths,eagertoreadJulieLessman’svoiceinacontemporarynovel.Shedidnotdisappoint.

Thecharactershavedepth,arewell-drawn,andinhabittheirmoderncoastalGeorgiaislesonaturallytheymademelongforabeachvacation.ThedramaticplotturnsinIsleofHopecalltomindasoapopera(astheyoftendoinJulieLessman’shistoricalnovels),whichislessacriticismandmoreatestamenttotheauthor’ssavvygiventheenduringpopularityofsoaps(andperhapsanodtoherwell-knownloveofGoneWiththeWind).Thenovelincludesperhapsthebestone-sentencechapter-endingcliffhangerI’veeverread.

Thefaithelementisorganictothestory,butismoreextensivethaninmostinspirationalromancesorwomen’sfictionasmultiplecharacters’arcsechothethemesofforgiveness,(re)conversion,andredemption.Ihighlightedseveralpassagesthatstruckachord–somethingItypicallydon’tdo.Byshowingthenaturalconsequencesofselfishactions,thenarrativedeftlydemonstrateshownosinistrulyprivate,anditsrepercussionsaffectmanypeoplebesidestheperpetrator.

Somebeautiful,tender,heart-meltingmomentsofgriefandsorrowareinterwovenwiththepainfullongingandsimmeringpassionyou’dexpect.

Alittletighteningtoreducethematicrepetitionandsomeoftheanalogieswouldonlymakethisgoodnovelevenbetter.Asitis,it’sanengagingstoryoflove,forgiveness,healing,andrebirththatleftmelookingforwardtothenextbookintheseries.

Life-ChangingLovebyTheresaLinden

NotonlyisLife-Changingloveanentertainingread,butit’sagreattoolforlaunchingconversationsbetweenteensandparentsabouttheirexpectationsfordatingandrelationships.

CaitlynSummersisinlovewithbeinginlove.Sheyearnsforherfirstboyfriendandherfirstkiss.Andsheknowsjusttheboytomakethosedreamscometrue:RolandWest.OnlyRoland,despitethemixedsignalshesends,isnotinterestedinhavingagirlfriend.

Bycontrast,Caitlyn’sgorgeousbestfriendZoehasgonefromzerotowellbeyondthespeedlimitinmeredayswithRoland’sdangerousolderbrotherJarret.

WhenJarret’stwinKeefereturnsfromatriptoItalywithhisfather,he’schanged-unwillingtoallowJarrettomanipulatehim,introspective,pious,andintriguedbyCaitlyn.

ThelivesoftheWestbrothersandCaitlynandZoeturntopsy-turvyastheystruggletonavigateobediencetotheirparents,thelongingsoftheirhearts,andthepredicamentJarretandZoehavecreatedforthemselves.

TheresaLindendoesanoutstandingjobofcapturingthetensionoftheteenageyears.TheresultisamovingstorythatshowstheconsequencesofprematuresexualrelationshipsandthevalueofpursuingfriendshipsthathonorGodandrespectthedignityofeachperson.

TheTruthandNothingButLiesbyCheriVause

TheTruthandNothingButLiesisanengagingtalethatcouldberippedfromtheheadlinesifonlythemediadelvedsodeeply.Itsintricateplotandsuspenseholdattentionanddrawthereadertotheend.Itsgreatestvalue,however,liesinitsplaindemonstrationofthedireconsequencesofall-too-familiaractionscloakedineuphemismsofsexualliberationandfreedomtochoose.

RapunzelLetDown:AFairyTaleRetoldbyReginaDoman

“Wheresinincreased,graceaboundedallthemore.”–Rom5:20InthismodernadaptionoftheclassictaleofRapunzel,ReginaDomanbringsusthestoryofHermes,aconservativesenator’sson,whofallsinlovewithRaphaella,theadopteddaughterofaradicalfeminist.HermesimpregnatestheinnocentRaphaellaandfromthere,sinbegetssinandsuffering.FansofDoman’sfairytalenovelsandnewreadersalikewillenjoythisadaptionthatbringstolifeboththedireconsequencesofsinandthegracesborneofvirtue.ThecontemporarysettingmesheswonderfullywiththetimelessfairytalesprinkledliberallywithaCatholicworldview.ReminiscentofDoman’sothernovels,theheroicendingwillhaveyouontheedgeofyourseat.

ImageandLikeness:LiteraryReflectionsontheTheologyoftheBodyeditedbyErinMcColeCupp

Evenifyou’vereadSt.JohnPaulII’sTheologyoftheBodyfromstarttofinishandahalf-dozennonfictionbooksaboutitontheside,Iguaranteethiscollectionofshortswilluncovertheteachingsinwaysyouhadn’tconsidered.Itwillchallengeyouinunexpectedways.Oneortwo(ormore)ofthestoriesmaymakeyouuncomfortable.Whilethewritingispolished,thevarnishcoatingthedarknessofourlivesisstripped,layingbarethetruthswrittenonourheartandthelieswetellwithourbodies.

Recommendedforreading,reflection,discussion,andevenentertainment.AgrittybutbeautifulintroductionnotonlytotheTheologyoftheBodyasitislived(orrejected),butalsotothebreadthandpromiseofCatholicfictionbeingwrittenbycontemporaryauthors.Theseshortsareaccessibletoanycarefulreader,whetherfamiliarwiththeTheologyoftheBodyornot.

Thiscontributionisavailableathttp://www.carolynastfalk.com/2018/05/21/relevant-fiction-

reviews-the-beginning-of-life/

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Fraud[atTheContemplativeCatholicConvert]

WhenIrereadasectioninDeuteronomy,asectioninchapter31caughtmyattention:“TheLordsaidtoMoses,behold,youareabouttoliedownwithyourfather‘s;andthispeoplewillariseandplaytheharlotwiththestrangegodsofland,intothemidstofwhichtheyaregoing,andwillforsakemeandbreakmycovenantwhichImadewiththem.Thenmyangerwillbekindledagainsttheminthatday,andIwillforsakethemandhidemyfacefromthem,andtheywillbeconsumed,andmanyevilsandtroubleswillcomeuponthem”(verse16).

IputtheBibledownforafewminutesandletmyminddrifttoseveralliberalcommentariesI’vereadovertheyearsregardingpassageslikethisone.Insteadofpermittingthetexttospeakforitself–inthiscase,thesupernaturalgiftofforetelling–insteadofpermittingthetexttoremainintherealmofthesupernatural,liberalcommentatorstellreadersthatalatereditorinsertedthissectionafewcenturieslater.AndsothetextmarkingIsrael’srebellionwasnotapredictionoffutureevents,butanhistoricaldetailofthepast.

Whatthatallegationdoes,ofcourse,istoreplacethesupernaturalwiththenatural.Andsadly,theBooksofMosesarenottheonlybooksofScripturewhereinliberalcommentatorssliceanddiceawaythesupernatural.TheydoitinvirtuallyeveryOldTestamentandevenmanyoftheNewTestamentbooks.

IcanonlyguesswhysuchcommentatorssuggestGod’swordisrifewithfraudulent‘prophecies.’SuchaccusationsdonothinglessthanpervertGod’sholyandinerrantword,andhelpdestroythefaithofmen,women,andchildren.

NowondersomanypeopletodaytaketheBiblewiththeproverbialgrainofsalt.Whybothertoreadit–exceptperhapsas‘literature’,butcertainlynottheinerrantwordofAlmightyGod?Indeed,iftheBibleisfullofdeceitfultextsandcontexts,who’stosaytheconceptofGodHimselfisnotpartofthefraud?

ThisracetowardemasculatingtheWordofGodisnotanewphenomenon.Asearlyasthefirstcentury,theHolySpiritmovedtheapostlePaultopenthesewordsofencouragementtoChristians:

“Isaythissothatnoonewilldeludeyouwithpersuasiveargument....

ThereforeasyouhavereceivedChristJesustheLord,sowalkinHim,havingbeenfirmlyrootedandnowbeingbuiltupinHimandestablishedinyourfaith...Seetoitthatnoonetakesyoucaptivethroughphilosophyandemptydeception,accordingtothetraditionofmen,accordingtotheelementaryprinciplesoftheworld,ratherthanaccordingtoChrist.ForinHimallthefullnessofDeitydwellsinbodilyform,andinHimyouhavebeenmadecomplete,andHeistheheadoverallruleandauthority...(Colossians2:4-10).

Christian!ThereisfartoomuchatstakeforyoureternalsoultoletfaithlesscommentatorsrobyouofyourconfidenceinthesupernaturalGodandHissupernaturalbook.Theomnipotent,omniscient,andomnipresentGodweserveiscertainlyabletoensuretheaccuracyofHiswordsoverthecenturies.TheeternalGodwhoknowsthefutureasintimatelyasHeknowsthepast–forHeremainsaboveandoutsidewhatwecall“time’–HeiseminentlyabletoprovideawordoffutureknowledgetoanyofHisservants.

Heis,afterall,God.

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WhatItMeansToBeParentingFriendlyintheWorkplace[atUnderThyRoof]

Iwasatacareerexpoforpeopleinthetheaterindustrythispastweekend.Aftermonthsofauditioning,andfeelingstagnant,Iwantedtolearnwherearethemiscommunicationshappening?WhatamImissingthatcastingdirectorsandhiringdirectorsarelookingfor?

Mysecondgoal:findsomeoneonthisgreenEarthwhoispursuingtheaterworkwhileparentingsmallchildren!

Manywomenintheatertakethe10years(ormore)untiltheirchildrenareinschooltoreturntowork.Itriedthatforayear,andit'snotworkingforme.Idomuchbetterwithboth/andinsteadofwaitingfora"someday"thatmayverywellnevershowup.

Theworkingworldisnotsetupforboth/and,it'saneither/orgame.Whetheritisacknowledgedornot,parentsfacewell-meaning,butneverthelessprejudicial,beliefsabouttheirabilitiesandavailability.

WhenIwasgraduatingfromcollege,Iwasinmythirdtrimesterwithmyfirstchild.Idecidedtorunforsomeofthealumnaepositions.It'smostlyemailingtheclassquarterly,andcompilingandsendingupdatestothealumnaeassociation

forplacementinthealummagazine-notadifficultjob.Ilostoutonthevote,butthatdidn'tbothermeasmuchasthereasoningbehindwhysomepeopledidnotvoteforme.

Womenwouldactuallytellmethattheydidn'tvoteformesoIwouldn'thavetochoosetospendtimeawaymybaby.AsifIwasnotcapableofunderstandingboththejobdescriptionandtheimplicationsofmyhugebellywhenIputmyselfforward.

NotethiswasaWOMEN'Scollege.Tosaythattheyshouldhaveknownbetterwouldbeanunderstatement.

ItbecomesmoreapparenttomeasIspendmoreyearsatthisparentingwhiletryingtointeractwiththeworldthing,thatthegreaterculturehasNOIDEAwhatIdo.None.Atall.

Whichexplainssomethingsaboutwellmeaningattemptstobeinclusivetoparents,andmothersinparticular,fallflat.

Ahugehurtletohavingusefulandeffectiveworkenvironmentsforparentsisthateachparentisworkingwithadifferentsetofparameters.Someneedtobeabletopickkidsupfromschool,someneedlctationrooms,someneedflextime,someneedsitebasedchildcare.Oftenthesamepersonwillneedallofthesethingsatdifferentpointsinherparentinglife.

ThetypicalAmericanworkplaceisnotsogreatwithevolvingneeds.I’vefoundmanyindividualsaren’tsogreatatevolvingneeds.It’smucheasiertosay“dox,y,zandyouareparentingfriendly!”.It’snotthatsimple.

WhatIthink*does*makeaworkplaceparentingfriendlyisaself-awareworkplace.

IfamotherhastocontinuouslyinformHRthatthelactationroomisnotuptocodeorthatsheisbeinggivenmoreworkthansheisbeingpaidtodo,thatworkplacesendsthemessagethatherworkandneedsarenotvalued.

It’snotthejobofparentstoeducateeachandeveryemployeronhowtonotbeajerktoworkingparents.

It’snotmyjobtoteachotherwomennottobepatronizinganddiminutiveto

anotherwomanjustbecauseshe’samother.

Frankly,I’mfrustratedtobehearingthattheworkingworldisstillindenialthatparentingisanecessarypartofthecontinuationofthespecies,buthereweare.Because,really,thiscomesdowntohavingrespectforhumanlifeandtheimportanceoftheworkofparentingANDtheworkoftheeconomy.

Thisisnotjustadiscussionforparentswhoworkyourtypical9-5job!Whataboutyouparentswhoarefreelancers,communityleaders,orgigworkers?Whathasbeenyourexperience?

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ComingintotheFullnessoftheSpirit[atBartimaeus'QuietPlace]

AboutComingintotheFullnessoftheSpirit

“AndwhenthedayofPentecostwasfullycome,theywereallwithoneaccordinoneplace.Andsuddenlytherecameasoundfromheavenasofarushingmightywind,anditfilledallthehousewheretheyweresitting.Andthereappeareduntothemcloventongueslikeasoffire,anditsatuponeachofthem.AndtheywereallfilledwiththeHolyGhost,andbegantospeakwithothertongues,astheSpiritgavethemutterance.”(Acts2:1-4)

MydearfellowpilgrimsinChristJesus,

JustrecentlywecelebratedPentecostSunday,thebirthdayoftheChurch,thatis,thedaywhenthosewhofirstbelievedinChristcametogetherasananointedcommunitytoformtheBodyofChrist,empoweredbytheHolySpirittoactasHiswitnessestotheworld.Today,wecontinueincommunitythroughtheanointingthatisimpartedtousthroughthesacramentsofbaptismandconfirmationbringingustolifeinChristsothatwe,HisBody,maycontinuetobeHiswitnessestotheworlduntilHecomestoreignasKingofKingsandLordoflords.

However,forsomeofus,ourcelebrationofPentecosttendstobethatofhalf-heartedtraditionalroutinesthathonorsthetraditionandspiritofthehistoricaleventofPentecostbutnotacelebrationofsomethingthatshouldbeanintegralpartofourlivesinthatitissomethingwehavepersonallyexperienced–thatis,thepersonaloutpouringoftheHolySpiritinourownlives.Itisinthissensethatthe“fullness”ofPentecosthasnotyet“fullycome”formanyofustoday.

Yes,weall,infaith,havecometoanewbirthinChristandhavereceivedtheHolySpiritintheinwardman”,butformanyofusPentecostremainsmerelyahistoriceventbecausewehavenotfullycometoarealizationofwhatthat“fullness”reallymeans.WehavenotfullyyieldedourselvestotheHolySpiritandHisGiftssothatHemaytrulytakeHisplaceinourlivesandthushavenotreleasedHimtocompletetheworkinusforwhichHewassent,thatis,tobringusintofullconformitytotheimageofChrist–boththroughaninwardtransformationandanoutwardempowermenttopreachandlivetheGospelwithHispowerworkinginusandthroughus.Insteadwehavetakenourconsecrationasmerelybeingasignalforustouseourownself-willedenergiestoattempttopleaseGodwithourownworksandambitions.

Yes,wearetaughtandbelievethatwearerecipientsofthesevensanctifyinggiftsthattheSpiritofGodusestoformtheCharacterofChristinus.WelikewiseexpectthefruitoftheSpirittobemanifestinourlivesthroughtheindwellingSpiritofLovethathasbeenpouredinusbytheHolySpirit.But,inmanyofourlivesthefruitoftheSpiritisunabletocometomaturity,mainlybecause,throughignoranceandthegut-wrenchingcircumstancesofourdailylives,ourthinkingandourbehaviorisbeingconformedtotheworldratherthantoChrist.Thisconformanceincludesanattitudeofprideandself-sufficiencythatthinkswecandoeverythingonourown,notunderstandingthatthedesireoftheFatheristhatHewantstoworkthroughusandinusbytheSpiritofHisGracewhichhesogenerouslyplacesinus.ThisattitudeofconformancetotheworldalsolookstotheworldforacceptanceratherthantotheGraciousGodwhocreatedus.

YoucansensethiseveninhowwemodernsdefinethegracesreceivedatPentecost.Notethatonlythe“sociallyacceptable”giftsoftheSpirit(cf.,Is.11,Gal.6;22)arementionedinourchurches.Whereas,theninefoundationalorempowermentGiftsoftheSpirit(cf.,1Cor.12)whichwerereferredtobyJesusasthe“PromiseoftheFather”andwhichwereactuallythegiftsmanifestedatPentecost,arehardlyevermentionedinpolitereligioussociety.Whydoyou

thinkthisis?Isuspectthatthemainreasonisthatwedon’twanttolookorbedifferentfromtheworld.WewanttobeacceptedintheworldandsowecompromisetheWordofGodtomatchtheworld’sexpectations.

ThisattitudeweakensourfaithandwithoutfaithwecannotpleaseGod–therebyhinderingusfromactivatingtheactualreleaseoftheHolySpiritintoourlivesandintothelivesofthosearoundus.

Inthispostitismydesiretodiscussthreeofthemostcommonproblems(asidefromplainignorance)facingusChristiansinexercisingthespiritualgiftsinthemodernworld–problemsthathinderusinrealizingthefullnessoftheSpiritinourlives.Thesethreeproblemsbeing:1)grievingtheSpirit,2)quenchingtheSpirit,and3)unbeliefor“hardeningofourhearts”.ItismyhopethatbybringingtheawarenessoftheseproblemstothesurfacewemaytakeactiontorepentandasktheHolySpirittorenewusandrestoreustotheplaceinourwalkwithChristsothatwemaytrulybefruitfulworkersintheKingdomofGod!PraisedbeHisHolyName!

GrievingtheSpirit

TheHolySpiritis“grieved”or“saddened”whenweturnasidefromHisleadingsinourlivesandweinsteadbegintoformattachmenttotheworldanditslifestyles.HeisgrievedwithusjustasJesuswasgrievedoverJerusalembecausetheirunwillingnesstoreceiveHimatthetimeofHisvisitation(Matt.23:37-39).LetusthennotgrievetheSpiritbydistancingourselvesfromthe

worldandwelcomingHimandHisGiftsintoourlives.

PerhapsnooneotherthanotherSt.PaulisbetterabletoexpresstheneedfortheChristiancommunitytoalignitselfwithChristanddetachitselffromtheworld.ListentowhathesaystothechurchinEphesus:

“NowthisIaffirmandinsistonintheLord:youmustnolongerliveastheGentileslive,inthefutilityoftheirminds.Theyaredarkenedintheirunderstanding,alienatedfromthelifeofGodbecauseoftheirignoranceandhardnessofheart.Theyhavelostallsensitivityandhaveabandonedthemselvestolicentiousness,greedytopracticeeverykindofimpurity.ThatisnotthewayyoulearnedChrist!Forsurelyyouhaveheardabouthimandweretaughtinhim,astruthisinJesus.Youweretaughttoputawayyourformerwayoflife,youroldself,corruptanddeludedbyitslusts,andtoberenewedinthespiritofyourminds,andtoclotheyourselveswiththenewself,createdaccordingtothelikenessofGodintruerighteousnessandholiness.

Sothen,puttingawayfalsehood,letallofusspeakthetruthtoourneighbors,forwearemembersofoneanother.Beangrybutdonotsin;donotletthesungodownonyouranger,anddonotmakeroomforthedevil.Thievesmustgiveupstealing;ratherletthemlaborandworkhonestlywiththeirownhands,soastohavesomethingtosharewiththeneedy.Letnoeviltalkcomeoutofyourmouths,butonlywhatisusefulforbuildingup,asthereisneed,sothatyourwordsmaygivegracetothosewhohear.AnddonotgrievetheHolySpiritofGod,withwhichyouweremarkedwithasealforthedayofredemption.

Putawayfromyouallbitternessandwrathandangerandwranglingandslander,togetherwithallmalice,andbekindtooneanother,tenderhearted,forgivingoneanother,asGodinChristhasforgivenyou.ThereforebeimitatorsofGod,asbelovedchildren,andliveinlove,asChristlovedusandgavehimselfupforus,afragrantofferingandsacrificetoGod.”(Ephesians4:17-32;5:1-2)

Youmaybesuremybrethrenthat,becauseGodisLove,He,inHiscompassionforus,willlovinglyinterveneinourlivestoconfrontuswithoursininthisregard,becauseitisasin.Indeed,asinthatPaulreferstoas“grievingtheSpiritofGod”.Asinthatusuallyleadstoanothersin,thatof“QuenchingoftheHoly

Spirit”.

QuenchingtheSpirit

Scripturecommandsusnotto“quenchtheSpirit”(1Thessalonians5:19).To“quench”istoextinguishsomething,likethrowingwateronacampfireasyouarepreparingtobreakcamp.ThesinofquenchingtheHolySpiritiswhenGod’sSpiritispromptingustosayordoacertainthingandwerefuse.QuenchingtheSpiritcouldalsobefailingtodiscoverandusethegiftsthatGodhasgivenus.

ThereasonthisisimportantisbecauseweareignoringornotusingthecharismaticgiftsmentionedbySt.PaulinhisfirstepistletotheCorinthians(cf.,1Cor.12).Itisthroughtheseninefoundationalorempowermentgiftsthatthemembersofthechurchareempoweredtocarryoutthechurch’sministryoftakingtheGoodNewstotheworld,makingdisciples,andmanifestingthepowerofFather’sKingdomtotheworld.TheSanctifyingGifts(cf.,Is.11)permittheSpirittobringusinconformitytothecharacterandspiritofChristbutitistheendowmentwiththecharismaticgifts,however,thatpermitsustoshareintheempowermentoftheHolySpiritthatwasonChristsothatHisministryofmanifestingorenforcingtheKingdomofGodinthisworldmaycontinuethroughus,HisBody!

BecausethisministrydethronesthepoweroftheEvilOneandthedominanceheholdsovertheworldandfallenhumanity,hewilldoeverythinginhispowertoextinguishtheHolyFireoftheHolySpiritthathasbeenplacedinus,theBodyofChrist.Hedoesthisonthreemainbattle-fronts:theworld,theflesh,andthedevil.Wehavealreadyspokenofhowtheworldconformsustoitsthinkingandbehavior.ThisconformitytotheworldalsoactsinustoextinguishthefireorleadingsoftheHolySpiritincarryingoutHispurposesforusinthisworld.

RememberthewarningofpreparationthatJesusgaveHisdisciples:

“YoudidnotchooseMe,butIchoseyou,andappointedyou,thatyoushouldgoandbearfruit,andthatyourfruitshouldremain,thatwhateveryouaskoftheFatherinMyname,Hemaygivetoyou.“ThisIcommandyou,thatyouloveoneanother.“Iftheworldhatesyou,youknowthatithashatedMebeforeithatedyou.“Ifyouwereoftheworld,theworldwouldloveitsown;butbecauseyouarenotoftheworld,butIchoseyououtoftheworld,thereforetheworldhatesyou.”(John15:16-19)

Thus,youshouldnotbesurprisedthattheworldwillnotacceptyouifyoudeviatefromwhatitexpectsanddemandsofyou.This,ofcourse,includesthe“politicallycorrect”suppressionofthespiritualgiftsthathavebeendistributedtousbytheHolySpirittoaccomplishHispurposesinusandthroughus.

Inattemptingtohinderus,theRulerofthisworldtakesadvantageofourfallacioushumanreasoning,ourweaknessesandourlustfuldesires(theflesh)so

thatwemightsuccumbtotheluresanddemandsofthisworld.And,toourdismay,hesometimesevenusesthevoiceofmisguidedreligiousauthoritytoattempttoshutthedoortoourexerciseofthegiftsbytellingusthattheyarenotneededtodayorthatthey(ironicallyenough)areofthe“devil”.

Thedevilalsotemptsusbypresentinguswithcounterfeit“gifts”thatarereallywitchcraftunderhiscontrolratherthanfromGod.Healsohinderstheuseoftheactualgiftsbypresentingskepticismordoubtsastoourworthinessortheappropriatenessofourexerciseofthegifts.

AlloftheabovebrieflysummarizethemeansbywhichwemayfallintothesinofquenchingtheSpirit.Forthisreason,brethren,itisveryimportantinwalkingthewalkofexercisingthespiritualgiftsthatyoukeepinmindSt.Paul’sexhortationandadmonitiontothechurchofThessalonica:

“Rejoicealways;praywithoutceasing;ineverythinggivethanks;forthisisGod’swillforyouinChristJesus.DonotquenchtheSpirit;donotdespisepropheticutterances.Butexamineeverythingcarefully;holdfasttothatwhichisgood;abstainfromeveryformofevil.”(1Th.5:16-22)

HardeningoftheHeart

RegardinghardnessofheartIreferyouagainbrethrentoSt.Paul’sadmonitiontothechurchatEphesus:

“….youmustnolongerliveastheGentileslive,inthefutilityoftheirminds.Theyaredarkenedintheirunderstanding,alienatedfromthelifeofGodbecauseoftheirignoranceandhardness[blindness]ofheart.”

(Eph.4:17-18)

InthiscitationPaulmakesitclearthattheconditionheterms“hardnessoftheheart”(theterm“blindness”isusedinsometranslations)alienatesusfromthelifeofGod.Thisalienationcomesbecausethe“hardnessofheart”conditionblindsourspiritualunderstanding,makingusignorantofGod,HisGrace,andHispurposesforusinthisworld.Inotherwordsitisanattitudeofheartthatleadstounbelief.

WhatwesometimesmissinPaul’sexhortationisthatheisdirectingittobaptizedChristianswiththeimplicationthattheseChristians,althoughconvertedarestilllivingwithintheirun-renewedworldlymindset–thatPaultermsthe“futilityoftheirminds”.ThereasonwemissthispointisthatwemodernChristiansdon’trealizethatweareprettymuchsubjecttothesamecondition,thatis,wetooareaffectedbya“hardeningoftheheart”or“unbelief”,thecureforwhichinvolvesthe“renewingofourminds”.

ThemainreasonwemissthispointthatPaulmakesis,becauseweconsiderourselvesfaithfulChristians,supposedlyoperatinginfaith,wefinditdifficulttounderstandhowtherecouldbeunbeliefinourlives.

Thisfailuretounderstandis,initselfasignofacertainlevelofunbelief.Youseebrethrenwhatwedon’tunderstandisthatwe,asfalliblehumanbeingscanharborbothfaithandunbeliefwithinusatthesametime.Thevestigesofourfallenself,althoughcrucifiedwithChristarestillwithus,eventhoughweareintheprocessoftransformationintotheimageofChrist.ButwearenotthereyetandneverwillwebecompletelythereuntilweareunitedwithHiminthelifetocome.

ThesevestigesofthefleshstillmouldourthinkingintothewaysoftheworldandplaceaveiloverourmindswhenitcomestounderstandingtheSpiritofGodandwalkingintheSpirit.Althoughwemayseeourspiritualpathclearlyinsomeareasofourlivestherearesomeareaswheretheoldwayofthinkingstillholdssway.

Forinstance,supposingthatuponyouryearlymedicalcheckupyoudoctordiscoverssomeshadowsinyourx-raysand,uponmoretesting,informsyouthatyouhaveavariantform,oflymphaticcancer.Thefirstanxiousthoughtsandfearsyouencounterwithinyourselfarethoseofyouroldnature.Yes,you

believeinhealingandJesus’promisesregardinghealing,butyoufindyourheartplacedinatestbetweenyourfaithandyouranxietiesandfears.IfyouplacemorevalueonyouranxietiesbasedonwhatthedoctorsaidthanyourfaithinwhatthewordofGodsays,thenyouhaveenteredtherealmof“hardeningofyourheart”andthisplacesaveiloveryourfaithinthepromisesofGod.

Themoreourmindis“renewed”inChristthelessinfluencetheworldandour“oldman”willhaveonourthinkingandjudgmentsbecauseJesusandHisWordwillbethecenterofourfocusinlife.WhenourfocusisonHimandHisWordourfaithwillovercometheworldjustasHeovercametheworld(John16:33).

TherearemanyinstancesintheNewTestamentwhereJesusadmonisheshisdisciplesfortheir“weak(or‘little’)faith”causedbytheirhardnessofheart.ThisisnotbecausetheydidnothavefaithinJesusitisbecausetheirownfaithwasstilllinkedtowhattheyobservedintheworldandwasthusdilutedbythecircumstancestheywerefacing,asinthemultiplicationoftheloaves(Matt.14:13-20andthehealingofthedemonpossessedboy(Cf.,Matt.17).Inthislattercase,whenthefathercametoJesussayingthathehadtakenthechildtoHisdisciplesandtheycouldnothealtheboy,Jesussaid,“Youfaithlessandperversegeneration,howmuchlongermustIbewithyou?HowmuchlongermustIputupwithyou?Bringhimheretome.”(Matt.17:17)

Afterdeliveringandhealingtheboy,thedisciplesasked,“whycouldwenothealhim?”Jesusansweredthemsaying,“Becauseofyourlittlefaith.FortrulyItellyou,ifyouhavefaiththesizeofamustardseed,youwillsaytothismountain,‘Movefromheretothere,’anditwillmove;andnothingwillbeimpossibleforyou.”(Matt.17:20).

Soclearly,ifwearetoexerciseourspiritualgiftsfruitfully,asJesustellsusfromthecitationabove,wecannotaffordtohavethisveilofunbeliefor“hardnessofheart”beahindrancetous.ThatiswhyitissourgentthatwecooperatewithGod’sgracenotonlyindiscerningandexercisingthegiftsthathavebeenallocatedtous,butalsoincontinuingtogrowintheSpiritthroughtherenewalofourminds,soastominimizethehindrancesthatsoeasilydisableusfromcarryingoutGod’spurposesforusinthisworld.PraisedbeHisHolyName!

Inconclusion,brothersandsistersinChrist,IurgeyoutotakeeverythingIhaverelayedtoyouhere,thathastouchedyourheart,andpresentitsincerely,inprayer,totheHolySpiritforconfirmationandimpartationsothatyoumaybe

fullyenabledbyHimtoenforcetheFather’swillhereonearthasitisinHeaven!

BaruchhaShem!

YourBrotherInChristJesus…Bartimaeus

(©B.R.TimeoandBartimaeus’QuietPlace,[2008-2018])

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Donotacceptanythingasthetruthifitlackslove[atLeavenfortheLoaf]h/ttotheU.S.CouncilofCatholicBishops,OfficeofReligiousLibertyforthismemewithitsquotefromEdithStein,AKASt.TeresaBenedictaoftheCross.Somethingtothinkabout,whatevertheaspectofpro-lifeministryinwhichwemightengage.

“Donotacceptanythingasthetruthifitlackslove.Anddonotacceptanythingaslovewhichlackstruth!Onewithouttheotherbecomesadestructivelie.”

Thiscontributionisavailableathttp://leavenfortheloaf.com/2018/05/23/do-not-accept-anything-

as-the-truth-if-it-lacks-love/

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WhydoesGodallowustobetried,tested,andmadetosuffer?[atIntheBreakingoftheBread]

Indeed,whydoesGodallowushumanbeingstobeconstantlytried,tobetestedallourlives,tobetemptedateveryturn,andincountlessunrelentingwaysmadetosuffer?

Webelieve-andareonsolidgroundinbelievingso-thatGodtheHolyTrinityofFather,Son,andHolySpirit,arealmightyGod,allknowingandallloving.ItfollowsthatGodwhoisalmightyknowsofeveryinstanceinwhichwesufferbecauseofevil,orbecausewearetempted,orbecausewearetemptedand,nolongerresisting,fallintoandsuccumbtosin.OurRomanCatholic,EasternCatholic,andOrthodoxChristiantraditionsallagreeinteachingthatevil,temptations,andsinonlyoccurtothedegreethatGodallowsthemtooccur;forwithouthispermittingthem,noneofthesecouldbefallusorcometopass.

SaintIgnatiusofLoyolainthis"

14RulesfortheDiscernmentofSpirits

"taughtthatGodindeeddoesallowustosufferinthesethreeways-evil,temptations,sin-forhisgoodandkindpurposes.JesuitscontinuetodaytooffertheteachingandguidanceoftheirfounderSaintIgnatius,andonewaytheydoitisintermsof

spiritualdiscernment

andmakinggooddecisions.

UnlessoneiswillingtohavefaithinGod-tobelieveintheFather,JesustheSon,andtheHolySpirit-toacceptastrueandtotallyreliablethatnothingevilcancomefromGodbutonlygood;thenthereisnowayoutofthetortuousdoubtsthatcometohumanbeingsinthethroesofstruggleswithevil,disease,pain,death,violence,thesinsofothers,temptations,andourownsin.IfGodisevilorcannotbetrustedtoalwaysbegoodorifthereisnogod;thenweareonourownandwearelost.

InhisNinth(9th)Rule,SaintIgnatiusteachesthatthedramaisnotsomuchaboutthefactthatthereisevil(wecanunderstandhereinallofitsformsincludingevildeeds,illness,humanviolence,andnaturaldisasters,withoutexhaustingthelist),painandsuffering,temptations,andsin.Now,whatismostdramaticandfraughtwiththegravestofconsequencesforusandforothers,isnotsomuchtheevilsortemptationsorsinsthemselves,butratherourinnerdispositionsandreactionstoalloftheserealitiesoflife.

SaintIgnatiusmakesmuchoftwooppositebutrelatedinnerstateswithinhumanbeings:spiritualconsolationandspiritualdesolation,andhedevotesseveralrulestoexplain

howwearetounderstandwhatistrulyhappening

withinusinthefaceofthesetwostates,

howthenwearetogovernourselvesunderthesecircumstances,

andwhatthatsignifiesforourlifeandthelivesofothers.

Soit'snotsomuchthefactofevilorviolencebuthowwereacttoit,orthefactofbeingtempted,buthowweconductourselvesinthefaceofit,orthefactthatGodallowsustoexperiencethesethings,buthowwerespondtotheLordandconductourselvesinthesesituations.

Tobemorespecific,whenIsufferbecauseofeviloramtemptedorsin,ifItrustintheLordandwelcomemytrial,suffering,orhumiliation;thenIwillcertainlycometoexperienceGod'sconsolingloveandmercy.However,ifIam"tepid,slothfulornegligentin(my)ourspiritualexercises"(Rule9)thenitwillbe"throughourfaults(that)spiritualconsolationwithdrawsfromus."Thisisthefirstcause"forwhichwefindourselvesdesolate"(Rule9)inthefaceofevil,suffering,temptation,orsin.Godallowstheseexperiencesto"purifytheintentionsofourheart"sothatwediscoverthedegreeofheatorcoldinourfaithanddevotiontoGod.

Thesecondcause"forwhichwefindourselvesdesolate"wouldbe"totryusandseehowmuchweareandhowmuchweextendourselvesinHisserviceandpraisewithoutsomuchpaymentofconsolationandincreasedgraces."(Rule9)Inotherwords,asecondreasonGodallowsustoexperiencetrials,suffering,temptation,orsinandsofindourselvesdesolate,issothatwemightdiscoverthe

strengthofourresolvetoloveGodforhisownsakewithoutlookingfor"rewards",and,discoveringhowweakmaybeourresolve,decidetoloveGodwithpurerintentionsandwithamoreselflessheart.Bythissecondscenario,Godallowsourtrialstomakeusstrongerinloving,praising,andservingHimandourfellowmanandwoman.

Thethirdcause"forwhichwefindourselvesdesolate"wouldbe"togiveustruerecognitionandunderstandingsothatwemayinteriorlyfeelthatitisnotourstoattainormaintainincreaseddevotion,intenselove,tearsoranyspiritualconsolation,butthatallisthegiftandgraceofGodourLord,andsothatwemaynotbuildanestinsomethingbelongingtoanother,raisingourmindinsomeprideorvainglory,attributingtoourselvesthedevotionortheotherpartsofthespiritualconsolation."(Rule9)So,firstGodallowsustobetestedandsuffer,tobetemptedandeventosin;sothatwemaybetterknowthetrueintentionsofourheart,discoverourlackofresolvetolove,praise,andserveGodanddosomethingaboutit.Secondly,Godallowsustoendurethesethingsinordertostruggle,resist,andgrowstronger.Thirdly,Godallowsustoendurethesethingsinordertodiscoverthegreatjoythatallgoodthings-includingourownlife,love,andgrowth-areGod'sgiftandtheresultofhisgifts.TheantidotetoprideiswholeheartedlygivingallthegloryandpraiseandthankstoGod.

TheLordneedsustotrustinHimaboveallthings,ratherthaninourselvesorourownefforts,inthepowerofothers,orintherichesofpotentialdonors...becauseitisonlywhenweareweakorweakestthatGodcanmanifesthispower,becauseitisonlythen,inourweakness,thatitcanbecomeevidenttotheworldthattheonlyexplanationforthewondersthatcomeaboutwithinusandthroughourpoorhumaneffortsisthatGodmusthavedoneit,therebeingnootherpossibleexplanation.

ThereasonwhyalltheglorymustbegiventoGodisthatHeneedstodrawallpeopletoHimself,sinceHealonespontaneouslygiveslifeandsalvation.Godaloneistotallydisinterested-notseekinganythingforhimself-totallyfocusedonthegoodoftheother.Godaloneisa"self-bestowingbeing"whodoesn'tjustgivethingsoflimitedvaluebutgivesofhisownsubstance,whichisofinfinitevalue.OurhumandramaisthatitissuchachallengeforhumanbeingstotrustinGodratherthantrustinourselvesfirstandforemost.

Infact,thatwaspreciselythescenarioofthe"originalsin",therebellionofAdamandEve,thefirsthumanbeings.Theyweretemptedandseducedbythe"stranger"tostopputtingtheirtrustinGod,totrustfirstofallinthemselves,andratherthanexpectgoodthingsfromGod,togoaheadandgrabwhatevertheywanted.WhybeburdenedwithgratitudetoGodwhentheycouldrelyonthemselves?

Well,weallnowsuffertheconsequencesofthatfailedlogic,thatlie,thatuntruth,whichturnedthefocusofthehumanspiritawayfromthemostawesomeBeingintheuniverse,theverySourceoflifeandlove,inordertonarrowand"dumbdown"thefocusofourhumanspiritintoanavel-gazingexercisewhichisolatesandreducesustofearful,neurotic,lonelyindividualsseparatedfromothers,fromlifeandlove,andfromouroriginanddestiny,whicharebothinGodourCreator.

Thiscontributionisavailableathttp://fathergilles.blogspot.com/2018/05/why-does-god-allow-us-

to-be-tried.html

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TellThatFox[atGracetoPaint]

8×8″oilpaintoncradledartistboard;use‘comment’belowtoinquire.

WhenJesuswastoldthatHerodwantedtokillhimandthatheshouldrunawaytoanotherplace,Jesusanswered:“Gotellthatfox,‘Iwillkeepondrivingoutdemonsandhealingpeopletodayandtomorrow,andonthethirddayIwillreachmygoal.’(Lk13:32)

Thiscontributionisavailableathttp://www.gracetopaint.com/2018/05/25/tell-that-fox/

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ThetypicaldepictionofAbrahamasapoordesertnomadislikelycompletelywrong.ThearchaeologicalandeventheBiblicalevidencepresentsaverydifferentpicture.

ItispossiblethatAbrahamwasactuallyamuchmoreinterestingandimportantfigure,evenbeforeheforeveralteredthecourseofworldhistory.

You'renotlikelytohearthispartofAbraham'sstory,though...

ModernacademicsaretryingtheirbesttominimizeandfictionalizeeveryaspectofAbraham'sstory.ReadbelowhowarchaeologicalevidenceactuallysupportstheBible'saccountofAbraham.

Thisarticlecoversallofthefollowingtopics:

○WhenDidAbrahamLive?WhenwasAbrahamborn?○ModernAttackontheTimelineforAbrahamandtheExodus

○AnotherModernAttack:IsthementionofcamelsanachronisticintheaccountofAbraham?○Abraham'sTimeline[chart]withAbraham'sAges○WhowasAbram/Abraham?○TheCityofUrduringAbraham'sTime○CyrusGordon&DavidNoelFreedman:Abraham,theMerchantPrince○WilliamF.Albright'sView:AbrahamandtheGreatCaravans

WhenDidAbrahamLive?WhenwasAbrahamborn?

Firstoff,whendidAbrahamlive?WhatweretheyearsofAbraham'slife?Workingbackward,wecantracethechronologyofAbraham'slifethroughthetextofGenesisandExodus.Let'sstartwiththeDedicationoftheTempleinJerusalem.Accordingto1Kings6:1,thisoccurredinthefourthyearofKingSolomon'sreignor966BC.1Kings6:1alsostatesthatthiswasthe480thyearsincetheExodusfromEgypt.TheExoduswouldhaveoccurred,therefore,in1446BC.[1]

TheBookofExodus(12:40-41)tellsusthefollowing:"ThetimethatthepeopleofIsraeldweltinEgyptwasfourhundredandthirtyyears.Andattheendoffourhundredandthirtyyears,onthatveryday,allthehostsoftheLordwentoutfromthelandofEgypt."Therewere430yearsbetweenJacobandhissonsenteringintoEgyptandtheExodusoftheIsraelitesoutofEgypt.Thistakesusto1876BC.

Therewereanother215yearsbetweenJacobenteringEgyptandAbrahamenteringtheLandofCanaan,accordingtoGenesis.[ForamoredetailedcalculationseeFootnote#1]Thistakesusto2091BC.AbrahamenteredCanaanwhenhewas75yearsold,so75yearsbeforewouldbe2166BC,thebirthyearofAbrahaminUr.

TheModernAttackontheTimelineforAbrahamandtheExodus

Thisissomethingyououghttobeawareof...

Unfortunately,manymodernscholarscompletelydisregardthetextofScripturewhenconstructingatimelineforAbrahamandtheExodus.MostattempttoplacethewritingofGenesisandtherestofthePentateuchmuch,muchlaterthanstatedbythehistoricalsources.ThisisanattempttounderminethehistoryoftheJewishpeopleandScripture,itself.

What'sworse,there'ssomeprettycontrivedhypothesesfloatingaroundouttherewhichattempttofictionalizetheaccountofAbrahamfoundinScripture.

Jean-LouisSka,S.J.describesonesuchtheoryinIntroductiontoReadingthePentateuch,whichisalsoreferencedinthe"Abraham"articleonWikipedia,unfortunately.[2]Skastates"wecanaffirmthatthebookofGenesiswasintendedasareply"tothelanddisputebetweenrivalclaimstothePromisedLandfollowingtheexile.

Didyoucatchthat?TheaccountofAbrahamwasaddedinathousandyearsafterthefact.Why?Tosettlea6thcenturyBClanddispute.Alanddisputewhichoccurredalmost1500yearsafterAbraham'sdeath.

Thesupportforthistheory?AcoupleversesinEzekiel.Upuntilthelastcenturies,itwasnearlyunanimouslyheldbyhistoriansandtheologiansalikethattheBiblicaltimelinewascorrect.Whyhavescholarssuddenlyabandonedthistheory?Whatistheirevidence?Camels.Anachronisticcamels,tobemorespecific.InGenesis24andelsewhere,Abrahamisdescribedaspossessingcamels.UnfortunatelyforAbraham,therewerenodomesticatedcamelsintheMiddleEastuntilthe10thcenturyBC,atleastaccordingtoone2014study.ThiswouldmeanAbraham'scamelswereonethousandyearsoutofplace.

Thestudyinquestion,conductedbyarchaeologistsErezBen-YosefandLidarSapir-HenofTelAvivUniversity,usedradiocarbondatingtodeterminetheageofcamelbonesfoundinacopperminingintheAravahValley,southoftheDeadSea.Thatthefateofthousandsofyearsofcamelsshouldbeinthehandsofafewcopperminingcamelsseemsunfair.That'sahugeextrapolation.Regardless,isthereanyotherevidencethatwouldrefutethis?Easily.DepictionsofdomesticatedcamelshavebeenfoundonancientEgyptianartifactsdatingbackdatingbacktotheFirstDynasty(3100-2850BC)andperhapsevenfurther.Forexample,apetroglyphdatedtotheSixthDynasty(c.2345-c.2181BC),i.e.justbeforeAbraham'sbirth,wasfoundnearAswananddepictsamanleadingadromedarycamel.[3](Ripinsky,p.139).

ThereisalsothisartifactfromthelandsAbrahamwouldhavetraveledthroughtoreachthePromisedLand.ThisisaSyriancylindersealca.1800BCwhichdepictstwofiguresridingonatwo-humpedcamel:[4]

Andagain,thefigurinebelowca.2300-1700BCwasfoundwithintheBactria-MargianaArchaeologicalComplex(BMAC),alargeregionspanningpartsofAfghanistanandthreeothercountries:

Noticethatthecameliswearingsomesortofharness.Wildcamelstypicallydon'twearharnesses,right?Again,thisshowsthatcamelsweredomesticatedin

regionsadjacenttoUr,Abraham'shome,inAbraham'stime.

Isn'titinterestingthatthisfigurineismadeofcopper?ItwasthecamelsusedintheminingofcopperthatsupposedlydisprovedtheexistenceofdomesticatedcamelsduringAbraham'stime.

There'salotmorethatcouldbesaidinthissection.ThereisotherevidencecitedbythecriticsoftheBiblicaltimeline,suchasdifferentformsofGod'sname,duplicativeaccountsofevents,etc.Thesealsodonotholdmuchwater...farlessthanacamel,anyway.I'llbecoveringthisingreaterdepthinasubsequentarticle.

TheAgesofAbraham-Abraham'sTimeline

Abraham'senteredintotheLandofCanaanwhenhewas75.Here'salookatthetimelineofAbraham'slifebetweenenteringthePromisedLandandhisdeath.

WhowasAbram/Abraham?

Abrahamwasborn"Abram."Abramdidn'tbecomeAbrahamuntilhewas99

yearsold,whenGodchangedhisnameto"Abraham,"meaning"afatherofmanynations"(Genesis17:5).AbramwasatenthgenerationdescendantofNoah,throughhisfatherTerah.Terahwasthefatherofthreesons:Abram,Nahor,andHaran.Haranisbetterknownforhisson,Lot.AbrammarriedSarah,hishalf-sister,whowasthenknownasSarai.Sarahwasalsobarren.AbramdepartedforCanaanalongwithhisfather,wife,andnephew,Terah,Sarai,andLot,respectively.

WhatwasAbram/Abraham'sRoleinSociety

WemaythinkofAbrahamasawanderingnomadicchieftainorasanignorant,migratoryArabsheik.Theevidencejustdoesn'tsupportthis.

TheCityofUrduringAbraham'sTime

AbrahamcamefromUr,whichwasaverypowerfulplaceinAbraham'stime.Urwasalsoawealthyandsophisticatedurbanareasurroundedbysedentaryfarmers,i.e.notwanderingnomads.

Here'sacomputerreconstructionofUrbasedonthearchaeologicalexcavationsthathavetakenplace:

2166BC,thedateofAbraham'sbirth,correspondstotheThirdDynastyofUr.Uratthistimewasattheheightofitsglory,it'sgoldenage.

TheempirewasruledbyUr-Nammu,thegovernor-kingofaregionroughlytheareaofmodernIraq.ThiswouldhaveencompassedtheterritoriesofSumerandAkkad.

Ur-Nammuruledthelargeareathroughappointedregionaladministrators.Thestateoperatedmassivefactorieswhichemployedthousandsofworkersandproducedcommoditiesliketextiles,flour,andevenbeer.

Thestatecontrollednotonlyfactoriesbutinternationaltrade,itself,accordingtoFrenchscholar,GeorgesRoux.[5]Merchantswereactuallycivilservants,employedbythestate.Privatemerchantslikelyexistedaswell,butthebestsurvivingrecordsaregovernmentrecords.

CyrusGordon&DavidNoelFreedman:Abraham,theMerchantPrince

CyrusGordon,anAmericanscholarofNearEastculturesandancientlanguages,advancedtheideathatAbrahamwasnotjustapowerfulpatriarchbutamerchantprince.UsingdifferentdatathanGordon,DavidNoelFreedmanoftheUniversityofCaliforniaalsobelievedAbrahamtobea"merchantprince"whobelongedtothe"urbancultureandcivilization"ofUr.

Gordon'stheoryisbasedontextsdiscoveredatRasShamrainSyria.Inoneoftheseancienttexts,thekingofRasShamraiscomplainingtotheHittitekingaboutthemerchantsfromUr.GordoncitesseveralversesfromtheBiblewhichindicatethatthepatriarchsweremerchants:(1)AbrahamwasabletobuylandfromEphrontheHittitefor400shekelsofsilver,weighed"accordingtotheweightscurrentamongthemerchants."(Genesis23:16RSVCE).

ItiselsewherenotedthatAbrahamwasrichingoldandsilver,cf.Genesis13:2and24:35.TheFrenchAssyriologistGeorgesRouxobservesthatsuchsilverwas"usedasastandardforexchanges"andwas"hoardedbyhighofficialsanddidnotcirculateunlessauthorizedbythepalace."[5]HowthendidAbrahamacquiresomuchsilverandgold?WasheanofficialmerchantofthegovernmentofUr?(2)TheSchechemitesgavepermissiontoJacob'shouseholdto"dwellandtrade"and"acquirerealestate"intheirterritory(Genesis34:10).(3)AfterJosephreleasedhisbrothersfromprison,theyrelayedhismessagetoJacob.Themessagewas,iftheycouldprovetheirhonestintentions,theywouldbepermittedto"tradeintheland"(Gen42:34).Joseph'sbrothersweren'tjustpermittedtobuygrainfromEgypt'sstorehouses;theywouldbecomemerchantswithEgypt.Thecontextwasaformaltradealliance.

It'snowonderJosephrosesorapidlyintheEgyptianranks.Hewasdescendedfromalineofmerchantprinces.Hisfamilyhadbeennegotiatingtradeincommoditiesforhundredsofyears.

Gordonconcludesthat"thepatriarchalnarratives,farfromreflectingBedouinlife,arehighlyinternationalintheirmilieu,inasettingwhereaworldorderenabledmentotravelfarandwideforbusinessenterprise...AbrahamcomesfrombeyondtheEuphrates,plieshistradeinCanaan,visitsEgypt,dealswithHittites,makestreatieswithPhilistines,formsmilitaryallianceswithAmorites,fightskingletsfromasfaroffasElam..."[6]

NOTE:GordondatesAbrahamtothe1500sBC.Whilethisisstill600yearsmorerecentthantheBiblicaltimeline,itisgettingusmuchcloser.Also,GordonprovidesAbrahamwithanhistoricalcontext,ratherthanafictionalcontextasSkadid,above.

WilliamF.Albright'sView:AbrahamandtheGreatCaravans

WilliamF.Albright,formerlyaprofessoratJohnsHopkinsUniversity,arrivedatthesameconclusionasGordonandFreedmanwhiletakingaverydifferentapproach.

AlbrightalsodatestheyearsofAbrahamveryclosetowhatappearsintheBible.

Albrightreliedontheworkofseveralarchaeologists,includingYohananAharoni,NelsonGlueck,andBenoRothenberg,whotracedtheancientcaravanroutesoftheMiddleEast.ThesecaravanroutesnavigatedthedesertsofSinaiandtheNegevcirca2000-1800BC.

Notonlythat,Albrightnotes,thecaravanroutesledfromEgypt,Sinai,Negev,Jerusalem,Bethel,Shechem,Damascus,Aleppo,Mesopotamia,andAsiaMinor,basicallymostofthesitesreferencedinAbraham'stravels.

Notonlythat,whilestillintheregionofUr,AbrahamlivedintheimportantcommercialcenterofHaran.Haranactuallymeans"caravancity."

Abraham,therefore,spentmostofhislifeonthemaintraderoutesofthecaravans.

Abrahamalsohadaverylargeentourage.Abrahamfieldedanarmyof318"retainers"inthebattlerecordedin

Genesis14

(specificallyv.14).Alongwiththeirfamilies,318retainerswouldmeanthatAbraham'sentouragenumberedoveronethousandpeople.

Conclusion:WhoWasAbraham?

DoesthatreshapeyourunderstandingofAbraham?Fromdesertnomadtomerchantprinceisquiteadifference.

WhataboutthemodernskulduggerywiththedatingofAbraham'slife?Haveyouencounteredanyofthissuspiciouspost-dating?Ihopethisarticlewillprovideyouwithsomeevidencetocountertheseattacks.

Pleaseremembertocommentbelowandshare.LetmeknowifthereisanymorethatneedstobecoveredinthissectionorifI'veleftanythingout.

Footnotes:

[1]Thecalculationof215yearsreliesonGenesis12:4;21:5;25:26;and47:9,asdescribedonp.11ofNelson'sNewIllustratedBibleManners&Customs.AbrahamenteredCanaanwhenhewas75andwas100whenIsaacwasborn(adifferenceof25years).JacobwasbornwhenIsaacwas60andwas130whenhestoodbeforepharaoh.Weadd25,60,and130toget215years.Addanother75years,andyouarriveattheyearofAbraham'sbirth.Nelson'sNewIllustratedBibleMannersandCustoms(Vos,Nashville)providesathoroughdatingofAbraham'slifebasedonScripture(p.11).Clickheretopurchaseacopy.[2]Jean-LouisSka,S.J.,IntroductiontoReadingthePentateuch,Eisenbrauns(2006),p.169(incorrectlycitedbyWikipediaaspp.227-28,260)[3]MichaelRipinsky,1985,71:139-140-moreEgyptianexamplescanbefoundhere.[4]Barnett,RichardD.,1985,“Lachish,AshkelonandtheCamel:ADiscussionofItsUseinSouthernPalestine”in:J.N.Tubb,ed.PalestineintheBronzeandIronAges.PapersinHonortoOlgaTuffnell,London,InstituteofArchaeology,pp.16-30,16.Formoreonthis,clickhere.

[5]GeorgesRoux,AncientIraq,3rded.(NewYork:PenguinBooks,1992),1962,p.172-73.

[6]CyrusGordon,"AbrahamandtheMerchantsofUra,"JournalofNear

EasternStudies(January1958),p.28-30.

Thiscontributionisavailableathttp://www.thescottsmithblog.com/2018/05/who-was-abraham-modern-

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Eucharist:TheGiftthatKeepsonGiving[atAMomentFromDeSales]

WhenJesusreferstohimselfasthe“livingbreadcomedownfromheaven,”doweeverwonderwhatthisreallymeansforus?Jesusissayingsomuchmorethanwordscaneverconvey.WhenJesustalksabout“breadfromheaven,”JesusisrevealingHisactualmission.

Firstofall,JesusisstatingwhyHecamedownfromheaventowalkwithus.Specifically,thatHecametofulfillthewillofHisFather.JesuscamebecauseGodsentHimtosaveus.

Second,whyisthebreadcalledlivingbread?SinceJesuscomesfromHisFather,theGodoftheliving,whatHebringsislife.OurGoddoesnotdwellamongthedead;Hedwellsamongtheliving.Jesus,thebreadoflife,comesdownfromheaven,risesfromthedeadonthethirdday,andnowliveswithHisFatherandishereamongtheliving.

Third,JesusistheIncarnateSonofGodandembodiesGodtheFather.WhatJesussaysandpreachesiswhattheFathersaysandpreaches:love,compassion,mercy,andeternallife.ThesearesentasgiftstobringushometoourFather.

IfweacceptJesusasthelivingbreadcomedownfromheaven,wealsoacceptHisFather,andHisforgiveness.Andfinally,whenweacceptandbelieveinJesuswealsoembraceHisFatherandgaintherewardofeternallife.WithourdeepfaithinJesusandfirmtrustinGod’spromises,wecanalwaysnourishourselvesinthislimitlesslivingbread.

However,thefaiththatJesusseeks,andHisFatherdesiresisnotaonetime“Yes,”butratheracontinualaffirmation.WerespondbylivingdailyJesus’teachingsandbuildingGod’skingdom.OurresponseistolivelikeJesusinallwedo.

Nourishedonthislivingbread,wecaneasilystayfaithfulandwecanbettertrustinGod’spromises,especiallywhenourdreamscollapse,orpraiseourGodwhenourdreamscometrue.Eucharistkeepsussteadfast,onhealthysunnydaysorwhenthesunseemstohidebehindnumerousdarkclouds.

EucharistkeepsusopentoservingintheLord’sname.Whenothersneedhelp,andweprovideit,wefulfillJesus'questtoseektheonelostsheep.Whenweseeafaintheartedstrangerandprovideassistancewithoutjudgement,weareseeingJesus.

Intheseways,thelivingbreadnourishesusandJesuslivesagainthroughus.JesusalsoknowsweloveHim,becausewhatwedofortheleastofJesus'flock,wedoforHim.

JesusinvitesHisfollowerstofeedonHim.HewantsustodrawHislifeintoourowneverydayliving.IfweeatHisfleshanddrinkHisblood,webecomeavesselofgraceforothersaroundus.Eucharistbecomescompletewhenweconnectwithanother.Andwearelivingthegreatcommandment:“toloveoneanother,asIlovedyou”–onepersonatatime.

OLord,itisnotthevariouskindsoffoodthatnourish,butyourwordthatpreservesthosewhobelieveinyou!(Wisdom16:26)

Thiscontributionisavailableathttp://www.livetodaywell.org/blog/a643nfglhn23yys7p2hlazc625ay24

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MemorialDay-MissingInAction[atQuietConsecration]

Ihavewrittenaboutmyfatherbeforeandwillnotrevisittheproblems.Sufficetosay,hewasnotagoodfather.AsagirlchildIsufferedbecauseofthatbutIhaveaprettystrongmother.Ifthemostimportantparentforachildisthesame-sexparentthenIscored,andscoredwell.

YesterdayIvisitedhisgraveandleftflowers.OnthegravewasawhitecrosswithapoppyandasmallUSFlag.Iplacedtherosesonhisgraveandcleanedupthemarkerabit.Istoodbackandsaidaprayer.

LookingoverthegroundsIcouldseewhatseemedlikethousandsofthelittlewhitecrossesandflags.Manymenandwomenwerebeingrememberedthatday.

IwonderedifanyhadbeenmissinginactionfromtheirlivesinthewaymyfatherwaswhileIwasgrowingup?Iknowitiseasy,nowadays,todismisswhathewasasbeingtheresultofPTSD.HewasacombatveteraninWW2.HetookpartintheonlybattlesfoughtonNorthAmericanSoil.Hewasonly17/18yearsold.

Yethisinabilitytoloveandbelovedcannotonlybetheresultofcombatterror.Iseeinotherstheresultsofthekindofinner-self-focusthatmakesunselfishlovevirtuallyimpossible.Noteveryonetherefoughthand-to-handcombatinthefogonanisolatedislandoffthecoastofAlaska.Noteveryonewasbeatenasachild.NoteveryonehasbeenDepressionEraPoor.

Myownbattleswithselfishnessandself-centerednessarelegendary(inmyownmind)soIknowthatitisapartofthediseaseIhavesmashedintoremission,justfortoday.Itwouldbeeasyformetolookatothersanddecidethatthey,too,mustalsobefightingthesamedemonbutthatcannotbetheanswereverytime.

Sowhatisit?Whatmakesthetypeofself-lovenecessarytothinkthrougheveryactiononetakesbeforetakingit-howwillthisaffectmychildren?Willithurtsomeoneclosetome?Whatallowsusthewisdomandprudencetoknowwhenwearetakingornottakinganactionfortherightreasonsandnotasawaytotry

andmanipulatesomeoneintothinkinghowfabulouswearesowecangetsomethingfromthemlater?

God'sGrace.

IhavereceivedSacramentalGiftsastheresultofbeingCatholic.IfIaskspecificallyforthoseGiftstogivemethestrength,fortitude,wisdomandprudencenecessarytomakerightdecisionsIwillbegrantedthatrequest.Itis,however,uptometoaskanditisuptometobeopentothatgrace.

WithoutSacramentalGracethestruggleisaheckuvalotmoredifficult.Withit,Icansoar...andIwanttosoar.

Thankyouforyourservice,Dad.IloveyouandImissyou.

Thiscontributionisavailableathttp://quietconsecration.blogspot.com/2018/05/memorial-day-

missing-in-action.html

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IfYouKnowWhatYouAreDoing!

Abortion

"Wearguethatallhumanbeingshaveaspecialtypeofdignitywhichisthebasisfortheobligationnottokillthem,totaketheirwellbeingintoaccountwhenweact,andeventheobligationtotreatthemaswewouldhavethemtreatus.IndeedAllhumanbeingsareequalinfundamentaldignity,"(PatrickLeeandRobertP.George,TheNatureandBasisofHumanDignity)

bySusanFox

In1984,inCahersiveen,Ireland,athree-day-oldinfantwasfounddeadonthebeachontheoutskirtsoftown,strangledandstabbed28times.HewasnamedBabyJohn.

Hiscommunitystillgrievesforhim,whilehisparentageremainsamystery.

CNNInternational,affectionatelycalledthethe“CommunistNewsNetwork”bymanyreasonableAmericans,hasresurrectedthissadstoryinabidtoprovethatwomenneedtoriseupandclaimownershipoftheirIrishbodies,rebelagainsttheirsocietydominatedsocruellybyselfishIrishmenandtheevilCatholicChurch.Thesegroupsareresponsibleforwomennothaving“freedom”—

“freedom”definedasaccesstoabortionandcontraception.Suchfreedomwillmakethemequaltomen,abletoworkandmakeloadsofmoney.Henceawoman’svalueliesonlyinhowmuchsheearns.

BasedonCNN’spost,“Ababy’smurderopenedadarkchapterinIrelandthatstillhasn’tbeenclosed,”Irishwomennowhavetheopportunitytogetthis“freedom”onMay25,2018,whentheywillbeabletovotetolegaliseabortionbyrepealingthe

8thAmendment.Itoffersequalprotectiontomothersandtheirunbornchildren,guaranteeingboththerighttolife.Ifitisrepealed,Irelandmaysoonhavepermissiveabortionlaws.

Iagreethatweshouldgrieveoverthelifeofthree-day-oldBabyJohn,butIfindtheinferencethatweneedtolegalisethemurderofcountlessotherlittlepersonstomakeupforthelossofoneinfantisirrationalatbest.ButsuchisthedisorderedthinkingofCNN.

Grieve,yes,grieveforBabyJohn.Butgrievealsoforthe60.3milliontinyAmericanswholegallydiedinexactlythesamemannerasBabyJohn,slashed,tornapart,soldforparts,havingtheirlivingbraintornoutoftheirfacewhiletheirtinyheartstillbeat.

ItisafactthatthelargestU.S.abortionproviderwasdoingjustthatuntiltheywerecaughtonfilmin2015bytheCentreforMedicalProgress.Theyweremanipulatingabortions,makingthemmorepainfulforthemothers,sothatalivebirthwouldensue,givingthemfreshtinyorganstosellonanextremely

lucrativemarket.

Thisorganisation,PlannedParenthood,isstillreceivingoverhalfabilliondollarseveryyearfromtheU.S.Government.

Sixty-sixyearsagoitwasMeinmymother’swomb.Wouldyoukillme?Sixtysixyearsagotherewasadoctorwhotried.IfhehadsucceededIwouldhavebeendeprivednotonlyofmylife,but65yearsofproductivework.CountlesslivesIhavetouchedinmyvolunteerworkwouldnothavebeenassisted,consoledoreducated.Myhusbandwouldhavebeendeprivedof34yearsofjoyfulmarriage.Mysonwouldnotexist.Everylifesnuffedoutbeforebirthhasthesamerichpotential.

Theconditionofpregnancyisnotanillness.Thebodilysupportofawomanisindispensableforanyhumanbeingtosurvivetoinfancy.Everychildconceivedhasanabsoluterighttoitsnaturaldevelopmentinthewomb,thecareofitsparents,aneducationandthebenefitsofcitizenshipinahumansocietybecauseheisauniqueandunrepeatablehumancreaturewithitsowninherentdignity.

Hebelongstohimselfandnottosomebodyelse.Wedon’tbelieveinslavery,whywouldwesupportabortion?Whathashappenedtoourmoralgritwhenthepleasureoftwoadults

trumpsthelifeofachild?Thefactwearetalkingaboutahelplesshumanbeingincreasesthemoralclaimofsuchanindividualonourkindnessandsupport.Peoplejustcan’tbeflusheddownthetoilet.

Ahumanbeingisnotawordmagnet.Heisnotasetofattributesorcapacities,whichdefinehimasahumanperson.Wedon’tsuddenlybecomepersonswhenweareabletoliveonourownsometimeinourteenageyears,nordoweceasetobehumanpersonswhenweslipintoacomaorgotosleepatnight.Thegorillamayhavemoreintellectualcapacitythanahumanembryo,butheactsoninstinct.Hewillneverbearationalanimal.Buteachuniqueandunrepeatablehumancreature,existingforhisownsake,notforthebenefitofanother,isamemberofarationalkindwhetherbornorunborn.Abortionturnsthedeathofahumanbeingintosomeoneelse’sbenefit.

TheSpiritofGodbreathedintomanatthebeginningofCreationsothat“manbecamealivingbeing,”(Gen.2:7)

PopeSaintJohnPaulIItoldtheyouthofNewYorkin1995.“Thisiswhat

makesusdifferentfromeveryothercreature.Inourbodiesweareamerespeckinthevastcreateduniverse,butbyvirtueofoursoulswetranscendthewholematerialworld.”

“Iinviteyoutoreflectonwhatmakeseachoneofyoutrulymarvellousandunique.Onlyahumanbeinglikeyoucanthinkandspeakandshareyourthoughtsindifferentlanguageswithotherhumanbeingsallovertheworld,(andthen)throughthatlanguageexpressthebeautyofartandpoetryandmusicandliteratureandthetheatre,”thepopesaid,addingthathumanbeingsarecapableofloving.

“Lovemakesusseekwhatisgood;lovemakesusbetterpersons.Itislovethatpromptsmenandwomentomarryandformafamily,tohavechildren…EverygenuinehumanloveisareflectionoftheLovethatisGodHimself,”hesaid.

Ifwetryandcounteverypersoninthehumanracetoday,wewouldbecomeveryweary,buteachpersonisuniqueandcontainsthepotentialtograspwithhismindandhisheartthewholeoftheuniverse.AndsomethinginusdesirestotouchSomeoneGreaterthanOurselves,wholovesusandlooksoutforus.Awholeuniversecanbefoundinasinglehumanbeing.

"Thereareultimatelynoprivateacts.Everythingwethink,everthingwesayanddo,howeverprivately,shapesandinfluencesus,ourfamiliesandfriends,andsotouchestheworldoutside,"wrotePiersPaulReadin"CanCatholicismsaveChristianEngland?"TheSpectator,March31,2010.

Todaywefaceademographicwinterthatwillseriouslyimpactfuturegenerations.Theworld’smostadvancedandemergingeconomies(China,IndiaandRussia)arewatchingtheirworkingagepopulationdeclineforthefirsttimesince1950,accordingtotheUnitedNations.Peopleover65yearsareexpectedtooutnumberchildrenforthefirsttimeinU.S.historyinthenexttwodecades.Thisisadragontheeconomy.Economicgrowthisafunctionofanexpandinglaborforceandrisingproductivity.(Source:WallStreetJournal)

EverycountryinEuropehasabelowreplacementlevelfertilityratewiththeEuropeanUnionrunningat1.58babiesborntoonewoman.Immigrationwillneverreplacetheskillsetofourageingpopulation.Thewisdomisgone.Thisistheendofstablesociety.

Weallbegininrelationship.Noonewhoisalivetodaycameintothisworldwithoutaninterconnected,mutuallydependentgroupofadults,wholovedandraisedhim.Awoman’sunilateralchoicemadeindesperationandfeardivorcesthebabyfromarelationshipwithhimself,hisfather,hisgrandparents,cousins,unclesandaunts,fromthewholehumanrace.Nobodyhastherighttomakethatdecisionforanotherhumanbeing.ReasonsforAbortion:FearTopstheList

Justasweourselveswerelookedafter,thereisapresumptionthatwewilllookafterourdependentfamilymembers.It’spartofthecovenantbetweengenerations.Itisaformoffreeloadingtodenyyourchildrenthebenefitofsupportthatbroughtyouintotheworld.

Thisgenerationisplaguedwithfree-loaders.AndIdon’tmeanthewomenwhogetanabortion.Ihaveclosefriendswhohavehadmultipleabortions,andnotoneofthem

willinglywentthroughthatprocedure.Theirmother,husband,boyfriend,rapistorrelativeforcedthemtohaveanabortion.Thatisthedirtysecret.Abortionisrarelyawoman’sfreechoice.Buteachwomanwhohasone,alonebearstheguiltanddepressionthatfollows.

Evenineconomics,itisnotstrictlytruethatwheneverasupplyofgoodsrises,thevalueofeachunitdrops.Thevalueonlydropsifthedemandremainsthesame.Witheachnewperson,thereisnotonlyanadditionalgood,butalsoanewdemandforthegood.Nooneelsecansatisfytheperson’sdemandforhimself.

Ifapersonwereonlyagoodtobehadbyanother,thenindeedtheexistenceofasecondbeingjustlikehimingoodnesswouldmeanthathecouldbeeliminated.Butifhisgoodnessisforhimtohave,thennosubstitutecanserve.

Achildbelongstohimself.Hisbodyisneverhismother’s.

“Whenaparliamentauthorisestheterminationofpregnancy,agreeingtotheeliminationoftheunbornchild,itcommitsagraveabuseagainstaninnocenthumanbeingbeingutterlyunabletodefenditself.ParliamentswhichapproveandpromulgatesuchlawsmustbeawarethattheyareexceedingtheirpropercompetenceandplacingthemselvesinopenconflictwithGod’slawandthelawofnature,”wrotePopeSaintJohnPaulIIinhislastwork,MemoryandIdentity.

Andwhatwouldhesayaboutawholepeoplechoosingabortionthroughapopularvote?

“Ifmancandecidebyhimself,withoutGod,whatisgoodandwhatisbad,hecanalsodeterminethatagroupofpeopleistobeannihilated,”PopeJohnPaulIIadded.“Decisionsofthiskindweretaken,forexample,bythosewhocametopowerintheThirdReichbydemocraticmeans,onlytomisusetheirpowerinordertoimplementthewickedprogramsofNationalSocialistIdeology...Likewiseallthosewhowere“inconvenient”fortheregimewerepersecuted.”

“Thecemeteryofthevictimsofhumancrueltyinourcenturyisextendedtoincludeyetanothervastcemetery,thatoftheunborn,”hewrotesadly.

AndIwonder,reallywonderwhenIconsiderhowincrediblysensitivethatGermanyisabouttheirpast,thattheycannotseetheyareactingnodifferentlynowthantheNaziregime?Theonlydifferenceisthepeoplekilledaretheirownchildren?DoesnooneseethatHitler’ssuicidewasatemporarysetback?Hereallywonthewarofideas.

TheNewYorkTimescharminglywroteaboutthisBuddhistpractice.Routinelymothersandevenabortionistsvisitaspecialtempletoconsoleatinystatuette,knownasamizukojizo,whichrepresentsthebabyorbabieslost.

Quotingonemother,thenewspapersaidthatsheknowsshedidsomethingevil,butshebelievesitwasnecessary.Stillsheseeksforgivenessfromthechildintheformofthetinystatuette.

"IthinkI'vedonesomethingbadenoughtobecursed,"saidMissYukaSugimoto.“I'llbescaredwhenIhavemynextbaby.”

"Thefactthatyouhavemurderedsomeonewillbewithyouallyourlife--itwillnotdisappear,"saida27-year-oldsalesman,whosewordspromptedaswelloftearsfromhisgirlfriendastheystoodbeforeamizukojizo.

ThenewspaperopinesthatdespitethefactthattherearenoabortionprotestsinJapanandmostpeoplesupportthepractice,“thesignsofapervasivebutsilentmourningoverabortionsarethetensofthousandsofmizukojizo,orguardiansofabortedfoetuses,miscarriedandstillbornbabiesandthosewhodiedveryearlyinlife.”Theydressupthemizukoslikelittlenewbornchildren.

Ifindthepracticeinterestingbecauseitrevealsahumanpopulationthatrecognisesthepersonhoodofthefoetus.Technicallytheydon’t.Theysaythebabydoesn’thaveasoulyet.Buttheiractionsafterwardssayotherwise.

NowcomparethatwiththejadedjokesaboutdeadbabiesthrownaroundAmericanabortionclinics.ThisisfromAbbyJohnson,aformerdirectorofPlannedParenthoodandauthorofUnplanned.Thebookisaboutherdecisiontoquitherjobatanabortionclinicaftershewitnessedababystruggleagainsttheabortionist’sforcepsonanultrasound.

Earlyinherabortioncareer,shewasintroducedtothefreezerintheabortionclinicholdingtheProductsofConception(POC).Thedeadchildrenwereheldinthefreezerwaitingforthebiohazardtrucktocomefordisposal.“Ifoundoutthenameforthethatfreezer…thenursery.Thatwasajoke.Howhadthatbecomeajoke?”shewrote.

ThenshewalkedinonhersupervisorjokingwiththeabortionistinthePOClab.Theysaidthefoetaltissuefloatinginthedishlookedlikebarbecue.Anotherdisagreed,“Iactuallythinkthispartlookslikestrawberryjam.”

Suchmacabrehumouriscommonplaceinanabortionclinic,wroteCatholicStandauthorLeilaMiller,quotinganumberofotherjokes.Thenormaloutletofguiltisremorse,confession,atonement,reconciliationandjustification.Butifthisispartofyourjob,thenonemustshutdownone’sconscience.Sotheyseekcompanionsasguiltyasthemselves—nottobecomejust,buttojustifythemselves,Millerwrote.

“Thusinthebuildingswherewomen’swombswereforciblyopened,wheretheirlivingbabieswereshredded,dismembered,andthrownoutwiththetrash,thereinforcementofevilisheard:‘Welaughed.Wethoughtweweresowitty.’”Millersaid.

WhenIargueonTwitterwithatheists,sometellmethatawomanmustgivetwoconsents.Shemustconsenttosex,oritisrape.Shemustalsoconsentto

pregnancyorthechildinherwombisanalienparasitethatmustberemoved.Ithink,“Ifachildinthewombisaparasiticalien,thenwhatareyou?Thesame?”Onlyyouarenot.Youarethiswonderfuluniquecreaturewhocancontainthewholeuniversebecauseyourmotherchoosetokeepyou.Andtherest,parasites!Throwtheminthe“nursery!”

Literally,womanarebeingassaultedbytheirownpregnancies.Doctorswhotreatnormalhealthyphysicalconditionsasiftheyweredeformedarepracticingquackery,assertedMaryRoseraJoyceinherarticle“AreWomenControllingTheirOwnMinds?”

Shecontinued:“RoevWade(U.S.SupremeCourtdecisionlegalisingabortion)wasnotacknowledgingawoman’sdignityasaperson,butwasadjustingtosomethingconstruedasdefectiveinhernature;herinconvenienttendencytoproduceunwantedfetaltissueasaresultofhersexualcontactwithaninfectingmale…”

Whatisthepurposeofthefemalewomb?Howcangivingbirthbeadysfunction?Pregnancycannotbecomparedtorape.Itisreasonabletoexpectamothertocarryherchildtoterm.Parentsdonotexpecttobephysicallyassaultedandneithershouldthechild.

Andonceabortionisintroducedintoasociety,thewaywethinkaboutourselveschanges.Everymanwillbecomeanalienparasite.Couldthatbethereasonwearefacingmassmurderinourschools,concertsandalongthecrowdedroadsides?HavetheelderlyintheU.S.andsomeplacesinEuropebeenstarvedanddehydratedtodeathbecausetheyhavebecomeliketheunborn—roadkill?Whenisthischaosgoingtoend?

MySources:

"IsUniquenessattheRootofPersonalDignity?JohnCrosbyandThomasAquinas"byStephenLBrock.Hearguedthatpersonsareindividualswhoexistfortheirownsake,notforthebenefitofsomeother.

InstructionDignitasPersonaeOnCertainBioethicalQuestions(CongregationfortheDoctrineoftheFaith)

"IWasOnceaFetus:ThatisWhyAbortionisWrong,"AlexanderRPruss.

TheEthicsofPregnancy,AbortionandChildbirth:ExploringMoralChoicesinChildbearingbyHelenWatt

Thiscontributionisavailableathttp://christsfaithfulwitness.blogspot.com/2018/05/of-course-

its-murder.html

Copyrightisretainedbythecontributingauthor(followabovelinkforinfoonthispiece).

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"We'llbejudgedbyourfidelity,notitsfruits."Boom![atPeaceGardenPassage]

I’manavidlistenerofCatholicradio.Forourarea,thatmeans,morespecifically,RealPresenceRadio,whichhastwoweeklylocalshows(forwhichI’moneofthehosts)andmanyshowsinbetweenfilledinbytheEternalWorldTelevisionNetwork.

Forthepast10yearsorso,theseshowshavebeenlightingupmysoulwithinformation,wisdom,andhope.Ilovehosting,andIlovelisteningtothemanyotherofferings.I’veeven,inthepastyear,beguntorelyonthephoneapp,

whichallowsmetohearmyfavoriteshowswheneverit’smostconvenient.

Recently,Ihadclickedontomyapp,andfoundthatmyfavoriteshow,“CalledtoCommunion”withDr.Anders,wasairingthatmoment,soIdidn’thavetofindthepodcastversion.AsIcircledourneighborhoodonmynightlywalk,Ibecameabsorbedintheconversations.Twocallsinparticularreallymovedme.Icouldn’twaittogetbacktofindthepodcastthenextdaytoreviewandpossiblytakenotes.IwantedtorememberwhatDr.Andershadofferedthecallers,andpossiblysharehisgentlewisdomwithothers.

ButwhenIfoundthepodcastforthatday,itwasadifferentshow.Myheartsank.Iemailedourlocalproducer,whoputmeintouchwiththefolksatEWTN.Ittookafewtries,becauseapparentlytheshowIheardwasnottheonethatwassupposedtobeairedthatevening—itwasamistake(orperhapswhatonemightcalla“God-incident”).AfterIdescribedabitaboutthecalls,theyfinallylocatedit(here).Isharethisbackgroundbecauseitimpressedmehowwillingtheyweretogoonthissearchwithme,justsoIcouldreviewthematerialthatI’dfoundsomeaningful.

I’dinviteyoutotakealistentotheshowthat’slabeled,“HowdoIdiscussCatholicismwithnon-Catholics?”thatairedfirstonApril18.Butintheeventyoudon’thaveanhourtospare,I’llsummarizethetwocallsthathadmesoignited(startingat41:33).

ThefirstcamefromColumbus,Ohio,fromamanwho’dbegunhisfaithlifeasaCatholic,butlefttheChurch,andintheprocess,ledhiswholefamilyawayshortlyafterthebaptismofhisnow-growndaughter.Inhislateryearsthough,nowseeingthetreasureheleft,hehasreturnedtohisCatholicfaith,andisgrievedoverthefactthathisfamilyisnotwithhiminthisjourney.Heseeshislossaseveryone’sloss,andlooksatitwithregret.Heaskedwhathecoulddo,if

anything,tohelpdrawhisdaughtertotheCatholicfaith.

Dr.Andersproposed“athirdalternative,”between“doingnothingandtryingreallyhardtopersuadeher.”Hesuggestedthatthecallerlengthenhis“timehorizonindefinitely,”proposingthathebe“intellectuallyopen”tothepossibilitythathisdaughtermightbecomeCatholic,butalso,thather“beingdrawntothefaithcouldverywellhappeninawaythatdoesn’tmakesense”tohim.“IwouldtakesomeoftheonusoffyourselfandthrowitbackonGodandtheactionoftheHolySpirit,whereitbelongs,”Dr.Anderssuggested.“Iwouldrelieveyourselfofallanxietyinthematter,andentrustyourselftoGodandhisprovidence.”

Furthermore,hesuggestedtothismanthathemakehisprinciplefocuson“generouslylivingtheCatholicfaith”inhisownlife,notjustapologeticallytopersuadepeople,buttoseek“actualwisdomandprudence,growinginthevirtues,”sothathecansharethefruitsofCatholiclifewithhisdaughter,inevenverysubtleways.Maybeshewillcometohimwithaproblem,Dr.Andersproposed,andinofferinghiswisdom,thefruitofhisgenerousCatholiclivingwhichcomethroughthesacramentsandfaith,mayendupbeingwhathelpsher.“You’rebuildingabridgeoflove,”hesaid,notingthathiseffortsoflovinginthiswaywillnotendwhenhislifedoes,assuminghepredeceaseshisdaughterindeath.“You’llkeepthisupinthenextlife.”

Dr.Andersconcludedwith,“Godloveshermorethanyoudo.Hedesirestobeunitedwithherincharitymorethanyoudo.He’sincontrol…we’llleaveuptoGodhowthosethingsaregoingtobedispensedforthesakeofthesalvationofthesoulofyourdaughter.”

Sobeautiful,Ithought.Worthrepeating.

Thencamethecallfromanotherfather,fromBoulder,Colo.,whosharedthatheandhiswifehadraisedtheirtwoboysintheCatholicfaith,buthavewatchedwithsadnessasneitherpracticeshisfaithinavitalway.Themanseemedforlorn,defeated.Myheartwentouttohim.Andthenheaskedaquestionthatheadmittedprobablywas“dumb,”butwasanhonestthoughthe’dhad:Iftheyhadn’traisedtheirboysCatholic,maybetheywouldn’thavehadanythingtowalkawayfrom.Wouldthathavebeenbetter?

Iunderstandthisman’sheart.I’vebeeninthissameplace.AndsoIwaslisteningcarefullytoDr.Anders’response.

Gently,heassuredhimhehadnotmadethewrongdecision,thathismoralobligationistoraisehiskidsinthefaithandinthemorallifetothebestofhisability,nottoensuretheyusetheirfreedomwisely,sincethelatterisoutofhisandhiswife’scontrol.“Youonlyhavecontroloverthecatechismyouwereabletogivethem,nottheirwillingnessorabilitytoassimilatethatorchoosetofollowit,”hesaid.

Butwhathesaidnextreallyresonated.“Keepinmind,you’reinconfrontationwithavery,veryanti-religiousandhostileculture.It’smoredifficulttotransmitthefaiththroughsuccessivegenerationstodaythanitprobablyeverhasbeeninthehistoryoftheworld,soit’sagreatbattlethatliesinfrontofus,andwe’regoingtobejudgedbythefidelityofourvocation,notthefruitsofthatfidelity.”[myemphasis]

Wow.Wow!Yes,thisistrue,andIthinkonsomelevelweknowit,butattimes,itcanbecomelost.Theearlierparentingyears,wearesoattachedtotheoutcomeofourkids’dailylives.Itisaprocesstolearntoletgoofthisveryrealresponsibility,andletGodtakeoverwherehe’smeantto.

“Intermsofthehopeforyourchildren,ofcoursethere’shope,”Dr.Anderscontinued.“Wherethere’slife,there’shope,andGodisthejudgeofsouls,notus.”Hetoldthefatherthat,ofcourse,hehadnowayofseeingintothefuture.“Youcan’tpossiblyseetheendfromthebeginning.”

Thenhesuggestedsomethingratherprofound—somethingIhavewonderedabout,andhopedfor,infaith,myself.

“Itcouldbe…thatthetrialyouarefacingnowinyourownspirituallife—therealizationthatitdoesn’talldependonyou….thatwe’rebeggarsandwehangfromcradletograveonthemercyofGod…howwecometobearthesethingsupinouroldageandthedegreeofsurrendertodivineprovidencethatweexperience—maybeinfactthemeansthatGodchoosestoreconcileourkidstohimself.”

Wow,again.

“WebelieveasCatholics,”heconcluded,“thatthemeritsofoursacrifices,includingourwillingsurrendertoDivineProvidenceinthefaceofapparentevil,thatthosesacrificesthatwemakehavespiritualvaluethatGodcanuseforthegoodofhisChurch,includingforourkidsandourfriends’kids.”

Yes,whatahope!AndonewecanonlyentrusttothemercyofGodtoaccomplishifhewillsit.Butwehavetotrustthathemight.

Iwasblownawaybytheseexchanges.AndIknowforanyparentwhohas,inpain,watchedhisorherchildwalkawayfromagiftliketheeverlastinggiftoffaith,willappreciatethehopeherein,andtheimportantremindersDr.Andersilluminates.

Thankyou,EWTN,forgoingtheextramiletotrackdownthesehealingwords.Thankyou,Dr.Anders,foryourheartthatissoalignedwithChristandHisChurchthatyouwouldsummonthesewordsfromyourheart,onthespotasyoudid.It’sanamazinggrace,andwearethebeneficiaries,thanksbetoGod.

Q4U:Whendidyoulosehope,andthenregainit,andhow?

Thiscontributionisavailableathttp://roxanesalonen.com/2018/05/well-be-judged-by-our-fidelity-

not-its-fruits-dr-anders-says/

Copyrightisretainedbythecontributingauthor(followabovelinkforinfoonthispiece).

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PrayersforUs[atbukaspalad]

YearB/Eastertide/SeventhSunday

Readings:Acts1.15-17,20a,20c-26/Psalm97102.1-2,11-12,19-20ab(R/v19a)/1John4-11-16/John17.11b-19

Sistersandbrothers,doyourememberwhensomeonesaidtoyou,“Iprayedforyoutoday”?Howdidyoufeel?

Mymotheroftenremindsmethatshepraysforme.“Ikeptyouinmyprayers”.Sometimes,IsmilewhenIhearthis.SometimesIsay,‘thankyou’.SometimeshoweverIdon’tpayattentiontohergiftofprayer.

Howdoyourespondwhensomeonesaystheyhaveprayedforyou?

“Iprayedforyoutoday”.“Ikeptyouinmyprayers”Dotheseactstouchyouandmedeeplybecausetheyspeakofanother’skindness,careandgenerosity?Shouldn’ttheymatterbecausetheyexpresssomeone’sloveforus,especially,

ourmothers?Or,areweregretfulbecausewetooktheseprayersforgrantedandarenotasappreciativeasweoughttobe?

Tobehonest,Idon'tspendenoughtimethinkingaboutmymother’sprayers.IamthankfulIdidtowritethishomily.Iknowshepraysforherchildrenandgrandchildren,forfamilyandfriends.Iknowshepraysforourhappinessandhealth,forustoremainclosetoJesusandsteadfastinourfaith.Iknowshepraysforthesick,thedeadandthoseneedingprayers.Herfrequentprayerisforpeace.

Momspeaksoftenaboutthegoodnessofprayerandtheneedtopraydaily.“Justpray”shesaysoften;“Godanswersourprayers”.Shehasconfidencewhensheprays.

IbelievemanymotherspraylikemyMomdoes,withgreatfaithinGodandwithferventprayersforus.IthinkthislinefromStPaul’slettertothePhilippiansdescribeshowtheypraybest:“Donotbeanxiousaboutanything,butineverything,byprayerandpetition,withthanksgiving,presentyourrequeststoGod”(Philippians4:6).

IbelievethisishowJesusalsopraysforhisdisciplesintoday’sgospel.HereisJesusprayingattheLastSupper:notforhimselfbutforthem.HeisnotteachingthemhowtoprayandwhattoaskGodfor,likehedidwith“TheLord’sPrayer”.Thisprayerisdifferent.HeisprayingtoGodforthoseheloves.

WhatdoesJesusprayfor?Notthatlifewillbeeasyforthem.Heknowsitwon'tbecausetheyareintheworldanditissoiledbysin.Sinthatleadstoscarcityinsteadofabundance,fearinsteadofcourage,injusticeinsteadoffairnessandselfishnessinsteadofsacrificialloveintheworld.

So,Jesusdoesn'tpraythatitwillbeeasyforthem.Rather,hepraysforGodtosupportthedisciplesamidtheirchallengesandthattheywillbeunitedtogether,andonewithJesusandtheFatherthroughtheSpirit.

ButJesusdoesn'tonlyprayforhisdisciples.Immediatelyaftertoday’sscene,Jesuswillsay:"Iasknotonlyonbehalfofthese,butalsoonbehalfofthosewhowillbelieveinmethroughtheirword,thattheymayallbeone"(John17:20-21a).Yes,Jesusalsopraysforus.Wewhogatherhere,whethersaintlyorsinful,whetherourChristianlivesareinorderordisorder.WearetheonesthatJesusalsoprayedforthen,ashecontinuestoprayfornow.

AndJesuspraysforthesamethingsforus:thatwemayfindGod'ssupportandencouragementandthatwemaybeoneinfellowshipwitheachotherandGod.Thesetwothingsgotogether.HerewearetobenourishedbyJesus,God'sWordandGod’sbread;thesearehowGodsupportsandencouragesustolive.AndherewearetodeepenourrelationshipwithJesus;thisishowwegrowandliveinChrist-likefellowshipwithGodandneighbour.

Jesus’prayerfindsitsfulfilmentinuswhenweletPaul’steachinginoursecondreadingbecomeourwayoflife.ThisisPaul’steaching:“ifweloveoneanother,Godremainsinus,andhisloveisbroughttoperfectioninus”(1John4.12).God’sloveisthestrengthweneedtolive.ItgivesusthecouragetofacethechallengestoliveintheworldandbearwitnesstoGod’slove.God’sloveperfectsustolivetheChristianlife.

Inoureverydaylife,Jesus’prayerresoundsinthemanyprayerssaidforus.Whethertheseprayersaresaidbyfamilyorfriend,byintercessorygrouporreligiousandpriests,bythosewholoveusorstrangerswhodon’tknowus,theyallprayforuslikeJesusprayedforhisdisciplesthen:forGodtoprotectus,forGod’sjoybeourjoy,andforGod'slovetobeourlove.

Don’twehearthesehopesechoedintheirprayerstoGodforustohave:

Patiencetobeabetterparentorfriend.

Encouragementamidthedifficultiesandchallengesweface.

Couragetostanduptoaclassorworkplacebullyorbefriendafriendlessclassmateorworkcolleague.

Consolationthefaceofthelossoflovedonesortheendofarelationship.

Hopewhenwedespairandfeelallislost.

Companionshipatatimeofloneliness.

Healingofbody,mind,orspirit.

Forgiveness,ortheabilitytoforgiveanother.

JoyinlivingwithGod.

YouandImustlearntoappreciatethelovethatgivesrisetosuchprayer.WecanbyallowingourselvestosavourthegoodnessofthoseprayingforusandthegoodnesstheyaskGodforusinprayer.Yes,tosavourandexperiencetheirprayer,nottosimplyreadorlistentothem.

Ican’thelpbutimaginethatwhendisciplesoverheardJesusprayingforthem,theysavouredthegoodnessofhisprayerandfeltalittlelesstroubled.LesstroubledastheystruggledwithJesus’impendingdeath,Judas’betrayalandtheirfearofanuncertainfuture.Recognisingtheiranxietiesandconcerns,Jesusknewthattheydidnotneedanotherlesson,anothermiracle,anotherexample.WhattheyneededJesusknewandhegavethebesttothem:prayer.

ThosewhoprayforuspraylikeJesus:theyknowwhatweneedbecauseofourcircumstances,especiallymotherswhoknowusbest.Thisiswhyweshould

neverunderestimatethedepthofloveandcareofthosewhoprayforus.Letusthereforepaymoreattentiontowhatatitmightfeellikeandsoundlikewhenweoverhearothersprayingforus.Perhaps,thenwewillknowhowhightheirprayersforussoarupwardstoGodbecausetheirloveforusspringsforthfromtheverydepthsoftheirbeing.

LetusalsolearnfromthemandfromJesusabouthowandwhattoprayforothers.Whetherweprayforthemdaily,oroverahospitalbed,oratahomevisit,orinschoolandwork,oratdinnertimeandMass,letusnotunderestimatewhatourprayerscanmeanforthemandhowtheycanupliftthem.

Thisweek,prayerswillcontinuetobesaidforyouandme,forourneedsandourhopes.Thisweekwewillprayforourlovedonesandthoseweknowwhowillneedprayers.Andyes,thisweek,Iwillhearagainmymother’sreminder,“Iprayedforyou”.AlltheseprayersechoJesus’prayerforhisdisciplesthenandforusnow.TheyseekonlyGod’sbestforus,likePeterdidforthefirstbelieverswhenelectingJudas’replacementthatthefirstreadingdescribes.

Yes,manyprayerswillbesaidforus.It’snotthatwedeservethem.It’snotthatyou’veearnedthem.It’snotthatlaskforthem.It’sjustthatmanygoodpeoplewanttoprayforus,likeJesusprayedforhisdisciples.TheywillpraytoGodbecausetheyknowweneedprayers.Andmaybewereallydo.Andthisismorethanokay,isn'tit?

PreachedatChurchoftheTransfiguration

Photo:http://www.gesurisorto.it/

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us_13.html

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LearningtheIns&OutsofPrayerJournaling[atTheNot]

Irecentlyreadthebook

PrayingwithaPen

byMaryBethWeisenburger(DynamicCatholic)to

learntheins&outsofprayerjournaling

.(Pssst!It's

free...

justpayS&H!!!)IhavefriendswhoareintoBibleJournalingusingartworkbutI'mnoartist.WhatIdolovetodoiswrite.Isatdownwiththebookandahighlighter,readytolearnwhatIcouldabouthowtojournal.Iendeduponlyhighlightingonethingfromthebook,andthatwasastatistic.It'snotthatthereisn'tgreatinformationinthebook,butthebigideathatMaryBethwantstogetacrossisthatit's

yours

.Youhavetofindwhatworksforyouandmakeityours.Nothers,andnotmine,butyours.

MyEvolution

The

BlessedisShe

journalsforAdvent&Lentweremyintroductiontoprayerjournaling.AftermyfirstoneforLent,Idecidedtobranchoutonmyown.IwentthroughtheMassReadingson

USCCB

fortheliturgicalseasonandprintedouttheDailyReadingsaswellaslinestowriteon.

IalsohadamonthlycalendarinthefrontwhereIwouldwriteawordorshortphraseasa"wordoftheday".Iwrotenamesofpeoplearoundthecalendarwhowereinneedofprayers.

I'mnotgonnalie:thattookalotoftimeandpaper&inksoIknewtherehadto

beabetterway.Idecidedtobuyaninexpensivepapernotebook,readtheReadingsinMagnificatandjournalthatway.

IusedmyBlessedisShePlannerandcontinuedtowritedownawordoftheday.

Today,I'musingtheMagnificatfortheDailyReadings.Ipurchasedthe

BibleStudyEvangelista'sLovetheWord.

Whileit'snotperfect,it'sprettyclose.Therearetutorialsavailablebuttheydon'ttellyouexactlyhowtouseit,soI'mmakingitmyown.

Theonlydownfallisthatsomedaysthespaceforwritingyourthoughtsisn'tenough!

Istillhavemyinexpensivenotebooktowritedownthoughtsandconversations.OneofthemostdifficultthingsformeistobeabletoactuallytalktoourLordandtobesilent.Thebeingsilentthingisthemostdifficult...thetalkingisn'tquitesodifficult!ItakeitintoAdorationwithme.Somenightstherearepages,somenightsImaynotevengetafullyformedparagraph.Butitdoesn'tmatterbecauseit'smine.

TheWhere,When,andaRoutine

MaryBethstressedtheimportanceofhavingadesignatedprayerspace...aspacethat'syours.Itneedstobeaquietplace,aplaceawayfromeveryoneelse.Youneedtoprotectthatspacefromlittleoneswhomaybecuriousorolderoneswhoarelookingforapen.Myboysaregrownand2arenolongerathomesothiswasfairlyeasyforme.Duringtheschoolyear(I'maSpeech/LanguagePathologistforaschoolsystem)Isitinmychairatmydeskinasparebedroom.ThedownsidetothatisthatmylaptopisonmydesktopandveryoftenIgetdistractedbythinkingaboutthatemailIneedtosendoraboutotherthingsIneedtodoonthecomputer.Nowthatschoolisout,myfavoriteplaceisonthebackporch.

I'mgettingintoaroutineofwalkingthedogs(outofthehousearound5:45sowehavetheparktoourselves!)andcomingbackfor"Godtime"ontheporch.It'smyhappyplace:thebirdsarebusychirpingandsingingandgatheringfoodandtherestoftheworldisgoingabouttheirday.Inmylittlecorneroftheworld,it'speacefulandquiet,exceptwhenoneofourdogscan'tdecideifshewantsinsideoroutside.

IpraytheLiturgyoftheHours(whichIamjustlearning...it'sabitconfusing!)thenmymorningprayersaswellaspersonalintentions.Imadeanotebookusingthe"discsystem"(youmayownorhaveseenplannersusingthediscs):

OneofmyLenten"sacrifices"afewyearsagowastowakeup30minutesearlytoprayandreadtheDailyReadings,whichstartedmywholejournaljourney.Inthebook,MaryBethtalksabouthowimportantitistofindyourtime.SinceI'manempty-nester,thatwasano-brainerforme.Idon'thaveanyonetogetreadyforschoolexceptmyself,andmostdaysmyhusbandisstillinbedwhenIleaveforworksoitreallywasn'tabigdealformetogetupearlier.Infact,IlikeditsomuchthatIcontinuedtogetup30minutesearlyformyGodtime.WhenIwentthroughaperiodfollowingthatLentwhenIdidn'tgetupearlyIcouldtellsomethingwasamissthroughoutmydays.Ijustforcemyselftogotobedalittleearliertomakeupforthatextra30minutes.SinceIstartedprayingtheLiturgyoftheHoursIthoughtIwouldhavetowakeupevenearlierbutchoosingtoprayinsteadofcheckingmyemailsandFacebooktakescareofthatwastedtime.

Sothereyouhaveit.That'showmyprayerjournalinghasevolvedandisstillevolving.Itworksforme,butitmaynotworkforyou.ThereisnorightorwrongwaytotalktoGod.I'vealwaysthoughtthatone'sfaithisaverypersonalthingandit'snotgoingtolookthesameforeveryone.Doyoupraybyusingprayerjournaling?Whatworksforyou?

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TheStoryisNotOver[atWalkingthePath]

ANDONEMORE

ThisweekendthemostrecentseriesofStarWarsmoviesSolo:AStarWarsStorywasreleased.IamoldenoughtoremembertheoriginalStarWars:Episode4releasedin1977.Itseemsthatthisserieswillcontinueonwithnewcharactersordifferentversionsoftheoriginalones.OurworldispopulatedwithStarWarsfansyoungandold,butthediscipleshippassesfromgenerationtogenerationaspeoplemyagehavepassedtheirdedicationtotheseriestotheirchildrenwhothenhavepassedtheirownfaithfulnesstotheirchildren.Thestoryseemstoneverendnordoesthededicationtothesaga.Asofearlythismorning81%ofGoogleusersgaveitathumbsup.Sowhatcanwetakefromthis?

Beingacasualfollowerofthecharactersandevenoftheelevenreleases,Icanseetheconnectionwithtoday'sGospelinwhichJesusgivesthedisciplestheirmarchingorderstospreadthewordandmakedisciplesofallnations.(

MT28:19

).Weseethisinthemanypeoplewhoasmentionedabovespreadthewordofthesagatoothers.Somebecomeardentfansandothersfallaway.Ifoneweretolookatthevariousreleasesandthecommentaryonthereligiousconnectionstheywouldspendhoursreadingfromlaypeopletoreligiousexpertsontheforcesofgoodandevil,layingdownoneslifeforanother(Yoda),DarthVaderredeeminghimself,andofcoursethesaying,"Maytheforcebewithyou."ThelastoneisarunningjokeamongCatholicswhoquicklyrespondtotheirStar

Warfriend,"andalsowithyou."

CONNECTIONS

ThereoccurringthemesoffearandcourageresonatethroughouttheseriesasLukeisfacedwiththedauntingchallengeofleadingtheFederationagainsttheEvilEmpireinwhatisseenasanexerciseinfutility.However,spurredthespiritofObi-WanKenobiheleadstheRebelsonasuccessfulattackoftheDeathStar.Facedwithequallydauntingoddsofthechaosinourownworld,includingrejectionofChurchteachings,governmentsthatsupportsuppressionofrightsforallpeople,theincessantclamorformaterialitemssuchasphones,TVs,videogames,asocialmediaculturethatismoreabouttakingdownandedifying,etc.

MosestellstheIsraelitesinthefirstreading(

DT4:32

)thatthereisnootherGodbuttheoneLordandthisGodiswithyoualwayseveninthemidstofdifficulttimes.Heenjoinsthemtofollowthecommandmentsandstatutessothattheythepeopleandtheirchildrenmayprosper.RingsfamiliartosomeofthethemesinStarWars.

Paulalsoprovidesinspirationwithhismessage,"Foryoudidnotreceivethespiritofslaverytofallbackintofear,butreceivedtheSpiritofadoption..."(

ROM8:14

).IfindthatfearinhibitsmefromspeakingoutaboutmyfaithespeciallywhenpeopleattacktheChurch.IlackthecouragetopromotethegoodnessoftheChurchespeciallywhenpeoplerecounttheirnegativeexperienceswithCatholicschoolingorteachingsingeneral.ThisisinparttowantingnottostandoutasoneofthoseCatholicswhoadherestotheteachingsofthefaith.IamlikeLukeinawaywithmuchdoubt.Idon'trealizethepoweroftheswordasthespiritworksinme.

THESPIRITISATWORKAMONGUS

Wearenotaloneinthistrek.TherearemanyamonguswhoholdfaiththatallthingsareinGod'shands,andassuchwearenottoslinkbackandbecome

wallflowers.ThisbeingsaidthechallengeisnottotrytoconquereverythingatoncewhichhappenswhenwelookatthebigpictureThediscipleswerememberbeganwithasmallgroup.Weknowtherestofthestory.

Iwasremindedofthiswhenthispastweekwhenatourchurch'smen'smeetingofwhichIamaco-leader,therewastalkofhowtoproceedonaregularbasis.WehavebeenonahiatusduetolackofinterestforoverayearbutwereabletobringinFr.JackStoegertospeak.Heprovidedinspirationforustocarryonedespitethesmallnumbersandourownresidingpriestgaveussomeideastocontinueaswell.HisoverarchingmessagewastoletgoandletGod.Amomentofclarityformeforaspersonwhoisacontrolfreakanddesiresthateverythingbearagingsuccessinordertoappeasemeego.DiscipleshipandthebuildingofcommunityisthroughtheSpiritandmostofthetimeIseethatSpiritisworkingthroughothers.

Fr.JackconcludedhistalkwiththefinalwordsthatJesusspoketothedisciples,"Iamwithyoualways."DespitethesufferingsandchallengeswemightencounteritistheknowledgethattheFather,SonandHolySpiritiswithus.Itthanbecomesincumbentthatwetaketimetorecognizethisinquiettimeandprayer.AndjustasimportantlyformeistorecognizethattheHolyTrinityisnotexclusive,butcanbefoundinallpeopleandinallthingsgood.MaytheForcebewithyou.

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LiguorianSeries1C:St.AlphonsusAdviceforBecomingThatRepentantSinner/Sainta.k.a.HowtoGettoHeaven

Hellofaithfulreader,

Ithasbeenawhilesincewe'vebeentogethertodiscussthebountifulwisdomofthegreatSaint,AlphonsusLiguori,founderoftheRedemptoristorderofpriestsintheChurch.Torefreshyourmemoryonwhatweexplored,fromthefirstvolumeofhisAsceticWorkscalled

PreparationforDeath

,Iinviteyoutorevisit

Part1A

dealingwiththoseatthestateofdeathwhoarenotinGod'sfriendshipandfavour,and

Part1B

ofthosewhoareabletodieahappydeath/inGod'sfriendshipandfavour.

Inthispart,1C,withhelpfulquotesfromtheholySaint,andwritinginhisstylesomewhat,weshallexplorehowoneavoidsthefateofsoulsasinpart1A,andenduphappyonourdeathbedslikethoseinPart1B.Wheretobegin?...

Keeptheendinmind...

Beforeonecanremedytheirstateandendupahappysoulontheirdeathbed,onemusthaveapurpose,anaiminlife,orshallwesayinmoderntimes,an"Endgame."Shouldwegobytheoldadage,"eat,drink,merry,fortomorrowwedie,"weliveourlivesasaseriesofendlesspleasures,maybethrowinafamily,buttowhatend?Nolivingsoulordeceasedpersonhascomebackfrometernitytotelluswhetherheavenorhellexists.Butshouldwelivebytheadageabove,thenthereisnopointtoanythingwedo:education,careers,family...evenpleasureandpeopleinlifeareallfornaught!

Therefore,weMUSThaveaguidingprincipleinourlivedtoguideusbeforewecanevenjourneytobeinglikethosehappysouls.

Wemustbeginwiththeendinmind

,andthatappliestoourlife'sjourney!Itisclear,asexploredin

Part1A

,thatthehedonistic,sinfullyobstinatesoulsdiefearful,unhappydeaths,beggingformoretimeonearth.

Theyknowtheirend

.Withthatevidenceinmind,theremustbesomethingtheyfear...

hell,foreternity

.Theymaynotsayorthinksuchaloud,buttheiremotionsandphysicalsymptomstellthetale.

Sostartwiththeendinmind...theendthatawaitsyoulestyouchoosethepathofgrievoussin!BeginwithHellinmindassuch:

"...ifyoudonotnowchangeyourlife,ifyoucommitanothermortalsin,the

Lordwillabandonyou,and,inpunishmentofthatsin,sendyoutosufferforeveramongthatcrowdoffoolswhoarenowinhell...Whenthedeviltemptsyouagaintosin,rememberhell,haverecoursetoGodandtotheMostHolyVirgin.Thethoughtofhellwillpreserveyoufromhell,becauseitwillmakeyouhaverecoursetoGod."(PreparationforDeath,p288-289)

Now,tojustsaythatfearaloneofhellwillkeepyouastraywillbefoolish!Thankfully,wedohavea``testimony``ofsorts,thosewhoHAVEdecidednottobelikethesoulsinPart1A.Thosesoulsin

Part1B

,diehappy,relieved,calm,andreadyfortheeternalrewardaheadthatawaitsthem.

Buthowdowe,becomelikethosehappysoulswhohavepreparedfordeathwell?Clearly,mostofusaren't"blessed"withthedispositionofasaintorareofthehandpickedfewthatgetintheSainthalloffame.Webecomeeasilydiscouraged,thinkingwearen'tlucky,orhavethe"patienceofasaint"forholythings.Also,webecomeevenmorediscouraged,particularlywhenweobservethefolliesofthosearoundus.WethinkofhowmanytimesourparentsorgrandparentsstrayedfromthewillofGod,yetproperlycatechizedaboutthefourlastthingsofdeath,judgement,Heaven,andHell.

ForthosereadingNOTChristian,obviously,ourownmentalfearofdoingsomethingbadorthatwe'vedonebefore,clearlyisn'tenough!Wearebutfeebleandweakcreatureswithsuchatemptationanddrawtosinfulthingsthatweknowdamageusphysicallyandspiritually,butwedothemevenwhenwevownottoo!

Thankfully,St.AlphonsusinPreparationforDeath,providesuswiththreemaintoolstocombatourselvesfromfallingbacktoblack,andallowsustomakeittotheend,ahappysouluponourdeathbeds.

TheFirstTool,AvoidingtheTemptation/OccasionofSin

Thefirsttoolisquitesimplisticinitsunderstanding:Avoidoccasionsofsin.Itgoeswithoutsayingthatifyouareplacedinthevicinityofwhateverviceyouaretemptedto,youwon'tlikelybeabletowithstandit.Whetherthatbeyourfavoritejunkfoodthatyoumustdownthewholecontainerorbagfor,boundlessquantitiesofliquorthatdullsthemind,orothersuchvices.Itgoeswithoutsaying,removeyourselffromthesituation,anddon'tputitinyourhomeorinviteitin.Alphonsusstatesthefollowingonsuchavoidance:

"....Youmustonyourpartlaborhardtotakeawaytheoccasionsofsin,toavoidbadcompany,toresisttemptationsbyrecommendingyourselftoGodassoonasyouperceivethem...Youmustdoviolencetoyourself:otherwisethethreatoftheLordagainstobstinatesinnerswillfalluponyou.Youshalldieinyoursin."(230.)

Itisevenworseiftheverysinyoumustavoidisoneofthefleshand/orsexual,hencechastitymustbeadoptedquicklytoavoidsuchsins:

"Wheneverthedeviltemptsus,letusplaceourentireconfidenceinthedivineassistance...toJesusChrist...tothemostHolyMary.Weoughttodothisparticularlyasoftenaswearetemptedagainstchastity;forthisisthemostterribleofalltemptationsandistheonebywhichthedevilgainsmostvictories.Wehavenotthestrengthtopreservechastity;thisstrengthmustcomefromGod..."(314)

Shouldsinsofthefleshbetheparticularviceyoumustdisposeof,avoidingyourfavouriteareawhereyou"fraternize"withwomenandtemptthem,oraretemptedbythem(evenwithoutintention,)mightnotbeenough.Inthis,inour

moderndayworldofthethirdmillennium,thisevenincludestheInternetoncomputers!WewillexploremoreonthatinthethirdnecessarytoolofPrayer.Yetlet'sgoontoanotherkeytool,onethatmustworkintandemwithprayer,andyetwouldbeevenmorevitaltobecoveredfirst:TheEucharist/Pennance.

TheSecondTool,TheSacraments,butParticularlytheEucharist

Thenext,criticaltoolthatStAlphonsussayswemustembracetomakeourselvesforforheavenaretheSacramentsofHolyMotherChurch,butparticularlythesacramentofPenance,andtheHolyEucharistconsecratedatMass.Weshouldnotbesurprisedatthesetools,astheChurch’ssacramentsarethemosttangibleandvisiblewaysChristexpressesHimselfandHissalvationtousonEarth,witheachoneunitingusclosertoHisWillandMission.

WerehenottoexpresshimselfandhisWillandMissionofHolyMotherChurchinthisway,Hewouldbeasdeistsdescribehim,ordetractorsoftheChurchandChrist,asanunattainablefigureatopHisholylittlecloudinafarawayuniversewecouldneverfindhim.Withnothingtoguideusbutourwillsandflawedselves,wealonewouldneverbeabletoobtainsalvation.

Inaddition,whywouldsomeonegoonsuchajourneyaslifewithouthavingthetoolsneededtotravelthroughthisland?OurLordisnotacruelGreek“g”odoftheThebanplayswhocreatesandleaveshumanstotheirmiseryorevenusesthemasplaythings?No,forheisaLovingFather,wholikeaRESPONSIBLEfatherinahumanfamily,providessustenanceforHischildren,hisadoptedsonsanddaughtersofGod.Thefatherknowsofthisworldandwhatisoutthere,andraiseshischildrentobecomesufficienttosurvive,butalsokeepslovingandcaringforthemallthroughouttheirlives.

Alsoasaforgivingfather,heknowshischildrenwillmessup,withtheirimperfectwills,andtemptationtosin.Itisbutpartofthehumancondition.HeknowsthatHischildren,inbeingtempted,willhurthim,andthus,inthesacramentofPenance,liketheProdigalFatherforhislostson,heprovidesthebridgeofmercy,theopendoor,forhisadoptedchildrentocomehome,andstartanewinlivingthatfulllifeoncemore.BythissacramentwerestoretheSanctifyinggraceneededtoliveinEternallifeafterdeath,lostbyMortalsins,butalsoreceiveforgivenessforthoselessersins,includingthosethatweighus

downtobesusceptibletomortalsins.

Hence,wehaveoursacramentsandtheEucharistintheHolyMasstogiveusthoseactualgraces.Itisbothaliteral,andapowerfullyspiritualfood,aidingusinavoidingandresistingthoseslingsandarrowsoftemptationthatleadustosin,evenagainstourconcupisent(sin-seeking)selves.StAlphonsusmakesthispointasfollows:

“...thesecond,is,tofrequentthesacramentsofpenanceandtheEucharist...bythesacramentofpenancethesoulispurified;byit,itobtainsnotonlytheremissionofsins,butalsohelptoresisttemptations.TheCommunioniscalledthebreadofHeaven;becauseasthebodycannotlivewithoutearthlyfood,sothesoulcannotlivewithoutthiscelestialbread...."(323)

Finally,thereisonemoreessentialtoolneededinordertoplaceone'sselfontheroadtoHeaven,andremaininthedirectionofthatcourse:Prayer.

TheThirdTool,Prayer

Whileavoidingoccasionsofsinandreceptionofthesacramentsareagreatstart,itisprayerthatisthevital,thirdtoolrequiredtokeepone'sdirectionaheadtoahappydeath.Thinkofonewhoisattemptingtoundergoachangeinlifestyleorhabit,suchasadiet/exerciseplan.Onemightbeabletoremovesweetsfromthehouse,andmightbestartinggreatworkoutswhichgivesoneanendorphichigh,butlongevityiswheremostcommonlyfail.Theslugfestoflifeandallthosearoundus,workorathomeorinone'spersonallife(saveperhaps,thosesinglepeople)willwallopuswithblows,untilourmindsaretiredandworn,andtherewerelapseandgooffcourse.

Thepathtoeternalsalvationisnodifferent.TheDevilisparticularlyanangry,darkandvilecreature,whowillbemorethanhappytostepupandbetheonetochallengeyourresolve.Heenjoyssuchtemptationsandthrowingthemonend.Willhestop?No.Anon-biologicalcreaturesuchasheneedsnophysicalrest,andcanhappilycontinuetothrowconstantbarrierstoyou.

Further,onemightfindthe"holy"or"Catholic"life,boring,lackingenergy,agitating,a"thorn"inone'ssidethattheymightconsiderdriftingbackintowhateversinfulanddarkenedpaththeyhadabandoned,orstartedtoabandon.

Finally,onemustbeWILLINGtoaskoftheLordJesus/Godthroughprayer

whatoneneeds.Asalways,God/Christallowsusourfreewilltoconductourselveswithouthim.Itisnodifferentfromparentsinalovinghome(wheretheyareresponsibleandnotselfish,despitetheirflaws,)thatwillaidtheirsonsanddaughtersiftheyaskthem,evenwhensaidchildrenareolderadults.Norisitdifferentfromtrustedfriendsand/orcolleagues.Ifyoudonotask,theywillnothelp.Ifyouaskforhelp,thatiswhenthoseyouknowcanbecalledtoacttohelpyou.

Hownecessaryisprayertokeeponeonthepathtonotfallingbacktowheretheywere?Vital!StAlphonsusin

P.F.D

,tellsushowvitalatoolitis:

``....

Hewhopraysiscertainlysaved;hewhodoesnotpray,iscertainlylost.Alltheelectaresavedbyprayer;allthedamnedarelostbyneglectofprayer,andtheirgreatestdespairis,andwillbeforever,causedbytheconvictionthattheyhaditintheirpowertosavetheirsoulssoeasilybyprayer,andthatnowthetimeofsalvationisnomore.``(306)

Furthermore,notjustoutofthesakeofavoidingHell(thoughyoudoneedprayerforthispurpose,)prayerislikethegymcoachatyourside,enhancingtheexerciseinthegymthatyoudo,andpushingyouforwardtoensureyoumakeprogressinyourexercise.Hecan`tmakeyouexercise,buthewillbetheretokeepyouperseveringtothelastrepetitionyoucando.St.AlphonsusdwellsuponpastsaintsoftheChurchinhisexplanationofprayerinthisway:

``....St.Chrysostomsaysthat,asthebodywithoutthesoulisdead,sothesoulisdeadwithoutprayer...aswaterisnecessarytopreventthedecayofplants,soprayerisnecessarytopreserveusfromperdition....St.AugustineteachesthatGodgiveswithoutprayerthefirstgraces...butallothergraces,andparticularlythegiftofperseverance,hegivesonlytothosewhoaskthem.``(304-305)

Nowthatoneknowstodoprayeryouarelikelyasking,whatdoIdo?Howmanyprayersadayand/ortimestopray?Scripturealreadycananswerthewhen,asperLukeandPaul`sEpistletotheThessalonians:

``

Weoughtalwaystopray``(Luke23:1).``Watchye,therefore,prayingatalltimes.Praywithoutceasing.``(1Thess5:17)

Asforwhatspecifically,therangeofprayersvariesfromthetraditionaltriadof:OurFather,HailMary,andGloryBe;therearethoseoftheSaintsthroughouttheages.Therearenumerous,self-composedprayersoflaymen,dioceseinthechurch,oncards,books,thereisevenjustshortone-twolineprayerscalled"Ejaculations,"whicharesmallspiritualprayerswithhighmeaning,internalintensity,andpetitionfromthepersonprayingthem.Thereisexception,however,aswhenthesinisof

chastity

,asmentionedbeforeinthefirsttoolofavoidance,tothrowone`sselfatthemercyofJesus`Mother,Mary,forthisparticularcategoryofsin.

However,itismoreimportanttofocusonthe"HOW"ofprayer,asthatiswhatwillmakeorbreaktheprayerbeingefficient,ratherthanwhichspecificprayersyouincludeinyourarsenal.Firstly,whenoneprays,itMUSTbeoutofaspiritofhumility,insteadofself-interestorpride.ThatisNOTthesameasaskingfornecessaryhelpwithdealingwithsin.Here,St.Alphonusexplains:

``....Topraywell,itisnecessary,inthefirstplace,topraywithhumility.``Godresisteththeproudandgivethgracetothehumble.(James4:6)Godrejectsthepetitionsoftheproud,butdoesnotallowthehumbertodepartwithouthearingalltheirprayers....Thisholds,eventhoughtheyhavebeenhithertosinners.``(307)

Inotherwords,askingforphysicalthingsorpowerssuchasmoney,cars,houses,materialgoods,wealth,fame,glory,power...unlessitisabsolutelyinHISwillforyoutohavethemforHISpurposeforyourlife,theseprayerwillNOTbegranted.However,aidtoconqueryoursin,getthroughyourstruggles,andkeepyouonthenarrowpathtosalvation,THATiswhattheGood,GoodFatherwillgrantyou,for,

``

...spiritualgraces,suchaspardonofsin,perseverance,divinelove,andthelike,

shouldbeaskedabsolutely,andwithafirmconfidenceofobtainingthem.``(309)

Speakingofconfidence,thatisthesecondelementastoHOWoneshouldapproachprayer.Onemustpraywithconfidence,notwithfearandtrembling,norwithlacklustereffort,orsheerdoubtwhatyouaskwillbegranted(ifitisNOTofselfishinterest,asmentionedabove.)DoesthisScripturepassagefromXX:XXnotbringthisconcepttomemory,ifyouhavebeenafaithful,weekly,Massattendee,andeven"church"goerforthosenon-Catholics?:

``

Ifyoubeingevil,knowhowtogivegoodgiftstoyourchildren,howmuchmorewillyourFatherfromheavengivethegoodSpirittothemthataskhim!``(Luke11:13)

Thirdly,onemustbewillingtopraynotjustatweeklyMass(service),orjustroutinelyatmealsasofhabit,butrather...constantly,allthetimewhenyoucan,whereveryoucan.St.Alphonusexplainsthiswiththeanalogyofthehomelessbeggar:

``

...theLordwishesustounderstandthatweoughttoimitatebeggars,whodonotceasetoask,toeantreat,andtoknockatthegate,untilthereceiveanalms...finalperseverance...isagracewhichisnotobtainedwithoutcontinualprayer.``(308-309)

Thisanalogyisactuallyquitetrue.WhereIwork,thereisahomeless,orlessfortunate,oldergentlemanImustpassbyonmywaytopublictransitthatItaketogethomefromworkeveryday.Heisatthesamelocationwhenhebegs.Heisapolitegentleman,whosays"goodday"tothosewhopassby,whoisnotaggressiveinhispanhandling,andevensometimes,willhaveconversationwiththoseofuswhostoptotalk.Rarelyisadaywhenheisnotpresentthere,butfrequentlyheis,withballcapinhand,dwellingonourcharity.Hehasnotdisappearedpermanently(yet,)andwhenIreturntoworknextweek,hewilllikelybethere,inthesamespot,beggingonceagain.

THATisexactlyhowwearetoactwithregardstoprayer,thoughwithonekeydifference.Christ,beingtheGoodLord,willnotpassbyyou,the

spiritual

beggar,asmostofusdowithoutgivingthebeggarevenourpocketchange.WhenwepraytotheLordinearnest,hewillgrantthosetrueprayereverytime,albeitonHISowntime,andnotalwaysinwayswecanvisiblysee.Butinthecaseofperseverance,Hewillgrantusthatresolve.

CONCLUSION

Threetoolstosalvation.Allvital.ThesearethethreekeysrevealedtousbySt.Alphonsusin

P.F.D.

whichreleasethelocksonthetreasurechestthatholdsthepearlofgreatprice,oureternalsalvationandahappydeath,towardstheKingdomofHeavenforeternity.St.Alphonsuspartiallysummarizesthisonp.230of

P.F.D.

,whichwerevisitfromearlier,butwithsomeadditionsofmineforwhatisnotincludedinthecitation:

``

...ifyouwishtorecoverfromyourillness,thereisaremedyforyou;howeveryoumustnotexpectamiracleofgrace.Youmustonyourpartlaborhardtotakeawaytheoccasionsofsin,toavoidbadcompany,toresisttemptationsbyrecommendingyourselftoGodassoonasyouperceivethem:youmustadoptthemeansofsalvationbygoingfrequentlytoconfession,byreadingaspiritualbookeveryday,bypracticingdevotiontotheBlessedVirginMary,andcontinually[implore]hertoobtainforyoustrengthnottorelapseintosin...."

...especiallythosesinsoftheflesh/ofasexualnature.Inaddition,seektheEucharistintheHolySacrificeoftheMassalongsidePenance,whichisthemostpowerful,strengtheningsacramentagainstourtemptationsandthosethattheDevilandhisminionswillthrowagainstyou.Finally,prayunceasingly,

whenever,wherever,tokeepone`sstrengthforthelongjourneytoconqueringthosesinsandtemptationswemustbattle.Indoingallthis,weprepareourselvesforthathappy,yeteternallypromisingdeathtoendlesseternityinHeaven,withGod,theangelsandtheSaints,thoselostlovedoneswhowerefortunatetobethere,andmostofall,theLordJesusChrist.

PaxTibiChristi,JulianBarkin.

NEXTINTHESERIES:1D-Miscellaneoustidbitsnotfallingspecificallyunder1Ato1C.

Thiscontributionisavailableathttp://torontotlmserving.blogspot.com/2018/03/liguorian-series-

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TheFinalQuestion:AreYouPreparedtoAcceptChildrenLovinglyFromGod?[atMartinFamilyMoments]

Scene:

Herinabeautifulwhitegown.

Himinahandsometux.

Theirfriendsandfamilywatchingwithheartsfullofjoy.

Apriestbeginstospeak...

"HaveyoucomeheretoenterintoMarriagewithoutcoercion,freelyandwholeheartedly?"

"Ihave",answerbothsweethearts,gazingintoeachother'seyes.

"Areyouprepared,asyoufollowthepathofMarriage,toloveandhonoreachotherforaslongasyoubothshalllive?"

"Iam",theyansweragaininunison,unabletocontroltheiraffectionforoneanother.

"AreyoupreparedtoacceptchildrenlovinglyfromGodandtobringthemupaccordingtothelawofChristandhisChurch?"

Silence.Withpanickedlooksintheireyes,theybothwhisper"Iam"knowing

that'sthelastquestiontheyhavetoanswerbeforetheycangetmarriedalready.Let'sjustfocusonourmarriage,theythink,wewillworryaboutstartingafamilylater.

Errrrrrr,wronganswer!Marriageisorderedtofamily,butfearnot,youngcouple!It'snotasscaryasyouthink.Let'sbreakitdown...

AreYou

You.Plural.Nowthatyou'remarried,togetheryou'reoneandthesedecisionsneedtobemadeassuch.

Prepared

Thisisareminderthatmarriedcouplesmustalwaysbereadytobecomeparents.

Itdoesn'tmeantyouhavetotryandconceiveababyonyourweddingnight.

Itdoesn'tmeanyouhavetosetupthecribwhenyoureturnfromthehoneymoon,itdoesn'tevenmeanyouhavetobefinanciallyabletobuythecrib.

Italsodoesn'tmeanthatyou'reguaranteedababy...ever.

Itjustmeansthatweneedtobereadyforababytocomeifwedotheone

marriedactthatmakesbabies.Wesayyestoeachotherfully,andsometimesthatlittleyesneedsanamein9months.Simple.

ToAccept

Here'swherewerealizethatchildrenareagift,ablessing.Wedon'tEXPECTthem,weACCEPTthem.Thistellsthemarriedcouplethattheymustalwaysbeopentothepossibilityofnewlifeduringtheirwholemarriage.Itdoesnotmeanthateveryonehastohaveahugefamilyorasmallfamily.Whatitmeansisthatweneedtoletgoofourplans,andletHimplanourfamilyforus.WeneedtoworkwiththecycleoffertilityHegaveusandrememberthatwearecalledtoalwaysbeopentolifeevenduringthetimeswhenaddinganewfamilymembermightseemimpossible.Ifwearewillingtotalkthetalk,wehavetobeabletowalkthewalk.

Children

Notpuppies,notkittens.Idon'tknowaboutyou,butI'veneverbirthedapuppy.Youcanloveyourpets,butthey'renotyourchildrenandtheyarenottheresultofmarriedlove.Whetherornotyoucanactuallyphysicallyhavechildrenisnottheissuehere,it'sbeingopentopotentialchildren,throughbirthoradoption.

Sometimesbabiesaresurprise(askmehowIknow!)andsometimestheycanseemoverwhelming,butwealwaysreceivethemwithlove.Wewillallgothroughplentyoffeelings-scared,confused,upset,bitter,elated-whenwefindoutanewchildiscomingandthat'sok!Wewillmostdefinitelyadorethatbabywhenhe/sheisborn.It'salovelikenoother.

FromGod

Goddesignedthehumanbodiesinsuchawaythatwhenamanandawomanhavesexduringafertiletimeofthewoman'scycle,withoutanytypeofbarrierbetweenthemorsuppressingtheirfertility,andeverythingisinworkingorder,ababycanbeconceived.Goddidn'thavetocreatehumansthisway.HecouldhavejustcreatedusasHedidAdamandEve(poof,thereyouare!),butheallowedustobepartofHiscreationplan.Helovinglyblessesuswithchildrenwhenwelovinglygiveourselvesfreelytoourspouse.LifeshouldalwayscomefromHiminthenaturalorderedway.It'shardnottogetwhatwewantwhenwewantit,butonlyHeknowswhatwetrulyneedforeternalhappiness.

Andthat'sitinanutshell!Firstcomeslove,thencomesmarriage,thencomesthepossibilityofbabiesinbabycarriages:)

Changecanbescary,butbecomingparentsisseriouslythegreatestgiftever.Welikeitsomuchthatwecan'tstop!Ha!Iwanttohugeverysoon-to-be-marriedcoupleandlettheminonthesecretthatchildrenaresuchablessingtoamarriageandfamilyistherootofmuchhappinessinthislifetime.

Don'tbescaredofitanddon'tthinkthere'sonlyonesizefitsallforfamilies.Iwouldnever,everthinkthathavingabigfamilyisthewayit'ssupposedtobeforeveryone.Iwouldalsoneverthinkthathavingacouplekidsisthewayit'ssupposedtobeeither.Someofusmayhavetosufferfrominfertility.Someofusmaystrugglewithsuperfertility.Wejustdon'tknowthefuture.LetGodintoyourmarriageanddiscernwithyourspousewhatHe'scallingyoutoreceive...andthatmydears,willmakeyouhappy!!

Thiscontributionisavailableathttp://martinfamilymoments.blogspot.com/2018/05/the-final-

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TheMissionofSaintThorlak

MissionObjective#6:ToencouragepeopletoliveasGodseesus

HavingspentseveralweeksreflectingonhowGodseesus,wefinallygettoputthingsinaction.AsMissionariesofSaintThorlak,wearecalledtoencourageotherstoliveasGodseesus.Truetoourstyle,letustakethisobjectiveapartinordertounderstanditfully.

Toencourage:Attherootofthiswordis"-COR,"referringtotheinnermostfeelingsoftheheart.Theprefix"EN-"suggeststheactiontoputin.WearecalledtoputtheideaofhowGodseesusintotheinnermostfeelingsofourhearts,andtheheartsofthosearoundus.Wow.

ToencouragepeopletoliveasGodseesUS.NothowGodseesthem,buthowGodseesus:ourselves,and,collectively,everyperson,asHisbelovedchildren.

AgoodnumberofushavedifficultybelievingthatGodisinlovewithusandlongsforarelationshipwithus.Traditionallogicsaysthisisamatterofself-esteem.Themessagesofourcultureconstantlyhammerusdown,andthetemptationtocompareandcompetewithoneanotherpervadesnearlyeverythingwedo.Self-esteemisanimportantandvalidremindertoeachofusthatwearevaluableasourselves,andthatitishealthytoacknowledgeourtalents,assetsandachievements.Tothedegreewearewillingtobelieveinourworth,weareabletocelebrateouruniqueness,abilitiesandstationinlife.Withenoughtrustandpractice,everyonecanlearntobelievetheyareworthyofbeingloved-sothelogicgoes.

Yettherearemanyamonguswhohavereasonablygoodself-esteem,andwhogenuinelybelieveGoddesiresarelationshipwithus...andstillholdback.Why?Ifwebelieveweareworthy,andwecravethethrillofunconditionalacceptance,whyholdback?

Fear.

Considerthispersonaltestimony:

"IhaveoftenhadtheexperiencewhereIwillgettogetherwithafriend,orspeakwithsomeoneaboutabusinessmatter,orevenhaveanordinaryphoneconversation,andIamwellenoughateasethatIengagefullyandsincerelywiththatotherperson.Ifeelgenuinelyconnectedandcomfortablymyself.Butthen,afteritisover,asurgeofagitationhitsme.Itfeelslikepartanger,partterror-towardmyself.ItisnotatallthesameasbeatingmyselfupfornotdoingagoodenoughjoborwishingIhadsaidthingsdifferently;I’vedonethatenoughtimes,andthat’snotwhatI’mdoinghere.Thisislikeaneedtoflee.Themore

intimatetheconnection,thegreaterthisterrorafterward.Ithaspuzzledmeforyears.Ifitisnotlowself-imageorregretoveranythingIsaid,whatisit?Ihavethoughtaboutit,prayedaboutit,andthoughtaboutitsomemore,anditmakesnosensetome.

"Iprayedaboutthisspecificallyonedaynottoolongago.AsIdid,amemorycametomefromwhenIwasaverysmallchild.Myfatheratthattimehadafull,bushybeard.Oneday,heshavedhisfacecleanwithouttellingmehewasgoingtodoit.WhenIsawhowdifferenthelooked,Ipanicked.Iscreamedathiminanger-GETAWAYFROMME!!!YOU'RENOTMYDADDY!!!WHOAREYOU?Hisstaturewasthesame,hiseyeswerethesame,buthisfacehadchanged,andIwasterrified.

"Ire-livedthatmemoryvividly,andthenIrealizedtheterrorIfeltthatdaywasthesamewayIfeelafterIgetclosetosomeone.ItoccurredtomethatIappeardifferentlytootherpeoplethanIappeartomyself.Itdawnedonmethatthemore

otherpeopleknowme,acceptme,likeme,valueme,loveme-themoresurprisedIamtorealizetheirperspective,becausetheyarereflectingqualitiestomethatIdonotroutinelythinkaboutinmyself.Likewise,whenGodmakesaconnectionwithmethroughthem,itrevealshowHeseesme!

“Itisnotself-loathingatall-itisfearofseeingthedifferencebetweenthewayIimagineIlook,andthewayothersperceiveme.AllthistimeIhavetriedtohelpmyselfbyworkingonself-esteem,anditnevergotanybetter.WhatIneededwastoseethatmyreactionisjustastartlereflex.Thereisnostrangerhere!It'sjustmyownreflectionthroughGod'seyes.

“IthoughtmoreaboutthatmemoryandrecalledthatmyterrorsubsidedassoonasIheardmyfather'svoice,'It'sokay,it'sonlyme!'.SuchreliefcameovermewhenIheardhimspeakandrecognizedwhohereallywas.So,too,doesrelieffloodmenowasIsenseOurFather'svoicereassuringme

inprayer,‘It'sokay,it'sonlyMe.’"

Awarenessisthefirststeptoseeingthatfearisnotanabsolutebarrier,butismorelikeacountercurrentwefordaswechoosethecoursethatwillleadustotherealizationofourtrueselvesinGod’seyes.

Ourability“toencouragepeopletoliveasGodseesus"canonlycomeafterwehavetakentheleapofbeliefourselves.Onlythencanweknowthemomentsbetweencertaintyandtrust,andhowlongittakesforthatwaveofunknowingtosubside.OurMissionisnottochangemindsorchangebehavior.OurMissionistoreassureourselvesandthosearoundusthattheresistancewefeeltowardseeingourselvesisjustthestartleofrealizingwhowereallyareinGod’seyes;that,“it’sokay,it’sonlyme.”

Pray:HeavenlyFather,helpmetohearandrecognizeYourvoiceuntilInolongerfeelafraid.

Contemplate:Whatobstaclesinmyspirituallifearerootedinfear?

Relate:AmIeverafraidtoseemyreflectionthroughothers’eyes?Notice…

and,prayaboutit.

Thiscontributionisavailableathttp://www.mission-of-saint-thorlak.com/mission-

activities/missionary-thought-for-the-week-of-may-21-2018-its-okay-its-only-me

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Godismercy,Godislove...butGodisalsoJustice.[atOrdinaryTime]

Iwasgoingtosavethefollowinghomilyforafuturedate.ThemoreItriedtowritethemoreitfeltasifIweremakingasermonoutofit,insteadofgivingthemessageGodwastryingtospeaktomeinthereadings.Sohereitis.

MygrandfatherJimhadthisbeautifulfarminthemountains.Whenhefirstgottheland,itwasnothingbutweeds,rocks,andbriars.Overtheyearsheslowlytamedthatland.TherewerebigpilesofstonesintheforestthatmybrotherandIusedtoclimbon.Allofthoserockshehadmovedbyhandoutofthefieldstopreparethem.Itwassuchabeautifulplacetoo.AcresofmanicuredgrassinthemiddleoftheforestsofVirginia.Anappleorchard,agrapearbor,agardenfilledwithvegetables,nottomentionalltheanimals.Hewouldtakeusforatoureverytimewecameby.Lettingusholdthebabychickens,ducks,geese,anddoves.Therewaseventhisspectacularoverlookthathehadmadewithafirepitandsomechairs.Youcouldsitandwatchthesunsetoverthelakehundredsoffeetbelow.Itwasabeautifulplace,apeacefulplace.

Afewyearsagomygrandfatherpassedaway,andmygrandmotherwasplacedinahome.Theexecutoroftheestatesoldthelandtosomeoneoutsideofthefamily,andthingsbegantochange.Wewerenolongerallowedtovisit.Itwasn’tinthefamilyanymore.Icouldseeitfrommydad'shouse,lessthanamilefromhisbackporch.Therewasarealsenseofloss.Asenseofsadnessthatitwasnolongerours.Itwasnowsomeoneelse’s.Iwatchedasotherpeoplewalkedthosepathsandclimbedthoserocks.Therewasapaininmy

heartthatIcan’treallydescribeinwords.Notjealousy.Justlonging.Ithinkthat’showthepeoplemusthavefeltinhearingthisparablefromJesus.Fearthattheymightgothroughsomethinglikethat.Thattheymightlongforsomething,theycouldnevertouchagain.

Thisparablecouldbringthatsamefearoutinus,andmaybeitshould.WetooarenowresponsibleforthevineyardoftheLord.Justlikemygrandfatherworkedlong,hardhoursclearingthelandtomakeitabeautifulplace;wearesupposedtobeusingthegiftswehavebeengiventoproducefruit.Eachofusisauniquepersonwithourownsetoftalents.Wearesupposedtousethemtomakethisworldabetterplace,toshowGod’sloveforeveryoneinit.Howmanytimeshavewe,likethepeopleintheparable,beensentsomeonemadeintheimageofChristandtreatedthempoorly?

Sure,wehaven’tkilledanyone.Wedidn’tbeatthemorthrowthemout.Butwhataboutwithourwords?Haveweeverbeatensomeoneverbally?Orkillingtheirgoodnamewithslander?Haveweeverrejectedsomeonewhohasaskedforhelp?Earlierwealsosaidwecandowrongwithourthoughtstoo.Havewethoughtpoorlyofsomeone?Beenjealousorangry?Annoyedthatsomeonedoesn’tdothingsthewaywewantorhassomehabitthatjustgetsunderourskin?IknowattimesIamguiltyofallthesethings.Thatparabledoesn’tleavemuchhope.Itseemshard.

Howarewetomakesenseofit?IfGodismercyandlove,howcanhetakeawaythevineyard?Heismercy.Heislove,indeed.Somuchsothathereinafewminuteswearegoingtocelebratethegiftthatmakesitpossibleforpeoplesounworthytostayworkinginthevineyard.GodhasindeedsentHisSontoustimeandtimeagain,intheHolyEucharist.Eventhoughwecontinuetodoexactlywhattheywereguiltyof,Hegivesusanotherchance.It’sasifheissaying“Iamsendingmyson,surelytheywilltreathimbetterthistime.”Asthepriestelevatesthepreciousconsecratedhostinafewmoments,realizethatthisrighthereisGodsayingtoyou“Iwanttoseeyourfruit.”

AgainIsay,Godismercy.Godislove.ButGodisalsojustice.RondaChervinoncesaid“IfyouwanttoseetheinfiniteloveandmercyofGod,lookatHeaven.IfyouwanttoseeHisJustice,lookatHell.”Now,inthislife,atthismomentisthetimetostartproducingaharvest.

Thiscontributionisavailableathttp://the-friar.blogspot.com/2018/06/god-is-mercy-god-is-love-

but-god-is.html

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It'sNotAboutYou[atDeaconAllenTatara]

Awhileback,Iwashavingaparticularlyroughday.Attheendofalong,frustratingafternoon,Ilacedupmytennisshoesandheadedoutforalongwalk.Ineededtovent,andGodwasmybestoption.Ispentmostofthetwo-miletrailnearmyhomeexpressinganentiregrocerylistofcomplaints.

TheBiblesayswe’resupposedtoofferupourconcernstoGod,soIthoughtI’dsuper-sizemyoffering.Ipouredoutmyheartinwhatbecameathirty-minutegripefest.AsIroundedthefinalturntowardmydriveway,Iendedmytiradewithagroanthatresembledmoreofa“Sothere!”insteadofan“Amen.”

AsIbrieflypausedatthebottomofmydriveway,Ifeltonethoughtthatfloodedmymind:it’snotaboutyou.

ThatthoughtwassoloudandclearthatIknewitwasGodspeakingtome.Andtobehonest,theyweren’tthewordsIwantedtohear.Godwasremindingmethatallmyconcernsandcomplaints,allmyworriesandfrustrationswerecenteredononeperson:me.

InScripture,whetherwearelookingattheVisitation,Annunciation,theWeddinginCanaorotherevents,Marysaysverylittle,butherwordsarepackedfullofmeaning.Theonethingthatunderscoresallofhercommunicationisthatit’snotabouther–it’saboutHim.

Heronlydesirewastobeknownasalowlyservant–ahandmaid,ifyouwill–ofGod.Shewantednothingmoreandwouldsettlefornothinglessthattotal

surrendertoHim.

Whatdifficultiesareyoufacinginyourlife?Whatconflictsdoyoufindinyourworkplace,yourfamily,oramongyourfriends?CoulditbethatGodisusingtheseasagentlereminderthatit’snotaboutyouandcauseyoutogrowandexperiencethetransformingpowerofGodinyourlife?

Letuspraythat“It’snotaboutyou”rollsthroughourmindsdaily.LetusfeeltheinvitationofGod’sSpirittochangeourattitudesandbehaviorssothatwebecomelessself-focusedandbegintoseethingsasGodseesthem.

Thiscontributionisavailableathttp://deaconallen.com/its-not-about-you/

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OurLadyofGoodSuccessTeachesUsHowtoRespondtotheCrisisintheChurch.

AnarticlewrittenforthewebsiteRosarytotheInterior:ForthePurificationof theChurch discusses the fourth Joyful Rosarymystery, the Presentation ofJesus/PurificationofMary,inthelightofthepropheciesofOurLadyofGoodSuccess(OLGS).TheseChurch-approvedapparitionsandrevelationsweremadetoMother Mariana de Jesus Torres (1563-1635), a Conceptionist religious inQuito,Ecuador.UnlikemanyoftherecentarticlesonOLGS,it'sprimaryfocus is not on the dramatic prophecies that describe the current crisis in theChurch.Rathertheemphasisisonthehopeforfinalvictory,andGod's“SecretDesigns”onhowattainit,asindicatedbyOurLady.Thelengthyarticleprovidesan excellent overview, with appropriate details, of the entire drama of theConceptionistNunsof thatera, interwovenwith theapparitions, teachingsandmessages of Jesus andMary. The basic principle of God’s “SecretDesigns”accordingtothearticleisthis:“God’spromiseofOurLady’sTriumph(andthustheChurch’s)willbefulfilledthroughtheformationofsoulswho,withthegraceswhichmakethispossible,willliveaprofoundvictimhoodinimitationofChrist–avictimhoodwhich theywill sufferat thehandsofbothgoodandevilpersons.”Thelaityarecalledtoparticipateinthisvictimhood,andthekeytothisvictimhoodisremainingtrulyandfullyunitedwiththeChurchnomatterwhatsufferingsordeprivationsthismaybring.

FromastudyoftheOLGSapparitions,theauthorstatesthatrenderingfullobediencetotheVicarofChrist,afterunderstandingthelimitsplaceduponthepowers of the Papacy, “is not at all inconsistent with criticism of a Pope’spersonalerrorsinregardtodoctrinesandtheirimplications,norisitinconsistentwith refusing to follow these errors and policies if they are contrary to theGospel.”He bases his conclusion on the way the Conceptionist Nuns offeredtheir“victimhood”thatwassufferedatthehandsoftheirSuperiors,whowantedtomitigate,weaken,and relax theRulesof theconvent.Rather than rebelling,theobservantnunsacceptedthelawfuljurisdictionofthoseoverthem,howeverunjustitwas,eventothepointofbeingcastintotheconventprison.“Forthosewho choosenot to abandon theCross, however, it iswithin thedepths of thissufferingthatistobefoundthegraceofvictory.”

InsteadofDespair,thereisHope.

Applying this to the Church of today, he writes: that “the rejection ofobediencetothePopeinhisgovernmentanddisciplineoftheChurchentailsthelossofthatgracewhichistheverylife-bloodoftheChurch.SuchisthepositioninwhichsuchgroupsastheSSPXandtheSedevacantistsfindthemselves.TheyaredeprivingboththemselvesandtheChurchofthegracewherebyOurLady’sTriumph will be achieved.” These choices and others which revolve arounddefianceofthepope,thevalidityofhiselection,orplottingtodeposehim,assertat least implicitly that “Goddoesnot knowwhatHe is doing, thatGod is nottrustworthy in his promises, or that God has failed.” The jurisdiction of theChurch hierarchy must be accepted, we must remain within the fold, but we

should not be silent in the face of Modernist fantasies that are taught orproposed,whichseektomitigateandrelaxourobligationtofollowtheteachingsofChrist.“If,ontheotherhand,weuniteourselvestotheHeartofMary,nowpiercedwiththeswordofsorrowsandsufferingnecessaryforthepurificationoftheChurchandthetriumphalre-entryoftheLightofChristintohistemple,thenourLady’sImmaculateHeartwillnotonlybeourrefugeandthewaythatwilllead us toGod, but themeans bywhichwe alsomay become true vessels ofmerciful love and full participants in God’s “secret designs” of mercy for asuffering,sinfulworld.Unquestionably,theprimarymeanswhichOurLadyhasgiven us to effect this spiritual childhood in service to Her Triumph is theRosary.” I highly recommend reading this very important article in itsentirety.

MybooksontheBlessedMother,PadrePio,andothersmaybeviewedHere.

Thiscontributionisavailableathttp://divinefiat.blogspot.com/2018/05/our-lady-of-good-success-

teaches-us.html

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God'sLoveandHowtoReceiveit

WiththankstoMarilynNashandJasperhercat

Someeventsandsomeexperiencesaresoawesomethatwefinditdifficulttocapturetheminwords.ThefirstChristians,forinstance,foundtheResurrectionsoutterlyamazingthatwordsfailedthem.Onlythesuninallitssplendourseemedanappropriatesymboltoexpresstheinexpressibleworld-shakingeventthattookplaceonthefirstEasterDay.Thatiswhytheycalledtheirholyday,thedayofthesunorSundayasaweeklyreminderofthisstupendousevent.ThesunnotonlyremindedthemoftheloveofGodthatfilledChristatthemomentofhisResurrection,butofthatsameinfinitelove,asitwasreleasedtofillthemonthefirstPentecostdayandoneverysubsequentdayiftheywereopentoreceiveit.

However,unlikethesunthisinfinitelovingradiatesoutwardandintoallwhowouldreceiveit,notjustduringtheday,butdayandnight,totheendoftime.IfyouthinkthatIamindulginginpioushyperbolethenthinkagain.Noman-made

myth,nofairytalehasevertoldanystorylikethisbefore.Nodreamerhaseverdreamedsuchanincredibletruthasthis–yetitisthegreatesttruthevertoldbythegreatestmanwhoeverlived.

BeforetheResurrectionJesuswaslimitedbythephysicalbodyintowhichhefreelychosetoenter.Hischoicemeantthathecouldonlybeinoneplaceatatime,someetinghimwouldhavebeenasdifficultasmeetinganymajorcelebrityinourtime.Butthathasallchangednow,becausethesameother-worldlylovethatraisedhimoutofthisworldonthefirstEasterdayenabledhimtore-enteritoneveryday.Sonowhecanenterintousashepromised,sothathecanmakehishomeinusandwecanmakeourhomeinhim,ashepromisedattheLastSupper.Allthisispossible,notinsomedistantpipe-dream,buthereandnowinthispresentmoment.ThatiswhyJeanPierredeCaussade,thegreatJesuitmysticsaid,

“Thepresentmomentcontainsfarmorethanwehavethecapacitytoreceive,foritisfullofinfinitetreasures.”

TheseinfinitetreasuresareallcontainedwithintheloveofGod.Then,asthislovefirststrikesahumanheartthatisopentoreceiveit,thatheartactslikeaprism,distributingthislovetoeverypartofthehumanpersonality.Thesespiritualtreasuresarenotonlyfulloftheloveweneed,butthevirtuestoothatlovegenerateswithinus,enablingustoreturnthisloveinkindtoGodandthentosharewhatwehavereceivedwithothers.JeanPierredeCaussadecallsthehereandnow,‘thesacramentofthepresentmoment’,becauseitistheonlymomentwheretimetoucheseternity.

ItistheonlymomentwheretheloveofGodcanreachouttousandwecanreachouttohim,tobeginandtocontinuethejourneyforwhicheveryhumanbeingyearnsdeepdownwithinthem.Itisthejourneytotheultimatemysticalmarriageforwhichweallyearn,whereourloveandtheloveofChristbecomeone,intheThreeinOne,andtoalleternity.Thisiswhatwecallthe‘GoodNews’becauseitisthebestpossiblenewsthatanyonecaneverhear.Butthebadnewsisthattheinfinitelovethatiscontinuallyavailabletousisdifferentfromallotherformsofenergy,becauselovecannotbeforced.Weknowthisfromourownexperienceashumanbeings.Nomatterhowwemightlovesomeoneornomatterhowmuchtheymightloveus,ifthatloveisnotwelcome,ifitisnotreceivedandreciprocated,thenitwillhavenoeffectatall,nomatterhowpowerfulitmaybe.

ItisthesamewithGod’slove.Thatiswhyfromtheverybeginningthefirstquestionaskedbythegreatsaintsandmysticsisnot,“HowdoweloveGod?”but,“Howdowefreelychoosetoturnandopenourselvestoreceivehislove?”Itisonlythenthathislovecanbegintoenterintoourloveinsuchawaythatitcansuffuseandsurchargeourhumanlovingwiththedivine.

Thenitcanbegintheascent,in,withandthroughChrist,throughwhomthisloveisgiven,tocontemplatetheFatherinwhomourfinaldestinyisbroughttoperfection.But,andtherealwaysseemstobea‘but’whenweheargoodnews;ifwedonothingtotrytoreceiveGod’slovethennothingwillhappenexceptthatinsteadofgoingforwardsinthespirituallifewewillgosteadilybackwards.

MakingthespiritualascentintoGodisratherliketryingtorunupadownwardescalator.Themomentyoustopmovingsteadilyforwardsisthemomentwhenyoustartmovingsteadilydownward.Ahermitoncesaidthattheydidnotfearaprecipice,foronlyafoolwouldfalloverit.Itisthesteadydownwardslopethatweshouldfearinthespirituallife.

GoingsteadilyforwardsmeansfindingdailytimetodowhatStPetertoldhislistenerstodowhenhewasthefirsttoannouncethegoodnewsthatGod’slovehadjustbeenunleasedonthefirstPentecostday.HetoldthemtokeepturningandopeningthemselvestoGod’sloveeverymomentoftheirlives.ThisturningandopeningoneselftoreceivetheloveofGodhastobelearnt,andtheplacewhereitislearnthastraditionallybeencalledprayer.Thatiswhythereisnothingmoreimportantinourlivesthanprayer,becausewithoutitwecannotreceivetheonlylovethatcanmakeussufficientlyperfecttoenterintothelifeoftheThreeinOnetowhichwehavebeencalled.ThatiswhyStTeresaofAvilasaid,“Thereisonlyonewaytoperfectionandthatistopray;ifanyonepointsinanotherdirectionthentheyaredeceivingyou.”Thereisnothingthereforemoreimportantthanprayer.

ManyyearsagoIwasprivilegedtoattendaretreatgivenbyCardinalHume.HefirstquotedandthenslightlymodifiedthedefinitionofprayergiveninwhatusedtobecalledthepennyCatechism.“Prayer,”hesaid,“istryingtoraisetheheartandmindtoGod.”Thewordheintroducedtotheolddefinitionwas‘trying’,toemphasisethattheessenceofprayerisallinthetrying.

Thequalityofourprayerisultimatelydeterminedbythequalityofourendeavour.Itwasforthisreasonthatthegreatmysticandmother,Blessed

AngelaofFolignosaidthatprayeris,‘Theschoolofdivinelove’.Inotherwords,itistheplacewherewelearnhowtoloveGodbydailytryingtoraiseourheartsandmindstohim.TherearedifferentmeansandmethodsthattraditionhasgivenustohelpustokeeptryingtoturnandopenourmindsandheartstoGod..TherearenoperfectmeanstohelpuskeeptryingtoraisetheheartandmindtoGod,justdifferentmeans.Whathelpsyouatthebeginning,maynothelpyoulateron.WhathelpsyouinthemorningmaynothelpyouintheeveningWhathelpsme,mightnothelpyou.

PrayingMadeSimple

RememberthefamouswordsofDomJohnChapman,“Prayasyoucanandnotasyoucan’t.”Theacidtestis,doesthismeansofprayerhelpmetokeeptryingtokeepraisingmyheartandmindtoGod?SomemonthsagoIwascommissionedtowritethreelittleinexpensivebooksaboutprayerbyTheCatholicTruthSociety:PrayermadeSimple,MeditationMadeSimple,andContemplationmadeSimple.Thelasttwowillbepublishedlaterthisyear.Thefirst,however,waspublishedonMarch8ththisyearanditshouldbeavailableatthebackofyourchurchnowifyouhaveaCatholicTruthSocietystandwhereitshouldbedisplayed.ItisalsoavailableonAmazon.co.ukandAmazon.com,ordirectlyfromTheCatholicTruthSociety

Thiscontributionisavailableathttp://www.davidtorkington.com/gods-love-and-how-to-receive-it/

Copyrightisretainedbythecontributingauthor(followabovelinkforinfoonthispiece).

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