For anyone who reads this, I would greatly appreciate if you could take a moment and say a prayer for some good friends of mine who have recently been extremely generous to my family. They have always been great friends and we feel very blessed to have them in our lives. Please pray that God blesses them for their generosity. While you're at it, pray for the good friends that you have in your life too!
Thank You!
Monday, February 28, 2011
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Quote of the Day - Confession
Fr. Z on the need for an increase in opportunities to go to confession:
"We need a revival of the sacrament of penance. People should clamor for confessors. They should mention constantly that they need more times for confessions. Perhaps they should even write notes for their weekly envelopes saying: 'When Father schedules more confessions, I will give more money.' I am picturing picket lines, people carrying signs saying 'ISAIAH 1:18!' and 'JOHN 20:23!'. Huge crowds jam the narthex of parish churches, surround empty confessionals and chant “HEAR OUR SINS!” and hold up banners with the priest depicted as Jesus healing a leper and also depicting the priest as the mercenary running away from the flock when the wolf comes. They would start hunger strikes…."
Read the whole post here.
"We need a revival of the sacrament of penance. People should clamor for confessors. They should mention constantly that they need more times for confessions. Perhaps they should even write notes for their weekly envelopes saying: 'When Father schedules more confessions, I will give more money.' I am picturing picket lines, people carrying signs saying 'ISAIAH 1:18!' and 'JOHN 20:23!'. Huge crowds jam the narthex of parish churches, surround empty confessionals and chant “HEAR OUR SINS!” and hold up banners with the priest depicted as Jesus healing a leper and also depicting the priest as the mercenary running away from the flock when the wolf comes. They would start hunger strikes…."
Read the whole post here.
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Sunday Inspiration - The Love of God
Isaiah 49:14-15
“Zion said, ‘The Lord has forsaken me; my Lord has forgotten me.’ Can a mother forget her infant, be without tenderness for the child of her womb? Even should she forget, I will never forget you.”
St. John Cassian, Conference 13
“This providence and love of God therefore, which the Lord in His unwearied goodness vouchsafes to show us, He compares to the tenderest heart of a kind mother, as He wishes to express it by a figure of human affection, and finds in His creatures no such feeling of love to which he could better compare it. And He uses this example, because nothing dearer can be found in human nature, saying: ‘Can a mother forget her child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb?’ But not content with this comparison He at once goes beyond it, and subjoins these words: ‘And though she may forget, yet will not I forget you.’”
“Zion said, ‘The Lord has forsaken me; my Lord has forgotten me.’ Can a mother forget her infant, be without tenderness for the child of her womb? Even should she forget, I will never forget you.”
St. John Cassian, Conference 13
“This providence and love of God therefore, which the Lord in His unwearied goodness vouchsafes to show us, He compares to the tenderest heart of a kind mother, as He wishes to express it by a figure of human affection, and finds in His creatures no such feeling of love to which he could better compare it. And He uses this example, because nothing dearer can be found in human nature, saying: ‘Can a mother forget her child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb?’ But not content with this comparison He at once goes beyond it, and subjoins these words: ‘And though she may forget, yet will not I forget you.’”
Friday, February 25, 2011
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Free Sacred Music
The Tallis Scholars, a wonderful group of singers that specializes in the sacred music of the renaissance, were recently nominated for a Grammy Award for the album, Victoria - Lamentations of Jeremiah. This album includes music for Holy Week by Tomás Luis de Victoria. On the Gimell Records’ website, the “First Lamentation for Maundy Thursday” is available to download for free. I have downloaded it and it is beautiful. Go and do likewise…or just buy the whole album.
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
February 23 – St. Polycarp – Bishop and Martyr
St. Polycarp, bishop of Smyrna, was a disciple of St. John the Evangelist who was martyred about the year 155. His memorial was formerly observed on January 26th.
Among the writings handed down by the early Fathers is an account of St. Polycarp’s martyrdom. Therein we read:
“…the proconsul urging him, and saying, ‘Swear, and I will set you at liberty, reproach Christ’; Polycarp declared, ‘Eighty and six years have I served Him, and He never did me any injury: how then can I blaspheme my King and my Savior?’
“But again the proconsul said to him, ‘I will cause you to be consumed by fire…if you will not repent.’ But Polycarp said, ‘You threaten me with fire which burns for an hour, and after a little [while] is extinguished, but are ignorant of the fire of the coming judgment and of eternal punishment, reserved for the ungodly. But why do you tarry? Bring forth what you will.’”
With that, the Saint was tied to a stake and set on fire. The fire, however did not affect him and he was run through with a dagger, causing so much blood to pour out as to extinguish the fire.
It would do us well when we experience any sort of suffering in our lives to remember the example of the holy martyrs who gladly gave their lives for the sake of Our Lord. Then at all times, good and bad, we can join in praying with thanksgiving as St. Polycarp did as he was going to his death, “I praise You for all things, I bless You, I glorify You, along with the everlasting and heavenly Jesus Christ, Your beloved Son, with whom, to You, and the Holy Ghost, be glory both now and to all coming ages. Amen.”
Among the writings handed down by the early Fathers is an account of St. Polycarp’s martyrdom. Therein we read:
“…the proconsul urging him, and saying, ‘Swear, and I will set you at liberty, reproach Christ’; Polycarp declared, ‘Eighty and six years have I served Him, and He never did me any injury: how then can I blaspheme my King and my Savior?’
“But again the proconsul said to him, ‘I will cause you to be consumed by fire…if you will not repent.’ But Polycarp said, ‘You threaten me with fire which burns for an hour, and after a little [while] is extinguished, but are ignorant of the fire of the coming judgment and of eternal punishment, reserved for the ungodly. But why do you tarry? Bring forth what you will.’”
With that, the Saint was tied to a stake and set on fire. The fire, however did not affect him and he was run through with a dagger, causing so much blood to pour out as to extinguish the fire.
It would do us well when we experience any sort of suffering in our lives to remember the example of the holy martyrs who gladly gave their lives for the sake of Our Lord. Then at all times, good and bad, we can join in praying with thanksgiving as St. Polycarp did as he was going to his death, “I praise You for all things, I bless You, I glorify You, along with the everlasting and heavenly Jesus Christ, Your beloved Son, with whom, to You, and the Holy Ghost, be glory both now and to all coming ages. Amen.”
Monday, February 21, 2011
February 22 – Feast of the Chair of St. Peter
The Altar of the Chair of Peter, St. Peter’s Basilica, Vatican City (Bernini)(image from the St. Peter’s Basilica virtual tour website mentioned yesterday)
St. Matthew 16:13-19
“When Jesus went into the region of Caesarea Philippi he asked his disciples, ‘Who do people say that the Son of Man is?’ They replied, ‘Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.’ He said to them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’ Simon Peter said in reply, ‘You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.’ Jesus said to him in reply, ‘Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah. For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father. And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys to the Kingdom of Heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.’”
Today we celebrate the authority given to St. Peter and his 265 successors by Christ to govern His Church.
We should, in a special way today, offer prayers for strength, wisdom, and courage for our present Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI.
Oremus pro pontifice!
“When Jesus went into the region of Caesarea Philippi he asked his disciples, ‘Who do people say that the Son of Man is?’ They replied, ‘Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.’ He said to them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’ Simon Peter said in reply, ‘You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.’ Jesus said to him in reply, ‘Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah. For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father. And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys to the Kingdom of Heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.’”
Today we celebrate the authority given to St. Peter and his 265 successors by Christ to govern His Church.
We should, in a special way today, offer prayers for strength, wisdom, and courage for our present Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI.
Oremus pro pontifice!
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Sunday Inspiration - Turning the Other Cheek
Matthew 5:38-48
Jesus said to his disciples: “You have heard that it was said, An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. But I say to you, offer no resistance to one who is evil. When someone strikes you on your right cheek, turn the other one as well. If anyone wants to go to law with you over your tunic, hand over your cloak as well. Should anyone press you into service for one mile, go for two miles. Give to the one who asks of you, and do not turn your back on one who wants to borrow. You have heard that it was said, You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your heavenly Father, for he makes his sun rise on the bad and the good, and causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what recompense will you have? Do not the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet your brothers only, what is unusual about that? Do not the pagans do the same? So be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect.”
St. Augustine – from “on the Sermon on the Mount”
“For it is not easy to find anyone who, when he has received a blow, wishes merely to return the blow; and who, on hearing one word from a man who reviles him, is content to return only one, and that just an equivalent; but he avenges it more immoderately, either under the disturbing influence of anger, or because he thinks it just, that he who first inflicted injury should suffer more severe injury than he suffered who had not inflicted injury. Such a spirit was in great measure restrained by the law, where it was written, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth; by which expressions a certain measure is intended, so that the vengeance should not exceed the injury. And this is the beginning of peace: but perfect peace is to have no wish at all for such vengeance.”
Jesus said to his disciples: “You have heard that it was said, An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. But I say to you, offer no resistance to one who is evil. When someone strikes you on your right cheek, turn the other one as well. If anyone wants to go to law with you over your tunic, hand over your cloak as well. Should anyone press you into service for one mile, go for two miles. Give to the one who asks of you, and do not turn your back on one who wants to borrow. You have heard that it was said, You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your heavenly Father, for he makes his sun rise on the bad and the good, and causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what recompense will you have? Do not the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet your brothers only, what is unusual about that? Do not the pagans do the same? So be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect.”
St. Augustine – from “on the Sermon on the Mount”
“For it is not easy to find anyone who, when he has received a blow, wishes merely to return the blow; and who, on hearing one word from a man who reviles him, is content to return only one, and that just an equivalent; but he avenges it more immoderately, either under the disturbing influence of anger, or because he thinks it just, that he who first inflicted injury should suffer more severe injury than he suffered who had not inflicted injury. Such a spirit was in great measure restrained by the law, where it was written, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth; by which expressions a certain measure is intended, so that the vengeance should not exceed the injury. And this is the beginning of peace: but perfect peace is to have no wish at all for such vengeance.”
Catholic Films
The Cardinal - an excellent film about the life of a Catholic priest during the first half of the 20th century
Friday, February 18, 2011
Trust
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, on your own intelligence rely not; In all your ways be mindful of him, and he will make straight your paths.”
-Proverbs 3:5-6
-Proverbs 3:5-6
Thursday, February 17, 2011
on the reading of Holy Scripture
“Doubtless Christ spoke no words in vain. The Eternal Wisdom of God did not utter His voice that we might at once catch up His words in an irreverent manner, think we understand them at a glance, and pass over them. But His words endureth forever; it has a depth of meaning suited to all times and places, and hardly and painfully to be understood in any. They who think they enter into it easily, may be quite sure they do not enter into it at all.”
-Bl. John Henry Newman, from “Knowledge of God’s Will Without Obedience”
-Bl. John Henry Newman, from “Knowledge of God’s Will Without Obedience”
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Catholic Music
The Catholic Church has a very long history of great music. Unfortunately, many parishes today limit the selections sung at Mass to songs written within the last 30 years, ignoring all the beautiful chants and sacred hymns that have been sung for hundreds of years. The parish to which my wife and I formerly belonged was one of these parishes. We have since joined a different parish where the choir sings a nice range of music, including many traditional chants and hymns. My wife recently joined this choir. This past Sunday was her first time singing with them. They sounded great! After Mass, she came down from the choir loft with a few sheets of music that she was to practice for future Masses. I was quite excited to see William Byrd’s arrangement of Ave Verum Corpus. I’ve included a video of this beautiful composition below.
This, of course, has left me wondering why other parishes ignore all this great music from the past and only sing songs written since the second Vatican Council. Encourage your pastors and choir directors to preserve our great culture and traditions!
In the meantime, listen to the song below and read the book, Why Catholics Can’t Sing.
This, of course, has left me wondering why other parishes ignore all this great music from the past and only sing songs written since the second Vatican Council. Encourage your pastors and choir directors to preserve our great culture and traditions!
In the meantime, listen to the song below and read the book, Why Catholics Can’t Sing.
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Monday, February 14, 2011
February 15 – St. Claude de la Colombière
St. Claude was a French Jesuit of the 17th century who preached in England and helped to foster devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. He was beatified in 1929 by Pope Pius XI and canonized in 1992 by Pope John Paul II.
One of his writings is included in the book, Trustful Surrender to Divine Providence, published by TAN Books. This book has been one of the most challenging and influential books in my life in the past few years. I recommend that everyone obtain a copy and read it, over and over again!
One of his writings is included in the book, Trustful Surrender to Divine Providence, published by TAN Books. This book has been one of the most challenging and influential books in my life in the past few years. I recommend that everyone obtain a copy and read it, over and over again!
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Sunday Inspiration - Hard Teachings
Matthew 5:17-37
Jesus said to his disciples: “Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets. I have come not to abolish but to fulfill. Amen, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away,not the smallest letter or the smallest part of a letter will pass from the law, until all things have taken place. Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do so will be called least in the kingdom of heaven. But whoever obeys and teaches these commandments will be called greatest in the kingdom of heaven. I tell you, unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.
“You have heard that it was said to your ancestors, You shall not kill; and whoever kills will be liable to judgment. But I say to you, whoever is angry with brother will be liable to judgment; and whoever says to brother, ‘Raqa,’ will be answerable to the Sanhedrin; and whoever says, ‘You fool,’ will be liable to fiery Gehenna. Therefore, if you bring your gift to the altar, and there recall that your brother has anything against you, leave your gift there at the altar, go first and be reconciled with your brother, and then come and offer your gift. Settle with your opponent quickly while on the way to court. Otherwise your opponent will hand you over to the judge, and the judge will hand you over to the guard, and you will be thrown into prison. Amen, I say to you, you will not be released until you have paid the last penny.
“You have heard that it was said, You shall not commit adultery. But I say to you, everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one of your members than to have your whole body thrown into Gehenna. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one of your members than to have your whole body go into Gehenna.
“It was also said, Whoever divorces his wife must give her a bill of divorce. But I say to you, whoever divorces his wife - unless the marriage is unlawful -causes her to commit adultery,and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.
“Again you have heard that it was said to your ancestors, Do not take a false oath, but make good to the Lord all that you vow. But I say to you, do not swear at all; not by heaven, for it is God’s throne; nor by the earth, for it is his footstool; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King.D o not swear by your head, for you cannot make a single hair white or black. Let your ‘Yes’ mean ‘Yes,' and your ‘No’ mean ‘No.’ Anything more is from the evil one.”
St. John Chrysostom
Homily 16 on St. Matthew
“But when you hear, least in the kingdom of Heaven, surmise nothing but hell and torments. For He was used to mean by the kingdom, not merely the enjoyment thereof, but also the time of the resurrection, and that awful coming. And how could it be reasonable, that while he who called his brother fool, and transgressed but one commandment, falls into hell; the breaker of them all, and instigator of others to the same, should be within the kingdom. This therefore is not what He means, but that such a one will be at that time least, that is, cast out, last. And he that is last will surely then fall into hell. For, being God, He foreknew the laxity of the many, He foreknew that some would think these sayings were merely hyperbolical, and would argue about the laws, and say, What, if any one call another a fool, is he punished? If one merely look on a woman, does he become an adulterer? For this very cause He, destroying such insolence beforehand, has set down the strongest denunciation against either sort, as well them who transgress, as them who lead on others so to do.”
Thank God for the absolution that comes from the sacrament of penance! We should frequently seek the forgiveness and grace that the Lord offers us through confession.
Jesus said to his disciples: “Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets. I have come not to abolish but to fulfill. Amen, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away,not the smallest letter or the smallest part of a letter will pass from the law, until all things have taken place. Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do so will be called least in the kingdom of heaven. But whoever obeys and teaches these commandments will be called greatest in the kingdom of heaven. I tell you, unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.
“You have heard that it was said to your ancestors, You shall not kill; and whoever kills will be liable to judgment. But I say to you, whoever is angry with brother will be liable to judgment; and whoever says to brother, ‘Raqa,’ will be answerable to the Sanhedrin; and whoever says, ‘You fool,’ will be liable to fiery Gehenna. Therefore, if you bring your gift to the altar, and there recall that your brother has anything against you, leave your gift there at the altar, go first and be reconciled with your brother, and then come and offer your gift. Settle with your opponent quickly while on the way to court. Otherwise your opponent will hand you over to the judge, and the judge will hand you over to the guard, and you will be thrown into prison. Amen, I say to you, you will not be released until you have paid the last penny.
“You have heard that it was said, You shall not commit adultery. But I say to you, everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one of your members than to have your whole body thrown into Gehenna. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one of your members than to have your whole body go into Gehenna.
“It was also said, Whoever divorces his wife must give her a bill of divorce. But I say to you, whoever divorces his wife - unless the marriage is unlawful -causes her to commit adultery,and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.
“Again you have heard that it was said to your ancestors, Do not take a false oath, but make good to the Lord all that you vow. But I say to you, do not swear at all; not by heaven, for it is God’s throne; nor by the earth, for it is his footstool; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King.D o not swear by your head, for you cannot make a single hair white or black. Let your ‘Yes’ mean ‘Yes,' and your ‘No’ mean ‘No.’ Anything more is from the evil one.”
St. John Chrysostom
Homily 16 on St. Matthew
“But when you hear, least in the kingdom of Heaven, surmise nothing but hell and torments. For He was used to mean by the kingdom, not merely the enjoyment thereof, but also the time of the resurrection, and that awful coming. And how could it be reasonable, that while he who called his brother fool, and transgressed but one commandment, falls into hell; the breaker of them all, and instigator of others to the same, should be within the kingdom. This therefore is not what He means, but that such a one will be at that time least, that is, cast out, last. And he that is last will surely then fall into hell. For, being God, He foreknew the laxity of the many, He foreknew that some would think these sayings were merely hyperbolical, and would argue about the laws, and say, What, if any one call another a fool, is he punished? If one merely look on a woman, does he become an adulterer? For this very cause He, destroying such insolence beforehand, has set down the strongest denunciation against either sort, as well them who transgress, as them who lead on others so to do.”
Thank God for the absolution that comes from the sacrament of penance! We should frequently seek the forgiveness and grace that the Lord offers us through confession.
Friday, February 11, 2011
Distributism - Catholic Economics
I have recently been reading a bit about the economic system known as distributism. This system was championed by the likes of G.K. Chesterton and Hilaire Belloc and based on the encyclical of Pope Leo XIII, Rerum Novarum. Below are some links to the Distributist Review, a website dedicated to this idea. There is tons of information and links on the site. Reading some of it recently has truly been enlightening. Check it out!
Home page
FAQs
Introductory reading
Home page
FAQs
Introductory reading
Return
It has been a bit over a year since I have posted on this blog. In that time, my daughter was born and has subsequently taken up much of my time. I have decided, however, to try to find the time to continue the blog because I thoroughly enjoyed researching and writing about topics related to the Church and its history, liturgy, and teachings. I cannot guarantee any sort of consistency as to the frequency of the posts, but I will try my best, God-willing, to keep it up to date. I know that I did not have a large readership, but I did receive a number of encouraging comments from people who did read it and enjoy it. Thank you to those people and all who read what I post on here!
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