Archive for the ‘Christian Perfection’ Category

Refusing Signs — Monday, 6th Week of Ordinary Time—Year II

February 17, 2014

Readings: James 1:1-11, Mark 8:11-13

The Pharisees came forward and began to argue with Jesus, seeking from him a sign from heaven to test him. He sighed from the depth of his spirit and said, “Why does this generation seek a sign? Amen, I say to you, no sign will be given to this generation.

Yet, soon before this scene in Mark’s Gospel, Jesus took seven loaves and a few fish and miraculously fed about 4,000 people with them. That is a sign as surely as his resurrection will be, so how can Jesus say “no sign will be given to this generation”? Perhaps because there was no sign that his critics would accept.

The Pharisees sought “a sign from heaven.” If Jesus had performed some meteorological sign for them they may well have judged him as more evil than they had thought, in union with the demons of the air, just as they had condemned his manifest power to cast out demons. (Mark 3:21-30) They asked for proof but refused to accept evidence in his favor–they were of people of two minds, like St. James describes in the first reading:

But if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly, and he will be given it. But he should ask in faith, not doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed about by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord, since he is a man of two minds, unstable in all his ways.

Let us pray for those who do not believe; for the sincere, that they may be given sufficient evidence to change their minds, and for the obstinate, that their hardened hearts may be opened. And let us who believe in God (as even the Pharisees did) not cause Jesus to “[sigh] from the depth of his spirit.” Let us be trusting and docile in following him.

The Importance of Praise — Wednesday, 5th Week of Ordinary Time—Year II

February 12, 2014

Readings: 1 Kings 10:1-10, Mark 7:14-23

Solomon & the Queen of Sheba, Pleased to Meet Each Other.The Queen of Sheba was genuinely impressed by King Solomon and told him so: “The report I heard in my country about your deeds and your wisdom is true,” she told the king. “Though I did not believe the report until I came and saw with my own eyes, I have discovered that they were not telling me the half. Your wisdom and prosperity surpass the report I heard. Blessed are your men, blessed these servants of yours, who stand before you always and listen to your wisdom. Blessed be the LORD, your God, whom it has pleased to place you on the throne of Israel. In his enduring love for Israel, the LORD has made you king to carry out judgment and justice.” This was not flattery, lies told to manipulate him, but real praise. The praises the Queen spoke to the son of David equally apply to Jesus Christ.

When we perceive good things in another, we should note and compliment it. Not only does this encourage and help that person, but it benefits us as well; it increases our humility, gratitude, and joy. We should especially praise God, not because He needs it (though He appreciates it,) but because the praise which comes “from within the man, from his heart,” helps to sanctify him. As one Mass Preface says, “You have no need of our praise, yet our desire to thank You is itself Your gift. Our prayer of thanksgiving adds nothing to Your greatness, but makes us grow in Your grace, through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

Praying For Rain — February 10 — St. Scholastica

February 10, 2014

While some people only pray when they need or want something, others pray frequently but hesitate to ask anything for themselves. Like the Prodigal Son’s older brother, these think it more proper to never ask God for special gifts (not “even a young goat to feast on with” their friends.) However, the Office of Readings selection for St. Scholastica written by St. Pope Gregory the Great shows us that God is pleased to give His children the good gifts they request:

Scholastica, the sister of Saint Benedict, had been consecrated to God from her earliest years. She was accustomed to visiting her brother once a year. He would come down to meet her at a place on the monastery property, not far outside the gate. One day she came as usual and her saintly brother went with some of his disciples; they spent the whole day praising God and talking of sacred things. As night fell they had supper together.

Their spiritual conversation went on and the hour grew late. The holy nun said to her brother: “Please do not leave me tonight; let us go on until morning talking about the delights of the spiritual life.” “Sister,” he replied, “what are you saying? I simply cannot stay outside my cell.” When she heard her brother refuse her request, the holy woman joined her hands on the table, laid her head on them and began to pray. As she raised her head from the table, there were such brilliant flashes of lightning, such great peals of thunder and such a heavy downpour of rain that neither Benedict nor his brethren could stir across the threshold of the place where they had been seated. Sadly he began to complain: “May God forgive you, sister. What have you done?” “Well,” she answered, “I asked you and you would not listen; so I asked my God and he did listen. So now go off, if you can, leave me and return to your monastery.” Reluctant as he was to stay of his own will, he remained against his will. So it came about that they stayed awake the whole night, engrossed in their conversation about the spiritual life.

It is not surprising that she was more effective than he, since as John says, God is love, it was absolutely right that she could do more, as she loved more. Three days later, Benedict was in his cell. Looking up to the sky, he saw his sister’s soul leave her body in the form of a dove, and fly up to the secret places of heaven. Rejoicing in her great glory, he thanked almighty God with hymns and words of praise. He then sent his brethren to bring her body to the monastery and lay it in the tomb he had prepared for himself. Their minds had always been united in God; their bodies were to share a common grave.

Stained Glass Symbols — The Host & Chalice

February 8, 2014

Host and Chalice - Sacred Heart Catholic Church -  Wauzeka WIA Symbol of Christ’s Death

Jesus Christ is really and truly present in the Eucharist Host and chalice, yet the Host and chalice are symbolic as well. At the Last Supper, Jesus took bread, broke it, and said, “This is my body, which will be given up for you.” Then he took a chalice of wine and said, “This is the chalice of my blood… which will be poured out for you…” When a living creature’s blood is separated from its broken body, death naturally follows. Though Christ’s Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity are fully present in every fragment of the Host and in every drop of the chalice, the symbolic separation of Jesus’ body and blood points to his sacrificial death.

Stained Glass Symbols — The Ten Commandments

February 7, 2014

Ten Commandments - Sacred Heart Catholic Church -  Wauzeka WIA Symbol of God’s Laws

The two stone tablets Moses brought down from Mount Sinai were not inscribed with Roman numerals, but this is how God’s Ten Commandments, the Decalogue, are often symbolized. Why are #1 through #3 (I, II, III) on one tablet, while #4 through #10 are depicted on the other? This is because the first three commandments relate primarily to God, while the latter seven relate to our neighbors.

Stained Glass Symbols — The Burning Incense

January 29, 2014

Burning Incense - Sacred Heart Catholic Church -  Wauzeka WIA Symbol of Prayer

The ancient Jews saw the burning of incense at the temple as a symbol of their prayer rising up to God. “Let my prayer be incense before you.” (Psalm 141:2) In Heaven, saints are seen in offering burning incense to the Lord. “Each of the elders held a harp and gold bowls filled with incense, which are the prayers of the holy ones.” (Revelation 5:8) In our churches, the temples of the New Covenant, where Earth joins Heaven in the Mass, we offer incense with our prayers before the Lord.

A Hidden Parable — 3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time—Year A

January 26, 2014

Gospel Reading:  Matthew 4:12-23

Simon Peter and Andrew were casting a net into the sea. Jesus said to them, “Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.” James and John were mending their nets when Jesus called them.

Fish = Scattered Humanity
Sea = The chaotic, deadly, fish-eat-fish World
Boat = The Church (like Noah’s Ark)
Fishermen = Christ’s Disciples
Nets = The Good News, the Content of the Faith
Casting Nets = Evangelizing Others
Mending Nets = Repairing Gaps in our Understanding

Fishermen draw fish from the sea into their boat using nets which must be both cast and mended. Christian disciples likewise draw men from the world into the Church by both sharing the Good News and ever more deeply grasping its saving content.

“Miracles Happen,” or “Atheism Can be a Dogmatic Faith”

January 23, 2014

A neat article by National Catholic Register’s Mark Shea recounts how the miracles of Lourdes can bestow faith to an atheist or reveal his hardened heart.

An Introduction to St. Francis de Sales

January 16, 2014

St. Francis (1567-1622) defines “true devotion” as the love of God in its highest form. He notes that our devotional practices will vary according to our state of life (be it bishop, monk, husband, wife, maiden, widow, etc.) yet he insists that true devotion perfects every sort of Christian life. In An Introduction to the Devout Life, his most famous work, this Doctor (or “teacher”) of the Church lays out lessons for growing in the love of God.

After stating the importance of having a spiritual guide, he describes how the soul can be purified from mortal sins and affections for them; through a thorough general confession and using ten evocative meditations: on God’s creation, our purpose, God’s mercies, our sins, our death, our judgment, Hell, Paradise, our choice for Paradise, and our choice for a devout life. He says we must next lay aside our attachments to venial sins, and purify ourselves from even neutral things which are unhelpful or potentially dangerous for our souls. The remainder of his book is full of good counsel on prayer, practicing virtue, and the soul’s trials and consolations; such as:

»Devote one hour to mental prayer daily, preferably in the morning at a church (where, unlike home, you won’t be interrupted.)

» Realize God is ever with you and within you.

» At night, review your day: thank God, ask for mercy, make resolutions, and request help.

» “Your chief aim in Holy Communion should be to advance, strengthen, and comfort yourself in the Love of God.”

» Choose a specific virtue to focus on growing.

» The more you appreciate God’s mercies, the more you will love Him.

» Good recreation becomes harmful when given excessive time, energy, or importance.

» “Put yourself into your neighbor’s place, and him in yours, and then you will judge fairly.”

» The world opposes true devotion and is an unjust judge; partial and indulgent to its own children, harsh and rigorous toward God’s.

» Feeling a temptation is not the same as yielding or consenting to it (which is sin.)

» As a frightened child flees to her parent’s arms, so fly to God amid temptation for mercy and help.

A Rose Novena to St. Therese of Lisieux

September 22, 2013

Today, September 22nd, is the day to begin your nine-day novena to St. Therese, the Little Flower. Here’s a prayer you can use:

O Little Therese of the Child Jesus, please pick for me a rose from the heavenly gardens and send it to me as a message of love. O Little Flower of Jesus, ask God today to grant the favors I now place with confidence in your hands…

(State your personal intentions)

St. Therese, help me to always believe as you did, in God’s great love for me, so that I might imitate your “Little Way” each day. Amen.

Our Father…
Hail Mary…
Glory Be…

(After this novena, don’t be surprised if you find a rose.)

Simon’s Missed Opportunity — Thursday, 24th Week in Ordinary Time—Year I

September 19, 2013

Simon the Pharisee missed his opportunity. He invited Jesus to his house, but neglected to provide him water for his feet, oil for his head, or a kiss of greeting. Maybe Simon was preoccupied and the oversight was accidental, or maybe the discourtesy was intended, but in any case Simon failed to minister to Jesus from head to toe, he missed this chance to show him love.

We, however, are offered Simon’s opportunity every day, for the members of Christ’s body are in our midst. When we serve and greet them, his high and his lowly, we are serving  and loving him. Whatever you do for one of the least brothers of his, you do for him. (Matthew 25:40)

Pope Francis’ August Prayer Intentions

August 6, 2013

General Intention: Parents and Teachers
That parents and teachers may help the new generation to grow in upright conscience and life.

Missionary Intention: The Church in Africa
That the local Church in Africa, faithfully proclaiming the Gospel, may promote peace and justice.

The Wisdom of the Saints

July 25, 2013

“You cannot be half a saint; you must be a whole saint
or no saint at all.”

-St. Therese of Lisieux

“If you are what you should be, you will set the whole world ablaze!”

St. Catherine of Sienna

“You learn to speak by speaking, to study by studying, to run by running, to work by  working, and just so, you learn to love by loving. All those who think to learn in any other way deceive themselves.”

-St. Francis de Sales

“Let us go forward in peace, our eyes upon heaven,
the only one goal of our labors.”

-St. Therese of Lisieux

“Love God, serve God; everything is in that.”

-St. Clare of Assisi

“Pray as though everything depended on God.
Work as though everything depended on you.”

-St. Augustine

“Pray, hope, and don’t worry”

-St. Pio of Pietrelcino

St. Paul’s Advice to Thessalonica’s Parish and Yours

June 18, 2013
  • Encourage and build one another up.
  • Respect, honor, and love those who serve over you in the Lord.
  • Be at peace among yourselves.
  • Admonish the idle.
  • Cheer the fainthearted.
  • Support the weak.
  • Be patient with all.
  • Never return evil for evil.
  • Always seek what is good for all.
  • Always rejoice.
  • Always pray.
  • Always give thanks.
  • Do not quench the Spirit.
  • Do not despise prophetic utterances.
  • Test everything; retain what is good.
  • Refrain from every kind of evil.

(See 1 Thessalonians 5)

Giving Our Best — 11th Sunday in Ordinary Time—Year C

June 15, 2013

After the great sins of David, regarding Bathsheba and Uriah, God told King David, “I anointed you king of Israel. I rescued you from the hand of Saul. I gave you your lord’s house and your lord’s wives for your own. I gave you the house of Israel and of Judah. And if this were not enough, I could count up for you still more.” God says this to reveal the ingratitude of David and to prompt a change in the way that David lives. We’ve all been richly blessed also, therefore, we must also live properly.

All good things in life come from God: every beauty you behold with your senses, every useful possession you own, every kind person you know, every good personal characteristic you have, all of these are gifts from God to you. We are not the masters of the things we have or are. We are stewards of these gifts and our Lord is God.

Between God and us there is an immeasurable inequality, for we have received everything from him, our Creator. Our service is not about repaying to God for his loans and our debts. But God has freely chosen to associate man with the work of his grace. ‘By works of the law alone no one will be justified.’ But when we do good works out of love for Christ, by his grace working in us, Jesus rewards us.

“Do you see this woman?” Jesus asks Simon the Pharisee. From her wealth, she gave fine perfume. In her heart, she gave sad tears. From her strength, she gave humble service. From her beauty, she gave her hair soft. From her body, she gave affectionate kisses. The woman gave their best gifts to Jesus because she was forgiven and loved much. She is an example for us. Jesus Christ, who has given you the good things you have, deserves your best gifts of love. And every time you do, he will reward you for our gifts.

Después de los grandes pecados de David, con respecto a Betsabé y Urías, Dios dijo al rey David, “Yo te consagré rey de Israel y te libré de las manos de Saúl, te confié la casa de tu Señor y puse sus mujeres en tus brazos; te di poder sobre Judá e Israel, y si todo esto te parece poco, estoy dispuesto a darte todavía más.” Dios dice esto a revelar la ingratitud de David, y fomentar un cambio en la forma de como David vive. Todos hemos sido ricamente bendecidos también, por lo tanto, debemos vivir apropiadamente también.

Todas las cosas buenas de su vida vienen de Dios: cada belleza que contemplas con tus sentidos, cada posesión útil que posees, cada persona amable que conoces, cada buena característica de la persona que tienes, todos de estos son dones de Dios para ti. No somos los amos de las cosas que tenemos o somos. Somos mayordomos de estos dones y nuestro Señor es Dios.

Entre Dios y nosotros, la desigualdad no tiene medida, porque nosotros lo hemos recibido todo de Él, nuestro Creador. Nuestro servicio no es sobre pagar a Dios por sus créditos y nuestras deudas. Pero Dios ha dispuesto libremente asociar al hombre a la obra de su gracia. ‘Nadie queda justificado por el cumplimiento de la ley sólo.’ Pero cuando hacemos buenas obras por amor a Cristo, por su gracia que obrando en nosotros, Jesús nos recompensa.

“¿Ves a esta mujer?” Jesús pregunta a Simón el fariseo. De su riqueza, ella dio fina perfume. De su corazón, ella dio tristes lágrimas. De su fuerza, ella dio servicio humilde. De su belleza, ella dio su cabello suave. De su cuerpo, ella dio besos cariñosos. La mujer dio sus mejores regalos a Jesús porque ella fue perdonado y amado mucho. Ella es un ejemplo para nosotros. Jesucristo, quien nos ha dado las cosas buenas que tenemos, merece recibir nuestras mejores regalos de amor. Y, cada vez que lo hacemos, él nos recompensará nuestros dones.