Keep
your eyes open!...
April 30, 2009
THE TRIB TIMES WILL RETURN NEXT
WEEK, GOD WILLING (James 4:15).
(Rom 8:17-18) And
if sons, heirs also; heirs indeed of God and joint heirs with Christ:
yet so, if we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified with him.
For I reckon that the sufferings of this time are not worthy to be
compared with the glory to come that shall be revealed in us.
EXCERPT BLOGGER: Daily Mass... ready to die
I
have become almost completely fearless! In this day and age where
calamity can befall us at any point in time, I move around without a
care in the world. And if Jesus Christ himself can subject himself to a
violent and painful death, what right do I have to shy away from such
an end? Granted, one does not pray for a brutal death, but my Christian
faith compels me to accept the possibility calmly, even if I don't
yearn such a death.
EXCERPT: The Shortness of Life by St. Alphonsus de Liguori
Third Point - Importance of the Last Moment
(Job 14, 1) "Man born of a woman, living a short time … who cometh forth like a flower, and is destroyed."
How
great, then, the folly of those who, for the miserable and transitory
delights of this short life, exposes themselves to the danger of an
unhappy eternity. Oh! How important is that last moment, that last
gasp, the last closing of the scene! On it depends an eternity either
of all delights or of all torments - a life of eternal happiness or of
everlasting woe.
Let us consider that Jesus Christ submitted
to a cruel and ignominious death in order to obtain for us the grace of
a good death. That we may at that last moment die in the grace of God,
is the reason why He gives us so many calls, so many lights, and
admonishes us by so many threats.
Antisthenes, though a pagan,
being asked what was the greatest blessing which man could receive in
this world, answered, "A good death."
And what will a Catholic
say, who knows by faith, that at the moment of death eternity begins,
and that at that moment he lays hold of one of two wheels, which draws
with it either eternal joy or everlasting torments? If there were two
tickets in a lottery, on one of which might be written Hell and on the
other Heaven, what care would you not take to draw that which gives you
a right to Paradise, and to avoid the other, by which you would win a
place in Hell! O God! How the hands of those unhappy men tremble who
are condemned to throw the dice on which their life or death depends!
How great will be your terror at the approach of that last hour, when
you will say: On this moment depends my life or death for eternity; on
this depends whether I shall be forever happy or forever in despair!
St.
Bernardine of Sienna relates, that at death a certain prince exclaimed,
with trembling and dismay: Behold, I have so many kingdoms and palaces
in this world; but if I die this night I know not what apartment shall
be assigned to me.
Brother, if you believe that you must die,
that there is an eternity, that you can die only once, and that if you
then err, your error will be forever irreparable, why do you not
resolve to begin at this moment to do all in your power to secure a
good death? St. Andrew Avellino said with trembling: "Who knows what
will be my lot in the next life? Shall I be saved or damned?"
The
thought of the uncertainty of being damned or saved filled St. Louis
Bertrand with so much terror, that he could not sleep during the night,
because of this thought which would suggest to him: "Who knows whether
thou wilt be lost?" And will not you, who have committed so many sins,
tremble?
Oh! Hasten to apply a remedy in time. Resolve to give
yourself sincerely to God, and begin from this moment a life which, at
the hour of death, will be to you a source, not of affliction, but of
consolation. Give yourself to prayer, frequent the sacraments, avoid
all dangerous occasions, and, if necessary, leave the world, secure to
yourself eternal salvation, and be persuaded that to secure eternal
life no precaution can be too great.
RELATED: Mortal sin: The what, why and how to heal
SWINE FLU INFO FOR FEARLESS CATHOLICS
FACTBOX: Top Swine Flu Myths Debunked
COMMON SENSE PREPARATION: http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/Content/HHS/phs/communicabledisease/Immunization/panflu/PDFs/Stay-At-Home_Toolkit.pdf
IN THE NEWS: Mexicans put faith in Christ as flu fears grow
WILL WALL STREET EVER LEARN?: Don't fear the swine flu . . . trade it
Saint Bernardo Tolomei, Pray for Us!
Ladder
of Divine Ascent excerpt: Step 15- "On incorruptible purity and chastity"
37. The mother of sweetness is earth and dew, and
the mother of purity is stillness with obedience. Dispassion of the body
attained by stillness has often been shaken on coming into contact with
the world; but that obtained by obedience is genuine and inviolable everywhere.
April 29, 2009
(Luke 12:11-12) And
when they shall bring you into the synagogues and to magistrates and
powers, be not solicitous how or what you shall answer, or what you
shall say. For the Holy Ghost shall teach you in the same hour what you
must say.
EDITORIAL: 'Catholic' a mere label? by the Most Reverend Joseph A. Galante, D.D., J.C.D. Bishop of Camden
HEADLINE: Ex-Vatican Ambassador Declines Notre Dame Honor Over Obama Invitation
Citing
concerns about plans to honour President Barack Obama despite his views
on "fundamental principles of justice" that are contrary to Catholic
teaching, former U.S. Ambassador to the Vatican Mary Ann Glendon has
turned down the prestigious Laetare Medal from the University of Notre
Dame.
In an April 27 letter to Holy Cross Father John I.
Jenkins, Notre Dame's president, Glendon said she will not participate
in May 17 commencement exercises during which the award was to have
been presented.
The letter, posted on the blog of the magazine
First Things, does not mention specific justice principles, but Glendon
was critical of Notre Dame's decision to give Obama an honorary degree.
Obama
supports legal abortion and his administration recently proposed new
regulations that would allow the use of federal funds for embryonic
stem-cell research. Both are in direct conflict with fundamental church
teaching.
The Laetare Medal is presented annually to an American
Catholic layperson for outstanding service to the Catholic Church and
society.
A spokeswoman for the Indiana university confirmed
April 27 that Glendon, who served as ambassador from 2007 until earlier
this year, was the first person to accept and then later decline the
award.
Father Jenkins offered a two-sentence response on the university's Web site.
"We
are, of course, disappointed, that Professor Glendon has made this
decision," his statement said. "It is our intention to award the
Laetare Medal to another deserving recipient, and we will make the
announcement as soon as possible."
LINK TO LETTER: http://www.firstthings.com/blog/2009/04/27/declining-notre-dame-a-letter-from-mary-ann-glendon/
INSIDE THE VATICAN NEWSFLASH: The Bravery of Glendon
LIFENEWS.COM: White House, Notre Dame Respond to Mary Ann Glendon's Pro-Life Principles
HUMAN LIFE INTERNATIONAL: Shake Down the Thunder on Notre Dame
MORE HEADLINES:
Pope Benedict XVI canonizes 5 new saints
Pope
Benedict XVI named five new saints Sunday, including Portugal's 14th
century independence leader and a priest who ministered to factory
workers at the dawn of the industrial era.
Speaking in a packed
St. Peter's Square, Benedict praised each of the five as a model for
the faithful, saying their lives and works were as relevant today as
when they were alive.
Cardinal John Newman poised for beatification after ruling
A
panel of theological consultors agreed unanimously that the
inexplicable healing of an American man who was "bent double" by a
severe spinal disorder came as a result of praying to Newman for a
miracle, according to sources. Their decision was the final hurdle
before Pope Benedict XVI can declare him "Blessed".
Ladder
of Divine Ascent excerpt: Step 15- "On incorruptible purity and chastity"
36. Purity is the fellowship with and likeness
to God, so far as is possible for men.
April 28, 2009
(John
5:43) I am come in the name of my Father, and you receive me not: if
another shall come in his own name, him you will receive.
BLOG: 'The Truth' Painting is Obama as Jesus Christ
In honor of Barack Obama's 100th day in office, an artist has painted
what is just one more rendering of Obama as Jesus Christ complete with
crown of thorns. 'The Truth' will be unveiled on April 29th in Union
Square in New York City.
HOMILY EXCERPT (02/09): “The cult of Moloch lives on today”
The first 100 days of a new presidency is the time when
legislation desired by the new leader is rammed through the congress
without much discussion and over the objections of the minority party.
It often is not good legislation, has been brewing in the hearts of
special interest groups for years, who now have a vehicle to impose
their will on the American people.
If the special interest groups have their way, it will spell the end of
days for the American nation as we have known it since 1776.
Abominations will be forced on us by the new government, such as which
our founders never had intended, and certainly opposed to the Christian
life: abortion on demand, homogenital sex, lust in all its forms,
euthanasia, oppression of opportunity and entrepreneurs, silencing of
faith and free speech among many.
In the Old Testament, God's chosen people abandoned Him and sacrificed
their own innocent children to a demon god called Moloch in hopes of a
good harvest to feed themselves. The cult of Moloch lives on today, but
just not under the god's formal name, but in the name of abortion, or
rightly put, murder of children in the womb to promote false promises,
ruined lives, and degraded humanity.
Abortion is our god and Obama, Pelosi, Kennedy are his prophets. His
sacrifice is the life of infants and the souls of mothers. His priests
are doctors who perform abortions. His church is Planned Parenthood and
FOCA, (freedom of choice act). His covenant promises rights and freedom
for women. It delivers death of infants, permanent damage to the souls
of women, of men, of politicians.
MORE: http://www.calcatholic.com/news/newsArticle.aspx?id=290d52c0-6e71-45b8-958c-bb9a7aa44eb3
APOSTACY IN THE HEADLINES
Most U.S. Christians Don't Believe Satan, Holy Spirit Exist
Study Shows Americans Leave Religion Due to Drift, Not Rupture
Quebec Catholics leave fold
Ladder
of Divine Ascent excerpt: Step 15- "On incorruptible purity and chastity"
34. As long as sorrow and despair are present,
we do not so easily abandon ourselves to further sin. But when sorrow and
despair are quenched, the tyrant speaks to us again of God's mercy.
April 24, 2009
THE TRIB TIMES WILL RETURN NEXT
WEEK, GOD WILLING (James 4:15).
(Heb 10:23) Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering (for he is faithful that hath promised):
EDITORIAL REPLY: Bishops' responsibility is to always tell the truth
Dick Polman's commentary last Sunday, "Catholic hierarchy finds the flock isn't so easily led," made for interesting reading as the Catholic Church began Holy Week on Palm Sunday.
Polman
fails to realize that the mission of both the Catholic Church and its
bishops is to teach the truth, regardless of the percentage of
Catholics accepting it, or the time of year.
Polman writes that
Catholics for Choice legitimize their support of the killing of
innocent human life in the womb based on their research into Church
history. According to Polman, they note that St. Thomas Aquinas and St.
Augustine never decreed the fetus to be a person during the early
stages of pregnancy.
The fact is that such a discussion at the
time of Aquinas and Augustine had absolutely nothing to do with the
abortion issue. Both of these great saints believed that life in the
womb was sacred and that the willful destruction of it was a "morally
intrinsic evil." While the science of their day was very primitive, I
am sure that they would be amazed to find themselves being used in 2009
to support the horrific crime of abortion, when medical science has
proven that the DNA defining each one of us commences at conception.
Likewise,
the "Catholic left" using the 1974 Vatican document on abortion to
legitimize its position should examine the 2008 Vatican document that
clearly gives the updated teaching on the "Dignity of the Human Person."
The
bishops of the United States are not in the business of running
campaigns for or against public officials. The role of the bishops is
to teach the Gospel of Jesus, and to ask those who would be His
followers to form their lives on the truth of the Gospel and to
encourage others to do the same. In the end, it is not about orthodoxy.
It is about truth. It may be well for all Catholics to remember -
especially during Holy Week - that society put Jesus to death for His
witness to the truth. For that witness, we should all be grateful.
Most Rev. Joseph P. McFadden
EXCERPT OF ARTICLE WRITTEN SHORTLY AFTER THE RISE OF NAZISM:
"Such is the weight of truth, so hard the burden of the good that
unfortunately many people, albeit sincere Catholics allowed themselves
to be hoodwinked by the maneuver. They lacked that hunger and thirst
for justice which is the root of holy intransigence. They lacked that
appetite for full-fledged Catholicism that would lead them to reject as
an impurity any alliance with revolutionary leavens of the times.
Things very markedly Catholic, exclusively Catholic, hurt their eyes as
the sun hurts those of nocturnal birds. They preferred pale, diluted,
indirect forms of Catholic radiation, like owls prefer moonlight. And
they gave themselves body and soul to these tendencies of a clearly
anti-Catholic character. In Italy, as in Germany and other places, a
cohort of naïve and incautious, though well-intentioned people let
themselves be enthralled and swept away by a bunch of crooks and
adventurers of every ilk. And God alone knows with what furor and wrath
countless threats were hurled at brothers in the Faith who indulged the
luxury of being more lucid, perspicacious and vigorous in defense of
the Faith."
The full article was written by Prof. Plinio Correa de Oliveira, and is at http://www.tfp.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1179
RELATED HEADLINES
"Christ did not die for the sins of the people": Head of German Catholic Bishops' Conference on TV
Georgetown, Notre Dame... Pseudo-Catholic Universities
Vatican probes nuns' heterodoxy
NY Catholic Governor introduces same-sex marriage bill a day after attending Archbishop Dolan's installation Mass
MORE: 'We are at war' - Bishop Finn's Gospel of Life Convention Keynote
Ladder
of Divine Ascent excerpt: Step 15- "On incorruptible purity and chastity"
26. Offer to the Lord the weakness of your nature,
fully acknowledging your own powerlessness, and imperceptibly you will
receive the gift of chastity.
April 23, 2009
(Rom 11:25-26) For
I would not have you ignorant, brethren, of this mystery (lest you
should be wise in your own conceits) that blindness in part has
happened in Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles should come in.
And so all Israel should be saved, as it is written: There shall come
out of Sion, he that shall deliver and shall turn away ungodliness from
Jacob.
POPE JOHN PAUL II:
"The Jewish religion is not 'extrinsic' to us, but in a certain way is
'intrinsic' to our own religion. With Judaism therefore we have a
relationship which we do not have with any other religion."
EXCERPT EDITORIAL: Pope Benedict XVI and the Jews
Pope
Benedict XVI sees the Church as having a special - indeed unique -
relationship with the Jewish people. This inevitably must take into
account the central affirmations of the Jewish faith and of
contemporary Jewish identity. In this regard the pope has a profound
understanding of the significance of the State of Israel for the Jewish
people. As Cardinal Ratzinger, he was on the Special Committee of the
Holy See that reviewed and authorized the establishment of full
relations between Israel and the Vatican.
Among his close
friends in Israel of many years standing (which included the late mayor
of Jerusalem Teddy Kollek) is Prof. Zwi Werblowsky, one of the Jewish
Israeli pioneers of interfaith dialogue. The then Cardinal Ratzinger
phoned Werblowsky in Jerusalem to express his joy over this
development, describing it as the fruit of the work of the Second
Vatican Ecumenical Council.
Not everyone in the Church has
appreciated the central role that Israel plays in contemporary as well
as historic Jewish identity. Pope Benedict XVI does, and he fully
realizes that the relationship between the Vatican and the State of
Israel is inextricably bound up with the relationship between the
Jewish people and the Catholic Church.
Of course this is not
without its complications both in terms of the interests of the local
Church in Israel and the Palestinian territories and the Holy See's
interests within and in relation to the Arab world and Muslim society
as a whole. These often conflicting interests are obviously
substantially affected by the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
ISRAEL LAUNCHES NEW WEBSITE DEDICATED TO POPE BENEDICT XVI'S PILGRIMAGE TO THE HOLY LAND
The
Israel Ministry of Tourism has announced a new website dedicated to
Pope Benedict XVI's first Papal visit to the Holy Land due to be
launched on April 15th this year.
The user-friendly mini-site
will be available in seven languages and feature background
information, photographs and video footage related to Christian holy
sites in Israel as well as detailed information on the Pope's itinerary
and trip highlights.
"The new website will help satisfy the
influx of telephone and email inquiries from across Canada requesting
information on the Pope's pilgrimage to the Holy Land," commented Oded
Grofman, Consul for Tourism and Director, Israel Government Tourist
Office - Canada. "Israel anticipates thousands of Canadian Catholics
and other Christians across the world to follow in the Pope's footsteps
and travel to the Holy Land this spring."
The website will also include links to travel agents offering classic pilgrimage tours and Christian itineraries.
For more information on Pope Benedict XVI's trip to Israel visit www.holyland-pilgrimage.org.
RELATED VIA CNS: In Israeli Jewish schools, no teaching about Christianity
OF INTEREST: Hebrew Catholics Follow Their Own Church- Sharing 'Shalom HaMashiach' at Jerusalem's Evening Mass
Ladder
of Divine Ascent excerpt: Step 15- "On incorruptible purity and chastity"
25. He who has resolved to contend with his flesh
and conquer it himself struggles in vain. For unless the Lord destroys
the house of the flesh and builds the house of the soul, the person who
wants to destroy it watches and fasts in vain.
April 22, 2009
LINK: Catholic Prophecy: Unapproved Catholic Apparitions
VIA THE WORKERS OF OUR LADY OF MOUNT CARMEL:
It was with great sadness that we were informed late last night of the
death of Garabandal visionary Mari Loli Lafleur in Boston after a long
illness. She was very much loved by everyone involved in the promotion
of Garabandal. We ask your prayers for Mari Loli and her family and
close friends.
Joey and Marilynn Lomangino
The Workers of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel de Garabandal
Lindenhurst NY USA
Please note: We have no further information at this time.
Eternal rest grant unto them her, O Lord.
And may perpetual light shine upon them her.
May the souls of the faithfully departed through the mercy of God rest in peace.
Amen.
A MOMENT WITH MARY
No, I'm not Dying Yet
A
Scottish bishop was hiking in the mountains of his diocese. He lost his
way and nightfall caught him in a forest. After searching for hours, he
finally came across the cottage of a poor family. These honest people
welcomed the stranger without knowing who he was, because he was
wearing a large overcoat.
The bishop himself had no idea about
his hosts. Were they Catholics or Protestants? He had no clue to the
answer. However, after a few moments of mutual reserve, the bishop
realized that great sadness overwhelmed those poor people. Collecting
his thoughts, he ventured: "You are all so kind to me, yet you all seem
to be so sad."
"Alas! Yes," the mother answered immediately. She
seemed to have been waiting for that question to unload her grief.
"Yes, we are sad. Our old papa is about to die, right here, in the next
room. And what afflicts us the most it that he claims he's not dying
yet and stubbornly refuses to prepare himself for death."
"May I
see him?" asked the bishop. "Yes, of course," the woman answered, with
the trust that characterizes afflicted souls. Forthwith, she took her
guest into the dying man's small bedroom. There, the bishop indeed did
find an old man on his death bed. The man looked awfully bad, but he
seemed to regain some force, when the bishop spoke to him, and firmly
said: "No, I'm not dying yet." Nothing could persuade him to accept the
inevitable. Indeed the old man was about to breathe his last. Death had
to take but one step in order to carry him away.
"But really," the bishop said, "how do you expect to recover?"
The dying man answered, "Sir, are you Catholic?"
"That I am," said the bishop proudly.
"In
that case," said the sick man, "I will tell you why I won't die yet. I
am Catholic too, sir. Since my First Communion until today, I have
asked the Blessed Virgin every day for the grace to die with a priest
at my side, and do you think my good Mother would forget my prayers?
It's impossible! I tell you, sir, I'm not dying yet."
"My
child," the bishop exclaimed, deeply moved, "my child, your prayers
have been heard. The person at your side is more than a priest, he's
your bishop. The Blessed Virgin herself brought him to you through the
forest to receive your last breath."
Opening his coat, the
bishop revealed his pastoral cross. At this sight the sick man was
filled with joy and cried out: "O Mary, my Good Mother, I thank you."
Then, turning to the bishop: "Please hear my confession: now I believe
I'm ready to die."
Soon afterward, purified one last time, the old man died full of joy and trust.
Ladder
of Divine Ascent excerpt: Step 15- "On incorruptible purity and chastity"
24. Do not expect to overthrow the demon of fornication
with refutations and pleadings. For with nature on his side, he has the
best of the argument.
April 21, 2009
(Psa 139:5-8) Behold,
O Lord, thou hast known all things, the last and those of old: thou
hast formed me, and hast laid thy hand upon me. Thy knowledge is become
wonderful to me: it is high, and I cannot reach to it. Whither shall I
go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy face? If I ascend
into heaven, thou art there: if I descend into hell, thou art present.
EXCERPT "THE POPULATION OF HELL" by AVERY CARDINAL DULLES:
"The search for numbers in the demography of hell is futile. God in
His wisdom has seen fit not to disclose any statistics. Several sayings
of Jesus in the Gospels give the impression that the majority are lost.
Paul, without denying the likelihood that some sinners will die without
sufficient repentance, teaches that the grace of Christ is more
powerful than sin: "Where sin increased, grace abounded all the more"
(Romans 5:20). Passages such as these permit us to hope that very many,
if not all, will be saved.
All told, it is good that God has
left us without exact information. If we knew that virtually everybody
would be damned, we would be tempted to despair. If we knew that all,
or nearly all, are saved, we might become presumptuous. If we knew that
some fixed percent, say fifty, would be saved, we would be caught in an
unholy rivalry. We would rejoice in every sign that others were among
the lost, since our own chances of election would thereby be increased.
Such a competitive spirit would hardly be compatible with the gospel.
We
are forbidden to seek our own salvation in a selfish and egotistical
way. We are keepers of our brothers and sisters. The more we work for
their salvation, the more of God's favor we can expect for ourselves.
Those of us who believe and make use of the means that God has provided
for the forgiveness of sins and the reform of life have no reason to
fear. We can be sure that Christ, who died on the Cross for us, will
not fail to give us the grace we need. We know that in all things God
works for the good of those who love Him, and that if we persevere in
that love, nothing whatever can separate us from Christ (cf. Romans
8:28-39). That is all the assurance we can have, and it should be
enough."
Conservative Viewpoint: "Is Hell Empty?"
FROM THE MAILBAG
VIA Sue Cifelli: Apostolic Pardon
Although
you may not want to think of possibility you may want to keep a list of
prayers you should recite or request from a Priest in case of the death
of a loved one or friend.
When my husband died I forgot everything. I forgot to pray the 3 very beautiful prayers in The Pieta prayer
book for the dying and I forgot about the Apostolic Pardon even though
I had sent it out and knew some Priests did not know about it.
Thankfully my pastor who came to the hospital asked if we wanted to have the Apostolic Pardon given.
You
may want to print this out and keep with you in case of the loss of
someone close to you to give to Priest who does not know.
I
found that most people have not heard of this and it could spare many
years of a loved ones soul in purgatory. Make sure every priest you
know is aware of this. I just found out recently of a priest who has
never heard of it.
Explanation and prayer below:
In the
Roman Catholic Church, the Apostolic Pardon is an indulgence given for
the remission of sins. The Apostolic Pardon is given by a priest,
usually along with Viaticum (i.e. reception of Communion by a dying
person, see Pastoral Care of the Sick, USA numbers 184, 187, 195, 201).
It is not usually given as part of the sacrament of Anointing of the
Sick. However if the Anointing of the Sick is given with Viaticum, in
exceptional circumstances or an emergency, it may be given then. (See
Pastoral Care of the Sick, USA numbers 243, 265) Prior to the Second
Vatican Council, the Apostolic Pardon was called the Apostolic Blessing.
According
to the church, a person who is properly disposed by being in the state
of grace- i.e., the person has committed no known and unconfessed
mortal sins- who receives the Apostolic Pardon gains the complete
pardon of all temporal punishment due to sin that has already been
forgiven by the reception of absolution and the doing of penance, i.e.,
a plenary indulgence.
The Apostolic Pardon does not forgive sins
by the act of absolution; it deals only with the punishment (purgation)
due for those sins that have already been sacramentally forgiven.
Apostolic
Pardon - Form "Ego facultate mihi ab Apostolic Sede tributa,
indulgentiam plenariam et remissionem omnium peccatorum tibi concedo et
benedico te. In nomine Patris, et Filii, + et Spirtus Sancti, Amen."
"By
the Faculty which the Apostolic See has given me, I grant you a plenary
indulgence for the remission of all your sins, and I bless you. In the
Name of the Father and the Son + and the Holy Sprit. Amen."
Ladder
of Divine Ascent excerpt: Step 15- "On incorruptible purity and chastity"
23. He who falls is to be pitied. But still more
to be pitied is he who causes another to fall, because he bears the burden
of the falls of both, and further, the burden of pleasure tasted by the
other.
April 20, 2009
POPE BENEDICT XVI:
"Resurrected, Jesus grants a new unity to his followers, stronger than
before, invincible, because it is based not on human resources, but on
divine mercy, which makes them all feel loved and forgiven by
him. Therefore it is the merciful love of God that solidly unites
the Church, today as yesterday, and that makes humanity a single
family, divine love, which through Jesus crucified and risen forgives
our sins and renews us interiorly."
IN THE NEWS: Catholics celebrate Divine Mercy
It's
been a week since many Christians celebrated Easter, but Sunday
Catholics around the world also observed another important day of
faith. It was Divine Mercy Sunday and the Diocese of Marquette
brought in a world renowned expert on it.
"Because the Lord said
this is your last chance for salvation because we're going into some
very difficult times and He's giving us this Sunday where the
floodgates of God's mercy are open," said Father George Kosicki, an
expert on Divine Mercy.
Sunday afternoon at Saint Peter
Cathedral, the faithful confessed their sins and received communion,
with the belief that they'll receive complete forgiveness of sins and
punishment.
Father Kosicki has written over 30 books on the subject.
"Father
Kosicki has been spreading the message of Divine Mercy for many, many
years now," said Bishop Alexander Sample, "even long before it was
established as a feast in the church. He's probably more
knowledgeable than any other priest I know on the whole teaching and
doctrine of Divine Mercy, so we're very honored to have him here.
He's nationally, internationally known."
For Kosicki, who says
he's a hermit that lives in Paradise, Michigan, the second Sunday of
Easter is extremely important for Christians.
"(Many) years ago,
I said, 'what is the Divine Mercy about?' ABC: Ask for His mercy, Be
merciful, Completely trust in Jesus, just like that."
It's simple to remember and necessary, according to Kosicki to receive mercy from above.
HEADLINE: Vision prompts man to devote life to spreading word of Divine Mercy Sunday
FR. CORAPI: On Divine Mercy
Ladder
of Divine Ascent excerpt: Step 15- "On incorruptible purity and chastity"
21. Some have extolled those who are eunuchs by
nature, because they are delivered from the martyrdom of the body; but
I daily extol those who make themselves eunuchs by castrating their bad
thoughts as with a knife (cf. Matt. 19:12).
April 14, 2009
THE TRIB TIMES WILL RETURN NEXT
WEEK, GOD WILLING (James 4:15).
URBI ET ORBI MESSAGE OF HIS HOLINESS POPE BENEDICT XVI EASTER 2009
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Rome and throughout the world,
From
the depths of my heart, I wish all of you a blessed Easter. To
quote Saint Augustine, "Resurrectio Domini, spes nostra – the
resurrection of the Lord is our hope" (Sermon 261:1). With these
words, the great Bishop explained to the faithful that Jesus rose again
so that we, though destined to die, should not despair, worrying that
with death life is completely finished; Christ is risen to give us hope
(cf. ibid.).
Indeed, one of the questions that most
preoccupies men and women is this: what is there after death? To
this mystery today's solemnity allows us to respond that death does not
have the last word, because Life will be victorious at the end.
This certainty of ours is based not on simple human reasoning, but on a
historical fact of faith: Jesus Christ, crucified and buried, is
risen with his glorified body. Jesus is risen so that we too,
believing in him, may have eternal life. This proclamation is at the
heart of the Gospel message. As Saint Paul vigorously
declares: "If Christ has not been raised, our preaching is in
vain and your faith is in vain." He goes on to say: "If for this
life only we have hoped in Christ, we are of all men most to be pitied"
(1 Cor 15:14,19). Ever since the dawn of Easter a new Spring of
hope has filled the world; from that day forward our resurrection has
begun, because Easter does not simply signal a moment in history, but
the beginning of a new condition: Jesus is risen not because his memory
remains alive in the hearts of his disciples, but because he himself
lives in us, and in him we can already savour the joy of eternal life.
The
resurrection, then, is not a theory, but a historical reality revealed
by the man Jesus Christ by means of his "Passover", his "passage", that
has opened a "new way" between heaven and earth (cf. Heb 10:20).
It is neither a myth nor a dream, it is not a vision or a utopia, it is
not a fairy tale, but it is a singular and unrepeatable event: Jesus of
Nazareth, son of Mary, who at dusk on Friday was taken down from the
Cross and buried, has victoriously left the tomb. In fact, at
dawn on the first day after the Sabbath, Peter and John found the tomb
empty. Mary Magdalene and the other women encountered the risen
Jesus. On the way to Emmaus the two disciples recognized him at
the breaking of the bread. The Risen One appeared to the Apostles
that evening in the Upper Room and then to many other disciples in
Galilee.
The
proclamation of the Lord's Resurrection lightens up the dark regions of
the world in which we live. I am referring particularly to
materialism and nihilism, to a vision of the world that is unable to
move beyond what is scientifically verifiable, and retreats cheerlessly
into a sense of emptiness which is thought to be the definitive destiny
of human life. It is a fact that if Christ had not risen, the
"emptiness" would be set to prevail. If we take away Christ and
his resurrection, there is no escape for man, and every one of his
hopes remains an illusion. Yet today is the day when the
proclamation of the Lord's resurrection vigorously bursts forth, and it
is the answer to the recurring question of the sceptics, that we also
find in the book of Ecclesiastes: "Is there a thing of which it
is said, 'See, this is new'?" (Ec 1:10). We answer, yes: on
Easter morning, everything was renewed. "Mors et vita, duello
conflixere mirando: dux vitae mortuus, regnat vivus – Death and
life have come face to face in a tremendous duel: the Lord of
life was dead, but now he lives triumphant." This is what is
new! A newness that changes the lives of those who accept it, as
in the case of the saints. This, for example, is what happened to
Saint Paul.
Many times, in the context of the Pauline year, we
have had occasion to meditate on the experience of the great
Apostle. Saul of Tarsus, the relentless persecutor ofChristians,
encountered the risen Christ on the road to Damascus, and was
"conquered" by him. The rest we know. In Paul there
occurred what he would later write about to the Christians of Corinth:
"If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away,
behold, the new has come" (2 Cor 5:17). Let us look at this great
evangelizer, who with bold enthusiasm and apostolic zeal brought the
Gospel to many different peoples in the world of that time. Let
his teaching and example inspire us to go in search of the Lord
Jesus. Let them encourage us to trust him, because that sense of
emptiness, which tends to intoxicate humanity, has been overcome by the
light and the hope that emanate from the resurrection. The words
of the Psalm have truly been fulfilled: "Darkness is not darkness
for you, and the night is as clear as the day" (Ps 139 [138]:12).
It is no longer emptiness that envelops all things, but the loving
presence of God. The very reign of death has been set free,
because the Word of life has even reached the "underworld", carried by
the breath of the Spirit (v. 8).
If it is true that death no
longer has power over man and over the world, there still remain very
many, in fact too many signs of its former dominion. Even if
through Easter, Christ has destroyed the root of evil, he still wants
the assistance of men and women in every time and place who help him to
affirm his victory using his own weapons: the weapons of justice
and truth, mercy, forgiveness and love. This is the message
which, during my recent Apostolic Visit to Cameroon and Angola, I
wanted to convey to the entire African continent, where I was welcomed
with such great enthusiasm and readiness to listen. Africa
suffers disproportionately from the cruel and unending conflicts, often
forgotten, that are causing so much bloodshed and destruction in
several of her nations, and from the growing number of her sons and
daughters who fall prey to hunger, poverty and disease. I shall
repeat the same message emphatically in the Holy Land, to which I shall
have the joy of travelling in a few weeks from now.
Reconciliation – difficult, but indispensable – is a precondition for a
future of overall security and peaceful coexistence, and it can only be
achieved through renewed, persevering and sincere efforts to resolve
the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. My thoughts move outwards from
the Holy Land to neighbouring countries, to the Middle East, to the
whole world. At a time of world food shortage, of financial
turmoil, of old and new forms of poverty, of disturbing climate change,
of violence and deprivation which force many to leave their homelands
in search of a less precarious form of existence, of the ever-present
threat of terrorism, of growing fears over the future, it is urgent to
rediscover grounds for hope. Let no one draw back from this
peaceful battle that has been launched by Christ's Resurrection.
For as I said earlier, Christ is looking for men and women who will
help him to affirm his victory using his own weapons: the weapons
of justice and truth, mercy, forgiveness and love.
Resurrectio
Domini, spes nostra! The resurrection of Christ is our
hope! This the Church proclaims today with joy. She
announces the hope that is now firm and invincible because God has
raised Jesus Christ from the dead. She communicates the hope that
she carries in her heart and wishes to share with all people in every
place, especially where Christians suffer persecution because of their
faith and their commitment to justice and peace. She invokes the
hope that can call forth the courage to do good, even when it costs,
especially when it costs. Today the Church sings "the day that
the Lord has made", and she summons people to joy. Today the
Church calls in prayer upon Mary, Star of Hope, asking her to guide
humanity towards the safe haven of salvation which is the heart of
Christ, the paschal Victim, the Lamb who has "redeemed the world", the
Innocent one who has "reconciled us sinners with the Father". To
him, our victorious King, to him who is crucified and risen, we sing
out with joy our Alleluia!
Ladder
of Divine Ascent excerpt: Step 15- "On incorruptible purity and chastity"
20. With beginners, falls usually occur by reason
of luxury; with intermediates, because of haughtiness as well as from the
same cause which leads to the fall of the beginners; and with those approaching
perfection, solely from judging their neighbour.
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