A Penitent Blogger

Epiphany

2010-01-03T08:13:00.000-05:00

They were overjoyed at seeing the star,
and on entering the house
they saw the child with Mary his mother.
They prostrated themselves and did him homage.
Then they opened their treasures
and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
(from today's Gospel - Matthew 2:1-12)

Who Christ is

2010-01-02T08:30:00.000-05:00

Today’s readings, together with today’s memorial of one of the great ancient theologians of the Church, bring a special focus on the question of who Christ is.

In the Gospel (John 1:19-28), John the Baptist makes it clear from the very beginning that he is NOT the Christ.

In the first reading (1 John 2:22-28) Saint John uses very strong language to make clear that Jesus is the Christ.

Who is the liar?
Whoever denies that Jesus is the Christ.

Whoever denies the Father and the Son,
this is the antichrist.

Anyone who denies the Son
does not have the Father,
but whoever confesses the Son
has the Father as well.

Let what you heard from the beginning
remain in you.
If what you heard from the beginning remains in you,
then you will remain in the Son
and in the Father.

Saint Gregory Nazianzen, whose memory we celebrate today (together with his brother Saint Basil the Great) was a powerful voice in reaffirming this truth, especially in the full reality of the divine and human natures in Christ as well as in the unity of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

These are critical truths, with deep meaning for our daily lives and for the salvation of the world.

Among other things, the full reality of Christ’s human nature (united with His divine nature) confers an infinitely higher significance on what we humans do (insignificant as we would otherwise be in a vast universe, let alone in comparison to Infinity Himself).

Moreover, as ultimately mysterious as these truths may be, the unity of the human and divine natures of Christ and the unity of the Person of Christ with the Father and Holy Spirit in One God makes possible the hope for eternal happiness and fulfillment that is extended to all people through that one man who walked for a brief time on this earth in a small land two hundred decades years ago.

And now, children, remain in him,
so that when he appears we may have confidence
and not be put to shame by him at his coming.

He was head of the law school

2010-01-02T08:02:00.001-05:00

He was very successful on the speaking circuit.

But he felt the money and fame threatening his spiritual life, so he gave it all away, went into the desert and became a monk.

He was joined by his friend and schoolmate Gregory and many others.

Both he and Gregory would become famous bishops who fought hard to defend the truth of Christ.

Basil would found many monasteries and become known as the Father of Eastern Monasticism.

Today the Church celebrates the memory of Saints Basil the Great and Gregory of Nazianzen: 4th century bishops and venerated as Fathers of the Church.

(from a previous post)

Happy New Year!

2010-01-01T09:48:00.002-05:00

The LORD bless you and keep you!

The LORD let his face shine upon you

and be gracious to you!

The LORD look upon you kindly

and give you peace!

(from today's first reading - Numbers 6:22-27)

Mother of WHAT?!

2010-01-01T09:43:00.001-05:00

Some people are taken aback when they hear Mary described as “Mother of God.”

The purpose of this title is to express a critically important truth about Jesus, not simply to say nice things about his mother.

Some people used to say that Mary was only the mother of Christ’s human nature, making it seem almost as if there were two Christs: one human, one divine.

In fact, there is only one Lord Jesus Christ. Mary gave birth to Jesus: a single Person fully human and fully divine. In that sense Mary can thus be called Mother of God (Mother in the sense of giving birth to One who is God, not in the sense that she was the cause of God).

The expression “Mother of God” is therefore primarily an affirmation of the unity of the Person of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Today, exactly one week after the Solemnity of the Nativity of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, the Church celebrates His mother, the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God.

(from a previous post)

"The last hour"

2009-12-31T06:07:00.001-05:00

This term is repeated twice in today’s first reading (1 John 2:18-21).

It is also the last day of the calendar year: a time when people make resolutions for the year to come.

It is a time of decision.

May our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ give us the strength, the courage, the fortitude, the wisdom, the knowledge, the joy, and the love to live the way He wants us to live at this hour and for whatever hours or years we have left.

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, be merciful to me – a sinner.

The Church was not popular

2009-12-31T05:55:00.001-05:00

but Sylvester loved it anyway.

Practicing his Christian faith could get him in serious trouble, but his faith in Christ was strong and he remembered the words of the Lord:

Blessed are they
which are persecuted for righteousness' sake:
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you,
and persecute you,
and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely,
for my sake.
Rejoice, and be exceeding glad:
for great is your reward in heaven…
Matthew 5:10-12

Still, like everyone, Sylvester wished that they might be able to practice their faith without fear of reprisals or ridicule and that the Church might have a place of prominence and honor in the world.

Such were the thoughts that crossed Sylvester’s mind: of what might then be and what he might then do.

And then it happened!

Society embraced Christianity, the truth of Christ came to be discussed and defended in the highest corridors of power, plans were begun for church buildings that would dominate the skylines of the greatest cities of the world.

And... Sylvester became Pope.

Pope Saint Sylvester I, Bishop of Rome during the reign of the Emperor Constantine, died and was buried on this very day in the year 335.

(from a previous post)

Must have? Not really.

2009-12-30T06:02:00.001-05:00

The way advertisers tell it, there are things that you simply MUST HAVE.

The way movies, songs, advice-givers, and stories tell it, there are pleasures and people that you simply MUST HAVE.

But deep down in our hearts, we know that none of that is true.

Deep down in our hearts we already know what Saint John says in today’s first reading (1 John 2:12-17):

For all that is in the world,
sensual lust,
enticement for the eyes,
and a pretentious life,
is not from the Father
but is from the world.

Yet the world and its enticement
are passing away.

But whoever does the will of God
remains forever.

"The darkness is passing away"

2009-12-29T06:25:00.001-05:00

The last year or so has been very difficult for many.

Even now, for some, the future does not look bright.

In today’s first reading (1 John 2:3-11), there is an important message for all of us:

The darkness is passing away,
and the true light is already shining.

No matter what terrible things may be happening in our lives, they are nothing in comparison to the glory, the joy, and the happiness God has prepared for us in Christ.

No matter how long terrible thing may have happened to us or how long they will continue to afflict us, these times of trouble are going to be just a blip in comparison to the eternity of beatitude Christ has prepared for us.

By the grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, as we go through all the good and bad of this world, may we be faithful to Him and persevere.

The darkness is passing away,
and the true light is already shining.

The Commander in Chief

2009-12-29T06:10:00.000-05:00

replaced his most troublesome enemy with his very best friend.

His friend, however, took his new job very seriously and the Commander in Chief grew more and more frustrated and angry.

After conflict after conflict, the Commander in Chief cried out in exasperation.

Some military officers overheard him and decided to eliminate his former friend.

They murdered Thomas Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury, in his own cathedral on this very day in 1170. He was canonized three years later.

(from a previous post)

"This is the message"

2009-12-28T06:34:00.002-05:00

Some Scripture passages require much explanation.

Today's first reading (1 John 1:5—2:2) is not one of those. The less I say, the better.

The more you and I really take these words to heart, infinitely better still.

This is the message
that we have heard from Jesus Christ
and proclaim to you:
God is light,
and in him
there is no darkness at all.

If we say,
“We have fellowship with him,”
while we continue to walk in darkness,
we lie
and do not act in truth.

But if we walk in the light
as he is in the light,
then we have fellowship with one another,
and the Blood of his Son Jesus
cleanses us from all sin.

If we say,
“We are without sin,”
we deceive ourselves,
and the truth is not in us.

If we acknowledge our sins,
he is faithful
and just
and will forgive our sins
and cleanse us from every wrongdoing.

If we say,
“We have not sinned,”
we make him a liar,
and his word is not in us.

My children,
I am writing this to you
so that you may not commit sin.

But if anyone does sin,
we have an Advocate with the Father,
Jesus Christ
the righteous one.

He is expiation for our sins,
and not for our sins only
but for those of the whole world.

Project Rachel

2009-12-28T06:29:00.001-05:00

"Project Rachel is the name of the Catholic Church's healing ministry to those who have been involved in abortion. Its name comes from Scripture:"

In Ramah is heard the sound of moaning,
of bitter weeping!
Rachel mourns her children,
she refuses to be consoled
because her children are no more.

Thus says the LORD:
Cease your cries of mourning,
wipe the tears from your eyes.
The sorrow you have shown shall have its reward...
There is hope for your future.

Jeremiah 31:15-1

www.hopeafterabortion.com

On this Feast of the Holy Innocents

2009-12-28T06:26:00.001-05:00

On this Feast of the Holy Innocents who were murdered by Herod in his eagerness to defend his lifestyle, let us remember in prayer those millions of unborn children killed every year by abortion.

Let us also pray for those who are tempted to choose abortion and those who have committed it.

We also need to work for a world that protects children even in the womb and that takes good care of children, their mothers, and their families.

(from a previous post)

Godly choices about family

2009-12-27T06:54:00.001-05:00

There are layers of wisdom in the very beginning of the passage from Sirach provided as one of the options for today’s first reading (Sirach 3:2-6, 12-14):

God sets a father in honor over his children;
a mother’s authority he confirms over her sons.

On one level, this addresses the authority of parents over children.

There is a more fundamental level to this verse, however: not just that parents have authority but that it is God who establishes that authority.

Families are not simply a matter of human convention or individual whims: that is the way of confusion, selfishness, and a never-ending series of power games.

All of our choices with regard to family need to be rooted in God, not in the passing preferences of individuals or cultures.

All of our choices with regard to family – yours and mine, whether we are married, single, parents, children, or childless – must be rooted in God through discernment, prayer, and the seeking of His truth in revelation.

None of us are perfect as individuals. Likewise, our family situations may not be perfect either, because of circumstances beyond our control, bad choices we have made, or a combination of the two.

But God is perfect, God is love, and God reaches out to us with His grace, inviting us to follow the path of Truth as we continue through life in this world and to make choices about family based on Him: His love, His truth, and His grace.

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, be merciful to me - a sinner.

The Number One Guy

2009-12-26T08:37:00.000-05:00

Upper management reviewed all the candidates and picked seven men for promotion.

Steve was the first picked and was the obvious star of the group.

Steve exceeded all expectations. No one sold like he did and he really cleaned up against the competition.

Then Steve found himself the target of some serious accusations. He was hauled into court, but didn't let it rattle him. Instead, he continued to sell - right there in the middle of the court with the competition all around.

The competition was beside themselves with anger, so they took Steve outside and killed him.

Thus, Steve was the first to be picked and the first to die.

Today, the Church celebrates the Feast of Saint Stephen, Deacon and first Martyr of the Christian faith.

(from a previous post)

A blessed Christmas to all

2009-12-25T07:04:00.000-05:00

"They made known the message"

2009-12-25T06:58:00.001-05:00

The world is sometimes a dark and scary place, where people delight to exercise power over others and at the expense of others.

In the midst of this dark and scary world, the Christian faith offers a message of beautiful light, undefeatable hope, perfect freedom, and eternal truth.

And the first human beings to make known that message, as we hear in this morning's Gospel (Luke 2:15-20) were a handful of poor people from the outskirts of society: shepherds in a small land.

They went in haste
and found Mary and Joseph,
and the infant lying in the manger.

When they saw this,
they made known the message
that had been told them about this child.

All who heard it were amazed
by what had been told them by the shepherds.

On this Christmas Day, throughout the Christmas season, and all during the new year may you and I make known the message.

Christ is born.

God is with us.

Hope is ours.

The bottom line

2009-12-24T22:22:00.004-05:00

There are many traditions around Christmas.

There are many preparation and many activities.

There are many songs and many celebrations.

The Gospel for the Vigil Mass of Christmas (Matthew 1:1-25) reminds us of the bottom line of Christmas:

All this took place
to fulfill
what the Lord had said through the prophet:
Behold,
the virgin shall conceive
and bear a son,
and they shall name him Emmanuel,
which means "God is with us."

Beyond everything - good, bad, and empty - the bottom line os Christmas is this:

Christ is born.

God is with us.

Turn the hearts

2009-12-23T05:58:00.001-05:00

Not all of us have the greatest relationships with our parents. This can be the occasion of no little stress and turmoil during the holidays.

The last words of today’s first reading (Malachi 3:1-4, 23-24) seem to speak directly to such situations: words of warning, but also words of hope.

Lo, I will send you
Elijah, the prophet,
Before the day of the LORD comes,
the great and terrible day,
To turn the hearts of the fathers to their children,
and the hearts of the children to their fathers,
Lest I come and strike
the land with doom.

In these holy days and in the new year to come, may the grace of God, through prophetic words and actions, bring about the healing and courage (if not miracles) to make new and holy the relationships in our lives that may have been strained or even broken.

Come and save us, O Lord our God.

Accused priest assigned to parish

2009-12-23T05:46:00.000-05:00

Father John had been a teacher, but he was assigned to a parish after accusations were raised.

After several years, he was completely exonerated and was able to return to his position at the University.

He was very popular with his students, mindful of the poor, and willing to give his life for his faith.

Saint John of Kanty (also known as Saint John Cantius) died on Christmas eve in 1473 in Krakow, Poland, and was canonized in 1767. His memory is celebrated on this day.

Later he would be an inspiration for another Krakow priest-professor: one who would become the great Pope John Paul II.

(from a previous post)

Comfort, affliction, and true hope

2009-12-22T16:02:00.002-05:00

I once heard a journalist say that his mission was to "Comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable."

This journalist was a multimillionaire with one or two mansions and a ranch. Comfortable indeed.

Once one gets past the breathtaking hypocrisy of the statement, one might wonder what the real point was. If you comfort the afflicted, they become the comfortable who must now be afflicted, etc. etc. etc. What is the advantage of this never-ending cycle of upheaval to anyone?

It depends on who is doing the comforting and afflicting.

If it is a pretentious journalist, a grandiose politician, a brilliant philanthropist, or any human being or agency doing the comforting and afflicting, there are few advantages to anyone (except perhaps temporary selfish benefits for those exercising this power at the center of it all).

Even if the person or agency is thoroughly virtuous and as wise as human beings can be, the results are doomed to fall short.

Comforting the afflicted and afflicting the comfortable only succeeds when God is at the center of it all.

Only God acts from pure love.

Only God acts with perfect wisdom.

Many among us consider only the short term. Far-sighted humans work for the long-term good.

God acts from Eternity toward Eternity.

Thus, no matter what our condition in life may be, whether we are afflicted or comfortable or somewhere in between, the words of the Blessed Virgin Mary in today’s Gospel (Luke 1:46-56) are words of true hope.

The Almighty.... has shown the strength of His arm,
and has scattered the proud in their conceit.

He has cast down the mighty from their thrones
and has lifted up the lowly.

He has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich He has sent away empty.

Whether God lets us be afflicted or God comforts us, we will be the better and the happier for it.

Thus, with the help of God’s grace, like Mary we may say

I am the servant of the Lord.

Be it done to me according to His word.

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, be merciful to me - a sinner.

Magnificat

2009-12-22T06:40:00.000-05:00

Et Maria dixit,

Magnificat anima mea Dominum,
et exultavit spiritus meus in Deo salvatore meo,
quia respexit humilitatem ancillae suae.
And Mary said,

Great does my soul declare the Lord
and my spirit exults in God my Savior
for he has regarded the humility of his handmaid.

Ecce enim ex hoc beatam me dicent omnes generationes,
quia fecit mihi magna, qui potens est,
et sanctum nomen eius,

Behold, from now on all generations shall call me blessed,
for he who is mighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his name;

et misericordia eius in progenies et progenies
timentibus eum.
and His mercy is from generation to generation
to those who fear Him.

Fecit potentiam in brachio suo,
dispersit superbos mente cordi sui;
deposuit potentes de sede
et exaltavit humiles;
He has shown the strength of his arm;
He has scattered the superior in their own minds;
He has unseated the mighty
And has lifted up the humble;

esurientes implevit bonis
et divites dimisit inanes.

The hungry he has filled with good things
and the rich He has sent away empty.

Suscepit Israel puerum suum,
recordatus misericordiae,
sicut locutus est ad patres nostros,
Abraham et semini eius in saecula.
He has received Israel His servant,
remembering His mercy,
just as he said to our fathers,
to Abraham and to his offspring forever.

Luke 1:46-55
from today's Gospel
and a previous post
on Toward Contemplation

Love is on the way

2009-12-21T05:57:00.001-05:00

A passage from the Song of Songs (2:8-14) is one of the options given today for the first reading.

The selection of ancient Hebrew love poetry may seem like a strange choice, in some respect, but it represents the yearning love of the Church as it awaits the arrival of its beloved Savior.

Hark! my lover – here he comes
springing across the mountains,
leaping across the hills.
My lover is like a gazelle
or a young stag.
Here he stands behind our wall,
gazing through the windows,
peering through the lattices.
My lover speaks; he says to me,
"Arise, my beloved, my dove, my beautiful one,
and come!
For see, the winter is past,
the rains are over and gone.
The flowers appear on the earth,
the time of pruning the vines has come,
and the song of the dove is heard in our land..."

For some reason, the juxtaposition of these verses with the imminent feast of the Nativity makes me think of a small but very playful child, capering and playing peek-a-boo with his mother.

Did our Lord play thusly with his mother and St. Joseph? Quite possibly.

These reveries should remind us that the Lord of heaven and earth, through whom all things were made, really became one like us (in all things but sin): a child and then a man but always in love with the people for whom he came and for whom he would give his life.

With this same love he calls to us

Let me see you,
let me hear your voice,
For your voice is sweet,
and you are lovely.

May we speak to the Lord from our hearts.

May we let his grace make us lovely, so that when the Lord calls we may sing with the doves in the eternal morning of heaven.

(from a previous post)

A Church rocked by scandal after scandal

2009-12-21T05:49:00.001-05:00

The priests seemed either totally detached from the real lives of people or openly indulging in earthy things.

Many people were running away from the Church and many others were attacking it.

But Peter had faith and he felt called to do what he could to rebuild the Church as a community of faith in Jesus Christ.

He traveled and spoke widely and wrote extensively. He defended the Church vigorously against its attackers and worked to reform the lives and education of the Catholic clergy, even at its highest levels.

Peter consoled victims of sectarian strife and preached Christ to the multitudes.

Many would later say that Peter almost single-handedly saved the Church in his adopted country.

St. Peter Canisius, S.J., sometimes called the "Second Apostle of Germany," died on this very day in 1597.

(from a previous post)

Wonder and awe

2009-12-20T19:36:00.001-05:00

These words have been very much overused and misused in our modern world of hype and twisted meanings.

Yet these words perfectly describe what is at the heart of today’s Gospel (Luke 1:39-45)

Awe.

Elizabeth realizes that she is in the presence of the Lord Himself, incarnate in the womb of her cousin Mary.

Wonder.

Elizabeth is amazed in mind and soul at what has happened and what is before her.

In a few days we will celebrate Christmas.

It is a day most of us have celebrated many times before.

It is a day truly for wonder and awe, just as was the day Mary visited Elizabeth – if not more so.

Consider what we celebrate, as described so simply and eloquently by Saint John (John 1:1,14a):

In the beginning was the Word
and the Word was with God
and the Word was God....

...and the Word was made flesh
and dwelt among us...

Prepare well for this Christmas.

Prepare to look into the manger, prepare to look into the eyes of the newborn Christ...

...with wonder and awe.