SAINT MARIA GORETTI JULY 6 FEAST DAY

CATHOLIC FEAST DAYS

July 6 we celebrate liturgically the feast of Saint Maria Goretti.   I remember this feast because my granddaughter did research on a Confirmation name back in grade school and chose St. Maria Goretti for her Confirmation name.

SAINT MARIA GORETTI

Maria Goretti (October 16, 1890 – July 6, 1902) is an Italian virgin-martyr. Having died at the age of 11, she is the youngest canonized saint in the Catholic Church’s long and storied history.

She was born on the eastern side of Italy to a farming family, but increased poverty forced the family to move to the western side of the country when she was only six.

When Maria was nine, her father died tragically from Malaria.   This was a terrible time of trial and suffering for the whole family.  The Gorettis had to share a house with another family, the Serenellis, in order to survive. Aside from having the responsibility of caring for her family, Maria had to also cook and clean for her two next door neighbors–Giovanni Serenelli and his son, Alessandro–who assisted her mother with the farm tasks.

The Serenelli family was what we would call today a very dysfunctional family. Alessandro Serenelli, the young man (20) who attacked Maria was part of this terrible mess. Giovanni, his father, was an alcoholic and his mother died in a psychiatric hospital when he was only a few months old, apparently after trying to drown Alessandro when he was a newborn.

On July 5, 1902, eleven-year-old Maria was sitting on the outside steps of her home, sewing one of Alessandro’s shirts and watching Teresa, her baby sister, when Alessandro threatened her with a knife if she did not do what he said; he was intending to rape her.

Maria would not submit, protesting that what he wanted to do was a mortal sin and warning him that he would go to hell.  She desperately fought to stop him. She kept screaming, “No! It is a sin! God does not want it!” He first choked her, but when she insisted she would rather die than submit to him, he stabbed her eleven times.

Though, she prevented him from violating her, Maria was mortally wounded. The next day in the hospital Maria died, while looking at a picture of the Virgin Mary and clutching a cross to her chest.   Her last words were, “I forgive Alessandro Serenelli and I want him with me in heaven forever.”

During his prison sentence Maria appeared to Alessandro and forgave him.  That act of mercy and forgiveness—that act of love—filled Alessandro with contrition for his crime.  When he was eventually released from prison, he visited Maria’s mother begging forgiveness, which she readily granted. From that point on, he lived a beautiful and converted life of holiness, eventually becoming a Franciscan lay brother.

Maria Goretti was beatified by Pope Pius XII in 1947, and canonized in 1950 by the same Pope.  Maria’s mother and Alessandro were present at both ceremonies.

COMMENTARY

I share the story of Maria Goretti not only to honor her, but to cite her as an example of one who understood the horror and consequences of sin and preferred to die rather than commit a mortal sin. Today we live in a culture that has lost the sense of sin.  It is the last thing most people want to acknowledge or talk about.

In today’s hardened society, those supporting abortion, a grave sin, avoid at all cost discussing the killing and dismemberment of the innocent, our youngest and most vulnerable human beings.  Killing innocent human beings is a mortal sin against the 5th Commandment.

Sexual sins are not the only sins but they are certainly a battle of our times. Adultery, fornication, masturbation, pornography, contraception, sterilization and abortion are real life struggles for many. These are still GRAVE SINS, despite our culture’s embrace of Moral Relativism.

Moral relativism is the philosophical theory that all morality is relative, different moral truths hold for different people.  We can all decide what is right for ourselves. You decide what’s right for you, and I’ll decide what’s right for me. No authority outside of me. In other words we play God.

Hmmm, wouldn’t that be interesting! What if it was up to each individual driver to choose the speed limit, when to turn, how to turn, when or if to stop at intersection? I suspect there would be a lot of collateral damage. to you and others.  It is the same for sin. We don’t sin alone! What we choose affects everyone in Mystical Body of Christ

“The more one does what is good, the freer one becomes. There is no true freedom except in the service of what is good and just. The choice to disobey and do evil is an abuse of freedom and leads to “the slavery of sin.” CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH #733

For forgiveness of sins, Jesus instituted the Sacrament of Penance. “Receive the Holy Spirit.  For those whose sins you forgive, they are forgiven; for those whose sins you retain, they are retained.”

JOHN  20: 22-23

 

REFLECTION

 Saint Maria Goretti, is a model of righteousness and encouragement to avoid sin at all cost and to forgive at all cost as well.   “If you forgive others their transgressions, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your transgressions”.  Matthew 6:15

We experience God’s mercy through the Sacrament of Confession.  It is there that we acknowledge who we are, limited, weak, and sinful creatures in need of redemption.  It is there that God forgives us of any and all of our sins.  For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him” John 3: 16-17

The Sacrament of Penance is an enormous source of interior peace.  The priest in the person of Jesus raises his hand, and then with a blessing pronounces those amazing words, “I absolve you from your sins.”  At that moment, we know that God has heard our cry for forgiveness, and we have been pardoned of our sins.

PRAYER TO SAINT MARIA GORETTI

 St. Maria Goretti model of love and forgiveness, Help us all, especially our youth ,to flee  anything that could offend Jesus or stain our souls with sin.

Even at age of eleven you understood what it meant to love God and love your neighbor.  You did not withhold forgiveness from your attacker.  In fact you wanted him in heaven with you.

 Pray for me, that I, too, will be able to love my enemies like you did. Obtain for us victory in temptation, and grace of perseverance that we may one day enjoy with you the imperishable glory of Heaven. Amen.

SAINT MARIA GORETTI

PRAY FOR ME!

 

 

 

1 JOHN CHAPTER 2

CATHOLIC LETTERS, SCRIPTURE

LETTERS (EPISTLES) OF ST. JOHN

INTRODUCTION

Saint John the Apostle is considered the author of these letters, written soon after his gospel. The purpose of the letter is to combat certain false ideas, especially about Jesus.

The letter is of particular value for its declaration of the humanity and divinity of Christ as an apostolic teaching and for its development of the intrinsic connection between Christian moral conduct and Christian doctrine.

 1 JOHN CHAPTER 2

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…The way we may be sure that we know him is to keep his Commandments.

Whoever says, “I know him,” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him.

 But whoever keeps his word, the love of God is truly perfected in him. This is the way we may know that we are in union with him. Whoever claims to abide in him ought to live [just] as he lived.

[REFLECTION

Jesus is the Way, The Truth, and the Life John 14:6 Jesus is the way to the Father. Jesus is the fork in the road we must choose.  To do otherwise by choosing any other god of this world is the road to destruction leaving collateral damage in our wake as we pursue our way over God’s.]

BACK TO JOHN’S EPISTLE, 1 JOHN CHAPTER 2:7

 The New Commandment

[“Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. Matthew 5:17]

Beloved, I am writing no new commandment to you but an old commandment that you had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word that you have heard. And yet I do write a new commandment to you, which holds true in him and among you, for the darkness is passing away, and the true light is already shining.

 Whoever says he is in the light, yet hates his brother, is still in the darkness. Whoever loves his brother remains in the light, and there is nothing in him to cause a fall. Whoever hates his brother is in darkness; he walks in darkness and does not know where he is going because the darkness has blinded his eyes…

‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’ and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself 

LUKE 10:27

I write to you, young men, because you are strong and the word of God remains in you, and you have conquered the evil one. Do not love the world or the things of the world.* If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 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…

SATAN IS A LIAR  JOHN 8:44

I write to you not because you do not know the truth but because you do, and because every lie is alien to the truth. Who is the liar? Whoever denies that Jesus is the Christ; whoever denies the Father and the Son, this is the Antichrist. No one who denies the Son has 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. And this is the promise that he made us: eternal life….

Children, remain in him, so that when he appears we may have confidence and not be put to shame by him at his coming. If you consider that he is righteous, you also know that everyone who acts in righteousness is begotten by him.

I AM THE VINE YOU ARE THE BRANCHES

JOHN 15:5

GOD’S LAWS VS MAN-MADE LAWS

CATHOLIC COMMENTARY

“I have today set before you, life and GOOD, death and EVIL.

DEUTERONOMY 30:15

In the beginning our first parents, Adam and Eve, was in possession of Sanctifying Grace and preternatural gifts.  Had Adam and Eve not sinned they would have passed this state of “original justice” down to their descendants.

At the suggestion of the Serpant (Satan), Adam and Eve chose the Tree of Good and Evil to be like God. All they came away with were the consequences of evil.

 God knows well that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened and you will be like gods, who know* good and evil.” Genesis 3:5

THE LORD GOD BANISHED THEM FROM THE GARDEN OF EDEN,

After Adam and Eve committed “original sin,” they lost “original justice” and the preternatural gifts for all the human race. They could only pass on a human nature in a fallen state, one deprived of original holiness and integrity. Adam and Eve’s descendants are subject to ignorance and endure suffering and death.

Like then, today, Moral Relativism dominates the world. Moral relativism is the philosophical theory that all morality is relative. We all can decide what is good and evil. You decide what’s right for you, and I’ll decide what’s right for me.

Essentially, moral relativism says that anything goes. Words like “ought” and “should” are rendered meaningless. There is no absolute goodness or badness. An act may be good for one person but bad for another, but cannot be either good or bad in the absolute.

MAN MADE CHOICES SUPPORTED

BY MORAL RELATIVISM

I want to choose to kill my unborn child because the child is inconvenient to me

Old people are a burden on society and don’t contribute much of anything how about just putting them to sleep so we can get on with our lives

Homosexuality must be taught in our grade school as an alternative life style, because some will grow up to be gay and some may already have gay parents….

Sexual activity outside marriage is all right.  Sex is a good thing to be enjoyed, why put limits on our fun and pleasure just because some old clerics in dresses don’t like sex.  They are just buzz killers…

ABORTION

 “I have today set before you, life and good, death and evil. If you obey the commandments of the LORD, your God, which I am giving you today…you will live and grow numerous, and the LORD, your God, will bless you…

If, however, your heart turns away and you do not obey…and bow down to other gods and serve them, I tell you today that you will certainly perish… Deuteronomy 30:15-30

 CATECHISM OF CATHOLIC CHURCH 2270  Human life must be respected and protected absolutely from the moment of conception. From the first moment of his existence, a human being must be recognized as having the rights of a person – among which is the inviolable right of every innocent being to life.

When is abortion permitted?  NEVER! Not when a child is inconvenient …. not when the child in the womb is the wrong sex ….not when child created by God is a result of rape or incest …not when child in womb may be born with some handicap…. KILLING INNOCENT LIFE IS NEVER PERMISSABLE!

 CONTRACEPTION.

Contraception has been around since the beginning in one form or another, despite God’s wishes.  Here is an example from the Old Testament in the first book of the bible, Genesis. 

 “Then Judah said to Onan, “Have intercourse with your brother’s wife, in fulfillment of your duty as brother-in-law, and thus preserve your brother’s line.” Onan, however, knew that the offspring would not be his; so whenever he had intercourse with his brother’s wife, he wasted his seed on the ground, to avoid giving offspring to his brother. What he did greatly offended the LORD, and the LORD took his life too.” GENESIS 38:7-10

Today’s contraceptive society is a very dangerous adversary to Christians attempting to follow God’s will in all things.   So who are we going to serve, God or Man?

The Vicar of Christ, Pope Paul VI,(Humanae Vitae) 50 years ago made several predictions about a society that embraced contraception as their god.

He argued that men will no longer respect woman as a beloved companion but a mere instrument of selfish gratification.  The Pope noted, also, that the widespread use of contraception would “lead to conjugal infidelity and the general lowering of morality whereas the Church’s teaching on contraception is designed to protect the good of conjugal love.”

GENDER IDENTITY

 We acknowledge and affirm that all human beings are created by God and thereby have an inherent dignity. We also believe that God created each person male or female; therefore, sexual difference is not an accident or a flaw—it is a gift from God that helps draw us closer to each other and to God.

What God has created is good. “God created mankind in his image; in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them” Genesis 1:27.

We must remain true disciples, rooted in who we are as Catholics and in the anthropology that undergirds our vision of the human person. We need to be able to articulate that and hold to that vision and not be swayed by the various public opinions that are prevalent in our society, today.

We as a Church, want to walk with those struggling with gender dysphoria.  We want those, struggling, to know the unconditional love of Jesus and to bring Him to you in the Sacraments. You are a part of the Church — you belong here and, truly, you are welcome here. …

 SAME SEX MARRIAGE  

Same Sex marriage is the tip of the spear in the “Gay” agenda.  The “Gay” agenda is to establish a new “norm,”… that there is no difference between heterosexual and homosexual behavior as far as acceptable behavior.

Let us begin in the beginning in the book of Genesis. Genesis 1:27-28, “God created man in his image; in the divine image he created him; male and female he created them. God blessed them, saying: “Be fertile and multiply”

a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’ So they are no longer two, but one flesh

Matthew 19:5-6

In Matthew 19 when Jesus is challenged over the question of divorce and remarriage, Jesus reinforces what is already in Hebrew Scripture.  “Have you not read that from the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female’  ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’?  So they are no longer two, but one flesh. 

 Therefore, what God has joined together, no human being must separate….  Not all can accept this word, but only those to whom that is granted. Some are incapable of marriage because they were born so; some, because they were made so by others; some, because they have renounced marriage for the sake of the kingdom of heaven.

 Catechism of the Catholic Church 1643 Marital love involves a totality, in which all the elements of the person enter… It aims at a deeply personal unity, a unity that, beyond union in one flesh. Unitive and procreative are the goods of marriage.

 THE HOMOSEXUAL COUPLE CANNOT FULFILL THE GOODS OF MARRIAGE.

The Church teaches that homogenital behavior is objectively immoral, the same as heterosexual activity outside of marriage, The Church makes the important distinction between this behavior and a homosexual orientation, which is not immoral in itself.

 Homosexual persons “must be accepted with respect, compassion and sensitivity” These persons are called to fulfill God’s will in their lives and, if they are Christians, to unite to the sacrifice of the Lord’s Cross the difficulties they may encounter from their condition. (CCC #2358)

 

1 PETER CHAPTER 4

CATHOLIC LETTERS

LETTER OF ST. PETER

CHRISTIAN RESTRAINT 1-6

Therefore, since Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same attitude. For whoever suffers in the flesh has broken with sin, so as not to spend what remains of one’s life in the flesh on human desires, but on the will of God.

For the time that has passed is sufficient for doing what the Gentiles like to do: living in debauchery, evil desires, drunkenness, orgies, carousing, and wanton idolatry.

They are surprised that you do not plunge into the same swamp of profligacy, and they vilify you; but they will give an account to him who stands ready to judge the living and the dead

REFLECTION

We must deny ourselves daily and attach ourselves to the will of God.  We must fast from more than food.  We must remove ourselves from any addiction that separates us from God.

If Christ suffered from deprivation why not us his disciples?  We certainly are not superior to the Master.  The flesh is weak and easily manipulated by the devil as he tempts us to choose to be our own gods like he did our first parents. .

The Gentiles (The World) vilifies Christians for not participating in their depravity.  The pressure to go along to get along is immense! Many man-made laws go against God’s laws.  We must choose to love God and His will over the way of the world that subjects us to the latest trends and popular poll numbers.

Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.   Matthew 7:13-14

SAINT PETER MARTYR

You are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church,  The gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

Matthew 16:18

 TRIAL OF PERSECUTION 12-19

Beloved, do not be surprised that a trial by fire is occurring among you, as if something strange were happening to you. But rejoice to the extent that you share in the sufferings of Christ, so that when his glory is revealed you may also rejoice exultantly.

If you are insulted for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.  But let no one among you be made to suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as an intriguer….

And if the righteous one is barely saved, where will the godless and the sinner appear?” As a result, those who suffer in accord with God’s will, hand their souls over to a faithful creator as they do good.

REFLECTION

 Peter was a martyr for the faith.  “The blood of martyrs is the seed of the church.”

Persecution of Christians may not be as bloody today as it was in earlier centuries but the un-bloody persecution today is just as severe and prevalent.

“If the world hates you, realize that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, the world would love its own; but because you do not belong to the world, and I have chosen you out of the world, the world hates you. Remember the word I spoke to you, ‘No slave is greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you…            John 15:18-20

….Let us rid ourselves of every obstacle and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let’s run with endurance the race that is set before us   Hebrews 12:1

OBEDIENCE OF FAITH CATHOLIC CATECHISM #144

 To obey in faith is to submit freely to the word that has been heard, because its truth is guaranteed by God, who is Truth itself… The Virgin Mary is its most perfect embodiment.

 

 

 

1 PETER CHAPTER 2

1 Comment / CATHOLIC LETTERS

LETTER OF ST. PETER

 INTRODUCTION

Christian tradition regarded Peter the apostle as author of this document.  Its themes and concepts reflect Peter’s experiences and his associations in the period of our Lord’s earthly ministry.

Peter’s letters both inspire and admonish. The letters constantly mingles moral exhortation to persevere in the way of the Lord.  As we suffer with Christ we will rise with Christ if we remain faithful, 

 Letters of Peter, together with the Letters of James the three Letters of John and the Letter of Jude are part of the seven so-called Catholic Letters.

As the history of the New Testament canon shows, the Catholic Letters were among the last of the biblical literature to be settled on as canonical.  Peter was martyred at Rome during the persecution of Nero between A.D. 64 and 67, it is supposed that the letter was written from Rome shortly before his death.

1 PETER CHAPTER 2

God’s House and People. 1-12

Rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, insincerity, envy, and all slander like newborn infants, long for pure spiritual milk so that through it you may grow into salvation, for you have tasted that the Lord is good.

Come to him, a living stone,* rejected by human beings but chosen and precious in the sight of God and like living stones, let yourselves be built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

For it says in scripture: “Behold, I am laying a stone in Zion, a cornerstone, chosen and precious, and whoever believes in it shall not be put to shame.” Therefore, its value is for you who have faith, but for those without faith:

“The stone which the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,” and “A stone that will make people stumble, and a rock that will make them fall. They stumble by disobeying the word, as is their destiny.

But you are “a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people of his own, so that you may announce the praises” of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were “no people” but now you are God’s people; you “had not received mercy” but now you have received mercy.

Beloved, I urge you as aliens and sojourners* to keep away from worldly desires that wage war against the soul. Maintain good conduct among the Gentiles, so that if they speak of you as evildoers, they may observe your good works and glorify God on the day of visitation.

 REFLECTION

a cornerstone, chosen and precious,… This cornerstone, Jesus, We build our whole life around. There is no other!  We are motivated, moved, and inspired by the Holy Spirit, the breath of life. Is Jesus your cornerstone or a stumbling block?  In this letter Peter urges us… to keep away from worldly desires that wage war against the soul. Our good works give glory to God and work for salvation of all!

 Christian Citizens 13-25

 Be subject to every human institution for the Lord’s sake, whether it be to the king as supreme or to governors as sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and the approval of those who do good. For it is the will of God that by doing good you may silence the ignorance of foolish people.

JESUS PAYS TEMPLE TAX

Be free, yet without using freedom as a pretext for evil, but as slaves of God. Give honor to all, love the community, Fear God, honor the king…when you suffer for doing what is good, this is a grace before God.

For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered* for you, leaving you an example that you should follow in his footsteps. “He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.”

When he was insulted, he returned no insult; when he suffered, he did not threaten; instead, he handed himself over to the one who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body upon the cross, so that, free from sin, we might live for righteousness.

By his wounds you have been healed.  For you had gone astray like sheep, but you have now returned to the shepherd and guardian of your souls.

REFLECTION

 Be subject to every human institution for the Lord’s sake …Obey lawful laws of lawful government.  Jesus obeyed Roman law as it was the will of the Father. Jesus paid the temple tax.

Fear God, honor the king…We are expected to obey laws otherwise there would be division and chaos, the devil’s playground. This does not mean every civil law is moral and as martyrs in heaven have shown we choose God’s law over man-made laws when they are in conflict.

 when you suffer for doing what is good…this is in imitation of Jesus.,,,, By his wounds you have been healed. Jesus invites us to participate in our redemption by uniting our suffering to Christ crucified in gift to the Father.

DEVOTION TO THE HOLY EUCHARIST

PRAYER

INTRODUCTION

 The Church has historically noted the month of April for increased devotion to Jesus in the Holy Eucharist. At the Last Supper, Jesus gave us His greatest gift, His Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity to share at every Mass, every day, everywhere in the world!

O Sacrament Most Holy,

O Sacrament Divine,

All praise and all thanksgiving be every moment Thine Amen

CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH

1323 At the Last Supper, on the night he was betrayed, our Savior instituted the Eucharistic sacrifice of his Body and Blood. This he did in order to perpetuate the sacrifice of the cross throughout the ages until he should come again, and so to entrust to his beloved Spouse, the Church, a memorial of his death and resurrection: a sacrament of love, a sign of unity, a bond of charity, a Paschal banquet ‘in which Christ is consumed,

SCRIPTURE

The word of God is so powerful that whatever he commands is carried out. When he says, “Let there be light” Genesis 1:3, at creation, light suddenly appears. At his word, the sun, moon, and stars are brought into existence. The power of that divine word is also in Jesus.

 When Jesus took bread and said, “This is my body”, and took wine and said, “This is my blood” Matthew 26:26-28. These sacred words bring about what he says. Jesus is truly present body and blood, soul and divinity in the Eucharist.

 When receiving Jesus in the Eucharist is not possible, the next best thing is to visit him in Church where he resides calling to us to come stay with me.

HOLY HOUR
of Eucharistic Adoration

Christ is present in the Most Blessed Sacrament to manifest his great love for us.  Christ, the God-Man, is truly present in his divinity as well as his humanity, body and soul before me. This Holy Hour may be broken down into 15 minute segments with different types of prayers, Adoration, Thanksgiving, Petition, and Contrition.

ADORATION

Think of the marvel of this great reality: Christ, the God-Man, is truly present in his divinity as well as his humanity, body and soul. Consider who he is as God…the Creator; God-Man: our Redeemer, our Savior, our Lord and King.  Push your thoughts to search out the meaning of these truths and let your soul rest in the wonder of his loving presence here— Be quiet and listen, as God speaks to your heart.

PRAYER OF ADORATION

Lord, thank you for this hour of Eucharistic devotion. I adore you as the infinite and Holy One of God. You and the Father are one and you promised that one day we will be one in You. May Your Holy Spirit be with me. Send Him constantly… I thank you for this precious gift of faith. Amen.

THANKSGIVING

The next 15 minutes may be devoted to THANKSGIVING.   Let words of thanksgiving rise up in your soul, or just simply give thanks to God for his presence here in such a remarkable way. Read or recall one of your favorite Scripture passages.  Imagine you are present and hear it direct from Jesus, what do you say to Jesus?   Take time to recall and thank God for other special blessings. Thank him for his love for you, for his unfailing help in trials and difficulties. Do you really believe God loves you? Think about it till you can really say that in sincerity and heartfelt conviction: that God does love you!

PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING

 Thank you, Father, for having created me. Thank you for my family. Thank you for being with us in all our joys and sorrows, for your comfort in our sadness, your companionship in our loneliness. Thank you for friends, for health and for grace. May I live this and every day conscious of all that has been given to me. Everything I receive is pure gift. Help me to be a grateful giver to others.

PETITION

Dedicate the next 15 minutes to PETITION. First of all, ask Jesus here present in the Holy Eucharist for the grace he wants most for you: the great blessing of redemption and eternal salvation….for you, for each member of your family, your friends, people of you neighborhood and parish, for all mankind.

Pray for conversions. Pray for particular people, those who are away from the Church and the Sacraments. Pray for the sick and lonely, the discouraged, our youth, the unborn, our country, its leaders.

Pray for vocations to complete the work of Christ.  Pray for the grace to know the will of God always in my own life. Pray for peace, God’s peace God’s wholeness in the hearts of all that we all be one!

PRAYER OF PETITION

O my God, give yourself to me. Behold I love you…if my love is too weak a thing, grant me to love you more strongly. I cannot measure my love, but let my soul hasten to your embrace… This I know that it is not good for me when you are not with me.  Everything in this world that is not you is mere rubbish. Amen.

CONTRITION

Dedicate the last 15 minutes of the Holy Hour to CONTRITION. A look into one’s own conscience first, for where we sin and where we need to ask for pardon and mercy…A look into the conscience of the world at large…the demeaning of others, insults and injuries inflicted around the globe, sins against life and the world we live in…are we good stewards of our planet…do we welcome the stranger…feed the hungry…care for the sick….. treat others as we wish to be treated…

PRAYER OF CONTRITION

 O Lord, forgive me my sins; the sins of my youth, the sins of my age, the sins of my soul, the sins of my body… the sins that I know, the sins I have concealed so long and which are now hidden from my memory. I am truly sorry for every sin, mortal and venial. I know my sins have wounded Thy tender Heart; O my Savior, let me be freed from the bonds of evil… O my Jesus, forget and forgive what I have been.. Amen.

I am reminded how much need I am of God’s mercy. So often I have walked away from God but He never gave up, sought me, and called me back into His embrace.  

DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY

APRIL 16, 2023

PRAISE THE LORD FOR HE IS GOOD;

HIS MERCY ENDURES FOREVER

PSALM 136:1

 

LETTER OF JAMES CHAPTER THREE

CATHOLIC LETTERS, SCRIPTURE

SAINT JAMES APOSTLE

BISHOP OF JERUSALEM. AND EVANGELIST

 TAMING THE TONGUE 3:1-12

….we all fall short in many respects. If anyone does not fall short in speech, he is a perfect man, able to bridle his whole body also.   If we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we also guide their whole bodies.

It is the same with ships: even though they are so large and driven by fierce winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot’s inclination wishes. In the same way the tongue is a small member and yet has great pretensions….

For every kind of beast, bird, reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by the human species, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.  With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings who are made in the likeness of God.

From the same mouth come blessing and cursing.  This need not be so, my brothers.  Does a spring gush forth from the same opening both pure and brackish water? Can a fig tree, my brothers, produce olives, or a grapevine, figs? Neither can salt water yield fresh.

REFLECTION

 In this Scripture passage, James reminds us of the damage we can do with speech. The tongue can and is likely to do grave damage to other human beings, (made in the likeness and image of God) in gossip, curses, judgments, and name calling etc.

All of these deadly evils begin in the heart. “Harden not your hearts,” Hebrews 3:8

 God makes a New Covenant in our hearts. I will put My law in their minds and inscribe it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they will be My people Jerimiah 31:33

 For I will pour out water on the thirsty land….I will pour out My Spirit on your offspring And My blessing on your descendants; Isaiah 44:3

…whoever drinks of the water that I will give him shall never thirst; but the water that I will give him will become in him a well of water (Spirit) springing up to eternal life.” John 4:14

….Now the works of the flesh are obvious: immorality, impurity…hatreds, rivalry, jealousy, outbursts of fury, acts of selfishness…I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

 In contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Galatians 5:15-23

 TRUE WISDOM. 3:13-18

Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show his works by a good life in the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth.  Wisdom of this kind does not come down from above but is earthly, unspiritual, and demonic.

For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every foul practice. But the wisdom from above is first of all pure, then peaceable, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, without inconstancy or insincerity. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace for those who cultivate peace.

REFLECTION

 True wisdom is seeking to be image of God.  Jesus’s commands, Be perfect as your heavenly father is perfect.  Matthew 5:48.

God our Father, Abba Father, make us whole again.  Overcome our inclination to evil (sin) Make us fresh again, remove the debris in our hearts, let us be wise in our choices and discern with the aid of the Holy Spirit, in Jesus’ name we pray!

 

LETTER OF JAMES CHAPTER TWO

CATHOLIC LETTERS

SAINT JAMES APOSTLE

BISHOP OF JERUSALEM. AND EVANGELIST

 INTRODUCTION

James wrote to a very partial age, filled with prejudice and hatred based on class, ethnicity, nationality, and religious background. In the ancient world people were routinely and permanently categorized because they were Jew or Gentile, slave or free, rich or poor…..

A significant aspect of the work of Jesus was to break down these walls that divided humanity, and to bring forth one new race of mankind in Him Ephesians 2:14-15

The unity and openness of the early church was shocking to the ancient world. But this unity didn’t come automatically. As this command from James shows, the apostles had to teach the early church to never hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ… with partiality.

 MERCY TRIUMPHS OVER JUDGMENT JAMES 2:1-13

My brothers, show no partiality as you adhere to the faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ.

For if a man with gold rings on his fingers and in fine clothes comes into your assembly, and a poor person in shabby clothes also comes in, and you pay attention to the one wearing the fine clothes and say, “Sit here, please,” while you say to the poor one, “Stand there,” or “Sit at my feet,” have you not made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil designs?*

Listen, my beloved brothers. Did not God choose those who are poor* in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom that he promised to those who love him?  But you dishonored the poor person….

 However, if you fulfill the royal* law according to the scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well. But if you show partiality, you commit sin, and are convicted by the law as transgressors.

For whoever keeps the whole law, but falls short in one particular, has become guilty in respect to all of it. For he who said, “You shall not commit adultery,” also said, “You shall not kill.”  Even if you do not commit adultery but kill, you have become a transgressor of the law…For the judgment is merciless to one who has not shown mercy; mercy triumphs over judgment.

REFLECTION

 James’ use of the term partiality reminds us of the caution not to judge others, Judge not lest you be judged!  Matthew 7:1

How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove that splinter from your eye,’ while the wooden beam is in your eye? You hypocrite,* remove the wooden beam from your eye first; then you will see clearly to remove the splinter from your brother’s eye. Matt. 7:4-5

We should not choose on appearances. For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart 1 Samuel 16:7 God looks at the heart and so should we.

We should recognize all our brothers and sisters who are all made in the same image and likeness of God as we are. God is one God but three persons in love with each other in the Most Holy Trinity.  We are made to love and be loved.

When we assume that the rich man is more important to God or more blessed by God, we put too much value in material riches. When God came to earth he came to a little known part of this earth, born in poverty.

QUESTION TO PONDER

Why did God choose to come into this world in poverty?

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

 THE MERCY WE SHOW TO OTHERS WILL BE EXTENDED

TO US AGAIN ON THE DAY OF JUDGMENT.

 FAITH AND WORKS. JAMES 2:14-26

What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him?   If a brother or sister has nothing to wear and has no food for the day, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, keep warm, and eat well,” but you do not give them the necessities of the body, what good is it?  So also faith if it does not have works, is dead.

Indeed someone may say, “You have faith and I have works.” Demonstrate your faith to me without works, and I will demonstrate my faith to you from my works. You believe that God is one. You do well. Even the demons believe that and tremble. Do you want proof, you ignoramus, that faith without works is useless?

Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered his son Isaac upon the altar? You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by the works.

 Thus the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called “the friend of God….  For just as a body without a spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead.

REFLECTION

By Faith we mean our complete submission of intellect and will to God.  If we really believe something we will follow through and act upon it. God cannot and will not deceive. There is a difference in believing in a God and believing God.

I could say I believe in God and Jesus as my Lord and Savior and not be saved because I chose my way of doing things over God’s will. “Not everyone who says to Me, Lord, Lord!’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of My Father in heaven Matt.7:21

The faith that saves is never alone. Works must accompany a genuine faith, because genuine faith is always connected with conversion, becoming a new creation in Jesus. 2 Corinthians 5:17

 God is beyond anything we can say about him or think about him. God is always more. God in his love for us and his desire for relationship has revealed himself in His Creation and Divine revelation thru Scripture.  God is mystery.  We will never understand the Most Holy Trinity fully. In our faith journey, doubts will come and go.  A million doubts do not mean a denial of faith in God who is truthful, trustworthy, and beyond deceit.

 “LORD I BELIEVE; HELP MY UNBELIEF.” MARK 9:24

 

 

 

CATHOLIC LETTERS OF NEW TESTAMENT

2 Comments / CATHOLIC LETTERS

LETTER OF JAMES CHAPTER ONE

JAMES THE LESSER

 INTRODUCTION

This letter, which was accepted as canonical from the second century onward, is attributed to James, the son of Cleophas and of Mary, the Blessed Virgin’s sister or cousin.

To distinguish him from the other James, the son of Zebedee Matt. 10:2-4, this James is called “the less” and, also, “the brother (cousin) of the Lord” James the younger” here has also been translated “James the less”

From the Book of Acts we know that James enjoyed great authority in the church of Jerusalem Acts 15:13-19.

Paul also describes him as one of the pillars of the Church and gives him a prominent place among those to whom our Lord appeared after his Resurrection. 1 Cor. 15:7

James the apostle (the less) was, then, bishop of Jerusalem until his death in the year 62. He wrote his letter around the year 60. In it he shows himself to be steeped in the Old Testament and in the teachings of Jesus deriving from the Sermon on the Mount.

EXCERPTS FROM CHAPTER ONE

PERSEVERANCE IN TRIAL

 VERSES 1-4

James, a slave of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes in the dispersion, greetings. Consider it all joy, my brothers, when you encounter various trials, for you know that the testing* of your faith produces perseverance….. And let perseverance be perfect, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

 VERSES 12-13

Blessed is the man who perseveres in temptation, for when he has been proved he will receive the crown of life that he promised to those who love him.*No one experiencing temptation should say, “I am being tempted by God”; for God is not subject to temptation to evil, and he himself tempts no one Rather, each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire conceives and brings forth sin, and when sin reaches maturity it gives birth to death.

REFLECTION

 James speaks of himself as a slave to God.  The word slave today has many bad connotations. James means he is committed to God’s will.  How committed are we?

Sometimes we fail. Our will, wishes, desires will get the best of us. God tempts no one. Satan tempts God tries.. God will never tempt us to evil but sometimes He allows it as a test of our faith as in the case of Job (Book of Job)

A faith untested is not much of a faith, God wants us to choose freely to love him and serve him

God respects our free will and will never force us to choose Him…..An enormous responsibility on our part… we must pray that we choose God’s will every day and avoid anything that would separate us even for a moment.  Our intention is to live all eternity with God why not start now!

DOERS OF THE WORD.

 VERSES 19-25

Know this, my dear brothers….Be doers of the word and not hearers only, deluding yourselves.  For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his own face in a mirror.  He sees himself, then goes off and promptly forgets what he looked like.  But the one who peers into the perfect law of freedom and perseveres, and is not a hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, such a one shall be blessed in what he does.

REFLECTION

Peers into the perfect law. The perfect law refers to the Old Testament Mosaic law and the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Faith Without Works Is Dead.  James 2:14 At the time of Protestant Reformation, Martin Luther proclaimed Faith alone can save you so he left Epistle of James out of his bible. Luther was wrong then and still wrong today. Only doing the will of Father can save me. Moved by grace, we submit our intellect and will to God.

We need faith and works.  What good is it to say I believe in Jesus Lord and Savior then act like we don’t?  There is a difference in believing in a God and believing God.

A belief in a God is faith of intellect but does not bring about change or conversion. I can still acknowledge the Lord and not be saved by going about my merry way like the old Frank Sinatra tune “I did it my way!”

We are reminded by the words of Jesus, Himself, “not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of my Father” Matthew 7:21.

 

 

 

MARCH FOR LIFE POST ROE V WADE

CATHOLIC CHURCH TEACHING, CATHOLIC COMMENTARY

CHOOSE LIFE

“I have today set before you, life and death, the blessing and the curse. Choose life that you and your descendants may live.” 

DEUTERONOMY 30:15

The earliest Christians used as their “moral guide of behavior” the admonition God made to his chosen people, through Moses, His Prophet, I am offering you, life or death, blessing or curse. Choose life, then, so that you and your descendants may live… Deuteronomy 30:19.

INTRODUCTION

On January 22, 1973, the Supreme Court legalized abortion throughout the United States in its companion decisions Roe v. Wade and Doe v. Bolton. Since that time, millions of children have lost their lives, and millions of women and families have been wounded by abortion.

In all the Dioceses of the United States of America, January 22 (or January 23, when January 22 falls on a Sunday) shall be observed as a particular day of prayer for the full restoration of the legal guarantee of the right to life and of penance for violations to the dignity of the human person committed through acts of abortion. 

When is abortion permitted?  NEVER! Not when it is inconvenient…not when the child in the womb is the wrong sex….not when child created by God is a result of rape or incest…not when child in womb may be born with some handicap….DELIBERATE ABORTION IS NEVER PERMITTED.    NOTE: In an attempt to save a mother’s life, the life of the child in her womb may be lost in unintended consequences.

 CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH 2270  Human life must be respected and protected absolutely from the moment of conception. From the first moment of his existence, a human being must be recognized as having the rights of a person – among which is the inviolable right of every innocent being to life.

Today, many consider pregnancy a disease to be preemptively attacked. Some politicians aggressively defend the right to abortion. Just because it is legal does not make it RIGHT!

Women claim it is their body and free to do what they want.  “My Body, My Choice,” betrays a tragic misunderstanding of what is taking place inside the womb.

The DNA of the child that determines sex, facial features, physique, and the color of the skin, hair, and eyes is different from the Mother’s. Every cell of the baby in the womb is genetically distinct from every cell in the mother’s body.  The gift of life is God’s choice not a woman’s!

On June 24, 2022, the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision overturned  Roe v. Wade. While God, in His mercy, ended the nearly fifty-year nationwide regime of abortion on demand, right now state and federal laws, in many instances, are still hostile to pre-born children.

The landscape has changed, but our mission to create a culture of love and life where abortion is unthinkable remains the same. At this year’s march, we will take the time to celebrate the Supreme Court’s decision and acknowledge all that went into our 50 years of work toward ending Roe in the courts.

We must now wage war in Congress, in our statehouses and in our communities. Through our continued advocacy and witness at the national level, we plan to hold the line protecting life-saving policies such as the Hyde Amendment

We must not only care for the unborn but also the already born who may be so adversely affected by an unplanned pregnancy that in her pain and despair may consider killing the life of the baby growing inside her womb.  It so refreshing when I encounter a newly pregnant woman proclaim proudly, “I am having a baby!”

Thousands of pregnancy resource centers and hundreds of maternity homes exist across the country giving women an alternative to abortion and letting them know that they are not alone.

These centers and homes provide everything a mother might need, including housing, financial assistance, education, counseling, clothing, diapers, child care and more.

These organizations rely heavily on us — both in terms of volunteer hours as well as donations — and it is up to us to be a beacon of hope for them and the women they serve.

If we have learned anything from the recent Dobbs decision, it is that we can accomplish anything we set our mind to. With a lot of hard work, courage and prayer, we will build a world where every life is valued and loved and abortion is unthinkable!

MARCH FOR LIFE

 EPILOGUE

At every stage and in every circumstance, we are held in existence by God’s love. The presence of an illness, disability, or other challenging situation never diminishes the value of a human life. God does not call us to perfection of appearance or abilities, but to perfection in love.

 Christ came that we “might have life and have it more abundantly” John 10:10 May our culture experience the power of God’s transforming love, that all eyes may be opened to the incredible beauty of every human life.

“Children truly are the family’s greatest treasure and most precious good. Everyone must be helped to become aware of the intrinsic evil of the crime of abortion. In attacking human life in its very first stages, it is also an aggression against society itself. Politicians and legislators, therefore, as servants of the common good, are duty bound to defend the fundamental right to life, the fruit of God’s love.” Pope Benedict XVI

PRAYER FOR RESPECT FOR EVERY HUMAN LIFE

Heavenly Father, thank you
for the precious gift of life.

Help us to cherish and protect
this gift, even in the midst of fear,
pain, and suffering.

Give us love for all people,
especially the most vulnerable,
and help us bear witness to the
truth that every life is worth living.

Grant us the humility to accept
help when we are in need,
and teach us to be merciful to all.

Through our words and actions,
may others encounter the
outstretched hands
of Your mercy.

We ask this through
Christ, our Lord. Amen.