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SOLEMNITY OF THE MOST HOLY BODY AND BLOOD OF CHRIST

CORPUS CHRISTI THE BODY AND BLOOD OF CHRIST

BACKGROUND

The Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ is also known as the Solemnity of Corpus Christi, which translates from Latin to “Body of Christ.” This feast originated in France in the mid-thirteenth century. and was extended to the whole Church by Pope Urban IV in 1264 as a universal feast of the Church, to be celebrated on the Thursday following Trinity Sunday. Today in the United States the feast is celebrated on following Sunday.

The Eucharist is foretold in many ways in Scripture. In the Old Testament it is the chosen people fed in the desert with manna from heaven. “Remember how for these forty years the LORD, your God, has directed all your journeying in the wilderness, so as to test you by affliction, to know what was in your heart…: He therefore let you be afflicted with hunger, and then fed you with manna a food unknown to you and your ancestors, so you might know that it is not by bread alone that people live, but by all that comes forth from the mouth of the LORD” Deuteronomy 8:2-3

In the New Testament we have two miracles of multiplication of loaves and fishes to physically feed the people and the announcement of Jesus to the Samaritan woman at the well that He is the living water that gives life. In John’s Gospel, chapter 6, we have the Bread of Life discourse.

BREAD OF LIFE DISCOURSE

It was not Moses who gave the bread from heaven; My Father gives you the true bread from heaven.

For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world…..

I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst

Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life and I will raise him up on the last day

Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him” JOHN 6:31-34, 48

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…to entrust to his beloved Spouse, the Church, a memorial of his death and resurrection…a sacrament of love, a sign of unity, and a bond of charity.

COMMENTARY

A new Pew Research survey finds that most self-described Catholics don’t believe in the Real Presence in the Eucharist. In fact, seven-in-ten Catholics (70%) say they personally believe that during Catholic Mass, the bread and wine used in Communion “are symbols of the body and blood of Jesus Christ.” Just one-third of U.S. Catholics (30%) say they believe that “during Catholic Mass, the bread and wine actually become the body and blood of Jesus.” What a shame, so many missing Jesus’ own words. In Jesus we trust!

The Priest, acting in the Person of Christ, and speaking Christ’s words at the consecration, transmits Christ’s words to make His presence real in the Eucharist. We call this transubstantiation. Transubstantiation does no violence to the appearances of the bread and wine, but on the deepest level of their reality, they have been changed, becoming the Body and Blood of Christ.

The incarnate Logos (Word of God), Christ, is the fullest revelation of God that we can possess on earth. The Eucharist is the sacramental extension of the Incarnation. “Abide in me, and I in you” John 15:4. . . . I am the vine, you are the branches.” John 15:5 “He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him.” John 6:54

Inasmuch as we participate in the Eucharist, we participate in Christ’s sacrifice. This communion with Christ in His sacrifice enables us to share communion with one another. This communion is the foundation and condition for the unity of the Church, the Mystical Body of Christ.

CONCLUSION

Just as we need to nourish our physical bodies in order to have strength to work and to live well, so too we need to nourish our souls to have spiritual strength, the ability to learn and understand the ways of the Lord, and work for the building up of the Kingdom, to live well spiritually now and for eternity. Nourished by this heavenly food we carry on the work of Christ and His Church.

“Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him. John 6:56 Jesus gave himself for you on Calvary and gives himself for you again in Holy Communion. It is the one sacrifice on Calvary extended through time to us at Mass. Some misunderstand and think Catholics say Jesus is sacrificed again during every Mass. No, it is the one sacrifice of Jesus on Calvary which is extended through time to us in every Mass

Jesus took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and giving it to his disciples said, “Take and eat; this is my body.” Then he took a cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you; for this is my blood of the new covenant, which will be shed on behalf of many for the forgiveness of sins.” Matthew 26:26-28

JESUS INSTITUTES THE SACRAMENT OF THE EUCHARIST AT THE LAST SUPPER

When we receive the Eucharist in Holy Communion, the Priest says, “the Body of Christ” and we say “Amen.”

Our “Amen” means we recognize and acknowledge the real presence, body and blood, soul and divinity of Jesus Christ, and by mystery we are part of that Mystical Body of Christ.

When we consume the Eucharist it is not us changing Jesus but Jesus changing us by sharing His divinity with us!

Though ascending into heaven after His resurrection, Jesus wanted us to have the memorial of the love with which he loved us “to the end,” even to the giving of his life. In his Eucharistic presence he remains mysteriously in our midst as the one who loved us and gave himself up for us

The Church and the world have a great need for Eucharistic worship. Jesus awaits us in this sacrament of love. Let us not refuse the time to go to meet him in adoration, in contemplation full of faith, and open to making amends for the serious offenses and crimes of the world. Let our adoration never cease!

THIS IS THE BREAD COME DOWN FROM HEAVEN

TAKE AND RECEIVE, THIS IS MY BODY

SPIRITUAL COMMUNION

My Jesus,
I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament.
I love You above all things,
and I desire to receive You into my soul.
Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally,
come at least spiritually into my heart.
I embrace You as if You were already there
and unite myself wholly to You.
Never permit me to be separated from You.

Amen.

WHY I AM STILL ROMAN CATHOLIC AFTER ALL THESE YEARS

2 Comments / CATHOLIC CHURCH TEACHING, CATHOLIC COMMENTARY

PETER’S BASILICA ROME ITALY

As Jesus’ vicar/prime minister, St. Peter established the Mother Church in Rome in 42 A.D. All other Christian denominations over the centuries have their roots in the Church Jesus founded. Just as Bishops today are successors to the Apostles, the Pope is successor to Peter.

INTRODUCTION

A friend of mine who lives out of town that I have known for 50+ years called on Mother’s Day to wish my wife Happy Mother’s Day. During the course of our conversation he wanted me to know he believes in God just not the Church. Gene and I have discussed religion forever. He is a good man who reaches out in service to others especially the elderly

I reminded Gene that while the Church was divinely instituted, it is humanly constituted made up of saints and sinners. There is no greater target of Satan then the Church of Christ. Since their Intellect is darkened and their Will is weakened as a consequence of Original Sin the clergy of the Church are just as susceptible to the “dark” side as the laity.

Of course, it is not just clergy abuse that caused so many to leave the “church.” Most reply they just don’t believe what the Church teaches. Well, this is not so surprising since for the last several decades our Catholic faithful, the young and old, have been so poorly served in the area of Catechesis. It seems when the nuns left the building so did a lot of strong true Catholic teaching. So we now have generations of the under Catechized who are not able to teach their children about God as well.

Some have asked me why I have the adjective, Roman, before Catholic in my website stillromancatholicafteralltheseyears.com. There are several rites in communion with Rome (Latin Rite) such as Maronites, that never separated and others that did, but have reunited with Rome such as Byzantine, Copts, and Chaldeans. I want readers to know my blog is orthodox and in full communion with the Church of St. Peter.

There are so many denominations out there that have catholic in their names that it is confusing. There are even groups out there that call themselves Catholics for Choice. This is not a Catholic organization but a pro- abortion advocacy group. There are “cafeteria catholics” who pick and chooses what Catholic teaching they want to follow. Catholics are not free to choose which teachings on faith and morals to obey.

I love my Church warts and all and so grateful to Jesus giving us this guide. It isn’t perfect. But Jesus is!, Jesus founded His Church on the Apostle Peter.” And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” Matthew 16:18-19

FEED MY SHEEP

“JESUS SAID TO SIMON PETER, SIMON, SON OF JOHN, DO YOU LOVE ME MORE THAN THESE?

Peter said to him, ‘Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.

Jesus said to him, ‘Feed my Lambs

“Jesus said to him a second time, ‘Simon, son of John, do you love me?’

Peter said to him, ‘Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.’

He said to him, ‘Tend my sheep’

.Jesus said to Peter the third time, ‘Simon, son of John, do you love me?’

Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, and he said to him, ‘Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Feed my sheep’”

John 21:17,

Not all are Good Shepherds all the time! Remember Peter denied Jesus three times but Peter repented and wept bitterly for his sins but returned to Jesus. Jesus returns the favor by entrusting His Church to Peter and his successors. As far as the Church of Christ goes our trust is not in the human constituency but in the Third person of the Blessed Trinity, the Holy Spirit.

The Father, indeed, revealed the fullness of Truth in His Son but the Church in its early days could not take it all in. It needed inspiration, guidance, the breath of the Spirit. What was (and still is) required is the ongoing influence of the Spirit, the divine interpreter of the Word, who does his work gradually and powerfully as the Church journeys across space and time.

“When the Advocate comes whom I will send you from the Father, the Spirit of truth that proceeds from the Father, he will testify to me.” John 15:26 “The Holy Spirit teaches the Church “all things,” bringing to mind everything that Christ first taught His apostles” John 14:26.

The Holy Spirit came on Pentecost Sunday and a Church was born. After the descent of the Holy Spirit the disciples were filled with courage and faith. They went out into the streets and proclaimed the Good News of Jesus Christ fearlessly in Truth and the Holy Spirit

PENTECOST SUNDAY

With the Holy Spirit, Jesus sends His apostles and their successors as the Father sent Him “with “all authority in heaven and on earth” (Mt. 28:18). The apostles, the first bishops, chosen by Christ, exercise the Church’s Magisterium or teaching office of His Church.

It is the Holy Spirit who comes into this world to convict Satan and Sin. The battle is joined. Do you know who wins: Check out the Book of Revelation, the last book of the Bible.. My trust is in the Holy Spirit not man!

THE BIBLE

Sometimes Catholics are criticized by other denominations as not knowing the Bible or down playing Scriptures. That is ridiculous. If you were to attend Sunday Mass regularly in a three year cycle and daily Mass in 2 year cycle you would hear read at Mass from Old and New Testament well over 80% of Scriptures.

There was no Bible in the early Church. It was the Church–her leadership, faithful people–guided by the authority of the Spirit of Truth which discovered the books inspired by God in their writing.

The canon of the Bible was established by the Roman Catholic Church definitively at the Council of Trent in 1556. Canon means keeping something “straight” by rule of faith.

A canon distinguishes what is revealed and divine from what is not revealed and human. Some criteria used to determine canonicity were: special relation to God, i.e., inspiration; apostolic origin; used by the community of believers in Church services guided by the Holy Spirit.

If God has revealed Himself to man and He has, man must be able to know with assurance where that revelation lies. In other words, man needs to know without error what the books of the Bible are. There must be an authority which will make that decision. That authority is the Magisterium of the Church founded by Jesus Christ.

Is the Bible enough? Jesus told his apostles in His Last Supper discourse, “I have much more to tell you, but you cannot bear it now. But when he comes, the Spirit of truth, he will guide you to all truth. He will not speak on his own, but he will speak what he hears, and will declare to you the things that are coming.” John 16:12-13

CATHOLIC CHURCH TEACHING ON MORALITY

The Church doesn’t make this stuff up. God the Father himself in the Old Testament gave the 10 Commandments to Moses. These commandments were written on stone to symbolize that they could not be changed. Human laws change from time to time, but God’s word never changes.

MOSES RECEIVES GOD’S LAW FOR US

While I was growing up, I questioned the Commandments and other Church Teaching but that was because I had the notion these were restrictions and I resisted like any “red blooded American“.

As I matured in my faith development I realized the commandments were not prohibitions at all but the best self-help book on the market for living well and happy. God was not asking me to give up anything that was good for me.

Let’s just take a few examples from the Commandments,, How about worshipping God our Creator on the Sabbath. What’s nuts about that? All that I am; All that I have; I have received from God. If I throw that out it isn’t long before I think I am in charge and I am not.

Here’s another one, Do not kill or do violence in actions or words. Who am I to harm someone? I don’t want anyone to harm me! And do not commit adultery nor covet your neighbor’s wife. Well how is that working out for the sexually active outside of marriage crowd? Divorce, fractured families, abandoned children, single parent families, sexually transmitted diseases, abortion etc. Sin has consequences. To deny this is to deny reality!

“See, I am setting before you today a blessing and a curse: the blessing, if you listen to the commandments of the LORD your God, which I am commanding you today; and the curse, if you do not listen to the commandments of the LORD your God… Deuteronomy 11:26

SACRAMENTS

God’s plan includes sacraments dispensed by His Church. Sacraments are an outward sign instituted by Christ to give grace. Sacraments are the means by which God “resurrects us” in this life. Jesus expresses Himself on earth today through His Sacraments. Not every denomination has the seven sacraments that Jesus instituted, but the Roman Catholic Church does.

Baptism restores divine life to our souls. Confirmation strengthens our faith and assist us in being faithful witnesses. Eucharist nourishes that life. Sacrament of Reconciliation heals our soul when we have sinned against God and neighbor. Matrimony: the sacramental binding covenant between a baptized man and woman in which they agree to eternal fidelity and commit to being God’s partners in the creation of new life.

Holy Orders continues Jesus’ Apostolic Mission today. This sacrament confers on a man the power of consecrating the offering of the Body and Blood of Christ and of remitting and retaining sin. Pray for vocations to the Priesthood. They administer the Sacraments in Jesus’ name. Anointing of the Sick stirs up the divine life within us to heal our bodies and prepare our souls for eternal life.

REAL PRESENCE IN EUCHARIST

Many other religious denominations claim the Sacrament of the Eucharist but do not believe as I do or other practicing Catholics in the Real Presence. Some denominations say it is a symbol. Some say it is something we do in memory of Jesus. Some say it is a fellowship meal.

As Roman Catholic, I believe in the Real Presence of Jesus in the Sacrament. I believe that when a priest at consecration says the words, “Take this, all of you, and eat of it, for this is my Body, which will be given up for you. Take this, all of you, and drink from it for this is the chalice of my Blood, the Blood of the new and eternal covenant, which will be poured out for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Do this in memory of me”.

I believe Jesus, body and blood, soul and divinity is reserved in the tabernacles of Catholic Churches around the world. Outside of Masses, Jesus may be brought to the sick and home bound.

The body and blood that we eat is the same body that hung on the cross, lay in the tomb, and then rose from the dead. That body is also the same body that passed through walls, that could be in Emmaus one minute, and Jerusalem the next, and then ascended into heaven to sit at the right hand of the Father.

When we eat hamburger or pizza etc. we are physically nourished and it becomes part of our body. But when we consume the Body and Blood of Jesus in Holy Communion, the exact opposite happens. Instead of us assimilating Jesus into our bodies, he assimilates us into his body. He doesn’t become part of our body. We become part of his body, a share in the Divine life!

“I am the living bread which came down from heaven; if any one eats of this bread, he will live forever” (John 6:51).

“The bread which I shall give for the life of the world is my flesh” (John 6:51). He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day.

For my flesh is food indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him. (John 6:53–56) He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. For my flesh is food indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him. (John 6:53–56)

CONCLUSION

I love my Church founded on Saint Peter. God can save whoever He wills but there are tremendous, superlative aids within the Roman Catholic Church for happiness and excellence of living in this world and to complete our journey home to Jesus. There are no restrictions harmful to mankind in Roman Catholic Church teaching. I thank God for my faith and my Church that have been there for me throughout my life of joy and suffering, let me persevere, keep my eyes on the prize and finish the race.

RANDOM REFLECTIONS FROM MY LENTEN JOURNAL

LENTEN REFLECTIONS

FOLLOWING JESUS IS AN ADVENTURE IT IS NOT JUST CARRYING MY CROSS BUT LIGHTENING THE CROSSES OF OTHERS LIKE SIMON OF CYRENE DID.

TO LOVE MY NEIGHBOR IS TO LOVE GOD I CANNOT LOVE GOD AND HATE MY NEIGHBOR

IF I DON’T FORGIVE ANOTHER WILL I BE FORGIVEN BY GOD? WHY TAKE THE CHANCE? HELP ME TO SHOW MERCY OVER JUDGMENT.

A RECONCILED SOUL IS A PEACEFUL SOUL, NO ADVERSARIES TO SHADOW BOX WITH, NO CLINCHING AND GRITTING OUR TEETH, LOWER BLOOD PRESSURE. SHARE THE PEACE OF CHRIST THAT IS BEYOND ALL UNDERSTANDING, FORGIVE AND BE SAVED

AS I MEASURE SO WILL IT BE MEASURED TO ME. GOD BE MERCIFUL TO ME A SINNER

GOD IS GOD AND WE ARE NOT. WHAT DO I HAVE TO BOAST OF? MY SINS??? WE MAY GIVE UP ON JESUS BUT HE NEVER GIVES UP ON US.

IN THE PRODIGAL SON STORY THERE IS THE PRODIGAL WHO REPENTS AND RETURNS TO HIS FATHER’S HOUSE AND THE FATHER THAT RUNS TO GREET HIM. THEN THERE IS THE OLDER BROTHER WHO RESENTS BOTH THE SON SEEKING FORGIVENESS AND THE FATHER OFFERING FORGIVENESS. PLEASE GOD, LET ME NOT BE LIKE THE OLDER SON STANDING IN JUDGMENT BUT RATHER OFFER MERCY TO ALL I MEET.

IS MY PRAYER SELF CENTERED LIKE THE PHARISEE IN THE TEMPLE OR GOD CENTERED LIKE THE TAX COLLECTOR, O GOD BE MERCIFUL TO ME A SINNER? IS GOD THE PRINCIPLE ACTOR IN MY PRAYER?

LORD THAT I MIGHT SEE! YOU ARE THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD. LIFT THE DARKNESS OF SELF-SERVING. SHED LIGHT ON MY SINFULNESS AND REMOVE WHAT YOUR LIGHT HAS REVEALED.

JESUS THE HEALER,. HEAL ME FROM MY PHYSICAL AND SPIRITUAL INFIRMITIES JESUS MAKE ME WHOLE AGAIN AS THE FATHER INTENDED!

HIS HOUR HAD NOT YET COME. WHAT IS MY HOUR? HAS IT ALREADY PASSED OR STILL TO COME? DON’T LET ME MISS IT….THY WILL BE DONE!

CHRISTIANITY IS A SALVATION RELIGION. IF YOU ARE NOT A SINNER YOU JUST DON’T GET IT. IT’S NOT FOR YOU. CHRISTIANITY IS MADE UP OF SINNERS IN NEED OF A SAVIOR. JESUS HAVE MERCY ON ME!

“I AM THE RESURRECTION AND LIFE.” NO MATTER HOW DEAD YOU ARE IN SIN, JESUS CAN CALL YOU BACK TO LIFE! LISTEN FOR HIS CALL!

JESUS CHRIST CRUCIFIED. GOD LOVES US FULLY, COMPLETELY, UNCONDITIONALLY EVEN TO DEATH. DO NOT FEAR THE CROSS, EMBRACE IT BECAUSE IT IS AN ICON OF GOD’S LOVE.

LENTEN PRACTICES STATIONS OF THE CROSS

LENTEN REFLECTIONS

FIRST STATION JESUS IS CONDEMNED TO DEATHWe adore Thee, O Christ, and bless Thee.

Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world.

REFLECTION

Jesus, you stand all alone before Pilate. Nobody speaks up for you. How alone you must feel…You devoted your entire life to helping others, where are they now…Help me to be grateful for what you did for me and never abandon you…when I am falsely accused help me to love my enemies and pray for those who hurt me.

SECOND STATION JESUS CARRIES HIS CROSS

We adore Thee, O Christ, and bless Thee.

Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world.

REFLECTION

Jesus you accepted your cross made up of my sins. It wasn’t easy but you carried it just the same. Sometimes I feel my cross is too big. I complain and look to others who I believe have lesser crosses. I feel sorry for myself. Oh My Jesus, help me to bear my cross patiently and generously for love of you.

THIRD STATION JESUS FALLS THE FIRST TIME

We adore Thee, O Christ, and bless Thee.

Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world.

REFLECTION

Jesus, the cross you carry is very heavy. You are becoming weak and almost ready to faint, and you fall down. Nobody seems to want to help you. The heavy burden of my sins weigh Thee down beneath the cross. I detest them; I beg you to pardon them. May your grace help me never to commit them again.

FOURTH STATION JESUS MEETS HIS AFFLICTED MOTHER

We adore Thee, O Christ, and bless Thee.

Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world.

REFLECTION

Oh My Jesus, it is with great sorrow that I see the pain you share with your Mother Mary. What gave you both the courage to carry on? As my Redeemer, it seems you and your Mother were teaching me how to suffer and give this suffering to the Father for the salvation of souls. Help me to offer up my suffering for others.

FIFTH STATION SIMON OF CYRENE HELPS JESUS CARRY HIS CROSS

We adore Thee, O Christ, and bless Thee.

Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world.

REFLECTION

Oh My Jesus, Simon of Cyrene was enlisted by the soldiers to help you carry your cross less you die before crucifixion. You, who hold up the whole universe, allowed a creature to help you. What an example of humility to allow others to attend to you. I don’t have to always be on the giving side; help me to accept offers of help from others. In so doing, I will be blessed and so will they.

SIXTH STATION VERONICA WIPES

THE FACE OF JESUS

We adore Thee, O Christ, and bless Thee.

Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world.

REFLECTION

My Jesus, where were all the hundreds of peoples whose bodies and souls were healed by you? Why only one woman? Veronica, setting aside fear and human respect offers you the comfort of her veil. My sweet Jesus, imprint your Divine Image upon my soul…that I may attend to the needs of others on your behalf despite the situation or circumstances.

SEVENTH STATION JESUS FALLS A SECOND TIME

We adore Thee, O Christ, and bless Thee.

Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world.

REFLECTION

On My Jesus, You fall a second time under the pain of the Cross.You rise from this fall. What looked like weakness is unparalleled strength. The world often looks down upon the poor as failures, the sick as useless and the aged as a burden. There is a vast difference between the way the world sees and the way God sees. Weak and powerful Jesus, give comfort of your presence to the aged, sick, and handicapped. Let the infirm glory in their weakness.

EIGHTH STATION JESUS SPEAKS

TO THE HOLY WOMEN

We adore Thee, O Christ, and bless Thee.

Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world.

REFLECTION

My Jesus, I am amazed at your compassion for others in your time of need. When I suffer, I have a tendency to think only of myself but when you saw the holy women weeping over your torments, you consoled them and taught them to look deeper into Your Passion. Help all those who are discouraged, sick, lonely and old to recognize Your Presence in their midst. No one suffers alone. Easter is coming!

NINTH STATION JESUS FALLS THIRD TIME

We adore Thee, O Christ, and bless Thee.

Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world.

REFLECTION

My Jesus, even with the help of Simon You fell a third time. Were you telling me that there may be times in my life that I will fall again and again despite the help of friends and loved ones? When I cry out from the depths of my soul, “This suffering is more than I can bear,” You whisper, to my innermost being, “Yes, I know, Keep going, I know how hard it is to rise”? Easter is coming, rejoice!

TENTH STATION JESUS IS STRIPPED

OF HIS GARMENTS

We adore Thee, O Christ, and bless Thee.

Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world.

REFLECTION

My sweet Jesus, it seems that every step to Calvary brought you fresh shame and humiliation. How your sensitive nature must have recoiled at being stripped before a crowd of people. Have mercy on us who would violate the virtue of chastity. Sins of the flesh run rampant. Grant us the courage of conversion of our ways.

ELEVENTH STATION JESUS IS NAILED

TO THE CROSS

We adore Thee, O Christ, and bless Thee.

Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world.

REFLECTION

It is hard to imagine God being nailed to a cross by His own creatures. It is even more difficult for my mind to understand a love that permitted such a thing to happen! As those men drove heavy nails into your hands and feet, dear Jesus, you were stretching out your arms to show us how much you love us? Teach me to keep my arms ever open to love, to forgive and to render service.

TWELFTH STATION JESUS DIES ON THE CROSS

We adore Thee, O Christ, and bless Thee.

Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world.

REFLECTION

God is dead! No wonder the earth quaked, the sun hid, the dead rose and Mary stood by in horror. All creation rebelled as the Word made Flesh departed from this world. A common thief responded to your love with deep Faith, “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.” Dear Jesus, help us to humbly reach out to you, especially when we need forgiveness of our sins.

THIRTEENTH STATION JESUS IS TAKEN DOWN FROM THE CROSS

We adore Thee, O Christ, and bless Thee.

Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world.

REFLECTION

My Jesus, it was with deep grief that Mother Mary finally took you into her arms. You are once more surrounded by only a few followers. The greatest act of love was given mostly in isolation with little notice. Give to all men the grace to see that doing your will is more important than success. Let me accept praise or blame, success or failure with equal serenity.

FOURTEENTH STATION JESUS IS LAID IN THE TOMB

We adore Thee, O Christ, and bless Thee.

Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world.

REFLECTIONS

My Jesus, You were laid to rest in a stranger’s tomb. You were born with nothing in a stable. Most of us live and die knowing and known by only a few. Will we ever learn the lesson of humility that makes us content with who we are, where we are and what we are? Dear Jesus, grant me the grace of acceptance and let me rejoice on Resurrection day with all the Angels in a hymn of praise and thanksgiving for so great a love- so great a God!

CLOSING PRAYER

My Jesus, I have traveled Your Way of the cross. It seems so real. I feel so ashamed that I complain of my sufferings. Help me to see the Father’s will in every incident of my daily life.

Help me to trust the Father and to realize that there is something great behind the most insignificant suffering.

Teach me the lessons contained in my Cross, the wisdom of its necessity, the beauty of its variety, and the fortitude that accompanies even the smallest cross.

PROMISES OF A MESSIAH

CATHOLIC COMMENTARY, LENTEN REFLECTIONS

We are less than two weeks away from Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent. My thoughts today are on all the times we have failed God and suffered the consequences of our sinfullness.

I thought also of how many centuries people had to wait for the promised Messiah. Ancient Israel often failed in her ordained commission to be a beacon of spiritual light to all other nations.

God made many covenants with His people through mediators such as Abraham, Moses, and David. His people broke the covenants and suffered the consequences just as we suffer the consequences today of our own sinfulness.

Today, we are fortunate the Messiah has arrived and completed His mission. Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ now and forever!

Our Lent is modeled after the 40 days Jesus spent in fasting and praying in the dessert before He took on His public ministry that would end in His death and Resurrection and victory over sin and death. We must fortify ourselves like Jesus for the continued onslaught of the world, the devil, and the flesh.

Deny ourselves, take up our crosses and follow Jesus. There is no Easter without Good Friday. Fast from worldly things that we might focus on the spiritual; Listen to the word of God in Scripture; Pray before the blessed Sacrament that we might not succumb to the evil one.

In this blog I will focus on last two prophets of the Old and New Testament, Malachi and John the Baptist.

The last prophet of the Old Testament, Malachi, was sent by God to instruct the Jews resettling in Judea after the Babylonian captivity. Malachi revealed the spiritual and moral shortcomings of the priests and common people alike.

Tithing was being neglected; divorce had become commonplace; and there were mixed marriages with pagan peoples. Moral and spiritual laxity, pride, indifference, permissiveness and skepticism were growing. Their sins were the reason that God was once again stripping away their physical prosperity and position of influence in the region. Malachi pleaded with his countrymen to humble themselves in prayer (Malachi 1:9).

Malachi 3:1 states, “Behold, I send My messenger, and he will prepare the way before Me. And the Lord, whom you seek, will suddenly come to His temple, even the Messenger of the covenant.” This passage predicts the coming of John the Baptist, “My messenger” and Jesus Christ, “the Messenger of the covenant”.

In the Daily Office of prayers we read the prayer of Zechariah to his son, John the Baptist, “You, My child shall be called The prophet of the Most High, For you will go before the Lord to prepare His way, To give his people knowledge of salvation By the forgiveness of their sins.”

When John began his ministry dressed with Elijah-styled camel’s hair and leather girdle, this signaled to the Jews that he was playing the part of the returned Elijah. John and Elijah had much more in common than clothing. Both John and Elijah were great prophets. Both challenged evil kings to change their wicked ways, and both were persecuted for doing so.

Both John and Elijah prepared the way for prophets with even greater ministries than their own. Before Elijah was taken up to heaven, he gave his successor, Elisha, a double portion of his spirit (2 Kings 2:9, 15). Elisha then went on to do even greater things than his predecessor Elijah had done. For example, Elisha miraculously raised a child from the dead (2 Kings 4:32–37), and multiplied barley loaves to feed a crowd (2 Kings 4:42–44).

As Jesus approached, John pointed out to his disciples, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! When John baptized Jesus, the Spirit descended upon Jesus like a dove, and this event served as the foundation for his public ministry. Jesus then went on to do even greater works than John the Baptist. Like Elisha, Jesus also raised a child from the dead (Mt. 9:23–25), and multiplied barley loaves to feed the multitudes (Jn. 6:9–14).

At the Jordan River, Elijah transferred his prophetic mission to his successor, Elisha. (2 Kings 2:6–14). It was also there that the new Elijah—John the Baptist—passed the baton to Jesus, who then began his public ministry as the new Elisha. (Luke 3:11)

Jesus is that faithful “son of Abraham” (Mt. 1:1), that faithful Israelite, through whom a broken human family would find healing and reunion with its heavenly Father. Through Jesus, God’s blessing went out from Israel to embrace the whole world. Through Israel’s royal representative—Jesus—God’s people finally became what they were always meant to be: light to the world.

Lent is the favorable season for renewing our encounter with Christ, living in His word, in His sacraments, and in our neighbor. May the Holy Spirit lead us on a true journey of conversion, so that we can rediscover the gift of God’s word, be purified of sin that blinds us, and serve Christ present in our brothers and sisters in need.

REFLECTION

Do I fortify myself like Jesus with prayer and fasting…fasting means much more than not eating food…do I fast from making judgments…do I fast from anger, from unkind thoughts and words…. do I deny myself and choose God’s holy will over mine… do I seek power and glory for myself…or give all glory to God…All we are and all we have is a gift from God….how do we show our gratitude…are we passing God’s gifts to others….

PRAYER

Lord God, Almighty have mercy on me, a sinner.

Teach me to be humble,

and receive your gifts with gratitude

and share with others.

I know your gifts are not meant for me alone

and no one gets to heaven by themselves.

Let me be an instrument of yours

by proclaiming the Gospel, when it is easy and when it is hard.

In Jesus’ name, I pray!

FEAST OF OUR LADY OF LOURDES

CATHOLIC FEAST DAYS, MARY MOTHER OF GOD

I AM THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION

O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee.

PROLOGUE

Today, February 11, we celebrate another Marian Feast Day, Our Lady of Lourdes. In 1858, Mary appeared to Bernadette Soubirous. 14 years old, in Lourdes, France. Bernadette was doing her family chore of collecting fire wood near a cave.

Near the opening of the grotto, Bernadette glanced and noticed the cave was suddenly filled with golden light. Lifting up her eyes, she saw a lady of great beauty, dressed in a pure white robe with a blue sash, a veil over her head, a rosary clasped in her hands and yellow roses at her feet. Bernadette rubbed her eyes. What a beautiful lady! But where did she come from? And what was she doing here? The Lady looked at Bernadette and immediately smiled and signaled her to advance, in a way that a mother motions her child to come near.

Bernadette took out her rosary and knelt before the Lady, who also had a rosary on her right arm. As Bernadette prayed the rosary, the Lady passed the beads of her rosary between her fingers. When the recitation of the rosary was finished, the Lady returned to the interior of the rock and the golden cloud disappeared with her.

BERNADETTE SOUBIROUS

Our Blessed Mother appeared eighteen times to Bernadette Soubirous in 1858. Her messages to Bernadette are ageless and apply to all of us today…. A call to conversion, praying for sinners, acts of reparations for our sins and the sins of others. Penance, Penance, Penance, pray, pray, pray for sinners

The third time Bernadette went to the grotto, the lady spoke to her. The beautiful lady asked Bernadette to come here every day for fifteen days. The Lady instructed Bernadette to scrape the mud of the Grotto until a stream appeared. She said that she wanted Bernadette to tell the priests to build a chapel here.

Bernadette’s parish priest asked her to ask the Lady’s name. On March 25, 1858, the day of the sixteenth Apparition, Bernadette went to the Grotto, and asked the Lady for her name. Three times Bernadette asked the question. On the fourth request, the Lady responds, “I Am the Immaculate Conception.”

Pretty amazing that only four years after Pius IX (1854) declared the Immaculate Conception of Mary a dogma of the Church, Mary herself confirmed the dogma to Bernadette at Lourdes. The Immaculate Conception means that Mary, whose conception was brought about the normal way, was conceived without original sin.

From the first instant of her existence Mary was in the state of sanctifying grace and free from the corrupt nature original sin brings. Mary was redeemed by the grace of Christ, but in a special way—by anticipation. Mary received grace merited by her Son’s death and resurrection applied to her before she was able to become mired in original sin and its stain.

Mary is our model of faith and commitment. The Blessed Virgin Mary is also our greatest intercessor with God. At Cana, the Queen Mother asked her Son, Jesus, the King of Kings, to perform His first public miracle. Who can say no to their Mother? Go to Mary, ask her to intercede with her Son, but be patient, God is in a different time zone (eternity)

EPILOGUE

Bernadette, at the age of 22, entered the convent of the Sisters of Notre Dame in Nevers, France, serving our Lord with dignity, grace, and love, praying for the conversion of sinners and to the service of God. She passed away from tuberculosis on April 16, 1879 at 34 years of age and was canonized as a saint in 1933.

Bernadette was buried on the convent grounds. Her body was exhumed thirty years later on September 22, 1909, in the presence of two doctors, several appointed officials, and nuns from the local convent. When Bernadette’s coffin was opened, there was no odor, and her body was completely untouched by the laws of nature.

To this day her body remains incorruptible (that is to say, it shows no signs of decomposition or decay), another sign of the miracles associated with her. The sacred relic (Bernadette’s body) was placed in a coffin of gold and glass and can be viewed to this very day in the Chapel of Saint Bernadette at the motherhouse in Nevers, France.

Lourdes has become a place of pilgrimage and healing, but even more of faith. Church authorities have recognized over 60 miraculous cures, although there have probably been many more. To people of faith this is a continuation of Jesus’ healing miracles—now performed at the intercession of his mother. Lourdes water is brought home by pilgrims and shared with thousands in need. Would you believe this spring still provides 27,000 gallons of water every day!

Many of the sick and afflicted who go to Lourdes and are not healed but leave there stronger spiritually. They know that their various ailments still have a redemptive character, much like our Lord’s did at Calvary in His Passion and, as long as they do not lose faith in Him, their sufferings will not be in vain!

MARIAN PRAYER

MEMORARE

REMEMBER, O most gracious Virgin Mary,

that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection,

implored thy help, or sought thy intercession was left unaided.

Inspired with this confidence, I fly to thee,

O Virgin of virgins, my Mother;

to thee do I come; before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful.

O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions,

but in thy mercy hear and answer me. Amen.

WHY WORSHIP GOD

CATHOLIC CHURCH TEACHING, CATHOLIC COMMENTARY

Hear, O Israel!

The LORD is our God, the LORD alone!

Therefore, you shall love the LORD, your God,

with your whole heart, and with your whole being,

and with your whole strength!

Take to heart these words which I command you today.

Keep repeating them to your children.

Recite them when you are at home and when you are away,

when you lie down and when you get up.

Deuteronomy 6:4-9

The God of the Old and New Testament is certainly in need of nothing, even our worship. God lacks nothing. God is the cause of everything, and source of all beings. God is not just another being, He is existence itself, all that exists, exists in Him and through him.

Are we not grateful when someone gives us a gift, no matter how small it is? We can’t begin to tick off all the gifts we receive from God, our very existence, our world, the air we breathe, the sunlight and rain that produce food for our nourishment…

Each day is a day of gratitude and thanksgiving to the one who makes all things possible. Worship is not something that God needs, but it is very much something that we need…. To acknowledge that God is our end all and be all.

We can add nothing to God’s glory, but we can express God’s glory in our behavior to others. . Our lives become right ordered. We are ready to travel safely home. We may pray with the Psalmist…

The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom should I fear?

The LORD is my life’s refuge; of whom should I be afraid?

One thing I ask of the LORD; this I seek:

To dwell in the LORD’s house all the days of my life,

For God will hide me in his shelter in time of trouble,

He will conceal me in the cover of his tent; and set me high upon a rock.

Wait for the LORD, take courage; be stouthearted, wait for the LORD! (PSALM 27)

Very disturbing are continued reports of diminishing attendance at Sunday Mass. In a few decades it has dropped from 70% of Catholics to now 30%, Wow! So many going it on their own. How is that working out? It can be a real challenge to remain faithful. So many worldly distractions. So many Church scandals…

When people dismiss or ignore God’s presence in this world they also ignore His graces and support for times of stress, grief, despair… At Sunday Mass we celebrate the Eucharist, the same sacrifice as on Calvary but in an un-bloody manner.

As we join ourselves in offering ourselves with Jesus to the Father we encounter God’s presence in personal and profound ways and are the recipient of the graces Jesus merited over 2000 years ago. We are there with Jesus offering ourselves in sacrifice and in reparation for sin.

Just as we need to nourish our physical bodies in order to have strength; to work; and to live well, so too we need to eat in the House of the Lord to have spiritual strength. Nourished by this heavenly food we carry on the work of Christ and His Church.

Recently, I was in a hospital recovering from a fall and severe fracture of my upper arm, then that led to rehab and both OT and PT, all very painful and now in out-patient rehab. Why I bring this up is that when you are in pain it is not the easiest time to pray or even feel presence of God. Don’t wait until you are in extreme conditions to pray. Pray now, attend Mass now, participate in Sacramental life now!

Sometimes God seems so distant….not engaged at all….the faith of my Baptism tell me He is engaged in my suffering….sometimes all we can do is ask God to do something good with our suffering for others…sure we can pray for our healing…but that is in God’s time and place….something beyond our control..

In rehab, I looked around at so many others older and more disabled than myself and most likely not to ever go home again. What is that all about, God? No wonder euthanasia has so much support around the country based on a fictitious “quality of life.” What does God and His Church say about doctor assisted suicide?

So called “Death with Dignity” is always immoral. Whatever its motives and means, direct euthanasia consists in putting an end to the lives of handicapped, sick, or dying persons. It is morally unacceptable. A government that legalizes assisted suicide sends the terrible message that there is such a thing as disposable people.

So God, what is the God answer to these long suffering souls in nursing homes and the like. First, their very state of being can be a prayer, a surrender to will of God for themselves and others. Second, those who are their caregivers have opportunity to love and care for their neighbor and show by example how we love one another. I know the caregivers I had I will never forget and are in my prayer intentions. I know they were God’s hands of mercy to me in this world.

God allows evil in this world but never wills it. Sometimes, the evil he allows brings a greater good, like conversion, reconciliation and forgiveness. What some perceived as a shameful death of Jesus became our lifeline to eternity.

Did God just retire to some far away place after Old Testament and New Testament times? I think not! Why would He do that? He has a lot invested in us, a very complex, salvation plan evolving over centuries, the sacrifice of His only begotten Son, and promises that have not yet been fully realized.

THIS IS MY BODY DO THIS IN REMEMBRANCE OF ME

I am the living bread from heaven…whoever eats this bread will live forever….whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life and I will raise him up on the last day…whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him John 6:48 (Bread of Life Discourse)

EUCHARIST THE BREAD OF LIFE: IS JESUS’ PRESENCE REAL OR A SYMBOL

CATHOLIC CHURCH TEACHING

BREAD OF LIFE DISCOURSE

Our ancestors ate manna in the desert, as it is written:

He gave them bread from heaven to eat

Jesus said to them, “Amen, amen, I say to you,

it was not Moses who gave the bread from heaven;

My Father gives you the true bread from heaven.

For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven

and gives life to the world.” “

Sir, give us this bread always”

Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life;

whoever comes to me will never hunger,

and whoever believes in me will never thirst.

JOHN 6:31-34

BACKGROUND

The Eucharist is one of seven Sacraments. “The sacraments are efficacious signs of grace, instituted by Christ and entrusted to the Church, by which divine life is dispensed to us. the visible rites by which the sacraments are celebrated signify and make present the graces proper to each sacrament. They bear fruit in those who receive them with the required dispositions. CATECHISM OF CATHOLIC CHURCH (CCC) 1131

The Eucharist is foretold in many ways in Scripture. In the Old Testament it is the chosen people fed in the desert with manna from heaven. In the New Testament we have two miracles of multiplication of loaves and fishes to physically feed the people and the announcement of Jesus to the Samaritan woman at the well that He is the living water that gives life. In John’s Gospel chapter 6 we have the Bread of Life discourse.

When Jesus finished the Bread of Life Discourse, many of his followers left. “As a result of this, many of his disciples returned to their former way of life and no longer accompanied him. Jesus then said to the Twelve, Do you also want to leave? Simon Peter answered him, “Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.” John 6:66

You will notice Jesus does not soften His speech or describe it in a metaphorical way or chase after those leaving and say, Wait, I was only kidding. I didn’t really mean you must eat my flesh and blood. Jesus maintains the potency of His rhetoric by asking His closest disciples if they will also leave.

A new Pew Research survey finds that most self-described Catholics don’t believe in the Real Presence in the Eucharist. In fact, nearly seven-in-ten Catholics (69%) say they personally believe that during Catholic Mass, the bread and wine used in Communion “are symbols of the body and blood of Jesus Christ.” Just one-third of U.S. Catholics (31%) say they believe that “during Catholic Mass, the bread and wine actually become the body and blood of Jesus.”

Other religious denominations with the few exceptions of some Eastern Churches do not believe the real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist (Transubstantiation) but rather some kind of sign of Jesus being with us or a remembrance of Jesus and invitation to follow Jesus and thank Him for His act of atonement on our behalf.

CCC 1376 The Council of Trent …declares that by the consecration of the bread and wine there takes place a change of the whole substance of the bread (wheat) into the substance of the body of Christ our Lord and of the whole substance of the wine (grape) into the substance of his blood. This change the holy Catholic Church has fittingly and properly called transubstantiation.The Church professes the whole Christ, body and blood, soul and divinity, is truly, really and substantially contained in the Sacrament of the Most Holy Eucharist.

The Priest, acting in the Person of Christ and speaking Christ’s words at the consecration, transmits Christ’s words to make His presence real in the Eucharist. Transubstantiation does no violence to the appearances of the bread and wine, but on the deepest level of their reality, they have been changed, becoming for the Church the Body and Blood of Christ.

JESUS INSTITUTES THE SACRAMENT OF THE EUCHARIST AT THE LAST SUPPER

COMMENTARY

The Logos (Word of God) is manifested within all creation to differing degrees. The incarnate Logos, Christ, is the fullest revelation of God that we can possess on earth. The Eucharist is the sacramental extension of the Incarnation. “Abide in me, and I in you” John 15:4. . . . I am the vine, you are the branches.” John 15:5 “He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him..” John 6:54 Receiving Holy Communion unites the Mystical Body of Christ, the Church, with its head, Christ.

Inasmuch as we participate in the Eucharist, we participate in Christ’s sacrifice, and this communion with Christ in His sacrifice enables us to share communion with one another. This communion is the foundation and condition for the unity of the Church.

CONCLUSION

The Real Presence of Jesus Christ in the Sacrament of the Eucharist is a core doctrine of the Catholic Church. The meaning of Eucharist is thanksgiving. We offer it at every Mass in thanksgiving to the Father for sending us such a Savior, Divine and Human, in atonement for our sins. Eucharist first of all means thanksgiving to God for all His benefits and graces that He has accomplished through creation, redemption and sanctification.

It is highly fitting that Christ should have wanted to remain present to his Church in this unique way. Though ascending into heaven after His resurrection, Jesus wanted us to have the memorial of the love with which he loved us “to the end,” even to the giving of his life. In his Eucharistic presence he remains mysteriously in our midst as the one who loved us and gave himself up for us

Just as we need to nourish our physical bodies in order to have strength; to work; and to live well, so too we need to eat in the House of the Lord to have spiritual strength; the ability to learn and understand the ways of the Lord. Nourished by this heavenly food we carry on the work of Christ and His Church.

PRAYER ST. THOMAS AQUINAS BEFORE RECEIVING THE EUCHARIST

Almighty and Eternal God, behold I come to the sacrament of your only-begotten Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. As one sick I come to the Physician of life; unclean, to the Fountain of mercy; blind, to the Light of eternal splendor; poor and needy to the Lord of heaven and earth. Therefore, I beg of You, through Your infinite mercy and generosity, heal my weakness, wash my uncleanness, give light to my blindness, and enrich my poverty.

Grant, I beg of You, that I may receive not only the Sacrament of the Body and Blood of our Lord, but also its full grace and power. Most loving Father, grant that I may behold for all eternity, face to face, Your beloved Son, whom now, on my pilgrimage, I am about to receive under the sacramental veil, who lives and reigns with You, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, world without end. Amen.

IS THE DEVIL REAL OR A FIGMENT OF OUR IMAGINATION

CATHOLIC CHURCH TEACHING

BACKGROUND

You may wonder why I chose the picture above to illustrate Satan. In our society, especially Halloween, the devil is often portrayed as a buffon dressed in red with black goatee, gaunt cheek bones, horns, and piercing red eyes. The devil is far from a buffoon and is a spirit that hardly wears Marvel comic attire.

The devil is a fallen angel. I chose to show Satan alone and isolated. Separtion from God means all we have is ourselves. That is a “hell” of a notion for all eternity. Think about it!

Recently, the Superior General of the Jesuits said in an interview with the Spanish newspaper, El Mundo, “Satan is a symbolic figure who doesn’t really exist, but just a way of talking about evil” Really! I guess Jesus was delusional when He was tempted by Satan in the desert??? Matthew 4:1-10

This kind of mythologizing of Satan has larger ramifications. It encourages those pastors already playing down sin and the existence of hell in their homilies. No devil, no hell, no sin (No God)

Jesus constantly warned his listeners about the reality of hell in his preaching and parables, it is better to lose part of your body than for your whole body to be “thrown into hell” (Matt. 5:29). He urged his followers to be afraid of being destroyed “both body and soul in hell” (Matt. 10:28). On many occasions Jesus spoke of a place where there will be “weeping and gnashing of teeth” (Matt. 22:1-14).

This talk of the devil being just a symbol reminds me of another prevalent false teaching by clergy and believed by lay catholics. Some say that the Eucharist is just a symbol and not the Real Presence of Jesus Christ.

Catholic author, Flannary O’ Connor had it right when confronted by someone that claimed the Eucharist is just a symbol. O’ Connor said, “if that is all it is then the hell with it” Today, according to Pew Research only a third of Catholics, 1 in 3, believe in the Real Presence of Jesus who said THIS IS MY BODY!

Beware of false Shepherds! When Catholic nuns began leaving our Catholic grade schools after Vatican II for social work, all the foundations of faith that I had the pivilege to receive in my youth, slowly disappeared for generations to come. These Catholic children who had been abandoned in their faith formation became Catholic parents who were ill equipped to raise their children in the faith. Some teachers in our Catholic grade schools are not even Catholic, others are in irregular marriages or in some cases co-habitting.

We who still believe and witness the faith Jesus taught and His Church nourished must speak out against any watering down of our faith that attacks the uniqueness and attractiveness of the Faith proclaimed by Jesus Christ, Our Savior! Who is it anyway that think making the Catholic Church like everyone else will attaract people to Jesus! Crazy thinking, but a trend we the faithful have endured for decades..

We have been warned of false shepherds by Jesus! Jesus said to them in reply, “See that no one deceives you…. Many false prophets will arise and deceive many;and because of the increase of evildoing, the love of many will grow cold…. But the one who perseveres to the end will be saved… Behold, I have told it to you beforehand. Matthew 24:4-24

In the Old Testament we were warned of shepherds who might lead their flock astray.

The Lord said thus, Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel…thus says the Lord GOD: Woe to the shepherds of Israel… You did not strengthen the weak nor heal the sick nor bind up the injured. You did not bring back the stray or seek the lost So they were scattered for lack of a shepherd… Ezekiel 34:1-24

WHAT THE CATHOLIC CHURCH (MAGISTERIUM) REALLY TEACHES

Lateran Council IV of the Church (1215) stated, “The devil and the other demons were indeed created naturally good by God, but they became evil by their own doing.” These angels irrevocably chose through their free will to rebel against God and not to serve Him. For this rebellion, they were cast into hell.

CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURC 391 teaches that Satan was at first a good angel made by God. In his original state he was very powerful, most beautiful, and wise. The devil and the other demons irrevocably rejected God and his reign thus becoming evil by their own doing.

COMMENTARY

Many will question why God allows evil; why not just annihilate Satan. True, we are too weak to defend ourselves; but God’s grace is sufficient. God can bring great good from evil and He does. “Where sin abounds, Grace abounds the more.” Romans 5:20

At the Easter Vigil Service, we pray, “O truly necessary sin of Adam, destroyed completely by the death of Christ! O happy fault that earned so great, so glorious a Redeemer!”

God knew Adam and Eve would fall to temptation. He was ready with His plan B, cursed Satan and promised mankind, a Savior. Genesis 3:15 “I will put an enmity between her seed and your seed and her seed will crush your head.” God’s own Son, Jesus Christ will defeat the devil and death!

Satan is the Prince of Darkness: He lurks about and is crafty. He fills us with the pessimistic thoughts, the bad thoughts, hateful thoughts. He shows us all the hurts, frustration and troubles of this world and of our own lives hoping to lead us to despair.

BOOK OF JOB OLD TESTAMENT

The Book of Job is an interesting tale of a righteous man, a devious tempter, and perseverance in faith. One day God and Satan met as the story goes, and God asked Satan if he had noticed His servant Job in his roaming about the earth. Job had wife, many children, much livestock, and fertile ground to plant. He certainly was blessed but much more Job was righteous with his God.

God told Satan, “there is no one on earth like him, blameless and upright, fearing God and avoiding evil.” Satan answered the LORD and said, “Is it for nothing that Job is God-fearing? Have you not surrounded him and his family and all that he has with your protection? You have blessed the work of his hands, But now put forth your hand and touch all that he has, and surely he will curse you to your face. The LORD said to the Satan, “Very well, all that he has is in your power; only do not lay a hand on him.”

So Satan does his dirty deeds, wiping out Job’s livestock, wife and children, inflicting Job’s skin with boils, all the time encouraging Job to reject God. But Job persists in his faithfulness. Even Job’s friends came to mock him and make fun of him but being such a fool for God.

Satan can only afflict Job with God’s permission–and only within the limits God Himself has established. When the story ends, Job’s faith has been deepened, and he is worshipping God. Job’s final condition and blessings are far better than his first. Job has been blessed, and Satan’s purpose has been frustrated.

CONCLUSION

Satan has considerable power, but his power is not infinite. He is a creature not God. God permits Satan to do only that which is a part of His plan. Satan’s power comes from God’s divine providence which allows him to do what he does.

Satan is allowed to do only that which God has planned for His glory and our good. He does nothing apart from divine permission. He does nothing contrary to God’s plan. God’s purposes are fulfilled, and Satan’s purposes are frustrated.

The ultimate destiny of Satan is defeat and doom. Jesus spoke of his defeat in John 16:11, “The ruler of this world is condemned.” He is defeated through the death, burial, and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.

We ask the candidates in our Baptismal liturgy, “Do you reject Satan? And all his works? And all his empty promises?” We must make that rejection every day. Satan knows how weak and vulnerable we are.

Prayer to St. Michael the Archangel

St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle.
Be our defense against the wickedness and snares of the Devil.
May God rebuke him, we humbly pray, and do thou,
O Prince of the heavenly hosts, by the power of God,
thrust into hell Satan, and all the evil spirits,

who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls.

Amen. .

DID JESUS SAY HE WAS GOD???

CATHOLIC CHURCH TEACHING

To the question of the High Priest:

“Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?”

He replies: “I am” you will see the Son of Man

sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One

and coming on the clouds of heaven Mark 14:61

BACKGROUND

There has always been disputes between religious sects about the divinity of Jesus. Some, even in our own Catholic Church, resulting in schisms, like Arianism that denied the divinity of Jesus. This schism was addressed at Council of Nicea (325) which proclaimed: Jesus is the Son of God and possesses the same nature as the Father.

While skeptics, even today, argue that Jesus never claimed to be God, they must not be reading St. John’s Gospel. John’s Gospel was written much later after Jesus’ Passion and death.

John, the beloved disciple, had a lot more time to ponder his experiences with Jesus and His teachings. John’s Gospel even begins, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. Jesus is Logos, the fully revealed Word of God.

In the Old Testament God gives His name to Moses. “God said to Moses, “I am who I am.” “Say this to the people of Israel, ‘I am has sent me to you.” Exodus 3:14

GOD (I AM) IS NOT ANOTHER BEING, BUT EXISTENCE ITSELF. HE IS! EXISTENCE IS HIS ESSENCE. THE NAME OF GOD IS FATHER SON AND HOLY SPIRIT; ONE GOD THREE PERSONS. GOD IS LOVE IN RELATIONSHIP IN THE HOLY TRINITY AND WITH HIS PEOPLE!

When Jesus used the phrase “I AM,” He made specific revelations regarding His identity and nature. These revelations made it clear to all that He was the Messiah—God in human form. Jesus is much more than just another leader, rabbi, or prophet. Jesus is God!

JESUS ACKNOWLEDGES HE IS GOD IN THE NEW TESTAMENT

Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.” Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, `Show us the Father’? Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you are not just my own. Rather, it is the Father, living in me…John 14:7-10

The Jews said to him, you are not yet fifty years old and have seen Abraham? Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was born, I am.” JOHN 8:58

‘I am the Son of God’? If I do not perform my Father’s works, do not believe me; but if I perform them, even if you do not believe me, believe the works, so that you may realize and understand that the Father is in me and I am in the Father JOHN 10:36

The Samaritan woman at the well said to him, “I know that the Messiah is coming the one called the Anointed; when he comes, he will tell us everything.” Jesus said to her, “I am he,^* the one who is speaking with you.” Jesus said to her, “I who speak to you am He.” JOHN 4:26

At daybreak the council of the elders of the people, both the chief priests and teachers of the law, met together, and Jesus was led before them. “If you are the Christ, tell us. Jesus answered, “If I tell you, you will not believe me…But from now on, the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the mighty God. They all asked, Are you then the Son of God? He replied, “You are right in saying I am.” Luke 22:66-70

JESUS DEMONSTRATES WHAT IT MEANS TO BE GOD!

Jesus, as the Bread of Life, offers each of us life everlasting

And Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.” John 6:35.

Jesus offers a choice between the darkness of sin and the light of His presence.

Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.” –John 8:12

Jesus, as the Good Shepherd, died to save each of us.

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.” –John 10:11

Jesus promises resurrection and life ever after

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?” –John 11:25, 26

Jesus is the path to salvation, cling to Him

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” John 14:6

CONCLUSION

I don’t know how much clearer Scriptures can speak to us. Jesus is the Son of God, Second Person of the Most Holy Trinity, Human and Divine. Jesus is the light of the world, the bread of life, the Good Shepherd, the resurrection and life of the world.

Jesus is the WAY, the TRUTH, and the LIFE! AMEN!