It's HOLY WEEK!

Palm Sunday is upon us and thus begins Holy Week, the highest season of the liturgical year!  Now EVERY Sunday is like a "Little Easter" just as EVERY Friday is like a "Little Good Friday," but it is THIS WEEK wherein all the other weeks are done in remembrance of.  Remember your lenten penance, this week more than any other.  If you messed up earlier, that's no excuse to just give up on your penance!  THIS WEEK while you're offering up what ever it was you gave up for Lent, bring close to your heart and mind the Passion of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  THAT is what the penance is all about.  It's not so much that we persevered all the way through Lent, but that certainly is a meritorious goal - but moreso that we place our focus on Christ's Passion and death - afterall, it is for OUR SINS that He was hung on that Cross!

For a meditation suggestion, think about which station in the Stations of the Cross you are at in your life.  Are you like the Blessed Mother, meeting Jesus on the path?  Are you like Veronica, wiping His face with your cloth in an attempt to comfort Him through His Passion?  Are you like Simon the Cyrene, taking upon yourself the Cross to share the burden, even if only for a short time?  Or, are you like those gathered at the foot of the Cross, observing as He is giving up His last breaths?  

Now consider this...  when the Jews stood before Pilate and exclaimed, "His blood be upon us and upon our children!"  This is not something you can pass off in anti-Semitism!  No!  If you have EVER sinned, and we ALL HAVE, then it is upon US whom His blood is upon!  It is our sinfulness which stood there yelling, "Crucify Him!  Crucify Him!"  It was US who swung that cat-of-nine-tails 39 times, ripping the flesh from His back!  It was US through OUR SINS who mocked Him, struck Him and placed that crown of thorns upon His head.  His blood is UPON US!   So while we beg His forgiveness, keep in mind what He did for you so that YOUR sins may be forgiven!

Why did Jesus go through this?  Because He loves us!  He didn't HAVE to endure the pain, suffering and humiliation of the crucifixion - no, at ANY GIVEN MOMENT He could have summoned legions of angels to put aside the Roman guards and free Him, and with just a single command!  However, had He done that, the Scriptures concerning Him would not have been fulfilled and our salvation would not have been realized.  Only the PERFECT SACRIFICE of this SPOTLESS LAMB would appease the wrath of Almighty God, which is rightfully OURS TO RECEIVE!  But again, He loves us SO MUCH that He willingly and freely gave Himself up so that we might be counted righteous in the eye of the Father.

So, as Lent draws to a close I urge you to meditate upon Christ's Passion and Death - again, for it was not only FOR YOU - but it was BECAUSE OF YOU!  Go that Way of the Cross with Him; visualize yourself on that path and figure out where, in your life, you are and which station you can relate to the most.  Then after that realization - THEN visit the empty tomb on Easter morning!  

PALM SUNDAY

Today we welcome the King of Kings into the Jerusalem of our hearts!  We sing hosannas to the Lord God Almighty, who makes His entrance in humility (much like His birth) riding on the back of a donkey.  Yet we all come out for Him!  We gather our palm branches and spread them before Him - singing praises to His Holy Name!  We love and adore Him - but in just a few days the meditation on our hosannas will turn to heckles and abuse - and again, it is WE, OURSELVES who put Him through this week of Passion.

Godspeed to all who read this, and feel free to add comments.

HOSANNA TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST!

Scott<<<

Pecans in the Cemetary

On the outskirts of a small town, there was a big, old pecan tree just inside the cemetery fence.  One day, two boys filled up a bucketful of nuts and sat down by the tree, out of sight, and began dividing the nuts.

'One for you, one for me, one for you, one for me,' said one boy.  Several dropped and rolled down toward the fence.

Another boy came riding along the road on his bicycle.  As he passed, he thought he heard voices from inside the cemetery.  He slowed down to investigate.  Sure enough, he heard, 'One for you, one for me, one for you, one for me...'

He just knew what it was.  He jumped back on his bike and rode off.  Just around the bend he met an old man with a cane, hobbling along.

'Come here quick,' said the boy, 'you won't believe what I heard!  Satan and the Lord are down at the cemetery dividing up the souls!'

The man said, 'Beat it kid, can't you see it's hard for me to walk.'  When the boy insisted though, the man hobbled slowly to the cemetery.

Standing by the fence they heard, 'One for you, one for me, one for you, one for me.'

The old man whispered, 'Boy, you've been tellin' me the truth.  Let's see if we can see the Lord?

Shaking with fear, they peered through the fence, yet were still unable to see anything.  The old man and the boy gripped the wrought iron bars of the fence tighter and tighter as they tried to get a glimpse of the Lord.

At last they heard, 'One for you, one for me.  That's all.  Now let's go get those nuts by the fence and we'll be done?

They say the old man had the lead for a good half-mile before the kid on the bike passed him.

What Is Easter Duty?

We get many inquiries, especially this time of year, regarding the Easter Duty for Catholics, so I thought I would post another article on the topic - somewhat repeating earlier articles (see links at the end of this one).

What is Easter Duty?

Simply stated, it is the obligation of every Catholic to receive Holy Eucharist at least once during the period of Eastertide, beginning at the First Mass of Easter (Easter Vigil) through Pentecost Sunday.  This is according to the "Third Precept" and Canon 920 the Code of Canon Law which states:

Can. 920 §1. After being initiated into the Most Holy Eucharist, each of the faithful is obliged to receive holy communion at least once a year.

§2. This precept must be fulfilled during the Easter season unless it is fulfilled for a just cause at another time during the year.

 Now if one has been absent from the Mass for any length of time due to their own fault and/or negligence (even if only ONCE!) then they cannot licitly approach the communion rail without first availing themselves to the Sacrament of Penance (Confession).  Why?  Because the "First Precept" comes before the "Third Precept!"  The "First Precept" states:  

CCC 2042 The first precept ("You shall attend Mass on Sundays and holy days of obligation and rest from servile labor") requires the faithful to sanctify the day commemorating the Resurrection of the Lord as well as the principal liturgical feasts honoring the Mysteries of the Lord, the Blessed Virgin Mary, and the saints; in the first place, by participating in the Eucharistic celebration, in which the Christian community is gathered, and by resting from those works and activities which could impede such a sanctification of these days.

If one has not received any of the Sacraments for over a year, then the "Second Precept" is also relevant for it states:   

"You shall confess your sins at least once a year" which ensures preparation for the Eucharist by the reception of the sacrament of reconciliation, which continues Baptism's work of conversion and forgiveness. 

THEN we get to the "Third Precept" which specifically applies to the "Easter Duty" - 

"You shall receive the sacrament of the Eucharist at least during the Easter season" guarantees as a minimum the reception of the Lord's Body and Blood in connection with the Paschal feasts, the origin and center of the Christian liturgy. 

So, while the "Third Precept" is important, and one which no faithful Catholic can willfully avoid, one must consider the first two precepts before just marching in to your local Catholic parish and receiving the Eucharist. 

Is Easter Duty Only Fulfilled on Easter Sunday?

No!  Many think that "Easter Duty" only applies to Easter Sunday, but as you have seen from the precepts quoted and cited above, the "Easter Season" lasts from the First Mass of Easter (Easter Vigil) until Pentecost Sunday.  You can take care of going to Confession at any time prior to or even during Eastertide.  The precept regarding Confession is just once per year, minimally (you can go every week if you have something to confess!).  So say you go to Confession now, as long as you do not fall into mortal sin again prior to Easter, you can receive the Eucharist any time starting with the Easter Vigil and Pentecost and you've then fulfilled both the second and third precepts.  If you're planning on attending Mass ONLY on Easter Sunday, and especially if you have not gone to Confession prior to attending - then you're not doing yourself any favors! 

So, I fulfilled my Easter Duty, I'm good till next year, right?

Well, if you're "good" then you're not avoiding the First Precept!  All faithful Catholics MUST attend the Eucharist EVERY Sunday and holy day of obligation (as set forth by the local bishop).  Keep in mind, it does not state you have to receive the Eucharist every Sunday, only that you must participate in the Mass every Sunday (and holy day of obligation).  If you are in mortal sin, that's no excuse NOT to go to Mass!  If you're excommunicated, you're still obliged to attend Mass EVERY Sunday; you just cannot receive any other Sacraments until you've submitted yourself to the Sacrament of Reconciliation (aka: Penance or Confession).  In essence, if you're abiding by the First Precept then you'll have no problem fulfilling the Second and Third Precepts.

I hope this helps sort things out, and as usual, if you have any questions regarding this, feel free to enter a comment in the Comments Box (combox).

May God be with you and guide you through the remainder of Lent, and bless you with a great and holy Easter season.

In Christ Jesus,

Scott&lt;&lt;&lt;

Previous Articles:

http://cathapol.blogspot.com/2010/05/easter-duty-2010-last-chance.html

http://cathapol.blogspot.com/2009/03/easter-duty.html

Mary, Mother of God is No Doormat--Part Two, Early Church Fathers

"If Jesus is the Door, than Mary must be the doormat..." was the silly, and rather insulting quip.  Mary, the Mother of God Our Savior, Jesus Christ, is certainly no doormat.  Just because many modern protestants want to make sure that they are seen as separate from the mother Church, it does not give them the right to denigrate the mother of Christ the King.  Does anyone really like someone to insult their mother?  I highly doubt Jesus Christ is ever pleased by so-called Christians insulting His mother either.  At the very least, Mary's name should be honored for being the Mother of God the Son.  And, as many protestants lately seem to be trying to, no matter how tenuously, find some kind of commonality between their innovative, individualistic unscriptural 'church' and the early Christian church, it is odd that most don't even understand what the Early Church taught.  (Or is it odd, really?  Most 'Christian' cults have no real understanding of the Scripture, let alone history, in context).

Here is a sampling of just how the early Church felt about Mary:

Mother of God:

  "After this, we receive the doctrine of the resurrection from the dead, of which Jesus Christ our Lord became the first-fruits; Who bore a Body, in truth, not in semblance, derived from Mary the mother of God in the fullness of time sojourning among the race, for the remission of sins: who was crucified and died, yet for all this suffered no diminution of His Godhead."   Alexander of Alexandria,

Epistle to Alexander, 12 (A.D. 324).

"Many, my beloved, are the true testimonies concerning Christ. The Father bears witness from heaven of His Son: the Holy Ghost bears witness, descending bodily in likeness of a dove: the Archangel Gabriel bears witness, bringing good tidings to Mary: the Virgin Mother of God bears witness: the blessed place of the manger bears witness."   Cyril of Jerusalem, Catechetical Lectures, X:19

(c. A.D. 350).

"And the Angel on his appearance, himself confesses that he has been sent by his Lord; as Gabriel confessed in the case of Zacharias, and also in the case of Mary, bearer of God."

Athanasius, Orations III, 14  (A.D. 362).

"To the question: 'Is Mary the bearer of Man, or the bearer of God?' we must answer: 'Of Both.'" Theodore of Mopsuestia, The Incarnation, 15 (ante A.D. 428).

The early Church called Mary "Mother of God" because, despite His becoming a real human, Jesus Christ "suffered no diminution of His Godhead."  As His Church says, Jesus Christ was true God and true man.  Mary was not merely the mother of a human shell, she was the mother of the whole person.  Even if you don't believe she is special in any other way (and obviously Catholics don't agree), she did do something very, very special--She bore GOD in her body.  That deserves some respect, doesn't it?

Mary's Assumption into Heaven:

“If the Holy Virgin had died and was buried, her falling asleep would have been surrounded with honour, death would have found her pure, and her crown would have been a virginal one...Had she been martyred according to what is written: 'Thine own soul a sword shall pierce', then she would shine gloriously among the martyrs, and her holy body would have been declared blessed; for by her, did light come to the world." 
Epiphanius, Panarion, 78:23 (A.D. 377).

"[T]he Apostles took up her body on a bier and placed it in a tomb; and they guarded it, expecting the Lord to come. And behold, again the Lord stood by them; and the holy body having been received, He commanded that it be taken in a cloud into paradise: where now, rejoined to the soul, [Mary] rejoices with the Lord's chosen ones..."
Gregory of Tours, Eight Books of Miracles, 1:4 (inter A.D. 575-593).

"It was fitting ...that the most holy-body of Mary, God-bearing body, receptacle of God, divinised, incorruptible, illuminated by divine grace and full glory ...should be entrusted to the earth for a little while and raised up to heaven in glory, with her soul pleasing to God."

Theoteknos of Livias, Homily on the Assumption (ante A.D. 650).

"It was fitting that the she, who had kept her virginity intact in childbirth, should keep her own body free from all corruption even after death. It was fitting that she, who had carried the Creator as a child at her breast, should dwell in the divine tabernacles. It was fitting that the spouse, whom the Father had taken to himself, should live in the divine mansions. It was fitting that she, who had seen her Son upon the cross and who had thereby received into her heart the sword of sorrow which she had escaped when giving birth to him, should look upon him as he sits with the Father, It was fitting that God's Mother should possess what belongs to her Son, and that she should be honored by every creature as the Mother and as the handmaid of God."
John of Damascene, Dormition of Mary (PG 96,741), (ante A.D. 749).

Obviously the early Church felt that Mary, God's mother, deserved to be bodily assumed into heaven; that is her body was never corrupted by rotting in the ground.  That can't be true, you say, because no one but Christ has gained their bodily 'resurrection' yet.  Ever heard of Elijah?  Although I have heard one silly protestant try to argue that Elijah was taken up in a chariot, according to Scripture, but we don't know where he went.  Really?  Guess she's never read the Gospel account of the Transfiguration.  Elijah and Moses were there standing next to Jesus.  Is Mary any less important in the history of the salvation of the world than Elijah or Moses?  I don't believe so and neither did the early Church.  Christendom was nearly unanimous on this point until well after the 'reformers' started their destruction of the Church Christ built (Many 'reformers' such as Luther, Zwingli, Calvin, and others continued to honor Mary despite their split from the True Church).  Mary, the Mother of God, was honored by her Son with the assumption (taking up of) her body into Heaven.  Can't one see that he/she is really very presumptuous to insult the Mother of God while God and His Church honor her?

Mary honored by the Church:

"[T]hey blessed her, saying: O God of our fathers, bless this child, and give her an everlasting name to be named in all generations. And all the people said: So be it, so be it, amen. And he brought her to the chief priests; and they blessed her, saying: O God most high, look upon this child, and bless her with the utmost blessing, which shall be for ever." 
Protoevangelium of John, 6:2 (A.D. 150).

"And I think it in harmony with reason that Jesus was the first-fruit among men of the purity which consists in chastity, and Mary among women; for it were not pious to ascribe to any other than to her the first-fruit of virginity." 

Origen, Commentary on Matthew, 10:17 (A.D. 244).

"And when he had taken her, 'he knew her not, till she had brought forth her first-born Son.' He hath here used the word 'till,' not that thou shouldest suspect that afterwards he did know her, but to inform thee that before the birth the Virgin was wholly untouched by man."

John Chrysostom, Homily on Matthew, 5:5 (A.D. 370).

"Thou alone and thy Mother are in all things fair; for there is no flaw in thee and no stain in thy Mother. Of these two fair ones, to whom are my children similar?"

Ephraem, Nisbene Hymns, 27:8 (ante A.D. 373).

The early Church honored the Blessed Virgin Mary.  She is the "utmost" blessed, the "first-fruit" among women, and the "first-fruit of virginity."  For no other reason than she is the Mother of Jesus, God the Son, she at the very least deserves a little respect.  I will conclude with the following quote:

"Whoever honors the Lord also honors the holy [vessel]; who instead dishonors the holy vessel also dishonors his Master.  Mary herself is that holy Virgin, that is, the holy vessel"

Epiphanius, Panarion, 78:21 (A.D. 377).

Quotes from Scripture Catholic.
Classical art with no copyrights.

Infant Baptism Questions

Let me make this article one full of questions - and really ask more questions than provide answers.   Who out there has the courage, will and fortitude to answer? I look forward to the comments, and I will add my own comments and answers, as best I can give, as well.

What happens to unbaptized babies?  Do they go straight to Hell?  Does God show mercy and allow them into Heaven, or perhaps even Limbo?

That being said, we've seen many "Evangelicals" condemn the practice of infant baptism - so I ask them, what happens to these baptized infants?  These infants have made no cognitive decision to be a Christian, so are they condemned to Hell in the eyes of these "Evangelicals?"  Or, do said "Evangelicals" believe that everyone goes to Heaven if they die prior to the "age of reason" since they could not possibly be held culpable for sins?

I wrote this after reading through:  http://triablogue.blogspot.com/2011/04/fate-of-unbaptized-babies.html

Wise As Serpents

It seems strange that we are told, by Jesus Himself, to be "wise as serpents" when the first thing most of us think of when it comes to serpents is Satan, who took the form of a serpent in the temptation of Eve.  Many may not even realize this statement comes from Scripture, when most certainly it does.   But what is Jesus saying to us, in context here?  He's talking about when He is going to send them (the Apostles) out and that they would be persecuted for His sake.  It would not be so wise to flaunt their Christianity in a world which, as He knew would be coming, persecutes Christians - simply because they believe in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.  Be cautious, and shrewd - and know when it is time to kick the dust from your sandals and move on to the next town. 

 

Jesus, in this context, also tells them (and us) to be "simple as doves."  St. Augustine reflects upon this passage quite well, so let us look at what he said:

Now what need is there to commend to you in many words the simplicity of the dove? For the serpent's poison had need to be guarded against: there, there was a danger in imitation; there, there was something to be feared; but the dove may you imitate securely. Mark how the doves rejoice in society; everywhere do they fly and feed together; they do not love to be alone, they delight in communion, they preserve affection; their cooings are the plaintive cries of love, with kissings they beget their young. Yea even when doves, as we have often noticed, dispute about their holes, it is as it were but a peaceful strife. Do they separate, because of their contentions? Nay, still do they fly and feed together, and their very strife is peaceful. See this strife of doves, in what the Apostle says, If any man obey not our word by this epistle, mark that man, and have no company with him. Behold the strife; but observe now how it is the strife of doves, not of wolves. He subjoined immediately, Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother. The dove loves even when she is in strife; and the wolf even when he caresses, hates. Therefore having the simplicity of doves, and the wisdom of serpents, celebrate the solemnities of the Martyrs in sobriety of mind, not in bodily excess, sing lauds to God. For He who is the Martyrs' God, is our Lord God also, He it is who will crown us. If we shall have wrestled well, we shall be crowned by Him, who has crowned already those whom we desire to imitate.  (Sermon 14 on the New Testament).

Douay-Rheims Bible 

16 Behold I send you as sheep in the midst of wolves. Be ye therefore wise as serpents and simple as doves. 17 But beware of men. For they will deliver you up in councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues. 18 And you shall be brought before governors, and before kings for my sake, for a testimony to them and to the Gentiles: 19 But when they shall deliver you up, take no thought how or what to speak: for it shall be given you in that hour what to speak. 20 For it is not you that speak, but the Spirit of your Father that speaketh in you. 21 The brother also shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the son: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and shall put them to death. 22 And you shall be hated by all men for my name's sake: but he that shall persevere unto the end, he shall be saved.  (Matthew 10:16-22).

So go out there, preach the gospel - but don't be foolish about it!  Persevere in Him and in simple communion with His Church.   Do not be like the wolves who, as St. Augustine put it, even when they caress, they hate.  Be like the doves, and commune in love.

In JMJ,

Scott<<<

Laetare Sunday

The Fourth Sunday in Lent is called "Laetare Sunday" coming from the first words of the Introit in the Mass.  Laetare means "joyful" in Latin.  The vestments are rose (pink), like on Gaudete (which similarly means "rejoice").  

The Twelve Fruits of the Holy Spirit

Today our priest's sermon was on the Fruits of the Holy Spirit, and he focused upon the "joyful" aspect.   The twelve Fruits of the Holy Spirit are charity (or love), joy, peace, patience, benignity (or kindness), goodness, longanimity (or long suffering), mildness, faith, modesty, continency, and chastity. 

First of all, we must consider what a "fruit" is.  A fruit is something which comes from something else.  For example, the orange tree preexists the orange, which is the fruit of the orange tree.  The Holy Spirit is what precedes the Fruits of the Holy Spirit, obviously but an important factor to contemplate here is in order for a tree to produce fruit, it must be cultivated.  In order for the Holy Spirit to produce fruit in a person there must be cultivation and growth of the Holy Spirit within that person.  Baptism infuses Sanctifying Grace (the Holy Spirit) into a person - but if nothing is done to cultivate the Holy Spirit within that person, then there will never be any fruit. 

Charity/Love comes first.  If we have charity/love then we will have joy.  Joy brings peace.  Peace brings patience and so on.  And here on Laetare Sunday we are focused on joyfulness.  God is love, and when we are thinking on God - we are brought into joyfulness, for love brings joy.  When we think of anyone we love, we attain the fruit of joy.  If your memory is on a lost loved one - focus your attention on the joy that person brought you - and that fruit is yours!

This sermon helped me greatly in thinking on my daughter, who passed away on February 6th this year.  She truly brought much joy into our lives.  I thank the Lord for this sermon today - it was just what I needed to hear.