"Don't try to get the Church to bless your evil and perversion ... "
Wednesday, October 29, 2014
A Matter of Conscience ...
The Church was founded by Christ to change people and make them saints, and not to be changed to accommodate the caprices and whims of some people ...
"Don't try to get the Church to bless your evil and perversion ... "
"Don't try to get the Church to bless your evil and perversion ... "
Friday, October 24, 2014
XXX Sunday in Ordinary Time – A
Ex 22:22-26, 1 Thes 1:5C-10, Mt 22:34-40
"Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?"
And we do know the answer, like the man who asked the question, we know
that:
"You shall love the Lord,
your God,
with all your heart,
with all your soul,
and with all your mind.
This is the greatest and the first commandment.
The second is like it:
You shall love your neighbour as yourself."
We know it, at least theoretically.
But, in reality of the daily life … it's a little bit different, more
complicated, and not only because we have a problem in loving our difficult and
nasty neighbour, but even more … because we don’t know what it means to love.
Yes, in reality we do not know ...
Our concept, our notion of love was -and constantly is- shaped by the soapy
Hollywood movies and films, by sweet romantic poetry, by emotional excitement
and not by the cross.
When St. John says that God is Love
it doesn’t mean at all that God is a romantic Lover. When Jesus -in today's
Gospel- says that the most important commandment is the obligation to love God
and love the neighbour, He is not telling us that we have to be emotionally involved
or engaged in affective relationships with God or people. NOT AT ALL!
It is quite easy to love God—He is up there, somewhere in His heaven and
doesn’t seem to bother us too much. We can formulate an idea of Him and love
that idea. It presents us with few difficulties. But we do love God …
yes we do love Him for ourselves, because
it is so good to feel it, because it
makes me feel so good … But, in reality this is not the LOVE Jesus is
talking about.
Much harder is to love not an idea but a person. Much harder is to love a
person who fails to meet up with our expectations, one who challenges our
assumptions, one whose ugliness is more than skin deep.
But then we have to show that our love is
more than skin deep. But we have to show that the love is not
emotional, or affective, exciting and romantic … Where do we find this kind of LOVE?
Certainly not in Hollywood movies but on Golgotha, in the Passion and death of
Christ. This is the deepest and the ultimate LOVE STORY.
A journalist visiting Africa watched an attractive young nun dressing
the wounds on a man with gangrene in his leg. The journalist was appalled by
the wound but was full of admiration for the young nun who seemed to show no
disgust as she was cleaning the suppurating wound. "I wouldn’t do that for £10,000."
said the journalist. "Neither would
I," said the nun, "I do it
for love of God and the true love of man."
Somebody asked me the question:
I realize that the love God provides is not the same as "human love" all the feelings stuff. How do we get to know God's love for us?
What do you think, what should be the answer?
My answer is:
God so loved us that He gave His Only Begotten Son for our salvation.
The biggest expression of God's love for us is the Sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
There's is no bigger love than to give someone's life for the friends ....
The Holy Spirit given to us in Baptism, is the LOVE OF GOD ...
The next visible sign of God's love is the Eucharist ...
The Church, the Sacraments,
We have to see and recognize this LOVE where it is ... means in God, in Jesus Christ and in the Sacraments ...
God certainly doesn't love us in an emotional, superficial and whimsy way :-).
Sunday, October 19, 2014
Saturday, October 18, 2014
Friday, October 17, 2014
29 Sunday in ordinary Time – Year A
Is 45,1.4-6
; 1Thes 1,1-5b ; Mt 22,15-21
Give to God what belongs to God
In
today's Gospel, did Christ call for conformity and blind agreement towards
illegal and illegitimate political power? After all, the Roman emperor was not
a legitimate ruler of Palestine. The Romans were the occupants and imposters. What
mean the words, "repay
to Caesar what belongs to Caesar"? Is Christ
preaching (?) that we have to pay the taxes to an illegal political power, and
in this way is He urging us to conformism and blind obedience? Does He even oblige
us to pay taxes?
I
think that in today's Gospel there is not at all a question about paying taxes
and political issues. Christ doesn't want to be mixed or involved in any
political issue and do not want to get involved in politics because this is not
the purpose of His mission. He rather asks us to note that since we are so diligent in
fulfilling our civic duties, why then do we forget so often and so easy about our
duties towards God? His evasive answer is neither encouraging to
conformity, nor provoking to a rebellion against the government (even illegal
and illegitimate). No He is far from all this political playoffs.
Of
course, we do not have to live a life isolate and alienate of worldly and
political affairs, because we do not live on the moon or in the desert, because
we are the members of a human society, each human society is inherently
political (as Plato says "man is a zoon
politikon - social animal") . But that's not the purpose of Christ's
statement. If we were to translate His words into contemporary language, they would
be: "Do not neglect your civic and
social responsibilities, be anxious about your earthly life (render unto Caesar that, what belongs to Caesar), but above all
do not forget about your obligations and duties toward God, about your eternal
life, about of your soul (Give to God
what belongs to God)."And I, do I really give to God what belongs
to Him?
Jesus'
statement that we have to give to Caesar
what belongs to Caesar is certainly not demanding that His disciples should
always be subjected to any political and even tyrannical power. Sometimes it is
just immoral to submit to the illegal and illicit political power. Especially
when the government enters into the prerogatives of God, trying to put a man on
the place due to God alone. How many examples in our recent history do we have,
when human laws are in stark contrast to divine law (eg. God's fifth commandment
to not kill and the human "right" for abortion!!!). Respecting human
rights (which are only and ONLY!!! conventional), we must always remember that
it is more than that. Above the conventional
human rights there is the RIGHT of a well-formed conscience, or objective
natural law, Divine law inscribed in the human nature: "You will not kill, you will not commit
adultery, you will not steal …"
In my everyday busy life, do I not forget
about this what belongs to God?
Is not so, that I am more diligent in giving
to Caesar even what he should not have, while I don’t give to God what belongs to
Him?
Thursday, October 16, 2014
Letter of a priest ...
...
However, I can only do this if the timeless truths of the Catholic faith are firmly defined and defended. The dogmas, doctrines and disciplines of the Catholic faith are the tools of my trade. They provide the rules for engagement, the playbook for the game, the map for the journey and the content for the mercy and compassion I wish to display. The historic teachings of the Catholic faith, founded on the teachings of Christ the Lord, revealed by divine inspiration and developed through the magisterium of the Catholic Church provide the method for my mercy, the content for my compassion and the only saving truths I have to share.
This is teamwork Holy Father. I can only do the job you want me to do if you do the job you have been called to do. With the greatest respect and love, please don’t feel that it is your job to tinker with the timeless truths. If my job is to be the compassionate pastor for those in the pew and beyond, then your job is to be the primary definer and defender of the faith. I can’t do my job if you don’t do yours.
More ... on http://www.crisismagazine.com/2014/advice-for-the-pope
This is teamwork Holy Father. I can only do the job you want me to do if you do the job you have been called to do. With the greatest respect and love, please don’t feel that it is your job to tinker with the timeless truths. If my job is to be the compassionate pastor for those in the pew and beyond, then your job is to be the primary definer and defender of the faith. I can’t do my job if you don’t do yours.
More ... on http://www.crisismagazine.com/2014/advice-for-the-pope
Wednesday, October 15, 2014
15 October - Saint Therese of Avilla - vision of Hell – shocking therapy …
It's frustrating how blindly people are
following for example the dietitian's advices and how stupidly –at the same
time- they are rejecting much more important advices of Jesus. This is the most
frustrating how blind people are, how blind and senseless … and when it comes
to the final stage of their life, the only one who is responsible is ….
Obviously God !!! He is to be blamed, He is to be accused, He is to be
condemned for the catastrophe in my stupid life …
I don’t know why I see it in such a terribly
dramatic way?
And what is more frustrating is the fact that
seeing it in this way, I am living in the middle of all this and doing nothing
!!!! or almost nothing. I have to smile nicely, to be polite, to not be
judgmental, not offensive and to be kind … whereas inside everything is
shouting: "wake up, we all are going to hell !!!!!!"
Yes, certainly God is in charge, but He gave
us a free will and a responsibility for what we are doing and choosing … and it
is true that somehow by this crazy Synod "the truth is being brought
forward but much harm has already been done." This is the most frustrating
moment in all the story … harm is done with a smile and kindness, harm is done
in the politically correct way, the people are guided to hell with a smile and
in a "Hallmark nice way", and they follow it like a blind sheep … happy
and almost delighted …
This was the situation of St. Theresa of
Avilla, who until the certain moment in her Carmelite's life (some 20 years
after entering convent) was living a very worldly life … it was just the vision
of hell thatshocked her deeply and converted her.
I wish sincerely for all and every Christian
to have this grace to experience the vision of Hell … Maybe it's a shocking
therapy, but better a shocking therapy then final and eternal damnation …
Tuesday, October 14, 2014
Pro-family Catholics reject Synod mid-way report, calling it ‘a betrayal’
Note: Voice of the Family, a coalition of 15 international pro-family groups, released this Monday morning.
The Extraordinary Synod on the Family's mid-term report is nothing short of a "betrayal" of Catholic and family values, says an influential pro-family group.
Mincing no words, Voice of the Family's British spokesperson John Smeaton said that "those who are controlling the Synod have betrayed Catholic parents. The Synod’s mid-way report is one of the worst official documents drafted in Church history."
more ...
Friday, October 10, 2014
XXVIII Sunday in Ordinary Time – A
Isaiah 25, 6-10a;
Psalm 23;
Philippians 4, 12-14, 19-20;
Matthew
21, 1-14
The invited were not worthy ...
How many times have
I been invited to the feast, the Holy Eucharist? How many times Lord has sent
me His servants with an invitation? I always found some kind of excuses......?
It was usually something more important to do, I was tired, I had no time or
simply I did not want to accept the invitation... For the repeated invitations
I reacted with growing impatience, I explained to others and to myself, that
after all I am a free man, that I had time later at the older age, that God doesn’t
coerce me ... and so on, etc..
Do I realize Whom
I continually refuse? Constantly finding excuses do I really choose what is
better, what is more important, what is more valuable...? Do I realize that
eventually I will not be invited to the most important feast in eternity, or
maybe I will become regarded as unworthy and kicked out?
God does not get
tired repeating invitations, but when continually ignored, He will certainly not
force anyone. I decide whether to accept the invitation or reject and
ultimately I should not blame anyone when I don't find myself among the
feasting in the Kingdom of Heaven. I will be the only responsible for it, constantly
rejecting invitations- I will condemn myself for the "weeping and gnashing of teeth."
How long can I
ignore the invitation of God...?
God constantly
invites me.
Why do I constantly
underestimate him?
Thursday, October 09, 2014
Pope Francis' Prayer to the Holy Family for the Synod of Bishops
Prayer to the Holy Family
Jesus, Mary and
Joseph,
in you we contemplate
the splendour of true
love,
to you we turn with
trust.
Holy Family of
Nazareth,
grant that our
families too
may be places of
communion and prayer,
authentic schools of
the Gospel
and small domestic
Churches.
Holy Family of
Nazareth,
may families never
again
experience violence,
rejection and division:
may all who have been
hurt or scandalized
find ready comfort and
healing.
Holy Family of
Nazareth,
may the approaching
Synod of Bishops
make us once more
mindful
of the sacredness and
inviolability of the family,
and its beauty in
God’s plan.
Jesus, Mary and
Joseph,
graciously hear our
prayer.
Amen.
Prayer for the Synod
Lord Jesus Christ,
whom the Father has
commanded us
to listen as his
beloved Son,
shed your light upon
your Church,
so that she might have
nothing more holy
than to listen to your
voice and follow you.
You are the Supreme
Shepherd
and Ruler of Souls.
Look then upon the
Pastors of your Church
gathered in these days
with the Successor of
St. Peter in synod assembly.
We implore you to
sanctify them in truth
and confirm them in
faith and love.
Lord Jesus Christ,
send forth your Spirit
of love and truth
on the bishops in
synod
and on all who assist
them in fulfilling their task.
Make them more
faithful
to what the Spirit is
saying to the Churches;
stir their souls and
teach them truth
by that same Holy
Spirit.
Through their work,
may the faithful of
their Churches
be purified and
strengthened in spirit,
so that they might
greater follow the Gospel
through which you
accomplished salvation
and they might make of
themselves
a living offering to
the heavenly Father.
May Mary, the Most
Holy Mother of God
and Mother of the
Church,
assist the Bishops in
these days,
as she assisted the
Apostles in the Upper Room,
and intercede with
motherly affection
to foster brotherly
communion among them,
to allow them to
rejoice in prosperity
and peace in the
calmness of these days,
and, in reading the
signs of the times,
to celebrate the
majesty of the merciful God,
the Lord of History,
to the praise and
glory
of the Most Blessed
Trinity,
Father Son and Holy
Spirit.
Amen.
Extraordinary Synod on the Family ...
Voice
of the Family is an initiative of Catholic laity from major
pro-life/pro-family organisations. We have formed to offer our expertise and
resources before, during and after the Extraordinary Synod on the Family, 5 to
19 October 2014, Rome. We are supported by (in alphabetical order):
- Campaign
Life Catholics
- Campaign Life
Coalition Canada
Wednesday, October 08, 2014
Church sufferings
Each of my personal sin, even the smallest
one is contributing to the deepening of the sufferings and sorrows of the
Church. Just like each one of my good deeds contributes to the holiness of the
Church.
You could even say that Christians in India,
Indonesia, Pakistan, Syria and Iraq are persecuted because of my sins ... Yes!!! because of MY sins.
The Church operates on the principle of
"interconnected vessels".
Nothing in the Church happens without a cause (authorized or intended by God)
and nothing happens without a purpose.
Church -the Spouse of Christ- must go the way
Christ himself went through, means the Way of the Cross.
There is no salvation without suffering and
conversion; there is no glory of the Kingdom of God without passion on the
Calvary. Who doesn’t accept it, cannot consider himself to be a member of the
Suffering Body of Christ – the Church.
"… Remember the words I said to you: A
servant is not greater than his master. If they persecuted me, they will
persecute you too …" (John 15:20)
The "church of nice" or the synagogue of Satan?
Jesus brought us The Good News and not the "nice news". So, we don’t accept the Good News and we try to
make it nice and fitting our human expectations.
·
He proposes eternal life and not an easy life. This is why so many people reject Him, because he is demanding
and challenging in His teaching.
·
He proposes long-term relationship
and we prefer some kind of short term entertainment. This is why the Church
"should necessarily change"
the Christ's teaching about
o the indissolubility of marriage,
o sacredness of life,
o human sexuality,
o catastrophe of sin and
o necessity of conversion
to fit the humans' expectations of an easy
life. This is to not upset anybody, because the biggest sin one can commit is to upset somebody.
Some are even using a very diabolical reasoning and threatening: "If
the Church doesn't accommodate to the needs of the contemporary people, to our
expectations we will abandon the Church and go "directly" to Christ!"
Such reasoning is absolutely perverse and even diabolic … it is separating
Christ from the Church founded ultimately by Him …
Is it at all possible? Blessed Isaac of
Stella, abbot in his writings says:
"The
Church is incapable of forgiving any sin without Christ, and Christ is
unwilling to forgive any sin without the Church. The Church cannot forgive the
sin of one who has not repented, who has not been touched by Christ; Christ
will not forgive the sin of one who despises the Church. What God has joined
together, man must not separate. This is a great mystery, but I understand it
as referring to Christ and the Church."
It is
not the Church which has to adjust and accommodate its teaching to the caprices
of the contemporary "Catholics" searching for niceness … This is
sure!
As says Cardinal. Gerhard Ludwig Müller:
"The Church did not invent himself what She
teaches. The Church's teaching is rooted in the person of Christ, the mystery
of God's self-revelation."
The best ever book about Saint John Paul II.
Jason Evert - "Saint John Paul the Great"
- http://jp2book.com/
- https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/saint-john-paul-the-great/id836362941?mt=11
- http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/21793112-saint-john-paul-the-great
- http://www.lighthousecatholicmedia.org/store/title/saint-john-paul-the-great-book
Jason Evert - "Saint John Paul the Great"
- http://jp2book.com/
- https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/saint-john-paul-the-great/id836362941?mt=11
- http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/21793112-saint-john-paul-the-great
- http://www.lighthousecatholicmedia.org/store/title/saint-john-paul-the-great-book
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