Monday, February 28, 2011
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Saturday, February 19, 2011
"Jesus yes. Church no." What's Wrong With That?
A slogan that was popular some years back: “Jesus yes, Church no” is totally inconceivable with the intention of Christ! This individualistically "chosen Jesus" is an *imaginary* Jesus. We cannot have Jesus without the reality He created and in which He communicates Himself! (Not 'fully' anyway.) Between the Son of God-made-flesh and His Church there is a profound, unbreakable and mysterious continuity by which Christ is present today in His people. He is always contemporary - with us, He is always contemporary with the Church, built on the foundation of the Apostles, and alive in the succession of the Apostles. And His very presence in the community, in which He Himself is always with us, is the reason for our joy.
Sunday, February 06, 2011
Tuesday, January 04, 2011
The Crucifix...
Should Christians use (i.e. wear or have artwork of) or have a crucifix in their churches or house? Read this and perhaps gain more appreciation for Christ and His Saving Work. What does it really say about us when we no longer 'want' to see Jesus on the Cross? He commanded us, if we want to be His disciples, if we want to follow Him, we're to 'take up our cross and follow Him.' When we can't even look at Him on the Cross or prefer a 'dressed and glorified Jesus' we must remember this: No Cross, No Crown! No Cross, No Resurrection! You can say, "But we're 'Easter People'" and I would say, "Yes, we are." However, HOW did we become Easter people? Was there a 'short cut' that didn't require a 'death' on the Cross?
Lest I forget Gethsemane,
Lest I forget thine agony,
Lest I forget thy love for me,
Lead me to Calvary.
“Keep your eyes on the crucifix, for Jesus without the Cross is a man without a mission, and the Cross without Jesus is a burden without the reliever.” -- Archbiship Fulton Sheen
More religious images by this master artist.
Monday, January 03, 2011
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Thursday, December 09, 2010
Wednesday, December 08, 2010
Immaculate Mary
Thank you Jesus, for creating Mary, Immaculate. Thank you, Blessed Mother for Jesus.
6th Year Anniversary ...
Immaculate Mary
Today Rich and I have been back in full communion with the Church for 6 years having been away from Her for 26 years. It is the Church Jesus established, built on Peter, our first Pope. We are JOYFUL, and PROUD to be CATHOLIC.
Please come Home if you've been away or want to be Catholic.
There's no time is like "NOW."
'Today, if you hear His voice, harden not your hearts.'
COME HOME to ROME SWEET HOME.
Today Rich and I have been back in full communion with the Church for 6 years having been away from Her for 26 years. It is the Church Jesus established, built on Peter, our first Pope. We are JOYFUL, and PROUD to be CATHOLIC.
Please come Home if you've been away or want to be Catholic.
There's no time is like "NOW."
'Today, if you hear His voice, harden not your hearts.'
COME HOME to ROME SWEET HOME.
Saturday, December 04, 2010
Everybody loves Santa Claus. He embodies holiday cheer, happiness, fun, and gifts—warm happy aspects of the Christmas season. How do Santa Claus and St. Nicholas differ?
Santa Claus belongs to childhood;
St. Nicholas models for all of life.
Santa Claus, as we know him, developed to boost Christmas sales—the commercial Christmas message;
St. Nicholas told the story of Christ and peace, goodwill toward all—the hope-filled Christmas message.
Santa Claus encourages consumption;
St. Nicholas encourages compassion.
Santa Claus appears each year to be seen and heard for a short time;
St. Nicholas is part of the communion of saints, surrounding us always with prayer and example.
Santa Claus flies through the air—from the North Pole;
St. Nicholas walked the earth—caring for those in need.
Santa Claus, for some, replaces the Babe of Bethlehem;
St. Nicholas, for all, points to the Babe of Bethlehem.
Santa Claus isn't bad;
St. Nicholas is just better.
—J. Rosenthal & C. Myers
Interesting: The REAL FACE of St. Nicholas
Saint Nicholas or Santa Claus?
Saint Nicholas Center
St. Nicholas had a difficult time during the 16th century Protestant Reformation which took a dim view of saints. Even though both reformers and counter-reformers tried to stamp out St. Nicholas-related customs, they had very little long-term success except in England where the religious folk traditions were permanently altered. (It is ironic that fervent Puritan Christians began what turned into a trend to a more secular Christmas observance.) Because the common people so loved St. Nicholas, he survived on the European continent as people continued to place nuts, apples, and sweets in shoes left beside beds, on windowsills, or before the hearth.
St. Nicholas had a difficult time during the 16th century Protestant Reformation which took a dim view of saints. Even though both reformers and counter-reformers tried to stamp out St. Nicholas-related customs, they had very little long-term success except in England where the religious folk traditions were permanently altered. (It is ironic that fervent Puritan Christians began what turned into a trend to a more secular Christmas observance.) Because the common people so loved St. Nicholas, he survived on the European continent as people continued to place nuts, apples, and sweets in shoes left beside beds, on windowsills, or before the hearth.
Friday, December 03, 2010
Thursday, December 02, 2010
Gospel reading for today...
Jesus said to His disciples: "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord' will enter the Kingdom of Heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven. Everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock. The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and buffeted the house. But it did not collapse; it had been set solidly on rock. And everyone who listens to these words of mine and does not act on them will be like a fool who built his house on sand. The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and buffeted the house. And it collapsed and was completely ruined."
Hmm. "Everyone who listens to these words of mine and ACTS on them..." Thinking on that a bit. He does not say, "Everyone who just believes in Me" will enter the Kingdom, but that 'belief' must mean, in effect, ACTING, DOING and 'working out' that belief, that 'salvation.' It's not just a 'mental ascent' and or a heart 'belief' alone, with no action. It is not "faith" alone as James also tells us, but it is grace that saves us, and then that grace of a transformed heart/soul is evident in the working out of that faith/belief, resulting in actions of love and goodwill. Love generates good works, but not all good works stem from love. Many 'good works' can stem from pride. So we're to believe, but it has to be more than 'belief' alone, for even devils 'believe.' They not only 'believe' but they can quote scripture inside out and backwards. Remaining IN Christ is essential. We are constantly warned to 'remain in Him' for apart from Him we can do nothing, and will 'collapse' in ruin. Isn't it then also wise to not only remain in Christ as a personal effort, but also as a 'Church' and remaining in HIS Church, also then essential for our safety and salvation? For He and His Church are One. Dis His Church and you risk dissing the Rock of Salvation and you risk collapsing in ruin. Just a thought.
Hmm. "Everyone who listens to these words of mine and ACTS on them..." Thinking on that a bit. He does not say, "Everyone who just believes in Me" will enter the Kingdom, but that 'belief' must mean, in effect, ACTING, DOING and 'working out' that belief, that 'salvation.' It's not just a 'mental ascent' and or a heart 'belief' alone, with no action. It is not "faith" alone as James also tells us, but it is grace that saves us, and then that grace of a transformed heart/soul is evident in the working out of that faith/belief, resulting in actions of love and goodwill. Love generates good works, but not all good works stem from love. Many 'good works' can stem from pride. So we're to believe, but it has to be more than 'belief' alone, for even devils 'believe.' They not only 'believe' but they can quote scripture inside out and backwards. Remaining IN Christ is essential. We are constantly warned to 'remain in Him' for apart from Him we can do nothing, and will 'collapse' in ruin. Isn't it then also wise to not only remain in Christ as a personal effort, but also as a 'Church' and remaining in HIS Church, also then essential for our safety and salvation? For He and His Church are One. Dis His Church and you risk dissing the Rock of Salvation and you risk collapsing in ruin. Just a thought.
Monday, November 22, 2010
Mary – Eschatological Icon of the Church
After speaking of the Church, her origin, mission, and destiny, we can find no better way to conclude, than by looking to Mary. In her we contemplate what the Church already is in her mystery on her own "pilgrimage of faith," and what she will be in the homeland at the end of her journey. There, "in the glory of the Most Holy and Undivided Trinity," "in the communion of all the saints," the Church is awaited by the one she venerates as Mother of her Lord and as her own mother.
Catechism of the Catholic Church
The Profession of Faith, Part I, § 972.
Remember Elizabeth (house of God) represents the Church, when Mary came to visit her and help her in her latter days of pregnancy to give birth to John the Baptist. Remember what Elizabeth says?
And it came about that Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. And she cried out with a loud voice, and said, "Blessed among women are you, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! And how has it happened to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?" [Luke 1:41-43; NASB]
For those of you who have a 'hard time' with Mary being the Mother of God, please read, and think, reason, consider and like Mary, PONDER in your hearts this:
Mary, The Mother of My Lord
Catechism of the Catholic Church
The Profession of Faith, Part I, § 972.
Remember Elizabeth (house of God) represents the Church, when Mary came to visit her and help her in her latter days of pregnancy to give birth to John the Baptist. Remember what Elizabeth says?
And it came about that Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. And she cried out with a loud voice, and said, "Blessed among women are you, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! And how has it happened to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?" [Luke 1:41-43; NASB]
For those of you who have a 'hard time' with Mary being the Mother of God, please read, and think, reason, consider and like Mary, PONDER in your hearts this:
Mary, The Mother of My Lord
About the Eucharist, i.e. The REAL Presence ...
They hold aloof from the Eucharist and from services of prayer,
because they do not confess that the Eucharist is the flesh of our Savior,
Jesus Christ...therefore, those who argue against this gift of God,
will die in their disputes. - Saint Ignatius of Antioch
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