Inspired Reflections

Forty Days of Lent in the Desert

Sun, 09 Mar 2025 20:23:43 GMT

Pondering Responses to Temptations

The first Sunday of Lent opens with Jesus in the desert so as to prepare for his public ministry.

While in the desert the devil tries to prevent Our Lord from doing his mission. As the devil tries to stop Jesus, he also tries to stop us from doing God’s will. The three temptations in the Gospel are temptations that every one of us faces. Learning how Jesus responds to them, we learn how to respond to them in our own lives.

In the first temptation, the devil disordered our relationship with God the Father. The devil seeks to tempt us to tempt God, jump off various cliffs of sin and then blame God for letting us suffer. Jesus shows that the proper response is never to put the Lord our God to the test, but to love him and throw ourselves into his arms rather than from dangerous cliffs into sin.

In the second temptation, the devil disordered our relationships with others. The devil promised that he would give Jesus’ rule over all the cities, if only he would take the bargain of falling down before the devil in worship. Jesus resisted the temptation toward this type of diabolical tyranny by quoting Scripture about worshipping and serving the Lord our God alone. When we do so, we seek to serve others made in God’s image and likeness, reverencing the Lord in them, seeking to serve them with love rather than be served and ultimately to lay down our lives for them as Christ himself did.

And in the final temptation, the devil disordered our relationship with ourselves, using what God has given us for our own purposes rather than for God and others. This is shown in the temptation the devil gave to Jesus to change stones into bread after forty days of hunger. Jesus replied that we live not on bread alone but on every word that comes from God’s mouth. We’re supposed to use our talents not selfishly, but for God and others.

In response to these three fundamental temptations, Jesus not only shows us how to resist but also prescribes for us on Ash Wednesday the medicine we need through the traditional practices of prayer, almsgiving and fasting. Prayer helps us die to our own ego in order to put on the mind of Christ. Almsgiving has us think of others’ needs and act to help them. Fasting helps us to control our fleshly hungers and makes it possible for us to hunger for what God hungers.

These three practices are the means by which we enter into Jesus’ prayer, fasting for 40 days in the desert, and his total self-giving and resist the temptations of the devil.

We Adore you, O Christ, and We Bless You, Because by Your Holy Cross you have redeemed the World.

Advent 2023

jrcastro@comcast.net (Jerrie Castro) — Mon, 11 Dec 2023 19:42:16 GMT

The Bethlehem Candle - A Symbol of Peace

Observing the Second Week of Advent is typically marked by lighting the "Bethlehem Candle," that symbolizes peace. This candle, which is colored deep blue or purple, is an important part of the Advent celebration.

Advent speaks to the idea of the Christian community coming together during the Advent season. This time of year, is associated with closeness, as people gather with loved ones to celebrate the Holy Days and reflect on the past year. Advent, which marks the beginning of the Christian liturgical year, is also a time of anticipation and preparation for the birth of Jesus. It is a time to come together in prayer, reflection, and celebration. Whether it's through attending church services, decorating the home, or participating in charitable acts, Advent provides many opportunities to connect with others and strengthen bonds within the community. During the time of Advent, we are also called to reflect on the virtues of love, kindness, and compassion. It is a time to focus on, not only the love that surrounds us, but for us to extend that love to others.

Through acts of kindness, both big and small, we can make a positive impact on the world for the better. This season reminds us to take the time to show gratitude and to spread joy. Let us embrace the spirit of Advent and carry it with us throughout the year to come, sharing love and thoughtfulness wherever we go. Especially this Advent season, we need to be that beacon of light in a world with so many tribulations that often feel so dark. It's about embracing the true meaning of Christmas and giving love. When the sun sets, may the celebration of Christmas be a testimony of our unwavering faith.

How do you plan on preparing for the infant in a manger this year? Reach out to your family, friends and all of those whom you love dearly by spreading the excitement of the Good News!

Treating People with Sincere Respect, Kind Attention and the Love of God

Fri, 03 Nov 2023 15:00:00 GMT

Jesus, God incarnate, is giving us the meaning of life, the road to fulfillment, the secret to happiness.

But we have heard it so often that we have to make a special effort to squeeze the juice out of it. The key word is, obviously, love.

Usually, we associate this word with some pleasant feelings, intense and delightful emotions. But the word Jesus used means something much deeper. It is the word "agape", and it refers to the love that means desiring union with something that is good in itself. If we love ice cream, it means we love eating ice cream because it tastes good, we love becoming one with ice cream, entering into communion with ice cream. If we love a person, it means we love spending time with them, getting to know them, sharing the experiences of life with them. But using the word “agape” isn't quite enough.

Jesus wants to make completely sure we don't misunderstand. So, he explains how love applies to our two key relationships: with God and with other people. We must love God with all our heart, mind, and soul.

We must desire what God desires— this is the heart. We must value and understand all things the way God does—this is the mind. We must actively live in accordance with those desires and that understanding, choosing what God would choose in our place—this is the soul. Then, we must love our neighbors as we love ourselves; treating them as we would want them to treat us, regardless of how we feel. This is Christian love, not some passing, self-indulgent emotion, but a courageous lifestyle that puts God first, others second, and self, third. We see this truth vividly at work in the lives of the Saints, who gradually learned that Christian love is much more about what we decide to do than about what we happen to feel.

A remarkable Saint in this regard is Pope Gregory the Great, who died in the year 604 after 13 years in the papacy. He organized an army of volunteers to go through the streets of Rome daily to tend the sick, feed the poor, and place homeless families on farms around the city, which were leased to them for three generations. Every day, Pope Gregory fed at his own table twelve poor pilgrims, whom he insisted on serving himself.

One day when he entered the dining room to feed his guest pilgrims, he counted thirteen pilgrims instead of twelve. When he asked about the extra guest, his astonished steward insisted that they only had the usual number. "I am sure I see thirteen!" the Pope insisted. As the meal progressed, Gregory noticed that the face of this extra guest kept changing: first it looked young, then the same face would suddenly look middle aged, then old, and back and forth.

When he could stand the mystery no longer, Pope Gregory drew the strange man aside and asked him who he was. The stranger answered, "I am the angel whom God sent to you to prove your charity. Now, do not fear...God has sent me to be your guardian...Whatever you ask will be granted you through me." This is Christian love: a tireless, self-forgetful effort to put one's talents at the service of God by serving our neighbors, wherever God's providence places us. And this is the secret to true joy and fruitfulness. (St. Pope Gregory the Great By ©Tracy L. Christianson at www.portraitsofsaints.com)

As Saint Theresa of Lisieux wrote: "Jesus flooded the darkness of my soul with torrents of light... Love filled my heart, I forgot myself, and henceforth I was happy." This is what will fill our hearts and give our lives the meaning we so passionately long for: true, Christ-like love. There is no shortcut to learning Christ-like love.

It's like learning to swim, you really have to jump into the water and get wet. The Holy Spirit is a great instructor, but he can't make any progress unless we are willing to take the risk of diving in. So, the first thing we need to do is to tell God that we sincerely want to follow his commandments and love like he does; this is how we love God, by wanting what He wants. Holy Communion is the perfect time to make or renew this commitment.

After deciding to take the risk, we have to make sure there is nothing blocking God's grace inside of us, because without that grace, we can't make any progress. So, the second step to loving like Christ is making frequent use of the sacrament of confession—God's power-washing system. Once we have decided to do our best and made sure that no sins are sapping our supernatural strength, we are ready to get to work. This kind of work is very simple, but not easy.

It starts by treating those people closest to us with sincere respect and kind attention. We have to start with those close to us; with our family members, coworkers, team mates and classmates. It is easy to put on the appearance of Christ-like, over with people we don't have to deal with regularly. But we aren't interested in appearances, we are interested in the courageous lifestyle of Christian love, the only path to an everlastingly meaningful life. And that path means, with God's help, putting God first, others second, and self, third!

The Three R's For Casting Out Demons

Wed, 25 Oct 2023 13:54:05 GMT

Exorcist Diary #200

After a recent online deliverance session with us, a woman shared her experience:

I've been able to attend most of the sessions and have found that with each successive one, I have been increasingly able to attain spiritual healing-I have sought deliverance for a long time. I am learning

with each session how to better deal with evil attacks from the devil. I have learned, in particular, that I must do the 3 Rs. I am now able to relate with the Lord Jesus in a loving way, without any sense of the previous hostility, resentment or anger.

These three R's of casting out demons are: reject, renounce, and rebuke . In our online sessions, as well as our face-to-face solemn exorcisms, we ask afflicted people to identify the evil spirits present and then say the three R's. So, for example, if an individual identifies the presence of an evil spirit of lust, the person would then say: "In the holy name of Jesus, I reject, I renounce, and I rebuke the spirit of lust. In Jesus' holy name, I cast it out!"

To "reject" is to make an act of the will which says in effect: "I do not want this evil spirit." To "renounce" is to give back any benefits desired or received in the demonic relationship. To "rebuke" is sharply denouncing the evil spirit. In deliverance work, an important step in the process of liberation is cutting the relationship between the individual and the evil spirit. While a simple rejection would likely suffice, we have found these three R's to be a bit more thorough and decisive.

After the afflicted person has formally rejected the evil spirit, the Exorcist can then invoke the authority of the Church and more easily cast it out. While the entire process of casting out demons can take some time, this formal process of rejecting the evil spirits, using the three R's, is an important step along the way.

I have also found these three R's helpful in overcoming the normal temptations of life, which are often fueled by evil spirits. Whenever we are tempted, we can say: "In the holy name of Jesus, I reject the evil spirits of [name the temptation]. I reject them; I renounce them; I rebuke them. In Jesus' holy name, I cast them out!" I have personally found it helpful. I suspect others would as well.

What Is A Public Eucharistic Procession?

Mon, 25 Sep 2023 16:12:01 GMT

Just like Eucharistic Adoration, a Eucharistic Procession is an extension of the worship of Jesus Christ, truly present in the Blessed Sacrament.

The supreme act of adoration and the source and summit of the Christian life is the celebration of the Mass, and that celebration is prolonged and intensified through Eucharistic worship outside of the Mass.

In Eucharistic Processions, the missionary aspect of the Eucharist is emphasized as we go forth into the world. Not only gazing upon our Eucharistic Lord, but walking with him, we experience what the disciples did 2000 years ago as they walked with Jesus, proclaiming the Good News to the world. A parish community that undertakes a Eucharistic Procession has made the decision to publicly proclaim its belief in Jesus’ True Presence in the Eucharist. By this public witness of faith, the parish invites people in the community to encounter the Risen Lord present in the Eucharistic Host. For those who participate in the procession, it is an opportunity not only to proclaim their faith but also to grow in their faith. The procession is, finally, an invitation asking Jesus himself to be a part of our daily lives, to be immersed in the world in which we live.

“We entrust these streets, these homes, our daily life, to his goodness. May our streets be streets of Jesus! May our houses be homes for him and with him! May our life of every day be penetrated by his presence.” Pope Benedict XVI, Homily on Corpus Christi, 26 May 2005

Eucharistic Processions became more prominent as the worship of the Eucharist outside of the Mass grew in popular devotions and as the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist became more of a central focus of theological study. In the 13th Century, when the Solemnity of Corpus Christi was established for the universal Church, Eucharistic Processions quickly became a part of that celebration. Over the following centuries, Eucharistic Processions spread more and more throughout the Church.

The Church has consistently encouraged the development and growth of Eucharistic Processions. In many parts of the world today, Eucharistic Processions are a very important form of Eucharistic piety. Different cultures have developed traditions surrounding Eucharistic Processions including street decorations, songs, prayers, and other devotions. Reintroducing Eucharistic Processions where they have faded in popularity can be a powerful way to renew and rediscover both belief in the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist as well as the missionary call that every Catholic shares: to bring Jesus to the world.

During Eucharistic Processions, “the Christian people give public witness of faith and to their devotion toward this sacrament” (Holy Communion and Worship of the Eucharist Outside of Mass, 101). By publicly proclaiming belief in Jesus’ True Presence in the Eucharist, the parish has an opportunity to invite the broader community to ask questions about the Eucharist and encounter Christ as the Blessed Sacrament is brought to them directly on the streets. For this invitation to be well received, attention and care is given to planning a reverent and beautiful procession that is expressive of the faith of the parish and above all the belief that Jesus is truly present in the Eucharist.

In today’s culture, where so many are indifferent or even hostile to religion in general and Christianity in particular, it is the witness of our faith that can build trust and rouse interest among members of our communities who on their own might not approach the Church. “Being a disciple means being constantly ready to bring the love of Jesus to others, and this can happen unexpectedly and in any place: on the street, in a city square, during work, on a journey” (Evangelii Gaudium, 127).

As a Eucharistic procession goes through the streets, a variety of responses from the people will be encountered. Some will hardly notice what is happening, some will be intrigued but keep on their way, and others will stop what they are doing and watch the entire procession go by, perhaps even asking those in the procession what they are doing. We will be ready to stop and have conversations with people who are intrigued or have questions. These conversations can be brief but powerful. We might even have cards or pamphlets that give a brief explanation of processions and the Eucharist and that invite people to Mass, Adoration, or another upcoming event that is specifically planned for those who are spiritually open or curious.

Source:

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS
1 COLUMBUS PLAZA NEW HAVEN, CT 06510-3326 203-752-4270

www.kofc.org

The Story of the Talking Teacup

Thu, 24 Aug 2023 16:00:03 GMT

“Behold, like the clay in the potter’s hand, so are you in my hand.” ~ Jeremiah 18:6

There was a couple who used to go to England to shop in the beautiful stores. They both liked antiques and pottery and especially teacups. This was their twenty-fifth wedding anniversary. One day in this beautiful shop they saw a beautiful teacup. They said, "May we see that? We've never seen one quite so beautiful."

As the lady handed it to them, suddenly the teacup spoke. "You don't understand," it said. "I haven't always been a teacup. There was a time when I was red and I was clay. My master took me and rolled me and patted me over and over and I yelled out, 'Let me alone', but he only smiled, 'Not yet.'"

"Then I was placed on a spinning wheel," the teacup said, "and suddenly I was spun around and around and around. 'Stop it! I'm getting dizzy!' I screamed. But the master only nodded and said, 'Not yet.'"

"Then he put me in the oven. I never felt such heat. I wondered why he wanted to burn me, and I yelled and knocked at the door. I could see him through the opening and I could read his lips as he shook his head, 'Not yet.'"

"Finally the door opened, he put me on the shelf, and I began to cool. 'There, that's better', I said. And he brushed and painted me all over. The fumes were horrible. I thought I would gag. 'Stop it, stop it!' I cried. He only nodded, 'Not yet.'"

"Then suddenly he put me back into the oven, not like the first one. This was twice as hot and I knew I would suffocate. I begged. I pleaded. I screamed. I cried. All the time I could see him through the opening nodding his head saying, 'Not yet.'"

Then I knew there wasn't any hope. I would never make it. I was ready to give up. But the door opened and he took me out and placed me on the shelf. One hour later he handed me a mirror and I couldn't believe it was me. 'It's beautiful. I'm beautiful.'"

"'I want you to remember, then,' he said, 'I know it hurts to be rolled and patted, but if I had left you alone, you would have dried up. I know it made you dizzy to spin around on the wheel, but if I had stopped, you would have crumbled. I knew it hurt and was hot and disagreeable in the oven, but if I hadn't put you there, you would have cracked. I know the fumes were bad when I brushed and painted you all over, but if I hadn't done that, you never would have hardened; you would not have had any color in your life. And if I hadn't put you back in that second oven, you wouldn't survive for very long because the hardness would not have held. Now you are a finished product. You are what I had in mind when I first began with you.'"

God knows what He's doing (for all of us). He is the Potter, and we are His clay. He will mold us and make us, so that we may be made into a flawless piece of work to fulfill His good, pleasing, and perfect will.

Prayers That Work

amgospa@gmail.com (Anna Marie Maagdenberg) — Mon, 21 Aug 2023 16:40:58 GMT

We all want our prayers to work. Are there any guarantees?

In trying to figure out which prayers are effective, we can start with Jesus’s amazing promise to all of us Christians in John 15:7. Here’s his guarantee to his followers: “If you abide in me and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish and it will be done for you. Wow, ask whatever you wish!

What a fantastic, promise to encourage our prayer lives. But there are considerations as to what makes our prayer life effective. Do we get what, “If my word abides in you,” means? Prayer is for granting us the joy of seeing God’s will executed through us, as his will becomes our will.

The only joy in life that lasts is when our desires are drawn from his desires, and those desires are the ones that have the promise made to them. “Ask and it will be done for you”. Here is the way John put it: “Whatever we ask we receive from him, because we keep his commandments and do what pleases Him.” (1 John 3:22)

The heart of the gospel is that we don’t bring anything to God. Prayer, which is made possible by the Holy Spirit and inspired by words of the gospel, works the same way. God gives to us; we don’t give to God. We ask; he gives. Prayer depends on what he has done in us and for us, and on what he will continue to do in us and for us.

Jesus, through the Holy Spirit teaches us to pray and to freely ask our Father for the desires of our heart: “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.” ( Luke 11:9–10 )

We can ask for whatever we want, because God will not give us anything bad, but only what is good for us ( Luke 11:11–13 ). That’s the catch! Meaning we don’t ask foolishly. Peter even exhorts us: “Cast all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you” ( 1 Peter 5:7 ) — all our anxieties, even our everyday and material ones. We need not be afraid to ask him for anything, and not hold back any of our burdens from him.

If we want to grow and mature in prayer, neither do we need to be on a timer, nor become instant contemplatives. We don’t need to have a hidden prayer trailer in the desert either. But we do need to become better at how we ask. We need to realize that we are all flawed, fall from grace; that we need God every step of the way. If God were not to intervene, we would all continue to make messes out our own lives and those around us.

The scriptures certainly tell us, you are weak and sinful, flawed, and needy — but God is strong, gracious, and good — and ready to answer. Ask him to do what he has already promised to do for you. And keep praying, until you see him face to face.

The Importance of Parental Blessings

maryann@93455.com (Mary Ann Armstrong) — Fri, 04 Aug 2023 20:03:12 GMT

Blessings were part of God’s original plan for mankind and are mentioned at least 640 times in the Old Testament.

In the scriptures, we can grasp a better understanding of blessings. Beginning in Genesis 1:28 God created Adam and Eve and then blessed them. “…God blessed them, saying: “Be fertile and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it.” In Genesis 12:3 the Lord told Abram, “I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you. All the people of the earth shall find blessing in you.” Within the blessing was a promise of God’s protection.

The ”Catechism of the Catholic Church” states, in reference to blessings: “Sacramentals derive from the baptismal priesthood: every baptized person is called to be a “blessing” and to bless. Hence, lay people may preside at certain blessings; the more a blessing concerns ecclesial and sacramental life, the more is its administration is reserved to the ordained ministry of bishops, priests or deacons” (CCC 1669). So, we see that in the Church and relative to God, there is a difference between a blessing given by laity and one imparted by a priest such as the blessing at the end of Mass where the he blesses the congregation in “Persona Christi” or he blesses a religious object in the name of the Church or imparts the Apostolic Blessing over one who is dying.

In the secular world, many perceive blessings as words of praise, honor, favor, good fortune and pardon. When parents bless their children, many emotional wounds can be avoided. Without it, an individual may strive for acceptance outside of the family and have difficulty in relationships. Continual, positive parental blessings will help children to grow avoiding anger, resentment, jealousy, sibling rivalry and insecurities.

Simple Blessing

May the Lord bless you and keep you; make His face shine upon you, be gracious to you; lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace ( Numbers 6:24-26 ).

In The Darkness We See Farther

Fri, 04 Aug 2023 19:51:35 GMT

Pondering the Paradox of the "Dark Knowing" of Faith

As human beings we are very visual and there is a certain demand of our flesh to see on its own terms. But of course, God, who is pure spirit, will not be seen in this way.

How can the human eye perceive what is spiritual? It is not designed to do so. We cannot see God, as God, any more than we should expect to be able to see justice sitting down to lunch with humility. These are not physical concepts; they are metaphysical ones. We may see evidence of their existence, but we do not physically see them. And so also with God. We see lots of evidence of His existence, but we do not see Him with our earthly eyes.

There is a well-known (but inaccurate) saying, “Seeing is believing.” But actually, it is not; seeing is only seeing. When we see physical things or events, one of two things happens, either of which eliminates the existence of any sort of faith:

1. We see something and accept it as true, in which case faith is no longer necessary, for it is not necessary to believe what we can plainly see.

2. We scoff or act bemused and continue to disbelieve, saying (for example when we see a magic trick), “There’s a way of doing that; it’s just an illusion.”

In either case, faith (human or supernatural) is set aside when we see something with our earthly eyes.

Therefore, as Scripture insists over and over again, faith is not a matter of seeing in a physical way.

Now faith is the substance of things to be hoped for, the evidence of things that appear not (Hebrews 11:1).
So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal (2 Cor 4:18).
For we walk by faith, not by sight (2 Cor 5:7).
For in this hope, we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? (Rom 8:24)
For now, we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known (1 Cor 13:12).
And though you have not seen [Jesus], you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls (1 Peter 1:8-9).
Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe (John 20:29).
So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ (Rom 10:17).

St. Thomas Aquinas says, Faith is a habit of the mind whereby eternal life is begun in us, making the intellect assent to what is non-apparent(Summa IIa IIae 4 ad 1).

Therefore, faith is not about what is seen with our earthly eyes. It comes from hearing—hearing the Word of God.

That said, faith is a way of knowing and thus also a way of “seeing,” but more in the intellectual sense, as when we say, “Oh! Now I see” when we grasp a point intellectually. And though we know and “see” by faith, spiritual theologians such as St. John of the Cross remind us that the seeing and knowing by faith is “obscure.”

Now usually we think of the word “obscure” with a negative connotation. If something is obscure, it is tricky or hard to figure out and we look for something to illumine the darkness, to scatter the obscurity.

Not so fast. Consider the deeply paradoxical notion that the darkness, the obscurity actually helps us to see better! Fr. Reginald Garrigou-Lagrange explains it this way:

Obscure faith enlightens us somewhat like the night, which though surrounding us with shadows, allows us to see the stars, and by them, the depths of the firmament. … That we may see the stars, the sun must hide, night must begin. Amazingly, in the obscurity of the night we see to a far greater distance than in the day; we see even the distant stars which reveal to us the immense expanse of the heavens. … [And so] faith, although obscure, opens up to us the supernatural world and its infinite depths: the Kingdom of God, His inner life, which we shall see unveiled and clearly in eternity. (The Three Ages of the Interior Life, Tan Publications Vol 1, p. 361)

In the darkness we see farther and deeper into space. Sunlight is precious, but it envelops us; it closes us in a much smaller world. We see better what is near; what is farther off and higher up is lost to us. From the perspective of our physical senses, faith is a “dark” knowing or seeing. By it we see farther and higher, longer and deeper.

Fr. Garrigou-Lagrange continues,

Faith is obscure but it illumines our intellect … in a way very superior to the senses and to reason. … What is evident for our senses is sensible, not spiritual; therefore, it is not God himself. … Now faith makes us attain here on earth the inner life of God in the penumbra, in obscurity. Consequently, a man who preferred visions to infused faith would deceive himself … for he would prefer what is superficial and exterior, and what is accessible to our faculties, to what surpasses them. He would prefer figures to the divine reality. (Ibid).

And therefore, we must beware of the strong demand of our flesh to see on its own terms. Our earthly eyes are not going to see God on the terms that our flesh demands. He is just too immanent, too transcendent for that. Our eyes see what physically exists but not Existence Himself. If we yield to this demand of our flesh, we are going to limit our world immensely. We will certainly see worldly and physical things well, but we will miss the greater portion of reality: the Kingdom of God and God Himself!

Welcome to the modern world; a small world increasingly closed in on itself; a world no longer enchanted and charged with mystery; a world that demands to see only in physical terms, preferring what is superficial and exterior, preferring the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever.

Ponder the great paradox of the “darkness” and “obscurity” of faith. For in the humility of accepting the darkness, we see farther, higher, deeper, and longer. Jesus is the Light of the world. But we see Him in the “darkness” of faith and understand Him most clearly not by the false light of this world, but by faith. Faith is obscure to our senses, but understood by our souls as a necessary condition to loving Him as our only and true Light.

The Fall Season And Biblical Harvest

Tue, 27 Sep 2022 01:26:30 GMT

Daily Grace Blog

Autumn is a favorite season for many. The smell of cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla fills a kitchen. The colors of carrots, squash, and green beans are all beautifully arranged on a table. The sound of dried leaves rustling in the wind is like nature’s music. People may also love autumn for the sense of nostalgia, holidays, and new beginnings. We look forward to sharing stories and laughs with family and friends. We are excited about the start of another school year and football games. Autumn is not only a significant time culturally, but this season also holds biblical significance. We can study Scripture and its theme of harvest to gain a deeper perspective of fall. For those of us who place our faith in Christ, autumn signifies the gospel and the coming of Jesus.

Old Testament Fall Feasts

Scripture introduces gospel hope through the fall feasts among the ancient Israelites. The Israelites were God’s chosen people through whom He revealed His plan of redemption. Living in an agrarian society, the Israelites viewed autumn in light of harvest. Harvest refers to a process or period when crops are gathered. To accompany the harvest season, God told the Israelites to celebrate three festivals (Leviticus 23 and Numbers 29). These festivals included the Feast of Trumpets, the Day of Atonement, and the Feast of Tabernacles.

As indicated in its name, the Feast of Trumpets began with a blast of a trumpet. Scholars claim that the instrument’s sound gathered the people and signified the arrival of God as their King. The Day of Atonement was when the High Priest entered the Holy of Holies, the place where the glory of God resided. The priest performed animal sacrifices there and then released a goat into the wilderness. These actions symbolized sin’s payment and its removal from the people of God. Finally, the Feast of Tabernacles was a time to remember God dwelled with the Israelites during their wilderness journey. The Israelites feasted on harvested produce and rejoiced in God’s provision.

When the harvest season was over, however, the Israelites continued in their brokenness. Nevertheless, in the festivals, God revealed that He would have mercy on His people, save them from sin, and dwell with them forever. Through Christ, the fall feasts have their fulfillment.

The Harvest Mission

In Jesus’s life, we see the realization in what the fall feasts symbolized. For instance, the Eternal Son of God came to earth and took on flesh. When He was born, a host of angels announced the arrival of King Jesus. The heavenly beings praised His name, and, like the sound of trumpets, their praises excited shepherds nearby to see. As the Israelites gathered together during the Feast of Trumpets, the shepherds too gathered before the manger.

Throughout His ministry, Jesus lived with His people. The God of the universe was with the lowly and humble. In Christ, He dwelt with us in a way similar to the Lord’s presence in the tabernacle but more intimate. The joy of His nearness was foreshadowed in the Feast of Tabernacles. But, in His first coming, His people feasted on His goodness and rejoiced in His salvation. Finally, when Jesus hung on the cross, Jesus embodied the Day of Atonement. As the Banished Goat, He took on our sins and was rejected. As the Spotless Lamb, He offered His body as a perfect sacrifice to pay for our debt. Jesus was also the True High Priest who entered the Holy of Holies and gave us access to God the Father at all times.

Jesus equated bringing people to salvation with the work of the fall season. After preaching the good news about the kingdom and healing people from sin, Jesus said to His disciples, “The harvest is abundant, but the workers are few. Therefore, pray to the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into his harvest” (Matthew 9:35-38). Belief in the gospel is a spiritual harvest. Through our faith in Him, Jesus reaps us for the kingdom of God.

Preparing for Jesus’s Return

Autumn not only looks back to what Jesus accomplished but also looks forward to His second coming. One day, we will hear a trumpet sound, and Jesus will descend from heaven (1 Thessalonians 4:16). Christ will raise us from the grave like the sprouts of good seeds bursting from a field (Matthew 13:37-43). Our natures will change to the glorious likeness of Christ (1 Corinthians 15:52). Jesus will remove sin and evil for good, like casting the goat into the wilderness, and His people will be covered in His blood. We will forever celebrate in God’s abundant presence, expressing praise and thanks for His salvation.

Until the time of this great harvest, we can reflect on these truths during the fall season. Though believers today do not need to celebrate the biblical feasts because of the finished work of Christ, we can still set aside time to consider God’s Kingship, mercy, and provision in Jesus. With the indwelling Holy Spirit, we can strive to reach maturity by sowing seeds of faithfulness so that we are ripe for Christ’s return (Galatians 6:7-9). We can be sure that God will make us ready for His harvest, for the power of God’s redemption does not fail.

As the crisp autumn air comes in, view this time through the lens of biblical truth. When we see the leaves change color, our minds can remember our transformation into the image of Jesus. When we cozy up in a warm sweater, our hands can reach for the comfort of God’s presence. When we taste the sweetness of a pumpkin-spiced latte, our hearts can know that God has a sweeter gift for us in eternity.

Dying To Sin

Tue, 13 Sep 2022 00:52:28 GMT

I pondered this morning, how Paul spoke about us being both “dead to sin” (Rom 6:11) and “dying” (2 Cor 6:9).

In one sense, in thinking that the deed is already accomplished, he speaks about us as being “dead” , and reinforces that thought in Col. 2:20 and Rom 6:8 by saying that we have “died with Christ” , while in other places he speaks about this not having been accomplished, but in process . He must have thought about this analogy often, because in 2 Corinthians 4:10, he clearly speaks about this being a process by saying “always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our body.”

So then, I concluded from this meditation that through Baptism we have died with Christ.

In Col 2:12 Paul says, “You were buried with him in baptism…” and in Rom 6:4 he says, “We were indeed buried with him through baptism into death.” But after we are Baptized, as the Church teaches (CCC 418), our human nature is weakened in its powers, subject to ignorance, suffering and the domination of death, and inclined to sin. This leaning toward sin is called concupiscence, and because of concupiscence we are weakened.

This struggle with sin is identified by Paul in Rom 6 and 7, where he states that our struggle—although the victory is accomplished in Baptism—is continually accomplished in the Sacrament of Penance where we are reconciled with Jesus and his Church (the Body and Bride of Christ) every time that we repent and celebrate this Sacrament initiated by him. The Gospel of John also reveals where Jesus confers the power of this Sacrament on the Apostles by saying, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you. And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them: Receive the holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained.” Jn 20: 21-23

Therefore, we are dying to sin but we are to consider ourselves dead to sin.

“…For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin.” (Rom 6:6) This is a great mystery of transformation that we can hopefully see unfold within us as we struggle, through our cooperation with God’s grace, to always stay united to Christ!

by Fred Ganssle

From "Imitation of Christ"

Wed, 31 Aug 2022 17:15:44 GMT

…My son, says the Lord, listen to my words, the most delightful of all words, surpassing all the knowledge of the philosophers and wise men of this world. My words are spirit and life and cannot be comprehended by human senses alone.

They are not to be interpreted according to the vain pleasure of the listener, but they must be listened to in silence and received with all humility and great affection.

And I said: Blessed is the man whom you teach, Lord, and whom you instruct in your law; for him you soften the blow of the evil day, and you do not desert him on the earth.

The Lord says, I have instructed my prophets from the beginning. Even to the present time I have not stopped speaking to all men, but many are deaf and obstinate in response.

Many hear the world more easily than they hear God; they follow the desires of the flesh more readily than the pleasure of God.

The world promises rewards that are temporal and insignificant, and these are pursued with great longing; I promise rewards that are eternal and unsurpassable, yet the hearts of mortals respond sluggishly.

Who serves and obeys me in all matters with as much care as the world and its princes are served?

Blush, then, you lazy, complaining servant, for men are better prepared for the works of death than you are for the works of life. They take more joy in vanity than you in truth. Yet they are often deceived in their hope, while my promise deceives no one, and leaves empty-handed no one who confides in me. What I have promised I shall give; what I have said I will fulfill for any man who remains faithful in my love unto the very end. I am the rewarder of all good men, the one who rigorously tests the devoted.

Write my words in your heart and study them diligently, for they will be absolutely necessary in the time of temptation. Whatever you fail to understand in reading my words will become clear to you on the day of your visitation.

I am accustomed to visit my elect in a double fashion, that is, with temptation and with consolation. And I read to them two lessons each day: one to rebuke them for their faults; the other to exhort them to increase their virtue.

He who possesses my words yet spurns them earns his own judgment on the last day…

Why Do People Betray?

Sat, 27 Aug 2022 17:30:00 GMT

One of the most bitter experiences in life is being betrayed. Betrayal is serious because it destroys trust, and without trust, there can be no relationships. Without trust, societies, families, institutions, and most certainly marriages cannot function. Betrayal shakes a person to his or her core because it ruptures the ability to trust. And the most devastating is when the person betrayed has little knowledge of or reason why it happened.

What causes people to betray the trust that has been placed in them? Here are four significant reasons.

If there is excessive ambition, greed, lust, or passion. When a person that cannot exercise self-control is overcome with these vices, there is often a betrayal.

A drug addict will betray the trust placed on him because his addiction is overpowering. It becomes greater than any sense of loyalty, integrity, or honesty he may have.

A person's desire to be wealthy and needing to lead a luxurious life may cause him to steal, embezzle or misuse information given to him in confidence. Overpowering sexual attraction may also cause a person to betray his or her marriage.

People like to prove how smart they are. Many people like to play with others’ minds, and manipulate lives just to stir up trouble. This often happens in the workplace.

Betrayal is truly a terrible thing because it causes the one who has been betrayed to question his or her ability to function normally. And it also causes them to question their own judgment because betrayal messes with the mind. The mind cannot easily reconcile that a good relationship turned into something bad or even hatefully evil. Betrayal for some people can even destroy their self-confidence to a point that there is an accompanying deep sense of false guilt followed by grief, which can take a long time to heal.

We must ask God to help us not lose our confidence or our ability to trust others because betrayal can be paralyzing. Let us also ask the Lord to give us strength, courage, and hope to move forward. In addition, prayer for the one or those that have betrayed us is the most painful and difficult. However, forgiveness and petitioning God for the healing of our offenders will eventually enable us to maintain our trust in mankind. We must recall that forgiveness is not based on feelings but a decision of the will that that sets us free. Finally, we need to ask Our Lord to heal the deep and painful memories of the situation. Only then can one experience true freedom and healing of the emotional wounds.

by Jerrie Castro

Why Did Archangel Raphaël Assume a Human Body?

Thu, 25 Aug 2022 17:30:00 GMT

Archangel Raphaël is one of the seven Archangels that stand before the Throne of God and is spoken about in the Scriptures. This Archangel is the Patron Saint of travelers, the blind, bodily and spiritual ills, happy meetings, nurses, physicians and medical workers.

God sent Saint Raphaël to earth to heal a pious man named Tobit from his blindness and help him get his money back. He was also to accompany his son Tobias on a journey to marry a woman named Sarah and to deliver her from the evil demon Asmodeus that had killed each of her former husbands on their wedding night, before consummating their marriage.

He appears, by name, only in the Book of Tobit. Raphaël name means "God heals." This identity came about because of the biblical story that claims he "healed" the earth when it was defiled by the sins of the fallen angels in the apocryphal book of Enoch. However, this is not a definitive teaching of the Church, as the book of Enoch was never codified into Scripture. This was the case with many other books as well, but some of the information and facts in apocryphal books has been proven to be true.

As one of God's seven special Archangels, Saint Raphaël comes to people who need healing in body, mind, and spirit. He is also a Patron of young people, Godly love, and people suffering from nightmares that may need protection that is supernatural.

Disguised as a human in the Book of Tobit, Raphaël refers to himself as "Azaria’s the son of the great Ananias" and travels alongside Tobit's son, Tobias.

Tobit was 62 years old when he became blind, but after his sight had been restored, he lived a very full life. Once again, he gave generously to the poor, and he continued to praise God and tell of His Greatness. Tobit died a peaceful death at the age of 112, and was given an honorable burial in Nineveh.

If you have never ventured to read this Old Testament Book of Tobit, give it a try. You will find out all sorts of interesting things that happen when an Archangel takes on a human body and also deals with the demon that was allowed to interfere in human’s life.

by Jerrie Castro

Is Belief in Angels Optional or Mandatory?

Fri, 19 Aug 2022 17:00:03 GMT

When I hear this question, the first thing that comes to mind is the words of Jesus in Matthew 18:10, "See that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that their angels in heaven always look upon the face of my heavenly Father.” If Jesus affirmed and experienced their existence to be true, then I would have to say that it is mandatory! After all, Jesus was very aware of each angel’s creation because he was present. Thus, the Church says we must believe in angels.

The word angel appears in the Old Testament over one hundred times in more than fifteen books. In the New Testament, we see it used 178 times in over fifteen books, most predominantly in Revelation. There are many angelic appearances to many people. Of greatest importance, is when the Angel Gabriel appears to Mary to announce that she would be the mother of the Messiah, if she consented, which she did with great haste. We know from several citations that the Archangel Michael contended with the devil, a fallen angel. And the Angel Raphael appears several times in the book of Tobit. We know that in Daniel 7, he (Daniel) had a vision where thousands upon thousands of Angels were ministering to the Ancient of Days, and Jesus, while in the desert had Angels ministering to Him (Mark 1:13).

Angels are mostly recorded as messengers, delivering God’s word to people, but there are other instances when they actually perform deeds, such as Michael defeating the devil and Raphael assisting Tobit, or the Angel that held back the hand of Abraham from slaughtering his son Isaac.

Paul speaks of them a couple of times. In Colossians 1:15, it says, “For in him were created all things in heaven and on earth, the visible and the invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers; all things were created through him and for him.” In Romans 8: 38, 39 he states, “For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor present things, nor future things, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” So not only was Paul familiar with angels in general, he also knew the different classifications of angels, such as thrones, dominions, principalities and powers. We know from the writings of Pseudo-Dionysius the Areopagite, who wrote in the 5 ^th or 6 ^th century that there are at least nine classes of angels: Seraphim, Cherubim, Thrones, Dominions, Virtues, Powers, Principalities, Archangels and Angels.

Augustine, in his book, City of God, makes a point of saying that when God created light and darkness, that was a reference to the spiritual world, where the light was the angels who remained faithful to God and the darkness was those angels who fell.

Why would something or someone spoken of so many times throughout Scripture be an option to believe in? No, I say that, since so many others in Scripture, most notable Jesus, believed in Angels, then it is mandatory for us to believe as well. If we are Christians, then we are followers of Jesus and as such we not only believe in all that He believes in, but all that He teaches too.

What Can We Learn from the Temptations of Jesus?

Thu, 18 Aug 2022 17:00:00 GMT

Before Jesus’ public ministry began, He was baptized by John the Baptist and then underwent an intense time of temptation in the wilderness. These temptations teach us about Jesus, our advisory, and the nature of [evil] seduction.

The three synoptic Gospels ( Matthew , Mark , and Luke ) tell us about Jesus’ temptation, but it’s interesting which points each writer chooses to include, omit, and prioritize. For example, Mark gives us very little information, while Matthew presses into the details. Both Matthew and Luke tell the full story, but in a different order. By taking a closer look at the differences, we can also get a better handle on each author’s goals.

Let’s jump into the story and see what we can learn from these weeks in Jesus’ life.

Jesus is led into the desert

After being baptized by John in the Jordan river, Jesus is immediately led into the wilderness. Here’s what the gospel writers tell us about how Jesus ended up in the desert.

Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry (Matthew 4:1–2).

At once the Spirit sent him out into the wilderness and he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals and angels attended him (Mark 1:12–13).

Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and at the end of them he was hungry (Luke 4:1–2).

One remarkable thing to note is that this is pretty much all Mark tells us about the temptations. He makes sure that we know that it occurred, but he doesn’t provide many details. Interestingly, Mark gives us so little but still includes an odd fact about wild animals.

What should we get from this little tidbit? First, it gives us a picture of Jesus’ isolation and exposure. He wasn’t on a personal retreat in a remote cabin in the woods; he was exposed to the elements surrounded by nature.

But Mark wants to tell us something else. He doesn’t say, “the Spirit sent him out into the wilderness with the wild animals.” Instead, he mentions the animals after His encounter with Satan when he talks about angels coming to attend to Jesus. Why then? Theologians believe that Mark wants us to identify Jesus as a new Adam who doesn’t succumb to the devil’s schemes.

The significance of 40 days in the wilderness

Jewish readers would have recognized the pattern of testing that precedes a period of public ministry. Throughout the temptations, Jesus responds to the devil with quotes from the Book of Deuteronomy. It’s significant to note that Jesus quotes Deuteronomy 8:3 in the first temptation, but the previous verse reads like this:

Remember how the Lord your God led you all the way in the wilderness these forty years, to humble and test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands (Deuteronomy 8:2).

One does not live by bread alone

By the time the tempter shows up, Jesus’ body is starving. The first temptation is for Jesus to use God’s power to meet his own—very real—needs.

The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God (Matthew 4:3–4).

The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread.” Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone’ (Luke 4:3–4).

Jesus responds by quoting Deuteronomy 8:3:

He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your ancestors had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord (emphasis added).

What can we learn?

With every temptation, Jesus responds with Scripture. It’s challenging to question how well we would stand up to temptation if we had to draw upon our knowledge of Deuteronomy, let alone the whole Bible.

At one point in John’s Gospel, the disciples encourage Jesus to take a break and eat something, but He responds by saying, “I have food to eat that you know nothing about.” The disciples take Him too literally, wondering if someone else might have brought Him food, and Jesus says, “My food … is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work” (John 4:31–34). With this temptation, Jesus proves this is more than religious talk. He places God’s will above even His physical needs.

When push comes to shove, we often give in to our hunger for legitimate needs like approval, love, or pleasure because we elevate them above pleasing God. The moment we promote the Lord’s desires above our own, it becomes easier to resist the tempter.

Do not test the Lord

Next, the devil moves from physical needs to Jesus’ ministry. The Lord has a long road ahead of Him as He pleads with Israel to pay attention to His words. A sensational temple-related miracle would go a long way toward convincing them He was who He claimed to be.

Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written:

‘He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands,

so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.'”

Jesus answered him, It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test' (Matthew 4:5–7).

The devil led him to Jerusalem and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. ‘If you are the Son of God,’ he said, ‘throw yourself down from here’. For it is written:

‘He will command his angels concerning you to guard you carefully; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.'

Jesus answered, It is said: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test' (Luke 4:9–12).

A Bible student might notice that Matthew and Luke place the temptations in a different order. Matthew places this temptation second, while Luke places it at the end of the narrative. Does this mean that the story is untrustworthy? Not at all. In fact, the text alerts us that Luke has changed the order.

In Matthew’s account, he links each temptation with the words “then” (tote) and “again” (palin), but Luke doesn’t include sequential words that connect each temptation. Luke’s Gospel centers itself around the temple. It begins with Zechariah serving in the temple and ends with the disciples returning to the temple to worship God. So it’s not surprising that he reorders the temptations to make the temple temptation the story’s climax.

What can we learn?

There’s nothing particularly tempting about putting yourself in danger to see if God will rescue you. But if you can work miracles, it’s easy to see it as a shortcut to fame and notoriety. This is a tightrope that Jesus walked throughout His ministry. He often told people to keep their healings to themselves and downplayed miracles to point people’s attention to God.

After miraculously feeding the multitude, a large crowd started following Jesus around the countryside. He tells them, “Very truly I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw the signs I performed but because you ate the loaves and had your fill” (John 6:26). The beneficiaries of this miracle didn’t turn their attention to God; they saw it as an opportunity for more free food.

You’d think Jesus would be happy to have such a large crowd interested in Him, but He was very intentional about attracting those who were interested in the message. In ministry, we’re sometimes tempted to use our gifts, abilities, or assets to draw people to us. We might have the best intentions for turning their attention to God later, but it gets easier and easier to rely on gimmicks and tricks to attract others to us rather than draw their attention to God.

Anyone can use Scripture

It’s also worth noting that Satan quotes Psalm 91 as justification for this temptation. Once again, Jesus responds with a quote from Deuteronomy (6:16). This is why it’s so important to spend regular time in God’s Word. This is how we grow in our understanding and discernment, and we become more aware when others are misusing it out of ignorance or manipulation.

Worship the Lord and serve Him only

The third temptation (according to Matthew) is about power. Jesus has come to announce the Kingdom of God, but the devil is offering a shortcut. He can merely take authority of all the world’s kingdoms if He simply bows to Satan.

Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor.

“All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.”

Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only'” (Matthew 4:8–10).

The devil led him up to a high place and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. And he said to him, “I will give you all their authority and splendor; it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to. If you worship me, it will all be yours.”

Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve him only'” (Luke 4:5–8).

What’s alarming here is that when Satan offers to give Jesus authority over the world’s kingdoms, Jesus doesn’t suggest that they’re not his to give. This is in keeping with much of what the New Testament tell us about the role Satan plays:

John tells us that the world is under Satan’s control.
“We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one” (1 John 5:19).
Jesus calls Satan the prince of this world.
“Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out” (John 12:31; see also verses 14:30 and 16:11).
Paul calls him the “god of this age.”
“The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God” (2 Corinthians 4:4).

What can we learn?

Jesus described the Kingdom of God like a mustard seed. It grew from its tiny, inauspicious origin to the world’s largest faith. This whole process could have been expedited if Jesus had taken Satan’s offer to gain authority over the kingdoms of the world. Instead of starting with a handful of disciples, He could simply convert the kingdoms of the world into God’s kingdom. He could have bypassed a lot of cultural resistance. He could have compelled and coerced people to obey God. Thankfully, Jesus knew better. Temptations promise counterfeit benefits that they’re never truly able to deliver on.

We’re often met with choices that allow us to arrive at our goal by following a questionable path. But in God’s economy, holy ends don’t justify unholy means. In this temptation, the choice is clear: worship God or worship the devil. For us, the choice isn’t always that obvious. We need to make sure that we’re worshiping God through our adherence to His precepts. This is the only path to get where we truly want to be.

And the angels attended Him

After the temptations are over, the devil leaves. Jesus is exhausted and starving, and Matthew and Mark tell us that angels came to take care of the Lord. Luke wants us to know that Satan has only exited the stage for a short time.

Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him (Matthew 4:11).

. . . and angels attended him (Mark 1:13).

When the devil had finished all this tempting, he left him until an opportune time (Luke 4:13).

Even though demonic activity continues throughout the Gospels, Satan doesn’t make his follow-up appearance until near the end, when both John and Luke tell us that Satan enters Judas during Passover just before Jesus is betrayed. (Luke 22:3, John 13:27).

Feb 23, 2022

St. Ignatius Community of Baltimore

Two Teachings of the Lord that Correct Flawed Notions of Judgement

Fri, 12 Aug 2022 17:01:06 GMT

When it comes to our personal and final judgment, after we die, there are many caricatures and distortions that are possible. One is of Jesus as a stern and grouchy judge who is looking for reasons to keep us out of heaven. This is the “sinners in the hand of an angry God” distortion. Or perhaps the Lord is weighing our good deeds against our bad deeds in a kind of impersonal, numerical manner. This is the Pelagian distortion where salvation depends on our earning it.

But at the other end of the spectrum and far too common today is the universalist distortion which presumes that almost everyone is saved with little or no reference to one’s preferred spiritual or moral life. It is an overreaction to the stern and litigious “God” of the first two distortions because it trivializes and reduces the Lord to a kind of harmless hippie, tokin’ on a number and saying, “Who am I to judge?” and, “All are welcome.”

The truth, of course, is in what the Lord actually teaches, not in such distortions. God wants to save us (e.g. Ezekiel 33:11 ; 1 Tim 2:4 ). But the real question is what do we want? Sadly, as the Lord laments, many prefer the wide road to destruction, rather than the narrow road to heaven (cf Mat. 7:13 ).

There are two scriptures (among others) that illustrate this well.

The first Scripture is in John’s Gospel in the third Chapter. The passage begins by reaffirming God’s desire to save us:

For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that everyone who believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him. Whoever believes in Him is not condemned… ( John 3:16-18a )

But, even here there comes a warning rooted in our response: but whoever does not believe has already been condemned, because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. ( John 3:18b )

And then comes an analysis by the Lord as to why some refuse, and in what judgment consists of: And this is the judgment: The Light has come into the world, but men loved the darkness rather than the Light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come into the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But whoever practices the truth comes into the Light, so that it may be seen clearly that what he has done has been accomplished in God.” ( John 3:19-21 )

Notice then, the judgment, the verdict, consists in whether or not one loves or hates the light. The Greek root word used here is ἀγαπάω (agapao), a word that indicates a strong love, a preferential love above other things. The Lord further teaches that those who love and prefer the darkness also hate the light. The Greek root word here is μισέω (miseo) – which means, to detest, denounce; to love someone or something less than someone (something) else, i.e. to renounce one choice in favor of another. So, there is a love of the darkness and a hatred of the light due to the prideful aversion of not seeing their sins and errors exposed for what they really are: sinful, wrong and harmful.

Why then are some excluded from heaven? Is it NOT because a mean and hateful God seeks to keep them out. No, it is that they prefer the darkness. They are accustomed to darkness and prefer it. And thus, the Lord teaches that the judgment that excludes the unrepentant is due to the Lord recognizing their preference and consigning them to the outer dark they prefer ( Mat 22:13 ). In reality, they cannot stand the bright light of heaven where the truth of God radiates, vividly and intensely, leaving no shadow. Indeed, the Lamb of the Light is the city of God ( Rev 21:23 )! The saddest truth of the damned is that they would be more miserable in heaven. For those who hate the truth see the truth as hateful and irksome, and those who prefer the darkness experience the light as harsh. We see this frequently today when secular people denounce their opponents of faith as hateful and phobic and want to exclude them from their world.

The second Scripture is from this last Sunday’s Gospel ( Lk 12:32-48 ; 19th Week, Cycle C ) wherein the Lord paints a picture of two reactions to his coming. He begins by teaching the principle:

For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be. ( Lk 12:33 ).

If our treasure is what we value most, is the world, then our heart is with the world. If our treasure is God and the things of heaven, then our heart is there. As most of us know, this is the great human drama. A very honest question that even Church-going Catholics must ask is, “Do I love God more than this world?” The honest answer for most is that we struggle to love God most of all. And, any look to the world around us today is that many, if not most, are obsessed with the things and priorities of the world and have marginalized God; some have marginalized Him completely. Their treasure and preoccupation is here, and so also is their heart. Far fewer are those who long for God and have their life directed to him and the things of heaven. And this is why we must constantly ask the Lord to fix and redirect our hearts.

Next, the Lord paints two responses, two groups, if you will, at our summons to death, and to the judgment seat.

Group One is described: like servants who await their master’s return from a wedding, ready to open immediately when he comes and knocks.

Group Two sees the Lord as: A thief who is coming, and they do not want their house be broken into.

Why does Group Two see the Lord as a thief? Because their treasure, and therefore their heart is this world and the things of this world. And when the Lord comes they will see him as a thief coming to take away all they think is theirs, but is not. They are not happy to see Him, they wail and grind their teeth, seeing hm as one who is putting an end to their frivolities. They do not want what he offers, (the Kingdom of Heaven), for they prefer the darkness of this world: its priorities, personalities, power and possessions.

But Group One the Lord describes as like servants who await their master’s return from a wedding, ready to open immediately when he comes and knocks. He also describes them as having girded their loins, and lighted their lamps. To gird the loins is the ancient equivalent of “rolling up our sleeves.” It is to be ready for and doing the work that God has given us by setting our house in order, growing in holiness and eagerly anticipating being with the Lord in heaven. To “light our lamp” is to read the Word of God and be deeply immersed in God’s wisdom, his vision and priorities. It is to be imbued with the Kingdom values and to be longing for God’s justice and the Glory of heaven. This group has their treasure in heaven and, so also, their hearts. They look forward to the Lord’s coming with eager expectation and joyfully and actively prepare to meet him with longing in their hearts, repenting of their sins and setting their house in order. Hence, when the Lord comes they see him as Savior and Lord who will bring to completion in them whatever is undone ( Phil 1:6 ) and lead them to the glory of heaven which they so desire. They do not see him as a thief, like Group One.

Thus, judgment consists in the Lord recognizing and ratifying that some joyfully come to the light, others are repulsed by it. So, ultimately, the judgment is on us. If someone prefers darkness, he gets the darkness he wants. If someone loves the light and comes to it by God’s grace, he enters the Kingdom of truth and Light he desires. God respects our freedom to choose, and at the judgment seat of Christ our preference and decision are recognized and ratified by the Lord Jesus. “Here is the judgement in question,” says the Lord, “that the Light has come into the world but some prefer the darkness.” In the end you get what you want.

So, one Lord, Savior and Judge comes to us (or we go to him) but the two groups experience him differently based on the disposition of their own hearts rooted in what they value and where their treasure is. God is not angry, though some are repulsed by him and regard him as a thief.

Some have said in recent years, something to the effect: “God does not judge us, we judge ourselves.” But this is only partially true. The Lord Jesus does in fact judge us (e.g. John 5:22 ), but his judgment is rooted in and recognizes what we ourselves have chosen and manifest by the way we live our lives. These two pictures of judgement make that point rather clearly.

By Msgr. Charles Pope, August 8, 2022

Msgr. Charles Pope is the pastor of Holy Comforter-St. Cyprian , a parish in Washington, DC. A native of Chicago with a bachelor degree in computer science, his interest in the priesthood stemmed from his experience as a church musician. He attended Mount Saint Mary’s Seminary and was ordained in 1989. A pastor since 2000, he also has led Bible studies in the U.S. Congress and at the White House in past years.

Why Did God Make Angels?

Wed, 10 Aug 2022 21:55:47 GMT

Question

Why did God create angels? If we (humans) are the crown jewel of all creation, why did he even have to create angels before us?

Answer

God is love. Far from being a somewhat worn and trite phrase, God actually is love. The very essence of the Holy Trinity is the love between the Father and the Son personified in the Holy Spirit. So, when we say that God is love, we speak of his essence.

But love always desires to give — to be life-giving and generous, never selfish. This, I think, is one way of approaching the great mystery of creation. God created the heavens and the earth because it is in his nature to create — it reflects his love.

When we look at all the facets of creation – from rocks to comets, from giant squid to human beings, we see this divine love in action. It is, of course, easy to behold the beauty of the earth which we readily perceive with our five senses.

But God also created the spiritual world which is ordinarily beyond the senses. And in this spiritual world are the angels who, like human beings, have been created by God for some purpose. Angels are spiritual beings which ordinarily do not have bodies or take form. The word “angel” means messenger. They are indeed messengers, as well as servants, warriors and adorers of God. Certain angels were created just for you and for me to guide us along the way of life.

Now, angels are highly intelligent beings. And because they are pure spirits, their minds are completely focused, unaffected by the material world. Thus, when presented with a choice to be obedient to God or not, some angels chose disobedience. Satan, also known as the devil, and his demonic minions, are fallen angels who roam throughout the world seeking the ruin of souls. But why did some of the angels fall?

Yes, the angels are among God’s highest creation because they possess both sublime knowledge and great power. However, they are not made in the image and likeness of God as human beings are. Even though human beings are weak and often slow-witted compared to the pure spiritual power of an angel, Jesus came to save us, and not them. He assumed a human, not angelic, nature in order to save us by dying on the cross. Thus, out of jealousy of Jesus Christ and his saving action on the cross, dying for us mere humans, some angels became disobedient to God. And this battle for souls has continued to this very day.

All of this is rather mysterious, I know. But God is love — and from this love comes a creation that is ordered and very beautiful. The angels are another manifestation of his great love.

by Rev. John Girotti | The Compass | September 25, 2020

Fr. Girotti is the Vicar for Canonical Services and Associate Moderator of the Curia for the Diocese of Green Bay Wisconsin.

Candles and More Candles

Tue, 09 Aug 2022 18:31:16 GMT

What is the Symbolism in the Catholic Church?

Candles play an important role in the Catholic Church and their origins go back centuries.

The symbolism of light has long been used in religious practice, as well as the general usage of candles. In Judaism, a perpetual light was kept burning in the Temple and synagogues to show the presence of God.

Catholic Christians adapted the use of lit candles for Mass, liturgical processions, evening prayer ceremonies, funeral processions, and to show reverence to the Blessed Sacrament. It is also likely that candles or oil lamps were burned at the tombs of the saints, particularly martyrs.

In the Catholic church, light has always had a special significance because it represents Christ. We know that Jesus called himself the light of the world. Additionally, St. John’s Gospel connects Christ with the imagery of light in John 1:4: “In him was life; and the life was the light of men.”

With this in mind, we understand why, during the Sacrament of Baptism, the priest presents a candle, which was lit from the Paschal candle, and tells the newly baptized to receive the light of Christ. And at Easter, the Paschal candle is lit as a sign of the risen light of Christ. It cannot be put out, and shines into the world as a symbol of hope and love.

In our churches today, we sometimes have the opportunity to light a candle before a sacred image of our Lord or a saint. The light signifies our prayer, which is offered in faith, entering the light of God. It also shows reverence and our desire to remain present in prayer even as we continue on our day.

Burning votive candles are a common sight in most Catholic churches. These candles are seen as an offering that indicates we are seeking some favor from the Lord or the saint before which the votive is placed. Vigil lights are another type of candles burned, and these are typically accompanied by prayers of attention or waiting.

Lighting a candle for someone is a way to both extend your prayers and show solidarity with the person for whom the prayer is being made. The faithful also light candles as a sign of gratitude to God for answered prayers.

Many of these candles are traditionally made of beeswax, and there is a reason for this. Worker bees who gather nectar from flowers do not play a part in the reproduction of the species. Reproduction is left to the queen bee and drone bees. The virgin worker bees dedicate their lives to the creation of this wax and represent Our Lady, the virgin mother who gave birth to Christ. The pure beeswax also represents Christ’s pure flesh.

In addition to the vigil and votive varieties, candles are used in many other ways.

The Paschal Candle, also known as the Easter candle, is perhaps the most recognizable because of its size and appearance. This candle is several feet tall and has in colorful designs, in addition to the year and a cross with five cloves. This candle is used in both the Easter Mass and lit during baptisms throughout the year. The candle demonstrates how a new soul and apostle of light join God’s family.

Altar candles has been used in Masses since at least the 12th century. These candles remind us of the many persecuted Christians in the first centuries who secretly celebrated Mass at night or in the catacombs by candlelight.

They may also be used in the entrance and recessional processions of Mass and are carried to where the Gospel is read as a sign of triumphant joy in the presence of the words of Christ. The candles used in Mass also serve a more practical purpose: the number lit on the altar also indicates which Mass is being celebrated or even who the main celebrant is.

Advent candles have an extensive symbolism and are used to create the Advent wreath that is used in the week leading up to Christmas. Made up of four candles that represent the four weeks of Advent, one candle is lit each Sunday. Three of the candles are purple because the color violet is a liturgical color that signifies a time of prayer, penance, and sacrifice. The fourth candle is pink and symbolizes joy.

Candlemas, or the Presentation of Christ in the Temple and the Purification of Mary, is especially rich in symbolism as it relates to candles. When Jesus was presented in the Temple by Mary and Joseph, Simeon gave a famous prophecy about Christ being a light to Gentile nations and a sign for the Jewish people.

This led to the church choosing this particular feast day to have a special yearly procession and blessing of candles. It is similar to the blessing of ashes and palms during Lent and the Easter season. Many faithful bring candles to this Mass on February 2 to be blessed for use at home.

In addition to these special days, candles also play a role in the blessing of ashes and palms, the dedication of churches and cemeteries, and the Mass of a newly ordained priest. They are also present at every sacrament except that of Penance.

Throughout all these events, there is one common theme: the candles represent Jesus, the true light.

Source: Mercyhome.org

The Four Weeks of Advent

Tue, 07 Dec 2021 23:35:36 GMT

The Advent season is a unique and special time of celebration.

During the first two weeks of Advent we light the first two purple candles.

The Third Sunday of Advent is called Gaudete (Rejoice) Sunday. On this day we celebrate that our waiting for the birth of Jesus on Christmas day is almost over.

Rose is a liturgical color that is used to signify joy, so we light the single pink candle on the third Sunday of Advent.

Then on the fourth Sunday of Advent, the final purple candle is lit to mark the final week of prayer and penance as we wait expectantly for the soon-coming birth of the King of Kings.

The First Sunday of Advent

symbolizes Hope with the "Prophet’s Candle" reminding us that Jesus is coming.

The Second Sunday of Advent

symbolizes Faith with the "Bethlehem Candle" reminding us of Mary and Joseph’s journey to Bethlehem.

The Third Sunday of Advent

symbolizes Joy with the "Shepherd’s Candle" reminding us of the Joy the world experienced at the coming birth of Jesus.

The Fourth Sunday of Advent

symbolizes Peace with the "Angel’s Candle" reminding us of the message of the angels: “Peace on Earth, Toward Men of Good Will.”

And Then There Were No Crowds...

Sat, 04 Apr 2020 03:39:12 GMT

This Palm Sunday we are the two friends, sitting watchful, attentive, remaining.

Throughout the Lord’s public ministry, people flock to him.

The ministry of Jesus, after all, was not a secret ministry, but a public one. People came to him.

In droves.

The disciples worry about feeding the crowds (Matt. 14:13-21). Jesus climbs mountains (Matt. 5) and takes to boats (Mark 4:1) to teach them. A woman fights the crowd to touch the hem of his garment (Matt. 9:20).

Constantly people surround him (Mark 5:21, Matt. 13:1). The sick are brought to him and he cures every ailment (Matt. 4:24). The throngs are such that one group has to be creative about how to get their paralytic friend to Jesus (Luke 5:19). Word travels fast whenever he enters a village (Luke 8:4). Often so many come to him that the disciples do not even have time to eat (Mark 3:20).

Jesus is so often attended to by so many people that the moments that he’s alone become special vignettes, little asides, in the great narrative of the Gospels. The one-on-one’s with the Lord have a different tone from His usual work.

Christ’s triumphant entry of Jerusalem is no exception to the norm. A crowd gathers as he enters the holy city on that special day. Today they are particularly exuberant.

They come in droves to laud his praise. “Hosanna!” the congregation sings. Waving branches, spreading their cloaks on the street, the assembly shouts with joy at his arrival.

Then the crowd turns. Days later the assembly’s shouts of joy turn to murderous clamor. The echoes of “Hosanna to the Son of David” are drowned out with the jeers, “Hail, King of the Jews!” No longer does the crowd sing, “Hosanna in the highest.” Now the crowd shouts, “Crucify him!”

And then, just like that, there is no crowd.

There is only the tomb.

And Mary Magdalene and the other Mary, who “remained sitting there, facing the tomb.” At the end, there is only the Lord, placed in the tomb, and his two friends, still there, with him.

This Palm Sunday we are not the crowd. We are not the jubilant throng assembled in acclaim. We are not the sons and daughters of Zion welcoming with acclaim our king.

This Palm Sunday we are the two friends, sitting watchful, attentive, remaining.

One can imagine the depth of their sorrow. They must have seemed like statues themselves, perhaps blending with the stone hewn around them. In shock. Mystified. Not yet understanding the work of the Lord.

How they loved Him so! These holy women, witnesses to the miracles he had worked, recipients themselves of his endless mercy. They were bound to him by that love; not even death could tear them from their devotion. How heavy their hearts must have been, and yet they would not be separated from Christ!

Christ did not tell us in the Gospels that he would be in the crowd. On the contrary. The Lord promised us, “Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” In the midst of our quarantine, a time when we are waiting in our homes, we are the two friends, sitting, awaiting...

The wonders we have seen (even still see around us) should bind us all the more to Christ. Now is not the time to abandon him. Now is not the time to turn from faith. Now is the time to cling to him! We must refuse to be cut off from the Lord!

Mary Magdalene and the other Mary arrived at the tomb on the morning of the third day, intending, it seems, to pay homage to the dead. Luke’s Gospel reports that they brought with them spices to further anoint the Lord’s body. They attempt to preserve, to keep death at bay.

And yet, the Lord has so much more in store for them. The Lord will not be beholden to death!

We may be the two friends seated beside the tomb, at a loss and shaken by what the Lord is doing. They did not yet see all that would come to pass. Those friends of Christ’s, however, did not forsake him, and neither did he turn his back on them.

This Holy Week may we not leave him. Let us revel in this time alone, which can be time alone with Christ.

May our thoughts and prayers always turn to him. May our hearts reach out to him. May our minds gaze upon him. For if we remain with him, watchful, waiting, we will not miss the glory he intends to reveal.

In Times Like These

Thu, 19 Mar 2020 22:14:53 GMT

An Ultimate Earthly Sacrifice for Lent?

Shared by Vanessa Martinez

It is times like these that we really begin to understand the old adage: “You don’t know what you have until it’s gone.” We have seen our whole way of life change in what seems like the span of just a few days and weeks; watching one thing after the other become restricted, common goods cleared off of shelves in our stores, and now even the suspension of public masses in our dioceses. We might be tempted to think that God is somehow punishing us for our sins, that the great chastisement is upon us, but what this time really is, I think, is Lent.

How many years have we spent treating Lent as some sort of pious season where we eat fish on Fridays and give up sweets “to bring us closer to God”? For how many years have we finished Lent and moved right on in our lives without a second thought? Did we really come closer to God? Did we ever understand what Lent was even about? Sure, we understand that Lent is a penitential season, hence we give up sweets, right? Some Catholics might even take up a serious penance during Lent and try their hardest to live what the penitential season is about, but what about now? What is happening now? Why are so many things being taken away from us, that it seems like even God is being taken away from us, because we won’t even be able to go to mass anymore?

The greatest penances we can endure are those we did not choose and would never choose.

In this time of widespread fear of the invisible enemy [of the Corona Virus], perhaps we should remember more that we have been contending with an invisible enemy since our first parents met him in the garden. In this time of worry about the health of the flesh, should we not remember the health of the soul all the more? In this time where the fear of death is so apparent, should we not remember our own death (whenever Our Lord decides that should be)? In this time where, before too long, we may be asked to remain in our homes, is it not the perfect time to take stock of our lives? To examine how we are living? To check on the health of our souls?

What may be the most devastating change in the recent days is the suspension of public masses. “How could God allow this?” we might ask. “Why would He prevent us from receiving Him?” is a question that might echo in our hearts. Perhaps this is an opportunity to experience, and to recognize and nurture, a true hunger for Him in our souls. We all know the phrase: “separation makes the heart grow fonder.” So, this is the perfect time to allow your heart to grow fonder for that privilege of communion with Our Lord in the most Holy Eucharist, to hunger and thirst for that Gift to which we have become so accustomed, and to remember in a visceral manner that the most Holy Eucharist is a gift from the most High God of Himself to us, and not just something we do every Sunday because we’re Catholic.

May this time of tribulation and need be seen as a true gift of a deeper Lent than we have ever experienced on our own. And may we come so much closer to God by this separation from the familiar.

Loving Father, in whom mercy is endless and the treasury of compassion, inexhaustible. Look kindly on us, and increase Your Mercy in us, that in desperate moments we might not despair, nor become despondent. But with great confidence, may we submit ourselves to Your Most Holy Will, which is Love and Mercy itself.

Growing Our Spiritual Lives

Mon, 13 Jan 2020 20:26:27 GMT

We bring the fullness of the Christmas Season to a close with the Solemnity and feast of the Baptism of Jesus.

During the time of Advent and Christmas, we were all encouraged to become more engaged spiritually. Why especially during Advent and Christmas? As we once again prepare to receive the Christ child in our hearts, it is a reminder that all of us are called to live a spiritual way of life. However, life today, surrounded by unrest and evil, makes it easy to lose focus and set aside this call that is so important to our well-being.

To be called and chosen is a gift of God who lifts us up into his kingdom of love. He wants us to respond with willing hearts of desire, aspiration and strong determination rather than waiting passively for his call to be confirmed and known beyond a doubt.

Living a spiritual life requires a human response, including our effort. We then touch the question of whether we can be committed to living a deep spiritual life. Without our disciplined commitment and cooperating with grace, living a true spiritual way of life is impossible.

Discipline is the other side of discipleship because discipleship requires discipline. And there is a cost: the cost of bearing our crosses. The practice of spiritual discipline also makes us more sensitive to hearing the small but gentle voice of God within, thus making us more likely to respond to his call. How often he often calls us but, we do not listen for or hear his voice.

We have an opportunity during Advent and Christmas time to open our hearts to the call of God through the Holy Spirit by being more attentive to our prayer life, perhaps by trying to attend daily mass, spending quiet reflection time in solitude, or taking time to read the Bible and other spiritual readings. This holy discipline can bring us to a deeper spiritual life that is so needed in this broken world.

This is the way of life that is lived by the people who are called to be Servants and Handmaids of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Mary and Joseph.

As the 2019 Christmas Season Closes

Sat, 11 Jan 2020 05:26:57 GMT

“Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel; he has come to his people and set them free.”

Who are ‘His people’? Who has been set free but those who realized that they were in prison, those who understood that they were in captivity, those who knew that they were incapable of the love that they so desired? The poor! But, who are the poor?

We are so rich that we imagine the poor to be people that don’t have what we have. What do we have? Stuff, lots of stuff.

Stuff is only a distraction from what we need.

And it isn’t what we need that is the subject, but who we need!

We need God desperately so that we can both give and receive the love that we know that we are capable of. But we are in prison, incapable of giving that love. And others are in prison too, for they cannot receive the love that we know that we can give.

Romans 7: 24, I think, is a prayer of Paul’s frustration with this fact, because he says, “Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?” Then he says in verse 25, “Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!”

Chapter 8 is a summary of what Luke described in the first sentence of this reflection – Paul’s experience of the God of Israel coming to His People and setting them free.

Three Wise Men: An Enlightening Assessment

Tue, 07 Jan 2020 12:28:02 GMT

This reflection on the Feast of the Epiphany uncovers the meaning of the term epiphany and explains why the Magi — Caspar, Balthasar, Melchior, the three kings of Orient riding camels and carrying gold, frankincense, and myrrh — are found, complete with crowns and camels, in every nativity scene.

Caspar, Balthasar, Melchior. These “three kings of Orient are” found, complete with crowns and camels, in every nativity scene.

Yet if you look closely at the gospel account of the Magi (Mat 2:1-12), you won’t find these names. Actually, there is no mention of how many Magi there were or that they were kings riding camel-back.

This is a testimony to something some Bible Christians would like to deny: that all who read a text of Scripture do so in the light of some tradition, through some lens. If it is the right lens, it magnifies the text and allows us to get at its true meaning. If it is the wrong lens, we get a distorted image.

Epiphany & the Wealth of the Nations

It just so happens that the lens the Catholic tradition uses to read the story is derived from Scripture itself. To be precise, it flows from the connection between holy words written hundreds of years apart. But despite the many years and different human authors, these texts were inspired by the same Divine Author, the Holy Spirit. In chapter 60 of Isaiah (Is 60:1-6), it is predicted that at a time of darkness, the glory of the Lord will shine over Jerusalem. The heavenly light will be a beacon to the pagan nations and even to their kings. Here we find mention of camels whose job it will be to bring the wealth of these nations, including frankincense and gold, to the city of the Lord. Psalm 72 agrees that far off kings will bring gifts to the Son of David.

The tradition of the Church has always seen the story of the Magi as a fulfillment of both Isaiah’s prophecy and Psalm 72. Hence the crowns and camels.

Gold, Frankincense, & Myrrh

But hold on. Isaiah 60 refers to only two of the gifts mentioned by Matthew: gold, fit for a king, and frankincense, for the worship of God. So what about the myrrh–where does that come from and what does it mean?

Myrrh, an aromatic resin, was used in preparing the dead for burial. Gold reveals that the babe in the manger is actually a king; frankincense tells us that is he God incarnate; myrrh tells us that he has come to die. That someone would redeem God’s people through suffering and death was foretold by Isaiah a few chapters earlier (Is. 53). This was the really hard thing for those living in Jesus’ time to comprehend–that the same person who fulfilled all those prophecies about a glorious new king also fulfilled the prophecies about a suffering servant.

All three gifts of the Magi are necessary to convey the true revelation, the true epiphany of who this child is and what he is destined to do. That’s why for hundreds of years we’ve sung of three kings, not two or four.

Magi - Caspar, Balthasar, & Melchior

OK, so where did the names of the three come from?

The ancient feast of the Epiphany actually celebrates three events, tied together by the meaning of the word epiphany as “appearance” or “manifestation.” Jesus suddenly appears as who He really is–messiah and God–to the Magi, at Cana when he works his first miracle, and when he is baptized in the Jordan. In the early Church, Epiphany was therefore second only to Easter vigil as the time to celebrate the sacrament of baptism. Blessed water from those baptisms were used to bless the dwellings of the faithful, and it became customary to write over the doorposts of blessed homes “C+B+M” meaning “Christ blesses this house (Christus bendicat mansionem).”

Since the three kings were also remembered at the same time, someone decided to give them names, and to use CBM as their initials–Caspar, Balthasar, and Melchior. The names stuck.

Three Kings, Epiphany, & the True Star

But the fact that Matthew gives them no names is telling. They may be kings, but in this story, they are merely supporting actors. They follow the true Star, the King of Kings. Only His name is important. The Feast of the Epiphany is not about the Magi–it’s all about Jesus.

12th Night - The Feast of Epiphany

Fri, 03 Jan 2020 19:03:02 GMT

By Adelaide Mena, Catholic News Service

While the hustle and bustle of Christmas ends for many people on Dec. 26, throughout Christian history Christmas lasts for twelve days – all the way until Jan. 6.

This feast marking the end of Christmas is called “Epiphany.”

In the Latin Rite of the Catholic Church, Epiphany celebrates the revelation that Jesus was the Son of God. It focuses primarily on this revelation to the Three Wise Men, but also in his baptism in the Jordan and at the wedding at Cana.

In the Eastern rites of the Catholic Church, Theophany – as Epiphany is known in the East – commemorates the manifestation of Jesus' divinity at his Baptism in the River Jordan.

While the traditional date for the feast is Jan. 6, in the United States the celebration of Epiphany is moved to the next Sunday, overlapping with the rest of the Western Church’s celebration of the Baptism of Christ.

However, the meaning of the feast goes deeper than just the bringing of presents or the end of Christmas, says Fr. Hezekias Carnazzo, a Melkite Catholic priest and founding executive director of the Virginia-based Institute of Catholic Culture.

“You can't understand the Nativity without Theophany; or you can’t understand Nativity without Epiphany.” The revelation of Christ as the Son of God – both as an infant and at his baptism – illuminate the mysteries of the Christmas season, he said.

“Our human nature is blinded because of sin and we’re unable to see as God sees,” he told CNA. “God reveals to us the revelation of what’s going on.”

Origins of Epiphany

While the Western celebration of Epiphany (which comes from Greek, meaning “revelation from above”), and the Eastern celebration of Theophany (meaning “revelation of God”), have developed their own traditions and liturgical significances, these feasts share more than the same day.

“The Feast of Epiphany, or the Feast of Theophany, is a very, very early feast,” said Fr. Carnazzo. “It predates the celebration of Christmas on the 25th.”

In the early Church, Christians, particularly those in the East, celebrated the advent of Christ on Jan. 6 by commemorating Nativity, Visitation of the Magi, Baptism of Christ and the Wedding of Cana all in one feast of the Epiphany. By the fourth century, both Christmas and Epiphany had been set as separate feasts in some dioceses. At the Council of Tours in 567, the Church set both Christmas day and Epiphany as feast days on the Dec. 25 and Jan. 6, respectively, and named the twelve days between the feasts as the Christmas season.

Over time, the Western Church separated the remaining feasts into their own celebrations, leaving the celebration of the Epiphany to commemorate primarily the Visitation of the Magi to see the newborn Christ on Jan. 6. Meanwhile, the Eastern Churches' celebration of Theophany celebrates Christ’s baptism and is one of the holiest feast days of the liturgical calendar.

Roman Traditions

The celebration of the visitation of the Magi – whom the Bible describes as learned wise men from the East – has developed its own distinct traditions throughout the Roman Church.

As part of the liturgy of the Epiphany, it is traditional to proclaim the date of Easter and other moveable feast days to the faithful – formally reminding the Church of the importance of Easter and the resurrection to both the liturgical year and to the faith.

Other cultural traditions have also arisen around the feast. Dr. Matthew Bunson, EWTN Senior Contributor, told CNA about the “rich cultural traditions” in Spain, France, Ireland and elsewhere that form an integral part of the Christmas season for those cultures.

In Italy, La Befana brings sweets and presents to children not on Christmas, but on Epiphany. Children in many parts of Latin America, the Philippines, Portugal, and Spain also receive their presents on “Three Kings Day.”

Meanwhile, in Ireland, Catholics celebrate “Women's Christmas” – where women rest from housework and cleaning and celebrate together with a special meal. Epiphany in Poland is marked by taking chalk – along with gold, incense and amber – to be blessed at Mass. Back at home, families will inscribe the first part of the year, followed by the letters, “K+M+B+” and then the last numbers of the year on top of every door in the house.

The letters, Bunson explained, stand for the names traditionally given to the wise men – Casper, Melchior and Balthazar – as well as for the Latin phrase “Christus mansionem benedicat,” or, “Christ, bless this house.”

In nearly every part of the world, Catholics celebrate Epiphany with a Kings Cake: a sweet cake that sometimes contains an object like a figurine or a lone nut. In some locations, the lucky recipient of this prize either gets special treatment for the day, or they must then hold a party at the close of the traditional Epiphany season on Feb 2.

These celebrations, Bunson said, point to the family-centered nature of the feast day and of its original celebration with the Holy Family. The traditions also point to what is known – and what is still mysterious – about the Magi, who were the first gentiles to encounter Christ. While the Bible remains silent about the wise men’s actual names, as well as how many of them there were, we do know that they were clever, wealthy, and most importantly, brave.

“They were willing to take the risk in order to go searching for the truth, in what they discerned was a monumental event,” he said, adding that the Magi can still be a powerful example.

Lastly, Bunson pointed to the gifts the wise men brought – frankincense, myrrh and gold – as gifts that point not only to Christ’s divinity and his revelation to the Magi as the King of Kings, but also to his crucifixion. In giving herbs traditionally used for burial, these gifts, he said, bring a theological “shadow, a sense of anticipation of what is to come.”

Revelation of God

Fr. Hezekias Carnazzo explained to CNA the significance of the feast of the Theophany – and of Christ’s Baptism more broadly – within the Eastern Catholic churches.

“In our Christian understanding in the East, we are looking at creation through the eyes of God, not so much through the eyes of Man,” Fr. Carnazzo said.

In the feast of the Baptism of the Lord, he continued, there is special divine significance.

With this feast day, the pastor explained, “God has come to reclaim us for himself.” Because of original sin, he continued, humanity has inherited “a human nature which has been dislocated from its source of life.”

Sin also effected parts of creation such as water have also been separated from their purpose and connection to God’s plan for life, Fr. Carrazzo said, because its original purpose is not just to sustain our bodies, but our souls as well.

“With the fall, however, it has been dislocated from its source of life, it is under the dominion of death- it doesn’t have eternal life anymore. So, God comes to take it to himself.”

“What Jesus did was to take our human nature and do with it what we could not do – which is, to walk it out of death, and that’s exactly what He did with His baptism.” As it is so linked to the destruction of death and reclaiming of life, the Feast of Theophany is also very closely linked to the Crucifixion – an attribute that is reflected in Eastern iconography of both events as well.

The feast of the Theophany celebrates not only Christ’s conquering of sin through baptism, but also God’s revelation of Christ as his Son and the beginning of Christ’s ministry. “The baptism of the Lord, just like the Nativity, is not just a historical event: it’s a revelation,” Fr. Carrazzo said.

To mark the day, Eastern Catholics begin celebrations with Divine Liturgy at the Church, which includes a blessing of the waters in the baptistry. After the water is blessed, the faithful drink the water, and bring bottles of water to bring back to their homes for use and not only physical but spiritual healing, he explained. Many parishes hold feasts after Liturgy is over. In many Middle Eastern cultures, people also fry and eat awamat – dough that is fried until it floats, and then is covered in honey.

During the Theophany season, priests also try to visit each home in the parish to bless the house with Holy Water that was blessed at Theophany. Fr. Carrazzo invited all Roman Catholics to come and become familiar, “to be part of a family” and join in celebrating Eastern Catholic traditions.

This article was originally published on CNA Jan. 6, 2017.

The Mystical Rosary

Thu, 12 Dec 2019 22:05:01 GMT

By Mary Ann Armstrong

My testimony to the power of the “Mystical Rosary” began in 2005 when I returned to the Catholic Church. I was immediately introduced to this efficacious prayer by some friends who encouraged me to multiply my prayers of the rosary for all of my family members who were away from the church.

Why is the offering of the “Mystical Rosary” so powerful and somewhat different? It was inspired by the founder of the Servants & Handmaids, SHJMJ and unites all of our prayers to each and every Eucharistic Liturgy celebrated throughout the world throughout all time. Imagine that our prayers are perpetually placed before the throne of God every minute of every day until the end of time! If that isn't enough, in this prayer, we invite all of the angels and saints, the holy souls in purgatory and the whole family of God to pray with us and for us!

When praying the rosary, I do not think of the words in the prayers but I contemplate the mysteries by placing myself in them—engaging my thoughts, imagination, emotion and desire. This is true Catholic meditation.

Shortly after I started to pray in this way, my mother gave me my grandmother’s shiny silver filigree rosary. One day as I prayed, I watched in awe as the whole rosary turned from shiny silver to sparkling gold! I was told that this is a mystical phenomenon.

One by one, my family started to return to the church and develop a personal relationship with our Lord and his Blessed Mother. One of my nieces often said, “God never helps me much in my life.” Little did she know that she would be next on God’s list to bring back to the church: two weeks later she was singing in the choir!

Soon after, my mother and sisters came back to the church. When they witnessed that my rosary had turned to gold, they couldn't get to confession fast enough! They also learned how to pray the “Mystical Rosary,” and in a short time we had a strong family prayer team.

My nephew was a little more difficult. He had been addicted to Crystal Meth for several years and had no interest in returning to the church. One day, he was rushed to the hospital after ingesting peanuts. Due to a peanut allergy, he went into shock and then a coma. For a couple of days he was in critical condition. At this point, a priest was asked by a family member to administer the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick to him. When he finally came out of the coma, he had a desire to make a good confession. Through Our Lady’s intercession, my nephew was completely delivered from his drug addiction with no withdrawal symptoms whatsoever. He has faithfully been attending Mass ever since and has been drug free for over 11 years!

The rosary, with its “53 bullets”, called the Hail Marys, dealt a mighty blow to the power of evil behind my nephew’s addiction. Padre Pio said, “The rosary is the weapon…”

I also have a cousin that was trapped in the cult of Scientology for over 37 years. I can tell you that there is no darkness that the light of Christ can't pierce. The prayers of Our Lady’s “Lasso”, (the rosary), was too powerful for this evil. She had been devoid of faith all this time, but suddenly began to pray, asking for a way out. The Lord heard her cry and opened the door for her to escape. She is now free!

Blessed Pope Pius IX said, “Among all the devotions approved by the Church none has been so favored by so many miracles as the devotion of the Most Holy Rosary. “Through the intercession of the Blessed Mother, in the “Mystical Rosary”, there have been 14 of my family members that have either returned to the church or are in the process of finding Jesus! Praise God!

Something unexpected was also happening to me as I prayed the “Mystical Rosary”! The more I prayed for others, the more I was being transformed; healing was taking place for me and also for my husband. These divine mysteries are meant to lead us into such a profound union with God, that we are forever changed by the experience. Through meditating on the mysteries of our salvation in the rosary, it becomes like an umbilical cord to our Lady in which my soul is being fed. I am drawn into the Sacred Heart of Jesus through the Immaculate Heart of his mother. My life becomes a symphony of prayer and the rosary is the song of my heart.

I truly believe that my experience with the “Mystical Rosary” mirrors the view of St. Louis de Montfort when he says that, “the Hail Mary is a blessed dew that falls from heaven upon the souls of the predestinate. It gives them a marvelous spiritual fertility so they can grow in all virtues. The more the garden of the soul is watered by this prayer, the more enlightened one’s intellect becomes, the more zealous his heart and the stronger the armor against his spiritual enemies.”

And, St. Dominic tells us, “One day, through the Rosary and the Scapular, Our Lady will save the world.”

Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing. In all circumstances give thanks, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

The Blessings of Holiday Nostalgia

Sun, 01 Dec 2019 22:15:18 GMT

The Blessings of Feeling Nostalgic During the Holidays

It’s that time of the year. I feel it in my bones; in fact, in my whole being. The weather is fluctuating; the cooler evenings of fall suddenly snap to a crisp chill. My skin reacts and I know change is coming. It comes every year, usually about the same time. I know it’s mid-fall and winter is on its way. Soon it will be one of my favorite seasons of the year.

Everyone has one or more favorite times of the year and every season has its own beauty. When I share or experience what I call nostalgic blessings, either by myself or with a good friend, there can be a mutual sharing of emotions and feelings. Some describe the experience as, “that warm, fuzzy feeling”. Nostalgia experts say this is good. I say, not only is it good but if it’s from God and you give him credit for beauty− whether in his natural creation or inspired by the Holy Spirit in and through his creatures− it’s holy.

Nostalgia can ground us and help us to endure our daily trials. How so? Taking time to revisit happy memories of good times in the past or even of loved ones who are dear to us keeps us connected. I cherish revisiting those memories, whether in my mind or actually on the spot. It can definitely be a diversion from a trial at hand. Taking time for a new adventure and building new memories grounds and connects us as well.

Healthy nostalgia brings me joy. But, for those who are having an extremely difficult time suffering through trials, it can be sort of a bittersweet consolation. According to nostalgia expert Krystine Batcho, a professor of psychology at Le Moyne College in New York, “nostalgia is seemingly an important, universal emotional state that peaks during the holidays”.

This picture speaks to me; the gate is open.

“Come in and warm yourself by the holiday fire.

Your friend is waiting to drink coffee with you from a white porcelain cup.”

Old And New Holiday Traditions

Tue, 26 Nov 2019 23:48:29 GMT

Old Traditions We Look Forward to During the Holidays
and New Ones We Can Create

I have come to know that genuine friendships, whether deep or casual, truly have no barriers of any kind. Why? If a relationship is blessed by God, the Holy Spirit blinds us from seeing or focusing on age, race, creed, color or situations in life in a negative way. Godly love transcends everything.

Friends help one another during trials and they also help bring one another to new life and growth in the Holy Spirit. And the Spirit is energizing when we are most in need. My experience is that authentic, Christian friends convey this energy of the Spirit to and for one another in amazing ways at just the right time.

I’m a widow, mother and grandmother ready to celebrate my 79th birthday and have a wonderful young, single East Indian friend in her mid-thirties. Sadly, her mother died four years ago, at age 50. She went through a terrible time of grief but then found Christianity in its fullness, receiving the Sacrament of Baptism in the Catholic Church two years ago.

Our old traditions still include a roasted, twenty-five-pound turkey with all the trimmings. The meal is a cooperative effort though, as the whole family is involved in preparing the feast together. Maybe this is unique, I don’t know? All I can say, is it’s a lot of fun and works fantastically, as I have a large kitchen. I also, open my home to those who are alone or to my friends who may be having a tough time during the holidays. Our Lord always seems to make the perfect arrangements and I am blessed.

In the evening one of our favorite things to do is gather around the dining room table to play Balderdash in a big group. My adult grandchildren especially love this tradition. Not only does it remind them of their younger years, but I think it’s because of all the desserts associated.

So, let’s revisit the thoughts that our traditions connect individuals as a family, whether a family of origin or an extended or blended family. Traditions also create a bridge between the young and the old – between the past and the present. Does your family celebrate with a special dinner feast? I may be old fashioned, but I believe that it is worth the effort and pleasing to God.

Pathways to Happiness and Holiness

Thu, 29 Jun 2017 07:00:00 GMT

Does happiness lead to holiness?

Many of us might ask this question, but not have the answers. One path is different from another and the choice to seek happiness in today’s world is quite a challenge considering, on the one hand, we have so many “toys and devices” we think make us happy and possibly satisfied with our lives.

Holiness, on the other hand, seems unattainable for most of us. We need God in our daily lives to seek it. Thought provoking questions arise about these two separate entities. Let us ponder them here.

What do we need to be happy? Unfortunately we will never have a constant and unchanging answer to this question. Or will we?

Think: When we are hungry, happiness is a lack of hunger; when we are imprisoned, happiness is freedom, and so forth. We can continue this analysis forever and we still will not have answered the question, what is it that brings happiness?

A person that has been in constant prayer with Mary The Mother of God during their foundational years might have discovered this question, and believe they have found the true answer. However, she herself expressly does not offer an answer. Our Lady brings all of us to the path and desires that we discover the answer ourselves. You see the end of this road is God himself. The experiences are often different, but all paths and roads seem to meet under the same theme: Holiness.

Thus, true happiness should lead to holiness. But how do we know if are holy? We don’t but we should never stop trying to be. We have the tools: the Sacraments, Liturgy, prayer, meditation and the Bible. Sometimes, we can tire and need rest. Other than that, we should not ever, not even for a moment take another path. Essentially we must live our lives for happiness and holiness as God’s courageous people.

Perhaps our answer lies in the Gospel of Matthew 7:7 that says, “seek and you shall find…”

Getting Close to Jesus

Thu, 13 Apr 2017 07:00:00 GMT

Do you know God's Son?

Self sacrifice

Ask Jesus what he would like for you to do for him each day. Start your day with the morning offering and the daily readings especially the Gospel. Ask yourself if you are doing what Jesus wants you to do each day. You will probably be surprised at what he asks you to do. My friend Cindy (not her real name) and her husband were walking to their hotel one evening from a game. They noticed that there was a homeless man asleep on a park bench. Now, Cindy’s husband had his favorite “army blanket” wrapped around his shoulders to protect him from the evening chill. It was a very sentimental because he had been deployed to Afghanistan several times. The blanket went with him to each assignment. All of a sudden, Cindy heard the Lord tell her to give the homeless man the blanket. How would she break it to her husband? A little argument between Cindy and Jesus resulted in her submission. Her husband reluctantly agreed after much persuasion from Cindy. The next morning when they went to settle their hotel bill, they were in awe when they found that someone had paid it for them! God id good! They took care of the homeless man and the Lord took care of this generous and obedient couple!

Commitment

Be committed to a friendship with Jesus. True friendship requires faithfulness through trials and tribulations. It involves honesty.

Keep your feelings in perspective

Sometimes you don’t feel like praying or talking to the Lord. You do it out of love because you are committed to developing your relationship. Do not base your relationship with Jesus on feelings. I remember a time when my prayer life became as dry as the desert sand. It became a real struggle. After I complained to the Lord, he answered my whining by sending a few women from my parish to join me. We’ve been together for ten years!

Honesty

Honesty is essential in every good friendship. An example might be when you feel like you have lost your trust in the Lord. You might ask him to strengthen you in trust, Keep your relationship honest and open. Tell him everything!

Spend time together

If you expect to get to heaven, you must pray every day. Jesus stands at the door and knocks. He waits for us with open arms waiting for your knock to open the door

Demon Tricks

Wed, 22 Feb 2017 08:00:00 GMT

Are you ready for new life?

Everyone, at one time or another, experiences what I call turbulence in our lives—in other words, spiritual warfare. This is especially so, if we are in some type of Christian ministry. Satan and his demons are intelligent beings that have sharpened their teeth for the purpose of eating at souls one bite at a time. They are at work in our lives to draw us away from God and are masters at feeding on our fears and playing on our doubts and insecurities. They thrive on misunderstandings and will enter right into them; only with the purpose of creating chaos and fulfilling their goals to produce disunity and division. If a situation becomes a “mountain made out of a molehill,” there’s a good chance that Satan is behind it all! The good news is that we know demon tricks come from the same old bag every time

Satan wants you and me to believe that he has control over us. However, we need to remember that Jesus gave us the power over Satan and the demons when he stated in Luke 10:19, “Behold, I give you the authority… over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall hurt you.”

When we experience negative thoughts such as, I can’t do this, I’ll never be good enough, I’m a failure, or I feel like giving up and resigning, there’s a good possibility that those suggestive lies surface right from the pits of hell.

Satan will strike at every weakness we might have: fears, anxiety, insecurities, pride, stubbornness and greed, just to name some examples. He will attempt to control our emotions when someone has hurt our feelings; oftentimes stirring up negative reactions and filling our heads with uncharitable thoughts about the person that wounded our egos. His hope is that we will respond and retaliate in a sinful way.

I was naive enough to think that fasting and prayer would protect me against his little tricks. I found out the hard way that this was not true. Many years ago, a close friend of mine deeply hurt my feelings. Because of my pride, the enemy was able to get a toehold. I suffered intensely for days. I wasn’t able to eat or sleep. I felt like I was all alone walking in the desert. Even my mouth was as dry as the desert sand and no amount of water could quench my thirst. All I could do was pray the psalms of distress and the rosary. Now it’s important to know that I was and still am a daily communicant and I had been fasting and praying between 15-20 decades of the rosary per day for a good year! The Lord revealed to me after days of suffering, that because of my pride and stubbornness, the enemy was able to get a toehold. I surrendered, went to confession and repented. When all was done, I received the gift of docility and a dose of humility.

Remember the words of Jesus “the thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” John 10:10

Inspired Reflections

Forty Days of Lent in the Desert

Pondering Responses to Temptations

The first Sunday of Lent opens with Jesus in the desert so as to prepare for his public ministry.

Advent 2023

The Bethlehem Candle - A Symbol of Peace

Treating People with Sincere Respect, Kind Attention and the Love of God

Jesus, God incarnate, is giving us the meaning of life, the road to fulfillment, the secret to happiness.

The Three R's For Casting Out Demons

Exorcist Diary #200

After a recent online deliverance session with us, a woman shared her experience:

What Is A Public Eucharistic Procession?

Just like Eucharistic Adoration, a Eucharistic Procession is an extension of the worship of Jesus Christ, truly present in the Blessed Sacrament.

The Story of the Talking Teacup

“Behold, like the clay in the potter’s hand, so are you in my hand.” ~ Jeremiah 18:6

Prayers That Work

We all want our prayers to work. Are there any guarantees?

The Importance of Parental Blessings

Blessings were part of God’s original plan for mankind and are mentioned at least 640 times in the Old Testament.

Simple Blessing

In The Darkness We See Farther

Pondering the Paradox of the "Dark Knowing" of Faith

The Fall Season And Biblical Harvest

Daily Grace Blog

Old Testament Fall Feasts

The Harvest Mission

Preparing for Jesus’s Return

Dying To Sin

From "Imitation of Christ"

Why Do People Betray?

Why Did Archangel Raphaël Assume a Human Body?

Is Belief in Angels Optional or Mandatory?

What Can We Learn from the Temptations of Jesus?

Jesus is led into the desert

The significance of 40 days in the wilderness

One does not live by bread alone

What can we learn?

Do not test the Lord

What can we learn?

Anyone can use Scripture

Worship the Lord and serve Him only

What can we learn?

And the angels attended Him

Two Teachings of the Lord that Correct Flawed Notions of Judgement

Why Did God Make Angels?

Question

Answer

Candles and More Candles

What is the Symbolism in the Catholic Church?

The Four Weeks of Advent

The Advent season is a unique and special time of celebration.

The First Sunday of Advent

The Second Sunday of Advent

The Third Sunday of Advent

The Fourth Sunday of Advent

And Then There Were No Crowds...

This Palm Sunday we are the two friends, sitting watchful, attentive, remaining.

In Times Like These

An Ultimate Earthly Sacrifice for Lent?

Growing Our Spiritual Lives

We bring the fullness of the Christmas Season to a close with the Solemnity and feast of the Baptism of Jesus.

As the 2019 Christmas Season Closes

“Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel; he has come to his people and set them free.”

Three Wise Men: An Enlightening Assessment

Caspar, Balthasar, Melchior. These “three kings of Orient are” found, complete with crowns and camels, in every nativity scene.

Epiphany & the Wealth of the Nations

Gold, Frankincense, & Myrrh

Magi - Caspar, Balthasar, & Melchior

Three Kings, Epiphany, & the True Star

12th Night - The Feast of Epiphany

By Adelaide Mena, Catholic News Service

The Mystical Rosary

By Mary Ann Armstrong

The Blessings of Holiday Nostalgia

The Blessings of Feeling Nostalgic During the Holidays

Old And New Holiday Traditions

Old Traditions We Look Forward to During the Holidays and New Ones We Can Create

Pathways to Happiness and Holiness

Does happiness lead to holiness?

Getting Close to Jesus

Old Traditions We Look Forward to During the Holidays
and New Ones We Can Create