If Catholics, and all Christians for that matter, really understood what was ocurring during the Mass -- that at the words of consecration the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is truly present Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity right there on the alter. . . .
. . . There would be lines out the door just to get into any Mass. Our Churches would be overwhelmed by the crush of the faithful.
Yet there are so many people, comparatively, who do not believe. And many of them are Catholics.
If you knew that you could go to a Church, sit down across from Christ Himself and spend time in His presence . . . . would you ever miss a Mass again?
Sunday, August 3, 2008
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Did You Really Hear What Jesus Said?
Jesus said to his disciples:
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven,
but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven.
Many will say to me on that day,
‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name?
Did we not drive out demons in your name?
Did we not do mighty deeds in your name?’
Then I will declare to them solemnly,
‘I never knew you. Depart from me, you evildoers.’
Powerful words from our Savior and such clarity.
I heard Something New in an Old Story Today
We had a guest Priest at our Parish today. He was speaking on today's Gospel passge regarding Jesus telling us to bring him our tired, weary selves and in Him find rest.
Everytime I have heard this I have always thought about people being weary and tired from life. It has always struck me that when I read this in the Bible it seems to me there are a ton of really tired people that are Christians. Why is Jesus so worried about people resting?
Then it was explained. . .
Sin weighs us down. When we rest in Christ - we have confessed our sins and offered ourselves up for Mercy. And Mercy is granted, lovingly.
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven,
but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven.
Many will say to me on that day,
‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name?
Did we not drive out demons in your name?
Did we not do mighty deeds in your name?’
Then I will declare to them solemnly,
‘I never knew you. Depart from me, you evildoers.’
Powerful words from our Savior and such clarity.
I heard Something New in an Old Story Today
We had a guest Priest at our Parish today. He was speaking on today's Gospel passge regarding Jesus telling us to bring him our tired, weary selves and in Him find rest.
Everytime I have heard this I have always thought about people being weary and tired from life. It has always struck me that when I read this in the Bible it seems to me there are a ton of really tired people that are Christians. Why is Jesus so worried about people resting?
Then it was explained. . .
Sin weighs us down. When we rest in Christ - we have confessed our sins and offered ourselves up for Mercy. And Mercy is granted, lovingly.
Thursday, July 3, 2008
Prayer To Jesus
Oh Jesus,
Through your Life, Passion, Death, and Resuurection
You secured for us the seeds of our own resurrections.
Grant us the stregnth and the steadfastness of Faith
to remain on the Road behind both you and Mary
As we continue the journey towards the fullness of Mercy.
Peace,
Tom
Through your Life, Passion, Death, and Resuurection
You secured for us the seeds of our own resurrections.
Grant us the stregnth and the steadfastness of Faith
to remain on the Road behind both you and Mary
As we continue the journey towards the fullness of Mercy.
Peace,
Tom
Monday, June 2, 2008
Are You a Hypocrite
Jesus said to his disciples:
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’
will enter the kingdom of heaven,
but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven.
Many will say to me on that day,
‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name?
Did we not drive out demons in your name?
Did we not do mighty deeds in your name?’
Then I will declare to them solemnly,
‘I never knew you. Depart from me, you evildoers.’
I was able to hear a fascinating Homily from our Priest this past Sunday on the above Gospel reading. Many of us, it would appear, give lip service to our Catholicism and are thin in our beliefs. When we are hypocrites, when we say one thing and perform another action, it is not only hypocritical - but contradictory.
The Priest likened it his own mind to Russian Roulette. If we have spoken words which were lies throughout our lives that (words which our actions contradicted) then a bullet is loaded into the chamber of the gun. Upon our death, as we stand at our judgement before Christ He will say to us "Are you sure you have lived the Gospel and believed it?" We will say 'Yes'
Then we will be asked to put the gun to our head - and the more hypocrisies we spoke in our life - the more chambers will be filled with bullets. The more bullets, the greater the likelihood of finding a bullet after the chamber is spun.
Certainly a different way of thinking about living the gospel, and being true to oneself.
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’
will enter the kingdom of heaven,
but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven.
Many will say to me on that day,
‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name?
Did we not drive out demons in your name?
Did we not do mighty deeds in your name?’
Then I will declare to them solemnly,
‘I never knew you. Depart from me, you evildoers.’
I was able to hear a fascinating Homily from our Priest this past Sunday on the above Gospel reading. Many of us, it would appear, give lip service to our Catholicism and are thin in our beliefs. When we are hypocrites, when we say one thing and perform another action, it is not only hypocritical - but contradictory.
The Priest likened it his own mind to Russian Roulette. If we have spoken words which were lies throughout our lives that (words which our actions contradicted) then a bullet is loaded into the chamber of the gun. Upon our death, as we stand at our judgement before Christ He will say to us "Are you sure you have lived the Gospel and believed it?" We will say 'Yes'
Then we will be asked to put the gun to our head - and the more hypocrisies we spoke in our life - the more chambers will be filled with bullets. The more bullets, the greater the likelihood of finding a bullet after the chamber is spun.
Certainly a different way of thinking about living the gospel, and being true to oneself.
Thursday, May 29, 2008
St. Cyril - On The Eucharist
St. Cyril wrote a sereies of lectures around the year 375 regarding beliefs, doctrines, and practices on the Eucharist. When it came to the Eucharist, St. Cyril (a Doctor of the Church) believed ferevntly in the True Presence of Christ in the Eucharist. He also had explicit instructions on how the Eucharsit should be partaken.
"In approaching therefore, come not with your wrists extended, or your fingers spread; but make your left hand a throne for the right, as for that which is to receive a King . And having hollowed your palm, receive the Body of Christ, saying over it, Amen. So then after having carefully hallowed your eyes by the touch of the Holy Body, partake of it; giving heed lest you lose any portion thereof ; for whatever you lose, is evidently a loss to you as it were from one of your own members. For tell me, if any one gave you grains of gold, would you not hold them with all carefulness, being on your guard against losing any of them, and suffering loss? Will you not then much more carefully keep watch, that not a crumb fall from you of what is more precious than gold and precious stones?
"Then after you have partaken of the Body of Christ, draw near also to the Cup of His Blood; not stretching forth your hands, but bending , and saying with an air of worship and reverence, Amen , hallow yourself by partaking also of the Blood of Christ. And while the moisture is still upon your lips, touch it with your hands, and hallow your eyes and brow and the other organs of sense . Then wait for the prayer, and give thanks unto God, who has accounted you worthy of so great mysteries.
Sadly, in a recent survey, a disturbing number of Catholics in the U.S. believe the Eucharist is a memorial meal done in memory of Christ - without understanding that it is Christ himslef present on the the Alter.
How many of us take the Eucharist unworthily each week? Make it a point to go to Confession and receive the Sacrement of Reconciliation.
"In approaching therefore, come not with your wrists extended, or your fingers spread; but make your left hand a throne for the right, as for that which is to receive a King . And having hollowed your palm, receive the Body of Christ, saying over it, Amen. So then after having carefully hallowed your eyes by the touch of the Holy Body, partake of it; giving heed lest you lose any portion thereof ; for whatever you lose, is evidently a loss to you as it were from one of your own members. For tell me, if any one gave you grains of gold, would you not hold them with all carefulness, being on your guard against losing any of them, and suffering loss? Will you not then much more carefully keep watch, that not a crumb fall from you of what is more precious than gold and precious stones?
"Then after you have partaken of the Body of Christ, draw near also to the Cup of His Blood; not stretching forth your hands, but bending , and saying with an air of worship and reverence, Amen , hallow yourself by partaking also of the Blood of Christ. And while the moisture is still upon your lips, touch it with your hands, and hallow your eyes and brow and the other organs of sense . Then wait for the prayer, and give thanks unto God, who has accounted you worthy of so great mysteries.
Sadly, in a recent survey, a disturbing number of Catholics in the U.S. believe the Eucharist is a memorial meal done in memory of Christ - without understanding that it is Christ himslef present on the the Alter.
How many of us take the Eucharist unworthily each week? Make it a point to go to Confession and receive the Sacrement of Reconciliation.
Saturday, May 24, 2008
Eucharistic Miracle of Lanciano, Italy
This is truly a miracle. In the year 700 in Lanciano, Italy a Priest was celebrating the Mass. Now this Priest was also a student of the sciences. He always was trying to reconcile Faith with scientific fact.
During a Mass, just as he had said the words of consecration he was wrestling with the doubt about transubstantiation. Going through the cadence of the Mass was becoming routine for him.
At the moment he raised the Host to the parishioners, a miracle occurred which frightened the Priest to his core.
The bread turned into flesh before is eyes. Stunned and scared he staggered back from the alter after laying the Host down.
Slowly, what had just happened washed over him and he exclaimed to everyone in the Church "...Behold the Flesh and the blood of our Most Beloved Christ."
The host was indeed flesh, and the wine in the Chalice had been turned to blood.
Twelve centuries later and you can still see this miracle today. The host remains intact. It has the reddish appearance and fibrous texture of flesh. It remains in its own Tabernacle.
In 1971 a rigorous scientific analysis was performed by Professor Dr. Odorardo, University Professor of anatomy, pathological histology and clinical microscopy, Head Physician of the United Hospitals of Arezzo. He was assisted by Prof. Linoli and Prof. Dr. Ruggero Bertelli, a Professor Emeritus of anatomy at the University of Siena. They were able to conclude the following:
- The Blood of the Eucharistic Miracle is real blood and the Flesh is real flesh.
- The Flesh consists of the muscular tissue of the myocardium (heart wall).
- The Blood and the Flesh belong to the human species.
- The blood type is identical in the Blood and in the Flesh, type AB.
- The proteins in the blood are in the same proportions as those found in normal fresh blood.
- There is no trace whatsoever of any materials or agents used for preservation of flesh or blood.
The Body of Blood of Christ - in this instance made visible to a Priest who was wavering in belief proves the Eucharist is what we have always thought it was.
"My Flesh is real food; my Blood real drink."-John 6:56
Our Lord should not have to perform 'proofs' for us to believe - that is what we have Faith for. Relics are for those whose faith needs a boost. Bu this Eucharistic Miracle is one of beauty, awe, and humbling wonder.
During a Mass, just as he had said the words of consecration he was wrestling with the doubt about transubstantiation. Going through the cadence of the Mass was becoming routine for him.
At the moment he raised the Host to the parishioners, a miracle occurred which frightened the Priest to his core.
The bread turned into flesh before is eyes. Stunned and scared he staggered back from the alter after laying the Host down.
Slowly, what had just happened washed over him and he exclaimed to everyone in the Church "...Behold the Flesh and the blood of our Most Beloved Christ."
The host was indeed flesh, and the wine in the Chalice had been turned to blood.
Twelve centuries later and you can still see this miracle today. The host remains intact. It has the reddish appearance and fibrous texture of flesh. It remains in its own Tabernacle.
In 1971 a rigorous scientific analysis was performed by Professor Dr. Odorardo, University Professor of anatomy, pathological histology and clinical microscopy, Head Physician of the United Hospitals of Arezzo. He was assisted by Prof. Linoli and Prof. Dr. Ruggero Bertelli, a Professor Emeritus of anatomy at the University of Siena. They were able to conclude the following:
- The Blood of the Eucharistic Miracle is real blood and the Flesh is real flesh.
- The Flesh consists of the muscular tissue of the myocardium (heart wall).
- The Blood and the Flesh belong to the human species.
- The blood type is identical in the Blood and in the Flesh, type AB.
- The proteins in the blood are in the same proportions as those found in normal fresh blood.
- There is no trace whatsoever of any materials or agents used for preservation of flesh or blood.
The Body of Blood of Christ - in this instance made visible to a Priest who was wavering in belief proves the Eucharist is what we have always thought it was.
"My Flesh is real food; my Blood real drink."-John 6:56
Our Lord should not have to perform 'proofs' for us to believe - that is what we have Faith for. Relics are for those whose faith needs a boost. Bu this Eucharistic Miracle is one of beauty, awe, and humbling wonder.
Saturday, May 17, 2008
Christians Defeated the Muslims at the Battle of Lepanto in 1571
A Rosary Crusade was called October 7, 1571 by Pope Pius V. One of the earliest wars of the Muslims against the Christians at Lepanto marked the end of the Crusades. Christian warriors went into the battle with a sword in one hand and the Rosary in the other.
Muslims were defeated with nearly 200 ships destroyed.
"Realize the power in your hand with the Rosary, for in your hands you hold the power of God. If you do not recognize the Rosary, can you expect to be recognized by My Son? How much can you expect? Why do you hide My Rosary? It was with a Mother's loving heart that I chose to give you these pearls of Heaven that you reject.
"Woe to all dedicated who seek to remove these from the little ones' hands, for their punishment will be metered in accordance to it!
"Why has sophisticated man cast aside these tokens of My love? Those who remain
true to My Rosary will not be touched by the fires. Gather these treasures, My children, for the time will come that you will not find them on the counters of your stores." - Our Lady of the Roses, October 6, 1970
>>>Read the Full Story Here<<<<
Muslims were defeated with nearly 200 ships destroyed.
"Realize the power in your hand with the Rosary, for in your hands you hold the power of God. If you do not recognize the Rosary, can you expect to be recognized by My Son? How much can you expect? Why do you hide My Rosary? It was with a Mother's loving heart that I chose to give you these pearls of Heaven that you reject.
"Woe to all dedicated who seek to remove these from the little ones' hands, for their punishment will be metered in accordance to it!
"Why has sophisticated man cast aside these tokens of My love? Those who remain
true to My Rosary will not be touched by the fires. Gather these treasures, My children, for the time will come that you will not find them on the counters of your stores." - Our Lady of the Roses, October 6, 1970
>>>Read the Full Story Here<<<<
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