tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-67239989048848347542024-03-12T23:24:31.099-04:00Rediscovering CatholicismThe Teamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09105381926960889465noreply@blogger.comBlogger28125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6723998904884834754.post-35461850128407871292010-10-07T22:06:00.001-04:002010-10-07T22:06:39.193-04:00Chapter 21 Return To Virtue<!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal">Chapter 21</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Return to Virtue</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">“…rebuild my church…”</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Is it reasonable to assume that those words, though spoken centuries ago to St Francis of Assisi by our God, the Father, were meant for us in the year 2010? </p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">The Church needs rebuilding.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The builders are to be us, the children of God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The builders are to be virtuous, but if they are not virtuous, fear not,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>the builders will be those who are available.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>God doesn’t need the most talented, the most intellectual, the most organized.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>He doesn’t really even need the most holy, the most prayerful or the most spiritual either.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>He just needs those who make themselves available.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>That could be practically anyone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>And if that “anyone” happens to be you, then it would be prudent to be prepared although not necessary.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>(Jesus was happy to take up with Zacchaeus on “short” notice, but He was most pleased when Philip introduced Nathanial (soon to become one the Jesus’ twelve apostles) whom Jesus described as “… an honest man, a true son of Israel.”)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">To rebuild Christ’s beloved Church, we must first acquire virtue.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We are the Church.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>This renewal that is so desperately needed involves a renewal of virtue – our virtue.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>We have become lukewarm and are at risk of God fulfilling His promise to<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>“spew us” from His mouth. Virtue must be sought and practiced continuously if it is be attained.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Its attainment orders a right relationship with God, the Church and the rest of creation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>If our relationship with Creator and Creation are rightly ordered, joy may be the fruit of this earthly life we live.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We must strive to remake ourselves into a people of Faith, Hope and Love (the supernatural virtues) and seek the ordered life that grows out of Prudence, Justice, Temperance and Fortitude (the cardinal virtues).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Just as the world cries out for God and yet rejected the Christ, so does the world reject what it most needs today - the Church.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We are the keepers of the faith, the builders of Christs’ church.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We are the Church.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">St. F of A</p> <!--EndFragment-->The Teamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09105381926960889465noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6723998904884834754.post-70643376720555504142010-10-07T22:05:00.001-04:002010-10-07T22:05:43.807-04:00Chapter 21The Teamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09105381926960889465noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6723998904884834754.post-926988300901139192010-10-03T20:40:00.005-04:002010-10-03T22:47:38.467-04:00Chapter 20 - Leadership<span style="font-style: italic;">"[M]en don't follow titles, they follow courage... And if you would just lead them to freedom, they'd follow you. And so would I." William Wallace to Robert the Bruce in Braveheart. </span><br /><br />What makes a great leader? Is it...<br /><br />Intellect?<br />Personality?<br />Wit?<br />Luck?<br /><br />Why does it seem like there are some people in positions of authority who are glaringly lacking in leadership qualities?<br /><br />Why does it seem that some people with amazing leadership qualities are overlooked or even dismissed because they're too far "outside the box" for comfort?<br /><br />And who is the ultimate example of authentic leadership?<br /><br />Mr. Kelly wants to know... where are the authentic leaders? He proposes that, in "the good ol' days", people followed leaders in positions of leadership simply because they held a position of authority. I disagree, I think they just didn't have as much information bombarding them all the time, so their choices were limited. Human nature hasn't changed, only the number of choices we have. With the advent of the internet, we can question literally everything on the planet... including whether or not our leaders are telling us the truth, whether or not they are keeping their promises, whether or not they smoked pot in college, solicited prostitutes, or evaded taxes. With leaders like these, who can we look up to? Who will "rise above" and be an intelligent, moral, trustworthy, bold, and courageous leader?<br /><br />And most of all... who can we as Catholics in America look to within our own borders for strong, authentic leadership?<br /><br />Billy Graham is probably one of the most famous and well-respected evangelists among protestants who has ever lived. He is among the ranks of Johnathan Edwards, Dwight L. Moody, and Billy Sunday -- all of whom have their place in history for quite literally changing the world they lived in. Does he have an equal among Catholics in this day and age?<br /><br />Having subscribed to the<a href="http://www.americancatholic.org/e-news/enewsletter-signup.aspx"> Saint of the Day</a>, I have read 100s of stories of the saints. Yet again, human nature has not changed. So many times God had to work through these courageous men and women AGAINST the very people who should have been their greatest allies... church people. I have heard it said many times that most churches die because of an attitude of "us four and no more"... a clique, if you will. Well-meaning people, but bent on control. When that happens, a church will only survive... not thrive. Could it be that God brought authentic leaders to your church, but rather than empower them to fulfill the mission God sent them for, these bold, courageous people were instead suppressed, passed over for someone more "sedate" (read: controllable), ignored, persecuted, or even driven away?<br /><br />I propose that we in the church grow stagnant and stinky like a putrid pool of swamp water for lack of authentic leadership.<br /><br />Stagnant pools of water are very uninviting places. The water has become corrupt. The odor has become rancid. These pools get this way because there is no outlet for the water that has accumulated and no fresh water coming in. So too goes the church: An assistant pastor, who was supposed to have been a loyal and trustworthy friend, embezzled millions. A trusted and loved priest abused teenage boys. An entire parish presented a letter to the Archbishop stating they do not agree with the "ban on contraception". Where does it end? Who will stand up and say "Enough!!"<br /><br />Without authentic leadership to "move the waters", to "stir things up a bit", to challenge, to invigorate, to clear up the muddled mess and bring clarity and a sense of direction... the Church will rot from the inside out.<br /><br />Authentic leaders can be scary to "ordinary people". They take big risks, they are enthusiastic and bold, they work harder and longer than anyone else, they fail often and succeed even more often. They are not without fear when facing threats and trials, but they have the moxie to<span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"> "do it afraid"</span>. They challenge all of us to get off our Blessed Assurance stuck in the pew and MOVE... sometimes far outside our comfort zones... outside of a building to become a living, vibrant witness in our families, in our community, and in the world... and authentic leaders know that leading by example is the only way... never asking more of those following them than they do of themselves.<br /><br />So where does this leave us?<br /><br />Every last one of us has the ability to lead... because we all have the ability to serve. Jesus set the example of leadership by not only serving others, but by ultimately giving His life to serve all mankind to wipe away the stain of original sin. However, our Lord was no coward when it came to confronting the "religious establishment" in their <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/keyword/?search=white+tombs&searchtype=all&version1=31&spanbegin=1&spanend=73">putrid state of corruption and control. </a>He made no bones about <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%2013:2-5&version=NIV">need for repentance</a>, but He also spoke the truth in love, so much so that <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+14:21&version=NIV">people flocked to Him</a> like moths to flame. He was bold enough to speak the truth, even when it <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=john%206:65-66&version=NASB">alienated His followers.</a><br /><br />Our Lord Jesus, the saints, and the men I mentioned above never sought the spotlight -- a position of prominence does not make a leader -- their goal was to lead people starving for truth to the only Truth there is... a relationship with God who desperately loves them. And to remain authentic leaders, to stay true to the course, and not be swayed by the temptation to quit, they consecrated their entire lives to prayer and the spiritual life. <br /><br />To change our world, we must do no less.<br /><br />With you along the journey,<br />St. Frances of RomeThe Teamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09105381926960889465noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6723998904884834754.post-33132483542809007952010-09-30T21:02:00.001-04:002010-09-30T21:03:47.743-04:00<!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal">Chapter 19</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Time For a Change</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">“And I tell, you are Peter and on theis rock I will build My church, and the powers of death shall not prevail against it.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Matt 16:18-19</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">The church will not be destroyed – not by us, by apathy, by this culture of death in which we currently live, not by anything Satan and his ilk can throw at her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Holy Mother Church, the bride of the risen Lord Jesus Christ will never be taken down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Comforting words in which we might remember ass refuge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Change, however, isn’t explicitly mentioned here by Jesus; and times are different now in the year 2010.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Science, technology, the forces that drive modern society have expanded influence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I can work my way through calculus if I wish as a high school student and I can use global positioning system to locate my teenage daughter by accessing the cell signal of her phone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The old “world is flat vs. the world is round” argument had not even been considered in the 30’s a.d.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>So it’s not a stretch to imagine that the living church must move forward into present time and address the issues of the present age. </p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">The church must change, must grow forward, not for the sake of change itself but for the sake of<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Mother Church.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Truth is unchanging.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>How the church brings the Truth to the world must change in response to what the people bring to the table.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Birth control pills were not exactly an issue in the time of Christ or even the early church.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Are we willing to change?<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Well that depends.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Mr. Kelly asks a few insightful questions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Why? Why should we grow and change?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The answer to this question is a second question, “Where are the young people ( 20 -30’s) in our somewhat empty churches on Sunday/”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>If change and growth is needed,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>where do we start without loosing sight of the fullness of Truth that is the Catholic Church?</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Mr. Kelly states clearly what he feels are the headers in this newsflash.:</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.75in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .75in">1.<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span>Education, education, education – we need to start education Catholics about their yearning for happiness.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.75in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .75in">2.<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span>Discipline – we need to educate Catholics about the beauty of discipline and obedience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Counter-intuitive as it is,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>discipline and obedience in frredom embodied.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.75in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .75in">3.<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span>Practicalities – we are happiest when we allow the truth of the Gospel to direct our actions and choices.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.75in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .75in">4.<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span>Rediscover spirituality</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.75in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .75in">5.<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span>Articulate<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>the relevance of Catholicism– the answers the Catholic Church presents in response to the pertinent questions of our present age (i.e. euthanasia, embryonic stem cell work, cloning etc.)</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.75in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .75in">6.<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span>Participate in the Mission of the Church</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.75in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .75in">7.<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span>Become prayerful people</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.75in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .75in">8.<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span>Inspire people to imitate Christ because He is Truth and Love Embodied.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Mr Kelly asks us to focus on two areas:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Education and Evangelization.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Mr. Kelly explains clearly how the Catholic Educational System is a sleeping giant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>If we an arouse it from slumber, the power it can wield would be magnificent and all the more so because its rightful purpose is to glorify God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>If we want to win a war, we must know that we are at war, who the enemies, and what weapons do we need to employ.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Our Enemy is Ignorance and weapons are the centuries of collective genius that created the vast body of wisdom we know as catholic theology.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>How did we become so proud and arrogant as to question the extra-ordinary men and women who have fleshed out Church teaching for us without so much as a sniff.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">If we could restructure catholic education to reflect the “WHY the church teaches what she teaches …”,<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>then we might rekindle a new understanding of this fullness of faith.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Evangelization<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>is the other side of the coin for Mr. Kelly.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Evangelization is to be both passive (prayer) and active (stepping out into the neighborhood and bringing the Gospel to people).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>In a nutshell:</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.75in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo2;tab-stops:list .75in">1.<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span>Nuture friendships – the original model of evangelization.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.75in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo2;tab-stops:list .75in">2.<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span>Pray for the persons we are trying to reach with the Gospel. (1 month)</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.75in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo2;tab-stops:list .75in">3.<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Do fun, non-church things and eventually get to the point when you can “Tell your story” – once a friendship is founded. (3 months)</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.75in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo2;tab-stops:list .75in">4.<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span>Invite friends to outreach events at the church – blessing of the animals, church suppers etc.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.75in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo2;tab-stops:list .75in">5.<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span>If the interest is there, go to Mass with the friend.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">This chapter has so much more within its pages.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It’s a great read if you dare!</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Live/Love</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Francis of Assisi<span><span></span></span></p> <!--EndFragment-->The Teamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09105381926960889465noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6723998904884834754.post-56382222602400503402010-09-28T12:40:00.002-04:002010-09-28T13:15:28.450-04:00Chapter 18The Rosary--most mysterious of Catholic devotions. Protestants who want to argue that we over-value Mary and diminish Christ will just do a simple tally of the prayers in the rosary. The Decades alone favor prayer to Mary 10 to 1.....<div><br /></div><div>Slowly I came to realize that I could--and should--ask Mary to pray with me,just as I would ask any of my friends in the here and now. Learning to trust the acquired wisdom of the Church can be difficult when, as Kelly says, it is so simple and so direct and so "old fashioned." But the rosary--and the faith it helps develop--has helped many a Saint in times of trouble. Simple the rosary may be--but it is also powerful. Catholics today would find great benefit in embracing it again as their families did in the past, in an act of simple, clear, devotion. After all, does not Christ honor such simple and direct faith? And did He not give His mother to us? What is more natural than a child--even an older one l with grown children of his own--wanting to talk to his mother?<br /><div><br /></div><div>Even without a great deal of aversion to the rosary--and an instinctive attraction to it (something restful about those beads...), I found it hard to embrace the practice It somehow seemed like "putting on airs." Praying the rosary is, after all, elective. No need to get too Catholic about all this.....</div><div><br /></div><div>But there is. It's just not possible, in my opinion, to fully understand the Christian faith, and enter into its practice in the Catholic Church without coming to grips with the importance and relevance of Mary. I found myself finding Mary everywhere I turned as I read more and more about my newfound faith, and whenever I found her, she pointed squarely to Jesus. </div><div><br /></div><div>It ought not be a great surprise. God chose Mary to bring forth His son and to present Him to the world. Why on earth would that role stop? </div><div><br /></div><div>It was interesting to me to read the Marian litany and realize all the titles that are given Mary (and that Protestants object to) make sense when you see her in relationship to Christ. (see: http://www.wf-f.org/LitanyBVM.html)</div><div><br /></div><div>Mother of God--well, mother of Christ who is God, so--yes. Mother of Good Counsel? Christ is the definitive Good Counsel, she is His mother, so--yes. Mother of Divine Grace? Well, Christ is Divine Grace, so ---yes. Morning Star (which points us to our destination); Ark of the Covenant (which contained the tablets of the Law, the Manna from the desert and the priestly rod of Aaron--all foreshadowing Christ); Mother most Amiable (who said yes to god)...the list goes on and on, each one revealing a little more about Mary and thus a little more about us and our relationship to her Son.</div><div><br /></div><div>So, I undertook to learn the rosary. It wasn't easy, and I really came to realize how much of myself prayer is intended to involve: my physical being, in voice and beads, and my mind at all levels, in trying to remember unfamiliar words and mysteries, meditate on them and still make intercessions. Had it not been for the gift of a CD, I'd never have made it.</div><div><br /></div><div>I persevered. I came to love the devotion and the time with my mother and His, in which we just--talk. Like mother and daughter. Sometimes like two mothers. Sometimes like sisters. But always knowing that she will listen, and take my poor words, tidy them up, and as she did in Cana, simply present them to Him in expectation that He will do what is needed. And I hear her say likewise to me, "Do whatever He tells you."</div><div><br /></div><div>In public recitation, it's given that only the traditional 20 mysteries are used. But I have found that I can meditate on the Gospel in different ways, using Mary's eyes, depending on my need. I have a list of miracles for the days when I am feeling disconnected from the power of God. A list of healings when praying for sick friends. A list of temptations for those days that threaten to derail me. A list of incidents with St. Peter when I am overwhelmed by my own ineptitude. A list that reminds me of the call to holiness, when I lose sight of my center. I pray mostly in English but have learned to pray in Latin and Spanish as well, finding that the ease of the foreign words on my tongue helps remind me of the mystery of God and frees me to meditate without the words getting in the way. And some days, I just remember the few recorded words of Mary and like her, ponder it all in my heart.</div><div><br /></div><div>When I came into the Church, I could not imagine my life with the rosary, so foreign it seemed. Now, I cannot imagine my life without it, so much a part of my days it has become </div><div><br /></div><div>In His Service, and under Mary's loving gaze---Martha.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>The Teamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09105381926960889465noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6723998904884834754.post-38570434593550740552010-09-23T05:59:00.002-04:002010-09-23T06:06:49.327-04:00Chapter 17 Spiritual Reading<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: medium; ">The basic premise of this chapter is that how we live is greatly influenced by what we read.<span> </span>With that said, it is imperative that we evaluate what we read and what we don't read.<span> </span>Are reading the newspaper, various magazines, novels etc. helping us to become who God wants us to become?<span> </span>To some degree, we can say we become what we read.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: medium; "> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: medium; ">I would submit that we are also greatly influenced by: mindless TV shows, sporting events, recordings of various types and movies that we think will make us happy.<span> </span>Our experience is that the happiness that these activities may bring, it is short-lived.<span> </span>We need to incorporate Spiritual Reading in our lives that will "ignite the soul"!</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: medium; "> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: medium; ">There are many wonderful sources of spiritual reading materials and Holy Scripture, as the author points out, should be at the top of our list.<span> </span>The New Testament is a wonderful source of guidance that I believe has affected my life in a most positive way.<span> </span>There are many books and publications about the lives of the saints which are an excellent source of spiritual education and inspiration.<span> </span>In my own life I was continually edified and inspired by spiritual tapes that were given to me, by a very close friend, at a time in my life when I desperately needed help. I played those tapes in my car to and from work. That gift, most certainly, was part of God's plan - the "really Big Picture".</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: medium; "> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: medium; ">The author suggests that we should find 15 minutes each day to do some spiritual reading. We can't disagree with that goal.<span> </span>Who cannot find 15 minutes of down time each day to read spiritual material if we are really honest with ourselves?</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: medium; "><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: medium; ">Theodore</p><div><br /></div>The Teamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09105381926960889465noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6723998904884834754.post-29589484099101059062010-09-20T21:43:00.000-04:002010-09-20T21:44:16.474-04:00chapter 16: Fasting<!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal">Chapter Sixteen</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Fasting</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">OK, so let’s think about this in a stepwise fashion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>If it’s true that man cannot serve two masters (as evidenced in the Gospel this past Sunday), then it follows that there is no gray area in belief.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I either believe or I don’t believe in God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I either choose to do God’s will or I do not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>If I choose to believe in God, then every action and choice I make either brings me closer to him or further away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Again, there is no gray area here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>So my spiritual life, then, is subject to incremental movement both closer to and further away from God - a direct result of every choice and action I take.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Spiritual growth is dynamic.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It either is on the increase or the decrease.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>There is no stagnation or steady state in spiritual development.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The choices I make either strengthen my spiritual growth or stunt it. There are no neutral positions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">And when we choose to sin, the effect on our soul is lasting – even after we receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We must engage in penance of some sort to reverse the effects of sin on our souls. While prayer is essential, sometimes something more is needed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">A most simple and potent vitamin or supplement that we can employ in the growing and strengthening of our spiritual life is the practice of fasting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Fasting helps restore the soul to its intended beauty and resist the tendency toward sinful motives or actions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It can even decrease our appetite for sin in the future.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>If there is a question in my life --- fast and ask God to guide me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>He will.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>If I have a persistent sin, a habitual sin, one that I know of that I cannot shake or root out of my life ---- fast, prayerfully fast.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>With humility and trembling, fast.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Jesus, Himself, explained that some demons can only be cast out with prayer and fasting.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“Fasting is radically counter-cultural, but so is true Christianity.”</p> <p class="MsoNormal">As with prayer and almsgiving, fasting is a spiritual exercise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It is done with humility, in secret, with the assurance that God will discern our true poverty and provide all that we need.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">As a spiritual exercise, fasting tames the body so that the soul may reign.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Prayer alone cannot achieve this nor can an act of human will or works of charity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>This taming of the flesh is a task for fasting (and other acts of penance).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>In a perfect world, fasting and other penance would be part of everyday life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It would be in the smallest of things done with great love.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It would not be in anything performed out of a ritualistic superstition or out of<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>legalistic motives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Fasting is something nobody notices. It’s a habit in that it becomes an attitude, a way of daily life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I love coffee, so I with intent switch to tea every once in a while.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I don’t enjoy getting caught on the phone with a neighbor, but I make a point of calling her when I’m sitting in carpool line at school.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>My grandmother is no longer in her right mind but I go and visit her and hold her hand or brush her hair even though I don’t really have the time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>You get it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>And if things are in crisis mode, I don’t eat from sun-up to sun-down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Every time I begin to stress and worry about said crisis, I feel the hunger in my stomach and I’m reminded to pray. </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Fasting – it’s the new “Ensure” for the soul.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes">In His Grip,</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes">Francis of A </span></p> <!--EndFragment-->The Teamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09105381926960889465noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6723998904884834754.post-7310813622454466072010-09-15T14:14:00.001-04:002010-09-15T14:18:26.250-04:00Chapter 15 The Bible<p class="MsoNormal">There were a lot of things that disturbed my faith and led me home to <st1:city><st1:place>Rome</st1:place></st1:city>. Birth Control, Divorce, Authority, Apostolic Succession, and the Bible. I can not believe I was a protestant for 45 years and never asked my self “Where did the Bible come from?” (page 204). What a shock to learn that the Catholic didn’t add books to the Bible.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">I am reminded of the old preacher who said he believed every word of the Bible from Genesis to the book of maps. But what about the table of contents? Where did the table of contents come from? Kelly gives us some great ammo in pages 206-208. My personal favorite is the whole Sola-scriptura (The Bible alone). This is self refuting as it is not found in the Bible.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>1<sup>st</sup> Timothy 3:15 say the Church is the pillar and foundation of the truth. The Church gave us the Bible (not the other way around). The Church has the sole right to interpret (page 208) Peter said that scripture is not given for private interpretation (2<sup>nd</sup> Peter <st1:time minute="20" hour="13">1:20</st1:time>) and even warned (<st1:time minute="16" hour="15">3:16</st1:time>) ..hard to be understood, which the unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, to there own destruction”. So much for perspicuity. Who wants to be Pope? We have over 30,000 Christian Church that claim to teach the Bible alone. I mean how<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>many views of Church Government, Baptism, The Lord’s Supper, or views are there. Can they all be right? Remember “<span style="font-family:Verdana;color:black">There is<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:black">Kelly touches on some great prophesies fulfilled by Jesus (pages 210) Here are some more:<o:p></o:p></span></p> <table class="MsoNormalTable" border="1" cellpadding="0" width="100%" style="width:100.0%;mso-cellspacing:1.5pt;border:outset 1.5pt"> <tbody><tr style="mso-yfti-irow:0"> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><b><span style="font-size:10.5pt">SUBJECT<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><b><span style="font-size:10.5pt">OT Prophecy<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><b><span style="font-size:10.5pt">NT Fulfillment<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> </tr> <tr style="mso-yfti-irow:1"> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">As the Son of God<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">Ps 2:7<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">Lu 1:32,35<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr style="mso-yfti-irow:2"> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">As the seed of the woman<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">Ge 3:15<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">Ga 4:4<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr style="mso-yfti-irow:3"> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">As the seed of Abraham<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">Ge 17:7 </span><st1:time hour="22" minute="18"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">22:18</span></st1:time><span style="font-size:10.5pt"><o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">Ga 3:16<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr style="mso-yfti-irow:4"> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">As the seed of Isaac<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">Ge 21:12<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">Heb 11:17-19<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr style="mso-yfti-irow:5"> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">As the seed of David<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">Ps 132:11 Jer 23:5<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">Ac </span><st1:time hour="13" minute="23"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">13:23</span></st1:time><span style="font-size:10.5pt"> Ro 1:3<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr style="mso-yfti-irow:6"> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">His coming at a set time<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">Ge 49:10 Da 9:24,25<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">Lu 2:1<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr style="mso-yfti-irow:7"> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">His being born of a virgin<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">Isa 7:14<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">Mt </span><st1:time hour="13" minute="22"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">1:22</span></st1:time><span style="font-size:10.5pt">,23 Lu 2:7<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr style="mso-yfti-irow:8"> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">His being called Immanuel<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">Isa 7:14<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">Mt 1:22,23<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr style="mso-yfti-irow:9"> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">His being born in Bethlehem of Judea<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">Mic 5:2<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">Mt 2:1 Lu 2:4-6<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr style="mso-yfti-irow:10"> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">Great persons coming to adore him<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">Ps 72:10<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">Mt 2:1-11<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr style="mso-yfti-irow:11"> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">The slaying of the children of </span><st1:city><st1:place><span style="font-size:10.5pt">Bethlehem</span></st1:place></st1:city><span style="font-size:10.5pt"><o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">Jer 31:15<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">Mt 2:16-18<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr style="mso-yfti-irow:12"> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">His being called out of </span><st1:country-region><st1:place><span style="font-size:10.5pt">Egypt</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span style="font-size:10.5pt"><o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">Ho 11:1<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">Mt 2:15<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr style="mso-yfti-irow:13"> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">His being preceded by John the Baptist<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">Isa 40:3 Mal 3:1<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">Mt 3:1,3 Lu 1:17<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr style="mso-yfti-irow:14"> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">His being anointed with the Spirit<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">Ps 45:7 Isa 11:2 61:1<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">Mt </span><st1:time hour="15" minute="16"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">3:16</span></st1:time><span style="font-size:10.5pt"> Joh </span><st1:time hour="15" minute="34"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">3:34</span></st1:time><span style="font-size:10.5pt"> Ac </span><st1:time hour="10" minute="38"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">10:38</span></st1:time><span style="font-size:10.5pt"><o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr style="mso-yfti-irow:15"> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">His being a Prophet like to Moses<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">De 18:15-18<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">Ac 3:20-22<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr style="mso-yfti-irow:16"> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">His being a Priest after the order of Melchizedek<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">Ps 110:4<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">Heb 5:5,6<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr style="mso-yfti-irow:17"> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">His entering on his public ministry<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">Isa 61:1,2<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">Lu 4:16-21,43<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr style="mso-yfti-irow:18"> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">His ministry commencing in </span><st1:place><span style="font-size:10.5pt">Galilee</span></st1:place><span style="font-size: 10.5pt"><o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">Isa 9:1,2<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">Mt 4:12-16,23<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr style="mso-yfti-irow:19"> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">His entering publicly into </span><st1:city><st1:place><span style="font-size:10.5pt">Jerusalem</span></st1:place></st1:city><span style="font-size:10.5pt"><o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">Zec 9:9<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">Mt 21:1-5<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr style="mso-yfti-irow:20"> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">His coming into the temple<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">Hag 2:7,9 Mal 3:1<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">Mt </span><st1:time hour="21" minute="12"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">21:12</span></st1:time><span style="font-size:10.5pt"> Lu 2:27-32 Joh 2:13-16<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr style="mso-yfti-irow:21"> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">His poverty<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">Isa 53:2<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">Mr 6:3 Lu 9:58<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr style="mso-yfti-irow:22"> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">His meekness and want of ostentatious<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">Isa 42:2<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">Mt 12:15,16,19<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr style="mso-yfti-irow:23"> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">His tenderness and compassion<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">Isa 40:11 42:3<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">Mt </span><st1:time hour="12" minute="15"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">12:15</span></st1:time><span style="font-size:10.5pt">,20 Heb </span><st1:time hour="16" minute="15"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">4:15</span></st1:time><span style="font-size:10.5pt"><o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr style="mso-yfti-irow:24"> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">His being without guile<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">Isa 53:9<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">1Pe </span><st1:time hour="14" minute="22"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">2:22</span></st1:time><span style="font-size:10.5pt"><o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr style="mso-yfti-irow:25"> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">His zeal<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">Ps 69:9<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">Joh 2:17<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr style="mso-yfti-irow:26"> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">His preaching by parables<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">Ps 78:2<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">Mt 13:34,35<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr style="mso-yfti-irow:27"> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">His working miracles<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">Isa 35:5,6<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">Mt 11:4-6 Joh 11:47<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr style="mso-yfti-irow:28"> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">His bearing reproach<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">Ps 22:6 69:7,9,20<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">Ro 15:3<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr style="mso-yfti-irow:29"> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">His being rejected by his brethren<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">Ps 69:8 Isa 63:3<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">Joh </span><st1:time hour="13" minute="11"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">1:11</span></st1:time><span style="font-size:10.5pt"> 7:3<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr style="mso-yfti-irow:30"> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">His being a stone of stumbling to the Jews<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">Isa 8:14<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">Ro </span><st1:time hour="9" minute="32"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">9:32</span></st1:time><span style="font-size:10.5pt"> 1Pe 2:8<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr style="mso-yfti-irow:31"> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">His being hated by the Jews<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">Ps 69:4 Isa 49:7<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">Joh 15:24,25<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr style="mso-yfti-irow:32"> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">His being rejected by the Jewish rulers<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">Ps 118:22<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">Mt </span><st1:time hour="21" minute="42"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">21:42</span></st1:time><span style="font-size:10.5pt"> Joh </span><st1:time hour="19" minute="48"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">7:48</span></st1:time><span style="font-size:10.5pt"><o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr style="mso-yfti-irow:33"> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">That the Jews and Gentiles should combine against Him<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">Ps 2:1,2<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">Lu </span><st1:time hour="23" minute="12"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">23:12</span></st1:time><span style="font-size:10.5pt"> Ac </span><st1:time hour="16" minute="27"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">4:27</span></st1:time><span style="font-size:10.5pt"><o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr style="mso-yfti-irow:34"> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">His being betrayed by a friend<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">Ps 41:9 55:12-14<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">Joh 13:18,21<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr style="mso-yfti-irow:35"> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">His disciples forsaking him<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">Zec 13:7<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">Mt 26:31,56<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr style="mso-yfti-irow:36"> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">His being sold for thirty pieces silver<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">Zec 11:12<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">Mt 26:15<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr style="mso-yfti-irow:37"> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">His price being given for the potter's field<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">Zec 11:13<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">Mt 27:7<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr style="mso-yfti-irow:38"> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">The intensity of his sufferings<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">Ps 22:14,15<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">Lu 22:42,44<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr style="mso-yfti-irow:39"> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">His sufferings being for others<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">Isa 53:4-6,12 Da 9:26<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">Mt 20:28<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr style="mso-yfti-irow:40"> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">His patience and silence under suffering<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">Isa 53:7<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">Mt 26:63 27:12-14<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr style="mso-yfti-irow:41"> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">His being smitten on the cheek<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">Mic 5:1<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">Mt 27:30<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr style="mso-yfti-irow:42"> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">His visage being marred<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">Isa 52:14 53:3<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">Joh 19:5<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr style="mso-yfti-irow:43"> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">His being spit on and scourged<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">Isa 50:6<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">Mr 14:65 Joh 19:1<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr style="mso-yfti-irow:44"> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">His hands and feet being nailed to the cross<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">Ps 22:16<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">Joh </span><st1:time hour="19" minute="18"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">19:18</span></st1:time><span style="font-size:10.5pt"> </span><st1:time hour="20" minute="25"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">20:25</span></st1:time><span style="font-size:10.5pt"><o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr style="mso-yfti-irow:45"> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">His being forsaken by God<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">Ps 22:1<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">Mt 27:46<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr style="mso-yfti-irow:46"> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">His being mocked<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">Ps 22:7,8<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">Mt 27:39-44<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr style="mso-yfti-irow:47"> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">Gall and vinegar being given him to drink<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">Ps 69:21<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">Mt 27:34<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr style="mso-yfti-irow:48"> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">His garments being parted, and lots cast for his vesture<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">Ps 22:18<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">Mt 27:35<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr style="mso-yfti-irow:49"> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">His being numbered with the transgressors<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">Isa 53:12<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal"><st1:time hour="15" minute="28"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt">Mr 15:28</span></st1:time><span style="font-size:10.5pt"><o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr style="mso-yfti-irow:50"> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">His intercession for His murderers<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">Isa 53:12<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">Lu 23:34<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr style="mso-yfti-irow:51"> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">His Death<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">Isa 53:12<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">Mt 27:50<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr style="mso-yfti-irow:52"> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">That a bone of him should not be broken<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">Ex </span><st1:time hour="12" minute="46"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">12:46</span></st1:time><span style="font-size:10.5pt"> Ps 34:20<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">Joh 19:33,36<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr style="mso-yfti-irow:53"> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">His being pierced<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">Zec 12:10<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">Joh 19:34,37<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr style="mso-yfti-irow:54"> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">His being buried with the rich<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">Isa 53:9<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">Mt 27:57-60<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr style="mso-yfti-irow:55"> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">His flesh not seeing corruption<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">Ps 16:10<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">Ac 2:31<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr style="mso-yfti-irow:56"> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">His resurrection<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">Ps </span><st1:time hour="16" minute="10"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">16:10</span></st1:time><span style="font-size:10.5pt"> Isa 26:19<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">Lu 24:6,31,34<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr style="mso-yfti-irow:57"> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">His ascension<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">Ps 68:18<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">Lu 24:51 Ac 1:9<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr style="mso-yfti-irow:58"> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">His sitting on the right hand of God<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">Ps 110:1<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">Heb 1:3<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr style="mso-yfti-irow:59"> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">His exercising the priestly office in heaven<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">Zec 6:13<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">Ro 8:34<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr style="mso-yfti-irow:60"> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">His being the chief corner-stone of the Church<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">Isa 28:16<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">1Pe 2:6,7<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr style="mso-yfti-irow:61"> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">His being King in </span><st1:city><st1:place><span style="font-size:10.5pt">Zion</span></st1:place></st1:city><span style="font-size:10.5pt"><o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">Ps 2:6<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">Lu </span><st1:time hour="13" minute="32"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">1:32</span></st1:time><span style="font-size:10.5pt"> Joh </span><st1:time hour="18" minute="33"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">18:33</span></st1:time><span style="font-size:10.5pt">-37<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr style="mso-yfti-irow:62"> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">The conversion of the Gentiles to him<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">Isa </span><st1:time hour="11" minute="10"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">11:10</span></st1:time><span style="font-size:10.5pt"> 42:1<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">Mt </span><st1:time hour="13" minute="17"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">1:17</span></st1:time><span style="font-size:10.5pt">,21 Joh </span><st1:time hour="10" minute="16"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">10:16</span></st1:time><span style="font-size:10.5pt"> Ac </span><st1:time hour="10" minute="45"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">10:45</span></st1:time><span style="font-size:10.5pt">,47<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr style="mso-yfti-irow:63"> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">His righteous government<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">Ps 45:6,7<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">Joh </span><st1:time hour="17" minute="30"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">5:30</span></st1:time><span style="font-size:10.5pt"> Re </span><st1:time hour="19" minute="11"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">19:11</span></st1:time><span style="font-size:10.5pt"><o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr style="mso-yfti-irow:64"> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">His universal dominion<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">Ps 72:8 Da 7:14<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">Php 2:9,11<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr style="mso-yfti-irow:65;mso-yfti-lastrow:yes"> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">The perpetuity of his kingdom<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">Isa 9:7 Da 7:14<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt">Lu 1:32,33<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> <p><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:black">Kelly makes some great points about the power of the Word (pg 211). If we actually truly believed some of these points we would be changed. One of my favorite is Hebrews </span><st1:time hour="16" minute="12"><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:black">4:12</span></st1:time><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:black"> “<span class="apple-style-span">For the word of God is alive, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart´<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:black">Yes the world of God is alive and breathing! The Word (Logos) is God himself (Jn1, Heb 1:1-3). <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:black">In the section “Stories” Kelly reminds us of the purpose of the written word which reminds me of 1<sup>st</sup> Cor 10:6&11 Now these things were done in a figure of us…Now all of these things happen to them in figure: and they are written for our correction. Kelly refer to this as looking into a mirror and seeing our self. James says it best in James 1 </span></span><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:black">But prove your selves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his natural face in a mirror; for once he has looked at himself and gone away, he has immediately forgotten what kind of person he was. But one who looks intently at the perfect law,<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man will be<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>blessed in what he does.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:black">On page 218 Kelly states “I often hear his call in the moments of the day. I find myself wandering from the path, and he calls to me, “Where are you” I pray you too can learn to hear his gentle voice in the circumstances of your daily life”<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>One of the ways God speaks to us is through his word. The Psalmist said “Thy word have I hid in my heart that I may not sin against thee” God’s challenge to us is “Let not this book of the law depart from thy mouth: but thou shall meditate on it day and night, that thou may observe and do all the things that are written in it: then shall thou direct thy ways and understand it” Josh 1:8 <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:black">Well I won’t comment on the “Dad, if you really love me story.. other then my son said it made no sense and my wife thought it could be a parable about the pearl of great price.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:black">I would like to share one more of my favorite verses. It’s a </span><st1:time minute="16" hour="15"><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:black">3:16</span></st1:time><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:black"> verse, Can you guess what it is?<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:black">All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>the man of God may be adequate,<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>equipped for every good work. (2<sup>nd</sup> Tim)<o:p></o:p></span></p>The Teamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09105381926960889465noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6723998904884834754.post-42222771918990274432010-09-13T21:04:00.004-04:002010-09-13T23:20:59.834-04:00Chapter 14 - The Mass<span style="font-family:lucida grande;font-size:130%;">I had never attended mass before November 2009. My first experience was with my dear friend who showed me the way "home to Rome". I didn't really understand what was going on most of the time, but I was surprised by the things I did know -- the Apostle's creed, the Our Father, and some of the "old-time hymns" that cross denominational barriers. I had been studying some of the Jewish liturgy and it was intriguing to me to find out just how many of the Catholic rites are rooted in Judaism. It seemed like the deeper I dug in, the more layers I found, each more beautiful than the last. </span><span style="font-family:lucida grande;font-size:130%;"><br /><br />As a convert, I think it is easier for me to have a deep appreciation for the mass than a cradle Catholic. It's kind of like the difference between being born in America and coming here from an oppressed or impoverished country. We truly take our freedoms and our wealth as a nation for granted as opposed to a refugee from Haiti or China who finds New York City the most amazing and magical place, appreciate freedom and liberty for what they truly are, and understand that with hard work and perseverance </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:lucida grande;font-size:130%;" >anything</span><span style="font-family:lucida grande;font-size:130%;"> is possible in this country. </span><span style="font-family:lucida grande;font-size:130%;"><br /><br />Mr. Kelly laments the cries often heard about church (and protestants say the same things). Here are some of his and some that I have heard myself over the years (modified to fit the current audience, of course): The service is too long. I never get anything out of the homily. It's too boring. The songs are too old. The songs are too new. They need more instruments. They should go back to organ music. The mass form is too dreary. The mass form is too contemporary. The priest hurt my feelings. The priest is too conservative. The priest is too liberal. The people there are not friendly. The people there are too friendly (bunch of fakers). </span><span style="font-family:lucida grande;font-size:130%;"><br /><br />Or, as Mr. Kelly pointed out... perhaps most church-goers have missed the point altogether. The mass is not about me or you or the priest or the music, it's about our Savior, and being in His presence is NEVER a waste of time. For me, believing in the Real Presence in the Eucharist has been life changing. I am filled with awe and wonder every time the priest elevates the host and I hear the bells ring. I hear the words "This is the New Covenant in My blood" and my heart stirs within me knowing that I am finally part of that covenant! There have been times I wish I could prostrate myself before the host (I believe that may be a little too "charismatic" for my current parish; however, I did get that opportunity at Adoration once and it was </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:lucida grande;font-size:130%;" >amazing</span><span style="font-family:lucida grande;font-size:130%;">). Sometimes I think "I can't believe I believe Jesus becomes bread and wine!", but like another convert I know, I believe He became dust, so is it really that far of a stretch? </span><span style="font-family:lucida grande;font-size:130%;"><br /><br />I think sometimes the excitement of new converts or returning Catholics who have fallen away is actually offensive to some (or maybe it's actually convicting?). It's as if they are thinking, "Yeah, they're all excited now, but just wait, in a year or two, they'll be dead like me." I encountered this attitude myself as a new convert. So many times when talking about ideas or passions, I heard things like, "No one around here would be interested in doing something that." or "People around here are just too busy to take on one more thing." or "You can try, but I don't think you'll get any response." or "We used to do that, but we don't anymore, there just wasn't any interest." </span><span style="font-family:lucida grande;font-size:130%;"><br /><br />So negative. So apathetic. So boring. So defeated. Just how our enemy likes us to be. Ouch.<br /><br />So how </span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:lucida grande;font-size:130%;" >does </span><span style="font-family:lucida grande;font-size:130%;">one stay excited about going to mass? </span><span style="font-family:lucida grande;font-size:130%;"><br /><br />My husband and I have been married almost 15 years. There are days when married life is not very exciting and days when it is. I believe that staying in love with the Eucharist is the same as staying in love with your spouse. I could be married to my husband for 100 years and still not delve all the depths of his thoughts or emotions, and yet even today, I can finish his sentences for him because I know him intimately (and vice versa). The subtle nuances and meanings behind every prayer, every gesture, every scripture in the mass could take a lifetime to explore, and yet, we could go to a foreign country and still worship with our brothers and sisters because we know the mass intimately. It takes effort, it takes commitment, and it takes time. Instant gratification is not a gift of the Holy Spirit, no matter how much we wish it was. </span><span style="font-family:lucida grande;font-size:130%;"><br /><br />I had read, some years back, about how, in the most intimate relationship between a husband and wife, the "seed" from the man is eventually absorbed into the bones of the woman through her uterus, thus providing her with nutrients she needs to prevent bone loss, releasing certain hormones to combat depression, and even preventing cancer... and in turn, she ends up absorbing his pieces of his DNA... literally becoming </span><span style="font-size:130%;"><a style="font-family: lucida grande;" href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis+2:23&version=NIV">"bone of [his] bone and flesh of [his] flesh"</a></span><span style="font-family:lucida grande;font-size:130%;">. (Ever wondered why happy old couples look so much alike?) You may be wondering, "What has that got to do with the mass?" Well, consider this... by our belief in the Real Presence in the Eucharist, and by taking our Savior's flesh and blood intimately into our body where it is absorbed and metabolized, in like fashion, we too can transform quite literally in His likeness by absorbing His DNA every week. </span><span style="font-family:lucida grande;font-size:130%;"><br /><br />Let that sink in a minute. </span><span style="font-family:lucida grande;font-size:130%;"><br /><br />If Christ can quite literally become a part of you through the intimacy of the Eucharist, what things in your life have the power to prevent you from moving heaven and earth to get to mass and your Savior every week? Would you treat being with your spouse with the attitude as you approach being at the mass? Would you come to the marriage bed with the same attitude as you have when coming to mass?<br /><br />To hear complaining about not getting anything out of mass reminds me of what my grandmother used to say at her heavy-laden dinner table, "If you don't get enough to eat, it's your own fault!" We receive Jesus in the flesh at every mass!! How can we </span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:lucida grande;font-size:130%;" >NOT </span><span style="font-family:lucida grande;font-size:130%;">get something out of it!</span><span style="font-family:lucida grande;font-size:130%;"><br /><br />As Mr. Kelly says, the mass is a gift... we should embrace it with gusto. So, what's REALLY keeping you from being excited about the mass and being intimately connected your Savior? </span><span style="font-family:lucida grande;font-size:130%;"><br /><br />I will leave you with some ponderings that touch on some of the other issues Mr. Kelly takes to task in this chapter:<br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><ul style="font-family: lucida grande;"><li><span style="font-size:130%;">Funny how $20 looks so big when we take it to church and so small when we take it to the store.</span></li><li><span style="font-size:130%;">Funny how long an hour or two in church seems and how short those same 60 to 120 minutes are when spent playing golf, eating out at a fine restaurant, or watching a movie.<br /></span></li><li><span style="font-size:130%;">Funny how difficult it is to read a chapter in the Bible and how easy it is to read 500 pages of a best selling novel.</span></li><li><span style="font-size:130%;">Funny how we believe what newspapers say but question what the Bible says.</span></li><li><span style="font-size:130%;">Funny how we can't think of anything to say when we pray and don't have any difficulty thinking of things to talk about to a friend. </span></li><li><span style="font-size:130%;">Funny how we need 2 or 3 weeks to fit a church event into our schedule, but can adjust it for a social event at the last minute.<br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;font-size:130%;" >Funny, isn't it? </span></li></ul><span style="font-family:lucida grande;font-size:130%;"><br />Blessings, </span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:lucida grande;font-size:130%;">St. Frances of Rome</span>The Teamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09105381926960889465noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6723998904884834754.post-60988497151840526732010-09-10T06:50:00.002-04:002010-09-10T09:15:34.166-04:00Chapter 13: ContemplationIn this chapter, Kelly explores his second pillar of Catholic spirituality: contemplation. It might have been entitled "Contemplation and Prayer," but I like the emphasis on contemplation (and quiet) as a starting point. "Be still and know that I am God" - Psalm 46. With reference to the Catholic aspect of this pillar, we have an especially rich tradition in this area, with the examples set by many saints, monastics and popes. (Pope John Paul II began each day at 0530 with over an hour of private prayer). <br /> Kelly's first important theme in the chapter is "thought determines action." In order to live a "Christ-centered life" we have to put Christ and "the Good" in the center of our thoughts, as outlined by the quotation from Philippians. As these are not the typical things we're bombarded with each day in our culture, what can help us focus our thoughts? "The Classroom of Silence." I agree with Kelly that this silence is crucial to our spiritual life. He makes two promises: that in the silence we'll find God and ourselves. Importantly, though, he emphasizes that these discoveries will not be epiphanies. It will be a gradual process that takes discipline and work. <br /> The problem of NOISE in our lives is so difficult, and it really does not allow us to hear the voice of God. I loved the quote from Screwtape - "we will make the whole universe a noise in the end." Our "inner noise" is as much a problem, though, as the external noise of our culture, and this is especially true for me. Much of the inner noise (duties, tasks, figuring out my responsibilities as a Catholic citizen in the political and cultural battles) has its importance, but must be regularly set aside for quiet listening to God. <br /> Kelly suggests a starting point to try and do this - his "ten minutes a day."<br />(His CD "A Call To Joy" is the very entertaining story of his spiritual journey that started in this way.) I sort of do this at home each morning, but would like to do it as he suggests in a quiet church. I envision the big cathedral that's always open. What time does OLM open its doors in the AM? There is a chapel at Memorial Hospital that I may try. His comments on the role of Eucharistic Adoration are appreciated.<br /> From this starting point, Kelly says that we can then begin to answer the big question of the mission that God has chosen for us, of finding our holy vocation for which we were created. He then talks of the problems of "action without prayer." Our works must have as their foundation the TRUTH of the incarnation, death and resurrection of Christ, and seeing Christ in those around us. We keep this focus, and gain our strength, through constant prayer. "The measure of your life will be the measure of your prayer."<br /> To close, I will quote from what my daughter's fourth grade class had to learn just this past week (she doesn't remember the author): "Watch your thoughts, they become words; watch your words, they become actions; watch your actions, they become habits; watch your habits, they become your character; watch your character, it becomes your destiny." <br /> - John PaulThe Teamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09105381926960889465noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6723998904884834754.post-84766010894790182612010-09-09T16:58:00.003-04:002010-09-09T17:05:57.612-04:00Chapter 12 Lost Without a PlanNow we're getting into the meat of the book. As a relativly new Catholic I admit that my protestant background influenced me into thinking that asking forgiveness from God, bypassing the priest seemed logical and acceptable. In order to grow closer to God it's necessary to examine and acknowledge our strengths and weaknesses. Confession as my good friend continues to tell me is one of the forgotten sacraments. It's not a sign of weakness but strength when we come to confession. The author likens regular confession to washing your car. (Mine's dirty) The less you wash your car the greater the tendency to let it become a wastebasket for trash. After a while you don't even notice that it is a mess.<br /><br />We all are sinners. We all are lost without a plan. How can we change direction or become the "best version of myself"? Kelly suggests that "reconciliation is the perfect spiritual tool to re-ignite our passion for excellence in the spiritual life".<br /><br />WilliamThe Teamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09105381926960889465noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6723998904884834754.post-25744362476436545702010-09-09T09:44:00.003-04:002010-09-09T09:49:58.621-04:00Chapter 12 The Beauty of ConfessionThe first time I heard Matthew speak on the Pillars of Catholic Spirituality, it surprised me that Confession was the first one. The more I think about it, the more I understand why.<br /><br />Many doctrines and disciplines separate Catholics from Protestants in the practice of faith, but this one is huge. It’s a rare convert who doesn’t have a bit of anxiety about confessing sins to another living, breathing person, even when he sits in the place of Christ. It is a lot more comfortable simply to visit one’s sins in one’s own mind and ask forgiveness of a real but unseen Christ. I found when I went to confession for the first time that the very act of pronouncing my sins out loud, so I could hear my own voice accusing my own self, was powerful. Once said, there’s no escaping the reality of what I have done. Once said to another, there’s no way I can ever deny I did them.<br /><br />But oh! The relief—the joy—when I first heard the words of absolution. To this day, I am anxious when I go to confession, and that feeling would be enough to keep me out of the confessional if it were all I experienced. But it isn’t. I unload my burdens and I hear them taken away. If the anxiety before confession might keep me away, the grace of the sacrament received, which is real and palpable, keeps me coming back.<br /><br />Confession is the natural bookend to Communion, to receiving the Eucharistic Lord into our lives. In earlier times, the Church emphasized this in discipline and lines for confession were long every week. After Vatican II, when the discipline was left to the faithful in the pew, we succumbed to the “I’m OK-You’re OK” mood of the times and confession became the forgotten sacrament. I think it is time to reclaim our patrimony and enter fully into the graces that confession provides. If we, the faithful, begin to go to confession, great things will happen…. in us, and in our parishes. <br /><br />Confession is so mysterious to a convert! I remember wishing I could tag along and watch someone else go through it so I would know what to do. That, of course, is impossible, just as it will be impossible for me to watch anyone go through the particular judgment before I go through it myself. <br /><br />One wise confessor once told me that confession should be entered joyfully (not happily—that is something different) because it is an opportunity to rehearse the time we will stand before Christ without the priest as intermediary. Modern man tends to forget—the last things are real: death, judgment, heaven and hell. And because they are, Christ instituted the sacrament of reconciliation to help us through by preparing us on earth, and giving us the grace to repent, return, revive and move closer to the person God intends us to be by seeing where we have fallen short and asking help in renewing our lives.<br /><br />Most of us go to confession too infrequently—certainly I do, and it’s often because I don’t have a good sense of the ways in which I am out of step with God’s will in my life. Not having a real sense of where I fall short has a way of making confession difficult…<br /><br />It took me a while to develop the habit of regular examination of conscience. Some of the great saints performed this twice a day—I am lucky to get to it twice a week. But when I do, it recollects me and focuses me on where I can grow in my relationship with God. Far from making me a neurotic mess, it has begun to allow me to see clearly where God is still working on my life. <br /><br />Over the years, I’ve encountered a few tips about confession, which I will share:<br /><br />(1) Understand that the seriousness of the sin is not in what we do, it is in Whom we offend. There’s a real tendency to rationalize our common sins as not significant (“God won’t mind if I sleep in and miss mass just this one Sunday…”), but the reality is—that’s often what it is. Rationalization. Be clear minded, and go to confession when you need to. Keep this in mind—all of the most recent popes have gone to confession at least every other week…….we under-utilize this powerful sacrament to change our lives. Many modern advisors (Kelly included) suggest that monthly confession is something of a minimum. (For the record, I am not there yet…)<br /><br />(2) Understand that without involvement of the will, there is no sin. Not everything we do that is wrong is a sin….sometimes we just “blow it” in good faith. God helps with both, of course, but the essence of sin is setting our will against God’s.<br /><br />(3) Don’t rationalize and don’t ramble. It’s enough to name my sins without explaining how or why I was involved in them. Most of the time, that’s rationalization again. It’s an amazingly liberating (though very difficult) thing to simply state “I accuse myself of blasphemy…or anger against my husband…or theft…or lying…” without trying to make it look better than it is….God knows the details; He has the videotape.<br /><br />(4) Don’t turn confession into a counseling session. Confess sins, listen to the priest’s counsel, make a good act of contrition (memorize one) receive absolution and leave to do the prescribed penance as promptly and devoutly as possible. Sometimes the discipline of listening to counsel without giving in to the urge to comment is not only good discipline, it is spiritual growth.<br /><br />(5) Consider developing a relationship with a regular confessor. That can help address the areas that chronically affect spiritual life. Different confessors have different styles and I have found it’s ok to find someone whose style works well with my own. And when I encounter one of those rare priests who are curt or abrasive or unsympathetic (ask any cradle about tough confessors—there are stories!), I offer a prayer for him, do my penance and I do NOT let the experience keep me away from Christ in the confessional. I try to remain centered on meeting Christ, not on the accidentals of the experience…<br /><br />(6) Take advantage of travel. Confessing to a priest I will never encounter again is sometimes easier on the nerves. It also provides an opportunity to add a sacred moment to travels. I also take advantage of travel to go to mass in different parishes, Sundays and sometimes during the week, a practice that has much enhanced my appreciation of the mass. For the record, it’s made me both more tolerant of different styles of worship and more appreciative of the great diversity of my Church.<br /><br />(7) Before confession, I recollect myself before the Blessed Sacrament. I go early and just sit with Jesus for a while. When I examine my conscience before the Lord, I find He gently leads me where I need to go. When I ask God to reveal to me my sins, He does, and then He helps me turn away from them. Not instantly, but with time and with work…<br /><br />(8) Especially if you have a regular confessor, consider the particular examination of conscience of St. Ignaitus. This emphasizes the life-changing potential of confession, the metanoia, formation of a new mind that should be the result of the sacrament. Because it focuses on the things that separate one from God, rather than a juridical “ticking off” of sins, it is a powerful, powerful practice.<br /><br />(9) Make confession a family affair. Nothing helps children understand the importance of confession more than seeing their parents go. And the same is true between husband and wife.<br /><br />In His Service--MarthaThe Teamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09105381926960889465noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6723998904884834754.post-41303471399327655032010-09-02T21:08:00.001-04:002010-09-02T21:10:13.604-04:00Chapter 11: Who will be nextChapter 11<br /><br />Who Will Be Next?<br /><br /> Chapter Eleven contains a particularly challenging essay on the subject of who gets chosen next by God the Creator of the Universe to be used in His Plan for our fallen world. <br /> It is bothersome because it implies that any of us might be chosen for His work in this fallen culture of death we live in. It presupposes that any one of us might be fingered to be sacrificed up, martyred, or in some way at the very least inconvenienced in carrying out His will—Heaven forbid it be me or someone I love. Could be costly. Could be dirty. Could be painful. How could it possibly be a joy?<br /> But if not me, then who? If not my child, then whose children? Mr. Kelly offers up the idea that whatever is going to happen, it will happen with or without us. It is clear from Scripture that God wishes His plan to unfold WITH us, our hearts, our minds, our wills. But as free will denotes, that is our choice. <br /> So, Mr. Kelly wonders, what are we willing to give our life for? What is it that makes us get out of bed each morning and begin a new day? What is it that we are willing to define our lives by? <br /> We have been given finite time on this beautiful earth. What are we going to do with it? When our life is over, what regrets will we hold? Are our lives worth giving over to some greater cause—some cause that is bigger than any one of us? We are fast approaching the ninth anniversary of September 11th, and I defy any one to remember that day. I defy you to remember the men and women on American Flight #486 without thinking that, given the same situation, we would have the courage and virtue necessary to make the same choices those brave and honorable people made.<br /> We must rise to the occasion whenever possible and the occasion is NOW. We are at a turning point in human history. The modern western culture is declining. We must rise up ourselves to shepherd in a new era. Where do we start? <br /> We must embrace our Catholic Christianity. We must not exist within a lifeless set of rules and regulations. Catholicism is a vibrant way of life. To be truly Catholic, we are called first to holiness and second to express our joy and hopes by both example and stories. We must become story-tellers. We must tell the stories of our lives, our choices and the lives and choices of our families. We must tell how we love. We must tell how choose to live in love. We must tell the stories of our saints. We must tell how even in adversity we do not fear because the Lord God Creator of the Universe is the source of our life, our love, our author who writes our stories with in His love for the Son.<br /> <br /> In His grip,<br /> F of AThe Teamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09105381926960889465noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6723998904884834754.post-13194037776163448812010-08-31T09:55:00.004-04:002010-08-31T10:06:26.811-04:00Chapter 10 FriendsFriendship… The first paragraph on Chapter 10 tells the story about a father who says to his son “if you find five true friends in your lifetime, you will have lived a life infinitely blessed”. Well, I don’t want to sound arrogant, but I’ve been infinitely blessed.<br />The message on this chapter is of great importance. Earlier we discussed the concept of holiness: be all you can be. Well, it is safe to say that we can’t be all we can be if we don’t have the support system we need around us. Friends are just that… “A true friend brings the best out of her friends”. True friends “challenge us to become all we can be and encourage us to become the-best-version-of-ourselves.”<br />Now, where can we find those friends? I’ve been lucky enough to find them throughout my life. They are not many, but they are the kind who inspire me to become a better person every day. However, sometimes those friends are not here with us anymore. Saints and even ordinary (or should I say extraordinary) people like Mother Teresa or Francis of Assisi can be our friends. They have had and continue to have the ability to inspire people to become better-versions-of-themselves. We can learn from them, imitate them in their actions, and hope to be as humble as they were and to be able to find our purpose in life.<br />Let’s not forget though that we need to foster our spirit. We need to always ask ourselves “what it will take for me to become the better person I can be?” Let’s reflect every day about how can we imitate our friends and strive for holiness. Other people has been able to do it, why can’t we?<br /><br />ChiquinquiraThe Teamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09105381926960889465noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6723998904884834754.post-17709525145504464522010-08-26T21:11:00.001-04:002010-08-26T21:12:29.113-04:00Chapter 9 Something Concrete<div>So what do we find here in Chapter 9? A very firm and concrete suggestion as to what we can do to further our progress along the path to Holiness. We can look dispassionately and objectively at our habits. We are challenged on page 130 to do so, and to separate them in to those that help us and those that hinder us. All of our habits are, in actuality, taking us down the path to becoming the best version of ourselves (Holiness) or down the opposite path away from God and away from what we were created to be.</div><div><br /></div><div>What do you think of when you hear or see the word “concrete?” I think of something firm and solid, something that in this context I can hang my hat on and rely upon as true. But thinking a little deeper, it is also something that can be chopped up and removed. With enough effort it can be removed at will and replaced with something else. It is something that started out in a totally different state of being, composed of multiple elements and concrete is almost, but not quite, infinitely moldable in to most anything. Even boats have been made of concrete!</div><div><br /></div><div>And so it is with our habits. How many of you actually took the time to “Take a few minutes right now. Put this book down. Find a piece of paper and write down a list of your habits. Think about it.”? It is a challenge, and a concrete way for us to “do something” in response to this book instead of simply reading and thinking, “well, isn’t that neat” or “I think that is true (or false?)” or simply reacting on an emotional level to what Kelly is saying in the book.</div><div><br /></div><div>I must confess that had I not been charged with putting together the blog post on this particular chapter I would likely have read that and said to myself “well, that sounds like a good idea, I will get to it someday….” and kept reading! But I did not keep reading. I took his suggestion and put the book down, got out a pen and paper and went to work. And it was WORK, believe me! I was reminded of preparing an examination of conscience before the sacrament of Confession. </div><div><br /></div><div>First I had to decide what a habit is, then how to organize them and then name them individually and then decide in which direction that particular habit took me. The last part was the easiest by far. I say all of this not to discourage, but to encourage you to do this for yourself in your own particular way. What worked for me will not necessarily work for you! (His suggestion to lump them in to daily, weekly and monthly was helpful though. It helps you to get a running start.) But DO attempt to get this done as soon as you possibly can, or you will never do it!</div><div><br /></div><div>So what does this have to do with concrete? As I looked at my habits I found some interesting things. Mainly, since becoming Catholic my habits have changed! For the better! Old habits die hard, and are, like concrete, hard to remove. But they can be changed and refashioned, just like new concrete, with fresh materials in to something more beautiful, helpful and productive than what was there before! When I looked critically at my habits, I discovered that since becoming Catholic my very state of being has changed! I am working with a different, fresh set of raw materials in the Grace that comes to me through the teachings and sacraments of the Church. When I choose to cooperate with this fully, stony hard habits are transformed and molded in to something that will bear fruit in God’s Kingdom. That is an exciting prospect.</div><div><br /></div><div>Am I therefore, by my own efforts, transformed in the best version of myself here and now? Oh my, NO. This has shown me two things. One is that, on balance, I find that I have made some minimal progress. The other is a clearer version of just how far I still have to go on this journey! I thank God that I have the entire community of the Catholic Church to uphold and support me in this journey toward Holiness.</div><div><br /></div><div>I will close here….this has run on long enough. I will add in the comment section some specific discoveries that I made about my own personal habits, both good and bad and I hope that you will feel comfortable enough to do the same!</div><div><br /></div><div>Luke</div><div><br /></div>The Teamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09105381926960889465noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6723998904884834754.post-1711737118821953442010-08-22T22:05:00.000-04:002010-08-23T05:52:49.967-04:00Friends in High Places....<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Matthew Kelley picked some of my best friends for this chapter. Each of the saints he discusses has bolstered me, inspired me and sustained me, but two (St. John Vianney and St. Thomas More) in a particular way. I am not a fan of holding hands during the Our Father for many reasons--but I do often imagine as I pray that these two particular saints that follow are there with me, on either side (and maybe holding my hands...) As I have learned to ask the saints for their intercessions, our friendship has grown--they are so very real to me!</span></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">It’s a pity we spend so little time getting to know the saints, because they faced the same kinds of challenges we do and they all had different strengths and weaknesses. They’ve travelled the path we are on, and their lives have much to offer. I read the “Saint of the Day” every day, and am constantly struck by how like us their lives are--though their holiness is something else. And they reached that holiness even in spite of glaring faults that persisted: tempers, appetites, despair....reading the lives of the saints really is like looking at the “study guide” for holiness.</span></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> I recently read a biography of St. Camillus de Lellis--what an amazing story: a warrior, a drunkard, a gambler, with a temper to match--becoming a tool in the hands of God took a long time and he still retained the characteristics that made him Camillus (including that temper--he gave himself a serious hernia when, angry at being cheated by a provider of wheat to one of his infirmaries, he threw bags of inferior flour, each about 100 pounds, into the street, and the unfortunate purveyor after them... ) But the things he was able to do when he opened himself to God, perhaps including the incident with the flour, and how he allowed God to pick him up again and again--amazing. By the way--his order is the source of the red cross still used today for hospital services....</span></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">St. John VIanney reaches my heart in a very special way. He was not a great intellect. In fact, his ordination was said to be an act of Christian charity, because he was so poor in his studies. However, he knew and responded to God’s call in a way that few ever do. And he did so simply by doing what the Church has always prescribed for those who would be holy: fast, do penance, pray and give alms. I doubt that St. John Vianney would have been able to give a great explanation of the theology of any of those things--he simply did as he knew, as he had been taught. And his life proved how life giving those teachings are. This is good to remember in a world that sees such practices as outdated, old-fashioned, superstitious and ineffective.</span></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">It's good to keep in mind that he became a priest after the Reign of Terror, when the faith was supressed and priests were executed for saying mass. France was almost devoid of religious practice. By his penance and prayers and his work in the community, Ars became a place of great faith once again. TImes are bad now, for faith, but they have been bad before and the Church survived. What brought Ars and its Cure through the time of darkness will bring us too, if we but do them in trust and with conviction. God is truly greater than any darkness or any human limitation, and He uses the strangest vessels to reach His ends....</span></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">John Vianney reminds me not to make things too complicated and to trust that God and His Church will lead me in the right direction. I need not understand to be obedient or to reap the rewards of moving forward in faith. The Catholic faith is not an intellectual exercise--though it is deep enough for the greatest minds, and then some. It is a way of living that makes its fruits accessible even to the "least" among us. Sometimes, I think, especially to the ones the world sees as least, precisely because they approach it with confidence and simplicity and utter trust. Those of us who would wrestle too much with ideas often fail in the "trust" category. If the saints teach us anything, it is perseverance and trust in God in all circumstances--even when things seem to be going very, very badly here on earth. I'm not there yet....but my friends are patient in teaching me how to get there....</span></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Another story of SJV that I really like is the night the devil set fire to his bed, with John in it. It is said that the great saint just rolled over, said, “Oh, it’s just you,” and went back to sleep. The charred bed is still in his home in Ars. His quiet calm in the face of such an attack reminds me not to be fearful myself. After all, no matter what he chooses to do, the devil is just a creature and God is infinitely greater and more powerful Hard to live--but true and SJV reminds me of that.</span></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">SJV also reminds me how indebted I am to priests--as does St. Frances, whose reverence for the hands that brought him Jesus was well known. I am constantly reminded: No priests, no sacraments. No sacraments, no church. We Catholics need to be mindful of that. Perhaps we should cut our priests a little slack when they irritate us--do we not often expect a perfection from them that we cannot find in ourselves? How often do we pray--REALLY PRAY-- and offer alms and penance for our priests? John Vianney also shows us that the priest is a favorite target of the devil: strike the shepherd, scatter the sheep. Our priests need our prayers and our love (willing the good of the other as other--not mere affection, though that is nice, too), not our ill humor and our demands that everything be done our way.</span></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">And we certainly need to stop thinking of a life given over to God in a vocation to the priesthood or religious life as somehow “wasted.” How many of us with children still at home discuss the idea of a vocation to the priesthood or religious life? How many of us think that such a vocation is for other people, not for our own kids (or--if you’re a young person reading this--for yourself)?</span></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Thomas More, the great English lawyer and martyr reminds me that it really is possible to hold fast to one’s faith and still be a force in the world at large, though it may one day cost one’s head. His simplicity of life, despite his status and wealth are compelling--he drank nothing other than water, and ate plain food--the Catholic life really ought to be austere but few of us today seek this kind of simplicity as a virtue (me included). He also has a special place in my heart as the patron of adopted children and their parents. And he looked for any way he could to take the oath and remain true to his faith--he didn’t spoil for a fight with Henry VIII--a reminder that faith has a certain elasticity that can permit us to maneuver in the world and still be true to God's call to us--IF we really know that our faith demands, and IF we are certain that we will not compromise that which cannot be compromised. Imagine what the world would be like if Catholics lived--really lived--like that.....not accepting convenient excuses from themselves or from others (like politicians) on those things that are essential.</span></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Last but not least, the saints remind me not that their holiness makes them less aware of sin--but more so. The key to their holiness seems to lie in part in their acute awareness of how they fell short, but also in their utter trust in God to lead them through those faults to holy perfection in His own good time. Not a bad lesson for the "I'm OK-You're OK" generation.</span></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Here are a few of quotations from my friends:</span></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 13.0px Courier"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">When a man takes an oath, he's holding </span></i></b></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">his own self in his own hands...like water. And if he opens his fingers then, he needn't hope to find himself again.</span></i></b></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 13.0px Courier"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></i></b></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 13.0px Courier"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">(Thomas More (and daughter Meg) conversing in <i>A Man for All Seasons</i>)</span></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">O how great is the priest! If he realized what he is, he would die...God obeys him: he utters a few words and the Lord descends from heaven at his voice, to be contained in a small host.</span></i></b></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></span></i></b></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Without the sacrament of Holy Orders, we would not have the Lord. Who put him there is that tabernacle? The priest.</span></i></b></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></span></i></b></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Who welcomed your soul at the beginning of your life? The priest.</span></i></b></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></span></i></b></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Who feeds your soul and gives it strength for the journey? The priest.</span></i></b></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></span></i></b></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Who will prepare it to appear before God, bathing it one last time in the blood of Jesus Christ? The priest.</span></i></b></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></span></i></b></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">And if this soul should happen to die as a result of sin, who will raise it up, who will restore it to calm and peace? Again, the priest.</span></i></b></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></span></i></b></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Only in heaven will he fully realize what he is... were we to fully realize what a priest is on earth we would die, not of fright but of love... without the priest, the passion and death of our Lord would be of no avail.</span></i></b></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span>l</span></i></b></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">It is the priest who continues the work of redemption here on earth...what use would be a house filled with gold, if there were no one to open the door? The priest holds the key to the treasures of heaven. It is he who opens the door: He is the steward of the Good Lord, the administrator of HIs goods......</span></i></b></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">St. Jean-Marie Baptiste Vianney</span></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">It is a poverty to decide that a child must die so that you can live as you wish.</span></i></b></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Bl. Teresa of Calcutta (her 100th birthday is September 4...)</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Off to read about another of our kin--St. Theresa of Avila. One problem with a big family like this is that there are SO many relatives to get to know, and so little time to do so! Fortunately, there's a family reunion every Sunday....</span></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Pax---Martha</span></span></span></p>The Teamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09105381926960889465noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6723998904884834754.post-72900416576202614352010-08-18T05:53:00.000-04:002010-08-18T05:54:09.908-04:00The Path is Well TroddenContinuing the theme of seeking holiness, the author asks: How do we do it?<br /><br />He suggests that an athletic/coaching anology might be helpful. His father and coaches suggested that whatever the sporting activity, study the masters in the field. Two reasons to do this. First,to be inspired and secondly, to learn the techniques. The transition to our spiritual lives is a natural lead into the lives of the saints. These great men and women can help show us the path to Jesus and give us some helpful techniques on the path to holiness.<br /><br />While there are some common objections to studying the lives of the saints such as they were born saints and did not have struggles, we are the losers if we do not study their lives. Also, we do not want to adore/venerate the saints or impose some superstitious conduct about them. But, we can imitate their good practices, and in particluar- discipline.<br /><br />Many modern catholics have rejected discipline and the author reminds us of the three prevailing philosophies he discussed earlier.<br /><br />----<em>Individualism:</em> Many catholics these days judge Mass by what they get out of it.<br /><br />----<em>Hedonism: </em>Many modern catholics reject any tradition that is not self satisfying or gratifying or if it requires discipline.<br /><br />----<em>Minimalism:</em> Isn't it enough to go to Mass on Sunday and say grace before meals? This is asking what is the least I can do and still get to heaven.<br /><br /><strong>Jesus wanted us to imitate Him.</strong><br /><strong></strong><br />What is discipline and how do we get it?<br /><br />Discipline is doing what we should to become what God created us to be.<br /><br />Matthew Kelly asks what are we teaching our children when they have so many activities that they rush from one to the other. Are they learning discipline or is there no time for that and are they only learning to enjoy each activity on a superficial basis. That is a good question that all of us should ask ourselves.<br /><br />I can remember how sports and study taught me discipline and it can be then applied to other areas of our lives.<br /><br />The call to <em>holiness</em> is our essential purpose and the saints help to show us the way. Many modern day catholics are uncomfortable with being reminded that we are to be holy. We need to become disciplined in satisfying the gentle call of Jesus to be holy as He is holy.<br /><br />What practices can each of us implement to begin the path toward Jesus and holiness?<br /><br />MichaelThe Teamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09105381926960889465noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6723998904884834754.post-29296790612952695152010-08-17T09:55:00.000-04:002010-08-17T09:57:46.548-04:00Chapter 6 WilliamThe "authentic life" is the title of Part 2 of the book and Kelly suggests that by living this "authentic life" that we will be doing God's will. It doesn't matter whether we are farmers, scientists, students etc. we should strive to be the best we can be.<br />Too often we are dragged down by our mundane routines and fall into what the author calls "lives of despair". We see polls taken where Americans are dissatified with their jobs or students who see no purpose in their education. We talk with people who see no relevance in attending church because of one reason or another.<br />Kelly says Christians need spiritual goals and that holiness should be the goal of a Christian. Holy persons aren't always nuns or priests but can be anyone whose life reflects God's. Each of us has talents that should be used for God's glory and to use the U.S. Army marketing slogan "Be all you can be".<br /><br />WilliamThe Teamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09105381926960889465noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6723998904884834754.post-21737360585051845032010-08-17T06:23:00.000-04:002010-08-17T10:02:56.491-04:00Chapter 6 St. Francis of Assisi<p class="MsoNormal">In this the sixth chapter of Kelly’s Rediscovering Catholicism there are several headings that organize the segment entitled “What is the Authentic Life?”</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br />Fostering the Inner Life</p><p class="MsoNormal">Modern Despair</p><p class="MsoNormal">Our essential purpose</p><p class="MsoNormal">What is Holiness?</p><p class="MsoNormal">The-best-version-of-yourself</p><p class="MsoNormal">Vatican II</p><p class="MsoNormal">The Depression</p><p class="MsoNormal"><?xml:namespace prefix = o /><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">There is so much to me explore interiorly with this particular chapter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I am struck by a handful of ideas that I would like to ask the greater audience about, if anyone would be so kind as to attempt an answer for me.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">1. If I try to live an “authentic” life,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>(see pg. 57) why is it so gosh darn hard for me to stop asking myself “What’s in this for me?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I can sometimes catch myself doing, this which is disturbing but even more distressful are the times when I with the retro-spectroscope realize that I have acted as though I was in the “what’s in it for me “ mindset when acting for the “good” of those around me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Bummer….</p><p class="MsoNormal">Why don’t I knee-jerk response just go for the “What’s God’s will for me?” attitude? </p><p class="MsoNormal">Kelly thinks it’s all about “control” issues.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I don’t know.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It drives me crazy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>My heart and mind understand that He has designed my life perfectly to integrate needs, desires, and talents He has instilled in me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>And yet…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">2. So what does it mean when Kelly says, “Every honest work can be transformed into prayer.” (Refer pg 59).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I like the idea that no action need ever be wasted but come on, folding clothes is a far cry from saying a rosary or is it?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Mr. Kelly says that when work is tied to a prayer, it can actually be made into a prayer; work, then, becomes a privilege and no longer a drudgery and can even become a joy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">3. When Kelly touched on the issue of depression and despair that seem to be so prevalent in our culture, he introduces the notion of separation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Can people become separated from themselves i.e. separated for the knowledge of their essential purpose?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Is it true that if a person becomes so distracted, so busy, so tired, that they can no longer recognize their purpose for being alive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Can whole generations of people really be so distracted from their essential purpose that they no longer even consider that they might have a reason for being here on this earth?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>This is a little hard to believe, but when I examine the last 24 hours in my life, maybe it’s not so hard to believe. </p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"></span>Is Satan that crafty that he has us so sidetracked that he wins without us even knowing he was on the playing field?.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">4. Are the majority of Catholics not cognizant of the goal of Christian life or have we cast this goal aside believing that Christian life is not “conducive to modern living”? (pg. 62)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">5. If Holiness is the goal of Christian life and our essential purpose, is it possible to become holy in today’s world in the year 2010?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Would life be boring and tedious if we became holy?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Can wealthy people be holy?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Is it for an elite group of priest-like people or nuns or the like.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>If I were holy, would people look at me and say, “Oh, he could have been and done so much more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>He had so much potential!” Kelly has interesting ideas to offer about the concept of holiness including that the most joyful people in the world throughout history have been holy people.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br />On page 68 Kelly makes this statement,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The “discipline striving for virtue is the authentic life.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Does that mean I have to make myself practice virtue like I made myself practice the piano when I was a kid?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>If so, where is the Joy in that?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I admit that sometimes after practicing a lot and I was finally pretty good a piece that I did enjoy playing the piano but , man, the practice stuff was brutal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal">6. Finally, check out the statement Kelly makes on pg. 71.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It s big one! It’s the one about activities pursued in the name of Christianity versus a “universal call to holiness”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Read that and tell me what you think<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>That’s it for tonight.. My spouse is demanding I come to bed<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I’ll write more later.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I hope this is coherent enough to not be confusing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in">Love, St. Francis of Assisi</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><!--EndFragment-->The Teamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09105381926960889465noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6723998904884834754.post-68061513080635650782010-08-13T05:27:00.000-04:002010-08-13T05:41:46.573-04:00Chapter 5 TheodoreThe author points out that some faith communities are in extreme difficulties while others are coming to life again by honestly recognizing the causes of their difficulties and taking very positive steps that inspires new life in their church. This requires an honest look at a specific faith community's actual situation. While this seems self-evident, it is easier said than done.<br /><br />The basic underpinning of this chapter is to realize that we become what we celebrate. it is critical to recognize that the human will seeks what it perceives to be "a good". For example, if we fill our minds with the bad things that are seen on some TV shows, it is not unreasonable to expect that we will begin to modify our understanding of what is good and what is bad. Bad becomes more acceptable or perhaps even very good if we only feed our minds with bad things. Where are our children in this situation?<br /><br />Our church is in real trouble and it is deteriorating in membership and in preaching the truth. I believe, as a general statement, that we have been moving away from the Church Christ established to something "more comfortable". That simply means we are in an age that is watering down the real truth that we should be celebrating. Truth has become relative and our wills frequently seek, not God, but worldly pleasures, wealth and power. <br /><br />As an aside, about twenty years ago I attended a very large prayer meeting and retreat with other folks at Steubenville University - a marvelous Catholic educational institution. One individual, moved by the Holy Spirit, offered a prayer in some unknown language . Another individual, moved by the Holy Spirit, interpreted the prayer and stated the Catholic Church would become very large but that the real, true, Catholic Church would become very small. That, I believe, is where we are today. Our real Catholic Church has become very small.<br /><br />To recover from the current malaise in our Church, we need to become holy as individuals and then our Church will again become holy and exciting as God intended. The author eloquently states: "holiness is simply the application of the values and principles of the Gospel to the circumstances of our everyday lives-one moment at a time". If we are looking for excitement in our lives, we need to try turning our needs over to God and watch Him "do His thing". Now that's excitement to celebrate. Mr. Kelly rightly states: "...it is time for us to reassess the place and priority our faith has in our lives". Our future depends on it.<br /><br />The author reminds us that our churches are emptying. We lack contact with our youth. Divorce is destroying our families and vocations are scarce. From my personal experience, what we are teaching our children is "pabulum". How can we expect our children to be strong Catholics, excited about God, if we don't give them the complete story so to speak? We have serious problems and one would have to be somewhat blind not to recognize that we have them.<br /><br />Mr. Kelly makes a very good point about making a strong effort to go out and bring the Church to the people. While I agree with that mission of Christ, it is my view that we must first pray for the Holy Spirit to help us "educate" the people we do have with the absolute truth and then send them out with that truth. This begins with our priests and religious educators who must fearlessly teach and live Christ's message without compromise. <br /><br />Mr. Kelly concludes that personal holiness is the solution to the Church's obvious problems and I certainly agree with him. We become what we celebrate - what we think - what we believe and how we live. There is nothing as attractive as a person who is truthful or authentic. We must be all we can be.<br /><br />Theodore<br /><br />AUGUST 12, 2010 6:01 PMThe Teamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09105381926960889465noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6723998904884834754.post-90476842813653936522010-08-12T15:09:00.000-04:002010-08-12T15:16:25.489-04:00Chapter 5 What are we celebrating?Celebrate? What do we really mean by that? What is the first thing that comes to your mind when you hear that word?<br /><br />The word has its roots in the terms solemnize and honor. And yet, what do we think of, usually? We tend to think of a special day or an event and a resulting party to go with it. I know that prior to my conversion to Catholicism my first thought was to think of the last of the definitions in the dictionary; 7. to have or participate in a party, drinking spree, or uninhibited good time.<br /><br />Now my first word association with Celebrate is Mass. This is one of those subtle changes that Martha was speaking of in her comment on Chapter 4. I am not sure when this change actually took place, but take place it did.<br /> <br />Again in this Chapter Kelly challenges us regarding the visibility of our Faith to those around us. On page 44 he speaks of a teenager’s room. This is an easy place to throw stones in this context for sure, but step out of that room and go out in the front yard of your home. Do you see anything out there, other than the obligatory statue of St. Francis, celebrating your Faith? (and St. Francis almost does not count since even non-Christians put one out there in the garden for some reason!) Can someone simply walk in to your yard and conclude that a Catholic, or even a Christian lives in your home? Try stepping in to the front hall and the living room and ask yourself the same question. Move through the rest of your home, even in to the, dare I say it, bedroom! <br /><br />Dictionary definition 2 of celebration: to make known publicly; proclaim. In part we do this by the art and the furnishings that surround us in our homes. This is a way of demonstrating and proclaiming what is most important to us. There will be family pictures for all to see for sure! How about a Crucifix? Or a statue of our Blessed Mother? Or an image of the Holy Father? Is there something highly visible that proclaims the good news of the Gospel without a word ever being spoken?<br /><br />As he moves on to the concept of personal Holiness and our application of the Gospel at every moment of our lives I am “convicted”, as our Protestant brothers are prone to say, of my daily inadequacy in this regard. I am reminded of a wonderful little book to recommend by Brother Lawrence entitled “Practicing the Presence of God”. It addresses how to do just that, live moment to moment aware of God’s constant presence. To paraphrase C.S. Lewis, with every decision we are choosing to move closer to or farther from God. Easier said than done, but something to strive for! A direction in which to move! On page 50 “Life should never be wasted”….then comes the clincher for we often think of this to mean “an entire life, start to finish” but no; he adds “Not one moment because life is precious”. How many moments of our precious lives do we waste?<br /> <br />So let us celebrate our Faith openly, working however imperfectly but to the best of our ability to be visibly Catholic, showing an example so that others might see it and wonder why we are the way we are and conclude that it would be good to join in. At that point the truth of the matter will come out and folks will realize that it is The Church, through the Mass and the other sacraments, who is feeding us and guiding us on the incredibly wonderful and exciting journey to Holiness. In this way we can show them the relevance of Jesus (see page 46) in our time and place. <br /><br />LukeThe Teamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09105381926960889465noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6723998904884834754.post-31573155622552572522010-08-09T20:53:00.000-04:002010-08-09T22:52:37.217-04:00Chapter 4What does it mean to be a Catholic? <br /><br />As a relatively brand new Catholic discovering Catholicism for the first time, I admit that I have a difficult time articulating what exactly that means when posed the question, "Why did you become a Catholic?" <br /><br />Mr. Kelly has a valid point, that Catholics all around the world are suffering from an "identity crisis", that we really don't know who we are, what we stand for, or what makes us special. Why should Catholicism stand out more than any other religion or denomination? Because Catholicism is NOT another religion or another denomination, Catholicism IS Christianity, our very life source, the heartbeat of our soul, and our purpose for living. So why are we not bursting at the seams to share such an amazing gift with the whole world? <br /><br />I think at least part of this identity crisis hails back to Chapter 2 with "Minimalism". What is the LEAST I can do and get by? We've bought into the culture of our day that we just "don't have the time" to volunteer in the nursery, to teach a Sunday School class, to sing in the choir, to organize community service projects so that we can reach beyond the walls of our parishes and take the light of Christ that we receive in the Eucharist every Sunday into a world that is desperately unhappy and in desperate need of the hope only our Savior can give. The statistics are even more damning, that only 10% of the people in a church do 90% of the work, and that number is probably very generous! We refuse to give of ourselves even to each other, and then we wonder why the world does not want to be a part of who we are. And last but not least, the one no one likes to talk about... What is the LEAST amount I can give to the church and still stay in God's good graces? If we truly loved one another as Christ loves us, would we not be falling all over ourselves to serve each other and to give of our time, our resources, and our talents? If Christ put His ALL on the Cross, why are we so reluctant to put our ALL into His Bride, the Church? Every Catholic must ask the question, "What I have done today to show the love of Christ to the world around me?" Not "what I did back when...", not "what I'm going to do...", but "what have I done TODAY?" <br /><br />One problem we face is that Catholics have been vilified in modern culture with false stereotypes and outright lies about what we believe, and for some reason, we hang our heads and shift our gaze rather than stand up and speak out because we are not comfortable with who we are, and many times we don't even know what we believe. Our identity does not lie in our jobs, our hobbies, or things here on earth. Our identity lies in our relationship with Christ. We are His Bride, we are His Body, and to know who we are means becoming more like Him, the-best-version-of-ourselves. Of course, the best way to know how to be like Him is to study His life, to know His Word, and to PRAY without ceasing (I Thessalonians 5:17). <br /><br />The first Christians were ready to give their very lives for what they believed, and what we still believe today, that Jesus Christ died to save us all from sin and eternal damnation. They exemplified love for each other in their lives and their communities, they supported each other in sickness, in persecution, in good times and bad. Being a Christian was not a PART of who they were, it was EVERYTHING of who they were. In modern times, we tend to compartmentalize our lives. We have our work life, our family life, our sports life, our TV life, our internet life, our driving life (Get out of my way slow poke, I'm gonna be late for church!!), and somewhere in there, we squeeze in our spiritual life. We even view the church as a "place to go to do that thing". Christ never meant for us to use our salvation as a coat that we put on and take off at our convenience, being "Sunday Christians" and "Monday Heathens". <br /><br />To establish a "vibrant identity" in the Church we cannot continue in a culture of minimalism, we must give our all, just as Christ did. We cannot stay the same, we must be, as Paul says in Romans, "transformed by the renewing of [our] minds". We must know who we are and what our purpose in life is. Like Mr. Kelly pointed out, our salvation is an adventure, it is the story of our lives. We were given a quest to preach the Gospel to every nation, and we were given a command, to love each other. How hard is that? <br /><br />According to Galatians 5:22-24, the fruit of the spirit is LOVE, and out of love comes joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance. Joy is love's strength, peace is love's security, long-suffering is love's patience, gentleness is love's conduct, goodness is love's character, faith is love's confidence, meekness is love's humility, and temperance is love's victory. However, backtracking just a few verses (19-21), we find the fruits of the flesh which are immorality, impurity, licentiousness, idolatry, rivalry, jealously, outbursts of fury, acts of selfishness, dissension, occasions of envy, drunkenness and the like. <br /><br />Want to know who you really are? What is your fruit? And that, my friends, is a very loaded question. <br /><br />Your brother and sister, <br />Joseph & FrancesThe Teamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09105381926960889465noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6723998904884834754.post-7356216060487905942010-08-05T17:07:00.001-04:002010-08-05T17:07:37.141-04:00Chapter ThreeIs Jesus still relevant? (better title; Shadow Chasing)<br /><br />In this chapter Matthew Kelly of course answer in the affirmative. He goes on to show our basic need for happiness is found in Christ. He also shows the impact that Christ had and the rippling effect that has continued for the last two thousand years. He shows that true happiness is found only in Jesus and by following his example. <br /><br />We all do search for true happiness and find it still wanting. . God said “there is no peace given unto the wicked”. Yet when we see the world searching we sometime might be incline to think they found it. Just look at all the happy people that are so successful in the world eyes. We later find out that they are having affairs, become addicts or end there own life. Jesus said “Peace I give you, not as the world gives, give I unto you” <br /><br />I think a lot of what was stated in chapter three was basic Christianity 101. Happiness is found in obeying and serving. To have the attitude of Christ is to remember “That even the Son of Man came not to be ministered to but to minister and give his life a ransom for many.” This is the great paradox of which the author spoke of. In dying we live. We are called as St. Paul said “to die daily”. Mr. Kelly quotes Matt 16:24. I also like St. Luke quote from Jesus, that we must take up our cross daily and if we don’t we can not be his disciple.<br /><br />So what kind of happiness can be that fulfilling? Do we actually have that type of happiness? Do we really find our completion in Christ?. Do we as St. Peter said “greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory” or are we like the Corinthians to which St. .Paul said “But I am afraid that, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, your minds will be led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ. This is the simplicity that Matthew Kelly speaks of on page 32.<br /><br />On a side note: It is kind of strange how this philosophies of Individualism has crept into Christianity (of course the type of Christianty you preach is the type of convert you get). Mr. Kelly shows towards the end of the chapter its all about the individual “Adding all of these together is still nothing compare to the impact Christ can have on your life, on my life. All the worldly success of Christ and the Church are insignificant compare to the change Christ can effect in your heart…” The greatest miracle changing water into wine (and changing dirty hearts like mine). <br /><br />So it’s not really all about us but we have to have that personal relationship with Christ to be able to have that joy and to share in his sufferings.The Teamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09105381926960889465noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6723998904884834754.post-45185427737651704202010-08-05T06:21:00.000-04:002010-08-16T20:49:23.669-04:00Dundermuffin's Inspiration<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiwGSKjR9x_hH1OnMJfPolVbPyM3UG2Jzdrof1_CPEeey6B_Aa9gb9gTRry91nGdS7fyM65LX77oPu7nlhjV76cvPpZz6SJRy95na_l2pos0y99BYCgfpAMh5TSbUmFYUHaGxc0Y3uoL4/s1600/Red+rose+in+grey5398.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 287px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiwGSKjR9x_hH1OnMJfPolVbPyM3UG2Jzdrof1_CPEeey6B_Aa9gb9gTRry91nGdS7fyM65LX77oPu7nlhjV76cvPpZz6SJRy95na_l2pos0y99BYCgfpAMh5TSbUmFYUHaGxc0Y3uoL4/s400/Red+rose+in+grey5398.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5501869246926339698" /></a><br /><br />Please see Chapter 1 comments by dundermuffin.<br /><br />LukeThe Teamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09105381926960889465noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6723998904884834754.post-4958304016094296652010-08-01T12:28:00.000-04:002010-08-01T14:11:48.122-04:00Chapter 2The second sentence of Ch.2 is as accurate a description of our ailing culture as I've found anywhere: "Our own age is one of great philosophical poverty, and as a result, we live in an age of tremendous moral and ethical confusion." We are indeed "dazed and confused," (I never saw the movie), and Kelly outlines the three "practical" philosophies on which he believes we have constructed our modern culture: Individualism, Hedonism, and Minimalism.<br /> There are certainly many other candidates, some of which overlap with these and some we may touch on later in the book. These might include moral relativism, radical secularism, materialism, utilitarianism, and the belief that science is the only real source of truth and knowledge, and faith is somehow in opposition to science and reason.<br /> The problems of Individualism are well outlined. I like his concept of a "false freedom," and that this is an adolescent notion. One thinks especially of the impact of Individualism on marriage and divorce, abortion, and even declining birth and marriage rates in the Western world. I do have one quibble, with his statement that "everything has been done to weaken the rights of the Church, the State and authority of any type." It seems to me that the rights and power of the State have only grown over many decades, with very harmful effects on individual (and religious) rights.<br /> Hedonism no doubt produces a "lazy, lustful, and gluttonous" society. One of the most damaging examples is the growing addiction to Internet pornography. On a less extreme, less hedonistic level, though, are the "thousand different whims, cravings, addictions, and attachments" (Ch.3, p.28 - forgive me, Lindsay) with which we are amusing ourselves to death. The daily bombardment of these "lesser" evils and distractions in our culture is unprecedented in history, and produces a steady drift of our attention and desires away from God.<br /> Kelly's choice of "Minimalism" surprised me a bit. Not that I think it's an inaccurate indictment. I just might have chosen one of the others above. (Having heard him speak on CD and seen his schedule, it may also reflect his impressive energy - and relative youth!). This philosophy of minimalism is all too common in the practice of our Catholic faith.<br /> We liked the frog in the pot of water analogy. I think we can all see the slow but steady erosion of our culture and its standards of morality and behavior in the few decades of our own adult lives.<br /> A final thought (offered while being acutely aware of the large log in my own eye): I think there are very many people in our culture who are not Christian but aren't especially caught up in these three damaging philosphies, yet are ultimately as lost and rudderless as those that are. In general, they lack a basic belief in God, that we are His children and made in His image, and that Truth and meaning in this world come through Him. Specifically, they lack knowledge of or faith in the saving grace of Jesus Christ.<br /> <br /> - John PaulThe Teamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09105381926960889465noreply@blogger.com11