The Church and Christ are Inseperable

The Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, has said what I have been trying to say for years.

Speaking to about 30,000 people in St. Peter's Square, the Holy Father said that there is "a deep, inseparable, and mysterious connection" between Jesus and the Church founded on his apostles. Warning against "individualistic" approaches to faith, and the temptation to separate individual piety from "organized religion," the Pope said: "There is no conflict between Christ and his Church."

In commissioning the apostles, the Pope explained, Jesus left a clear sign that he wanted a constant presence in the world, to bear witness to Him and spread the Gospel. The Pontiff said that "the entire mission of the incarnate Son has a community goal."

Despite the inevitable weaknesses of human agents, the Pope continued, the Church reflects the face of Jesus Christ. Today's Church, led by bishops to whom the faith was passed down from the original apostles, remains intimated linked with the Savior, and in the teachings of the Church "we can read the truth of Christ."

The Holy Father prompted warm applause from the large crowd when he drove home the point: "The slogan that was fashionable a few years ago-- 'Jesus Yes, Church No'-- is completely irreconcilable with the intentions of Christ." Pope Benedict has continued the pattern set by Pope John Paul II, offering weekly meditations on a set topic. For the first several months of his pontificate he continued the series begun by his predecessor, with weekly meditations on the psalms and canticles of the Divine Office. At his February 15 audience he wrapped up that cycle of talks, which Pope John Paul had begun in April 2001, having covered all of the psalms and canticles. (Source: CWNews)

I agree wholeheartedly with the Holy Father's words. It is quite clear that Our Lord created ONE Church on St. Peter in Matthew 16:18. And only the Catholic Church, with St. Peter as the first pope, can trace itself back to the time of Christ; no other denomination can do this because for nearly 1500 the Catholic Church was the only denomination of Christianity.

In today's world we live in a society where the Church is ignored and secularism embraced. Yet, as the Holy Father said previously on April 18, 2005, "Being an 'adult' means having a faith which does not follow the waves of today's fashions or the latest novelties. A faith which is deeply rooted in friendship with Christ is adult and mature. It is this friendship that opens us up to all that is good and gives us the knowledge to judge true from false, and deceit from truth."

These words from the homily that began the conclave that would elect him and his words today both illustrate the same theme - Jesus Christ and the Church are one. For the Church has never shifted position to the times, rather, like Christ, it will remain true until the very end.

In the words of St. Joan of Arc, said before she was condemned to death for Christ, "About Jesus Christ and the Church, I simply know they're just one thing, and we shouldn't complicate the matter."

Read more >>

Today's Stational Church

Today's Lenten Station is at the Church of St. Cecilia in Trastevere of Rome:

In the heart of Transtiber Rome, entered by way of a Baroque gateway portal and a cheerful courtyard, towers the splendid church of St. Cecilia, in which is buried St. Cecilia, the virgin-martyr. In the fifth century, this church was one of the most celebrated churches in Rome. On Ash Wednesday, the church was St. Sabina, the martyr-matron. On Wednesday of the first week of Lent, we visited St. Mary Major. On this third Wednesday, it is again a woman—the virgin-martyr and "glory of the early Church," St. Cecilia, who leads us to "the Son of Man, who came not to be served but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many."One reason why Christians often are lacking in joy and holy enthusiasm is their lack of purity. We know how the flesh lusts against the spirit and the spirit against the flesh. The two cannot live in the same house. One of the two must go. St. Cecilia knew no compromise. Her baptismal garment was never stained by impurity.

Let us pray: O God, the restorer and lover of innocence, turn towards Thee the hearts of Thy servants; that being inflamed with the fervor of Thy Spirit, they may be found both steadfast in faith and fruitful in good works. Through Christ, Our Lord.Amen.

(Source: St. John Cantius)

Also, read up on the history of this devotion. There are indulgences concerning this devotion (if you actually go to the church) too.

Read more >>

My Lenten Reading

While searching through St. Blog's Parish Hall, I came across Monk?, which posted an interesting piece of information concerning the Benedictine Order. Specifically, Chapter 48 of the Rule of St. Benedict that requires the monk to receive a book from the library to read through during the days of Lent. The blogger posted a link to recommended books.

I, myself, am reading two books. The first, is "The Spiritual Vision of Pope Benedict XVI: Let God's Light Shine Forth", which is a book that includes various speeches and letters by Pope Benedict XVI. The book is entirely the Holy Father's thoughts, and I have enjoyed it immensely. I plan on posting excerpts and my general review of the book next week.

The second book is "The Dolorous Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ" by Blessed Anne Catherine Emmerich. The book, however, is proving very difficult to read. I have passed the sections on author's life and the meditations. Tomorrow I will start reading Chapter 1 of Our Lord's Passion. Please join me in reading it online so that I may discuss it with someone else.

Read more >>

Wisdom for March 14, 2006

Archbishop Fulton Sheen:

The good of sacrifice makes the effort worthwhile “The violin strings, if they were conscious, would complain when the musician tightened them, but this is because they do not see that the sacrificial strain was necessary before they could produce a perfect melody. Evils actually become lighter by patient endurance and benefits are poisoned by discontent.”

Blessed Mother Teresa:

"Find Jesus, and you will find peace."

Image Source: Believed to be in the Public Domain

Read more >>

Today's Stational Church

During Lent, many people celebrate a tradition called praying the Stational Churches. Many pilgrims will journey each day to a different Church in Rome during Lent. We can, however, join them spiritually in prayer each day.

I will continue to post these daily if anyone is interested.

Here is today's Stational Church:

The Station today is at the sanctuary of St. Balbina—a Roman virgin, who lived in the second century and whose remains, along with those of her father, the martyr St. Quirinus, lies under the altar. This church stands on a slope of the Aventine Hill.S t. Balbina followed Christ. To Him she gave her home that it might henceforth be His home where He would "have mercy on His people according to His great mercy and blot out their iniquity" and where they would seek His face, and finding it, "relate all His wonders, and be glad and rejoice and sing praise to the name of the Most High."I seek Your face! Your face, O Lord, will I still seek. Turn not away Your face from me.

Let us pray: Of Thy goodness, we beseech Thee, O Lord. Continue to help us in the observance of this holy fast, that having learned our duties from Thee, we may accomplish them by the help of Thy grace. Through Christ, Our Lord. Amen.

For the Liturgy of the Hours today and the prayer of the Church please see this website.

Read more >>

St. Maximilian

Today we remember St. Maximilian (not Maximilian Koble). St. Maximilian was a Roman who lived from 274 to 295 AD. An account of his final words has still preserved to today. Maximilian, at 21 years old, gave his life up for the Glory of Christ.

Brought before the proconsul Dion, Maximilian refused enlistment in the Roman army saying, "I cannot serve, I cannot do evil. I am a Christian."

Dion replied: "You must serve or die."

Maximilian: "I will never serve. You can cut off my head, but I will not be a soldier of this world, for I am a soldier of Christ. My army is the army of God, and I cannot fight for this world. I tell you I am a Christian."

Dion: "There are Christian soldiers serving our rulers Diocletian and Maximian, Constantius and Galerius."

Maximilian: "That is their business. I also am a Christian, and I cannot serve."

Dion: "But what harm do soldiers do?"

Maximilian: "You know well enough."

Dion: "If you will not do your service I shall condemn you to death for contempt of the army."

Maximilian: "I shall not die. If I go from this earth my soul will live with Christ my Lord."

Read more >>

A new book: The Collar, A Year of Striving and Faith Inside a Catholic Seminary

I was very pleased to see that one of my readers emailed me the other day concerning a book they wrote. This is the email:

Thanks for your blog!

My name is Jonathan Englert and I want to let you know about my new book being published by Houghton Mifflin April 7. I followed five seminarians through one year of seminary in an effort to tell the story of priesthood and the calling to religious life in a way that it hasn't been told before. The result is The Collar, A Year of Striving and Faith Inside a Catholic Seminary. Whenever you get a chance, please check out the book's website for more information: http://www.thecollarbook.com/

Please let me know what you think of the site. I would appreciate anything you might suggest or be able to do to get the word out about the book.

Thanks.
Jonathan

Read more >>

Our Journey in the Shadows

Pope Benedict XVI stated that our journey of faith "progresses more in the shadows than in full light." But, as yesterday's Gospel illustrates, we too shall one day see the glory of Christ's light. And on that day, Christ's light shall be the only light in the world that matters.

Catholic World News has a good article for our Lenten journey:

Commenting on the day's Gospel reading, which recounted the story of the Transfiguration, the Pope observed that no one can "live on Mt. Tabor," seeing Jesus in his full glory, in the course of ordinary life. The daily pilgrimage of faith is a more mundane affair, he said; it requires courage and perseverance during times of "obscurity or even of complete blackness.

There are rare occasions, the Pope said, when God provides a special insight to believers "especially prior to severe trials." These experiences, similar to those experienced by the apostles on Mt. Tabor, are "a foretaste of what will be the joy of heaven," he said.

However, the more typical experience of faith is guided by an "inner light" rather than such extraordinary experiences, the Pontiff continued. He recommended that the faithful follow the example of the Virgin Mary by meditating on the Scriptures and by trying to find God's messages "in the events of our own lives, seeking to read therein the messages of Providence."

During the season of Lent, the Pope encouraged the faithful to "the greatest attention" to the "the mysterious voice of the Lord." He told his audience that the annual Lenten Retreat at the Vatican, concluded the previous day, had given him and other leading Vatican officials a week "completely dedicated to listening to the Lord, who always speaks to us."

Read more >>

Quotations on the Eucharist

"The soul that receives the Divine Blood becomes beautiful, as being clothed in a more precious garment, and it appears so beautifully aglow that if you could see it you would be tempted to adore it" (St. Mary Magdalene di Pazzi).

Go to adoration as one who would go to heaven, to the divine banquet. Our Lord will give us an audience of grace and love. He is waiting for us. He is longing for us." (St. Peter Julian Eymard)

The Lord has confirmed His presence in the Eucharist by a manifold miracles.

Read more >>

Prayers for Sharon

After journeying over to Sharon's blog, I saw the pain of loss firsthand. Sharon has just suffered a miscarriage. This is certainly a painful time for her and her family, and I offer her my prayers and support. Please include Sharon in your prayers and let her know that you are praying for her. Just hearing of another's prayers can make a person feel better.

Prayer:

O Lord, it is you who have called us all by name and redemned us by your Precious Blood. May all who suffer and mourn from miscarriages be comforted by you, who laid down your life for us all. Jesus, my love, I trust in you! Have mercy on us all and bring to eternal glory all of your children. Amen.

Mother Mary, comforter of the afflicted, pray for us! Amen.

Read more >>