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Tuesday, April 11, 2006
O Lord, for the redemption of the world, you willed to be born among human beings, subjected to the rite of circumcision, rejected by the people, betrayed by Judas with a kiss, bound with cords, led like an innocent lamb to slaughter, shamelessly exposed to the gaze of Annas as well as Caiaphas, Pilate, and Herod, accused by false witnesses, tormented by scourges and insults, spat upon and crowned with thorns, struck with blows of hand and reed, blindfolded and stripped of your garments, affixed to the wood and lifted high on the Cross, numbered among thieves, given gall and vinegar to drink, and pierced by a lance.
Lord, by these most holy sufferings which we, your unworthy servants, devoutly call to mind, and by your holy Cross and death, deliver us from the pains of hell, and be pleased to take us where you took the penitent thief who was crucified with you. You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever. Amen.
Updates below.
With the Gospel of Judas being published in English, I wanted to post on it at my own blog.
The Gospel of Judas dates back to c. 130 - 170 AD and is anything but worthy of our respect. It was discovered around the 1950s written in Coptic, and it just recently translated in English and a handful of other languages. As Jimmy Akin wrote, this Gospel is Gnostic. St. Irenaeus attacked the heresy of Gnosticism in his work Against Heresies. Gnosticism basically taught that salvation is achieved through special knowledge. Simply, if you were not part of the special club, then you could not be saved. It also denied the Incarnation of the Son of God thus claiming that Jesus Christ is not God. In doing so, they also stated that His death on the Cross served no purpose for our salvation. This is entirely wrong, and as such, I will not even be reading this "gospel"!
The Gospel of Judas also portrays Judas Iscariot, the one who betrayed Our Lord, in a new light. It claims that he was actually Jesus's closest disciple who betrayed Him to help Jesus!
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With the Gospel of Judas being published in English, I wanted to post on it at my own blog.
The Gospel of Judas dates back to c. 130 - 170 AD and is anything but worthy of our respect. It was discovered around the 1950s written in Coptic, and it just recently translated in English and a handful of other languages. As Jimmy Akin wrote, this Gospel is Gnostic. St. Irenaeus attacked the heresy of Gnosticism in his work Against Heresies. Gnosticism basically taught that salvation is achieved through special knowledge. Simply, if you were not part of the special club, then you could not be saved. It also denied the Incarnation of the Son of God thus claiming that Jesus Christ is not God. In doing so, they also stated that His death on the Cross served no purpose for our salvation. This is entirely wrong, and as such, I will not even be reading this "gospel"!
The Gospel of Judas also portrays Judas Iscariot, the one who betrayed Our Lord, in a new light. It claims that he was actually Jesus's closest disciple who betrayed Him to help Jesus!
"The Son of man indeed goeth, as it is written of him: but woe to that man by whom the Son of man shall be betrayed: it were better for him, if that man had not been born" (Matthew 26:24)At Mass today, I realized that the Gospel reading also directly contradicts the ridiculous claim that Judas betrayed Our Lord all for the benefit of Jesus:
It is clear that Judas did this for his own benefit. He sold our Lord for thirty pieces of silver. While it is true that if Judas did not betray Jesus then the following events would have been different, it is also true that our salvation would have still came about. Jesus would have only had to shed one drop of blood for our salvation, but instead He gave up every drop of His blood to show us His love for us. The Gospel of Judas is making Judas out to be a hero for our salvation - Judas betrayed Our Lord; he is no hero!When Jesus had said these things, he was troubled in spirit; and he testified, and said: Amen, amen I say to you, one of you shall betray me. The disciples therefore looked one upon another, doubting of whom he spoke. Now there was leaning on Jesus' bosom one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved. Simon Peter therefore beckoned to him, and said to him: Who is it of whom he speaketh? He therefore, leaning on the breast of Jesus, saith to him: Lord, who is it?
Jesus answered: He it is to whom I shall reach bread dipped. And when he had dipped the bread, he gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon. And after the morsel, Satan entered into him. And Jesus said to him: That which thou dost, do quickly. Now no man at the table knew to what purpose he said this unto him. For some thought, because Judas had the purse, that Jesus had said to him: Buy those things which we have need of for the festival day: or that he should give something to the poor. He therefore having received the morsel, went out immediately. And it was night. John 13:21-30
Some ask "What's the difference between Judas and Peter? Didn't they both betray the Lord." Judas betrayed Our Lord and caused Him to suffer. St. Peter denied Him, but what is important is that St. Peter wept and repented for His sins. Judas did not repent and ask for forgiveness.
My recommendation: Take out your Bible and read the real Gospels. Leave the "Gospel" of Judas in the trash where it belongs.
Read more on Gnosticism from the Christian Apologetics and Research Ministry.
Happy Catholic also has a good amount of information on this "gospel". Also, see the Catholic Community Forum for some quotations by the Fathers of the Church. Faith of the Fathers also has a wonderfully written and thought-provoking article.
Today's Stational Church is at the Church of St. Prisca. Please join me in prayer.
The last Lenten Station is that of Saint Prisca on the Aventine Hill. It is only a short way from the church of Saint Sabina, from which the procession left forty days ago to visit the tombs of the Martyrs. It is significant that the point of departure and the final arrival of the Lenten stations are on the Aventine Hill, for it was considered particularly sacred by the early Christians. It was in fact here that St. Peter and St. Paul lived for some time in the house of Saints Aquila and Priscilla, which was located on the spot where the church now stands.
St. Prisca, the faithful co-worker of St. Paul in the apostolate of "Christ Crucified," leads us into the Sacred Triduum. We recommend to her our prayers and intentions. May this woman of faith, who was privileged to hear from the Doctor of the Gentiles of the power and triumph of the Cross, watch over us and assist us" that we may celebrate the mysteries of Our Lord's Passion in such a manner as to deserve to obtain God's pardon."
Let us pray: (Pause in silent prayer, reflecting on your Lenten observances.). Through Christ, Our Lord. Amen.
Source: St. John Cantius ParishMonday, April 10, 2006
Tom Reagan from TomReagan.com has a wonderful Lenten meditation up. It looks at the role of the Centurion that stood beneath the Cross and said, "Truly, this was the Son of God" (Mark 15:39).
I highly recommend this for today's meditation in Holy Week! It is available at this link (.pdf)
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I highly recommend this for today's meditation in Holy Week! It is available at this link (.pdf)
Today's Station is at the Church of St. Praxedes
The spirit of this second day of the holiest of all weeks may be summed up in four words: Jesus, a supper, a penitent and an impenitent.
Jesus—Holy Savior, You are the center of our thoughts and love. Accept our thanks for all that You have done for our salvation.
The Last Supper—A supper for Jesus! In a few days, Jesus will make a supper for us, a "sacred banquet in which Christ is eaten," "symbol of that One Body of which He is the Head and to which He willed that we should be united as members by the closest bonds of faith, hope and charity, so that we should all speak the same thing and that there should be no divisions among us," as the Council of Trent so beautifully said.
A Penitent—Mary, "took a pound of ointment of costly nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped His feet with her hair."An impenitent-traitor—An apostle of Christ is changed into a traitor because he loved not Christ, but thirty pieces of silver. "It were better, if this man had not been born."
We entrust ourselves today to St. Praxedes, the virgin who loved Jesus with her beautiful soul, who so often in her home prepared the table for the celebration of the Eucharistic Supper, and who anointed the "feet of Christ," that is, the "lowest members" of the Mystical Body, the poor, by gladly giving to them all she possessed.
Let us pray: Help us, holy virgin, to spend this second day of Holy Week in thy spirit. Through Christ, Our Lord. Amen.
Source: St. John Cantius Parish
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The spirit of this second day of the holiest of all weeks may be summed up in four words: Jesus, a supper, a penitent and an impenitent.
Jesus—Holy Savior, You are the center of our thoughts and love. Accept our thanks for all that You have done for our salvation.
The Last Supper—A supper for Jesus! In a few days, Jesus will make a supper for us, a "sacred banquet in which Christ is eaten," "symbol of that One Body of which He is the Head and to which He willed that we should be united as members by the closest bonds of faith, hope and charity, so that we should all speak the same thing and that there should be no divisions among us," as the Council of Trent so beautifully said.
A Penitent—Mary, "took a pound of ointment of costly nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped His feet with her hair."An impenitent-traitor—An apostle of Christ is changed into a traitor because he loved not Christ, but thirty pieces of silver. "It were better, if this man had not been born."
We entrust ourselves today to St. Praxedes, the virgin who loved Jesus with her beautiful soul, who so often in her home prepared the table for the celebration of the Eucharistic Supper, and who anointed the "feet of Christ," that is, the "lowest members" of the Mystical Body, the poor, by gladly giving to them all she possessed.
Let us pray: Help us, holy virgin, to spend this second day of Holy Week in thy spirit. Through Christ, Our Lord. Amen.
Source: St. John Cantius Parish
Reading 1
Here is my servant whom I uphold,my chosen one with whom I am pleased,Upon whom I have put my Spirit;he shall bring forth justice to the nations,Not crying out, not shouting,not making his voice heard in the street.A bruised reed he shall not break,and a smoldering wick he shall not quench,Until he establishes justice on the earth;the coastlands will wait for his teaching.Thus says God, the LORD,who created the heavens and stretched them out,who spreads out the earth with its crops,Who gives breath to its peopleand spirit to those who walk on it:I, the LORD, have called you for the victory of justice,I have grasped you by the hand;I formed you, and set youas a covenant of the people,a light for the nations,To open the eyes of the blind,to bring out prisoners from confinement,and from the dungeon, those who live in darkness. Is 42:1-7
Gospel
Six days before Passover Jesus came to Bethany,where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead.They gave a dinner for him there, and Martha served,while Lazarus was one of those reclining at table with him. Mary took a liter of costly perfumed oilmade from genuine aromatic nardand anointed the feet of Jesus and dried them with her hair;the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil. Then Judas the Iscariot, one of his disciples,and the one who would betray him, said,“Why was this oil not sold for three hundred days’ wagesand given to the poor?”He said this not because he cared about the poorbut because he was a thief and held the money bagand used to steal the contributions.So Jesus said, “Leave her alone.Let her keep this for the day of my burial.You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me.”The large crowd of the Jews found out that he was there and came,not only because of him, but also to see Lazarus,whom he had raised from the dead.And the chief priests plotted to kill Lazarus too,because many of the Jews were turning awayand believing in Jesus because of him. Jn 12:1-11
Prayer for Monday in Holy Week:
Grant, we beseech Thee, almighty God, that we who fail through weakness in so many difficulties, may be relieved through the Passion of Thine only-begotten Son: Who with Thee liveth and reigneth.
Prayer Source: 1962 Roman Missal
Today meditate on the first Sorrowful mystery - Jesus' agony in the Garden. We remember his pain and anxiety as he awaited Judas to betray Him and bring about all of His suffering and His death.
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Here is my servant whom I uphold,my chosen one with whom I am pleased,Upon whom I have put my Spirit;he shall bring forth justice to the nations,Not crying out, not shouting,not making his voice heard in the street.A bruised reed he shall not break,and a smoldering wick he shall not quench,Until he establishes justice on the earth;the coastlands will wait for his teaching.Thus says God, the LORD,who created the heavens and stretched them out,who spreads out the earth with its crops,Who gives breath to its peopleand spirit to those who walk on it:I, the LORD, have called you for the victory of justice,I have grasped you by the hand;I formed you, and set youas a covenant of the people,a light for the nations,To open the eyes of the blind,to bring out prisoners from confinement,and from the dungeon, those who live in darkness. Is 42:1-7
Gospel
Six days before Passover Jesus came to Bethany,where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead.They gave a dinner for him there, and Martha served,while Lazarus was one of those reclining at table with him. Mary took a liter of costly perfumed oilmade from genuine aromatic nardand anointed the feet of Jesus and dried them with her hair;the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil. Then Judas the Iscariot, one of his disciples,and the one who would betray him, said,“Why was this oil not sold for three hundred days’ wagesand given to the poor?”He said this not because he cared about the poorbut because he was a thief and held the money bagand used to steal the contributions.So Jesus said, “Leave her alone.Let her keep this for the day of my burial.You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me.”The large crowd of the Jews found out that he was there and came,not only because of him, but also to see Lazarus,whom he had raised from the dead.And the chief priests plotted to kill Lazarus too,because many of the Jews were turning awayand believing in Jesus because of him. Jn 12:1-11
Prayer for Monday in Holy Week:
Grant, we beseech Thee, almighty God, that we who fail through weakness in so many difficulties, may be relieved through the Passion of Thine only-begotten Son: Who with Thee liveth and reigneth.
Prayer Source: 1962 Roman Missal
Today meditate on the first Sorrowful mystery - Jesus' agony in the Garden. We remember his pain and anxiety as he awaited Judas to betray Him and bring about all of His suffering and His death.
The Great Lenten Prayer of St EphraimO Lord and Master of my life, cast from me the spirit of sloth, despondency, lust for power and idle talk. (Prostration)
But grant unto me, Thy servant, a spirit of chastity, humility, patience and love. (Prostration)
Yea, O Lord and King, grant me to see my own faults and not to judge my brothers and sisters. For Thou art blessed unto ages of ages. Amen.(Prostration)
O God, cleanse Thou me a sinner (12 times, with as many bows, and then again the whole prayer from the beginning throughout, and after that one great prostration)
Image Source: Believed to be in the Public Domain
Sunday, April 9, 2006
"In Holy Week, we participate in the most sublime drama of religious history" (Fr. Pius Parsch)
Today is Palm Sunday, the beginning of Holy Week. This is the week that changed the course of history when Our Lord, Jesus Christ, suffered, died, and rose again for us. This Thursday is Holy Thursday, the commemoration of the Lord's Supper—when He gave us the gift of Himself in the Holy Eucharist.
The Triduum ceased being holy days of obligation a few hundred years ago in the 17th/18th century due to the Reformation and secularism which required people to work these days. But the fact that they are not presently Holy Days of Obligation does not mean we should let these most sacred days pass by. In fact, in previous eras, all commerce and governments would close to allow the faithful all of Holy Week and all of Easter Week off. We need to recover these traditions.
Here are my Top 10 Suggestions for A Catholic Holy Week:
- Attend Mass each day, especially on Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday. Read the Mass propers each day this week, even the traditional readings for Holy Monday, Holy Tuesday, and Holy Wednesday.
- Offer a daily Rosary for the souls that have died this Lent and for the conversion of sinners.
- Pray such prayers as the Litany of the Most Precious Blood every day. The Racolta has excellent prayers in honor of the Precious Blood, which is worth saying. There is also the Litany of the Passion.
- Take part in visiting Seven Churches Visitation, a traditional devotion where you visit seven churches on the evening of Holy Thursday to pray before the altars of repose at each church.
- Go to Confession to ensure that you are in the state of grace for these holy days.
- Read the entire Dolorous Passion according to the visions of Blessed Anne Catherine Emerich
- It is a requirement to fast on Good Friday, but if your health allows, fast also during the day on Holy Saturday and at night on Holy Thursday. Lent was traditionally 40 days of fasting and 46 days of abstinence. Good Friday also was, in former times, a day of the strictest fasting, and the faithful were encouraged to eat nothing at all on Good Friday, if possible. See: Fasting Rules
- Pray for the catechumens who will be received into the Church this week and receive the Sacraments. And pray for any public sinners who are reconciled.
- Pray the Divine Office more regularly this week. If you do not have a Breviary in your library. Pray it online at Divinum Officium.
- Pray the Stations of the Cross on Good Friday and observe strict silence from 12 PM to 3 PM.
Do not let these days of grace go by without participating deeply in the Church's sacred rites. The drama of the Passion is about to unfold.
I just watched a 9 minute news segment by ABC News about an upcoming book "The Jesus Dynasty" by James D. Tabor. This is the first time that I have heard about this new book. Dr. Tabor's book centers around two lies - there was no virgin birth and Jesus Christ did not rise again from the dead. He also claims that Jesus had a half-brother James who became the king of Jesus's new dynasty after the crucifixion.This is preposterous! This book joins the growing list of "Christian" books attacking the truth of Our Lord. With the DaVinci Code's success, we see a growing number of people repeating lies against Our Savior that have circulated since the first century solely to gain wealth. Dr. Tabor believes that the Resurrection did not take place but rather that Jesus's body was moved. How sad that this lie has been believed for centuries as the Gospels states clearly:
Thankfully, Catholic Culture just published a short article precisely on how such theories to disprove the Resurrection are ridiculous. Here is part of the article:While they were going, some of the guard went into the city and told the chief priests all that had happened. They assembled with the elders and took counsel; then they gave a large sum of money to the soldiers, telling them, "You are to say, 'His disciples came by night and stole him while we were asleep.' And if this gets to the ears of the governor, we will satisfy (him) and keep you out of trouble." The soldiers took the money and did as they were instructed. And this story has circulated among the Jews to the present [day] (Matthew 28:11-15).
It is, of course, inconceivable that the stone could have been moved without waking the “sleeping” guards, and even more inconceivable that the grave robbers would take the trouble to unwrap the body and set the head-covering neatly aside before getting safely away. But the logical fallacy of this accusation against the disciples is more outrageous still. As St. Augustine noted, if the guards were awake, how could the theft have succeeded? And if the guards were asleep, how could they identify the disciples as thieves?My advice: Again, don't waste your time on such blasphemy. The Gospels are the true stories - not what some 21st Century archeologist wants to believe.
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