The Purpose of Sunday

2 Timothy 2:8, 11-13

"Remember that Jesus Christ, a descendant of David, was raised from the dead. You can depend on this: If we have died with Him, we shall also live with Him; If we hold out to the end, we shall also reign with Him. But if we deny Him, He will deny us. If we are unfaithful He will still remain faithful, for He cannot deny Himself."

Today is the 3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time as well as Septuagesima Sunday.

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Sequence for Candlemas

This is the Sequence for Candlemas, sung to Dominican chant by the Dominican friars at Blackfriars, Oxford.

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Feast of Candlemas

Today the Church celebrates Candlemas, also called the Presentation of Our Lord as well as the Purification of Our Lady. See my post from last year for information about this important feast.

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Is Bad Language a Sin?

Q: Is using inappropriate language sinful?

A: Yes. Using inappropriate language is sinful. However, let's look at each segment of the all-encompassing term of "inappropriate language". These segments include using God's name in vain, cursing, blaspheming, and profanity.

The second Commandment specifically forbids using God’s name in vain: “Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain” (Ex 20:7; Dt 5:11). Therefore, one of the three criteria for a mortal sin is clearly in place – it is a serious sin. If the other two conditions are in place – deliberately doing the action and knowledge that it is wrong – then taking God’s name in vain is a mortal sin, which deprives the soul of sanctifying grace. Saying “O my [God’s name]” without reason and in a vain manner is using God’s name in vain. And, if a person dies in mortal sin, he/she will indeed go to Hell.

Names are greatly important as Sacred Scripture reveals in Revelations 2:17, 3:5, 3:12, and 22:4. The name given to the Lord, however, is above every other name (Ph. 2:10-11). In the Old Testament, “Out of respect for the holiness of God, the people of Israel [did] not pronounce His name [Yahweh]. In the reading of Sacred Scripture, the reveal name is replaced by the divine title “Lord”. It is under this title that the divinity of Jesus will be acclaimed: ‘Jesus is Lord’” (CCC 209). In the Gospels, Jesus’ divine name is mentioned numerous times including Matthew 1:21, 7:22, 18:20; Luke 1:31; Mark 9:38, 16:17; and John 14:13. Thus, Jesus’ name is deserving of all praise, and taking God’s name in vain is a mortal sin.

Cursing is likewise a mortal sin. Cursing is defined as calling down evil from God usually by invoking God’s holy name. Using such horrible expressions, the person calls on God to send a soul to Hell and/or inflict punishment on a person. How can we actually do such a horrendous thing – ask God to send a soul to Hell? Cursing is quite clearly also a mortal sin.

Blasphemy is “a contempt for God, expressed in thought, word or action.” As the Catechism of the Catholic Church clearly states: “The second commandment forbids the abuse of God’s name, i.e., every improper use of the names of God, Jesus, but also of the Virgin Mary and all the saints…It consists in uttering against God –inwardly or outwardly – words of hatred, reproach, or defiance; in speaking ill of God; in failing in respect toward him in one’s speech; in misusing God’s name. St. James condemns those ‘who blaspheme that honorable name [of Jesus] by which you are called’” (CCC 2146, 2148). The CCC continues by stating, “The prohibition of blasphemy extends to language against Christ’s Church, the saints, and sacred things. It is also blasphemous to make use of God’s name to cover up criminal practices, to reduce peoples to servitude, to torture persons or put them to death…Blasphemy is contrary to the respect due to God and His holy name. It is in itself a grave sin” (CCC 2148). Thus, with such a clear message, blasphemy must always be stopped because it is a mortal sin.

And finally, we are forced to ask ourselves if profanity, like the three proceeding concerns is a mortal sin. And profanity can indeed by a mortal sin if done with great anger against another person. Language is a gift from God. It should be used wisely and not laden with profanities that are impolite, vulgar, and negative. We should always avoid profanity too and live following the example of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the saints. They have reached Heaven, if we imitate them, we too shall reach the throne of God.

I conclude with words of admonishment from Sacred Scripture: “If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, his religion is vain” (James 1:26).

Sources:

Saunders, Rev. William. “Why is bad language a sin?” Arlington Catholic Herald.

Walsh, Monsignor Vincent M. The Ten Commandments Merion Station, PA: Key of David Publications, 2000.

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St. Brigid

Today the Church in Ireland celebrates the life of St. Brigid. See my post from last year for more information on St. Brigid of Ireland.

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Pope Benedict XVI: Tighten up Annulment Criteria

I am extremely pleased to read that Pope Benedict XVI has called for Vatican Judges to tighten up the criteria in granting annulments. This follows a report that states 69 annulments were granted in 2005 for truly insufficient reasons including husbands being too attached to their mothers! For those new to the term, an "annulment" is declaring a marriage null and void.

In the Gospel of St. Luke 16:18, Christ tells us that anyone who puts away his wife and marries another, commits adultery!

Unfortunately, the number of annulments from 1952 to 1956 number 359 worldwide. Following Vatican II in 1968, there were 450 in the US alone! In 1997, there were more than 73,000 annulments worldwide! This is outrageous!

Annulments have since Vatican II become the "Get Out of Marriage" Free Card. It's a travesty. 

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New Bishop Appointments: Garcia & Murry

The Most Rev. Richard J. Garcia has been installed the new Bishop of the Diocese of Monterey yesterday, January 30, 2007. His appointment was previously announced in December 2006. In his homily at the installation, Bishop Garcia said, "I dream of a diocese where we can pray together, can celebrate together, can open doors to new hopes and dreams, can accept all immigrants as God accepts us all, can reach out and love the victimized and those hurt by our church or its ministries ... and where we can see each child as a gift of God and end abortion." (Santa Cruz)

Also on Tuesday, the Catholic Diocese of Youngstown welcomed its fifth Bishop in its history: Bishop George V. Murry. He will be serving the diocese, which consists of 216,000 Catholics. Murry will be installed in Youngstown March 28. Bishop Murry said, ‘‘I am honored to accept the holy father’s appointment to serve as bishop of Youngstown, and I look forward to meeting and working with the priests, deacons, religious and laity of the diocese." (Tribune Chronicle)

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Feast of St. John Bosco

Today is the Feastday of St. John Bosco. I strongly encourage people to read about his life and the miracles he worked. His dreams are truly inspiring. Read my post from last year.

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Words of Inspiration: January 31, 2007

St. Padre Pio:

"I have no desire except to die or to love God; either death or love, since life without this love is worse than death and for me it would be more unbearable than it is at present."

St. Teresa of Avila:

"It should be observed that perfect love of God consists not in those delights, tears, and sentiments of devotion that we generally seek, but in a strong determination and keen desire to please God in all things, and to promote His glory."

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The Vatican has a Court System?

Did you know that the Vatican has it's own ecclessial court system? It does. This recent photo is of Pope Benedict XVI with the Sacra Rota Romama, the second highest court. The only court that is higher is the Apostolic Signatura.

Photo Source: AP Photo/L'Osservatore Romano, HO

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Bendigo Cathedral will stay the way it is!

After comments from Traditional and Faithful Catholics, liberal activists will not see the magnificent architecture of Bendigo Cathedral altered. I found this post on Marty's, a very good blog that I have just recently found. The article:

Altar to stay says bishop

From the Bendigo Weekly:

THE internal layout of the Sacred Heart Cathedral will not be altered.Head of the Sandhurst Diocese, Bishop Joe Grech, has no plans to move the altar from the sanctuary to the area in front of the pews, nor remove the altar rails. However, he said the idea was raised during a discussion on how to encourage a closer relationship between the clergy and parishioners."At the cathedral parish, we are always looking at how we can do things a bit better, how we can involve people in what we do," he said."

We said maybe we need to do something about the altar because it still feels as if there’s a gap between the people and the sanctuary." You talk about these things, part of our mission is how to get closer." But the structure itself of the cathedral is what we have at the moment, we will work with that and that’s the important thing." If the idea was on the agenda, Bishop Grech said he would have discussed such a move with his parishioners." If there were plans, I would have done it different, I would have presented it to the people for debate firstly, for discussion," he said." You have ideas about so many things in life and then you come to make a decision, you see whether it’s practical, or good or not so good and you work that way." Suggested changes to the altar have prompted a heated community debate between traditional Catholics and those who support change. The debate has centred on liturgical and historical arguments, along with sentiment and emotion. Bishop Grech believes every person is entitled to express their beliefs on any issue, but urges others to remember that regardless of the issue, there is a need for sensitivity."Any change is difficult," Bishop Grech said. "Some people feel with change there is a loss of something, that’s why you have to be sensitive, you have to be practical in life." It’s good for people to have freedom to think and be able to express it." Faith is something of the heart."

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Fr. Drinan Has Died

Fr. Robert Drinan, 86, the first Catholic priest to become a voting member of Congress, has died. He was an example of what a priest should not represent. Not only did he support contraception, but he also strongly supported the horror of abortion! What a scandelous man, who was supposed to be serving the Flock of Jesus Christ! He even openly supported Clinton's veto of the Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act. A priest is called to lay down his life so that others may have life. However, Fr. Drinan supported the murder of millions of innocent, unborn children. He is a disgrace to the Holy Catholic Church.

Saint John Chrysostom said: "Few bishops are saved and many priests are damned". Let's pray for the soul of Fr. Drinan; may he have repented from his grave errors before his death.

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Avoid Gossip

Saint Philip Neri once gave a lady who gossiped the following penance:

"Go to the market, buy a chicken, and pluck it on your way back here, scattering the feathers as you walk. When you give me the plucked chicken, I'll tell you the rest of your penance." 

The woman was baffled did as she was told. After she handed the plucked chicken to the saint, St. Neri said, "Now that you've spread those feathers about, go pick them up." 

"But, Father! It's impossible to know where they've all gone!" 

"Just like the words of your gossip," he said.

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Fr. Frank Pavone's Homily from January 18, 2007

I'd like to share an excerpt of Fr. Frank Pavone's Homily from Thursday, Week II, in Ordinary Time.

Here is the excerpt that I liked:

There’s one way to peace in the world. Jesus Christ our High Priest is our peace. Peace is not simply when bombs stop being dropped or guns cease their fire. Or troops are withdrawn. Neither is peace identical with troops being deployed. It is beyond all that. Peace comes when we are reconciled with Almighty God. And when through that reconciliation, we respect the human rights and dignity — the inherent human rights and dignity, of every person. That is when peace comes. Peace is not lost when the first gun is fired or the first bomb is dropped or the first tank rolls in. That is not when peace is lost. Peace is lost whenever an injustice is committed against a human being. That is when peace is lost. It can happen in the quiet silence of an apparently peaceful city. But if human lives in any way are being oppressed or downtrodden, peace has already been lost. Lets not have a superficial understanding of what peace is or what the way to peace might be.

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Book Recommendations for Lent

With Lent only three weeks away, it's time to start thinking about Lent. Not only should we fast, abstain, and give up something during Lent, but also we should do spiritual reading. The Rule of St. Benedict stipulated that monks must read one spiritual book during Lent. We could find great benefit in imitating their example.

'"A willow tree,' says Pope St. Gregory the Great, 'bears no fruit, but by supporting as it does the vine together with its grapes, it makes these its own by supporting what is not its own.' In like manner, he who warmly recommends a book calculated to do much good makes his own all the good that is done by the book" (Father Michael Mueller in The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass)

Here are some Lenten Book Recommendations:

• The Dolorous Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ by Blessed Anne Catherine Emmerich.
• Passion and Death of Our Lord Jesus Christ by Father Alban Goodier
• Suffering With Christ by Abbot Marmion
• Why the Cross? by Father Edward Leen
• Seven Words on the Cross by Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen
• The Definitive Guide to Catholic Fasting & Abstinence by Matthew Plese
• School of Jesus Christ Crucified by Fr. Ignatius
• Daily Lenten Meditation by St. Thomas Aquinas

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Words of Inspiration: January 28

Blessed Mother Teresa:

"We need to bring prayer into our family life. Through prayer, we will be able to teach our children and relatives to share. We will gain more through genuine prayer than with mere words."

Archbishop Fulton Sheen:

“The heart is the mint wherein the coinage of human life is stamped; it is the anvil which forges habits and routines; it is the ‘stick’ which pilots the plane of life. Sir Walter Scott once said to his son-in-law Lockhart: ‘We shall never learn to feel and respect our own calling and destiny, until we have taught ourselves to consider everything as moonshine, compared with the education of the heart.’”

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St. Timothy

Double (1954 Calendar): January 24

Memorial of Sts. Timothy and Titus (1969 Calendar): January 26

St. Timothy was not only a co-worker and companion to St. Paul but also his spiritual son. St. Timothy was converted and baptized into the True Faith during St. Paul's first missionary journey, and St. Timothy was later ordained a priest at a young age by St. Paul. St. Timothy eventually became the Bishop of Ephesus when St. Paul consecrated him thus. It was 30 years after St. Paul's martyrdom that St. Timothy followed his friend in martyrdom - St. Timothy was stoned to death.

Traditional Matins Reading:

Timothy was born at Lystra in Lycaonia. His father was a Gentile, and his mother a Jewess. When the Apostle Paul came into those parts, Timothy was a follower of the Christian religion. The Apostle had heard much of his holy life, and was thereby induced to take him as the companion of his travels: but on account of the Jews, who had become converts to the faith of Christ, and were aware that the father of Timothy was a Gentile, he administered to him the rite of circumcision. As soon as they arrived at Ephesus, the Apostle ordained him Bishop of that Church.

The Apostle addressed two of his Epistles to him—one from Laodicea, the other from Rome—to instruct him how to discharge his pastoral office. He could not endure to see sacrifice, which is due to God alone, offered to the idols of devils; and finding that the people of Ephesus were offering victims to Diana on her festival, he strove to make them desist from their impious rites. But they, turning upon him, stoned him. The Christians could not deliver him from their hands till he was more dead than alive. They carried him to a mountain not far from the town, and there, on the ninth of the Kalends of February (January 24), he slept in the Lord.

Prayer:

Look down upon our weakness, almighty God; and since the weight of our own deeds bears us down, may the glorious intercession of Blessed Timothy, Thy Bishop and Martyr, protect us. Through our Lord.

Prayer Source: 1962 Roman Catholic Daily Missal

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Tridentine Mass Returns to Diocese of Lafayette

Mass in Latin is no longer a memory relegated to Lafayette Roman Catholic Diocese annals.

Latin Masses returned to the Lafayette Roman Catholic Diocese on Jan. 14, when the Rev. Jerome Frey celebrated the initial Latin Tridentine service at St. Peter Church. Beginning Feb. 4, the services will be offered at 1 p.m. on the first Sunday of each month at the church located at 102 N. Church St.

Previously, Catholics who preferred the Latin service had to drive nearly 60 miles, or about an hour, to St. Agnes Catholic Church in Baton Rouge. The Baton Rouge Diocese church conducts the service at 9:30 a.m. each Sunday.

Wonderful! It's great to see the Traditional Latin Mass spreading!

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Archbishop Sheen on the Rosary

Bishop Fulton Sheen in 1953:

“The Rosary is the book of the blind, where souls see and there enact the greatest drama of love the world has ever known; it is the book of the simple which initiates them into mysteries and knowledge more satisfying than the education of other men; it is the book of the aged, whose eyes close upon the shadow of the world and open on the substance of the next.”

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Catholicism in Tibet

I came across an uplifting article on Catholicism in Tibet. Although the man in the story says that he only sees a priest once a year, he says that the faith of Catholics remains alive.

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